Sketches of the Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence; Intended Principally for the Use of Schools (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1830 edition. Excerpt: ...peace, and a successful issue to their long and distressing contest. He crossed from France over to England; and after spending a few days in the society of some of his old friends, who visited him, he continued his voyage, and reached Philadelphia on the fourteenth day of September. Although now eighty years of age, he spent this voyage_ across the Atlantic as he had done those in earlier life, in writing on various subjects, and making philosophical experiments. His arrival was greeted by all the evidences of pleasure and satisfaction, and the testimonies of respect, esteem, and gratitude, which could be demonstrated by an admiring and grateful people. Congratulatory addresses flowed in from public bodies, and distinguished individuals, continually, ex. pressive of the sense which his country entertained of his character and services. But his fellow citizens would not suffer him, notwithstanding his great age, to repose in the undisturbed tranquillity of domestic life. He was appointed president of the Pennsylvania convention, in which ofiice he served that state the constitutional term of three years. In 1787, he was chosen a delegate to the federal convention, which framed the constitution of the United States. He approved of it as it was accepted by the convention, and urgently recommended its adoption by the several states. After. his age and infirmities constrained him wholly to withdraw from public life, he spent all the intervals of ease from those pains which the gout and stone caused him to suffer, in reading, writing, and corresponding with his numerous friends, with the same industry which had characterized his whole life, and the decays of his body appeared greatly in advance of those of his mind. Indeed the latter seem to...