Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution Part 32

In 1779 he resigned his seat in Congress in consequence of ill health.

His son-in-law, Rev. Dr. Smith was Vice President of the college and relieved him from the most arduous duties of President. The next year he was again elected to Congress and resigned finally in 1782. The trustees of the college then persuaded him to embark for Europe for the purpose of raising funds for the inst.i.tution. As he predicted before he left, his efforts were unsuccessful. He returned in 1784 and retired to his country seat a mile from Princeton, there to enjoy the blessings of peace and the golden fruits that had been richly earned by years of peril and toil. Surrounded by relatives and friends, enjoying the praise and grat.i.tude of a nation of freemen--his name immortalized as a scholar, divine, civilian, statesman and patriot--he sat down under the bright canopy of a clear conscience--an approving Heaven--antic.i.p.ating a crown of unfading glory beyond the skies.

In this manner he glided down the stream of time peaceful and happy until the 15th of November 1794, when he fell asleep in the arms of his Lord and Master, calm as a summer morning, serene as a cerulean sky--welcoming the messenger of death with a seraphic smile. He was buried at Princeton.

A review of the life of this great and good man affords an instructive lesson for every considerate reader. He was endowed with all the qualities calculated to enn.o.ble and dignify man and a.s.similate him to his Creator. His superior virtues and endowments eclipsed his frailties and placed him on a lofty eminence beyond the reach of envy, malice or slander. His fame is cl.u.s.tered with refulgent beauty that will spread a l.u.s.tre over his name that will brighten and s.h.i.+ne until the death knell of LIBERTY shall be sounded and social order rush back to original anarchy.

In all the relations of public and private life, Dr. Witherspoon stood approved, admired, revered. Let all strive to imitate his examples that our lives may be useful in time--our final exit tranquil and happy--ever remembering that virtue is the crowning glory of talent.

OLIVER WOLCOTT.

The unrestrained oppressions of imperial and kingly power, long exercised with impunity, have been receding before the light of intelligence with an ominous but rather unsteady pace for the last few centuries. As the genial rays of Liberty illuminate the crowding millions of the human family the tenure of thrones will become more slender--monarchies more limited if not annihilated. In Europe kingly power has been vibrating for years in the cradle of a political earthquake. The love of freedom has never been extinguished in the old world. The same motive power that prompted the pilgrims to court the dangers and privations of this western hemisphere, still pervades the bosoms of those held in bondage by military force. Volcanic eruptions occasionally occur--new craters open--the time is rolling on rapidly when these craters will rush together and deluge kingly and imperial power with one broad sheet of liquid fire. In thunder tones of retribution the people will proclaim their FREEDOM.

When our ancestors planted themselves on the granite sh.o.r.es of America they had clear conception of a republican form of government as organized by Greece and Rome. Many of them had read the thrilling history of the rise, progress and fall of those republics in the original languages where none of the beauties or force are lost by translation. They were prepared to improve upon those governments by avoiding their errors and preserving all that was valuable. With these lights the pilgrim fathers appear to have been illuminated when rearing the incipient superstructure of a more pure republic than any before known. At first, articles of a.s.sociation were entered into by the people of a single or contiguous settlements, based upon the broad platform of equal rights and universal Liberty circ.u.mscribed only by eternal justice and sterling honesty. Among the earliest of these miniature republics was that consolidating Windsor, Hartford and Weathersfield in Connecticut. The articles of a.s.sociation adopted by this infant Colony were penned by Roger Ludlow. The revised const.i.tution of that state is either substantially copied from the instrument drawn by Ludlow or the ideas of republicans must run in a channel that has no change.

Among those who directed the destiny of the pioneers of the new world the name of Wolcott stands conspicuous. Henry Wolcott, the patriarch ancestor, removed from England to Dorchester, Ma.s.s. in 1630. In 1636 he founded the town of Windsor, Connecticut. During the perils of the Indian wars--the difficulties with the Canadian French and through all the various vicissitudes that have pervaded New England down to the present time, the descendants of Henry Wolcott have acted a conspicuous part. They were ready to go where duty called--to the field or legislative hall.

