"Mr. Colden suggested to Franklin, that he should print, by subscription, a selection from the papers that might be furnished by the members. It is probable that this project was not encouraged; for, nearly a year afterwards, Nov. 28, 1745, Franklin writes to him as follows: I am now determined to publish an American Philosophical Miscellany, monthly or quarterly. I shall begin with next January, and proceed as I find encouragement and assistance, &c. I shall be glad of your advice in any particulars, that occurred to you in thinking of this scheme.' Franklin's design was not executed, perhaps for the want of encouragement; nor indeed is there any evidence that the Society was even in a flourishing state. Nothing is known of its transactions: the records of its proceedings are lost; and, if any papers were contributed by the members, they were destroyed, along with the records of the Society."

MORSE

In the January court-term 1791, Mr. Colden was licensed as an attorney; and from Governour George Clinton he received a commission as a publick notary. Mr. Colden had practised law in the city of New York but a short time, when he removed to Poughkeepsie, in the county of Dutchess. He remained there pursuing his profession with great in

Mr. Colden reared a family of two daughters and three sons. His daughters were Alice, married to Mr. Willet; and Elizabeth, married to Mr. Delancy. His sons were Alexander, Cadwallader and David, each of whom at different times, acted as surveyor-general. They were all prominent men in the colony of New York-David, the youngest son, and father of Cadwallader, whose career it is purposed carefully to set forth on this occasion, was a native of the city of New York, and born in 1735. He received a good education, excelled in mathe-dustry and success, until the year 1796, when he maticks and natural philosophy, and was a correspondent of Dr. Franklin, in whose works some of his letters appear. He died in London, in 1784, leaving one son and four daughters, and the reputation of an excellent character.

again returned to the city of New York, and re sumed his station at the bar.

He about this time received the appointment of district-attorney, and by his zeal, talents and industry, laid the foundation of his future fame and success. His excellent biographer in the New York Mirror, remarking on this period of his life, observes, "Mr. Colden's intense application to business, in the course of a few years, most seriously impaired his health, and he embarked for France in the spring of 1803, as his friends supposed in the last stage of consumption. A residence of about eighteen months in France and Switzerland, and other places on the continent, restored him to health; and he returned home at the close of the year 1804, and found his clients and friends already waiting to

Cadwallader D. Colden, whose publick services his native state will long remember with high consideration, was born at Spring-hill, near Flushing, in Queen's county, Long Island, on the 4th of April, 1769. He was educated in part at home, by a private tutor, and attended a school at Jamaica, Long Island. In the spring of 1784, he embarked in company with his father for England, where he attended a classical school in the neighbourhood of London until the autumn of 1785, when he returned to New York. He then commenced the study of the law with the eminent counsellor Richard Har-give him their business and offer their congratularison, but family business making it necessary for him to visit the British province of New Brunswick, and continue there for some time, he pursued his legal studies there and in 1789, returned to the state of New York, and completed his professional education with the late Mr. Van Schaick of Kinderhook. This distinguished civilian was preceptor of many of our most eminent professional men in Jurisprudence.

tions." The same candid writer farther very honestly and frankly remarks: "For a young man to attain distinction at the New York bar, when his competitors were such men as Richard Harrison, Samuel Jones, sen., Alexander Hamilton and Brockholst Livingston, was no easy task. Mr. Colden however, thoroughly disciplined his vigorous and active mind, grappled with difficulties which beset him, and overcame them. His success was flatter

ing in the extreme; for it was not many years be- adjutors during that critical and alarming crisis in fore he stood as a commercial lawyer at the head of our affairs. In 1818, he was elected to the House his profession, while in other branches of it he al- of Assembly, and during that year was also appointways ranked among the first." As an evidence ed mayor of the city of New York. It was then part among many others which might be cited, of the of the duties of the mayor to preside in the municigreat amount of business which poured in upon him, pal courts, and although he was the immediate sucit has been stated, that he has argued every cause cessor of De Witt Clinton in that office, his opinon one side or the other, that was heard in the su- ions and conduct as a judge, fully sustained the high preme court for a week: he also had at some of the reputation of the court. In 1822, Mr. Colden was New York circuits, sixty or more causes. elected to Congress, and proved himself a useful and distinguished member of that body.

