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 DaGGSTT 
 An Eulogium.
 
 AN 
 
 COMMEMORATIVE OF THE 
 
 EXALTED VIRTUES 
 
 OF 
 
 HIS EXCELLENCY 
 
 ROGER GRISWOLD, 
 
 LATE GOVERNOUR OF THIS STATE. 
 WRITTEN AND DELIVERED AT THE REQUEST OF THE 
 
 <©merai[ %^^tm\Ai?, 
 
 On the 29th of October, 1812; 
 
 AND BY THEM DIRECTED TO BE PRINTED. 
 
 BY DAVID DAGGETT, 
 
 ■A ' 
 
 A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL. 
 
 NEW- HAVEN, 
 
 PRINTED AND SOLD BY WALTER ii' STEELE. 
 
 1S12. 
 
 ^■y
 
 This Eulogium,wrUlen in the few hours intervening between 
 the request of the General Assembly, and the time appointed 
 for the services of the day, under the combined pressure of 
 the business of the writer in the Legislature and of his profes- 
 sional employment, is presented to the public as delivered*
 
 Jt a General Assembly of the State of Connecticut, holden at 
 J\i''civ- Haven, hi said State, on the second Thursday of OctO' 
 ber 1812 : 
 
 OiiDERED, That the Honourable Elizur Goodrich, and 
 Ivlessrs. HuBBAUD, Caldavell, and A. Smith, return the 
 thanks of this Assembly to the Honourable David Daggett, 
 for the Eulogium this day delivered by him in Testimony ol" 
 Respect to the Memory of His Excellency Governour Gris- 
 woLD, the late Chief Magistrate of this State ; and request a 
 Copy thereof that it may be printed. 
 A true Copy of record, 
 Examined by 
 
 THOMAS DAY, Secretanj. 
 
 CoMMirfEE Room, ) 
 Oct. 30, 1812. \ 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 It gives us pleasure to present to you the inclosed or- 
 der of the General Assembly, with their thanks for the excel- 
 lent Eulogium, delivered by you yesterday, commemorative 
 of the exalted Worth of His Excellency the late Chief Magis- 
 trate of this State. In soliciting a copy of it for the Press, 
 we unite our personal wishes, with those expressed by the 
 Legislature. 
 
 We are. Dear Sir, very respectfully, 
 Your humble servants, 
 
 ELIZUR GOODRICH, 
 ELIJAH HUBBARD, 
 JOHN CALDWELL, 
 AARON SMITH. 
 Hon. David Daggett. 
 
 JVeiu-Haven Oct. 30, 1812. 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 I have received your polite letter, inclosing a resolution 
 of the General Assembly, and expressing their thanks for the 
 Eulogium, delivered by their order, with a view to commem- 
 orate the exalted Worth of His Excellency Governour Gris- 
 
 WOLD. 
 
 I transmit to you a Copy of it, in compliance with your re- 
 quset, made in behalf of the General Assembly, 
 And am with sentiments of respect and esteem, 
 Your humble servant, 
 
 DAVID DAGGETT. 
 Hon. Elizur Goodrich, and Messrs. Hub-> 
 hard, Caldwell, and A. Smith. \
 
 €ul00mm. 
 
 My Fellow Citizens, 
 
 GOVERNOR Oris WOLD died at Norwich on 
 the last Lord's day at two o'clock in the af- 
 ternoon. About the time of the evening sacrifices 
 of the various religious assemblies, while prayers 
 were ascending from many hearts for the restoration 
 of his health, his spirit departed to the realms of 
 immortality. 
 
 The General Asssembly, penetrated with a sense 
 of the pre-eminent worth of this distinguished cit- 
 izen, appointed a respectable Committee to attend 
 the funeral solemnities. In behalf of the Assembly 
 they have witnessed his interment. His body is in 
 the grave, there to remain " till these heavens shall 
 be no more." 
 
 We are now assembled to offer another tribute of 
 respect to his memory. The place, the assem-
 
 6 
 
 blagc, the occasion, the solemn display of militai'y 
 mourning just now witnessed, and the still more 
 solemn address to the throne of grace, conspire to 
 arrest our whole attention, and fill us with sacred 
 awe. 
 
 An affection better felt than described for the de- 
 ceased while living, and for his memory since his 
 death, has induced me to appear in this place, and 
 to attempt a faint eulogy of his numerous virtues. 
 
