The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-30

master General on the proposals recently offered for
veyng the mail in the western and southwestern States
will be made known publicly at the Post Office Depart
ment on Tuesday next, May 2, at 10,
TRIBUTE TO ROBERT GREENHOW, ESQ.
BoARD OF UNITED STATES LAND COMMISSIONERS,
San Francisco March %.
After the minutes of the previous meeting of the board
read by the secretary Mr.. McKune the law agent
said he to perform melancholy dutyonc that this
board the members of the bar and the entire community
would keeny appreciate On yesterday and since the last
session of the board Robert Greenhow esq., the
law agent departed this life His body lies shrouded in its
wndingheets awaiting the last sad rites Of burial His
spirit is in Heaven.
He was born in the Old Dominion Williamsburg and
his age corresponds with the century in which he lived His
early youth spent in that home of great men,
where have been reared Of the greatest of the
have been able gather but few incidents Of his youth
but certain it is his time not misspent His sudious
habits must have been formed while yet young; for
little later in life and before mature manhood find
him student of college of physicians and surgeons in
New York, where he took his degrees Not contented with
that progress in his profession aanable in the recently
established colleges of the western hemisphere he went
Paris and there among the greatest physicians of the
world, in city offering more facilities for his pursuits
than any other among the best scholars of Europe and the
best practitioners in the world he completed his medical
education.
In the time he did neglect his literary pursuits
The study of the languages his peculiar delight To
this he applied himself with great assduity and the result
showed his ability to excel in literary In add
ton his vernacuar and the classical languages he spoke
the German, French, Italian and Spanish with ease and
accuracy. His studies finished he spent some time as
tourist travelling through Italy, Germany SPAIN and
England storing his mind with the riches Of European lit
erature booked In the languages he well understood
Much he loved the learning Of his profession its prac-
tce offered but little ndncement for him. preferrng as he
did more extended range OF pursuits He particularly
devoted himself history and his knowledge of that sub
ect with his great command Of different tongues
mended him to government and he employed and
for many years filed the office Of translator with eminent
he entir of in
position, in 1914 he published octave entitled story
of Oregon and California and the Territories of the North
west Coast Of North America work ofmerit which shows
peculiar fitness for such task Having to official
correspondence which reliable he has given this
volume a valuable compend OF facts
The establishment OF this commission opened field
for his labor The government knew and appreciated his
qualities his stern nexibe ntegry his active prompt
business qualities; his varied and historical
literary, and legal atiainmens lie commissioned as
associate law agent in August 1852 before that time
had been engaged in this commission assist Mr. Cooley
Since that time the resignation of Mr. Cooley and the long
term of office of Mr. Howard have thrown much of the
labor of the agent upon Mr. Greenhow How faithfully he
has discharged his duties you who have been in daily
munication with him best appreciate
On the 18th of February he fell from embankment in
Of the streets Of this city, which produced such
shock in his system confne him his bed
and in spite Of all that could be done in the way of medi
ieal advice and treatment he gradually declined till
o'clock on yesterday, when he expired.
Mr. McKune then read series Of resolutions and mo, cd
that they be spread upon the minutes Of the board:
ouf
midst highly esteemed member of this commission, the
soca,e law ageet therefore testimony the regard
which be is held by all who knew him, II Is
kesored, BY the board and the members Of the bar
present
/. That we feel the death Of Robert Greenhow esq., as
great public loss associated be has been with the history
nation for many years. and with the business of this
mission from early period Of its organization.
2. That mourn his death and mingle with
those Of widow, bereavcd OF aectonae husband his
children deprived Il early life q Kind father and with
those Of his large circle Of relatives who looked upon him
with Just feeling of admiration.
g. That those attached to the commission and all
Of the bar eng therein wear The usual badge Of
That the secretary Of this commission forward copy Of
these resolutions to the widow OF the deceased
g. Thai this board do adjourn for ono week as marx
OF respect for his memory.
The commissioners ordered the resolutions to be entered
the journal Of the board.
Judge Fetch said In accordance with the suggestion
which has bee1 made the resolutions presented win be
spread upon the record Of the board may be permitted
to add That the members Of ts commission concur most
fully in the expressions contained therein OF sorrow at tho
sad bereavement OF appreciation of the worth of the de-
ceased, and Of sympathy with his surviving family.
lie who has gone from longer attached in his
official capacity TO this commission than any with single
exception, connected with IT, None knew better than
we the zea with which he performed his duties before the
board his assauoas devotion TO his Investigations and
varied knowledge which constituted his qualifications for
his task None could appreciate better than we the love Of
toe exhibited In The performance Of bis duties and the pu
riy O the intentions which prompted his every As
nguist he had few equals lover of historical studies
have known no man more ardent In his attachment or
'uocesim W the prosecution of his Investigations With
the history OF his portion OF country well under
the former az the present jurisdiction he had that init
mate knowledge which close study and ervd love for
such pursuits only secure and by IL he was possessed
Of peculiar qualifications for the investigation Of be
fore this commission
Ills loss Is severely felt BY all and join in one com
mon expression OF These resolutions entered
on the journal OF the proceedings Of the commission viii
be but slight memorial Of loss sad pnrenthess in
record OF everyday business transactions they viii tes
y not Of business but Of grief Let them there remain
perpetual witness OF our common sorrow and memo
rial Of the worth Of our deceased brother
he hoard adj