The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1856-12-20
Biographical.
Remarks Of Hon. j. 4. Esayard.
ON THE DEATH OF HON. JOHN NJ. CLAYTON.


Mr.. BAYARD rose and addressed the Sen
ate as follows: Mr.. President no more pain
full duty can drvolve upon member of this
body than the annunciation of the death of a
colleague; and the duty becomes yet more
painful when that colleague has sustained an
elevated position in the country. and our per-
sonal relations to him have been those of kind
ness and friendship.
1t has become my mournful duty to an
nounce to the Senate the death of my dis
ting'lished colleague and FRIEND the Hon.
JonN NJ. CLAYTON. He died during the re-
cess, on the 9Th of November last. at his resi-
dence in Dover, in his sixty first year; and
though his health had been uncertain and
precarlous for sone years past, his death was
unexpected, and has been the source Of sim
core and deep SORROW both to his friends and
fellow.ctiZens.
This, sir. is neither the time nor the place
for an analysis of his great mental and moral
endownicnts, or a critical domination OF the
political opinions he entertained or general
measures he advocated so ably during his
long period of public service. A brief sketch
of his career, and the expression Of my sim
ccrc appreciation of his many virtues, in ask
ing for the tribute to his memory of those
honors-vain though they be--which custom
has rendered sacred, and to which his high
endowmcnts and eminent public services 50
well enhtle it, seem more appropriate to the
| occasion.
| JoHN MIDDLETON CLAYTON was born in
the county of Sussex and State of Delaware
ON the 9th of July, A. d., 1896. His father,
James Clayton, II man of unqucstioned intcg-
rty, and active business habits, was mem
Der of one Of the oldest families in the State,
| n A w u
William Penn. His mother was native OF
the eastern shore of Virginia.
| His fathers means we've those Of compcten-
cy, not of atfluence, though his Affairs became
embarrassed about the time that his son s cd
ucation was complcted but with wise fore
cast he had previously given that son more
than fortune, in giving him a liberal educa-
tom and well did my friend avail himself Of
those advantage. He entered Yale College in
July 1911, and devoting himself most aSsid-
| uously and laboiiously to his studies, gradu-
| at.d in that venerable institution in Septem-
Der, 1915, with the highest honors of his
| class. and the confidence and attachment of
his instructors.
Immediately after leaving college, he COM
mcnccd the study of law under the late Chief
Justice Thomas Clayton, one of the ablest
lawyers Of the State, and subsequently pursu-
ed it with him. and also for one or two years
at the Litcltield Law School. and was admit
ted to the bar in his native county in the year
1878. Flotn his high grade of intellect and
extraordinary capacity for labor. he came to
the bar with knowledge of the principles of
jurisprudence seldom acquired till after years
Of praclice and his success at the bar of Kent
county where he located himself was so rapid
and brilliant that in a few years he stood in
the foremost rank of the profession, with able
and distinguished lawyers as his councillors.
He devoted himself to his profession, and took
no very active part in political struggles pre-
rious to the year 1923, though he was elected
to the Lcgisla ture in 1924, and subsequently
filled the office Of Secretary Of State of the
State of Delaware.
In the division OF political opinions which
ultimately led, in the interval between the
election of Mr.. Adams and that of General
jackson, to the organization of two great
parties throughout The country, he adopted
the principles, and became identified with the
fortunes of the Wing party, which being in
the ascendant in the State of Delaware, he
was elected Seuator of the United States in
Japnary, 1929, and took his seat in this body
in December following. His public services
in the Senate require no comment for his his
tory here is written in his country's annals.
1t is no slight evidence however, of the high
est order of merit, that a young man coming
into public lie as the representative Of one of
the smallest States in the Union, at time
when such men as Calhoun, Clay, and Web
stcr were in the zenith Of their powers and
influence should rapidly acquire national
reputation and become one Of the acknow-
lodged leaders of the great party to which he
was attached. Mr.. Clayton was reelected
to the Senate on the expiration Of his first term
in 1885; but becoming weary of the excite
ment of political life, he resigned his place in
December, 1886. The confidence of the FIX
eculive bestowed upon him in January, 1887.
with the general appreciation of the bar and
the people of Delaware, the office of Chief
Justice of the State, which he also resigned
in August, 1889, having in that, as in all the
public situations which he filled, demonstra-
ted his high capacity for the performance of
its duties.
He remained in private life during the en-
suing six years, but was again elected to the
Senate in March, 1915; and on the accession
of General Taylor to the Presidency in lS49,
the office of Secretary of State was rendered
to him, as the consequence of his national
reputation, and accepted. The death of Pres
ident Taylor i'll July, 1850, again placed him
in private life.
During the period which he held the posi-
ton of Secretary of State he negotiated in
April, 1850, the treaty with Great Britain
commonly called the Clayton Bulwer treaty.
That treaty was ratified by more than three
fourths Of the Senate; and [ may be permit
ted to say that. had it been carried out accord
ing to the plain and obvious import of its
language, would have effected all which this
country should desire in relation to the terri
tory of Central America, and the safety and
security of an interoceanic communication;
and if difficulties have since arisen, either
from the aggrcssions Of the Power with which
it was contracted, or a failure on our part to
insist in the first instance on its due execu-
ton, the fault if any, rests not with him, as
no action of that Power, contravening its
proper construction occurred during the short
time which he retained the Office of Secretary
oil State after the ratification Of the treaty.
He remained in private life until 1858,
when the confidence of his State again return
cd him to the Senate. 1t would be useless,
if not idle, for me 10 dilate upon his com
manding powers in debate, which most Of
those around Inc have SO often witnessed.
lie may have differed with many of us in
opinion, but none can deny the eminent
courtesy and ability which he displayed in
sustaining his views, or the broad nationality
of his sentiments, Indeed. one of his most
striking characteristics was the intense ma.