Of generous and unsuspicious nature, he never looked with uncharitableness on the actions of his fellow-men, but, with the strength and armor of a well-balanced mind, gave to them the calmest consideration and assigned to each its appropriate place in the scale of good and evil. Of philosophic mind, subdued temper, and great self-command, he met the incidents and accidents of life, not with stoic indifference, but with quiet submission--yielding nothing to passion, less to despondency, and looking to passing events as to a school for instruction, and deducing from them useful lessons to guide him in the pathway of life. Of him it may be emphatically said, that he thought for himself, but reposing, with confidence, on his discriminating sense of justice and integrity of purpose, he gave to all subjects the fullest deliberation, and never jumped to conclusions in advance of his judgment. But when he had formed an opinion he adhered to it with a fearless and virtuous inflexibility which yielded to no importunity or persuasion. This, with some, subjected him to the charge of obstinacy. "Virtue itself 'scapes not calumnious strokes." * * * * * * * * * * * He was chary of promises, but always punctual and exact in performance; would give his bond or note to no man, contract no debts, would buy nothing without paying for it. "Pay as you go" was a law to him which he inflexibly observed. He mastered all his wants and kept them in strict subjection to reason. He would lend money to a friend, but never take interest. He classed labor among the virtues, never called for help in anything he could do himself, labored often in his fields at the head of his slaves, during the intervals allowed from public duties, and topped all his own tobacco, when at home at the proper season, till the infirmities of age rendered him unable to stand the heat of the sun. He was fond of the chase and indulged in his favorite amusement, the pursuit of the fox and the deer, as long as he lived. He spoke often in Congress--seldom long. His speeches were always to the point, strong, practical, sententious, often furnishing materials for the rhetorical displays of others. A most distinguished member once characterized his speeches as "dishes of the best material served up in the best manner." Unless prevented by bad health, he was always in his seat, voted on every question, was punctual in attendance upon committees, and ever ready at the call of duty.