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Autobiography of
Stephen A. Douglas
FRANK E. STEVENS

Reprinted From The
Jbui'nal of the Illinois State Historical Society
October, 1912.

I, i. , ii, i ij.' ;: .u.

Autobiography of
Stephen A. Douglas
FRANK E. STEVENS

Reprinted From The
Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society
October, 1912.

Springfield, III.
Illinois State Journal Co., State Printers
1918

STEPHEN ARNOLD DOUGLAS.
From daguerreotype owned by his son, Hon. Robert M. Douglas.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS.

Frank E. Stevens, Dixon, III.
While collecting material for a biographical study of Stephen Arnold
Douglas, Judge Robert M. Douglas of North Carolina, a son, kindly
loaned me this little autobiography. Added to the story as told me
personally by the late Colonel John Dement and the sketch published
years ago in Harper's Monthly Magazine by Daniel Roberts, we now
are enabled for the first time to secure a correct knowledge of the early
life of Douglas.
When Stephen A. Douglas kissed his mother good bye at the home
stead gate near Canandaigua, New York, her last inquiry was: "And
when shall you come home to visit us, my son?" "On my way to Con
gress, mother," he answered. And so the first visit was to be made ten
years afterwards, almost to a day. Douglas started westward deter
mined to make for himself a political career. Just what point he should
seek was undetermined; so at Cleveland, he tarried with relatives for the
purpose of getting his bearings. With the personal manipulation of those
bearings, Douglas had so httle to do that it might be said he literally
drifted until circumstances, none of them propitious, landed him, sick,
footsore from his ten mile walk from Exeter, at the end of a raw day
of November, in the little village of Winchester, then in the county of
Morgan, in the State of Illinois.
He was so worn by his long sickness that he could scarcely stagger
along the road, yet he walked bravely forward with but a shilling in
money as the total of his worldly possessions. He presented his boyish
but courageous face to the landlord and asked for a credit in board un
til he could secure pupils enough to warrant his remaining in Winches
ter. Like the western tavern keeper of his time, that one was charmed
by the manly little chap who requested it. He read in his big eyes the

story of an honest purpose, pursued disastrously, yet so valiantly and
persistently, that failure could not be possible. The incredible courage
of the youngster aroused the sympathy of the village and almost before
Douglas went to bed that night 40 pupils had been secured for the little
school he desired to teach and from which he hoped to earn money enough
to start him in his chosen profession of the law. Had he been permitted
to go on to Pekin that environment might not have prevented his sub
sequent political achievements, but the location certainly would have
retarded his progress many years. Jacksonville was the most important
city in the state at the time. The ablest lawyers of the state practiced
there. It was the pole star among Illinois cities. Everything which
had political ambition behind it pointed to Jacksonville. It was the
home of Gen. John J. Hardin, said to be the most brilliant and one of
the ablest men in the state. To incur his displeasure was regarded by
many as political suicide whether the poor victim was of the same poht
ical faith or not. When Douglas came to town, Hardin could not bend
forward far enough to find the youngster and so the youngster remained
unnoticed until the states attorney incident was brought to notice by
John Wyatt who had been a member of the eighth General Assembly,
1832-34. The incident excites laughter in Illinois to this very day when
related. Douglas weighed but ninety pounds at the time and was only
five feet four inches tall, while Wyatt was over six feet, angular, broad-
shouldered and naturally when looking down on his companion when
with him, he grew to call him "Little Douglas". In manner too, Wyatt
was a typical westerner; a Kentuckian, rough and ready, fearless, adroit
and possessed of a vocabulary which on occasion would frighten a fish
woman. In the ungentle art of tongue lashing, no man in Illinois could
face him. This man early became attached to Douglas and ever con
tinued a helpful associate.
Wyatt planned his campaign with mihtary precision and with the
genius of a great general. When he knew how the legislature stood
politically, he took particular pains to make a street scene and declare
his intentions thus: "Wouldn't it be fun to beat Hardin with little
Douglas!" Wyatt loaned Douglas a horse. Arrived at Vandalia the
state capital, not a room could be found. In despair Wyatt approached
Major John Dement then state treasurer, a man of great political weight,

COL. JOHN J. HARDIN.

MAJOR JOHN DEMENT.

