my affairs, I have changed my purpose and have determined to select one of my sons who may be sufficiently active to attend completely to the business. I therefore ap point my son, James Keith Marshall, to be my sole executor, directing that no surety shall be required from him, and allowing him $1000 for his care and pains. I hereby re voke all former and other wills and declare this to be my last will, written in my hand, on two sheets of paper, this ninth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.— J. MARSHALL." The Chief Justice owned a number of slaves, and two of them, especially, were notable characters, his coachman, and Robin, his factotum and what was called in those days body-servant. Their manners were a curious mixture of deference and self-im portance. Robin was almost as well known in Richmond as his master; finer manners or more faultless deportment could hardly be presented by the most educated and re fined gentleman than characterized his bear ing on all occasions. When walking the streets he was always dressed in a handsome suit of black, the coat with a large buff col lar and cuffs, white vest and cravat, pants buttoned at the knee, and large silver buck les on highly polished shoes finished his costume. With manners so polished as to attract the attention of strangers, some of whom have been known to return his grace ful salutation and stop to inquire the name of his master, when Robin, beaming with pride and satisfaction, would answer, "Judge Marshall, sir, the Chief Justice of these United States."
A niece of Judge Marshall's who spent much time at his house, told me Robin worried the young ladies who happened to be staying there considerably by dismissing their beaux every day at dinner-time. Din ner was at half-past four. Regularly as the clock struck four, Robin would appear. "Ladies," he would say, "the Judge has come from court and gone to his room to prepare for dinner. Gentlemen, we have arranged places for you, and will be very glad if you will remain; dinner will be served in half an hour." Then he would throw open the door, and bold indeed would be the young man who could remain in the face of such a hint and detain the young ladies. The girls assured "Uncle Robin" they could hear the dressing-bell, but the same thing was repeated every day. The Chief Justice makes provision for Robin in the first codicil to his will, in these words : " It is my wish to emancipate my faithful servant, Robin, and I direct his emancipation if he chuses to conform to the laws on that subject requiring that he should leave the state, or if permission can be ob tained for his continuing to reside in it. In the event of his going to Liberia, I give him one hundred dollars; if he does not go thither I give him fifty dollars. Should it be impracticable to liberate him consistently with law and his own inclination, I desire that he may chuse his master among my sons, or if he prefer my daughter, he may be held for her and her family as is the other property bequeathed in trust for her, and that he may always be treated as a faith ful, meritorious servant.— J. Marshall."
