, 1859-07-29
Death of Secretary Charles II
Mason.


tory. died at his residence ia Olympia, On Friday
night, at l2 O'Clock, NJ reartted by friends, and
incurred by the citizens throughout the entire Terri
tory who will ever lock back upon the sad event as
he greatet calamity which could Lave befallen them
lie died in the prime Of life and in the yigor Ct man
'hood-aged % years.
Tie news OF bis death, coming upon rs so unex
rectcdly east gloom Ger ,ur citizens which ii viii
Require time TO dispel Their sorrow was plainly vsi
De grief had seized upon every heart for lie
dcared 10 our people ly many ties-endeared to then
as a man of probity honor, and honesty; an Off
ia, , able, prmlt and courteous. Determined at al
times to do his duty-whclly and euiirtly-no sacIi
iees of case or comfort were too great and no dan
ger too imminent, but what Mr.. Mason was willing
10 undergo them for tie welfare Of the citizens OF
Washington Tenitory. His efficiency and prompt
ness during the Indian war Of ls55-'B was prover
bal the wisdom of his course has been fully proven
nor were they ever doubted for in Secretary NAsdS
our people reposed implicit confidence To him DE-
We owe our present prosperity and the happy iesto
ration cf tie peace We now possess, but which lie ha
not been permitted to enjoy. To bis sigaei:y anC
gise policy We justly attribute all.
But whilst we ere left to enjoy the happy boon o
ea e, oar friend has been snatehed from amongst US
md his grave contains all that is left Of him sav
the memory Of his many virtues and uDyelding iuteg
riiy. Whilst the sod is green that rests above him. lie
IL ever perpetuate the memory Of CHARLES II. MAseS
for all that is good noble and generous, lies beneatI
t. Sweet be thy sleep, thou faithful servant until th,
Great Judge shall geet thee resurrection MON.
BIOGRAPHY OF C. Il. MASON.
-. q. n.
was born at Fort Washington, the Potomac, in the
State Of Maryland. Ms father, Major Milo Mason
was q native Of Vermont, and was distinguished in
the army for his services as Deputy Quartema,ter
General, and acting chief of that department under
General Jeacks0n 10 his celebrated Indian campaigns
His mother, Mrs. Marie Mason, was native of PTOv
lence, Rhode Island. Soon after the death of hi.
FATHER late in the fall Of 1887 and when the suljeet
li this notice was seven years Of age, the family re-
moved to Providence, and have contiaLed to reside
there ill the present time.
Young MASON received his education at Providence
graduated at Blown University with great distinction
IN 1850, admitted to the bar In 1851, and was i'm
.medately associated as law partner with Gen. Albert
.C Green, for than twenty years Attorney Gen.
eral of the State and whose service Senator Of the
United States had but recently come 10 close Thor
'oughy devoted to his profession, possessing mind
4 remarkable cearness strength aud discrimination
md most noble and generous disposition, he soon
assumed high rank in his profession, aud became the
intimate friend and associate Of the ablest members Of
the Rhode Island BAR Amongst these, ought especially
70 he mentioned the Hon. Samuel Ames, of PrOvi.
lence now the Chief Justice Of the State His stand
ing IN his profession will best be shown by simply
stating the fact that the coming In OF the admin.
stration Of President Pierce, he almost unani
mousy presented to the President by the members Of
the Rhode Island bar for tie appointment OF District
Attorney OF the State being still in his 2Sd year.
Ga the resignation Of Major FarqularsOn, Mr.. mason
was appointed Secretary OF this Territory, and imne
datey made his arrangements to repair t. his future
Ia, AZ G,u Ia,
he was most deeply and Unexpectedly afflicted His
eldest brother, Lieut. Col. James H. Mason, Of the
Irorps ofengineers Of the United States Army, had
just died leaving behind him deserved reputation
or character and ability second to that Of no Off
|of his grade in the service. lie was greatly dstin
gushed In the Mexican war, where he received two
Drevets aud was at the time Of his DEATH in charg,
of the fortcatOns In process Of construction at SaT
Francisco He left behind him young son, now en-
'nrely m orphan, his mother having died SOM
years before, and 1t question for DAYS will
the deeply gieved and mourning brother, whether HI
saonld not resign and return home with tho child t,
make arrangements for his future welfare But hay
ng succeeded in making tie necessary provision 70
this paspise he continued aud reached the Terri
|tbry in October.
