sonal hazard. The unwearied and efficient exertions of Jefferson in relation to the military operations in Virginia at one of the most alarming periods of the Revolution, repeatedly merited and received the applause of Congress. Mr. Adams' intrepidity is well known. It was even lamented that his daring spirit sometimes led to a needless exposure of his invaluable life. Whilst on his way to France in the Boston frigate an engagement took place with a British ship. As Minister Plenipotentiary he had obviously nothing to do with the approaching fight; and he was urged to go below. But, his blood was roused-he forget his Diplomacy-the enemy was in sight; and, seizing a musket, he threw himself at once into a position of the severest exposure.

Thus, fellow-citizens, have I hastily and unskilfully brought to your view some of the more prominent events in the career of the two mighty spirits who have just passed into immortality.

But do not think that the consequences of their principles and actions are to be comprised within the space-protracted as it was of their own existence. No. The defeat of the enemy, and the acknowledgment of our Independence-the establishment of a new government and its successful operation--are not The American Revolution. They are glorious parts, but do not constitute the whole of this great work. It is now consummating in the vast and increasing change of public feeling and sentiment-in the invigorated tone given to Man-in the great lesson furnished by the practical application of those principles which had been before regarded as the dreams of speculative enthusiasm. It is this moral Revolution-this new confidence in ourselves--this successful rising against the despotism of ancient prejudices-it is this which gives a character to the epoch created by our ancestors. The triumph is complete. Its resistless consequences cannot be stayed. They are already seen wherever beams the hallowed light of Christianity! Turn your eyes in any direction, fellowcitizens, and you will see the American Revolution on its rap

id progress. Look at yourselves. See the noble stream which passes your city. How many years is it since its opposite bank was only known as the hunting ground of the savage? But, the prophetic eye of Washington had seen of what such a country was capable. And how have his anticipations been realized under the new and irresistible impulse given to human exertion by civil and religious Liberty! Look at the scene of his peril and exposure in your own immediate neighborhood! In place of the rude bark camp, you are, at this moment, substituting the most costly and magnificent internal improvements of the age. You came out of the Revolution a military out-post. Now, you are a prosperous and happy city of 12,000 inhabitants. At that time the few adventurous Indian traders were the armed sentinels by night, over their goods and their families; and where they then stacked their arms, you now see the richest piles of the finest fabrics of human art and industry! Where the savage then bartered his peltry and his game, you now have, busily revolving and converting into articles of domestic utility, the most skilful and complicated machinery, collected from the inventions of the old and the new world. This is The American Revolution, and here gratitude is due !

Look a little further-cast your eyes along the great valley of the West. There you will find the wilderness converted into flourishing Republics, holding a new population greater than the first union of the States could boast of. This wonderful creation, is The American Revolution.

Look still further. Approach the Isthmus, and gaze beyond it upon the South. See how the people are awakening from their long and heavy sleep! They feel the freshness and invigoration of that great morn, which has brought light and life in its train. They stand erect and shake off the dreary New Empires are seen to rise, founded on the principles of our Independence and modelled after our free institutions. Here is The American Revolution, and here also is gratitude due.

torpor of ages.

Cross the Atlantic. If, as you approach the shore, you see busy in the navigation of each bay and river that mighty power first practically applied in America, is not here an omen that the quickening impulse of our free institutions will also be there speedily and universally recognised? Yes! the longing eyes of every people are turned towards a Government moving like ours, in all its parts, on the purest and the simplest principles. The mob of Kings may assemble again and again, and denounce and tear to pieces the beautiful model; but the history and the principles of its action are here recorded; truth will not go back-it defies their impotent malice. The awakened energy of the people must haveway; and if it be not suffered safely to impel the vast machinery of Government, will manifest its terrific strength in bursting destructively from its confinement. The contest between the oppressed and the oppressors may be fearful, but the result must be glorious and happy; and when equal rights and well administered laws shall take the place of corrupt and irresponsible agents, then will be seen The American Revolution, and then shall be freshly honoured the names of Jefferson and of Adams.

If such, my countrymen, be the blessings which we have realized—and such the cheering prospects of mankind—do not forget that on us devolves the care of preserving this majestic Monument in all its fair proportions. We, too, may have our day of trial. The bitterest animosity of the worst men is excited by the spectacle of our prosperity. Potentates, whose bands of disciplined mercenaries can hardly be numbered, would rejoice and feel more secure, if our Republic should be overturned, or its principles and character be brought into disrepute by intestine violence and confusion. The proud sentiments, then, which we triumphantly proclaim in the midst of security and peace may require to be sustained in another manner, at moments of peril and distraction. Will you at such a crisis be found wanting? Will you forget the feelings and the professions of this day, or manfully

rouse yourselves to emulate the stern and inflexible fortitude-the noble assumption of responsibility--the sublime self-devotion--the dauntless resolution of Adams and of Jef

ferson?

We are about to turn from their graves; to leave them to a sacred repose. Should the free soil which now covers their hallowed remains be ever over-run by successful invasion should accursed faction or irregular ambition ever get the mastery-should a lethargic and ignoble spirit ever lead us to compromise the principles of the Revolution; remember that these TOMBS will be our reproach. We must steal to them at midnight and deface, in shame, the epitaph which our hand is now tracing; and the Pilgrim of other climes who comes to bend at this shrine of Freedom, may well turn on our degeneracy the bitter glance of scorn. I will not dwell on this odious picture. Let us rather with joyful anticipation look through the long course of years, and see how each successive generation, as it is taught the virtues and services of these Founders of the Republic, will learn the severe and sacred duties which result from the incalculable benefits conferred. Oh! never whilst the memory of such men remains, can their descendants pollute the history of our nation!

But

By their united labours, their sufferings, their dangers, and their well earned fame--by their calm retirement to the sphere of social kindness and affectionate intercourse -by the bright career of national glory which they were enabled to open and to pursue--by the exalted serenity with which they looked forward to the end of their mortal course--by the solemn coincidence with which they yielded up their spirits on the JUBILEE of our national freedom--by all the great and affecting incidents which distinguished them in life, and mark the hour of their departure, let us now, and our descendants forever, be admonished to venerate, cherish, and preserve inviolate the Institutions they have bequeathed to us!