The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Innes, James
(n´s) (KEY) , 1754–98, American lawyer, b. Caroline co., Va. As commander of a Virginia regiment, he took part in many battles of the American Revolution. He was president of the board of war for Virginia (1779) and a member of the state legislature (1780–82, 1785–87). A noted lawyer, considered second only to Patrick Henry as an orator, Innes was chosen to make the final appeal for adoption of the Constitution in the Virginia ratifying convention (1788) and greatly impressed all those present. He defeated (1786) John Marshall for the office of attorney general of Virginia, but he declined an appointment as U.S. Attorney General.
n´
