tue. Here he who is ambitious of acting a distinguished part in the cabinet, may learn to imitate a Franklin, a Henry, an Adams, a Hancock, and others. Here the soldier, whose ambition is patriotism and glory, may be stimulated to acquire the laurels gained by a Washington, a Greene, a Montgomery, a Wayne, a Warren, and their compatriots. And here the naval aspirant, may dwell with delight and satisfaction, on the heroic actions of a Biddle, Barney, and others. In a word, here may the sons of America trace the lineaments of their fathers' glory, and by their example learn to imitate their deeds. "The authors of our independence will indeed occupy a high rank in the veneration of posterity; and for the gratification of the present and all future times, it is now proper to collect the scattered notices of their personal and political history; to mould them into form, and to exhibit the result to the contemplation of an admiring world."

The introduction contains a succinct account of the events which led to the rupture between Great Britain and her then colonies. The declaration of 1775, and the other papers which emanated from congress, during the revolutionary contest, contain the manful remonstrances of freemen against oppression; an elegant and eloquent exposition of the rights of the people, and of the causes which impelled our fathers to the separation. The biographies of the sages and heroes, contain much instructive history of the revolution; calculated to incite the young, instruct the old, and improve the moral character of the nation, by holding up to public view and imitation, portraits of virtue and patriotism, of which the history of mankind affords no brighter examples. To which is added the Farewell Address of WASHINGTON, in which we may read with delight and instruction, the advice of the father of our country, and the importance and necessity of preserving the union of our confederated republic.

The compiler claims no other merit for this work, than a persevering industry to collect and save from oblivion, the names and deeds of those brave men, whose wisdom in council, and valour in battle, gave liberty and independence to a great, powerful, and flourishing nation.

Easton, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1824.

INTRODUCTION.

THE compiler deems it proper to state the gradual approaches which the colonies made towards independence, previous to the declaration by the immortal Congress of 1776, and in a summary mode to trace the current of events, from the origin of the plan of taxing America, up to the Fourth of July of that year.

In 1764, the British parliament passed resolutions, preparatory to laying a tax on the colonies, by a stamp act. In March, 1765, the famous stamp act was passed, to take effect in the colonies on the first of November following. This was the first act of the mother country, which created alarm, and which eventually caused a separation of these states from Great Britain. It passed the house of Commons by a majority of two hundred votes. The bill met with no opposition in the house of Lords. The very night the act passed, Dr. Franklin who was then in London, wrote to Charles Thompson, afterwards secretary of congress: "The sun of liberty is set; the Americans must light the lamps of industry and economy." To which Mr. Thompson answered: "Be assured we will light torches of quite another sort." He here predicted the opposition and convulsions, that were about to follow this odious act. The torch of the revolution was indeed very soon lighted. When the information of the passage of the act reached the colonies, the assembly of Virginia was the only one in session; and Virginia led the way in opposition to it. The resolutions offered by Patrick Henry, assumed a lofty and open ground against taxation. In New England, and particularly in Massachusetts, the same opposition was manifested, and, indeed, the whole continent was in a flame. It spread from breast to breast, till the conflagration became general. The legislature of Massachusetts met on the last day of May, 1765. A committee reported the expediency of having a general meeting of "committees," from the several assemblies of the colonies, to be held at New York, in October following. They also resolved to send circulars to the several assemblies, requesting their concurrence. Twenty-eight deputies, from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and South Carolina, met at New York, on Monday the 7th of October, 1765. They passed resolutions expressing their motives and principles, and declaring their exemption from all taxes, not imposed by their own representatives. They also agreed upon a petition to the king, a memorial to the house of lords, and a petition to the house of commons.

From the decided opposition to this act, and the indignation manifested against it, in all parts of the colonies, it was deemed proper to repeal it. It was accordingly repealed on the 18th of March, 1766. Much opposition, however, was made to its repeal. Several speakers in both houses of parliament denied the right of taxing the colonies. Mr. Pitt, afterwards lord Chatham, said, "it is my opinion that this kingdom has no right to lay a tax upon the colonies. We are told that America is obstinate, almost in open rebellion. I rejoice that America has resisted. Three millions of people so dead to all the feelings of liberty, as voluntarily to submit to be slaves, would have been fit instruments to make slaves of all the rest. The Americans have been wronged; they have been driven to madness by injustice. Will you punish them for the madness you have occasioned? No; let this country be the first to resume its prudence and temper." He concluded by saying that it was his opinion that the stamp act be repealed, absolutely, totally, and immediately.

In 1767, an act passed the British parliament, laying a heavy duty on tea, glass, paper, and other articles. This act re-kindled the resentment and excited a general opposition among the people of the colonies; and they contended that there was no real difference between the principle of the new act and the stamp act. This act produced resolves, petitions, &c. similar to those with which the colonies opposed the stamp act, and in various parts, particularly in Massachusetts, on the suggestion of Samuel Adams, it was agreed not to import and consume British manufactures.

