Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 01.djvu/351

 BLEECKER

BLISS.

the Brig Commerce," which had a wide circula- tion. He aided in organizing, and was an in- terested and active member of, the New York historical society. In 1810 he was elected a trus tee of the New York society library, retaining the office until the year before his death, which occurred March 13, 1827.

BLEECKER, Harmanus, lawyer, was born in Albany, N. Y., Oct. 19, 1779. He was edu- cated at Union college, but left the school to practise law in his native city, and in 1810 was elected as representative to the 12th Congress, and while in that body strenuously opposed and did all in his power to prevent the war of 1812. He was a regent of the University of the state of New York from 1822 till 1834. In 1839 Presi- dent Van Buren appointed him minister to the Hague. He died in Albany, July 19, 1849.

BLENKER, Louis, soldier, was born at Worms, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, July 31, 1812. He attained the rank of lieutenant for service in the Bavarian legion, which accom- panied King Otho to Greece, and later was a leading member of the revolutionary government of 1849 at "Worms, as well as burgomaster, and commander of the national guard. Upon the overthrow of the revolutionist cause, he retired into Switzerland, and being ordered to quit that country in September, 1849, he emigrated to the United States, where he engaged in business in New York city. In 1861 he was commis- sioned colonel of the 8th N. Y. regiment of volunteers, which he had organized, and, at the first battle of Bull Run, the brigade to which his regiment was attached covered the retreat with great skill and gallantry. In recognition of his bravery on this occasion he was promoted brigadier-general of volimteers. In the early part of the peninsular campaign he was ordered to western Virginia, where he fought in the bat- tle of Cross Keys, June 8, 1862, but upon the arrival of General Fremont he was superseded by General Sigel, was ordered to Washington, and mustered out of service in March, 1863. General Blenker spent the remaining months of his life in retirement on his farm in Rockland coimty, and died from the effects of internal injuries, caused by the fall of his horse during the Virginia campaign. He died Oct. 31, 1863.

BLENNERHASSETT, tiarman, adventurer, was born in Hampshire county, England, Oct. 8, 1764. He graduated at Trinity college in Dublin with honor, receiving the degrees of B.A. and L.L.B. in 1790. He inherited an ample fortime and travelled in France, where he was infected with Republican ideas. He married Adeline Agnew, daughter of the governor of the Isle of Man; disposed of his estates, bought a supply of philosophical apparatus, an extensive library.

and in 1797 sailed for America. He visited dif- ferent sections of the country, and in 1798 he bought Backus Island, in the Ohio river. A spacious house was built among the majestic forest trees, and fitted up with pictures, statues and costly furniture. Blennerhassett spent his time in study and scientific experiments. In 1805 Aaron Burr, disappointed in his political aspirations, and covered with odimn on account of his duel with Alexander Hamilton, had re- solved upon a bold scheme that included the conquest of Mexico, and perhaps the acquisi- tion of part of the United States. In 1805 he visited the hospitable home on Backus Island, and succeeded in interesting his host in his ambi- tious project. The fortune the latter liad brought from England was dwindling, lie had a growing family to provide for, and liere was an oppor- tunity to gain power and wealth. He spent large^ sums provisioning boats, and purchasing arms,, ammtmition, and provision for the expedition. To quote Wirt, " His imagination was dazzled by visions of diadems and titles of nobility." He cast his lot with Burr without further objection and became his obedient tool. The people he had enlisted began to grumble, and President Jeffer- son, on receiving reliable information, issued a. proclamation against the scheme. Blenner- hassett became frightened, fled from his island home and joined Burr at the mouth of the Cvun- berland river. His home was destroyed by a party of men under Colonel Phelps. Burr and Blennerhassett were arrested, but were almost immediately discharged, and the latter started for home, but was again arrested at Lexington, Ky., and thrown into prison. Henry Clay de- fended him, but did not procure his discharge, and he was taken to Richmond to await trial for treason. Nothing being proved against Burr, his fellow-conspirators were discharged. Blenner- hassett settled in Natchez, and engaged in raising cotton, but this was a failure. In 1819 he moved to Montreal, hoping to receive an appointment a& judge, which he did not get, then sailed for Ireland in order to recover his estates there, but without success; and, poor and disheartened, he retired to the island of Guernsey. His wife wrote " The Deserted Isle " and " The Widow of the Rock." After her husband's death she- returned to the United States and petitioned Congress for a grant of money. The petition was presented by Henry Clay, but Mrs. Blenner- hassett died before it was reported upon. Har- man Blennerhassett died • on the island of Guernsey, in 1831.

BLISS, Aaron T., governor of Maine, wasborn at Smithfield, N. Y.. May 22, 1837. He was. educated at the district school. In 1861 he enlisted asa private in the Federal army, served