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The Constitution of 181 8 vested the judi 1803 he located at Lawrenceburgh, Indiana Territory, and practised law. In 1805 he was cial power in a Supreme Court and such in ferior courts as the General Assembly might elected to the first Assembly of Indiana Ter establish. The Supreme Court was given ritory, of which he became Speaker. He pre sided until 1808, when he was elected delegate appellate jurisdiction only, excepting in to Congress. He was commissioned by cases relating to revenue, cases of manda Governor Harrison in 1805 a Captain of mus, and certain cases of impeachment which Militia of Dearborn .County. During his might be required to be tried by it. The service in the Legislature he moved to Vin- court at first consisted of a Chief-Justice

cennes. On the or and three Associates. ganization of Illinois They were appointed Territory in 1809 he by joint ballot of the moved to Kaskaskia, two branches of the afterward to Cahokia, General Assembly and and later to Edwardscommissioned by the ville. Having served Governor. The office was held during good during the existence behavior until the end of Illinois Territory (nineyears)as a Judge, of the first session of the General Assembly he became, in 1818, a convened after Jan. I, member and President of the Convention 1824. Until that time the judges of the Su which formed the first preme Court were to Constitution ofIllinois. hold circuit courts as He was elected United the General Assembly States Senator from might require. Illinois by the first t The State was di Legislature of the vided into four cir State, and served as cuits, within which the Senator from 18 18 to judges of the Supreme 1828. In 1820 he in 'iJ Court were required troduced the Missouri to perform circuit du Compromise; he was SIDNEY BREESE. ties until the expira chairman of the Com tion of their terms. mittee of Conference In 1824 they were relieved of nisi prius on the measure, and it is stated that as adopted it was his work. In 1824 he was one of service by a provision for the appointment of five circuit judges. In 1827 the Supreme the caucus that nominated William H. Craw ford for President. In 1840 he was active Judges were required to hold circuit courts in securing the nomination of William Henry again as before 1824. Harrison for President. At the close of his In 1829 a fifth judicial circuit was created senatorial career he made Mt. Vernon, Ohio, in the northern part of the State and a judge his home, and died May 4, 1853. Judge was provided for, to hold court therein, leav Thomas was talented, dignified, commanding, ing the judges of the Supreme Court to hold respectful, and refined. In his intercourse courts in the first, second, third, and fourth with his fellow-men he acted upon a saying re circuits. In 1835 the judges of the Su puted to him, that " you could not talk a man preme Court were again relieved of circuit down, but you could whisper him to death." duty, five circuit judges being elected in