Page:Journal of the First Congress of the American Colonies (1765).djvu/51

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sentiments, and found them all in his favor. Mr. Garrick, a few days after, in a discussion on the subject, said, ' he never saw human nature more amiably displayed than in the`modest manner of address, pathos of affection for his country, and graceful gesture, exhibited by Mr. Cruger in his speech.' I am thus particular because you must be curious to know what reception the first American member met with' in the most august assembly in Europe. My heart beat high with anxiety, I trembled when he arose with the most awful and affecting jealousy for the honor of my country. When ' Hear him ! hear him !' echoed through the house, joy rushed through every vein, and I seemed to glory in being a New-Yorker."

It seems to me, Mr. Editor, " writes our correspondent, “that there could he no more fitting vehicle for publishing and ire cording these notices of the distinguished reputation of an accomplished son of New-York, than her own peculiar Knickerbocker Magazine; especially, too, since the high reputation commemorated was earned in defence of American rights, and in the midst oi' the most splendid galaxy of statesmen the world has ever seen, For among his friends and associates in Parliament, as recorded in the Life of Van Schaack, were Burke, Fox, and Sheridan; and ' particularly with Charles James Fox his political principles brought him into great intimacy; and he was one of that illustrious band of the champions of freedom who espoused the American cause in the British Parliament. With the distinguished reputation of their opponents, constituting a long list of eminent British statesman of that day, every educated man is, of course, familiar.

Mr. Cruger retumed to his native city of New-York, where he resided during the latter portion of his life, and where he died, at the advanced age of ninety years.' We have in our possession several of the doggerel hand-bills alluded to in our November issue, but, having already presented liberal extracts from this species of of election-literature, we shall forego their publication for the present. “ Oh!` the Golden Days of Harry Cruger” is quite a long 'poem, ' in which enthusiastic admiration of that gentleman, and hatred of his opponents, are described in language unmistakably plain. Kindred songs, embracing labored acrostics upon his name, sufficiently attest the great popularity which Mr. Cruger must have won at the hands of his constituents.