The burden of the conflict was, however, borne by Mr.
Webster, who was more interested personally than professionally, and who, having raised money in Boston to defray the expenses of the suit, came into the arena at Washington armed to the teeth, and in the full lustre of his great powers.
The case was heard on March 10, 1818, and was opened by Mr.Webster.He had studied the arguments of his adversaries below, and the vigorous hostile opinion of the New Hampshire judges.

He was in possession of the thorough argument emanating from the penetrating mind of Mr.Mason and fortified and extended by the ample learning and judicial wisdom of Judge Smith.

To the work of his eminent associates he could add nothing more than one not very important point, and a few cases which his far-ranging and retentive memory supplied.

All the notes, minutes, and arguments of Smith and Mason were in his hands.

It is only just to say that Mr.Webster tells all this himself, and that he gives all credit to his colleagues, whose arguments he says "he clumsily put together," and of which he adds that he could only be the reciter.