nounced the departure of the valued and venerated men, whose virtues, labors and services we have assembled to commemorate. The intelligence of the decease of JOHN ADAMS and THOMAS JEFFERSON embraced circumstances, which, though at first, they seemed to forbid belief; yet being confirmed, are to be regarded as striking instances of the exercise of that all-directing power which presides over life and death. Surely, the special providence of God was never more apparent nor more affecting, than in the events of which we are speaking. The distinguished individuals, who, at the commencement of the train of events, which led to a separation of the American Colonies from the parent country, entered together the field of their common exertions, shared the deep solicitudes, which the most inauspicious circumstances must have often inspired, encountered the obstacles and dangers, which interposed between them and the objects of their great designs, lived to behold their united efforts crowned with complete success, to participate the honors, which a grateful people conferred, and were then, in the full maturity of their years, gathered to their fathers on the same day, the day, on which fifty years before, they gave their suffrages to that memorable instrument, which declared our country "free, sovereign and independent." They did not just ascend the mount, and survey at a distance the good land; but they partook liberally of its fruits, and long enjoyed the solacing pleasures of its peaceful shades. They died in the land, the inheritance of which they had done so much to obtain; their sepulchres are with us; they are known, and will be distinguished to the latest periods of time.

In following these men of renown through the long course of labour, of duty, and of care, which they fearlessly and undeviatingly pursued, and in bringing into view the protracted toils that they sustained, the cruel dangers with which they were menaced, and the immense magnitude of the objects, which engrossed the action of their powerful minds, we cannot but admire and adore that perfect wisdom, which adapts

all means to their appointed ends, bringing forth the instrument of its work, when they become necessary, and by calling into exercise, talents and powers, undiscovered before, perfects its plans and accomplishes its purposes. The supporting promise," as thy day is, so shall thy strength be," is not solely applicable to individuals, or small communities; nations, when engaged in a righteous cause, may appropriate the declaration to themselves, without incurring, the charge of perverting the words of inspiration. When Israel had borne the oppressions of Egyptian tyranny, till the evils with which they were afflicted could no longer be endured, Moses was raised up,and qualified by a proper course of education and discipline, to be the deliverer and ruler of the chosen tribes. The eye of the Omniscient God, which traces minutely all causes to their remotest effects, had marked him out, as necessary to the temporal salvation of the covenant people.It was foreseen, that the talents and instrumentality of that eminent person would be requisite; and the same power that gave them their direction, associated with their possessor, other important characters, whose counsels and efforts, in their respective departments, would add weight to his authority, and contribute to promote and secure the welfare of the whole nation. When the American Colonies were first roused to a sense of their wrongs, where were the men, who were to form their deliberative bodies, preside in their counsels, and give efficiency to the measures, that might be proposed for the common security? Where were the military chieftains, who were to conduct their armies to the field, stimulate them to deeds of noble daring, and lead them to victory? Whom had this nation "to comfort her, among all the sons she had brought up?" Where was Patrick Henry? Where were Jefferson, the Adamses, and Hancock? Where was Washington? Yet, when the crisis of our country's destiny approached, the men, whose services were most important to promote the benevolent intentions of Providence, sprang forth, invested with all the attributes, which should

claim a nation's confidence, and secure its gratitude. It is thus, that by a wise constitution of the human mind, splendid talents are elicited by new, untried and momentous events.Great men are produced for great occasions. Inauspicious circumstances, that would deter others from action, are, with such men, of small account. The perils which dishearten the weak, the terrors that alarm the timid, have no influence on great minds except to inflame their zeal, animate their powers, and fix their resolution. What an instructive lesson do we receive from such examples. Even in this hour of mournful visitation, we are cheered with the most enlivening hopes. America! Though thy sages and heroes sleep in dust, let no cloud of doubt obscure thy future prospects, "instead of the fathers shall be the children :" and should an enemy again assail thy dearest rights, and attempt to wrest from thee thy highest privileges, future Jeffersons, Adamses, and Franklins shall rise up to assert thy dignity and to plead thy cause, and future Washingtons, to unsheath the sword, to repel the ruthless invader!

