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STONE

to go forward; and in an assembly so narmonious in their views as the first Congress, the characteristics peculiar to each member were not easily to be gathered from his votes.

It has happened, in respect to a few of those illustrious men, that retiring when their noble task was performed, into the shade of private life, they soon became overlooked and forgotten by their compeers,

THOMAS STONE.

Drawn by J.B.Longacre from a

Painting by Pine

Engraved by G.B.Elhs

STONE.

THE patriots of the revolution, notwithstanding the greatness of their deeds, were, in general, men of exceeding modesty. Among those whose names are secured an immortal recollection, by being affixed to the great charter of our liberties, several are now distinguishable from their colleagues by little that is individual and peculiar, either in character or conduct.

Drawn forth from the privacy of domestic life by the same public emergency, and moving with a unanimity that prevented any one from standing out conspicuously from the rest, the diversity of individual character was but faintly discernible. There could scarcely be any leaders where all were equally ready to go forward; and in an assembly so harmonious in their views as the first Congress, the characteristics peculiar to each member were not easily to be gathered from his votes.

It has happened, in respect to a few of those illustrious men, that retiring when their noble task was performed, into the shade of private life, they soon became overlooked and forgotten by their compeers,

whose earnest attention was engrossed with the consideration of the fearful events that were occurring near them, and in which were involved their own safety, property and freedom, as well as the honour and interests of their country.

In such instances, the immediate friend's have usually cherished the recollection of all the peculiarities in disposition or fortune that are ascribable to the retiring and modest patriot; and however barren of incident his life may have been, there is still something to be gathered with which a natural and rational curiosity may be gratified.

But it has happened, with respect to THOMAS STONE, that since his death, which occurred nearly forty years since, so many changes have taken place among his relatives and immediate friends, that there is no one able, or willing, to describe his particular habits, virtues or achievements, or to testify the incidents of his short and unambitious life.

It is known, however, that he was born at Pointon Manor, in Maryland, in the year 1743; and was educated for the profession of the law, the practice of which he commenced with good prospects of success, and with the reputation of talents and industry.

The excitement produced by the stamp act was shared by him to a degree proportioned to the ardent temperament of youth, and though too young at that time to take any part in public affairs, his political principles were fixed by the discussions to which he was then a listener, and the strong feeling of indig

nation against the British ministry which he then imbibed.

It was not, however, until after the Boston port bill and the other aggressions of the year 1774, that Mr. Stone came prominently forward into public life.

He was not a member of the congress of that year, but was added, along with Robert Goldsborough, to the delegation of Maryland, by a vote of the provincial deputies on the eighth of December, 1774, and took his seat accordingly on the fifteenth of the following May.

The powers with which these delegates were invested seemed sufficiently ample, they being authorized to consent and agree to all measures which that congress might deem necessary and effectual to obtain a redress of American grievances; and it was declared in the resolution appointing them, that the province bound itself to execute to the utmost of its power, all resolutions which the congress might adopt.

Mr. Stone attended punctually the meetings of the congress, and gave his time and attention faithfully to the duties of his post. In July, 1775, he was reelected, as were his colleagues, for one year further.

Although this was subsequent to the actual commencement of hostilities, the battle of Bunker's Hill, and the appointment of a commander in chief, yet the thought of independence had not yet become at all palatable in Maryland; and the provincial conference did not suppose, when they made this appointment,

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