The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-05-10

THE SECRETARY OF TIE TREASURY.


the age OF intellect Within that space, how many
giant minds have adorned The executive, the eglsia-
tive and the Judeilel branches OF our Government
Many oil the most brilliant lights OF science genius
and talent, yet shed their rich efiulgence over our
happy land, giving strength 10 the national councils,
and impartlng greater fame 10 our character as an
Union, BY their wisdom and aAl0, paiIia.
Conspicuous IN this number stands the learned scho-
lar, the profound jurist the accomplished statesman
the present able and efficient Secretary OF the Trea-
sury.
Ii may be that memory has lost the grasp Of SINH
llT cases, but il is believed but four distinctive extra.
ordinary occurrences remain prominent upon the his
toric canvass, wherein the high commanding talents
OF the father have been transmitted 10 the 1t
was the case with Lord Holland and Charles James
Fox, the Earl of Chatham and VIM Pitt, John Adams
and John Quincy Adams, Chief Justice Spencer and
John C. Spencer.
In early youth, the distinguished subject of the
present notice was remarkable for the ayidty with
which he sought for instruction and knowledge, per-
feet aud pure and II IS solely attributable TO this
early development having been kindly and unremit-
lingiy fostered and cherished by the nobes Of ia
TIERS that we may ascribe the unparalleled industry,
research, and patient unwearied investigation
thorough ard searching IN practice and most con-
else and severe in its resutsthat has identified the
man. IN every position of life in which he has been
30 often and so honoraby placed.
Graduating with the highest honors Of his class
thus adding another evidence Of the sagacity and
Spencer devoted himself thereafter TO the study Of
the law. The empire state had but began to demon
srate her illlmitabe importance. Retiring TO the
bosom OF The western forests the placid waters
OF one OF the lovelest lakes in existence he pursued
MS profession, with The same unsparlDg diligence
that had marked his scholastic pursuits and in ad
ditlon thereto, he gained envable distinction
one OF the ablest oil contributions TO the first demo-
cratic newspapers published west OF Albany!
There subsequently, Tor years he discharged with
entire western portion OF the state, and which now
contains nearly one million OF inhabitants; aud,
whether at the bar Of his adopted residence, or be-
fore the pre-eminen tribunal which constituted the
Judiciary OF New fork-then in It's palmest days
supreme IN the Unon-he alike was great and dis
tingushed among the eloquent the profound, the
astute and the talented, upon whose records his
is enrolled, with equal ustre, with those who have
most adorned their profession.
AS TO his career in Congress, it was characteristic
of the man, developing the tremendous powers of
intellectual majesty 10 all its strength. Bold ardent
decisive and uncompromsiDp IN his exertiops in fer
retng out niouty and having bare the rottenness of
a monopoly-his neyerto.be forgotten dissection of
the United States Bapk-bis conclusive. npanswer-
able and masterly report upon its affairs and condi-
ton alike cas-, fresh renovn unon his head and add
ed greatly to an ALREADY enyiabe though wellearned
reputation. Honest in his purposes-tscorning to be
inundated by any effort that he monster influence
might. in tie ple1itude of is oyerwhelmng power.
a., ano;n., ia, IN oGar 10, ,a - "a b;S
course uHanchingIy. and performed the duty which
deyoved upon him with such imnartialty. business,
and stern integrity, that he is well remembered, by
triumphant erpose which he then made. as valuable
faith ul public servant. II would be uniust not 10
add that he received a Cordial and yiporous co-one
ration in the whole of that searching investigation
which was marked with unparalleled industry and
scrutiny, from our present worthy Chief Magistrate,
President Tyler; and il is probably owing very much
to the similarity of the two distinguished gentlemen
for probity, talent and high sense of honor that
the country is fortunate in possessing their united and
daily exertions for her welfare
The course Of few years brought Mr. Spencer
again before the public IN lofty station as Speaker
OF the House of Assembly of the State Of New York
With one accord friend as well as foe. al united in
pronouncing him an able, dignifed officer and when
he retired had the roud appreciation of his political
adyersaries, well as that Of his personal admire
and political friends
revision of the State laws having been directed
by The Iessie'.ra uA- r.'~ vr'v having become
suraoy obsolete, Mr.. Spencer was called upon TO
participate IN The iaoors and honors of that arduous
anu uiueu' computation. lie never shrank from du-
", Puoiic or private, with nerves of iron, he en-
tered upon task which had daunied one of the old
e.. veterans ol l'e New YORK bar, and drew out OF
,hc cnao'c mass OF statutory lumber that mad encum
oeeu ".i jurisprudence ior years, cod' beautiful,
simple harmonious, and precisely adapted TO the
Inc aH1 ."e an.esehce, and eoniormabe TO the
WISHES oil ue Stale.
u ,un's MS ip'o'essioh WIN zeal mat suffered
nv '0''eDe"'' WI spencer could now boast oi ihe
"Annorum Iucubratones yioin,i y
"'1 10 man Gan DC eAalted III me probes
siop' ava "hhou' when the Incompatible Blackstone
P'ulounoes no one can DC lawyer
hnii' ue ara deserts OF legal studies, some beau
iui GASES WIZ occasionally arse aud perhaps some Of
me most charming and ielicitous productions of the
Day mat have beautilied the literature Of tie age
have sprung forth from lawyers library. 1t re-
qures the Herculean intellect the talismaoic men
.he wen cultivated mind, The vigorous thought, and