Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-05-13
Death of Judah P. Benjamin.

Judah P. Benjamin, the distinguished
lawyer and advocate, and ex-member of the
government of the Southern Confederacy,
died last Wednesday.
Judah P. Benjamin died in his apart
ments, Avenue Jena, Paris. He had been
in failing health ever since he fell while
descending from a tramway car several
years ago.
Judah Peter Benjamin was born in San
Domingo in 1912, of Jewish parents, who
emierated to Savannah in 1916. He en-
tered Yale College in 1926, but left without
graduating, In 1881 he went to New Or
leans, studied law, supported himself by
teaching, was admitted to the bar in 1884,
and rose rapidly to high position in the
profession. He also became prominent as
a politician, attaching himself to the Wing
party. In 1859 he was chosen to the Senate
of the United States, where he soen allied
himself with the Democratic party, in con-
sequence of the action of the two parties
on the slavery question. In 1859 he was
reelected to the Senate, his colleague being
John Slidell. On December 81, 1860, in a
speech in the Senate, he avowed his adhe-
sion to the Southern cause, and February
he withdrew from the Senate and was at
once appointed Attorney General in the
provisional government of the Southern
Confederacy.
In August he was appointed Acting Sec
rotary of War, but resigned in February,
1862, on account of having been censured
by congressional committee. He, how
ever, stood high in the confidence of JEFF
ferson Davis, and was appointed Secretary
of State, which position he held until the
downfall of the Southern Confederacy. He
then took up his residence in London,
where he entered successfully into the prac-
tice of the legal profession, and in 1866
published ga Treatise on the Law of Sale
of Personal Property"
At the end of the civil war he went to
England, where he engaged in the practice
OF his profession as lawyer, in which
calling he achieved not only special dis
tinction but also great wealth. In Feb
ruary, 1883, he publicly declared his retire.
ment from the active duties of his profess
sion on account Of failing health, and on
that occasion he was given a banquet by
! the English bar.
After the capture of Mr.. Davis, Mr..
Benjamin made his way to point near
Key West, where he embarked ON small
sallboat, open and without deck, for Mas
sua; and he used to relate how, when the
Gulf stream almost carried them Out into
| the open sea, when battling against head
wind and out of sight of land, and with
one bushel of raw sweet potatoes to feed
three men, when almost without hope, at
| the last moment the wind changed, filled
! their small sail, carried them within sight
OF the lighthouse, and enabled them to-ef-
feet landing just at the extreme northern
portion of the Bahamas. In September,
1865, he landed in England, and in June
following was admitted to the bar In 1868
he published his "Benjamin on Sales,'
having in the intervening years supported
himself by writing leading articles for the
newspapers. The first year he made about
$500, the next year e4O0, "and in the
fourth year." said he, ''ny income was
81 600. 1t rapidly increased after that
My book gave me my practice and now,
wonderful to relate, | have, upon looking
over my cases yesterday, just one-half Of
the cases from the realm ii. G., the whole
of England, Scotland, and IreIand) before
| the House of Lords on the appeal" He
reached the rank of Queens counselor, the
highest in the practicing profession, and
second only to that of judge, to which it is
| Unnecessary stepping stone. After having
passed his fiftieth year, to reach the top
most round of the English legal ladder, is
| . proof at once of his great ability For
several years, it is understood, Mr.. Benia-
min practice yielded him at least 5000, 600
per annum. MIR. Benjamin also contrib
uted several papers to English and Ameri-
| can magazines on the causes and conduct
of the late civil war, and continued sturdy
| defender Of the Sou hern side of the ques-
| tion