Production Note
Cornell University Library
produced this volume to preserve
the informational content of the
deteriorated original. The best
available copy of the original has
been used to create this digital
copy. It was scanned bitonally at
600 dots per inch resolution and
compressed prior to storage using
ITU Group 4 compression.
Conversion of this material to
digital files was supported by the
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Digital file copyright by Cornell
University Library 1995.
This volume has been scanned
as part of The Making of America
Project, a cooperative endeavor
undertaken to preserve and enhance
access to historical material from
the nineteenth century.
There were some damaged pages
in the original volume at the time
of scanning. Replacements will be
inserted when acquired.JX&
m i
\f,%~
CORNELL
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY
BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME
OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT
FUND GIVEN IN 1891 BY
HENRY WILLIAMS SAGETHE DIARY
OF
PHILIP HONE
1828—185^ 1
EDITED, WITH AN INTRODUCTION
BAYARD TUCKERMAN
IN TWO VOLUMES
VOLUME II
NEW YORK
DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY
1889- V. JL
A-t 53
ft
Copyright, 1S89
By DODD, MEAD & COMPANY
All rights reserved
PRESS OF
Bocftfoell antr Cfjurcbtll
BOSTONTHE DIARY
OF
PHILIP HONE.
184O.
TANUARY 1. — Another year has passed, and it would be well
^ if the black lines of Benton, the great expunger, could be
drawn around 1839 in the calendar. It has been marked by indi-
vidual and national distress in an unprecedented degree, the effect
of improvidence and a want of sound moral and political princi-
ples on the part of the mass of the people, and bad government
and a crushing down of everything good and great to subserve
party objects on the part of the rulers.
The New Year comes in bright and clear. It is by far the cold-
est day this winter; the ground is partially covered with snow;
the ice which covers the walks in some places is hard as adamant,
and the north-west wind blows up the cross-streets keen and sharp,
as if it had been whetted upon the everlasting ice of the north
pole. Notwithstanding all this, the gayety of the season has not
been diminished. There has been as much visiting as usual.
Broadway was lively as ever, bright eyes and warm receptions in-
doors, and blue noses and cold fingers without. I took my “ auld
cloak about me,” and trudged about for nearly five hours, paying2
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[vEtat. 60.
a large number of pleasant visits, and leaving many more equally
pleasant unpaid. The extent of the visiting circle in New York
has become too great for the operations of one day.
astrous voyage, have had additional troubles by another long and
uncomfortable voyage of twenty-six days from the latter place to
Savannah, in the British ship “Alexander Grant,” which vessel
they chartered to bring them out, at an expense of five hundred
pounds sterling, and found themselves. By the last accounts they
were all safe upon a plantation in South Carolina, where they will
remain for the winter. They will not be tempted to tempt the sea
again very soon, I am inclined to think. We have had some pretty
severe gales and cold weather, but there have been no shipwrecks
near to New York.
January 8. — I was reminded this morning, by see-
OrTear^"^^ *nS flags displayed upon the City Hall and Tam-
many Hall, that it is the anniversary of the battle of
New Orleans, an event glorious in the history of our country, and
consolatory to the pride of every true American, but one which
in its effects has proved most injurious to the present prosperity
and future prospects of the land, “and all which it inherit.” For
the laurels gained by General Jackson on that occasion and the
popularity which is certain to follow a successful military chieftain,
paved the way for his elevation to the Presidency, made him the
idol of the people, turned his head, and gave him the power to
indulge his personal prejudices and antipathies at the expense of
the Constitution and the laws, trample upon the rights of the peo-
ple who were huzzaing for him, and sacrifice every interest to pro-
mote his own objects and those of his party. With a full share of
the exultation which all should feel in the event of a battle gained,
and with no desire to detract from the well-earned fame of the
commanding generals, I do not hesitate to say that, in ,my opin-
The “ Ville de
Lyon.”
January 7. — The Cuttings, who were passengers in
the unfortunate packet “ Ville de Lyon,” from Havre,
which put into Bermuda disabled, after a long and dis-1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
ion, the evils resulting from that event, in its consequences as
described above, outweigh the benefits of fifty such battles; and so
posterity will say, to the third and fourth generation.
Baltimore, Jan. 21. — I left Philadelphia at eight o’clock, by
the railroad, and got here at three o’clock P.M. On my arrival I
found an affectionate note from Mr. Gilmor, who in a few minutes
came in person to tell me that he had a party engaged to meet me
at dinner, soon after which Mr. Meredith came and invited me for
to-morrow; and Mr. McLane, Mr. Birkhead, and Dr. Alexander
all called, and there is a seat for me at every man’s table, and ap-
parently a place in his heart, and I am received, as I always have
been in Baltimore, with the most hearty welcome and overflowing
hospitality. We had at dinner at Mr. Gilmor’s, besides the host
and hostess, Meredith, Dr. Alexander, Mr. Birkhead, John P. Ken-
nedy, David Hoffman, Mr. Pennington, and myself. A most capi-
tal dinner, and such wine as scarcely another man can show at
present in the United States. There was one bottle which I was
told had been kept exclusively for me. I wish I could think my-
self worthy of the compliment as the wine was of the generosity of
the donor. I certainly never drank any better in my life. The
pleasure of our party was enhanced by the addition of that excel-
lent townsman of mine, David B. Ogden, who arrived from Wash-
ington during the evening on his way to New York. He is a great
favourite here, as he is amongst all who know how to appreciate
superior talents and honesty.
January 23.—In the evening I went to a musical party at
General Harper’s, where I found a great number of very agreeable
people. I certainly think there are more handsome young married
women and girls in Baltimore than in any circle of society of the same
size I have ever known; but you never see them except at a party
of this kind ; for they are not seen much in the streets, nor have they
a Broadway to walk in. I had the pleasure to meet Mrs. Caton
and her sister, Mrs. Harper, from whom I received a most friendly
recognition. I called upon her yesterday, and received a very4
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 60.
particular message, that she was lying down, but that I must cer-
tainly call again. She is old, not ugly; infirm, but exceedingly
gracious in her manners; and nearly blind, but lively and quick
of apprehension. She was unquestionably (as I told her) the
belle of the evening. Every gentleman, on entering, made her a
bow, which she returned with much grace, after inquiring his
name (for she finds it difficult to recognize her most intimate friends
except by the voice), and every lady took her hand in parting.
How much of this arises from the circumstance of her being the
mother of a duchess, a marchioness, and a countess, it might be
somewhat difficult to ascertain; but I am quite sure, that if she were,
haughty and disagreeable as she is affable and ladylike, this homage
would not be paid with that willing cheerfulness which I witnessed
and admired this evening. “ You ought to be happy, madam/7 said
I, “ to find yourself so much beloved.77 — “ Indeed, I am, sir,77 she
replied; “ you can have no idea how happy it makes me.77 We
had fine music; several of the ladies sang. If we had such parties
in New York I would attend more frequently.
Washington, Jan. 24. — I left Baltimore in the four-o’clock
cars. On my arrival here, about seven o’clock, I found everything
handsomely provided for me at Gadsby’s, by my good friend Mr.
Granger, with whom, and his daughter Miss Adele, I am to mess.
After tea I had retired to my room, and in night-gown and slippers
was prepared for an hour’s reading and an. early bedding, when in
“ came one in hot haste with missives from the king,” informing
me that a party was assembled to sup at Boulanger’s, nearly oppo-
site my lodgings, and that I must report myself forthwith. I went
and found Mr. Clay, Mr. Crittenden, General Scott, Colonel Daw-
son of Virginia, Lee of Maryland, Gen. Waddy Thompson, Mr.
Botts of Virginia, and one or two more. We supped in Boulanger’s
best style, played whist, and talked politics. Mr. Clay looks re-
markably well. He is almost worshipped by the Whigs since his
late magnanimous conduct in regard to the nomination of General
Harrison, and yet occasionally “ this eagle towering in his pride of1840.],
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
5
place ” is “ by an owl hawked at. and pecked.” A man from
Mississippi, who is known in common parlance and recognized by
the laws as a senator of the United States, by the name of Walker,
abused him yesterday grossly in debate, the cause of which was
that Mr. Clay refused to reply to some of his remarks, but would
reply to Mr. Buchanan, or some other gentleman of that party.
But in truth an attack upon Mr. Clay from such a quarter is about
as ridiculous as Noah Brown firing a musket-ball at the British
frigate cruising off Rockaway Beach.
I intended to visit, and succeeded only in going to inquire about,
Commodore Chauncey. My excellent old friend is past hope. I
saw his son, who gave me the melancholy intelligence that this will
in all probability be the last day of the earthly cruise of the noble
old sailor. I fervently pray that he may find a safe harbour in a
better world. Here is another of my ties of early friendship about
to be sundered. There are few men to whom I have been longer
or more tenderly attached. His son told me that within a day or
two he has spoken of me affectionately as one of his oldest and
best friends.
Whilst in that part of the city I called upon Baron Marechal,
the Austrian Minister. I am in the mess of Mr. Granger and
Abbott Lawrence. They invited three or four members to meet
me at dinner. I could not have better quarters.
January 28. — Celeste commenced an engagement at the theatre
last evening, and I am told had not fifty people in the house. I
wonder why they come here. Everybody has some better engage-
ment, and you seldom hear the theatre mentioned. I dined with
Mr. Monroe; an exceedingly nice dinner and a gay party, con-
sisting of Mr. and Mrs. Grinnell, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis, Mr. Hoff-
man, Mr. and Miss Granger, Mr. and Mrs. Stoughton from New
York, Mr. Saltonstall, Mr. Bard from New York, and myself.
After which I went to sup at Boulanger’s, with Mr. Clay, Mr.
Crittenden, Governor Barbour, Mr. Fox, the British Minister, Gen-
eral Scott, General Thompson, and Mr. Lee. This high living, or6
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 60.
the climate, has given me the last two nights the most excruciating
cramps, and I have a very interesting touch of lumbago.
William Cost Johnson, of Maryland, has been speaking two days
on the never-ending, still-enduring, and ever-exciting subject of
abolition petitions. He is a fine fellow and a true Whig, but an
out-and-out anti-abolitionist from principle, — not as Bynum and
other such fellows are, to turn it to party purposes and make it a
vehicle of personal abuse against their political opponents; and so
he told them in the plainest, straightforward manner, and rebutted
in his person, and by flat contradiction, that the Whigs, as a body,
are inimical to the interests of the South. A resolution offered by
Mr. Johnson as a standing rule was adopted after an animated con-
test by a majority of six in a full house. It goes farther than any
former action upon this vexatious subject. It forbids the reception
of any petition against slavery in the District of Columbia or else-
where, or the entertaining of anything by the House which relates
to slavery. It strikes me as an unfortunate measure. It is the
very thing to please the abolitionists; the cry of persecution
strengthens their cause. It is unjust, and I am inclined to think
unconstitutional, and this apparent triumph of obstinacy over
fanaticism will redound, I fear, to the benefit of the latter.
I spent a few minutes this morning in the Supreme Court. What
a contrast between the gravity and decorum of that hallowed sanct-
uary of the laws, and the levity and disorder of the House of
Representatives 1 — the quiet, subdued tone of the former, and the
noisy declamation of the latter; and the reverend black-silk gowns
of the judges, and the piebald costume of the people’s representa-
tives.
January 29. — I dined with Mr. Grinnell, who lives in handsome
style, has his family here, and his carriage, and gives capital
dinners. Our party to-day was a delightful one, consisting of the
elite of the Whigs, and a more jovial set is not often to be met with.
It consisted of Mr. Webster and Mr. Preston, of the Senate, Mr.
Bell, Mr. Graves, Colonel Dawson, Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Curtis,1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
7
Mr. Rice, Mr. Garland, Mr. Granger, the host, and myself. Mr.
Webster was in the midst of his friends, and delighted us with an
account of his travels, of the places he saw, the visits he made, the
attention he received, and the result of his deep searches into the
characters of the eminent men of England. Preston is one of
the most captivating men I ever saw. His voice is like music,
and there is a natural eloquence about him, and a vein of jocund
good-humour quite irresistible. Hoffman was in high spirits; Bell,
declamatory; Dawson, gentlemanly; and when I came away
(which, in consequence of an attack of lumbago I have had for a
day or two, and which, once in a while, brings drops of sweat upon
my forehead, was earlier than I wished), the elements of good
fellowship were admirably mixed up in this little party.
Commodore January 30. — At eleven o’clock I went to the
Chauncey’s funeral. At the request of Mrs. Chauncey, I followed
Funeral. as a mourner jn the carriage with her three sons, and
am now wearing the badge of mourning on my hat. She sent for
me to her room, took my hand on my entrance, exclaimed, “ Here
is my husband’s old friend ! ” and sobbed aloud in the bitterness
of grief. I was completely overcome, and left the room without
saying a word. Commander Morris, who had charge of the funeral
arrangements, told me that Mrs. Chauncey made a point of having
Mr. Webster and me pall-bearers until she found it was to be
a military funeral. The bearers were General Scott, General
Macomb, Commander Morris, Commander Wadsworth, Com-
mander Ridgely, Colonel Henderson, Commander of Marines, and
the former and present Secretaries of the Navy, Messrs. Woodbury
and Paulding. The President and heads of departments attended,
with a splendid array of naval and military officers in uniform, and
' there was a handsome escort of marines and volunteers; but they
had a hard time of it, the ground being covered with ice, snow,
and water, and the rain falling at intervals during the tedious
march of about three miles to the Congregational burying-ground,
where the remains of the noble old sailor were interred.8
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 60.
I had a high gratification in the Senate, where my
senate10 g°°d-fortune carried me, and I was kept enchained
untli the hour of their adjournment. The whole Whig
strength was brought out in opposition to the report of a special
committee, of which Mr. Grundy, the late' attorney-general, is
chairman, — a report suicidal in its tendency, as are all the measures
of the party of which Mr. Grundy may be considered the leader in
the Senate; the object of which is to show to the world the amount
of indebtedness of the several States, exaggerated in its statements
and uncandid in its conclusions, charging the States with improvi-
dence and extravagance, telling the creditor, foreign or at home,
that he has trusted too much, and it is doubtful if he will be paid;
and, like a cruel step-mother, the government seeking to discredit
her own children and discourage their future exertions. But what
a burst of eloquence was poured from our side of the Senate upon
the heads of these unworthy forgers of lies ; these tinkers of govern-
ment jobs; these false lights of a misguided people ! Speeches
were made by Crittenden, Southard, Webster, and Preston. What
a host! There never was a time in the British Parliament when
four such men made speeches upon one subject. They were all
great, but I was most pleased with Mr. Preston. It was the first
time I had ever heard the eloquent South Carolinian. He is a tall
man, of a strongly marked expression of countenance and not very
graceful manner; but he pours forth a flood of eloquence like a
mountain cataract, — broad and impetuous at one time, and clear
and sweet and beautiful at another; flowing deep and solemn now,
and again breaking into myriads of shining particles, illuminated by
the sunlight of a poetical imagination, and reflecting the varied hues
of classical imagery; solemn and playful, argumentative and satiri-
cal, by turns. His voice is powerful, with occasional touches of *
surpassing sweetness; and then, in private intercourse, he is so play-
ful, his conversation so varied, and his spirits so buoyant, that I am
of the opinion at this moment that I have never met a more lov-
able man. I sat near Mr. Preston on the floor of the Senate whilst1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
9
he was' speaking. He came to me after he had concluded.
“ There ! ” said he ; “I made that speech on purpose for you. I
had no idea that you should go home without showing you what
I could do.”
I am curious to know what the colleague of this noble gentle-
man, — what Mr. Calhoun thought of his position during the deliv-
ery of this and the other speeches on the same side. This is true,
honest, legitimate State-rights doctrine; no nullification, no hint-
ing at separation, but an honest, independent standing-up for the
rights of the States; an indignant resistance to the arbitrary inter-
ference of an unnatural parent with the welfare and prosperity of
her children. My eye glanced from the towering height from
which one of these men launched the thunder of his eloquence upon
the unworthy associates of the other, to the opposite place, where
I saw the dark, scowling aspect of disappointed ambition and
fallen greatness.
January 31. — I dined with the President. The
President’s116 Party consisted of about five and twenty gentlemen; a
splendid affair, and I think in good taste. The Presi-
dent does the honours with dignity and graciousness. There is no
fuss in the business, and every guest has his full share of the atten-
tions of his host. I thought myself particularly favoured, and so I
presume others did. The President sat on one side of the table,
with Mr. Southard on his right and Mr. Sturgeon, the new senator
from Pennsylvania, on his left. Immediately opposite to him was
Mr. Forsyth, Secretary of State, with General Scott on his right
and me on his left, — an arrangement which the Secretary informed
me before dinner was made by the President’s order. The Presi-
dent’s first glass of wine was drunk with General Scott, and the
second with me.
February i. — My son Robert writes me that an awful state
of consternation exists in the city; business is at a stand; all
description of stocks fallen still lower, and the fire-insurance com-
panies refuse to insure any more. I should not be surprised if the10
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HpNE.
[yEtat. 60.
companies should break again, and if they do they will never be
resuscitated. Poor New York ! a garden sowed with sand running
fast into desolation.
I dined with Mr. Barnard; a nice little party, consisting of Gen-
eral Scott, Mr. Granger, Mr. Grinnell, the host, and myself. I got
along very well, notwithstanding the pain and stiffness of my back;
but, wisely I think, declined going to Mons. Bodisco’s, who ex-
pected me to pass the evening.
New York, Feb. 20.—The fashionable folk are
vlort’s Ban remarkably well off just now in the possession of
an inexhaustible topic of conversation in Mrs. Bre-
voort’s bal costume, costume a la rigueur, which is to come off next
Thursday evening. Nothing else is talked about; the ladies’ heads
are turned nearly off their shoulders; the whiskers of the dandies
assume a more ferocious curl in anticipation of the effect they are
to produce; and even my peaceable domicile is turned topsy-turvy
by the “note of preparation” which is heard. My daughters are
all going in character, and I am preparing to play the harlequin,
in my old days. If Cardinal Wolsey don’t astonish the folk with
his magnificence, then have I spent in vain my money in the pur-
chase of scarlet merino and other trappings to decorate the burly
person of the haughty churchman.
February 24.—This venerable and amiable old
Mr^Maury gentleman died last evening, in the ninety-fifth year of
his age. He was a native of Virginia. His ninety-
fourth birthday occurred about ten days since. Mr. Maury was
the first American Consul at Liverpool, appointed by Washington,
a distinction of which he was always proud. This office he held
for nearly half a century, and was removed by General Jackson (the
second Washington, as he was sacrilegiously called by some of his
flatterers). On his return a great public dinner was given to him
in New York, by the merchants and others, of which I was a vice-
president. He settled here with his sons and daughters, where
he has resided ever since, in peace and domestic enjoyment.1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
II
His daughter seemed to live for him alone, — a pattern of filial
affection and devotedness, — and he has now, full of age, and en-
joying the respect and veneration of his friends, sunk calmly and
without suffering into the grave which seemed to have had a natural
claim to him many years ago.
February 25.— There is little dependence upon newspapers in
a record of facts, any more than in their political dogmas or con-
fessions of faith. If they do not lie from dishonest motives, their
avidity to have something new and in advance of others leads
them to take up everything that comes to hand without proper
examination, adopting frequently the slightly grounded impressions
of their informers for grave truths, setting upon them the stamp
of authenticity, and sending them upon the wings of the wind to fill
the ears and eyes of the extensive American family of the gullibles.
The great affair which has occupied the minds of
BaiiFaDCy t^ie Pe°ple °f aH stations, ranks, and employments, from
the fashionable belle who prepared for conquest, to the
humble artiste who made honestly a few welcome dollars in pro-
viding the weapons; from the liberal-minded gentleman who could
discover no crime in an innocent and refined amusement of this
kind, to the newspaper reformer, striving to sow the seeds of dis-
contentment in an unruly population, — this long-anticipated affair
came off last evening, and I believe the expectations of all were
realized. The mansion of our entertainers, Mr. and Mrs. Brevoort,
is better calculated for such a display than any other in the city, and
everything which host and hostess could do in preparing and
arranging, in receiving their guests, and making them feel a full
warrant and assurance of welcome, was done to the topmost round
of elegant hospitality. Mrs. B., in particular, by her kind and cour-
teous deportment, threw a charm over the splendid pageant which
would have been incomplete without it.
My family contributed a large number of actors in the gay scene.
I went as Cardinal Wolsey, in a grand robe of new scarlet merino,
with an exceedingly well-contrived cap of the same material; a12
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[YEtat. 60.
cape of real ermine, which I borrowed from Mrs. Thomas W. Lud-
low, gold chain and cross, scarlet stockings, etc.; Mary and Cathe-
rine, as Night and Day; Margaret, Annot Lyle in the “ Legend of
Montrose; ” John, as Washington Irving’s royal poet; Schermerhom,
as Gessler, the Austrian governor who helped to make William
Tell immortal; Robert, a Highlander; and our sweet neighbour,
Eliza Russell, as Lalla Rookh.
We had a great preparatory gathering of friends to see our
dresses and those of several others, who took us “ in their way up.”
I am not quite sure whether the pleasantest part of such an affair
does not consist in “the note of preparation,” the contriving and fix-
ing, exulting and doubting, boasting and fretting, and fussing and
scolding, which are played off in advance of the great occasion;
and perhaps, after all is over, the greatest doubt is “ si le jeu vaut la
chandelleT And if ever that question is tested, it must be by this
experiment, for never before has New York witnessed a fancy ball so
splendidly gotten up, in better taste, or more successfully carried
through. We went at ten o’clock, at which time the numerous
apartments, brilliantly lighted, were tolerably well filled with char-
acters. The notice on the cards of invitation, “ Costume d la
rigueur,” had virtually closed the door to all others, and with the
exception of some eight or ten gentlemen who, in plain dress, with
a red ribbon at the button-hole, officiated as managers, every one
appeared as some one else; the dresses being generally new, some
of them superbly ornamented with gold, silver, and jewelry; others
marked by classical elegance, or appropriately designating distin-
guished characters of ancient and modern history and the drama;
and others again most familiarly grotesque and ridiculous. The
coup d 'ceil dazzled the eyes and bewildered the imagination.
Soon after our party arrived the five rooms on the first floor
(including the library) were completely filled. I should think
there were about five hundred ladies and gentlemen; many a beau-
tiful “ point device,” which had cost the fair or gallant wearer
infinite pains in the selection and adaptation, was doomed to pass1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
13
unnoticed in the crowd; and many who went there hoping each
to be the star of the evening, found themselves eclipsed by some
superior luminary, or at best forming a unit in the milky way.
Some surprise was expressed at seeing in the crowd a man
in the habit of a knight in armour, — a Mr. Attree, reporter and
one of the editors of an infamous penny paper called the “ Her-
ald.” Bennett, the principal editor, called upon Mr. Brevoort to
obtain permission for this person to be present to report in his
paper an account of the ball. He consented, as I believe I should
have done under the same circumstances, as by doing so a sort of
obligation was imposed upon him to refrain from abusing the house,
the people of the house, and their guests, which would have been
done in case of a denial. But this is a hard alternative ; to submit
to this kind of surveillance is getting to be intolerable, and nothing
but the force of public opinion will correct the insolence, which, it
is to be feared, will never be applied as long as Mr. Charles A.
Davis and other gentlemen make this Mr. Attree “ hail fellow, well
met,” as they did on this occasion. Whether the notice they took
of him, and that which they extend to Bennett when he shows his
ugly face in Wall street, may be considered approbatory of the
daily slanders and unblushing impudence of the paper they conduct,
or is intended to purchase their forbearance toward themselves,
the effect is equally mischievous. It affords them countenance and
encouragement, and they find that the more personalities they
have in their papers, the more papers they sell.
February 29.—As this brilliant affair is not soon to be forgotten,
I have gotten my girls to make out from recollection a list of the
characters; it is correct as far as it goes, and contains a pretty
good portion of all who were present: Mr. and Mrs. Anderson,
Turk and Spanish lady; Mr. Austin, Highlander; Mrs. Brevoort,
Joanna of Naples; Miss Brevoort, La Juive; and the children,
pages and a brigand; Mr. and Mrs. Bryan, Don Juan of Austria
and Spanish lady; Miss Boggs, Clemence dTsaure ; Mrs. Brancher,
lady of the old regime ; Mrs. Bums, Madame du Bourg; Mr. and Mrs.14
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 60.
George Barclay, fox-hunter and peasant woman; Miss Barclay, fine
old lady; Miss M. Barclay, Lalla Rookh; Miss Bradbury, of Bos-
ton, Diana; Mr. Berry, l’Incroyable; Mr. Belmont, German postil-
ion ; Mr. Bowdoin, peasant; Mr. Bell, German miner; Mr. and
Mrs. Gerard Coster, pirate and Clotilda; Mr. and Mrs. Washing-
ton Coster, Arab boy and Leila; the Misses Cruger, Quakeresses;
Miss Callender, Dutch girl; Messrs. Gore and Stanhope Callender,
Spanish muleteer and Highlander; Mr. and Mrs. Constant, fox-
hunter and Corinna; Mr. Coolidge, Chinese ; Mr. C. Davis, Quaker;
Mrs. Charles A. Davis, Norman paysanne; Mrs. Dutilh, Miss De-
Rham, and Mr. DeRham, Jr., Greeks; Mr. Delprat, Don Basilio;
Mr. F. Dorr, Don John; Mr. Delaunay, Due d’Orleans; Mr. and
Mrs. Emmet, the former a school-girl, and the latter her brother;
Mr. Thomas Emmet, Dutch woman; Mr. Robert Emmet, Dr.
O’Toole; Miss Elwell, Greek; Miss Fleming, Jeffriece; Mr. Flem-
ing, Highlander; Messrs. Asa and William Fitch, Mantilini and
Arab; Mr. Frederick Foster, gentleman of the old school; Mr.
and Mrs. Edward Graves, peasant and Lady Grandison; Mrs.
Robert and Mrs. William Grade, Portia and La Dame Blanche;
Mr. and Mrs. James A. Hamilton, watchman and Quakeress;
Misses Mary and Angelica Hamilton, Fenella and old lady; Mr.
Alex. Hamilton, domino; Mrs. Haight, two characters, Jemima
Jenkins and Lady of the Knight of the Polar Star; Mr. Haight,
Turk; Mr. E. Howland, mufti; Mr. and Mrs. Hills, monk and old
lady of quality; Miss M. and Miss E. Hills, Ann Page and Persian;
Mr. C. Hoffman, friar; Mr. Harmony, Spanish muleteer; Miss
Mary Jones, Diana; Miss Kearney, Queen Esther; Mr. P. Hone,
Cardinal Wolsey; Messrs. John and Robert Hone, royal poet and
Highlander; Miss M. Hone and Miss C. Hone, Annot Lyle and
Day; Mr. and Mrs. Jones Schermerhorn, Gessler and Night; Miss
Lydia and Mr. Delancey Kane, sorceress and goldfinch; Miss
Margaret and Mr. Harrison Lynch, Night and Arab; Mr. D.
Lawrence, sportsman; Mr. G. Livingston, Greek; Mr. and Mrs.
Mortimer Livingston, each half Quaker and half ancient marquis;1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
IS
Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Ludlow, Court dresses; Miss LeRoy, Greek;
Miss Meredith, Fair Star; Mr. Edward Laight, Roland Graeme;
Mr. La Forest, consular uniform; Mr. Laurie, Crusader; Mrs.
Anson Livingston, Virgin of the Sun; Misses Langdon, French pay-
sannes; Miss Helen McEvers, Swiss paysanne; Mr. Charles
McEvers, Spaniard; Mr. Bache McEvers, William Penn, and
afterward Cupid; Miss McVickar and Mr. Messinger, Greeks;
Mr. Robert Mason, old gentleman; Mr. McCarty, French mar-
quis ; Mr. McKeon and Mr. Major, Indians; Mr. and Mrs. Maron-
celli, Dante and Beatrice; Miss Major, nun; Mrs. Norrie, old lady
of quality; Misses O’Donnell, of Baltimore, Greeks; Mr. and Mrs.
J. W. Otis, old gentleman and Night; Mrs. Jonathan Ogden,
Queen Catharine of Arragon; Miss Oakley, Priestess of the Sun;
Mrs. Rufus Prime, Esmeralda; Miss Palmer, Italian peasant; Mr.
and Mrs. Pendleton, courtier and Spanish lady; Mr. and Mrs.
Pearson, uniform and Scotch lady; Mrs. Panon, Folly; Miss
Phelps, Spanish lady; Mr. William Robinson, old gentleman;
Messrs. Schuyler, peasants; Mr. N. Schermerhom, Dutch girl;
Messrs. John and James Schermerhom, postilions; Mr. and Miss
Russell, Mameluke and Lalla Rookh; Mr. Steiner, Figaro; Mrs.
Sheldon, Spanish lady; Mr. H. Sheldon, Paul Pry; Miss Seton,
Greek; Miss Watson, Greek; Mr. S. Williams, old gentleman; Mr.
Wright, Spaniard; Mr. and Mrs. H. Wilkes, courtier and peasant;
Mr. John White, Russian soldier.
The “ Herald ” of this morning contains a long account of the
ball, with a diagram and description of Mr. Brevoort’s house; but,
as it was an implied condition of the reporter’s admission that it
should be decent, it was tame, flat, and tasteless.
March 7. — The ancient mansion of the late Mrs.
Real Estate. E. White, No. ii Broadway, opposite the Bowling
Green, was sold at auction one day this week, by order
of her executors, and brought only $ 15,000. The lot is thirty-
nine feet front on Broadway, twenty-seven feet wide in the rear,
and extends through to Greenwich street nearly two hundred16
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 60.
feet. This is the saddest proof of the fall in real estate in this
devoted city that has been realized as yet. There has been no
time within my recollection that this lot would not have brought
more money, and before General Jackson’s accursed experiments
it would have been worth double the price it brought.
Arrival of At noon to-day this fortunate steam-packet made
the “Great	her appearance, after a voyage of sixteen days, having
Western.”	sailed on the 20th of February. None of her com-
petitors have made their trips with equal despatch and regularity.
Owing to an unprecedented delay in the arrival of the regular
packets, we have been without accounts from England for forty-
one days, which gap has now been filled up by the arrival of the
“ Great Western.” There does not appear to have been much
doing the other side of the water during this long period. The
most important event was the marriage of the Queen.
March 11. — My daughter Margaret received, as a present
from London, a piece of the Queen’s wedding-cake, enclosed in
a letter from Mrs. Stevenson, lady of the American Minister, and
brought in the “ Great Western ” by Mr. Cracroft, who was intro-
duced by the same letter. This is all very well, but nothing to
the present which I am told was received by the ‘same conveyance
by Miss Rush, daughter of the former Minister from the United
States. Hers came from the Queen herself, — a piece of the cake,
with a letter enclosed in a beautiful satin-wood box, on which the
letter V is emblazoned in diamonds. This young lady was proba-
bly a companion of Victoria’s in their youthful days, when, per-
haps, her childish dreams dared not to soar to the height of her
present greatness, and the “ Sea of Glory ” on which she now
“ swims ” had no place on the map of her imagination.
March 12. — The Marquis of Waterford says that the New
York watch-house is the most shocking one he was ever in.
March 19. — The following is in the “ Commercial
and'“ Cecilia ” Advertiser: ” “ Among the deaths mentioned in the
English papers we notice that of Madame D’Arblay,1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
17
better known as Miss Burney, author of ‘ Evelina9 and ‘ Cecilia/
two excellent novels that were once extremely popular. She died
in London, on the 6th of January, in the eighty-eighth year of
her age. Her husband was General Piochard, Count D’Arblay.”
What a rush of the recollections of old times is here ! Miss
Burney, “ Evelina/’ “ Cecilia; ” their palmy days were also mine.
When I was a lad, the “ young idea ” first beginning to put on
its percussion-caps, — fond of reading all things, but especially
doting on novels, — with what avidity did I banquet upon “ Eve-
lina/’ “ Cecilia,” and the host of novels, all of that class, with
which the British press teemed ! They are dear to my recollec-
tion as identified with, and forming part of, the enjoyment of
that period of my life when the curtain of futurity was rudely
drawn aside by my impatient hands, and I saw a bright and
beautiful world before me; but its brightness dazzled the eyes so
that the dark places were not distinguished, and beauty was more
pleasant to look upon than deformity.
This class of writings has completely passed away. The plum-
cake school of novels, in which love was the raisins and sentiment
the citron, has given place to Scottish oat-cake, English ship-
biscuit, and French rolls. Walter Scott’s glorious prose stories, in
which the substantial dish composed of traditional history was
charmingly garnished by familiar dialogue and well-known locali-
ties ; and more recently the multitudinous offspring of the prolific
imaginations of D’Israeli, James, Bulwer, Marryat, and the incom-
parable Dickens, have created a new and a better taste; and
although at this time of day we may go back to Smollett and
Fielding with some remains of our first love, the works of Miss
Burney, Mrs. Radcliffe, and Miss Porter afford no more enjoy-
ment than do the marbles and tops of boyhood to the middle-
aged man engrossed by the cares of this life.
March 20. — My wife and I dined yesterday at Mr. Peter
Schermerhorn’s. The party consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Constant,
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Parish, Mr. and Mrs. Pendleton, Mr. andi8
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
\_Mtat. 60.
Mrs. Heckscher, Mrs. Brevoort, General Jones, Mr. Khremer,
Jones and Mary Schermerhorn, Mr. Maturin Livingston, and
ourselves.
Congress	March 27.— The present session of Congress dis-
and the graces the annals of the country. It is a constant scene
Legislature. Qf tumuit anc[ disorder; an unscrupulous majority rides
rough-shod over the Constitution and laws, regardless alike of the
rules of parliamentary proceedings and of good manners. The
decent Loco-focos (if there are any) resign the reins of party gov-
ernment to the greatest blackguards in their number, and silently
record their votes in favour of measures which they are ashamed
to justify by reasoning.
Dr. Duncan, of Ohio, and Dr. Petriken, of Pennsylvania, are the
acknowledged leaders of the administration party in the House of
Representatives; and surely never was poor patient subjected to the
treatment of two such political quacks. Yet there are some decent
men, high-minded Southerners, too (as we have been wont to call
them), who submit to the degradation of mixing the pills, cleaning
the gallipots, and administering the glysters of this precious brace
of political empirics. Another of those disgraceful scenes which
have followed each other in such rapid succession during the whole
of the session occurred on Tuesday. The Treasury-note bill was to
have been forced through without allowing the minority to be heard,
and a scene of disorder, vulgarity, and personal abuse continued
without intermission for twenty-nine hours. The House met at
twelve o’clock on Tuesday, and continued in session until five
o’clock on Wednesday evening, when they adjourned without taking
the question. These daily recurring scenes of violence and dis-
order and the protracted sessions render the situation of the gen-
tlemen of good habits and respectable characters anything but
agreeable, and one consequence of the irregularities is the inroad
which it begins to make in the health of some of them. That
excellent man, Abbott Lawrence, who is beloved by his friends,
and respected even by his adversaries, has been at the point of1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
19
death. He is an amiable man, and a wise man, and a gentleman,
and therefore unsuited for the society of the Robespierres, and the
Marats, and the Couthons, who constitute the present majority of
our modern Jacobin Club at Washington; and of such men as
Abbott Lawrence the Whig party in that House is mainly consti-
tuted. Never was seen a contrast so great in all the qualities that
go to make up a man as is to be seen there; but the gentlemen
cannot maintain much longer the contest with the blackguards.
The Duncans and the Petrikens — God help us ! — must prevail.
Must things grow worse before they get better ? I fear it greatly.
If so it is to be, so be it!
Whilst these scenes are passing in Congress, the Legislature at
Albany is in a state nearly as bad. The registry law has passed the
Senate, and is now in the House, unless it passed there yesterday.
James J. Roosevelt, the leader of the blackguards, in whose person,
as its representative, our poor city is disgraced, takes the lead in
opposition to the law, and resorts to every species of vile, disgrace-
ful conduct and language, in which he is supported by the whole
pack. Order, decency, and subordination are openly condemned,
and they are supported and encouraged by meetings in Tammany
Hall, in which such men as Benjamin F. Butler, district attorney,
and John W. Edmonds,— intruders among us, — blow up the coals
of sedition; and their Loco-foco followers swear that if the law is
passed they will not observe it, but vote as heretofore, and send
their own men to the Legislature in spite of it, and carry by per-
sonal violence their men and their measures against the laws, if the
laws do not happen to suit them.
A member of the New York delegation named Lasak, a German, *
who cannot write, nor even speak English correctly, but who, it
appears, is a little more honest than his colleagues, had the inde-
pendence the other day, in a speech he made, to differ from his
party on some question of national policy, — something relating to
the currency. He slipped his neck for a brief moment out of the
collar, when immediately he was ordered down to Tammany Hall20
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 60.
to give an account of himself; his answers were not satisfactory to
his masters, and since his return a committee has been sent up to
demand his resignation. What my countryman will do I know not,
but it is tolerably certain he will not do for his party.
March 28. — There was a great meeting last even-
whig	ing at Masonic Hall, called by the Whigs to approve
the registry law. It was made the occasion of one of
those scenes of riot and disorder of which we shall have many
more unless such a law is passed. A party of Loco-focos, insti-
gated by the Butlers and Edmondses of Tammany Hall, and by the
accursed newspapers supported by them, got possession of one
comer of the room, and on the first movement being made to
organize the meeting they commenced a riotous opposition by
hissing, shouting, and every kind of violence. In the midst of this
tumult Alderman Benson was placed in the chair, with a large
number of vice-presidents and secretaries. The address and reso-
lutions were read and passed unheard, and everything done in
“ most admired confusion.” Finally this could be no longer borne.
The Whigs, who behaved with great firmness, put the whole rascally
gang of banditti out of the room, and order was so far restored that
Prescott Hall was suffered to go on with an unanswerable argument
in favour of the law, and David Graham, being called for, addressed
the meeting. At this stage of the proceedings, the room being
exceedingly hot, I came away. On leaving the hall I found my-
self in the midst of a crowd of several thousands, who filled Broad-
way from the Hospital to Duane street, and one of the friends and
disciples of Benjamin F. Butler addressing them from a temporary
elevation, and scattering firebrands in this mass of human com-
bustibles. When the meeting in the hall was about to adjourn, the
banditti returned with a strong reinforcement, broke the furniture
of the room, and the heads of some of our people, and had theirs
broken in return; and so ended the first scene of a frightful drama
which is to be enacted in this devoted city. As for myself, “ I like
this rocking of the battlements.” I consider it an evidence of the1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
21
conscious weakness of the enemy. As long as they felt strong in
the power of numbers they did not marshal their forces to inter-
rupt the meetings of the Whigs, and their leaders professed them-
selves in favour of this most righteous law until they found it was
likely to be passed. We have gone too far to retreat; the word
must be onward now, or we must “ ever after hold our peace.”
March 30. — Our friends have been alarmed by a
LawRC°1Stry rePort> which was brought down from Albany yester-
day, that Governor Seward hesitates in signing the bill.
It passed the Legislature on Thursday, and was not returned on
Saturday. This hesitation gives new courage to the opposition,
and fresh ferocity to the bloodhounds who are instigated to hunt
down the Whigs. The very delay is appalling to our friends in
the city; but if the Governor refuses his assent, he and his political
friends are ruined, the State lost, and the glorious sun which “ gave
promise of a goodly day to-morrow ” will set in the darkness of
Loco-foco misrule and party despotism.
John Duer and Amory went up this afternoon. At their request
I wrote a letter to the Governor, in strong and urgent terms, but, I
trust, a respectful one. This is an alarming crisis. Seward has
proved himself an able man; but he has in some things evinced an
unworthy courting of popularity, an affectation of independence
fraught with danger to his party, and I fear he is somewhat obsti-
nate. He has probably some doubts about the power of the
Legislature to pass a law so local in its application; but Duer has
gone armed with legal authorities to remove all constitutional
scruples. I wish His Excellency had heard Prescott Hall on this
branch of the subject, on Friday evening. They tell me that I
have some influence with him; if it be so, my letter will do no
harm. The news by to-night’s boat will be anxiously looked for.
Governor Seward has the destiny of the country in his hands. God
grant he may make a proper use of his power !
April 1. — To our surprise, this morning’s boat brought the news
of the Governor having signed the bill as it passed the Legislature.22
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 60.
April io.— The Whigs are more ardent and active,
Election. and, they say, better organized than usual, for the char-
ter election, which is to be held on Tuesday. Im-
mense meetings take place every night at the general and ward
places of rendezvous. Processions parade the streets at night with
music, torches, and banners; the prevailing device for the latter is
the log-cabin ; and we had hard cider, which has become the foun-
tain of Whig inspiration. In an evil hour the Loco-focos taunted
the Harrison men with having selected a candidate who lived in
a log-cabin and drank hard cider, which the Whigs, with more
adroitness than they usually display, appropriated to their own use,
and now on all their banners and transparencies the temple of
Liberty is transformed into a hovel of unhewn logs; the military
garb of the general, into the frock and the shirt-sleeves of a labour-
ing farmer. The American eagle has taken his flight, which is
supplied by a cider-barrel, and the long-established emblem of the
ship has given place to the plough. Hurrah for Tippecanoe ! is
heard more frequently than Hurrah for the Constitution ! “ Behold
old things are passed away, and all things have become new.”
Thus is it that our opponents have, by their silly, disparaging epi-
thets applied to the Whig candidate, furnished us with weapons,
the use of which is understood by every man in our ranks; and,
whatever may be the result of this election, the hurrah is heard
and felt in every part of the United States.
Albany, April 19. — I went to the Governor’s this morning, and
accompanied Mrs. Seward and him to St. Paul’s Church, — a beau-
tiful edifice in South Pearl street, which was formerly the theatre.
The rector is the Rev. Mr. Kip, son of Leonard Kip of this city,
and son-in-law of Isaac Lawrence. He gave us a good sermon,
and appears to be a favourite of a very respectable congregation.
The temple of Thespis is greatly improved since it has been dedi-
cated to the worship of the Most High, and sanctified by the name
of the great apostle of the Gentiles. There is no theatre at
present in Albany; and it is somewhat remarkable that in this large1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
23
city, the resort of persons from all parts of the State, the seat of
the Legislature and of the Supreme Court, during a large portion
of the year the theatre has never been successful.
Having no other day to give to my excellent friend, the Lieu-
tenant-Governor, I dined with him to-day at his lodgings, at Mrs.
Lockwood’s, in Pearl street, and a most delightful dinner it was.
Our party, besides the host and hostess, consisted of the Governor,
who came in soon after dinner, Sibley, Ruggles, John A. King, E.
Townsend, of New York, and myself. We sat until nine o’clock;
talked wisdom and nonsense, law and poetry, puns and politics;
drank deep of delicious wine, the venerable resident for thirty
years of the Lieutenant-Governor’s wine-room in Pearl street, near
our Battery, and broke up a protracted sitting, each with the
conviction that “it was well to have been there.”
At Home, April 20. — I left Albany at seven o’clock, in the
“ North America.” She is a fine new vessel, and bums Lackawanna
coal, which answers exceedingly well, and only costs half as much
as wood. The use of coal for steam navigation must inevitably
become general; all the boats built hereafter will be adapted to its
use. Travelling on the North river is cheaper than anything I
know of, except American shirtings at five cents a yard. Passen-
gers are conveyed one hundred and fifty miles in a vessel with
every convenience and luxury, and get a good breakfast and
dinner, all for two dollars. I wonder people do not live on
board instead of going to the Astor House. We arrived in New
York at half-past five o’clock.
April 23. — One of those scenes occurred in the
Congress. House of Representatives on Tuesday, the almost daily
occurrence of which has, of late, called up the blush of
shame upon the cheek of every American who retains the least re-
gard for the honour of the country. That superlatively dirty dog,
Jesse A. Bynum, whilst Mr. Salstonstall was speaking, left his seat,
went near to that of Mr. Garland, of Louisiana, whom he designated
by the courteous appellation of a “ damn’d liar,” whereupon Gar-24
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[yEtat. 60.
land seized Bynum by the collar and struck him. The latter seized
a knife, which he was prevented from using by the interference of
the members. This new outrage upon the small remains of dignity
in the people’s own representatives was submitted to a special
committee, consisting of Underwood, Cooper of Georgia, Briggs,
Butler of Kentucky, and Clifford, with power to send for persons
and papers, light up a little fire whilst the indignation lasts, and
then smother it in party smoke.
April 24. — My daughter and I went last evening to a party at
Mrs. Van Rensselaer’s, the lovely Mary Tallmadge of other times.
They reside with the General, in Waverly Place. The party was
very pleasant, and I found many agreeable people there. My
going to a party has become quite a notable event.
May 3.—The “ Great Western” arrived this morning, in eighteen
days from Bristol, with a great number of passengers, among whom
are the celebrated opera-dancer, Fanny Ellsler, arid her sister, who
are engaged for the Park Theatre. She has been anxiously looked
for, and will create a sensation like that which marked the advent
of George Frederick Cooke. She is second only in Europe to the
immortal occupant of mid-air, the Taglioni. Madame la Comtesse
de Merlin, the biographer of Malibran, is also a passenger, and Mr.
and Mrs. C. F. Moulton, Mr. Cunard of Halifax, and the widow of
Stephen Price.
The news by the “ Great Western ” is unfavourable. Cotton is
dog-cheap; and American securities, owing, I suppose, to the
rascally conduct of the Pennsylvania Legislature in refusing to
provide for the payment of the interest on their loans, are in bad
odour in England. It must be an embarrassing thing to a true-
hearted American (if there is such a one in Europe) to know
how to act when he hears his countrymen designated as a nation
of swindlers, to which he must be hourly exposed.
“ ’Tis true, ’tis pity — and pity ’tis, ’tis true.”
May ii, 1840. — On my return from Long Island I found two1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
25
letters, which were brought by Fanny Ellsler, she who has set New
York agog for marvellous saltatory exhibitions, and whose heels are
to turn all our heads. They are from Christopher Hughes, at
Stockholm, and Samuel Welles, at Paris. Hughes asks me to give
“ to this really excellent and kind-hearted stranger the benefit and
the honour of your kindness and protection,” and adds, “ I can
assure you that Miss Fanny is as good as she is graceful.” Welles’s
letter is as warm as Hughes’s, making the proper allowance for the
difference in the temperament of the two writers. I could not, there-
fore, do less than call and pay my respects to the fair danseuse as
early this morning, after my return, as possible. I went to the
American Hotel at twelve o’clock, sent my card, and was told the
lady was not dressed, but would be charmed to see monsieur at four
o’clock; now I think, four o’clock being his dinner-hour, “ monsieur”
will not find it quite convenient to visit mademoiselle at that hour.
The papers are filled with accounts of the great Whig
Convention held in Baltimore on Monday last. The
number of delegates was prodigious, — thirty thousand,
it is said. There was a grand procession, with banners, log-
cabins, cider-barrels, balls in motion, and every device which the
fancy could suggest. All the States were represented, and each
endeavoured to outvie the others in the loud, exulting shout of
“ Hurrah for Harrison ! ” Several distinguished members of Con-
gress came on from Washington to attend this affair, which is
represented, in one of the accounts from Baltimore, as “ the most
remarkable assemblage, in point of numbers, character, harmony,
and zeal, ever gathered together in these United States.” Messrs.
Webster, Clay, Graves, Hoffman, Cost Johnson, and Salstonstall
were of the number, and made speeches in Monument square and
at the Assembly Rooms, where the meetings were held. It could
hardly be supposed that the Loco-focos, goaded to madness by
such an overwhelming foreshadowing of defeat, could be restrained
from acts of violence. The procession was assaulted by some
wretches with stones and brickbats, and a respectable carpenter26
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[yEtat. 60.
of Baltimore, a delegate to the convention, named McLaughlin,
was killed by one of those missiles, and the body of another, with a
Harrison badge, was found, with marks of violence, in the basin.
Amongst the other proceedings of the convention a resolution was
adopted to raise a subscription for the relief of McLaughlin’s
family, to which none were allowed to contribute more than a
dollar; and with this restriction an amount of between $ 7,000 and
$8,000 was raised, of which the Massachusetts delegation con-
tributed $ 1,000.
plant, withering under the shade of the mighty Harrison tree,
which overshadows the land, and keeps the sun of popular favour
from shining upon its “ unwholesome neighbour.” At this meeting,
on the motion of Mr. Buchanan, it was resolved to dispense with a
ballot for President, no opposition having been raised to Mr. Van
Buren; but not so with the Vice-Presidency. On this subject the
demon of discord had already lighted his torches. The Tecumseh
killer, the present incumbent, has not by any means so clear a title,
and the claims of Mr. Forsyth of Georgia, and Mr. Polk of
Tennessee, presented obstacles so formidable to the necessary
appearance of union, that further drilling was thought necessary,
and it was voted inexpedient to nominate a candidate for the second
office in the' government. This result was so unpalatable to the
Southern pride of Mr. Forsyth, the Secretary of State, that he has
since come out with an address to his party, under his proper sig-
nature, in which he retires from the contest with a very bad grace,
snarling and showing his teeth, and retreating tail foremost, like a
disappointed cur who has been driven from the bone for which his
mouth watered.
May 12. — I called yesterday upon Miss Fanny
Fanny Eiisier. Ellsler. She is an exceedingly fascinating person, not
very handsome. Her face has lost its bright bloom,
Van Buren
Convention.
A Van Buren Convention was organized in Balti-
more, on Tuesday, at which General Carroll presided.
It appears to have been a sickly concern, a creeping1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
27
and her complexion appears to be somewhat faded, — the result,
probably, of the violent muscular exertions which are required in
the profession; but her manners are ladylike. She is gay and
lively, and altogether the most perfectly graceful lady I have ever
seen; further the deponent saith not. She is to make her first
appearance at the Park Theatre, on Thursday evening, in the ballet
of “ La Tarantule,” which all the world will witness, who can gain
admission to the theatre. Fashion and taste and curiosity are all
on tiptoe to see her on tiptoe, and the pocket of many a sober pa
will be drained to furnish the means to his wife and daughters to
witness her pas.
May 14.—A dejeuner a la fourchette is something
BreakfastlaSS S a novelty in this country, and the last imitation of
European refinement. This series of breakfasts given
by Mr. William Douglass, at his fine mansion, corner of Park place
and Church street, can hardly be called an imitation ; for in taste,
elegance, and good management it goes beyond most things of the
kind in Europe, and seems to be placed as a bright object in the
overwhelming flood of vulgarity which is sweeping over our land.
The first of these breakfasts was given last Thursday, and they are
to be repeated weekly until further notice. My daughters went
then, and their favourable account induced me to join the throng
of beauty and fashion this day. The company assembles at about
one o’clock, and remains until four. Breakfast is served at two
o’clock, and consists of coffee and chocolate, light dishes of meat,
ice-cream and confectionery, with lemonade and French and Ger-
man wines. The first two floors, elegantly furnished, of this spa-
cious house are thrown open; the dining-room opens into a beau-
tiful conservatory, in which, amongst other pleasant objects, is an
aviary of singing-birds, the delicate notes of the canary mingling
sweetly with the shrill pipe of the foreign bullfinch, and the whole
concert regulated and stimulated by the great leader of the feath-
ered orchestra, our own native mocking-bird. A band, also, of a
more material nature, plays at the head of the stairs during the28
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 60.
whole time of the entertainment, and after the young folk have
partaken of their breakfast-dinner, cotillons and waltzes are danced
until the hour of reluctant departure. The honours of the house are
performed in good taste by the bachelor host, assisted by his sisters,
Mrs. Douglass Cruger and Mrs. Monroe, and his cousin, Mrs. Kane.
has been anxiously looked for by the fashionable astronomers since
its transit across the ocean was announced, shone forth in all its
brilliancy this evening. Her reception was the warmest and most
enthusiastic I ever witnessed. On her first appearance, in a pas
seul called la Cracovienney which was admirably adapted to set off
her fine figure to advantage, the pit rose in a mass, and the waves
of the great animated ocean were capped by hundreds of white
pocket-handkerchiefs. The dance was succeeded by a farce, and
then came the ballet “La Tarantule,” in which the Ellsler estab-
lished her claim to be considered by far the best dancer we have
ever seen in this country. At the falling of the curtain she was
called out; the pit rose in a body and cheered her, and a shower
of wreaths and bouquets from the boxes proclaimed her success
complete. She appeared greatly overcome by her reception, and
coming to the front of the stage, pronounced, in a tremulous voice,
in broken English, the words “ A thousand thanks,” the naivete of
which seemed to rivet the hold she had gained on the affections
of the audience.
All the boxes were taken several days since, and in half an hour
after the time proclaimed for the sale of pit tickets the house
was full, so that when we arrived, which was a full hour before
the time of commencing the performance, placards were exhibited
with the words “ Pit full,” “ Boxes all taken.” This wise arrange-
ment prevented confusion. The house, although full in every
part, was not crowded, and a more respectable audience never
greeted the fair danseuse in any country she has charmed.
The Great
D^but.
Many and many a night has passed since the walls
of the Park have witnessed such a scene. Fanny
Ellsler, the bright star whose rising in our firmament1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
29
May 29. — This splendid estate on the North
Hyde Park, river, formerly the property of the late Dr. Hosack,
has been sold by his heirs to Mr. Langdon, Mr.
Astor’s son-in-law, for $45,000. The ground sold with it is all
on the west side of the Post road, and extends to the grounds
attached to the cottage which belongs to Mrs. Hosack. The
creek and water-power are reserved by the heirs. This is the
finest place on the North river; indeed, I never saw one any-
where which possessed natural advantages so great.
June 2. — The career of the infamous editor of the "Herald”
seems at last to have met with a check, which his unblushing
impudence will find some difficulty in recovering from. Some
of his late remarks have been so profane and scandalous as to
have drawn out the other editors from the contemptuous silence
which they have hitherto observed toward the scoundrel. In one
of his late attacks upon the editors of the “ Evening Signal ” and
another paper, in alluding to some personal deformity in each of
them, he uses the shocking expression that they are “ cursed by
the Almighty.” The evil has reached a pitch of enormity which
renders further forbearance criminal, and a simultaneous attack
is made upon the libellous paper, its editor, and those who, from
fear or a fellow-feeling, support it. The “ Evening Star ” has
several excellent articles on this loathsome subject. Bennett is
absolutely excoriated in the “ Signal; ” and all the other papers,
without regard to party, have joined the righteous crusade. This
is the only thing to be done; the punishment of the law adds to
the fellow’s notoriety, and personal chastisement is pollution to him
who undertakes it. Write him down, make respectable people
withdraw their support from the vile sheet, so that it shall be con-
sidered disgraceful to read it, and the serpent will be rendered
harmless; and this effect is likely to be produced by the united
efforts of the respectable part of the public press.
June 5. — The steamer "Unicorn,” the first of Mr. Cunard’s
line, which is to run from Liverpool to Halifax and thence to3°
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[yEtat. 60.
Boston, arrived at Halifax on Monday, the ist instant, and
departed thence the same evening for Boston, where she ar-
rived on Wednesday evening. She left Liverpool on the 16th
of May. This is an important event for Boston. The new-
comer was received there with firing of guns and other rejoicings.
The establishment of this line will take from New York a con-
siderable part of the great passenger business, which she has
heretofore exclusively enjoyed. The British officers can go all
the way to Quebec in these steamers, and the people of the
British North American colonies, naturally preferring an enterprise
of their own, and finding it less expensive, as they avoid transship-
ments and land travelling, will no longer spend their money in
New York hotels or help'support the New York packets. Boston,
too, will come in for a share of this lucrative business, and with
the assistance of their great railroad, which is nearly complete to
Albany, will soon crow as loud as we do; but it is to be hoped
there is enough for all.
June ii.—The sixteenth volume of this journal is placed
upon the shelf, and I now open up the window which looks upon
a long vista of pages yet unsullied to constitute the seventeenth.
Shall I live to fill them; or, if alive, will the ability and the inclina-
tion remain? If the first be granted, I fervently pray the latter
may not be withheld. Life without the power of indulging in a
habit so pleasing, which, while it gratifies me, injures no one,
would scarcely be worth enjoying. Before this volume is filled I
shall have completed my sixtieth year, and with some cause for re-
pining at my altered circumstances, I have much to be thankful
for. My health is good, except some occasional twitches of lum-
bago, which causes me to grunt a little and make wry faces when I
arise from my chair. I live pleasantly with all my family around me,
but it grieves me to see three grown-up sons out of employment.
The hard times (of which I participate largely) still continue
with unabated severity. Business of all kinds is completely at a
stand; the productions of the country at the lowest ebb; flour1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
31
four dollars a barrel; cotton a drug in foreign markets; American
securities, by the bad management of some of the State govern-
ments, are in the worst possible repute in those countries where
formerly they were relied upon with full confidence; party-spirit
prevailing over the land and obstructing the course of justice and
wholesome legislation; and the whole body politic sick and infirm,
and calling aloud for a remedy.
The only comfort in this dismal state of affairs is, that a remedy
does seem to be at hand in the daily increasing confidence that the
administration, whose bad measures lie at the root of all evil, is
about to be put down. The Whigs are sanguine in their hopes of
electing General Harrison to the Presidency, which happy event,
by restoring public confidence, will go far to bring about a better
state of things, and individual enterprise will naturally grow up
alongside of national prosperity. If I live, the volume I now com-
mence will record this “consummation devoutly to be wished,”
or its pages will bear the melancholy intelligence of hope de-
stroyed forever.
June 12. — Strange inconsistency ! It is hard reason-
Fanny Eiisier. ing against facts; every word I have said in the pre-
ceding pages about hard times and pecuniary difficulties
is strictly true, and yet the fascinating creature whose name heads
this article finished last evening her engagement at the Park
Theatre, having danced fifteen nights, and brought to the house
something like $ 2 4,000, at the ordinary prices, of which sum she
puts $9,000 or $10,000 in her own pocket. The seats have all been
taken every night, and it appears to me if the theatre had been
twice as large it would have been equally full. She took her leave
last evening in the ballet of “ La Sylphide,” and two of her
favourite dances, smothered under a shower of wreaths and bou-
quets of flowers. Amidst the waving of handkerchiefs and three
full, thundering rounds of hurrahs, she came and, in a short speech
of sweet, broken English, expressed her gratitude, the regret with
which she left New York, and her determination soon to return.32
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JEtat. 60.
She is to dance in Philadelphia on Monday evening, where she has
made an engagement at the moderate price of $500 a night; her re-
ceipts here being predicated on the amount in the house each night,
and that amount being greater than ever was received for the same
number of consecutive nights, has produced more than what she has
stipulated for in Philadelphia. Her success has been increased by
the certainty of her stay being short. She is determined to visit
Niagara and other places after her engagement is completed, and
must sail on the first of October, as she is engaged in Paris the
middle of that month. It is well for us that it is so. If she were
to continue long enough in this country, and the popular fever
remain at its present height, she would carry back to France all
the indemnity money which Brother Jonathan squeezed out of his
“ ancient ally.”
There was a sort of informal revival of the club
Hone club, yesterday at John Ward’s, who succeeds his brother
Samuel, at the comer of Bond street. The old club,
with four or five supernumeraries, dined together in our ancient
pleasant style. Of the members, eight were present: viz., John
Ward, William G. Ward, Simeon Draper, Charles H. Russell, Ros-
well L. Colt, J. Prescott Hall, S. H. Blatchford, Jonathan Amory, and
myself. We agreed to dine with Mr. Colt at Paterson next Friday.
June 16. — Another link is broken in the chain of
Mr^Lydig my soc^ relations, another warning given of the pass-
ing away of my generation. My old and valued friend,
David Lydig, died this morning, at six o’clock. He has been in bad
health the last two years, but had rallied of late, and appeared to
be gaining strength until his last illness. He died in the seventy-
sixth year of his age, much older than I, but an intimate friend and
associate for nearly forty years. He was one of a set who, although
my seniors, were my intimate companions about the time of my
entrance into society, and with whom I continued in pleasant asso-
ciation until they dropped away one by one, and now I am almost
the only one left. How many good dinners I have eaten at poor1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
33
Lydig’s expense, and how many hours have I passed in his society !
He was a just man, prudent and careful in the management of his
affairs, unexceptionable in his deportment, with some old-fashioned
aristocratic notions, an exceeding good liver, fond of fine wine,
which, however, he drank in moderation, but less prudent in the
enjoyment of the other pleasures of the table. He was, in short,
a gentleman of the old school, — a race which is nearly extinct; for
as the old oaks decay and die off, their places are supplied by an
undergrowth less hardy, majestic, and graceful.
The great log-cabin in Broadway, near Prince street,
Meeting11 was dedicated this evening to Harrison and Reform.
It is a large edifice, constructed of unhewn logs, in the
most primitive style, with a large pavilion connected with it. The
whole occupies the entire area of ground, fifty feet by one hundred,
and will hold an immense number of persons; its capacity was
tried on this occasion; every part of the spacious cabin was full.
The meeting was organized by the appointment of General
Bogardus as president, with seventeen vice-presidents and three
secretaries. There were capital speeches from gentlemen of Ohio,
Indiana, and Kentucky, amongst whom Mr. Ewing, the former
distinguished United States senator from Ohio, whose hand was
warm from the recent pressure of General Harrison’s, was exceed-
ingly interesting. Joshua Spencer, of Utica, was one of the speak-
ers. Blunt, also, made a speech, and Hoxie. The whole affair
was cheering and enthusiastic. Never did the friends of Mr. Van
Buren make so great a mistake as when by their sneers they fur-
nished the Whigs those powerful weapons, “ log-cabin ” and “ hard
cider; ” they work as the hickory-poles did for Jackson. It makes
a personal hurrah for Harrison, which cannot in any way be gotten
up for Van Buren, and which will, from present appearance, carry
him into the Presidency.
June 18.— It is strange that this term, by which was
Federalism, designated in former times the purest, the wisest, and
the most patriotic political party which ever existed,34
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[yEtat. 60.
should continue to be a term of reproach, and the means of excit-
ing the bad feelings and prejudices of the people, even now, when
it has ceased to be a bond of union or badge of party, and when
all but those who use it for sinister purposes are more ignorant of
its meaning than they are of the Talmud. The fact is, that the
Federal party, as it was originally constituted, embraced nearly all
the great and glorious spirits of the Revolution, and all the real
friends of the people. It numbered its Washington and Greene in
the field of battle, its Ames and Morris in the halls of Legislature,
its Jays and Ellsworths on the bench, and its Hamilton and Mar-
shall at the forum. But this great party is extinct; the disin-
terested and patriotic part of its members stand upon their original
ground as*the advocates of national liberty and sound principles,
and are opposed to the present corrupt administration, which sacri-
fices the rights of the people to the maintenance of the party’s
supremacy; whilst the men whose ultra-tory principles brought
into disrepute the name Federalist are odious in the eyes of the
people. Both parties apply the word as a term of reproach to
their adversaries; the poor term, which abstractedly means every-
thing good and gracious in America, and in its application sought
only the good of the people and the preservation of Republican
principles, is bandied about like a shuttlecock by the public press
on both sides, and by partisan declaimers from the Senate chamber
down to the log-cabins, where the sovereigns assemble to prove
their patriotism by abusing their political opponents.
Even General Harrison, in whose support all the good men of
the country are banded together under the name of Whigs (a
name, by the bye, to which I stand godfather, having been the
first to use it at a political meeting, of which I was president, at
Washington Hall), and on whose success the permanency of Repub-
lican institutions mainly depends, deems it necessary, in order to
gain the favour of the people, to repudiate, as the greatest calumny
with which he has been assailed, the charge of having formerly
been a Federalist. In his speech at the recent great Whig cele-1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
35
bration on the battle-ground of Fort Meigs, where thirty thousand
persons are said to have been assembled, his renunciation of the
charge of having belonged to a party of which Washington was
the leader, was thus indignantly made, and thus responded to by
the assembled multitude : “ I have been called a Federalist (here
was a loud cry of ‘ The charge is a lie, — a base lie; you are no Fed-
eralist ! ’ ) Well, what is a Federalist? I recollect what the word
formerly signified, and there are many others present who recollect
its former signification also. They know that the Federal party was
accused of a design to strengthen the hand of the general govern-
ment at the expense of the separate States. That accusation could
not, nor cannot, apply to me. I was brought up after the manner
of Virginian anti-Federalism. St. Paul himself was not a greater
devotee to the doctrines of the Pharisees than I was, by inclina-
tion and a father’s precepts and example, to anti-Federalism.”
June 24. — Dined at R. B. Minturn’s, where we had a famous
party of Whigs, with a great deal of joviality, for we had good wine
and good company; much speaking, for we were composed of
congressmen, senators, and lawyers principally; and entire unanim-
ity, inasmuch as we were all of one mind on the only subject which
divides men now-a-days, and excites personal asperity. We had
Grinnell and two fine Georgians, members of the House of Repre-
sentatives, Dawson and King, Verplanck and Sibley of the State
Senate, and a fine, fat fellow, Swain of New Bedford, who goes
amongst his friends by the title of “ Governor,” famous for hospi-
tality and kind feelings, and all sorts of qualities for endearing him-
self to them, and with a most authentic certificate in his broad,
good-natured face of the possession of all the good qualities im-
puted to him.
tend their convention, which he declines. Nothing more able
than this letter has ever issued from Mr. Webster’s pen; it is the
Mr. Webster’s
Letter.
July 3. —There is an admirable letter published of
“the defender of the Constitution,” in reply to an
invitation from the Whigs of New Hampshire to at-36
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 60.
best, the clearest, and the most condensed exposition of the meas-
ures of the administration, and their effects upon the present pros-
perity and future prospects of the country, I have seen from any
quarter, and must produce conviction, even in poor, misguided
New Hampshire. Mr. Webster speaks in terms of the greatest
confidence of General Harrison’s election.
Albany, July 17. — In the morning I went to see the two glo-
rious pictures, which are nearly finished, of the series my friend
Cole is painting for Mr. Samuel Ward’s family (they having been
ordered before his death). These pictures are glorious. The series,
when completed, will form an allegory of the four stages of life.
have never seen before ; a few are agreeable, but much the largest
proportion consists of awkward women and stupid men. A little
yeast, however, has been infused to-day into this mass of unintel-
lectual dough by the arrival of several of our clever New York
lawyers, who have come up to make motions, —not such motions as
people generally make who come here, but motions in the Chan-
cellor’s little house up the road. There is William Kent, Dudley
Selden, Prescott Hall, Charles O’Connor, Samuel A. Foot, and
General Sanford. The first two have brought their agreeable wives
with them. They are quite a pleasant accession to the circle in
the ladies* drawing-room.
house, which serves as a law library, very extensive, and I should
judge well selected. His Honour sits at his desk, on a platform
raised about a foot, his habiliments not remarkably neat, panta-
loons drawn half-way up to his knees, drinking most intem-
perately of water (his only drink, as he is president of the tee-
totallers), talking familiarly with the lawyers on points as they
July 22.— The United States Hotel, large as it is,
and capable of accommodating so many, is now quite
full. A large proportion, however, are persons whom I
Chancellor’s
Court.
July 23. — I passed a couple of hours this morning
in the Chancellor’s Court, and was much pleased; it
is held in a small office in a wing in his dwelling-1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
37
arise in the case, and frequently interrupting the speaker, in what
appeared to me rather an abrupt manner, which I think must be a
stumbling-block in the way of young counsellors; but I liked it
very much. There were about twenty lawyers, seated without order,
some at a green table, but the greater number on chairs with
their backs against the wall, and their legs cocked up; everything
was easy and unconstrained, but quiet and decorous. The
Chancellor does a great deal of the talking himself, but is
treated with great respect. It looked very like a schoolmaster
and his pupils, only the boys were a little too big to answer the
description of the latter.
The cause before the court whilst I was there was a motion for
an injunction to prevent a man named Lance from selling a famous
nostrum called “ Brandreth’s Pills,” or, rather, from using a coun-
terfeit label, with a signature and device of the “ real Simon Pure.”
Mr. Muloch argued the cause for the defendant, and the motion
was sustained in an able speech by Mr. O’Connor, a distinguished
member of the New York bar, and a very clever fellow. The na-
ture of the cause gave occasion to some mirth, in which even the
grave Chancellor was compelled sometimes to join. In one of his
interruptions he asked Muloch some question about the pills.
“ We’ll take the pills directly,” said the counsellor, quite inno-
cently. — “ Not I,” said His Honour; “ I shall not take any of
your pills.” — “ If he does,” said General Sanford (who was
employed for the complainant), “I trust they will be the genuine
ones.”
In the course of the argument a printed paper was produced,
which caused some amusement. It was one of those stupendous
puffs of Dr. Brandreth, in which was enumerated all the diseases,
fifty-two in number, which were cured by the pills, and which leads
me to wonder why mankind should stupidly refuse to render them-
selves immortal at so trifling an expense. To these modest cre-
dentials was affixed the signature of B. Brandreth, M.D., with the
additional letters in capitals, M.E.V.P.L.V.S, This gave room33
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[yEtat. 60.
for sundry learned and philological inquiries into the meaning of
these cabalistical letters, which unfortunately for the cause of sci-
ence led to no successful results. Whilst this was going on, I wrote
with my pencil and handed to Mr. O’Connor the following solution,
which was handed amongst the lawyers, and was very near getting
up to the schoolmaster’s desk, — in which event my impertinence
might peradventure have been rewarded with the ferule, — Most
Excellent, Veritable Pills, Laxative, Vomitive, Sudorific.
On the whole, I was favourably impressed with the colloquial
manner of transacting business in this great court of little form, the
objects of which seem to be, to elicit truth and administer justice.
July 27.—The friends of Van Buren and arbitrary
jubileeeaSUry ru^e	a Sreat jollification this afternoon, in
Castle Garden, to celebrate the passage of the sub-
treasury bill. And so they would, if Mr. Van Buren, like the Aus-
trian Governor Gessler, had succeeded in placing his cap upon a
pole, to receive the homage of his Swiss followers. John Targee
presided at the meeting, and Aaron Vanderpoel and a celebrated
Van Buren serf, Rantoul of Boston, addressed them; and a hundred
guns were fired, and caps were thrown up, and shouts rent the air
at the prospect of the people of these United States, by the grace
of God, free and independent as the formula prescribes, having
been brought under subjection.
The good people of Boston are so delighted at the
prospect of rivalling New York, that they are in per-
fect ecstasies at the arrival of the steamship “ Bri-
tannia,” and have made a glorification of my little friend Cunard,
the enterprising proprietor of the line, of the most magnificent
proportions. He was feted and feasted, and toted and toasted, to
his heart’s content. A grand pavilion was erected at South Bos-
ton, where the line of packets have their wharves. Two thousand
persons partook of the good cheer; Mr. Webster and Mr. Grattan
and other eloquent men made speeches; and Mr. Cunard did not
make a speech, because (as he said) he didn’t know how. The
Cunard
Jubilee.1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
39
bright eyes of hundreds of the fair daughters of Boston enlight-
ened the brilliant scene, and the roar of cannon might have been
heard, had the wind been easterly, by the unwilling ears of the chop-
fallen New Yorkers. Among the toasts was the following, " not
so bad either,” as Fanny Kemble said of my poetry: “ Mr. Cu-
nard, the only man who has dared to beat the * British Queen ! *”
it most heartily. He is the very life and soul of genuine, unadul-
terated humour, and if laughing be wholesome his acting is a pana-
cea of more value than the far-famed pills of “ B. Brandreth, M.D.,
M.E.V.P.L.V.S.” It is a great evidence of Power’s powers in the
art of drawing that he brings good houses now in this dull season,
and when the playgoing people have been so heavily dragged by
Fanny Ellsler. But the fact is, the roast beef and plum-pudding
of Power does not relish the worse for our having feasted on
“ volaille au supreme ” and “ ailes de pigeon.” His “ Last Legs ”
pleased me quite as much as the last legs I saw of the divine
danseuse, and his Irish brogue is quite effective, if not so fascinat-
ing, as her “ tousand tanks.”
ever witnessed. I left Newport in the steamer “ Massachusetts,”
and arrived at Providence at half-past eight, having two hours and
a half on my hands before the time of starting of the cars for
Boston. I employed the time in walking through the town with
Mr. Ruggles, a gentleman of Newport, and viewing the fine houses
and noble establishments of the nabobs of that wealthy and pros-
perous place.
On my arrival in Boston everything was in commotion; the
Whig delegations were pouring in from every quarter; the streets
were crowded, and happy was the man who had a permit to sleep
Power.
September i. — Power made his first appearance
last evening, at the Park Theatre. I went this evening
to see him in a new farce, “ Last Legs,” and enjoyed
Whig1
Convention.
Boston, Sept. 9. — Here I am, to join the Whig
Convention to be held to-morrow on Bunker Hill, and
from appearances it will be the grandest spectacle I40
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 60.
in the market. I soon found that my good star was in the ascend-
ant. I had notes and messages from several friends to say that
they had lodgings provided for me ; amongst others, Mr. Otis
brought me an invitation from Mr. Cabot. Mr. Sargent was the
most pressing; he had provided beds for Ogden Hoffman and
me. Hoffman accepted ; but Mr. Belknap having vacated his
room for me in the kindest manner, I took possession of it, and
remained at the Tremont House, where I was lodged like a prince.
One of the most remarkable things about this great Whig festival,
and which proves most clearly the spirit with which it is entered
into, is the noble hospitality with which the first people in the city
have opened their doors, spread their tables, and vacated their
bedchambers for the accommodation of the delegates. Mr. Otis
is to have a table spread for all comers. The committee of ar-
rangements are constantly receiving notices from the most respecta-
ble of the citizens: “I have so many beds; ” "I shall have a
luncheon; ” “ Send me so many strangers to take care of! ” It is
so like Boston.
September io. — The great day is over, and how shall I attempt
to describe it ? The weather, which was doubtful last night, was
bright this morning, and the delegates from other States and from
the different towns in Massachusetts began to assemble on the
Common at nine o’clock, with their standards, badges, and other
paraphernalia. The scene began very soon to be of the most
exciting character. Crowds were pressing toward the spot from
every quarter. The windows of the fine houses which surround
the Common were filled with well-dressed ladies. Horsemen were
galloping to and fro, and old men of the Revolution tottering
toward the places allotted to them. The marquee of the chief
marshal, Franklin Dexter, was placed in the centre of the Com-
mon, whence issued troops of handsome young men on horseback
and on foot, with their badges of office, conveying his orders
to distant points and completing the general arrangements. I was
directed to join the other invited guests at the State House, where1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
41
I met Webster, the president of the day, and many other distin-
guished men. The procession did not begin to move until twelve
o’clock. It was headed by an escort of men on horseback to the
number of more than two thousand; then followed forty or fifty car-
riages, containing the Revolutionary soldiers and some others who
were too aged to walk; after which the chief marshal and commit-
tee of arrangements, the president of the day, members of Congress
and invited guests, and then the different delegations, with flags
and banners “ floating the skies,” devices of all kinds, and mottoes,
some excellent, others so-so, and others displaying more party
zeal than either wit or good sense. Of those I saw I was most
pleased with a whale-boat from New Bedford, with all the appara-
tus for taking the whale and extracting the oil, manned by six old
masters of whale-ships, and drawn on a car by six gray horses;
and with a colossal shoe from Lynn, in which were seated a num-
ber of sturdy shoemakers from that celebrated town of Massachu-
setts, in which shoemaking is the sole occupation. The procession
moved up Beacon street and down the other side of the Common;
thence through several of the principal streets in that part of the
city, by Faneuil Hall, around which it made a complete circuit,
and so by the wharves and streets occupied by working-people, to
Charlestown Bridge, which it crossed, proceeded through Charles-
town, and arrived at Bunker Hill after a march of two hours and
a half.
The president and invited guests occupied a stage, and the dele-
gations were marshalled in their allotted places as they severally
came on the ground, — a work which occupied a long time, and
before they all got to it the ceremonies commenced by a short
address from Mr. Webster. The Bunker Hill declaration (copies
of which had been printed and distributed on the route) was then
read by Mr. Winthrop, after which several of the distinguished
visitors were introduced to the audience, and each, in turn, made
a short speech much to the purpose. This honour was conferred
upon me. Mr. Webster presented me as his friend, and informed42
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[yEtat. 60.
the people that I was the person who first distinguished the party
by the appellation of Whigs. I spoke a few minutes, and concluded
by saying that it appeared to me that all the men in the United
States were present, and that they had better cut the matter short
by going into the election at once. “ As many of you, therefore,” I
said, at the top of my voice, “ as are willing to have William Henry
Harrison for your President will please to say Aye.” This was
responded to by a shout that rent the skies, and I came off with
flying colours.
The skies, which had been threatening for some time, waited until
the ceremonies were over, and then burst into a shower which set
the mighty mass scampering. I went with Mr. Webster and a few
other gentlemen to the house of a Mr. Pratt, near the place of
assemblage, where we had a cold collation, and plenty of cool,
refreshing drink; and, to crown the whole, were waited upon by the
ladies of the family, which, I understand, has been the fashion of
the day.
The most remarkable part of this most splendid spectacle was the
appearance of the streets through which the procession passed, and
the enthusiastic participation of the people in the triumph. It
was, after all, only a party affair, not one of general or national
import, in which the current of public opinion may have compelled
some reluctantly to join. We took nothing by compulsion; nobody
was compelled to shout, and yet the whole line of march was
enlivened by the cheers of the men and the smiles of the women.
The balconies and windows were filled with women, well dressed,
with bright eyes and bounding bosoms, waving handkerchiefs,
exhibiting flags and garlands, and casting bouquets of flowers
upon us; and this, too, was not confined to any particular part of
the city, or any class of inhabitants; young children were exhib-
ited in rows, with flags in their little hands, and, whenever their
greetings were returned, mothers and daughters, old women and
beautiful young ones, seemed delighted that their share in the
jubilee was recognized.1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
43
The stores and shops were all closed; flags were suspended
over the streets; arches were erected, with suitable devices and
inscriptions, at the entrances into the several wards, and “ Welcome,
Whigs ! ” met us at the corners of the principal streets. When
we had crossed the bridge and entered Charlestown, the same
cheering spectacles were presented, and an arch of triumph and
welcome, with an extract from one of Mr. Webster’s speeches,
received the procession. It was Whig all over; there are cer-
tainly Loco-focos in Boston, but I am puzzled to know what
became of them on this occasion.
I returned to town with Mr. Webster in a carriage, and went
at a late hour, with Ogden Hoffman and Prescott Hall, to dine
with Mr. Sargent. In pursuance of the directions of the com-
mittee of arrangements I went, at seven o’clock, to Mr. Webster’s
lodgings, at the United States Hotel, where I found a number of
gentlemen, and we accompanied him to Faneuil Hall, where he
was to preside. When we came to the hall it was crowded to
suffocation, and it was extremely difficult for him or the speakers
to get to their places. Mr. Webster opened the meeting with
some remarks, and Mr. Leigh, Governor Pennington, Governor
Ellsworth, and others spoke. It was allotted to me to speak; but
I was overcome with fatigue and the crowd and the heat of the
room, and I made my escape before I was called.
September 11. — I found Gardiner and Samuel Howland and
their wives, Samuel’s daughter, and Lydia Van Schaick, yesterday,
at Mr. Robert G. Shaw’s. They are on their way home from an ex-
cursion to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I was invited
to dine to-day with Mr. Benjamin Welles, in Boston; but my com-
ing away prevented me. Judge Warren and Joseph Grinnell of
this place having made arrangements for Ogden Hoffman and me
to visit New Bedford, we left Boston at half-past four o’clock.
Judge Warren remained in Boston, and Mr. Grinnell and his wife
came on with us. We came on the railroad, with an enormous
train of cars, having the Whig delegates from this town and Nan-44
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 60.
The Loco-foco
Meeting.
tucket, and a large number of those from New York returning.
There was shouting and hurrahing all the way.
To counteract the effects of the overwhelming Whig
meeting all over the country, a meeting of merchants,.
supporters of the administration and friendly to the
sub-treasury, was held yesterday, at two o’clock, in Wall street, in
front of the new Exchange. The call for the meeting was signed
by some dozen respectable merchants, and filled up by names never
heard of on ’Change. A Mr. George Douglass presided. The meet-
ing was addressed by Silas Wright, senator, and Benjamin F.
Butler, maid-of-all-work in the administration kitchen, who essayed
to convince the merchants that the times are very good; that all
government has been doing is good for us, and that the banking
business will operate very nicely when it is all in the hands of Mr.
Van Buren; that gold and silver is more portable and handy than
bank rags, and that the safety of the country depends upon a con-
tinuance in power of the present dynasty. '
September 28.—The great meeting of Whig mer-
ofMerdiants^ c^ants t°°k place to-day, at two o’clock, in Wall street,
at the Williams-street comer of the Exchange. I got
a place in a third-story window of the new building occupied by
the city bank. I could not hear; but the appearance of the mass
of people below was perfectly sublime. It was a field of heads,
occupying a space about six times as large as the area of Washing-
ton hall, from which I calculated the number at fifteen thousand;
all respectable and orderly merchants and traders, intent on hear-
ing the words of wisdom and patriotism from the lips of “ the
defender of the Constitution,” capable of understanding their
meaning, and determined to follow where they led.
Jonathan Goodhue was president, with twenty-six vice-presidents
and five secretaries. The resolutions were read by Moses H. Grin-
nell, and at twenty minutes past two o’clock Mr. Webster rose to
address the most numerous and attentive audience I ever saw as-
sembled. It was agreed by all who heard him (which was, indeed,1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
45
Locofoco
Meeting.
a small proportion of the number) to have been one of his very
best speeches. I have reason to know that he was better prepared
than usual, for I lost the pleasure of his company at dinner on Fri-
day, from his keeping close to his task on that day. He spoke
until five o’clock.
As a set-off against the merchants’ meeting, the ad-
ministration leaders ordered a muster of their forces at
the same hour, in the park. A large number assembled;
not one-third, however, as many as the opposition party, and as in-
ferior in quality as in quantity; but they greatly outnumbered the
Wall-streeters in orators. Their principal speaker was a Mr. Hunt
from somewhere; but his harangue was too dull to suit the fiery
tempers of his auditory, many of whom went away whilst they
were yet awake, and the rest broke up into squads to listen to
more animated appeals from a Colonel Hepburn, — a noisy, frothy
demagogue from Savannah, — Colonel King, of the Custom-House,
and that exemplary sprig of Loco-focoism, John T. Munford,
each of whom got up his own little “ line of battle,” and all blazed
away at the same time; by this means there were four sets of
lungs playing at once, and of course four times as much wisdom
went simultaneously into the ears of the sovereigns than at the
gathering in Wall street.
October 16. — The chairman of the Bunker Hill
nificenceMU' Monument Association acknowledges the receipt of
a donation of ten thousand dollars from Amos Law-
rence, towards finishing the work, which, together with the money
collected at the fair, will amount to about $40,000, including
Fanny Ellsler’s contribution. The Bostonians do these things bet-
ter than any others in America, and this family of Lawrences are
noble fellows, and deserve, from their business habits, liberality,
and patriotism, to be styled the Medici of Boston.
Great Loco. October 23.— A gunpowder plot has been brought
foco Discov- to light, of which the horrid Whigs were the conspira-
tors. The administration papers are filled with awful
ery.46
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 60.
details of this nefarious conspiracy against the rights of the people
and the majesty of the laws. It appears that, previous to the fall
election of 1838, some of the leading Whigs employed a fellow
named Glentworth to go to Philadelphia, and procure men to come
to New York and assist in detecting illegal voters, who, it was un-
derstood, had been brought to vote here. This Glentworth had
been appointed by Governor Seward, with the consent of a Loco-
foco Senate, to the office of tobacco inspector (the only appoint-
ment of his of any consequence which was confirmed by that
Senate), with an understanding, as appears now, that he should
divide the spoil with a man named Stevenson, a devoted Loco-
foco who had held the office. How Seward should make such an
appointment is not easily to be understood; but when Glentworth
lost it he communicated to his partner the fact of his having been
to Philadelphia, and falsely charged the Whigs with having sent
him to procure men to vote at our election, for which they were
paid $30 each. As soon as these facts came out, a conclave,
consisting of Benjamin F. Butler, attorney-general, Jesse Hoyt,
collector, and John W. Edwards, a man formerly in the Senate,
who has been imported into New York to do the dirty work of
the administration, was held at Hoyt’s house, where they got Ste-
venson and Glentworth, and got from them affidavits charging the
crime of procuring illegal votes upon Moses H. Grinnell, Simeon
Draper, Robert C. Wetmore, Richard M. Blatchford, and James
Bowen. The Loco-foco papers of this morning are full of the
horrible plot, with the addition that Governor Seward is arrested,
and Grinnell and Wetmore absconded. The Recorder, R. H.
Morris, Attorney-General Butler, and Justice Marshall held a sort
of Star-Chamber inquisition, in which the affidavits are taken and
Glentworth sent to prison. In the mean time the Whigs charged
make their affidavits denying any participation in the frauds, and
produce a copy of a letter written by them to Glentworth, ordering
him to desist from doing anything and to come home, as soon as
they were led to suspect that he was exceeding his orders and get-
i1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
47
ting men to vote, instead of watching voters. There is a great
deal of excitement in the city. The Whigs were great fools to em-
ploy a lying coxcomb like Glentworth in any business requiring
secrecy and good faith, and especially in anything which might be
liable to misconstruction; but it does not appear that they were
guilty of the crime imputed to them, and the conduct of Butler in
attempting to implicate the Governor and other honourable men in
a disgraceful transaction, upon the testimony of two scoundrels, is
infamous; and so everybody except his infamous associates seem
to think. The affair is an unpleasant one, but the Whigs will gain
more than they will lose by it. It discloses a disgusting scene of
villany in the conduct of our elections, and proves that universal
suffrage will not do for great cities. It proves also the necessity
for a registry law, which is a Whig measure, and has been violently
opposed by the very men who are now so sensitive on the subject
of illegal voting, when it works against them.
October 24. — Grinnell, as I have stated before, declined a re-
nomination for Congress with Hoffman and Curtis, and a new
ticket was nominated last evening, when the charges were brought
against him which his affidavit so successfully repelled. Tallmadge,
who has consented to run, withdrew from the ticket. The com-
mittee nominated Grinnell by acclamation, and went down in a
body insisting upon his consent, which, urged by these circum-
stances, he gave, and is now before the public for condemnation or
approval. It was an excellent move, which cannot fail to benefit
the party.
Butler has been addressing his followers this morning in the park,
with his characteristic, hypocritical cant. He talked to them about
the interposition of Divine Providence in making him the instru-
ment to bring to light this wicked plot. They laughed at the im-
pious assumption, but threw up their caps and hurrahed for Butler,
and damned the Whigs, according to orders.	»
October 25.—My birthday; I am sixty years old. It is no
cause of rejoicing. I feel old, and have certain pains which indicate48
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 60.
that threescore is a pretty heavy score against a man; but as to
health and strength, and preservation of my faculties, I have great
reason to be thankful. If my circumstances were such as they were
four years ago, I should be a tolerably happy elderly gentleman ;
but I am doomed to vexations and trouble arising from pecuniary
embarrassments for the remainder of my life. God grant I may
have firmness of mind and strength of body to meet it all!
October 26. —There is a remark in one of the Philadelphia
papers about a prisoner in the State prison, condemned to the
utmost punishment of the law for fraud, — if he wished to escape
punishment, he should have committed murder. There is much
good sense and truth in this severe remark. Any offence against
men’s pockets is sure to be punished, because every juror has been
cheated at some time, and rejoices in an opportunity to revenge
himself upon his fellow-men. But none has ever been murdered; and
then there is always some provocation, some palliation,— insanity,
drunkenness, or something of the kind,—as if a man must be proved
free from vice, a stranger to habits, and not influenced by malevo-
lent passions, to entitle him to the privilege of being hanged. The
truth is, human life is not held in as high estimation as money, and
he who takes the first has a better chance of escaping than he who
makes free with the other.
November 3. —The greatest excitement prevails; men’s minds
are wrought up to a pitch of frenzy, and, like tinder, a spark of
opposition sets them on fire. The vote for presidential electors
in Pennsylvania is so close, that out of two hundred and eighty
thousand votes it is probable that neither will have five hundred
majority. Both parties here claim the victory, and every hour
the wheel turns each uppermost. Betting is going on at an
enormous extent. Riot and violence stalk unchecked through
the streets, and lying is no longer considered a crime. A gang
of several thousand Loco-foco ruffians paraded the streets last
night with clubs, and assaulted and drove off several of the Whig
processions. The police seem to be afraid to oppose the majesty1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
49
of Democracy; and the Mayor, with oracular wisdom, says, “ If the
people will be peaceable, there is no danger.” Right, Mr. Sands !
commercial representative to Congress, who has been so shamefully
traduced by the district attorney and his associates in the Titus
Oates plot. James G. King was president, with a number of vice-
presidents, of whom I was one. The resolutions were presented
and read, partly by Mr. Perit and partly by myself. I introduced
them with a speech, as he did also. An excellent speech was made
by Daniel Lord, Jr., and Mr. John R. Hurd made a short address.
Mr. Lord’s was in the nature of a law argument against the abom-
inable proceeding of the recorder and his Star-Chamber, in seizing
the papers of Glentworth and exposing them to the public, — a most
tyranical and illegal attack upon the rights of the people, which
ought to subject him and his coadjutor, the Mayor, to the indict-
ment of a grand jury, and the former to impeachment by the
Legislature. When the chairman put the question for adjournment
it was clearly lost; the meeting would not break up, but insisted
upon more speaking. I was called upon and made a second speech,
short and to the point, which was well received, and they went
away well pleased.
November 4. — The fire is out, the powder ex-
city Election, pended, and the smoke is passing away. The election
throughout the State ended when the sun went down.
Ours was held only to-day, and, thanks to the registry law, forty-
three thousand men went to the polls, voted, and came away with-
out confusion, and generally without riot or opposition. In some
of the Loco-foco districts crowds of violent men assembled, but
not to the extent formerly experienced. This beneficial change
has been produced by dividing the wards into election districts, so
that not more than about six hundred are taken in one place, and all
in one day. Instead of seventeen polls, as it used to be, there are
Meeting1 in
Wall street.
There was a great meeting of the merchants, at two
o’clock, in Wall street, in front of the Exchange, to ex-
press their opinion in favour of Moses H. Grinnell, theTHE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 60.
So
now eighty odd, and the elements of riot and disorder are weak-
ened by being divided. The polls are opened at sunrise and
closed at sunset, and by ten o’clock two-thirds of all the votes in
the city were in. The number of votes registered in the second
district of the fifteenth ward, in which I reside, is six hundred and
seventy, of which six hundred and sixty-four voted.
I was selected by the general committee to act as chairman this
evening, at Masonic Hall, where the mighty mass of Whigs assem-
bled to hear the reports. It is hard duty, and I am hoarse and
sore, and jaded as a horse in an omnibus. I took the chair at
seven o’clock. The interval of time before the reports came in
was filled by speaking and singing Whig songs. By and by mes-
sengers began to arrive with reports from the several wards, which
soon satisfied us that we had lost the battle. Many of our people
had been sanguine enough to calculate upon our gaining the city,
and it was most desirable that we should have sent again to Con-
gress a Whig delegation, particularly Grinnell, whose election would
have so severely rebuked the men who assailed him on the eve of
the election, and the State senator and members of Assembly would
haves been a prodigious gain; but, although many of us hoped for
such a result, none acquainted with the state of the parties calcu-
lated upon it, and the result is, in fact, a cause of triumph. The
administration majority is not over twelve hundred; they reckoned
upon three thousand. We were beaten a year ago by about
eighteen hundred; that was the majority against me for the Senate.
The State will go for Harrison, I think, without a doubt; but his
majority will not be so great as was expected. The contest has
been violent; every effort which a party, unscrupulous at all times,
but desperate now, could make to sustain themselves in power, has
been resorted to; but it will not do. The sceptre has departed
from Mr. Van Buren.
Scenes of violence, disorder, and riot have taught us in this city
that universal suffrage will not do for large communities. It works
better in the country, where a large proportion of the voters are1840.]	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	51
Americans, born and brought up on the spot, and where, if a black
sheep comes into the flock, he is marked immediately. But in the
heterogeneous mass of vile humanity in our population of three
hundred and ten thousand souls the men who decide the elections
are unknown; they have no local habitation or name; they left their
own country for ours, to better their condition, by opposing every-
thing good, honest, lawful, and of good report, and to effect this
they have banded themselves into associations to put down, at all
hazards, the party in favour of order and good government. A
mighty army of these banditti paraded the streets last night under
the orders of the masters, who, no doubt, secretly directed their
movements, attacking every place where the Whigs met. National
Hall, in Canal street, the conservative headquarters, was besieged
by this army of Jack Jades, and its appearance this morning is a
melancholy sample of the effects of unrestrained power in the
hands of a mob of political desperadoes. All the windows of this
large building are broken; bushels of brickbats cover the floors,
and the doors show where the ruffians endeavoured to gain admis-
sion by setting fire to the house. This evening, thus far, has been
quiet in my part of the city. I came home from Masonic Hall as
soon as the result was known, and did not witness any disturbance.
Having beaten us in one way, they don’t think it worth while to
do it in another.
November 5. — The same subject day after day; but
Elections. this week settles all. At present it swallows up every-
thing else. No business is done; the hammer is sus-
pended on the anvil; the merchant neglects his counting-house,
and the lawyer his office. Nobody invites a friend to dine, and no
topic of conversation is permitted but election.
November 10. — The election returns come in from all quarters
in favour of Harrison and the Whig cause. It is thought that Mr.
Van Buren cannot get more than fifty votes out of two hundred and
ninety-four. In our own State, though the city went against us by
a greatly reduced majority, and the first accounts from the river52
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JE tat. 60.
counties were somewhat discouraging, all has been redeemed by
the North and South. The Harrison electoral ticket is elected by
twelve thousand majority. Seward and Bradish are reelected, and
the Whigs have majorities in both branches of the Legislature.
Seward runs behind the other tickets several thousand, owing to
his having recommended the free bill, which has disturbed the
political consciences of the lawyers through their pockets, and
more especially by the ill-judged favour which he has shown the
Catholics, by which he has lost many of his friends, and not gained
the votes of those whom he sought to propitiate. His motives
were, I believe, correct; but his policy in this latter affair is justly
condemned.
November i 6. —There is a chasm of three days in this journal,
and, gracious heaven, how has the time been filled ! My strength
fails me when I attempt to account for it, and yet I feel that it will
afford me a sort of melancholy consolation. My heart sinks within
me whenever my thoughts are concentrated upon the greatest grief
which has ever oppressed it. May the indulgent Father of mercies
sustain me and my bereaved family in our great affliction, and
teach us with resignation to exclaim, “ Father, thy will be done ! ”
My dear, beloved Mary left this world of trouble and affliction,
and, as I firmly and confidently believe, joined her sister angels in
heaven, on Friday morning.
December 2. — This is the day which decides the
fate of Mr. Van Buren and his administration. The
electors of President and Vice-President meet simulta-
neously in each of the States of the Union, and will quietly, and in
discharge of the constitutional rights of the people, deposit two
hundred and thirty-four votes for William Henry Harrison for
President, and John Tyler for Vice-President, and sixty votes for
Martin Van Buren for President, and Richard M. Johnson, or some
other person, for Vice-President. And thus the dynasty is changed.
The party which has been in power forty years yields the sceptre to
its adversary, and the policy under which the country has hereto-
Presidential
Election.1840.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
S3
fore been governed will be abandoned for one more consonant to
the opinions and wishes of the present majority. This is a beauti-
ful illustration of the operation of a popular government. If Mons.
De Tocqueville should publish a new edition of his excellent work
on the Democracy of America, he will have in this event a striking
confirmation of his principles, and our institutions will be the sub-
ject of a new and merited eulogium from his able pen. The late
election, and its consequences, afford a field for deep reflection.
There is not probably a country in the world where a change of
such prodigious magnitude could have been effected in the same
time, with so little apparent machinery, and in so orderly and de-
corous a manner. It does, indeed, afford encouragement and hope
to those patriotic Americans who are Republicans in feeling and
judgment, but may, at times, have doubted of the continued practi-
cability of the operation of self-government in a country of so great
an extent as the United States.
Levi Woodbury, at present Secretary of the Treas-
Mov^me^ts ury> ^as a g0°d place provided when he receives
notice to quit, which will be as soon after the fourth of
March as may be. The State of New Hampshire, immovable as
her granite hills in bad political principles, has elected him a Sena-
tor in Congress, and thereby given him a chance to vote on the
question of his own ejectment from office. If he makes as indif-
ferent a senator as he did a secretary, he will be a suitable repre-
sentative of the party which sends him to Congress.
The Legislature of South Carolina (the only State in the Union
in which the people are not immediate electors of the presidential
electors) have given the vote of the State to Martin Van Buren and
Richard M. Johnson; and this they did, not from any predilection
for the great rejected, but to be in opposition to the Northern and
Eastern States. The high-minded Carolinians (as we have been in
the habit of coaxingly calling them) are the most clannish, selfish
people in America; they have no affection for anything except
South Carolina; their patriotism is centred in themselves, and54
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[VEtat. 60.
Union means nothing more than their own sticking together. Their
apostle, John C. Calhoun, would coalesce with the Devil (as he
has with one for whom he has not much greater affection) if he
saw in such a course the smallest chance of bringing down New
York to the level of Charleston, and would rejoice in a revolution
of nature which should cause the Atlantic to recede from our
shores, and leave her ships rotting in the mud of her harbours.
December 5. — A monument has been erected at
The f,°Cka' Rockaway over the remains of the unhappy sufferers on
board the ships “ Bristol ” and “ Mexico/* wrecked on
the Long Island shore in the winter of 1836-7. The Hempstead
people have done well to evince their sympathy in this manner; but
it was too bad, after the cruel suffering and miserable deaths of
these poor strangers, that their memory should be handed down to
posterity in such wretched poetry as the following inscription, which
graces one side of the monumental stone : —
“ In this grave from the wide ocean doth sleep
The bodies of those that had crossed the deep,
And instead of being landed safe on the shore,
On a cold frosty night they all were no more.”
December 23. — Mr Clay came in town on Satur-
ciay °f Mr* ^ay, to (as he gave out) grandsons, who are at
school in Jamaica, Long Island, and returned on Tues-
day to Washington. I passed half an hour very pleasantly with him
on Monday morning. He told me some of the arrangements of
the next Cabinet. Mr. Webster is to be Secretary of State, and Mr.
Crittenden, of Kentucky, Attorney-General. A glorious beginning !
The United States do not contain two better men for those respec-
tive stations. The other heads of departments are not yet designated.
Mr. Clay was offered by General Harrison, for himself, a carte
blanche ; but he declines office, proposing to retain his place in the
Senate, where he thinks he can most effectually serve the new
administration, and to be ready to enter the field four years hence,
to which T say, Amen, and success attend him !1841.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
55
I84I.
