UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES LIBRARY SOUTHERN LITERATURE From 15791895. A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW, WITH COPIOUS EXTRACTS AND CRITICISMS FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS AND THE GENERAL READER Containing an Appendix 'with a Full List of Southern Authors ILLUSTRATED RICHMOND, VA. B. F. JOHNSON PUBLISHING COMPANY 1907 142693 COPYRIGHT, 1895, E MANLY. -ps PREFACE. "THE primary object of this book is to furnish our children with material for becoming acquainted with the devel- opment of American life and history as found in Southern -^ writers and their works. It may serve as a reader supple - ?^ * mentary to American history and literature, or it may be made the ground-work for serious study of Southern life \^s and letters ; and between these extremes there are varying degrees of usefulness. To state its origin will "best explain its existence. This may furthermore be of some help to teachers in using the f , book, though each teacher will use it as best suits his classes <*\ and methods. The study of History is rising every day in importance. Sir Walter Raleigh in his " Historic of the World " well said, " It hath triumphed over time, which besides it nothing but eternity hath triumphed over." It is the still living word of the vanished ages. The best way of teaching history has of late years re- ceived much attention. One excellent method is to read, in connection with the text-book, good works of fiction, dramas, poetry / and historical novels, bearing upon the different epochs, and also to read the works -of the authors them- 4 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. selves of these different periods. We thus make history and literature illustrate and beautify each other. The dry dates become covered with living facts, the past is peopled with real beings instead of hard names, fiction receives a solid basis for its airy architecture, and the mind of the pupil is interested and broadened. Even the difficult sub- jects of politics and institutions gradually assume a more pleasing aspect by being associated with individual human interests, and condescend to simplify themselves through personal relations. To illustrate this method, which I have used with great success in teaching English History : In connection with the times of the early Britons, read Tennyson's " Idyls of the King." At the Norman Conquest, Bulwer's " Harold." At the reign of Richard I. (Coeur de Lion), Scott's " Ivanhoe " and " Talisman," Shakspere's " King John." At the reign of Elizabeth, Scott's " Kenilworth," the non- historical plays of Shakspere, as he lived at that epoch, Ba- con's Essays, and others. I mention merely a few. The amount of reading can be increased almost indefinitely and will depend on the time of the pupil, the plan of the teacher, and the accessibility of the books. Most of the books necessary for English History are now published in cheap form and are within reach of every pupil. A great deal of reading is very desirable ; it is the only way to give our pupils any broad view of literature and PREFACE. 5 history, and to cultivate a taste for reading in those desti- tute of it. It is often the only opportunity for reading which some pupils will ever have, and it lasts them a life- time as a pleasure and a benefit.* The reading may be done in the class or out of school hours. It is well to read as much as practicable in class, and to have some sketch of the outside reading given in class. Geography must also go hand in hand with 'history, a point now well understood. But its importance can hardly be exaggerated and its practice is of the utmost value. One must use maps to study and read intelligently. In American History pursue a similar course, as for ex- ample : At the period of discovery and early settlement, read Irving's " Columbus," Simms' " Vasconselos " (De Soto's Expedition), and " Yemassee," John Smith's Life and Writings, Longfellow's " Hiawatha" and "Miles Standish," Kennedy's " Rob of the Bowl," Strachey's Works, Mrs. Preston's "Colonial Ballads," &c. In Revolutionary times, the Revolutionary novels of Simms and Cooper, Kennedy's " Horse-Shoe Robinson ;" the great statesmen of the day, as Jefferson, Adams, Patrick Henry, Hamilton, Washington ; Cooke's " Fairfax " in which Washington appears as a youthful surveyor, and " Virginia Comedians " in which Patrick Henry appears, Thackeray's " Virginians ;" and others. * See Professor Woodrow Wilson's excellent article on the University study of Literature and Institutions, in the FORUM, September, 1894. 6 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. Each teacher will make his own list as his time and command of books allow. And each State or section of bur great country will devote more time to its own special history and literature ; this is right, for knowledge like charity begins at home, and gradually widens until it em- braces the circle of the universe. In collecting material for classes in American History to read in accordance with this plan, it was found easy to get cheap editions of Irving, Longfellow, Cooper, and other writers of the northern States, but almost impossible to get those of the southern, in cheap or even expensive editions. And the present volume has been prepared to supply in part this deficiency. To fit it to the plan suggested, the dates of the writers and the period and character of their works have been indicated, and some selections from them given Cor reading, too little, it is feared, to be of much service^ and yet enough to stimulate to further interest and study. The materials have been found so abundant, even so much more abundant than I suspected when undertaking the work, that it has been a hard task to make a selection from the rich masses of interesting writing. I fear that the work i? too fragmentary and contains too many writers to make a lasting impression in a historical point of view. If, however, it leads to a sympathetic study of Southern life and literature, and especially if it makes young people acquainted with our writers of the past and with something of the old-time life and the spirit that controlled our an- cestors, it will serve an excellent purpose. PREFACE. 7 Our writers should be compared with those of other sec- tions and other countries ; and due honor should be given them, equally removed from over-praise and from deprecia- tion. If we, their countrymen, do not know and honor them, who can be expected to do so? No people is great whose memory is lost, whose interest centres in the present alone, who looks not reverently back to true beginnings and hopefully forward to a grand future. So I would urge my fellow -teachers to a fresh diligence in studying and worthily understanding the life and litera- ture of our past, and in impressing them upon the minds of the rising generation, so as to infuse into the new forms now arising the best and purest and highest of the old forms fast passing away. My sincere thanks are hereby tendered to the scholars who have aided me by their advice and encouragement, to living authors and the relatives of those not living who have generously given me permission to copy extracts from their writings, to the publishers who have kindly allowed me to use copyrighted matter, to Miss Anna M. Trice, Mr. Josiah Ry land, Jr., and the officials of the Vir- ginia State Library where I found most of the books needed in my work, and to Mr. David Hutcheson, of the Library of Congress. My greatest indebtedness is to Professor Wil- liam Taylor Thorn and Professor John P. McGuire, for scholarly criticism and practical suggestions in the course of preparation. 1895. LOUISE MANLY. 8 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. LIST OF WORKS FOR REFERENCE. Appleton : Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 6 vols. Duyckinck : Cyclopaedia of American Literature, 2 vols. Allibone : Dictionary of Authors, 3 vols. Kirk : Supplement to Alliborie7 2 vols. Stedman : Poets of America. Stedman and Hutchinson; Library of American Litera- ture, ii vols. Poe : Literati of New York. Griswold : Poets and Poetry of America. Prose Writers of America. Female Poets of America. Hart : American Literature, Eldredge Bros., Phila. Davidson : Living Writers of the South, (1869). Miss Rutherford : American Authors, Franklin Publish- ing Company, Atlanta, Georgia. Southern Literary Messenger, 1834-1863. Southern Quarterly Review, 1842-1855. De Bow's Commercial Review. * The Land We Love, 1865-1869. Southern Review, and Eclectic Review, Baltimore. Southland Writers, by Ida Raymond (Mrs. Tardy). Women of the South in Literature, by Mary Forrest. Fortier : Louisiana Studies, F. F. Hansell, New Orleans. Ogden : Literature of the Virginias, Independent Pub- lishing Company, Morgantown, West Virginia. C. W. Coleman, Jr. : Recent Movement in the Literature of the South, Harper's Monthly, 1886, No. 74, p. 837. T. N. Page : Authorship in the South before the War, Lippincott's Magazine, 1889, No. 44, p. 105. Professor C. W. Kent, University of Virginia : Outlook for Literature in the South. People's Cyclopedia (1894). TABLE OP CONTENTS Ir\ Chronological Order FIRST PERIOD ... 1579-175O. PAG-E JOHN SMITH, 1579-1631 . . 33 Rescue of Captain Smith by Pocahontas 35 Our Right to Those Countries .... 38 Ascent of the River James, 1607 42 WILLIAM STRACHEY, in America 1609-12 45 A Storm Off the Bermudas -45 JOHN LAWSON, in America 1700-08 48 North Carolina in 1700-08 49 Harvest Home of the Indians 53 WILLIAM BYRD, 1674-1744 54 Selecting the Site of Richmond and Petersburg, 1733 5^ A Visit to Ex-Governor Spotswood, 1732 58 Dismal Swamp, 1728. 61 The Tuscarora Indians and Their Legend of a Christ, 1729, 65 SECOND PERIOD . . . 1750-1500. HENRY LAURENS, 1724-1792 ... 67 A Patriot in the Tower . . 68 GEORGE WASHINGTON, 1732-1799 71 An Honest Man ,..,,,,,,,,,..,.. 73 10 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. PAGE How to Answer Calumny 74 Conscience 74 On his Appointment as Commander-in-Chief, 1775 74 A Military Dinner-Party 7 Advice to a Favorite Nephew 7 Farewell Address to the People of the United States, 1796 . 77 Union and Liberty 77 Party Spirit . 79 Religion and Morality .81 PATRICK HENRY, 1736-1799 82 Remark on Slavery, 1788 84 Not Bound by State Lines 84 If This Be Treason, 1765 84 The Famous Revolution Speech, 1775 . 84 WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON, 1742-1779 87 George III.'s Abdication of Power in America 89 THOMAS JEFFERSON, 1743-1826 91 Political Maxims 94 Religious Opinions at the Age of Twenty 94 Scenery at Harper's Ferry, and at the Natural Bridge ... 95 On Freedom of Religious Opinion 98 On the Discourses of Christ . . . . 98 Religious Freedom (the Act of 1786) 98 Letter to his Daughter loo Jefferson's Last Letter, 1826 101 DAVID RAMSAY, 1749-1815 . . . 103 British Treaty with the Cherokees, 1755 105 Sergeant Jasper at Fort Moultrie, 28 June, 1776 106 Sumpter and Marion 107 JAMES MADISON, 1751-1836 109 Opinion of Lafayette no Plea for a Republic in Character of Washington . . 112 ST. GEORGE TUCKER, 1752-1828 113 Resignation, or Days of My Youth 115 TABLE OF CONTENTS. 11 PAGE JOHN MARSHALL, 1755-1835 116 Power of the Supreme Court 117 The Duties of a Judge 118 HENRY LEE, 1756-1818 119 Capture of Fort Motte by Lee and Marion, 1780 120 The Father of His Country 124 MASON LOCKE WEEMS, 1760-1825 126 The Hatchet Story 126 JOHN DRAYTON, 1766-1822 127 A Revolutionary Object Lesson in the Cause of Patriotism, 1775 , 128 The Battle of Noewee, 1776 129 WILLIAM WIRT, 1772-1834 131 The Blind Preacher (James Waddell) 132 Mr. Henry against John Hook 135 JOHN RANDOLPH, 1773-1833 137 Revision of the State Constitution, 1829 138 GEORGE TUCKER, 1775-1861 . 140 Jefferson's Preference for Country Life 142 Establishment of the University of Virginia 143 THIRD PERIOD . . . 1500-1S50. HENRY CLAY, 1777-1852 .... 147 To Be Right above All ... 148 No Geographical Lines in Patriotism 148 Military Insubordination 148 FRANCIS SCOTT KEY, 1780-1843 151 The Star-Spangled Banner 151 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON, 1780-1851 153 The Mocking-Bird 155 The Humming-Bird 157 12 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. PAGE THOMAS HART BENTON, 1782-1858 158 The Duel between Randolph and Clay, 1826 159 JOHN CALDWELL CALHOUN, 1782-1850 161 War and Peace 164 System of Our Government 164 Defence of Nullification 164 The Wise Choice 166 Official Patronage 167 NATHANIEL BEVERLEY TUCKER, 1784-1851 167 The Partisan Leader 168 DAVID CROCKETT, 1786-1836 173 Spelling and Grammar: Prologue to his Autobiography . . 173 On a Bear-Hunt . 175 Motto: Be sure you are right 178 RICHARD HENRY WILDE, 1789-1847 178 My Life is Like the Summer Rose 179 AUGUSTUS BALDWIN LONGSTREET, 1790-1870 180 Ned Brace at Church 180 A Sage Conversation 182 ROBERT YOUNG HAYNE, 1791-1839 185 State Sovereignty and Liberty 185 SAM HOUSTON, 1793-1863 189 Cause of the Texan War of Independence 190 Battle of San Jacinto, 1836 ' 193 How to Deal with the Indians 196 WILLIAM CAMPBELL PRESTON, 1794-1860 199 Literary Society in Columbia, S. C., 1825 201 JOHN PENDLETON KENNEDY, 1795-1870 204 A Country Gentleman in Virginia 205 His Wife ". 207 How Horse-Shoe and Andrew Captured Five Men 210 HUGH SWINTON LEGARE, 1797-1843 217 Commerce and Wealth vs. War 317 TABLE OF CONTENTS. 13 PAGE Demosthenes' Courage . 219 A Duke's Opinions of Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia, in 1825 221 MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR, 1798-1859 223 The Daughter of Mendoza 223 FRANCIS LISTER HAWKS, 1798-1866 . 224 The First Indian Baptism in America 225 Virginia Dare, the First English Child Born in America . . 226 The Lost Colony of Roanoke 226 GEORGE DENISON PRENTICE, 1802-1870 228 The Closing Year 228 Paragraphs 231 EDWARD COATE PINKNEY, 1802-1828 231 A Health 232 Song: We Break the Glass 233 CHARLES ETIENNE ARTHUR GAYARRE, 1805-1895 235 Louisiana in 1750-1770 236 The Tree of the Dead . . 240 MATTHEW FONTAINE MAURY, 1806-1873 243 The Gulf Stream 246 Deep-Sea Soundings 247 Heroic Death of Lieutenant Herndon 249 WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS, 1806-1876 , 252 Sonnet The Poet's Vision 255 The Doom of Occonestoga 255 Marion, the "Swamp-Fox" 262 ROBERT EDWARD LEE, 1807-1870 265 Duty To His Son ...... -366 Human Virtue At the Surrender 266 His Last Order, 1865 266 Letter Accepting the Presidency of Washington College . . 268 JEFFERSON DAVIS, 1808-1889 269 Trip to Kentucky at Seven Years of Age, and Visit to Gen- eral Jackson ,...,,.,..,.,,, t < * t . t <. 371 14 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. PAGE JEFFERSON DAVIS, 1808-1889 Life of the President of the United States 272 Farewell to the Senate, 1861 . . 274 EDGAR ALLAN POE, 1809-1849 276 To Helen 279 Israfel 279 Happiness . . 281 The Raven 281 ROBERT TOOMBS, 1810-1885 284 Farewell to the Senate, 1861 286 OCTAVIA WALTON LE VERT, 1810-1877 288 To Cadiz from Havanna, 1855 289 LOUISA SUSANNAH M'CoRD, 1810-1880 . . . 291 Woman's Duty 292 JOSEPH G. BALDWIN, 1811-1864 .- 294 Virginians in a New Country 294 ALEXANDER HAMILTON STEPHENS, 1812-1883 296 Laws of Government 297 Sketch in the Senate, 1850 298 True Courage 301 ALEXANDER BEAUFORT MEEK, 1814-1865 301 Red Eagle, or Weatherford 302 PHILIP PENDLETON COOKE, 1816-1850 305 Florence Vane 305 THEODORE O'HARA, 1820-1867 308 Bivouac of the Dead 308 FOURTH PERIOD . . . 1650-1595. GEORGE RAINSFORD FAIRBANKS, 1820- 311. Osceola, Leader of the Seminoles .,,,,,,..,,,, 312 TABLE OF CONTENTS. 15 PAGE RICHARD MALCOLM JOHNSTON, 1822- 314 Mr. Hezekiah Ellington's Recovery 315 JOHN REUBEN THOMPSON, 1823-1873 . 317 . Ashby 318 Music in Camp 319 'JABEZ LAMAR MONROE CURRY, 1825- 321 Relations between England and America 322 MARGARET JUNKIN PRESTON, 1825- 324 The Shade of the Trees 324 CHARLES HENRY SMITH, ("BILL ARP"), 1826- 326 Big John, on the Cherokees 327 ST. GEORGE H. TUCKER, 1828-1863 329 Burning of Jamestown in 1676 . . 330 GEORGE WILLIAM BAGBY, 1828-1883 332 Jud Brownin's Account of Rubinstein's Playing 332 SARAH ANNE DORSEY, 1829-1879 336 A Confederate Exile on His Way to Mexico, 1866 ..... 338 HENRY TIMROD, 1829-1867 341 Sonnet Life Ever Seems 344 English Katie 344 Hymn for Magnolia Cemetery 345 PAUL -HAMILTON HAYNE, 1830-1886 346 The Mocking-Bird (At Night) 348 Sonnet October 349 A Dream of the South Wind 349 JOHN ESTEN COOKE, 1830-1886 350 The Races in Virginia, 1765 351 ZEBULON BAIRD VANCE, 1830-1894 358 Changes Wrought by the War 360 The Country Gentlemen 360 The Negroes 362 16 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. PAGE ALBERT PIKE, 1809-1891 3 6 5 To the Mocking-Bird 365 WILLIAM TAPPAN THOMPSON, 1812-1882 . - .367 Major Jones's Christmas Present 368 JAMES BARRON HOPE, 1827-1887 370 The Victory at Yorktown 371 Washington and Lee 372 JAMES WOOD DAVIDSON, 1829- 373 The Beautiful and the Poetical 373 CHARLES COLCOCK JONES, JR., 1831-1893 376 Salzburger Settlement in Georgia 376 MARY VIRGINIA TERHUNE (" MARION HARLAND") 379 Letter Describing Mary [Ball] Washington When a Young Girl. 381 Madam Washington at the Peace Ball 381 AUGUSTA EVANS WILSON, 1835- . . ., 383 A Learned and Interesting Conversation 384 DANIEL BEDINGBR LUCAS, 1836- . . . 387 The Land Where We Were Dreaming 388 JAMES RYDER RANDALL. 1839- 389 My Maryland 390 ABRAM JOSEPH RYAN 1839-1886 . 392 WILLIAM GORDON MCCABE, 1841- 393 Dreaming in the Trenches 393 SIDNEY LANIER, 1842-1881 394 Song of the Chattahoochee 396 What is Music? 397 The Tide Rising in the Marshes 397 JAMES LANE ALLEN 398 Sports of a Kentucky School in 1795 399 TABLE OF CONTENTS. 17 PAGE JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS, 1848- . . , 401 The Tar-Baby ". 43 ROBERT BURNS WILSON, 1850- 405 Fair Daughter of the Sun 406 Dedication A Sonnet 407 " CHRISTIAN REID," FRANCES C. TIERNAN 407 Ascent of Mt. Mitchell, N.C 409 HENRY WOODFEN GRADY, 1851-1889 413 The South before the War 413 Master and Slave 413 Ante-bellum Civilization 416 THOMAS NELSON PAGE, 1853- 419 Marse Chan's Last Battle 421 MARY NOAILLES MURFREE, ("CHARLES EGBERT CRADDOCK") . 423 The "Harnt" that Walks Chilhowee 423 DANSKE DANDRIDGE, 1859- . . 429 The Spirit and the Wood-Sparrow 430 AMKLIE RIVES CHANLER, 1863- 431 Tanis 432 GRACE KING 437 La Grande Demoiselle 487 WAITMAN BARBE, 1864- 441 Sidney Lanier 442 MADISON CAWEIN, 1865- 442 The Whippoorwill : 443 DIXIE . 444 LIST OF AUTHORS AND WORKS omitted for lack of space . . . 445 18 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. INDEX PAGE A Confederate Exile on His Way to Mexico, Sarah A. Dorsey .... . . . 338 Address in Congress, 1800, on the Death of Washington, Henry Lee 124 A Dream of the South Wind . . . Paul H. Hayne 349 Advice to His Nephew George Washing-ton 76 A Health E. C. Pinkney 232 Alamo, Fall of the 192 A Learned and Interesting Conversation. Augusta E. Wilson 384 ALLEN, JAMES LANE . . . . 398 Anecdotes of Alexander H. Stephens 296,297 An Honest Man George Washington 73 Ante-bellum Civilization .... Henry W. Grady 416 Arber, Professor, on. John Smith's Writings 35 A Sage Conversation A. B. Long-street 182 Ascent of Mt. Mitchell, North Carolina, Christian Reid 409 Ascent of the James River, 1607 . John Smith 42 Ashby John R. Thompson 318 AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES 153 Bacon, Nathaniel 330 BAGBY, GEORGE WILLIAM 332 BALDWIN, JOSEPH G 294 BARBE, WAITMAN 441 Battle of Noewee, 1776 John Dray ton 129 Battle of San Jacinto, 1836 .... Sam Houston 193 Battle of the Blue Licks, Ky., 1782 '. . .400 Battle of Tohopeka, or Horse-Shoe Bend, Ala 302 Bear Hunt . David Crockett 175 INDEX. 19 PAGE Beauvoir 370, 273 Beautiful and the Poetical, The. . Jas. Wood Davidson 373 Beauty is Holiness 395 BENTON, THOMAS HART 158 " Be sure you are right," David Crockett. .... . . . .178 Big John, on the Cherokees. . . . Bill Arp 327 BILL ARP (CHARLES HENRY SMITH) 326 Bivouac of the Dead Theodore O 1 Hara 308 Blind Preacher William Wirt 132 Boone, Daniel 401 British Treaty with the Cherokees, 1755, David Ramsay 105 Burning of Jamestown, 1676 . . . St. George H. Tucker 330 Byrd, Evelyn .... 56 BYRD, WILLIAM 54 CALHOUN, JOHN CALDWELL 161 Calhoun and the Union 275 Calhoun, Death of 300 Capture of Fort Motte Henry Lee 120 Cause of the Texan War of Independence, Sam Houston . 190 CAWEIN, MADISON 442 Changes Wrought by the War . . Z. B. Vance 360 CHANLER, MRS. AMELIE RIVES 431 Character of Washington .... James Madison 112 Cherokees, Big John on the . . . Bill Arp 327 CLAY, HENRY 147 Closing Year, The George D. Prentice 228 Commerce and Wealth vs. War . Hugh S. Leg-are 217 Conscience George Washington 74 COOKE, PHILIP PENDLETON . . ." 305 COOKE, JOHN ESTEN 350 Corn-Shucking and Christmas Times 362 Country Gentleman in Virginia and His Wife, John P. Kennedy. 205 Country Gentlemen 360 Cow-Boy's Song 339 CRADDOCK, CHARLES EGBERT, (Miss M. N; MURFRRE) .... 423 CROCKETT, DAVID 173 20 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. PAGE CURRY, JABKZ LAMAR MONROE 321 Dale, General Sam 302 DANDRIDGK,MRS. DANSKE 4 2 9 Daughter of Mendoza M. B. Lamar 223 DAVIDSON, JAMES WOOD 373 DAVIS, JEFFERSON 269 Davis, Winnie 270 Davis, Mrs. Varina Jefferson 271 Davy Crockett's Motto 178 Days of My Youth, or Resignation, St. George Tucker 115 Death of Calhoun 300. Death of Lieutenant Herndon 249 Dedication Sonnet (to his Mother), Robert Burns Wilson 407 Deep-Sea Soundings. .... M. F. Maury 247 Defence of Nullification . . ... . John C. Calhoun 164 Demosthenes . Hugh S. Leg-are 219 DeSaussure, Judge, and Social Dining in Columbia ...... 201 Discourses of Christ. . . .... Thomas Jefferson 98 Dismal Swamp William Byrd 61 Dixie ... 444 Dixie and Yankee Doodle 319 Doom of Occonestoga Wm. Gilmore Simms 255 DORSEY, MRS. SARAH ANNE 336 DRAYTON, WILLIAM HENRY 87 DRAYTON, JOHN 127 Dreaming in the Trenches . . . . Wm. Gordon McCabe 393 Duel Between Randolph and Clay, 1826, Thomas //. Benion . . ... 159 Duke of Saxe-Weimar in Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia, 1825 Hugh S. Legar'e . . . . . .221 Duties of a Judge John Marshall 118 Duty Robert E. Lee 266 England and America, Relations between, y. L. M. Curry 322 English Katie Henry Timrod 344 Ennui IO i Establishment of the University of Virginia, George Tucker 143 INDEX. 21 PAGE FAIRBANKS, GEORGE RAINSFORD -jH Fair Daughter of the Sun .... Robert Burns Wilson 406 Farewell Address to the American People, 1796, George Washington 77 Farewell to the Senate, 1861 . . . Jefferson Davis 274 Farewell to the Senate, 1861 . . . Robert Toombs 286 Father of His Country .... Henry Lee 124 First Indian Baptism in America . Francis L. Hawks . . . . . . . 225 " First in War, first in Peace" 124 Five Demands of the South 286 Florence Vane Philip Pendleton Cooke .... 305 Fort King, Florida 311 Fort Motte, Capture of . . Henry Lee 1.20 Freedom of Religious Opinion . . Thomas Jefferson 98 GAYARRE, CHARLES ETIENNE ARTHUR 235 George the Third's Abdication of Power in America, William Henry Drayton ... 89 Gladstone's Opinion of the United States . i 322 Goliad, Massacre at 192 GRADY, HENRY WOODFEN 413 Grave of Dr. Elisha Mitchell 411 Gulf Stream. . . M. F. Maury 246 Hampton at the Battle of Noewee, South Carolina, 1776 .... 130 Happiness Edgar Allan Poe 281 HARLAND, MARION (MRS. M. V. TERHUNE) 379 "Harnt" that Walks Chilhowee, The, Charles Egbert Craddock . . . 423 Harper's Ferry, Scenery at 95 HARRIS, JOEL CHANDLER 401 Harvest Home of the Indians . . John Laivson . 53 Hatchet Story Mason L. Weems 126 HAWKS, FRANCIS LISTER 224 HAYNE, ROBERT YOUNG ' 185 HAYNE, PAUL HAMILTON 346 Hayne, William Hamilton 346 Helen, To Edgar Allan Poe 279 HENRY, PATRICK 82 Hermitage, General Jackson at The 271 22 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. PACK Heroic Death of Lieutenant Herndon, M. F. Maury 249 HOPE, JAMES BARRON 37 Horse-Shoe Bend, Battle of 302 HOUSTON, SAM 189 How Horse-Shoe and Andrew Captured Five Men, John P. Kennedy 210 How Ruby Played George William Bagby . . . .332 How to Answer Calumny .... George Washington 74 How to Deal with the Indians . . Sam Houston . 196 Human Virtue , . R.E. Lee 266 Humming-Bird, The J. J. Audubon 157 Hymn for Magnolia Cemetery . . Henry Timrod 345 " If This Be Treason" Patrick Henry 84 "I'll HAUNT yOU," 317 Indian Doom of Excommunication 255 Israfel ... Edgar Allan Poe 279 Jackson. General, at Home 271 Jamestown, Burning of, 1676 . . . St. George H. Tucker 330 James Waddell, the Blind Preacher, William Wirt 132 JEFFERSON, THOMAS 91 Jefferson's Last Letter, June 24, 1826, Thomas Jefferson IOI Jefferson's Preference for Country Life, George Tucker 142 Jefferson's Religious Opinions at Twenty, Thomas Jefferson 94 John Hook, Patrick Henry against, William Wirt 135 JOHNSTON, RICHARD MALCOLM 314 JONES, CHARLES COLCOCK, JR 376 Jud Brownin's Account of Rubinstein's Playing, George William Bagby . . . . .332 KENNEDY, JOHN PENDLETON 204 KEY, FRANCIS SCOTT 151 "KING, GRACE 437 La Fayette, Madison's Opinion of, James Madison no INDEX. 23 PAGB La Grande Demoiselle Grace King . , 437 LAMAR, MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE 223 Land Where We Were Dreaming, The, D. B. Lucas 388 LANIER, SIDNEY , 394 Lanier, To Sidney Waitman Barbe 442 La Rabida 291 Last Letter of Jefferson, June 24, 1826, Thomas Jefferson 101 LAURENS, HENRY 67 Laurens, John, the " Bayard of the Revolution," 67 Laws of Government A. H. Stephens 297 LAWSON, JOHN 48 LEE, HENRY 119 LEE, ROBERT EDWARD 265 Lee's Last Order R.E. Lee 266 Lee's Letter Accepting the Presidency of Washington College, R. E. Lee 268 LEGARE,HUGH SWINTON . ..'...' 217 Letter to Martha Jefferson .... Thomas Jefferson 100 LE VERT, MADAME OCTAVIA WALTON . 288 Life Ever Seems Sonnet .... Henry Timrod 344 Life of the President of the United States, Jefferson Davis 272 Literary Society in Columbia in 1825, Wm. C. Preston aoi LONGSTREET, AUGUSTUS BALDWIN l8o Lost Colon/ of Roanoke . . . . F. L.Ha-wks 226 Louisiana in 1750-70 C. E. A. Gayarre 236 LUCAS, DAXIEL BEDINGER 387 Madam Washington at the Peace Ball, Marion Harland 381 MADISON, JAMES 109 Madison, Mrs. Dolly Ho Madison's Opinion of La Fayette, James Madison . Iio Magnolia Cemetery, Hymn for Dedication, Henry Timrod 345 Major Jones's Christmas Present . W. T. Thompson 368 MARION HARLAND, (MRS. M. V. TERHUNE) 379 24 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. PAGE Marion, Sumpter and David Ramsay 107 Marion, the " Swamp-Fox "... Win. Gilmore Simms .... 262 Marquis de Vaudreuil, the ' Great Marquis" 237 Marse Chan's Last Battle .... Thomas Nelson Page 421 "Marseillaise of the Confederacy" 39 MARSHALL, JOHN 116 Maryland, My Maryland . 39 Mary Washington When n Girl . Marion Harland 381 Mary Washington's Monument. Marion Harland 379 Master and Slave 4*3 MAURY, MATTHEW FONTAINE 243 Maxims of Jefferson 94 MCCAB'E, WILLIAM GORDON . . 393 M'CoRD, MRS. LOUISA SUSANNAH'. 291 M'Cord, D. J. . . . . - ; 201, 291 MEEK, ALEXANDER BEAUFORT 301 Military Dinner Party George Washington 76 Military Insubordination .... Henry Clay 148 "Millions for Defence" 116 Mitchell's Grave, Mt. Mitchell, N. C . 411 Mocking-Bird, The, . J. J. Audubon 155 Mocking-Bird (At Night) . . . .PaulH.Hayne '.848 Mocking-Bird, To The Albert Pike 365 Mocking-Bird and Nightingale Compared 100 Mr. Hezekiah Ellington's Recovery, R. M. Johnston 315 MURFREE, MARY NOAILLES, (CHARLES EGBERT CRADDOCK) . 423 Music in Camp John R. Thompson 319 My Life Is Like the Summer Rose, R. H. Wilde 179 My Maryland James R. Randall 390 Naming of Tallahassee, The . . 3 88 Natural Bridge of Virginia 97 Ned Brace at Church A. B. Longstreet 180 No Geographical Lines in Patriotism, Henry Clay 148 North Carolina in 1700-1708 . John La-wson . . 49 Noi Bound by State Lines . Patrick Henry 84 Nullification, Defence of John C. Calhoun ....... 164 INDEX. 25 PAGE Object-Lesson in the Cause of Patriotism, John Dray ton 128 Occonestoga, Doom of Wm. Gilmore Simms 255 October A Sonnet Paul H. Hayne 349 Official Patronage John C. Calkoun 167 O'HARA, THEODORK 308 Old Church at Jamestown .... 39 33* On a Bear Hunt David Crockett 175 Osceola, Leader of the Seminoles, George R. Fairbanks . . .311, 312 Our Rirht to Those Countries . . John Smith 38 Page, John, Letter to 94 PAGE, THOMAS NELSON 419 Paragraphs George D. Prentice 231 Partisan Leader N. Beverley Tucker, ..... 168 Party Spirit . George Washington 79 Patrick Henry against John Hook, William Wirt 135 Patrick Henry's Famous Revolution Speech, Patrick Henry 84 Patriot in the Tower Henry Laurens 68 Payne, John Howard, among the Cherokees 327 PIKE, ALBERT 365 PINKNEY, EDWARD COATE ... 231 Plea for a Republic James Madison Ill Pocahontas, Rescue of John Smith, John Smith 35 POE, EDGAR ALLAN . - 276 Poet's Vision. A Sonnet .... William Gilmore Simms . . . 255 Political Patronage John C. Calhoun 167 Power of the Supreme Court . . John Marshall 117 Powhatan ........ 35 Preference for Country Life . . . .George Tucker 142 PRENTICE, GEORGE DENISON 228 PRESTON, MRS. MARGARET JUNKIN 324 PRESTON, WILLIAM CAMPBELL ... 199 Prologue to Arms and the Man . James Barron Hope 371 Prologue to Autobiography . . . David Crockett 173 Races in Virginia, 1765 John Rsten Cooke 351 RAMSAY, DAVID . . . 103 26 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. PAG RANDALL, JAMES RYDER 389 RANDOLPH, JOHN, OF ROANOKB 137 Raven, The Edgar Allan Poe 281 Red Eagle, or Weatherford . . . A. B, Meek 302 Red Eagle and General Jackson . 304 REID, CHRISTIAN (FRANCES C. FISHER, MRS. TIERNAN) . . . 407 Relations Between England and America, y. L. M. Curry 322 Religion and Morality George Washington 81 Religious Freedom Thomas Jefferson 98 " Remember the Alamo!" 195 Rescue of Captain Smith by Pocahontas, John Smith 35 Resignation : or, Days of My Youth, St. George Tucker 115 Revision of the State Constitution, John Randolph 138 Revolutionary Object-Lesson . . John Drayton ........ 128 Revolution Speech, 1775 Patrick Henry 84 RIVES, AMKLIE, (MRS. CHANLER) 431 " Rope of sand" 186 Rubinstein's Playing George William Bag-by .... 332 RYAN, ABRAM JOSEPH, (FATHER RYAN) .. . 392 Sage Conversation, A . . A. B. Long-street 182 Salzburger Settlement in Georgia, 1734, C. C. Jones, Jr 376 Sang-Digger,* The Amelie Rives 432 Savannah in 1735 378 Scenery at Harper's Ferry and at the Natural Bridge, Thomas Jefferson 95 Selecting the Site of Richmond and of Petersburg, 1733, William Byrd 58 Seminole War 313 Sergeant Jasper at Fort Moultrie, 1776, David Ramsay . . . .... . . 106 Sergeant Jasper at Savannah, 1779 107 Sidney Lanier, To Waitman Barbe 442 Siege of Fort Moultrie David Ramsay 106 * Ginseng- Digger. INDEX. 27 PAGE SIMMS, WILLIAM GILMORK 252 Sketch in the Senate, February 5, 1850, A. H. Stephens . . ,298 Slavery, Remark on Patrick Henry 84 Slave, Master and 413 SMITH, CHARLES HENRY (BILL ARP) 326 SMITH, JOHN 33 Smith, John, Writings of 35 Song of the Chattahoochee . . . Sidney Lanier 396 Sonnet : Dedication R. B. Wilson 407 Song : We Break the Glass . . . E. C. Pinkney . 233 Sonnet: Life ever seems Henry Timrod 344 Sonnet : October Paul H, Hayne ........ 349 Sonnet : Poet's Vision ..... William Gilmore Simms . 255 South Before the War, The. . . . Henry W, Grady 413 Southern Literary Messenger 277, 317, 332 Southern " Mammy " and the Children 363 Speaking of Clay in the Senate, 1850, The 298 Spelling and Grammar (Prologue to Autobiography), David Crockett 173 Spirit and Wood-Sparrow, The. . Danske Dandridge . 430 Sports of a Kentucky School in 1795, James Lane Allen 399 Spotswood, Ex-Gov., and his Home in 1732 58 Star-Spangled Banner Francis Scott Key. ...... 151 State Soverignty and Liberty . . Robert T. Hayne 185 STEPHENS, ALEXANDER HAMILTON . . . 296 Stonewall Jackson's Last Words 324 Storm Off the Bermudas .... Wm. Strachey 45 STRACHEY, WILLIAM 45 Sugar-Cane : Introduction into the United States 236 Sumpter and Marion David Ramsay 107 " Swamp-Fox," The 262 System of Our Government . . . John C. Calhoun 164 Tanis Amelie Rives 432 Tar-Baby, The Joel Chandler Harris .... 403 TERHUNE, MRS. MARY VIRGINIA (MARION HARLAND) .... 379 Texas Prairie and Cow- Boy's Song 339 28 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. PAGE The Land Where We Were Dreaming, D, B. Lucas 388 The Spirit and the Wood-Sparrow, Danske Dandridge 430 The South Before the War .... Henry W. Grady 413 THOMPSON, JOHN REUBEN 317 Tide Rising in the Marshes . . . Sidney Lanier .... . . . 397 TIERNAN, MRS. FRANCES C. (CHRISTIAN REID) 407 TIMROD, HENRY 341 To Be Right Above All . . . Henry Clay 148 To Cadiz from Havanna, 1855 . . Madame Le Vert 289 To Helen Edgar Allan Poe 279 Tohopeka, Battle of 302 TOOMBS, ROBERT 284 To the Mocking-Bird . Albert Pike 365 Tree of the Dead C. E. A. Gayarr'e 240 Trip to Kentucky at Seven Years of Age, Jefferson Darns 271 True Courage A. H. Stephens 301 TUCKER, ST. GEORGE 113 TUCKER, GEORGE 140 TUCKER, NATHANIEL BEVE^ILEY 167 TUCKER, ST. GEORGE H 329 Tuscarora Indians and Their Legend of a Christ, William Byrd 65 Under the Shade of the Trees . . Margaret J. Preston 324 Union and Liberty George Washington 77 University of Virginia, Establishment of George Tucker 143 VANCE, ZEBULON BAIRD 358 Victory at Yorktown, 1781 .... James Barron Hope 371 Virginia Dare F.L.Ha-wks 226 Virginian or American? Patrick Henry 84 Virginians in a New Country . . Joseph G. Baldwin 294 Visit to Ex-Governor Spotswood, 1732, William Byrd 58 Visit to the Hermitage . 271 War and Peace John C. Calhoun . . 164 WASHINGTON, GEORGE 71 INDEX. 29 PAGE Washington and the Hatchet 126 Washington's Advice to His Nephew, George Washington 76 Washington, Character of .... James Madison 112 Washington's Farewell to the American People, 1796, George Washington 77 Washington and Lee ..... James Barren 'Hope 372 Washington's Mother When a Girl 381 Washington's Mother at the Peace Ball 381 Washington's Speech in Congress on his Appointment as Com- mander-in-Chief, 1775 George Washington 74 Washington, Memorial Address in Congress, 1800, by Henry Lee, 124 Weatherford, or Red Eagle 302 We Break the Glass, Song. . . . E. C. Pinkney 233 WEEMS, MASON LOCKE 126 What is Music? Sidney Lanier 397 Whippoorwill, The . Madison Caivein 443 WILDE, RICHARD HENRY 178 WILSON, MRS. AUGUSTA EVANS 383 WILSON, ROBERT BURNS 405 WIRT, WILLIAM 131 Wise Choice John C. Calhoun 166 Woman's Duty Louisa S. M'Cord 292 30 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE. Captain John Smith 34 Rescue of Captain Smith by Pocahontas 3 6 Jamestown, Va. The first permanent English settlement in America 39 Storm at Sea 44 Sir Walter Raleigh 5 Westover, the Home of William Byrd 55 Evelyn Byrd 57 The Chapel, University of Georgia, Athens 62 The Tower of London 69 George Washington 7 2 Washington Taking the Oath of Office 75 Old St. John's Church, Richmond, Va 83 Fort Moultrie, S. C. Fort Sumter in the Distance 88 Monticello, the Home of Jefferson 92 Harper's Ferry 96 Jasper Replacing the Flag 104 William and Mary College, Williamsburg; Va 114 University of Virginia 141 Henry Clay , 146 Star-Spangled Banner and Seal of the United States 152 Scene in Louisiana 154 John Caldwell Calhoun and His Home 163 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 31 PAGE. The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas 174 University of North Carolina 188 Old Plantation Home 200 State House, Columbia, S. C Oppo. 211 Tulane' University, New Orleans 234 Florida State Agricultural College . . . . 244 "Woodlands," the Home of W. Gilmore Simms 253 General R. E. Lee Oppo. 265 Washington and Lee University . 