Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-05-31
from the Richmond Whig.
Chancellor WVthc,

Il. b. Minor, with 81 eets Of his forthcoming
edition of the Reports of Chancellor Wythe.-
Among the distinguished men of an age that
has passed away. the name Of George Wythe
stands as the synonyme of incorruptible integ-
rlty and public virtue. If that name did not
appear, shining with the light of an assured i'm
mortality. upon the parchment Of the Decara-
ton of Independence, it would yet survive as
one of the fairest ornaments of our jurispru-
dence. in the better days of the Commonwealth
1t is. therefore. with great pleasure that We
have looked over the biographical sketch
which Mr.. Minor has preiixed to the new edi-
ton Of the Reports This sketch contains much
interesting matter, which has been pleasantly
put together.
One fact is noted, which we do not recol!ect
to have seen commented upon before,
and which seems to us dscreditable to
Virginia. Although it is known that the re-
mains Of Chancellor Wythe were inferred in
the burying- ground Of St. Johns Church, in
this city, no stone marks the exact spot where
they were deposited. The same fact has been
recently mentioned in the public journals, with
regard to the grave of James Madison. In aE
ter years, when some future antiquarian shall
perform the pious office of Old Mortality, in
freshening the inscriptions upon the tombs of
our Revolutionary heroes, he will find no me.
moral stones among us, from which TO brush
away the moss And though in every village
church-yard he will walk over the ashes o {
some great man, it will be without, perhaps, a
knowledgeof the fact that such dust hallows
the sacred precincts. We ask, with Mr.. Mi
nor. ought not the bar Of Richmond to have
the last resting place of George Wythe identi-
fed and appropriately cenotaphedl Indeed,
ought not the Historical Socity of Virginia to
set up tablet, however simple and unadorned,
in memory of this great mani
The relation which subsisted between Geo.
Wythe and Henry Clay, is sufficiently well
known TO the public. The following letter
from the great Western statesman, will be read
with interest at this time, when the sands OF
his life are so rapidly ebbing AWAY. 1t will be
perceived that the letter is addressed to Mr..
Minor: .....-
ASHLAND, May 3. 1851.
My Dear Str:-l duly rceived your favor
ofthe 2lst ult., in which you inform me that
one ofthe Richmond booksellers intends to
publish new edition Of the Reports Of the la.
manted Chancellor Wythe, and you express
wish that would furnish brief memoir of
the illustrious author. 1t would be a most
pleasing and grateful task to comply with your
request, if possessed the requisite authentic
materials, and the requisite capacity to pre-
pare the work. But the first condition does
not exist, and it is therefore unnecessary 10
dwell upon the second. My acquaintance
with the Chancellor commenced in the year
1898. in my 10th year, when was clerk in
the Office Of the court over which he presided,
and when think he must have passed the age
Of three score years and ten. knew nothing
personally Of his career at the bar, Of his an
cesiry, or Of the part which he had taken in
public affairs. understood he was born in
Elizabeth City; that he was taught the Greek
letters by his mother, and afterwards, by her
assistance andby his own exertions, he became
an accomplished Greek scholar. How he
learned the Latin language | do not remem-
Der TO have heard, but probably at William
and Mary College. or at some other college in
Lower Virginia. When first knew him. his
right hand had become so affected with rhcu-
matism or gout, that it was with difficulty he
could write his own name. Owing to that
cause he engaged me to act as his amanucnsis,
and attended him frequently, though not every
day, to serve him in that capacity for several
years. Upon his .lictation, | wrote believe,
all the reports OF cases which it IS now propes-
ed to re publish. Remember that it cost me
great deal Of labor, not understanding a sin
gle Greek character, to write some citations
from Greek authors, ', hch he wished inserted
in copies Of his reports sent TO Mr.. Jefferson
Mr.. Samuel Adams Of Boston. and to one or
two other persons. copied them by imita-
ting each character as found them in the orig
insl works.
Mr.. Wyihe was one Of the purest. best. and
most learned men in classical lore that ever
knew. Although did not understand G Greek,
| was often highly gra,ifed in listening TO his
readings in Homer's IIliad and other Greek
authors. SO beautifully did be pronounce The
language. Noo one ever doubled his perfect
uprightness. or questioned his great ability as
aJudge. | remember an incident which oc
CURED in my presence, which demonstrated
with what scrnpulous re gard he avoided the
possibility of any impur alton upon his honor,
or his impartinlfy- A neighbor Of his, Mr..
Il. who had the reputation Of being a
West India nabob and who at the time had an
important suit pending in the Court Of Chan
cery. sent him demJohn Of old arrack. and
an orange tree for bis niece Miss Nelson, then
residing with him. When the articles were
brought into Mr.. Wyihe's housc. with the mes. !