WISE, Henry Alexander, American law yer and political leader: b. Drummondtown, Accomac County, Va, 3 Dec. 1806; d. Rich mond, Va., 12 Sept. 1876, He was graduated from Washington College, Pa. in 1825, was admitted to the bar in 1828 and began the prac tice of law at Nashville, Tenn. In 1830, how ever, he returned to Accomac County, where be built up a large practice as a lawyer. He v.-as early active in the Democratic party; was a delegate to the National Convention of 1832, and in the same year was elected to Congress After the election he fought a duel with his opponent, on the latter's challenge. On the removal of the government deposits from the United States bank, Wise, with other Demo crats in the House, joined the Whs in oppout don against President Jackson. He how ever, re-elected to Congress in 1834 and in 1836; and also opposed Van Buren's banking and sub-treasury plan. In 1837 he acted as the second of Graves, of Kentucky, in a dud with Cilley, of Maine, both members of Con gress, in which the latter was killed. This occurrence led to much denunciation of Vs use, who was, however, ascertained not to he re sponsible for the affair. In 1840 he was instru mental in securing the nomination of tor the Vice-Presidency, and after Tyler became President exerted an important influence on the administration policy. In 1844 he was ap pointed Minister to Brazil; and on his return to the United States in 1847 again gave his sup port to the Democratic party. In 1855 he was Democratic candidate for governor of Virginia. conducted an active campaign, against the Know Nothing party, and was elected by a majority of 10,000. Toward the
end of his term as governor occurred the seiz ure of Harper's Ferry by John Brown and his followers, and the execution of John Brown at Charlestown. 2 Dec. 1839, was one of the last acts of his administration. He was a member of the State convention which met at Rich mond in 1861 to consider the relations of Vir• ginia to the Federal government, and one of the committee on Federal relations to whom the principal business of the convention was referred. He favored a compromise between North and South, and the avoidance of hostili ties if possible; but after Virginia declared for secession he loyally supported the Confederate cause. He was appointed a brigadier-general in the Confederate army and occupied the Kanawha Valley, but was rapidly driven out by General Cox in a series of skirmishes. He continued to serve in western Virginia until he was sent to Roanoke Island, N. C., with in structions to defend it. At the time of the attack upon the island by General Burnside, in February 1862, he was ill on the mainland, but the greater part of his brigade, known as the ''•Vise legion' took part in the action. He was later at the battle of Appomattox. After the war he resumed the practice of law in Rich mond. He wrote 'Seven Decades of War' (1872). Consult Wise. B. H.. 'Life of Henry Alexander Wise' (1899); Wise, J. S., 'End of an Era' (1899).