The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-02-27

was nominated by the Democrats for
Governor of Massachusetts, but was
defeated. On the election Of James X.
Polk to the Presidency MI. Bancroft
became Naval Secretary, Signalling his
administration by the establishment
OF tho Annapolis Naval Academy.
which he accomplished by his own
unaided efforts. He also succeeded In
extending the usefulness of the Wash
ington Observatory. While Secretary
OF tho Navy Mr. Bancroft gave the
order, in the event of war with Mexico,
to take possession Immediately OF Cali
fornia, and constantly renewed the
order, sending it by every possible
channel to the commander of the Amer
lean naval squadron in the Pacific. It
was fully carried out No order, so far
as Is known, was issued from any other
department for the same purpose. Dur
ing his term, while Secretary of War
pro tenn, he gave the order to march
into Texas, which caused the first occu-
patton of Texas by the United States.
From 1S46 to 1910 Mr.. Bancroft was
Minister to Great Britain; In 1907 to
Russia; In 1903 to the North German
Confederation, and in 1871 to the Ger
man Empire, from which post he was
recalled, ut his W request, in 1874. It
was through Mr.. Bancroft's efforts dur
ing his ministry to Berlin that England,
Germany and many other smaller states
abandoned their claim to perpetual
allegiance. In 1910 Mr.. Bancroft had
published the third volume of his his
tory, and volumes four to ten appeared
hnfr-anr 1QEO @~l IOrk ~
twelve appearing In 1882. Revisions in
six volumes were also published by
him Mr.. Bancroft during his life was
honored with election Il the Berlin
Royal Academy and the French Insti-
tute and both degrees from Oxford and
Bonn. Many minor publications were
issued by him, but it is by his great
worl, covering the early history OF the
United States that he is best known.
The first volume of his "History Of
the United States" was issued, us has
been said, in 1884. The others appeared,
ut irregular intervals, his public serv-
ices interfering moro or less with the,
preparation of them. The third volume.
appeared in 1910. After the completioni
Of his English mission, in 1s49, Mr.. Ban
croft came to New York, where he con-
tinued work on his history, and volumes
four to ten appeared between 1852 and
1874. In 1876 the work was revised and
reissucd as a centenary edition. Two
moro volumes were published under the
title, History of the Formation of the
Constitution Of the United States" Of,
the value of Mr.. B%ancroft's great his
torical work 1t would be superfiuous to-
speak. Edward Everett said of theI
early volumes:
ut Is one of the ablest of the class
which has for years appeared in the
English language; 1t compares advan-i
tageously with the standard British his
torians- AS for as it goes it does such
Justice to its noble subject as to super
sede the necessity of any future work
Of tho same kind, and If completed rs
commenced will unquestionably forever
as ON English classic"
Mr.. Bancroft's pen did much other
important work, and many Of his best
productions were in the form of address,
es upon important occasions. His re-
cent years have been spent in Washing
ton and in Newport, where his familiar
figure on DOT or horseback has been
we'll known. He has always been an
interchangeable worker, and his strict reg
ularity Of habits probably accounts for
his remarkable vitality.
Making Up for Loaf limo.
He-Ie expect to be out of town all of
next week. (Tenderly.) Tell me, what
will you do In the evenings thnt I am