The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-06-23


This aged and somewhat remarkable man. died In
this city on the 2lst inst The papers say he
eight four years old; he himself remarked to friend
about month ago that he would be eighty years old
the succeeding day, and that his nearly run.
Mr. Davis ranked as the Oldest politician in the
country. He began to take interest in political
movements as early as 17eo-sxty years ago, and
almost Immediately after the adoption Of the federal
constitution. He Joined the opposition, democratic
party, which came into power by the election of Jeer.
son as President, and Burr yice-President.
They took their seats the 4th of March, 1901 Davis
| went TO Washington shortly afterwards, and
Boosting to jefferson Of the immense influence which
New York had exertedin fact he stated that the ee-
walton of Mr.. Jefferson brought about solely by
the power and management OF Tammany Hall Mr.. JET
ferson was philosopher, and soon after reached out
! his hand, caught very large fly at the time
calling the attention of Mr. Davis to the remarkable
fact Of the great dsproperton in size of portion
| OF the insect, to its body Mr.. Davis took the
hint, said about New York and left the Pre-
sdent, being in doubt to whether his exeellency
intended the comparison to apply to New York. to
! him Davis as an individual
Matthew L. Davis the intimate and most con-
fdentia friend of Aaron Burr for nearly half
tSry. When Burr died, he left all his papers to Mr.
Davis, who became his bographer. He also published
the Private Memoirs OF Aaron Burr in vols In the
preparation of this last publication, will here
| mark, that Mr.. Davis acted in manner which does
honor to his memory. The extraordinary fascination
of Burr, when the fair concerned Is matter
Of history He left behind him letters from ladies of
the highest rank in Goldfish arstosracy which told
the story of their fraty in black white The pub
LEGATION Of these letters would have destroyed the peace
and domestic happiness of hundreds Of families in
this city alone-at the time, it would have made
the fortune Of the publisher So great the excite
nent In regard to these tell tales that no sooner
did the facts become generally known that Burr
dead and that his letters and papers had gone into
the possession Of Mr. Davis than hundreds of letters
from all parts of the city and country pouring
upon him, asking about certain letters and begging
in the most humlating terms, that he would destroy
them, and appealing to him man Of honor, at
least, not to publish them.
This is highly honorable to Mr. Davis and we hope
his successor will follow his example we feel satisfied
that even now the publication of these letters would
cause the greatest misery amsng some of our first
families, whose heads might have to change their
names, finding such terrible proofs against their
legitimacy But to return to slight sketch Of the
career Of Mr. Davis lie was originally printer, and
afterwards writer for the newspaper press for sixty
years Mr.. Jefferson, in 1901 gave him small office;
but when Mr.. Madison came into power, he flung into
his hands Q contract, out of which Mr. Davis made
$4,000.
About the time Of the late with Great Britain,
he formed commercial artnership with Mr. Strong
under the firm Of " Davis & Strong" This house en-
gagged largely in the South American trade, and |
cleared in profits 100000 all Of which they sub
sequently lost and Mr. Davis became again poor lie |
was twice married, and had by each wife a numerous
family Of children. His last wife, we believe brought
him some property the income from which gave them
q comfortable living
Hr Davis remarkable in his early years for his
success as politician. lie the father Of all those
nice modes Of manufacturing public opinion carrying
primary meetings getting his own candidate nonina-
ted carrying ward city, q county, or even State
which was then new and novel; but which the disci-
pies Of Old Tammany have successfully copied du-
ring the past twenty-five years On occasion,
meetings held different nights In every ward
in this city The most exciting and spirited resolu-
tions and addresses were passed and puolished-not
only the city, but the whole country was aroused
The secret not known for time; but at all
these meetings that caused great uproar, only
three persons were present, vis-Mr. Davis and two
friends
Mr.. Davis was not malicious, but he was extremely
mschisvous, and he perfect terror to any clique
In the party who had scheme Of their to carry
out on occasion, he went to work with his usual
perseverance, to get friend nominated, at Tsmmauy
Hall, for very high ONCE in the city. lie succeeded
and shortly after he WAS met by political comrade
who copgratulate him on his success. Eyes" said
Davis but III show you trick better than that
j am now going to work to defeat him. and without
any other apparent motive than his love for fun he
did to work night and day and did defeat the very
candidate he had got nominated in the convention.
Burr of the most close in the United
States In regard to secret of Importance; Davis
the very opposite. lie could not be safely trusted by
his party friends, with any important plan. 1t
sure TO leak out In way
About the time Of the election Of Adams he went
OF nom the democratic party the taria issue lie
was ever at admirer, and afterwards adevoted ad
heren, OF Henry Clay. lie became his correspondent
and always retained the friendship OF the great Ken.
tuekiRn. In his time, Mr.. Davis had been the cor
respondent Of all the great Of the day-Jeferson
Madison. Monroe Burr, Van Duren, Jackson, and /
hundreds Of others.
For many years he the correspondent at Washing
ton 81 the Courier and Enquirer 81 this city under the
signature Of "the Spy In Washington" lie also |
the correspondent Of the London Tract under the sigma
ture Of the Geneves. Traveller" These were pro-
baby the most able Letters written to that cele-
brated paper, nom this country On occasion |
Mr.. Davis presented TO the British minister, at
Washington. uord Ashburton) the author Of those
letters to the T,Hss. Il am delighted to see you,
'aia the epvoyf "they are extraordinary letters I
have rad them With great pleasure hope. sir, that
you well paid by the Tmss II not. sirIet me know
It, will take care that you are paid Handsomely" |
Nr. Davis begged not TO be misunderstood and said
that he was amply paid by the Tiaes lie received |
two guincas for each letter.
with the coming in % General Taylor. Mr. Davis |
received the appointment Of Agent Of the state De
rartmsnt," which he held until a month ago, when
person connected with the Courier and Enquirer. sue
Ce,ded him. 1t is snecure once there du- |
ties, and the income Is about thousand dollars
There Is, and then. letter rom Washington to
forward to out Of the way consul by transient
tended to gratutously, for Mr.. Davis For time
pact. We learn that MIR Davis had devoted himself 90
the concerns Of another world. lie Joined the Bsp
tist church, and has left some manuscrp. papers
r,lieious matters, which should think would prove
Of great interest Ills biography " written by q
competent person would be most interesting work
aud a. Mr. Davis leaves abundance Of journals and
notes IA wgptd b. Ia he