Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-08-03
JOIN HANcnCK

I N%Hft~NNot " VIC AtCStlGNEN OF tue IOiiik%
| mental Congress, In IT'S, are thus related hy
| Mrs Warren. in her history OF the American
| Revelation.
THE absence OF the late worthy
president OF congress, Mr. Randolph,
and the arrival of Mr.. Hancock at
Philadelphia. at the fortunate moment
when the enthusiasm inspired by Gen.
Cages proclamation was at its height,
both concurred to promote bis eleya-
Ollie was chosen TO preside in the
respectable assembly of delegates, a.
vowedly Oh the sole principle DC MS be
ing prescribed by Gen. Gage. 1t
was ancoathly said by member Of
congress, that they would show No.
fheT Britain. how little they cared for
her, by choosing Massachusetts man,
for their president, who had been re.
Gently excluded frem pardon by the
public proclamation. Ihe choice was
suddenly made, and with too much
jevi,y for the times, or for the dignity
OF the Office.
MIR. Hancock's modesty prompted
hum moment TO hesitate on the unex.
pected event, as If diffidcut os hs own
qualifications, when one OF the mem
bers of a more robust constitution, and
less delicacy of manners, took him in
his arms and placed him in the chair 2
! From this Interesting incident the
reader is forced to draw an inference,
winch beyond doubt. is erroneous in
itself, and unjust, in relation to the per.
sons alluded to. Il is absurd to i'm
pute any thing like fear to Hancock; for
were he really deficient in decision
and firmness, his acceptance OF the
| presidency of congress would scarcely
| have increased the odium under which
lie already laboured; he bad previously
passed the Ruhicon, and had been long
marked out as one OF the first objects
OF royal vengeance. We must seek
for some other cause for the backward
ness displayed by this distinguished
patriot, on this occasion, and none, OF.
fer themselves to our minds, more naiu-
raj than modesty and unob,rusiyeness,
which are ever the attendants OF real
merit And eminent and prominent
as he was, he could still say, with
great truth, IN referencet to hiscoleagnes,
''Never before stood in such presence
Bot there are other reasons. Mr..
Hancock was notthe only membernom-
mated for this office; among others, Ben
jamin Harrison was srokcn Of. This
gentleman, one Of the most distinguish.
ed and jealous men of Virginia, occu-
pied conspicuous station in our polit-
zeal ranks, from the moment of bis
aTivaliin Philadelphia as delegate
Inhereiing princely estate, " hich en-
abled him to indulge, to the most llber.
al extent, the natural hospitality Of his
character, he formed noble establish.
ment in the city, and kept W hat is call.
cd in the south, "an open house. -
Enthusiastic in the cause OF indepen. |
dence, decided in the means to be |
employed, and unwearied in the pur-
suit OF his object, his friends viewed
him, il is said as proper person TO
preside, at this critical jupc,ufe, over
the continental congress. He was also
nearly connected with The late venera
bic president, Peylon Randolph. lie
repelled all advices on this subject,
and joined those, wha perceived q PEI
culiar fitness in selecting northern
gentleman, who, 10 addition 10 his un
boGnded devotion to the cause oil free.
dom appeared on the iiooF of congress,
as the particular object Of ministerial |
jealousy and prescription. Mr.. Harri.
son took decided part in The election:
whenthe appointment was anpounced. |
and Mr.. Hancock evinced degree Of |
embarrassment, he stepped forward |
and bore him to the char, not gudelg |
or indelieately, bot with that kind Of |
good humoured and easy familiarity, |
which characterizes the gentry OF the |
south. Benjamin Harrison was pol |
ished gentleman, and always high in |
The confidence olhiS country; when lie
retired from congress, he became a
member Of The Virginia house Of dele
gates, and continued as such until after
the siege Of York town, when he sue
coded Dir. Nelson, as Governor of I
Virginia. !