 Roger Griswold was born at Lyme in this 
 State, on the 21st of May, 1762. His father, the 
 Honou rabie Matthew Griswold, was for many 
 years Lieutenant Governour of the State, and Chief 
 Judge of the Superior Court. In 1784 he was 
 chosen Governour. 
 
 His mother was the daughter of the Honourable 
 Roger Wo^cott of Windsor^ who was for a long 
 period Governour, and highly respected for his tal- 
 ents and virtues. 
 
 The descendant of these venerable ancestors has 
 not sullied their fair fame, but added to it a new 
 lustre, and more indelibly stamped immortality on 
 their names. 
 
 He was educated at Yale College^ where he gra- 
 duated in 1780. In 1783 he was admitted to the 
 bar, where he remained an ornament to the profes- 
 sion, and full of business, till removed by his fel- 
 low citizens to a higher sphere of action.
 
 In 1794 the Freemen of the State chose him a 
 representative in Congress. This place he fiilcd 
 for the period of ten years, with high honour to 
 himself, and to the great satisfaction of many em- 
 inent men in the nation. 
 
 In 1801 he was appointed by President Adams 
 Secretary of War, which office he declined. 
 
 In 1807 he was appointed a Judge of the Superi- 
 our Court. 
 
 In 1809 the Legislature chose him Lieutenant 
 Governour, which office he held till May 1811, 
 when by the suffrages of the Freemen he was ele-» 
 vated to the office of Governour. 
 
 To these several exalted stations he was cal- 
 led by the voice of the people. He sought no ele- 
 vation. No man enjoyed a more enviable and hon- 
 ourable popularity than Governour Gr is wold, for 
 no man courted it less. He wished for popularity, 
 for no good man is insensible to it ; but it was " that 
 popularity which follows, not that which is run af- 
 ter—that popularity which sooner or later never 
 fails to do justice to the pursuit of noble ends by 
 noble means." 
 
 Nature was peculiarly liberal in the endowments 
 of the body and mind of our lamented friend. — 
 From tlie time of his collegiate life, to the month of 
 January 1807, he was a monument of health.
 
 8 
 
 His body was uncommonly vigorous. It seem- 
 ed to the human eye, eapable of the severest ac- 
 tion ; and possessing a mind ahke vigorous, present- 
 ed a happy iUustration of what the ancients deno- 
 minated the greatest earthly blessing, " a sound 
 mind in a sound body." 
 
 In January 1807, while arguing a cause of great 
 expectation, and which had engaged his faculties 
 and drawn forth high exertions, he was suddenly 
 seized with a disease, which, in a moment, prostra- 
 ted one of the noblest human fabrics. To this dis- 
 ease he gradually yielded till death closed the 
 scene. 
 
 During its continuance, he was the subject of suf- 
 ferings almost unequalled. His situation, especial- 
 ly for the last eighteen months, has been such as to 
 have subdued a less vigorous mind and body. The 
 frequent returns of paroxysms, which seemed more 
 to resemble the agonies of dissolving nature than 
 ordinary disease — the recollection of a young and 
 numerous family of children, looking to him 
 with the tender reliance of children on a father, for- 
 ever kind, forever affectionate — the weight of a high 
 and solemn public trust, demanding the prudence, 
 the firmness and the wisdom of the soundest fac- 
 ulties, conscious that the eyes of the State were fix- 
 ed on him in this hour of unprecedented embar-
 
 9 
 
 rassment — all these combined, could not fail to pro- 
 dtice the most painful anxiety. Here, however, 
 was a happy display of his native magnanimity- --his 
 fortitude, his patience, his submission to the will of 
 Heaven conspicuously appeared. I have witness- 
 ed his patient investigation of the most interesting 
 questions relating to the welfare of the State, when, 
 as my eye surveyed his feeble body, I involuntarily 
 started back, lest the immortal and nobler part 
 should instantaneously burst the brittle and decay- 
 ing tenement. 
 
 The fervent supplications of a thousand pious 
 hearts, the tears of friends, the power of medicine, 
 the skill of physicians, the ardent wishes of a State 
 and Nation could not save him. He has gone 
 down to the grave amidst ten thousand prayers for 
 his precious life. 
 
 A recurrence to the various stations he occupied, 
 and his deportment therein, will afford an opportu- 
 nity for a more minute survey of his character. 
 