a former member of the legislature and a man of the same height as
Douglas, five feet four, though somewhat stouter. Dement invited
Douglas to share his room. After settling that important detail he
took Douglas to a barber shop ordered a hair cut and a shave for the
young man and together they sallied forth to get votes to carry the
measure through. Douglas was dressed in blue jeans, considerably too
short in the arm and the leg, but that was a day when coat and pants
cut little figure in pohtics or for that matter, social life. Under the guid
ing spirit of Dement, Douglas made famous progress. Very soon the
conspiracy reached the ears of Governor Duncan, a great friend of
Hardin's. At once the governor approached Dement and remonstrated
against the latter's interest in the little unknown stranger. Before
leaving he requested Dement as the political favor of a lifetime to urge
a few friends to vote against the bill.
Now it happened that just a few weeks previous, Dement had been a
candidate for state treasurer and he wanted certain votes of legislators.
Accordingly he had approached Duncan and asked him to intercede with
some of the members for votes. Greatly offended, Governor Duncan
somewhat haughtily dechned with the statement that it would be
altogether too undignified for him to ask a member of the legislature
for his vote. Therefore when Duncan approached Dement on a mission
identical with his own, Dement drew his five feet of manhood to its high
est point and declared it would be altogether undignified for him to ask
a member of the legislature to vote against a personal bill. The next
day with the help of Wyatt and Dement the bill was passed and Douglas
was elected later on.
The personality of that boy with his boyish insistence and courage
was the same when he solicited a seat in the United States Senate. He
was a boy on the day of his death, an affectionate and altogether irre
sistible boy, ambitious, resourceful, voluble, but never a gushing boy.
It seemed as though he was just as alert the day he entered the village
of Winchester and looked into the barroom of the hotel with its crack
ling fire as he was when fighting the attacks made against him for the
p art he took in repealing the Missouri Compromise. The only difference
between Douglas at twenty and Douglas at forty was twenty years.

When he stood upon the corner watching the progress of the adminis
trator's sale, he attracted the attention of the administrator just as he
attracted attention on the floor of the Senate afterwards. The boy was
just as magnetic. He was but a boy when he made his famous race for
Congress against Stuart at 29 and came within 35 votes of beating
him in a strong Whig district. On the canal dump he held the laborers
spellbound. Were he to enter the supreme court room half an hour later,
he held the judges just as closely.
At Winchester he extended his acquaintance. He attended a debat
ing society and strengthened his forensic powers. On Saturdays he
tried law suits before the village squire. He attended house raisings.
He was economical and industrious and in the spring he emerged with
something like $100.00 in money to tide him over the professional
drought in Jacksonville. But his master stroke at Winchester was the
action which secured to him the lasting friendship of S. S. Brooks, the
leading journalist of the day in Illinois.
While at Winchester he received a prospectus from Brooks in effect
stating that if a list could be secured in Morgan county, he would start
a Jackson newspaper at Jacksonville. With his customary unselfish
ness and vigor he secured for Brooks a large number of subscribers.
Brooks thereafter became the publicity manager for Douglas. His
constant attention to the wants of others without the expectation of
reward; his ability to make lasting friendships remained through life
just as it had been pursued at little Winchester. He had been there but
a few days when a merchant named Miner became so attracted towards
him that he asked Douglas to share his room with him and "batch it"
in their joint efforts to save some money. Shortly afterwards Miner
lost his heart to a young lady and the partnership with Douglas was
dissolved. Upon request to "stand up" with Miner, Douglas was com
pelled to decline because he owned no boiled shirt. It was a common
enough occurrence in those days to be without one. In fact the man
who owned one was out of the ordinary amongst his fellow man. Miner
happened to be one of the few who owned not only one but two and
one of the two was loaned Douglas to take part in the important event
with his very warm friend, Miner.

S. S. BROOKS.
The Jacksonville editor who pushed Douglas' political fortunes and resigned his
candidacy upon the Democratic ticket in favor of Douglas, who was elected.

Birthplace of Douglas in Brandon, Vermont.

Numerous biographies of Douglas have been written, but in every one
this part of his early life has been garbled badly especially, the lonely
and very long and painful walk to Winchester. In this httle auto
biography, but lately known to exist, the names of his old benefactors
have been given, thus correcting the traditions so long beheved. It
sets at rest the gossip which has been permitted to become history.
More than ever before, it recites how little he had to do with the control
of his destiny, though with the charming personality which it discloses,
Douglas in any environment would have risen far above the multitude.
This autobiography was written in a little memorandum or pass book
with a pencil. It was written with no more intention for publicity than
another would put into his diary when he noticed a visit to a friend or
commented on the weather, although in the first two lines there might
have been concealed the thought that some day he expected greater
things. "For the purpose of refreshing my mind in future upon sub
jects that might otherwise be forgotten," he wrote. But if he did have
the hope for preferment, httle he could have dreamed of the power
he was destined to wield in twelve short years from that date, when
Webster and Clay and Calhoun and Benton listened to him and when
after the "Omnibus Bill" had failed to pass in the vain fight for a
compromise, his separate bills were taken up one after another and passed
as the compromise measures of 1850.
¦ Douglas the man and senator grown, was Douglas the boy back at
Winchester, earnest, impulsive, generous — but a boy none the less.
Autobiographical Sketch op Stephen A. Douglas,
September 1, 1838.
I this day commence this memorandum or journal of passing events
for the purpose of refreshing my mind in future upon subjects that might
otherwise be forgotten. It may be well to turn my attention to the past
as well as the future, and record such facts as are within my recollection
or have come to my knowledge, and may be interesting or useful to
myself or others hereafter.
I learn from my mother that I was born in the town of Brandon in
the County of Rutland and State of Vermont on the 23d day of April,
1813. My father, Stephen A. Douglas, was a graduate of Middlebury

