USA > Georgia > The bench and bar of Georgia: memoirs and sketches. With an appendix, containing a court roll from 1790-1857, etc., volume II > Part 33
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But the gratification of dwelling on the honors paid by the world to an exalted ancestor is, for the most part, a sublime feeling. The trump of fame has indeed a potent harmony; and, when its loud blasts are sounded in honor of the great, nature herself commands every kindred being to dilate with pride,-to appropriate to himself a semblance of the scenes and events commemorated.
I conclude, dear sir, with the assurance that your name comes intro- duced to me, as a son of Patrick Henry, under auspices which will ever consecrate that name with me and mine. If the occasion of writing your late letter afforded to you a source of personal felicitation, far greater reason have I for registering this, my poor reply, among the very happiest incidents of my life. Will Mr. Miller give Patrick the perusal of the within for his special gratification ? Please inform him that I will write him very shortly. Mrs. Henry, my daughters, and little boy unite with me in presenting you our unfeigned regards.
Allow me, dear sir, to remain, with most respectful consideration, your sincere friend and obliged servant,
NATH'L W. HENRY.
STEPHEN F. MILLER, Esq.
This letter is introduced as applicable to the memoir of Judge Strong, as he is mentioned in it, and not to gratify any supposed vanity in the author, for he is conscious that the writer of this very kind letter overrated the claims of the author to the very civil expressions dictated by courtesy and by a cordial, sympa- thizing gratitude for little attentions the motives of which he well understood. At all events, this publication will never be seen by Mr. N. W. Henry. His honorable life closed within the last few years, and his son Patrick, once an officer in the army, is now happily married and settled in Virginia.
Having disposed of the ancestral and kindred branch, the author
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now proceeds to a test far better of the elevated disposition of Judge Strong,-his own letters written to his son, Creed Taylor Strong, who at the request of the author placed them in his posses- sion, with liberty to select such portions as might be considered interesting. Of course, they were all strictly private, and, as will be seen from the dates, were written from different places where the judge happened to be in attendance on the courts or on general business. During the period embraced by this correspondence, the son was at different places as a law-student, as a practitioner, and was also in the Creek campaign of 1836. These facts appear in the letters of which the following are extracts :-
FAYETTEVILLE, Sept. 17, 1833.
My letter to your dear mother will inform you of all that concerns your absent father; and I have only time to say to you that your interest and welfare occupy much of my thoughts and most anxious desires. Learn to abstract your thoughts and fix them exclusively on your studies while you read. Learn to analyze what you read, and memorize and understand the definitions, divisions, reason, and spirit of the law. Let Col. Bailey fre- quently examine you, and still more frequently mentally examine yourself; and, when you have answered, look to the author to see if you have answered right. That will impress the law upon your memory and dis- cipline your mind.
MILLEDGEVILLE, Nov. 9, 1833.
I have no desire to attend at the State-House. If I had, I have no time. Hence I presume you know as much of their proceedings as I do. No good can (but by accident) grow out of the legislation of the present Assembly. Their object is party ascendency, and not public good; that is a subordinate consideration with the majority.
The judges* talk and talk, and now and then determine interesting cases ; but we want organization by law as a Supreme Court. Till that is done we can do but little good. When I return, I will report to you such matters as may be either useful or interesting. Read on : the more you read the more pleasure you will take in it, and the better you will understand. I am often amused, even at this late day of my life, at the clear additional views that flash upon my mind on perhaps the hundreth reading of the same thing. Memorize all divisions of your subject and definitions, and look to the reason of the law. This lesson cannot be too earnestly impressed nor often repeated. For we readily assent to so reasonable and obvious directions, but too often fail in their practical execution. This results from a lack of fixed, exclusive attention and mental energy and industry.
The habit of abstracting the mind from all other subjects but that studied, and concentrating our whole thought to the mastery of the im- mediate idea or matter desired, should be by a student unceasingly culti- vated. A point so important should be pursued until it shall be attained. And remember, in this as in other things, practice, constant practice, makes
* In the Annual Convention of the Circuit Judges.
