But he there learnt the true foundations on which the government was laid, and the solid arguments in suppport of it.

His name does not appear to that great instrument; the illness of his family having called him home before the labours of the Convention were concluded. But when the constitution was submitted to the judgment of the state convention in North Carolina, for its adoption, he stood forth its most able champion, and its most ardent supporter.

The university of North Carolina, is mainly indebted to his exertions, and to his labours, for its establishment, and for the assignment of permanent landed property for its support. Colonel Davie was extremely anxious upon this subject, and exerted the utmost powers of his persuasive and commanding eloquence, to ensure success. He was deeply sensible of the extreme importance of extending, as widely as possible, the advantages of liberal education, that there might be a perpetual succession of enlightened and liberal men, qualified to administer the affairs of this great and increasing people with wisdom and dignity. He considered the public liberty insecure, and liable to be disturbed by perpetual factions, unless education be widely diffused.

Colonel Davie was now appointed a major general in the militia of North Carolina; and some time after, in the year 1799, was elected governor of that state; the duties of which station he performed with his accustomed firmness and wisdom. He was not, however, permitted to remain long in that station. His country had higher claims on his talents and services.

The venerable Mr. Adams, then president of the United States, anxious to make one more effort to put an end to the differences which subsisted between this country and France, associated general Davie with Mr. Ellsworth and Mr. Murray, as his ambassadors on a mission to France for that purpose.

Soon after his return to America, general Davie lost his wife, a lady of lofty mind and exemplary virtues, to whom he was greatly attached: and not long after, he took the resolution to retire from public life, and to become a farmer on his own fine estate at Tivoli, beautifully situated on the Catawba river, in Chester district, South Carolina.

When war took place between this country and Britain, in 1812, General Davie was offered by the government of his country, a high command in the army. But his increasing infirmities admonished him not to assume duties beyond his strength, which might prejudice the service, instead of promoting it. The wounds received in the revolutionary war, and the rheumatism from long exposure

during his service, became fixed on his constitution, and rendered him incapable of those active exertions which his high sense of duty would have exacted from him as a commander. He, therefore, declined the honour offered him, after a good deal of hesitation.

General Davie continued to reside at his beautiful seat, on the banks of the Catawba, to which travellers and visitors were constantly attracted by his open hospitality, his dignified manners, and elevated character. Occasionally he made excursions to the Warm Springs, in Buncombe county, North Carolina, for relief from the harassing rheumatism, which afflicted and wasted him. On those visits he was always greatly admired by the intelligent strangers who visited that place of resort from all the southern and south-western states. The affability of his deportment gave easy access to all. But no person approached him, however distinguished by his talents or character, who did not speedily feel that he was in the presence of a very superior man. His great and varied information, combined with his profound knowledge of men and things, made him the most interesting of companions. The ignorant and the learned, the weak and the wise, were all instructed and delighted with his conversation, which had an irresistible charm for all. Although no man spoke more plainly his opinions and sentiments on proper occasions, he had the art of never giving offence.

At home, and in his own neighborhood, general Davie was revered with the highest filial piety. He was the friend of the distressed, the safe counsellor of the embarrassed, and the peace maker of all. His own character, free from every spot or stain, gave a power to his interpositions, which was irresistible.

General Davie had a deep, and even an awful sense of God and his providence; and was attached to the principles and doctrines of Christianity. But he had not attached himself, as an avowed member, to any particular sect. He thought they generally dogmatized too much, and shut the door of christian charity too closely. He devised a proper site on his estate for the erection of a place of worship, to be erected by any Christian society, which should choose to put up a suitable building thereon.

He was a tall man, of fine proportions; his figure erect and commanding; his countenance possessing great expression; and his voice full and energetic. Indeed his whole appearance struck the beholder at once, as indicating no ordinary man; and the reality exceeded the appearance.

Such was the man who has been taken from his afflicted family, his friends, and his country. He met death with the

firmness of a soldier, and of a man conscious of a life well spent. His memory is cherished by his family and friends, with the most enthusiastic attachment. The good he did survives him; and he has left a noble example to the youth of his country, to encourage and to stimulate them in the honourable career of virtue and of exertion. May it be appreciated and followed.

DAVIDSON, WILLIAM, lieutenant colonel commandant in the North Carolina line, and brigadier general in the militia of that state, was the youngest son of George Davidson, who removed with his family, from Lancaster county, in Pennsylvania, in the year 1750, to Rowan county, in North Carolina.

William was born in the year 1746, and was educated in a plain country manner, at an academy in Charlotte, the county town of Mecklenburg, which adjoins Rowan.

Like most of the enterprising youth of America, Davidson repaired to the standard of his country, on the commencement of the revolutionary war, and was appointed a major in one of the first regiments formed by the government of North Carolina.

