CONVERSATION XX. Federal Government.-First President.-Washington visits NewEngland. Encouragement of learning.-Influenza.-Biography of Franklin and Bowdoin.-First American edition of the Bible. Biography of Gov. Hancock.-Fire in Boston.-National Thanksgiving.-First Methodist Church in Boston.-Events of '97-Municipal Court of Boston.-Vaccination.—Merino sheep.-Death and Character of Samuel Adams.-State Prison.-Stoughton Hall.Great Solar Eclipse. Q. When did the Federal Government go into full operation? A. On the 30 of April, 1789, when George Washington was inaugurated president, and John Adams vice-president of the United States. Q. When did President Washington visit Massachusetts ? A. In October, same year, and was received by the people with the most unequivocal tokens of respect and affection. Q. What was particularly recommended by Governor Hancock in his message this year to the legislature ? A. The encouragement of learning, as necessary to the support of a free government. Q. What law was passed accordingly? Inaugurate, v. to invest with office, or to induct into office. A. A law requesting all towns with 200 families to maintain a grammar school, agreeably to former usage. All towns with this number and upwards, were required to employ as instructers, those who had been educated at some college, and were able to teach the Latin and Greek languages. Q. What disease prevailed extensively in America in 1789 ? A. The influenza. Q. What distinguished men died in 1790? A. Benjamin Franklin, and James Bowdoin, governor of Massachusetts. Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Jan. 17, 1706. His advantages for school education were few. At the age of 12 years, he was bound as an apprentice to his brother, who was a printer, and in this employment he made great proficiency. His talents were early developed, and he diligently employed his leisure hours in improving his mind by reading, thus laying the foundation of his future eminence. About the year 1724, he went to Philadelphia, and from thence to London, where he resided as a journeyman printer two years; practising such economy as to save the greater part of his wages. In 1727, he was established in business as a printer and conductor of a newspaper in Philadelphia, and was distinguished for his efforts in the cause of literature and science, and in the promotion of the general good. After having been eminently useful in a variety of public offices in the service of his country, both here and in Europe, he was sent as ambassador to France in 1776, and had much influence in forming the treaty of alliance and commerce, from which such advantages were derived to America in the revolutionary struggle. He was also one of those who signed, the definitive treaty between Great-Britain and the United States, in 1783. His distinguished attainments in science and literature, gained for him the reputation of a scholar and philosopher, as did the wisdom of his political conduct the fame of a great statesman, and his unwearied exertions in the cause of benevolence, the character of a philanthropist. He died in 1790, in the 85 year of his retain his mental faculties, Philadelphia, on the 17 of April, age; and so wonderfully did he that it was said of him near the close of life, "he was an ornament to human nature." A collection of his works in Philosophy, politics, and morals, with a memoir of him, in 3 vols. 8vo., was published in London, in 1806. Governor Bowdoin was born in Boston, August 18, 1727, and graduated at Harvard college in 1745. In '53, he was chosen representative from Boston to the general court, where he was a conspicuous member until 1756, when he was chosen into the council. Here he was eminently useful, but was negatived by Governor Bernard in 1769, and again elected representative. In 1775, he was president of the council, and continued in that office most of the time until the adoption of the State Constitution, of which he contributed much to the formation. In 1785 he was chosen governor, and was re-elected the following year. It was during his administration, and owing principally to his energy and perseverance, that the dangerous insurrection of Shays was quelled. He was a learned man, a constant and generous friend of literature, was charitable to the poor, lived a religious life, and died a peaceful and happy death, Nov. 6, 1790, in the 64 year of his age. Q. When were the first folio and the first quarto editions of the bible published in the United States ? A. In 1791, by Isaiah Thomas; printed at his press in Worcester, Massachusetts. Q. Who was the successor of Gov. Bowdoin. A. John Hancock, who had been the first governor under the new constitution. Q. How long did he continue in office as Gov. Bowdoin's successor ? A. From the year 1787, when he was elected to office, until October 8, 1793, the day of his decease, being 56 years of age. He was the son of Rev. Mr. Hancock of Braintree, and was born about the year 1737. On the death of his uncle Thomas Hancock, he received a very considerable fortune, and became an eminent merchant. He was president of the Provincial Congress in 1774; and, in 1775, was with Samuel Adams exempted in Gov. Gage's proclamation of pardon, as their offences were therein declared to be "of too flagitious a nature, to admit of any other consideration than that of condign punishment." He was at this time a member of the continental congress, and in May, the same year, was chosen president of that body, in which capacity, in the year 1776, he signed the declaration of independence. In consequence of ill health, he took leave of congress in 1777, and received their thanks for his attention and impartiality in discharging the duties of his office. On the adoption of the present constitution of Massachusetts, he was chosen the first governor, and was annually re-elected until 1785, when he resigned. His administration was very popular. Though not favoured with extraordinary powers of mind, nor remarkable for his personal attachment to literature and science, he was easy in his address, polished in his manners, affable and liberal, could speak with ease and propriety on every subject, and as president of congress, he exhibited a dignity, impartiality, quickness of perception, and constant attention to business, which secured him respect. In private life he was charitable and generous, and devoted much of his large property to useful and benevolent purposes. The poor shared liberally in his bounty, and he was a generous benefactor of Harvard college. Q. What remarkable event occurred in Boston in 1794 ? A. A destructive fire, which broke out near Milk-street, July 30, and consumed 7 ropewalks, and 43 dwelling-houses. Ninety-six buildings in all were consumed, and the amount of losses was estimated at nearly $200,000. Q. How was the 19 of February, 1795, observed, agreeably to a proclamation of President Washington ? Flagitious, a. wicked, atrocious. |