Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-03-18

DlED,-in Williamsburg, on Monday morn
ing, the 9th of this present month, the honor
able WILLIAM NELSON, one of the Judges
OF the GENERAL CoURT of this common
wealth, and Pyofessoy of Lalo, and Police, in
the College Of William and Mary in the fifty
fourth year of his age.
1t is not often that nature unites in the same
character that firm understanding, that enthu-
siasm for intellectual attainments, and tina,
heart OF celestial purity which distinguished
this excellent and lamented man. He receiy
ed his education in that college OF which he
died professor and from his early youu,
until the period of his deavbx his ex plorinr and
interchangeable mind was evtr mostsactisely and
usefuiy engaged. Il is no fnatter of surprize
therefore, that thus endowed and constituted.
he had visited every haunt Of genius, travelled
through every region into whiciDscicnce had
shot single ray, and ranged with irreprcssi
BILE ardor over the whole empire of the Law.
fiad lie been less learned than he was in the
department of law. with 4 mind less compre.
hensive and fertile, and a heart less del;o ,,e
and scrupulous, the friend who pays him this
last sad tribute is satisfied that lie would have
made much more distin gtished figure in the
public estimation than he did, highly honor:,.
BILE as that figure was for ignorance, sterilitv.
and rndelicacy, have neither materials nor mo-
yves Tor consideration; and are therefore Of.
ten marked With 4 holiness and promptitude
worth; But Judge Ne son knew the almost
boundless extent of the science Of law. aud the
| oDscurity and iItricacy In which many parts of
| 1t lie, to this day covered and involved from
| the most penetrating eye his mind embraced
4 the Whole of every controversy which came he.
fore hun, ard suggested every consideration
which ought to enter into its decision while
his pure and scrupulJus heart would never per
1 nit lam 10 decide, while an atom OF doubt
hung over any part Of it. This deliberation
which exalted and endeared him with those
| who knew the stru~ ttire of his character was
sometimes mIsconsHued by the needless s., ram
/ ger into proof Of slowpesspr want of power
he thought him slow. because he did not
know the extensive tact ovch (which his genius
4 was wSlnging its waayslspA poyeriess because
| he did not perceive tbc hRStApf considerati
ons justly belonging 3ollie cause which has
more coPlous and prolific Kind was suggesting
and his Judgment weighing in the Balance
| That he WAS neither slow nor iTnbocile, those
| we'll knew who had the happiness TO enjoy his
private acquaintance. IL was in the socisl CIR
Gle that bis genius Showed itself unfettered
he bad wa Of attic purity; yet such was tte
benevolent spirit which guided il, that he ne
yer geYe pam; there was no man whoss fan, !
played its innocent gsmbols with more anus
ing and anmating variety, or shot is fight.
with more rapid and exalted wings, yet he ne
yer -ose without dropping from them, on al
around, the balm Of peace and love, as we'll Al
Il joy.-f loved him because knew him; ant
who that know bin, ldFed him. mott Not one
His death is loss wlhclk bot be shoril,
repaired to his countsy. b his Ricnds. never
On the 18th, instsnG at the House o
MIR. William Moncure, near this city, after
severe indisposition gilmore than three months
continuance, FATET1E HENRY, Of Camp
Dell county, son of the la'e Patrick Henry
Ne was elected member Of the last Virgini
Legislature, and csmd 10 this city, for the pul
pose OF taking his seat iaeflfst body, but be
fore he could DO SO, wss >ttackcd by the fats
disease which hnallyput period to his e.
silence lie was young man of fine talents
and was highly esteemed by all Who kne'
l him.