Autograph letter signed to Theophilus Parsons, Jr., East Bridgewater, 3 April 1857
One and a quarter pages, 4to. Item #405002
The Massachusetts jurist and congressman writes to Parsons:
"Dear Sir:
Your favor of the 31st ultimo came duly to hand. It would afford me great pleasure to be able to render any essential aid in the preparation of a biography of Chief Justice Parsons. But I was not personally acquainted with him till he made his appearance at Portland as Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, in 1807. I had, however, heard of him, from an early period of my life, as the “giant of the law” IN Massachusetts. He was at the head of his profession, I believe, quite soon after he became a member of it, and so continued until the day of his decease. I know but little of him, except as Chief Justice, presiding at the law terms in the County of Cumberland. I think he never held a nisi prius term there. As chief Justice he was perfectly at his ease, for he was not unconscious of his superior acquirements, not of the deference every one was ready to pay to them. He was uniformly pleasant, and often seemed to be playfully facetious.
I have heard many anecdotes of him. Illustrative of his wit, which I presume are yet current and well remembered, and therefore need not be repeated by me.
With much esteem. I am Sir,
Your obedient, humble servant,
EZEKIEL WHITMAN."
Price: $500.00