39002004943560 YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Gift of JOHN HAY WHITNEY YALE 1926 All Ej.tciiie.sc /" ( -/ ^yj --^ (¦}¦ 7 ' aU' Cl REMINISCENCES; PERSONAL AND OTHER INCIDENTS j EARLY SETTLEMENT OF OTSEGO COUNTY; NOTICES AND ANECDOTES OF PUBLIC MEN ; JUDICIAL, LEGAL AND LEGISLATIVE MATTERS ; FIELD SPORTS; DISSERTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS. BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY, ESQ. LAl-E OF THE HEW-YOKK SENATE, AND PRESIDENT THEREOF. NEW-YORK: PRINTED BY CHARLES VINTEN, TOO NASSAU STREET, 1852. pintered according to an Act of Congress, hy Levi Beakdslet, in tba OflSce of the Clerk of the Southern District of New-York, A.D. 1852. PREFACE. To my children I dedicate the following work ; because when it was commenced, I had no design beyond preparing a manuscript for their perusal, and for such confidential friends as might feel an interest in looking over the lucubra tions of idle hours, employed in this way, for my own amuse ment. It can the more appropriately be dedicated to them, from the fact that so many personal and family matters are . interwoven; and from the additional, though painful reflec tion, that it is, probably, the only bequest they can expect. If, therefore, they shall find by its perusal, anything that shall incite them to an industrious, honorable, and virtuous course of life, a course that shall render them good citizens, exemplary members of society, respectable in their day and generation, and worthy patterns for those who come after them, my purposes in reference to them, so far as present views are concerned, will be mainly answered. They will, I trust, pursue such course through life, as shall square with the most rigid rules of morality, in the estimation of men; and as shall look to a future state of responsibility, where the actions, motives, and pi-inciples that swayed and governed here, shall bear the scrutiny of an after, and all- v/ise and impartial judgment. To the public in general, who have thus far patronized and sustained me, by giving countenance to my efforts; and to those who may honor me with a perusal of what I submit to public scrutiny, I owe an apology, that so l^irge a portjon relates to personal and family matters; and that so much egotism should pervade the work. I am aware that it is subject to this criticism; and per haps to such an extent, as to prejudice it in the estimation of many, whose approval I should be proud to merit. IV PREFACE. My apology is, that when commenced, it was intended aa a personal matter, having more reference to a perusal by family and friends, than by, the public; but as it progressed, it was amplified, and many subjects introduced, so that those better qualified to judge than the writer, advised and insisted that it should be submitted to the general reader. With this vieWi a portion was re-written ; other portions revised, corrected, and enlarged, so that what was intended as a manuscript that would probably never come to light, has grown to quite a ponderous volume. Many incidents have been introduced, that will let the reader into the habits and modes of life at the early settle ment of the country; and these modes, though greatly modi fied by improvements, inventions and advances, within the last sixty years, are not very dissimilar to those still adopted by frontier settlements thousands of miles to the west. The truth is, that the life of all pioneers in new countries, is beset with hardships, difiiculties and. privations, that few can realize who come after them What I have written has been under the most unfavorable circumstances; for I have had scarcely any opportunity to consult books or records, as my employment has been such, that only small detached portions of time, just as I could snatch them from ofiicial duties, have been devoted to the object. It was more to occupy my mind, and amuse myself when I had leisure hours, and half hours, that I commenced and prosecuted my reminiscences, than for any other object. Such as they are, with dissertations and discussions on several subjects, I submit with difl[idence to the public, with an earnest request, that those wbo may condescend to peruse them, may do so with all charity for the author; over-looking his faults in style, his inaccuracies in regard to facts, and his errors in judgment; always giving him credit for good inten tions. If the productions of my leisure hours, many of which have been under a most melancholy and sober cast of thought, shall prove interesting to the reader; if the tendency shall be PREFACE. V to amuse, instruct, or improve him, and particularly the rising generation, one leading object of the writer will have been accomplished. I hope such results may follow ; and that the portions of time thus devoted, will neither have been thrown away, or misapplied. To those who have patronised me by a generous sub scription, I return sincere and hearty thanks, and trust they will have no cause to regret the confidence thus far bestowed ; while those who may hereafter become patrons, may find, as I sincerely hope, something to amuse and instruct, and at the same time make them better citizens. With these hopes and aspirations, I submit the work, with all its imperfections, to the perusal and candid scrutiny of an intelligent and liberal public. LEVI BEARDSLEY. NetB-Y(yrk, March llth, 1852. CONTENTS, CHAPTER I. Introductory Eemarks — Birth — Bennington Battle — Enslish Puritan Ancestry — •' Leather Mitten Ordination" — Pedigree and Great Ages — Other Incidents, - p. I CHAPTER II. Early EecollGotions — Eemarkable Aurora Borealis — Vulgar Supersti tions — Removal to Otsego County, Spring of 1790 — Incidents of that Year — Removal to Log House in Richfield — Almost a Fright &om Indians— Saw Mill and Grist Mill Built p. 18 CHAPTER in. Forest Scenery — Household Manufactures — Modes of Country Life — Dress — Carding and Spinning Bees — Wrestling Matches — Clearing Land — Fires in Woods — Thunder Storms — Mai'king Corner Tree — Kil ling Bears — Various Incidents, p. 29 CHAPTER IV. Primitive Mode of extracting Teeth — Wedding, Death and Funeral — Or ganization of Otsego County — Judge Cooper and others — Early Schools — Sugar Making — Scarcity of Books — Town Library — Otsego Herald — Washington's Death — Commencement of present Century — Early Preachers — Judge Peck — Old Family Clock, with Reflections — First Visit to Albany, p. 49 CHAPTER V. Military Enrolment — Brigade Training — Arnold Convicted of Murder — Popular Indignation — Command Infantry Company and Volunteer — Plattsburgh Battle, Incidents and Anecdotes — Country Dances — Con- . test between Judge Cooper and Major Cochran — Great Eclipse, 1806 — Sclioql Keeping — Great Snow Storm, April 1S07 — Vote for Governor Tompkins — Political Matters — Serve as Constable — Quit Farming to Study Law, p. 78 CHAPTER VL Eemove to Cherry Valley, 1810 — Notice of James Brackett, esq. — Inci- dents — Murder of Huddleston, and Execution of Van Alstine — Books read in 1810 and '11 — B.xtracts, Remarks and Reflections — Ossian's Poems a favorite Book with Buonaparte — Attempt at Poetry — Death of Parents, and Reflections — Admitted to the Bar, in 1812, and Co partnership with Jabez D. Hammond, esq. — Notice of Judge Ham mond, p. 96 CONTENTS. vii CHAPTER VII. Political Matters— Madness and extreme folly of the Federalists— " Fete of the Legitimates ;" with Introductory Remarks, p. ng CHAPTER Vm. Senatorial Convention, 1813— Parley Keyes, and Incident with Whittle sey— Visit Niagara Falls, 1815— Appearance and Impressions- Chip- peway and Bridgewater Battle Fields — Incidents — Squirrels swimming the Niagara — Bufialo and Western New-York — Observations and gen-' eralEemarks, p_ 144 CHAPTER IX. Purchase part of Grand Island — Major Noah and his Jewish Project Exploration of the Island, with Alvan Stewart and James O. Morse — A Night on the Island during a Thunder Storm — Laughable Incidents — Visit Fort Erie — Profound Respect to Majesty — Alvan Stewart and general Traits of Character, p. 156 CHAPTER X. Visit Chautauque County — Land Purchase — Several Incidents — Myste rious Noise — Superstitious Belief — Dreams and Supernatural Appear ances — Anecdotes of Solomon Southwick — The late James O. Morse — Outlines of Character, .... p. 171 CHAPTER XI. Incidents in Justice's Courts — Encounter with a Pettifogger — Justice Insulted for not appreciating Public Sentiment — Dutch Justice com mits for Contempt — Charge of Witchcraft and threatened Lawsuits— ^ Favorable influence of common Schools — Early Jury Trial — Hunting and Shooting Anecdotes — Au Old Foxhunter confounds Religious "tracts" with "tracks" of the Fox — An interesting Knock-down ou special request — Other Anecdotes and Incidents, p. 184 CHAPTER XIL Exemption of Homestead and Household Effects — Professional Incidents — Admitted to Practice in Chancery — Anecdotes of Chancellor Kent- Judge Spencer — Judge Story — Excursion to Boston, Providence, &c.r— Interesting case of Habeas Corpus — Elisha Williams and Rhode Island Bar — Presidential Election in 1824 — Last Interview with Gov. Tomp kins — Celebration on Completion of Brie Canal — Governor Clinton visits Otsego, and Incidents, p. 200 CHAPTER XHL Elected to the Assembly, 1825 — Democratic Caucus first held with open doors — Distinguished Men in that Legislature — Great Southern Road, the Leading Measure — First Raili-oad Charter — Ignorance in regard to Railroads — Great Impulses from Construction of New-York Canals and Railroads — Fiftieth Anniversary of American Independence — Extraor dinary Coincidence iu the lives and Deaths of John Adams and Tho mas Jefferson — Incident of Col Stranahan — Morgan Outrage, and Anti. M.isoury — Reflections on Sale of Paternal Homestead — Migratory Habits of our Countrymen, p. 216 Vlll CONTENTS. CHAPTER XIV. Visit Ohio 1826 — Interview with Guv. Barry-rShoot a Fine Buck- Again visit Ohio, 1835— Maumee Country — Wayne's Battle Field — Fort Meigs and Incidents at its Siege — Defeat of Col. Dudley — Gov. Metcalf, of Kentucky — Anecdotes of him — Indian Burying Ground — Removal of Wyandots, p- 234 CHAPTER XV. Visit Upper Lakes, 1836 — John B. Macy, esq., and Hon R. J. Walker- Reckless Speculations and Subsequent Embarrassments — Rapid Growth of Cities and Settlement of the Country— Probable Growth and Importance of Toledo — Indian Dance— Chicago in 1836, and 1847 — Its Convention — Visit Sault St. Marie — Descend the Rapids in Bark Canoe — Incidents and Anecdotes p. 259 CHAPTER XVI. Election to the Senate — Centennial Celebration, Feb. 22, 1832 — First breaking out of Cholera — Great alarm — Court for Correction of Er rors met in New York — Death of William H. Maynard — Slight attack of Cholera — Several Legislative Incidents — Introduction and passage of Bill to replenish General Fund by Loans from Canal Revenue — Opposition of City of New York to Canals — Chenango Canal — Black River and Geneseee Valley Canals — Erroneous Estimates of Engineers — Report in favor of Black River Canal — " Stand still" Policy — Report of Samuel B. Ruggles — Criticism on that Report — Canal Policy sus tained by Western New York from beginning p. 265 CHAPTER XVIL Caucus Manoeuvres — Election of Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, to U. S. Sen ate, in 1833 — He opposes the Independent Treasury Bill p. 305 CHAPTER XVm. legislative matters — Makers and ludorsers liable iu same Action — Act to prevent unnecessary Litigation — Imprisonment for Debt abolished — Resolution against the Re-charter of United States Bank — Small Bill Law — Democrats refuse its repeal, and are defeated in 1838 — Suspen sion of Specie Payments attributed to United States Bank Controversy — Inflation of Currency and Over-trading — Deposit Banks required to discount liberally — Afterwards denounced — Bankers under a Cloud- Hard Money Gentry in Sunshine — Almost Universal Bankruptcy- Mr. Van Buren defeated iu 1840 — Glance at ^sme of the Causes of Defeat p. 312 CHAPTER XIX. Anti-Bank Feeling, and Repeal of Bank Charters — Sackett's Harbor and Lockport Bank Charters Repealed — The former Restored at Subse quent Session — Charges against Messrs. Bishop and Kimball, with their Resignations — Col. Young's Resolution, and Poor Law Debate. — p. 334, CHAPTER XX. Common Schools should be Free, but not Sectarian — School District Libraries projected and urged by the late James Wadsworth, Esq., — Shaking Quaker Investigation p. 370 CONTENTS. iji CHAPTER XXI. Anecdote of -the Late Senators, GrifBn and Young — The Late Col. Ste- vens, of Hoboken — His Project for a Railroad and Locomotive in 1811 pronounced impracticable and visionary — His Experimental Steam boat in 1804 — Robt, L. Stevens, Esq., invents and brings into use the long heavy T or H Bail, in 1830 or '31— Extracts from Lecture of Hon. Charles King — Legislation in relation to Railroads — Opposition from Ignorance and Prejudice — New York and Erie Road — Extracts from Speech in favor of $3,000,000 Loan for its Construction, and Prediction in 183B, of a Railroad to the Pacific — Invited to St. Louis Convention, 1849, and Letter in Eeply — Remarks and Present Impressions in re gard to Asa Whitney's Project for Pacific Railroad — Report of Hon. Nathaniel P. TaUmaiJgo, in New York Senate, (1831,) Predicting the Constructiou of Hudson River Railroad ............. p. 391 CHAPTER XXIL Charter of Central Bank — A. M. Schermerhorn, First Cashier — Judge White, First President — Notice of him — Dr. Little, Notice of him and other OflBcers of the Bank — Pecuniary aflairs — Revulsions in 1836, '37, &c., and Losses — Remove to Oswego, 1839 — Failure of Commercial Bank of Oswego — Notice of Oswego and its future Prospects — Remove to Columbus, Ohio, 1842 — Loss by Fire — Farming, and Large Crop of Com — Broken Arm, and other Incidents — Notice ofColumbus — Return to New York, 1846 — Candidate in 1847 for Supreme Court Judge — Popular Excitement — JpnTiv T '•••¦' — T -i Favptte — Kossuth. . p. 424 CHAPTER XX in. visit Cherry Valley, October, 1850 — Splendid View from its high HiUs — Picturesque appearance of Forest Scenery — Flight of Birds to the South — Visit Cooperstown and Susquehanna Valley — The late George Clarke, and Incidents — Visit Oswego — Death of Christian J. Burckle. p. 442 CHAPTER XXIV.. Tombstone Records — Recollections of Individuals — Anecdotes and Inci dents — Notice of Col. Campbell and Family — Col. Clyde and his Fami ly—Archibald McKillip— Hugh Mitchell— Wells Family— Col. Alden Notice of Col. Willett — Joseph Brandt and the Butlers — Captain -Clark — A Monument wanting p 452 CHAPTER XXV. Unadilla Hunts — Members of the Club — Hon. Sherman Page, Grand Sachem — ^A Week's Shooting — Premium Buck awarded Dog Prime — Interlopers and Poachers punished — Shoot a large Buck — Splendid Sport for a Day, and a Carousal at Night — Various Incidents — Letters from Judge Page and Col. Clapp — Poems by the late Henry R. Storrs and Monis S. Miller — Prime extricated from a perilous condition — Exploits and Incidents p. 471 CHAPTER XXVL Hunting Deer on the Maumee — Several Incidents — Birth-day Hunt — Chase on Horseback, and two unhorsed — Cold bath for one, — Cutting oflf, but not "bruising the Serpent's Head" — "Coon" Hunt at night — Habits of the Raccoon and Opossum — Fox chase— Red, grey and black Foxes, of different classes • p. 495 S CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXVII. habits and Intelligeace of Animals p. 511 CHAPTER XXVm. Seflections in regard to Capital Punishment, in connection with the Execution of Professor Webster . p. 518 CHAPTER XXIX. Slavery, and alienation of feeling between the North and South... p. 528 CHAPTER XXX. Reflections in regard to the War with Mexico p. 562 Appendix A p. 569 REMINISCENCES BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. CHAPTER I. Introductory Remarks. — Birth. — Bennington Battle, — English Puritan Aiicestry. — " Leather Mitten Ordination." — > Pedigree and Great Ages. — Other Incidents. ',_" l/lj way of life is faU'n into the sear, the yellow leaf." — Shakspeare, (Macbeth.) Almost sixty-six years ! ! a brief space to be sure, when reviewed ; but long enough to make sad inroads upon the term of human existence. Old age induces, or should induce reflection. No man, with intellect, of mere ordinary grade, but looks back with deep interest to the past, and with intense solicitude, for the future. How can it be otherwise ? It is a principle of our nature, stamped deep and lasting by Deity himself, that induces a retrospect. We delight to retrace our steps, from childhood to youth, and so on to old age. To caU up visions, and recollections of the past. To associate in our minds, those who were once with us, who were dear to us, and who have long since been called away. Such reflections, though for a brief season, seem like ^he re-union of hearts and the commingling of thoughts, once sympathising and confiding. The human mind is 1 2 KEMXNISCENCES so constituted, that we derive pleasurable emotions, when with the natural eye we gaze on those objects that were familiar with our youth. Who that is advanced in life, fails to appreciate an opportunity of looking at those things that attracted his attention in^ childhood ? no matter how humble and common place those objects may be ; a tree, a rivulet, an old stone wall, or the early family cottage, in after life, have their attractions'. Talma, the celebrated Parisian player, (so much admired and patronized by Buonaparte,) on returning to London, after an absence of many years, burst into tears on looking at the pavements, which "his little feet" as he expressed it, had so often trodden. And as with the natural eye, so memory, which acts as the mind's eye, when it recurs to past events, imparts a pleasing, though melancholy emotion that can neither be sup pressed or disregarded. , Childhood and youth, comparatively speaking, are free from cares. We look back to early existence, as to bright and vernal spots, where life, joy, reality of pre sent, and hopes of future enjoyment were predominant. The youthful path is through gay fields^ strewed with flowers and fruits ; where the sun shines with peculiar lustre, the birds sing with the sweetest melody, and the little streattis leap, and sparkle and glitter by the way-side, cleat as chrystal. Old age, brings with it cares, and vexatious burthens, never dreamed of in youth, and then we contrast the present with the past. Reason and observation tell us we shall soon be gone ; a truth universally admitted, but seldom reali zed. " All men believe all men mortal, bul thenas'elVes," and yet all knovii' that at sixty-six, they m^lst be near the close of life. How then can a reflettittg being, unless BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 3 perfectly stolid in all his faculties, look forward 'to the future without solicitude ? Human nature recoils instinctively frohi death, and clings to life with a giant's grasp. It is a great matter, " to cast off" this mortal coil, and tread that unknown country, from whose boiirne no traveller returns." I suppose it is an instinct of age, to look with interest on past events. Probably, all men as they advance in years, are more inclined to review arid call up recollec tions of former incidents, than they are at early periods of life. I am sure it is so with me ; and hence for several years, I have dwelt with pecnliaf interest, and often with delight, upon youthful scenes, yodthful re collections, and frierlds once dear to me, in" the spring time of life. Awake and asleep I have thought of them, and dreamed of them ; parents and grand-parents, relatives and friends who have long since passed away have been presented in recollection, in dreams, ahd night visions, with all the freshness of life, and pre cisely as they once appeared. How strange and mysteriods this Faculty of man, that fixes the memory of the past and presents objects as if in existence and life at presettti The reminiscences of past years, have suggested to me to place some of them on papery with occasional reflections, and discussions on public measures ; inter- persed with personal and other incidehts, that may be interesting, at least to my children, grand-children, arid friends ; and perhaps not devoid of interest to readers generally. It may be supposed from the minuteness of detail, in relation to family matters, that the work is more appropriate for those connected ivith the "writer, than for general perusal; and the juslic^ of this criticism will not be denied. Still I have designed to intermix 4 REMINISCENCES incidents and details, in which the public may feel an interest; and thus render readable, that which other wise might be rejected at the outset. Discarding all claims to literary merit, I hope to contribute something that shall instruct and amuse the rising generation ; the tendency of which, shall be to make them better citizens, and fit them to discharge the various duties of life, wilh credit to themselves and benefit to our com mon country. Individual incidents unimportant as they appear, go to make up when combined, what we call history ; and though generally over-looked, except as connected with "the great men of the earth," yet as little rills and streamlets feed the mighty rivers, that sweep along with irresistible force; so individual events help to make up the great historical mass, that floats down the current of time. I was born Nov. 13th, 1785, in the Town of Hoosic, 1 Rennsselaer County, New- York, on or near the Benning ton battle ground. This battle was fought in the State of New-York, and has been known -as Bennington Bat tle, from the fact that it was fought a few miles from that place ; and that the object of the expedition was to destroy or capture the provisions and munitions of war collected there for the American army : let me refer to a few incidents that my father and grand-father used to relate : — A considerable part of the contest was on my grand father's farm, and in sight of his house ; in fact the enemy commenced their breast work at his house, which being of logs was intended to be filled with men as a strong point of defence. Those who commenced building this breast work, were finally called away to man the works on the hill, and thus the house was left to the family. BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 5 My grandfather, then about fifty years Old, was a non-combatant ; he always regarded the life of a soldier with disrelish, full of hardship and danger, and during the French war declined entering into military service. He was an Episcopalian in sentiment, and like many others of that denomination, was reluctant to bear arms against the King, though he cheerfully paid his taxes to promote the common cause ; and used to remark that " it was as necessary to have some at home to raise bread and meat for the armies as to engage in active warfare." I have no doubt he was very much under the influence of his brother John, two years younger than himself, who had been educated for the ministry, went to England for Episcopal ordination, remained there about a year, preached before the King, not far from 1758 or 9, and returned before the Revolution. His ordination vows and oath of fealty to the King controlled him ; and I have always understood my grandfather was very much under his influence ; and it was natural it should be so, for John was the educated member of the family, respectably connected by marriage with some of the influential families in Dutchess County ; where he was settled over a flourishing congregation, in the vicinity of which my grandfather had for many years resided, if not in the same parish. On the war breaking out and the English obtaining possession of the City of New- York, the parishioners of John assisted him to remove to the City, thus dissolving his clerical connection ; but parting from them with mutual feelings of kindness and respect. He remained in the City in the discharge of his duties as a clergyman, till the English evacuated it ; when he went to New Brunswick or Nova Scotia, where the royal government made liberal provision for him. 6 EEMINISCENCES I do hot think he ever attempted to influence any of, his brothers, except against bearing arms ; and this was not heeded by all of them, for some were active whigs. It is doubtful whether he and my grandfather ever saw eaph other after he removed to the City, the revolution separated them, leaving one here, an Ameri can citizen, th^ other removed far away and retaining his relation as a British subject ; such are revolutions. I have never seen but one of his family, a respectable lawyer in Canada, whom I shall have occasion to men tion hereafter. In one of the old free-mason lodges in the city of New-York, I have seen a charter signed by the Rev. John Beardsley, during the war, who was an ofiicer of the lodge at that time. It is time to quit this digression and return to the few details of the Bennington battle, which I design to relate. My father was about fourteen years of age, and with a younger brother, was made prisoner by some lurking Indians, sent in advance of the Hessians, and were part of the force sent on that expedition. The boys, when surprised and taken, were going to the pasture after cows ; the Indians would not permit them to escape, though they treated them with kindness and whenever they attempted to turn out of the path, the Indians would press them in, by putting their guns by their side, telling them " not to strive." They were finally released by the interference of the Hessian offi cers, a short time before the battle, and with the rest of the family were shut up In the house. After the main force had been called away from the house, to man the works on the hill, a soldier came in and com menced pulling out the " chiyiJcing" between the logs, to enable him to fire out. BY LEVI BEARDSIEY. 