Putnam patriot., 1909-10-15
lrishmen who Signed the Declaration Of
 Independence.
CHARLES THOMPSON.
Ninth Article. I

Charles Thompson, perpetuai Secte- tary If Congress was born at Maghefa, County Derry, Ireland, in l73o, al the age of eleven was brought to America, along with three other brothers, by his father. The latter died when within sight of the Capes of the Delaware, and the boys were left to their own resoaf- ces. An elder brother, who had arrived some years before. did what he could for them, and through his aid Charles secured admission to the Seminary oi Df. Francis Allison, an eminent Irish Professor, who taught for time al New London, Chester county, fa., ana afterwards at Philadelphia, and ny whom several ot the Revolutionary | leaders were educated.
 At a very early period in the contro- xefsy between Bfitain and the Colo l nies, Thompson became known as an | ardent advocate of the peoples righss, l His opinions, and the arguments with which he supported them, had great 1 MtfAnt, tbE HIS thttk'AtN "'' menl were unprecedented
 l The Delaware Indians adopted him and conferred opon him the ut'e "ihe Man of rru,h, '--a strict regard Tor which he maintained through life, so that. according Ia Rev. pr. Green, Il was popular mode ot Nouchine tor the truth ef any thing to say: "lt Is as If Charles Thompson's name were to | it.
 lie was intensely earnest in his et forts against British despottsm, and on one occasion, tt is said, tainted while hotly engaged tn discussing the proper course la be pursued in order to aid the people of Boston. lt was at a mee'ine of the Coffee House in Philadelphia where Dickinson, Miiiin, Read, and others, also spoke.
 Nor did he eontine his eNerttons te the city. on pretence oi making | summer tour, he and another patriot traveled through the rural districts seeking to stir up the feelings of ths country people and to test their dispo sitlon in the event of a revolution.
 John Adams spoke of him as ths sam Adams oi Philadelphia" Int life of the cause ol Liberty.
 When the first Continental Congress met in September, isTa, he was unani mously chosen Secretary, and retained that position until his resignation ir i7sa. He would accept no pay for hi' first years se fvices, and Congress pre- sented his wife--the aunt of President Harrison-with q silver urn, as mark of lls appreciation of his anseltish pa triolism.
 He made eopious notes of the pro oeedings of Congress and the progress If he Revolution, and after retiring 1 from public lie, prepared history al his own times, but his natural Aind' ness of heart prevented him from pub fishing 1t. \ short lime before his death he destroyed the manuscript, ss, ] signing as a reason that he WAS nnwil- ing to blast the reputation oi families rising into repate, by placing an record lthe want oi reputation oillhelr progen' ifors during the war.
 The Abhe Claude (. Reebin, Chap. lain in the French army, thus descEihes his personal appearance when heeaaae, with other patriots, to greet Count ! Roehanlheaa; .Among others. Charles Thompson. e>erelary of Congress. the 1 soul of that political nody, came 10 re' ceise aud present his compliments, IIts u,eagse hxure the was about siA