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Judge Blair was an amiable, accomplished, and truly virtuous man. He discharged with ability and integrity the duties of a number of the highest and most important trusts; and in these, as well as in the several relations of private life, his conduct was so upright and blameless, that he seldom or never lost a friend or made an enemy. Even calumny, which assailed Washington, shrunk from his friend, the unassuming and pious Blair. Through life he in a remarkable manner experienced the truth of our Saviour's declaration, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth;" and at death he illustrated the force of the exclamation, "let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." American Biography.

No. XIV.

THEODERICK BLAND, a worthy patriot and statesman, was a native of Virginia, and descended from an ancient and respectable family in that state. He was bred to the science of

physic, but upon the commencement of the revolution he quitted the practice, and took an active part in the cause of his country. He soon rose to the rank of colonel, and had the command of a regiment of dragoons. While in the army he frequently signalized himself by brilliant actions. In the year 1779 he was appointed to the command of the convention troops at Albemarle barracks in Virginia, and continued in that situation till some time in 1780, when he was elected to a seat in congress. He continued in that body three years, the time allowed by the confederation. After the expiration of this term he again returned to Virginia, and was chosen a member of the state legislature. He opposed the adoption of the federal constitution, believing it to be repugnant to the interests of his country, and was in the minority that voted against its ratification. But when it was at length adopted, he submitted to the voice of the majority. He was chosen to represent the district in which he lived, in the first congress under the constitution. He died at New York on the 1st

of June 1790, while attending a session of con

gress,

in the forty-ninth year of his age.

American Biography.

No. XV.

EDWARD BRADDOCK, major-general and commander in chief of the British forces in America, arrived in Virginia with two regiments from Ireland, in February 1755. The plan of military operations having been settled in April, by a convention of the several governors at Alexandria, he undertook to conduct in person the expedition against Fort Du Quesne. Meeting with much delay from the necessity of opening roads, the general determined to advance with rapidity at the head of twelve hundred men, leaving the heavy baggage to the care of colonel Dunbar, who was to follow by slow and easy marches. He reached the Monongahela on the 8th of July. The succeeding day he expected to invest the fort. He accordingly made his dispositions in the morning. He was advised

to advance the provincial companies in front, for the purpose of scouring the woods, and discovering any ambuscade which might be formed for him. But he held both his enemy and the provincials in too much contempt to follow this salutary counsel. Three hundred British regulars composed his van, which was suddenly attacked, at the distance of about seven miles from the fort, by an invisible enemy, concealed by the high grass. The whole army was soon thrown into confusion. The brave general exerted his utmost powers to form his broken troops, under a galling fire, upon the very ground where they were first attacked; but his efforts were fruitless. With such an enemy, in such a situation, it was necessary to have advanced or retreated. All his officers on horseback, except his aid the late general Washington, were killed; and after losing three horses, he received a mortal wound.

The defeated army fled precipitately to the camp of Dunbar, near forty miles distant, where Braddock, who was brought off the ground in a tumbril, expired of his wounds. Sixty-four out

of eighty-five officers, and about half the privates were killed and wounded, making in the whole about seven hundred men. This disaster resulted from the contempt of good advice.

American Biography.

No. XVI.

WILLIAM BYRD, a native of Virginia, died about the middle of the last century. He was liberally educated in Great Britain, and possessed a very ample estate. Few persons in America ever collected so large and valuable a library, as he left. He was a very ardent friend to the diffusion of knowledge, and freely opened his library to the use of all who sought information. He published several small tracts.

American Biography.

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