When the vote of Delaware was called, Mr. Rodney rose, in his boots and spurs, just as he had arrived, and briefly expressing his conviction that the welfare of his country demanded the declaration, voted with Mr. M'Kean, and secured the voice of Delaware. The state of Pennsylvania, on this day, also joined in the same vote, (two of the members who voted against it in committee being absent) and thus the declaration became the unanimous act of the thirteen states. On his Shortly after the declaration of independence, Mr. M'Kean was appointed colonel of a regiment of associators, of the city of Philadelphia, and marched at the head of them, to support general Washington, until a flying camp of ten thousand men was raised. return to Philadelphia, he found he had been elected a member of the convention for forming a constitution for the state of Delaware. He proceeded to Newcastle, and wrote in a tavern, without a book, or any assistance, the constitution which was afterwards adopted. His commission, as chief justice of Pennsylvania, was dated July 28, 1777. During the progress of the revolution, Philadelphia being the seat of government of the states, and an object of peculiar watchfulness on the part of the enemy, the just performance of Mr. M'Kean's judicial functions required not only the learning of the lawyer, but the unyielding spirit of the patriot. We find him proclaiming from the bench the law of justice and his country, with distinguished learning, ability and integrity. Regardless of the powers of the crown of Great Britain, he did not hesitate to hazard his own life, by causing to be punished, even unto death, those who were proved to be traitors to their country, while he demonstrated that popular excitement against individuals accused of offences, could not in the slightest degree divert him from the sound and inflexible discharge of his public duty. It was energy, tempered with justice and humanity, that carried us triumphantly through the terrible conflict. Having passed through the trying scenes of the revolution, with the well-earned and undisputed reputation of being one of the most unwavering and efficient whigs of the times, he devoted himself to the discharge of the duties of chief justice, until the year 1799, when he was elected governor of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Of his judicial character, we have not room to speak at large. In all the qualifications of the judge, however, it may, without hesitation, be said, that he had few equals in this or any other country. They who remember the supreme court of Pennsylvania while he presided there, speak of the dignity which it preserved, and the reverence which it inspired; and his judicial opinions, at a period when the law of the state was unsettled, and when a master mind was requisite to reduce it to a system, have established for him the reputation of being one of the ablest lawyers of his country. To the present day, his memory is held in the courts, in the most profound respect and veneration, and successive judges have, by their unvarying testimony, given unfading lustre to his judicial fame. In 1790, he was a member of the convention which framed the constitution of Pennsylvania. The best talents of the state were engaged in this important work, and among them, the force of Mr. M'Kean's knowledge and opinions was felt and justly appreciated. In 1799, he was elected governor of Pennsylvania. His election was the result of a warm conflict between the two great parties which were then assuming those distinct political ranks, into which, for many years, the people of our country continued to be divided. His success was the precursor of Mr. Jefferson's elevation to the presidency; and during the whole period of that gentleman's administration, the weight of Mr. M'Kean's opinions and conduct was directed to the upholding of the principles which marked the policy of the general government. Such is the nature of the constitution of Pennsylvania, with respect to the powers of the governor, that party spirit will be roused, and the feelings. of individuals, governed by personal interest, will be exhibited during every administration. Whatever, therefore, may have been the opinions of some, with regard to governor M'Kean's administration, while they were under the excitement of the personal feelings of hope or disappointment, yet, during the whole constitutional period of nine years, the people were with him, and at this day, when his conduct is viewed through the medium of candour and truth, it is not denied, that that administration was marked by uncommon ability, and with great benefit to the state. His messages to the different legislative assemblies, are characterized by peculiar elegance and force of language, and are replete with the soundest maxims of political wisdom, and the clearest practical views of the policy of the government. During the whole of his life, he was remarkable for the most unbending integrity of character. He possessed a qualification which has been justly noticed, as a distinguished trait in the character of Washington; a determination to do what he thought best for the interest of the state, without regard to the clamour of ignorance or of discontent. Independent of the opinion which the narrow-minded, but self-sufficient, might please to adopt with regard to him, he was willing to be judged by the consequences of his actions, however remote those consequences might be. In person, Mr. M'Kean was tall, erect, and well formed. His countenance, in a remarkable manner, bespoke the firmness and intelligence for which he was distinguished. His manners were impressive and dignified. He retired, in 1808, from the cares of a long life, faithfully, ably, and successfully, devoted to the service of his country; and for the remainder of his days, enjoyed, in the peaceful pursuits of science and literature, the consciousness of a well-earned and honourable fame. He died at his mansion, in Philadelphia, on the 24th of June, 1817, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. He had outlived all the enmities which an active and conspicuous part in public affairs had, in the nature of things, created; and his memory will be cherished as that of one of the most useful, among the able and virtuous fathers of a mighty republic. MONTGOMERY, RICHARD, a major-general in the army of the United States, in the revolutionary war, was born in the north of Ireland, in the year. 1737. He possessed an excellent genius, which was matured by a fine education. Entering the army of Great Britain, he successfully fought her battles with Wolfe, at Quebec, 1759, and on the very spot, where he was doomed to fall, when fighting against her, under the banners of freedom. After his return to England, he quitted his regiment in 1772, though in a fair way to preferment. He had imbibed an attachment to America, viewing it as the rising seat of arts and freedom. After his arrival in this country, he purchased an estate in New York, about a hundred miles from the city, and married a daughter of judge Livingston. He now considered himself as an American. When the struggle with Great Britain commenced, as he was known to have an ardent attachment to liberty, and had expressed his readiness to draw his sword on the side of the colonies, the command of the continental forces in the northern department was intrusted to him and general Schuyler, in the fall of 1775. By the indisposition of Schuyler, the chief command devolved upon him in October. He reduced fort Chamblee, and on the third of November, captured St. John's. On the 12th he took Montreal. Leaving a few troops in Montreal, he despatched several detachments into the province, encouraging the Canadians to forward on provisions, and proceeded with expedition to Quebec. He formed a junction at Point-Aux-Trembles with colonel Arnold, who had been despatched through the wilderness with a body of troops from the American army at Cambridge. The combined forces commenced the siege of the capital on the first of December, prior to which general Montgomery sent in a summons to governor Carlton, to surrender, in order to avoid the horrors of a storm. The flag was fired upon and returned. Means, however, were devised, by which the summons was conveyed to the inhabitants, but Carlton evinced astonishing inflexibility and firmness of mind on this trying occasion. The bombardment was soon after begun from five small mortars, but with very little effect. In a few days general Montgomery opened a six gun battery, about seven hundred yards distant from the walls, but his pieces were of too small calibre to make any impression. Con |