267 Beauvoir, the Home of Jefferson Davis 273 Robert Toombs 285 University of Alabama 289 University of Kentucky '307 Osceola 312 Natural Bridge, Virginia 325 University of Texas (Main Building), Austin 347 State Capitol of North Carolina 359 Tomb of Mary, the Mother of Washington, Fredericksburg, Va. 380 General T. J. Jackson (Stonewall) Oppo. 388 Mt. Mitchell, N. C. Above the Clouds 408 Grady Monument, Atlanta, Ga 414 Agricultural and Mechanical College of Mississippi 420 University of Tennessee, Knoxville 424 Model School, Peabody Normal College 433 University of Mississippi 337 Arkansas Industrial University 402 Mississippi Industrial Institute and College for Girls . . Oppo. 446 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. FIRST PERIOD . . 1579-1750. JOHN SMITH. 1579=1631. CAPTAIN John Smith, the first writer of Virginia, was born at Willoughby, England, and led a life of rare and exten- sive adventure. " Lamenting and repenting," he says, "to have seen so many Christians slaughter one another," in France and the Lowlands, he enlisted in the wars against the Turks. He was captured by them and held prisoner for a year, but escaped and travelled all over Europe. He finally joined the expedition to colonize Virginia, and came over with the first settlers of Jamestown in 1607. His life here is well known ; he remained with the colony two years. He afterwards returned to America as Admiral of New England, but did not stay long. He spent the re- mainder of his life in writing accounts of himself and his travels, and of the colonies in America. WORKS. True Relation (1608). Generall Historic of Virginia, New Eng- Map of Virginia (1612). land, and the Summer Isles (1624). Description of New England (1616). True Travels (1630). New England's Trials (1620). Advertisements for Inexperienced Planters Accidence for Young Seamen (1626). of New England (1631). Captain Smith's style is honest and hearty in tone, pic- turesque, often amusing, never tiresome. It is involved and ungrammatical at times, but not obscure. The critics have professed to find many inaccuracies of historical statement ; ( 33 ) 3 Captain John Smith. [34J JOHN SMITH. 35 but the following, from Professor Edward Arber, the editor of the English Reprint of Smith's Works, will acquit him of this charge : "Inasmuch as the accuracy of some of Captain Smith's statements has, in this generation, been called in question, it was but our duty to subject every one of the nearly forty thousand lines of this book to a most searching criticism; scanning every assertion of fact most keenly, and making the Text, by the insertion of a multitude of cross- references, prove or disprove itself. "The result is perfectly satisfactory. Allowing for a popular style of expression, the Text is homogeneous ; and the nine books com- prising it, though written under very diverse circumstances, and at intervals over the period of twenty-two years (1608-1630), contain no material contradictions. Inasmuch, therefore, as wherever we can check Smith, we find him both modest and accurate, we are led to think him so, where no such check is possible, as at Nalbrits in the autumn of 1603, and on the Chickahominy in the winter of i6o7-'8." See Life, by St'mms, by Warner, and by Eggleston in " Pocahontas.'* RESCUE OF CAPTAIN SMITH BY POCAHONTAS, OR MATOAKA. (Front Generall Historic. ) [This extract from his "Generall Historic" is in the words of a re- port by "eight gentlemen of the Jamestown Colony." It is corrobo- rated by Captain Smith's letter to the Queen on the occasion of Pocahontas' visit to England after her marriage to Mr. John Rolfe. Matoaka, or Matoax, was her real name in her tribe, but it was con- sidered unlucky to tell it to the English strangers.] At last they brought him [Smith] to Meronocomoco, where was Potvhatan their Emperor. Here more than two hun- dred of those grim Courtiers stood wondering at him, as he had beene a monster ; till Poivhatan and his trayne had put themselues in their greatest braveries. Before a fire vpon a seat like a bedstead, he sat covered with a great robe, made of Raro-wcun skinnes, and all the tayles hanging by. On either hand did sit a young wench of 16 or 18 yeares j [36] JOHN SMITH. 37 and along on each side the house, two rowes of men, and behind them as many women, with all their heads and shoulders painted red; many of their heads bedecked with the white downe of Birds ; but every one with something ; and a great chayne of white beads about their necks. At his entrance before the King, all the people gaue a great shout. The Queene of Appamatuck was appointed to bring him water to wash his hands, and another brought him a bunch of feathers, in stead of a Towell to dry them ; having feasted him after their best barbarous manner they could, a long consultation was held, but the conclusion was, two great stones were brought before Poivhatan; then as many as could layd hands on him, dragged him to them, and thereon laid his head, and being ready with their clubs, to beate out his braines, Pocahontas, the Kings dearest daugh- ter, when no intreaty could prevaile, got his head in her armes, and laid her owne vpon his to saue him from death : whereat the Emperour was contented he should Hue to make him hatchets, and her bells, beads, and copper ; for they thought him as well of all occupations as themselues. For the King himselfe will make his owne robes, shooes, bowes, ar- rowes, pots ; plant, hunt, or doe anything so well as the rest. They say lie bore a pleasant shew, But sure Jtis heart ivas sad. For -who can pleasant be, and rest, That Hues in fear e and dread: And having life suspected, doth Tt still suspected lead. Two dayes after, Poivkatan having disguised himselfe in the most fearefullest manner he could, caused Captain Smith to be brought forth to a great house in the woods, and there vpon a mat by the fire to be left alone. Not long after from behinde a mat that divided the house, was made the most 142693 38 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. dolefullest noyse he ever heard ; then Powhatan, more like a devill than a man, with some two hundred more as blacke as himselfe, came vnto him and told him now they were friends, and presently he should goe to James towne, to send him two great gunnes, and a gryndstone, for which he would giue him the Country of Capahoiuosick, and for ever esteeme him as his sonne Nantaquoud. So to James towne with 12 guides Po-whatan sent him. That night, they quartered in the woods, he still expecting (as he had done all this long time of his imprisonment) every houre to be put to one death or other ; for all their feasting. But almightie God (by his divine providence) had mollified the hearts of those sterne Barbarians with compassion. The next morning betimes they came to the Fort, where Smith having vsed the Salvages with what kindnesse he could, he shewed Raivhunt, Powhatan's trusty servant, two demi-Culverings and a millstone to carry Potv- hatan ; they found them somewhat too heavie : but when they did see him discharge them, being loaded with stones, among the boughs of a great tree loaded with Isickles, the yce and branches came so tumbling downe, that the poore Salvages ran away halfe dead with feare. But at last we regained some conference with them, and gaue them such toyes : and sent to Pou'/ia/an, his women, and children such presents, as gaue them in generall full content. OUR RIGHT TO THOSE COUNTRIES, TRUE REASONS FOR PLAN- TATIONS, RARE EXAMPLES. (Front Advertisements for the Inexperienced.) Many good religious devout men have made it a great question, as a matter in conscience, by what warrant they might goe to possesse those Countries, which are none of theirs, but the poore Salvages. Jamestown, Vu. The first permanent English settlement in America. 40 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. Which poore curiosity will answer it selfe ; for God did make the world to be inhabited with mankind, and to have his name knowne to all Nations, and from generation to generation : as the people increased, they dispersed them- selves into such Countries as they found most convenient. And here in Florida, Virginia, New-England, and Can- nada, is more land than all the people in Christendome can manure [cultivate], and yet more to spare than all the na- tives of those Countries can use and culturate. And shall we here keepe such a coyle for land, and at such great rents and rates, when there is so much of the world uninhabited, and as much more in other places, and as good or rather better than any wee possesse, were it manured and used accordingly ? If this be not a reason sufficient to such tender con- sciences ; for a copper knife and a few toyes, as beads and hatchets, they will sell you a whole Countrey [district] ; and for a small matter, their houses and the ground they dwell upon ; but those of the Massachusets have resigned theirs freely. Now the reasons for plantations are many. Adam and Eve did first begin this innocent worke to plant the earth to remaine to posterity; but not without labour, trouble, and industry. Noah and his fajnily began againe the second plantation, and their seed as it still increased, hath still planted new Countries, and one Country another, and so the world to that estate it is ; but not without much hazard, travell, mortalities, discontents, and many disasters ; had those worthy Fathers and their memorable offspring not beene more diligent for us now in those ages, than wee are to plant that yet unplanted for after-livers : Had the seed of Abraham, our Saviour Christ Jesus and his Apostles, ex- posed themselves to no more dangers to plant the Gospell JOHN SMITH. 41 wee so much professe, than we; even we our selves had at this moment beene as Salvages, and as miserable as the most barbarous Salvage, yet uncivilized. The Hebrcnves, the Lacedemonians, the Goths, Grecian^, Romans, and the rest ; what was it they would not under- take to enlarge their Territories, inrich their subjects, and resist their enemies? Those that were the founders of those great Monarchies and their vertues, were no silvered idle golden Pharisees, but industrious honest hearted Publicans ; they regarded more provisions and necessaries for their people, than jewels, ease, and delight for themselves ; riches was their servants, not their masters ; they ruled as fathers, not as tyrants; their people as children, not as slaves ; there was no disaster could discourage them ; and let none thinke they incountered not with all manner of incumbrances ; and what hath ever beene the worke of the best great Princes of the world, but planting of Countries, and civilizing bar- barous and inhumane Nations to civility and humanity; whose eternall actions fils our histories wi'h more honour than those that have wasted and consumed them by warres. Lastly, the Portugals and Spaniards that first began plantations in this unknowne world of America till within this 140. yeares [14761616], whose everlasting actions be- fore our eyes, will testifie our idlenesse and ingratitude to all posterity, and neglect of ou-r duty and religion we owe our God, our King, and Countrey, and want of charity to those poore Salvages, whose Countries we challenge, use and pos- sesse : except wee be but made to marre what our fore- fathers made ; or but only tell what they did ; or esteeme our selves too good to take the like paines where there is so much reason, liberty, and action offers it selfe. Having as much power and meanes as others, why should English men 42 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. despaire, and not doe as much as any? Was it vertue in those Hero[e]s to provide that [which] doth maintaine us, and basenesse in us to do the like for others to come? Surely no : then seeing wee are not borne for ourselves but each to helpe other ; and our abilities are much alike at the howre of our birth and the minute of our death : seeing our good deeds or bad, by faith in Christs merits, is all wee have to carry our soules to heaven or hell : Seeing honour is our lives ambition, and our ambition after death to have an honourable memory of our life ; and seeing by no meanes we would be abated of the dignitie and glory of our prede- cessors, let us imitate their vertues to be worthily their suc- cessors; or at least not hinder, if not further, them that would and doe their utmost and best endeavorr. ASCENT OF THE JAMES RIVER, 1607. (From Neiues from Virginia.) The two and twenty day of Aprill [or rather May, 1607], Captain Newport and myself with diuers others, to the number of twenty two persons, set forward to discouer the Riuer, some fiftie or sixtie miles, finding it in some placeo broader, and in some narrower, the Countrie (for the moste part) on each side plaine high ground, with many freshe Springes, the people in all places kindely intreating vs, daunsing, and feasting vs with strawberries, Mulberies. Bread, Fish, and other their Cpuntrie prouisions whereof we had plenty ; for which Captaine Newport kindely re- quited their least fauors with Bets, Pinnes, Needles, beades, or Glasses, which so contented them that his liberallitie made them follow vs from place to place, and euer kindely to respect vs. In the midway staying to refresh our selues in a little lie foure or five sauages came vnto vs which de- scribed vnto vs the course of the Riuer, and after in our JOHN SMITH. 43 iourney, they often met vs, trading with vs for such pro* uision as wee had, and arriuing at Arsatecke, hee whom we supposed to bee the chiefe King of all the rest, moste kindely entertained vs, giuing vs in a guide to go with vs vp the Riuer to Powhatan, of which place their great Emperor taketh his name, where he that they honored for King vsed vs kindely. But to finish this discouerie, we passed on further, where within an ile \a mile\ we were intercepted with great craggy stones in the midst of the riuer, where the water falleth so rudely, and with such a violence, as not any boat can possibly passe, and so broad disperseth the streame, as there is not past fiue or sixe Foote at a low water, and to the shore scarce passage with a barge, the water floweth foure foote, and the freshes by reason of the Rockes haue left markes of the inundations 8. or 9. foote : The south side is plaine low ground, and the north side high moun- taines, the rockes being of a grauelly nature, interlaced with many vains of glistring spangles. That night we returned to Potuhatan: the next day (be- ing Whitsunday after dinner) we returned to the fals, leau- ing a mariner in pawn with the Indians for a guide of theirs, hee that they honoured for King followed vs by the riuer. That afternoone we trifled in looking vpon the Rockes and riuer (further he would not goe) so there we erected a crosse, and that night taking our man at Poivhatans, Captaine Newport congratulated his kindenes with a Gown and a Hatchet : returning to Arsetecke, and stayed there the next day to obserue the height \latitude\ thereof, and so with many signes of loue we departed. Storm at Sea. [44] WILLIAM STRACHEY. 45 WILLIAM STRACHEY. WILLIAM STRACHEY* was an English gentleman who came over to Virginia with Sir Thomas Gates in 1609, and was secretary of the Colony for three years. Their ship, the Sea Venture, was wrecked on the Bermudas in a terri- ble tempest, of which he gives the account that follows. It is said to have suggested to Shakspere the scene of the storm and hurricane in his "Tempest." WORKS. A True Repertory of the Wracke and Re- Historic of Travaile into Virginia Brit- demption of Sir Thomas Gates upon and tania. from the Islands of the Bermudas. Edited Lawes Divine, Morall, and Mar- tiall. - William Strachey's writings show a thoughtful and cul- tivated mind. His style abounds in the long involved and often obscure sentences of his times, but his subject matter is usually very interesting. Compare the following selec- tion with Shakspere's " Tempest," Act I., scene i and 2, to : ' Ariel, thy charge" Notice the reference to Bermoothes (Bermudas). A STORM OFF THE BERMUDAS. (From A True Repertory of the Wracke and Redemption of Sir Thomas Gates.) On St. James his day, July 24, being Monday (pre- paring for no less all the black, night before) the clouds gathering thick upon us, and the winds singing and whis- tling most, unusually, which made us to cast off our Pin- nace, towing the same until then asterne, a dreadful storm and hideous began to blow from out the Northeast, which, swelling and roaring as it were by fits, some hours with more violence than others, at length did beat all light from heaven, which, like an hell of darkness, turned black upon * Pronounced Strak'ey. 46 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. us, so much the more fuller of horror, as in such cases hor- ror and fear use to overrun the troubled and overmastered senses of all, while (taken up with amazement) the ears lay so sensible to the terrible cries, and murmurs of the winds and distraction of our Company, as who was most armed and best prepared, was not a little shaken. . . For four and twenty hours the storm, in a restless tumult, had blown so exceedingly, as we could not apprehend in our imaginations any possibility of greater violence, yet did we still find it, not only more terrible, but more constant, fury added to fury, and one storm urging a second, more outrage- ous than the former, whether it so wrought upon our fears, or indeed met with new forces. Sometimes strikes in our Ship amongst women, and passengers not used to such hurly and discomforts, made us look one upon the other with troubled hearts, and panting bosoms, our clamors drowned in the winds, and the winds in thunder. Prayers might well be in the heart and lips, but drowned in the outcries of the Officers, nothing heard that could give comfort, nothing seen that might encourage hope. . . . . Our sails, wound up, lay without their use, and if at any time we bore but a Hollocke, or half forecourse, to guide her before the Sea, six and sometimes eight men, were not enough to hold the whip-staffe in the steerage, and the til- ler below in the Gunner room ; by which may be imagined the strength of the storm; in which the Sea swelled above the Clouds and gave battle unto heaven. It could not be said to rain, the waters like whole Rivers did flood in the ayre. And this I did still observe, that whereas upon the Land, when a storm hath poured itself forth once in drifts of rain, the wind as beaten down, and vanquished therewith, not long after endureth, here the glut of water (as if threading the wind ere while) was no sooner a little emptied WILLIAM STRACHEY. 47 and qualified, but instantly the winds (as having gotten their mouths now free and at liberty) spake more loud, and grew more tumultuous and malignant. What shall I say? Winds and Seas were as mad as fury and rage could make them. . . *. . . Howbeit this was not all ; it pleased God to bring a greater affliction yet upon us, for in the beginning of the storm we had received likewise a mighty leak, and the ship in every joint almost having spewed out her Okam, before we were aware (a casualty more desperate than any other that a Voyage by Sea draweth with it) was grown five feet suddenly deep with water above her ballast, and we almost drowned within, whilest we sat looking when to perish from above. This, imparting no less terror than danger, ran through the whole Ship with much fright and amazement, startled and turned the blood, and took down the braves of the most hardy Mariner of them all, insomuch as he that before happily felt not the sorrow of others, now began to sorrow for himself, when he saw such a pond of water so suddenly broken in, and which he knew could not (with present avoiding) but instantly sink him. Once so huge a Sea brake upon the poop and quarter, upon us, as it covered our ship from stern to stem, like a garment or a vast cloud. It filled her brimful for a while within, from the hatches up to the spar deck. Tuesday noon till Friday noon, we bailed and pumped two thousand tun, and yet, do what we could, when our ship held least in her (after Tuesday night second watch) she bore ten feet deep, at which stay our extreme working kept her one eight glasses, forbearance whereof had instantly sunk us ; and it being now Friday, the fourth morning, it wanted little but that there had been a general determination, to have shut up hatches and commending our sinful souls to God, 48 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. committed the ship to the mercy of the sea. Surely that night we must have done it, and that night had we then per- ished ; but see the goodness and sweet introduction of better hope by our merciful God given unto us. Sir George Sum- mers, when no man dreamed of such happiness, had discov- ered and cried, " Land ! " Indeed, the morning, now three- quarters spent, had won a little clearness from the days be- fore, and it being better surveyed, the very trees were seen to move with the wind upon the shore-side. JOHN LAWSON. Died 1712. JOHN LAWSON was a Scotch gentleman who came to America in 1700. . In his own words: "In the year 1700, when people flocked from all parts of the Christian world, to see the solemnity of the grand jubilee at Rome, my in- tention being at that time to travel, I accidentally met with a gentlemen, who had been abroad, and was very well ac- quainted with the ways of living in both Indies ; of whom having made inquiry concerning them, he assured me that Carolina was the best country I could go to ; and, that there then lay a ship in the Thames in which I might have my passage." He resided in Carolina eight years. As " Gent. Surveyor-General of North Carolina," he wrote his History of North Carolina, which is an original, sprightly, and faithful account of the eastern section of the State, and contains valuable matter for the subsequent historian. It is dedicated to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, and was published in 1714. He was taken captive by the Tuscarora Indians, while on a surveying trip, and was by them put to death in 1712 on JOHN LAWSON. 49 the Neuse River in North Carolina, because, said they, " he had taken their land," by marking it off into sections. WORK. History of North Carolina [rare]. NORTH CAROLINA IN 1700-1708. (From History of North Carolina, 1714). The first discovery and settlement of this country was by the procurement of Sir Walter Raleigh, in conjunction with some public spirited gentlemen of that age, under the pro- tection of queen Elizabeth ; for which reason it was then named Virginia, being begun on that part called Ronoak Island, where the ruins of a fort are to be seen at this day, as well as some old English coins which have been lately found ; and a brass gun, a powder horn, and one small quarter-deck gun, made of iron staves, and hooped with the same metal ; which method of making guns might very probably be made use of in those days for the convenience of infant colonies. ..... I cannot forbear inserting here a pleasant story that passes for an uncontested truth amongst the inhabitants of this place ; which is, that the ship which brought the first colo- nies does often appear amongst them, under sail, in a gallant posture, which they call Sir Walter Raleigh's ship. And the truth of this has been affirmed to me by men of the best credit in the country. A second settlement of this country was made about fifty years ago, in that part we now call Albemarl county, and chiefly in Chuwon precinct, by several substantial planters from Virginia and other plantations ; who finding mild winters, and a fertile soil beyond expectation, producing everything that was planted to a prodigious increase ; . . so that everything seemed to come by nature, the hus- Sir Walter Raleigh. [60] JOHN LAWSON. 51 bandman living almost void of care, and free from those ^atigues which are absolutely requisite in winter countries, Tor providing fodder and other necessaries ; these encour- agements induced them to stand their ground, although but a handful of people, seated at great distances one from another, and amidst a vast number of Indians of different nations, who were then in Carolina. Nevertheless, I say, the fame of this new discovered sum- mer country spread through the neighboring colonies, and in a few years drew a considerable number of families thereto, who all found land enough to settle themselves in (hud they been many thousands more), and that which was very good and commodiously seated both for profit and pleasure. And, indeed, most of the plantations in Carolina natu- rally enjoy a noble prospect of large and spacious rivers, pleasant savannas and fine meadows, with their green liv- eries interwoven with beautiful flowers of most glorious colors, which the several seasons afford ; hedged in with pleasant groves of the ever famous tulip tree, the stately laurels and bays, equalizing the oak in bigness and growth, myrtles, jessamines, woodbines, honeysuckles, and several other fragrant vines and evergreens, whose aspiring branches shadow and interweave themselves with the loftiest timbers, yielding a pleasant prospect, shade and smell, proper habi- tations for the sweet singing birds, that melodiously enter- tain such as travel through the woods of Carolina. The Planters possessing all these blessings, and the pro- duce of great quantities of wheat and indian corn, in which this country is very fruitful, as likewise" in beef, pork, tal- low, hides, deer skins, and furs ; for these commodities the new England men and Bermudians visited Carolina in their barks and sloops, and carried out what they made, bringing 52 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. them in exchange, rum, sugar, salt, molasses, and some wearing apparel, though the last at very extravagant prices. As the land is very fruitful, so are the planters kind and hospitable to all that come to visit them ; there being very few housekeepers but what live very nobly, and give away more provisions to coasters and guests who come to see them than they expend amongst their own families. The easy way of living in that plentiful country makes a great many planters very negligent, which, were they other- wise, that colony might now have been in a far better con- dition than it is, as to trade and other advantages, which an universal industry would have led them into. The women are the most industrious sex in that place, and, by their good housewifery, make a great deal of cloth of their own cot- ton, wool and flax ; some of them keeping their families, though large, very decently appareled, both with linens and woolens, so that they have no occasion to run into the mer- chants' debt, or lay their money out on stores for clothing. As for those women that do not expose themselves to the weather, they are often very fair, and generally as well featured as you shall see anywhere, and have very brisk, charming eyes which sets them off to advantage. . . . " . Both sexes are generally spare of body and not choleric, nor easily cast down at disappointments and losses, seldom immoderately grieving at misfortunes, unless for the loss of their nearest relations and friends, which seems to make a more than ordinary impression upon them. Many of the women are very handy in canoes and will manage them with great dexterity and skill, which they become accus- tomed to in this, watery country. They are ready to help their husbands in any servile work, as planting, when the season of the weather requires expedition ; pride seldom JOHN LAWSON. 53 banishing good housewifery. The girls are not bred up to the wheel and sewing only, but the dairy and the affairs of the house they are very well acquainted withal ; so that you shall see them, whilst very young, manage their business with a great deal of conduct and alacrity. The children of both sexes are very docile and learn any thing with a great deal of care and method, and those that have the advantages of education write very good hands, and prove good account- ants, which is most coveted, and, indeed, most necessary in these parts. The young men are commonly of a bashful, sober behaviour ; few proving prodigals to consume what the industry of their parents has left them, but commonly improve it. HARVEST HOME OF THE INDIANS. {From History of North Carolina.) They have a third sort of feasts and dances, which are always when the harvest of corn is ended, and in the spring. The one to return thanks to the good spirit for the fruits of the earth ; the other, to beg the same blessings for the suc- ceeding year. And to encourage the young men to labour stoutly in planting their maiz and pulse, they set up a sort of idol in the field, which is dressed up exactly like an Indian, having all the Indians habit, besides abundance of Wampum and their money, made of shells, that hangs about his neck. The image none of the young men dare approach ; for the old ones will not suffer them to come near him, but tell them that he is some famous Indian warrior that died a great while ago, and now is come amongst them to see if they work well, which if they do, he will go to the good spirit and speak to him to send them plenty of corn, and to make the young men all expert hunters and mighty warriors. All this while, the king and old men sit around the image and seemingly pay a profound respect to the same One great 54 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. help to these Indians in carrying on these cheats, and in- ducing youth to do as they please, is, the uninterrupted silence which is ever kept and observed with all the respect and veneration imaginable. Ac these feasts which are set out with all the magnifi- cence their fare allows of, the masquerades begin at night and not before. There is commonly a fire made in the mid- dle of the house, which is the largest in the town, and is very often the dwelling of their king or war captain ; where sit two men on the ground upon a mat ; one with a rattle, made of a gourd, with some beans in it ; the other with a drum made of an earthen pot, covered with a dressed deer skin, and one stick in his hand to beat thereon ; and so they both begin the song appointed. At the same time one drums and the other rattles, which is all the artificial music of their own making I ever saw amongst theip. To these two in- struments they sing, which carries no air with it, but is a sort of unsavory jargon ; yet their cadences and raising of their voices are formed with that equality and exactness that, to us Europeans, it seems admirable how they should continue these songs without once missing to agree, each with the others note and tune. WILLIAM BYRD. 16741744. WILLIAM BYRD, second of the name, and the first native Virginian writer, was born at Westover, his father's estate on the James below Richmond. The following inscription on his tomb at Westover gives a sketch of his life and services well worth preserving : " Here lies the Honourable William Byrd, Esq., being born to one of the amplest fortunes in this country, he was sent 56 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. early to England for his education, where under the care and direction of Sir Robert Southwell, and ever favoured with his particular instructions, he made a happy proficiency in polite and various learning. By the means of the same noble friend, he was introduced to the acquaintance of many of the first persons of that age for knowledge, wit, virtue, birth, or high station, and particularly contracted a most in timate and bosom friendship with the learned and illustri- ous Charles Boyle, Earl of Orrery. "He was called to the bar in the Middle Temple, studied for some time in the Low Countries, visited the Court of France, and was chosen Fellow of the Royal Society. Thus eminently fitted for the service and ornament of his country, he was made receiver-general of his Majesty's revenues here, was then appointed public agent to the Court and Ministry of England, being thirty-seven years a member, at last be- came president, of the Council of this Colony. " To all this were added a great elegancy of taste and life, the welf-bred gentleman, and polite companion, the splendid economist and prudent father of a family, with the constant enemy of all exorbitant power, and hearty friend to the liberties of his country. Nat. Mar. 28, 1674. Mort. Aug. 26, 1744. An. aetat. 