commenced at Bourges the study of law. From Bourges he went to Paris, where he resided until 1757, when he visited London with the intention of pursuing his studies. He remained in that city eight years, and then returned to Maryland. With all these advantages he could not fail to become a ripe scholar and gentleman.

After his return to Maryland he became deeply interested in the politics of the day, and the passage of the "Stamp Act" gave a more active impetus to his vigorous mind in espousing the cause of the colonists. He saw and felt that the exigencies called for action on the part of stern patriots, and he at once associated himself with Paca, Stone, and Chase, in devising the best plans to advance the interests of the American. patriots. This led to a sharp and bitter newspaper war with the governmental officers of the Province, who, finding themselves overcome by the mighty talent against which they had to contend, sought respite behind the royal prerogatives of the Governor. In the controversy, Mr. Carroll won for himself an enviable reputation as a political essayist and writer. He took strong ground against the assumption of the British Government to tax the Colonies without their consent; and in 1772 he met in discussion the Secretary of the Colony, who was soon compelled to leave the field ingloriously defeated. The essays which he wrote were signed "The First Citizen," and for a long while the author's name was unknown. The people, however, were so much pleased with their bold and noble defense of their rights, that they instructed the members of the Assembly to extend,

through the public prints, a vote of thanks to the unknown author. The moment it was ascertained that Mr. Carroll was the writer, he was cordially thanked by large numbers of influential people, who visited him for that purpose, and he soon arose to universal esteem and popularity. He was looked to as a directing spirit; and so clear and logical were his judgments, that, in every important question, he was appealed to as umpire. As an instance of the confidence reposed in him, a little anecdote will illustrate: "When in 1773-4 the tea excitement was at its height, a Mr. Stewart, of Annapolis, imported a large quantity of tea into that town. The people became exasperated, and threatened to destroy it if landed. The Provincial Legislature was in session at the time, and appointed a committee to superintend the unlading of the obnoxious article. This movement increased the indignation of the people, and Mr. Stewart appealed to Charles Carroll to interpose his influence. He informed him that the public mind could not be appeased under the circumstances, and advised him to burn both the tea and the vessel, which advice was followed, and thus an apparent violent exhibition of indignation was averted."

That a resort to arms in defense of colonial rights was unavoidable, Mr. Carroll distinctly foresaw, and expressed himself accordingly. The activity he exhibited in the cause of freedom, secured his appointment as a member of the first Committee of Safety of Maryland; and in 1775 he was elected a member of the Provincial Assembly. Maryland was opposed to extreme measures, and the warm part Mr. Carroll took for independence was the reason he was not sooner

sent to that body. While the Continental Congress was in session in 1776 he visited that body, in order to see and become acquainted with its members; and while there he was placed upon an important committee to visit Canada, in order to enlist the sympa. thies of that Colony with the other thirteen, and to act conjointly with them in striking for independence.

*

In this the committee were unsuccessful; and, on their return, Carroll found that Mr. Lee had introduced a resolution in Congress declaring for freedom, when he hastened to Maryland to obtain a removal of the restrictions placed upon her delegates. He succeeded in getting the prohibition annulled, and was immediately elected a member of the Continental Congress. Mr. Carroll did not arrive in Philadelphia until the eighth of July, and therefore had no chance to vote on the final passage of the resolution; but he unhesitatingly affixed his signature to the document declaring the "Colonies free and independent States." All through those troublous times Mr. Carroll occupied various public positions, and having passed through them all with honor to himself, at the age of sixtyfour years he sought the repose of domestic retirement. For many years afterward he was regarded by the people of the country with the greatest veneration; for, when Adams and Jefferson died, he was the last vestige that remained on earth of that holy brotherhood who stood sponsors at the baptism in blood of our infant Republic. He lived honored and revered by the country with whose existence he was identified

* The other two committee men appointed on that mission were Dr. Benjamin Franklin and Samuel Chase.

until the year 1832, and was the last survivor of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence. He departed this life on the fourteenth of November, 1832, aged ninety-six. During the whole of his bright existence he had few equais in all the social relations of life.

CHAPTER XXX.

JOHN HART-ABRAHAM CLARK-JOHN MORTON— GEORGE CLYMER.

In freedom's cause these Patriots stood,
And braved King George's scorn.

JOHN HART was a farmer in New Jersey, and was one of the most uncompromising patriots of the Revolution. He was the son of Edward Hart, who was also an industrious farmer. His father was a loyal subject to his king, and in 1759 he raised a company of volunteers which he named the "Jersey Blues," and marched with them to the aid of Wolfe at Quebec. He reached there in time to participate in the battle of the Plains of Abraham, where Wolfe was killed, but the English were victorious. After that battle he returned to his farm and was highly esteemed by his neighbors. It does not appear definitely what year his son was born in, but most likely it was 1714, for most of his contemporaries represent him as about sixty years of age when he was first elected to Congress. Mr. Hart pursued the avocation of his father, and was in quite independent circumstances when the Stamp Act and its train of evils attracted his attention, and aroused his sympathies for his oppressed countrymen in Boston, and elsewhere, where the heel of tyranny was planted. Although living in the secluded agricultural district