8
College, a physician by profession, and a man very much beloved by all
who knew him. I only speak of my father as I have always heard others
speak of him, for he died when I was only about two months old, and of
course I cannot recollect him. I have often been told that he was holding
me in his arms when he departed this world. My mother, who thank
God yet lives, was a Miss Sarah Fisk before she was married. My par
ents had but two children, my sister Sarah A. Douglas (who has since
married Julius N. Granger of Manchester Centre, Ontario county, N. Y.)
and myself. Upon the death of my father, my mother moved to a small
farm left her by her father about three miles north of my native village,
and resided with her brother Edward Fisk, who was an industrious,
economical, clever old bachelor, and wanted some one to keep house
for him. This arrangement suited them both as their farms joined,
and each was so situated as to need the aid of the other. Here I hved
with my mother and uncle upon the farm until I was about fifteen years
of age, and then determined to select some other mode of living. I
had no great aversion to working on a farm, nor was I much dissatisfied
with my good old uncle, but thought him rather a hard master, and
unwilling to give me those opportunities of improvement and education
which I thought I was entitled to. I had enjoyed the benefits of a
common school education three months each year, and had been kept
diligently at work the rest of the time. I thought it a hardship that my
uncle would have the use of my mother's farm and also the benefit
of my labour without any other equivalent than my boarding and clothes.
I therefore determined upon leaving my home and my true friends,
and see what I could do for myself in the wide world among strangers.
My mother remonstrated, warned me of the dangers and temptations
to which young men are exposed, and insisted upon my selecting some
trade or engaging in some business that would give me a steady home
and regular employment. I promised to comply with her wishes, that
is, keep good company, or in other words keep out of bad company,
avoid all immoral and vicious practices, attend church regularly, and
obey the regulations of my employer; in short I promised everything she
wanted, if she would consent to my leaving home. Accordingly in the
Spring of 1828, being about fifteen years of age, I bid my mother, sister
and uncle farewell, and left home for Middlebury, about fourteen miles

SARAH GRANGER.
Mother of Stephen A. Douglas. From portrait owned by her -grandson, Judge
Robert M. Douglas.

The Old Atademy, Canandaigua, N. T.

distant, ' and engaged to learn the Cabinet making' trade with one
Nahum Parker. I put on my apron and went to work, sawing table
legs from two inch plank, making wash stands, bed steads, &c, &c. I
was delighted with the change of home and employment. There was
a novelty about it that rendered it peculiarly interesting. My labor
furnished exercise for the mind as well as the body. I have never been
placed in any situation or been engaged in any business which I enjoyed
to so great an extent as the cabinet shop. I then felt contented and
happy, and never aspired to any other distinction than that connected
with my trade and improvements in the arts. Towards the end of the
year I became dissatisfied with my employer in consequence of his
insisting upon my performing some menial services in the house. I
was willing to do anything connected with the shop but could not consent
to perform the duties of a servant in the house. A difficulty soon arose
between Mr. Parker and his wife and myself, and resulted in my leaving
him and returning home. So much was I attached to the hfe of a
mechanic, I could not content myself at home and soon got a situation in
the shop of Deacon Caleb Knowlton, a cabinet maker in Brandon, my
native village. I remained with my new employer about a year, and
pursued my business strictly, as all the apprentices in the shop were
required to do. Whilst I lived with Mr. Parker I formed a taste for
reading, particularly pohtical works, by being associated with a number
of young men who spent their time nights and Sundays in reading and
study. At this time politics ran high in the presidential election between
General Jackson and J. Q. Adams. My associate apprentices and myself
were warm advocates of Gen. Jackson's claims, whilst our employer
was an ardent supporter of Mr. Adams and Mr. Clay. From this
moment my politics became fixed, and all subsequent reading, reflection
and observation have but confirmed my early attachment to the cause
of Democracy.
In the winter of 1829 and 1830 I was taken sick and compelled to
return home. My physicians informed me that my physical strength
was too feeble to enable me to work at the cabinet business, and that it
would be necessary for me to select some other occupation. Finding
my health too feeble to work in the shop, I commenced going to school

i Walked.

