My father was
a large landholder, and his most intimate friend was Mr. Conway, the
father of the present judge. The family friendship was inherited by the
young people of the two families--and my two most intimate friends were
George and William Conway. One is dead, the other is Judge William
Conway, member of Congress. We had played together as children, been
companions at school. When our fathers died, and we in turn became the
representatives of the two families, our friendship became even more
close. I was half my time at 'Five Forks'--they paid long visits to me
at 'The Pines'--we hunted together, went to entertainments together,
drank wine together, and were inseparable.
"George was especially my favorite. He was the soul of amiability;
everybody loved him; and I entertained for him the most tender
friendship. His brother William was equally estimable, but did not
attract you as strongly. Although a person of the highest sense of
honor, and universally respected for talents of the first order, he was
irascible, bitter, and, when once aroused, allowed nothing to restrain
him. At such moments his best friends avoided him, for he was
dangerous. He brooked no opposition. His anger was like a consuming
fire; and a friendship which he had formed with that gentleman of
splendid powers, but venomous antipathies, John Randolph of Roanoke,
served still more to encourage him in the indulgence of the natural
acerbity of his disposition.
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