a collision of sentiment among the leading whigs about the removal of the court to Boston. Hutchinson offered this upon certain conditions, which the majority of members saw fit to comply with. Mr. H. voted with them. Adams was against the measure, and expressed his sentiments in opposition to his friend and colleague. Mr. Hancock was a man impatient of contradiction, and, upon some occasions, indulged a petulant humour. He could not bear the opposition of Mr. Adams on this question. It was one cause of the alienation between them. That gentleman was cool and determined, hard and unyielding, as well as bold in his argument, He sometimes was sarcastick in his replies; but upon the subject which then divided the house, he observed the utmost delicacy, and seemed to dread the consequence of this political difference. These gentlemen had different views, though equally zealous in their opposition to the mother country. else one looked further than the other. Mr. H. was not against a reconciliation, if Great Britain would repeal all her unjust acts, and pay due respect to the rights of the colonies. Adams did not wish the ancient friendship should be renewed. From the time of the stamp act, he saw that hostilities would commence, and the American colonics become a nation by themselves, He was desirous of being an actor in the most important scenes, and have his name handed down to posterity among the patriots, who were to form a new era in the revolution of empires.

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The division of these two leading characters made parties among the whigs, especially in the town of Boston. Mr. Hancock was the idol of the people. His generosity upon all publick occasions, and kindness to individuals, were the theme of continual and loud applause. It was said that his heart was open as the day to acts of beneficence: that he sunk his fortune in the cause of his country. This was the prevailing idea, and it gave a perfume to the нһ

sacrifice. What bounds could be given to the people's affection to a man, who preferred "their loving favour to great riches!"

He was certainly the most popular man in the community. Nor was his popularity a transient thing. At future periods of our revolution, when - attempts were made to depreciate him; when other characters were brought forward whose merit was conspicuous; and even when he was accused, in the publications of the day, of wanting qualifications for administering the government, he still retained his influence in the community. It is well known, that some of our greatest and wisest and best men have solicited his concurrence in their measures, from the full persuasion that the popular voice was so much in his favour.

In the year 1774, Mr. H. was chosen to deliver the publick oration in Boston on the 5th of March, to commemorate the massacre of 1770. It is a very handsome composition, and was very well delivered. During the course of this year his health declined. When the general assembly of the province elected members of the first congress, he was so ill, as to be unable to attend publick business. The ensuing winter was favourable to his health; he recruited his spirits and activity. He was one of the provincial congress, and, for a time, their president. He was then elected a member of the general congress, that was to meet at Philadelphia in 1775. This year was the most remarkable of any in the annals of the British nation. The revolutionary war commenced, April 19. The battle of Lexington was succeeded by a proclamation from the governour, declaring the country in a state of rebellion, and proscribing Hancock and Adams, as the chief leaders, whose behaviour was too flagitious to be forgiven. This only served to give importance to their characters; to fix them in the esteem and affection of their country. There were men in these states who coveted such a mark of distinction; ma

ny, who would have given all their wealth, and run any risk of consequences.

This year Mr. Hancock married Miss Dorothy Quincy, the daughter of one of the magistrates of Boston, and descended from one of the most ancient families in New England.

In 1776, July 4th, his name appears as president of the congress which declared the colonies independent of the crown of Great Britain. The name of the president alone was published with the declaration, though every member signed it. It was a mark of respect due to Massachusetts, to have one of their, members in the chair, which had been filled with a member from South Carolina and Virginia. Mr. H. had those talents which were calculated to make him appear to more advantage as chairman, than in the debates of a publick body. He excelled as moderator of the Boston town meetings, as president of the provincial congress, and state convention; and, as head of the great council of our nation, he was much. respected. He discovered a fine address, great impartiality, sufficient spirit to command attention, and preserve order. His voice and manner were much in his favour, and his experience, in publick business, gave him ease and dignity.

In 1779, Mr. Hancock resigned his place in congress. He was chosen a member of the convention that formed the constitution for this commonwealth. He was not one of the committee to draw up the plan. Many were earnest to have him president; but the majority were for Mr. Bowdoin. He attended his duty, however, very regularly, and sometimes expressed his sentiments. He dissented from those, who would have given more power to governour, and more energy to the constitution. From 1780 to 1785, Mr. Hancock was annually chosen governour of the commonwealth of Massachusetts. He declined being a candidate for the office the ensuing year, and was succeeded by the hon. James Bowdoin, esq. During the administra

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tion of Mr. B. there was an insurrection in the state, which was happily quelled. Every thing was done in the most judicious manner by the governour, and the legislature, yet a part of the community appeared to be discontented with the administration, and, in the year 1787, Mr. Hancock was again placed in the chair. The friends of Mr. Bowdoin were disappointed. They consisted of a large number of respectable characters in the commonwealth; men of property and wisdom, who felt the injury that gentleman had received, as a deep wound giv en to the body politick. The present governour could not escape their censure, and his administration was attacked by certain political writers, who exposed his faults with the keenest satire, and excited prejudices against him. A more friendly disposition was excited towards him, when the constitution of the United States was offered to the people. His conduct in the state convention during the discussion of it, gained him honour. The opposition to this excellent form of government was great. It was said that the majority of the convention would be against the adoption; and that the governour was with the opposers. He was chosen president of the convention, but did not attend the debates till the latter weeks of the session. Certain amendments were proposed to remove the objections of those, who thought some of the articles deprived the people of their rights. He introduced these amend-. ments with great propriety, and voted for the adoption of the constitution. His name and influence doubtless turned many in favour of the federal government. When the president of the United States visited Boston, there was some obliquity or peculiarity in his behaviour, which renewed the old prejudices against him. It was thought he failed in certain attentions to that illustrious character, and he was in some danger of losing his popularity; for all classes of people looked upon Washington as the first of men.

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The latter years of his administration were easy to him, on account of the publick tranquillity. The federal government became the source of so much prosperity that the people were easy and happy. The two patriots, Hancock and Adams, were reconciled. When lieut. gov. Cushing died, gen. Lincoln was chosen, as his successor. This gave great offence to Mr. Adams, and it was very disagreeable to the governour. They joined their strength to support the same measures, as well as renewed their friendship. The next year, Lincoln was left out of office, and Mr. Adams chosen lieut. governour. This gentleman succeeded Mr. Hancock, as governour of the commonwealth, after his death. He died, October 8, 1793.

The death of such a man was interesting to the people at large. The procession at his funeral was very great. Dr. Thacher the minister of Brattle street church, preached his funeral sermon the next Sabbath. To this society, he had been a great benefactor; he subscribed very largely for the building of this superb edifice, and was always liberal in his contributions upon other occasions. He was very friendly to the clergy of all denominations. Born and educated among them, he was never weary of assisting them. He did a great deal also to promote the cause of learning as well as religion. The library of Harvard College will give an exhibition of his munificence. His uncle expressed his intention of subscribing 500 pounds sterling towards furnishing a new library and philosophical apparatus, when Harvard Hall was burnt in 1764, but died suddenly and this was not expressed in his will. The heir made no hesitation about granting it; and the name of Hancock, in golden letters, now adorns one of the alcoves of the library room, and isupon the records of the university among her gratest benefactors.

HARVARD JOHN, pastor of the church at Chrlestown, came over to America in the year 163, 7.