Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 03.pdf/412

 The Supreme Court of New Jersey. phia. Dr. Witherspoon was one of his colleagues, and they both signed the Dec laration of Independence. That act, which seems so glorious to the citizen of to day, was then fraught with serious conse quences. Mr. Stockton took part in the debates in Congress relating to the Decla ration before it was signed, and made an able speech in favor of the measure. But his prominence in this transaction rendered him liable to attack from the enemy. He had a most delightful home which lay di rectly in the path of the British army as it marched through New Jersey flushed with the victories of Long Island. His property was desolated, and his house and premises were made the scene of rioting and wilful, wanton destruction. He was driven from his estate, and compelled to seek refuge in Monmouth County. The enemy followed him to this retreat, seized him in his bed at night, inflicted upon him every species of insult and injury, and with a brutality which would have disgraced even barbari ans, in a most inclement season carried him to New York, where he was made the in mate of a jail, herded with criminals, and subjected to such severe, unprecedented treatment that Congress at last interfered and threatened retaliation. He was at length released; but so enfeebled in health by his sufferings and privations, that he soon succumbed to the result of this treatment,

379

and died in the early part of the year 1781, at the age of fifty-one. He was for many years one of the trustees of his Alma Mater, and one of the most eloquent of the divines of that institution, and its vice-president pronounced his funeral sermon, whose esti mate of the character of Mr. Stockton was given in the 'most touching and sympathetic utterances, and with an eloquence and fervor which was heightened by the truthfulness which adorned his address. "At the bar," said this eulogist, " he practised for many years with unrivalled reputation and success. In council he was wise and firm, but always prudent and moderate. The office of Judge of the Province was never filled with more integrity and learning than it was by him for several years before the Revolution. As a man of letters he possessed a superior genius, highly cultivated by long and assid uous application. His researches into the principles of morals and religion were deep and accurate, and his knowledge of the laws of his country extensive and profound. He was well acquainted with all the branches of polite learning, but he was particularly ad mired for a flowing and persuasive eloquence by which he long governed in the courts of justice." He was the last associate justice in New Jersey prior to the Revolution, and of all those who adorned the bench before that event he was undoubtedly the best.