Life and correspondence of George Read, a signer of the Declaration of Independence; with notices of some of his contemporaries

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Preface

In the year 1821 the author of the "Life of George Read," at the request of the heads of his family, wrote a " Sketch" of his life for the "Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence," then being published, which, being approved by them, was printed in the third volume of that work. Upon the decease of the father of the author, in 1836, the papers of George Read came into his possession. A careful examination of these papers showed that the sketch of Mr. Read's life was an imperfect and inadequate record of his services and character. The author felt it to be his duty to attempt a fuller one^ but shrunk from the task, diffident of his ability to execute it as he wished it to be executed, and was diverted from it by duties and avocations which could not be put aside, until a recent period, when, warned by his near approach to the ordinary term of human life, he felt that this attempt, if to be made by him, could no longer be deferred. Besides the papers of Mr. Read, above mentioned, letters — valuable materials of this work — have been obtained and incorporated in it. Mr. Read's correspondence comprises letters of the most eminent of his contemporaries, now first published, except eight printed in the "Sketch" of his life, in the "Biography of the Signers." The author considered it impracticable to write the life of Mr. Read as he thought it ought to be attempted, without writing at the same time, to some extent at least, the history of the deeply-interesting period with which, as a public man, Mr. Read was closely connected ; but, as well he might, recoiled from repeating the narrative of events familiar to all, and which he could not even hope to invest with interest.

The letters of Mr. Read's eminent contemporaries seemed to require, while they gave opportunity for, the brief notices of their writers in these pages, and it appeared to be a duty to preserve facts which

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might be valuable for the history of Delaware yet to be Avritten. Opinions of men, of measures, of events, and on questions v^rhich claimed consideration, have been expressed in this book, the author will not dare to assert without error, but, where he has erred, without intentional injustice. The meagre sketch in the "Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence" has been expanded to this volume, which, with this necessary preface, is submitted to the public.

New Castle, Delaware,

November 15th, 1870.

GEORGE READ.

Chapter I

Mr. Read's birth — Account of his parents — Their removal from Maryland to Delaware — His education — His school-fellows — Dr. Allison — He commences the study of the law — Mr. Molsmd — His confidence in Mr. licad — Mr Read's admission to the bar — His letter to his parents as to his settlement — Relinquishes his rig-ht to a double portion of his father's estate — The law as to dcaible portion — Settles in jS'ew Castle, and practises in the three lower counties * n Delawa^-e, and one or more in Pennsylvania — His competitors— Succeeds -lohn Ross as Attorney-General— Resigns attorney-generalship in 1774 — Eminem as a special pleader — His influence great — His almanacs and bets — Letter from .! ohn Dickinson to Mr. Read — Notice of John Dickinson's first speech, and oT Gallowaj'^'s reply thereto, and of the prefaces to these speeches — Mr. Read's marriage, and notice of Mrs. Read — Mr. Dickinson's congratulatory letter to him on his marriage — Mr. Read elected to the General Assembly of Delaware — Applies for the office of collector of New Qastle, and fails to receive it — His letters and those of Franklin — Letters of Mr. Neave on the troubles of the mother-coimtry and her colonies, and part of rough draft of a letter of Mr. Read in reply — Letter of Mr. Wharton — Mr. Read's farm— Colonel Bedford — His marriage with Mr. Read's sister — Colonel Read — Mr. Read advocates the observance of the Sabbath — His rules to preserve health — Result of election in 1769 — Colonial lotteries, and remarks on the subject of lotteries— Correspondence of Mr. Read with his brothers — Notice of Captain Thomas Read — Frigate Alliance — Appendix A, notice of John Ross — Appendix B, roll of militia company, 1757 — Appendix C, notice of Rev George Ross — Appendix D, notice of John Dickinson — -Appendix E, Thomas Read.

George Read was born in Cecil County, in the Province of Maryland, September 18th, in the year 1733, and was the eldest of six brothers. His father, John Read, was the son of a wealthy citizen of Dublin, and having emigrated to America, settled in Cecil County, where he became a respectable planter. Soon after the birth of his eldest son he removed to New Castle County, in the Province of Delaware, and established himself on the head-waters of the Christiana River.

