GEORGE M. TROUP.

COLONEL GEORGE M. TROUP was born at McIntosh's Bluff, on the Tombigbee, in what was then the Territory of Georgia, now Alabama, in September, 1780. After receiving the rudiments of a classical education in McIntosh County, and afterwards in Savannah, he was sent to a celebrated academy at Long Island, State of New-York. Thence he went to Princeton College, where he graduated honourably. On his return to Savannah, he studied law with Mr. Noel.

In 1800, before he was twenty years of age, he was invited by the Republicans of Chatham County to represent it in the Legislature. This he declined, because of his minority.

In 1801, he yielded to a second application, and was elected a representative. In the Legislature he at once occupied a high position. In 1802, he was again elected, and again in 1803. In 1804, he removed to, Bryan County, where he resided some years. In 1806, he was elected to Congress. He was a member of the House of Representatives until 1815, when he withdrew to private life. His support was given to the administrations of Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Madison, possessed of the confidence of both. As a representa tive of Georgia, he was distinguished by his opposition to the compromise made by the Federal Legislature with the Yazoo speculators. As a legislator of the Union, he sustained the war measures which were adopted towards England.

Naturally fervid, he was impassioned in debate; scrupulously honest, he was listened to with respect; devoted to his country, he gave to her all his heart and all his mind.

In 1816, in opposition to his own wishes, Colonel Troup was elected a Senator in Congress over Dr. Bibb, a very distinguished servant of Georgia. Dr. Bibb's term would have expired on the 3d of March, 1817, but he resigned, and the Legislature, in addition to the ensuing full term, conferred the vacancy on Colonel Troup. He continued but two years in the Senate. In 1823 he was elevated to the Chief Magistracy of the State of Georgia.

The Legislature of 1823 required the Governor elect "to use his exertions to obtain from the United States the extinguishment of the Indian title to all our remaining territory." He immediately

opened a correspondence with the Secretary of War, which resulted in a commission to Duncan G. Campbell and James Meriwether, two distinguished Georgians, to treat with the Creek Indians.*

During Governor Troup's administration, the great and good Lafayette visited America. He was a guest of Georgia. Governor Troup, in 1825, received him on the Bluff of Savannah. The author of this

* For Governor Troup's acts in relation to the Creeks, we refer the reader to our article upon the Creek difficulties.

memoir heard his address to the nation's friend. "Welcome, Lafayette! General, 'tis little more than ninety years since the founder of this State first set foot upon the bank upon which you stand. stand. Now, four hundred thousand people open their arms to receive you. Thanks to a kind Providence, it called you to the standard of independence in the helplessness of our Revolution. It has preserved you, that in your latter days the glory of a great empire might be reflected back upon you, amid the acclamations of millions. The scenes which are to come will be for you comparatively tranquil and placid. There will be no more of dungeons, no more fears of tyrants. Oh, sir, what a consolation for a man, who has passed through seas of trouble, that the millions of bayonets which guard the blessings we enjoy, stand between you and them! But enough! Welcome, General! Thrice welcome to the State of Georgia !"

Mr T. retired from the government in November, 1827, with a popularity equal to that of any former Chief Magistrate. In 1828, he was recalled to the United States Senate. This appointment was accepted by him with unfeigned regret. Ill health and other circumstances had determined him to live in domestic seclusion. It is not generally known that, when apprised of the legislative intention to send him to Washington, he, to prevent it, hastened from his home in Laurens, to Milledgeville, where he arrived only a few hours after his election. He continued in Congress until 1834, enjoying the respect and veneration of his fellow-citizens of Georgia. In the Senate, his feebleness of health forbade participation in debate. The same cause produced his final resignation. By his more intimate friends, Governor Troup is regarded as the living Apostle of State Rights, the Champion of State Sovereignty. It was under the conviction that these were imperilled that he declared, in 1833, that "he would have been carried on his death-bed to the Capitol, rather than not have given his vote against the Force Bill." His opinions upon topics of public interest are given unreservedly when solicited; and the acknowledged consistency of his life-the admitted integrity of his heart-the soundness of his intellect-give them a weight felt by all. Governor Troup resides in Laurens County.