10
at the Academy in Brandon, under the direction of J. N. Chipman, and
continued under his instruction until the fall of 1830, when I removed to
Canandaigua, Ontario county, N. Y. My sister had previously married
Juhus N. Granger, and removed to his residence in Manchester Centre,
Ontario County, N. Y., and this year, 1830, my mother married his
father; and now the father and mother and only son and only daughter
became united in one family where they continue to reside in the enjoy
ment of peace, plenty and happiness. Upon removing to the State of
New York in December, 1830, I became a student in the Academy in
Canandaigua under the superintendence of Prof. Henry Howe, where
I continued until the latter part of 1832. Whilst connected with the
Academy at Canandaigua I devoted myself zealously to my studies, the
Greek and Latin languages, mathematics, rhetoric, logic, &c, and
made considerable improvement.
About the 1st of January, 1833, 1 left the Academy and entered the
office of Walter & Levi Hubbell as a student at law. I pursued my law
studies diligently five days in the week, and the sixth I spent in review
ing myjclassical studies, until sometime in the month of June in that
year. Finding myself in straightened pecuniary circumstances, and
knowing my mother's inability to support me through a regular course
of law studies, which would continue about four years longer according
to the statutes of New York requiring a course of seven years classical
and legal study before admission to the bar, I determined upon removing
to the western country and relying upon my own efforts for a support
henceforth. My mother and relatives remonstrated, urging that I was
too young and inexperienced for such an adventure; but finding my
resolution fixed and unchangeable, they reluctantly consented, and
kindly furnished me with three hundred dollars, the last of my patri
mony, with which to pay my expenses. On the 24th of June, 1833 (being
20 years of age) I bid farewell to my friends, and started alone for the
"great west," without having any particular place of destination in
view. The first night I arrived at Buffalo, and thence took a trip to the )
Battle Grounds of Chippewa, Niagara, the Falls &c, &c, and returning
to Buffalo in a few days, I embarked on a steam boat for Cleveland,
Ohio. Arriving at Cleveland I presented a few*letters of introduction
to some gentlemen of that place which I had received from Messrs.

Historical Museum, Canandaigua, N. T.

Douglas Desk.

11

Francis, Granger, Mark H. Sibley and other kind friends. By means
of these letters I immediately became acquainted with Sherlock J.
Andrews, Esq., an accomplished and intelhgent gentleman and dis
tinguished lawyer of that city. Being pleased with Cleveland and its
prospects for business, and also with the few acquaintances I formed
there, I immediately determined upon remaining there. By the sta
tutes of Ohio I was required to pursue the study of law one year within
the limits of that State before I could be admitted to practice. For
this purpose Mr. Andrews was kind enough to offer me the use of his
office and library, which I gladly accepted, and entered upon my studies
with increased spirit and zeal. In a very few days however, I found my
self prostrate upon my bed with the bihous fever, and was confined until
some time in the month of October, about four months. 2 This sickness
has often since been, and still continues to be, the subject of the most
serious and profound reflection. My condition, the circumstances with
which I was surrounded, the doubtful and sometimes hopeless issue,
and especially my feehngs, thoughts, and meditations, are all now fresh
in my mind. I was among entire strangers. During the whole time
I never saw a face I had ever seen before; I was so feeble as to be entirely
helpless, unable even to turn myself in bed; I was advised by my phys
icians that there was no reasonable hope of my recovery, and that I ought
to be prepared for my final dissolution which was then expected to take
place from day to day. I was in the full enjoyment of my senses, per
fectly conscious of my condition, and hstened patiently and calmly to
all they told me, and felt perfectly indifferent as to the result. I felt
satisfied with the past and no particular hopes or apprehensions of the
future. I thought I was on the dividing line between this world and
the next, must continue to exist in the one or the other, was willing to
take either, and felt no choice which. In short, during that four months
of severe sickness, I enjoyed more peace and contentment of mind,
more perfect freedom from all care and trouble, except occasional bodily
pain, and more negative happiness than during any other similar period
of my life.
That such should have been the state of my mind under such peculiar
and trying circumstances, has ever been to me the subject of curiosity,

z He lived with a cousin, Daniel P. Rhodes, by name.

12
wonder and amazement. I can account for it upon no principle of
philosophy or human nature, and now make this private record of the
same for the purpose of seeing if future experience and observation
shall solve the mystery.
Upon regaining my strength in the month of October so far as to be
able to walk, I paid off all my bills occasioned by my sickness or otherwise
and found I had about $40.00 left. I then became reckless and adven
turous, and determined to leave the place. Accordingly I took passage
on a canal boat for Portsmouth on the Ohio River, thence on a steam
boat to Cincinnati3, thence to Louisville,3 thence to St. Louis, Mo.,
remaining in each place a few days, without any particular object in
view, and ready to embark in any adventure adapted to my taste and
feeling which should present itself.
At St. Louis I soon found my small pittance of money was about ex
hausted, and that I must immediately engage in some employment there
which would defray my expenses, or go to some place not far distant
where I could do so. My first effort was to obtain a situation in some
law office in the city, where I could write and perform office labor suf
ficient to pay my expenses, and during the rest of the time pursue my
law studies. Here a difficulty presented itself which I had not foreseen
and guarded against. I was more than a thousand miles from home, or
from any person whom I knew or who knew me, and had no letters of
introduction. Perceiving this difficulty I felt great delicacy in offering
my services. Stern and impending necessity staring me in the face, I
resolved at all hazards to make the effort. I first called on Mr. Bates, *
introduced myself and told him my business and situation. He re
ceived and treated me kindly and politely; and informed me that he
had nothing for me to do; but would be happy to see me at his office,
&c, for all which I tendered him my grateful acknowledgments and
retired. After making a similar effort with hke success with Mr. Spauld
ing, I paid my Tavern bill and left the city, going to Jacksonville,
Illinois At Jacksonville I formed a few acquaintances and attempted to get
into business of some kind, say teaching school, clerking, &c, but with
out success. When I arrived at Jacksonville I had left one dollar and

» He tried to secure work in each place but failed.
» Subsequently attorney general.