 His admission to the bar was soon followed by 
 distinction as an advocate. I recollect to have 
 heard him at the early age of 26, argue a cause of 
 importance, involving many intricate questions, be- 
 fore the highest Court of law. There was associ- 
 ated with him a gentleman of the first rank in his 
 profession. When Mr. Gr is wold closed his ar- 
 gument, his associate, who, in course, was to have 
 
 followed him, observed to the Court, that after the 
 
 2
 
 10 
 
 very able argument of the very ingenious yonn^ 
 gentleman who had just sat down, any observations^ 
 from him could answer no other purpose than to 
 injure his client's cause. To a mind of the first 
 order, he added a competent share of legal sci- 
 ence. Sound discretion secured him against doing 
 or saying any thing injurious to the cause which he 
 espoused. The maxim of the great Roman ora- 
 tor, — " it is fiir more disgraceful to injure the 
 cause you espouse than not to benefit it," — no man 
 ever more perfectly comprehended, and made more, 
 entirely his own. In this, with great propriety, he 
 may be proposed as an example to all, especially 
 the young of this profession. 
 
 His sagacity discovered to him the strength of his 
 adversary. His wisdom enabled him to select 
 the best means of attack or defence. His powers 
 of reasoning, joined with uncommon frankness and 
 sincerity, and a manner at once conciliating affec- 
 tion and commanding respect, gave him a sure pass- 
 port to the understanding and the hearts of the 
 court and jury. If he lost a cause therefore, it was 
 because it was incapable of being gained by integ- 
 rity and talents. These qualities, as will be readi- 
 ly seen, caused him to be both beloved and admi- 
 red. 
 
 At the age of 32 he became a member of the 
 national Councils, and during a period of ten years 
 w\is not absent from his place but a single day, 
 and that by an accident occurring on his way to the
 
 11 
 
 -seat of government. This period, as will be well 
 remembered, was full of interest. — It embraced 
 part of the administrations of W a shington and 
 Jefferson, and the wholeof that of Adams. Many- 
 measures affecting the vital interests of the nation 
 were discussed, and adopted or rejected. These 
 originated in part out of the influence of the con- 
 flict between the European powers upon our rela- 
 tions with them — and in part from the change of 
 administration at home. The spirit of party, so of- 
 ten and so justly denominated the bane of free gov- 
 ernments, was now no longer controuled. The 
 death of Washington unloosed the fell demon 
 of discord, and it has since raged without restraint. 
 At the mention of the name of Washington, 
 I would enquire, if it were not impious, ■^^'hat must 
 be his feelings, could his pure and exalted spirit 
 turn from those glorious objects on which it is oc- 
 cupied, and for^a moment take a survey of this de- 
 based, convulsed and distracted nation ! 
 
 In all the important measures just named, Mr. 
 Griswold was constantly engaged. Here he act- 
 ed a signal part with the most distinguished patri- 
 ots of our country. Look at the journals of those 
 days, and you will see that men from all parts of the 
 nation, celebrated for their virtue, their knowledge 
 and their eloquence, hailed him with pleasure as their 
 political friend. Here too, for several of the last 
 years of his Congressional life, he was in a minori- 
 tv. Obstacles, in what he viewed the p^'^^"'^ ^^ ^^^Yt
 
 12 
 
 ha<l no terrors for him. He met them with that 
 patience — that intrepidity*— that tranquillity of soul 
 which characterize the real giseat man. Like a per- 
 pendicular column, his strength increased in pro- 
 portion to the weight put upon him. 
 
 In those times of animosity, he extorted even from 
 his political adversaries, an affection for his worth, a 
 reverence for his pre-eminent talents. In no conflict 
 of parties were they denied, or their lustre obscur- 
 ed. None of his associates sousfht hi^irher honour 
 than a station side by side with him in these ranks of 
 patriots. The people of his native state, as you 
 well know, marked his political course, vv ith a vir- 
 tuous pride, and viewed his elevation in the estima- 
 tion of his country, with triumph. 
 
 Is it asked why he was tluis respected ? His mind, 
 with wonderful promptness, penetrated every sub- 
 ject presented to it. He sav»- it clearly and in all 
 its connexions. "VMiat others gained by study and 
 reflection he attained by intuition. Having no ob- 
 liquity of intention, he went directly to his object. 
 To that he adhered — for that he contended " like 
 a strone- man armed." He affected nothino: new — 
 nothing singular. His life was a stranger to every 
 thing bordering on affectation. He made no ex- 
 periments. The measiu'cs which resulted from the 
 nature of man, and their political connexions, and 
 which had the sar.ction of the wisdom of ages in 
 their fa> our, satisfied him.
 
