The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-01-06
PdbLfc oSEYss or Tnr Hon CALEB


tive part in National American politics
for over forty.fvc years, and been asso.
oiated with some of the most important
events in the history Of that period. He
was born in Salisbury. Essex County.
Mass in January, 1900, and descends
from an old colonial family. He was
graduated at Harvard, studied law and
was admitted to the bar, commencing
practice at Newburyport. His political
career began in 1925, when be was elect.
ed representative from Newburyport 10
the lower House of the Massachusetts
Legislature, and supported the then Re.
publican party. In 1929 he visited Eu-
rope on tour Of pleasure, and on bis re.
turn, two years lator, wrote book on
Spain, and one on the French Revolution
Of 1880 In 1883 he re.entered the VI as.
sachusetts Legislature, and in 1885 was
elected from the Essex north district Of
Massachusetts, to Congress, where he
served four consecutive terms, acting with
the Wing party until President Tyler
came into power when he sided with the
Administration, and henceforth supported
the Democratic party. Failing to be con-
frmed in lS43 as Secretary of the Treas
ury, for which office he had been nomi.
oated by President Tyler, he was sent as
Commissioner to China, where he nego.
tiated our first treaty with that empire.
Mr.. Gushing warmly defended the Mez-
can war, and failing to induce the Massa-
causetts Legislature to aid in equipping
volunteer regiment, he furnished the re.
quisite sum himself, became colouel, and
proceeded to the seat OF war, where he
was promptly made brigader.ge general. In
lS47. while still in Mex leo. he was nom.
mated for Governor OF Msssachusetfs, uut
was defeated. Mr.. Gushing represented
Newburyport in 1850 for the sixth time
in the Legislature Of his native State, and
was active in opposing the election Of Mr.
Sumner as United States Senator, and the
coalition between the Free Soil and Dem
ocratic parties. After being two years
Mayor Of Newburyport, aud one year
Justice Of the Supreme Court Of Massa.
chusetts, he was appointed United States
Attorney General By President Pierce 10
1858, and held that position four years,
dealing with questions Of great gravity
and complexity. He served again in the
Massachusetts, Legislature in 1857. 1858
and 1859, Mr.. sCushing presided over
the Democratic Convention held IN
Charleston in 1860 for the nomination Of
a Presidential ticket, and during the
eventiul war period which soon succeeded
held a!oof from public affairs, but was
known to be 10 sympathy with the Uaion
cause, ard IN one or two occasions was
intrustcd with legal business by the Ad.
ministration. In 1866. President john.
son, with whose policy the veteran poit.
clan was more or less in accord, appointed
him Commissioner to co1ify the laws Of
Congress. During the present Admins.
tration he was appointed counsel Of the
United States before the High Tribunal
of Arbitration of Geneva, aud acquired
great fame BY the able manner in which
he conducted his cause to successful is.
sue. Mr.. Gushing published on his re-
turn u history Of that tribunal, which was
favorably received, his structures on Sir
Alexander Cock burn, the British arhitIa.
tor, being deemed particularly entertain
ing. Beside his public duties. Mr., Cusb.
ing has long enjoyed extensive practice
as lawyer. holding briefs in the most
important cases coming before Supreme
Courts of the United States. His coun-
sci has been sought frequently on grave
International questions, and he enjoys the
reputation Of being one Of the best in.
formed men in the country on the poli,i.
dal history of the United States, as well
as their reiatlous wI,n rO.~;.--- --.;..=,
r SORcERY N NAKIINTVUE.-V5or -. :, q,
obeah, is extensively practiced by the
creole and negro population of all the
West India Islands, ip spite Of the efforts
of the civil and religious authorities for
its suppression. The sorceror is general
2 ly some person superior in cunning and
other qualities to the mass Of the negro
population, and is held in great dread and
veueration by those over whom he is sup
+ posed to hold a mysterious power for
good or evil. Under the protection Of
this dark sunerstitious fear, he is able to
commit or instigate the most atrocious
s crimes, as 10 negro and few white people,
G will voluntarily testify against an obeah
-. man, lest be or his accomplices should
4; take summary vengeance upon them.
These sorcerers are employed by persons
: who have grudges against their neighbors;
=. aud as inquests on the bodies of negroes
b. are rare occurrences in Martinique, it is
/. the easiest matter n the world for the
obeah man to furnish a customer with tho
= poisons be wants in order to get rid ct
some one who may have wronged or Of
G Tended him. But such is the terror IN
D spired by these sorcerers In the minds oi
these ignorant negroes that it is not al
e ways necessary to resort to actual poison.
D ing. A word, a sign, look, from the
;. obeah man is enough to strike his victim
with mortal horror, under the iufue, &C
Of which many poor creature has pireG
e away into the grave. 1t is said that sor.
cerers are not ouly very skilful iu poi
sons to be administered with food or drink
but that some of them carry suall giOb'
!. ule Of serpent's venom under sharpened
!. finger .nail,by which they can innict death
b with slight puncture of the flesh. These
/ are dangerous customers, and they are
rarely meddled with. The sale of charm
and love.powders is also part Of their
e business.
o Strange as it may seem, these obeah
n men are frequently employed by whites
d who wish to get rid Of au obnoxious person
d The name of Cowpeer Karr, who was &
d few years ago famous sorcerer in Mar
1t Unique, will long be remembered with
s detestation in the island. After a long
n career of crime, during which he and his
o accomplices were believed to have COM
IT mitted many murders and lesser offence:
Q innumerable, he was arrested and brough