386 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Feb. 18

If Thomas G. Pratt was brave, chivalric, and mas-
terful, he was equally generous. He took no credit to
himself in this great work. These are some of the
ringing sentiments, broad and noble, that he uttered :

"The people of Maryland are always 'anxious to
maintain the honor and credit of their State," "and
the success that has attended my efforts to give vitality
to the system is to be attributed to the energetic act-
ion of the last. Legislature."

"The representatives of the people of Maryland may
always rely, with certain confidence upon the support
of their constituents when, they abandon the path
which had, hitherto, only led to disappointment, and
pursue a new course leading to the redemption of the
honor of the State, and the good faith of her citizens."

When in 1847, he closed his gubernatorial career,
these were his generous sentiments to the General As-
sembly:

"I wish I could command language adequate to ex-
press my gratitude to the people of the State and their
representatives in the .Legislature, for the uniform
support given to all measures which I have recom
mended."

But where is the gratitude of the people of Mary-
land and their representatives to Thomas G. Pratt?

This knightly spirit was born in Georgetown, in the
District of Columbia, February 18, 1804, and was
educated partly in his native city and then graduated
at Princeton. He studied the law, and, in 1828, re-
moved to Upper Marlboro, in Prince George's county,
in this State, and began the practice of his profession.
He was elected to the Legislature in 1882-5. and in
1837 was chosen the president of the last Executive
Council of the State. From 1838 to 1842 he was in the
State Senate, and received in 1844 the Whig nomina-
tion for Governor on a platform opposing the repudia-
tion of the State debt.

On the expiration of his term of office, Governor
Pratt remained in Annapolis, and resumed the prac-
tice of his profession until 1849, when he was elected
United States Senator to succeed Reverdy John-