He was also a subscriber to the fund for the relief of the Bostonians and to all the public entertainments and celebrations given by the American patriots in New-York in 1774 and beginning of 1775, and: in addition to this he lost, by reason of his absence in Congress, the October term of the Supreme Court of the former of these years which, to a professional man of his eminence at the time, was a considerable sacrifice. Thus it will appear that even in the outset of 'the Revolution he had a foretaste of the sacrifices of property he afterwards experienced, as well as a knowledge of the consequences to his life, should his country prove unsuccessful.

Mr. Duane's conduct must have been satisfactory to his con- - _ stituents, for in April, 1775, he was elected a member of the

x HON. JAMES DUANE. 1073

Provincial Congress which met on the 20th of that month in the city of New-York, and by that body was chosen a delegate to the Congress that had been recommended to meet in Philadelphia on the 10th of May. Thither he repaired, leaving home soon after the battle of Lexington, and after the news of that important event had reached New-York. He was present on the day appointed for opening ; co-operated with his fellow delegates in raising the army, appointing Wasuincton Commander-in-chief, issuing bills, establishing a post office, and in fact assuming all the powers of government. He probably also joined them in further attempts at reconciliation with the mother country, an object all yet assumed to have in view.