He was a statesman of bold and extensive views, careful in fixing principles, but when they were established, fearless of their consequences.

PAINE, ROBERT TREAT, LL. D. a distinguished patriot, and one of the signers of the declaration of independence, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, 1731.

At the age of fourteen, he entered Harvard college, and received the honours of that seminary in the year 1749. J

In the following year, he visited Europe, and on his return home, he joined the provincial troops in the capacity of a chaplain.

It was about this time that he engaged in the study of the law, in the office of the late chief justice Pratt, and in a few years was admitted to practice.

He established himself in Boston, where he remained a short time, and then removed to Taunton, where he continued for many years. At an early period of the contest with Great Britain, he took an active part in the measures which were adopted by the leading whigs of the day, in opposition to the measures of taxation imposed by the British parliament on the colonies.

In 1773, when the conduct of the British administration had so alarmed the patriots of America, that the colonies were corresponding with one another to withstand the tyrannical acts which still threatened them; a similar intercourse was established between the citizens of the capital and the other towns in Massachusetts. On this occasion, the town of Taunton chose a large committee, of which Mr. Paine was chairman. Resolutions were passed by this committee, the original draft of which has been found in the hand-writing

of Mr. Paine, not inferior in firmness and patriotism to those previously passed in Boston.

This year he was chosen a representative to the general assembly of the province, for the town of Taunton. At this time, none but firm and active friends of liberty were delegated by the people. Those only who possessed talent and principle, were selected to maintain the ancient rights of the colonies, and to consult for the general welfare. He was appointed on several committees during this year; and was one of the members chosen to conduct the impeachment against chief justice Oliver.

In May, 1774, he was again chosen a member of the assembly. At this critical period, the arrival of general Gage to succeed governor Hutchinson, excited considerable fears among the people, as they believed the crisis was approaching, when the acts of parliament were to be carried into effect, if opposed, at the point of the bayonet.

Nor were their fears groundless: a committee was therefore chosen to consider the safety of the colony, of which Mr. Paine was one.

By recommendation of this committee, a very important measure was adopted; which was, that a continental congress should be holden, to be composed of delegates from all the colonies, to consult for the general welfare, and for the maintenance of the rights and liberties of America. Governor Gage having received some intimations of their proceedings, ordered the assembly to be dissolved: for some hours, however, they refused admittance to the governor's messenger. In the mean time, five delegates were appointed, (one of which was Mr. Paine,) to meet those who should be appointed by the other colonies, in a general congress at Philadelphia in September following.

The delegates from Massachusetts, it may be proper here to remark, were the first chosen on the continent.

A similar measure had been adopted in 1765, by recommendation of the assembly of Massachusetts. And in 1768, the united efforts of all the colonies had been proposed by a circular address from this province, requesting them to state their grievances, as the general assembly here had done, and "to harmonize with them in all probable and proper measures to obtain redress."

The patriots of that day did not contemplate so much on a separation from Great Britain, as to keep inviolate their liberties by taking a firm and decided stand against the encroachments of parliament. It was under these impressions, that the first continental congress met at Philadelphia, in 1774.

In May, 1775, the continental congress met again at Philadelphia, and Mr. Paine was one of the five delegates chosen to attend from Massachusetts.

In the course of this year, when it was found that the administration did not change its measures, and the British army increased, the most intelligent and resolute of the members declared the propriety of becoming a separate and independent nation.

In December, 1775, he was again chosen a delegate to congress. In June, 1776, he, with Mr. Rutledge and Mr. Jefferson, was desired to report rules for the conduct of congress in debate.

On the 4th July, when the solemn declaration of the independence of the American colonies was made and published to the world, he was present and affixed his name to that instrument.

The reputation of Mr. Paine for zeal in the cause of liberty, and for talents and activity suited to the great concerns of the country, was now as high as that of any man in the state. He acted from principle, and was fully persuaded of the justice of the cause in which his country had engaged. He was intelligent, and unwearied in his efforts to be useful; and when difficulties increased, he was the

more resolute and active. He was again elected to congress for the years 1777 and 1778. And for a part of this period, also filled some of the highest offices in the government of Massachusetts.

In 1779, he was chosen a member of the convention, and was appointed one of the committee which prepared and reported the constitution for his native state, and which was afterwards adopted by the people in 1780.

On the organization of the government he was appointed attorney-general of the commonwealth, and continued in that office until 1790, when he accepted a seat on the bench of the supreme judicial court. He held this office until the year 1804, when he resigned. In the same year, he was chosen a counsellor of the commonwealth. He died May 11, 1814, at the advanced age of eightyfour.

Judge Paine was a decided friend to the constitution of the United States, which he supported by his writings and conversations. He retained his mental faculties in great vigour until his death. His memory was remarkably lively and powerful, and he was prone to indulge in repartee and wit. He was a patron of learning, and held a high rank among the literary men of our country. He received the honorary degree of doctor of laws from the university of Cambridge.

PORTER, DAVID, commodore in the navy of the United States, was born at Boston, on the 1st February, 1780.

At the age of nineteen he obtained a midshipman's warrant, and afterwards went on board the frigate Constellation; and was in the action with the French frigate l'Insurgente. For his brave conduct in this action, he received the commission

of a lieutenant. He afterwards manifested great skill and valour, in capturing a number of French privateers in the West Indian seas.

He next accompanied the first squadron to the Mediterranean. While on that station his skill and intrepidity on all occasions were conspicuous, and called forth the applause of his commander.

In September, 1803, he joined the frigate Philadelphia, and shortly after her running foul of a rock, she was surrendered to a superior force, and was carried a prisoner, with the officers and crew of the ship, to the city of Tripoli. After the establishment of peace with this regency, he returned to Syracuse, and was appointed to the command of the brig Enterprise.

After a lapse of five years, he returned to the United States, and was appointed to command the flotilla on the New-Orleans station.

In 1812, after the declaration of war against Great Britain, he was appointed to the command of the frigate Essex. He sailed from New-York on the 3rd July, and in a few days afterwards captured his majesty's sloop of war, Alert, after an action of a few minutes, and carried her into port. On the 27th October, he sailed for the coast of Brazil; after capturing several valuable prizes, he pursued his way to the southern Pacific. On his arrival in this ocean, he destroyed a large amount of British commerce, and augmented his force to several ships, among which was the Essex Junior, the command of which he gave to lieutenant Downs.

The British despatched armed ships in every direction to capture him. Commodore Porter having learned their intentions, he determined to close his expedition to this sea, with something more brilliant than the capture of merchantmen and whalers. He accordingly proceeded to the island of Nooahevah, one of the Washington groupe, to make repairs.