The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-02-20
WORCEsTER:
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 90, 1928.
GOVERNOR CLINTON

However different may have been the opin-
ions formed ofthe political course of Gov. Cn
ton, all will agree that he was. man of the
first rank IN our republic for talents, inteli-
gence, and ability. His life has been an active
one, and if the public benefits only, which may
be traced to his agency, are remembered, his
name will be held in universal honor In MS
native State, he has experienced the most sim
gular vicissitudes of popularity yet at all
times his greatness has been acknowledged
For the opinions recently ascribed to him on
the subject of the Presidency, much regret has
been felt by many who have looked up to him
with respect and confidence but death, which
has removed him from the scene of human ac-
ton, has removed also the inducement to a rig
orous scrutiny of the motives which governed
him, and placed him beyond the reach of
that praise or censure which proceeds from the
feeble breath of his fellow men, His virtues
will find an eulogist, and his public life histo-
rian: We shall not attempt sketch of either
but have condensed from late biographical
work the following particulars of his family.
WiLttam Clinton, the earliest of his ancestors
of whom mention is made, was loyalist and
an officer in the army of Charles 1st For
some time after the death of that monarch, he
was in exile on the continent but returning
secretly, he married in Scotland, and passed on
TO Ireland for greater security. where he died,
leaving an only son, James, aged years.
James Clinton, the son of William, on arriv-
ing to manhood, made an unsuccessful attempt
to recover his patrimony in England, but mar
ried the daughter of Captain in the army of
Cromwell, by which he was enabled to main
tain respectable standing in the country
where he resided
Charles Clinton, the son of James, was born
in the county of Langford, in Ireland. in 1890.
He emigrated to America in 1929 They left
Ireland on the Goth May. On their passage.
Mr. Clinton and his associates were exposed to
great perils from the base and brutal conduct
of the Captain, and were finally compelled to
commute with him for their lives by the paw
ment of large sum of money. cater being
at sea for some time, it was discovered that he
had formed design of starving his passengers
to death, either with a view to obtain their
property, or to deter emigration. Several of
the passengers actually died, among whom
were son and daughter of Mr.. Clinton. In
this awful situation, it was proposed by the pas
sengers to seize the Captain and commit the
navigation of the vessel to Mr.. Clinton, who
was an excellent Mathematician but the off.
GERS of the ship, refusing to cooperate with
them, they were deferred from this proceeding.
from the apprehension of mourning the charge
OF piracy" He finally landed them at Cape
Cod on the 4th October, more than four months
from the time of their departure from Ireland
MIR. Clinton and his friends continued in that
part of the country until 1871, when he remov-
ed to Ulster county, New York. where he set.
tied and devoted himself to agriculture He
was successfully appointed Justice of the
Peace, Judge of the County, and Lieutenant
Colonel. In the latter capacity he served at
the capture of Fort Frontinac. When his kins-
man, George Clinton, was appointed Governor
OF the colony, he was offered lucrative and
distinguished Office, which he declined, prefer
ring the charms of retirement and literature IN
the cares of public life. He died in 1873, AGED
49,
General James Clinton, the son of Colonel
Charles Clinton, and the father of the late Gov.
Clinton, was born in 1886, and early discovered
a prediction for military life He was Can
tain IN the French war in 1756; was appointed
commander of force raised for the defence of
the western frontier of New York in 1868, and,
in IVA, Lieutenant Colonel of the militia of
Ulster county. From the commencement of
the revolutionary war; until its termination, he
was actively engaged in the cause of his coun-
try, and enjoyed, in high degree, the esteem
and confidence Of his fellow citizens during the
subsequent period until his death in 1870. He
married, in early life, Mary De Witt, of a
Dutch family, from which the late Governor
derived his name.
The late Vice President Clinton was broth
er of the General, and died in the same year.
BREACH OF TRUST. On the 18th inst Sam
uel Furnell, driver of the Accommodation Stare
from this town to Boston, was entrusted with
|$l97S, from the Worcester Bank, TO be deliver
cd to William billiard, Esq. of Boston, 70 whom
1t belonged On his arrival in Boston, instead
OF delivering the money, he Immediately de-
camped with it. The facts were not ascertain.
cd tall Wednesday,, when pursuit was made.
and, we understand, he was arrested al Hen.
mixer in New Hampshire, on Friday last, and
all the money recovered but about five dollars.