70." His daughter Evelyn was famous both in England and Virginia for her beauty, wit, and accomplishments. She died at the age of thirty, 1737. See Century Magazine, 1891, Vol. 20, p. 163. WORKS. Westover Manuscripts : [North Carolina, of which Charles Eden was governor 1713-19.] (i) History of the Dividing Line [the (3) A Progress to the Mines [Iron mines survey to settle the line between Virginia in Virginia which Ex-Governor Alexander ant* North Carolina, 1728.] Spotswood and others, were beginning to (a' A Journey to the Land of Eden open and work.] His writings are among the most interesting that we have, Deing remarkable for their wit and culture, a certain Evelyn Byrd. Considered one of the most beautiful women in Virginia, or of her time. [FROM AN OLD FAINTING.] [57J 58 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. poetic vein, a keen interest in nature, a simple religious faith, a fund of cheerful courage and good sense, and a fine consideration for others. SELECTING THE SITE OF RICHMOND AND PETERSBURG, SEPT., 1733. (From A Journey to the Land of Eden.) When we got home, we laid the foundations of two large Citys. One at Shacco's, to be called Richmond, and the other at the Point of Appamattuck River, to be nam'd Pe- tersburgh. These Major Mayo offered to lay out into Lots without Fee or Reward. The Truth of it is, these two places being the uppermost Landing of James and Appa- mattux Rivers, are naturally intended for Marts, where the Traffick of the Outer Inhabitants must Center. Thus we did not build Castles only, but also Citys in the Air. A VISIT TO EX-GOVERNOR SPOTSWOOD, 1732. (Front A Progress to the Mines. *) Then I came into the Main County Road, that leads from Fredericksburgh to Germanna, which last place I reacht in Ten Miles more. This famous Town consists of Colo. Spotswood's enchanted Castle on one Side of the Street, and a Baker's Dozen of ruinous Tenements on the other, where so many German Familys had dwelt some Years ago ; but are now remov'd ten Miles higher, in the Fork of Rap- pahannock, to Land of their Own. There had also been a Chappel about a Bow-Shot from the Colonel's house, at the End of an Avenue of Cherry Trees, but some pious people had lately burnt it down, with intent to get another built nearer to their own homes. Here I arriv'd about three o clock, and found only Mrs. Spotswood at Home, who receiv'd her Old acquaintance WILLIAM BYRD. 59 with many a gracious Smile. I was carry'd into a Room elegantly set off with Pier Glasses, the largest of which came soon after to an odd Misfortune. Amongst other favourite Animals that cheer'd this Lady's Solitude, a Brace of Tame Deer ran familiarly about the House, and one of them came to stare at me as a Stranger. But unluckily Spying his own Figure in the Glass, he made a spring over the Tea Table that stood under it, and shatter'd the Glass to pieces, and falling back upon the Tea Table, made a terri- ble Fracas among the China. This Exploit was so sudden, and accompany'd with such a Noise, that it surpriz'd me, and perfectly frighten'd Mrs. Spotswood. But twas worth all the Damage to shew the Moderation and good humour with which she bore this disaster. In the Evening, the noble Colo, came home from his Mines, who saluted me very civilly, and Mrs. Spotswood's Sister, Miss Theky, who had been to meet him en Cavalier, was so kind too as to bid me welcome. We talkt over a Legend of old Storys, supp'd about 9, and then prattl'd with the Ladys, til twas time for a Travellour to retire. In the mean time I observ'd my old Friend to be very Uxorious, and exceedingly fond of his Children. This was so oppo- site to the Maxims he us'd to preach up before he was mar- ryed, that I cou'd not forbear rubbing up the Memory of them. But he gave a very good-natur'd turn to his Change of Sentiments, by alleging that whoever brings a poor Gen- tlewoman into so solitary a place, from all her Friends and acquaintance, wou'd be ungrateful not to use her and all that belongs to her with all possible Tenderness. We all kept Snug in our several apartments till Nine, except Miss Theky, who was the Housewife of the Family. At that hour we met over a Pot of Coffee, which was not quite strong enough to give us the Palsy. After Breakfast 60 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. the Colo, and I left the Ladys to their Domestick Affairs, and took a turn in the Garden, which has nothing beautiful but 3 Terrace Walks that fall in Slopes one below another. I let him understand, that besides the pleasure of paying him a Visit, I came to be instructed by so great a Master in the Mystery of Making of Iron, wherein he had led the way, and was the Tubal Cain of Virginia. He corrected me a little there, by assuring me he was not only the first in this Country, but the first in North America, who had erected a regular Furnace. . . That the 4 Furnaces now at work in Virginia circulated a great Sum of Money for Provisions and all other necessarys in the adjacent Coun- tys. That they took off a great Number of Hands from Planting Tobacco, and cmploy'd them in Works that pro- duced a large Sum of Money in England to the persons concern'd, whereby the Country is so much the Richer. That they are besides a considerable advantage to Great Britain, because it lessens the Quantity of Bar Iron imported from Spain, Holland, Sweden, Denmark, and Muscovy, which us'd to be no less than 20,000 Tuns yearly. Then I inquired after his own Mines, and hoped, as he was the first that engaged in this great undertaking, that he had brought them to the most perfection. . . He said it was true His works were of the oldest Standing ; but that his long absence in England, and the wretched Man- agement of Mr. Grearne, whom he had entrusted with his Affairs, had put him back very much. That what with Neglect and Severity, above 80 of his Slaves were lost while he was in England, and most of his Cattle starved. That his Furnace stood still great part of the time, and all his Plantations ran to ruin. That indeed he was rightly serv'd for committing his Affairs to the care of a Mathematician, whose thoughts were always among the Stars. That never- WILLIAM BYRD. 61 theless, since his return, he had apply'd himself to rectify his Steward'? Mistakes, and bring his Business again into Order. That now he contriv'd to do every thing with his own People, except raising the Mine and running the Iron, by which he had contracted his Expence very much. Nay, he believ'd that by his directions he cou'd bring sensible Negroes to perform those parts of the work tolerably well. Our Conversation on this Subject continued till Dinner, which was both elegant and plentifull. The afternoon was devoted to the ladys, who shew'd me one of their most beautiful Walks. They conducted me thro' a Shady Lane to the Landing, and by the way made me drink some very fine Water that issued from a Marble Fountain, and ran incessantly. Just behind it was a cover'd Bench, where Miss Theky often sat and bewail'd her Vir- ginity. Then we proceeded to the River, which is the South Branch of Rappahannock, about 50 Yards wide, and so rapid that the Ferry Boat is drawn over by a Chain, and therefore called the Rapidan. At night we drank pros- perity to all the Colonel's Projects in a Bowl of Rack Punch, and then retired to our Devotions. DISMAL SWAMP. (From The Dividing Lint.) 1728, March. >Tis hardly credible how little the Border- ing inhabitants were acquainted with this mighty Swamp, notwithstanding they had liv'd their whole lives within Smell of it. Yet, as great Strangers as they were to it, they pre- tended to be very exact in their Account of its Demensions, and were positive it could not be above y or 8 Miles wide, but knew no more of the Matter than Star-gazers know of the Distance of the Fixt Stars. At the Same time, they were Simple enough to amuse our Men with Idle Stories of WILLIAM BYRD. 63 the Lyons, Panthers, and Alligators, they were like to en- counter in that dreadful Place. In short, we saw plainly there was no Intelligence of this Terra Incognita to be got, but from our own Experience. For that Reason it was resolv'd to make the requisite Dispo- sition to enter it next Morning. We alloted every one of the Surveyors for this painful Enterprise, with 12 Men to attend them. . . - v : i . . ... .* Besides this Luggage at their Backs, they were oblig'd to measure the distance, mark the Trees, and clear the way for the Surveyors every step they went. It was really a Pleas- ure to see with how much Cheerfulness they undertook, and with how much Spirit they went thro' all this Drudgery Altho' there was no need of Example to inflame Persons already so cheerful, yet to enter the People with the better grace, the Author and two more of the Commissioners accompanied them half a Mile into the Dismal. The Skirts of it were thinly Planted with Dwarf Reeds and Gall- Bushes, but when we got into the Dismal itself, we found the Reeds grew there much taller and closer, and, to mend the matter, was so interlac'd with bamboe-briars, that there was no scuffling thro' them without the help of Pioneers. At the same time, we found the Ground moist and trembling under our feet like a Quagmire, insomuch that it was an easy Matter to run a Ten-Foot-Pole up to the Head in it, without exerting any uncommon Strength to do it. Two of the Men, whose Burthens were the least cumber- some, had orders to march before, with their Tomahawks, and clear the way, in order to make an Opening for the Surveyors. By their Assistance we made a Shift to push the Line half a Mile in 3 Hours, and then reacht a small piece of firm Land, about 100 Yards wide, Standing up above the 64 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. rest like an Island. Here the people were glad to lay down their Loads and take a little refreshment, while the happy man, whose lot it was to carry the Jugg of Rum, began already, like yEsop's Bread-Carriers, to find it grow a good deal lighter. . . .- Since the Surveyors had enter'd the Dismal, they had laid Eyes on no living Creature : neither Bird nor Beast, Insect nor Reptile came in View. Doubtless, the Eternal Shade that broods over this mighty Bog, and hinders the sun-beams from blessing the Ground, makes it an uncomfortable Hab- itation for any thing that has life. Not so much as a Zea- land Frog cou'd endure so Aguish a Situation. It had one Beauty, however, that delighted the Eye, cho' at the Expense of all the other Senses ; the Moisture of the Soil preserves a continual Verdure, and makes every Plant an Evergreen, but at the same time the foul Damps ascend with- out ceasing, corrupt the Air, and render it unfit for Respira- tion. Not even a Turkey-Buzzard will \cnture to fly over it, no more than the Italian Vultures will over the filthy Lake Avernus, or the Birds of the Holy Land over the Salt Sea, where Sodom and Gomorrah formerly stood. How they Slept in the Dismal Swamp. They urst cov- er'd the Ground with Square Pieces of Cypress bark, which now, in the Spring, they cou'd easily Slip off the Tree for that purpose. On this they Spread their Bedding ; but un- happily the Weight and Warmth of their Bodies made the Water rise up betwixt the Joints of the Bark, to their great Inconvenience. Thus they lay not only moist, but also exceedingly cold, because their Fires were continually going out. .. ; . . . . . We could get no Tidings yet of our Brave Adventurers, notwithstanding we despacht men to the likeliest Stations WILLIAM BYRD. 65 to enquire after them. They were still Scuffleing in the Mire, and could not Possibly forward the Line this whole day more than one Mile and 64 Chains. Every Step of this Day's Work was thro' a cedar Bog, where the Trees were somewhat Smaller and grew more into a Thicket. It was now a great Misfortune to the Men to find their Provisions grow less as their Labour grew greater. . . . Tho' this was very severe upon English Stomachs, yet the People were so far from being discomfited at it, that they still kept up their good Humour, and merrily told a young Fellow in the Company, who lookt very Plump and Wholesome, that he must expect to go first to Pot, if matters shou'd come to Extremity. This was only said by way of Jest, yet it made Him thoughtful in earnest. However, for the present he return'd them a very civil answer, letting them know that, dead or alive, he shou'd be glad to be useful to such worthy good friends. But, after all, this Humourous Saying had one very good effect ; for that younker, who before was a little enclin'd by his Constitution to be lazy, grew on a Sudden Extreamly Industrious, that so there might be less Occasion to carbonade him for the good of his Fellow-Travellers. THE TUSCARORA INDIANS AND THEIR LKGEND OF A CHRIST. (From History of the Dividing Line.) 1729, November. By the Strength of our Beef, we made a shift to walk about 13 Miles, crossing Blewing and Te- waw-homini Creeks. And because this last Stream receiv'd its Appellation from the Disaster of a Tuscarora Indian, it will not be Straggling much out of the way to say some- thing of that Particular Nation. These Indians were heretofore very numerous and power- ful, making, within time of Memory, at least a Thousand 5 66 SUUTHERN LITERATURE. Fighting Men. Their Habitation, before the War with Carolina, was on the North Branch of Neuse River, com- monly call'd Connecta Creek, in a pleasant and fruitful Country. But now the few that are left of that Nation live on the North Side of MORATUCK, which is all that Part of Roanok below the great Falls, towards ALBE- MARLE Sound. Formerly there were Seven Towns of these Savages, ly- ing not far from each other, but now their Number is greatly reduc'd. ....... These Indians have a very odd Tradition amongst them, that many years ago, their Nation was grown so dishonest, that no man cou'd keep any Goods, or so much as his loving Wife to himself. That, however, their God, being unwilling to root them out for their crimes, did them the honour to send a Messenger from Heaven to instruct them, and set Them a perfect Example of Integrity and kind Behaviour towards one another. But this holy Person, with all his Eloquence and Sanctity of Life, was able to make very little Reformation amongst them. Some few Old men did listen a little to his Whole- some Advice, but all the Young fellows were quite incor- rigible. They not only Neglected his Precepts, but derided and Evil Entreated his Person. At last, taking upon Him to reprove some Young Rakes of the Conechta Clan very sharply for their impiety, they were so provok'd at the Free- dom of his Rebukes, that they tied him to a Tree, and shot him with Arrows through the Heart. But their God took instant Vengeance on all who had a hand in that Monstrous Act, by Lightning from Heaven, & has ever since visited their Nation with a continued Train of Calamities, nor will he ever leave off punishing, and wasting their People, till he shall have blotted every living Soul of them out of the World. HENRY LAURENS. 67 SECOND PERIOD . . 1750-1500. HENRY LAURENS. 1724-1792. HENRY LAURENS, one of the patriot-fathers of our coun- try, was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He was edu- cated in his native city, and, becoming a merchant, amassed a fortune in business. In 1771 he travelled with his chil- dren in Europe in order to educate them. Returning home he became in 1775 a member of the Provincial Congress, and on Hancock's resignation, president of the Continental Congress. He was appointed in 1779 minister to Holland, and on his way was captured by the British and confined in the Tower fifteen months. He became acquainted with Edmund Burke while in London. He was twice offered pardon if he would serve the British Ministry, but of course he declined. During this imprisonment, his son John, called the " Bayard of the Revolution " for his daring bravery, was killed in battle. After his release, being exchanged for Lord Cornwallis, he was appointed one of the ministers to negotiate peace in 1782. His health was so impaired by the cruel treatment of his jailers, that he could take no further active part in affairs, and he passed the rest of his life in the retirement of his plantation. On his death, his body was burned, accord- ing to his express will, the first instance, in this country, of cremation. 68 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. His daughter Martha married Dr. David Ramsay, the historian. WORKS. Political Papers [some of which have been published by the South Carolina Historical Society.] These are of great value in a study of the Revolutionary times. A PATRIOT IN THE TOWER. (From Narrative of his Confinement in the Tower.) About ii o'clock at night I was sent under a strong guard, up three pair of stairs in Scotland Yard, into a very small chamber. Two king's messengers were placed for the whole night at one door, and a subaltern's guard of sol- diers at the other. As I was, and had been for some days, so ill as to be incapable of getting into or out of a carriage, or up or down stairs, without help, I looked upon all this parade to be calculated for intimidation. My spirits were good and I smiled inwardly. The next morning, 6th Octo- ber, from Scotland Yard, I was conducted again under guard to the secretary's office, White Hall. . . . I was first asked, by Lord Stormont, " If my name was Henry Laurens." " Certainly, my Lord, that is my name." . His Lordship then said, " Mr. Laurens, we have a paper here" (holding the paper up), "purporting to be a commission from Congress to you, to borrow money in Eu- rope for the use of Congress." . . I replied, "My Lords, your Lordships are in possession of the paper, and will make such use of it as your Lordships shall judge proper." I had not destroyed this paper, as it would serve to establish the rank and character in which I was em- ployed by the United States. . . . . From White Hall, I was conducted in a close hackney coach, un- der the charge of Colonel Williamson, a polite, genteel offi- cer, and two of the illest-looking fellows I had ever seen. f.69] 70 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. The coach was ordered to proceed by the most private ways to the Tower. It had been rumored that a rescue would be attempted. At the Tower the Colonel delivered me to Major Gore, the residing Governor, who, as I was after- wards well informed, had previously concerted a plan for mortifying me. He ordered rooms for me in the most con- spicuous part of the Tower (the parade). The people of the house, particularly the mistress, entreated the Governor not to burthen them with a prisoner. He replied, " It is necessary. I am determined to expose him." This was, however, a lucky determination for me. The people were respectful and kindly attentive to me, from the beginning of my confinement to the end ; and I contrived, after being told of the Governor's humane declaration, so to garnish my windows by honeysuckles, and a grape-vine running under them, as to conceal myself entirely from the sight of starers, and at the same time to have myself a full view of them. Governor Gore conducted me to my apartments at a warder's house. As I was entering the house, I heard some of the people say, " Poor old gentleman, bowed down with infirmities. He is come to lay his bones here." My reflection was, " I shall not leave a bone with you." I was very sick, but my spirits were good, and my mind foreboding good from the event of being a prisoner in Lon- don. Their Lordships' orders were : " To confine me a close prisoner ; to be locked up every night ; to be in the custody of two wardens, who were not to suffer me to be out of their sight .one moment, day or night; to allow me no liberty of speaking to any person, nor to permit any person to speak to me ; to deprive me of the use of pen and ink ; to suffer no letter to be brought to me, nor any to go from me," etc. As an apology, I presume for their first rigor, the wardens gave me their orders to peruse. GEORGE WASHINGTON. 71 And now I found myself a close prisoner, indeed ; shut up in two small rooms, which together made about twenty feet square ; a warder my constant companion ; and a fixed bayonet under my window ; not a friend to converse with, and no prospect of a correspondence. September 23d. For some time past I have been fre- quently and strongly tempted to make my escape from the Tower, assured, " It was the advice and desire of all my friends, the thing might be easily effected, the face of Ameri- can affairs was extremely gloomy. " That I might have eigh- teen hours' start before I was missed ; time enough to reach Margate and Ostend ; that it was believed there would be no pursuit," etc., etc. I had always said, " I hate the name of a runaway." At length I put a stop to farther applications by saying, " I will not attempt an escape. The gates were opened for me to enter ; they shall be opened for me to go out of the Tower. God Almighty sent me here for some purpose. I am determined to see the end of it." GEORGE WASHINGTON. GEORGE WASHINGTON'S life is so well known, it is so sim- ple, so grand, that a few words can tell it, and yet volumes would not exhaust it. His mother's remark, " George was always a good son," sums up his character ; and his title, " Father of his Country," sums up his life-work. He was born at Pope's Creek, Westmoreland County, Vir- ginia, and became a surveyor, being employed in that capa- city at the early age of sixteen by Lord Fairfax, governor of Virginia. He joined the English troops sent under General Braddock against the French in 1756, and his bravery and good sense in this expedition gained him great renown. In. ueorge Washington. GEORGE WASHINGTON. 73 1775 he was made commander-in-chief of the American forces against the English and he conducted the war of the Revolution to a successful issue in 1783. He was the first president of the United States, being elected in 1789, and again in 1793, declining a third term in 1797. He retired to private life at Mt. Vernon, his home in Virginia. Here he died, and here he lies buried, his tomb being a shrine of pilgrimage for all his countrymen and admirers. Innumerable monuments rise all over our land commem- orating his virtues and pointing him out as a model for the youth of America. One of the finest is that at Richmond, de- signed by Crawford, an equestrian statue in bronze, sur- rounded by colossal figures of Jefferson, Mason, Patrick Henry, Lewis, Marshall, and Nelson. The marble statue by Houdon in the Capitol at Richmond is considered the best figure of Washington ; it was done from life in 1788. Other noble memorials are the Column at Baltimore, and the great obelisk at Washington City, called the Washington Monument, the latter designed by Robert Mills, of South Carolina, and intended originally to have a colonnade around the base containing the statues of the illustrious men of our country. WORKS. State Papers, Addresses, Letters 12 volumes. Washington's writings are like his character, simple, clear, sensible, without any pretensions to special culture or lite- rary grace. These extracts show his modesty, his love of truth, and his general good sense. See under Madison, Weems, and Henry JLee. AN HONEST MAN. I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain, what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an " honest man." Moral Maxims. 74 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. How TO ANSWER CALUMNY. To persevere in one's duty and be silent is the best an- swer to calumny. Moral Maxims. CONSCIENCE. Labour to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, conscience. Rule from the Copy-book of Washington ivhen a school boy. ON HIS APPOINTMENT AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. [Delivered in Congress, ib June, lJ7S-\ Mr. President : Though I am truly sensible of the high honor done me, in this appointment, yet I feel great distress, from a consciousness that my abilities and military expe- rience may not be equal to the extensive and important trust. However, as the Congress desire it, I will enter upon the momentous duty, and exert every power I possess in their service, and for the support of the glorious cause. I beg they will accept my most cordial thanks for this distin- guished testimony of their approbation. But, lest some unlucky event should happen, unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in the room, that I, this day, declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the com- mand I am honored with. As to pay, Sir, I beg leave to assure the Congress, that, as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to ac- cept this arduous employment, at the expense of my domes- tic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit from it. I will keep an exact account of my expenses. Those, I doubt not, they will discharge, and that is all I desire. [751 76 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. A MILITARY DINNER-PARTY. [Letter to Dr. John Cochran, West J'oint, it) August, 1779.] Dear Doctor : I have asked Mrs. Cochran and Mrs. Liv- ingston to dine with me to-morrow ; but am I not in honor bound to apprise them of their fare? As I hate deception, even where the imagination only is concerned, I will. It is needless to premise, that my table is large enough to hold the ladies. Of this thev had ocular proof yesterday. To sav how it is usually covered, is rather more essential ; and this shall be the purport of my letter. Since our arrival at this happy spot, we have had a ham, sometimes a shoulder of bacon, to grace the head of the table ; a piece of roast beef adorns the foot ; and a dish of beans, or greens, almost imperceptible, decorates the centre. \Vhen the cook has a mind to cut a figure, which I presume will be the case to-morrow, we have two beef-steak pies, or dishes of crabs, in addition, one on each side of the centre dish, dividing the. space and reducing the distance between dish and dish to about six feet, which without them would be near twelve feet apart. Of late he has had the surprising sagacity to discover, that apples will make pies ; and it is a question, if, in the violence of his efforts, we do not get one of apples, instead of having both of beef-steaks. If the ladies can put up with such entertainment, and will submit to partake of it on plates, once tin but now iron (not become so by the labor of scouring), I shall be happy to see them ; and am, dear Doctor, yours, etc. ADVICE TO A FAVORITE NEPHEW. [from a Letter to Bushrod Washington. Netuturgh, 75 Jan., 1783.] Remember, that it is not the mere study of the law, but to become eminent in the profession of it, that is to yield honor and profit. The first was your choice ; let the second GEORGE WASHINGTON. 77 be your ambition. Dissipation is incompatible with both ; the company, in which you will improve most, will be least expensive to you ; and yet I am not such a stoic as to sup- pose that you will, or to think it right that you should, always be in company with senators and philosophers ; but of the juvenile kind let me advise you to be choice. It is easv to make acquaintances, but very difficult to shake them off, however irksome and unprofitable they are found, after we have once committed ourselves to them. The indiscre- tions, which very often they involuntarily lead one into, prove equally distressing and disgraceful. Be courteous to all, but intimate with few ; and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation. Let your heart feel for the distresses and afflictions of every one, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse ; remembering always the estimation of the widow's mite, but,.that it is not every one who asketh, that deserveth charity ; all, however, are worthy of the inquiry, or the deserving may suffer. Do not conceive that fine clothes make fine men, any more than fine feathers make fine birds. A plain, genteel dress is more admired, and obtains more credit, than lace and em- broidery, in the eyes of the judicious and sensible, PASSAGES FROM THE FAREWELL ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE CF THE UNITED STATES, 1796. Union and Liberty. Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment. 78 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. The unity of government which constitutes you one peo- ple, is also now dear to you. It is justly so ; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence ; the support of your tranquillity at home ; your peace abroad : of your safety ; of your prosperity ; of that very liberty which you RO highly prize. But, as it is easy to foresee, that from dif- ferent causes, and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth ; as this is the point in your po- litical fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed; it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the im- mense value of your national union to your collective and individual happiness ; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the palladium of your political safety and prosperity ; watching for its pres- ervation with jealous anxiety ; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can, in any event, be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawn- ing of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts. For this you have every inducement of sympathy and in- terest. Citizens by birth, or choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have, in a common cause, fought and triumphed together ; the inde- GEORGE WASHINGTON. 79 pendence and liberty you possess, are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts, of common dangers, sufferings, and successes. But these considerations, however powerfully they address themselves to your sensibility, are greatly outweighed by those which apply more immediately to your interest. Here, every portion of our country finds the most commanding motives for carefully guarding and preserving the union of the whole. .... While then every part of our country thus feels an immediate and particular interest in union, all the parts combined cannot fail to find in the united mass of means and efforts, greater strength, greater resource, proportion- ably greater security from external danger, a less frequent interruption of their peace by foreign nations ; and, what is of inestimable value, they must derive from union an ex- emption from those broils and wars between themselves, which so frequently afflict neighbouring countries not tied together by the same government ; which their own rival- ships alone would be sufficient to produce, but which opposite foreign alliances, attachments, and intrigues, would stimu- late and imbitter. Hence, likewise, they will avoid the necessity of those overgrown military establishments, which under any form of government are inauspicious to liberty, and which are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty. In this sense it is, that your union ought to be con- sidered as a main prop of your liberty, and that the love of the one ought to endear to you the preservation of the other. Party Spirit. I have already intimated to you the dan- ger of parties in the State, with particular references to the founding them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the 80 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. most solemn manner, against the baleful effects of the spirit of party generally. This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed ; but in those of the pop- ular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy. The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissen- sions, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result, gradu- ally incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual ; and, sooner or later, the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more for tunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the pur- poses of his own elevation on the ruins of public liberty. Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought nor to be entirely out of sl^ht), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party, are sufficient to make it the n.terest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it. . . There is an opinion that parties in free countries are use- ' ful checks upon the administration of the government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This, within cer- tain limits, is probably tme; and, in governments of a mon- archical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favour, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for GEORGE WASHINGTON. 8l every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it.' A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent it bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume. Religion and Morality. Of all the dispositions and hab- its which le*ad to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labour to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of 'religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instru- ments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that mo- rality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a neces- sary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, ex^ tends with more or less force to every species of free gov- ernment. Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabrick ? . . . , Observe good faith and justice towards all nations ; cul- tivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, 6 82 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. and, at no distant period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too :>,ovel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt but, in the course of time and things, the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages which might be lost by a steady adherence to it; can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue? The experiment, at least, is recom- mended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature. PATRICK HENRY. 1736-1799. THIS great orator was born at Studley, Hanover County, Virginia ; and, while his early education in books was not extensive, he studied man and nature from life very deeply and thoroughly. He attempted farming and merchandising for some years, then read law and at the age of twenty-four was admitted to the bar where his splendid powers had full scope. In 1765 he was elected to the State Legislature, or House of Burgesses, as it was then called. In the words of Thomas Jefferson, "Mr. Henry certainly gave the first impulse to the ball of the Revolution." Dur- ing the war, he served at first in the field, and later in the Legislature, and as governor, being elected three times. He retired from public life in 1791 and devoted himself to his law practice, by which he gained wealth. His most famous speech was delivered before the Con- vention sitting in council in the old St. John's Church, Richmond, 1775, after the House of Burgesses had been dissolved by the royal governor. An extract from this speech, as given in Wirt's " Life of Henry," follows. No 84 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. faithfully exact copy of his speeches is preserved, for he never -wrote them out, and his eloquence was so overmas- tering that no one could listen and report at the same time. He takes his place among the great orators of the world. WORKS. Speeches, legal and political, (as they have been gathered from traditionary reports.) See his Life by Wirt, Tyler, and W. W. Henry, his grandson. REMARK ON SLAVERY. Slavery is detested. We feel its fatal effects. We de- plore it with all the pity of humanity. NOT BOUND BY STATE LINES, (from the opening speech of the first Continental Congress, I774-) I am not a Virginian. I am an American. IP THIS BE TREASON, (Speech in House of Burgesses, 1765.) Ceesar had his Brutus Charles the First, his Cromwell, and George the Third ("Treason! " cried the Speaker) may profit by their example, \lthis be treason, make the most of it. THE FAMOUS REVOLUTION SPEECH, 1775. (From Wirt's Life of Henry.} " Mr. President," said he, " it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this," he asked, " the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Were we disposed to be of the number of those, who having eyes see not, and having ears hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salva- tion? For his part, whatever anguish of spirit it might PATRICK HENRY. 85 cost, he was willing to know the whole truth ; to know the worst, and provide for it." "He had," he said, "but one lamp by which his feet were guided ; and that was the lamp of experience. He knew of no way of judging of the future but by the p^ast. And judging by the past, he wished to know what there had been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen had been pleased to solace themselves and the house? Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately re- ceived? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies neces- sary to a work of Ipve and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwillirig to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive our- selves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjuga- tion, the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gen- tlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumula- tion of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us ; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we [to] oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capa- ble ; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to en- 86 SOUTHERN LITERATURE treaty and humble supplication ? What terms shall we find, which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I be- seech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer. Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which iii now coming on. We have petitioned we have remon- strated we have supplicated we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, anti-have implored its interposition to ar- rest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and parliament. Our petitions have been slighted ; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult ; our supplications have been disregarded ; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and recon- ciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free if we mean to preserve inviolate those in- estimable privileges for which we have, been so long con- tending if we mean not basely to abandon the noble strug- gle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon, until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained we must fight ! I repeat it, sir, we must fight ! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts, is all that is left us ! " "They tell us, sir," continued Mr. Henry, "that we are weak unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON. 87 millions of people armed in the holy cause of liberty and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the con- test. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery ! Our chains are forged. Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston ! The war is inevitable and let it come ! ! I repeat it, sir, let it come ! ! ! " It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace, but there is no peace. The war is actually begun ! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms ! Our brethren are already in the field ! