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some of the most essential improvements? Finally, our own great Washington was a Samson in combat before he became a Solomon in council. On very mature reflection, I am satisfied that General Taylor, in a short time after he shall have taken the chair, will acquit himself of his high duties to the entire public satisfaction.

"It is further objected that General Taylor is a slave-holder. This objection comes sixty years too late. It was disposed of in substance by the original articles of confederation, and annulled in form by the constitution of the United States. The Northern States were glad enough to avail themselves of the coöperation of the South in their struggle for independence, and 'no questions asked.' Not less thankful were they to cement the incipient alliance by a most solemn compact, expressly recognizing their right to property in their slaves, and engaging to protect it,-treating with them, as proprietors of slaves, as our equals in all respects, and eligible, of consequence, to all offices under the constitution. What would have been the fate of a motion in that glorious assembly which formed the constitution, or of those who might have made it, George Washington present, to declare a slave-holder ineligible to any office under it? I well remember the adoption of the constitution by my fellow-citizens of the State, when Hancock, muffled in red baize, was brought into the convention, to sign the ratification. The evening preceding, a demonstration in favor of the measure was made in the streets of Boston, by an assemblage favorable to it, whose numbers, Paul Revere assured Samuel Adams, were like the sands of the sea-shore, or like the stars in heaven."

This vigorous document was published on Oct. 2, and the decease of Otis occurred on the 28th day of that month. His remains were entombed at Mount Auburn. He was aged 83 years and twenty days.

"Of no distemper, of no blast, he died,

But fell like autumn fruit that mellowed long, -
E'en wondered at, because he dropped no sooner;
Fate seemed to wind him up to fourscore years,
Yet freshly ran he on three winters more,
Till, like a clock worn out with eating time,

The wheels of weary life at last stood still."

Old Faneuil Hall will ever be memorable as the forum whence, with a voice of silvery sweetness, the flashes of wit and stirring eloquence of our Boston Cicero captivated the people. Like Cicero, our Otis was by nature a statesman; but the honestly-conceived Hartford Conven

H

tion, of which he was the most powerful advocate, blighted his political elevation above that of the Senate in Congress. Otis, however, was the pride of the Bostonians; and, while many a political opponent, both from the press and the rostrum, to use the words of our native poet, Sprague,

"Soils the green garlands that for Otis bloom,
And plants a brier even on Cabot's tomb,"

we are confident that posterity will view him as a luminous star in the constellation of American patriots. He was never rivalled for eloquence by any politician of his native city, or any of his native State, excepting only his noble kinsman, and the accomplished Fisher Ames. The contour of his head was beautiful, with animated eyes, and a ruddy complexion. He was rather tall, of noble bearing, graceful gestures, and courteous manners. A full-length portrait of Otis is in the care of the Massachusetts Mechanics' Charitable Association, and an accurate portrait by Stuart is in the family. William Sullivan aptly remarks of him, that he was the orator of all popular assemblies, the guide of popular opinion in all the trying scenes of commercial restrictions, embargo, and war. With a fine person and commanding eloquence, with a clear perception and patriotic purpose, he was the first among his equals, alike ready at all times with his pen and his tongue. And Samuel K. Lothrop, his pastor, says of him, that the action and play of his mental power was so easy, that one was apt to forget the profound and subtle nature of the subjects with which he was dealing. His power of nice analysis and sharp discrimination was extraordinary, and the broad and deep wisdom of his thought was often as remarkable as the language in which he clothed it was brilliant and beautiful. The biography of Harrison Gray Otis remains to be written. It was well said of him, at the Harvard centennial, by William H. Gardiner, that he was the first scholar of the first class of a new nation, the career of whose life has been according to the promise of his youth; who has touched nothing which he has not adorned, and who has been rewarded with no office, nor honor, nor emolument, to which he was not richly entitled.

19

GEN. WILLIAM HULL.

JULY 4, 1788. FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY OF CINCINNATI.

THE patriotic appeal of the orator to his companions in arms arouses in their descendants an impressive conception of the burning ardor of our Revolutionary heroes: The return of this joyful anniversary, my dear friends and companions, will naturally recall to your minds the various interesting scenes which have fallen to your lot while on the theatre of action. The rugged and thorny paths you have together trod, the dangerous but honorable part you have been called to act, the mingled emotions which have been excited, while the fate of your country was uncertain, and the scenes of your military drama were continually shifting. In the recollection of these important transactions, you will not be unmindful of your companions in danger. Are they all present to partake in the festivity of the day, and to commemorate those great events for the acquisition of which their valor and their virtue have largely contributed? No, my friends, many of the most ornamental pillars have fallen, in erecting the great fabric of freedom; and, while our feelings are alive on the subject, scarcely does the magnitude of the object compensate the magnitude of the sacrifice. May unfading laurels ever bloom around their tombs! May monuments more durable than marble be erected to their memories! May we, my brethren, ever bear on our minds the amiable and manly virtues by which they were distinguished while actors on the stage, and the glory and dignity with which they closed the scene. And while their memories live deeply engraven on the hearts and affections of a grateful people, may faithful history transmit their illustrious deeds to the latest time, and her fairest pages be ornamented with the lustre of their fame!

