Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-02-20
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT.

Alta meeting of the gentlemen of the Bar OF
the Supreme Court of the United States, and o.
the Officers ofthe Court, at the Court Room IN
the Capitol, on Tuesday the 18th instant, the
Hon. B. F. BUTLER, Attorney General OF the uni
ted States was called to the Chair, ana the
Hon. JNo. SERGEANT was appointed Secretary:
Whereupon
Mr.. WEBSTER rose and addressed the Chalr as
follows:
II is announced to us that one of the Oldest,
one of the ablest, one of the most distinguished
members of this Bar, has departed this mortal
life. WILLIAM WRIT is no mOre He has this
day closed a professional career among the
longest and the most brilliant, which the dlstn-
guished members of the profession IN the Unit
ed States have at any time accomplished. I'm
sulled in every thing which regards profession
al honor and integrity, patient of labor, and rlch
in those stores Of learning, which are the re-
ward of patient labor and patient labor on y;
and ifequalled, yet certainly allowed not to be
exceled, in fervent, animated, and persuasive
eloquence, he has left an example, which those
who seek to raise themselves to great heights OF
professional eminence, will, hereafter emulously
study Fortunate, indeed, will be the few, who
shall initiate it successfully!
AS public man, it is not our peculiar duty to
speak of Mr. Writ here. His character, in that
respect belongs to his country, and to the history
of his country. And, sir, if we were to speak OF
him IN his private life, and in his social relations,
all we could possibly say of his urbanity, his
kindness, the faithfuness Of his friendships, and
the warmth of his affections, would hardly seem
sufficiently strong and glowing to DO him
Justice, in the feeling and judgment OF those
who, separated now forever from his embraces,
can only enshrine his memory in their bleeding
hearts. Nor may we, sir, more than allude 10
that other relation, which belonged to him, and
belongs to us all; that high and paramount re-
lation, which connects man with his Maker 1T
may be permitted us, however, to have the plea
sure Of recording his name, one who felt d
deep sense ofreligious duty, and who placed all
his hopes of the future, in the truth and in the
doctrines Of Christianty.
But our particular ties to him, were the ties Of
our profession. He was our brother, and he
was our friend. With talents, powerful enough
to excite the strength of the strongest with
kindness both of heart and of manner capable
of warming and winning the coolest Of his
brethren he has now completed the term OF his
professional lfe and Of his earthly existence, in
the enjoyment Of the high respect and cordial
affections ofus all. Let u.s. then, sir, hasten to
pay to his memory the well deserved tribute Of
our regard. Let us loose no time in testlfying
our sense of our loss, and in expressing our
grief that one great light OF our profession IS
extinguished forever
Mr.. WEBSTER concluded by submitting the fol-
lowing resolutions, which were read, and unani-
mously adopted viz.
Resolved That the members of this Bar feel,
with deep sensibity, the loss which the profess
sion, and the country, have sustained, in the
death of WILLIAM WRIT a member Of this
Bar and heretofore for many years, Attorney
General of the United States
Resolved, That we cherish the highest respect
for the professional learning of the deceased, for
his varied talent and ability, for the purity and
uprightness Of his professional life, and for the
amiabe and excellent qualities which belonged
to him as man.
RESOLVED, That, to testify these sentiments,
we will wear the usual badge of mourning for the
residue of the term.
Resolved, That Committee be appointed to
offer to his bereaved and afflicted family, the
coincidence and sympathy Of his brethren of the
Bar and to request that he may be inferred in
the City of Washington, and that his profession
al brethren be permitted to raise suitable mon
ument to his memory
RESOLVED, That Mr.. SoUTHARD be requested to
pronounce discourse, before the Bar, upon
the professional character and virtues Of Mr.
Writ, at such time, during the present term, as
may suit his convenience.
Resolred, That the Attorney General do move
the Court that these resolutions be entered on
the minutes oftheir proceedings.
The following gentlemen We're appointed by
the Chair to compose the Committee ordered by
the fourth resolution: Mr.. SWAMI, Mr.. JONES'
Mr.. WEBSTER, Mr.. CLAY, Mr. SoUTHARD, Mr.
SERGEANT Mr. PETERS.