Judge John Heard, now of Sacramento, and the Hon. Frank M. Pixley, of San Francisco. There not being a single law book in the whole district, the discussions, and the decisions equally, must have been rather crude and ill digested; but we have reason to believe that the germ of the entire mining jurisprudence of California sprang from those early deliberations. Finally induced to abandon mining by the growing wants of the community for legal knowledge, as well as by the reputation he had already acquired as a jurist, he took up his residence early in 1851 at Nevada City, and devoted himself thenceforth to the practice of his profession.

In the opening of this sketch, we have characterized McConnell as the leading lawyer of Northern California. To those who have met him oftenest at the bar, and know him best in the higher walks of the profession, we need adduce no proof other than such encounters have furnished. But proof is not wanting of a more reliable and a less perishable character.

The records of the Supreme Court of California, for many years, as preserved in the reports, afford ample testimony upon this point. It is not going too far to assert, that the briefs and arguments of John R. McConnell, before that tribunal, have done more towards building up the mining law of this State than the labors of any other counselor upon this coast. To an inexhaustible fund of learning, he added indomitable industry, and a perception quick, sure, and intuitive; methodical almost to formality, he drilled his arguments into the forms of logical sequence, that in most cases amounted to mathematical demonstration. But his memory is, perhaps, the most remarkable trait of a most remarkable mind. It seems to be absolutely infallible. Piled up in the deep reservoirs of his capacious intellect, he calls forth these argosies of wealth at a moment's notice, and launches them upon the tide of learning with an abandon that produces amazement.

No point of law bearing upon the subject under discussion seems ever to be overlooked or hidden; and very often his adversary finds that he is more thoroughly

He

versed in his own case than he is himself. Nor is there any other branch of learning that Mr. McConnell has neglected. Dr. Johnson said of Gibbon, that "no man could casually meet him under an awning, during a shower, and hear him speak five minutes, without saying at once, 'Here is the most remarkable genius in Great Britain."" This great praise can also be applied almost as faithfully to the subject of this sketch. appears to be like Macaulay, almost omniscient-all science, art, and philosophy are equally at his command. He has studied almost every branch of human learningand when at leisure, seated at the fireside amongst his friends, he pours forth such prolific streams of information, that his mind appears inexhaustible. He is withal an acute observer of nature, as well as a profound student of man; and in political ethics, including the history of party in the United States, he has no superior. Nicholas Biddle's panegyric on the true lawyer, applies with great force to McConnell, "who, not content with the ordinary routine of litigation, seeks in all liberal arts, in all sciences, and throughout the whole domain of learning, whatsoever may dignify and adorn his noble. occupation."

As a teacher of law, McConnell deserves more than a passing notice. His office has been commonly filled with young men in pursuit of a knowledge of that science, "whose seat," old Hooker declares," is the bosom of God, and whose voice is the harmony of the world." Amongst those who sought the instruction of McConnell, were Edward Craig, Esq., of Placer county, and the Hon. Wm. M. Stewart, at present Senator of the United States from the State of Nevada. Both these gentlemen are able lawyers, as well as renowned politicians; and Stewart owes all his dialectic skill, ingenuity, and eloquence to the early training of McConnell. It would of course be expected that a man gifted with such talents as McConnell's, should at some period of life be lifted up into public station. As early as 1853, he was elected Attorney General of California, and held that position until 1856. Twice he has been unsuccessful in his political

aspirations. In 1861, he was the Democratic candidate for Governor of California, on a peace platform, but was defeated by Gov. Stanford; and again. in 1864, he ran for the Supreme Judgeship, in the neighboring State of Nevada, but failed in securing his election.

In political opinion, McConnell may be classed as an old school strict constructionist. He gravitates toward Calhoun rather than toward Stanton or Seward. It is true, that in 1860 he endorsed Judge Douglas for the Presidency instead of Breckinridge; but the preference seems to have been more the result of personal friendship than of party affinity.

Mr. McConnell has been thrice married. His first wife was Rebecca Cross, of Nevada City; his second, Ann Eliza Moore, of Fayette county, Kentucky; and his third, Sallie B. Darby, eldest daughter of Dr. J. Custis Darby, an eminent physician of Lexington, Kentucky. With this lady he is still living at his old home in Nevada city, the centre of a large band of friends and clients. In person, Mr. McConnell is of medium height, and rather spare build. His complexion is sallow, but relieved by one of the blackest and brightest eyes that ever shot forth fiery eloquence, rapid thought, and stern denunciation upon an opponent. Few men can meet that glance without quailing. It is of that intense magnetic flame that dazzles and consumes. Of late, Mr. McConnell's health has not been robust, but we trust that he will live long to illustrate the annals of California.

OGDEN HOFFMAN.

BY THE EDITOR

HIS gentleman, who has been for so many years United States District Judge for the District of California, was born in the city of New York, October 16th, 1822. His ancestors were from Holland, and were among the earliest settlers of New Amsterdam. His father, Hon. Ogden Hoffman, was long one of the most influential leaders of the Whig party. He possessed the graces and powers of oratory in a wonderful degree; was unrivalled as a debater, and "proudly eminent" on the hustings. He was one of the most accomplished lawyers of the Empire State, his fame eclipsing even that of his father, Josiah Ogden Hoffman. At the time of his death, in May, 1853, a meeting of the New York bar was held, at which Wm. M. Evarts and others, who had witnessed his forensic triumphs and his able management of great civil and criminal causes, paid feeling tributes to the nobility of his nature, the greatness of his mind, and the fullness of his learning.

Mr. Hoffman, our subject, graduated from Columbia College in 1840, and determined to prepare himself for the bar. He studied law at Dane Law School, Harvard University, for about two years, under Judge Story and Simon Greenleaf. He afterwards read law under Mark Sibley, of Canandaigua, New York, and under Benjamin D. Silliman, of New York city. After being admitted, he