Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-10
The Late Postmaster General.

Of North Carolina, and during his absence
at school, his father removed from Virginia
to Tennessee. After he had graduated, he
also went To Tennessee, and studied law in
the Office of Judge Trimblc, at Nashville, to
whom he attributed much of those habits Of
industry and thorough research into the
merits of whatever business came into his
hands which cmncntly qualified him in
after life for filling public stations.
He practiscd law in Tennessee IL number
Of years, and for several years was i'll part
ncrship with the late ex-Prcsiient James X.
Polk. He was several times member Of the
Tennessee Legislature. serving ut different
periods in both houses, and always acquit-
ting himself with such credit as to satisfy
political opponents as well as To CRAFTY his
friends. In 1920, he was elected 10 Con-
gress, where he served continuously until
1918. when he was elected Governor Of Ten
ncsSce. In lS41. ne was defeated in another
contest for Governor. a. the State was p"liti-
cally Wing, and his opponent was very
popular man.
From that period until called by President
Buchanan to fill the position Of Postmaster
General he was not engaged i'll public life.
having refused, through deicacy Of feeling,
to accept any position under President Polk,
by whom he was rendered various Offices
The long personal friendship which had cx-
listed between them, however remained un-
abated up till the time of Mr.. Folks decease.
Since he assumed control of the Post Office
Department the whole country is aware OF
the efficient manner in which he has admin
istered its affairs. though his usefulness has
been greatly restricted at times by the adj
verse action of Congress. lie has added
vastly TO the mail facilities of the entire
country, and to his efforts mainly must be
attributed that vast and noble undertaking
of establishing mail routes through the hith-
erto unknown interior, and connecting thus
the eastern with the extreme western States
of the Union. The advantages to arise from
this service are not yet commenced to be
felt, but it may be plainly perceived that
these routes will become in few years the
trail. as it were, for a line of settlements
across the continent. and lead to the rapid
filling up of those expansive territories
which would otherwise have lain unoccupied
for years.
Politically, Mr.. Brown belonged to the
National school Always an untinching
Democrat. fanaticism had no charms to at
tract him from the path of duty, and he
steadily and uncompromisingly resisted all
her approaches, whether they came from
North or the South In losing him, the ma
ton has lost another of its leading minds.
and his State has suffered a misfortune. In
social life, his uniform afability and sincere
good-heartedness, won for him the respect
and affection of all his acquaintance. and
many will deeply mourn his demise. With
in the sacred precincts of his own family,
where he was enshrned as the object Of most
fcrvent affection. we will not intrude.
Rumors are rife as to who will succeed
Mr.. Brown in the Post Office Department,
and We hear quite number named in this
connection Among these are Hon. Cave
johnson and Hon. Horatio King. The form
er has hitherto filled the position, and the
latter is now the First Assistant in the De
partment The exigencies of the time re-
quire the services of an officer acquainted
with the Department affairs.-Wash. STIR.
At about IL o'clock, p. NJ, on Monday, the
President called to see the Post master Cen
eral, and the last interview between those
two high officers Of the Government was quite
touching. As Mr.. Buchanan was about to
leave the room. which he had quietly entered
and from which he was noiselessly departing.
Mrs. Brown remarked to her husband that
the President had called to inquire into the
condition ofhis health. lie quickly answered
that he should be- glad to ste him; hearing
which Mr.. Buchanan returned to his bedside.
Mr.. Brown remarked, "Mr. Buchanan have
endeavored faithfully to discharge all my
public duties" To which the President re.
plied that his efforts had been successful, and
that the whole country would attest 10 his
fidelity as a public officer and the success
that had attended his administration OF the
DEPARTMENT.; and, while commiscratlnS his
suffering condition, expressed Il hope for
his restoration to health. Mr.. Brown SEEM
ed conscious that the time for hope had pass
ed. and with evident feeling having thanked
the President for the uniform kindness which
he had extended to him and his family, babe
him adieu. In a few hours he was no more.
MAJ. Int.
In his Office, on last Saturday. fo"r mfehS, an
incident took place, the solemn verlhcatlon OF
which wildly revives it in the mindof theonly
survivor ofthc three gentlemen presentat the
interview.
Postmaster-General Brown was signing up
his official journal-his clerk standing on his
left, turning over the pages as each signature
was affixed. Mr.. Marion, then the cfhclcnt
and vigorous Third Assistant Postmaster
General, having under charge at that crit
cal period The important responsibilities OF
the finance division, entered the room to OBJ
tain Dir, BIS signature to IA draft. Turning
to the right he checrfully signed the paper.
Mr.. NJ. was retiring, when the head Of the
departmcnt remarked. Marion, | wish you
would come in and sec me when get through
with this"
Being then long after the usual office hours,
Mr.. NJ, turned and said. "Do you wish me to
see YOU again TO day, SIR" Yes" replied
Mr.. Brown: Il want to know if you have set
YOUR house in order; for, in month or less
we shall have neither a habltatlon or name
here" Mr. Maroon, with conviction that
his official house was always III order, paus-
Cd Il moment, and with surprise and smile,
remarked, "My house in ORDER
YES, sir--your house in order: for IN n
month or less we shall neither have habita-
ton or a name here" well, Governor,
replied Mr.. Marion, IF the storm comes
can stand it as well as others" and then,
pleasantly, left the room.
Tho lainsnted head Of the department then
said that his remarks referred TO the seton OF
Z, -. :,,I;oo+;no fbn defpat of lmDOrtant