MANY of the citizens of New Orleans and the Mississippi Valley, as well as travellers upon the great "Father of Waters," will remember the cordial, gallant and popular commander of some of the finest steamers on the Mississippi River, running between Vicksburg and the Crescent City, a few years ago the subject of this sketch. Charles J. Brenham was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, November 6th, 1817. Leaving home early in life, before the age of twenty years, he found himself at Natchez, master of one of the best steamboats on the river. When he arrived in New Orleans, the underwriters, at first, refused insurance, because of his extreme youth. He might have imitated in his reply the apt retort of John Randolph-" Ask my constituents." But the opinions and endorsements of older heads finally over

came the objections to his younger one, and he was allowed to occupy the position which his capacity had won. He proved himself a very competent commander. Having followed the business with varying success for several years, now in the full tide of fortune, now seeing the flames consume or the waters engulf his entire possessions, he finally determined to seek a new field of adventure.

Mr. Brenham left New Orleans, June 17th, 1849, for California, and arrived at San Francisco on the 18th of August following. A short time afterwards he took command of the steamer McKim, running between San Francisco and Sacramento. While thus employed, he was, in 1850, much to his surprise, nominated by the whig party as a candidate for the mayoralty. Mr. Brenham had always been a thorough and ardent whig, but had taken no part in politics. The nomination was unsolicited and unexpected, and our subject being very prosperous at the time, rather deprecated the election than otherwise; indeed the position was strange to one who had never contemplated such a thing. The canvas was warmly conducted; but Mr. Brenham never left his business for a moment, nor did he once go on shore for the purpose of electioneering, he having stipulated with the party that he would only accept the nomination on the condition that he should not be required to neglect his private business. He was, however, defeated by the election of Col. Geary.

A short time afterwards, Mr. Brenham, in conjunction with others, purchased the steamer Gold Hunter. He took command of that vessel, and remained in her until she was placed in the Mazatlan trade. In 1851, he was again nominated by the whig party for the mayoralty. He was opposed by Mr. Frank Tilford, a very popular democrat, and for the previous year recorder of the city. The canvas at this time was the severest, and the excitement the greatest by far that had taken place at any previous election, and greater than any other which has taken place since ; and it can be said with truth that the success of the ticket was mainly attributable to the activity and exertions of Mr. Brenham. For weeks previous he made speeches every night, and considering that he was quite unaccustomed to fill such a posi

tion, he acquitted himself as a public orator with great credit. On the 5th of May, 1851,-the day after the great fire,—Mr. Brenham entered upon the duties of office. The city was burned down, and broken in credit; she had not funds sufficient to buy even stationery for the officers of the municipal government.

The year 1851, will ever be regarded as the most eventful that had yet occurred in San Francisco, and the administration of the municipal affairs may be considered an era in the history of the city, as having been the most economical, faithful and watchful of her true interests. The common council was composed of men who had the interest of the city alone at heart, and who nobly responded to the exigencies of the times. Besides the embarrassment occasioned this year by the prostrate condition of the municipal affairs, this administration encountered all the excitement and troubles of the Vigilance Committee times. The position of the mayor was one of great delicacy and difficulty; but he faltered not, although in the strict discharge of his duty he was often compelled to appear in open collision with the people. In the noted riot, when attempts were made to wrest from the court and officers the prisoner Lewis, charged with arson, nothing but Mr. Brenham's resolution and firmness prevented the mob from taking Lewis and executing him at once. Among the many acts of the mayor during this year worthy of great praise, time has shown that none will compare with his advocacy of the measure to have the "Peter Smith" judgments paid, at that time amounting only to the sum of $40,000. Had his advice and counsel been heeded, a vast amount of money and property would have been saved to the city.

As an evidence of Mr. Brenham's presence of mind and firmness in trying circumstances, we may instance the great riot in the case of Captain Waterman. The person named was in the house of Alsop & Co., in which was crowded a most turbulent set of men. About a thousand persons were assembled outside, who were violent and vindictive, and determined instantly to hang Waterman. The mayor appeared, cleared the house immediately, and addressed the crowd, appealing to them to disperse. Finding his appeal to the mob disregarded, he next appealed to the law abiding citizens in the vicinity. Feeling

confident that he could obtain their assistance if necessary, he now spoke to the rioters in a determined and authoritative manner; and pulling out his watch, gave them just ten minutes to disperse, or he would take every man of them to prison. Before the expiration of the time granted, the crowd had left, and there remained no traces of the late scene of violence and excitement.

At the general election following, the whig party, owing to its construction of the law, made no nomination for the city officers. By a subsequent decision of the Supreme Court, Mr. Brenham's administration was ejected; and, after some litigation and delay, the democratic candidates, who had run without opposition -they receiving only about eleven hundred votes in a city which had cast six thousand (the people not generally voting),—were installed into office. As soon as the decision of the Supreme Court was made known, Mr. Brenham promptly and very gracefully resigned his office to Dr. S. R. Harris, who had been by the court declared elected.

At this period, Mr. Brenham commenced the banking and exchange business, in company with Beverley C. Sanders, under the style of Sanders & Brenham. This firm has been eminently successful in business.

In 1852, during the presidential campaign, Mr. Brenham was appointed one of the Whig State Central Committee, and by the committee was elected president. His exertions and efficiency in this capacity are known and appreciated by the whig party throughout the State. Mr. Brenham was again nominated, and elected, this year, for the mayoralty, and at the same time received from President Fillmore the appointment of "Treasurer of the Mint," and "Assistant Treasurer of the United States," which appointment was confirmed by the Senate. The commission is dated August 31st, 1852. Although the office of treasurer of the mint was lucrative, and one of great honor and trust, still Mr. Brenham, preferring the mayoralty, declined the acceptance of the appointment. In this he was partly influenced by the fact that his partner, Mr. B. C. Sanders, at the very same time received and accepted the appointment of Collector of the Port.

Many important matters arose during the second term of

office of Mr. Brenham, as mayor, which required great judgment and discretion. In the management of those matters, he displayed striking ability and integrity. His messages will compare favorably with State documents of greater reputation. He was often obliged to veto the action of the council, and generally his action was to the entire satisfaction of the people and the welfare of the city. During Mr. Brenham's whole official career, not the slightest imputation was ever made impugning the purity of his motives or his strict integrity. He was never interested in any way pecuniarily with any speculation connected with the city. He never availed himself of his position for the purpose of personal aggrandizement. No one ever has performed, or ever will perform the duties of an office with more purity of purpose, and with a greater regard for the true interests of the city, than did Mr. Brenham. He retired from his office without the slightest taint or suspicion.

Satisfied with the honors he had enjoyed, and with a determination to eschew both office and politics for the future, Mr. Brenham declined a reappointment as a member of the Whig State Central Committee, and has since then devoted all his time and energies to the business of his house. Few men have so many personal friends among all classes as has the subject of our sketch. His manner is eminently cordial, conciliatory and companionable. In every situation, however trying and untried, in which circumstances and the choice of his fellow-citizens have placed him, he has been found competent and faithful, and has invariably discharged his duty impartially, efficiently and fearlessly. To be strictly honest and honorable may not ordinarily entitle a man to any extra amount of praise, for that is his duty. Yet when we see one inflexibly pursuing the course of right because it is right, uncontaminated by the surrounding contagion of unlawful speculation which greatly prevailed during much of the time that Mr. Brenham held office, and possessed of the power of turning his position into a medium of great, though dishonorable gains, it is but justice to give the due meed of praise, and to say to him who has justly done his duty to his fellow-citizens and himself—Well done, thou good and faithful servant!