MEADE, KICRARD KIDDER, 1750-1803; b. Virginia, was educated in London at the famous grammar school of Harrow, and, returning to his native state, at the age of 25 he commanded a company in the battle of Great Bridge, near Norfolk, Dec., 1775, the first engagement of the revolutionary war fought on Virginia soil. In 1777 he was pro moted to the rank of col., and to the position of aid to gen. 1Vashington, serving in that capacity until 1783. He was a prompt and faithful subordinate, always at hand,. and rendered signal service to his country. He \vas present in an official capacity at the execution (if maj. Andre. After the war he lived in retirement on his estate in Clarke COUIlty.
RicatanD WORSAM, 1778-1828; b. Chester co., Penn.; son of George of Philadelphia, who was noted among his conteinporaries for his ardent support of the revolution, in aid of which he contributed very large sums. The subject of this sketch very early in life engaged in the shipping business at Cadiz, Spain, where he sympathized with and assisted the Spanish patriot party, and during the peninsular war imported great 9uantities of provisions into Cadiz, then in a state of siege. From 1£305 to 1816 he
occupied the post of commercial agent for the United States, and in the last named year was arrested and imprisoned for two years ln the castle of Santa Catalina on charges of conspiracy against the government. On the peremptory demand of the U. S. diplomatic agents, he was released; but his business had been completely ruined by his unjustifiable treatment, and a long leg,a1 contest for compensation ensued, in which Webster and others. of our most eminent lawyers were engaged for him, but unsuccessfully. In this country Mr. Meade engaged in a large importing trade, made a large fortune, and his private art gallery was one of the first collected here by a private individual.