among the first of that glorious band of patriots whose ex ertions dashed and defeated the machinations of British tyranny, and gave United America freedom and independent empire. At a most important crisis, during the late struggle for American liberty, when this state appeared to be desig nated as the theatre of action for the contending armies, he was selected by the unanimous suffrage of the legislature to command the virtuous yeomanry of his country; in this honourable employment he remained until the end of the war; as a soldier, he was indefatigably active and coolly in trepid; resolute and undejected in misfortunes, he towered above distress, and struggled with the manifold difficulties to which his situation exposed him, with constancy and courage. In the memorable year 1781, when the whole force of the southern British army was directed to the immediate subjugation of this state, he was called to the helm of govern ment; this was a juncture which indeed tried men's souls.' He did not avail himself of this opportunity to retire in the rear of danger; but on the contrary, took the field at the head of his countrymen; and at the hazard of his life, his fame, and individual fortune, by his decision and magaanimity, he saved not only his country, but all America, from disgrace, if not from total ruin. Of this truly patriotic and heroic conduct, the renowned commander in chief, with all the gallant officers of the combined armies employed at the siege of York, will bear ample testimony; this part of his conduct even contemporary jealousy, envy, and malignity were forced to approve, and this, more impartial posterity, if it can believe, will almost adore. If, after contemplating the splendid and heroic parts of his character, we shall inquire for the milder virtues of humanity, and seck for the man, we shall find the refined, beneficent, and social qualities of private life, through all its forms and combinations, so happily modified and united in him, that in the words of the darling poet of nature, it may be said, 'His life was gentle : and the elements So mixed in him, that nature might stand up FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE. FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE, the fourth son of Thomas Lee, was born on the fourteenth day of October, 1734. His father for several years held the office of president of the king's council of the provincial government of Virginia. He had several sons, all of whom were highly distinguished for their talents, and for the services which they rendered their country. Philip Ludwell, a member of the king's council; Thomas Ludwell, a member of the Virginia assembly; Richard Henry, as the champion of American freedom; William, as a sheriff and alderman of London, and afterwards a commis. sioner of the continental congress at the courts of Berlin and Vienna; and Arthur as a scholar, a politician, and diplomatist. Francis Lightfoot, the subject of the present memoir, was perhaps not less distinguished, although he had not the advantages, which were enjoyed by the elder sons, of an education at the English universities. His advantages, however, were not of a moderate character. He was placed under the care of a domestic tutor of the name of Craig, a gentleman distinguished for his love of letters, and for his ability to impart useful knowledge to those of whom he had the care. Under such a man, the powers of Francis Lightfoot rapidly unfolded. He acquired an early fondness for reading and mental investigation, and became well acquainted with the various branches of science and literature. The fortune bequeathed him by his father rendered the study of a profession unnecessary. He, therefore, devoted himself for several years to reading, and to the enjoyment of his friends. He was a man, however, in whom dwelt the spirit of the patriot, and who could not well be neglected, nor could he well neglect his country, when the political troubles of the colonies began. In 1765, he was returned a member of the house of burgesses from the county of Loudon, where his estate was situated. In this situation, he proved himself to be a gentleman of strong good sense and discriminating judgment; and to this FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE. 417 office he was annually re-elected until 1772; when having be come connected by marriage with a daughter of Colonel John Tayloe, of the county of Richmond, he removed to that county, the citizens of which soon after elected him a member of the house of burgesses. In 1775, Mr. Lee was chosen a member of the continental congress, by the Virginia convention. This was an eventful period in the annals of America. It was the year in which was shed the first blood in the revolutionary struggle. It was emphatically the year of "clouds and darkness," in which indeed the hope of better days was indulged, but in which, notwithstanding this hope, "men's souls were tried." Mr. Lee continued a member of congress until the spring of 1779. During his attendance upon this body, he seldom took part in the public discussions, but