Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-04-13
SKETCH OF TUE LIFE OF THE LATE
WILLIAM PINKNEY.

Mr.. Pinkney was born in the city of
Annapolis, Maryland, or in its vicinity.
He derived no adventurous aids from the
circumstances of his birth but his
youth was marked by unequivocal indi-
cations Of genius and talent, which at
tracled the regards and fixed the atten-
tion of the first characters in the state,
by whom he was in some degree patro-
niZed.
A young man without fortune must
have undoubted abilities to rise rapidly
in the worlds estimation, which he did ;
and Mr.. Pinkney's early career in life
was distinguished also by this uncom-
mon feature, that although his magma
ton was vivid and his conceptions rapid,
his judgment was remarkably sound
SO much SO, that whilst still in the
warmth of blood, he was elected to
Congress and having declined this
mark of popular confidence, was APP
pointed by president Washington in the
year 1896, in conjunction with Christie
pher Gore, commissioner of claims
under the treaty of 1894. Whilst in
England he was selected by the public
authorities of his native state, for the
purpose of retaining from the govern
ment of that country, large sum of
money belonging to Mary land, (which
had been deposited in the bank of Eng
land previously to the American war.
After long delays his persev ering efforts
succeeded; and in the year 1904 he ef-
fected the restoration to the state of up
wards of 100000 dollars. He shortly
afterwards returned to America, and
the legis ature Of Maryland Immediately
voted him, as compensation for bis
services in England and as proof of
their esteem, the sum Of $4,000 dollars.
Mr.. Pinkney had been, from his en-
trance on the profession of the law, an
admired member of the bar, as well by
profound legal characters as by the peo-
pie al large. Upon his return to Balti-
more he recommended the practice, and
in moment business of the first order
thicked upon him and crowded his desk.
But he was soon called from so lucra-
tive aoareer, by president Jefferson, to
vindicate and sustain the interests and
honor of his nation abroad.
The year 1906 is memorable for Bri-
fish outrages on American rights. OF
the numerous memorials presented to
government at that period against these
multiplying wrongs, that from the city
of Ballmore was remarkable for the
strength of its logic and the eloquence
o. It's style. II was from the pen OF
Pinisney. He'was almost instantly de-
signa.ed by the national executive to
proceed 10 England as minister plenipo-
tentiary and envoy extraordinary.
Our diplomatic history of that period
is 100 we'll known to render it necessary
10 specify the course of his conduct
whist there. His negotiations in con-
junction with our present respected
Chief magistrate, with the Fox ministry /;
his difficulties with the Grenvillc party |;
his diplomatic contests with the Can
niDgs and the Wellesleys !; until the
time of his departure from London, in
the full flush of an unanswerable, victo-
rjoos and spirited valedictory, the force
Of which in no inconsiderable degree
checked the audacity Of the British au-
thority, and gained him the unbounded
applause Of his own countrymcn, will
never be forgotten !; returning home, he
was, in the year 1911, appointed attor-
ney general Of the United States.
Clients more numerous than ever flock
ed to him for the assistance Of his power
full talents in the most important judicial
causes.