to hide it from the birds of prey; though not a reward of his merit, he was commissioned the most friendly sigh was uttered o'er thy grave; and worshipful GRAND-MASTER of all the ancient Masons, though the execration of an impious foe, were all through North America.—And you, brethren, are thy faneral knells; yet, matchless patriot! thy living testimonies, with how much honor to himmemory has been embalmed in the affections of self, and benefit to the craft universal, he disthy grateful countrymen; who, in their breasts, charged the duties of his elevated trust; with have raised eternal monuments to thy bravery!

But let us leave the beloved remains, and contemplate for a moment, those virtues of the man,

the exercise of which have so deservedly endeared him to the honest among the great, and the good among the humble.

what sweetened accents he courted your attention, while, with wisdom, strength, and beauty, be instructed his lodges in the secret arts of Freema

onry; what perfect order and decorum he preservduct, what a bright example he set us, to live withed in the government of them; and, in all his conin compass, and act upon the square.

In the private walks of life, he was a pattern for With what pleasure did he silence the wants of mankind. The tears of her, to whom the world poor and pennyless brethren; yea, the necessitous is indebted for so much virtue, are silent heralds of his filial piety; while his tender offspring, in the craft, from his benefactions, felt the happy efevery where, though ignorant of the mysteries of Jisping out their father's care, proclaim his parental fects of that institution which is founded on faith, affection: and an ADAMS can witness with how much zeal he loved, where he had formed the sacred connexion of a friend:—their kindred souls were so closely twined, that both felt one joy, both one affliction. In conversation he had the happy talent of addressing his subject both to the understanding and the passions; from the one he forced conviction, from the other he stole assent.

hope and charity. And the world may cease to the altar of his country, when they are told that wonder, that he so readily offered up his life, on the main pillar of masonry is the LOVE OF MANKIND.

The fates, as though they would reveal, in the person of our GRAND-MASTER, those mysteries which have so long lain hid from the world, have suffered him, like the great master-builder in the He was blessed with a complacency of disposi- temple of old, to fall by the hands of Ruffians, and tion and equanimity of temper, which peculiarly be again raised in honor and authority: we searched endeared him to his friends, and which, added to the in the field for the murdered son of a widow, and deportment of the gentleman, commanded rever-we found him, by the turf and the twig, buried on ence and esteem even from his enemies. the brow of a hill, though not in a decent grave.—

Such was the tender sensibility of his soul, that And though we must again commit his body to the he need but see distress to feel it, and contribute tomb, yet our breasts shall be the burying spot of to its relief. He was deaf to the calls of interest his masonic virtues, and there— even in the course of his profession: and wherever he beheld an indigent object, which claimed his healing skill, he administered it, without even the hope of any other reward than that which resulted from the reflection of having so far promoted the happiness of his fellow-men.

"An adamantine monument we'll rear, "With this inscription," Masonry "lies here."In public life, the sole object of his ambition was, to acquire the conscience of virtuous enterprizes; amor patrie was the spring of his actions, and mens conscia recti was his guide.-And on this security he was, on every occasion, ready to sacrifice his In the social departments of life, practising upon health, his interest, and his ease, to the sacred the strength of that doctrine, he used so earnestly calls of his country. When the liberties of Ame. to inculcate himself, that nothing so much conduced rica were attacked, he appeared an early champion to enlighten mankind, and advance the great end of in the contest: and though his knowledge and society at large, as the frequent interchange of abilities would have insured riches and preferment sentiments, in friendly meeting; we find him con- (could he have stooped to prestitution) yet he stantly engaged in this eligible labor; but on none nobly withstood the fascinating charm, tossed did he place so high a value, as on that most honora. ble of all detached societies, THE FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS: into this fraternity he was early initiated; and after having given repeated proofs of a rapid proficiency in the arts, and after evidencing by his life, the professions of his lips-finally, as the

fortune back her plume, and pursued the inflexible purpose of his soul, in guiltless competence.

