Litchfield enquirer., 1851-07-17

he banks OF the connecticut, ne was
eader and father from the beginning.
He was man of great practical wisdom
and personal address /; liberal in his opin-
ions, firm in his piety, man every way
fit to lay republican foundations.
Governor Hopkins, rich Turkey mer-
chant of London, was another of the
man of less gravity though
not inferior in the qualities Of fortune, or
personal excellence, and superior to all
in his great muniicence. By his bequest
the Grammar schools of Hartford and
New Haven, and the Professorship Of
Divinity in Harvard College was found
ed. His talents are sufficiently evinced
by the fact that, returning on visit to
his estate and his friends in England, he
was detained there by an unexpected
promotion from Cromwell to be Cons
missioner of the Navy and Admiralty.
Governor Winthrop, or as he is COM
monty called, the younger Winthrop, was
the most accomplished scholar and gen.
tleman Of New England. Educated to
society, liberalized in his views by foreign
travel, which in that day was more re-
markable distinction than it is at present.
he was qualified by his manners and ad-
dress thus cultivated, to shine as cour-
tier in the highest circles of influence. A
sufficient proof Of bis power in this way
may be found in the fact that, the Con-
necticut charter was obtained by him an
instrument so republican, so singularly
liberal in its terms, that it has greatly
puzzled the historians to guess by what
means any King could have been induced
to give it, and especially to give it to a
Puritan.
John Mason, the soldier, 1 will speak
of in another place, only observing here
that he was trained to arms under Lord
Fairfax, in Holland, and gave so high a
proof of his v4lor and capacity, both there
and here, that he was solicited by Crom-
we'll to return to England, and occupy
the highest post Of Major General in his
army.
Thomas Hooker, another of the found.
ers, and first minister of the Hartford CO.
lony, was distinguished as graduate and
fellow of Cambridge University. and more
as minister and preacher of the esta>
blished church He was called the Luz
Their of New England. for the reason,
suppose, that the sturdy emphasis and
thunder tone of his style resembled him
to the great Reformer. Whenever he
uislted Boston, after his removal to Con-
necticut, crowds rushed to hear him as
the great preacher of the colonies. AS
Il specimen of physical humanity, if we
may trust the descriptions given of his
person, he was one of the most remark
able of men; uniting the greatest beau~
ty Of countenance with a height and
breadth of frame almost gigantic. The
works he has left, more voluminous and
various than those of any other of the
New England founders, are his monu
ment.
John Davenport. of the New Haven
colony. was a different, though by no
means inferior man. He was a son of
the mayor of Coventry, student and
afterwards Bachelor of Divinity at Ok
ford University. Settled as the incum>
bent Of St. Stephens Church, in London,
he exerted great influence and power
among the clergy of the metropolis. His
effect lay more exclusively than Hooker's
in the rigid, argumentative vigor of his
opinions. Probably no other, unless per-
haps we except John Cotton. impressed
himself more deeply on the churches of
New England.
Governor Eaton, of the New Haven
colony, had become rich by his great and
judicious operations, as merchant in the
trade of the Baltic. Attracting in this
way, the attention of the court, he was
honored as the Kings Ambassador at
the court of Denmark; evidence suffi
GENTLY clear of the high estimation in
which he was held, and also of his tall
ents and character--a character not di-
mlnished by the noble virtues and the
high capacities, revealed in his long and
beautifully paternal administration, as
Christian ruler here.
Desborough, the New Haven colony
soldier, afterwards returned to England
and held the Office of Major General of
Cromwell's army, a fact which sufficient
ly exhibits him.
Such were nine of the original found
e.s of Connecticut. What one of them
has left blot on his character, or that
of the State? What one of them ever
failed to I'LL his place And that, if l
am right, is the truest evidence of merit
not the renown which place and circum-
stances may give to far inferior merit,
or which vain ambition. rioting for place,
may be able to achieve. Is it not most
singular felicity. that our little State.
planted in q remote wilderness, should
have had, among its founders, nine mas
ter spirits and leaders, so highly accom-.
plished. 80 worthy to be reverenced for
their talents and their virtues 4?
Tue SEA DIMiSIsHIE0.--Lieut. VIM.
D. Porter, of the navy, has an interest
-. j. .......nioat.aN Il, eka YataII,aan.aa