Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-02-29

seat on the bench ofour General Court ;
from which he was successfully translated
to the High Court OF Chancerv: 10 the
Court OF Appeals, and 10 the supreme Jud-
ciary of ,he United States.
70 this theatre he surely was destin-
ed. On some the ermincd robe may
confer grace. But in him, The beniyni-
ty of hi, soul overspread every feature;
broke forth in every tone; and outshone
the decorations Of art. lie woe 4 IRA
witty, which was not the ape Of pon9,
nor the eiTef OF that torpor of the mind,
which overwhel'ns the unmeaninr fac.
Was he ever restless during an argu,nent?
Did he ever forget, that, thonyh Judge,
and personally exempt from rudeness ne
was not abs0lved from the manners OF Il
gentleman Did he ever risque, uncom-
PEELED, single observation, which could
give pain to the hu'nblest minister or
ineanest suitor in his court Did he ever
abandon the high way of glory, for some
crooked path Of popular applause? Did
he ever unnerve Justice where her ter
rors could be saiutary, and were sanC(-
oncd by law +? Was he not always
happy in softening her vengeance,
where mercy was not resisted by duty
On such # his associates in the admins
traion nf common law, equity, appellate
power and federal and national inisprus
denoe. as shall read this memorial ofhin,
the demand is made FOR their testimony,
that ne enlightened every eubie6t on which
he decided commanded their vcnerati1n,
and impressed the deepest rerret, when
he separated himself from them.
But his retiremcnt from the judiciary OF
the United States has raised a .nopumeu'
to the disinrerestedness of his SOIL. ~
had advanced somewhat beyond his esd
year, with no unuSual DECAYS &C bndy:
with none of the min ,, perceived BY those
who saw him engaged in aNsfrusc nnes-
tons of The higher mathematics in phi
teal inquiries. and in critical Investigate
ons ofthe scriptures. Hewas torep.n,ed
by no review of his past consluGf--h. an
ticipated 10 dancer from the assaults of
eremies-his taste for society continued
&c be the offspring &c mildness and philan-
thIoDy-his religion had no tipFlur. Obj.
gotry or fanatici~m---he felt no disgusts--
his salary was not without is convenient
cies Why then did he, beloved. r..srrj0
cd and renowned, surrender oricia, d;r.,-
tY, not unaccompanied by reward The
solution lies here---aS destitute Of vanity,
as an angel, he was stranger to the art
fec of self illusion; and ,hen only betrav-
ed his knowledge Of the Difference Dail IN
him when he dreaded that friendship
might conceal froH him what It had silent
" detected, the failure OF his in,eNe6ls.
Like watchfu csntipel We canoH5 th2 SIS.
alarm from a slight disorder Of the head
Resigned And years afterwards ,Ieoon-
str3ted this denunciation of himself to be
among the rare instances Of his error.
In one bright assemhlage MIGHT the vir
tues OF filial piety, conJurai attachment,
parental affection, domestic kindness, 50.
cial regard and universal benevolence be
grouped But as his whole conduit was
regulated bv the religion which he pro
fesscd: behold him always obevinc hose
convictions. which he has, at different
times, been heard 20 express.
"The being ola God AMI first cause
necessarily existing. feel, when exam
inc nv self or surrounding nature.
"His eternity, omn;pr-sence, unity, in
terigencc' ireedo n, infinite power wis
dom, goodness, Justice, truth, and other
perfections are capable oc demonstration.
When 7 rehc6t, that we Of This day
admit a future state of rewards AMI pm
ishments, and fod the gospel upheld by
prophecy, miracles, the testimony Of The
apostles anl the purity Of its precepts
am struck with horror, that we. who he.
hevc these things, manifest not our belief
by our actions. Thus iuvrlving myself
as a Darfaker Of this fOo ere,e,aJ cr,:it