340 DISCOURSE ON TlIK LIFE AND CHARACTER OF THE LATE HON. LETERETT SALTONSTALL. BY JOHN^BRAZER, D.D. Class_.E_i_^jDL Book_A.Li.BJu DISCOURSE ^^^ o ON THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF THE LATE HON. LEVERETT SALTONSTALL, DELIVERED IN THE NORTH CHURCH, SALEM, ]MASS. SUNDAY, MAY 18, 1845. BY JOHN BRAZER, D.D., Pastor of the North Church and Society. IJrintca l)» llcqucst=«Xct J3ubU.'5l)cti. SALEM: PRINTED AT THE GAZETTE OFFICE. 1845. ^' i( TO MRS. MAEY ELIZABETH SALTONSTALL, HER CHILDKEN AND FAMILY, Etiis ISfscouvse, PRINTED AT THEIR REQUEST, Is affectionately and respectfully INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR. Salem, May 19, 1345. DISCOURSE. JOHN V. 35. HE WAS A BURNING AND A SHINING LIGHT ; AND YE WERE WILLING FOR A SEASON TO REJOICE IN HIS LIGHT. I have placed this passage of scripture at the com- mencement of this service, not for the purpose of discoursing from it in the usual method, but simply to introduce some commemorative remarks on the Life and Character of one who has recently left his place vacant in this religious circle ; who was inexpressibly d'^ar to many hearts ; who has filled a large space ni public estimation ; who was highly distinguished by professional ability; who has been, for a long period, among the most trusted, honored and beloved in this whole community ; who in fine, in all the relations of life, exhibited, above most men whom I have known, the true dignity, power and attractiveness of the Chris- tian character. In thus devoting the whole discourse to such a sketch, as the present interview may allow, to some recollections of Leverett Saltonstall, I suppose I shall be acting in accordance not only with your expec- tations and my duty, but consulting equally your feel- mgs and my own. It may seem, at first view, that the subject of these remarks has been so long and widely known, both in private and social life, and as the depositary of impor- tant public trusts, that any detailed biography may be well deemed superfluous. This might be so, if to impart information merely, were the only object of a tribute like this. But it has higher and more valuable uses. It is, at all times, a subject of enlightened inquiry to analyze into its component parts a character, which, as a whole, has left a deep and salutary impression on our minds. And when, as in the case before us, this impression is fraught with hallowed associations and gracious influences, it is equally a duty and a privilege to gather up and preserve those distinctive traits upon which the memory loves to linger, and which may serve to perpetuate the inspiring influences of a good example. The personal history of Mr Saltonstall was marked by no startling vicissitudes. His life was an oven and ever onward career of usefulness and honor ; and though he was not spared from some of the gloomy pas- sages of this probationary state, yet his life, considered i)i all its varied aspects, may be regarded as singularly felicitous. Its details are well known to this commu- nity, and have been made so familiar by the public tributes which have recently been \\n.'K\ to his memory. that I need only refer to them in a brief summary. He was born at Haverhill, in this county, one of the most pleasing of our New England villages, and which, in an "Historical Sketch" of his, published nearly thirty years ago, he describes, "as one of the most beautiful spots for a settlement that can be conceived." He was the eldest son and second child of the late Dr. Na- thaniel Saltonstall, and belonged to a family that has, at all times, since the first settlement of Massachusetts Bay, been distinguished for its patriotism, important civil services and high moral worth. He was born on the 13th of June, 17S3, was prepared for College at Phillips' Exeter Academy, became a member of Harvard University at the early age of fourteen, and was graduated with distinction, in the year 1S02. He began the study of the law with Ichabod Tucker, Esq., then of Haverhill, who, subsequently, for many years, was a highly respected Clerk of the Courts in Essex County ; and completed his legal studies under the di- rection of the late learned and lamented William Pres- coTT. He entered on the practice of his profession in his native town, but in May, 1806, removed to this city, where the remainder of his life was passed. He soon became distinguished among very distinguished competi- tors at the bar, was early called upon, by his fellow citizens, to take part m the public councils of both branch- es of our State Legislature, was President, at one pe- riod, of the Senate, afterward our Representative in Congress, and was regarded through his whole ac- tive life, as one of our most able, efficient, trust- wor- 8 thy and distinguished public men. He was the first Mayor of our city ; President of the Bible Society, of the Essex Agricultural Society, and of the Essex Bar ; a member of the American Academy of the Arts and Sciences ; of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and of the Board of Overseers of Harvard University ; and received from this Institution the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws. I cannot pause to speak, at length, of the manner in which these high duties and offices were sustained. It must suffice to say, that he fulfilled them all, and illustrated them all, by a courteousness, fidelity, probity and high-mindedncss, that rendered him continually, in each successive place and oflice, more and more, the object of public esteem and confi- dence. I come now to the more appropriate duty of the place and hour. This is to speak of the Character of our departed friend. But here, again, the accustomed limits of the occasion will allow me to present only a few leading traits. These, I hope, will be found to be prom- inent and distinctive. But to show how, in active life, they modified, and controlled each other, and how, in like manner, they were influenced, in their development and operation, by the less obvious parts of his mental and moral constitution ; and, still more, how all were moulded or restrained in their effects by the peculiar environment of the circumstances in which he was placed; these are inquiries, which, both on account of their delicacy and extent, are unbefitting the present occasion. I have but a word further to premise. And this is, that as I mean to make this sketch as characteristic as I can, I shall endeavor to render it thoroughly faithful, as far as it goes. I wish to present, if possible, a likeness, or rather the first lines or elements of a likeness, all that, in the providence of God, is now left to us, of our lamented friend, and not a fancy-piece. I shall stu- diously avoid, therefore, all labored eulogium, and the lavish heaping up of monumental epithets, as equally unworthy of the theme and place and service. I trust that the tribute will be at least honest and affectionate ; honest, since a bald panegyric of such a man, it seems to me, would be no better than a blot on the escutcheon of his fair fame ; and it must, of necessity, be affection- ate, since it is impossible for any of ns who knew the subject of it intimately, to think or speak of him but with hearts full of tenderness in the recollection of his endearing and elevated character, and now, alas ! aching for his loss. In entering upon this sketch, I first advert to the General Bearing or Deportment of our friend. Let not this be thought an unimportant element in character. It enters largely into those first impressions, whose import no wise man will disregard. It offers, whether intended or not, a significant commentary on all the subsequent professions and acts of the individual, and greatly affects his personal influence. The Manner or general Deport- ment of Mr. Saltonstall was frank, direct, inscnuous, and kind. It was not, perhaps, always equal, for his temperament was sanguine, and his susceptibility to 10 impression was quick and acute; and it might happen, therefore, that the intclicities of an occasionally clouded brow, and a manner somewliat perturbed, M'ould be visit- ed upon those, whose feeUngs, consciously, he would be the last to wound. But these inequalities, if such there were, were directly merged and lost out of sight in the genuine kindness, frankness and cordiality that perva- ded his general bearinsr. There