In 1824, he was elected to the Senate of the state of New York, which office he held for three years, when a regard to other paramount duties led him to resign. As a debater in that very respectable body,

It deserves to be recorded to his high honour, that his system of law-ethicks to which he rigidly adhered, was of the purest kind. His intercourse with his professional brethren was courteous and fraternal. He treated his juniors with urbanity and kindness, and never evinced toward his compeers or sen- he was always listened to with attention, and his iors, the feeling of envy or uncharitableness. His opinions as a member of the court for the Correction professional fame, therefore, was a brilliant one, and of Errours, are characterized by a vigour, clearness such as few comparatively ever obtain. Soon after and legal discrimination, that entitle them to pecuhe began to practice in New York, he became con- liar consideration. Untiring industry and patient nected with the Manumission Society, and was for research, marked him in all his proceedings, equally a long time its President. On every requisite oc- in the several legislative bodies of which he was a casion, he lent to it his powerful professional servi-member, as in the severest responsibilities of his ces, with a total disregard of all sordid results. As private professional business. a friend to the young aspirants to professional distinction, to genius in the arts or sciences, and to all who were governed by a laudable impulse, he always liberally imparted his councils, his hospitalities, and if requisite, pecuniary aid. What he has said of his intimate friend Fulton, in his biography of this eminent man, may with the strictest truth be said of himself. "In all his domestick and social relations, he was zealous, generous, liberal and affectionate. He knew of no use for money but as it was subservient for charity, hospitality and the sciences."

The subject of education was one on which Mr. Colden bestowed much reflection, and he lent through his whole life his aid to all those institutions, which had for their object the moral and intellectual culture of youth. The publick-schools in the city of New York, can number him among their most active. and efficient founders. He was conspicuous among the most active in devising a plan for the reformation of juvenile delinquents, and was afterward president of the society incorporated for that important object. He reflected much on the subject of prison discipline, and was instrumental in making many valuable suggestions for the reformation of convicts. For many years he was one of the governours of the New York hospital.

His biographer, to whom we are so largely indebted for the materials of this sketch, thus adverts to the labours of Mr. Colden, which were more particularly of a publick nature. During the late war Various and serviceable as his efforts for the benwith Great Britain, Mr. Colden's professional en-efit of his native state and country thus appear, he gagements (says he) were so numerous, that it was challenges our approbation for his performance of conceded by every one conversant with the subject, still more important acts. He is recognised as one that his business was worth more than that of any of the earliest and most efficient promoters of that other member of the profession in the state. He great system of internal improvement which is now relinquished the most of it, however, that he might the pride and boast of the state of New York. devote a portion of every day to military service. We find his name recorded in the list of names He commanded a regiment of volunteers, and was affixed to the celebrated memorial on the subject extremely active and useful in helping in the erec-bearing date February, 1816. The great meeting tion of fortifications for the defence of the city. on that occasion was held in the city of New York, His time, his influence, his pen and his money, and Mr. Colden was on the committee of correwere tendered to his country. His example was of spondence. In the history of the Erie canal, pubsignal benefit: so much so, that the patriot Tomp-lished by order of the Legislature, we find his name kins spoke of it with a warmth of feeling, and an often recorded as associated with measures eminentearnestness of manner, that showed that he con- ly conducive to the accomplishment of that vast unsidered Mr. Colden as one of his most efficient co- dertaking. After the completion of the canal, he

wrote as is well known, the Memoir on the subject, mount, and impelling motive seemed to be, to make which was published by the common council of the city. himself useful to his fellow-men. An allusion has His publick services after he withdrew from the already been made to the ardour and fidelity with Senate, in 1827, were next devoted to superintend-which he discharged his professional duties; and ing the construction of the Morris canal, which con- these were also the characteristicks of all his other nects the waters of the Delaware river with the wa- labours. Whether he was in the service of his ters of the bay of New York. It would require a friends, his clients, or his country, he evinced a dislarge space to detail the many discouraging and for- interestedness and devotion, rarely if ever surpassmidable difficulties he had to encounter in the worked. The prominent traits in his character, cannot, suffice it to say, he on this occasion, as on every perhaps be better designated, than by applying to other of his life, was not intimidated, but steadily him what has recently been said of another, that he persevered to the satisfactory completion of the great possessed an energy, activity, and philanthropy, task: it is familiarly known that the Morris canal which led him to regard none of the great concerns has demonstrated the practicability of using planes of mankind as foreign to himself!' for locks.

state. As a theoretical mechanick and engineer, his enjoyment of the confidence, and sharing in the consultations of Fulton, attest his powers. The numerous institutions he was instrumental in forming and sustaining, added to his deeds of charity, give full proof of his claims to the character of a philanthropist. In the domestick and social relations of life, he ever evinced an affection and kindness that rendered him a safe pattern for imitation. As a publick speaker, he infused into his discourses a pathos and force that seized and held the deep attention of his auditors."

