VENERABLE for his lofty genius and correct principles, and for his noble achievements, more than for his great age, at “ Carrollton," on the r4th of November, 1832, in his ninety-fifth year, died Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the last surviving Signer of the Declaration of Independence. At the age of thirty-five years, a remarkable controversy with Daniel Dulany, Provincial Secretary, one of the ablest and foremost lawyers of the day, had brought him into notice not only as a close, acute reasoner and powerful, yet elegant and eloquent, writer, but as a true patriot, a fearless champion of the people's rights. Under the then existing laws of the Maryland Colony, Roman Catholics were not recognized as citizens, and young Carroll was of that proscribed faith; when he had conquered Secretary Dulany in their newspaper contest, numerous petty assailants hurled at him the epithets "Papist" and Jesuit," and taunted him "that he was a disfranchised man and could not even vote at an election." The people, however, regardless of epithets and taunt, were enthusiastic in their appreciation of their brave and successful champion; letters literally poured in, from all parts of the province, from individual, and from organized assemblages of, patriots, warmly thanking him for what he had done; a brief extract will illustrate the popular feeling towards the young "advocate for liberty;" William Paca and Matthews Hammond, under authority of the citizens of Annapolis, wrote him a strongly eulogistic letter, from which I quote: "The free and independent citizens of Annapolis, the metropolis of Maryland, who have lately honored us with the public character of representatives, impressed with a just sense of the signal services which you have done your country, instructed us, on the day of our election, to return you their hearty thanks. Public gratitude, sir, for public services, is the patriot's due; and we are proud to observe the generous feelings of our fellow-citizens towards an advocate for liberty," etc., etc. they may, but they will be masters of the spot on on which they encamp. They will find nongh but enemies before and around them. If we are beaten on the plains, we will retreat to our mom tains and defy them. Our resources will increase with our difficulties. Necessity will force us to exertion; until, tired of combating, in a against a spirit which victory after victory cannot subdue, your armies will evacuate our soil, an your country retire, an immense loser, from the contest. No, sir-we have made up our minds to abide the issue of the approaching struggle, and though much blood may be spilt, we have no doute of our ultimate success." This would seem to indicate more than a conviction on the part of Mr. Carroll that war was inevitable-almost we may believe that he, partially at least, anticipated its grand consequence: Independence. Mr. Carroll's wealth alone made him a notalle man in those days when wealthy men were tes, but his advanced views and fearlessness and al in proclaiming them placed him in the foremo rank of the patriot leaders, and gained him the implicit confidence and enthusiastic admiration of the masses. His pronounced attitude was the more remarkworthy and the more highly cre 1able to him, in view of his position as a sicer Roman Catholic-at the commencement of te controversy between the Americans and the Briti authorities, the Roman Church was most rgt ously ostracized in Maryland; this ostracism was not merely political, but was carried into the social and domestic relations of life; it is even recorded that there were instances wherein "Pe Council granted orders to take children from the pernicious contact of Catholic parents." Te law was emphatic, and rigidly enforced, that wit held the right of suffrage from the members of that church-and Mr. Carroll might have been amply justified in assuming an attitude of itd. ferent unconcern, if not of positive antagonism, towards the province which exercised, and the people who sanctioned, such wicked proscr prior of his church and of him as a conscientious nember thereof. Mr. Carroll was among the earliest to foresee that a long and severe war between the Americans and their oppressors was inevitable. Some time before the commencement of the war, a member But without the slightest taint of selfishness was of parliament, brother of Admiral Graves, having, the noble patriotism of Charles Carroll of Carrol in a letter to Mr. Carroll, ridiculed the idea of ton-regarding not the wealth he would this r-k, colonial resistance and declared that six thousand he would, and he did, fight manfully for the iter British soldiers could march from one end to the ties and the rights of the colony and the c other of the continent, the latter replied: "Sonists, notwithstanding the fact that they denied m and his co-religionists all the liberties and rights of citizenship. I have before spoken of Mr. Carroll's paper-fight with Daniel