USA > New Jersey > The biographical encyclopaedia of New Jersey of the nineteenth century > Part 67
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phy." His "Sermons," with a memoir of his life and writings, were published in 1821, 2 vols., Svo. His wife was a daughter of Dr. Witherspoon; and his daughter was married to I. M. Pintard, Consul at Madeira. He was distinguished for his acquaintance with ancient and mod- ern literature, and for his eloquence and popularity as a preacher. He was courtly in person and manners, and wrote with notable elegance and perspicuity. He died at Princeton, New Jersey, August 21st, 1819, "vacating a place and station difficult to fill." was to be fought, and he wished to fight it at once. Elected in 1860 a delegate at large to the Chicago Convention, he had, and used to good purpose, the opportunity that he had so long hoped for to bring to issue the great question that for years had divided the nation. Of his action, and of the result of his action in that convention, the story is thus told by Charles P. Smith, Esq., of Trenton : " It was conceded early in the session of the convention that there were four doubtful States-New Jersey, Indiana, Illinois and Penn- sylvania-and it was necessary to carry at least two of these States in order to nominate a candidate other than Mr. Seward. New Jersey presented Mr. Dayton, Pennsylvania presented Mr. Cameron, and Indiana and Illinois Mr. Lin- coln. Mr. Seward was the first choice of a majority of the UDLEY, THOMAS H., Lawyer, of Camden, was born in Evesham township, Burlington county, New Jersey, October 9th, 1819, his father, a farmer, bcing the descendant of an English fam- MAF ily resident in this country since the latter part of the seventeenth century. Ilis life, until he attained his twenty-first year, was passed upon the Eve- sham farm; his education being received at the district schools, but being, by reason of his naturally studious habits, much more thorough and comprehensive than usually results from such training. His father died in 1820, and his home education was received at his mother's hands. A woman of much refinement and culture, she stimulated his predisposition to study, and constantly sought to strengthen in him his always strong love of truth for truth's sake. To her training he rightly ascribes his successful career, and to her also may be attributed, in most prominent characteristic. Determining upon law as a profession, he entered the office of the late William N. Jeffers, Esq., in Camden, and in 1845 was admitted to the New Jersey bar. From the outset of his legal life he held a conspicuous place in his profession, his naturally acute mind, together with his sound training in the principles and practice of law, uniting to make him unusually suc- cessful as a barrister. But a few years after his admission he was one of the leaders of the New Jersey bar. In pol- itics he was from early manhood deeply interested, and from his incisive, analytical habit of mind, has always pos- sessed a very remarkable insight into the determination of political events. Until the dissolution of the Whig party he was one of its staunchest members; since that event he has been a no less earnest Republican. When the war be- tween the States broke out he did not shrink from it, but welcomed it; he had foreseen it for years, and had con- stantly opposed the various compromises effected between the two parties for the purpose of staying what so very few then saw to be an inevitable evil. To a man of his stern uprightness and intense honesty only decisive action was tolerable. There was a great national wrong to be righted, and a wrong that delay could only increase. The battle New England States, but the event disclosed that they preferred the triumph of principle to the success of their favorite. A committee of these States, headed by ex- Governor Andrew, waited upon the New Jersey delegation at their rooms, and declared that Mr. Seward was their choice, but if he could not carry the doubtful States they were willing to go for any one who could, but added : ' Gentlemen, you see our difficulty ; you are not agreed among yourselves, but present three different candidates. Now, if you will unite upon some one man who can carry them, then we will give him enough votes in the conven- tion to nominate him. If you continue divided, we shall go into the convention and vote for Mr. Seward, our first choice.' It was narrowed down to this : the four doubtful States must unite upon a candidate, or Mr. Seward would be nominated. The convention assembled Wednesday morning, without change in this state of affairs. Mr. Dud- part at least, that sterling integrity which has ever been his ley was assigned a place on the committee to frame a plat- form, and kept busy until Thursday noon. At that time the four doubtful States assembled at Camden Hall, to ·endeavor to unite upon some person. Ex-Governor Reeder presided. It was a noisy assemblage, and it very soon be- came evident that nothing could be accomplished as affairs then stood. Mr. Dudley then proposed to Mr. Judd, of Illinois, that the matter should be referred to a committee of three from each of the four States. He made a motion to this effect, which was carried. Among those appointed were Judge David Davis, Caleb B. Smith, David Wilmot and William B. Mann, of Pennsylvania. On the part of New Jersey, Judge Ephraim Marsh, Hon. F. T. Freling- huysen and Mr. Dudley. The committee met at six o'clock in Mr. Wilmot's room, and were in session until nearly ten o'clock P. M. before anything was accomplished. At that time it seemed that an adjournment would be carried with- out arriving at an understanding. The time had been con- sumed in talking and trying to persuade each other that their favorite candidates were the most available and best qualified. It was then that Mr. Greeley went to the door, and, finding no agreement had been reached, telegraphed to the Tribune that Mr. Seward would certainly be nomi- nated the next morning as the Republican candidate.