7 IMy grandfather remonstrated, and on the soldier persisting the old man seized hig musket, and being a strong man wrenched it out of his hands and tossed it up Into the chamber ; then seizing him by the shoulders put him out by main force and fastened the door against him. The battle was sharply contested, but the result is known ; the Hessians were defeated and taken, and a large body of them, when they surrendered, came running down the hill near the house wilh as little order as so many sheep, and surrendered in plain sight, several being shot, after they had ceased firing. The Indians ran away early in the batde, when they were about to be surrounded ; they were painted and were nearly naked, and when they left the hill, they ran through a field covered with briars, paying litde regard to briars or thorns, nalced as they were. I have often heard that race of the naked Indians, described as a masterly effort of Indian retreat ; and not altogether without its annoyances to them, as well as amusement to those who saw them scamper off" through the briars. There had been occasional skirmishing before the final contest commenced ; which was on the 16th of August, 1777. The previous day, an Indian chief had been shot by a parly of militia men, concealed in a field of grain, as he wilh several of his warriors were riding along the road on horses that had been plundered from the inhabitants. A few days after the battle, an attempt was made to exhume his body, under an im pression that possibly treasures might have been buried with him. When they came to the remains, one of the volunteers who had been engaged in the conflict, stood over the grave with an uplifted tomahawk, and exclaimed with stentorian voice, " arise, you old devil, arise." 8 REMINISCENCES But the Indian gave no heed lo the summons, nothing short of " the trump of the archangeV^ would ever wake that sleeper ; and the treasure seeking whigs finding no inducement to further disturb the remains of the ghastly warirlor, were glad to rebury and leave him till the "just and the unjust shall stand together."* I may as well remark that my ancestors, on my father's side, came from England before the breaking out of the civil war, that resulted in the dethronement and well merited death of Charles I. In characterising the death of Charles as " well merited," I do not intend to intimate the absence of domestic virtues on the part of the monarch. Charles possessed these, far beyond the great majority of his predecessors, and of crowned heads in general. The remark must be taken in connection wilh the fact that the struggle then going on, was between popular rights on one side, and arbitrary kingly power on the other. If the parliament, or popular party succeeded, it was revolution; if the king, then the others were rebels, and must expiate the offence with their lives. Now whatever may be conceded In reference to the virtues of Charles, it can never with truth be denied that he was an advocate of the most slavish doctrines, and the assertor of unlimited kingly authority by "divine right." In Archbishop Laud, he had an ecclesiastic whose claims in favor of the monarch and the esta blished church, were but little short of the most extravagant pretensions of kings and priests, in the darkest ages of Europe. * Some farther details in relation to Bennington battle may be found in an appendix. BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 9 In Strafford he had a minister, ready and zealous to carry out those pretensions with a tlioroughness of pur pose that allowed no mitigation. In addition, it must be admitted that Charles, obsequious lo the views of his ecclesiastical and temporal advisers, was false, hypocritical, and deceptive to his opponents. He made pretensions and promises lo the repre sentatives of the people, that he never intended to perform; or, if for the time intended, those under whose influences he acted, had no difficulty in Inducing him to change and violate his intentions. Under the circumstances in which he and his opponents were placed, where their lives were lo be sacrificed if they failed, I can see no injustice in re quiring his, when arrayed against themselves. Why should the monarch who strives against popular rights be canonized and held up as a martyr, when In con flicts for power he is overwhelmed ; while his opponents who represent the great multitude, the people, are to be hanged and quartered as rebels, if they are unsuccessful ? When men are brought to this alternative, I can see no belter way of ridding themselves of tyranny, than by cutting off" the heads of their oppressors. It is but meting out to one party, the same measure of justice that would be enacted and meted out to the other; and hence when we look al the tergiversations, the false pretenses, and the evident design of the mon arch and his court, civil and ecclesiastical, to retain power at the expense of civil rights and popular liberty, I cannot regard his death otherwise than as well merited. Placed in the position of those on the other side, they would have acted like men devoid of com mon sense had they spared the king, and permitted 10 EEMINISCENCES him and ihe adherents of power, to make war in his name against the people ; hence it is, that I have look ed upon his sacrifice, not only as expedient for the public good and quiet of the, nation, but as merited. And hence too I have always thought, that had his sons Charles and James met the same fate, the cause of civil liberty would have been promoted, and Eng land would have been spared the demoralising influen ces of the most corrupt and degraded reign of the one, and the arbitrary assertions of power on the part of a misguided bigot and despot in the other- I am no admirer of kingly authority, or believer in the "divine right" of kings and priests, to lord it over their fellow men : and hence, can look with no complacency on such pretentions, as Laud in the church, and Straf. ford, and other adherents of the crcwn, put forward and attempted to enforce among the people. When it becomes a question whether the rights of the many shall be " cloven down," or that one, two or more, shall be sacrificed who violate those rights, I have very little sympathy for the oppressors. Let the people occasionally have the sway, even at the ex- pence of majesty and its adherents. Whether the king or the peasant is made the sacrifice, is in reality of little difference; except that the one, from his con spicuous position. Is looked upon and regarded with awe and veneration ; while obscure men may be sacrificed by thousands, at the will or caprice of a master, and the world jogs on Hide regarding the fate of the many. Revolutions and civil war^ are rough games to play at ; those who engage In that business, must be content to receive buffets, as well as to give them ; and though results may not be precisely as we could wish, yet con sidering the excited passions that always predominate BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 11 in civil broils, we can hardly expect great changes without great sacrifices. But to return from this digression. William Beardslee or Beardsley, as it was indis criminately written in the public records, and Mary his wife, were among the first colonists and proprietors at Stratford, Connecticut. The tradition is that they eame from Stratford-on-Avon, (Shakspeare's birth place) and that their new town was named after their old residence, I have not learned the year they came to this country, but they were at Stratford at its first settlement, as early as 1639 or 40, about twenty years after the landing of the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock. The record of his will and other proceedings show that he died about 1659-60, his wife surviving him several years. They, with the colony, were Puritans of the independent order ; brought their minister with them, who, wilh the deacons of the church, had great authority and were associated, as advisers wilh the executors, under the will of my ancestor, (a common practice in early wills in new England,) the heirs and represent atives being admonished to give heed to the friendly asid disinterested advice of the minister and deacons. The inventory recorded with the will (Feb. 13lh, 1660) shows him to have been a man of considerable substance for the times in which he lived. Like others of his order, he was prepared for " carnal, as well as spiritual warfare," for his inventory shows " two raus- ketts, four pistolls, bandolier, sword and belt." The minister was Rev. Mr. Blackman, a well educated worthy man. He took his degrees at one of the universi ties in England, but whether his ordination was Epis copal I have not learned. At any rale he was of the Independent congregational order when he came to 12 REMINISCENCES Stratford, whereeplscopacy was not publicly introduced or tolerated till nearly eighty years afterwards. The deacons were John Brinsmaid and John Birdseye. The lalti,"T I was told was the ancestor of Hon.Viclory Birds- eye, a highly respectable citizen of Onondago County, New-York. The Independents, justly jealous of clerical usurpa tions, held rigidly to lay ordinations. They tell the following anecdote of Deacon Brinsmaid, who, zealous and determined to sustain the rights of the laity, on a certain occasion was in attendance to sit apart and ordain some one for the ministry. The weather was cold and mittens comfortable if not indlspenslble. The candidate was presented, and the worthy deacon in his haste and zeal to lay hands on him, forgot to take off" his buckskin mittens, so that ^the transaction has been known as the " leather mitten ordination.^ I looked at the homestead of my ancestor, bordered by large spreading elms In the most pleasant part of Stratford, where a most beautiful modern edifice has been erected. No solitary " fox looked out of the window" as Ossian described the ruins of ancestral dwellings ; for no dwellings of ancestors were there. The land has passed out of the family to strangers and not a trace of the old building remains, except the ruins of the cellar. David Beardsley, about my age, a des cendant of old William and Mary, resides on a portion of land out of the village that was set off" to her, under the will of her husband. My ancestor spelled his name Beardslee, but the town and parish records, as well as the stones in the graveyards, show il spelled both ways ; many of them as I spell mine, Beardsley, Thomas Beardsley, who BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 13 is mentioned among the first residents of Milford, Con necticut, in the historical records of that stale, who I suppose was brother to William and came there the same time, has his name spelled as we generally spell it now, terminating wilh a y, which is the modern English mode, as may be seen in " Slrange's" law re ports. My grandfather's name In the town records terminates wilh ee, and in the parish records " ey." In early life he wrote it as his ancestor did, but modern ized It in after life. The records and traditions abundantly prove the names to be the same, and so far as I have been able to learn, the tradition is, that all of the name, whether spelled one way or the other, sprang from two brothers, who came from England before -the civil wars and set tled, one at Stratford the other at Milford ; this my grandfather used to tell me, who was born in 1728 about eighty years after their arrival. I have recently received a letter from Hon. B. C. Beardsley, of Canada West, now upwards of seventy- five years of age, which explains the change of ortho graphy in reference to his father, the Rev. John Beardsley, previously mentioned. John was born in 1732, and was brother to my grandfather, and in early life terminated the spelling of his name " Zee." In 1758 9, he went to England, as elsewhere remarked, and while there ascertained at the Herald office or otherwise, that the then English mode of spelling the name was Beardsley, and changed his accordingly ; which accounts for my grandfather writing the names ofpartof his children in the family Bible one way and part the other. No question but that I am in the direct line from William and Mary, the Stratford family ; and, as I made it out from the town and church records, 14 REMINISCENCES am just six degrees removed from them, excluding them from the reconing. The pedigree is as follows : William and Mary had four sons, Samuel, Joseph, John and Daniel, Samuel the son of Samuel was the first grandchild, and was born June 10th, 1666. Williani and Mary had three grandsons named John, viz. John, son of Joseph, born Nov. 1st, 1668. John of Samtiel, 1673 ; and John of Daniel, August 18th, 1681. John, son of Joseph of John of Samuel, (and which I have not ascertained) married Abigail, whose maiden name does not appear. Through Johuj who married Abigail, I trace my pedi gree back to old William, for John and Abigail had a son John, known as John Beardsley, jun. born March 9th, 1701-2; he inarried Keziah Wheeler, December 29th, 1725, and they are my great grand-parents. Obadiah, their second son, my grandfather, was born at Stratford, October 6th, 1728, and was baptized in theEpiscopalchurch, February 2nd, 1729. He married Amy Calkins, from whom my father, Obadiah, was born, June 18lh, 1768, at Fredericksburgh, Dutchess County, very near the birth plate of Chancellor Kent, and was of about the same age. My grandfather died in the spring of 1807, my grandmother in the spring of 1814, and both were buried in Richfield, Otsego County. My father married Eunice Moore, my mother^ November 10th, 1784, shfe was the daughter of Daniel and Elsie Moore^ and \Vas born January 22d, 1765, and died in Richfield, Decertiber 7th, 1811, where my father died Novemiier 15th, 1841, they are both buried at Richfield springs. I have never attempted to trace my pedigree on my mother'* side, her parents lived to great ages, and died at Camlllus, Onondago Cotlnty. The laet liftie I feaw BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 16 my grandfather Moore he was about eighty-four years of age, and told me he could mount his horse by putting his foot in the stirrup and vauUing into his saddle with out a horse block or any 'vantage of ground. He was in the habit of going to mill on horseback, and I think lived about four years after I saw him, which would make him about eighty-eight. He was born on Long Island and was ho doubt a descendant of the family of Moore's, settled there at an early day. My grand- toother Moore was born in New Jersey, of Dutch parent age and lived to a greater age than her husband ; they Were industrious, religious people. Of the baptist order and decided rcTolutlonary whigs. Some of my name, who are remote collateral relatives, have a tradition that our ancestors in this country were descendants of a French Hugrienot, who fled froni France to England during the refigiouS Wars and per secutions in France* about 80 years before the settle ment in Stratford, which WOuld have been about 1560. How that may have been, I kndw not ; as I have not attempted to go farther back than the early records in Connecticut. Should any one carry investigation farther I think it vvill be found that they were of old English origin and nOt Frenoh. From what I have said of my grafldparerits-, it Will be seen that they liVed to great ages ; my father was In his 79th year when he died ; two of his brothers lived to be more than eighty y^arsy and his sister eighty-foui*. On looking over the town and parish records and the tonibstones at Stratford, lEoCld ndt but remark the great ages at which many of my name arrived* Look at the folloTting : Abraham Beardsley eighty-eight years, his •wife eighty-one, Curtis sixty ^two, Pbilo eighty, Abijah BeVentysixv Henry 6ifcty<-nin0, his wife eighty-nine. John, buried in the old congjtegatbnal buryirig ground 16 EEMINISCENCES. in 1732, aged upwards of sixty, though the latter figure is so defaced as to be illegible. I think his age was sixty-four, and that he was the son of Joseph, born Nov. Isl, 1668, and probably the father of my great grandfather and grandson of William and Mary. Stephen Beardsley recently died at Trumbull, Long Hill, Connecticut, at a very advanced age. Beyond what I have written, and what I recollect from hearsay from my father and grandfather, I know but little of the history or tradition of my ancestors. They were respectable industrious people, and of resolute old fashioned Enghsh stuff'. My grandfather, as he has often told me, was fond of forest life, and the sports of the field. Before the American revolution, he made annual excursions lo the great forest, bordering on Lake George, lo enjoy his favourite amusements. It was a hard life, full of excitement and adventure; but such a life, and such adventures as hunters and back woods men, often seek and prize highly. He has related many stirring adventures, and incidents with the red men, who hunted in the same greatforest ; for it is well known, that this was regarded as the favourite hunting ground of the Iroquois. He related the following in cident — On one occasion he was hunting in the vicinity of Lake George ; and coming near a swampy piece of ground, his companion remarked that game was plenty in that neighbourhood, and asked him to walk with him to the edge of the swamp, where some one had shot a large buck a few days before. They repaired to the spot, where his com panion pulled away a few pieces of rotten wood, that had been thrown on a large Indian, who lay there partly stamped into the mud. I have no suspicion that my grandfather ever shot, or encouraged the shooting BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 17 of Indians, but it is very certain, he occasionally asso ciated with those who sometimes indulged in this interesting business. Those times were perlllous, and conflicts frequent between the white and red men, just as they now are in the far off" western regions. They were inevitable, and of no uncommon occurrence ; for it was a question, whether the red men should alone enjoy the game of the country. Captain Earl, who I believe was the grand-father of the late Jonas Earl, of Onondaga, was one of his forest companions, but not the one who shewed him the dead Indian. Among other incidents he mentioned the shooting of a large moose in 1776, the year before Bennington batde, which was shot by Captain Earl, with my grandfather's gun, on the eminence where the battle was next year fought. The moose had strayed from the great forests in that vicinity, and being pressed by the dogs stood at bay on the hill, where Earl had fired at and wounded him, as he bayed the dogs : my grand father coming up in a hurry handed his gun to Earl, who knew where the moose stood, and was killed at the next shot, a forerunner of the fate of the Hessians the next year. I remember that old musket, with its brass trimmings. It was one of the Cuba guns, and was used in the expedition against that Island, when Ha- vanna was beseiged. It threw a ball of rather more than an ounce, about twelve to the pound, and when loaded wilh ball and buck-shot, was terribly destruc tive at eighteen rods ; it was a favourite piece In the family, and had brought down many bear and deer, but was finally burned in a log house since the com mencement of the present century. 