Oliver Wolcott, the subject of this brief sketch, was the son of Roger Wolcott who was appointed Governor of Connecticut in 1751. This son was born on the 26th of November 1726 and graduated at Yale College in 1747.

The same year he was commissioned to raise and command a company which he marched to the defence of the northern frontiers where he remained until the peace of Aix la Chapelle. He then returned and applied himself to the study of medicine until he was appointed the first sheriff of Litchfield County formed in 1751. In 1755 he married Laura Collins a discreet woman of great merit. In 1774 he was appointed counsellor which station he filled for twelve consecutive years. He was also chief judge of the Common Pleas Court and for a long time a judge of the Probate Court. In the military field he rose from the grade of captain to that of major-general. In the summer of 1776 he commanded the fourteen regiments raised by Gov. Trumbull to act with the army in New York. He headed his division at the memorable battle that resulted in the capture of Burgoyne and revived the drooping spirits of those who were engaged in the glorious cause of equal rights. He was uniformly consulted on important military movements and listened to with great confidence. From its commencement he was a zealous and efficient advocate of the cause of freedom and stood firm amidst the revolutionary storm undaunted by the roaring of the British lion.

In 1775 Congress made him commissioner of Indian affairs for the Northern Department then an important trust. During the same year he effected much towards reconciling disputes between Colonies relative to their boundaries. Amiable and persuasive in his manners--imbued with a clear sense of justice, he was an admirable mediator. He merited the blessing p.r.o.nounced on peace-makers.

In 1776 he took his seat in Congress and remained until he affixed his signature to that Declaration of Rights which burst the chains of material bondage--gave birth to our nation in a day--astonished gazing millions--shook the British throne to its centre and gave us a Republic that surpa.s.ses all Greek--all Roman fame.

He then returned to the field and on all occasions proved a brave, skilful and prudent officer. When he deemed his services more useful in Congress than in the army he would take his seat in that body, which he did at intervals up to 1783. In 1785 he was a.s.sociated with Arthur Lee and Richard Butler to conclude a treaty of peace with the Six Nations of Indians. The year following he was elected lieutenant-governor and performed the duties of that office with great ability and dignity up to the time of his death which occurred on the 1st day of December 1797. He died regretted by the nation at large, but most by those who knew him best.

His numerous public services were highly appreciated. They were promptly and judiciously performed without any parade, pomp or vain show. His private character was adorned by all the richness of purity--purpose and action, that render a man an ornament among the virtuous. He possessed all the sterling virtues--was a devout and consistent Christian--a useful and honest man. In the hands of such men our government is secure--our UNION safe.

GEORGE WYTHE.

To be born rich is oftener a misfortune than a blessing. Action is designed by the great Creator--n.o.ble and G.o.d-like action. Riches are p.r.o.ne to produce inertness. With the young, who are left to the bent of their own inclinations either by the erroneous indulgence of parents or for the want of parents or an efficient and kind guardian, an abundance of riches often proves their ruin. A thousand emissaries are abroad to lead them into the purlieus of vice and hurry on their sure destruction.

Money attracts attention in all circles. Although the love of it is the root of all evil--still it commands undue attention. Thousands live who will not earn, but must have it. These sharks are ever on the lookout for young men of fortune and too often succeed in plucking every feather from their newly fledged wings. The poor young man is in less danger. He has no attractions for fas.h.i.+onable blacklegs--the vilest things that creep on earth. Necessity impels him to action. He labors industriously--studies economy--saves his earnings and eventually becomes rich. Many of the most wealthy men of our country commenced without a dollar. Few who are left large fortunes retain them and but few who have lost them in profligacy have moral courage to break the letters of vice, spurn the demons who have robbed them, return to the paths of rect.i.tude, redeem a lost fortune--a shattered reputation and again stand up like men. We wonder and admire to behold such instances--rare to be sure--but they have occurred.

