can and should block this ruinous game at once. We have as good men as lived in '76 and a _few_ of them on duty. There should be no others selected. They will not _seek_ office but we should be careful to seek _them_ and cleanse the temple of our Liberty from political peculation and venality. If our country is ruined it will be the fault of the mass. On the 10th of July 1781, Judge McKean was elected President of Congress but declined serving in consequence of his duties as Chief Justice of Pennsylvania. He was then urged to occupy the chair until the court should commence the next term. To this he assented and made an able presiding officer. On the 7th of November he vacated the chair and was complimented by the following resolution:--"_Resolved_--That the thanks of Congress be given to the Honorable Thomas McKean, late President of Congress in testimony of their approbation of his conduct in the chair and in the execution of public business." His duties upon the Bench of the Supreme Court commenced in 1777 and were extremely onerous. He did not recognize the power of the crown and held himself amenable only to his country and his God. An able jurist--an unbending patriot--at the hazard of his life he punished all who were brought before him and convicted of violating the laws of the new government. No threats could intimidate--no influence reach him when designed to divert him from the independent discharge of his duty. His profound legal acquirements--ardent zeal--equal justice--vigorous energy and noble patriotism--enabled him to outride every storm and calm the raging billows that often threatened to overwhelm him. He marched on triumphantly to the goal of Liberty and hailed the star spangled banner as it waived in grandeur from the lofty spire of the temple of FREEDOM. He beheld, with the eye of a sage, philosopher and philanthropist, the rising glory of Columbia's new world. He viewed, with emotions of pleasing confidence, the American eagle descend from the ethereal regions beyond the altitude of a tyrant's breath and pounce upon the British lion. With increasing vigor and redoubled fury the mighty bird continued the awful conflict until the king of beasts retreated to his lair and proclaimed, in a roar of thunder--AMERICA IS FREE! Angels rejoiced--monarchs trembled--patriots shouted a loud--AMEN!!! The torch of England's power over the Colonies expired in its socket--the birth of a new nation was celebrated by happy millions basking beneath the genial rays of the refulgent glories of the sun of Liberty. The harvest was past--the summer ended--our country saved. The stupendous work of political regeneration was accomplished--the Independence of the United States acknowledged--an honorable peace consumated. Judge McKean then sat down under his own fig tree to enjoy the full fruition of the comforts resulting from his faithful labors in the cause of equal rights.