Most of us would have been of too little consequence for public execution, in case we had failed in our struggle for liberty. But those great men who signed their names to the Declaration, did it under a knowledge that British vengeance would single them out, and fall most heavily upon them. Their lives would have been forfeited; their estates confiscated, and their families thrown penny less on the world. They boldly met all the consequences; and at what a time! one capable of appalling the stoutest heart! General Howe had arrived with the advanced guard of a large army, and on that very day, the 4th of July, 1776-when Congress, having before drawn the sword, had thrown away the scabboard-he landed at Staten Island. Curious coincidence! all were not prepared for so bold, so decided—I had almost said, so desperate a step as the Declaration of our Independence. Some of the best and the bravest in that more than Roman Senate, doubted its propriety at that time. But Adams in the ardor of his patriotism overleaped all difficulties--confirmed the wavering by his wisdom and firmness--convinced the doubtful by the force of his arguments, and enlisted all by his eloquence. He was indeed, as the great Jefferson said of him, when asked what was his character and conduct in that body "The pillar of support of Independence on the floor of Congress-its ablest advocate against the multifarious assaults it had to encounter. No man merited more than Mr. Adams." One member particularly, of great moral worth, and possessing great influence, who had been an early and a warm asserter of his country's rights, in the honesty of his heart, thought 'we ought not then to declare ourselves independent. He depicted in glowing colors the miserable condition we were in to meet the invading foe. A raw and undisciplined force; badly armed, badly clothed, and wanting almost all the materials for war, to meet a large army, highly disciplined, well commanded, and possessing all the necessaries of war. Adams met these arguments with eloquence, with firmness, and with success. The Declaration of Independence went

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forth to the world. It was every where received by the people with joyful acclamation; it pointed them to Liberty and Independence. They saw that it had now become a question whether they should remain in colonial subservience, or rise into the dignity of a free and independent people, and they hesitated not to risk their all upon the issue. The idea of Independence, before this, had not been thought of among the people; but they knew in whom they had reposed their confidence they bowed to the wisdom of Congress and sustained them. Some there were however among us, who could not reconcile themselves to a separation from the mother country.

It is not my purpose to take a view of the war-its conduct and its various fortune. It terminated gloriously.

Mr. Adams it was said, had been sent on a special mission to France before the close of the war; he afterwards return ed and assisted in the formation of a Constitution for his native State.

Our freedom achieved, our intercourse with the governments of Europe as an independent people commenced, and again Adams was sent to Europe, joined in a commission with the great Franklin and others, to make a treaty of peace. Great difficulties occurred. Spain demanded a boundary, which would have been inconvenient to us, and France, our best friend, was her ally. It required great firmness and not a little delicacy, to meet that demand; but it was successfully met; and to the firmness of Mr. Adams has been chiefly ascribed the procuring the boundary demanded by the United States. Another great difficulty arose. The fisheries destined to be the future nursery of our navy, were in dispute ; and to Mr. Adams, I believe great merit was due for obtaining the right established by the treaty. [Here the orator took a comprehensive view of the incalculable advantages derived to the United States by affirming the right of the Fisheries.] Mr. Adams was charged with a special duty to Holland, the obtaining money., in which he was successful, procuring large

loans which were all-important to the nation. Thence he was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to London; an honor conferred on him and due to him for his eminent services. There, though a stern republican, he was graciously received by the king, who told him frankly, that "he was the last man in his kingdom to acknowledge our Independence, and that he would be the last to do any thing to disturb it.”

Mr. Adams returned to the United Sates, and was elected Vice-President, in which capacity he served for eight years. It was a situation which afforded no opportunity for a display of his talents. His conduct as presiding officer over the Senate, was dignified and impartial, and secured the respect of that body and of the country. After the term of General Washington had expired, Mr. Adams was elected President of the United States. His conduct in that high station is known to you all, and it is unnecessary for me to go into its details. We all know, that the strongest mind will sometimes yield to the influence and opinions of others. He retired, after four years, to private life, in which he continued to his death; respected by all who knew him, and beloved by his neighbors.

