The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-04-22

A CAROLINA CREMAr1oN1sr.-Inc citing
examples Of cremation in modern times,
one of the most noteworthy has been
overlooked. It is. important not only
from the high character Of the person,
but from reasons which bear directly
upon the subject as discussed by the
world. It is that Of Henry Laurens,
which took place on his plantation, De-
cember IL, 1892. The connection of
Henry Laurens 80 prominently and cre-
ditably with our early national life, rem.
ders the carrying out oi his last wish the
more interesting. A citizen Of Charles
ton, lie became most successful mer-
chant, amassiDg large fortune, during
q business career in which he was dis
tinguished for his accuracy, integrity
and the punctua!ity with which ho met
all business engagements. Having gone
to Europe for the education OF his son,
ho was one of the thirty-nine who pcti-
toned Parliament against the Boston
port bill. Having done all i'll his power
to prevent war, against all persuasion to
remain in England. he came home aud
identified himself with the revolutionary
struggle. He succeeded John HaucUck
as President Of Congress, un Office he
resigned the second term. when he WAS
made Minister 10 Holland. On his way
to his mission, the vessel was captured
by the British, and he was carried to the
Tower, on the suspicion Of treason.
Here he was placed in close con6ne-
ment, guarded by two wardcns. who
never left him out Of siGhts With no
pen 10 write with, with no one to speak
to, he remained fourteen months, suffer
ing from insufficient food, not being per-
mitted to use his own money for that
purpose, broken down in health aud
suffering acntely from gout. His suffer
ings became known; Burke WAS inte
rested in his release; various schemes
were proposed for his release. Quo OF
these was to be through the concessions
Of his son, John. then ia Paris as rep.
resentative of Congress-; but Lanrens
replied, "Hc loves me dearly, and would
10y down his life to snye mine, but am
sure lie would not sacrifice his honor to
save mine; and I applaud him." When,
finally, he WAS released, he was appoint.
ed one Of the ministers OF Congress for
negotiating peace. He met Jay, Frank
lin and Adams at Paris, where the preli.
minaries OF the treaty were signed. On
returning to America, he WAS received us
q national benefuctor, but he declined
all public offices and devoted himself to
agriculture aud the mending of his
broken fortunes. He died December S.
1892. The following clause in his will
relates to the disposition of his body:
IL solemnly enioin it on my son as
an indispe ensable duty. that as soon as he
conveniently can, after my decense, to
cause my body to be wrapped in twelve
yards of tow cloth and burned until il
be entirely consumed, aud then collect.
ing my bones, deposit them wherever
he may think proper"
His biographer. Ramsey, who was his
son-in-law, relates this much, and adds
that it was done as desired, but makes
no mention of the causes of the request
or the details of the burning. SO un-
usual proceeding doubtless must have
created considerable interest, and the
New York Journal and Patriotic Reyisfer.
Saturday, January 26. 1898. on tile at
the Historical Society Library, contains
this allusion:
"The following extract of a letter,
dated Charleston, s. c., December q,
is copied from the Norwich Weekly Re-
yisfer. OF January IL:
A few days since, departed this life,
Henry Laurens, Esq, about seventy
years OF age, aud his corpse was burnt
the Thursday after his decease. This
was done by his son, Mt the request OF
his father. who made this reverse in his
will, that unless his sou complied with
this, he should be cut short in any of
his estate, which was worth ego, 900.
The ashes remaining from the body
were taken up and put into silver urn
for that purpose. The reason that Mr..
Lsurens gave for this singular desire was
that his body was too good to be eaten
by worms"
A foot-note, however, in Chadwick's
Report on Intramurnl Interment,
states that Henry Laurens, having an
infant child die of smallpox, when tho
body was laid out. caused the window
to be opened to admit fresh current of
air. The air blowing over tho body, re-
stored the child to life, AID in this nun.
ner it barely escaped being buried alive.
SO horror-stricken was Mr.. Laurens at
this event, that he left orders in his will
for his body to be burned, and the inhe.
ritance OF his estate by his SOD was
made conditional Oh his carrying out
the request. 1t is impossible to find the
details Of the burning so far, but gen
tleman remembers to- have raad them