school of the second municipality of his adopted city. He studied law in the office of Christian Roselius, esq., and attended lectures in the law department of the University of Louisiana, from which department he graduated April 7, 1851, before he had reached his majority.
He at once commenced the practice of his chosen profession. His ability to serve the people was promptly recognized, and when but twenty-two years of age he was elected a member of the school board of the city of New Orleans, and was made its president. In the days prior to the civil war he was in politics a Democrat, and a follower of Stephen A. Douglas, making Union speeches, and by all the power he could command opposed secession. And even after his State had taken the fatal step he still remained loyal to the Union, and refused to take an oath requiring allegiance to the Confederate States government. When the State of Louisiana again fell into the hands of the Federal authorities he took an active and a prominent part in the reconstruction of the State, and was the trusted friend and adviser of President Lincoln. In 1862 he was elected to Congress, and in February, 1863, took his seat in this Hall as a Representative of the people of Louisiana.
At the expiration of his Congressional term he was appointed prize commissioner of New Orleans. He at this time also began the career of a journalist. He purchased and edited the New Orleans Daily True Delta, and, true to the principles he had always entertained, he was a fearless and powerful advocate of emancipation. He was elected, and on March 4, 1864, was inaugurated, the first governor of Louisiana as a free State, to which was added during the same month, by the appointment of President Lincoln, the duties and powers of military governor. In January, 1865, he resigned the office of governor, having been chosen to represent his State in the United States Senate. Owing to the disturbed and unsettled condition of the country at that time he did not press his claim, and was not admitted to a seat in the Senate. As a result of his devotion to what he deemed the best interests of his State and country, in 1866, during the prog- II. Mis. 380———3