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Finding that the committee was about to separate without ful States, the nation, in the emergency which so soon fol- lowed, would not have had the service of that great and good man at the helm." After Mr. Lincoln's election, but before his inauguration, Mr. Dudley visited him at his home in Springfield, and for almost an entire day the two were closeted together, discussing measures and men. As was to be expected, their views upon all leading questions of right and policy were identical; in some matters of detail, and in regard to the fitness of certain men for the discharge of certain important trusts, they differed. Mr. Lincoln named the cabinet that he had partially decided upon form- ing, and the several presumptive members were critically discussed. It is a notable fact that the men to whom Mr. Dudley took exception were not among those eventually selected by the President for his counsellors. When at last the long talk was ended, the President elect, rising, said : " Well, Mr. Dudley, what can I do for you ?" " Nothing, Mr. Lincoln; you have not an office in your gift that I would accept." The grave face of the future President lighted up with a smile as he replied: "Give me your hand; you are the first man I have yet seen who didn't want an office !" Fortunately, for the cause of the Union, this renunciation was nullified by subsequent circumstances. Broken down by hard work, Mr. Dudley was ordered by his physician to seek recuperation in travel, and early in 1861 he left this country for Europe. While in Paris he was suddenly called upon by Minister Dayton-the New Jersey candidate for the Presidency, to whom Mr. Lincoln had given the ministry to France-to fill the position of Consul to Paris, the then incumbent, an appointce of Mr. Bu- chanan's, being a declared secessionist, and Mr. Bigelow, the Consul appointed by Mr. Lincoln, not having arrived. The ad interim appointment was, at the urgent request of the minister, accepted, and its duties were exactly and ably discharged. In the fall of 1861 Mr. Dudley returned to America, but his journeyings had not been attended with the beneficial result hoped for, and his physician forbade him to resume the practice of his profession; assuring him that only by a residence abroad of several years' duration could his health be entirely restored. Ile was not the man to willingly enter upon a life of idleness, nor did his cir- cumstances warrant him in so doing. Ile applied to Mr. Lincoln for a diplomatic appointment, and was at once made Consul to Liverpool. At the time of his application but two positions remaincd to be filled on the diplomatic list, the Ministry to Japan and the Liverpool Consulate. The latter the President had intended offering to his friend, Governor Kroener, of Illinois, and he therefore urged Mr. Dudley to accept the former. But it was absolutely neces- sary that Mr. Dudley should be within available distance of achieving any result, Mr. Dudley took the floor, and pro- posed that it should be ascertained which one of the three candidates had the greatest actual strength before the con- vention, and could carry the greatest number of delegates from the four States in the event of dropping the other two. Judge Davis stated as to Mr. Lincoln's vote on the first ballot, and the probable vote of the Illinois delegates in the event of Mr. Lincoln being dropped-that is, how they would break. The committee from Indiana and Penn- sylvania also reported how the votes of their States would be cast if Lincoln and Cameron were both dropped. The New Jersey committee made a similar statement as to the strength of Judge Dayton. It was understood that a portion of the New Jersey delegates would drop Mr. Dayton, after giving him a complimentary vote, and go for Mr. Seward. This examination revealed the fact that of the three candi- dates Mr. Lincoln was the strongest. Mr. Dudley then proposed to the Pennsylvania committee that for the gen- eral good and success of the party they should give up their candidates and unite upon Mr. Lincoln. After some dis- cussion Mr. Dudley's proposition was agreed to, and a pro- gramme arranged to carry into execution. A meeting of the Dayton delegates from New Jersey was immediately called at James T. Sherman's room, at one o'clock that night. Most of the delegates who sustained him were pres- ent. Judge Marsh and Mr. Frelinghuysen, evidently not believing it possible to carry out the plan, did not attend the meeting. Thus Mr. Dudley was the only one from the committee present. He explained what had been accom- plished, and after talking the matter over they approved his action. It was understood that Judge Dayton was to receive one or more complimentary votes, and then the strength of the delegation to be thrown for Mr. Lincoln. It was also arranged that Mr. Dudley was to lead off in voting for Mr. Lincoln, and then they were to follow. The Pennsylvania delegation likewise adopted the