Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-28
COMMUNICATED


At Smithfcld, his late residence King & Oneen
on Sunday, the 18th inst, JAMES WEBB, ESQ in the
69th year of his age. Mr.. Webb was long known
in this section of Virginia, as one of the most pro
found " successful lawyers of his day. Deeply read
in his profession-unwearicd in his labours--v.i,,
great method in the discharge ofevery duty he had
super added an Integrity of character which secured
him, on his first admission TO the Bar, an cxten.
sivo and lucra, i've practice. Upwards of twenty
years, he was engaged in the duties of his profess
ion, ercLusiretY in our County Courts, with sue
cess without parallel, in the history of County
Court practices. Born to no INSTRUMENTATION
influential family connexions to herald his worth
he rested his claims TO public patronage solely on
the force of intrinsic merit. Fortunes favours
were sought and W on. The enlarged intercourse
necessarily incident TO the DISCHARGE of duties in
velvins such varied and complicated interests
brought him professionally in collision with per-
sons of all sh DIES of character and temper: vet
if in the discharge of these duties, he made one
enemy or left behind him individual indulging
an unkind feeling towards him, it is vet TO be
known to the world. A remarkable trait in tho
character of this gentleman, was his unebtrusiye
" unambitous hablts-a virtue raro as il is com
mendable. 10 man had fewer impcdiments TO DO
ltical prefernent than Mr.. W.; yet when honors
of this kind were rendered him they wero either
rejected or accepted with unteigned reluctance.
On one occasion, the voters Of this Scna orial
district invited him from various quarters of the
district, to accept the delegation of Senator to our
State Legislature; he refused, in giving as a rea-
son, the presence of professional engagements and
a constitution impaired by great bodily and mental
exerton-he was purposcfy- absent from the polls
| the days of election. Notwithstanding, a poll
was opened for him, and against very popular gen.
tlcman, defeated by only five votes in tn
district. He served several sessions in the Virginia
Legislature, particularly the session of '98 and
99, when he yielded active and efficient
support to Madison's Report and Resolutions
When MIR. Writ was elected Chancellor of tho VIII.
liamsburg district, Mr.. Webb, in conjunction
with Judge Tyler and the late Judge Tucker, was
put in nomination for the same oiiicc-for scye-
raj consecutive ballots he received n plurality of
votes-hnally Judges Tucker and Tyler were with
drawn, and Mr.. Writ elected by majority
of few votes. He was not nor had been for
several years previous member of the House,
while Mr.. Writ at the time a highly popular
Clerk to that body. Some twenty years before
his death, Mr.. Webb retired from the Bar and
spent his life in private, distributing his munificcn,
| charities in alienation Of human distress where
ever found His house truly tho abode Of
hospitality, and his ample resources made tho
means of relief to mary all unfortunate
and oppressed spirit. In the long life
of the deceased, chcqucred with as few
adverse to be met with i'm as
long life, MIR. w. did not forget the duties he
owed to his God lie estimated the honours and
wealth Of this world ds 'sbrokcn reed" that would
avail him nothing in the hour of death. He lived
as he wished TO die, upright and elevated Chris
tian. Twenty three years he Il member Of the
Baptist Church. AS of tho Chcvaicr Bayard so OF
james Wcbb it might be said, she was without fear
I and without rcprOaCh.n