Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-10-31
RICHMOND PRICE CURRENT.

.Eriract Of a letter from gentleman TO his
friend, dated, October lSt, 1904.
"I KNOW not how | can compensate
the pleasure received from yours, better
than BY giving you sketch Ola trial which
l heard at the last DIstrict Court of Char
Iot,esviile. arrived at that place during
the session of the CONT, and found the
public curiosity considerably excited by
suit between Robert Morris and William
Alexander. The sum in controversy was
said 10 be about S $4,000. The presence
OF Chief Justice Marshall, WHO was sad to
be Interested, seemed TO add Importance
10 the cause--but the ex-chancellor, Mr.
Writ, who was one Of the counsel, had
r4ised curiosity on tptoe. had frequent
ly observed that expectation when so much
raised, was generally disappointed, be
cause the reality can seldom equal, and
scarcely ever surpass the conceptions of
fancy.
"The cause wasopenedon the part of A
lexander, by Messrs. Kinney and Coaiter,
who displayed much ingenuity and ability.
They were followed by MIR. Chapman
johnson, of Stanton, on behalf of Morris.
Never was my surprise more completely
excited. A young man, in the commence
Incnt Of his legal career, with his diff
Icnce skill blushing around him-he rose
with suIusion of countenance which APP
pearcd 10 me ominous of the dissipation
OF his ideas. But he commenced in such
a strain of elegance, and pursued his
course with such firm, undertaking step,
as soon dispelled my fears and left my a.
tention perfectly unclaimed. When en-
veloped, in the clouds OF the cause, and
when a storm Of evidence and elolueuce
seemed towering over him and ready to
burst on his head, he stood unm0vcd, calm
and self-colie6ted. His attention fixed or
the point before him, he scattered light
on whatever part he touched, and by the
force OF reason, disarmed the storm OF eIO-
Quence which seemed ready 20 overwhelm
him. Ingenuity more understanding
more pointed, correGt, cogen,and connect
el--whiCh like the im2etuons torrent,
soon washed from beneath the icet OF his
opponents, the narrow isthmus between
error and absurdity on which they had
been compelled to stand---a more perfect
example Of the "lucidus ordo," have
never Witnessed in the most able and eY-
peTienced pIeader. The bearer ceased to
hear him with regret, tho not doubt re-
manned on his mind--and if may Judge
from the countenance of the audience, as
well as from my own feelings, nothing but
respect for the court prevented the audi
bic expression of their pleasure and adj
miration. If the dawn-o( this young man
be so bright, what will be his meridian
splendor? I am told that his industry and
attention, are surpassed only by the strength
IF 4, ~ FOO
pens that men endowed with vigorous
minds are ina,ten,ive to external accom-
plishments. Mr.. Johnson has a genieel
appearance, but his gesture as speaker,
is awkward. He seems too much engross-
ed in his subject to attend to his action.
Time will probably correct this dcfccl. |
thot saw in the countenance Of this young
stranger, which had rather d serious, if not
a melancholy cast, not only the marks OF
intelligence, but of mild and amiabc dis
position. 1t would have afforded me
much pleasure, if could have remained
long enough TO have cultivated his ac-
quaintance. lie was followed by Mr.. Mel
son on the same side, who spoke in an c.
loquent and impressive manner, but his
coadjutor had left him little to say. MIR. Writ
concluded the cause---hc surpassed my
highest expectation. Mr.. Johnson took
me completely by surpriss---bu, Nr. Writ
led me captive in spite Of every opposition.
A graceful person, a charming counie-
nance, a sweet, harmonious voice. on easy
gesture, an ingenuity which suffered moth
Jog to escape it, quckness and acuteness
which sees at a single glance. the whole
scope Of the cause, Judgment which di-
reels his smooth flowing and unintcrrupt-
ed stream Of eloQuencc against the weak.
est points Of his adversary with its strong
esi force, an imagination which ornaments
with the colors of the rainbow, whate-
yer il touches. a fancy that cnlvens eve
r. Object and Eliminates every subIecl, a
style pure, correct, nervous and elegant
enabled him 20 touch every chord OF the
human heart that could reverbcrate a
sound propitious 10 the cause Of his client
and place him unquestionably in the first
rank Of orators in the United States.
feel a pleasure in paying this tribute tc
merit--but had the talents Of this man
should have drawn picture much more