Untitled - the Digital Library of Georgia

10 REMINISCENCES OF FAMOUS GEORGIANS.
Though he partially recovered, he was never again quite
the same man. He not only found articulation difficult,
but he suffered in loss of mental power.
When Mr. Crawford entered public life the code duello
was in high favor with aggrieved parties who had person
al disputes to settle, and no less than twice he found him
self compelled by the stern ethics of the time to face an
tagonists on the field of honor. In the first hostile en
counter he killed his rival, Peter Van Alien, who was then
solicitor-general of the Western circuit, and in the sec
ond affair he met Governor John Clark, and wras him
self severelv - wounded. Both duels occurred earlv *• in his
political career.
The malady which retired Mr. Crawford from the
arena of national politics did not entirely check his use
fulness. He became judge of the Northern circuit of
Georgia, holding this position from June the ist, 1827, to
September the iSth, 1834, and is said to have rendered
efficient service on the bench. Broken in health he did not
for one moment "lag superfluous on the stage," but con
tinued to prosecute his judicial labors until death at last
overtook him in full harness while on his way to court.
He is buried at the old homestead near Lexington. Much
of his genius was inherited by his distinguished son, Na
thaniel M. Crawford, one of the foremost divines and
educators of this State.
Even amid the wreck of his brilliant powers he seems to]
have retained an extraordinary memory for what he hadi
once acquired, and frequently astonished the bar by his]
wonderful feats of recollection. He never lost his love!
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for the old Greek and Latin authors; and though he had|