-His Personal Qualities-Integrity of Character-A Believer in Christi-

anity-His Example encouraging to Youth-Communication of Judge

Stark, &c............

PAGE

150

CHAPTER XXIII.

ANDREW J. MILLER-Parentage and Birth-Early Education-Enters the

Military Academy at West Point-Dissatisfied, and returns Home after

One Term-Reads Law with Archibald Clarke at St. Mary's-Admitted

to the Bar in 1825, under a Special Act of the Legislature-Opens an

Office at Augusta-Marries Miss Olive in 1828-Strict Business Habits

-Professional Advancement-Elected a Representative in 1836, and the

next Year Senator from Richmond County-Applies himself to Public

Duties Becomes familiar with Parliamentary Law-Elected President

of the Senate-Friend of Education and Internal Improvement-Au-

thority on Points of Order-Influence in the Senate-Minority Report

on the Senatorial District Bill in 1850-Letter to Thomas W. Thomas on

the Presidential Election in 1852-Address to Constituents in 1854,

declining further Service in the Senate-Appointed Judge of the Supe-

rior Court to fill a Vacancy-Refuses to be a Candidate-Prevailed on

to run again for the Senate-Takes his Seat for the last time at the

Session of 1855-56-Illness and Return Home-Last Appearance in Court

-Indisposition alarms his Friends-News reaches Milledgeville-Sensa-

tion in the Legislature-His Death-Manifestations of Public Sorrow—

Proceedings of the Bar-Of the City Council-Of the Medical College of

Georgia-Funeral Ceremonies-Remarks of the Press-Resolutions of

the Legislature-Eulogies pronounced-A New County created and

named "Miller"-Monument voted by the Legislature-Offices held-

A Public Benefactor-Communication of Frank H. Miller, Esq.

CHAPTER XXIV.

THOMAS D. MITCHELL-Born in South Carolina, 1793-Soon left an Orphan

-Education respectable-Comes to Georgia in Early Youth and teaches

School-Attaining Legal Age, returns to South Carolina-Receives his

Small Patrimony-By Imprudence and Liberality loses all-Teaches.

School in Abbeville-Goes to Columbia and secures the Friendship of the

Hon. Joel R. Poinsett-Employed in the Academy, 1818-Reads Law

with Col. Blanding-Again visits Georgia in 1820-Completes Law-

Studies with Judge Shorter at Eatonton-Obtains License-Locates a

short time at Sandersville-Removes to Hartford in 1821 and opens an

Office-Duel with Robert Augustus Beall-Elected Solicitor-General in

1825-His Commission-Impetuosity of Character-Disappointed Hopes

-Sourness toward Mankind-Challenged by Dr. Baber-Fights with

Rifles at Hamburg, and killed in March, 1826-Personal Qualities--Nice

Sense of Honor-Professional Ambition, &c..........................

156

178

CHAPTER XXV.

