The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

The Character of an American PATRIOT.

He was formed by nature for great actions, and by Heaven for noble pursuits; the love of money, and distinctions of title, birth, and fortune, without distinguished merit to employ them for worthy purposes, he considered as empty and vain. Heaven was the centre of his views, the Bible his law-book, and the rule of his actions. To promote the divine glory, and the universal happiness of mankind, was the labour of his life and the delight of his mind. For these through all the variety of his fortune, he uniformly exerted his extensive powers; and the longer he ran in the race of glory, his sphere of usefulness enlarged; his path brightened like the rising day, and his ardor kindled in a purer flame the nearer he approached to the goal of life. He did not like common mortals, grow old with years, nor lose the relish of life by long enjoyment; his pleasures were mental and sublime, not depending on sublunary things, nor subject to decay. On surveying the happy fruits of his generosity, virtue and patriotism, with a god-like pleasure glowing in his breast, and sparkling in his eye, his transported soul would often speak its joys in heavenly accents, "O my God! By giving liberty and happiness to my brethren, thou dost bless me; I desire no greater felicity in this world than to imitate thy beneficence to mankind."

This he ever esteemed the richest portion, and the love of his fellow-men, the brightest wages of virtue, in time—both he had the happiness to enjoy; which fed his generous soul with the most sublime delight! and at once sweetened and lengthened life.—The bright life of Jesus, was his pattern, and a fairer copy, never shone in the world. Time, which devours all mortal things, adds lustre to his spreading fame, which will meet eternity with unsullied beams:—Future generations will be instructed by his animating example, while it shines as a guiding star thro' all the pages of time to light up human minds and lead men on to every thing good and great.—Wondering ages will be curious to know by what means this admirable man, acquired his angelic turn of thought, and superior powers of mind? His natural genius, though clear and strong, did not surpass many of the sons of men; but open, humane, generous, and brave, he considered all men as his brethren, and gladly received instruction from any one who could assist his mind in the progress of virtue, or perfect his ideas by affording a new ray of light; whereby he gained much knowledge which pride shuts out from supercilious minds; and grew in wisdom not only from the productions of his native genius, but by collecting the scattered beams which are dispersed among every class of human kind. From youth he was animated with uncommon ardour to be nobly distinguished; he read with rapturous pleasure the lives of patriots and godlike men who have been ornaments and blessings to the world, which kindled his native passion for glory: and by contemplating great and sublime things his soul was assimilated and made sublime. New acquisitions of knowledge gave a new edge to his genius, every step in the road of honor quickened his pace, and successful efforts in promoting virtue and happiness, fired his ardent spirit to form more extensive plans for the glory of his country and the welfare of mankind, until repeated exertions and increasing vigor wound up the springs of his mind to the highest degrees of human sublimity:

In meridian glory, surrounded with the acclamations of his countrymen, he passed a long life; and scarce a cloud intercepted the rays of his felicity, until the partner of his soul was called home to her native skies. Lucinna, was the counterpart of her companion; and to his dignity of sentiment, was united that gentle sweetness, winning affability, and melting softness; which are the essence of all that charms in female minds: the rose of beauty, and the sparkling eye of youthful pleasure, shone to the evening of life, and added new lustre to the majesty of virtue and to venerable age;—she heard the call of Heaven, smiling bid the world farewell! and like the morning star, rose to mingle with superior day! Solonian's seraphic mind, (with hold on Heaven) bent beneath the mighty stroke! He wept the tear of love—he felt the loss of Heaven's best gift below—but no murmur rose against the hand divine which pierced the centre of his soul: He cast anchor in the future world, and rode out the storm. His great mind sparkled amidst the gloomy scene, like sun beams shining through clouds and rain.—Knowing that what the powers above decree is right, sweet peace and thoughts divine rekindled the sunshine of his soul, all the noble passions returned to his breast and shone united and serene; as smiling skies succeed the tempest's dreary gloom.

Lucinna, left one bright image of herself to adorn the female world with charms captivating as her own; and a son, in whom all the virtues blossom which shone in his sire. Solonian, viewing his treasures in the realms of love, turned his thoughts upward with a steady aim; while ardent efforts in his country's cause, and for the happiness of human kind, employed his remaining years. His life knew no blank; each revolving day shone with some bright deed to gild the wings of time, nor did one wish fall below the dignity of man—His final hour came! glorious as it was important! big with joy to him as with pain to his friends—every eye spoke sorrow but his own—the pulse of life divine beat high, and while his triumphing soul went forth to meet life's last moment—Heaven extended its hand and took him to the skies! His country, dumb with silent grief, feels but cannot express its loss! brasses and marble statues, to each passenger tell the name and deeds of the world's great friend here men his memory bless and love, and kindle into patriots while they read. These crystal orators and brazen monuments of Fame, will be silenced by time, and fall by its devouring hand. but his name and deeds will outlive the sun, and flourish when time itself expires.