The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-12-05
From the y. Y. Times.
Death Of James G., t3urnev.

near Perth Amboy, n. j. His age was Ga.
Mr.. Birney was a native of Kentucky.
His father was an lrishman, who had acour-
ed considerable wealth, and occupied high
social position. Mr.. birney received his cd.
ucation in Nassau Hall, in New Jersey, and
at the age of - began the study Of the law
in the Office of Mr.. Dallas, at Philadelphia.
Returning to Kentucky in the yeat 1914, he
)mmenced the practice Of his profession,
and at the age Of 90 was elected to the legis-
Of the State. About this time, also, he
married, and soon after purchased an estate
in Alabama, where he became the owner Of
some thirty or forty slaves He subsequent.
ly took up his residence in Huntsville, Ala,
where he practiced law with remarkable
success and gained prominent position in
political circles, and insured his election to
the legislature of Alabama. While still q
resident of the South, Mr.. Birney's mind
was awakened to the inj Iries inflicted upon
the servile population by the system Of
slavery, and his impressions received add-
! tional strength from the contemplation Of
the wrongs inflicted by the whites upon the
| Indians. His sympathy became greatly ex-
cited, and he deemed it his duty 10 labor
for the ameioration Of the condition of the
classes which suffered from oppression.
With this purpose in view, he abandoned
his profession to espouse the cause Of Colo
nization, q system which at that time ap-
peared to him to offer the most feasible
means of remedying the evils Of Slavery.
To this enterprise he brought all the resourc-
es of a vigorous intellect, and did good se--
vice for the cause. Afterwards, however,
his views expanded still further, and he be-
came an ardent disciple Of the anti-slavery
doctrines. His first step towards an earnest
G. nf nyf TO, . h.,
cipaton in 1884, of all the slaves he carried
with him from Kentucky TO Alabama. He
then announced his intention 70 establish a
paper, for the enuncation of bis doctrines,
in Kentucky; but met with an opposition
so strenuous that he was compelled TO resort
to publication in Ohio, in which State-now
the headquarters of the Free Soil sentiment
he was received with some degree of cold
ness. Before the death of his father, Mr.
Birney caused such disposition Of the pa
ternal estate as to secure to him all the
slaves, twenty-one in number. On coming
into possession, he set the negroes free. and
made suitable provision for them. Mr. Sr-
ney's wife died in Ohio, and in the year
1910 he visited England, and took promi-
nent part in the Anti-s'avery aci;ations then
prevailing in that country. In ls4l. Mr..
Birney returned, and soon after married the
sister-in-law of Gerrit Smith, lady named
Fitzhugh, who survives him.
Mr. Birney's first prominent connection
with national politics, was in the year 1914,
when he became the candidate of the Lber-
~ party for the Presidency. He ran in op-
position 10 Mr.. Clay, and received an aggre-
gate Of Sc, ,592 votes. Mr.. Birney was vain
~ cxhorted to withdraw from the canvass,
but persisted in standing, although his
~ tlr e
meaGreress. He resisted the oyertures
made to him on the ground that, in his
judgment, the country would gain nothing
by the election of Mr.. Clay over Mr.. Polk
Since lS44 Mr.. Birney's name has been
rarely before the public. For some ten or
twelve years he has suffered under attacks
of paralysis, which enfeebled his body and
incapacitated him for active labors. although
his intellect remained comparatively un'm-
paired. Recently his symptoms have been
aggravated by heart disease His residence
for several years past has been in Michigan,
where he was possessed of considerable land
ed property. About two years since he re-
moved to New Jersey, under the advice Of
his physicians, to seek relief in change of
air, and to superintend the education of his
Mr Brnsy Il hsglfsTNid hsid relations with
the American Anti-Savery Society, and
was for time connected with Lewis Tap
pan in the conduct of the affairs of that or
ganization in this city; but some difficulties
occurred, and his connection ceased.-Iie
had been Of late years an attentive observer
of public affairs, and during the last Presi-
dental contest was warm supporter Of the
Republican nominee. A number of wcighty
political dis9uistions were produced by him.,
and his convictions of the necessity Of "a
a.
slavery remained unshaken to the close Of
his life. Mr. Birney was man Of great
ability and of indefatigable energy. He has
filled an important place among the men of
the time, and will not be forgotten by those
with whose interests bis latter life was dcn-
tilted.
PERSONAL QrARREL WITH The PgEsIDENT.-
The Washington correspondent of the \. Y.
Commercial Adrertiser gives the following
bit of gossip:
here, called upon the President during the
business hours yesterday morning. and pre-
sented file of papers, referring, it is said,
to some balance Of a payment claimed 10y
the heirs of Reeside. under an act Of the
last session. Mr.. Sherman urged the Presi-
dent to read them, and order the money to
he paid. The President replied that he had
not time at that moment. "Then refer
them" said Mr.. s., "to your law officer
But" said the President, 81 must first SEQ
whether they are proper to be referred -
Sherman demanded that the money be paid.
threatened a mandamus and what not, al d
in fine spoke in an angry and excited man
ncr. So much SO that the President ordered
him to leave the room. Sherma refused to
60, and said the President. "Then | will
CO." and, suiting the action to the word, he
went into the adjoining room Of the private
secretary.
The Attorney General at the same mo-
ment came in and attempted to appease
Sherman, but with so little success that the
latter warned him against interference. A
polce officer was sent for, but before h.
came the indignant attorney had retired,
threatening to renew his visit this morning;
but the President has not ordered the access
to the place to be barricaded. The moral Of
the story is, that the day is at hand when
the President must relieve himself from the
duty of receiving all manner Of complaints,
and attending to all sorts Of exactions. i.s
RoBBING A LADY IN the sTRRET.-A SgN-
TIMENTAL HIGuwAYMAH.-A young lady,
Miss r., while visiting Mrs. b., on Race ST.,
below Eighth, evening before yesterday,
was me. by a well dressed man, who, as he
passed. struck her upon the breast a rather
violent blow, at the same moment snatching
n mort rt.monnaie from her hrnd, and before
she recovered from her surprise and alarm.
the robber had disappeared. She contin.
ued her way, however, made her proposed
visit, told the story and had nearly forgot
I q n the affair, when she received yesterday
morning the annexed letter through the post
office, Of which we give the exact copy
Tho porte monte, which was borrowed
last eve, under the impression that twas
I" well filed" the "borraeer" now returns
being fully convinced that "all that gilt
| ters il mt go,d"-or in other words--there's