The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-09-14
ron THE MADIsoNIAN.
JUDGE A. P. UPsHUR.

JUDGE a. p. UPSHUR.
| Among the names transmitted on Saturday by the
President 10 the Senate was that of Abel P. Upshur
of Virginia, for Secretary of the Navy As Mr.. Up
shur has besn in Congress his name is ia
miliar to the nation at large In this respect, he
stands in the Of many others of far inferior capa
city. As he has been invited to take seat in tn e
Cabinet Of President Tyler, your readers will be nte-
rested to know something of his character and public
career, He is not unknown to fame, however in his
| own section of the country.
| Judge Upshur is a distinguished justice Of the
High Court OF Appeals % his native State. He was
pupil Of the late Mr. Writ for several years en-
gagged in Practice and the fist
rank in his profession As weread lawyer, and
an able advocate, he had no SUPERIOR and few equals
in his State He was for several years distinguished
member of the House Of Delegates, and took pro-
minent and leading part the legislation Of the
times.
In the memorable Convention which assembled at
Richmond, in 1929 for the formation of a Con-
sti,ution for Virginia Mr.. Upshur prominent
member. In that Convention were comprehended
The leading statesmen of the Old Dominion including
Madison, Monroe, John Marshall, John Tyler j. and
P. P. Barbour John Randolph, Benjamin Watkins
Leigh, and others. James Monroe was President o f
the Convention, but becoming i'll before the close
of its deliberations, Philip P. Barbour chosen in
his place. All the master-spirits of Virginia were
there and more able nbage of worthless
convened in the Old Dominion. 1t
that occasion that the qualities of Mr. Upshur
statesman of enlarged and comprehensive views
fully developed.
Amir tha Hicp pla f,rf Tho hauiz md iI,ro
of a Constitution, Mr., Upshur had the distinguished
adopted, and in consequence of the profound wisdom
displayed in conceving the plan and the ability and
coquence exerted in maturing, illustrating, and ura-
ing it, to the satisfaction Of those present Mr. Madi-
son, Mr.. Monroe, and Mr.. Randolph united in the
memorable declaration that he was the abes member
of the Convention. Such compliment coming from
such high authority would not have been bestowed at
random and could not have been matter of indifer
any one, though he had enjoyed the high
est h,nors of the Constitution. But to Of Mr.
Upshurs age-then comparatively young man--it
was distinction worthy of the most elevated amb-
ton and calculated to confer lasting honor His eff
forts on that occasion, and the estimation in which
they held, gave him rank among the most ac-
complished statesmen ofthe South.
In the character of judge, bis official labors have
been limited to the unobtrusive discharge of judicial
functions. The spo,less ermine rested on a
more pure and upright judge. On the bench, he has
redeemed the just expectations of the people by the
learning, ability, impartiality, and dignfed manner
in which he has fulfilled the duties of his Office To
talents of the first order,-to extensive and varied
learning, and long experience as lawyer and Judge
las legislator and statesman Of enlarged views-he
unes industry and method in the application Of a
powerful intellect TO the details of business Few
men possess SO clear and comprehensive mind coupled
with the native eoquence, to enforce his conclusions
on the minds of others, and it was the remark Of
distinguished Southern statesman familiar with the
character Of both, that be knew Of no in the
Union better calculated than Judge Upshur, to com.
pete with the gigantic intellect Of Daniel Webster
anv important subject
Judge Upshur is accomplished gentleman Of the
Virginia school, and in all the social relations of pub
lie and private life he is dignfed in manners concil
iaory in department, and accessible to friends, 10
neghbors and TO all others in the common intercourse
Of business.