In 1855, the State of Virginia hired attorneys (among which the eminent Charles O'Conor) to contest the decision of the New York Superior Court releasing eight black slaves in the famous Lemmon Slave Case. When Ogden Hoffman, the New York Attorney General died, the New York legislature appointed Evarts to replace him, and he argued to uphold the decision. The Appellate Division affirmed the ruling, and Virginia again appealed. Evarts again represented the state in the New York Court of Appeals and again prevailed. The case generated widespread interest (in both New York and the Southern states), and Evarts's arguments were reported in the daily press, as was nearly every step in the case. Thurlow Weed said that in view of his arguments Evarts "placed beyond doubt his right to be ranked among the foremost lawyers of the country."