was. obviously, nothing hollow, insincere, indirect, or merely plausible, about him. He had nothing studied or artificial in his mien ; no professions of deep interest for all he met in the streets ; no stereotyped smiles for all comers. He despised, as all honest men must, such skin-deep homage to popular fa- vor as this. But his whole deportment was simple, open and free ; and all those minute impressions, by which ev- ery individual is, unconsciously to himself, revealing his real character to the accurate observer, were in perfect keeping with his avowed aims and purposes. In a word, whatever else you might miss or desire, you felt, at first sight, on meeting him. that^'-ou were dealing with a right-minded, truthful and honorable man : and all your subsequent intercourse with him, though it were life-long, would only serve to deepen the impression. And yet witli this openness both of deportment and conduct, there was luiited a singular Cautiousness of character. Tt was, if I do not err, the natural bias of his mind to examine subjects carefully and long, to place thnn in didorcnt attitudes, to view them, especially, in their darker aspects, and to anticipate difficulties before arriving at any decisive opinion or process of action. I 11 may greatly mistake, but he seemed to me to look at fu- ture results with a doubtful and forecasting eye, and to cu- ter rarely on any plan or enterprize under the inspiration of hope. If this were so in any degree, its natural effect would be to cast a shade of indecision around him in the conduct of affairs. But when once, either from a sense of duty, or from the pressure of necessity, he became pledged and interested in any pursuit or project, every early appearance of irresolution vanished, the phantoms of doubt fled before his advancing step, his awakened powers gained continually new impulse from exertion, his strong love of honest fame, together with all the higher motives of his moral nature, became enlisted in the effort, the whole man, in a word; became identified with his purpose, and none were more decided, ardent, and effec- tive than he. In approaching the more essential parts of the charac- ter of our friend, I mean those which distinguished him as a Moral and Religious man, I first refer to one which was singularly characteristic. This was a Placability, a readiness to forgive wrong-doers, an earnest desire, as far as in him lay, to " live peaceably with all men.' This distinguished him in his earliest youth, in his parental home, in all the domestic and social intercourse of his maturcr years. It was, with him, equally the result of natural bias and of religious principle. Though his temperament was one of quick sensibilitv. and a high and just self-respect made him feel keenly any personal slight, or offence, yet he seemed utterly incapable of harboring any ill-will towards the offender. 12 111 his profession it was his constant endeavour to pre- vent litigation, and not to promote it : to pacify the uneasy waters of strife, and not stir thorn up: to adjust differences, and not exasperate them ; and thus, at the obvious sacrifice of his own immediate interest, to reconcile adversaries, who in their heady anger in pros- ecuting a doubtful right, were bent on doing themselves, as well as their opponents, an essential wrong. As a leading lawyer, for many years, he was habitually con- versant with the keen encounters of the bar ; as an emi- nent citizen he could not wholly escape the attacks of the envious and malignant ; as a distinguished politician he was often exposed to the hot words and biting flings of excited debate ; as a frequent candidate for public office, he was a prominent mark for the prevailing savagery that disgraces the political press in our country ; yet he was the first, on all occasions, to forgive and forget an injury. He had too serious and elevated views of the social relations to sacrifice any of them to the poor pur- poses of retaliation. He was too magnanimous a man to descend to the littleness of revenge. He had no respect for the brute-like instinct and habits of the world at large, on this subject. He had studied in a better school ; he had sat at the feet of a higher master ; and possessed true manliness and moral courage enough, under nil circumstances, and up to the utmost limits of duty and forbearance, to "love peace and ensue it." Indeed, to him above most men, belonged the beatitude oftlie Saviour, " Blessed are the Peace-Makers." Connected wilh this rare and beautiful placability of 13 temper, T may refer, though it can be only in a brief al- lusion, to the general Benevolence and genial feelings which entered essentially into his moral nature, greatly promoted his own happiness, and contributed largely to his success in life. His Benevolence was of the most expansive kind. It was native to his heart, and it was quickened and instructed by religious principle. He labored for the public weal in the discharge of his public offices, and these had an additional value in his estimation as enlarging the field of benevolent effort. He was ever ready to lend his personal and pecuniary aid to all wor- thy objects. He strove to do good to all within the cir- cle of his influence ; and wretchedness, in all its multifold forms, was, peculiarly, the object of his solicitude and care. He loved to make others happy, and to see them •so. He delighted in the reciprocation of kind affections, and in the interchange of kind offices. He wasemhient- ly companionable in his feelings, enjoyed with pecu- liar zest the innocent pleasures of social intercourse, and was always happy in extending to all his friends a cordial and kind reception in his own hospitable home. These generous and genial aftcctions developed themselves in early life. They rendered him the gene- ral favorite of his associates at the University ; and en- deared him, especially, to those of his own Class, who as a body have been equally distinguished for talent, learn- ing, professional eminence, and for the perpetuation of those gracious and kindly feelings of friendship which are but too liable to die away with the freshness and buoyancy of youth. They, in common with all his nu- 11 merous friends, will mourn his loss as a severe personal bereavement. Another highly distinctive trait in the character of Mr. Saltonstall, was his Reverence for the Right, a deep sense of Moral Duty and Obligation. Tiie law of recti- tude was the supreme law of his life. It was. with him, no conventional bond. He found it written on his soul by the Hand Divine : he read it by the light of his own consciousness ; he recognised its supreme and un- borrowed authority; and felt that its decisions here and now, were prophetic intimations of a final award, at a Higher Tribunal hereafter.- But while he implicitly obeyed this inner sense of right and wrong, he was fully aware that it was liable to be perverted and blinded ; and that, in point of fact, some of the blackest sins in this sinful world, have been perpetrated on the alleged authority of conscience. It was hishabitualcarc therefore, to enlighten and educate it, so that the light within him should not be worse than darkness ; that it should be an authentic ray from the Primal Source of all light, and not a retiection from those strange fires which are kindled from balow. This principle of conscience, thus carefully instructed and guarded, went with him into all his social inter- course. He was a thoroughly Honest man ; honest, not only in the common negative sense of not violating hu- man laws, and of omitting to avail himself of undue ad- vantages over otliers, hul he was honest in the higher sense of being true, sincere, and trust-worthy in all the relations and intercourse of life. He possessed, in an 15 eminent degree, the rare virtue of an Uprightness of character, that notliing could break or bend. A spotless Inte^^rity marked all his aims and acts, and brought the separate details of principle and conduct into one consis- tent whole. A singular Probity reigned throughout his life, which led him under all circumstances, to look singly to the right, and to pursue it for its own sake. But this Conscientiousness was most fully developed in his intercourse with himself Kind and considerate in his estimate of the conduct of others, he was severe and