Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-06

graduation, he paid no attention %
that profession. On the contrary
the advent oil Andrew Jacks 60 the
Presidency IN SO found aim ia Washing
ton as a prOicge of ABurew Jackson DOntl-
son, the Presidents private secretary,
through whom he was brought into rela-
tons with Jackson himself and thus
made an humble eutlce INTO politics,
which proved more cOngeuial 10 hlm Than
medicine. I mas been said by ms friends
that DC was at one time Jackson's private
secretary, but this was not the case,
though be was employ ed IN the executive
Office under Maj D0nelsOn, and was we'll
liked by the President.
In 1888, during Jackson's second term,
Gwin was nominated TO the Senate for
United Stateem arshal for the district Of
Mississippi. The Mississippiaus opposed
this nomination, because GWin was not
recognized as citizen OF that State,
though he claimed TO have resided and
practiced MS profession at Nicksburg dur
ing the short interval after his graduation
and before going to WashingtOn. How
ever, the senate sympathized with the OPP
position OF the people OF Mississippi, and
rejected the nomination, This ac-
tion only excited the determine
ton OF Oid Hickory, andl he at once re-
neWed tue nomination, with an 1ntima-
tiOn that Gwin or nobody should be Mar
shal Tor Mississippi That settled it, and
Gwiu was confirmed. He subsequently
was elected TO Congress from that state,
serving in me House OF Repre- sentative
from 1871 to 1913. After tuaL he removed
10 New Orleans. where ne LOOK an active
part ln politics, and IL 1874, was made
Commissioner 10 superintend the erection
Of toe yet uncompleted Custom House iu
that city
ON the acq isition Of California ne
started for tuat then distant lana of prom
Use, his emigration IN lSlS 8ntedating the
discovery Of gold on the Pacific coast. He
travelled overland through Texas, New
Mexico, and Arizona, and reached bis
destination in time 10 participate actively
iu the formation OF "a state QoVernineFt,
IL which he cut SO conspicuous h&ure
that he was chosen one OF the first Sena-
tors in Congress from that state. taking
his seat with toe admission Of the state
into the Union IN 1870, and being re-elect-
cd in 1876. In 1860 rhe State went RepuD-
lican. and GWin lost his seat. He bitterly
opposed the election of Lincoln, and hOugh
California remained loyal TO the Union,
swim could not conceal his sympathy
for the South, the region Of his nativity,
and thus at the outbreak Of the war was
soon ia trouble with the gOyernme MT. His
son, who had been appointed a cadet at
serve in the Confederate army. His
family, who had been residing in Wash
lngton. took an early opportunity 70 pass
through the lines to the South. The eX-
Senator himself returned to California,
and Joined the Southern sympathiZers in
that State IN their efforts to arraign the
State with the South. Failing in this,
Gwin, Calhoun, Benham and others took
passage on "a Pacific mail steamer for
4
fadcracy. Gen. Sumner. with seVera. com
panies Of regular troops, also took passage
on the same steamer, ana during the y0y-
rn to Panama arrested GWin, Bennam
and Brent. and brought them TO this port,
where they ere placed in Fort Lafa vette,
Gwin was released in 1868 ard remained
quiet for awhile, but soon found his way
TO Mexico, where be joined the fortunes
OF the unfortunate milan, by whom
he was created Duke Of Sonora, and at
once went 10 work To make his dukedOm
Of some account by invitiug immigration
from the United States. ON the collapse
of the rebellion he made much progress in
this direction, the defeated Southern
soldiers willingly accepting his in
ducements to settle beyond the sight of
the stars and stripes. Among his recruits
was Barclay Henley, now the only Demo-
CRATIC Congressman from California.
Henley, according 10 Twins statement,
was made a Mexican citizen IN his
(Gwin's) presence; though Henley now
denies that he was ever natur9iZed in
that country. The death OF GWin removes
much oral testimony against Henley,
which was expected TO be used in the next
Congress TO unHeat him. With the defeat
and death Of Macmillan, Owns Mexican
career terminated, and with IL his duke
dom, though the title OF Duke has been
accorded TO him by courtesy.
Gwin took an active part IN support of
Horace Greeley for President in 1872, for
Tilden in 1875, for Hancock in 1880. and
for Cleveland in 1884. OF late years he
has spent his winters usually in Wash
ingt0u, where be has been looked upon as
the particular representative Of Leland
Stanford aud the Central Pacific Railroad
/ Company. Last winter he devoted his
attention 10 the defeat OF the Nicaragua
canal scheme. He was an applicant for
the place Of Minister 20 Japan under She
/ present administration, but the appoint
ment was refused 10 him, ostensibly on
I account Of his age.
Mr. OWNS wife is still living in Sar
Francisco, and also his only son, William
and a married daughter. Mrs. Coleman.