The daily gazette., 1879-03-29
SECOND EDITION
Death of Chancellor Bates.
HE DIES, UNEXPECTEDLY, IN RICH
MOND, VA.

| As announced in late edition of yes
terday's GAZETTE, the Hon. Daniel NJ.
| Bates, Chancellor of the State of Della
ware, died at noon, yesterday, at the Ex-
| change Hotel, Richmond, Va. Mr.. Bates
had gone TO Richmond about ten days
ago, to attend to an important railroad
case in the Courts of that city, aud on
"Wednesday his family received letter
from him, stating that he was unwell,
and requesting that his colored servant,
Horace, he SEN to him at once, as he felt
he would need his services. This letter,
which was written on Tuesday. was fol-
lowed by despatch from Mr.. Bates, an
nouncing that his illness continued, and
agaln requesting that Horace be sent to
attend to hm.
| About o'clock, yesterday morning,
thu ex-Chancellor's son, Geo. NJ. Bates,
Esq, of tins city, received a despatch
from Richmond stating that his father
was very Ill, and requesting him to come
on a. once He at once made prepara-
| tions to leave for Richmond on the one
O'Clock express, but scarcely had he
boarded the train when another despatch
was received by the family, announcing
the death of Mr.. Bates which had just
occurred. No particulars have since
| been received, but il is supposed his
death was occasioned by disorder of the
| liver and bowels, from which he had long
been a sufferer, though recently his con-
dllion had not been such as to crea e any
apprehensions for hi, safety.
George II. Bates, Esq, proceeded to
Richmond, yesterday, Oh the noon ex-
press, and is expected to return tonight
with the body.
Daniel NJ. Bates was born at Snow
Hill, Nd, about the year 1920, and was
therefore 50 years of age. He was the
son Of Rev. Mr.. Moore, all emnen.
| clergyman Of that place, but his father
dying when he was quite young, he was
consigned to the care Of the distinguish
ed Dover lawyer, Martin w. Bates, who
was his fathers warm friend. He was
legally adopted by Mr.. Bates, and as
sumcd the name by which he was ever
afterwards known, that of Daniel NJ
| Bates. lie read law in the office of his
adopted father, went through regular
collegiate course at Dickinson College,
| Carlisle, Pa, and in 1S43 or 1874, was
| admitted to the bar of Kent county, and
| entered at once upon the practice of his
profession. In politics he was consist
ent Democrat, and after the election of
Governor Tharp, in 1S4o, he was appoint
ed Secretary OF State, which office be
held until the expiration of Gov. Tharp's
term of office.
| In 1860 Mr.. Bates removed to this CITY,
| and as his reputation as an able lawyer
was fairly established he at once sntersd
| upon a lucrative practice. His legal
| abilities were of the most pronounced
| character, and it is said that the late
John M. Clayton, who was warm friend
of Mr.. Bates, EXPRESSED the opinion that
be was the most complete lawyer in the
State. In 1852 Mr.. Bates was appointed
| by the q eneral Assem- bly, to codify the
! Avs of the State, which duty he perform
ed in the most able manner. He was also
U. s. District Attorney under President
Buchanan.
In 1851 he was delegate to the famous
Peace Convention, that was held for the
purpose Of endeavorlng to devise mea-
| sures to settle the nauonal difficulties
without resorting to the civil war that
was then impending.
The death of Hon. Samuel NJ Harring-
ton, ou Nov. 28,h 1865, caused vacancy
In the office OF Chancellor, and on Dec
| ember 18th following, Mr.. Bates was ap-
pointed to the vacant position by Cover
nor salisbury. He filled the position
with the highest aeceptability, and dur
ing his officia, career only one of his
decisions was reversed. On Nov. 1st,
| 1873, Chancellor Bates resigned his POSI-
| ton, on account Of ill-heath, and was
| succeeded by the present Chancellor, the
Hon. Willard salisbury. Soon after his
resignation Mr.. Bates went abroad, and
spent over a year in the South of France
to the great benefit Of his health. He re-
turned IN the ia II of 1875, greatly invigo-
| rated, and resumed the practice of his
profession.
Besides attending to his large legal
business Mr.. Bates found time to atte I'D
to many local affairs. He was a devoted
member of the 81. L. Church, and was
deeply Interested in its prosperity. OF
the Historical Society of Delaware he
was one OF the most valued members,
ami contributed some valuable papers to
| the treasures of the Society, among them
being sketch of the deceased Chancel-
lors of Delaware, which was pronounc.
ed by all who read 1t, an Interesting and
valuable pamphlet. He also, by special
request of the Society, prepared me moir
OF the late Judge Hall, which was issued
from the press only few months ago.
Mr.. Bates was President of the Society,
having filed that position for the past
two or three years.
In all his busy aud useful career Mr..
Bates was ever guided by the the purest
spect and confidence of his fellow men
ever attended him through his whole life.
OF him it can bepsincerely said, "a good
man has gone to his reward"
Chancellsr Bates family comprised
two-Georgs H., the well known lawyer,
and Daniel Nj. Bates, Jr. an Episcopal
Clergyman now engaged in the mission
work in China-and two grown up
daughters. His wife who was sister of
eX Gov Saulsbury's wife, died about tlve
or SIX years ago. MIR. Bates resided at
No. 1908 Delaware Avenue, but had re-
Gently purchased one of the new houses
on Jefferson street, above Delaware
Avenue, and was making preparations
to remove to it soon.
The body of Mr.. Bates lett Richmond
this morning, and will arrive in this
city, probably, This evening, at 5:46
o'clock. An escort of distinguished
members of the Virginia bar Will accom-
pany the remains
The business that took Mr.. Bates to
Richmond was the great suit against the
Washington and Ohio railroad company
in which he was Que of the cou sci.