Page:Notices of Negro slavery as connected with Pennsylvania.djvu/45

Rh exalted contempt of both the frowns and the blandishments of the world, you will find him eminently qualified for the faithful and honorable discharge of the various public offices which he filled, with dignity and reputation, even in the worst of times, and in the midst of a torrent of unmerited obloquy and opposition. Such an assemblage of unusual qualifications and virtues as adorned the character of our departed friend but seldom unite in a single man." Mr. Bryan is not mentioned in the "Extract" from Dr. Ewing's Discourse as the author of the Act, but in a note, probably appended by Mr. Carey, and which contains an obituary account, from Dunlap's American Advertiser, his life and character are thus portrayed: "Previously to the Revolution, he was a representative in the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, and delegate in the Congress which met at New York, in 1765, for the purpose of petitioning and remonstrating against the Stamp Act and other arbitrary measures of the British Parliament. "In the contest, he took an early, decisive, and active part with this country. When, by the Declaration of Independence, it became necessary to erect governments upon the authority of the people, he was appointed Yice-President of the Supreme Executive Council of this Commonwealth; and, by the unfortunate death of the late President Wharton, in May, 1778, he was placed at the head of the government of Pennsylvania, during the summer and autumn of that turbulent and eventful year. His office having expired by the limitation of the Constitution, in the autumn of 1779, he was elected a member of the Legislature. In this station, amidst the pressing hurry of business, the rage and clamors of party, and the tumult of war and invasion, in despite of innumerable prejudices, he planned and executed the 'Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery,' a monument which, instead of mouldering like the proud structures of brass and marble, bids fair to flourish in increasing strength. "He was afterwards appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court, in which office he continued till his death; and during his exercise of it, he was, in 1784, elected one of the Council of Censors, under the late Constitution, of which body he was (to say the least) one of the principal and leading characters. * * * * Besides the offices which have been enumerated, he filled a variety of public, literary, and charitable employments: in some of which he was almost continually