Sharswood.] 5*^0 [December 4. 



Oil the Fortification Bill, as presenting, in very happy language, 

 the most important feature of our Federal system. 



" It is the true policy of the Constitution that the National 

 Government should be as seldom as possible seen and felt ; that 

 in all external relations it should present the formidable aspect 

 of power, and the means of prosperous and successful intercourse 

 with foreign nations ; but that at home even the benefits which it 

 ■ sheds upon its own citizens should be experienced as nature re- 

 ceives and prospers under the influence of her refreshing dews, 

 while the sources from which they flow are imperceptible." 



His course throughout was undoubtedly consistent with the 

 l^olitical opinions he always maintained and advocated. To 

 enter upon an explanation or illustration is not expected, and 

 would be out of place on this occasion. In the 24th, 28th, and 

 29th Congresses, he was a member of the Committee of Ways and 

 Means. In the -SOth Congress he was Chairman of the Judiciary 

 Committee. 



After his retirement from Congress, President Fillmore, with 

 whom he had served in that bod}^, and who knew his abilities, 

 tendered him a seat in his Cabinet as Secretary of the Navy, 

 which, however, he did not accept. In the spring of 1852, he was 

 nominated and confirmed by the Senate as Envoy Extraordinary 

 and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of St. James. He 

 arrived in London October 5, 1852, and on the 16th had his 

 audience of reception by the Queen. He remained abroad one 

 year, during which time he negotiated two treaties of considerable 

 Importance. B}" one of them (Feb. 8, 1853), a commission was 

 appointed under which all claims of the citizens or subjects of 

 either country on the other, arising subsequent to the Peace of 

 Ghent, December 24, 1814, were finally adjusted and settled. 



It is wonderful that through all this busy professional and 

 political life, Mr. Ingersoll could contribute so much to the cause 

 of polite literature. Very soon after his admission to the bar, 

 he made a worthy 3'outiiful attempt to pay in advance that debt 

 which, according to Lord Bacon, eveiy man owes his profession. 

 He translated from the Latin of Roccus, and published with 

 notes, his " Manual of Maritime Law, consisting of a Treatise on 

 Ships and Freight, and a Treatise on Insurance." Chancellor 

 Kent, though he criticises a single passage as omitting two 

 material words, adds: '• I mention this without the least intended 