ANUARY 1. — I cannot find a spot on the page of history
marked in the margin 1840 on which to place a “ white
stone.” My debts have increased, and my property is reduced in
value, while those who owe me cannot or will not pay, and there is
but little hope that they ever will; for the most sanguine anticipa-
tions of a return of prosperity, the result of the late political revolu-
tion, seem to be founded upon the calculation of a sponge being
applied to all foregone engagements and a free course to enter
again upon the race of commercial speculation.
Great as has been the bereavement we have sustained in the
death of our beloved Mary, and melancholy the void it has occa-
sioned in my domestic circle, I am not without many sources of
happiness, and have great cause for thankfulness in the present
condition of my family. My health is good, although I have occa-
sional attacks of gout, rheumatism, or lumbago, as the case may be,
and my limbs have had to submit to many hard rubs. I wish they
were the only ones I have to submit to. But welcome, 1841 ! Let
not the storm which marks thy advent prove prophetic of thy
course.
January 16.— Yesterday was an important day in the money
ailnals of the country. The banks of Philadelphia were compelled,
under a law of the State, to resume the payment of specie. Some
apprehensions were entertained that the Bank of the United States,
from the crippled state of her affairs, might find a difficulty in com-
plying with the law, from which cause alone the other banks would
be embarrassed; but that institution, having effected a loan in Eng-
land of 500,000 pounds sterling, by negotiating their bills, were
enabled to meet their demands, and all things went on well, so far.
Further south they hold out yet; the Baltimore banks say that they56
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 61.
can pay, but will not, unless those of Virginia come into the
measure of resumption.
January 20. — I dined yesterday with Mr. William G. Ward, —
a sort of revival of the “ Hone Club,” with all its pleasant rules and
social observance. Dinner at five to the instant, the stragglers
coming in within five minutes after the time, and ere the soup was
gone, each, with watch in hand, disputing the edict which, like the
laws of the Medes and Persians, never changes : a strict observance
to the limitation of four dishes, so strict that by gastronomic soph-
istry it extends to a dozenj brant being transformed into fish,
oysters coming under the denomination of vegetables, and veal
sweet-breads being pronounced of the genus confectionery. The
“Ode” was sung by Major Tucker, with a full chorus; and other
songs and pleasant converse and good fellowship made us forget
the bad times which have caused a suspension of our meetings.
January 30. — There was a brilliant ball last evening
city Bail. at the City Hall, — a sort of revival of the old city as-
semblies, which were formerly held in that time-honoured
saloon. It was gotten up by the young men. Heads of families
were not allowed to subscribe, but were invited, with their wives and
daughters. The whole affair was conducted in a genteel manner;
the ball was well attended by the most respectable of our citizens,
and gave great satisfaction. Another is to be given, probably on
Washington’s birthday. The managers are Abraham Schermerhorn,
Edmund H. Pendleton, James W. Otis, William Douglass, Henry
Delafield, Henry W. Hicks, Jno. Swift Livingston, Jacob R. Le Roy,
Thomas W. Ludlow, Charles McEvers, Jr., William S. Miller,
Charles C. King.
payments with the other banks in that city, a few days since, finds
itself compelled to suspend again, and has refused payments of
drafts from this city. The effect of this, it is apprehended, will be
Financial
Panic.
February 4. — There is a panic to-day in the money
market. The great bank in Philadelphia, falsely called
the “ United States Bank,” after having resumed speciei84i.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
5 7
to compel the other banks to suspend again. Baltimore, Charles-
ton, and other Southern cities will have to follow suit; and all
the horrors of a disturbed currency and ruinous exchanges, of
which we thought we were relieved, will be returned upon us for
a period of time for which no one can form any opinion of the
duration.	»
February 5. — The suspension of the United States Bank is
confirmed to-day. The stock of that institution fell nearly ten per
cent. Large quantities were sold at from forty to forty-two per
cent.; and, from the opinions of persons better informed than,
myself, I am induced to believe that it is as much as it is worth.
Indeed, it was sold “ ahead,” as the brokers call it; that is, to be
delivered within a certain time, at the option of the seller, as low as
thirty-four. Taking the cash price to-day, there is a loss to the
stockholders from the par value of $60, of $21,000,000, — equal
to that occasioned by the great fire, to say nothing of all that
was bought at 120 or 125 before the charter expired, and was
transferred into the State institution. This enormous loss falls
heavily upon the European holders, who will not in the future
be disposed to trust us; but there is a great deal held by
widows and children, public institutions, and trustees. When
Jackson, the old despoiler, crushed the national institution under
the iron heel of vindictive power, the plague-spot upon commercial
prosperity first made its appearance; but the disease was not
incurable until the bank attained, at an unwarrantable expense, a
charter from the State of Pennsylvania to do mischief to the nation,
without the ability or the obligation to do good in any but a local
sense. At that time, if the concern had been wound up and rested
peaceably in the tomb to which party rage and personal malignity
had consigned it, the loss to the stockholders would have been
comparatively small, and an obstacle in the way of the establish-
ment of a sound national bank would have been removed : a bank
solid and uncrippled, whose benignant sphere of action would
have been coextensive with true bonds of union; whose duty, as58
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 61.
well as its interest, would have been directed to the preservation of
a sound currency and the accommodation and support of honest
commercial enterprise; and such a one we must have. The neces-
sity becomes more apparent every day. The prejudices created by
the violent measures of the Attila of Tennessee and his furious par-
tisans begins to give way before the light of reason, and if the
downfall of the Pennsylvania bank should be necessary to give
place to such an institution, it had better be brought at once to that
issue. The present vessel is rotten and unseaworthy, and must be
broken up as soon as may be, and a new one, the property of the
whole, and not a part of the partners in our great national concern,
be set upon the stocks without delay, launched, rigged, and set
upon her voyage with none but a national ensign at her mast-head;
and if John Bull will not ship on board her, we must endeavour to
make the voyage on our own hook.
February 8.—There has been a dreadful panic to-day among
the brokers and “ money-changers ” in Wall street. The suspen-
sion of the Bank of the United States has been followed by that
of the other banks of Philadelphia. Some of them continue to
pay specie for their notes of $5 ; but it is only the faint flicker-
ing of the expiring candle. Baltimore, also, has suspended again.
This unhappy state of things has caused a fall in prices of every
description of stock in New York. Delaware and Hudson Canal
stock, which has nothing to do with Philadelphia financial opera-
tions, fell from ninety-five to eighty-eight per cent. A panic in
money matters is like one in an army during a battle : when a part
runs away, others follow and prick onward with their bayonets
those who may be disposed to stand firm, until a general rout is the
consequence. United States Bank sold to-day at twenty-five per
cent. Here is wholesale ruin. Here is a loss from the par value
of $26,250,000, to be borne by all classes of our citizens, and an
utter destruction of American credit in Europe. How happy would
it have been for all parties if, when the national institution was
killed, it had stayed killed!1841.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
59
February 9.— General Harrison made a sort of tri-
deTt-eiect* umphal entry into Baltimore on Saturday, where he was
received by crowds of citizens, who formed a proces-
sion to conduct him to his lodgings; and he made a speech which,
in my judgment, he might better have let alone. Preparations are
making to receive him to-morrow with similar honours at Washing-
ton, where he is to remain two or three days. He then goes to
Virginia to visit his friends, returns to Washington toward the close
of the month, will be inaugurated on the 4th of March, and then
his troubles (not few nor small) will begin.
/
“ I vow ’tis better to be lowly born,
And range with humble livers in content,
Than to be perked up in a glittering grief,
And wear a golden sorrow.”
Saturday, Feb. 13.—The day after General Harri-
courtesy son’s arrival in Washington he visited President Van
Buren, who received him with the greatest politeness.
They passed half an hour in agreeable conversation, and the next
day the President, accompanied by the heads of departments, re-
turned the visit at the apartments of the President-elect, at
Gadsby’s Hotel. This compliment was the more marked as the
etiquette is for the President not to return visits. General Harri-
son was also to dine with the President to-day, and the dinner will,
, no doubt, be a very pleasant one, for nobody knows better than
Mr. Van Buren how to do such things. His tact is admirable, and,
whatever may be his feelings in regard to the success of his distin-
guished rival, he will never afford his political opponents the tri-
umph of letting them be known. Calm and unruffled as the bosom
of a lake under the tranquil influence of a summer’s sun, there is
nothing to indicate the storm which may have passed over it. This
is in far better taste than the petulant conduct of the elder Adams,
who left Washington in the night to avoid the mortification of wit-6o
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 61.
nessing the accession of Mr. Jefferson ; or of General Jackson, when
the people in an evil hour wrested the sceptre from John Q.
Adams to place it in his ruffian hands. General Harrison visited
also the ex-President, Adams.
Washington, Feb. i 8. — Left Baltimore in the nine-
waXilgton. o’clock train, and arrived here about the opening of the
houses of Congress; got a tolerable room at Gadsby’s,
that caravansary of long, cold galleries, never-ceasing ringing of
bells, negligent servants, small pillows, and scanty supply of water.
I am better off, even in these particulars, than three-fourths of the
people in the house; but, if a man wishes to appreciate the comforts
of home, let him come to Washington. As for the eating part, I
am fortunately situated. I am regularly entered of Mr. Granger’s
mess, with his daughter and Meredith, which promises well, if I
should have any chance to enjoy their society.
I found an invitation to dine with the Russian Minister, which he
had politely sent in anticipation of my coming, and accordingly
rode over to his residence at Georgetown, where I met a large
party of distinguished gentlemen, embracing* most of the leading
Whigs. The dinner was a magnificent affair, a ponderous set-out;
it was like dining in a gold mine; immense, lofty, and massy gilt
candelabras on the table, in which I counted eighty wax candles
burning, besides others in different parts of the room; rich orna-
ments of every description; a great variety of wines, some of which
were good, but the cuisine not comparable with an every-day dinner
at my own house. Servants below stairs with gilt-laced cocked
hats, and surrounding the table with tarnished liveries, which, from
their variety, would seem intended to represent all the provinces of
Russia; but the host did the honours with great propriety, and
treated me with marked attention. The number was about four and
twenty, of which I remember the following: Mons. Bacour, French
Minister; Mr. Fox, British Minister; Mr. Stockel, Russian Secre-
tary ; Mr. Webster, Mr. Clay, Mr. Crittenden, Mr. Tallmadge, Mr.
Rives, Mr. Merrick, Mr. Henderson, Mr. Bayard, Mr. Southard, Mr.i84i.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
61
Dawson, Mr. Cushing, Mr. Meredith, Mr. Reverdy Johnson, Mr.
Austen of Massachusetts, Richard Peters, Mr. Mangum, Mr. Sar-
gent, and Colonel Stuart. There was whist after dinner. I got at
a table with Messrs. Bodisco, Fox, and Clay, and sat until we were
the survivors of the large party.
February 19. — I called this morning upon President Van
Buren. He received me alone in his study, in the kindest and
most gracious manner; talked a little about the late political con-
test, professed an undiminished friendship for me, notwithstanding
my opposition, which he said he had been gratified to learn had
been unaccompanied by the use of any expression of personal dis-
respect. He is fat and jolly, with the same self-satisfied smile upon
his countenance. A stranger would be greatly at a loss to discover
anything to indicate that he was a defeated candidate for the high
office which he is about to vacate.
The Supreme Court was for two hours the point of
Mr. Webster, superior attraction. Mr. Webster was engaged in one
of those great arguments on a constitutional question
in which he stands unrivalled, the interest of which was enhanced
from its being one of the last in which he will be engaged. He has
resigned his seat in the Senate, of which he will take leave on Mon-
day, and on the 4th of March he commences a new sphere of
action as Secretary of State in General Harrison’s Cabinet. The
Supreme Court presented a sublime and beautiful spectacle during
Mr. Webster’s argument. The solemn temple of justice was filled
with an admiring auditory, consisting of a large proportion of well-
dressed ladies, who occupied the seats within the bar; the nine
judges, in their magisterial robes, attentive and thoughtful; and all
minds and bodies bent upon one great object, and that object a
single man, of commanding presence and intellectual aspect, not
remarkably correct in his costume nor graceful in his action, but
commanding, by the force of his giant intellect, an irresistible con-
trol over the minds of all who heard him, and enchaining all their
faculties to one point of observation and attention. It was, in62
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[Hitat. 61.
truth, a noble illustration of the power of mind over the material
faculties of humanity.
February 20. — I dined with Grinnell and Hoffman. We had
a good dinner, fine wine, and a very pleasant party, consisting of
Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Grinnell, Mr. Southard, Mr. Habershaw, Mr.
Bayard, Mr. Holmes of South Carolina, Mr. Graham of North
Carolina, Mr. Sargeant, Mr. Winthrop, Mr. Lincoln, the Speaker,
Mr. Tallmadge, Mr. Henderson, Mr. Lowe of New York, and P. H.
February 22.— I have been all day in the Senate,
^senate and greatty interested. The principal business was an
animated debate on a motion made by Mr. Crittenden
to bring a bill, formerly presented by him, to prevent the interfer-
* ence of office-holders in elections. This motion was supported in
an eloquent speech by the mover and the leading Whigs, and
opposed by Messrs. Buchanan, Calhoun, Wright, etc., and defeated
by a strict party vote. They could not stand the implied odium
which the passage of such an act would cast upon the party going out
of power, nor acknowledge the magnanimity of their successors in
binding themselves in advance not to use the same means to secure
a continuance of their own, which have heretofore been employed
against them. Mr. Preston’s speech in support of'this measure
gave rise to an incident of considerable excitement. He closed his
speech with an eulogium upon Mr. Crittenden, on the occasion of
his quitting the Senate to assume the office of Attorney-General in
General Harrison’s administration. Never did human voice utter
anything more beautiful than this well-merited panegyric. It was
warm and glowing, tender and touching, by turns. The Senate
was full, and the galleries crowded to the utmost. I was seated on
the floor, behind the eloquent Carolinian. The audience seemed
to be rapt in mute attention until the close, when the effect was
irresistible, and there was a pretty general applause in the galleries.
This unwonted outbreak gave great offence to the Loco-focos. Sev-
eral arose at once, and with loud screams and violent gesticulation
demanded the clearing of the galleries. “ Turn them out! ” said1841.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
63
Clay of Alabama, Sevier Cuthbert, and even Calhoun. “ Turn out
the blackguards 1 ” exclaimed the refined Mr. Benton, striking the
desk with great vehemence; and the Vice-President, with evident
reluctance, proceeded to give the harsh order. Mr. Clay, with his
wonted suavity, interposed to save the ladies. He was “sure they
could not have joined in the offence, and ought not to be included in
the punishment; ” and the Vice-President, nothing loath, saved them
and the men in their gallery from being turned away to gratify the
spleen of half- a-dozen demagogues who are forever talking about the
dear people, and let no opportunity escape of affronting them. There
was an easier way for them to clear out the galleries: let either of
them arise to make a speech, and the object is accomplished with-
out a resort to violence. But what a glorious triumph of eloquence 1
I would have given the world at that moment to have been Preston;
but I would have given such worlds to be Crittenden 1 The latter
was greatly moved; those that were near him say that he wept vis-
ibly. He is beloved by all parties. Mr. Buchanan, a political
opponent, but the most gentlemanly senator on that side, paid him
a handsome personal compliment in a speech in which he opposed
his motion. This exhibition of vulgar rage gave occasion to the
following jeu d’esprit, which was handed to me the next morning
by a senator: —
“ ‘Turn out the blackguards! ’ If they do,
Friend Benton, what becomes of you? ”
As soon as this affair was ended, a new excitement was created,
which continued until the adjournment. Mr. Webster having
retired from his place, a letter addressed to the Vice-President
was read, in which he resigns his seat, and took leave of the Senate;
immediately upon which a firebrand from Georgia, Mr. Cuthbert,
arose and attacked him. He regretted that the senator from Mas-
sachusetts had not made a verbal valedictory, as he had intended
to put certain interrogatories to him touching his doctrines on the
subject of the transmission of slaves from one State to another,—64
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[VEtat. 61.
doctrines which Georgia’s senator denounced as “ damnable here-
sies.” He evidently desired to get up a quarrel. His manner and
his language were equally insulting, and there was something so dis-
courteous, so unkind, in his taking that moment to vent his spleen
against the absent senator, when the tide of generous feeling was
flowing so strongly in his favour, that there was not an individual of
Cuthbert’s party who, by word, look, or action, seemed disposed either
to countenance or support him. Mr. Clay rebuked the ruffian in a
manly and eloquent speech, in which the character and principles
of his friend were ably defended, and Mr. Rives and Mr. Preston
followed in the same strain. The former gentleman came in for a*n
undue share of the wrath of the Hotspur of Georgia; his manner
toward him was provoking and insulting, and met with haughty
scorn and defiance. Mr. Rives, at the commencement of his
speech, happened to apply to Cuthbert the parliamentary term,
“ My honourable friend.” —“ No, sir; no friend,” was the uncivil
reply. — “ So be it,” retorted Mr. Rives; and it is not likely the term
will be repeated very soon. Mr. Rives defended Mr. Webster with
great ability, approving, though a Southern man, his opinions on
the exciting subject of slavery.
the relinquishment of two of his Whig opponents, to fill that of
Mr. Crittenden, as senator from Kentucky. It is a fearful ven-
ture for those gentlemen to undertake to supply the void occa-
sioned by the setting of those two “ bright particular stars ” of
the Senate.
I dined with Mr. Barnard; a small and very pleasant party,
and an excellent dinner of French cookery and good wine. The
party consisted of Mr. John Quincy Adams, Mr. Richard Bayard,
Gouverneur Wilkins, Abbott Lawrence, Mr. Jackson of Philadel-
phia, and myself. Mr. Adams was, as usual, the fiddle of the
party. He talked a great deal; was gay, witty, instructive, and
New Sena-
tors.
February 26. — Rufus Choate is elected a senator
from Massachusetts, to fill Mr. Webster’s place; and
Mr. Morehead, after several ballots, was elected, by1841.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
65
entertaining. It is a privilege, and an era in one’s life, to see
him as he was on this occasion. A man must be stupid, indeed,
who can listen to this wonderful man for three or four hours,
as I have done to-day, without being edified and delighted.
We had an account before I left home of some
The Presi-
dent’s Dinner amiable passages of courtesy between the outgoing and
to General the incoming Presidents, in which the former had great
credit for courtesy extended to the latter, particularly
in inviting him to dine. I have heard since I came here some par-
ticulars about this dinner, which have satisfied me that it was not
the kind of compliment which we gave him credit for. Instead
of inviting to meet the General his personal and political friends,
such as Webster, Clay, Crittenden, Southard, etc., the party con-
sisted, besides General Harrison and Colonel Chambers and Mr.
Todd, his personal suite, of the following: the cabinet ministers,
Mr. Gouvemeur Kemble, Silas Wright, and Aaron Yanderpoel,—all
Loco-focos of the bitterest stamp, and his most decided political
opponents. He was in the camp of the Philistines; it seemed
as if they were there to take advantage of the old man’s kind,
benevolent openness of disposition, and treasure up for future use
anything which may have fallen from him in an unguarded moment.
They write me from home that times are hard in
New York, despondency prevails among men of busi-
ness, and melancholy forebodings of worse times to
come. The State of Illinois will not pay the interest of her
debt, and doubts are entertained of the great State of Pennsyl-
vania. Stocks have fallen very much; Delaware and Hudson
down to eighty per cent.
March i. — I went yesterday to St. John’s Church, where I
caused some remarks to be made by my sitting in the President’s
pew, for which I had afterwards to stand some shots from the
Whigs, who have not the taste to understand how a man may
continue on good terms with a gentleman whose election he has
worked hard to defeat. The truth is, the President passed me in
News from
Home.66
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[YEtat. 61.
his carnage on his way to church, and when I arrived I found
his son Smith waiting for me at the door, to take me to his
father’s pew, — a civility which I accepted most willingly, and did
not find my devotions interfered with, nor my political principles
contaminated, by the company I had the honour to be placed in.
March 2.— Broadway on a fine Sunday, when the churches
are emptied, does not present a more animated spectacle than
Pennsylvania avenue on this bright and beautiful morning; there
are men here from every State in the Union. Our good city of
New York has its full proportion. I have remarked, and heard it
remarked by others, that there is not a country in the world
where in such a crowd, so gotten together, there could be found
so large a proportion of good-looking and well-behaved persons.
I was talking about it with Mr. Bell yesterday, and he remarked
that he was here at the time of General Jackson’s inauguration,
when the same objects and motions brought together a greater
crowd, and the difference in appearance and deportment of the
people is most striking; but now they are Whigs and gentlemen,
then Loco-focos and-------
I was forcibly stricken this morning by a characteristic circum-
stance, of which an American may well be proud. Passing
through the crowd of which I was just speaking was to be seen
an elderly gentleman dressed in black, and not remarkably well
dressed, with a mild, benignant countenance, a military air, but
stooping a little, bowing to one, shaking hands with another, and
cracking a joke with a third; and this man was William H. Harri-
son, the President-elect of this great empire, whose elevation has
been produced by a severe throe which has been felt in the most
remote comers of the land, which has destroyed and elevated the
hopes of hundreds of thousands, and which is destined to effect
a change of principles and policy to which the whole world looks
with interest; and there he was, unattended, and unconscious of
the dignity of his position, — the man among men, the sun of
the political firmament. People may say what they will about1841.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
6/
the naked simplicity of Republican institutions; it was a sublime
moral spectacle.
March 3.—This city is an immense mass of animated Whig
matter; every hole and corner are filled; thousands have arrived to-
day, and happy is the man who finds “ where to lay his head.” A
large building has been erected in the court at Gadsby’s, in which
four hundred breakfast, dine, and sup; and the dining-room is a
vast camp-bed. This has been a day of confusion; everybody run-
ning against his neighbour, all full of business, and nobody accom-
plishing any.
I witnessed the last moments of the 26th Congress. At twelve
o’clock the refractory old lady terminated the career which she so
naughtily began. The Speaker sang a requiem to her departing
moments in a very respectable speech, somewhat too long and a
little too school-boyish. He is an amiable man, and has acted with
impartiality, but no more fit to be Speaker than I to dance on the
tight rope. On the whole, the scene was imposing, and more orderly
and decorous than I had anticipated. The aforesaid old lady be-
haved with propriety, “ and, like immortal Caesar, died with dignity.”
March 4. — The affair is consummated.* General
The inaugu- Harrison has taken the oaths, and is President of the
ration.
United States. The day was fine. A great procession,
consisting of several militia companies in uniform, Tippecanoe
clubs, and citizens from different States, under the orders of
marshals on horseback, with sashes and batons, escorted the Presi-
dent to the Capitol. He was mounted, and passed through the
streets amidst the shouts and hurrahs of fifty thousand men, and
almost as many women waving their handkerchiefs, whilst he, like
the haughty Bolingbroke, —
“ Mounted upon a hot and fiery steed,
Which his aspiring rider seemed to know,
With slow but stately pace kept on his course,
While all tongues cried, 1 God save thee, Bolingbroke! *
You would have thought the very windows spoke.”68
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[,Etat. 61.
As for Van Buren, “ No man cried, God save him ! ” He was snug
at the house of the Attorney-General, McGilpin.
I attended the great inauguration ball last evening, at
BTiigUratl°n National Theatre. The crowd was very great; all
the great men of the nation were there; an exceedingly
brilliant collection of ladies, of whom Mrs. Reverdy Johnson, of
Baltimore, a mother of nine children, was preeminent. The Presi-
dent came in about half-past ten o’clock, with a numerous escort,
and was marched through files of ladies up and down the room.
This ceremony, with his previous visits to two other public balls,
added to the severe labours of the day, has tried the old soldier’s
stamina; but he appears to stand it very well. If the opponents of
the administration expect to make capital out of his imbecility of
either body or mind, they make a woful mistake. He’ll do his
duty well and faithfully. The gentlemen had a supper in the lower
regions of the theatre, from which in former times ghosts and hob-
goblins and infernal spirits made their “ exits and their entrances.”
I was escorted by the managers to this subterranean banquet-hall,
where I found senators, cabinet ministers, military officers, and
common men like myself, eating, drinking, laughing, and joking in
a strain somewhat uproarious.
The nominations of the new cabinet have, it is said, been con-
firmed, all but that of Mr. Granger, against whom charges of that
crying sin, abolitionism, having been brought by the opposition, his
friends consented to let it lie over until to-morrow. This is a base
and ungentlemanly proceeding; but it will have no other effect than
that of misrepresenting his principles, for he will certainly be con-
firmed to-morrow.
New York, March 23. — Dined with Mr. Blatchford. The
dinner was given to Mr. Edward Curtis, the new collector, who was
there, and his brother, George Curtis; Mr. Tallmadge, the new
recorder; Grinnell, Minturn, Prescott Hall, Charles King, Ruggles,
John Ward, Bowen, etc. There was talk about the appointments
and other political matters. I am pestered to death to sign recom-i84i.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
69
mendations and write letters to the collector, in behalf of applicants
for office in the Custom-House. It is distressing to see how many
worthy people are compelled to be suppliants for little, contemptible
situations, the emoluments of which are hardly sufficient to keep
life and soul together.
of the cars from Philadelphia. The man of the people, whom the
people have rejected by an electoral vote of two hundred and
thirty-four to sixty, was received by the people on foot, on horse-
back, and on carts. The conquering hero, who was elected by sixty
votes, the other two hundred and thirty-four having been thrown
away upon one William H. Harrison, was escorted up Broadway to
Bleecker street, and down the Bowery to Tammany Hall, where he
was addressed by the people in the person of ex-Recorder Morris,
that immaculate Republican who, under the sanctum of official sta-
tion, enters men’s houses at night and steals their private papers,
to which address of the people the aforesaid people’s President
(who was elected as aforesaid by the unanimous voices of the
people, not counting those votes which were improperly cast for his
opponent) read a feeling and suitable reply, after which he and
Mr. Forsyth, his Secretary of State (whose place has been recently
usurped by one Daniel Webster, an obscure individual from the
rebellious State of Massachusetts, against the will of the people,
expressed as aforesaid), were escorted, amidst the shouts and
huzzas of the people, to the quarters provided for them at the
Carleton House, named in honour of the Prince Regent of England ;
and in the evening the people were gratified with a view of the
men of their choice, and permitted to cheer them again at the
Bowery Theatre. The worst of this affair was, that it rained “ cats
and dogs ” during the progress of the procession ; but this was as it
should be. His reign being over in Washington, New York’s
favourite son was entitled to rain here ; and he stood it, as if, like his
Mr. Van
Buren’s
Arrival.
March 24. — The friends of the people, the real
Loco-focos, had a grand triumphal entry of their
chieftain, the ex-President, yesterday, on the arrival70
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[PEtat. 6x.
friend Benton, he had been bom a weteran. His followers, too, en-
joyed the joke, albeit not 2. dry one; their begrimed skins expanded
and were softened by the unwonted ablution, whilst the spirits
within happily remained undiluted by the water without.
March 27. — I dined with Mr. G. G. Howland, where I met Mr.
and Mrs. Abbott Lawrence, after which Mr. Lawrence and I went
to Moses H. GrinnelPs, where we had also been invited to dine.
Here we met a large party of good Whigs, “ full on mirth and full
on glee,” as Billy Taylor says, and sat until midnight. There were
Mr. Crittenden; Mr. Berrien, the new senator from Georgia;
Messrs. Barnard, Hoffman, Ruggles, Blatchford, Bowen, Minturn,
Griswold, John Ward, Davis, Prescott Hall, Aspinwall, etc.
March 30. — Mr. Webster came in town this morning, with his
wife, to see Mr. Herman Le Roy, her father, whose long and
virtuous life is drawing to a close. He is compelled to return to
Washington to-morrow morning. I saw him a few minutes this
evening, by his appointment. The object of the interview was to
acquaint me that a certain affair in which I am deeply concerned
might be considered settled, and to my satisfaction.
April 2. — There is a pretty good hit in one of the
TheCurtii. Southern papers upon the rather redundant introduc-
tion of classical illustrations in the President’s inaugural
address; for, if there is a fault in it, it consists of a little too much
interlacing of Greece and Rome with its sound principles and
honest professions. The writer says that General Harrison was
prevailed upon to consent to the appointment of Edward Curtis as
Collector of New York, by being told that he was a lineal descend-
ant of the Curtius of Rome.
April 3. — There was a rumour yesterday of the ill-
ness of our worthy President, General Harrison, which
has assumed to-day a shape somewhat alarming. He
has a severe attack of pleurisy, or inflammation of the lungs.
The report to-day speaks of danger, which, until now, was not
apprehended, but adds that he is better. God grant that
Illness of the
President.i84i.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
71
he may recover ! His death just now would be, indeed, a severe
national calamity.
April 5. — With a mournful heart and trembling
President^6 ^an(^s I record the sad and unexpected (unexpected, at
least, until yesterday morning) event which will fill this
country with sincere grief and melancholy forebodings. The noble
and virtuous old man whose recent elevation to the chief magistracy
so lately established the triumph of our popular institutions, and
lighted up the hope of a dispirited people; the honest patriot, whose
acts during the brief period in which he held the reins of govern-
ment gave the fullest evidence of his intention to pursue that
policy which was best calculated to redound to his country’s glory
and secure the happiness of her citizens, — has, by an inscrutable
decree of Providence, to which we are bound to bow with cheerful-
ness and resignation, been called away from the exalted station
which he has occupied during the space of one little month. On
the 3d of March I took his hand in Mr. Granger’s parlour, at
Gadsby’s, in Washington, and congratulated him, but more especially
his country, on the auspicious event of his election; and on the fol-
lowing day I witnessed, at the capitol of the nation, the consumma-
tion of the people’s will, in his solemn pledge before the Almighty
to devote all his faculties to the just government of the Republic.
And I heard the accents in which “ the old man eloquent ” poured
forth the aspirations of his honest heart for the prosperity of that
people, and the preservation of the free institutions of that Republic;
and in one short month— one month of unremitted labour and cease-
less anxiety, in which he was taught the painful truth that “ uneasy
lies the head that wears the crown ”—that heart has ceased to beat,
the account so auspiciously opened has been suddenly closed, and
his virtuous intentions now sleep with him in the silent grave.
General Harrison is the first President who has died in office,
and Mr. Tyler will be the first Vice-President who has ever exer-
cised the executive functions. He will be President, if he lives,
during the long period of three years and eleven months. If he72
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[yEtat. 61.
carries out the government on the principles avowed by his illus-
trious chief, and to which his able cabinet stands virtually
pledged, all will go well, for Governor Tyler is an able man and
true patriot; but there is some danger that his opinions in the
leading measures, which we in this part of the country consider
important to the restoration of public confidence, such as the
establishment of a national bank, and the annulling of the sub-
treasury system, do not coincide with theirs. He is a Virginian,
and we think their policy on these subjects fraught with danger.
If this, unfortunately, be the case, the cabinet must, of course, be
dissolved, and all our bright hopes, in their virtuous and patriotic
administration of the government, be overthrown. May we not
trust in the goodness and mercy of Heaven, that the blow we
have experienced may not be rendered more afflictive by the
occurrence of so disastrous an event.
General Harrison, in his last moments, expressed much solicitude
on this subject, and his last words expressed a confidence in the
wisdom of his successor. Governor Tyler was absent at the time of
this melancholy event, and an express was immediately sent to him.
There seems to be very little doubt that the President’s illness
was brought on, and its severity increased, by the constant labour
and deprivation of comfort brought upon him by his new duties.
He told his friends that his time was so much occupied that he
had been prevented from performing the necessary functions of
nature. The sudden change from the quiet occupations of his
life for several years past to the turmoil of public business, and
the sacrifice of his personal convenience and comfort to the im-
practicable task of attending to every man’s business, had been
too much for the debilitated frame of a man nearly seventy years
of age; the strength of the mortal covering of clay was not
commensurate with the ardour of the immortal spirit within.
April 6. — On the receipt of the news here yesterday morn-
ing a spontaneous exhibition of the badges of woe was seen
throughout the city; the flags on all public places, as well as on1841.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
73
the shipping in the harbour (not excepting Tammany Hall), were
exhibited half-mast, and some of them shrouded in black. The
courts in session immediately adjourned. The newspapers were
clothed in mourning, all but the “ Evening Post,” whose malig-
nant, black-hearted editor, Bryant, says he regrets the death of
General Harrison only because he did not live long enough to
prove his incapacity for the office of President. Most of the
places of amusement were closed in the evening. The last words
uttered by the President, as heard by Dr. Worthington, were
these : “ Sir, I wish you to understand the true principles of the
government; I wish them carried out, nothing more.”
April 7. —This volume of my journal commences at a moment
when great grief overspreads the American nation, and doubt
and uncertainty, mingled with some degree of solicitude, has
taken possession of the public mind in regard to the political
prospects of the country, and the bearing they must inevitably
have upon individual interests. The patriotic ruler of this great
country, called from the bosom of retirement to carry out the
great measure which a large majority of the people deem essential
to their welfare, has just been called from his elevated station to
render an account of his stewardship while upon the earth, the
most important part of which - was comprised in the little month
immediately preceding his lamented decease, and which, accord-
ing to my imperfect judgment, was calculated not only to secure
the approbation of all good men, but to give a bright presage
•for a better condition of things.
The mantle of rule falls suddenly and unexpectedly upon the
shoulders of the Vice-President for a period, if he should live so
long, nearly equal to a full presidential term, — for good, or for
evil. We may be permitted to hope for the former, of which the
honourable character of Governor Tyler would seem to be a guaran-
tee ; but the times are so ticklish, that the effects of this change are
looked to with deep anxiety. Never was there a time when politi-
cal measures were brought so closely home to men’s bosoms, and7 4
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[zEtat. 61.
men are compelled to be politicians in despite of their natural dis-
inclination.
The news of the break-down of the Bank of the United States,
and of the confinement and indictment of McLeod caused great
excitement in London, and poor Brother Jonathan gets all he
deserves, and something more, from his brother, Mr. Bull. The
greatest dissatisfaction was caused by the violent and ill-judged
report of Mr. Pickens, in the House of Representatives, and its
having been adopted by a strong majority; but, if they would only
suppress their rage and wait a while, they would see the gentleman
who was foremost in the opposition to that report placed in the
cabinet as Postmaster-General under the new administration, which
might be considered an evidence that the principles of that ill-
judged report were not to be adopted by the present ruling party.
But the English papers say that an absolute demand has been made
on our government to surrender the mischief-making loafer, and in
case of refusal that Mr. Cox is to demand his passport. It is also
reported that a squadron is ordered off our coast to carry their
hostile measures into effect. If this be so, the difficulties in the
case may be greatly increased ; but it is likely that the love of mar-
vellous and startling subjects, which are sought for with equal avidity
by British and American readers, is -gratified there, as here, by the
unscrupulous writers for lying newspapers.
This is the day set apart in Washington for the funeral
Funeral	tke iate president. It has been observed here with
Ceremonies.
great solemnity, and a sort of gloom has overspread not
only the appearance of the city, but the countenances of the citizens.
In accordance with the programme published by the joint special
committee of the common council, all business was simultaneously
suspended at noon. The banks and insurance offices, with the
stores generally, throughout the city were closed. The flags were
suspended from the public places, theatres, and hotels, half-mast,
and some tastefully enshrouded in black. The vessels in the har-
bour bore a similar badge of grief until two o’clock.i84i.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
75
April 9. — I am invited by the committee of arrangements of
the corporation to assist in the funeral ceremonies of to-morrow as
pall-bearer at this great affair. The following are the names of the
pall-bearers; the number, twenty-six, was made to correspond with
the number of States in the Union: Gen. Morgan Lewis, John W.
Hardenbrook, Major William Popham, Peter R. Livingston, Stephen
Allen, Isaac Lawrence, Aaron Clark, John Rathbone, Cornelius W.
Lawrence, Edward Taylor, Walter Bowne, Philip Hone, Chancellor
Kent, George Griffin, Richard Riker, John L. Morgan, John Tar-
gee, Sylvanus Miller, Peter A. Jay, Leffert Lefferts, John Wyckoff,
Jeremiah Johnson, Daniel Winship, William Furman, Peter Bonnet,
Robert Bach.
April 10.—This was the day designated by the joint special
committee of the common council of New York and Brooklyn for
the grand funeral solemnities to commemorate the death of Gen.
William Henry Harrison, late President of the United States, who,
after having responded to the call of his fellow-citizens, and wor-
thily fulfilled the high functions of the exalted station to which their
suffrages have called him, during the brief period of a little month,
was called by the sudden mandate of divine power to lay down his
earthly honours, and seek in another and a better world, it may be
hoped, a brighter reward of his virtuous actions.
The corporation of the city, a large majority of whom were
political opponents of General Harrison and his party, have done
themselves great credit by the zeal and spirit with which this great
affair was planned and carried into execution. The arrangements
of the committee were made upon the grandest scale, and the citi-
zens of all ranks, professions, and parties entered into their meas-
ures with a full and spontaneous expression of the most profound
grief. Business of every description was suspended; all the public
places, markets, hotels, the shops, and many private houses on the
route of the procession, were covered with festoons and hangings
of black, and other mournful devices. Minute-guns were fired, and
the bells tolled during the four hours* progress of the melancholy>5
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[yEtat. 61.
parade. Flags were suspended intertwined with black crape across
the streets, and the whole city was clothed in the habiliments of
woe. Ours is a remarkable population in such matters; once satisfy
their judgment that the call made upon them either to mourn or
to rejoice is a proper one, and their spontaneous expression of feel-
ing bursts forth without bonds or limitation. On this occasion, as
in the reception of Lafayette, the populace seemed to take the
affair into their own hands. The committee of arrangements pub-
lished in advance an admirable programme, and the people,, one
and all, became the actors in the great drama. All was order and
regularity in the tremendous mass of humanity which formed the
greatest civil and military procession ever witnessed in the city, for
spectators occupied every window, and the house-tops, or covered
the entire streets, leaving only a space sufficient for the passage of
the procession.
April 17.— Mr. Biddle, late president of the Bank
fTank	of the United States, he who so lately was incumbered
with the load of his greatness, to whom men’s knees
were bent, and the beavers came off of their own accord, and who
is now so fallen that there are “ none so poor to do him reverence,”
— this financial Lucifer has published three letters on the subject of
his connection with the bank, in which he seeks to prove (and, it
would appear, with tolerable success) that the ruin of the institu-
tion is not attributable to him, but to the jealousy, cupidity, and
negligence of the directors; that when he said, on leaving the
office of president, that its affairs were prosperous, they were so in
fact, and that the loss of its immense capital was all brought about
in the short space of time subsequent to his abdication. If this be
so, these gentlemen cannot be charged with a want of industry,
for certainly the road to ruin, smooth and easy as it is, was never
before travelled with half the speed. Railroad progression is a
snail’s pace to this. These letters are admirably written, like every-
thing that comes from the pen of the last president of the bank, and
are calculated to make warm blood in Philadelphia, and to cause1841.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
77
astonishment elsewhere. One precious disclosure is made which
must brand with infamy the whole concern. Mr. Biddle asserts
distinctly that certain money operations planned and executed
sometime since by the committee of directors, but since he relin-
quished the presidency, were intended to compel the New York
banks to suspend specie payments at the time when those of
Philadelphia were compelled to adopt that measure, or rather, to
use Mr. Biddle’s more emphatic language, “ to ruin the New York
banks.”
This neighbourly operation was to be effected by drawing bills on
the house of Hottinguer & Co., in Paris, without funds and without
advice, and with a knowledge that they would not be accepted for
any amount beyond the funds in hand. These bills were sold in
New York for any price they would bring for New York funds, the
specie drawn from the banks to be remitted to meet the bills; and
thus the New York banks were to be broken, and brought down
from their high and honourable position to a level with themselves.
But the attempt was signally frustrated; demands were suddenly
and unexpectedly made in one day for $ 1,2 00,000 in specie, and
notaries were ready to protest the drafts if (as was supposed) they
could not be promptly met; but they were promptly met; those
drafts and all others were paid without a moment’s demur, and
our friendly neighbours were left to mourn over their unsuccessful
attempt to equalize the currency, and to make good the loss upon
this hopeful speculation.
May 27. — Yesterday the great Conservative dinner
TaUmadge^* was &*ven to Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, United States
senator, at the saloon, Tivoli Gardens. Five or six
hundred persons, Whigs and Conservatives, were present. George
W. Bruen presided; the intended president, John L. Lawrence,
being detained in Albany. A great many toasts were drunk,
speeches and letters of excuse from great men read, and the
affair appears to have gone off with enthusiasm and good feel-
ing.78
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 61.
June 2.— There is much difference of opinion
The Message, amongst the wiseacres of the Whig party about the
message; some say it is not sufficiently explicit on
the leading measures to be adopted by those who rule the roost in
Congress. I think otherwise ; it is a plain, sensible speech. The
President says there must be a new fiscal agent, a sort of Jupiter to
help the State wagon out of the mud. Pet banks, sub-treasury
and treasury notes have been repudiated by the people, and now
he leaves the matter with their representatives, and whatever they
agree upon shall have his sanction, provided he does not deem it
unconstitutional. If this does not mean a national bank, it is diffi-
cult to say what it does mean. Mr. Tyler is a good, old-fashioned
Republican, and with his able cabinet will do all that can be done
to get things right.
I find, on referring to my journal, that on the 12th
Great storm, day of March I dined with a party at Mr. Robert B.
Mintum’s, and remember well the dreadful walk I had
from his house, pretty late that night. It snowed and rained very
hard, and the wind blew with such violence that I found it almost
impossible to navigate up Broadway; and to carry an umbrella was
out of the question. In referring to that walk, I have always said
it was the most tempestuous night to which I was ever exposed.
June 10. — The same party which dined on Tuesday at Mr.
Russell’s (excepting Mr, Kernochan) dined to-day at James G.
King’s, at Highwood, in addition to which we had Mr. Daniel
Lord, Jr., and Dr. Wilkes. Everything about this magnificent
place is in the finest order; our dinner was capital, the weather
superlatively fine, and the entertainment in all respects worthy of
the host and hostess.
June 14. — Fanny Ellsler appeared this evening at the Park
Theatre, after her long tour of triumph and profit to Havana, New
Orleans, etc. She performed in the ballet of “ Nathalie,” and danced
the Cachuca. The house was so full that it could hold no more.
She was well received and much applauded, and on being called1841*3
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
79
out after the performance made a very neat little speech in broken
English, which every one in the audience thought was worth his
dollar. I went with our lovely neighbour, Eliza Russell. Some
of the newspapers — the “ Commercial Advertiser,” “ Evening
Signal,” and “Tribune” — have, with a degree of insufferable ar-
rogance, undertaken to write down this amusement, and abuse
those who go to see it, calling them fools and idiots, and lying
abominably about the proofs of admiration bestowed upon this
graceful danseuse.	This sort of interference between men and
their consciences, and dictation as to matters of taste, has become
very common of late, and people seem determined not to submit
to it. I have no doubt that many, like myself, went to the theatre
to evince their disapprobation of this kind of impertinence.
June 15. — The House of Representatives is all in
Congress. confusion. Mr. Adams has thrown a firebrand among
the combustibles of the South, and Mr. Wise, the
most inflammable among them, blazes away, to the utter destruction
of all that is orderly and dignified in legislation. The vote by which
the twenty-first rule was rescinded, which rejected without reading
all petitions on the subject of slavery (which vote was carried
through by the pertinacity of Mr. Adams), has been rescinded, and
another vote carried, which annuls the resolution adopting the rules
of the last session; so that, after being in session a fortnight, and
the most violent proceedings having taken place, the House is
precisely in the same situation it was at the commencement of the
session, with no organization and no rules to govern their proceed-
ings. The Whigs neglect the urgent business which occasioned
the meeting of Congress at this unusual season, and imiulge in
violence and recrimination against each other, and the Loco-focos
take every occasion to “ fan the embers.” The South is arrayed
against the North. Mr. Adams brings forward “in season and out
of season ” his anti-slavery opposition; and Mr. Wise drives over
friend and foe, calling the best men of the party, with which he
pretends to act, nullifiers. He spoke yesterday six hours on this8o
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[y£tat. 61.
exciting subject, to the bitter annoyance of all the members, who
wish to get through the important business of the extra session.
He is either crazy, or has not so good an excuse for his conduct.
He apes John Randolph, without a scintillation of the genius which
gave to that talented and eccentric man so great a popularity. He
pretends to think for himself, and act as he pleases, regardless of
the opinion of his friends and of the bonds which should unite
together gentlemen who are honestly engaged in a patriotic cause,
and virtually pledged to honest measures. It would be happy for
the country, and I doubt not agreeable to their colleagues, if the
fox of Massachusetts and the wild-cat of Virginia were both tied
up in some menagerie for the remainder of the session.
July 5. — This has been celebrated as the sixty-fifth anniversary
of American Independence : the usual military parade; booths at
the park; ringing of bells; firing of guns in a regular way, and
“ Independence file firing ” (as we used to call it in the artillery)
of muskets, pistols, and crackers from the juvenile lazzaroni of the
city, to the bitter annoyance of all persons of quiet habits and sen-
sitive nerves. Added to all these, and the divers amusements at
theatres, gardens, and other public places, there was a great pro-
cession of temperance societies, with banners, water-carts, and
other diluting emblems and devices, with Benjamin F. Butler in
the midst, who was the orator of the day, and enforced, no doubt,
by his own precept and example, sound doctrines of temperance, in
all things but politics, and honesty, too, when it is not crossed by
party discipline. Another gentleman, a Mr. Brownson, delivered
an oration to another section of the teetotallers. This is all very
well, and may be made productive of good, if it be not perverted
by designing men to improper ends, or led by mistaken zealots out
of the paths of cool reason, in which case reaction may be produced
highly injurious to morality, temperance, and good order. Gov-
ernor Seward came in town to review the troops, which ceremony
I witnessed in front of the Astor House. His Excellency did us
the honour of a visit yesterday, and I called upon him just in timei84i.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
81
to “ see the review ” (as Caleb Quotem says) from the window of
his room. I dined at Blanchard’s Globe Hotel, with the State
Society of the Cincinnati. The dinner was capital, but the interest
of the occasion was lessened by the absence of the little band (only
five or six in number) of original members. Their venerable limbs
have no longer the strength to bear them to the festive hall, and
the independence they fought for must in future be celebrated
without their presence.
not being appointed postmaster of New York, has at length broken
ground in his papers of yesterday and to-day in the regular attack
upon President Tyler, his cabinet, and several of the leading Whigs
and Conservatives. There is certainly some reason to complain
of timidity and something like a time-serving policy on the part
of the cabinet who enlisted under General Harrison, and do not
find it so entirely conformable to their principles to adopt the half-
and-half Virginia policy of his successor. But it is ungenerous to
charge them with sacrificing their principles in order to retain
office. God knows they sacrifice enough in remaining where they
are, and deserve the people’s gratitude for their patriotism. What
would be the situation of the Whig party, and what would become
of the reforms, which their elevation to office gave the country a
right to hope for, if they were to resign at such a time as this ?
Every day brings us fresh cause to lament the untimely decease of
the “ good President.” It was, to be sure, the signal for all the
discordant materials of the Whig party to ferment and boil over, or,
rather, the Conservatives, for the true Whigs are all true men yet;
but the agitation is about to subside, the scum and froth will soon
settle down, and the political pot boil once more heartily and
quietly, notwithstanding the Loco-foco fire which, without the
slightest regard to the people’s welfare and the nation’s health, is
treacherously supplied to keep it in uneasy motion. In the mean
“ Courier and
Enquirer.”
Webb, after sundry mutterings of distant thunder
foretelling a storm, and suppressing with considerable
difficulty an occasional outbreak of his mortification at82
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 61.
time here comes this Colonel Webb, a soi-disant leader of the Whig
daily press, a self-created fugleman of the party, who has not been
long enough in the ranks to entitle him to command, with lan-
guage such as this to feed the flame of discord, and cause (so far
as he has influence to effect it) the pot to boil over.
July 12.-— I was elected yesterday president of the
Savingr Bank for Savings, in the place of Mr. Pintard, whose
resignation was accepted at the last monthly meeting
of the trustees. I cannot but fe£l gratified at having been elevated
by the unanimous vote of my associates to the honourable station
of president of the greatest associated institution in the United
States, — greatest in the influence which it exerts over the commu-
nity ; greatest in the amount of business which it transacts, and
by which it is drawn....into intimate contact with the people; and
greatest (I think I may from experience assert) in the good which
it has already done and all it may hereafter (with a continuance
of the blessings of Almighty God) be the means of doing.
July 19. On Saturday, Mr. and Mrs. Howland, my wife and
I, went on a visit to Mr. Thomas W. Ludlow’s, below Yonkers, —-
a drive of eight or nine miles, principally along the valley of the
Saw-Mill river; a more beautiful drive is not to be found any-
where. The trees are glorious, the lands diversified by hills and
valleys, and the whole in the highest state of cultivation. Mr.
Ludlow has lately taken possession of his new house on the bank
of the Hudson, — a cottage in the true Gothic style of architecture,
replete with every convenience and elegance, and the situation
splendid. We were kindly entertained by old Mr. Robert Morris
and his wife until Mr. and Mrs. Ludlow returned home from a
drive. We had a pleasant visit, and returned to dinner, after
which the same party, with the addition of Mr. and Mrs. William
H. Aspinwall (who were visitors, like ourselves) and the young
folks, went on another pleasant excursion up the valley to Tarry-
town and around by the river. In the course of our drive we
went to see Mr. Paulding’s magnificent house, yet unfinished, oni84i.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
83
the bank below Tarrytown. It is an immense edifice of white or
gray marble, resembling a baronial castle, or rather a Gothic mon-
astery, with towers, turrets, and trellises; minarets, mosaics, and
mouse-holes; archways, armories, and air-holes; peaked windows
and pinnacled roofs, and many other fantastics too tedious to
enumerate, the whole constituting an edifice of gigantic size, with
no room in it; great cost and little comfort, which, if I mistake
not, will one of these days be designated as “ Paulding’s folly.” But
the situation, the prospect, and the form of the grounds are all
admirable; with good taste and a great deal of money it may be
made to equal Hyde Park. As for the splendid marble house, I
would not exchange Howland’s plain, respectable, airy mansion,
embosomed in one of the most charming groves I ever saw, for a
dozen of it.
On Sunday morning we all went to the Episcopal Church, near
the landing, where the service was performed by the respectable
pastor, my old acquaintance, Dr. Creighton, who officiates alter-
nately, morning and afternoon, there and at Tarrytown. We found
a great number of our friends, residents in the neighbourhood, who
form the congregation of this pleasant little temple of the Lord,
whose kind greetings and pressing invitations gave us abundant
reason to believe that our visit in these parts might be very agree-
ably and advantageously prolonged. After a hasty dinner of cold
meats, the usual Sunday fare at Howland’s, we attended the after-
noon service in the Presbyterian Church, situated near to that in
which our morning’s devotions were performed, but less to my sat-
isfaction. Returned home to the well-regulated, cheerful, happy
place of our sojournment, ate a good supper, united in the religious-
services of the family, which are performed in a devout, unostenta-
tious manner every morning and evening, and retired to rest.
“And thus did pass away, brightly as it began,
A rural Sabbath day.”
After an early breakfast this morning, Mr. and Mrs. Aspinwall,84
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 6l.
my wife and I, drove to Dobbs’s Ferry, took the “ Kosciusko ” at
half-past eight o’clock, and in two hours we were at home. Our
visit has been exceedingly pleasant; everything at my friend How-
land’s wears the aspect of comfort, happiness, and elegant hospi-
tality. God grant that the estimable inmates may live long to enjoy
the blessings of which they are so well deserving !
July 30. — The long agony is over. The man who
Bank Veto, was elected by the Whigs to the second office in the
government, and has by the death of the good Presi-
dent been unfortunately elevated to the first, has put his veto upon
the most important measure of Whig policy. The bank bill having
been in his possession ten days was returned to the Senate yester-
day, with the President’s objections, in a message, which, in my
humble judgment, is one of the weakest and most puerile State
papers we have ever had from the Executive Department. It is
all his own; for every member of the cabinet is opposed to its prin-
ciples, and not one of them (if it were not so) would be desirous
to claim any part of the paternity of this confused, egotistical, in-
conclusive argument. It wants more talent than Mr. Tyler has
evinced in this document to “ make the worse appear the better
cause.” “ He has always been opposed to a bank,” and therefore
to sanction one would “ be to commit a crime which he would not
willingly commit to gain any earthly reward, and which would justly
subject him to the ridicule and scorn of all virtuous men.” If this
is not the quintessence of “ twaddle,” I know not what is. Why
did he accept the nomination for Vice-President, involving the
dreadful contingency which has occurred, opposed, as he says he
was, to a national bank in any form, — one of the cardinal points to
which was directed the ultimate success of the party which nomi-
nated him. Governor Tyler has, however, succeeded in making
friends of the mammon of unrighteousness. Tammany Hall was in*
ecstasies on the-receipt of the news. Mr. Walker, of Mississippi,
when that jackass Benton was making a fuss about some fellow in
the gallery of the Senate who hissed on the reading of the veto1841.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
85
message, begged his friend to withdraw his motion. “ His heart
was so full of joy and gratitude to the acting President ” for Ms
course in this business, that he could not bear to have those feel-
ings interrupted by anything of a less pleasant nature. Poor Tip-
pecanoe ! it was an evil hour that “ Tyler too ” was added to make
out the line. There was rhyme, but no reason, in it.
August 19.—Washington Irving is very ill with a bilious fever,
at his cottage at Tarry town. I regret exceedingly to hear that his
case is considered dangerous. A newspaper, giving an account of
his illness, attributed it to his excursion with me to the coal-mines
and Honesdale. It may be so; but he certainly was never better
in health and spirits than during the whole time of our pleasant
trip, and he and I separated on our arrival here, delighted with all
things we had done and seen, and with no indication that either of
us was the worse in health, spirits, or experience. As the boys say
in such cases, he will die after it, but I should say, not, by any
means, of it.
August 26. — Died, on Saturday last, at the great age of ninety-
four, Mr. Henry Brevoort. He lived all his life upon his farm, now
in Broadway, a short distance above my house, which cost him a
few hundred dollars, and is now worth to his heirs a half million.
Edward Ever August 30. — One nomination has not been acted
ett’s Nomina- upon by the Senate, and rumour says that it will be
tlon*	rejected, — that of Edward Everett, of Massachusetts,
as Minister to England. The result of this, in my judgment, is of
more consequence than President’s Tyler’s veto of the bank, the
rejection of all the great Whig measures, the dissolution of the
cabinet, and all the other mischievous consequences realized and
anticipated as the fruits of Whig inconsistency and Southern im-
practicability. If Mr. Everett’s nomination is not confirmed it will
be upon the ground that he is a Northern man, and, by the infer-
ence, an Abolitionist. And some general observation on the sub-
ject of slavery in the abstract, which was used by the gentleman
whilst Governor of Massachusetts, is now brought up to strengthen86
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 61.
the unholy cabal. This rejection cannot be accomplished except
by the votes of two or three soi-disant Whigs or Conservatives from
the slaveholding States, united with the unflinching profligate pha-
lanx of the opposition, who would reject the great apostle of the
Gentiles if he came before them (and no doubt he would) covered
with the mantle of Whig principles.
This dreadful question comes now broadly and clearly before
the American people; all extraneous matter is cast away from it,
and Edward Everett stands forth the embodiment of a principle
upon which is to be made an issue of the deepest solemnity, one
on which the union of the States and the prosperity of the country
depend. Governor Everett is acknowledged on all hands to be
perfectly qualified in every respect for the dignified appointment
to which he has been nominated. No mere party objections can
be brought to bear against him, for the opposition cannot hope or
expect by defeating him to get a man of their own; nor is it pos-
sible that any predilections in favour of Mr. Stevenson, the present
Minister, if such existed strong enough to overcome party prefer-
ence, could have any influence in this case, for that gentleman has
solicited his recall, and is waiting in London for the arrival of his
successor. The case, therefore, stands in its naked beauty or
deformity. If the nomination is rejected it will be by the union
of pseudo-Whigs with exterminating Loco-focos, to punish a
patriot and a statesman because he is in favour of the right of
petition, which it would be treason in a public man to deny, and
because he refused to exclaim with Mr. McDuffie and the other
hotspurs of the South, that slavery is a positive blessing to the land.
Perhaps it is well that this star of baleful influence should appear
now when the political horizon is enveloped in darkness, and “ the
planets shoot madly from the spheres.” Let us settle all the hash at
once. If Everett’s nomination is rejected upon the grounds above
stated, and the people of the East and the North and the North-
west submit to it, they deserve to change places with Mr. Mc-
Duffie’s troops in South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama.1841.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
87
September 6.— On my arrival in Albany I found
Second Veto, bad news from Washington. President Tyler sent in
to the House of Representatives, where the bill origi-
nated, his veto message of the act to create a fiscal corporation, a
national bank, framed, as was thought, to make it acceptable to
the fastidious palate of the accidental executive. The message is
weak and devoid of argument as the former one. He was always
opposed to a national bank, and therefore his oath and conscience
forbids him to sanction one. A very good sort of Jacksonian
argument, which, being the only one, we are bound to abide by.
Congress has done all they can, and will adjourn on Monday,
unless the measures necessary to be adopted in relation to a dis-
graceful occurrence, which I am about to have the mortification of
recording here, should render a longer session necessary.
Thursday is distinguished by another black mark in
Fracas m Con- congressional proceedings of the President's veto.
gress.
On that day a fracas occurred between two of the
hotspurs of the South, which caps the climax of vulgarity and
violence, so common of late, and which have rendered the Ameri-
can Congress little better than the National Assembly of France
during the reign of terror, when poissardes and sans-culottes con-
trolled their proceedings, and the guillotine carried their bloody
edicts into execution. In the course of a debate on the bill
making appropriations for diplomatic services, a motion being
before the House to dispense with the charge at Naples, Wise, of
Virginia, whose conduct of late has been that of an infuriated
madman, charged Stanley, of North Carolina, who is nearly as rash
and hot-headed as himself, with inconsistency, and applied to him
the gentlemanly and parliamentary epithets “ little and contempti-
ble ; ” to which Stanley, of course, replied in language equally mild
and conciliating; soon after which Wise left his seat, crossed over
to Stanley, and renewed the dispute in vituperative terms. Warm
words passed. Wise invited Stanley to follow him into the lobby,
which he declined. Wise told him he was “ beneath his contempt."88
THE DIARY OF THILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 61.
Stanley called him a liar. Wise struck him; the blow was re-
turned, and the hall of the House of Representatives was defiled
by a thumping match between two men who call themselves gen-
tlemen, and represent the chivalry of the South. The House
became a scene of confusion; the Speaker in vain attempted to
restore order. Whilst the main battle was raging, several agreeable
little codicil fights were gotten up between the friends and cham-
pions of the combatants, the principal one of which was enacted
by Colonel Butler, of Kentucky, and Mr. Arnold, of Tennessee. I
blush to acknowledge that all four of these ruffians call themselves
Whigs. Such a weight is sufficient to break down any party.
After the fight was over, Mr. Wise apologized to the House for
his conduct, which he attributed to his having received the lie
from Stanley (a pretty hard word to swallow), and offered to make
any atonement. Mr. Stanley said he had no apology to make;
they might do with him as they pleased, or he would resign, but he
gloried in having punished his assailant, and regretted that inter-
ruption prevented him from giving him all he merited. A com-
mittee was appointed to investigate the circumstances and report.
Many members were in favour of expelling Wise sur le champ,
which, in my judgment, would have been the best course, but not
that perhaps which comported best with the dignity (if any may
be left) of the House.
Mr. Wise’s conduct and deportment, during the whole of the
last and present sessions, has been unruly, arrogant, and ungentle-
manly, and if he is not crazy he has no excuse; his expulsion
would give equal satisfaction to all parties. He calls himself a
Whig, but he has done the Whig party more injury than any half-
dozen of their most violent political opponents. These men may
escape punishment, from the anxiety of the members to adjourn
and return to their families, after this painful and vexatious session;
but if I were one, I would never consent to rise until this com-
mittee reports, and the House shall have taken suitable steps to
vindicate their own characters and that of the country.1841.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
89
September 14.—The prediction of Mr. Webster is
Cabinet Resig- . _	_	.11
nations. verified. The cabinet, with the exception of Mr.
Webster and Mr. Granger, sent in their resignations on
Saturday, which were accepted by President Tyler, and their suc-
cessors nominated to the Senate.
The select committee, of which that prince of demagogues, In-
gersoll, of Philadelphia, was chairman, reported on Saturday on
the case of Wise and Stanley, and Colonel Dawson announced to
the House that the business had been amicably settled between the
parties. The House accepted the report, which slurred over the
matter in the most approved manner; the dignity of the people’s
representatives remains insulted, and in future every well-behaved
man, whose abilities and patriotism may entitle him to take a part
in the deliberations of the House, and is ambitious of serving his
country and justifying the choice of his constituents, must do it at
the risk of being bullied, brow-beaten, and perhaps otherwise
beaten, by Mr. Wise and other Southern hotspurs.
September 15. — Edward Everett’s nomination as Minister to
England has been confirmed by the Senate by a vote of twenty-
three to nineteen; so that dark and portentous cloud is happily
removed from our distracted political horizon. There is enough to
excite angry feelings, and disturb the tranquillity of the country,
without leaving that firebrand unquenched.
September 20. — The “ New York Herald ” is now
Pressunderstood to be the champion of President Tyler; and,
if report speaks true, its correspondent in Washington
(a person named Parmely) is his confidential adviser, enjoys in
the most enlarged degree the run of the presidential kitchen, and
is favoured with copies of his messages and other public acts be-
fore they have been submitted to his cabinet ministers. For these
high privileges and distinguished favours he, of course, evinces his
gratitude, and does his share of the dirty jobs about the palace, by
abusing in the most gross and vulgar language the members of the
late cabinet; and Mr. Ewing, the late Secretary of the Treasury,90
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 6l.
having been the most prominent among the abdicators, comes in
for the largest share of this reptile’s venom. A long article is pub-
lished in the “ Herald,” filled with the grossest vituperation against
this gentleman, against whom the tongue of slander has never until
now been raised.
September 2. —The ex-Postmaster General came
Mr. Granger, to see me on Monday evening, when I was not at
home; and I called upon him yesterday, and had a long
and interesting talk with him about the unhappy state of things
which had lately existed at Washington, and the difficulties and
mortifications to which he has been subjected in the discharge of
his official duties by the faithless and wayward conduct of Mr. ac-
cidental President Tyler. To the embarrassment which this con-
duct has caused him, more than to the famous veto of the bank
bill, the resignation of the Postmaster General is to be attributed.
The most active and violent opposers of the Whig administration
have been retained in important post-offices against his most urgent
remonstrances, to serve the ulterior views of the President and to
create personal partisans out of political adversaries; by which
temporizing policy our friends have been disgusted, and their ac-
customed exertions in the “good cause ” been paralyzed and ren-
dered ineffectual, and for the sins of omission the head of the
department has received all the blame. Mr. Granger mentioned
several cases of this kind of the most flagrant nature. His repre-
sentations have been disregarded. Assurances have been given
from time to time and promises made, which have been violated
and broken with a want of good faith and the comity supposed to
exist between official characters standing in so intimate relations
with each other, for which no excuse can be found but in the utter
inability of the present Executive for the discharge of his high and
responsible duties. Among other matters, of which I have now been
for the first time made acquainted, is one in which I was concerned,
and which satisfies me that Mr. Granger has been true to me; he
informed me that on one occasion he succeeded so far in obtainingi84i.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
91
Mr. Tyler’s consent to the removal of Mr. Coddington, and my
appointment, that he was about to leave him, with directions to
send up my name, when he was called back and told that more
time was wanted to determine upon the propriety of removing an
active and violent political opponent from the important office of
postmaster of New York, and putting in his place a true and
undoubted Whig. This vacillating and time-serving policy
has broken up the party, and my friend Granger could not
remain in a place where he was exposed to contumely and de-
prived of power.
September 23.— Having received from the Presi-
Raiiroad dent an(j Directors of the New York and Erie Railroad
Excursion.
Company an invitation to attend the ceremony of the
opening of the first section of the road from Piermont, on the
North river, through the county of Rockland, to Goshen, Orange
county, I was one of four hundred and fifty guests who assembled
yesterday morning on board the steamboat “ Utica,” and started on
our excursion at eight o’clock. Such a crowd of important and
distinguished men, official and unofficial, I have seldom or never
seen collected. An accident like that of the “ Lexington ” on the
Sound, or the “ Erie ” on Lake Erie, would have vacated more
offices, broken up more establishments, and broken more hearts
than a seven-years war or a general conflagration of the city. We
had the Governor, judges of all grades, the bishop of the diocese
and other clergymen, the Mayor, Recorder and members of the
Common Council, ex-mayors, merchants, bankers, generals, dis-
tinguished men from other States, Whigs and Loco-focos, pipe-
layers and editors of newspapers; and thus huddled together, with
scarcely standing-room on the deck of the steamer, we arrived at
the company’s pier at Piermont, twenty-five miles from New York,
were stowed away as close as Loco-foco matches in a box (but hap-
pily not rendered equally combustible by attraction) into the cars
prepared for the occasion, some of which were temporary plat-
forms with seats of rough plank, calculated for one hundred persons92
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 6i.
each, and exposed to a constant shower of sparks and cinders like
those which accompany a visit to Vesuvius or JEtna, only not half
so romantic and worthy to be talked and written about. Thus
placed, and toted by two whizzing, snorting, fire-and-smoke-vomiting
locomotives, we set off under the discharge of cannon, the hurrahs
in English and Irish of the men, and the occasional waving of
handkerchiefs (when they had them) of the women, by which we
were also saluted on the whole line of the road. We went on
rather slowly, to be sure, but fast enough, perhaps, for so great a
weight on a new and untried road, and arrived at Goshen, forty-six
.miles, at two o’clock. Here the cannon were firing, bells ringing,
and such a collection of people from the adjacent country as were
probably never before assembled in the “ land of Goshen.”
September 29. —The noble steam-frigate which was
^Kamscha^l ” built in New York, on the plans and under the direc-
tion of Robert and George L. Schuyler, sailed (I must
write sailed until some other word is invented; but how can it be
called sailing when no sails are used ?) this morning. I was one
of a large party of gentlemen invited to go down in her. We as-
sembled on board a steamboat at the foot of Liberty street, at
eleven o’clock, whence we were taken to the “ Kamschatka,” lying in
the stream, and by noon the anchor was weighed and the tremen-
dous mass of timber and iron put in motion down the bay. It had
been raining in the morning, but the sun came out about this time,
and her voyage down to the Hook was very pleasant.
September 30. — Mr. Stanley, Wise’s competitor in
the disgraceful fracas which lately occurred in the
House of Representatives, although a clever man and a
good fellow, is fiery as a Loco-foco match, and as easily ignited by
hard rubbing; and so small and boyish in his appearance that
Pickens once contemptuously called him Cock-Robin, and he in
return let out a broadside of cannon-balls, bomb-shells, and chain
shot, each apparently larger than the calibre of the gun itself. It
must have been funny to hear this little man with a big heart
Congressional
Lyrics.1841.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
93
boast of the fisticuffs he inflicted upon Mr. Wise, and what he
would have done if they had not been separated. These remarks
are suggested by reading the following nursery lines, taken from a
Western paper, as a sort of heading to an account of the congres-
sional battle: —
“ Stanley, you should never let
Your angry passions rise;
Your little hands were never made
To pummel Mr. Wise.”
October 5. — The Commencement of Columbia
College^ College took place to-day, in St. George’s Church,
Beekman street. I walked in procession from the
college, and remained in the church until nearly four o’clock.
The medals were presented, the degrees conferred, and most of
the other ceremonies performed by President Duer, whose feeble
health and sickly appearance created a strong sensation of sympathy
and apprehension among his friends that he was risking too far his
impaired powers; but he got through it, and boasted that he was not
fatigued; but I am afraid there was more pride than sincerity in the
declaration. The speaking was generally very good; the valedic-
tory, especially, was a fine composition, well delivered, but too long,
and the music, a double dose. Thirty-one of the senior class
graduated, of whom the following delivered exercises: James
Emott, Jr., George W. Collord, Oliver Wolcott Gibbs, James H.
M; Knox, H. T. E. Foster, John J. Townsend, John Rankin,
Robert Le Roy, Jr., T. B. Dibblee, and Robert D. Van Voorhis.
October 16. — The following gentlemen dined with
Picnic Dinner, me: Francis March, J. T. Brigham, Charles H. Rus-
sell, M. H. Grinnell, J. de Peyster Ogden, James W.
Otis, Charles A. Davis, Charles A. Heckscher, John A. King, Robert
Tyler, son of the President. This was a picnic for wine; each gen-
tleman sent his bottle of Madeira. I decanted and numbered
them in such a way that nobody could recognize his wine but by94
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 6l.
its taste. There was a great display; it is not extravagant to say that
such another could not be made out of an equal number of other
wines. After tasting around, a vote was taken, and a bottle furnished
by Mr. Grinnell bore off the palm by all the votes except two; this
was wine formerly belonging to Mr. John B. Coles. Besides this,
our board was graced by Kirby wine, March and Benson, 1809 ;
Butler, Helicon, etc.
Ogden Hoffman, Butler King, of Georgia, Prescott Hall, and Judge
Kent were kept away by sickness or business. The latter gentle-,
man is working like a slave in his new vocation, to clear away the
accumulation of business in his court, caused by his predecessor
being less active and industrious than himself; but I fear it will be
the labour of Sisyphus, — the more work he does the more he will
make to do, for there is always burden enough for the back of the
willing horse. Judge Kent was employed in the morning in sen-
tencing one wretch to the gallows, and another to the State prison,
and I should have thought that was grave work enough for one
day; but he proceeded in the afternoon to try civil causes, and so
lost his dinner, but sent his bottle to represent him. Mr. Grinnell
brought Mr. Robert Tyler, who, by his request, I had previously in-
vited ; he is the young man who married Miss Penelope Cooper,
remarkable for nothing, that I could discover, but a very strong
resemblance to his father.
Governor Marcy said once, in the Senate of the
spoils. United States, “ To the victors belong the spoils.” This
is a maxim acted upon by the political parties in our
country, but not usually avowed so openly as in this instance. But
the Romans, in the plenitude of the power of the mighty republic,
when she was mistress of the world, when monarchs bowed at her
footstool and no nation existed except by her sufferance, had the
prettiest notion of spoils; not such as our American senator had in
his eye, which are extorted from one portion of the citizens to be
bestowed upon the other, but those acquired from foreign nations
as the fruits of victory, the price of peace, and wages of corruption.1841.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
95
This was the time of Rome’s greatest power, but not of her great-
est glory; that had departed with her Catos, her Ciceros, and her
Fabii. Honour and patriotism had been succeeded by rapine and
corruption, and the Roman name, though still feared, was no
longer honoured. The only consolation humanity derives from the
lesson is, that the very spoils which she wrung with their liberties
from tributary nations was the cause of her downfall.
October 25. — My birthday, — I am sixty-one years old; and it
does not require a record in “ black and white ” to remind me of
it. It appears to me that I am more than a year older than I was
last year on this day. How much faster we go down than up hill,
and how much less time there is to stop and gather flowers by the
way ! There are not so many flowers, either, or perhaps we cannot
see them, or want the taste to enjoy them. Stones and ruts and jolts
there are enough, and sorely do our bones feel the effects of them;
but on we go ! The downward impetus cannot be resisted, and our
best hope is that we may find a quiet, comfortable spot at the foot.
October 28. —The new church recently erected at
the corner of Tenth street and the Fifth avenue for
the congregation of the Rev. Dr. Eastburn, who were
burned out in Canal street, is a noble Gothic building, upon the
same plan, but of smaller proportions and less elaborate workman-
ship than the new Trinity Church, or rather cathedral, which is
slowly raising its massive walls, its beautiful arches, and graceful
turrets, at the head of Wall street. The exterior of the Church of
the- Ascension is of hammered stone. Trinity is of polished stone,
and the material more beautiful; but the proportions of the former
are faultless, and the interior is finished in a style of appropriate
solemnity and excellent taste. The church is so nearly finished
that notice is given of the consecration, to take place on Friday
of next week.
Mr. Franklin and I went out to the reservoir on
croton	Murray Hill, — a short drive from the city,—which I
Water-Works.	7
have not seen for more than a year. I fortunately found
Church of
the Ascension.96
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 61.
on the spot Mr. Thompson Price, the contractor, who showed and
explained to us everything about the gigantic work, which is nearly
completed; and the whole work is in such a state of forwardness that
the fourth of July next is already fixed upon for the ceremony of
letting in the water. The principal reservoir, which will contain a
surface equal to thirty acres of water, is near Yorkville, about four
miles farther from the city, from which the water is conveyed by
double rows of enormous iron pipes to this, which is called the dis-
tributing reservoir; of less extent, but of more costly workmanship.
This is divided into two equal compartments, which, together, will
contain nineteen millions of gallons. The walls are of granite, of
prodigious thickness, finely wrought on the exterior, and affording
a pleasant promenade on the top, from whence to view these two
Mediterranean seas, so well calculated to carry out the object of the
temperance teetotallers. Some idea may be formed of the whole
expense of this great work, from the fact that the contract for this
one item amounts to half a million of dollars. The Philadelphians
may boast of their Fairmount works; they are no more to be
compared to this than the Schuylkill to the Hudson. I doubt
whether there is a similar work in Europe of equal extent and
magnificence with the Croton aqueduct, — its dams, bridges, tun-
nels, and reservoirs.
would say), is increased to fever heat by the proceedings of a
meeting of citizens of that religious faith held last evening at Car-
roll Hall, at which the Catholic Bishop Hughes was the prime
mover and generalissimo, and at which he made an inflammatory
speech, urging his flock to come out at the election “ upon their
own hook,” repudiating the candidates on both sides who were
opposed to the alteration of the school system as at present con-
ducted, and presenting a new ticket, composed of those who were
supposed to be in favour of such a law as they desire. The senators
Catholic
Movement.
October 30. — The excitement in relation to the
school fund, and its distribution for the exclusive
benefit of the Catholics, per se (as President Tyleri84i.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
97
on both sides came under the ban of the Right Reverend regu-
lator, and Charles O’Connor and a Mr. Gotzberger are nominated
in their places; and a ticket for Assembly, containing the names of
ten of the Loco-focos, whom the Bishop says are favourable to his
views, and three new ones in place of that number of impracticable
heretics. This is certainly a most impudent interference with the
rights and privileges of native Americans; an unblushing attempt
to mix up religion with politics, — an unpalatable dish in this coun-
try, — but it may be the means of assuring the success of the Whigs,
particularly the Senate ticket. Good may come of evil; but evil
it undeniably is.
November 5. — The people will be amused; they
Lectures. must have some way of passing their evenings besides
poking the fire and playing with the children. The
theatre does not seem exactly the right thing; when it revives a
little and raises its head, the legitimate drama—good, honest trag-
edy, comedy, and opera — has to encounter a host of competitors
ready to administer to a vitiated public taste. The good is mixed up
with the bad; Shakespeare and Jim Crow come in equally for theh:
share of condemnation, and the stage is indiscriminately voted im-
moral, irreligious, and, what is much worse, unfashionable. But the
good folks, as well as the bad, must be amused, and at the present
time lectures are all the vogue. Regular courses have commenced
at the Mercantile Library Association, the Mechanics’ Institute, the
Lyceum, and the Historical Society, at all of which some of the
ablest and most distinguished men of this and other States have
agreed to contribute their learning and eloquence. Jared Sparks,
for the Historical Society, is engaged in a course of eight lectures
on the “Events of the American Revolution,” to which crowds so
numerous are attracted that the chapel of the New University can-
not hold them, and they have had to adjourn to the Tabernacle,
the o??tnium gatherum and hold-all of the city. Concerts, vocal
and instrumental, are also well attended. Mr. Knoop fiddles and
Braham sings to large audiences, whose $400 or $500 a night is98
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[/Etat. 61.
made as easily as a broker’s commissions; and ladies* recitations
come in for a good share of public patronage. This is all right; it
is more rational than the expensive parties for which New York
was formerly celebrated, where friendly intercourse was stifled in
a crowd of oyster-eating parasites, modest merit put. to the blush
by reckless extravagance, and good fellowship voted vulgar by
parvenu pretension; but I cannot help thinking that the theatre,
well conducted, should come in for a better share of support: its
morals will always be regulated by the countenance it receives from
the respectable part of the community. Vice naturally shrinks from
the contact with virtue. If good plays are encouraged and decent
theatres frequented by respectable people, none but such will be
presented to the public.
opened this day for their use. The facade wants three columns to
be complete, and the offices are all occupied by brokers, banks,
money-changers, and those who deal in pigeons, if not “ those who
sell doves.” The following memoranda are taken from an account
in one of the morning papers of this superb edifice, which will be
an ornament to the city, but a very bad concern for the stock-
holders, of which number I am one to the amount of $2,500. I
may say as Gomerts, the Philadelphia Jew, said to me, when I con-
gratulated him on the news of peace, u Thank you, thank you, Mr.
Hone; but I wish I had not bought them calicoes.” The ground
on which the building stands cost $750,000. The cost of the
building will be about $1,100,000, so that the whole expense will
not be much short of $2,000,000; audit is doubted whether the
revenue of all kinds, wdth all the advantages of situation and con-
tiguity to the great centre of business, will be more than sufficient
to pay the interest on the foreign debt contracted over and above
the amount of subscriptions raised from such simpletons as myself
for the erection of this costly temple of mercantile pride.
Merchants*
Exchange.
November 17. — The rotunda of the Merchants’
Exchange in Wall street, the magnificent room in which
the merchants of New York are to “ congregate,” was1841.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
99
November 23.—This nobleman came in town on
Lord Morpeth. Thursday. I called this morning, with Mr. Buchanan,
to see him, at the Astor House, and invited him to dine
with us on Saturday next. He is a plain man, ill-dressed, rather
undersized, with gray hair, which makes him look older than his
age (something under forty), with fine teeth and. good eyes. In
his manner he is, like most of his countrymen, fidgety and ill at
ease, a forced vivacity, a desperate determination to do “the
agreeable,” come what may; all of which would seem to indicate a
want of polish which intercourse with good society alone can im-
part, did we not know that in this case no such question can arise.
No individual in England can claim higher breeding from ancestral
blood, high connections, finished education, and dignified employ-
ment. He is evidently what is called in his country “ a clever
man.” He talks much and well, forms no ridiculous pretensions
upon his rank, and is delighted with everything he has as yet met
with in this country.
November 25. — I was at a dinner given by Mr. Buchanan, the
British Consul, to Lord Morpeth. The party consisted of the host
and his two sons, Lord Morpeth, Chancellor Kent, Mr. Morris, the
Mayor; Mr. Fanshaw, Dr. Wainwright, Mr. Thomas W. Moore,
Mr. Jephson, Col. Nelson, a West Indian; Judge Oakley, Judge
Betts, Mr. Curtis, the Collector, and myself. It was a pleasant,
cheerful dinner. His lordship improves upon acquaintance.
Chancellor Kent was very agreeable, and the judges gave good
opinions. I advised his lordship to accept an invitation he has
received from the corporation to the Joinville dinner on Saturday,
and agreed to postpone mine until Wednesday of next week.
mainly to be attributed to the party warfare which terminated in
the destruction of the Bank of the United States. This frightful
exhibit relates only to the fall in the value of certain stocks here
Record of
Ruin.
The following statement is copied from an article
in the “American,” the object of which is to prove
that the ruinous depreciation of personal property isIOO
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 61.
in New York; it is even worse in some of the other States, in which
banks are broken, the solemn obligations of the State repudiated,
and the mass of the people standing ready to avail themselves of
the new bankrupt law as soon as it goes into operation. And yet
the prostituted press of the party which is about to resume its
ascendency has the impudence to tell the people that the country
is as prosperous as ever. “ To convey some idea of the immense
amount of money sunk in stocks within the last three years, we
give below a list of the prices that a small portion only of those
bought and sold at our stock-board alone, within that period, have
ruled at, and their prices at the present day. The difference, in
many instances, seems incredible; but unfortunately it is true.”
United States Bank .
Vicksburg Bank
Kentucky Bank
North American Trust
Farmers, Trust
American Trust
Illinois State Bank .
Morris Canal Bank .
Mohawk Railroad .
Paterson Railroad .
Harlem Railroad
Stonington Railroad
Canton Company .
Long Island Railroad
Prices within ’	Present
three years past.	prices.
122^	4
. 89	3
92	56
95	3
• 113	3°
. 120	nothing
80	35
75	nothing
. 76	63
75	53
74	18
70	23
54	23
. 60	52
November 27. —The great affair given in honour of
Ban M°tt S the French Prince de Joinville, by Dr. and Mrs. Mott,
at their elegant house in Bleecker street, formerly the
residence of Washington Coster, came off last evening, in a style
of magnificence which we have not witnessed for a long time. Cut-I^4I0
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
IOI
ting of limbs has been a better business of late than trade, and the
doctor, having been absent in Europe during the dark days of New
York, has had no temptation to invest his money in stocks which
have become worthless; “ tant mieux pour /ui” I rejoice in the
worthy doctor’s ability to honour his royal guest, and do credit to
our city in a manner equally worthy of himself and the occasion.
My wife and daughters and myself were invited, but I alone repre-
sented the family. I called and took Mr. Hughes to this “ Doc-
tor’s mob,” for such, in fact, it was. The house is curiously
constructed, with a great number of small rooms, but none large
enough to accommodate such a great crowd; and the fine women
and lovely girls, dressed in a style of taste and splendour for which
they are remarkable, were squeezed in comers by fat men in black,
and boys with long beards which the bloodthirsty Venetian Jew
might have envied in his day. And as for dancing, one cotillon
was all that could find room, and that only the one in which the
Prince and his happy partner were exhibited from time to time to
the admiring multitude who gazed upon him, the tall ones over
the heads of the short ones, and the short ones under the arms of
the long ones. I came away before supper, which I am told
was in equal splendour with the rest of the entertainment. It was
a superb, hot-pressed edition of New York’s “good society,” ele-
gantly bound, with gilt edges and rich illustrations. Lord Morpeth
divided the notice of the company with the distinguished guest
of the evening. His society and conversation were much courted.
select, including none of the vulgar hangers-on of the corporation,
who are apt to creep in and ungentlemanize the company on
these occasions. The company, about two hundred in number,
consisted, besides “ their honours,” of the prince and officers of
the Belle-Poule and Cassarde; the French committee; officers
of the Army and Navy of the United States; militia officers of the
Civic Feast to
the Prince.
The Corporation of New York gave a grand dinner
this day to the Prince de Joinville, at the Astor
House. The company, for so large a one, was very102
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 61.
rank of general; members and ex-members of Congress; chan-
cellors and judges; ex-mayors, which dignified corps was confined
to C. W. Lawrence, Aaron Clarke, and myself; Lord Morpeth;
Colonel Clive and Colonel Percival; Mr. Bacourt, French minister;
Christopher Hughes, charge d'affaires at Stockholm; Francis
Granger, postmaster-general, out of place; Bishop Onderdonk;
Dr. Knox and Rev. Mr. Yerrin; and a fair representation of the
respectable gentlemen of the city, Whigs as well as Loco-focos.
The Mayor, of course, presided, with Aldermen Bennett and
Shaler as vice-presidents; there was good material in the company,
but the president had not the tact to bring it out, until after the
French guests retired, which was soon after the regular toasts were
done, when affairs took a livelier turn, and the usual amount of
speech-making and toastifying came into play. The Mayor, in his
toast, the first after the regular ones, paid a handsome compliment
to Lord Morpeth; to which he replied in a short speech, in excel-
lent taste and fine language, evidently prepared, however, and
committed to memory, and delivered in the strained, awkward,
sing-song style of elocution which characterizes most of the par-
liamentary orators. The handsome dining-room of the Astor
House was tastefully decorated with the flags of France and the
United States, and devices and inscriptions appropriate to the
two nations; and the dinner, which cost the good people of
Gotham $2,000, was gotten up in Stetson’s best style.
December i. — We had a very pleasant dinner-party, consisting
of the following gentlemen: Lord Morpeth, Henry Brevoort, Mr.
Charles H. Russell, Peter Schermerhom, Washington Irving, E. H.
Pendleton, John Duer, Dr. Wainwright, Dr. Francis, Ogden Hoff-
man, James G. King.
His lordship has been so feted and lionized at large public
dinners, and has been so thrust forward to make speeches and be
stared at, that he declared himself delighted with the ease and
sociability and repose of this little party of talented and agreeable
men. He left at ten o’clock to attend an evening party at Mr.1841.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
103
Isaac Jones’s; but some of my guests remained until half-past
eleven. Lord Morpeth grows upon us amazingly; his fine talents,
improved by education of the highest sort, and the frank urbanity
of his social intercourse, makes us overlook his awkwardness of
manner, and a half-hour’s conversation almost persuades us that
he is a handsome man.
launched, at three o’clock, from the ship-yard at the head of Cherry
street. The ceremony was delayed a fortnight to grace the anni-
versary, and she was launched into her destined element, with all
her masts standing, — a beautiful specimen of naval architecture.
At the appointed time, in fine style, Alderman Benson, the presi-
dent of the St. Nicholas Society, in full Dutch costume, with
a cocked hat and orange ribbon, performed the ceremony
of the christening, by pouring the mystical libation of Holland
schnapps over her bows. The owners of this noble vessel provided
an appropriate banquet for the members of the society, in a ware-
house from which an excellent view of the launch was obtained.
We were treated with coffee, spiced rum (known in the Dutch
nomenclature as hot stuff), nice bread and butter, Dutch cheese,
herrings, doughnuts, New Year’s cookies, crullers, mince pies, and
waffles. The ship bears on her bow a full-length figure of the
patron saint, in full canonicals, and her stem is ornamented with
a representation of the same worthy in his better-remembered
capacity of the friend and benefactor of our early days. He is
represented here entering a chimney loaded with his annual gifts
for “ good children,” which he is supposed to have brought from
Holland, via his aerial railroad, in less time than is required in
these boasted times of rapid locomotion to get up the steam of the
“ Great Western; ” and in another portion of the same carving we
see the kind-hearted saint filling the stockings with his far-fetched
treasures, the thoughts of which are preventing the slumbers or
Launch of
the “ St.
Nicholas.’*
December 6. — This being the anniversary of the
tutelar saint of the New Netherlands, the new ship
built for a Havre packet, which bears his name, was104
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 61.
employing the dreams of their expectant recipients. The latter
scene is copied from Weir’s admirable picture on this subject.
The marble statue of Washington, executed in Italy,
statue°Ugh S ky the American artist Greenough, was placed in the
rotunda of the Capitol at Washington on the first
instant. It is pretty severely criticised by some of the newspaper
correspondents, one of whom goes so far as to condemn it as
another of the caricatures which disgrace that spacious apartment;
but these folks are so much in the habit of furnishing lies to their
employers about living subjects, that they cannot tell the truth
when marble is to be treated of.
December 14.—Bills of indictment have been found
Mr. Biddle, by a grand jury of Philadelphia against “ Nicholas
Biddle, Samuel Jaudon, John Andrews, and others to the
jury unknown,” for robbery, cheating, swindling, and all the other
crimes, true and technical, known to the criminal law, and described
in its exuberant phraseology. “ How are the mighty fallen ! ” The
great financier, the golden calf of Chestnut and Wall streets, at
whose approach the well-brushed hat of the cosey millionnaire, or
the business-like cap of the money-broker, instinctively came down
from its empty eminence, and the pliant knee could with difficulty
restrain its idolatrous genuflection, the “ monster” of General Jack-
son’s imagination, and the very “ Old Nick ” in the path of Loco-
foco politicians,— “ fallen, fallen, from his high estate,” now “ none
so poor to do him reverence.” Indicted for high crimes and vul-
gar misdemeanors by a secret conclave of greasy householders,
who, a few short months ago, reflected back the complacent smile
from his good-natured visage as he ascended the marble steps of
the classical temple of Mammon, of which himself was the high-
priest, and, marking the animated step and comfortable rotundity,
wondered and exclaimed with the jealous Cassius : —
u Now, in the names of all the gods at once,
Upon what meat does this our Caesar feed,
That he has grown so great? ”1841.]	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	105
But these worthy men, influenced, no doubt, by a zeal for
justice and a regard for the public morals, had each of them a
sharper prompter to those holy impulses stowed away in his little
morocco pocket-book in the shape of an unredeemed five-dollar
note, or had been compelled to write off in his stock account a re-
luctant line on the dark side of the profit and loss account, where
first his jocund pen had caused a ray of light to play around the
consolatory word dividend'
December 15. — I attended the sale of Commodore Chauncey’s
wine, at the City Hotel, to-day. The fine old sherry of 1786 and
1789 brought four to four and a half dollars per bottle, much less
than I expected; but I doubt if it is the wine which we used to
extol so highly. He had several kinds, all good; but the great wine,
probably, is all gone the way of all wine. I felt melancholy when
reminded, by seeing this wine under the auctioneer’s hammer, of
the delightful days when this liquor was an adjunct of the hospi-
tality and good cheer of which I have so often partaken at the
table of the noble old commodore. Peace to his ashes, and
revered be his memory ! The race is dwindling away; when will
my turn come?
December 20. — President Tyler’s plan of a ma-
Fiscai Agent, chine to go without wheels, a mill without water, a
steam-engine without fuel, a sort of bank and no bank,
has been received and referred in the Senate to the standing com-
mittee of ways and means, of which Evans is chairman; and in the
House of Representatives to the special committee, of which Cush-
ing is chairman. The Whigs, who have yet respectable majorities
in both Houses, seem disposed, now that their own schemes to
regulate the currency and provide the means to carry on the
government have been defeated by the President, to give those
. he offers a fair chance, and will do nothing under the influence of
party-spirit to obstruct the administration of public affairs. At
present, things at Washington are calm and quiet.
December 21. — I came out last evening in a character which I106	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	[^Etat. 61.
had laid aside for a long time : I went to two parties; first, to
one at Mrs. Hammersley’s, in the handsome new house, her share
of the Mason row, above us in Broadway, where everything was
in the finest style of elegance and good taste; and afterward to
Mrs. Charles Heckscher’s, where the party was given in honour of
the bride, Mrs. Washington Coster, late Miss Elizabeth Oakey,
where I found many agreeable people, a capital supper, and fine
wine. I was very well pleased at both places; in these cases c'est
le premier pas qui coute ; the difficulty is in saying, “ I will go,”
and going upstairs into a cold room to dress at an hour when you
ought to undress to go to bed. I went to Mrs. Hammersley’s at
ten o’clock, and found half-a-dozen ladies collected in the receiv-
ing-room ; and at eleven, when I came away, it was difficult to
make my way through the crowd.
December 23.—This society celebrated their anni-
SocLtyngland versary yesterday, by an oration at the Tabernacle,
from Professor Hadduck, of Dartmouth College, and
afterward a dinner at the Astor House. The last was remarkable
for two circumstances, — Yankee inventions,—one wise and in
good taste, the other exceedingly doubtful in both those character-
istics. The tables were graced by the presence of ladies, but
chilled by the exclusion of all beverages but water, — the “ pure
element,” as they call it. The water, it is true, was brought from
the neighbourhood of Plymouth; but the spirit of the Pilgrims
has evaporated long since, and I suspect that those on whom the
duty devolved of making speeches and singing songs would have
gotten on better if a substitute had been provided in the shape of a
glass of Stetson’s good Madeira, or the spur to intellect which is
found in a sparkling tumbler of champagne. The Pilgrims could
not boast of many such stimulants, and were compelled to drink
" water from the rock; ” but I shrewdly suspect that if from the
rock streams of champagne had issued, instead of water, it would not
have been suffered to run to waste or sink untasted into the earth.
There is a scandalous report prevailing, that after the dinner wasi84i.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
107
ended, and the company had dispersed, the bar-rooms and oyster-
cellars in the neighbourhood of the Astor House had an unusual
run of custom, and soon gave evidence that this grand temperance
jubilee was to them at least an empty boast.
I dined to-day with Prescott Hall. The party consisted of
Messrs. Curtis, Grinnell, Minturn, De Wolf, Draper, Gerard Coster,
Brigham, Dr. Sparks, etc. Several of these gentlemen were leading
men yesterday at the New England dinner. They made ample
amends to-day for their unwonted abstinence on that occasion;
their libations gave evidence of a “ foregone conclusion ” destruc-
tive to the capital wine furnished by our hospitable entertainer;
This descendant of the Pilgrims has no particular predilection for
the “ pure element.”io8
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE,
[^Etat. 62.
1842.
ANUARY 1. — If the moral, social, and political year which has
now commenced shall take its features from the earth, the
air, and the heavens this day, it will be all bright sunshine, balmy
air, and cloudless skies. Never was there a more beautiful New
Year’s Day, and never did people seem disposed to make more of
it. Broadway, from ten o’clock until the shades of evening, was
animated by pedestrians of all ranks, sexes, and ages, and by every
description of vehicle that ever was contrived as a substitute for legs.
I entered upon the spirit of the game, was fairly on the go from
noon until five o’clock, and paid many agreeable visits.
The year comes in under gloomy auspices and discouraging fore-
bodings. We are, as a community, much worse off than we were
at the commencement of the year which has just passed off forever.
And the aggregate of individual loss, embarrassment, and disappoint-
ment is most fearfully increased. Real and personal property is
diminished greatly in value, and the confidence which promotes
success in the dealings of men seems to have fled.
Here, in the city of New York, trade is stagnant. Local stocks
are lower than ever. Real estate is unsalable at any price ; rents
have fallen and are not punctually paid, and taxes have increased
most ruinously. The general government has, by a course of bad
management and corrupt measures in the last administration, and a
want of harmony and concert in the present one, been reduced to
bankruptcy; there is not enough money in the treasury to pay the
members of Congress, nor patriotism and honesty enough in the
rulers to agree upon any feasible plan to make matters better. And,
to add to this babel of enormities, several of the States are holding
meetings, to deliberate upon the propriety of repudiating State
debts. Elections have gone in favour of this damnable principle,THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
109
1842.]
and we shall stand before a jury of nations, a nation of swindlers,
not entitled to the ordinary courtesies of the civilized world, and a
by-word and a reproach; all of which, New York, Massachusetts, and
Ohio must suffer for the rascality of Mississippi, Michigan, and, I
greatly fear, Pennsylvania.
vania. Few men in this country have enjoyed, during a long life, so
good a name, or deserved it more ; he was a man of taste, learning,
and public spirit, an agreeable companion, and a gentleman, as
such things were formerly understood in this country, before it was
Jacksonized. Judge Hopkinson has been more celebrated as the
author of the national song “ Hail Columbia,” than for many more
important services rendered to the people, and higher evidences of
talents.
January 22. — We had a pleasant dinner-party of young folk,
viz., Mr. and Mrs. Delancey Kane, Miss Eliza Russell, Miss Emma
Meredith, Mr. Charles Brugiere, Genevieve Anthon, Edward Laight,
Emily Hone, Frederick Foster, Caroline Howland, and William
Schermerhom.
we had before. Among the passengers in the “ Britannia ” are Mr.
Charles Dickens and his wife. This gentleman is the celebrated
“ Boz,” whose name “ rings through the world with loud applause,”
— the fascinating writer whose fertile imagination and ready pen
conceived and sketched the immortal Pickwick, his prince of
valets, and his body-guard of choice cronies; who has made us
laugh with “Mantilini,” and cry with poor “little Nell;” caused us
to shrink with horror from the effects of lynch law, as administered
by the misguided Lord George Gordon, and to listen with unmiti-
gated delight to the ticking of “ Master Humphrey’s Clock.” The
Death of Judge
Hopkinson.
January 17. — Died in Philadelphia, on Saturday, in
the seventy-third year of his age, Francis L. Hopkinson,
Judge of the U. S. Circuit Court for the State of Pennsyl-
Arrival of
Charles
Dickens.
January 24. — The steamer “ Britannia ” arrived in
Boston on Saturday evening, having left Liverpool on
the 4th inst. She brings news thirty days later thanno
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JEtat. 62.
visit of this popular writer has been heralded in advance. He was
expected by this packet, and I signed, three or four days ago, with
a number of other persons, a letter to be presented to him on his
arrival in this city, giving him a hearty welcome and inviting him
to a public dinner, which, from the spirit which appears to prevail
on the subject, will be no common affair.
The news by this arrival is of a more sunny nature than we have
been accustomed to of late. The language of the quotations from
the public papers is more conciliatory, and there seems to be a
greater disposition to shake hands than to crack crowns. Every
favourable symptom on this side of the water is made the most of.
The temperate tone of President Tyler’s message has contributed
to produce this effect, and Lord Morpeth’s reception, and the
attentions he has received in this and other cities of the United
States, have not been without their influence upon public opinion.
But the best evidence of a return of good feelings, and a sincere
desire on the part of the British government to adjust the un-
pleasant difficulties between the two countries, is the appointment
of Lord Ashburton on a special mission to the United States
(which appointment he has accepted) to settle, if possible, the
points in dispute. This is an unusual piece of condescension on
the part of our haughty elder sister. It will make Brother Jona-
than feel his importance, and the devil is in it if it does not put
him in a good humour. Besides the gracious nature of the act
itself, the choice of the messenger of peace may be considered
highly complimentary. Lord Ashburton is better known as Mr.
Alexander Baring, head of the great mercantile house of Baring
Brothers & Co., closely identified with American commerce, and
long known as the bankers of the American government; and it
would be strange if he had not some predilections in favour^of a
country whose blood runs in the veins of his children, Lady Ash-
burton being an American lady, the daughter of Mr. Bingham, of
Philadelphia.
Happy will it prove for us that Mr. Webster has remained in1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
111
the office of Secretary of State when this special Minister shall
have arrived, and great will be the triumph over those who abuse
him for remaining at his post when his colleagues resigned, if he
shall prove to be the happy instrument in settling the painful diffi-
culties between the two countries in an honourable manner, and
averting a war so little desired by either. Let these two men get
fairly together at Washington, and, if the sores are not speedily
healed, they may be pronounced incurable.
January 25. — Isaac Iselin, formerly of the house of Le Roy,
Bayard, & Co., and more recently connected with that of De Rham
& Moore, died on the 10th of December, at his residence in Basle,
Switzerland, in the fifty-eighth year of his age. I visited Mr.
Iselin, at Basle, in the year 1821. He was a banker, deal-
ing largely through Paris in exchange and stocks, and lived in
the dull, aristocratic style of the dullest and most aristocratic
city of Europe.