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perfect. Wherever I may be, I think of you, love you most affectionately, and pray for your advancement and prosperity daily.
THOMASTON, 27th August, 1834.
The weather is becoming pleasant; and you should now devote your mind exclusively to your study. The power or faculty of abstracting one's mind from all other objects and subjects, and placing it exclusively upon the desired point of study or investigation, is as desirable as it is necessary. Such habit can alone be acquired by constant labor and attention. If you find your mind wandering, stop right there. Read over the paragraph again attentively ; then take your eye from the page and endeavor to repeat aloud what you have read : rcpcat this until you can in substance clearly repcat what you have read. Then proceed again and watch the action of your own mind; and, the moment you find it diverted from your subject, repeat the same process; and if not in a week, I know in a month, by experience, (the best test,) that you will have acquired the desired habit.
Now, my dear son, sit right down to work and reduce this to practice. Your future advancement depends upon it. Acquire this faculty : you cannot have any correct idea of the advantage it will be to you through all future time in facilitating your comprehension of your reading and investigations of all subjects and cases.
I have been thus particular because I apprehend that you do permit your mind to muse and wander too much. I know your sensitiveness, and respect it, and respect your feelings ; but it is my duty, as your father and best friend, to be faithful, and not, from fear of wounding perhaps too scusitive feelings, to neglect my duty. Besides, it is my nature to be frank and candid, and I am now too old to abandon what I believe to be a virtue. When you are spoken to or asked a question, you too often appear to be musing, and too frequently painfully delay a reply. For the pur- pose of facilitating your investigations, of advancing the progress of con- versation, making yourself agreeable and intelligible, I beseech you to accomplish the improvement I recommend and become more prompt. You have a clear, sound mind, much better education than I have and one-half of your cotemporaries ; and there is no reason why you should not be successful. Respect the opinions and feelings of those around you ; make yourself communicative and as agreeable as you can, and "go ahead." Never be stubborn or slow in improvement. The world is in a rapid state of change and improvement ; and we must adapt our habits and manners to the times and company we meet, as far as is consistent with virtue.
I desire and intend to spend some time in your examination the weck after Monroe court, and am very desirous that before you go to Augusta you should acquire a habit of more promptness in your answers. Take this as you may, I feel that I have performed a duty, and know that it is intended for your good, and for that alone. Could you see the many harsh letters I was in the habit of receiving, you would appreciate my motives and readily forgive any error the quickness or ardor your father's temper and nature have or may lead him into. Whatever may be the feeling or opinion of the moment, when I shall have mouldered in the dust, and time shall have ripened your judgment and experience shall enable you to compare the past and the present, then my failings, whether of commission or omission, will be kindly reviewed, and my little merits will be properly estimated ; and you will bless God that you had not a worse father. My love, my all, my heart, to mother and all the family; and may the God of all grace bless and prosper my son !
.
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CHRISTOPHER B. STRONG.
VINEVILLE, 27th January, 1835.
Our almost interminable court, after a five weeks' session, has at length adjourned, and I avail myself of the first moment's respite to answer your most excellent and gratifying letter. I approve of all you have done,- rejoice with exceeding joy in your honorable admission and creditable examination. All this is attributable to your prudence, industry, and wisdom. In all your progress you have acted upon the principle that the end cannot be attained without using the means, -that a wreath of victory can never be obtained without a battle. Onward, onward, my dear son, from effort to effort and victory to honor and profit and glory; and may the God of all power and wisdom and glory direct, support, and defend and bless you ! Remember that, although your education is somewhat limited,* it is not as much so as your father's, your uncle Taylor's, the immortal Patrick Henry's, or Washington's. Your remarks relative to your brother Samuel's return to college are beyond all praise.
VINEVILLE, 12th September, 1835.