 13 
 
 The maxims which regulated his political life were 
 founded on the facts, that individuals are selfish, 
 avaricious and ambitious — that communities are 
 composed of these individuals — that no proof is af- 
 forded of a renovation sufficiently thorough to aban- 
 don the restraints of law, or deny the necessity of 
 providing the means of successful resistance to in- 
 ternal or external enemies, or to hazard the great 
 interests of a nation upon the probability that a 
 spirit of justice will guide the councils of others. — 
 He was proud to acknowledge himself a disciple 
 in the school of W a s h i n g t o n . 
 
 In reviewing the life of Mr. Guiswold, during 
 the period now mentioned, the impartial Biographer 
 will assign him a place in the temple of fame with 
 the most enlightened, upright and virtuous of his 
 cotemporaries — and the time will come, it surely 
 will arrive when his political sentiments will have 
 their just influence in tlie councils of our country. 
 
 In 1807 he was called by the Legislature to fill 
 a place on the bench of the Supreme and Superiour 
 Court. This office he accepted at the sacrifice of 
 far greater emoluments arising from his profession- 
 al pursuits. 
 
 As a Judge, that sincerity — that incorruptible in- 
 tegrity which adorned his life, eminently appeared. 
 His very respectable associates on the judgment 
 seat, and the suitors and advocates who witness- 
 ed his deportment, will testify that all the vehe- 
 mence and ardour of tlie advocate were left at the
 
 14 
 
 bar, and that candour, patience and deliberation 
 governed his conduct. — His discernment and vir- 
 tue were a protection to the innocent — the oppres- 
 sor and the fraudulent, like the wicked, were scat- 
 tered with his eye. A union of justice and mercy 
 will neither condemn the innocent, nor suffer tlic 
 guilty to go unpunished. 
 
 In 1809, on the decease of Governour Trum- 
 bull, he v/as chosen Lieutenant Governour. 
 This office, though le^s lucrative than that of a 
 judge, he accepted. 
 
 Thus we have seen him repeatedly yielding to 
 the wishes of his fellow citizens, at the expence of 
 his pecuniary interest. Ten years of the vigour of 
 his life were passed in Congress, to the neglect of 
 the accumulation of property. Circumstanced as 
 he was, with great propriety he might have ad- 
 dressed his fellow citizens in the language of Paul, 
 *' I have coveted no man's silver or gold." 
 
 In May 1811, he was chosen Governour by the 
 freemen. This office, the first and most honoura- 
 ble in the State, he sustained with high and in- 
 creasing reputation till death terminated his earth- 
 ly career. How he has administered this Govern- 
 ment, you my fellow citizens know. You can 
 all testify how he laboured to promote the peace 
 and maintain the lawful rights and privileges of this 
 sovereign, free and independent State. 
 
 His last, his dying moments, were necessarily 
 devoted to the pul^lic interest. Within a few
 
 15 
 
 weeks he has been compelled to decide qirestlons 
 , of the greatest magnitude, and on the decision of 
 V which mighty interests may depend. You have 
 seen him meet these questions like himself. You 
 have seen his letter to the Secretary of War, assert- 
 ing with his dying breath, his inflexible determi- 
 nation to obey the constitution of the State and 
 Nation. Standing, as it were, on the confines of 
 two worlds, with an affecting sense of his accoun- 
 tablility in both, he has given the testimony of a 
 dying patriot, and left it on record, that " He would 
 not execute any order that he judged repugnant to 
 the constitution, from whatever source it might 
 emanate." 
 
 I have spoken of Governour Gr is wold in his 
 professional pursuits, and in his character of a Le- 
 gislator and Magistrate. It remains that a suitable 
 tribute be paid to his private virtues. Was he 
 adorned with justice, truth, fortitude and wisdom f 
 Under their guidance did he receive the rewards 
 of a grateful people in the bestowment of the most 
 honourable and important offices ? Then do we ex- 
 pect to see in him the neighbour, the friend, the 
 brother, the son, the father and the husband, adorn- 
 ed with the virtues peculiar to those relations. 
 Nor here will our expectations be in vain. Wc 
 have no proof here that there is no connexion be- 
 tween public and private life — that a vicious citi- 
 zen may be an excellent ruler.
 
