Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-02-03
from the Historical Magazine |

LIFE AND CONSCIOUSNESS OF JAMES IREDELL, one
Of tie Associate Justiees Of the Supreme Court Of
the United States By GsIFElrH J. McREE, WI
nsington, NJ O. Vol ]. Neso- York: Appleton
d Go, 1867. 8 90. pp. 564. z= =
We have perused this volume with pleasure, and
with feelings of gratitude to the compiler for his in
dustry and zeal in rescuing from destruction such q
mass Of materials for national and State history
Judge Iredel was certainly one of the most remark
able Of the many great men thatthe Revolution pros
duced Born in England, and educated in the re-
fined and intellectual society that then graced the
fashionable cities Of Bath and Bristol he devoted
himself to his studies at an early age, to become
a finished scholar. The health and fortune Of his
father having become impaired, it was found neces-
sary for the to make some exertions for their
support; and, being allied to some of the leading
aristocracy by consanguinty and social position, he
obtained a place in the Custom House at Edenton,
N. c. and at the early age of seventeen crossed the
ocean and took up his residence there. His fine
gentlemanly address and education, combined with
his remarkable talents, Immediately commended him
to the best society in that part of the province and
no where, on this continent, was there higher So
cal standard than in that region during the dozen
years that preceded the Revolution. Always atten-
tive to the amenities and polite requirements of the
neighborhood, he still found so far the duties Of
his ofice-which proved no sinecure-permitted, by
a judicious division of his time and unwonted in
dustry leisure that enabled him to pursue a course
of study that enabled him, before he had attained
his majority to enter the legal profession.
Soon after he made his appearance at the bar, he
won the heart and hand of lady, whose family
ranked among the highest in the province, and who
numbered among her suitors wealthy English bar.
onet The course of Iredell was now onward. As
Attorney General and Judge his talents were of
great service to the State at time when war, treas
on and confscation had brought about almost cha
os in the courts Of justice. His unparalleled labor
while traversing the province in its then unsettled
condition. and bringing to justice the hordes of to-
ries and robbers that infested it, appreciated.
His integrity won the confidence of all, and every
prominent Office in the gift Of the State offered
to him. As Judge Of the Supreme Court of the
United States he attained high reputation among
the statesmen of that day.
The volume is mainly composed of his correspon-
dence, much of it of family lctters-some Of which
written in England-whnse style and sen timent
render them quite interesting. Its greatest value,
however, will be found in the admirable dccumenta-
ry papers, drawn up by Iredell just previous to the
Revolution. Here are most ably discussed the COM
plants against the mother country with the polished
style Of Burke and the force Of Patrick Henry ard
John Adams In the almost total absence Of news
papers and printing presses throughout the south.
ern provinces, these papers were circulated in man
uscript among the leading men, and were read aloud
at the muster grounds and court houses throughout
that region. Here we have explained the great Sc
crct of the revolutionary spirit-that, when the
news Of the massacre at Lexington reached them,
seemed spring spontaneously from the breasts Of
the men of this section Their minds had been pre-
pared for the event in this way only for every read
Of American history knows that they had but
slightly felt the iron heel of British power and op
preston, and. while the northern colonies had
been viewed with jealous eye by England, the
southern ones had always been treated with favor.
We commend the book to the reader of revolu.
tionary history. 1t furnishes new facts which in
these times it is well to ponder. Mr.. McRee has
performed good service for his State and country.
He has combined the grace of the scholar with the
zeal of the patriot His dedication, and many pas
sages also throughout the book show that his heart
has guided his pen. We trust he may be induced
to continue his labors of love- and give to the world
additional information on Southern life as we'll its
revolutionary history. X.
The Court OF SPAIN ScASDAL.-A member OF rne
Camarilla having favored me Correspondent of
London paper) with some revelations from the pal
ace, feel no delicacy in extending the confidence
to your readers as they may obtain thereby some
further knowledge of the Palaciegas morality pre-.
missing that you may place implicit reliance on their
authenticity. Know, then that when tie pains of
labor were approaching, the pangs of remorse rush.
ed in upon the Queen, and reproached her with her
disoute career. She sent for Archbishop Caret,
and begged his counsel. As he is no courtier he
told her that her conduct made her the subject of
ribald jests and she was about to be exposed to
the perils attendant upon child birth, he exhorted
her to Danish her paramour, PUG Moro, from the
palace and country. The increasing pangs of the
crisis added force to the archepiscopal persuasions
and promise was made; but the archbishop, not
content With the royal word, extorted q written pro-
mise to that effect
He followed up his success by exhortation to
his royal auditor to be reconced to her husband,
and even if she felt unable to love him. he urged
her to have respect for the prophecies of life,
and to appear constantly with him before her SUBJ
jects. Having obtained a promise to that effect he
repaired to the Kings apartments, and gave him
like counsel. The Kings promise was, however,
conditional only he would consent to be rcconciled
to his wife only condition that she paid his debts
and that the Punishment Of the Queens paramour
should be instantaneous. The archbishop returned
with a check for the payment Of the Kings debts
and the other promise; but although the Queen has
the power to Danish her paramour from the palace
could have shipped him off to the Canaries or Phil
lippines, or wherever she chose; yet Puig Moro
fuses to be exed, demands a public trial. and to
know what charge he is arraigned. A compro-
mise has been effected to avoid the public scandal
which insistance on exile must occasion; and Colo
mel Puig Moro struts about among his fellow-ct-
zens, who have yet enough of the leaven of royalty
in them to look with feelings of something akin to
Difference and respect on who sustained such in
innate relations with their Queen.
PERsoNAL.-We had the pleasure of seeing NJ w.
ransom, Esq, OF Haliiax, last week IN Warrenton.
While here he had short but spell of sick
ness, but under the prompt and skful attention of
DR.. Howard, sufficiently recovered to leave for
home on Saturday last. We sincerely hope he may
speedily regain vigorous health, for we cannot
spare man of his abilities during the approaching
campaign. Ifillness detains him from public service,
there will be chasm left in the ranks of conservative
democracy not easily filed.
Attorney General Jenkins, accompanied by his
lady, left here Saturday for Raleigh We believe
Mr.: Jenkins is in attendance on the Supreme Court.
-Wagrenton Neaos.
PROGRESS OF TELEGRAM.-The new word sstele.