The last arrival from Europe brings the painful intelligence that Hon. William Lewis Dayton. United States Minister at the French Court, died on the 1st instant of apoplexy. Mr. Dayton was born at Baskingridge, in New Jersey, Feb 17, 1807. He graduated at the College of New Jersey in September, 1825, and was admitted to the practice of law in 1830. In 1837 he was elected member of the State Senate, and in the following year was chosen by the Legislature one of the Associate Judges of the Supreme Court of New Jersey. He held this position till 1841. Upon the decease of S. L. Southard, United States Senator in 1842, he was appointed to fill the vacancy. In March, 1845, he was elected by the Legislature for the full term of six years, and served in the Senate to March 4, 1851. He was superseded by Mr. R. F. Stockton, and began again the practice of the law at Trenton. In 1856 he was nominated for the Vice Presidency upon the Fremont ticket. In March, 1867, he was appointed Attorney-General of New Jersey. Upon election of Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Dayton was appointed Minister to France, and discharged the difficult and responsible duties of his office with credit to himself and the country which he represented.

Source: NY Times, Wednesday, Dec 21, 1864