11. The Judges of the Superior Courts were also men of integrity and ability. Henry Seawell, who was a powerful advocate in the courts, and had twice been clothed with the judicial ermine, had recently died, and the different circuits were then presided over by Thomas Settle, of Rockingham; R. M. Saunders, of Wake; John M. T. Dick, of Guilford; John L. Bailey, of Pasquotank, and Richmond M. Pearson, of Rowan. 12. The Bar of North Carolina was never more respected for the learning and eloquence of its members than at the period now reached in this narrative. Gavin Hogg, Peter Browne and Judge Duncan Cameron were all men of renown. They were possessed of large fortunes and left names of unsullied honor. 13. Judge Badger, B. F. Moore, Thomas Bragg, and W. N. H. Smith, were all in full practice before the courts, and were the peers of Iredell, Davie and Archibald Henderson of former days. It is impossible to overestimate the influence for good or evil which has been and ever will be exerted by the lawyers in a free land. They are the sentinels and conservators of public liberty, and, next to the clergy, improve or impair the morality of the masses. QUESTIONS. 1. What changes were noticed in North Carolina in 1836? What is said of cotton and slave property? 2. What canal had been completed? How did it benefit that section? 3. What is said of the railway charters? 4. In what condition were railroads at this time? 5. What is said of the present means of travel? 6. What religious convention had been formed in 1730? 7. What public man is now mentioned, and what is said of his abilities? 8. What mention is made of Chief-Justice Taylor? 9. What changes were made in the Supreme Court? What is said of Judge Thomas Ruffin? 10. Who succeeded Judge Henderson? Who composed the Supreme Court in 1833? 11. Can you name some of the Judges, of the Superior Court? 12. What is said of the Bar at this period? 13. How is the influence of lawyers always felt in a community? CHAPTER XLVIII. ORIGIN OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. A. D. 1837 TO 1842. It will be remembered that in 1767 the first school was incorporated by the Legislature of North Carolina, by the act in favor of the academy at New Bern. In this, and subsequent legislation for schools at Edenton and elsewhere, it had provided that the teachers should all be communicants of the Church of England. This stipulation was, of course, part of the English Church and State system of government.