Memoirs Of The Life Of William Wirt V2

MEMOIRS THE LIFE OF WILLIAM WIRT, ATTORNEY GENERAL OP THE UNITED STATES, BY JOHN P. KENNEDY. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. PHILADELPHIA LEA AND BLANCHARD, 1849. ENTEBED, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1849, by LEA AND BLANCHARD, In the Clerks Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. fRINTJED BY J. I. TOY. CONTENTS VOL, II . CHAPTER I. Argues his Second Cause in the Supreme Court. Letter of Advice to Gilmer. His Anxiety in the Composition of the Biography, Letters to Carr. The Biography goes to Press. Is Published. Letter from Mr. Monroe offering him the Post of Attorney General. Accepts, and Repairs to Washington. Letters to Mrs. W 9 CHAPTER II. Publication of the Sketches of Patrick Henry. Its Reception. Character of the Work. Unfriendly Comments of the North American Review. Notice of this Criticism. Re-Publication of Novanglus and Massachuset tensis by Mr. Adams, with some Reference to The Sketches. Correspond ence between Mr. Adams and Mr. Wirt 35 CHAPTER III. Appointment to the Post of Attorney General of the U. S. Motives for Accepting it, Removal of his Residence to Washington. Political and Personal Associations of the Cabinet. Mr. Monroes Administration. Re pose of Party Spirit. Duties of the Attorney General. Reforms in the Otticc. Letter to the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee 55 CHAPTER IV. Letter to Pope, Views in Accepting the Post of Attorney General Letter to Oilmen. Correspondence with Mr. Adams. An Amended Edition of The Sketches Contemplated.-Letters to Carr. The Attorney General Admitted to the Bar of Baltimore. The Rule of Court.-Meets Pinkney. Rivalry between them. Advice to Gilminv A Misunderstanding at the Bar and Ethaneillation. --Letter to Delaplaine. Remarks on Biographical Writing f 6 CONTENTS. CHAPTER V. Practice in the Supreme Court. The Case of McCuIloch and the State of Maryland. The Dartmouth College Case. Increase of Reputation. Letters to Carr, Pope and Mrs. Smith 87 CHAPTER VL Quiet Professional Life. The Missouri Question. Letter to Carr. Par ticulars Relating to Decatur. Letter to his Daughter. Visit to Shanon dale. Engaged in the Bank Prosecutions in Maryland. Bel Air. A Visit to West Point 103 CHAPTER VII. The Trials at Bel Air, Encounters Pinkney. Rivalry, Letter to Carr. Severe Labors. Sickness. Remembrances of the French Revolution. Summer Excursion to Saratoga, Lake George, etc. Charles Colley, A Story of Mr. Popes. Letter to Pope. Burgoynes Surrender. . . . 118 CHAPTER VIII. Contributions to the Evangelical and Literary Magazine. Hints to Preach ers, etc. Letter to the Rev. John H. Rice. Severe Professional Labor. Sickness. Death of Mr. Pinkney. Letter to Gilmer. Notice of Pinkney. Enlarges his Maryland Practice, Playful Letters to his Daughters. Verses for the May Day Queen. Correspondence. Bedford Springs. Occupations in Baltimore. Moderation of Political Opinions. Letter to the President, Recommending the Appointment of Chancellor Kent to the Supreme Court 134 CHAPTER IX. The Supreme Court. New York Steamboat Case. Extract of a Speech in Reply to Emmett Presidential Elections. Candidates. State of Par ties. The President and Cabinet abstain from interfering in the Canvass.-Letters to Carr, Morris and Pope. La Fayettes Reception and Progress, Anecdote of Lord Stirling. Letter from Gilmer in England. Shakspearos House. Death of Robert, the Eldest Son of the Attorney General. . 161CONTENTS. CHAPTER X. Presidential Election. Mr. Adams Elected by the House of Represen tatives. Mr. Wirt Remains in the Cabinet. State of Parties. Death of General Harper. Letter to Gilrner. Writing out Speeches. Domestic Life. Religious Sentiment. Dr. Watts. Visit to Monticello. University of Virginia. Dinner to La Fayette. Dinner Speech. Duke of Saxe Weimar 192 CHAPTER XL Character of his Correspondence. Is Appointed Professor of Law, and President of the University of Virginia. Declines, Letter to his Daughter. Common Sense and Genius...