Dulany, and of his signal victory over that able lawyer and sharp controversialist-this was in 1772-73, and was provoked by a local conflict between the people of Maryland and the proprietary governor, Eden; it elicited interest in the other colonies because the conflict was one of the characteristic struggles developing in the several colonies between popular liberty and governmental tyranny. The gathering of the dark clouds presaging the great Revolutionary storm was the signal, heeded by the patriots of Maryland, for the prompt removal of religious restrictions in the laws, the blotting out of private animosities, local dissensions, religious disputes, and the substituting for these evil seeds of division of the spirit of concord and brotherly unity-the spirit (as the resolution of the Maryland Convention of 1774 expresses it), "in the name of God, their country and posterity, to unite in defence of the common rights and liberties." In the Provincial Convention of 1774 we find, conspicuous among its members, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, a steadfast Roman Catholic, representing the Protestant community of Annapolis. As McSherry tersely states it: "The dominion of the British crown and the rule of intolerance in Maryland sunk under the same blows and perished together, never more to be revived." This Maryland Convention, in complete accord with the like bodies in the other colonies, took action similar to theirs-placing the colony en rapport with its sister colonies in all matters connected with, relating to, or growing out of, the surely and swiftly approaching war. One of its resolves declared the unalterable purpose of the people of Maryland to assist, to the last extremity, the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, in the event of the British ministry's attempting to carry out by force the proposed measures against the latter; to show that they were in earnest in this resolution, the Convention ordered the enrollment of all the males in the province between the ages of sixteen and fifty years; that they be organized into companies, armed, equipped, drilled, and "got ready for immediate service;" and, further to show their sincerity, they also ordered that an assessment of ten thousand pounds should be levied on the counties, in proportion to their population, to be expended in the purchase of arms and ammunition. Delegates were chosen to the Continental Congress, and the requisite colonial committees-the "Corresponding Committee" consisted of Matthew Tilghman, John Hall, Samuel Chase, Thomas Johnson, Jr., Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Charles Carroll, barrister, and William Paca. Mr. Carroll's intense interest in the vital issues to be discussed and determined by the Continental Congress, led him to hasten to Philadelphia to witness the deliberations of that great convention of patriot representatives of the patriot masses of the several colonies. The attitude of Canada early demanded serious consideration in the Continental Congress, and means were anxiously sought to secure the coöperation of the people of that province in the great struggle; a French people, largely Roman Catholic in religion, the position assumed by Canada was anomalous, and it was reasonably imagined that a well-considered effort to win the people to the cause of liberty, by showing them that their truest and best interests would be promoted by making common cause with their neighbors of the other colonies, must be successful. The Congress decided to send a commission to the Canadians as the most likely instrumentality, and in February, 1776, selected Benjamin Franklin and Samuel Chase, of their own number, and Charles Carroll of Carrollton; the selection of Mr. Carroll was a singularly marked recognition of his character, abilities and patriotism, and a high testimony of the confidence he had inspired outside of his native province. But the wisdom of the Congress was still farther evinced in their specially requesting Mr. Carroll "to prevail on Mr. John Carroll to accompany the committee to Canada, to assist them in such matters as they shall think useful." This "Mr. John Carroll," a cousin of Charles, was the famous "Patriot Priest," alike beloved by his church as a faithful "Priest" and by the people as a zealous "Patriot." He went willingly with the commission; the non-success of the commission in their mission was, in no sense or degree, attributable to want of ability or of earnest effort on the part of the commissioners, but was purely and simply chargeable to the mean selfishness, the greed for present gain regardless of right or honor, which was the predominant characteristic of the Canadians of that day. The question of Independence was introduced independence;" Mr. Carroll had warmly opposed in the Congress on the 7th of June, and, on the these instructions in the Convention at the time same or the following day, the Canadian Commis- of their