He sought not the airy honors of a name, eise many of those publications which, in the early period of our controversy, served to open the minds of the people, had not appeared anonymous, In

99

"Freedom wept, that merit could not save,'
But Warren's manes "must enrich the grave."

every time of eminent danger, his fellow citizens contempt of danger, flew to the field of battle, flew to him for advice; like the orator of Athens, where, after a stern, and almost victorious resishe gave it and dispelled their fears:-twice did tance, ah! too soon for his country! he sealed his they call him to the rostrum to commemorate the principles with his blood-thenmassacre of their brethren; and from that instance, in persuasive language he taught them, not only Enriched indeed! and the heights of Charlestown the dangerous tendency, but the actual mischief, shall be more memorable for thy fall, than the of stationing a military force in a free city, in a time of peace.-They learnt the profitable lesson, and penned it among their grievances.

Plains of Abraham are for that of the hero of Britain. For while he died contending for a single country, you fell in the cause of virtue and man

But his abilities were too great, his deliberations kind. too much wanted, to be confined to the limits of a The greatness of his soul shone even in the mosingle city, and at a time when our liberties were ment of death; for, if fame speaks true, in his last most critically in danger from the secret machinaagonies he met the insults of his barbarous foe tions and open assaults of our enemies, this town, with his wonted magnanimity, and with the true to their lasting honor, elected him to take a part spirit of a soldier, frowned at their impotence.

in the councils of the state.--And with what faithfulness he discharged the important delegation,

In fine, to complete the great character-like

died.

the neglect of his private concerns, and his un. HARRINGTON he wrote--like CICERO he spoke wearied attendance on that betrustment, will suflike HAMPDEN he lived--and like WOLFE he ficiently testify: and the records of that virtuous assembly will remain the testimonials of his accomplishments as a statesman, and his integrity and services as a patriot, through all posterity.

And can we, my countrymen, with indifference behold so much valor laid prostrate by the hand of British tyranny! and can we ever grasp that The congress of our colony could not observe so hand in affection again? are we not yet convinced "that he who hunts the woods for prey, the naked much virtue and greatness without honoring it with and untutored indian, is less a savage than the king the highest mark of their favor; and by the free suffrages of that uncorrupted body of freemen, he of Britain!" have we not proofs, wrote in blood, that the corrupted nation, from whence we sprang, was soon called to preside in the senate-where, by his daily counsels and exertions, he was con(though there may be some traces of their ancient virtue left) are stubbornly fixed on our destruc stantly promoting the great cause of general liberty. tion! and shall we still court a dependence on such But when he found the tools of oppression were a state? still contend for a connexion with those obstinately bent on violence; when he found the who have forfeited not only every kindred claim, vengeance of the British court must be glutted but even their title to humanity! forbid it the spirit with blood; he determined, that what he could not of the brave MONTGOMERY! forbid it the spirit of effect by his eloquence or his pen, he would immortal WARREN! forbid it the spirits of all our bring to purpose by his sword. And on the memo- valiant countrymen! who fought, bled, and died rable 19th of April, he appeared in the field under for far different purposes, and who would have the united characters of the general, the soldier, thought the purchase dear indeed! to have paid and the physician. Here he was seen animating their lives for the paltry boon of displacing one his countrymen to battle, and fighting by their set of villains in power, to make way for another. side, and there he was found administering healing No. They contended for the establishment of comforts to the wounded. And when he had re- peace, liberty, and safety to their country: and we pelled the unprovoked assaults of the enemy, and are unworthy to be called their countrymen, if we had driven them back into their strong-holds, like stop at any acquisition short of this. the virtuous chief of Rome, he returned to the senate, and presided fagain at the councils of the fathers.

Now is the happy season, to seize again those rights, which, as men, we are by nature entitled to, and which, by contract, we never have and When the vanquished foe had rallied their dis-never could have surrendered:-but which have ordered army, and by the acquisition of fresh been repeatedly and violently attacked by the king, strength, again presumed to fight against freemen, lorde and commons of Britain. Ought we not then our patriot, ever anxious to be where he could do to disclaim forever, the forfeited affinity; and by a the most good, again put off the senator, and, in timely amputation of that rotten limb of the em

pire, prevent the mortification of the whole? ought we not to listen to the voice of our slaughtered brethren, who are now proclaiming aloud to their

country

Go tell the king, and tell him from our spirits,
That you and Britons can be friends no more;
Tell him, to you all tyrants are the same;
Or if in bonds, the never conquer'd soul
Can feel a pang, more keen than slavery's self,
"Tis where the chains that crush you into dust,

Are forg'd by hands, from which you hop'd for freedom.