MAJOR MURRAY McCONNEL.

13
twenty-five cents in money, and finding that would not pay my board
more than one day at the tavern, I sold a few school books I had with
me for a few dollars, and took up my lodgings at a private house, Mr.
Heslip's, whose family I have known and esteemed ever since. One of
my first acquaintances at Jacksonville was Murray McConnel, Esq.,
a lawyer of some reputation, who advised me to go to Pekin on the Illi
nois river and open a law oflice. I informed him that I had never
practiced law, had not yet procured my license, nor had I any library.
He informed me that he would furnish me with a few books, such as I
would stand in the most need of immediately, and wait for the pay until
I was able to pay him, and did so to the amount of $30.00 5 worth, which
I received and subsequently paid him for. He told me that a license
was a matter of no consequence, that I could practice before a justice
of the peace without one, and could get one at any time I desired to do
so. I concluded to take his advice, and consequently packed up my
things and went to Meredosia on the Illinois river to take a steam boat
to Pekin. Arriving at the River, I waited one week for a steam boat,
and then learned that the only boat which was expected up the river
that season had blown up at Alton, and consequently there would be
no boat up until the next spring. What was now to be done? After
paying my bill at the tavern, I had but fifty cents left. I could find
nothing to do there, and had no money to get away with. Something
must be done, and that soon, I enquired as to the prospect of getting
a school, and was told by a farmer residing in the country a few miles
that he thought that I could obtain one at Exeter, about ten miles dis
tant; and if I would go home with him that night, he would go to Exeter
with me the next day. I accepted his invitation, left my trunk at Mere
dosia, rode behind the farmer on the same horse to his home, and the
next day we both went to Exeter. He introduced me to several citizens
who were very pohte and kind; but did not think a school could be
obtained there; but if I would go to Winchester, eight or ten miles further
they had no doubt I would succeed in obtaining one. I thought this
was rather poor encouragement; but what was to be done? I was out
of money, and still in too feeble health to perform any very arduous
labor; and must do something to hve; for I was too proud to beg. I
» For this kindness never forgotten, Douglas secured the appointment for McConnel of fifth auditor
of the treasury department.

14
therefore determined to go to Winchester and make another effort.
Accordingly I parted with my friend, the kind hearted, hospitable farmer
and taking my cloak on my arm, went to Winchester on foot that night.
Arriving in the town, I went to the only tavern in the place, introduced
myself to the landlord and told him I wished to stop a few days with him
to which he readily assented. The landlord introduced me to the citizens
generally, who seemed pleased with the idea of a new school in their httle
town, and in a few days obtained for me a subscription list of about forty
scholars. In the meantime there was, on the second day after my arrival,
an administrator's sale, at which all the personal property of a dead
man's estate ' was to be disposed of at auction, and the administrator
apphed to me to be clerk at the auction, make out the sale bills, draw
the notes, &c, which I very cheerfully consented to do, and performed
the duty in the best style I knew how, and received five dollars for two
days labor therein. About the 1st of December I commenced my school,
and closed it about the 1st of March, having during the whole time
a goodly number of scholars, and giving as I beheve general satisfac
tion to both scholars and parents. During this period I attended
to considerable law business before justices of the peace, and formed an
extensive acquaintance with the people in that part of the county.
There was considerable political excitement growing out of the veto
of the U. S. Bank and the removal of the deposits by Gen. Jackson,
or rather the removal of the secretary of the treasury because he would
not remove the deposits, and the appointment of Mr. Taney in his
place, who did remove them from the vaults of the U. S. Bank. One
evening at the Lyceum, Mr. Josiah Lambert, a lawyer of some
distinction from Jacksonville, made a speech, denouncing the
leading measures of Gen. Jackson's administration, and especially
the veto and removal of the deposits. He characterized the first of
those acts as arbitrary and tyrannical, and the last as dangerous and
unconstitutional. Being a great admirer of Gen. Jackson's public and
political character and a warm supporter of the principles of his ad
ministration, I could not remain silent when the old hero's character,
public and private, was traduced, and his measures misrepresented and
denounced. I was then familiar with all the principles, measures and

6 Elihu Martin, deceased.

Building- in which Stephen A. Douglas taught school. Winchester, Illinois.

IRA ROWEN.

The man who procured the pupils for Douglas' school. From an old photograph
owned by his daughter-in-law, Mrs. H. J. Rowan of Galesburg, 111., made in
the early 60's.

