the blessing of God, I will do my duty-they may destroy my property, they may pull down my house from over my head, yea, they may make a widow of my wife, and my children fatherless, the life of one man, is of little consequence, compared to the prostration of the laws of the land-with the blessing of God, I will do my duty, be the consequences what they may." He gave the parties time to reflect upon the importance and propriety of yielding, and appointed the next day to meet them. It was observed that the morrow would be Sunday-"No better day," replied judge Chase, to execute the laws of our country, I will meet you here, and then repair to the house of my God!"-Not obtaining security for their appearance on Sunday, he sent an express to the governor and council, on that day, calling for the support of the state. On Monday, he was waited upon by three of the most wealthy and respectable citizens of Baltimore, to request him to desist, and give up the point, apprehending serious consequences to the city-He replied to them with great warmth, asked if they meant to insult him by supposing him capable of yielding the law to two obstinate menThey left him, and a few hours after, as the judge was going to court, the persons charged, met him in the street, and consented to. give the security. When the court met, the grand jury refused to find a bill against the parties accused, and delivered a presentment against Mr. Chase.

The presentment of the grand jury comprises only two specific charges against the judge. First, of having insulted them by openly censuring the sheriff for having returned so bad a jury. And, secondly, of having violated the bill of rights, by accepting and exercising, at the same time, two different offices, chief judge of the criminal court, and chief judge of the general court of the state.

There is much verbiage in the presentment, but it all amounts to no more than this.

The reply of judge Chase was marked by temperate moderation and firmness. He gently reminded them how much they had gone beyond the proper sphere of their duties, in meddling with such subjects as the holding two offices, and justified his censure of the sheriff, as well founded, to the extent that he had actually uttered it.

In the conclusion of this reply he told the jury, "you will, gentlemen, continue to do your duty, and I shall persevere in mine; and you may be assured that no mistaken opinion of yours, or resentment against me, will prevent my having respect for you as a body.

In the succeeding December his holding the two-fold judicial station became the subject of a debate in the house of delegates, and an attempt was made to procure his removal from the presidency of the general court.

The attempt did not succeed; but although the vote was fortyone to twenty in his favour on the question of removal, yet a majority concurred in the resolution that the constitution was infringed by the simultaneous tenure of the two offices.

In the year 1811, he was declining in his health for some time, his disease was slow in its progress, but was of a nature to threaten immediate dissolution. He was well aware that he had not long to remain with his family, and frequently conversed upon the subject, with the greatest composure, expressing his sentiments to those around him, with confidence and hope.-The day of his decease he had taken a long ride in an open carriage, before breakfast, as was his custom during the summer months, to inhale the morning breeze, which he found always to invigorate his decaying system. He was an enthusiastic admirer of nature, and always attended by one of his family, his conversation was engrossed by moralizing on the various scenes that presented themselves before him. On these occasions, he inculcated the purest doctrines of Christianity, and looked upon the moral law as necessary to the happiness of man-praises of the Deity, and the magnificent works of his hand, were the theme of his discourse.

A short time before his death, he expressed his desire to receive the blessed Sacrament, and he had several conversations on the subject, with the clergymen of the Episcopal church of Baltimore. It was accordingly administered to him, by the late reverend Doctor Bend, after which he declared himself to be in love and charity with all mankind.

He had returned from one of his morning rides, on a sultry day in June, when the extreme exhaustion of his strength, first warned his family that his end was near at hand. After the physicians were called to attend him, he spoke of his domestic concerns, gave several directions respecting his household, and was perfectly calm and resigned. He expostulated with his family, against indulging in the grief that their countenances betrayed, and declined taking a draught of medicine that was offered to him, saying as he put it aside, "God gives life." After this he did not speak, except in answer to enquiries, but retained his faculties unclouded to the last

moment, and expired so gently that those around him scarcely knew when he had ceased to breathe.

Mr. Chase was not less than six feet in height, with a well-proportioned figure, and handsome countenance, of which the portrait in Trumbull's great picture is a good likeness. His mien and presence were dignified and prepossessing.

His last will bespeaks his characteristic dislike of outward show, in the direction that no mourning should be worn for him, and the request that over his grave a plain slab might be erected, with no other inscription than his name, with the dates of his birth and death.