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God I know not what course others may take ; but as for me," cried he, with both his arms extended aloft, his brows knit, every feature marked with the resolute purpose of his soul, and his voice swelled to its boldest note of exclamation, " give me liberty, or give me death ! " See also under Wirt. WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON. 1742-1779. WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON was born at " Drayton Hall," on the Ashley River, South Carolina, and was sent in 1753 to England to be educated. He went in the care of WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON. 89 Chief-Justice Charles Pinckney, who was taking his two sons, Charles Cotesvvorth and Thomas, for the same pur- pose. He returned home in 1764, studied law, and in 1771 was appointed by th3 king privy-councillor for South Caro- lina. He espoused, however, the cause of the Revolution, with ardor, and was chosen president of the Council of Safety and of the Provincial Congress. As Chief -Justice of the State, he declared that the king "had abdicated the gov- ernment and had no more authority over the people of South Carolina." He also dealt with the Indians and exercised a wholesome influence over them in behalf of the State. He left in manuscript valuable state papers and a narra- tive of the early part of the Revolution, which his son, Governor John Dray ton, edited and published, and from which the extract is taken. His style is clear, simple, and flowing. GEORGE III.'s ABDICATION OF POWER IN AMERICA. [Front the Charge to the Grand Jury o f Charleston District, 7776.) Thus, as I have on the foot of the best authorities made it evident, that George III. King of Britain, has endeavoured to subvert the constitution of this country, by breaking the original contract between king and people; by the advice of wicked persons has violated ihe fundamental laws; and has withdrawn himself by withdrawing the constitutional benefits of the kingly office, and his protection out of this country; from such a result of injuries, from such a conjunc- ture of circumstances the law of the land authorizes me to declare, and it is my duty boldly to declare the law, that George III. Kin^ of Britain, has abdicated the government, and that the throne is thereby vacant ; that is, he has no authority over us, and ive oiue no obedience to him. . . The new constitution, is wisely adapted to enable vs to trade 90 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. with foreign nations, and thereby, to supply our wants in the cheapest markets in the universe ; to extend our trade infinitely beyond what it has ever been known ; to encour- age manufactures among us ; and it is peculiarly formed, to promote the happiness of the people, from among whom, bv virtue and merit, the poorest man may arrive at the highest dignity. Oh, Carolinians! happy would you be under this new constitution, if you knew your happy state. Possessed of a constitution of government, founded upon so generous, equal, and natural a principle, a government expressly calculated to make the people rich, powerful, vir- tuous, and happy, who can wish to change it, to return under a Royal government ; the vital principles of which, are the reverse in every particular ! It was my duty to lay this happy constitution before you, in its genuine light it is your duty to understand to instruct others and to defend it. . I think it my duty to declare in the awful seat of justice and before Almighty God, that in my opinion, the Ameri- cans can have no safety but by the Divine Favour, their own virtue, and their being so prudent, as not to leave it in the power of the British rulers to injure them. Indeed the ruinous and deadly injuries received on our side ; and the jealousies entertained, and which, in the nature of things, must daily increase against us on the other ; demonstrate to a mind, in the least given to reflection upon the rise and fall of empires, that true reconcilement never can exist between Great Britain and America, the latter being in subjection to the former. The Almighty created America to* be independent of Britain ; let us beware of the impiety of being backward to act as instruments in the Almighty Hand, now extended to accomplish his purpose ; and by the completion of which THOMAS JKFFERSON. 91 alone, America, in the nature of human affairs, can be secure against the craft and insidious designs of her enemies ivho think her prosperity and power already by far too great. In a word, our piety and political safety are so blended, that to refuse our labours in this divine work, is to refuse to be a great, a free, a pious, and a happy people ! And now having left the important alternative, political happiness or wretchedness, under God, in a great degree in your own hands ; I pray the supreme Arbiter of the affairs of men, so to direct your judgment, as that you may act agreeable to what seems to be his will, revealed in his miraculous works in behalf of America, bleeding at the altar of liberty ! THOMAS JEFFERSON. 1743-1826. THOMAS JEFFERSON, the " Sage of Monticello," and founder of the University of Virginia, was born at Shad- well, Albemarle County, Virginia. He was educated at William and Mary College, and early developed a rare taste for study, music, and general culture. His is one of the greatest and most interesting figures in our history. He re- ceived and adorned all the positions in the gift of his fellow- citizens, from that of member of the State Legislature to that of President of the United States, which office he twice filled. He is considered the founder of the present Demo- cratic party in politics ; and he gained imperishable fame as the author of the Declaration of Independence. He spent five years in France, succeeding Benjamin Franklin as min- ister to that country, and he introduced into the United States the decimal system of currency. THOMAS JEFFERSON. 93 His love for country life induced him to retire to Monti- cello, his place in Albemarle County, where he spent his declining years in planning and establishing the University of Virginia. His love of freedom in every possible form is shown in his plan for the University, which was, unlike most colleges of the times, to be under the patronage of no church, and the students were to be controlled like any com- munity of citizens. He was also opposed to slavery. ( See his Notes on Virginia. ) _> f He died at Monticello, July 4, 1826, on the same day with John Adams, just fifty years after the great event of their lives, the declaration of independence of the United States. The following inscription was at his own request put upon his tombstone : THOMAS JEFFERSON, Author of the Declaration of Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia. WORKS. Autobiography, Essays, Reports, Messages, and Treatises, Letters, Addresses, (9 volumes. ) Jefferson's style as a political writer is considered a model : and every citizen of the United States should be well ac- quainted with the Declaration of Independence, which has been called by competent critics the most remarkable paper of its kind in existence. His writings show a well trained mind, accustomed to observe closely and to delight in thought and truth and freedom. See under George Tucker. Consult also his Life, by Tucker, by Morse, by Sarah N. Randolph, his great-grand-daughter, Memoirs by Thos. J. Randolph (1830). 94 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. POLITICAL MAXIMS. Government has nothing to do with opinion. Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God. (Motto on his seal.) Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political ; peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none. RELIGIOUS OPINIONS AT THE AGE OF TWENTY. (From a letter to John Page. ) Perfect happiness, I believe, was never intended by the Deity to be the lot of one of his creatures in this world ; but that he has very much put in our power the nearness of our approaches to it, is what I have steadfastly believed. The most fortunate of us, in our journey through life, fre- quently meet with calamities and misfortunes, which may greatly afflict us ; and, to fortify our minds against the attacks of these calamities and misfortunes, should be one of the principal studies and endeavors of our lives. The only method of doing this is to assume a perfect resignation to the Divine will, to consider whatever does happen must happen ; and that by our uneasiness, we cannot prevent the blow before it does fall, but we may add to its force after it has fallen. These considerations, and others such as these, may enable us in some measure to surmount the difficulties thrown in our way ; to bear up with a tolerable degree of patience under this burthen of life ; and to proceed with a pious and unshaken resignation, till we arrive at our jour- ney's end, when we may deliver up our trust into the hands of him who gave it, and receive such reward as to him shall seem proportioned to our merit. Such, dear Page, will be the language of the man who considers his situation in this THOMAS JKFFKRSON. 95 life, and such should be the language of every man who would wish to render that situation as easy as the natyre of it -will admit. Few things will disturb him at all ; nothing will disturb him much. SCENERY AT HARPER S FERRY AND AT THE NATURAL BRIDGE. (Front Notes on Virginia, written in rj&i, published in tSoz,) The passage of the Patowmac through the Blue Ridge is perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in nature. You stand on a very high point of land. On your right comes up the Shenandoah, having ranged along the foot of the mountain an hundred miles to seek a vent. On your left approaches the Patowmac, in quest of a passage also. In the moment of their junction they rush together against the mountain, rend it asunder, and pass off to the sea. The first glance of this scene hurries our senses into the opinion, that this earth has been created in time, that the mountains were formed first, that the rivers began to flow afterwards, that in this place particularly they have been damned up by the Blue ridge of mountains, and have formed an ocean which filled the whole valley; that continuing to rise they have at length broken over at this spot, and have torn the mountain down from its summit to its base. The piles of rock on each hand, but particularly on the Shenandoah, the eviderit marks of their disrupture and avulsion from their beds by the most powerful agents of nature, corroborate the impression. But the distant finishing which nature has given to the picture, is of a very different character. It is a true contrast to the foreground. It is as placid and delightful, as that is wild and tremendous. For the mountain being cloven asunder, she presents to your eye, THOMAS JEFFERSON. 97 through the cleft, a small catch of smoothe blue horizon, at an infinite distance in the plain country, inviting you, as it were, from the riot and tumult roaring around, to pass through the breach and participate of the calm below. The Natural Bridge, the most sublime of nature's works, . is on the ascent of a hill, which seems to have been cloven through its length by some great con- vulsion. The fiss.ure, just at the bridge, is, by some admea- surements, 270 feet deep, by others only 205. It is about 45 feet wide at the bottom, and 90 feet at the top ; this of course determines the length of the bridge, and its height from the water. Its breadth in the middle, is about 60 feet, but more at the ends, and the thickness of the mass, at the summit of the arch, about 40 feet. A part of this thickness is constituted by a coat of earth, which gives growth to many large trees. The residue, with the hill on both sides, is one solid rock of lime-stone. The arch approaches the semi-elliptical form ; but the larger axis of the ellipsis, which would be the cord of the arch, is many times longer than the transverse. Though the sides of this bridge are provided in some parts with a parapet of fixed rocks, yet few men have the resolution to walk to them, and look over into the abyss. You involun- tarily fall on your hands and feet, creep to the parapet, and peep over it. Looking down from this height about a min- ute, gave me a violent head-ach. If the view from the top be painful and intolerable, that from below is delightful in an equal extreme. It is impos- sible for the emotions arising from the sublime, to be felt beyond "what they are here : so beautiful an arch, so ele- vated, so light, and springing as it were up to heaven ! the rapture of the spectator is really indescribable ! The fissure 7 98 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. continuing narrow, deep, and straight, for a considerable distance above and below the bridge, opens a short but very pleasing view of the North mountain on one side, and Blue ridge on the other, at the distance each of them of about five miles. This bridge, is in the county of Rockbridge, to which it has given name, and affords a public and commo- dious passage over a valley, which cannot be crossed else- where for a considerable distance. The stream passing under it is called Cedar-creek. ON FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS OPINION. Compulsion makes hypocrites, not converts. It is error alone that needs the support of government : truth can stand by itself. ON THE DISCOURSES OF CHRIST. Such are the fragments remaining to us to show a master- workman, and that his system of morality was the most benevolent and sublime that has ever been taught, and con- sequently more perfect than those of any of the ancient philosophy. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. (Font an Act Passed in the Assembly of Virginia, rj8b.) Well aware that Almighty God hath created the mind free ; that all attempts to inflence it by temporal punishments or burdens, or by civil incapacitations, tend only to beget hab- its of hypocrisy and meanness, and are a departure from the plan of the Holy Author of our religion, who being Lord both of body and mind, yet chose not to propagate it by coercions on either, as was in his Almighty power to do ; that the impious presumption of legislators and rulers, civil as well as ecclesiastical, who, being themselves but fallible and uninspired men, have assumed dominion over the faith THOMAS JEFFERSON. 99 of others, setting up their own opinions and modes of think- ing as the only true and infallible, and as such endeavouring to impose them on others, hath established and maintained false religions over the greatest part of the world, and through all time ; that to compel a man to furnish contri- butions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves, is sinful and tyrannical ; that to suffer the civil magistrate to intrude his powers into the field of opinion and to restrain the profession or propa- gation of principles, on the supposition of their ill tendency, is a dangerous fallacy, which at once destroys all religious lib- erty, because he being of course judge of that tendency, will make his opinions the rule of judgment, and approve or con- demn the sentiments of others only as they shall square with or differ from his own ; that it is time enough for the right- ful purposes of civil government, for its officers to interfere when principles break out into overt acts against peace and good order ; and finally, that truth is great and will pre- vail if left to herself, that she is the proper and sufficient antagonist to error, and has nothing to fear from the conflict, unless by human interposition disarmed of her natural weapons, free argument and debate, errors ceas- ing to be dangerous when it is permitted freely to con- tradict them : Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly, That no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or af- fect their civil capacities. 100 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. LETTER TO HIS DAUGHTER, MARTHA JEFFERSON. ( Written in France, May 21, 1787.) I write you, my dear Patsy, from the canal of Languedoc, on which I am at present sailing, as I have been for a week past, cloudless skies above, limpid waters below, and on each hand, a row of nightingales in full chorus. This de- lightful bird had given me a rich treat before, at the fountain of Vaucluse. After visiting the tomb of Laura, at Avig- non, I went to see this fountain a noble one of itself, and rendered forever famous by the songs of Petrarch, who lived near it. I arrived there somewhat fatigued, and sat down by the fountain to repose myself. It gushes, of the size of a river, from a secluded valley of the mountain, the ruins of Petrarch's chateau being perched on a rock two hundred feet perpendicular above. To add to the enchantment of the scene, every tree and bush was filled with nightingales in full song. I think you told me that you had not yet noticed this bird. As you have trees in the garden of the Convent [in Paris, where Martha -was at schooT\, there might be nightingales in them, and this is the season of their song. Endeavor, my dear, to make yourself acquainted with the music of this bird, that when you return to your own coun- try you may be able to estimate its merit in comparison with that of the mocking-bird. The latter has the advan- tage of singing through a great part of the year, whereas the nightingale sings but about five or six weeks in the spring, and a still shorter terrri, and with a more feeble voice, in the fall. I expect to be in Paris about the middle of next month. By that time we may begin to expect our dear Polly \the younger daughter, Maria~\. It will be a circumstance of in- expressible comfort to me -to have you both with me once more. The object most interesting to me for the residue of THOMAS JEFFERSON. 101 my life, will be to see you both developing daily those prin- ciples of virtue and goodness which will make you valuable to others and happy in yourselves, and acquiring those tal- ents and that degree of science which will guard you at all times against ennui, the most dangerous poison of life. A mind always employed is always happy. This is the true secret, the grand recipe, for felicity. The idle are the only wretched. In a world which furnishes so many employ- ments which are useful, and so many which are amusing, it is our own fault if we ever know what ennui is, or if we are ever driven to the miserable resource of gaming, which corrupts our dispositions, and teaches us a habit of hostility against all mankind. , We are now entering the port of Toulouse, where I quit my bark, and of course must conclude my letter. Be good and be industrious, and you will be what I shall most love in the world. Adieu, my dear child. Yours affectionately, TH. JEFFERSON. JEFFERSON'S LAST LETTER, IN ANSWER TO AN INVITATION TO BE PRESENT AT THE CELEBRATION OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, IN WASH- INGTON. TO MR. WEIGHTMAN, MAYOR OF WASHINGTON. MONTICELLO, June 24, 1826. Respected Sir: The kind invitation received from you, on the part of the citizens of the city of Washington, to be present with them at their celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of American Independence, as one of the surviving signers of an instrument pregnant with our own, and the fate of the world, is most flattering to myself, and heightened by the honorable accompaniment proposed for the comfort of such a journey. It adds sensibly to the sufferings of sickness, to 102 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. be deprived by it of a personal participation in the rejoicing of that day. But acquiescence is a duty, under circum- stances not placed among those we are permitted to control. I should, indeed, with peculiar delight, have met and ex- changed there congratulations personally with the small band, the remnant of that host of worthies, who joined with us on that day, in the bold and doubtful election we were to make for our country, between submission or the sword ; and to have enjoyed with them the consolatory fact, that our fellow-citizens, after half a century of experience and pros- perity, continue to approve the choice we made. May it be to the world, what I believe it will be (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all), the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and su- perstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government. That form which we have substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion. All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on theif backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God. These are grounds of hope for others. For ourselves, let the annual return of this day, forever re- fresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them. I will ask permission here to express the pleasure with which I should have met my ancient neighbors of the city of Washington and its vicinities, with whom I passed so many years of a pleasing social intercourse ; an intercourse which so much relieved the anxieties of the public cares, and left impressions so deeply engraved in my affections as DAVID RAMSAY. 103 never to be forgotten. With my regret that ill health for- bids me the gratification of an acceptance, be pleased to re- ceive for yourself, and those for whom you write, the assur- ance of my highest respect and friendly attachments. TH. JEFFERSON. DAVID RAMSAY. 17491815- DAVID RAMSAY was a native of Lancaster County, Penn- sylvania, was educated at Princeton, studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and removed to Charleston, S. C., for the practice of his profession. He soon acquired celebrity both as a physician and as a patriot in the Revo- lutionary struggles. He was a member of the Council of Safety and a surgeon in the army. He was one of the forty prominent citizens who were sent as hostages to St. Augus- tine at the capture of Charleston in 1780 and kept for eleven months in close confinement. His death was caused by wounds received from a maniac, who shot him in the street for testifying as to his mental unsoundness. His second wife was Martha Laurens, daughter of Henry Laurens, who had spent ten years in Europe and who was always active in intellectual and benevolent pursuits. She assisted her husband in his writing and prepared her sons for college Two of their daughters long had an excellent and celebrated school for girls in Charleston. WORKS. Orations ; Medical Essays. Memoir of Martha L. Ramsay. History of South Carolina. Universal History Americanized (13 Life of Washington. volumes.) Dr. Ramsay holds a high place as a historian, being char, acterized by impartiality, a fine memory, & clear simple Thomas Jefferson. [104] DAVID RAMSAY. 105 style, and a personal knowledge of many of the persons and events he describes, SERMON ON TEA, (1775). Touch not, taste not, handle not. BRITISH TREATY WITH THE CHEROKEES, 1755. (From History of South Carolina.) In the course of eighty years, or about the middle of the eighteenth century, the most valuable lands in the low coun- try were taken up : and settlements were gradually pro- gressing westwardly on favorite spots in the middle and upper country. The extinction of Indian claims by a ces- sion of territory to the king, was necessary to the safety of the advancing settlers. This was obtained in 1755. In that year, Governor Glen met the Cherokee warriors in their own country, and held a treaty with them. After the usual cere- monies were ended, the governor made a speech to the as- sembled warriors in the name of his king ; representing his great power, wealth, and goodness, and his particular re- gard for his children, the Cherokees. He reminded them of the happiness they had long enjoyed by living under his protection ; and added, that he had many presents to make them and expected they would surrender a share of their territories in return. He informed them of the wicked de- signs of the French, and hoped they would permit none of them to enter their towns. He demanded lands to build two forts in their country, to protect them against their ene- mies, and to be a retreat to their friends and allies, who furnished them with arms, ammunition, hatchets, clothes, and everything that they wanted. When the governor had finished his speech, Chulochcul- lak arose, and in answer spoke to the following effect : "What I now speak, our father the. great king should hear. We are brothers to the people of Carolina, one house 106 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. covers us all." Then taking a boy by the hand, he pre- sented him to the governor, saying, " We, our wives, and our children, are all children of the great king George ; I have brought this child, that when he grows up he may re- member our agreement on this day, and tell it to the next generation, that it may be known forever." Then opening his bag of earth, and laying the same at the governor's feet, he said : " We freely surrender a part of our lands to the great king. The French want our possessions, but we will defend them while one of our nation shall remain alive." Then delivering the governor a string of wampum, in con- firmation of what he said, he added : " My speech is at an end it is the voice of the Cherokee nation. I hope the governor will send it to the king, that it may be kept for- ever." SERGEANT JASPER AT FORT MOULTRIE, 28th June, 1776. (From the History of South Carolina.) The loss of the garrison was ten men killed and twenty- two wounded. Lieutenants Hall and Gray were among the latter. Though there were many thousand shots fired from the shipping, yet the works were little damaged : those which struck the \fort were ineffectually buried in its soft wood. Hardly a hut or tree on the island escaped. When the British appeared ofF the coast, there was so scanty a stock of lead, that to supply the musketry with bullets, it became necessary to strip the windows of the dwelling-houses in Charleston of their weights. Powder was also very scarce. The proportion allotted for the de- fence of the fort was but barely sufficient for slow firing. This was expended with great deliberation. The officers in their turn pointed the guns with such exactness that most of their shot took effect. In the beginning of the action, DAVID RAMSAY. 107 the flag-staff was shot away. Sergeant Jasper of the Gren- adiers immediately jumped on the beach, took up the flag and fastened it on a sponge-staff. With it in his hand he mounted the merlon ; and, though the ships were directing their incessant broadsides at the spot, he deliberately fixed it. The day after the action, President Rutledge presented him with a sword, as a mark of respect for his distinguished valor. . On the third day after the action, the lady of Colonel Bernard Elliott presented an elegant pair of colors to the second regiment, which had so bravely defended Fort Moul- trie. Her address on the occasion concluded thus : " I make not the least doubt, under heaven's protection, you will stand by these colors as long as they wave in the air of liberty." In reply a promise was made that " they should be honorably supported, and never should be tarnished, by the second regiment." This engagement was literally ful- filled. Three years after they were planted on the British lines at Savannah : one by Lieutenant Bush who was im- mediately shot down ; Lieutenant Hume in the act of planting his was also shot down ; and Lieutenant Gray in supporting them received a mortal wound. The brave Ser- geant Jasper on seeing Lieutenant Hume fall, took up the color and planted it. In doing so, he received a wound which terminated in death ; but on the retreat being or- dered he brought the colors off with him. These were taken at the fall of Charleston, and are said to be now in the tower of London. SUMPTER AND MARION. (From the Same. ) As the British advanced to the upper country of South Carolina, a considerable number of the determined friends of independence retreated before them and took refuge in North 108 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. Carolina. In this class was Colonel Sumpter ; a gentleman who had formerly commanded one of the continental regi- ments, and who was known to possess a great share of bravery and other military talents. In a very little time after he had forsaken his home, a detachment of the British turned his wife and family out of doors, burned the house and everything that was in it. A party of these exiles from South Carolina who had convened in North Carolina made choice of Colonel Sumpter to be their leader. At the head of this little band of freemen he soon returned to his own State, and took the field against the victorious British. He made this gallant effort at a time when the inhabitants had generally abandoned the idea of supporting their own inde- pendence, and when he had every difficulty to encounter. The State was no longer in a condition to pay, clothe, of feed the troops who had enrolled themselves under his com- mand. His followers were, in a great measure, unfurnished with arms and ammunition ; and they had no magazines from which they might draw a supply. The iron tools, on the neighboring farms, were worked up for their use by common blacksmiths into rude weapons of war. They supplied themselves, in part, with bullets by melting the pewter which they were furnished by private housekeepers. They sometimes came to battle when they had not three rounds a man ; and some were obliged to keep at a distance, till, by the fall of others, they were supplied with armc. When they proved victorious they were obliged to rifle the dead and wounded of their arms and ammunition to equip them for their next engagement. . .' . . ' . General Francis Marion was born at Winyaw in 1733. His grandfather was a native of Languedoc, and one of the many Protestants who fled from France to Carolina to avoid persecution on the account of religion. He left thir- JAMES MADISON. 109 *een children, the eldest of whom was the father of the general. Francis Marion, when only sixteen years of age, made choice of a sea-faring life. On his first voyage to the West Indies he was shipwrecked. TJie crew, consisting of six persons, took to the open boat without water or pro- visions ; . . . . they were six days in the boat before they made land. Two of the crew perished. Francis Marion with three others reached land. This disaster, and the entreaties of his mother, induced him to quit the sea. . . On the approach of General Gates he advanced with a small party through the country towards the Santee. On his arrival there he found a number of his countrymen ready and willing to put themselves under his command, to which he had been appointed by General Gates This corps after- wards acquired the name of Marion's brigade. In all these marches Marion and his men lay in the open air with little covering, and with little other food than sweet potatoes and meat mostly without salt. Though it was the unhealthy season of autumn, yet sickness seldom occurred. The ge-neral fared worse than his men ; for his baggage having caught fire by accident, he had literally but half a blanket to cover him from the dews of the night, and but half a hat to shelter him from the rays of the sun. JAMES MADISON. 1751-1836. JAMES MADISON, fourth president of the United States, was born at Port Conway, Virginia, and was a graduate of Princeton, where he was a profound and excellent student. He and Jefferson were always friends ; yet they differed 110 SOUTHERN LITERATURE,, in some political opinions, for Madison was a Federalist, and he contributed many papers to the periodical of that name. In 1794 he married Mrs. Dorothy Payne Todd, a lady of extraordinary beauty and rare accomplishments ; and the reign of Mrs. Dolly Madison at the White House is esteemed its most brilliant period. " Memoirs and Letters of Dolly Madison," by her grand-niece, published in 1887 at Boston, is a most interesting book. President Madison died at his home " Montpelier," Orange County, Virginia. See his Life, by W. C. Rives, and by Gay. WORKS. Madison Papers (3 vols.), [ Debates of the Unpublished Writings. Convention, 1789.] 29 Papers in the " Federalist." Professor Fiske says of Madison : " Among the founders of our nation, his place is beside that of Washington, Jef- ferson, and Marshall ; but his part was peculiar. He was pre-eminently the scholar, the profound constructive thinker, and his limitations were such as belong to that character." OPINION OF LAFAYETTE, (iN LETTERS TO JEFFERSON.) (Front Rives' Life of Madison.*) (17 Oct., 1784-) The time I have lately passed with the Marquis has given me a pretty thorough insight into his character. With great natural frankness of temper, he unites much address and very considerable talents. In his politics, he says his three hobby-horses are the alliance be- tween France and the United States, the union of the latter, and the manumission of the slaves. The two former are the dearer to him, as they are connected with his personal glory. By permission of Little, Brown, &. Company, Boston, as also the two following extracts. JAMES MADISON. Ill (20 August, 1785.) Subsequent to the date of mine in which I gave my idea of Lafayette, I had other opportuni- ties of penetrating his character. Though his foibles did not disappear, all the favorable traits presented themselves in a stronger light, on closer inspection. He certainly pos- sesses talents which^ might figure in any line. If he is am- bitious, it is rather of the praise which virtue dedicates to merit than of the homage which fear renders to power. His disposition is naturally warm and affectionate, and his attachment to the United States unquestionable. Unless I am grossly deceived, you will find his zeal sincere and use- ful, whenever it can be employed on behalf of the United States without opposition to the essential interests of France. PLEA FOR A REPUBLIC, ALTHOUGH A NEW FORM OF GOVERNMENT. (from the "Federalist," iflh No.) But why is the experiment of an extended Republic to be rejected, merely because it may comprise what is new? Is it not the glory of the people of America, that, whilst they have paid a decent regard to the opinions of former times and other nations, they have not suffered a blind veneration for antiquity, for custom, or for names, to overrule the sug- gestions of their own good sense, the knowledge of their own situation, and the lessons of their own experience? To this manly spirit posterity will be indebted for the posses- sion, and the world for the example, of the numerous im- provements displayed on the American theatre in favor of private rights and public happiness. Had no im- portant step been taken by the leaders of the Revolution for which a precedent could not be discovered ; no govern- ment established of which an exact model did not present 112 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. itself, the people of the United States might, at this mo- ment, have been numbered among the melancholy victims of misguided counsels ; must, at best, have been laboring under the weight of some of those forms which have crushed the liberties of the rest of mankind. Happily for America, happily, we trust, for the whole human race, they pursued a new and more noble course. They accom- plished a revolution which has no parallel in the annals of human society. They reared the fabrics of government, which have no model on the face of the globe. They formed the design of a great Confederacy, which it is in- cumbent on their successors to improve and perpetuate. If their works betray imperfections, we wonder at the fewness of them. If they erred most in the structure of the Union, this was the work most difficult to be executed ; this is the work which has been new-modelled by the act of your convention; and it is that act on which you are now to de- liberate and decide. CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON. (" drawn by Mr. Madison, amid the tranquil scenes of his man final retirement ; and intended . . . . for his family and friends") The strength of his character lay in his integrity, his love of justice, his fortitude, the soundness of his judgment, and his remarkable prudence ; to which he joined an elevated sense of patriotic duty, and a reliance on the enlightened and impartial world as the tribunal by which a lasting sen- tence on his career would be pronounced. Nor was he without the advantage of a stature and figure which, how- ever insignificant when separated from greatness of charac- ter, do not fail, when combined with it, to aid the attrac- tion. What particularly distinguished him was a modest ST. GEORGE TUCKER. 