The parents of Mr. Read determined, at an early period, to confer such an education on their son as would enable

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liim to pursue one of the learned professions. The small number of schools was at that period a serious obstacle to the dissemination of knowledge. The nearest reputable seminary to the residence of Mr. Read's parents was at Chester, in the Province of Pennsylvania, where he was taught the rudiments of the learned languages. From this school he was removed to New London, in the same Province, and placed under the care of the Rev. Dr. Allison, a man eminently qualified for the arduous task of imparting instruction to youth. Deeply versed in the dead languages, his mind was free from the alloy too often mingled with the pure gold of classic lore ; he explored the mazes of science, in solitary study, without being ignorant of the world, without despising the beauties of elegant literature, and without neglecting the decencies of society. His knowledge of human nature enabled him quickly to discern the bent of a pupil's genius, his master vice, and dominant foible.*

Among the fellow-pupils of Mr. Read were Charles Thomson, Secretary of Congress, Hugh Williamson,f a member of that body from North Carolina, and Dr. Ewing, Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, eminent ns a mathematician and astronomer. Jhe meeting, in after-life, of the first three of these distinguished men must, under any circumstances, have been pleasing, but to meet, as it occurred in the present instance, in the American Congress of 1774, a body endued with Roman spirit and Roman virtue, and political knowledge such as no Roman ever attained, — to meet in that illustrious assembly the guardian of the rights of three millions of their fellow-men, must have been to them a source of deep-felt gratification.

Mr. Read diligentlyj pursued his studies, under the care

* " Dr. Francis Allison was afierwards Vice-Provost and Professor of INIoral Philosophy in the University of Pennsylvania, and justly entitled, from his talents, learning, and discipline, the Rushy of the Western Hemisphere." — Jlosack^s JSiof/rap/iical Memoir of Hugh Williamson, in the Collections of the New York Historical Society, p. 131, vol. iii.

f Volume iii. Collections of New. York Historical Society, p. 132.

i So diligently, or rather ardently, that, as his sister, Mrs. Bedford, related, when his candle was taken from liim at bedtime, he studied his grammar-lesson by iirc-light.

OF GEOBGE READ. H

of Dr. Allison, until his fifteenth year, at which early age he was removed from school, and, on the 28tli day of September, 1749, commenced the study of the law with .lohn Moland, Esquire, an eminent lawyer of the city of Phihidelphia. An education terminated at so early a period of life, must, necessarily, have been incomplete; but the disadvantage of being forced into the world with a scanty stock of knowledge was commcm to his contemporaries, who, having their bread to earn, because their parents had large families and moderate estates, entered on the study and practice of professions at ages which must have appeared to Europeans immature indeed. Mr. Read actively applied himself to the study of his profession. It required more intense application at that period than it does at present to qualify a young man for admission to the bar. The student was not then assisted by digests, abridgments, and excellent elementary treatises on every ramification of the law. The great toil which at that day was requisite to the attainment of legal knowledge was best calculated to form habits on which were founded the most certain presages of eminence at the bar and erudition on the bench. Hence Mr. Read was conspicuous in after-life for research and accuracy, and the margins of almost every book in the extensive lawlibrary he possessed are covered with his notes, so true it is that tlie foundation of industrious habits is always laid in early life. The confidence reposed by Mr. Moland in the abilities, integrity, and steadiness of his young student was so great that long before iiis apprenticeship expii^'ed he intrusted him with his docket, and confided to him all his attorney's business. Indeed, the talents, industry, zeal, and uprightness of Mr. Read, while in the office of Mr. Moland, generated an attachment towards his pupil stronger and more permanent .than the relation of lawyer and student usually produces. Mr. Moland in his will enjoined his family to consult Mr. Read on all occasions of difficulty, and to repose implicit confidence in his advice.'-' John

* It may be inferred from the following letter that this injunction was obeyed :

" Sir, — I assm'e you, I seldom take a pen in my hand but it is to give some of my friends trouble. 1 have teased good Mr. Dickinson till lie is weary of me; and now, to make a l)eginning with you, 1 send, inclosed, a parcel of notes of hand, to see if you can get the money [due