18 EEMINISCENCES CHAPTER II. Early Recolleciions. — Remarkable Aurora Borealis.-— Vulgar Superstitions. — Removal to Otsego County, Spring of 1790. — Incidents of that Year. — Removal to Log House in Richfield.-^Almost a Fright from Indians. — Saw Mill and Grist MiU Built. I HAVE a distinct recollection of some events as far back as the summer of 1789 ; when I was in my fourth year. I remember going to a funeral in Bennington, at the burial of a man named Porter, who died suddenly. It was summer, for the red cheries were then ripe. This might have been the summer of 1788, but I think it could not have been so far back, though I recollect something, that took place in Novemljer or December of that year or the winter of '89 ; as I Went with my parents to a country store, where I first saw a stove and a negro. The stove I recollect, from putting my hand on it and getting burned, and the negro, (old mink) from being afraid of him. In the latter part of '89 or early part 6f '90, there was a remarkable exhibition of northern lights, which formed a beautiful crown over head, bright and nearly red, which my childish imagination turned into cart wheels, from its forniing many circles resembling wheels. It was so brilliant, that my father went out and read by Its light. This exhibition was aiterward^ remembered and talked about, and as the French revolution soon after broke out, which was ultimately attended with horrid cruelties, some who had seen this BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 19 aurora borealis, superstitiously regarded it as the pre cursor of that bloody revolution. In the autumn of '89 my father, with his brothers and my grandfather, made up their minds to emigrate to the west the next spring, and settle In the woods, on new land which they had selected and purchased of Goldsbro Banyer, of Albany, at $1 '25 per acre. The land was in what is now Richfipld, Otsego county. The spring of 1790 having sold their farm in Hoosic, my father, with two of his brothers, who had small families, and my grandfather, broke up and started for their intended new home. Their worldly substance was small. I think for the purpose of moving, they bad a cart and one or two wagons, one or two yoke of oxen, three or four horses, and a few cattle, sheep and hogs. The roads were excessively bad, and they took but little household stuflf with them ; nor could they, as their means of trans portation were very limited. I was little more than four years old ; being four in November preceding, and this movement commenced thelatter part of April, 1790. My mother was left behind with a sick child, who bad been dangerously ill, and was not well enough to be removed. My sister, about two years younger than myself, was with me, stowed away in the cart or wag on, among the chairs and furniture, and put under tbe care of a girl brought up by my grandfather. I recollect a few incidents of the journey. We crossed the Hudson near Half Moon (Waterford) where a young buE jumped out of the ferry boat, and swam back to the eastern shore. He was finally driven up anji made to swim to the western side, to join the other cattle. We then passed to the Mohawk, and kept up that river on tbe north side, till we came toFonda?s ferry, 20 REMINISCENCES which must have been very near the present village of Fonda. Here we ferried over to the south side and con tinued up the river to Canajoharie. I well remember the appearance of the elm trees, that skirted the Mohawk, with their large swelling buds and spring-like appearance. At Canajoharie we left the' river and look the old continental road, as it was called, towards Springfield, Otsego county ; the same road that a division of the American army had taken to Otsego lake under Gen. Clinton, to join Sullivan's expedition against the Indians. We staid all night at Conradt Seeber's (now Seeber's lane,) where he kept a poor Dutch tavern. Slavery was then common, and not regarded a sin as now. Every Dutch farmer who was able to purchase, had more or less slaves ; and negroes generally fared as well as their masters. I was somewhat afraid of the " darkies" but became more reconciled to them when they spoke kindly to me, in broken English. Bread stuffs, were very scarce and dear that year, all over the country, and In Europe too. We had got out of bread and flour and could get nothing of the kind at Seeber's, or among his neighbours. The negroes were sent out, from house to house, but could get nothing in the bread line but potatoes, which we roasted, and I vvent to sleep, after eating some of them, crying for bread. The next day we started and went as far as William Seeber's, with the teams, about three miles ; where they concluded to leave part of the vehicles till the roads be came settled, which were then broken up and almost im passable. . Some of the party drove the live stock, and went on the best way they could. My father put a saddle on one of the horses, and on another packed a bed and bedding on which the girl was to BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 21 ride. I was placed on the horse behind him on a pillow tied to the saddle, with a strap under my arms, buckled round his waist, to prevent me from falling off", and carrying my sister before hlm^ yre pursued our journey ; the girl (Sukey) riding the other horse on top of the bed and bedding ; and a yearling colt tagging after. This constituted the cavalcade so far as »my father and his family were concernbd. Our object was lo go up towards Springfield till we reached the old road, that diverged and ran off" west or southwesterly, to the foot of Schuyler's lake, where my father and uncles had hired the " Herkimer farm" on which was a small improvement made before the war ; and two small log houses, more properly speaking huts. We went about half way that day and stopped overnight in a log house, about two miles west of little lakes, and a mile east of what is now Richfield springs, from which stopping place we continued next day down the lake, on the east side to its foot. In due time after the roads were settled, the teams were sent back for the cart, wagons and furniture, and after planting a small piece of corn, my father took one of the horses and went to Hoosic for my mother. She rode the horse on a man's saddle, and carried the child, my father in patriarchal manner walking by her side ; and thus the family were at length re-united In the woods at the foot of the beautiful lake, and by the side of the fine little stream known as "Herkimer Creek," then full of fish, particularly the speckled trout. After his return, one of the first things for the safely of the sheep, was to build a fold or place where they could be kept at night, safe from the depredations of wolves, whose nocturnal bowlings on the hills, east of the lake could be heard almost every night during that 22 EEMINISCENCES season. A pen was formed by laying up logs like the body of a log house, and so close and high that a wolf could not gel in, or over it. In this the sheep were driven every night. I recollect the putting up of this peUi Timothy Morse, who had recently settled at Burlington, was there to assist, and being a very strong man carried np one of the corners. He was afterwards Justice of the peace, and a Judge of the Court of Com mon PleaSj when I was admitted to the bar. After the weeding of the corn, and before and after the hay making season, my father and his two bro thers vvent to Work, and cut and cleared out a path through the woods from the foot of the lake to their lot in Richfield. They followed the marked trees on the line of lots as near as the ground would admit, and made a road or path, wide enough for a cart to get ^long with skilful driving, about six miles, or as the road ran a little more. The path being prepared, they went to work whenever they could be spared from the farm at the lake, and cut away the brush and small trees, and enough of the large ones to afford room for building two log houses, one on my father's farm the t)ther on my uncle's, the houses being twenty or twenty- five rods apart. These were put up and partly com pleted in the course of the summer, that they might move to them in August or September, after securing the small crops. They were placed In the woods, and not an eighth of an acre cleared around either, or even both of them, and were any thing but habitable. The one that we moved in, for my father moved to his one or two days before my uncle, was a small log cabin, the body laid up, and part, though not the whole of the roof was covered with black ash and elm bark, which had been peeled from the trees at the season BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 23 when bark is taken ofl^ easily. When spread out and put on the roof and pressed down with poles or small timbers, the rough side, exposed to the weather, it makes a good roof that will last several years, and shed the rain quite well. Our house was partially covered, and when it rained we had to put our eflfects and get ourselves under that patt which was sheltered. The floor was made of bass wood logs, split and hewed partially on one side, and then spotted down, making a good substantial floor, but only about half of ours was laid. We had no fire place or chimney, and till this was built, the cooking must all be done out of doors. A place for the door was cut out, so that we could go in, but no door had been made, nor had we any way of fastening the doorway except by barri cading. There was of course no chamber floor, though this was supplied by loose boards, subsequently ob tained. A mud and slick chimney and fire place were afterwards added, as the weather became cool ; and to get earth or clay to make mortar to daub the house and make the chimney, a hole was dug under the floor, which was our only cellar, in which in winter we put a few bushels of potatoes and turnips, and took up one of the flattened logs from the floor whenever we wanted any thing from below. I have said there was no door when we moved in. My father on reaching the house wilh my mother and family, remained there the first night, hanging a blanket at the door way to keep out part of the night air. The next day he returned to the lake, with the team to assist my uncle to move up with his family, two days after we came. Thus my mother and myself with the two younger children were left in the woods alone for a day and a night, five or six miles from our recent residence, and without any 24 REMINISCENCES fastening to the door way in case we wanted to close the entrance. It must be recollected that this was but a few years after the close of the war, and all the recollections of Indian atrocities were fresh in remembrance among those who had gone through the revolutionary scenes. My mother, wilh probably as much courage as most«women, and with more fortitude than many of them, was timid in regard to Indians. She and her sisters had narrowly escaped those that passed through Cambridge on their way to Bennington. Her cousin, John Younglove, an ardent whig, had been shot in his own house by Indians, or Tories disguised in Indian dresses. During the day, after my father had gone with the team, we heard noises in the woods, screaming, and to us very frightful. I suppose it must have been blue jays, with the hootings of the owl ; but we con verted them into the possible, if not probable noise of lurking Indians. What was to be done? we had no door lo the house, but mother went to work, to barri cade and secure the doorway; which she soon rendered quite safe by bedsteads, chairs, tables, and other household furniture. The gun had been left at home, well loaded, and she said if we were attacked, she would defend the house, though she knew but little about the use of fire arms, except to load. She exam ined the powder horn, to see how much powder we had, and the bullet pouch lo see how many balls ; and being thus prepared, secured and fortified, we passed that night safely, annoyed more by musquilos than anything else ; and the next day, father with my uncle and family returned. He brought with him some pieces of boards lo make a door, which he soon completed, with wooden hinges BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 25 and wooden catch and latch, raised by a string ; and the door was fastened by a pin inside, when we wanted to secure it. " The latch string however of that cabin was always out," except when the family were from home ; and here we were settled on our new farm, in the midst of the woods, five miles from our neighbours, except my uncle and his family. Let me go back for a few moments to our residence at the lake before we removed to the farm. I want to let my readers into the secrets of living in a new country, the privations and hardships, incident lo such a life. You will probably, many of you, never know them frorn experience, but I will give you an insight. We all came to the country quite poor. There were no stores near us, and if there had been We had nothing to pay for goods. Our nearest mill, while we lived at the lake was Tubb's, on Oak's creek, near Toddsville, some three miles from Cooperstown. After we went to Richfield, we sometimes went lo this mill, sometimes to Walbrldges, in Burlington, and sometimes to Fort Plain ; the latter at least thirty miles, as the road then ran. In the year 1791, Wm. Tunnlcllff" built a saw mill, near Richfield springs, four miles from our residence ; and the next year he built on the opposite side of the creek a small grist mill, which served the purposes of the townspeople for several years, except in low water when they had to go to greater distances. Judge Peck v/as the millwright and built both mills ; the mill dam, put in by him in 1791, is still standing ; and the old building in which was the grist mill, though removed is also standing, used for a shed ; the shingle roof put on at the time, being quite perfect yet. Almost every family in the country made their own cloth. The dye 26 REMINISCENCES tub was always an appendage, and stood in the corner near the fire, and served as a seat for one of the inmates. We came to the country before sheep shearing, so we had to wait till they were sheared and the wool picked, carded, spun, wove and dressed, before we had our annual supply of woollen clothing ; and for linen we had to wait till we could raise flax and manufacture it. To obviate the difficulty, so far as I was concerned, my mother, after she came tO the lake, cut up an old cloak, and from it made me a little coat with pockets. My grandfather professed a knowledge in the tanning business, and having provided himself with a large trough in which he put such skins as he could get ; he put them through his process of tanning. I o'on't think he knew much about it except in reference to deer skins ; he could dress them Indian fashion (smoke dress ed) as well as any Mohawk or Iroquois. He however got a sheep skin and having taken off" ihe wool, went on to dress il. I think the dressing was but little more than rubbing and pulling it and then nailing il to the wagon box to dry, after stretching it every way to its utmost tension. He declared it fit for use, and it was decided, in council, that for want of somethinn- better, I should have a pair of sheepskin breeches, which were soon prepared, and I was cased in them. The skin was dry and raided tike parchment or an old snuff" bladder, and the garment was so short In the legs that they extended but about half way below my knees." You may judge of my appearance; the old sheepskin when dry, would rattle when Iran, and if the pants got wel they would stretch and become flabby, and then harder and shorter than ever when they got dry again. Thus pantalooned and coated, I spent a very pleasant EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 2'?' summer and for amusement often went out with David, my father's youngest brother, some 14 years of age. The marshy lands abounded with English snipe, which you know sit so close to the ground, and so resemble it in color that you can hardly see them, till they get on wing. Just at night they delight in getting up, and with a spiral whirl, ascend high into the air, Avilh a con stant gyration, chirping, as they rise liU they are out of sight, and almost of hearing ; and then will come down again, and settle very near where they started from, crying as they squat on the ground " quaack." Uncle David used to arm himself with a long brushy stick, with his pocket full of stones, and on seeing the bird get up would place himself near where he started from, and when he settled down would fre quently kill him with his brushy slick. Sometimes he would kill him with stones, and to promote this desir able object, my coat pockets were filled wilh " rocks," as the buck eyes say, for him to heave at them. The cloth being old and tender, from which my coat was made, the pockets were soon torn out, and I was threatened with a severe chastisement for thus des troying my new coat. The farm at the lake was retained a second year, my grandfather and one of my uncles residing there during the year 1791, and was kept for the common benefit of the colony, to furnish hay and grain, till we could clear the land and raise crops in Richfield. It is time lo go back again to our log house on the new farm. In the course of the autumn of 1790, and during '91, many people came lo look for lands, and my father's and uncle's houses, were places of rendezvous for all comers. They generally slept on the floor before the fire on straw beds ; for we had scarcely a spare 28 EEMINISCENCES one of other description at that time. After a chamber floor was put In, some slept in the chamber, to which they ascended by a ladder that always stood in the house. CHAPTER HI. Forest Scenery. — Household Manufactures. — Modes of Coun try Life. — Dress. — Carding and Spinning Bees. — Wrest ling Matches. — Clearing Land. — Fires in Woods.— Thunder Storms. — Marking Corner Tree. — Killing Bears. — Various Incidents. " There is a pleasure in the pathless wood." — Byron. I SHALL never forget the freshness and beauty of the forest, after winter had passed away. The spring flowers were everywhere in bloom, the herbage high and luxuriant covered the ground, the wild leek was green and so abundant that it was used as a substitute for onions ; the netdes were frequently four feet high, and the ground yew, or running hemlock, with its woody vine, often ten feet long and standing two or three feet above the surface, spread over many acres, presenting a formidable obstruction to the pedestrian, particularly if he was barefooted, as men and boys generally went in the summer season. The winter had passed off, and during the whole of it, the cattle had been sustained by occasionally a litde hay and straw and a few ears of corn ; relying principally on browsing, which is feeding on the tops of trees that were daily felled for them. They lived through the winter quite well, and soon became thrifty and sleek after the herbage had sprung up. This brow sing was resorted to frequently, and almost every year more or less up to 1801-2. 