ROBERT RAYMOND REID-Native of South Carolina-Born in 1789-Deli-

cate Boyhood-Sent to School at Beaufort-Unhappy from Neglect—

Returns Home--Affection for his Mother-Writes Poetry-Goes to School

at Augusta-Tender Attachments-Death of his Mother-Agony of Spirit

-Visits the Old Homestead-Reflections-Enters Columbia College-

-Dr. Maxey-Miscellaneous Reading-Confused Memory-Chancellor

Harper a College Friend-Oration in 1808-Extract-Marriage with Miss

McLaws in 1811-Fourth-of-July Oration, 1813-Extract-Elected Judge

of the Superior Court in 1816-Charge to the Grand Jury-Elected to

Congress in 1818-Speech on the Missouri Restriction in 1820-Re-elected

to Congress Judge Superior Court in 1822-Supports the Administration

of Gov. Troup-Defeated for the Bench in 1825-Death of his Wife-

Distress of Mind-Elected Mayor of Augusta-Appointed Judge of the

City Court in 1827-Masonic Address, 1828-Extract, Why Ladies not

admitted into the Order-Elector of President and Vice-President-

Marries Miss Randolph, May 8, 1829-Again Happy-Her Death, Janu-

ary 22, 1831-Settled Melancholy-Friends come to his Relief-President

Jackson appoints him United States Judge for East Florida, May, 1832-

His Commission-Letter of Judge Shorter-Repairs to Florida and resides

at St. Augustine-Admiration of the Climate-Extracts from his Diary

from 1825 to 1841-Onerous Labors-Acts as Judge of the Court of Ap-

peals-Commissioner of Land Claims-Abstract of Titles reported to the

President-Enemies annoy him-Grand Jury vindicates his Administra-

tion-Marriage with Miss Smith in 1837-Fourth-of-July Address at

St. Augustine in 1838-Extract-Elected President of the Convention to

form a Constitution for Florida-Appointed Governor in 1839-His Com-

mission-Letters of Mr. Forsyth-Elected Honorary Member of the

Georgia Historical Society-Certificate-Affliction at the Loss of his Son,

Midshipman Reid, at Sea-Pathetic Remarks in his Diary-Naval Monu-

ment-Removed from Office by President Harrison in March, 1841-

Retires to his Farm at Blackwood, near Tallahassee-Family Affairs-

Adopts the Unitarian Faith-Neglect of Property-Embarrassments trou-

ble him-Plans for the Future-His Death, July 1, 1841-Notice of the

Press-His Character and Personal Appearance-Leaves a Large Collec-

tion of Papers, &c.

PAGE

182

CHAPTER XXVI.

WILLIAM S. C. REID-Born in Hancock County, 1802-Educated at Mount
Zion by the Brothers Beman-Visits the North and pursues a Course of
Legal Studies at New Haven in 1824-Returns to Georgia-Admitted to
the Bar at Augusta in 1825-Locates at Clinton with Fine Prospects-
Gifts in Oratory-Commanding Appearance-Removes to Macon-Em-
ployed for the Prosecution in the Case of the State vs. Elijah Barber, alias
Jesse L. Bunkley-Curious Developments-One Hundred and Thirty Wit-
nesses examined-Conflict of Testimony-Attempt to obtain an Estate of

Twenty Thousand Dollars by falsely personating the Heir-Conviction of

the Accused as an Impostor-Letter to his Pretended Mother-Effort of

Mr. Reid on the Trial-Unfortunate Habits-Love-Affair-Deliberately

sacrifices himself-His Lofty Nature conquered by Intemperance-His

Death at his Mother's House in Monroe County, July 23, 1839-Warning

to Young Men........

PAGE

237

CHAPTER XXVII.

ROBERT RUTHERFORD-His Ancestry-Robert born in Wilkes County, 1786

-Schooled under Mr. Posey-Negligent of Study-Grieves his Father-

Enters Franklin College in 1802—President Meigs-College-Roll-De-

mosthenian Society formed-Graduates in 1804-Reads Law with Judge

Skrine at Sandersville-Attends the Law-School at Litchfield in 1806-

Returns to Georgia-Admitted to the Bar in 1807-Marriage with Miss

Howard in 1808-Obtains a Large Practice-Courage and Frankness-

Manners Popular-Resolute and Successful in his Plans--Proposes to

fight Gen. John Scott with Swords-Col. Tattnall and Board of Honor-

Circuit-Labors-Takes Fever at Pulaski Court-Returns Home-His

Death in 1822-Communication of Major Crawford and Williams Ruther-

ford, Esq.......

245

CHAPTER XXVIII.

