American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-08-02
ROBERT COOLIDGE HaRPER.


We extract the following from biographical notice which
appeared in the National Gazette some time since.
ROBERT GoopLoE HARPER was born in North
Carolina, of respectable parents. He displayed, in
his boyhood, yiyaciiy OF spirit and versatility OF
talent, and before the age of fifteen possessed the
rudiments of liberal education, various fund OF
profitable ideas, and an EXPERIENCES in the use OF
tools which would have made him successful
mechanic. The ardor and gallantry OF his nature
prompted him. at that age, 10 enter the revolutions
ry army. but his thirst for leaning and intellectual
power, induced him to withdraw soon from The mil
itary career. and seek some situation IN which he
might complete his studes.--He procured admls
sion into Princeton College, and after some time.
10 order to meet the charges of the institution,
taught and managed with perfect success the gram
mar school established to prepare the pupils for it,
while he gained instruction and eclat IN the college
classes.
About the age of 10 or 90, he accompanied
fellow student to Philadelphia, on visit, and here
he formed the resolution to embark at once for
England and make the tour OF Europe on loot TO
crafty his curiosity respecting countries OF which
he had read so much, and to enrich and streg,hen
his mind generally. His plan was to find pupils
in London, and work simultaneously at the trade
OF joiner for which he was qualified by his early
practice. This romantic project was frustrated by
ice in the Delaware, that prevented the departure
OF any vessel during many weeks, IN the course oil
which the youthful adventurer nearly exhausted
his purse and had leisure to reflect upon the diff
cutes of the enterprise AS soon as the river be
came navigable, he resolved to sail for Charleston
and try his fortune there his new scheme being to
study the law. He arrived, in short passage at that
city and found himself on the wharf stranger to
every one, with but dollar or two in his pockets
| AS he stood Illuminating his condition. he was
accosted by man of respectable appearance, who
asked him whether he was the Mr.. Harper whose
name was on the list of passengers just arrived
from Philadelphia. On being answered in the al
! 6rmative, the same person inquired whether he
had not taught particular class at Princeton IL
which there was youth Of certain name ane
being answered again airmatively he proceeded L
saw that the youth was his son. who had rendered
him familiar with the name of the tutor by the al
fectionate testimony often repeated IN h's letters
!, He proiessed ong derire to serve his new &C
ouan,ance, mentioned that he kept respectable
, tavern, and offered him lodgings and any othe
assistance which he nigh! require. The welcome
kindness was accepted the generous friend intro
duced him to lawyer under whom he prepared
himself for the same profession and in less thai
1 twelve months, he undertook causes on his owl
account. These anecdotes are believed to be an
tbentic They reflect credit on the youth OF on
upon whose mature age matured excellence cas-
, correspondent lustre.
l 1t was not long before ne acquired disHhclioh
0 the bar but the ascent to fame and fortune prove
particuary difficult at Charleston the heights an
p avenues being in possession Of what might has
been styled an ogarchical corps, who were dispose
e to consider and treat as an intruder any new NAL
!. (novus homo without certain alliances or famli
: connexions. He tough, his way in every sense
IS with equal intrepid,y and talent, and opened 70
!, road to the Cheveses, Cahouns. and others OF tn
= same class, for whom the same barriers would hav
. existed. and Who had he not preceded them, migt
x have been retarded in their progress at home, !
n the great disadvantage of South Carolina and III
If injury Of the Union. AS this topic may be eve
IS now invdous, it merely touched, and the remaf
it is cheeruy added, that the opposition that he er
t countered implied no general iiiberaii'y on u
r. mart of his antagonists whose feelings, under
nt circumstances, we're natural, and blendd with III
T. pride of honor and genius, well as of social RAM
al and whose conduct towards him at a later peTlo