The number of persons on board the Randolph was three hundred and fifteen, who all perished, except four men, who were tossed about for four days on a piece of the wreck, before they were discovered and taken up. From the information of two of these men, who were afterwards in Philadelphia, and of some individuals in the other vessels of the squadron, we have been enabled to state some particulars of this unfortunate event in addition to the accounts given of it by Dr. Ramsay, in his History of the American Revolution, and in his History of the Revolution in South Carolina. In the former work, the historian thus concludes his account of the action: "Captain Biddle who perished on board the Randolph was universally lamented. He was in the prime of life, and had excited high expectations of future usefulness to his country, as a bold and skilful naval officer."

Thus prematurely fell, at the age of twenty-seven, as gallant an officer as any country ever boasted of. In the short career which Providence allowed to him, he displayed all those qualities which constitute a great soldier. Brave to excess, and consummately skilled in his profession, no danger nor unexpected event could shake his firmness, or disturb his presence of mind. An exact and rigid disciplinarian, he tempered his authority with so much humanity and affability, that his orders were always executed with cheerfulness and alacrity. Perhaps no officer ever understood better the art of commanding the affections, as well as the respect of those who served under him; if that can be called an art which was rather the natural effect of the benevolence and magnanimity of his character.

BLAND, THEODORIC, a worthy patriot and statesman, was a native of Virginia, and descended from an ancient and respectable family in that state. He was bred to the science of physic, but upon the commencement of the American war, he quitted the practice, and took an active part in the cause of his country. He soon rose to the rank of Colonel, and had the command of a regiment of dragoons. While in the army he frequently signalized himself by brilliant actions. In 1779, he was appointed to the command of the Convention troops at Albemarle barracks, in Virginia, and continued in that situ. ation till some time in 1780, when he was elected to a seat in congress. He continued in that body three years, the time allowed by the confederation.

After the expiration of this term, he again returned to Virginia, and was chosen a member of the state legislature. He opposed the adoption of the constitution, believing it to be repugnant to the interest of his country, and was in the minority that voted against its ratification. But when it was at

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length adopted, he submitted to the voice of the majority. was chosen to represent the district in which he lived, in the first congress under the constitution.

He died at New-York, June 1, 1790, while attending a session of Congress, in the forty-ninth year of his age. He was honest, open, candid; and his conduct was such in his intercourse with mankind as to secure universal respect. He had a talent and genius for poetry.

BLOUNT, THOMAS, took an early and active part in favour of the rights and liberties of his country, at an early age. Whilst a boy, at the age of sixteen, he entered into his country's service a volunteer in the Revolutionary army, in which he served in various capacities until the conclusion of a peace. We are not acquainted with the rank he held at the close of the war, but such was the confidence of the state in his patriotism and military talent, that he was raised by successive promotion, to the highest rank in the militia of that state, in which capacity he commanded universal approbation. General Blount had been a member of congress for many years, with occasional intervals. As a politician, whilst he was justly considered the inflexible and ardent friend to his country, he never departed from that gentlemanly deportment which characterised the man. He was an honorable and worthy man, and in him North Carolina lost one of her most useful and respected citizens. Intrepid as a soldier, firm and consistent as a politician, he united the qualities of a statesman and warrior, with those of the patriot and scholar. He died at the city of Washington, on the 8th February, 1812, in the 53d year of his age, whilst attending his duties in congress, as a representative from the state of North Carolina. His remains were interred in the public burial ground, on the 10th February, with military honours. His funeral was attended by the military and members of both houses of congress; and the solemnity and length of the procession which accompanied to the silent tomb, afforded ample testimony to the general sensibility for his loss.

BOUDINOT, ELIAS, was born in Philadelphia, on the 2d of May, 1740. He was descended from one of those pious refugees who fled from France to America to escape the horrors of ecclesiastical persecution, and to enjoy religious freedom in this favoured land. He had the advantage of a classical education, and pursued the study of the law under the direction of Richard Stockton, Esqr. a member of the first American congress, whose eldest sister he afterwards married.

Shortly after his admission to the bar of New Jersey, Dr. Boudinot rose to the first grade in his profession. Early in

the Revolutionary War he was appointed by Congress to the important trust of Commissary General of prisoners. In the year 1777, he was chosen a member of the National Congress, and in the year 1782, he was elected President of that august body. In this capacity, he had the honour and happiness of putting his signature to the treaty of peace, which forever established his country's independence.

On the return of peace he resumed the practice of the law. It was not long, however, before he was called to a more important station. On the adoption of the present constitution of the United States, the confidence of his fellow-citizens allotted him a seat in the House of Representatives of the United States. In this honourable place he was continued for six successive years. On quitting it to return once more to the pursuits of private life, he was appointed by that consummate judge of character, the first President of the United States, to fill the office of director of the national mint, vacated by the death of the celebrated Rittenhouse. This trust he executed, with exemplary fidelity, during the administration of Washington, of Adams, and (in part) of Jefferson. Resigning this office, and seeking seclusion from the perplexities of public life, and from the bustle and ceremony of a commercial metropolis, he fixed his residence in the city of Burlington, (New Jersey.) Here, surrounded by affectionate friends, and visited by strangers of distinction; engaged much in pursuit of biblical literature; practising the most liberal and unceremonious hospitality; filling up life in the exercise of christian duties, and of the loveliest charities that exalt our nature; meekly and quietly communicating and receiving happiness of the purest kind; he sustained, and has left such a character, as will forever endear his memory to his friends, and do honour to his country.

