382 FIRST ENGAGEMENT IN THE SUPREME COURT. [1814.

and from twenty to thirty thousand provisional troops will be raised for defensive and offensive war. The war in Canada will be pushed with vigor. War between France and England is expected by the high powers here;-on what grounds I have not learned."

This visit to the city of Washington was the commencement of a long and intimate connection with affairs, both professional and political, on that theatre. Wirt was now about to become a practitioner in the Supreme Court. In a letter to Carr, dated Richmond 10th of December, he refers to an engagement which may possibly bring him into a trial of strength with one whom he afterwards met in many a contest, and whose name at that day gave to the American bar its most brilliant light. This trial did not take place as soon as expected, but was deferred for another year. In the extract from this letter, which follows, we may see that the writer's mind has been touched by some presage of a connection with public life.

"Government, my friend, is but an up-hill work at best; and, not least perhaps, this elective government of ours, where the public good is the last thing thought of by the Legislator-his own re-election being the first. What a stormy life is this of the politician! What hardness of nerve, what firmness of mind and steadiness of purpose does it require to sit composedly at the helm, and ably at the same time! Give me a life of literary ease! This is, perhaps, an ignoble wish; but it is, still, mine. Let those who enjoy public life ride in the whirlwind! I covet not their honors, although, if necessary, I would not shrink from the duty.

I have some expectation of going to Washington in February, to plead a cause. The preliminaries are not quite settled. Should they be so to my satisfaction, will you meet me there? I shall be opposed to the Attorney General, and, perhaps, to PINKNEY. The blood more stirs to rouse the lion than to hunt the hare.' I should like to meet them."

Mr. Pinkney had resigned the post of Attorney General after holding it about two years, and was succeeded, in February 1814,

by Mr. Rush. We may note in the closing aspiration of this last extract, as a curious coincidence, that this wish is breathed by one who was destined to become the Attorney General, and whose ambition was to meet in debate the combined powers of one who had been, and another who was then, the occupant of that high post in the Government.

CHAPTER XXII.

1815-1816.

VISITS WASHINGTON ΤΟ ATTEND THE COURT.-RETURNS.-PEACE RESTORED BY THE TREATY OF GHENT.-LETTER TO GILMER.--RESUMES THE BIOGRAPHY OF HENRY.-DIFFICULTIES OF THIS WORK.-SCANTINESS OF MATERIAL. THE AUTHOR WEARY OF IT.-LETTER TO CARR ON THE SUBJECT.-DABNEY CARR THE ELDER-THE ORIGIN OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.-PETER CARR.-LETTERS TO CARR and GILMER.-GEORGE HAY RESIGNS THE POST OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY.-WIRT RECOMMENDS UPSHUR TO THE PRESIDENT.-MODERATION OF POLITICAL FEELING.—MR, MADISON APPOINTS WIRT TO THE OFFICE.-CORRESPONDENCE IN REFERENCE TO THIS APPOINTMENT.-MAKES HIS DEBUT IN THE SUPREME COURT-ENCOUNTERS PINKNEY.-HIS OPINION OF PINKNEY.-LETTER TO GILMER.— LETTER TO CARR ON "THE PATH OF PLEASURE," AND HIS OPINION OF THIS DRAMATIC ATTEMPT.-CORRESPONDENCE WITH MR. JEFFERSON ON THE SUBJECT OF THE BIOGRAPHY.-LETTER TO RICHARD MORRIS.

WIRT repaired to Washington soon after the date of the last letter. It seems, however, that the opportunity for his debut in the Supreme Court was postponed. He remained a few weeks at the capital, amused with the scenes it presented to him, and employing his time in extending his acquaintance with public men.

Early in 1815, peace was restored by the Treaty of Ghent, and a universal joy filled the heart of the country. Every one thought of getting "back to busy life again"-happy that the stagnation to industry, the waste of war and all the disorders of interrupted peace were to give place to the orderly pursuit of personal interests. Wirt shared in this sentiment as warmly as any one, and betook himself with fresh ardor to his customary labors.