113 dignity, which at once commanded the highest respect and inspired the purest attachment. Although not idolizing public opinion, no man could be more attentive to the means of ascertaining it. In com- paring the candidates for office, he was particularly inquisi- tive as to their standing with the public, and the opinion entertained of them by men of public weight. On the im- portant questions to be decided by him, he spared no pains to gain information from all quarters ; freely asking from all whom he held in esteem, and who were intimate with him, a free communication of their sentiments ; receiving with great attention the arguments and opinions offered to him ; and making up his own judgment with all the leisure that was permitted. ST. GEORGE TUCKER. 1752-1828. ST. GEORGE TUCKER was born in the Bermudas, came early in life to Virginia, where he married in 1778 Mrs. Frances Bland Randolph, and thus became stepfather to John Randolph of Roanoke. He was a distinguished jurist, professor of law at William and Mary College, president- judge of the Virginia Court of Appeals, and judge of the United States District Court of Virginia. WORKS. Poems : " Days of My Youth,'' and Dissertation on Slavery : Letters on others. Alien and Sedition Laws. Probationary Odes of Jonathan Pindar, Annotated Edition of Blackstone. Esq., [Satires]. Dramas, [unpublished]. Commentary on the Constitution. In addition to his ability as a writer, he possessed fine literary taste ; and his personal character was marked by great amiability, courtliness, and patriotism. 8 5 "9 1114] ST. GEORGE TUCKER. 115 RESIGNATION, OR DAYS OF MY YOUTH. Days of my youth, Ye have glided away ; Hairs of my youth, Ye are frosted and gray : Eyes of my youth, Your keen sight is no more ; Cheeks of my jjouth Ye are furrowed all o'er, Strength of my youth, All your vigor is gone ; Thoughts of my youth, . Your gay visions are flown. u. Days of my youth, I wish not your recall ; Hairs of my youth, I'm content ye should fall ; Eyes of my youth, You much evil have seen ; Cheeks of my youth, Bathed in tears have you been; Thoughts of my youth, You have led me astray ; Strength of my youth, Why lament your decay ? Days of my age, Ye will shortly be past; Pains of my age, Yet a while ye can last; Joys of my age, In true wisdom delight; 116 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. Eyes of my age, Be religion your light; Thoughts of my age, Dread ye not the cold sod ; Hopes of my age, Be ye fixed on your God. JOHN MARSHALL. 1755-1835. JOHN MARSHALLL, third .Chief Justice of the United States, was born in Fauquier County, Virginia. He served as a soldier in the Revolution and then practised law in Ricnmond. With Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and Elbridge Gerry, he was sent to Paris in 1797 to treat of public affairs ; and it was on this occasion that Pinckney made the famous reply to the propositions of Talleyrand, "Millions for defence, not a cent for tribute." He was chief-justice of the United States for thirty-five years, being appointed in 1800 and holding the position un- til his death. One of the most celebrated cases over which he presided was the trial of Aaron Burr, 1807, in which William Wirt led the prosecution, and Luther Martin and Burr himself, the defence. His services on the Supreme Bench were not only judicial but patriotic also, as his de- cisions on points of constitutional law, being broad, clear, strong, and statesman- like, have done much to settle the foundations of our government. He died in Philadelphia whither he had gone for medical treatment. -A handsome statue of him by Story adorns the west grounds of the Capitol at Washington, and his is one of the six colossal bronze figures around the Washington Monument in Richmond. See Life, by Story, and by Ma- gruder. JOHN MARSHALL. 117 WORKS. Life ol Washington. Writings on Federal Constitution, [selec- Supreme Court Decisions. tionsby Justice Story]. " He was supremely fitted for high judicial station a solid judgment, great reasoning powers, acute and pene- trating mind ; . . attentive, patient, laborious ; grave on the bench, social in the intercourse of life ; simple in his tastes, and inexorably just." Thomas H x art Benton, in "Thirty Years' View." POWER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES. (From Case of Cohen vs. Stale of Virginia, given in Magruder's Life of Marshall *) It is authorized to decide all cases of every description arising under the Constitution or laws of the United States. From this general grant of jurisdiction no exception is made of those cases in which a State may be a party. When we consider the situation of the government of the Union and of a State in relation to each other, the nature of our Con- stitution, the subordination of the State governments to that Constitution, the great ' purpose for which jurisdic- tion over all cases arising under the Constitution and laws of the United States is confided to the judicial depart- ment, are we at liberty to insert in this general grant an exception of those cases in which a State may be a party? Will the spirit of the Constitution justify this attempt to control its words? We think it will not. We think a case arising under the Constitution or laws of the United States is cognizable in the courts of the Union, whoever may be the parties to that case. The laws must be executed by in- dividuals acting within the several States. If these indi- viduals may be exposed to penalties, and if the courts of the Union cannot correct the judgments by which these penal- By permission of Houghton, Mifflin, and Company, of Boston, as also the following. 118 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. ties may be enforced, the course of government may be at any time arrested by the will of one of its members. Each member will possess a veto on the will of the whole. That the United States form, for many and most impor- tant purposes, a single- nation has not yet been denied. These States are constituent parts of the United States. They are members of one great empire, for some purposes sovereign, for some purposes subordinate. In a government so constituted is it unreasonable that the judicial power should be competent to give efficacy to the constitutional laws of the legislature? That department can decide on the validity of the Constitution or law of a State, if it be re- pugnant to the Constitution or to a law of the United States. Is it unreasonable that it should also be empowered to decide on the judgment of a State tribunal enforcing such unconstitutional law? Is it so very unreasonable as to furnish a justification for controlling the words of the Con- stitution? We think not. . : . . THE DUTIES OF A JUDGE. Advert, sir, to the duties of a judge. He has to pass between the government and the man whom that govern- ment is prosecuting ; between the most powerful individual in the community and the poorest and most unpopular. It is of the last importance that, in the exercise of these duties he should observe the utmost fairness. Need I press the necessity of this? Does not every man feel that his own personal security and the security of his property depends on that fairness? The judicial department comes home, in its effects, to every man's fireside ; it passes on his property, his reputation, his life, his all. Is it not to the last degree important that he should be rendered perfectly and com- pletely independent, with nothing to influence or control HENRY LEE. 119 him, but God and his conscience? ... I have always thought, from my earliest youth until now, that the greatest scourge an angry Heaven ever inflicted upon an ungrateful and sinning people was an ignorant, a corrupt, or a dependent judiciary. Our ancestors thought so ; we thought so until very lately ; and I trust that the. vote of this day will show that we think so still. Will you draw down this curse on Virginia ? HENRY LEE. 1756=1818. HENRY LEE, " Light-Horse Harry," of the Revolution, and father of General R. E. Lee, was born at Leesylvania, Westmoreland County, Virginia. His father was also named Henry Lee, and his mother was Lucy Grymes, the famous " lowland beauty," who first captured Washington's heart. Her son was a favorite of his, and it is an interesting fact that it was this same Henry Lee who delivered by request of Con- gress the funeral oration on Washington. In it he used those now well-known words, " First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen." He was educated at Princeton, and joined the American army in 1777, with his company, as Captain Lee. He rose successively to be major, colonel, general ; and after the war he served in the Continental Congress and in the Vir- ginia Legislature. He was injured in a riot at Baltimore, while trying to defend a friend, and went to Cuba for his health ; but he died on his way home, at Cumberland Island on the coast of Georgia, at the home of General Greene's daughter, Mrs. Shaw. With his first wife, his cousin Matilda Lee, he ob- tained Stratford House, where R. E. Lee was born ; whose 120 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. mother however, was the second wife, Anne Hill Carter of Shirley. WORK. Memoirs of the War in the Southern De- his sons, Henry and R. E. Lee. partmcnt of the United States, edited by General Lee's " Memoirs of the War" is a life-like and spirited narrative of events in which he was an actor. The style is plain and clear. His style as an orator is seen in his celebrated Funeral Oration, of which we give the clos- ing sentences. CAPTURE OF FOHT MOTTE BY LEE AND MARION, MAY, 1780. (from General Henry Lee's Memoirs qf the War.) This post was the principal depot of the convoys from Charleston to Camden, and sometimes for those destined for Fort Granby and Ninety-Six. A large new mansion house, belonging to Mrs. Motte, situated on a high and command- ing hill, had been selected for this establishment. It was surrounded with a deep trench, along the interior margin of which was raised a strong and lofty parapet. To this post had been regularly assigned an adequate garrison of about one hundred and fifty men, which was now accidentally in- creased by a small detachment of dragoons, which had ar- rived from Charleston a few hours before the appearance of the American troops, on its way to Camden with despatches for Lord Rawdon. Captain M'Pherson commanded, an of- ficer highly and deservedly respected. Opposite to Fort Motte, to the north, stood another hill, where Mrs. Motte, having been dismissed from her mansion, resided, in the old farmhouse. On this height Lieutenant- Colonel Lee with his corps took post, while Brigadier Ma- HENRY LEE. 121 rion occupied the eastern declivity of the ridge on which the fort stood. The vale which runs between the two hills admitted our safe approach within four hundred yards of the fort. This place was selected by Lee to break ground. Relays of work- ing parties being provided for every four hours, and some of the negroes from the neighbouring plantations being brought, by the influence of Marion, to our assistance, the works ad- vanced with rapidity. Such was their forwardness on the loth, that it was determined to summon the commandant. A flag was accordingly despatched to Captain M'Pherson, stating to him with truth our relative situation, and admon- ishing him to avoid the disagreeable consequences of an ar- rogant temerity. To this the captain replied, that, disre- garding consequences, he should continue to resist to the last moment. The retreat of Rawdon was known in the even- ing to the besiegers ; and in the course of the night a cou- rier arrived from General Greene confirming that event, urg- ing redoubled activity, and communicating his determina- tion to hasten to their support. Urged by these strong con- siderations, Marion and Lee persevered throughout the night in pressing the completion of their works. On the next day, Rawdon reached the country opposite to Fort Motte ; and in the succeeding night encamping on the highest ground in his route, the illumination of his fires gave the joyful an- nunciation of his approach to the despairing garrison. But the hour was close at hand, when this joy was to be con- verted into sadness. The large mansion in the centre of the encircling trench, left but a few yards of the ground within the enemy's works uncovered ; burning the house must force their surrender. Persuaded that our ditch would be within arrow shot be- fore noon of the next day, Marion and Lee determined to 122 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. adopt this speedy mode of effecting their object. Orders were instantly issued to prepare bows and arrows, with mis- sive combustible matter. This measure was reluctantly adopted ; for the destruction of private property was repug- nant to the principles which swayed the two commandants, and upon this occasion was peculiarly distressing. The de- voted house was a large, pleasant edifice, intended for the summer residence of the respectable owner, whose deceased husband had been a firm patriot, and whose only marriagea- ble daughter was the wife of Major Pinckney, an officer in the South Carolina line, who had fought and bled in his country's cause, and was now a prisoner with the enemy. These considerations powerfully forbade the execution of the proposed measure ; but there were others of much co- gency, which applied personally to Lieutenant Colonel Lee, and gave a new edge to the bitterness of the scene. Encamping contiguous to Mrs. Motte's dwelling, this of- ficer had, upon his arrival, been requested in the most press- ing terms to make her house his quarters. The invitation was accordingly accepted ; and not only the lieutenant col- onel, but every officer of his corps, off" duty, daily experi- enced her liberal hospitality, politely proffered and as po- litely administered. Nor was the attention of this amiable lady confined to that class of war which never fail to at- tract attention. While her richly spread table presented with taste and fashion all the luxuries of her opulent coun- try, and her sideboard offered without reserve the best wines of Europe antiquated relics of happier days her active benevolence found its way to the sick and to the wounded ; cherishing with softest kindness infirmity and misfortune, converting despair into hope, and nursing debility into strength. Nevertheless the obligations of duty were im- perative ; the house must burn ; and a respectful communi- HENRY LBE. 123 cation to the lady of her destined loss must be made. Tak- ing the first opportunity which offered, the next morning, Lieutenant Colonel Lee imparted to Mrs. Motte the intended measure ; lamenting the sad necessity, and assuring her of the deep regret which the unavoidable act excited in his and every breast. With a smile of complacency this exemplary lady listened to the embarrassed officer, and gave instant relief to his agi- tated feelings, by declaring, that she was gratified with the opportunity of contributing to the good of her country, and that she should view the approaching scene with delight. Shortly after, seeing accidentally the bows and arrows which had been prepared, she sent for the lieutenant colonel, and presenting him with a bow and its apparatus imported from India, she requested his substitution of these, as probably better adapted for the object than those we had provided. Receiving with silent delight this opportune present, the lieutenant colonel rejoined his troops, now making ready for the concluding scene. The lines were manned, and an ad- ditional force stationed at the battery, lest the enemy, per- ceiving his fate, might determine to risk a desperate assault, as offering the only chance of relief. As soon as the troops reached their several points, a flag was again sent to M'Pher- son, for the purpose of inducing him to prevent the confla- gration and the slaughter which might ensue, by a second representation of his actual condition. Doctor Irvine, of the legion cavalry, was charged with the flag, and instructed to communicate faithfully the inevi- table destruction impending, and the impracticability of re- lief, as Lord Rawdon had not yet passrd the Santee ; with an assurance that longer perseverance in vain resistance, would place the garrison at the mercy of the conqueror ; who was not regardless of the policy of preventing waste 124 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. of time by inflicting exemplary punishment, where resist- ance was maintained only to produce such waste. The British captain received the flag with his usual politeness, and heard patiently Irvine's explanations ; but he remained immovable ; repeating his determination of holding out to the last. It was now about noon, and the rays of the scorching sun had prepared the shingle roof for the projected conflagra- tion. The return of Irvine was immediately followed by the application of the bow and arrows. The first arrow struck and communicated its fire ; a second was shot at another quarter of the roof, and a third at a third quarter ; this last also took effect, and, like the first, soon kindled a blaze. M'Pherson ordered a party to repair to the loft of the house, and by knocking off the shingles to stop the flames. This was soon perceived, and Captain Finley was directed to open his battery, raking the loft from end to end. The fire of our six pounder, posted close to one of the gable ends of the house, soon drove the soldiers down ; and no other effort to stop the flames being practicable, M'Pher- son hung out the white flag. . . Powerfully as the present occasion called for punishment, and rightfully as it might have been inflicted, not a drop of blood was shed, nor any part of the enemy's baggage taken. M'Pherson and his officers accompanied their captors to Mrs. Motte's, and partook with them of a sumptuous din- ner ; soothing in the sweets of social intercourse the ire which the preceding conflict had engendered. THE FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY. (From the funeral oration, 1800.) First in war first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in the humble and HENRY LEE. 125 endearing scenes of private life ; pious, just, humane, tem- perate, and sincere ; uniform, dignified, and commanding, his example -was as edifying to all around him, as were the effects of that example lasting. To his equals he was condescending, to his inferiors kind, and to the dear objects of his affections exemplarily tender; correct throughout, vice shuddered in his pres- ence, and virtue always felt his fostering hand ; the purity of his private character gave efflulgence to his public virtues. His last scene comported with the whole tenor of his life although in extreme pain, not a sigh, not a groan escaped him ; and with undisturbed serenity, he closed his well-spent life. Such was the man America has lost such was the man for whom our nation mourns. Methinks I see his august image, and I hear falling from his venerable lips these deep-sinking words : " Cease, sons of America, lamenting our separation : go on, and confirm by your wisdom the fruits of our joint coun- cils, joint efforts, and common dangers ; reverence religion, diffuse knowledge throughout your land, patronize the arts and sciences ; let Liberty and Order be inseparable com- panions. Control party spirit, the bane of free govern- ments ; observe good faith to, and cultivate peace with all nations, shut up every avenue to foreign influence, contract rather than extend national connection, rely on yourselves only ; be Americans in thought, word and deed ; thus will you give immortality to that union which was the constant object of my terrestrial labors ; thus will you preserve undis- turbed to the latest posterity the felicity of a people to me most dear, and thus will you supply (if my happiness is now aught to you) the only vacancy in the round of pure bliss high Heaven bestows." 126 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. MASON LOCKE WEEMS. 17601825. MASON LOCKE WEEMS was born at Dumfries, Virginia, and educated in London as a clergyman. He was for some years rector of Pohick Church, Mt. Vernon parish, of which Washington was an attendant. His health demanding a change of occupation, he became agent for the publishing house of Matthew Carey of Philadelphia, and was very successful, being "equally ready for a stump, a fair, or a pulpit." He played the violin, read, recited, and was hu- morous and interesting in conversation. His writings are attractive and often very eloquent and forcible ; but we know not how much of his narratives to believe. His " Life of Washington " is the most popular and widely read of the many lives of that great man ; to it alone we are indebted for the Hatchet Story. WORKS. Life of Washington. Life of Penn. Life of Franklin. The Philanthropist, [a tract prefaced by Life of Marion. an autograph letter from Washington.] THE HATCHET STORY. (Front Life of Washington.') The following anecdote is a case in point ; it is too valua- ble to be lost, and too true to be doubted, for it was commu- , nicated to me by the same excellent lady to whom I was indebted for the last, [a relative of the Washington family.] " When George," she said, " was about six years old, he was made the wealthy master of a hatchet! of which, like most little boys, he was immoderately fond, and was con- stantly going about chopping everything that came in his JOHN DRAYTON. 127 way. One day, in the garden, where he often amused him- self hacking his mother's pea-sticks, he unluckily tried the edge of his hatchet on the body of a beautiful young English cherry-tree, which he barked so terribly that I don't believe the tree ever got the better of it. The next morning the old gentleman finding out what had befallen his tree, which, by the by, was a great favorite, came into the house, and with much warmth asked for the mischievous author, de- claring at the same time that he would not have taken five guineas for his tree. Nobody could tell him anything about it. Presently George and his hatchet made their appear- ance. " George," said his father, " do you know who killed that beautiful little cherry-tree yonder in the garden ? " This was a tough question, and George staggered under it for a moment; but quickly recovered himself; and looking at his father, with the sweet face of youth brightened with the inexpressible charm of all-conquering truth, he bravely cried out, " I can't tell a lie, Pa ; you know I can't tell a lie ; I did cut it with my hatchet." " Run to my arms, you dearest boy," cried his father in transports, " run to my arms. Glad am I, George, that you ever killed my tree, for you have paid me for it a thousand-fold. Such an act of heroism in my son, is more worth than a thousand trees, though blos- somed with silver, and their fruits of purest gold." JOHN DRAYTON. 1766-1822. JOHN DRAYTON, son of William Henry Drayton, was born in South Carolina, educated at Princeton and in Eng- land, and became a lawyer. He was governor of South Carolina, 1800-2, and again 1808- 10; and he was District Judge of the United States at the time of his death. 128 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. WORKS. Letters written' during a tour through the Memoirs of the Revolution in South Caro- Northern and Eastern States. lina, [prepared mainly from his father's A View of South Carolina. manuscripts]. Governor Drayton's writings are characterized by a de- sire to express the simple and exact truth. His style carries with it a conviction of his sincerity and of the reliability of his narrative. A REVOLUTIONARY OBJECT LESSON IN THE CAUSE OF PATRI- OTISM, APRIL 1775. (From Memoirs of the Revolution.') With all these occurrences, men's minds had become agi- tated ; and it was deemed proper to bring forth something calculated to arrest the public attention, to throw odium on the British Administration, to put down the Crown officers in the Province, and to invigorate the ardor of the people. And nothing was deemed more likely to effect the same than some public exhibition which might speak to the sight and senses of the multitude. For this purpose effigies were brought forward, supposed to be by the authority or connivance of the Secret Commit- tee. . . . They represented the Pope, Lord Grenville, Lord North, and the Devil. They were placed on the top of a frame capable of containing one or two persons within it ; and the frame was covered over with thick canvas, so that those within could not be distinguished. In the front of the frame on the top, the Pope was seated in a chair of state, in his pontifical dress ; and at a distance immediately behind him the Devil was placed in a standing position, holding a barbed dart in his right hand ; between the Pope and the Devil, on each side, Lords Grenville and North were stationed. Thus finished the frame and effigies were fixed on four wheels ; and early in the morning, this un- JOHN DRAYTON. 129 common spectacle was stationed between the Market and St. Michael's Church in Broad-street to the gaze of the citizens. Many were the surmises respecting it ; but at length by its evolutions, it soon began to explain the purposes for which it was constructed. For no sooner did any of the Crown offi- cers, Placemen, Counsellors, or persons known to be disaffect- ed to the common cause, pass by than the Pope immediately bowed with proportioned respect to them , and the Devil at the same moment striking his dart at th; head of the Pope convulsed the populace with bursts of laughter. While on the other hand, the immovable effigies of Lords Grenville and North, appearing like attendants on the Pope or criminals, moved the people with sentiments of disgust and contempt against them and the whole British Administration, for the many oppressive acts which they had been instrumental in procuring to be passed through both Houses of Parliament. In this manner the machine was exposed ; after which it was paraded through the town the whole day by the mob ; and in the evening, they carried it beyond the town where surrounding it with tar barrels the whole was committed to the flames. Nor did the idea or influence of the thing end here for boys forsook their customary sports to make models like it, with which having amused themselves, and having roused their youthful spirits into a detestation of oppression, they also committed them to the flames. And many of those very boys supported with their services and blood the rights and liberties of their country. THE BATTLE OF NOEWEE, BETWEEN THE SOUTH CAROLINIANS AND THE CHEROKEES, 1776. (From Memoirs of the Revolution in South Carolina.) The army now crossed Cannucca Creek, and was proceed- ing towards Noewee Creek when tracks of the enemy's 9 130 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. spies were discovered about half past ten o'clock, A. M., and the army was halted and thrown into close order. It then proceeded on its left towards a narrow valley, bordering on Noewee Creek, and enclosed on each side by lofty moun- tains, terminated at the extremity by others equally difficult ; and commenced entering the same, for the purpose of cross- ing the Appalachean Ridge, which separated the Middle Settlements from those in the Vallies. These heights were occupied by twelve hundred Indian Warriors ; nor were they discovered, until the advance guard of one hundred men began to mount the height, which ter- minated the valley. The army having thus completely fallen into the ambuscade of the enemy, they poured in a heavy fire upon its front and flanks ; compelling it to recoil, and fall into confusion. Great was the perturbation which then prevailed, the cry being, " We shall be cut off";" and while Col. Williamson's attention was imperiously called to rally his men, and charge the enemy, he was at the same time obliged to reinforce the baggage guard, on which the subsistence of the army depended for provisions, in this mountainous wilderness. In this extremity, Lieutenant-Colonel Hammond caused detachments to file off, for the purpose of gaining the emi- nences above the Indians, and turning their flanks ; while Lieutenant Hampton with twenty men, advanced upon the enemy, passing the main advance guard of one hundred men : who, being panic-struck, were rapidly retreating. Hampton, however, clambered up the ascent, with a manly presence of mind ; which much encouraged all his follow- ers : calling out, ".Loaded guns advance empty guns, fall down and load: " and being joined by thirty men, he charged desperately on the foe. The Indians now gave way ; and a panic passing among them from right to left, the troops WILLIAM WIRT. 131 rallied and pressed them with such energy, as induced a general flight : and the army was thereby rescued from a total defeat aud massacre. Besides this good fortune, they became possessed of so many packs of deer skins and baggage ; that they sold among the individuals of the army, for 1,200 currency; and which sum was equally distributed among the troops. In this engagement, the killed of Williamson's army, were thirteen men, and one Catawba Indian ; and the wounded were, thirty-two men, and two Catawbas. Of the enemy, only four were found dead, and their loss would have been more considerable, if many of them had not been mistaken for the friendly Catawbas, who were in front. WILLIAM WIRT. 1772-1834. WILLIAM WIRT was born at Bladensburg, Maryland, and received an early and excellent education. He removed to Virginia in 1791 and began the practice of law, in which profession he rose to great and singular eminence. He was elected Chancellor of Virginia in 1801, led the prosecution in the Aaron Burr trial, 1807, and was con- cerned in several other famous cases. In 1817 he was ap- pointed Attorney-General of the United States and lived in Washington twelve years. In 1826 he delivered before Con- gress the address on the death of John Adams and of Thomas Jefferson ; which occurred on the Fourth of July, of that year, just fifty years after the Declaration of Inde- pendence. His health giving way under his severe labors and distress for the death of his son Robert, he resigned his office. He 132 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. said, "All, all is vanity and vexation of spirit, except reli gion, friendship, and literature. ' ; He removed to Baltimore and resumed the practice of law. He was a man of fine ap- pearance and charming social graces. It is related that on one occasion he kept a party of friends up all night long, to their utter astonishment, merely by the powers of his de- lightful conversation. See " Memoirs of Wirt " by Kennedy. WORKS. Letters of the British Spy. Old Bachelor, [a series of essays 'by a Rainbow, [essays]. group of friends, Wirt, Dabney Carr, George Life of Patrick Henry. Tucker, and others]. Addresses. Wirt's style both in writing and speaking has been often and justly praised for its grace, culture, and luxuriance. His " British Spy " is composed of ten letters supposed to be left at an inn by a spy, giving opinions on various things and an account especially of public men and orators that he has met in his travels in America. These letters are esteemed Wirt's best literary work, although his " Life of Patrick Henry " is perhaps better known on account of its subject. THE BLIND PREACHER, (jAMES WADDELL.