The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-12-28

DEATH OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM CoRRIE.-ThiS
well-known citizen OF Charleston died at the Mills
House or Monday morning, about ha!fpast I
O'Clock. For several weeks he had been suffer.
ing from an acute disease which threatened IA
tai termination at any moment, and the result
was not therefore attended with surprise on the
part OF either his physician or his friends.
Few men In this generation. have lived more
eventtul career than Captain Corrie, and proba-
bly, no civilian who has not occupied public POSI-
tion was more widely known. Ills acquaint-
ances might he counted from Maine TO California,
and they embraced many OF the most dstln-
gulshed men Of the country. Born In Charleston
about the year 1917, lie received good English
school education, and then entered upon CONNER
cai pursuits, many OF his contemporaries well
remembering the time when he was frstclas5
salesman in . dry goods store on King street with
his relative, Mr.. George L. Minor. 1t is said that
at that time he was one OF the few who command
ed the highest salaries paid for this ktnd Of ser
vice. Later In life, say about the year $780, events
called him TO the City OF Washington, where Tor
nearly fifteen years he welded an influence
among members Of Congress so potent, that he
was regarded rs one Of the chiefs OF the CLOVER
house." In this capacity, as q lobby member, lie
succeeded in securing the passage Of several inl-
porrant bills, involving the appropriation OF large
sums Of money, aud himself was literally re-
warded by those In whose behalf he acted. In
one instance lie received as fee nrty thousand
dollars, aud altogether met with pccuniary aud
political success quite unprecedented in those
days.
In every way, however, Captain Corre was
peculiarly fitted to command and influence men
in the various stations OF llfe-especially nen OF
the world or handsome presence and graceful
carriage with manly qualities written 10 every
lineament OF his face; gifted as a conversational
ist anu reminiscent; possessing g fund Of anec-
dote, an extraordinary knowledge Of human
nature, and a keen appreciation OF the arts;
charming as q host at his own dinner table,
whereon the luxury was almost bounGless he
attracted around him politicians, officers OF the
army ana navy, and the most distinguished civil
ians OF the United States.
During this period he was largely interested in
and identified with the yachtsmen OF New York
and the South, was frequently called upon 10 OH.
ciate as judge or referee in various matches, and
thus became familiar with the sailing qualities OF
the fastest pleasure boats on the coast Blast wit
abundant means lie purchased the best OF these
| the now historic yacht Wanderer-aud on one OF
his nrst cruises carried with him several members
of the Cabinet and other Washington celebrities.
Political excitement on the subject Of slavery run.
ming high at the time-about the year !S50-Oapt.
Corrie conceived the idea Of going 10 the coast oi
Africa, taking in a cargo Of slaves, and bringing
| them to the South. How he fitted up his beauti
full craft eluded the officials, yet ran boldly int
various ports, carrying the pennant OF the New
York Yacht Club and wearing its uniform
how he aroused suspltions Of dnbustering
raid on South America, and had revenue cut
ters nying Gall about him, yet quietly slip
ped away, fulfilled his purpose and landed 9
cargo OF negroes on an island In Georgia. with
out being first or last discovered, are matters
OF familiar history. We only refer to them tc
illustrate the bold, adventurous and lmpulsivt
character Of the man. Whatever he did, wa!
done on q comprehensive scale. There was not
mean trait In his composition. In wealth he wa.
prodlgal; In poverty he was generous to his OWL
hurt He was true as steel, and in society exhIb
tied the qualities which attracted and retained
friends. His State had no truer or more unset
fsh son, and his loss will be keeny felt by an IN
usually large number OF persons.
The funeral took place yesterday morning, tn
services being performed by Rev. Kr. Elliott.