The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-07
A CONsUL's VIOLENT DEATH.

SAD RESULTS OF INJURIES PROM A RUFFIASL1
sArLoR-A PATRIOTIC RECORD DURING THE
wAR-How THE REBEL ADMIRAL sEMMEs
WAS ouTwITrED-sKEIcH OF AN OLD NEW
ENGLAND CHARACTER.
CHARLgsrowx. Mass. May 6, 1877.
cable despatch received by his relatives IN this
city, this morning, conveys the sad intelligence Of tho
violent death Of Mr.. Henry Sawyer, Tor tho past
twenty three years Consul OF the United States u
Paramarbo, In the colony OF Surnam, South America
Tho Immediate OF his death injury
ceived tow days before at the hands OF ruifanly
sailor. OF whom, IN his Official capacity Mr.. Sawyer
had boon called upon tako unpleasant cognixanco
Tho sailor struck him violent blow with his s and
otherwise ma,srsa.od him, INJECTING such internal
injuries TO result in hemorrhage and death.
A PATRIOTIC RECORD
Mr.. Sawyer, who aityone years or age, had hold
tho position or Consul as Surinam for nearly quarter
OF century, having been appointed from this vicinity
by the President Pierce In the carly days OF his
administration. Although no was absont IRON his
tive land during tho war Of tho rebellion performing
the duties OF his Office which Ut that time were moro
than ordinarily arduous, ho loyalty stood up for tho
integrity or tho Union while surrounded by popula-
ton almost entirely In sympathy with tho South mo
first act Mr. Sawyer at tho outbreak OF the rcbci
lion, In 1851, to tender TO tho government tho
amount OF his yearly salary TO DO used toward main-
tanning its authority over tho whole country. Tho
loyal offering not accepted but its declnaon was
accompanied with tho CRATE u Acknowledgements OF tho
government Ia nm autograph letter Of President Lin
coln
A RxnxL COMMANDER oUTwIrrED.
A. tho time that seInmes was In command OF tho
rebel prvateor Sumter he put IN ut Surnam Tor Goals
and supplies. Mr. Sawyer true TO hia loyal Instincts
and patriotism, immediately cxerted himself 20 place
all tho obssructions possible in tho way OF semmcs'
purchase and shrcwdiy and quietly bought up all tho
coal in the city SO that the rebel commander
abe got q lump planter offered 10 furnish
Semmes with quantity OF coal which he had his
premises u seashoro estate, wheroupon Mr.. Saw
yer Immediately hirod oil tho scows, punts and
captain cop.s was mo Obliged 10 uso his own boats ss
10 cool up with Tho consequence OF Mr. Sawycr's
activity was that Sommcs detained In harDor Tor
upward OF week. whereas lac had intended to remain
only fow hours In tho meantime the patriotic con-
sui had despatched MESSAGE to United States
steamer thcn lying ut Cayenne, which could have
easily captured tho sumter and Semmes, and prevented
tho ravages afterward committed upon American mcr-
chant vessels by the Sumter and Alabama under tho
noted rebels command But the cowardico or
treachery OF tho commander OF the United States
the commander subsequently cashered for his
conduct For his efficient behavior IN thus matter Mr..
Sawyer was tho recipient oil very CORDIAL letter Oh
thanks from Abraham Lincoln.
CHANCES IN TIKI DRAFT
When the DRAFT ordered Tor men 10 I'LL up tho
armies In tho Hold Mr. sawyer Mr.. Williams,
City Clerk Of Churestown, requesting to have his nao
duty, stating that II his name drawn no should
either serve In person or furnish u substitute. HIS
drawn, but he furnished iull company
OF 1913 from tho colony Of Surlnam and paid their
passage Boston, and many OF them enlisted us part
Of the quota OF Charlostown Many Of these men were
old soldiers OF Tho Crnean war, and all wore loyal 10
MR. SAVERS FAMILY.
Mr.. Sawyer had no chiidron, but leaves widow, an
est,mablc lady, native Of France, whom he married
IN surinam. She has always been noted Tor her hos
ptaty and kindness to all who have had occasion to
visit The consulate from tho Unitod Statos.
NOTED vicrUALLER
1t IL only day or two ago that Mr. Seth Sawyer,
Yiau
consul, passed TO hrs long home. He was oghty-two
years Ola ana ory or NIFTY years ago no Was one Q.
nearly hall century no kept largo victunlling cstab-
shniont In the old Baker building, IN Chariestowu
square, iavorte resort known Tor a hundred miles
around In every direction WINS his boast that soma
OF the greatest men OF the day were among mis-
founders OF ~ least two OF the large New York dacs
OF tho present day dincd at his table. II was Ire
quentcd only ny tho ioca. population but by Iarin
ers came 10 Boston from fur aud ncar-cven from
remote towns Name. New Hampshire and YER
Doalmen, before tho days OF railroads and general
modern arrangements Tor travelling. Mono save
the oldest OF Charlcstown's citixcns-such MS the
historian Frothnghan-havo any idea OF tho immense
amount or busncss that carried on ny the ancestor
OF tho patriotic south American Consul during tho
tmo the square" the general market place Tor
the country farmers. He employed large force, AMI
his place only closed Tor iew hours during tho
night Substantial meals were served Tor SMILING
and twenty cents embracing all the Injuries Tor which
dollar Is nov exactcd. large pitcher OF ciuer
always sat nj tho head OF the long dining table, tho
contents or which free those who wanted u.
The cooking all done with wood charcoal IN tho
earlier days OF his business AMI tnore some VINO
remember the huge 1rc place. largo enough to roast
whole OK with It's roaring nrc which consumed nearly
= cord Of wood pcr day.
Al that .lme Mr. sawyer had tho monopoly Of tho
oyster la this vicinity. Ho had large beds at
Cape Cod, IRON which no used 10 bring the bivuvcs
by the schooner load. Ito also bedded oysters under
what she fitchburg Railroad BRIDGE and other
places In those days nearly everybody drank ardent
Spirits aud three cents tho price against hoen
now Mr.. Sawyer sold large quantities. bus u Is said
mover any 10 man who was drunk, and ON tins nc-
count ho moicstod by tho law, which was In
iorco during the years that he In business
lie Is remembered as exceptional and noOlo type OF
tho genuine Now Englandcr and may DO said OF Doth
the departed father and that they are deeply
mournsd In tho vicinity OF Bunker HilL