The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-08-25
JUDGE poFrER-oLDEN TIMES.
From the FayetteriHe Observer.

lived the companions or youth anu the as
sociates even of old age, and yet retains a
sprightiy intellect. active habits and a
buoyant flow of spirits, that ought to shame
the tendency to enuni that exhibits itself so
strongly among our young men.
A desire to learn something of the past
induced US to visit Chelsea, the residence
of the Hon, Henry Potter, where we found
him empowered under the foliage of his own
oaks. enjoying the ''otium cum dignitate"
of long and we'll spent life, surrounded
by those who kindly minister to his wants
and anticipate his every wish.
The venerable Judge was born in Gran
vile county in this State, in l765 and is
consequently in his ODD year. In 1901 he
was appointed by Thomas Jefferson Judge
of the U. S. District Court for the State of
North Carolina. The duties of this re-
sponsible office he has now discharged for
n period of So years, in conjunction with
Chief .Justied Marshall, Judge Daniel, and
Judge Wayne. He was 10 years old when
the National Declaration of Independence
was made, and remembers the stirring times
of our Revolutionary struggle ; was present
and heard Gen. Washington deliver his
! first message to the Congress of the U. 8.
( that convened in Philadelphia after his
I election describes his enunciation as be-
: ing clear and distinct. bat states that his
voice did not seem to possess great volume
or strength.
! Gen. Washington was regular attcn-
! dant of Christ Church in Philadelphia.
where he had a large square pew in the
middle aisle, cushioned and covered with
velvet. He was in the habit of riding out
on week days. on large gray horse, richly
/ but not gaudily capari<oned, though in a
style that would pass for livery at the pres
ent day, and that the eyes of the multitude
followed and rcvered his fine manly presence.
At one of Washngton's Levees he was
introduced to the General of Norh Carolina,
when the President in an affable manner
made inquiries concerning the State, to
which he responded. On retiring he bow
ed, which the General returning, he bowed
again, and soon discovered that it was a
point of etiquette with Washington to give
the last bow.
On one occasion a large Ball was given,
which Washington and Vice President
Adams honored with their presence, though
neither participated in the dance. On their
entrance the crowd formed right and left,
and made space for them to march to the
upper end of the hall where seats were
provided for them; but it was difficult to
keep the crowd from falling in after the tall
form of Washington, and thus separating
the short chunky Adams from his Chief
About that period of his life the Judge
spent two and "a half years in Philadelphia,
and was familiar with the presence of
TTamIIon. Madison, Adams, Jefferson,
Rich'd Henry Lee, Anthony Wayne, Chas.
Carroll, of Carrollton, Pinckney, Randolph,
Rufus King, and host of others whose
names will be revared by the American
! people through all time. At subsequent
periods he has met and heard most of the
distinguished men of, the country speak,
either in Congress or at the Bar, and his
I
ing in the extreme.
| OF Chief Jugtice Marshall, with whom he
was so long associated on the Bench, he
expresses those feelings of friendship and
admiration which MS pure life was so we'll
calculated to exc tie. Madison's voice he
describes as feeble but states that when
ever he spoke the audience maintained the
silence ofthe grave, so that all he said was
distinctly heard.
Of the Fathers of the Revolution in
North Carolina, he remembers to have once
seen Rich'd Caswell on horseback, and
knew well Judge Iredell, Gov'rs Johnston,
Nash, Burke. Spaight, Ashe, Davie, and all
who have since presided over the State.
With the Judiciary and Bar of North
Carolina, no other man has been so familiar,
for during the SO years he has presided
in the U. S. District and Circuit Court, the
pre-eminent talent of the Bar has appeared
before him, as young men have acquired
fame and distinction. and become old, and
descended to the grave before him, as in
the case of Henderson, Cameron. Daniel,
Moore, CASTOR, Toomer, Meares, Eccles,
Henry, Haywood, Duffy, and Strange.
After an hour or two spent with the ven
cradle Judge we took our leave, wishing
that he might long remain, our oldest In
habitant, and the oldest official in the ad-
ministration of the laws under which we
! live.
On leaving the hospitable Judge Potter,
we could not help feeling that we left be-
hind US one who in many respects was a
remarkable maa, one around whom cluster
an association Of ideas suoh as is rarely
presented in the history of one individual.
lie was born subject of George the
Third, but on the success of our Reyolu-
ton bscame hi. equal. He witnessed the
descent of three of the sovereigns of Eng
land to the grave Lived during a period
that DIR. johnson, the great English mora
list, was law unto himself and the world
| on literary tonids reod tho low. sc Ola