inflexible only in his estimate of his own. He could bear any other loss but the loss of self-approval. His standard of duty Avas high, his moral perceptions keen and apprehensive, but they were nowhere brought into such a searching analysis, as in his own habitual habits of self-inspection. I come now to speak of what I have always con- sidered the most distinctive, as well as crowning grace, in the character of Mr. Saltonstall. This was the sentiment of Reverence. He was eminently and thor- oughly a reverential man. This principle was deeply implanted in the natural constitution of his mind, and to cultivate and improve it, was his constant care. Supe- rior to pride, that is ever looking downward for contrasts favorable to its own glorification, and despising vanity, which is too fall of its own emptiness to look beyond itself, he delighted to look reverentially upward. He loved to recognize and to honor all that was approva- ble, great and excellent, wherever found. This fair and grand Universe considered as the work of God, and 16 the earliest revelation of his power and goodness; Rank, Influence and high Condition worthily won and worthily used; Distinction, of all kinds, honorably achieved and meekly borne; legitimate Authority; established Usages ; time-honored Institutions ; Monu- ments of Antiquity ; Places where great and stirring Deeds have been done ; the Sepulchres of the Departed ; great Names and recognized Authorities that gleam forth like beacons, in the long track of the past ; emi- nent Worth among his Associates and Contemporaries ; all these, and all things else, which bear the mark of rightful superiority, received his ready and deferential homage. This sentiment, thus naturally strong within him, was fostered by the circumstances of his birth. It was his rare privilege to trace his lineage from an ancient and distinguished family, and that respect for antiquity, which always enters as an element into reverential feeling, was, in his case, quickened and matured by his connection with an honored ancestry. He was born too, at a period, when our public institutions had not wrought out all their levelling influences ; when the social distinctions of life received due honor; when reli<^ion entered palpably into the details of cvery-day life • when domestic discipline was rightfully enforced ; ■when legitimate authority was considered as implying some submission and obedience on tlie part of those sidijected to it ; when duties were regarded before claims ; when high deference was supposed to be duo to parents and superiors ; when, in a word, all those 17 habits and emotions, which are of the very essence of reverence, were rife in the pubhc mind, and when, therefore, most of those incidental and impalpable influ- ences which do more than all direct instruction to form the character of the young, were favorable to a rever- ential state of mind. In these sentiments, and in this general tone of feeling, Mr. Saltonstall largely participa- ted. It was peculiarly manifested by him in the sacred offices of filial love and duty. He regarded the relation which God has formed between parent and child as being, in itself, most sacred, and as intended, in an especial manner, to call forth and mature that feeling of reverence, which, at first, hallowiug their mutual inter- course, goes on to connect itself with all that is good, great, conservative and loyal in life, and ultimately centres upon its worthiest object, even the Infinite and Eternal God. For his mother, particularly, who long survived his father, he ever felt, and ever expressed, in a thousand uncommanded ways, the sincerest deference and respect. He knew that Christian mothers do most, under God, to make true and high men, and that his did much to make him, and ever felt that the measure of his duty to her, was nothing less than all a grate- ful and loyal son could do. And when she became burthened with years and infirmities, and public dis- tinctions and honors were accumulating upon him, it was his pride and pleasure, in every act of reverential love and self-exalting humility, to follow the example of that best of hiunan children, whose story is recorded of old, who, when seated as a second Pharaoh on the 3 18 highest throne then on the earth, left it, that he might go, in royal state, to pay fihal homage and respectfuhiess to his humble, old and nifirm parent. But this sentiment of Reverence, as was right and fitting, found its best and fullest expression in his condition and duties as a Religious Being. It was the object and business of his life to keep a duteous walk with God. He loved to view His works as the glorious symbol of His august attributes, and to consider those events that fill up life's little history, as fraught with a divine significance which the thoughtful and serious spirit should interpret and apply. But these upward tendencies of his soul were most fully developed and sustained by the more express revelation of the will of God by the Lord Jesus. He made its Evidences and specific Doctrines an early study, and it was never far from his thoughts at any subsequent period of his life. In one of my interviews with him, in his last sickness, he told me he had been revising his theological studies, and had been strengthened in his conviction of the divine origin of the Christian Revelation, and placed his entire faith in this, on those great Facts, to which his Lord and Master originally appealed as the authen- tic seal of his divine mission, namely, those Miraculous Works, " which none could do, unless God were with him." He expressed, also, an intense regret, and as deep an abhorrence as his gentle spirit could feel on any subject, for those ill-considered, conceited and scofiing speculations, by which reckless men attempt to shake the faith of others in these great Facts. Born and bred 19 in the stern failh of liis Puritan ancestors, but whicli, afterwards, through much painful study, and great mental conflict, he felt obliged to renounce, he yet took with him to his more enlarged views of God and Christ and duty, much of that solemn awe and exquisite ten- derness of conscience, which are often connected with those speculative opinions, which his mind, in all other respects, had outgrown. His attention to the Institu- tions and sacred Rites of Christianity was constant, earnest and exemplary. He believed them to be of divine appointment, as instructive in themselves, and as suggestive of touching associations and wholesome influences, which no intelligent and good man would "willingly forego. He gave to them no merely formal, or stinted, or half-reluctant service, but in every way, his ready, hearty, personal aid. None of us will soon forget the solemnity and fervour with which he habit- ually lent his rich, mellifluous and well-taught voice to join in lifting up our hymns of praise to the most High, from that place now shrouded in the sad drapery of mourning in token of our irreparable loss. His very presence and deportment here, were a mute but most edifying commentary on the sacredness of the service. He was the first superintendent of our Sunday School, and for many years, by his personal attention, pecuniary assistance and v/eighty influence, did much to sustain and strengthen it. He felt, as may I say? but too few in all our congregations, feel, that without the earnest and sympathizing co-operation of the People, the Pastor must labor all but hopelessly, and in vain. In this, as 20 in our interests generally, as a Christian Society, lie was unspeakably important to us. In all our concerns, he was the first to be sought, the readiest to serve, the last to shrink, from any fitting duty of a devout Christian and Good Parishioner. May I add, in this connection, that he was one of the best of Good Hearers. His hearing began before he left his home, and coming to our worship with a pre- pared and accessible heart, he was open to every good impression while here. He could find, therefore, even in the defective services of tiie minister, suggestive hints for serious thought. He gave his whole soul to the duty of the place, and considered every thing ap- proaching to lightness and frivolity as equally indecent and indevout. He well knew the inexpressible diffi- culties of the pastoral office, at the present day, and. especially, in our denomination, and