CHAPTER XVIII. WILLIAM HUNTINGTON. "Whoe'er amidst the sons Of reason, valor, liberty and virtue, Display distinguish'd merit, is a noble Of nature's own creating. Such have risen, Sprung from the dust; or where had been our honors ?" -Thomson. THE subject of this memoir, who was one of the noble patriots whose name gave vitality and efficiency to the Declaration of Independence, was born in Windham, Connecticut, on the second day of July, 1732. His ancestors and relatives were among the first settlers of that State, and located themselves at Saybrook. The father of William Huntington was a farmer, and at those times when educational advantages were of an inconsiderate character among the hardy pioneers, the only opportunities he was able to allow his son, were those derived from the common schools in his vicinity, and these were few and not very important. But, nevertheless, William manifested a great desire for learning, and studiously applied himself to his books. In this way the active energies of his mind surmounted the many impediments to his advancement interposed by a want of proper educational advantages for developing his intellectual powers. By dint of persevering industry and hard study, in the course of a few years he ob tained considerable knowledge of the Latin language. When he arrived at the age of twenty-two, he selected for his vocation in life the legal profession, and commenced studying law. Like Sherman he was obliged to pursue it from borrowed books, and even without an instructor. But notwithstanding all these difficulties and disadvantages, he succeeded in mastering its intricacies, and before he arrived at the age of - thirty years, he had good practice in his native village. After perfecting himself in the law, and securing great popularity in the town where he had pursued his legal studies with so much ardor and attention, he removed to Norwich, where he had a wider field in which to exhibit his talents, and where he soon acquired a practice commensurate with his skill and attainments. In the year 1764 Mr. Huntington was chosen by the people to represent them in the Assembly of Connecticut, and the year following he was made a member of the Council. Whatever position in which he was placed, he discharged its duties with fidelity and ability; while in the various callings of political station his labors were such as to elicit the confidence and esteem of his constituents. In 1774 he was made an Associate Judge of the Superior Court, and the next year he was appointed one of the Connecticut Delegates to the General Congress. In this capacity he remained until the subsequent year, when he attached his signature to the instrument declaring the Colonies "free and independent States." He continued. a member of that Congress nearly five consecutive years, and won the reputation of being one of the most active and efficient men in that body; for it was soon discovered by his opposers that his integrity was stern and unbending-that offers of high position, and glittering bribes from British emissaries could not lure him from the path of rectitude and so conspicuous became his sound judgment and untiring industry, that in 1779 he was appointed President of Congress, at that time the highest office in the country.. This appointment was to fill the vacancy occasioned by the sending of John Jay as Minister Plenipotentiary to Spain, for the purpose of negotiating a treaty of amity and commerce with that nation. He held that office until his health became so enfeebled that he could not discharge its arduous duties without endangering his life, and he was finally compelled to send in his resignation, which Congress very reluctantly consented to accept. After his resignation he returned to Connecticut, where he resumed the responsibilities incident to the offices he held in the Council and on the bench, both of which had been continued while he was in Congress. In 1783 he again took his seat in Congress, but left it again in November of the same year, and retired to his family. We find it recorded in his biography, "that soon after his return, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Superior Court of his State. In 1775 he was elected Lieutenant-Governor, and was promoted to the Chief Magistracy in 1786, which office he held until his death, which occurred at Norwich, on the fifth day of January, 1796, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. Governor Huntington lived the life of the irreproachable and sincere Chris tian, and those who knew him most intimately, loved him the most affectionately. He was a thoughtfu. man, and talked but little-the expression of his mind and heart was put forth in his actions. He seemed to have a natural timidity, or modesty, which some mistook for the reserve of haughtiness, yet with those with whom he was familiar, he was free and winning in his manners. Investigation was a prominent characteristic of his mind, and when this faculty led him to a conclusion, it was difficult to turn him from the path of his determination. Hence as a devoted Christian and a true patriot, he never swerved from duty, or looked back after he had placed his hand to the work." The cultivation of such a decisive faculty is worthy of emulation by our rising young men, for it is the strong arm that will lead them safely through many difficulties, and win for them that sentiment of reliance in the minds of others, which is so essential in securing their esteem and confidence. It was this very necessary and predominant faculty which constituted the chief aid to William Huntington in his progress from the humble calling of a plow-boy to the acme of official station, where true greatness was essential, and to which none but the truly good may aspire. In all his dealings with his fellow-men, whether in a social or political capacity, he never allowed partisan feelings to overbalance his judgment, or lead him into the support of measures at variance with true republican principles, or the demands of moral duty. In this respect he was a model of greatness, and will, therefore, maintain an honorable place in history and in the warm affections of the people, while the stars and stripes of our happy country float majestically over a nation of freemen. By the side of Richard Henry Lee and Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, in Old Independence Hall, his portrait hangs, as fresh and vigorous as when it left the hands of the artist, and in every lineament of its features may still be read that stern decision of purpose which characterized his whole. career through life. Although the artist's skill has transferred to canvas an inanimate semblance of that once living patriot, his noble efforts in the cause of Independence would have transmitted his fame to immortality, and Independence Hall would forever echo his name. "How sleep the brave who sink to rest To dwell a weeping hermit there." |