Illustrious men of the United States . and beacon to the nations; and in our own land,it is the foundation of the freedom under whoseinfluences our land is becoming, and indeed,has already become, a great empire. On account of ill health, Mr. Hancock leftthe Congress in 1777; and coming home to hisown State, he was not allowed to remain inprivate life. He was soon called to the ChiefMagistracy of Massachusetts; and in 1789 waselected the first governor of that patriotic State,under its new constitution. This office he heldfrom 1787 till 1793, as well as for the four suc-ceeding years after his
Illustrious men of the United States . and beacon to the nations; and in our own land,it is the foundation of the freedom under whoseinfluences our land is becoming, and indeed,has already become, a great empire. On account of ill health, Mr. Hancock leftthe Congress in 1777; and coming home to hisown State, he was not allowed to remain inprivate life. He was soon called to the ChiefMagistracy of Massachusetts; and in 1789 waselected the first governor of that patriotic State,under its new constitution. This office he heldfrom 1787 till 1793, as well as for the four suc-ceeding years after his first appointment. Hedied while yet in the prime of his life, beingonly fifty-six years of age. His mansion is still preserved, and not astranger that visits Boston but goes to gaze atthe Hancock House, as a relic of the timesof a great man. And as the President of thefirst Congress — a signer of the Declarationof Independence—the first Governor of Mas-sachusetts— he has a prominent place in thelist of the great men of his 21 GEORGE WASHINGTON. When the new world — when the modernages — when civilization — is called upon topresent to the admiration of posterity, theirbrightest ornament, the name at the head of thisnotice is the one that would, by the calm judg-ment of mankind, be given. Of him, it may besaid, what, with truth, can be uttered of scarceany other, that he appears greatest and best ashe is known most intimately. He was born inVirginia, and although that State has produceda galaxy of illustrious names, his is alike thebravest among the brave, the most honoredamong the honorable. His first experience inthe art of war, was in the famous expedition ofBraddock against the Indians, where his coun-sels, had the British general followed them,would have saved the army from a disastrousdefeat. In the early troubles of the colonies,he was quick to espouse the cause of his coun-try; and while he thought himself unknown,the eyes of the nation were upon him. E
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