GODOLPHIN, SYDNEY, Earl of GODOLPHIN, an English statesman, was descended from an old Cornish family, and was born, it is thought, about 1640. After the restora ation, he became one of the grooms of the bed-chamber to Charles II., was appointed one of the secretaries of state in 1664, and soon after first commissioner of the treasury; was twice dispatched to Holland in 1678 on business of importance, and argued and voted for the exclusion of the duke of York from the succession in 1680. Neverthe less, when the latter mounted the throne, Godolphin (now baron Godolphin of Rialton, in Cornwall) was made lord-chamberlain to the queen; and on the lauding of the prince of Orange, he was one of the commissioners sent by king James to treat with the invader—a difficult piece of buSiness, which he is considered to have managed with much tact and prudence. William was not slow to perceive the admirable abilities of Godolphin, and in 1690 appointed him first lord of the treasury. In 1695' he was one of the seven lords justices for the admhustration of the government during the king's absence. In 1702, on the accession of Anne, he accepted the office of lord high trea. surer, mainly at the solicitation of Marlborough, who paid him a splendid compliment by declaring that otherwise he could not venture to assume the command a the British armies, as he could depend on him alone for punctual remittances. Godolphin fully
realized the expectations of the great captain. He raised the public credit, induced the queen to contribute S.100,000 towards the war, firmly opposed the selling of offices and places, and increased the stipends of the inferior clergy. In 1706 Godolphin was raised to the dignity of earl of Godolphin and viscount Rialton; after this period, he took part with the Whigs, as being more patriotic and English than the tories. The contest between him and Harley for the premiership resulted finally in the defeat of Godolphin, who was dismissed from office in 1710. -He died at St. Albans, Sept. 15, 1712, and was interred in Westminster abbey. The title became extinct in his son Francis, second earl of Godolphin. Godolphin was the best business-man of his age. He had the clearest and quickest understanding, and liked to do his work in such a way that it would not require to be done over again. In an age of corruption, Godolphin was believed te be incapable of bribery, and he never employed as his agents any except men of integrity. His "talent for silence" equaled William's own.
GODON, SYLVA.,Nt'S W., b. Penn., 1810; entered the navy and rose to be rear-admi ral, retiring in 1871. He commanded the Powhatan at the battle of Port Royal, and the Susquehanna in the fort Fisher engagements.