Litchfield enquirer., 1851-03-13
ELISHA ESEY

No"' 'P''o'ie' ol Cho O' D. IicdSuIy. hT'
 W., as many of our readers know, is native of New Preston, in this county.
 The Honorable Elisha Whittlesey, of Ohio, is one of the oldest members of Congress, and has held seat in the House of Representatives ever since I can remember. Of his early history I know but little. He is native of Con- necticut, but early in youth cmigrated to Ohio, and there commenced the practice of the law. As lawyer, he was soon distinguished in the west, for the sound> ness of his judgement, the correctness of his purposes, and an unyielding integrity which, if the scandal of the world is to be accredited, docs not always attach it. self to the followers of the legal profss- sion. The confidence reposed in him by the people, soon induced them to dele gate him their representative to Congress and if mistake not, he has held the seat he now occupies since the year 1921.
 For many years past, M7. Whittlesey has held the important and responsible place of Chairman of Committee of Claims an office that requires greater degree of industry, actual labor, and patience. than any other that falls within the du4 ties of the House. The business of this committee Is to examine and investigate all private claims, or claims presented by individuals against tke government, and report their merits to the House. In discharging duties like these, the chair~ man of the committee is necessarily sub- jected to intense labor. as many of the claims presented to him involve all the principles of the common and statute law of the country, and not unfrequently are closely connected with the docu- mcntary history of the Republic from it's very foundation. To ascertain the jus tice of Auey Darden's claim for the loss of a horse during the war of the Revolution, for instance, all the papers of the old Continental Congress, and the registry of the original War office, had to be ransacked--a labor that would, at its opening, have staggered and dismayA ed any other man than MT. Whittlescy. Claims, requiring q corresponding amount of labor, are of daily occur ence, and are investigated with alacrity by the indefat> igable and untiring Chairman of the Committee of Claims. The duties of the Chairman of the Ways and Means, are but trifles, so far as labor is concerned, in comparison with those which devolve on the Chairman of the Committee of Claims, and which are discharged with a promptitude and a zeal that commands the respect of all sides Of the House of Representatives.
 The House has unbounded confidence in the ability and integrity of Mr. Whit tesey, so mnch so, that it invariably adopts whatever he may report and it is only necessary to have it understood, that the Chairman of the Committee of Claims has reported favourably to a claimant, to secure immediate redress.- The confidence thus secured is as adyan- tagcous to the business of this House, as it is to the securityof justice to indlvidu- al merit, and the futherance of parlia- mcntary justice. And whilst it subserves tho ends and aims of legislative action, it reflects credit on Mr. Whittlcsey of far greater moment than all tic glory that can be attained at the hands of par. tizan warfare.
 As a useful-as an indefatigablc legis- lator, Mr. Whittlescy has no superior in Congress-nay, he has not an equal. His whole time and study are directed to the furtherance of the public good, not to the promotion of mere party warfare and discipline; and in the discharge of the trusts reposed in him, he is above the reach of the contamnating influence of party creeds and party dictation. In legislating he knows but one party-his country. Ever anxious to promote the best interests of the people, and expedite the true course of legi lation, he never annoys the House with 9 harangue for the purpose of sending speech home to operate in his district, or to influence his election. He daily has occasion to par ticipate in debate, but he is always brief concise. distinct, and confines himself exclusively to the subject under discus sicn, If he rises to offer few remarks on the Navy Appropriation. or on any other subject he discusses the subject it. self, and does not, like nine tenths of the speakers in the House, direct himself to all other matters this side of the grave, to the exclusion of the question at issue.
 In debate, he is distinguised for clear ness. perspicui:y. precision, and rigid adhesion to facts as they present them selves, and never strains at effect. He is always listened to with attention and great respect; and what he uiters al- ways produces a desirable influence. His manner is plain and unostentatious, adapted to the every day scenes and business of life. No man ever listened to him for moment. without passing judgement in favor of his integrity, his