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elected bishop of the churches of the same denomination in Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.

"Bishop Bass was a sound divine, a critical scholar, an accomplished gentleman, an exemplary christian. On the 10th of September, 1803, after an illness of two days, he died as he had lived, full of piety, resignation and humility.” Historical Collections, vol. IX.

BEACH JOHN, an eminent writer in defence of the doctrine and government of the church of England, was graduated at Yale College, 1721, and officiated some years as a congregational minister at Newtown, Connecticut. He declared his conformity to the church of England in 1732, and many of his people conformed with him. The same year he went to England for orders, and was appointed their minister. He continued to preach to this people, and the church at Reading, till the revolu. tionary war. Mr. Beach was well respected among the several denominations for his learning and piety. When Dr. Johnson died, who had been president of the college in New York, it was expected he would deliver the funeral sermon. He was unable, on account of his ill state of health, to attend the funeral, but afterwards preached and printed a discourse, which is said to be a just tribute of respect to his friend, the most zealous supporter of the episcopal claims ever known in New England. Mr. Beach was a very sensible and evangelical preacher. Among other sermons he printed, is one upon "the inquiry of the young man in the gospel." His controversial pieces are--"A vindication of the professors of the church of England against the abusive and fallacious argumentations of Mr. Noah Hobart, 1750. To this Mr. B. replied in a second address to the members of the episcopal separation,

&c.

Mr. Beach then published a continuation of the calm and dispassionate vindication of the profes sors of the church of England, &c. 1756.

The dissenters were ready to acknowledge Mr.

Beach to be the most able of the episcopal writers, who engaged in the controversy with Mr. Hobart; but against such a disputant, their church could not gain the ground they expected: his addresseswere read with interest and high estimation by men of all denominations. In England Mr. Hobart was called the very ablest controversial writer New England had to boast of. Chandler's life of president Johnson. Mr. Hollis's letters.

BELCHER ANDREW, one of his majesty's council for the province of Massachusetts, and father of gov. Belcher, was himself one of the famous men in those times. He is called "an ornament and bless

ing to his country." He was the most opulent merchant in the town of Boston; a man of integrity and honour; a friend to religion and learning. He died, October 31, 1728, aged 71.

BELCHER JONATHAN, governor of Massachu setts and New Jersey, was born in Boston, 1681. His father was desirous he should have the best education the country afforded, and then to travel over Europe. It was a great pleasure to have a son of so promising a genius, upon whom the hopes of the family depended. The youth was an excellent scholar, and was graduated at Harvard College, 1699. The class which he was a member consisted of twelve; and it is worthy of notice that the four first were as distinguished characters, as New. England has produced.* Three held the highest offices of their country; and the fourth was a divine who would have been an honour to any age or nation.

Mr. Belcher did not incline to enter upon professional studies, but went into the mercantile line of business. To increase his commercial corres. pondence, as well as to expand his mind, he spent several years in Great Britain, and upon the continent, and gained testimonies of esteem from some of the greatest and best characters. He was intro

Jeremiah Dummer, J. Belcher, Edmund Quincy, and John Buckley.

duced to the princess Sophia, and became acquainted with her son the elector of Hanover, who was afterwards king of England. When he returned to Boston he enlarged his business as a merchant, and became a candidate for publick honours. From be. ing a member of the legislature for his native town, he was chosen one of his majesty's council, where he was very respectable for his knowledge of mankind, his zeal and activity in serving the interest of the province. In the year 1728, he was chosen agent at the court of Great Britain. The circumstances of this election, as related by Mr. Hutchinson, are not so favourable to him, but ought to be mentioned in a biographical sketch, where we look not for eulogy, but the just traits of every man's character. Mr. Belcher had been closely attached to gov. Shute, and to his measures, the same that Burnet pursued; but he suddenly went over to the other party, and "was thought the most proper person to join with Mr. Wilks, who had been very friendly to Mr. Cooke in his agency, and upon sever. al occasions had interested himself in favour of New England, and had therefore been the first object of their choice." They jointly represented the state of the province, shewing "the people were averse to a compliance with the instructions given to gov. Burnet, which he had communicated to the house." The result of their petition is well known.

Two years after he was appointed agent for the people, he had a commission from the crown to be their governor, and he possessed some admirable qualities for the station. His fine person, engaging address, urbanity of manners, and splendid mode of living, made him the most popular man in Massachusetts. The part he had lately acted fixed an opinion, that he would not perplex the legislature with those instructions which had produced such contests with his predecessors. When the news of his appointment reached New England, all classes of people rejoiced, especially those who had been

in opposition to Shute and Burnet: but as soon as they learned that similar instructions were given, and that no change of measures would follow from having such a man in the chair, most of these popular leaders became his active enemies. He arrived at Boston, August, 1730. New Hampshire was At the first meeting

included in his commission.

of the general court, he proposed to have his salary fixed acccording to the instructions he had received. This did not occasion any altercation at first; but when he refused his assent to a bill passed for his support, he found them unmoved by his persuasions, and determined to support the views of former legislatures. He endeavoured to persuade the house of representatives to send word to their agents in England, that he might be permitted to receive the grants, which being obtained, it put an end to the controversy.

There were three events, however in the administration of gov. Belcher which excited an opposition to him, and in the end caused his removal from

the government. In 1733, upon application from the court for a new emission of paper bills, when a very large nominal amount was in circulation, he refused his consent; and urged that the old emissions should be first redeemed. This gave offence to the party whose views were to be answered by the new emission.

It seems that merchants' notes had been issued by a confederacy of merchants, who had formed themselves into a company, and these notes were to be redeemed at a certain rate of silver per ounce. The excess of the public bills made silver rise; and in consequence of it, the notes were hoarded up.

Another thing, which occasioned great uneasiness to the governor was, the dispute between Massachusetts and New-Hampshire, relative to their respective boundaries. This came under consideration of commissioners appointed by the crown. The conduct of the governor towards New-Hamp

shire was not pleasing to the leading characters of that province; and they solicited a government of their own, distinct from Massachusetts.

A third event, which happened, while Mr. Belcher was in the chair, was the bringing forward a Land Bank, or scheme of Manufactory. This was not an act of the government; but a large majority of the court, and some eminent lawyers of Boston, favoured it, and many were subscribers to it. The governor's opposition to it, and his exertions to suppress it, which were successful, brought upon him the ill will of a great part of the people. Some of the politicians of those days took methods to injure him, which would astonish those, who are not much conversant with human artifice and deception. The Land Bank was such an abomina ble kind of speculation, that honest men in England as well as America, spoke of it with disgust. The enemies of the governor represented him to be the greatest friend to this scheme, which they knew he abhorred; but there was no bearing up against the poison of the slander. After he had fallen a victim to it, the truth was clearly manifested.

He received another commission, as governor of New Jersey, and he rendered such useful services to that state, that they now speak of him with admiration and love, and his name will be had in everlasting remembrance. There he passed the evening of his life, and the scene around him was gilded with calm and pure lustre. Peaceable days succeeded a troublesome season, and he had an opportunity to do immense service in promoting the cause of religion and learning.

He was the friend and patron of the college at Princetown. Under his fostering care it grew and Яourished, and became a rich and extensive blessing to the community.

He lived to the age of 76, and died Aug. 31, 1757. No governor ever died more sincerely lamented. A funeral sermon was preached upon the occasion

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