JOHN BROOKS.

JULY 4, 1787. FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY OF CINCINNATI.

BEFORE the dissolution of the American army, the officers, in their cantonments near Hudson's river, instituted a society, May 10, 1783, which, from similarity in their situation to that of the celebrated Roman, was to be denominated "The Society of the Cincinnati." It was to be designated by a medal of gold, representing the American eagle, bearing on its breast the devices of the order, which was to be suspended by a deep blue ribbon, edged with white, descriptive of the union of America and France. The immutable principles of the society required the members to preserve the rights and privileges of human nature, for which they had fought and bled, and to promote and cherish union and honor between the respective States. Its objects were to perpetuate the remembrance of the American Revolution, as well as a cordial affection among the officers, and to extend acts of beneficence to those officers and their families whose situation might require assistance. A common fund was to be created, by the deposit of one month's pay on the part of every officer becoming a member. This institution excited no inconsiderable degree of jealousy and opposition. The ablest dissertation against it was entitled "Considerations on the Society or Order of Cincinnati," dated Charleston, S. C., Oct. 10, 1783, and signed "Cassius." It was the production of Acdamus Burke, one of the judges of the Supreme Court of South Carolina, who undertook to prove that the Cincinnati creates two distinct orders among our people: a race of hereditary nobles founded on the military, together with the most influential families and men in the State, and the people, or plebeians. On about the year 1803, Col. Humphrey wrote, in reply, that "more than twenty years have elapsed, and not one fact has occurred to countenance these jealous insinuations." This institution is said to have been originated by Maj. Gen. Knox. Its first president was George Washington, who gave his signature at the head of the list of members on its establishment. Gen. Knox was secretary-general. The first officers for the Massachusetts branch of that society were as follows:

Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, President; Maj. Gen. Henry Knox, Vice President; Col. John Brooks, Secretary; Col. Henry Jackson, Treasurer; Capt. Benjamin Haywood, Assistant Treasurer.

The first orator for this branch of the institution was Hon. John Brooks, in 1787. After 1790, the delivery of orations for this society ceased; but annual meetings, and civic feasts, with toasts and sentiments, on the anniversary of independence, are to this day perpetuated.

A strong indication of the patriotic motives of this remnant of revolutionary heroes is evident from the eloquent appeal of Gen. John Brooks, in this oration. "Considering the temper of the times," says Gen. Brooks, "in which you live, the part you have to act is confessedly difficult. For, although, as a society, friendship and benevolence are your great objects, yet apathy in you with regard to the public welfare would be construed into disaffection, and uncommon sensibility into design. It is impossible for men, whose great ambition it has been to deserve the approbation of their fellow-citizens, to view with indifference the reproach which has been cast upon your institution. But there is a degree of respect due from every man to himself, as well as to others; and there are situations from which one may not recede, without the unavoidable imputation of weakness or of guilt. While, therefore, a consciousness of virtuous and laudable views will prompt you to cherish the benevolent principles which first induced you to associate, you will be led to respect that spirit of jealousy which always characterizes a free government, and, when not carried to excess, is useful in its support. Time, which places everything in its true light, will convince the world that your institution is founded in virtue, and leads to patriotism.

"Besides the motives you have, in common with others, to seek the public welfare, a regard to the consistence of your own character, that sense of honor which has raised you superior to every temptation and to every distress, the reiterated testimonials you have received from your country of their sense of your patriotism and military merit, are ties that must forever bind you most sacredly to her interests. Prosecute, then, with resolution, what you have instituted in sincerity. Make it the great object of your ambition, as you have shone as soldiers, to excel as citizens. Treat with just indifference the insinuations which envy may be disposed to throw out against you. Silence the tongue of slander, by the rectitude of your conduct and the brilliance of your virtues. Suffer not the affected jealousy of individuals to abate the ardor of your patriotism. As you have fought for liberty, convince the world you know its value. As As you have greatly contributed to establish these governments, teach the licentious traitor

that you will support them; and as you have particularly fought under the banners of the Union, inculcate, in your several circles, the necessity of preserving the unity of the national character. Fortify your minds against that foe to integrity, that bane of republicanism, an immoderate thirst for popularity."