This was fully exemplified by George Wythe born in Elizabeth City, Virginia, in 1728. His father was a wealthy planter--his mother a woman of unusual talents, learning and worth. To her this son was indebted for his education and early impressions of the correct and n.o.ble principles that actuated him after he a.s.sumed the dignity of a man. From her he acquired the Greek and Latin languages and general science.

Unfortunately for him both his parents were s.n.a.t.c.hed away by death nearly at the same time, leaving him a buoyant youth without a hand to guide or a voice to warn him against the allurements of vain pleasure or the seductions of ruinous vice.

His father left him a fortune which was sufficient to have made a prudent man in easy circ.u.mstances for life. Like too many _only_ sons, he had been put to no business. He was a stranger to labor and had no inclination to make its acquaintance. He was soon led away by idle company, became dissipated and pursued the road to ruin until he was thirty years of age, neglecting study and business and spending all his substance.

Like the prodigal he then came to himself--returned to the paths of virtue, studied the profession of law, was admitted to the Bar and became one of its brightest ornaments. During the remainder of his life he walked in the ways of wisdom most scrupulously and proved to his friends and the world that a young man may be led astray by the prowling wolves of vice--be torn and lacerated by the demon robbers that are permitted to prey upon the community by the official guardians of our cities and towns and yet recover from his wounds, redeem his character and become a virtuous and useful member of society. G.o.d grant that this example may influence thousands to go and do likewise.

No man ever dignified his profession more than Mr. Wythe. He was rigidly honest and would not proceed in a cause until convinced justice required his services. If drawn into a cause by misrepresentation that was tinctured with wrong, he would abandon it the moment he discovered that fact and return the fee. His virtuous habits, extreme fidelity, legal acquirements and untiring industry, gained for him the esteem and confidence of his friends and the people at large. He was a member of the House of Burgesses for a long time and under the new government was appointed Chancellor of the State, which office he filled with great ability to the time of his death. He was highly esteemed as a legislator for integrity, talent and independence. In politics he was guided by his own matured judgment irrespective of party. On the 14th of November 1764 he was appointed on a committee to prepare a pet.i.tion to the king, a memorial to the House of Lords and a remonstrance to the House of Commons on the impropriety and injustice of the proposed Stamp Act.

The remonstrance was from the able pen of Mr. Wythe and was drawn in language so bold and strong that it alarmed many of his colleagues and underwent a modification to divest it of what they deemed a tincture of treason. He understood and properly appreciated the true dignity of man and did not live to quail at the tyranny of a haughty monarch or corrupt ministry. He was a prominent member of the House of Burgesses in 1768, when Virginia blood and Virginia patriotism were roused and pa.s.sed the memorable resolutions a.s.serting their exclusive right to levy their own taxes--accused ministers and Parliament of violating the British Const.i.tution and denied the right of the crown to transport and try persons in England for crimes committed in America. In pa.s.sing these resolutions parliamentary rules were dispensed with, the members antic.i.p.ating the proroguing power of the governor, who, on learning their tenor, immediately dissolved the House. He was half an hour too late--they had pa.s.sed their final reading--were entered upon the records and beyond his power to veto or expunge. This action of the governor was unfavorable to the interests of the crown--the people took the helm as they should do now and returned all the old patriotic members to the next session with several new ones of the "same sort."

Among the new members was Thomas Jefferson who had been a law student under Mr. Wythe--was charged with the same _rebel_ principles and was a bold and fearless champion of Liberty and equal rights. The atmosphere was becoming rather too highly charged with patriotic fire to be comfortably inhaled by the governor and the bipeds of the crown. It was rather too caloric for the free respiration of monarchical lungs. The people, awakened to their true position--saw the path of duty and pursued it. With an enlightened ma.s.s there is safety.

From that time Mr. Wythe continued to oppose parliamentary and ministerial oppression and boldly vindicated the rights of his injured country. At the commencement of the revolutionary movements he joined a volunteer corps, determined to vindicate in the field the principles he had advocated in the legislative hall. He lived up to the motto--"we do what we say."