In 1769, both houses of parliament passed a joint address to his majesty, approbatory of his measures, and that they would support him in such further measures as might be found necessary, to maintain the civil magistrates in a due execution of the laws in Massachusetts-Bay. The assembly of Virginia, in this year, passed resolutions complaining of the recent acts of parliament, and remonstrated against the right of transporting the freeborn subjects of America to Eng land, to be tried for alledged offences committed in the colonies. In 1770, on the 2d of March, the Boston massacre took place.

In 1773, the people of Boston who were determined not to pay duties on tea, collected in a town meeting and resolved. that the tea should not be landed. At the dissolution of the meeting, about twenty persons, in the disguise of Mohawk Indians, went on board some ships, broke open three hundred and forty-two chests of tea, and discharged their contents into the water. In Philadelphia, where the spirit of opposition, although not less deep, was less loud, they unloaded some of the cargoes and stored the tea in damp cellars, where it soon

moulded. Whole cargoes were returned from New York and Philadelphia. When the news of the destruction of the tea reached England, they determined to punish the people of Boston. In 1774, a bill was passed in parliament, called the Boston Port Bill, to discontinue the landing or shipping of any goods, wares, or merchandize, at the harbour of that city. This was followed by an act authorising the quartering of soldiers in the houses of the citizens. General Gage, in character of commander in chief of the royal forces, and governor of Massachussetts, arrived at Boston, with a military force, to enforce the acts of the parliament.

The words whigs and tories were now introduced, to distinguish the names of the parties. By the former, were meant those who were for supporting the colonies in their opposition to the tyrannical acts of the British parliament. By the latter, those who were in favour of Great Britain and opposed to resistance.

During these commotions, the first Congress of delegates, chosen and appointed by the several colonies and provinces, met at Carpenter's Hall, in the city of Philadelphia, on the 5th of September, 1774. Peyton Randolph, of Virginia, was unanimously elected President, and Charles Thompson, Secretary. On the 27th September, congress unanimously resolved, that from and after the 1st of December. 1774, there should be no importation from Great Britain or Ireland, of British goods. On the 8th of October, it was resolved that the congress approve the opposition of the inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay, to the execution of the obnoxious acts of Parliament. On the 22d of September, they passed a resolution recommending delegates to meet again at Philadelphia, on the 10th May, 1775. The congress was then dissolved.

On the 19th of April, 1775, the first battle was fought between the Americans and the king's troops, at Lexington, Massachusetts. The revolutionary war began with this battle; for here the first blood was spilt. The British had sixty five killed, one hundred and eighty wounded, and twenty eight made prisoners. Of the Americans, fifty one were killed, thirty eight wounded, and four were missing. At Lexington a monument has been erected to the memory of those who were killed in that town, with a suitable inscription on it, including the names of those who fell. The die was cast! the blood of these martyrs was the cement of the union of these states: the Americans rose as one man to revenge their brethren's blood, and at the point of the sword to assert and defend their native rights. Those who fell in this battle were revered by their countrymen, as martyrs who had died in the cause of liberty.

On the 10th May, 1775, the delegates from the several colonies, with the exception of Rhode Island, assembled at the state house in Philadelphia, when Peyton Randolph, was a second time unanimously elected president, and Charles Thompson, secretary. A few days after they met, Mr. Randolph being under the necessity of returning home, John Hancock, of Massachusetts, was unanimously elected president.

On the 17th of June, the memorable battle of Bunker's Hill took place, where the gallant resistance of a handful of undisciplined troops, taught a lesson to the British which they remembered during the contest.

In the same month Congress resolved to raise several companies of riflemen, &c. and that a general should be appointed to command all the continental forces raised, or to be raised, for the defence of American liberty; and GEORGE WASHINGTON, was unanimously elected. Congress, at the same time, resolved, that they would maintain, assist, and adhere to George Washington, with their lives and fortunes.

On the first of August, Congress adjourned to meet on the 5th of September. On the 5th of September, 1775, Congress again convened, and proceeded to the important business entrusted to them. They provided for raising armies, building vessels of war, and authorised the capture of all ships and vessels belonging to the inhabitants of Great Britain. They also resolved that ten millions of dollars should be raised for the purpose of carrying on the war.

On the 10th of June, 1776, a motion was made by Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, seconded by John Adams, of Massachusetts, that a committee should be appointed to prepare a declaration to the following effect: "That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown; and that all political connexion between them and the state of Great Britain, is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." The committee consisted of Mr. Jefferson, Mr. J. Adams, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Sherman, and Mr. R. R. Livingston. Mr. Jefferson, though the youngest on the committee, was chairman, he having received one more vote than Mr. Adams. The committee met and appointed Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Adams, a sub-committee. Mr. Jefferson urged Mr. Adams to write the declaration, and Mr. Adams urged Mr. Jefferson to do it. Mr. Jefferson consented, and the next day submitted the original draft, as it was presented to Congress. On the first day of July, the committee reported the declaration to Congress, and it was discussed and amended on the second and third, and finally, on the fourth of July, the Declaration of Independence was agreed to and signed.