Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-08-06
WILLIAM Ii. CRAWFORD.

GINA, and, when about the age of fourteen,
with his parents emigrated to Georgia. The
father vas plain respected planter, chiefly de-
reodant on his personal labor, s. that of his sons
as they grew up: for the support of numerous
family. In the course Of time, the father and
sons, by continued industry, integrity of con-
duct, and a remarkable vigor Of native INTEL
lect, acquired character and influence in the
country, and filed some of its important offices,
sueh as Clerk of the Courts, Sheriff, Judge Of
the Inferior Court. Court of Ordinary, &c.
Good penmens and accountants, they were
consequently useful men in the community.
The subject of this letter, the present Sc
ffe'ary OF Me Treasury, after laburious APP
premiership, !OiIing at the plough, like most
Young men OF the south whose parents are I'M
abe ~ aS.atain them ia leisure and ease en-
braced the opportunities Of study and mental
Improvement aa.rded by private academy in
the nelghborhood,t then directed by Mr.. Waddle,
who has since become eminent as teacher.
and now presides in the University Of Geor-
gla. by constant and earnest application Of his
excellent mind, he soon required knowledge
of the classics, and progressed to the end of
the usual academica course, preparatory TO
entering college. Destitute Of the means of
completing III more liberal manner his edu-
cation, Mr.. Crawford took The charge Of the
academy in Augusta; and supporting himself
by the procesds OF the tuition, employed the
time aot required in the seminary, prosecuting
course of legal study, which by the time bp
had arrived ~ the age of 80, had fitted him for
the practice Of the lazy. Soon after his adj
mission TO the Bar he was appointed by the
then governor Jackson, one of three gentlemen
10 prepare digest Of the laws Of the State. the
labor Oh which was principally borne by him
and the ~o' k completed in mastery manner,
was received and published by authority of the
L ,fs.x l..
professional career he took the centre of the
circuit 10 which he settled, and placed him self
IN the midst OF the powerful competition which
al that day prevailed in the STATE. His com.
peers we're men ofbetter opportunities of edu-
catioD- Some of Them for years held high
reputation 10 eioquence and professional as
tuteness, and were famous beyond the limits of
their State. OF these the most prominent were
ThGmas +. Cornes, Robert Watkins, George
Walker, Seaborn Jones, John f.. Anderson
Geter EIriy, &c. any one of whom, at the
Bar of any state, would have been distinguish
ed. They are nov a!kdead but they lived
long enough 10 acknowledge the gigantic pow
eTs of the youngest competitor among them
and who had started in he race with manifest
disadvantages. Without patrons without for
tune, and perfect stranger lD the circuit, be
must have sunk under such a competition, had
he not possessed originally moral and inteec-
tual qualities of the first order. Industry. in
tegrity, frugaIity and intrepid professional cnu-
rage, soon raised him To An sminence thai
could DOT be over5hadowed by the taIest f.
cure Of the circle ia which he moved. Manly
frankness and social urbauity introduced him
10 the favor of the people aud he became on
all occasions the choice of those who sought
champion to defend every great interest IN
question.
With such qualities, and so largely commit
ted in the concerns of all about him he WAS
unable to avoid being drawn into political dis
customs, and at the invitation Uf his own
neighbours, he accepted seat in the House Of
Representatives OF the state. In thus assnrn-
ing the relations Of = Representative, he Weld
ed to the spontaneous wish of his fellow citi-
zens, being htnseif opposed to any diversion
from ms professional engagements. Having,
however, yirIded his judgment in this respect
to the pariiaiity and solicitation af his friends
he took his seat and il seemed matter Of
course That he should be, as he was, at once
i"oked upon as the first man in the Lcgisla-
ture. in MI respects he supported the repuia-
lion aud character he enjoyed before The cleo.
uoDj a9d among the people his popularity
was enlarged.
Having continued in the Legislature -four
years successfully. he ws4 elected in 1907. Ia
the senate Of the Uniird States, and took his
seat IN that body, unk0ogn TO every member
M u. except the oiher senator from the same
STATE and equally new 10 al the ssecutive Of
icrrs. having been in no way. before connect
ed ~lib the administration Of the Federal 90
vera nen'. The first matter Of ins.~.-,i pce on
which ~ wss required 10 vote in the senate
IS 1s the famous embargo, submit ted for CON
5lderaiion with favorable Recommendation.
BY - tben President Jefferson. Mr. Craw-
lords Judgment was against the policy Of The
"Tn. and he had The integrity and cou-