Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-10-09

the day. and when old enough TO act as well
a. think. he took decisive stand on the side
Of the patriots This. together with the dis
tinguished talents which he manifested on his
first appearance at the bar. drew toward him
the attention Of the public mind, when the
Massachusetts Circular aroused the people 10
vigorous action. Although then only twenty
hve years of age. the convention of South Car
olina elected him delegate to the first General
Congress. and he was present at the opening.
on the fifth Of September. 1874. There he was
active and fearless, and receiving the entire
appreciation of his constituents. he was re-
elected IN l775, and 1916: and when. pre-
paratory TO the consideration of the subject Of
absolute independence, Congress. by resolu-
ton. recommended the several colonies to
form permanent governments, Mr.. Rutledge
was associated with Richard Henry Lee and
John Adams. in preparing the predatory pre-
am5le TO the recommendation. He was warm
ly III favor of Independence, and feariessly
voted for the Declaration. Notwithstanding
there was large numbers of the people in his
State opposed to it, some through timidity,
some through selfinterest, and sotae through
decided attachment to the royal cause.
When, during the summer ofl776, Lord
Howe. came commissioned to prosecute the
war Or negotiate for peace. Mr.. Rutledge was
appointed ore Of committee with Dr.. Frank
lin and John Adams. to meet him in conference
upon Staten Island The commissioners
We're instructed not to enter upon negotiations
for peace. except in the capacity o. represen-
tatives offree states, and having Independence
as a basis. As Lord Howe could not thus re-
celve them, or listen TO such proposals, the
conference, as was anticipated, failed TO pro-
3uce any important results.
Parity on account of iii health and partly
because the disturbed condition or his State,
he withdrew from Congress in l771. but was
returned again in 1879. In the interval he
vas actively engaged at home in measures
tor the defence oI the State, and 10 repe IN
vasi0n.
Mr.. Rutledea took M arms and was placed
at the head Of a corps Of artillery. In 1850,
while Charleston was invested oy the enemy,
he was active il affording sgceor TO General
Lincoln. then within the beSeiCed city. In
ore Of thes &c operations. in attempting to throw
troops IN the city. he was taken prisoner. and
was afterwards sent captive to 81. Augustine
in Florida. lie remained prisoner nearly
year, aad was then exchanged and set at lib
erty. Il was gloomiy time for the patriots.
and the stoutest hearts began to quail The
bulk Of The southern army. under Lincoln. had
been made prisoners. Bot still hope did not
quite expire, and the successes of Greene. ard
the victories Of Marion and Sumpter. reani-
mated the fain;ing hearts Of the republicans
After the British evacuated Charleston in
1871. Mr. Ru.ledge retired. and sesumed tie
practice # his profession; and for about sew
cujeen yearS. his time was alternately engag-
ca in the dnties ct his business and service in
the / legislature Of his State. la the latter
capacity he uniformly opposed every PROPOSE
tion for extending the evils Of slavery.
In 1898. Nr. Rutledce was elected 20 the
United States Senate. 70 supply tic vacancy
caused bv the resignation Of Charles Cotes-
worth Pickney; and 1888. he was elected
Governor Of his native State. But did not
live 10 serve out his ofieial term. lie had
suffered much ffom the hereditary gout and
on returning 70 Charleston after the adjourn
ment ~ the Legislature, which sat al Cnlum-
ha. he caught a severe Geld, that brought on
paroxvsm 81. MS disease and Terminated his
life on he tNenty-third day Of January. in
the wear 1900. He was in the sixtieth year
nf IL 10