ELI S. SHORTER-Born in 1792-Left a Destitute Orphan-Assisted by his

Brother, Dr. R. C. Shorter-Student of Meson Academy Three Years-

Acquires a Sound English Education-Slight Knowledge of Latin-Reads

Law in Medical Office-Studies directed by William Cook, Esq.-Admitted

to the Bar at Monticello in 1812--Locates in Dublin, Laurens County-

Talents and Energy-Removal to Eatonton-Fourteen Months with only

One Fee-Addicted to Card-Playing-Industry and Force of Character-

-Succeeds to a Profitable Practice-Marries Miss Watkins in 1817-

Elected to the Legislature-Professional Harvest-Four Hundred and

Twenty Cases to One Term-Fees worth Eight Thousand Dollars-Ranks

with the Ablest Lawyers in Georgia-Elected Judge of the Superior

Court in 1822-Supports Troup and the Treaty-Defeated in 1825 by

Judge McDonald-Resumes his Practice at the Bar-Partnership with

C. P. Gordon-Joins the Methodist Church in 1827-Again elected Judge

in 1828-Resigns in a Few Weeks-Church Investigation-Retains the

Confidence of the People-Elected to the Legislature in 1829-Moves to

establish a Court for the Correction of Errors-Fond of Humor-Anec-

dotes with Harris and Torrance-Trial of Strength with Judge Lamar-

War of Giants-Acquires a Large Property-Letter of Advice-Delegate

to the Free Trade Convention in Philadelphia, 1831-Manifesto relative to

Missionaries-Removal to Columbus-Financial Matters-Elected Presi-

dent of the Farmers' Bank of Chattahoochee-Creek Difficulties-Interest

in Merchandise-Speculates on Indian Reserves-Letter to one of his

Agents criticized-Allusion to it in Congress-Liberal with his Money-

Fond of assisting Young Men-Pleasant in every Circle-His Death in

1836 Monument, &c.........

248

CHAPTER XXIX.

CHRISTOPHER B. STRONG-Birth in Virginia, 1783-Father removes to

Georgia while Christopher is a Boy-Imperfect Education-Returns to

Virginia-Studies Law with Chancellor Taylor-Comes to the Georgia

Bar in 1808-Marries Miss Woodson, of Virginia-Settles in Eatonton-

Obtains a Good Practice-Volunteers in the Creek War, 1813-Appointed

Lieutenant of Cavalry-Battles of Autossee and Caulibbee-Horse shot

under him-Example of Courage and Humanity-Appointed Judge-Advo-

cate-Next Paymaster of the Army-Returns with Honor from the War-

Elected Judge of the Superior Court in 1816, and again in 1819-Man-

damus vs. Gov. Clark-Firmness of Character-Term of Office expires-

Resumes Practice-Refers to Judge Early-Pleasant Companion-Delibe-

rate in Speech-Anecdote-Removes to Macon-Sustains Gov. Troup-

Interview with Gen. Gaines-Affidavit-Elected Judge of the Flint Cir-

cuit in 1828 and 1831-Trial of Murder-Case in Bibb-Presides with Pis-

tols under his Cloak-Visited by a Grandson of Patrick Henry-Letter

from N. W. Henry-Vindication of the Judiciary-Letters to his Son,

Creed Taylor-De Graffenried Estate-Col. Bailey visits Europe-State-

ment of Claim-Death of Mrs. Strong-Gloom of Mind-Mr. Webster's

Inquiry for a Suitable Governor to suppress Outrages in Florida-Visit

of Mr. Clay in 1844-Anecdote in the Public Reception at Macon-First

Appearance in the Supreme Court-Congratulations offered-Removes to

Perry-Attendance on the Circuit-Society coveted by the Bar--Resem-

blance to Gen. Lafayette-Chivalry of Character-Loss of Property by

Securityship-Virginia Pride-Letter to the Author-Letter to T. W.

Montfort-State-Rights Creed-Wilkinson Platform-Religious Feelings-

Sudden Death, May 1, 1851-Proceedings of the Bar-Editorial Remarks

in the Federal Union-Communication of Col. Bailey.......

