Note 3 — Historical Notes and Papers.

The annexed anecdote was communicated to the compiler by a resident of Trenton: At one of the neighboring courts a dispute arose between Johnson and his opponent respecting a point of law, during which the latter remarked in a taunting, derisive manner, “That he was not to be taught law by a carpenter.” “May it please your honors,” replied Mr. Johnson, “the gentleman has been pleased to allude to my having been a carpenter. True, I was a carpenter. I am proud of it. So was our Lord and Saviour. And I could yet, given a block of wood, a mallet and a chisel, hew something that would very much resemble that gentleman’s head. True, I could not put in brains, but it would have more manners.”