Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-07-18
From the New York Post, 9th inst1
TuF LATE SECRETARY MARCY.

disorder which proved iatul W niu'' tee VI
thirty years he had suffered occasionally
from what he called a stitch in his side, and
during the last two years OF bis official life
he was several times taken suddenly i'll in his
Office with an affection which appeared to
alarm him considerably during the few mln-
ntes while il lasted. AT such periods he
would turn pale and complain Of nausea but
as soon as they were over, he would forget
all about them, and become outwardly as
cheerful as ever. He, however, was evidently
impressed, by the recurrence oil these attacks,
with the fragilty of his hold on life, and on
the Sunday before his death, when apparently
enjoying good health, and indulging in plea.
SAINT anticipatons of his European tour, he
observed 10 friend who spoke to him Of his
Presidential prospects in 1860, "Do not
sneak of that subject; / shall not live to see
the election of another President" These
forcbolings he is remembered to have uttered
once before during the last few months Of
his Secretaryship, but the gentlemen who
heard them, not knowing the grounds OF Mr..
Marcy's impression, still augured pleasant
continuance Of his existence.
1t is well known that Mr.. Marcy had de-
clared at least year before the end OF his
term in the State Department, even if Tresi-
dent Pierce were reelected, to retire from
public life. This announcement he made in
terms so explicit as not to be misunderstood
by the inquirer and when he found that oh
effort was made by certain gentlemen to pro-
cure his re-appointment by President Bu-
'chanan, he dscountenanced the project in a
letter so peremptory in terms as to lead the
friend to whom it was addressed TO fear that
he was permanently offended.
1t is highly probable that this release from
Official labor. which the ex-Secretary so much
enjoyed, was the cause of his death. He had
been so long under the strain of Official re-
sponsibility that the cessation Of exertion,
the sudden change in his habits of life, to
one in bis physical condition, could hardly
fail to prove fatal In this respect his de-
cease bears some resemblance TO that Of the
late Silas Wright.
If Mr. Marcy had lived longer he would
probably have left the country additional
evidences of his wonderful controversial abil.
ity at least on one of the subjects which had
engaged his attention in his official cores
pondence with Great Britain. 1t will be
remembered that, when his mastery letter in
reply to the propositions OF the European
movers relative to the abolishment OF prva-
teering appeared the British, and some of the
continental journals, discussed the subject
aadversely to bis views, and their articles were
usually copied by the press of the country
without comment and were nowhere comba-
ted with the ability and skill required by the
discussion. Indeed, even the Washington
Union the official organ Of the adminstra-
tion. took but little notice of the subject
and, although it found room for almost every
stump speech which its friends delivered in
Congress, we do not remember to have seen
in its columns Mr.. Marcy's exposition Of
maritime law, document which was arrest.
ing the attention Of all the cabinets of Eu-
rope, and to answer which satisfactorily the
greatest diplomatists Of Europe were vainly
tuxing all their ingenuity.
The extensive circulation OF these adverse
critiqups from the London Times and Other
journals, excited Mr.. Marcy to new defence
of the doctrine of which he will always be
remembered as the greatest expounder-tht
exemption of private property from capture
on the high seas, whether by privateers oil
naval vessels, in time of war rs we'll as il
reace-in other words, the application tC
naval warfare Of the principle which always
has been applied TO military operations. ol
land, the only principle 10 fact which raises
e,igerent nations above the pirate or tht
rubher. In accordance with his request, h1
b,other.iu-law, Mr.. George Newell had col
l,ct,d in a book all the articles adverse t.
Mr. Marcy's doctrine. These extracts Mr.
Marcy had in his possession, with purpos
Of preparing review Of the leading objec
tons to his arguments, and of vindicatin!
and reasser,ing his former conclusions. 1t i
not probable, however, that he had at tn
time of his death progressed far in his under
taking.
The last, and, in the Judgment of hi
friends, the sblest official production of Sec
retary Marcy, was his reply to the demand {
the French government for indemnity 10
losses sustained by French residents in Grey
town at the time of its bombardment. ]
this letter the Secretary, avoiding discu!
sion of the character of that interlude c
naval history, controverts with brevity. bu
with much learning and acuteness, the valid
" of the claim on our government-and !
denving our national liability, cites the pr,
cedpuis of the bombardment of Copenhage
hy Great Britain, the taking of Naples /
The intrusive government Of Murat," an
other instances where foreign government
were not held liable for private property d.
siroyed by them in the operations of wa
Sui, however, he indicates sly approval
the novel principle advanced by the claiman
in the sat:rrical remark that if Great Brita
shall make reparaton to the citizens
other governments, whose property she d
stroyed in the recent bombardment OF Ca
ton, it may go far towards furnishing prec
dent for the consideration of the, Unite
States
BY some means this letter, which NJ
Marcy addressed to Sartiges, the Fren(
minister, came to the hands of Lord Maple
by whom copy was furnished to Lord III
merston. and the effect of the perusal OF
on the British Cabinet was apparent in t
Parliamentary discussion of the claims
English residents in Greytown, started n
by the government, be it observed. but
the opposition. Iu that debate il is singul
10 observe the adoption by Lord PaltnerstC
the Attorney General, aud other officers
Ire administration, of the line of argume
marked ont by Secretary Marcy, in resist
the proposition Of Mr.. Roebuck and
friends, who had not enjoyed the light viii
Mr.. Marcys intellect had furnished to
ministry and to the law officer of the crov
whe wrote an opinion III concurrence "
his,
Wbfe or this subject We cannot help
ferring to Mr.. Marcye correspondence "
Gtn Scott, which is, perhaps, his most sig
elIor. in the peculiar style of controversy
which his connection With the political pr
in early life had trained him. 1t seemed
if nothing could be added to or taken frou