Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-07-22

They felt it TO be q delicate and arduous
task. The execution of this task wa: very
complete. Ii was worthy Of the deceased
and honorable to the talents and senslblll-
ties of the orator With very little oppor-
tunity to prepare and with nothing written
hut few hints Of topics-Mr. ID. pro-
l,ounced methodical, full and impressive
culogium, containing the prominent facts
So the history of the life of Mr. a. and de-
Mssating with strength and exsctncss the
ssatases of his character. The following
epgcusc is made from memory and imper-
feet BAT We believe substantially correct
lev facts arc supplied.
TO mediate upon these relicks; to con
template tbs character Of a wise and vlrtu-
Gus man; to command our children to trace
lis virtues, ard TO 20 and do likewise, are
duties Of The present occasion. lis no easy
task 10 DO justice to the subject. To feel the
character Of Mr.. AEfES requires no small
portion Of lis spiris-to pourtray it calls tor
the energy CT his genius and the vivid colors
of his fancy. Simplicity OF manner is the
object. This is our security against dis
gracirg the zane which we profess to ho-
nor.
Ordinary events become interesting by
their relation TO . nan SO good, SO great and
sobelcvcd IS the one welament. Mr.. Amos
& was native of the town of Eenhan,. His
father was respectable physicias and like
this son was removed from lite in the mcri-
dian of his years. Our departed friendwas
the youngest OF the children who survived
him. The mother, as if anticipating the
5 future lusne of the jewel committed to her
care, labcred to give this son an adequate e
dpcation. at the age of twelve he became
q member Of Harvard college-an age too
Young for the mind to grssa many OF those
studies which makes the course at the uni
versity. He passed the ternlos four years
in this place, ard received its honors, en-
joying reputation for genius and unstained
with vice. From this period number Of
years appear to have elapss without any Pc
culiar pursuit: whether IN consequence Oh
the imlnaturity of his age, or the want O.
proper counsel and encouragement, or de-
sfcct of pecuniary means, or perhaps the I'M
certain and III many respects calanlitous CIR
cums.anccs of the times is not known. AT
length he became student of law In this
town, and having been admitted to the lar,
begun the exercise of his profession in his
native place. But such man could not be
made TO enter into the spirit of village coh-
tention |; nor confined to those narrow mer.
csnary pursuits to which young men of the
profession are addicted. His expansive
mind embraced the interest of the who'll.
His views were already directed to the care
Of hiscounsry. He began to be known BY
his profound and elegant discussions Of some
OF the political topics of the times, which
were published il the newspapers and which
were traced to his pen. The affairs of our
country wore doubtful aspect. Therewas
no government 70 bind the states together.
The Federal Constitution had been submit
ed Is the several states, and Mr.. Ames was
cho<en member of the Massachusetts, con.
vention for taking this instrument into con-
sideraticn. In this digni6ed and interesting
assembly, the spleI.dor of his talents FIRST
burst forth to the public admiration and a.
stonishmcnt. Such was the impression
made On the minds Of the people by hisdis-
PLAY Of wisdom, OF patriotism and eloquence
in this body, that he was not only chosen
into the Legislature BY his native town. but
thenext autumn elected the first representa-
tive to congress from this district. For
eight years afterhe I'm hisbright course in
the legislature of the nation. You are ali
acquainted with the constant exhibition Of
talents and love of country, which he made
during this term. In he.1ebates on every
important question, he wasa principal speak
er. Towards the close of the period mem
toned, his health was found to be falling.
The great question for making aPpropria-.
tons for rasilving treaty with Great Britain