is fellow-citizens. He was bred to the
law, and as a young man took deep interest in political affairs,
earnestly attaching himself to the fortunes of Mr. Clay in his contest
against General Jackson, and having the great advantage of Mr.
Webster's personal friendship. He had served in both branches of the
New-York Legislature, was a representative from New-York City in the
Twenty-eighth Congress, was chosen Governor of his State in 1848, and
in 1851 succeeded Daniel S. Dickinson in the United-States Senate,
where he served for a full term as the colleague of Mr. Seward. At
the close of his senatorial service he was but forty-eight years of
age, and by his own wish retired from all participation in political
affairs, thought he heartily united with his fellow Republicans of
New York in the effort to nominate Mr. Seward for the Presidency in
1860. It was therefore an almost equal surprise to the country that
General Grant should call Mr. Fish from his retirement, and that Mr.
Fish, at sixty years of age, should again be willing to enter the
political field. His career as Secretary of State was fruitful in
good works. He was throughout the eight years of his service devoted
to his official duties, and it was his good fortune to be connected
with public events of exceptional importance. He brought great
strength to the Cabinet of General Grant, and added in many ways to
the prestige and power of the administration.

The changes in the Cabinet continued. Immediately after Mr.
Washburne's resignation as Secretary of State, General Schofield
retired from the War Department, and was succeeded by General John A.
Rawlins, who had been chief of staff to General Grant during some of
his most important campaigns. General Rawlins was born in Galena,
and was a personal friend of General Grant before the outbreak of the
war. He was a lawyer, but had held no civil position, and entered the
Cabinet with only a military experience. He was in ill health, and
died in the following September, when General Sherman succeeded him as
Secretary _ad interim_, and administered the affairs of the War
Department until the appointment of General Belknap at the close of
October.

Mr. Borie, though gratified with the compliment of being called to the
Cabinet, had no aptitude or desire for public affairs. He urgently
requested General Grant to accept his resignation, and in June, three
months after his appointment, he was succeeded by Mr. G