always took great pleasure in being pleased with any well-in- tended ellbrf : was more anxious to examine into the spiritual state of his own heart, than to ascertain the critical value of the sermon ; and could find much occasion for generous praise, where others, who in mental and spiritual culture were vastly his inferiors, could find little, but to criticise and undervalue. In a word, he made a near approach to that highest manifestation of God's love and grace here below, that of being a true Christian; a whole-hearted, devoted, sincere, conscientious, pre-eminent Christian. He was a Christian everywhere, and in all relations of this trial- state. At home and alnoad : in his retirement and in 21 ordinary duty ; in the intercourse of private life, and in those public trusts and that poHtical intercourse, where, us an element of conduct, religion too seldom enters ; he was an avowed and consistent Christian. But his religion was not exhibited in any studied staidness or affected sanctimoniousness of bearing. He was too de- vout a follower of his Master for this. But it discov- ered itself in the only way that it should ever discover itself, that is incidentally, unconsciously, and only avowedly, when the occasion called for an outright ex- pression of it. It, ordinarily, made itself known in the natural, and therefore universally understood, language of manner, look and tone. It escaped, as it were, be- cause it could not be repressed, from a heart overbur- thened with its own religious sentiments and emotions. His life, to sum up all, was a " hving sacrifice," held consecrate to the One true God, and to Jesus, whom God hath sent. And I think, I am aware of the import of my language, when I say, that it was with him the all-absorbing purpose of life, to become in all respects, what God would have him to be. His habitual affec- tions were worship ; his prevailing state of mind, adora- tion ; and his most earnest hopes, fears and aspirations, themselves, prayer. In thus dwelling upon the moral qualities of Mr. Sal- tonstall, I have left myself little opportunity to speak of his Intellectual Endowments and Mental Culture. Re- stricted, at furthest, to narrow limits, I have chosen to dwell longest upon what I deem to be most important. But it most not be hence inferred that in his intellectual 90 capacities and powers, and in their energetic and suc- cessful exercise, both in professional and puhlic life, he is entitled to no especial commemoration. On the con- trary, in all these respects, he was distinguislied scarce- ly less than by his moral and religious worth. His perceptions appeared to me to be equally quick, clear and comprehensive. His inferences from them were ready and just, though, perhaps, as I have already intimated, rendered, apparently, somewhat infirm as a basis of action, by an extreme cautiousness, an over- nice forecast, and a want of antedating hope. His observation of facts and events was always awake and active, but not for the mere gratification of an idle curiosity. He regarded them rather as outward and palpable expressions or representatives of something beyond themselves, an indication of some preceding state of things, and as prophetic of certain results which would naturally ensue. He was distinguished, in con- sequence, for practical wisdom, sound judgment, skill in affairs, and for an uncommon share of that rarest of all mental accomplishments, admirable common sense. Indeed, the habits of his mind were discursive, in the better or philosophical sense of the term. It was habit- ually employed in tracing resemblances and analogies, in connecting the unknown with the known, and in referring facts to principles. He seemed to seize, by a sort of intuition, upon the axis-thought, on which any given inquiry turned, and laid out his strength, mainly upon that. He was an accurate observer of character, though always leaning to the favorable side, keen to 23 discover the narrow and often evanishing line between truth and error, the right and the wrong, the real from the apparent, the substance from the form. He well understood, though he was not harsh to note, those fallacies, both of theory and usage, that men practise upon each other, and those, too, scarcely less numerous, which they practice upon themselves. I do not know that he was particularly fond of mental labor for its own sake, though his power of voluntary attention when it was called for by any exigency, was great, and most conscientiously exerted. His peculiar tastes led him, not so much to works of fancy and imagination, though these were not neglected, as to those of more solid import, and especially to those connected with his duties and tastes as a professional and public man. His knowledge of History generally, and of Political Economy, in its different branches, was various and accurate. An heir to the Puritans, both by birth and spirit, he loved to trace their eventful annals in all their details, and there were few amongst us, whose knowl- edge of our early history was, at once, so minute and comprehensive as his. He was endowed with an im- posing person, great natural fluency of expression, a lucid, simple and forcible diction, and a singular pow- er of identifying himself with his theme, which lent to his oratory a reality, naturalness, impressiveness, and persuasive energy, which no merely artistical culture can afford. It is easy to infer, that, possessed of gifts and accomplishments like these, he could scarcely fail of success in professional and public life. And such was 24 ihe fact. lie \vas early distinguished at the Bar, and has uniformly been considered a cautious, safe, enlight- ened, conscientious and disinterested counsellor. He was wholly incapable of drilling, or tampering with, or browbeating witnesses, or of resorting to any profes- sional stratagems or artifice ; and his whole deportment towards parties, his legal brethren, juries and the court, was marked by a fairness, urbanity, uprightness and honor, which have done much to create and uphold the acknowledged high character of the Essex Bar. He felt that every man had a right to be heard in his own defence, and that it was no part of his duty to pre-judgc the claims, real or supposed, of any one; but he had no respect for that atrocious professional hardihood, not, it is said, wholly unknown in legal practice, which "knows nothing but the client:" which contends for victory only; and is as earnest, and apparently as honest, in urging a bad cause, known to be such, as in sustaining a good one. Having never witnessed any of his forensic efforts, I can offer no analysis of his charac- ter as an advocate. But his undispatcd eminence, as such, for many years, is, of itself, a decisive fact, and the tradition of some arguments, in which his whole moral nature was particularly enlisted, assigns to him a forward place among the most powerful pleaders of our age and country. I am equally unable, also, and for a similar reason, to speak of ]\Ir. Saltonstall as a statesman and political debater; and happily fi»r tlio fidelity of this romnicmo- rative notice, it is not necessary. Few men were so 25 widely known in these relations, in his native State particularly, as he was, and none were more highly esti- mated. He derived his political opinions from patient and conscientious inquiry, and not from the roar of the multitude ; and being based on principle, they were not swept away or changed with the flows and ebbs of popu- lar sentiment. They were consistent with each other. They were faithfully followed out. They were habitu- ally acted upon. He sought the public weal with as single an aim as others seek private thrift. He was an avowed and a devoted disciple of what he deemed the Washington school of politics, both in their primary sig- nificance, and in their application to all the subsequent phases of affairs which our history has assumed. In debate he was decided, frank and explicit in taking his positions ; sincere and earnest, it may have been, at times, vehement, in urging and defending them ; but al- ways perfectly fair and courteous in his deportment to- wards those who differed from him in opinion. It was, in consequence, his almost singiilar felicity, as a public man, to win and to secure the entire confidence and es- teem of his political friends, while, at