Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-10-03

regal government was wing in prin.
clple, considering it as designed for the
good OF society, and not for the ag-
grandlzement of its officers, and infu.
enced in my legislative and judisial
character by that principle. When
the dispute with Great Britain began a
redress of grievances and not revo.
luton OF government, was my wish.-
In this | was firm but temperate; and
whilst | was endeavoring to raise the
spirits of the timid to a general united
opposition, by stating to the uninform.
ed the real merits of the dispute, op.
posed and endeavored to moderate the
violent and fiery, who were for plung.
ing us into rash measures, and had the
happiness to find majority of all the
public bodies confirming nv senti.
ments; which, believe, was the cor
ner-stone of our success. Although
so long and to so high degree expe.
rlenced the favor of my country, | had
Away some enemies--few indeed; and
| had the consolation to believe. that
their enmity was unprovoked, as was
ever unable to guess the cause, unless
1t was my refusing to go all lengths
with them as their partisans.
EDMUND PENDLETON.%
July 90, 1892.
Judge Pendleton died at the advanc-
ed age of eighty-two, in the full enjoy
ment of his mental faculties, and al
most literally in the discharge of his
judicial duties.
In his legislative character he ac-
CURED the confidence of all parties,
and generally ensured success alike
by his wisdom and address. Mr.. JEFF.
ferson, who was associated with him
in those conventions which framed our
government, has left beautiful and af.
fectionate testimonial to the intelligence
and virtue. of Mr.. Pendleton:-'Take
all in all, he (Mr. P. was the ablest in
debate | ever met with. He had not,
indeed, the poetical fancy of Mr.. Hen
ry-his sublime imagination, his lofty
and overwhelming direction, but he
was cool, smooth and persuasivc-his
language flowing, chaste and embel-
lished; his conceptions quick, acute,
and full of resources.
Add to this, he was one of the most
virtuous and benevolent of men, the
kindest friend, the most amiable and
pleasant of companions, which ensured
a favorable reception to whatever came
from him. IT Mr.. Pendleton's pro.
found knowledge and constant study
Of the law of England had given to his
opinions much of bigoted attachment,
and, though he lived in the age Of re-
formation, he was opposed to any inno-
walton on that Gothic pile of reason,
superstition, and incongruous custom,
which received its first attack from the
rebellion of the colonies. He opposed
the abolition of entails, and earnestly
deprecated any change in the equity
system.t A long life of piety lent a
deepened coloring to the zeal and fer
vor of his attachment to the established
church. His devotion blinded him to
the necessary policy Of its abolition,
and he resisted, with spirited warmth
far beyond the habitual mldness of his
life, all attacks either against her inte-
rests or character. Though unsuc.
cessful in his oppositions to reforma-
ton, none obeyed with more fidelity
than Mr.. Pendletor the laws which its
spirit created.
As one Of the acting committee to
frame code of laws for the state, Mr..
Pendleton was associated with Mr.. JEFF
ferson and Mr.. Wythe, afterwards
chancellor. In the debate on the mo-
del of the proposed work, Mr.. Pendlc-
ton advocated the system of Justinian
and Bracton, or the more diffuse COM
piation of Blackstone. 1t is to be re-
GREETED that his colleagues overruled
this plan, drcading its great labor and
comprehensive research. In the dis
tribut.on of the several labors of the
committee, the Virginia statute law
was assigned to Mr.. Pendleton, and in
digesting its discordant chaos he has
evinced his copious erudition, and the
inherent benevolence of his character.
The records of the several Virginia
conventions are graced by the wisdom,
liberality, and intrepidity of his resolu-
tons, and they bear many testimonies
to his virtue and patriotism. The con-
vention of IT'S being about TO appoint
delegates to represent the colony in
general congress, Mr.. Pendleton ex-
pressed his most grateful acknowledge
ments for the honor conferred on him
in two former appointments TO that inn
por:ant trust, &entreated, on account OF
his declining health, to be excused
His excuse being accepted, after a vote
of thanks, it was unanimously resolved