to bias his decision.

He was, indeed, in every sense of the words, a wise, a good, and a great man. His temper was naturally irritable and high-toned; but reflection and resolution had obtained a firm and habitual ascendency over it. If ever, however, it broke its bonds, he was most tremendous in his wrath.

In his expenses he was honorable, but exact; liberal in contributions to whatever promised utility; but frowning and unyielding on all visionary projects, and all unworthy calls on his charity. His heart was not warm in its affections; but he exactly calculated every man's value, and gave him a solid esteem proportioned to it. His person, you know, was fine, his stature exactly what one would wish, his deportment easy, erect and noble; the best horseman of his age, and the most graceful figure that could be seen on horseback. though in the circle of his friends, where he might be unreserved with safety, he took a free share in conversation, his colloquial talents were not above mediocrity, possessing neither copiousness of ideas, nor fluency of words.

Al

In public when called on for a sudden opinion, he was unready, short and embarrassed. Yet he wrote readily, rather diffusely, in an easy and correct style. This he had acquired by conversation with the world, for his education was merely reading, writing and common arithmetic, to which he added surveying at a later day. His time was employed in action chiefly, reading little, and that only in agriculture and English history. His correspondence became necessarily extensive, and, with journalizing his agricultural proceedings, occupied most of his leisure hours within doors. On the whole, his character was, in its mass, perfect, in nothing bad, in few points indifferent; and

it may be truly said, that never did nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a man great, and to place him in the same constellation with whatever worthies have merited from man an everlasting remembrance. For his was the singular destiny and merit, of leading the armies of his country successfully through an arduous war for the establishment of its independence; of conducting its councils through the birth of a government, new in its form and principles, until it had settled down into a quiet and orderly train; and of scrupulously obeying the laws through the whole of his career, civil and military, of which the history of the world furnishes no other example. I felt on his death, with my countrymen, that "verily a great man hath fallen this day in Israel."

THOMAS JEFFERSON, Secretary of State under Washington, and third President of the United States (1801–9), was born at Shadwell, afterwards called Monticello, Va., April 2d, 1743, and died there July 4th, 1826. As the author of the Declaration of Independence and the founder of the Democratic party, Jefferson has probably exerted a greater influence on the institutions of the United States, than any other American, except Washington. The just and carefully drawn character above given, is taken from a letter to Dr. Walter Jones, an eminent physician of Virginia, dated Monticello, January 2d, 1814, printed in Vol. VI, of "The Writings of Thomas Jefferson," Washington, D. C., 1853-5. 9 vols., 8vo.

FRANCOIS MARBOIS.

1816.

WHEN the war broke out in America, it was soon recognized that Washington was the man the best fitted to command the armies of the new republic; and if the title of great man should be awarded to those who, in difficult situations, perform the highest duties most beneficially to their country, and most in accord with the rules of wisdom, no character of ancient history, none of modern times, has been more worthy than he of this noble name.

In private life, the correctness of his principles and his conduct earned the affection of all those with whom he lived; and they valued more than any other of their experiences, the good fortune of having been admitted to an intimate acquaintance with a man so justly illustrious.

He possessed also, in the highest degree, the qualities which make up the character of a statesman: vigilance and foresight in the ordinary course of affairs; a steadfastness under adversity that could not be shaken; moderation in success; and perseverance in the execution of his designs.

Clothed with the authority conferred by talents and virtue on exalted characters, the most powerful leader that ever commanded the armies of a republic, he was never carried away by the intoxication of power, the strongest and most consuming passion that can possess the

human heart, the passion to which so many madmen have sacrificed life and even honor. The public welfare was constantly the end of his efforts; they were crowned with success; and his renown, so great while he lived, and increasing from day to day, has no other foundation than his virtues.

Above all things else, he desired to be numbered with the founders of the independence of the colonies. The universal verdict assigns him the first place among them.

He cared nothing for the popular applause which flattery showers on vanity. One day, after a great victory while listening to harangues and felicitations, he seemed to give them the attention rarely refused by the most modest men to evidences of public admiration. With one hand he received the addresses that were presented to him, and placed them in his breast. In the other he held replies prepared in advance; but he attached so little importance to them, or he was so preoccupied with serious matters, that he read from beginning to end to a deputation of magistrates, the one which he had intended for the generals.

This man, deaf to the empty sound of plaudits, had, from early youth, contracted the habit of sacrificing everything to duty, and of departing in nothing from the rules of justice.

It was never necessary to remind him of a promise. He said: "When I arouse an expectation, I am signing a contract.'

His troops had unlimited confidence in him, and he obtained from them more by a kindly word than others could by benefits and gifts. It might have been expected that having acquired so much glory and power by his military talents, he would retain a belligerent disposition, even in peaceful times.

Those who would have liked to engage him in the war which arose between France and England, publicly claimed that the independence of the United States was concerned in the contest; but he resisted them steadily; and if he consented to make some preparations for war, it was always with the intention of better assuring peace.

When, after a public life so full of usefulness, he retired to his home to live as a simple citizen, he felt that he was only pursuing his accustomed course, in obedience to reason, to age, and to nature.

FRANCOIS MARBOIS, Marquis of Barbé Marbois, was born at Metz, January 31, 1745, and died January 14, 1837. He was appointed in 1779 to the post of Secretary of the French legation to the United States, during our Revolution, and was the principal agent in the most important operations of the embassy. His "Complot D'Arnold et de Sir Henry Clinton contre Les Etats-Unis D'Amérique et contre Le Général Washington-Septembre, 1780," from which we quote, was published at Paris in 1816. 12 mo. A translation by Robert Walsh was printed in the American Register for 1817. This, however, does not include the above, which we translate from a note at the end of the volume, omitted by Mr. Walsh.