From that time Mr. Wythe continued to oppose parliamentary and ministerial oppression and boldly vindicated the rights of his injured country. At the commencement of the revolutionary movements he joined a volunteer corps, determined to vindicate in the field the principles he had advocated in the legislative hall. He lived up to the motto—"we do what we say."
In August 1775 he was elected a member of Congress and took a high rank in that body—then the observed of all observers. When the proposition of Independence was made it met his warm approbation. He was to the hilt in this measure. When the day arrived for final action he put his name to that bold instrument that he knew must prove the Chart of Liberty or the death warrant of the signers. In all the majesty of conscious dignity these master spirits of freedom shook off the corroding rust of kingly power, planted deep the tree of Liberty and proved to a gazing world that a nation can be born in a day and live. Language can never portray nor imagination fully conceive the enthusiastic joy that marked the promulgation of the Declaration of Independence among the people. The bells sounded a requiem and tolled the funeral knell of monarchy—illuminations and roaring artillery conveyed the glad news from the central arch of the Union to its remotest bounds—the replenished torch of Liberty rose, a pillar of fire to guide the patriots in their onward march—on the wings of thanksgiving and praise the happy tidings were carried to the throne of Heaven, received the sanction of Jehovah's high authority and were recorded in the book of everlasting fame by the hand of justice with an angel's pen.
In November 1776 Messrs. Wythe, Pendleton and Jefferson were appointed to revise the laws of Virginia. Although much other business devolved upon them they prepared and reported one hundred and twenty-six bills by the 18th of the ensuing June. The new code commenced the revision at the time of the revolution in England and brought it down to and in accordance with the new government.
In 1777 Mr. Wythe was chosen Speaker of the House of Delegates—the same year a Judge of the High Court of Chancery and subsequently Chancellor. A more impartial judge never graced the Bench. Nothing could induce him to swerve from strict justice. He was a profound jurist and a lucid expounder of the law. He graced the law professorship in the College of William and Mary until other duties compelled him to resign. He was a member of the legislature when Virginia sanctioned the Federal Constitution.
He put in full practice his principles of Liberty by the emancipation of his slaves and providing them with the means of support. He tried the experiment of education upon one so far as to teach him Latin and Greek when he suddenly died. He was extremely anxious to see a development of African intellect that its calibre might be more clearly known.
Chancellor Wythe died suddenly on the 8th of June 1806, believed to be from the effects of poison administered by George Wythe Sweny, a grandson of his sister, for the purpose of arriving immediately at the enjoyment of a part of his estate which was fortunately prevented by a codicil made just before his decease. Although there was not proof to convict, the ungrateful demon, circumstances were so strong against him that the public verdict stamped upon him the damning stigma—murderer.[A]
[A] After publishing my first edition, I was credibly informed the poison was only intended for two emancipated slaves, who were legatees in the will, both of whom died a few hours before their benefactor. Mortification, from being co-heir with them, is the cause assigned for the murder.—Author.
In his private character Chancellor Wythe was amiable, modest, charitable and humane. He sought to improve the society in which he moved and used great exertions to guard young men against the purlieus of vice. He was industrious, temperate, frugal but liberal and proverbial for charity and a practical Christian.
Jefferson, in delineating the character of his law instructor—remarks—"No man ever left behind him a character more venerated than George Wythe. His virtue was of the purest kind—his integrity inflexible and his justice exact. Of warm patriotism and devoted as he was to Liberty and the natural and equal rights of men he might be truly called the Cato of this country without the avarice of a Roman, for a more disinterested person never lived. Such was George Wythe—the honor of his own and a model for future times."