The Port Gibson reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 185?-1857, 1853-04-06
ATTORNEY oESERAL-cALEB CUSHING.

At present one Of the Justices Of the Su-
preme Court Of Massachusetts,. and well
known throughout tho United States as n dis
tinguished politician and eminent scholar.
Mr. Cushing was born in Salisbury. Essex
county, Massachusetts. in January, 1900, and
consequently is now in his tifty-fourth year.
His father, belonging to one Of the most re-
spectacle Of the old families Of Massachusetts,,
was extensively engaged in the shipping
business, by which he acquired handsome
fortune Caleb Cushing entered Harvard
college when very young, aud graduated in
the eighteenth year Of his age. lie com.
menccd the study Of the law at Cambridge,
and was appointed tutor Of mathematics and
natural philosophy in Harvard College, which
place he held for two years, and then removed
to Newburyport to engage in the practice Of
law. In his profession he was very success
ful, and acquired the reputation Of a good
lawyer. The political career Of Mr.. Gushing
commenced in 1926. when hc was chosen
representative from Newburyport to the lower
House of the Massachusetts, Legislature.
In 1896 he was elected a member Of the
State Senate. Both these places he filed
with ability, and to the satisfaction Of his
constituents. After this he continued in the
practice Of the law for two years. aud in 1929
he went to Europe on 4 tour Of pleasure and
observation. After his return he prepared
for the press and published his "reminiscences
Of Spain," a work which added much to his
literary reputation lie also appeared as the
author Of Historical and Political Review
Of the Revolution in France" in 1880.
About the same time he was contributor to
the North American Review, writing mainly
on historical aud legal subjects Mr.. Gushing
was again elected to the Massachusetts Legis-
lature IN 1888 and 1884. lie made several
unsuccessful runs for Congress, but was finally
elected TO represent the North Essex District
in 1885. His Congressional career continued
from 1886 to 1913. Having commenced
public life as friend Of John Quincy Adams.
Mr.. Gushing acted with the whig party, both
in the State Legislature and in Congress,
until the administration Of John Tyler, when
Mr.. Cushing was one Of the few wings who
ventured to sustain the course Of that Presi-
dent in abandoning his political friends. The
consequence to Mr.. Gushing was bis separa-
ton from the whig party. and eventually his
connection with the democratic party for the
last ten years. As member Of Congress,
he evinced decided ability. and his speeches
and reports, showed in the most favorable
light his statesmanlike qualifications. In 1913,
President Tyler nominated Mr.. Gushing as
one Of his cabinet but the Senate refused
to confirm the nomination. owing to bis po-
litical course, and the peculiar position of
parties at the time. ThereupoH the Presi-
dent nominated him as Commissioner to China
and the Senate assented TO the appointment
lie left the United States in the summer of
1s43, and proceeded to China, by the Medi-
terranean and overland route In 1874 he
negotiated a treaty with the Chinese govern
ment, establishing, for the first time, diplo-
matte relations between the two countries
He returned to the United States by way Of
Mexico, having accomplished the important
business Of his mission, and passed around
the globe. within tho short period Of year
On his return home, Mr.. Gushing made visit
to Minnesota Territory, as was supposed for
the purpose Of taking up bis residence there.
He, however, returned to Newouryport in
1916, and was again elected to represent that
town in the Legislature. In that body he
was the most prominent member at the ses-
sion Of 1S47, when the Mexican war was at
its height lie acted with the democratic
members in advocating the policy Of that
war; and for appropriating $4,000 for equip.
ping the Massachusetts Regiment Of Volun-
tecrs at the expense Of the State. When
his proposition was defeated, Mr.. Gushing
advanced the money from his own means,
and the regiment was made ready for service
lie was chosen Colonel Of the regiment. and
accompanied it to the Rio Grande, IN Mexico,
in the spring Of l847, being attached to the
army under command of General Taylor
Soon after his arrival in the Mexican territory
be was appointed a Brigadier General in the
United States Army, and several regiments
Of volunteers were placed under his command.
Hostilities having ceased on the Northern
line. General Gushing being anxious for more
active service, was. at bis own request. trans
ferred to the army cf General Scott 1t was
not, however, his fortune to be engaged in
any of the brilliant actions Of the war and