hening's first important work was the "new virginia justice" (richmond, 1795; sowerby, no. 1971). the audience for this publication was not only local justices of the peace, but also lawyers and other officials. "the new virginia justice" was a handbook for justices of the peace which incorporated virginia laws and forms dating back to the revolution and included new magistrate duties under federal law. thomas jefferson was a subscriber and commended the book as "a work of great utility for the public." it has been suggested that hening may have realized that a new guide for magistrates was need when he first qualified for the bar in 1789.