Year: 1862

| has been thought appropriate Dy tnoSe on whose judgment I rest; that my poor trib- ute should be offered here. It is the tribute of friendship. Our friend might have fal- len at another day, and few might have felt it. But narrow circle of brothers and sisters and neighborS would have gathered round his coffin, and the weeping of wound ed hearts and crushed affections would have offered far more eloquent recital, as all silently they lifted him down to his gray g.. It would then have been the hearts loss.

 But here, MT. President, tho mourners all are bearded men and fellow laborers, who actively mingle in doing the last sad rites around him. The heart is silenced in the march of mighty events about us grief is distracted by a sense of duty and common danger. The revolution moves onward; those who would weep here, must be brief In the death of Judge Hemphill 1 -so wise, so gentle, and so good-we witness the country's loss; and Congress, as the impersonation of the people, giving grace to his name by fitting tributes, bears honorable testimonial to his high public worth and many manly virtues.

 I have known Judge Hemphill some years, and during all that time he has been in the enjoyment of the confidence of the people of Texas, and engaged in the fulfill ment of the duties of the most honorable and exalted station, which 1t was in their | power to confer. Of the manner in which he acquitted himself of his high duties, the unvarying testimony of his fellows, as well as the public records of the country, furnish the most satisfactory proofs

 could not assert claim to the enjoy ment of any exclusive intimacy with Judge Hemphill, I felt happy in the belief, that 1 enjoyed this respect and friendly regard. 1 knew not the strength of my own feelings for him until, by sheer accident, l found him extremely ill in his room, and no one with him. sat down by him and learn ed that he was then under treatment of pr. Fairfax, physician of standing, and that, though suffering severely, his case was not one of danger in his judgment.

 His disease at that time was an elonga- tion of the palate, accompanied with con- siderable inflammation. continued to visit him, and the next evening about 10 or II o'clock, found him suffering under high fever, but the condition of his throat i'm proved l felt uneasy; upon leaving his room called the servant who attended him, and directed him to call me immedi- ately upon the next arrival of the physician that might see and converse with him of this fever, and of his condition, which was done From that time he grew worse. A good nurse was procured and placed with him, and his nephew, Robert Hemphill, a young soldier of South Carolina, who hap pcned to be passing through the city, aban doned his trip and tSok post by the bed side of his uncle, @tero by day and by night he was steadily found until tho hour of his death. Abont two days before his death the disease extended to both lungs, developing pneumonia, involving both sides, and on Friday night l was sent for and requested by Dr. Fairfax to make known to Judge Hemphill his true situa- ton, that he might prepare for the end. It was the first time that duty so painful had ever fallen to my lot. At about F o'clock at night I discharged H. with all the care and tenderness l could, his nephew standing by my side, restraining his deep grief, but with his eyes full of tears. He received my message apparently without emotion He was entirely conscious and self possessed. After pause of some little time he asked me if his physician had au- thorized this communication; to which l replied that it was given by his request. He relapsed into silence, apparently un- moved; and l withdrew, ss thought most proper, reminding his nephew to arouse him, and ask him if he had no wishes to express This was done, and he replied he was too weak to consider his affairs but that he did not expect to die. He became drowsy then, his mind wandering occasion ally, as had been usual for the last twenty four hours, and sank gradually till about 10 o'clock, on Saturday morning, when he breathed his last.

 I had retired about 3 o'clock, and re- quested to be called again, which was done before he expired. l saw him at his last breath. To speak of the sorrow l felt is idle, and would, perhaps, but fecbly remind you of the shock occasioned at our last meeting, by the news of his unexpected death,

 With the events of his life and the de- tails of his career, for so many years con- nected with the public service of his State, I am too unfamiliar to speak. ] can only speak of him as hkGeK him.

 He was evidently student; his habits were those of seclusion-his room filled with books of rare and curious interest, as we'll as those of solid and valuable char acter; his time seemed given to a search after knowledge, and to calm reflection and philosophical thought. He was the most amiable character 1 ever knew; and for his high intellect and great knowledge, he was the most patient, and, perhaps, the most diffident man. 1 never knew him to lose his patience, and from his lips l never heard fall the first harsh or unkind expression of any human being during all our acqualn- tance. Of him, I would say in conclusion, living he had discharged faithfully all his duties to his country, and dying he had left no enemy behind him. He was a brave, gentle, wise, and good man. His countrymen will cherish and protect his memory, as an offering of the State ot Texas, and as the first one of his revolu- tionary Congress who has fallen with lis robes around him.

 REMARKS OF MIR. yENADLE, OF NORTH CARO- I ,1f ,a