the same time, he conciliated the respect and good will of his political op- ponents. But it is the end that crowns the work. The Man, in this instance, was the result of the Discipline of Life. Events, as they occurred, each in its turn, tried and taught him, and then passed away amongst forgotten things. But the man remained essentially the same, and only progressively changed to a higher being, through 4 2G the moral culture and spiritual energy that these passing events called forth. Out of those pure and rare elements of character which God originally imparted, and by the vari- ed vicissitudes of the probation through which God called him to go, a sincere, high, honorable, eminent Christian Man was formed. The moral image of Himself, that God at first estamped upon the soul of our friend, was brightened, irradiated and brought into full relief, by the attritions of this harsh mortal life. And now, I doubt not, that it has been removed to a higher state, where it will gather, henceforth and always, ever new and intenser glories from the ever increasing effulgence of God's nearer presence. Yes, it is the end that crowns the work. And the end of his earthly work was the priceless crown of the recol- lection of a life well-spent ; cheerful submission to his Heavenly Father's will ; a general preparation of char- acter that God, we may trust, will accept and bless. " Mark the perfect man, for the end of that man is peace." This peace was eminently his. That clear and deep- seated religious faith, which had been the light and law of his life, which had guided and guarded him through a long career of useful, beneficent and honorable action, still sustained and upheld him, when this career was drawing to its close. It sustained him during a pro- tracted and foreboding sickness. It sustained him in the near and conscious approach of that hour, when he was called to leave a life full of usefulness, full of hap- piness, full of every thing that rendered existence dear in his social position and domestic ties. It sustained him, 27 as nothing else could, through his final leave-taking with a family circle that concentered, in itself, all that inelfa- ble goodness of our Father in heaven, which is faintly- shadowed forth in those most intensely suggestive of all human words — A happy Christian Home ! None whose sad privilege it was to be near him then, can ever forget the submissive, solemn, serene, sublime example he exhi- bited, when that home was to be left, never more to be entered. Above all, none of those will ever forget it, to whom his life had been one continued expression of conjugal and paternal love ; and to whom this parting was the last manifestation of a heart filled with love to them, and of confiding piety towards God. With a full appreciation of the signal blessings with which he had been surrounded ; with a devout thankfulness to Him, from whom they flowed ; with a deep sense of all that is implied in a change from the seen and palpable of this world, to the unseen and unknown realities of a future state of being ; he reaped, at last, and felt the full eflicacy of the blessing of the ascension gift of the Saviour of the world : " Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you : not as the world giveth, give I unto you." I must here bring this feeble tribute to a close. I have, now, no time to derive from it, those religious uses which it forcibly suggests, nor to ofl^er to his mourning family those religious solaces, whicli they must greatly need. Nor is it necessary. The whole life of Levkrett Saltonstall is more suggestive of edifying instruction than any words of mine can be ; and the memory of his 28 virtues must be, of itself, to those dearest to him, a suf- ficing consolation. Let this then, with all the aids of God's good spirit shed abroad in their hearts, serve to sustain them. And let us, his fellow-worshippers and friends, let all who knew and valued him, honor his memory, as he himself would have preferred, by perpetu- ating all the good influences of his example in our own lives, so that when we shall be called to follow him to an eternal state, we may enter, as we trust he has, into that " Rest that remaineth to the people of God." APPENDIX. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ESSEX BAR. A meeting of the Essex Bar was held at Ipswich, on Thursday morn- ing, May 8th, 1845. It was called to order by Benjamin Merrill, Esq., and proceeded to the choice of a President and Secretary. Benjamin Merrill, Esq., was chosen President of the meeting, and Ebenezer Shillaber, Esq., Secretary. Mr. IMerrill then made the following remarks : — Brethren of the Essex Bar : — The lamented decease of Leverett Saltonstall, the eldest member of this Bar, and for many years its President, fills our breasts with emotions of profound sadness. The whole extent of the professional lives of all of us has been spent by his side ; we have witnessed his successful and honorable career at the bar ; — his abilities, his legal learning, and his distinguished eloquence as an advocate ; — his devotion to the true interests of his clients, and his fidelity to the Courts. Our profession has been honored by his in- tellectual, moral, and social qualities. He possessed, in an eminent degree, the qualities that win and secure the entire confidence, the ar- dent attachment, and the sincere respect, not only of his brethren, but of the whole community. We should be unjust to ourselves if we sup- pressed the feelings of grief that fill our bosoms at the loss of one so loved and honored. The following Resolutions were then moved by Hon. Joseph E. Spragoe, seconded by Nathaniel J. Lord, Esq., and unanimously adopted : — Resolved, That the decease of the Hon. Leverett Saltonstall, for many years President of this Bar, is an afilicting event, which de- prives us of a brother and associate whom we all have long loved and honored. Resolved, That it is our privilege, as well as duty, to cherish the re- membrance of the professional, social, and moral excellencies of our la- 30 merited brother, whose deportment and conduct at every period, and in all the relations of life, have been an example worthy of respect and imitation. Resolved, That the members of the Bar respectfully express their deep sympathy to his bereaved family, and request permission to unite in testifying their respect to his memory, by attending his funeral so- lemnities. Resolved, That the President and Secretary of this meeting be re- quested to present to his family a certified copy of these proceedings. Resolved, That the same officers also cause the proceedings of this meeting to be communicated to the Court now in session in Ipswich. PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUPREME COURT. The death of the Hon Leverett Saltonstall was announced in the Supreme Court, on Thursday morning, May 8, 1845, by Mr. Mer- rill, who presented the resolutions which had been adopted by the Bar, with the following remarks . — Maij it please your Honor : — The members of the Bar have request- ed me to solicit the indulgence of the Court to the expression of the emotions of deep and unaffected sorrow at the recent occurrence of the decease of their associate and brother Leverett Saltonstall, — an event which is afflicting not only to the jNIembers of the Bar, but creates a deep sensation and leaves a wide chasm in the whole community. Mr. Saltonstall has long enjoyed in an eminent and imcommon degree the respect, attachment and love of his fellow-citizens. He was born in this county, and descended from ancestors who through every period of the history of our State, from its earliest settle- ment, have been among its most eminent citizens and distinguished ben- efactors, — his life has never sullied, but has added lustre to the name. A familiar acquaintance with him for nearly fifty years, through his academic, collegiate and professional life, authorizes me to bear testi- mony, in which all will concur, that the qualities of his heart and the faculties of his mind formed a combination that attracted, in an uncom- mon degree, respect, attachment and love ; his warmth of heart, cordi- ahty of feeling, disinterested kindness, sincerity and frankness, ever ciiccrod and gladdened the circles in which he moved ; tlie purity and 31 firmness of his moral principles, the