New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-11-27
John Sergeant.


svmInc nr of Lis Maker in the humble spirit of Chrs
tan snd with the ohng consciousness of long lie
spen, in dcirg good 70 hi family, his friends his nne
date fellow citizens, and, in varied functions 20 his
country Of large His death VIII strike painfully se
chord. of many heart in this community. even beyond
the isuly circle rhat now mourrs ms los His memo
~ will be atectiOnatey cherished here. His name is
associated with that generation 81 1-irous profession
Al ueI-almos, passed swsyOt which Philsdcphis has
% much reason 20 be proud.
Though Known to all TIE living of our day, Mr. Ser
gcsnt NAV be described having been contemporary
Win Edward Tlghnan snd William Lewis, snd Jared
lrcer OIL and Alexander James Dallas AM the elier
Rawle and Of having earned the nrst fruits OF ms pfTi
sional fame in competition with the lawyers OF lut oideh
and the better ts Beyond the sphere Of local COM
runify he vas known bc:ore the 10 cisl Tribunals OF ac
ra;icn as fellow labOrer, honored BY their confidence
and competition with Clay, WIT Pine kney Islcof sud
Webster Amidst al this professional rvsry thar rv'
airy where the mCst generous and iintng homage
always paid 70 geniu Mr. Sergeant all know, rose
10 high distinction. OF all those, at home or abroad
with whom, in pon, Of age, he was contemporary our
few now survive
Mr. serecsrts fame belonged TO Philadelphia especia
w. ItwA- the city OF hi birth and education, the home
OF his affections His father himself distinguished
LAWYER was patriot of the Revolution ard the hrt Al
,orrey General of the State, having been appointed by
President Wharton in In. He died in lIS5. Nctl,n
TO the pestience which he one OF the committee OF
crzens who remained 20 watch the sufferers IN VAN re-
NAMED IN combat JOHN SERGEANT born az Phladel
TL on the 9Th of December, li19 and wac therefore,
NJ the time OF h. DEATH within few days OF seventy
tached to the univsrsy. ho entered Princeton College
and was graduated ~ Bachelor OF arts IN september
l795
mercantile hCuse OF Elston and John PerJt nc beysn
and completed the elementary study OF the law ~ the u
fce of u late jared n-ersO II we mistake not, Nj
Birney Of his fellow students. In JGy, l19J,
then being but twenty years OF age Nj Sergeant was
admitted the Bar. At Once-in this respect unlike
some of his IN large and
lucrative practice in the earliest years OF this cen
] tnf his il with
more than ordinary distinction. From that time till
within the last few years his bright professional
IL known ALL In lSOO, and tor several years after.
wards he conducted "a Deputy Attorney General the
l pro- &c utions in this and Chester County.
Mr. Sergeants public life commenced early In ls0l
he was appointed Commissioner o. Bankruptcy, by Mr..
Jeferson In 1905 AMI 1907 he represented this City ia
the Legislature, and in the latter session was the fore
most and successful advocate OF hat may be described
a. the first Intern improvement law, appropuaing thc
then large OF sl9O0O0 for the construction Of turn
pike reads. In 1906 he appointed Recorder Of the
CITY, hut declined the post In 1873 Mr. sergeant was
elected to Congress from the District composed OF the
City end County If Philadelphia and Delaware County
in the room OF General Jonathan Williams, recently
deceased.
hi. fi speech in the House Of Representatives was
the Military Academy Bill. lie was electci to the
three following Congresses the last time in Il o. with
cut opposition his popularity resting on his conceded
his constituents and their or the
high position which-especaly to the heated conflicts
arising OF the Missouri restriction, OF which Mr..
