History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

1775.] CALEB STRONG. 505
industry enabled liini to fulfill his manifold political duties
without interference with his profession. The Hon. George
Bliss says of him —
:
•• It was astonishing how much business he would accomplish, without
any noise or even the appearance of extraordinary engagements.
His mind was uncommonly versatile ; he would resume a subject, after
attending to some important business, as though nothing had intervened.
His draughts and forms were uncommonly accurate. It was
rare, indeed, that any defects or mistakes were discovered. Being pe-
culiarly skilled in draughting, he was much employed in this branch of
business. Many of the statutes of the United States and of this Commonwealth
were formed by him. His pleading was. among profes-
sional men, always received as good authority. He was a very suc-
cessful advocate to a jury. His address was pleasing and insinuating.
He commonly began in a very low tone of voice, talking to the jury in
a very familiar manner, but so as to gain their attention. Whether
others heard, or not, he was not concerned. Not unfrequently, before
those he addressed, or any one else suspected it, he had gained his
point. I have frequently heard it observed, by one who had been called
to practice in all the counties in the State, that he found no man he so
much feared, as closing counsel, as Caleb Strong. The public had
great confidence in him. Juries placed great reliance on his assertions.
His eloquence was not destitute of force, but its predominant feature
was that of persuasion. He was the favorite advocate when the rights
of humanity were to be vindicated. He early took a decided part in
favor of the negroes." ^
In 1775 he was appointed Justice of the Peace and Register
of Probate for Hampshire County, and the next year
to the olBfice of County Attorney, which he occupied twentyfour
years. Twice was a seat upon the bench of the Supreme
Court offered to him, but on account of the small
salary he was obliged to decline.
Offices of Trust iu Caleb Strong early manifested an interest
the Gift of the in public affairs, and in 1772, he was chosen
selectman and served on the board nine
years. His life was from this time on, passed mainly- in
the public service. On account of his defective sight he
was not able to do the active work of a soldier in the Revolutionary
War, but his patriotism was none the less sin-
cere and his service no less effective. In September, 1774,
he was chosen upon the first Committee of Correspondence,
and when in November, 1775, this committee was consoli-
1 Address to the Members of the Bar, September, 1826, pp. .56-59.