The House of Representatives presents every day a
Congress. scene of violence, personal abuse, and vulgar crimina-
tion, almost as bad as those which disgraced the
National Assembly of France in the early stages of the “ Reign of
Terror.” Mr. Adams, with the most provoking pertinacity, con-
tinues to present petitions intended to irritate the Southern mem-
bers, and by language and manner equally calculated to disgust his
friends and exasperate his enemies, and does something every day
to alienate the respect which all are disposed to render to his con-
summate learning and admirable talents. To those outbreaks of
ill-temper Wise replies in language which the veriest demagogue
of a porter house would blush to use to his vulgar associates.
Among other insane movements of the ex-President, he has pre-
sented a petition praying for a repeal of the Union, because the
petitioners are deprived of the privilege of agitating the terrible
question of slavery; and their right to bring forward a proposition
so monstrous, and his to be their organ of communication with the
Congress of the nation, is enforced with the indomitable obstinacy112
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[yEtat. 62.
which marks all his conduct of late. Wise calls him “ black-
hearted traitor; ” and Adams, in return, pours out the vials of his
wrath upon the fractious Virginian. Happy would it be for the
country if these two firebrands were expelled from the House !
Indeed, a motion has been made to expel Mr. Adams for subordi-
nation of treason in the presentation of the obnoxious petition
above mentioned; and in the present temper of the members, it
will require all the reverence which is felt for his age, his talents,
and the exalted office which he formerly bore, to save him from
that or some other signal mark of disgrace. In the course of this
unprofitable debate Mr. Gilmor made a happy application of a
well-known couplet to Mr. Adams, who expressed his regret at
seeing that gentleman play the second fiddle to Mr. Wise. Mr.
Gilmor said he played second fiddle to no man; all he wished to
do was to stop the music of a man
M Who, in the space of one revolving moon,
Was statesman, fiddler, poet, and buffoon.,,
While scenes are represented in one part of the great chamber
in which “ the collected wisdom of the nation ” is presumed to be
assembled, in another, one of this kind is enacted : “ Mr. Dawson,
of Louisiana (who, by the bye, always goes armed), deliberately
took his seat by Mr. Arnold, and, after applying to him a number
of most violent and abusive epithets, told him that if he rose from
his seat he would cut his throat, at the same time significantly
pointing to the bowie-knife he carried in his bosom.” How long
will it be before the people of this abused country will begin to
look with favour on the sad alternative of a master ? If we had
a Julius Caesar at the head of his victorious legions, now would be
the time for him to march to the Capitol. .	. .We are a
factious people and a conceited people; but we are also a calcu-
lating people, and have sense enough to know that in such a dan-
gerous experiment the chances are fearfully against us.1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
113
Reception of
“Boz.”
January 27.— In addition to the dinner which it
is intended to give Mr. Dickens on his arrival at New
York, a grand ball is to be gotten up for him and his
lady, at the Park, where it is proposed to have tableaux vivants
and other devices illustrating some of the prominent scenes in his
admirable stories. For this object a meeting was held last even-
ing at the Astor House, which was attended by fifty or sixty very
respectable gentlemen.
The Mayor presided, and a letter, of which I was selected to be
the author, was agreed upon, signed by all present, and intrusted
to David C. Colden to be delivered by him in person to Mr. Dick-
ens, in Boston, inviting him to the ftte, and requesting him to
name the day on which it shall take place. This is all well, but
there is danger of overdoing the matter and making our well-
meant hospitalities oppressive to the recipient. We are a people
of impulse; when we get fairly mounted upon the back of a lion,
we are apt to drive with might and mane, until the “ royal beast ”
is fain to escape from the menagerie.
January 31. — Another sign has been exhibited
in the House of Representatives; another movement
toward the accomplishment of my recent melan-
choly prediction. That indomitable, pugnacious, wonderful man
of knowledge, without tact, John Quincy Adams, has. presented a
petition from some people in Haverhill, Mass., praying for a
separation of the Union, as the only means of obtaining the right
of petition, the maintenance of which they consider of more im-
portance than the union of the States. A monstrous doctrine, the
very whispering of which has a sound as of thunder, more awful
than that of foreign war l But, after all, it is precisely the same
threat, founded on better ground, as that made by the Southern
anti-tariff nullifiers; but now that the brat is born of Northern
parents, these patriotic hotspurs are horrified beyond all example;
their indignation knows no bounds. “ Treason ! ” “ Expulsion ! ”
“ The guillotine ! ” resound from the whole slaveholding part of the
Signs of the
Times.114	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	[AEtat. 62.
House, both Whig and Tory. Wise vomits fire like the Dragon of
Wantley. Gilmor and Marshall seem ready, like Curtius, to spring
into the gulf to save the Constitution, when such parts of it as
happen to suit them are thought to be in danger; and all the little
dogs — Tray, Blanche, and Sweetheart—join in the cry, and snap at
the heels of the sturdy mastiff of Massachusetts, who growls on and
guards with pertinacious obstinacy all approaches to his kennel.
A motion to censure the ex-President is now before the House,
with amendments more or less violent, which he combats inch by
inch, and which probably, after consuming the time of the House
(which the people pay for) a week or so, and increasing the flames
of discord, which may be seen issuing from every crevice in the
political volcano, will end in smoke and the foreboding sound of
internal thunders.
February i. — I went to two Boz meetings last evening; one
at the Carlton House, of the dinnerites, at which Chief Justice
Jones presided. A committee of arrangements was appointed and
the officers of the dinner selected. They consist of Washington
Irving, John Duer, John A. King, Judge Betts, and myself, and we
are to determine on the presiding officer and the names of the vice-
presidents. The other was a meeting of the ballites, at the Astor
House, the Mayor in the chair. A long report from the com-
mittee was adopted. This affair is in a forward state, and promises
to eclipse the Lafayette ball at Castle Garden.
February 3. — Dined with Mr. George Curtis, Washington place :
a pleasant party, good dinner, and fine wines; after which I joined
the girls at a party at Mrs. Archibald Grade’s, Waverly place.
February 9. — After I came from the committee
Mrs.Rays jast evenjng^ j Went t0 Mrs> Ray>s fancy ball, by
special favour, as nobody. It was a beautiful affair.
The house and furniture and everything thereunto appertaining
is new and splendid, — the greatest thing, by common consent,
in the city. The party consisted of about ninety, all (with two
or three exceptions) in fancy characters, some of which were mag-%
1
1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
115
nificent and others highly characteristic. The scene was ex-
tremely brilliant.
The vote of censure in the House of Representatives,
Mr. Adams
Acquitted. which has caused so great an excitement, was laid on
the table on Monday, by a vote of one hundred and six
to ninety-three. This is a triumph for the pertinacious ex-Presi-
dent, who, it is to be feared, will be encouraged by it to keep the
floor, to the exclusion of all other business but the presenting peti-
tions, for the remainder of the session. The Southern men are so
exasperated at their failure in the attempt to punish Mr. Adams for
presenting a petition praying for a dissolution of the Union (a
proposition, horrible though it may be, yet one which these South-
ern men have regarded with no small share of favour themselves),
that some of them are unwilling to work in the same team with
him. Messrs. Gilmor, Hunter, Rhett, Profht, and W. Cost John-
son, members of the important committee on foreign affairs, have
been excused from serving on that committee, because, as they say,
they “ are unwilling to work with a chairman who has shown him-
self an unsafe repositary of the public trust, and who has not the
confidence of the members of the committee.’* All this the old
hero takes very coolly, and moves for the appointment by the
Speaker of members to fill the vacancies.
Washington Irving is nominated Minister to Spain,
and will be, or has been by this, confirmed by the
Senate. In many respects this is a good appointment.
’Mr. Irving has spent some time in Spain, and some of his best
works were written in that country, from materials collected on the
spot. The appointment, he says, was altogether unexpected by
him; but I have no doubt, from his manner of speaking of it, that
he is pleased, and will accept it. The place has been vacant since
the return of Major Eaton.
February 14. — This impudent disturber of the
Sentence3 public peace, whose infamous paper, the “ Herald,”
is more scurrilous, and of course more generally read,
Minister
to Spain.ii6
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[yEtat. 62.
than any other, has been tried in the Court of Oyer and Terminer,
and convicted on two indictments for a libel on the Judges Noah
and Lynch, of the Court of Sessions; he was sentenced this morn-
ing to pay a fine of $250 on one, and $100 on the other. This will
do him more good than harm; he will make money by it; the viti-
ated appetite for slander which pervades the mass of the people
will be whetted by the notoriety which this trial will give him, for
dearly do people love the scandal of which themselves are not the
subject! The court consisted of Hon. William Kent, president,
and two Loco-foco aldermen, Purdy and Lee; the two latter “ birds
of a feather” overruled the judge in making up the sentence, of
which he took care to inform Bennett in the address which he
made to him in announcing it, telling him plainly that if he had had
his way he would have sent him to the penitentiary, and intimating
that whenever he gets a chance he may expect it at his hands, on
the commission of another such offence.
was closely identified in my memory with many pleasant trout din-
ners and card-parties at his plain Dutch house, situated on the
brow of a hill, at the foot of which was his fish-pond, surrounded
by a £>eautiful forest of dark-green pine-trees, whose tall, spiral tops
seemed to bow into the clouds. This was formerly a favourite resort
of Governor Clinton, whose moments of ease and hilarity I have
often shared. Many a joke of his have I enjoyed, when he laid
aside his state to be a boy once more, and many a good dinner
have I helped him to eat in the old Dutchman’s house. Here, too,
have I enjoyed pleasant intercourse with Mr. Otis, Mr. Van Buren,
Colonel Drayton, Louis McLane, Governor Lewis, and many other
distinguished men; listened to the charming notes of poor Dom
Lynch, and enjoyed the enjoyment of my brother John. Old Bar-
hyte would permit us to use his house and eat his trout as a special
favour, and charge us double price far everything, with a fair under-
Death of
Mr. Barhyte.
Old Mr. Barhyte died, one day last week, at his farm
near Saratoga Springs, where he lived so long that “ the
memory of man runneth not to the contrary.” Hei842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
ii 7
standing, fairly expressed by him, that if we did not like it we need
not come again. His civility was extended rather sparingly, and
only to those to whom he had a liking, of which number I was
always one. Presidents and governors, judges and generals, all
fared alike. He sold his trout, his cool drink, and his pleasant seat
on the piazza, only to those who fou^d favour in his eyes, and as for
the rest, “ they might go whistle.”
February 15. — “Th^ agony is over; ” the “Boz”
Bail B°Z ball, the greatest affair in modern times, the tallest com-
pliment ever paid to a little man, the fullest libation ever
poured upon the altar of the muses, came off last evening in fine
style; everything answered the public expectation, and no untoward
circumstances occurred to make anybody sorry he went.
The theatre was prepared for the occasion with great splendour
and taste. The whole area of the stage and pit was flpored over,
and formed an immense saloon. The decorations and ornaments
were all “ Pickwickian.” Shields with scenes painted from several
stories of Dickens, the titles of his works on others surrounded with
wreaths, the dome formed of flags, and the side walls in fresco,
representing the panels of an ancient oaken hall. A small stage was
erected at the extreme end, opposite the main entrance, before
which a curtain was suspended, exhibiting the portly proportions
of the immortal Pickwick, his prince of valets, and his body-guard
of choice cronies. This curtain was raised in the intervals between
the cotillons and waltzes, to disclose a stage on which were ex-
hibited a series of tableaux vivants, forming groups of the characters
in the most striking incidents of “ Pickwick,” “ Nicholas Nickleby,”
“ Oliver Twist,” “The Old Curiosity Shop,” “ Barnaby Rudge,”
etc. The company began to assemble at half-past seven o’clock,
and at nine, when the committee introduced Mr. and Mrs. Dickens,
the crowd was immense; a little upward of two thousand tickets were
handed in at the door, and, with the members of the committees and
their parties who came in by back ways, the assembled multitude
numbered about two thousand five hundred. Everybody was there,118
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[Hltat. 62.
and every lady was dressed well and in good taste, and decorum and
good order were preserved during the whole evening. Refreshments
were provided in the saloons on the several floors, and in the green
room, which was kept for the members of the committees and their
families. This branch of the business was farmed out to Downing,
the great man of oysters, who received $2,200. On the arrival of
the “ observed of all observers ” a lane was opened through the
crowd, through which he and his lady were marched to the upper
end, where the committee of reception were stationed. Here I, as
chairman of that committee, received him, and made a short speech,
after which they joined in the dancing.
The author of the “ Pickwick Papers ” is a small, bright-eyed,
intelligent-looking young fellow, thirty years of age, somewhat of a
dandy in his dress, with “ rings and things and fine array,” brisk in
his manner, and of a lively conversation. If he does not get his
little head turned by all this, I shall wonder at it. Mrs. Dickens is
a little, fat, English-looking woman, of an agreeable countenance,
and, I should think, “ a nice person.”
February 16. — Charles Aug. Davis invited a number of us yes-
terday to meet Dickens at dinner; but, lo and behold ! an apology
was received from him, stating that he was confined to his room by
a sore throat, and was inhibited by the doctor from going out. Two
very good-humoured notes were received from him, and so we had to
perform the tragedy of “ Hamlet,” the part of Hamlet omitted; but
we made a good thing of it, notwithstanding the hiatus in our ranks.
The'major and his charming wife were agreeable, as usual, and if any
party could get along without missing Mr. Boz it would be one formed
of such materials as the following: Mr. John Duer, Judge William
Kent, Samuel B. Ruggles, F. G. Halleck, Dr. De Kay, J. Prescott Hall,
William B. Astor, Washington Irving, John A. King, Gulian C. Ver-
planck, Judge Betts, David S. Kennedy, Henry Brevoort, P. Hone.
Dinner to
Dickens.
February 19. — The great dinner to Dickens was
given yesterday, at the City Hotel, and came off with
flying colours. Two hundred and thirty persons sat1842 ]	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	119
down to dinner at seven o’clock. The large room was ornamented
with two illuminated scenes from the works of “ Boz,” busts of cele-
brated persons and classical devices, all in good taste; and the
eating and drinking part of the affair was excellent. The president
was Washington Irving (I beg pardon, “ His Excellency ”). “ Non
Nobis ” was sung by Mr. Horn and his little band of vocalists, who
gave several glees during the evening. After the unintellectual
operation of eating and drinking was concluded, the president rose
and began a prepared speech, in which he broke down flat (as he
promised us beforehand he would), and concluded with this toast :
“ Charles Dickens, the literary guest of the nation.” To this the
guest made his acknowledgment in an excellent speech, delivered
with great animation, and characterized by good taste and warm
feeling.
An unusual feature in this festivity was the presence of a coterie
of charming women, who were at first stowed away in a small room
adjoining the upper part of the hall, and who, with a laudable and
irrepressible curiosity to hear me, and others equally instructive
and agreeable, at the lower end, edged by degrees into the room,
and finally got possession of the stage, behind the president, to the
discomfiture of certain pleasant old bachelors and ungallant digni-
taries, but to the great delight of us who profess to have better taste
in such matters. This flying squadron of infantry consisted of Mrs.
Davis, Mrs. Colden and Miss Wilkes, Mrs. Dickens, Miss Sedgwick,
Miss Wadsworth, the Misses Ward, Mrs. Bums, Mrs. Parish, Miss
Anna Bridgen, Mrs. McCrackan, Mrs. Brevoort, and others, all of
whom were greatly pleased, and some of whom seemed to regret
they could not take a more active part in the business of the even-
ing. This dinner, with the ball on Monday night, is a tribute to
literary talents greater than any I remember; and, if the English
people do not repay it in some shape to our eminent men, they are
no great things.
Washington, March 15. — Dickens and his wife are here. There
has not been much fuss made about him. They laugh at us in120
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[yEtat. 62.
New York for doing too much, and have gone upon the other ex-
treme. He has been invited to dine by several gentlemen to whom
he brought letters. Amongst the rest Mr. Adams invited him and
his wife to dinner on Sunday, at half-past two o’clock. (This early
hour was fixed, I suppose, to keep up the primitive beauty of New
England Republican habits.) Some clever people were invited to
meet them. They came, he in a frock-coat, and she in her bonnet.
They sat at table until four o’clock, when he said, “ Dear, it is
time for us to go home and dress for dinner.” They were engaged
to dine with Robert Greenhow at the fashionable hour of half-past
five ! A most particularly funny idea to leave the table of John
Quincy Adams to dress for a dinner at Robert Greenhow’s ! He is
to be here on Tuesday or Wednesday, and Kennedy has written to
Mr. Gilmor to take charge of him and keep him out of bad hands;
as I also have urged him to do, but I don’t think he will. He
detests humbug. Washington Irving, Ogden Hoffman, and Moses
H. Grinnell came here last evening; the former to receive his in-
structions previous to his departure for Spain, and to read up, as he
expressed himself to me, to the political state of affairs, and to the
nature of his official duties. He is a charming good fellow, a
feather in the literary cap of his country.
Mr. Granger gave us a grand dinner to-day at Gadsby’s. I did
not think it possible to get up anything so genteel in this house.
The service was beautiful, the dinner excellent, the attendance un-
exceptionable, and the guests of the highest grade. The party
consisted of Mr. and Miss Granger, Mr. Webster, Washington
Irving; Legar£, Attorney-General; Martini, Dutch Charge ; Rives;
Bodisco, Russian Minister; Mr. and two Misses Hone, Fletcher
Webster; Lerruys, Belgian Charge; Barnard,Van Rensselaer, Grin-
nell, Gouvemeur Wilkins, and Nordin, Swedish Charge.
Mr. Webster was in his happiest mood; I had a nice talk with
him. He is seriously impressed with the melancholy situation of
the domestic affairs of the country; not entirely free from solicitude
about his own position, but full of hope regarding the issue of thei842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
121
vexed questions between us and Great Britain. They will be settled
before September, he said to me, with a solemnity of manner and
emphasis of expression, with the volcanic fire flashing from out of
the caverns of his dark eyelashes, which struck to my soul and
which I never can forget. “ They will be settled if they will give
me a fair chance ! ” And I believe it! All I fear is that the people
do not deserve such a man as Daniel Webster, and that Justice
rather than Mercy will be awarded to us.
We went this morning to Mrs. Webster’s drawing-room, Tuesday
being her day for receiving company. It is a good arrangement;
it makes one of those pleasant places of resort for ladies and gen-
tlemen which serves to take off the rough edge of party violence
and Republican vulgarity. From Mrs. Webster’s we went to call
upon Mrs. Madison, who was not at home. She is a young lady
of fourscore years and upward, goes to parties and receives com-
pany like the “ Queen of this new world.”
This has been a day of great business. After our
president’s dinner-party broke up, we went to the President’s
levee,— the last of the season, and the crowd was great.
The east room, which is one of the most splendid I ever saw, was
a complete jam; but, considering the facility of access, the sort of
people who do the honours and those who receive them, the com-
pany was highly respectable; the first people in the land were
there, and the women were well dressed. I witnessed no gauch-
eries, no vulgarity, and I doubt if any society in any country so
. organized could have turned out so decorous and respectable an
assemblage. As for the host and his immediate satellites, they
seemed to be in the situation of King George’s apple in the dump-
ling, — wondering how the devil they got there. It struck me that
a majority of all the men over the age of thirty were more fit to be
President than Mr. Tyler. He walked from one magnificent
apartment to another, holding a little child by each hand, to show,
I suppose, how amiable he was, how simple in his habits, how
affectionate in his feelings. Shades of Washington, Adams, Madi-122
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[Hitat. 62.
son, Monroe, do turn aside your heads from such an exhibition !
Even the hickory face of Jackson would smile, and the courtly
nose of Van Buren turn up, at such an absence of dignity.
Dickens was at the levee, and Washington Irving, and, as far as
I could judge, Irving out-bozzed “ Boz.” He collected a crowd
around him; the men pressed on to shake his hand, and the
women to touch the hem of his garment. Somebody told me that
they saw a woman put on his hat,‘in order, as she told her com-
panions, that she might have it to say that she had worn Washing-
ton Irving’s hat. All this was “ fun to them,” as the frogs said,
but “death” to poor Irving, who has no relish for this sort of
glorification, and has less tact than any man living to get along
with it decently. I was, however, rejoiced to see it; it showed
that the refreshing dew of popular favour could be shed upon the
indigenous, as well as the exotic, plants of literary talents.
March 24. — I passed the morning in walking through the
streets of Philadelphia. Notwithstanding the dreadful times they
have experienced, many new buildings are going up; the shops
exhibit their accustomed display of costly merchandise. The
markets are well supplied with provisions, and there seems to be
no lack of customers. The marble fronts of the houses in the
fashionable streets are kept bright and clean, as usual, and the
noble portico of the Bank of the United States looks down proudly
as ever upon the ruin which the institution has occasioned. Such
of the banks as are not hopelessly crippled have resumed the pay-
ment of specie, and the Philadelphians clap their wings and crow
at the triumph of exchange on New York being a quarter per
cent, below par. But the merchants are suffering. There is no
business, and the Western exchanges are worse than ever.
At Home, March 25.—We left Philadelphia at nine o’clock
this morning, and got home at three. Washington Irving joined
us on starting, and made a very pleasant addition to our little
party. He is more gay and cheerful than he is wont to be, and
talks a great deal, enlivening his conversation with stories of old1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
123
times, literary reminiscences, and pretty fair jokes. He is evidently
much gratified with his unexpected elevation to diplomatic dignity,
and is making his preparations to sail for England on his way to
Spain, in the packet of the 7th of April.
April 4. — The anniversary of the death of William Henry
Harrison, the good President. The flags are suspended at half-
mast from the Whig public-houses and some other conspicuous
places; and well may they be ! The bells should be tolled, and if
the people were to put on sackcloth and ashes such manifestations
of grief would not transcend the cause. The decease of the good
old man, much to be lamented by his personal and political friends,
was to him of small importance. He had arrived at the summit
of a man’s ambition in this country, and could not have died at a
better time for himself; but how little did the American people
comprehend the extent of their bereavement! One year of the rule
of imbecility, arrogance, and prejudice has taught them the folly
of selecting for Vice-President a man of whose fitness for the office
of President they had no reasonable assurance. The “ New York
Herald,” which is said to be high in favour with Mr. Tyler, and
considered a sort of semi-official, says that he is about to resign.
God grant it may be true ! but if he does, he will gain no credit for
it. He would undoubtedly serve his country more effectually by
such a step than by all the actions of his previous life, and would
for once be entitled to the gratitude of his fellow-citizens; but he
would not receive it. No credit would be given to him for a motive
so patriotic; it would rather be attributed to that sort of patriotism
which caused Hull to desert his post and surrender Detroit when
he spied out in the cloud which darkened the horizon a hostile
force approaching. But the report can have no foundation. It is
only raised to keep Bennett’s hand in, who lives by lying. John
Tyler resign ! Why, he is just weak enough to believe himself the
strongest man in the United States ! He has all the self-conceit of
him who announced in the plenitude of his arrogance that “ he
would administer the laws as he ” (not the Supreme Court) “ under-124
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[HItat. 62.
stood them; ” while at the same time he does not possess a tithe of
his force of mind and strength of intellect.
April 5. —The British ship of war, “ Warspite,” with
LordAshbur- Lor(j Ashburton, the special Minister on board, arrived
at Annapolis on Saturday, and his lordship was to de-
part immediately for Washington; so that by this time it is probable
he and Mr. Webster have gotten toe to toe, and put their heads
together, by which means it is to be hoped they may reestablish
matters on a friendly footing, and preserve their respective coun-
tries from cracked crowns and bloody noses. The sending out on
this mission so distinguished a man, nay, the sending a special
Minister at all, ought to be considered a strong proof of the desire
on the part of the British government to preserve friendly relations,
if possible, with this country. So it is distinctly understood by Mr.
Webster, with whom the negotiations will of course be conducted,
and who assured me the other day that he had the fullest con-
fidence in being able to settle all the differences with England
before the first of September. If these two men cannot effect this
important object, none can, and then the Lord have mercy upon
John Tyler and Queen Victoria, and all their men!
April 21. — A terrible hubbub has been going on in
Rhode island, the redoubtable little State of Rhode Island for some
time past; a party of disorganizing, radical dema-
gogues, unable to accomplish their object of changing the politics
of this steady State and bringing themselves into office, by fair
means, have set about defeating the will of the people (of which,
when it suits them, they pretend to be the champions and sup-
porters) , and, having made a constitution of their own, have elected
a governor (one Mr. Dorr) and State officers; whilst the sober part
of the community, proceeding according to law and the Constitu-
tion, have reelected the present governor (King) and the State
officers as at present constituted; so the smallest State in the
Union is the only one which can boast of two governors, and the
sword of civil commotion is likely to be drawn in a quarter hitherto1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
125
distinguished for good order and obedience to the laws. The in-
cendiaries, headed by Dutee J. Pierce, and other such warriors,
many of whom are auxiliaries from other States, impelled solely by
a love of liberty and reverence for other men’s rights, swear that
the State belongs to them, and that they will govern it; whilst the
other party swear that it does not, and that they shall not, and so
they are preparing to go to blows about the matter. President
Tyler, on being applied to by the regulars, has written a letter, which
is published, in which he avows his intention, in a manly, frank
manner, to carry out the duty prescribed to him in the Constitution
of the United States, by supporting the Constitution of the State
and standing by the right, and, if more gentle means are unavail-
able, United States troops will be sent to settle the hash. What
acts of tyranny are committed now-a-days under the name of
liberty, and how the people’s will is defeated by those who profess
to be their best friends. The Rhode Island rebels, as well as the
New York Loco-focos, have no notion of heeding the voxpopuli,
when that vox fails to raise the one to power in the State, or to
secure to the other the patronage and emoluments of municipal
supremacy.
April 25. — This patriotic song, which,, like the
Hail Columbia! “ Song of the Rhine,” in Germany, and “The Mar-
seillaise Hymn,” in France, has been adopted as the
national anthem, and still continues a sort of “smoke-pipe” for
overheated patriotism, was written by the late distinguished Judge
Hopkinson, who died in Philadelphia on the 15 th of January last.
It was first sung at the theatre at the benefit of a young actor,
whom the author was desirous of serving. This was in the summer
of 1798, during John Adams’s administration, when a war with
France was supposed to be inevitable, and party-spirit raged with
grea!t violence, the American people being divided into an English
and a French party. The object of the author was (as he him-
self expresses it in a letter to the Rev. Rufus W. Griswold, now
published) “ to get up an American spirit, which should be126
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JEtat. 62.
independent of and above the interests, passions, and policy of
both belligerents, and look and feel exclusively for our own honour
and rights.” These were the famous black-cockade times, when the
wisdom and patriotism of Washington were insufficient to control
the “ madness of the people,” who, in espousing the quarrels of the
Europeans, had almost ceased to be Americans. Judge Hopkinson
was then, and continued always to be, one of that noble “ band
of brothers joined,” a true American Federalist; not of that
section of the band who have since been Jackson Federalists, or
Harrison Conservatives, but a true American Whig Federalist,
born of the Revolution, educated in the school of Washington,
Jay, and Hamilton, and acknowledging no party but his country.
April 26. — When I returned home I found that Dr. Wain-
wright had called in the course of the morning to invite me to a
family dinner, to meet Mr. William H. Prescott, of Boston, — the
accomplished author of the “ History of the Reign of Ferdinand
and Isabella,” —who had just arrived in town on a very short
visit. I joined the pleasant little party after they had dined, and
enjoyed a highly intellectual treat. The party consisted of the
doctor, Mr. Prescott, Henry Brevoort, George Griffin, John C.
Hamilton, Henry Cary, and myself. Mr. Prescott is rather a
handsome man of about six and forty, of intellectual appearance,
good manners, agreeable conversation, and much vivacity. Mr.
Prescott reminded me that we had met before, at dinner at
General Lyman’s in Boston.
April 28. — Our city was disgraced by a meeting,
Meeting17 *ast evening, at Tammany Hall, called by Alderman
Purdy, Messrs. Slamm, Vanderpoel and such persons
to approve the proceedings of the insurrectionists in Rhode Island,
who are in arms against the constitution and laws ot the State, and
to encourage them in their factious opposition to the constituted
authorities, and their contempt for the expressed opinion of
the general government. Aaron Vanderpoel (the Kinderhook
roarer, as he is familiarly called by those who have listened to1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
127
the dulcet tones of his voice in the House of Representatives),
was most appropriately chosen chairman of the meeting, and
addresses were made by Mr. Parmenter, a Rhode Island Jacobin,
and Mr. Davezac, Mr. Edmunds, and other New York patriots,
and resolutions were passed suited to the occasion. What would
these fellows have said if the people of Providence had held a
meeting to denounce the law of the last Legislature of New Work,
repealing the late salutary registry act, or that which destroyed the
beneficial influence of the public schools to propitiate the Irish
Catholics and secure their votes at the expense of the rights of
native Americans ? That would have been stigmatized as an im-
pertinent interference in other people’s affairs, whilst their meeting
last night was a generous ebullition of patriotic sympathy in favour
of the oppressed victims of official tyranny.
This powerful agent, which regulates just now the
steam.	affairs of the world; this new element, which, like the
other four, is all-potent for good and for evil, — has
not only almost annihilated distance, and overcome the obstacles
which nature seems to have interposed to locomotion, and reduced
the value of most of the articles in use for which we formerly
depended upon the labour of men’s hands, but it has become a
substitute for war, in the philosophical plan of keeping down the
superabundance of the human race, and thinning off the ex-
cessive population of which political economists have from time to
time expressed so much dread. Scarcely a day passes that we do
n'ot hear of some steamboat being blown up, and hundreds of
human beings suddenly summoned to give an account of the
“ deeds done in the body,” and hurried off, “ unanointed, un-
annealed,” to another world, for which most of them are unpre-
pared; or of a locomotive running off the railroad, and thus
bringing many to an unexpected termination of their journey.
These are some of the wholesale operations of steam; the retail
business is of comparatively no importance, and we only hear of
those cases which occur in our immediate neighbourhood; but they128
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[ALtat. 6-2.
are most deplorably frequent. One day last week a young man
jumped from the car on the Harlem railroad, to recover his hat,
which had blown off, fell on the rails, and was killed in a shocking
manner; and yesterday a fine lad, eleven years of age, son of Mr.
John Steward, Jr., an old acquaintance of mine, was killed, near
Elizabethtown, New Jersey, by a similar act of carelessness, and in
the same manner.
May 2. —The following gentlemen dined with us : Mr. William
H. Prescott, Dr. Wainwright, Mr. Brevoort, I. S. Hone, W. B.
Astor, D. C. Colden, Lieutenant-Governor Bradish, James G. King,
and Charles A. Davis. Mr. Prescott is exceedingly pleased with
the attentions he has received in New York, and in truth he de-
serves them all. He is agreeable in manners, and bright in con-
versation, free from pedantry, and modest, as we always wish to
find a man of such talents. He is engaged at present in writing a
history of Mexico, which requires about a year to be finished. His
“ Ferdinand and Isabella ” has been eminently successful, it hav-
ing passed through eight editions since it came out in 1838, and is
still a very salable book.
May 3. — To-morrow is the day appointed by the
Rhode island. Rhode Island insurgents for the organization of their
pretended government under the officers illegally
elected by what is called the “ free suffrage party.” In expecta-
tion of the violence which it is feared will attend these insurrec-
tionary proceedings, United States troops have been sent on to
Providence from the different stations; two companies went from
Governor’s Island a day or two since, and yesterday a detachment
from Norfolk passed through this city. General Wood is on the
spot prepared for business, and it is hoped that the prompt inter-
ference of the general government to “ keep the peace ” will pre-
vent bloodshed for the present; but finally it will result, as it always
does, in the “ fierce democracy ” getting the better of law and
good order. Downward, downward, is the tendency of all politi-
cal affairs in this country ! If old King George the Third, who so1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
129
reluctantly released us from colonial bondage, could raise his obsti-
nate head, and take a look at us, how would he rejoice to contem-
plate the probable failure of our experiment of self-government.
May 13.—The Union Club is now pretty well
Union ciub. settled in its new quarters, — Mr. William B. Astor’s
large house, in Broadway, higher up the street, and on
the opposite side from the former situation. The house is ex-
ceedingly well calculated for the club, or will be, after a new build-
ing is finished in the rear, intended for the public dining-room, and
kitchen below. It has been newly furnished and put in hand-
some order at an expense (including the new building) of $7,000,
—an excellent lounging place for old and young beaux, each of
whom would fain wish to be thought what the other is; where
horse-racing and politics are discussed by those who know little
about either of those abstruse sciences; where the young idea ”
is taught to shoot billiard-balls, and study the mystery of whist;
and where I frequent, notwithstanding the * satirical tone of the
present remarks. Such is the inconsistency of man’s desires I
Happy at home, I seek amusement abroad; and, preferring my
library to all other places, I join the society of men who know
nothing of books but “the history of the four kings.”
May 19. — The face of affairs has changed in Rhode
Rhode island. Island. Governor Dorr, the supernumerary governor
of that redoubtable little State, who came to New York
a lamb, and was sent on to Providence a lion, by the Tammany sym-
pathizers, drew his sword, planted his cannon, fortified his castle,
issued his proclamation, and doomed to death, without " benefit
of clergy,” every man opposed to him. But finding that his
friends fell from him, and his enemies gathered strength and cour-
age, he sheathed his Durandina, withdrew his bloody sentence, as
he did his own person, and, his cannon refusing to go off, went off
himself in the middle of the night; and when Governor King,
accompanied by the sheriff, went to arrest him yesterday morning,
he had “ absquatulated,” “ mizzled, ” “ made tracks” (either of130
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[ J£tat. 62.
which terms may be used, each being considered equally classical
in the slang nomenclature of the day, and particularly appropriate
and expressive in the present case),—
“ And Governor Dorr
Was seen no more.”
The first accounts from Providence led us to suppose that, with
the retreat of the leader, the opposition to the laws and the con-
stituted authorities had ceased; but it appears that a body of his
followers still retained possession of the cannon, and had thrown
up a sort of redoubt for their defence; but this was probably in-
tended as a means of securing a favourable capitulation, and the
steamboat to-morrow will, it is hoped, bring us the agreeable tidings
that the civil war is at an end.
Now, what a pretty figure do the men cut who encouraged the
Rhode Island rebels, and denounced the general government for
the interference to which it was enjoined by the Constitution !
Some of them begin already to back out. Stephen Allen has pub-
lished a sort of half-way disavowal. He only meant “ to advise
the President, not to interfere.” “ He did not mean to take sides
with the insurgents,” — not he, good, easy man ! “ He was engaged,
and did not attend the meeting.” Most virtuous citizen ! But he
did allow his name to be used by a set of fellows of whose compan-
ionship he was ashamed, for a purpose which he knew could come
to no good; and so he will again, whenever his tools say he must,
and so will Walter Bowne, and John J. Morgan, and Churchill C.
Cambreling, and Campbell P. White; but they have done a deed,
the bad odour of which they will never be able to shake from their
garments. If, hereafter, any of them shall go to Newport or Provi-
dence, the finger of scorn will be pointed at them, as incendiaries
who threw from a distance a brand to light the flames of civil discord
in a sister State, and put weapons in the hands of misguided men
to shed the blood of their brethren and neighbours. I record with
pleasure the fact that some of the leading men of the Loco-focoi342.]	THE DIARY- OF PHILIP HONE.	I 3 I
party refused to be made parties to this nefarious proceeding. My
old acquaintance, John Targee (whose orthodoxy nobody can
doubt), told me to-day that he refused to sign the call for the
meeting, as an affair which he did not understand, and an interfer-
ence which he could not justify; and, furthermore, if they used his
name he would come out publicly and disavow it.
May 30.—Robert C. Winthrop has resigned his seat in Con-
gress, as representative from Boston, in consequence of the illness
of his wife. This is a great loss at such a time as the present, but
one which can be repaired, as it is understood that Abbott Law-
rence, whose health is restored, will consent to resume his place
if he should be elected, of which, for the credit of Boston, there
is no doubt.
Courtesy of
Rivals.
May 31. — Ex-President Van Buren, who is on an
excursion to the South and West, accompanied by Mr*
Paulding, late Secretary of the Treasury, after having
paid his respects, as in duty bound, to his “ illustrious predecessor”
of the Hermitage, went to Lexington, Kentucky, where, as the
account states, “he was immediately called upon by Mr. Clay, with
an invitation to go to Ashland (Mr. Clay’s residence). On the
next day, in company with Mr. Paulding, he went to Ashland, in
compliance with Mr. Clay’s invitation, where he remained for a day
or two.” I wonder if they talked about Tyler.
Departure of JUNE 8.— Yesterday was quite a day of jubilee with
the “ Georg-e me. On coming down to breakfast I found a kind note
Washington.” from james G. King, to attend, with one of my lady
folk, a parting breakfast, given at Highwood, to Mr. and Mrs.
Dickens. Margaret and I went over at ten o’clock, where we found
the Boz and Bozess, Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Grade, Miss Wilkes
and the Doctor, Mr. and Mrs. Colden, Miss Ward, and the charm-
ing family of our host and hostess. We had a breakfast worthy of
the entertainers and the entertained; and such strawberries and
cream ! The house, and the grounds, and the view, and the libra-
ries, and the conservatory were all more beautiful than I have ever132
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[TCtat. 62.
seen them. Having been favoured with an invitation from Grinnell,
Minturn, & Co., the owners of the ship “ George Washington,” to
accompany Mr. and Mrs. Dickens to Sandy Hook, I left Margaret to
take Mrs. Colden and Miss Wilkes in the barouche to town, and
was driven down to Jersey City, where, by previous arrangements, a
steamboat was sent to take us on board, and we embarked with a
“ hurrah ” from the people assembled on the dock. We found on
board the steamboat a large party of gentlemen, among whom were
the owners, Rev. Dr. Wainwright, Drs. Francis, Cornell, and Wilkes;
Mr. Chapman, Mayor of Boston; Judge Warren, of New Bedford;
Mr. Crittenden, the distinguished Kentucky senator; Charles King,
D. C. Colden, Simeon Draper, James Bowen, Henry Cary, J. Pres-
cott Hall, R. M. Blatchford, and his son, and other gentlemen, —
a right pleasant merry company. We went delightfully down to
Sandy Hook, where the ship lay at anchor. t Soon after we came
on board a cold collation was spread, to which and to an infinite
number of bottles of champagne wine the utmost justice was done.
Speeches and toasts and bright sayings went around, of all which
Dickens was the most fruitful theme. I gave his health in the fol-
lowing toast: “ Charles Dickens : the welcome acquired by literary
reputation has been confirmed and justified by personal inter-
course.” At the conclusion of this jolly repast we took leave of
the passengers with many hearty shakings of the hands and good
wishes, returned to the steamer, towed the ship to the point off
Sandy Hook, and having cast her off and given three cheers, which
were returned in proper style, she went “ on her way rejoicing,”
and was soon out of sight, and the party returned to the city about
six o’clock.
I was invited to dine at Mr. Charles A. Davis’s; but my attendance
at the Bank for Savings prevented my being there at the commence-
ment of the dinner, and I thereby escaped the dull part, that is, the
eating part, of such entertainments. The dinner was given to the
great financial giants who arrived in the “ Great Western,” — Messrs.
Horsley Palmer and Sampson Ricardo; besides whom we had Mr.1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
133
Labouchere, and a gentleman whose hard German name d cannot
recollect, who represents the great house of Hope.
I was placed by Mr. Davis in the lady’s seat after she retired,
where I had an opportunity of talking a great deal with Messrs.
Palmer and Ricardo. The former gentleman is the governing spirit
of the Bank of England, which governs England; England governs
Europe, and Europe governs the world, etc.
This world was made for Horsley Palmer; his solid, portly
presence, and the bright, shining face of Mr. Ricardo, seem to be
the suitable representative and embodiment of the bank-notes and
the gold and silver of Great Britain. It is their first visit to this
country, of which they appear to have favourable predilections, not-
withstanding they have pretty considerable quantities of unpaid
coupons for interest on State loans. The rest of our party consisted
of Judge Oakley, the Collector, William B. Astor, Moses H. Grinnell,
Blatchford, Parish, John I. Palmer, James G. King, Cornelius W.
Lawrence.
June 14. — I went from court yesterday to dine with Mr. Robert
B. Min turn. It was a most delightful dinner. We had Mr. Crit-
tenden, Mr. Horsley Palmer, Messrs. Griffin, Grinnell, George
Curtis, John C. Hamilton, Russell, Cary, Depeyster, Ogden, etc.
At nine o’clock Dr. Wainwright (who had also a dinner-party, to
which I was invited) joined us, with several of his guests; viz.,
Ogden Hoffman, Daniel Lord, Jr., Mr. Curtis, of Boston, and Judge
Warren, of New Bedford. The whole party sat and drank fine wine,
and had conversation of the most brilliant kind, until the “ noon of
night.”
Fire-place, June 24.—The weather being fine this morning I
determined to make a visit to my old friend Sam Carman. I got
Mr. Crandell to send me alone, in a nice little wagon, with a man to
drive a pair of horses; alone, for I could not get a single com-
panion, the rest of the party having planned another excursion to
the bay. Won’t the blue-fish be glad when they are gone ! I got
here at one o’clock, tried for trout in the pond before dinner, and134
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[A£tat. 62.
again all the afternoon, and took only two; the water is full of grass,
it is too late in the season, and, if the truth was known, I do not
believe there are as many trout in the pond as there used to be; at
any rate, I will console myself with the reason that unsuccessful
fishermen generally give for bad luck. I had, however, a good
dinner and supper, and after an hour’s gossip with Carman and his
son Joe, I retired to a comfortable bed in the little back room in
which I have so often in the olden times courted “ Nature’s soft
nurse.” This will be a short visit, mayhap the last. It is about
forty-five years since the first.
June 27. — Affairs in Rhode Island between Gov-
Rhode island, ernor King and the friends of law and good order,
and the spurious Governor Dorr and the insurgents,
with the aid of their auxiliaries from this State and Connecti-
cut, on the other side, have drawn to a crisis. The rebellion,
after being apparently smothered for a while, has broken out
afresh. Governor Dorr, as he is styled, is regularly encamped at a
place called Chessacket, between Providence and the Connecticut
line, and about six miles from the latter, with a force of about eight
hundred ragamuffins, of which a large proportion are volunteers,
sympathizers from New York and Connecticut, instigated by such
men as Walter Bowne, John J. Morgan, and Stephen Allen, none
of whom are understood as yet to have gone to the wars. Perhaps
they will, when the first heroes shall have been killed in battle, or
hanged, as they certainly will be if “ the King ” (I mean Governor
King) “ comes to his right.” The insurgents have twenty pieces
of cannon, principally ships’ guns, planted on a hill which commands
the Providence road, and the barns, cattle-sheds, and hen-roosts of
the farmers are laid under contribution to keep out “the foul
fiend ” from the stomachs of this heterogeneous mass of rebellion
and rapine.
In the mean time Governor King and the regularly constituted
authorities of the State are adopting the most energetic measures,
which are nobly supported by the citizens. A proclamation was1342.]	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	135
issued on Saturday by the Governor, declaring the State under
martial law; banks are closed by the same authority; the students
of Brown College are dispersed, and the college turned into bar-
racks. No person is allowed to cross the river after eight o’clock,
to enter or leave Providence without a permit, and all shops and
houses must be closed before ten o’clock. The citizens are armed
and doing military duty; troops come in hourly from other parts of
the State; a force of three thousand men is organized, under the
command of Major-General William Gibbs McNeill, an old ac-
quaintance of mine (and a sort of cousin, his wife being Mrs.
Charles Cammann’s daughter), who has assumed the command,
with a strong staff of the most respectable men in the State; and
the city of Providence, one of the most pleasant, and hitherto most
orderly, cities in the United States is suddenly transformed into a
garrison, and the noise of drums and trumpets and the “-pride
and circumstance of glorious war ” have succeeded the hum of
business and the tranquillity of elegant retirement for which this
capital of “ the Providence Plantations ” has always been cele-
brated.
June 28. —Yesterday the ceremony took place of letting in the
waters of the Croton river into the upper reservoir at Yorkville,
from which the city is to be supplied with “ pure and wholesome
water,” at an enormous expense, which is felt by the present, and
will be by all future, generations of our posterity.
June 30. — The civil war in “ the Providence Plan-
. Rhode island, tations ” seems to be suddenly brought to a conclusion.
The friends of law and good order, full of fight and
good spirit, as they certainly were, marched out from Providence
to the enemy’s entrenchments at Chessacket, but could not get a
fight, because “ they found no enemy to fight withal,” and Major-
General McNeill has gathered laurels none the less bright for being
guiltless of blood. On the arrival of the troops at Governor Dorr’s
“ headquarters,” the hero had again run away, and left his adher-
ents to shift for themselves and make the best terms they could136
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 62.
with the conquerors. There was some little skirmishing between
a portion of the insurgents and the regular troops, in which one
man was killed and two wounded; but the camp was taken quiet
possession of, with the arms and ammunition, powder and pump-
kins, guns and geese, pikes and potatoes, and by this time the good
people of Providence have returned to their peaceful pursuits, for
which happy deliverance they are mainly indebted to their own
gallant conduct, and the wisdom and determination of their rulers.
Dorr escaped, nobody knows where. It is said that he has been
seen here in New York, —not very unlikely, for he makes this his
“City of Refuge.” Here are friends to sympathize in his misfor-
tunes, and stimulate him to future “ deeds of daring.” Tammany
Hall infuses in his manly bosom a certain quantity of valour with
which, from time to time, he marches to the field of battle, but
which, like a Yankee clock, is only warranted to go for a certain
short period, and, like a bottle of champagne manufactured for a
specific market, is sure to evaporate as soon as the cork is started
at his “ Headquarters, Gloucester, R.I.”
The friends of law and order are indebted for this happy and
bloodless result of the dangers with which they were threatened,
to their own manly spirit and uncompromising devotion to the true
interests of their gallant little State; they marched out to fight the
insurgents with courage and promptness worthy of their sires, and
besides the actual citizens of the State, many of her native sons
resident in other States rallied around her in the “hour of her
need.” I saw young Blatchford, who was sent by. Governor Seward
to ascertain if any of the arms or munitions belonging to the State
of New York had been surreptitiously conveyed to Rhode Island,
or any of our citizens taken in arms among the insurgents. He told
me he saw my neighbour, Charles H. Russell, with his sword at his
side and spurs on his heels, serving as aide-de-camp to General
McNeill, with whom he rode out to the camp of the insurgents
when a battle was expected, and returned the same night after the
enemy had fled. Insurrection and rebellion have no terrors when1842.]	TIIE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	13 7
met thus, and boldly confronted by patriotism and loyalty, and the
spirit now manifested will be the best security from future attempts
against the peace of the State.
July 12. — My wifq and I drove out this afternoon
Croton Works, to see the two reservoirs in which the Croton water
was introduced a few days since. This great work is
thus completed, with the exception of the magnificent aqueduct by
which it is intended to convey the water across the Harlem river,
where pipes are now temporarily laid down from one bank to the
other on a level with the water. We visited first the receiving
reservoir near Yorkville, consisting of two basins which cover about
thirty acres, a solid fabric, erected on a height sufficient to convey
the water to the tops of the houses in the city. The outer walls
are of handsome wrought stone, the basins lined with a dry slope
wall, one twenty and the other thirty feet in depth. They are at
present about half full, and the clear, sweet, soft water (clear it is,
and sweet, and soft; for to be in the fashion I drank a tumbler of
it, and found it all these) is flowing in copiously, and has already
formed two pretty, limpid, placid, Mediterranean seas, of whole-
some temperance beverage, well calculated to cool the palates and
quench the thirst of the New Yorkers, and to diminish the losses
of the fire-insurance companies. There were a great number of
visitors at this place, — pedestrians, horsemen, railroad travellers, and
those who, like myself, came in their own carriages (which, if they
had no more right than me to do, was very reprehensible), — for it
has become a fashionable place of resort; and well it may, for it is
well worth seeing.
We then came down and stopped at the lower, or distributing,
reservoir, at Murray’s Hill, about two miles above my house, which
I had not seen since the arrival of the waters. The two basins here
have about one-third of their quantity of water, and the distributing
pipes are filled and the waters being supplied to such places in
town as are prepared for it. This great enterprise will cost
$10,000,000, and it is somewhat remarkable, and an evidence of its138
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[yEtat 62.
acknowledged utility, that with the certainty of a tremendous in-
crease of taxation consequent upon it, to the present generation
and its posterity, and in party times, too, when men are so hard to
please, not a voice has been raised against it, and all parties hail
the advent of the “ pure and wholesome water,” after its journey
on the earth, and under the earth, and across the watercourses
of miles, as a proud event for our city, and one which enables
the Knickerbockers to hold their heads high among the nations
of the earth.
July 13.—The splendid edifice fronting on Wall,
Customhouse William, and Tine streets is now entirely completed,
and has been occupied as the New York Custom-
House, in all its manifold and complicated departments, since the
first of May. It is intended to collect the import revenue upon the
commerce of the nation; but how if it should prove that, the com-
merce being annihilated, there will be no revenue to collect? A
splendid reservoir has been prepared, with fountains whose streams
are to irrigate the land in all quarters; but how melancholy would
it be to discover that, after all these preparations, the springs are to
be dried up and the waters have ceased to flow. It looks awfully
like it just now. The natural earth is sufficiently soaked, in all
reason; but the exchequer is dry, — dry as powder. The waters are
stagnant, but the government runs in debt alone. The building of
the Custom-House was commenced in May, 1834, and the edifice
finished, with its furniture complete, in May, 1842 ; cost, $985,000.
The statement of the cost of this magnificent winding sheet of
departed commerce is taken from an elaborate and well written
description published in the “ Commercial Advertiser,” of this after-
noon. A stranger walking from Broadway down Wall street would
laugh heartily at these lugubrious expressions of mine, and be apt to
remark, “ If these are the grave-clothes of commerce, of what ma-
terials were her bridal garments composed?” With his back to
“ New Trinity,” the most beautiful structure of stone in America
(and I know of none more beautiful anywhere), he passes the1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
139
Custom-House, which cost a million; eight or ten banks, each a
palace for the worship of mammon; and the New Exchange, with a
portico of granite columns such as Sir Christopher Wren had no
notion of; worthy, indeed, of Palladio or Michael Angelo, — an edi-
fice the cost of which sunk all the money of myself and other fools
who subscribed for it, besides contracting a debt of which nothing
but the interest will ever be paid out of the income. These, with
brokers’ offices and the “ seats of money-changers ” (there are none
who “ sell doves,” that I know of, though there may be many
pigeons), some of which have cost extravagant sums, would convey
to the mind of the wayfaring man an image wholly different from
that of commercial distress and pecuniary embarrassment; and yet
that these do exist at this moment, in a degree altogether unprece-
dented, there can be no doubt. Verily, the good people of New
York, and especially the merchants, like the apothecary in the
“ Honey Moon,” have “ new-gilded their pestle and mortar in the
jaws of bankruptcy.” The cage is splendid, but the bird has fled.
The setting is costly enough, but the jewel is lost, or has been
pawned or gambled away. There must be a recuperative principle
in this great country to restore things some time or another, but I
shall not live to see it.
July 27. — I was grieved to see, in a New York paper, that my
old friend, Goold Hoyt, died at Sharon Springs, on Friday, 22d
instant. He was in the seventy-third year of his age.
August 2. — Mr. Webster’s emphatic declaration,
Negotiations
with	which he made to me in March, that all the negotia-
Engiand.	tions between us and Great Britain would be settled
before September, seems to be in a fair progress of accomplish-
ment. The ugliest knot is now said to be disentangled. Nothing
official has been published; but it is generally understood at Wash-
ington that the basis of a treaty in relation to the Maine boundary
has been settled between Lord Ashburton and the Secretary of
State, with the concurrence of the commissioners who represent the
States of Massachusetts and Maine.140
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 62.
The terms, no doubt, are mutually honourable and advantageous,
notwithstanding some of the demagogues in Congress who would
consent to see the ship of state a wreck, rather than that she should
be saved by a Whig pilot, are making a clamour about the terms of
the settlement agreed upon before they know what it is, and con-
demning measures which they could not understand, to minister to
the morbid appetite of party-spirit. It is reported and believed
that the terms agreed upon are a cession by the United States of a
portion of the disputed territory sufficient to give Great Britain a
transit from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to Canada, for which
a portion of land, I believe, in the vicinity of Lake Champlain is
ceded to us. For this relinquishment Great Britain is to pay $400,-
000 or $500,00o, which will probably go to quiet the two States
which claim the territory, and there is very little doubt that they will
sell their worthless swamps and barren hemlock lands at a good
round price; and, what is of more consequence, a joint participa-
tion in the navigation of the St. John’s river is secured to the
United St ates, which, by giving an outlet to the lumber, will increase
the value of the remaining lands.
In confirmation of the report that this difficult question is in a
certain train of amicable adjustment, Mr. Webster gave a dinner
the other day to Lord Ashburton, at which were present the Presi-
dent, the cabinet ministers, and the commissioners of Massachusetts
and Maine, at which much mutual good-will was exhibited, and lov-
ing toasts and tender speeches were made by the reconciled lovers.
Lord Ashburton gave “The President,” with a complimentary senti-
ment to “Brother Jonathan; ” to which the Secretary responded,
coaxing “John Bull” through his lovely queen; and the President
gave “The Commissioners,” with “Blessed are the peace-makers;”
from which latter circumstance it may be inferred that no danger is
to be apprehended in that wayward and unreliable quarter.
August 17. — A letter has been published in some
“Boz.”	of our newspapers, signed “Charles Dickens,” dated
July 15, and addressed from “ Devonshire Terrace,1842.]	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	141
Parkgate,” “To the Editor of the ‘ Morning Chronicle/ ” which con-
tains some sentiments so derogatory to our country, in which the
writer has been so recently honoured to the full extent of his deserv-
ing, that nothing is left for Mr. Dickens but to deny its authenticity,
to save himself from the merited charges of wilful misrepresenta-
tions and gross ingratitude. I have written him a letter, calling for
his avowal or denial of this unworthy piece of splendid impudence,
which is copied in my letter-book; and he must stand or fall, in my
estimation, by his answer, if he chooses to make one. If the fol-
lowing sentiments are, indeed, Mr. Dickens’s, he has proved himself
a slanderer more vile than any of his predecessors, in the disreputa-
ble trade of misrepresenting the United States and their people : —
“Though in my travels from city to city I, of course, found
much to be pleased with and astonished at, yet the total difference
between our good old English customs and the awkwardness, the
uncouth manners, and the unmitigated selfishness which you meet
everywhere in America, made my journey one of a good deal of
annoyance. I do not think the Americans, as a people, have much
good taste. To a person brought up among them, and in their
own way, of course the glaring faults that strike a stranger do not
appear; but to any well-bred man from abroad, the effect of the
prevalent features of the American character is by no means
agreeable.” The following is a part of this letter, so arrogant and
so ungrateful that I am led to hope the whole may be a forgery:
“ It may be said that I, of all persons, ought to be blind to the
dark spots of American character, treated as I have been by the
American people. I do not agree with this view of the case. I
did not seek their attentions, their dinners, and their balls. On
the contrary, these things were forced upon me; many times to the
serious inconvenience of myself and my party. The kindness
of a friend, if it is troublesome and officious, often annoys as
much as the injuries of an enemy. The Americans have most of
the faults both of the English and French, with very few of their
virtues. I never thought that I was petted, merely for myself; but142
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 62.
as a kind of monster,. to look at, and imbue my keepers with
somewhat of the notoriety that enveloped myself. I can freely and
confidently say that this was the case, almost without exception.”
August 23.—This day should be marked with a
Tariff7 and white stone. Two gleams of sunshine have broken
through the dark clouds which obscure the political
horizon, and men look round upon each other, as who should say,
“ May not these things lead to better times? ” This day we have
two pieces of agreeable intelligence : the treaty with England is
ratified by the Senate and promulgated, and the tariff bill has
passed the House of Representatives.
His mission of peace having been accomplished,
Lord Ash- this distinguished nobleman, who has “ bought golden
opinions ” during his sojourn in Washington, came
this way on a short excursion, previous to his sailing for England
in the “ Warspite ” frigate, which has been lying in our harbour to
await his departure. His lordship came to New York on Monday,
where the “ Governor’s Room,” in the City Hall, has been hand-
somely appropriated by the common council to his use; but which,
from his short stay, he did not avail himself of. He dined yester-
day with a party of gentlemen at James G. King’s splendid seat at
Highwood, Weehawken. Mr. King took much pains to find me, to
partake of this handsome feast and to pass the night at Highwood,
where I should probably have gone if I had known of it; in which
case I should have avoided Francis’s dose, and perhaps not have
been so well as I am to-day.
August 26. — “The deed is done:” the revenue
Tariff Bill. bill, or the tariff bill, or whatever it is called by men
of different opinions, passed the Senate on Saturday
evening, with some trifling amendments, which will probably be in-
stantly adopted by the House; and Monsieur Veto, it is thought,
will not exercise his oft-used and abused privilege by refusing his
assent. Laus Deo, however, I rejoice that this great question is
likely to be settled. This and the Webster and Ashburton treaty1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
143
will make matters easier in this poor country, unless the patient
has been brought so low that no remedies can save her. The
circulation ! the circulation is stopped !
A	September 2. — The dinner to Lord Ashburton was
Dinner to
Lord Ash-	given last evening, at the Astor House. Mr. Peter A.
burton.	jay presided, with James D. P. Ogden and Moses H.
Grinnell as vice-presidents. Among the guests besides his lord-
ship were the following: Messrs. Mildmay and Bruce, of the Le-
gation; Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Grattan, British consuls at New
York and Boston; Lord John Hay and the officers of the "War-
spite ; ” Mr. Horsley Palmer and Mr. Speddings; Rev. Dr. Wain-
wright and Rev. Dr. Potts; the Mayor; Hon. George Evans,
senator for Maine; Colonel Bankhead, U.S. Army; and Commo-
dore Perry, of the Navy.
The dinner was exceedingly good, and the decorations of the
room in admirable taste; and everything went off successfully,
although some of the papers find fault with the committee of
arrangements for some alleged neglect to that tenacious body of
gentlemen, the reporters, who went off in a huff after the fourth
toast; for this, and because the toast to the President was not
cheered, some of them (especially the abusive “ Herald ”) are
pouring out the vials of their wrath upon the devoted heads of the
committee of arrangements as if it was their business to indicate
to the company the amount of approbation with which the toasts
they had prepared should be received by the company, and to
regulate the amount of their enthusiasm. It is true that a dead
silence was spread over the room on the drinking of that toast, and
it is equally true that the next one, "The Queen,” was differently re-
ceived ; and I could have wished it otherwise. Mr. Tyler certainly
had no claims upon the affection or respect of the individuals
present; but I am quite sure that a sentiment of respect for the
exalted office he holds would have prompted all present to receive
the toast with the accustomed honours if the Chair had set the
example, whose duty I think it was; and as there was none of144
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 62.
that spontaneous feeling in favour of the individual, which some-
times sets a company in the humour to cheer and applaud, the
toast passed off with the ominous silence which has been com-
plained of; but it certainly was not the fault of the committee.
The following are the names of the gentlemen composing the
committee of arrangements, — and things have come to a pretty
pass in our heterogeneous city, if such men, most of whom have
devoted their lives to the gratuitous service of their fellow-citizens,
should be thus abused by a foreign blackguard, who gains a liveli-
hood by administering to the bad taste and worse morals of an
ungrateful public: James D. P. Ogden, Prosper M. Wetmore,
James Lee, Benjamin L. Swan, George Griswold, James G. King,
Robert B. Minturn, Stephen Whitney, William B. Astor, Cornelius
W. Lawrence, and Theodore Sedgwick.
September 14. — The amusement of prize-fighting,
Boxing. the disgrace of which was formerly confined to England,
to the grief and mortification of the moral and respect-
able part of her subjects, and the disgust of travellers from other
countries, has become one of the fashionable abominations of our
loafer-ridden city. Several matches have been made lately; the
parties, their backers, betters, and abettors, with thousands and tens
of thousands of degraded amateurs of this noble science, conveyed
by steamboats chartered for the purpose, have been following the
champions to Staten Island, Westchester, and up the North river,
out of the jurisdiction (as was supposed) of the authorities of New
York; and the horrid details, with all their disgusting technicalities
and vulgar slang, have been regularly presented in the “ New York
Herald,” to gratify the vitiated palates of its readers, whilst the
orderly citizens have wept for the shame which they could not
prevent.
One of those infamous meetings took place yesterday on the
bank of the North river in Westchester, the particulars of which
are given at length in that precious sheet and others of a similar
character. Two men, named Lilly and McCoy, thumped and bat-1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
145
tered each other for the gratification of a brutal gang of spectators,
until the latter, after one hundred and nineteen rounds, fell dead in
the ring, and the other ruffian was smuggled away and made his
escape from the hands of insulted justice.
tolerable, and if there was any spirit in the people it would be
visited with impeachment. He has removed from the office of Col-
lector of Philadelphia a fine old American gentleman, — Jonathan
Roberts, a man of his own appointment, who has acted in all things
upon the very principles in relation to political matters in the dis-
charge of his official duties which our inconsistent President laid
down on his entrance into the office which he so unworthily fills.
Mr. Tyler orders the collector to turn out of office thirty inferior
officers, tide-waiters, measurers and weighers, for the alleged crime
of being friendly to Mr. Clay, and to appoint in their places others
whom he designates, — Tyler men. This mandate is given in a
tone worthy of the Grand Sultan, — “ for reasons satisfactory to
myself.” When Mr. Roberts attempted to remonstrate with the
President, saying that the present incumbents are capable and
honest, and that they are men of family, and come up to the Presi-
dent’s standard of non-interference in politics, the savage order is
further enforced by the sapient son and secretary of the unfeeling
despot, who closes his official rescript in the following language,
.worthy of that amiable autocrat, Paul of Russia, “ He, therefore [his
honoured papa], has ordered me to say to you that he desires the
requisition he has made on you in the matter to be at once and to
the letter complied with.”
This is le roi le veut with a vengeance. But Mr. Roberts is not
pliant and subservient enough for the times and for Mr. Tyler. He
goes on to Washington, and, after much contumelious treatment from
the satrap of the palace, is admitted to an audience by Kouli Khan,
who cuts him dead, as the saying is, and tells him plainly, “ Turn
Executive
Proscription.
September 17.— The people seem at last to be a
little aroused at Mr. Tyler’s tyrannical and proscriptive
administration of the government. His last act is in-146
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 62.
these men out, or I shall turn you out.” The old veteran does not
understand this language. He refuses to obey the order, saying, in
his honest heart, “ I’ll see you d—d first.” He returns to Phila-
delphia, where he has hardly arrived when a supersedeas is handed
to him by a Mr. Smith, who is appointed in his place, and stands
ready, no doubt, to do this or any other dirty work to which he may
be ordered. In the mean time Mr. Roberts is applauded for his
firmness and honoured for his independence. Meetings are held in
Philadelphia to condemn the President and to exalt his victim, of
whom it will be said in his retirement: —
“Great Cincinnatus, at his plough,
With brighter lustre shone,
Than guilty Caesar e’er could show
When seated on a throne.”
September 30. — My old friend, Thaddeus Phelps,
Limbo m having been cited to appear before the grand jury to
testify in the examination of the facts in the duel case
between Webb and Marshall, appeared, but refused to give evi-.
dence, on the ground that information was derived from another
person in confidence, and that he was in honour bound not to betray
him. He stated, however, that his informant was not Colonel
Webb, nor any other person concerned in the duel. This, I think,
should have been satisfactory to the grand jury; but they thought
otherwise, and Phelps was taken before the court, where he per-
sisted in his refusal, but disclaimed any intentional disrespect, and
was ready to “ bow to their mandate; ” on which he was sent to
prison for ten days. But his confinement is only a technical
sort of affair, for I find his wooden leg is still stumping its way in
Wall street; in custody, I presume.
October i . — Great interest has been excited in the
s^eechebSter S P°litical cycles, by a promised speech to be made by
Mr. Webster to his friends in Boston. He had declined
the offer of a public dinner, expressing his preference for a meeting1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
147
of the Whigs, before whom he might define his position in relation
to Mr. Tyler’s cabinet. This meeting took place, and the great
speech was made yesterday in Faneuil Hall, the cradle of liberty,
and the theatre of many of the proudest triumphs of the accom-
plished orator and patriotic statesman who now appeared before
the assembled multitude of Whigs. The speech is published in
several of our newspapers, reporters having been sent from this
city, who appear to have done justice to the important subject.
It is a great speech; on such an occasion, and from such a source,
it could not be otherwise, but it will throw the whole Whig party
into confusion. Mr. Webster defends his continuance in the cab-
inet, and gives good and sufficient reasons for it, in the labour he
has performed and the success he has achieved in the negotiation
of the British treaty; and in this all the good men of his party, and
all candid men in the nation, would now willingly bear him out;
but, unfortunately, he goes further. He intimates pretty clearly that
he means to remain, and justifies in many particulars, to which his
friends will not consent, the course of Mr. Tyler’s administration.
For these causes moderate Whigs are sorry, and violent ones
abusive; and the latter description of politicians are for hauling
neck and heels out of the party the man who has heretofore been
its ornament and pride, — the theme of their extravagant panegyric,
as he is now of their violent denunciation. How uncertain is the
favour of the people ! How unsatisfactory the calling of politics !
Such a man as Daniel Webster may be in an instant blown down
by the same breath which set him up. There is no breathing-
spell in the popular voice between the last vibrating shout of “ Hal-
lelujah ” and the first appalling cry of “ Crucify him ! ”
Mr. Webster’s recent movement will, no doubt, be prejudicial to
the prospects of the Whig party; but for himself personally there is
much palliation. The flood which has set in with a force so irre-
sistible for Mr. Clay as the next candidate for the Presidency can
never convey Mr. Webster on its bosom to personal honour or
political distinction. These two eminent men are undeniably148
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JEtat. 62.
rivals; their talents, public services, and exalted rank in the great
Whig army of the Union have raised for each a personal party, and,
their pretensions being equal, the elevation of one forbids that of
the other; the sun of popular favour shining on one must inevitably
throw the other into the shade; and, whatever simulated expressions
of good-will may pass between them, it is impossible they should be
friends. It is, perhaps, unfortunate for the party that it has two
such men in its ranks; their political opponents are not so troubled.
Mr. Webster is not a party to his unceremonious, ejectment from
the cause, nor from among the men with whom he has been so
nobly identified during his whole brilliant career of political ser-
vice. He only differs on the best means of serving them; he
deprecates the measures of the administration in some particulars,
avows his steady opposition to the fatal exercise of the veto power,
but submits to his hearers whether the cause they support and the
principles they advocate cannot be better served by him as a mem-
ber of the cabinet, than by some other person who may be ap-
pointed his successor, less acquainted with their interests, and less
capable of promoting them. In short, shall he, a tried friend,
leave his place at the risk of seeing it filled by an enemy ? Plaus-
ible, certainly, if not convincing; but, whatever may be his deter-
mination on the subject of his own course in relation to his
continuance in the cabinet, which constitutes the mam ground of
difference between him and the other friends of Mr. Clay, he thus
expresses himself proudly and emphatically as to his undeviating
adherence to what he considers Whig principles. And if Daniel
Webster does not understand the meaning of the term, where shall
we look for its exposition? “ I am a Whig,” he says; “ I always
have been one, and I always shall be one; and if anybody under-
takes to turn me out of the pale of that communion, let him see to
it who gets out first! I am a Massachusetts Whig, — a Faneuil-
Hall Whig,—breathing her air now for twenty-five years, and mean-
ing to breathe it on the spot so long as God shall please to give me
life.” On the whole, this speech is one of the most important in-1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
149
cidents that ever occurred in the political history of the country,
and as such will be referred to in all future times of the Republic.
Daniel Webster stands alone in the Whig party.
October 4.—The annual commencement of Co-
Cohege Com. jum|^a (Allege was held this day, in the middle Dutch
Church,-—an Episcopal literary institution, endowed
by the church and established upon its principles, compelled to re-
sort to the liberality of the seceders for a place to hold its anniver-
sary exercises, because an intolerant bishop and a subservient
rector (both of whom are trustees of the college) have made the
mighty discovery that such exercises are a desecration of the holy
temple of God, the main support of which depends upon a suc-
cessful system of moral and religious education, such as is imparted
by Columbia College to the youth of our country. The attendance
was greater than usual. Many distinguished persons were present
(among whom was the Governor of the State) ; and the inauguration
of the new president, Dr. Nathaniel F. Moore, with the address
made to him by the president of the board of trustees, Peter A.
Jay, Esq., and his own in reply, formed an interesting feature in
the exercises of the day.
Thirty members of the graduating class received the degree of
Bachelor of Arts, of whom fourteen delivered orations, in the follow-
ing order: Abram Stevens Hewitt, William L. Kernochan, Robert
Jaffray, Jr., William Henry Ebbetts, William Pinckney Stewart,
Robert M. Olyphant, John Lyon, Wheelock H. Parmly, David R.
Stanford, Silas Weir Roosevelt, Oliver Everett Roberts, W. Rodman,
Zebedee Ring, Jr., Edward E. Potter.
October 7. — I found, on my return last evening, the following
letter from Mr. Dickens, in reply to one I wrote him on the 19th
August. It turns out as I supposed. The scurrilous remarks on the
United States, to which his name is subscribed, and which were so
promptly taken up by the rascally penny papers and published
through the country, were a base forgery, gotten up probably by
one of the craft on this side of the water.THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 62.
ISO
Broadstairs, Kent, England,
16th September, 1842.
My dear Sir : — I am very much obliged to you for your friendly let-
ter, which I have received with real pleasure. Tt reached me last night,
being forwarded from London to this sea-side fishing town, where we
are enjoying ourselves quietly until the end of the month. I answer it
without an hour’s delay, though I fear my reply may lie at the post-office
some days before it finds a steam-packet to convey it across the ocean.
The letter to which you refer is, from beginning to end, in every word
and syllable, the cross of every t and the dot of every *, a most wicked
and nefarious forgery. I have never published one word or line in ref-
erence to America, in any quarter whatever, except the copyright circular,
and the unhung scoundrel who invented that astounding lie knew this as
well as I do. It has caused me more pain, and more of a vague desire to
take somebody by the throat, than such an event should perhaps have
awakened in any honourable man. But I have not contradicted it pub-
licly, deeming that it would not become my character or elevate me in
my own self-respect to do so. I shall hope to send for your acceptance
next month my “ American Notes.” Meanwhile, and always, and with
cordial remembrance to all friends,
I am, my dear sir, faithfully yours,
Charles Dickens.
Dinner-
party.
October 8. — Dr. Doane, the health-officer, sent me
a fine little turtle the other day, which he has had fat-
tening for me at the quarantine, and I invited the
following party to assist us in disposing of the delicious soup : Mr.
D. S. Kennedy, Mr. J. P. Giraud, Mr. F. C. Tucker, Mr. Charles
A. Davis, Mr. J. D. P. Ogden, Mr. Moses H. Grinnell, Mr. R. M.
Blatchford, Mr. Samuel B. Ruggles, Mr. W. G. Ward.
October 12. — Nothing is talked of or thought of
in New York but Croton water; fountains, aqueducts,
hydrants, and hose attract our attention and impede
our progress through the streets. Political spouting has given
place to water-spouts, and the free current of water has diverted
the attention of the people from the vexed questions of the con-
fused state of the national currency. It is astonishing how popular
Croton
Water.1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
ISI
the introduction of water is among all classes of our citizens, and
how cheerfully they acquiesce in the enormous expense which will
burden them and their posterity with taxes to the latest generation.
Water ! Water! is the universal note which is sounded through
every part of the city, and infuses joy and exultation into the
masses, even though they are out of spirits.
October 14. — The fine weather, which has continued without
interruption twenty-four days, held out one day longer, to smile
upon the great pageant. The other elements, with becoming
politeness, united to do honour to the triumph of water, and
nothing occurred in “the heaven above, nor the earth below,” to
mar the splendid scene; as for “ the waters under the earth,” they
were all brought to the surface on this occasion, and made a great
spouting about their emancipation. I was invited, as “ ex-May or, ”
to take a place in the procession, for which purpose I went to the
City Hall at nine o’clock. At this time the whole population of
the city, and as many more from other places, were in motion. At
ten the procession began to move. I was placed in a barouche
with Aaron Clark, another ex-Mayor; Mr. Hart, ex-Mayor of Troy;
and Mr. Murphy, Mayor of Brooklyn. This detachment consisted
of about a dozen barouches, in one of which was Governor Seward;
his staff was under the orders of Mr. Morris, the Mayor of the city.
We went down to the Battery, where we were placed in the line
immediately after a splendid military escort, and proceeded up
Broadway to Union place, where the Governor reviewed the troops.
Thence the procession continued down the Bowery to Grand street,
through Grand street to its junction with West Broadway, and
down the latter street to the Park, where the whole was reviewed, in
front of the City Hall, by the Mayor and Common Council.
The whole line of the procession extended about five miles; it
embraced, besides the different regiments of troops, the firemen, of
whom there were fifty-two companies, including several from Phila-
delphia, Brooklyn, Newark, and Poughkeepsie. This part of the
procession was a mile and a half in length, and beautiful it was, with152	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	[^Etat.62.
the machines, banners, and other devices; and a finer-looking set of
men, nor a more orderly one, I never saw. Then there were the
butchers on horseback, the temperance societies, the different
scientific and civic institutions, mechanic associations, among whom
were the printers, with a car on which was placed the identical press
at which Dr. Franklin once worked. This was employed during
the transit of the procession in printing and distributing an ode
written in honour of the occasion by George P. Morris, which
was sung in front of the Hall by a choir of two hundred male and
female performers, who were placed on a stage erected for the
purpose.
The whole of this great “ turn-out,” which embraced everything
and everybody, did not finish its round until five o’clock, when an
address was made by Mr. Samuel Stevens, president of the old
board of water commissioners, and a reply made by Mr. John L.
Lawrence, president of the new board. Such of the dignitaries and
guests as had tickets, and could get in, were then taken to the large
court-room, where a collation had been provided, not by any means
the best feature of the day’s festivities. Here the Mayor made a
speech and toasted the Governor, who made a very good speech in
reply. By this time it was night, and the public gardens, theatres,
a^d fountains completed the great celebration of the triumph of
Croton water.
It was certainly a great affair; but nothing struck me with more
pleasure and surprise than the perfect order and propriety which
prevailed among the immense masses of male and female spectators
on the route of the procession; not a drunken person was to be
seen. The moral as well as the physical influence of water per-
vaded everything. Ardent liquors were not proof against its predom-
inating power; there was no quarrelling, no resistance to authority,
no unruly behaviour; the people stood and looked on delighted and
unfatigued during the three hours occupied in the passage of the
pageant. It was a day for a New Yorker to be proud of.
October 25. — This is my birthday, — I am sixty-two years old.1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
153
Sixty-two years of active life, not always, I may hope, uselessly em-
ployed, prosperous during the greater part of this long period, and
always in the enjoyment of more of the blessings of this life than I
was thankful for. Sunshine has illumined my path for many of the
years that are gone by, and my journey has not been impeded by
more obstructions than are usually met with; and even now, when
I have my share of the darkness which overspreads the land, I can
enjoy some rays of light which are denied to others who are not
less deserving than myself.
sesses in an eminent degree, and some of his own party cease to
cavil at some of his public acts, and pass complimentary resolutions
at their political meetings. It has been said (and I think not
without reason) that he has courted popularity a little too much,
especially in some injudicious concessions to the Roman Catholics;
but I believe he was always influenced in those measures by good
motives, by a sincere desire to serve the cause which is supported
by his political friends, and which we Whigs at least must uphold as
the people’s cause. There can be no doubt, however, of Governor
Seward’s talents, especially as a writer of pure English. His stjjlp
is perspicuous and nervous, free from the tawdry and unmeaning
embellishments of our modern public documents, and equally fitted
for the good taste of the scholar and the comprehension of the
plain man of sense.
Whigs. I was one of the invited, but other engagements prevented
me from going. It will require sundry good suppers and something
stronger than his father’s fine old wine to make my friend Fish swim
into Congress; and, if he should, I hope he will not be out of his
depth. These good things, moreover, would have a more effica-
Governoi
Seward.
October 31. — Now that this gentleman is about
retiring from office, the people of the State seem willing
to give him credit for the talent which he certainly pos-
Hamilton
Fish.
November 2. — Mr. Hamilton Fish, the Whig can-
didate for Congress in the Sixth District, gave a supper
last evening to the nominating committee and other154
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[Mtat. 62.
cious influence if administered to the other party. “ Who cares
for our friends? — we are sure of them.” That is the true political
morality, of which the Whigs are not unmindful. But it requires a
new miracle of loaves and fishes to feed such a multitude.
November 3. — A noble ship of one thousand one
Launch. hundred tons, built for Grinnell, Minturn, & Co.’s line
of packets, was launched yesterday morning with the
good taste and patriotic feeling of those fine fellows. They have
called her the “Ashburton,” — a handsome name, and a suitable
compliment to the British negotiator of the treaty with England.
November 4. — This has been a great day for the
Mr. Webster. Secretary of State. He has recovered much of the
ground he lost by his late speech at Faneuil Hall, and
his continuance, against the wishes of his Whig friends (such at
least as go for Mr. Clay), in the cabinet of Mr. Tyler. The
common council having assigned to Mr. Webster the use of the
Governor’s room in the City Hall for that purpose, he received
the visits of the citizens from eleven until two o’clock. An im-
mense crowd waited upon him, the number of which was probably
enhanced by the announcement that the Chamber of Commerce
were to attend his levee in a body, agreeably to a resolution which
had been previously adopted. At one o’clock the members were
received by the Secretary on the platform in front of the hall, when
an address was made by the president, Mr. James D. P. Ogden, on
presenting the resolution of the chamber. It was a pleasing coin-
cidence, that during this interesting ceremony one hundred guns
were being fired in the Park on account of the news, which had
just been received, of the ratification of the treaty by Great
Britain, which were answered by an equal number from several
other places in the vicinity of the city. This was, no doubt, a kind
of interruption, not less agreeable to the orator than the ap-
plause of the thousands of spectators who listened to the address.
Whatever may be the opinion of Mr. Webster’s Whig friends as to
his political position, they cannot deny him the credit of being the1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
155
main instrument in effecting this important measure, the value of
which posterity will appreciate.
This gentleman having declined the invitation to a
Webster°Mr* Puk^c dinner, which was signed by seventy of our
most respectable citizens, a select knot of four-and-
twenty Whigs had him all to themselves yesterday at the Astor
House. I was one of the fortunate number, and “ it was well to
be there.” This dinner was an event not soon to be forgotten.
The party consisted of the following: Mr. Webster, Moses H.
Grinnell, Charles A. Davis, Simeon Draper, Ogden Hoffman, Ed-
ward Curtis, Russell H. Nevins, Mr. Wetmore, M. C. Patterson,
Robert B. Minturn, R. M. Blatchford, John I. Palmer, Samuel G.
Raymond, George Curtis, Mr. Lyman, Mr. Stone, Hiram Ketcham
and his brother, James W. Gerard, John Ward and myself, and two
or three others whom I do not recollect. By previous arrange-
ment, Messrs. Grinnell and Davis were placed at the head and foot
of the table, and Mr. Webster in the centre, with Mr. Palmer on
his left hand and I on his right. The dinner was capital; Stet-
son’s heart was in the matter. The honoured guest appeared to be
delighted, and was in turn delightful, full of anecdote and pleasant
gossip; his expressive eyes shone with unusual lustre from under
the dark canopy of his overhanging brows, and the infection of
his brilliancy pervaded the whole table, and made the occasion a
feast of reason and a flow of soul.
After the cloth was removed there was a temporary pause in the
conversation, and I was requested by two or three to say something
which would bring out the lion of the day. This I did. After this
Mr. Gerard made a short speech in his usual good taste, with a
sentiment complimentary to the Ashburton treaty and to the
American negotiator. Then the dark brow at the head of the table
became contracted; the noble intellect began to arrange itself and
the bright eye to gather up its lightnings, piercing but benignant
as those which irradiate the darkness of a summer evening.
Mr. Webster, after having gained the attention of the company,156
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 62.
began a talk, not a speech, without rising from his seat, with no
declamation, no oratorical nor rhetorical ornaments; without gesture,
in a plain, business-like, colloquial strain; but in language pure as
the dew of heaven, and full of such instruction as might proceed
from such a mind as his to the minds of men to whom he paid the
high compliment of considering his equals. He gave a full history,
in all its stages, of the negotiation which resulted in the treaty,
from his first interview with Lord Ashburton at Washington. He
took up each point separately: the Eastern boundary, the case of the
“Carolina,” that of the “Creole,” the subject of impressment, the
right of search, the suppression of the slave-trade, and other inci-
dental questions; stated the difficulties which had occurred, the
mutual concessions arising out of a sincere and earnest desire on
both sides to consult the interests and honour of both nations in a
spirit of good feeling and honest intention, rather than to resort to
the exploded arts of diplomacy or to insist upon advantages merely
technical. It was agreed, said the eloquent speaker, that such arts
were unworthy of two such nations as Great Britain and the United
States. They had met in a spirit of finity to settle, important ques-
tions, and went to their work like men of business. This exposition
lasted an hour, and left every auditor as well acquainted, in his own
mind, with the treaty, and all that appertained to it, as he who
made it. This branch of his subject being finished, Mr. Webster
turned to me, and, meeting my bow by a graceful one of his own,
he said, “ And now as to my friend Mr. Hone, and in reply to his
allusion; if I mistake not, that gentleman gave its name to the
Whig party. I was christened at his font, and have continued firm
in his faith. I am too old to change my politics or my religion.**
He then went on in a strain similar to that which had charac-
terized his former remarks. He attributed the unhappy divisions
which exist at present in the Whig party in relation to the course
of the Executive, to the unfortunate alteration of the Constitution
which made it necessary to designate in the presidential election
the candidates for President and Vice-President. Previously to this1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
157
change, which, like all others, has been productive of great mischief,
the candidates were selected with reference to the fitness of both
for the highest office, to which either was equally liable to be
elected; and since that change, the second officer was usually
selected with a view to personal predilections, sectional interests, or
party preferences, to fill an office of no political importance (except
in such a melancholy contingency as has now occurred) and devoid
of personal responsibility. He then defined his position in relation
to Mr. Tyler’s administration. In his judgment it was better for
the people and for the Whigs to make the best of existing circum-
stances during the remainder of the present term of the President;
to secure the appointment of wise and patriotic Whigs in the foreign
diplomatic department, rather than, by opposition, to throw the
Executive bodily into the arms of our opponents.
The whole of this exposition of his sentiments was given in a
frank and confiding manner; the interest excited was intense, and
a stillness prevailed in the room during its delivery such that you
might literally “ hear a pin drop; ” not a word was lost, not a glance
passed unnoticed. A sketch of the speaker and his audience at
the moment when the former said, “ And now one word for Mr.
Hone,” would have been a sublime moral study, a noble illustration
of the omnipotent power of intellect. When he had finished, I
bowed low and said, “Mr. Webster, as one of this delighted and
instructed company, I thank you for the history you have given of
your important negotiation; and, for myself, I feel honoured over-
much by the notice you have taken of my remarks and the expla-
nations they have been the means of eliciting.” The company
continued in delightful session until midnight.
Papers.” I am much afraid that the desire of the illiberal and
malevolent penny-paperists and other fault-finders, who confidently
expected to find “ offence in it,” will be disappointed. I have not
Dickens’s
New Work.
November 7.—The “Great Western” brings out
the much-talked-of “ Notes on America, for General
Circulation,” by the celebrated author of the “ Pickwick158
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 62.
read the book; but one of the extracts, which is much abused in
the “ Herald,” and held up as its greatest montrosity, viz., a most
glowing picture of the mischief affected by just such jpf)ers as this
“ Herald,” and the national disgrace attending their wide circula-
tion, is precisely to my taste ; it is true, every word of it; and if
there is nothing worse in the book, I say, with all my heart, “ ditto
to Mr. Burke.”
November 12. — Mr. John Delmonico, the respectable proprie-
tor of the great hotel and restaurant in William street, died on
Thursday morning, in a strange and awful manner. He was with
a party, deer-hunting at Snedecors, Islip, L.I. He was placed on a
stand up the creek, and a deer coming, he fired. The deer, badly
wounded, took to the water, and was killed by one of the number
on another stand. After some time his companions, going to join
him, found him lying on his face in the same spot where he had
fired, quite dead, of apoplexy, probably produced by the excite-
ment which the sport of deer-hunting always occasions with per-
sons unaccustomed to it. Mr* Delmonico was an amiable man,
very obliging in his house, and will not fail to be remembered as
long as good dinners dwell pleasantly upon the recollection.
“American November 14. — This is the somewhat singular title
Notes forGen- j)ickens>s new book, which has just been received
tion.”	here. Its advent was expected with a vast deal of
curiosity, and no notes have ever had a more prompt or rapid
circulation, nor, in my opinion, has any writer been more unfairly
treated by my countrymen. Lies were circulated in advance; sen-
timents were attributed to him which he never uttered. His name
was forged to papers which he never saw; his distinct and indig-
nant disavowal was refused the publicity which was accorded with
satisfaction to the slanders regarding the unworthy character of the
present work. These slanders have been refuted by the appear-
ance of the book itself. Because a few hospitable people here and
in Boston made a little too much fuss about him on the occasion
of his late visit to the United States, but more especially because1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
159
Mr. Dickens saw with an unprejudiced eye the horrible licentious-
ness of the daily press in this country, and uttered in the language
of truth hi^Senunciation of the stupendous evil, and would fain
assist in wiping out the foul blot from our national escutcheon (for
all which I humbly conceive we ought to be greatly obliged to
him), this lively writer, whose works have been hitherto so popular
in this country, is now vilified and misrepresented. And so will
any man be who has the moral courage to make battle against this
frightful monster, who stalks unrebuked through the land, blasting
with its pestiferous breath everything bright and lovely which is
too sensitive to resist its influence, and receiving the daily homage
of those who, like the men who cater for their depraved appetites,
have no sympathy for virtues and accomplishments which they
themselves do not possess, and whose insignificance affords them
an immunity from the attacks which they enjoy so much in the
persons of their superiors.
The truth is, that, contrary to the predictions of the conductors
of the vile penny press, and greatly to their disappointment, Mr.
Dickens has written a very fair and impartial book about this
country; not very creditable, I think, to its author as a literary pro-
duction, and not by any means so amusing as might have been
expected from a writer who, in his previous works, has afforded us
so much and such highly wrought and varied amusement. It is
written carelessly; his sketches are drawn from hasty observation,
and it is evident that his volatile wing has not rested long enough
in one place to enable him to understand its peculiarities, nor to
discourse wisely upon its characteristics. But the public institu-
tions of the country, its manufacturing establishments, hospitals,
prisons, courts, and colleges are praised and censured with equal
justice and impartiality, and not unfrequently most favourably con-
trasted with similar institutions in his own country.
“ Business is business,” as some man says, in some
Singular Ad. j The following notice, which was published the
vertisements. J	0
day after the funeral of poor Delmonico, is veryi6o
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 62.
much in the style of the inscription on a tombstone in Pere-la-
Chaise, which runs somewhat in this form : “ Here lies the body of
Pierre Quelquechose, who died so and so. This monument is
erected to his memory by his widow, who takes this occasion to
inform her friends and customers that the pastry-cook establish-
ment is continued at such a number Rue Saint Honors, where she
will be happy to receive their orders.’*
This is the counterpart: —
“ A card. — The widow, brother, and nephew Lorenzo, of the
late much respected John Delmonico, tender their heartfelt thanks
to the friends, benevolent societies, and Northern Liberty Fire
Engine Company, who accompanied his remains to his last home.
The establishment will be reopened to-day, under the same firm
of Delmonico Brothers, and no pains of the bereft family will be
spared to give general satisfaction. Restaurant, bar-room, and
private dinners No. 2 South William street; furnished rooms No.
76 Broad street, as usual.”
Death of Wm	William Ellery Channing, D.D., the great apostle of
Ellery chan- the Unitarian faith, the eloquent divine, the philan-
mng, d.d. thropist, and the champion of religious and political
freedom, died at Bennington, Vermont, on the 2d of October,
aged sixty-three years. A funeral ceremony was performed on the
13th ult., in the church of the Messiah in this city, on which occa-
sion a eulogy on the character, writings, and Christian labours of
the deceased was pronounced by the Rev. Henry W. Bellows, of
which I received a copy to-day. It was warm, glowing, eloquent,
and metaphorical, as I am inclined to think all the productions of
that gentleman are, and which I suspect are the characteristics
of most of the eloquent divines of the Unitarian church.
November 26. — James Watson Webb was brought
Webb’s Up in the Court of Sessions this day, and sentenced by
Sentence*
the Recorder on his plea of guilty of the charge of
leaving the State to fight a duel, and fighting a duel with Thomas
Marshall. The sentence was two years imprisonment in the State1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE,
l6l
prison,—the shortest term prescribed by the statute. There is very
little doubt that this sentence will be followed immediately by an
unconditional pardon from Governor Seward, to whom petitions to
that effect have been forwarded, signed by fourteen thousand citizens
of New York. In this large number are included most of the
leading men of the party in politics opposed to Colonel Webb,
fourteen of the seventeen members of the grand jury who found
the bill, every alderman and assistant of the city except one, a
great many of the clergy, judges of the several courts, and members
of the bar. The roll was upward of four hundred feet in length.
This is all very flattering to the delinquent who has fallen into the
law’s danger; but there is good reason to believe that Governor
Seward did not require this strong appeal to incline him to exercise
the most agreeable prerogative of executive power. The pardon
is, no doubt, prepared already, and all reasonable men will justify it
on the present occasion.
November 28. —The trial in Westchester before
Fighters Judge Ruggles, of Sullivan, McCluster, and Kensett,
seconds in the battle fought at Hastings by Lilly and
McCoy, which resulted in the death of the latter, closed on Satur-
day. The jury brought a verdict of “ guilty of manslaughter in the
fourth degree,” which will probably subject the accused to two
years imprisonment in the State prison. It remains to be seen
whether executive clemency will find the same extenuating circum-
stances in this case as in that of Webb. We are deplorably in
want of an example to break down the ruffianism which has been
growing up amongst us; but it will puzzle His Excellency to draw a
distinction in favour of a pistol, which in most cases is intended to
produce death, and the fist, from which it may incidentally occur.
Webb, to be sure, stands acquitted, by the letters which he wrote
before the duel, from the murderous intent which characterizes such
meetings on ordinary occasions; and an ounce of lead is an argu-
ment so much more genteel than a handful of knuckles. But, after
all, the “ quo animo ” is not so bad in the latter case as in the former.162	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	[iEtat.62.
I was wrong, the other day, in stating that Lilly, the principal in
the fight, was on trial at White Plains. That worthy “ absquatu-
lated ” immediately after the “Olympic games” were over at
Hastings, and the paper this day announces his arrival in Liverpool
by the “ George Washington,” on the 30th of October. He will
be all the fashion in that refined country, whose sensitive tourists
faint at the recollection of the tobacco chewing and spitting Yan-
kees, and lose their delicate appetites at our vulgar substitution of
the knife for the fork. The man who killed his man here will, by
that heroic exploit, have un-Yankeeized himself there. He will
become an associate of the magnates of the land. His name will
be enrolled in the court calendar, with the Belchers and the
Springs, the Cribs and the Dutch Sams, and his portrait will adorn
a page of the elegant literature of British science; the Yankee
Lilly alongside the black champion in a hot-pressed volume, in
superb binding, — one of a set which sells at a guinea and a half a
volume, such as I saw last evening at Prescott Hall’s, and which
occupy a place in the boudoirs of the British fair alongside of
“Flowers of Fancy” and “Mills’s Chivalry.”
December 13. — The late Minister to France is all
General Cass, the fashion in New York. He receives company in
presidential and gubernatorial style at the City Hall.
He has defined his political sentiments in a letter to Governor
Dickinson, of New Jersey, which is published with a flourish of
trumpets for the benefit of all good Republicans who may have been
troubled with doubts and misgivings on that important subject.
He professes to be a Democrat of the Jefferson school, and opposed
to a national bank. The return of General Cass at this time, his
reception, arid the declaration drawn from him in the above-men-
tioned letter seem to indicate pretty clearly that he is to add one
to the number of candidates for the Presidency. He will be a
thorn in the side of Mr. Van Buren, whose chances will be more
affected by this new aspirant than by that of the Southern candidate.
Whether all will work together for the benefit of the single Whig1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
163
candidate remains to be seen. It is pretty difficult for me to find
out the claims of General Cass. But in that respect he stands
about on a par with General Harrison at the time of his nomina-
tion. If Mr. Clay cannot be elected, I do not know that I shall
not be prepared to hurrah for Cass. Anybody but Calhoun, even
Van Buren. I am a Northern man, and a New Yorker. As such
I can never consent to be ruled by one whose paramount principle
is one of opposition to the interests and prosperity of this part of
the Union. Mr. Calhoun has talents of a superior order. So much
the worse; for his enmity is the more effective. The canker of
envy, hatred, and malice against the Northern and Eastern States
lies deep in his heart. He would prefer that the cotton of Caro-
lina should go to Europe in British vessels rather than in those of
New York, Boston, or Philadelphia.
The United States brig “ Somers,” Captain Alexander Slidell McKen-
zie, arrived in this port on Wednesday night from a cruise on the
African coast, and last from St. Thomas, from which latter port she
had only eight days passage. During the whole of Thursday there
was a strange mystery about this vessel. She lay in the bay;
nobody, not even the near relations of the officers, was permitted
to visit her; the brother of Lieutenant Gansevoort was forbidden to
approach. The cause of all this is now explained. A dreadful
mutiny had been formed when the brig left the coast of Africa,
which was discovered soon after she sailed from St. Thomas. Of
this conspiracy, Philip Spencer, a young man of twenty years of
age, son of the Hon. John C. Spencer, Secretary of War, was the
ringleader. The plan was to murder the captain and lieutenant,
convert the brig into a pirate, and come to the American coast for
the purpose of intercepting and robbing the packets, which were
supposed to have large quantities of specie on board. The crew
of the vessel consisted of about seventy-five young men from the
Case of the
“ Somers.”
December 17. — On our return to-day we found the
city excited by the development of a dreadful story, of
which there were some rumours when we went away.THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 62.
164
naval schools, who had been sent out to complete their education.
The mutiny was disclosed by one of the conspirators, when
measures were immediately taken for its suppression. Two-thirds
of the crew were engaged in the plot; but Captain McKenzie
appears to have acted with the utmost decision and bravery. The
mutineers were confined under hatches, a court-martial was held,
and young Spencer, with two of his confederates, were hung at the
yard-arm ; the rest of the mutineers put in irons, in which situation
they were brought home, and have been transferred to the “ North
Carolina/*
A messenger was sent to Washington, and nothing was allowed
to transpire until the return of the mail from that place. The im-
minent danger of the captain and lieutenant, with so large a propor-
tion of the crew in a state of insubordination, no doubt rendered this
dreadful and summary exercise of power unavoidable, as an example
and measure of safety. If it should so appear (as there seems to
be no doubt), public opinion will support, and the government will
approve, the conduct of Captain McKenzie. But if it should
prove otherwise, he will have assumed an awful responsibility, and
his reckoning with the distinguished individual, the father of the
principal sufferer, will be fearful, indeed.
Captain Slidell McKenzie is a brave, gallant young officer, son of
my old friend Mr. John Slidell, of this city, brother of John and
Thomas Slidell, of New Orleans, the latter of whom is husband to
Fanny Callender. Young Spencer was a worthless fellow, who
would have been cashiered for some misdemeanour on a former
cruise but from feelings of delicacy for the respectable character
and high station of his father, whose severe affliction is entitled to
the deepest sympathy.
December 19. — Further particulars of the mutiny and execution
on board the brig “ Somers ” are published this morning, not differing
importantly from yesterday’s statement. The plot was disclosed to
Captain McKenzie by Wales, the purser’s steward, on the 29th of
November, and the three ringleaders executed on the 1st of1842.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
165
December. The conduct of Wales is highly commended by the
captain and lieutenant. He pretended to give into the plot until
he obtained all the plans of the conspirators, when, at a risk of his
life, he made the disclosure. The two men who shared the misera-
ble fate of Spencer were Samuel Cromwell, boatswain’s mate, and
Elisha Small, seaman. Twelve men and boys are now confined in
irons on board the “ North Carolina,” awaiting the action of the navy
department. The public, with the exception of the editor of the
“ Herald,” appear to approve the captain’s conduct.
December 21. — A statement is published in the
The Mutiny. “ Washington Madisonian,” signed S., which will occasion
some revulsion in the public mind in relation to the
melancholy tragedy on board the brig “ Somers.” This statement,
which the author asserts is “ not made to excite prejudice, but to
repel the attempt to create it, and to enable the American people
to see what mighty principles are involved in this unheard-of pro-
ceeding,” is evidently written by Mr. Spencer, the Secretary of
War. It is one of those strong, forcible documents for which he is
celebrated; fierce in style, rigid in argument, and certainly presents
the subject of his son’s execution in a light somewhat different from
that in which it was received at first. If there exists any reasona-
ble doubt of the absolute necessity for this awful exercise of power,
Captain McKenzie may wish sincerely that he never had been born
to meet such a responsibility. A more dangerous opponent than
John C. Spencer could not be found in the United States; stem,
uncompromising, obstinate in temper, determined and energetic in
action, and with talents equal to any effort which his feelings may
prompt, or his duty may call him to execute. It is officially
announced that the navy department is not in possession of infor-
mation sufficient to form a statement for the public eye. This
would appear unfavourable to Captain McKenzie. If his official
report were not so clear as to leave " no hook on which to hang a
doubt,” the doubt, the hesitation alone would be fatal to him. If
the cabinet should take part with the bereaved parent, who is one166
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 62.
of its prominent members, in denying the existence of the necessity
for the execution of the ringleaders of the mutiny, and if the laws
should not support the measure, Captain McKenzie is ruined past
redemption.
December 24: — The following party, most of whom were mem-
bers of the Hone Club, dined with me to-day, and passed a merry
Christmas eve; we sat honestly until twelve o’clock, and ate and
drank, and laughed and talked, as if the times were as good as
ever: R. M. Blatchford, Moses H. Grinnell, John Ward, William G.
Ward, Simeon Draper, Jr., Samuel Jaudon, J. W. Webb, Edward
Curtis, James Bowen, Dr. J. W. Francis, Robert B. Minturn.
December 28. — I dined at Judge Pendleton’s. The party
consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Schermerhorn, Mr. and Mrs. Ham-
mersley, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Jones, Mr. and Mrs. James J.
Jones, Mr. Ray, Mr. Boreel, Maturin Livingston, James Thom-
son, and P. H.
mony was the production of the report sent on to the navy depart-
ment by Captain McKenzie, immediately after his arrival in New
York; and well would it have been for him if it had never seen the
light. “ Oh that mine enemy should write a book ! ” was the vin-
dictive exclamation of some such person as the Secretary of War.
