of religion, and to a better preparation for his future existence. He died August 17, 1785, in the seventy-fifth year of his age.

(General Washington, in a letter of condolence on his death, to one of his sons, wrote thus: "Under this loss, however, great as your pangs may have been at the first shock, you have every thing to console you. A long and well-spent life in the service of his country placed governor Trumbull among the first of patriots; in the social duties he yielded to none; and his lamp from the common course of nature being nearly extinguished, worn down with age and cares, but retaining his mental faculties in perfection, are blessings which attend rarely his advanced life All these combining, have secured to his memory universal respect here, and no doubt, increasing happiness hereafter."

Governor Trumbull made a great collection of historical papers, manuscripts, &c. which have been presented to the Massachusetts Historical Society.

THORNTON, MATTHEW, one of the signers of the declaration of independence, was born in Ireland, about the year 1714.)

Two or three years subsequent to his birth, his father emigrated to this country with his family, and settled in the district of Maine. In a few years he removed to Massachusetts, where he conferred the benefits of an academical education upon his son, whom he designed for one of the learned professions. He accordingly commenced and prosecuted his medical studies at Leicester, Massachusetts, and after the usual preparatory course, embarked in the practice of medicine in Londonderry, New-Hampshire. Here he soon acquired considerable reputation as a physician and surgeon, and in a few years became comparatively wealthy.

He had the honour to fill several important offices previous to the year 1776, in which year he was appointed a delegate to represent the state of New-Hampshire in congress. During this ever memorable year, he affixed his name to the declaration of independence.

In 1779, Dr. Thornton removed to Exeter, where he purchased a fine farm, and made it afterwards his permanent residence. /

In this delightful retreat, being far advanced in life, he relinquished in a great measure the practice of medicine. He however interested himself in the municipal affairs of the town, and was for several years chosen one of the selectmen.

On the great question which was decided in favour of our national independence, he was invariably steadfast, and at all times evinced his readiness to support with his property and life, the declaration to which he had publicly subscribed. His political character may be best estimated by the fact, that he enjoyed the confidence, and was the unshaken disciple of Washington.

He died in Newburyport, Massachusetts, while on a visit to his daughters, June 24, 1803, in the eighty-ninth year of his age. /

Doctor Thornton was a man of large stature, exceeding six feet in height; his complexion was dark, and his eye black and penetrating. His countenance was invincibly grave, like that of Cassius, who read much, and never smiled. In his deportment, he was dignified and commanding, without austerity or hauteur.)

The grave of this eminent man is covered by a white marble slab, upon which are inscribed his name and age, with the brief but noble epitaph:

"AN HONEST MAN."

TOMPKINS, DANIEL D. fifth vice-president of the United States, was born at Scarsdale, New-York, June 21, 1774.

He entered Columbia college in 1792, and in three years afterwards graduated with distinguished reputation for scholarship. On leaving college, he immediately commenced the study of the law, and was admitted to practice in the supreme court in the year 1797.

His commanding talents and stern integrity soon made him a favourite with the people, from whom he has since received the highest political honours.

In 1802, he was elected a member of the state legislature, and in the following year appointed judge of the superior court of New-York.

He continued to discharge the duties of chief justice until the spring of 1807, when he was elected governor of the state.

From this period until the close of the late war, he was active in her councils, and rendered the most important services to his country.

In 1817, he was elevated, in consideration of his distinguished talents and important services, to the exalted station of vice-president of the United States.

WHIPPLE, WILLIAM, one of the signers of the declaration of independence, was born at Kittery, in the district of Maine, in the year 1730. He received an education suited only to a seafaring life, in which he embarked at an early age./

In the year 1759, he abandoned the sea and commenced business in connexion with his brother in the town of Portsmouth, New-Hampshire.

At an early period of the contest he took a decided part in favour of the colonies, in their opposition to the claims of Great Britain; and his townsmen placing the highest confidence in his patriotism and integrity, frequently elected him to offices which required great firmness and moderation.

When the disputes between the two countries were approaching to a crisis, he was in the year 1775, chosen one of the provincial committee of safety for the town of Portsmouth.

In 1776, he was chosen a delegate to the general congress, which met at Philadelphia, and accordingly took his seat in that august body on the 29th February. He continued to be re-elected to that distinguished situation in the years 1777, 1778, and 1779, and applied himself with great diligence and ability to the discharge of its duties, when the military services which he rendered during that period, permitted him to be an acting member of the New-Hampshire delegation.

In the middle of September, 1779, he finally retired from congress, after having attended, without the least intermission, at his post of duty, from the 5th of the preceding month of November.

/ The memorable day which gave birth to the declaration of independence, afforded in the case of Mr. Whipple, a striking example of the uncertainty of human affairs, and the triumphs of perseverance. The cabin boy, who, thirty years before, had looked forward to the command of a vessel as the consummation of all his hopes and wishes, now stood amidst the congress of 1776, and looked around upon a conclave of patriots, such as the world had never witnessed. He, whose ambition once centred in inscribing his name as commander upon a crew-list, now affixed his signature to a document, which has embalmed it for posterity

In the year 1777, Mr. Whipple was called upon to act in untried scenes, and exchange his political for a military character. On the invasion of general Burgoyne, Mr. Whipple and John Stark, were appointed brigadier-generals, with orders to embody the militia, and to stop the progress of the enemy. The latter, with the second brigade, proceeded to Bennington, (where the enemy had a large body of troops under the command of lieutenant-colonel Baum,) attacked their works and put them to flight. Soon after this victory, general Whipple marched with the first brigade to join the standard of general Gates. In the desperate battles of Stillwater and of Saratoga, the troops of general Whipple gained a large share of honour due to the American army. The consequence of these engagements was the surrender of general Burgoyne.

In 1780, immediately after his retirement from congress, he was elected a member of the state legislature, to which office he was repeatedly chosen, and continued to enjoy the confidence and approbation of his fellow citizens.

In 1782, he was appointed a judge of the superior court, which office he held until his death, which happened November 28, 1785, in the fiftyfifth year of his age.

General Whipple was possessed of a strong mind, and quick discernment. He was easy in his