The Humphreys family in America - citizen hylbom blog

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creation of a nalional bank, and internal improvements by the general government, he sustained
tlie construction of such improvements by indivitlual enterprise, aided by the credit and resources
of the State government.
The inability of individuals, unaided and alone, to construct great lines of communication,
led Mr. Humphreys, at an early period, to see the necessity of giving aid by the State to such
works, with a view to develop the resources of an interior State, and made him the fast advocate
of a restricted and moderate system of State aid, and an elaborate speech of his, published in the
journals of that day, exhibit the views which he has constantly upheld as necessary to the advancement
and prosperity of his native State, until the important connections shall be fully established,
and private capital be sufficient to establish what remains. A fixed belief in the inherent right
tendencies of man, and in his capacit)' for indefinite progression, and in the organization of physical
nature for unmixed good, is the foundation of his code of morals and industrial policy, and has
placed him at all times unobtrusively in the advance guard of reform and progress.
The situation of Mr. Humphreys in the legislature of iSjy-'jS, in a feeble minority, was
not favorable for placing him prominently before the public as the organ of committees or the
author of reports. He, however, sought no prominence, and was content to speak only when
occasion required, and when something in which he had an abiding interest was brought forward;
and then the sincerity of his convictions was impressed on others in the most unmistakable manner.
Mr. Humphreys left the legislature, as he had done the constitutional convention, with a
character for always acting in fidelity to the convictions of his understanding, and for usefulness,
increased and extended. Amidst the heated collisions of part)', he retained the esteem of opposing
partisans.
Before the next general election came on, the banks of the United Slates sus]iended specie
payments, and amidst the pecuniary disasters of that period the tide of public opinion in Tennessee
turned violently against those who had acted in hostility to the United States Bank. Mr. Humphreys,
in common with the great body of leading men holding the same views, was defeated as a candi-
date for re-election. He returned to his profession and entered upon its duties.
In January, 1839, Mr. Humphreys was married, at Nashville, to Miss Amanda M. (sister
of Gen. Gideon J.) Pillow. This put an end to all connection with politics.
At the organization of the State government under the revised constitution, the legislature
enacted a law establishing the office of attorney-general for the State, and reporter of decisions of
the Supreme Court. The attorney-general for the State was required to prosecute and defend for
the State in all cases coming to the Supreme Court by appeal, in which the State is interested,
either civil or criminal. He was required by law to give written opinions to the governor, con-
troller, secretary of State, and certain other officers, when called on.
He was subsequently constituted a member of the board of internal improvements, and
required by statute to protect and guard the interests of the State in those chartered companies in
which the State owned stock. This statute also required the clerks of the Supreme Court to furnish
the reporter with copies of the written opinions of the court, and the records; and from them the
reporter is required to prepare his reports of cases and furnish the State printer with the manuscripts.
In 1839, Mr. Humphreys was elected by the legislature to this station. James K. Polk
was then governor of the State; and it was during the administration of the State government by
him that Mr. Humphreys first contracted an intimate personal acquaintance with him, and also
with General Jackson. In the last litigations in which these distinguished citizens were engaged,
Mr. Humphreys was their attorney.
At the expiration of six years, in 1S44, Mr. Humphreys was re-elected, and his second term
expired on the loth of December, 1851, when he notified the court of the fact, and moved that
his successor take the oath of office, which was done, and Mr. Humphreys retired from office in
accordance with an intention long previously expressed, and rendered necessary by impaired health.