persons, two of whom had been by writs liberated; but the third was continued in prison, because taken immediately in execution. To liberate him without a formal writ, but on motion, was the object of the young pleaders; and Wirt acquitted himself so well as to acquire the patronage of the late general John Miner, then attending as a lawyer. In '95 he married the eldest daughter of Dr. George Gilmer, of Charlottsville, which introduced him to the best society in the neighborhood, and among others, to Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe. But it introduced him to a scene of life with which he became intoxicated; and through means of which he was plunged into the depths of dissipation and debauchery. From this untoward course, he was singularly ransomed by a sermon which he heard from the blind preacher, James Waddell, whom he has so celebrated in his British Spy. The sketch there given is often placed in enviable juxtaposition with those of Le Fevre and La Roche. When his wife died in 1795, and he had removed to Richmond, he was appointed clerk of the House of Delegates, as successor to John Stewart, which situation he held till 1802. He was then appointed chancellor of the eastern district of Virginia, though only 29 years of age. But during his chancellorship, to which a very small salary was attached, having married the daughter of the late colonel Gamble of Richmond, he was obliged to resign, and resume his professional practice, more adequately to support his change of domestic life. Through the persuasion of Mr. Tazewell, the late elected governor of Virginia, he was induced to settle at Norfolk in that State, where he remained reaping emolument and fame till 1806. In that year he returned to Richmond; and in the following year he was retained (by the special direction of Jefferson) as attorney for the government in the celebrated case of Aaron Burr; of his eloquence, &c., in the prosecution, chief justice Marshall, (the presiding judge,) remarked-The question has been argued in a manner worthy of its importance. A degree of eloquence seldom displayed on any occasion, has embellished solidity of argument, and depth of research.' In 1808, he was elected a member for Richmond to the Virginia legislature; and was soon after elected as a privy councillor, by Mr. Monroe, the then governor of the State. In 1816, he was appointed United States' attorney for the district of Virginia, by Madison, and in 1817, he was appointed United States' attorney general, by Mr. Monroe, an office which he sustained with eminence and efficiency, during the administrations of Monroe and Adams. INDEX TO THE SECOND VOLUME OF THE QUARTERLY OBSERVER. A. Abyssinia and Nubia, 163-recent Almanac American, 178. American Board, report of, 180. American Biography, 364. Annals of Education, noticed, 175. Anderson, on teaching science to the B. Baron Cuvier, 174. Bryant's Poems, 308-various classes Byron's works reviewed, 291-effect of Dr. Coray, 203-writings of Dr. Critical Notices, 12,350. D. Dana Daniel, D. D., on Christian Dwight Pres., Decisions of, 151. coln Ensign, character of, 113— G. Geography, Flint's noticed, 177. Gregg on Declaration of American H. Hartford Convention, 357. Heber Richard, life noticed. 325. Homer, the theme of his poems, 20. Independence, declaration of, 48. J. Jourdan Marshal, life noticed, 395. Sermons missionary, 168. Slavery question, 261-three classes Story's Class Book, noticed, 370. T. Temperance Magazine, 176. Van Dieman's Land, 166. W. War, consequences of, 6-effects on WE have been obliged to postpone a number of essays which we have received. There will be inserted in our next number an article on Political Economy, and another on Logic, from the pens of two distinguished writers. We have received several communications on the subject of the article inserted in the number for January, on the Declaration of Independence. We shall hereafter furnish further particulars, in regard to the life and writings of Mr. Wirt. In our last number, p. 44, the Chauncy referred to was not the writer on Universalism opposed to the Rev. Pres. Edwards, of Schenectady, but the clergyman of Boston, who was the opponent of Whitefield. On page 96, near the top, invoking should be involving, and page 97, near the top, dilated should be diluted. In the present number, p. 233, it should read "the statue of Chantrey," instead of Canova. 1 |