Dickinson was one of his fellow students, and the friendship contracted between the young men, nurtured by the reciprocation of good offices and growing conviction of each other's worth, was onl}^ interrupted by the death of Mr. Read, a few years anterior to the decease of the distinguished author of the "Farmers' Letters." In a letter to Messrs. Read and Wharton, without date, but written by Mr. Dickinson just before he embarked for England, whither he went to complete (in the "Temple") the study of the law% and while Mr. Read was yet in Mr. Moland's office, and therefore before or early in 1753, Mr. Dickinson takes a most affectionate leave of his late associates. He is evidently much excited and elated by the prospect of his voyage, and if passages of the letter be written with undue levity, his youth and, circumstanced as he was, almost unavoidable exhilaration may excuse it, and a warm and kindly feeling for Mr. Read and other friends pervades it, which exhibits him very advantageousl3^ He begs to be remembered to Groves, Oldman, and other friends who may inquire for him, and especially to Mr. Moland and family; and in the postscript asks his friend to order the printer s boy to leave his paper with the "sheriff." 1 may be pardoned for a brief notice of this letter, as it is the first of the letters of this eminent man to Mr. Read found among his papers, and covering a period of more than forty years.

It appears from the following letter wa-itten by Mr. Read, at Philadelphia, to his parents, June 27th, 1753, that he had tlien been admitted to the bar :

" Honored Parents, — In- discoursing with Mr. Moland lately, 1 told him my intention [of] settling at New Castle, but he seemed to think it would be better staying here, and

upon them]. If my papa has received any money upon the.?e notes, there will certainly he receipts to show such payments.

"I dare say, as Mr. Read has always professed a friendship for our family, he will be pleased to hear how we go on in this troublesome world, l)Ut I will leave that to Mr. Dickinson, and have no doubt but he will tell you. And now give me leave to join with mamma in wishing you many very happy 3'ears.

" E. Moland.

"George Read, Esquire, January 29th, 1T62 "

On the Ijack of this letter is written, "Miss Betsy Moland's letter, now Ladv St. Clair."

attending as many of the courts in this Province, together with New Castle, as I might think convenient, and that he would assist me all that lay in his power, — he intending to decline Lancaster and New Castle. His Lancaster business he has resigned to me already, which will be of great service in introducing me to his clients and the people in general, and I suppose I shall attend the August court at Lancaster, and also at New Castle. His reasons for my not settling at New Castle were that the county was poor, and not able to support more of the fraternity than were in it already, and not fit for any person [to] live in, but I might by attending there make near as much as if settled ; and, by my going fromhence I should lose the acquaintance I had acquired, and get quite out of knowledge. That while I thought proper to stay in Philadelphia, I should be welcome to his table and my lodgings, as at present, but at the same time would not advise or persuade me to go or stay, but would leave me entirely at my own disposal, as he thought it difficult to tell what might be most for my advantage. I think, under the circumstances, it would be prudent to follow his advice, at least for awhile, to see how matters will answer, as it will undoubtedly be in his power to assist me both in this and the other counties in the Province. But you will be pleased to let me know your sentiments in this respect as soon as it shall be convenient, and you will very much oblige ''Your loving and obedient son,

"George ReId.

"Mr. John Read, Christeen Bridge."^ J

By then existing laws of Maryland and the " Three Lower Counties on Delaware" Mr. Read was entitled to a double portion of his father's property.* His first act after his admission to the bar was to relinquish, by deed, all claim on ,

* This rig-ht to a douljle portion was anciently peculiar to the Jews. (2d Blackstone's Conunentaries, p. 214 ; Tucker's edition, chap, xiv., Of Title by Descent, Rule 3 ) In Deuteronomy, xxi. 17, it is declared to be the right of the first-born, and was his in the patriarchal age, to support his dignity as the ruler of his family, and, probably, its priest. It was the law in Delaware, as to personal estate, from 1683 to 1742, and as to real, from 1683. when it was, as far as appears, first enacted as to both, till January 29th, 1794, when it was repealed. Appendix, Delaware Laws, vol. i. p 16, etc., and Delaware Laws, vol. i. chap. cxix. a, p. 119. It was also, at the time of the Revolution, the law in New his father's estate,* assigning as the reason for this reUnquisliment that he had received his full portion in the expenses incurred by his education, and it would be a fraud upon his brothers not to renounce his legal right.