The elevated characters, that we have convened to contemplate, were formed under circumstances, which demand particular consideration, to prepare us to make a just estimate of their merits. Jefferson and Adams had been engaged in the practice of an honorable profession, before the commencement of the revolution; they had attained a degree of celebrity, which the laudable ambition they possessed was daily increasing. In addition to the fact that their country opened a wide and promising field for the exertion of their splendid abilities, it is natural to suppose, that the parent government would seek in the profession of the law, for such to aid their measures and forward their views, as, from the course of their studies, the nature of their pursuits, and the characters of their minds, would be most likely to exercise a commanding influence on public sentiment. The efforts of such men were courted with promises, with gifts, with offices. The inducements to loyalty to the throne of Britain, could not

have been few in number or small in magnitude. The records of the transactions connected with the revolution, will show of how little weight these circumstances were considered in the view of men, whose political virtue was proof against all the allurements that are held out, to induce them to denounce or desert the holy cause in which they engaged.

The Declaration of Independence was draughted by Jefferson, and warmly supported by Adams, as an act induced by a deep sense of duty to their bleeding country. This celebrated instrument was not the production of a restless, factious spirit; it was not the work of a noisy demagogue; nor was it the mere ebullition produced by the contending elements which form, and often annihilate a party. This instrument was not the wild conception of a needy, desperate adventurer, who might possibly gain something by an experiment, while certain he had nothing to lose; it was the result of cool and careful deliberation, assisted by enlightened reason, and sanctioned by sound judgment. The Declaration of Independence was designed to exhibit the injuries, that our country had so long borne with patience, to assert in the face of the world, the inalienable rights of man, and to lodge a solemn appeal to all nations for the correctness of its principles, and to the Searcher of hearts, for the rectitude of the intentions of its framers. The boldness of proposing and advocating this measure with the strength of mind, the fearlessness, and the decision of character, necessary to an act of this nature, cannot but strike us with admiration. Probably, at the distance of time between that transaction and the period in which we live, we may not all be able to enter fully into the feelings of the immediate agents; and hence, we may not be prepared to refer their conduct to any settled rule of action with which we are acquainted. When the patriots, who are the subjects of our present reflections, were so ardently engaged in their important exertions, were they, or were they not actuated by the feelings, the solicitudes, and the hopes, that appear to be common to our species? When they placed their

signatures to an instrument, which, seemed to be nothing less than a bold challenge to the wrath of a king, and to ministerial vengeance to do their worst, had they no conceptions of the value of the objects which they put at hazard? Were their well earned fame, their property, whether inherited or acquired, of no account? They had families; had they forgotten the blandishments of domestic society? And when they trod amidst the dangers of their dark and perilous course, did not the mild, but persuasive voice of feminine affection arrest their steps, with the pathetic appeal to congugal and paternal sensibilities:

"Thy wife, thy infants in thy danger share ?"

We are not to suppose, that their affections were extinguished, or completely neutralized. Those eminent men thought and acted, as all others in similar circumstances would have done when influenced and governed by the spirit of true patriotism. Though the exercise of this noble and generous spirit, may, like charity, begin at home, yet it will not end there. Patriotism associates the interests of an individual, and of his family, with those of his country. With his country, the true patriot is contented to stand or fall. We can never too much admire, or to closely imitate this ennobling, godlike principle. The men whose memories we have assembled to honor, had foreseen the sacrifices, which the momentous crisis demanded; the altar was erected; they knew that their country would expect from them a liberal contribution; they had counted the cost; they had disciplined their hearts to a surrender of every inferior object. They not only brought their part of the oblation with a willing mind, but were ready to officiate at the offering. It was this spirit which actuated our deceased worthies; it was this which procured your liberty and independence; and such were the circumstances in which the Declaration of Independence was adopted and proclaimed, that nothing which it contains appears more true, or more affecting, than the concluding sen