I 



THE BOTANISTS OF PHILADELPHIA. 137 



serve when called upon, and in September, 1814, on a 

 requisition by the Governor of Pennsylvania for volunteer 

 troops to aid in the protection of Philadelphia, which was 

 supposed to be threatened by the enemy then in Chesa- 

 peake Bay, he went to the camp on the banks of the 

 Delaware as an ensign in the " American Grays." Having 

 some taste and skill in military tactics, the regiment into 

 which his company was incorporated chose him major of the 

 first battalion. In this post, he served until the corps was 

 disbanded. 



In the meantime, however, his fellow-citizens at home, 

 appreciating his work as a physician, a friend of education, 

 a citizen-soldier, and an enlightened statesman, elected him, 

 unsolicited, a member of the 14th Congress. In 1816, in 

 consequence of dissatisfaction existing toward his colleague 

 in another county (the single district system not having 

 been then adopted), he lost his election by the small 

 majority of seven votes, but this defeat was amply atoned 

 for by triumphant elections to the 16th and 17th Congress, 

 from the same district. During his second term, the cele- 

 brated Missouri question agitated the Union, and called 

 forth the ablest efforts of the best men in Congress. On 

 that question Dr. Darlington was found ranked with those 

 who were desirous to restrict slavery, and raised his voice 

 in an able and excellent speech in opposition to its 

 extension. The Congressional district was changed in 1822 

 in such a manner as to give an overwhelming majority to 

 his political opponents. Defeat, under such circumstances, 

 being certain to the Democratic candidate. Dr. Darlington, 

 under a sense of duty, after the honors conferred by his 

 party, asked and obtained permission to decline a renomi- 

 nation. 