 16 
 
 We will go to his neighbours — to those who 
 have duily w itnesed his demeanour in the confined 
 spheres of domestic hfc. This is a source that will 
 not deceive us. Here are no heralds to blow the 
 trumpet of fame — no courtiers to blazon forth a 
 thousand virtues which he never possessed — no 
 cringing sycophants to clothe villains in the gai-b of 
 integrity, and palm uj)on the world painted hypo- 
 crites as the most worthy of public confidence. In 
 the absence of these detestable means of fraud and 
 deception, the glitter of office, the splendour which 
 surrounds those in exalted stations, often dazzles 
 and confounds. Would you know then whether 
 a man be sincere, humane and charitable, enquire 
 of those who have witnessed his down sitting and 
 uprising, not of those who have seen him merely in 
 the senate chamber or chair of state, or who have 
 received his salutations in the market places ; but 
 of tliose who have met him when going out and 
 coming in. To these best of all witnesses ^ve ap- 
 peal. Here again the character of our beloved 
 Chief Magistrate will not shun a comparison with 
 those of the wise and good. See the eyes which 
 are yet weeping in his native tovv'u. Enquire if 
 he ever refused to contribute liberally for the pro- 
 motion of objects of public utility ? Ask the poor, the 
 naked, the hungry and the friendless, if they have 
 been sent empty away from his house, with a " be- 
 ye warmed and be ye clothed," they will answer 
 you with sighs and tcais for the loss of their bene-
 
 17 
 
 factor — ask his neighbours if, while he was invest- 
 ed with the robes of office, he forgot those in the 
 humble walks of life, they will reply that they have 
 lost a friend and a counsellor---Ask the afflicted 
 brothers and sister how he sustained that interest- 
 ing relation, they will exclaim,alas ! our brother--- 
 Ask the bereaved children to tell you their grief, 
 they cannot answer ; " they are sorrowing most of 
 all that they shall see his face no more." Look at 
 the house lately the seat of joy and rejoicing, and 
 you will hear only the accents of lamentation and 
 woe— Ask her "who sits solitary as a widow," to de- 
 scribe her loss, she will reply, " Lover and friend 
 hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance 
 into darkness ; have pity upon me, have pity up- 
 on me, O ye my friends, for the hand of God hath 
 touched me." 
 
 Is it asked whether he was a christian ? That is 
 known only to God and his own heart. Those 
 who knew him best believe that he was satisfied of 
 the truth and divinity of the scriptures, and of the 
 great doctrines of revelation. This they believe 
 because they have heard it from his lips — lips which 
 never deceived. This he declared not from osten- 
 tation, for no man was ever less ostentatious than 
 GovernourGRiswoLD. He could not declare it to 
 deceive, for no man ever had less disguise. His 
 tongue and his heart were never at variance. His 
 soul abhorred the appearance of dissimulation. In 
 these declarations, and a corresponding life, they re- 
 pose with confidence. 
 
 Such was the man whose death we this day la- 
 ment. — Such were his virtues as a neighbour, a
 
 18 
 
 friend, a pai^ent— a husband. Sueh was his life at 
 the bar — such were his services, his exahed worth 
 in the senate, on the seat of justice, and in the chair 
 of state. 
 
 How shall we estimate his Ios3? To his family 
 it is irreparable — to the State it as great as could 
 have been suffered in the death of any individual. 
 To the Nation we may truly say, " a great man hath 
 fallen this day." To his friends there is much so- 
 lace in the knowledge that his memory, endeared to 
 his numerous acquaintance, is embalmed in the af- 
 fections of a grateful people ; and his name will go 
 down to posterity enrolled with the great, the wise 
 and the good. 
 
 Talents directed by virtue and wisdom are ex- 
 tensive blessings to the public. Treasures like thesq 
 far surpass in value those of silver and gold. The 
 latter are not unfrequently the instruments of mighty 
 mischiefs, while the former,like the sun in the heav- 
 ens, appear only to animate and to bless. 
 
 The friend to his country views, in the death of 
 such a man as Governour Geiswold, substantial 
 ground of sorrow. This community sustains a 
 heavy loss- --the nation justly mourns. 
 
