Statesman; born in
North Carolina, in 1744; was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1782-83, 1786, and 1787; and was a member of the convention that framed the national Constitution.
In 1790 he was appointed governor of the territory south of the
Ohio.
(See
Northwestern Territory.) He was president of the convention that formed the
State of Tennessee in 1796, and was chosen the first United States Senator from the new State.
Blount was impeached in 1797 by the House of Representatives, charged with having intrigued, while territorial governor, to transfer New Orleans and neighboring districts (then belonging to
Spain) to
Great Britain by means of a joint expedition of Englishmen and Creek and
Cherokee Indians.
He was expelled from the Senate, and the process was discontinued in the
House.
His popularity in
Tennessee was increased by these proceedings, and he became, by the voice of the people, a State
Senator and president of that body.
He died in
Knoxville, Tenn., March 21, 1800.
Blue,
Victor, naval officer; horn in
Marion, S. C.. Dec. 6, 1865; entered the
United States Naval Academy, Sept. 6, 1883; was an assistant engineer in 1889-92; then promoted to ensign; served on the
Alliance and
Thetis; and was assigned to duty at the Naval Academy, Sept. 28, 1896.
When the war with
Spain broke out he was promoted to lieutenant, and ordered to the gunboat
Suwanee.
On June 11, 1898, he was landed at Acerraderos,
Cuba, made his way to the top of a hill overlooking Santiago Harbor, and definitely located
Admiral Cervera's Spanish fleet in the harbor.
This journey was one of 72 miles in extent, and was wholly within the enemy's lines.
For this successful achievement he was commended by
Rear-Admiral Sampson and the
Secretary of the Navy.