independence of his conduct, and the soundness and vigor of his intellectual powers, secured the respect and consideration of his fellow-citizens. His preparatory legal studies he prosecuted under the tuition of the late learned William Prescott ; an intimate friendship and mutual hioh retrard existed between them till the decease of the latter. At the time Mr. Saltonstall was admitted to the Bar, he found in practice here an extraordinary assemblage of eminent lawyers, Theophilus Parsons, Nathan Dane, William Prescott, Samuel Putnam, Charles Jackson, Joseph Story, John Pickering, Daniel A. White, all of them celebra- ted in the history of our jurisprudence, and many of them since elevated to high judicial dignities in the state and nation. By the side of all these eminent practitioners INlr. Saltonstall soon acquired high rank by his ability, learning and integrity. Ilis eloquence at the Bar and in legis- lative bodies was powerful, persuasive, and brilliant : it Avas the elo- quence of the heart, — the sincere and cordial expression of the ardent feelings and deep emotions of a generous and noble nature. He has died not at advanced age, but his life has been long — for it has been filled with deeds of benevolence and acts of usefulness. The INIembers of the Bar, in common with all his fellow-citizens, feel that his loss is a painful bereavement — it depresses our feelings and en- grosses our sensibilities. We should be unjust to ourselves if, when so much worth passes away, we did not pause amid the bustle of life, and pay to his memory the homage of our hearts. To this address Judge Wilde replied at considerable length, with deep sensibility — expressed his sympathy with the feelings of the Bar, his regret at the earl}* loss of so useful and excellent a citizen as IMr. Saltonstall, whose worth and excellence he had known and highly es- teemed for forty years. The Court passed an order that the proceedings of the Bar be enter- ed on their record, as a memorial to future times of the respect in which Mr. Saltonstall was held, and then adjourned. PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT. At a special meeting of the City Council, on Saturday, May 10th, called by order of the ]Mayor, Mr. Roberts submitted the following Resolves, which were unanimously passed, viz : Resolved, That the members of the City Council deeply deplore the 32 decease of the late Hon. Leverett Saltonstall, the first elected Chief Magistrate of the City of Salem, and, as a citizen, alike honored and distinguished in all the relations of life, both public and private. Resolved, That the members of the City Council tender their sincere and profound sympathy to the family of the deceased, under this severe affliction and bereavement. Resolved, That in token of their respect for the many and manly virtues of their late honored and honorable fellow citizen, the members of the City Council will attend in a body the foneral of the deceased. Resolved, That an authenticated copy of these resolutions be trans- mitted to the family of the deceased. DEATH OF THE HON. MR. SALTONSTALL. The following article was published in the Salem Gazette of ^lay 9lh. Some facts have been added : It is with inexpressible sorrow that we announce the decease of our distinguished and respected fellow citizen, the Hon. Leverett Salton- STALL. He died yesterday morning at 4 o'clock. It rarely occurs that the death of an individual creates so deep a sensation of grief, and leaves so wide a vacancy in society. He was universally loved and respected. Mr. Saltonstall was the representative of a family that has been conspicuous in our history from the earliest settlement of IScw Eng- land. His ancestor, Sir Richard Saltonstall, was the first named asso- ciate of the six original Patentees of the colony of Massachusetts Bay, and was appointed the first Assistant. On board the Arbella, while lying at Yarmouth in the Isle of Wight, he, with Gov. Winthrop and others, signed the " humble request of his Majesty's loyal subjects, the Governor and Company late gone for New England, to the rest of their brethren in and of the church of England," in which they take a tender and aficcting leave of their native land on their departure for their " poor cottages in the wilderness." They arrived at Salem, in the Arbella, on the 12th June, 1(330, and brought with them the Char- ter of Charles 1. On the 17th June, Sir Richard Saltonstall, in company with Gov. Winthrop, and other principal persons, left Salem and travelled 33 through the pathless forest to Charlestovvu to select a place of settle- ment. The want of good water and of other conveniences induced several of the party to explore the neighboring country. Some went over to Shawmiit, now Boston ; others proceeded northward by Cliarlestown neck to a place well watered on Charles River, where Sir Richard Saltonstall, with the learned Rev. George Phillips, and others, commenced a plantation, and called it Watertown. Johnson, an early historian, says, " this town began by occasion of Sir Kicliard Saltonstall, who, at his arrival, having some store of cattle and servants, they wintered in those parts." They entered into a liberal church covenant, July 30, 1630, which is published by Dr. Mather, Avho adds, " about forty men, whereof the first was that excellent Knight, Sir Richard Saltonstall, then subscribed this instru- ment." He was present, as First Assistant, at the first Court of Assistants, which was held at Charlestown, Aug. 23d, 1G30, at which various or- ders and regulations were made concerning the planting and govern- ment of the infant Colony. The suflerings of those engaged in this new settlement in the wilder- ness were extreme the first winter, and Sir Richard Saltonstall became discouraged from remaining himself, but left his two elder sons. Gov. Winthrop has recorded in his Journal, that "March 29, 1G31, he, with his two daughters and one of his younger sons, came down to Boston and stayed that night at the Governor's, and the next morning, accompanied with Mr. Pierce and others, departed for their ship at Salem." Sir Richard Saltonstall through life continued to be the friend of the colony and was actively engaged in promoting its prosperity. Two of his sons remained here, and he was interested as a lar^^e proprietor. When Sir Christopher Gardner attempted to injure the Colony by mis- representations, and on other similar occasions, for Massachusetts was troubled in its infancy by false accusations of enemies, he rendered the colony efficient assistance, and interceded in its favor with the govern- ment at home. He was a puritan, but of singular liberality in his religious opinions; he was offended at the bigotry of his associates, who as soon as they were themselves free from persecution, began to persecute others, and he addressed to Rev. Mr, Cotton and Rev. Mr. Wilson a letter on the subject, and remonstrated against this inconsistency. It is written with ability and in a catholic spirit, and has been reprinted and admired to this day. He says, — 5 34 " Reverend and Dear Friends, whom lunfeignedly love and respect : " It doth not a little grieve my spirit to hear what sad things are re- ported daily of your tyranny and persecutions in New England, as that you fine, whip, and imprison men for their consciences." ******* " I hope you do not assume to yourselves infallibility of judgment, when the most learned of the apostles confesseth he knew but in part, and saw but darkly as through a glass. Oh, that all these who are brethren, though they cannot think and speak the same things, might be of one accord in the Lord." This letter, written between 1645 and 1G53, shews the lively inter- est he felt in the honor and welfare of the colony. Sir Richard Saltonstall was also one of the patentees of Connecticut, with Lord Say and Seal, Lord Brook, and others, and a principal asso- ciate with them in the first settlement of that Colony. They appoint- ed John Winthrop Governor, and commissioned him to erect a fort at the mouth of Connecticut river. In 1G35 Sir Richard Saltonstall sent over a bark with twenty laborers to take possession of land for him under his patent and to make settlements. In 161'J he was commissioned with others, by Parliament, for the trial of Duke Hamilton, Lord Capel, and the Earl of Holland, for high treason. They