Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-11-30

In cases depending on international law, his vas,
knowledge and eIudi,ion particularly shone.
/ lie settled several important points, on questions
Of confiefus iegunt-- branch of the legal sci
ence not yet sufficiently investigated, either in Eu
rope or in this country and the principles of which
! still remain to be fixed on that broad aud libeIs
basis, which the mutual convenience of nation:
seems TO require.
/ Ii is a remarkable fact, that during the twenty
Que years that he presided over our Supreme Court
! his opinions never were over-ruled by a majority
of his colleagues except in one inst snce, in which
it is difficult TO say which sen,imen, ought to hsve
prevailed. In the other States of this Union, his
decisions considered as high and weighiy
authority, in many cases, as leading and decisive.
His rank is now established among the first judi
! cal characters that this country has produced.
In politics. he was wsrm patriot. and friend
TO civil and religious liberty But he never mixed
in party intrigues, and never learned to bate men
for being of different opinion from his own
When great and important questions arose. which
involved the fate and happiness of his country, he
took decided part, and his talents and influence
were devoted to the support OF the opinion thai
he had espoused. Thus we know that he was =
Jealous friend TO the adoption of our present hap
ny constitution, and that he promoted it by his
.xeriions in the Maryland legislature. We know
also that through lie he wac sincerely attached 60
its principles, and considered the union Of the
States as the bulwaik of our future happiness
He was warm admirer of Washington, who, on
his part. entertained high opinion Of his chsrsc.
ter, aud honoured him with his familiar cores
poDdence There was between them perfect con-
genaii,y of sentiments and feelings. His opinions
on political subjects were never concealed; but be
did not e'pouse the passions OF any party; much
less did be carry them with him to the high seat Of
justice a scruputous adherence to the constitu-
ton and laws, a strong attachment TO liberty, or
der, and good government, are ell that can he ga
thered OF his politics from the mass oil his nume-
Ious judicial opinions.
HIS politics, indeed, were Of that enlarged cast,
which accorded very little with party feelings
He viewed the interest of his country the most
extended scale. He looked forward TO posteriy,
and was not contented with raising aiot,ering e.
Office for the present generation. Agriculture aud
manufactures he considered the mos, solid toun-
ds,ions of our national prosperity. Commerce he
did undervalue, but it would be sure 10 follow
and prosper in their train.
Consistently with these principles, he was yea
lous and active member of the Philadelphia Socie
~ for promoting Agriculture. In the year 1914,
he was elected their vice president, in the place
of the patriotic George Clymer, and continued in
that Office TO the time OF his death While resi-
ding on his fathers farm in Maryland, he had be
come familiar with the subject of their investisa
tons. The discourse which he delivered before
them on the 18th of January, 1920, is replete
with practical as we'll theoretical knowledge
II sbounds with interesting facts :and displays at
the same time the talents aud eloQuence Of the wr
ter
He was the president of the Society FOR the
couragement OF American manufactures, and there
he may be said TO have been pursuing one OF the
objects nearest to his heart. He thought America
never could be independent without manufactures.
We might well have remained colonies TO @.
Britain not manufacture for ourselves: for the
prohibition Of those arts the basis of the En-
glish colonial system. Indeed, he carried Ihis
feeling that degree OF enthusIaem, that for ten
years before his death he would not any article
that was not manufactured in this country. He
had once the satisfaction 10 make importer of
British goods strongly prejudiced in favor OF his
scku owledge that piece OF supeIfn
American cloth which he Showed him better
dyed than the best English cloth of The same quail
ny. How he riumphed on tina, occasion, his
friends TO whom he fond of relating the cir
Gums ance, may we'll remember
How he patronized the arts and sciences, and e.
~ species OF American Improvement, l need not
tell you who have been witnesses of his exer-
lions. Bat those not confined 10 the bosom
Of our Society, they Gispa yed themselves in every
scientific and literary institution TO which he
belonged, and those were numerous. OF the A
cademy OF Natural Sciences, and of that of The
Fine Arts, he valued associate. He was
as one Of the Board Of Trustees Of
the University of Pennsylvania, over whose de-
IibeTatiOns he and venerable member of our So
cielyJ now uFlnS, were BeneIhiiy calIeu upon TO
preside The Philadelphia AtEeneum, founded in !
1914, and now fourishing, chose him for their
PRECEDENT. lie presided in like manner over tie
Society which was incorporated in 1921, for es
the Law Academy of this city, to whose
success lie mainly contributed. The Academy
will ever revere the memory OF their illustrious
patron.
would never have doae, were I TO enumerate
the religious, charitable. and benevolent sssocia-
lions Of which he was an efficient member. In
most of those Societies he held distinguished
rank; for his fellowactiZens delighted TO honour
him. Nor were the tributes Of respect he received,
confined to this city or to this State In the year
1914, Harvard University, that ancient and cels
braied institution, which is known not 10 be lavish
Of its bonours, conferred upon him, unsolicited the
degree Of Doctor of Laws; he was also elected a
membe- OF tha American Academy of Arts and
Sciences. Those distinctions, though unsoush,,
must have been grateful to him, from q city which
rivals Philadelphia, in her zeal for the promotion OF
knowledge. Of bis attachment, to science, and in
particular to our Institson, he gave proof in the
last solemn act of his life. By his last VIII and
Testament, be left legacy of two hundred doI,
lars, to our Society; snl like one TO the A!he
neun of Philadelphia. q
Such was the patriotic citizen. the enlightened
the learned and upright judge, whose
loss we deplore, in common with the countfv 10
which be belongs a 5 bis sssOciatesas bis frend-
we have yet tribute to pay TO hi, private worfb
1 cannot quit this mournful subject without ,eirar-
ing those personal qualities which endested bin 10
us all.
You, who have known Wisisr and TiIghman
while they both lived, cannot but have observed
that similarity Of Disposition {. feelings which pro-
duced The warm and intimate friendsbip that SUBJ
sisted between them. The same expansive pbi-
me nv Cf