I John Blare was a wealthy lawyer who owned $10,000 in bonds and 26 slaves, I was also a Virginian colleague of James Madison. I was born in Virginia in 1731,on receiving a collegiate education, I entered upon the study of the law, and in a very few years rose to the head of my profession. From eminence at the bar, my course to political distinction was rapid and successful. I was called by the voice of my fellow-citizens to some of the highest and most important trusts, which I faithfully discharged, at a time when the state of the country wore the most gloomy aspect, and by my exertions contributed essentially to its liberty and independence. In 1787, at which time I was judge of the court of appeals, the legislature of Virginia, finding the judiciary system inconvenient, established circuit courts, the duties of which they directed the judges of the courts of appeals to perform. These judges, among whose names are those of Pendleton, and Wythe, and myself remonstrated, and declared the act unconstitutional. In the same year I took my seat in the convention which met at Philadelphia to frame the federal constitution, and was one of its most active members. To that instrument the names of Madison and myself were affixed as the deputies from Virginia. In September, 1789, when the government which I had assisted in establishing had commenced its operations, I was appointed by President Washington an associate judge of the supreme court of the United States. I died September 12, 1800, in the sixty-ninth year of my age. I was an amiable, accomplished, and truly virtuous man.
