Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-06-09
DEATH OF GEN. WEBE.


in the SD year ofhis age. He was conscious
up to the hour of his death. Gen. Webb
was born in Columbus county, n. y, Februa-
nv S, 1902, and at the sge of seventeen was
granted a second lieutenant's commission by
John G. Calhoun, then Secretary Of War
He saw service in the West in various In
dian wars, and was promoted to n Iirst leu-
tenancy and became adjuant Of the Third
Regiment, U. S. A., in 1926. He was mar
ried at the age of 81, and four years later
resigned his commission and became the
principal editor and proprietor Of the New
York Morning Courier. In 1929 he bought
the New York Enquirer. which he consol-
idated withthe Courier under the name of the
Couriera and Enquirer, which was for q long
time the leading wing journal Of New York
city.
He established daily horse express be-
tween New York and Washington ut cost
of 81 900 per month, by which he was able
to secure reports of congressional proceed
ings twenty -four hours in advance Of all
other competitors. James Gordon Bennett
was in his employ as Il reporter for mum
Der of years, as was also Henry J. Raymond.
Until 1881 the Courier was a democratic
organ and strong Jackson journal, hut then,
upon the United States bank question, ii
went over to the wings. While 1t was still
democratic, the Courier and Enquirer had
suggested the nomination in 1929 of Mr. Van
Buren, for the Presidency, TO succeed Gen.
Jackson at the expiration Of his first term
This gave the General great oHense. and the
Washington Telegraph, then underline man
agement of Duff Green, denounced Webb so
violently that the latter went to Washing
r., La Of iplii,.tipf, Il
chastisement upon Green. The enemies
met, but as Green had pistol and Webb
nothing but cane only hald words came
ofthe rencontre. Webb afterwards branded
Green, not only as a wiIfGl aud malicious
slanderer, but also coward.
In 1884, when the abolition riots occurred
in New York, the Courier vigorously de-
nounced the aholitionists. 1t was always
fierce in the expression of its opinions. 1t
had innumerable qlarrels, and notably one
with Wood, an English vocalist, WAC was
driven by il from the New York boards. In
1895 occurred the tragical duel between Mr..
Graves, of Kentucky, and Jonathan CiIIey,
of Maine, both members Of the House Of
Representatives. With this affair the name
OF General Webb was intimately connected.
Matthew l.. Dana, (''rhe Spy in Washing
tony had charged with corruption some
member Of Congress in the The Courier, of
which he was the regular correspondent.
The matter was brought before the House.
Mr.. Wise, Of Virginia, Offered u resolution
that the charge he investigated. During The
debate which followed CiIIcy was among the
most severe Of those who ccnsured the press.
He particularly and personally attacked
Gen. Webb who sent him Il chaicng" through
Mr.. Graves. Ciley declined TO meet Gen.
Webb upon the ground that he did
not choose to be drawn into controversies
with the editors of public journals for words
spoken in debate. Mr.. Graves SAW lit TO
regard this refusal to receive his friends
note as an imputation upon his own honor
as the friend and second OF one who was ~
gentleman. He wrote TO Mr.. Cillcy, asking
if he declined to receive the message on the
ground Of personal objection TO Gen. Webb
rs gentleman. Mr.. Cily replied that
while not intending to be drawn into per-
sonal controversies with Gen. Webb, he
neither affirmed nor denied anything in re
gard to his character Mr.. Graves conad-
cred this rs involving him fully in the di-
lemma which he was seeking to avoid, and
he again wrote to Mr.. CilIcy, asking him if
he declined to receive Gen. Wehbs commit
nicaton on the ground that he was not Il
gentleman. This question Mr.. Cilley re-
fused to answer and Mr.. Graves then chal-
lenged him. They met and CiIley fell at
the fourth fire. Gen. Webb did everything
in his power to prevent the, duel, his pur-
pose being to meet Mr.. Cilley and force him
into fight. He also endeavorcd to find
the men after they went out, in order to
he was thwartcd in this by change in tho
place of meeting.
In June, 1912, Gen. Webb became involv-
ed in controversy with Thomas F. Mar
shall, the eccentric member Of Congress for
Kentucky. The ground Of the quarrel has
become obscure, but Marshall, in Il speech
made. in court Of law in New York, utter
cd u disreputable aluson to Gen. Webb.
This provoked an article, which led to a
challenge. The men met in Delaware and
Gen. Webb was shot in the leg. When he
came back TO New York, the grand jury in
dicted him for leaving the State to fight n
duel lie pleaded guilty, and was sentenced
to two years imprisonment in Sing Sing.
He was at once par1oned by Gov. Seward.
In 1913 he was made eng ineer-in-chief Of
the State Of New York with the rank of ma
jor-general In 1919 he was appointed by
President Tyler minister to Austria, and
proceeded to Vienna, leaving his newspa-
per in charge of Mr. Raymond The nomi-
nation was rejected by the Senate, not from
hostility to Gen. Webb, but because it was
then thought desirable by many Senators to
suspend diplomatic intercourse with Aus
tria altogether. In 1861, after refusing the
mission to Constantnople, he was appoint
ed by President Lincoln minister to Brazil,
where he negotiated the adjustment Of GER
tain. claims against that govern
New York in 1870
Gen. Webb employed the leisure hours Of
his declining years in writing occasional let
tiers for publication on the questions of the
day, especially advocating the protection of
home industry.
VIRGINIA NEWS.