The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-11-09
ALEX ANDRIA, VA.
Manuscripts of an Old Bachelor.-No a.
"REMINISCENCES OF ALEXANDRIA.
Lex loci--LAw LAT.
The LAW of the place.--TRANs.

Pardon the concert OF the motto. In
walking through the Market Square, few
days ago. l looked up at the Old Court Houses
and remembered the men who once figured
there, and were prominent as citizens and
of whom have gone to their
last homes, gand are no longer here to
partake of the prosperity or share in the ad- |
versity of the old town. l went up the
steps which led to the Court Room, and cast
glance at the deserted and dilapidated ap-
pearance of what was once the seat of JUS
tice. All is changed!
In my day, the BAR of Alexandria was
scarcely behind that of any town in Virgin
ia. The resident practitioners were, some
Of them, very able men, and the most dis
tinguished lawyers were frequently employ
ed in cases argued, and determined in the
Circuit Court of the District Of Columbia
for the county of Alexandria" Judge
Cranch presided, and the associate judges
were Thruston and Morsell-the latter of
whom, I believe, is still alive and still
judge of the Court in Washington. Judge
Cranch was on excellent, upright, and i'm
partial judge, attentive and INDUSTRIOUS
He was esteemed and respected by the bar,
and the citizens generally-and, having
been, for many years, a resident here, was a
favorite. He was, | always thought cold
and formal in his bearing-but in all the
domestic relations of life a model man.
Grave and dignifed in his manner, his very
presence commanded order, and ensured de-.
corum. Thruston had the quickest and live
Hest parts of any one on the BENCH and though
not student, was originally we'll grounded
ia the law, always seized the strong points
of q case, and came at once to correct con.
illusions. He was somewhat irrascble and
impatient, and did not always show the
"suaviter in modo" though no one ever accu-
sed him Of wanting the "fortiter in re."-
Whenever ajudge acts upon the principle of
Sir Thomas Parker, in the reign of Queen
Anne, that it is lone of his duties to render
it disagreeable to counsel to talk nonsense"
it is difficult for him altogether to escape the
Judge 7. was really kind hearted and friend
ly. Morsell was quiet man, never ambit-
Gus Of being prominent, but by those who
knew him acknowledged to be'well read in
his profession, and a sound and safe ex-
FOUNDER of the law The Clerk of the
Court was Mr. Edmund l. Lee, an esteemed
gentleman of the old school, precise and
methodical, but so much, on that account,
the better officer Of the Court. lie was him
self an excellent lawyer, aud thoroughly &C.
quainted with all the duties of his Office,
which he performed with scrupulous fidelity,
and with Underwriting adherence to the pro-
per forms. otudiously correct himself he
desired and required the same attention from
others, in all judicial matters. When a
criminal was arraigned, an oath administer
ed, or any other official act performed in
open court, it was done with solemnity and
never failed to be impressive. Mr.. Lee was
universally respected. The Marshal. or as
We say in Virginia now, the Sheriff, was
Mr.. Tench Ringgold, Of whom our people
saw but little, but his Deputy, Mr.. Daniel
Minor, lived among us, had host of friends,
and still lives, AS am informed in the coun-
,y of Fairfax, retaining the regards and
good wishes of all who ever knew him, The
crier of the Court, when first recollect, was
Mr.. Campbell, an elderly Scotch gentleman,
with a strong burr on his tongue, a deep,
sonorous voice, and always to be found at
his post, opening and closing the court and
commanding silence, if any one outside the
bar presumed even TO whisper
Mr.. Thomas Swami was the first District
Attorney recollecs He was eminently
fitted tor his position-and had an honest
persuasive way of addressing the jury, which
sold strongly against offenders whom ht
prosecuted There was but little of "qui.
or quirk" in Mr.. Swann's course, bat he &C
complished as much by discardng the sub
teties of the profession, and relying upol
facts and the evidence, as others do, by re
sorting to stratagem, or seeking success il
the intricacies of the written as well as til,
unwritten law. Mr.. Francis S. Key sue