Note 1. Oliver, Chief Justice of Massachusetts, was graduated at Harvard College, in 1730. He afterwards resided in the county of Plymouth, where he filled several public offices, and was finally appointed Chief Justice. He was disliked by the people for refusing to receive his salary from the Legislature, instead of the King. Charges of treason against the colony were brought against him, and he left the country for England, where he resided the rest of his life. He received a degree of Doctor of Laws, from the University of Oxford, and possessed the reputation of being an able and intelligent writer. He died in 1791. He wrote a poem in blank verse, on the death of Josiah Willard, Secretary of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, from which we make the following extract. [back]