Hon. John Brooks was born at Medford, June 6, 1752, and received a town-school education. He was an indented apprentice to Simeon Tufts, M. D., at the age of fourteen, until he became of age. He early settled at Reading, in medical practice, and married Lucy Smith, an orphan. While at Reading, he became captain of a company of minute-men, and it being at the period when Boston was in the possession of the British troops, under pretext of going into town for medicine to be used in his profession, he engaged a drill-sergeant of the regulars to secretly instruct him in the manual exercise; and he often remarked, it was of this British soldier that he acquired the rudiments of military tactics. He was not at the battle of Bunker Hill, but was engaged in other services on that day and night, at Cambridge. His daughter Lucy was prematurely born, at Reading, on that memorable day; and, being remarkable for active and energetic habits, her brother Alexander observed to her, one day, when she was bustling about the house, "Why, Lucy, you was born in a bustle, and I believe you will die in a bustle." Mr. Brooks was a schoolmate with the eminent Count Rumford. Hon. Loammi Baldwin, of Woburn, was his early friend; and each was destined for college, but neither of them ever received a literary education, being diverted from their purpose by patriotic ardor. Capt. Brooks was in the battle of Lexington, and, meeting the British force on their return from Concord, he ordered his men to post themselves behind the barns and fences, and fire incessantly upon them. Col. Brooks, in the battle of Saratoga, at the head of his regiment, stormed and carried the intrenchments of the German troops. In the battle of Monmouth, Brooks was acting adjutant-general. After the battle of Saratoga, he thus laconically wrote to a friend: "We have met the British and Hessians, and have beat them; and, not content with this victory, we have assaulted their intrenchments, and carried them."

Col. Brooks detected a conspiracy of officers at Newburgh, early in 1783. He kept them within quarters, to prevent an attendance on the insurgent meeting. On this occasion, which was probably the

most anxious period in the career of Washington, who rode up to him for counsel on this point, Brooks said, "Sir, I have anticipated your wishes, and my orders are given." Washington, with tears in his eyes, extended to him his hand, and said, "Col. Brooks, this is just what I expected from you." What a scene for an artist! In 1780, Col. Brooks delivered a Masonic oration at West Point, in the presence of the noble Washington. He was commander of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in 1786, and major-general of the Massachusetts troops in Shays' insurrection. In 1788 he was a member of the State convention for the adoption of the federal constitution. Was president of the Massachusetts Medical Society. In 1795 Gen. Brooks published an oration for the Massachusetts Humane Society. In 1800 he published a eulogy on Washington, delivered at Medford. He had, previous to this period, been appointed a U. S. marshal, and supervisor of the direct tax. He was vice-president of the first temperance society in New England, on its institution, in 1813. He was the State adjutant-general under Caleb Strong, and Governor of the State from 1816 to 1823. We well remember the beautiful scene of August 25, 1824, when Lafayette stood on the balcony of the mansion-house at the head of Park-street, attended by Gov. Eustis on the right, and his immediate predecessor, Gov. Brooks, on the left side of him, each in full military dress amid the cheerings of the gathered multitude, and the escort of the Boston regiment, on retiring to their quarters. When Lafayette visited his old companion-in-arms, during this month, one of the arches displayed, on his entrance into Medford, this inscription, "Welcome to our Hills and BROOKS." Gov. Brooks died at Medford, March 1, 1825.

Lieut. John, a son of Gov. Brooks, of youthful beauty and generous enterprise, fell in the battle of Lake Erie, September 10, 1813, on board Perry's flag-ship Lawrence. Alexander S., his other son, entered the U. S. army. Lucy married Rev. Geo. O. Stuart, of Canada. "In the character of this estimable man," remarks his pastor, Andrew Bigelow, D. D., "there was a junction of qualities equally great and good. Great qualities he certainly possessed. The faculties of his mind, naturally of no inferior order, had been unusually strengthened by culture and exercise. Separately, they were all entitled to respect on the score of power; and, had the entire assemblage centred in some one not endued with his genuine goodness of heart, or in whose breast a baleful ambition reigned, they would have clearly

proved the possessor to be a talented man, in the popular sense of the phrase. In the case supposed, they would have stood all naked and open, and have glared upon human observation." The best memoir of John Brooks extant is that written by his pastor.

HARRISON GRAY OTIS.

JULY 4, 1788. FOR THE TOWN AUTHORITIES.

In this spirited and elegant oration of Mr. Otis, it is remarked: "A review of the history of the North American settlements exhibits an early and almost a continual struggle between tyranny and avarice upon one side, and an ardent sense of native liberty upon the other. Those are mistaken who think that the original source of oppression may be traced in the ordinance of the Stamp Act. The first colonial institution established in Virginia was subjected to an arbitrary council, dependent upon the capricious pleasure of a king. Patience and enterprise at length had discovered to the inhabitants a staple production at that period peculiar to the colony, when the harsh mandate of a tyrant foe had the cultivation of it, and condemned commerce to defile her infant hands in the fruitless, ignoble drudgery of searching after mines. In other southern colonies, instances are not wanting of inquisitorial writs and of violated charters.

"It must, however, be allowed, that, sheltered by the canopies of their paramounts, they were in general less exposed than their sister provinces to the scorching rays of supreme majesty. Advancing into New England, the system of oppression becomes more uniform, and the resistance consequently more conspicuous. No affluent proprietary appeared to protect our hardy ancestors. The immeasurable wild had yielded to their industry a vacancy barely sufficient for their household gods. At the same moment, the pestilential breath of a despot blew into their country a swarm of locusts, commissioned to corrode their liberties to the root. Even in those early times, not only the freedom, but the use of the press, was prohibited; new taxes were imposed; old charters were abrogated; citizens were impressed.