In August 1775 he was elected a member of Congress and took a high rank in that body--then the observed of all observers. When the proposition of Independence was made it met his warm approbation. He was to the hilt in this measure. When the day arrived for final action he put his name to that bold instrument that he knew must prove the Chart of Liberty or the death warrant of the signers. In all the majesty of conscious dignity these master spirits of freedom shook off the corroding rust of kingly power, planted deep the tree of Liberty and proved to a gazing world that a nation can be born in a day and live. Language can never portray nor imagination fully conceive the enthusiastic joy that marked the promulgation of the Declaration of Independence among the people.

The bells sounded a requiem and tolled the funeral knell of monarchy--illuminations and roaring artillery conveyed the glad news from the central arch of the Union to its remotest bounds--the replenished torch of Liberty rose, a pillar of fire to guide the patriots in their onward march--on the wings of thanksgiving and praise the happy tidings were carried to the throne of Heaven, received the sanction of Jehovah's high authority and were recorded in the book of everlasting fame by the hand of justice with an angel's pen.

In November 1776 Messrs. Wythe, Pendleton and Jefferson were appointed to revise the laws of Virginia. Although much other business devolved upon them they prepared and reported one hundred and twenty-six bills by the 18th of the ensuing June. The new code commenced the revision at the time of the revolution in England and brought it down to and in accordance with the new government.

In 1777 Mr. Wythe was chosen Speaker of the House of Delegates--the same year a Judge of the High Court of Chancery and subsequently Chancellor. A more impartial judge never graced the Bench. Nothing could induce him to swerve from strict justice. He was a profound jurist and a lucid expounder of the law. He graced the law professors.h.i.+p in the College of William and Mary until other duties compelled him to resign.

He was a member of the legislature when Virginia sanctioned the Federal Const.i.tution.

He put in full practice his principles of Liberty by the emanc.i.p.ation of his slaves and providing them with the means of support. He tried the experiment of education upon one so far as to teach him Latin and Greek when he suddenly died. He was extremely anxious to see a development of African intellect that its calibre might be more clearly known.

Chancellor Wythe died suddenly on the 8th of June 1806, believed to be from the effects of poison administered by _George Wythe Sweny_, a grandson of his sister, for the purpose of arriving immediately at the enjoyment of a part of his estate which was fortunately prevented by a codicil made just before his decease. Although there was not proof to convict, the ungrateful demon, circ.u.mstances were so strong against him that the public verdict stamped upon him the d.a.m.ning stigma--_murderer_.[A]

[A] After publis.h.i.+ng my first edition, I was credibly informed the poison was only intended for two emanc.i.p.ated slaves, who were legatees in the will, both of whom died a few hours before their benefactor.

Mortification, from being co-heir with them, is the cause a.s.signed for the murder.--AUTHOR.

In his private character Chancellor Wythe was amiable, modest, charitable and humane. He sought to improve the society in which he moved and used great exertions to guard young men against the purlieus of vice. He was industrious, temperate, frugal but liberal and proverbial for charity and a practical Christian.

Jefferson, in delineating the character of his law instructor--remarks--"No man ever left behind him a character more venerated than George Wythe. His virtue was of the purest kind--his integrity inflexible and his justice exact. Of warm patriotism and devoted as he was to Liberty and the natural and equal rights of men he might be truly called the Cato of this country without the avarice of a Roman, for a more disinterested person never lived. Such was George Wythe--the honor of his own and a model for future times."

ROBERT YATES.

Time is wasted by many persons as if it had no limit and they were to live for ever. But few place a proper value upon it--but a small portion of _these_ reduce it to an advantageous system. If every person realized that "time is money" and ends in eternity--it would be used very differently by many--not by all. The instances are very rare where a man of fifty can look back upon his career and not see that he has squandered a large portion of his time in senseless vacuity or improper appropriation. If he then realizes its full worth he will gaze upon the past with keen regret and vainly wish he could live his life over again--a wish that the ill.u.s.trious Was.h.i.+ngton said he did not indulge.

