National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-08-18
SOME FAMOUS LAWYERS.
Lecture by Charles &. Absll before the George
fnwu Law Aannniaiinn.


At Q meeting Of the Georgetown Law Associs-
ton Of the District Of Columbia, an association
composed OF the alumni Of the different Law schools
in this city, held last evening, ar. Chss. r. Abel
read q very interesting paper on the early strug-
giles Of some famous lawyers. In the preparation
Of the paper, Mr.. Abel showed much research
into the lives and peculiarities Of his subjects
which, Joined to a methodicaI arrangement and
lively manner Of presenting the hardships to which
aspirsnts for legal honors are exposed, made the
been given before the association. or the great
lawyers Of the past Mr.. Abel related some new
and amusing incidents-one Of Clay, who was en-
There had been q previous trial, but Clay had
managed to bring shout q disagreement Of the
Jury. Tn the new trial he had the audscity to
be twice placed in Jeopardy Of life for the same
ofense applied to the case Of the prisoner.
The Judge very properly interrupted him, for
easy 10 see, could not operate In the case. Mr..
Clay, in o dignihed and respectful manner, de-
clared that he could not proceed unless he was
books and papers and withdrew. The Judge,
overaved and fearful Of king the respon sibility
not being as firm in his opinion as he certainly
CLAY, informing him that he could manage the
defense in his own way. He returned, and by
pursuing the line Of argument which ne bad com
ming q verdict Of scquittal, notwithstanding the
fact that there had been an atrocous murder CON-
in the career Of Judge Richardson, ex-Secretary
of the Treasury, which we have never seen IN print:
When an obscure young lawyer he lived in o
smsllcity. Being OF an Industrious, plodding dis
position and ndir that prob ate law and practice
were imperft city understood as general thir e.
his own information be started q scrap-5ook,
in which he pasted all the decisions in this branch
of the law coming to his notice from time TO time.
The profession, becoming gradually aware of this
practice, tell into the habit of consulting him on
doubtful points Of probate law. 1t was not long
before the judge Of the Probate Court for that
county ian old many died, and, to the young law
yer's surprise, he was appointed By the Governor
cause Of his elevation.
The following anecdote of Marshall is also not
generally known: Marshall. nearly lost one Of
gentleman with q 800 fee in his pocket came to
Richmond in search Of 9 lawyer. Marshall was
recommended to him IS q young lawyer ofgreat
in search Of him. Marshall was careless Of his
dress and personal appearance, and on the occs-
sion IN question came lounging up the street, eat
ing cherries out OF his Lat, which he held under
his arm. He stopped in front Of the piazza Of
the tavern where his future client was sitting, :
and began to handy words familiarly with
then oS safE A Sd man being told
that this careless languid parsonage was the rfs-
ing young lawyer instantly decided not TO employ
cradle LOOKING gentlemen, with legal air and
wearing powdered wig and black coat, came IN,
and bis vast dignity 70 sns s Ga ss1i
him the 800. But before long the powdered wig
and black coat addressed the court, and soon after
was followed by Marshall, when the superiority
Of the latter was so evident that the old gentle
man went to Marshall frankly mentioning his
FIRST preJudices and how much he regretted them.
The foolish old fellow went on to say that he had
paid away most OF his money BY so Implicitly re-
lying on appearances, but would give him Is, al
he had left, If Ma rshsn would assist him In the
case. With o sly joke OF the omnlpotence Of Q
powdered wig and black coat, Marshall accepted
the offer, pleased with the incident