few surpassed him in his warmth of patriotism, and in his zeal to urge forward those measures which contributed to the success of the American arms, and the independence of the country. To his brother, Richard Henry Lee, the high honour was allotted of bringing forward the momentous question of independence, and to him, and his associates in that distinguished assembly, the not inferior honour was granted of aiding and supporting and finishing this important work. As already noticed, Mr. Lee retired from congress in the year 1779. It was his wish to be exempted from public care, and in the pleasures of home to seek those enjoyments which were consentaneous to his health and happiness. This seclusion, however, he was not permitted long to enjoy. The internal condition of Virginia, at this time, was one of much agitation and perplexity. His fellow citizens, justly appreciating the value of such a man, summoned him by their suffrages to represent them in the legislature of Virginia. Although reluctantly, he obeyed the summons, and took his seat in that body. He was fond of ease, and of the pleasures of domestic life; still he was conscious of his obligations, and most faithfully discharged them. While a mem ber of the continental congress, he had been characterized for integrity, sound judgment, and love of country. In his pre sent office, he was distinguished for the same virtues. He could not content himself, however, long in this situa tion. He became wearied with the duties of public life; and, at length, relinquished them for the pleasures of retirement. In this latter course of life, he not only enjoyed himself highly, but contributed greatly to the happiness of many around him. The benevolence of his disposition, and the urbanity of his manners, recommended him both to the old and the young, to the gay and the grave. The poor shared in his benevolence and advice. In his intercourse with his particular friends, he was uncommonly pleasing and instructive. Mr. Lee, having no children to require his care and attention, devoted much of his time to the pleasures of reading, farming, and the company of his friends. His death was occasioned by a pleurisy, which disease about the same time, also, attacked his beloved wife, and terminated the life of both, within a few days of each other. It is said, that he had embraced the religion of the gospel, and that under its supporting hope and consolation, he made his exit in peace from the world. CARTER BRAXTON. CARTER BRAXTON was the son of George Braxton, a wealthy planter of Newington, in the county of King and Queen, in Virginia, where he was born on the tenth of September, 1736. His mother was the daughter of Robert Carter, who was for some time a member, and the president of the king's council. Carter Braxton was liberally educated, at the college of Wil liam and Mary. About the time that he left college, it is supposed that his father died, although this is not well ascer 1 tained. On this event, he became possessed of a considerable fortune, consisting chiefly of land and slaves. His estate was much increased, by his marriage, at the early age of nineteen years, with the daughter of Mr. Christopher Robinson, a wealthy planter of the county of Middlesex. He had the misfortune to lose his wife within a few years of his marriage, soon after which he embarked for England, for the purpose of improving his mind and manners. He returned to America in 1760; and, in the following year, was married to the eldest daughter of Richard Corbin, of Lanneville, by whom he had sixteen children. The life of Mrs. Braxton was continued until the year 1814. Of her numerous children, one only, a daughter, it is believed, is still living. The ample fortune of Mr. Braxton rendering the study of a profession unnecessary, he became a gentleman planter. He lived in considerable splendour, according to the fashion of the landed aristocracy at that day. Yet, it is said, that his fortune was not impaired by it. Upon his return from a voyage to England, he was called to a seat in the house of burgesses; and in 1765, particu larly distinguished himself at the time that Patrick Henry brought forward his celebrated resolutions on the stamp act. From this date, until 1776, the political career of Mr Braxton corresponded, in general, with that of the other delegates from Virginia, of whom we have given a more par ticular and circumstantial account. It will be unnecessary therefore, to observe in this place more than that Mr. Brax ton was, during this period, for the most part, a member of the house of burgesses, and a member of the first convention which ever met in Virginia. Nor is it necessary to speak particularly of the patriotic zeal and firmness which characterized him, in all the duties which he was called upon to discharge. On the twenty-second of October, 1775, the distinguished Peyton Randolph died at Philadelphia, while presiding over congress. In the following month, the convention of Vir ginia proceeded to appoint his successor, upon which Mr. Braxton was elected. In that body he soon after took his |