Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-11-19
F4FTY-sIx YEARS OF SERVICE
Assistant Secretary Hunter Compelled
to Retire and Dangerously Ill.
From the Ba5tinore Sun.

from me bIttifaOFe sun.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 16.-During the
past month Mr.. William Hunter, Second
Assistant Secretary OF State, has been
gradually falling. In this comparatively
short time he has been reduced from
seemingly perfect health TO a state of
emaciation. He is now lying dangerous
ly i'll at his home in Georgetown, and IS
not expected to live through the week.
He kept at his post until his failing pow
ers attracted the attention of Secretary
Bayard. who insisted that he should take
leave and submit to medical treatment.
About this time it was discovered
that he had been in the habit OF
rising at > O'Clock in the morning and
taking the train for Baltimore, where he
was receiving treatment for a f5tula, and
returning in time TO be at his desk
promptly at 9 o'clock. Secretary Bayard
reasoned with the old gentleman, ana eau
toned him to take better care Of himself.
This resulted IN mis- retiring to his home a
week ago, where he has steadily grown
worse, and now all hopes Of his recovery
are abandoned. The news has cast n
gloom all over the department, where Mr.
Hunter was respected and loved by every
one, from .he Secretary down. The en-
pl0yes OF the department attested their
regard for the aged Official on the ifueth
anniversary OF his connection with the
State Department, by filling his room with
flowers and banquetng him IN the eve
ming. TIE then secretary closed the de-
partment at o'clock in honor OF the
event.
MIR. Hunter was appointed to one Of the
lower grade clerkships in the State De-
partment May y, 1S29-oyer fifty-six
years ago. He was of good family con-
nections, coming from old Rhode Island
5 ock. He soon gained the confidence of
his suDeriors, and in 1888 the relations of
the United States with Spanish America
and Brazil were consolidated in one bu-
reau and be was placed in charge. The
bureau remained under his control for
fifteen years, until lS4S. On Oct. l, 1913,
he took charge of the division OF claims,
and was permanently appointed Claims
Clerk March Is, lS49. In May, 1852, Mr..
Hunter became Chief Clerk OF the Depart
ment. vice VIM. S. Derrick, deceased.
tie was Acting Secretary of State for
four days in March. 1858. between the
date OF Mr.. Eyeretts resignation and the
appointment of Mr.. Marcy. President
Pierce commissioned him Assistant Sec
rotary May 8, 1855, with the understand
ing that he should resume his duties as
chief clerk as soon as another Assistant
Secretary could be procured. This was
.
At the beginning Of the war he was called
to the office of Assistant Secretary upon
the resignation Of VIM. H. Trenholm, of
south Carolina, who was in sympathy
with the seeding States. His executive
abilities won the admiration OF all the
officials during the trying period which
followed. His faithful services were
rewarded in 1866, when Congress
created the Office of Second
Assistant Secretary of State, and
President johnson commissioned him to
fill it July 81 of that year. He has always
been trusted in the handling of the most
important diplomatic matters, and is the
author Of the celebrated KOszta letter to
the Austrian government. He will be
greatly missed in the department when
he is taken away. His services, in fact,
were invaluable. The familiar phrase,
ASK Mr.. Hunter" was always heard
when there was need of some half-fOrgOt-
ten document bearing upon matters of cur
rent Interest. He was always able TO an
swer questions about the affairs of the
department since it's inception. In per
son Mr.. Hunter was finely built. and un-
til recently has borne his years most
sturdily, but he has at last been obliged
to succumb to old age and disease.