The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-07-25
From The Forum Book Shelf

At this period, in 1923, his first
book, entitled Poems, was published.
Shortly afterward, in partnership with
DR.. Joseph G.. Cogswell, later librarian
Of he Aston library, he established the
famous Round Hill school at Boston,
which was successful from the start.
Bancroft had begun work on his
History of the United States when
ne removed to Springfield, Mass,
Where the second volume was COM
pleted. He had already declined NOM
nations to state offices, although he
had taken an active part in the demo-
cratic politics of Massachusetts, when
in 1888, he was appointed by Presi-
dent Van Buren, collector of the port
at Boston.
He was an unsuccessful candidate
for governor of Massachusetts in 1874.
The next year, 1S45. he was appointed
by President Polk as secretary Of the
navy, as one of the party supporting
the annexation of Mexico. During the
mexican war, Bancroft, as secretary
OF the navy, not only accomplished eff
fective service with the navy in Mexi-
can waters and secured California to
the union, but was instrumental in
bringing about the Oregon compromise
with Great Britain.
During his term, of office he deyel-
oped the Naval observatory at Wash
rington and established the United
states Naval academy at Annapolis,
IN 1846. Ever after he has been call
ed the father OF Uncle Sans great
naval training school. now the great
est institution Of it's kind in the
world.
He resigned the secretaryship of the
navy in the Polk cabinet in 1S46 to
become American ambassador to Eng
and, where he served until 1S49.
Whlie ambassador to st. James he
continued to conduct his historical
Investigations during his diplomatic
duties.
On his return he took up his resi-
dence in New York, where he remained
for eighteen years, busily occupied
with the preparation of his. famous
history of the United States.
In 1857 he was appointed by Presi-
dent Johnson as United States mini
ster to Prussia. In 1858 his credentials
were altered to owe the North Ger
man Confederation. President Grant.
in 1871 continued him in that office to
cover the perfection of the German
empire. He retired from his duties
in 1874.
During the period he was minister
to Prussia he negotiated with Prus-
s1a in 1858, the first treaty Of natural
lzatlon ever entered into by the United
states government, which was follow
ed by similar treaties with many other
european countries, and he was of
the commission to arrange the North
west Territory affair with Great Bri-
tain.
Mr.. Bancroft lived in WASHINGTON
after his resignation Of the German
mission, He COMPLETED tha tenth
volume OF his history Of the United
States in 1876.
Subsequently he prepared and pup
!ished the history Of the formation Of
the Constitution Of the United States
IN 1882. The whole series was re-
vised and reissued in 1884 under Mr..
Bancroft's supervision as The History
OF the United States from the dis
coVery of America to he Inauguration
or Washington. This work shows
much dilfgent and skillful research
and remains a valuable repository Of
the facts of American history, but its
philosophical value is 'lessened by the
authors excessive patriotism,
MI Bancroft delivered many ora
lions and addresses on public oc-
c~asions which were printed, He held
office and membership In numerous.
literary associations. He was fond OF
outdoor life and his venerable but
erect figure on horseback at Washing
ton was always an object of interest
TO visitors. He took equal pleasure
In summer time, in c~ultiVating his
rosarium at Newport, r. l.,
Perhaps the most cultured, lettared
and distinguished of all american
diplomats and authors, he died in
AsSl' at the end of a great career.