Year: 1872

The Committee appointed by the Bar AssociA-
tion Of New Castle county, to wait upon Judge
Hail. and present to him the copy Of the reso-
lutions of respect read in the U s. District
Court on the OH inst, called at his residence on
Thursday morning laet, for that purpose. They
wore received by him in bis purlor, whore he was
sitting alone. AS they entered he arose and
cordially greeted the Commiltee-takiug each
one by the hand and addressing him by name.


W. @. Sp-uance, Esq Chairman Of the Com
mittee, said that they had the honor Of callii 6
upon him for the purpose Of presenting to hiln
a copy OF the resolutions Of the Bar Association
Of this Couuty. expressive Of the respect and
esteem of the Bar, for lim personally, and the
deep sense OF obligation entertained by them for
his long public seryces and by his leave 9
would read the resolutions.


After reading the resolutions, Mr.. Spruance
said that it would not be suitable ON the occasion
nor agreeable to the feelings of the Judge, that
they should attempt any formal address, and it
only remained for lin to say on behalf Of his
brethren-each and all OF them--that they sim
cerely believed that nothing Of commendation
in the resolutions was in the least degree exag-
gernted. That they had been presented in the
U. s. District Court, and by order Of Judge
Bradford made of record.


During the reading of the resolutions the
Judge seemed deeply moved, and at the conclu-





his seat and standing said with evident emotion
that 1t would be simply affectation 10 deny that
he felt very deeply the effect Of this interview ;
that he could not undertake to express his feel
ngs in regard to the kindness he had receive
ever since he came to this State He came to
Dover, an entire stranger, not knowing one
person in the State. When he settled there, the
practice Of law was at very low stage Kei t
county was entirely an agricultural district, and
very little law business was transacted in it, The
fWn Harry llupplV
and Mr.. Thomas Clayton, were of themselves
sufficient to absorb the entire practice of the
County. They were gentlemen Of great ability,
and supported by powerful personal influences.
He did not know why he had settled
there it had been a subject of frequent
consideration to him. and he could attribute it
to nothing else than the over-ruling power OF
Divine Providence. He could not think that he
deserved all OF the kind appreciation expressed
in the resolutions read, but they certainly gave
evidence of high estimate Of Judicial duty
and could only have emanated from Bar which
maintains, as ours always has, high standard
OF excellence-p perhaps higher than IN any other
part of tho country. He had great Satisfaction
in saying that while sitting as judge, the Bench
and Bar were always in harmony. He did not
recollect OF any harsh or unkind word between
the Court and any member of the Bar, nor any
feeling that could have prompted an unkind
word. He added in conclusion :-"All that
can say to you, personally, as well as represent
atyes of the Bar is, gentlemen, am obliged TO
yCI."


After which, all being seated, the Judge en-
tered into pleasant conversation, in which he
gave many interesting incidents Of his career at
the Bar, and in politics, Of his election 10 Con-
gress for two TERMS his candidacy for U. S. Sem
ate, his unexpected appointment by President
Monroe, as u s. District Judge, in May, 1928


which appointment relieved him from many
unpleasant duties at the bar, where in every case,
so solcitous was he, that he suffered more than
his client.


As the Committee arose to depart, he shook
each member again cordially by the hand, and
following them to the door, said, II have re-
ceiyed great kindness ever since 1 came to this
| State, early in life but this act, now near the
| close of my life, as the kindest of them ALL"
The committee took leave of the venerable
| and aged Judge, whose constant good works, pure
| life, and christian character have brought him
that wonderful peace (which passeth all under
standing"