The New Hampshire Gazette

NEW-YORK, July 31.

YESTERDAY Morning died at his Seat, the Honourable JAMES DE LANCEY, our Lieutenant Governor, in the 57th Year of his Age. This unexpected Event, for he was in perfect Health the Evening before, threw the whole City into the deepest Sorrow and Amazement. A Pain in the Breast awaked him at Three, and continued without Intermission till about Nine in the Morning, when before he apprehended the Necessity of a Physician, seized with a Fit, he suddenly expired.

He was descended of an honourable Family in this City, and had his Education at Cambridge, under the Tuition of Mr. Herring, afterwards the celebrated Archbishop of Canterbury. Here he laid the solid Foundation of his future Importance.

His early Accomplishments soon after his Return, introduced him into His Majesty's Council, and the second Seat in the Supreme Court of Judicature. In the Year 1733, he took the first Seat on the Bench; and having for twenty Years discharged that important Trust with the greatest Applause, his Majesty was pleased to confer on him the Honours of that dignified Station in which he died.

To do ample Justice to this eminent Character in so contracted a Compass, and on so sudden and alarming an Occasion, is what the World will hardly expect, or his distinguished Accomplishments, indeed, permit.

He enjoyed a quick Conception, a deep Penetration, a clear Judgment, and a retentive Memory. These natural Talents heightened and improved by his Attainments in Literature, and an intimate Acquaintance with Mankind, made him an agreeable and instructive Companion to those who were honoured with his Conversation; and qualified him to fill the most important Offices with uncommon Dignity and Lustre.

His Genius provident, active, fertile in Expedients, and capable of averting or improving the most unexpected Occurrences, joined to a perfect Knowledge and Esteem of our happy Constitution, and a zealous Attachment to his Majesty's illustrious House, rendered him a most able and faithful Counsellor to the Crown: and to the Rights and Liberties of the People, a cordial and unshaken Friend.

In the chief Seat of Justice, he was for Capacity and Integrity equalled by few—excelled by none,—Patient in hearing, ready in distinguishing, and in his Decisions sound and impartial. He gave such universal Satisfaction, that even the vanquished confessed the Justice of the Sentence. To form him in short, a shining Ornament of the Law, Nature and his own Industry had united their utmost Efforts.

His Promotion to the Government at a Season the most momentous to the Colonies, was signally advancive of his Majesty's Service, and the public Emolument. And by the Confidence the People reposed in his superior Abilities, they were induced to exert themselves in the Common Cause, with the greatest Vigour and Alacrity.

Next Day at three Quarters past 6 P.M. His Majesty's Ship the Winchester, of 50 Guns, Capt. Hale, now in the North River, fired a Gun for the Funeral to move, which was done from his Honour's Seat in the Bowry. At the same instant Minute Guns began firing from the Battery, and continued to 57, the Number of his Age. The Battery was followed by the Winchester, and she by the General Wall Packet, each firing the same Number with the Battery.
In consequence of the death of the Lieut. Governor, the Government hath devolved on the Hon. Cadwallader Colden, Esq; President of his Majesty's Council, who has issued a Proclamation, ordering and directing, that all Officers, civil and military, do continue in, hold, exercise, and perform their several and respective offices, places, trusts and employments, until further order.