 These sentiments would be just in times of na- 
 tional prosperity. With what force then do they af- 
 fect us in this day of the perplexity of nations ! 
 
 At no time since the deluge has this world been 
 so convulsed. On the continent of Europe for the 
 last twenty years, "the confused noise of the battle of 
 the warriour" has been every where heard, and 
 *' garments have every where been seen rolled in 
 blcod."— The blood which has been shed has " flow-
 
 19 
 
 ed lip to the horse's bridles," and whole provinces 
 are converted into Golgothas. Events stupendous 
 ill their nature have succeeded each other in rapid 
 succession ; and the wisest of men, unable to discov- 
 er their causes by human research, are ready to 
 pronounce them miracles. 
 
 The patriot has, while viewing this scene of de- 
 solation afar oiF, hoped that this western world 
 might remain "unhurt amidst this war of ele- 
 ments." His hopes are now blasted. A war, al- 
 ready calamitous, and portentous of still greater 
 evils, is waged. In every part of this gi'eat repub- 
 lic, evils beset us, and the prospect is every hour 
 becoming more gloomy. An hour like this de- 
 mands the v/isdom of the wisest men. A grateful 
 people spontaneously turn their eyes to the tomb of 
 Gr IS WOLD, and exclaim, "The chariots of Israel 
 and the horsemen thereof." 
 
 But we will not repine. While mingling our tears 
 with those of the people of the State, and while sym- 
 pathizing with those who bewail the sundering of 
 the tenderest ties of nature and affection, it becomes 
 us to bow with perfect submission to the will of 
 Heaven. " The Judge of all the earth will do right." 
 
 My Fellow Citizens^ 
 We are assembled to commemorate the virtues 
 ofagi'eatand good man. To consecrate his me- 
 mory is a duty which gratitude enjoins. His ex- 
 ample also should inspire the living with a noble 
 emulation to attain the excellence which he reach- 
 ed. We speak not to him — we shall see his face 
 no more. The darkness of death conceals him 
 from our eyes. We speak of him — we cherish
 
 20 
 
 with the best affections of our hearts his well earn- 
 ed fame ; — because we would not be ungrateful, 
 and because we would exhibit an example worthy 
 of imitation. 
 
 In contemplating the life of our friend, how much 
 instruction is imparted to survivors ! Are there in 
 in this numerous assembly many who are now just 
 entering on that profession which he adorned ? — to 
 you we present an advocate for a model. His prob- 
 ity, his industry in understanding his client's 
 cause, his luminous arrangement, his clear and per- 
 suasive reasoning, his abhorrence of every thing 
 which in the view of honourable men would reflect 
 disgrace on the profession, should be remembered 
 as among the means of becoming truly eminent. 
 Are there not those uniting in the solemnities of 
 this day who intend to devote their talents to the 
 state and nation in directing their councils ? Re- 
 view the life of Gov. Griswold while in Con- 
 gress. He made himself master of the measures 
 of our national government from its first operation. 
 He perfectly understood all its complicated move- 
 ments. No mechanic was ever more thoroughly ac- 
 quainted with the various parts of his machine. This 
 knowledge, vv^ith a strong judgment and clear percep- 
 tion, enabled him to see and pronounce on the true 
 policy of the nation. When, therefore, he spoke, 
 he was listened to with profound attention. His in- 
 fluence was not exceeded by that of any other man. 
 His political enemies awarded to him the praise of 
 acting uprightly, and under the direction of an en- 
 lightened mind. Do you ask if he was eloquent ? 
 He sought none of the blandishing arts of persua-
 
 21 
 
 sion. He never spoke to invite his hearers to look 
 at him, or regard the tones of his voice. He spoke 
 plain, yet forcible language, in a plain and natural 
 manner. He pronounced important truths, that 
 that they might be understood and regarded. He 
 spoke to secure the interests of his country, not to 
 be pronounced an orator. 
 
 In the still more important characters of Judge 
 and Chief Magistrate, he is a like patern of supe- 
 riour excellence. Had he friends in whom he con- 
 fided, and whom he loved — whom he met without 
 reserve, and to whom his heart was ever op^? 
 Yes, as many who hear me now are proud to tes- 
 tify. But as the head and representative of this 
 commonwealth, he had no favourites. His duty 
 was paramount to all partial and private interests. 
 This he performed fearlessly in the face of the 
 world ; he made no professions of superiour integri- 
 ty, nor of the purity of his views, nor of great zeal 
 for the public good ; but his administration was an 
 affecting appeal to heaven, — " Till 1 die.I will not re- 
 move mine integrity from me — my heart shall not 
 reproach me so long as I live." He has received 
 his earthly reward, .for " when the ear heard him, 
 it blessed him — when the eye saw him, it gave wit- 
 ness to him. His judgment was as a robe and a 
 diadem." 
 
