The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-11-15
Obituary.

THE LATE DAVID HKNsHAw.
The Boston Post in obituary notice Of the late Hon
David Henshaw gives the following sketch Of his political
life We have not space to detail in full his political
action. In 1928 he was indefatigable In his exsr-
tons to the election Of William Eusts for Cover
nor in 1924 he advocated the election Of William II.
Crawford for the Presidency in 1925 he elected 10
the Senate OF Massachusetts from Suffolk county and
proved himself most intelligent and influential member
He did much towards procuring the passage Of the act
establishing the Warren freq bridge which Governor Lin
coin vetoed In 1928 he elected by legislature OF
opposite politics to himself Of the State Board Of In
terna Improvement and from that time, until within
past he has been most actively engaged In various
railroad projects 1t under the auspices Of this board
that the first for the Boston and Providence and
Boston ana Albany Toads were made Mr.: hensh.x was
1t Is not too much to ascribe to his sagscy much Of the
success that has characterized the lines with which this
road connected In 1873 he took most active part in
the contest that resulted in the election Of General
jackson.
In 1929 Mr. Henshaw received the appointment of ool
lector Of this port He held this office nine years He
rendered his resignation to General jackson in 1885, but
the President refused to accept it, and again in 1887
when Mr. Bancroft In 1898 appointed to succeed him
Mr. Henshaw brought to the discharge Of the duties Of
this office large mercantile experience uncommon firm
ness and spirit Of commercial liberaty and believe
IS not the truth to sscrbe to him the credit
Of having been the best collector Boston had He
the wants of and tho duties Of bis
Office essy Of always frank and decisive and
while he aimed to be just to the he desired to
render every facility to the mercantile community In
vote for which rejected solely because
it was not In writing. The brought into court
by him In an action against the warden, when Judge
Parker gave opinion in Mr. Henshaws favor and
this time commenced tho of printed instead Of
written votes In 1888 Mr. Henshaw gave General jack
son, when he in Boston the bold advice to remove
the deposits from the United States Bank all through
that exciting contest he contributed in many ways TO
sustain the administration against the tremendous
Cns Of this institution He Of the irst to sug
gest the Independent treasury system
The year succeeding Mr. HeDshaw's resignation o! the
colectorship 1889 he elected representative from
the town Of Leicester He entered upon ts dutses with
much zeal and soon eyifced his characteristic ability
He made strong argument in the case of contested
teat from Mendon In which he contended for liberal
construction Of the constitution in this But
happily illness kept him from his seat except for
few days during the entire session.
In lS43 Mr. Henshaw invited to sest in President
Tylers cabinet and he accepted the post Of Secretary of
the Navy He was no time server but carried into this
place the upfghtnees, bodness, and decision that SO
marked bis ure and In determination to reform the
abuses which then existed and tt exist he dismissed
defaulters and progaee introduced system Of account
ability retrenched wasefu expenditure set dfones at
work and put vgor into the service There at the
bead honesty impartiaty and sound judgment united
with iron will and that reform which the navy needs
bid fair 20 But unfortunately for the country
tain influences procured his rejection by the Senate and
the cabinet lost ssgacious adviser and the navy firm
friend