plan, first giving Mr. Cameron a complimentary vote. The agree- ment of the committee was not generally known the next morning when the convention assembled. On the first bal- lot the entire New Jersey delegation voted for Mr. Dayton. The next, that portion who favored Mr. Seward voted for him, while the majority voted for Mr. Dayton. When New Jersey was called on the third ballot, Mr. Dudley stated that he should vote for Mr. Lincoln, and was immediately followed by all the New Jersey delegates save one. The result is known. New England did what she promised, and Mr. Lincoln was nominated. It was the action of the committee from the four doubtful States which undoubtedly secured Mr. Lincoln's nomination. But for this Mr. Seward would have been nominated, and there is little doubt just the best medical advice, and when the President was in- as surely been defeated. This is a plain narrative of the manner in which the nomination of Abraham Lincoln was brought about. It cannot be disguised that had it not been for Mr. Dudley's energy and tact in the committee of doubt- !
formed of this fact, he immediately ordered his commission to be made out to Liverpool. So, by a series of apparent mischances, he was despatched as the representative of the United States at the chief commercial port of England,
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there to serve his country with a zeal and efficiency unsur- later he again returned to America, and, wearied by his passed by any of her sons during the dark years of the civil war. The position of Consul at Liverpool during the re- bellion was second, of all diplomatic appointments abroad, only to that of Minister to the Court of St. James. As a nation England was the professed friend of the United States; as a people the English were the avowed friends of the Southern Confederacy. Liverpool was the centre whence radiated the substantial aid tendered to the Ameri- can rebels by their British allies. The position of our Consul at this port was therefore one of the greatest conse- quence and of the greatest delicacy. In his efforts to en- force the maintenance of the neutrality professed by the government to which he was accredited, the utmost di- plomacy was necessary to avoid bringing to open war the openly expressed hostility between the two countries. Everywhere his endeavor to check the flow of supplies to the confederacy met with determined resistance-on the part of the people declared; on the part of the government thinly veiled under the cloak of legal technicalities. But his individual determination was almost equal to the task of crushing the united efforts of his opponents. Acting under his orders, a force of upward of 100 men policed the ship-yards of England and Scotland; he himself, incognito, constantly visited the shipping centres, and during the four years of the war not a keel was laid down in the United Kingdom that was not within twenty-four hours thereafter registered on the books of the Liverpool Consulate. In every case wherein the facts justified the belief that the ships in course of construction were intended for the use of the confederacy, he suhmitted full statements, with cor- roborative proof, to the British government ; and each stage in the construction of such ships was noted and made the subject of an additional communication. Nor was his zeal unattended by personal danger. Again and again he re- ceived anonymous letters in which he was assured that un- less he ceased his opposition to the extension of assistance to the Confederate government his life would be taken ; he was warned, specifically, that if he endeavored to crush certain schemes to this end, his death would instantly ensue; and he was informed that if he was found in certain spots designated he would be shot on sight. But threats had small effect upon his stern nature. He had heen charged with a high duty, and that duty he fulfilled with a calm determination, and an utter forgetfulness of self such as few other men would have been capable of. The result of his unflinching labors was as satisfactory as the labors themselves were heroic. Outside of those directly engaged in its overthrow, no one man contributed more largely to the downfall of the Southern Confederacy than did he, by sapping the British source of rebel supplies. He remained constantly at his post until November, 1868, when he re- turned to the United States for a brief visit; during this visit a banquet was given in his honor, at which the emi- nent men of his State and party were present. Three years