Mr. Jefferson was born in 1743. Having received the most liberal education, he studied law, and soon became conspicuous at the bar. Elected to the Assembly of Virginia before he was twenty-five years of age, he took an active and distinguished part in that enlightened body, especially against the encroachments of the mother country on our rights and liberty. The elegance of his composition gave him celebrity as a writer. His splendid talents, his perfect knowledge of the rights of man and of his country, his able defence against the aggression of Great Britain, drew the attention of his fellow citizens to him, and he was elected at the early age of thirtytwo to Congress. His fame had preceded him, and his talents, eloquence, and great ability, soon introduced him into the active business of that distinguished body.

Being placed upon all important committees, many oppor

tunities occurred for the display of his fine talents. He it was who drafted the protest of Congress against Lord North's motion. This, and indeed every act which he did, seem to increase his reputation. He had been but a short time in Congress, before it became obvious to him that we should have to cut ourselves loose from the mother country-to become free and independent. The spirit which suggested Independence could not be quiet; those great men who first dared to think of it, could not conceal the noble thought, the mighty conception. It passed like electricity from bosom to bosom, until all became animated with the same hope, the same spirit, the same ardent longing after Liberty—and they resolved to be free. His distinction as a writer, his fine acquirements, his zealous patriotism, the active part which he had taken in arousing the country to the present feeling, all marked Mr. Jefferson for the author of the great Charter of our Liberties, the Declaration of our Independence. Immortal man! thou hast indissolubly united thine and thy country's honor! Thy fame is so closely interwoven with her's, that she cherishes it as her own! Eulogy has been exhausted upon this celebrated instrument. Fifty years have been added to its interest. Millions repeat it each revolving anniversary. It will be read and admired throughout all time. The name of its immortal author of our beloved Jefferson, shall go down with it to posterity, and become familiar to future generations as the great benefactor of mankind.

Mr. Jefferson, ever laboring in the cause of his country, from 1777 to 1779, was engaged with Wythe and Pendleton, two distinguished Virginians, in revising the laws of his native state. In 1779, he was elected Governor of Virginia, succeeding the celebrated Patrick Henry, who was the first Governor of Virginia after our Independence. In 1731, while Governor of the State, he wrote his Notes on Virginia-a book which gave him great celebrity as a writer, a philosopher, and enlightened statesman. In 1782, while in Congress, his native state being engaged in forming a constitution, he wrote

one and sent it to a friend in Virginia-it arrived too lateanother one had just been adopted; but the preamble was considered so beautiful, that they attached it to their Bill of Rights. It increased his reputation as a writer, and was much admired for its sound republican principles.

In 1784, he was sent to France with Franklin and Adams, on a plenipotentiary commission for the purpose of forming treaties with the several powers of Europe.

He there formed an intimate acquaintance with the literati of Europe, from whom he met with distinguished attention. They were astonished to see a man from the wilds of America, perfectly acquainted with both ancient and modern literature, capable to meet them on any scientific subject, and to give them lessons on the true principles of well regulated liberty.

Jefferson obtained leave to return home in 1789. On his arrival, or shortly after, he was selected by Washington as his Secretary of State. In this station he had great difficulties to contend with. Subjects of very great delicacy occurred. Genet, whom France had sent as her Minister here, appeared to think and act as if he were a Prefect-as if he were to direct the affairs of our nation, and dictate our course of conduct. Jefferson's predilections were strong in favor of France. He remembered the eminent and all-important services rendered to us by that great nation, in our utmost hour of need. And he was grateful, as all were. But true to his own country, ever regardful of her character and dignity, he repelled the interference of Genet, rebuked his insolence, and placed the weakness, injustice, and impolicy of his conduct in so glaring a light, that his government recalled him. Difficulties occurred with Great Britain, and Mr. Jefferson met them with firmness, and discussed them with a temper and ability which showed to the British government the inferiority of their Min ister. Indeed Hammond was a mere infant in the hands of Mr. Jefferson. He was recalled, and Liston, considered and justly considered the ablest diplomatist in Great Britain, was