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Some Virginia Lawyers of the Past and Present.

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steamer "Trent." Captain Wilkes, of the the companionship of Jefferson Davis, John United States steamer " San Jacinto," fol C Breckinridge, General Early and other lowed the " Trent," took off the Confederate great leaders of the southern cause. " He envoys, and brought them back to the United was one of the most formidable men in for States. This produced intense excitement in ensic contests at the bar. In the appellate England, and caused serious complications courts of the state and federal governments, between this country and Great Britain; but he argued his cases with consummate power the United States government promptly dis of statement, and with clear and massive avowed the act and returned the prisoners. reasoning. He was a splendid type of that

The incident is ancient regime, and known in history as lived and died after "The Trent Affair." the personal vicissi While he was a pris tudes which attended oner it was suggested the fall of the Con to Mr. Mason that he federate government, and Mr. Slidell would the most devoted, probably be put to patriotic and loyal death. He calmly lover of Virginia." replied : " It would Shortly after his be the best thing that death.Gov. Henry A. could be done for the Wise wrote of him : good of the Confed "He was an honest eracy." man, a highly culti Mr. Mason remain vated gentleman, a ed in England until well-trained and the close of the war. practical lawyer, a When the southern sound statesman and cause had been lost a pure patriot," and he came to Canada this was the general and resided there un verdict of the people til the amnesty of of his State. Two of 1869 was declared. his grandsons are JOHN Y. iMASON. He returned to Vir now prominent and ( From a picture in the possession of his daughter, Mrs. Archer Anderson.) ginia and settled near popular lawyers, the Alexandria, where he died April 28, 1871. one, B. M. Ambler, is a member of a dis When not in public life he devoted himself tinguished West Virginia . law firm, Van to his law practice which was extensive. Winkle and Ambler, with offices at ParkersHe was a man of charming presence and burg, West Virginia; and the other, who convincing oratory, and combined remark bears his name, James Mason Ambler, prac able sound sense and practical views with tices in Baltimore. thorough culture. It was said of him : Judge John W. Brockenbrough was born "He was ever the same pure character and Dec. 23, 1806, in Hanover county, Vir able advocate, whether pressing the claims ginia. He was educated at William and of a client among the beautiful hills of Vir Mary College and at the University of Vir ginia, or urging the cause of the south at ginia. He was a member of Judge Henry the court of St. James." St. George Tucker's celebrated law class at He enjoyed, during his sojourn in Canada, Winchester, Virginia. When quite young,