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388 HISTORY OF uniting of both law and equity powers in the same tribunal. It might well be supposed such radical changes would greatly increase the labors of the judiciary, and embarrass^ for a time at least, the practitioners at the bar. It was only by mutual effort, that the difficulties could be overcome, and the progress of the public business facilitated. In earnestly endeavoring, without stint of toil, to give the utmost efficiency to our present system, and to dispatch promptly the business of the courts, I have never ceased to be sensible how much my labors were lightened by the assiduity and learning of the bar, and rendered agreeable by the kindness and courtesy, which have uniformly characterized your whole intercourse with me. " I shall resume my place among you, justly proud of my pro- fessional associations, and enjoying, though with different rela- tions, the unchanged sentiments of personal respect and regard with which, I am, " Yery truly, your friend, Amasa J. Parker. To Messrs. P. GtANsevoort, John H. Reynolds, C. M. Jenkins, John K. Porters, and others of the Albany bar." Hon. Joel T. Headley. This distinguished writer, and the present Secretary of State, was born at Walton, Delaware county, December 80, 1814. His father, the Rev. Mr. Head- ley, was one of the first Presbyterian ministers in the county,' and for some years preached at Walton. He had seven chil- dren, of which the subject of the present sketch was the fourth ; three of them were girls, and four boys. The two eldest daughters are now dead. The oldest, Eliza, married a Rev. Mr. Brown, a descendant of President Edwards, the second, Catha- rine, married Rev. Alvah Selly, and died some years since in Gorham, Ontario county, in this State.