Manners - Social qualities-Familiar letters-Principles of family government-Paternal directions-Judicious management of pe- cuniary affairs-Contributions-Habits as to personal expenditures, CONNECTION WITH BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. Remarks-Monday evening meeting-Monthly concert-American Tract Society-Christian Sabbath-Letter to Gov. Treadwell- Monroe's tour-La Fayette's tour-American Education Society— Labors in its behalf-Letter to Tabernacle church-Letter to Mr. Cornelius-Mr. C.'s reply-Letter from Rev. Dr. Cogswell- American Home Missionary Society-Letter to Mr. E. Lord- Letter from Rev. Dr. Peters-Prison Discipline Society-Letter MEMOIR. CHAPTER I. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF HON. THOMAS PORTER. Design and utility of biography-Birth-Early life-Settlement in Cornwall, Conn.—Removal to Vermont-Civil offices-Retirement from public life-Mental, moral, and Christian characterRetains his faculties to extreme age-Last letter-Decease. It was a happy device of the ancients, to perpetuate the memory of those whom they loved or admired, by preserving their statues in their dwellings and places of public resort. There is something akin to this practice, in the delineation of departed worth by the pen of biography; something much better adapted permanently to secure in the highest degree the results at which it aimed. The chisel or the pencil may delineate noble features, may forcibly express characteristic energy and fire, or benevolence and kindness; may in a word mould a form before which the observer bows with admiration. By these means the skilful artist may group together the most impressive personages or events of a passing scene. Biography does not present the form, indeed, in its actual proportions; does not present the features glowing with life, the eye seeing, the lips impatient to speak; but it does more,―it does that which the highest skill of sculpture and painting cannot reach. It follows the man in his course through life; presents him in prosperity and adversity, in sickness and in health, in employment and relaxation. It tells us of qualities which the countenance cannot express-qualities implanted by Sovereign Grace; of a life of holy feeling and action, and of enjoyments inseparable from them. It brings the portraiture to the fireside and the closet, and calls us to free, intimate, unrestrained communion with departed wisdom and piety. It tells us by what efforts these qualities were acquired or nurtured. It tells us of spiritual conflicts, and bids us admire and lean upon that grace which won the victory. In it as in a glass we see ourselves—what we are, and what we should be. Is the portrait that of the unregenerate ?—It teaches us that "sin is exceedingly sinful," however prepossessing the habiliments in which it is arrayed. Is it that of him who has attained the "fullness of the stature of a perfect man in Christ?"-We are admonished of neglected duty; are invited, urged, allured to its performance. He, who "being dead yet speaketh," leads the way. Are our hearts susceptible of salutary impressions?-It matters little what was the vocation, or what the circumstances of the departed. "With moistened eye We read of faith and purest charity, In Statesman, Priest, and humble citizen." Several months previous to his decease, Dr. Porter informed the writer that he intended to prepare for publication, a brief sketch of the life and character of his honored father. He had to some extent collected the materials; though in consequence of ill health and the pressure of official and other engagements, he had done nothing further towards its preparation. It seems but a just tribute to the venerable father, and a reasonable compliance with the wishes of the son, that such a sketch, though lacking the completeness which that son would have imparted to it, should be given to the public. This cannot perhaps be done under any circumstances so well adapted to clothe it with interest, as in connection with the Memoir of the son. The Hon. THOMAS PORTER was one of the few who outlive their generation; who, though they once filled a large space in the public eye, are comparatively forgotten in the tranquillity of private life, because others occupy the places of those with whom they were associated in counsel and labor. He was born in Farmington, Connecticut, February 3, 1734, O. S. He bore the name of his great grandfather, who emigrated from England, and was one of the original proprietors of Farmington. His father, on his dying bed, committed to him the direction of his affairs, charging him especially to maintain family worship, and as he was the oldest son, though he was but seventeen years of age, to set a godly example before his younger brothers and sisters. This last charge, as he was not then pious, he felt unprepared to obey; yet filial reverence and affection constrained him to make the attempt. By the blessing of God, his obedience was productive of spiritual benefit to himself. As he led the morning and evening devotions of a circle which from infancy had been taught to join in a father's confessions and supplications, he felt the solemnity of the duty with which he was charged, and the responsibility of the relations he sustained; he felt his own guilt and insufficiency, and repaired to his heavenly Father for pardon and aid. He used, in subsequent life, to refer to his father's dying counsels, especially to his charge respecting family worship, as having been chiefly instrumental in his conversion. In May, 1757, about six years after his father's decease, he removed to Cornwall in his native State, where he purchased a farm; and in June, 1758, he was married to Abigail Howe. Respecting his residence in Cornwall, very few facts of much interest can be collected. There is evidence, however, from various military, civil and ecclesiastical offices to which he was elected by his fellowcitizens, that he enjoyed their confidence and esteem. From the year 1767, while he continued in the State, he sustained the office of deacon of the Congregational church in Cornwall; of a magistrate, and a representative of the town in the State legislature. In 1779, Judge Porter removed to Tinmouth, in the State of Vermont. For some years previous to his removal, this district of country, which had long been known by the designation of "New Hampshire Grants," and which was even then thus designated by all but its inhabitants, had been in violent commotion, because of the right claimed by the State of New York, to hold and dispose of tracts of land which had been sold and confirmed to their occupants by the authority of New Hampshire. It had been decided by the king of Great Britain, to whom the disputed territorial limits had been submitted by the contending parties, that the western shore of Connecticut river bounded the territory of New Hampshire, and that the jurisdiction of the territory in question belonged of course to New York. The government of New York contended that this decision "had a retrospective operation, and determined not only what should thereafter be, but what always had been the eastern boundary of New York, and that consequently the grants which had been made by the governor of New Hampshire were void."* A strenuous and protracted effort was made by New York to enforce this interpretation of the royal decision, even in the face of a subsequent prohibition by the king, of interference with the titles given by New * Vermont State Papers, p. 20. |