OF

THE LIFE

OF

WILLIAM WIRT,

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES,

BY

JOHN P. KENNEDY.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

PHILADELPHIA:

LEA AND BLANCHARD.

1849.

ENTERED, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1849, by

LEA AND BLANCHARD,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

PRINTED BY J. D. TOY.

CONTENTS VOL. II.

CHAPTER I.

Argues his Second Cause in the Supreme Court.-Letter of Advice to

Gilmer. His Anxiety in the Composition of the Biography.-Letters to

Carr.-The Biography goes to Press. Is Published.-Letter from Mr.

Monroe offering him the Post of Attorney General.-Accepts, and Repairs

to Washington.-Letters to Mrs. W.
. . 9

CHAPTER II.

Publication of the Sketches of Patrick Henry.-Its Reception.-Character

of the Work.-Unfriendly Comments of the North American Review.-

Notice of this Criticism.-Re-Publication of Novanglus and Massachuset-

tensis by Mr. Adams, with some Reference to The Sketches.-Correspond-

ence between Mr. Adams and Mr. Wirt.

35

CHAPTER III.

Appointment to the Post of Attorney General of the U. S.-Motives for

Accepting it.-Removal of his Residence to Washington.-Political and

Personal Associations of the Cabinet.-Mr. Monroe's Administration.-Re-

pose of Party Spirit.-Duties of the Attorney General.-Reforms in the

Office.-Letter to the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

55

CHAPTER IV.

Letter to Pope.-Views in Accepting the Post of Attorney General.-

Letter to Gilmer.-Correspondence with Mr. Adams.-An Amended Edition

of The Sketches Contemplated.-Letters to Carr.-The Attorney General

Admitted to the Bar of Baltimore.-The Rule of Court.-Meets Pinkney.-

Rivalry between them.-Advice to Gilmer.-A Misunderstanding at the

Bar and Reconciliation.-Letter to Delaplaine.-Remarks on Biographical

Writing..
. . 66