I have learned by experience and observation, that nine-tenths of all
the scrapes men get into are occasioned by writing or saying too
much. Here is a document ten times longer than was necessary,
written without consultation with any judicious friend, who, from
not being immediately interested in the event, would have been
better able to look at? the consequences, full of public details of
trifling circumstances and irrelevant conversation, and interspersed
with sage reflections with which the public and the navy department
had no more to do than with the cogitation of the Emperor of
China on the invasion of the “ outside barbarians,” or the specula-
Court of
Inquiry.
December 29. — Great interest is excited by the
proceedings of the court of inquiry, now sitting at the
navy yard, on the affair of the “ Somers.” The first testi-1842.]	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	167
tions of London stockbrokers on the fall of American securities. He
has aimed to be very impartial, and has conceded so much that the
confidence of his friends and the public, who would fain be on his
side, is shaken in the belief of the imperative necessity of the dread-
ful example which he felt himself called upon to make.
Not only the character of Captain McKenzie, but that of the
flag under which he sails and of the nation which he serves, is
deeply concerned in his making out a complete justification. There
is no middle ground in this business; it was altogether right, or
altogether wrong. And here, instead of a concise, manly statement
of his proceeding on the discovery of the mutiny, the necessity
which, in his judgment, existed for his summary exercise of power,
and his regret that he had been called upon to adopt measures so
painful to his feelings, we have a long rigmarole story about private
letters discovered on the person of young Spencer, orders to blow
out the brains of “ refractory men,” religious ceremonies, cheers for
the American flag, and conversations with the accused, in one of
which he said to Spencer that “ he hung him, because if he took him
to the United States he would escape punishment, for everybody
got clear who had money and friends,”— a national reproach, which,
even allowing it to be true, came with a bad grace from an officer
of the American navy.
He makes an apology, it is true, for this indiscreet expression.
But, in the name of all that is wonderful, why should he stigmatize
himself by relating such a conversation in a document which will be
carried on the wings of the wind to the most distant part of the
earth ? The truth is, there is much to be seen, in this statement, of
the pride of authorship. Captain McKenzie, when he was Alexan-
der Slidell, wrote a clever book called “ A Year in Spain,” which
gave him some reputation as an author, and he disdained to take
advice in regard either to the matter or the manner of the narrative.
Even in this particular it is a failure; it will add nothing to his
literary renown.
The oral testimony of his officers thus far is greatly in his favour,168
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JEtat. 62.
and I trust he will stand justified before God and his country, not-
withstanding his ill-judged report; but, as the Unitarian divine said
of St. Thomas’s exclamation, “ My Lord and my God,” I wish he
had not said it. There is abundant testimony of the utter depravity
of young Spencer; but doubts are freely expressed by many reflect-
ing people of the guilt of Cromwell and Small, and of the sufficiency
of the evidence on which they were condemned.THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
1843-]
169
1843.
ANUARY 2. — Yesterday was the regular New Year’s Day; but
being Sunday, it was only observed by the moral and relig-
ious sentiments which this occasion never fails to inspire, and
which were inculcated by the Christian zeal and forcible eloquence
of our clergymen. My excellent pastor, Dr. Wainwright, gave us
on this occasion, as he did on Christmas Day, an exceedingly
interesting sermon, which it is to be hoped some two or three of
his congregation may remember to their own edification and the
honour of the reverend orator, during the year 1843.
The festivities of the New Year were reserved for to-day, and
there appeared to be no falling off from the time-honoured observ-
ances of our city. There were two snow-storms in the course of
the morning, neither of which continued long enough to prevent the
visiting, and, as the sleighing was excellent, all but the horses en-
joyed it exceedingly. I started in a sleigh at twelve o’clock, and
made forty odd visits, which occupied me until five. The ladies
smiled and looked beautiful, the fires sparkled and looked warm,
the furniture shone and looked comfortable, the whiskey-toddy
smoked and looked strong, and everything was gay as it used to be
in good times. The heads of the people were up to-day, however
* certain it may be that many of them will be bowed down by mis-
fortune, and some laid low, before another year calls them to similar
festivities.
The old year was marked by public calamity and individual
misfortune, the former relieved only by the successful termination
of the negotiations with England, and the latter by abundant har-
vests and the consequent low prices of provisions; but business is
unprofitable, confidence impaired, stocks and other personal prop-
erty of little value, taxes nearly doubled, rents reduced, tenants17O	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	[iEtat 63.
running away, debts wiped out by the bankrupt law, and Loco-
focoism triumphant. So ends the year 1842, and so begins the
year 1843. In all these particulars the latter will not only
“ tread in the steps of its predecessor,” but tread so much harder
on the “ road to ruin ” as to leave no remembrance of its foot-
steps; or I am a false prophet, that’s all. Amongst the other
calamities which mark the advent of the New Year, Governor
Seward retires from office, and leaves Governor Bouck to fill his
place — if he can.
January 3. — The survivors of the Hone Club had a pleasant
dinner to-day, at Moses H. Grinnell’s. The party consisted of the
following old members: Grinnell, Blatchford, John Ward, William
G. Ward, Draper, Prescott Hall, and myself; besides whom there
were Robert B. Minturn, Edward Curtis, James Thomson, James
W. Otis, Ogden Hammond, James W. Webb, M. Brigham, and
James Bowen.
January 5. — I went over this morning to the navy
Court of in-	yar(j? and after visiting Commodore Perry, and inspect-
ing, greatly to my satisfaction, the library and museum
of the navy lyceum, I attended for two or three hours the court
of inquiry on board of the “ North Carolina.” The cabin was
filled with spectators and newspaper reporters, for the examination
is conducted by the greatest publicity. I was received with flatter-
ing respect by the president and members of the court, who in-
vited me to a seat at their table. The proceedings are character-
ized by the utmost dignity and decorum. The witnesses examined
to-day were Mr. Leycock, the surgeon, and Mr. Rodgers, senior
midshipman; the latter a fine, sturdy fellow, a sailor out and out.
I was amused by his seamanlike reply of “Aye, aye, sir,” on
two occasions when requested by the judge advocate and com-
modore to raise his voice. The witnesses are made to give a nar-
rative, in their own words, of the events attending the mutiny and
execution on board the “ Somers,” after which questions are put to
them in writing by Commander McKenzie, and orally by the judgeIS43-J
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
171
Kent’s Com-
mentaries.”
advocate. Their answers are prompt and manly. The evidence
looks well for the commander. He looks careworn and anxious, as
well he may. God send him a safe deliverance !
January 24. — I was greatly surprised and pleased
to learn from the gifted and amiable ex-chancellor of
the continued sales and large profits afforded by this
highly popular work. Ten thousand copies have been printed in
four editions, which are sold by him at $9 a copy. His profits ever
since the work came out have been $5,000 a year, — double the
amount of the chancellor’s salary, — and from the undiminished
demand for the work from all parts of the United States, as well
as from England, where it is established as . a text-book, the learned
author does not apprehend any diminution of the profits of the sale
for twenty years to come. I doubt if any American book has ever
produced so much money. It gives the author a noble and most
honourable independence for life; and that God may grant that life
to be extended to its utmost term of usefulness, and to the full
measure of his family’s desire, is my most sincere and fervent
prayer. I venerate him as a father, while I love him as a brother;
and the reverence I feel for him as an instructor is sanctified by
my affection for him as a friend. The hour I pass in the twilight
of every Sunday evening with Chancellor Kent and his amiable
family (including the “wise young judge ” from next door, and his
wife) afford me the highest gratification, and I come away delighted
with my visit as a young lover from the society and the smiles
of his mistress.
January 27. — The English papers do abuse us
shamefully for swindling, repudiation, cheating, and
other trifling departures from rectitude, which abuse is
all the harder to be borne from the difficulty we have in many of
the cases of contradicting the truth of the charges. A man may
know his wife to be a-------, but if he has the spirit of a man he will
not allow others to call her so. We are not the less disposed to
resent an injurious epithet from the consciousness of meriting it;
National
Character.172
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[/Etat. 63.
but, on the contrary, our revenge is stimulated in proportion as we
are deprived of the proud satisfaction of condemning a charge which
we know to be false. John Bull, smarting under the loss of his
money, charges the whole of us, indiscriminately, as a nation of
swindlers; and such of us as are honest, besides defending our own
characters, are bound, by a sort of family pride, to a much more
difficult task, that of palliating the rascality of our brethren. Penn-
sylvania, Mississippi, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois have more to
answer for at home than abroad. It is as much as we in New York
and hereabouts can do to keep on our legs, without having the
burden to carry of the disgrace of the dishonest part of the family.
February i. — This is the quarter-day of the ruin of landlords.
Rents are fifty per cent, lower and taxes fifty per cent, higher;
nearly the whole burthen of taxes falls upon real estate, for it is the
only tangible property. The pressure is severe enough upon the
owners of houses and stores who are out of debt; but if the prop-
erty is mortgaged, and the seven per cent, interest must be regu-
larly paid, the Lord help the owners ! Several of my tenants are
unable to pay the rent of last year; all the good ones are going
away, and the reduction of rent in the few cases where they remain
is ruinous. Clinton Hotel, the lease of which to Mr. Hodges, at
$4,500 per annum, expires on the first of May, is rented to the
same person for another year at $2,500; but this year must deter-
mine the fate of New York; the patient is in extremity, and must
die or be relieved before another comes round. #
February 14.—The noble old Commodore Isaac
modore Huir* Hull, Hull of the Constitution, died yesterday
morning, in Philadelphia, where he has resided since
his return from the cruise in the “ Ohio.” He was the oldest officer
in the navy, with the exception of Barron and Stewart. He it was
that “ plucked up drowning honour by the locks ” on the ocean at
the same moment that his namesake on the land was shoving it
under. Hull’s capture at Detroit, and Hull’s capture of the
“Guerriere,” stood side by side in the chronicles of the day, andi$43-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
173
the exultations of John Bull and Brother Jonathan were equally
restrained by the one and the other.
February 21. — I am grieved to record the decease
Death of Mr. Qf pet-er Augustus Jay. Few more learned and accom-
plished men, and none more upright and honourable,
are to be found in this city than Mr. Jay, the son of the illustrious
John Jay, the purest of patriots and the wisest of statesmen. Mr.
Jay inherited a large share of those noble qualities which distin-
guished his sire. He was a gentleman of the old school; he
adorned society by the example of his deportment and manners;
by his strict integrity he rebuked the corruption of the times, and
by his religious principles he set an example to his professional
brethren. I was associated with Mr. Jay at the board of trustees
of Columbia College, of which he was president, and as a vestry-
man of Trinity, of which he recently became a member. . The
deceased was sixty-seven years of age.
February 23.—There is an absolute plethora of
specie. specie in this country; no more certain indication of
the prostration of commerce and disordered state
of trade. The banks in New York have two dollars in gold and
silver for every dollar in circulation, lying like an ingot in the vaults,
producing nothing and unable to get into circulation. What must
be said by the croakers about an occasional scarcity of specie
(which shows that something good is doing), when they read the
following list of consignees by the steamer “ Acadia ” ! She, brings
out 200,000 pounds sterling, and the “ Great Western ” will have
300,000 pounds, — two millions and a half of dollars; I wonder if
Mr. Benton has a purse large enough to contain ail this, humbug
personification of national prosperity; 850 pounds to Charles Hill;
1,700 pounds to George Pratt; 300 pounds to Joseph Shaw; 413
pounds to Heard & Welsh; 10,000 pounds to Sands, Fox, & Co.;
1,250 pounds to T. W. Ward; 20,000 pounds to J. E. Thayer &
Bro.; 7,000 pounds to J. Dixon & Son; 3,000 pounds to Gossler
& Co.; 20,000 pounds to order; 2,200 pounds to J. Shillaber;174
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 63.
2,000 pounds to J. & H. Thayer & Co.; 5,280 pounds to Boor-
man, Johnston, & Co.; 100,000 pounds to Brown Bros. & Co.;
300 pounds to De Rham & Moore ; 1,000 pounds to C. H. Upham
& Co.; 20,000 dollars to T. Patten; and several smaller sums.
ination, that the public here appears to have lost all interest in the
matter, and you scarcely hear an inquiry made as to its progress,
or the probability of its termination. Not so with our kind, officious
brethren in the “ mother country.” One universal burst of vitu-
peration comes from the pack of hireling papers published in Lon-
don ; not only is Commander McKenzie saluted with the epithets
of “murderer,” “coward,” “fool,” “bully,” and all others which
may be supposed to be most offensive to a gentleman and an offi-
cer, but the navy is vilified, the civil institutions of the country
derided, and the country itself insulted by the blackguards of the
British press, and their coadjutors and supporters here. The edi-
tor of the infamous “ Herald ” blazons these offensive articles in the
public view with evident satisfaction, and makes their publication
the ground of insulting remarks to the court. When the court’s
actions were subject to the supervision of the American people only,
it was not of much consequence how the proceedings were con-
ducted ; but now that they come under the notice of the “ British
press; ” that the Bennetts of St. Paul’s churchyard have honoured
the country by their animadversions, and established a tribunal in
the slums of St. Giles for the trial of the triers, — it behooves them
to be circumspect. They must blacken the character of McKenzie
if they wish to preserve their own, and hang him if they would es-
cape the gibbet themselves. So says Mr. Bennett. The vile bribe,
which there is good reason to believe has set him in motion, shines
through every line he now writes on this melancholy subject. The
interest of the protracted affair has given place in the public mind
to new subjects, and the character of an honoured American officer
McKenzie’s
Trial.
February 25. — The court-martial at Brooklyn, on the
“ Somers ” case, drags along its tedious length so slowly,
and there is such an everlasting sameness in the exam-1843.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
175
is left to be worried and mangled by as filthy a cur as ever barked
in foreign accents at the bidding of a corrupt employer.
I am not as clear as I could wish to be in my opinion of the
absolute necessity of the dreadful act of discipline resorted to by
McKenzie, and for his sake, as well as for the sake of national
justice, I sometimes think I should like to have evidence of some
clearly overt act of mutiny; but Ido most entirely believe that he
proceeded in his extremity with good motives, in a full conviction
of the existence of the mutiny, and a persuasion that the execution
was necessary for the safety of his vessel and the preservation of
his men. Be this, however, as it may, I am indignant that this
“scum of Britons” should avail themselves of this distressing
occurrence to cast the contents of their “ stink pots ” upon my
country, and that a wretch should be found among us base enough
to ladle them out to the last loathsome drop. But, above all, am I
humiliated that my fellow-citizens should give to this infamous
journal a circulation greater (if the mendacious sheet may in
any sort be believed) than that of any other daily newspaper
in the country.
March 6.— The House of Representatives and the
^Congress1 Senate adjourned on Saturday; so there is an end of the
Congress which floated into power on the great Har-
rison wave of 1840,— the people’s Congress, from which so much
was expected, but which, by untoward circumstances, by treason,
misplaced confidence, and unchastened ambition has been thwarted
and checkmated at every move; which has done little to redeem
its pledges, and of that little has undone much. Like a goodly
vessel, the pilot lost overboard, the rudder broken, and several of
the crew in a state of mutiny, but with timbers sound, chart accurate,
and a voyage planned which could not fail to prove profitable to
the owners, she was soon cast adrift, made no headway, and has at
last returned into port to refit, and, if possible, to recommence her
voyage under better officers and crew. Much of this, however,
will depend upon the owners, and they are not much to be relied176
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[A£tat. 63.
Launch of the
** Liverpool.”
upon. The closing scene in the House of Representatives was
marked by less asperity of feeling than might have been expected,
from the previous squabbles of the members. They seemed to be
afraid to trust themselves, and so, like wise men, they opened the
galleries and laid themselves under petticoat government.
March 9. — I dined with Mr. William B. Astor, in his noble
mansion in Lafayette place, one of the finest houses in the city.
The party consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Schermerhom, Mr. and
Mrs. Philip Van Rensselaer, General Tallmadge, Captain and Mrs.
Bolton (Mary Lynch formerly), Mr. and Miss Ward, Mr. Havers,
Dutch charge ; Messrs. West, Blunt, Brevoort, etc.
March 10. — I witnessed yesterday the launch of
the “ Liverpool,” a noble ship of one thousand one
hundred and fifty tons, built for the new Liverpool line
of Woodhull & Mintum. She was built by Bell & Brown, and
launched from their extensive dock-yard, foot of Houston street,
East river. It was a beautiful exhibition. She is the largest packet-
ship yet built; her figure-head is a fine full-length figure of Jenkin-
son, late Earl of Liverpool, in his peer’s robes, taken from an
accurate likeness of that distinguished British minister. What must
John Bull think of these superb specimens of Yankee skill and
enterprise, arriving in his ports one after the other, and each more
admirable than all that went before it? If we run in debt in some
States of the Union more than we can pay, we have something to
show for it by sea and by land, and, like Dickens’s raven, we say,
“ Never die yet.”
March 14. — Died last evening, John Rathbone, aged ninety-
two years. His son died a few weeks since. The deceased was
father-in-law of Robert Chesebrough and Samuel B. Ruggles.
The “ Madisonian,” the organ of President Tyler in
Mr. Webster. Washington, which speaks his language, supports his
doctrine, and registers his edicts, has the following semi-
official notice on Saturday: “Mr. Webster has expressed a wish,
because of certain considerations, well understood between the*843-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
177
President and himself, and which did not in the least affect their
public or private relations, to retire from the cabinet. The Presi-
dent has been pleased to grant him permission to retire. This fact
was publicly stated in the Senate; and it was declared by a senator
authorized to do so, that Mr. Webster would retire in thirty days
after Mr. Cushing’s confirmation.”
0	Gog and Magog! John Tyler pleased to grant Daniel
Webster permission to retire from office! Daniel Webster, the
personification of pure Whig principles, consorting with treachery
and corruption,— a giant shrinking before a dwarf,— Daniel Web-
ster standing, cap in hand, before John Tyler, like a hard-pressed
school-boy, asking from the pedagogue permission to go out!
But it may be that necessity, which, we are told, knows no laws,
and which bows the neck of pride to the footstool of imbecile
power, may have something to do with this humiliation of intel-
lectual greatness.
March 21.—General Harrison was sung into the
Clay Bail. Presidency, and, if Mr. Clay should succeed, it will be
effected in some degree by dancing. The voices of
the people in advance were clearly in favour of the former, and the
latter has established a favourable footing with them. Clay balls
are quite in vogue. They answer a good purpose ; for while they
assist by a little surplus of funds to furnish the ways and means for
electioneering, they enlist the women on our side, and wives and
daughters are famous auxiliaries in a righteous cause, and good
supporters of a tottering conscience.
1	went last evening, by invitation, to one of those political jollifi-
cations given by the Clay Club of the third ward, at Washington
Hall. The large ball-room was handsomely decorated and well
filled. There was a fair collection of ladies, some of whom were
fair, dressed generally without much pretension, and of modest
deportment; but the male division of the dancing part of the com-
pany would hardly have passed muster in former days at the Bath
assemblies, when Beau Nash was the arbiter elegantiarum, or ati78
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 63.
present in the courtly saloons of Almack’s. Colored handkerchiefs
and unpolished boots declared the determination of their wearers
not to be laid neck and heels by the mandates of fashion; and, O
Terpsichore 1 how they did dance t Their independent ears
scorned to be controlled by the arbitrary measures of the music,
and their pliant legs described every letter in the alphabet from
A to Z. But it went off very well. The elderly ladies were pleased
with their children, the young ones with their beaux, and the beaux
with themselves. The Whig common councilmen and other poli-
ticians gave their august countenance with solemn jocularity to the
affair* as a piece of political machinery, and the third ward gets
$250 towards the charter election.
March 22.—This interesting trial, which has dragged
Court-martial, out a tedious existence of six weeks* has at last come to
a conclusion. As long as hopes were entertained that
Commander McKenzie might be brought within the power of a
civil court and jury, and the court-martial be thereby nullified,
every artifice was resorted to by Mr. Norris* the judge advocate,
to procrastinate the proceedings., exhaust the patience of the court,
and worry out the accused and his counsel; but now that the
learned and virtuous decision of Judge Betts has frustrated all hope
of revenge from that quarter, the judge advocate consented to let
the affair come to a close, and forego any longer his emoluments of
ten dollars a day and ten dollars for engrossing every fifteen pages
of his notes of evidence, which have extended, I am told, to five
hundred and fifty pages, nine-tenths of which consist of the merest
repetitions and the dullest technicalities that ever helped to swell
a bill of costs. The examination closed yesterday, and as this was
the day assigned for the reading of McKenzie’s defence, the chapel
in the navy yard, where the court has been held, was filled at an
early hour by anxious spectators, including a large number of
ladies. My daughters went over with Mrs. Depeyster, Mrs. John
Hone, and Emily. I also formed one of the delighted audience ;
prejudiced, I acknowledge, in favour of the accused, and anxiously1843-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
179
desirous that a clear case of justification might be made out, but
never until now so fully and thoroughly satisfied that his inno-
cence has been established and the character of the navy re-
deemed.
The defence, which had been prepared by Mr. George Griffin,
was read by that gentleman; the reading occupied about an hour
and a half. Never was an audience more attentive, and, from all
the indications I observed, never was there one better prepared for
a verdict of complete and honourable acquittal, — a result of which
I think there cannot be a shadow of doubt. Mr. Griffin has done
himself immortal honour in this able document. Many new and
striking points were presented, circumstances hitherto doubtful
were elucidated, the most convincing and appropriate authorities
produced; and occasionally scope was found for a display of the
most thrilling eloquence, while throughout the whole defence the
utmost taste and soundest discretion prevailed. There were no vin-
dictive charges against the prosecution, no angry recrimination, no
seeking after technical or legal advantages, but a straightforward
appeal to the judgment and patriotism of the court, worthy of its
dignity, the character of the accused, and the professional reputa-
tion of the learned advocate.
I cannot refrain from recording here the following thrilling and
graphic picture, drawn toward the close of the address, of the case
as it might now have stood if a different line of conduct had been
pursued under the awful circumstances in which Captain McKenzie
-found himself placed. “ To enable the court the better to judge
of the necessity of the execution, permit me to bring the case to
another test. I suppose that the execution had not taken place ;
that the unconfined malcontents had risen and released the prison-
ers ; that the mutiny had triumphed, and the brig been turned into
a piratical cruiser; that the faithful officers and members of the
crew had been all massacred, except the commander alone; that,
from a refinement in cruelty, the pirates had spared his wretched
life, and sent him on shore that he might be forced to wend home180	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	[iEtat. 63.
his solitary way, and become himself the disgraced narrator of
what would then have been, indeed, ‘ the tragedy of the “ Somers.” ’
With what a burst of indignation would the country have received
his narrative ! How would the American press, with its thousand
tongues, have overwhelmed him with exclamations and interroga-
tions like these: ‘You were seasonably urged, by the unanimous
voice of your trusty officers, to save their lives, the lives of your
faithful seamen, and the honour of your country, by the timely exe-
cution of these malefactors, who deserved to die, and whose imme-
diate death was imperiously demanded by the exigencies of the
case. Why did you not heed the counsel, the earnest counsel of
your associates in authority, your constitutional advisers, with whose
opinion your own, too, concurred? You did not, because you dared
not. You faltered in the path of known and acknowledged duty,
because you wanted moral courage to tread it. On you, in the
judgment of conscience, devolves the responsibility of those mur-
ders, which you might and ought to have prevented; on you re-
coils the disgrace of that flag which never sustained a blot until it
was committed to your charge/ To finish the picture, permit me
to fill up another part of the canvas. I suppose that the
‘ Somers/ now turned pirate, while cruising off our coast had
been permitted by Heaven, in an evil hour, to capture some vessel
plying between this port and Europe, freighted with the talent and
beauty of the land. The men are all murdered, and the females,
including perhaps the new-made- wife, and maidens just blooming
into womanhood, are forced to become the brides of pirates. A
universal shriek of agony bursts from the American people through-
out their vast domains, and the wailing is echoed back from the
whole civilized world; and where then could the commander of
the ‘ Somers9 have hidden his head, branded as it would have
been by a mark of infamy as indelible as that stamped on the fore-
head of Cain? ”
The court-martial will require two or three days to read the min-
utes of evidence, and close up their work. Their decision will1843-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
181
then be sent to Washington, until which time the anxious public
must remain in ignorance of these interesting proceedings.
March 30. — The finest pair of capons I ever saw formed the
ostensible motive for a very agreeable dinner to-day at Prescott
Hall’s. The guests were Robert B. Mintum, Henry Grinnell, R.
M. Blatchford, James Thomson, Gerard Coster, Mr. Dutilh, Mr.
Post, and myself.
March 31. — A similar call to that of yesterday, in th& form of
a fine mess of trout, brought together Moses H. Grinnell, R. M.
Blatchford, Ogden Hoffman, Prescott Hall, Simeon Draper, and
myself, at a cosey dinner at Robert B. Minturn’s.
martial. The character of the navy is sustained and the majesty
of the laws vindicated by the full and honourable acquittal of the
accused from all the charges brought against him. This verdict is
approved and confirmed by the President of the United States, and
the gallant officer who has been the subject of those investigations
is relieved from the anxiety which his unpleasant situation has
caused him, except the painful reflection arising from the necessary
act of severe discipline which he was called upon to perform by
the circumstances in which he was unfortunately placed. It re-
mains now to be seen whether the vindictive feelings of his
enemies can find further means of annoyance and persecution.
April 12. — Tout perdu, sauf rhonneur. Francis
The Election, the First, when beaten by the imperial Loco-focos at
Pavia, and a prisoner in the power of his inexorable
enemy, the Emperor, Charles the Fifth, had a right to console him-
self by the saving clause in this celebrated and often-quoted pas-
sage in his letters to his mother. But the New York Whigs, who
have perdu everything, have not, I fear, equal reason to claim' the
merit of having sauve even their honour. Certain it is that in the
election yesterday, though deficient in odd tricks, they have revoked
Naval Court-
martial.
April 10. — The agitation of the public mind in
relation to the trial of Commander McKenzie is put to
rest by the promulgation of the decision of the court-182
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 63.
shamefully, and lost the game, — double, single, and the rubber.
Morris is elected mayor by six thousand majority, and the Loco-
focos have carried twelve aldermen and fourteen assistants out of
seventeen in each board. The first ward gives Mr. Smith only
one hundred and forty majority, and has elected a Loco-foco assist-
ant by a division among the Whigs. The majority even in the
great fifteenth (my ward) is reduced to six hundred. This was
occasioned by a split on the collector; but my man, R. C. Worten-
dyke, got in by a very small majority. The eleventh gives Morris
the unheard-of majority of thirteen hundred. There has never
been an election in which frauds have been so openly and shame-
fully practised. Under the present system no restraint nor check
upon illegal voting can ever be rendered available. I am thor-
oughly convinced that it is impossible for the country to sustain
itself against the desolating effect of universal suffrage. Public
virtue is the only foundation of a republican form of government,
and that is utterly swept away. The edifice must fall; what comes
next? And through what scenes of blood and violence are we
to pass before we settle down into the death-like paralysis of des-
potic power? The old-fashioned honest men of both parties (for
there are honest men in both) have nothing to say in the matter.
The power is in the hands of a rabble, vile and savage as the
canaille of the Faubourg St. Antoine at the commencement of
the French Revolution; and in the number of red-flannel-shirt
and turned-up-trousers men are thousands ready to cry “A la
lanterne / ” and Marats, Robespierres, and Le Gendres ready at
hand to lead them on to works of blood and violence when the
time shall come.
April 25. — I landed from Long Island just in time
ship the “Ashburton.” Our party consisted of Messrs. Grinnell,
Mintum, Colden, Ogden Hoffman, James Thomson, Captain
Rogers, Gibbes, Draper, Bowdoin, Mr. Barnard of Albany, John
Ashburton
Dinner.
to fulfil an engagement to dine with Moses H. Grin-
nell and Robert B. Mintum on board their splendid1843.]	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	183
Stevens, James W. Otis, James W. Webb, Charles King, Nicholas
Low, Charles L. Livingston, Captain Huddleston, and myself.
May 11. — A letter is published, signed by three hun-
Commamter ^re(j merchants and others of our most respectable citi-
zens, addressed to Commander Alexander S. McKenzie,
expressing their approval of his conduct in the unhappy affair of
the mutiny on board the “ Somers,” and their congratulations on
his honourable acquittal by the court of inquiry and court-martial.
His answer to this high compliment is much better written, and in
better taste, than his unfortunate statement made to the govern-
ment on his arrival. If he had said no more then, and said it as
well, his case would have stood better before his fellow-citizens;
particularly that portion of his friends who lament the necessity,
while they justify the motives, of the dreadful act of discipline
which he was called upon to perform. The merchants have raised
a sum of money by subscription to pay the lawyers’ fees and other
charges attending the trials; but this fact is delicately kept out of
view in the correspondence.
May 23. — Died this morning, at his seat in Westchester
County, Mr. Peter Lorillard, in the eightieth year of his age. He
was last of the three brothers of that name, himself the eldest, —
Peter, George, and Jacob, — all rich men; he the richest. He
was a tobacconist, and his memory will be preserved in the annals
of New York by the celebrity of “ Lorillard’s Snuff and Tobacco.”
He led people by the nose for the best part of a century, and
made his enormous fortune by giving them that to chew which they
could not swallow.
May 24. — Mr. Webster, accompanied by some of
Mr. Webster, the Le Roys, went down on Long Island fishing yes-
terday. His object, I suppose, is to get away from
the crowd who press upon him here, and to prepare his thoughts
in retirement and quiet for the address which he is to deliver next
month on the occasion of the celebration of the completion of the
Bunker Hill Monument, on which occasion President Tyler, the184
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JEtSLt. 63.
heads of departments, and many other distinguished characters are
expected to be present. Mr. Tyler’s office-holders must hold
themselves in readiness to receive him with all due reverence on
his transit through New York, for woe be to him whose stubborn
knee and ungrateful neck refuse to do proper homage to the mas-
ter whose livery they wear !
master,, grammarian, and lexicographer; a man of great learning,
deep research, and laborious investigation; a patriot of the Revo-
lution, in which he took part as a volunteer while yet a junior
student in Yale College; a stiff Federalist and Washingtonian, a
cause which he supported by his writings with great ability in his
younger days, and in which good, old-fashioned faith he was con-
tent to die. As an author, he was best known by his works on
elementary education, and his fame will rest principally on “ Web-
ster’s Spelling-Book ” and “ Webster’s Dictionary.”
June 8.—In the packet “George Washington,” which sailed
yesterday for Liverpool, went passengers Thurlow Weed and Mr.
Schoolcraft, of Albany. The former is the able and influential
editor of the “Albany Evening Journal,” a firm supporter of the
Whig cause; somewhat of a radical, however, and in Whig times
Governor Seward’s conscience-keeper.
good city of New York this 12th day of June, on his way to Boston,
where he is to be present at the great Bunker Hill jubilee and the
delivery of Mr. Webster’s oration, on the 17th. Great preparations
were made for this auspicious occasion by the civil and military
authorities. I was honoured by an invitation from the joint com-
mittee of the corporation.
But “ my arrangements would not permit.” I did not go, be-
Death of Noah
Webster.
May 30. — Died on Sunday evening, at his residence,
New Haven, Conn., Noah Webster, LL.D., in the
eighty-fifth year of his age. He was lawyer, school-
President
Tyler’s Visit.
June 12.—The accidental President, attended by
the Secretary of the Treasury, the Postmaster-General,
and young Mr. Tyler, made a triumphal entry into the1*43-1
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
!85
cause I did not choose to pay homage to the man who has deceived
his friends, and betrayed those who spent time and money, and
comfort and lungs, to place him where he is. Now, when old
Jackson visited New York, I cheerfully helped to swell the loud
hurrahs in honour of the President of the United States. We
were opposed in politics, and had a right to be. I tried to keep
him out, and had no right to expect any favour from him; and,
moreover, with all his tyrannical notions of government, and refer-
ence of public matters to private considerations, there was a man-
liness of character about the old warrior which commanded respect.
But this man has played false to his friends, and is of no use to
any but his enemies; and well may Mayor Morris, and Alderman
Purdy, and the rest of the crew, fire the guns, and ring the bells,
and make speeches to him, and tender him the tenderest welcome,
for in truth he is the best friend their party ever had.
conspired to render the affair equal in all respects to the anticipa-
tions of those who planned and executed it. The storm of the
preceding day (that on which the President of the United States
made his entree into Boston) cleared away during the preced-
ing night; the sun rose bright on Saturday, and the lofty summit
of the monument erected on the sacred spot (the completion of
which was the object of the jubilee) pierced the unclouded canopy
of a New England sky.
The procession was formed on Boston Common. The military
display consisted of troops from all parts of New England, and a
beautiful corps of National Guards from New York, who went on
as an escort to a body of two or three hundred Yankees, residents
of this city, who made (as they say themselves) a splendid appear-
ance ; and, if anybody should be disposed to gainsay it, I will refer
him to Moses H. Grinnell. Then there was the President of the
United States, John Tyler, and Robert Tyler. There was enough
Bunker Hill
Celebration.
June 19, — The papers are filled with accounts
of the great Bunker Hill celebration, on Saturday.
The heavens, and the earth, and the works of man allTHE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 63.
l86
of “ Tyler too,” but unhappily no “ Tippecanoe ; ” Mr. Upshur,
Secretary of the Navy; Mr. Spencer, Secretary of the Treasury;
Mr. Porter, Secretary of War; Mr. Legar6, Attorney-General; and
Mr. Wickliffe, Postmaster-General; and then there was Mr. Brim-
mer, Mayor of Boston, overflowing with patriotism; and Mr.
Quincy, whose throat was sore with huzzaing on the great occasion;
and Mr. Cushing, whose diplomatic fame is about to be emblaz-
oned in china. And there was the immortal Dan, the orator of
the day, who added the brightest and the greenest leaf to the
chaplet which adorns his brow, by the oration in which he invested
with the toga virihs the monument, the offspring of New England
patriotism, in strains of eloquence bright and impressive as those
in which he announced its birth. And there were one hundred
and seven soldiers of the Revolution, of whom thirteen fought in
the battle of Bunker Hill on the 17th of June, 1775 ; and three,
namely, A. Bigelow, L. Harrington, and P. Johnson, were pres-
ent and mingled in the fight when the first blood of the Revolu-
tion was shed at Lexington in the month of April preceding, when,
in the inspiration of prophetic patriotism, Samuel Adams exclaimed
to his brother patriot, John Hancock, “ Oh, what a glorious morn-
ing is this ! ” All accounts agree that this jubilee was a great
affair, even for Boston, where they certainly do excel in such
matters; and as for Webster’s speech, no praise can do it justice,
no extract can be fairly made, no passage can be selected as
unequalled, while all are unsurpassed by others in the same
great oration.
Repeal Meet-
June 22. — Such an Irish howl as we had in New
.	. _ . York the other day was gotten up in Boston in honour
of their “ distinguished visitors,” and Mr. Robert Tyler,
son of the President, heir apparent of his office as he thinks, heir
presumptive of his vanity, and heir de facto of his talents, made a
violent inflammatory speech, in which England and her throne,
her government and her constitution, were attacked with all the
fury of big words, sharp epithets, and senseless declamation. The1843-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
IS/
son of the Executive of the United States, under the eye of his
father, and as is understood with his sanction, uniting with rebels
and disorganizers in opposition to their government, and exciting
civil war in a country with whom we are on terms of amity and
friendship, is in the worst possible taste, to say the least of it; but
there is reason to fear it is somethin^ worse than that. I wish
with all my heart that the people of England knew what fools
these men are, — father and son; it might be the way to turn their
anger into contempt.
June 23.— Died this day, Christian Bergh, aged eighty-one
years, the oldest ship-carpenter in the city, the father of that great
system of naval architecture which has rendered the city of New
York famous throughout the world. He was the first to send on
the great waters the models of packet-ships which have borne the
palm from all other commercial nations; others have followed in
his career, and of late some may have exceeded him, but Chris-
tian Bergh was the first to raise the character of Yankee packet-
ships to a height which as yet has been unapproached by any
foreign nation.
July 4. — I spent a delightful Fourth of July at Mr. Grinnell’s,
at Throgs-neck; the old club set had been duly warned, and at ten
o’clock Prescott Hall and Gerard Coster called to take me out. On
arriving at Mr. GrinnelFs we found our party engaged in pitching
quoits under the noble trees, with a flowing bowl of champagne
punch to prepare them for the labours of the day. The party
consisted of Moses H. Grinnell, Simeon Draper, Jr., Edward
Curtis, George Curtis, J. Prescott Hall, Gerard Coster, R. M.
Blatchford and his son Bloodgood, Ogden Hoffman, John Ward,
and myself. Our dinner was, of course, excellent, and the drink
capital, and we left the quantity of the latter considerably dimin-
ished on coming away.
July 12. — This distinguished artist died at his
residence, in Cambridge, near Boston, on Saturday
evening last, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. He
Washington
Allston.188
THE DIARY QF PHILIP HONE.
[JEtat. 63.
was a native of Charleston, South Carolina; was educated at Har-
vard University, went early in life to England, where he became a
pupil of Benjamin West, and an associate of Reynolds, Fuseli,
and the other eminent painters of the day. He spent several
years in Europe, and returned to this country one of the most
distinguished painters among us. It may not be too high praise
to say the most distinguished. The last twenty-five years of his
life were spent in Cambridge, where he has been employed in his
profession, painting not much, but well. For many years he has
had in hand a great work, “ Belshazzar’s Feast,” which was gotten
up by the liberal subscriptions of some of the rich men of Boston.
Great expectations were formed of this painting, which was
intended as a national specimen of American art; but the unac-
countable dilatoriness of the artist has left the subscribers nothing
but “ hope deferred ” to repay them their advances, and many of
them have died without seeing the picture, as it is feared the artist
has, without finishing it. Money spent does not excite to exertion
so much as money expected. Mr. Allston was equally successful in
his literary as in his artistical labours. His writings are marked
with the same stamp of excellence as his paintings. He published,
many years since, a volume of poetry, which has been well spoken
of, and a novel of great merit, entitled “ Monaldi.”
Saratoga, July 21. — My first glass of Congress water was
drunk this morning, at six o’clock precisely, bright as the sun
gilding the hill-tops of Vermont, and restorative as Brandreth’s
pills. The effect of my morning draught has been found in a
hearty breakfast and good spirits. I am in a mess with James
DePeyster Ogden and Daniel Giraud, — a pleasant arrangement.
The former contributes to my intellectual' as the latter does to my
material, wants; the superabundance of words at Mr. Ogden’s
command makes up for Mr. Giraud’s taciturnity; and as for ideas,
I flatter myself that, without drawing largely upon the last-named
gentleman, the average is tolerable.
Several of my acquaintances are here: Bowne, Haggerty and1843]	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	189
his wife, Carow, James Thomson, a large lot of Le Roys, William
Edgar, John Cox Morris, D. L. Haight and family, Mr. and Mrs.
Richard Haight (by the bye, I have taken a liking to this lady;
she is conceited, but in truth she has much cause for it). The
Haights have with them a young lady who is to accompany them
to Europe, a daughter of Dr. Jarvis, about twenty-one years old,
an uncommonly lovely girl, bright, beautiful, and intelligent.
Then there are Mr. Wetmore, the tall man, Mr. George Griffin,
the taller, and Mr. Sterling, the tallest. The latter is an old Ball-
ston acquaintance; he might regulate the town clocks without
going up into the belfry. There are also Mr. and Mrs. Arnold of
Rhode Island, — a charming woman she, and a clever fellow he; and
Mrs. Vandenheuvel and Miss Morris, Mrs. McGregor, Mrs. Hart,
Mrs. Ingersoll of Philadelphia, daughter of Jacob Ridgeway, the
millionnaire who died the other day. Last, but not by any means
least in anything but size, Daniel Lord, Jr., and his wife and daughter.
At Home, July 29. — Mr. Ogden, Mr. Daniel Giraud, and
I, after dining yesterday at the Springs, arrived here early this
morning; the rapidity of travelling astonishing us who remember
how it worked before the use of steam and the invention of rail-
roads, when a week was consumed in the voyage to Albany, and
it was a day’s journey (and a hard one, too) from thence to Sara-
toga. Now we dine at Saratoga, and arrive in New York before
people are stirring.
Another great change has taken place, one which I do not like
as well. The superior enterprise and public spirit of the Trojans
have drawn away travel from Albany. Here have I been up the
river and returned, stopping for a few minutes at the wharf in
Albany, but not even landing, and continuing my voyage to Troy
in going up, and embarking there in returning, turning “ a cold
shoulder ” upon the good old city of the Van.
Dickens has just published, as one of the chapters
“Martin	“Martin Chuzzlewit,” an account of the arrival of
Chuzzlewit.”
his hero in New York, and what he saw, and heard,190
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 63.
and did, and suffered, in this land of pagans, brutes, and infidels.
I am sorry to see it. Thinking that Mr. Dickens has been ungen-
erously treated by my countrymen, I have taken his part on most
occasions; but he has now written an exceedingly foolish libel
upon us, from which he will not obtain credit as an author, nor as
a man of wit, any more than as a man of good taste, good nature,
or good manners. It is difficult to believe that such unmitigated
trash should have flown from the same pen that drew the portrait
of the immortal Pickwick and his expressive gaiters, the honest
locksmith and his pretty Dolly of Clerkenwell, and poor little Nell,
who has caused so many tears to flow. Shame, Mr. Dickens ! Con-
sidering all that we did for you, if, as some folks say, I and others
made fools of ourselves to make much of you, you should not
afford them the triumph of saying, “ There ! we told you so ! ”
“It serves you right!” and other such consolatory phrases. If
we were fools, you were the cause of it, and should have stood by
us. “ Et tu, Bi'ute ! ”
July 31. — This glorious old man, the type of the
Adams^inC^ Rev°luti°n> the apostle of pure, exalted, genuine Re-
publicanism, has been making a tour, for the first time,
to the Falls of Niagara and Canada ; and to the honour of our
people, and all the people with whom he has come in contact, he
has been received wherever he went with demonstrations of respect.
Committees have waited upon him to usher him into the bosom of
their respective communities; honours, unbought and spontaneous,
have been tendered, and the eloquent, wise, and patriotic old man
has been petted and caressed by men of all parties, and women
with their hearts in their hands. Not like John Tyler, who has
offices to bestow. He had nothing to return for the homage of
the heart and the incense of sentiment, but the recollection of a
long life spent in the service of the country and devoted to the
best interests of the people. There is a redeeming grace about all
these demonstrations, which puts one in good-humour with the
popular impulse. His career of triumph began at Saratoga, con-IS43-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
191
tinued across the lines, and has followed his footsteps on his return ;
he cannot be otherwise than gratified; it is the only reward which
such a man can be ambitious of receiving from his countrymen.
Tribute to	August 4. — Proud am I to record the proceedings
Chancellor of the New York bar in relation to my venerated
Kent*	friend, Chancellor Kent. Here is another octogena-
rian receiving the spontaneous tributes of his fellow-citizens with-
out distinction of party; the honours are not so general as those
lately bestowed upon Mr. Adams, but more complimentary even,
as coming from the members of the profession of which he is the
acknowledged ornament, — that class of citizens who are best able
to appreciate his talents and his virtues. The members of the bar
of the State of New York, being “ desirous of once more meeting
the venerable and honoured patriarch of the profession, and of
testifying their respect, gratitude, and affection for his profound
learning, eminent services, and private virtues,” have tendered to
Chancellor Kent a public dinner. The letter of the committee to
the Chancellor is published, and is signed by the following New
York lawyers : David B. Ogden, John Duer, George Wood, Daniel
Lord, Jr., George Griffin, Beverly Robinson, Benjamin F. Butler,
Charles O’Connor, J. Prescott Hall, Samuel B. Ruggles, F. B.
Cutting, James W. Gerard, B. D. Silliman, George W. Strong,
Thomas L. Ogden, David S. Jones, Samuel A. Foote, Ogden Hoff-
man, James R. Whiting, James T. Brady, David Graham, Jr., A. L.
Robertson, Theodore Sedgwick, John Anthon, Murray Hoffman,
A. Crist, John W. Edmonds, Edward Sanford, J. S. Bosworth, A. L.
Jordan. It is a beautiful letter; written, I believe, by John Duer.
August 30. — Coming from market yesterday I saw
Licentiousness ^ one Gf thg corners a placard in large letters:
“Crim.-con. Reporter, for sale at No. 98 Nassau street.
Newsboys supplied at four dollars per hundred.” This is only a
sample of the literary food supplied daily to the reading public of
this great city, — something worse, to be sure, than the run of it;
but the same character prevails in all the transient publications;192
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[vEtat. 63.
licentiousness, no matter how disgusting, lies however glaring,
personal abuse without a shadow of foundation, must be served
up to gratify the taste of the people, or the papers will not sell.
And this is the case, too, in a church-going community, which
boasts of its Sunday-schools and temperance societies. The moral
sense of a majority of our people is opposed to this enormous
evil; but none have the courage to come out and assist in putting
it down. An association for this object, fearless of the attacks of
profligate editors and the ridicule of their supporters, would do
more good at this time than all the societies for sending mission-
aries among the Tartars and Scythians, or the total-abstinence men,
who are working so hard in their vocation.
has contributed so much to corrupt the morals and degrade the
taste of the people of New York. If the following article, which
is published to-day in the “ Courier and Enquirer,” be correct
(and it is too circumstantial to admit of its being doubted), it
will require all his impudence to get over the effects of it. Such a
rebuff, from such a quarter, must have been unexpected as it
was mortifying. “The rejected of O’Connell ” is not an envia-
ble title. The occurrence took place at a great repeal meeting
held at Dublin, on the 7th of August, at which the “great re-
pealer ” was, of course, the most prominent actor. The statement
relating to Mr. Bennett is as follows : “ A gentleman, who had for
some time been sitting beside Mr. O’Connell, here addressed Mr.
Steele, and, handing him his card, requested an introduction to
Mr. O’Connell. Mr. Steele accordingly presented the card, and
intimated that Mr. James Gordon Bennett, of New York, was pres-
ent. Mr. O’Connell replied, * He is a person with whom I can
have nothing to do. He is the editor of the “ New York Herald,”
one of the most infamous gazettes ever printed, and I shall have
nothing to say to him.’ This was a reception that Mr. Bennett
Rejected of
O’Connell.
September 2. — Bennett, the editor of the “Her-
ald,” is on a tour through Great Britain, whence he
furnishes lies and scandal for the infamous paper which*34 3.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
193
did not count upon, and he forthwith proceeded to take his de-
parture. The room being very full, his movement was much
retarded; but, by the aid of the chairman, he struggled out amid
the groans of the meeting.’*
yard, for Woodhull & Minturn. She is taking in cargo, and will
sail for Liverpool on Saturday next. The improvement in this class
of vessels is so uniform that each one is perfect until the next is
built, when perfection itself becomes a convertible term. Certain
it is that “ The Queen of the West ” exceeds all others in strength,
beauty, and convenience, as she does in size. Her burden is
thirteen hundred and fifty tons, and her length, one hundred and
ninety-eight feet. The length of the gentlemen’s cabin is sixty feet,
and that of the ladies eighteen feet. The staterooms are double
the size and better arranged than any I have seen. But her supe-
riority is not confined to the cabin accommodations; those in
other parts of the ship are equally good; the steerage and fore-
castle, the kitchens, cooking apparatus, and ice-house are admira-
ble. When I went to Liverpool, in 1821, with my friend Captain
Rogers, in the “ James Monroe,” we thought our ship a splendid
affair. She was four hundred tons burden, not one-third as large
as “ The Queen.”
men of Yankee naval magnificence and extravagance he has no
sensibility. He will begin to think by and by that there may be
some truth in the prediction of Monsieur De Tocqueville that
“ the Americans were born to rule the seas as the Romans were to
conquer the world.”
A state of things exists in the commerce of this country unpre-
cedented, and worthy to be noted down among the notable occur-
September 9. — I went with my wife and daughter
this morning to visit the last new packet, “ The Queen
of the West,” lately launched from Brown & Bell’s
American
Commerce.
September 16. — The fine new packet-ship, “ Queen
of the West,” sailed on her first voyage this morning.
If John Bull is not “knocked in half” by this speci-194
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JEtat. 63.
rences of the day. This ship has taken out to England a cargo
consisting of articles all (with the exception of the naval stores)
of Northern production, and the “ Ashburton,” which sailed a day
or two since, has not a Southern article on board. Not a single
bale of cotton in both cargoes. The “ Stephen Whitney ” has only
one hundred and nineteen bales of cotton. This fact, which may
be the forerunner of important commercial change, is so extraor-
dinary that a list of these three cargoes may prove an interesting
subject of reference. The large shipments of provisions may be
accounted for by Sir Robert Peel’s new tariff. Cotton is higher
here than in England, and rising.
The cargo of the “ Ashburton” is 3,650 barrels flour, 249 boxes
cheese, 62 bales hemp, 345 casks oil, 19 packages hams, 176
firkins butter, 97 barrels ashes, 8 boxes machinery, 480 barrels,
lard, 39 packages beeswax, 50 barrels beef, 96 packages tallow.
Of the “ Stephen Whitney : ” 3,200 barrels flour, 1,234 packages
lard, 4 packages beeswax, 1,900 barrels turpentine, 1,137 pack-
ages cheese, 119 bales cotton.
Of the “ Queen of the West:” 4,173 barrels flour, 274 barrels
lard, 81 hogsheads and 30 cases merchandise, 2,400 barrels naval
stores, 19 tierces beeswax, 212 tierces rice, 360 boxes cheese.
September 16. — I dined at Mr. Jaudon’s with the following
party: Mr. Horsley Palmer, Mr. Webster, George Griswold, Sam-
uel Nicholson, Charles A. Davis, Mr. Stebbins, Mr. Morgan, Mr.
Blatchford, Mr. Edward Curtis, and P. H.
Mr. Webster came in town yesterday, on his way to Washington.
He goes up on Monday to attend the cattle-show at Rochester,
when another great speech will be expected, — agricultural, statistical,
and perhaps a little political. It is announced that ex-President
Van Buren will be there, and Governor Bouck; but the great Dan
will be the lion of the day, and of the thousands who go to hear
him none will be disappointed.
September 21. — An Irish repeal meeting was held at the Tab-
ernacle yesterday: a convention from the different States, to play18430
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
195
into the hands of O’Connell, and encourage a portion of the sub-
jects of a foreign country with whom we have relations of amity
and good-fellowship to rebel against their government. The whole
number of delegates was something over two hundred. Robert
Tyler came on from Philadelphia at the head of forty delegates,
and was appointed president of the convention. If the disgrace
of this miserable affair rested upon the head of this silly young
man, and his equally silly father, it would be of little consequence.
But every citizen of the United States is concerned in it, and must
participate in the shame brought upon the country by this imperti-
nent interference of the Chief Magistrate and his hopeful son, whom
he is understood to encourage.
Boston, Sept. 30. — They are preparing to make a railroad from
Hartford to Springfield, which is a cheap and easy route. It will
be finished next year, and this twenty-seven miles will make a
continuous road from New Haven to Boston, by which means
travellers will come from New York to Boston by daylight; and
then good-by to Stonington, Newport, and Providence, and good-
by to my stock.
navigation, that Mr. Dorr, of New York, who sailed from here on
the first day of September, arrived in Boston yesterday morning,
having been absent thirty-two days, of which he spent seven in
.England. What next?
Boston, Oct. 5. — Mr. Otis called in his carriage to take us out
to Brookline to see Colonel Perkins. I was highly gratified. The
house and grounds are in the highest taste, the gardens beautiful,
and the grapes and other fruits unequalled. It was a pleasant sight
to witness the meeting of these two gouty old gentlemen, — fine
old gentlemen of the old school; and a capital school it was. Mr.
Otis will be seventy-eight years old on Sunday next. We drank
his health yesterday in anticipation of his birthday. Colonel Per-
Arrival of the
“ Arcadia.”
Boston, Oct. 3. — The steamer from England ar-
rived here early yesterday morning. It is a fact worthy
of being recorded here as one of the miracles of steam196
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JEtaX. 63.
kins is a year older. We drove around the beautiful country of
Brookline, and called to see a new house of General Lyman’s. I
dined with Mr. Truman, who is famous for giving the prettiest
bachelor’s dinners in Boston, and has the most exquisite claret.
The party consisted of the host, Bishop Eastburn, Mr. Codman,
Isaac P. Davis, Commander Nicholson, and myself. In the evening
my wife and I went to a party at Mrs. H. G. Otis’s, — a travelled
lady, a virtuoso, and a lion-hunter.
New York, Oct. ii.—There was a handsome affair to-day at
Highwood, the splendid seat of Mr. James G. King, near Hoboken.
I went over at one o’clock, with my daughter, my son, and Miss
Callender. But my duty at the Bank for Savings compelled me to
leave the gay scene before the company was fairly engaged in the
festivities. Everything was arranged with the good taste and ele-
gance which is to be expected from the host and hostess. The
day was fine as possible, the house and grounds in perfect order,
the company large and of the very best quality, and everything
went off so well that I was loath to go off myself.
October 12.— Speaking of the United States, Mr.
chuzziewit »* Sickens says in the story which he is spinning out in
one of the London periodicals, “ That republic, but
yesterday let loose upon her noble course, and but to-day so
maimed and lame, so full of sores and ulcers, foul to the eye, and
almost hopeless to the sense, that her best friends turn from the
loathsome creature with disgust.” If the scamp had no regard for
his own character, he ought to have had for ours, who made fools
of ourselves to do him honour.
October 14. — I dined at Jamaica with Mr. James DePeyster
Ogden. The party, besides the host, consisted of Mr. Horsley
Palmer, David S. Jones, James Brown, Henry Brevoort, John H.
Hicks, Gen. James J. Jones, and myself. Mr. Ogden, who always
does such things in the proper style, had an extra car provided for
his company on the railroad, which was in attendance to bring us
home at our own time.1343-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
197
I went last evening with my daughter to the Park
Macready. Theatre to see Macready for the first time. He played
Claude Melnotte in the pretty play of “ The Lady of
Lyons; ” but I did not like him as well as I expected. The part
does not suit him; he is too old for it. His reading is good, but
his love wants tenderness, and his sorrow is too obstreperous. The
last time I saw this play Charles Kean pleased me more in the
part of Claude, and I should like Wallack still better in it. Lear,
Macbeth, Richard, and Hamlet are better suited to Mr. Macready.
When the age is in, love ought to be out.
October 25. — My birthday, — I am sixty-three years of age, a
great part of which have been prosperous and happy years; but
pecuniary troubles and embarrassments have embittered the few
last, and rendered the recurrence of this anniversary anything
but a joyous occasion. With the perversity of human feelings I
am sometimes tempted to forget the former blessings of my life in
my present deprivations, and to overlook those which are still left
to me; but I struggle against this rebellion of my nature, and pray
that I may be taught to say, in heart and in judgment, “Thy
will be done.” It is a consolation to me that my wife is better. I
think that she will be well again. For this I ought to be thankful.
My children walk in the paths of honour and integrity. This de-
mands my gratitude. As far as I know, I am respected by my
fellow-citizens and possess the affections of my friends. Why,
then, should I despond?
October 26.—The members of the club dined to- day
Hone ciub. at Mr. Draper’s. We had a pleasant, jovial dinner, in
true club style. Seven of the old members were present,
with a number of other gentlemen. The club was reorganized by
the election of the following members; the meetings are to take
place once a fortnight under the old regulations, and each member
drew for the day on which he was to give the dinner: Philip
Hone, Moses H. Grinnell, Simeon Draper, Jr., John Ward, William
G. Ward, J. Prescott Hall, R. M. Blatchford, Roswell L. Colt,198
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 63.
George Curtis, Edward Curtis, Jaudon, Gerard, H. Coster, Thomas
Tileston, Spofford, and James Bowen. Dr. J. W. Francis is physi-
cian to the club. Daniel Webster was elected an honorary member.
him in adversity as in prosperity, and never forsaking his fortunes
until death rendered his services no longer necessary, — this steady
follower of the great captain is now in New York. He came here
from the West Indies by the way of New Orleans, on his return to
Europe. He is a lion of great magnitude in our wonder-loving
city. Civil and military honours are showered upon him; the
Corporation, Mayor, and all, wait upon him. He receives com-
pany in the Governor’s room in the City Hall. Troops escort him
from place to place. He visits all the public institutions; is
received with military honours at the naval and military stations.
The theatres are filled by the announcement of his name; the fair
of the American Institute exhibits him among their rare produc-
tions, and General Morris and General Sanford are in most exalted
feather on the occasion. He sent me a letter of introduction from
Dr. Niles at Paris, and I called upon him this morning; but did
not see him, he having gone out under the charge of the com-
mittee. He is described to me as a good-looking old Frenchman,
seventy-one years of age, plain in his appearance, with a benevo-
lent and intelligent expression of countenance, but nothing hero-
like in his deportment or manner; just such a man as one would
wish him to be.
October 30. — I had a long and interesting visit yesterday
afternoon from the friend and favourite of Napoleon. He came
to see me, accompanied by Mr. Louis Peugnet. There is much
of the affability and bonhomie about this veteran soldier which
characterized Lafayette, and no more of the warrior in his looks
or manner than was seen in him. He likes to talk about his resi-
dence at St. Helena, and told me so much of the wonderful man,
General
Bertrand.
October 27.—This fine old veteran of the army
of Napoleon, who fought in many battles at the side
of his master and followed him into exile; true toTHE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
199
i843-]
to whose fortunes in adversity as in prosperity, in death as in life,
his devotion was unwavering and unceasing, that I could have
listened to him all day long. It seemed to me as if we had been
acquainted half our lives. This fine old Frenchman is an inter-
esting link in the chain of recollections of modern events, and
revives in his person the image of his great commander.
of his highly complimentary reception in New York, and was in all
respects worthy of the occasion. The best speech of the evening
was made by Charles King, in pure, correct, and beautiful French.
November 3. — Died this morning, in this city, Edward P. Liv-
ingston, of Clermont, Columbia county, in the sixty-fourth year of
his age, formerly a senator in the State Legislature, and Lieuten-
ant-Governor of the State. A gentleman in manner and deport-
ment, but a regular, well-trained Democrat, with abilities not above
the average of the Livingstons.
has been stopped in his career by an arrest for treasonable prac-
tices with several of his associates, on the eve of a great meeting
which was to be held in Dublin. In the mean time O’Connell has
left his favourite theme of repeal, and amuses his countrymen by
abusing the United States. He opens his battery upon our most
vulnerable point, slavery, and advises his disciples here to come
out from among us. I wish they would take his advice. There is
nothing “we would more willingly part withal.,, But what say
Mr. Robert Tyler and his ridiculous father; Richard M. Johnson,
who harangues the repealers in a red jacket which he ostenta-
tiously wears as a trophy of his victory in the pretended killing
of Tecumseh; and John McKeon and other patriots, who have
lauded this O’Connell at the expense of all honest American
French
Dinner.
November i. — The public dinner given by the
French residents to General Bertrand came off yester-
day at the Astor House. It was the crowning affair
Daniel
O’Connell.
November 4.—This demagogue, who has reigned
so long over his discontented countrymen, and has
made himself the rallying-point of sedition in Ireland,200
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.'
[^Etat. 63.
feeling ? Let them hurrah in the Park and harangue in the Taber-
nacle for Ireland and O’Connell. But they should, to be consist-
ent, renounce their allegiance to this country of slaveholders and
tyrants, and stand ready, if needs be, to join O’Connell, if he
should come over to mend our manners. This Mr. Tyler hopes
to be reelected President, and Colonel Johnson is also an aspirant
for the same office.
November 10.—This eminent statesman, who, with
Mr. Adams, all his simple habits and unostentatious manners, is as
fond of distinction as other people, was so much
pleased with the honours which were showered upon him wherever
he went last summer, that he is now on a similar tour to Cincinnati,
with the avowed object of assisting in the foundation of a public
work for the promotion of scientific objects. The same glorifica-
tion attends him wherever he goes; every city and town at which
he arrives sends out its multitudes to welcome “ the old man elo-
quent.” Guns are fired, bells are rung, branches strewed in his
path, speeches made and answers returned; and if eating and
drinking may be taken as the criterion of glory, the first Adam,
who was the sole possessor of all the good things in the world,
made a poor figure in comparison with the Adams of these latter
days. The rise of the bright sun of American patriotism was
obscure, and its meridian splendour dim, compared with the efful-
gence of its setting beams. He is a noble specimen of straight-
forward American Republicanism, firm as a rock in his principles,
as sharp in his angles and as unyielding in his materials, and de-
serves from the American people all the honours they are so fond
of bestowing and he of receiving.
life, a patriot of the Revolution, a chevalier “ sans peur et sans
reproche,” a gallant soldier, one of the aides of Washington, a
statesman and diplomatist intrusted with important concerns in
Death of
Colonel
Trumbull.
November 13. — Col. John Trumbull died in this
city, on Friday last, aged eighty-seven years. He has
been a distinguished man during the whole of his longI843-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
201
Great Britain at the close of the Revolutionary war. As a painter,
his pencil has chronicled some of the great events of the fearful
struggle, the issue of which was the liberty and independence of
a great nation.
November 17. — One of the great articles of expor-
Sendmg- Coals tation to Qreat Britain at the present time is cheese,
to Newcastle.
Every packet takes out immense quantities of this
article. Who would ever have thought of John Bull eating Yan-
kee cheese ? It sells in England at forty to fifty cents per hundred
pounds, which pays freight and charges, and leaves Brother Jona-
than a pretty good profit. This is a strange turn in commercial
operations, but does not illustrate so forcibly the saying at the head
of this article as a circumstance of which I am informed. The
“ Prince Albert,” Grinnell, Minturn, & Co.’s splendid new ship,
which sails on her first voyage on the first day of next month, takes
out as freight a quantity of anthracite coal! America shipping coal
to England ! Who knows how soon we may fit out Chinamen with
outward cargoes of tea consigned to the successors of our old
acquaintances, Hougua, Chinqua, & Co.!
November 25. — Mr. Wallack and Charles Clinton dined with
us. Wallack delighted us with recitations and dramatic readings.
He was exceedingly agreeable, more so perhaps than he would have
been in a larger party.
November 27.—I went with Grinnell on board his splendid
new packet-ship “ Prince Albert,” which is loading, to sail on her
first voyage to London on Friday next. She is equal to the
noblest, the best and most beautiful of her unrivalled class. This
vessel is taking in one of those anomalous cargoes which we send
now-a-days to John Bull, consisting of provisions, oil, lard, oil-
cakes, cheese, coals, and Yankee clocks. This last is one of the
triumphs of Yankee skill and ingenuity. Five hundred thousand
clocks are made annually in Connecticut. I saw one of these
clocks the other day in a merchant’s counting-house. It was en-
closed in a handsome mahogany case, with a looking-glass plate in202
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[H£tat. 63.
front, as fair a face as many of its betters can boast, keeps good
time and goes well, of which it gives striking proofs; and all this
costs one dollar and seventy-five cents. John Bull thought when
he first traded in this article at seven or eight dollars that Brother
Jonathan had stolen them. They seized some of them at the Cus-
tom-House in Liverpool, as undercharged. But Jonathan told them
he would supply them with as many as they wanted at half the price.
“An eagle towering in his pride of place.” A circumstance
occurred on Saturday, which among the ancient Romans would
have been considered an omen of high importance. Augurs and
soothsayers would have drawn from it presages of victory and tri-
umph, and legions would have marched with confidence under its
auspices. A large eagle, after sailing in the air of this busy city,
so unlike his usual haunts, until his gyrations had attracted the
notice of a large number of spectators, perched upon the truck of
the foremast of the “ Prince Albert,” now preparing for her first
voyage, at the wharf in South street, near Fulton market. He sat
there for some time, looking down in solemn dignity upon the busy
scenes beneath him, and wondering, I suppose, how the “ unfeath-
ered bipeds ” could make such fools of themselves. After resting
himself sufficiently he spread his wings and took to flight again ;
not, however, without receiving a shot from some fellow below
(privileged to kill game, I presume), which made the feathers fly a
little, but did not impede the progress of the “bird of Jove.”
The ravishment of the musical dilettanti had reached
oie Bull. its highest pitch by the power of Monsieur Artot’s vio-
lin, when here comes another performer on the same
instrument, with the unmusical name at the head of this article, — a
Norwegian Bull, who drives monsieur out of the arena, and roars
so much louder that his performance is all “fiddle-de-dee.” The
last man appeared at the Park Theatre, on Saturday evening, and
all agreed that his performance is admirable. I presume he is the
best violinist (how much prettier that word is than fiddler) now
living. Wallack says he plays better than Paganini did.1843-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
203
December 11. — Dined at Mr. Robert B. Minturn’s, with Gov-
ernor Seward, R. M. Blatchford, two Curtii, M. H. Grinnell, P.
Hall, etc., — fragmentary parts of the great Hone Club, which is the
best thing extant. They are a set of capital fellows; talk well, eat
well, sit well, drink well; and Rob. B. M. is a good fellow, though
not a member.
December 23.—The anniversary of the landing of
Sodetyngland t^ie Pilgrims was celebrated in greater style than usual,
and the eclat of the occasion was enhanced by the
presence of Messrs. Webster and Choate, of Massachusetts, and
Evans, of Maine. The oration was delivered in the Broadway
Tabernacle, by Mr. Choate. The subject, of course, was the land-
ing of the Pilgrims, and never has this fruitful and exciting theme
given scope to anything more thrilling, eloquent, and affecting than
this splendid address. The other performances, consisting of sev-
eral original hymns and choruses, were in good taste. The Taber-
nacle was full, notwithstanding the rain, which was hard and inces-
sant. Having joined in the exercises of the former part of the day,
I finished at the great dinner, which was given at the Astor House,
and by one o’clock this morning, at which time I came away, was
as good a Yankee as ever ate pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving Day.
There was, of course, a great deal of speaking; some very good.
Mr. Choate was short, but brilliant and effective; Mr. Evans, not
as good as I expected; Dr. Wainwright, happy; and Mr. Henry W.
Bellows, the Unitarian clergyman, one of the very best of the day.
Being called upon, I gave as a toast: “ New England, and New
England clocks; their striking qualities enhanced by the modesty
which prompts them to place their hands before their faces. They
look well, perform well, and speak well, and are less expensive than
any others equally valuable of their species.”204
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 64.
1844.
HE new year has set in propitiously so far as the weather is
concerned. It has been pleasant during the day; cold
enough to make excellent walking, with bright skies, and no cut-
ting winds, and the population of our good city of Gotham have
availed themselves of these favourable circumstances to an unusual
degree. New York seemed to enjoy a general carnival. Broad-
way, from one end to the other, was alive with private carriages,
omnibuses, cabs, and curricles, and lines of pedestrians fringed the
carriage-ways. There must have been more visiting than on any
former New Year’s Day. I was out more than five hours, and my
girls tell me they received one hundred and sixty-nine visits.
This fine old custom, almost peculiar to New York, does not
lose favour in the eyes of our citizens, and foreigners are delighted
with it. There is so much of life and spirit and heartiness in it,
that it is to be hoped no new freak of fashion will ever interpose
to prevent its observance.
The year which has just closed was one of trouble and difficulty.
Lessons of economy have been more taught than practised; but
people have, on the whole, been wiser than formerly; they have
spent less money than heretofore, for the plain reason that they
had not so much to spend. It is for this reason that my family
expenses are reduced one-half from what they were seven years
ago. The new year commences, however, with brighter prospects
than the last. Trade is returning into its old channels, commerce
reviving, and confidence gaining strength; and if all these encour-
aging appearances shall be realized, speculation, extravagance, and
rashness, there is reason to fear, will follow in their train. The
stream, in this busy, trading community of ours, may run dry for a
while, but it never returns without a freshet.1844-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
205
Mr. Hives’s
Letter.
January 16. — A very good letter of the Hon. W.
C. Rives to one of his constituents is published in
the Whig papers, in which he declares his determina-
tion to support Mr. Clay for President in preference to Mr. Van
Buren, and comes down rather savagely upon the latter gentle-
man. This and other circumstances indicate that the Southern
Democrats, and among them Mr. Calhoun, intend to refuse implicit
allegiance to the dictation of the packed convention which is to
be held at Baltimore. Such a course would be unfavourable to
the ex-President.
January 18. — The new ship “ Yorkshire ” sailed to-day on her
first voyage to Liverpool. Among her passengers was the interest-
ing dwarf, who has delighted the citizens of New York, under the
name and title of “ General Tom Thumb.” The greatest little
man I ever saw, handsome, well-formed, and intelligent, eleven or
twelve years old, and not taller than my knee.
Mr. Biddle was bom in 1786. His father was a worthy of the
Revolution, and the family have ever been known as. staunch
Whigs, of the right sort. In the year 1804 he went out to France
with General Armstrong, studied law on his return, was subse-
quently member of the Assembly and of the Senate of Pennsyl-
vania. In 1819 he was appointed a government director of the
Bank of the United States, and in 1823, on the resignation of
Langdon Cheves, was elected president of that institution.
The result of this last responsible trust is a matter of history,
and a sad page it is in the history of this country: the record of
ruin and distress to thousands here and in Europe, moistened with
the tears of widows and orphans, and sullied with reproaches and
vituperations which unhappily attach to the national character, and
of which every American citizen is compelled to take his share.
How much of all this is to be charged to the ungovernable passion
Death of Mr.
Biddle.
February 28. — Nicholas Biddle died yesterday
morning, at Andalusia, his country-seat, on the banks
of the Delaware, eighteen miles below Philadelphia.206
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 64.
of General Jackson, and how much to the uncompromising perti-
nacity of Mr. Biddle, is a question in which personal prejudice
and party predilection are so much mixed up that the present
generation can never come to a just decision. Posterity, not being
so immediately interested, will come to better conclusions on the
subject; one thing is certain: that between them they caused a
shock to be given to commercial credit, a stab to national charac-
ter, and ruin to innumerable families, which the grave cannot hide,
nor party-spirit palliate.
The great financier is no more. He whose appearance in Wall
street at a certain period broke like a ray of sunshine through the
clouds of financial difficulty; he whose word established and over-
threw banks, whose fiat governed the rate of exchange and regu-
lated the price of cotton, is now laid low. “ And none so poor to
do him reverence.” He left, amongst a host of enemies, a few
firm friends, who lament the misfortunes which attended his man-
agement, but are unwilling to attribute them to his incapacity or
imprudence, and entertain no doubts of his honesty.
Bryant, the editor of the “ Evening Post,” in an article of this
day, virulent and malignant as are usually the streams which flow
from that polluted source, says that Mr. Biddle “ died at his coun-
try-seat, where he passed the last of his days in elegant retirement,
which, if justice had taken place, would have been spent in the
penitentiary.” This is the first instance I have known of the vam-
pire of party-spirit seizing the lifeless body of its victim before
its interment, and exhibiting its bloody claws to the view of mourn-
ing relatives and sympathizing friends. How such a black-hearted
misanthrope as Bryant should possess an imagination teeming with
beautiful poetical images astonishes me; one would as soon expect
to extract drops of honey from the fangs of the rattlesnake.
February 29.—Horrible! most horrible ! An ex-
taT” iMsaster Press arrived at two o’clock, bringing an account of an
awful catastrophe which occurred yesterday, about four
o’clock P.M., on board Captain Stockton’s steam-frigate “ Prince-1844-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
207
ton,” — the vessel which was here a few weeks ago, fitted up with
Ericsson’s propellers, and carrying an enormous wrought-iron gun,
which threw, by the force of forty-five pounds of powder, a ball of
proportionate size three miles at each discharge. This murderous
projectile was called the “ Peace-maker; ” and most deplorably has
it earned its name, by making, in an instant, the peace of several of
the most distinguished men of the country, and sending them
“ where the wicked cease from troubling.” As far as the accounts
have reached us, it is certain that in discharging this gun with a
ball, near to Alexandria, on the Potomac, it exploded at a time
when there was a party on board of five hundred ladies and gen-
tlemen, including the President and heads of departments (all
except Mr. Spencer), with their families, naval and military officers,
senators and members of the House of Representatives, and all
the distinguished persons resident and visiting at Washington. The
effect of this tremendous explosion was the immediate death, under
the most shocking circumstances, of Mr. Upshur, Secretary of State;
Governor Gilmor, Secretary of the Navy; Virgil Maxcy, late charge
d'affaires at Belgium; Mr. David Gardiner, late State senator of
New York, from Long Island; Commander Beverly Kennon,
United States Navy; and some others whose names are not yet
given. Several persons are wounded; in the number, Captain
Stockton dangerously, Colonel Benton slightly, etc.
There were two hundred ladies on board; but, fortunately, they
were all below, dining and drinking toasts. The noise of mirth
and joviality below mingled with the groans of the dying on deck.
By this circumstance they were saved. Not one of the ladies
was injured. But oh the anguish of wives and daughters on
the sight of the mangled remains of their husbands and fathers !
Nothing so dreadful has ever happened in this country, except the
shipwreck of the “ Rose-in-Bloom ” and the conflagration of the
Richmond theatre. The wife of Governor Gilmor was on board.
The story of her woe is melancholy and touching in the extreme.
Her lamented husband entered upon the office of Secretary of208
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 64.
the Navy a few days since, and the estimation in which he was
held is proved by his nomination having been unanimously con-
firmed without debate by the Senate. Mr. Gardiner’s two
daughters were also witnesses of their father’s death. To-morrow
will bring us more particulars of this scene of woe.
President Tyler gave a new instance of folly and
Bad Taste. bad taste in a toast which he gave at the entertain-
ment which terminated so tragically on board the
“ Princeton.” It was : “ Oregon, the ‘ peace-maker,’ and Captain
Stockton.” Oregon is the bone of contention at this time between
Great Britain and ourselves, to settle which difficulty a new Minister
has just landed on our shores. It is a subject which requires to be
handled with the greatest delicacy. The “ peace-maker ” is the
great gun which was to hurl defiance at Great Britain, or any other
nation which might stand between the wind and Colonel Benton’s
popularity; Captain Stockton is the firebrand which was to ignite
the whole; and in the excited state of the public mind on this
subject the President gives this mischievous sentiment. The
“ peace-maker ” at the same moment broke the peace in the
manner which has been described, and amidst the melancholy
reflections arising from this fatal day’s excursion will be mingled
a feeling of contempt for this act of folly.
March 6. — Having on my hands a quarter of an
Uie^ayanCe °f k°ur ^e^ore g°in£ to Mr. David S. Kennedy’s to dine,
I walked on the Battery, — a luxury which the distance
of my residence from the spot does not permit me frequently to
enjoy; and a more delightful scene can nowhere be found. The
setting sun threw a bright glow over the tiny waves; there was just
wind enough to give motion to hundreds of vessels of all sizes;
a golden haze was spread over the Jersey shore and Staten Island;
every now and then a steamboat came puffing and blowing with
the speed of a race-horse across the Bay, or a barge skimmed
rapidly around the comer of the Battery, and vanished under one
of the openings of the bridge; groups of children were sporting1844.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
209
under the still leafless trees, and the air was so mild that one might
well doubt the authority of the almanac, which points to the 6 th
of March.
March 18. — I attended the funeral of Mr. John S. Schermer-
horn as a pall-bearer; the service was performed in Grace Church.
The following were the pall-bearers: Abraham Ogden, Edward
W. Laight, Henry Beekman, Benjamin W. Rogers, John Oothout,
Jacob R. LeRoy, Edmund H. Pendleton, and P. H.
March 19. — The annexation of Texas to the United
Texas.	States — a measure which many of our best and wisest
citizens have looked at with most anxious apprehension
— seems now likely to take place. The Executive incubus of the
country, to gain Southern capital for his personal and political
objects, has been for some time past flirting with the Texan gov-
ernment, the result of which is said to be a treaty of annexation,
signed, and ready to be submitted to the Senate. The belief in
this report, and the dread that a majority of the Senate will ratify
this alarming act of Executive power, caused a panic in Wall street.
Stocks fell; United States six-per-cents fell four per cent.; men
looked alarmed, and shook their heads in fearful doubt. A war
with Mexico would be the immediate consequence of this measure,
and privateers would be fitted out in the Mexican ports of the Gulf
of Mexico, to prey upon the immense commerce of the United
States, having themselves little or nothing to risk in return. The
Mexican flag would be made to cover a predatory marine fifty
times larger than belongs to them, and I fear much that many of
my virtuous countrymen are already rejoicing in the chance of expa-
triating themselves, to appropriate to their use the treasure and
merchandise of their fellow-citizens. There are nice pickings in
that quarter.
March 22. — I dined yesterday at Mr. Simeon
“The Man.” Draper’s with a pleasant, party (principally clubists),
gotten up for Mr. Webster, who came in town Thurs-
day. The great negotiator was in one of his happiest moods. He210
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 64.
talked like a book, and was pleasant as the morning twilight; his
dark eyes looked like stars in their deep caverns. He has none of
those moody fits of abstraction which were wont to come over him
at times when his great mind was overtasked with public or pro-
fessional business. On the contrary, he was the fiddle of the party,
full of anecdote and amusing gossip; by turns instructive and
amusing, he found his auditors willing to indulge a very natural
desire he has to be well listened to; nor did he withhold his fair
quota of hearty laughter at the wild, enthusiastic extravagances of
our learned and jolly Dr. Francis. Like the school-boy relieved
from his daily task, the great Yankee statesman seems to enjoy, “ to
the top of his bent,” his temporary release from the cares and
responsibilities of public life.
April 8. — The venerable Major-General Morgan
Death of Gen-	^	°
erai Lewis. Lewis died yesterday, in the ninetieth year of his age.
He was born in this city on the 16th of October,
1754. He was a son of Francis Lewis, one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence (a glorious ancestral trophy), and was
educated at Princeton College, where he graduated in 1773. He
joined the army of the Revolution in June, 1775, as a volunteer
and assumed the command of a company at Boston. In Novem-
ber he was appointed first major of the Second Regiment, of which
John Jay was colonel. John Jay, a soldier, sounds strangely. I
never heard of this title of the great statesman and jurist of the
Revolution. Mr. Jay did not, however, take the command, and
Major Lewis succeeded to it. He went to Canada with Gates, and
was at Ticonderoga until its evacuation in July, 1777 ; he was pres-
ent at the capture of Burgoyne, and was the officer who received
the surrender of the British troops. He served with honour in the
valley of the Mohawk, and accompanied Governor George Clinton
to Crown Point. After the war he resumed the practice of the
law; was soon after appointed Attorney-General, Judge and Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court of this State, and was elected Gov-
ernor, and afterwards a senator. In the last war he also served1844-3
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
211
with distinction; was appointed quartermaster-general of the army
of the United States, and saw good service on the Niagara frontier.
his house in Fifteenth street. It was a large, old-fashioned party,
of seventeen guests, consisting of a variety somewhat incongruous,
and affording some striking contrasts. There was Dr. Wainwright,
all mildness and grace, and Mr. Samuel Niell, presuming and blus-
tering ; Vice-Chancellor McCoun, portly and plain in appearance,
and the exquisite Mr. Westerlo Van Rensselaer; James Gerard,
brisk as a bee and loquacious as a whip-poor-will, and Thomas E.
Davis, with head full of lands and hereditaments; James G. King
and young Mr. Newbold; William B. Astor, who thinks twice be-
fore he speaks once, and James Watson Webb, who speaks a great
deal and does not think at all; Edmund Pendleton and Charles
King, who laugh obstreperously at their own smart sayings, and
Charles Clinton and young Mr. Edgar, whose position as family
appendages seemed to forbid their making smart sayings them-
selves, or helping to carry off those of others. But the dinner went
off very well. We drank the Judge’s old wine, humoured his
punctilios, and rejoiced sincerely in the favourable turn of his
affairs, of which this dinner was one of the evidences. He is an
honourable, high-minded gentleman, and his conduct in tempo-
rary adversity has been such as to render him worthy of per-
manent prosperity.
people shouting at the success of the Native American party in the
charter election held this day. The returns were not all in this
evening; but it is certain that Harper is elected Mayor, and the
Whigs and Loco-focos,-bundled up together, are thrown overboard.
I am very well pleased with the result; #but it is the first time I
Dinner-
party.
April io. — I am “ spreading pretty considerable
canvas ” just now, as Captain Salters said of his son
Nick. I dined yesterday with Mr. David S. Jones, at
Supper-
party.
After leaving the dinner-party, some half a dozen of
us came down on the Harlem Railroad. The streets
in the upper part of the city were alive with masses of212	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	[-Etat. 64.
ever rejoiced in the success of candidates for whom I did not
vote.
Charles King, Webb, and I, being engaged to sup at Grinnell’s,
we went there at the time we ought to have gone to bed, and found
a pleasant party of Curtises and Hoffmans, Bowens, Drapers,
Blatchfords, etc., with plenty of all sorts of good things, provisions
enough to sustain a besieged city, and rivers of cool wines to tempt
palates already placed by previous indulgence beyond the reach
of temptation. Grinnell is an out-and-out Native American party
man, and this supper was given to celebrate a victory which he
anticipated with great accuracy, as the event proved.
April 11. — I attended, yesterday, the funeral of
Funeral of Qenerai Lewis, as a pall-bearer. The deceased was
Grand Master of Masons and President of the
Society of the Cincinnati, which caused a great display at his
funeral. The Masons, in all their ancient paraphernalia, attended;
and the Cincinnati, with military officers and martial music, made
a grand and solemn procession. The streets were full of people
on the whole line of march, from the General’s house, on Leonard
street, to St. Paul’s Church, where the obsequies were performed.
The ceremonies in church were very impressive. After the relig-
ious service, which was performed by Dr. Taylor, the whole body
of Masons, with their insignia, marched in single file up the
aisle, and, in passing, each member laid a sprig of myrtle on
the coffin; after which some silent ceremonies were performed,
and they left the church. The following were the pall-bearers:
Chancellor Kent, Chief Justice Jones, Mr. William Bard, Thomas
Morris, Walter Bowne, Jonathan Goodhue, E. H. Pendleton, and
myself.
The most interesting spectacle on this occasion was the vener-
able Major Popham, the vice-president of the Cincinnati and the
only survivor of the original members of that time-honoured institu-
tion, who is ninety-two years of age. He sat in church near the
coffin, hale and hearty, deeply impressed with the solemnity of the1844-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
213
occasion, but apparently prepared to follow his venerable friend
when the brief remnant of his days shall be spent.
(doubtless for the sins of the people) has just been perpetrated.
Edward Curtis has been removed from the office of collector, and
Charles G. Ferris, formerly Loco-foco member of Congress, nomi-
nated in his place. But it is impossible that the present Senate
should ever sanction so gross an outrage upon public feelings as to
confirm the nomination. Posterity will not believe that the Amer-
ican people would have, in this enlightened period, submitted to
be so insulted. Mr. Tyler’s son came on to New York, with two of
his toad-eaters, bearing the mandate. Charles A. Clinton was
called upon, and the office tendered to him, on condition that he
should turn out every man in the Custom-House who would not
pledge himself to support the pretensions of his papa to the
Presidency. This, Clinton promptly and indignantly refused.
(He ought to have kicked the puppy.) Ferris, being more con-
formable, was placed in the gap; and there let him stick. Shame !
shame ! As an American, I blush.
April 17. — I dined to-day with a pleasant party at Mr. M. H.
GrinnelPs. The hospitalities of the famous back dining-room
were, as usual, freely extended, and the tables abundantly spread
with everything good to eat and drink, to honour especially John
M. Botts, the great Whig member of Congress, who does not like
Mr. Tyler as well as he formerly did. Our party consisted of
Messrs. Botts and Taylor of Virginia, Granger, Edward Minturn,
R. B. Minturn, David Graham, J. Prescott Hall, Charles King,
Edward Curtis, Ogden Hoffman, James Monroe, Simeon Draper,
R. M. Blatchford, J. D. P. Ogden, and myself.
In the evening Judge Jones, King, Hall, and I went to Dr.
Wainwright’s, to a large party of gentlemen, assembled to meet
Mr. Prescott, the popular historian, to whom we and the reading
Collector
removed.
April 13.— A most nefarious instance of the cor-
rupt and tyrannical course of the administration of the
man whom accident has placed at the head of affairs214
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 64.
■world are indebted for “Ferdinand and Isabella” and “The Con-
quest of Mexico.” We had all the clergy, — Episcopalian, Presby-
terian, and Unitarian, high church and low church, Puseyite and
liberal; but there were no Roman Catholics on the one side, nor
do I believe that the tolerant principles of my reverend friend
went so far as to invite, on the other, his bitter and uncourteous
antagonist, the self-sufficient Dr. Potts. It was a pleasant reunion;
all the literary men of the city were there, all the distinguished
men; the learned and the wise, by their own estimate or that of
their compeers, were assembled to honour the man who has raised
so proud a monument of the literary glory of his native country.
April 25. — I attended, last evening, a great meeting at the
Tabernacle, convened to protest against a favourite measure of the
administration, — the annexation of Texas to the Union. This is
one of Mr. Tyler’s electioneering schemes, fraught with injustice to
others and danger to ourselves. If this measure is adopted, and if
the treaty which is now before the Senate should be approved, it
will lead us into external difficulties and endanger the Union of the
States.
The venerable Albert Gallatin presided, with the usual array of
vice-presidents. Good speeches were made and strong resolutions
passed, and all things would have gone well had not a gang of ruf-
fians, headed by one Mike Walsh, and formed of prize-fighters and
pardoned felons, got possession of one comer of the room and in-
terrupted the speakers by groans and hisses and exclamations of
Hurrah for Texas ! for Calhoun ! and vituperative epithets of British
gold, Wall-street brokers, etc.; but their number was too small to
make head against the immense multitude of respectable persons
who were there to condemn the measure which these “ minions of
the moon ” are concerned in supporting.
sentatives at Washington, which is now the “ Five Points ” of
Disturbance in
Congress.
The spirit of the “ fierce democracy,” a sample of
which is recorded in the preceding article, blazed forth
with more lustre on Tuesday, in the House of Repre-1844.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP flONE.
215
America. Mr. White, in defending the character of Mr. Clay from
the ribaldry of several of the blackguards who represent a portion
of the people of this happy land, was insulted by a Mr. Rathbone,
and blows passed between these “grave and reverend” senators.
A general melee took place; a man named Moore (not a member)
mixed in the fight and discharged a pistol, the ball of which passed
through the door and lodged in the thigh of Mr. Wirt, one of the
House police. How long will it be before this liberty of ours
becomes so licentious that we shall be compelled to take refuge in
.the arms of despotism?
Philadelphia, April 26.— In pursuance of my design to attend,
as a looker-on and supernumerary, the great Whig Convention to
be held at Baltimore on Wednesday next, I left home this morning
at nine o’clock, and came by the railroad to Bordentown and
thence by steamboat to this city, where I arrived at three o’clock.
Washington, April 27. — The discomforts of my journey were
fully compensated, on my arrival in Washington, by the excellent
quarters provided for me, by the care of my good friends Joseph
and Moses H. Grinnell, at Mrs. Whitwell’s, on the hill near the
Capitol. I have never been so pleasantly accommodated in this
place. I find myself in a mess consisting of Mr. and Mrs. J. Grin-
nell, Mr. Evans of Maine, Mr. Winthrop, Mr. and Mrs. Cabot, Mr.
Bates, the two senators from New Jersey, Messrs. Miller and
Dayton, and some other gentlemen whose names I have not yet
learned. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy went up to Baltimore this after-
noon. The loss of their company is not, however, without some
consolation, as it gives me possession of their apartment, and I have
the prospect before me of an excellent bed, with which I hope in
five minutes to be better acquainted.
April 29. — I made a delightful visit yesterday, in the afternoon,
to Mr. Adams, who talked as no man ever talked before.
Poor General Scott is in distress. I walked with him from
church, and am to see him this morning. I cannot imagine a more
severe trial, for a heart susceptible as his, than that which he is216
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[yEtat. 64.
about to undergo. His daughter, a lovely young woman, twenty-
two years of age, has determined to take the veil in the convent at
Georgetown, and shut herself out from the world forever. No
entreaties of her parents have the least effect to divert her from her
rash resolution, and their tears are unavailing to save her from self-
immolation. I know what it is to resign a beloved daughter to the
hands of Him to whose bounty I was indebted for the precious
gift; but the bereavement had its accompanying consolation : she
died in the faith of her sorrowing parents, her Heavenly Father
received her back from the arms of her earthly one, and her dying
words were not breathed into strangers’ ears.
in the rear of the Capitol. I do not like it as well as I did when
I first saw it. It does not give a correct idea of the “Father of his
Country; ” there is too great an exposure of the naked body. It
looks like a great, herculean, warrior-like Venus of the bath ; a grand
martial Magog, undressed, with a huge napkin lying in his lap and
covering his lower extremities, and he, preparing to perform his
ablutions, is in the act of consigning his sword to the care of the
attendant until he shall come out of the bath.
It strikes me that the sculptor has failed in representing the
character by its adjuncts. The Roman toga would have done
better, — that grand resort for artists in search of the picturesque;
a suit of ancient armour even, obsolete though it may be, or the
ungraceful Continental uniform; either would have been more
appropriate than a body naked from the waist upward. Washing-
ton was too prudent and careful of his health to expose himself
thus in a climate so uncertain as ours, to say nothing of the inde-
cency of such an exposure, — a subject on which he was known to
be exceedingly fastidious.
Baltimore, April 30. — Mr. Grinnell and I left Washington at
six o’clock this morning, and came to this city. We found our
Statue of
Washington.
Greenough’s colossal statue of Washington has been
removed from the rotunda and placed in an octagonal
building erected temporarily in the beautiful groundsi844-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
217
kind host, Mr. Morris, waiting for us at the depot, who took us to
our delightful quarters, at his house in Mulberry street, opposite the
Cathedral. We had an excellent breakfast, and found ourselves in
the midst of every comfort which our hearts could desire.
May 1. — This has been a day of excitement, of
^1yge^ia^onal jostling and crowding, in the good city of Baltimore
beyond anything I have witnessed elsewhere; and it is.
not difficult to account for it in the fact that the number of males
within a certain space is double, nay, within these precincts, quad-
ruple, that which is usual. At ten o’clock the masses began to
move toward the church in which the convention was to assemble,
and by the time I reached the spot every avenue to the church
seemed to be filled, and I did not entertain a hope that I should
be admitted; but by good fortune, or some other cause more
flattering to my vanity, I found myself carried forward by two
members of the delegation and placed in the midst of that august
body of patriotic Whigs, in one of the best seats in the middle
aisle.
After the formal proceedings, Mr. Benjamin Watkins Leigh, of
Virginia, arose, and with a few remarks presented the following
resolution: “ That this convention unanimously nominate and
recommend to the people of the United States Henry Clay, of
Kentucky, as President of these United States.”
The question on this resolution was put at ten minutes past
twelve o’clock, and in the language of the reporters of the cere-
monies, “A thousand voices sounded Amen and Amen, accom-
panied by such cheers and clappings of hands as the world never
heard before. The cheers were prolonged for many minutes, and
with such deafening shouts as made the church quake.”
This was certainly one of the most sublime moral spectacles ever
exhibited: the twenty-six States of the American Union, by their
representatives, consisting of the best talents, virtue, and patriotism
of that portion of the several communities which constitute the
great Whig party, voted by acclamation to present to the people,218
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JEtaX. 64.
as the choice of the party for the highest office in the Republic, a
citizen who stood so prominent in their ranks as to preclude all the
forms usually adopted on such occasions, and without a doubt or
the shadow of dissent to place him before the people as their first
and only choice; “ and the people said Amen.” It was all done in
less time than I have taken to record it.
Now came the nominations for Vice-President, and Theodore
Frelinghuysen was then declared by an unanimous vote the candi-
date of the convention, and the delegates from the States who had
preferred other candidates gave their most hearty concurrence in
the choice. Thus, in the most perfect harmony, ended this sub-
lime and exciting ceremony, the remembrance of which will never
be effaced from my mind. I shall always rejoice that I was
present.
I left the convention before the speaking was over, to prepare
for dinner, and went to Mr. Meredith’s, where I joined the follow-
ing agreeable party: Mr. Ewing, Crittenden, Granger, ex-cabinet
ministers; Grinnell and Saltonstall, ex-members of Congress; Mr.
Chapman and myself, ex-mayors, the former of Boston; a large
proportion of ex's, with Mr. Grattan, an <?#-otic of rare fragrance;
Mr. Kennedy, of North Carolina ; Mr. Quincy, of Boston; and Mr.
Robert Gilmor. Meredith’s house is so near the scene of action,
Monument square, in which the concourse of people was prodigious
and the speeches and shouting without intermission, that we were
scarcely allowed to eat our crust in quiet.
May 2. — I went to bed last night before my com-
UonAPPan" Pani°n> Mr. Grinnell, came in, and was fast asleep, when
suddenly, about half-past one o’clock, I was awakened
by his entrance, accompanied by a man, who stood erect and silent
at my bedside. There I was, stuck up in bed like that “ wicked
Captain Smith ” quailing before the ghost of “poor Miss Bailey,”
unpacified by “ the one-pound note.” Is this a constable ? thought
I, with my companion in custody for some nocturnal irregularity
committed in this Saturnalia, and shall I be his bail, if required ?1844-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
219
“ I certainly will,” continued I to myself, “ for he would do the same
for me.” But my doubts were soon removed, when, with one more
rub of my eyes, I perceived the dark brows of Daniel Webster
hanging over me. “ I have no hat on,” said I; “ but off goes my
night-cap; ” and I sat uncovered in the presence of the great man
of the East.
The solution of this spectral visitation is, that Mr. Grinnell
waited for the arrival of the cars from Philadelphia in which Mr.
Webster was expected, and escorted him to Mr. Birckhead’s, where
he was to be lodged; but at this late hour access could not be ob-
tained, and he brought him to Mr. Morris’s to put him to bed in
my room, and there he remained, enjoying a good sleep, until six
o’clock this morning. Mr. Webster comes to Baltimore at the so-
licitation of his Whig friends, to give in his adhesion to the nomi-
nations. And right glad does he seem to be to have an opportunity
to define his position in relation to Mr. Clay and his friends, and to
assume the lofty rank among Whigs, from which some have thought
he was inclined to swerve. But he told them all about it to-day.
His appearance here and the part he has played is one of the most
interesting incidents in the great drama.
Yesterday was the solemn formula enacted by the
Ratification Whigs 0f the United States in the selection of candi-
Convention.	0
dates for President and Vice-President of the United
States ; but this has been the day of jubilee. Ten thousand men
of the other States came to Baltimore to ratify the choice. This
great mass of noble, fine-looking fellows, from the granite hills of
New Hampshire to the green prairies of the great West, formed in
procession this morning; and each State under its proper banner,
and each individual swelling out its numbers, with flags and patriotic
devices, badges and the weapons of peace, passing under triumphal
arches, cheered on by the bright eyes of the prettiest young women
in the world, for whose use every window-sash on the route of the
procession was taken out, and with handkerchiefs waving over-
head and wreaths and bouquets thrown at their feet, did this220
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[yEtat. 64.
mighty army march out to the Canton race-course. Being in
the procession myself, in the New York ranks, I cannot judge
what appearance it made; but the street, the whole of Baltimore
street, presented a pageant more bright and brilliant than any I
ever beheld. The field to which we marched is about three miles
from that part of the city with which I am acquainted. The
weather was doubtful and the sun did not shine; the dust was the
only annoyance. But everything went off well, and the rain which
threatened during the morning had the politeness to keep away
until nothing was left undone but a few speeches, which are a
commodity so plentiful just now that the people could afford to
wait. Of this great meeting John M. Clayton, of Delaware, was
appointed president. Mr. Webster was called out by unanimous
acclamation, and addressed the people in an excellent speech, ap-
proving the nominations without the least reservation, and pledging
himself and receiving the pledges of all in his hearing to an un-
wavering, united, and zealous support of the people’s candidate.
At six o’clock I joined a large party at dinner at
JohnsonsMf* Mr. Reverdy Johnson’s, whose noble mansion, on this
occasion, has been the seat of elegant and profuse
hospitality. We had at dinner, and afterward at supper, all
the great genii of the Whig party; and such an array was
never before presented to my view: Benjamin Watkins Leigh,
Judge Berrien, Mr. Webster, Governor Morehead, Judge Spencer,
Governor Metcalf, Governor Sprigg of this State, Mr. Morgan,
Mr. Crittenden, Butler King, Stanley, General Dawson, Governor
Johnson of Louisiana, Mr. Ewing, Mr. Granger, Mr. Kennedy,
etc. I was never concerned in a more jovial affair, and never
heard more small shot fired from big guns. I was eight hours
on my legs in the morning of this great day, and eight hours seated
at the table, and shall now get eight hours’ sleep, if I can.
May 4.—John C. Spencer has resigned his place
of	cak*neb and a pretty business he has made of
Treasury. it. Discarded by all parties, and spurned by the hand1844.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
221
which he basely condescended to lick, he will have nothing but
his own bad feelings to feed upon. As his stern old father said
the other day, “ He has dug his own grave, and must lie in it.”
John Tyler could never tolerate the man whose father was the
president of a Clay convention.
Dined with Mr. Robert Gilmor. Our party consisted of Messrs.
Kennedy, Birckhead, Byron of somewhere South, Abbott Lawrence,
David Hoffman, Robert Gilmor, Jr., Granger, Grattan, Thomas
Oliver, Meredith, and myself. The city has assumed its usual ap-
pearance ; Bamum’s is approachable and traversable, Reverdy John-
son’s shut up, the rostrum in front of the Court-House taken down,
Loco-focos beginning to peep out of their holes, and friendship and
hospitality assuming their usual quiet habits of entertainment.
New York, May 14.—The annexation of Texas
Texas.	to the United States is now the question which regu-
lates all our politics, the pivot on which party-spirit
moves, and the stepping-stone from which presidential candidates
rise, or on which they stumble, to rise no more. The discussion
of the treaty lately entered into by President Tyler and his cabi-
net with Texas has laid open a scene of executive usurpation
which ought to subject the chief to impeachment, and such of
his advisers as remain (some of them were blown up in the
“ Princeton ”), to disgraceful dismissal from their offices. Mr.
Tyler has, in this instance, usurped the power of Congress to make
war, by ordering naval and military forces to carry out his treaty
before its ratification by the Senate, against the anticipated oppo-
sition of Mexico, — a nation with whom we have the most friendly
relations, whilst we are plotting to steal a valuable part of her
dominions.
Here is the great question of severance between the North and
the South, which is one day to shake this overgrown Republic to
its centre. The Southern States desire the annexation of Texas
to the Union, to strengthen their position geographically and
politically by the prospective addition of four or five slaveholding222
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[Mtat, 64.
