The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-01-31
,,..sh or pr.scots, the Hissorian.

WIN. HicKlrSa pREscorr, one OF the most fac
M us Of modern historians, died suddenly at Bot-
ton on Friday afternoon last, Of apopiexy. He
was attacked by the fatal malady about noon, aud
expired In two hours. Mr.. pRrscorf was born IN
sslem. Mass, IN 1-o8. His father was WIN. PfEss
corr. an eminent Boston Jarist. He was a scholar
a, Harvard College, and graduated with high
honors In isl+. About this time an accident de'
stroyed one of his eyes and affected the other, and
he vas sent abroad for medical aid. He never,
however, wholly recovered his vision, and was for
a time totally blind But amid oil his disabilities
Of vision. he studied faithfully end stored his
mind with the facts that laid the foundation for
his future works. His attention was chieny d.
rected towards Spanish subjects, and the nrst
work he undertook was history of The Reign Of
ferdinand aud Isabella. To this he devoted ten
wears Of ardent labor and study, and IL was pub
Iisbed 10 1888. 1t IVES at once recognized az a
nrs.ciass history. In Europe as well as Americs
Il was translated into Spanish, French, Italian
and German, and IL recognized classical history
In ls4s. he published his Conquest Of 4eraco. In
lsl7 his Conquest Of Peru, aud STAGE then he has
been engaged on his History Of Philip H., TINS
supplying an important omission In DR.. RoBER T.
| sons historical iabors on Spanish subjects. Two
volumes Of this work we're published In 1897, the
| third In 1885, aud he was laboring on the fourth
when death iutervened.
| pre.co,t's four great histories are an enduring
monument Of his fame. No similar works surpass
them for fidelity and impartiality. for ciearneei
| And elegance of style, and for those compreben
sive and philosophical views of political events
their causes and consequences, without which MS
,orical works are valueless. Abroad as we'll as a.
home his iabors his talents. his impartiality ant
| his soundnees have been recognized aud acknow'
| lodged lie has had high honors awarded hiu
from European as we'll as American literary insti
| tu;ions, aud bis works have been translated Int
the chief languages of the continent
THE CUBA QuEs7IoN.-Tbe House committee ha
| made Its report through its chairman MIR Branch
on the Cuba question. 1t estimates the trade O
Cuba at 100000 600 per annum, and says that IL
q few years it will be $500 100000. The ls'ane
commands the Gulf ports az completely as Louisi
ana commands the trade of the Mississippi, aod
necessary TO us. So was Florida, whica wa
owned by Spain, and at the sale OF which "Spanisf
pride" also "revolted,' but the Congress OF ISL
| Ia secret session appropriated money, placed IN
navy and army at the CO mmand OF the PRESIDENT
aud passed an act iustructing him to seize tina
territory if it could not be purchased. The pre-
cedent Of seizure Of territory, which Is indispen
sable TO US, is therefore not wanting. The adVan
t.ges TO our several industrial classes-sgrfcultu
raj, manufacturing, navigation, and commercial
are stated in detail. 1t Is shown that the suga
and molssses consumed in the United States cos
the consumers about 100000 per annun NOR
than they would II Cuba belonged to the Unite
States, and that our farmers would sell $S5Oo,oo
wor tn of -four, pork and lard, where, now, the
. sell none The committee think that the Pres
dent would not apply fer the app opriation Q
$50, OOO, 600 purchase money unless he had reason
| to believe that Cuba could bs bought 1t recon-
mends the passage of bill similar to those pas5e
previous for the acquisition of Louisiana and Cal
ifornia.