30 REMINISCENCES Those only who have resided in a new country, where forest scenery in all its richness and beauty is presented to the view, can realize how strongly those recollections are impressed on the mind. It is no marvel to me, that the red man si^s for forest life, where, without restraints, imposed by laws and customs of civilized society, he roams free as the air he breathes. To the man of reflection, who feels responsible to a higher power, and boks upon objects around him as evidence of the existence of that great and good being, who created, regulates, and sustains all things, I can conceive of no place or circumstance so well calculated to impress the sensitive mind wilh awe and veneration, as the deep seclusion of the forest. Often, very ofien, when a mere boy, have I repaired to a secluded spot, where there was a clump of pine trees, and sat under them for hours togetber, listening to the sighing of the winds in the topmost branches. The slightest motion of air might be heard, in fact, I have hardly ever known the atmo sphere so still, that it did not agitate and rusde through the tops of those evergneens. If it was but a slight breeze it prodoeed a soothing ham, well calculated to calm the mind aii(J indace contemplation ; while if the blast was vident, there was the loud resound ing roar through the branches ; giving ineontestible proof that the "^ormy king," could invigorate tljose gentle gales and convert them to tbe more stesrn ex hibitions of 'f storm and tempest.'' Wha* temple " made with hands," so raises the feelings of the con templative mind, as the vast creation of forest, nver and lake ? The beautiful archway of heaven, with sun, moon and stars bung out as jeweba, to shadow forth the Almighty, as far surpass in magnifioeoit BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 31 grandeur, the vast cathedral with richest ornaments, and rendered vocal by organs and anthems, as the light of the sun at mid-day exceeds the glimmering of the fire-fly at night. Sterne, in his Tristam Shandy, puts the following sentiment in the mouth of Uncle Toby, " a soldier may pray in the trench, as accept ably as the parson in the church," and so may he in tbe woods. For several years each family made its own cloth, from wool and flax ; and even sacks and coarse garments from nettles, which were strong and durable like hempen cloth. It must be borne in mind that carding and picking machines had not then been in vented, and if they had, were not introduced in the country till many years afterwards. The sheep being washed and sheared, the wool must first be picked by hand, and this was generally done by the ikmily in the evening ; then it must be greased and broke as they called it, and afterwards carded into rolls by hand, when it was fit for spinning. Each family kept a great wheel, and a little wheel, the first for wool and tow, and the other for flax; many also had a loom, for almost every family wove their own cloth, either at home or at their neighbours. At my father's they had a loom and each kind of wheel, and after the country became settled and we had advanced a little, so as " to be able to do in the worid," as the old women used to say; we etlways bad a spinning girl, and sometimes two, a considerable part of each season. Out mode of life for several years was plain,, coarse and primitive. Tea was scarcely known, and not at all as a common beverage, till three or four years after we were setded. Coffee was not introduced till several years later. Sugar was madi frotn the maple every 32 REMINISCENCES spring, and salt obtained from Albdny in small quan tities. I think we had been in the country three or four yearsi before any one thought of buying tea, except perhaps a quarter or half pound- of bohea, which was only doled out, when the women came together for an afternoon visit, and then only to theni ; labouring men did not expect It. A substitute for tea and coffee was often procured from a root that grew In wet ground, which was called evin root, but I do not know its botanical name. When boiled, the decoction Was somewhat of a chocolate colour, though rather inclining to purple. The flavour was remarkably pleasant when sweetened, and was generally preferred to tea. The inner portion of white pine bark, when boiled, and sweetened, makes a plea sant drink, and so does the sassafras root. Let me describe those early female visits. A lady wanted her neighbours to come and make her a visit and spend the afternoon ; mind you, an afternoon ; the meaning of which was, to come as soon as they had the dishes washed after dinner, which was at twelve o'clock. They would come on foot three miles, and remain as late as they could, and reach home in lime to milk the cows at night. They always had their tea as early as five or six o'clock, and those farthest off then started for home, through the woods. Some were timid and afraid of bears, and with those, some one would go and see them safely through swamps, and dangerous places. Sometimes a bear would present himself, just to frighten them, but generally scampered off"; for it is seldom ilhat he will make an attack, unless very hungry, or when young ones are in peril. Generally speaking, the ladies were resolute ; and BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 33 went everywhere without fear. Their dress was plain, cheap and simple. A black skirt, and while or calico short gown, wilh occasionally a full calico, or chintz dress, constituted the top of the fashion. High heeled shoes were worn, which were fastened and adorned by a small buckle. Sometimes a cap was worn, but not generally for the first few years. A bonnet constituted the head dress, which on being laid aside, the head was without covering. It was no uncommon thing, for several years, to see married, as well as young ladies, trudging along barefoot, wilh their shoes and stockings in their hands, to avoid getting them soiled wilh mud, and then putting them on before they entered the house. It was quite common wilh the ladles, to couple with their visits a quilting, or spinning, or carding bee. The carding and quiltings, were done at the house, where the visit, or bee was to be consummated. The spinning was a diferent aff*alr. When a spinning bee was to come off", the wool or flax, in small quantities was distributed among the invited guests ; and the day indicated when they were to bring in the yarn and drink tea. The yarn was returned, and the good dames drank their tea, talked over neighbourhood aff'airs, indulged in critical and sometimes even slanderous re marks, and then retired to their virtuous homes. To suppose there was no gossip and slander in the country, because it was new, would indicate but a superficial knowledge of female character. I may as well throw together, in this place, the remarks intended to be made In reference to the eariy habits and modes of life, which will apply to a series of years after the settlement as well as the few first years ; and as we had no aristocratic associations in those early 3 ¦ ¦•' 34' EEMINISCENCES times, my remarks apply to the bone and sinew, the real democracy of the country. Those men, with strong arms, hard hands, and iron frame, might daily be seen, wending their way with knapsack on their backs, an axe lashed on the outside, and with gun on their shoulder, seeking a favorite resting place, prepared to grapple wilh the hardships and privations of frontier life, till the forests could be prostrated, the country improved, and the modes of civilized life and luxurious living, could take the place of unmitigated toil. Their wives, generally speaking, were equally industrious, and nobly sustained the exertions of their husbands. The settlement of the town, after the first year or two, went on rapidly ; men were rough and hardy, and all public occasions wound up with trials of strength. Wrestling, running, jumping, and hopping, always constituted part of the amusements. Logging bees and raisings, were of frequent occurrence. The parly making the bee, or raising, furnished himself with some poor rum, as an indispensable- article to ensure success ; if he did not, he was regarded as a mean covetous fellow, and his work would be poorly done, if done at all. Whiskey was not then introduced, nor till several subsequent years. After the building was raised, or the bee concluded, the party collected to take the last drink, and then the sports commenced. Almost invariably a ring was formed for wrestling, and frequently commenced with boys, the men looking on. The boy thrown, would bring in one to wrestle with the victor, and so on till all had wrestled, and the one was victor, who could keep the ring against all comers ; so also wilh the men, who never expected to separate without a goodly number of >yrestling niatches. This practice was very BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 35 generally continued as late as 1807. I have never seen so good wrestlers as those early settlers in Rich field. The Colwell family, take them as a whole, were the best in town. Isaac and Robert, who have been dead many years, were very powerful ; Samuel, yet alive, about four years older than myself, was master among the boys. I became skilful in all these sports, understood them well, and in a rough and tumble scuffle, or at side hold, there were but few of my age I could not throw. Every lock, in wrestling, was familiar, and I knew how and when to take them, and how and when to lay out my strength to accomplish my object. I was quick and but few men, even much larger and stronger than myself, but I could more than match. I have spoken of logging. Having been familiar with clearing up new land from my early childhood, let me describe the process. The ground to be cleared being selected, the first move is to cut all the under brush and small trees, generally called staddles. The brush are trimmed out and heaped in suitable places, and all such small trees, as can conveniently be handled, are cut and thrown on the heaps, with the old fallen limbs of trees ; the small ones being cut near the ground. You are now ready to cut the large timber; and here great judgment must be used in falling it, so that you can log it to advantage. Trees should be so fallen as to be parallel with each other, and if on hilly land, should be fallen in such a manner that on logging they may be rolled down hill. Those cut up should be in bgs, fourteen or fifteen feet long, according to their size. By skilful falling much chopping may be saved, by leaving many large trees to be piled against, on making log heaps. 36 REMINISCENCES Hard timber, maple, beech, birch, and elm, pre dominated in that part of Otsego county ; the timber being very heavy. A good chopper would cut his acre and pile the brush in seven or eight days : Ihave known it done In less. At the age of twenty-two years I could cut an acre In seven days, but as a general average men would be from seven lo ten days, particularly if several worked together. Chopping is hard, but clean work, and I was fond of it. A man going into the woods with his axe, soon makes an opening, which being enlarged daily, serves to encourage and stimulate him to vigorous action. The trees being chopped and brush piled, if done in May or June, should be left through July and August, by which time they become SO dry, that the fire frequently runs over the whole ground, burning all the brush, many of the logs, and blackening those that remain. This would be regarded as a good burn, leaving the soil clean of weeds, and herbage. Then follows the logging and burning the log heaps, most dirty, smoky, disagreeable work. Three men and a yoke of oxen would log an acre per day, sometimes more, if the timber was light, and well felled and cut. Tbe ashes, worth 6i cents, must be scraped together, and carried to an ashery, to make black salts, and eventually pearl or potash. All this being done, the land was ready for harrowing and reception of seed ; after which the fences could be made at pleasure. It was not uncommon to make sugar in the spring, on a piece of forest land, and then clear it off" for a crop of corn the same season. Several acres of my father's lands, where he afterwards planted his orchard, were thus used, wxA cleared off"; the small brush had been cut the preceding autumn. When the time arrived for BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 37 making sugar, the trees were tapped and a large quantity made. As the season advanced, we cut the small timber, heaped the brush, and got everything ready to cut the large trees, as soon as sugar making was over; that being past, we cut and burned all the timber, and cleared the land for a crop. The month of May was warm and dry, when on burning the brush, the fire ran over all the ground clearing it of herbage, so that we had but Httle harrow ing to do, to fit it for planting. It was nearly the first of June when we planted, but the corn was soon up, grew rapidly, and with but little more than one slight dressing with the hoe, we had fifty bushels of good corn to the acre, wilh any quantity of large yellow pumpkins. After the corn was planted, and the ground fenced, we had to trap and shoot the striped squirrels, to protect the corn, as those little animals have an in veterate desire to dig it up, to obtain the grain at the root. Those burnings of new lands. In dry weather, frequently extend beyond the ground intended lo be cleared, and rage furiously in the woods. Every one who has long resided in a new country has seen the woods on fire ; nothing can be more grand than their appearance at night, when the fire rages among dry and partially decayed trees. The flames, as they are fanned by the breeze, seem to flash out and leap fit fully from tree to tree ; then, subsiding foramoment, will break out again as the wind freshens. Frequently the fire rapidly ascends a dry tree till it reaches the top most branches, and then becomes, from bottom to top, a mass of flame, vivid and transparent ; the atmosphere becomes charged with smoke, the heavens enlightened by the thousand fires, the roar of the flames, the crackling of dry limbs and fagots, with the freqtient 3S REMINISCENCES thundering of the large trees as they fall lo the ground, render the scene grand, imposing and magnificently briUiant. Cooper, in his Pioneer, has given a graphic picture of a burning forest, the best by far that I have seen ; and yet grand and truthful as that description is, it comes far short of reality, as all know who have wit nessed similar exhibitions. It seems to me we had much more thunder during those early years than we have latterly ; if it was so, it might have resulted from accidental and natural causes, some years more than others ; or may there not be more electricity in the atmosphere, when a country is new and uncultivated, than after il is cleared and subjected to the free unobstructed rays of the sun ? I was caught out In a storm that made a very lively impression on my mind, as well as subjecting me to a tremendous drenching. I must have been thirteen or fourteen years of age, and had been sent that afternoon three miles to the nearest blacksmith to have the plough share sharpened. In those days we used the old- fashioned bull plough, with wrought iron coulters and shares, which, frequently required sharpening. The share was put in one end of a bag, and the coulter in the other, and was thrown on the back of the old brown mare and I on the lop of it. In new countries, where there is not much work required from the blacksmith, except those occasional jobs, he generally works in the fields a large portion of time ; and this was the case with the one whom I wanted to see. He came from the field, and though short of coal, managed to raise sufficient heat to do the work ; but manifested no desire hurry it. When he had got through, it was nearly night, and a thunder storm was coming from the west. He put the bag, with share and EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 39 coulter on the mare, and I started for home. Nearly the whole way was through the woods, and my load being unequally balanced, I had to ride slow, so that before I was one-third of the way home, the storm was upon me. The rain poured down, the wind blew furi ously, and the lightning was vivid and constant. It soon became so dark, that I could not see objects a yard from me, not even the horse's head, except by the glare of the lightning, when the flashes were so bright they seemed to blind me for a moment, and then left me in more than natural darkness. The only way for me, unless I had abandoned the load, was lo hold It on as well as possible, and let the mare take her own course but not go faster than a walk, as her trot would have thrown off the bag, and probably me with It. The thunder followed the lightning in quick succes sion, crash after crash, and so near that the old mare would shudder and tremble under me, while the light ning seemed to leap from tree to tree. It was a most sublime spectacle, could one have been sheltered from the fury of the storm and felt himself safe and free from danger. The roaring of the wind, the waving of the trees, interlocking their branches with each other, the frequent crash of those thrown down by the force of the tempest and the vivid lightning, all com bined, rendered the night terrific. Then the forked chain-like lightning in the distance, as the thunder cloud advanced, and the heavy rever beration of the distant thunder, intermixed with that near at hand, could not fail to impress with awe, if not terror, one of sterner stuff than myself. The rain raised some of the streams so that they were neariy impassable in tbe dark. I reached home about ten o'clock, drenched through 40 REMINISCENCES and through, and nearly exhausted in holding the un balanced load. In 1797-8 or 9, (I think In '98) we had the most severe storm of thunder, lightning and rain, that I have ever known. The shower came from the west about five o'clock In the afternoon, and at Its commencement was accompanied wilh wind and hail. It passed off to the east, and then the current of air seemed lo change, which brought it back, so that it appeared as if two storms had met over head, to contend for mastery through the night ; there was a continual flashing of lightning, and roar of thunder till daylight; much of il was in our immediate vicinity, and a large sugar maple was struck within a few rods of the house : the trunk was cleft In twain, so that il could be seen through its whole length though It remained standing till the nex:t day, when it fell down. That storm extended all over the country and was long remembered. The June term of the common pleas, was in session at Coopers town, where the storm raged with equal fury as elsewhere ; our large meadow was flooded wilh water nearly a foot deep. The Susquehanna river was so swollen, that a boy who was in the woods after cattle, was caught out, and remained in a tree top through the night, not deeming II safe lo attempt to cross the river in the dark. The next morning he got across, by making an ox swim and he held by his tail, and was thus ferried over. This mode of crossing the Scioto river in Ohio, I have frequently seen resorted to In high water. While re siding there, 1 had an ox, a fine large gentle fellow, who often carried me across that river, and sometimes when the water was so deep that he had to swim a short distance. BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 41 He seemed pleased when he had an opportunity lo oblige his friends in this way, and was generally re paid for his kindness wilh many ears of corn given to bim at times rather out of season for his regular food. An incident occurred in the early part of the storm, that I have just described,whlchdeserves notice. Several neighbours as il came on look shelter In Mr. Edson's log-tavern, where there was a large slick chimney that admitted much hail and rain in the fire place and on the hearth. With the hall and rain that came paltering down, was a fish of the chub kind, about eight inches long, such as the boys used to catch with pin hooks in the brooks; he flopped about precisely as if thrown on land from the water, and was not injured ; on being put in a pail of water, he swam about perfectly well. I have heard doubts expressed, whether fish are ever taken up, and then rained down, but I do not suppose there Is any doubt about II ; for what I have related I saw, and am sure the fish was not there by any other means. Water spouts at sea are familiar to all sailors, when vast columns of water are taken up, and no doubt fish with them, and are afterwards precipitated on the ocean, though of rare occurrence on land. Let me leave this subject lo relate a family inci dent, somewhat out of place but illustrslllve of the custom of the times. A few years after our settlement, a surveyor came there and was employed by my father and uncles lo subdivide the lot, and run out and mark the lines of their respective farms ; my father and three of his brothers were engaged, one carried the flag, two the chain, and the other an axe lo clear away the brush, mark the line trees, and set and mark the corners. On driving the last stake, and marking the witness 42 REMINISCENCES trees of my father's farm, his brothers determined to whip him, to make him remember the corner; they prepared themselves with whips nearly as long and large as were used lo drive oxen, and he procured one for defence equally as efficacious. To guard and pre vent an attack from the rear, he placed his back against a large tree, which while it sheltered his back, warded off" the blows they attempted to give him. They approached him in front, and he gave two of them each a hearty thwack across their shoulders and back, that raised ridges as large as the small finger, they struck al him but the tree warded off' the force of their blows; and lo bring the contest to a close, one of my uncles, a large strong man, more than six feet high, rushed In and grasping my father round the waist, threw him down, but he kept his whip, and gave them two more cuts after he was down. The contest ended, they got up, my uncles had the worst of it, for the whip had made a lively impression on the outer man ; and my father had enough of It, to impress him forcibly wilh the remem brance of that corner. All was In good nature, regrets were expressed that either should have been hurt, the surveyor laughed, and the affair was settled. As I am on incidents, let me relate another which happened a few years afterwards. We had a log school house, near a pine swamp. It was sabbath day, and Parson Nash, after wards, and for many years, favourably known as father Nashjwas lo preach In the school-house. He was a pioneer in the new country, and I suppose Is the "Parson Grant," that Cooper had in his mind's eye, when he wrote the " Pioneers." My father and a young man were going in the morning to build a fire in the school house, when they heard an outcry in the swamp of dogs and boys ; presently a large bear came in sight, followed in close BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 43 pursuit by two dogs, the one a large spirited animal fit for a fight, the other a yelping whiffit or fisle, fit only to make a noise and pester an adversary. Two boys armed wilh clubs, who owned the dogs, and were following the bear, soon made their appearance. The dogs kept close to the bear, and would run up and snap bis hinder parts, particularly when he clambered over logs, and as he turned to make fight or give them a slap, would break and fall back. They so annoyed him that he ran up several trees, but would come down in spite of the dogs, when the boys approached, and would shew his heels, the dogs constantly annoying him. My father armed himself with a club and joined in pursuit, sending back for his gun. The messenger came, almost out of breath, and I followed him on his return. Bruin, in the meantime, hotly pursued, had treed several times, and would come down as before. The noise of the dogs, and shouts of the pursuers, brought my old grandfather, one of my uncles, and some others, with several strange dogs, into the swamp before the gun arrived. Bruin had gone up a large pine, and my father had reached the tree, and stood on one side, and my uncle, with an axe, on the other ; the dogs were barking, and the bear looking down upon them. The large brindle dog, who first followed him, got into a fight with one of the others, and this, bruin regarded as a favorable moment to attempt an escape ; losing his hold, so as to slide down the tree, he came down stern foremost, almost as quick as his weight would have brought him had he fallen, making the bark fly, as he scraped his way down with his nails. He came on the side, where my uncle stood with the axe, who gave him a large flesh wound, but it neither impaired his strength or 44 REMINISCENCES disabled him from running. The axe, as It slipped from the bear, struck the brindle dog In the mouth, as he ran up lo seize him, and cut out two of his teeth. The bear was off, and the dogs at his heels so annoyed him, that he soon ran up another pine, where resting himself, with his neck partly over a limb, some fifty or sixty feet high, he watched the proceedings below. The gun arrived, and was charged with pigeon or 'squirrel shot ; for neither ball or buck shot were lo be had. My father tore off a rag and wrapped in It as many shot as he could force down the barrel. Intending to make a sort of cartridge, that should keep the shot more closely together, when they were discharged. This being done, and the priming being replenished vi^Ith fresh powder, a short consultation was had, as to the best