RY

FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN. Born at Boston, January 17, 1706; established the
_Pennsylvania Gazette_, 1729; founded Philadelphia library, 1731; began
publication of "Poor Richard's Almanac," 1732; postmaster of
Philadelphia, 1737; founded American Philosophical Society and
University of Pennsylvania, 1743; demonstrated by means of a kite that
lightning is a discharge of electricity, 1752; deputy postmaster-general
for British colonies in America, 1753-74; colonial agent for
Pennsylvania in England, 1757-75; elected to second Continental
Congress, 1775; ambassador to France, 1776-85; negotiated treaty with
France, February 6, 1778; concluded treaty of peace with England, in
conjunction with Jay and Adams, September 3, 1783; returned to America,
1785; President of Pennsylvania, 1785-88; delegate to Constitutional
Convention, 1787; died at Philadelphia, April 17, 1790.

ADAMS, SAMUEL. Born at Boston, September 27, 1722; delegate to first and
second Continental Congress, 1775-76; lieutenant-governor of
Massachusetts, 1789-94; governor of Massachusetts, 1794-97; died at
Boston, October 2, 1803.

HANCOCK, JOHN. Born at Quincy, Massachusetts, January 12, 1837;
President of the Provincial Congress, 1774-75; President of Continental
Congress, 1775-77; governor of Massachusetts, 1780-85 and 1787-93; died
at Quincy, October 8, 1793.

HENRY, PATRICK. Born at Studley, Hanover County, Virginia, May 20, 1736;
admitted to the bar, 1760; entered Virginia House of Burgesses, 1765;
member of Continental Congress, 1774; of Virginia Convention, 1775;
governor of Virginia, 1776-79 and 1784-86; died at Red Hill, Charlotte
County, Virginia, June 6, 1799.

HAMILTON, ALEXANDER. Born in the island of Nevis, West Indies, January
11, 1757; settled in New York, 1772; entered Continental service as
captain of artillery, 1776; on Washington's staff, 1777-81; member of
Continental Congress, 1782-83; of the Constitutional Convention, 1787;
secretary of the treasury, 1789-95; appointed commander-in-chief of the
army, 1799; mortally wounded in a duel with Aaron Burr, July 11, 1804,
and died the following day.

BURR, AARON. Born at Newark, New Jersey, February 6, 1756; served with
distinction in the Canada expedition in 1775 and at Monmouth in 1778;
began practice of law in New York, 1783; United States senator, 1791-97;
Vice-President, 1801-05; killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel, July 11,
1804; in 1805, conceived plan of conquering Texas and perhaps