The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-06-03
JOHN FORSYTH.


lie lie. that all readers laay become more famil.
lar with his sericcs.l
The present Secretary OF State was born in
Virginia. IN l7Sl During his infancy his father.
Robert Forsyth, removed to Georgia where he
lost his life in executing the duties Of his Office,
(U. s. Msrshsh to which he had been appoint-
ed by WAsniSGros, under circumstances so
honorable 10 his intrepidiiy and frmns.s, ths,
Congress passed an act for the relief Of his Wild
ow and children.
The subject Of this sketch graduated at
Princeton, in 1897. On having College. Mr..
FoRsYTH commenced the study OF the law. and
soon after entering the practice OF his pro-
iesslon, was appointed Attorney General of the
State. He rose rapidly in professional and
public estimation, and in 1872 was elected
representative in Congress.
Al the special session of May 1913. mem
Der of the select committee appointed TO inquire
iuto the manner and spiri, with which hostili-
ties were waged by the enemy, Mr.. FoRsYrH
gave efficient and vigorous support to President
MADISON. The able report from that commit
tee, made at the close OF the session was under
stood to be from his pen.
His first speech was n 1914. in support ofa
bill to authorize a loan of twenty five millions
a measure essential to the prosecution Of tho
war. and which passed the House, after pro-
'racted and exciting debate. 1t was an elo-
quent and indignant answer 10 those OF the
opposition in Congress, who had arsgned the
Justice and conduct of the war and it placed
b. hafnY nd ba plo in
favorable light.
AT the special session OF September 1914,
Mr.. Forsyth. in the absence Of Mr.. Calhoun.
was appointed Chairman Of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs. This distinguished post he
filed during the whole time he retained his
seat in the House, which was until his election
r to tho Senate in 1918. While the war lasted.
he was the active and powerful advocate of all
the measures Necessary for its effective prose
cutlon. Perhaps ether member Of the
House the task more constantly devolved.
at this period, of supporting the administration
Of Mr.. Madison; and, frem that day. he took
stand with the Republican party, never since
> lost, as distinguished supporter OF IFS cardinal
= principles and measures.
S Immediately after the close OF the war with
= Great Britain, he advocated the adoption OF
vigorous measures TO punish the ouiraces com
, rnitted by the Dsy OF Algicrs against the citi
= zens Of the United States. The debate result
, ed in tho passage of bill giving the necessary
J. powers to the President. which finally led TO a
, gallant enterprise on the part OF our navy, and
e to satisfactory adjustment Of all diffic ulies.-
S Amosg the many arduous and useful efforts of
n Mr.. Fonsrrn. ia the Ilvusx. where he partici-
D paed IN all the leading subjects Of debate, wo
;. would mention his sndeavors to procure leg
Islative sanction TO the commercial convention
i with Great Britain, which the republican ror-
=, ton OF the House deemed matter Of the high
est importance-to prohibit the payment Of the
Insfalments (due the capital stock OF the
p National Bank in eoin,) by the preeeeds Of
notes discounted by the Bank itself on pledge
of stock-to provide more adequate means for
= the relief Of distressed American seamen in
iereiSn coun,riss-to strengthen our naval re-
= sources. by the employment Of bows in the
merchant servce-and 20 preven, the armipr
and selling of vessels Of war TO belligeren, ma
tons. In the discussions that grew out Of the
proposed acknoa ledgment of South American
independence. he took the lead in inducing the
llouse-aganst the arden, opposition OF some
OF It's ablsst members-to sustain the Execu-
2 tive in the prudent course which was pursued
In November 1918. he took his seat in the
r Senate of the United States: and though he
= remained in that body but three months, he
d I,ro -;
e In February 1919. Mr.. Forsyth was appoint
ed minister to Spain, to which country he pro-
> ceedsd without delay. The obstacles in,erpos-
ed by the Spanish Government to the rotfc,-
ton Of the treaty for the settlement of existing
difficulties, and for the ce.sion Of the Floridas
were promptly and triumphanly resisted by Mr.
Forsyth lie utterly snnihilated the positions
, assumed by the Spanish court, and at length
succeeded in procuring the ratification, with
almost unanimous approval Of the Cories Az
ter short visit 10 tho United States. he return
ed TO Madrid, where he continued until 1923,
engaged principally in embarrassing, but finally
successful. negotiations, connected with the
! inihlment Of the various stipulatious embraced
! IN the Florida treaty. Bold aud plain spoken
! as The language Of the American minister was,
, during this controversy with the Spanish court.
his great personal popularity continued unim-
paIred--hls diplomatic efforts were crowned with
complete success. His bearing throughout
the negotiation, was such as became the repre-
sentative of a nation Of fresmen
In December 1928, he again appeared in
Congress where he was reappointed Chairman
of the Committee on Foreign Rslatlons-a
position he had formerly filled with so much a.
A l. L.