The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-10-19
HON. J. PINCKNEY HENDERSON.

sentng the State of Texas in the l. 5. Senate)
had many friends and acquaintances in this part
of the State, we make the following extracts from
an Address delivered at San Augustine, Texas, by
F. B. Sexton, Esq, on the 2lst of August, 1898,
on the occasion of the obsequies i'll memory OF the
deceased 1t would afford pleasure to publish
the address entire, but owing to its length have
lot space to spare:
1--WE are reminded that must die by every
tree that falls and every blade of grass that dies
by the desolate cities ruined palaces, fallen col
umns ovcrgrown gardens, and broken down walls
which make up the pages of history-by the ten
thousand monuments which overlay the bones OF
Earths renowned ones, and herald what they were,
or 'what they should have been by the ten
thousand times ten thousand more unmarked graves
to whose occupants the ''tribes that tread the
earth ':are but Il landful'-by the ''pestilencc
that walketh in darkness from before which our
brother men fall as grass before the reapers scythc
by the pale forehead the wan check, the sunken
cye the hectic cough and the stopped forms OF our
fellow beings who walk among We are to-day
most forcibly reminded Of it by the absence from
among of our distinguished fellow citizen, our
friend, our neighbor and our brother, JAMES
pINCKNEY HENDERSON, whom, II integrity OF
character and purity of purpose, if the confidence
of his friends and neighbors the admiration of his
fellow citzcns the respect Of his Senatorial peers,
the attachment Of his brethren of the "misc tie"
and the love of an afectionate family could have
retained on Garth, she had MT died.
Cen Henderson was born in Lincoln county,
North Carolina on the 3lst Of March, lSO9. He
descended from an ancient and honorable family
His father was prominent leader Of the Federal
party, and his name is yet much revered by the
older citizens of the cold North State" L have
not been able to collect many incidents OF the
early life of Gen. Henderson as L desired, or as
could have done had more time been allowed. In
his boyhood a strong affection for his mother was
manifested-a development which is dscernable
in the character of most distinguished men. His
mother having once been asked if he had not been
refractory, replied, "No, some OF my other boys
were hcadstrorg, but Pinckney Arrays good
bow AS youth he was far more than oTdnar-
ly INTELLIGENT and gave promise of the brilliant
reer he afterwards attained. He student for
several years at the University OF Chapel Hill. lie
studied law and was admitted to practice IN North
| Carolina before he was twenty-one years OF age.
While preparing for his profession, his apphca-
ton was most intense for as he has told me him.
self he often studied eighteen out OF twenty-four
hours Such njudicous labor injured his constl-
tution and, it is to be feared, laid the foundation
of the fatal disease from which he never entirely
recovered At the. age of twenty-five he was APP
rointed Aid-de-camp, with the rank of Major, to
| Mai Gen A. McDorrett, Of the Fifth Division OF
the North Carolina Militia, and later was elected
Col of Militia regiment.
Tn the autumn of the year 1885, Gen Henderson
removed from North Carolina to Mississippi and
having settled in Madison county in that State,
commenced the practice the E.w with the bright
est prospects of success. He had, however, not
more than located himself in his new home, when
the struggles of the then province OF Texas to
throw off degrading and oppressive pnpllage be-
gun to attract the attention and enlist the sympa-
thy of the noble and generous in every land. AS
I have observed before in speaking OF him, ne re-
solved to make the lone star the star OF his destiny
In the Spring Of the year 1886, he aided IN rals-
ing company of volunteers in Mississippi for SER
vice in Texas He came to Texas himself in 1886
reaching here before that company. Soon after
his arrival he was commissioned by the then Presl-
dent David G. Burnett to return to the [ mtcd
States and recruit for the Texas Army One
con,pany raised in North Carolina, was brought tc
Texas at his own expense. Gen. Henderson re-
Turned to Texas in November 1886, and so soon
rs he arrived at the scat of Government, was ap
rointed by President Houston Attorney General OF
the Republic which position he held until the
month of December following, when he ap
pointed Secretary of State, that office having be
come vacant by the death OF the venerated anC
lamentcd Stephen F. Austin.
Tn the early part of the year 1887, Gen. Hen
dclson was appointed Minister Plenlpotentlary ant
Envoy Extraordinary from the Republic Of Texas
to France and England. He was commissioned
to solicit the recognition of the independence o
Texas and was invested with plenary powers as al
Ambassador also, to conclude treaties OF amlty
and commerce During his term of service th'
independence of Texas recognized by boti
England and France. Amid the brilliant array o
statesmen and dpomatists, which is always pre-
sented at the Courts of St Cloud and St James
and which at that time, too was adorned by talen
of the first order from both Continents, our worth
and lamented Senator commanded respect tor hi
intellinence confidence for his fidelity to the Oh
iects of his mission. and esteem for the slncerlt.
and true nobility of his nature. lie acquired TO
Texas-then weak and with difficulty nlalntalnIn
5 bare existence as separate nationaty-a posi-
ton of responsibility and dignity. Texas shout
ever be grateful for his services, and proud OF he
a!orted son. His as Minister Is one OF tn
strongest evidences of the native superiority OF h
mind. He was only in the 18th year OF his ag
when he negotiated commercial treaties betwee
# two of the greatest nations in the world and tn
d then infant Republic, without money, resources
armies or navies; in short, with nothing but tn
Justice of her cause and the favor of HeaveI
Nome but a mind of the greatest vlgor, and sol
of the highest frmness, one which could not
discouraged by disappointments, or driven back b
!, obstacles, could have succeeded IN the delicate an
difhult mission with which he was charged
! 1t is proper to state that Gen. Henderson, on a