Although I shall, with God's permission, see you so soon, the impulse to commune with one I love so much is irresistible. Your letter to Samuel a few days after your arrival was most cheering to us, as it seems to have been written with good spirits by you; and, by-the-by, no one need de- spond who can write such a letter. For he who can express his ideas in such peculiarly apt words and sentences can always write well, and, if he will throw off or conquer his diffidence, can and will speak well. Culti- vate, then, my dear son, your speaking-powers,-study the gift of the gab, -and you will succeed in your profession.
Col. Bailey says that you must practise in such counties as you desire in co-partnership with us, upon equal terms. We will agree about this when I see you, and publish accordingly. In the mean time, stick to your room, or office, and books, whether you have business or not. Let the people see and know you are there and can be found ready for it, and they will, sooner or later, come to you. Men must radically change in their nature if it be otherwise. You can have no idea of the importance of being in office, business or no business. Many a fat fee have I lost by a moment's unnecessary absence. The people know that you must be ab- sent sometimes; but they are very sagacious in distinguishing betwixt ne- cessity and idleness, or attention to pleasure. They very properly prefer to confide their business to the attentive and laborious punctual man, be he whom he may. I have great confidence in you, but desire you at once to establish a steady business-character; and I know from sad experience how easy it is to contract the lounging-out-of-place habits of a village life. The very persons who seek your company will remark upon your misspent time. The more you stay in your office the more you will like it; and this habit will soon convince you that your books are your best company. A short time after dinner, and again about sunset, is the time for recrea. tion.
In the investigation of all subjects, observe system. Read Blackstone, the subject considered, the notes, then the references or treatises you
* In August, 1833, when the author first visited Athens, he found Creed T. Strong and his brother Samuel students of Franklin College. Perhaps they did not graduate, judging from this passage in the letter.
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have, and you will understand. Write occasionally on such subjects as Slander, Seduction, Justice vs. Injustice, &c. &c. Such compositions and declamations will quicken and enlarge your scope of thought, improve your already excellent style, and facilitate your speaking. On Sabbath, read the Bible and the best sermons you can command. Of evenings, read Erskine's specches, or something of that sort.
And, my dear son, now remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth. Oh that I had observed this obviously golden precept in time ! What sin, what suffering, what folly, what remorse, would it have saved me! Had I done so, I should not now in my old age have been so destitute of tem- poral and spiritual gifts. But, thank God, I have a hope. May your days be many and full of blessings, mingled with such as will insure you immortal joys, pray your father and mother day and night.
VINEVILLE, 26th January, 1836.
My indisposition has given me such a back-set that it would be the height of imprudence to turn out to the courts of your circuit. This I equally regret on both your and my own account. However, we must submit to such dispensations. Col. Bailey and Samuel will both go to Stewart, which is next Monday. Samuel's purpose is to apply for admis- sion; and I hope you may find it compatible with your interest and con- venience to be there yourself.
If you have not bought a horse, if you will throw away your diffidence you can borrow or hire one. If you buy, remember your uncle Taylor's advice to me; get one of moderate price, not a tackey, nor yet one of high price.
I rejoice to hear of your prosperity. Stick to your business; nor let Indian wars, or rumors of wars, or any thing else, divert you from now taking fortune in the flood. If you quit your business now, your country will not, after all, remember you in the hour of need, especially in old age. Besides, your dear mother and sisters may have claims upon you. To abandon your business to serve the country, unless the necessity was greater, would be folly. I have said thus much, lest in a moment of ex- cited youthful patriotism you might, in these piping times, volunteer.
Do you keep regular books, in which you make regular entries of all your business-transactions ? I never knew a lawyer who did, who did not prosper; few who did not, who ever realized any thing. The habit itself does much good, and will save you much perplexity.
VINEVILLE, 4th May, 1836.
Doctor Bailey and lady have arrived; and we are all delighted with them, and they write home that they are so with us. Indeed, we are proud of them as relatives. He is, in person, rather an improvement upon his brother,* as his legs are better formed and his expression of countenance more cheerful. He is also more communicative and at ease in his manners and address : his talents and acquirements excellent. In a word, he is a well-raised, well-educated, talented, and very agreeable gentleman,
But still more of madam. Without affectation, she is rather handsome than otherwise, and very talented. Her conversational tact and talent is
* Col. S. T. Bailey will pardon the author for this extract at his expense.
