the two objects contended for: and but one is yet obtained. To the glory of the prefent age, and the adtiration of the future, our feverance from the British empire was concocted upon principles as noble, as they were new and unprecedented in the hiftory of human actions. Could the fame generous principles, the fame wifdom and unanimity be exerted in effecting the establishment of a permanent federal fyftem, what an additional luftre would it pour upon the prefent age! a luftre hither to unequalled; a difplay of magnanimity, for which mankind may never behold another opportunity.

Without an efficient government, our independence will ceafe to be a bleffing. Shall that glow of patriotifm and unfhaken perfeverance, which has been fo long confpicuous in the American character, defert us at our utmoft need? Shall we lofe fight of our own happiness, because it has grown familiar by a near approach ? Shall thy labours, O Washington, has been bestowed in vain? Halt thon conducted us to independence and peace, and fhall we not receive the bleffings at thy hands? Where are the fhades of our fallen friends ? and what is their language on this occafion? Warren, Montgomery, Mercer, Woofter, Scammel, and Laurens, all ye hofts of departed heroes! rich is the treafure you have lavished in the caufe, and prevalent the price you have paid for our freedom. Shall the purchase be neglected? the fair inheritance lie without improvement, expofed to every daring invader? Forbid it, honour; forbid it, gratitude; and oh, may heaven avert the impending evil.

In contemplating the price of our independence, it will never be forgotten, that it was not entirely the work of our own hands; nor could it probably have been established, in the fame term of time, by all the Mood and treasure that America, unVol. II. No. II.

affifted, was able to furnish for the conteft. Much of the merit is due, and our warmeft acknowledgments fhall ever flow to that illuftricus monarch, the father of nations and friend of the diftreft-that monarch who by his early affittance taught us not to defpair; and who, when we had given a fufficient proof of our military virtue and perfeverance, joined us in alliance, upon terms of equality; gave us a rank and credit among the maritime nations of Europe; and furnished fleets and armies, money and military stores, to put a fplendid period to the important conflict.

Where shall we find language to exprefs a nation's gratitude for fuch unexampled goodnefs and magnanimity? my friends, it is not to be done with language. Our fenfe of obligation for favours received from heaven, is beft expreffed by a wife improvement. Does Louis afk for more? and can duty be fatisfied with lefs? Unite in a permanent federal government; put your commerce upon a refpectable footing; your arts, and manufactures, your population, your wealth and glory will increafe; and when a hundred millions of people are comprised within your territory, and made happy by your fway, then fhall it be known, that the hand of that monarch affifted in planting the vine, from which fo great a harveft is produced. His generous heart fhall exult in the profpect: his royal defcendants, fired by the great example, fhall imitate bis virtues and the world fhall unite in his praife.

Here fhall that pride of the military character, the gallant FAY. ETTE, find his compenfation for a life of difinterested service; whofe toils have not ceafed with the termination of the war; and whofe fuccefsful endeavours to promote our intereft, in commercial and political arrangements, can only be equalled by his achievements in the field. How E

will the pofterity of that nobleman, and that of the other brave officers of his nation, who have fought by your fides, on reviewing the American history, rejoice in the fame of their fathers; nor even regret the fate of thofe who bled in fo glorious a field ! An acknowledgement of the merits of Rochambeau and Chaftellux, D'Etaign, De Graffe, De Barras, and the other heroes of the French ar.ny and navy-affection to the memory of our brethren and companions who have bled in our battles reverence to the advice of our illuftrious commander in chief, and of all thofe fages and patriots who have compofed our councils, from the time of the first congrefs to the prefent moment-honour to our worthy creditors in Europe-a regard to the conduct of the imperial fovereigns of Ruffia and Germany, who evince to the world that they revere the caufe of liberality and hunan lap pinefs, in which we drew the fword -a refpect to the memory of the venerable Frederic of Pruffia, whose dying hand put the fignature to a treaty of commerce with the united ftates, upon the moft liberal principles that ever originated in a diplo matic council-a facred regard to ourfelves and to all pofterity-and, above all, a religious gratitude to our heavenly Benefactor, who hath hitherto fmiled upon our endeavours-call upon us, in the language of a thoufand tongues for firmnefs, unanimity, and perfeverance, in complet ing the revolution, and establishing the empire.

The prefent is juftly confidered an alarming crifis: perhaps the moft alarming that America ever faw. We have contended with the most powerful nation, and fubdued the bravest and beft appointed armies: but now we have to contend with ourfelves, and encounter paffions and prejudices, more powerful than armies, and more dangerous to our

peace. It is not for glory, it is for existence that we contend.

Much is expected from the federal convention now fitting at Philadelphia: and it is a happy circumstance that fo general a confidence from al! parts of the country is centred in that refpectable body. Their former fervices, as individuals, command it, and our fituation requires it. But although much is expected from them, yet more is demanded from ourselves.

