The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-04-21
COMMUNICATION.
To The Editsr of TIE Ennui


A few weeks only have elapfed iince yo perform
ed the melancholy duty of announcing to the public
the death OF Col. JOHN HARVIE, ef Belvidere. In
the contemplation of this event, affecting as it was
hlia piety and frendlp could no, fail to dirccrn
many allsvating and coniolatory circumstances. Col.
ltarvie had r'ailed the ordinary of human life
prosperous in his affairs happy in his family refpet-
ed by his Friends honored by his country. The uavi
ty oil his temper the mild dignity of his department.
the ftrensth of his understanding, the peculiar grace
and energy of his elocuton deferved and received
neral admiration. Happy thro' life, he fortunate
even in his death. 1t Pleafed providence fpare his
truly paternai heart the anguih of following his elde
ion LEWIS HARVIE to the grave u
Different indeed from that of the father, was the
deny of his fon, off in the 25h year of hi: age,
IN the commencement of an honorable career, with
the orishteit proiPeets opening his view, and in
the full enjoyment of almoR every blefIing which
can give valueito exitence: integrity talents, wealth.
the enthuiatc affection Of his family, the confidence
OF ms friends, and the uneeaing refpea Of the peo
pie. We iamented the premature death of Edwin
Burwe we deplored, and mutt for deplore the
lois OF John Thornton, whole eloquence and whole
Writings even at the age of %, did honor to his cou-
try, and we are called to lament over the tomb
OF third youthful patriot and orator. Like them
he Jet~ea defined to render fervice to- mankind, and
IKE them, alter appearing for Mort time above the
horizon, with mutual fplendor, he has Disappeared
tor ever. To the memory of young men of this Cha
racter we owe at leat the tribute of affection and ref
pect.
Lewis Harve was extraordinary and excellent
young man. He had fangs, but they arofe not
from deficiency in any quality necelfary in
the formation OF an exated character but from ient-
u'ents Of deeaey and honor carried to excels-rent
ment' which every days experience tended to correct
and which in fact were almoft entirely corrected Had
he lived to the age of thirty the influence of his ia
ther example would have been fully perceived and
universally acknowledged.
He wa'indeed young man, from whom much
might be expected; from whom, in the eitimaton of
the public, much was expe9es His character was
hrongly marked and was prelented to view, in all its
parts, without covering difguife. His under
Handing naturally ifrong had been aiduouly culti-
waited aud greatly improved His inteeaual re-
iourees were always at his command, and were diff
played IN all their variety and in public debate
with that Tort OF ardent and impreive eloquence to
winch the Judgment iurrenders after the feelings have
been made captive ipeaber, Levi, Barvie had
attained great enlnence in defiance Of fone very OBJ
viou: detects. His attitude was not commandiny his
geiture was not graceful, lis voice was fometimes
harih and his eye too often exprened anger or con-
tempt for his opponents. Thefe defects however
became daily leis vible He was conlcious of then,
and IN time they would have been removed Bur e.
ven when they were at their height, he was alyyav,
an intereiting and fometimes a moi imprefIiye and
powerful iPeaker. The floor Of a popular aGsmblv
was the theatre on which he feemed defined TO q
great character through life. The energy of hi,
mind the ardor Of his feelings, his lively fancy, hi,
prompt and ioreible elocution, his extenfive know
ledge united with undertaking frnnefs would have f.
cured to hm before many years had paTed away. n.
hgheit OF all honors the eGeem and confidence Of hi,
countrymeD. Excellent thefe materials NAV he
deemed, the foubdetien which they Relied vvae IN
hnitely better Lewis Harvie was an honorable man
Ills heart iwelled with confcoufnefs of reai,,de
and independence, and he would not have f,cr;6esJ
ientment which 1t oherilhed, for any conlidera,on
which fortune can preient for the intimidation mr. C
ducfion OF mankind
He retained the full ufe of his faculties, even after
lingering illBeis Of 8 months He attended ,L
COUNCIL oil which he was member, as long as he had
ftrength to atceud to their chamber in the can;,I
when ne had hniihed this fatiguing journey. he
would lie on the council table until his itrerg,b and
respiration returned. 1t was during hi lai wifi,
that nc is faid, after being shed to his feats for he
was obliged to occupy more than one to have mad.
two ipeeehes which for their preeifon, p.rCn;cu;,v
and force, impresd his auditors with belief cha, ~
talents were improved, even in greater degrs. ,h,n
his body had deeayed "~''
law him for the Ian time or the Sunday b.fo..
bis departure from this city. Eotwitb1and;po ,b.
obvious change in his appearance, notwitbaandng hi,
eolourleis face and emaeiated limbs could NOR Re-
ieve that he was SPt,siry i'll. His temper was n
cheerful, his mind TO vigorous. his remarks on l,,.
deeion OF the Supreme Court 70 luminous and forc-
ny exPreiied, that his fympathifng phyfieian and
friend could not extinguh the hope which had b,sn
excited, that he might yet recover Bu, this home
and all other hopes Of which he was the ob;sa are
extinguifhed for ever