adoption, and now, as they were still a sion arrived in Philadelphia, with their unfavor- force (having actually been renewed in May of able report, which was presented to the Congress this year) and would compel the representatives, on the 12th. Independence, however, completely contrary to their convictions, to oppose the ad tion of Mr. Lee's resolution of "We, the delegates of Maryland, in convention assembled, do declare, that the King of Great Britain has violated's contract with this people, . that they owe no allegiance 1 him. We have therefore th it just and necessary to empower our deputies in congress, to j with a majority of the L Provinces in declaring the free and independent states, in fram ing such further confederat in making foreign alliances in adopting such other mes as shall be judged necess the preservation of their ier ties. No ambitious views. desire for independence, rdu. the people of Maryland to form an union with t other provinces. To procure an exemption fr parliamentary taxation, and to continue to legislatures of these colonies the sole and excl sat right of regulating their internal polity, wa original and only motive. To maintain invi our liberties, and to transmit them unimpaired posterity, was our duty and best wish; our nex:" continue connection with, and dependent or Great Britain. For the truth of these asserts we appeal to that Almighty Being, who is emphai engrossed the hearts and minds of the members of the Congress, to the almost entire exclusion of all minor questions which for the time being excited interest only in so far as they bore upon the great question at issue between the conservative and the radical portions of the Congress and of the people generally. The Provincial Convention of Maryland had, in December, 1775, instructed their representatives in the General Congress "to disavow, in the most solemn manner, all design in the colonies of cally styled the Searcher of hearts, and from whose omniscience nothing is concealed. Relying on his divine protection, and trusting to the justice of our cause, we exhort and conjure every virtuous citizen, to join cordially in defence of our common rights, and in maintenance of the freedom of this and her sister colonies." On the 4th of July the Maryland Convention selected a new delegation to represent the province in the Congress, and Mr. Carroll, in just recognition of his patriotic fervor in securing the passage of the new instructions, was now for the first time made a delegate to that great body. He took his seat on the 18th, and was immediately appointed a member of "the Board of War." From the very day of his entering the Congress, be became conspicuous for indefatigable attention to every duty, while his already recognized ability and patriotic courage and energy insured him from the first a commanding influence in the deliberations and decisions of that aggregation of American patriotism, intelligence and wisdom. ih. There had for years been special reasons for Mr. Carroll's use "of Carrollton," there having been another of his name equally prominent in the conventions and committees of Maryland; this other was a cousin of our Mr. Carroll and was himself designated "Charles Carroll, barrister." Mr. Carroll was retained in the Maryland Convention, though his elevation to the Congress necessitated his absence from the capital of Maryland most of the time. He took an active part in the drafting of the State Constitution, and upon its adoption was elected to the State Senate. In the Fac-Simile of an old Print. Carrott of Carrollton Mr. Carroll eagerly availed himself of the privilege of signing the Declaration of Independence, accorded to him and the others who, like him, became members of the Congress after its adoption. There is a pleasant tradition, repeated by McSherry in his usually accurate "History of Maryland," in connection with Mr. Carroll's signing: "There go some millions," exclaimed a member as Charles Carroll added his name to the roll of honor; "Nay, there are several Charles Carrolls, and he cannot be identified," said another; this remark, it is said, was heard by the subject | year 1778 the treaty with France removed all of it, who promptly added "of Carrollton," doubt from his mind of the ultimate issue of the so that there might be no difficulty in identi- war, and he resigned his seat in the Congress that fication. The tradition is possibly, like many he might devote himself more closely to pressing others equally pleasant to believe, but a "ro- duties in the State Senate. In this latter body he mance of history," as this Charles Carroll had continued until, in 1789, having been elected one long been known as "Charles Carroll of Carroll- of the first two representatives (the other being ton," the family manor having been styled "Car- John Henry) of Maryland in the United States rollton" by his father, and it being not uncomSenate, he went to New York, the temporary capimon for