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most excellent, and her powers of philosophical and moral amplification and illustration unsurpassed. She has not the staid dignity of the old- school dames, nor the frivolous levity of the modern; yet she has evidently been well raised and well educated, and has moved in the very first circles. She (woman like) talks a little too much, but always charms and enlightens all around her. I repeat that we are proud of our kin.
x *
*
We deplore your absence over each bowl of strawberries,-indeed, whenever we have any thing that tends to the gratification of mind or taste. Be cheerful: nothing promotes one's interest more than a cheer- ful, independent, familiar port; nothing so destructive as despondency. Therefore hold up, my dear son, and prosperity, wealth, and fame await you. We need not indulge in unnecessary and tedious expressions of love and affection : our whole hearts are with you, and may our heavenly Father preserve and bless you !
VINEVILLE, 13th May, 1836.
You have no doubt seen the account of Houston's victory and the cap- ture of Santa Anna : the first I believe; the latter is too good to be true, I fear. Indeed, I consider the Texan cause for the present as desperate : they have gone too prematurely into attempted revolution. They should have declared for the Mexican Government and yielded to it for five years to come, matured their plans and acquired strength, and then have gone for revolution. They are too weak to effect any thing, unless they should, by the grace of God, capture (as it were by accident) the tyrant.
The Creek Indians also, it appears, are for war. If this be so, pardon me, my dear son, for throwing out a few hints to the wise. Remember that, last war, I left your dear mother, sister, and yourself, my professional interest and my all, and flew to the service of my country. As we were then at war against one of the most powerful nations in the world and nearly all the Indian nations, the danger was great and the necessity urgent. I served faithfully; and in this selfish age how much good has it done me ? I could tell you many things which would show the deep in- gratitude of this people. Still, I profess to be a patriot, and would be the last father who would say, Stay, my son, when true and prudent pa- triotism should say, Come. But, should there be a call in which you should feel inclined to embark, I would be glad that you would consult one who has some experience, and who will be sure to give you advice matured by the most prayerful consideration. You would be entitled to rank, and ought not, but in an extreme case of necessity, to go as a private or non- commissioned officer. Indeed, your profession should command all your heart, mind, and attention, unless your country's call should be im- perative.
MACON, 2d June, 1836.
I most deeply deplore the circumstance of our having passed without meeting. I desired much-very much-to have seen you. But I presume you have not time now, compatible with honor and duty, to come this way. Go then, my dear son, and be as prudent in the field as I know you to be good and brave; and may the God of battle and salvation be with you, and your shield and guard !
Write us by every opportunity. That your life may be long, very long,
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that it may in all things be prosperous, very prosperous, and glorious and happy, and that you may finally be crowned with glory, immortal glory, prays, and will continue to pray, your most devotedly affectionate father.
VINEVILLE, 20th June, 1836.
When I write to you, I need not tell you that my heart is in my pen ; for that must be obvious. You are my oldest son, and have been always the most affectionate and obedient in the discharge of all filial obligations and duties. Furthermore, the government and training of the Episcopal Church is parental. My view of parental duty is not of the ordinary character : it is like the attachment of the ancient Jews to their ancient city :- " When I forget thee, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its cunning," &c. &c. Never will I forget my duty to the offspring of my loins. But, if you had none of my blood in your veins, I should still love you for your own affectionate nobleness of character. That I should feel intensely for you, therefore, is not wonderful. I have long since calculated the chances of war, and laughed at them ; yet still a parent's weakness sometimes prevails. But, thank God, you are at last in the Nation, and I hope soon all will be gloriously over.
I think your mother and myself will get safely through the summer, and probably finally regain our health and live to good old age, to bless our children and that they may bless us. But we should all remember that we are dependent upon HIM who made us for every health and blessing.
VINEVILLE, 2d July, 1836.
