Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1827-05-08
MISCELLANX.
BIOGRAPHY OF RUFUS KING.

After completing his legal studes he was chosen, at
the close the Revolution in 1884, to represent the
state of Massachusetts in the old Continental Con-
gress. In this duty he acquired great influence. and
was the mover of proposition, which will always
render his name distinguished and respected in the
annals of his country. We refer to the prohibition
of slavery into the old North Vest Territory. After
serving in that body to the entire satisfaction OF his
! constituents, he deputed by the same State to
the Convention which formed the Constitution of the
United States This instrument having been pre-
pared and submitted to the States for their ratlca
ton Mr.. King was sent, by the town of Newbury-
port, with Mr. Parsons and Robert Trent Paine, to
the State Convention, which have the sanction of
Massachusetts,, to the new Constitution. In pro
curing this sanction, Mr. King was mainly instru-
mental. Objections made to it in Massachus
etts as we'll as in New York and Virginia and
whilst the talents of Hamilton and Madison were
engaged in surmounting the obstacles opposed to 1T
by the antifederalists of the two latter States, Mr.
King was performing an act of equally vital mpor-
lance to his country by soothing the fears and pre-
judces which operated against it, in State that was
still agitated by the feelings which produced the
Shay rebellion When the requisite number OF
States had si9nified their assent and the C0nsttu-
ton went into operation under the auspices OF Wash
ington. Mr. King was chosen by the Legislature
of this State, their Representative IN the Senate o
the United States Here he acquired the particu-
idT COUuueHCe vi w ny WIiUi Ht was &c
leced as the minister of this country to the Court OF
! st. James. Although Federalist, such was the
confidence reposed in his talents and character by
Mr.. Jefferson. that upon his succeeding Mr.. Adams,
he expressed his special desire to MIR King, that he
should continue to represent the United States at the
British Court In compliance with this request, he
continued until having completed all the negotiations
entrusted to his care, 1905 he requested permits
sion to return to his native land, from which he had
been absent about eight years. The patriotic sup
port of the government during the late war with
Great Britain, and his determination to sacrifice
party feelings, and unite with his friends in the
common defence, acquired for him the esteem of his
political opponents in his own State. This was
.vinced by his election by democratic Legislatures
" epresent this State in the United States Senate,
Cor w. successive terms. In 1929 he was chosen a
mp DER of the convention which formed the consti
tuition of this State, and in 1895, he appointed
lby Mr. Adams again to represent the United States
tat that court where he had. before acquired such
distingaieheA ton Expectations were enter
tanned a. tip which he was person
ally held By91SH6l the English Cabinet,
arrangement, and the mark va u paid to him
on his arrival BY Mr.. Canning other min
listers, proved that those expectations werenot I'M
Justly formed. An over ruling Providence, how
ever did not permit them to be realized During his
voyage, Mr.. King was attacked with disease often
| the consequence OF voyage, and which so impair
ed his health. as to prevent him from an active dis
charge of the duties of his office, After remaining
abroad year, in the hope ofreestablshng his health
without any improvement, he determined to return
to die in his native land, in the bosom of his family
and his friends. Here, cheered by the attentions of
an affectonate family, and ina composed and resign
ed state. he,calmly awaited his approaching end
1t is when men like him are taken from among US,
that we have cause for grief. We remember the
days of his former usefulness and bend in reverence
before the Christening stroke. We rejoice that he
should so long have been spared-and that the blow
descended not in the hour of his prime and his USE
fulness. In manner, Mr.. King was mild and dig
nified in temper. firm and decided. AS speak
er, he was a model for parliamentary debate. His
compatriots in the Senate will long remember the
respect whish he manifested for their opinions,
whilst he firmly maitained his own. AS astatesman,
prudent, penetrating and comprehensive in his
views; his country will long have cause tor gratitude,
that his talents devoted to the promotion OF the
public good. He was his country's true friend and.
while he did not hesitate to condemn the policy
which placed us in collision with Great Britain he
did not permit his feelings to operate, when his for
tune and influence were acquired, to promote the
successful termination, of the war; His private
character was without hlemish. As husband, at
fectonate and sincere father, object of ven-
Grafton to his children he has descended with la
mentations to the tomb. AS patriot, his country
mOurns his loss
From the Literary Magnet
Remarkable proof Of the inudequacy Of Circamastan
tiat evidence.
In the year 1859 there lived in Paris a woman of
fashion, entitled Lady Mazel. Her house was very
spacious and three stories in height. In small