were condemned and executed on a scaffold erected before Westminster Hall. Sir Richard Saltonstall has been justly styled " one of the Fathers of the Massachusetts Colony." He was a piitron of Harvard College, and left it a legacy in his will made in 1058. There is a fine por- trait of him in the possession of his descendants. He died soon after 1658. Richard Salton'stall, son of Sir Richard, was born 1610. settled at Ipswich, and was chosen an Assistant in 1637. He was a man dis- tinguished for firmness and decision, attached to the principles of the New England government and churches, and an ardent friend to the liberty of the people. In 1612 he wrote a pamphlet against the Standing Council, a sub- ject that caused much agitation through ilie Colony. In 1645 he entered his protest against the introduction of Negro Slavery : " Upon a petition of Richard Saltonstall Esqr for justice to be done on (;apt. Smith and Mr. Keyscr for their injurious dealing with the negroes at Guinea, the petition was granted and ordered that Capt. 35 Smith and Mr. Keyser be laid hold on and coinmitted to pjve answer in convenient time thereabouts." — Col. Rec. Vol. 3, Oct. 1645. The following^ is the petition : To the lion\l Gencrall Conrt, The oath I toolce this yeare att my cntcrance upon the place of As- sistante was to this effect. That I would truly endeavour the advance- ment of the Gospell, and the good of the people of this plantation ; [to the best of my skill] dispcncing justice equally and impartially, [ac- cording- to the lawes of God and this land] in all cases wherein 1 act by virtue of my place. I conceive myselfe called by virtue of my place, to act [according to this oath] in the case concerning the Negers ; ta- ken by Capt. Smith and Mr. Keser ; wherein it is apparent, that Mr. Keser upon a saboth day gave chace to certaine Negers ; and upon the same day took divers of them ; and at an other time killed others ; and burned one of their townes. Omitting several misdemeinours which accompanied these acts above mentioned -, I conceive the acts them- selves to bee directly contrary to these following lawes ; [all which are capitall by the Avord of God, and two of them by the lawes of this jurisdiction]. The act [or acts] of murder [whether by force or fraude] are ex- pressly contrary both to the law of God and the law of this country. The act of stealing Negers ; or of taking them by force ; [whether it bee considered as theft or robbery] is [as I conceive] expressly con- trary both to the law of God, and the law of this country. The act of chaceing the Negers [as aforsayde] upon the saboth day [becing a servill worke, and such as cannot be considered under any other heade] is expressly capitall by the law of God. These acts and outrages beeing comitted where there was noe civill government which might call them to accompt ; and the persons by whom they were comitted beeing of our jurisdiction ; I conceive this Court to bee the Ministers of God in this case ; and therefore, iny hum- ble request is that the severall oflbnders may bee imprisoned by the order of this Court and brought unto their deserved censure in con- venient time ; and this I humbly crave that soe the sinn they have comitted may bee upon their owne heads ; and not upon ourselves [as otherwise it will.] Yrs in all cliristian observance, RICHARD SALTONSTAT,L. The house of deputs think meete that this petition shall be granted and desire our honored mgis'ts concurrence herein. EDWARD RAWSON. 36 Court Records 5 mo. 1645 — July 161.5. " The Court thought fit to write to Mr. Willams of Piscataqua that the Negros, which Capt, Smitli brought were fraudulently and injuriously taken and brought from Guinea by Capt, Smith's confession and the rest of the company, that he forthwith send the negro, which he had of Capt. Smith hither, that he may be sent home, which the Court doth resolve to send back without delay, and if you have any thing to allege why you should not return him to be disposed of by the Court, it will be expected you should forthwith make it appear either by yourself or your agent, but not to make any excuse or delay in sending of him." In a subsequent page of the record is the following : " The General Court conceiving themselves bound by the first oppor- tunity to bear witness against the heinous and crying sin of mansteal- ing, as also to prescribe such timely redress for what is past, and such a law for the future as may sufficiently deter all others belonging to us to have to do in such vile and most odious courses, justly abhorred of all good and just men, do order that the negro interpreter with others unlawfully taken, be by the first opportunity at the charge of the coun- try for the present sent to his native Guinea, and a letter with him of the indignation of the Court thereabouts, and justice thereof desiring our honored Governor would please put this order in execution." He was one of the few persons who knew where the Regicide Judges, Whalley and Goffe, were concealed, and in 1672 gave them i:50. He was a relative and friend of John Hampden, (grandson of the cel- ebrated parliamentary leader,) who was distinguished iu the time of Charles H., and James H., and who joined in the invitation to the Prince of Orange. He, as well as his father, was a benefactor of Harvard <>ollege. Dr. Mather records the name of Saltonstall among those ben- efactors of the College " Avhose names it would be hardly excusable to leave unmentioned." All his male descendants in IMassachusetts, ex- cept two, have been graduates at this college. Mr. Saltonstall was absent several years in England, where he had three daughters married. He returned to JMassachusctts in 1680, and wius again cIidsiu the First Assis^tant, and also the two succeeding years. In 1(83 he again visited England. He was an Assistant, ex- (•(■[it when he was in England, from 1087 till his death ; he died at iliilmo, April i-'O, 1C.!)1, and left an estate in Yorktshire. Hknuv Saltonstall, who was in the first cla.^s tiiatwas graduated at HarAard College, is said by CJov. Hutchinson to have been a son or grandson of Sir Richard Saltonstall. Like several other early gradu- 37 utes, lie wrnt home after leaving- college, and received a degree of Doc- tor of IMedicine from Padua, and also from Oxford, and was a fellow of New College in that University. Nathaniel Saltonstall, son of Richard, and grandson of Sir Richard, was graduated at Harvard College in 1G59, and settled in Ha- verhill on the beautiful estate half a mile east of the bridge, still known as the " Saltonstall seat." This spot, exceeded by none in New Eng- gland for fertility of soil and beauty of landscape, was with other land conveyed to him by the Rev. John Waid, the first minister of Haver- hill, on the marriage of the daughter of Mrs. Ward to Nathaniel Sal- tonstall. He was chosen an Assistant in 1G79. He took an active part in seizing and deposing the tyrannical Royal Governor, Sir Edmund An- dross, and, after his removal, became one of the Council of the Revo- lutionary government, and so continued till the charter of William and Mary, and was then appointed one of his JMajesty's Council. His pow- ers of mind were superior, and he was free from the prevailing bigotry and fanaticism of the times. He was opposed to the proceedings against the Witches, in 1692, and expressed his sentiments freely. Mr. Brat- tle, in his account of the witchcraft, says, " Maj. N. Saltonstall Esq., who was one of the Judges, has left the Court, and is very much dis- satisfied with the proceedings of it." He died in 1707, and left three sons, Gurdon, Richard and Nathaniel. GuRDON Saltonstall, the eldest son of Nathaniel, was Gover- nor of Connecticut, and was celebrated for his extraordinary talents and extensive learning. Dr. Eliot says, " he was an oracle of wisdom to literary men of all professions." He w-as one of the greatest and best men New England has produced. He was a benefactor of Har- vard College. His widow bequeathed to it jCIOOO, for the use of two students designed for the ministry. He died in 172-1. Richard Saltonstall, the second son of Nathaniel, was graduated in 1G95 ; he resided in Haverhill, sustained several civil and military offices, and was an excellent and very respectable man. He died in 1711. Nathaniel Saltonstall, third son of Nathaniel, was also gradua- ted in 1695, and was a tutor in the College. He died yoimg, and left a high reputation for abilities and learning. Richard Saltonstall, sou of the last named Richard, was born June 14, 1703, and graduated in 1722 ; at the age of twenty-three he received the commission of Colonel ; and in 1736 he w-as appointed a Judc- cause tlic Cookes were accustomed to assemble the Caulkers at tlicir houses, with the other patriotic mechanics of Boston. 