This venerable and much respected man was born in Nova Scotia, in 1774; studied law under Mr. Uniacke, then Attorney General of that province, and came to Quebec when about twenty years of age. He was soon after admitted to the Bar, and was appointed Prothonotary of Quebec. Having subsequently entered into practice, he rose rapidly in his profession, and received the honor of Queen's Counsel. In 1820 he was elevated to the Bench of the district of Montreal as a Puisne Judge. In April, 1839, upon the death of Chief Justice O'Sullivan, he became President of the Court, but increased years and infirmities compelled him to retire in June, 1842. Judge Pyke was universally respected for his upright principles and pains-taking labors as a Judge, and as universally beloved for his kindness of disposition as a man.
At Boston, Hon. Benjamin W. Crowninshield, aged 77. Mr. C. was a prominent leader of the old democratic party, and he was appointed Secretary of the Navy in 1814, by President Madison. He held this office until 1818, when he resigned. On the re-organization of the democratic party for the election of Gen. Jackson, he sided with the party who supported John Q. Adams, and adhered to the whig party ever afterwards. He was chosen a member of Congress for the Essex South District of Massachusetts, in 1823, and he continued to hold the office by re-election till 1831, when he retired to private life. He was repeatedly a member of the State Legislature, and although he could not be called a man of brilliant talents, he secured public confidence in every station which he filled. His death was very sudden, and is supposed to have proceeded from disease of the heart.
In Liberty Co., Georgia, Rev. William McWhir, D.D., aged 92, a Presbyterian clergyman. He was an Irishman by birth, and about 1783 settled at Alexandria, Va., where he taught a school. He was often an inmate of Gen. Washington's house at Mount Vernon, and was also the instructor of two of the General's nephews. His name has long been associated with public instruction in Georgia.
10th. At Baltimore, Md., Hon. George E. Richardson, Attorney General of the State of Maryland.
15th. At New York, after a very brief illness, Hon. Auguste Davezac, aged 70. Major Davezac was the son of a rich planter of St. Domingo, where he was born in 1780. He received a military education in France, and when the family fled from the negro insurrection to the United States, he studied medicine in North Carolina, and practiced some time in Accomac Co., Va., where he married. He afterwards removed to New Orleans, where he
