The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-07-08
Volume Il
IgIOGRAIPAlYo
pI0GRAPHY OF JomN nANCOCK.

Biography is subject of such thrilling
interest, that the memory of most men, In
every age and nation, who have rendered
themselves eminent, either in the cause of
virtue or vice, glory or infamy, has been
handed down on the pages of history. A.
mong the unlettered nations of the earth,
we find the exploits of their heroes and sa-
ges recorded in hieroglyphics, in wild and
romantic tables of mysterious tradition.
When graced with truth and impariiality,
the subject is not only interesting, but cal
culated to improve our minds, by producing
desire 70 emulate the examples of the
great and good, and by pointing out to us
the paths of error that lead us to disgrace
and ruin. The interest felt in the history
Of an individual, depends much upon the
Hammer the biographer performs his i'm
Portant and reasonable duty, but more,
upon the sphere of action, and the magni-
tude of the cause in which the individual
has been engaged. The cause in which
John Hancock, the subject of this brief
5 sketch, was engaged, is one ever interest
ing to every philanthropist, and more es-
pecially to every American bosom. 1t was
the cause ofhumanity and equal rights, op-
posed to cruelty and oppression; the cause
of American independence, opposed to Bri-
tish tyranny. The part he acted, was a
L. I, L.. 1.
fame is enrolled on the bright list of the il
lustrious patriots of The revolution.
He was native of Massachusetts,, born
near Quincy, in 1887. His father, of the
same name was clergyman, eminent for
his piety, and highly esteemed by the par
ishioners under his charge. He died during
the infancy of his son, and left him under
the guardianship of his paternal uncle, who
treated him with all the tenderness of
father, and continued him at school until he
graduated at Howard College in 1854.
His uncle was a merchant of immense
wealth, and on the completion of his studies,
placed him in his counting house, that he
might add to his science knowledge of
business, of man, and of things. In 1860,
he visited England, saw the mortal remains
of George IL. laid in the silent tomb, and
the head of his successor. He continued
In the business of his uncle until the age of
twenty-seven, when his patron and bene-
factor died, leaving him his vast estate,
supposed to be the largest of any in the
Province.
lie was, for many years, one of the Sc
lect men of Boston; and, in 1865, was elect
ed member of the General Assembly of
Massachusetts. He here exhibited talents
OF superior order, which attracted the at
tention, excited the admiration, and gained
the esteem of his colleagues. 1t also excited
the jealousy and irony of his enemies, who
soon put him in the crucble of slander and
persecution; but after long trial, he came
out like gold seven tried;-he was weighed
in the scales of Justice, and not found want
ing.
AS proof of the high estimation in which
he was held when in the assembly, he was
placed on the most important committee of
that body, and was uniformly chairman.
He was also elected speaker, but the COVER
nor, who was Jealous of his liberal princi-
pies, put his veto upon his election.
His intelligence had led him to invesil-
gate the laws of nature, of God, and man;
ne arrived at the conclusion, that men are
/ endowed by their Creator, with certain in
herent privileges, that they are born equal,
and they of right are and should be free.
He drank deep from the fountain of liberal
principles, and was among the first to repel
The blind and cruel policy of the mother
country, and rouse his fellow men to a
scene OF impending danger.
Although deeply interested in CONNER
elal business, and more exposed to the
wrath ofkingly power than any individual
In the province, he bodily placed himself
Al the head of associations for prohibiting