The Wilmingtonian., 1882-10-07

he progressed rapidly. His thorough legal
training well balanced judgement and
methodcal habits of business all dominated
and quickened by conscientious faithful
ness to duty, which was the marked charac-
teristic of his life, enabled him to accom-
plish more than most men of good physical
powers. He was distinguished as a lawyer
for the thoroughness of Preparation with
which he always came to the trial of a
cause. He possessed to a notable degree the
brethren and of the people at large, and dur
ing a considerable period Of his active prac-
tice he appears from the reports to have
been engaged in almost every important
case tried in the Courts of his own country
Or before the Court of Errors and Appeals.
But large as was this practice and the la
Dor involved, MIR. Bates still found time to
serve the State with the same patient fideli-
ty which he brought to the business of his
clients. Under resolution of the General
Assembly passed February IS, 1s49, he was
associated with the late Chancellor Harring-
ton, and the present Chief Justice Comegys
in the revision of the public laws of the
State. The result of their lahors was the
Revised Code of 1859, and the fidelity and
ability of the Commissioners was acknowl-
edged by resolution of the General Assem-
bly,.
In 1859 Mr.. Bates wos appointed BY Pres
ident Pierce United States Attorney for Del
aware and being reappointed by President
Buchanan held the office until the close of
the latter's term of office in 1861.
In that year he served as one of five com
missioners from Delaware to the Peace con-
vention at Washington and was Il member of
the committee of nine which prepared the
plan of adjustment reported to Congress.
He fully sympathized with the resolution of
Appointment which instructed the commits
soners ''to emulate the example set by the
immortal patriots who framed the Federal
Constitution, by sacrificing all minor con-
siderations upon the altar of the Union"
The Commissioners reeeissd= the thanks
of the Legislature for their patriotid efforts
to preserve the Union.
Mr.. Bates continued to practice his pro
fes, ion until the death of Chancellor Har-
rington in November 1866, when upon the
ernest recommendation of the entire Bar of
the State, he was appointed by Governor
Salisbury to the vacant place. No judicial
appointment ever called forth a more gener-
al expression of approval, from the press
and people, as well as from the Bar He re-
ceived his commission as Chancellor Dec II,
| 1865. and entered at once On the duties OF
his office, bringing to their discharge the as
siduity and conscientiousness which had
distinguished his work at the bar. He inn
mediately turned his attention to the revis-
ion of the rules and practice of the Court
preparing for the use of members of the bal
a manual of the rules of practice and stat
utes relating to his court and a large mum
ber of practical forms which have proved o
great assistance to all lawyers engaged il
Chancery practice and given uniformity anC
technical accuracy to the business of tn,
Court.
In January 1868, the Chancellor removed
to Dover, but returned to Wilmington il
MAY 1870. On Oct. End of the same year hi
wife died. They had five children four o
whom are living, Geo. II. Bates Esq,
lawyer Of Wilmington. Rev. Daniel M. Bates
clergyman Of the Protestant Episcopa
Church, and two daughters, one the wife Q
Austin Harrington Esq of the Wilmingto
Bar. and the other unmarried.
As Judge, Chancellor Bates brought
judicial temper, an instructed mind an
, eoncientious care and attention, to the heal
ING Of causes and the preparation Of opinio
in all matters great or small, and his teri
q of office was marked by large increase {
the business Of the court, making his labol
severe, He had personally the contiden,
of sutors in the court, ,and to remarkab
degree of the members of the bar and wht
failing health and the imperative advice
his physicians compelled him to resign Il
office on Oct 10th 1878, to take effect on Il
1st of the following month"; this was amp