Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-03-18
DEATH OF HENRY WHEATON.
FROM rHE rnoyIpEscr IN. 4, ,o,,,

FROM rnovIDEscE On. ~ JOURNAL.
We perform most melancholy duty in announcing he
death OF the Hon. Henry WHEATON, which took place near
Boston, at IL o'clock Saturday night Mr. Wheatons health
had been delicate since his return TO this country and has
been gradually falling but his friends entertained no seo
apprehensions Of the fatal which has just anspired
Our readers need not be reminded Of the distinguished
positions which Mr. Wheaton has filed nor of the credit
which he has reflected upon bis State and country He wa
born in Providence November, 1885, He entered Brown
University in 1885, and graduated in 1902 in the class with
Henry Bowen, John Whipple, and Richard Waterman He
studied law in the office of Nathaniel Seae and in 1904
while yet student of law he France where he re-
sided year and half engaged in the study of the French
language and literature and his return Rhode Island
ne was admitted to the bar in this city, In he removed
to New York. and became the editor Of the National Ado
cate In New York he appointed Judge of the Marine
Court continuing in the practice of his profession as cham
per counsellor lie was also elected member Of the Legs-
iatue IN which his talents and character gave him COM
mandng influence He also prominent and very in
uenta member Of the Constitutional Convention of s2O
In 1878 he was appointed Reporter of Decisions Of the
Supreme Court Of the United States He held the annoin
ment till 1927, and published twelve volumes Of reports
In 1927 be appointed by John Quincy Adams Charge
Aaires to Copenhagen. Here he rendered DISTINGUISHED
services and land the foundation Of that reputation pubc
which has extended to both hemsperes which will long
preserve his memory In 1886 he transferred to Berlin
and the year after raised to the rank Of Minister Penipo
tertiary In Prussia his services long and eminent He
ooou american M
regarded than any other man as the
OF the American Government. His duties BY no means
confined TO the Court which he was accredited but exend
ed every country of Europe where American interests were
TO be served or American character be sustained His
counsel was continually sought by the other American Legal
ons and indeed few matters Of high importance between the
American Ministers and any of the European Courts were
perfected without the benefit Of his advice Mr. Wheatons
reputation greater Europe than home for there
he was better known and intimately appreciated He
acquired "a remarkable degree the confidence Of the
and ministers with whom ne came in contact and his
opinions Were standard authority in all of public law
Among the who had enjoyed the best opportunities of
becoming acquainted with him. and who entertained the high
est opinion OF his talents and his character may mentioned
the King OF Prussia the King Of the French Prince Meter
mich, Baron Humboldt, and NJ. Guizot
On his return home he accepted the Chair Of Professor of
International Law in Harvard University aud about to
upon the duties of the appointment when he was
attacked with the illness which resulted in bis DEATH
Mr. Wheaton received the degree Of Doctor Of Laws at
Brown University in lSl9, Hamilton College ls43 and
at Harvard University in 1915. He member Of the
French Institute of many the most distinguished soce
ties Of learned men in Europe.
Mr. Wheaons principal works a treatise upon the Law
OF Captures, Elements OF International Law Sketch OF the
Law of Nations from the Peace of Wesphaa on essay ON
the Right Of Search twelve volumes of Reports and Digest
OF the Reports the Life of William Pinckney and History
OF the Mortimer. The latter work when he
at Copenhagen new edition, greatly enlarged nearly
ready for the when he died. TO these may be added the
Progress and Prospects of Germany delivered be-
fore the Phi Beta Kappa Society Of Brown University, and
number of oraons and dscourses before public bodies
mors to learned societies. and very voumnous correspond
ence with the Department of State. His dispatches
among the most valuable and important his productions
Not combining himself the naked duties of his mission he
took large view of the obligations of American minister
His dispatches written upon infinite variety of Subjects
and touch upon almost every thing relating intercourse
with foreign nations since 1927. One of the most Interest,"
ngthe relative TO the proposed canals between the At
anc and Pacific and between the Mediterranean and
Red Seas-we Published length July last Perhaps no
American minister has been distinguished by many des
patches upon such variety Of topics and of such uom in
crest and value. Volumes of these many Of them of the
highest value, remain unpublished the files Of the Depart
nent But we leave 10 another time and to pen better able
render justice to the subject the task of recording his
vices and poIiraying his character.
In private life Mr.. Wheaton simple and transformations
His disposition retiring would suspect from his
manners, that he Of distinguished reputation
hough would doubts from his conversation, he
Of great and varied requirements Struck down in the
sgor of life, and in the full maturity Of his intellect his loss
public calamity aud many Of his fellow citizens who
Snew him chiefly by reputation, will claim the privilege of
nngng their sympathy with the sacred grief Of those who
nave best TO mourn his death.