15
facts involved in the controversy, having been an attentive reader of
the debates in Congress and the principal newspapers of the day, and
having read also with great interest, the principal works in this country;
such as the debates in the convention that formed the Constitution of
the United States, and the convention of the several States on the adop
tion of the Constitution, the Federalist, John Adams' work denominated
a defense of the American Constitution, the opinions of Randolph',
Hamilton and Jefferson on the Constitutionality of the Bank, and the
History of the Bank as published by Gales & Seaton, Jefferson's Works,
&c. I had read all of them and many other pohtical works with great
care and interest, and had my political opinions firmly estabhshed. I
engaged in the debate with a good deal of zeal and warmth, and defended
the administration of Gen. Jackson and the cause of the Democratic
party in a manner which appeared highly gratifying to my political
friends, and which certainly gave me some little reputation as a public
speaker; much more than I deserved.
When the first quarter of my school expired I settled my accounts,
and finding that I had made enough to pay my expenses, I determined
to remove to Jacksonville, the county seat of the same (Morgan)
county, and commence the practice of the law. In the month of March
I applied to the Hon. Samuel D. Lockwood, one of the justices of the
Supreme Court, and after a short examination, obtained a hcense, and
immediately opened an office,' being then less than twenty-one years
of age. During the first week of my residence at Jacksonville the Whig
(alias Federal Party) called a county meeting, and made speeches and
passed resolutions denouncing the administration in the severest terms,
and more especially in relation to the bank and currency question. The
next week the Democrats called a meeting, one of the most numerous
and spirited I have ever witnessed in that county. It was composed
principally of farmers and mechanics, men who are honest in their
political sentiments and feel a deep interest in the proper administration
of the public affiairs, although but few of them are accustomed to public
discussion. It so happened that at that time out of twelve members
of the bar there was not a Democrat among them. This meeting I
attended, and at the earnest solicitation of my pohtical friends, (for per
sonal friends I had not then had time to form) I consented to make a

» In the court house.

16
speech. The excitement was intense, and I was rather severe in my
remarks upon the opposition;8 so much so as to excite the bitter hos
tility of the whole of that party, and of course the warm support of my
own party. The next week the Patriot, the organ of the opposition,
printed and published by James G. Edwards, Esq., devoted two entire
columns of that paper to me and my speech, and continued the same
course for two or three successive weeks. The necessary consequence
was that I immediately became known to every man in the county,
and was placed in such a situation as to be supported by one party and
opposed by the other. This notoriety, acquired by accident and founded
on no pecuhar merit, proved highly serviceable to me in my profession;
for within one week thereafter I received for coUection demands to the
amount of thousands of dollars from persons I had never seen or heard
of, and who would not probably have known that such a person as my
self was in existence, but for the attacks upon me in the opposition
papers. So essential was the service thus rendered me by my opponents
that I have sometimes doubted whether I was not morally bound to pay
the editor for his abuse according to the usual prices of advertisements.
This incident illustrates a principle which it is important for men of the
world and especially politicians to bear in mind. How foohsh, how
impolitic, the indiscriminate abuse of political opponents whose humble
condition or insignificance prevents the possibihty of injury, and who
may be greatly benefited by the notoriety thus acquired. I firmly
believe this is one of the frequent and great errors committed by the
political editors of the present day. Indeed, I sincerely doubt whether
I owe most to the kind and efficient support of my friends, and no man
similarly situated ever had better and truer friends, or to the violent,
reckless and imprudent opposition of my enemies. Certain I am that
without both of these causes united, I never could have succeeded as
well as I have done. But I must forbear; for I find that I am philo
sophizing, which is far from my present purpose.
During the summer of 1834 my time was about equally divided be
tween law and politics, reading and practicing the one and preaching
the other. There was a general election pending for Governor, Congress
man, and members of the Legislature, in which I felt no ordinary in-

> He was carried away on the shoulderB of his admirers and was dubbed "The Little Giant.'

MRS. LIZZIE ROWEN HEXBY.
A pupil of Douglas.

MR. AND MRS. THOMAS PHILIP ROWEN.

17
terest and took an active part. I supported the Democratic candidates;
William Kinney for Governor against Gen. Joseph Duncan, and Wm. L.
May for Congress against Benjamin Mills, and the Democratic ticket for
the Legislature in my own county. We lost our Governor; elected our
Congressman; and a part of our legislative ticket.
At this time John J. Hardin, Esq., (now Gen. Hardin) held the office
of state's attorney, under an appointment from Governor Reynolds,
which then had two years to run. He had procured this appointment
through the aid and influence of Col. James Evans, Col. William Weath-
erford, Capt. John Wyatt and other leading Democrats, every one of
whom he opposed at the next election after the appointment. Capt.
Wyatt was the only one of them who succeeded in his election, and was
so indignant at Hardin for what he called his ingratitude, that he deter
mined upon removing him from office at all hazards. The opposition
having succeeded in electing their Governor, there was no hope from
that quarter; and the only resort left was to repeal the law conferring
the appointment upon the Governor, and make the office elective by
the Legislature. At the request of Capt. Wyatt, I wrote the Bill, and
on the second day of the session of the Legislature which commenced
on the first Monday in December, 1834, he introduced his bill, and also
another bill written by myself making the county recorder's election
by the people, instead of being appointed by the Governor. I felt no
peculiar interest in these bills any further than I thought them correct
in principle, and desired to see them pass because my friends warmly
supported them. Both the bills were violently opposed by the opposi
tion (alias Federal Party) and advocated by a large majority of the
Democrats, and finally passed by a small majority. When sent to the
Council of Revision (composed of the Governor and Judges of the Su
preme Court) for approval, they were both vetoed; the former as uncon
stitutional, and the latter because it was inexpedient. Then came a
desperate struggle between the friends and opponents of the bills, and
especially the states attorney bill. The opposition charged that its
only object was to repeal Hardin out of office in order to elect myself
in his place, and that the whole movement had its origin in Wyatt's
malice and my selfishness and ambition. I will here remark, and most

