thought proper to commit his invaluable deposit to the flames, assigning as

a reason, that they would make MEN ✓ APPARENTLY LITTLE, become REALLY GREAT, and MEN APPARENTLY GREAT, REALLY LITTLE. Alas! that he should have blighted so much service and so many virtues by such a nipping frost. Should this example be generally followed, the authenticity of biography would be effectually concealed behind the mirror of deception.

The present work is presented to the public, such as it is, "with all its imperfections on its head," arising from causes already explained, but the compiler hopes, that however the work may affect the feelings of some, he may be awarded the meed of sincerity by all, in his endeavours to present to public view a faithful mirror of the originals, from the limited means before him.

Philadelphia, April, 1817.

BIOGRAPHY

OF

American Military and Naval Heroes.

MAJOR-GENERAL

JOSEPH WARREN

WAS the first officer of distinction who immolated himself on the altar of freedom, at the dawn of the revolution, which ended in the recognition of the Independence of the thirteen United States of America by Great Britain.

His father was a respectable physician in the town of Roxbury, in the then province of Massachusetts Bay, where the General was born in the year 1739. It was in this town in which he received the rudiments of his education. At the age of fourteen he entered Harvard College, Cambridge, in which he finished his classical studies and received the honors of that seminary in the years 1759 and 1762. He selected for his future pursuit in life the science of Medicine, which he studied, with his father, and commenced its practice in the town of Boston, where he rapidly rose to eminence in his profession. When the small pox raged in that place, in 1764, he was eminently useful in ameliorating its direful ravages by inocculation and successful treatment.

F

Having become a member of a masonic institution, he received from the Earl of Dalhousie, Grand Master of the Masonic order in Scotland, in 1769, a commissión appointing him Grand Master of all the lodges in Boston and within 100 miles thereof. In 1773 he received another commission from the Earl of Dumfries, then Grand Master of the Grand lodge of Scotland, appointing him Grand Master of all the Masons in North America.

The passage of the celebrated Stamp Act, in 1765, caused a lively sensation throughout the colonies in regard to the ulterior views of the British government. Dr. Warren, among others, from that period regarded every movement of the mother country with a steady eye. His active mind embraced a wider range than the limited pursuits of his profession: hence we find him foremost on every occasion to arrest the progress of usurpation, which had made such strides as to induce a number of influential characters to begin a secret caucus in 1768 at each other's habitations, for the discussion of political affairs. The illjudged measures of the British cabinet served only to blow into a flame the embers of discontent which a too early developement of sinister objects had engendered. The discharge of musquetry on an unarmed assemblage of citizens on the 5th of March 1770, by a regular soldiery, which caused the death of five Bostonians, was a deplorable event, which while it reflected in more glaring refulgence the abuse of power, served only to goad the multitude to a determined resistance to such encroachments.

While the crown found but few adherents, except its immediate dependants, the colonists were divided into two parties. The Doctor was among

that class of decided and bold politicians, who contemned the sending of reiterated petitions to the Court of St. James, and who dreaded not the partial evils of war, while its anticipated success would eventuate in lasting benefits to future generations. The other party was composed of moderate whigs. who depended more upon the efficacy of their petitions, than upon an early and efficacious use of the physical powers which God and nature gave them. They dreaded temporary evil more than they prized lasting good. Hence, the greatest caution and policy became necessary to be observed by the members of the caucus, whose objects were to unite the temporary murmurings of the moderates with their own measures of a general opposition. The Doctor was opposed to every kind of taxation which was not laid on the governed by the consent of their immediate representatives, and was always of opinion that, if the ill-fated policy of Britain should lead to acts of open hostility, the colonies were capable of fighting their own battles. It was his constant declaration that we ought to make any sacrifice rather than submit to arbitrary power, or be so mean and pusillanimous as to tremble at the rods which would always be shaken over us.

The secret caucus was partly composed of men in public office. Its meetings had a silent influence on public opinion. In 1772 it was judged advisable to increase its number, to invite a number of mechanics to join them and hold a kind of conclave for the public good. Thus constituted, they held their first meeting in Boston in a house near the North Battery, at which more than 60 persons were present. Their regulations were drawn up by Dr. Warren and another gentleman. The Doctor and his select friends were consulted

on all occasions, such was the estimation and deference shewn their opinions. Their policy led them to get many of the most respectable mechanics together, and always place for Moderator one of the most influential of that class of citizens over a number of the most respectable whigs who were generally present.

In this body the selection of town officers, members of the general court, and the members of the provincial Congress from Boston were decided upon-the committees for public service were here formed and all necessary means of defence matured. A number of men who figured on the grand arena, were never admitted into this deliberative body. Inflated with the idea of their own consequence, they never knew that they were mere automata in the passing scene, put into motion by this invisible body, who, as it were rocked "the cradle of the revolution."*

In the years 1772 and 1775 Doctor Warren was chosen town orator to commemorate the massacre of the 5th of March 1770. His power of eloquence on these occasions were particularly conspicuous, while their publication evinced his superior talents in fine composition.

In 1774 he was chosen a representative from the town of Boston to the first provincial Congress of that province; and that august body evinced the estimation in which they held him by electing him to preside in their councils.

After the destruction of the tea, the place whereat the secret committee had met steadily for the two years preceding, becoming known, and deeming their measures no longer necessary to be kept

* Boston has been always called "the cradle of the revolution."