God only knows where you are, or how you may be, or when or where this letter will reach you. But I obey the injunctions of duty and the dictates of inclination and affection, and write to you at hazard, in the hope that it may, in the midst of all your trials and privations, impart some comfort. The most reasonable presumption is that you are, or have been, in chase of the two hundred Indians who have outgeneralled the generals and the poor Governor to boot, and have not overtaken them. But, be this as it may, you are in the hands of the Lord; and to him we must look and pray for your safety and deliverence from all your toils and dangers.
VINEVILLE, 30th September , 1837.
I am sure your excellent, kind, affectionate heart is always (when not engaged in communing with Him who deserves our first and last grati- tude and adoration) with us, especially when affliction lies upon us, and that you desire to hear from us. The day we parted, I got to Wilcher's as wet as I well could be, and without accident reached home yesterday, where I found all as well as could have been reasonably expected.
Your dear mother goes about like weeping Mary, but with more resig- nation and confidence in the dispensations of her heavenly Father. And time will restore her, I hope and believe, to more serenity than she has before enjoyed. We night and morning all unite in our prayerful sacri- fices ; and it acts, as prayer always will do, like a charm, when made in sincerity, when it springs from the heart. The business of my remaining life shall, by God's grace, be devoted to him, and in leading those with whom he has blessed me, and all others, to the throne of heavenly grace. And oh, my dear son, the joy I feel in the character of your letters ! It
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almost assures my broken heart that you are on the heavenly road with us. Press on, my dear son, and let us all make, with God's permission, a family in heaven. Your intimacy with Mr. Lawrence and other pious persons will greatly aid you in your onward course. We must continue to get close together.
Colonel Bailey, your sister and children, have all gone to Lanahassee, where they will stay while he goes to Stewart and Randolph Courts. Still, I desire you to go.
Go, my dear son, and go ahead. You can speak as well as the best of us, I am confident, if you will but try ; and it is a duty you owe the public, your devoted parents, and to yourself, to throw off that sickly delicacy and .diffidence, and exhibit your gifts and not keep them hid under a bushel.
GADSDEN COUNTY, FLORIDA, March 18, 1850.
Without accident your sister and myself, a week ago, arrived here, and found all in good health and cheer and with open arms to receive us. The colonel* lives within a mile of the old place, and, though his habitation is not magnificent, yet it is very convenient and comfortable. They all say, both here and at Quincy, that they will be most happy to receive you, and shall expect your intended visit.
The country about here is spotted, generally poor, but their hammocks rich and productive. It is a good country for the poor and those in medium circumstances. Corn, cotton, and tobacco are the products, and each family make their sugar and syrup. Tobacco ranges from twenty to sixty dollars per hundredweight, according to quality. The highest price is given for cigar-wrappers. Within two miles is the Ochlochney, a little river abounding in fish ; and thirty-five miles off they have Shell Point and the bay, where they get fish and oysters by the wagon-load. But the lower part of Leon and upper part of Madison county, Florida, is, in my judgment, a better country. Give yourself time, and come and see.
Our miserable Legislature has changed the time of the Superior Court of Macon county to the fourth Monday in this month : hence my visit is cut short, and on the day after to-morrow I must part with those I so much love, and wend my way to Lanier. But for that, I should have come by your house.
Say to dear Lucy Ann that her namesake here is a precious, sweet, beautiful little thing like herself; and to Kit, that his cousin Willey is a noble, sensible, good being like him. Surely never was a grandfather blessed with finer grandchildren. And to dear Elizabeth, Ridgely, Martha, and the rest, God bless them ever and ever. The farmers and planters here take things very leisurely. They are not as forward here as in Houston.
The letter of January 27, 1835, was addressed to his son at Augusta, while attending the law-lectures of William Tracy Gould, Esq., four other letters to Talboton, where his son located for practice, and three letters while he was in the army, " Captain Bush's company of Talbot volunteers," to the care of " Doctor De Graffenreid, Columbus ;" and the remaining letters were directed to him at Macon, when the judge was on the circuit.
* His son-in-law, Colonel Horton.
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