ROBERT TREAT PAINE.

In the character of the first settlers of Massachusetts, there was much to approve and venerate. Never were men animated with a more ardent zeal for civil and religious freedom. It was their chief care to provide for the support and extension of the christian religion, by having a learned clergy, and by establishing schools in all the settlements, where the population required, or would justify the measure. And from the earliest history of the colony, we find, that the great body of the people were well informed and carefully instructed in the doctrines and duties of christianity. Nor were they less solicitous of preserving their civil and political rights. It is believed that wherever religious freedom is duly appreciated, there also will be found to prevail a spirit favourable to political liberty. The instruction and information requisite to render men enlightened christians, will also enable them to understand correctly and dispose them to value their civil rights and privileges. It is not therefore impertinent, we trust, in the biography of a distinguished civilian of this part of the country, to observe, that there is a reciprocal influence between liberal sentiments in religion and politics, favourable to the preservation of each.

It will have been seen from the various facts and historical details, which have formed a necessary portion of the pre

ceding biographies, that at different periods and on various occasions, in the history of Massachusetts, previous to the revolution in 1775, a lofty spirit of freedom was called into action; and was displayed, in contending for charter privileges and powers, and opposing the arbitrary measures of the British parliament, which had reference to this country, as well as the attempts of the royal governors to interfere with rights long claimed and exercised by the people and the legislatures of the colonies. While they acknowledged dependence, ultimately, on the king and government of Great Britain, they insisted on the enjoyment of all the rights of Englishmen, and contended for the liberty of self government by legislatures and judges of their own appointment. While they claimed to exercise all the rights given in their charter, or belonging to them as free-born subjects of the parent country, and were thus induced to oppose all arbitrary and oppressive laws, yet was their opposition always conducted with great temper and moderation.

Such was the spirit and such the character of the patriots and citizens of Massachusetts in 1763, when the controversy was revived between this country and England, as to the extent of parliamentary authority, and of the prerogatives of the crown, in governing the colonies. The people, generally, understood their rights, and appreciated the struggles and sacrifices of their fathers, in defending and preserving them. It depended, however, upon a few highly intelligent and patriotic individuals, to go forward in the great work of political freedom. The people of that memorable period were fortunate in having able men to defend and advocate their cause. And those who had the ability to contend with ministerial agents and the friends of arbitrary power, were happy in the support of their fellow citizens, known to be enlightened, virtuous and brave.

We have already seen that for twelve years previous to the actual commencement of hostilities, the patriotic legislators of Massachusetts were constantly engaged in asserting and advocating the rights of the colonies, and in opposing the arbitrary claims of the British ministers; and they conducted themselves with such singular firmness and zeal, such ability, moderation and perseverance, as entitle them to the unceasing gratitude of their posterity. The volume of Massachusetts state papers, for that period, gives abundant evidence of the learning, wisdom, and patriotism of those illustrious sages and statesmen.

Though not in a public station, at a very early period of the controversy with England, Mr. Paine, a sketch of whose political life is offered in this article, will be seen to have taken a decided and active part; and in 1774, and afterwards, to have ranked among the most distinguished patriots and civilians of our country.

ROBERT TREAT PAINE was born in Boston, in 1731, of pious and respectable parents. His father, descended from an ancient and worthy family in the province, was a public teacher, and for a few years pastor of a church in Weymouth, near Boston. Owing to the delicate and feeble state of his health, he was separated from his congregation, and removed to Boston, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. His mother was a daughter of the Rev. Mr. Treat of Eastham, in Barnstable county, an eminent divine, and a good classical scholar. The Rev. Mr. Treat was a son of governor Treat of Connecticut ; and his wife, the maternal grandmother of Robert Treat Paine, was a daughter of the Rev. Samuel Willard of Boston, a gentleman greatly celebrated for his piety and learning. From such parents, no doubt, he received the best moral and religious instruction. His early classical education was

under James Lovell, many years the principal of a Latin school in Boston. He became a member of Harvard College at the age of fourteen. Of his habits and acquirements at the university, however, little is now recollected by his family or friends. After he left the university, he was some months employed in keeping a public school, in a country town; an occupation which in New England has always been considered honourable as well as useful. He afterwards made a voyage to Europe, to which he was chiefly induced by a wish to acquire means to assist his father and family, who were in reduced circumstances, and some of them of very infirm and sickly constitutions. His conduct in this respect was highly creditable to him; and he continued to afford support to a maiden sister till her death, which was not till she had far advanced in years. He never suffered her to want, though he had a large family to maintain, and no estate but such as he acquired by his own industry and prudence. His conduct to his parents was marked by the most devoted filial affection; his letters to his father, some of which will be found in the Appendix bear testimony to his respect and love; and when he had been unfortunate in the decline of life, he received from his son the readiest assistance and support.

Mr. Paine, before he entered on the study of the law, turned his attention, for some time, to theological subjects; which probably had the happy effect to give him clear views of the evidences of christianity, of the truth of which he always declared his firm belief. And it is proper to observe here, that his opinions were very liberal and rational; such as were the result of freedom of thought, aud of the exercise of the understanding, in his theological inquiries. He was a few months with the troops from the province, at the northward, in 1755, in the capacity of chaplain; and occasionally