decade of arduous official life, tendered his resignation of his Consulate. But the government was compelled to re- quest his services for a little time longer. The case of the United States, to be laid before the Joint High Commission at Geneva, was in course of preparation, and his assistance was essential in assembling and arranging evidence. He withdrew his tender, and set himself with his usual energy to the work assigned him. In order to facilitate his lahors, his son, Mr. Edward Dudley, was appointed Vice-Consul to Liverpool, and was charged with the immediate business of the Consulate. Having assisted in the compilation of the case to go before the Geneva tribunal-supplying the material upon which the judgment in favor of the United States was rendered - he finally, in 1872, returned to America, tendering his resignation, to take effect upon the appointment of his successor. No better presentation of the respect and eventual esteem which he won for himself in England, can be given than the following extract from the Liverpool Post of September 4th, 1872: "A Liverpool gentleman last night, out of the fulness of his heart-always open to good sympathies-took upon himself the pleasing office of expressing to Mr. Dudley, who is about to leave Liverpool, the feelings with which his course as American Consul is regarded by those who have observed its tenor. It is impossible to regard such an event as Mr. Dudley's departure without reflecting on the remarkable contrast that is presented between the state of things in which Mr. Dud- ley resigns his office, and that in which he undertook it. He left his country ' with four millions of human beings held in bondage,' and he returns to it when there is not a slave upon its territory, nor a man, woman or child who does not enjoy a liberty as perfect as that of the air they breathe. The aspect of Liverpool society in reference to the United States presents almost as great a contrast. Within two or three days after Mr. Dudley's arrival in Liverpool the ' Trent' difficulty broke out. There are few among us who do not remember the excitement which this produced-the irritated state of feeling upon which the news of the seizure of Mason and Slidell fell like sparks upon tinder; and the strong disposition shown, especially amongst the higher and mercantile classes, to favor, by every means short of actual belligerency, the cause of the Southern Confederation. We look back now upon this period with eyes greatly clarified by the course of subse- quent events. These events were so necessarily sequent upon the conditions of the great conflict which was then commencing that it seemed to some, who spoke out at that time, impossible to anticipate any other results; but this was not the general feeling. And an American Consul, bound by his position to perform difficult duties, to make a strong stand on behalf of his country, and to resist every attempt, whether direct or insidious, to aid that great country's enemies, held no enviable position. None that have known Mr. Dudley will hesitate to confess that
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throughout the embarrassing period of the civil war, while | reputation. Resolved, That while we feel just cause or his firmness and shrewdness were continually exhibited on State pride in the distinction achieved by those honored sons of New Jersey, we tender a cordial welcome to Hon. Thomas H. Dudley, who returns to our midst after an ab- sence of many years, voluntarily closing his honorable and eventful public mission with the successful termination of the Geneva arbitration, to which result he so materially con- tributed by a firm and patriotic discharge of duty in a hostile land, when so many failed or faltered at home." Since his return to America, Mr. Dudlcy has been engaged in the practice of his profession in Camden, New Jersey, residing upon his beautiful country-seat, a few miles from that city. Ilis shrewd business ability has caused him to be frequently called upon to act as "a corporation officer, and he is at present President of the Pittsburgh, Titusville & Buffalo Railroad Company, and of the New Jersey Mining Com- pany, besides being a member of the Boards of Direction of the Camden & Atlantic Railroad Company, West Jersey Railroad Company, Camden & Philadelphia Ferry Com- pany, and People's Gas-light Company, of Jersey City. He was also a member of the Centennial Board of Finance. behalf of his country, he was found constantly courteous and just. No one brought into communication with him ever left him without a satisfactory explanation of his mo- tives, and so far as it was possible for persons approaching difficulties from opposite points of view to understand each other. All who had business with the American Consulate, even in the most difficult period of Mr. Dudley's service, found that to transact it was to deal with a true gentleman, and one who was both a man of business and a statesman. All the untoward circumstances which rendered that period so trying have now passed away, and one scarcely meets in society an avowed partisan of the confederacy which once looked so formidable. As a matter of partisan politics, one would not revive the recollection of a time when the Ameri- can civil war was a great ground of polemical difference ; but much more was involved in the conflict than any mere partisanship; and to appreciate for a moment the intense