Prior to the revolution he was elected a member of the board of trustees of New Jersey college. At the time of his decease, he was the senior member of this corporation. The liberal donation he made it during life, and the more ample one in his last will, must be long remembered with gratitude by the friends of science. But, while anxious to promote the interests of science, he was not unmindful of the superior claims of religion on his remembrance and his bounty. Attached by principle and habit to the religious denomination of which he was so distinguished a member, he has been most liberal in his testamentary donations to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and to their Theological Seminary, established at Princeton. But, as his mind unshackled by bigotry or sectarian prejudice, was expanded by the noblest principles of Christian benevolence, he has also very liberally

endowed various institutions whose object is to diffuse more widely the light of revealed truth; to evangelize the heathen; to instruct the deaf and dumb; to educate youth for the sacred ministry; to advance knowledge, and to relieve the wants and miseries of the sick or suffering poor.

To those of his fellow-citizens, however, who are peculiarly interested in the wide circulation of the sacred scriptures, perhaps the chief excellence in the character of the deceased, was the ardent and effective zeal he displayed in the Bible cause.

The efforts he at first made, notwithstanding the infirmities of age and much unexpected opposition, to establish the American Bible society; his munificent donation to this institu tion at its first organization; his subsequent liberality to aid in the erection of a depository; the devise of a large and valuable tract of land; and the deep and undiminished interest he has taken in all the concerns of the national society ever since he was chosen to be its president; while they spread his fame through every region of the globe, will consecrate his memory in the hearts of his fellow-citizens in America, and his fellow-christians throughout the world. But, if his public services and his private worth claim the tribute of general esteem and affectionate remembrance, the closing scene of his life is no less calculated to console his friends under the heavy loss they have sustained, than it is to edify and support the departing christian. In the full possession of his mental faculties, and in the assured persuasion of his approaching dissolution, his faith was firm, his patience unexhausted, and his hopes were bright. While, with paternal solicitude, he exhorted those around him to rest on the Lord Jesus Christ as the only true ground of trust; while, with solemnity and tenderness, he commended a dutiful and affectionate daughter (his only child) to the care of his surviving friends, with humble resignation he expressed his readiness, his "desire to depart in peace," to the bosom of his Father in Heaven; and the last prayer he was heard to articulate, was, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!

Dr. Boudinot died at his seat in the city of Burlington, New Jersey, on the 24th of October, 1821, in the eightysecond year of his age. On the 26th of October, his remains were committed to the tomb, followed by a large concourse of family connections, and by the most respectable inhabitants of the city of Burlington. Among the mourning friends who attended on this occasion, was a deputation from the board of managers of the American bible society.

BOWDOIN, JAMES, governor of Massachusetts, was born in Boston, 1727. His father rose from common life to an eminence among the merchants of the town, and was suppos

ed to leave the greatest estate which ever had been owned by any individual of Massachusetts. His ancestors were French refugees, who left their country after the revocation of the edict of Nantz. They first went to Ireland, and then came to New-England, 1688.

Mr. Bowdoin was graduated at Harvard College in 1745. He very soon became a distinguished character among the citizens of Boston; was chosen a representative to the general court, 1756; and from this year continued in public life till the year 1769, when he was negatived by governor Bernard, on account of his being the most leading whig at the council board. He was, the next year, sent representative from Boston; chosen a counsellor; and accepted by Mr. Hutchinson, because he thought his influence less prejudicial in the house of representatives, than at the council board." He was one of the committee that drew the answer to the governor's speeches, where he asserted and endeavoured to prove, by strong arguments, the right of Great Britain to tax America. For this he had the honour of being negatived by governor Gage, in 1774, who declared that he had express orders from his majesty to set aside from that board, the honourable Mr. Bowdoin, Mr. Dexter, and Mr. Winthrop."

During this memorable year, delegates were chosen to meet at Philadelphia. Mr. Bowdoin was the first member of the Massachusetts delegation. He was prevented from attending his duty by his ill state of health. Mr. Hancock was afterwards chosen in his place. In 1775, when the town of Boston was blockaded, Mr. Bowdoin was moderator of the meeting, when the inhabitants agreed to give up their arms to general Gage, on condition of their being permitted to leave the place with their property, and without disturbance. In this business he conducted with great prudence and firmness, and was one of the first who went out of Boston after the agreement. It is well known how shamefully the promises of the British commanders were violated. Mr. Bowdoin took his place as chief of the Massachusetts council at Watertown, and was one of the fifteen, who by the charter were to act in the room of the governor, when the office was vacated. In 1778-80, the convention for establishing a state government for Massachusetts, met at Cambridge, and afterwards at Boston. Of this body, Mr. Bowdoin was president. In the year 1785, after the resignation of Hancock, he was chosen governor of Massachusetts, and was re-elected the following year. In this office his wisdom, firmness, and inflexible integrity, were conspicuous. With uniform ability and patriotism, he advocated the cause of his country, and his writings and exertions during the revolutionary war, were eminently useful. When