FATHERS OF THE REVOLUTION
41
power of the courts to over-rule an uncon-
stitutional enactment. In 1789 he was made
sole chancellor of the state, resigned hi?
professorship, and went to reside in Rich-
mond. In 1787, he represented Virginia in
the Federal convention at Philadelphia and
in 1788 was vice-president of the Virginia
state convention, which ratified its work,
Mr. Wythe voting for the constitution. He
was twice presidential elector on the Re-
publican ticket. The honorary degree of
LL. D. was conferred upon him by William
and Mary in 1790. So just and upright was
he in his decisions, that he was called the
"American Aristides/* and both Thomas
Jefferson and John Marshall studied law
under him. The former pronounced him
"one of the greatest men of his age." He
wa.<i the author of "Decisions in Virgir.t;i
by the High Court of Chancery." He di^d
from the cfiects of poison, and his preat-
nephew, George Wythe Sweeney, was tricci
lor the crime, but was acquitted. He died
Jure 8. 1806, and was buried in St. John's
churchyard, Richmond. He married (sec-
ond) Elizabeth Taliaferro, daughter of
Richard Taliaferro, of James City county,
but he had no surviving issue by either of
his wives.
