Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

FROM THE CABINET.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF THE HONOURABLE JAMES ELLIOT.

Concluded from our paper of the 5th instant.

After his return from the western country, Mr. Elliot entertained a wish to follow the paths of literature, without engaging in any profession; but necessity compelled him to enter into business. After an unsuccessful attempt in trade, he came to the determination of entering the profession of law; and, accordingly, in June 1798, he commenced the study with John W. Blake, Esq. in Brattleborough, Vermont. His situation in this village was, on some accounts, not the most agreeable.

After studying three years, Mr. Elliot conceived the design of getting himself immediately admitted to practice, as an attorney, though the rules drawn up by the attornies of the bar in the county where he studied, required that students, who had not been favoured with a liberal education, should study five years before admittance. At June term of the county court, for the county of Windham, (in 1801,) he came forward at the commencement of the session, and requested to be examined—setting forth reasons why he ought, if his legal attainments were adequate, to be admitted to practice at the bar. He was opposed by the bar of attornies;—they, however, selected two of their number as a committee to examine him; this committee reported, that he sustained his examination with honour, and was qualified for admission. He was admitted accordingly.

While Mr. Elliot was qualifying himself for the bar, he harboured an intention of returning to the Ohio country, when admitted to practice. But sometime in the winter preceding his admission, he was appointed deputy post-master by Mr. Habersham, (a federalist.) As the post-office, in Brattleborough, by being made a distributing office, became a station of handsome emolument, Mr. E. concluded to settle in the town, and accordingly opened an office. His success in business was great, and his reputation extended with considerable rapidity. He was chosen clerk of the Assembly of Vermont, at their session in the autumn of 1801. Sometime afterwards, he was appointed one of the Commissioners of Bankruptcy, for the State of Vermont. The offices which he possessed, together with the profits of his profession, yielded at that time a very decent income.—

Such was his condition when he was by the democrats selected as a candidate for a representative in Congress, from the southeast district in Vermont. At the first trial, there was no choice; at the second. he was chosen.

When he was first elected member of Congress, he was considered as an immoderate partizan; but I have always supposed him to be possessed of too much uprightness and integrity to be made the tool of party. He went to Congress, expecting to find in the democratick majority, men, who, like himself were sincerely attached to republican principles, and the general good of the nation. But, to his surprize, he found that some leading characters were aiming at measures which appeared dangerous to the safety and happiness of the union. He had then to decide whether to follow on in the beaten tract of his party, or, by obeying the dictates of his conscience, encounter all the obloquy which could be heaped upon him by those editors who arrogate to their masters, to their adherents, and to themselves, the exclusive character of republicans: He chose the latter.— Notwithstanding all the endeavours to the contrary. he has been re-elected by a very large majority of his constituents.

As a student, his industry is unwearied. During the three years in which he was engaged in the laborious study of law, he acquired a competent knowledge of the Latin tongue, with which he was before unacquainted. He wrote essays for the Farmer's Museum, under the title of "The Rural Wanderer." These numbers were written at the particular request of the celebrated Mr. Dennie, then editor of the Farmer's Museum, (now editor of the Port-Folio, Philadelphia.) and received from him no inconsiderable share of applause.