States. We of the North and East say we have already more
territory than we know what to do with, and more slavery within
our borders than we choose to be answerable for before God and
man. So this Texas question is brought up by the man whom
accident has placed at the head of affairs, and used by designing
demagogues to promote their personal objects at the risk of a
separation of the Union, and the downfall of liberty in the
Western world. The several aspirants to the Presidency have
been called upon to declare their opinions on this distracting
question. Mr. Clay, with his characteristic frankness, condemns
the project as dangerous to the tranquillity of the country, unjust
to Mexico, and dishonourable in the eyes of the world. Mr. Van
Buren, in language less explicit, avows the same sentiments.
These opinions have left a door open for other would-be candi-
dates, who would struggle upward by means of the most unscrupu-
lous conduct. In this number is General Cass, who, after having
made himself ridiculous by interfering in affairs with which he had
no concern, comes out now in favour of the measure in all its
length and breadth, declaring war against Mexico, threatening
Great Britain, and scoffing at all the old-fashioned notions in
favour of union and harmony. This is the horse on wrhich this
demagogue would ride into power. Clay must beat them all, for
the country cannot stand a fourth administration like the present
and its two predecessors.
May 24. — Seeing in the newspaper this morning a
Old Times, statement that in pulling down an old house on the
corner of John and Dutch streets some pieces of cannon
were dug up from the cellar, it occurred to hae that this must be
my father’s house. So I went that way to the office, and, sure
enough, the old house in which my youthful days were passed was
no more to be seen, and a shapeless mass of ruins marked the spot.
I was born in Dutch street, near by. My father bought the house
at the comer something like sixty years ago, and carried on his
business there, and thence spring all my early recollections. How
*1844O
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
223
the old house stood so long (for it was a slight building) I know
not, but whilst I stood gazing at the ruins I mourned over the
But how came the cannon there ? There are three pieces, which,
from the fixtures attached to them, belonged probably to a vessel
(a rebel privateer, perhaps), and were secreted in the cellar of this
house at the commencement of the Revolutionary war, before my
father bought the property. I saw two of these pieces in a black-
smith’s shop near by (the other had been taken away), and tried to
get one, as a relic of old times; and I may yet, if the purchaser
consents to part with it. They have been so long in a state of con-
finement that, like the old man who was released on the destruction
of the Bastille, it will be difficult to make them go off.
One of those incidents occurred this morning so
KentCell°r characteristic of our dear Chancellor. He mystified
me completely. Coming suddenly into the insurance
office, with a book under his arm, he took a chair beside mine, and
the following dialogue took place : “Do you write marine risks? ”
—	“ Certainly, sir, it is our business.” — “I want some insurance.”
—	“You,” asked I; “ what can you possibly have to do with marine
insurance ? ” — “I have an interest in a vessel which I wish insured
for nine months.” — “ Very well, sir, what vessel is it? ” — “I sup-
pose that I must disclose everything? ” — “ Certainly.”—“ Well, she
is as good a vessel as ever floated, staunch and sound; but I have
no confidence in the captain, and am afraid of barratry, which I
would insure against.” — “Well, sir, what is her name? ” — “The
good ship Constitution; John Tyler, master; will you write her?”
Acknowledging myself completely taken in, I replied, “ Change the
captain, stop up the leaks with clay, and we will write her upon
the most favourable terms.” And off went the bright and amiable
octogenarian as suddenly as he entered.
departure of an old acquaintance.
Baltimore
Convention.
May 28. — The “Monumental City” is again the
scene of a great political gathering; but how different
from that I lately witnessed there ! Then all was224
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 64.
union, harmony, confidence, and enthusiasm. Now the Loco-focos
have possession of the ground; and discord, suspicion, doubt, and
apprehension prevail in their ranks. The convention met yester-
day. Mr. Hendricks, of Pennsylvania, was elected president, with
a vice-president from each State.
The party does not seem pleased with either of their numerous
candidates. Mr. Van Buren, heretofore the standing candidate, has
gotten into bad smell\ as the Count Lowendahl once said to me,
when he attempted to do mauvaise odeur into English. Dick
Johnson says he won’t ride to immortality in the same cart with the
New York candidate; and, disgraceful as it would be to the
country, there are serious thoughts of that demi-savage being
brought forward for the first office. I would prefer that Mr. Van
Buren should be the man, for in the present state of parties he
would be most easily beaten; and, in the unlikely event of Mr.
Clay’s defeat, I would rather have him than any other candidate on
that side.
May 30. — Van Buren is killed (politically), and Cass is no
better. The Loco-foco Convention yesterday threw them both
overboard, and nominated James K. Polk, of Tennessee, for Presi-
dent, and Silas Wright, of New York, for Vice-President. How it was
brought about belongs to the Loco-foco chronicles of the times;
but Polk and Wright! Alas for poor Van Buren ! He is the best
of the bunch by great odds, and to be so repudiated by his political
friends who have so long been accustomed to swear by him ! Et
tu, Brute! And then, the idea of running Silas Wright subordi-
nate to General Jackson’s chief cook and bottle-washer, Colonel
Polk ! Some Northern Loco-foco, speaking of the nomination,
says very smartly, “ The ticket is like a kangaroo, — it goes
upon its hind legs.”
The United States frigate “ Constitution ” (dear old
Mr. Wise. « Ironsides ”) sailed yesterday for Rio de Janeiro,
having on board His Excellency Henry A. Wise, Min-
ister to the Court of Brazil, and his family, and Mr. Sargeant, his1844.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
225
secretary. Success attend the new Minister! If he is half as
troublesome there as he was here, they will wish to have my old
acquaintance, Mr. Hunter, back. Some of his colleagues in Con-
gress would send him on a mission to the antipodes or elsewhere,
and keep him there, if they thought there was any chance of his
being reelected to Congress on his return.
May 31. — Among the recorded deaths we some-
Revoiutionary tjmes gee tke names of men whose services in the Rev-
Men.
olutionary army must endear them to the present, and
their memory to all future, generations. Two are recorded in the
papers of this day; namely, at Schenectady, on the 23d May, John
Jacobus Van Voorst, aged one hundred and three years, four
months, and four days; at Fouda, Montgomery county, on the nth
of May, Jacob Van Allstyne, in the ninety-sixth year of his age.
He was An adjutant and quartermaster in the Continental army,
and was in the service at the taking of General Burgoyne.
May 31. — The Polk-Van Buren-Cass Convention,
The Loco-foco	,	.	.	.	.
Convention. at Baltimore, closed their patriotic labours yesterday.
Silas Wright, the nominee for the Vice-Presidency,
not liking the position in which he was placed, subordinate to one
so inferior to himself, and indignant, no doubt, at the ill-treatment
which his friend, Mr. Van Buren, had received at the hands of his
party, peremptorily declined the nomination, notwithstanding a
committee (of which Benjamin F. Butler, the exponent of New
York Loco-focoism, was one) went to Washington to urge his
acceptance. Mr. Wright has done himself great credit by refusing
to lend his name to prop a sinking cause and give currency to
political heresy. In this new dilemma, the convention, after
floundering about in a troubled sea of uncertainty, hoisted a new
signal of distress, and nominated as Vice-President George M.
Dallas, of Pennsylvania, a man who, at the first meeting of this
august assembly, was no more dreamed of than John Tyler. But it
is so; and now the faithful must change their shout from Van Buren
to Polk, and from Wright to Dallas. In the midst of these polit-226
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JE tat. 64.
ical squabbles at Baltimore, the ridiculous farce has been played of
the nomination of the present incubus upon the country. A Tyler
Convention (as they called themselves), consisting of a few office-
holders and political adventurers, held a meeting simultaneously
with the Polkites, and agreed to make Mr. Tyler President, if they
can get votes enough. He accepts the nomination in one of those
asinine manifestos in which the father’s wisdom is so beautifully
adorned by the son’s erudition.
June i. — A white stone to mark the closing hours of
Picnic Dinner, this week ! Never was there a lovelier day, a brighter
sun, and never was nature more daintily decked out
to receive their embraces and profit by their influences. Never
was there a nicer picnic dinner than that provided by John R.
Snedecor, near the Long Island race-course, and never a pleas-
anter party than the nine (not the Muses, but votaries and wor-
shippers of their ladyships) who assembled to partake of it. Our
party consisted of Dr. Wainwright, Prescott Hall, David C. Colden,
Mr. Macready, M. C. Patterson, Samuel B. Ruggles, Francis
Griffin, Henry Brevoort, and myself. We left town at half-past
two o’clock, sat down to dinner (previously engaged and the par-
ticulars arranged by Mr. Hall) at half-past four, and started for
home at ten o’clock, just as the full moon arose from the ocean to
light us on our way, and unlike the lamps of us dull mortals, has
grown brighter as the oil consumed.
Mr. Macready, for whom this pleasant affair was gotten up,
delighted us with his conversation, which was occasionally diversi-
fied with his admirable recitations and dramatic readings. The
reverend doctor enjoyed the feast, and added to its charm the
tribute of his intellectual remarks. Brevoort opened wider than
usual the lid of his knowledge-box, and each member of the party
was ready and willing to contribute his stock to the entertainment
and instruction of his companions.
June 10. — Died on Friday last, at his residence, Geneseo,
Mr. James S. Wadsworth, aged seventy-seven years. Mr. Wads-1844.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
227
worth was a native of Connecticut, one of the pioneers in the
settlement of the western part of the State of New York, to which
he removed many years ago. His farm on the Genesee river,
above Rochester, is said to be the finest in the State. I have been
at his house, — a noble mansion, beautifully situated in the heart of
a country rich and fertile as any the sun shi»es upon, — a country
which not only filled his garners with grain and fattened his cattle
on a thousand hills, but filled his purse to overflowing with the
treasure which buys all things but life, health, and contentment.
June ii. — Mr. Tyler’s infamous treaty, by which
Treaty ot he hoped to rob Mexico of her province of Texas,
against the consent of the people of the United States,
to promote his political ends with the Southern States, at the risk
of plunging the country into an unjust and discreditable war, and
to force the country to assume thereby the enormous debts of a
set of vagabond adventurers, has received its quietus in the Senate,
where it was discussed in secret session several days, and finally
rejected on Saturday.
June 14. — One of those astounding Wall-street stock revolu-
tions has occurred, which are occasionally gotten up by gamblers,
and by which the turn of a day makes nabobs and beggars, and
unsettles the minds of men who watch the brokers’ books with
anxiety equal to that which of old attended the developments of
the sibylline leaves. Within the last week many descriptions of
what are called fancy stocks were inflated, by the progress of bubble-
blowing, to prices double and quadruple those of the previous
week. Many who had “ sold ahead,” as it is called in Wall street,
were ruined by the change, and fortunes were made by men who
had not sense nor judgment to make a living in an honest calling.
This inflated state of things lasted three days, and then came the
reverse, which always follows these high-pressure operations. All
of a sudden, stocks fell back nearly to the place where the specula-
tion found them; the sellers became buyers, pocketed their gains,
and laughed at their dupes. Such is the course of stock-jobbing,228
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 64.
—a most profligate and ruinous system of gambling, infinitely worse
than any of which the laws take cognizance.
At Home, June 25. — Much has transpired during my short
absence. Congress has adjourned in “ most admired confusion,”
after a session (I mean of the House of Representatives) more
disgraceful to the country, and humiliating to all who continue to
love it, than any in the annals of our National Legislature. The
Whig majority in the Senate is the salt which has preserved the
body politic. God knows how long that conservative principle
may be suffered to remain! President Tyler, in the madness of
his misrule, has made many removals and appointments at the
close of the session, some of which were confirmed, but more
rejected. What a patient ass is the American people, and how
well he who rides seems to know them !
July 2. — Mr. Tyler’s broom sweeps clean; there is hardly one
important appointment made by General Harrison which has not
fallen within the scope of its destroying influence. He seems des-
titute of the ordinary feelings of respect for the memory of the
man under whose mantle he was smuggled into office.
to-day, with the usual jollifications customary on such occasions. A
large number of invited guests were taken down on the cars,
partook of an entertainment, and returned early in the evening.
Wonderful stories are told of the speed of the steam-team on this
occasion. They went to Greenport in four hours; but if they had
kept up the speed with which they started, — fourteen minutes to
Jamaica, — the distance might have been accomplished in two.
handsome little vessels, owned by gentlemen of fortune and enter-
prise, are preparing for a voyage to Newport, under the command
Long Island
Railroad.
July 27. — The road being completed from Brook-
lyn to Greenport, — its terminus on the Sound, — a
distance of ninety-two miles, the first trip was made
Aquatic
Jubilee.
July 29.—There is a gay, saucy-looking squadron
of schooner-yachts lying off the Battery, which excites
considerable admiration. About a dozen of these1844-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
229
of that excellent fellow, John C. Stevens, as commodore, who
hoists his broad pennant and makes his signals in the most ap-
proved man-of-war style. Crowds of people, especially of the
fairer sort, go down to witness this mimic display of maritime
glory; and some of the most favoured of our belles and nice
young men about town are invited to pleasant parties by the Jack-
tars. The arrival of the squadron at Newport will, of course,
occasion a sensation among the company there, and serve to re-
lieve the monotony of a tolerably dull place of sojournment.
Rockaway, August 9. — I grieve to record the death
Coster°fMr*	mY venerable friend, John G. Coster. He died at
ten o’clock, last evening, in the eighty-second year of
his age. Mr. Coster has done me many kind services; and I never
asked a favour of him which was not cheerfully, willingly, and dis-
interestedly granted. I was grateful to him living, and honour his
memory now that he is removed from those who loved and^
respected him.
August 12. — Mr. Coster’s funeral took place yesterday, at five
o’clock. There was a great concourse of people; for the deceased
was extensively known and greatly esteemed. The ceremonies
were performed by Dr. Wainwright, in St. Mark’s Church, in the
cemetery of which the body was interred in the family vault. The
following were the pall-bearers : Major Popham, Chancellor Jones,
James McBride, Maltby Gelston, John Adams, David S. Kennedy,
Edward W. Laight, and myself.
The “ Commercial Advertiser ” comes this afternoon
Ham^L° stone *n mourning> for the death of its editor, William Leet
Stone, who died at the residence of his father-in-law,
the Rev. Mr. Wayland, at Saratoga Springs, yesterday morning,
aged fifty-two years. Mr. Stone has been editor-in-chief of the
“ Commercial Advertiser” since April, 1820. I have long thought
it one of the best papers in the State. Its principles were of the
sound Whig kind, its editorial writings sensible, discreet, and moral,
and its matter generally entertaining, without any pampering to a230
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iE tat. 64.
depraved popular taste. Mr. Stone has written several good books,
principally on subjects connected with the early history of the State,
manners, customs, and annals of the Indian tribes, and of the pub-
lic institutions in which he took an interest, and in which he did
not shrink from his share of the work.
August 22.— I had a nice little party at dinner, consisting of
John P. Kennedy, R. M. Blatchford (who brought us a basket of
delicious fruit), William Wood, Dr. Stevens, our St. Croix friend
Delprat, and M. H. Grinnell. They came at three o’clock, and we
broke up soon after six.
August 30. — I have read the speeches of Mr. Web-
speeches ster an<^ Ju(^ge Berrien« Both are excellent. I am
much mistaken if that of the Massachusetts man is not
the best he ever made on such an occasion. It is a clear, sound,
uncontrovertible argument in favour of the Whig doctrines of the
present day. On the subject of protection of American industry
it is glorious. It carries even me beyond the highest point of con-
viction to which I had ever reached. It proves that this principle
lies at the root of the federal compact; that it was the broad, deep-
laid foundation of the fabric which could never have been erected
upon any other, and he was provided with facts taken from im-
perishable records and statements derived from the most authentic
sources to prove every word he said.
September ii.— We hear of nothing but great
Electioneering, mass-meetings (as they are called) in all parts of the
country. The Whigs have collected immense gather-
ings at Taunton and at Lynn, in Massachusetts, where Daniel
Webster, Rufus Choate, Robert C. Winthrop, John M. Berrien,
Francis Granger, John P. Kennedy, and a host of the brightest
spirits in the land have been instructing the people in the prin-
ciples for which we are contending, and of which Clay and Freling-
huysen are the index and exemplars. In New Jersey, where the
first State election will take place, similar efforts are being made;
and if the sovereigns do not get enough of tariff and Texas, theyi844«]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
231
are the most insatiable gormandizers in the world. We have beaten
the Loco-focos handsomely in Vermont; biit, on the other hand,
their majority in Maine has increased fearfully. It is not so hollow
a thing as it appeared a few weeks since; party discipline works
well for our opponents, and the prospect of spoils in advance are
mighty encouraging for both parties.
September 19. — A slap at Brother Jonathan. One of the Eng-
lish papers says that the Iowa American Indians, now exhibiting in
London, must not be confounded with the tribe of I.O.U.'s, who
are natives of Pennsylvania, and intimates that the former are much
the more respectable of the two.
concerned; for it ought not to excite much wonder that a man
should be in two places at once. The “ Commercial Advertiser,”
which I read this day at two o’clock, contains a report, in three or
four columns, of a speech made by Mr. Webster yesterday afternoon
at a great Whig meeting on Boston Common.
September 30. — I found yesterday, in overhauling old papers in
a chest of my father’s which had not seen the light for a quarter of
a century, many curious records of the days of my infancy and
youth, and some of a still more remote period. In this ancient
cabinet of literary relics I found the certificate of my father’s
rights as a freeman of the city of New York, — an important and
honourable privilege. This document is dated 1765, and signed
by John Cruger.
prime minister, Mr. Coggeswell; Mr. Jaud'on; Ole Bull, the cele-
brated Norwegian violinist (we used to call it fiddler) ; and myself.
In the evening the party was increased by the addition of Mr.
Webster, his brother-in-law, Mr. Page, and Mr. and Mrs. Curtis.
Astonishing
Despatch.
September 20.-—The go-ahead principle prevails in
this country to such a degree that it must be difficult
to prove an alibi in any case in which locomotion is
Dinner and
Reflections.
October 9. — I went yesterday to dine at Mr.
Blatchford’s, at Hell-Gate. The party at dinner con-
sisted of old Mr. J. J. Astor and his train-bearer and232
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 64.
Ole Bull had his two violins, and astonished and pleased us by his
wonderful performance. Every note was sounded, from the roar-
ing of a lion to the whisper of a summer’s evening breeze; every
instrument of music seemed to send forth its peculiar tones.
After an hour or two passed in the billiard-room I retired to
bed. When I arose this morning at Mr. Blatchford’s, I contem-
plated the delightful scene : the clumps of fine old trees clothed in
the gorgeous foliage of autumn, the lawn still bright and green, the
mild, refreshing breeze, the rapid waters of Hell-Gate covered with
sailing-vessels and steamboats, — all combined to present a picture
of consummate beauty. In this place, so rich in the beauties of art
and nature, in the enjoyment of pecuniary independence and happy
in his family relations, did the former proprietor commit suicide !
Mr. Astor, one of our dinner companions yesterday, presented a
painful example of the insufficiency of wealth to prolong the life
of man. This old gentleman, with his fifteen millions of dollars,
would give it all to have my strength and physical ability; and yet,
with this example and that recorded above, I, with a good con-
science, and in possession of my bodily faculties, sometimes repine
at my lot. He would pay all my debts if I could insure him one
year of my health and strength.
October 14. — A Whig meeting was held this evening, of about
thirty gentlemen, at the Astor House. Great and encouraging were
the results. Can a cause fail which is founded upon such prin-
ciples as ours, and supported by such men ? May success be their
reward, and their country know how to appreciate their liberality !
The first ten men who took pen in hand subscribed $8,100. Of
these, six gave $1,000 each, and they have all been giving to the
same object every day for months past. I cannot resist the satis-
faction of recording their names : George Griswold; Prime, Ward,
& King; Grinnell, Minturn, & Co.; John C. Greene; Howland &
Aspinwall; Spofford & Tileston. Benjamin L. Swan gave $600,
three others $500 each, and many $250; altogether something over
$10,000.1844-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
233
October 29.—The approaching presidential elec-
The Election, tion engrosses all interest and occupies the minds of
all our citizens. We Whigs believe that the principles
involved in this contest are of the most vital importance. These
principles are well known and openly avowed, whilst our adversa-
ries acknowledge no motive of action but the most malignant and
virulent opposition to our candidates. These are both so strong
in the affections of their political friends, both so distinguished for
talents and public services, and both so clearly and openly iden-
tified with the principles of their party, that every description of
rancorous vituperation is resorted to, to influence the minds and
gain the votes of the ignorant and prejudiced.
October 30. — The great demonstration of the
stratfon em°n" Whigs, which has been in preparation for some time,
came off to-day. It beggars all description. Nothing
so great, so magnificent, so enthusiastic, was ever before wit-
nessed in New York. The several wards marched in rotation,
with all the mechanical crafts on stages superbly ornamented and
employed in their different occupations, with banners and flags, and
every device which ingenuity and zeal could suggest. I cannot
attempt a description. It will be sufficient for this record of the
event, to say that the procession was more than five miles in
length, and composed of the most respectable men of every profes-
sion, trade, and occupation in the city.
The fifteenth ward did me the honour to place me in their cor-
fege in an open barouche, with Dr. J. W. Francis, Judge Hammond,
and Mr. Nevins. We left Constitution Hall soon after ten o’clock,
and were detained in Canal street and thereabouts until two, when
we took our place in the line. We then followed on down Green-
wich street, around the Bowling Green, up Broadway to Union
place, and down the Bowery, etc. I broke away at Broome street,
on the downward route. After four o’clock, the weather, which
was pleasant in the morning, became raw and uncomfortable, with
gusts of rain and hail; and I was not very well.234
THE DIARY GF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 64.
This was the greatest affair I was ever concerned in. The
houses on the route were decorated with flags, Clay busts,
wreaths and festoons of flowers and evergreens; and such a wav-
ing of handkerchiefs, and showering of bouquets, and flashing of
bright eyes from tens of thousands of animated female counte-
nances, inspired the hearts of all Whigs, sixty-four years old and
under, — and all above, for aught I know to the contrary. I came
in for a large part of the honours of the day, being cheered and
saluted byname, by many of the groups of the assembled multi-
tude of spectators. My house, also, I was informed, was frequently
cheered in a manner personally gratifying/ We were decorated
with flags and evergreens, and had a very handsome display of
lady friends to set us off.
November i. — Our opponents made their appear-
cession ance evening m a great night procession, as long
as ours on Wednesday, but widely different in the
character of its members. Their appearance was low and vulgar,
and their banners avowed no political principles. “ Destruction
to Clay ! ”	“ Down with the Coons ! ”	“ Polk and Texas ! ”
“ No $50,000,000 Bank!” “Americans shan't rule us!” (this
is a fact), and such-like inscriptions were emblazoned on their
standards,' and brought into light by the torches which sup-
plied the want of the daylight, in which the Whigs were not
ashamed to be seen.
November 8.—Yesterday’s news from the West and
Ail Gone. North has settled the question. The State of New
York has gone for Polk and Dallas by a majority of
five or six thousand. This result, which makes them President and
Vice-President of the United States, has been brought about by
foreign votes, made for the purpose. Mr. Clay is again defeated;
the people have rejected their best friend, and repudiated the
principles by which alone national prosperity and individual happi-
ness might have been secured. So let it be ! We must submit, and
have only to pray that the Almighty will avert from the country the
J1844.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE. t
235
evils which, from present appearances, the people have brought upon
themselves, and that the administration may turn out better than
some of us now anticipate.
There is a Whig loss in the State since the election of General
Harrison in 1840 of about twenty thousand. The slaveholders of
the South and the abolitionists of the North have gone equally
against us. Free trade and protection have voted for Polk and
Dallas. Mr. Clay’s talents, public services, and sound principles
are too much for this perverse levelling generation. The beauty
of his character forms too strong a contrast to their deformity.
The Whigs, at this election, deserted their own candidates almost
in a body. Phoenix, of the first congressional district of the city,
withdrew publicly, and Hamilton Fish virtually; by which means the
Native Americans carried three out of the four congressmen,—Mil-
ler, Woodruff, and Campbell (the first and the last, by the bye, as
good Whigs as those they succeed). Mr. Folsom (Native American),
whom nobody knows, and who has never contributed in any way to
the good cause, is elected to the State Senate; that * sound Whig
and practical American, Hiram Ketcham, was also induced to with-
draw. The whole Assembly ticket is elected, and all by the com-
plete cooperation of the Whigs, in the hope that a corresponding
support would be given by their opponents to the Clay electoral
ticket. It was so, to a certain extent; but the foregoing statement
shows that we gave more than we received.
November 13. — I am sick, sick of election returns;
Massachusetts as^ame<^ °f my countrymen; but I have one bright page
for my journal. There is one star in the deep obscurity
of our political midnight. Glorious old Massachusetts, the cradle
of American liberty, the last refuge of good principles, the faithful
among the faithless, has proved herself worthy of her immortal
sires. Her election was held on Monday; she gives Clay and
Frelinghuysen twenty-five thousand majority; more than the aggre-
gate majorities for Polk and Dallas in New York, Pennsylvania, and
Virginia. Governor Briggs is reelected by an immense majority.236
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 64.
All her congressmen are Whigs with the exception of two or three
districts, where the pertinacious abolitionists have prevented a
choice. The indomitable old veteran, John Quincy Adams, is re-
elected, by an increased majority, against the combination of slave-
holders and abolitionists, who stand in awe of his power, and shrink
before the light of truth. The Legislature is Whig three or four
times over. Mr. Webster’s eloquence has not been lost upon his
own people, however it may have been contemned in other States,
where envy, hatred, and uncharitableness have sought to keep him
down.
“ Light of the pilgrims, seen afar,
Midst clouds and darkness shining yet!
Now, as of old, fair freedom’s star,
The first to rise, the last to set.”
November 15. — The majority in the State of New
Returns York for Polk and Dallas, out of nearly half a million
of votes, is five thousand and twenty-six. Fourteen or
fifteen thousand abolitionists voted for a Mr. Binney, — a man of
straw of their own, — and many voted for the successful candidates;
few or none for Clay. If those mischievous men had gone with us,
Mr. Clay would have been President. Now the Southern Loco-focos
claim a triumph over us as abolitionists; this is very provoking,
but “ suffering is the badge of all our tribe.” Mr. Clay is defeated
by these Northern Ishmaelites, and by naturalized voters, made
expressly for the purpose.
Festival of the	November 20. — The Historical Society celebrated
Historical to-day their fortieth anniversary. The members and
Society. their guests assembled at five o’clock, at their rooms in
the University, whence they walked in procession to the Church of
the Messiah, where an address was delivered by Mr. Brodhead, the
gentleman who was sent out by the State to collect, from the archives
of Europe, annals and records and documents relating to the history
of the United States, and especially such as concerned the settle-
ment and early history of New York.1844-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
237
At eight o’clock the company, to the number of three hundred
gentlemen, sat down to dinner. Among the guests were the vener-
able ex-President, John Quincy Adams; Mr. Frelinghuysen; Mr.
Saltonstall, of Massachusetts ; Mr. Reed, of Philadelphia ; President
Day; President Moore, of Columbia College ; delegates from all the
historical and literary societies of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and
Pennsylvania; several distinguished clergymen of this and other
States; judges, etc., in learned profusion in this array of distin-
guished men. There was a preponderance, of course, of New
England men. A better convocation of learning and talents has sel-
dom been seen in New York, nor was there ever more or better
speaking. The whole affair went off famously, and the company
broke up reluctantly at one o’clock in the morning.
Mr. Gallatin presided during the first hour or two, with Mr.
Adams on his right, and General Almonte, the Mexican Minister,
on his left. It was a glorious sight to see the two octogenarians,
Mr. Gallatin and Mr. Adams, side by side, with heads white as
snow and full of knowledge; these two stars who shone together
formerly in the fiery heat of opposing politics, shooting hostile
flames at each other, now mingling their waning lights to illumine
the path of science, and gilding with their declining rays the hours
of rational festivity. The vice-presidents, at the head of the table,
were Chief Justice Jones and myself; at the lower end, Messrs.
Lawrence, Bradish, and Benjamin F. Butler. The stewards (and
most attentive ones they were) were P. M. Wetmore, Col. George
Gibbs, B. R. Winthrop, John Jay, J. R. Bartlett, T. Harris, H.
G. Stebbins, A. H. Bradford, A. M. Cozzens, E. C. Benedict.
November 28. — Flying is dangerous. I never open
business in human slaughter, whilst the wholesale trade is carried on
(especially on the Western waters) by the steamboats.
December 5. — I went last evening to a party at Mrs. Charles
A. Davis’s, where I met many of my travelled countrywomen for
Railroad
Accidents.
a newspaper that does not contain some account of dis-
asters and loss of life on railroads. They do a retail238
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[.Etat. 64.
the first time since their return. Most of them seem to have es-
caped the foppery of foreign manners and the bad taste of anti-
Americanism. There were the lovely Mrs. Sydney Brooks, Mrs.
Robert Ray, Mrs. Crawford, her sister Miss Ward, Miss Phelps,
Mrs. Panon, Mrs. and Miss Barclay, — all American foreigners for
a short period. Take them together, I do not think New York has
any reason to be ashamed of her fair representatives.
be his memory, for he was of a race nearly extinct, and which is
now seldom reproduced, — a gentleman of the old school. He was
thrice illustrious : in his ancestry, for his father was Colonel Pres-
cott, who commanded at Bunker Hill; in himself, for he was dis-
tinguished by virtue, talents, and patriotism ; and in his posterity, for
his son is the accomplished author of “ Ferdinand and Isabella.”
able citizens, to make a friendly issue in the courts of the United
States in relation to the tyrannical and uncourteous laws of the lat-
ter, by which they arrested and confined in prison free black men,
citizens of Massachusetts, employed in their vessels, on their arrival
in Charleston. This proceeding gave great umbrage to the doughty
sons of the Palmetto State. Governor Hammond charged a big
gun, in the form of a message, to the Legislature ; and they discharged
a volley of imprecations, vituperations, and denunciations against
the universal Yankee nation in general, and Mr. Commissioner Hoar
in particular,—which missiles, if their power had been equal to the
noise they made, would have been sufficient to frighten all the cod-
fish and haddock out of Boston bay. This catastrophe, however,
was happily averted. But they sent the ambassador packing. He
wisely preferred a sudden retreat to the tender mercy of a furious
mob, who were preparing to attack him, and made his exit in his
Death of Judge
Prescott.
X
December ii. — Died in Boston, on Sunday last,
aged about fourscore, William Prescott. He was a
graduate of Harvard, of the class of 1783. Honoured
South Carolina
in the Field.
There is a terrible flare-up between the States of
Massachusetts and South Carolina. The former sent
to Charleston Mr. Hoar, one of their aged and respect-1844-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
239
Mr. Clay
at Home.
own suit of broadcloth, rather than assume one of tar and feathers,
which was in readiness for his equipment. The tempest begins to
growl terribly in Mr. Calhoun’s teapot.
December 14. — Honoured be the State which
knows how to do honour to her worthiest citizen !
The presidential electors of Kentucky assembled at
Frankfort, according to law, and deposited their votes for Henry
Clay and Theodore Frelinghuysen. Their consciences are clear
of the sin of a participation in the national ingratitude which now
soils the escutcheon of America. The high and solemn duty being
performed, and the ceremonials properly attended to, the patriotic
band of electors proceeded in a body, by the railroad, to Lexing-
ton, and thence went on foot in procession, attended by Governor
Owsley, ex-Governors Metcalf and Letcher, and all the honest men
of the place, escorted by a company of volunteer troops, to Ashland,
the residence of the man of whom Kentucky is proud.
Mr. Clay being apprised of their visit, received them on the
lawn in front of his house, and from the steps of his door replied
to their affectionate address, in terms eloquent and impressive, full
of devoted obedience to the voice of the people and prayers for
the happiness of a country which has just evinced a melancholy
want of appreciation of his eminent abilities and patriotic services.
The scene is described by those who witnessed it as one of surpass-
ing interest. America, like other republics, has proved herself un-
grateful ; but Kentucky takes no share of the disgrace. I would
rather be Mr. Clay, with such a vote and such an expression of
the favour of my own State, than the President-elect, with the
hurrahs of a misguided, mercenary mob, the support of the
old incendiary of the Hermitage, and the fruits of successful
fraud and corruption.
December 20. — Mr. Thomas Ludlow Ogden died
^^Ogden on Monday evening, aged seventy-one years; a highly
respected citizen, and a lawyer of considerable emi-
nence. He has been an associate of mine in the vestry of Trinity240
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[/Etat. 64.
Church ever since I have been there, and long before that period
he was a member, and clerk of the corporation, which office he
held, together with that of warden, at the time of his death.
Abraham Ogden, Charles Ogden, of New Orleans, and Mrs. Wad-
dington are brothers and sister of the deceased. I attended the
funeral this day, at three o’clock, in St. Paul’s Church. The pall-
bearers were Chief Justice Jones, David S. Kennedy, David S.
Jones, A. Tredwell, William Bard, Edward W. Laight, P. G. Stuy-
vesant, Beverly Robinson.	(
December 27. — The Reverend Mr. Torrey, one of the philan-
thropic gentlemen who go about meddling with other people’s
concerns, and creating bad blood between the different sections
of the Union, has been tried in Baltimore, and, after an able
defence by Reverdy Johnson, convicted and sentenced to an im-
prisonment in the penitentiary for the term of seven years and
three months for the crime of enticing slaves from their master.
This is a tolerably hard sentence; but slaves are property, and
stealing is stealing, and the law gives it in black and white.1845.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
241
1845.
HE new year made its appearance clothed in smiles; the
weather was fine, and the sun shone brightly during the
whole day, and, notwithstanding the muddy condition of the streets,
Broadway and the adjacent thoroughfares were thronged with ani-
mated pedestrians, whilst vehicles of all descriptions were in active
employment. It was summer weather, and I visited for six hours
without requiring a cloak or an overcoat. God be thanked for all
his mercies ! I have witnessed the close of another year, and find
myself a year older, certainly, but in no respect worse off or less
happy than at its commencement. My faculties are not materially
impaired, my health is good, and my affairs in no respect less
favourable. I am employed pleasantly and profitably as President
of the American Mutual Insurance Company, whose first year’s
business closes this day. My family are in good health, with the
exception of my wife, and she has gained strength of late; so, with
a firm trust in Providence, and a determination to make a good and
honourable use of the blessings I enjoy, here goes for a new year.
departed from it. The government has leased it, and it is con-
verted into the post-office ; and a splendid one it is. The exterior
is not much changed. The clock, once famous as Time’s criterion,
the rule for courts and schools, churches and banks, by pleading
which, in justification, jurors escaped fines, and school-boys flagella-
tion ; by whose undisputed authority the bells ceased ringing on
Sundays, and protests were legalized, — this ancient chronicle of
Time, old as his hour-glass, still performs its hourly and minutely
duty, its naked hands unchilled by storm or cold, and strikes as
New Post-
office.
January 16. —The old new Dutch Church, on Nas-
sau, Liberty, and Cedar streets, has not been turned
into “ a den of thieves,” exactly; but its holy uses have242
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 65.
hard, but with less malevolent intent, than the practised pugilist.
The gallant cock which surmounts the spire still turns his face to
the enemy, and warns the mariner, the ship-owner, and the under-
writer from which quarter of the compass his danger comes. The
exterior of the building preserves much of its respectable, church-
like appearance; but the interior has no more resemblance to what
it was when Dr. Livingston’s voluminous white wig filled the minds
of the worshipping burgomasters with a holy awe, when the
eloquence of Linn warmed for a brief space their torpid imagina-
tions into momentary activity, or the mild, persuasive voice of
Abeel “almost persuaded them to be Christians,” — no more
resemblance, I say, than Gardiner’s shop, down Broadway, has to
the Quaker meeting-house.
January 27. — Dined with Mr. George Curtis. The party was,
Mr. Webster, M. H. Grinnell, Austin Stevens, Charles King, J.
Prescott Hall, R. M. Blatchford, T. Tileston, John Ward, Edward
Curtis, and myself. This is the first time I have met the great
senator during his present visit. I was invited to dine with him at
Blatchford’s on Friday, and at Draper’s on Saturday, but had to
decline both invitations.
February i.—This beautiful ship sailed for Canton
The^iuin-	morning loaded with American manufactures, — a
strange revolution in trade. The same articles which
we formerly imported from China, and for which nothing but dol-
lars would pay, are now manufactured here at one-third of the cost,
and sent out to pay for teas. The difficulty now is to find sufficient
returns for the American cargoes. We do not send them specie, —
not a dollar. It would be much more likely to come from there.
I went yesterday with Samuel S. Howland on board the “ Rain-
bow,” — the finest ship in model, symmetry, and finish that
ever left this port. She appeared to me like a pilot-boat or a
race-horse; she was so long and slim, and everything about her
so clean and taper. If she does not sail fast there are no fish
in the sea.1845-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
243
Death of a
Patriot.
February 25. —Ah, well-a-day ! The race is almost
extinct, and modern vocabularies preserve the term
only among the obsolete words, of which the present
generation have almost forgotten the meaning; but old Ashur
Robbins was one. This venerable man, who has been for the last
half-century one of the most prominent public men of Rhode Island,
died on Sunday last, at his residence in Newport, aged eighty-eight
years. He represented the State for fourteen years in the Senate
of the United States; was a Whig of the truest principles, and one
of the best scholars in the United States. He was appointed
postmaster of Newport during the brief administration of General
Harrison, and held the office at the time of his death. If Tyler
had known how good a man he was, and some one of his satellites
had wanted the office, the venerable patriot would not have been
left in possession of this small boon of a grateful party.
February 27. — I dined with Mr. Henry A. Coit. The party,
besides the host and hostess, consisted of Mr. Horsley Palmer, D.
C. Colden, George M. Woolsey, William H. Aspinwall, John Hicks,
Theodore de Hon, J. D. P. Ogden, Charles H. Russell, William S.
Miller, George Barclay, William S. Wetmore, and myself.
doubtful until the last moment, was carried in the Senate, by means
the most unconstitutional, on Thursday evening. The party who
elected Mr. Polk was determined to carry it through at all hazards,
and the foundations of the Republic have been broken up to
accomplish the object. The end of all these things is at hand.
The Constitution is a dead-letter, the ark of safety is wrecked, the
wall of separation which has hitherto restrained the violence of
popular rage is broken down, the Goths are in possession of the
Capitol, and if the Union can stand the shock it will only be
another evidence that Divine Providence takes better care of us
than we deserve.
Our Dear
Sister Texas.
March i . — The great question of the annexation of
Texas, which has kept the public mind in an unprece-
dented state of excitement, and the result of which was244
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 65.
Abolition in
Kentucky.
Miss Delia Webster, who was convicted in Kentucky,
and sentenced to four years’ confinement in the peni-
tentiary for the crime of abducting slaves, has been
pardoned by Governor Owsley, and sent home to her mamma in
Vermont, who probably did not “ know she was out.” She will
now, it is to be hoped, profit by the lesson she has had to abstain
from meddling in other people’s concerns. The sentence was, no
doubt, just; and, the law being satisfied, it was probably as well that
the executive clemency should be extended to the lady. But her
accomplice, a man named Fairbanks, who was sentenced to fifteen
years’ imprisonment, will probably not get off so well. He will be
indulged, a few years at least, in reflecting between four walls
upon the danger of too much zeal in the cause of abolition.
March 4. — St. Polk’s day. On this day the new President of
the United States is inaugurated at Washington, and Whittington
was not more astonished when the famous prediction of Bow
Bells, “ Turn again, Whittington, Lord Mayor of London !” was
realized by his investiture with the magisterial ermine, than Mr.
Polk must be in finding himself “ King of the Yankee Doodles,” as
Cooke, the tragedian, designated our President. Office-hunters,
demagogues, and political trumpeters are now shouting at the top
of their “ sweet voices ” for a triumph to which each of them claims
the merit of having mainly contributed, and of whom many of
the number will be sadly disappointed when they come to find
that the public swill-pail, capacious as it is, has not room for all
their snouts. As for the Whigs, we have more cause to rejoice
at the retirement of Mr. Tyler than to mourn over the acces-
sion of Mr. Polk.
his inauguration, was here last night, at eleven o’clock, and is pub-
lished this morning. It is a plain, sensible document, not very
elegantly written, but apparently honest, and creditable, on the
Inaugural
Address.
March 5. — The address of the new President,
which was made yesterday at noon, in the rain, on the
steps of the great eastern portico of the Capitol, atTHE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
245
1845.]
whole, to its author. He professes as much as Mr. Tyler did
when he swore to defend the Constitution and administer the
government with justice and impartiality. God grant that he
may redeem his pledges with truth and sincerity, as the latter
certainly did not!
March 6.— I dined yesterday with a party at Mr. David S.
Kennedy’s; the guests were : Mr. Horsley Palmer, Daniel Lord, Jr.,
William H. Aspinwall, J. D. P. Ogden, John Gihon, Mr. James,
William B. Astor, Thomas Dixon, John J. Palmer, Thomas W.
Ludlow, and myself.
April 7.— The site of Washington Hall, in Broad-
Relics of
oid Times. way, between Chambers and Reade streets, was
lately sold by the heirs of Mr. John G. Coster to
A. T. Stewart, who is preparing to erect on the ground a dry-
goods store, spacious and magnificent beyond anything of the
kind in the New World, or the Old either, as far as I know. In
removing the rubbish which remained after the hall was burned,
the corner-stone was brought to light and exhumed this morning,
with some formalities, resembling in a degree those of its original
deposition. Well do I remember the ceremony of laying this
corner-stone on the 4th of July, 1809, when the Federalists
were on their high horse, and when I subscribed $250,—which I
wish I had now, — and walked in procession to the North Church,
where Gulian C. Verplanck (who happened just then to be a
Federalist) delivered the oration, and Robert Morris, Jr., father of
Robert H. Morris, the late mayor, now an ultra-Democrat, then
an out-and-out Federalist, was one of the vice-presidents of the
Washington Benevolent Society. These firebrands of that fine
old party are now shining lights in the Loco-foco camp, and abuse
their old associates who continue to fight under their original col-
ours. How do the very stones rise up in judgment against them !
In excavating the cellar of the house to be erected
Another. by John C. Stevens on part of the ground which he has
leased from the college, at the corner of Murray246
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
tat. 65.
street and College place, two pieces of cannon were found in per-
fect preservation. They are supposed to be of the number of
those which were captured on the 23d of August, 1775, from the
king’s troops, by “ the liberty boys,” led by young Alexander
Hamilton, with his collegians. The pieces were buried in the
college grounds, and are now brought to light, as two others were,
a short time since, in the cellar of my father’s house in John street.
Overturn, overturn, overturn ! is the maxim of New York. The
very bones of our ancestors are not permitted to lie quiet a
quarter of a century, and one generation of men seem studious to
remove all relics of those which preceded them. Pitt’s statue no
longer graces Wall street, the old Presbyterian Church has given
place to the stalls of the money-changers, and the Croton river
has washed away all traces of the tea-water pump.
April 11. — The club dined with me yesterday, and
ciub Dinner. day should be marked with a “ white stone,” for
it was one of great enjoyment. Mr. Webster was with
us, and we all agreed that we had never seen him so agreeable
and entertaining. He was rich in anecdote and story, and his own
early history, and that of his ancestors formed his most delightful
theme. Our dinner and wine were unimpeachable. The following
members of the club were present: Grinnell, Blatchford, George
Curtis, Spofford, Edward Curtis, John Ward, Colt, Hall, Jaudon,
Draper, and Philip Hone; and, in addition, we had Mr. Webster,
James Monroe, and Charles King.
April 15.—I am sorry that Nathaniel P. Tallmadge has been
removed from the office of Governor of Wisconsin, to which he
was lately appointed by Mr. Tyler, and in which he had hardly
settled himself. The system of proscription is carried to a more
shameful extent now than ever. Some faint hopes were enter-
tained that this new man of ours, having the power to act inde-
pendently, would not follow the infernal policy of indiscriminate
removals from office. But whether the devil puts it into his heart,
and he enjoys this exercise of abused power, or the wolves, whoIS4S-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
247
bay for more carcasses than he can supply, have driven him mad,
he turns out all Whigs, Conservatives, and Tyler men, and bestows
his favours upon the most profligate of his followers. All the
principal actors in the disgraceful rebellion in Rhode Island have
been supplied with government places. The Collector of ProvL
dence, the United States Marshal, and the District Attorney have
been removed from office to make places for leading Dorrites,
who would accept a public office now when they may enjoy the
privilege of sawing wood or mining coal.
May 3.—This splendid packet, the largest mer-
ely ”Hen17 c^antman in United States, is now fitted up and
nearly ready for sea. Her accommodations and the
magnificence of her cabins exceed anything we have yet seen.
Her berths are nearly all taken, and on Wednesday next she is to
sail for England. May she prove worthy of her name, and reach
“ the haven where she would be ” with more certainty of success
than her illustrious namesake did the haven where he ought to be !
I was one of a highly pleased and exceedingly jolly party who
dined yesterday on board this noble ship, on the invitation of her
enterprising owners, Grinnell, Minturn, & Co. We poured a full
libation to her success, and if complimentary toasts and speeches,
hearty cheers and good wishes, will do the ship, her owners, build-
ers, commander, and crew any good, they had them all in honest
doses, not measured by homoeopathic practitioners. The party
consisted of M. H. Grinnell, Henry Grinnell, Robert B. Minturn,
Captain Nye, George Curtis, Mr. Delprat, J. W. Webb, Charles
King, M. C. Patterson, James A. Hamilton, his son Alexander,
Ogden Hoffman, Mr. Yermilyea, Mr. Neil of Ohio, Captain Rogers,
George W. Blunt, Mr. Kinney of New Jersey, and myself.
May 20. — Richard Caton died yesterday, in Balti-
more, aged eighty-three years. He came to this coun-
try when twenty-one years of age, and married one of
the daughters of Mr. Charles Carroll. Mr. Caton was father of the
Marchioness of Wellesley, the Duchess of Leeds, and Lady Stafford;
The Carroll
F amily.248
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 65.
and his granddaughter, Miss McTavish, is now engaged to the
Hon. Henry Howard, son of the Earl of Carlisle, and brother of
the Duchess of Sutherland and Lord Morpeth.
The ladies of this.family (natives though they be of Yankee-
doodle-dom) seem to possess, in a high degree, the power of
capturing the aristocracy of England; and it is said that royalty
itself was not insensible to the charms of some of them.
May 22. — “In the midst of life, we are in death.” There have
been two sad and melancholy monitors of the truth of this passage
of Scripture. At four o'clock I attended the funeral of Robert C.
Cornell, and at six that of Benjamin E. Bremner. Here were two
men, with whom I have been during a large portion of my life in
habits of almost daily intercourse, both swept off, as it were, in an
instant; the smooth, deceitful stream of human life is suddenly
disturbed, as if by the casting of a stone, which sinks into the
depths of forgetfulness, the waters close over it, and the stream
rolls on as before. Poor Bremner ! I saw him every day at the
office, or in the evening at the Union Club; he was a gentleman
amiable in disposition and correct in deportment.
The other case is that of Robert C. Cornell, one of the best men
in our city, who has been engaged during his whole life in acts of
benevolence, who has been employed in season and out of season
in all the prominent charitable institutions of our city, and, unlike
most men, never blew the trumpet of his own fame. I have been
associated with this good Samaritan more than twenty years in the
Bank for Savings, of which he was secretary at its commencement.
He never failed to perform his duties with alacrity and fidelity.
Since I have been president, his place on my left hand, at the board
of trustees, has never been vacant. How he will be missed ! I
was seated in the office, talking with Mr. George Griswold, on Tues-
day, at three o’clock, when we saw Mr. Cornell brought from the
office of the Farmer’s Loan and Trust Company opposite, of which
he was president, and put into a carriage. I ran over and spoke to
him; but he replied not, and “ word spake he never more.” He1845.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
249
had been stricken with apoplexy, and died a few minutes after.
He was a man of deeds, and not of words; the noblest work of
God, — an honest man.
are to be seen there, than the inhabitants of Mexico or Grand Cairo.
I was informed, by a notice which I saw accidentally in a news-
paper, that the Italian Opera Company was to perform on Friday
evening, at Castle Garden, scenes from “ La Semiramide ” and “ Le
Barbier de Seville.” This was the last night of that suburban place
of amusement; and, lo and behold ! when I entered, I found myself
on the floor of the most splendid and largest theatre I ever saw, —
a place capable of seating comfortably six or eight thousand persons.
The pit or area of the pavilion is provided with some hundred
small white tables and movable chairs, by which people are enabled
to congregate into little squads, and take their ices between the
acts. In front of the stage is a beautiful fountain, which plays when
the performers do not. The whole of this large area is surmounted
by circular benches above and below, from every point of which the
view is enchanting. Here, too, is an excellent company of Italians,
among whom are Signoras Pico and Majocchi, and Signors
Antonigni, Valtotina, and Sanguirico, performing the finest operas of
Rossini; and all this, with plenty of fresh air if the weather should be
ever warm enough to require it, for the moderate price of fifty cents.
. May 24. — The Rev. Alonzo Potter, of Union College, Schenec-
tady, was elected yesterday Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania,
in place of the Rev. Henry W. Onderdonk. Dr. Potter is an emi-
nent man, son-in-law of President Mott, a Presbyterian divine. He
is, no doubt, a very suitable man for the bishopric; but he must be
as much surprised at his sudden elevation in the church as Colonel
Polk was at his in the State; but I believe the church has made the
best bargain. Dr. Tyng has accepted a call from St. George’s
Church, in this city, to supply Dr. Milnor’s place.
Castle
Garden.
May 23. — The city of New York is so overgrown
that we in the upper regions do not know much more
about what is passing in the lower, nor the things which250
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 65.
May 26.— Prescott Hall drove me out in his carriage to dine
with Mr. Blatchford, at Hell-Gate. Our pleasant little party con-
sisted of Mr. Hall; his brother-in-law, Mr. DeWolf; Mr. Jaudon,
that fine old English gentleman; Mr. Horsley Palmer; and myself,
besides the family. The day was pleasant, the salmon good, and
we had a cosey time.
May 28. — Gracie King, son of Mr. James G. King,
Highwood. lately married Elizabeth Duer, President Duer’s nice
daughter. She is seeing company, as a bride, at High-
wood, her father-in-law’s lovely place in Jersey. My daughter is
one of a party of young ladies who are attending the bride, and
pass the week at Highwood. I went over with my wife, Emily
Foster, and Mrs. Oliver Kane, in Maria DePeyster’s carriage, to
pay a bridal visit.
visions. This is one of the wonders of “ Young America.” The
place where this ship was built was unknown fifty years ago. She
had one thousand seven hundred miles to go before she started
on her voyage.
columns of the newspapers. The flags on vessels’ masts, liberty-
poles, and public houses are hoisted at half-mast; the conscript
fathers of the city, overwhelmed with grief, suspend their labours, and
retire, sorrowing, to their respective domiciles; the standard of the
Empire Club is shrouded in crape, and the newspaper boys blow
their horns and proclaim the news of General Jackson’s death.
Now, to my thinking, the country had greater cause to mourn on
the day of his birth than on that of his decease. This iron-willed
man has done more mischief than any man alive. Indomitable in
action, he carried the fury of the warrior into the administration of
Western
Enterprise.
June 4. — The ship “ Muskingum,” a vessel of three
hundred and fifty tons, arrived at Liverpool on the 15 th
of April, from Cincinnati, Ohio, with a cargo of pro-
Death of
General
Jackson.
June 17. — The universal American nation is in
mourning. Stripes, black as those which border certain
resolutions in the archives of the Senate, darken the1845-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
251
civil affairs, referring all things to personal motives; his iron heel
trampled upon the necks of all who stood opposed to his political
measures, or dared to gainsay his dogmatical opinions. The un-
disputed head of a violent, proscriptive party, himself constituting
its central power, he did more to break down the republican
principles of the government and enslave the minds of the people
than all the rulers who went before him; and yet no man ever
enjoyed so large a share of that pernicious popular homage called
popularity.	“ Old Hickory,” “ The hero of New Orleans,” “The
second Washington,’7 “The old General,” are the endearing epi-
thets which old women have taught the “lips of infancy to lisp,”
and sturdy men have gloried in proclaiming at the top of their
voices.
Our Mayor, in announcing this event to the Common Council,
does not hesitate to call the deceased ex-President “ the greatest
and best man in the country.” Great he was in the unbending
exercise of his stubborn will, and good it may be humbly hoped he
has proven himself in the awful Court of Inquiry where his actions
are to be judged; but it was somewhat bold in Mr. Havemeyer to
use expressions so unqualified. General Jackson is gone, and all
good people should pray to be delivered hereafter from the effects
of popularity such as followed him.
General Jackson died at his residence, in Nashville, Tennessee,
on Sunday, the 8th, at six o’clock P.M., aged seventy-eight years
and nearly three months. He was bom in the Waxhaw settlement,
South Carolina, on the 16th of March, 1767.
June 18. — In the evening I went to a gentlemen’s party and
supper at Mr. James W. Gerard’s fine new mansion in Twentieth
street. The party was large. It consisted of the members of the
Court of Errors, the Chancellor, Judges of the Supreme Court and
of the United States, the Recorder, all the eminent members of the
bar, and some of the Hone Club. The host at one end of the
table, and Dr. Francis at the other, with sundry bottles of cham-
pagne, made considerable noise.252
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[A£tat. 65.
Attempt at
Independence.
There has been a new organization of the police, by
which a general superintendent was to be appointed:
a sort of Fouch6, with powers less extensive. For this
office, the Mayor, Loco-foco as he is, nominated Justice Taylor, a
Whig, for the old, obsolete, and very insufficient reason that he,
being the best qualified man in the city, ought to have the office
without regard to politics. So, also, thought the Aldermen, for a
majority of them voted to confirm the nomination. But this spark
of reason was soon extinguished by the patriotic Board of Assist-
ants, who repudiated the new-born liberality of their brethren,
and turned the nominee honestly out of doors. They non-con-
curred, and yesterday His Honor nominated Justice Matsell,
who suited them better. He was confirmed, and the new system
goes into operation.
Grace Church, at the corner of Broadway and
Grace Church. Rector street, has been sold for $65,000. It is to be
converted into stores below, and the upper part into a
splendid museum of Chinese curiosities, which is likely to prove a
good speculation. Dr. Taylor, the rector, preached the last ser-
mon on Sunday last, in the old edifice. The congregation will
occupy a temporary place of worship until their splendid new
church, at the upper end of Broadway, is finished. It will be sec-
ond only to the magnificent Trinity, and will probably be finished
about the same time.
June 26.—Yesterday, at twelve o’clock, a party of ladies and
gentlemen, to the number of three or four hundred, assembled on
board the steamer “ New York,” which was chartered by Mr. T.
W. Ludlow to transport the transported party to one of the most
pleasant and well-conducted entertainments I have ever witnessed,
at his delightful villa on the banks of the Hudson, near Yonkers,
or Philipsburgh. It was a regular New York affair; all the finest
married women and the prettiest girls of the city were there, with
judges, lawyers, merchants, and a numerous representation of West-
chesterites,—all like the celebrated Billy Taylor, “ full on mirth and1845.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
253
full on glee.” Tables were spread in marquees under the trees,
where every delicacy was provided to eat and drink; a fine band
of music played during the day, and on board the boat during her
return to the city. Cotillons, waltzes, and polkas were danced in
the house, on the lawn, and on the promenade-deck of the steamer.
Several private yachts enlivened the scene on the water; and at
half-past seven we reembarked and got safely home without acci-
dent, and all highly pleased with our entertainment and the hospi-
talities of our host and hostess.
Boston, July 7. — I started this morning from
Marshfieldt0 Brooklyn, at a quarter to nine o’clock, on my excur-
sion to Massachusetts, and in exactly three hours and
three minutes was at Greenport, — ninety-five miles; fast enough,
in all conscience. Greenport is a pretty place in Poconock bay,
on the Sound, and must in time, I should think, be a desirable
retreat for New Yorkers.
After all this straining of the limbs and nerves of the iron horse
we had to stop here for an hour, waiting the arrival of the steam-
boat to carry us across the Sound. The boat came to New Lon-
don, and thence up the Thames to Allen’s Point, where the Norwich
& Worcester Railroad commences; so we came on to Boston at
ten o’clock, having lost another hour waiting for a train at Oxford.
It has been a hard day’s travel, as all railroad cantering: is, and I
find I have had enough of the Long Island route. But the mis-
fortune I have met with in starting has not tended to put me in
the best possible humour. I found on arriving here that I had
lost my trunk and dressing-case. I saw them put in the baggage-
crate in New York. My only hope is that they were left at Green-
port, in which case I have taken measures to have them sent on.
Marshfield (on the broad waters of Cape Cod bay), July 8.
— Boston was hotter last night — that is, the little room in the Tre-
mont House in which I was baked — than Chabert’s parlour in the
iron stove where he used to take his recreation at boiling heat. I
was glad when nine o’clock came; and, having borrowed a shirt254
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 65.
from Mr. Belknap, Judge Warren, Mr. Draper (who came on this
morning), and I embarked in the pretty steamboat with a pretty
name (the “ Mayflower ”), and came to Hingham, — a pleasant
watering-place, with a large hotel, on the bay. We found Mr.
Webster’s carriage waiting for us, and soon started for Marshfield,
sixteen miles, where we arrived in time to dress for dinner. But,
alas ! my garments were all borrowed.
Our reception by the noble master of the mansion and his
amiable, kind, and ladylike wife was everything that heart could
wish. In addition to all his other great qualities, Mr. Webster is
the very perfection of a host. At one moment instructive and
eloquent, he delights his guests with the charms of his conversa-
tion ; then, full of life and glee as a boy escaped from school, he
sings snatches of songs, tells entertaining stories, and makes bad
puns, in which his guests are not behind him.
The house has been lately enlarged and beautified, and is fitted
up with great taste. The library, in a splendid new wing, is such
a one as might be expected to appertain to Daniel Webster. As
for my chamber, which is on the first floor, adjoining the library,
to which it gives me access, it is the perfection of sleeping. The
table is capital; everything is given at the top of the heart; and
while there is no empressement, every wish is anticipated. He ap-
pears to like his guests; and, for myself, I am bound to him by
hoops of iron.
July 9. — The journal of this day is as follows: After breakfast
Mr. Webster drove Draper and me over his extensive grounds
down to the beach, where his boats were ready for a fishing excur-
sion, which is one of his greatest enjoyments. Here was this won-
derful man, on whose lips unsurpassed eloquence has so often hung,
whose pen has directed the most important negotiations, and
whose influence has governed Senates, in a loose coat and trousers,
with a most picturesque slouched hat, which a Mexican bandit
might have coveted, directing his people, — whose obedience grows
out of affection, and who are governed by the force of kindness, —1845-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
255
regulating the apparatus, examining the bait, and helping to hoist
the sails and “ hold on to the main sheet.” So off we went to sea
in the good sloop “ Comet; ” and a tidier, more obedient, smarter
little craft is not to be found in Massachusetts bay. We had toler-
ably good sport for a couple of hours; but the sea was rough, and
the vessel uneasy, the effect of which was that I became very sick;
but it was some consolation to me that the Lord High Admiral was
in the same condition. “ I don’t wish it made too public, sir,” said
I; “ nor would I have it put in the newspapers; but I am sick!
sick ! ” — “ My case exactly,” said he ; “ and I have tried to keep
this unusual circumstance a secret; but it won’t do, and we must
go ashore.” So we returned, and our health and cheerfulness
returned with us also.
We dined at half-past four, and here was this hero of the
slouched hat dressed for* dinner, presiding at his table (and a
sumptuous meal it was) with the grace and elegance of high
breeding, enlivening by his cheerfulness and vivacity the solid
hospitality of the feast, and mingling lessons of wisdom with
uncohsidered effusions of good-humour. Fletcher Webster and Mr.
Greenough came down from Boston and joined our party, and two
Messrs. Hedge, of Plymouth, were guests at dinner. We had a
pleasant game of harmless whist in the evening, and retired at ten
o’clock.
July io. —This day was devoted to a journey to Plymouth,
under the charge of Judge Warren. The distance by land is about
twenty miles; the drive was pleasant, the country of the “old
colony ” interesting, and Plymouth, with the Pilgrim Rock and all
the relics of the forefathers, a fruitful theme, agreeable to them in
the recital and to us in the hearing. The two Messrs. Hedge,
brothers-in-law of our friend Warren, and his aged mother, one of
those bright, intelligent, New England women who are difficult to
match, were our entertainers at Plymouth. The venerable lady
showed us many interesting remains of Pilgrim days : the chair
which was occupied by Lady Otis, as she was called, her grand-256
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 65.
mother of many generations, when a Pilgrim passenger on board
the “Mayflower,” in 1620; Governor Winslow's chair; plates
brought by the Otis family from Holland; together with most
interesting letters from General and Mrs. Washington to Colonel
Warren, her husband, and my friend's father; and especially one
from John Adams, written the day after the destruction of the tea
in Boston harbor, beginning “The die is cast,” full of patriotic
exultation, fearless of consequences, and confident of success. It
was “ all for liberty or a world well lost.”
Our drive back through Duxbury, Scituate, and other pretty
places and towns of the “ old colony,” with fine weather, agreeable
company, and the “ squire’s ” capital horses, are things to be re-
membered. We returned to Marshfield to dine, after which Farmer
Webster showed us his capacious bams, in which many a ton of
good Puritan hay is just now being condemned to the rack ; fields
of oats supporting their heavy heads upon slender, but healthy,
limbs; cattle combining the advantages of foreign and domestic
blood; cows whose sleek sides bear the comfortable signs of milk,
butter, and cheese; every vegetable, from the diminutive bean up
to the unwieldy pumpkin; while the broad sea lay before him,
containing a certain harvest of piscatory enjoyments.
I am no longer dependent upon the wardrobes of my friends ;
. my trunk and writing-case came down to Marshfield this evening.
I have not learned where they “slipped out of the slings,” nor do
I care; I have them, to my great satisfaction.
July ii. — A day to mark with a white stone. The High
Admiral ordered us out immediately after breakfast. We repaired
to the beach, embarked in the “ Comet,” and put to sea, — Mr.
Webster, Draper, and I, with Dr. Perkins, who came here yesterday
on a visit with Mrs. Perkins. The wind was favourable, the weather
fine, and all things propitious. Casting anchor five or six miles
from land, we went to work, and the result of our labour was the
capture of twenty-six cod and twenty-two haddock, weighing more
than three hundred pounds. I never had such sport and never1845.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
257
saw such “ spoils,” and the sail home in our beautiful yacht was
delightful. We returned to a late dinner, of which our fish formed
an important part, and the cool wine, taken under the shade of
the noble lime-trees in front of the house, to which the agreeable
conversation of our noble host gave a zest of the richest character,
closed a day to which there was no alloy but the recollection that
it was the last we had to spend at Marshfield.
New Bedford, July 12.— Mr. Draper, Judge Warren, and I
left Marshfield, at seven o’clock this morning, in Mr. Webster’s
carriage, and came to Hingham, where we embarked in the “ May-
flower,” and got to Boston at twelve o’clock, the hottest day of the
summer. The good people of Boston, who go beyond their
neighbours in all they undertake, have gotten the thermometer up
to 100, and are gasping with heat. I determined at once to go to
Nahant this evening to sleep, and to remain to-morrow; but my
plan was suddenly changed. Mr. Joseph Grinnell came in pur-
suit of me, and insisted on my going home with him to New
Bedford. As this was part of my original plan, i did not require
much persuasion; and so, having called and made my excuses
to Mr. Otis, whose kind invitation to dinner for to-day was sent
and accepted soon after my arrival, and having taken a hasty
dinner at the Tremont, I parted from my fellow-traveller, and
came away with Grinnell, on the railroad, at four o’clock, and
entered my agreeable quarters at his house before tea-time,—
only fifty-seven miles.
July 19. — It is not quite ten years since the city
Great Fire. of New York was visited with the dreadful conflagra-
tion which laid the most valuable part of the business
portion of the city in ruins, and destroyed property to the amount
of $20,000,000. This day will also be marked with lines on
the city’s calendar not so extensive, but equally black. A fire
has occurred, the loss of which is probably $5,000,000; severa*
of the insurance offices are ruined, and all crippled. My office
I fear, is in the former category. We have lost between three258
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 65.
and four hundred thousand dollars, which is more than we can
pay. This is a hard stroke for me. I was pleasantly situated,
with a moderate support for my declining years, and now
“ Othello’s occupation’s gone.” It is very hard; and a large
share of philosophy is required to support it. But the Lord’s will
be done ! I have still much to thank Him for, and trust that He
will endue me with resignation to bear up against this and the
other misfortunes with which my latter years have been visited.
This fire is not only extensive and destructive, but is marked
with circumstances of an extraordinary nature. The great fire
of 1835 occurred in the month of December, when the weather
was so cold that the firemen could not work, and the water from
the engines froze before it reached its destination. This hap-
pened about the break of day, in warm, mild weather, with no
wind and a plentiful supply of water. The firemen have done
their duty nobly, and the civil and military police merit all praise
for their exertions. The fire broke out in a repository of salt-
petre in New street, — a narrow street, with high houses. There
was apparently no danger of its spreading, and the firemen had
gotten it under when a dreadful explosion took place. A gas-
ometer, as it is supposed, burst; some say gunpowder, and others
a thousand bags of saltpetre; but there are strong doubts whether
the latter article can explode with such dreadful effects. Be it
as it may, here was the cause of this awful calamity. The stores
in Broad street, some of the finest in the city, on one of the
broadest streets, were instantly overthrown; the flames were com-
municated in every direction. Several lives were lost at this
moment, of firemen and others, and scarcely a house in Wall
street, Broadway, Greenwich street, and the other adjacent
streets escaped injury by the breaking of the windows. The
people on Staten and Long Islands were roused by what was
thought to be an earthquake. Destruction followed in this rich
and populous district. All Broad street, with the exception of
five or six tenements on each side nearest Wall street, and ex-I^45*]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
259
tending nearly down to the East river, is a heap of ^distinguish-
able ruins; all Beaver street, from William street to the Bowling
Green, is destroyed; nearly the whole of New street, Exchange
place, and South William street, with their immense quantities
of merchandise. Like the fire of 1835, the progress of the flames
was so rapid, and its approach so unexpected, that scarcely any-
thing was saved. All, all lies smouldering in ruins. The flames
ran up Exchange place to the Waverley House, which is a mag-
nificent ruin; thence all the fine buildings down Broadway to
Marketfield street, including Abraham Schermerhorn’s hotel, at
the comer of Beaver street, are gone. Here it crossed the
widest part of Broadway and burned all the houses from Morris
street, including Robert Ray’s great granite edifice, Brevoort’s
house, Gardiner Howland’s three houses, and all down to Edward
Prime’s, which is saved.
The number of buildings burned is estimated at nearly three hun-
dred, a large proportion of which were of the most valuable class.
They, as well as the goods in the stores, are no doubt insured; but
it remains to be seen how far the offices can pay. We are all in
confusion at the American. I was at the office until a late hour
this evening, cancelling fire and marine policies; for I have very
little doubt that the office is bankrupt, and I have advised the
insured to cancel ours, and open new policies elsewhere. There
is nothing left for me but truth and honesty. There shall be no
concealment. My prospects are all blasted in the destruction of
this company, but I have nothing for which to condemn myself.
The fire insurance was especially my department; there has been
no want of diligence or discretion; there never was a list of
better policies, taking into view the nature of the risks and the
character of the insured. Fortune is against me. I must submit.
The Lord’s will be done !
July 31. — I have received an exceedingly kind letter of con-
dolence, in my misfortunes, from John P. Kennedy, the estimable
member of Congress from Baltimore, who is at present at Sharon260
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[/Etat. 65.
Springs, and this morning received a present of grapes, for my
wife, from Roswell L. Colt, of Paterson, accompanied by a note
full of the kindest and most complimentary expressions. There
is balm in this.
Rockaway. — I came down in the five-o’clock evening train to
enjoy a couple of days of relief from the care and trouble of my
broken Wall-street concern. The glorious ocean rolls its multi-
tudinous waves upon the monotonous beach as it has for by-gone
ages, regardless of the ruined masses of Broad street and Ex-
change place, and recedes to its unlimited caverns just as it did
before the American Mutual Insurance Company was left high
and dry on the shores of bankruptcy.
Arrival of August 11.—The great iron steamer “ Great Britain, ’9
the “ Great the leviathan of steam, the monster of the ocean, and
Britain.’* unquestionably the largest and most magnificent speci-
men of naval architecture that ever floated, arrived here yester-
day, at three o’clock, in fifteen days from Liverpool, under the
command of that fine fellow and successful navigator, Captain
Hosken, who has made the “ Great Western ” proverbial for
safety and despatch, and the ocean a macadamized road for her
travelling. The “ Great Britain99 has been looked for with some
anxiety. A deep interest, accompanied with some doubt, awaited
her arrival, arising from her prodigious size, the novelty of her
construction (she being propelled by the Archimedean screw,
instead of paddles), and the material of which she is con-
structed, — solid iron plates. The boast of Archimedes, that his
screw might overturn the globe, if he had a place to stand it,
does not seem so hyperbolical, after all; and iron is likely to form
a better floating capital than gold and silver, or even bank-
notes.
The dimensions of this vessel are as follows: Her total length
on deck, 322 feet; her breadth, 50 feet; capacity, 3,000 tons;
draught of water, 16 feet; her engines are of 1,000 horse-power.
She is, indeed, one of the wonders of this inventive, enterprising,1845.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
26l
scientific age. What would our grandsires have thought of
crossing the ocean on plates of iron, and shoving vessels ahead
by screws !
In no city of the globe does the recuperative prin-
Enterpdse cTle eX*St ^ S° &reat a degree as i*1 our good city of
Gotham. Throw down our merchants ever so flat,
they roll over once, and spring to their feet again. Knock the
stairs from under them, and they will make a ladder of the frag-
ments, and remount. It is just twenty-four days since the great
fire; the masses of ruins are smoking yet in many places, and
flames may be seen escaping from underneath the heaps of incom-
bustible matter, and in the heart of this region of desolation
fine stores are being built. I saw one this morning in South
William street, which had reached the eaves; it is built on the
site of one destroyed in the fire, the materials of which are too
hot to be removed by the naked hands of the workmen. So in
Beaver street, several phoenixes are rising from the ashes, whilst
the masons pursue their labour in the midst of the smoke of the
buildings which so lately occupied the ground.
September i. — The “ Great Britain” went to sea oil Saturday,
with fifty-four passengers; her departure was quite a gala occasion.
She was escorted down the bay by a fleet of fine steam-vessels,
bedecked with colours ; and the weather being fine, the Battery and
all the piers on her route were filled with spectators, who cheered
the “ iron monster,” and gave her good wishes in abundance.
Died on Tuesday, 26th of August, at the Catholic convent,
Georgetown, of which she was an inmate, Virginia, daughter of
Major-General Winfield Scott, in the twenty-fourth year of her age,
— one of the most accomplished young women of our country.
A willing sacrifice to superstition and priestcraft, she became a
Roman Catholic, and shut herself up, from her family and friends,
in a convent, where she ended her days. I had a long conference
on this painful subject with the General when I was last in Wash-
ington. He was sorely distressed; but the matter was inevitable,262
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
\Mtat. 65.
and he was compelled to acquiesce in this most unnatural act of
self-will and obstinacy. Her death, in my judgment, should be no
cause of mourning to her afflicted friends. It is better she should
be in her grave than a living example of self-immolation.
September 5. — The country has experienced an-
justice story, other severe loss. Judge Story, the pride and ornament
of the Supreme Court bench, the pupil and follower of
the great Chief Justice Marshall, has resigned his seat in that
august tribunal. This step, so deeply to be deplored, is caused by
the ill-health of the accomplished judge, and it is painful to record,
the fact of his indisposition being so serious that there are appre-
hensions that he will not survive.
This creates a vacancy to be filled by an administration which
will look for no other qualification in the successor whom they
shall have to choose than the most unscrupulous devotion to party
dictation, undiscriminating approval of all the mischievous meas-
ures of the government, and undeniable evidence of having voted
and electioneered, and written and spoken, in favour of a President
whom nobody thought of four and twenty hours before he was
nominated at Baltimore.
The Supreme Court, pure, immaculate, and wise, as it once was,
has been falling off ever since the evil day in which Andrew Jackson
was installed into the office of President, and now “ the sceptre has
departed from Israel, and a lawgiver from beneath her feet.”
Such a man as Webster, or Everett, or Kent, might supply Story's
place; but they are not Mr. Polk's kind of men. He has Wood-
burys, and Walkers, and Duncans, who will suit him better.
September 12. — The light of the law is extin-
His Death. guished; the worthy disciple and follower of Marshall
has, like his great exemplar, descended into the tomb,
and has made still wider the chasm which that great man occa-
sioned in the highest tribunal of law and justice in the land. Judge
Story died on the evening of Wednesday, September 10, at his
residence in Cambridge. He was born in 1780; was appointed1*45-3
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
263
an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, by
President Madison, in 18n, and was at the time of his death the
Dane professor of law in Harvard University. With such an intel-
lect and so great learning, his loss is a national calamity, and he
died in the prime and maturity of both; for he was the junior by
seventeen years of his friend and brother in the law, Chancellor
Kent, whose precious life may God preserve as one of the orna-
ments of humanity!
September 30.—William C. Schermerhorn, son of Mr. Peter
Schermerhom, was married on Wednesday, the 24th, to Anne,
daughter of Francis Cottenet, and granddaughter of General
Laight.
October 18. — The great iron steamer, the “ Great Britain,”
amongst other misadventures on her late voyage, came in contact
with some substance, — a rock, perhaps, or sandbank on Nantucket
shoals, or, peradventure, a whale. By this accident her propelling
apparatus was injured, several of the flanges being carried away.
For the purpose of repairing this damage, the immense mass of
iron — the burden of the vessel being three thousand tons, and her
weight almost equal to that of the Rock of Gibraltar—has been
raised by machinery, in the sectional dock at the foot of Pike
street, some twenty feet out of the water, and there she lies in per-
fect safety, with men at work under her bottom. What will John
Bull say to Yankee ingenuity and mechanical skill ? I am told that
the operation could not have been performed in our dear mother-
country.
October 21. — I heard a pretty good anecdote to-day, which
smacks mightily of its Marshfield origin: Mr. George Wood is an
eminent counsellor-at-law of this city, at the tip-top of the bar. He
is, moreover, of rather a grave deportment, and has a habit of
closing his eyes when deep in thought, like the owl. A person
called the other day upon Mr. Webster, to engage his services in
an important cause, which he agreed to undertake. In the course
of his investigations he inquired what counsel was to be opposed to264	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	[iEtat. 65.
him. “Why,” said the litigant, “ he is a New York lawyer, with a
common-place, every-day name, which I forget.” — “ What sort of
a person is he?” — “Rather a sleepy-looking man.” — “Is his
name George Wood?” — “That is his name.” — “Then don’t
wake him up.”
October 23.—-A leaden pipe was successfully laid on the bed
of the East river, to cross the Fulton Ferry, from New York to
Brooklyn, for the conveyance of the wires of the magnetic tele-
graph. The pipe weighs one thousand pounds, all in one piece,
without a joint. This is a pretty specimen of mechanical skill, and
I see no doubt of its perfect adaptation to the object, except that
which arises from the apprehension of danger to the pipe from the
anchors of vessels riding in the stream.
October 28. — My apprehensions in regard to the submarine
pipe in the East river have been realized. The ship “ Charles,”
of Liverpool, in weighing her anchor on Saturday evening, dragged
it up, broke the pipe, and of course destroyed the connection.
Some other plan must be resorted to.
Boston, Nov. 12. — Mr. Blatchford, Mr. Curtis, and
Excursion j jeft New York yesterday, at four o’clock P.M., in the
to Boston.
steamer “ Massachusetts; ” were awakened from a
short sleep at Stonington, at midnight; came from thence on the
Stonington and Boston & Providence railroad, and arrived in Boston
at five this morning; two hundred and forty miles in thirteen hours,
— a journey which once occupied almost as many days ! This is
expeditious enough, in all conscience; but a good night’s sleep would
have been worth more to me than all that is gained by this anni-
hilation of time and space. We have seen Mr. Healy, the artist,
and have conferred with him about the portrait of Mr. Webster.
He has made a sketch of the Squire of Marshfield, with his
“ slouched hat and fisherman’s coat,” under the famous “ Marsh-
field tree.” He is pleased with the job, and Mr. Webster not dis-
pleased with being made its subject.
Mr. Blatchford and I made two pleasant visits this morning;1845.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
265
the first to Mr. Otis, who is in good health and spirits, and has in-
vited our little party to dine with him to-morrow; the second, to
Mr. Prescott, the amiable and accomplished historian of “ Ferdi-
nand and Isabella ” and “The Conquest of Mexico.” Mr. Pres-
cott is engaged in fitting up a fine house in Beacon street, which he
bought lately from Augustus Thorndike. He showed us his new
library and study, which will be in admirable taste, and a number
of curious manuscripts, autographs, and pictures illustrative of his
two great works, and collected with that object. I have been busily
employed all the morning walking about the city. Boston is im-
proved prodigiously, especially the southern part, where the great
railroad depots are situated.
Blatchford, Curtis, and I dined at Mr. Paige’s, with all the Web-
sters; Mr. and Mrs. Webster’s sister-in-law; Mr. and Mrs. Appleton,
his daughter, a nice, little woman; Fletcher Webster, whose wife is
Mrs. Paige’s sister; Mrs. Joy, another sister; and Mr. Healy, the
painter, who is up to the eyes in business, painting portraits. He
has just finished Mr. Webster for Lord Ashburton, Mrs. Webster,
and Mrs. Paige. I am afraid that he is so much in vogue that the
time and price required for our picture may be beyond our patience
and money.
We had a merry, pleasant dinner, to which “ the Squire ” con-
tributed a full quota of anecdote and joke. He was in his boyish
mood, which is always agreeable. The folly of a fool is disgusting;
that of a wise man, delightful. After dinner we played several
games of scientific, solemn, two-shilling whist.
November 13. — We dined with my venerable friend Mr. H. G.
Otis, the most perfect gentleman of my acquaintance. Besides our
party, and the family of the host, there were Mrs. Harry Otis and
her son, a handsome young fellow of about twenty years of age;
Mr. Belknap, Mr. Nathan Appleton, and Mr. Truman. Mr. Web-
ster was engaged in a cause in thb United States District Court.
The dinner and wines, as usual, were excellent, and Mrs. Ritchie
charming. I called this morning with Mrs. Webster upon Mr. and266
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 65.
Mrs. Everett, the Paiges, Mrs. Fletcher Webster, and Mrs. Abbott
Lawrence.
December 8. — John Cotton Smith, the venerable president of
the American Bible Society, died at his residence in Sharon, Litch-
field County, State of Connecticut, on the 7th of December, in
the eighty-first year of his age. He was a member of Congress in
1800, since which he has been Governor of Connecticut, member
of the State Legislature, and Judge of the Supreme Court.
out of the President’s intemperate message, might be averted by
the patriotism and discretion of the Senate, are greatly diminished
by the announcement of the standing committees which have been
elected, as they formerly were, by a vote of the Senate. There is a
small majority of Loco-focos in that body; but some reliance was
placed upon the moderation of a portion of their number. But,
alas ! party discipline is stronger than judgment, and Mr. Polk
must carry his object. Already had Charles J. Ingersoll, of Penn-
sylvania, been placed at the head of the committee of foreign
relations in the House of Representatives, a committee which in
the present crisis has the destiny of the nation in its hands, and
now Mr. Allen, of Ohio, is elected to the same responsible situation
in the Senate. Two more rabid, uncompromising demagogues are
not to be found between Nova Scotia and California,— men who
will not hesitate to plunge the country into a disastrous war to pro-
mote their personal and political views, who would see every ware-
house and manufactory levelled with the ground rather than Henry
Clay should be President, and every ship sunk at the wharves if
thereby their chance of being great men with the populace might
be secured.
Our sister city of the Bay State has been without a chief magis-
trate for some time past, owing to a triangular state of parties,
Whigs, ^Native Americans, and Loco-focos, by which no candidate
Oregon
Question.
December 12.—The faint hopes of the lovers of
peace that the danger of a serious collision with Great
Britain about the miserable Oregon question, arising1845.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
267
could get the requisite majority of all the votes. They have come
together at last, the Natives having discovered that they and the
Whigs were of the same family; and they have now elected Josiah
Quincy, Jr., son of the late president of Harvard University, him-
self formerly the efficient and able mayor. The new mayor glories
in the blood of the Revolution which runs in his veins, and the
Whig party glories in him as one of its ablest disciples and firmest
supporters.268
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[,-Etat. 66.
I 846.
npHE new year commences under circumstances of greater
general prosperity than the last; the great fire of the 19th
of July was the only serious disaster which occurred in its prog-
ress; in other respects the blessings of a beneficent Providence
have, as heretofore, been extended in a measure more abundant
than our merits. We, of New York, have come in for a full share.
The bright star of hope, too, would shine on the future if the mad-
ness of the people did not interpose this pestiferous cloud of war
to intercept its rays. Jealousy of rival interests and impatience of
the prosperity arising from commercial enterprise have prompted
the men of the West to pursue a course ruinous to us of the sea-
board. They have gotten Texas, through the instrumentality of
their accidentally picked-up President; and now they must have
Oregon, — the whole, they won’t abate a rood, — and California too,
and Cuba and Mexico; and, finally, the whole North American con-
tinent ; and, moreover, they must have war with Great Britain, with
or without a cause. If she troubles the water above or below us, it
is all the same thing; she must not drink out of the same stream.
January 7. — I dined yesterday with Mr. Peter G. Stuyvesant,
in his splendid new house in the Second avenue, near St. Mark’s
Church. Our party consisted, besides the host and hostess, of
David B. Ogden, John A. Stevens, Herman Thom, Hamilton Fish,
Henry Barclay, John T. Brigham, George Laurie, John C. Hamil-
ton, Mr. Kean, and myself.
Saturday, Jan. 31. — We had a pleasant dinner-party, con-
sisting of Mr. Herman Thorn, Augustus Thorndike, James Thom-
son, William B. Astor, J. D. P. Ogden, Sidney Brooks, P. G.
Stuyvesant, J. C. Delprat, Philip S. Van Rensselaer, George Curtis,
and Charles H. Russell.i846.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
269
February 5. — The new church at the head of
Grace church. Broadway is nearly finished and ready for consecration.
The pews were sold last week, and brought extrava-
gant prices, some $ 1,2 00 to $1,400, with a pew-rent on the esti-
mated value of eight per cent.; so that the word of God, as it came
down to us from fishermen and mechanics, will cost the quality who
worship in this splendid temple about three dollars every Sunday.
This may have a good effect; for many of them, though rich, know
how to calculate, and if they do not go regularly to church they
will not get the worth of their money.
This is to be the fashionable church, and already its aisles are
filled (especially on Sundays after the morning services in other
churches) with gay parties of ladies in feathers and mousseline-de-
laine dresses, and dandies with moustaches and high-heeled boots;
the lofty arches resound with astute criticisms upon Gothic archi-
tecture from fair ladies who have had the advantage of foreign
travel, and scientific remarks upon acoustics from elderly million-
aires who do not hear quite as well as formerly.
February 14. — I dined with Mr. William B. Astor, in his
magnificent house, Lafayette place. The party consisted, besides
Mr. and Mrs. and Miss Astor, of the following guests: David S.
Kennedy, James D. P. Ogden, Herman Thorn, John W. Schmidt,
Robert B. Mintum, Thomas W. Ludlow, Thomas Oliver, Gardiner
G. Howland, Samuel S. Howland, John C. Hamilton, Gabriel
Mead, and Philip Hone.
February 16. — Mr. Southard declines to accept the
Trinity	call as assistant minister of Trinity Church. I regret
it, but did not hope for a different result. His accept-
ance would have had a twofold favourable operation. We should
have had an excellent young minister, good now, and of an age and
disposition for improvement. We should also have escaped another,
who will (in case of his being chosen by party management, for
that is to be found even in the holy places of religion) give great
dissatisfaction to the moderate Episcopalians, who prefer the word270	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	[>Etat. 66.
of God preached in the spirit of peace and good-will, to the estab-
lishment of an unessential dogma, and who wish the Scriptures
taught in the spirit in which they were written. The rejection of
this offer is a great sacrifice on the part of Mr. Southard, which
cannot fail to endear him to his congregation. The place he refuses
is in present value one of the most lucrative and honourable of the
church in the United States; and for such a man as he, so young,
so eloquent, and so accomplished in his holy profession, an almost
certain reversion (if he lives) of the dignity of bishop of the
diocese. All this he resigns to continue the charge of his little,
cottage-like Calvary Church, and some $1,500 or $1,600 a year.
If he had their hearts before, he must have them now, body, soul,
and all.
February 17. — I dined to-day with Mr. and Mrs. William H.
Aspinwall, in their new house, University place, one of the palaces
which have been lately erected in this part of the city. A more
beautiful and commodious mansion, or in better taste in every
particular, I have never seen. This gentleman is one of the “ mer-
chant princes ” of New York; long may he enjoy his prosperity !
He deserves it. He is an upright and honourable merchant, a
liberal and public-spirited citizen, and a hospitable and right-
minded gentleman. Our party consisted, besides the host and
hostess, of the following: Mr. and Mrs. James Brown, Mr. and Mrs.
Thomas W. Ludlow, Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Davis, Mr. Henry
Cary, Mr. and Mrs. Constant, Mr. and Mrs. William B. Astor,
Mrs. Henry Coit, G. G. Howland, and myself.
February 20. — The arrival of the steamer “ Cam-
Engiish News, bria ” has been looked for with great anxiety, from
the important bearing of the news she brings upon
the great question of peace or war. Expresses were sent on by the
newspaper establishments to anticipate the news at Halifax and
bring it on before her arrival in Boston. She arrived at Halifax on
Tuesday morning. The express started immediately, and would
have accomplished its enterprising object had it not encountered1846.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
271
the great snow-storm. As it was, we had the news here in New
York yesterday at noon; a rival express of the “ Herald ” being an
hour or two ahead of the Nova Scotia racers. The distance from
Boston, two hundred and forty miles, was travelled by railroad and
steamboat in the astonishingly short time of seven hours and five
minutes. What a change from the times when the mail stage left
New York for Boston once a fortnight, and consumed a week in
going to Philadelphia!
The news by the “ Cambria ” is, indeed, very important, and
things wear a more smiling aspect. Our cousin, John Bull, is par-
ticularly amiable. Parliament convened on the 22d of January,
the Queen’s speech (which the little lady delivered in person) con-
taining no bitterness toward this country in relation to the Oregon
question. I am afraid Mr. Polk will be affronted at the fact of her
not being angry at his threats. On the contrary, she makes light
of the whole matter. Sir Robert Peel is not apprehensive of a war,
but seems disposed to keep on good terms with us, if possible.
February 24.—The Racket Court was opened to-day at noon
by a dejeuner a la fourchette> — a grand entertainment of music,
dancing, eating, and drinking, at which were present the members
of the club, with those belonging to the Union and other kindred
associations, each gentleman being provided with four ladies’
tickets. Soon after twelve o’clock every part of this beautiful edi-
fice — the dining saloon, reception, reading, and billiard rooms —
was crowded with the most genteel people in town. The immense
Racket Court appeared, from the upper galleries, like a garden of
moving flowers, and a band of thirty musicians left no room to
doubt that the place was a Racket Court.
February 25. — I begin to think that there is no
Old Age. such thing as old age; that the ability to perform the
tasks and duties of the intellect is as perfect at four-
score as fifty; something unquestionably depends upon good health
and physical strength, but much more upon the habits contracted
in early life. Industry, application, and perseverance, whilst they272
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 66.
train up the mind to the performance of nature’s miracles, serve
also to establish the strength, vigour, and activity of the body, which
are such important adjuncts in the exercise of the powers of the
mind; but as for old age, it is a term convertible and indefinite.
Some men are older at fifty than others at fourscore; not in wisdom
or learning, but in the failure of the scanty stock of those commodi-
ties with which they began the business of life.
There is Chancellor Kent, for instance, an octogenarian, prepar-
ing a new edition of his Commentaries,—a work without a knowledge
of which no law education is complete, — reading with ardour, and
criticising with taste, all the new books of celebrity and merit,, his
mind being deeply laid with a substratum of classical knowledge
and the literature of the former ages, active and ardent in body and
mind as he was twenty years ago, when the ermine of judicial
equity fell from his shoulders, and an absurd law of the State pro-
nounced this ripe scholar and accomplished lawyer superannuated !
And Albert Gallatin, too, who is several years older than Mr.
Kent, in the full possession of his mental faculties, has been writing
a pamphlet on the Oregon question; the best, the cleanest, and the
soundest which has been presented to the American people on this
exciting subject. Pure and vigorous in style, it betrays no marks
of age; sound and convincing in argument, the experience of a long
life is brought in aid of inherent talents and literary accomplish-
ments. This book is as well written (and probably in better tem-
per) than Mr. Gallatin would have written it at forty years of age.
March 3. — We drive the aborigines of our country
Civilization, away from the places of their birth, from the altars of
their “ great spirit,” and the tombs of their ancestors,
to make room for civilization (another name for land piracy) ; and
the records of every day present the disgusting accounts of personal
conflicts among civilized “ pale-faces,” which might cause a Pawnee
or a Comanche to blush. Onp of these pleasant encounters, so
characteristic of “ Southern chivalry,” occurred on the morning of
last Wednesday, at Richmond, Virginia, between John Hampden1846.3
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
273
Pleasants, late editor of the “ Richmond Whig,” and more recently
of the “ Richmond Star,” a man fifty-five years of age, with a wife
and children, and Thomas Ritchie, Jr., a twenty-five-year-old sprig
of the “ chivalry,” son of the celebrated Loco-foco oracle of Virginia,
and one of the editors of the “ Enquirer.” These white savages had
been exercising the “liberty of the press ” and edifying their readers
by abusing each other, when one of them (probably finding the
truth come rather hard) resorted to the gentlemanly mode in vogue
at the South to justify himself and put his adversary in the wrong
by cutting his throat (an effectual method, certainly). A challenge
was given, and the duel took place as above mentioned. The plan
of warfare was arranged by seconds, — honourable men, no doubt,
members of a Christian community who wear pantaloons instead of
breech-clouts, and carry walking-canes, not tomahawks. Disgrace-
ful and shocking as it may appear, the combatants were permitted
to go into the combat with all kinds of weapons, — pistols, rifles,
broadswords and broadaxes, tomahawks and bowie-knives. They
were placed at thirty paces apart, and at it they went, blazing away
first with fire-arms, and then rushing at each other, hacking and
slashing in slaughter-house fashion. The account relates, pleasantly
enough, how at such a cut one lost three fingers, at the next the
other had his mouth extended to the ear; how the abdomen of this
civilized cavalier was laid open, and how the thigh of that received
a deep incision. Finally the dispute was settled in favour of Mr.
Ritchie. The truth was made manifest and the argument decided
by the removal of Mr. Pleasants from the field of battle “with
twenty trenched gashes on his head, the least a death to nature,”
and his subsequent death. Who dares dispute the chivalry of the
paladins of Virginia, or the efficacy of the “ code of honour ” ?
March 10.—The corner-stone of the new Calvary Church, at
the comer of 21st street, was laid yesterday afternoon with appro-
priate religious ceremonies. The Bishop laid the stone. The
edifice is erected by the congregation under the charge of the
talented and popular young divine, Mr. Southard.274
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 66.
Shipwreck
again.
March 25.—-Another melancholy and destructive
marine disaster is to be added to the list. The beau-
tiful packet-ship “ Henry Clay,” belonging to Grinnell,
Minturn, & Co., lies a wreck on the fatal Squan beach, about a mile
from the spot where the “John Minturn” was lost. She went
ashore in a violent gale, last night, at twelve o’clock. This will
make Wall street groan. The ship was one of the largest and most
costly class, and at this season of the year it is probable her cargo
is very valuable. The particulars have not come up from the
beach; but from the accounts of the mate, who took the railroad at
New Brunswick and arrived here this evening, there is strong hope
that of the passengers and crew, consisting of three hundred per-
sons, a large proportion will have been saved by means of a haw-
ser which was carried to the shore. A boat, however, was known
to have been swamped in the surf, and six persons drowned. This
noble ship (with a great, but unlucky, name) sailed on her first
voyage last May. I dined on board on the 3d of that month, with
a large jovial party, the particulars of which are given in this journal;
and now all the splendid decorations of her cabin, so much admired
at that time, and all the perfect examples of naval architecture then
exhibited, are left to rot in the sands of Squan beach. Why is it
that so many vessels are lost thereabouts? When will the ship-
masters learn that there is land there? And why is not the
lead more frequently used? Captain Nye is an experienced sea-
man. But the only way to remedy the evil in these cases is to say
to every one of them, without discrimination, “Never more be
officer of mine.”
brought into action against such as, like himself, are made in the
image of his Creator. The trial of Thomas Ritchie, Jr., for killing
John H. Pleasants, in that savage, barbarous duel, has resulted in
his acquittal, without a moment’s hesitation, by the jury. The
Modern
Chivalry.
April 9. — Man is the only animal that man hates.
Other species may excite terror, fear, disdain; but this
darkest and deadliest passion of the human mind is only1846.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
275
account of the verdict closes with the very complimentary and con-
solatory remark that “ he has borne himself under the whole trial,
down to the last scene of the eventful, yet painful, drama, with th6
equanimity which became a man.”
April 14. — The “Henry Clay” came up to the
clay "»Henry city yesterday from her uncomfortable berth on Squan
beach. The result of this disaster is a proud testimony
to the strength and construction of the New York commercial
marine. This noble vessel has been lying for the last twenty days,
broadside to the shore, on a stormy beach, the destroyer of many a
tall merchantman, and the grave of many a hardy seaman. Every-
thing which has been stranded there during the late gales has gone
to pieces except this fine ship, which, like him from whom she is
named, strong and sound in materials, honestly and skilfully put
together, though beaten, is not broken, and will soon be ready for
a new voyage.
April 16. — I went last evening to a pleasant party at Mr. Har-
vey’s, given to show off certain Boston lions; and fine animals they
are: Messrs. George Ticknor, William H. Prescott, and Charles
Sumner. The amiable and accomplished historian of “ Ferdinand
and Isabella ” is here to consult an oculist about his eyes, which
trouble him again. I fear he will not live to add many more
leaves to the undying wreaths of his literary fame.
April 16.—This is the commencement of the twenty-fourth
volume of this diary. The last is a record of one year of my life.
It has been a year of trouble, and the care and anxiety attending
the discharge of my several duties have interfered with the regular
diurnal posting up of my journal; nay, the same causes have occa-
sionally made me hesitate about going on with this task, heretofore
so pleasant. But I do persevere, and the beginning of this new
volume is an earnest that my determination at this moment is not
to abandon it. It will probably be less interesting; but I must
have a safety-valve for my imagination. I must write, even if I do
not write well.276
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 66.
April 17.— The ship “ Rainbow,” belonging to Howland &
Aspinwall, arrived to-day, in seventy-five days from Canton. This
beautiful vessel, a perfect model of marine architecture, brilliant
and bright as the bow of Hope, the name of which she bears, has
made two complete voyages to and from Canton in the space of
fourteen months, just about the time formerly consumed in one
voyage. Everything goes fast now-a-days; the winds, even, begin
to improve upon the speed which they have hitherto maintained;
everything goes ahead but good manners and sound principles, and
they are in a fair way to be driven from the track.
April 25. — Healy’s picture of Mr. Webster came
PortraitbSter S on yesterday from Washington, where it was painted for
the Hone Club. This “ counterfeit presentment ” of
our honorary member, the distinguished Massachusetts senator, is a
great picture, — the best by far that has been done of him. It will
cost, including the frame, $550, to be paid for by the fifteen mem-
bers of the club. The picture is to remain in my possession until
a new president is appointed, and is to go at my decease to the
oldest surviving member. Mr. Healy is an artist sent out to the
United States by the King of France to take the portraits, for his
gallery, of some of our eminent statesmen. He has been very suc-
cessful; but in none more than in this, which does not go into
royal hands, but into the hands of a set of royal fellows, and when
Louis Philippe comes to New York, Philip Hone will show him as
good a picture as any in his American gallery. The great original
and Mrs. Webster arrived here last evening. He is on his route
eastward. He is in excellent spirits, pleased with the state of
things at Washington, and not a bit the worse for his contaminating
collision with the Pennsylvania calumniator.
May 7. — Affairs in this quarter wear an alarming
Mexico. aspect. If the government intended by its measures
to bring disaster and defeat upon the insufficient forces
sent into that unhappy country, and thereby make popular the war
which it is preparing to wage against Mexico, it is likely that it1846.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
2 77
may succeed; but the people will have an awful account to settle
with it. A war simultaneously with England and Mexico for
Oregon and Texas,—neither of which is worth the blood of a single
American soldier, — and without a force adequate to carry out the
least of those enterprises, would be pushing the forbearance of the
people to a dangerous length. But we have reason to know that
the tyranny of party discipline is more absolute in this country
than the mandate of the Czar of Moscow, or the will of the Khan
of Tartary.
General Ampudia has cut off the force of two thousand men
under our General Taylor, who had gotten where he ought not to
be, and some of our fine fellows have been captured and killed.
In the number of the former is Colonel Cross; and Lieutenant
Porter (a son of the late gallant commodore) and three men were
killed, while on a foraging party, by a body of Mexican ranchers.
In the mean time General Worth comes away with many of his
brother officers, glad, no doubt, to escape from the disgrace which
is likely to attend upon ill-concerted measures.
May 9. — Worth is ordered back to Mexico. It is
Mexico again, difficult to judge of these matters, but it seems to me
he ought not to have come away just at this time.
Mr. Polk and his party have accomplished their object: the war
with Mexico is fairly commenced. The President (in violation of
the Constitution, which gives to Congress the exclusive power to
declare war) announces formally that a state of war exists, calls for
volunteers and money, which Congress unhesitatingly grants; and if
any old-fashioned legislator presumes to doubt the authority of
Pope Polk, or questions the infallibility of his bull, he is stigma-
tized by some of the ruffians of the West as an enemy to his
country, in league with the Mexicans. These charges he must
submit to, or, by making a suitable retort, expose himself to the
necessity of fighting himself out of his difficulty, or leaving a vacant
seat to be filled by some more subservient representative of the
magnanimous American people.278
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 66.
This war has commenced most disastrously, as might have been
expected from the scanty force sent into the disputed territory.
My suggestion of Thursday appears uncharitable; but it really looks
as if this result was anticipated, and the American blood shed was
to excite American feelings, and to make the war popular. It was
so in the last war. The disgraceful defeat and capture of Hull at
Detroit was the cement which bound together friends of war and
friends of peace into a united band of friends of national honour.
But it looks now as if this experiment were to cost too much.