men of large and well-known estates to tal of the Nation, to take his seat in that august identify themselves by appending the title of their body. In 1791, having declined a reëlection to homestead or chief estate to their patronymic. the Senate of the United States, he was again elected to that of the State, and continued a member thereof, by repeated reëlections, until 1801, when he retired to private life, being now in his sixty-third year, though still hale and hearty and in the full enjoyment of physical and mental vigor. For thirty-one years he lived in happy retirement at his delightful manor-seat, "Carrollton," rendered forever famous by its connection with the great Signer's name on our Republic's BirthCertificate. Perfectly happy in his family and domestic connections, with the cheering consciousness of a quarter of a century well-spent in the service of his State and Country, the thirtyone years of home-life glided peacefully and happily along; his generous soul and large wealth enabled him to enjoy that highest possible happiness to be found in the exercise of a bountiful hospitality, and a hearty benevolence, and a truly Christian charity. When he had reached the ripe old age of ninety years, Sanderson truthfully said: "Charles Carroll of Carrollton finds his activity undiminished, his faculties unimpaired, and his feelings and affections buoyant and warm." A year and a half subsequent to the publication of this remark, Mr. Carroll, attended by a most imposing civic procession, laid the corner-stone of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad-this was on the 4th of July, 1828. More than four years did he survive this his last public act, and at last he closed his long, well-spent and happy life on the 14th of November, 1832. - for the priestly office, and ordained in 1769 He became private tutor in the family of Lord Star ton, making a tour through Europe; in 1773, b accepted a chair in the College of Bruges, 1x2 1775 returned to Maryland and filled the honorzhe office of parish priest most acceptably for s years. Arriving in the midst of the intense 1citement of the early Revolution, he at once turk a warm interest in the great issues, as a pronou American; he was recognized as one of the m zealous and fearless of the earnest patriots or Maryland, and was accepted as a leader by Pr> testant, no less than Roman Catholic, patriots. Before the war, the Roman Church in Arena had been under the ecclesiastical control of re Bishop of London, who had a vicar in Baltine re In 1786, it is said at the suggestion Dr. Franklin, Mr. Carroll was appointed vicar. In 1780 he was made Bishop, the first in the United States, Es see comprising his church throughout the country, though he took the official title of Bishop of Riltmore, where he resided. Subsequently the growth of the church and its extension, necessitated the division of the diocese and the creation of rew ones, and, in 1810, Dr. Carroll was made Aribishop. He died in 1815. In all his ecclesiastical stations, he served wi distinction; he was highly cultured, a profed theologian, and a kind-hearted, amiable S eminently liberal in his intercourse with Constits of other denominations. REMARKS. Our engravings illustrating tis paper require a word: the picture of the cod homestead of the Carrolls is a capital one, at d affords an excellent idea of the edifice as it ha "Carrollton" is still a grand estate, and is occupied by the illustrious old patriot's grandson, John Lee Carroll, Governor of the State of Mary-appears-the annex at the left is modern, takigte, land. The fine old mansion, as shown in the engraving, is scarcely changed, even time has kindly spared it under the care of the successive occupants since Charles Carroll, the grandfather of the Signer, completed it at about the close of the seventeenth century-so far as I have been able to ascertain, the only changes made since its first erection have consisted in the addition of outbuildings. place of smaller apartments; the portrait on jest 404 shows Mr. Carroll at the age of fort years, just after the close of the war, while the autograph accompanying it is a fac-simile of his signature upon the Declaration; the portrait and autograph on page 405 belong to the old age of Mr. Carroll-his ninetieth year, and with our eye upon them we can readily accept Mr. Sanders son's judgment as quoted above by Mr. Jofuat The latter portrait is a fac-simile of a print of about forty years ago, and comparison with the excellent engraving of the portrait on the par opposite is in itself interesting as illustrating the progress made in the art of wood engraving witha In closing this paper, I must add a word to my mention of "Mr. John Carroll." I have stated that he was a cousin of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, and that he was a famous "Patriot Priest." He was born at Upper Marlborough, Maryland, on the 8th of January, 1735, educated in Europe | a few years. |