The New York herald., 1870-02-24
SKETCH or Mr.. BuRL.sG.nE,s LIFE.

washburne, Paris saying he died after an illness
OF four days.
SKETCH or MR. BuRL!yGaME,S LIFE.
The foregoing telegram from ST. Petersburg ex-
plains the sad loss which American diplomacy has
sustained. and the more serious loss which the
Chinese government is called upon to sustain.
BIRTH, ANCESTRY AND EARLY LIFE.
Arson Burllngame was porn at New Berlin, in
New York State, on the 14th OF November. 1922
His ancestors came early to this Continent, and
originally settled In Rhode Island but subsequently
moved to the interior Of this state. During the
French wars In the eighteenth century the Bur-
lngames took active part in support OF the British
provinces. On the outbreak OF the war for American
Independence the family were stanch PATRIOTS, and
were represented in the army and navy OF the infant
republic. The father OF Mr.. Burlingame like that
gentleman, was u native OF New Berlin and his
mother, Miss Angel, descended from Colonel Israel
Angel, the famous lghier Ia the revolutionary aE0ay
commanded by General Greene, was boru In pfoyl-
dence, II. L. 1t Will thus DO seen that on both th 9
paternal and maternal side The distinguished dead
spraca from an Old and honorable lne.
While yet an infant MIR. Burlifga4s's pareqta emf
grated to the Wyandotie Indian county, now form.
ing part or Seneca county, In northern OTTO Hero
his early years were spent m hard labor and without
any educational advantages. HIS father porsued
the occupation OF drover and horse trader, and he
aided in driving the cattle aud horses to the army
posts and numerous settlements in the Territory OF
Michigan. This rude, adventurous life continued for
some years, when the FAMILY moved 10 Detroit,
where the lad may said TO have begun life his
own account. He was frequently employed by sur
veyng parties as chain carrier and In other capaci
ties, accompanying them on long and arduous expe
d.t,ons, which were often rendered dangerous be
OF tho hostility OF the Indians. When boy he
sat IN the Indian councils at Macxinac, ana was
witness to We making OF several treaties with the
Chippewas
HIS EDUCATION AND PROFESSION
Naturally enough the life Mr. Burlingame led In
his boyhOod made him robust and hearty; but it
was not career acceptable either 70 his parents or
70 himself. Happily, his fathers circumstances i'm
proved after MS removal to Detroit and lad was.
sent to the academy at that place. He was diligent
and studous and made rapid progress On leaving
the academy he went TO the Branch University OF
Michigan, where he went through a regular course
OF studies taking prizes for proficiency and
graduating with hon0rs. At this time Mr.. Burlin.
game was not more than rwenty-one years OF age.
II was determined that he should make the law his
profession, to which end, by advice OF friends he
WIS SGuL 10 MASSACHUSETTS,, WHERE Ie entered Har-
ward University in lS43, taking his degree IN 1916.
Hts education being In every respect completed,
Mr.. Burlingame took up his residence in Boston.
The deciding reason for not returning to Detroit s
SAID to have been Of tender nature. on one occa
sion, during the vacation of the Harvard Law
School, he in Boston and CHANGED to be present
at whig political meeting, where one or the
speakers made a statement 10 the eject that Mich-
gan had repudiated her obligations. The young
student, VINO was cognizant of the facts, promptly
TO his feet and, demanding the attention or the
assembage, which was readily given, pronounced
the statement incorrect and by argument proved IL
80. This incident which was published in the
papers at the time brought him into notice. and, as
it were, associated him with the politics of the
country. He soon became acquainted with the prom.
nent politicians OF the day. among whom was Mr..
Isaac Livermorc, then chairman OF the Whg Stale
Central Committee At tue residence OF this gentle
he met the daughter or his host, Miss Jane Liv-
ermore with whom he fell In love and whom he sub
sequently married. The attractions Of Boston In
creasng with the birth Of his affection he gave up
all ideas OF returning to Michigan. Accordingly, ne
at entered upon the practice or law In partner
snip with George p. Briggs, and brief period Of
time entered upon successful professional career.
AS lawyer he was not what termed ''brilliant;''
bnt he was solid reasoner, and his arguments be-
fore the courts were always noted for their logic
force. 1t is not too much to say that had he coniln
ued the practice Of law without intermssion, lie
would have by this time possessed reputation sec
ond to no practitioner In the country.
HIS POLITICAL CAREER.
Mr.. Buriingame had. however. entered upon his
political life. Before he had resided six years In
Boston he was elected member OF the State Senate
from the county Of Middesex. This was in 1852.
During the year following he was elected elegate
10 the Massachusetts state Constitutional Conven.
ton, representing The town OF Northboro. lie was
not resident Of the town, but was chosen under
the English borough system which then prevailed
in the state AS u state Senator Mr.. Burngame
distinguished himself by his determined opposition
to the prohibitory liquor laws. aud 10 all other
sumptuary enactments by the Legislature. He de.
livered several fne speeches In support OF his
views on these questions winning SO exteu-
slye a reputation among the people that
ne was nominated in the fall OF 1858 for representa-
tive In Congress from the Flfgh district OF Massa-
chusetts, comprising Boston, Cambridge and Chel-
sea and was chosen by a decided majority. AT the
close Of his he elected to the Thrtyith,
ana again in 1858 the Thirtysixth Congress, serv.
ing each time on the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
1t was during his first session that great contest
over the Speakership took place. Mr.. Burngame
was an active supporter OF General Banks, who was
finally elected, voIing for him throughout the excit
ing contest and delivering several speeches In hts
behalf On all the great questions OF the day he was
prominent participating successfully in debate
adding to the reputation he had already acquired as
a fluent, logical speaker, aud giving unmeasured
satisfaction TO his constituency.
VERY NEARLY DUEL.
Unlike the majority OF New England pubic men