Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-03-20
NO. A..

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came intoxicated; and through means
otwh'ch he was plunged into the d,p,k-
OF dissipation and dcbaurh.rv. Frou,
this unto~ard course. he was singular
~ rsbsomed by q sermon which hos
adventtiously heard from the blind
preacher, James wardeii. whom he b,x
so celebrated in his British Spy. Tlg
sketch there given is often placed a.,
enviable juItaposition with those Of La
Fevre and La Roche.
his dark period IN his life wa, eaus-
eel BY imbibIng the visionary theories
OF Goodwin. TO which he thus allude. ~.
the British Spy:' "It is at thi, gid
dy period OF life, when a series Of dis
seiute courses have debauohed the pu
rity and innocence Of the heart. shaker
the pillars OF the understanding, and
converted her sound and Wholesome
operations into little more than a set OF
leterish starts, and incohercnt and de-
iirious dreams-it - in such q situa.
ton that Q new-fangled theory i. wei
coined as an amusing guest; and de
'sm 10 embraced as y balmv comforter
against the Pangs OF an offended con-
science"
At that period he wrote a farce call
ed the County Court Lawyer" which
was never acted. nor I'VE believed pub.
iished. IL represented late member
OF Congress, under the name Of Blum
dcrbuss. IL was at that period, also.
that no was prevailed upon TO accom-.
Pany tuend to the rural church Of
" addeli, where for . time he needed
not the speaker or auditors; but was
last sinking into the arms Of the drow-
sy deity, till instinctively aroused, as
II BY divine electricity, he was among
those who "came 20 scoH bot remain
ell to pray" The change in hi. life
was immediate and important; So
much so, that when his wife died in
i195. and he had removed to Rich
mond, he was appointed Clerk TO the
Rouse oil Delegates, as successor to-
John Stuart, which situation he held
I'll 1902 He was then appointed
chancellor Of the eastern district OF
Virgins, though only % years Of age.
But during his chsucclIorship. TO
which very small salary was attach
ed' having married the daughter Of tho
late Colonel Gamble Of Richmond, he
was Obliged TO resign, and resume his
professional practice, more adequately
TO support has change in domestic life.
Through the persuasion Of Mr.. Taze-
well, late elected Governor Of Virginia
he was induced TO settle at Norfolk
IN that state, where he remained reap.
ing emolument and fame till 1900. =.
In that year he returned 10 Richmond
and IN the following year lie was re-
tanned 10y the special direction of JEFF
ierson as attorney for the government
IN the celebrated case Of Aaron Burr.
Ot his eloquence &c. in the prnsecu-
ton, Chief Justice Marshall, Cthe nre-
siding judge reuarked---'The uues-
ton has been argued IN a manner ~or
my OF ats Importance. A degree Of
e'oquencs seldom displayed Oh nnv
occasion, has embrIiished solldi,y OF
Argument, and depth Of research
one passage Of his speeches hiss
been 50 popular a. tn have nearly palled
oy familiar repetition, else u might be
quoted.
In 1903, lie vas elected a member
Tor Riohmoud to the Virginia Legisl,-
'Hrej and was soon after elected a. a
prlNy councillor To Mr.. Monroe. the
then Governor Of The state. In 1916.
he was appointed nitcd states Atior-
ney Tor the district of Virginia. by
Madison. and IN 1917 ne was appoint
eu united States Attorney General by
Mr.. Monroe, an office which he rus
famed with emIncnce and efficiency.
iuIioS tho administrations VI Monroe
md Adams.
1t was during his ehaneelIorship that
We wrote the letters called The Briiish
opy; IN 1903. he wrote the ESSAYS in
he Richmond Enquirer, subscribed
Tine OF the People;' in 1872, he wrote
hose signed 'Ilfe Old Bachelor = and
u 1917, be published his Life Of Pa.
REX Henry. In 1896, he pronounced
10 cloeium on tho deaths Of Jefferson
nd Adams; 10 1880 he delivered an
address 90 literary society AZ Rutser's
'ollege aud another the same ,ear
y Baltimore, on the celebration of tho
trench Revolution, when Charles the
Tenth was dethronsd.
During tbs last election he was no
nioaled asa candidate for the presi
eney, by the snti.mssonlo convention,
ssembled VA Baltimore. ~ October.
SJi. During the present session 81
he supreme Court, no was engaged 10
evsrai causes pending.
Tie was 6e years Of ase, and hAsleCt
ehind h'n hIs vile ADD q numetou.
imiIy.