160 



believed it possible, by non-consumption of British manufactures, to 

 compel a just respect to colonial rights. The present writer does not 

 here enlarge uj)on this fruitful topic. Much may be said in favour 

 of peaceable resistance; and to show that, if ibe United States had 

 not been separated from England, it would have been preposterous for 

 the latter power to pretend to tyrannize over them, that many valuable 

 sources of advantages would have been preserved, enormous destruc- 

 tion avoided, and that at a day not far removed from the present time, 

 the gigantic colony would have superseded the parent as effectually 

 as Syracuse did Corinth, Carthage Tyre, Athens the Egyptian or the 

 Hellenic Thebes, or Rome Alba Longa. 



John Reynell remained in Philadelphia during the whole war, and 

 preserved the respect of every one, but was certainly not in the war 

 to achieve political glory. Commerce was effectually superseded by 

 the blockades and hostile occupation of the city; and when peace was 

 restored, the energies of a man of seventy-ihree years of age could 

 not be expected to push it to any active rivalry with younger men. 

 Three or four years before the close, he took a nephew of his wife 

 into partnership; and some two years later, transferred the remainder 

 of his business to his younger partner. His death took place by a 

 gradual decline of about four months, with little definite disease, and 

 which terminated September 3, 1782. In his last confinement he 

 was attended by his friends Drs. Kuhn and Foulke. 



He was married, April 15, 1756, to Mary Nicholas, widow of 

 Samuel Nicholas, and daughter of Thomas and Beulah Coates. By 

 this connexion, he had four daughters and a son; all of whom, how- 

 ever, died in early infancy, except a daughter who nearly attained the 

 age of fifteen years. Mr. John F. Watson records the death of this 

 young lady by drowning, in that branch of Dock Creek which crossed 

 Chesnut street below Fourth street, near or at the ruinous bridge. 

 Mr. Watson is unable to give me his authority for this. I find no 

 mention of it in the newspapers of the time; the reports of the grand 

 juries are not easy of access; and I have no tradition of the circum- 

 stance. The record in the family bible merely relates that she died 

 "early in the morning." 



As far as has been gathered from incidental indications, John Rey- 

 nell appears to have ham of the middle size, of considerable bodily 

 powers, very good health, and a dignified and imposing aspect. His 

 manner was grave, quiet and somewhat taciturn. His signature is 

 bold and masculine; and resembles that of John Hancock. There 

 is no portrait of him. Although conforming to the requiren:ients of 