The first great object is to convince the people of the importance of their prefent fituation: for the majority of a great people, on a fubject which they underftand, will never act wrong. If ever there was a time, in any age or nation, when the fate of millions depended on the voice of one, it is the prefent period in thefe ftates. Every free citizen of the American empire ought now to confider himfelf as the legiflator of half mankind. When he views the amazing extent of territory, fettled and to be fettled under the operation of his laws

when, like a wife politician, he contemplates the population of future ages-the changes to be wrought by the poffible progrefs of arts, in agriculture, cominerce, and manufactures-the increafing connexion and intercourfe of nations, and the ef fect of one rational political fystem upon the general happiness of mankind-his mind, dilated with the great idea, will realize a liberality of feeling which leads to a rectitude of conduct. He will fee that the fyftem to be established by his fuffrage, is calculated for the great benevolent purposes of extending peace, happinefs, and progreffive improvement to a large proportion of his fellow creatures. As there is a probability that the fyftem to be propofed by the convention may anfwer this defcription, there is fome reafon to hope it will be viewed by the people with that candour and difpaffionate respect

which is due to the importance of the fabject.

While the anxiety of the feeling heart is breathing the perpetual figh for the attainment of fo great an obeft, it becomes the ftrongeft duty of the focial connexion, to enlighten and harmonize the minds of our fellow citizens, and point them to a knowledge of their interefts, as an extenfive federal people, and fathers of increafing nations. The price put into their hands is great, beyond comparifon; and, as they improve it, they will entail happiness or mifery upon a larger proportion of human beings, than could be affected by the conduct of all the nations of Europe united.

Thofe who are poffeffed of abilities or information in any degree above the common rank of their fellow citizens, are called upon by every principle of humanity, to diffufe a fpirit of candour and rational enquiry upon these important fubjects.

Adams, to his immortal honour, and the timely affiftance of his country, has fet the great example. His treatife in defence of the conftitutions, though confined to the ftate republics, is calculated to do infinite fervice, by correcting thousands of reroneous fentiments arifing from our inexperience; fentiments which, if uncorrected in this early stage of our political existence, will be the fource of calamities without measure and without end. Should that venerable philofopher and ftatefman be induced to continue his enquiries, by tracing the hiftory of confederacies, and with his ufaal energy and perfpicuity, delineate and defend a fyftem adapted to the circumftances of the united states-I will not fay he could deferve more from his diftreft country, but he would crown a life of patriotic labours, and render an effential additional fervice to the world.

While America enjoys the peculiar felkity of feeing thofe, who have

conducted her councils and her battles, retire, like Cincinnatus, to the humble labours of the plough, it must be remembered, that the there expects a continuance of their patriotic exertions. The fociety of the Cineinnati, eftablished upon the most benevolent principles, will never lofe fight of their duty, in rendering every poffible aid, as citizens, to that community which they have defended, as foldiers. They will rejoice, that, although independence was the refult of force, yet government is the child of reafon. As they are themfelves an example of the nobleft effort of human nature, the conqueft of felf, in obeying the voice of their country, and exchanging the habits, the fplender, and importance of military life, for domeftic labour and poverty-they will readily inculcate on others, the propriety of facrificing private and territorial advantages, to the good of the great majority, the falvation of the united states.

Slaves to no party, but fervants of the whole, they have wielded the fword of every ftate in the union, and bled by the fide of her fons, Their attachments are as extenfive as their labours. Friendship and charity, the great pillars of their inftitution, will find their proper objects, through the extended territory; and feek the happiness of all.

While we contemplate the endearing objects of our affociation-and indulge in the gloomy pleasure of recollecting that variety of fuffering which prompted the fympathetic foldier to inftitute this memorial of his friendship-fraternal affection recalls the fcene of parting; and enquires with folicitude the fate of our beloved companions.

Since the laft anniverfary, the death of general Howe has diminished the number of our brethren, and called for the tribute of a tear. With fome of the foibles, incident to hu

man nature, he poffeffed many valuable accomplishments. His natural good understanding he had embellifhed with confiderable attention to polite literature. As a foldier, he was brave-as an officer, attententive to difcipline; he commanded with dignity and obeyed with alacrity; and whatever talents he poffeffed, were uniformly and cheerfully devoted to the fervice of his country,

But a few weeks previous to that period, the much lamented deaths of Tilghman and M Dougall were fucceffively announced, and the tidings received, with a peculiar poignancy of grief. What citizen of the American empire does not join the general voice of gratitude, when contemplating the merits of thofe diftinguishing officers; and fwell the tide of fympathy with his bereaved country, when deprived of their future affiftance? They were ornaments to the states in which they lived, as well as to the profeffion in which they acquired their glory.

