Yes to your first question. As for the second, regard the $x_j$-s as linear functionals on $X$*. X^*$. If you have $x_j(x$$)=0$ x_j(x^*)=0$ for all $j$, then every multiple of $x$x^*$ is in the the first set you have in your second paragraph; i.e., $|\phi(tx$$)| |\phi(tx^*)| <1$ for all $t$ and hence $\phi(x$$)=0$. \phi(x^*)=0$. Thus $\phi$ is a linear combination of the $x_j$-s and hence is continuous.
Tell Joel hello for me.

