The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-12-10
From the Boston Advertiser.
THE LATE Mr.. JUSTICE WASH
INGTON.

INGTON.
The death of Mr. Justice Washington
is AM eysnt. which cannot bot cast gloom
ppon all the real friends Of our country
lie was born on the 9Th OF June, l102, ana
wac of course now in the GSlh year oi his
age. II is well known that he was the ne
phew, and we have Alright to cay the favor
lie nephew of President Washington. The
latter bequeathed to him by his will, his
celebrated estate on the Potomac, Mount
Vernon, which was the residence OF this
great Patrio, during the most brilliant pc.
RODS Of his life, the delightful retreat OF
his old age, the scene of his dying hours,
and tho spot, where by his own order his
ashes now repose in the same tomb with
his ancestors. TO him also President
Washington gave oil bis valuable public
and private papers, ms proof of his entire
confidence and attachment. and made him
tho active executor of his WILL Such marks
Of respect from such man,--the wonder
Of his own age, and the model for all fu-
ture ages wonld alone stamp character
OF high merit, and solid distinction, upon
any person They would constitute pass
port 10 public favor, and confer an envla
AIDS Office, or the fugitive honours OF a
title.
1t is high praise 10 say, that Mr.. Justice
Washington well deserved such confidence
and distinction. Nay more. His merits
went far beyond them. He was as worthy
an heir ns ever claimed kindred with
worthy ancestor. lie was bred TO the Law
in his native State of Virginia, and arrived
at such early eminence in his profession,
that MS long ago as 1893 he was selected
by President Adams as Justice ofthe Su
preme Court upon the decease of the late
Judge Wilson, Of Penn. For thirty one
years he has held that important station
with constantly increasing reputation and
usefulness. Few men, indeed, have pos.
sessed higher qualifications for the Office.
either natural or acquired. Few men
have left deeper traces in their judicial ca
,eer of every thing, which a conscientious
Judge ought to propose for his ambition or
his virtue, or his glory. His mind was solid
solid,rather brilliant; sagacious and search
ing, rather than quick or eager slow, but
not torpid; steady, but not nRyielding; COM
piebcnslve and at the same time cautious;
patient in inquiry, forcibe in conception,
clear in reasoning. lie was by original
temperament, mild, conciliating, and can.
did; and vet was remarkable for an uncom.
promising Grmness. OF him il may be tru-
ly said, that the fear Of man never fell up
on him; il never entered into his thoughts,
much less was ii seen in his actions. In
lhim tho love of Justice was the ruling pas
NiOn,---it wns the master spring of all his
conduct. lie made it a matter Of conscience
"a discharge every duty with scrupuIous
fidelity, and scrupulous zeal. 1t mattered
not, whether tho duty were small or great,
witnessed by the world, or performed in
private, every where the same diligence,
watchfu'ness, and pcrvading sense of JUS
tice wero seen. There was ABOUT him n
tenderness of giving offence, and yet fear
lessnCss of consequences in his official
character, which scarcely know how to
portray. II was rare combination, which
added much TO tho dignity of the bench, g.
made Justice itself,cvGn when most severe.
soften in tho moderation ofmCrcy. 1t gam
cd confidence, when it seemed least 10
seek it. 1t reprcsscd arrogance by over
nwing or conlounding it.
TO say, that as Judge he was wise i'm
partial, aud honcsts but to Attribute to him
those qualifications, without which the hon
nrs of thc bench are but The means Of pub
lie Disgrace, or contempt. His honesty
was a deep vital principle, not measured
out by worldly rules. His impartiality vas
virtue of his nature, disciplined and IN.
structed by constant reflection upon the in
trinity. and accountability of man. His
wisdom was the wisdom Of tho Law, chas
tened and refined and invigorated by study,
guided by experience, dwelling little on
theory, but constantly enlarging itselfby q
close survey Of principles.
lIo was learned Judge. do not mean
by this, that every day learning, which
may be gathered up by hasty reading of
books and cases.--But thatwhich is the re-
suit of long continued, laborious services,
and comprehensive studies. He read to
learn, and not to quote; 10 digest and mas
ter, and not merely TO display. He was
not easily satisfied. lfhe was not as pro.
found as some, he was more exact than
most men. But the value of his learning
was, that it was tho key Of oil his
judgments. He INDUCED not the rash lc.
sire to fashion the law TO his own views;
but to follow out its prcccpts with sincere
good faith and simplicity. Hence he pos
scssed the happy faculty of yielding just
the proper weight TO authority, neither on
the one hand surrendering himself bind
fold to the dictates of other Judges, nor on
the other hand overruling settled doctrines
upon his own private notion of policy or
Justice.
In short. as a Magistrate, hc was excm.
plary, and able, one whom all may rever-
cncs, and but few may hope to equal.
But after all, it Is as man, that those,
who knew him best, will most 1--we to con.
template him. There was a daily beauty