New-York tribune., 1911-12-20

JOHN b
A portrait sketch which was
TO write Les Etsts Unis dAmerique en-
! 1856" to correct the erroneous notions ~
the French people regarding the relative
| commercial importance of the Northern
and Southern states. This work, II was
believed went far 70 discourage the sup
posed desire Of the French government for
the breaking up Of the American Union.
| Late in 1855 he became charge d'affalres
| az Paris and then envoy eNtraordinarN
and minister rlenipotentiary to France
While in Paris he discovered evidence Of 2
French plot 70 furnish the Confederacy
| with ironclads. and by his testimony
I thwarted the scheme. 1t was also through
his negotiations that the French army was
withdrawn from Mexico in 1851.
That same year Mr.. Bigelow retired from
the diplomatic service, but remained
abroad for some time. From 1870 10 lH"
/ he lived in Germany with his family IN
| 1867 he purchased the original manuscript
Of BENJAMIN Franklin's "Autohiography
/ and prepared II for publication
| On his return to New York, in 1914 no
was made chairman of a committee of the
| New York Legislature TO investigate the
management of the canals of the state.
This committee made twelve reports, which
resulted in substantial reform in the state
! canal administration and large reduction
| in It's annual expenses. His last political Of
fee was the secretaryship of the state OF
New York 10 which he was elected IN S''.
On the expiration Of his term he resolved 10
devote the rest of his life 10 writing, with
the management Of his farm as an avoca-
tion.
Nevertheless Mr.. Bigelow found that the
public continued to make an almost con-
stant demand on his time In 1887 President
Cleveland appointed him Assistant United
states Treasurer located at New York.
but he declined. lie also refused the office
of Chamberlain of New York City offered
him the year before. lie was made trustee
OF the Metropolitan Museum of Art, presi-
dent Of the Tilden Trust and the Century
Association. honorary corresponding MEM
ber of the New York Historical society,"
the Massachusetts Historical Society and
the MARYLAND Historical Society and a
member Of the American Academy OF Arts
and Letters. The New York Chamber oil
Commerce made him an honorary member
in 1856 Union and Racine colleges gave
him the degree Of LII. d. in 1886 and New
York University in 1889.
During the lifetime OF Samuel j. Tilden
Mr.. Bigelou edited the speeches ana puo-
lie writings OF that statesman, and after
his death ne wrote the authorized TilGen
biography, later supplemented by two
volumes Of Letters and Literary MemoI-
ials." also edited by Mr. Bigelow. Under
the will OF Mr. Tlden, of which Mr. Big
Glow was one of the three executors, a
large proportion of the estate was TO be
devoted to a free library for the city OF
New York Mr. Bigeow was made pres!-
dent Of the Tilden Trust, and after its
consolidation with the Astor and LenoA
foundations he became president OF the
board OF trustees of the New York Pubic
Library 1t was largely through his efforts
that n compromise was effected whereby,
though the Tilden Will was broken sub
stantial sum was eventually secured to the
library. To his efforts. from first 10 last
is given much of the credit for the build
ing of the new library.
Mr.. Bigelow retained his faculties and a
Capacity for active enjoyment Of life 10
the end. Only last March he made another
trim TO Europe, and returned on April ~
none the worse for his jaunt. Mrs. bige-
low. who died some years ago, was before
her marriage Jane Tunis Poultney. John
Bigelow, jr and Poultney Bigclow, their
sons are we'll known. They also had three
daughters-Miss Biaelow. Mrs. Annie Ese-
low Harding and Mrs. Grace Cook.
Among Mr. Bigelow's works were ia
maica in 1850. or. the Effect Of sixteen
Years Of Freedom on a Slave Colony, l$j2;
France and Hereditary Monarchy lSd;
Some Rccollections of Edouard Labou-
Iaye," 1875: "Wit and Wisdom Of the Hay
tians." 1875: "Molinos the Quietist,' 1857
Writings and Speeches of Samuel J. Til
den" 1885; The Life of Benjamin Frank
lin" 1865 The Complete Works Of Ben
jamin Franklin" 1883; France and the
Confederate Navy" 1888. The Bible That
Was Dead and Is Alive Again 1888; Life
of William Cullen Bryant 1893; Life OF
Samuel j. Tilden' 1875; THE Mystery oil
Sleep 1897; The Supreme Court OF the
United States and the Electoral Commis-
sion" 1893: The Useful Life Crown to
the Simple Lie" 1906, What Shall We 30
for Our Ex-Prcsidents and What Shall
They Do for Us?' 1896; Peace Given as
the World Giveth; o. the Portsmouth
Treaty and Its First Years Fruits 1905
and "RetroSpections Of AN Active Lille,
1917