Extras were published to-day, by all the papers, giving further
particulars received from New Orleans of the dangerous position
of General Taylor’s little army on the Rio Grande. He is cut off
by Arista from his resources at Point Isabel, at the mouth of the
river, and, although within cannon-shot of Metamoras, on the oppo-
site side of the river, he cannot send men to attack it. These
disasters will raise the blood of the American people to the war
point, and cause them to cease inquiring, What is this war about?
What compensation is to be had for the blood shed and the treas-
ures squandered? and, How will the national character be re-
deemed which we have staked on this dreadful issue ? They will
thus be compelled to support a cause which their conscience con-
demns and their judgment disapproves.
out fifty thousand volunteers, and appropriated ten millions of
dollars as a small outfit for his military operations. This is a
horrible state of things. But a little philosophy can extract
grains of comfort even from this. The tariff cannot be touched
whilst such expenditures are incurred, nor will the sub-treasury
and specie scheme be carried into effect with such a war
impending.
May 19. — We are all agog with the news of a great victory
gained over the Mexicans on the great river. General Taylor,
Mr. Polk’s
War.
May 12. — The President’s message, announcing
a state of war with Mexico, was sent to Congress
yesterday, who forthwith granted him power to call1846.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
279
having left his camp with a force of twelve or fifteen hundred men,
to open communication with his supplies at Point Isabel, at the
mouth of the river, the Americans, under command of Major
Ringgold, were attacked. This brought on a general engagement,
and resulted in the defeat of the enemy, with a loss, it is said, of
seven hundred men, our loss being inconsiderable. This account is
probably exaggerated, for vain-boasting is unfortunately the vice of
our country; every officer is a hero, every raw recruit equal in
prowess to an ancient Roman legionary, and in discipline to one
of the old guard of Napoleon, and every skirmish is a battle of
Waterloo. But there has been a fight, and probably a victory, and
we are bound to rejoice.
Episcopalians and the glory of our city, was consecrated to the
service of Almighty God. I was one of the committee of arrange-
ments, and have been for the last two or three weeks most sedu-
lously employed every day in the discharge of the duties of this
office. The clergy, the rectors, wardens, and vestrymen of the
several Episcopalian churches, the members of the Theological
Seminary, the present and former mayors, the scholars of Trinity
School, and invited guests, assembled at ten o’clock, at Mr.
Bunker’s, in Broadway, and marched in procession to the church.
At eleven o’clock the grand and solemn assemblage, preceded by
Right Rev. Bishop McCoskry, who officiated as bishop of the
diocese during the suspension of Bishop Onderdonk, entered dur-
ing the impressive chanting of one hundred and fifty clergymen, in
white surplices and scarfs, followed by a most dignified and
respectable body of laymen. The consecration service was per-
formed by the Bishop, assisted by a number of prominent ministers;
and the splendid vaultings of the solemn temple resounded with the
notes of the grand organ and with the sounds of praise and
adoration from the voices of the devout assemblage.
Consecration of
Trinity Church.
May 21. — This day being the Feast of the Ascen-
sion, agreeably to the notice given and the arrange-
ments made, the new Trinity Church, the pride of280
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 66.
May 23. — The club dined with me to-day, on the
Club Dinner, occasion of the inauguration of Healy’s fine portrait of
Mr. Webster, belonging to the club, which has been
hung (the picture, I mean) in the dining-room. Several gentle-
men brought each a bottle of his best wine, and such a drink
would throw the nectar of the gods into the shade. Hebe would
have emptied the contents of her goblet (as Mrs. Delavan did her
medicine) into the gutter, and Bacchus would have turned water-
drinker rather than stand the comparison.
I made a speech about the picture, the illustrious original, the
great Harrison cabinet, and the glorious Congress of 1842, which
I closed by reading the concluding remarks of Mr. Webster in his
speech made in the Senate on the 6th and 7th of April last. We
drank his health with three times three. The members of the club
present were M. H. Grinnell, George Curtis, Simeon Draper, R. M.
Blatchford, John Ward, T. Tileston, Prescott Hall, Dr. Francis,
P. Spofford, and J. W. Webb. Absent were Bowen, Edward Curtis,
Colt, and Jaudon, whose places were filled in part by Messrs. Rus-
sell, Blatchford, Jr., and my old acquaintance, Mr. Van Wart.
June 15. —The Oregon treaty was signed this day, at
The Treaty, three o’clock, for approval and confirmation to-morrow,
where it will, of course, pass by the same vote at least
as that which advised its ratification. It was a pleasant circum-
stance, and it makes an interesting item in my journal, that I should
have dined with the British Minister on the day on which this joy-
ful event occurred, — an event which restores the prosperity of
the nation, sets commerce again upon its legs, makes the hus-
bandman’s corn grow higher and his grass more green, and would
equally rejoice the manufacturers, if they would let this unhappy
tariff alone. Mr. Pakenham’s dinner was a beautiful affair; the
party consisted of only seven, — he and Mr. Ponsonby, his secre-
tary, Messrs. Webster, Curtis, Ashman, Colt, and myself. The
service, all but the plates, was of silver which he brought from
Mexico. The dinner was excellent; I never partook of a better;1846.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
28l
good wine, good taste, and good manners. We went at seven, and
came away at ten o’clock.
June 24. — I dined yesterday as the guest of Pres-
Yacht ciub. cott Hall, with the Yacht Club, at Hoboken. They
have a club-house, — a handsome Gothic cottage, —
erected for the use of the club in a pleasant grove in the Elysian
Fields, by that prince of good fellows, John C. Stevens, who makes
the punch, superintends the cooking, and presides at the table,
under the appropriate title of “Commodore.” A choice company
of forty-three gentlemen sat down to an excellent dinner of turtle
and other good things, with capital punch and plenty of good wine.
The Commodore, after some remarks personally complimentary,
proposed me as a member of the club, and, the probationary term
being dispensed with, I was admitted by acclamation. In acknowl-
edgment of this compliment I gave the following toast, which
was received with the most marked approbation: “ The Yacht
Club : river gods who ride upon the waves, and sip their nectar in
the Elysian Fields.”
July 6. — The iniquity is consummated. The bill
Bill Tanff to break down the tariff of 1842 passed the House of
Representatives on Friday afternoon. The indepen-
dence of the nation is now an idle boast. American industry is
sacrificed to party power, and honest labour doomed to lose its
just reward. This nefarious act was consummated by a vote of
114 to 95, and there seems to be little doubt that it will pass the
Senate by a similar party vote.
July 17.—The regatta of the Yacht Club came
Regatta. off yesterday. It was a grand display, for which great
preparations had been made, and great expectations
raised. Twelve schooners and two sloops were entered for the
race, viz.: Schooners, “Lancet” (Mr. Rollins), “Gimcrack”
(Mr. Stevens), “ Coquille ” (Mr. Jay), “Minna” (Mr. Coles),
“Brenda” (Mr. Sears), “Spray” (Mr. Wilkes), “Sibyl” (Mr.
Miller), “ Cygnet ” (Mr. Suydam), “ Pet ” (Mr. Parsons),282
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 66.
"Northern Light” (Mr. Winchester), "Siren” (Mr. Miller),
"Coquette” (Mr. Perkins). Sloops, "Newburgh” (Mr. Robin-
son) and " Mist ” (Mr. Depau).
The prize, a superb silver goblet, was won by the sloop " Mist,”
belonging to Mr. Lewis Depau. The steamer " New York ” was
provided for the members of the club and their guests, of whom
a large party went down the bay, and returned with the yachts.
Springfield, July 30. — "Polk, Dallas, and the tariff of 1842,”
— such was the inscription on the banners used in Pennsylvania to
effect the election of Mr. Polk; such was the subterfuge by which
alone the vote of that State could have been secured for this
faithless, corrupt administration; and now the tariff of 1842 is
destroyed, the industry of the country laid at the feet of foreign
competition, and national prosperity sacrificed to party discipline.
This nefarious act was consummated on Tuesday, the 28th of
July (let the day stand accursed in the calendar !), recommended
and enforced by this same James K. Polk, and carried by the
casting vote in the Senate of this same George M. Dallas. Long
may their names be recorded on the same page with those
scourges of mankind, war, pestilence, and famine, and the meas-
ure they have accomplished be included in the category of
cholera, small-pox, and yellow fever!
ment of rivers and harbours. Thus is the country equally cursed
by what this man does, and what he refuses to do. Next comes
direct taxation, to carry on the Mexican war. This is worse than
Egyptian bondage : they take from us the straw, and then scourge
us for not making bricks.
August 5. — I went out yesterday to dine with Mr. Thomas W.
Ludlow, at his beautiful cottage on the banks of the Hudson river,
below Yonkers. Our party at dinner consisted of Mr. and Mrs.
James A. Hamilton, Mr. and Mrs. George Schuyler, Mr. and Mrs.
Executive
Execution.
Monday, August 3. — The President signed the
tariff bill on Friday, and on Saturday sent in his veto
upon the bill making appropriation for the improve-1846.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
283
Moses H. Grinnell, Mrs. Boggs, Mrs. Storrow, Mr. Bowdoin, Mr.
Alexander Hamilton, Mr. Lewis Morris, Mr. Stewart Brown.
August 12. — Congress adjourned on Monday night,
^Con^ess*14 after a sessi°n nearty eight months; the most cor-
rupt, profligate, and disastrous the United States have
ever known. Pliant and subservient to a wicked administration,
the Constitution has been violated, the industry and enterprise of
the people have been sacrificed to foreign influences, the currency
disturbed, commerce deprived of its customary facilities, the coun-
try plunged into an unjust, unnecessary, and expensive war, and
national honour, honesty, and good faith made the sport of party
dictation and executive power.
The pestilence is stayed for a brief period; but its victims lie
unburied in the sight of the survivors, or linger on paralyzed and
mutilated. The storm is abated; but its ravages will long be seen
in the shattered ruins of domestic industry. The dark clouds
which have overshadowed the land, late so happy and prosper-
ous, are dispersed; but no star of hope is left to cheer the pros-
pects of the future.
In the midst of this moral and political desolation Providence
has not abandoned us to the extremity of fate which we have so
well deserved. The glorious Whig phalanx in the Senate, erect as
the cedars of Libanus, true as the tables of stone, and firm as the
sacred mountain on which their holy precepts were promulgated,
have succeeded, by the aid of a portion of their political opponents
whose immediate sectional interests, happily for the cause of
humanity and religion, were on this occasion identical with theirs,
in averting one of the calamities which threatened the country.
We are at peace with England, — thanks to Webster and Calhoun,
Evans and Benton, Crittenden and Heywood, and the noble host
who united to save their country from a war, “ the cost of which,”
to both countries, as Sir Robert Peel says, “ every day, every hour,
would have been more than the whole value of the subject in con-
troversy.”284
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[y£tat. 66.
August 13. — I passed a short time yesterday at
A Tali Tno. the Astor House, with three pretty considerable men :
Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts; John J. Crittenden,
of Kentucky; and George Evans, of Maine. If three others equal
to them can be collected together in this country, then we are
richer than I thought. Three more such men would save our
political Sodom and Gomorrah, — great, not only here; I doubt if.
any political combination could be made in Europe superior to it.
Webster, Crittenden, Evans; Polk, Dallas, Walker, — imagine
these men to have changed positions during the year. I dare not
think of it. Peace, happiness, prosperity, on one side; war, em-
barrassment, despair, on the other. God help us !
September 10. — Mr. Stewart’s splendid edifice^
Extravagance, erected on the site of Washington Hall, in Broadway,
between Chambers and Reade streets, is nearly fin-
ished, and his stock of dry goods will be exhibited on the
shelves in a few days. There is nothing in Paris or London
to compare with this dry-goods palace. My attention was at-
tracted, in passing this morning, to a most extraordinary, and I
think useless, piece of extravagance. Several of the windows on
the first floor, nearly level with the street, are formed of plate-
glass, six feet by eleven, which must have cost four or five
hundred dollars each, and may be shivered by a boy’s marble
or a snow-ball as effectually as by a four-pound shot; and I
am greatly mistaken if there are not persons (one is enough)
in this heterogeneous mass of population influenced by jealousy,
malice, or other instigation of the devil, bad enough to do such
a deed of mischief.
September 19. — Died on Thursday last, Mr. James Swords,
aged eighty-two years, the surviving partner of Thomas and James
Swords, the oldest booksellers, publishers, and stationers in New
York. They published the first monthly magazine. The first
article of my writing which came up in the dignity of types
astonished the world in the pages of this periodical.THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	285
September 26.— Strange and wonderful discovery,
which has made the “ swift-winged lightning ” man’s
messenger, annihilated all space, and tied the two ends
of a continent in a knot! The whole extent of this newly dis-
covered phenomenon was never made so apparent to me as on
the day of the meeting of the convention; during the hour of ad-
journment to dinner a message was sent by the telegraph to Mr.
Fillmore, at Buffalo. The answer came immediately, that “ Mr.
Fillmore was not in his office, and could not be found.” Soon
after, another communication was received, authorizing the with-
drawal of his name, and expressing his satisfaction at Mr. Young’s
nomination. This was handed to me on my taking the chair, and
had travelled four hundred and seventy miles during our short
recess of an hour.
October 19. — I heard to-day, for the first time,
Compliment, of a compliment which has been made to me, which
touched my feelings very sensibly, and for which I
cannot be sufficiently grateful. Twenty gentlemen of New York
sent out $500 to Italy to procure my bust, which was begun
by Clevenger, and finished, I believe, by Powers. It has arrived,
and has been presented to the Clinton Hall Association, where
it is intended to be placed in the lecture-room. This most
acceptable manifestation of the regard of my fellow-citizens is
rendered more grateful to my feelings by its location in the hall
of an institution with which it has been my pride to have been
identified since its creation, and of which I have been for so
many years the presiding officer. I do not pretend that I am
not susceptible to flattery, perhaps vain; but there was a delicacy
about this matter, in the keeping of it so profound a secret, and
in the kind expressions of personal regard which accompanied the
act, that I shall not very soon forget.
October 26. — My old friend, Mr. Abraham Ogden, president
of the Orient Insurance Company, has sunk at last under the
effects of a long and painful indisposition. He died on Saturday,
1846.]
Magnetic
Telegraph.286
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 66.
in his seventy-second year. He was a gentleman of the old
school; honest, intelligent, and amiable; an affectionate husband
and father, an upright merchant, a true friend, and a valuable
citizen. These are the qualities which ornament human nature
during a man’s lifetime, and after death endear his memory to his
friends; but, unfortunately, they do not always lead to wealth nor
personal popularity.
of this country, — a trifling incident in the appalling drama which
we shall be called to witness, and perhaps bear a part in, during
the course of not many years. A negro boy, named George Kirk,
a slave from Georgia, secreted himself in a vessel commanded by
Captain Buckley, and was brought to New York. Here he was ar-
rested and confined, at the instance of the captain, who is subjected
to severe penalties for the abduction of the slave. The claim of
the master to have the fugitive sent back to Georgia was tried
before Judge Edwards; N. B. Blunt appearing for the captain, and
Mr. John Jay and J. L. White for the slave.
The judge’s decision set the boy free, for want of evidence
to prove his identity; and such a mob, of all colours, from dirty
white to shining black, came rushing down Nassau and into
Beekman street as made peaceable people shrink into places of
security. Such shouting and jostling, such peals of negro
triumph, such uncovering of woolly heads in raising the greasy
hats to give effect to the loud huzzas of the sons of Africa,
seemed almost to “ fright the neighbourhood from its propriety.”
A carriage was brought to convey the hero of the day from his
place of concealment, but it went away without him. This is
all very pretty; .but how will it end? How long will the North
and the South remain a united people? Different interests
must provoke unkind feelings, and charity, patriotism, and mutual
forbearance on the part of reasonable men on both sides will
The Slave
Case.
October 27. — I witnessed this morning, from the
steps of Clinton Hall, a scene which is calculated to
cause alarm as to future collisions between the citizens1846.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
287
prove ere long insufficient to preserve the bonds of national
brotherhood.
Since writing the above, I am informed that a process has been
issued by the Mayor, on the application of an agent of the master,
and the boy, found secreted in a box in which he was being con-
veyed by his friends from the place of his concealment, was taken
back by the officers and reincarcerated in his old quarters in the
Tombs; so the whole business, with its attendant excitement, must
be gone over again.
November ii. — Died in Washington, yesterday, Commodore
John B. Nicholson, of the United States navy, in the sixty-third
year of his age. Captain Jack, as his friends called him, with
whom he was always a favourite, entered the navy as a midshipman,
in 1805, on board the brig “ Hornet,” then under the command of
my old friend, the late Captain Chauncey. He fought as lieutenant
at the capture of the “ Macedonian,” and was first lieutenant of
the “ Peacock ” in her brilliant engagement with “ L’Epervier,”
which vessel he brought into port a prize. He has held important
and honourable appointments. He was commander of the Medi-
terranean squadron, and more recently has been stationed at the
navy yard at Charlestown, near Boston, where he exercised a liberal
hospitality, alike creditable to the service and himself, of which
I have been the recipient. Adieu, thou good fellow and honest
sailor! How often have thy legs and mine been placed under
the same mahogany !
state that he had partially recovered, his consciousness having re-
turned and his speech being restored. Hopes are even expressed
that he may be able to go on to his family, who are in Washington,
and resume his seat in the House of Representatives. This is “ a
consummation devoutly to be wished.” The country cannot afford
to lose such a man. With all his eccentricities, prejudices, and want
John Quincy
Adams.
November 24. — The honourable John Quincy Adams
was stricken by paralysis on Thursday last^ whilst walk-
ing from his son’s house in Boston. The last accounts288
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 66.
of tact, we have not his equal in this country for the most
minute information on all subjects, technical, statistical, ar-
tistical, historical, and diplomatical. No man knows so much,
nor so accurately. He has probed deeply into the arcana of
all the sciences, understands and can explain all subjects, from
the solar system down to the construction of a tooth-pick.
He has the Holy Scriptures at his fingers* ends, knows every
line of Shakespeare, can recite Homer in the original Greek;
could name, if he had a mind to do it, the author of “ Junius,’*
and knows all about Jack the Giant Killer. He speaks on all
subjects, overthrows his opponents, and bothers his friends; and,
in short, does more work than any day-labourer, and this, too,
under some physical disabilities. He is so nervous that his
pen has to be tied to his fingers. This prodigious amount
of labour is accomplished by early rising, exact method, and
the most untiring industry.
But Mr. Adams cannot last forever. He is eighty years of age,
and it is greatly to be feared that the warning voice has come to
him in this recent visitation. What a pity it is that on his decease
he cannot leave his knowledge behind him; it would, indeed, be a
rich inheritance.
November 25. — Accounts from Washington, received last night
by telegraph, state that General Scott left the city yesterday to take
the command of the army in Mexico, and to conduct a meditated
attack upon Tampico. If he has a chance, he will sustain his high
character for personal bravery and military talents, and his “ hasty
plate of soup ** may possibly be overlooked, by the severe critics
who constitute the “ American people,** in the glory of a successful
Mexican campaign. Worth has completely recovered from the
effect of one bad step; and I trust that Winfield Scott will
prove that he is not the man to be laid aside, and all his
former services forgotten, for one or two ill-judged expressions
in the course of a correspondence in which he displayed more
truth than tact.1846.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
289
November 26. — This is a day set apart by the
Thanksgiving aut^orities of the State, and the regulations of the
Episcopal Church, to be observed as a day of thanks-
giving to Almighty God for the blessings we enjoy as a community,
and as individuals for our share of the bounties of Divine Provi-
dence. It is an interesting occasion. The incense of adoration,
praise, and thanksgiving ascend from the altars of sixteen of the
States forming this Union; a simultaneous abstinence from their
usual occupations is observed, with more or less of the sincerity of
devotion, by millions of rational and responsible creatures; the
Author of all good is acknowledged, at least in form, in every place
of worship, from the solemn, magnificent cathedral, down to the
modest, unassuming village church, whose devotion swells not into
notes so loud and sonorous, but proceeds from hearts equally
sincere.
I went with my family to St. John’s, where our good Doctor
Wainwright gave us an excellent Thanksgiving sermon. He enu-
merated the great national blessings we enjoy, of civil and religious
liberty, the abundance of all things necessary for the subsistence
and comfort of man, our exemption from internal commotions, and
our preservation from pestilence and other evils. He also depre-
cated the war in which we are engaged, and the consequent shed-
ding of the blood of the brave men who are engaged in it, and
urged that our prayers, as patriots, for the success of our arms
should be accompanied by supplications for a return of peace.
This is all very well; the reverend gentleman could say no more.
But it occurred to me that, next to the favour of the God of peace,
to avert this calamity, the exertions of all good men and sincere
Christians should be employed to remove from office the men who
have brought upon us this unjust and unrighteous war, — this war of
usurpation and aggression, unsanctioned by the Constitution and at
variance with the moral sense of the g^ople.
November 30. — My venerable friend, Chancellor Kent, who has
for a long time declined dinner invitations, honoured us by becom-290
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 66.
ing one of our guests on Saturday, and another equally venerable
octogenarian, Judge Spencer, graced my board. It was a bright
day of joyous hilarity and intellectual enjoyment, as it could not
fail to be with the following party: Judge Spencer, Chancellor
Kent, David B. Ogden, George Curtis, Luther Bradish, Rev. Dr.
Wainwright, Henry Brevoort, J. Prescott Hall, R. M. Blatchford,
Charles H. Russell. The Chancellor was very agreeable until news
was brought of his son’s arrival, when he started off with his usual
rapidity, and was seen no more.
December 15. — The better sort have been regaled,
livi^es^ FCS *ate> ky a grand wedding. Mr. John J. Astor, son
of Mr. William B. Astor, and grandson of Mr. John
Jacob Astor, married Miss Augusta Gibbes, daughter of Mr. Thomas
L. Gibbes.
The wedding was attended, at the house of her father, by all the
fashionable people of the city. Last evening my daughter and son
went to a grand party at Mr. Astor’s, and I also was tempted to
mix once more in the splendid crowd of charming women, pretty
girls, and well-dressed beaux. The spacious mansion in Lafayette
place was open from cellar to garret, blazing with a thousand lights.
The crowd was excessive; the ladies (such part of their exquisite
forms as could be distinguished in the melee) elegantly and taste-
fully attired, with a display of rich jewelry enough to pay one day’s
expense of the Mexican war.1847-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
291
1847.
TANUARY 1. — The old year 1846 is gone, despatched and not
^ to be recalled. The good we have left undone, which we
might have done, is carried to the debit side of our account, ar-
ranged in broad standing characters alongside of the lines of com-
mission which ate fairly chargeable to the account of delinquency.
The last year was a wretched one in regard to the political con-
dition of the country. If, instead of this most lame and impotent
administration, Mr. Clay had been elected President instead of Mr.
Polk (which was certainly the voice of the American people), we
should have been, as a nation, prosperous beyond all former ex-
ample, with no annexation of strangers’ land to promote party
views, no wars to drain the best blood of the country for an issue
which can never redound to our honour, nor pay in any proportion
for the loss of blood, treasure, and reputation which it will have
cost. The enterprise of the people checked, honest industry par-
alyzed, and national pride humiliated; James K. Polk President of
the United States, — can such things be ?
January 2.—New Year’s presents have abounded
The Bust. this year. This is the Parisian mode of celebrating le
jour de Van, and we are getting into it very fast. Some
of the houses where I visited yesterday presented the appearance
of bazaars, where rich presents were displayed, from the costly
cashmere shawls and silver tankard to the toy watch and child’s
rattle. I, too, have received marks of kindness; but that which
forms the subject of the following letter is the most acceptable of
all: —
New York, 31st December, 1846.
Philip Hone, Esq.: —
My dear Sir, —To your inquiry asking who sent your bust, by Clev-
enger, to be placed in the rooms of the Mercantile Library Association, I292
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[/Etat. 67.
reply by attaching hereto the names of the persons : James Brown, Wal-
ter R. Jones, Samuel Jaudon, John Ward, G. G. Howland, Jonathan
Goodhue, M. H. Grinnell, Samuel S. Howland, John A. Stevens, Robert
B. Minturn, William H. Aspinwall, Henry Grinnell, Edward Prime,
Robert Ray, George Curtis, Charles H. Russell, Spofford & Tileston,
John Haggerty, R. M. Blatchford, Thomas W. Ludlow, J. Prescott Hall,
William B. Astor, James G. King.
High and constant as are the respect and attachment of all these
friends to you personally, they had a higher and more abiding motive in
this act. They knew that your long career of uprightness as a member
of the mercantile community had been crowned in the decline of life by
your having voluntarily, and from the highest considerations of honour
and good faith, assumed obligations in behalf of some relatives, and by
your having been obliged to sacrifice a large portion of your property, by
sales in adverse times, to meet those obligations with your wonted
punctuality. To mark this signal instance of self-denial and integrity
some of your fellow-merchants and friends felt that an appropriate tes-
timonial was due, and that no more fitting opportunity could have
occurred than the accidental meeting with this bust by so distinguished
an American artist as Clevenger, and that no more suitable place for
depositing it could have been selected than that where the well-known
features of their old friend and president will derive an additional value
in the eyes of the commercial clerks, from the example which you have
set to them, the future merchants of New York, and from this acknowl-
edgment of it, which we have thus endeavoured to render perpetual.
I remain, etc.,
JAMES G. KING.
January 20. — Peter R. Livingston died yesterday, at his resi-
dence, Rhinebeck, aged eighty-one years. He was originally a
Democrat of great powers, and played an important part in
wresting the political administration of the State from the hands
of the Federalists; an eloquent declaimer at public meetings; a
demagogue of the highest class. Few could oppose him with
success. As in religion, so it is in politics : the first-fruits of men’s
lives are given to the propagation and support of disorganizing
principles, and when they become old they turn to better prin-
ciples, and exert themselves to eradicate the seed whieh they
assisted in sowing. Mr. Livingston, at the close of his life, was a1847-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
293
leading Whig, and even when broken down by physical infirmity,
the bright light of early eloquence broke occasionally through the
shadows of superannuated debility. In early life he went out
with his relative, Chancellor Livingston, as Secretary of the Lega-
tion, to France, where the excesses of that capital left him a
trembling martyr to dissipation for the remainder of his life. Thus,
with bodily powers broken down, but unimpaired powers of mind,
he lingered out his life to fourscore years. He has held many im-
portant offices under Democratic administrations, — State senator
and member of the Council of Appointment, elector of Presi-
dent, member of Congress, etc. I have played many a game of
whist with him, and whilst his tremulous hand was incapable of
dealing the cards, he never failed to make the most of them.
street and the Ninth avenue. The house is one of those palaces
which have lately sprung up in places where a few years since
cattle grazed, and orchards dropped their ripened fruits. This
magnificent abode of costly luxury, now the town residence of my
good friend Mr. Ray, stands on the very spot where his father’s
garden, away out of town, flourished long since my hair turned
gray. This was the party of the season. Every luxury was sup-
plied in abundance, and with good taste, to all the elegant women
and fashionable gentlemen about town; every room was filled,
and even I (somewhat antiquated, and not much given of late to
party-going) partook largely of the general enjoyment of Mr. and
Mrs. Ray’s first party in their new house in Fitz-ray place.
January 29.—Our good city of New York has
lation, and where the two extremes of costly luxury in living,
expensive establishments, and improvident waste are presented in
daily and hourly contrast with squalid misery and hopeless des-
Mrs. Ray’s
Party.
January 28.—My children called to take Mr. Rus-
sell and me from Mr. Spofford’s dinner to a party at
Mrs. Robert Ray’s, away up at the comer of 28th
State of
Society.
already arrived at the state of society to be found in
the large cities of Europe; overburdened with popu-294	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	[-ffitat. 67.
titution. This state of things has been* hastened in our case by
the constant stream of European paupers arriving upon the shores
of this land of promise. Alas ! how often does it prove to the
deluded emigrant a land of broken promise and blasted hope !
If we had none but our own poor to take care of, we should get
along tolerably well; we could find employment for them, and
individual charity, aiding the public institutions, might save us
from the sights of woe with which we are assailed in the streets,
and the pressing applications which beset us in the retirement of
our own houses. Nineteen out of twenty of these mendicants
are foreigners cast upon our shores, indigent and helpless, having
expended the last shilling in paying their passage-money, deceived
by the misrepresentations of unscrupulous agents, and left to
starve amongst strangers, who, finding it impossible to extend
relief to all, are deterred from assisting any. These reflections
upon the extremes of lavish expenditure and absolute destitution
are forced upon me by my own recent experience. I partook
yesterday of a most expensive dinner, where every article of
costly food which the market affords was spread before the guests,
and fine wines drunk in abundance, some of which might command
eight or ten dollars a bottle; and from this scene of expensive
hospitality I was conveyed to another more splendid and
expensive entertainment, where the sparkling of diamonds, the
reflection of splendid mirrors, the lustre of silks and satins, and
the rich gilding of tasteful furniture were flashed, by the aid of
innumerable lights, upon the dazzled eyes of a thousand guests.
Now this is all right enough; in both these cases our entertainers
could well afford the expense which attended the display of
their hospitality, nor is it within the scope of the most remote
probability that the money of any others than themselves can be
involved in the outlay of their entertainments.
It may be painful to reflect how far the cost of a single bottle of
Mr. Spofford’s wine or one of Mr. Ray’s pates de foie gras might
contribute to alleviate the distress of those miserable objects whoI&47-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
295
stretch out the attenuated arms of wasted poverty, or display the
haggard countenance of infantile deprivation, or the tattered habili-
ments incapable of resisting the inclemency of the winter’s cold.
These gentlemen are liberal and charitable, and no doubt do their
part in almsgiving; but they have other duties to perform. The
city demands that their riches shall contribute to maintain its
character for hospitality, and they can no more avert the evils
which are inevitable in such a state of society as exists in our city
than they can arrest the pestilence, present a barrier to the ravages
of the flood, or extinguish the destroying flame. The accounts of
the sufferings of the poor wretches who were brought up from the
ship “ Garrick ” make me feel almost guilty in my participation in
the luxuries of yesterday’s entertainment; we are told that twelve
of the number died on the passage, and several since the vessel
went ashore., and those who were landed here are perfectly destitute,
— no clothes, no friends, no object in view. They fled from star-
vation at home to starve here, or be relieved by public or indi-
vidual charity. I may philosophize on this subject forever, and
feel a little bad about it sometimes; but, after all, I am inclined
to think that whenever Mr. Spofford or Mr. Ray invites me
again I shall go.
This nutritious grain, food for man and fodder for
Indian Corn, every edible animal, is the great social momentum of
the present day. The quantity raised in this country
is so great as to be with difficulty expressed by figures; and now
that famine presents its horrid features to the distressed poor of
Europe, we supply them with excellent food, after having taught
them how to e^t it and to like it as we do.
I witnessed on Thursday one of the triumphs of this great Amer-
ican staple production. A procession of twenty or thirty carts, the
forward one being drawn by six white horses and decorated with
flags, proceeded up Broadway to the grunting of martial music,
each cart loaded with four or five enormous dead hogs; the whole
number was 106 hogs, weighing 40,262 pounds, an average of 380296
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[AEtat. 67.
pounds. These overgrown animals were raised by five farmers of
Burlington county, New Jersey, and sold to a pork-dealer here.
They were nearly uniform in size, with short duck legs, like Grant
Thorbum’s; little, twinkling eyes peeping out between two moun-
tains of fat, like pins upon a pin-cushion; and hams as round as a
full moon and luscious as a turtle's calipash. There was Indian
corn written in legible characters upon their jolly features, and
shining on their swelling sides; dead though they were, they had,
out of benevolence to mankind, laid down their characters as
swine to assume that of pork; every spare-rib and every link of
sausage, as well as the more important parts of these children of
Ham, will sing the praises of Indian corn.
February 3. — Dr. Johnson says somewhere, “Who
A Dangerous	,	_	,	, .
Auxiliary. that ever asks succour from Bacchus was able to pre-
serve himself from being enslaved by his auxiliary ?”
I am reminded of a case in point, but not attended with the bad
consequences imagined by the great moral essayist. Dining many
years ago with my lamented friend, Commodore Chauncey, at the
navy yard, I remarked to the distinguished statesman, Mr. Webster,
who graced our party, “ My dear sir, I observe that you are not
altogether indifferent to the virtues of a glass of good wine.” — “ By
no means,” he replied, “ and I will tell you how it came about.
When I began to practise law in Massachusetts I was honoured
by the notice and friendship of Christopher Gore, who frequently
invited me to his house. On one occasion, seeing me look pale
and feeble, from the effects of study and hard work, he kindly
inquired how I lived. I told him I fared rather poorly at my
humble lodgings, in the house of Mrs. So and So; that I ate corned
beef and cabbage and drank water. 1 That will not do/ said Mr.
Gore;< you must drink a glass of good wine occasionally, and eat an
apple after dinner to promote digestion.' —‘ But/ said I,‘ I cannot
afford to drink wine.' —‘ I will take care of that/ said my liberal
friend; and from that time I received occasional presents of fine
old wine from his well-supplied garret. Well, sir, it did me great1847.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
297
good. I recovered my health, and was enabled to pursue my
studies and perform my task with renewed ardour. But, alas ! like
a beleaguered city which is compelled to call in the aid of aux-
iliary forces, I repulsed the enemy; but, the auxiliaries having
established themselves in the citadel, I have never been able to
dispossess them.”
February 8. — Died yesterday, Mr. James Roosevelt, in the
eighty-eighth year of his age; a highly respectable gentleman of
the old school, son of Isaac Roosevelt, the first president of the
first bank in New York, at a time when the president and directors
of a bank were other sort of people from those of the present day.
Proud and aristocratical, they were the only nobility we had (now
we have none) ; powerful in the controlling influence they possessed
over the commercial operations of the city, men could not stand
straight in their presence; and woe to them who bowed not down
to the representatives of a few bags of gold and silver, the potential
dispensers of bank favours. Chancellor Kent told me last evening
that he and Mr. Roosevelt were in college together, and both
studied law in Judge Benson’s office.
day in Prime’s building, in Wall street, which was well attended
by the right sort of folks. Mr. Van Schaick presided; nine thou-
sand dollars were subscribed by those present, and measures were
taken to collect the fund required to freight a vessel with a cargo
of bread-stuffs and other provisions and send her to Cork or some
other port in Ireland. A call was made on the clergy to receive
contributions in the several churches, and notice given of a general
meeting to be held on Monday evening at the Tabernacle. This is
a good feeling and prompt action on this interesting subject.
In connection with the above remarks I must record a circum-
stance which occurred yesterday at the club dinner at Ward’s, hon-
ourable to the parties concerned. Mr. Wetmore stated that he had
Relief of
the Irish.
February 12. — There is a great movement in be-
half of the suffering people of Ireland. A meeting
preliminary to more important movements was held this298
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 67.
lost to Mr. Grinnell a bet of two dinners for the company; that the
illness of his wife prevented him from giving these dinners at his
own house, and proposed, instead thereof (if Grinnell and the com-
pany approved), to commute the claim by handing over to me the
sum of three hundred and sixty dollars, which was estimated to
cover the expense of two such entertainments, with fine wines; this
sum to be appropriated, in such a way as I might judge best, for
the relief of the suffering Irish. This liberal offer was, of course,
agreed to, and I received this morning Mr. Wetmore’s check for
the amount, which I handed to the relief committee. Hereby we
dispense with two sumptuous dinners (for which it is doubtful if
any of us would have been the better), and the means are furnished
to add fifty barrels of wheat flour, or the value in other provisions,
to the contributions of our citizens for saving hundreds of our suf-
fering brethren in Ireland from starvation. I must add that the
generous donor of this gift stipulated that this should be independent
of any donation he might think proper to make otherwise for the
same object, and on my calling this morning at the office of the
committee I found his name as a subscriber for five hundred dol-
lars. Mr. Wetmore is a very rich man, and liberal in proportion to
his means. May the God of mercy and goodness prosper his
riches, and continue his ability and inclination to make a good
use of them !
February 16. — There was a great meeting last evening at the
Tabernacle, for the relief of the famished Irish, called by the com-
mittee. Myndert Van Schaick presided, with a host of vice-presi-
dents, of which I was one. Speeches were made by the Rev. Dr.
Wainwright, Rev. Mr. Adams, George Griffin, Charles King, and
Barnabas Bates. The large building was filled with a respectable
male audience, and an exceedingly good feeling was evinced.
millions of dollars to our warlike President for the purpose of car-
An Impor-
tant Vote.
In the House of Representatives, yesterday, the
question was taken on the long-contested amendment
introduced by Mr. Wilmot to the bill granting threei847-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
299
rying on the war in a snug way. This amendment, which prohibited
the introduction of slavery into the newly acquired Territories, was
carried by a vote of one hundred and fifteen to one hundred and
five. It is an important measure, which may alter the whole organ-
ization of political parties in the country, and defeat the great
objects of the annexation of Texas and its consequence, the un-
righteous war with Mexico.
An interesting occurrence took place on Saturday in
C^mcy the House of Representatives : the venerable member
Adams.	1	3
from Massachusetts, ex-President Adams, made his first
appearance in the House since his dangerous attack of paralysis,
and resumed his accustomed seat, which was courteously surren-
dered to him by its temporary occupant, Mr. Johnson. On his
welcome advent the members all arose. He was addressed by the
Speaker, and replied with deep sensibility. At the moment of his
entrance, the member who was addressing the House, Mr. Kent,
suspended his remarks, and, on resuming, alluded to the interest-
ing event which had caused their interruption. This was a proud
homage to exalted talents, devoted patriotism, and long and faithful
public services. He has, in the course of his legislative career,
crossed the path of many of those who now joined in this honour-
able demonstration, — a circumstance most honourable, equally
creditable to the donors and grateful to the recipient, and which
is well calculated to soften the rays of the intellectual sun which
there is reason to fear is about setting.
February 22. -—This is the anniversary of the birth
^irthdayt0n S	whose name is indissolubly connected with the
glory of our republic. “ First in war, first in peace,
and first in the hearts of his countrymen/7 his name will grace the
brightest page of history as an example of disinterested patriotism,
unstained honour, and wise conduct.
A small detachment of citizen soldiers, calling themselves
veterans, are at this moment passing my window, clad in the old,
quaint uniform of the Continentals, — long blue coats, faced and300
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[/Etat. 67.
turned up with buff, with three-cornered cocked hats and long
boots; not by any means a graceful costume, but interesting, as it
brings to recollection the days of the man honoured by his coun-
trymen and chosen by his Maker as the leader of the people.
What would this man have said, were he still among us, at the
degradation of his countrymen in permitting a chief ruler, the acci-
dental choice of a reckless faction, to exercise a power equally
arbitrary and unconstitutional; and by usurping the people’s rights,
and the sovereignty of the States delegated to their representatives
in Congress, to involve the nation in an unjust and inglorious war
of aggression upon a neighbouring republic, which, if it had
strength equal to its sense of wrong, would send back our forces
dishonoured and discomfited. The blood of many a brave and
gallant American will be shed in this contest; consecrated, it is true,
by personal bravery, but unhallowed by the consolation of lamenting
friends and fellow-citizens, that the cause in which they fell was just.
Shade of the great and good Washington, look down upon thy
beloved country, and warn us of the bad effects of corrupt and
unrighteous councils !
February 25. — Immense shipments of bread-stuffs are made
from every port in the United States; freights are enormously high,
— eight to nine shillings for a barrel of flour. The Liverpool packets,
which have been lately built of increased tonnage, as if in anticipa-
tion of the present demand, are making unprecedented profits.
The new packet-ship “Constitution,” belonging to Woodhull &
Minturn’s line, sailed yesterday for Liverpool, with the following
enormous cargo of bread-stuffs: Ten thousand bushels of wheat,
twenty-five thousand bushels of Indian corn, two thousand seven
hundred barrels of corn-meal, one hundred and sixty boxes of soda
biscuit, four thousand barrels of flour; besides which she has six
hundred and sixty-one bales of cotton, forty-two boxes of clocks,
and nineteen barrels of beeswax. The bread-stuffs are equal to
sixty-eight thousand bushels; these will stop the croaking of many
an empty stomach.18470
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
301
Collections for
Ireland.
March i. — The subscriptions for the relief of the
Irish are kept up with undiminished spirit. The Relief
Committee have received upwards of $50,000. Col-
lections were made yesterday in several of the churches: the
amount given in St. John’s Church was $556; Grace Church col-
lected the previous Sunday $1,800. The Catholic churches have
given nobly, and every denomination of Christians has assisted lib-
erally in the good work : Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Methodists,
Baptists, and Romanists are all united as one congregation in the
brotherhood of charity.
resentatives. “ Their works will follow them,” bad as they were.
But how do we know that, in the present downward tendency of
public affairs, the next Congress may not be equally bad? The
House of Representatives had still their Winthrop, Adams, Ashmun,
Mosely, Grinnell, etc., some of whom are reelected to the next
Congress. But the great falling off will be in the Senate. Evans,
Archer, Berrien, and several others of the staunchest Whigs and
ablest senators, close their labours in that body with the close of the
session; some have been reelected, but a large proportion must
make way for such as their Loco-foco legislatures may think proper
to send. The House may possibly be Whig, but the Senate is
irrevocably Loco-foco.
The three-million bill passed, without Wilmot’s proviso prohibit-
ing the introduction of slavery in newly acquired Territories. This
proviso prevailed at first in the House of Representatives; but, by
the force of party drill, a majority was found against it at the last
moment, and this large appropriation is given to Mr. Polk with
which to do what he pleases. Charles J. Ingersoll would have Mr.
Webster impeached for some paltry sum of $1,000, unaccounted
for or misapplied, if that great man had not possessed proofs of the
utter falsity of the base insinuation. Now this tool of party votes
Congress
Adjourned.
March 4. — The twenty-ninth Congress ceased to
exist last night. It should be a cause of rejoicing;
for never was a nation cursed with such a body of rep-302
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[yEtat. 67.
to cast three millions into the pool of executive corruption. And
now let us see the compensation for this foul act. Polk nominated
this man on the last day of the session as Minister to France.
The nomination was rejected by the Senate, although a majority of
that body are the political associates of the nominee; immediately
after which the name of Richard Rush, of Pennsylvania, was sent in
and confirmed. Mr. Rush was Minister to England when I was
first there, in 1821, and I have always been grateful for his kind
attentions during my stay in London. He is not a man of much
force, but much better than we usually get in these times of national
degradation. The escape of the country from the disgrace of
Ingersoll’s appointment might reconcile us to a less respectable
Minister than Mr. Rush.
March 9.—Dined with Judge David S. Jones. The
parties" party consisted of the following gentlemen, and the
dinner was pleasant: Moses H. Grinnell, Henry Par-
ish, Charles A. Clinton, John A. King, Paul Spofford, William B.
Astor, William Douglass, Henry Brevoort, Clement C. Moore, Mr.
Finlay, Robert Ray, Thomas Tileston, J. Prescott Hall, and P. H.
March 12. — I dined at Mr. Astor’s, with the following party,
besides the host and hostess: Mr. and Mrs. Gibbes, Mr. and Mrs.
John J. Astor, Mr. and Mrs. Bristed. The two last-named ladies
were Miss Augusta Gibbes and Miss Laura Brevoort; their husbands
are grandchildren of old Mr. Astor, as are Miss Astor and Mr.
Walter Langdon, who were also at the dinner. Besides these, there
were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Ludlow, Mr. Charles E. Davis, Mr.
Truman, Mr. K. Armstrong, Judge David S. Jones, Mr. Cogs-
well, and myself.
March 31. —The news from Mexico, which has
Mexico. been anxiously expected for the last two or three days,
was brought to-day by express from Washington. The
rumours of a great battle in Mexico between General Taylor and
Santa Anna have taken the form of authenticity. The conflict
which was foreshadowed was realized, and a bloody battle fought1847.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
303
by the Mexicans and their invaders on the 2 2d and 23d of Febru-r
ary, at a place called Buena Vista, six miles west of Saltillo, the
result of which extricates the American forces under General Taylor
from a position of great danger. Five thousand of our troops
were surrounded by fifteen thousand Mexicans, and with this dis-
parity of force Taylor gave battle. The action was desperate.
The Americans, as usual, fought with the utmost bravery, and the
contest was well sustained by the enemy. The carnage was tre-
mendous : four thousand Mexicans are killed and wounded, by our
accounts; but it is painful to relate that the blood of seven hundred
to a thousand Americans was offered up to the Moloch of war and
unjust aggressive hostility, of whom sixty-three were officers,—
gallant, noble fellows who fought for their country, reckless of life
and regardless of the merits of the controversy. As old Caspar
says, “ But ’twas a glorious victory.’* Who shall comfort the
afflicted parents, wives, children, and friends of the brave men who
have thus “sacrificed their lives to honour”? Who shall be the
first to convey the melancholy tidings of his son’s death to Mr.
Clay, whose whole life has been employed in the service of an
ungrateful people? They are willing he should work for them,
negotiate for them, and sacrifice his time, talents, and property in
their service, and send his sons to fight their battles and die in their
cause; but most ungratefully refuse his just reward, and bestow
their favour upon one who went to bed one night a man no bigger
than a million of other men in the country, and rose the next day
President of the United States. One must be struck with the dis-
parity of loss, in all the actions of the present war, between the
officers and privates. In the wars of Europe, where war is brought
to a system and practised as a science, and where the men are
formed into machines to carry on the trade, their officers have only
to set them in motion and keep them to their work; and only in
extreme cases is it necessary for the commanders of divisions,
brigades, and regiments to put their lives in jeopardy. The loss of
one general or colonel has a greater influence upon the fate of a304
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 67.
battle than that of a hundred men, Napoleon risked his life at the
bridge of Lodi because the emergency of the occasion required the
example; but he knew the value of his life, and refrained from
exposing the property of France. W,e have a different kind of
warfare to wage. The troops now engaged in Mexico are princi-
pally raw recruits, undisciplined and unpractised, — brave enough
in battle, but governed by impulse; they require constantly the
example of their officers to lead them on, and this example is never
withheld. The officers are a set of the most chivalrous, daring
fellows in the world. Most of them of good families, they fight for
glory, and, knowing the risk attendant upon its acquirement, never
hesitate to encounter it.
We had a pleasant dinner-party to-day, given in
^esc©ttH* h°nour of the accomplished author of “ Ferdinand
and Isabella ” and the “ Conquest of Peru.” My round
table was graced by the presence of the following guests: William
H. Prescott, Rev. Dr. Wainwright, Jonathan Meredith, Governor
Seward, Francis Granger, Henry Brevoort, Clement C. Moore, J.
Prescott Hall, James W. Webb, and Ogden Hoffman. I gave this
toast in compliment to the principal guest: “ Mexico and Peru :
we have conquered the one, and intend soon to turn over a new
leaf with the other.”
The first edition of the “ Conquest of Peru,” consisting of seven
thousand five hundred copies, has been purchased, at one dollar a
set, by the Harpers. Mr. Prescott reserves the copyright, and will,
of course, receive all the profits of future editions. He told me
that his works have thus far produced him $8,000. He finds book-
making a good trade; but few such books as his are made.
April 17. —There is a pleasant account in the papers of a fish-
ing party of the tallest kind, which “ came off” on Tuesday last,
at Southampton, Long Island; a school of whales made their
appearance in the bay on Monday afternoon, which proved to be a
most unfortunate visit (for the whales, I mean). As soon as they
were descried, several boats, manned by the hardy and intrepid1847-3
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
305
whalemen who inhabit that sea-girt region, went in pursuit, and, in
full view of the delighted and excited non-combatants on shore,
attacked, conquered, and landed four whales of the largest kind,
from which they will obtain from thirty to sixty barrels of oil
each.
April 27.— Mr. Webster has left Washington, and gone to the
South, where he seems to be gaining “ golden opinions.’* We
already hear of his arrival at Richmond, and his being received by
crowds prepared to escort him to his lodgings; of a public dinner
being provided for him, and every demonstration of respect during
his brief sojourn in the capital of Virginia. Similar greetings are
prepared on the line of his route. They have heard of Mr. Web-
ster, but have not seen him; and if he relaxes his iron brow, and
condescends to open out himself to their inspection, and show
them that his proud name was not misapplied, the Southerners
may be made to acknowledge that even the East may produce
great men. It looks as if the Massachusetts senator was looking
out for votes. I wish he may get enough to make him President;
but I fear he will find the Taylor's measures more to the people’s
liking than the more experienced culture of the Marshfield farmer.
May 1. — The great day of domestic locomotion is, happily for
the sufferers, bright and .clear. Spring carts are in great request;
straw beds are cast into the streets; pots, pans, and kettles are
seeking a new sphere of usefulness ; women scold, children cry,
and the head of the family begins to find that his notions of
personal importance are of little consideration in the turmoil
of May day.
May 3. —The Tallahassee “ Sentinel” of 20th of
Pnnce Murat April announces in the following terms the death of a
scion of the Bonaparte stock, who has resided in this
country, a naturalized American, for many years : “ Prince Charles
Napoleon Achille Murat expired at his residence in Jefferson
County, Florida, on Thursday last, the 15 th inst. He was the son
of Joachim and Caroline Bonaparte Murat, King and Queen of30 6
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 67,
Naples; the former the celebrated marshal of Napoleon, the mirror
of chivalry and valour; the other, a sister of the immortal emperor.
After the expulsion of his family from Italy, Prince Murat resided
in Austria until 1821, when he removed to this country. He has
spent most of his days in Florida, in all the quiet and retirement of
a country gentleman.’* He was borne to the grave in this city, on
Saturday, attended by his Masonic brethren of Jackson Lodge, and
by a concourse of citizens. Minute-guns were fired during the
moving of the procession, and he was interred with all the solemn
ceremonies of the Masonic order.
May 7. — This was a day of rejoicing ordered by the
Rejoicing and authorities to celebrate the victories of our armies
Illunnnation. J
in Mexico. There was a grand military display, sal-
vos of one hundred guns, a general display of flags from all the
vessels in the harbour, and from every public edifice in the city
which had the bunting to show. In the evening occurred an illu-
mination of all conspicuous houses; the City Hall and other public
buildings, hotels, and club-houses were lighted up, and transpar-
encies exhibited, in which Scott and Taylor, Worth and Wool, were
blazoned forth by “ inch of candle ; ” and Palo Alto, Resaca de los
Palmos, Monterey, Buena Vista, and la Vera Cruz were as familiar
to the tongues of old age and infancy, male and female, gentlefolk
and common folk, as the places where they were born.
I went with my daughters and Mr. William Hoppin to see the
show. The crowd in the streets was great beyond description.
Broadway, for its whole length, was a solid mass, and in the Park
it looked as if humanity was piled three or four deep. We went
along with the tide (for returning was impracticable) as far as
St. Paul’s Church, and thence up Chatham street and the Bowery,
home, where we arrived tired and bruised, but gratified with what
we had seen; and not much the worse for wear, for, although the
crowd was so great, it was a good-natured crowd, — a little scream-
ing, some swearing, but more laughing, and no accidents that I
have heard of.THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	307
May 10. — Scarcely had the last inch of candle shed
its rays, and the last charge of powder sounded the
harmless blast of rejoicing for battles fought and gained
by the Americans in Mexico; scarcely had the bells ceased to toll
and the drooping flags been hauled down from the mast, which
have been the sounds and symbols of mourning for American
blood shed in acquiring these victories, — than we are called upon
to record another triumph of the invading army.
General Scott achieved a decisive victory over the Mexican
forces under Santa Anna, on the 18th of April. It was a hard-
fought battle; the loss of the Mexicans was immense. They fight
bravely and die hard; they are beaten again and again, and will not
stay beaten. This battle was fought in the mountains and amongst
the chaparrals. The rout was complete; besides the dreadful
loss in killed, our army took six thousand prisoners, including two
generals, with ten or twelve other officers of high importance, who
were all sent to report themselves to our commandant at la Vera
Cruz, and thence, by their own choice, are to come to the United
States. The commander-in-chief, General Santa Anna, had a
narrow escape. By cutting loose one of the mules from his
travelling-carriage and mounting her, he got clear into the moun-
tains, leaving his equipage in the hands of the victor (to whom, as
we have it from high authority, “ belong the spoils ”), with his rich
service of plate for General Scott’s use, and his wooden leg, which
I pray the latter may never have occasion to use.
. But now comes the dark side of the picture. More precious
blood has been shed. General Shields, one of the bravest of the
brave, was desperately, probably mortally, wounded. The names
of the killed and wounded are not given, nor is there as yet any
official account. If matters continue at this rate the Mexicans will
be exterminated, our own precious blood will be shed in the
achievement, and the nation will gain nothing by the conquest.
While these victories are gained on the land, the seaports in the
bay are falling one after another into the hands of the navy, from
1847.]
Another
Victory.308
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JE tat. 67.
whom the army has received the most efficient help and harmoni-
ous cooperation since the fall of la Vera Cruz and its formidable
defences. Alvarado has been captured, and this morning we have
accounts of the Port of Tuspan, sixty or seventy miles north from
la Vera Cruz, having been taken by the squadron under command
of Commodore Perry. Among the names mentioned of the
wounded, incidentally, in the vague accounts of this battle, I per-
ceive that of Lieutenant McLane, whom I take to be the son of my
friend, Louis McLane, of Baltimore, late Minister to England. It
will turn out, I think, that this has been the most disastrous battle
for the Mexicans. Poor creatures ! they are paying severely for
the unpardonable sin of rejecting the modest, unassuming pleni-
potentiary, Mr. John Slidell. I rejoice that my friend Scott has
brought himself up so finely; this battle adds a broad leaf to the
laurel wreath which he gained at la Vera Cruz.
Mr. and Mrs. Webster were at Charleston, S. C., on
South^ ^thC t^ie 29^ u^*> on which day he partook of a public
dinner, the invitation to which was signed by sixty-two
names, comprising all the chivalry of Carolina. The affair was
gotten up in good taste, and marked with the best sort of feeling,
in the preparatory meeting and the Mayor of Charleston pre-
sided. The resolutions were proposed, and a highly complimentary
speech made, by Colonel Hayne, in the struggle with whom Mr.
Webster, in the celebrated debate in the Senate on Footed reso-
lutions, acquired his brightest laurels, and gained a proud victory
over an opponent of his prowess
May 13. — The Hone Club dined with J. Prescott
Club Dinner. Hall. The attendance, owing to absence from town,
sickness, and death in families, was unusually small, con-
sisting of the following members : Hall, John Ward, Grinnell, George
Curtis, Paul Spofford, Draper, Bowen, and myself; in addition
to whom were Judge Nelson, of the Supreme Court of the United
States; Judge Betts, United States District Court; Judges Beardsley
and Jewett, Supreme Court of the State; and Mr. Charles King.1847.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
309
May 14. — We had a pleasant party at supper, consisting of Mr.
and Mrs. DePeyster, Mr. and Mrs. Foster, Mr. and Mrs. John
Hone, Mr. and Mrs. Van Schaick, Mrs. Oddie and Alida, Mr. and
Mrs. Isaac Hone, Dr. Matthews, his two daughters and son; Mr.
Anthon, his daughters; William and Hamilton Hoppin, Mr. Wil-
liam Wood and Miss Wood, William Ashurst, Mr. Muller, and
Mr. Francis Dorr.
member of Congress, inviting me to attend a great convention to
be held at Chicago, Illinois, on the 5 th of July. The object of this
convention is to put forward the claims upon the government of
the enterprising citizens of the great western lake country, and
consequently to rebuke the contumelious treatment they have
received from the person who has, accidentally, obtained the power
to defeat the wise and constitutional measures adoped by the peo-
ple’s representatives. I have replied to Mr. Mosely’s letter, accept-
ing the invitation of the committee, and promising to be at Chicago
on the 5 th of July, my health permitting. This fits in well. I have
been making arrangements to go early next month to Lake Michi-
gan, Green Bay, and Chicago; and here is an additional induce-
ment.
May 31. — Among the liberal donations for the relief of the
famished Irish which have passed through the hands of the com-
mittee was one received last week, of $5,000, from Messrs. Corcoran
and Riggs, of Washington. These gentlemen have made a princely
fortune by taking the whole of the last government six-per-cent,
loan, and have thus, with becoming liberality, contributed of their
abundance to this good object. The capture of la Vera Cruz and
the battle of Buena Vista furnished the means of sending a thousand
barrels of com to Ireland; and Scott and Taylor, whilst employed
in knocking out the brains of Mexicans, were unconsciously the
instruments of saving the lives of Irishmen.
Chicago
Convention.
May 26. — I received yesterday a circular letter
from the Hon. William A. Mosely, chairman of the cor-
responding committee of Buffalo, an estimable Whig3io
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 67.
June i. — The glorious harbour of New York pre-
Harbour^ sented to-day an animated picture. Vessels of every
description, from the largest-class frigate to the little,
fairy skiff, with magnificent steamers, carrying out, to its utmost
extent, the American go-ahead principle, and noble merchantmen
loaded down with the staff of life for hungry Europe, waiting for a
wind to hoist sail and away. Several causes operated to increase
the usual animation of this great aquatic theatre. The new steamer
“ Washington,” the first government mail vessel intended for Eng-
land and the continent, went to sea. She takes out Mr. Hobbie, an
agent of the general post-office department, who goes to establish
an international system of postage with the European governments.
A great steamboat race came off between the “ Cornelius Vander-
bilt,” which bears the name of her enterprising proprietor, and the
“ Oregon,” Captain Law. They went to Croton Point and returned,
seventy-five miles, in three hours and fifteen minutes, — a rate of
speed which would carry a vessel to Liverpool in five or six days.
The “ Oregon ” gained the race, and Captain Vanderbilt was beaten
for once. The annual regatta of the Yacht Club was to have taken
place, but there was not wind enough to start the boats. I intended
to have gone down with my daughter in the steamer “ Eureka,”
which was provided by the club to accompany the yachts, with the
members. The affair was postponed until to-morrow. Among the
other incidents of the day interesting to the spectators on the Bat-
tery was the arrival of the “Southerner” from Charleston, with
Mr. Webster and other distinguished passengers.
Harrisburg, June 10. — We left Philadelphia at
journey to the seyen 0>cioc^ and came to this place, one hundred and
six miles by railroad, at three o'clock. The weather is
warm, but a fine breeze made the ride delightful. The road passes
through one of the most fertile and best-cultivated districts in the
United States; but there is not a pretty town on the route, and
none of any note but Lancaster; nor is Harrisburg, though dignified
by the name of the capital of the great State of Pennsylvania, any-1847.]	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	3 11
thing more than a miserable collection of lawyers’ offices and
barber-shops. There is not a handsome edifice in the place, that
we could find, with the exception of the State-House and public
offices, which are in good style, but constructed of the everlasting
red brick and white marble. The town is beautifully situated on
an eminence overlooking the Susquehanna, which is here a fine
stream, and deserves something better than this loaferrlooking city
to grace its banks. We have determined, as a choice of evils, to go
to-morrow to Pittsburg by the canal, although we shall be three
nights on the voyage, in preference to one hundred and fifty
miles of stage travelling by Chambersburg, on dusty roads in this
warm weather.
June ii. — At three o’clock we embarked in the
Canai^1Vania canal_k°at “ Delaware,” Captain Kellar, on a canal
voyage of more than two hundred miles. The weather
is pleasant, and we have an agreeable set of passengers; not too
many. The day does very well, but the sleeping is tolerably un-
comfortable (there is not much of that, however). The delay on
this, the first day of our long voyage, is rather discouraging; there
has been a breach in the canal, which has caused an accumulation
of loaded boats; but the scenery is splendid. Just at the sun-set-
ting (a more glorious one I never saw) we came to the junction of
the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers, fifteen miles from Harrisburg,
where the boat crosses the dam, the tow-path being conveyed
across on a long bridge of light and delicate construction, on piers
of massive and solid masonry. At the mouth of the Juniata is a
handsome mansion and fine estate of four hundred acres, called
Duncan’s Island, belonging to a lady of that name, whose character
seems to be worthy of such a position. Here we leave the Susque-
hanna, and follow the course of the Juniata, — a beautiful stream,
abounding in romantic and picturesque scenery.
En Route, June 12.—The breach in the canal caused us to
stop several hours during the night, and this morning, at sunrise, the
“ Commet,” a huge coal-boat, had the bad manners to get stuck312
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 67.
across the canal (what better could be expected from a fellow who
spells Comet with two m’s ?). Here I witnessed a gallant exploit
of our captain, — the raising a swell’ which is thus performed : he
puts six horses on the tow-lines, backs the boat, and then, dashing
on with the fury of the horses in the hippodrome, raises a swell
like the waves at Rockaway. The first onset removed the “ Com-
met ” a little from her orbit, and the second carried us triumphantly
through the obstacle. The sight of this spirited display of canal
tactics compensated for the delay. We sat down to breakfast and
went on our way rejoicing.
Canal, June 13. — This canal-travelling is pleasant enough in
the daytime, but the sleeping is awful. There are two cabins, in
which the men-folk and the women-folk are separated by a red
curtain. In the former apartment the sleepers are packed away on
narrow shelves, fastened to the sides of the boat, like dead pigs in
a Cincinnati pork warehouse. We go to bed at nine o’clock, and
rise when we are told in the morning; for the bedsteads are formed
of the seats and the tables. “ A couch by night, a chest of drawers
by day ! ” If I should ever be so happy as to sleep in my own
bed again, my comfort will be enhanced by the remembrance of
my present limited, hard, sheetless dormitory.
June 14. — An extra car brought us from Holidaysburg, at six
o’clock this morning, to take the Portage railroad across the Alle-
ghany mountains to Johnstown,—thirty-six miles,—which is effected
by ten inclined planes, five ascending and five descending, similar
to those on the Delaware and Hudson railroad. It is somewhat
exciting, but nothing when we get used to it. The scenery of
these mountains is astonishingly grand, wild beyond description;
and would have been gratifying but for the hard rain and extreme
cold, which compelled us to keep the windows closed. The delay
of the early part of this tedious voyage still follows us. Being an
extra train, nothing was ready; locomotives were to be sent for,
and horses not to be had. We have lost already three days since
we left Philadelphia, and while writing, the new boat, the “ Louis-1847.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
313
iana,” lies at the dock at Johnstown, waiting for the passengers who
were a day behind us. Six o’clock. The cars are in; an influx
of passengers, of not so good a description as the original set, have
come on board, with a fair quantity of crying children and vulgar
mothers, and we are off once more.
June 15. — Our canal voyage has been pleasant, on the whole?
though tedious, and longer than it should have been by a day
and a night at least, owing to delays on the first night, which we
could not recover during the voyage. But we arrived at “ the
Birmingham of America ” at eleven o’clock this evening. I re-
gretted the necessity of entering the city at night; but its appear-
ance was quite a novelty: bright flames issuing from foundries,
glass and gas works, and rolling-mills, steam-engines puffing like
broken-winded horses, and heavy clouds of smoke making the
night’s darkness darker, gave us a grand entree to Pittsburg, where
we are sumptuously lodged at the Monongahela House.
June 16. — This is one of the most active, business-
At Pittsburg, like places I have ever seen, with every appearance
of present prosperity and future greatness; manufac-
tures of iron, glass, and machinery are carried on extensively and
under great advantages; iron abounds in every valley, and bitumi-
nous coal of the best quality comes cantering down from the
surrounding mountains, and is delivered by contract at four and
a half cents per bushel, or about $1.20 the long ton. A place so
situated, with such natural advantages, must rise to greatness. I
have seen nothing like it in Pennsylvania.
staterooms, and good company, and arrived here this morning in
time to dress and attend divine worship at Christ Church, — an
Episcopal congregation. Cincinnati is a noble city, as I expected,
of seventy-five thousand inhabitants, with splendid private dwellings
and every appearance of prosperity.
At Cincin-
nati.
June 20. — The voyage down the Ohio — four hun-
dred and ninety-six miles — has been exceedingly pleas-
ant. We had a fine boat, excellent fare, comfortable3 H
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[/Etat. 67.
At Lex-
ington.
June 24. — Mr. Clay sent us last evening a note,
inviting us to breakfast. Mr. Crittenden, Margaret,
and I went out this morning to Ashland. A more
delightful visit cannot be imagined; I shall ever remember it as
one of the bright spots in my life. Our illustrious host received us
with the utmost kindness. He looks well, and talks, as usual, “ like
a book.” Recent events have cast a shade of melancholy over
his expressive countenance, without diminishing the warmth of
his friendly feelings, but rather adding an interest to their ex-
pression. He talked much to me about his son. He was bap-
tized on Sunday, preparatory to his joining the Episcopal Church.
After breakfast (such a breakfast as could only be found in such
a mansion and such a country) he took us around his grounds.
I never saw so fine a farm; his crops of wheat, Indian corn, and
hemp are in the highest degree of perfection, his trees (nearly
all of which were planted by himself) magnificent, and the stock
do credit to the pastures on which they are reared. Why should
such a man, so situated, desire to succeed in public office a man
like James K. Polk?
After spending three or four hours in this pleasant
Mr. ciay. manner, Mr. Clay brought us to town, and drove me
in his carriage about the environs, to see the public
edifices, private dwellings, and beautiful adjacent country. We
then parted (never perhaps to meet again). Long life and
honour to Henry Clay! I am as deeply impressed with his hos-
pitality in private as I ever have been with his talents and
patriotism in public life. How have I been gratified with this
fortunate visit, which brought my daughter and me in friendly
communion with two such men as Henry Clay and John J.
Crittenden, not forgetting that prince of good fellows, Gov-
ernor Letcher.
June 25.—We came from Frankfort—fifty-four
At Louisville, miles — by the stage. The day has been very hot, and
we had a heavy load of passengers, among whom was1847-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
315
General Shelby, son of the celebrated governor of that name,
whose acquaintance I made at Lexington. We stopped to dine at
Shelbyville, — a pretty town twenty-two miles from Frankfort. The
road is good, and the country through which it passes, like the
whole of western Kentucky, beautiful; fine farms, highly cultivated
with heavy crops of Indian com, hemp, and wheat; rich valleys,
“ standing so thick with com that they do laugh and sing; ” and
forests in which the handiwork of nature has left nothing for the
improvement of art. These are the bright pictures of this fine
country; I have seen nothing to mar them either in the State or
its inhabitants. We are lodged in the Galt House, under the
charge of its gentlemanly proprietor, Major Throckmorton, the
acknowledged prince of landlords.
At the last lock, the new passengers all went ashore to see Porter,
the Kentucky giant. He keeps a large hotel, and makes a good
living out of the curiosity of travellers who stop to drink with him.
The captain introduced me to the great man. He said he had
heard of me in New York, talked with me (the only one of fifty men
present), and wished me a pleasant voyage and safe return. This
mighty piece of humanity is seven feet eight inches in height,
thirty-five years of age. I stood at his side; he stretched out his
arm at right angles with his body, and it was six inches above my
head. He is not so fine a looking man as when I saw him in New
York, and complains of bad health. I fear that this last of the race
of giants will have run his earthly race ere long. These people
persist in calling me Colonel’ notwithstanding I tell them that I
am plain Mister. Well, I would rather have the people’s com-
mission than that of President Polk, or Governor Young.
Father of Rivers.” This interesting ceremony takes place at a
settlement called Cairo, on the extreme southerly point of the
State of Illinois. The moon being obscured, and my sight, from
On the Mis-
sissippi.
June 29. — I was called out of my berth by my re-
quest to the clerk, at two o’clock this ‘morning, to wit-
ness the union of the “ Queen of the West ” with “ The316
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JEtat. 67.
being suddenly called up, not very clear, I could only judge of the
situation of the place, but saw enough of it to satisfy me that it
was not Grand Cairo. We have now followed the course of the
Ohio from its commencement at Pittsburg, where the confluence
of the Alleghany and*Monongahela forms its origin, one hundred
miles, to the spot where it becomes lost in the Mississippi. The
river is rising, there is plenty of turbid yellow water, and no more
danger of getting aground.
June 30. — We came to this great city (for such it
At st. Louis, truly is) at six o’clock in the evening of this lovely
30th of June, three weeks since our departure from
New York, and put up at the Planters’ House, — one of those great
hotels which astonish us in the great West. After tea, according to
my practice, I started to perambulate the busy haunts of this
Western Babylon. I walked the whole extent of the front on the
river, called (as is usual in the Western cities) the levee, and my
astonishment at the scene there represented is greater than I can
describe. Fifty large steamboats, at least, lie head on, taking in
and discharging their cargoes; some constantly arriving from New
Orleans and other ports on the Mississippi; Cincinnati, Louisville,
etc., on the Ohio; from the great Missouri and its tributaries; the
Illinois river, where we are bound, and the whole Western and
Southern waters, which make this place their mart; whilst others
are departing, full of passengers, and deeply laden with the multifari-
ous products of this remarkable region. The whole of the levee
is covered, as far as the eye can see, with merchandise landed or
to be shipped; thousands of barrels of flour and bags of corn,
hogsheads of tobacco, and immense piles of lead (one of the
great staples), whilst foreign merchandise and the products of the
lower country are carried away to be lodged in the stores which
form the front of the city. My walk led me through the Corlears’
hook and ship yards of St. Louis; among boatmen, draymen, and
labourers, white and black; French^ Irish, and German, drinking,
singing, and lounging on benches. This was an excursion whichi847-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
317
few travellers would undertake, especially after dark; but I like
it, and, as the man said who went to be married, when asked by
the priest, “ Wilt thou take this woman to be thy wedded wife? ” I
answer, “ Sartainly; I came for that.”
July i.—We left St. Louis with infinite regret, at five o’clock
this afternoon, on board the steamer “ Domain,” for Peoria and
Peru, on the way to Chicago. I have more to say about St. Louis
than I can find time for. We have met with here (as we have in
our whole progress) the most distinguished attentions. Many gen-
tlemen have called upon me with offers of services which our short
sojourn prevents us from accepting. Colonel Benton, the Missouri
senator, the great gun of the great West, called with his niece, Miss
Brant (the daughter of Colonel Brant, who has one of the finest
establishments in the city), and took us in his carriage to see every-
thing worthy of note in the city and its environs, — the churches
(which are very numerous), the convents, the college, and arsenal,
and market-places, and a number of beautiful country-seats.
July 4. — Chicago is truly the wonder of the West-
At Chicago, ern world. It was ceded to the Americans by the
Winnebagoes after General Scott’s treaty in February,
1831, and now it is a large town, beautifully situated at the head
of Lake Michigan, a transcendently beautiful Mediterranean sea,
with streets laid out at right angles, streets of stores, and fleets of
vessels; cottages for people of taste, brick houses for people of
wealth, hotels for travelling people, and churches for good people.
July 8. — We arrived soon after daylight at Mil-
Miiwaukee. waukee, where we remained until ten o’clock. Here is
another wonder of the Western world, — an Aladdin’s
palace on a large scale, raised in a night, but likely to be of longer
duration. The town is well situated, in the State of Wisconsin,
ninety-five miles below Chicago, with a fine harbour; streets of
business filled with wagons, some conveying the merchandise of
New York into the interior of the State, and others bringing in new
country produce, and taking out old country immigrants; churches,318
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 67.
printing-offices, markets, and milliners, — and all these in a place
where twelve years ago there were just three log-shanties.
and a handy boy to drive, on this journey of forty-four miles.
But such a journey I never suffered ; the road until the last seven
or eight miles lies through a dense forest, generally beech and
maple, with now and then a clearance, with the trees still burning;
a log-cabin, with swarms of children; pigs; a cow, perhaps; and a
pot boiling upon the cross-sticks. Every mile we meet a family of
German emigrants, with their goods and chattels stowed away in a
huge ox-wagon, with legs of all sizes projecting, from those of the
mother, of the size and form of a horse-block, to the pipe-stems of
the latest pledge of connubial industry. The road, with the exception
of the first six miles to the new and thriving settlement at the falls
of the beautiful Sheybogan river, and the last six on the prairies of
Fond-du-Lac, is abominable; stumps and roots alternate with
stones so thickly sown that there is no room for the wheels to pass
between them; and occasionally, that art should come in to dispute
with nature the credit of the construction of this via infemale, a
bridge formed of rough logs, of all sizes and forms, is thrown over
a deep swamp of black mud. Thus we came plunging into holes,
and brought up by stumps, at the rate of two miles an hour, in the
hottest day there has been this summer. Besides all this, we have
the delightful prospect of returning by this road on Monday.
Governor Tallmadge, who, with his daughter, has been a fellow-
sufferer in another wagon, kindly insisted upon our becoming his
guests at his log-cabin three miles from Fond-du-Lac, and here we
hope (if the mosquitoes will let us) to sleep away the fatigue and
soreness of our hard day’s journey.
At Fond-du-
Lac.
July 10.—My business at Sheybogan being accom-
plished, Margaret and I started this morning, at seven
o’clock, in an open wagon, with a good pair of horses
On Lake
Huron.
July 17. — Our misfortunes are not yet ended.
We were dining at the St. Marie’s Hotel, when news
was brought that the steamboat, with all our baggage*847-3
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
319
on board, had started fifteen minutes before her time. We rushed
down to the wharf and made signals to her. To our great joy
she laid by; we put off in a small boat, were nearly run down,
were hauled on board at the risk of our lives, and thus ends the
adventures of Sault Ste. Marie. We are now on Lake Huron,
steaming down to Detroit, almost home, — only about twelve hun-
dred miles to go.
July 19. — Detroit is a busy, active city of twelve or fifteen
thousand inhabitants, with wide streets, handsome shops, and
plenty of fine churches.
July 20. — A fine day, but very hot. At five
Erie"^6 o’clock this morning we came to Cleveland, in the
State of Ohio, about half-way between Detroit and
Buffalo. This is a pretty town, with a good show of busi-
ness, many fine private buildings, displaying a great deal of
taste and neatness.
July 21. — I find it exceedingly difficult to call to
At Buffalo. my recollection the city of Buffalo as I formerly knew
it. Rows of warehouses occupy ground which was
then vacant, and corn-fields and gardens have made way for
streets of brick houses. The basin and harbour are so obstructed
with steamboats and lake crafts that hours are consumed in the
ingress and egress.
July 23. — I went to bed at the Falls last night at
Niagara. an early hour, fatigued with my day’s exercise, and
labouring under an indisposition of several days’ stand-
ing, which made me less able to stand the fatigue. After a rest-
less night I arose this morning very early, and while sitting at my
window, from which I had a fine view of the rapids on the Ameri-
can side, the morning sun arose clear, bright, and glorious, lighting
up the agitated waters, which, foaming and tossing about in fan-
tastic forms, rushed with the speed and fury of a wild horse on
the prairies to the awful brink of its grand descent into the whirl-
pool below. It seemed like a sea of melted silver casting out320
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
fiEtat. 67.
myriads of sparkling jewels to meet the sunbeams’ early embraces;
languid and faint, I gazed with awe and admiration, and felt how
insignificant an object I was in this glorious pageant of Divine
power.
July 25. — On my arrival at Buffalo I found a
daigua letter from my friend Mr. Granger, of Canandaigua,
inviting us, in the kindest and most pressing manner,
to pass a day or two at his noble mansion. This chimed in so
well with our arrangements, and the promise it held out of an
agreeable resting-place, induced us to accept the invitation without
hesitation, and I wrote to that effect previous to our hasty visit to
Niagara.
Canandaigua is widely different from the youthful towns of the
West, where the people do not find time to live as they might;
taste is troublesome, and comfort costs time; eating dinner inter-
feres with some go-ahead operations, and shutting the door re-
quires the use of hinges and locks. Here, from the princely
residence of Mr. Grieg to the house of the industrious mechanic,
many of those items are seen which collectively, according to their
several conditions, make up the enjoyments of life. We had Mr.
Mark H. Sibley at dinner yesterday, and Mr. and Mrs. Grieg on
their return from Rochester passed the evening with us, and Mr.
Wood, the antiquarian and philanthropist, came after dinner. I
am very sick. My friend Granger’s hospitality is thrown away.
July 12. — We have been from home seven weeks,
At Home. travelled, according to my account, three thousand
nine hundred and sixty-seven miles; seen everything for
the first time, met with many distinguished persons, and received
everywhere marks of kindness and respect, ever to be gratefully
remembered. We have accomplished everything we undertook, by
the plan laid down, and all has gone well, excepting my indisposi-
tion, under which I have laboured for the last three or four weeks.
I have not permitted it to interrupt my travelling, but I return not
half the man I went forth.*847-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
321
July 31. — Accidents, disastrous and generally fatal, are of almost
daily occurrence in this country of rapid progress and reckless
management. There may be a hope that these evils may be reme-
died in part by greater prudence, resulting from more experience
in the use of that dreadful agent, steam, and the machinery used in
its operations; but the accidents occasioned by racing call for the
remedies of strong laws, rigidly enforced, and public opinion unde-
viatingly directed.
accomplished and amiable author. I anticipate a treat in reading
it. “ I roll it like a sweet morsel under my tongue,” and shall
reserve the gratification until I get to Rockaway, where, from
the preparations going on around me, we are destined to be
very soon. Prescott has established his claim to rank as the histo-
rian of the United States; and good taste and discriminating criti-
cism, now and in all future time, will not hesitate to assign him an
exalted place among the most distinguished historians of Europe of
former or contemporaneous times.
Rockaway, Aug. 6. — Sick and sorrowful, I am trying a new ex-
periment. Rockaway air and bathing may do that for me which
the Franciscan treatment has failed to accomplish. It may enable
my stomach to retain some food, and restore in some degree my
exhausted strength. Rockaway has not failed hitherto. I will
grapple with the enemy; but, alas ! I have no stomach for the
contest.
which occurred on Monday last at Niagara. Mr. Stuyvesant was a
grandson of Governor Stuyvesant, and inherited a large share of his
immense estate. He has no children. The particulars of his will
are as follows : To Hamilton Fish, Gerard Stuyvesant, and the son
Conquest
of Peru.
August 4. — I found on my table, on my return from
the West, a copy of Mr. Prescott’s new work, “The
Conquest of Peru,”—a presentation copy from the
Death of Mr.
Stuyvesant.
August 18. — The papers brought down from the
city contain the intelligence, received by the magnetic
telegraph, of the death of Mr. Peter G. Stuyvesant,322
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 67.
of Mr. Rutherford, who married his ward, Miss Chanler, half a
million each, the boy to take the testator’s name. To his widow,
$12,000 a year, with the house and furniture; the residue of the
estate to be divided among his other nephews and nieces, which
is estimated to produce $100,000 each. How much this gentle-
man’s son lost by never having been born !
National Academy, and attracts crowds of visitors from morning
to night. And so it ought, for it is admirable. I have no rule by
which to estimate the merit, or appreciate the faultless beauty, of
this statue which could guide me in placing it below the Venus de
Medici. I have no personal acquaintance with Powers, nor had I
with Praxiteles; but I am not willing to undervalue my countryman
because he was not born so soon as the other gentleman of the
chisel. I certainly never saw anything more lovely.
gratification it can be called to read accounts of the fiercest battles
and shedding of blood which have ever occurred on this continent.
General Scott has gained a great victory under the walls of
Mexico. The modern Cortez wades through Mexican blood to
conquer again the ancient city and subjugate anew the unhappy
descendants of the Montezumas. He has gained a great victory,
but with the loss of a thousand of his own army, poorly compensated
for by that of five thousand of the enemy. He attacked the
Mexicans under Santa Anna, who were strongly entrenched and
well provided with artillery and ammunition, and whose numbers
are stated at from twenty to thirty-two thousand, with a force of
seven thousand, and drove them in with horrid slaughter. This
battle was fought on the 19th and 20th of August, during an uninter-
rupted and drenching rain. The details are sickening. Scott and
The Greek
Slave.
September 13. — A beautiful piece of statuary, the
work of Hiram Powers, the celebrated American
sculptor at Rome, is now being exhibited at the
Battle of
Mexico.
September 14.—The anxiety which has prevailed
for several days past to* learn the progress of this
glorious, but dreadful, war is at length gratified, if1*47.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
323
Worth have added new, but blood-stained, laurels to their already
over-burdened brows. Their brothers in arms have well sustained
their former reputation, and the men fought like tigers; but of their
number enough have been killed and wounded to satisfy the most
unreasonable admirers of this unrighteous war. The names of the
officers whose blood now stains the approaches to the city, the
object of our cupidity and rapacity, are published in detail, and I
distinguish many whose fate will cause silent tears to fall from the
eyes of loving mothers and loud curses from philanthropists and
patriots.
September 25.— The venerable, amiable old man
Death of could not make out his century. The pale light of the
Major Popham.	J	r o
lamp went out, the worn-out machinery ceased to
move, the attenuated cord no longer retained its hold, and the old
man of ninety-five years left this day the generation of men, amongst
whom age had made him a stranger. A man in the prime of life
at the Declaration of Independence, he fought the battles of his
country, and exchanging, at the termination of the glorious struggle,
his continental uniform for .the habiliments of a life of peace, wit-
nessed the rise and progress of New York from a handful to an
armful; from a little clump of ill-built tenements of which Wall and
Broad streets were the limits, to the magnificent capital of the
Empire State; from twenty thousand to four hundred thousand
inhabitants.
September 28. — It is to be hoped that the senseless
West Point, clamour of ignorant fools in Congress, who have been
placed by constituents as ignorant as themselves in a
situation where folly becomes dangerous, and ignorance is supported
by power, will now cease to be employed against the noble insti-
tution, the military academy of West Point. The utility of this
establishment has been proved to the full extent of the favourable
predictions of its friends, and the utter overthrow of the disparag-
ing prognostications of its enemies. The students of West Point
have been foremost in the career of glory in the Mexican war, in324
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 67.
the front of the battle, reckless of danger, adding to the most
chivalric bravery the benefit of military science acquired at this
excellent national school. These lads, in gathering a rich harvest
of renown for themselves, have effectually succeeded in rescuing
the fountain, from which their science and practice were derived,
from the poisonous effusion of the malice and prejudice of the
Allens and others, worthy representatives in Congress of an igno-
rant and prejudiced constituency. Among our New York boys*
whom West Point has sent out as samples to the wars, are Hamilton
(John C. Hamilton’s son), Graham (son of J. Lorimer Graham),
Herman Thom’s son, all of whom were wounded in the battles of
Mexico; Chandler, son of General Chandler, and Clay, whose
testimony was sealed with their life’s blood; all have done their
duty, and the nation may be proud of the seminary in which they
were taught.
October 8. — How the cavernous eyes of Webster must have
looked out from under the heavy archway of his expansive brows,
when, in his late speech at Springfield, in which he laid open with a
bold hand the secret springs and corrupt motives which produced
the Mexican war, he used, with satirical bitterness, the following
expression. Speaking of the mysterious policy of Mr. Polk, in fur-
nishing to Santa Anna a safe-conduct from Cuba, his place of exile,
to his Government of Mexico, the Massachusetts senator remarked,
“ That the President must be gratified to know that in the subsequent
battles, which have cost so much blood and treasure, the command-
ing general on both sides was of his own choosing.”
October 18. — The meeting of the convention has
ve^tionPal Con*fiUed the city with Episcopal clergymen, and our pul-
pits with able preachers, very much, I dare say, to the
relief of the regular officiators, whose new sermons (if they have
any) may be laid aside for future use. I heard, with great pleas-
ure, two bishops yesterday, — Bishop McCoskry, of Michigan,
preached, in the morning, in Trinity, and Bishop Jones, in the even-
ing, in the Church of the Ascension, to crowded congregations.1847.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
325
One may know these reverend visitors in the streets by their good-
looking, complacent, self-satisfied countenances, well-brushed black
coats and white neck-cloths, and gentlemanly, dignified deport-
ment. Some of them may be seen with neat little wives hanging
on their arms, well dressed, each with a little satin bonnet, a little
inclining to be gay; and many a wistful glance is cast at Beck’s,
and Seaman & Muir’s, and Rogers’ windows, and at Stewart’s palace
of haberdashery, with a suppressed sigh of regret that the doctor’s
stipend is so small. It may be a subject of doubt whether this
autumnal visit to New York will make these worthy folk feel better
during the winter.
October 22.— I dined yesterday with Mr. Bradish, the first
dinner-party at which I have been since my return from the West.
The temptation was too great to be resisted, and I went. Weak as
I am, I enjoyed myself exceedingly. Our party consisted of Mr.
and Mrs. Bradish and Miss Hart; Bishop Potter, of Pennsylvania;
Rev. Dr. Taylor, Grace Church; Professor Agassiz, lately of France,
who has been appointed Professor of Natural History on the Law-
rence foundation of Harvard College; Mr. Joseph R. Ingersoll,
Philadelphia; Colonel Memminger, Charleston, S.C.; Mr. Hamil-
ton Fish, John A. King, Samuel B. Ruggles, H. Van Rensselaer,
John C. Hamilton, and myself.
October 25. — I am sixty-seven years of age. My
My Birthday, mind, thanks to my Heavenly Father, is unimpaired, as
I am still encouraged to hope; but I am weak in body,
and labouring still under the effects of the protracted illness which
I brought home with me last summer from the West. My flesh
has departed, but my spirit remains; my knees tremble, but my
heart is stout; as I said, the other day, in a letter to Mr. Wood, of
Canandaigua, who inquired kindly about my health, “ I am weak
as the argument of an unfeed lawyer, thin as the fourth day’s soup
of a shin of beef, and cross as a disappointed barnburner.” I
think, however, I shall get up again; but, if it shall be otherwise
ordered by my Divine Master, I trust I shall have resignation, faith,326
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JE tat. 67.
and hope to enable me to say, in sincerity of heart and fulness of
conviction, " Thy will be done.”
General Scott entered Mexico on the 14th of Sep-
MexioT °f tember, after a series of battles, in which the greatest
gallantry was displayed by the Americans, and in which
the commander and his officers covered themselves with glory; but
the conquest was obtained at an awful expense of American blood.
These victories and the occupations of the city cost three thousand
men, killed and wounded, leaving six or seven thousand men to
sustain themselves in a conquered city of two hundred thousand
exasperated, desperate Mexicans.
The particulars of the bloody engagements which preceded the
capture of Mexico, the resignation of General Santa Anna, the as-
tonishing achievements of Scott, Worth, Quitman, Persifor Smith,
Pillow, Twiggs, and the whole band of heroes, are all recorded in a
paper of Saturday, which I have preserved. Scott’s march to
Mexico with his handful of men, through an unknown country filled
with infuriated bands of armed guerillas, and the occupation of the
city by the American forces, is an event equal to the most brilliant
recorded in history. But, alas ! how dearly has this glory been
purchased ! The list of killed and wounded is also contained in
this paper. The best blood in the country has been shed. Worth
lost eighteen hundred men. Thorn’s gallant son has been
wounded again; severely this time. Thomas Morris’s young son
was killed; Major Twiggs fell gallantly fighting; but the melancholy
record would occupy too much space in my journal. National
glory is attained at the expense of individual distress; the tears of
the survivors may not blot out the record, but it will be sadly
defaced. Colonel McIntosh and Col. Martin Scott, two of Worth’s
brigade, were killed in the sanguinary charge of the 8th; the
former died of his wounds on the 24th. Bravest among the brave,
the loss of such men cannot be compensated by the conquest of the
whole country we are fighting for. Cannot Polk, and Buchanan,i847.] *
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
327
and Marcy be prevailed upon to go and take a hand in the beautiful
game they are making others play?
the glory of West Point, their military alma-mater, there are sev-
eral New York boys, sons of our friends and associates, who, if they
ever get back, will come to their homes covered with glory, jewels
in our city’s treasury, the pride of their parents and the children of
the Republic. These are the fruits of a West Point education.
Shame on the malignant demagogues who have laboured to over-
throw such an institution ! The following are foremost in the list
of young heroes, whom we claim as our own : —
Schuyler Hamilton, son of John C. Hamilton, grandson of
General Schuyler and Alexander Hamilton, is an aide of General
Scott. With such blood in his veins, and such a name, he could
not fail to acquit himself with honour. Nobly has he sustained
them. He was badly wounded in a dangerous reconnaissance,
and was rescued by Lieutenant Graham, son of Mr. S. Lorimer
Graham, another of our boys who has signalized himself.
Lieutenant Thom, son of Col. Herman Thorn, brave as the
bravest, is aide to Colonel Garland. Twice he has been wounded,
and was always found in the thickest of the fight.
Lieutenant Alfred Gibbs, of the Rifles, was wounded in the des-
perate affair of the 8 th of September, at the storming of Molino-
del-Rey. Ordered to the hospital, he refused to go, but was
carried on the back of a soldier, and entered the city in the midst
of the conquering army. This officer, son of Col. George Gibbs
and grandson of Oliver Wolcott, is the author of several very inter-
esting letters which have been published on the subject of the
Mexican war.
Lieutenant Morris, the gallant son of Thomas Morris, and
grandson of Robert Morris, the great financier of the Revolution,
and friend of Washington, equally brave, was less fortunate than his
New York
Boys.
October 29. — In the list of noble young fellows
whose gallant conduct, indomitable bravery, and mili-
tary accomplishments in the Mexican war redound to328	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	[iEtat. 67.
young associates in arms. He, too, was wounded in the attack on
“ Kings-Mill,” on the 8th of September. He was shot in the leg,
from which wound a hemorrhage ensued, and he died on the 13 th,
without entering “ the halls of Montezuma.” Alas ! will his gallant
deeds and death of glory assuage the grief of his parents, or dry
the tears of his sisters? These are the trophies of West Point!
Shall it not be supported?
November 4. — Henry Wheaton, formerly of this city, who has
been American minister in foreign courts for the last twenty years,
has, since his recent return, been appointed lecturer on Civil Law
and the Law of Nations in Harvard University.
I dined on Tuesday with Mr. Stebbins, one of the nabobs of the
Fifth avenue. He is a partner of Mr. Jaudon, lives in an elegant
house, and gives good dinners. The following was the party,
besides the host, the hostess, and Miss Stebbins: Moses H. Grin-
nell, Simeon Draper, Francis Griffin, Mr. Anderson, Mr. De
Launay, John Schermerhorn, Moses B. Taylor, Mr. Jaudon, Mr.
Brigham, R. M. Blatchford, George Curtis, and myself.
November 8. — I have refrained of late from keeping a record
of railroad and steamboat accidents. I never take up a paper that
does not contain accounts of loss of life, dreadful mutilation of
limbs, and destruction of property, with which these reckless,
dangerous, murderous modes of locomotion are attended. The
detail of loss of life by boiler-bursting, collisions, and snakesheads
is as regular a concomitant of the breakfast-table as black tea and
smoked beef.
November 13. — Grinnell, Minturn, & Co. are
Scott ,^Vinfield building a fine packet of one thousand two hundred
tons, to go on their Liverpool line. I am delighted to
learn that she is to bear the honoured name of “ Winfield Scott,”
— a compliment creditable to her respected owner as it is well-
merited by the commander-in-chief of the American army.
This noble ship will bear on her bows the name and image of
a man whom the history of our country will place on its highest1847.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
329
and brightest page; a merited distinction, of which party spirit,
ignorance, and jealousy have in vain conspired to deprive him. A
soldier accomplished in the art, and chivalric in the practice of
war, the echoes of our country have ruqg with the name of Zachary
Taylor. He well deserves his laurels; but I say that Winfield
Scott is “a better” as well as “an older soldier.” The laurels
that budded upon the warrior’s youthful brow at Chippewa have
preserved their freshness at all times and under every climate.
Untarnished by the chilling blasts of the northern lakes, or the
scorching rays of southern suns, they assimilate with equal grace
and appropriateness with the gray hairs of mature age. At all
times, “ in season and out of season,” in the negotiations of peace
as in the strife of war, in the closet as in the field, General Scott
has stood ready to serve his country, to do all that was required
of him, and to do it well, — a man of letters and a gentleman in
the best sense of the term; prone to vanity there is no denying, but
having much to be vain of. He does not write as well as he
fights; but he seems to value the triumphs of the pen more than
those of the sword, and thus, in seeking to gain advantage by the
former weapon, he has on some occasions committed himself to
opponents less able, but more artful, than himself, and the fox has
seen with satisfaction the lion encompass himself in the toils which
he could not have cast over him; so it was in his late correspond-
ence with the war department. He was right in principle, just in
feeling, correct in judgment; but, unfortunately, deficient in taste.
He aimed to out-write his adversaries, and made his pen so sharp
that it bespattered the ink back on himself. But all is right now.
The people have had their laugh at the “ hasty plate of soup;” but
the masterly capture of la Vera Cruz, the triumphal march, with
forces greatly inferior to those of his enemy, over a hostile and till
then unknown country of three hundred miles, and the gallant
achievements which resulted in the conquest of the Mexican
capital by the modem Cortez, will entitle him to the proud appel-
lation of “ Marshal Turenne,” when the cause of Christopher330
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[EEtat. 67.
Chancellor
Kent.
Hughes’s invidious application of the term shall have been forgot-
ten, or perhaps remembered with regret only by its witty author.
November 15. — “ No more study for me,” said this
great and good man the other day; and I fear the
bright light of his intellect is very soon to be removed
from the sphere which it has irradiated. I was so unwell yester-
day that I remained at home until evening, when I went to pay my
accustomed visit to Union place. The accounts are unfavourable,
the lamp bums dimly, the sun is nearly set.
November 25. — On this day the incense of prayer
Thanksgiving, and thanksgiving ascends from the altars of twenty-one
of these United States, and the District of Columbia in
addition, to the Almighty Giver of all good things, for the blessings,
national and individual, which we enjoy. This simultaneous action
of so many States presents an interesting spectacle to the minds of
reflecting men, — a nation on its knees, confessing its obligations and
acknowledging its dependence upon Divine goodness and mercy.
No matter what proportion of the mass may be insincere, or what
may have been the motives of a part of the rulers who appointed
this religious festival; it is a good and wise measure, beautiful and
interesting, and derives efficacy from the sanction of the civil
authority. The people are placed in the right track; it is their own
fault, and they are answerable, if they do not walk in it. No nation
ever had more causes for thanksgiving. Besides the innumerable
positive blessings of our position, our exception from two of the
great calamities of human life, pestilence and famine, is a promi-
nent cause of gratitude; if the third, the sword, cannot be added,
we have ourselves alone to thank for it.
December 7.—The Thirtieth Congress met yesterday.
The state of parties is so close that the members them-
selves were ignorant of their own strength, so that the wish
to be in time was unexampled. The whole Western world, from Lake
Superior to the Rio Grande (Mr. Polk says that is the boundary) ;
from the turbid waters of the upper Missouri (nay, from the mouth
Meeting of
Congress.1847.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
331
of the Columbia) to the engulfment of the St. Johns, sent their
three hundred representatives to the common centre. Hotels and
boarding-houses were filled as by a mighty rushing stream, and
black waiters grinned at the prospect of undeserved quarter-dollars.
Two hundred and twenty members of the House of Representa-
tives answered to their names on the call of the roll at twelve o’clock,
and were sworn in by Mr. French, clerk of the last Congress.
Robert C. Winthrop, of Massachusetts, a fine fellow and a true
Whig, was elected Speaker, on the third ballot, by a majority of one
vote. The rival candidates for the clerkship (which seems to be
a more exciting bone of contention even than Speaker) are French,
the old clerk of the Loco-focos, and* Campbell, Whig. The House
adjourned without filling this office. The President’s message was
not sent in.
lustre upon the relations of social life, was extinguished at half-
past eight o’clock in the evening of Sunday, the 12th of
December, 1847.
Chancellor Kent is no more; his useful and brilliant career,
which was extended in blessing to mankind to the protracted
term of fourscore and four years, has come to a tranquil and
peaceful termination. Dr. Francis called, about five o’clock, to
inform me of his approaching dissolution. I went immediately to
his residence, and formed one of the mourning group which sur-
rounded the couch of the great and good man, and watched with
painful solicitude the heaving of his last breath. I did not wit-
ness the closing scene, having returned home a short time before
it took place. His death was such as every one must have
desired who loved him (and all who knew him did, and none
more than myself). He lay on the sofa in the library, the apart-
ment where he laboured, studied, and wrote, and where he most
enjoyed the pleasure of social intercourse with his family and
Death of
James Kent.
December 13.—The bright light which illumined
the paths of science and literature, cleared away the
intricacies of legal jurisprudence and shed a benign332
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 67.
friends. How different was the scene from that which I have
been accustomed to witness in this place! The hand which
formerly grasped mine laid cold and nerveless at his side; the
lips, from which lessons of wisdom, interspersed with remarks of
childlike simplicity, were wont to proceed, uttered no sounds; the
eyes closed upon all surrounding objects, the beloved octogenarian
breathing fainter and fainter, surrendered his pure spirit, uncon-
scious of its departure.
Chancellor Kent was bom on the 31st of July, 1763. I never
knew a man whom I loved and venerated more entirely. Whilst
I sat at his side I was led to reflect on the transition which I had
witnessed in the course of a few minutes; the two extremes of
human life were present to me. When Dr. Francis called it
rained very hard, and I sent for a carriage; before it came I went
over to Mr. Russell’s, to see my grandchildren, and there they
were, in my arms, full of life and spirits, unconscious of anything
but present enjoyment: two sparkling dew-drops, glittering in the
morning sunbeams; two blossoms just expanding from the buds,
and beginning to emit their early fragrance. In a brief space of
time I was called to witness the extinguishment of a lamp which
had enlightened mankind for nearly a century, and to mark the
withered fruit falling from the sapless bough. “ So passes man’s
life away, and he is gone.” Happy should we be, if at the close
of such a life we might have a reasonable assurance of such a
death!
December 15. — The remains of James Kent, the man whom
all men delighted to honour, were interred this afternoon, in the
cemetery on the Second avenue. The funeral procession, which
embraced the members of the Bar in a body, the Common Council,
b with their staves of office, and countless hundreds of the most
respectable citizens, proceeded to Calvary Church, where a part
of the funeral service was read by the reverend pastor, Mr.
Southard. Thence the sacred ashes were conveyed to the
vault of the deceased, and the final ceremonies performed. The1847-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
333
pallbearers were: Chief Justice Jones, Mr. John Duer, David
S. Jones, Sylvanus Miller, George Griffin, Thomas Morris, Judge
Oakley, and myself.
Every demonstration of public respect has been paid to the
memory of this excellent man. The Common Council met on
the call of the Mayor, and passed suitable resolutions, among which
was one to procure his portrait. The city standard and flags on
public edifices and shipping were displayed at half-mast, the
courts were all suspended, and all the obituary notices in the
newspapers are highly eulogistic. The proceedings of a meeting
of the New York Bar held yesterday, at which Chief Justice Jones
presided, were exceedingly impressive. It seems to have been
an expression of the most fervent feeling, an offering of personal
affection rather than a public derpbnstration; and this sentiment
prevailed throughout the whole proceedings. Speeches were
made by Ogden Hoffman, Benjamin F. Butler, Daniel Lord, and
Hugh Maxwell; eloquent, of course, proceeding from such lips,
but rendered peculiarly interesting by the prevalence of the
sentiment above alluded to. I have preserved the public report
of these speeches as among the most beautiful specimens of
funeral eloquence I have ever met with.