We have here, another letter of professional admonition to his young friend.

MY DEAR FRANCIS:

TO FRANCIS W. GILMER.

RICHMOND, July 23, 1815.

We thank you for your affectionate favor of the 17th, from Albemarle. Providence, I believe, is ordering every thing for the best for you. I do not know that we have much occasion to regret the disappointment of this trip of yours to Europe. Our friend Coalter is vociferous against it-and let me tell you, that his judgment is as solid as his native mountains, and moreover, that he takes a strong interest in your prosperity. You lose by it, imagination? Create Dr. Johnson's ideal rival of perfection in the view of European models; but can you not supply them by your own mind, and compete with it? The which ideal rival is only Cicero's aliquid immensum, &c. You are to bear in mind, that we all have our eyes and our hopes upon you. You are to remember that glory is not that easy kind of inheritance which the law will cast upon you, without any effort of your own; but that you are to work for it and fight for it, with the patient perseverance of a Hercules. You are also to bear in mind, that the friends who know and love you, and acknowledge your talents, are not the world. That in regard to the world, upon which you are entering, you are unknown; that with them you have to make your way, as a perfect stranger. And that it is not by the display of your general science, that the herd is to be caught; but by the dexterity with which you handle your professional tools, and the power which you evince to serve your clients in your trade. Now, the law depends on such a system of unnatural reasoning, that your natural reasoning, however strong, will not serve the turn. It is true, that when you once understand this artificial foundation, your natural reason will avail you much in applying it, and measuring the superstructure.

But, in the first place, you must read, sir:-You must read and meditate, like a Conastoga horse,-no disparagement to the horse by the simile. You must read like Jefferson, and speak like Henry. If you ask me how you are to do this, I cannot tell you, but you are nevertheless to do it. There is one thing which I believe I have not mentioned to you, more than about five hundred VOL. 1-33

times, which you are constantly to attend to-and in this you must respect my advice and follow it: let you debut be a decisive one!!! Don't make your first appearance in a trifling case. yourself either by a fee, or voluntarily, into the most important cause that is to be tried in Winchester, at the fall term. Let it be such a cause as will ensure you a throng of hearers :-master the cause in all its points, of fact and law; digest a profound, comprehensive, simple, and glowing speech for the occasion--not strained beyond the occasion, nor beyond the capacity of your audience;— and make upon the world the impression of strength, of vigor, of great energy, combined with a fluent, animated, nervous elocution; no puerile, out-of-the-way, far-fetched, or pedantic ornaments or illustrations, but simple, strong, and manly—level yourself to the capacity of your hearers, and insinuate yourself among the heart-strings, the bones and marrow, both of your jury and back-bar hearers. I say jury-because I fear that a chancery cause, although it affords the best means of preparation, will give you no audience at all; and I want you to blow your first blast, before a full concourse, both loud and shrill :—and hereof, I think, gentle reader, this little taste may suffice.

Your notions of your indulgence in general science, are correct. Don't quit them-but let them be subordinate to the law. By-theway, there is one thing I had like to have forgotten. One of the most dignified traits in the character of Henry, is the noble decorum with which he debated, and uniform and marked respect with which he treated his adversaries. I am a little afraid of you in this particular; for you are a wit, and a satirist-God help you! Take care, take care, take care of this propensity. It will make you enemies, pull a bee-hive on your head, and cover your forensic path with stings and venom. I pray you, aim at masking yourself with Henry's distinguished character for decorum. Let it be universally agreed, that you are the most polite, gentlemanly debater at the bar. That alone will give you a distinction-and a noble one too; besides it is a striking index, and proper concomitant of first rate talents.

Don't forget your promise in regard to Mr. Jefferson, and the gallery of portraits.

Continue to write to me.

*

Heaven bless you.

WM. WIRT.