Sergeant was the leading and most distinguished atyO-
Board of Canal Commissioners OF Pcnnsy yanil In
November, 1876, be was appointed By Mr. Adams one
of the Ministers Penp0tentiary 10 represent this coun
try the proposed American Congress 20 Ut 40
Panama. and passed the winter OF that year in the city
OF Mexico in vain waiting the ra sembhng OF that body
On his return he again elected 20 Congress and
I IN the following year-the year of General JacksOns
electonwas minated, and defeated by Judge Hemp
hill
In 1892 Mr. Sergeant was the Wing candidate for the
Vice Presidency, on the ticket with Mr.. Chy. He re-
Congress
ring bis term Of service, Immediately aerward the
nfsiOn England offered to him by Mr. Tyler but
e,lned In 1899, he served "a President Of the Con
verton alter the State Contribution. His last public
function Arbitrator appointed 10y the Secretary
of War, Mr. Marcy TO determine the long pending and
veXaiious controversy between the United States and
the State Of New Jersey His decree settled the ques
ton finally.
Mr. Sergeant last appearance in public was as Prssi
dent OF the great Union meeting which assembled IN thus
city en- the adoption OF the Compromise measures The
last time his voice then enleebd by disease heard
among US, ia appeal for the Constitution and the
Union. 1t an interesting sight TO witness the con
.steut effort of Pbiladcpha's fayorte soof him who
had resisted msnnly and conscentiousy the extension
OF slavery in his early manhOOdfor 70 the lat hour OF
his LIE be depored the defeat of the Missouri restriction
to find him uiterng his latest words IN behalf I'll con
ciiston and peace and Union.
Such was Mr Sergeant long public career ia toisva
RED relieved, by ready attention and interest IN any
enterprise ot charity or bcnevolence for which his ad
Was invoked To any appeal to his sympathy or hl- gen
crosby he rarely returned denial FOf the tme and Ia
Dor laid he friend who asked for materals OF
/ biography devoted in an infinite variety Of unobtru
awe ways 20 the public account be given FOR
mary years past there hss been meeting in Phlate
pha for any worthy public object, 10 which have not
been invited and there has been which, when in-
yied have refused, ifnble attend may safely sey
tint in doing have been obliged 70 disregard
and sacrifice my own reputation. Often unprepared,
sometimes sick have hurried from my office 20 meet
ing and often too exhausted and wearied have been
compelled TO return 70 my professional work when |
really stood in need Of rest The truth i, that wlen at
home have been talked to the utmost of my power
But have been amply rewarded"
And this was all literally He was always ready
10 re pond with chceTuness any public eau upon hs
time whotheu the form of an invitation from hie political
friends TO cid them in the promotion OF the principles ne
and they cherished, or from hs fellow crzens generay
10 unite in some measure of social benehcence There
was seldsh seclusion about bin-no nsenslbity to
the exactons Of almost romantic sense OF public dy
He was rewarded by warmth Of niectonate regard by
his rends-hi5 neighbOrs-hs felowcitzens generally
which rarely has been equaed. This was the ample re-
ward of which he was so justly proud.
OF Mr. SerCeants private character and MS resflons
to those ejiaty around him, his family and familiar
friends do not feel authorized to speak There na
.snctiiy in the fresh Of bereaved famy circle
that must not be ntrudcd That sorrow extendiu3
In much Of it, intensity far beyond his hresde u
the best tribute his domestic virtues In one Other
relation only do desire to refer TO him. lie was
strictly and conscenously under the influence Oh reh
Qious principle Christian in every sense.
Mr. Sergeant member OF the Protestant Episco-
pal Church, and uvarabe attendant with his famny
on IL services Not only did he outwsrdy CONFORM 10
its discipline and study, with care aud exsctne's
which were most remarkable ts htory and doctrines
but in the tenor Of his daily life the gentle influence Of
religious sentiment steadily visible. IL was opera
tive always And when At last decaying nature rein
ouished her hold on his immortal spirit, Religion Ia
Iniar his thoughts when death seemed FAR away
Religion which lad consoed him when wounded near
the close of life by the loss Of those he dearly love
was there 10 sustain hin in his hna struggle and smooth
his passage to the grave. North American ~
Our late Charge 10 Nicaragua and The Even.