The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-01-12
THURSDAY, Jan. IL, 1874.

THURSDAY, JAM IL, 1914,
Present as yesterday.
AT the opening of the Court this morning, Mr..
NELSON the Attorney General of the United States,
addressed the Court as follows:
My brethren of the Bar and the officers Of this
Court have devolved on me the melancholy duty of
presenting series of resolutions adopted by them
yesterday, in relation TO HUGH SwINToN LEGARE late
Attorney General of the United States.
'The death of this accomplished jurst, statesman,
and scholar, as your Honors aware, produced at
the time of its occurrence almost unprecedented
sensation In every portion Of the Confederacy the
evidences of the public grief multiplied and sig
nal Under the pressure of the general distress, the
voice Of sorrow heard from every rank and even
the stern prejudice of partsanshp, under its soften
ing influence, was subdued. Tributes of praise and
Of eulogy, TO his memory and character, were freely
offered by the gifted in letters the ilustrious in elo-
quence, and the eminenty profound in the know
ledge of the Constitution and Laws.
81 need not say to your Honors that the subject of
these communications meritorous of all that was
uttered in his praise. Ii was meet that one, whose
claims upon the admiration and affections of his
countrymen various, dying in the nations
service should be followed to the tomb by the ma
TONS tears.
The American Bar was not insensible 10 The loss
sustained by the proud profession, of which the de-
ceased was distinguished ornament It's mem
bers, every where, largely participated in the gene
raj grief and those of them now assembled, with
whom during The latter period of his professional
reer, he brought into more immediate associa:
ton, have deemed it to be peculiarly appropriate, at
this tine, and here, before the august tribunal at
whose pure shrine he successfully minstered
whilst living to speak his praise here where by the
extent Of his diversified atainments, the richness of
his rare eoquence, and the cogency of his vigorous
reasoning he laid the foundation of his most enyiabe
ame and where had pleased an allwise Providence
longer to have spared him, he was destined to have
won more widespread, enduring and imperishable
renown.
respectfully move that your Honors will order
the resolutions TO be entered the minutes of your
proceedings
At meeting Of the members Of the Bar, and the
officers Of the Supreme Court Of the United States
at the Court Room in the Capitol, on the 9Th day of
January 1874 give expression TO their feelings
the melancholy event of the death OF HUGH s. LE-
CARE, late Attorney General of the United States,
The Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER was called to the
chair, and the Hon. SILAs WRIGHT appointed Secre-
tary.
The following resolutions were submitted by
BEvERDY Johnson, Esq, and unanimously adopted
Resolved, That the members of this Bar and the
officers of this Court feel with deep sensibility the
loss which the country and the profession have sus
tanned by the death of the Hon. HUeH SwNToN LIE
CARE, late Attorney General of the United States.
Resolved, That we cherish the highest respect for
The professional attachments of the deceased, for his
varied talents and accomplishments iOr the purity
and uprghtness of his life, and for the esimable
qualities which belonged to him as a man.
Resolved, That in testimony Of these sentiments
and feelings will wear The usual badge of mourn
ing during the term of the Court.
RESOLVED, That the Chairman and Secretary trans
NIT copy of these proceedings to the family
of the deceased, and assure them of our sincere
dolence on account of the great loss they have
tanned.
Resolved, That the Attorney General be requested
Al. Al IL 4
in the minutes of their proceedings.
DANL. WEBSTER, Chairman.
SrLAs WRIeHT, Secretary.
To which Mr.. Chief Justice TANEY replied as fol-
lows:
"The Court unite with the Bar in sincerely la
menting the death of Mr.. LEGARE-although he was
but a short time the Attorney General of the United
States yet he long enough in that high office to
win the respect the confidence and the friendship Of
the Court For his mind richly stored with pro-
iessional learning, and he TO the argument of
every case fully prepared-presenting it in the iewest
possible words and with the candor and frankness |
which became his official station The loss of such
man in the prime of his life is q public misfortune,
and we most cordially unite with the Bar in paying
respect to his memory
The Court therefore direct these proceedings to be
entered on the record.
No. IL. David Shriyer plaintiff in error, u.s. M. A.
Lynn, e al. The argument Of this cause was com.
menced by Mr.. Johnson for the plaintiff in error and
continued by Mr. Schley for the defendant in error
Adjourned till tomorrow, IL o'clock, A. M.