National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-23
MRS. GAINES AS A LAWYER.

Belva A. Lockwood's recent appearance ir
the Court Of Claims, in this city, reminds The
New Orleans Piedynne Of what occurred in the
District Court of that city nearly thirty year.
ago. ..ls
1t was on the trial of one Of the first of the
many suits of Mrs. Myra Clark Gaines. Judge
Buchanan presided, and the case was sub
mitted to jury. 1t happened that the lawyers
some of the ablest at the bsi. fell into 8 bittol
wrangle with the Judge, and were so offended
at his rulings that they withdrew from the case
and tho court. - -r.t '7-. .s
Mrs. Gaines and the veteran general, her
husband, were present in court. The general
wore his full uniform, his sword and sash, In
conformity to the regulations. The lady was
there in the meridian of a beauty, grace and
yivacity, even now preserved TO so remarkable
a degree, afler reaching the Scriptural limit OF
human life. -IEE EfE
Immediately upon the withdrawal Of her
lawyers the stately old hero Of Fort Erie, TAX
ing his wife by the hand led her to'the bar and
addressed the judge as follows:
s'May It please your honor / was educated
for the bar, and the hopored relative whose
name bear, (the celebrated Chief Justice
Edmund Pendleton, of Virginia, y impressed me,
in early youth, with the profoundest reverence
for the civil courts of my country. Perhaps,
in the view of the world and of the court, 1t
would be my duty to supply the place of my
wife's lawyers upon their retirement from her
case. If It were a duty that Thought myself
adequate to perform, should not shrink from
it, for the lady. besides being my wife, is the
daughter of my old friend, Daniel Clark, to
whom am bound by many tics of an ancient
friendship and warm esteem, to render every
service can in the maintenance OF the rights
of his friendless daughter. And this service
should be bound, as soldier and gentleman,
to render to any lady in like circumstances.
But as the lady is far more able TO argue her
case than l am, I beg that she be allowed To
conduct her own case."
And then, raising his head and gently touch.
ing his sword, he turned to the opposite coun.
sci and remarked.
''For whatever the lady shall say or do,
hold myself, to the full measure and in every
manner, recognized among gentlemen"
Judge buchanan was greatly annoyed at this
proposition, and fired up at the ellusion of the
general to his personal responsibility. He man
display of military pomp and menace could
not be allowed in the court. he was not to be
overawed in that way.
General Gaines, in most courteous and sub
missive style, begged to assure his honor that,
If he referred TO his presence in court in mill
| tary dress and accoutrements, It was from re
spect for the court, and In strict conformity u
the regulations Of the service. The SWORD
which he wore would never be drawn witt
more alacrity than in the defence of the civil
authority and tribunals Of his country.
Mrs. Gaines then took charge of her case
and for several days conducted Il, with all he
spirit and zeal, confronting and vexing tn,
learned counsel, and worrying the judge will
her sharp little speeches and piquant personal
1 tiles, winding up her case with very effectiv,
speech to the jury. We do not now remembe
the result, but have q very distinct recollection
that the Judge, who was Q plucky, bat high
tempered gentleman, did not resume his plac
on the bench the next day, and for severa
| DAYS thereafter. The final Judgment In tn
case was In favor of Mrs. Gaines.