Yes, we ought, and will--we will assert the blood of our murdered hero against thy hostile oppressions, O shameless Britain! and when "thy cloud-capped towers, thy gorgeous palaces" shall, by the teeth of pride and folly, be levelled with the dust-and when thy glory shall have faded like the western sunbeam-the name and the virtues of WARREN shall remain immortal.

Whoever compares our present with our former constitution, will find abundant reason to rejoice in the exchange, and readily admit, that all the calamities, incident to this war, will be amply com. pensated by the many blessings flowing from this glorious revolution. A revolution which, in the whole course of its rise and progress, is distinguished by so many marks of the Divine favor and interposition, that no doubt can remain of its being finally accomplished.

It was begun, and has been supported, in a manner so singular, and I may say, miraculous, that when future ages shall read its history, they will be tempted to consider great part of it as fabulous. What, among other things, can appear more unworthy of credit, than that in an enlightened age, in a civilized and Christian country, in a na. THE CHARGE DELIVERED BY JOHN JAY, ESQ. CHIEF JUS- tion so celebrated for humanity, as well as love of TICE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, TO THE GRAND liberty and justice, as the English once justly were,

Judge Jay's Charge.

IN ULSTER COUNTY, SEPT. 9, 1777.

JURY OF THE SUPREME COURT, HELD AT KINGSTON, a prince should arise, who, by the influence of corAdvertisement. The following charge was given at ruption alone, should be able to seduce them into a time when the assembly and senate were conven- a combination, to reduce three millions of his most ing, and the whole system of government, establish- loyal and affectionate subjects, to absolute slavery, ed by the constitution, about being put in motionunder pretence of a right, appertaining to Gon The grand inquest was composed of the most re spectable characters in the county, and no less than alone, of binding them in all cases whatever, not twenty-two of them attended and were sworn. even excepting cases of conscience and religion? GENTLEMEN-It affords me very sensible plea-What can appear more improbable, although true, sure to congratulate you on the dawn of that free, than that this prince, and this people, should obmild and equal government, which now begins to stinately steel their hearts, and shut their ears, rise and break from amidst those clouds of anar- against the most humble petitions and affectionate chy, confusion and licentiousness, which the arbi- remonstrances; and unjustly determine, by violence trary and violent domination of the king of Great and force, to execute designs which were reproBritain had spread, in greater or less degrees, bated by every principle of humanity, equity, grathroughout this and the other American states. titude and policy-designs which would have been And it gives me particular satisfaction to remark, execrable, if intended against savages and enemies, that the first fruits of our excellent constitution and yet formed against men descended from the appear in a part of this state, whose inhabitants same common ancestors with themselves; men, have distinguished themselves, by having unani- who had liberally contributed to their support, and mously endeavored to deserve them. cheerfully fought their battles, even in remote This is one of those signal instances, in which and baleful climates? Will it not appear extraorDivine Providence has made the tyranny of princes dinary, that thirteen colonies, the object of their instrumental in breaking the chains of their sub-wicked designs, divided by variety of governments jects; and rendered the most inhuman designs, and manners, should immediately become one peoproductive of the best consequences, to those ple, and though without funds, without magazines, against whom they were intended. without disciplined troops, in the face of their The infatuated sovereign of Britain, forgetful enemies, unanimously determine to be free; and, that kings were the servants, not the proprietors, undaunted by the power of Britain, refer their and ought to be the fathers, not the incendiaries cause to the justice of the Almighty, and resolve of their people, hath, by destroying our former con- to repel force by force? Thereby presenting to the stitutions, enabled us to erect more eligible sys-world an illustrious example of magnanimity and tems of government on their ruins; and, by unwar. virtue scarcely to be paralleled. Will it not be matrantable attempts, to bind us, in all cases whatever, ter of doubt and wonder, that, notwithstanding has reduced us to the happy necessity of being free these difficulties, they should raise armies, estabfrom his control in any. lish funds, carry on commerce, grow rich by the

