Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1865-08-10
Your obedient servant,
w. HUNTER, Acting Sec. of State


have the honor to be, sir,
Your obedient servant,
w. HUNTER, Acting Sec. of State.
Richard Hildreth was born in Deer
field, Mass, in 1907, and consequent
~ was fifty-eight years old at the
time of his decease. His father was
an eminent clergyman at Deerfeld, of
the Congregational denomination, and
was for many years Preceptor of Deer
field Academy. Richard early dis
played thirst for learning. and neg.
lected the natural sports Of bis age for
the enticements of books. In 1922 he
entered Harvard College, where, after
the usual course of four years. he was
graduated with high honors. After
leaving college, he completed the reg
ular course of legal studies. and was
admitted to the bar /; he was a fire.
quent contributor to the leading Bos-
ton magazines, and in the year 1882,
he became an associate editor Of the
Boston Atlas" a celebrated politi-
cal journal for many years. Of which
he was one of the original founders.
His articles in the columns of the At
las " at once attracted public atten-
ton. They were remarkable for their
earnest tone, the closeness of their
reasoning. their elaborate historical IL
Illustrations, and tho point and vigor
of their diction. Mr.. Hildreth was
not born to steer skilfully between
conflicting opinions. His nature was
too earnest, too sincere, to permit any
halfway element in its composition.
His perceptions were clear, his convic-
tons of an iron strength, and he ha-
ted compromise. His love of contro.
versy was also innate and genuine I;
it had the force of passion /; he scent
ed the battle afar off; if he had no
quarrel of his own to fight for, he was
always ready to throw down his
gauntlet in the quarrel Of another.
Among Mr.. Hildreth's most poular
works were, Archy Moore" an anti
Slavery novel, of which an enlarged
edition was subsequently published
under the title of the white Slaves"
This was succeeded by a translation
from the French of Dumont's abstract
of Bentham's Theory of Legisla-
tion," a History of Banks."" Despot-
ism in America" Theory of Morals I"
and Theory of Politics" Mr.. Hill
dretb's principal literary work was
the T" Historyiof the United State" in
six octave volumes, embracing the
earliest colonial settlements and the
second term Of President Monroe's
administration. The composition of
this work had been . favorite purpose
with Mr.. HiIdreth for many years be-
fore its actual commencement. The
merits Of this history are undeniable,
and rest upon . substantial basis.
Upon the accession of Mr.. Lincoln to
the Presidency. Mr.. Hiidreth was APP
pointed to the Consulate at Trieste,
which Office he resigned about one
year ago, on account of impaired
health, and took up his abode in Flor
ence, q confirmed invalid.
With nervous temperament. and al.
most incredible habits Of mental la
Dor and facility of literary execution.
his physical strength at last yielded
to the burden Of his responsibilities.
He possessed, in a very rare degree,
the qualities Of facility and prompt
ness so essential to tho efficiency of
conductor of the public press. His
industry was perpetual marvel,
even to men who know how to work
diligently themselves. He seemed
never to indulge in an idle moment.
Mr.. Iildreth's knowledge of American
politics, Of legislation, and Of legal
decisions was both extensive and ac-
curate. liza pretender were to be set
aside, or any other nuisance abated,
he was the man to do the work. His
manners were not conciliatory. He
had no soft words to throw away up
on bores and drivelcrs. He did not
hesitate to express opinions which he
was aware were dissgreeable to the
nearer. He had no morbid love Of
gaining friends. no cowardly fear of
making enemies. He always wished
to express himself honestly, aud took