New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-04-20
DEATH OF THE yICE-pREsIDENT.

Hon WILLIAM RUFUS KING long Senator of the
United States from Alabama, lately chosen VicePres-
dent died ofconsumpton at his plantation Cahawba
Ala on Monday, 18th inst aged 6o. His trip to Cuba
in pursuit Of health proved futile, such trips usually
do and he barely enabled reach his home before
Death claimed him as his prey.
Mr. King had been longer in Congress than any man
remaining in it since the death of Mr.. Clay. He was
native of North Carolina, and elected thence TO the
House of Representatives where he first took his seat
in Dec, ISL at the same time with Henry Clay John
c. Calhoun, Felix Grundy of Tenn. Geo. NJ. Bib of
Ky, Jonathan Roberts of Pa. and Lewis COndit of
n j., all Of whom became distinguished in AFTER years
Mr Clay had previously been twice chosen to ont
unexpired terms in the Senate, and therefore al
ready known at Washington, so that he was elected
Speaker on the first day of his service in the House
the others aforenamed had not previously been in Con-
gress) Six months aterward, War against Great
Britain was declared; Messrs. Clay, Grundy and Cal
houn being among its warmest and most influential
advocates.
Mr.. King remained a Representative from North
Carolina moderately but steadily supporting the War
and other of the Republican party. till
lSl6, when he heartily co0perated with the great body
of that party in charterng the second National Bank
voting with its friends every division The Tariff of
that year be did not to regard with much favor
voting against the higher of duty proposed and
not responding when his name was called on its final
passage. We believe he was always hostile to Pro-
lection.
At the close of this session. Mr. King resigned his seat
and removed to Alabama, then Territory, soon to be-
come a State, and after chosen member Gifts
Constitutional Convention On its admission as State
he chosen Gin 1870 of its l. S Senator'S which
post he held uIintcrruptedly till 1S44-a period of -
years HI then resigned his seat on being appointed by
John Tyler ambassador to the Court of France where
he spent some years In SlS having relinquished his
Mission he reelected the Senate and continued 10
serve therein until the session of last winter when the
progress Of Consumption compelled him TO leave Wash
ipgtOn for Cubain vain. He remained on the island
for two months more to purpose, and then finding
recovery hopeless, fastened home to die.
Mr.. King gentleman of moderate abilities aud
manageable passions. thorough devotee of party he
rarely did said anything that an opponent could deem
personally offensive No public man of our time ever
steered clearer of reverses through long official ca.
reer. and none ever did less TO justify his good fortune
We cannot now remember measure of any conse-
quence he originated, nor even memorable sentence
that fell from his lips during his foryodd years of pub
tic service in the most responsible positions Even his
strong Pro-Slavery feelings were never permitted TO
swerye him from his primary al egsnce TO his party;
and he supported the Compromise of 1850 reluctantly
but steadily Personally, he was amabe though rather
formal in his address. and cOncatorv bis demeanor
He was never married but leaves large property to
distant relatives.
BY the death Of Mr.. King, the Office of Vice-Presi.
dent deyoves (un his tern expires or the Senate see
fit to choose another Pr ..dent) on Hon DAVID r.
ArcHEsoS, Senator from Missouri, who will pretty Ger.
tany be left out Of the Senate after the close of the
next Congress, March Sd, 1852 We rejoice to say
that there is provision Of law forbiddng the allow.
ance of Constructive Mileage which not even Atcheson
will venture to disregard