Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-07-16
DEATH OF CHIEF JUsfIcE MARSHALL


The Philadelphia papers Of Tuesday
Of last week, announce the. death Of
Chief Justice Marshall, in that city, ut
6 o'clock on the preceding evening.
The eminent public services Of this
great man, the deep and universal con-
fdence reposed in his ability and worth, !,
and the sediment Of veneraiion enter
tanned for his private virtues, render this
loss one Of the most affecting that our
country could sustain. His health had
been for some time declining, and there
was little hope that the term Of his exis-
tence could be extended for much lon
ger period; but no period could occur,
when the loss would not have been felt
throughout the country as that Of one Of
its greatest bene actors.
Chief Justice Marshall was born in
Fauquier county, in Virginia, on the
24th Of September, 1855. He was the
son Of Col. Thomas Marshall, a man of
talent and education, but Of limited for
tune, whose ability was always spoken
of with admiration by his son. His ear
ly instruction was Of very imperfect
characters; he was Indebted to his father
for that which related to the Ebgl lish
language, but principally to his own eff
forts for his classical attainments. In
his opening manhood, he engaged with
zeal and ardor in the patriotic cause; in
1775, he received the appointment of
lieutenant in a company of minute men,
md subsequently rose to the rank of
captain. AT the beginning Of the war,
he fought against Lord Dunmore, at the
battle OF the Great Bridge, and some
time later, in those of Brand ywine, Ger
mantowa and Monmouth. In 1881,
there being a redundancy Of officers in
the Virginia line, he resigned his com
mission, and devoted himself to the prac-
tice of the law. He had been admitted
to the bar during the previous year, q
part of which he had spent in Virginia
IL is hardly necessary to add, that not
withstanding his youth, his military ca
reer was distinguished by the same in
telligence and excellent qualities, that
shed such lustre ON the course Of his at
ter life.
Immediately after the capitulation Of
Lord CORVALLIS, Mr.. Marshall began
to pursue with assiduity the practice Of
the law, and soon rose to eminent dis
tinctiOn. In the spring Of 1889, he was
elected a member Of the State Legisla-
iure, aud before its close, a member of
the Executive Council. He was mar
ried in 1888 to Miss Amber, a duugh-
ter Of the Treasurer Of the State. This
lady, after a long term of sickness and
suffering, descended few years ago to
the grave. In 1894, he resigned his
place at the executive board, and resum-
ed his professional pursuits; but immedi-
ately afterwards, and again in 1881, he
was re-electsd to the Legislature, and
took an active and efficient part in the
momcntous controversies Of the time
lie was also a member Of the Conven-
tion, called together in Virginia, for the
ratification Of the Federal Constitution.
la this remarkable assembly, in which
the most commanding elsquence and ta-
lent were literally displayed, no man ex-
hibited greater power of reasoning, or
patriotic ardor, than Mr. Marshall. i
MIR. Marshall continued in public life,
as member Of the Legislature of Vir-
ginia, till the close Of its session in 1891.
He then retired for three years, but was
returned again in 1895, and distinguish
ed himself by an argument OF remarka-
BILE ability, on the power Of the Federal
Executive TO conclude commercial
treaty. This was at the time when the
country was agitated by the controvcr-
sizes growing out Of the treaty gotiated
with Great Britain, by Mr.. Jay. in the
following year he was invited, by Wash
ington, to accept the Office Of Attorney
General, but declined it, on the ground
that 1t would interfere with his extensive
practice in Virginia. When Mr.. Mon
roe was recalled from France, Mr.. Mar
shall was urged by Washington to ac-
cePt an appointment, Us his successor.
This also, he was compelled by urgent
private considerations to decline. But
when MIR. Adams, who had in the mean
time succeeded to the Presidency, ap-
pointed him an envoy to that country, in
connexion with MIR. Gerry and General
Pinckney, he accepted the appointment.
The ENJOYS were however moi accredit-
ed by the French Government, and in
the summer Of 1893, Mr.. Marshall re-
turned to this country.
On his return, he was solicited by
General Washington, to become u can
didats for seat in Congress. He yield
ed with reluctance, and being elected,
after severe contest, took his seat in
December, 1899. While he was can
didate for this station, he declined a
seat on the bench of the Supreme Court
Of the United States, which became va
cant by the death Of Judge Iredell, and