Mason and Smith were unable or unwilling to go to Washington, and the case was intrusted to Mr.Webster, who secured the assistance of Mr.Joseph Hopkinson of Philadelphia.

The case for the State, hitherto ably managed, was now confided to Mr.John Holmes of Maine, and Mr.Wirt, the Attorney-General, who handled it very badly.

Holmes, an active, fluent Democratic politician, made a noisy, rhetorical, political speech, which pleased his opponents and disgusted his clients and their friends.

Mr.Wirt, loaded with business cares of every sort, came into court quite unprepared, and endeavored to make up for his deficiencies by declamation.

On the other side the case was managed with consummate skill.
Hopkinson was a sound lawyer, and, being thoroughly prepared, made a good legal argument.