The Washington times., 1901-10-21
A Familiar Figure at the National
CapitaI-Noted for Detention cf
Confederate Privatecr Colon Mt
sam Frnncisco During Civil War.

age was strong and hearty. In jane he
experienced a severe fall which was the
cause of his illness. on Saturday he left
the house and took walk. and on return
ing complained OF feeling i'll. During the
night he suffered a pulmonary hemor-
rhage. his death was attributed directly
to heart failure. Colonel James was six
feet two inches in height. He had long,
white hair which hung down around his
shoulders; his face was scanned with age,
but his eyes were bright and keen; his
form as straight as an arrow.
During his LIE Colonel James played
no inconsiderable part in public affairs
and his services to the Union cause dur
ing the war between the States although
not Of such character as to receive cx-
F-7f-a-l.l ln history T@~" most valuable.
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During the immediate ante-beltum days.
when the. kansas-Nebraska question
threatened to disrupt the country. Coo
Lei James supported Lincoln, believing, he
said, that it was his duty to vote Tor the
best man and soundest principles, iIre-
spective Of party. He became then one
of the lsading managers Of the Repupli-
can party and served under President
Lincoln in many positions of trust the
most responsible OF which was that OF
collector Of the port of San Francisco,
where he rendered most valuable services
to the Federal cause in the celebrated
case Of the Confederate vessel Colon, oS-
tensibly being built for the Chilean Gov
ernment, but which Colonel James held
by armed force as a privateer built to
Ste4flt
the Pacific.
Colonel James supported the RepUb-
Gcan Administration during the war, be
ing, as he was, an ardent Unlonist. Win
the advent OF new issues growing out of
the Spanish-Ameriuan war he. however.
grew to look upon politics in different
light and he returned to the Democratic
party. bitterly opposing the policy of re
tanning the Philippines. For the active
stand he took upon this question he was
recognized throughout the country. Al
the time Of his death he was President
of the AEti-Imperialist League.
In addition to his active participation
in politics. Colonel James found time to
devote much of his energies to ltera-
ture. He was the author of a blank verse
play. Joan Of Are" which was pre-
scented in this city five years ago He
was a frequent contributor to the news
papers and while not prolific writer OF
verse has written many poems which at
different times received much praise
Colonel james was born in lsl1 at
Sweden, Monroe County. n. Y, and was
the son of Judge AmaZiah Bailey Jane 3.
who became famous through the Morgan
auti-Mason excitement in that state. lie
81 uoied law, and when twcnty-One years
Of age began the practice Of his profts-
sion at Aibian under Sanford L. Church,
Chief Justice of New York.
n 1880 he went West, and became inter-
eSted in law aud politics at Milwaukee
Here he was associated with Chief JUS
tice Ryan. OF Wisconsin, and Judge Mac
Arthur. father OF Gen Arthur Macarthur,
gra of ff1sa 7rnFR q IL
battles ever fought in that state. In 2
short time Colonel James became Attor-
ney General Of Wisconsin, ana IN PrCS-
iGenf Buchanan s administration he W3S
sent to Washington I'll relation to the re
funding Of certain taxes which had caused
litigation OF several years. The mission
was suCceS SSful-
West and Immediately entered the fierce
campaign then going on between Abra-
ham Lincoln and Stephen a. Douglas.
Although Il Democrat and a friend OF
Douglas, Colonel James gave his support
10 Lincoln. Upon Lincoln's election Col
onel James was appointed collector OF the
port at San Francisco. II was While
serving in this capacity that the Colon
4 continual fear of Confederate priya-
teers prevailed in San Francisco, made
more acute by the arrest ard conviction
OF Harpending. GratchOuse. and others.
who had secured vessel and mad been
arrested before they could put into eNeCu-
ton their plans to start out on u pr1Va-
teering expedition. The Pacific Mail
steamers, which left San Francisco semi
monthly. carried to Panama on an aver
age Of about 81 500 900 in gold coin for ship
Inent to New York. There was no protec-
tion to these vessels on the Paclilc side
Each steamer was allowed flne cannon
for it's defence. They depended upon their
Shortly after Colonel James arrival he
was informed that a heavily armed
steamer had been built and launched at
North Point The information came from
an observing Union man, who said he
believed the vessel to be a Confederate
priyateer, and that it was being built by
Nicholas LARGE, an Italian and a pros
porous business man Of san Francisco.
Colonel James visited North Point. He
found the vessel to be a rakish looking
craft, lying low In the water and evil
IDENTIFY built for speed. He suspected at
once that she meant mischief. and main
tained a vigilant watch upon her. The
vessel loaded a cargo Of guns and am
rnunitipn. When he believed her 10 be
about ready to sail Colonel James ad-
dressed note 10 Mcdowell, comma nd
Eng that department, asking for small
squad OF men. They were furnished, and
with custom house officer at their head
%ere sent TO take possession Of the vessel.
The next day Colonel james was visited
by Mordecai NJ. Noah and Mr.. LARGE. Mr.
Noah informed him that the vessel was a
man-of-war built for Chile. and he Offer
ed to give a Sond for $3.50, ,0lO payable In
goId coin, to guarantee that the vessel
would do no injury to the commerce OF
the United States. Colonel Jamrs de-
clihed TO accept the bond
Il am not certain. said Colonel Jane
that such a bond would be legal but
inside from that, each Pacific Mail steam
e. that leaves this port on her regular
trip to Panama takes on an average Of
81 81, 600 in gold bullion. besldFs what the
passengers carry. If the vessel / have
seized is what think she, is and should
let her go on such bond, and she should
capture. pluEder. and burn one Of tht g
big steamers, landing her passengers OF
some coast or island, what sort Of q fig
ure would ] cut, answering TO the cali OF
the Government, that | had Mr.. Larce
bond. with good security for $50. .0Oo
Colonel James held the vessel until the
close OF the war upon his own responsi.
bihty. No claim was ever made against
the Government for the detention.
Colonel James Informed the Government
Of the intentions Of the Confederate pri.
Nateer Shenandoah. the last Confederat,
cruiser. TO destroy property upon the higt
seas Her first act was the burning Oi
the Norfolk Navy Yard. Colonel Jane,
learned that a vessel answering the dc.
scription Of the Shenandoah had Iate,
cleared from San Francisco and he knew
what destruction she could accom- DIisi
with the feet in the Pacldc Coione
James informed the War Department ir
a long despatch at the rate of ESQ fol
ten words. He received an answer which
Informed him that the Department weule
request him not 10 spend so much none,
for telegraph bills
Within four months the vessel a.sains
which Colonel James bad warned IN,
Government had burned twenty-six & hal
ing ships valued at s, 800 600. The evi
dence before the Geneva Arbitration
showed exactly how much damage hal
been done by the Shenandoah after Colo
mel James warning had been given.
After the close of the war COloue
lanes remained for eoFne tfraa in, COLI