Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-10-23
GO.uNC.lvC.fTED

RICHMOND, Oct. 40, IS2S.
| The death OF THoHAs BuLLGNG RuBERrsoM.
, recently announced, is an event, no; ONLY TO be
inourned, with deepes, and most listing sorrow.
by The widowed wife OF his bosom thus early be-
ref OK her only strength and stay, BY his aged and
venerable parents aul sis other rear and fondly
attached relatives, and by those particular friends
'Tbo were intimately acquainted with the excel
lent qualities of his heart and underStandinr-it
must also be most sincerely iamcnted by all who
had any knowledge OF the private or public char
acter of the man.
This gentleman was the son o; William and
Elizabeth Robertson, who are both yet living 10 be-
wall the losss OF this as duIiiuI and ailectiomaIe Il
son as ever parents were blessed with; and 10
those who are strangers TO tie family, the fact may
be new and interesting, that he was descended in
the direct line, on the mothers side, from Poca-
. hoDtas, whose romantic history and peculiar merit
are known to all who have any acquaintance with
the early annals oil Virginia. lie was born in
the county OF Prince George, February 9th ITS.
His father resided, during his minority, first in
7 Petersburg or lis neighhortoUd and afterwards in
the vicinity OF Richmond; and he was educated
at such private schools as those towns afforded lit
! Is bardiy necessary TO say, that he owed his litcra-
ry a~ttainments, which were various and consid-
cradle, chiefly to his own excrtions. While yet
ia early gouth, he attracted the particular notice of
the celebrated John Thomson; who, among other
noble and striking qualities, had a very quick and
sure discernnent OF youthful merit, ard manifest
eel a warm fellow feeling Tor il upon all occasions.
Hif. itODerISOn came 10 the DI about Tie Degln
ming OF the year 1893, and, by Mr.. Thomson ad-
vice, settled At Petersburg. Mr.. Thomson died in
February l799-hequeathing his library to his
youthful friend, as the most appropriate and CRATE
fuI testimony Of his regard-and bcqueathing to
him too, the reputation, which, in that part otstIc
country, MIR. ThOmsonis good opinion was sure 10
confer. The Hastings Court OF Petersburg, and
the county court OF Dinwiddie, Immediately APP
/ pointed him 10 tite Offices of attorney for the com
) monwealth in those courts, which had been held
Inv MIR TtnmGnn anil v.erp yacatqI hV hi- Anc't
and the public, judging oil his talents by MIR. Thorn
sons known estimate of them, and by his own CO.
loquial powers, took an uncommon interest in him,
and conceived the highest hopes Of HE future
eminence. These hopes were, certainly, for a
few years, Disappointed; and, az a natural conse-
| quence OF the disappointment, he was for the time
moderated. ] know, tlat he himself felt that he
had disappointed the general expectation which
! had been formed Of him; aud, | believe, the feel
ing gave him the seyerest modification he ever
experienced in life. To those who enjoyed his
conversation, and thus mad opportunities OF know
ing his worth, it was a subject OF surprise as well
a. regret, very often expressed, that lie did not rise
at once TO distinctions: the truth was, that the bar
was the only field OF exertion which was open to
him, and he was avetse from The study and piac-
tee OF the profession. He was constantly engage
ed in gathering stores OF general, especially poliu-
cal, Information; and he had a passion for elegant
literature. His reputati)a began 10 grow in i202
ln that year, he was 4 candidate TO represent the
county Of Dinwiddie in The House Of Delegates Of
Virginia, but without success: hc was q candidate
also in 1903, and again in 1904, and was still un-
successful. Ii was observed, that he took no pains
to carry llis election, and never eyincsd the least
! chagfiu, or concern Of any kind, for his disaDpoint.
ments; that, far from practising tire ordinary me-
thods Of cduvaasiDg tor popularity, nc seemed 10
hold them in contempt and almost in abOmiuauon.
lie was elected IN 1895. BY this time. a lust and
high opinion had beeen formed of ;s talents; and
the public confidence IN its. integrity and honor. IN
The purity oi his principles, motives and views.
and in de uuconqucrabIe frmncss Of his mind,
had become unlimited and universal. lie served.
and served with distinction, IN the House OF Dele.
gdtcs, the two Sc --ions OF lsOJ-6 and $685., oud
was reelected in 'he spring OF 1897. But. during
the summer Of that year. he wa appointed. ny
President Jc fiefso9, secretary Of the tien terrific
W OF Orleans, aid left his native state "a The fall,
10 cn'cr uron lie duties Of his o.icc. Ia ibis sta.
ion he continued. ul Loui,ian1 was erected inf0 =
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