*) (From The British Spy .) It was one Sunday, as I travelled through the county of Orange, [Virginia], that my eye was caught by a cluster of horses tied near a ruinous, old, wooden house in the forest, not far from the roadside. Having frequently seen such objects before, in travelling through those States, I had no difficulty in understanding that this was a place of religious worship. * James Waddell, it is said, was a relative of the celebrated teacher. Dr. Moses Waddell, of Georgia, president of the State University, 1819-29. WILLIAM Wmt. 133 Devotion alone should have stopped me, to join in the du- ties of the congregation ; but I must confess that curiosity to hear the preacher of such a wilderness, was not the least of my motives. On entering, I was struck with his preter- natural appearance. He was a tall and very spare old man ; his head which was covered with a white linen cap, his shrivelled hands, and his voice, were -all shaking under the influence of a palsy ; and a few moments ascertained to me that he was perfectly blind. The first emotions that touched my breast were those of mingled pity and veneration. But how soon were all my feelings changed ! The lips of Plato were never more worthy of a prognostic swarm of bees, than were the lips of this holy man ! It was a day of the administration of the sac- rament; and his subject was, of course, the passion of our Saviour. I have heard the subject handled a thousand times ; I had thought it exhausted long ago. Little did I suppose that in the wild woods of America, I was to meet with a man whose eloquence would give to this topic a new and more sublime pathos than I had ever before witnessed. As he descended from the pulpit to distribute the mystic symbols, there was a peculiar, a more than human solemnity in his air and manner, which made my blood run cold, and my whole frame shiver. He then drew a picture of the sufferings of our Saviour ; his trial before Pilate ; his ascent up Calvary ; his crucifix- ion ; and his death. I knew the whole history ; but never until then had I heard the circumstances so selected, so ar- ranged, so colored ! It was all new ; and I seemed to have heard it for the first time in my life. His enunciation was so deliberate that his voice trembled on every syllable ; and every heart in the assembly trembled in unison. His pecu- liar phrases had the force of description, that the original 184 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. scene appeared to be at that moment acting before our eyes. We saw the very faces of the Jews ; the staring, frightful distortions of malice and rage. We saw the buffet ; my soul kindled with a flame of indignation ; and my hands were involuntarily and convulsively clinched. But when he came to touch on the patience, the forgiving meekness of our Saviour ; when he drew, to the life, his blessed eyes streaming in tears to heaven ; his voice breath- ing to God a soft and gentle prayer of pardon on his ene- mies, " Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," the voice of the preacher, which had all along fal- tered, grew fainter and fainter, until, his utterance being entirely obstructed by the force of his feelings, he raised his handkerchief to his eyes, and burst into a loud and irre- pressible flood of grief. The effect is inconceivable. The whole house resounded \vith the mingled groans, and sobs, and shrieks of the congregation. It was some time before the tumult had subsided, so far as to permit him to proceed. Indeed, judging by the usual, but fallacious standard of my own weakness, I began to be very uneasy for the situation of the preacher. For I could not conceive how he would be able to let his audience down from the height to which he had wound them, without im- pairing the solemnity and dignity of his subject, or perhaps shocking them by the abruptness of the fall. But no : the descent was as beautiful and sublime as the elevation had been rapid and enthusiastic. The first sentence, with which he broke the awful silence, was a quotation from Rousseau : " Socrates died like a phi- losopher, but Jesus Christ, like a God! " I despair of giving you any idea of the effect produced by this short sentence, unless you could perfectly conceive the whole manner of the man, as well as the peculiar crisis WILLIAM WIRT. 135 in the discourse. Never before did I completely understand what Demosthenes meant by laying such stress on delivery. You are to bring before you the venerable figure of the preacher; his blindness, constantly recalling to your recol- lection old Homer, Ossian, and Milton, and associating with his performance the melancholy grandeur of' their geniuses ; you are to imagine that you hear his slow, solemn, well- accented enunciation, and his voice of affecting trembling melody ; you are to remember the pitch of passion and en- thusiasm to which the congregation were raised ; and then the few moments of portentous, deathlike silence which reigned throughout the house ; the preacher removing his white handkerchief from his aged face, (even yet wet from the recent torrent of his tears), and slowly stretching forth the palsied hand which holds it, begins the sentence, " Soc- rates died like a philosopher," then, pausing, raising his other hand, pressing them both, clasped together, with warmth and energy, to his breast, lifting his " sightless balls " to heaven, and pouring his whole soul into his trem- ulous voice "but Jesus Christ like a God!" If it had indeed and in truth been an angel of light, the effect could scarcely have been more divine. MR. HENRY AGAINST JOHN HOOK. (Prom Life of Patrick Henry.) Hook was a Scotchman, a man of wealth, and suspected of being unfriendly to the American cause. During the dis- tresses of the American army, consequent upon the joint invasion of Cornwallis and Phillips in 1781, a Mr. Venable, an army commissary, had taken two of Hook's steers for the use of the troops. The act had not been strictly legal ; and on the establishment of peace, Hook, under the advice of Mi. Cowan, a gentleman of some distinction in the law, 136 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. thought proper to bring an action of trespass against Mr. Venable, in the district court of New London. Mr. Henry appeared for the defendant, and is said to have disported himself in this cause to the infinite enjoyment of his hear- ers, the unfortunate Hook always excepted. After Mr. Henry became animated in the cause, says a correspondent [Judge Stuart], he appeared to have complete control over the passions of his audience : at one time he excited their indignation against Hook : vengeance was visible in every countenance ; again, when he chose to relax and ridicule him, the whole audience was in a roar of laughter. He painted the distresses of the American army, exposed almost naked to the rigour of a winter's sky, and marking the frozen ground over which they marched, with the blood of their unshod feet " where was the man," he said, " who had an American heart in his bosom, who would not have thrown open his fields, his barns, his cellar, the doors of his house, the portals of his breast, to have received with open arms, the meanest soldier in that little band of patriots? Where is the man? There he stands bu; whether the heart of an American beats in his bosom, you, gentlemen, are to judge." He then carried the jury, by the powers of his imagination, to the plains around York, the surrender of which had followed shortly after the act complained of: he depicted the surrender in the most glowing and noble colors of his eloquence the audience saw before their eyes the humiliation and dejection of the British, as they marched out of their trenches they saw the triumph which lighted up every patriot face, and heard the shouts of victory, and the cry of " Washington and Liberty ! ", as it rung and echoed through the American ranks, and was reverberated from the hills and shores of the neighboring river " but, hark !, what notes of discord are these which disturb the JOHN RANDOLPH. 137 general joy, and silence the acclamations of victory? They are the notes of John Hook, hoarsely bawling through the American camp, beef! beef! beef! " The whole audience was convulsed : a particular incident will give a better idea of the effect, than any general de- scription. The clerk of the court, unable to command him- self, and unwilling to commit any breach of decorum in his place, rushed out of the court-house, and threw himself on the grass, in the most violent paroxysm of laughter, where he was rolling, when Hook, with very different feelings, came out for relief into the yard also. "Jemmy Steptoe," said he to the clerk, "what the devil ails ye, mon? " Mr. Steptoe was only able to say, that he could not help it, "Never mind ye," said Hook, ''wait till Billy Cowan gets up: he'll s/iotv him the la'." Mr. Cowan, however, was so completely overwhelmed by the torrent which bore upon his client, that when he rose to reply to Mr. Henry, he was scarcely able to make an intelligible or audible remark. The cause was decided almost by acclamation. The jury retired for form's sake, and instantly returned with a verdict for the defendant. Nor did the effect of Mr. Henry's speech stop here. The people were so highly excited by the tory audacity of such a suit, that Hook began to hear around him a cry more terrible than that of beef; it was the cry of tar and feathers: from the application of which, it is said, that nothing saved him but a precipitate flight and the speed of his horse. JOHN RANDOLPH. JOHN RANDOLPH of Roanoke, was born at Cawson's, Virginia, being a descendant of Pocahontas in the seventh 138 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. generation. He lost his father early in life. His beautiful mother, to whom he was devotedly attached, afterwards married St. George Tucker, who happily was a true father to her children and educated John himself. Her death in 1788 was a life-long distress to her gifted son. He was a prominent actor in all the stirring political life of the times, being in Congress from 1800 until his death, except from 1812 to 1814, and again in 1830 when he was minister to Russia, a position which he resigned, however, in order to return to the excitement of politics at home. He freed his slaves by will on his death, which occurred in Philadelphia as he was preparing to go abroad for his health. Many anecdotes are told of him, and he is one of the most interesting and striking figures in our history. See Ben- ton's account of his duel with Clay ; also Life, by Garland, and by Adams. WORKS. Letters to a Young Relative. , Addresses. John Randolph is noted for his wit, eloquence, and a power of sarcasm scathing in its intensity which he often employed, thereby making many enemies. " He is indeed original and unique in everything. His language is simple, though polished, brief, though rich, and as direct as the ar- row from the Indian bow." Paulding. THE REVISION OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION. (From a Speech in the Legislature, rSzq.) Doctor Franklin who in shrewdness, especially in all that related to domestic life, was never excelled, used to say that two movings were equal to one fire. And gentlemen, as if they were afraid that this besetting sin of republican gov- ernments, this rerum novarum lubido (to use a very homely phrase, but that conies pat to the purpose), this maggot of JOHN RANDOLPH. 139 innovation, would cease to bite, are here gravely making provision that this Constitution, which we should consider as a remedy for all the ills of the body politic, may itself be amended or modified at any future time. Sir, I am against any such provision. I should as soon think of introducing into a marriage contract a provision for divorce, and thus poisoning the greatest blessing of mankind at its very source, at its fountain-head. He has seen little, and has reflected less, who does not know that "necessity" is the great, powerful, governing principle of affairs here. Sir, I am not going into that question which puzzled Pandemo- nium, the question of liberty and necessity,- " Free will, fixed fate, foreknowledge absolute ; " but I do contend that necessity is one principal instrument of all the good that man enjoys. The happiness of the connu- bial union itself depends greatly on necessity, and when you touch this you touch the arch, the keystone of the arch, on which the happiness and well-being of society is founded. Look at the relation of master and slave (that opprobium, in the opinion of some gentlemen, to all civilized society and all free government). Sir, there are few situations in life where friendships so strong and so lasting are formed as in that very relation. The slave knows that he is bound indissolubly to his master, and must, from necessity, remain always under his control. The master knows he is bound to maintain and provide always for his slave so long as he retains him in his possession. And each party accommodates himself to the situation. I have seen the dissolution of many friendships, such, at least, as they were called ; but I have seen that of master and slave endure so long as there remained a drop of blood of the master to which the slave could cleave. Where is the necessity of this provision in the Constitu- tion? Where is the asa of it? Sir, what are we about? 140 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. Have we not been undoing what the wiser heads I must be permitted to say so yes, Sir, what the wiser heads of our ancestors did more than half a century ago? Can any one believe that we, by any amendment of ours, by any of our scribbling on that parchment, by any amulet, by any legerdemain charm Abracadabra of ours can prevent our sons from doing the same thing, that is, from doing what they please, just as we are doing as we please? It is impossible. Who can bind posterity ? When I hear gen- tlemen talk of making a Constitution for "all time," and introducing provisions into it for "all time," and yet see men here who are older than the Constitution we are about to destroy (I am older myself than the present Constitution : it was established when I was a boy), it reminds me of the truces and the peaces of Europe. They always begin, " In the name of the most holy and undivided Trinity/' and go on to declare " there shall be perfect and perpetual peace and unity between the subjects of such and such potentates for all time to come ; " and in less than seven years they are at war again. GEORGE TUCKER. 1775-1861. GEORGE TUCKER, a relative of St. George Tucker, was, like him, born in the Bermudas, and came to Virginia in 1787. He was reared and educated by St. George Tucker, and practiced law in Lynchburg. He served in the State Legislature and in Congress, and in 1825 he was elected professor of Moral Philosophy and Political Economy in the University of Virginia, a position which he filled for twenty years. His novel, " Valley of the Shenandoah," vvas reprinted in England and translated into German. i 142 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. WORKS. Essays in " Old Bachelor" Series. Theory of Money and Banks. Letters on the Conspiracy of Slaves. Essay on Cause and Effect. Letters on the Roanoke Navigation. Association of Ideas. Recollections of Eleanor Rosalie Tucker. Dangers Threatening the United States. Essays on Taste, Morals, and Policy. Progress of the United States. VaHey of the Shenandoah. Life of Dr. John P. Emmet. A Voyage to the Moon. History of the United States. Principles of Rent, Wages, &c. Banks or No Banks. Literature of the United States. Essays Moral and Philosophical. Life of Thomas Jefferson. Political Economy. Prof. Tucker was a voluminous writer and treated many subjects. One or two early works of imagination and fancy gave place later to philosophy and political economy, and his style is eminently that of a thinker. JEFFERSON'S PREFERENCE FOR COUNTRY LIFE. (From Life of Jefferson. ) He tells the Baron that he is savage enough to prefer the woods, the wilds, and the independence of Monticello, to all the brilliant pleasures of the gay metropolis of France. " I shall therefore," he says, " rejoin myself to my native country, with new attachments, and with exaggerated es- teem for its advantages ; for though there is less wealth there, there is more freedom, more ease, and less misery." Declarations of this kind often originate in insincerity and affectation ; sometimes from the wish to appear superior to those sensual indulgences and light amusements which are to be obtained only in cities, and sometimes from the pride of seeming to despise what is beyond our reach. But the sentiment here expressed by Mr. Jefferson is truly felt by many an American, and we have no reason to doubt it was felt also by him. There is a charm in the life which one has been accustomed to in his youth, no matter what the modes of that life may have been', which always retains its hold on the heart. The Indian who has passed his first GEORGE TUCKER. 143 years with his tribe, is never reconciled to the habits and restraints of civilized life. And although in more artificial and advanced stages of society, individuals, whether they have been brought up in the town or the country, are not equally irreconcilable to a change from one to the other, it commonly takes some time to overcome their preference for the life they have been accustomed to; and in many in- stances it is never overcome, but continues to haunt the im- agination with pleasing pictures of the past or imaginations of the future, when hope gives assurance that those scenes of former enjoyment may be renewed. That most of our country gentlemen, past the heyday of youth, would soon tire of Paris, and pant after the simple pleasures and ex- emption from restraint which their own country affords, is little to be wondered at ; but it is the more remarkable in Mr. Jefferson, and more clearly illustrates the force of early habit, when it is recollected that he found in the French metropolis that society of men of letters and science which he must often have in vain coveted in his own country, and that here he met with those specimens of music, painting, and architecture, for which he had so lively a relish. But in these comparisons between the life we are leading and that which we have left, or are looking forward to, we must always allow much to the force of the imagination, and there are few men who felt its influence more than Mr. Jef- ferson. In one of his letters to Mr. Carmichael, he says, " I sometimes think of building a little hermitage at the Natural Bridge, (for it is my property), and of passing there a part of the year at. least." ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNIVERS/TY OK VIRGINIA. (From the Same.) We have seen that the subject of education had long been a favourite object with Mr. Jefferson, partly from his own 144 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. lively relish for literature and science, and partly because he deemed the diffusion of knowledge among the people essen- tial to the wise administration of a popular government, and even to its stability. He had not long retired from public life, before the subject again engaged his serious at- tention, and, besides endeavouring to enlist men of influ- ence in behalf of his favourite scheme of dividing the coun- ties of the State into wards, and giving the charge of its elementary schools to these little commonwealths, be also aimed to establish a college, in the neighbourhood of Char- lottesville, for teaching the higher branches of knowledge, and which, from its central and healthy situation, might be improved into a university. He lived to see this object accomplished, and it owed its success principally to his efforts. It engrossed his attention for more than eleven years, in which time he exhibited his wonted judgment and address, in overcoming the numerous obstacles he encountered, and a diligence and perseverance which would have been creditable to the most vigorous pe- riod of life. . . . . '". " . In getting the university into operation, he seemed to have regained the activity and assiduity of his youth. Everything was looked into, everything was ordered by him. He suggested the remedy for every difficulty, and made the selection in every choice of expedients. Two or three times a week he rode down to the establishment to give orders to the proctor, and to watch the progress of the work still unfinished. Nor were his old habits of hospital- ity forgotten. His invitations to the professors and their families were frequent, and every Sunday some four or five of the students dined with him. At these times he gener- ally ate by himself in a small recess connected with the din- ing-room ; but, saving at meals, sat and conversed with the GEORGE TUCKER. 145 company as usual. The number of visiters also to the Uni- versity was very great, and they seldom failed to call at Monticello / where they often passed the day, and sometimes several days. He was so fully occupied with his duties, as rector of the university, and he found so much pleasure in the occupation, that for a time every cause of care and anxiety, of which he now began to have an increased share, was entirely forgotten ; and the sun of his life seemed to be setting with a soft but unclouded radiance. 10 HENKV CLAY. 147 THIRD PBRIOD . . 1500-1550. HENRY CLAY. 1777=1852. HENRY CLAY was born at "The Slashes," Hanover County, Virginia, whence he got his title, " Mill-Boy of the Slashes." His mother, early left a widow, was poor, and on her second marriage, to Mr. Henry Watkins, removed to Kentucky. Henry Clay became a clerk and then a law-stu- dent in Richmond, Va., and in 1797 followed his mother to Kentucky, making his home in Lexington. He rose speedily to eminence as a jury lawyer, and in 1803 entered public life as a member of the State Legislature. In 1806 he en- tered the United States Senate, and after the war of 1812 he was sent to Belgium as one of the Commissioners to treat of peace with Great Britain. His share in public life was most important. He was the author of the Missouri Compromise of 1820, of the Tariff Compromise of 1832, of the Bill for Protection and Internal Improvements ; his agency in the first two and in the Mis- souri Compromise erf 1850, gaining for him the title of the " Great Pacificator." With Calhoun and Webster, he formed the triad of great statesmen who made illustrious our poli- tics in the first half of the nineteenth century. He died in Washington City and was buried in Lexing- ton, Kentucky, where an imposing column, surmounted by his statue, marks his tomb. In the Capitol grounds at Rich- 148 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. mond there is also a fine monument and statue to his mem- ory. It has been said of him that no man ever had more devoted friends and more bitter enemies. See Benton's ac- count of his duel with Randolph. His home, "Ashland," on the suburbs of Lexington, is now a part of the University of Kentucky. The old Court House in which so many of his famous speeches were made still s',ands in Lexington, and is cherished as an honoured reminder of his greatness in the eyes of his admiring com- patriots. See under A. H. Stephens, Sketch in the Senate^ 1850; also, Life, by Prentice, and by Schurz. WORKS. Specc.ies, [of which several collections have been made.] Henry Clay was perhaps the greatest popular leader and orator that America has produced, although his influence will not be so lasting as that of profounder statesmen. He was a master of the feelings and could sway the multitude before him as one man. " His style of argument was by vivid picture, apt comparison, and forcible illustration, rather than by close reasoning like Webster's, or impregnable logic like that of Calhoun." John P. McGuire. TO BE RIGHT ABOVE ALL. Sir, 1 would rather be right than be president. (In 1850, on being told that his views ivould endanger his nomination for the presidency. ) . NO GEOGRAPHICAL LINES IN PATRIOTISM. I know no North, no South, no East, no West. MILITARY INSUBORDINATION. (from the speech on Ike Seminole War, delivered iSlQ.) I will not trespass much longer upon the time of the committee ; but I trust I shall be indulged with some few HENRY CLAY. 149 reflections upon the danger of permitting conduct, [Gen. Jackson's arbitrary court-martial], on which it has been my painful duty to animadvert, to pass without a solemn ex- pression of the disapprobation of this House. Recall to your mind the free nations which have gone before us. Where are they now? "Gone glimmering through the dream of things that were, A school-boy's tale, the wonder of an hour." And how have they lost their liberties? If we could transport ourselves back to the ages when Greece and Rome flourished in their greatest prosperity, and, mingling in the throng, should ask a Grecian whether he did not fear that some daring military chieftain, covered with glory, some Philip or Alexander, would one day overthrow the liberties of his country, the confident and indignant Grecian would exclaim, No ! no ! we have nothing to fear from our heroes ; our liberties shall be eternal. If a Roman citizen had been asked whether he did not fear that the conqueror of Gaul might establish a throne upon the ruins of public liberty, he would have instantly repelled the unjust insinuation. Yet Greece fell ; Caesar passed the Rubicon, and the patri- otic arm even of Brutus could not preserve the liberties of his devoted> country. The celebrated Madame de Stael, in her last and perhaps her best work, has said that in the very year, almost the very month, when the presi- dent of the Directory declared that monarchy would never show its frightful head in France, Bonaparte with his grenadiers entered the palace of St. Cloud, and, dis- persing with the bayonet the deputies of the people, de- liberating on the affairs of the state, laid the foundation of that vast fabric of despotism which overshadowed all Europe. 150 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. I hope not to be misunderstood ; I am far from intimating that General Jackson cherishes any designs inimical to the liberties ot the country. I believe his intentions to be pure and patriotic. I thank God that he would not, but I thank Him still more that he could not if he would, overturn the liberties of the Republic. But precedents, if bad, are fraught with the most dangerous consequences. Man has been described, by some of those who have treated of his nature, as a bundle of habits. The definition is much truer when applied to governments. Precedents are their habits. There is one important difference between the formation of habits by an individual and by government. He contracts it only after frequent repetition. A single instance fixes the habit and determines the direction of governments. Against the alarming doctrine of unlimited discretion in our military commanders, when applied to prisoners of war, I must enter my protest. It begins upon them ; it will end on us. I hope our happy form of government is to be per- petual. But if it is to be preserved, it must be by the practice of virtue, by justice, by moderation, by magnanim- ity, by greatness of soul, by keeping a watchful and steady ^ye on the executive ; and, above all, by holding to a strict accountability the military branch of the public force. . . . . . ... . Beware how you give a fatal sanction, in this infant period of our republic, scarcely yet two score years old, to military insubordination. Remember that Greece had her Alexander, Rome her Caesar, England her Cromwell, France her Bonaparte, and that, if we would escape the rock on which they split, we must 'void their errors. FRANCIS SCOTT KEY. 151 FRANCIS SCOTT KEY, 1780=1843. FRANCIS SCOTT KEY was born in Frederick county, Mary- land, and was educated at St. John's College, Annapolis. He became a lawyer, was appointed District Attorney of the District of Columbia, and spent his life in Washington City. A very handsome monument has been erected to his memory in San Francisco by Mr. James Lick : his song, the " Star-Spangled Banner," will be his enduring monument throughout our country. It was'composed during the attack on Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor, 1814. Key had gone to the British vessel to get a friend released from im- prisonment, in which he succeeded, but he was kept on board the enemy's vessel until after the attack on the fort ; and the song commemorates his evening and morning watch for the star-spangled banner on Fort McHenry, and the ap- pearance of the flag in "the morning's first beam" showed that the attack had been successfully resisted. The words were written on an old envelope. (See illustrations in the Century Magazine, July, 1894.) WORKS. Poems, with a sketch by Chief-Justice Taney. THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER. Oh ! say can you see by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the clouds of the fight O'er the rampartc we watched, were so gallantly streaming! And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there ; O, say, does that Star-Spangled banner yet wave C'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave ? Reverse. Sea! of the United States. [152J JOHN JAMES AUDUBON. 158 On that shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses ? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines on the stream ; 'Tis the Star-Spangled banner; O, Jong may it wave O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave! And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a country should leave us no more ? Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave; And the Star-Spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave. Oh ! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war's desolation ! Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven -rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation? Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto " In God is our trust " And the Star-Spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave. JOHN JAMES AUDUBON. 1780=1851. JOHN JAMES AUDUBON was born near New Orleans and educated in France where he studied painting under David. While still a young man, his father put him in charge of a country estate in Pennsylvania. Afterwards he engaged in mercantile persuits in Philadelphia, Louisville, New Orleans, and Henderson, Kentucky, but unsuccessfully ; for he knew and cared much more about the birds, flowers, and beaste [154] JOHN JAMES AUDUBON. 155 around him than about the kinds and prices of goods that his neighbors needed. His great literary and artistic work is " The Birds of America," consisting of five volumes of Ornithological Bio- graphies and four volumes of exquisite portraits of birds, life-size, in natural colors, and surrounded by the plants which each one most likes. " Quadrupeds of America" was prepared mainly by his sons and Rev. John Bachman of South Carolina. These works gave him a European repu- tation. He died at Minniesland, now Audubon Park, New York City. His style in writing is pure, vivid, and so clear as to place before us the very thing or event described. The accounts of his travels and of the adventures he met with in his search for his birds and animals are very natural and pic- turesque ; and they show also his own fine nature and at- tractive character. A biography arranged from his diary by Mrs. Audubon was published in New York, 1868. See also Samuel Smiles' " Brief Biographies." The State Library of North Carolina possesses a set of Audubon's invaluable works, of which there are only eight sets in America. THE MOCKING-BIRD. It is where the great magnolia shoots up its majestic trunk, crowned with evergreen leaves, and decorated with a thousand beautiful flowers, that perfume the air around; where the forests and the fields are adorned with blossoms of every hue ; where the golden orange ornaments the gar- dens and groves ; where bignonias of various kinds interlace their climbing stems around the white-flowered Stuartia, and, mounting still higher, cover the summits of the lofty trees around, accompanied with innumerable vines, that 156 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. here and there festoon the dense foliage of the magnificent woods, lending tc the vernal breeze a slight portion of the perfume of their clustered flowers ; where a genial warmth seldom forsakes the atmosphere ; where berries and fruits of all descriptions are met with at every step ; in a word, kind reader, it is where Nature seems to have paused, as she passed over the earth, and, opening her stores, to have strewed with unsparing hand the diversified seeds from which have sprung all the beautiful and splendid forms wh ; .ch I should in vain attempt to describe, that the mock- ing-bird should have fixed his abode, there only that its wondrous song should be heard. But where is that favored land? It is in that great con- tinent to whose distant shores Europe has sent forth her ad- venturous sons, to wrest for themselves a habitation from the wild inhabitants of the forest, and to convert the neg- lected soi! into fields of exuberant fertility. It is, reader, in Louisiana that these bounties of nature are in the great- est perfection. It is there that you should listen to the love- song of the mocking-bird, as I at this moment do. See how he flies round his mate, with motions as light as those of the butterfly ! His tail is widely expanded, he mounts in the air to a small distance, describes a circle, and, again alight- ing, approaches his beloved one, his eyes gleaming with de- light, for she has already promised to be his and his only. His beautiful wings are gently raised, he bows to his love, and, again bouncing upwards, opens his bill and pours forth his melody, full of exultation at the conquest which he has made. They are not the soft sounds of the flute or of the haut- boy that I hear, but the sweeter notes of Nature's own music. The mellowness of the song, the varied modula- tions and gradations, the extent of its compass, the great JOHN JAMKS AUDUBON. 157 brilliancy of execution, are unrivalled. There is probably no bird in the world that possesses all the musical quali- fications of this king of song, who has derived all from Nature's self. Yes, reader, all ! No sooner has he again alighted, and the conjugal contract has been sealed, than, as if his breast was about to be rent with delight, he again pours forth his notes with more soft- ness and richness than before. He now soars higher, glanc- ing around with a vigilant eye to assure himself that none has witnessed his bliss. When these love-scenes, visible only to the ardent lover of nature, are over, he dances through the air, full of animation and delight, and as if to convince his lovely mate that to enrich her hopes he has much more love in store, he that moment begins anew and imitates all the notes which Nature has imparted to the other songsters o'f the grove. THK HUMMING-BIRD. No sooner has the returning sun again introduced the vernal season, and caused millions of plants to expand their leaves and blossoms to his genial beams, than the little Humming- Bird is seen advancing on fairy wings, carefully visiting every opening flower-cup, and, like a curious florist, remov- ing from each the injurious insects that otherwise would ere long cause their beauteous petals to droop and decay. Poised in the air, it is observed peeping cautiously, and with sparkling eyes, into their innermost recesses, while the ethe- real motions of its pinions, so rapid and so light, appear to fan and cool the flower, without injuring its fragile texture, and produce a delightful murmuring sound, well adapted for lulling the insects to repose. Then is the moment for the Humming-Bird to secure them. Its long delicate bill enters the cup of the flower, and the protruded double-tubed 158 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. tongue, delicately sensible, and imbued with a glutinous saliva, touches each insect in succession, and draws it from its lurking place, to be instantly swallowed. All this is done in a moment, and the bird, as it leaves the flower, sips so small a portion of its liquid honey, that the theft, we may suppose, is looked upon with a grateful feeling by the flower, which is thus kindly relieved from the attacks of her de- stroyers. . . Its gorgeous throat in beauty and brilliancy baffles all com- petition. Now it glows with a fiery hue, and again it is changed to the deepest velvety black. The upper parts of its delicate body are of resplendent changing green ; and it throws itself through the air with a swiftness and vivacity hardly conceivable. It moves from one flower to another like a gleam of light, upwards, downwards, to the right, and to the left. THOMAS HART BENTON. 1782=1858. THOMAS HART BENTON was born in Hillsboro, North Carolina, and was partly educated at the State University. He left before graduation, however, and removed with his widowed mother to Tennessee, where twenty-five miles south of Nashville they made a home, around which a set- tlement called Bentontown gradually grew up. He studied law with St. George Tucker, began to prac- tice in Nashville, and was elected to the State Legislature in 1811. In 1815 he removed to St. Louis, and was elected United States Senator in 1820 on the admission of Missouri to the Union. He worked heartily and successfully in the interests of settlers in the West. His title " Old Bullion " was derived from his famous speeches on the currency, THOMAS HART BENTON. 159 during Jackson's administration, and they gained him a European reputation. He and Calhoun were opposed to each other on almost ^very question, and they carried on a ferocious warfare in the Senate. He was a Senator for thirty years, 1820-50, and his great work gives an account of men and measures during that very exciting and intensely interesting period, in which he was himself one of the most prominent actors. A fine statue was erected to him in the park at St. Louis. WORKS. Thirty Years' View o* the Workings of Abridgment of the Debates of Congress. Our Government Examination of the Dred Scott Case. Benton's style as an orator was easy, full, and strong, showing him well acquainted with his subject and confident of his powers. The " Thirty Years' View " is noted for its excellent arrangement and for a style easy and fluent yet not diffuse. " It is a succession of historical tableaux," of which the fol- lowing extract presents one of the most famous. THE DUEL BETWEEN RANDOLPH AND CLAY. (From Thirty Years' View.