New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-10
sxRr0B OF THE LIFE OF THE HON.
EDWARD BATES.


Themse Bafee and caroline nj. W0odson. Both OF his
varvb,s were desoencsnss Of tbe plain old Quaker
bmtlies which bao lved for some generations in the
bower sounies of the peninsula, bes~.en james and
Yssk rivera They were married ip the Quaker meet
ne Ding 10 the forms Of thai simple and virs1oas
people In the year 177 But in 1884, the father lost
Ak membership in the Society of Friends BY bearing
rns 1t tbe siege Of Yerk, volunteer private solder,
under La Fsyette.
In 1865, Thomas F., the father died, leaving very
small estate, and very large aoy. Lefs at an early
age an orphan, and poor, the son was fortunate IN
What Il better than patrimoDy heart and viii TO
hbsr dilgeniy for promotion. Besides, several OF hs
brsthsrs were ipdus,ri and prosperous men, and
ss,ateS ,he helpless With generous affection Oae OF
Shsu. Flsnine Bates of Northumberland, Va, took
him into his family a son, and did fathers part by
him.
He had not the benefit Of collegiate education, be-
bag prevented by an accident (the breaking Of leg),
which stopped him n the middle of bis of study
and confined him at hcme for nearly tao years. In
ehidboOS be was well taught BY his father and after
ware had the benefit Of tao year, instruction of bis
khsnsn, Bepjamin Bases Of HSDoveT, Va, most
excellent man, who, dying, left behind him more
xirtpous and fe~ more intelligent.
Coming under the protection of his brother Fleming,
Ne vas cent in the Fail of 1896 10 Charlotte Hall
Aesseny, St. Aarys County, Maryland, whore he
remained three years, and then LEFT by OF the
ACCIDENT aforementioned, without being prepared TO
cater Princeton College, where his brother intended to
scAs him.
Thus bsfed IN his hopes Of getting thorough edu-
ssiaD he gave up the idea of folio sing any learned
preft ssien and set his heart upon mdspipmans
Isat IN the Navy. In the sime, he served
yOunRest apprentice in the Office Of his brother who
war Court Clerk, employing al his spare time in
eagerly sevOurmg the contents Of pretty good libra
", but without direction or advice.
In the Winter Of i5il-l2 bis kinsman james Pleas
apts, then member OF Congress, and aferward Gov
ernsr Of Virginia, procured him the offer Of warrant
n abe Navy, the special object Of his ambtion-the
tking which above al others be desired.
Here again be doomed to disappointment. His
nosbeT refused Der con ent-renonsrated eutreated,
wept-sbe was willing that all her should march,
whenever needed, 70 repe an invasion, bat still
800 good Quaker to agree that any child of hers
should follow profession, and war for live
khecd. He declined tle warrant; with what feelings
we can well imagive; and is doubtful whether he
lisa been called upon for 30 great effort OF
Horsl courage the rejection Ct t6a, warrantrequed
He cou'd never have made il successfully il he had
got been Taught from childhood, and aeSepted as set
NeS TRUTH that the boy who deliberately thwsrs the
3
svsn aferward, 70 DO much good for hiGself or his
country. similar event in the life Of Washington
VIII be suggested 10 every mad.
IN 1872. having IenOuneed service in the Navy and
with plan OF life settled his brother Frederick who
was Secretary o. the Territory Of Missouri from 1897 to
LSee when The State formed, by successive ap-
p"'HtsneDta nnde' Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe,
sDd Vas fecpd Governor of the S,ate) invited him 10
come out to St. Louis snd follow the law, Oasrng to
see bin safely through his course Of study.
He accepted the invitation, and was to have started
IN the sprrg of 1873 but unlookei-for event de-
iAiDed HIM for year. Being in his native county of
Goosh)sn6, sudden esll made for volunteers to
march for Norfolk TO repel sppre ended attack by
the Blush feet and be joined company in February,
marched to Norfolk, and served till October Of that
year private, corporal and sergeant ,cessively.
The next Spring be sst ont for s., Louis and crossed
The Mississippi foI the first time, the 29th of April
1914. Here be studied very diligently in the Office of
Rnius EaSton Come cticut man, GOOD lawyer, reg
ularly educated at Litcbfelo ana sometime Delegate
IN Congress from Missouri Territory lie 70 the
Bar in lbe Winter of s16-l7 and praoticed with fair
suceefs ss beginner.
In the FsD OF 1870, the State Government being put
into immediate action, without waiting to be told by
any other power whether or il q State or had
Constitution, be appointed the first Attorney
General Of the State and exercised the Office both be-
fore and Sfter It's admission into the Tn on He
seped The Office Of Attorney General IN 1892, end was
shesep member of the House of Representatives Of
Mssvuri and served such. In 1924, he was ap-
pointed by President Monroe United States Attorney
for The Missouri District
He was elected member Of the United States House
Of Representatives in 1926, and served through the
XXth Congress role Representative of the State.
10 1880 be was elected the State Senate and served
four sears; and IN 1884 he was again elected TO the
home and took an active part in the revision of the
State laws.
From that time till the present he he's held no po
ktieal Office and sooght none; taking little part in
local politics. but often freely expressing his views
upon constitutional questions and national politics, in
public spes ehes and 10 Newspaper essays
In 1853 be wss elecsed Judge Of the Land Court Of
St. Louis County aud after serving III the Office about
tbrse years, be resigned aud returned again 20 the
practice of law. He acted President Of the River
and HarboF Improvement Convention which EAT at
Chicago; and in 1856, acted President of the Wing
National Convention which met at baltimore
In 1850, be wac appointed by President Fillmore,
and confirmed by the Senate Secretary Of War. but
declined the appointment for personal and domestic
reasons
hr. Bates was complimeDted with the honorary
degree Of LID. in 1853 by the Harvard College
Some years before he bad been honored with the same
degree by shurtlen College, Illinois
Such, IN bref, ia history Of the early life ana public
services Of one Of the most distinguished and able
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