December 17. — Another old friend is gone. Peter
Mesier°f Mr" Mesier died suddenly, on Wednesday night, in the
seventy-fifth year of his age. I attended the funeral
as a pall-bearer this afternoon, from his house, No. 51 Dey street,
next door to the one in which I was married, more than forty-six
years ago. The funeral ceremony was performed in Trinity
Church. The following were the pall-bearers: Gen. Edward W.
Laight, Jonathan Goodhue, James Lee, Gen. Augustus Fleming,
L. C. Hamersley, Garrit Storm, Joseph Tucker, and myself.
December 22. — The New England Society cele-
Amii^rsary^ grated iheir anniversary yesterday, by a gathering at
the Tabernacle, at two o’clock, and the usual dinner at
a later hour. I attended the first, and not the second, having no334
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 67.
regular call nor complimentary invitation; and well it was for me,
for the confinement to one position for nearly three hours in the
Tabernacle was almost insupportable in my feeble state, and I was
placed in so conspicuous a situation, directly in the eye of my friend,
the orator, with Mrs. Webster, Mrs. Hall, and Mrs. Cutting directly
behind, and in gossiping communion with me, that I could not
make my escape. Had it been otherwise, and I had been wise
enough to secure a retreat, the oration, beautiful as it was, could
not have detained me. Prescott Hall was the orator. His ad-
dress, bating its being a little too statistical and too long by half
an hour (two hours and ten minutes), contained some splendid
passages, especially a glowing and most eloquent peroration, and
was read with the grace which was to be expected from J. Prescott
Hall.
What strange changes have of late come over the spirit of the
times ! One of the standing toasts at the New England dinner
was “ Pius IX., Pope of Rome; ” and Bishop Hughes, an invited
guest, occupied the seat of honour on the right of the President,
and made a speech, in which he could not avoid expressing his
astonishment at finding himself in such companionship; and well
might he be astonished. The sons of the Pilgrims toasting the
old lady, whom their fathers complimented with the titles of
“ whore of Babylon/7 “red harlot/7 and such-like tender and
loving appellatives ! What would the Carvers and the Bradfords,
the Winslows and the Winthrops, say, if they could rise from their
ancient places in the “ old colony/7 and witness their descendants
toasting the Pope, for whom no better place could formerly be
found in their celebration of the “ Gunpowder Plot77 than as one
of the respectable trio of Pope, Pretender, and Devil! All Hail,
a return of the days of bulls, dispensations, indulgences, and ex-
communications ! New England toasts the Pope.
December 28. — The line of English mail steamers is to be
divided, and one-half are to come to this port alternately with the
Boston line. For this purpose the “ Hibernia77 arrived here from1847.]	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	335
Boston this morning, to take her place, and sail hence on Saturday.
A meeting of merchants was held to-day at the Exchange, at
which Mr. George Griswold presided, with James Brown, Anson
G. Phelps, Jonathan Goodhue, Robert B. Mintum, and William
Whitlock as vice-presidents, for the purpose of giving a welcome
to Captain Ryrie, the commander of the “ Hibernia/*THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[/Etat. 68.
3 3$
1848.
/^VN the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and
forty-eight, with the opening of a new year, I am permitted
to open a new volume of my humble annals. I pray that the
gloomy aspect of things out of doors, the thick, foggy air over-
head, and the muddy ways underfoot, may not be prophetic of
national or individual calamity; but that bright skies and genial
sunshine may soon dispel the clouds of the moral, as it soon will
those of the natural, atmosphere.
The year which has just passed away, and is laid by on the shelf
of time, like a cast-off garment to feed the moth of tradition, has
been productive of events of startling moment and fearful import-
ance, here and elsewhere. Our country is engaged in a most
unrighteous war, waged from motives corrupt and sinister, with a
neighbouring Republic, — a war in which the gallant achievements
of our officers and men have shone conspicuously, but in which
the blood of our countrymen has enriched the fields of Mexico,
and in which untold millions of the nation’s treasure has been ex-
pended, and is yet to be expended, in fighting the battles of a bas-
tard branch which in an evil hour was admitted into the American
family. Individual prosperity has increased in this part of the
Union; men have grown rich in supplying the wants of the starv-
ing population of Ireland; palaces have been erected out of the
freights of nine shillings sterling for flour; and the extravagance
and love of show, to which our people are prone, has had ample
scope in the successful mercantile operations of the year. These
bright days, however, have in a measure passed away, and there is
some danger that some among us may wish during the year 1848
that they had not spent so much money in 1847.
In Europe the leading events have been the dreadful state ofi848.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
337
famine and destitution, crime and discontent, in Ireland; a civil
war in the cantons of Switzerland, waged against Jesuitical influ-
ence ; a new Pope, who is trying very hard to introduce salutary
reforms in the government of the Papal See, and striving to make
his subjects happy. In our own country a change has taken place
in the state of parties. The Whigs have recovered their ascend-
ency in the public councils; there is a Whig Speaker and a small
majority of Whigs in the House of Representatives; the Governor,
and other State officers, with a large majority of both Houses of
the Legislature, are Whigs, as are also the Mayor and both branches *
of the Common Council of the city; so, if things go wrong, we
must take the blame.
As for myself, for the last six months I have been struggling
against the effects of indisposition contracted during my Western
tour, which has taken away my strength, and reduced my flesh by
the amount of forty pounds. Of this disease I am not relieved,
but am better. I have borne up well under the affliction, and have
hopes that, with the blessing of God, I may yet overcome it. But,
let the event be what it may, I hope to be willing to leave the issue
in the hands of the Almighty Author of my existence, and to say,
with hope and confidence, and with a grateful acknowledgment of
the blessings heretofore derived from that beneficent source, “ Thy
will be done.” My affairs, to say the best of them, are not im-
proved since last year, nor are they worse. I am deeply in debt;
but I have the means to pay all, and have thus far met every
engagement with undeviating punctuality. Let those who are bet-
ter off say as much.
January 12. — I am feeble, and scarcely able to go abroad; but
I am not permitted to stay at home. The warm fire of my domes-
tic hearth bums not for me. I attended yesterday, at five o’clock,
a meeting of the Trustees of Columbia College, and in the even-
ing presided at the annual meeting of the Mercantile Library.
This duty, always gratifying to me, was peculiarly so on this occa-
sion, from the kind expression of feeling with which I was greeted.338
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JEtat. 68.
General
Scott.
January 13. — It appears to be a “ fixed fact ” that
the great captain, General Scott, has been recalled
from his command in Mexico. The ostensible object
of this disastrous measure is probably to give the general an op-
portunity to make good the charges on which the arrest of Gener-
als Worth and Pillow and Colonel Duncan was ordered (as I think
in an evil hour). These officers are also ordered home, to meet
the court-martial which must be called to investigate the charges.
But it is more likely that the administration is glad of an excuse
for preventing a further accumulation of laurels on the brow of the
able and gallant commander-in-chief, for his glory forms a contrast
rather unfavourable to their claims upon the people's favour. They
hate him, and are glad to get rid of him. What a pity that he
should, by his own hasty act, have furnished them the means of
carrying out their hostility !
General Scott has a claim ten times stronger upon the gratitude
and favour of the American people for services rendered to the
country than General Taylor; and yet the latter chieftain, by the
exercise of more discretion, and manners more popular, would beat
the hero of Chippewa, of Vera Cruz and Mexico, ten to one, in a
contest for the Presidency. Thus it is in this “land of freedom; ”
and such things prove the truth of the maxim that “ republics are
ungrateful." The Duke of Wellington, with no better claims upon
his country's liberality than our Scott, bends under the weight of
merited rewards; jewelled stars and heraldic orders cover his
breast; accumulating titles are emblazoned upon his escutcheon, and
domains and other substantial endowments attest a sense of the
value of his services; whilst our ripe and accomplished soldier (of
whom I am informed that the “great Duke" has lately said, the
campaign which commenced with the taking of Vera Cruz and ter-
minated with the military occupation of the Mexican capital, was
one of the most splendid achievements of modern warfare) is re-
called to be laid upon the shelf, and obtain his diurnal “ plate of
soup " from the inadequate pittance of a government bureau.1848.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
339
February 8. — I dined to-day with Mr. Blatchford, at the Astor
House, where his family is boarding durD~ die winter season.
The dinner (as is always the case at tb' >e) was excellent.
The controversy on the Clay and Taylor ,„-ion waxes somewhat
warm. In that company I was almost alone for Clay, and had to
contend with Webb, Hall, and Grinnell, with occasionally a side-
cut from George Curtis; but they know no more about public
opinion in New York than they do of the secrets of the Grand
Seignior’s seraglio. In reply to Colonel Webb, I read the letter
which I had just written to Charles King; and, on the whole, sus-
tained myself tolerably well against the professed friends, but secret
enemies, of Henry Clay. Our party consisted of R. M. Blatch-
ford, J. P. Hall, John Ward, Paul Spofford, T. Tileston, M. H.
Grinnell, Daniel Fearing, J. W. Webb, R. L. Colt, George Curtis,
C. H. Russell, M. Morgan, Stebbins, and myself; and that noble
Whig and fine fellow, George Evans, of Maine, whose loss in the
Senate all good men deplore.
February 15. — Died on Saturday, the 12 th, at his
Death of residence, Kattskill, Thomas Cole. The death of this
eminent artist, in the prime of life and the meridian of
his fame as a landscape painter, is a loss to the arts and a severe
affliction to his friends, for both suffer equally from the melancholy
deprivation. I knew poor Cole from the first day he came here
from Philadelphia, — a fine young fellow, full of undying ardour in
the pursuit of knowledge, a lover of nature, with a conscious ability
for the portraiture of her features. Modest and unassuming, he
was unacquainted with the artistical quality of humbug, and, alas !
he was not then the fashion. If genius did not sometimes over-
come discouragement, here was a case in which it might have de-
spaired. When Cole came to New York he brought with him two
pictures, original views of the Kaaters Kill or Kattskill mountains,
and the Still-Lake which forms its head-waters, with all the beauti-
ful scenery of that romantic region, taken on the spot. Days were
devoted to rambling, sketching, and the results successfully trans-340
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 68.
ferred to the canvas : the glowing impressions of a warm imagi-
nation, the rich > of an artist’s study, the children of prolific
genius; and th^	^s, the labour of many weary days, taken
faithfully and with .	un one of the most beautiful reposito-
ries of nature’s riches, i,ne artist offered for sale repeatedly, in
Philadelphia, for ten dollars each, without finding a purchaser; for
he was not then the fashion. These pictures are now mine; they
adorn the wall of my back parlour.
Cole came here, poor, friendless, and, worse than all, modest.
He was fortunate enough, however, to attract the notice of Colonel
Trumbull and William Dunlap, two artists, now both deceased,
whose favourable opinion was of great value, and was freely bestowed.
They bought, each of them, one of the pictures in question for $25.
I was so much pleased with them that I succeeded in getting the
two for $ 125, and now that my friend, whose recent death is so
deeply deplored, has emerged from the clouds of neglect and shone
out in all the brightness of fashionable popularity, it is not an ex-
travagant surmise that some of the Philadelphia dilettanti, who could
not formerly discover $10 worth of merit in these early productions
of the artist, would now be glad to buy, at a cost of $600 or $800,
two of the works of his pencil, of no greater merit than mine. The
late Mr. Samuel Ward gave him $2,500 for a series of four beautiful
pictures, called “ The Guardian Angel,” and the late Mr. Luman
Reed, a price nearly equal for another series of four, which he styled
the “ March of Empire.” Poor Cole I He struggled against every
discouragement to reach the top of the hill, but was not long per-
mitted to enjoy his elevated station.
February 24. — Poor Mr. Webster! My heart bleeds
Mr. Webster, for him. A few weeks ago his only daughter, Mrs.
Appleton, died of consumption, suddenly contracted
and fatally hasty in its progress; and now, himself in feeble health,
he has just received the news of his son Edward’s death in Mexico,
where he commanded a company in a regiment of Massachusetts
Volunteers. He died of one of those diseases of the climate whichi848.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
341
there is reason to fear will be the passport to a Eger’s grave for
many a young American. I passed a few h ^ 1 s, the summer
before last, at Marshfield, with these tT ^ous persons, whose
premature deaths will wring their parents ^uest.s,' and bring a sym-
pathizing tear into the eye of many a friend. Edward Webster had
a strong desire for military distinction, and would probably have
made a distinguished officer. He was taken ill last summer, obtained
leave of absence, and came home; whence he returned to Mexico,
restored to health, as he believed, but only to add another victim to
a destroying climate.
John Quincy Adams is no more. Full of age and
Desrth of honours, the termination of his eventful career accorded
with the character of its progress. He died, as he must
have wished to die, breathing his last in the capitol, stricken
down by the angel of death on the field of his civil glory, — em-
ployed in the service of the people, in the people’s Senate house,
standing by the Constitution at the side of its altar, and adminis-
tering in the temple of liberty the rites which he had assisted in
establishing.
At twenty minutes past one o’clock, on Monday, the 21st, Mr.
Adams, being in his seat in the House of Representatives (from
which he was never absent during its session), attempted to rise (as
was supposed, to speak), but sank back upon his seat and fell upon
his side. Those nearest caught him in their arms. Mr. Grinnell
bathed his temples with ice-water, when he rallied for an instant.
The House immediately adjourned, in the utmost consternation, as
did the Senate, when informed of the melancholy event. His last
words were characterized by that concise eloquence for which he was
remarkable : “ This is the last of earth ; I am contentDr. Fries
of Ohio, a member, raised him in his arms and bore him to the
Speaker’s room, where he lay, with occasional indications of con-
sciousness, until last evening, a few minutes before seven o’clock,
when he breathed his last. The intelligence of his death came to
Albany by the telegraph.342
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 68.
Thus has “ a great man fallen in Israel,” —in many respects the
most wonderful man of the age; certainly the greatest in the United
States, — perfect in knowledge, but deficient in practical results.
As a statesman, he was pure and incorruptible, but too irascible to
lead men’s judgment. They admired him, and all voices were
hushed when he arose to speak, because they were sure of being
instructed by the words he was about to utter; but he made no
converts to his opinions, and when President his desire to avoid
party influence lost him all the favour of all parties. In matters of
history, tradition, statistics, authorities, and practice he was the
oracle of the House, of which he was at the time of his decease a
member. With an unfailing memory, rendered stronger by cultiva-
tion, he was never mistaken; none disputed his authority. Every
circumstance of his long life was “ penned down ” at the moment
of its occurrence ; every written communication, even to the minute
of a dinner invitation, was carefully preserved, and nothing passed
uncopied from his pen. He “ talked like a book ” on all subjects.
Equal to the highest, the planetary system was not above his grasp.
Familiar with the lowest, he could explain the mysteries of a mouse-
trap.
I listened once, at my own table, with a delight which I shall
never forget, to his dissertation on the writings of Shakespeare, and
an analysis of the character of Hamlet,— the most beautiful creation
(he called it) of the human imagination. At my request he
afterward sent me a synopsis of the latter part of this delightful
conversation; a paper which has always been a treasure to me, and
which will be more precious now that its illustrious author is no
more. I listened once, with Mr. Webster, for an hour, at Mr.
Adams’s breakfast-table in Washington, to a disquisition on the sub-
ject of dancing girls; from those who danced before the ark and
the daughter of Jairus, whose premature appearance caused so
melancholy a termination to her graceful movements in the dance,
through the fascinating exhibition of the odalisques of* the harem
down to the present times of Fanny Ellsler and Taliogni. He wasi848.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
343
ignorant on no subject, and could enlighten and instruct on all; he
loved to talk, and was pleased with good listeners. Vain, no
doubt, and not entirely free from prejudices, but preserving his
mental faculties to the last. His sudden death, even at the
advanced age of eighty years, to which he arrived in July last, will
be acutely felt and deeply deplored by those who have habitually
enjoyed the refreshing streams which flowed from the copious
fountains of his diversified knowledge.
Mr. Adams’s name will be recorded on the brightest page of
American history, as statesman, diplomatist, philosopher, orator,
author, and, above all, Christian. The events of his life may be
thus briefly enumerated: John Quincy Adams was born in 1767.
In 1781 he was private secretary to Francis Dana, minister to
Russia. In 1794 he was appointed, by Washington, Minister to
the Netherlands. In 1803 he was senator in Congress from Mas-
sachusetts. He resigned in 1808, and the next year was sent by
Madison as Minister to Russia, where he remained, until, with
Henry Clay, James A. Bayard, and Albert Gallatin, he negotiated
the treaty of Ghent in 1814, and was sent as Minister to England.
He was recalled in 1817 to take the place of Secretary of State
under Mr. Monroe. He succeeded Mr. Monroe as President of
the United States in 1825. In 1829, having completed his term,
he retired, for the first time in thirty-six years, to private life. In
1831 he was returned to Congress from his native district, which
he continued to represent uninterruptedly to the day of his death.
February 29. — The subscribers, members of the
Court^aCket" Racket-Court, gave a ball and supper this evening to
the ladies, and there has been nothing more recherche,
nothing better arranged, and nothing attended with more complete
success, since the last leap-year. I attended during the whole
evening, first with Mrs. Fearing, my wife, and daughter, to see the
preparations, and afterward in attendance upon Miss Sarah Duer
and my wife. There were about three hundred subscribers, at $10
each, and the whole money was expended. The Racket Court,344
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 68.
one hundred and twenty feet by forty, was converted into a danc-
ing-saloon, fitted up and ornamented in the most perfect taste, in
the form of a tent, with three thousand six hundred yards of
muslin, divided into diamonds by strips of gold galloon, and inter-
spersed with artificial flowers. The orchestra, with thirty-five per-
formers, was placed on the north side; the supper-table was laid
out in the bowling-alley, where the most ample provision was made
for the epicures and lookers-on. Pretty girls, with pink dresses,
were attended by beaux with black mustaches and white vests.
All the other rooms in this spacious edifice were decorated and
laid open for the pleased and happy company; the gallery, which
looked down upon the dancers, was filled with charming girls and
agreeable cavaliers, forming, on this occasion at least, from their
relative situation, the upper crust of society. The affair went off
splendidly, and hundreds of worthy people, employed in the
getting-up, have been made to rejoice in what is called, by some
fastidious persons, the extravagance of fashionable life. There was
a large committee of arrangements, and the fete was sanctioned by
a committee of ladies, styled lady-patronesses, of which my wife
was one. This dignified body, who did little to earn their honours,
consisted of the following: Mrs. Philip Hone, Mrs. D. C. Colden,
Mrs. George Barclay, Mrs. A. le Barbier, Mrs. Robert Emmet,
Mrs. H. C. de Rham, Mrs. John A. Stevens, Mrs. J. W. Schmidt,
Mrs. Henry Parish, Mrs. J. Prescott Hall.
March 7. — This was the day appointed for the
Mr^ciay1 °f arr^va^ Mr. Clay from Philadelphia, on a visit to
New York, as the guest of the Mayor and the Corpo-
ration. The new steamer, “ Cornelius Vanderbilt/7 which was
gratuitously furnished by her owner and namesake, left town at
nine o’clock, with the committee and members of the Common
Council and a large company of invited guests, which latter honour
I was compelled to decline. But I accompanied the Mayor to
Castle Garden, which was filled on our arrival with a mass of men,
equal in numbers and general good appearance to the multitude1848.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
345
which assembled in the same place, on the recent occasion of the
great Clay Whig meeting. The boat arrived precisely at the
appointed time, and Mr. Clay and his 'cortege mounted the stage
at two o’clock. Alderman Franklin, chairman of the joint com-
mittee of arrangements, then surrendered the illustrious visitor to
the Mayor, who gave him a warm reception and hearty welcome,
to which Mr. Clay replied, in one of the most touching and best-
imagined little speeches I ever heard him make.
At the close of his speech he adverted to the painful and im-
pressive contrast presented by the rejoicing, the shouting, the
excitement of which he was the honoured object, and the mournful
obsequies of the next day, in which our citizens were preparing to
do honour to the remains of the truly great man who had just fin-
ished a long life of public services in highly honourable stations.
Here now were assembled, in one place, the three principal nego-
tiators of the treaty of Ghent (the other two, Messrs. Bayard and
Russell being no longer living). Of these three the venerable
Albert Gallatin is one of our fellow-citizens, honoured in old age.
Henry Clay was addressing us, and the mortal remains of the third
we were to speed, the next day, on its mournful transit to the tomb
of his fathers.
March 8. — The day of joyful gratulation and loud
MrS Adams°f s^outin8 passed; the recipient of the people’s honours
is left to undergo the pains of oppressive hospitality;
and, instead of songs of triumph for a great man living, our city has
sent up the mournful dirge for a great man departed. The body
of John Quincy Adams arrived at the Battery, from Philadelphia, at
three o’clock, where it was received by a splendid military escort,
and accompanied by a civil procession, consisting of eighteen pall-
bearers, of which number I was one. The Mayor and Corpora-
tion, the committee of the House of ’Representatives appointed to
accompany the body, the members of the Massachusetts delega-
tion, the precious relics of the Cincinnati, — everybody was in the
procession who ought to have been there, and everything was34*5
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 68.
done which the occasion required. The streets on the line of
march were filled to the edge of the sidewalks with the greatest
body of men and women ever assembled in the city. Unlike the
heterogeneous mass of excited spectators which covered the same
ground yesterday, these were well-behaved, well-dressed people,
of grave deportment and orderly behaviour; the streets were
relieved from the annoyance of omnibuses and other vehicles; the
police succeeded in preserving order, with the exception of an
occasional outbreak in the immediate vicinity of the carriages in
which Mr. Clay and General Gaines rode. The pall-bearers were
nearly as follows: Luther Bradish, David S. Jones, Samuel Gil-
ford, Stephen Allen, William B. Crosby, Stephen Whitney, Egbert
Benson, Edward Laight, Richard S. Williams, Gulian C. Verplanck,
A. Van Nest, Gideon Ostrander, Clement C. Moore, J. M. Brad-
hurst, George Tappan, Anthony Lamb, Samuel B. Warner, Philip
Hone.
March i i . — Mr. Clay survives; but such a time no man ever
had. This was the day set apart for his reception of the ladies.
Tens of thousands of females, with a careful exclusion of the grosser
sex, were presented, for each of whom he had a word of gallantry.
They all pressed his hands; many kissed him; and one hand,
“ more lucky than the rest,” prompted by a spirit of Amazonian
hardiness and armed with “ the glittering forfex,” which, like the
adventurous baron who despoiled the lovely Belinda of her cher-
ished tresses, she had brought for the nefarious purpose, did
actually commit a new “ Rape of the Lock.”
March 13. — Mr. Clay went yesterday, with the Mayor, to St.
Bartholomew’s Church. Here, again, was one of those scenes which
mark the movements of this popular man. A long time before his
arrival at the church, the vestibule and the walks in front were
filled with an expectant mass of people, who received him uncov-
ered, and on his entering the church, the aisles and every part of
which were crowded, the congregation arose. If their worship of
God was ardent and sincere as that of man, some good may resulti848.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
347
from this Sunday manifestation. On his leaving the church, with
Mrs. Brady on his arm, and when the carriage drove off, these
marks of homage were repeated.
The treaty negotiated by an unauthorized agent,
MexUro^	an unacknowledged government, submitted by an
accidental President to a dissatisfied Senate, has, not-
withstanding these objections in form, been confirmed in substance
by the decided vote of thirty-nine to thirteen, and will be forwarded
immediately to Mexico, approved by President Polk. Parties have
not divided on this question by political boundaries, as on others.
Cass and Crittenden voted for, and Benton and Webster against, it.
The war, originated in the vilest cabal that ever was set on foot by
corrupt demagogues, has been conducted, so far as the government
was concerned, with the most reckless extravagance, and owes now
a reluctant confirmation to the strong desire of a majority of the
Senate to get rid of a present evil, and avoid the future disastrous
consequences of a protracted war. For these laudable objects the
Whigs voted for the confirmation of the rickety treaty, and the
administration party to save their rickety cabinet from further dis-
grace. Mr. Trist, a clerk in one of the departments at Washington,
after his recall from a special job committed to his care, makes a
treaty “ upon his own hook.” Mr. Polk, elected President nobody
knows how, submits it to the Senate to get himself out of a scrape,
aud they agree to it for fear of something worse.
March 24. — Dined with Mr. Tileston; a sort of a club dinner,
as in former times, ten members being present. The party con-
sisted of George Curtis, John Ward, J. Prescott Hall, Paul Spofford,
Simeon Draper, James W. Webb, Moses H. Grinnell, Samuel Jaudon,
Thomas Tileston, and myself, of the club; invited guests : Henry A.
Coit, S. Knapp, D. S. Jones, Charles H. Russell, Daniel Fearing,
Mr. DeWolf, Henry Cary.
March 29. — John Jacob Astor died this morning,
Death of Mr. at nine 0’ci0ck, in the eighty-fifth year of his age;
Astor.
sensible to the last, but the material of life exhausted,348
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JEtat. 68.
the machinery worn out, the lamp extinguished for want of oil.
Bowed down with bodily infirmity for a long time, he has gone at
last, and left reluctantly his unbounded wealth. His property is
estimated at $20,000,000, some judicious persons say $30,000,000;
but, at any rate, he was the richest man in the United States in pro-
ductive and available property; and this immense, gigantic fortune
was the fruit of his own labor, unerring sagacity, and far-seeing
penetration. He came to this country at twenty years of age;
penniless, friendless, without inheritance, without education, and
having no example before him of the art of money-making, but
with a determination to be rich, and ability to carry it into effect.
His capital consisted of a few trifling musical instruments, which he
got from his brother, George Astor, in London, a dealer in music.
He sold his flutes, and set up a small retail shop of German toys,
but soon emerged from obscurity, and became a great and success-
ful merchant. The fur trade was the philosopher’s stone of this
modern Croesus; beaver-skins and musk-rats furnished the oil for
the supply of Aladdin’s lamp. His traffic was the shipment of furs
to China, where they brought immense prices, for he monopolized
the business; and the return cargoes of teas, silks, and rich pro-
ductions of China brought further large profits; for here, too, he
had very little competition at the time of which I am speaking.
My brother and I found in Mr. Astor a valuable customer. We
sold many of his cargoes, and had no reason to complain of a want
of liberality or confidence. All he touched turned to gold, and it
seemed as if fortune delighted in erecting him a monument of her
unerring potency.
April i.—The funeral took place this afternoon, from the house
of Mr. William B. Astor, in Lafayette place. The following were
the pall-bearers, ten in number: David B. Ogden, Judge Oakley,
Washington Irving, Ramsay Crookes, Isaac Bell, Sylvanus Miller,
. James G. King, James Gallatin, Jacob B. Taylor, and myself.
Saturday, April 15. — The “ Milwaukee Sentinel” con-
tains the following article, — a most wonderful illustration of thei848.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
349
magical performance of the lightning post, the last miracle of the
scientific triumphs of the present age : “At nine o’clock yesterday
morning we had, by telegraph, the news and markets from New
York, distant some fourteen hundred miles, up to three o’clock of
the preceding afternoon ! This is, indeed, a startling fact, and may
well make us pause and wonder at the agency which has brought
it about.” I was once nine days on my voyage from New York to
Albany.
May i . — I have seldom witnessed a more inter-
The stuyve- es^ng sjght than that of the old pear-tree on Third
avenue, now in the full exuberance of its spring garb of
blossoms. It is now two hundred and one years old, having been
planted by Governor Stuyvesant in his garden, which embraced
all this populous part of the city, on his arrival from Holland. In
laying out the streets and avenues, this relic of antiquity came at
the comer of two wide thoroughfares, where it is protected; its
wide, dark trunk standing strong and stout, and its branches
spreading out in fantastic forms, and new blossoms vouching,, on
the return of spring, for the vitality of the ancient child of the
former garden, of which it is the sole memorial. It is now. in full
blossom. Having expressed my admiration of the time-honoured
tree, at Mr. Fish’s dinner, among the Stuyvesants, the Fishes, and
the Winthrops, they very politely had some of the blossoms gathered
and sent to me, which I intend to preserve as a specimen of long-
lived vegetation, and a floral reminiscence of the Stuyvesant dynasty.
May 25. — I have been glorifying all day, and
Chiefl0 thC returned fatigued and hungry. General Scott’s recep-
tion has been splendid and enthusiastic. The arrange-
ments of the Corporation were excellent, and everything well
conducted; the people seemed willing to carry their hero upon
their shoulders, notwithstanding his pretty considerable bulk, and
the additional weight of his laurels. The sword had erased the
errors of the pen, and the “ hasty plate of soup ” was forgotten in
the shouts of “ battles won,” and conquests secured.350
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[Aitat. 68.
May 26. — I dined with a large party at Moses H. GrinnelPs,
in his magnificent mansion in Fourteenth street. It was a dinner
given to the directors of the Phoenix Bank, the result of a wager
lost to Mr. Fearing. All the delicacies of the present prolific sea-
son,—turtle, salmon, peas, asparagus, terrapins, strawberries, — all
that could tempt the epicure or satisfy the gourmand, were spread
before the guests, and wine such as Hebe ne’er poured out for the
gods made every man wish “his neck was a mile long.” The
party consisted of James W. Otis, Daniel B. Fearing, Mr. Corse,
Paul Spofford, Garrit Storm, P. Hone, Thomas Tileston, Henry
Cary, Mr. Henry, N. G. Ogden, William E. Laight, Charles H.
Marshall, Washington Irving, D. Mills, and Mr. Stebbins.
June 7.—The Whig Convention met this morning,
whig conven- ^he Chinese Hall, Philadelphia. Great excitement
prevails. The friends of General Taylor and of Mr. Clay
are equally raised to “ fever heat.” The former have nominated,
out of doors, their candidate to run with or without the sanction of
a nomination, and many of the latter have expressed a determina-
tion to support no other but theirs. As for myself, I am as much
of a Clay man as the best of them; but if General Taylor gets the
nomination (of which there seems to be a strong probability), I
will support him to the best of my power. Mr. Clay deserves the
nomination; but there is a question beyond his success and the
gratification of our predilections. Shall General Cass be the Presi-
dent? Never, if I can prevent it. His principles are more dan-
gerous than those of any other man who has been named by his
party as their candidate. He is an embodiment of political hum-
bug and demagogism, administering to the worst part of the com-
munity. He made a fool of himself, when minister to France, by
writing a book of gossip about the king and court, and since his
return has courted the populace by declaring war pretty much
against all “ princes, potentates, and powers.” The annexation of
Texas and the war of Mexico received his hearty support, and he
now threatens to subjugate the whole of the American continenti848.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
351
Whether he would as chief magistrate carry out these threats may
be doubtful; but, demagogue or destroyer, Oliver Cromwell or
Charles of Sweden, I want none of him. “ I intend,” said a good,
stiff Loco-foco, “ to give General Cass my Unqualified support.” —
“ And if he succeeds,” replied his Whig interlocutor, “ you will
have an unqualified President.”
dent, and Millard Fillmore for Vice-President. I am disappointed,
but I am satisfied. The Clay Whigs generally are not so easily
satisfied; they are exasperated, and swear all sorts of opposition
to the nomination. They will go for the Barnburners; they will
get up an opposition candidate; they will support Cass, — an
ebullition of rage which will lead them farther than they wish to go.
Hereafter I am for Taylor and Fillmore. The last was a judicious
selection. New York is the great Clay State, and Mr. Fillmore
being a Clay man, it will serve to reconcile the party in a good
measure. Some will undoubtedly remain refractory; but we shall
gain as many from the Loco-focos. Hurrah, therefore, for Taylor
and Fillmore !
une,” who sets himself up as the oracle of the party, has concluded
at last, after deep deliberation, and at the expense of many wry
faces, to swallow the dose, and hoists, in his paper of this day, the
Taylor and Fillmore flag, but thinks proper to make an apology
for his course. He only prefers Taylor to Cass, and damns the
former with faint praise. This is in abominably bad taste, as well
as impolitic in the last degree. But the object is clear enough; if
General Taylor is elected, and makes a good Whig President (of
which I have the fullest confidence), Mr. Greeley can say, "I sup-
ported him; look at my paper, where his name appears in large
Whig Conven-
tion.
June io.—The Whig Convention, in Philadelphia,
completed their important business yesterday, by the
nomination of Zachary Taylor, of Louisiana, for Presi-
Coming
Round.
September 29. — The Clay Whigs are falling into
the Taylor ranks, reluctantly in some instances, and
with a bad grace. Mr. Greeley, editor of the “ Trib-352
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 68.
capitals; ” but if he is defeated, or, like John Tyler, proves a traitor
to the party which elects him, the same adroit editor will refer to
the same paper to prove that he was not his choice.
October 28. — The telegraph brings the melancholy,
M^otis but not unexpected, intelligence of the death of Har-
rison Gray Otis, of Boston. The brilliant and useful
career of this most estimable man was brought to a close this
morning, at two o’clock. He completed his eighty-third year
about three weeks since, and has gone to the grave full of years,
loaded with honours, and rich in the affections of his friends and
fellow- citizens. Mr. Otis was one of a class almost extinct, — a
gentleman, in the full extent of the term; of shining talents and
the most polished manners. He has held many important public
stations; as a senator from Massachusetts in the Senate of the
United States, his eloquence shone with a lustre the rays of which
have been transmitted to his illustrious successors. As the Mayor
of Boston, his legal knowledge, sound judgment, and dignified de-
portment imparted strength and grace to the magistracy. De-
scended from a family and inheriting a name sacred in the annals
of the Revolution, he was a Federalist in the best days of that glo-
rious and abused party; a Whig then, and a Whig ever since. His
intellect was unimpaired to the last hour of his life, and it is re-
markable that a few weeks since, whilst suffering under the pains
of a hopeless disease, and sinking beneath the weight of fourscore
and three years, he wrote and published a long letter urging his fel-
low-citizens of Massachusetts to the support of the Whig nominees
for the offices of President and Vice-President. This paper is
marked by all the strength of argument and brilliancy of style
which characterized the productions of his middle age. I have
again to lament, in the decease of Mr. Otis, the loss of another
dearly-valued friend, whose uniform kindness and hospitality
always constituted one of the greatest enjoyments of my visits to
Boston.1848.]
THE DIARY OF rillLlP HONE.
353
Le Jour
D’Austerlitz.
November 7.—This is the day of the great election
to decide not only whether General Cass or General
Taylor is to be President for the four ensuing years, but
whether the policy and principles of the government, as established
by the great fathers of the Republic and confirmed by the Revolu-
tion, and the adoption of the Federal Constitution, shall be restored
to their first purity; or those of the present administration, which
we Whigs hold to be subversive of the prosperity of the country
and the happiness of the people, shall be continued with renewed
energy and less scrupulously, under the man who has “ played
most foully ” for the prize he seeks to obtain.
The glorious sun rose this morning in a clear sky and sharp
atmosphere, as if to give the light of heaven to the simultaneous
action of a whole population. It is a grand and interesting subject
of reflection, that millions of men in this widely extended country
are resorting on the same day to their respective polls, to decide
by casting in, each of them, a little slip of paper, the choice of
their rulers to control the action of the government for the weal or
the woe of the people. The sun which rose this morning will, at its
setting, see the momentous question settled, and that which rises
to-morrow will scarcely find a vestige of the great struggle. Men
will resume their accustomed pursuits, labours, occupations, pleas-
ures, and strivings; and women will buy new bonnets, and walk in
Broadway with them, as if nothing had happened. The hurrahs
will have subsided, the guns will be silenced, the flags lowered from
their staffs, a few broken heads plastered up, and many of us will
think we had better have minded our business. The elections
being held on the same day throughout the Union is a wise pre-
caution to prevent intrigue, corrupt management, and improper in-
terference with the people’s prerogative. Here in New York “ the
work goes bravely on.”
November 8.— The sun of Buena Vista set last
The Battle. night upon the most decided victory ever achieved
in this city by the Whig forces, — a perfect rout;354
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[jEtat. 68.
everything is gained. The Taylor electoral ticket has a plurality
over Cass of 9,805, and a majority over Cass and Van Buren
united of 4,706. Hamilton Fish is Governor of New York.
December 16.— Now that the election is over, and
Gold and
cholera. General Taylor President past peradventure, Cali-
fornia gold and the cholera are the exciting topics
of the day. These two diseases are equally infectious; both
interfere with the honest pursuits of industry, and, though the
former does not so immediately affect the health and endanger
the lives of its subjects, its injurious effects may be of longer
continuance.
Our newly acquired territory' of California, having passed from
the hands of Spaniards and Indians into those of the enterprising
Yankees, who run faster, fly higher, and dig deeper than any
people under the sun, has now developed its riches. The region
of country watered by the river Sacramento is found to abound
in pure gold; the shining tempter of mankind is found in the land
and crevices of the rocks, and aU the world have become diggers
and delvers. The towns are deserted by all but the women;
business is neglected; houses stand empty; vessels are laid up
for want of hands; die necessaries of life cannot be obtained, and
the people are starving, with their packets full of gold. The most
extravagant stories are told of the prices of the ordinary articles
in use in this new business ; pick-axes, spades, and hammers are
literally u worth their weight in gold,” which latter commodity
has fallen in value from fiS to $10 per ounce, whilst the products
of the neglected earth are producing a u golden harvest.”
Some of the gold has reached our part of the world, and has
been assayed at the mint; and it is found, in fact, that “ it is all
gold that glitters.” The papers are filled with advertisements
and enticements to adventurers, and California takes up all the
commerce of the seaport.1849.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
3SS
I849.
TANUARY 20. — I was at a very delightful little dinner-party
** at Mr. Frederic DePeyster’s, which I enjoyed exceedingly. I
am not so old nor time-worn as not to be able to appreciate and
enjoy the refined pleasures of female society, as I found it to-day.
The party consisted of Mr. and Mrs. DePeyster, Mr. and Mrs.
Philip Van Rensselaer (the lovely and beautiful Mary Tallmadge
of other times), Mr. and Mrs. Vail, Isaac and Eliza Hone, Miss
Sedgwick, and myself, to say nothing of the men (who were not
by any means deficient in good sense and agreeable qualities). I
take it to be a very difficult task to select from the female society
of New York five finer women than those who graced the table
on this pleasant occasion.
January 26. — The California fever is increasing in
Gold! Gold! violence; thousands are going, among whom are many
young men of our best families; the papers are filled
with advertisements of vessels for Chagres and San Francisco.
Tailors, hatters, grocers, provision merchants, hardware men, and
others are employed night and day in fitting out the adventurers.
John Bull, too, is getting as crazy as Brother Jonathan on this
exciting subject.
February 3. — I was a guest at a splendid dinner to-day in Mr.
John C. Stevens’s palace, College place. The house is, indeed, a
palace. The Palais Bourbon in Paris, Buckingham Palace in
London, and Sans-Souci at Berlin, are little grander than this resi-
dence of a simple citizen of our republican city, a steamboat
builder and proprietor; but a mighty good fellow, and most hos-
pitable host, as all who know him will testify. Twenty ladies and
gentlemen, besides the host and hostess, were seated, a few
minutes before seven o’clock, around a round table of sufficient356	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	|>Etat. 69.
capacity to accommodate them pleasantly and conveniently; the
ornaments of the table were magnificent, and in excellent taste.
The dinner consisted of all the delicacies of a French cuisine;
the honours of the feast were performed with the utmost good-
breeding and unobtrusive hospitality; and the company, judging by
the constantly spirited conversation which prevailed, exceedingly
well pleased with their entertainment. The party consisted of
Mr. and Mrs. James G. King, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. and Mrs. William
S. Miller, Mrs. Ledyard, Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer Livingston, Mrs.
Douglass Cruger, Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Coit, Mr. John A. King,
Mr. and Mrs. James B. Murray, Mr. Anson Livingston, President
Moore, Mr. Edwin Stevens, Mr. and Mrs. William Kemble, and
myself.
February 5. — The tone of writing and speaking in Europe on
the subject of the United States is greatly altered of late. Even in
England the public press, as well as the popular orators, not only
speak of us with a certain degree of respect, but hold us up as an
example to their government and people. They may occasionally
abuse us as an arrogant people, grasping at extended territory, dis-
regarding the rights of our neighbours, invading peaceful countries,
fighting like lions, and negotiating like foxes. But the language
of contempt is heard no more; the little foibles of Brother Jonathan
are forgotten in the contemplation of his indomitable courage, his
never-dying perseverance. The thought of manhood begins to be
blended with the ardour and activity of youth. He is growing to
be a “ big boy,” and must be treated with a little more respect.
The “ hasty plate of soup ” may do to laugh at, but the conquering
sword of the hero of La Vera Cruz and Mexico, who penned the
unfortunate expression, has effaced its recollection. The Yankees
may be ignorant of the most approved method of using the knife
and fork; but it cannot be denied that they are competent to make
a good use of the sword and musket. They eat fast, but they go
ahead wonderfully; they use some queer expressions, but in defence
of their rights are apt to talk much to the purpose.«849]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
357
Mrs. Butler’s
Readings.
March 13.—The fashionable world is agog again
upon a new impulse. Mrs. Butler, the veritable “ Fanny
Kemble,” has taken the city by storm. She reads
Shakespeare’s plays three evenings in the week, and at noon on
Mondays, at the Stuyvesant Institution, in Broadway, a room which
will hold six or seven hundred persons, and which is filled when
she reads by the elite of the world of fashion: delicate women,
grave gentlemen, belles, beaux, and critics, flock to the doors of
entrance, and rush into such places as they can find, two or three
hours before the time of the lady’s appearance. They are com-
pensated for ,this tedious sitting on hard seats, squeezed by the
crowd, by an hour’s reading — very fine, certainly, for Fanny
Kemble knows how to do it — of the favourite plays of the im-
mortal bard. She makes $2,000 or $3,000 a week, and never was
money so easily earned. There is no expense except the room
and the lights, and the performance is a “ labour of love.” Shake-
speare was never paid for writing his plays as Mrs. Butler is
for reading them.
March 16. *—This gentleman’s influence with the
Mr. Webster, new administration seems to be gaining strength. He
has not been thought very friendly to the present ruling
powers; but he likes them better than he does the Clay men, and
Mr. Clayton, the Secretary of State, knowing his importance in the
Senate, would like, no doubt, to have him on his side. The evi-
dence of this revival of the influence of the great Massachusetts
senator is indicated by the appointment of his son, Fletcher Web-
ster, as district attorney for Massachusetts, and that of his brother-
in-law, William Le Roy, as navy agent in New York. This last
appointment sends adrift the brothers Wetmore, whose politics have
been made subservient to the very natural desire of retaining in the
family the emoluments of this lucrative office. One of these
gentlemen is a Whig, and the other a Loco-foco; so that, like
the buckets in the well, when one went down, the other came
up.358
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 69.
General
Scott.
March 17.— This accomplished soldier and gal-
lant commander made his first appearance since his
return from Mexico, on Wednesday, in Washington,
when he paid his respects to the President. And I rejoice to
hear that the meeting between those “ dogs of war ” was
friendly and affectionate, especially as there have been some
“ foregone conclusions ” which made me doubt, knowing Scott’s
disposition, whether this desirable result could be attained. I
went to see General Scott the evening before his departure, and
had a long talk with him on this subject. I begged him to let
“ by-gones be by-gones,” and to remember that General Taylor is
President of the United States, and his superior officer. He
gave me a long account of his grievances, making himself, as
usual, the hero of his tale; but he knows my attachment to him,
and that I love him, even with his little faults, and I should not
be surprised to learn that his good heart and sound judgment
approved my advice.
April 17. — My new office, that of naval officer,
Nava^ officer ^r^nSs me care> trouble, and vexation, especially in
relation to applications for office, which have showered
down upon me in torrents. It is distressing to see how many
worthy persons look to these small offices for the support of
large families, and to me it is a source of pain that so many are
doomed to disappointment. The official patronage of the naval
officer is confined to the clerks who are employed about his per-
son ; the collector makes all the appointments of officers who are
engaged in the collection of the revenue; my office is advisory
and adjunct to the collector. But, to counterbalance these draw-
backs, I am pleased with the office; and the warm congratula-
tions I receive, from all quarters, all conditions of men, and all
sorts of politicians, leave me no room to doubt the popularity
of my appointment. Friends rise up all around me; I am in-
finitely richer than I ever supposed in these precious treasures
of the heart. If I open one of the numerous letters I receive,1849]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
359
petitioning for office which I cannot bestow, I am consoled by
finding alongside of it another filled with the kindest expressions
of personal regard.
April 20.—Mr. Charles H. Russell gave a dinner to-day in
compliment to me on my appointment. The party consisted of
the following gentlemen, principally members of the Hone Club,
and all my devoted friends, who rejoice greatly: Francis Granger,
M. H. Grinnell, George Curtis, Edward Curtis, Simeon Draper,
Daniel B. Fearing, J. Watson Webb, J. Prescott Hall, R. M.
Blatchford, R. L. Colt, Thomas Tileston, Hugh Maxwell, D. S.
Kennedy.
My Com-
mission.
April 23. — Yesterday’s mail brought my com-
mission as “ Naval Officer for the District of New
York,” with the broad seal of the Treasury Depart-
ment, signed by Zachary Taylor, President, and countersigned by
William M. Meredith, Secretary of the Treasury; with an order
to Mr. Bogardus to march out of the office, and another to me
to march in, both of which will be accomplished this morning,
on or about the hour of ten o’clock. I hope, by the blessing of
God, to be enabled to perform my duty with fidelity, ability, and
integrity.
April 25. — The painful part of the duties of my office, the
removal of the officers and clerks, has commenced. I have
removed the three deputies, Messrs. Spinner, Sandford, and
Lee, and appointed my nephew, Isaac S. Hone, my son Robert,
and Mr. Franklin; and the worst is yet to come.
May 8.—Mr. McCready commenced an engage-
ment last evening at the Opera-House, Astor place,
and was to have performed the part of “Macbeth,”
whilst his rival) Mr. Forrest, appeared in the same part at the
Broadway theatre. A violent animosity has existed on the part
of the latter theatrical hero against his rival, growing out of
some differences in England; but with no cause, that I can
discover, except that one is a gentleman, and the other is a vul-
Theatrical
Riot.36o
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[yEtat. 69.
gar, arrogant loafer, with a pack of kindred rowdies at his heels.
Of these retainers a regularly organized force was employed
to raise a riot at the Opera-House and drive Mr. McCready off
the stage, in which, to the disgrace of the city, the ruffians suc-
ceeded. On the appearance of the “ Thane of Cawdor,” he
was saluted with a shower of missiles, rotten eggs, and other
unsavoury objects, with shouts and yells of the most abusive
epithets. In the midst of this disgraceful riot the performance
was suspended, the respectable part of the audience dispersed,
and the vile band of Forresters were left in possession of the
house. This cannot end here; the respectable part of our
citizens will never consent to be put down by a mob raised to
serve the purpose of such a fellow as Forrest. Recriminations
will be resorted to, and a series of riots will have possession of
the theatres of the opposing parties.
May 10. — The riot at the Opera-House on Monday
The Riots. night was children’s play compared with the disgraceful
scenes which were enacted in our part of this devoted
city this evening, and the melancholy loss of life to which the out-
rageous proceedings of the mob naturally led.
An appeal to Mr. McCready had been made by many highly
respectable citizens, and published in the papers, inviting him to
finish his engagement at the Opera-House, with an implied pledge
that they would stand by him against the ferocious mob of Mr.
Forrest’s friends, who had determined that McCready should not
be allowed to play, whilst at the same time their oracle was strut-
ting, unmolested, his “ hour upon the stage ” of the Broadway
theatre. This announcement served as a firebrand in the mass of
combustibles left smouldering from the riot of the former occasion.
The Forresters perceived that their previous triumph was incom-
plete, and a new conspiracy was formed to accomplish effectually
their nefarious designs. Inflammatory notices were posted in the
upper ward, meetings were regularly organized, and bands of
ruffians, gratuitously supplied with tickets by richer rascals, were1849.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
361
sent to take possession of the theatre. The police, however, were
beforehand with them, and a large body of their force was posted
in different parts of the house.
When Mr. McCready appeared he was assailed in the same
manner as on the former occasion; but he continued on the stage
and performed his part with firmness, amidst the yells and hisses
of the mob. The strength of the police, and their good conduct,
as well as that of the Mayor, Recorder, and other public functionaries,
succeeded in preventing any serious injury to the property within
doors, and many arrests were made; but the war raged with frightful
violence in the adjacent streets. The mob — a dreadful one in
numbers and ferocity—assailed the extension of the building, broke
in the windows, and demolished some of the doors. I walked up
to the corner of Astor place, but was glad to make my escape. On
my way down, opposite the New York Hotel, I met a detachment
of troops, consisting of about sixty cavalry and three hundred infan-
try, fine-looking fellows, well armed, who marched steadily to the
field of action. Another detachment went by the way of Lafayette
place. On their arrival they were assailed by the mob, pelted
with stones and brickbats, and several were carried off severely
wounded.
Under this provocation, with the sanction of the civil authorities,
orders were given to fire. Three or four volleys were discharged ;
about twenty persons were killed and a large number wounded. It
is to be lamented that in the number were several innocent persons,
as .is always the case in such affairs. A large proportion of the
mob being lookers-on, who, putting no faith in the declaration of
the magistrates that the fatal order was about to be given, refused
to retire, and shared the fate of the rioters. What is to be the
issue of this unhappy affair cannot be surmised; the end is not yet.
smashed with bullet-holes. Mrs. Langdon’s house looks as if it
After the
Battle.
May ii. — I walked up this morning to the field of
battle, in Astor place. The Opera-House presents a
shocking spectacle, and the adjacent buildings are362
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[A£tat. 69.
had withstood a siege. Groups of people were standing around,
some justifying the interference of the military, but a large propor-
tion were savage as tigers with the smell of blood.
I was one of a large party who dined to-day with Mr.
M^Vaii’s Vail, at his splendid mansion, Fifth avenue. The
dinner was sumptuous, the table superb, the guests
numerous, and we dined at seven o’clock. The party consisted
of General Scott, Mr. Fearing, Robert Ray; Mr. Vail, of Troy;
Washington Irving, Daniel Fearing, James J. Jones, Charles H.
Russell, Colonel Thorn, Mr. Bates, General Tallmadge; Stephens,
the traveller; West, the artist; Hulseman, Austrian charge; John
Van Buren, Mr. Mildmay; Mr. Corcoran, of Washington ; James G.
King, Charles A. Davis, Lispenard Stewart, and myself.
May 12. — Last night passed off tolerably quietly, owing to the
measures taken by the magistrates and police. But it is consolatory
to know that law and order have thus far prevailed. The city
authorities have acted nobly. The whole military force was under
arms all night, and a detachment of United States troops was also
held in reserve. All the approaches to the Opera-House were
strictly guarded, and no transit permitted. The police force, with
the addition of a thousand special constables, were employed in
every post of danger; and although the lesson has been dearly
bought, it is of great value, inasmuch as the fact has been estab-
lished that law and order can be maintained under a Republican
form of government.
June i. — The cholera increases, the weather is
The cholera, foggy, murky, and damp,—just such weather as pro-
duces and propagates this dreadful disease. A panic is
created; vegetables and fish, oysters and clams, generous wine and
nourishing porter, are repudiated; foolish people run from one
extreme to another; let them live well and temperately, wear
flannel, and think less of cholera, and defy the foul fiend.
June 30. — Died this morning, Cornelius Low, aged fifty-four
years. Dr. Francis says it was a regular case of “ blue cholera.”i84S-]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
363
This dreadful disease increases fearfully; there are eighty-eight
new cases to-day, and twenty-six deaths. Our visitation is severe,
but thus far it falls much short of other places. St. Louis, on the
Mississippi, is likely to be depopulated, and Cincinnati, on the Ohio,
is awfully scourged. These two flourishing cities are the resort of
emigrants from Europe; Irish and Germans coming by Canada,
New York, and New Orleans, filthy, intemperate, unused to the
comforts of life and regardless of its proprieties. They flock to the
populous towns of the great West, with disease contracted on ship-
board, and increased by bad habits on shore. They inoculate the
inhabitants of those beautiful cities, and every paper we open is
only a record of premature mortality. The air seems to be cor-
rupted, and indulgence in things heretofore innocent is frequently
fatal now in these " cholera times.”
died yesterday, at the house of his son-in-law, Mr. Stevens, at
Astoria, aged eighty-eight years.
Mr. Gallatin was a native of Geneva, in Switzerland. He came to
this country, and landed at Boston, on the 14th of July, 1780. He
served as a volunteer, under Col. John Allen, at Machias and else-
where. In 1782 he was Professor of French in Harvard. He
went to Virginia in 1784, and thence to Pennsylvania, where he
settled on a farm on the banks of the Monongahela. He was a
member of the convention to amend the Constitution, in 1789. In
1790 he was a member of the Legislature, and in 1793 a sena-
tor in Congress for that State. The latter office he did not
enjoy, being ineligible from not having been long enough in the
country to entitle him to a seat. At this period Mr. Gallatin was
a violent Democrat, and affixed a stain to his political character by
participating in the whiskey insurrection of Pennsylvania, in oppo-
sition to General Washington. I have no doubt that the latter
half of his life gave him frequent occasion to wish that the page in
Albert
Gallatin.
August 13. — This man of many generations, this
politician of many parties, this philosopher of many
theories, has finished his long and eventful career. He3^4
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[v^Etat. 69,
the record of the former part, on which this event was inscribed,
could be expunged. In Congress he was the great leader of the
Jeffersonian Democratic party; on the accession of Mr.*Jefferson
he was appointed Secretary of the Treasury, and sent to Russia on
a diplomatic mission. Thence he joined the illustrious board of
commissioners who negotiated the treaty of Ghent.
He has written a great deal, and his works will form a valuable
legacy to the nation. Industrious, ardent, persevering, he must
have collected, like his contemporary, John Q. Adams, a mass
of interesting and instructive matter connected with the history
of his adopted country. Amongst his other stations of useful-
ness he was the venerated president of the Historical Society,
the duties of which his age and infirmities compelled him to
relinquish to Mr. Luther Bradish,\he able and accomplished
vice-president. Mrs. Gallatin was the daughter of Commodore
Nicholson. She died a few months since, at about the same
age as her husband.
Death of	September 19. —Another of my friends and contem-
christopher poraries gone. Poor Christopher Hughes died yester-
Hughes. day, in Baltimore, aged sixty-four years.
One by one these companions of my former pleasant days are
dropping off, and I begin to feel like the solitary, leafless, weather-
beaten tree, on the sandy beach of Rockaway, which, for half a
century, has “ bided the pelting of the pitiless storm,” stretch-
ing out its sapless arms to the ocean blast; its age, infirmities,
and insignificance forming its best claim to the forbearance of
the elements.
September 22.— I wrote, the other day, to Mr. R.
L. Colt, at Paterson, that, knowing the value he set
upon his baskets, I would not trust the one we had
(which he had kindly sent to us filled with delicious grapes) to a
hireling hand, but be myself the bearer of the important envelope
of the grapes, and should expect a good dinner for my pains. So
he sent more grapes, and bade me to a dinner on Thursday,
Visit to
Paterson.i$49 0
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
365
Friday, or Saturday, with an injunction that I should bring with me
two or three good fellows. On this provocation, Blatchford, Fear-
ing, John Ward, and I went to Paterson yesterday, in the train, at
half-past twelve o’clock, and arrived in less than an hour. We ad-
mired the swans, wild-geese, and muscovy-ducks; envied the pigs,
measured the pumpkins, munched the grapes, gathered the flowers;
had a capital dinner, fine wine, and a farmer’s tea; and at twenty-
two minutes past seven o’clock (the precise time prescribed in the
railroad programme) came away from this delightful place, every
man with a basket of grapes, the return of which may form an
excuse for future dinners. Colt’s hospitality is of the right sort.
October i . — Mr. Alexander Duncan, who arrived
Mr. Duncan, this morning from Liverpool, is one of the most extraor-
dinary instances of good fortune, so far as money is
concerned, that has occurred in this country. In the winter of
1821-22 he was a fellow-passenger of mine on a voyage from Liv-
erpool, in the ship “ Amity,” Captain Maxwell. He was then seven-
teen years of age; a rough, awkward, shaggy-headed Scotch boy, on
a voyage to see his relation, the respected John Grieg, of Canan-
daigua, and to try his fortune in the new “ land of cakes.”
There were only three of us in the cabin, Mrs. Pritchard, an
English lady, being the third. We had a long, stormy passage, and
I, of course, became intimate with the young Scotchman ; and, un-
polished as he was, I took a great liking to him. He was bright,
intelligent, and of good principles, and a friendship was formed
which continues until the present time.
Young Duncan, after a few weeks with his uncle at Canandaigua,
went to Providence, Rhode Island, to finish his education; entered
as a sophomore in the college, and improved his time so well, that
by the time he graduated he had engaged the affections of a young
lady, whom he married, relinquishing one baccalaureate as he
assumed another. Mrs. Duncan had two rich uncles, named But-
ler, immensely rich, and increasing in wealth every day; for they
laid up prodigiously and spent nothing, — a method which, they366
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iE tat. 69.
say, accumulates amazingly. One of these worthies died a few years
after the niece’s marriage, and made her heiress to all his property.
This induced Duncan and his wife to remove to Providence, where
they have resided ever since. My fellow-passenger in the “ Amity ”
bids fair to become one of the richest men in tangible productive
property in the United States. And the best of all is, that he is a
liberal, generous man, who will make a good use of his money; un-
less, like many others, his immense riches shall make him penurious,
as was the case with the person from whom he inherits this moun-
tain of wealth.
November 23.— Mr. Clay remains in town, though
Mr. ciay. people will not indulge him in his desire to enjoy quiet
and seclusion at the house of his friend Benson. They
pester him to death, haunt him by day, serenade him at night,
follow him in his walks, shouting, hurrahing, Harry Claying
him wherever he goes. Denying him the liberty he has contrib-
uted in so great a degree to secure for them, they insist upon a
speech in return for every hurrah which proceeds from their vul-
gar throats, and compel him to return the unmerciful squeeze of
every dirty hand.
heard of or read about. Thistlewood’s case in England, and
Colt’s here, do not equal it in atrocity; indeed, it resembles the latter
in some shocking particulars. Dr. Parkman, a respectable physi-
cian, son of old Samuel Parkman, and brother of Mrs. Robert G.
Shaw, left his house on Friday, 23d ult., and has not been heard of
since. His strange disappearance, of course, occasioned alarm and
consternation. The police were sent in all directions; rivers were
dragged, and woods searched. Mrs. Shaw offered a reward of
$5,000 for information to lead to a conviction of the assassins,
if murder had been committed, and $1,000 for the recovery of the
body. All these measures were unsuccessful until the last of the
Murder of
Dr. Parkman.
December 3. — The good, orderly town of Boston is
in a state of fermentation; the people look aghast and
wonder-stricken at one of the most horrid murders ever1849]	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	367
week, when circumstances were brought to light so awful as to be
thought incredible; but sufficient, in my judgment, to prove un-
questionably the guilt of the accused.
The horrible facts which have come to light have fastened sus-
picion, amounting almost to certainty, upon Dr. John W. Webster,
Professor of Chemistry for the last twenty years in the Medical
College connected with Harvard University, — a person connected
with some of the best families in Boston, who has a wife and sev-
eral children; himself a man of talents, amiable, urbane, and
hospitable in his intercourse with society. This frightful case is
similar, as I before remarked, but even more atrocious, than that of
Colt in this city. Dr. Webster was indebted to Dr. Parkman
$480, secured by a mortgage. The latter was very rich, a penu-
rious man, and a hard creditor; and his debtor in this case
extravagant (as scientific persons frequently are), and a bad man-
ager of pecuniary matters, consequently embarrassed in his finan-
ces. Urged by his creditor, he called at his house on the morning
of Friday, the 23 d, and left word that if Dr. Parkman would
call upon him at one o’clock he would pay his demand. Dr.
Parkman called, was seen to enter, and was never seen afterward.
Things went on without any discoveries until Friday last, when
suspicions were aroused that Dr. Webster was the murderer. A
search was made in his apartments, and there the mutilated remains
were found, partly consumed by fire, and disclosing a scene too
horrible for description, but proving, strong as circumstances ever
can prove, that murder had been perpetrated; and, to my mind,
equally conclusive that this Dr. Webster, so clear in all his former
relations to society, was the perpetrator of the dreadful crime. He
is in prison on the charge, whilst further investigations are going
on. The effects of this wonderful catastrophe are dreadful. Two
estimable families, with “ troops of friends,” are plunged into un-
mitigated grief; the whole community is in a state of the greatest
excitement, and men stand aghast at this new development of the
infirmity of human nature. Poor, erring, human nature, — the vie-368
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 69.
tim of violent passions and uncontrollable propensities by nature,
and selfish desires and unreasonable prejudices by education ! To
religion alone, and its benign influence upon human actions, can
we look for that wholesome restraint which is competent to estab-
lish “ peace on earth and good-will to men.”1850.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
369
I85O.
TANUARY 1. — With the commencement of the new year is
** that of the twenty-eighth volume of my journal. The records
of the last are marked with public and private manifestations of the
goodness and tender mercy of the Maker and Ruler of the Uni-
verse, and the Father and Friend of his people. It has been a
year of national prosperity, under the wise counsels of an honest
and enlightened administration, which, with all its claims upon the
gratitude of the people, has failed to receive their support; and the
force of prejudice and the perversity of faction have produced in
the general and State legislatures majorities opposed to the Execu-
tive and his cabinet. The Senate of the United States is decidedly
in the opposition; and the new Speaker of the House of Represen-
tatives, who was elected by a plurality of one vote, has evinced his
determination to carry out the views of his party by rejecting all
the leading Whigs from the important committees, and by not
appointing a single chairman from among their number. This
man owes his election to the Speaker’s chair to the magnanimity
of the Whigs, who might have prevented it, if they had preferred
party to peace and union.
With the exception of a dreadful visitation, during the summer
and part of the autumn, of the cholera, that fell destroyer of the
human race, general health has prevailed in a good degree, com-
merce has flourished, peace prevailed, and plenty abounded; and if
the people will vote wrong—why, let them. They are the masters,
and have the right to do wrong.
As to myself and my- concerns, I have much to be thankful for.
My health has improved; the disease which for so long a time
subdued my strength and wasted my flesh is greatly mitigated. I
am stronger, but my flesh and good looks have not returned.370
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JEtat 70.
However, I eat my allowance, drink as much as is good for me, and
sleep with a good conscience; and so the Lord be thanked.
January 7.—The spirit of party faction and disor-
Congress. ganization prevails in the House of Representatives.
Their constituents sent them to Washington on public
business, for which they were to receive eight dollars a day.
They have received it without as yet having done anything to
earn it. The same difficulty which for so long a time prevented
the election of Speaker now exists in relation to the clerk. The
Loco-focos and the Whigs proper are so nearly divided, that the
Free-Soilers — the Ishmaelites whose hand is against everybody, the
fire-brands who are ready to tear down the edifice of government to
erect altars for the worship of their own idols — have the power to
prevent a choice of clerk, and thus obstruct the people’s legisla-
tion, — a power which they exert with a recklessness without par-
allel. Whilst this disgraceful state of affairs continues, national
legislation stands still.
January 21. — The noble mansion on the Fifth avenue and
Ninth street, belonging to the family of the late Henry Brevoort,
with ninety-two feet of ground on the avenue and one hundred
and twenty-six feet in depth, has been purchased by Mr. Henry
C. de Rham, for $57,000.
January 22. — We had a pleasant dinner-party. The following
were the guests: General Scott, Dr. Wainwright, Mr. George Ban-
croft, Mr. August Belmont, Mr. R. M. Blatchford, Mr. C. H.
Russell, Commander Perry, Mr. Luther Bradish, Mr. Vail, Mr.
Pendleton, Mr. Fearing, Mr. George Curtis.
January 24. — By the polite invitation of the
Mayor, I attended this day the presentation of a
gold box and the freedom of the city to Captain
Cook, commander of the barque “ Sarah,” of Yarmouth, Nova
Scotia, — the noble fellow who saved the lives of three hundred
and ninety-nine passengers and crew of the packet-ship “ Caleb
Grimshaw,” Captain Hoxie, burned at sea in November last. This
Municipal
Honours.1850.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
371
was a well-deserved compliment; the glorious achievement was
performed at a fearful risk of life and property. Eight days were
spent in this “ labour of love; ” during a greater part of the time
in a severe gale, which made the communication with the burning
ship a severe and dangerous service; but, by the unequalled good
conduct of Captain Cook, all were saved, with the exception of
those who lost their lives by their reckless insubordination and
self-abandonment in the moments of despair.
January 25.— Died yesterday, in the seventy-first year of his
age, Nicholas Saltus, another of my contemporaries, — a queer,
priggish-looking little fellow, a very Dr. Syntax in appearance,
with more imagination than knowledge, and a dealer in fancy more
than in fact.
January 26.—My daughter and I went to a dinner-party
given by Mr. and Mrs. Vail, at their superb mansion at the corner
of Fifth avenue and Fifteenth street. The party was given
in honour of Mrs. Scott, late Miss Cornelia Scott, daughter of my
friend, the gallant General; she was recently married to the Gen-
eral’s aide. It consisted of the following (and for fine women, and
lovely women, and handsome women I should like to find any
dinner-party in this city presumptuous enough to enter into com-
parison with Mrs. Vail’s) : Mrs. Clinton, Bishop Hughes, Colonel
and Mrs. Scott {la belle mariee), Mr. and Mrs. Philip Van Rens-
selaer, Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Brooks, Mr. and Mrs. Boreel, Mr. and
Mrs. Frederick de Peyster, Mr. and Mrs. Lispenard Stewart, Mr.
Robert Ray and his daughter Cornelia, and Captain Hamilton, her
fiance, Miss Dehon, Mr. and Mrs. Hone.
January 28. — I witnessed this morning, at nine
New steam. 0>cioc]^ a nove^ exciting, and glorious exhibition^
Three steam-vessels, of the aggregate cost of more
than $1,000,000, were launched in succession from the ship-
yard of William H. Brown, at the foot of Twelfth street, East
river. I walked over at an early hour, and saw the several
launches in the following order: The “New World,” intended37*
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 70.
for the navigation of the rivers of California. Her dimensions
are as follows: length, 216 feet; breadth of beam, 2 7 feet;
depth of hold, 10J feet; burden, 650 tons. The interest of the
transit of this vessel from the' land to her destined element con-
sisted in her being launched with all her machinery on board,
which, as soon as she touched the water, was set in motion;
the wheels revolving, the smoke ascending, and the steam
whizzing with its usual vivacity, she went to see the launch on
the other side of the Point. A rush now took place of the
countless multitude to the yard of the Novelty Works, where
anxious faces were seen from every dock, vessel, storehouse,
and roof, looking towards the great object of attraction. I was
so fortunate as to get a place on board the “Atlantic,” where a
large company of the best sort of men and women to be found
in New York was assembled, by invitation, and admitted by
ticket, issued by Mr. Collins, the representative of the enterprising
owners of the new line. I had not these credentials, but my
reception was cordial and complimentary.
Whilst we were waiting for the crowning glory of the occasion,
a noble steamer, of eight hundred tons, called the “Boston,”
took her departure from the land alongside of the leviathan of
the ocean. She is intended to run between Boston and Bangor;
and, in addition to her fine model and tasteful decorations, she
has the strength required for that service, frequently so tempest-
uous and dangerous.
Soon after the “Boston” left her ways, the “Arctic” began
to move slowly and gracefully, heralded by the shouts of the
immense multitude, who had been anxiously looking for this
event. The first movement of the largest vessel ever built in
the United States, several hundred tons larger than a first-rate
man-of-war, she sat so easily that her bows did not displace
four feet of water. This great specimen of American enterprise
and skill in naval architecture and mechanical science belongs
to Collins’s line of New York and Liverpool, which carries the1850.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
373
mail between the two ports. She is to be connected with
the "Atlantic,” "Pacific,” "Antarctic” and "Adriatic.” They
cost nearly $600,000 each. There is nothing like it in the
world. The dimensions of the " Arctic,” are as follows: Length
on deck, 295 feet; width of beam, 46 feet; depth of hold,
32 feet; burden, 3,500 tons. She has 95-inch cylinders, with
9-feet stroke; wheels, 35 feet diameter; 12-feet buckets, four
decks, excellent sleeping accommodations, and cabins dec-
orated with all the splendour and extravagance for which our
Yankee marine palaces are famous the world over.
After the launch I squeezed myself into the cabin of the
" Atlantic,” to witness, with hundreds of ladies and gentlemen,
the manner in which more than half a million can be ex-
pended. If John Bull can beat this, let him; but, if not,
" Britannia ” must no longer pretend to " rule the seas.” The
vessels of Collins’s line are so constructed as to be convertible
into vessels of war.
February 13.—When we read the accounts of the loss of
human life by steam and its machinery, boilers bursting, flues
collapsing, running into each other at sea, and running off the
track on the land, besides the dreadful shipwrecks, the accounts
of which occupy the principal column of every newspaper, there
would seem to be some reason to apprehend a diminution of
the human family. But in a walk up the Bowery, in the slums
of Corlear’s Hook, or through the classic region of the Five-
Points, the swarms of ragged, barefooted, unbreeched little
tatterdemalion's, free-born Americans (free enough, in all con-
science), will afford abundant proof that suitable means are
taken to keep up the supply.
February 18. — The dreadful question of slavery,
The Union, which has cast an inextinguishable brand of discord
between the North and the South of this hitherto happy
land, has taken a tangible and definite shape on the question of the
admission of the new State of California into the Union with the374
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 70.
Constitution of her own framing and adoption. The flame is no
longer smothered; the fanatics of the North and the disunionists
of the South have made a gulf so deep that no friendly foot can
pass it; enmity so fierce that reason cannot allay it; unconquer-
able, sectional jealousy, and the most bitter personal hostility. A
dissolution of the Union, which until now it was treason to think of,
much more to utter, is the subject of the daily harangues of the
factionists in both Houses of Congress. Compromise is at an end.
Mr. Clay, the great mediator in time of trouble, has been making a
conciliatory speech, which is applauded by all parties, and flying in
pamphlet form the length and breadth of the land. But in vain :
the charm of his eloquence is dissolved, the fever of party-spirit is
beyond the reach of palliatives, the flame of faction has arisen to a
height beyond the control of the stream of reason. Passion rules
the deliberations of the people’s representatives to a degree which,
from present appearances, will prevent the despatch of public busi-
ness of any kind. When will all this end ? I see no remedy ! If
California is admitted with the prohibition of slavery which them-
selves have adopted, or if the national district is freed by the action
of Congress from the traffic in human flesh, the South stands ready
to retire from the Union, and bloody wars will be the fatal conse-
quence. White men will cut each other’s throats, and servile insur-
rections will render the fertile fields of the South a deserted
monument of the madness of man. On the other hand, the
abolitionists of the North will listen to no terms of compromise.
Equally regardless of the blessings of union, they profess to hold
it of no value unless the power is conceded to them of restraining
the extension of the great moral evil which overshadows the land.
February 22.— The birthday of Washington was
Washington s 0kserve j	some demonstration of respect, — a mili-
tary parade and a procession of the Odd Fellows.
What would the “ Father of his Country ” say, if he were still
amongst us, a witness of the factions which prevail in the councils
of the nation, of the dangers which threaten the existence of that1850.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
375
Union for the preservation of which his prayers were directed to
heaven to the very close of his illustrious life ! Have this people
forgotten so soon the precious injunctions of their warrior, states-
man, oracle, father? They give large sums for his paternal legacy,
but they disregard the solemn truths which it inculcates.
the whole Union, and nothing but the Union,*1’ at all hazards, and
to support the principles of Mr. Clay’s compromise resolutions.
General Scott was there. His appearance on the stage was hailed
with the most rapturous applause, and every allusion to him brought
forth similar manifestations of delight and admiration.
gaping gossipers have “ supped deep” on oratorical horrors; the
quidnuncs have something to chew upon. Mr. Calhoun has been
ill during the whole session, so ill as not to be able to deliver his
speech, a written copy of which was read, at his request, by Mr.
Mason. This is probably his last kick; and, if he is to be judged by
the sentiments of this effort, the sooner he is done kicking the
better. If this manifesto is to be taken as the text-book of the
South, all attempts at conciliation will be fruitless. It is a calm,
dispassionate avowal that nothing short of absolute submission to
the'slave-holding States will be accepted; there is no compromise
proposed, no conciliation offered. The prosperity of the North —
the natural fruit of industry, perseverance and skill — is a mortal
offence to South Carolina. New York is more populous than
Charleston. Boston notions sell better than Southern productions,
and New Bedford oil and candles shine brighter than slavery
manifestoes.
Mr. Webster is to speak on Thursday. His position is extremely
delicate and embarrassing, even to a man like him, of iron nerves.
Union
Meeting.
February 26. — There was a great meeting last
evening, at Castle Garden, of men of all political par-
ties, to express a determination to stand by the “ Union,
Mr. Calhoun’s
Speech.
March 5.—The South Carolina senator, the leader
of the Southern disunionists, the slave-holders’ oracle,
the daring repudiator, has made his speech. The376
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[HLtat. 70.
I apprehend some disappointment amongst the anti-slavery spirits
of the North and his own State of Massachusetts. Union is his
paramount motive, the Constitution the star by which he steers; to
preserve these he will probably concede more to the South than the
fiery politicians (Whigs even) of the North may think expedient.
Much, however, may be effected by a conciliating temper and dis-
creet measures. Webster, Clay, and Calhoun, — these three “old
men eloquent,” — how they labour with “ harness on their back ” !
and Bissell, too, who made an admirable speech; and fiery Stanley,
and steady Winthrop, and a host of worthies, — all praise To the
defenders of the Union !
March 6. — There was a great Union meeting on Monday, in
Baltimore, similar to ours at Castle Garden. The Mayor, Mr.
Stansbury, presided, with a long string of vices, among whom I
recognize the names of Meredith, Kennedy, Carroll, Barney,
McLane, Frick, Morris, Birkhead, Monroe, and Stewart. If his
Worship has no more vices than these, he has less to answer for than
most men. The resolutions are very good; the orators required
to be warmed by their subject, as the meeting was held in Monu-
ment square, — the coldest, bleakest spot in America, except the
corner of Broadway and Wall street, in our own city of New York.
Governor	March i2. — Governor Seward made his great
Seward’s speech yesterday, in the Senate, on the California
Speech. question. It was able, of course, but wild on the sub-
ject which agitates the country; opposed to Calhoun, dissenting
from Webster, making battle against the South; uncompromising,
right in some things, wrong in more, eloquent rather than argu-
mentative; honey to the Northern abolitionists, wormwood to
the Southern factionists; and so we go. I go with Webster.
March 14. — Mr. Webster’s late speech seems to be
Mr. Webster’s .	. .	. .	...
Speech.	buying golden opinions. Some opposition is made
by the violent anti-slavery men in his own section of the
country (the very men who brought this trouble upon us, by voting
for the annexation of Texas), on the ground of his having conceded1850.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
377
too much to the South; but a large proportion (and there is
reason to hope a majority) of the discreet, reflecting men of all
parts of the Union approve the principles and sentiments of this
great speech, are willing to make it their text, and augur the most
auspicious results from its dissemination far and wide. The exor-
dium of this speech is in every man’s mouth; the effect must have
been prodigious. The position which the speaker occupied in the
discussion of the momentous question, and the appearance of the
man (I can imagine how he looked), were things to be remem-
bered, with a sort of awful admiration, by the closely packed
audience who had the good luck to hear him. He began thus:
“I rise to speak to-day, not as a Massachusetts man, not as a
Northern man; but as an American, and a member of the Senate
of the United States.”
whenever he gets a chance. This is the same man who had a
fight in the street, the other day, with Borland, a brother Loco-
foco; and now a most disgraceful scene has been enacted on the
floor of the Senate between this loafer and Benton, the “ Father of
the Senate,” in which epithets were applied to each other in the
most approved style of Five-Points eloquence. The most vulgar
language was made the vehicle of personal vituperation; the capa-
cious stem of the Missouri senator was a spot in which the bellig-
erent Foot might have been placed to some advantage; but it did
not get so far. How can such men as Webster, Clay, Calhoun,
Berrien, Davis, etc., sit and listen to such ribaldry 1
statesman, is to be tried for his life for the murder of Dr. Parker .”
This is worthy of the “New York Herald” or “Washington
Union.”
Benton and
Foote.
March 22. — This Senator Foote seems to be trip-
ping up everybody who comes in his way. He is a
pestiferous demagogue, bent upon kicking up a dust
Newspaper
Accuracy.
March 23.— An English newspaper has the follow-
ing astounding and veracious article of intelligence:
“ The Honourable Daniel Webster, the great American378
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 70.
April 2. — The great South Carolina senator died
Death of Mr. *n Washington, on Sunday morning, March 31, of a
Calhoun,
disease of the heart. Overworked, terribly excited,
the frail body was insufficient to sustain the burning, restless,
ardent mind. One of the great lights of the Western world is ex-
tinguished; the compeer of Webster and Clay is removed from the
brilliant trio; the South has lost her champion; slavery, its de-
fender ; and nullification and (we are compelled to say) disunion,
their apologists.
Possessing talents of the highest order, irreproachable integrity,
and amiable deportment, he wanted the expanded patriotism, the
disinterested political morality, of his great rival, — Webster. The
latter goes for the country, the whole country, first, and Massachu-
setts after; the Union, the Constitution, the principles of the
Revolution, are the stars by which he steers his political course.
The other great man would sacrifice all these for the interest, the
aggrandizement, of South Carolina. The first is a statesman in the
broadest sense ; the last was the man of a State.
What effect his lamented decease will have upon the questions
which agitate, in so fearful a degree, the minds of men and the
councils of the nation, it is difficult to foresee. Will the withdrawal
of the leader have the effect of disbanding the forces of Southern
opposition? Or will they rally under some leader equally ardent
and uncompromising, but of motives less pure and action more
unscrupulous? God save the Republic ! should be the prayer of
all good Americans in this crisis, pronounced at one extremity of
the Union and echoed at the other.
April 8. — I dined on Saturday with Mr. August Belmont, the
agent of the great house of Rothschilds, at his splendid mansion in
the Fifth avenue. The guests were Washington Irving, Commodore
Perry, Edward Jones, Rev. Dr. Wainwright, Daniel B. Fearing,
Bache McEvers, William Kemble, and myself.
April 13. — I went, last evening, to the opening of the exhibition
of the National Academy of Design, at their new rooms in Broad-1850.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
379
way, opposite Bond street. There was a collation, with a large
party of artists, literati, men of science, and men of taste to partake
of it. The Academy has made an admirable arrangement; the
stables of Brown have been converted into a temple of the Muses.
The Academy has now a local habitation and a name. They have
five rooms filled, for the approaching exhibition, with an unusually
fine collection of pictures. The Academicians have made a suc-
cessful effort to do some work worthy of their good name, and to
give eclat to their new quarters.
occurred, was enacted yesterday on the floor of the Senate, by
Colonel Benton, who likes to be called the father of the Senate, —
but, as it appears in this matter, does not always act up to the dig-
nity and decorum of the character, — and that pestiferous fellow,
Foote, who disgraces himself, his State, and the body of which he
is an unworthy member. Benton appears to have been the aggres-
sor; for it requires more patience than the Missouri senator is
thought to possess, to bear the attack of so filthy an animal. The
other drew a pistol, which, if it had not been for the interference
of the gentlemen near by, would probably have left Missouri un-
represented, and the Senate, fatherless. Pistols in the Senate !
This Foote should be amputated from the body, of which it is a
disgraced member.
April 19. —I dined with my friend Giraud on Wednesday, on
capital clam soup, and a fore-quarter of lamb and mint sauce.
Nobody understands the science of good living, the whole arcana
of gastronomy, better than my old bachelor friend Giraud.
April 22. — My wife and I came from home this
v^it t° morning to make a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Alexander
Duncan, and to bring with us my daughter and Miss
Adele Granger. We left New York at eight o’clock, on the New
Haven railroad, came by Hartford, Springfield, and Worcester,
Senatorial
Fracas.
April 18.—A personal conflict, disgraceful to the
parties, and humiliating to every good American who
has been taught to revere the exalted body in which it380	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	[^tat.70.
and arrived at Providence at six o’clock P.M., — a ride of two hun-
dred and forty miles in ten hours. Mr. Duncan and the girls came
out to meet us at Blackstone, and brought us to our pleasant quar-
ters, the honoured guests of our hospitable and kind friends, where
every comfort was prepared for us, and a good night’s rest followed
the fatigue of our railroad journey.
April 23. — The unpretending elegance, good taste, and admira-
ble house-keeping of Mrs. Duncan’s establishment leave us nothing
to wish for. Mr. Duncan’s immense wealth is judiciously used for
the enjoyment of his family, the gratification of his friends, and the
good of the community, of which he is an active and beneficent
member. After walking with my host, and visiting the interesting
objects of this pleasant town, I went to a dinner given to me by
Samuel G. Arnold. The party consisted of Mr. Moses B. Ives, Mr.
Whipple, Dr. Parsons and his son, Mr. Charles Potter, Mr. Birkhead,
Mr. Duncan, Mr. Robeson, Colonel Halsey, Dr. Mauran, and myself.
April 24. — Went with Mr. Duncan to return the Governor’s
call; visited the College Library, which has been richly endowed
by Mr. Brown, the Athenaeum, etc. Mr. Duncan has contributed
largely to the support of these and other similar scientific and
benevolent institutions, and his literary taste has been evinced by a
tasteful and well-arranged private library. Mr. Duncan gave us a
handsome dinner; the guests, besides our party, consisting of Gov-
ernor Anthony, Mr. Zachariah Allen, Mr. Philip Allen, Moses B. Ives,
Dr. Mauran, Professor Gammell, Mr. Birkhead, and Mr. Brown.
April 25. — After another day spent pleasantly at home and
abroad, and a sociable, comfprtable dinner, we terminated our
agreeable visit, and left Providence at six o’clock P.M., on the
Stonington railroad, to return by the steamer on the Sound. Mrs.
Daniel B. Fearing joined our party, with her children.
There is a new carpet on the library floor, and my
At home. books have undergone a dusting, under Margaret’s
judicious superintendence.
I dined with Mr. Tileston, on an invitation received before I lefti85o.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
381
home; it was pretty much of a club dinner. We had Blatchford,
George Curtis, Spofford, Prescott Hall, Jaudon, Governor Fish,
Matthew Morgan, Henry A. Colt, two Messrs. Brice, sons-in-law of
Mr. Tileston.
April 27.— The great steamer “ Atlantic ” went to sea to-day.
She went off in fine style; but the fog compelled her to stop three
or four hours at Staten Island. She will create a sensation in Eng-
land. If John Bull does not open his eyes in wonder, and scratch
his head in jealousy, he will have lost his usual characteristics. Let
him beat her if he can; if he does, we will try again.
April 29. — Died on the 19th, at his residence, New Bedford,
Cornelius Grinnell, father of Moses, Joseph, and Henry. He was
in the ninety-third year of his age, a hale, hearty, cheerful old
gentleman, — a fine example of green old age. I was at his house
when at New Bedford. His son Moses arrived in New Bedford a
few minutes before he expired. On the morning of the day on
which his long account with this world was closed, he told his
family that Moses was expected on that day, and ordered some
champagne to be iced for him, on his arrival. Mr. Roach, another
native of New Bedford, of about the same age as Mr. Grinnell, died
within a few hours of his decease.
April 30. — I saw Mr. Webster on Sunday. He is on a short
visit to his favourite Marshfield. He went to Boston yesterday,
where he was received by his friends with distinguished honours, and
replied, — in front of his hotel, the Revere House, — in his usual
style of eloquence, to the complimentary speeches which were made
to him. If he does not “buy golden opinions ” now, it must
prove that the article is scarce in the market. He is no longer at
a loss to find his position, and seems determined to maintain it.
May 2. — Another, and another, and another. The
Disasters. steamer “ Belle of the West ” was blown up a few days
since on the Ohio, below Cincinnati, and many lives
lost. These are melancholy events ; but “ it’s of no consequence,”
as Foote says; “ there were more born on that day to supply their382
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 70.
Grinnell
Expedition.
places.” Steam has come into the world to do the work of war,
— equally certain, and, in the aggregate, equally extensive in its
operations; but it wants the prestige of present glory and future
renown; boilers burst, and so do bomb-shells. Men are blown up
as well by steam as gunpowder. Death’s doings, all.
May 4. — Congress has passed the bill, and the
President’s signature has made it a law, to receive the
two vessels to be fitted out by Henry Grinnell to pro-
ceed to the North pole in search of Sir John Franklin. The little
squadron about to be engaged in this work of beneficence is
placed under the rules and regulations of the United States Navy,
which is also to furnish the officers and men for the expedition.
Success attend them; but I have no faith in the enterprise.
Captain Franklin and his companions will never, I fear, be seen
again. They lie “ five fathoms deep ” in their icy shrouds. It is
to be hoped that those who go out on this “ labour of love ” may
not meet with any fate worse than frozen toes and red noses, and
return in good time to relate their adventures in the great ice-
house of the universe.
May 23. — I continue very ill and suffer excruciat-
iiiness. ing pains from the sores in several parts of my body,
the effects of the severe treatment for the dangerous
disease with which I have been afflicted. The erysipelas is removed,
but I am exceedingly weak and emaciated, and require ali the
unwearied care and tender nursing which are bestowed upon me.
But I have sorrow, deep and alarming, beyond the apprehensions
of my own case. My beloved wife lies in her chamber above me, in
what I consider a hopeless case. Nature is sinking; her strength
has departed, and a cough, with which she has been long afflicted,
seems to be insurmountable. Which of us will be first called I dare
not presume to imagine. The Lord’s will be done !
May 24. — My worst apprehensions are realized.
Mr^iione The crowning blessing of my long life, the enjoyment of
which the Lord has permitted to me for a period of1850.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
383
nearly half a century of uninterrupted love, affection, and confi-
dence, He has seen fit to resume. The most excellent partner of.
my fondest associations, the best of wives, the mother of my
children, my comforter in affliction, the participant of my joys, the
promoter of my happiness, my friend and example, died this
' morning at fifteen minutes past four o’clock, — died as angels
live, — peaceful, serene, sensible to the last moment, free from
pain, and perfectly resigned to the will of God. And there
she lies, with a benignant expression which seems to impart sweet-
ness to the flowers with which her beloved frame is decorated.
Teach me, blessed Lord, to receive this chastisement with suitable
resignation and submission to Thy will. Thou hast permitted me
to enjoy for a long period the blessing of which Thou hast now
deprived me, and I have no right to complain. Thy will be done
in this as in all other dispensations of Thy Providence !
May 27. — The last act of our melancholy tragedy was per-
formed yesterday afternoon. The mortal remains of my dearly
beloved wife were consigned to the vault in the cemetery of Saint
Mark’s Church. The following were the pall-bearers: President
William A. Duer, President Charles King, General Scott, Luther
Bradish, Gardiner G. Howland, Richard M. Blatchford, Benjamin
L. Swan, Jacob P. Giraud.
May 30. —This was the first day of my leaving the
The Old	,
Hull afloat. house. The weather is very bad. A long, easterly
storm, the end of which we have not seen, has retarded
my recovery. I am better, but my sufferings are extremely dis-
tressing. I went to the Naval office, where I found my faithful
troops rejoiced to see me. I signed some papers, and remained
about an hour.
If they do not pull down the houses in the annual
Broadway. renovation of Broadway, they fall of their own accord.
The large, three-story house, comer of Broadway and
Fourth street, occupied for several years by Mrs. Seton as a board-
ing-house, fell to-day at two o’clock, with a crash so astounding that3§4
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 70.
the girls, with whom I was sitting in the library, imagined for a
moment that it was caused by an earthquake. Fortunately, the
workmen had notice to make their escape. No lives were lost, and
no personal injury was sustained. The mania for converting Broad-
way into a street of shops is greater than ever. There is scarcely a
block in the whole extent of this fine street of which some part is
not in a state of transmutation. The City Hotel has given place to
a row of splendid stores; Stewart is extending his stores to take in
the whole front from Chambers to Reade street; this is already the
most magnificent dry-goods establishment in the world. I certainly
do not remember anything to equal it in London or Paris; with the
addition now in progress this edifice will be one of the “wonders ” of
the Western world. Three or four good brick houses on the comer
of Broadway and Spring street have been levelled, I know not for
what purpose, — shops, no doubt. The houses — fine, costly edi-
fices, opposite to me, extending from Driggs’s corner down to a
point opposite to Bond street — are to make way for a grand con-
cert and exhibition establishment. All this is very well; men have
a right to improve their property as they please; but it really would
be well if more precautions were used in pulling down and under-
propping. Lives enough have been sacrificed; but the inquisitive
people require something to gratify their curiosity, and some went
away from the ruins to-day a little disappointed that no lives were
lost. It was nothing to the accident in Hague street.
June i . — This has been a week of festivity among the members
of the old club; it arose out of a reciprocation of the hospitality of
some of the Baltimore gentlemen, who were the hosts on the occa-
sion of the canvas-back party last fall at Maxwell’s Point. Invita-
tions were given and accepted, and a round of dinners was the
consequence. George Curtis, Prescott Hall, Moses H. Grinnell,
and Samuel Jaudon saturated these Baltimore sponges with the
finest old wine in the country; and how it went! I was not at
Maxwell’s Point, and, of course, not at the result here. I have no
interest in such matters. These things will never again delight me.1850.J	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	385
But there is one circumstance about these pleasant reunions which
gives me a gratification far above the festivities which my friends
enjoyed, — a banquet of the heart, an overflow of grateful acknowl-
edgment, a tribute, never to be forgotten, of love and affection, and
this is it: Jonathan Meredith refused to come on with the party,
out of tenderness and consideration for my affliction and that
of my family, and I have reason to believe that John P. Ken-
nedy was restrained by the same generous feelings. The Lord
reward them for this manifestation of friendship, and teach me not
to forget it!
June 14. — I received an invitation from the citizens of Burling-
ton, Vermont, to attend the grand railroad jubilee intended to cele-
brate, with appropriate festivities, the establishment of railroad
communication between the State of Vermont and the Atlantic sea-
board. I declined this invitation. Broken down in health, and
sorely afflicted in mind, I am no longer the man for such enjoy-
ments. There was a time when I should have responded cheer-
fully to such a summons.
June 17. — As a proof of my convalescence, I record the fact
that I went yesterday forenoon to Trinity Church; not walking all
the distance (I availed myself of the Bowery railroad), but I could
have accomplished even that feat. I am weak, very, and thin as a
pair of tongs; but my sufferings have subsided. Who knows that I
may not be a man again ?
June 28.—There seems to be no hope of a settle-
Congress. ment of the exciting questions which agitate the minds
of men at Washington. Faction, violence, intemper-
ance, and ungentlemanly deportment prevail in both Houses of
Congress. They have been in session six months, and no public
business has been accomplished. Parties are so divided, that
either may prevent the action of all the rest. Good men begin to
despair of the Republic. The excellent Chief Magistrate, striving
as he does to get things to rights, is assailed by a gang of despera-
does, who hate him as the infernal spirits do the angels of light,336
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JEtat. 70.
for the virtue and purity of his character, the contrast of which
renders apparent their own deformity.
habiliments of woe; the hand of death has stricken down the good
old man, the brave soldier, the able and successful commander, the
patriotic citizen, the wise and discreet ruler, whom the people, by
their unsolicited choice, placed in the highest office in their gift.
July ii. — Mr. Fillmore, Vice-President, having resigned the
presidency of the Senate, was sworn into the office of President of
the United States, yesterday, at twelve o’clock, in the Chamber of
the House of Representatives, in the presence of both Houses.
Le roi est mort, — Vive Fillmore ! The speeches of Messrs.
Berrien, Downs, and Webster in the Senate, after the inauguration,
were marked by ability, eloquence, and the most touching sensi-
bility of the nation’s loss in the sudden death of the excellent
man who has so admirably succeeded in his “ endeavours ” (to use
his own words) “ to do his duty.”
July 22. — The steamer “Atlantic,” the great favourite of the
Knickerbockers, in whose successful competition with the navigation
of the whole globe our citizens of all parties and professions take so
lively an interest, arrived yesterday at her berth, in this her native
city, making her voyage in ten days and fifteen hours, thereby jus-
tifying the predictions of her constructors and owners in making
the quickest passage yet known.
The grandest and most numerous military and civil procession
ever witnessed in this city took place. It was five miles in length,
and was three hours passing my house. The concourse of people
on the whole route was prodigious; 250,000 men, women, and chil-
dren witnessed the solemnities; orderly, decorous, no resistance
Death of Gen-
eral Taylor.
July 10. — The American people are suddenly
called upon to mourn the loss of another Chief Magis-
trate of the Union. The face of the land is clad in the
Funeral
Obsequies.
July 24. — The funeral obsequies, ordered by the
city authorities in honour of the lamented President,
took place yesterday, commencing at three o’clock.1850.]	THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.	387
to authority exercised gently, no drunkenness. All seemed to be
impressed with the solemnity of the melancholy event which was the
object of this display.
August 5. — Good old Commodore Jacob Jones died in Phila-
delphia, on Saturday morning, in the eighty-third year of his age, —
the eldest captain in the navy, with the exception of Barron and
Stewart. The sting of his “ Wasp,11 in one of the first naval
engagements with the maritime forces of Great Britain, stung their
“ Frolic11 past recovery, and obtained for the gallant commander
the command of the “ Macedonian.”
August 6. — Mr. Clay arrived yesterday in Philadelphia on his
way to Newport, where he wishes to enjoy peace and quietness,
which, notwithstanding his earnest remonstrances, are denied him.
In this he is perfectly sincere; he hates humbug, the prevailing evil,
of the day, and is satiated with popular applause. But the Phila-
delphians shouted him, hurrahed him, and made him address the
multitude, sorely against his inclination. Mr. Clay will be here
to-morrow, to the gratification of the politicians and sight-loving
mob, who, like the famous giant in “ Jack and the Bean-stalk,” vow
that, “ dead or alive, they will have some.”
Two new houses in the process of erection fell down yester-
day, — one in Mercer street, and the other in Spruce street, near
Gold street. Both these disasters have been attended with loss
of life, and dreadful mutilations of the workmen. The shameful
manner of constructing houses intended for renting demands a
remedy. Laws should be passed, and inspectors of buildings
appointed with arbitrary power, to prevent the erection of these
man-traps. I have noticed, especially in the eastern section of
the city, blocks of new buildings so slightly built that they could
not stand alone, and, like drunken men, require the support of each
other to keep them from falling.
August 8. —The value of my friend Scott’s services
General Scott, begin to be appreciated at home and abroad, now
the veil is removed with which jealousy, cabal, and388
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[iEtat. 70.
intrigue sought to cover his well-earned fame. He now conducts
the affairs of the War Department until the arrival of the new
Secretary. “ Now, General,” said President Fillmore, on the Gen-
eral’s arrival in Washington, taking his hand, “ your persecutions
are at an end.” A motion has been made in the House of Repre-
sentatives to confer upon him the brevet rank of Lieutenant-Gen-
eral, which has never been held by any but Washington.
unappeasable difference between the supporters and opponents of
Colonel Benton. Old party lines are broken up. In this State the
Democrats are all at swords’ points; the Old-Hunkers say, Whigs
rather than Barnburners, and the Barnburners profess to prefer
Whigs to Old-Hunkers. So it is at present. We shall see if the
never-failing cement of party drill does not unite these discordant
political materials before the fall elections. In the mean time the
Whigs are in no better condition. Between the friends of Seward
and Nullification in the western counties, and the hatred of the
people in this part of the State to the man and his principles, it is
impossible to say what is trumps, or how the game is to be played.
August 30. — The bill from the Senate to admit New Mexico
and settle the boundaries of Texas has been set afloat in the
troubled sea of congressional violence and opposing currents in the
House of Representatives, where it is assailed by the furious
tempests of party malignity, driven upon the rocks of sectional
jealousy, and made the prey of a set of political wreckers, who
care not for vessel, cargo, or crew, if their own unrighteous objects
can be attained. Hopes have been entertained of late that this
dreadful controversy would be settled by the passage of the bill;
that there would be found, among the friends of Union in Congress,
strength enough to rescue the ark of the Constitution from the
hands of the despoilers, and preserve the sacred tables of the law
from pollution and desecration. But prospects are more gloomy
Political
Changes.
August 15. — North Carolina, a Whig State, has
gone Loco-foco by reason of the slavery question; and
Missouri,—Loco-foco, — Whig, in consequence of anTHE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
389
1850.]
within the last day or two; the two extremes of reckless opposition
have met together in numbers sufficient to prevent (it is feared)
the passage of any measures to restore harmony and union upon
the basis of compromise and concession. These men have been
employed more than eight months, like noisome excrescences ob-
structing the current of wholesome legislation. The best thing
they can do is to break up their unprofitable session and go home
to their constituents for fresh instructions, and if the people approve
these doings, in God’s name, be it so !
“The people’s wayward voice
Must be the Nation’s choice.”
September 3. — “Sing a song of sixpence,” at the
jenny Lind, rate of a thousand dollars a night. Our good city is in
a new excitement. So much has been said, and the
trumpet of fame has sounded so loud, in honour of this new importa-
tion from the shores of Europe, that nothing else is heard in our
streets, nothing seen in the papers, but the advent of the “ Swedish
Nightingale.” Jenny Lind arrived on Sunday, in the “ Atlantic.”
This noble steamer was a most fitting fiddle-case, a suitable cage
for such a bird. The wharf was thronged with anxious expectants
of her landing.
September 5.— The committee appointed by Mr. Barnum to
award the prize of $200 for the best song to be sung by Jenny Lind,
at her first concert fysre, have adjudged it to Bayard Taylor, for
his song entitled “ Welcome to America.” The committee state,
in their report, that the number of competitors for this prize
amounted to seven hundred; a large proportion of the produc-
tions were “ not fit to feed the pigs.” The committee to make
the selection were George Ripley, Jules Benedict, L. Gaylord
Clark, J. S. Redfield, George P. Putnam. •
September 9. — There is rejoicing over the land;
^End*^ °f	k°ne contention is removed; disunion, fanaticism,
violence, insurrection, are defeated. These horrible390
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[^Etat. 70.
slavery questions, which have suspended the public business for
more than eight months, are settled; but how ? The lovers of
peace, the friends of the Union, good men, conservatives, have
sacrificed sectional prejudices, given up personal predilections,
given up everything, for Union and peace; and for this sacrifice
the Lord be good to them ! But, although all good men rejoice
that the affair is settled, none are satisfied. It all comes of that
crowning curse of national legislation, the annexation of Texas;
and did not Daniel Webster warn the Loco-focos of all this? Did
not Henry Clay sound his admonishing trumpet ? Did not every
Whig orator previous to General Harrison’s election prophesy what
would be the effects of this unnatural connection ? and did not I,
even I, in my harangues, portray the evils to result from this idle
assumption of gratuitous trouble and vexation?
