Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-10-10
JOHN HANCOCK.


The memory of this great patriot, statesman,
ard orator, has been most grossly neglected.
while hundreds, whose services in the cause of In
dependence were not tythe ofhis, have been euo-
gized to the skies, and live canvass and in mar
hle his great patriots name but seldom fnds
place, even when celebrating that freedom he
among the very first, if not the first, to risk his
life in obtaining. have for years noticed this ne
elect with feelings Of unfcigned regret. Never
was n man more beloved by any people than Har-
cock was by the people OF Massachusetts. With
the exception Of single year, when BUwdoin was
put in, lie was for sixteen successive years, elected
their governor, and closed his patriotic and illus
rlous life in that high station. Hundreds of times
have | seen him, when so worn out and crippled BY
sease that he could not stand, taken from his
carriage into the arms of two faithful servants,
(whO regularly attended for the purpose) and ca r
ried up to the council chamber, a distance OF
nearly fifty yards from the street. The last time
he addressed his fellow-citzens was the most i'm
presSive scene | ever witnessed. A. town meeting
was called upon a question of great excitement
Old Faneui Hall couldsnot contain the people, and
an adjournment took place to the Old South Meet
| ing-House Hancock was brought in and carrie
up into the front gallery, where the Hon. Benz amin
Austin supported him the right. and the cele
brated DR.. Charles Jarvis upon the left, while he
addressed the multitude. The Governor com.
menced by stating to his fellow citizens that she
|
that "the seeds Of mortality groUing fast Oithiu
him." The fall of a pin might have been heard,
such death-ike silence pervaded the listening
crowd during the whole of his animated and soul
stirring speech, while tears ran down the cheeks
of thousands. The meeting ended, he con-
veyed to his carriage and taken home, but never
again appeared in public e.; his death followed soon
after. The corpse was emboweIled and kept for
eight days, to give opportunity to the citizens
from the distant parts of the State to render the
last tribute of respect 10 his memory. They came
by thousands and tens of thousands the process sion
was an hour and half in passing. The post of
honor among the military was given to the Con.
cord Light Infantry, under Captain Davis, the same
who commanded them on the ever-memOrabe
nineteenth Of April rs. 1t was the most solemn
and interesting, and ncomparably the longest fu-
neral procession ever saw. Samuel Adams, who
was ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, became governor eXofiicu
by the death of Hancock, and followed the bier
(there were no heorses with nOddng plumes in
those days,) chief mourncr, bat the venerable
patriot could not endure the fatigue, and was CON-
Delled to retire from the procession.
Hancock before the Revolution, was a man Of
vast fortune, and though he permitted it 20 flow in
the cause of lis country, like water, he had still
enough left to support splendid establishment
and lived and entertained like prince. His gen.
crosby was unbounded | well remember that one
evening in each week during summer full bant
/
his venerable stone mansion, TO entertain the Cit
zens who were promenading on the mall. He sell
dom left Boston to visit at any distance bat whcr
he did he was escorted by volunteer troop Of
cavalry, who held themselves in readiness for tina
purpose. He very fond Of joke and repar'ee
SO much so that worthy citizen Of Boston, Ma.
thaniel Balch, Esq, halter, who never failed tC
appear among the invited guests at his hOsptablt
board, obtained the unenved appellation of 9TH
GoyernorS Jesicr," The celebrated Brissot, in hi
travels to the United States, speaks of his meeting
this gentleman at HancOck's table; and such wa
the mutual attachment between the Governor and
Mr. Rach, that if the former was called away, no
naller what distance, Squire Bllch attended hin
like his shadow, which the following circumstance
most happily illustrates Governor Hancock wa
called visit to the then province Of Maine, OF
which occasion he travelled in state, and was at
tended by the Hon. Col. Orne, one Of the Eyecu
tive Council, and Nathaniel Balch Esq. Thei
} arrival at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was thu
humOrously announced "On Thursday last, ar
rived in this town, Nathaniel Balch, ESD accom-
panied by His E&cellency john Hancock, and tn
Hon. A2or Orne, Esq.
The events Of by-gone days have been brougl
to my recollection by the following short para
graph from the n Y, Evening Star.
Valuable relic--We have had left for US at GU
Office, for inspection, the original commission a p.
pointing John Hancock first Major 3ncral Of rio
t Massachusetts, Colony. 1t is dated May 80 l77G