Mr. Peyton was the author of the celebrated report opposing the Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, proposed by the State of Pennsylvania, for the alleged purpose of preventing collisions between the Federal Government and the State Governments; concerning which report Mr. Webster said, that "the reasoning and conclusions were unanswerable" and on another occasion said, "it was a misfortune that he was not in Congress." Benjamin Watkins Leig said, "He was the greatest lawyer west of the Blue Ridge." Chapman Johnson said, "He was the greatest criminal lawyer and public prosecutor I have ever seen." Judge Henry St. George Tucker said, "He was one of the most profound and learned of lawyers." Daniel Sheffy said, "He possessed gigantic power without effort, and was not only a great but a good man." Major James Garland, of Lynchburg, said, "There was no greater lawyer in the Commonwealth." Judge Alexander Rives wrote that "I know no lawyer in Virginia for whom I have the same admiration, respect and esteem." John B. Baldwin said, "He was the greatest common-law lawyer he ever knew." Judge Briscoe G. Baldwin said, "He had more strength, originality and learning than any lawyer of his acquaintance." Judge Lucas P. Thompson said, "His sentiments were illuminated by genius." Sidney S. Baxter, late Attorney General of Virginia said, "No lawyer in Virginia equalled him in debate." Thomas J. Michie said of him: "That he was a man who had served his country with distinguished ability in various civil positions in time of peace, who has honorably and gallantly served and sacrificed his property in time of war, a man whose honor and integrity have never been impeached in this or any other community." Judge R. C. L. Moncure in speaking of him as a young lawyer said: "He took a position on being admitted to the bar which brought him immediate and continued popularity as a lawyer, a pleader and a scholar." T. M. Green, a distinguished lawyer and author, of Kentucky, said: "John Howe Peyton was eminent as lawyer, statesman and orator." Professor J. T. L. Preston, late of Virginia Military Institute, said: "He was a champion in every branch of his profession." The late James D. Davidson, of Lexington, said: "I regarded him altogether as a superior being." The late William Frazier said: "His pleadings were master pieces of art." The late Judge McCue said: "In his discourses he displayed a soundness of view, an extent of research, a manliness of principle, an accuracy of learning and a vigor of style surpassing anything I ever heard." Mr. Peyton was as eminent for stern integrity as for learning and ability, and in that connection a writer, whose name I will not call, as he is still living, said: "I never knew a man who had more of what Edmund Burke styled 'the chastity of honor which felt a stain like a wound.'"