place lo shoot the varmint. My father decided on shooting him in the throat, as he projected his head over the limb ; and then the old patriarch, my grandfather. Interposed his advice, with suggestions as lo the beauty and Importance of holding the gun steady, and making sure aim. It was well directed, and on being discharged, bruin tumbled to the ground ; but with a skill, peculiar lo the animal, fell like an old rug, apparently unhurt by the fall. He was up and off" In a moment, followed by the dogs, j'-elllng and yelping like so many fiends. The blood flowed copiously from the wound, like a stuck hog, so that It was apparent the shots had well performed their office. A run of twenty-five rods exhausted him, and he gave up. He was of the long legged brawny kind, large, though not very fat, but was well fitted for a hght or a race. He was dragged out of the swamp, a leam was sent for, and poor bruin was toted to Edson's log tavern, BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 45 where the whole congregation, with Father Nash, as sembled. Mr. Edson brought out his poor rum, gave the company a treat, himself included ; and the bear, having his skin pulled off, was soon turned Into bear meat, and distributed. Father Nash ate of il at supper and made himself sick ; the hunt had spoiled his forenoon services, for the bear had more attraction than the worthy parson. He however rather admitted that it was a good christian act to destroy the dangerous animal on the sabbath ; and if not precisely within the canons of the church, the off"ence was venial, and should be overlooked. It is wonderful how much a small resolute dog, that is fleet of foot, and understands his business, can annoy a bear. Neither a small or large dbg should risk a fight, but by running up and snapping his hinder parts, and breaking and falling back, when the bear turns upon them, they soon pester him so that he takes to the tree. A few years, after the incident just related, another bear, much larger and falter than the former, was killed in the same swamp. He had been marauding the night before in a young orchard, regaling himself on sweet apples, of which the bear is very fond. He was encountered by a resolute bull dog, who was oif the watch, and with the courage, for which his kind is (Hstlnguished, laid hold of bruin for a regular set too ; precisely what the bear wanted, for he fully compre- handed that sport, and gave the dog a hug and a slap with his great paw and long nails, that knocked the old fellow over ; inflicting wounds from which bull ae\ei recovered. The bear had struck his nails nearly into the cavity of the dog's body, tearing and lacerating him severely. Bruin, by this exploit, had disabled his adversary, and very well pleased with his supper of apples, and 46 REMINISCENCES his night's performance ; made off for the swamp. Tbe next morning several went in pursuit, and occasionally finding his track, they, with the assistance of dogs, soon came upon him, where he was reposing himself, near a large pine, and he was disabled by a musket ball and then killed. He was fat and weighed four hundred pounds. Old bull was game, and hadjhobbled along with the party, and though he was too lame to run, he assisted in noseing and scenting the track. On coming up with the disabled bear, the old dog was very savage, and seemed determined to be avenged for the injuries inflicted the night before. This was his last effort, for he soon pined away and died ; no doubt from the wounds he had received, which never healed up. As I am upon bear stories, I must relate one more that occurred many years afterwards, when the last one was killed, in Cherry valley. A man, who had come through the woods, across the hills, came to my office in the morning, and said he had seen a bear in an apple tree, a mile and a half from the village. He came to me, because he knew I always had my gun and ammunition ready ; and that I had an excellent hound, old Prime. It was in September, and the apples were so far advanced, as to be inviting; and bruin had selected a tree that bore sweet apples, for his breakfast. Primo w^as called, and I was soon on my horse galloping away as fast as possible, hoping to reach the tree before the bear had left it. When within half a mile of it, the dog struck a track, or rather scent (for I could see no track) and started off in full cry, towards a large forest on the hill. From the eagerness of the dog to pursue, I knew he had a fresh track, and thought it possibly BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 47 might be the trail of the bear ; though more probably a fox, as Primo had never followed a bear, but was familiar with foxes, and delighted to follow them. With some difficulty, I called him off, and made him go wilh me to the apple tree, which he did with reluctance. The bear was gone, but Primo scented him, and run ning to the tree, reared up and looked eargerly into its top ; then taking a circle round it, to ascertain which way he had gone, took his trail, and hurried off through brush and briars at a tremendous rate, towards where he first struck it as he came up. I went back, as fast as possible, to reach the road as soon as the dog, for it was now apparent that the trail he had first struck, was that of the bear. To reach the forest on the hill, I had to get through, or over several fences, so that Primo was soon half a mile a head of me, running at the top of his speed, and giving tongue every jump. As soon as I had started from the village, it was noised about that I had gone after a bear, and this started out a dozen interlopers, wilh as many dogs. Primo was so vehement in his cry, that several dogs heard and followed him to the woods, where some of the party, running across the fields, arrived. He soon started the bear, and drove bim up a tree, when several well directed shots, brought him down. Bruin was carried in triumph to the village, where, on disrobing him, he was found to be young, fat and tender, and constituted the main portion of a feast, a few evenings afterwards ; •his flesh proving very flne and acceptable. When he fell to the ground, on being shot, Primo eagerlj'- laid hold of him, and jerked him about before he was dead ; determined to have his share of the sport. It was singular that he should have followed the 43 EEMINISCENCES track so well, for he had never before hunted a bear or seen one ; but he was a dog of great sagacity, and seemed to know Instinctively what was wanted of him. I have known many dogs, more fleet on foot, but none had a better nose, or more cheering cry than Primo, or enjoyed a frolic better than he. After this transaction, he and my other two hounds, Hunter and Dash, fought two bears In the street. They were a little more than half grown, and belonged to a travelling showman, who carried them in his wagon, confined In a cage ; and laid the village boys under a contribution, for a sight of his interesting quadrupeds. After getting all he could from the boys, I gave him two dollars to let his bears out for the fight. The dogs soon drove one of them up a horse post, and the other into a grocer's cellar, where he attempted to escape among the barrels, but was followed by them, and would have been killed, had not the proprietor inter posed with his whip. They were so eager for the fight, and exasperated at the interference, that it was as much as I could do to call them off", and prevent their killing the bear, and attacking the owner. BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 49 CHAPTER IV. Primitive Mode of Extracting Teeth. — Wedding, Death, and Funeral. — Organization of Otsego County. — Judge Cooper and others, — Early Schools. — Sugar Making, — Scarcity qf Books. — Town Library. — Otsego Herald. — Washington's Death, — Commencement of present Century. — Early Preachers. — Jiidge Peck. — Old Family Clock, with Reflections. — First Visit to Albany. It is time to go back to more early incidents, than some of those related in the preceding chapter. Richfield when first organized as a town, comprised what is now Richfield, Plainfield, Exeter, and part of Winfield. In our part of it (the present town of Richfield,) there were no residents when we went there, except a family or two, four miles east of us, who lived In a log house, on the Tnnnicliff Farm, built before or immediately after the revolutionary war, near the present Richfield springs. There was no road or pathway between that settlement and ours ; in passing from one place to the other, the marked trees on the line of lots were generally followed. My father used to keep a lancet, with which he would open a vein, whenever it was necessary to let blood, for it was several years before we had a physician near us. If a tooth required to be extracted he had a primitive mode and quite effective. My uncle had a large double tooth that pained him excessively, so that he could have no resf day or night till it was removed. He came and said it must be drawn ; and as there was no turn screw or other instrument 4 50 EEMINISCENCES for drawing teeth in the neighbourhood, a piece of hard seasoned wood was prepared to serve as a punch, and my uncle placing his head against the wall of the house, lo keep it firm and steady, my father adjusting the punch against the offending tooth, gave it a smart blow with a hammer, loosening it from its socket, and then pulled it out with pincers. Let me describe the first wedding, which was the marriage of a sister of my mother, who was married to Ebenezer Russell ; the marriage was at my father's, in the log house : I do not remember how the parlies were dressed, but no doubt in their best gear. Judge Cooper, of Cooperstown was sent for, being the nearest magistrate, and came eighteen miles principally through the woods, to perform the ceremony. The neighbours were invited, the old pine table was in the middle of the room, on which I recollect was placed a large wooden bowl filled wilh fried cakes, (nut cakes or dough nuts, as the country people call them.) There might have been something else to constitute the marriage feast, but I do not recollect any thing except a black junk bottle filled with rum ; some maple sugar, and water. The judge was in his long riding boots, covered wilh mud up to his knees, his horse was fed, that he might be off" when the ceremony was over ; the parlies presented themselves, and were soon made man and wife as his " Honor" officially announced. He then gave the bride a good hearty kiss, or rather smack, remarking that he always claimed that as his fee ; took a drink of rum, drank health, prosperity and long life to those married, ale a cake or two, declined staying even for supper, said he must be on his way home, and should go to the foot of the lake that night, refused any other fee for his services, mounted his horse BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 51 and was off; and thus was the first marriage celebrated. The few other guests who were in attendance, re mained and partook of as good a meal as the house could afford. I may as well speak of the first death and funeral, that followed soon after, I think within a year. There had to be sure been a man killed, within the boundaries of the town, by the fall of a tree a short time before, but he was regarded as an itinerant, looking for land, rather then as an inhabitant of the town. My aunt, whose marriage I have just related, went into a consumption and died at my father's in the spring, soon after the leaves and flowers had put forth. A small elm stood by the brook near the house, on which a pair of yellow robins {Baltimore orioles,) made a nest that year for the first time, and resorted there many succeed ing years. The singing of that bird is sweet and plaintive, we all listened to it, and my mother and her poor sick sister, both strongly tinctured with Dutch superstitions, believed the bird to have come there to announce the death. How strange it is, and how like an exercise of reason or memory, that those birds will come back to the same nest for many years in succes sion. My family will all remember the pair, that used to come year after year to that beautiful elm on my lot, back of Cherry Valley academy. One word in passing relative to that fine elm. In the years 1798 — 9, it was a small sapling. An officer on recruiting service, for John Adams' army, as it was called, was stationed at Cherry Valley: one of his soldiers had offended, and on being sentenced to be whipped, was tied to that tree. The late Major Lester Holt, was present at the whipping, and has told me, that he recollected the soldier was tied to that part of the 52 REMINISCENCES tree above the first limbs or branches, " above its forks or prongs" as he expressed it. The shaft of the tree must be now more than two feet lA diameter, perfectly straight, and nearly of the same size up lo where it branches out. He made the remark In reference to the branches now being nearly or quite thirty feet from the ground, which he said, had been carried up as the trunk grew larger and shot up higher. But to return to the funeral : during her sickness my father had pro vided some pine boards for a coffin, which after her death, he made himself and stained it black. The neighbours assembled ; we had no clergyman, for at that day there was none in that vicinity; Timothy Hatch, father of Hon. Moses P. Hatch, of Oswego, read a chapter, and at the grave a hymn, " why do we mourn departing friends?" Wilh these humble cere monies the body was deposited in its "narrow house," then "earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust," were pronounced, a rough stone was planted at the head ; and there the remains have rested for sixty years. As I am on early incidents, let me refer to the organization of the county of Otsego, which was set off from Montgomery, (formerly Try on) in Februaty, 1791. William Cooper was first judge, and Jededlah Peck was one of the judges. My father was made justice of the p?ace, at an early day after the county was organized. A day was agreed upon for all those appointed, to taeet at Cooperstown to take the oath of office, and receive their commissions. My father got a new blue coat rather short, which was pronounced by a conntry tailor, " a handsome genteel coat." I re collect a rather coarse pair of white top'd boots for the occasion. At the appointed time he went, and I think walked there and back, which was as weU as to ride. BY LEVI* BEAEDSLEY. 53 as the roads then were. He stayed all night, and wilh those that met there, must have had a hard lime of it al Griffin's tavern, "the Bold Dragoon of the Pioneers," for he came home lame, partly from an injury in a scuffle pulling off each other's boots nolens volens, and partly from walking so far In his new ones. Among the justices, was James Aplln, an honest, worthy but rather vain man, who lived in Hartwick. They used to tell this anecdote of him ; but whether true or false I cannot slate. It was said, that on his return home, he remarked to his better half, " my dear, last night you slept with James Aplin ; to-night wilh James Aplin, esquire ; God bless my good friend. Judge Cooper." As Judge Cooper has been introduced, I may as well relate an incident witnessed by my father, not far from this time, and I am not sure but the very time he went to Cooperstown to receive his commission. I have thought il strange that James F. Cooper, the novelist, has not introduced it in some of his works, and once SDoke lo him about it and related the circumstances, as my father described them. A wrestling match was got up, in front of Griffins ; where a ring was formed, and the parties matched for the contest. Judge Cooper said he was a wrestler himself; and believed he could throw any man In the county ; and further, that he wanted to find a man on his patent, who could throw him ; remarking, that he would give any one in the company, one hundred acres of land, who would throw him al arms length. Timothy Morse, who I have else where mentioned as a strong man, stepped up and laying his hands on the judge's shoulder, said, " Cooper, 1 believe I can lay you on your back." Cooper replied " If you can I will give you one hundred acres." A 54 EEMINISCENCES ring was formed, and at it they went, and Morse soon brought him lo the position indicated. The judge got up and ordered Richard Smith, his clerk, lo make out the necessary papers for one hundred acres. This Richard Smith was the first sheriff of the county. Whether a deed was executed for this one hundred acres, or the value of the land deducted from a previous or other purchase, I am not positive ; but have always supposed Morse resided on the Identical hundred acres in Burlington. There is no doubt, I pre sume, of the wrestling match, and that one hundred acres was at stake ; for the contest Is still remembered by some of the old inhabitants, who point out the place where they wrestled, near the corner of the present Eagle tavern, formerly Griffin's. When I mentioned this lo James F. Cooper, he re marked " that It'used lo be fashionable to wrestle where his father was brought up, and from whence he removed to Otsego county ; and that William Penn was a cele brated wrestler, and Introduced and encouraged this with other athletic sports among his colonists." It is generally known that a small portion of Otsego county was settled at a much earlier day than 17 90. Cherry Valley was commenced about 1740 or '41, and when the revolution broke out, contained a good num ber of inhabitants, who were generally of Scotch and Irish descent. In the north part of Springfield, a few Dutch families had settled, and at L^nadiUa, Butternuts, and present town of Otsego, a few English families had located before the war. But the great body of the county was a wilderness In 1790. Samuel Crafts, esq. who has recently died In the town of Hartwick, a few miles from Cooperstown, al a very advanced age, came from Connecticut to Springfield, BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 55 a few 3-ears after the war. He had been a revolution ary soldier, and must have been nearly the first new Englander that came lo the county ; having arrived there several years before its organization. When Judge Cooper, the founder of Cooperstown, came, Capt. Crafts was living in Springfield, and conveyed the judge In a boat from the head of Otsego lake to its foot, where Cooperstown is situated. Mr. Crafts was an industrious, worthy, intelligent man ; of stern, unbending Integrity, and I think was a justice In the first commission of the peace ; and foreman of the first grand jury in the county. He was father of WiUard Crafts, esq., of Utica, a highly respectable citizen. My readers may wish to know something more of our mode of life for the first few years, and what our pro visions were. The mills were poor and flour consequently' coarse and often black from smutty wheat. The Indian corn of course made good meal and johnny cakes, when ground, but as it would take two days at least lo go and return from mlU, many families had what they called a samp mortar ; that Is, a hard log with the end cut off square, set on end and hollowed out at top, as the Indians prepare theirs for the reception of corn, which Is then pourxled and broken by hand, with a pestle : a drawing and description of one, may be seen In a recent volume, pu'ollshed by the Stale, in relation to Indian habits and manufactures, (Cabinet of Natural History.) I have had many a good supper of samp and milk, made In this way. The milk and butter were often disagreeable, from the cows eating the wild leek, and this, when used, was obviated by eating a piece of the same, which disguised the leeky taste of the milk and 56 EEMINISCENCES butler. We could always get fish, by going lo the lake ; and most generally brook trout, for several years, from the small streams, where none can be found at present. I may as well remark, that when we first came to the country, It was said shad and herring annually came up the Susquehanna, lo where mill-dams obstructed their ascent. As lo fresh meat, we had II, as the Indian did his, whenever we could get il. Venison was quite common, bear meat occasslonally, and per haps veal three or four limes a year, by dividing round and exchanging among our families ; which including my grandfather in our circle, were five. When they had veal, a pot pie must always be made, and the whole tribe congregated lo partake of it. There was but one Iron pot in the settlement, which belonged to mygrandfather, and this was sent to the house where the feast was lo be provided. My grandmother, always presided at the making of these pies, and she could make them better than any one I ever saw. The dough or paste was spread over and round the Inside of the pot, before the meat was put in ; and when done was caUed the crust. This would come out a little browned on the outside, but light and tender, not such heavj', clammy stuff', as Is loo often madejiow. When It was placed on the pine table, on a large pewter platter, it was very Inviting, and delicious. Good spring water was the beverage, each house being placed near a spring ; for they had no v/ells, and If the springs failed In summer, they would clear them out, and dig deeper, or find a new one. They had no temperance societies, in those days ; and no one, whether he drank or not, deemed it sinful or improper lo refresh the Inner man, when the needful could be had. After the first year. BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 57 they generally had at their feasts a black junk bottle, that would hold a quart of rum, and this was dealt out in a wine glass ; about half a gill lo each man. Of course there was not much intemperance in town, till many years afterwards ; and not very much then, or at any time. Wild pigeons were plenty, spring and fall, and were klUed and eaten in great numbers. The black and grey squirrel, it Is known, hardly ever pre cede civilization, but follow it. We had been there several years before any were seen. Foxes also gene rally follow instead of preceding. Martens, or as the Indians call them wau-pau-nau-cau, were quite plenty, and occasionally an otter, in the larger streams. I must say something about schools. My father had learned me my letters some time before we had a school, and I could spell ba, and soon after baker. 