Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-03-05
CHEF JUSTICE JOHN MARSHALL

10 excite and cherish Iandaoie uesHe 4" nia"!
prom; sing youths OF our country, 10 emuiate
virtues and talents which 1t is imPossioie nor 10
admire. John Marshall seems to stand alone;
for he happens to be The last survivor among
our revolutionary worthless, who sustains, IN q
fine green old age, one ofthe most lofty and re-
sponsihle situations in this nation. He IS the
eielest SON of the late Col Marshall of Virginia,
who commanded a regiment IN the continental
line Of that leading State, in the war OF the rev.
ohuon,- When the writers of this article trst
saw him, he neld The commission OF captain IN
that regiment 1t wa. in the trying, severe
winter Of l777--s, few months after the disas-
trous battles OF Brandywine and Germantown
had tested his 6rmness, hardihood, and heroism
The spot where we acquired our earliest infor-
nation Of him was the famous hutted encamp-
meut at Valley Forge, about 80 miles from
Philadelphia. BY his appearance then, we sup
posed him about 20 or % years OF age. Even
SO early in life, we well recolect that he appear
ed to US, prirnus inner pares; Tor amidst many
commissioned officers, he was Disseminated
for superior inteIlgence. Our informant, Col.
Ball, Of another regiment in the same line, rep
resented him as Young man, not only brave,
but signally intelligent. Indeed, all those who
intimately knew him, affirmed that his capacity
was held in such estimation by many OF his
brother officers, that in most disputes Of a GER
tain description, he was constantly chosen arbl-
ter: and that officers irritated by differences or
animated by debate, often submitted the contest
ed points to his judgment-which being given
in writing, and accompanied as it commonly
was, by sound reasons in support Of his decis-
ion, obtained genera. acquiescence. So early
in life was the termination Of judicial capacity
manifested by him! When the war of the rev.
olulicn became paci6ed by the acknowledge
ment Of our independence on the part OF the
British Government, it is well known under
what circumstances the American army dis
banded itself Thousands Of officers in the au-
tumn Of 1893 retired to their homes, victorious
bu, impoverished The bulk Of them desti-
tute. Because The old congress and corfeder-
acy had neither power, funds, nor credit; and
were then gradually dissolving in their own
weakness.
In thi. exigency i, appears that Captain Mar
shall, i'm common with Col Hamilton and 9TH
er excellent officers of the day, resorted for sup
port, to new profession. In due time he quail
fled himself for its proper exercise; and was
admitted, by the courts, 10 the practice OF law
in his native State. Under whose direction he
completed his new course Of studies we are not
informed. But we know that John Marshall,
within few years alter the American army was
disbanded, was found in full practice at the bar
in Richmond. He resided in the rising Metrop-
oils OF Virginia, then, * since the principal seat
Of her legislation and superior courts ofjustice.
Here he soon became eminent for the most con-
ciliatinv manners, as well as for his success
We have heard his pleadings on one side DINA
nv cases, which on the other, engaged the acute
logic and Ciceronan eloquence of the late Ed
mund Randolph, then in the zenith OF his pro-
fessional powers 1t is now more than thirty years
since we became one Of John Marshal's clients.
In prosecution Of an affair OF controverted bust
ness, that requiredthe opinion OF able counsel,
which was designed TO operate in a foreign To-
rum we were directed TO him one OF the
ablest Of the able: and such we found him.
We for some time fingered withou, lettering,
in society new to US, in the city of Richmond
Novelty sharpens curiosity. We sought not
merely for amusement, but 10 look quite thro'
the deeds of men. We Of course often saw our
Counsel as veIlin the superior courts Of law
aud equity, as in polished circles Of convivial
society in place remarkable for its refined hos
pitality 10 strangers that are properly inlroduc-
ed. Perhaps some scrupulous ssctarian who
''loyes not plays as thou dos,, Anthony"-while
elancing al our sketch, may deem il by no
means flattering to great and grave Jarist,
when we suggest that this stage at that period,
was equally intimate with the yotaries Of ee-
CANT pleasure and the agitators Of important
causes. Blu, the charm Of biography consists
in npino, truths neglected By grarsr history Che
r;shed and familiar with both classes, John Mar
shall was likewise esteemed and respected By
the leaders Of two political parties in that city,
who rarely copcurred in opinion on any other
subject, save and except his acknowledged
worth. In truth he was then the charm OF pri-
yate circles, and a, the same time public fa-
vorite.
We repeat it, at that period of his lie al
though assiduous in professional business, and
attentive to the peculiar interests con6ded to
his management by throng Of clients, he re-
created himself also by manly and amusing ex.
ercises: and this to such degree that some OF
his contemporaries expressed their surprise that
he could contrive TO execute so much business,
and at the same time enjoy so much pleasure.
But we did not partake in such surprize; and
why? Because we knew, that he was then, as he
is now, one of the earliest risers in the commu.
nifty. He was up and out every day before the
day dawued. Even before sunrise, we knew