In the year 1754']- he settled in New Castle, and commenced the practice of the law, in the then three lower counties on Delaware, and the adjacent ones of Maryland. He found himself in the midst of powerful competitors, men of undoubted talents and able lawyers, among whom were John Ross, then Attorney-General.J Benjamin Chew, Joseph Galloway,§ George Ross,|l John Dickinson, and Thomas McKean. To have rapidly obtained full practice among such competitors is of itself sufficient praise.^ On

England, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. — Hildreth^s Hiatory of the United Statei>, vol. iii. p. 388.

* Part of which was a farm of one hundred and eighty acres, with a spacious brick house, and barn, and other buildings and conveniences adjacent to Christiana Bridge, with a store-house and wharf used as a landing, from whence an extensive trade was long carried on with Philadelphia and other places. John Read died in ITofi, aged sixty-eight years, and his wife, Mary Howel, September 22d. 1784, in the seventyfourth year of her age. Both arc interred in the Presbyterian burying-ground of Christiana, and have substantial marble monuments over them.

■}■ In an almanac for itSi, which I found among his papers, is this entry in his handwriting, " Came to New Castle 6th March, 1754."

J See Appendix A.

§ " Of Galloway's manner I have no personal knowledge. From inspection of the docket, his practice appears to have been extensive. He adhered to the royal cause, and migrated to England, where, after exciting considerable public attention b}^ his attacks on the conduct of Sir William Howe, in America, he remained till his death." — Bnide^s Recullectioiis of the Philadelphia Bar ; Watson^s Annals of Philadelphia, pp. 207, 2(58.

II " The talents of George Ross were much above mediocrity. His nanner was insinuating and persuasive, accompanied with' a species of pleasantry and habitual good humor. His knowledge of law was sufficient to obtain respect from the court, and his familiar manner secured the attention of the jury. But he was not industrious, and his career, after the commencement of the Revolution, was short." He was a signer of the Declaration of Jndependence. — Raiders Recollections ; ]Valson^s Annals, p. 270. •

^ " But in those times the sphere of the lawyer was somewhat limited. In the i)rovincial courts no great questions of international law were discussed. There were no arguments upon the construction of treaties, and no comparison of legislative jiowers with constitutional restrictions. Even admiralty cases had little interest. Everything great and imthe 30th of April, 1763,* he succeeded John Ross as Attorney-General for the three lower counties on Delaware. He was the first Attorney-General expressly appointed for these counties, as before this period the Attorney-General of Pennsylvania was the prosecuting officer in Delaware. Mr. Eead held this office nntil soon after he was elected a delegate to the Congress of 1774, when, believing it incompatible with the right discharge of the arduous duties of a representative in that august body that he should continue to be trammeled by an office held under his Britannic Majesty, he resigned it.

. Mr. Read was particularly eminent as a deep-read lawyer, and he was versed in special pleading, the logic of the law. His elocution was neither flowery nor rapid, unlike that of one of his ancestors, who, as I have heard from my father, was styled "silver tongued McMuUin;" on the contrary, he was somewhat slow in his speech, and negligent in his manner ;f but his profound legal knowledge, his solidity of judgment, and his habit of close and clear reasoning, gave him an influence with juries and judges which the graces of the most finished oratory would have failed to gain for him. His conclusions were always founded upon calm and cautious deliberation, and seldom led him into error. His legal knowledge and judgment were so conspicuous that his opinions were in high and general estimation, and he had given such evidences of his integrity that he was called the " honest lawyer."

There are a number of Mr. Read's "Almanacs" among his papers, in size very small, — about four inches by two. In that of 1779 I find noted several w'orks of science and literature, no doubt for purchase as he might have opportunity, and the terms of membership of the Philadelphia Library Company, — from which I infer that his reading w^•^s not that of the mere lawyer. In the "Almanac" of 1758

posing was reserved for the mother-couutry." — RaxvWs Recollections of the Pennsylvania Bar before the Revolution, p. 267.