spoils of their enemies, and bid defiance to the legislative, executive and judicial powers of goarmies of Britain, the mercenaries of Germany and vernment, as to promise permanence to the constithe savages of the wilderness?-But, however in-tution, and give energy and impartiality to the credible these things may in future appear, we distribution of justice. So that, while you possess know them to be true, and we should always re- wisdom to discern and virtue to appoint men of member, that the many remarkable and unexpect-worth and abilities to fill the offices of the state, ed means and events, by which our wants have been you will be happy at home and respectable abroad supplied, and our enemies repelled or restrained, -Your life, your liberties, your property, will be are such strong and striking proofs of the interposi- at the disposal only of your Creator and yourtion of heaven, that our having been hitherto deli-selves. You will know no power but such as you vered from the threatened bondage of Britain, will create; no authority unless derived from your ought, like the emancipation of the Jews from grant; no laws, but such as acquire all their obligaEgyptian servitude, to be forever ascribed to its tion from your consent. true cause, and instead of swelling our breasts with Adequate security is also given to the rights of arrogant ideas of our prowess and importance, conscience and private judgment. They are, by kindle in them a flame of gratitude and piety, nature, subject to no control but that of the Deity, which may consume all remains of vice and irreli- and in that free situation they are now left. Every gion. man is permitted to consider, to adore and to worBlessed be God! the time will now never arrive ship his Creator in the manner most agreeable to when the prince of a country, in another quarter of his conscience. No opinions are dictated; no rules the globe, will command your obedience and hold of faith prescribed; no preference given to one sect you in vassalage. His consent has ceased to be to the prejudice of others.—The constitution, hownecessary to enable you to enact laws essential to ever, has wisely declared, that the "liberty of con. to your welfare; nor will you, in future, be sub. science, thereby granted, shall not be so construed ject to the imperious sway of rulers, instructed to as to excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify pracsacrifice your happiness, whenever it might be in. tices inconsistent with the peace or safety of this state." In a word, the convention, by whom that consistent with the ambitious views of their royal constitution was formed, were of opinion, that the gospel of CHRIST, like the ark of God, would not fall, though unsupported by the arm of flesh; and happy would it be for mankind, if that opinion prevailed more generally.

master.

The Americans are the first people whom heaven has favored with an opportunity of deliberating upon, and choosing the forms of government under which they should live;--all other constitutions bave derived their existence from violence or acci.

dental eircumstances, and are therefore probably more distant from their perfection, which, though beyond our reach, may nevertheless be approached under the guidance of reason and experience.

But let it be remembered, that whatever marks of wisdom, experience and patriotism there may be in your constitution, yet, like the beautiful symmetry, the just proportions, and elegant forms of our first parent, before their maker breathed into them the breath of life, it is yet to be animated, How far the people of this state have improved and till then, may indeed excite admiration, but this opportunity, we are at no loss to determine.- will be of no use-From the people it must reTheir constitution has given general satisfaction at ceive its spirit, and by them be quickened. Let home, and been not only approved, but applauded virtue, honor, the love of liberty and of science be, abroad. It would be a pleasing task to take a mi- and remain, the soul of this constitution, and it nute view of it, to investigate its principles, and will become the source of great and extensive hapremark the connection and use of its several parts piness to this and future generations. Vice, igno--but that would be a work of too great length to rance, and want of vigilance, will be the only enebe proper on this occasion. I must therefore con- mies able to destroy it. Against these provide, fine myself to general observations; and among and, of these, be forever jealous. Every member those which naturally arise from a consideration of of the state, ought diligently to read and study this subject, none are more obvious, than that the the constitution of his country, and teach the rising highest respect has been paid to those great and equal rights of human nature, which should forever remain inviolate in every society-and that such care has been taken in the disposition of the

generation to be free. By knowing their rights, they will sooner perceive when they are violated, and be the better prepared to defend and assert them.