"He never condemned anything because it was The records of jurisprudence must be consulted new, for he disclaimed all connexion with the parain order to ascertain the nature of his legal opinions doxical set of men, who seem to hold, that an old and decisions. His Life of his friend, Robert Ful-errour is better than a new truth. If he were someton, is his most extensive literary enterprise. In times called a projector, let it be borne in mind, that this volume, which was read by him before the New all his projects had for their object the benefiting of York Literary and Philosophical Society, and pub-others rather than himself. As a jurist and civilian, lished by that association with the laudable inten- he ranked with men whose professional fame we tion of erecting some memorial in honour of this em- justly prize as a part of the moral property of the inent and successful experimental philosopher, Mr. Colden has evinced the warmth of his affection, and treated with a judicious consideration the generous and patriotick services of that illustrious man. The elaborate document which he drew up at the request of the corporation of New York, embracing the origin, progress, and completion of the great canal which connects Lake Erie with the Hudson river, will ever be consulted by the historian who seeks for authentick knowledge on matters of that nature. The last effort of his pen, was a letter on a singularly interesting subject, the insanity of the late famous orator of France, Count St. Jean D'Angelly, an exile in America, in 1817. This paper of peculiar importance to the medical jurist, may be found in the life of the late Thomas Eddy, recently published by Col. Knapp. Mr. Colden contemplated the publication of the writings of the late Lieutenant-governour Cadwallader Colden, in a series of volumes, with an original life drawn from materials in his possession: but he made only partial advances in the undertaking.

Mr. Colden died on the 7th of February, 1834, at his house in Jersey city, which he had made his residence for several years. He was married to Miss Maria Provoost, second daughter of the Right Rev. Samuel Provoost, D. D., the first protestant bishop of New York. By this lady, who died in 1837, he had one son, David C. Colden.

The writer of Mr. Colden's life, to which we have already more than once referred, and to whom we are so largely indebted for this account, thus justly sums up his character: "The ruling, para

A beautiful marble monument has lately been erected in Grace church, New York, to the memory of this distinguished and lamented citizen. It is placed under the south gallery, and nearly opposite to one of Frazee's earliest works of the same kind, the monument of Mr. Colden's friend and rival at the bar, the eloquent and noble-minded John Wells.

The inscription was written by the Hon. Gulian C. Verplanck; it is as follows:

For several years Mayor of this City, a Senator of this State,
and one of its representatives in the Congress of the U. S.
His talents and publick services added lustre
To these and many other
Honours and trusts bestowed upon him by his native city.
He was alike eminent for legal learning and eloquence,
For ardent love and pursuit of general science,
And for the successful application of all his acquirements
To the best interests of his country.
As his Philanthropy and Patriotism
Commanded the confidence and attachment of his fellow-citizens
Won the warm affections of his family and of numerous friends
So his Kindness, Frankness, and Generosity
By one of whom, who had witnessed most nearly,
And, therefore, best estimated his worth,
This monument is erected."

JAMES BOWDOIN. ESQ.