1 remember his first leaching me my letters. There was A, with two feel, i with a dot, round O, Q wilh a tail, crooked S, T with a hat, &c. &c. After six or seven families had settled within striking distance, il was de cided that a school house must be built, and a summer school started for the children. The house must be near water, and must be built where It would best ac commodate its patrons ; accordingly a place was selected, the neighbours made a bee, came together, cut away the underbrush, and the trees, that were near enough to endanger the house. They cut logs, drew them to the place, and put up a log house, small but low, and the roof nearly flat for several years ; and covered with bark. One side was so much elevated by an additional log, that the water would run off, and subsequently rafters were added, making an ordinary roof, but no floor over head. The floor beneath was made of split logs, hewed lo make them smooth ; and some narrow benches 5S EEMINISCENCES made from split logs, supported by legs, were put in for the scholars. There were no writing tables or desks, but these were added afterwards when they wanted lo educate larger boys, and were made by boring Into the logs, and driving pins to support a sloping board for a writing table, so that those who wrote sat with their faces lo the wall, and their backs to the teacher. There was no glass lo be had for windows In the country, and, as a substitute, a rude sash was made and placed in the wall, and this sash was supplied wilh while paper, which being oiled or greased, would let in the light and exclude the wind. When the weather became cold, a large fire place and stick chimney, daubed with mud, were added, and this was the first school house In that part of the county. A school was kept for several summers by a schoolmistress, who boarded round among the proprietors, and in the winter by schoolmasters, when the larger boys attended. To this school house, scholars were sent from abroad, who boarded with the proprietors. The boarding of the schoolmistress and master always led lo one agreeable result. The family lived belter, and had more of the delicacies and luxuries of life, than on ordinary occasions. This rendered boarding round popular, among the children at least; for pre paratory to the master or mistress coming, an additi onal quantity of fried cakes must be prepared, and mince and other pies, if they could be afforded. In truth, the master and mistress were regarded as dis tinguished personages. This first house was used for several years, when il was deemed advisable lo build another, further south, lo accommodate those living in that direction. BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 69 The second one, was a little south of the orchard, now on the farm formerly owned by my father, and it was in this budding, that father Nash was to preach when the bear was klUed. The schoolboy pranks were rude and abundant, as they are at all schools. The day the second house was completed we had some cider brought there, lo dedicate the house, being the first I had ever lasted, and the first ever brought into that part of the town; the cider having been brought there by some one from Cherry Valley or Mohawk river. The snows fell deep every winter ; the boys used to wrestle and wallow in the snow, and often fight ; then, if the master found it out, they were almost sure lo be flogged, for the birch and ferule were regarded, in those days, as indispensable appendages ; and by frequent appliances " the young idea was taught to shoot." In winter, all the children were clothed with coarse thick home madeclolhing; theybroughllheirdlnner with them to school, and after eating il indulged in play of course. Those narrow benches were awfully tiresome. Children would get tired and sleepy, but their vigilant instructors would contrive to stir them up ; sometimes by one, and then by other devices. The children were of course restless, and wanted lo go out, which they were permitted lo do, once each half day, and oftener by special permission. Sometimes the Instructor so arranged matters in relation to going out, that any one might enjoy that privilege as a matter of course, each half day, without asking, provided he could go alone, when all others were in school. To carry out this provision, a hole was bored in one of the logs of the house, in which a loose wooden peg was inserted, which any one might lake as a passport out of the house; and when he had stayed the permitted 60 EEMINISCENCES lime, he returned and placed the peg in position, which might be taken by another without applying lo the master, and thus disturbing the school. The boys were taught by their instructors how to make their best bow, and how lo address strangers In the most formal style: and the girls how to shew off their graces, by the most fashionable curtsies. Better progress was made in education than could have been expected, and nearly all of mine was obtained in such schools as I have described. I could always read and spell as well, and I thought a little better than any in school, and when put lo my arithmetic, went directly ahead of all competitors. I could pla}' as well as any one ; run much better on the snow crust than most of them ; always fond of play and frolic ; and never doubted but what I could do an^ything that others could. This impression has been a leading one through life, and to my perseverance In It, I have ascribed much of my success. That I could not do a thing, that wanted doing, never entered my mind. In the winter nearly all the boys went lo school, and in the summer, those large enough lo work, staid al home and worked on the farm ; going barefoot till cold weather came again. This going barefoot In a new countrv, among small slumps and roots, Is a bad business. The feel gel sore, and then to go In the woods among the ground yew, was exceedingly annoying lo sore feet. It was however the fashion of the countrj^ and could not be avoided ; for shoes were not lo be had, except for winter, when a cat whipper came lo the famlty, wilh kit, and made them. The sugar-making season was always hailed with rapture by the boys. No one, brought up in a new country, but can realize how exciting II was, and how BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 61 eager and industrious the bo3^s were to commence tap ping the trees. This used lo be done by culling a notch in the sugar maple, and putting a spout under It, inserted by driving In a partly rounded, sharp Iron In strument, called a tapping gouge, lo cut a place for the Spout that led the sap lo the trough. Sap buckets were not then introduced, nor did the)'' use an auger,, as they do now, for tapping trees. Troughs were generally made from the butternut, and would hold about a pailful, and some nearly two. The season having arrived, boys wilh their hand sleds would soon distribute the troughs to the trees that were lo be tapped, by drawing them in the morning on tbe snow crust. Then the master of ceremony would foUow with his axe, spouts, and tapping gouge ; the sharp ringing of the iron, as he drove the gouge into the tree, kept all advised where he was. The trees being lapped and troughs set, the next thing was to shovel away the snow, and prepare a place lo hang the kettles for boiling. I have frequently found the ground covered two or three feet'deep with snow, entirely free from frost, and the young leeks already pricking up through the ground and reaching the snow that lay on it. The gathering of sap, which had to be done generally wilh palls, was hard work while the snow lasted, as we frequently sunk into the snow up to our knees. When the boiling was commenced, a small piece of pork was thrown In the kettle, to prevent the sap, as it boiled, from running over. The liule chickadee birds are always attracted to where one is at work in the woods, and they would generaUy find the spare piece of pork and pick and eat it up, unless concealed. The sugaring off, gave great deUgljt to the parties present, as every one knows; 62 EEMINISCENCES and this sugar making, in a new country, is always lo boys a delightful employment. When we had a good run of sap, as It was called, that is, when it ran freely, I have frequently j-emalned in camp, and tended the ketlles late In the evening. The atmosphere being clear and delightful in spring time, the dropping of the sap in the troughs could be heard in all directions ; and for a considerable distance ; and then the hooting and screaming of owls, often very near, being attracted by the fire, would, to an unpractised ear, render night hideous, discortant and melancholy. Before passing to other matters, I may as well mention a little incident illuslralive of the hardships and hardihood of life in a new country. We had been some two or three years at our new home, when it seemed to be necessary for some one to return to our former residence in Rennsselair county. The principal object was to collect in sOme small debts, and lo adjust some unsettled matters. My mother wanted lo go and visit her parents and relatives In Cambridge, Washing ton county, so she concluded to make the visit, and then go to Hoosic on business matters. One, and I am not sure but two, of my uncles, were going the same time to arrange their affairs, so my mother was to go with them. They were all to go on horseback, and my mother for want of a belter, was to ride on a man's saddle. We had a high-spirited black horse, which she was to ride; a pillow was strapped on the saddle, saddle bags or portmanteaus properly adjusted, and thus rigged and equipped, she started off with my uncles ; I think it was in the fall of 1792, and I am quite sure she carried a child. They were to strike the Mohawk river al Canajoharie, then across the country to Johnstown and Saratoga, and thence to Cambridge. BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 03 I remember how they looked as they started off. As soon as they had crossed a small pole bridge, near the house, my mother to shew her fearlessness, and that she could control her horse, gave him a slight blow, that put him into a good round gallop, and they were soon out of sight, as they rode along the narrow, crooked pathway through the woods. She returned In due time, having made the journey comfortably, had a good visit, and transacted the business correctly. Every woman in a new country soon becomes a fearless rider. It is a noble and invigorating exercise, and a woman never appears so well as when she is well mounted, on a spirited horse. This was the most fashionable mode of travelling in that part of the counlty for many years afterwards. Even as late as 1806 — 7, young people when they went to a ball, or fashionable party, generally went on horseback. It Is so yet in the new States at the west. Even at Columbus, the capital of Ohio, a large proportion of the country women come into the city on horseback. I always admired the fearless manner in which those buck-eye women rode. Judge Cooper had a favourite daughter kUled by a fall from a starting horse, as she was going to the town of Butternuts, at a very early day after the settlement of the county. I must say something about the scarcity of books, and the difficulty of obtaining anything like readable matter, except the bible, psalm book, and a few other books, till we had been several years in the county. Each family had a bible and psalm book ; my grandfather had a large English bible with the liturgy, and versification of the psalms, as used by the English church. The bible was printed, the old testament at Oxford, and the new testament at London in 1715. He also had 64 EEMINISCENCES a copy of Hudlbras, which next lo the bible, he regarded as superior lo all other productions. My father had two volumes of Dryden's poems ; and one of my uncles a copy of Young's Night Thoughts. This was about all the reading matter for four or five families in our circle, tUl a small town library was established a few years afterwards. After learning to read, I went lhrouo;h with the books I have mentioned, and could soon repeat a great number of psalms and hymns, and a large portion of Hudlbras, as I can to this day. The library being established, was kept about two miles from my father's. The books were drawn out, and returned once a month. To encourage me to read he very soon after its establishment, used lo send me lo return the books, and draw new ones, directing me to select according to my choice. I used lo read all that were drawn out, and among others I recollect reading six volumes of Bruce's travels to the sources of the Nile. Grecian and Roman history became famihar tome; superficially to be' sure, but more in detail and incident than I now recollect them. That old library was added to, and kept up till after I left Richfield, in 1810 ; and I have always thought, and have no doubt, that it induced a pro pensity for reading among the farmers, that for many years put them a-head for general intelligence, of those in other towns where a library was neglected. .n imitation of this library among the men, I set on foot a project for a library among the boys, and we got up quite a respectable juvenile library, which ran down about 1805, in consequence of our treasurer and librarian misapplying the funds. I do not re member how many j^ears it was after the first settlement, before we had a mail in that part of the BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 65 county, but should think six or seven years, and probably more ; newspapers were scarce. The Otsego Herald, a very small weekly paper was pubhshed by Judge Phlney, and continued for many years ; this was almost the only paper that any citizen in town had an opportunity of reading. It was some times brought by a post rider ; and at other times a class of thirteen was formed, each member going lo Cooperstown for the papers once a quarter. The motto of the Herald was kept up as long as It was pubhshed, " Historic truth our Herald shall proclaim, The law our g^ide, the public good our aim." With the almost surfeit of newspapers that we now have, it is difficult to imagine with what avidity the little weekly messenger was sought after, and how tho roughly it was read among the neighbours. At an early day after I was aljle to read, my father to encourage me, used lo buy small books, and among those was a little one, giving an account of the trial and execution of the King and Queen of France, illustrated wilh an engraving, shewing the guillotine, and Gen. Santerre, mounted on a large horse, wilh troops under arms. The reading of this book, wilh occasional scraps from newspapers, excited an eager desire to make my self acquainted with the important events growing out of the French revolution. I have a slight recollection of the siege of Toulon in 1794, when Buonaparte first distinguished himself in driving off the English. The campaigns of 1795 I recollect, the most of them from newspaper readings. Buonaparte's Itahan campaign in 1796, and from that time tiU his final downfall and banishment to St. 5 66 EEMINISCENCES Helena, all the principal events are more firmly fixed in my memory than occurrences of a recent dale. In 1797-8-9, the Otsego Herald, was generally brought by a, post rider, who left our paper each Saturday afternoon at a neighbour's about a mile ofl^ and It was my business to run through the woods over a hill, (often before breakfast,) after the paper, and I generally read the part containing the news, before reaching home. The escape and sailing of the French fleet from Toulon in 1798, with the army for the Egyp- tlon expedition ; the pursuit by Nelson in search of il, created a deep sensation In this country, for several months before hearing of the landing in Egypt, and destruction of the French fleet at the battle of the Nile. It must be recollected that in 1798, our troubles wilh the French Republic had assumed a belligerent aspect, almost a declaration of war on each side. The object of the expedition was secret, and many apprehended an invasion from this_ formidable army, with Buonaparte at its head ; at last the expedition was heard from, by its attack and conquest of Malta. Next came the batde of the NUe in large capitals, with Nelson's official account from the Vanguard, off the mouth of the Nile, &c. The contest that we had with the French kept up an interest. Truxton captured Le Insurgent, of superior force. Bainbridge, Tingey, Tal bot, and others distinguished themselves. I recollect a doggrel song got up and published in the Herald, about tha,t time. Let me give . a stanza or two, to call up old recollections. " Of Dflr tars so brave and handy, Gallant Truxton is the dandy, T9,IbQt, Bainbridge, Morris Jtoo A^re apiong the valiant. crew.' BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 67 They're a match for hostile dogs, sir, Whether they eat beef or frogs, sir, Let them meet by night or day, They will shew them Yankee play." Several other patriotic effusions appeared from week to week In the Herald, which as they bring up old matters may be now inserted and not deemed out of place. " I wonder what the matter means, A cutting of such capers, The parson says the French are mad, He reads it in the papers, Hey ho Billy bo, I b'lieve the wars are coming, ¦ And if they do, I'll get a gun as soon as I hear them drumming. I heard them say on training day. That Washington's a-going. And Captain Toby swears they'l fall, Like grass when he's a mowing, Hey ho, &c. He says as how in t'other war, He ran right at the bullets, And never minded grenadiers, No more than we do pullets." Hey ho, &c. ANOTHER. " There's Yankee doodle come to town. From Philadelphia city, He's ranged the streets all up and down, And brought nice news to fit ye. 68 REMINISCENCES He's been among the Peeplish folks, And vows they'r rotten clever, They talk so 'cute and crack such jokes, Would make one stare for ever." Soon afterwards the Herald was dressed in mourn ing on the death of the father of his country. General Washington, who died in December, 1799. The announcement of ijvhich melancholy event, threw the whole country in consternation and sorrow. We had an assemblage, and a funeral oration from our singing master Doctor Meacham, who stood on the table in Brewster's ball room. I have recently seen a piece of mourning drapery from the Otsego Lodge, Coopers town, used on that occasion. ^ In the Herald and other papers, a discussion was kept up, whether the nineteenth century commenced 1st January 1800, or laOl ; very similar to the recent discussion in regard to the commencement of the present last half century. I do not recollect which side Judge Phinney took, but I think in favor of 1801. Peter Porcupine had illustrated his views of the ques tion, by comparing mile stones to centuries ; and had asserted that any one differing from his position, had no more brains than an oyster. In a new year's address probably written by Judge Phinnpy, was this verse, " This good day my friends will enter ye. Fairly in the nineteenth century. In spite of mile stones on the plains. In spite of Peter's oyster brains." At the age of fifteen I had become a large stout boy, worked hard on the farm all the year, except about four month's in winter, when I went to school. From the age of ten years, I used to go to mill on horse- BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 69 back, often ten mfles or more, which of course brought me In contact with other boys, W'ho came many miles on the same business. Our casual interviews were not of the most amicable character, they often assumed a belligerent aspect, and not unfrequently bloody noses grew out of them. On one occasion, a boy a year older and much larger than myself, became Insolent, and after threatening to lick me, persisted in fastening his quarrel so that I could not avoid a set-to. The miller wanting to see the sport encouraged it, and the result was my adversary was essentially flogged within three minutes, and came out of the contest wilh his nasal organ pretty well swoUen and bleeding freely, while my face was only slighdy scratched, but not hurt. Many similar incidents occurred with the Dutch boys during these excursions to mill, who were very much incUned to flog the "Yankees," as they calledus. So also at school such frolics were not unusual, as well as playing off divers pranks on those who were regarded as rather soft and green. My friend, Samuel Russell, was generally in concert with me, and was not only fond of fun, but full of school boy pranks in the superlative degree. A negro who used lo go to school, was frequently duped and made the laughing slock of the ' company. On one occasion we made him believe he could fly, and persuaded him to jump from the highest part of a shed, some fourteen feel to the frozen ground. He went up, and after flopping and swinging his arms as a rooster does his wings, crowed stoutly, and then leaped off', intending to fly and come down lightly, but his avoirdupolse brought him lo the frozen ground with a violence that nearly broke his limbs. On another occasion, we persuaded" him to dive from a high slump, into what he thought was a bank of light snow recently 70 EEMINISCENCES fallen, but which in fact was a knoll slightly covered ; much of the new snow having been blown off. Ike, for that was the negro's name, went in head foremost, and although it of course did not hurt his head, it nearly broke his neck, for he complained for a long time of the injury. After these adventures he was more cautious, but was still the dupe of his tormentors, who frequently got him into other scrapes, such as could only be tole rated as boyish pranks, or as another has filly said, "youthful indiscretions." Russell has been prosperous in Ufe, and though starting poor and entirely destitute, is not only comfort ably off' In regard to property, but a correct business man. He has represented Otsego county In the assemblj' ; has been commissioner of loans and county clerk ; and now possesses, in an eminent degree, the confidence and respect of his neighbours and friends. I must re late an anecdote of his father, an old revolutionary sol dier, who I remember seeing nearly fift5'^-seven years ago. The old man thought he was somewhat religious, and probably was, though it was not that strait laced reli gion that would preclude him from cracking his jokes and enjoying his fun, of which. he was as fond as his son. On one occasion he was attending a conference meeting, when an aged sister, whom Russell disliked excessively, got up, and addressing the meeting with a decided nasal twang, said " My dear brothers and sis ters, I feel like a poor miserable creature," and sat down. Capt. Russell immediately arose and said " I can fellowship you in that, for I think j'ou are," and then took his seal. Some of those In attendance laugh ing, and others suppressing a desire lo laugh, at the old man's prompt and appropriate respsnse. BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 71 I ought to say something about our spiritual teachers. We had quacks, and empyrics in divinity, as well as in physic, during the early days of our new residence. Many straggling itinerants came among, us and would give the neighbours what was called a sermon, which might have been called anything else just as weU. There was one man, who for several years gave us the " staled preaching of the gospel." He was a Rhode Island farmer, of the baptist denomination, very illite rate, and known all over the country, as " old esq. Pray." He owned a fine farm on the Unadilla river, in the present town of Winfield, and kept a poor tavern, where he sold most villainous new England rum. Elder Pray had his farm carried on, but did not work much himself, generally slaying in the house to 'tend bar and see lo matters relating lo his tavern. On Sunday he would ride away in pursuance of previous appointments, and preach, as he called it. His education was so defective that he could hardly read his bible intelligibly ; and his preaching. If possi ble, was more defective still. He used the most unsavory similes, to illustrate his positions. I heard him, on one occasion, describe the operations of the Holy spirit; md to show how inadequate human means were, to iromole the new birth, he illustrated his views, by in- roduclng as a simile, a carved basswood woman, and ;hen went on wilh his comparison, altogether too inde cent to repeal. It answered however for preaching, for want of better. Jededlah Peck, the indomitable democrat, who soon after the organization of the county, got up an opposition lo Judge Cooper, Genl. Morris, and the fede ral party generally, was a preacher as well as politician. 