The memorable day we now celebrate, and the purposes for which we are assembled, will recall to our recollection the period which gave birth to our institution, the motives from whence it originated, and the principles upon which it is founded. Having for more than eight years devoted our lives to the service of our country,- having cheerfully endured the dangers and fatigues which are incident to a military employment, and having seen our efforts crowned with success, the period arrived when we were to take a farewell of each other. A

crisis so interesting must have excited a variety of emotions. While, on the one hand, we were animated with joy that our country was freed from danger, and honorably seated in the chair of independence,— on the other, we must have been penetrated with grief; not that we were about to quit the splendid scenes of military command, and mingle with our fellow-citizens; not that toil and poverty would probably be our portion,—for to them we had long been wedded; but that we were to act the last affectionate part of our military connection, and to separate, perhaps never to meet again. Was it possible to suppress the feelings which the occasion excited? Did not the same principles which had animated you to endure the fatigues of war and dangers of the field, for the attainment of independence, loudly call upon you to institute a memorial of so great an event?

When the representatives of your country bestowed upon you the honorable appellation of the patriot army, and honored you with the united thanks of America for the part you had acted, was it not your duty, by your future conduct, to give the highest possible evidence that the applause was not unmerited? Could you possibly have exhibited a more striking example, or given a higher proof, than by forming an institution which inculcated the duty of laying down in peace the arms you had assumed for public defence? If the various fortunes of war had attached you to each other, if there was sincerity in that friendship you professed, if you wished to contribute a small portion of the little you possessed to the relief of your unfortunate companions, was it possible for you to separate, without forming yourselves into a society of friends, for the continuance and exercise of these benevolent purposes? Heaven saw with approbation the purity of your intentions, and your institution arose on the broad foundation of patriotism, friendship, and charity.

William Hull was born at Derby, Ct., June 24, 1753. He graduated at Yale College in 1772; studied divinity during one year, and then attached himself to the Law School in Litchfield, Ct., and entered the bar in 1775; after which he engaged in the war of the Revolution as a captain.

The first incident recorded by Capt. Hull, on his arrival in camp, is a striking illustration of the deficiency of military order, discipline and etiquette, with which Washington had to contend. A body of the enemy landed at Lechmere's Point, in Cambridge. an attack would be made on the American lines.

It was expected

The alarm was

given, and the troops ordered to their respective stations. When the regiment of Col. Webb was formed for action, the captains and subalterns appeared dressed in long cloth frocks, with kerchiefs tied about their heads. Capt. Hull was the only man in uniform. The officers inquired why he came qut in full dress,— that the regiment was going into action, and that he would be a mark for the enemy's fire. He replied that he thought the uniform of an officer was designed to aid his influence and increase his authority over his men; and if ever important in these points, it was more particularly so in the hour of battle. They referred to their experience, remarking that in the French war it was not customary, and they had never worn it. Capt. Hull yielded to age and experience, sent his servant for a frock and kerchief, and dressed himself after the fashion of his companions. His company was in advance of the British lines. While at this station, Gen. Washington and suite, in the course of reviewing the troops, stopped at the redoubt, and asked what officer commanded there. With feelings of inexpressible mortification, says Gen. Hull, I came forward in my savage costume, and reported that Capt. Hull had the honor of commanding the redoubt. As soon as Gen. Washington passed on, Capt. Hull availed himself of the first moment to despatch his servant, with all possible speed, to bring him his uniform. As he put it on, he quietly resolved never more to subscribe to the opinions of men, however loyal and brave in their country's service, whose views were so little in unison with his own. After the troops had waited four or five hours in expectation of an attack, the enemy returned to his encampment, having no other object in making the descent than to procure provisions. Hull was in the surprise on Dorchester Heights, at White Plains, battle of Trenton, and Princeton, where he was promoted as major; was at Ticonderoga, at the surrender of Burgoyne, in the battle of Monmouth, and at the capture of Stoney Point; was appointed army-inspector under Baron Steuben, became a colonel in the capture of Cornwallis, and was sent on a mission to Quebec to demand the surrender of Forts Niagara, Detroit, and several smaller forts. In Shays' insurrection, Col. Hull had command of the left wing of the troops under Gen. Lincoln, and, in making a forced march through a violent snow-storm, surprised the insurgents in their camp, who fled in every direction. In 1781 Col. Hull married Sarah, daughter of Judge Fuller, of Newton. In 1789 he was the commander of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company.

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