Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1840-05-09

of all circumstances, shall be Judged necessary
for promoting the liberty, safety and interests
of America. These views of the assembly
were in perfect accordance with the wishes
of the people, but owing TO the strong reluc-
tance which existed among many the mem
bers OF thus producing an lrreparable breach,
they were warmly opposed
This difference of opinion resulted in the
dissolution of the Colonial Legislature which
was succeeded by a temporary body called
a provincial conference, consisting ola COM
mittee chosen ~ each county. 1t met at Phi
ladelphia, assumed gradually large portion
of the Legislative powers. They on the oath
June passed resolution unanimously, express
sing willingness that the United Colonies
should be declared free and independent states
Congress proceeded zealousiy towards the
great end, and after protracted debates eev-
en- colonies voted for Independence, PennsyI
vania in the negative, majority of her dele
gates had not changed their sentiments with their
coestitpents, until two absentug themselves
the remainder united G. to - with their asso-
ciated fellow members from other colonies
This was on the eventful 4th July, l776, dav
never TO be forgotten under these circumstances
ii became necessary te elect new re presenta.ives
dence, ,&the gentleman above named were chosen
They took their seats on the 20th July and
though they had not the privilege of voting
on the question they were by resolution, allow
ed to record their names on that glorious char
ter of our hbertiy-when we menuop the nane
of that great and good man John Dickenson
we give sufficient proof that unmaaIy fear
was mot the cause OF the opposition OF the ratr-
ed members TO independence, 1t was reluc-
tance to jeopardize the prosperity Of The country
by involving !: in a war with powerful natIJn
Ii was "they asserted" ch4nging Tie whole
system of resistance TO arbitrary acts, lao tue
pursuit OF ends that the Happiness Of tue peo-
pie did not require, ard If unattended by sue
cess would fix q severe despotisn on the ruins
of liberty. that had been rashiy hazar3ed
1t is rather singular that but ihIee OF the
signers were a2-ives 0f Peaasyiya-ia-tx9 i.e-
ing from Ireland, ore from England, one from
Scotland, and one each from Delaware and
Massachusetts.
4th, Join Morton, was born in the County OF
Chester (now Delaware in ihe year 1924 and
descended from Swedish aLcastors-hls fa.ha-
died previous 10 his birth and his widow was
again married TO an EHgiishman named John
Sketchley who regarded his stepson with truly
maternal care. Being a ski;llul surveyor, he
instructed him in tha, and other branches OF
the mathematics and carefully aireciej his
educati0h-until he was 40 wears OF aga. Iohn
Morton was employed in surveying and farm
ing. In 1864 he received the commission Of
q justice of the Peace, and was soon after e.
lected a member Of lie House Of assemble. Cf
which he continued for many years an active
and influential member and ior Z long lime
/ Speaker. In l1U5 nc was appointed a melR-
Der of The celebrated stamp a.. Congress which
met at New York. In 1867 he uas elected
Sheriff of the county Of Chester Alter the
battle of Lexington, q battalion Of volunteers
formed in his neighborhood chose him Cor their
/ Colonel. About this period he was appointed
one of the Judges Of the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania. In l774 he was elected to the
lst Congress; he was reelected to the 2nd
Congress and took his seat in that body On the
10Th of May following On the 20sh of July.
! l776, he was elected FOR the last time. a mem
Der of the great National Council. On the
! question OF de- Claring independence the deIeoa-
ten from Pennsylvania being divided, Mr.
Morton gave his casting vote III the affirmative.
was an act of signal intrepidity, under all the
circumstances Of the case, and the mental anx-
lety which he experienced in 50 move. and sol
emn situation preyed upon his peace and i.
confidently said to have fastened his death. In
April, l777, violent infamatory fever reno
we'd him from this mortal scene in the 54tb
year OF his age, He was buried in the ceme-
try OF ST. James Church in Chester, of which
ne was member, His character was truly
estlmabie in private as well as in public life.
5h. Robert Morris. The chief iinaneier of the
Revolution was born in Lancd SHIRE, England.
January, l774, Of respectable parentage. His
father embarked for America and caused him
to follow, at the age of 49, lie received only
an English education, snd before he reached
his 9TH year, was placed in the coun:ing-house
OF Mir. Charles Willing at that time, one Of the
first merchants of Philadelpha Fidelity, d.
lgence, and capacity gained him tie ful conf
dence OF Mr.. Wiling, after whose death he
was taken into partnership; by has son, : hos.
Wiling, subsequently President of the u. S.
Bank. This partnership lasted from the year
1854 until 1893, the long per;o3 or "a ,,e.rs