1877, where he has been kept ever since in the military prison of Santiago Tlaltelolco, without Ijeing tried or sentenced.
CORUJA, Antonio Alvares Pereira (co-roo-ha), Brazilian scholar, b. in Porto Alegre, Rio
Grande do Sul, 31 Aug., 1806. After finishing his
studies, he devoted himself to teaching Portuguese
and philosoph}^, but, being elected a member of
the provincial deputation in 1886, took part in the
political struggles of that time, sufliered persecution, gave up polities, and established a college in
Rio Janeiro. He was noted for his educational
work, and received several decorations. Most of
his works are text-books of Portuguese and Latin
grammar, arithmetic, history of Brazil, orthography and provincial words. He has also written largely for periodicals.
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CORWIN, Thomas, statesman, b. in Bourbon county, Ky., 29 July, 1794; d. in Washington, D. C., 18 Dec., 1865. In 1798 his father, Matthias, removed to what is now Lebanon, Ohio, and for many years represented his district in the legislature. The son worked on the home farm till he was about twenty years old, and enjoyed very slender educational advantages, but began the study of law in 1815, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1818. His ability and eloquence as an advocate soon gained him an extensive practice. He was first chosen to the legislature of Ohio in 1822, serving seven years, and was chosen to congress in 1830, from the Miami district as a whig, of which party he was an enthusiastic member. His wit and eloquence made him a prominent member of the house of representatives, to which he was re-elected by the strong whig constituency that he represented for each successive term till 1840, when he resigned to become the whig candidate for governor of Ohio, and canvassed the state with Gen. Harrison, addressing large gatherings in most of the counties. He was unsurpassed as an orator on the political platform or before a jury. At the election he was chosen by 16,000 majority, Gen. Harrison receiving over 23,000 in the presidential election that soon followed. Two years later, Gov. Corwin was defeated for governor by Wilson Shannon, whom he had so heavily beaten in 1840. In 1844 the Whigs again carried the state, giving its electoral vote to Mr. Clay, and sending Mr. Corwin to the U. S. senate, where he made in 1847 a notable speech against the war in Mexico. He served in the senate until Mr. Fillmore's accession to the presidency in July, 1850, when he was called to the head of the treasury. After the expiration of Mr. Fillmore's term he returned to private life and the practice of law at Lebanon, Ohio. In 1858 he was returned once more a representative in congress by an overwhelming majority, and was re-elected with but slight opposition in 1860. On Mr. Lincoln's accession to the presi- dency he was appointed minister to Mexico, where he remained until the arrival of Maximilian, when he came home on leave of absence, and did not return, remaining in Washington and practising law, but taking a warm interest in public affairs, and earnestly co-operating in every effort to restore peace. His style of oratory was captivating, and his genial and kindly nature made him a universal favorite. His intemperate speech against the Mexican war hindered his further political advancement. He was a faithful public servant, led a busy life, lived frugally, and, although he had been secretary of the U. S. treasury, failed to secure a competency for his family. See the “Life and Speeches” of Thomas Corwin, edited by Isaac Strohn (Dayton, 1859). — His brother, Moses B., b. in Bourbon county, Ky., 5 Jan., 1790; d. in Urbana, Ohio, 7 April, 1872, received a common-school education, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1812, and practised at Urbana. He was a member of the legislature in 1838-'9, and was elected as a whig to congress in 1848, against his son, John A., who was nominated as a Democrat. He was again elected in 1854.
CORWINE, Amos Breckinridge, journalist,
b. in Maysville, Ky., in 1815; d. in New Rochelle,
Ohio, 22 June, 1880. His early years were spent
on his father's plantation in Mississippi. He
published the Yazoo “Banner” from 1840 to 1844.
He served during the Mexican war, being a
lieutenant in the Mississippi regiment commanded by
Jefferson Davis, and was severely wounded at
Buena Vista. After that war, in partnership with
his brother Samuel, he edited the Cincinnati
“Chronicle.” During the administrations of Presidents
Tyler and Fillmore he was U. S. consul at
Panama. In 1856 he was sent by President Pierce
to investigate the Panama massacres, and on his
report were based the treaty and adjustment of
damages between the United States and New
Granada. He was re-appointed consul, and remained
in Panama until 1861, when he was removed.
COSA, Juan de la, Spanish navigator, b. in the
latter part of the 15th century; d. in 1509. He
accompanied Columbus, as pilot, in his second
voyage. Having become noted for his great ability
and vast knowledge as a navigator, he was
intrusted with the command of three expeditions to
the coasts and territories of Darien, and on
returning to Spain was rewarded for his discoveries
with special honors and the title of alguacil
mayor of those regions explored by him. In 1509
he accompanied Ojeda in another expedition to the
same country, and the explorers landed, against his
advice, at the place where the city of Cartagena
is now. When Ojeda had gone some distance into
the country, he and his men were attacked and
surrounded by many thousands of Indians. De la
Cosa went at once to his aid, fought with astonishing
bravery, resisted desperately against the
continuous attacks of numberless Indians, and, after
three hundred of his companions had perished in
the battle, he also fell under the poisoned arrows
of the enemy. A few days afterward Ojeda found
the body of his heroic friend hanging from a tree.
COSBY, William, governor of New York, b.
about 1695; d. in New York city, 10 March, 1736.
After serving as a colonel in the army, and being
governor of Minorca and of the Leeward islands,
he became governor of New York in 1731, and
held the office till his death. His administration
was turbulent and unpopular. He appointed James
De Lancey his successor, held in contempt the elective
franchise, and continued the same assembly
six years, without permitting its dissolution.
