The Supreme Court of New Jersey. arising from the Quaker prejudice against him was so strong that Mr. Ryerson re ceived the vote of a caucus of the Demo cratic party. The majority of that party in joint meeting was large; but one member from Sussex and other Democrats refused to stand by the caucus nomination, and Mr. Ryerson was elected by a very small major ity. This was not due to any doubt of his ability and capacity, but to the feeling that it was wrong that an honest and capable judge should be punished for doing his duty. Ryerson was not aware of his election until he was notified of it by his friends in Trenton, and even then he would not accept until he received a letter from Judge Drake, in which he urged him to take the position, "and that promptly" The arguments used by Justice Drake were successful, and Thomas C. Ryerson was sworn into office, as an As sociate Justice of the Supreme Court, in February, 1834. He did not, however, hold it for a whole term, but died while in office in 1838. Judge Drake, in his letter urging his friend to accept the office, rejoiced that the place would be filled by one who would so act as judge that all might still confide " in the independence and integrity of the court." This prophecy was fulfilled to the letter. Judge Ryerson was an officer of the strict est integrity and of great independence. He was a first-rate lawyer, well equipped for the performance of the duties of his office. He was not quick in his perceptions, his mind partaking of that characteristic of the true judge, which enables its possessor to think well, judge wisely, and determine cor rectly. His mind was peculiarly discrim inating, his perceptions were judicious, and his conclusions were sound and reliable. He was not content with his first impression of a cause, but he required, or rather, perhaps, determined to give his thoughts time to form a determination which would be logical and judicial. He was a man of untiring industry, of great candor, and conscientious in the dis charge of his duties, both public and private. 55
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His personal tastes and habits were simple and unostentatious. He was well pleased with sprightly talk, and had himself a fund of anecdote which he delighted to give his friends. He died at the early age of fifty; his death, in all probability, being has tened by the great industry which ever filled his life. William L. Dayton was the youngest man who ever sat in the Supreme Court, and, like Samuel L. Southard, was so well known in the political circles of the Republic that he is not often remembered as a judge. He was born in 1807 in Somerset County, from a most respectable family which had given several prominent men to the service of their coun try. One of these was a general in the Revolutionary army, and another was a mem ber of the Convention which framed the Federal Constitution, afterward a Speaker of the House of Representatives, and subse quently Senator from New Jersey. Young Dayton had the best opportunities for ob taining an education which the country could give in his time. His academic course was pursued under the tuition of celebrated teachers, and he was graduated at Prince ton College in 1825. Neither his academic nor college life gave promise of his future greatness. He was rather dull, slow in com prehending his studies, while in academy and college. He entered the office of Peter D. Vroom, one of New Jersey's most accom plished lawyers, as a student-at-law; was licensed as an Attorney in 1830, and as a Counsellor in 1833. He removed to Free hold in Monmouth County, and remained there until he was appointed judge. He was not of robust health, and at one time was quite slender in person; and perhaps this physical defect had some influence over his mental activity. He required impulses to arouse him to action. He was not what might be called an indolent man; his mind certainly was alert enough, but he did not by any means exert his full powers at all times. He was what might be called an unequal man; at times evincing" great powers of intellect, especially when
