ment, he invited me to his office, furnished me with books, directed my reading, and ultimately became my classical teacher, and devoted his daily attention to me till I was nearly ready to enter the Junior class, when his brother Frederick-par nobile fratrum-took up the benevolent task till I entered college. The close of this disinterested kindness ought to be mentioned. When my father requested to know how he might reward Mr. F. for his care and tuition, he entirely refused compensation. But my father begged that he would accept some token of respectful acknowledgment for his laborious kindness. 'Well,' said he, 'if I must take something, please send me a box of Spanish cigars;' which was accordingly done. Although I do not use cigars myself, no one will expect me to join in King James's Counterblast against Tobacco, for its fragrant smoke was the visible price of my academic education. I have nothing farther to add but the testimony, which is abundant in our old neighborhood of Millstone, that Mr. Frelinghuysen was a youth of noble heart and benevolent impulses. None knew him that did not love him; none spoke of him but to praise him. For myself, my heart kindles with warmth when I think of him. I am inclined to be extravagant when I speak of him. He was my early patron, my unwearied benefactor, my friend till death. I invoke a thousand blessings upon all who were dear to him, and who belong to his lineage and partake in his spirit.”

Mr. Frelinghuysen continued for somewhat more than a year in his brother's office at Millstone, pursu ing his legal studies, and employing his leisure in the

useful and praiseworthy manner set forth by Dr. Wyckoff. He then, at the suggestion of his brother, repaired to Princeton, and entered his name in the office of the Hon. RICHARD STOCKTON, who had at different times represented New Jersey in the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, and who was for a quarter of a century the acknowledged leader of the bar in his native state. Under this distinguished man he prosecuted his legal studies with great assiduity until November, 1808, when he was admitted to practice, being then twenty-one years of age.

CHAPTER III.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER AT THE BAR.

1808-1838.

Settlement at Newark.-Marriage.-Studious Habits.-First Striking Success.-Patriotic Exertions in 1812.-Same in 1861.-Attorney General of the State.-Legal Characteristics.-Cases.-The Quaker Case.-Proprietary Case.-Leaving the Bar.

THE place which Mr. Frelinghuysen selected to establish himself in life was Newark, at that time a village which contained about four thousand inhabitants, and gave little promise of the growth of business which has converted it into one of the most prosperous inland cities in the whole country. One of the attractions which brought him to Newark, doubtless, was the fact that it was the residence of the lady whom he married the next year after his removal there. This was Charlotte Mercer, the daughter of Archibald Mercer, Esq., a gentleman of remarkable enterprise and business tact. Miss Mercer was a lady of great intelligence, amiable disposition, and numerous graces of person and manner; and the union formed with her by Mr. Frelinghuysen continued in unbroken affection for more than forty years, when she was removed by death to a heavenly home. Providence having denied them children, they were inseparable companions at home and abroad. Her cheerful spirits and buoyant temperament were a signal blessing to her husband, whose fatigues and vexations she was

always able to soothe, while her winning courtesy gave an additional charm to the abundant and cordial hospitalities of his house and table.

The same habits of studiousness, sobriety, and attention which had marked Mr. Frelinghuysen's previous course, still attended him while awaiting the call of clients. He revised and perfected his legal studies. He was diligent in his attendance upon the courts. He gave considerable time to the pursuits of literature, especially to those histories which lay open the fountains of law. His evenings were in general spent in the society of Mrs. Frelinghuysen, to whom he was in the habit of reading aloud some favorite English classic. None of his faculties were allowed to rust through disuse, but, while in comparative obscurity, he labored as if with some prophetic foresight of the demands he would be called to meet in coming years. When, therefore, the cares of a full practice came rushing upon him, he was not unprepared.

The commencement of Mr. Frelinghuysen's professional life and reputation are well described in a pamphlet published in 1844, understood to be from the pen of Courtlandt Parker, Esq., a distinguished member of the New Jersey bar, who had studied in Mr. Frelinghuysen's office, and who was both familiar with his character and well able to describe it. "Retiring and studious in his habits, unassuming, modest, and finding the bar already occupied by men of ability and standing, he was for two or three years very little known, and contented himself with silently laying the foundation of his subsequently brilliant career. The bar of Essex County was then very distinguished.

Among the seniors of the profession were Aaron Ogden,* Matthias Williamson, Isaac H. Williamson,* Wm. S. Pennington,* Elias Van Arsdale, Jos. C. Hornblower,† Wm. Halsey, and Wm. Chetwood, and other men of great distinction in the state, besides Richard Stockton, George Wood, and others of great ability from other counties. Such were Mr. Frelinghuysen's competitors, and for some time he remained little known; but about the year 1812 his abilities were called into public notice, and he rushed at once into an extensive and lucrative practice.

"His professional success took its rise from his able conduct of an important cause which occurred about the year above named. It was a case of murder, alleged to have been committed by a colored man. The killing was admitted, but it was insisted by the defendant that he acted in self-defense. The prisoner was friendless and penniless, and the court, being obliged to assign him counsel, appointed as such Mr. Frelinghuysen, together with a senior member of the bar, the present Chief Justice Hornblower. In course of time the cause was tried, and the junior counsel was the first to present it to the jury; and so powerful was his appeal, that the jury, though the case is said to have been clearly one of manslaughter at least, immediately acquitted the prisoner. He dwelt with great pathos upon the situation of the defendant as one calling for the sympathies of the court and jury. Every thing was combined to darken his prospects: poverty, friendlessness, insignificance in public estima

* Governors and Chancellors.

Members of Congress.

+ Chief Justice.