American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-06-10
THE LATE. Mr.. MEIGS.

College with high reputation, he was carry aoun
,sd 70 the Rar: and soon after emigrated to ONO,
with his father the late venerable Col. r. ). Neies
and the little band OF Revolutionary Patriots VINO
laid The foundations Of that now powernl s.a'e'
Thev settled at Marietta. With them he partic'pa-
ted largely in the prlva'lons and dangers "e'usn.
settlement, in what was then considered a re'no'.
and savage region and soon became distinguished
by his courage activity, and enterprise.
II is interesting to look back from the presen'
time 10 that comparatively recent period' th'ue
more than so years,) when this settlement, anu
small station near Cincinnati, containing 'oge'nef
not more than 500 6ghtiog men, were tue only
spots within the extensive limits oil NE STATE, o.
which the white man had fixed his haoiiauon. 1901
remote 10 feel the protecting arm OF tne 1oVefn
ment and surrounded by numerous tribes OF nos
tile and exasperaed Indians, the first settlers were
Obliged to live in Notifications, and to go TO lhet
labors with arms in their hands.
The sound OF the Indian rifle was often heard
within the limits Of the settlement; and, not unfIe
quenty, the enterprizing emigrant was shot IN his
own field within the hearings and almost IN sight OF
ibis family. During protracted PERIOD the earth
was cultivated at the hazard of life Yet, Marietta
lis now the very threshold of our great Western
Country, and all traces oil Indian population have
long since disappeared.
Immediately after General Wayne's last cam
Ipagn against the Indians MIR Meigs. then young
man, was despatched on public business TO n, Bfls
lish Post at Detroit. From the unsettled state OF
the country, and the evaporation oil the Indians
then at its height, the service was considered emil
lnenlly hazardous. and almost desperate. 1t was
however, successfully performed, and he returned
in safety to his friends.
This is believed TO have been the first act Of his
public lite and, from that time till very recent
period, he was almost constantly engaged III the
lseryce of his country
Successfully pursuing the business of his probes
sion he was soon appointed United States Judge
and, being removed to the Territory of Michigan,
held the first court organized in that region
After the acquisition of Louisiana. he was appoin.
ted United States Judge for the Missouri Territory,
and invested with extensive civil and military powers
Here he remained several years, laboriously engag
ed in organizing Government, and introducing
our Republican principles into that new country
In the turbulent and unsettled state OF society," con-
seuuent to the transfer of foreign territory, the
6rmness and prudence OF his character were con
spicuous. His health having suffered severely dur
ing this period, he resigned the office and returned
10 Ohio.
He was successfully appointed Judge of the Su.
preme Court, Senator TO Congress, and Governor
oil the State to which last office he was repeatedly
elected, and which he held during the most gloomy
and disastrous period Of the late war.
/ Alter the capture of General Hull's army, (in
aiding whose expedition he zealously co-operated, }
an extensive frontier was laid open to the ncursions
ot the enemy, and their savage allies. The terrors
Iof Indian invasion extended to the Southern
borders of the state; and i, became necessary TO
Iput in requiston all its energies for the defence OF
1.-THE country. Governor Meigs met the emergency
with his characteristic prompttude and hrmness.
Disregarding all private and personal consideration
he repaired at once to the field called out the militia
for the state in great numbers, and seconded by the
patriotism of his fellow citizens, operated pow
terIuily with the forces under General Harrison.
The frontier was thus defended, and the country
secured.
On the subject of his services at this period, the
lrecords of the day full II is sufficient to say
THAT they merited and received, the unqualified APP
lprobation of his country, and the high consldera
ton of his government.
He was soon after appointed Postmaster Genera
of the United States. Having usefnlly held thi:
ofhce more than nine years, and his constitution
lbeing greatly impaired by severe sickness, (fron
1.-THE effects Of which he recovered) he resign
led, in 1925, and retired to his residence in Mai
eta.
Mr.. Meigs was distinguished for the accutenes
and accuracy Of his perceptions; and, in 6rmnes
of character. and equanimiiy OF temper, in the mos
trying circumstances, he has seldom been exceed
In all the relations of private lite he was amiabe
sirtuous. and greatly loved.
Through life he was firm and consistent patri
LOT, warm admirer OF the principles Of our Repub
lican institutions, and determined supporter Of Thu
administrations Of Jefferson, Madison, and Mon
lroe.
Zealously and ardently devoted to the interests o
his own State, he contributed greatly to lay the dee
and broad foundations of her rising greatness, and
in her future history, will be ranked among her mos
useful and distinguished citizens.
He lived to see his most saDguine ancipations q
her increase more than realized to see her rapid
rising among her sister States, and taking ran
among the oldest and most powerful. He saw tn
first feeble. detected band, which sat down on tn