The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-04-18

From the Historical Sketches of statesmen who
1ourlshcd in the time OF George III
We do thing Of very pernicious ten
dency, if we con6ne the records of history
10 the most eminent persons who bear
part in the events which ii commentaries.
There are often others whose sacrifices
are much grealer-whose peris are more
extrcme--and whose services are nearly
as valuable as those Of the more proml-
nent actors; and who yet have, from
chance. or by the modes,y Of retiring
and unprelending nature, never stood for
ward to fill the foremost places, or occupy
the largest spaces in the eye of the world.
TO forget such men is as inexpedient for
the public service, as it is unjust towards
the individuals. But the orror is far grea-
ter Of those who, in recording the annals
of the revolution, contine their ideas of
public merit to the lcais of leaders against
established tyranny, or the trumphs Of
orators in behalf Of freedom. Many man
in the ranks his done more by his zeal
and el(-devo.ion, than any chief, to break
the chains of nation; and among such
men, Charles Carroll, the last survivor of
the pa.rarchs of The American revolution,
is entitled to the first place.
His family was settled in Maryland
ever since the reign of James H.; and
had, during that period been possessed of
the same ample properly-the largest Of
the Union. 1t stood, therefore, at the
head of the aristocracy of the country
was naturally in alliance with the govern
ment could gain nothing, while it risk
ed every thing, by change Of dynasty /;
and therefore, according 10 all the rules
and the prejudices, and the frailties,
which are commonly found guiding the
conduct of men, in crisis of affairs.
Charles Carroll might have been expect
ed to take par. against the revolt, certain
ly not TO join in promoting it. Such. how
ever, was not this patriotic person. He
was among the foremost to sign the cele-
brated declaration Of independence. All
who did SO, were believed to have devot-
ed themselves and their families TO the fu-
ries. As he set his hand to the instru-
ment, the whisper ran round the hall of
congress, 'Thete goes some millions of
property And, there being many OF
the same name, when he heard it said,
Nobody will know what Carroll i, is,
as no one signed more than his name ;
and one at his elbow, addressing him, re-
marked, You'll get clcar-there are scve-
raj of the name,-they will not know
which TO take. Not so,' he replied, and
instantly added the name of his residence,
of Carrolton.'
He was not only man of firm mind,
and steadily fixed principles he was also
person Of great accomplishments and ex-
cellent abilities. Educated in the study
Of the civil law, al one of The French col
leges, he had resided long enough in Eu-
rope to perfect his learning in all the ordi-
nary branches Of knowledge. On his re-
turn 10 America, he sided with the people
agains, the mother coun,ry and was soon
known and esteemed as among the ablesl
writers Of the independent party. The
confidence reposed in him, soon after.
wards, was so great, that he was joined
with Franklin, in the commission OF
three, sent TO obtain the concurrence oil
the Canadians in the revolt. He was a
member of congress the first two trying
years. when that body was only fourteen
in number, and nigh, rather be deemed a
cabinet council for action, than any thing
like deliberate senate. lie then belong