 And now, my friends, shall such a character be 
 presented on this occasion, and in this place, with- 
 out inspiring a noble emulation? Shall they to 
 whom is confided the solemn duties of providing 
 for the peace, honour aad safety of this State, re- 
 ceive no instruction in the death of their illustrious
 
 Chief ? Do they who compose this General Assem- 
 bly, aspire to the honour of serving their country 
 in places of trust — do they wish for a name which 
 shall outlive the ensigns of poAver — especially are 
 they ambitious of the greatest glory of man, doing 
 good, and do they ask for the road ? Let us go to 
 the GRAVE OF Griswold ; — dark and gloomy as 
 it is, there is a lamp lighted up, directing our feet 
 in the path of true glory and honour. 
 
 We have seen a fellow citizen in the meridian of 
 life, full of honours, while forming plans for the ed- 
 ucation and happiness of a numerous family, and 
 for the peace and prosperity of the State, "cut down 
 and withered like grass." Are not a thousand 
 tongues ready in this house to attest the truth of 
 revelation, and pronounce "verily man at his best 
 estate is altogether vanity." Nor is this a solitary 
 example ot this truth. This occasion is the secoTid 
 within three years, in which we have witnessed tlie 
 place of Govemour vacant by death. "While the 
 wounds made by the death of Governour Trum- 
 bull were as yet open, they are caused to bleed 
 anew. Rarely has a state been called to bewail the 
 loss of two such excellent men in so short a period. 
 They will be followed by those who have been as- 
 sociated with them. In the inconsiderable space 
 x)f twenty or twenty-five years, our State and Na- 
 tional Legislature, our Courts of Justice, and all the 
 departments of Government, change their occu- 
 pants, at the command of the angel of death. — 
 These will all meet in a far more illustrious assem- 
 bly, at a far more glorious tribunal than this world 
 ever witnessed.
 
 23 
 
 Shall this occasion pass without an attempt in the 
 speaker to inspire this whole assembly with new 
 and more unceasing efforts in behalf of our belov- 
 ed country ? It is a " day of darkness, of clouds and 
 and thick darkness." The most enlightened heads 
 are bewildered at the great events every where dis- 
 closed ; — dismay fills the countenances — the stout- 
 est hearts are appalled. The resources of our 
 country exhausted — its commerce annihilated — in- 
 ternal divisions embittering private life, and spread- 
 ing a leprosy over the whole body politic — a fron- 
 tier of great extent exposed to the enemy. Al- 
 ready has the war-whoop of the savage awaked the 
 infant in his cradle— -the delicate female, flying 
 from the brutal savage, faints to see her husband 
 bleeding under the scalping knife and tomahawk. 
 The eye is pained at the sight, and the heart is 
 sickened. 
 
 The remedies for these mighty evils are not at 
 our command. To the nation is entrusted these 
 momentous concerns. True — But we have a vine 
 to protect, which our fathers planted. We have 
 an inheritance fairer than merchandize, farms, and 
 *' cattle on a thousand hills" — an inheritance of insti- 
 tutions, civil, social and religious, calculated to 
 make us wiser and better. This inheritance was 
 purchased by some of the best blood of the best 
 men ; — it is consecrated by the tears and prayers of 
 our fathers. It is in jeopardy — so it has been a 
 thousand times. It has been rescued hitherto, and 
 preserved '* until the indignation hath passed by." 
 This inheritance is committed to you — it is a pre- 
 cious deposit. By your veneration for your ances-
 
 24 
 
 tors — by your reverence for these institutions — by 
 your affection for the memory of the " best of pat- 
 riots and most beloved of citizens," I conjure 
 you to defend and transmit to your children, invio- 
 late, this glorious inheritance. "Though a host 
 should encamp against us, yet will we not fear."
 
 
 THE LIBR AA 000 876 1 1 1 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 Santa Barbara 
 
 THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE 
 STAMPED BELOW. 
 
 Series 9482