correct classical scholar, with whom I continued two years; and then, to wit, in the spring of 1760, went to William and Mary college, where I continued two years.  It was my great good fortune, and what probably fixed the destinies of my life, that Dr. William Small of Scotland was then professor of Mathematics, a man profound in most of the useful branches of science, with a happy talent of communication, correct and gentlemanly manners, and an enlarged and liberal mind.  He, most happily for me, became soon attached to me, and made me his daily companion when not engaged in the school; and from his conversation I got my first views of the expansion of science, and of the system of things in which we are placed.  Fortunately, the philosophical chair became vacant soon after my arrival at college, and he was appointed to fill it per interim:  and he was the first who ever gave, in that college, regular lectures in Ethics, Rhetoric, and Belles lettres.  He returned to Europe in 1762, having previously filled up the measure of his goodness to me, by procuring for me, from his most intimate friend George Wythe, a reception as a student of Law, under his direction, and introduced me to the acquaintance and familiar table of Govenor Fauquier, the ablest man who had ever filled that office.  With him, and at his table, Dr. Small and Mr. Wythe, his amici omnium horarum, and myself, formed a partie quarree, and to the habitual conversations on these occasions I owed much instruction.  Mr. Wythe continued to be my faithful and beloved Mentor in youth, and my most affectionate friend through life.  In 1767, he led me into the practice of the law at the bar of the General Court, at which I continued until the Revolution shut up the courts of justice.*

     * For a sketch of the life and character of Mr. Wythe, see
     my letter of August 31, 1820, to Mr. John Saunderson. [See
     Appendix, note A.]

In 1769, I became a member of the legislature by the choice of the county in which I live, and so continued until it was closed by the Revolution.  I made one effort in that body for the permission of the emancipation of slaves, which was rejected:  and indeed, during the regal government, nothing liberal could expect success.  Our minds were circumscribed within narrow limits, by an habitual belief that it was our duty to be subordinate to the mother country in all matters of government, to direct all our labors in subservience to her interests, and even to observe a bigoted intolerance for all religions but hers.  The difficulties with our representatives were of habit and despair, not of reflection and conviction.  Experience soon proved that they could bring their minds to rights, on the first summons of their attention.  But the King’s Council, which acted as another house of legislature, held their places at will, and were in most humble obedience to that will:  the Governor too, who had a negative on our laws, held by the same tenure, and with still greater devotedness to it:  and, last of all, the Royal negative closed the last door to every hope of melioration.