was engaged, had sensibly
affected the vigor of a constitution naturally delicate, and rendered
him peculiarly liable to the inroads of disease. He was seized in the
autumn of 1836, with an attack of intermittent fever, which confined him
to the house for ten or twelve days, and very much reduced his strength;
while recovering from this attack, he experienced an accession of
disease which terminated his life in less than twenty-four hours. But a
few hours before his death, he inquired of his physicians as to the
probable issue of his case; when informed of his critical condition, he
received the intelligence with composure, and immediately requested Dr.
Atlee, who was by his side, to take down some directions in regard to
his affairs, on paper. In a few minutes after this, he quietly lapsed
into the sleep of death, in the morning, on the 17th of Ninth month,
1836.

His last words were, "I die at peace with all mankind, and hope that my
trespasses may be as freely forgiven, as I forgive those who have
trespassed against me."

To all who knew him well, of whatever class in the community, the
tidings of this unexpected event brought a personal sorrow. It was felt
that a man of rare probity and virtue had gone to his reward. But to the
colored people the intelligence of his death was at once startling and
confounding. Their whole community was bowed down in public lamentation,
for their warmest and most steadfast friend was gone.

They repaired in large numbers to the house of their benefactor to
obtain a last glance at his lifeless body. Parents brought their little
ones to the house of mourning, and as they gazed upon the features of
the departed, now inanimate in death, they taught their infant minds the
impressive lesson, that before them were the mortal remains of one who
had devoted his energies to the disenthralment of their race, and whose
memory they should ever cherish with gratitude and reverence. When the
day arrived for committing his remains to the grave the evidence of deep
and pervading sorrow among these wronged and outraged people was
strikingly apparent.

Thousands, whose serious deportment and dejected countenances evinced
that they were fully sensible of their loss, collected in the vicinity
of his dwelling, anxious to testify their respect for his memory. Theirs
was not the gaze of the indifferent crowd, which clusters around the
abodes of fashion and splendor, to witness the pomp and circumstance