PAGE

261

CHAPTER XXX

WILLIAM H. TORRANCE-Native of South Carolina-Scottish Descent-Early
Education-Clerk in a Store-Father removes to Georgia in 1811, and dies
in 1812-William labors on the Farm-Volunteers in the Creek War, 1813
-Appointed Private Secretary to Gen. Floyd-At several Battles-Col.
Hawkins's Manuscript History of the Indian Tribes-End of Service-
Again volunteers-Appointed Forage-Master-Conclusion of Peace-Mer-
chants' Clerk in Augusta-Fond of Books-Friendship of R. H. Wilde—
Cotton-Speculation-Unfortunate-Studies Law-Creditable Examination
-Opens an Office at Milledgeville-Discouragement-Nervous Timidity-
Hard Student-Close Attention to Business-Character established for
Legal Ability-Retained in Important Causes-Array of Authorities-
Logical Reasoner-Exact System—Personal Neatness-Supporter of Gov.
Troup's Administration-Appointed Commissioner to Investigate Conduct
of Agent-Evidence collected as to Death of McIntosh-Distress of the
Friendly Indians-Extracts-Col. H. G. Lamar's Mission to the Indian
Towns-Pathetic Appeal of Females-Correspondence with Gen. Gaines

-Acts of the Commission-Report to Gov. Troup—Appears as Counsel at

the Bar of the House of Representatives-Marriage with Miss Crawford—

Letters to the Author-Law-Books-Midnight Courts-Social Extrava-

gance Seeks no Office-Profound Legal Attainments-Acquires Wealth-

Generous Living-Style on the Circuit-Kindness to Young Men-Above

Selfishness-Death of Mrs. Torrance-Mind greatly depressed-Soon fol-

lows to the grave-Obituary Notice in the Southern Recorder, 1837-

Communication of Major Joel Crawford, &c.........

PAGE

296

CHAPTER XXXI.

GEORGE W. TOWNS-Family Virginian-Birth in Wilkes County, Georgia,

1801-Education in County Academies-Cultivates Composition and Ora-

tory-Studies Medicine with Dr. Branham-Severe Injury from a Horse-

Removes to Montgomery, Alabama-Reads Law with Mr. Benson-Mar-

ries Miss Campbell-Her Death in a Few Days after Marriage-Shock on

his Feelings-Speculates successfully on Town-Lots-Returns to Georgia

-Merchandises in Talbot-Elected Colonel of the Regiment-Serves in

the Legislature-Extracts from the Journal of both Houses-Opposes

Nullification-His Resolutions on the Tariff, Internal Improvement, and

Gen. Jackson-Bills introduced-Southern Convention, 1832-Amendment

to Federal Constitution proposed-Mr. Chappell's Resolutions-Mr. Wood's

Minority Report-Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions ignored-Col. Towns

elected to Congress in 1834 and in 1836-Marriage with Miss Jones, of

Virginia-Again elected to Congress to fill a Vacancy in 1845-Defeated

by Mr. Jones in 1846-Nominated for Governor in 1847-Succeeds over

Gen. Clinch-Re-elected Governor in 1849 against Judge Hill-Champion

of Southern Rights-Extracts from his Messages-Georgia Platform, 1850

-Northern Aggression-Western and Atlantic Railway-Just Principle of

Taxation-Retires from Office, 1851-Attack of Paralysis-Helpless Con-

dition-His Death in 1854-Character for Eloquence-Suavity of Manner

-Chesterfield in Address-Dr. Gardner's Communication, &c............................

................

318

CHAPTER XXXII.

RICHARD H. WILDE-Born in Ireland, 1789-Parents emigrate to Baltimore
-Loss of Property by the Rebellion-Death of his Father in 1802-His
Mother removes to Georgia in 1803-Richard cultivates Letters-Example
of his Mother-Assists in her Business-Delicate Health-Reads stu-
diously and takes Notes-Originates a Dramatic Society in Augusta—
Sustains part in the Representations-Passion for Poetry-Reads Law-
Encounters Difficulties-Admitted to the Bar in 1809-Remark of Judge
Early Practice soon obtained-Elected Attorney-General-Lofty Tone at
the Bar-Elected to Congress in 1815-Public Service-Defeated at the
Next Election-Again enters Congress in 1825-Speech on the Bank Ques-
tion-On the Currency-Extracts-Sketch of the Congress of 1816-
Specimens of his Poetry-Florida Land Claims-Defeat for Congress in
1834-Visits Europe in 1835-Tour on the Continent-Resides at Florence
-Writes his Work on Tasso-Extracts-Discoveries as to Dante-Fondness
for Italian Literature-Returns to the United States in 1842-Appears in