The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-25
The New Senator from California

the new senator from California.
General James A. McDouga United States Senator
from California, arrived here yesterday In the ARIEL
for Washington To attend the extra session Of
Congress on the Fourth Of July
The position and antccedens Of all the old members Of
the United States Senate sreprety well understood and
great interest felt in regard to the new members of
that body, OF whom General McDousan is one. New
York has special reason to take interest the new CALI
fornia Senator, as he is O native Of this State.
Mr.. AcDougau was born In Pine Bush, In the town Of
Bethlehem, In the county Of Albany on the 10th of
November In the year 1917. He was educated chiefly
at the Albany Grammar School, under the tuition OF Jo
seph Henry, since distinguished a sauas! in
nection with the Smithsonian Institution In early life
Mr.. AoDougall manifested great aptitude for mshe
tics, and he had not studied law and bec0m emf
nent lawyer, he would probably have become emil
nent engineer One Of the most agreeable and interesting
recoectons Of his youth must be that he assisted in the
survey Of the Albany and Schenectady Railroad which
the first road on which locomotive in this
country. BE nrs read law In the office Of James Lamou-
ruff of the Justices Of the Superior Court Of
York. In this city he admitted TO the bar but sought
pfOmising ned Of professional the ther
Far West In 1887 he went to Illinois, where he first 10
Gated himself at Griggsvie, in Pike county, but
coon removed to Jacksonville. His interchangeable ndus
try and fine abilities rendered him conspicuous
among the many distinguished lawyers Of Illinois, and
he soon won the friendship and esteem Of Abraham Lin
coin, Stephen A. Douglas Edward G. Baker and other
eminent men Of that State Of all parties with whom his
professional engagements brought him In frequent
TACT The personal relations then established between
him and Mr. Lincoln have been ever since maintained
intimate personal as well as devoted political friend Of
Mr.. Douglas to the Last.
the n * illinois Mr. MoDS
his party nominated him for Congress in his district
against the gallant and amented Col Hardin and it is
striking proof Of Mr. HcDougas popularity at that time
among his ne'ghDors that he came within about four
hundred votes Of defeating the popular Col Hardin In
h1ss 10 WING
Chicago; IN 1ssa he organized and accompanied a
terra inoopnaa-ying between the Rio Bravo
del Norte, the ella and the Colorado After this expora-
p s to and
remarkable talents and learning lawyer were at
appreciated In the fall of 1860 he elected Attorney
elected TO Congress- where he took his seat in 1853
the House Of Representatives he the leading advo.
cate Of the Pacific Railroad bill and other for the
benefit Of his adopted State when bis term expired he
declined denomination, owing to the numerous and i'm
portan professional engagements which demanded bis
would be stl retired from public fe had not his ardent
patriotism and hearty love FOR the Union impeed him Il
maintenance Of the government the constitution and the
laws as soon as the rebels began their Vaccinations on
the Pacific coast y entirely W to his
the Union that he elected United States Senator In
April last the California Legislature divided into
three sections Of Douglas mem Breckenridge mon and
pubcans, that there would have been election had
not The Douglas and republican vote been united upon
Mr.. NcDouga'l
In person the Senator is erect and digned with fine
intellectual head and piercing eye. He has frank and
winning maoners and while he is reported to be very
eklful political manager, he is universally esteemed for
purity Of character.
The Senator Ia accompanied by his accomplished lady
a daughter CT Major Mcconnell OF Jacksonville, nl.-and
bis agreeable family who will be an acquisition to Wash
ppton society,