profit by any legal tuition in the office of a lawyer, but borrowed the necessary books from colonel Jedediah Elderkin, a respectable member of the profession, residing in Norwich. The difficulties arising from this mode of study, were speedily surmounted by the persevering industry of Mr. Huntington, and having attained a competent knowledge of the general principles of law, he commenced his professional career in the town of Windham. In 1760, he removed to Norwich: at this period his reputation as a man of talents became more extensive, and his success and celebrity as a lawyer and an advocate, made a correspondent progress. Aided by a candid and deliberate manner, which appeared in some degree constitutional, few lawyers enjoyed a more extensive pratice, or attracted more general applause. From his good sense, intelligence, and integrity, his preferment was remarkably rapid: in a few years his character as a man of business and punctuality was firmly established; his reputation as a lawyer was exalted, and his extensive practice included all the important cases of his native county, as well as of those which bordered upon it.

In the thirtieth year of his age, the flattering prospect which presented itself to his view, induced him to unite the pleasures of domestic life with

the triumphs of professional science. He married Martha, the daughter of the reverend Ebenezer Devotion, a gentleman of respectable talents and great usefulness in the town of Windham, of which he was the minister. This excellent lady possessed an amiable disposition, and condescending manners: the number was not few of those who had profited by her christian benefactions, and many of the poor could "rise up and call her blessed." The consequence of this conjugal relation, although no offspring cemented the union, was the enjoyment of pure domestic felicity, until the decease of Mrs. Huntington. Economical and exemplary in their habits, they, in some degree, avoided all society excepting that which courted their attention. Having no offspring, Mr. Huntington adopted two of the children of his brother, the reverend Joseph Huntington, to whom, having married sisters, he was doubly united. The late Samuel Huntington, governor of Ohio, and Mrs. Griffin, the wife of the reverend doctor Griffin, president of William's college in Massachusetts, were the fortunate individuals who supplied the deficiency in his family, and profited by his excellent example and instructions. Mrs. Huntington died on the fourth of June, 1794, in the fifty-sixth year of her age.

In 1764, Mr. Huntington commenced his political labours as a representative of the town of Norwich in the general assembly; and in the following year, received the office of king's attorney, which he sustained with reputation until more important services induced him to relinquish it. In 1774, he was appointed an associate judge in the superior court, and in the following year, a member of the council of Connecticut.

Being decided in his opposition to the claims and oppressions of the British parliament, and active in his exertions in favour of the colonies, the general assembly of Connecticut, properly appreciating his talents and patriotism, appointed him a delegate to congress, on the second Thursday of October, 1775, in conjunction with Roger Sherman, Oliver Wolcott, Titus Hosmer, and William Williams, Esquires. On the sixteenth of January, 1776, he took his seat in that venerable assembly, and in the subsequent month of July, affixed his signature to an instrument which has excited the admiration of all contemporary nations, and will continue to be cherished and maintained so long as free principles and free institutions are permitted to exist. In this high station, he devoted his talents and time to the public service, during several successive years. His stern integrity, and inflexible patriotism, rendered

him a prominent member, and attracted a large share of the current business of the house: as a member of numerous important committees, he acted with judgment and deliberation, and cheerfully and perseveringly dedicated his moments of leisure to the general benefit of the country. He zealously performed the duties of this office during the years, 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, and 1780, when he returned to Connecticut, and resumed his station upon the bench, and seat in the council, which had been continued vacant until his return.

The estimation in which Mr. Huntington was held by his fellow members, may be properly appreciated from his appointment, on the twentyeighth of September, 1779, to the highest civil dignity of the country. On the resignation of the honourable John Jay, who had been appointed minister plenipotentiary to negotiate a treaty of amity and commerce, and of alliance, between the United States of America, and his catholic majesty, Mr. Huntington was elected president of congress: in 1780, he was re-elected to the same honourable office, which he continued to fill with dignity and impartiality until the following year, when, worn out by the constant cares of public life, and his unremitting application to his official duties, he desired leave of absence, and intimated to the house

the necessity of his returning home for the re-establishment of his health. The nomination of his successor was, however, postponed by congress, which appeared unwilling to dispense with the services of a president, whose practical worth had been so long and amply displayed. After the expiration of two months, Mr. Huntington, on the sixth of July, 1781, more explicitly declared that his ill state of health would not permit him to continue longer in the exercise of the duties of that office, and renewed his application for leave of absence. His resignation was then accepted, and Samuel Johnson Esq., of North Carolina, declining the appointment, the honourable Thomas M'Kean was elevated to the presidency. A few days after his retirement, the thanks of congress were presented to Mr. Huntington, “in testimony of their approbation of his conduct in the chair, and in the execution of public business.' ""

After having thus pursued his congressional career with distinguished success, rising by the energy of his own mind and the perseverance of selfinstruction, from the plough to the presidency, Mr. Huntington, in August, 1781, resumed his judicial functions in the superior court of Connecticut, and his station in the council of that state. His rapid exaltation had not proved prejudicial to his mind