A Lecture on the Study of the Law; being an Introduction to a course of
lectures on that subject, in the College of William and Mary, by
Beverley Tucker, Professor of Law.--Richmond: T. W. White. Nov. 1834.
It is impossible for a Virginian not to feel an interest in old William
and Mary. Recollecting the many able men who have been nurtured within
its walls, and signalized as lawyers, legislators and statesmen, we
cannot but feel gratified at every effort in its behalf that promises
to be of use. From the time of Judge Semple's last appointment as Judge
of the General Court, until the month of July, the law chair had
remained vacant. A vacancy in so important a department continuing for
so long a period, could not fail to be prejudicial to the institution.
It was in vain that the other professorships were ably filled. The
circumstance of the lectures in the law department being suspended,
made many fear that the other professorships would one by one share the
same fate--that this vacancy was but a precursor to others--that a
failure to fill this would be followed by like failures hereafter--and
that in a few years the doors of this venerable pile would be closed.
These inferences are strengthened by the fact, that a very important
professorship (the professorship of mathematics) had formerly been
permitted to remain vacant for even a longer period than that which is
the subject of these brief reflections. With such anticipations, it is
no wonder that every class has latterly been characterized by the
smallness of its numbers.
The Board of Visiters, at their meeting in July, resolved that the
vacancy should continue no longer, and conferred the appointment of law
professor upon Beverley Tucker. Mr. Tucker is well known as a writer
upon constitutional questions, and his appointment to the bench of
another state, after a short residence in it, affords evidence of the
estimation in which his legal attainments were there held. The same
professorship to which _he_ is now appointed, was filled many years ago
by his father _St. George Tucker_, whose edition of Blackstone's
Commentaries, and subsequent appointment first in the state and then in
the federal judiciary, have given him a reputation with members of the
bar throughout the Union.
The letter and answer which precede the introductory lecture of
Professor Tucker, sufficiently explain the circumstances under which
that lecture is published.
* * * * *
_Williamsburg, October 27, 1834_.
_Dear Sir:_--The students of William and Mary, highly gratified by your
able and eloquent address, delivered before them this day, have held a
special meeting, and by unanimous vote adopted the following
resolution:
_Resolved_, (At a meeting of the students in the large lecture room on
the 27th inst.) That a committee be appointed to address a note to
Professor Tucker, for the purpose of expressing their admiration of the
able and interesting lecture which he has this day delivered,
introductory to his course on law, and to solicit the same for
publication.
We hope for your assent to this request, and in performing this
agreeable duty, we tender you our sentiments of respect and esteem.
JNO. W. DEW, CHAS. H. KENNEDY,
WM. T. FRENCH, JOHN MURDAUGH,
_Professor Tucker_. _Committee_.
* * * * *
_Williamsburg, October 28, 1834_.
_Gentlemen:_--I acknowledge the receipt of your polite note, and am
happy to comply with the request which it conveys. Identified with the
College of William and Mary by the early recollections and warm
affections of youth, I have nothing so much at heart as a desire to be
found worthy to aid in restoring that venerable institution to all its
former prosperity and usefulness. Your approbation is dear to me, as
encouraging a hope that my efforts may not be unavailing. If I shall be
so fortunate as to send out into the world but one more, to be added to
the list of illustrious men, who are every where found upholding, with
generous, devoted and enlightened zeal, the free institutions inherited
from our fathers, in their true spirit, I shall have my reward. If I
can succeed in impressing on my class the conviction, that freedom has
its duties, as well as its rights, and can only be preserved by the
faithful discharge of those duties, I shall have my reward. If I can do
no more than to furnish to the profession members devoted to its
duties, and qualified to sustain its high character for intelligence
and integrity, by diligence and fidelity even in its humblest walks, I
shall still have my reward. In either case I shall have rendered
valuable service, to you, to this venerable institution, to this scene
of my earliest, happiest and best days, and to Virginia--my mother--the
only country to which my heart has ever owned allegiance. Far as my
feet have wandered from her soil, my affections have always cleaved to
her, and as the faithful mussulman, in every clime, worships with his
face towards the tomb of his prophet, so has my heart ever turned to
her, alive to all her interests, jealous of her honor, resentful of her
wrongs, partaking in all her struggles, exulting in her triumphs, and
mourning her defeats. May she again erect herself to her former proud
attitude and walk before the children of liberty in the pathless desert
where they now wander, as a "cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by
night."
For yourselves, gentlemen, and those whom you represent, be pleased to
accept my acknowledgments for the compliment implied in your
application. I would ask you to accept the expression of another
sentiment, if I knew how to express it. Returning to Williamsburg after
an absence commencing in early life, the long and dreary interval seems
obliterated. I find myself remitted at once to the scenes and to the
feelings of youth. It would seem more natural to me to come among you
as a companion than as an instructer. But this may not be much amiss.
My business is with your _heads_, but the road to them is through the
_heart_, and if I can only bring you to understand and reciprocate my
feelings, there will be nothing wanting to facilitate the communication
of any instruction I may be capable of bestowing.
I remain, gentlemen, with high regard, your friend and obedient
servant,