Evening journal., 1896-12-23
form OF supreme Court which Delaware has
STATE PERIOD.

until, by the Revolution, the Delaware
counties ceased to be a colony of Great
Britain and became an independent state
under the constitution of government or
dained by their deputies in convention,
September 20, 1776
This convention marks the most momen
tous epoch in our history-the birth of a
free and sovereign state amid the throes
Of revolution. In response to the recon-
mendation of the Continental Congress.
it assembled in New Castle, August p,
177G, and in twenty-six days completed its
work by dissolving all connection with the
British Grown and adopting an indepen-
dent frame of government Among its
members were the foremost men of their |
day George Read, their president; Nicho-
las VanDyke, Richard Bassett. Or. Charles |
Ridgely, Jacob Moore and Thomas Nc
Kean.
George Read. during his notable career |
was an accomplished lawyer delegate from
Delaware in the Continental Congress.
signer Of the Declaration Of Independence
and of the Federal Constitution, United
States senator. and chief justice Of the Su-
preme Court of Delaware under the Con-
stitution Of 1892.
Nicholas VanDyke was Of Dutch descent,
a resident of New Castle, a lawyer OF emf
nence. member Of the Continental Con-
gress. signer Of the Articles Of Confedera-
ton and president OF the Delaware State
He was the father of Nicholas VanDyke.
Jr., an able and eloquent lawyer, a United
States senator and the maternal grand
father Of the esteemed and lamented Vic
tor DUPONT deceased.
Richard Bassett was a very prominent
! lawyer and citizen of Delaware. member
Of the State Constitutional conventions Of
| l176 and 1892: signer Of the Federal Con-
stituton, United States senator. chief JUS
tice of the Court Of Common Pleas. 1899.
! governor of Delaware and United States
circuit judge. His daughter was the wife
Of James A. Bayard, Sr., grandfather Of
the present ambassador to Great Britain.
Dr. Charles Ridgely was a cultured and
experienced physician in Kent county. son
Of Nicholas Ridgely and Mary Vining.
widow Of Benjamin Vinng Of New Jersey.
and the father of Nicholas Ridgely one Of
! Delawares most distinguished chancellors.
and also of Henry NJ. Ridgely, who repre-
sented the state with distinction as a mem
| Der of Congress and United States senator
Jacob Moore was a resident Of SUSSEX
county and encouragement under the
| proprietary government from 1774 to 1776.
But above all these gifted and patriotic
| trainers Of our first state constitution.
lowered Thomas Mexican as a born leader
Of men and a bold. energetic and unwav-
ering champion Of the cause Of independ-
/ ence. Although not a native OF Delaware.
he. nevertheless, by his intrepid patriot
ism, tireless activity and masterful per-
sonality. not only incitei her sons to he
roic action. but by his own deeds, as hei
/ rpnTC sentative una1.a ufa afrfa
and her fame imperishable. By sending
post-haste to Dover for Rodney when the
Delaware delegates In the Continen.a
Congress were divided on the vote for in
dependence. he bJ;h proved her patriotism
ana made Rodney famous.
He was certainly an uncommon man in
many respects, formed by nature for the
trying times In which he lived. and
commanding character among his compa-
,rlots. He was undoubtedly a learned law
yer, an eminent judge. a practical legisla-
! Tor. a vigorous governor and a man OF de
cison. resolution and a1.ion OF the high
est order IL is surprisn ng 20 contemplate
he amount ana variety OF the public du
ties he Sc efficiently discharged. For Del
aware, he was speaker Of the Assembly,
and as such acting president in 1777, when
President Mckinley was captured by the
British, and also a delegate to the Cont
nen;al Congress and a signer of the Dec
laration Of Independence and of the Ari-
cles Of Confederation. He has the honor
Of being the only continuous member o.
the Continental Congress from the begin
ming to the close Of the revolution. He
was at one and the same time chief jus
tice Of Pennsylvania. delegate TO the Con
| tnental Congress from Delaware and
president Of the Congress.
Thomas McKean's political career. es-
pecially as governor Of Pennsylvania for
three successive gsrms. was at times fierce
and rancorous In politics he was imper
Gus, aggressive and uncompromsing. bui
even his enemies admitted that he was
frank. upright and courageous. no MATTER
how arbitrary and domineerng he might
be. He made a deep impression upon she
men and affairs of his time. and many an
ecdOtes illustrate his salient character
istics Once, whilst holding court ar
outside mob disturbed him. He ordered
/ the sherif to disperse them. 81 can't do
" replied the sheriff ~Then summon
your posse" roarsd Mexican. IL have and
they are useless" Then, sir. summon
me-! Il do summon you" said tho
5inghtened sheriff Instantly the chic
Justice ruehed out in his judicial robes
seized a couple of rioters by The throat
and the rest promptly retired before thi.
lnsxpec.ed addition 10 the shsriHi
oosse I'm appearance. Mexican was tall
erect and dignihed. and his face expires
sive Of ability. courage and forti.ude
which were his characteristics write.
one Of his bographers. lie died in 1917
in his eighty-fourth year. having had tw,
wives and seventeen children.
To both McKean and George Read is al
trlbuted the authorship OF the Constitutes
If 1776. William T. Read. in his .Iif
ind Correspondence OF George Read q"
page 1856. writes: Among Mr. Reads pa
)srs / find a document in his hand-writin
ndorssd Original Draft OF the System
Government Of The Delaware State. will
Amedments.' which mlkss 81 certain tha
be framed this first Constitution of Della
ware" On the other hand, Thomas Nc
Nsan. in Lesser to Caesar A. Rodney
bearing date, Philadelphia, August %
1913 after referring to the time Of tn
] idoDtipn and signing OF the Declaration q