University of Virginia Library

4767. LINCOLN (Levi), Bar.—

The pure
integrity, unimpeachable conduct, talents and
republican firmness of Lincoln [310] leave him now
entirely without a rival. He is not thought an
able common lawyer. But there is not and
never was an abler one in the New England
States. Their system is sui generis in which
the Common law is little attended to. Lincoln
is one of the ablest in their system, and it is
among them he is to exercise the great portion
of his duties. Nothing is more material than
to complete the reformation of the government
by this appointment which may truly be said
to be putting the keystone into the arch.—
To Attorney General Rodney. Washington ed. v, 547.
(1810)

 
[310]

Levi Lincoln, of Massachusetts, who was Attorney
General in Jefferson's first Cabinet. The extract
is from a letter urging his appointment to the Supreme
Court Bench to succeed Judge Cushing. Lincoln
was nominated and confirmed, but declined.
John Quincy Adams was then nominated, but he declined.
The vacancy was then filled by the appointment
of Judge Story.—Editor.