The source of Mercer's newly made wealth is easily discovered. His
ledger shows an income from legal fees in 1730 amounting to £291 10s.
10-1/2d. In 1731 the figure climbed to £643 18s. 2d., then leveled off
to £639 11s. 2-1/2d. the following year. For a young man still in his
twenties and self-trained in the law, this was a remarkable achievement.
His success perhaps is attributable to a single event that stemmed from
youthful brashness and vigorous outspokenness. Early in 1730, in a
daring gesture on behalf of property owners and taxpayers, he protested
against privileges granted in an act passed by the Assembly the previous
year "for encouraging Adventurers in Iron Works." Presented in the form
of a proposition, the protest was read before the Stafford court by
Peter Hedgman. The reaction to it in Williamsburg, once it had reached
the ears of the Assembly, was immediate and angry. The House of
Burgesses
_Resolv'd_ That the Proposition from _Stafford_ County in relation
to the Act past in the last Session of this Assembly for
encouraging Adventurers in Iron Works is a scandalous and Seditious
Libel Containing false and scandalous Reflections upon the
Legislature and the Justices of the General Court and other Courts
of this Colony.
_Resolv'd_ That _John Mercer_ the Author and Writer of that paper
and _Peter Hedgman_ one of the Subscribers who presented the same
to the Court of Stafford County to be certified to the General
Assembly are guilty of a high Misdemeanour.
_Order'd_ That the said _John Mercer_ and _Peter Hedgman_ be sent
for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to
answer their said Offence at the Bar of this House.[64]
Mercer and Hedgman made their apologies to the House, received their
reprimands, and paid their fines. But this protest, so offensive to the
dignity of the lawmakers, had its effect in forcing amendments to the
act, particularly in removing the requirement for building public roads
leading from the ironworks to the ore supplies and shipping points. To
those living in Stafford, particularly in the neighborhood of the
proposed Accokeek Ironworks, near Marlborough, this concession must have
elevated Mercer to the level of a hero.[65]
Mercer's frank disposition led him into other difficulties during the
first years of his practice. His insistence on the prompt payment of
debts and his opposition to stays of execution following suits had won
him enemies at Prince William court. Charges of improper legal
activities were brought against him; these were investigated at
Williamsburg, with the result that on June 13, 1734, he was suspended
from practicing law in Virginia for a period of six months.[66]