Jefferson's
power in New England in the beginning of the last century,
was not, I believe, a member of the Society himself. But
his sons were, and many of his descendants and connections
by marriage, certainly twelve or fifteen in all. When the
office of Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
became vacant, by reason of the death of Mr. Justice William
Cushing of Massachusetts, September 13, 1809, Levi Lincoln
the elder was appointed, confirmed by the Senate and commissioned
to fill the vacancy. Mr. Jefferson earnestly desired and
urged his appointment. President Madison accompanied the
offer of the office with a letter urging Mr. Lincoln to accept
it in spite of a malady of the eyes from which he was suffering.
Mr. Madison says he had got along very well as Attorney-
General and he thinks he would find less inconvenience in
discharging the duties of Judge. But Mr. Lincoln declined
the office. He lived until 1820, retaining his health and
vigor, except for the trouble with his eyes.
He was a very able man. He argued the case in which it was
decided by the Supreme Court of Massachusetts that slavery
was abolished in that State by the Constitution, in 1780.
Pages:
729
730
731
732
733
734
735
736
737
738
739
740
741
742
743
744
745
746
747
748
749
750
751
752
753