72 EEMINISCENCES He was illiterate, but a shrewd cunning man. For many years he conlroUed the politics of the county, put up and put down who he pleased ; he had no talent as a preacher or speaker; his language was low, and he spoke with a drawling, nasal, yankee twang, so that in public speaking he was almost unintelligible. He al ways had his saddle bags with him, fiUed with political papers and scraps, that he distributed whenever he went from home, and then at night and frequently on Sundays, would hold meeting and preach. I have always been so uncharitable as lo believe his preaching resulted more from a desire to promote political than spiritual objects. Still the judge was a worthy, honest, exemplary man; and entitled to great credit. He represented the county many years in the assembly and senate; and had as much Influence, and I think more than any county member. It was through his exertions the found atlonof our school fund was laid ; and for that act alone, if for no other, he is entitied to the gratitude of the stale. He was county judge for many years, and in 1812, although of advanced age, was in Queenslown battle, acting as paymaster of Col. Slranahan's regiment. The old man of nearly seventy years crossed the river and behaved remarkably well. The official account of the battle made honorable. mention of him. The federalists disliked the judge, and always ridi culed him and his decisions In court. Not beinar a law- yer by profession, his honor never pretended lo much knowledge of the law, but went for the common sense reasonable construction of each transaction. I recoUect a case of crim. con., when he charged the jury. The defendant attempted lo show, that the plaintiff' knew of and colluded at the transgression of his wife ; this, EY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 73 if true, would have been a good legal defence. Not establishing this point, as he intended, he next resorted to proof in mitigation of damages, and proved the wife not only abandoned, but of infamous reputation; this, the books all agree, should be taken into consideration, in fixing the amount of damages. His honor however decided and charged the jury, that It was neither a justification or mitigation, but on the contrary, a gross aggravation, which ought to enhance the damages against defendant, for having anything to do with the dirty slut. Not very sound law to be sure, but well enough for such a suit. For several years very few Incidents occurred worthy of record : suffice il to say, I worked hard all the year, except winter, when I went to school. In this way I became familiar with all kinds of work incident to a new country, and on arriving at twenty-one years of age, was a good practical farmer. I recollect In 1801-2 or 3, when I must have been some fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen years old, of assist ing my father in cutting down and sawing into logs, the largest and tallest wild (black) cherry tree that I ever saw. It seems tome It was very near three feet in diameter, and held nearly that size the whole length of Its trunk ; it was perfectly straight, and we cut from it five or six logs, twelve feet long, before reaching a limb. The logs were cut by a cross cut saw, and I know II was while I was a mere boy, as It fatigued me very much lo carry my end of it while we were cutting them. My father was preparing lo buUd a house, and he wanted the boards and limber from this tree to use about the house, and for making cherry furniture. We cut it two or three years before it was to be used, that 74 EEMINISCENCES it might be well seasoned. I speak particularly of this tree, because from some of its boards, in 1805, was made the case for that old family clock, that I have had long before the remembrance of either of my child ren. Soon after the falling of that tree, a young one shot up from or among its roots, and was protected by the slump of the parent tree for many years. We pre served it, and if still standing, as I suppose il Is, may be seen very near the southerly line of the large orchard, planted on my father's farm. That young tree must be about fifty years old, and I suppose two feet in diam eter. On returning from Columbus, Ohio, in 1846, where I had resided four years, I went lo see if this tree was stifl standing ; and found it large and thrifty, but every vestige of the parent had long since disappeared. Phoenix like, the young tree had risen from the dust and ashes of the old, and now remains in fuU strength and vigour of life. To return to that old family clock. There is some thing Interesting, I have thought, when we contemplate the busy and constant flow of time, as marked off by seconds, minutes, hours and days, indicated by the vibrations of the pendulum. How solemn the mea sured lick of that old clock at midnight ! How many tales II could tell, were it gifted wilh speech. Before Buonaparte by one of those masterly stratagems and military combinations for which he was distinguished, invested and captured Ulm, in 1805, with an Immense Austrian army ; before Nelson lost his life, when he annihilated the combined fleets of France and Spain at Trafalgar — that old clock was in Its present case ment. And should we go back a few years we should find the clock itself, measuring off the time when Buo naparte crossed the great St. Bernard, and gained the BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 75 decisive victory at Marengo. Even as early as his Egyptian expedition, that clock marked the time, of minutes, hours and days, fraught with great events. It has, as will be perceived, been familiar with the times that brought forth the empire, under Napoleon. It has marked the periods of his rise, his greatness, his ambi tion, and his mad career — ending wilh his downfall, banishment and melancholy death, on a far-off isle, in the great southern ocean. It has marked the time of great events in our own country ; all the presidential terms, except Washington's, and the first half of the elder Adams' have been measured, and passed away with years beyond the flood. If contemplated in reference lo family and domestic relations, what tales it unfolds ! how solemn and interesting! My grand parents, paternal and maternal, have all watched the march of time, as indicated by its dial. My parents, also, and yet they have all passed away; so also the greater part of my brothers and sisters ; two of my children also. I can never look on that old clock, other than wilh awe and respect, almost amounting lo vene ration ; and there It is yet, just as ready to measure off another half century as the one that has recently closed. But why moralize so much ? Because there are times when It accords, and chimes in with my In most feeling ; when (to use an apt quotation,) " this our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues In trees, books in running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in every thing." I ought to mention among these old recollections, my first visit to Albany, at a very early day, and several years before the present century. 1 went there with my father on a load of wheat, by sleighing ; we started very early in the morning, which was the 76 REMINISCENCES fashion with those going lo Albany, or they could not gel back within five days, which was the usual time for a journey to the city and home again. It was a curious sight to observe the immense number of sleighs, on approaching the city ; a siring a mile long, was no uncommon occurrence in those days, and even more Generally speaking, each teamster carried his own hay, bound on lo the sleigh, with a bag or two of oats ; he also had a pail or box of provisions, and always a bot tle of rum stowed away among the bags of grain. The fashion was lo slop about once in ten miles, lo feed and rest the horses, and while they were eating their oats, the owner fell bound to call for al least a mug of gingered cider, or gill of rum, which served as a remuneration for the use of the shed. At night he fed on his own provision, but generally paid sixpence for a cup of lea or a like sum for a mug of cider, and the same for his bed. For his horses when he fed his own hay and grain, he paid sixpence or a shilling, and he took care of them himself; and al these prices, William McKown, and others, who kept taverns for the farmers, got rich. Those were good jolty times ; and if not rich and prosperous lo those who thus visited Albany, they could not well fail lo be interesting, for they brought citizens in contact, who lived remote from each other. I recollect the old Dutch church which I saw at this my first visit, which stood al the fool of State street, very near the exchange building In Albany. The venerable edifice protected an old woman, who sold coffee and chocolate on the south side, and sometimes " strong beer," as II was called. My father patronized her, and bought a cup of the former, and a glass of the latter, which was the first beer I had ever tasted. I BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 77 recollect very well the appearance of the old church and of those sheltered on the south side, which I have since seen coarsely delineated in print. We of course Went lo see the 'lion that was kept somewhere on the hUl ; but father did not go to see the Albany witch, who was generally visited by those going there from the country, who wanted lo know their fortune, and who delighted in the marvellous ; which my father did not, for he was a perfect infidel, in relation to those matters. The witch made her craft a regular business at that time. How interesting were those journeys to Alban}", which from Richfield took about five days, and ihe usual load for a sleigh did not then exceed from twenty to twenty-five bushels, for the turnpike was not constructed. My father at this time received $1 68 per bushel for his wheat. Those large winter fires at the taverns were delight ful ; and then the jingling of bells made traveUIng ex ceedingly spirited and cheerful. I went lo Albany in 1811 or 1812, wilh Colonel Fitch and Captain Loomls, of Richfield, who were going with their wives ; each had a sleigh pretty well loaded with country products, and eachjiad a pail or box of excellent provisions ready cooked; they insisted on my going with them, and said it should not cost me a cent. We had a pleasant journey to and from the city, and while there visited the Otsego members, who were stowed away in a small room, and upper story of a poor wooden building. How different from accommodations furnished the present members of the legislature, who have, generally, pleasant respectable rooms, and good comfortable living, if nothing more. 7S REMINISCENCES CHAPTER V. Military Enrolment. — Brigade Training, — Arnold convicted of Murder, — Popular Indignation. — Command Infantry Company and Volunteer. — Plattsburgh Battle, Inci dents and Anecdotes, — Country Dances, — Contest between Judge Cooper and Major Cochran, — Great Eclipse, 1806. School Keeping, — Great Snow Storm, April, 1807. — Vote for Governor Tompkins. — Political Matters. — Serve as Constable. — Quit Farming to Study Law. On arriving at eighteen years of age, I enrolled myself in a company of light infantry, commanded by Capt. Minerva Cushman, a worthy excellent man, who was father of Don F. Cushman, esq. a highly respectable and successful merchant of New- York, now doing busi ness in Cortland street. This was one of the oldest independent companies in the county. In the autumn of 1805, our company, in common with the Otsego brigade, repaired to Cooperstown for parade, inspec tion and general review, in conformity to orders from Governor Lewis. The governor was there with his staff, in full uniform ; and I suppose was much gratified with the parade as well as his reception in the county. He was fond ol show, and it was argued by his opponents, that he was excessively vain in reference to military matters. Those brigade parades that he ordered, were not well received by the public ; they required a sacrifice of three days time to a large portion of those subject lo duty, and of course were attended with considerable BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 79 expence. When brought forward as a candidate for re-election, these parades were urged against him with much effect. In Otsego there was another mailer of complaint that lost him some voles. Benjamin Arnold, a school master, had whipped a little girl in an unmerciful man ner, which caused her death ; and the circumstances were such, that he was convicted of murder and sen tenced for execution. On the day appointed, everybody repaired to Cooperstown to see Arnold hung. A gallows was erected, the prisoner was brought out and placed on the staging, where the sherlfl with his deputies were in attendance. Clergymen were there, and went through with their religious exercises ; the criminal was exhorted to make his everlasting peace, and the spectators to take warning and profit from the melancholy exhibition. Arnold was invited to address the multitude, which he did in a few words, but in so low a tone of voice as ^ scarcely to be heard. He stood under the gallows, with the halter about his neck, expecting, as did those ¦who were looking at him, that the next moment Would be his last; when the sheriff put an end to the painful suspence, by taking from his pocket a commutation of the death penalty to imprisonment for life. Arnold fainted on the annunciation, and the specta tors were sadly disappointed. They were not slow in giving utterance to their feelings ; some swore, others laughed, but afl were dissatisfied. Many had come a great distance, their curiosity had been much excited, a day had been lost, besides incurring considerable expence, for which they had no corresponding return. The greater part wanted to see a man hung ; and when Arnold was excused from gratifying their taorbid desire, they acted and talked as if they must have a substitute. 80 REMINISCENCES Had the governor himself been there, many of them would hardly have refrained from making him a con spicuous figure In the very interesting exhibition. They had a right to be displeased ; for if the sheriff was in possession of the governor's commutation, be fore Arnold was taken from the jail, it was a wanton, inexcusable act of cruelty thus to expose him, and hor rify his feelings ; and It was so regarded by the by standers, who thought the public exposure of the crim inal should have been spared. I do not know what explanation could have been given ; some said the messenger did not arrive with the commutation till just as the sheriff was preparing to swing up the prisoner ; others said he had received it in due time, but wanted to make a show and frighten the culprit. I have no doubt the governor lost voles for his interference, if not for the circumstances at the gallows. In the company of light infantry, already mentioned, I continued to serve ; and went through every grade of promotion, until 1810 or early part of 1811, when I had the command ; holding commissions under Gov- Tompkins. By a law of congress, passed in 1811, authorizing the President to accept the services of one hundred thousand volunteers ; my company was en rolled, accepted and held In readiness to be called out at any time. Our year expired shortly after the decla ration of war in 1812. In September of that year, troops were wanted for the Niagara frontier. I stiff retained the command, though I had removed lo Cherry VaUey two years before, but used to repair lo Richfield to muster and drill my company, whenever it was ne cessary. I went there in September, called them out, in pur suance of general orders, intending to induce them to BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 81 volunteer for the campaign. I had prepared a speech full of patriotic sound and fury, to induce the com pany to turn out, and go to the war. They were paraded and drilled a short time ; the speech was delivered, but not responded to, as desired; the drum mer was put in requisition ; the troops being directed lo shoulder arms, and such as would volunteer, lo step out and follow the drum. At this order every democrat (or republican as then called^) came" forward, and every federaUst refused. Parly spirit ran high ; the war was unpopular wilh the federalists, who, as a party, con demned and opposed it ; and thus my project of going wilh a volunteer company, which I very much desired, proved an abortion. A draft was next resorted to through the regiment, for the requisite number, and with my company I stood a draft and drew a blank. Norton, my brother-in-law, a lieutenant, was drafted ; and as he had a family, I offered to take his place, (the colonel having agreed lo accept me,) but Norton declined it and went himself. I afterwards tendered my services to Col. Stranahan, who commanded the regiment, provided he would give me an active place of equal rank with my own. I oflered to take rank as lieutenant if he would make me adjutant, but that place had been given to Stafford, of Sangerfield, a fine brave fellow, who was shot through at Queenston, but who I believe is still living. Stranahan offered to make me quarter-master, but this was rather the place of a non- combatant, and I did not want it. Whether I should have gone through a fight manfully I have some doubt, but have none whatever that I should have gone where ordered, as I had no constitutional scruples, and my 82 EEMINISCENCES pride would nave impeUed me even if my courage had faltered. During the spring and summer of 1S14, I had a severe fit of sickness that nearly proved fatal ; and though very weak and lame was able to hobble about, when I heard of the approach of the British fleet and army before Plattsburgh. I at once concluded to arm myself and start for the scene of action, by the next morning's stage. Without consulting any one, I selected a good military musket with equipments, and directed a knap sack with provisions and blanket to be prepared that I might be off. My wife knew it was a conceit, or freak, growing out of ill health and haff shattered in teUect, and remonstrated ; but I was stubborn, and determined lo go; so she called in Judge Hammond and Major Packard, in each of whom I had confidence, who soon persuaded me to give it up, as I was in no condition of health for such a journey, or the duties of a soldier ; and thus ended this patriotie effervescence. During the autumn of that year, I was at Johnstown, Montgomery county, when a detachment of sailors passed through -that place, on their way to Sackett's Harbor, to man the fleet on Lake Ontario. They were from Plattsburgh, having been in the battle under Mc Donough, when the British fleet vvas defeated. It is related, that on board of McDonough's ship, was a cock that was petted by the sailors, and was a great favorite with the whole crew. During the hottest part of the engagement, this bird was iperched on top of hl-s coop, listening to the " burly biarly *' that was going on, and very complacently surveying the exertions of his patrons, the sailors, when an enemy's .shot strock his BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 83 coop and shivered it in pieces. Chanticleer was " game ;" and on the coop being knocked from under him, flew up and perched himself on a shroud, where he crowed lustily in defiance. Those who saw it, regarded it as a favorable omen, and cheered through ,the ship. On leaving Plattsburgh, they took their feathered favorite with them, regarding him as a talis man to avert danger. One of the sailors carried the rooster under his arm ; and it was said at the time, and J suppose he was, the identical bird that crowed on the ship during the battle. I recollect some of us clubbed, and gave the sailors a good treat, and fiUed their canteens, as I had assisted to do on another occasion at Palatine Bridge, where we had met a detachment of soldiers. Sailors are of all men most superstitious, and inclined to believe in omens. I have no doubt the presence and good conduct Of this cock, during a naval battle, would have contributed to win it, as much as the exertions of ten resolute men. After giving up my rnilltary company, I held several commissions in the major generaJl's staff; was divisioa judge advocate, with rank of colonel, and some other positions of equal rank, for which I have commissions from Gov. Clinton. The highest position in lank that I ever actually obtained, was colonel ; by which title. Cols. Deitz