feeling of satisfaction with which a politician of Mr. Dud- ley's calibre returns to America, now that the great work of President Lincoln is consolidated, is to understand that the principles at stake in the war were of permanent im- portance, and may well be regarded even now with interest and enthusiasm. There is much to be thankful for in the present state of the English mind as to American politics. ACOBUS, MELANCTHON WILLIAMS, D. D., LL. D., was born at Newark, New Jersey, Sep- tember 19th, 1816. He was the eldest son of Peter and Phœbe (Williams) Jacobus. In his fif- teenth year he entered Princeton College, sopho- more class, and three years later graduated with first honors from that institution. One year later he matric- ulated at the Theological Seminary at Princeton, and on completing his course was appointed Assistant Professor in the Hebrew department. Here he remained a year, when, in answer to a unanimous call, he assumed charge of the First Presbyterian Church, of Brooklyn, New York. He was installed in 1839, and to him this church owes its per- petuity and success. In 1850, his health failing, he visited Europe, and with his wife went into Egypt, Palestine and Syria, returning home by way of Constantinople and Greece. During his absence he was elected Professor of Oriental and Biblical Literature in the Theological Seminary at Alle- gheny, Pennsylvania. Resigning his ministerial work, he assumed the duties of his chair in 1852, and continued ac- tively engaged therein until ill health obliged him, in 1866, to make a second tour in Europe. He is the author of many and valuable works upon theological subjects; in 1848 he published a volume of Notes on the New Testa- ment, entitled " Matthew with the Harmony; " subse- quently, " The Catechetical Question Book," " Mark and Luke," a " Commentary on St. John's Gospels," and " The Acts of the Apostles." In 1864-65 two volumes on Genesis were issued by him, and in 1873 the first volume on Ex- odus, entitled " Egypt to Sinai." These, with many other It is a consolatory thing to reflect that the higher classes in this country have been brought, if only by the teachings of success, back again to that faith in the doctrines and prac- tice of freedom which wavered so sadly during the civil war. Mr. Dudley's return to America will make many re- flect wisely upon this subject, who may hitherto have given it little consideration; while his personal qualities and the recollection of many pleasing dealings with him, even in the most unpleasing times, will secure for him from the commercial community of Liverpool very good wishes and a permanent interest in his public career." Coming from an English journal, albeit a journal of Liberal proclivities, this testimonial to Mr. Dudley's official life in England is something of which the nation has good reason to be proud. Ilis reception at home was as flattering as was the mani- festation of good will attending his departure from Liver- pool. As an instance of the many marks of respect ac- corded him by his fellow-countrymen may be presented the following resolutions, read at a reception tendered to the Hon. George M. Robeson : "Resolved, That the Republi- cans of Camden, whilst reaffirming their confidence in and pledging their support to President U. S. Grant, heartily commend the able administration of home and foreign af- fairs for which his appointees are more directly responsible. Resolved, That among these agents and chicf advisers, Ncw Jersey points with pride to Hon. George M. Robcson, Hon. Thomas HI. Dudley, Hon. A. G. Cattell, Hon. F. T. Fre- linghuysen, Justice Bradley, and other eminent statesmen, diplomats and jurists, who acquired an enviable national
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works and pamphlets, are now accepted as among the stan- | fill the office of Alderman ; in 1836 was strongly urged to dard theological literature of the day. In 1852 the degree accept the nomination of a Representative in Congress, but declined; in 1840 was on the Whig electoral ticket, and in 1842 was a member of the New York State Assembly. Throughout the city and the State he was known and re- spected as an useful and upright citizen ; and had he been endowed with a greater measure of ambition, might have aspired to offices of trust and distinction with every proba- bility of success. He died at New York city, in the eightieth year of his age. of D. D. was conferred upon him by Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, and in 1867 he was created an LL. D. by his Alma Mater. At the General Assembly of the Old School Presbyterian Church, in New York, May, 1869, he was chosen Moderator, and he also occupied a most important position in the Assembly of 1870. For some years he filled the position of Secretary of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. January, 1840, he married the eldest daughter of Samuel Hayes, M. D., of Newark, New Jersey.
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