A Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, and of Washington and Patrick Henry: With an appendix, containing the Constitution of the United States, and other documentsJudson, L. Carroll (Levi Carroll)
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A Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, and of Washington and Patrick Henry: With an appendix, containing the Constitution of the United States, and other documents
Judson, L. Carroll (Levi Carroll)
Henry, Patrick, 1736-1799; United States. Declaration of Independence -- Signers; Washington, George, 1732-1799
Notwithstanding his advanced age, and his great anxiety to retire from
the public gaze, he was soon appointed Governor of Pennsylvania—and
subsequently, in 1787, elected a delegate to the convention that
framed the federal constitution. Many of the bright traits of that
matchless instrument received their finishing stroke from his master
hand. Early in 1790, his infirmities of body confined him to his room,
but his immortal mind remained unimpaired. When approaching rapidly
the confines of eternity, he still looked with anxious solicitude upon
the interests of the young republic. He still continued to benefit
mankind by his writings and counsels. Some of the strongest and most
vivid productions from his pen were written during his confinement. His
diseases continued to increase, and on the 17th of April, 1790, calm
and resigned, cool and collected, peaceful and happy, he resigned his
spirit into the hands of his Creator—quitted this vale of tears, and
slumbered, quietly and sweetly, in the arms of death—in the full faith
of rising to a glorious immortality in realms of bliss beyond the skies.
By his will he prohibited all pomp and parade at his funeral. He was
anxious that the plain republican manner of his long and useful life,
should be strictly observed in the mournful obsequies of his interment.
He was buried on the 21st of April, in the north-west corner of Christ
Church yard, where a plain marble slab, even with the surface of the
earth, points to where he lies. With his, moulders the dust of his
wife, with whom he had lived in harmony and peace. No other inscription
is upon the tomb except his and her name.
His death was deeply lamented throughout the civilized world. Congress
ordered mourning to be observed throughout the United States one month.
The event was solemnized, and many eulogies pronounced in France. The
National Assembly decreed that each of its members should wear a badge
of mourning on the occasion for three days. The sensations produced
there by his death, were as imposing and interesting, and celebrated
with as much devotion as those recently witnessed in our own country on
the death of La Fayette.
In reviewing the life of this great benefactor of mankind, we find
a richer variety to admire than in that of any individual upon the
historic page. In whatever station he moved he was a luminary of the
first magnitude. He entered upon the stage of action at a time when the
world needed just such a man; and continued upon it just long enough
to finish all he had begun. He was found just equal to every work he
undertook, and always stopped at the golden point of the finishing
stroke—a modest hint for me to close. You who profess to admire his
virtues, talents, and usefulness, prove your sincerity by imitating his
examples.
ROGER SHERMAN.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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