Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-06-16
IA MES BARBOUR

Pohseu W James bMOour.
From the Baltimore American.
ia MES RBOUR.
The numerous friends Of Gov. BAmnoun have
with the deepest regret. been informed Of his soma
what Unexpected. death. Fourteen months ago. nj,
medical advisers knew that his life could no, IA. NO.
onged beyond very few years /: but such vas tho
extent to which his naturally vigorous constitute,
had 70 acted, utter the vioen, ness during the na,
winter, that his departure, at this time, was unex
pec,ed to his family.
Until four or five years since, Gov BApnoun had
had almost continual enjoyment of health-no, of.
ten during long and active life, having been ar.
alcted with sickness OF any kind and since his ,e
trement from the anxle,ies of public employmen,s
his agricultural pursuits, with the bracing air Of tho
rsson OF the Blue Ridge. gave promise for m,
extension OF his term beyond the three ,eo..
years and ten. year OF two before the grea,
political struggle Of eighteen hundred and forty hi,
health began to fail, without any assisnable cau,,
During that contest, which enlisted the active exer
ions OF the distinguished men Of the day. be Welded
SO Tar 10 The urgent solicitations oil political friend.
ana the ptomptinss OF his own patriotism rs TO Wait
different sections OF the country aud address pum.,
Gus assem6lages OF his fellow citizens. The .pnr,
tensions OF his family as TO the effects OF such az.
we're labors, were painfully realised by his imp,;,,d
physical powers.
AFTER the close OF the contest, he repaired 10 Bal
umore and Philadelphia, for the benefit of eminent
MEDICAL and surgical advice, ami il was ascet,ained
mat nc mad been Tor several years suffering under
the slow aud insidious advances of q disease which
mao, oy irritative fever. gradually impaired his con-
su'uuon; ana for the ultimate cure Of which Sur
gerry could offer no promise. Palation. and n
p'oIongaton OF life for a few years to be derived
from the strict observance of all the regulations
which surgical science prescribed, ada pied TO the
disease, was all that could he expected. Subse-
quentiy to the discovery OF this condition Of his
systen-wh'eh restrained him from the active pur-
suits OF lie, while II deprived him of hope-he re.
peatedy expressed his wish, that the curtain MIGHT
Drop and close the drama as he did no, deem life
desirable after the actor had lost the power TO per
| form his part.
| During the autumn of 1874, his health had i'm.
proved SO Tar as ,o allow him 10 anticipate visit TO
| ms TRENDS IN this city, early in the past winter
| In the accomplishment of this object. he left n r
louisville ~ December, expecting TO arrive az Bal.
umore, by the way OF Richmond, where he was
called TO attend the Agricultural Convention ~ Va
Al that place, he was so much ndisposed from the
| excitement OF travel and the change from the luiet
| and comforts OF his own freside that he wa in
dueed to relinqIsh the further prosecution Of his
journey and return to Blrboursvle. An agra
NaNon OF the symptoms Indicated the be
| disease Alter an illness Of several weeks attend
ed with the most painful nnxiees Of his friencs be
was restored 10 a comfortable state of health and
was able TO devote portion of his time TO the man
| asement OF his estate. His design was during the
approaching season, TO visit the Virginia SPRINGS
But the return of Summer aided in its effects by the
moisture which has been so peculiar to this season.
induced coiiquative symptoms, which, acting on his
debilitatcd system, could not be arrested. In the
possession OF his mental faculties, with n rerfect
consciousness OF his approaching dissolution and
surrounded by his family, he died at BarboursvilIe
Orange County, Virginia, on the 9Th Of June, s42
having completed within three days, his 9th year
Thus distinguished man, who, since his DEATH
has been described by one Of the most e.oduent
writers OF the day, rs Zone Of the noblest OF the
sons Of Virginia; the virtues Of whose private life
and character, ou,shone all the spendour with which
II popular favour or political distinction could adorn
his name" has calmly yielded up his spirit 10 that
eIfeat Being from whom it came.
will not invade the privacy of the domestic cir
Gle, by speaking Of the kind and loyins Husband;
the affectionate and ndugent Father; tie "Old Mas
ter, as he was called by hissorvants who spoke Of
and TO him almost with the affection they would
have had Tor parent. | will not draw aside the
veil which conceas from public view The anguish
Of her, who, with all of womhn's dew son. was his
companion for more than forty years, that of his
children, whose reverenal owe arproe ned almost to
ldoatry. TINE, THE COMFORTER, in Cpmmemora-
ton OF whose powers to console the mourner Mon
taigne proposed to erect monument, will bring TO
them his healing virtues on his wings.
That portion OF the biography OF Gov BARBouR
which relates TO his public lite, IS indelibly written
IN the histories oil his State, and his Country. Du-
ring the last thirty years, few men have occupied
larger space IN the public eye have been char
ncteriZed by patriotism pure or by moro
unbounded devotion Of talents and time to the pub
lie welfare. | have access to sources of infor-
nation which would enable me TO give minute
history of his public life. leave the discharge OF
that duty TO some friend who is conversant
with the history Of his times and who holds an ADLER
pen than that which offers this humble tribute to his
meary.
Gov. BARBouR selected the law as his PROBES.
sion; and unequalled by any member OF tho
Courts in which he practsed, for his ability in Jury
trials. Had he chosen 10 devote his time and talents
to his profession, his native genius, his perspcacity
and his eoquence would have placed him in favour
able competition with the distinguished legal men of
his day. Law is jealous of her votaries; and re-
qu.res unbounded devotion from those who wish TO
attain great emInence IN that science, which has its
| seat IN the bosom OF GDd-whose voice is the har-
mony of the world."-Such devotion did not accord
with his plans OF life. At this period he was prin-
cipally occupied during the intervals of the terms
Of the County Courts in which he praclised, by
agricultural pursuits; and thus he laid the foundation
for tho emncnce he acquired, and always ma ntnin-
| ed IN Virginia, as an agucuturst. Ills first en-.
trance on public life was rs member OF the Legs.
lhture OF Virginia. and he chosen Speaker Of the
House very soon after he took seat in that body.
His commanding personal appearance, his almost
lntuItve Judgment of character, his dignity, and his
eoquenco emnently qualified him TO discharge the
the respect OF all parties. While occupying the
Speakers chair he was elected Governor OF Virgin
ia which responsible office he held during the last
war with Great Britain.
He was afterwards chosen to represent Virginia
in the Senate Of the United States; having had as
his competitor for that honorable positi ~ a dis-
tingushed citizen, who has gone down to the grave,
leaving behind him an imperishable name a law
yer, m orator. and man Of letters; in commemora-
ton Of whose genius, ooquoncc, and learning, Mr..
Adams pronounced. at the time Of his death, an adj
mirable euogy IN the Hall Of Representatives: "Ho
was a member OF this House; but Il we should
erect statue TO his memory, We might place on It
| the words which Inscribed on the statue Of
] MoIiere IN the Hall Of the French Academy; No
thing wanted to his glory he was wanted TO
ours"
Ho was elected to the Senate for two successive
TERMS and vacated the seat during the second, by
! accepting the appointment Of Secretary at War
under the Adm nistralion ofMr ADAMS. have no
knowledge OF any Of the documents which issued
! from TINT Department while he was NJ its head,
! except a Report which he communicated "a the
House Of Representatives in 1896, the subject OF
the preservation and civilization Of the lndans-a
| paper alike remarkable for ts ability, and its PHI
| antLropy. lie taken from the War Office,
and sent by Mr. ADAMS as Minister Plenipotentiary
10 the Court Of s.. James; and during his residence
I -, To- .vN rvIa he wrA vw nh