arbitrary measures of the British ministry, which the MR. BOWDOIN was one of the greatest philosophers, royal governours were instructed to support and enand one of the most distinguished men of the ancient force. Afterward, Hutchinson consented to his and respectable state of Massachusetts. He was election into the council, believing his opposition born in Boston, in 1726, and died in 1790, in his would be less injurious than in the House of Represixty-fifth year. His grandfather was a native of sentatives. That statesman was compelled to bear Rochelle, in France, of a respectable and honoura-testimony to the zeal and decision of Mr. Bowdoin ble family, and in his religion a protestant; in that in the cause of liberty, and acknowledged that he kingdom then usually called Huguenots. Soon after was the ablest man at the council board. the edict of Nantz (which had passed in 1598, in fa- The volume of Massachusetts State Papers convour of the protestants) was repealed in 1685, and per- tains several resolves and reports of the council, secutions raged against them with great severity, and answers to the governour's speeches of that pethe grandfather left France and landed at Casco Bay, riod, well known to have been prepared by him. near Portland, with his family. The father of Mr."His heart was warm, and his tongue and pen were Bowdoin was with him, then about twenty years old. employed in the service of his country." The grandfather spelt his name Baudouin, as appears During this period, as leisure from publick duties. by one of his letters, which was formerly in posses-permitted, Mr. Bowdoin devoted himself to literary sion of the writer. The history and sufferings of the and philosophical pursuits. He had a good private French protestants are well known. They were library, and his correspondence was extensive with persecuted with even greater severity than English the learned men of his time. dissenters were in Great Britain. On the revo- In 1774, Mr. Bowdoin was appointed one of the cation of the edict of Nantz, many thousand were five delegates from Massachusetts, to attend a conbutchered, by the unfeeling bigots of the Roman tinental congress in Philadelphia: but his health Catholick faith. Dexter, Sigourney, Brimmer, Lau- was then so delicate, that he was unable to bear the rens, Boudinot, Jay, Huger, and others, left France, fatigues of the journey. In 1775, however, after the and came to America, at this period of persecution. battle of Concord, and the crisis had arrived, we find Before the edict of Nantz in 1598 and after 1572, him true to the liberties of the country. He was 70,000 protestants were slaughtered for refusing sub-chosen President of the Executive council of Masmission to the papal power.-From Casco, the elder sachusetts, at that period, when the authority of Mr. Bowdoin soon removed to Boston, and there Governour Gage and his council was denied, and a took up his permanent abode. He devoted himself House of Representatives and council were appointto mercantile pursuits, and acquired a good estate.ed, to make laws, and to exercise the powers of govHis son, the father of our Mr. Bowdoin, was held ernment. When a convention was formed in 1780, in high reputation, and was sometime one of the to prepare a civil constitution in Massachusetts, Mr. council for advising the governour. He also left a Bowdoin was elected the President; his patriotism, large property, and two sons, James and William; intelligence and discretion pointing him out for that who thus received a large inheritance at his de- important station. The same year, and chiefly cease. Mr. Bowdoin was educated in Harvard col- through his influence, the academy of arts and scilege, and received the honours of that Seminary in ences was established in Massachusetts, of which 1745, when eighteen. While a member of the col- he was unanimously chosen the first president; and lege, he was not distinguished by that rare brilliancy he presided over this learned body till his death. of genius which excites astonishment; but he was, In 1785, he was elected governour of the commoneven at that early age, remarkable for discernment, wealth; and again for the year 1786. It was his application and good sense. Good moral habits lot to be chief magistrate when the insurrection took were also formed by him in early life, so that when place, headed by Daniel Shays. On the critical oche came into possession of a large patrimonial estate, casion he conducted with great firmness and moderhe was not corrupted, nor led astray, into the paths ation. And the crisis demanded the exercise of of dissipation or extravagance. In his youth, he these political virtues. The insurrection was put courted the muses occasionally, and some of his poet-down, with very little bloodshed; and even that was ical compositions have been preserved. But he did provoked by the rashness of the insurgents. While not devote much time to such pursuits. He early Mr. Bowdoin was in the chair, the debt of the state studied ethicks, natural philosophy, jurisprudence and was immense; he did much to provide for its paypoliticks. At the age of twenty-seven or eight, he ment, and to restore the publick credit. He also, in was returned a member of the General Court from 1785, and again in 1786, recommended the enlarging the metropolis. And at this time he corresponded of the powers of Congress, for the purpose of regulawith Professor Winthrop of the university, with ting commerce, collecting a revenue, and paying off Franklin, Otis, Pratt, Mayhew, and Cooper. With the debt of the United States. And his recommenthe two first on philosophical subjects; and with dation, no doubt, led to the general convention, in the others, on theclogy, and politicks, which even in 1787, for amending the articles of the confederation, 1750, engrossed the attention of the enlightened though a distinct proposition was also made by the friends of civil liberty. Assembly of Virginia, in 1786, for that object. In 1757, Mr. Bowdoin was transferred to the Ex-When President Washington made a tour through ecutive Council and continued in that station, and in the House of Representatives, till the war of the revolution. He was disapproved, when chosen by the General Court into the council, by Governour Bernard, and Governour Hutchinson, on several ocsasions for his firm and inflexible opposition to the

the New England states in 1789, and visited Boston, Mr, Bowdoin showed him great attention, and appeared highly gratified in the opportunity of manifesting his respect and admiration of his exalted character. It was the opinion of those who well knew Washington and Bowdoin, that they possessed

similar virtues and qualities, to entitle them to the served the approach of the sloop she weighed high regard and gratitude of our favoured republick. and crowded sail to avoid a conflict, that was Mr. Bowdoin furnished several articles for the vol- every way undesirable, as her commander was umes of the learned academy of which he was presi- not apprized of all the facts that had occurred dent; the chief was that on light, in which he advo-near Boston. In jibbing, the schooner carried cated the theory of Newton. He left a handsome away her main-boom, but continuing to stand on, legacy and his valuable library to the institution. she ran into Holmes' bay, and took a spar out of He was a member of the royal societies of Dublin and London; and received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, in the University of Edinburgh. To all his others honours, we may justly add that derived from a publick profession of the faith, and an exemplary display of the virtues of Christianity.

MR. COOPER'S "History of the Navy of the Uni-mament of four light guns, and thirteen swivels ted States," just published, brings to notice some early deeds of valor by the Fathers of the Revolution on the water, that are not eclipsed by the glory of their achievements on the land, and which will now deservedly rank with the noblest exploits of after times. The first volume furnishes the following account of an action which is well called the "Lexington of the seas:"