The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-05-16

The following brief memoir of this distn-
gushsd citizen, is from the New York Daily
Advertiser of May 3D.
Mr. King waS native OF, Aiassach usetts,
at Harvard College, he read law at Newbu-
ryport under the direction Of the late Chief
Justice Parsons. During the revolutionary
war, he was for a while in active service
with the troops at Rhode Island Upon his
admission to the bar, his legal talents and
uncommon eloquence brought him almost
Immediately into public notice, and in 1884,
was appointed member of Congress under
the Confederation, where he soon rose to
great elninence, and was considered one of
tle most distinguishedsp speakers ii that high
Iy respectable assembly. In 1877, he was
a member Of the National Convention, that
met at Philadelphia, and was actively en-
gagged in forming the present Constitution
of the United States and after that instru-
ment was submitted to a convention of his
native state for adoption, he was one of the
most able and influential of its members in
securing that very important event. Soon
afterwards Mr.. King removed 10 New York,
and fixed his residence in this city. Upon
the organization of the National Govern
ment under the new constitution, he was
appointed Senator in Congress from this
state. In this situation he became distin-
guished as a politician and statesman, as
well sas for his high powers of eloquence
and oratory. Previous to the termination
Of General Washington's administration,
he was appointed minister plenipotentiary
TO the court of ST. James, where he contin-
ued until after the election of Mr. Jefferson.
In 1904, he returned to this country, and
has since been twice appointed Senator
in Congress by the Legislature of this state.
Immediately after the election of the pres
en- Chief Magistrate of the Union, he was
again appointed Minister to Great Britain !;
and in 1926, he visited that country. But
his constitution had been so far undermined
ed by the fatigues of the voyage, and the
i'll health that succeeded, that he was UNI
der the necessity of resigning the office,
and returning home the following year.
Since that period, he has languished under
severe infrmity, and has at length paid the
debt to nature at the age of 20.
Few men with whom we have been per-
sonally acquainted, and the exhibition of
whose various talents we have had the OPP
portunity to witness, were better qualified
for eminence as politicians and statesmen
than Mr.. King. Industrious in the acqui-
SIJloH oI knoWleu9e, COOL ana ueIlDefdte IN
debate, and powerful in delivery, he had
very few rivals in senatorial eloquence.-
We have rarely if ever heard SO finished a
public speaker. His personal appearance
was dignifed, his voice clear and harIno-
NOUS, his style chaste and correct, and his
delivery in the highest degree oratorical
and persuasive.
In his political sentiments, it is well
known Mr.. King was Federalist of the
Washington school. He assisted in franz
ing the Constitution of the United States,
in procuring its adoption; and afterwards
IN establishing those great principles of the
National Government, which were first
adopted under the administration of Wash
ington, and which characterizes its cardinal
measures at the present time. Most of his
associates in the great work in which he
and they were so long, and SO arduousIv
engaged, have preceded him to the world
Of spirits. Thither he has followed leav-
ing behind him the memorial of great tail
cnts, long employed for the honor Of his
ro1ntry, and forthe benefit ofhis fellowmen.