* In an almanac, found among bis papers, for 1769, is this memorandum : "At a levy court of Kent, held 14th November, 1168, George Read, as Attorney-General, was allowed for his past services £70, and for the ensuing year, £15."

f Showing his picture to an aged neigh))or, he remarked, " I have often, when young, heard Mr. Read speak." " He was slow," said I. "Yes," answered he, "bat sure."

be notes a bet of Jobn Vaiigezel witb bim, ''tbat tbe Mand Battery is in possession of tbe Engbsb on Sunday, tbe 18th of tbat montli," and on tbe lltli of August, a bet witb Cbarles Gordon, "tbat we do not bear of tbe surrender of Cape Breton by tbis day week." Tbe Britisb army, under General Arnberst, effected a landing on tbe island of Cape' Breton June 8tb, and in a few days invested Louisbourg. A very severe fire was maintained against tbe besiegers from tbe town and from tbe battery at Ligbt-bouse Point, on tbe nortbeast side of tbe entrance of tbe barbor. On tbe morning of June 12tb, an bour before dawn. General Wolfe was detacbed witb two thousand men (liglit infantry and Highlanders) to seize tbat post, which be took by surprise, tbe enemy abandoning it on bis approach, and a number of smaller works were successfully carried. Several strong batteries were erected on this point, from which tbe ships in tbe harbor of Louisbourg were greatly annoyed. Louisbourg capitulated July 27th:'-' so that Mr. Vangezel won, while I think it almost certain, as there were neither electric telegraphs, nor railroads witb their locomotives, at tbat day, but intelligence was very slowly transmitted, Mr. Gordon lost his bet. These entries in tbe "Almanac" carry us back almost a hundred years, and set us down in tbe groups of colonial quidnuncs, anxiously discussing tbe then engrossing topic, — tbe expedition against the French possession. Cape Breton, — -just as quidnuncs are disputing and betting now upon the invasion of tbe Crimea, and tbe siege of Sebastopol; and a bundred years hence, I am afraid, they will not be without a similar subject of speculation.f Mr. Dickinson writes to him as follows from

"Philadelphia, October 1st, 1102.

"Dear Sir, — 1 took tbe liberty, a few days ago, to make you a troublesome request to try a cause between Williams and Humphries, Huested and Boles, and another between

* Smollett's History of England, vol. ii. pp. 38t, 388, 389; Holmes's Annals, vol. ii. pp. 80, 81 ; Bancroft's History of the United States, vol. iv. p. 297.

I 'I'hat Mr. Kead partook of the martial .spirit at tbis time porvadinc; many, if not all, of the North American Colonics, I infer from finding bis name in tbe roll of the militia company snl)j()ined to tbis chapter, A})- pendix B. When the above paragraph was written the war in the Crimea was in progress.

Dennis and Campbell, at your adjourned court, as I shall be prevented from attending by several causes of consequence in our Supreme Court, to be tried at that time. My letter, with a short state of each case, I presume you have received, and hope you will be so kind as to f\ivour me with an answer.

"Another request I have to make to you is that you will, if you approve of it, propose the inclosed law"' to the Assembly, at the next session, as useful and necessary to be passed. "It is almost an exact copy of the Pennsylvania law to this purpose, and I wonder how it has been so long neglected. My reason for desiring this law to pass is that I know it will contribute to the advancement of justice, particularly in one instance, and I believe every Colony besides yours has made provision in such cases.

"I assure you, upon my honor, that I have not the least interest in promoting such a bill. But I know some persons would industriously oppose it if they could find out that my head or hand or even my little finger had been employed in framing it.

"I am imagine modicum manet alta in mente repositum. "I shall, therefore, be greatly obliged to you if you will be so good as to entirely suppress my name.

"You can introduce the matter very well by mentioning the propriety of such a law to our worthy friend, Mr. Vanbebber, who, as a judge, may, with great consistence of character, desire leave to bring in such a bill; so might Mr. Rice. 1 don't know which has most influence in the House. "You may congratulate me on my salvation, for I am, certainly, among the elect, and may enter into the Assembly of righteous men.

"My pleasure is that this happens without opposition, or the discontent of those I esteem, which I regard as a great happiness. Mr. S. W made a candid, manly declaration of his reasons for opposing me last year, which were the same you once mentioned to me, and I think sufficient. It would have given me great pain to have been the occasion

of uneasiness to a man I so much respect as I do Mr. B .

But now I flatter myself with coming in with the general approbation of good men.

* What this law was docs not appear, the draught inclosed in this letter not beins: with it.

"We have received a disagreeable piece of news by the wa_y of New York, that the Emperor of Russia is dethroned, and, what is still more extraordinary, that imperial authority is conferred on his consort.