If no one of the human family wasted or improperly used time, earth would be a Paradise--Pandemonium a fable. If all would a.s.sign a due portion of time for each cla.s.s of inc.u.mbent duties--rigidly adhere to the one and promptly perform the others--a harmony in action and an amount of labor would be produced that would effect a change in the social, religious and business departments that would astonish the most visionary theorist of system and order. Profligacy of time too often commences in childhood--increases in youth and is made bankrupt in manhood. Let all feel more deeply the importance of a judicious arrangement and wise improvement of precious TIME. Its whirling wheels are rolling us on rapidly to "that country from whose bourne no traveller returns." It is a boon from our Creator--to Him we must render an account of every hour from the moment our reason a.s.sumed and presided over its empire. Let all be prepared to render that account with a joy that shall increase in ecstacy through the ceaseless ages of ETERNITY.

In perusing this history of the Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution the reader has learned that all of them were industrious--several of them bright models of perfect system in the distribution of their time. No one was more diligent in the performance of his duties than Robert Yates who was born in the city of Schenectady, N. Y. on the 27th day of January 1738. The early developments of his mind were of unusual solidity and free from that frivolity that too often r.e.t.a.r.ds the course of boys in their preparation for manhood. Let my young readers remember this and become men in conduct during your minority. You will then be prepared to appear upon the stage of action with credit to yourselves and usefulness to our common country. Improve your minds by storing them with useful knowledge. If the tree has no blossoms in spring we gather no fruit in autumn. If your youth is barren of healthful culture--if the vain allurements--the trifling amus.e.m.e.nts of this deceiving world exclude from your immortal minds salutary improvement--your mental powers may darken with age and rush you into the murky waters of lasting disgrace--perhaps ruin you for ever. Soon the mighty concerns of our country will devolve on you. In your hands will be placed the destiny of our nation. Some of you must fill up the swelling ranks of the professions--the arena of politics and posts of honor and profit. Let these reflections raise you above the trifles that amuse without benefitting you. Learn to be men when you are boys--you may then be intellectual giants when you reach manhood. Remember your Creator--study the Bible and let it be deeply impressed upon your minds that to become eminently great you must be truly good.

Robert Yates commenced his cla.s.sical education in the city of New York and completed it at an early age. He then read law with William Livingston of that city and became an ornament to the profession. He located at the city of Albany--obtained a lucrative practice--the high esteem of his numerous acquaintances and a t.i.tle of honor too rare and priceless--"THE HONEST LAWYER." An additional proof of his good sense was exhibited by his leading to the hymeneal altar the amiable Miss Jane Van Ness who proved worthy of the n.o.ble man of her judicious choice.

They sailed buoyantly, prosperously and joyfully on the flood tide of domestic felicity until the angry elements of an oppressed people were concentrated by British oppression and raised the rough storm of the Revolution. Mr. Yates was a whig of the first water--bold, fearless, calm, prudent and firm as the iron mountain of Missouri. No one better understood the relative condition of the two countries--the powers and rights of each and the law of nations. He was conversant with the liberal principles of Magna Charta as granted by King John and as improved and confirmed by King Henry III. in the ninth year of his reign. He was familiar with the provisions of the British Const.i.tution--the Charters of the Colonies and the various declaratory Acts of Parliament defining the rights of the American people which had grown sacred by long and peaceful enjoyment. To see them now rudely trampled upon by a venal ministry roused the patriotism and indignation of Mr. Yates. He wrote and published several pungent essays exposing the usurpations of the British Cabinet. He took an active part in the public meetings of the people that prepared them to strike for LIBERTY. At that time he was a member of the corporation of Albany and attorney for that board. He was a leading member of the Committee of Safety when it was virtually the supreme government of the empire state. The _tories_ greatly feared and most sincerely hated this bold champion of equal rights. His ardent zeal was tempered with a discreet moderation and equal justice to all. He never pa.s.sed the orbit of legitimate power nor hesitated in performing his whole duty regardless of consequences. He was an active member of the first Provincial Congress of New York--chairman of the committee to organize the military and did much towards producing a concert of action against the invading enemy. In 1777 he was an efficient member of the Convention that framed the first const.i.tution of his native state. Under that const.i.tution he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court. His acceptance raised him to the zenith of rebellion in view of the creatures of the crown. He was menaced by them and threatened by the tories. He promptly a.s.sumed the duties of his responsible station and boldly performed them. Stern justice, tempered with charity, directed his course. Officially he favored no friend--persecuted no enemy. His courts were held in the midst of bitter foes. No dangers could intimidate--no threats deter him from the faithful discharge of all the duties devolving upon him. When tories were arraigned before the court the overcharged zeal of jurors sometimes paralyzed their sense of right. On one occasion he sent out a jury of this kind four times with a direction to change their verdict of "guilty" which was not warranted by the testimony. The legislature talked loudly of calling him to an account for this act but on a sober second thought wisely determined to permit the old Roman to pursue the even tenor of his ways. His salary was far below the income of his practice at the Bar. To advance the interests of his country was above all pecuniary considerations. His salary for one year was paid in paper apology for money which depreciated so much in a few days that it took the whole to buy a pound of tea. This did not disturb his equanimity or abate his zeal in the glorious cause of Independence.