*) Saturday, the 8th of April (1826) the day for the duel- had come, and almost the hour. It was noon, and the meet- ing was to take place at 4^ o'clock. I had gone to see Mr. Randolph before the hour, and for a purpose ; and, be- sides, it was so far on the way, as he lived half-way to Georgetown, and we had to pass through that place to cross the Potomac into Virginia at the Little Falls Bridge. I had heard nothing from him on the point of not returning the fire since the first communication to that effect, eight *By permission of D. Appleton and Company, N. Y. 160 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. days before. I had no reason to doubt the steadiness of his determination, but felt a desire to have fresh assurance of it after so many days' delay, and so near approach of the try- ing moment. I knew it would not do to ask him the ques- tion any question which would imply a doubt of his word. His sensitive feelings would be hurt and annoyed at it. So I fell upon a scheme to get at the inquiry without seeming to make it. I told him of my visit to Mr. Clay the night be- foreof the late sitting the child asleep the unconscious tranquillity of Mrs. Clay; and added, I could not help re- flecting how different all that might be the next night. He understood me perfectly, and immediately said, with a quietude of look and expression which seemed to rebuke an unworthy doubt, / shall do nothing to disturb the sleep of the child or the repose of the mother, and went on with his employment . . ., . which was, making codicils to his will, all in the way of remem- brance to friends. . . . . . ' . : . . J withdrew a little way into the woods, and kept my eyes fixed on Mr. Randolph, who I then knew to be the only one in danger. I saw him receive the fire of Mr. Clay, saw the gravel knocked up in the same place, saw Mr. Randolph raise his pistol dis- charge it in the air ; heard him say, I do not jire at you, Mr. Clay; and immediately advancing and offering his hand. He was met in the same spirit. They met halfway, shook hands, Mr. Randolph saying, jocosely, You owe me a coat, Mr. Clay (the bullet had passed through the skirt of the coat, very near the hip) to which Mr. Clay promptly and happily replied, / am glad the debt is no greater. I had come up and was prompt to proclaim what I had been obliged to keep secret for eight days. The joy of all was extreme at this happy termination of a most critical affair : SOUTHERN LITERATURE. 161 and we immediately left, with lighter hearts than we brought. . .... On Monday the parties exchanged cards, and social rela- tions were formally and courteously restored. It was about the last high-toned duel that I have witnessed, and among the highest-toned that I have ever witnessed ; and so hap- pily conducted to a fortunate issue a result due to the no- ble character of the seconds as well as to the generous and heroic spirit of the principals. Certainly, duelling is bad, and has been put down, but not quite so bad as its substi- tute revolvers, bowie-knives, blackguarding, and street-as- sassinations under the pretext of self-defence. JOHN CALDWELL CALHOUN. 1782=1850. JOHN CALDWELL CALHOUN is one of the greatest states- men that America has produced. He was of Scotch and Irish descent, and was born in Abbeville County, South Carolina. He received his early education from his brother-in-law, the distinguished Dr. Moses Waddell, then attended Yale Col- lege, and studied law. Early in life, 1811, he entered the political arena, and remained in it to the day of his death. As Secretary of War under President Monroe, he re-or- ganized the department on the basis which is still main- tained. He was elected Vice-president with Adams in 1824, re-elected with Jackson, 1828, and became United States Senator, 1832, succeeding Robert Y. Hayne who had been chosen governor of South Carolina in the Nullification crisis. From this time forth until his death, he was in the midst of incessant political toil, strife, and activity, having Web- 162 JOHN CALDWELL CALHOUN. ster, Clay, Benton, Hayne, Randolph, Grundy, Hunter, and Cass, for his great companions. Edward Everett said : " Calhoun, Clay, Webster! I name them in alphabetical order. What other precedence can be assigned them ? Clay the great leader, Webster the great orator, Calhoun the great thinker." As a boy he must often have heard his father say, "That government is the best which allows the largest amount of individual liberty compatible with social order." His most famous political act is his advocacy of Nullifi- cation, an explanation and defence of which are found in the extract below. .He was a devoted adherent of the Union. (See under Jefferson Davis.] His life seems to have been entirely political ; but he was very fond of his home where there was always a cheerful happy household. This home, ' ; Fort Hill," was in the lovely upland region of South Carolina in Oconee County. It became the property of his daughter, Mrs. Thomas G. Clemson, and Mr. Clemson left it at his death to the State, which has now established there an Agricultural and Me- chanical College. Mr. Calhoun died in Washington City, and was buried in St. Philip's Churchyard, Charleston, his grave being marked by a monument. His preeminence in South Caro- lina during his life has not ceased with his death. His picture is found everywhere and his memory is still liv- ing throughout the entire country. See Life, by Jenkins, and by Von Hoist. See under Stephens. WORKS. Speeches and Slate Papers (6 vols.) edited by Richard K. Cralle. Calhoun has been called the philosopher of statesmen, and his style accords with this description. " His eloquence John C. Calhoun. [163] 164 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. was part of his intellectual character. It was plain, strong, terse, condensed, concise ; sometimes impassioned, still al- ways severe. Rejecting ornament, not often seeking far for illustration, his power consisted in the plainness of his propositions, in the closeness of his logic, and in the ear- nestness and energy of his manner." Daniel Webster. WAR AND PEACE. War can make us great ; but let it never be forgotten that peace only can make us both great and free. SYSTEM OF OUR GOVERNMENT. {Speech on State Rights and Union, 1834.) I know of no system, ancient or modern, to be compared with it; and can compare it to nothing but that sublime and beautiful system of which our globe constitutes a part, and to which it bears, in many particulars, so striking a re- semblance. DEFENCE OF NULLIFICATION. (Front a. Speech against the Force Bill, after the State of South Carolina had passed the Ordinance of Nullification, fSjj.) A deep constitutional question lies at the bottom of the controversy. The real question at issue is, Has the govern- ment a right to impose burdens on the capital and industry of one portion of the country, not with a view to revenue* but to benefit another? and I must be permitted to say that after a long and deep agitation of this controversy, it is with surprise that I perceive so strong a disposition to misrepre- sent its real character. To correct the impression which those misrepresentations are calculated to make, I will dwell on the point under consideration a few moments longer. The Federal Government has, by an express provision of the Constitution, the right to lay duties on imports. The state never denied or resisted this right, nor even thought of JOHN CALDWELL CALHOUN. 165 so doing. The government has, however, not been con- tented with exercising this power as she had a right to do, but has gone a step beyond it, by laying imposts, not for revenue, but for protection. This the state considers as an unconstitutional exercise of power, highly injurious and op- pressive to her and the other staple states, and has accord- ingly, met it with the most determined resistance. I do not intend to enter, at this time, into the argument as to the unconstitutionality of the protective system. It is not neces- sary. It is sufficient that the power is nowhere granted; and that, from the journals of the Convention which formed the Constitution, it would seem that it was refused. In sup- port of the journals, I might cite the statement of Luther Martin, which has already been referred to, to show that Che Convention, so far from conferring the power on the Federal Government, left to the state the right to impose duties on imports, with the express view of enabling the several states to protect their own manufactures. Notwithstanding this, Congress has assumed, without any warrant from the Con- stitution, the right of exercising this most important power, and has so exercised it as to impose a ruinous burden on the labor and capital of the state of South Carolina, by which her resources are exhausted, the enjoyments of her citizens curtailed, the means of education contracted, and all her in- terests essentially and injuriously affected. We have been sneeringly told that she is a small state ; that her population does not exceed half a million of souls ; and that more than one half are not of the European race. The facts are so. I know she never can be a great state, and that the only distinction to which she can aspire must be' based on the moral and intellectual acquirements of her sons. To the development of these much of her attention has been directed ; but this restrictive system, which has so unjustly 166 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. exacted the proceeds of her labor, to be bestowed on other sections, has so impaired the resources of the state, that, if not speedily arrested, it will dry up the means of education, and with it deprive her of the only source through which she can aspire to distinction. . . . . -. The people of the state believe that the Union is a union of states, and not of individuals ; that it was formed by the states, and that the citizens of the several states were bound to it through the acts of their several states ; that each state ratified the Constitution for itself ; and that it was only by such ratification of a state that any obligation was imposed upon the citizens^ thus believing, it is the opinion of the people of Carolina, that it belongs to the state which has imposed the obligation to declare, in the last resort, the ex- tent of this obligation, so far as her citizens are concerned ; and this upon the plain principles which exist in all analo- gous cases of compact between sovereign bodies. On this principle, the people of the state, acting in their sovereign capacity in convention, precisely as they adopted their own and the federal Constitution, have declared by the ordinance, that the acts of Congress which imposed duties under the authority to lay imposts, are acts, not for revenue, as in- tended by the Constitution, but for protection, and therefore null and void. [Mr. Calhoun's biographer, Mr. Jenkins, adds, " Nullification, it has been said, was ' a little hurricane while it lasted ;' but it cooled the air, and 'left a beneficial effect on the atmosphere.' Its influence was decidedly healthful "] THE WISE CHOICE. (From a speech in iSrb.) This country is now in a situation similar to that which one of the most beautiful writers of antiquity ascribes to Hercules in his youth. He represents the hero as retiring NATH'ANIEL BEVERLEY TUCKER. 167 into the wilderness to deliberate on the course of life which he ought to choose. Two goddesses approach him ; one recommending a life of ease and pleasure ; the other, of labor and virtue. The hero adopts the counsel of the latter, and his fame and glory are known to the world. May this country, the youthful Hercules, possessing his form and muscles, be animated by similar sentiments, and follow his example ! OFFICIAL PATRONAGE. (Speech zn the Senate, 1835.} Their object is to get and hold office ; and their leading political maxim ... is that, " to the victors belong the spoils of victory ! "* Can any one, who will duly reflect on these things, venture to say that all is sound, and that our Government is not undergoing a great and fatal change? Let us not deceive ourselves, the very essence of a free government consists in considering offices as public trusts, bestowed for the good of the country, and not for the benefit of an individual or a party ; and that system of political morals which regards offices in a different light, as public prizes to be won by combatants most skilled in all the arts and corruption of political tactics, and to be used and enjoyed as their proper spoils strikes a fatal blow at the very vitals of free insti- tutions. NATHANIEL BEVERLEY TUCKER. 17841851. BEVERLEY TUCKER, as he is usually known, was the son St. George Tucker and half-brother to John Randolph of Roanoke. He was born at Williamsburg, Virginia, edu- cated at William and Mary College, and studied law. From *WiIliam L. Marcy of New York, in the Senate, 1831. 168 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. 1815 to 1830 he lived in Missouri and practiced his profes- sion with great success. He returned to Virginia, and became in 1834 professor of Law in William and Mary Col- lege, filling that position until his death. By his public writings and by correspondence with various prominent men, he took a leading part in the political movements of his times. WORKS. The Partisan Leader, a Talc of the Future, Essays, f in Southern Literary Messenger. ] by William Edward Sydney. Political Science. George Balcombe. [a novel. I Principles of Pleading. Life of John Randolpn, | his half-brother,! Of Judge Tucker's style, his friend, Wm. Gilmore Simms, with whom he long corresponded, says : '' I regard him as one of the best prose writers of the United States." His novel, " The Partisan Leader," made a great sensa- tion. It was published in 1836 ; the story was laid in 1849, and described prophetically almost the exact course of events in 1861. It was suppressed for political reasons, but was reprinted in 1861 as a " Key to the Disunion Conspi- racy." The extract is from the beginning of the book and introduces us at once to several interesting characters amid the wild scenery of our mountains. THE PARTISAN LEADER, (WRITTEN IN 1836.) [The scene is laid in Virginia, near the close of the year 1849. By a long series of encroachments by the federal government on the rights and powers of the states, our federative system is supposed to be destroyed, and a consolidated government, with the forms of a republic and the powers of a monarchy, to be established on its ruins. . . . . As a mere political speculation, it is but too probably correct. We trust that a benign Providence will so order events as that it may not prove also a POLITICAL PROPH- ECY. Sou. Lit. Messenger, Jan., 1837.] Toward the latter end of the month of October, 1849, about the hour of noon, a horseman was seen ascending a NATHANIEL BEVERLEY TUCKER. 169 narrow valley at the Eastern foot of the Blue Ridge. His road nearly followed the course of a small stream, which, issuing from a deep gorge of the mountain, winds its way between lofty hills, and terminates its brief and brawling course in one of the larger tributaries of the Dan. A glance of the eye took in the whole of the little settlement that lined its banks, and measured the resources of its inhabitants. The different tenements were so near to each other as to allow but a small patch of arable land to each. Of manu- factures there was no appearance, save only a rude shed at the entrance of the valley, on the door of which the oft- repeated brand of the horseshoe gave token of a smithy. There, too, the rivulet, increased by the innumerable springs which afforded to every habitation the unappreciated, but inappreciable luxury of water, cold, clear, and sparkling, had gathered strength enough to turn a tiny mill. Of trade there could be none. The bleak and rugged barrier, which closed the scene on the west, and the narrow road, fading to a foot-path, gave assurance to the traveller that he had here reached the ne plus ultra of social life in that direction. . . . At length he heard a sound of voices, and then a shrill whistle, and all was still. Imme- diately, some half a dozen men, leaping a fence, ranged themselves across the road and faced him. He observed that each, as he touched the ground, laid hold of a rifle that leaned against the enclosure, and this circumstance drew his attention to twenty or more of these formidable weapons, ranged along in the same position. ., As the traveller drew up his horse, one of the men, speaking in a low and quiet tone, said, " We want a word with you, stranger, before you go any farther." "As many as you please," replied the other, "for lam tired and hungry, and so is my horse ; and I am glad to find 170 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. some one at last, of whom I may hope to purchase something for both of us to eat." " TTiat you can have quite handy," said the countryman, "for we have been gathering corn, and were just going to our din- ner. If you will only just 'light, sir, one of the boys can feed your horse, and you can take such as we have got to give you." The invitation was accepted ; the horse was taken in charge by a long-legged lad of fifteen, without hat or shoes ; and the whole party crossed the fence together. At the moment a man was seen advancing toward them, who, observing their approach, fell back a few steps, and threw himself on the ground at the foot of a large old apple- tree. Around this were clustered a motley group of men, women, and boys, who opened and made way for the stranger. He advanced, and bowing gracefully took off his forage cap, from beneath which a quantity of soft curling ftaxen hair fell over his brow and cheeks. Every eye was now fixed on him, with an expression rather of interest than of mere curiosity. Every countenance was serious and com- posed, and all wore an air of business, except that a slight titter was heard among the girls, who, hovering behind the backs of their mothers, peeped through the crowd, to get a look at the handsome stranger. .... As the youth approached, the man at the foot of the tree arose, and returned the salutation, which seemed unheeded by the rest. He advanced a step or two and invited the stranger to be seated. This action, and the looks turned to- wards him by the others, showed that he was in authority of some sort among them. With him, therefore, our traveller concluded that the proposed conference was to be held. He was at length asked whence he came, and answered, from the neighborhood of Richmond. From which side of NATHANIEL BEVERLEY TUCKER. 171 the river? From the north side. Did he know anything of Van Courtlandt? His camp was at Bacon's branch, just above the town. What force had he ? " I cannot say, certainly," he replied, " but common fame made his numbers about four thousand." "Is that all, on both sides of the river?" said his inter- rogator. "O, no! Col. Loyal's regiment is at Petersburg, and Col. Cole's at Manchester ; each about five hundred strong ; and there is a piquet on the Bridge Island." " Did you cross there ? " "I did not." " Where, then ? " he was asked. " I can hardly tell you," he replied, " it was at a private ford, several miles above Cartersville." "Was not that mightily out of the way? What made you come so far around ? " " It was safer travelling on that side of the river." " Then the people on that side of the river are your friends?" " No. They are not. But, as they are all of a color there, they would let me pass, and ask no questions, as long as I travelled due west. On this side, if you are one man's friend, you are the next man's enemy ; and I had no mind to answer questions." "You seem to answer them now mighty freely." " That is true. I am like a letter that tells all it knows as soon as it gets to the right hand ; but it does not want to be opened before that." " And how do you know that you have got to the right hand now? " " Because I know where I am." " And where are you ? " 172 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. ' ; Just 'at the foot of the Devil's-Backbone," replied the youth. " Were you ever here before ? " " Never in my life." "How do you know then where you are?" asked the mountaineer. " Because the right way to avoid questions is to ask none. So I took care to know all about the road, and the country, and the place, before I left home.'' u And who told you all about it?" " Suppose I should tell you," answered the young man, " that Van Courtlandt had a map of the country made, and gave it to me." " I should say you were a traitor to him, or a spy upon us," was the stern reply. At the same moment, a startled hum was heard from the crowd, and the press moved and swayed for an instant, as if a sort of spasm had pervaded the whole mass. " You are a good hand at questioning," said the youth, with a smile, " but without asking a single question; I have found out all I wanted to know." "And what was that?" asked the other. " Whether you were friends to the Yorkers and Yankees, or to poor old Virginia." " And which are we for? " added the laconic mountaineer. " For old Virginia forever, replied the youth. .. It was echoed in a shout, .... their proud war-cry of " old Virginia forever." DAVID CROCKETT. 173 DAVID CROCKETT. 1786=1836. THIS renowned hunter and pioneer, commonly called Davy Crockett, was born in Limestone, Green County, Ten- nessee. His free and wild youth was spent in hunting. He became a soldier in the war of 1812 : he was elected to the Tennessee Legislature in 1821 and 1823, arid to Congress in 1829 and 1833. His eccentricity of manners, his lack of education, and his strong common sense and shrewdness made him a marked figure, especially in Washington. In 1835 ne wen * to Texas to aid in the struggle for independ- ence; and in 1836, he was massacred by General Santa Anna, with five other prisoners, after the surrender of the Alamo, these six being the only survivors of a band of one hundred and forty Texans. See Life by Edward S. Ellis. WORKS. Autobiography. Life of Van Buren, Heir-Apparent to the A Tour to the North and Down East. Government. Crockett's autobiography was written to cbrrect various mistakes in an unauthorized account of his life and adven- tures, that was largely circulated. His books are unique in literature as he is in human nature, and they give us an original account of things. As to literary criticism of his works and style, see his own opinion in the extract below. SPELLING AND GRAMMAR HIS PROLOGUE. (From A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett, of the State of Tennessee. Written by Himself. 1834.) I don't know of anything in my book to be criticised on by honourable men. Is it on my spelling? that's not my trade. Is :c on my grammar? I hadn't time to learn it, and make DAVID CROCKETT. 175 no pretensions to it. Is it on the order and arrangement of my book ? I never wrote one before, and never read very many ; and, of course, know mighty little about that. Will it be on the authorship of the book? this I claim, and I'll hang on to it, like a wax plaster. The whole book is my own, and every sentiment and sentence in it I would not be such a fool, or knave either, as to deny that I have had it hastily run over by a friend or so, and that some little alterations have been made in the spelling and grammar ; and I am not so sure that it is not the worse of even that, for I despise this way of spelling contrary to nature. And as for grammar, it's pretty much a thing of nothing at last, after all the fuss that's made about it. In some places, I wouldn't suffer either the spelling, or grammar, or anything else to be touch'd ; and therefore it will be found in my own way. But if anybody complains that 1 have had it looked over, I can only say to him, her, or them as the case may be that while critics were learning grammar, and learning to spell, I, and " Doctor Jackson, L. L. D." were fighting in the wars ; and if our books, and messages, and proclama- tions, and cabinet writings, and so forth, and so on, should need a little looking over, and a little correcting of the spelling and grammar to make them fit for use, it's just no- body's business. Big men have more important matters to attend to than crossing their t r s and dotting their i*s , and such like small things. ON A BEAK HUNT. (From the Life of David Crockett. Written by Himself . 1834.) It was mighty dark, and was difficult to see my way or anything else. When I got up the hill, I found I had passed the dogs ; and so I turned and went to them. I found, when 176 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. I got there, they had treed the bear in a large forked pop- lar, and it was setting in the fork. I could see the lump, but not plain enough to shoot with any certainty, as there was no moonlight ; and so I set in to hunting for some dry brush to make me a light ; but I could find none. At last I thought I could shoot by guess, and kill him ; so I pointed as near the lump as I could, and fired away. But the bear didn't come ; he only clomb up higher, and got out on a limb, which helped me to see him better. I now loaded up again and fired, but this time he didn't mpve at all. I commenced loading for a third fire, but the first thing I knowed the bear was down among my dogs, and they were fighting all around me. I had my big butcher in my belt, and I had a pair of dressed buckskin breecheson. So I took out my knife, and stood, determined, if he should get hold of me, to defend myself in the best way I could. I stood there for some time, and could now and then see a white dog I had, but the rest of them, and the bear, which were dark col- oured, I couldn't see at all, it was so miserable dark. They still fought around me, and sometimes within three feet of me ; but, at last, the bear got down into one of the cracks that the earthquake had made in the ground, about four feet deep, and I could tell the biting end of him by the holler- ing of my dogs. So I took my gun and pushed the muzzle of it about, till I thought I had it against the main part of his body, and fired ; but it happened to be only the fleshy part of his foreleg. With this, I jumped out of the crack, and he and the dogs had another hard fight around me, as before. At last, however, they forced him back into the crack again, as he was when I had shot. . I made a lounge with my long knife, and fortunately stuck him right through the heart; at which he just sank down, and I crawled out in a hurry. In a little while my DAVID CROCKETT. 177 dogs all come out too, and seemed satisfied, which was the way they always had of telling me that they had finished him. ;...... We prepared for resting that night, and I can assure the reader I was in need of it. We had laid down by our fire, and about ten o'clock there came a most terrible earthquake, which shook the earth so, that we were rocked about like we had been in a cradle. We were very much alarmed ; for though we were accustomed to feel earthquakes, we were now right in the region which had been torn to pieces by them in 1812, and we thought it might take a notion and swallow us up, like the big fish did Jonah. In the morning we packed up and moved to the harri- cane, where we made another camp, and turned out that evening and killed a very large bear, which made eight we had now killed in this hunt. The next morning we entered the harricane again, and in little or no time my dogs were in full cry. We pursued them, and soon came to a thick cane-brake in which they had stopp'd their bear. We got up close to him, as the cane was so thick that we couldn't see more than a few feet. Here I made my friend hold the cane a little open with his gun till I shot the bear, which was a mighty large one. I killed him dead in his tracks. We got him out and butchered him, and in a little time started another and killed him, which now made ten we had killed and we know'd we couldn't pack any more home, as we had only five horses along ; therefore we returned to the camp and salted up all our meat, to be ready for a start homeward next morning. The morning came and we packed our horses with the meat, and had as much as they could possibly carry, and sure enough cut out for home. It was about thirty miles, and we reached home the second day. I ... 12 178 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. had killed in all, up to that time, fifty-eight bears, during the fall and winter. As soon as the time came for them to quit their houses and tome out again in the spring, I took a notion to hunt a little more, and in about one month I had killed forty-seven more, which made one hundred and five bears I had killed in less than one year from that time. Motto. Be sure you are right then go ahead. RICHARD HENRY WILDE, 1789=1847. RICHARD HENRY WILDE was a native of Ireland but was brought to this country when a child of nine. His father died in 1802 and the widowed mother took up her residence in Augusta, Georgia. He studied law and became a suc- cessful practitioner. He was Attorney-General of the State, and served also in the Legislature and in Congress. He spent the years 1834-40 in Europe studying chiefly Italian literature ; in his researches he discovered some old docu- ments relating to Dante and a portrait of him painted by Giotto on a wall which had become covered over with whitewash. On his return to America he settled in New Orleans and became professor of Law in the University of Louisiana. He died there of yellow fever. He began an epic poem, suggested by the life and adven- tures of his brother, James Wilde, in the Seminole war. But it was never finished : all that remains of it now is the fine lyric, " My Life is Like the Summer Rose." This song was translated by Anthony Barclay into Greek and an- nounced to be a newly discovered ode of Alcaeus. This claim was soon disproved by the scholars, and to Mr. Wilde RICHARD HENRY WILDE. 179 was given his due meed of poetic authorship. It appears in Stedman's " Library of American Literature," as dedi- cated to Mrs. White-Beatty, daughter of Gen. John Adair, of Ky., the beautiful "Florida White" of " Casa Bianca," Florida. See Life, Labors, and Grave of Wilde, by C. C. Jones, Jr. WORKS. Conjectures and Researches concerning Poems, original and translated, the Love, Madness, and Imprisonment of Life of Dante, [unfinished.] Tasso, (containing translations of poems.) Hesferia. Petrarch. MY LIFE IS LIKE THE SUMMER ROSE. My life is like the summer rose, That opens to the morning sky, And ere the shades of evening close, Is scattered on the ground to die; Yet on that rose's humble bed The sweetest dews of night are shed As though she wept such waste to see ; But none shall weep a tear for me ! My life is like the autumn leaf Which trembles in the moon's pale ray, Its hold is frail, its date is brief, Restless, and soon to pass away ; Yet when that leaf shall fall and fade, The parent tree will mourn its shade, The wind bewail the leafless tree ; But none shall breathe a sigh for me ! My life is like the prints which feet Have left on Tampa's desert strand, Soon as the rising tide shall beat Their trace will vanish from the sand: Yet still as grieving to efface All vestige of the human race, On that lone shore loud moans the sea; But none, alas 1 shall mourn for me ! 180 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. AUGUSTUS BALDWIN LONGSTREET. 1790-1870. AUGUSTUS BALDWIN LONGSTREET was born in Augusta, Georgia. He became first a lawyer and was elected to the State Legislature in 1821 and judge of the Superior Court in 1822. Later he became a clergyman in the Methodist Church and president of Emory College, Georgia, being afterwards successively president of Centenary College, Louisiana, of the University of Mississippi, and of South Carolina College. His best-known book, " Georgia Scenes," seems in his later days to have troubled his conscience and he tried to suppress it entirely. But sketches so amusing and so true to life would not be suppressed. See Sketch in Miss Ruth- erford's American Authors, (Atlanta). WORKS. Essays and Articles in various magazines. Georgia Scenes, Characters, Incidents, in Letters to Clergymen of the Northern the First Half Century of the Republic, by Methodist Church. a Native Georgian. Letters from Georgia to Massachusetts. Master William Mitten. NED BRACE AT CHURCH. (Front Georgia Scenes, first edition, 1833.*) [Ned Brace was a real personage, Judge Edmund Bacon, born in Virginia, 1776, lived in Edgefield, South Carolina, and died there in 1826. He was of very social, hospitable nature, a practical joker, and, as Dr. Maxcy called him, "a perfect Garrick" in his conversa- tion. He was a lawyer of great ability; and when very young and a student at Augusta he was appointed to deliver an address of welcome to Washington on his Southern tour. If the following anecdotes are not true, they might well have been, as Judge Longstreet says.] This being the Sabbath, at the usual hour Ned went to Church, and selected for his morning service on.e of those. * By special kindness of Mr. Charles Edgeworth Jones, Augusta, Ga. AUGUSTUS BALDWIN LONGSTREBT. 181 Churches in which the pews are free, and in which the hymn is given out and sung by the congregation, a half reci- tative. Ned entered the Church, in as fast a walk as he could possibly assume ; proceeded about half down the aisle, and popped himself down in his seat as quick as if he had been shot. The more thoughtless of the congregation began to titter, and the graver peeped up slily, but solemnly at him. The pastor rose, and, before giving out the hymn, ob- served that singing was a part of the service, in which he thought the whole congregation ought to join. Thus say- ing, he gave out the first lines of the hymn. As soon as the tune was raised, Ned struck in, with one of the loudest, hoarsest, and most discordant voices that ever annoyed a solemn assembly. " I would observe," said the. preacher, before giving out the next two lines, " that there are some people who have not the gift of singing ; such, of course, are not expected to sing." Ned took the hint and sang no more ; but his entrance into church, and his entrance into the hymn, had already dispersed the solemnity of three fifths of the congregation. As soon as the pastor commenced his sermon, Ned opened his eyes, threw back his head, dropt his under jaw, and sur- rendered himself to the most intense interest. The preacher was an indifferent one ; and by as much as he became dull and insipid, by so much did Ned become absorbed in his dis- course. And yet it was impossible for the nicest observer to detect anything in his looks or manner, short of the most solemn devotion. The effect which his conduct had upon the congregation, and their subsequent remarks, must be left to the imagination of the reader. I give but one remark : " Bless that good man who came in the church so quick," 182 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. said a venerable matron as she left the church door, " how he was affected by the sarment" Ned went to church no more on that day. About four o'clock in the afternoon, while he was standing at the tavern door, a funeral procession passed by, at the foot of which, and singly, walked one of the smallest men I ever saw. As soon as he came opposite the door, Ned stepped out and joined him with great solemnity. The contrast between the two was ludicrously striking, and the little man's looks and uneasiness plainly showed that he felt it. However, he soon became reconciled to it. They proceeded but a little way before Ned inquired of his companion who was dead. " Mr. Noah Bills," said the little man. " Nan? " said Ned, raising his hand to his ear in token of deafness, and bending his head to the speaker. " Mr. Noah Bills," repeated the little man, loud enough to disturb the two couples immediately before him. " Mrs. Noel's Bill ! " said Ned with mortification and astonishment. " Do the white persons pay such respect to niggers in Savannah? /sha'n't do it." So saying, he left the procession. The little man was at first considerably nettled; but upon being left to his own reflections, he got into an uncontrol- lable fit of laughter, as did the couple immediately in advance of him, who overheard Ned's remark. The proces- sion now exhibited a most mortifying spectacle the head of it in mourning and in tears, and the foot of it convulsed with laughter. A SAGE CONVERSATION. (From Georgia Scenes, first edition, 1835.) [Three old women over their pipes.] Mrs. Shad. The old man likes a joke yet right well, the old man does ; but he's a mighty good man, and I think he AUGUSTUS BALDWIN LONGSTREET. 