Fish, Hamilton

lawyer and statesman, born in New York, in 1808, the son of Nicholas F., an officer of the Revolution and president of the N. Y. Society of the Cincinnati. Graduating at Columbia College in 1828, he was admitted to the bar in 1830, and in 1834 began his political career as a member of the Whig party. Having served for several years as commi ioner of deeds, he became a member of the State legislature in 1837, of Congre in 1842, was elected lieutenant-govornor of New York in 1847, governor in 1849, and U. S. Senator, 1851-57. In 1862 he served as a commi ioner with Bishop Ames to visit Union soldiers in Confederate prisons, and negotiated a general exchange of prisoners. In 1869 he was appointed Secretary of State by President Grant and was re-appointed in 1873, serving through the whole administration. Mr. F. became a member of the Republican party on its formation, opposed the repeal of the Mi ouri Compromise, and after the Civil War is credited with suggesting the Joint High Commi ion for the settlement of difficulties between Great Britain and the United States. In 1871 he was one of the commi ioners who negotiated the treaty of Washington. He also settled the dispute, of long standing, with Great Britain concerning the U. S. northwestern boundary, and the complication with Spain arising from the Virgin i us affair. Died Sept. 7, 1893. Fish Commi ion. The U. S. Fish Commi ion, established in 1871, has for its purpose an investigation into the food, habits and localities of edible fishes and their propagation and distribution. Under the presidency of Spencer F. Baird (and of George Brown Goode and Marshall M. Donald, since Prof. Baird's death in 1887) its work has been of the highest importance. Besides its investigations of rivers, lakes, and coast waters, it has made valuable deep-sea explorations, and performed work of the utmost value in the propagation of fish. (See FISH CULTURE.) The work of the Commi ion is supplemented by that of State fish commi ions, which have done efficient service more locally.