Cushing, Caleb

(1800-1879), graduated at Harvard and rose to eminence at the Ma achusetts bar. He was a Representative from Ma achusetts in Congre in 1835-43, having been a Whig and, from Tyler’s time, 2 Democrat.. He was a U. S. Commi ioner to China, a brigadier-general in the Mexican War, and an unsucce ful candidate for Governor of Ma achusetts. In 1853-57 he was a member of Pierce’s Cabinet as Attorney-General. In 1860 he presided over the Democratic National Convention which met at Charleston. His high reputation as a lawyer led to his appointment as U. S. counsel before the Geneva Tribunal of 1872, and to his nomination by Grant as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He failed of confirmation to the latter office, and was sent as U. S. Minister to Spain in 1874, where he remained until 1877. 201