Amiable and heroic Tilghman! fhort was the career of thy fame : but much halt thou performed for thy country. Of thee fhall it ever be remembered, that no focial virtue was a stranger to thy breaft, and no military achievement too daring for thy fword. While we condole with thy afflicted father for the lofs of fo dear a fon, permit the tear of friendship to flow for its own bereavement and as oft as the anniversary of this day shall assemble the companions of thy life, to rejoice in the freedom of their country, they shall mingle a figh to thy lafting memory, and bewail thy untimely fate,

Untimely alfo was the death of the brave and patriotic M'Dougall. Though many years were worn away in his unremitted labours for the public fafety-though his early and decided exertions against the claims

of Great Britain had an effential influence in determining the conduct of the province in which he refided -though he was the nerve of war, the wisdom of council and one of our principal fupporters in the acqueft of independence-yet thele but fhew us the neceffity of fuch cha racters in establishing the blefings of the acquifition. While it fhall require the fame wisdom and unfhaken fortitude, the fame patience and perfeverance, to rear the fabric of our empire, as it did to lay the foundation-patriotifm and valour in fympathetic affection will bemoan the lofs of M'Dougall.

Happy would it be for America, thrice happy for the feelings of for rowing friendship, could the lift of our deceafed companions be clofed even with the names of thofe wor thy heroes. But heaven had bestowed too much glory upon the life of the favourite Greene, to allow it a long duration.

My affectionate auditory will an ticipate more than can be uttered, ia the melancholy duty of contempla ting his diftinguished excellence. To any affembly that could be collected in America, vain would be the attempt to illuftrate his character, or embellish the fcene of his exploits. It is a fubject to be felt, but not to be defcribed. To pofterity, indeed, it may be told, as an incentive to the moft exalted virtue and astonishing enterprife, that the man, who carried in his native genius all the refources of war, and the balance of every extreme of fortune—who knew the advantages to be derived from defeat, the vigilance of military ar rangement, the rapidity and happy moment of affault, the deliberate activity of battle, and the various important ufes of victory-that the man who poffeffed every conceivable quality of a warrior, was, in his public and private character, without a foible or a fault; that all the ami

able as well as heroic virtues were affembled in his foul: and that it was the love, of a rational and enlightenod age, and not the ftupid ftare of barbarity, that expreffed his praife. The map of America may defignate the vaft extent of conquered country recovered by his fword: the fature traveller, in the fouthern ftates, may be pointed, by the peafant, to the various regions containing monuments of his valour and his fkill; where, amid his marches and countermarches, his ftudied retreats and his rapid approaches, every advantage, given to the enemy, was refumed with ten-fold utility and certain conqueft. The hiftoric mufe, as a legacy to future ages, may tranfmit with heroic dignity the feats of her favourite chief: but who fhall tranfmit the feelings of the heart-or give the more interefting reprefentation of his worth? the hero will remain; but the man must be loft.

The grief of his bereaved confort, aggravated by the univerfal teftimony of his merit, we hope will receive fome alleviation from the ardent fympathy of thoufands, whofe hearts were penetrated with his virtues, and whofe tears would have flowed upon his bearfe.

Bat we will not open afresh the wounds, which we cannot clofe. The beft eulogium of the good and great is expreffed by an emulation of their virtues. As thofe of the illuftrious Greene were equally ufeful in every department, in which human fociety can call a man to act, every friend to America muft feel the want of his affitance, in the duties that remain to be performed. Yet, as thefe duties are of the rational and pacific kind, the performance is more attainable, and emulation the better encouraged. In military operations, none but the foldier can be diftinguished; nor any but the fortunate are fure of rendering fervice: but here is a theatre of action for every

citizen of a great country: in which the smallest circumftance will have its weight, and on which infinite confequences will depend.

The prefent is an age of philofophy, and America, the empire of reafon. Here, neither the pageantry of courts, nor the glooms of fu perftition, have dazzled or beclouded the mind. Our duty calls us to act worthy of the age and the country that gave us birth. Though inexperience may have betrayed us into errors-yet they have not been fatal: and our own difcernment will point us to their proper remedy.

However defective the prefent confederated fyftem may appear-yet a due confideration of the circumftances, under which it was framed, will teach us rather to admire its wifdom, than to murmur at its faults. The fame political abilities, which were difplayed in that inftitution, united with the experience we have had of its operation, will doubtless produce a fyftem, which will ftand the teft of ages, in forming a powerful and happy people.

Elevated with the extenfive profpect, we may confider prefent inconveniencies as unworthy of regret. At the clofe of the war, an uncommon plenty of circulating specie, and a univerfal paffion for trade, tempted. many individuals to involve themfelves in ruin, and injure the credit of their country. But thefe are evils which work their own remedy. The paroxyfm is already over. Industry is increafing fafter than ever it declined; and, with fome exceptions, where legislative authority has fanctioned fraud, the people are honeftly difcharging their private debts, and increafing the refources of their wealth.

Every poflible encouragement for great and generous exertions, is now prefented before us. Under the idea of a permanent and happy govern ment, every point of view, in which the future fituation of America can