The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

JET. 57.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 453
supreme court is forcibly described in his own language. "Impressed with a conviction," said he, "that
the due administration of justice is the firmest pillar
of good government, I have considered the first arrangement of the judicial department as essential to
the happiness of the country, and to the stability of its
political system. Hence the selection of the fittest
characters to expound the laws, and dispense justice,
has been an invariable object of my anxious concern."
And again, in giving notice to Mr. Jay of his appointment as chief justice; "I have a full confidence, that
the love which you bear to our country, and a desire
to promote the general happiness, will not suffer you
to hesitate a moment to bring into action the talents,
knowledge, and integrity, — which are so necessary to
be exercised at the head of that department, which
must be considered the key-stone of our political fabric." These views of the judiciary department, as
forming a most essential branch of the government,
and as claiming the highest consideration, he always
entertained; and in the appointment of justices, and
judges of the district courts, he was extremely solicitous to secure the services of those, who were eminent
for judicial knowledge, talents, personal worth, and
experience. In placing John Jay at the head of the
supreme court, he consulted alike the public good, the
dignity of the court, and his own feelings. No man
in the nation possessed a larger share of confidence,
whether in regard to his ability or his legal attainments; none was more valued for the services he had
rendered to his country, none more esteemed for his
private virtues. The choice of his associates was also
fortunate, and the court assumed a respectability and
weight suited to the rank conferred upon it by the
constitution.