The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-20

their respective terms Of service. Mr. Walker drew SIX
years. and Mr. King four years. expiring in March, 1925
He elected by the legislature for four successive
terms Of six years eaeh viz lin 1922 1925 1884 and
but in 1874 he resigned his seat after nearly TWEEN
fve years continued Senatorial service in CONSEQUENCE
of accepting the appointment by President Tyler Of
I Minister to France.
At the time that Alabama was received into the Union
the indebtedness of her citizens the United States for
public iands-under the old credit system-was nearly
twelve millions of dollars. It apparent that this
large amount could not be paid from the resources Of the
panters and that an attempt to enforce tho payment
could only result in ruin to the people, Congress- salts
hed OF the evils OF the credit system that had been pur
sued passed law reducing the minimum price Of the
public lands to dollar and twenty five cents with
cash payments instead dollars per acre. the credit
price This change was warmly advocated by Senators
Hing and Walker To the exertions of these Senator'S
aso is Alabama mainly indebted for the passage laws
which enabled her planters to relinqush portion of
their purchases Of lands high prices and other mea
sures Of relief which enabled them to save themseve
from threatened ruin, and their possessions
upon reasonable terms.
In1s3e Mr.. King was elected President of the Senate
pro tem, and was repeatedly chosen to that Office at
various times always performing the duties presiding
officer to the satisfaction of the Senate He was induced
to accept the offered mission of France in 1874 from
anxiety to promote the annexation of Texas. It was
feared that the French would interfere to
prevent the annexation, by uniting with Great Britain in
protest against it. Mr. King, feeling the importance OF
prompt action did not return to Alabama arrange
his private affairs but repaired at to New York. and
took passage for Havre Arriving in Paris he obtained
an audience of the King, presented his credentials
and at once entered upon the object of his mission
The result of his negotiations to satisfy Louis
Philippe of the impocy of the proposed protest against
the annexation of Texas and the desired object of his
mission accomplished. This service gave Mr. Kinga
strong hold upon the affections the people of South
States who considered the union of Texas with the
United States measure of the first importance.
Mr. King remained in France until the autumn of
1S4e, dispensing liberal hospitality to his countrymen
and others, and receiving from the most distinguished
circles in Paris the kindest attention Having request
ed recall from President Polk he returned to the
| United States, in November, 1846 When Mr.. Bagby
resigned his seat in the Senate of the United States in
1S4s in consequence of being appointed Minister to Rus
sia Mr.. King was appointed by the Governor of Ala.
bama to succeed him. and he subsequently chosen
by the Legislature for full term of six years from
| March, 1849.
Upon the elevation of Mr. Fillmore to the Presidency,
in consequence of the death Of General Taylor July
1862 Mr.. King chosen President pro te Of the Sc.
nate, which station have mentioned, he had held
| several times from 1886 to 1841 Being decided
| Southern State rights man, he was opposed
| to the Union Compromise adopted by
Congress in 1850 but finally acquieced in that settle.
ment Of the questions which had agtated the naton In
june 1852 he received the democratic nomination for
Vice President to which Office he was elected at the last
presidential election but, will be remembered he was
compelled account of i'll health to resign his seat in
the Senate and to the island of Cuba with faint
hopes of recovery in consequence of the change of
climate But the hopes of himself and his friends have
been realized and he has only lived long enough to
reach his home and die without entering upon the duties
of the high station to which he had elected by
great majority of the people of the United States He
had however, nearly approached the good old age
three and ten and but few Of statesmen have
years of public service. Mr.. King has never
been married. He the only bachelor who has
elevated to either of the two highest executive stations
of the Union. He is the third Vice President who has
died in ofHcc-George Clinton died in April 1872 and
Ebridge Gerry, in November, 1914. Both died
at Washington city, and both were advanced in
years; the former seventy FOUR the latter sixty eight
| years of ago.
Mr. King decided democratic republican of the
Jeersonian school, He always opposed the exercise Of
implied powers the part the general government
less papaby carry into effect stionabe
| granted power. He firmly impressed with State
rights doctrines and in favor Of strict construction Of
the constitution. In all the relations of life Mr. King
/
ipg disposition his uniform courtesy Kindness en-
deared him to friends and insured the respect
and confidence Of all who had the opportunity Of his ac
quaintance In person. he about six feet stature
remarkably erect in figure and we'll proPortoned Brave
and chivarous in character his whole bearing impressed
strangers that they in the presence OF pol
ished gentleman. He had the advantage of fine colo.
qua powers and varied and extensive information which
rendered him most interesting companion. His name
l,,;nh ho nlIad In <1o
adopted State one of the most worthy among their
| public servants.
The following received by yesterday mail will be read
| with melancholy interest at this time. -
| THE LANDING OF THE VICE PRESIDENT.
| from the Mobile Register, April 12.l
Yesterday morning, about IL O'clock the steamer
Junior Capt. Armstrong, brought up Vice President
King and his accompanying relatives from the steamer
Fulton, which remains ut her anchorage Dog river
bar They we're landed Government street wharf,
where immense assembage of citizens had gathered
supported by two of the officers Of the Fulton and
conducted to carriage provided for the purpose He
appeared to be extremely feeble and at,cnuaed though
he bore his head erect and his eyes glanced around
seemingly with a sad though pleased interest to find
himself once more on the soil of his beloved Alabama
There profound sensation in the large crowd pre-
as they gazed the form of the venerable states
dscase-hus stricken by the arrows of sickness in the
midst OF the honors which the nation bas recently be
covered brows and the mute decorum of all testified to
the deep soictude and sympathy which universally pre-
vailed The sad spectacle repressed the cordial and en-,
thusastic cheers which would have otherwise greeted
our ilustrious fellow citizen upon his return the
porum Of the State which has long cherished him
her favorite
During the progress Of the Junior up the bay with the
national flag displayed at her jack staff the State Artil
ery fred the Vice Presidents salute of seventeen guns
colonel King with his family, Immediately
Quoted to the Battle House, where he has most plea
SAINT and desirable It is we understand his in
ention to remain some days in this city. We that
the line weather now prevailing may alleviate his dis
some days before leaving Cuba the influence Of the eli
| mate there not favorable as had been hoped,
but his passage to this port did not his de-
| bility.
Though citizens not under the circumstances
permitted to make any public demonstration of their
gard for their distinguished countryman yet they have
thought proper and becoming to testify to Lieutenant
Murray and the other officers of the Fulton their graft
tude and esteem for the Kindness courtesy and atton
tion which those officers have extended to Colonel King
| durip hia hat 10 v;o