Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-07-06
SKETCH OF JOHN HANCOCK.


less tan million of dollars. Il. NJ. Is.
SKETCH OF JOHN HANCOCK.
f. S Thomas Esq Formerly editor of the
Charleston City Gazette, aud late OF the Clncin.
natl Daily Evening Post,) proposes 10 publish by
subscription, "reminiscences of SIXiy-FNe Years,
commencing with The Battle or Lexington, Mr..
Thomas is etninenly qualified TO write AID speak
of the Distinguished persons he will give history
oi, viz. Washington, Hancock, Samuel Adams,
Burke Fox, and host of others, with whom he
was personally acquainted. This book will he II
valuable treasure, and should be in every GENTLE
h9aIs ihrary. The following is sketch of John
The memory OF this great patrior, statesman
and orator, has been most grossly neglected while
hundreds Whose services III the cause OF indelen-
dence Were not tythe OF his, have been euloglsed
to the skies, and live on canvass and IN marble,
this great patriots name but seldom finds place,
even when celeb ang That freedom lie was among
the very first it not the first, To risk his lie in Oh
taiuiug. lave for years noticed this neglect with
feelings of unfti gned regret Never was man
more beloved 10y any people, Than Hancock was
by the people of Massachusetts. With the ex
ceplion OF singh year, when Bowdoln was put
in, he was for sixteen successive years, elected
their governor, and closed his patriotic and illus
trious life in that high station
Hundreds of times have seen him. when
not stand taken from his carriage into the arms
Of two faithful Servants, (who regularly attended
! for the purpuse,) and carried up TO the council
! chatnber,a distance OF nearly fifty yards from the
street. The last time he addressed his fellow cit
liens was the most impressive scene ever wit.
messed. town meeting was called upon ques-
ton Of great excitement. Old Fanueil Hall could
no, contain the people, and an adjournment took
place 10 The old South Getting house; Hancock
was brought IN aud carried up into the front gale-
ry where the Hon. Benz. Austin supported him
on the right, and the celebrated DIR. Charles Jar"
Wis upon the left, while he addressed the multitude.
| The governor commenced 10y stating 10 his fellow
citizens, that she fer it was the last Time ho
should ever address them,--ihat "he seeds Of
mortality zoe g, otoing fast Within him. The fail
of min might have been heard, such death like
silence peryaded the listening crowd during the
whole Of his animated aud soul stirring speech,
while tears ran down the cheeks Of thousands.
The meeting ended, he was conveyed 10 his
carriage and taken home, 5ut never again appear
ed in public his death followed soon after. The
corpse was dsenhOwellcd and kept for elgl, days
to eve an opportunity 10 the citizens from the
most distant parts OF the State TO render Tie Inst
tribute of respect 10 his memory. They came 10y
thousands aud tens OF thousands the procession
was an hour and II halt in passing. The post ot
honor among the military was gwen to The Con-
/ cord LghI Infantry under Capt. Davis, the same
. wllo' commanded them on lie ever memorable
nireieenM + .jpril rs. 1t was the most solemn
e and Interesting, and ncompamhly the longest fl
SIit7Gf PROCESSION ever saw. Samuel Adams was
5 licutqunl governor, became governor eX ofiiclo
h lay the death of Hancock, aud followed the bier
(there we're no hcarses with nodtling plumes IN
b those days. as chief mOurner, but the venerable
# pario could not endure The fatigue, and was CON-
h PEELED TO retire from the procession
y Hancock, before the Revolution, was ninn OF
I. vast fortune and although he permitted ii flow
If in the cause of his country, like water, he had
II still enough elt to support splendid establish
= q epb aud lived aud entertained Ike pnhce.-
y His generosity was unbounded. well ren'en'
her thar one evening in each week during sum
I. mer, full baud Of music, al hs own expense al
ID tended I'm front OF his venerable stone mansion
h al The head of the common, 10 entertain the en-
10 zens who were promennding on The mall lie
H. seldom left Boston 10 visit az any distance, ou'
Of when lie did he was escorted by volunteer troop
of cavalry, who held themselves IN readiness Tor
r. that purpose He was very fond OF joke ana rep
arIee, so much so, that werllly cllizen OF DOS
of Ton, Nathaniel Balch, Esq. huer, who never
n tailed To appear among the invited guests nj his
h hospitae board Obtained The uncnvied arpelallo
l. of "Me Gopra0rS Jeste
The celebrated Brssot, in his travels 10 the I'M
IL ted States spraks Of his meeting This gentleman
lis At Hancock's liable: and such was the mutual AT
A. iachment between the governor aud Mr.. bach
o that If tho former was called away, no nla'ie
d what distance, Squire Bach attended him like hi
We shadow, which Tie following circumstance mos
IN happily illustrates Gov. Hancock was called OF
n to visit the then Province OF Maine, on which oc
he cason he travelled in stne, and was attended b.
Ter The Hon. Col OrnP, one of the executive cOunci
of and Nathaniel Balch Esq. Their arrival at Ports
W. mouth, New Hampshire, was thus humorousl
use announced, 4" On Thursday last, arrived in hi
co, town, Nathaniel Balcll, Esq, accompanied by h