18
solemnly aver it to be true, that up to the time this charge was made
against me, I never had conceived the idea of being a candidate for the
office, nor had any friend suggested or hinted to me that I could or ought
to receive it. But from that moment forward, the friends of the bill
declared that, in the event they passed the bill over the heads of the
Council, I should be elected to the office. At this time I did not desire
to be a candidate, for I had no reason to suppose I could be elected over
so formidable an opponent who had been a long time a resident of the
State, had fought in the Black Hawk War, and was well acquainted
with the members. My short residence in the State, want of acquain
tance, experience in my profession and age, (being only twenty-one
years old) I considered insuperable objections. My friends however,
thought differently, passed the bill, • and elected me on the first ballot
by four votes majority.
I will here remark that although I wrote this bill and reaped first
fruits under it, and was inchned at that time to think it was correct
in principle and ought to become a law; yet subsequent experience,
observation and reflection have convinced me of my error; and I now
believe that all Legislative elections ought to be abohshed, and the
officers either appointed by the Governor and Senate, or elected by the
people. In this remark I do not mean to include clerks of our courts,
whose appointments, I am inclined to think, ought to be vested in the
judges. Immediately upon my election as states attorney I procured all the
standard works upon criminal law within my reach, 1 ° such as Archbold,
Chitty, Roscoe, McNally, Hale's Pleas of the Crown &c, &c; and
devoted myself to the study of them with a determination of making
myself master of that branch of my profession. My official duties
being exclusively within the line' of my profession, I now applied myself
assiduously to study and practice. How far I succeeded in this, I must
leave to others, who are more impartial judges than myself. An amus
ing circumstance occured in McLean county at the first court after
my election as prosecuting attorney. The grand jury had found a large
number of indictments for different offences, and I had been engaged

9 The bill was passed finally over the council's veto.
it Daniel Roberts loaned Douglas these books. Wyatt loaned him the horse to ride over the circuit.

Old Court House, Jacksonville, Illinois. Built 1S28. Vacated and torn down in
1872 or 1873.

19
all night in writing them, in great haste, in order to discharge the grand
jury and enable them to return to their families. After the grand
jurors were discharged John T. Stuart, Esq., came into court and moved
to quash all the indictments, although he had been employed in but
a small number of the cases. He stated his reasons for quashing the
indictments, which were that they were presented by the "grand jurors
in and for the County of McClean" when in fact there was no such
County as "McClean," the true name of the County being "McLean".
The manner of making this motion was very pompous and accompanied
with some rather contemptuous remarks imputing ignorance to the
writer of the indictments. Contrasting my youth and inexperience
with the long practice and reputation of the opposing counsel, I con
sidered his conduct extremely ungenerous, and more especially in a
county where he was well acquainted with the people and I was an
entire stranger. The moment the motion to quash was made and the
objection was pointed out, it struck my mind as being fatal to all the
indictments, and had it been done in a respectful and courteous man
ner, I should have made no objection to the indictments being quashed.
When the Judge (Stephen T. Logan) asked me if I had anything to say
in support of the indictments, I told him I did not consider it necessary
as yet to say anything, Mr. Stuart having made the motion and having
the affirmative of the question, the burden of proof of course rested
upon him. That I presumed the court would not take official notice
that I had not spelled the name of the county right until some evidence
had been adduced to sustain the motion, and when such evidence should
be produced, it would then be time enough for me to rebut such evidence.
The court decided that it could not officially take notice of the precise
mode of spelling the name of the county, and gave Mr. Stuart time to
procure the statute creating and naming the county. My object was
now accomplished; knowing there was none of the statutes to be found
in the county, and that it would require a good deal of traveling, trouble
and expense to procure one, which would sufficiently rebuke the gentle
man's insolence; but not doubting that when the statute was produced,
it would show that the defect in the indictments was fatal and they ought
to be quashed. After a lapse of two days the Statute was procured from
an adjoining county, and produced and read to the court by Mr. Stuart,

