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Mr. Stone was again re-elected in February, 1777; and after serving this tour of duty, and seeing the confederation finally agreed upon in congress, he left this scene of action, declined a re-appointment, and became a member of the Maryland legislature, where the plan of the confederation met with obstinate opposition, and required the aid of all its friends and advocates.

His services in the legislature were important, and in the discharge of his duties there he was distinguished by the same fidelity, earnestness, and patriotic devotedness, which had been displayed in the course of his previous career.

In 1783, he was again elected to a seat in congress, under the confederation, the adoption of which he had taken so much pains to obtain. He was present at the most interesting event of this period-the resignation of general Washington, at Annapolis; and in the session of 1784, was appointed on most of the important committees of the congress..

During the latter part of this year, he acted as president pro tempore, but declining a re-election to congress, he lost, by voluntary retirement, the honour of being chosen to preside over that dignified assembly, which it is presumable would have followed, of course, his temporary occupation of the chair.

From this time, and during the short interval before his death, he was actively engaged in professional duties, at his residence at Port Tobacco, and declined an appointment as a member of the federal conven

tion, which met at Philadelphia in the year 1787, for the purpose of forming the present constitution of the United States.

In the autumn of the same year he died, at the early age of forty three years.

It may be added to this brief sketch, that he was lineally descended from William Stone, the governor of Maryland during the reign of Oliver Cromwell as protector. He received an excellent classical education under the tuition of a Scotch gentleman, who lived in Charles County, near his father's residence, and pursued his professional studies under the superintendence of the distinguished Thomas Johnson, at Annapolis, where he commenced his practice as a lawyer.

He died sincerely lamented by a large circle of friends, and left the reputation of a disinterested patriot, a useful citizen, a good lawyer, and a worthy

man.

FRS: LIGHTFOOT LEE.

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