William H. Crawford was at this time filling a large space in the public confidence of the people of Georgia, and gave to Governor Matthews his confidence and friendship.  It was he who persuaded George Matthews, the son, to emigrate to Louisiana.  He frankly told him this unpopularity of his father would weigh heavily upon him through life, if he remained in Georgia.  “You have talents, George,” said he, “and, what is quite as important to success in life, common sense, with great energy:  these may pull you through here, but you will be old before you will reap anything from their exercise in your native State.  These prejudices against your father may die out, but not before most of those who have participated in them shall have passed away:  truth will ultimately triumph, but it will be when your father is in the grave, and you gray with years.  To bear and brave this may be heroic, but very unprofitable.  I think I have influence enough with the President to secure an appointment in Louisiana—­probably the judgeship of the Territory, or one of them.”

Matthews feared his qualifications for such an appointment, and so expressed himself to Crawford.  The civil law was the law of Louisiana, and he was entirely unacquainted with this.  Crawford’s reply was eminently characteristic.  The great principles of all laws are the same.  Their object is to enforce the right, and maintain impartial justice between man and man.  In hearing a case, a judge of good common sense will generally find out the justice of the matter.  Let him decide right, and do substantial justice, and he will, ninety-nine times out of one hundred, decide according to law, whether he knows anything about the law or not.  And such a judge is always best for a new country, or, in truth, for any country.  The appointment was secured, and George Matthews left his native State forever.

Soon after reaching Louisiana, he married Miss Flower, of West Feliciana—­a lady in every way suited to him.  She was of fine family, with strong mind, domestic habits, and full of energy.  They were very much attached to each other, and were happy and prosperous through all the life of the great judge.  Mrs. Matthews still lives, and in the immediate neighborhood of her birthplace, and is now active, useful, and beloved by all who know her, though extremely old.

When the Territory was organized into a State under the Constitution, Matthews was appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court by Governor Claiborne—­an office he held through life, and the duties of which he discharged with distinguished ability, and to the honor of the State and the entire satisfaction of the Bar and the people.