The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1825-11-10
ANECDOTES OF MIR. LAURENs.

ANECDOTES OF MIX. LAuRENS.
OF all the worthless of the American Rev
olution there was not one who was more re-
markable for his pccullarities than Mr..
Laurens. He was stern Republican,
man of the strictest probity, and who would
not turn to the right or to the left to avoid
responsibility. A few circumstances OF his
life are within the recollection of the wri-
ter as communicated by a cotcmporary,
and, for considerable time, one of his offi-
cial family.
Mr.. Laurens was. for some time, the Pres~
ident Of the Revolutionary Congress. 1t
was his custom, every day, and within the
day, to perform all the duties assigned him
by the resolutions Of the body over which
he presided. Congress. at the time, consist
ed of but one House. and the President was
the Executive officer of the Government.
So great an economist was he OF time, that,
counting the hours he was employed dur
ing the sessions, he was engaged for sixteen
hours in every dav in the transaction OF
business. He wearied his clerks or secreta-
ries and would employ none but those who
were willing to go through the same de-
gree of labor as himself. He never kept
anv copy of his correspondence but the re-
cord of his office, which is to be seen at this
time in the Department of State. His prac-
tice was to commence writing, and, as he
wrote, he read off, by two or three words
at time. as he proceeded, to his clerk, who
copied into the book which became the re-
cord, and which was finished as soon as Mr.
Laurens had completed his letter. The orl-
ginal, in his own hand writing, was then
| folded, and despatched to its destination.
| Mr.. Laurcns took part against Sllas
Deane, considering him as a dishonest man
At that period, Deane had many friends IN
Congress who supported him, and MIR. I1au-
rens became, in some measure, unpopular
with thar body. Not that his integrity OF
patriotism was doubted; but it was thought
that he was unduly prejudiced against
Deane. This induced him to resign the
place of President, to which Mr.. Jay sue
ceeded. In the sequel, it appeared that
Mr.. Laurens was right as it regarded Deane
and full Justice was done to his sagacity ano
| frmness.
! When Mr.. Laurens was prisoner in the
tour of London, whittier he had been con-
veyed, when taken on his passage to Hol-
land, he maintained his dignity, and assert
ed the cause of his country with resolution
Indirect attempts were made to seduce him
or shake his fidelity, to America, but HI
manfully resisted every approach to al
overture of every kind. He had no secre
friendships apart from the friends of Amer
ican rights. On one occasion he had beer
invited to supper in London, by an old ac
Equain' ance, whose inclination to the Britisl
side of the question he suspected, and hi
refused to be treated. 1t was at publi'
hotel, and'he would pay for himself. although
informed that his bill was settled.
In earlier life, Mr.. Laurens had been con
cerned in trade with partner. After
= long and close attention to the affairs OF th
counting-house, he was desirous of maxim
short excursion into the country, which h
, communicated to his partner, who mad
some objections. Upon this, Mr.. Lauren
r called the attention of his friend to the book:
. and demonstrated to him, that, for the pre-
ceeding six months, he had performe
t more work in the countinghouse, befor
e breakfast every morning, than his partne
!. had done in the course Of the whole Of eac
e of the same days. This was a conclusiv
: argument, and the objection was withdraw
4, Mr.. Laurens always expressed wis
;. that, after his death, his body, instead OF bt
= ing buried, should be burnt, and left diret
e tions to that effect before he died, whic
s were complied with. To those to whov
a the matter is not indifferent,-it might see'
o more acceptable method Of dissolution, th;
= left to slow decay or corruption, accessib
= to the cold and Shiny worm of the earth.
This gentleman seems to have been amor
: the most sincere of mankind. He was fran
c to an excess; and valued truth and honest
as the first Of virtues. From first to las
j. his entire soul was with his country.-Wh
d an interesting volume might be formed
Y recollections of the traits of character OF en-
iDent men of the revolution. They wou
IS be read with infinitely greater eagerne
l. than historical details of operations whio
l. conduced to our independence. They wou
/ sink deeply into the youthful mind. and e:
r. cite an emulation that would not fail to
useful in every generation. A school-bos
e of this description would be sure OF succes
1t would serve in lieu of traditional tale
II of which the nations of Europe have mo
,e than the people of the United States.
/ ~4Y r - nm A HYN