Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/124

 JUDGES OF THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT

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'J'he first volume was afterward published separately under the title of "A History of the American Colonies" (1824) and the en- tire work was subsequently revised and con- densed into two volumes in 1832. The hon- orary degree of Doctor of Laws was con- ferred on him by the College of New Jer- sey in 1802, by Harvard in 1806, and by the University of Pennsylvania in 1815. He was a member of the American Philosophical Society ; a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and corresponding member of the Massachusetts Historical Society. On February 4, 1901, the Supreme Court of the United States, with the aid and support of the President and Congress, cele- brated the one hundredth anniversary of the day on which h^took his seat for the first time in the Supreme Court of the United States, and by common consent all judicial business throughout the country ceased, and state, city and county bar associations held appro- priate exercises, as did colleges, law and public schools. His health began to decline ?t the opening of the session of the Supreme Court in 1835. although he presided through- out the session. He died in Philadelphia, I Pennsylvania, July 6, 1835. '"^ ability as a judge consisted in his almost supernatural power of distinguishing at a glance the very point on which the- controversy depended. He was not always correct in his decisions but there can be but one opinion as to his nipid. resistless and astonishing penetration.

Washington, Bushrod, was born in West- moreland county. Virginia. June 5. 1762, the son of John Augustine, younger brother of George Washington ; was graduated from William and Mary College in 1778. and read law in Philadelphia in James Wilson's office. In 1780-81 he served in

Colonel J. F. Mercer's troop, which was dis- banded after the siege of Vorktown. He practiced at home, at Alexandria and at Richmond : was a member of the house of delegates in 17S7, and of the convention which ratified the Federal constitution; and from December 20, ijijS, was a judge of the United States Supreme Court, receiving his appointment from President Adams. He was of "small and emaciated frame, and countenance like marble." but eminent for learning and ability. He published "Reports of the Virginia Court of Appeals, i790-<)6.*' in two volumes (1798-99), and of the 'United States Court for the Third Circuit. 1803-27," in kuT volumes (1826-29), partly edited by R. Peters: these, in the opinion of his biographer, did him but imperfect justice. At the organization of the Coloni- zation Society in June, 18 17, he became its I^resident. As the general's favorite nephew, he inherited Mount \'ernon, which after- ward passed to R. E. Lee, through the Cus- tis family. He (bed November 26, 1829. His life, by H. r»inney. was privately printed in 1858.

Barbour, Philip Pendleton, was born in Orange county, \'irginia, May 25, 1783. the son of Colonel Thomas IJarbour. He received his early education at the schools in his native county, read law, and was sent by his father to Kentucky to settle some land claims?' in which he was unsuc- cessful, and was thereafter left to make his own way in the world. He was ad- mitted to the bar. practiced law, and sub- sequently studied at William and Mary Col- lege. From 1812 to 1814 he was a member of the legislature, and from 1814 to 1821 a member of Congress from Virginia, when he became speaker of the house of repre-

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