From this tire, his services in behalf Of the Terri
.tory may be sad To have commenced. His whole tern
of service 10 the time of his death wanted less thar
three mouths Of six years For about two years and
half Of this time he was the acting Governor Of the
reritiry. In both capacities, he discharged bis du
ItlSs with courtesy, an ADilily anu nieuty winch
has left deep impression upon the people Of the en-
|tiic Territory, and which has caused him to be la
auented a. FRIEND a citizen public officer aud {
pHhlc benefactor.
As Secretary OF the Territory, he was charged will
the disbursement of the legislative expenses OF tn
Territory, and did vice for six successive Legisa
tures In the execution OF this duty, he acted unde
,the direct i.tructons of the Treasury Department
yet he never had difficulty, wOrd of unkindnes
with member or officer Of these bodies, and at th
4
ar in which his disbursements were made and hi
1icc'I1,ts reCdered the warm eomnendation ~ tn
First Comptroller to whom he rendered his accounts
Mr. Wh!ttlcsey, the First Comptroller and bis success
sOr, Mr.. Medil. had entire confidence In him, and hi
standing 10 that Uce was that of the ahcst and mos
reliable Secretary in the service of the Territories.
q Il was h1wever, as Acting Governor and Superin
PENDENT Of Indian Afa.rs, that Secretary Mason die
the most signal service to the Territory in the time
its vicssitudes, and made lasting name for him
self In the history OF the Territory. His first term
service in this capacity, was from March 20 to Dec
|lS5t, There were during this period several threat
Ienilgs OF Indian difficulties and one outbreak which
were Immediately suppressed by his vigorous and en-
ergeii' course. But it during his second term
service, from May u to January 10, that the lndal
war broke out, which spread nearly over the entir
4Tcrtores Of Washington and Oregon, and desolatet
many Of the most Aourishing settlements in each Ter
ritory. 1t came upon us like a thunderbolt. 1h'
people were entiIely Unprepared. There were no
two hundred private arms in the Territory. The Ter
ritnrial quota had not arrived.
/ Under such circumstances was Gey. MASON callet
On TO act His course most wise vigorous and dc
eisve. As Indian Superintendent he Immediately
separated the friendly from the hostile Indians, con
sderng all Indians friendly that had not broker
out into actual hostility; proclaimed the country from
this point to the SnOhOmish the Eastern side of tn
Sound, as ground, and established the triendl
Indians on the Islands and western shore reserva
lions. in charge Of Agents. A similar course per
ned in other parts Of the Territory. The policy wa
Vigorous war against the hostes protection and kind
less 10 the friendly and disailected. The best com
mentary the wisdom OF this course Was, that
met with universal commendation. When Governo
Stevens reached the Capitol in January from his lol
Journey to the Missouri, as Commissioner to maxi
treaties with the Indian tribes he fully endorsed h
course OF Coy. MASON and continued the same policy
Soon after the arrival of Gov. Stevens, Gov. MAsOl
was dispatched to the City Of Washington to lay be
fore the President and the several Departments tn,
condition Of the country and to urge the appropra
lion of the Necessary sums Of money TO meet the
Igcncyi Acting In cooperation with our delegate, th
Hon. J. Patton Anderson, 1t was tn their eXertions
and those Of Gen Lane, Of Oregon that an appropra
on in a short time made Of 100000, TO restor,
tud maintain peace among the Indian tribes of tn,
Pacific coast. This timely appropriation Of money en-
able to give such aid III food and clothing 10 tn
Friendly and disafected indians, Us finally securet
II baiF frfaudshin oul fc,Ifv