The Life of John Marshall Volume I Part 24

[573] See _infra_, chap. VI.

[574] Such entries as these denote only Marshall's social and friendly spirit. At that period and for many years afterward card-playing for money was universal in Virginia (La Rochefoucauld, iii, 77; and Mordecai, ed. 1856, chap. xxi), particularly at Richmond, where the women enjoyed this pastime quite as much as the men. (_Ib._) This, indeed, was the case everywhere among women of the best society who habitually played cards for money. (Also see Chastellux, 333-34.)

[575] Marshall's wife.

[576] The references are to pounds, shillings, and pence. Thus "3 14/"

means three pounds and fourteen shillings. "30-5-10" means thirty pounds, five shillings, and tenpence; or "3/6" means three shillings, sixpence. Where the Account Book indicates the amount without the signs of denomination, I have stated the amount indicated by the relative positions of the figures in the Account Book. Computation should be by Virginia currency (which was then about three and one half dollars to the Virginia pound) and not by the English pound sterling. This is not very helpful, however, because there is no standard of comparison between the Virginia dollar of that period and the United States dollar of to-day. It is certain only that the latter has greater purchasing power than the former. All paper money had greatly depreciated at the time, however.

[577] The "University" was William and Mary College, then partly supported by a portion of the fees of official surveyors. Thomas Marshall was now Surveyor of Fayette County, Kentucky. (See _supra._) This entry occurs several times.

[578] Such entries are frequent throughout his Account Book. During his entire life, Marshall was very fond of the theater. (See _infra_, II, chap, V; also vol. III of this work.)

[579] Thomas Marshall, born July 21, 1784. (Paxton, 90.)

[580] Buchanan was the Episcopal clergyman in Richmond at the time.

(Meade, i, 29, 140.)

[581] The races at Richmond, held bi-annually, were the great social events of Virginia. (Mordecai, 178 _et seq._)

[582] This fixes the equivalent in State dollars for Virginia pounds and shillings.

[583] He already owned one t.i.thable negro in Fauquier County in 1783.

(Fauquier County t.i.thable Book, 1783-84; MS., Va. St. Lib. See _supra._)

[584] Marshall to Monroe, Feb. 24, 1784; MS., N.Y. Pub. Lib. Compare with Jefferson's sentimental letters at the same age. Very few of Marshall's letters during this period are extant. This one to Monroe is conspicuously noticeable for unrestraint and joyousness. As unreserved as he always was in verbal conversation, Marshall's correspondence soon began to show great caution, unlike that of Jefferson, which increased, with time, in spontaneity. Thus Marshall's letters became more guarded and less engaging; while Jefferson's pen used ever more highly colored ink and progressively wrote more entertaining if less trustworthy matter.

[585] Gallatin to Maxwell, Feb. 15, 1848; Gallatin's _Writings_: Adams, ii, 659. Also see Mordecai, 94-95.

[586] His father must have kept, for the time being, the Blackstone purchased in 1772, although the volume later turned up in Marshall's possession.

[587] This book, with the others named, bears the signature of Marshall at this period of his life. They are the only books in existence which certainly were bought by Marshall at that time, all other volumes he is positively known to have had in his library being published at a later date. All except one of those named, with others hereafter mentioned, are in the possession of Judge J. K. M. Norton, Alexandria, Virginia.

The _Lex Mercatoria_ is, of course, in English. It is a large book containing seven hundred seventy-five pages, seven by eight inches, firmly bound in calf. It is "compiled from many standard authorities."

While it is an encyclopaedia of law and business containing items such as a comparison of the values of money of all lands, it is very readable and entertaining. It is just the kind of book from which Marshall could have derived information without being wearied by research. John Adams also had a copy of Malynes's _Lex Mercatoria_, which seems to have been a common possession of commercial lawyers throughout the country.

[588] This book is now in the possession of Hon. William Marshall Bullitt, of Louisville, Kentucky.

[589] The numerous entries of this kind occurring throughout Marshall's Account Book must not be misunderstood. At that time and for many decades afterward, the habitual use of whiskey, wine, rum, brandy, etc., was the universal custom. They were bought in quant.i.ties and consumed much as ordinary table waters now are. The common people, especially those in the South, distilled their own stimulants. The people of New England relied on the great distilleries of Boston and vicinity for rum, of which they consumed enormous quant.i.ties. (See _infra_, chap. VII; also chap. II, vol. II, of this work.)

[590] Records of Fauquier County (Va.), Deed Book, viii, 241, March 16, 1785.

[591] The tavern kept by Farmicola, where Marshall's club met. (See _supra._)

[592] Henrico County t.i.thable Book; Va. St. Lib. He had, of course, other slaves, horses, and cattle on his Fauquier County plantation.

[593] Christian, 28.

[594] Eliza Ambler to Mildred Smith, July 10, 1785; MS.; also printed in _Atlantic Monthly_, lx.x.xiv, 540-41.

[595] Drs. McClurg, Foushee, and Mackie.

[596] This book was purchased for his wife, who was extremely religious.

The volume is in the possession of Judge J. K. M. Norton, Alexandria, Virginia. On the fly-leaf appears, "Mrs. Mary W. Marshall," in Marshall's handwriting. The book was also useful to Marshall for his own study of rhetoric, since Blair's sermons stood very high, at this time, as examples of style.

[597] Christian, 29, 30.

[598] This unbusinesslike balancing is characteristic of Marshall.

[599] Jacquelin Ambler Marshall, Dec. 3, 1787. (Paxton, 99.)

[600] _Ib._

[601] Call, i, 42.

[602] Records of the Court of Appeals.

[603] The estate had been sequestered during the Revolution.

[604] Wertenbaker: _V. U. S._, 123-26. For history of these grants, see chap. IV, vol. II, of this work.

[605] See _infra_, chap. VI.

[606] Call, iv, 69-72.

[607] _Infra_, vol. II, chap. IV.

[608] Records Fauquier County (Va.), Deed Book, X, 29.

[609] See _supra._

[610] See _supra_, 166, footnote 3.

[611] Mrs. Carrington.

[612] Mrs. Carrington to her sister Nancy; MS. The mother and sister of Mrs. Marshall were similarly afflicted. Mrs. Carrington frequently mentions this fact in her correspondence.

[613] See vol. III of this work.

CHAPTER VI

IN THE LEGISLATURE AND COUNCIL OF STATE

The proceedings of the a.s.sembly are, as usual, rapidly degenerating with the progress of the session. (Madison.)

Our a.s.sembly has been employed chiefly in rectifying the mistakes of the last and committing new ones for emendation at the next.

(Washington.)