39 coniini.ssioncd as Colonel of the Regiment in llavcrliill and vicinity, and was the fourth of the family in succession who held that ofTlcc. lie served with the Provincial troops in the campaigns of 1756 and 1757, against Crown Point. At the capitulation of fort William Henry, in 1757, when the Indians commenced the massacre of their unarmed pris- oners, he escaped into the forest, and a day or two afterwards reached Fort Edward, nearly exhausted by hunger and fatigue. After peace took place he was Sheriff of the County. At the Revolution he was a loyalist, and went to England. He died unmarried, at Kensington, Oct G, 1785. When he resided on the family estate in Haverhill, he was highly respected and beloved for his benevolence, hospitality, cour- teousness, and integrity. His younger brother, Leverett, third son of Judge Richard, was also a loyalist ; he died in 1782. The late Doct. Nathaniel Saltonstall, father of our fellow citi- zen just deceased, was second son of Judge Richard Saltonstall, above mentioned, and of Mary, daughter of the second Elisha Cooke. Dr. Saltonstall was born Feb. 10, 1746, — on the death of his father in 1756, lie was received into the family of his maternal uncle, Middlecott Cooke, Esq., of Boston. Dr. S. was a distinguished and skilful phy- sician, and through life enjoyed the esteem and respect of his fellow citizens. He loved tranquillity and retirement, and avoided the bustle and perplexities of public life. In 1780, he married Anna, daughter of Samuel White, Esq., whose ancestor was one of the early settlers of Haverhill in 16-10. She was a descendant of Gov. Winthrop* on the maternal side ; through life she was distinguished for the gifts of her mind and the virtues of her heart. Dr. S. died May 15, 1815, and his widow in 1811. Their three sons, Leverett, Nathaniel, and Richard, are deceased; of their four daughters, two are living, Anna, wife of James C. Merrill, Esq., of Boston, and Sarah, wife of Isaac R. Howe, Esq., of Haverhill. The descendants of Dr. S. are the only descend- ants of the Cooke family and the Middlecott family. His son, the Hon. Leverett Saltonstall, whose decease is now deplored, was the worthy descendant of this long line of eminent ances- tors, including among them not only Sir Richard Saltonstall, but Gov. John Winthrop, Gov. Edvitard Winslow, and Gov. John *Gov. Winthrop's (laughter was married to Lt. Gov. Symomls, — their daugli- ter Ruth to Rev. John Emerson, of Gloucester,— their dauglUer Mary to Samuel Phillips, of Salem,— tlieir daughter Sarah to William White of Haverhill, June 12, 1716, — and their son was Samuel White, who was father of Anna, the wife of Dr. N. Saltonstall. 40 Leverett. In his veins flowed " all the blood of all the Howards ; '^ and in his character clustered the virtues of all his ancestors. He was educated at Harvard College and was graduated in 1S02 ; he maintained a high literary rank in a class unusually large, and remark- able for crenius and ability. He there formed ardent attachments and warm friendships that have endured for life, and which nothing but death could sever. The full warmth of his early affections never aba- ted amid the chilling cares of later days ; he was constant, firm, disin- terested, and indefatigable — he never lost a friend — he was formed to be loved and trusted. He commenced the practice of law in 1805 ; he soon became dis- tinguished at the bar and entered on a large and successful profes- sional business. He was an able and eloquent advocate and a learned and faithful lawyer. A high and pure sense of duty, as well to the court, as to his clients, presided over his conduct. He abhorred the arts of chicanery and the base expedients of rapacity. He was emphat- ically an honest lawyer. The confidence and favor of his fellow-citizens called him at an early period of life to the State and the National Legislatures ; in those bod- ies his unsuspected integrity, enlightened principles and powerful elo- quence gave him merited consideration and influence. His private life was an example and illustration of the social and do- mestic virtues ; he was just, kind, disinterested, frank, magnani- mous, and honorable,— bountiful to the poor, and an ardent friend and liberal benefactor of institutions of learning and charity. He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and of the Massachusetts Historical Society. The degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on him by Harvard College. He cherished an ardent affection for the places of his education. Harvard College and Phillips' Exeter Academy ; in his will he has made a bequest of books to be added to the library of the latter, and to tlie former he has given a legacy to increase the fund long since bequeathed to it by his ancestors. To all his friends he has left a precious and invaluable legacy,— the remembrance of his virtues— recollection of his Christian life and of his Christian death. 41 The subioiiied notice, prepared by IIoii. Stephen C. PiiiLLirs, was published ill the Salem Gazette, of May 13. LEVERETT SALTONSTALL. Others, as might have been expected of them, have already paid ap- propriate tributes of respect and afTcction to the memory of the excel- lent man whom so many loved and honored while he was living-, and whose remains have been just borne to the grave in the affecting pres- ence of a weeping community. It uiay siill be permitted to one more friend to attempt to preserve the suggestions of the moment, and with a pen tracing onlv impressions upon tiie memory and the heart, to group a few brief sketches of his life and character. Those more competent to the task, have described Mr. Saltonstall as a lawyer. Amidst distinguished competitors he attained unusual emi- nence as an advocate, and he was relied upon by his clients as a cau- tious, judicious, and safe adviser. No one could strive more assidu- ously to prevent litigation, to adjust controversies, to heal breaches. No one, in the practice of the profession, could be less inclined than he was to employ any unworthy arts, or resort to subterfuge, to brow-beat an opponent, to insult a witness, or to treat with tlie slightest disre- spect the court or the jury. In all these respects his example has long exerted a visible influence upon the Essex Bar, and they have honored themselves as well as him by their grateful acknowledgment of what they owe to it. Mr. Saltonstall was the fast Mayor of the City of Salem. He took theonice that he might be useful in it; and by the fidelity with which he discharged its various and arduous duties, by the courtesy with which he mingled with his ofiicial associates, by the deep interest which he manifested in the concerns of the city, and in the welfare even of its humblest citizens, he made him.selfthe object of universal respect, and, in not a few striking instances, of heartfelt gratitude. Many of those who mourn and have cause to mourn his death may be found in the houses of the poor, and even amongst the inmates of the Alms House ; and scarcely a citizen can walk the streets who has not had some occasion to acknowledge his services. In the Legislature of the State Mr. Saltonstall commenced and closed his political career. At an early age he took his seat in the House of Representatives, and in that body at different periods, even to the very close of his public life, he rendered perhaps his most valuable services, and was distinguished and honored beyond almost any of his cotempo- 42 raries. He was an effective debater, and in the committee room none c )uld surpass him in tlie f;iilhful, patient, and intelligent performance ui'all his duties, lie was a mjm!)er of tlie Senate in two most impor- t:int p(ditioal junctures, and as a leader of the majority he assumed a full share of responsil)ility for its acts. lie ^also presided over the S>3iiate with admirable di) estimato tlic m;iLr!iitu