New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-08
DEATH OF RICHARD H. DANA.
SKETCH OF THE LAWYER AND AUTHOR.

His great-grandlather l699-l772l was lurist OIL
distinguished abilities. practising in Boston ana
taking q leading and patriotic part in the memoir
able events of those stirring times. His death was
considered great loss to the Revolutionary cause
Francis Dana the grandfather of the subject OF ths
notice Q743-1s1ll, inherited the legal Abilities Oh
his father was ChefJ ustIoe of Massachusetts, from
1891 and held the Office for fifteen years. Inc
father of Mr. Dana Richard Henry was one OF the
pioneers of American literature dying only laSo
wear at a very advanced age. His sou, Richard
Henry, Just dead was born at Cambridge Mass
August l. 1918. He entered Harvard College, but
was obliged to suspend his studies by an affection OF
the eyes. graduating in 1897. In the meanwhile
for the sake of his health. Mr.. Dana had made a
voyage as a common sailor to California. which he
graphically described in his well-knOwn work,
Two Years Before the Mast The success OF this
book was remarkable 1t has passed through IN
Vulnerable editions and has been as popular in Ing
land as in tins country.
Mr. Dana after graduating was for a time teacher
of elocution in Harvard College, and from 1887 10
1910 he studied in the Harvard Law School lie
began the practice of law in Boston in the latter
wear; and at once secured a large and important
business particularly in the Admiralty Courts lie
published in 1871 a manual of sea usages and law
under the title of The Seaman's Friend his
has been republished in England as The Seamans
Manual" His practice in the common law courts
also began to increase. He won distinction espe-
ciallv in the York case 20 Metcalf 93. This involved
important questions of murder or homicide and as
the result of Mr. Danas exertions. the established
rulings were some " hat modified and better defined
bv legislative enactments. He also defended the
legal right TO require the use of the Bible IN the
common schools OF Maine IS Maine Reports 31B'.
Mr. Dana early manifested anti-slagery sympa-
thies. He appeared for the fugitive in the cele-
brated case of the slave Shadrack, in Boston, IN
lS53: and in that Of Anthony Burns m lHJ4 But
before this he mad assisted il forming aud founding
the Free Soil party, beng delegate to che Buffalo
Convention in 1918. Upon his return he defended
tho proceedings Of that body IN various popular
assemblages and developed considerable powers as
political speaker. His elOcutlOn was excellent DIS
manner winning. and his treatment OF public ques-
tons methodical and intelligent. He was mem
Der of the Massachusetts, Constitutional Convention
of 1888. He was also among the prominent
founders of the Republican party. warmly advocat-
ing the election of Abraham Lincoln IN 1850, and
he remained active and important in the affairs Of
the organization until ISL
During the years 1889 and 1860, Mr.. Dana made
= tour around the world. He revisited California,
and visited the Hawaiian Islands. China, Japan,
Cevlon India and Egypt. returning through Europe.
Mr. Lincoln appointed him In 1861 United states
Attorney for Massachusetts,. and this place he re-
tanned until 1868 distinguishing himself IN the
argument of prize cases then frequently arising
Associated with Mr. Evarts be also argued the prize
cases for the Government before the supreme Court
He held that pending civil war Government could
exercise belligerent rights against It's own citizens
on It's own soil or on the high This and other
cOnseQueut prime pies sustained by ia" Court
| - Blacks Reports. $50. The prize act OF 1854
was drafted by Mr. Dana. lie appeared for the
Government in the proceedings against Jefferson
Davis see Johnsons Reports. vol. H.
In 1856. being requested to do SO by the family
o, the late Nj Wheaton be engaged in the prepara-
tion of q new edition Of Wheatons International
! Law bringing up that standard work from ISIS,
when MI Wheaton died, to the time Of the publica-
ton of the revised book. This task, which III some
respects Nh Dana performed successfully. entaied
! mon him much subsequent annoyance. Some OF
| his original aunotatious were regarded with par
ticular favor: and his note on the neutrality laws
Of the United states and Great Britain was trans
lated bv order of our Government TO be used by the
arbtrators at Geneva in 1872. Mr.. Dana was IN
the Massachusetts House of representatives, IN
| 1857 and in 1865 In 1857 be made speech on
the usury laws and in favor Of their repeal. which
attracted public attention and has been several
I
In 1865 Mr.. Dana received the degree of LID. from
Harvard College. ana he lectured on international
law in the Cambridge Law School in 1866 and
1867 He ran against General Butler In the E-se I
Mass District in lsG-. and was defeated by large
majority. THIS temerity his part also led to
subsequent trouble.
In March 1876, General Grant nominated Mr..
Dana as Minister to England, to refill the position
vacated by Mr. Schenck. At first. at least with the
public, there was no thought of any opposition to
this nomination. and il was regarded by the public
with peculiar favor. General Grant was congratu-
lated upon his good Judgment. But personal and
private feelings began to exercise their Inilu-
ence Great opposition to his confirmation arose,
mainly through the exertiOns Of General Butler.
who had not forgotten Mr. Danas canvass against
HIM and OF Mr.. Lawrence, who charged that Mr.
Dana had prated the notes Of his edition OF
Wheaton's International Law IL IL unnecessary
to revive here the dreary details OF this literary
scandal Mr. Dana complained and with justice
that the charges against him were made er pdrte
before the Senate Committee, While he was denied
anv onnortunlty of defence He felt, and perhaps
he had right to feel that It was not his literary
differences with Mr. Lawrence but his political
Adherence W IN General Butler which the Senate
Committee were considering. The nomination Gen
era Grant utterly refused withdraw for he prob
ollv considered it one OF the most credtabe acts
of his Administration. The result was that II was
rejected on the 9TH of April by vote Of thirty
10 seventeen The controversy continued TO rage
even after the rejection, and attracted some notice
abroad. several London newspapers characterzlng
the affair as paltry intrigue. In the presence
of the death Of such man, II Is enough 10 say that
II ne erred in the matter he did so uuInJentonaly.
He undoubtedly felt the indignity As keenly as 1t
wouId be possible for any man to feel IT. but all
that is over now II he unwittngly did Mr.. Law
renee any Injustice, he paid the penalty.
Mr.. Dana was an attached member of the Protes-
tant Episcopal Church. and his syinpathles were