County. His term of office was marked by a celebrated trial, already noticed, which created the greatest excitement at the time, known in criminal annals as the Mercer mur der case. Mr. Carpenter appeared in this case as the counsel of the State, and prose cuted the indictment with great force and ability. Mercer was acquitted, but it was not the prosecutor's fault. In 1845 Governor Stratton nominated him for an Associate Justice, and he was con firmed by the Senate. The circuit over which he presided was one of the largest and most important in the State. He was an able lawyer, and his opinions commanded the respect of the bar. The style of his writing was peculiarly smooth and classical. He was a fine scholar, and found time, not withstanding the onerous duties of his office, to keep himself informed on all the literary topics of his time. He served but one term, and after that expired returned to his prac tice, which became large and remunerative. He died in 1876, perhaps as well known as any other citizen of New Jersey. He was a most genial, kind-hearted man, sympathetic, and benevolent. His face was an inspiration, bearing upon every lineament the marks of the man who was at peace with himself and all his fellows. The Randolph family of New Jersey has been one of the most distinguished and in fluential in the State. It has given to the country many men who have aided the Re public in times when citizens of wisdom and nerve were needed. Among those who sprung from this race and who have been foremost in the politics and jurisprudence of the State was Joseph F. Randolph, who be came an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in 1845. He was born in New York City in 1803, was admitted to the bar in 1825, and began practice in Monmouth County. He was not a graduate of a college, but he hardly needed the culture gained in any uni versity, as he was an enthusiastic student and reader. His father was a-clergyman, and died just about the time his son was ex
pecting to enter college. By this event he was burdened with the responsibility of caring for others; and his generous nature responded to the call, although it deprived him of a cherished intention. Early in life his abilities as a lawyer be came appreciated, and he received, when quite a young man, the appointment of Prosecutor of the Pleas. For six years, from 1837 to 1843, he was a member of Congress. In 1838, when the election of representatives gave rise to the famous " Broad Seal War," he was the only Whig candidate who was cer tainly elected and consequently took his seat without opposition. In 1844 he became a member of the Constitutional Convention, in which body he was very influential and where he exerted himself to secure as per fect an organic law as possible. In 1845 he was appointed an Associate Justice, and was continued in office for one term of seven years. As a lawyer and judge he was labo rious in his search for every point in the cases submitted to him, and his conclusions were generally sound and correct. His opinions were sensible, well reasoned out, and the re sult of an honest and severely industrious search for every principle involved in the cause. His natural literary taste, aided by his studies and reading, was of material use to him in the preparation of his opinions. At the expiration of his term of office of Justice he resumed the practice of his pro fession at Trenton, with very great success. In 1855 he was one of the revisers selected by the Legislature, to revise the statutes. While on the bench he delivered an opinion in the case of Gough vs. Bell, which settled the law in New Jersey on the subject of riparian rights. This opinion was opposed strenuously at the time; but it is the law at present, and it is believed will remain so for all time to come. The College of New Jersey offered him an honorary degree, which he declined. This honor was well merited, as Judge Randolph became known as a scholar of more than ordinary merit. After he left the bench he