In this character, he marched with the North Carolina line, under brigadier general Nash, to the main army in New Jersey, where he served under the commander in chief, until the North Carolina line was detached in November, 1779, to reinforce the southern army, commanded by major general Lincoln. Previous to this event, major Davidson was promoted to the command of a regiment, with the rank of lieutenant colonel commandant,

As he passed through North Carolina, Davidson obtained permission to visit his family, from which he had been absent nearly three years. The delay produced by this visit saved him from captivity, as he found Charleston so closely invested when he arrived in its neighborhood, as to prevent his rejunction with his regiment.

Soon after the surrender of general Lincoln and his army, the loyalists of North Carolina, not doubting the complete success of the royal forces, began to embody themselves for the purpose of contributing their active aid in the field to the subsequent operations of the British general. They were numerous in the western parts of the state, and especially in the highland settlement about Cross creek. Lieutenant colonel

Davidson put himself at the head of some of our militia, called out to quell the expected insurrection. He proceeded with vigor in the execution of his trust; and in an engagement with a party of loyalists near Calson's mill, he was severely wounded; the ball entered the umbilical region, and passed

through his body near the kidneys. This confined him for eight weeks; when recovering, he instantly took the field, having been recently appointed brigadier general by the government of North Carolina, in the place of brigadier general Rutherford, taken at the battle of Camden. He exerted himself, in conjunction with general Sumner and colonel Davie, to interrupt the progress of lord Cornwallis in his advance towards Salisbury, and throughout that eventful period, gave unceasing evidences of his zeal and firmness in upholding his falling country.

After the victory obtained by Morgan at the Cowpens, Davidson was among the most active of his countrymen in assembling the militia of his district, to enable general Greene, who had joined the light corps under Morgan, to stop the progress of the advancing enemy; and was detached by general Greene, on the night of the last day of January, to guard the very ford selected by lord Cornwallis for his passage of the Catawba river on the next morning. Davidson possessed himself of the post in the night, at the head of three hundred men; and having placed a picquet near the shore, stationed his corps at some small distance from the ford.

General Henry Lee, from whose "memoirs of the war in the Southern department of the United States," we copy the present sketch of General Davidson, gives the following account of the battle:

"A disposition was immediately made to dislodge Davidson, which the British general, O'Hara, with the guards effected. Lieutenant colonel Hall led with the light company, followed by the grenadiers. The current was rapid, the stream waist deep, and five hundred yards in width. The soldiers crossed in platoons, supporting each other's steps. When lieutenant colonel Hall reached the middle of the river, he was descried by the American centinels, whose challenge and fire brought Davidson's corps into array. Deserted by his guide, Hall passed directly across, not knowing the landing place, which lay below him. This deviation from the common course rendered it necessary for Davidson to incline to the right; but this manoeuvre, although promptly performed, was not effected until the light infantry had gained the shore. A fierce conflict ensued, which was well supported by Davidson and his inferior force. The militia at length yielded, and Davidson, while mounting his horse to direct the retreat, was killed. Our loss was small, excepting general Davidson, an active, zealous, and influential officer. The British lieutenant colonel Hall was also killed, with three of the light infantry, and thirty-six wounded. Lord Cornwallis's horse was shot under him, and fell as soon as he got upon the shore.

Leslee's horses were carried down the stream and with difficulty saved; and O'Hara's tumbled over with him in the water."

The loss of brigadier general Davidson would have always been felt in any stage of the war. It was particularly detrimental in its effect at this period, as he was the chief instrument relied upon by general Greene for the assemblage of the militia; an event all important at this crisis, and anxiously desired by the American general. The ball passed through his breast, and he instantly fell dead.

This promising soldier was thus lost to his country in the meridian of life, and at a moment when his services would have been highly beneficial to her. He was a man of popular manners, pleasing address, active and indefatigable. Enamoured with the profession of arms, and devoted to the great cause for which he had fought, his future usefulness may be inferred from his former conduct.

The congress of the United States, in gratitude for his services, and in commemoration of the sense of his worth, passed the following resolution, directing the erection of a monument to his memory.

Resolved, That the governor and council of the state of North Carolina be desired to erect a monument, at the expense of the United States, not exceeding the value of five hundred dollars, to the memory of the late brigadier general Davidson, who commanded the militia of the district of Salisbury, in the state of North Carolina, and was killed on the first day of February last, fighting gallantly in the defence of the liberty and independence of these states.

DICKINSON, JOHN, a distinguished political writer and friend of his country, was the son of Samuel Dickinson, esquire, of Delaware. He was a member of the assembly of Pennsylvania, in 1764, and of the general congress, in 1765. In November, 1767, he began to publish his celebrated letters against the acts of the British parliament, laying duties on paper, glass, &c. They supported the liberties of his country, and contributed much to the American revolution. He was a member of the first congress, in 1774, and the petition to the king, which was adopted at this time, and is considered as an elegant composition, was written by him.

He was the author of the declaration adopted by the congress of 1775, setting forth the causes and necessity of their taking up arms, which declaration was directed to be published by general Washington, upon his arrival at the camp before Boston, in July, 1775. He also wrote the second petition to the king, adopted by the same congress, stating the merits of their claims, and soliciting the royal interposition