After the close of the Revolution Messrs. Robert Yates, Alexander Hamilton and Chancellor Livingston were chosen to represent the state of New York in the Convention that framed the Federal Const.i.tution. His services on that important occasion were highly appreciated. He was opposed to some features of that sacred instrument but voted for its adoption when it came before the Convention of his own state. When it became the supreme law of the land he was one of its firmest supporters.

In his first charge to the grand jury after it had been legally sanctioned he used the following language which I implore the reader to ponder well and let it come home with all the force of living truth proclaimed from the tomb of a departed patriot.

"The proposed form of government for the Union has at length received the sanction of so many of the States as to make it the supreme law of the land. It is not therefore any longer a question whether or not its provisions are such as they ought to be in all their different branches.

We, as good citizens, are bound _implicitly to obey them_. The united wisdom of America has sanctioned and confirmed the act and it would be but little short of treason against the Republic to hesitate in our obedience and respect to the Const.i.tution of the United States of America. Let me, therefore, exhort you gentlemen--not only in your capacity as grand jurors but in your more durable and equally respectable character as citizens--to preserve inviolate this Charter of our national Rights and safety--a Charter second only in dignity and importance to the Declaration of our Independence. We have escaped, it is true, by the blessing of divine Providence, from the tyranny of a foreign foe--but let us now be equally watchful in guarding against _worse and far more dangerous enemies_--DOMESTIC BROILS AND INTESTINE DIVISIONS."

Would to G.o.d this patriotic language of Judge Yates could be written in flaming capitals of living fire raised in bold relievo on plates of burnished gold and suspended in every court room, legislative hall, church, school-house and public place in our land. It should be circulated by every press in our country and committed to memory by every child.

Judge Yates was one of the Commissioners to settle the boundary question between New York and the States of Ma.s.sachusetts and Connecticut. He was subsequently employed to prosecute claims of his native State against Vermont. In 1790 he was appointed Chief Justice of the Empire State and presided with great dignity until the 27th of January 1798 when his age reached the const.i.tutional limit and closed his long, useful, arduous and brilliant judicial career. He had been an ornament to the Bench for twenty-one years. Not a stain had soiled his official ermine. He then resumed the practice of law and was appointed by the legislature of his state to settle disputed t.i.tles in the military tract which office he held until the Act creating it expired.

In comparative poverty and peace he glided down the stream of time until the 9th day of September 1801 when an arrow from the quiver of death pierced the s.h.i.+ning mark--released his n.o.ble soul from its earthly prison and returned it to its original home of enduring bliss. He had exemplified primitive Christianity--his last hours were bright with hope, strong in faith, calm, peaceful and happy. He was greatly beloved in life--deeply mourned in death. In the performance of all the multiform duties of public and private life he stood approved by his friends, his country, his conscience and his G.o.d. He was an admired model of system in all the concerns of life--arranged his time judiciously, improved it wisely and earned a lofty fame that will endure while virtue is esteemed and patriotism lives. In the hands of such men our Republic will continue to rise in majesty sublime until its burning light shall illuminate the world and become too brilliant for the vision of all those who do not love and support our UNION.