20
when to his astonishment, and I will say to the astonishment of myself
and the whole bar, it appeared that the name of the county in the in
dictment was right, and that the learned gentleman did not know how
to spell the name of the county he had practiced in for years. It turned
the joke upon him so completely, and excited so much mirth and humor
at his expense, that he could not conceal his chagrin and mortification.
The indictments were all sustained by the court, much to my gratifi
cation. Some time afterwards I took the pains to compare this printed
statute with the enrolled bill in the office of the Secretary of State, and
•found there was a misprint, the true name of the County being McLean.
This small incident, although of no consequence of itself, has been an
instructive lesson to me in the practice of law ever since, to-wit: Admit
nothing, and require my adversary to prove everything material to the
success of his cause. Every lawyer's experience teaches him that many
good causes are saved and bad ones gained by a strict observance of
this rule. During the time I held the office of states attorney, I con
ducted many important criminal prosecutions, and as far as I have
been able to learn, acquitted myself in a manner satisfactory to my
friends and the public generally.
In August, 1836, 1 was elected to the Legislature from the county of
Morgan. The contest was a very spirited one, conducted almost solely
upon national politics and party grounds. Each party ran a full ticket
and strived to elect the whole ticket. The stump speeches were made,
principally by Gen. John J. Hardin11 on behalf of the Whig ticket,
and by myself in support of the Democratic ticket. The contest resulted
in the election of five Democrats and one Whig (Gen. Hardin).
On the 1st Monday of December, 1836, 1 resigned my office of states
attorney, and took my seat in the Legislature. * 2 It was during this
session that Illinois embarked in her mammoth system of internal im
provements. Before the election I had announced myself in favor of a
general system of internal improvements, and was really anxious to see
one of reasonable extent and expense adopted; but never for a moment
dreampt of anyone's advocating such a wild and extravagant scheme as
the one which was finally adopted.

" Hardin desired an election as a vindication at home. He was the only Whig elected in Morgan
county. 6
is Twenty-three years old. Abraham Lincoln served in this Tenth General Assembly It was
the most notable in Illinois history. J

QQj'Jllo^y^ ^>~t)^-kU^Z

Facsimile of signature of the first American Douglas, ancestor of Stephen A.
Douglas.

21
When I learned the nature and extent of the bill which the Committee
on Internal Improvements were maturing, I attempted to arrest it by
introducing resolutions by way of instructions (see House Journal of
1836-7, page 36) setting forth the kind and extent of a system I thought
ought to be adopted. My resolutions proposed 1st: To finish the
Illinois and Michigan canal. 2nd: To construct a railroad from the
termination of the canal to the mouth of the Ohio river. 3rd: To
make a railroad from the Mississippi river to the Wabash to connect
with the Wabash and Erie canal.
I was willing and anxious to make these three works on the faith of
the State; but was unwilling to go further. I believed the canal to be
an important State and National work, which would be useful to the
government and people. I entertained doubts whether the plan of
construction adopted by the commissioners was the best one that could
be pursued, but rather than hazard the success of the work by differ
ences of opinion as to the best manner of doing it, I determined to sup
port and did support the bill which was passed that session. In fact
the bill passed that session was a compromise bill written by myself
and introduced by Capt. Joseph Napier of Cook county from a com
mittee of which we were both members.
But to return to the internal improvements system; when it was
ascertained from my conversation, speeches, and resolution that I
would oppose the mammoth bill, its friends procured me to be instructed
by my constituents to go for it. It must be remembered that at that
day the people were for the system — almost en masse. So strong was
the current of popular feeling in its favor that it was hazardous for any
politician to oppose it. Under these circumstances it was easy to
obtain instructions in favor of a measure so universally popular, and
accordingly the friends of the bill got up instructions, which, from my
known sentiments in favor of the doctrine of instruction, I did not feel
myself at liberty to disobey. I accordingly voted for the bill under
these instructions. That vote was the vote of my constituents and not
my own. My own sentiments upon this subject are found recorded in
the resolutions above referred to. If a limited and reasonable system,
such as I proposed, had been adopted, instead of the one which did

pass, s * I have no doubt it would have been entirely completed at this
time, would be useful to the State and sustained by the people.
There was another question which excited much interest during that
session. Immense numbers of apphcations were made for charters of
all kinds and description; railroads, canals, insurance companies, hotel
companies, steam mill companies &c, &c. I first attempted to arrest
this whole system of legislation as unjust, impolitic and unwise. Fail
ing in this, I next attempted to cripple it by inserting in each charter
a clause "reserving the right to alter, amend or repeal this act whenever
the public good shall require it."
Note: The original of the above sketch of Senator Stephen A.
Douglas, of Illinois, is in a small blank book found among his private
papers. It is in his own handwriting, hastily written and evidently
never revised or continued. It is dated September 1st, 1838, when he
was only twenty-five years of age, and does not extend beyond his service
in the Legislature. It was evidently never intended for publication but
may now have some public interest as the candid statement of the boy
hood and early manhood of a young man who had bravely and success
fully faced life's battle; and who was writing frankly purely for his own
future information, and at a time when the circumstances were yet fresh
in his mind. Autobiographies are generally carefully written in old
age when the circumstances of early youth have grown dim, and perhaps
unconsciously colored by the struggles and experiences of after life.
Robert M. Douglas.
March 5, 1909.

> > The State was bankrupt for years in consequence.

VALE UNIVERSITY

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