"We expect particulars every moment. If this is true, who, in his senses, would take those great blessings — an empress and a wife together ? Is it not better to receive a subsidy from an honest farmer to recover his wheat-field from some usurping neighbor, and march gallantly at the head of four-and-twenty jurymen to attack him in the redoubts of his forcible detainer, than to make half Europe turn pale with letting loose thirty thousand Russians to secure Silesia to the King of Prussia?

"I confess I should like to make an immense bustle in the world, if it could be made by virtuous actions. But, as there is no probability of that, I am content if I can live innocent and beloved by those I love, in the first class of whom you are always esteemed by, dear sir, your most affectionate friend and very humble servant,

"John Dickinson.

"Please to have the law copied over, lest my clerk's hand should be known."

Mr. Dickinson's desire of distinction, so playfully expressed, honorable and generous because to be won by virtuous actions, was to be gratified sooner than he probably anticipated. His election, announced in the foregoing letter, introduced him into the political arena under highly favorable circumstances. Having devoted to severe study those years which too many waste in dissipation, he showed himself, at his first entrance on public life, possessed of a knowledge of the laws and constitution of his country which seldom falls to the share of gray hairs, and had the great advantage of independence of spirit and fortune.''' His first laurels were won by his speechf against the proposed

* Preface to the Speech, pp. 5 and G, by Provost Smith, of the University of Pennsylvania.

f Joseph Galloway replied to this speech, and both were published, Galloway's, with a preface by Franklin, and Dickinson's, with a preface by Provost Smith, and it is stated by Rawle (" Recollections of the Penn.<ylvania Bar," p. 167) as remarkable, that the prefaces were more admired than the speeches. I have them in pamphlets, published in change of the government of Pennsylvania from proprietary to royal, provoked by the selfish attempts of the proprietaries, through their governors, to exempt their lands from a fair share of taxes necessary for the common defence of the Province. His speech was well argued, in a style clear, forcible, and rhetorical, and was well received, especially as he stood forth the champion of the Penns, untrammeled by previous connection with them or their

Philadelphia in 1764, before me. The Provost and Dickinson write lil^e men who have been formed in the study, among books, Franklin like one whose mind has been developed and furnished in the turmoil of busy life. The former are more polished and ornate in style, illustrated by historical exanrjiles and adorned with classical quotations, while Franklin discusses his subject just as no doubt he talked it over with his neig-hbors, upon chance-meetings in the street, the market, or the coffee-house. He quotes from neither historians nor poets, except two lines from Pope, but from the Bible and primer; from the latter a couplet of the verses under the picture of John Rogers, amidst upcurling flames, his wife and nine children near, which has drawn tears from many an infant eye. It is written in a masterly manner, with great terseness, simplicity, and caustic wit. While his hits at the sons of the great Proprietary are hard and unsparing, at every open point, he treats Mr. Dickinson with great respect, refraining from any attack upon him. I may be pardoned for one sample of this i)reface. The Provost constructs very ingeniously a paragraph highly laudatory of William Penn and his charter, with extracts from addresses of the House of Assembly of Pennsylvania to his sons ; Franklin, from votes of the same Assembly, writes an epitaph for a monument to them as depreciatory. Ho represents the Assembly, when addressing the sons, as ever lauding their father, because there was nothing praiseworthy in them, and slyly adds, "till they were disgusted, and exclaimed, ' We have too much of our father !' " It seems to me, however, that Smith and Dickinson have the advantage in the main argument, showing, as they do very clearly, the inexpediency and folly of relinquishing the existing charter, inasmuch as, from the temper of the British Parliament to the Colonies, so far from its being likely that new privileges would be conferred, it was unlikely that those enjoyed would be retained. Besides the preface to Galloway's speech, there is prefixed to it an " Address," evidently from the pen of a mere partisan. Its charges against Mr. Dickinson betray petty malignity. " He attempted to deliver his sentiments on the petition for the change of government from proprietary to royal oretenus, but, making no impression, retreated to his written speech, which he read in a manner not the most deliberate," insinuating a want of self-possession, "and, after solemnly promising to leave his speech with Mr. Galloway, declining to do so, and not leaving it on the table of the Assembly for examination till the petition was put on the third reading." From Mr. Dickinson's character I have no doubt that, while the first charge may be true, the second was either a downright falsehood or originated from mistake.