400 MACON COUNTY. 



generation. In the memorable year 1776, then not 18 years 

 old, and while a student at Princeton, New Jersey, burning 

 with youthful ardour, and fired with holy enthusiasm in the 

 cause of public liberty, he abandoned his collegiate studies, 

 and performed a short tour of duty in a company of volun- 

 teers ; thus in his youth evincing an attachment to those prin- 

 ciples which in after life he supported with so much firmness, 

 ability, and undeviating consistency. After his return from 

 New Jersey, hearing of the fall of Charleston, South Carolina, 

 in the spring of 1780, he joined the militia troops of his native 

 State, as a common soldier, and continued with them until 

 the provisional articles of peace were signed, in the fall of 

 1782. During this eventful period, he gave proofs of that in- 

 difference for office and emolument, and that unaffected de- 

 votedness to his country's good, which his future history so 

 conspicuously illustrated. He served in the ranks as a com- 

 mon soldier, and though command, and places of trust and 

 confidence, as well as of relative ease and security, were often 

 tendered him, he invariably declined them ; desiring only to 

 occupy the station, and to share the hardships and perils com- 

 mon to the greatest portion of his fellow soldiers. And al- 

 though in very humble circumstances as to property, he never 

 would charge or consent to receive one cent for such services. 

 He gave his heart and soul to the cause in which he embark- 

 ed. He loved his country, and like a dutiful son gave her in 

 time of need — 'twas all he had — his personal service. And even 

 when that country smiled with prosperity, and, with a munifi- 

 cence deserving all praise, made liberal provision for the 

 soldiers of the Revolution, he declined the proffered bounty. 

 Often has he been heard to say, (disclaiming all imputation 

 upon others,) that no state of fortune could induce him to ac- 

 cept it. In those times, too, were developed those noble traits 

 of Roman character which attracted to him the confidence 

 and esteem of his countrymen ; and becoming generally known 

 throughout the State, they won for him a popularity to which 

 his country is indebted for his long, useful, and illustrious 

 services in the public councils. His countrymen elected him 

 while yet in the army, and scarcely twenty-four years of age, 

 a member of the Legislature, without his solicitation or even 



