"Fourteenth. And we do further agree and resolve that we will have no trade, commerce, dealings or intercourse whatsoever with any colony or province in North America which shall not accede to or which shall hereafter violate this association but will hold them unworthy the rights of freemen and inimical to the rights of their country.
"And we do solemnly bind ourselves and our constituents under the ties aforesaid to adhere to this association until such parts of the several Acts of Parliament passed since the close of the [French] war as impose or continue duties on tea, wine, molasses, syrups, coffee, sugar, pimento, indigo, foreign paper, glass, painter's colors imported into America and extend the powers of the Admiralty Courts beyond their ancient limits, deprive the American subjects of trial by jury, authorize the judge's certificate to indemnify the prosecutor from damages that he might otherwise be liable to from a trial by his peers, require oppressive security from a claimant of ships or goods before he shall be allowed to defend his property are repealed. And we recommend it to the Provincial Conventions and to the committee in the respective Colonies to establish such further regulations as they may think proper for carrying into execution this association."
Upon this report all the subsequent proceedings of Congress were predicated. It is a reasonable conclusion that nothing but the most aggravated violations of their rights could induce such men as composed the first general Congress to enter into a solemn agreement like the one here recited. By every true patriot it was adhered to with the most scrupulous fidelity. The spirit of liberty was infused through the whole mass of patriots—men, women and children. The oppression had become intolerable.
After a session of about two months Congress adjourned to the ensuing May when Joseph Hewes again took his seat with the venerable sages of the nation. He was an important member of committees. He was continued at his post the next year and hailed with joy the proposition to cut the gordian knot that bound the Colonies to mother Britain. When the set time arrived to strike the final blow for liberty he sanctioned the procedure with his vote and signature. His industry, accurate knowledge of business, his systematic mode of performing every duty, gained for him the admiration and esteem of all the members, one of whom remarked of his duties upon the secret committee—"Mr. Hewes was remarkable for a devotedness to the business of this committee as even the most industrious merchant was to his counting house." He was upon several of the most important committees. Upon the one for fitting out a naval armament he stood in the front rank. He was virtually the first Secretary of the Navy. With scanty funds he speedily fitted out eight armed vessels. He was very active in raising supplies in his own state to strengthen the sinews of war and oil the wheels of the general government. In 1777 when the enemy threatened vengeance on his state he declined his seat in Congress and gave his services specially to her until 1779 when he resumed his place in the national legislature. He was then worn down with labor and in poor health. He attempted active duty but disease had prostrated his physical powers and sown the seeds of death. He continued to attend in the House when able until the 29th day of October when he left the Hall for the last time. On the 10th of November 1779 his immortal spirit left its earthy tabernacle and returned to Him who gave it. His premature death was deeply lamented and sincerely mourned. Congress passed the usual resolutions—the members and officers wore the badge of mourning for thirty days. His remains were buried in Christ Church yard, Philadelphia, followed by the members and officers of Congress, the General Assembly and Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, the French minister, the military and a large concourse of other persons all anxious to pay their last respects to one whom they esteemed in life and whose memory they delighted to honor after death. The funeral ceremony was performed by Bishop White, then chaplain of Congress. His dust has ever since reposed in peace undisturbed by malice or slander. His name is recorded on the Magna Charta of our Liberty—his fame will live until the last vestige of American history shall be blotted from the world. Not a blemish rests upon his private character or public reputation. In all things he was an honest man.
The person of Joseph Hewes was elegant, his countenance open and intelligent, his manners pleasing and polished, his whole course honorable and just. He would have been a good man had there been no Heaven to gain or misery to shun. He practised virtue for its intrinsic worth—not to gain the applause of men. It was not a cloak for him—it emanated from the inmost recesses of his pure heart. With such men to guide our ship of state our UNION is safe.
THOMAS HEYWARD.
Man, to understand and correctly estimate the magnitude and design, of his creation, must become familiar with the thousand springs of the undying spirit within him. The labyrinthian mazes of the immortal mind must be explored and traced from earth to native heaven. The depths of human nature must be sounded and its channels clearly marked.
Upon the axis of reason revolving thought performs its endless circuit with mathematical precision guided by the centripetal force of sound discretion—or it is projected from its legitimate orbit by the centrifugal power of random folly into the regions of senseless vacuity or visionary sophistry. Its ceaseless motion is as perpetual as the purple stream of our arteries—its momentum is inconceivable—its tenure—eternity. It travels through space with more celerity than lightning—its earthly career can be arrested only by death.
To reflect, investigate, reason, analyze—is the province of our intellectual powers. To comprehend the grand and harmonious organic structure of nature—the wisdom of the great Architect of universal worlds—the relation man bears to his God and his fellow man—is to learn that human beings are endowed by their Creator with equal and inalienable rights and that they are in duty bound to maintain them. Justice marks out the golden path, reason leads the way—patriotism impels to action. The man whose mind is cast in the mould of wisdom by the almighty hand of the great Jehovah—if he brings into proper exercise the combined powers of intellectual and physical force, can never be made a pliant slave. As his soul is expanded by the genial rays of intelligence he duly appreciates his native dignity, becomes enraptured with the blessings of Liberty—resolves to be free. If he is groaning under the oppressions of tyranny and wears the galling chains of servility—as light shines upon him he will be roused to a mighty effort to burst the ignominious thongs that bind him—assert his inherent rights—assume his proper sphere.