The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-01-24
Death of Bancroft, the Historian

Hon. George Bancroft, the historian, died
in Washington, D. c., on Saturday last. Mr..
Bancroft was born at Worcester, Mass, 0cto-
Der Sd, 1900 He was educated first at Phil
lips Academy, Exeter, n. H., and there pre-
pared for Harvard, from which he graduated
in 1877.
Mr. Bancroft was a Democrat of the old
fashioned type. Andrew Jackson received
his support, and so did Van Buren,. In 1888
Van Buren, made him Collector of the Port
of Boston, Four years later the Democrats
of Massachusetts, made him their candidate
for Governor, and he polled a very large
vote, though not enough to give him the
Office in that Wing State. When Polk was
elected President he called Mr.. Bancroft into
his Cabinet as Secretary of the Navy. 1t was
at this time that the Naval Academy at Annap-
oils came into being, with other improvements
of great influence thereafter in the develop
ment of the navy. The Annapolis Academy
was, in fact, very largely the creation of Mr..
Bancroft. Congress had never been willing
to establish such an institution, but MIR. Ban
croft found that, as Secretary, he had certain
powers over the care and training of midship-
men by the exercise of which he could HIM
self create the nucleus of an academy. This
nucleus having been set up at Annapolis,
| Congress was alterward induced to accept the
]
enlargement. While Secretary of the Navy,
Mr. Bancroft acted for time as Secretary of
War, and, in that capacity, gave the order to
march into Texas, by which that territory
was first occupied by the United States.
4 From the Navy Department he was sent to
England, in 1876, as the American Minister,
and this office he filled until 1919. A fruit OF
/ this mission was the success with which he
urged England to adopt more liberal laws
affecting navigation.
! Mr., Bancroft's next services IN a public
| office were not rendered until 1861, when he
was made Minister TO Russia by President
johnson. A year later he was transferred
TO the North German Confederation, and in
1871 to the newly framed German Empire.
! From the latter post he was recalled, at his
own request, in 1874. In the Berlin mission
Mr. Bancroft rendered valuable services. de
had an active share in the settlement with
England of the Northwestern boundary ques-
ton, and it was he who prepared the refer
ence to the King of Prussia. Mr.. Bancroft
himself wrote the argument of the United
States, as well as the reply of the United
States TO the argument of England. Another
question adjusted in his time related to i'm
migration. England had long withheld from
her subjects, whether British or Irish. the
right to throw off allegiance and become clti-
zens of this country. Mr.. Bancroft brought
before the Prussian Government the principle
involved, and, in formal treaty with Prussia
and the other German States, secured recog.
milton of the right of expatriation at the will
of the person who chose to emigrate. Bis
marck' action in the matter had great infu
ence with England. which soon followed
Prussia in abandoning the claim it had set up
to perpetual allegiance.
His wife died in 1886. She was daughter
of Hon. John Davis, but died shortly after
their marriage. His second wife was a Miss
Bliss by whom he had several children, two
sons and two daughters.
OF Mr. Bancroft's literary labors it is un-
necessary to speak, as they are quoted upon
all occasions.