Mr. Thayer to Mr. Seward.
Sir: I have to report the painful tidings of the death of Mr. Charles Marsh, of New York, who has recently been acting as vice-consul of the United States at Cairo.
This sad event took place very suddenly, at the consular residence in Alexandria, on the evening of Sunday, the 24th of January last. Mr. Marsh, while on a visit here, was confined to his bed a few days by typhoid fever, of so mild a type that neither himself nor his physicians apprehended any serious result, although such attacks are generally more trying to men of his vigorous physique and sanguine temperament than to others. On Sunday, the 24th, he for the first time expressed himself as feeling seriously unwell, and at 4 p. m. a rush of blood to the head rendered him insensible. In this condition he remained until his death, seven hours later. He was assiduously attended by three of the most skilful European physicians in the Viceroy’s service.
On the afternoon of the 26th ultimo the funeral ceremonies were solemnized at the consulate and in the Church of St. Catherine. They were attended by the chief functionaries of the local government, and the consular representatives of the different nations, in uniform, besides a very large concourse of European residents, many of whom, notwithstanding the shortness of his stay, had known the deceased well enough to feel a sense of personal loss in his death. Among the pall-bearers were consular officers of England, Russia, Italy, and Holland. The remains were placed in the Catholic cemetery of Alexandria.
At the time of his decease Mr. Marsh had hardly attained the prime of life, and up to the last illness seemed the embodiment of vigorous health. No requisite of happiness and prosperous fortune was wanting to him. His eminent social qualities, his generosity and talents had gained him an unusually large circle of friends in America and Europe. He had been the trusted associate of Mr. Webster and others of our leading statesmen; but as a rule had declined to accept official preferment for himself. Only once, I believe, he consented to represent his native city, Portsmouth, in the New Hampshire house of representatives, where he was nominated by one of the two great parties for the speakership. He was a graduate of Harvard College, and his published volumes of Reminiscences of Mr. Webster, and of travels in Madeira and Spain; as well as his various contributions to magazines and journals, had given him a creditable place in American literature.
It was but November last that Mr. Marsh accompanied me from Paris to this country, in the fulness of health and pleasant expectations. Few indeed of his many friends will be prepared for the affliction which thus befalls them.
The steps required by law in relation to the property of the deceased have been duly taken, and the proper information communicated to his brother, Mr. Clement Marsh, of Portsmouth, N. H.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.