Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub

he remarked in a letter of the nineteenth August, 1783,"a number of competitors would appear, I am well persuaded that you would not have accepted. Your original motives must continue to exist, until the situation of our affairs shall mend. Persist, then, I pray you, in those efforts which you promised me, and be persuaded that the consciousness of having made them will be the best reward. If this is not the case, I have mistaken your character." Let it be remembered that an eulogium from Robert Morris should be equally venerated as though it had fallen from the lips of Washington: the military glory of the hero can never be separated from the gigantic talents of the financier.-It was not until the month of January, 1784, that Mr. Whipple was enabled to make his first remittance to the treasury this, at a time when the public necessities were most urgent, consisted of three thousand dollars! At length, he was resolved no longer to submit to the series of vexations which he had endured for more than two years, and which the infirm state of his health rendered still more oppressive. On the twenty-second of July, 1784, he imparted his final determination to Mr. Morris, and retired from the office of receiver in the course of the following month.

A dispute had long subsisted between the states of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, relative to certain lands at Wyoming, which, from the hostile spirit in which it was conducted, demanded the serious consideration of congress. On the sixteenth of July, 1782, it was resolved that the agents of those states should appoint commissioners or judges to constitute a court for hearing and determining the matter in question, agreeably to the ninth article of the confederation. On the eighth of August, this requisition was complied with, and Mr. Whipple was included in the commission subsequently granted by congress. The court of commissioners

met at Trenton, in New Jersey, on the twelfth of November, but did not constitute a quorum until the eighteenth; when William Whipple, Welcome Arnold, David Brearly, William Churchill Houston, and Cyrus Griffin, Esqrs. having taken the necessary oath, opened the court in form. Mr. Whipple was appointed president, and throughout the course of this important and delicate trial, which terminated on the thirtieth of December, displayed great ability, impartiality, and moderation. Their final sentence and decree was returned to congress on the third of January, stating it as the unanimous opinion of the court, that the state of Connecticut had no right to the lands in controversy.

About this period general Whipple began to be afflicted with strictures in the breast, which, at times, proved extremely painful. A little exercise would induce violent palpitations of the heart, which were very distressing. Riding on horseback often produced this effect, and frequently caused him to faint and fall from his horse. This complaint prevented him from engaging in the more active scenes of life, and compelled him to decline any further military command.

On the twentieth of June, 1782, he was appointed a judge of the superior court of judicature; it being usual, at that period, to fill the office with persons who had not been educated in the profession of the law. The bench consisted of four judges, and the chief justice. only was taken from the bar. A discerning mind, sound judgment, and integrity, were deemed adequate, but essential qualifications; and these virtues were possessed by general Whipple. In an attempt to sum up the arguments of the counsel, and state a cause to the jury, the effort brought on the palpitation of his heart, in so violent a degree, that he proceeded with great difficulty; and this was the only instance of his making a formal speech, whilst seated upon the bench. He continued, however, to

ride the circuits with the court for the term of two or three years, and assisted his brethren with his opinion in the decision of the causes before them.

On the twenty-fifth of December, 1784, he was appointed a justice of the peace and quorum throughout the state, under the new constitution. In the fall of 1785, the rapid increase of his disorder compelled him to leave the court, and return home before the circuit was completed. He was immediately confined to his chamber, and the nature of his complaint preventing him from lying in bed, his only refreshment from sleep was received whilst sitting in a chair. The nature and violence of his disorder being beyond the reach of medical art, he expired on the twenty-eighth day of November, 1785, in the fifty-fifth year of his age.

His body was opened, by his special direction, and it was found that an ossification had taken place in his heart; the valves being united to the aorta, a small aperture, about the size of a large knitting needle, remained open, through which all the blood flowed in its circulation; and when any sudden motion gave it new impulse, it produced the palpitation and faintness to which he was liable. His body was deposited in the north burying ground, in Portsmouth.

Mr. Whipple was possessed of a strong mind, and quick discernment he was easy in his manners, courteous in his deportment, correct in his habits, and constant in his friendships. He enjoyed through life a great share of the public confidence, and although his early education was limited, his natural good sense, and accurate observations, enabled him to discharge the duties of the several offices with which he was entrusted, with credit to himself and benefit to the public. In the various scenes of life in which he engaged, he constantly manifested an honest and persevering spirit of VOL. I.-R r

emulation, which conducted him with rapid strides to distinction. As a sailor, he speedily attained the highest rank in the profession; as a merchant, he was circumspect and industrious; as a congressman, he was firm and fearless; as a legislator, he was honest and able; as a commander, he was cool and courageous; as a judge, he was dignified and impartial; and as a member of many subordinate public offices, he was alert and persevering. Few men rose more rapidly and worthily in the scale of society, or bore their new honours with more modesty and propriety.

MATTHEW THORNTON.

MATTHEW THORNTON, the remaining delegate from New Hampshire, was a native of Ireland, where he was born about the year 1714. Two or three years subsequent to his birth, his father, James Thornton, emigrated to this country with his family, and resided at Wiscasset, in Maine. In a few years he removed to the town of Worcester, in the province of Massachusetts, where he conferred the benefits of an academical education upon his son, whom he designed for one of the learned professions. He accordingly commenced, and prosecuted his medical studies under the superintendence of Dr. Grout, of Leicester, in Massachusetts, and after the usual preparatory course, embarked in the practice of medicine in Londonderry, New Hampshire. The original settlement of this town by natives of Ireland, probably induced him to establish the early scenes of his usefulness among those who proverbially possess warm national remembrances. He rapidly acquired extensive and well-merited reputation as a physician and surgeon, and in the course of several years' successful practice, became comparatively wealthy.

In the beginning of the year 1745, an expedition against Cape Breton was planned by governor Shirley, and submitted to the legislature of Massachusetts, in which it was adopted by a majority of one. The co-operation of New Hampshire

« ПредишнаНапред »