could we desire to complete the monument of his fame, than by recording his instrumentality in the promotion of a measure so indispensable to the glory and prosperity of his country.

He did not, however, in favouring a confederate republic, vindicate with less scrupulous vigilance the dignity of the individual states. In a suit commenced against Massachusetts, by the court of the United States, in which he was summoned upon a writ, as governor, to answer the prosecution, he resisted the process, and maintained inviolate the sovereignty of the commonwealth. A recurrence of a similar collision of authority was, in consequence of this opposition, prevented by an amendment of the federal constitution.

This incident is enumerated amongst the latest events of his administration and of his life. He died suddenly, on the eighth of October, 1793, and in the fifty-fifth year of his age. During several days, his body lay in state at his dwelling, where great multitudes thronged to pay the last offices of their grief and affection. His obsequies were attended with great pomp and solemnity, and amidst the tears of his countrymen he was committed to the dust.

He had married, about twenty years before his death, Miss Quincy, daughter of an eminent magistrate of Boston, and one of the most ancient and distinguished families of New England. By this connexion he acquired additional influence and zeal in the service of his country. No children were left to inherit his fortune or perpetuate his name; his only son having died during his infancy.

Having now related the principal events of the life of Mr. Hancock, it may be permitted to add something more particular of his person and character. In stature he was above the middle size, of excellent proportion of limbs, of extreme benignity of countenance; possessing a flexible and harmo

nious voice, a manly and dignified aspect. By the improvement of these natural qualities from observation and extensive intercourse with the world, he had acquired a pleasing elocution with the most graceful and conciliating manners.

Of his talents it is a sufficient evidence, that, in the various stations to which his fortune had elevated him in the republic, he acquitted himself with an honourable distinction. His communications to the general assembly, and his correspondence as president of congress, appear to us titles of no ordinary commendation.

From the progress of society in America, during the age in which he lived, when two and a half millions of inhabitants were dispersed over a vast territory, and engaged in laborious occupations, it may be reasonably inferred, that there existed no very general ambition for letters; and that those arts, which are co-ordinate with a luxurious and crowded population, in the bustle of more profitable devotions, were neglected; but, 'from the connexion which Mr. Hancock's fortune, business, and travels into Europe had given him with the world, he had acquired a pretty extensive knowledge of human nature; and, from the discussions of politics in which he was perpetually involved, had enriched his understanding with, perhaps, not less various and useful acquisitions, than are usually attained in the shade of literary and academical retirement.

As an orator, Mr. Hancock spoke without elaboration or pretension, but agreeably on all subjects. His harangues exhibit no common comprehension of things or powers of language, and were especially well suited to the dispositions of the times in which he lived.

He possessed, either from the dispositions of nature or habits of discipline, many excellent virtues. In the first place, it is no trivial commendation, at an age when the

vanities of our nature are usually predominant, that possessing a superfluity of wealth, and being, at the same time, exempt from parental authority, he betook himself to honourable and laborious pursuits, rather than to indulgence or dissipation; and that he did not grow arrogant or insolent, from the superiority of his advantages, entitles him also to no small degree of praise. In those countries in which titles or pedigree preoccupy the honours of the state, money is divested of a portion of its power over the mind; but, in republics, where it bestows an unrivalled pre-eminence, many excellent and great qualities of the heart are essential to counteract its malignant influence.

Of the munificence and generosity of his character the examples are various; though not without the imputations and cavils to which all human perfections are subject, from the interpretations of ignorance or malevolence. By his enemies it was remarked, not unfrequently, that his acts of liberality, his colloquial accomplishments, and other faculties of persuasion, were exerted wholly in the acquisition of popularity. That he courted this capricious divinity with too great devotion, may perhaps be allowed; that he did it with success, admits of no doubt, for he is remembered as the most popular individual of Massachusetts, of his own or any other time. But the desire of popularity is often the impulse of a generous spirit, the spring of noble actions; and that of Mr. Hancock, we have seen, was supported by no meretricious devices, no arts of a demagogue, no obliquity of morals, and no prostration of dignity or honour.

Of this element of his character, as it constitutes one of the most commendable virtues of the human heart, a few examples may be permitted in illustration.

Previous to the demise of his paternal uncle, whom we have already mentioned as his patron and benefactor, the hall of

the university had been destroyed by fire. The deceased, it was said, had expressed the intention of leaving five hundred pounds for the reparation of its library. No such appropriation was, however, made by his will; yet the sum was paid, without hesitation, by Mr. Hancock, his heir.

The salary allowed by the constitution to the chief magistrate of the commonwealth of Massachusetts had occupied, for several years, the debates of the legislature. By many it was declared to be exorbitant, and was enumerated amongst the grievances that had occasioned riot and insurrection in the state. An act for its reduction from eleven to eight hundred pounds had passed both houses of the legislature, but was negatived by the governor; and the subject being resumed, under the administration of Mr. Hancock, he intercepted all farther discussion of it, by a voluntary remission of the sum.

In 1775, it was proposed by the American officers, who carried on the siege of Boston, in order to procure the expulsion of the enemy, to bombard or destroy the town. The entire wealth of Mr. Hancock was exposed, by the execution of this enterprise, to ruin; but whilst he felt for the sufferings of others with a very generous compassion, he required that no regard to his personal advantages should obstruct the operations of the army. His private fortune, he observed, should, on no occasion, oppose an obstacle to the interests of his country.

An enterprise was undertaken in 1778, in co-operation with the fleet of the French admiral D'Estaing, against Newport, in Rhode Island, by a detachment from the regular army under Washington, and seven thousand of the militia of New England, which excited in the whole continent the most extravagant expectations. On the arrival of these troops in the island, the fleet of lord Howe appeared upon

the coast. D'Estaing, regardless of his obligations with the American troops, instead of supporting, assisting and defending them, and solicitous only for his own glory, hastened to the pursuit of the enemy, and exposed the army of his allies to all the calamities of a fatal defeat. In consequence of this manœuvre, the Americans were left in the midst of innumerable difficulties and danger, to make good their retreat; which they achieved, however, without the loss of artillery or baggage; and the fleet arrived at the same time in the harbour, shattered by a furious storm.

Under these circumstances the French were received in Boston with sullen displeasure, and in many instances with feelings of irritation, which had, no doubt, produced violent consequences, had not the evil been counteracted by the address and liberal hospitality of Mr. Hancock. His house, which was elegant and spacious, was thrown open, with every species of splendid entertainment, to the French admiral and all his officers; from thirty to forty of whom dined every day at his table. In addition to which, he gave, at his own expense, a grand public ball at Concert Hall, attended by the count and his officers, with the principal ladies and gentlemen of the town. Thus harmony was restored, a friendly intercourse with the inhabitants was re-established, and the dispute terminated in a reciprocation of esteem and respect.

These are but a few of the many particulars we might enumerate, did the subject require a further illustration of Mr. Hancock's active and disinterested generosity, for there are, indeed, few persons either of ancient or modern times, whose biography would furnish more frequent and worthy examples. Charity was the common business of his life. Hundreds of families, from his private benevolence, received their daily bread; and there is, perhaps, no individual menVOL. I.-D