Page:Journal of the First Congress of the American Colonies (1765).djvu/61

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sketch in the “Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independ. ence.")

JOHN MORTON, of Pennsylvania, was another of the eminent men who affixed their signature to that immcrtal deed. He had been for many years one of the judges of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, ard one of her delegates in Congress, from the year 1774 until the period of his death. (See his biography in the above-named work.)

THOMAS McKean, of Delaware, had also the exalted privilege of sigo. inghiat sacred proclamation. He had enjoyed the highest confidence of his fallow.citized from his earliest maturity until the day of his death, having held almost every important office in his na:ive State. In the year 1978 he was at the same time elected President of Delaware and Chief Justice of Pennsylvania. The latter office he held with great dis. Unction for a long series of years. In 1777 he was again elected Presi. dent of Delaware, member of Congress, and Chief Justice of Pennsylvania; in 1781, President of Congress ; and in 1799, Governor of Pennsylvania, to which office he was veral times re-elected. He also rendered important services to his country as a field-officer during the War of the Revolution. (See the “Biography of the Signers.")

CESAR RODNEY was, in every respect, one of the ablest of the great men who gave birth to our independence; tracing his descent to one of the oldest of the noble families of Great Britain, he was yet one of the most democratic of that glorious band who signed the charter of our liberties. In his own State he was elected to almost every leading office in the gift of the people. Among others, he was for many years judge of the Supreme Court, and President of the State. To his eminent abilities and services as a civilian and statesman, he also added very important services as a general officer in the Continental Army. In the very interesting notice of his life published by Sanderson, are several confidential letters to him from the Father of our Couatry.

THOMAS LYNCH was one of the earliest and most encrgetic of the patriots of South Carolipa—for many years a leading member of her provincial Assembly, and father of the distinguished signer of the Declaration of Independence.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON was much distinguished in bis day for high talent and ardent patriotism. He was the father of the afterward emi- nent Chancellor Livingstoo, and cousin of his colleague in Congress, the Hon. Philip Livingston.