183 prays with greater libity, than most any one of his age I most ever seed, don't you think he does, Mis' Reed? Mrs. Reed. Powerful. Mrs. Barney. Who did he marry? Mrs. Shad. Why, he married stop, I'll tell you di- rectly Why, what does make my old head forget so? Mrs. Barney. Well, it seems to me I don't remember like I used to. Didn't he marry a Ramsbottom? Mrs. Reed. No. Stay, I'll tell you who he married pres- ently. Oh, stay ! Why I'll tell you who he married ! He married old daddy Johnny Hooer's da'ter, Mournin'. Mrs. Shad. Why, la ! messy on me, so he did ! Mrs. Barney. Why, did he marry a Hooer? Mrs. Shad. Why, to be sure he did. You knew Mournin'. Mrs. Barney. Oh, mighty well ; but I'd forgot that brother Smith married her. I really thought he married a Ramsbottom. Mrs. Reed. Oh no, bless your soul, honey, he married Mournin'. Mrs. Barney. Well, the law me, I'm clear beat ! Mrs. Shad. Oh, it's so, you may be sure it is. Mrs. Barney. Emph, emph,emph, emph ! And brother Smith married Mournin' Hooer ! Well, I'm clear put out ! Seems to me I'm gettin' mighty forgetful somehow. Mrs. Shad. Oh yes, he married Mournin', and I saw her when she joined society. Mrs. Barney. Why, you don't tell me so ! Mrs. Shad. Oh, it's the truth. She didn't join till after she was married, and the church took on mightily about his marrying one out of society. But after she joined, they all got satisfied. Mrs. Reed. Why, la ! me, the seven stars is 'way over here ! 184 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. Mrs. Barney. Well, let's light our pipes, and take a short smoke, and go to bed. How did you come on raisin' chick- ens this year, Mis' Shad? Mrs. Shad. La messy, honey ! I have had mighty bad luck. I had the prettiest pa'sel you most ever seed, till the varment took to killin' 'em. Mrs. Reed and Mrs. Barney. The varment ! ! Mrs. Shad. Oh, dear, yes. The hawk catched a power- ful sight of them ; and then the varment took to 'em, and nat'ly took 'em fore and aft, bodily, till they left most none at all hardly. Sucky counted 'em up t'other day, and there warn't but thirty-nine, she said, countin' in the old speckle hen's chickens that- jist come off her nest. Mrs. Reed and Mrs. Barney. Humph h h ! Mrs. Reed. Well, I've had bad luck, too. Billy's hound- dogs broke up most all my nests. Mrs. Barney. Well, so they did me, Mis' Reed. I always did despise a hound-dog upon the face of yea'th. Mrs. Reed. Oh, they are the bawllinest, squallinest, thievishest things ever was about one; but Billy will have 'em, and I think in my soul his old Troup's the beat of ail creaters I ever seed in all my born days a-suckin' o' hen's eggs. He's clean most broke me up entirely. Mrs. Shad. The lackaday ! Mrs. Reed. And them that was hatched out, some took to takin' the gaps, and some the pip, and one ailment or other, till they most all died. Mrs. Barney. I reckon they must have eat something didn't agree with them. Mrs. Reed. No, they didn't, for I fed 'em every mornin' with my own hand. Mrs. Barney. Well, it's mighty curious ! A short pause ensued, which was broken by Mrs. Barney with, " And brother Smith married Mournin' Hooer! " ROBERT YOUNG HAYNE: 185 ROBERT YOUNG HAYNE. 1791-1839. ROBERT YOUNG HAYNE was born in St. Paul's Parish, Colleton District, South Carolina, and was educated in Charleston. He became a lawyer; he served in the war of 1812, and was in the State Legislature from 1814 to 1818. He was Attorney-General of the United States under Presi- dent Monroe, and in 1823 was elected to the Senate. His most famous speech is that in the debate with Daniel Web- ster on the Right of Nullification. South Carolina passed the ordinance of Nullification in November, 1832, elected Mr. Hayne governor, and when President Jackson issued a martial proclamation against her action, she prepared for war. Mr. Clay's Tariff Com- promise prevented any outbreak. Mr. Hayne died in Asheville, North Carolina, yet in the prime of life. See his Life by Paul Hamilton Hayne. WORKS. Speeches. Mr. Hayne was one of the leaders in the stirring times in which he lived ; the extract following gives an example of his bold, fearless eloquence, and his power in debate. STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND LIBERTY. (From the Debate with Webster in the Senate, 1830.) Sir, there have existed, in every age and in every country, two distinct orders of men the lovers of freedom and the devoted advocates of po-wer. The same great leading principles, modified only by the peculiarities of manners, habits, and institutions, divided parties in the ancient republics, animated the Whigs and 186 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. Tories of Great Britain, distinguished in our own times the Liberals and Ultras of France, and may be traced even in the bloody struggles of unhappy Spain. Sir, when the gal- lant Riego, who devoted himself and all that he possessed to the liberties of his country, was dragged to the scaffold, followed by the tears and lamentations of every lover of freedom throughout the world, he perished amid the deafen- ing cries of " Long live the absolute King ! " The people whom I represent, Mr. President, are the descendants of those who brought with them to this country, as the most precious of their possessions, " an ardent love of liberty" ; and while that shall be preserved, they will always be found manfully struggling against the consolidation of the Government as the worst of evils. The Senator from Massachusetts, in denouncing what he is pleased to call the Carolina doctrine, has attempted to throw ridicule upon the idea that a State has any constitu- tional remedy, by the exercise of its sovereign authority, against "a gross, palpable, and deliberate violation of the Constitution." He calls it " an idle " or " a ridiculous no- tion," or something to that effect, and added, that it would make the Union a " mere rope of sand." Now, sir, as the gentleman has not condescended to enter into any examina- tion of the question, and has been satisfied with throwing the weight of his authority into the scale, I do not deem it necessary to do more than to throw into the opposite scale the authority on which South Carolina relies ; and there, for the present, I am perfectly willing to leave the contro- versy. . . . . The doctrine that it is the right of a State to judge of the violations of the Constitution on the part of the Federal Government, and to protect her cit- izens from the operations of unconstitutional laws, was held ROBERT YOUNG HAYNE 187 by the enlightened citizens of Boston, who assembled in Faneuil Hall, on the 25th of January, 1809. They state, in that celebrated memorial, that " they looked only to the State Legislature, , which was competent to devise relief against the unconstitutional acts of the General Government. That your power (say they) is adequate to that object, is evi- dent from the organization of the confederacy." .... Thus it will be seen, Mr. President, that the South Caro- lina doctrine is the Republican doctrine of '98, that it was promulgated by the fathers of the faith, that it was main- tained by Virginia and Kentucky in the worst of times, that it constituted the very pivot on which the political rev- olution of that day turned, that it embraces the very prin- ciples, the triumph of which, at that time, saved the Consti- tution " at its last gasp," and which New England statesmen were not unwilling to adopt when they believed themselves to be the victims of unconstitutional legislation. Sir, as to the doctrine that the Federal Government is the exclusive judge of the extent as well as the limitations of its power, it seems to me to be utterly perversive of the sovereignty and independence of the States. It makes but little difference, in my estimation, whether Congress or the Supreme Court are invested with this power. If the Federal Government, in all, or any, of its departments, is to prescribe the limits of its own authority, and the States are bound to submit to the decision, and are not to be allowed to examine and decide when the barriers of the Constitution shall be overleaped, this is practically, " a government without limitation of powers." The States are at once reduced to mere petty cor- porations, and the people are entirely at your mercy. I have but one word more to add. In all the efforts that have been made by South Carolina to resist the unconstitutional laws which Congress has extended over her, she has kept steadily SAM HOUSTON. 189 in view the preservation of the Union, by the only means by which she believes it can be long preserved a firm, manly, and steady resistance against usurpation. Sir, if, acting on these high motives, if, animated by that ardent love of liberty, which has always been the most prominent trait in the Southern character, we should be hurried beyond the bounds of a cold and calculating pru- dence ; who is there, with one noble and generous sentiment in his bosom, who would not be disposed, in the language of Burke, to exclaim, " You must pardon something to the spirit of liberty"? SAM HOUSTON. 17931863. GENERAL SAM HOUSTON, first President of Texas, was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, but his widowed mother removed in his childhood to Tennessee and settled near the Cherokee Country. Here he was much with the Indians and was adopted by a chief named Oolooteka, who called him Coloneh (the Rover). In 1813 he became a soldier in the Creek war and was almost fatally wounded at the battle of Tohopeka, or Horse- shoe Bend, Alabama. In 1818 he decided to study law and went to Nashville, where he became quite successful as a lawyer and soon received political honors, being elected member of Congress in 1823 and governor of Tennessee in 1827. In 1829 he left Tennessee for the West, spent three years in Arkansas among the Cherokees who had emigrated thither, his old friend Oolooteka being one of them ; and in 1832 went to Texas, with which State his after life is con- nected.. He was rpa.de C.Pmmander-in-Chief of the Texan, 190 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. forces in the struggle for independence against Mexico, and by the battle of San Jacinto, 1836, he put an end to the war , and in the same year he was elected first President of the Republic of Texas. He was elected again in 1841 after Lamar's administration; and when in 1845 Texas became a State in the Union, he entered the United States Senate where he served until 1859. He was governor of Texas from 1859 to 1861 and then retired to private life. He is buried at Huntsville. He was ever a warm friend to the Indians ; he was op- posed to secession, and took little interest and no part in the Confederate war, except by allowing his oldest son to enter its service. His life by Rev. Wm. Carey Crane, President of Baylor University, gives a graphic account of a most interesting and independent character; and it contains also his literary remains, consisting of State Papers^ Indian Talks^ Letters, and Speeches. CAUSE OF THE TEXAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE. (Front a Letter to Santa Anna, 1842. ) The people of Texas were invited to migrate to this coun- try for the purpose of enjoying equal rights and constitu- tional liberty. They were promised the shield of the Con- stitution of 1824, adopted by Mexico. Confiding in this pledge, they removed to the country to encounter all the pri- vations of a wilderness, under the alluring promises of free institutions. Other reasons operated also. Citizens of the United States had engaged in the revolution of Mexico, in 1812. They fought gallantly in the achievement of Mexi- can independence, and many of them survive, and to this day occupy the soil which their privations and valor assisted in Achieving. On their removal here, they brought with SAM HOUSTON. 191 them no aspirations or projects but such as were loyal to the Constitution of Mexico. They repelled the Indian savages ; they encountered every discomfort ; they subdued the wil- derness, and converted into cultivated fields the idle waste of this now prolific territory. Their courage and enterprise achieved that which the imbecility of your countrymen had either neglected, or left for centuries unaccomplished. Their situation, however, was not disregarded by Mexico, though she did not, as might have been expected, extend to them a protecting and fostering care, but viewed them as objects of cupidity, rapacity, and at last jealousy. The Texans, enduring the annoyances and oppressions in- flicted upon them, remained faithful to the Constitution of Mexico. In 1832, when an attempt was made to destroy that Constitution, and- when you, sir, threw yourself for- ward as its avowed champion, you were sustained with all the fidelity and valor that freemen could contribute. On the avowal of your principles, and in accordance with them, the people put down the serviles of despotism at Anahuac, Velasco, and Nacogdoches. They treated the captives of that struggle with humanity, and sent them to Mexico sub- ject to your orders. They regarded you as the friend of lib- erty and free institutions ; they hailed you as a benefactor of mankind ; your name and your actions were lauded, and the manifestations you had given in behalf of the nation were themes of satisfaction and delight to the Texan patriots. You can well imagine the transition of feeling which en- sued on your accession to power. Your subversion of the Constitution of 1824, your establishment of centralism, your conquest of Zacatecas, characterized by every act of violence, cruelty, and rapine, inflicted upon us the profoundest aston- ishment. We realized all the uncertainty of men awaken- 192 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. ing to reality from the unconsciousness of delirium. In suc- cession came your orders for the Texans to surrender their private arms. The mask was thrown aside and the monster of despotism displayed in all the habiliments of loathsome detestation. There was presented to Texans the alternative of tamely crouching to the tyrant's lash, or exalting themselves to the attributes of freemen. They chose the latter. To chastise them for their presumption induced your advance upon Texas, with your boasted veteran army, mustering a force nearly equal to the whole population of this country at that time. You besieged and took the Alamo : but under what circumstances? Not those, surely, which should character, ize a general of the nineteenth century. You assailed one hundred and fifty men, destitute of every supply requisite for the defence of that place. Its brave defenders, worn by vigilance and duty beyond the power of human nature to sustain, were at length overwhelmed by a force of nine thou- sand men, and the place taken. I ask you, sir, what scenes followed? Were they such as should characterize an able general, a magnanimous warrior, and the President of a great nation numbering eight millions of souls? No. Manliness and generosity would sicken at the recital of the scenes incident to your success, and humanity itself would blush to class you among the chivalric spirits of the age of vandalism.* This you have been pleased to class as in the "succession of your victories;" and I presume you would next include the mas- sacre at Goliad. Your triumph there, if such you are pleased to term it, was not the triumph of arms it was the success of perfidy. Fannin and his brave companions had beaten back and de- * Every one in the Alamo was massacred. The inscription there now is : " Thermopylae had its messenger of defeat : the Alamo had none." SAM HOUSTON. 193 fied your veteran soldiers. Although outnumbered more than seven to one, their valiant, hearty, and indomitable courage, with holy devotion to the cause of freedom, foiled every ef- fort directed by your general to insure his success by arms. He had recourse to a flag of truce ; and when the surrender of the little patriot band WPS secured by the most solemn treaty stipulations, what were the tragic scenes that ensued to Mexican perfidy? The conditions of surrender were sub- mitted to you ; and, though you have denied the facts, in- stead of restoring them to liberty, according to the capitu- lation, you ordered them to be executed contrary to every pledge given them, contrary to the rules of war, and con- trary to every principle of humanity. BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO. (From General Houston's Report to Hon. D. G. Burnet , Provisional President of the Republic of Texas, April 25, 1836.) I have the honor to inform you that on the evening of the eighteenth instant, after a forced march of fifty-five miles, which was effected in two days and a half, the army arrived opposite Harrisburg. That evening a courier of the enemy was taken, from whom I learned that General Santa Anna, with one division of his choice troops, had marched in the direction of Lynch's Ferry, on the San Jacinto, burning Harrisburg as he passed down. The army was ordered to be in readiness to march early on the next morning. The main body effected a crossing over Buffalo Bayou, below Har- risburg, on the morning of the iQth, having left the baggage, the sick, and a sufficient camp guard in the rear. We con- tinued the march throughout the night, making but one halt in the prairie for a short time, and without refreshment. At daylight we resumed the line of march, and in a short distance our scouts encountered those of the enemy, and we 194 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. received information that General Santa Anna was at New Washington, and would that day take up the line of march for Anahuac, crossing at Lynch's Ferry. The Texan army halted within half a mile of the ferry in some timber, and were engaged in slaughtering beeves, when the army of Santa Anna was discovered to be approaching in battle array, having been encamped at Clopper's Point, eight miles below. Disposition was immediately made of our forces, and preparation for his reception. He took a position with his infantry and artillery in the centre, occupying an island of timber, his cavalry covering the left flank. The artillery, consisting of one double fortified medium brass twelve-pounder, then opened on our encampment. The infantry in column advanced with the design of charging our lines, but were repulsed by a discharge of grape and canister from our artillery, consisting of two six-pounders, [called "The Twin Sisters."] The enemy had occupied a piece of timber within rifle-shot of the left wing of our army, from which an occasional interchange of small arms took place between the troops, until the enemy withdrew to a position on the bank of the San Jacinto, about three- quarters of a mile from our encampment, and commenced fortification. ...... About nine o'clock on the morning of the 2ist, the enemy were reinforced by 500 choice troops, under the command of General Cos, increasing their effective force to upwards of 1,500 men, whilst our aggregate force for the field num- bered 783. At half-past three o'clock in the evening, I or- dered the officers of the Texan army to parade their respec- tive commands, having in the meantime ordered the bridge on the only road communicating with the Brazos, distant eight miles from our encampment, to be destroyed, thus cut- ting off all possibility of escape. Our troops paraded with SAM HOUSTON. 195 alacrity and spirit, and were anxious for the conflict. Their conscious disparity in numbers seemed only to increase their enthusiasm and confidence, and heightened their anxiety for the conflict. .... . Col. Sherman, with his regiment, having commenced the action upon our left wing, the whole line, at the centre and on the right, advancing in double-quick time, rung the war- cry, ''Remember the Alamo! " received the enemy's fire, and advanced within point-blank shot before a piece was fired from our lines. Our line advanced without a halt, until they were in possession of the woodland and the enemy's breastwork, the right wing of Burleson's and the left wing of Millard's taking possession of the breast work ; our Artillery having gallantly charged up within seventy yards of the enemy's cannon, when it was taken by our troops. The conflict lasted about eighteen minutes from the time of close action until we were in possession of the enemy's encampment, taking one piece of cannon (loaded), four stands of colors, all their camp equipage, stores, and bag- gage. Our cavalry had charged and routed that of the en- emy upon the right, and given pursuit to the fugitives, which did not cease until they arrived at the bridge which I have mentioned before Captain Karnes, always among the foremost in danger, commanding the pursuers. The conflict in the breastwork lasted but a few moments ; many of the troops encountered hand to hand, and not having the advan- tage of bayonets on our side, our riflemen used their pieces as war-clubs, breaking many of them off" at the breech. The rout commenced at half-past four, and the pursuit by the main army continued until twilight. [In this battle General Houston himself was severely wounded, one ball shattering his ankle. After this, "the battalion of Texan infantry 196 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. was gallantly charged by a Mexican division of infantry, composed of more than five hundred men. . . . The Com- mander-in-Chief, observing the peril, dashed between the Texan and Mexican infantry, and exclaimed, ' Come on, my brave fellows, your General leads you.' . . . The order to fire was given by Gen. Houston, ... a single dis- charge, a rush through the smoke, cleaving blows of rifles uplifted struck down those whom the bullets had not slain. Only thirty-two of the five hundred Mexicans survived to surrender as prisoners of war. Gen. Houston's wound in the ankle, meanwhile was bleeding profusely. His horse was dying, and with difficulty could stagger over the slain. Still the Commander-in-Chief witnessed every movement of his army, and as it rolled victoriously over the field> saw the tide of battle crowning his brave soldiers with unparalleled success." See Crane's Life of Sam Houston. HOW TO DEAL WITH THE INDIANS. (From a speech on the Indian Policy of the Geverntnent, in the Senate , January , f8f.) Sir, if the agent appointed by Mr. Polk, who has been restored by the present Executive it is a bright spot in his Administration, and I commend him for it had never been removed, there would have been peace to this day on the borders of Texas ; but as soon as the Indian agent who was appointed to succeed him went there, he must forsooth estab- lish a ranche ; he must have a farm. The Indians who had been settled there from 1843 up to 1849, had been furnished by the Government of Texas with implements of husbandry, with seeds of every description, and they were cultivating their little farms. They were comfortable and independent. They were living in perfect peace. If you can get Indians located, and place their wives and children within your cognizance, you need never expect aggression from them. It is the Indian who has his wife in security beyond your reach, who, like the felon wolf, goes to a distance to prey on some flock, far removed from his den ; or like the eagle, SAM HOUSTON. 197 who seeks his prey from the distance, and never from the flocks about his eyrie. The agent to whom I have referred lost two oxen from his ranche where he kept his cattle. He went to the officer in command of Fort Belknap, got a force from him, and then marched to those Indians, sixty miles from there, and told them they must pay for the oxen. They said, " We know nothing about your oxen f our people are here ; here are our women and children ; we have not killed them ; we have not stolen them ; we have enough to eat ; we are happy ; we have raised corn ; we have sold corn ; we have corn to sell ; we have sold it to your people, and they have paid us for it, and we are happy." The agent and the military gen- tlemen scared off the Indians from the limits of Texas, and drove them across the Red River to the Wichita Mountains, taking every horse and animal they had to pay for the two oxen. This was done by an accredited agent of the Gov- ernment, and by an officer who deserved but little credit. Are such things tolerable, and to be tolerated in the present age and condition of our Government? What was the consequence? Those Indians felt them- selves aggrieved. They saw that a new regime had come ; they had had the era of peace and plenty, and now they were expelled by a different influence. They felt grateful for the benign effects of the first policy toward them, and that only exasperated them to a greater extent against the second ; and they began to make incursions, ready to take vengeance on any white man they might meet in their neighborhood, and slay whoever they might find. They made their forays from the opposite side of the Red River, from the Wichita Mountains, and came like an avalanche upon our unprotected citizens. There is one fact showing how your interference with the Indians within her limits has injured Texas. > 198 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. Well, sir, there is a remedy for all this, and it is very easy to apply it; but how are we circumstanced there? Is it supposed by some that we are deriving great aid from the army, and that the greatest portion of the disposable forces of the United States is in Texas, and protecting it? How can they protect us against the Indians when the cavalry have not horses which can trot faster than active oxen, and the infantry dare not go out in any hostile manner for fear of being shot and scalped ! Can they pursue a party who pounce down on a settlement and take property, and reclaim that property ? Have they ever done it ? Did the old rangers of Texas ever fail to do it, when they were seated on their Texas ponies? They were men of intelligence and adroit- ness in regard to the Indian character and Indian warfare. Do you think a man fit for su^h service who has been ed- ucated at West Point Academy, furnibhed with rich stores of learning ; more educated in the science of war than any general who fought through the Revolution, and assisted in achieving our independence? Are you going to take such gentlemen, and suppose that by intuition they will under- stand the Indian character? Or do you suppose they can track a turkey, or a deer, in the grr.ss of Texas, or could they tr?ck an Indian, or would they know whether they were tracking a wagon or a carriage ? Not at all, sir. We wish, in the first place, to have men suited to the cir- cumstances. Give us agents who are capable of following out their instructions, and who understand the Indian charac- ter. Give us an army, gentlemen, who understand not only the science of command, but have some notions of extend- ing justice and protection to the Indian, against the aggres- sion of the whites, while they protect the whites against the aggressions from the Indians. Then, and not till then, will you have peace. WILLIAM CAMPBELL PRESTON. 199 How is this to be done? Withdraw your army. Have five hundred cavalry, if you will ; but I would rather have two hundred and fifty Texas rangers (such as I could raise), than five hundred of the best cavalry now in the service. Cultivate intercourse with the Indians. Show them that you have comforts to exchange for their peltries ; bring them around you ; domes- ticate them ; familiarize them with civilization. Let them see that you are rational beings, and they will become ra- tional in imitation of you ; but take no whiskey there at all, not even for the officers, for fear their generosity would let it out. . . . . . I would have fields around the trading houses. I would encourage the Indians to cultivate them. Let them see how much it adds to their comfort, how it insures to their wives and chil- dren abundant subsistence ; and then you win the Indian over to civilization; you charm him, and he becomes a civilized man. WILLIAM CAMPBELL PRESTON. 1794-1860. WILLIAM CAMPBELL PRESTON was born in Philadelphia, being one of the Preston family of Virginia who afterwards went to South Carolina. He was educated at South Caro- lina College, being graduated in 1812, studied law under Wil- liam Wirt, and later went to Edinburgh, where he had Hugh Swinton Legare as fellow-student. He travelled in Europe with Washington Irving, and was introduced to Sir Walter Scott. In the practice of law he was very successful, and he made a high reputation as a popular orator, even rivaling, WILLIAM CAMPBELL PRESTON. 201 it is said, his uncle, Patrick Henry. His style is abundant, classical, finished. He was in the State Legislature 1828-32, and in the United States Senate 1836-42. From 1845 to 1851, he was president of his Alma Mater, South Carolina College, and during his office it rose to a high point of efficiency and became the most popular edu- cational institution in the South. WORKS. Addresses. As an example of Mr. Preston's simpler style and a de- scription of the charming social life of Columbia the spirit of which still lives and graces the capital of South Caro- lina the following extract is given. It is from a newspa- per article on the death of Mr. Preston's former law-part- ner, Col, M'Cord, and is a noble tribute to him and to his distinguished wife, Mrs. Louisa S. M'Cord. LITERARY SOCIETY IN COLUMBIA, 1825. ( Written on the Death of Colonel David J. AT Cord, 1855. ) Many will bring tributes of sorrow, of kindness and affec- tion, and relieve a heaving bosom by uttering words of praise and commendation; for in truth, during many years he has been the charm and delight of the society of Columbia, and of that society, too, when, in the estimation of all who knew it, it was the rarest aggregation of elegant, intellectual, and accomplished people that have ever been found assembled in our village. Thirty years since, amidst the sincere and unostentatious cordiality which characterized it, at a dinner party, for example, at Judge De Saussure's, eight or ten of his favorite associates wanted to do honor to some distin^ guished stranger for such were never permitted to pass through the town without a tender of the hospitality of that 202 SOUTHERN LITERATURE. venerable and elegant gentleman whose prolonged life ex- hibited to another generation a pattern of old gentility, combined with a conscientious and effective performance of not only the smaller and more graceful duties of life, which he sweetened and adorned, but also of those graver and higher tasks which the confidence of his state imposed upon his talents and learning. To his elegant board naturally came the best and worthiest of the land. There was found, of equal age with the judge, that very remarkable man, Dr. Thomas Cooper, replete with all sorts of knowledge, a liv- ing encyclopaedia, "Multum tile et terris jactatus et alto" good-tempered, joyous, and of a kindly disposition. There was Judge Nott, who brought into the social circle the keen, shrewd, and flashing intellect which distinguished him on the bench. There was Abram Blanding, a man of affairs, very eminent in his profession of the law, and of most in- teresting conversation. There was Professor Robert Henry, with his elegant, accurate, and classical scholarship. There were Judges Johnston and Harper, whom we all remember, and lament, and admire. These gentlemen and others were called, in the course of a morning walk of the Chancellor, to meet at dinner, it might be, Mr. Calhoun, or Captain Basil Hall, or Washing- ton Irving ; and amongst these was sure to be found David J. M'Cord, with his genial vivacity, his multifarious know- ledge, and his inexhaustible store of amusing and apposite anecdotes. He was the life and the pervading spirit of the circle, in short, a general favorite. He was then in large practice at the bar, and publishing his Reports as State Reporter. His frank and fine man- ners were rendered the more attractive by an uncommonly beautiful physiognomy, which gave him the appearance of great youth. WILLIAM CAMPBELL PRESTON. 203 M'Cord entered upon his profession in co-partnership with Henry Junius Nott ; and when a year or two subsequently, this gentleman, following the bent of his inclination for lit- erature, quitted the profession, Mr. M'Cord formed a connec- tion with W. C. Preston^ thus introducing this gentleman, who had then but just come to Columbia, into practice. The business of the office was extensive, and the connexion con- tinued until their diverging paths of life led them away from the profession. The association was cordial and uninterrupted throughout, whether professional or social; and the latter did not cease until the grave closed upon M'Cord. While in the law, however, although assidu- ously addicted to the study of it, his heart acknowledged a divided allegiance with literature ; which he seemed to compromise at length by addicting himself to cognate studies of political economy, the jural sciences, and politi- cal ethics. When he left the bar, and retired from the more strenuous pursuits of life, he found occupation and delight in these favorite studies stimulated and enhanced by the vigorous co-operation and warm sympathy of his highly accomplished wife, who not only participated in the taste for, but shared in the labors of, these studies and amidst these congenial and participated pursuits the latter years of his life were passed. .... As his early life was amidst struggle and bustle the fumum strepi- tumque of the public arena so his latter years were amidst the repose of an elegant and lettered retirement, in his well-cultivated fields and amongst his books. His last moments were solaced by the tender assiduities of his con- genial helpmate, of his children, and of his old and long- familiar friends. 204 SOUTHERN LITERATURE, JOHN PENDLETON KENNEDY. 1795=1870. JOHN PENDLETON KENNEDY was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and received an excellent early education. He studied law, and was much in public life ; he filled a large place in his native city as a man of culture and a public- spirited citizen. He served in the State Assembly and in Con- gress, and was Secretary of the Navy under President Fill- more when several important expeditions took place, that of Perry to Japan, of Lynch to Africa, of Kane to the North P ole. Kennedy Channel was named in his honor by Dr. Kane. He made several trips to' Europe and while in Paris be- came well acquainted with Thackeray. "The Virginians" was appearing as a serial, and the printers needed a new chap- ter. Thackeray said to Kennedy, " I wish you would write one for me." "Well," said Kennedy, "so I will if you will give me the run of the story." And he really wrote the fourth chapter of Vol. II., describing Warrington's escape and return home through the region about the Cumberland, which he knew well. He drew up the plan of the Peabody Institute, and was one of the Trustees ; to it he bequeathed his library and manuscripts, the latter not to be published till 1900. He aided Poe in his early literary life and was always his friend. He died at Newport, whither he had gone for his health, and was buried in Green Mount Cemetery, Baltimore. See Life by Tuckerman. WORKS. "Assays in Red Book, [a satirical journal Rob of the Bowl, a Legend of St. Inigoes. edited by him and Peter Hoffman Cruse]. Annals of Quodlibet, [political satires]. Swallow Barn, [novel of Virginia life]. Memoirs of the late William Wirt. Horse-Shoe Robinson, Tale of Tory As- Addresses, reports,