This, gentlemen, is the first court held under the authority of our constitution, and I hope its proceedings will be such, as to merit the approbation of the friends, and avoid giving cause of censure to the enemies of the present establish

ment.

who, fearless of danger, undaunted by opposition, uninfluenced by the hope of reward, in the worst of times, has stood among the foremost, an early, active, zealous, disinterested champion, in the cause of American liberty and independence—the followiug oration, originally drawn up at his request, is respectfully inscribed by his humble servant the author.

It is proper to observe, that no person in this state, however exalted or low his rank, however dignified or humble his station, but has a right to Friends and fellow-citizens—Impressed with the the protection of, and is amenable to the laws of deepest sense of my insufficiency, I rise to address the land; and that if those laws be wisely made you with peculiar diffidence. When I consider. and duly executed, innocence will be defended, the knowledge and eloquence necessary to disoppression punished, and vice restrained. Hence play the glorious prospects which independence it becomes the common duty, and indeed the com opens to this continent, I am stung with a degree mon interest, of every subject of the state, and of self-reproach for undertaking the important particularly of those concerned in the distribution task. But your known attachment to the cause of justice, to unite in repressing the licentious, in of America encourages me to hope, that you will supporting the laws, and thereby diffusing the bles-receive with indulgence, a well intended exertion sings of peace, security, order and good govern- to promote her welfare; and emboldens me to cast ment, through all degrees and ranks of men among myself on that candor, which looks with kindness on the feeblest efforts of an honest mind.

us.

I presume it will be unnecessary to remind you, We are now celebrating the anniversary of our that neither fear, favor, resentment, or other perso- emancipation from British tyranny; an event that nal and partial considerations, should influence will constitute an illustrious era in the history of your conduct. Calm, deliberate reason, candor, the world, and which promises an extension of all moderation, a dispassionate, and yet a determined those blessings to our country, for which we would resolution to do your duty, will, I am persuaded, choose to live, or dare to die.

be the principles by which you will be directed.

You will be pleased to observe, that all offences committed in this county against the peace of the people of this state, from treason to trespass, are proper objects of your attention and enquiry.

You will pay particular attention to the practice of counterfeiting the bills of credit, emitted by the general CONGRESS, or other of the AMERICAN STATES, and of knowingly passing such counterfeits. Prac tices no less criminal in themselves, than injurious to the interest of that great cause, on the success of which the happiness of AMERICA SO essentially depends.

Our present form of government is every way preferable to the royal one we have lately renounc⚫ ed. It is much more favorable to purity of morals, and better calculated to promote all our important interests. Honesty, plain-dealing, and simple manners, were never made the patterns of courtly be havior. Artificial manners always prevail in kingly governments; and royal courts are reservoirs, from whence insincerity, hypocrisy, dissimulation, pride, luxury, and extravagance, deluge and overwhelm the body of the people. On the other hand, republics are favorable to truth, sincerity, frugality, industry, and simplicity of manners. Equality, the life and soul of commonwealth, cuts off all pretensions to preferment, but those which arise from AN ORATION ON THE ADVANTAGES OF AMERICAN INDE- extraordinary merit: Whereas, in royal governPENDENCE, SPOKEN BEFORE A PUBLIC ASSEMBLY OF ments, he that can best please his superiors, by the THE INHABITANTS OF CHARLESTOWN, IN SOUTH-low arts of fawning and adulation, is most likely to CAROLINA, ON THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THAT obtain favor. GLORIOUS ERA,

Dr. Ramsay's Oration.

BY DAVID RAMSAY, M. B.
Magnus ab integro seculorum nascitur ordo.'
Jan redit et Virgo, redeunt Saturnia regna:
Jam nova progenies, cœlo dimittitur alto.

It was the interest of Great Britain to encourage our dissipation and extravagance, for the two-fold purpose of increasing the sale of her manufactures, and of perpetuating our subordination. In vain we sought to check the growth of luxury, by sumptuary laws; To the honorable CHRISTOPHER GADSDEN, esq.every wholesome restraint of this kind was sure lieutenant governor of the state of South Carolina; to meet with the royal negative. While the whole

Huic ego nec metas rerum, nec tempora pono:
Imperium sine fine dedi.

Virgil.