New-York tribune., 1907-12-28
BANCROFT DAVIS DEAD.
Diplomat, Judge and Supreme Court
Rep0rter Passes Azgdy.
rFron The Tribune Buresu-I


Washington, Dec. I'll. c. Bancroft Davis, Tor
nineteen years reporter Of the United States Su-
prenae Court, who resigned five years ago on ac-
count of Ill health. died here to-day at his resi-
dence in street. formerly the hcme OF his uncle
George Bancroft, the historian.
John Chandler Bancroft Davis was the eldest son
of the late United States Senator John Davis, OF
Massachusetts, who was four times elected Gov
ernor of that commonwealth. His mother was
Eliza Davis, a sister of George Bancroft, the his
torian. Mr. Davis was born in Worcester, Mass,
on December %. 1922 He received his education in
the public schools of Worcester and at Harvard
College, from which he was graduated in 1910. He
then studied law and was admitted TO the bar in
1874.
He entered the diplomatic service in 1919. when
he was appointed secretary of legation at London
by President Taylor. He served there under two
United States ministers-his uncle. George Ban
croft, and Abbot Lawrence-acting charge
d'affaires ad interim. On his return TO this
try he practised law in this city, and, before the
Civil War, served for eight years American cor
respondent of the London Times" He resigned
that post at the outbreak of hostties because
the Times" insisted having its American let
ters strongly tinctured with sympathy for the Con-
federate cause
Impaired health forced him to retire from active
practice In 1862 and 10 spend two years the
Riviera. after which slime lived In Newburg,
N. Y. until 1853. In that year he elected a
member of the New York Legislature, but during
his term OF Office he called by President Grant
to serve as Assistant Secretary of State under
Hamilton Fish During his incumbency Of that
Office he acted as arbitrator between Portugal and
Great Britain in their contention over their pos
sessions in Africa
When the Joint High Commission for settling
the disputes between this country and Great Brit
ain organized in 1871 Mr.. Davis acted its
secretary the part Of the United States He
prepared. by direction of the Secretary OF State
Case submission
before the tribunal of arbitration at Geneva to de-
termine the Alabama claims. and served the
United States political agent for managing and
conducting It's business there. resignng his assist
ant secretaryship for that purpose His statement
of tho American side of the controversy made a
volume of five hundred pages. and was accompa-
MED by seven large volumes detailing the Ameri-
can claims and embracing the correspondence
thereon This voluminous work followed by
supplemental claims and specifications.
On the conclusion of his labors he reappoint-
ed Assistant Secretary Of State ard shortly after
in 1874. was appointed to succeed his uncle George
Bancroft. as United States Minister to Germany.
He resigned in 1877 and Oh his return home served
for four years judge OF the United States Court
of Claims At the request of President Arthur he
resigned from this post in 1851 to for six
months as Assistant Secretary of State under Fred
erick 7. Frelinghuysen. lie reapponted to the
Court OF Claims in 1852
The following year he received his appointment
as reporter of the United States Supreme Court a
post that he continued 10 hold until five years ago.
Columbia University conferred upon him the hon
orary degree of Doctor of Laws In 1887 In 1851 he
married Miss Frederisa Gore King daughter of
James Gore King, of Weehawken. N ]. No chill
dren were born to them.
Mr. Davis was the author of The Massachusetts
Justice. The Case of the United States Before
the Tribunal of Arbitration at Geneva" Treaties
OF the United States: With Notes. Mr.. Fish and
the Alabama Claims and THE Centennial Appen-
dix TO the Reports OF the United States Supreme
Court His Reports OF that court begin with
Volume los.