But the question is settled: we have made war upon Mexico,
gaining glory by the gallantry of our warriors; conquered them all,
and then, as in the case of Dr. Franklin’s Frenchman, agreed to
pay for heating the poker. But all is well. The House of Repre-
sentatives on Saturday got rid of all the vexation in a bunch. The
Texas boundary bill was passed, California was admitted as a State,
Utah and New Mexico came in as Territories; all obstructions
were removed, all amendments rejected. They came into the
House, determined to cast all political differences, all sectional
jealousy, all party violence, upon the altar of Union, harmony, and
the Constitution; and I presume the rest of the nation’s business
will be hurried through head over heels, and the people’s repre-
sentatives will go forthwith to their wives and children, their farms
and merchandise.
September 12. — The Jenny Lind excitement in
jenny Lind. New York seems to have increased to fever heat. Her
second rehearsal was given with renewed spirit and
effect, and received with new enthusiasm. Tickets have been sold
to the amount of $55,000. The good people of New York are1850.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
391
anxious to part with their money for a song, and the “ nightingale ”
will make a profitable exchange of her notes for Specie.
September 17. — Another of those dreadful railroad disasters
which every mail brings us, and the news-packets transmit on their
paper wings to every comer of the country, occurred one day last
week on the Western railroad between Albany and Boston. The
train ran off the track, the cars were demolished, several persons
were injured, and three passengers killed, of whom one was a young
lady, daughter of the proprietor of the Delavan House, Albany;
another, Col. S. Jones Mumford, of this city. So much for railroad
travelling. Give me the post-coach and seven miles to an hour. I
enjoyed it lately, and travelled for once again like a gentleman and
man of sense.
Jenny Lind’s second concert took place on Tuesday,
galeNl&htin* and was attended as numerously and enthusiastically as
the first; crowds follow her wherever she goes. She
has been compelled to leave the Irving House, in my neighbourhood,
to escape from the persecution. This Siren, the tenth Muse; the
Angel\ as Barnum calls her; the nightingale, by which she is desig-
nated by the would-be dilettanti,— has secured the affection as well
as the admiration of the mass of the people by an act of munifi-
cence, as well as good policy. Her contract with Mr. Barnum has
been changed. Instead of $1,000 a night, she gets one-half of the
net profits; her share of which for the first night, after deducting
the large expenses of a first performance, amounting to the enor-
mous sum of $12,600, all of which, with unprecedented liberality,
she distributed among the charitable and benevolent institutions of
the city. The list is headed by the fire department fund, to which
she gives $3,000, to the musical fund $2,000, and the balance is
divided in sums of $500 each to all the other charities. The noble
gratuity to the firemen is a great stroke of policy. It binds to her
the support and affection of the red-shirt gentlemen, who will go
to hear her sing as long as they can raise the money to pay for a
ticket, and will worship the nightingale and fight for her to the392
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[yEtat. 70.
death, if occasion should require. New York is conquered; a
hostile army or fleet could not effect a conquest so complete.
September 20. — The Union Club has removed to the large
house belonging to Mr. Kemochan, opposite to me. The club
has never before been so well and pleasantly accommodated;
it will be convenient for me, also; perhaps too much so, — it may
cause me to visit it too frequently.
September 24. — The Knickerbockers are crowing like the
lusty chanticleer at the great voyage of the “ Pacific/* one of
the famous steamers of Collins’s line. She has beaten the Cunard-
ers this voyage, which has been made in ten days and four hours
from dock to dock, — the shortest yet; she went to and returned
from England in less than thirty days. What wondrous changes
have occurred in our day and generation! The summer after I
married I was nine days going in a sloop from New York to
Albany, — this voyage which is now made in as many hours;
then it occupied one day less than is now required to make a
European passage. We fly through the air, glide over the bosom
of the ocean, and dive beneath its waters with the speed of
lightning; speed is the ruling principle of mankind; the wind
is a laggard, and the shooting-star comparatively slow in its
movements.
September 27. — The Niagara steamer arrived
Prescott ' this morning from Liverpool. In her came pas-
senger William H. Prescott, our eminent historian,
and excellent good fellow. I had a visit from him this morning
at my office. He returns in good health and excellent spirits,
after an absence of five months, during which time the greatest
respect and attention were paid to him by the distinguished people
of England, from the Queen down; as an evidence of which he
told me (but without any vainglorious boasting) that he had,
during his sojourn in London, twelve dinner invitations for one
day. These highly merited compliments reflect equal honour
on both parties.1850.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
393
October 16.—The Loco-focos have nominated Fernando
Wood for mayor. There was a time when it was thought of
some consequence that the incumbent of this office should be at
least an honest man. Fernando Wood ! Let the books of the
Mechanic’s Bank tell his story. There is no amount of degrada-
tion too great for the party who expects to “ rule the roost,” and
probably will. Fernando Wood, instead of occupying the mayor’s
seat, ought to be on the rolls of the State Prison. But our
blessed universal suffrage will raise a flame with this Wood to
drive away Whigism, Conservatism, and good, honest Democracy
as we formerly knew it. Fernando Wood, Mayor!!
October 19. — I was at a pleasant dinner to-day at Mr. Daniel
B. Fearing’s. The party consisted of Francis Granger, William
S. Miller, Mr. Haight, Thomas Tileston, Charles H. Russell,
James W. Otis, George Dorr, and myself.
October 25. — My birthday, — I am seventy years old; a mere
wreck of what I was. I have lost my bodily strength, and dwindled
away into the “lean and slippered pantaloon.” But, thanks to
the God of Mercy, the Physician of soul and body, to whom I
should bow with submission and resignation, I am still in the en-
joyment of many blessings; my heart is good and my mind sound,
and my home is the abode of happiness and tranquillity.
October 26. — The Whigs have nearly completed their nomina-
tions. Ambrose C. Kingsland is nominated for mayor by a strong
vote, and greatly to his satisfaction.
October 31.-— I left the Bank for Savings at six o’clock, putting
my friend Conover at the desk as my locum tenens, and went to
make one of a pleasant dinner-party at Mr. Fearing’s. The party
consisted of Mr. George Bancroft, T. Butler King, John P. Ken-
nedy, John C. Hamilton, Mr. Vail, Mr. Henry Cary, Mr. S. S.
Howland, and myself.
Castle Garden was filled last night with thousands, as
it was when Jenny Lind commenced there her round
of enchantments. But this occasion was widely differ-
Union
Meeting.394
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[yEtat. 70.
ent; no nightingale warbled to steal away the hearts and bewilder
the senses of the admiring multitudes; but stalwart men, commer-
cial magnates, comfortable millionaires, Whigs and Loco-focos,
assembled to stand by the Union and to support the Constitu-
tion ; to applaud Clay and Cass, Webster and Dickinson, and to
condemn Seward and Weed, Greeley and Hunt, by a tempest of vitu-
peration, and all the Whigs by a side-wind of innuendo. George
Wood was the president, with forty vices; enough, one would
think, to screw the multitude up to the proper pitch. Speeches
were made by the president, sensible enough, doubtless, but didac-
tic and forensic, savouring of the bar, and redolent of the Court of
Errors, and long and dull, like the galleries of “ Lord Hoppergollop’s
country house.” Other addresses were made by Nicholas Dean,
Robert C. Wetmore, James W. Gerard, Charles O’Conner, William
M. Evarts, Edward Sanford, and Ogden Hoffman; and it is reported
about town that there was not so large an assembly at the close as
at the commencement of this great demonstration.
November 4. —There never was such a set of silly politicians as
the Whigs of this city. Some of them, who call themselves Whigs, —
men of wealth and character, merchants who have prospered in the
general prosperity, in which they have participated without having
contributed to it (I have met some of such lately), — declare that
they will not vote for Washington Hunt. “ Who, then, will you
support, — his Loco-foco opponent ? ” — “ Yes.” — “ Why ? ” —
“Because Hunt is an Abolitionist and an Anti-Renter.” — “That
may be a reason sufficient; but where is the evidence of it ? There
is nothing in his public life, in his actions, speeches, or writings, to
justify such a suspicion.” — “ But he suffers the Abolitionists to
vote for him.” And this is the “head and front of his offending.”
If the Devil, or Bennett of the “ Herald,” were to vote for me, if I
were a candidate, I would thank them; the vote of either of
those worthies is just as good as that of the best man in the
land; but the truth is, — it has ever been so, — these wise politicians
take their cue from the infamous “ Herald,” which abuses the can-1850.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
395
didate for Governor, because, I presume, the other party has paid
him for his support. These men have grown fat upon the general
prosperity, and make a show of independence by opposing the
party to which they owe their modicum of consequence. .
November 5. — This is the general election. Parties
The Election, are so broken up, mixed up, and scattered, that
nobody knows what the result may be. The dregs
have risen to the top of the pot. The Loco-focos support Fer-
nando Wood — a fellow who stands branded as a swindler — for
mayor, and Captain Rhynders — a notorious bandit — for the
Legislature; and both will probably be elected. The want of union
among the Whigs will deprive them of the success which they might
have achieved. James Bowen, in the third congressional district, runs
against the Whig candidate; by which means Emanuel B. Hart, the
Loco-foco, will be elected. In our district, George W. Blunt, from
personal motives, in the plenitude of vanity which belongs to his
family, sets himself up against Brooks, the present member, who
has done his duty well in Congress, and is the regularly nominated
candidate. I voted, of course, the whole regular Whig ticket,
wherever I could find it.
November 6. — The election throughout the State was held yes-
terday. The result in the city has been highly favourable to the
Whigs, who have succeeded in all their tickets except where they
have been defeated by their own perverseness and suicidai policy.
We have elected thirteen out of the sixteen members of Assembly,
by which means there is very little doubt that we shall have majori-
ties in both Houses, and thereby secure the election of a Whig
senator in Congress in the place of Mr. Dickinson, unless the
devil and the slavery question should put it into the heads of our
men to split upon this choice. Ambrose C. Kingsland, Whig, is
elected mayor.
November ii. — Bennett, the editor of the “Herald,” was at-
tacked and cow-skinned on Saturday, in Broadway, by a Mr.
Graham, the unsuccessful Loco-foco candidate for district attorney,396
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[Aitat. 70.
against Nathaniel B. Blunt. I should be well pleased to hear of
this fellow being punished in this way, and once a week for the
remainder of his life, so that new wounds might be inflicted before
the old ones were healed, or until he left off lying; but I fear the
editorial miscreant in this case will be more benefited than injured
by this attack. The public sympathy will be on Bennett's side;
the provocation was not sufficient, the motive was a bad one, and
the character of the assailant not much better than that of the
defendant.
November 13. — The steamer “ Atlantic" arrived yesterday in
twelve days and twenty-two hours from Liverpool. Among her
passengers, of persons known and distinguished, are Mrs. DeWitt
Clinton; A. G. Stout, wife and daughter; Mr. John Kane, A. Bow-
den and wife, Rev. Dr. Bethune, and a young son of my friend
Daniel B. Fearing.
November 14. —Margaret and I went this morning
steamer	visit the new steamer, the “ Baltic," of the Collins
line, at the wharf, foot of Canal street, where are to be
seen at this time the three finest vessels in the world. The word
world is in great use with us Americans, when we would assert our
superiority and discourage competition. The best in the world,
the handsomest in the world, the fastest in the world, unmatchable ;
there is no use in the world, for the world to try to equal us.
November 20. — Mr. Webster is here on his way to Washington.
He was last evening at Jenny Lind’s concert, where he was cheered
with great enthusiasm; and the ladies joined by waving of handker-
chiefs with the huzzas of the men, in honour of the advocate of
the Union and supporter of the Constitution. Washington Hunt,
Governor-elect of the State, by the closest squeeze ever known, is
also in town.
November 26.—N. P. Willis gives an account of
Mr. Webster. Mr. Webster’s appearance and deportment at one of
Jenny Lind’s concerts, at which he was present with his
wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Hunt, the Governor-elect and his wife. It1850.]
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
397
is very flowery and Willis-like, but graphic and amusing. He
described the Secretary’s appearance in the following inflated
terms : “We raised our opera-glass, with no very definite expecta-
tion, and with the eye thus brought nearer to the object, lo ! the
dome over the temple of Webster, the forehead of the great
Daniel\ with the two lambent stars set in the dark shadow of its
architrave.” At this concert Mr. Webster was accidentally heard
to say, “ Why doesn’t she sing one of her beautiful national airs ? ”
This wish was immediately conveyed to the charming songstress,
who substituted a Swedish melody for the air set down in the pro-
gramme ; and her acknowledgment of the applause of the audience
finished by a graceful courtesy to the recipient of the compliment,
who arose and received it with a bow of recognition.
December 12. — The annual time-honoured Thanks-
Thanksgiving. giving-day throughout the State. No nation, ancient
or modem, ever had more causes for thanksgiving, and
reasons to praise the Author of all good, than the people of the
United States. Yet there are many, at the present time, ignorant
and unworthy of the blessings they enjoy, who would, throw all
things into confusion, break up the blessed union which binds the
States, and should bind the individuals forming their population;
who would destroy the harmony, and condemn the obligations, of
Constitution and law. Factionists, traitors, madmen, — the Lord
preserve us from the unholy influence of such principles!
December 31. — The last day of this eventful year, — a year in
which the bad passions of men have been employed to counteract
the beneficent designs of Providence; when the prosperity of the
country and the happiness of the people have been in danger of
sinking beneath the violence of sectional jealousy and the rude
attacks of factious demagogues, who would rend asunder the bonds
of union which have hitherto raised us to an unprecedented state
of prosperity, and set at naught the Constitution and laws on which
our fathers laid the foundations of the Republic.398
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[Aitat.71.
I85I.
NOTHER year is passed, and its successor is ushered in
pleasantly, and with every inducement (so far as the
weather is concerned) for pedestrians and those who “ride in
chaises ” to please themselves and gratify their friends, by paying
in person the cheerful compliments of a “Happy New Year.” In
the midst of these festivities and the friendly greetings of the
season my house is closed, for the first time in many years. It is
still “the house of mourning; ” “ the light of other days ” has been
withdrawn; but we have still a happy family, united in the bonds
of domestic affection, with much reason to thank the Lord for the
blessings they enjoy. I have reason, in an especial degree, to ex-
press my thankfulness; though it has been a year of bodily infirm-
ity, and the extreme illness which I suffered in the spring has left
me weak in my limbs and wasted in flesh, it would be sinful in-
gratitude to fail in grateful acknowledgment of the goodness of
God in preserving my faculties, and enabling me to rejoice in their
exercise. My health has improved; I am weak in body, but I
sleep well, eat well, and drink well, — for all which blessings the
Lord be praised!
January 3. — I broke into my stay-at-home-temperance-
system to-day by dining with Mr. Blatchford, at his elegant new
house, in Fourteenth street. It was a handsome dinner, and an
agreeable, but somewhat mixed, company; and the best of it is, that
I feel well after this indulgence. The party consisted of Mr.
George Bancroft, Mr. Wetmore, Benjamin F. Butler, R. L. Colt,
John J. Palmer, Stephen Whitney, William S. Miller, Robert B.
Mintum, George Curtis, William B. Astor, M. Morgan, George
Schuyler, Dr. Stevens, and myself.THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
399
1851.]
January 28. — My old friend, Benjamin Strong,
Another gone, died last night, in the eighty-first year of his age. He
was a most worthy, upright gentleman of the old school,
devoted to works of benevolence and usefulness, and the promotion
of public prosperity and individual happiness.
February 17. — A negro riot took place on Saturday in Boston;
a fugitive slave was rescued by the mob, and conveyed away by a
seditious process in black and white. All the better. It will
bring matters to a head, in the headquarters of abolitionists.
February 19. — In consequence of the late riotous
Proclamation Proceedings of a mob in Boston, composed principally
of blacks, in which the marshal and other officers of
the law were assaulted, and a negro fugitive rescued and carried
away, President Fillmore issued yesterday his proclamation, call-
ing upon the authorities of Boston to execute the laws against the
offenders, and declares his determination, and that of the other
officers of the general government, to apply the power of the ad-
ministration to punish the offenders, and protect the local author-
ities in the discharge of their duties.
This measure accords with the character of our firm, energetic
Chief Magistrate; he knows his duty, and will not shrink from its
performance. How different is the course of this successor of a
deceased President from that of the man who was placed by a
similar dispensation of Providence in the executive chair ! Millard
Fillmore and John Tyler, — how different will be the pages of Amer-
ican history in which the actions of those two men shall be written !
February 21.—I was at a pleasant little dinner-party at Mr.
Daniel B. Fearing’s, which I enjoyed much. The guests were Dr.
Wainwright, Mr. Bancroft, James W. Otis, Frederick Prime, J. G.
Pierson, James Brown, and his brother, John A. Brown, of Philadel-
phia, and myself.
March 1. — I have been reading a book, in one vol-
ik Marvel. ume, called “ Reveries of a Bachelor,” by a very clever,
ingenious writer, under the assumed name of Ik Mar-400
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[A£tat. 71.
vel. I am much pleased with it. It represents imaginary scenes
in life; written in an easy, unpretending style, of deep pathos,
causing tears to flow, and alternately bright with the radiant sun-
shine of life. Mr. Ik Marvel (they say his true name is Mitchell)
has furnished three hundred pages of as pretty amusement as can
be found in any of the numerous publications of the present over-
flow of the press.
March 17. — I perceive with pleasure, in the account of the
Queen’s drawing-room, the presentation, by Mr. Abbott Lawrence,
our Minister, of two very nice Yankee boys, — William Butler
Duncan, son of my friend, Alexander Duncan, of Providence,
and young Gerard, son of another friend, James W. Gerard,
of New York.
March 19. — The exciting subject of the election by
Senator Fish, our Legislature of a senator in Congress was settled in
joint ballot this morning at two, by the choice of Ham-
ilton Fish, the Whig candidate, to fill the place of D. S. Dickinson,
for six years from the fourth of the present month, by every Whig
vote, with the exception of Mr. Beekman, who voted with the
Loco-focos, and whose opposition to the Whig nominee has suc-
ceeded, during the session, in preventing the joint ballot.
Governor Fish was opposed by Mr. Beekman and two or three
other Whigs, because he would not declare his sentiments in oppo-
sition to Governor Seward and the Free-Soilers; but I have no ap-
prehension that he will fail in his support of the administration.
He is a safe man, a true Whig, comes of good blood, the son of a
patriot of the Revolution, who was himself every inch a gentleman,
and (what ought, in these times, to have influence) a man of inde-
pendent fortune.
April 10. — Dr. Francis will not let me go to the office, and my
migrations are confined to the sofa and the large easy-chair. My
appetite has failed me. I eat no breakfast and very little dinner,
which is forced down against my inclination,—a state of things which
the best medical authorities inform us is not the best plan to pro-*851-3
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
401
mote a restoration of strength. The doctor plies me with brandy-
toddy, milk-punch, and other buttresses to my feeble frame-work.
April ii. — No better; I am constrained to neglect my office
business, and pass another day in the library. Francis is unremit-
ting in his attentions, and my nurses — my daughters—watch me
with the utmost fidelity and anticipate all my desires.
April 19. — A week of distress and misery. I crept down to
the office for a short time, but the weather is very bad ; my feeble-
ness continues. I have not eaten a morsel of nourishing food dur-
ing the week, and am incapable of labour, physical or mental.
Several circumstances have occurred during the week entitled to a
place in this journal, and for which I have prepared suitable reflec-
tions. All I can do is to bring them in edgeways.
The Corporation of Boston refuses the use of Faneuil
Hall to a company of gentlemen of different political
parties for the purpose of doing honour to Mr. Webster,
and having an address from him on the state of affairs. The “ cradle
of the Revolution ” refused to its favourite child !	“ Where am I to
go ? ” asked the Secretary, on a recent occasion. His townsmen have
told him where he shall not go. Webster ostracized in Boston !
April 30. — This volume of my journal, which has only four
vacant leaves to be completed, has been suspended during nearly
the whole month by continued unmitigated illness and incapacity to
perform any act of mental or physical ability. Feeble beyond
description, utterly destitute of appetite, with no strength in my
limbs, and no flesh upon my bones, shall this journal be resumed ?
During this illness I have gone occasionally to my office for a short
time, and performed a little pro forma business; but it could have
been performed by deputy. To-morrow will be the first of May.
Volume 29 lies ready on my desk. Shall it go on?
A few years ago, during a visit I made with my dear
Epitaph. wife to the Greenwood Cemetery, I was so struck with
the beauty and simplicity of the inscription on one of
the monuments, — “ There is rest in Heaven,” — that I was induced402
THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
[JEtat. 71.
on my return home to extend the idea, in order, perhaps, that it
might be appropriated to my own use. It was copied in the journal
at the time.
Has the time come?
PRAYER.
Prayer is the soul’s supreme desire,
Uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire,
That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech
The infant lips can try;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.
Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,
The Christian’s native air,
His passport at the gates of death —
He enters heaven with prayer.
Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice
Returning from his ways;
Whilst angels in their songs rejoice,
And cry, “ Behold he prays! ”
Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but Heaven is near.
By prayer on earth the saints are one,
They’re one in form and mind;
Whilst with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellowship they find.
O Thou, by whom we come to God, —
The Truth, the Light, the Way;
The paths of prayer Thyself hast trod;
Lord, teach us how to pray!THE DIARY OF PHILIP HONE.
403
1851.]
As o’er the past my memory strays,
"Why heaves the rising sigh?
His that I mourn departed days,
Still unprepared to die.
This world and worldly things beloved
My anxious thoughts employed,
And time unhallowed, unimproved,
Presents a fearful void.
But, Heavenly Father, wild despair
Chase from my labouring breast;
Thy grace it is that prompts the prayer,
That grace can do the rest.
This life’s brief remnant all is Thine;
And when Thy firm decree
Bids me this fleeting breath resign,
Lord, speed my soul to Thee l
*The first seven stanzas are from James Montgomery’s hymn, “What is Prayer?”
The last four were added by Mr. Hone.
END OF VOL. II.INDEX
Abeel & Dunscomb, I. io.
Abolition of slavery, I. yg} io^
i56, 157,167,174,175,278,326'
341511.6,85,86.
Academy of Design, I. 16, j4l. jj
37S, 379-
Adams, John, II. 256.
Adams, John Quincy, I. i5> 4I> 4g} ^
94> J30» 35^5 II* 64, nI>
115, 190, 200, 237, 287, 299, 34i,
342, 345-
Agassiz, Louis, II. 325.
Allen, Philip, II. 380.
Allen, Stephen, I. 35, 55, I04, I^7; n.
75> I3°» 346.
Allen, Zachariah, II. 380.
Alley, Samuel, I. 73.
Allston, Mr., I. 20.
Allston, Washington, II. igg#
Almonte, General, II. 237.
Amory, Jonathan, I. 387; IJ. 2\,
Amory, Nathaniel, I. 16.
Amory, Rufus, I. 4.
Ampudia, General, 11. 277.
Anderson, Mr., an actor, I. 39.
Anderson, Dr. A. L., I. 132.
Anderson, Elbert J., I. 92.
Anderson, Henry James, I. 250.
Anderson, Mr. and Mrs., II. 13.
Anthon, Miss Caroline, I. 23.
Anthon, Charles, I. 7, 23.
Anthon, Miss Genevieve, II. 109.
Anthon, Miss Joanna, I. 19, 23, 105.
Anthon, John, II. 191.
Anthony, Captain, I. 165.
Anthracite coal, first used on steam-
boats, I. 213.
Appleton, Daniel, I. 23.
Appleton, Nathan, II. 265.
Appleton, William, I. 106, 158.
Archer, William S., I. 14.
“ Armistead,” slaver, I. 378, 379, 385.
Armour, Mr., I. 140.
Armstrong, K., II. 302.
Armstrong, Samuel T., I. 161.
Arnold, Colonel James Robertson, I.
224.
Arnold, Samuel G., II. 380.
Arnoult, Dr., I. 380.
Artists* supper, I. 353.
Ascension Church, II. 95.
Ashburton dinner, II. 143.
Ashburton, Lord, II. no, 124, 139,140,
142, 143, 154.
Ashurst, Mr. and Mrs., I. 229.
Ashurst, William, II. 309.
Aspinwall, John, I. 58.
Aspinwall, William H., 1.101, 283, 325,
360; II. 82, 243, 245, 270.
Astor, John Jacob, I. 99, 103; II. 231,
347> 348.
Astor, John J., II. 290, 302.
Astor, William B., I. 5, 12, 72, 341;
11.118,137,144,176,245,268’
269, 290, 302.
Audubon, John James, I. 73.
Austen, Mr., II. 61.
Austin, Mr., II. 13.
Bach, Robert, II. 75.
Backus, J. Trumbull, I. 19.
Bacour, French Minister, II. 60, 102.
Bailey, John L., I. 157.406
INDEX.
Balloons, I. 140.
Balls, Bachelors’, I. 29; II. 56; Mrs.
Henry Brevoort’s, II. 10, 11, 12,
13; at Mrs. Hammersley’s, II. 106;
at Mrs. Mott’s, II. 100; at the
Racket Court, II. 343; at Sara-
toga, I. 20; at Mrs. Robert Ray’s,
II. 114, 293.
Baltimore & Ohio R.R., I. 13.
Bancroft, George, I. 2; II. 370, 398.
Bank for Savings, I. 252.
Bank of the United States, I. 43, 82,
83.85,87,91,92,94,96,199,258,
312; II. 57. 58, 76.
Bankhead, Charles, I. 15,18,48,61, 72,
129.
Bankhead, Colonel James, II. 143.
Barbour, James, II. 5.
Barclay, Arthur, I. 134, 144.
Barclay, George, I. 104, 198; II. 14,
243, 344-
Barclay, £Ienry, II. 268.
Barclay, Miss, II. 14, 238.
Barclay, Mrs., II. 238, 344.
Bard, William, II. 5, 212, 240.
Barhyte, I. 34, 116.
Barnard, Daniel Dewey, II. 10, 120.
Barnes, Mrs., an actress, I. 9, 17.
Barnum’s Hotel, I. 13.
Barrot, Odillon, I. 27.
Bartlett, J. R., II. 237.
Bates, Barnabas, II. 298.
Battery, The, I. 137; II. 208.
Bayard, James Asheton, II. 345.
Bayard, Richard Henry, I. 158, 160,
213; II. 60.
Bayard, Robert, I. 138, 151.
Bayard, William, I. 138.
Beardsley, Judge, II. 308.
Beers, Joseph D., I. 157.
Behr, Baron de, I. 55, 93.
Bell, Isaac, II. 14,348.
Bell, John, I. 248; II. 6.
Bellamy, Colonel A., I. 179.
Bellows, Rev. Henry W., II. 203.
Belmont, August, II. 14, 370, 378.
Benedict, E. C., II. 237.
Bennett, James Gordon, I. 193, 372;
II. 13, 29, 115, 192, 395.
Benson, Egbert, I. 157; II. 346.
Benson, Judge Egbert, I. 63, 78; II.
297.
Benson, Robert, I. 184.
Benton, Thomas H., I. 133, 341; II.
63.317-
Beresford, Lord John, I. 165.
Bergh, Christian, II. 187.
Berrien, John MacPherson, I. 14, 38;
II. 220, 230.
Berry, Mr., II. 14.
Berryman, Mrs., I. 185.
Bertrand, General, II. 198.
Bethune, Rev. Dr., II., 396.
Betts, Samuel Rossiter, I. 6; II. 114,
118.
Bevan, Matthew L., I. 43.
Biddle, Edward R., I. 325.
Biddle, Horace, I. 43, 151.
Biddle, James, I. 36.
Biddle, Nicholas, I. 36, 43, 96, 186,
l99> 238, 239, 249, 288, 350; II.
76, 104, 205.
Biddle, Thomas, I. 36.
Binney, Horace, I. 228.
Birkhead, Mr., II. 3.
Black Hawk, I. 77.
Blake, George, I. 34, 116, 159.
Blatchford, R. M., I. 305, 325; II. 132,
133, I55» 250, 328, 339, 383, 398.
Bleecker, Anthony, I. 397.
Bloodgood, De Witt, I. 158.
Bloomer, Mr., I. 207.
Blunt, Joseph, I. 144.
Boardman, Elijah, I. 203.
Bogardus, Robert, I. 80.
Boggs, James, I. 73.
Boggs, Miss, II. 13.
Boggs, Mrs., II. 283.
tINDEX.
407
Boggs, William B., I. 19.
Bohlen, John, I. 43.
Bolton, Captain and Mrs., II. 176.
Bonnet, Peter, II. 75.
Book club, I. 134, 143.
Booksellers’ dinner, I. 249.
Booraem, Hendrick, I. 73.
Boorman, James, I. 35, 73, 88, 92, 187.
Booth, Junius Brutus, I. 17, 21, 171.
Boreel, Mr. and Mrs., I. 193, 212, 371.
Boston, visit to, II. 264, 265.
Boston & Providence R.R., I. 105,106,
107, 144.
Bosworth, J. S., II. 191.
Botts, John Minor, II. 4.
Bourmont, M. de, I. 46.
Bowden, A., II. 396.
Bowdoin, George, I. 65.
Bowdoin, James, I. 18, 19.
Bowdoin, Temple, I. 212; II. 14, 283.
Bowen, James, II. 46, 132, 308.
Bowen, Nathaniel, I. 65.
Bowne, Walter, I. 7, 56, 83, 104, 157;
II. 75, 130.
Boyd, James, Jr., I. 73.
Boyd, John J., I. 187.
Bradbury, Miss, II. 14.
Bradford, A. H., II. 237.
Bradford, Thomas, I. 312.
Bradhurst, J. M., II. 346.
Bradish, Luther, I. 16, 31, 210, 301,
331; 11.23,325,346,383.
Brady, James T., II. 191.
Brancher, Mrs., II. 13.
Breese, Mr. and Mrs., I. 17.
Bremner, Benjamin E., 1.198; II. 248.
Brevoort, Henry, I. 5, 54, 144,
198; II. 85, 118, 226, 302, 370.
Brevoort, Mrs. Henry, I. 345; II. IO
11, 18, 119.
Brevoort, Miss Laura, II. 13, 302.
Bridgen, Miss Anna, II. 119.
Bridgen, The Misses, I. 19.
Brigham, J. T., II. 93, 268.
Brigham, W. T., I. 387.
Brinkerhoff, Mr. and Mrs., I. 229.
Bristed, Charles Astor, II. 302.
Broadway, Changes in, II. 383, 384.
paving of, I. 164.
Bronson, Isaac, I. 36, 54, 274.
Brooks, Sydney, I. 101; II. 268, 371.
Mrs. Sydney, II. 238.
Brooks, Thomas, I. 92.
Brown, Alexander, I. 132, 354.
Brown, James, I. 19, 92, 337; II. 270,
335-
Brown, John A., II. 399.
Brown, Stewart, II. 283.
Brown, William, I. 337.
Bruce, Mr., II. 143.
Bruen, George W., I. 99; II. 77.
Brugiere, Charles, I. 5, 8, 109, i93}
235-
Bryan, Mr. and Mrs., II. 13.
Bryant, William Cullen, I. 30, 44, 71,
250, 356; II. 206.
Bryson, David, I. 187.
Buchanan, James, I. 34.
Buchanan, James A., I. 152.
Buchanan, British Consul, II. 99, 143.
Buckland, Mr., I. 66, 149.
Buckley, Rev. Peter, I. 162.
Bucknor, Mr., I. 37,45, 47, 80.
Buel, Judge, I. 76.
Buffalo, II. 319.
Buffaloes, I. 368.
Bullock, Mr., I. 313.
Bunker Hill Celebration, II. 186.
Burgess, Tristram, I. 23.
Burke, Master, I. 24, 39.
Burns, Mrs., II. 13, 119.
Burr, Aaron, I. 78.
Butler, Benjamin F., II. 19, 20, 44, 46,
I93> 333-
Butler, Pierce, I. 79.
Butler, Mrs. Pierce. See Kemble, Fanny.
Bynum, Jesse A., II. 23.
i Byron, Lady Noel, I. 224.408
INDEX.
Cabot, Mr., I. 30.
Cadwallader, Thomas, I. 43*
Calhoun, John C., I. 70, 133, 245» 270,
299; II. 9, J4, 375, 378-
California, 354.
Callender, Gore, II. 14.
Callender, Miss, I. 151; II* I4*
Callender, Stanhope, II. 14*
Calvary Church, II. 270, 273*
Calvert, Mrs., I. 49.
Cambreling, C. C., I. 15! 47» 243» 274;
II. 130.
Camden & Amboy R.R., I. 69.
Campbell, Captain, I. 104.
Campbell, James, I. 43.
Campbell, Sir William, I. 31*
Canal travelling, I. 149; II. 311, 312*
Canandaigua, II. 320.
Carbondale, I. 35.
Carbonel, General, I. 27.
Carman, Samuel, 1. 74, 133*.
Carman, Timothy, I. 30, 74, 102.
Carmarthen, Countess of, I. 64.
Carow, Isaac, I. 31, 36, 38, 43, 73> 92*
Carroll, Charles, I. 13, 20, 50, 51, 67,
151; II. 247.
Carter, G. H., I. 380.
Carvill, Charles, I. 250.
Cary, Henry, I. 2, 12, 34, 66, 104, 194;
II. 126,132,133,270,347,350,393-
Cass, Lewis, I. 69; II. 162, 350, 353.
Castle Garden, II. 249.
Cathedral, Protestant, First proposal to
build, I. 5.
Catholic school troubles, II. 96.
Catlin, Lynde, I. 34.
Caton, Richard, I. 50, 64; II. 247;
Mrs. Richard, II. 3, 4.
Center, Robert, I. 157, 160.
Chancellor’s Court, II. 36, 37.
Chandler, A., I. 98.
Chandler, Lieutenant, II. 324.
Channing, William Ellery, I. 362; II.
160.
Chapman, Mayor, II. 132.
Chase, Carlton, I. 65.
Chatsworth, I. 220.
Chaumont, Le Ray de, I. 54, 55.
Chauncey, Isaac, I. 55, 67, 72, 75, 80,
95; II. 7, 105, 296.
Child, Francis, I. 23.
Choate, Rufus, II. 64, 203, 230.
Cholera, I. 54, 56; II. 362.
Church, General, I. 195.
Church, Miss A., I. 41.
Church, P., I. 44.
Cilley, Jonathan, I. 293, 295.
Cincinnati, II. 313.
Clarke, Aaron, I. 248; II. 75.
Claxton, Alexander, I. 352, 358.
Clay, Henry, I. 44, 48, 69, 71, 290,373,
374, 376’ 377’ 394, 39^; II. 4, 54,
60, 80, 82, 83, 88, 94, 95,131,133,
177, 217, 222, 234, 239, 242, 270,
29x, 3H, 339, 344, 34^, 350, 3^6,
387, 390.
Clayton, John M., II. 220.
Clinton, Charles, I. 203; II. 201, 302;
Mrs. Charles, I. 19; II. 356.
Clinton, De Witt, I. 5, 15, 299; II. 116.
Clive, Colonel, II. 102.
Coal, Use of, I. 390.
Cochran, Rupert, I. 5, 73, 149.
Cogswell, Joseph Green, II. 231.
Coit, Henry A., II. 243, 270, 347, 356-
Colden, David C., II. 113, 119, 131,
226, 344.
Cole, Thomas, 1.8, 36, 74, 236; II* 339*
Coleman, Edward, I. 43.
Coleridge, Justice, I. 220.
Coles, Edward, I. 28.
Coles, John B., II. 94.
Collord, George W., II. 93.
Colt, Roswell L., I. 41, 325; II* 260,
339, 364*
Columbia College, I. 19, 93, 149*
Commerce, American, II. 193, *94,
201, 242, 300.index.
409
Concord Jubilee, I. 161.
Congress, Disorders in, II. 18, 23, 3^
92, hi, 113, 214, 379.
Congress, State of, II. 79, 370, 385.
Conner, James, I. 250.
Constant, Mr. and Mrs., II. 14,
270.
“ Constitution/’ frigate, I. 352.
Convention at Baltimore, I. 142.
Convention Episcopal, II. 324.
Cook, Capt. of barque “ Sarah,” II.
Cooke, Lieutenant, I. 18.
Cooke, George Frederick, II. 24.
Coolidge, Mr., II. 14.
Cooper, J. Fenimore, I. 27, 81, 336.
Cooper, Mr., I. 20.
Cooper, Samuel, I. 108.
Coquerel, Athanese, I. 225.
Corcoran, William W., II. 362.
Corcoran & Riggs, II. 309.
Corn, Indian, II. 295.
Cornbury, Lady, Tomb of, I. 394.
Cornell, Dr., II. 132.
Cornell, Robert C., I. 88, 247; II. 248.
Cornwall, Mr. and Mrs., I. 18, 61, 130.
Corporation dinner, I. 145.
Corrie, Mayor, I. 220.
Corse, Mr., II. 350.
Coster, Gerard H., I. 73, 79, 374; II.
14-
Coster, Henry A., I. 177.
Coster, John G., I. 73, 92,185; II. 229.
Coster, Washington, I. 20, 44, 149; II.
14, 106.
Cottenet, Miss Anne, II. 263.
Cottenet, Francis, II. 263.
Cottenet, Mr. and Mrs., I. 212.
Cowdin, Joseph, I. 157.
Cowdry, Samuel, I. 187.
Cozzens, A. M., II. 237.
Crary, John L., I. 36, 187.
Crary, Peter, I., 157.
Crawford, Mrs., II. 238.
Crist, A., II. 191.
Crittenden, John J., II. 4, 8, 60, 62,
132,	218, 220, 314.
Crookes, Ramsay, II. 348.
Crosby, Enoch, I. 25.
Crosby, William B., I. 73, 346.
Croton Water Works, II. 96, 135, 137,
I5°> I5I-
Crowninshield, B. W., I. 43.
Cruger, Eugene, I. 5.
Cruger, Douglass, II. 28.
Cruger, John, II. 231.
Cruger, John C., I. 73, 79.
Cruger, Henry N., I. 78.
Cruger, Misses, II. 14.
Cruger, Nicholas, I. 151.
Crumby, John, I. 88, 325.
Cunard, Sir Samuel, II. 24, 29, 30, 38,
in.
Cunningham, Mrs., I. 4.
Curtis, Edward, I. 157; II. 68, 70, 155,
213.
Curtis, George, II. 5, 155, 242, 268,
328,339,347.384-
Curtiss, Lewis, I. 73.
Cushing, Caleb, II. 61.
Custom House, New, II. 138.
Cutting, Francis Brockholst, I. 74, 138,
397; II. 2, 191.
Cutting, Robert L., I. 17, 19, 34.
Dade, Francis L., I. 195.
Daguerreotype, The, I. 391.
Dallas, Geo. M., II. 225.
D’Arblay, Madame, II. 16.
Davis, Charles A., I. 41, 61, 73, 116,
I34> 144, 149, I57>	198, 207,
210, 313; II. 13, 14, 70, 93, 118,
133,	155, 37, 270; Mrs. Charles
A., 1.129; II. 119.
Davis, Isaac P., I. 160.
Davis, Miss Helen, I. 41.
Davis, John, I. 106, 163, 291.
Davis, Thomas E., I. 336.
Dawson, Colonel, II. 4, 6.4io
INDEX.
Dawson, General, II. 220.
Day, Rev. Mr., I. 24,
Dear living, I. 174.
Dearborn, George, I. 250.
Dearborn, Henry A. S., I. 161.
De Camp, Miss, I. 61, 62.
De Graffe, Mr., 1.14.
De Gruff, I. 37.
De Hon, Miss, II. 371.
De Hon, Theodore, II. 243.
De Kay, James Ellsworth, II. 118.
Delafield, Henry, II. 56.
Delafield, John, I. 6, 27, 52,66.
Delafield, John, Jr., I. 19.
Delaplaine, John F., I. 74.
De Launay, Mr., II. 14, 328.
Delaware & Hudson Canal, I. 6, 10.
Delmonico’s, I. 25.
Delmonico, John, II. 158, 160.
Delprat, John C., I. 283; II. 14, 230,
268.
Dennison, Miss, I. 20.
Dennistoun, Mr., I. hi.
Depau, Louis, I. 17; II. 282.
Depau, Mr. and Mrs., I. 17, 149.
Depau, Miss Stephanie, I. 17.
De Peyster, Frederic, II. 355.
De Peyster, Mr. and Mrs., II. 309.
Derby, Richard C., I. 12.
De Rham, Henry C., II. 14, 370.
De Rham, Mrs. Henry C., II. 344.
De Rham, Miss, II. 14.
De Rham and Moore, II. in.
Desbrosses, Elias, I. 113.
Dewey, Orville, I. 250, 360, 362.
DeWitt, Simeon, I. 108.
De Witt, Thomas, I. 358.
De Wolf, Mr., II. 347.
Dexter, Franklin, II. 40.
Dickens, Charles, II. 109, 113, 119, 120,
131,140,141,149,157,158,189,
190, 196.
Dickens, Dinner to, II. 118.
Dickens’s ball, II. 117.
Dickenson, Governor, I. 48, 59.
Dickenson, J. D., I. 34, 35.
Dickey, Hugh T., I. 19.
Dinner parties, I. 4, 8, 12, 14, 15, 16,
18,23,28,31,41,44,46,47,48,
54,55> 61, 65, 66, 72, 83, 104,116,
131, 140, 144, 160, 192, 193, 194,
I98, 202, 205, 207, 210, 248, 260,
280, 313, 325, 349, 380, 387; II.
5, 9, 17, 62, 64, 68, 70, 78, 93,
99, 102, 107, 118, 120, 126, 128,
133, 150, 166, 176, 181, 182, 187,
194, 196, 211, 213, 220, 221, 226,
230, 242, 243, 245, 268, 269, 280,
282, 290, 302, 304, 309, 325, 347,
35°> 355> 356> 362, 370, 371, 378,
380, 381, 393-
Disosway, Gabriel P., I. 88, 187.
Dixon, Thomas, II. 245.
Doane, Augustus S., II. 150.
Dodd, Daniel, I. 305.
Donnell, John, I. 51.
Doremus, Thomas C., I. 157.
Dorr, Francis, II. 14, 309.
Dorr, George, I. 283.
Dorr, Thomas W., II. 124, 129, 134.
Douglas, Miss Harriet, I. 78.
Douglass, George, I. 187.
Douglass, William, II. 27, 56, 302.
Draper, Simeon, I. 325; II. 132, 155,
2°9. 254, 328, 347-
Draper, Simeon, Jr., I. 101.
Drayton, William, I. 15, 48; II. 116.
Du Bois, Cornelius, 1.66.
Ducachet, Henry William, I. 189.
Duels, I. 36, 178, 179, 293, 295, 296,
300, 308; II. 272, 274.
Duer, Miss Elizabeth, II. 250.
Duer, John, I. 21, 24, 144, 206, 222,
305; II. 118, 191, 333.
Duer, Miss Sarah, I. 207; II. 343.
Duer, William A., I. 12, 65, 131, 134,
144, 207, 250; II. 383.
Dumas, Gen. Matthias, I. 27.INDEX.
411
Duncan, Alexander, I. 202; II. 338,
3^5* 379, 380.
Duncan, Dr., II. 18.
Duncan, William Butler, II. 400.
Dundas, Colonel, I. 165.
Dunlap, William, II. 340.
Du Perron, M., I. 27.
Durand, Asher Brown, I. 141.
Dutch Church, II. 241.
Dutilh, Mrs., II. 14.
Eastburn, Manton, II. 95.
Easton, George L., I. 157.
Eclipse, stallion, I. 80.
Eclipse wine, I. 107.
Edgar, Mrs., I. 16.
Edgar, William, I. 41.
Edmonds, John W., I. 354; II. 191.
Edwards, Judge, I. 210.
Ellice, Hon. Edward, I. 213.
Elliott, Henry H., I. 157.
Elliott, Jesse Duncan, I. 134.
Ellsler, Fanny, II. 24, 25, 26, 28, 31,
78.
Ellwell, Miss, II. 14.
Emerson, Ralph Waldo, I. 162, 163.
Emery, Robert, I. 19.
Emigration, I. 64.
Emmet, Robert, I. 66; II. 14, 344.
Emmet, Thomas, II. 14.
Emott, James, Jr., II. 93.
Engs, Phillip W., I. 98.
Erie R.R., I. 135; II. 91.
European travel, I. 343.
Evans, George, II. 143, 339.
Everett, Edward, I. 15, 83, 85.
Ewing, Thomas, I. 48; II. 33, 220.
Exchange, The New, I. 201.
Eyre, Manuel, I. 43.
Fairlie, Miss Louisa, I. 19, 20.
Fale, E. G., I. 92.
Faneuil Hall, I. 3.
Fearing, Charles N., I. 385.
Fearing, Daniel B., II. 339, 347, 350,
393-
Federalism, II. 33, 34.
Felt, David, I. 250.
Ferguson, Benjamin F., I. 19.
Ferris, Charles G., I. 168.
Fickett, Francis, I. 305.
Fillmore, Millard, II. 351, 386, 399.
Fine Arts Exhibition, I. 53.
Finlay, Colonel, I. 295.
Finlay, Mr., II. 302.
Fire of August 12, 1835, D 153, 154-
Fire of December 17, 1835, I- 180, 185,
188.
Fire of July 19, 1845, II. 257, 261.
Fire Place, I. 74.
Fish, Hamilton, I. 19, 51, 133; II. 153,
268,321,325,349,354,381,400.
Fish, Nicholas, I. 34, 77.
Fish, Preserved, I. 35, 36, 55, 100, 104,
187.
Fitch, Asa, II. 14.
Fitch, William, II. 14.
Fleming, Augustus, I. 20, 46, 61, 129,
192, 193; II. 333.
Fleming, J. B., I. 203.
Fleming, Miss and Mr., II. 14.
Follen, Charles T. C., I. 250.
Fond du Lac, II. 318.
Foote, Samuel A., II. 36, 191.
Forbes, John M., I. 19, 160.
Forrest, Edwin, I. 270, 323; II. 360.
Forsyth, John, I. 47, 48, 49; II. 9,
26.
Foster, Miss Emily, II. 250.
Foster, Frederic, II. 14, 109, 309.
Foundling, The, I. 341.
Fowler, Major, I. 10.
Fox, Henry Stephen, II. 60.
Francis, Dr. J. W., 1.132,135, 144, 250,
341; II. 132, 210, 233, 251, 332,
400.
Free Trade, I. 35.
Freeman, William Grigsby, I. 160.412
INDEX.
Frelinghuysen, Theodore, I. no, 114;
II. 218, 237.
French, Miss, I. 20.
French claims, I. 121, 122, 123, 133,
143> l7%> x96.
Fricke, Mr., I. 16.
Fulton, Miss, I. 34.
Furman, William, II. 75.
Furniss, W. N., I. 73.
Gaines, Edmund Pendleton, I. 58; II.
346.
Gallatin, Albert, I. 16, 17, 24, 27, 35,
38, 55. 92. i87» II- 214. 237, 272,
348- 363-
Galt, John, I. 211.
Gardiner, David, II. 207.
Garland, John, I. 77; II. 327.
Gaston, William, I. 60, 61, 82, 269.
Geer, Seth, I. 157, 187.
Gelston, Maltby, II. 229.
Gener, Thomas, I. 54, 55-
Genet, Edmund Charles, I. 109.
Gerard, James W., II. 155,191,251,400.
Gerry, Elbridge, I. 147.
Gibbes, Miss Augusta, II. 290.
Gibbes, Morgan, I. 35.
Gibbes, Thomas L., I. 34, 35, 46, 51;
II. 290, 302.
Gibbs, Lieutenant Alfred, II. 327.
Gibbs, Colonel George, I. 54, 358; II.
237> 327-
Gibbs, Wolcott, II. 93.
Gihon, John, I. 73; II. 245.
Gilford, Dr., I. 132.
Gilford, Samuel, II. 346.
Gilmor, Robert, I. 13, 16, 34, 43, 50,
51; II. 3, 112, 218, 221.
Gilmor, William, I. 51, 152.
Girardin, Count, I. 10.
Giraud, Jacob P., I. 25, 30, 54, 59, 74,
83, 98, 102, 149; II. 150, 383.
Glenn, Anthony, I. 16, 24.
Glover, Daniel, I. 48.
Glover, Samuel, I. 73.
Goelet, Robert, I. 152, 384.
Gold, discovery of, II. 354, 355.
Good Friday, Observance of, I. 350.
Goodell, William, I. 79.
Goodhue, Jonathan, I. 35, 36, 88, 92,
98, 140, 187, 247; XI. 333, 335.
Gore, Christopher, I. 4.
Gouverneur, Samuel L., I. 24, 25, 32,
139-
Grace Church, II. 252, 269.
Gracie, Archibald, I. 349; II. 114,131.
Gracie, Mrs. Robert, II. 14.
Gracie, Mrs. William, II. 14.
Graeme, Roland, II. 14.
Graham, Charles, I. 34.
Graham, David, II. 20, 191, 213.
Graham, John L., I. 15 7, 187.
Graham, Lieutenant, II. 324, 327.
Graham, J. Lorimer, II. 327.
Granger, Francis, I. 16, 28, 72, 101,
206,237,247,303,305,320,321;
II. io, 90, 218, 220, 230, 320, 359.
Grattan, Thomas C., II. 143.
Graves, Edward, II. 14.
Graves, William J., I. 280, 293, 295,
309-
Gray, Francis C., I. 54.
“ Great Western,” steamer, I. 303.
Green, Duff, I. 17.
Green, William, Jr., I. 79.
Greene, John C., II. 232.
Greenhow, Robert, I. 20, 380; II. 120.
Greenough, Horatio, II. 104, 216.
Greenwood, Francis W. P., I. 163.
Greig, John, I. 101; II. 320.
Grey, F., I. 160.
Griffin, Francis, II. 226, 328.
Griffin, George, I. 12; II. 75, 126, 179,
I9L 333-
Grinnell, Cornelius, II. 381.
Grinnell expedition, II. 382.
Grinnell, Joseph, II. 43, 215, 218.
Grinnell, Minturn, & Co., II. 232.INDEX.
413
Grinnell, Moses H., I. 36, 73, 325; II.
5,46,47* 61, 133, 143, 155, 213,
230, 283, 298, 302, 328, 339, 347,
35°-
Griswold, George, I. 26, 36, 38, 187,
202; II. 144, 232, 248, 335.
Griswold, Rufus W., II. 125.
Grundy, Felix, I. 15; II. 8.
Guillard, Mr., I. 21.
Gusen, Lewis C., I. 19.
Haggerty, James, I. 31.
Haggerty, John, I. 36, 42, 73, 92, 187.
Haight, D. L., II. 189.
Haight, Halsted E., 1.43.
Haight, Mrs., II. 14.
Hall, Basil, I. 219.
Hall, Charles, I. 74, 79.
Hall, J. Prescott, I. 325; II. 20, 36,
43, 70, 118, 132, 191, 226, 250,
280, 281, 302, 339, 347, 384;
Mrs. J. Prescott, II. 344.
Halleck, Fitz-Greene, I. 44, 116, 134;
II. 118.
Hamblin, Thomas S., I. 9, 171.
Hamilton, Alexander, II. 14, 246, 247,
283.
Hamilton, Miss Angelica, II. 14.
Hamilton, Capt. H., I. 104.
Hamilton, James, I. 69.
Hamilton, James A., I. 5, 18, 47, 48,
61, 65, 207; II. 14, 282.
Hamilton, John. C., I. 19, 20, 158, 268,
269, 325.
Hamilton, Miss Mary, I. 207; II. 14.
Hamilton, Schuyler, II. 324, 327, 371.
Hamersley, L. C., II. 333.
Hammond, Charles H., I. 16, 101.
Hammond, Judge, II. 233.
Hard times, I. 82, 84, 85, 86, 89, 92,
240, 248, 250, 255, 261, 285, 349,
368, 372, 380, 382.
Hardenbrook, John W., II. 75.
Harlem R.R., I. 46.
Harmony, Mr., II. 14.
Harper, F., I. 250.
Harper, General, I. 51; II. 3.
Harris, T., II. 237.
Harrison, William H., I. 1, 15, 166,
171. 349.393; II. 34, 42, 59, 65,
66, 70, 71, 75; his campaign, 41,
48, 50, 52; his inauguration, II.
67-
Hart, Miss, II. 325.
Harvey, Jacob, I. 104, 134, 144, 187.
Hay, Lord John, II. 143.
Hay, Samuel, I. 202, 207.
Hayne, Robert H., I. 44, 48, 69; II.
308.
Healy, George P. A., II. 2645 his por-
trait of Webster, 276.
Heard, James, I. 74.
Heard, John, I. 36.
Heckscher, Charles A., I. 73, 283; II.
93,106.
Heckscher, Edward, I. 150.
Henderson, Colonel, II. 7.
Henry, John, I. 325.
Henry, J. S., I. 43.
“ Herald,” The, I. 282.
Hewitt, Abram S., II. 149.
Heyward, Nicholas C., I. 19.
Heyward, William, I. 335.
Hicks, John, II. 243.
Hicks, Henry W., II. 56.
Historical Society, I. 6, 51, 271; II.
236.
Hobart, John Henry, I. 5, 21, 65.
Hoboken, I. 313, 365.
Hoffman, Charles, I. 71; II. 14.
Hoffman, David, I. 51; II. 3.
Hoffman, George, I. 51.	;
Hoffman, John, I. 16, 50.
Hoffman, Ogden, I. 34, 52, 54, 55, 135,
144, 187, 274; II. 43, 61, 155,
I9I» 333-
Hoffman, Murray, II. 191.
Holland, Dr., I. 272.4X4
INDEX.
Holmes, John, I. 49.
Hone, Miss Catherine, II. 14*
Hone Club, I. 325, 333, 345> 347> 349>
352; 11.32,56,170,197,246,280,
308, 359; ode for, I. 345.
Hone, Miss Emily, II. 109.
Hone, Henry, I. 5, 12, 23, 47, 61, 66,
116, 198.
Hone, Isaac S., I. 5, 7, 8, 21, 23, 31,
41, 54, 66, 73, 83, 101, 140, 144,
187, 207, 255; II. 309.
Hone, Miss Joanna, I. 9.
Hone, John, I. 28, 41; II. 12, 309.
Hone, Miss Margaret, I. 14, 16, 20; II.
3H.
Hone, Miss Mary, I. 20.
Hone, Philip, sells his house, I. 203;
goes abroad, 217; moves into new
house, 285 ; journeys to Washing-
ton, 288, 290; II. 3, 5, 60, 310;
nominated for State Senate, I. 383;
president Bank for Savings, II. 82;
journey to the West, II. 310; naval
officer, II. 358; bust of, II. 285,
291.
Hone, Mrs. Philip, II. 344, 382.
Hone, Philip J., I. 9.
Hone, Robert S., I. 20, 29, 385; II. 9,
12.
Hope, Captain, I. 18.
Hopkinson, Joseph, II. 109,125.
Hoppin, Hamilton, II. 309.
Hoppin, William, II. 306, 309.
Horn, C. E., I. 345.
Horse races, I. 17.
Hosack, Alexander E., I. 44, 61, 56,
144; Mrs. A. E., I. 127.
Hosack, David, I. 5, 21, 26, 28, 131,
132, 184, 188, 189; Mrs. David, I.
178.
Hosack estate on Hudson, II. 29.
Hosack, Pendleton, I. 44.
Hosken, Captain, I. 352.
Howard, Hon. Henry, II. 248.
Howard, Colonel, I. 292.
Howland and Aspinwall, II. 232.
Howland, Miss Caroline, II. 109.
Howland, E., II. 14.
Howland, Gardiner G., I. 9, 12, 16, 31,
34> 35> 79> 92> 98, 140, 366; II.
43, 70, 269, 383; Mrs. G. G., I.
67.
Howland, Samuel S., I. 16, 23, 72, 73,
88, 187, 203, 283,380, 381; II.43,
242, 269, 393.
Hoxie, Joseph, I. 98, 247.
Hoyt, Goold, I. 6, 73; II. 139.
Hoyt, Henry S., I. 207, 263.
Hoyt, Jesse, II. 46.
Huddleston, Captain, II. 183.
Hughes, Ball, I. 26, 65.
Hughes, Christopher, I. 341; II. 364.
Hull, Isaac, I. 96; II. 172.
Hunt, Washington, II. 394, 396.
Hunter, Colonel, I. 325.
Huntington, Mr., I. 59.
Huygens, Chevalier, I. 14.
Immigration, I. 210.
Indian names, I. 141.
Indians, I. 275.
Ingersoll, Joseph R., II. 325.
Ingham, Charles C., I. 141.
Inglis, John, I. 4.
Inman, Henry, I. 16, 53, 141.
Ireland, George, I. 127.
Irving, Ebenezer, I. 53.
Irving, James T., I. 229.
Irving, John T., I. 28, 30, 55, 133,
187, 297.
Irving, Peter, I. 209.
Irving, Washington, I. 53, 54, 72, 96,
116, 133, 138, 140, 144, 165, 194,
198, 207, 237, 365, 381; II. 115,
118, 122, 348, 350, 362.
Iselin, Isaac, II. m.
Ives, Moses B., II. 380.
Ives, Thomas P., I. 106.INDEX.
415
Jackson, Andrew, I. 15, 68, 72, 76, 85,
86, 89, 105, 112, 119, 121, 122,
123, 125, 131, 133, 136, 143, 146,
207, 243, 245, 259, 300, 333, 382;
II. 2, 250.
Jackson, Daniel, I. 157, 187.
Jackson, Patrick T., I. 158.
Jackson, W., I. 250.
Jaffray, Robert, Jr., II. 149.
Jameson, Mrs., I. 223.
Jarvis, Dr., I. 144.
Jaudon, Samuel, I. 249; II. 104, 194,
231, 347-
Jay, John, I. io, 327; II. 237.
Jay, Peter A., I. 7, 12, 34, 35, 55, 82,
84, 131; II. 75, 143, 149, 173.
Jay, William, I. 326.
Jefferson, Joseph, I. 58.
Jewett, Judge, II. 308.
Johnson, Colonel, I. 17, 75, 80.
Johnson, Jeremiah, II. 75.
Johnson, Reverdy, I. 153, 295, 374; II.
61, 220.
Johnson, Richard M., I. 142, 166; II.
199.
Johnson, W., I. 131.
Johnson, William Cost, II. 6.
Johnson, William L., I. 157.
Johnston, John, I. 73.
Joinville, Prince de, II. 101.
Jones, David S., I. 5, 73, 83, 98, 118,
131, 138, 187; II. 191, 211, 302,
333, 346, 347*
Jones, Edward R., I. 16, 19, 207; Mrs.
E. R., I. 78, 84.
Jones, Miss Elizabeth, I. 207.
Jones, Isaac, I. 19, 73.
Jones, Jacob, II. 387.
Jones, James J., I. 46, 48, 72, 79, 144,
165, 228.
Jones, Joshua, I. 19.
Jones, Miss Mary, II. 14.
Jones, Samuel, I. 187; II. 237, 333*
Jones, Walter R., I. 151, 187.
Jordan, A. L., II. 191.
Joseph, J. L. & S., I. 248, 336.
Joubert, M., I. 27.
Jumel, Mrs. Stephen, I. 78.
Jury trials, Abuses of, I. 315; II. 48.
Kane, Miss Anna, I. 59.
Kane, Miss Charlotte, I. 23.
Kane, De Lancey, II. 14, 109.
Kane, Miss Harriet, I. 19, 20, 21.
Kane, Miss Helen, I. 10, 29, 58, 151,
166.
Kane, John, I. 20; II. 396.
Kane, Miss Lydia, I. 59, 151; II. 14.
Kane, Oliver, I. 34,59; II. 250.
Kean, Charles, I. 20, 42, 380.
Kean, John, II. 268.
Kearney, Miss, II. 14.
Keese, John, I. 250.
Kemble, Charles, I. 59, 60, 62, 65.
Kemble, Fanny, I. 59, 60, 61, 62, 63,
64, 66, 79, 93, 94, 319; her Jour,
nal, I. 126,128, 130; II. 357.
Kemble, Gouverneur, I. 194; II. 63.
Kemble, William, II. 356, 378.
Kennedy, David S., II. 118, 208, 245,
269.
Kennedy, John P., I. 344; II. 3, 220,
23o> 259> 385-
Kennon, Beverley, II. 207.
Kent Club, I. 287, 303.
Kent’s Commentaries, II. 171.
Kent, James, I. 5, 6, 8, 12, 17, 28, 34,
35> 38,4L 55> 82, 124, 131, 151,
190, 210, 348; 11.75,99, 191, 223,
272> 330> 33L 332*
Kent, William, I. 134; II. 36, 118.
Kernochan, Joseph, I. 19, 92.
Kernochan, William L., II. 149.
Ketcham, Hiram, I. 247; II. 155.
Khremer, Mr., I. 48.
King, Charles, I. 41, 47, 54, 61, 98,101,
134, 144, 148, 192, 210, 303, 305;
II. 132, 199, 298, 308, 383.4i 6
INDEX.
King, Charles C., I. 229; II. 56.
King, Miss Elizabeth Ray, I. 78.
King, Gracie, II. 250.
King, James G., I. 8, 31,36, 38, 54,88,
92> 98, 99. 135. HQ. 187, 198,302;
II. 131, 142, 144, 348, 356.
King, John A., 1. 73, 78, 192, 193, 237,
3°i. 3°S. 3315 H- 23.93. 118, 302,
325-
King, Thomas Butler, II. 94, 220, 393.
Kip, Rev. Mr., II. 22.
Kip, Leonard, II. 22.
Kissam, Timothy T., I. 73.
Knapp, S., II. 347.
Kneeland, Charles, I. 9, 23.
Kneeland, George, Jr.,4I. 19.
Kneeland, Henry, I. 9, 36.
Kneeland, John T., I. 19.
“ Knickerbocker,” The, I. 71.
Knox, James H. M., II. 93.
Kortwright, Mr., I. 102.
Krudener, Baron, 1.18.
Kuypers, Dr., I. 46.
Lafayette, General, I. 10, 22, 27, 108,
130.
Lafayette, George W., I. 27, 226, 231.
Laight, Edward W., 1.190; II. 14, 109,
240, 333, 346.
Laight, William E., I. 59, 102- II.
350-
Lamb, Anthony, II. 346.
Lameth, Charles de, I. 27.
Langdon, Miss, I. 212; II. 15.
Langdon, Walter, II. 302.
Langdon, Woodbury, I. 108.
Lasteyrie, Jules de, I. 27.
Laurie, George, II. 14, 268.
Laurie, John, I. 104.
Laverty, Henry, I. 74.
Law, Captain, II. 310.
Lawrence, Abbott, I. 41, 120,158, 247;
II. 18, 70.
Lawrence, Amos, II. 45.
Lawrence, Cornelius W., 1.55,104,187,
241; 11.75,144.
Lawrence, D., II. 14.
Lawrence, Isaac, II. 22, 75.
Lawrence, Miss, I. 20.
Lawrence, William Beach, I. 52.
Leavitt, John W., I. 73,92, 98, 99, 187.
Leavitt, Joshua, I. 23, 79.
Le Barbier, Mrs. A., II. 344.
Lectures, II. 97.
Lee, Carter, I. 20.
Lee, David, I. 92.
Lee, Gideon, I. 55, 74, 168.
Lee, James, I. 157, 187; II. 144, 333.
Leeds, Duchess of, II. 247.
Ledyard, Henry, I. 19.
Lefferts, Leffert, II. 75.
Leggett, Dr., 1.250.
Leigh, Benjamin Watkins, II. 2T7.
Lenox, Robert, I. 7, 397.
Leonard, John, I. 187,
LeRoy, Abraham, I. 100.
LeRoy, Herman, 1.190; II. 70.
LeRoy, Jacob R., 1.193; II. 56.
LeRoy, Miss, II. 15.
LeRoy, Robert, Jr., II. 93.
LeRoy, William, II. 357.
Leslie, Charles R., I. 103.
Lewis, Miss, I. 58.
I.ewis, Morgan, I. 12, 27, 33, 35,46,
52> *90, 35s; n- 75> 210, 212.
Lexington, II. 314.
“ Liberator,” The, I. 164.
Lincoln, Levi, I. 2, 291.
Lind, Jenny, II. 389, 390.
Lippincott, Joshua, I. 43.
Literary and Philosophical Society, I. 8.
Livingston, Anson, II. 15.
Livingston, Charles L., I. 74, 83. 97,
157-
Livingston, Edward, I. 15, 69, 144,
146, 190.
Livingston, Edward P., I. 55, 372.
Livingston, James Duane, I. 21.INDEX.
417
Livingston, Jonathan S., II. 56.
Livingston, Miss Mary E., I. 17.
Livingston, Miss Matilda, I. 20.
Livingston, Maturin, I. 12; II. 18.
Livingston, Mortimer, I. 74; II. 14,
356-
Livingston, Peter R., II. 75, 292.
Livingston, Miss Sarah, I. 20.
Livingston, Walter, I 75, 80.
Loco-Foco, Origin of, I. 168; disorders,
I.	339; meetings, II. 44,45, 69,
223, 225; procession, II. 234.
Locomotive engine, The first, I. 10.
Lord, Daniel, Jr., II. 49, 191, 245, 333,
383-
Lord, Rufus L., I. 92.
Long Island R.R., II. 228.
Longfellow, Henry W.. I. 233.
Lorillard, George, I. 64.
Lorillard, Jacob, I. 35, 64, 187, 321.
Lorillard, Peter, I. 64; II. 183.
Low, Cornelius, I. 192; II. 362.
Low, Nicholas, I. 47, 207; II. 183.
Ludlow, Thomas W., I. 5, 47, 66, 349;
II.	15, 56,82, 245, 252, 269, 282.
Lydig, David, I. 83, 364; II. 32.
Lyell, Dr., I. 22.
Lyman, Mr., II. 155.
Lyman, Theodore, I. 4, 106.
Lynch, Dominick, I. 5, 18, 35, 44, 46,
61, 66, 72, 79, 128, 140, 204, 268;
II. 116.
Lynch, General, I. 346, 376.
Lynch, .Harrison, II. 14.
Lynch law, I. 150.
Lynch, Miss Margaret, II. 14.
Lyon, John, II. 149.
Madison, James, I. 214.
Madison, Mrs. James, II. 121.
Macomb, Alexander, II. 7.
Maitland, Robert, I. 8.
Major, Mr. and Miss, II. 15.
Manley, Dr., I. 133.
Maratti, Carlo, L 53.
March, Charles, 1.66, 177,
March, Francis, I. 158.
Marcy William L., I. 49, 311.
Marechal, Baron, II. 5.
Marine pavilion, I. 73, 152.
Maroncelli, Mr., II. 15.
Marryat, Captain, I. 2601, 310, 335.
Marshall, Charles H., II. 350.
Marshall, John, I. 145, 147.
Marshall, John L 157.
Marshfield, Visit to, II. 253.
Martin, Robert Nichols, I. 34.
Martineau, Miss, I. 206.
Mason, John, I. 20, 30, 46, 73.
Mason, Jonathan, I. 34.
Mason, Miss, I. 19, 20.
Mason, Robert, II. 15.
Mason, Stevens T., I. 313,
Matthews, Charles, I. 113, 116, 151.
Matthews, James M., I. 8, 23; II. 309
Mauran, O., I. 79.
Maury, James, I. 31.
Maury, Rutsen, I. 31.
Marvel, Ik, II. 399.
Maxwell, Hugh, I. 98, 250; II. 333.
Maxwell, William H., I. 116.
May, Mrs., I. 217.
May the first, I. 359.
McAuley, Dr., I. 151.
McCoskry, Bishop, II. 279, 324.
McCoun, William T., I. 157, igy,
McCrackan, Mrs., II. 119.
McCready, William C.. II. 226, 360.
McDougal, Alexander, I. 12.
McDuffie, Governor, I. 174.
McEldery, Hugh, I. 43.
McEvers, Bache, II. 378.
McEvers, Charles, I. 12, 31, 44, In
190, 228.
McEvers, Charles, Jr., I. 207; II. 56.
McEvers, Miss Helen, I. 66; II. 15.
McGregor, John, Jr., I. 73.
McIntosh. Colonel, II. 326.418
INDEX.
McKenzie, Alex. Slidell, II* 163, 165,
166, 174, 181, 183.
MeLane, Louis, I. 93, 165, 187, 204;
II. 368.
McLean, Dr. S., I. 59, 83, 130, 132,
H9-
McLeod, Wm., I. 73.
McNeill, Wm G., II. 135.
McNeven, Dr., I. 132.
McTavish, Mr., I. 15; Miss, II. 248;
Mrs., I. 50.
McVickar, Benjamin, I. 187.
McVickar, John, 1.14, 15, 36, 250,274,
34^*
McVickar, Miss, II. 15.
Mead, Gabriel, II. 269.
Melick, B. P., I. 30.
Mellen, Grenville, I. 250, 358.
Memminger, Colonel, II. 325.
Menon, Count de, I. 15.
Mercein, Thomas R., I. 36.
Merchants’ Exchange, II. 98.
Meredith, Jonathan, I. 9, 14, 16, 34^
49. S1* I36'. I1- 3. 61, 385.
Meredith, Miss, II. 14. 109.
Meredith, Wm. M., II. 359.
Mesier, Peter A., II. 333.
Messiah, Church of, I. 360* 362.
Metcalf, Ralph, II. 220.
Mexican war, II. 276, 278, 300, 302,
303.306.307.322.326,347.
Mildmay, Mr., II. 143.
Miller, Franklin, I. 19.
Miller, Sylvanus, I. 19; II. 75, 333^
348-
Miller, William L., I. 198.
Miller, William S., II. 56, 243, 335,
Mills, D., II. 350.
Milnor, Dr., I. 46.
Milwaukee, II. 317.
Mintum, Edward, II. 213.
Minturn, Robert B., II. 35, I33) I44>
155, 203, 269, 335.
Mitchell, Donald G., II. 399.
Mitchell, Dr., I. 311.
Mohawk & Hudson R.R., I. 36, 59.
Molyneux, Mr., I. 325.
Monroe, James, I. 24, 25, 32, 73, ioi;
116.
Montes, Pedro, I. 378.
Montgomery, Richard, I. 5, 12.
Moon, Bishop, I. 22.
Moore, Clement C., II. 302, 346.
Moore, Nathaniel F., II. 149.
Moore, Dr. S. W., I. 132.
Moore, Thomas W., I. 116; II. 99*
Moore, William, I. 81, 83.
Morehead, John M., II. 220.
Morgan, J. J., II. 130.
Morgan, John L., I. 157; II. 75*
Morgan, M., II. 339, 398.
Morpeth. Lord, II. 99, 248.
Morris, Charles, II. 7.
Morris, George P., I. 71.
Morris, Judge, I. 20.
Morris, Lewis, II. 283.
Morris, Lieutenant, II. 326.
Morris, Robert, II. 82.
Morris, Robert H., II. 46, 245.
Morris, Thomas, I. 101, 327, 333.
Morse, Samuel F. B., I. 8, 32, 67, 74.
Morton, Henry, I. 229.
Morton, Henry J., I. 19.
Mosely, William A., II. 309.
Mott, Valentine, I. 132, 177; II. 100.
Moulton, C. F., II. 24.
Moulton, J. F., I. 79.
Mount, William S., I. 141, 353.
Murat, Prince C. N. A., II. 305.
Murphy, Henry C., I. 19.
Murray, James B., I. 187; II. 356.
Murray, James R., I. 26.
Murray, Lady George, I. 223.
Music in New York, I. 169, 172.
Naudian, Senator, I. 213.
Neff, John R., I. 43.
Nevins, Peter J., I. 74.INDEX.
419
Nevins, Russell H., II. 155, 233.	1
Newbold, George, I. 73.
New England Society, II. 106, 203, 333.
Newspapers, II. 11.
Newton, Stuart, I. 54, 55, 96.
New York harbor, II. 310.
“New York Mirror,” I. 71.
Ney, Count, I. 10, 18.
Ney, Marshal, I. 10.
Niagara, II. 319.
Nicholas, Mr., I. 193.
Nicholson, John B., I. 17, 27, 44, 54;
II. 287.
Nicholson, Mr., I. 151, 166.
Nicholson, Samuel, II. 194.
Nicoll, Henry, I. 19.
Niles, Hezekiah, I. 351.
Nolte, Vincent, I. 335.
Norrie, Mrs., II. 15.
North, William, I. 108.
Norton, Clinton, I. 102.
Norton, Frederic, I. 198.
Norton, Nathaniel, I. 108.
Note, Joel N., I. 205.
Nott, Eliphalet, I. 4.
Nott, Dr., I. 213, 214.
Novels, Old, II. 17.
Nullification, I. 68, 70.
Oakey, Miss Elizabeth, II. 106.
Oakley, Miss, II. 15.
Oakley, Thomas J., I. 28, 55, 187; II.
133.333.348.
O’Connell, Daniel, II. 192, 199.
O’Connor, Charles, II. 36, 191.
Oddie, Mrs., II. 309.
O’Donnell, Miss, II. 15.
Office-seekers, I. 387.
Ogden, Aaron, I. 34, 352.
Ogden, Abraham, I. 16, 78, 136; II.
285.
Ogden, Charles H., I. 19.
Ogden, David B., I. 26, 35, 82, 98,
247> 328> 36o; x9i> 268, 348.
Ogden, James De Peyster, II. 93, 143,
196, 243, 245, 268.
Ogden, Jonathan, I. 42; II. 15.
Ogden, N. G., II. 350.
Ogden. Thomas L., I. 16; II. 191, 239.
Oliver, Robert, I. 50, 51,132.
Oliver, Thomas, II. 269.
Olmstead, Francis, I. 92.
Olyphant, D W. C., I. 88, 92.
Olyphant, Robert M., II. 149.
Onderdonk, Benjamin T., I. 22, 56,
131; II. 279.
Oothout, John, II. 209.
Opera, Italian, I. 79, 81, 120, 194.
Oregon question, II. 266, 280,
Ostrander, Gideon, II. 346.
Otis, Allyn, I. 160, 212.
Otis, Harrison Gray, I. 3, 4, 7, 107,
131,136,156,159; 11.40,195,265,
352-
Otis, James W., I. 88, 149, 158, 283,
325; II. 15, 56, 93, 350.
Otis, Lady, II. 255.
Packet ships, I. 90, 216, 243, 265,285;
II. 103, 176, 193, 201, 242, 247,
250, 274, 275, 276, 328.
Pageot, Mr., I. 48, 178, 194, 195.
Pakenham, Mr., II. 280.
Palmer, Amos, I. 73.
Palmer, Horsley, II. 132,143, 243,245.
Palmer, John J., II. 133, 155, 245.
Palmer, Miss, II. 15.
Panic, Financial, II. 56, 58, 100, 254,
255, 256, 257, 302.
Panon, Mr. and Mrs., I. 79; II. 15,
238.
Parish, Charles, I. 213.
Parish, George, I. 44.
Parish, Henry, I. 19, 47, 49, 66, 73,
I57» ll-I7>l33>3°2'> Mrs.Henry,
II. 119, 344.
Park, Justice, I. 220.
Park Theatre, I. 39.420
INDEX.
Parker, Asa, I. 327.
Parker, Peter, I. 159.
Parker, Samuel D., I. 159.
Parkman, George, II. 366.
Parmly, Wheelock H., II. 149.
Parnell, Mr., I. 104, 144.
Parsells, P. P., I. 80.
Patroon, The, I. 149, 349.
Patterson, M. C., I. 80, 144; II. 155,
226.
Patterson, Robert L.,I. 12, 73.
Patterson, William, I. 131.
Paulding, James K., I. 54, 55, 71, 194,
250; II. 7.
Paulding, William, II. 82.
Payne, J. Howard, I. 66.
Pearson, Mr. and Mrs., II. 15.
Pendleton, Edward H., I. 72; II. 56.
Pendleton, Judge, I. 21, 59.
Pendleton, Mr. and Mrs., II. 15.
Penfold, Edmund, I. 99.
Pennington, Dr., II. 3.
Pennington, William, I. 281, 358.
Pennsylvania rebellion, I. 340, 343.
Percival, Colonel, II. 102.
Perit, Pelatiah, I. 88.
Perkins, Thomas H., I. 4, 43, 73, 335;
II. 195.
Perry, Commodore, II. 143.
Persico, Louis, I. 121.
Peters, Richard, II. 61.
Petriken, Dr., II. 18.
Pettis, Spencer, I. 36.
Phelps, Anson G., II. 335.
Phelps, Henry, I. 149.
Phelps, Miss, II. 15, 238.
Phelps, Thaddeus, I. 73, 157, 187; II.
I46.
Pickering, Thomas, I. 297.
Pierson, J. G., I. 79,160; II. 399.
Pillow, Gideon J., II. 326, 338.
Pinckney, General, I. 147,
Pintard, John, I. 34; II. 82.
Pitts, Robert, I. 157.
Pittsburg, II. 313.
Pius IX., II. 334.
Platt, Richard, I. 12.
Platt, William, I. 43.
Pleasants, John H., II. 273.
Podestad, Mr., I. 158, 159, 160.
Poindexter, George, I. 71.
Poinsett, Joel R., I. 15, 21, 42.
Political changes, II. 388.
Polk, James K., II. 26, 224, 243, 277,
282, 291.
Popham, William, I. 108; II. 75, 212,
323-
Post, Joel, I. 200.
Post, Mr. and Mrs., I. 149.
Post-office, New, I. 198.
Pott, Gideon, I. 73.
Potter, Alonzo, I. 4, 191; II. 249, 325.
Potter, Charles, II. 380.
Potter, Edward E., II. 149.
Potter, John, I. 43.
Powel, J. Hare, I. 35.
Power, Tyrone, I. 120; II. 39.
Powers, Hiram, II. 322.
Powerscourt, Lord, I. 104, 144.
Pratt, Henry, I. 43.
Prescott, William, II. 238.
Prescott, William H., I. 312, 329; II.
126, 128, 213, 275, 304, 392.
Preston, William C., I. 94; II. 6, 7, 8,
63, 64.
Price, William M., I. 338.
Prime, Edward, I. 36, 73, 187.
Prime, Frederick, II. 399.
Prime, Nathaniel, I. 10, 73.
Prime, Rufus, I. 73, 79; II. 15-
Prime, Ward, & King, I. 302; II. 232.
Princeton disaster, II. 206.
Prize-fighting, II. 144, 161.
Putnam, George P., II. 389.
Quincy, Josiah, I. 3, 73.
Quincy, Josiah, Jr., II. 218, 267.
Quitman, John A., II. 326.INDEX.
421
Races, I. 139.
Racket court, II. 271.
Railroad in Illinois, I. 45.
Randall, Robert R., I. 16, 41.
Randolph, John, I. 34.
Rankin, John, I. 79; II. 93.
Rathbone, John, I. 43; II. 75, 176.
Rathbone, William, I. 219.
Ray, Miss Cornelia, II. 371.
Ray, Robert, I. 47, 73,79,88,140, I93>
198, 283; II. 302, 371; Mrs. Rob-
ert, II. 114, 238, 293.
Raymond, Samuel G., II. 155.
Read, George C., I. 121.
Reading Club, I. 205, 206.
Real, Count, I. 10.
Real estate, I. 8, 11, 44, 46, 138, 140,
150, 200, 203, 204, 205, 336, 362;
II. 15, 108, 172, 370.
Red Jacket, I. 9.
Reed, Luman, I. 157; II. 340.
Registry Law, II. 21.
Remusat, M. de, I. 27.
Ren wick, James, 1.12, 31, 54, 194, 250.
Repeal meetings, II. 186, 194.
Revolution of 1830, celebration in New
York, I. 24.
Rhinelander, Dr., I. 100, 132.
Rhode Island rebellion, II. 124, 126,
128, 134.
Ricardo, Sampson, II. 132.
Richards, Nathaniel, I. 41.
Ridgely, Daniel B., I. 75, 192; II. 7.
Riker, Richard, II. 75.
Ring, Zebedee, I. 36; II. 149.
Riots, I. 100, no, 152, 156, 313; at
theatres, I. 39, 40, 109, 208; II.
359* 36a
Ripley, Dr., I. 162.
Ripley, George, II. 389.
Ritchie, Mrs., I. 107, 158; II. 265.
Ritchie, Thomas, Jr., II. 273, 274.
Rives, William C., I. 27, 67, 121, 122,
142; II. 64, 205.
Robbins, Ashur, I. 297.
Robbins, George S., I. 88, 157, 187.
Roberts, Oliver E., II. 149.
Robertson, A. L., II. 191,
Robinson, Beverly, I. 135, 144; II.
191, 240.
Robinson, Morris, I. 248.
Robinson, William, II. 15.
Rochester, Nathaniel, I. 32.
Rockaway muse, II. 54.
Rodman, W., II. 149.
Rogers, James, I. 31.
Rogers, Moses, I. 305.
Rogers, Samuel, I. 224.
Roosevelt, James, II. 297.
Roosevelt, James J., Jr., I. 44, 187; II.
19.
Roosevelt, Silas W., II. 149.
Ruggles, Samuel B., I. 79, 187, 210,
298,301; II.23, 118, 191, 226,
325^
Ruiz, Jose, I. 378.
Rumpff, Vincent, I. 345.
Rush, Miss, II. 16.
Rush, Richard, II. 302.
Russell, Charles H., I. 36, 73, 88, 92,
98, 99, IOI, 187, 210, 239, 325;
II. 15,93, 243, 268, 339, 347.
Russell, Miss Eliza, II. 15, 109.
Rutherford, Lewis Morris, II. 322.
Sailors* Snug Harbor, I. 41.
Saint Esprit, Church of, I. 113.
St. Louis, II. 316.
St. Nicholas Society, I. 132, 237, 338.
Saltonstall, Leverett, II. 23, 218, 237.
Sanford, Edward, II. 191.
Sanford, General, II. 36.
Sans Souci, I. 18, 19.
Santander, General, I. 54*
Saratoga, I. 366, 367; II. 36, 149, 188.
Schenck, Peter H., I. 41.
Schermerhorn, Abraham, I. 8, 12, 16,
65, 131, 204, 228; II. 56.422
INDEX.
Schermerhorn, Augustus, I. 61.
Schermerhorn, Edward, I. 193, 207.
Schermerhorn, James, II. 15.
Schermerhorn, John, II. 15, 328.
Schermerhorn, Jones, I. 48, 51, 60, 61;
II. 12; Mrs. Jones, I. 165, 229;
II. 14, 18, 52.
Schermerhorn, N., II. 15.
Schermerhorn, Peter A., I. 27, 72, 73,
81, 131. I33, Ho, i77> 2°7J II. i7>
176.
Schermerhorn, William C., II. 109, 263.
Schmidt, John W., II. 269, 344.
Schoolcraft, Henry R., II. 184.
Schroeder, John, I. 5, 22, 250.
Schuyler, George L., II. 92, 282, 398.
Schuyler, Messrs., II. 15.
Schuyler, Philip, I. 12, 59.
Schuyler, Robert, II. 92.
Scott, Miss Cornelia, II. 371.
Scott, Henry Lee, II. 371.
Scott, Martin, II. 326.
Scott, Sir W., I. 66.
Scott, Miss Virginia, II. 261.
Scott, Winfield, I. 28, 55, 57, 144, 196,
355. 356, 394; II- 4. 7. 9. 215,
216, 288, 307, 322, 326, 328, 329,
338, 349. 358, 37°. 383-
Sears, Mr., I. 160.
Sedgwick, Catherine M., II. 119, 355.
Sedgwick, Henry D., I. 42.
Sedgwick, Theodore, II. 144, 191.
Selden, Dudley, I. 93, 96, 187, 376.
Seminole Indians, I. 195.
Senate, Scenes in, I. 48, 71, 95, 133;
II. 8, 62.
Seton, Alfred, I. 73.
Seton, Miss, II. 15.
Seward, William H., I. 210, 305, 320,
213, 324> 33L36i, 37G n- 21,22,
46, 153, 376.
Sharpe, George, I. 157.
Sharpe, Mrs., I. 39.
Shaw, Gabriel, I. 349.
Shaw, Robert G., I. 41; II. 43.
Sheldon, Frederick, I. 36, 206.
Sheldon, II., II. 14.
Shields, James, II. 307.
Siamese twins, I. 29.
Sibley, Mark H., II. 320.
Silliman, B. D., I. 301, 331; II. 191.
Silsbee, Nathaniel, I. 15, 16.
Simon, cook, I. 8.
“ Sirius,” steamer, I. 303.
Slavery question, I. 321; II. 238, 286,
374, 399-
Smith, Augustine, I. 132.
Smith, Bishop, I. 131.
Smith, Edmund, I. 102.
Smith, Garrett, I. 326.
Smith, John Cotton, II. 266.
Smith, Jonathan, I. 203.
Smith, Morgan L., I. 157.
Smith, Nathan, I. 176.
Smith, Persifor, II. 326.
Smith, Samuel, I. 354.
Smith, Stephen, I. 36.
Smith, T. L., I. 48.
“ Somers ” mutiny, II. 163, 165, 166,
170, 174, 178, 180, 181.
Southard, Rev. Mr., II. 269.
Southard, Samuel L., I. 356, 358; II.
8, 9, 60.
Sparks, Jared, I. 64; II. 107.
Specie, circular, I. 314; consignments
of, II. 173; payments, I. 382; II.
55> 57-
Speddings, Mr., II. 143.
Spencer, John C., I. 28; II. 165, 220.
Spencer, Joshua, II. 33.
Spencer, Philip, II. 163.
Spofford, Paul, II. 302, 339, 347.
Spoils system, II. 94.
Sprague, Peleg, I. 48, 110.
Sprigg, Governor, II. 220.
Stackelberg, Baron, I. 15, 18, 48.
Stafford, Lady, II. 247.
Stagg, John P., I. 88,92.INDEX.
423
Stagg, Peter, I. 247.
Stanford, David R., II. 149.
Stanley, Edward, II. 88, 220.
Starr, Chandler, I. 99.
Steam, Disasters by, II. 127, 321, 381.
Steamboat disasters, I. 260, 308, 317.
Steamboat racing, I. ill.
Steamers, Ocean, I. 304, 305, 306, 311,
335> 352> 362, 363> 369> 37°> 37*;
II. 16, 30, 92, 195, 260, 261, 263,
334, 37h 392.
Stearns, Dr., I. 132.
Stebbins, H. G., II. 237, 328, 350.
Steele, William, Jr., I. 19.
Stevens, Byam Kirby, I. 16.
Stevens, Dr., II. 230.
Stevens, Edwin, II. 356.
Stevens, John A., I. 33, 36, 55, 92, 98,
99, 187; II. 268, 344.
Stevens, John C., I. 17, 139, I92» 193;
II. 229, 245, 355.
Stevens, Robert L., I. 192,193.
Stevens, Samuel, I. 98.
Stevenson, Andrew, I. 15, 94, 142, 212.
Stevenson, James, I. 16, 205.
Steward, John, Jr., II. 128.
Stewart, A. T., II. 245, 284.
Stewart, Charles, I. 144.
Stewart, Lispenard, I. 34; II. 362, 371.
Stewart, Seneca, I. 157.
Stewart, William Pinckney, II. 149*
Stilwell, Silas M., I. 36.
Stock Exchange, gambling, I. 167,
227; quotations, II. 100.
Stockton, Lieut. R. F., I. 273.
Stockton, Captain, II. 208.
Stone, Asaph, I. 73.
Stone, William L., I, 30, 187; II. 155,
229.
Storm, Garrit, I. 102; II. 333, 35°*
Storm of March 12, 1841, II. 78.
Storrow, Mrs., II. 283.
Story, Justice, I. 151; II. 262.
Stoughton, Mr., II. 5.
Stout, A. G., II. 396.
Streliski, Count, I. 152.
Strikes, I. 200, 210, 211.
Strong, Benjamin, I. 99, 187; II. 399.
Strong, George D., I. 100, 187.
Strong, George W., II. 191.
Stuart, Colonel, II. 61.
Sturgis, Mr., I. 30, 160.
Stuyvesant, Gerard, II. 321.
Stuyvesant pear-tree, I. 317; II. 349.
Stuyvesant, Peter G., I. 12, 74,187; II.
240, 268, 321.
Suffern, Thomas, I. 19, 73.
Sullivan, J. T., I. 43.
Sullivan, William, I., 34, 107.
Sumner, Charles, II. 275.
Survilliers, Count, I. 10, 58, 167, 214,
322.
Suydam, H., I. 83.
Suydam, John, I. 102.
Suydam, Richard, I. 73.
Swain, Mr., II. 35.
Swan, Benjamin L., I. 36, 73, 187, 385;
II. 143, 232, 383.
Swartwout, Henry, I. 57.
Swartwout, Samuel, I. 47, 332.
Swift, Colonel, I. 295.
Swords, James, II. 284.
Taliogni, I. 227.
Tallmadge, James, I. 41, 349, 384; II.
176.
Tallmadge, Miss Mary, II. 335.
Tallmadge, Nathaniel P., II. 60, 77, 246.
Talman, George F., I. 83.
Taney, Roger B., I. 148.
Tappan, Arthur, I. 109.
Tappan, George, II. 346.
Tappan, Lewis, I. 79, 109.
Targee, John, II. 38, 75.
Tariff, The, I. i, 35, 37, 38, 41, 44, 45,
55, 68, 242, 243; II. 142, 281.
Tayloe, Mr., I. 34.
Taylor, Edward, II. 75.424
INDEX.
Taylor, Jacob B., II. 348.
Taylor, John W., I. 375.
Taylor, Moses B., II. 328.
Taylor, Rev. Dr., II. 212, 252, 325.
Taylor, Zachariah, II. 303, 329, 338,
35°> 35 >» 353. 386.
Tazewell, L. W., I. 14, 15.
Tecumseh, I. 1.
Telegraph, The, II. 285, 349.
Texas, I. 207; II. 214, 221, 227, 243.
Theatres in New York, I. 266.
Thompson, Francis, I. 90.
Thompson, James, I. 20; II. 268.
Thompson, Waddy, II. 4.
Thorn, Herman, I. 72, 73; II. 268.
Thorn, Lieutenant, II. 324, 326, 327.
Thorndike, Augustus, I. 159; II. 265;
268.
Throop, Enos T., I. 187.
Ticknor, George, I. 144, 228; II. 275.
Tileston, Thomas, II. 302, 339, 347.
Tilden, Bryant P., I. 101.
Tocqueville, A. de, I. 46.
Torrigiani, Marquis, I. 72.
Townsend, Elisha, I. 79, 213; II. 23.
Townsend, Isaac, I. 157.
Townsend, John J., II. 93.
Treasury bill, 1.286,297,299,318; II. 38.
Tredwell, A., II. 240.
Tree, Ellen, I. 236, 238, 259.
Trimble, J. T., I. 36.
Trinity church, I. 377, 378; II. 279.
Trumbull, John, I. 26, 34, 55, 82, 108,
190; II. 200, 340.
Tucker, Fanning C., I. 92.
Tucker, Joseph, I. 247, 333.
Tucker, Major, I. 345; II. 56.
Tunnel at Albany, I. 205.
Twiggs, Major, II. 326.
Tyler, John, I. 15, 201, 393; II. 73, 78,
84, 87, 90, 105, 121, 123, 131, 143,
145, 147, 177, 184, 199, 208, 213,
227, 228.
Tyng, Stephen H., II. 249.
Union Club, I. 212, 252, 261, 265; II.
129, 392.
Union, The, II. 373, 390.
Union meetings, II. 375, 376, 393,394-
Vail, Mr., I. 20, 355, 362, 371.
Van Allstyne, Jacob, II. 225.
Van Arsdale, John, I. 24.
Van Buren, John, I. 210.
Van Buren, Martin, I. 6, 66, 67, 72, 95,
»9, 131, 142, 146, 168, 243, 245,
246, 267, 283, 286, 337, 365, 372,
398, 399; II- 9. ?6> 59. 6i> 65> 6^>
131.
Van Courtlandt, Philip, I. 42, 376.
Vanderbilt, Cornelius, I. 271; II. 310,
344-
Vanderpoel, Aaron, I. 15, 400; II. 38,
126.
Vanderpoel, James, I. 205.
Van Dyke, John, I. 108.
Van Nest, A., II. 346.
Van Rensselaer, Henry, I. 78; II, 325*
Van Rensselaer, Philip, I. 59,149, 3^4 J
II. 176, 268, 355.
Van Rensselaer, Stephen, I. 34, 59, 7^
205, 348.
Van Rensselaer, Westerlo, II. 211.
Van Rensselaer rebellion, I. 392, 395*
396.
Van Schaick, Miss Lydia, II. 43.
Van Schaick, Miss Mary, I. 158.
Van Schaick, Mindert, II. 298, 309.
Van Schaick, Peter, I. 7, 20, 23; II. 63.
Van Vechten, Abraham, I. 242.
Van Voorst, Jacobus, II. 225,
Van Wagenen, Herbert, I. 92.
Van Wart, Irving, I. 313.
Van Zandt, Mr., I. 20.
Varian, Isaac IL, I. 157.
Varick, Richard, I. 33.
Vaughan, Sir Charles R., 1.14,72,93,19^*
Verplanck, Gulian C., I. 30, 97,99,237;
n.102,118,245,346.INDEX.
425
Waddington, William D., I. 19.
Wadsworth, Alexander S., II. 7.
Wadsworth, James S., II. 226.
Wadsworth, Miss, II. 119.
Wainwright, Jonathan M., I. 5, 8, 12,
17, 41, 54, 55, 65, 80, 144, 145,
356; II. 126,132, 143, 226.
Waite, Captain, I. 200, 217.
Walker, Joseph, I. 73.
Wall Street, II. 138.
Wallack, H., I. 9.
Wallack, James W., I. 9, 65, 198, 265,
272.
Walworth, Reuben H., I. 41.
Ward, John, I. 325; II. 155, 242, 339,
347-
Ward, Miss, II. 119, 238.
Ward, Samuel, I. 27, 98, 295, 389; II.
340.
Ward, William G., I. 325; II. 56.
Warner, Samuel B., II. 346.
Warren, Judge, II. 43, 132, 255.
Washington, Bushrod, I. 11.
Washington, Colonel, I. 48.
Washington, George, centennial anni-
versary of his birth, I. 46; fiftieth
anniversary of his inauguration, I.
3S2.355.356.
Washington Hall, II. 245.
Waterford, Marquis of, I. 165; II. 16.
Watson, Miss, II. 15.
Watts, John, I. 190.
Wayne, Judge, I. 47, 72.
Wayne, Mrs., I. 66, 72.
Webb, J. Watson, I. 17, 193, 208, 209,
293, 295, 341; II. 81, 160, 280,
339> 347-
Webster, Daniel, I. 14, 15, 39, 48, 71,
76, 88, 94, 95, 98, 99, 101, 102,
117, 118, 133, 135, 151, 172, 177,
206, 237, 246, 253, 262, 270, 281,
3I5> 3i8, 370, 400; II. 6, 7, 8, 35,
41, 44, 60, 64, no, 120, 121, 139,
146, 148, 154, 155, 156, I76, 183,
209, 210, 218, 219, 220, 230, 254,
263, 264, 283, 296, 305, 308, 324,
340, 357> 375> 376, 390,396, 401.
Webster, dinner, in New York, II.
155; in Washington, I. 291.
Webster, Edward, II. 340.
Webster, Fletcher, I. 335.
Webster, John W., II. 367.
Webster, Noah, II. 184.
Weed, Nathaniel, I. 92, 186, 247.
Weed, Thurlow, I. 324; II. 184.
Weir, Robert W., I. 16, 103, 141.
Welles, Benjamin, II. 43.
Welles, Samuel, I. 283, 305.
Wellesley, Marchioness of, I. 20, 64;
11.247.
West Point, II. 323.
Wetmore, Prosper M., I. 157, 187; II.
144, I55> 237-
Wetmore, Robert C., I. 157; II. 46.
Wetmore, William S., II. 243.
Wheaton, Henry, II. 328.
Whig conventions, II. 25, 39, 40, 215,
217, 35°> 35*5 jubilee, I. 279;
meetings, I. 329, 330; II. 20, 27,
33, 44, 230, 232.
White, Ambrose, I. 43.
White, Campbell P., I. 14, 46, 157,
168; II. 130.
White, Dr., I. 51.
White, Everett, I. 179, 180:
White, John, II. 15.
White, Judge, I. 172.
White, Martin, I. 15,
White, Robert, I. 73.
Whiting, James R., II. 191.
Whitlock, William, II. 333.
Whitney, Stephen, I. 73, 187; II. 144,
346.
Wilbur, Marcus, I. 187.
Wildes, George, & Co., I. 259.
Wilkes, Dr., II. 131.
Wilkes, Hamilton, I. i7> 26, 44, 72,
102; II. 15.426
INDEX.
Wilkes, Miss, II. 119, 131.
Wilkins, William, 1.48, 59.
Willard, Simon, I. 162.
Willet, Marinus, I. 20.
Williams, David, I. 25.
Williams, Richard S., II. 346.
Williams, S., II. 15.
Willing, Richard, I. 43, 151.
Willis, Nathaniel P., I. 213; II. 396.
Wilmot’s proviso, II. 298.
Wine, Mr. Hone’s, I. 208, 269.
Wingate, Paine, I. 297.
Winship, Daniel, II. 75.
Winthrop, B. R., II. 237.
Winthrop, Grenville T., I. 19.
Winthrop, Robert C., I. 161, 163, 279;
II. 41, 131, 215, 230, 331.
Wirt, William, I. 16.
Wise, Henry A., I. 291, 293; II. 88,
93, hi, 224.
Withers, Reuben, I. 73, 157, 187.
Wolcott, Oliver, I. 76, 327.
Wolf, George, I. 150.
Wolf, John D., I. 157.
Wood, General, I. 16; II. 128.
Wood, Fernando, II. 393.
Wood, George, II. 191, 263.
Wood, Miss, II. 309.
Wood, William, I. 21, 23; II. 230, 309.
Woodbury, Levi, II. 7, 53.
Woodworth, John, I. 59.
Woodworth, Samuel, I. 24, 46.
Woolley, Brittain L., I. 187.
Woolsey, George M., II. 243.
Woolsey, William W., I. 26.
Worth, William J., I. 105; II. 277, 323,
326,338.
Worthington, Dr., II. 73.
Wright, George W., I. 19.
Wright, Isaac, I. 90.
Wright, Silas, II. 44.
Wright, William, I. 73.
Wyckoff, Alexander, I. 133.
Wyckoff, Henry J., I. 26, 36, 392.
Wyckoff, John, II. 75.
Wynkoop, Augustus, I. 102.
Yachting, II. 228, 229, 281.
Zavalla, Lorenzo, I. 21.
Zabriskie, George, I. 98.