CHARACTER OF AMERICAN LAWYERS.

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of what is valuable and good-so little to be found of honour-so little of probity, or worth-so little of good faith, or indeed of honesty in its more simplified meaning, that it were really a risk for any person to entrust an American lawyer, or attorney with an insight to his affairs, or to consult him on any difficulty or embarrassment in which he may be placed. Traders, in the fullest sense, they readily barter the interests committed to them, for the merest prospect of personal or individual gain, and deride with a cold and unmixed selfishness, the misfortunes-the tenfold misery and want, of which they are often the fruitful source. We speak advisedly on this subject, as well from a considerable experience, as from the assurances and repeated statements of others, on whose truth and discernment we could rely. Our own business in various parts of the Republic, as well as the business of others especially confided to our charge, rendered it necessary at different periods, that we continued in the country, to employ some twelve or thirteen different professional agents, (lawyers and attorneys,) many of them sustaining a high and even an honourable reputation amongst their compeers; such men as the late Hon. Henry R. Storrs,* William Betts of New York, J. Duer of New York, David B. Ogden,† Hon. J. K.

* A man of extraordinary and brilliant talents, and for some years a member of the legislature-he is since dead.

Who is of very considerable eminence, and one of the leading members of the New York bar. His practice is generally

Kane,* Hon. J. M. Dallas,† with others whom we forbear to name, and can truly aver, that of the twelve or thirteen it was necessary we should confide to, nine of the number, either shamefully and deliberately betrayed the trust we had reposed in them-became accessaries with the parties opposed, to do us mischief, or otherwise compelled us to purchase their fidelity and questionable services, by the tender and payment of an unusual and extravagant bribe; which the tender consciences of these individuals no doubt set down as the legitimate perquisites of an honourable profession.

It is no very unusual practice in the United States, that when a suitor is compelled to employ one of these gentry, he also retains another of the profession, to attend and watch his movements; and to apprize him of any irregularity he may detect in his proceedings. This may be a good, though we suspect it a hazardous device, with the untutored in legal matters; especially, if these parties should chance to be on any good understanding with each other.

confined to the United States Courts (the Court of Errors, the Senate,) or in appeal cases at Washington.

* A near friend of the late President Jackson, and connected with his Government as one of three Commissioners for arranging the late French Indemnity to the United States.

† At the time of our employing him, Attorney-General of the State of Pennsylvania; since then, the United States Minister at the court of Russia, and now Vice President of the United States.

DANGEROUS LEGAL SOCIETY.

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We have frequently been assured in the United States, of the existence, in connection with the legal profession, of a wide spread and dangerous legal society, which has extended its influence to every part of the Republic, and by its secret workings becoming a prolific and poisoned source of litigation; blighting the prospects of many a fair and industrious family, and everywhere carrying trouble and misfortune in its train. So secretly arranged are its measures—so well contrived all the plans of this dangerous and irresponsible body-so perfectly veiled from public scrutiny, and observation, that its acts pass unnoticed before the world, and are unknown to the very parties who are the sufferers, or who are most served by their proceedings. This latter class it may be presumed, form a limited proportion of those, who are drawn into the meshes of this dangerous coalition; whose labours are incessant, and directed rather to promote and serve their own immediate ends, than to advance the interests and views of parties, whom perhaps, they have never seen, and with whom there exists no possible sympathy, or any two ideas in common. We subjoin

the following hasty sketch of this society; for though the emigrant may at first be removed beyond its influence, occasions may possibly afterwards arise to bring him into more immediate collision with its proceedings.

This society differs in design and organization from any we have ever heard of. It is composed of thirty-three members, all of whom are lawyers

of the most efficient character; constituting an invisible chain of intelligence, extending from New Orleans to Boston. The ruler of this select corps, called the Tetrarch, is invested with the most absolute and irresponsible power.

successor.

mences.

The whole of the United States is divided into eight districts; four members compose a council in each of them, and when they divide, the ruler decides. It was in the first instance, a self-constituted society, and likely so to continue, as each member before he dies, or resigns, nominates his "Few die and none resign." No females are admitted, and the nominated man is stript for examination. If his person be found perfect, and without blemish, then the mental examination comHe is examined by each of the eight councils in rotation. If they all report favourably of his legal qualifications, and temperate habits, the Tetrarch admits him to full membership; after administering to him in presence of one of the councils, a solemn oath of unconditional submission, in all matters relating to his duties in society. This examination is said to be of the most rigid kind; and any one to pass it must be versed in the principles, both of the common law and civil law,— in the rights of persons and property,--in constitutional principles, and particularly in the original structure of the feudal system and its connection with modern tenures; comprehending in its purview, an interminable horizon of learning, that seems to recede for ever as the mind advances.

SPECIAL OBJECTS AND POWER.

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No one is admitted until he is thirty years of age, and has been seven years a practitioner of law. Ten members remain unmarried to be ready at the shortest notice to obey the Tetrarch, who can command them to remove to any part of the United States, and remain there, under the pretext of practising law during pleasure.

All the proceedings are secret; and the council seldom meet twice in the same place, and never communicate with each other by writing, or keep a record of their proceedings. The Tetrarch visits each of the councils as often as practicable, to be apprized of every important measure that is adopted, or discovery that is made.

The object of the society is to collect information about doubtful titles to property, and make up correct legal opinions about them. When a defect is discovered in any man's title, if the property involved is valuable, (they do not meddle with trifling matters), the Tetrarch orders one of the members to make terms with one side, or the other interested, for the conduct of a suit-at-law; which is done at the expense of the club, and generally for a certain portion of the amount received. The immense property thus acquired is thrown into a general fund, after each member takes a certain portion, which is appropriated to his own use.

The operations of the club, though seen no where, are felt in every part of the Union. A knowledge of facts, titles, and doubtful questions of law, are ferreted out, and carried by the ruler along the whole