AMES, FISHER, LL. D. a distinguished statesman, was born at Dedham, Massachusetts, on the 9th April, 1758. At the age of twelve years, he entered Harvard college, and in 1774, he obtained the degree of bachelor of arts. After spending several years in revising his studies, and acquiring other solid information, he at length commenced the study of the law, in the office of William Tuder, Esq. of Boston, and was admitted to the bar in 1781. Rising into life about the period of the American revolution, he took a most lively and affectionate interest in her cause, and appeared with great reputation, as a writer of political essays, under the signatures first of Lucius Junius, and afterwards of Camillus. At the bar, young as he was, he was remarked as a pleader of uncommon eloquence, and a counsellor of judgment extraordinary for his years. In 1788, he was a member of the convention called in that state, for the purpose of ratifying the federal constitution. It was here, that for the first time, his powers of eloquence opened with a splendour that astonished, while it dazzled the assembly and the public. His celebrated speech on biennial elections, delivered on this occasion, was not only able and conclusive in argument, but was justly regarded as a finished model of parliamentary eloquence. In 1789, he was elected a representative to congress, and for eight successive years, he was a leading member of the house of representatives. His speech on the appropriation bill for carrying into effect our treaty with Great Britain, was the most august specimen of oratory he ever exhibited, and perhaps is not exceeded by any event in the history of eloquence. In consideration of his rank as a statesman and a scholar, the college of Princeton conferred on him the honorary degree of doctor of laws. On his retirement to private and professional life, ever watchful of the rights and interests of his country, he still kept up his contributions to political literature as long as he was able to exercise his pen. In 1804, he was chosen president of Harvard college, but the infirm state of his health obliged him to decline the honour. From this period, his health gradually declined, until the morning of the 4th July, 1808, when he ended his mortal career, and was gathered to his fathers. Mr. Ames possessed a vigorous understanding, and a rich and fertile imagination. As a statesman and an orator of transcendent abilities, he was fitted for the management of the weightiest concerns; as a patriot and legislator of tried integrity, he was the idol of his country. In conversation, he was as eloquent as in public debate. In his manners towards his friends he was easy and elegant, affable and warm, inviting confidence, and inspiring affection; in his intercourse with the world, polite, yet dignified, modest and well bred; thus to the qualifications of a statesman, and the attainments of a scholar, uniting the habits and deportment of a gentleman. His works have been published in one volume, octavo. ANDROS, EDMUND, governor of New-England.Previous to this appointment in 1674, he was appointed governor of the province of New-York. În 1686, December 20, he arrived at Boston with a commission from King James, for the government of New-England. His administration soon proved oppressive and tyrannical-exorbitant taxes were levied, the press restrained, the congregational ministers were threatened to be deprived of their support for non-conformity, and marriage prohibited, unless the parties entered into bonds with sureties, to be forfeited in case there should afterwards appear to have been any lawful impediment; besides a long list of other arbitrary proceedings, which caused the people in defence of civil and religious liberty, for which they sought in the wilds of America, to take up arms on the morning of the 18th April, 1689, when the governor and about fifty other obnoxious persons were seized and confined. The old magistrates were restored, and the next month the joyful news of the revolution in England reached this country, and quieted all apprehension of the consequences of what had been done. In February following, sir Edmund was sent to England for trial: he was there dismissed without trial. In 1692, he was appointed governor of Virginia. He died in February, 1714. In ARNOLD, BENEDICT, a major general of the American army, and infamous for deserting the cause of his country. At an early period he exhibited a mind formed for bold and desperate enterprise. In 1775, on hearing of the battle at Lexington, he repaired to head-quarters at Cambridge, where he received the appointment of colonel. the fall of the same year, he was sent by the commander-in-chief into Canada. After enduring incredible hardships for six weeks, he arrived at Point Levi, opposite to Quebec. On the 1st December he was joined by Montgomery. The city was immediately besieged; and on the morning of the last day of the year, an assault was made on one side of the city by Montgomery, who was killed; at the same time Arnold made a desperate attack on the opposite side: he received a wound, and was taken immediately to the camp: though the assault proved unsuccessful, the army did not leave Canada till the 18th June following. After this period, he exhibited great bravery in the command of the American fleet on lake Champlain. In August 1777, he relieved fort Schuyler, which was invested by colonel St. Leger, with an army of from 15 to 1800 men. On the 19th September, and the 7th of October, he displayed great bravery in the battles near Stillwater. After the evacuation of Philadelphia by the British, he was appointed to the command of the American garrison at this place. On taking command, he made the house of governor Penn, the best house of the city, his headquarters. This he furnished in a very costly manner, and lived far beyond his income. He was charged with oppression, extortion, and enormous charges upon the public in his accounts, and with applying the public money and property to his own private use. His conduct was condemned by a court martial, held in 1779, and the sentence of a reprimand, on being approved of by congress, was soon afterwards carried into effect. He continued in service till 1780, when he opened a correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton, for betraying WestPoint to the British, in which negotiation major André became a victim. Arnold had a narrow escape, and got on board an English ship of war. He continued to serve the British till the end of the war, and at the peace retired to England, where he had a pension. He died in London, June 14, 1801. His character presents little to be recommended. His progress from self-indulgence to treason was easy and rapid. He was vain and luxurious, and to gratify his giddy desires, he must resort to meanness, dishonesty, and extortion. These vices brought with them disgrace, and the contempt into which he fell awakened a spirit of revenge, and left him to the unrestrained influence of his cupidity and passion. Thus from the high fame to which |