62 LIFE OF 



which he emancipated four of his slaves immediately, 

 nine others in successive periods of from three to seven 

 years, and the residue, twenty-five in number, toge- 

 ther with their issue, on the first day of January after 

 they should respectively attain the age of twenty-eight 

 years. There was but one prescribed impediment to 

 this emancipation, — unlawful absence from duty, wil- 

 fully or by imprisonment for crime ; in which case 

 the party's freedom was deferred for treble the term 

 of his absence, 'i'he benevolent proprietor lived to 

 see this emancipation attained by twenty, and he has 

 secured its benefit to those that remain. He has secu- 

 red it in the best way, by making it the reward of 

 fidelity and virtue, and by so regulating it both as to 

 time and numbers, as to give its objects the best 

 chance of establishment in the community. 



The temper of the Chief Justice was singularly pla- 

 cable and benevolent. It was not in his power to re- 

 member an injury. A few days before his death, he 

 said to two of his friends, attendant upon that scene, 

 ^^ 1 am at peace with all the world. 1 bear no ill-will 

 ^^ to any human being ; and there is no person in ex- 

 *' istence, to whom 1 would not do good, and render a 

 " service, if it were in ray power. No man can be 

 ^^ happy who does not forgive injuries which he may 

 " have received from his fellow creatures." How 

 suitable was this noble conclusion to his exemplary 

 life! What a grace did this spirit impart to his own 

 supplications! 'J^'his was not a counterfeit virtue, as- 

 sumed when the power to retaliate was wasted by dis- 



