The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-05-30

social postum IN England was equally hon.
orable and agreeable 10 him. and a source
OF Just pride to his countrymen. His cult.
walton and accomplishments were every
where recognized, aud his public speeches
were received with enthusiasm. In the
spring Of ls43 he was appointed to gill the
newly constituted mission to China, with a
view to establish commercial relations with
that country. which honorable trust he was
compelled to decline. Immediately upon
his return to the United States in the
autumn Of l845, Mr., Everett was chosen
president Of Harvard university. He entered
upon the duties Of this new trust with char.
acterlstic energy and enthusiasm, and it
was a subject OF great regret to the friends
OF the college that the burdensome details
and monotonous confinement Of his official
lite wore so heavily upon his health as to
compel him to resign his post at the end Of
three years, before he had been able 10
carry into effect his important plans for
educational Improvement Dir. Everett gave
portion Of his leisure, after resigning the
presidency. to the preparation of collected
edition Of his orat,ons and speeches, which
appeared in . vols. syo. in 1850. He also
superintendent the publication of the new
edition Of the works Of Mr.. Webster, at his
special request, and prepared an elaborate
memoir which was prefxed to the first vol.
ume. Upon the lamented death Of that great
statesman, in November, 1882, Mr.. Everett
was called upon by President Fillmore to
fill the vacant place Of Secretary of State.
He held the office during the last four months
Of President fllmores administration. and
the condition OF the public business made
them months OF most severe labor and moth
ing but his interchangeable industry and great
patience could have carried him through
what he was called upon to do. Besides
paying the most conscientious attention 10
the regular business OF the department,
always heavy, and in this case greatly accu.
mulsted, he adjusted the perpIexing affairs
Of the Crescent City steamer and the Lobos
islands. prosecuted with energy the difficult
negotiations pertaining to the fisheries, con
cluded an international copyright convention
with Great Britain and consular convention
with France, and reviewed the whole subject
of Central American affairs IN their relations
to the government Of the United States and
Great Britain, and recommended and induced
Congress 10 establish a mission OF the first
class 10 Central America. But the question
which attracted most Of the public interest
during MIR. Eyerett's administration OF the
department of State was the joint PROPOSE
ton of Great Britain and France 10 enter
with the United States into trlpartIte con.
vention, guaranteeing to Spain IN perpetuitf
the exclusive possession Of Cuba. This
proposition was declined by the United
States, in diplomatic note of great ability
drawn up by Mr.. Everett. His exposition
Of the policy Of this country was received
with very general appreciation by the people
aud the press without distinction Of party,
Notwithstanding his arduous official duties.
he found time to prepare an elaborate address
for the annual meeting of the American
colonization society ia Washington. in 1855,
in exposition and defence Of the objects Of
that association. Before leaving the depart
ment Of State Mr.. Everett was elected By
the Legislature of Massachusetts, To the
Senate Of the United States, took his seat
in that body at the commencement Of the
special executive session in March, 1855.
and made an able aud elaborate speech On
the Central American question. Ia the
summer and autumn Of 1855, beside an adj.
dress before the New York historical society
on colonization and emigration. and a reply
to the protest Of Lord John Russell against
the doctrines asserted BY our government in
the note declining the tripartiie convention.
Nc. Everett spike more than once 10 oppo.
sition TO the proposed new constitution in
Massachusetts,. Upon the assembling Of the
sd Congress, in December, 1855, Mr.. Eve
rett, as might have been expected. found
himself in a state Of impaired health from
the severe and uninterrupted labOrs Of the
previous eighteen months. but he applied
himself with his usual industry to the dis.
charge u the duties that lay before him.
Had the session proved one Of no more than
average labor and excitement. perhaps his
strength would have enabled him TO meet the
duties Of his post; bat such VAS not to be
the character of the session. The introduc.
tim Of the bill for the repeal Of the Missouri
compromise, commonly called the Nebraska.
kansa, bill. produced great agitation through.
out the country. and brought the opposing
parties ~ the Senate into violent aud pro.
tracted antagonlsm. For many weeks the
sessions we're long continued. aud the dis.
cgssiOns Of the must vehement and impas.
i
speech against the bill on February 8, 1884,
characterized by his usual moderate and
conservative views, a. we'll as by good taste
aud good temper. Ills health, under the
pressure Of ofiicial toll aud excitement, grew
constantly worse, and 10 the following NAV,
under the imperative advice Of his physician,
he resigned his seat. A few months Of rest
quiet restored him and now there began
new phase in his life. and the opening Of a
new and peculiar sphere 81 action. IL tie
year 1853 the project Of purchasing Mount
Vernon by private subscription was first
started by Miss Ann PAMELA Cunningham,
in an address TO the women Of the United
States. over the signature Of "a Southern
Matron." The proposal was fasorably re.
ceised, and associations OF ladies' began 10
be formed in several Of the States, for the
purpose Of collecting funds. Mr.. Everett,
having been applied 10 by the mercantile