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 The Supreme Court of Rhode Island.

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graduated from Brown University in 1812, whose speed depends on the amount of fuel and studied law at the Litchfield Law School with which it is supplied.'" and in the office of Ebenezer Rockwell in In accepting the office of Chief-Justice, to Boston. In 1826 he was appointed United which he was elected in 1848, Judge Greene States District Attorney for Rhode Island, is said to have relinquished a practice of by President John Quincy Adams, and he eight thousand dollars a year for a salary of continued to hold this office under succeed seven hundred and fifty dollars and a few fees. ing administrations until 1845. He served His reported opinions are contained for the for several years as Representative and most part in the first and second volumes

Senator in the Gen of the State Reports. eral Assembly. Judge William R. Staples. Greene rose rapidly Judge Staples was in his profession, un born in Providence in til he had the largest 1 798, graduated from and most lucrative Brown University in practice of any lawyer 1 81 7, and was ad in the State. "He mitted to the bar in was," says Judge Dur1819. In 1832 he was fee, in his oration de a member of the Com livered at the dedica mon Council of Provi tion of the Provi dence, and later he dence County Court served for two years House, " the safe as Justice of the Police counsellor, loving the Court. From 1835 t0 light of ancient prece 1854 he was an Asso dent, learned in the ciate Justice of the common law and Supreme Court, and greatly versed in soon after the resig equity jurisprudence nation of Chief-Jus before any court of tice Greene in 1854 the State had as yet he was elected Chiefany considerable eq Justice. After hold uity jurisdiction; not chari.es matteson, a moving orator, but ing the office for two years, he resigned in a consummate mas consequence of failing health. ter of analysis, pre-eminent for his power Judge Staples's chief delight was found in of perspicuous statement." Though not historical studies and antiquarian research. eloquent, the late Abram Payne said of him that when he had laid out his papers and In 1843 he published his "Annals of Prov obtained a pinch of snuff from the sheriff, idence," a work which covers the history it was a pleasure to hear him. He was of the city from its founding until 1832. calm and not easily excited, but withal very He was the author and compiler of sev earnest when the occasion demanded it. eral works upon subjects connected with "In one instance," says Mr. Payne, " I re the early history of Rhode Island. At the member he was followed by Mr. Whipple, request of the General Assembly, he pre who said, ' Your Honors can see by the pared a valuable history of the State Con manner of Brother Greene that he is earn vention of 1790 which adopted the Federal ing a large fee; he is like a locomotive Constitution.