and Geer, who were with me in the senate,, and who had been eols. of militia, were specially observant to address me, as they did each other. On removing to Ohio, where they have a weakness- for addressing almost every man by some title, they often magnified me into a general, which honor, my extrenie modesty never allowed me to appropriate to myself. As I am on military affairs, I will remark that whea I was first a cotBiOMSsi^ned officer, we wore* 84 EEMINISENCES the three-cornered cocked hat, continental fashion : mine was of that description. Afterwards, the French chapeau de bras came in fashion, and was adopted in the country as well as the cities. But to leave military matters for another subject. — Dancing has been a favorite amusement in all. countries, and in all ages of the world. In the new settlements it was not so fashionable as more athletic exercises. For several years they had no suitable rooms ; and then again, the farmers were staid in their habits, and generally had no desire to encourage it. Those split logs from which the floors for houses were made, werenot very well adapted for showing off the gra ces of motion. Governor Corwin, of Ohio, having been brought up in a new country, and being well acquainted wilh the customs of that kind of life, used to tell many amusing anecdotes, and among others, of an old French man, of Cincinnati, who delighted to go into the coun try towns and dancing all night on those rough, non- elastic floors. Although we had dancing parties oc casionally for several years, yet we did not have a dancing school in that part of Otsego county, till the winter of 1805 or 1806. A strolling dancing master then came there, and after much opposition from the serious part of the community, got up a class, and instructed them in jigs, French foursj and figures, throughout the winter. I was permitted to make one of the class, though my grand-parents regarded it as a great scandal, and little better than serving the devil ; they were probably about half right. We never aspired to cotillons ; and I don't know but our light heeled instructor might have deemed himself incom petent to impart instruction beyond the first rudiments : " down the outside, up again; turn your partner; down BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 86 in the middle, up again ; cast off ; and right and left." We had no aristocracy In those days. The laboring man, who worked by the month, and the spin ning girl who worked by the week, were as good as others, and of course must not be slighted, or over looked. Dressed in their sunday clothes they appeared well, and were respected. This was right. All were workers ; and hard labor brought all on a level of equality. I remember one of the early settlers, who is still living, and is now a wealthy farmer ; who, when he came there had scarcely anything but his axe, and used lo chop, and clear land by the acre, till he had earned enough to buy a new farm. On getting married, he was so determined not lo disguise his condition in life, that he insisted on being married In the dress in which he expected lo earn his living. The result was, that he • dressed himself in a clean tow shirt, frock, and trow- sers ; while his wife, the daughter of a respectable farmer, put on her petticoat and short gown ; and in these every-day dresses they were married. It was no uncommon .thing then, for the daughters of substantial farmers, lo go out to work by the week, when they could be spared from home. Such a thing now is hardly thought of by our native-born citizens ; in which respect I think they manifest a greater degree of false pride than good sense. As I have referred to dancing ; let me describe the arrangements for getting up a ball. The managers being chosen, had two ways of get ting it up. One was lo make a hap-hazard business, and let each gentleman select his partner, and wait on her to the dance. When this mode prevailed, there was a scramble among the beaux to get the start of 86 REMINISCENCES each other, to invite the young ladles who were regard ed as favorites. This mode had its objections, as il not only induced scrambles, and competitions, but frequent ly resulted in leaving some of the girls less attractive at home, who would be overlooked. There was another objection that had weight, particularly with those young men who were admitted into society, not because their company Was very desirable, but because it was an unpleasant business to exclude them. They were ra ther cheap, ordinary, or as the buck-eyes would say, "or' nary fellows," who were sometimes refused by the ladles, because they of course had preferences, and would give these fellows "the mitten," and take their chance of an invitation from some one else. I pre sume my readers, particularly of the younger class, will understand what "giving the mitten" means. At any rate, those who were so unfortunate as to submit, to that mortification, understood the meaning and pre- ¦ ferred the other mode ; because, as will soon be seen, they were backed up by the influence of the managers when the fair ones were invited. To obviate these ob jections, it was more generaUy voted that the other mode should be adopted, and that the managers should classify and select partners among the gentlemen and ladies. Preparatory lo this important mailer, lists were made out of those who were to be invited, and then the managers went to work and would sit down Mr. A. B. and Miss C. D., and so on through the Usts. Tickets were given out something in this form, " Inde pendence Ball, Mr. A. B. is Invited lo attend a fourth of July ball, al &c. and lo wail on Miss C. D., who Is also invited." On receiving the ticket, the gentleman must call on the lady for whom a ticket was enclosed, and invite her attendance ; which, under this arrangement. BY LEVr BEARDSLEY. 87 she almost Invariably accepted ; because to refuse would not only have been an insult to the gentleman, but lo the managers who had selected, and by their ticket invited her ; and they represented society, so that she would probably be excluded, unless 'she had good reasons for refusing. If It was a fourth of July ball, they frequently met before dinner, danced a few figures and then dined In the open air, under booths. After dinner they went to dancing in good earnest ; had lea, cakes, and wine handed round at evening, and during the night ; and frequently more stimulating potations, particularly among the gentlemen. They were not nice In the observance of hours, but danced them away tin they were generaUy satisfied lo break up al broad day light. If it was a winter froUc they went in sleighs ; but at other times, nearly all on horseback. The young gentleman would provide himself wilh as good a horse as he could, and another with a ladies saddle, for his partner. Thus furnished with the means of locomotion, he would start after the fair one, leading the horse she was to ride ; and being equipped, girled, and mounted, they would start for the ball. As all were fearless riders, the horses were frequently put to the top of their speed. Il was no uncommon thing for a young lady to mount the same horse behind jhe gentleman, and thus ride double lo the baU. The objection to the managers selecting and arranging was, that they generally secured the lion's share for themselves, by selecting the favorite giris. They had the trouble of arranging for the baU ; and I don't know that there was any violation of prin ciple, if the managers did choose wisely. Some how- 88 REMINISCENCES ever did think II objectionable, as they thought it con ceded loo much, and gave undue advantages to mono- poUse the choice articles. For several years we had no musician near us, andacommlttee had to be appointed to secure a fiddler from abroad. My first acquaintance with Brayton Allen, who played the violin remarkably weU, was his attendance al Richfield lo discourse elo quent music for a new year's ball. He then resided at Cherry Valley ; has since resided In Western Virginia, on the great Kanhawa, was always fond of fun and frolic, sang a good song, told a good story, was an accom plished shot, kept excellent hounds ; a man of sense and sound philosophy, for he look the world easy, laughed at Its follies, submitted lo its crosses, and mur mured not al its reverses. We have formerly ran down and unearthed many foxes ; but for several years I have lost sight of him, and whether dead or alive, I really do not know. The fashions, in social life, have very much changed within the last forty or fifty years. Now, when a parly meet, and wish to lake a social glass, a brandy smash or whisky toddy is prepared for each. Then, on meeting at a country tavern, some one of the company would call for .a brandy sling, or a rum or gin sling, which required a gill of liquor ; this being properly mixed, with sugar and water, and Stirred up with the toddy stick, lUl the compound almost foamed, was ready for a sprinkling of nutmec, and was then handed lo the one who called for It. He took a drink and handed it to his neighbour; who drank and passed it along till It was drank off, and the one who finished II caUed for another, each one gene rally calling for a sling before the sitting was completed. In reference to musicians. It has been above remark ed, that they were scarce. I wiU relate a trifling inci- OP LEVI BEARDSLEY. 89 dent, growing out of a performance on the violin, though not immediately connected with the thread of my story. Major Cochran, who recently died al Oswe go, (universally esteemed and regretted, and whose excellent lady resides there still,) oould in his younger days play the fiddle. About the year 1796 he was a candidate for congress against Judge Cooper, of Coop erstown. The congressional district embraced not only Montgomery and Otsego, the residences of Cochran and Cooper, but nearly the whole of western New York. After Major Cochran was put in nomination, he had occasion lo visit the western counties and look his violin with him. He stayed over night at Canandaigua, where a dance was got up, and the Major obliged and amused the company by fiddling for them. He beat Judge Cooper at the election, but whether from the Influence of music and dancing or other causes, Is now too late to enquire. Il was alleged however that Judge Cooper had either published or remarked that Cochran had been through the district with his violin, and had fid dled himself Into office. This came to Cochran's ear and brought him from Montgomery county to Coopers town. He started on horseback, as I have heard him say, and went there, where Judge Cooper was presiding as first judge at the court of Common Pleas. On his coming out of court Cochran met him, and after aUudIng to the election and what had taken place, informed the judge that he had come from the Mohawk to chastise him for the Insult. Judge Cooper treated It lightly, and remarked that Cochran could not be in earnest, who answered by a cut wilh his cow skin. Cooper closed in with his ad- 90 EEMINISCENCES versary, but Cochran being a large strong man, they were pretty well matched for the scuffle, and the judge did not throw him down as he intended ; the by-stand- ers Interposed and the parties were separated. Coch ran was Indicted for'the assault and battery, but removed the indictment to the oyer and terminer, where he pleaded guilty, and was fined a small anlount for the breach of the peace. How It happened that they were opposing candidates, I really do not know ; they were both federalists, and I am quite sure both belonged lo the same parly at that time. Major Cochran has told me that he supported John Adams' administration, and was always regarded as an out-and-out old fashioned federalist. Judge Cooper, I think, was elected at the next election, which I suppose must have been in the spring of 1798, so that his congressional term commenced 4th of March, 1799, and expired with 3rd of March, 1801, when on the election of Mr. Jefferson, Judge Cooper, in a measure withdrew from active political life ; though he remained a decided party man up to the time of his death. He was present al those ballotllngs in congress, between Mr. Jefferson and Col. Burr, and wilh others of the federal parly, voted for the latter. He was so unwell al the time, that I believe he had lo be carried into congress lo give his voles. The 13th November, 1806, was the anniversary of my birlh-day, when I became twenty-one years of age. Up lo this lime I had worked on the farm, the greater part of which was cleared and fenced ; houses and barns had been erected ; and a large orchard planted, which was fast coming to perfection. In the summer of 1805 or 1806, immediately after corn- BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 91 planting, my father went to the northerly part of Wayne county, then nearly an unbroken wilderness. He went there with a view of selecting a larger quan tity of land ; and thus providing farms for myself and brothers. Our farm In Richfield, with its Improvements, had become saleable and valuable ; and would then have sold for as much if not more than at any sub sequent period. Had he been suited with the country he went to explore, he intended to sell his farm and buy a tract of new land, large enough for several farms. He crossed the Seneca, or Oswego river, at three- river point, and went to Williamson, In Wayne county. Fever and ague were so prevalent that he concluded not lo purchase. The result of this exploration, I sup pose, gave a cast to my subsequent pursuits for life. Had he purchased, I should undoubtedly have re mained a farmer. When he went away he directed me lo cut and split rails and make a line fence through the woods, on the east line of the farm. The fence I was to make must have been from sixty to eighty rods long, which was nearly completed when he returned. In the summer of 1842, before removing lo Ohio, I had the curiosity to pass along through the woods, and see if any part of this fence remained ; but there was not a vestige — neither log or rail remaining, of those I had split and placed there ; nor was a single stump to be found of the trees I had cut down to make the fence. Everything had rolled away, and disappeared. In the summer of 1805, I was In the meadow, mow ing, when news arrived that Gen. Hamilton had fallen by Col. Burr. In 1806, I was at work on the day of the great 92 EEMINISCENCES eclipse. I recoUect precisely where and what I was doino'; and the gloonny appearance at the lime of total obscuration. The atmosphere became chilty. It ap peared like the commencement of night : so much so that the fowls repaired lo their roosts, as they do at night season. A more gloomy and al same lime grand spectacle could hardly be witnessed, than the coming on ; the total ecUpse ; and then Its passing off; till the sun appeared again, unshorn of Its beams, with all its strength and beauty. The winter after I became of age, I kept school about four months; and so again the next winter; thus devoting myself, two winter seasons, lo the humble but honorable avocation of country school keeping; boarding round among the proprietors. Not far from the lime of closing my school, we got up a slelgh-ride and ball, and went lo Winfield to hold It, about the 7th or 8th of Aprfl, 1807. A snow storm came on, which resulted in the greatest fall of snow I have ever known. The snow was so deep that it not only blocked up the roads, but covered the stumps and i'ences, so that there was no communication till the roads were partly shovelled out and broken. This snow remained during the greater part of the month, so that on election day of that j'ear, which I think commenced the last Tuesday in April, it was very deep In the woods; but having thawed In the day, had, by freezing at night, formed a strong crust, on • which I went to shoot palrldges on their drumming logs in the morning. At that election I gave my first vole, and voted the democratic ticket. Daniel D. Tompkins, who was designated the " farmer's son," was our candidate for governor, and was elected over Morgan Lewis, who was up for Te-election. The federahsts supported BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 93 Gov. Lewis, wilh a portion of the republicans ; and these,last were designated as " quids." Embargo times soon followed. Politics ran high. I was young, ardent, and active, and soon became a leader among the de mocratic young men ; and frequently acted as secre tary of political meetings for the old. Entering into political matters with so much active zeal, secured me many fast and devoted friends among the democrats ; of whom Col. Lemuel Fitch was one, to whom I have been indebted for many acts of confidence and kindness ; and whose friendship I enjoyed till his death, in 1826. In the spring of 1808, I was elected constable, and again in 1809, In which capacity I served two years. This required my frequent attendance al Cooperstown, at Court ; and these attendances first suggested to me the propriety of turning my attention to the legal pi;o- fesslon. 1 was not unaware of my defective education, and that it would be under discouraging auspices in case I attempted it. Reasoning on the subject, I satisfied myself that much might be done to overcome embarras- ments by close application. From the time I became of age I had worked on the farm, at such times as I could spare, when not keeping school or engaged in my duties as constable, I consulted my father as to the proprijety of entering a law office, and his advice was to follow the bent of my own inclination. Soon after, I went to Cherry Valley, and consulted with my friend Jabez D. Hammond, who was then in successful practice, with whom was associated James Brackett, as law partner. On informing them that I thought of entering upon legal studies, they both advised me to go-ahead, and kindly offered to enter my name as clerk ill their office ; lend me books till I got ready to 94 REMINISCENCES go there permanently ; and to impart such information as they could, (classical and legal,) whenever I sljould take my place in the office. This settled the question. In the fall of 1809, a certificate was filed of my clerk ship ; books were furnished which I look home wilh me, commencing wilh " Blackstone's Commentaries," of course. These and other law books were read that year ; and turning off all the business I could, as constable, I in tended in the course of the coming winter, to review my English grammar, while my law studies were going on. While acting as constable I had many adventures with those against whom I had warrants. On one occa sion a fighting fellow, who had kept out of my way for some time, struck me violently on the head with a club, as I came suddenly on him in the morning. The blow stunned me slightly, but did not knock me down, as a stiff hat broke its force ; he was soon msistered and marched off. Kind treatment on my part subdued him, so that from that time forward he always professed to be, and I think was, an ardent devoted friend. He seemed to like me the better for having ventured upon lilm armed as he was, after he had warned me to keep off. I never found but one man, again&t whom I had pro cess, who I hesitated to encounter, and he was a large stout-looking fellow, against whom I had an execution for a small miUtary fine, which required me for want of property to take the body. He lived about ten miles from me, near the county line. On approaching him he sprang over the fence, seized a hea;vy stake, and stood at bay ; declaring that he would not be taken and threatening to knock tne dow.n if I came over. He ha;d a sinister loplc, t^ial I ,did not like; pale, BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 95 firm, and determined ; his whole appearance indicated courage and desperation. Had he been charged wilh crime, I would have tried to take him, but for a paltry fine, W'hen he might probably have to go lo jail for the want of a few dollars, I thought it would be ridiculous to have my head broken, and had no desire to make the experiment, so deeming " discretion the better part of valor," I rode off, and that was the last of It. I was now preparing to leave Richfield, to pnrsue my legal studies in Cherry VaUey ; before going there I delivered a fourth of July oration, at Richfield in 1810, and in 1812 went from Cherry Valley to Winfield, Herkimer county, and delivered another on the fourth of July of that year. BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 96 CHAPTER VI. Remove to Clierry Valley, 1810. — Notice of James Brackett, esq. — Incidents.^ — Murder of Huddleston, and Execution of Van Alstine. — Books read in 1810 and 11. Extracts, Remarks and Reflections. — Ossian's Poems, a favorite Book with Buonaparte, — Attempt at Poetry, — Death of Parents, and Rcflectioris, — Admitted to the Bar, in 1812, and Copartnership with Jabez D. Hammond, esq. — Notice of Judge Hammond. After a residence of more than twenty years in Rich field, where I had resided nearly all the time at home, and that too at the most interesting period of life ; it was not without painful emotions that I left the parental roof and separated from my old associates, lo form new acquaintances abroad. No doubt almjosl every young man feels a deep solicitude. If not regret, when he thus assumes the" responsibilities of life, and casts him self forth on the world, where he is lo associate with strangers and carve out his own fortune. The early part of July, 1810, I removed to Cherry Valley, where I found Messrs Hammond and Brackett had dissolved partnership, and were In separate offices. My law reading was principally with the former, but I always found both of them kind and courteous, for which they have my thanks, even al this late day. Mr. Brackett was a good scholar, hud graduated wilh reputation at Dartmouth, wrote well and with facility, and was a correct practitioner. He was ardent in hi.'! feelings, confiding and unsuspecting almost to a BY l^EVI BEARliSLEY. 97 fault, where professions of friendship were made ; kind hearted, popular wilh the masses, with vvhom he asso ciated freely and whose Confidence he enjoyed in an eminent degree. Social arhong his companions ; de voted to his friends, he could never dovtoo much for them. If they had faults he overlooked or extenuated them, and from his confiding disposition, was at times more under their influence than he imagined ; or than a prudent cautious man should be. These were amiable traits in his character ; but until men become less selfish and more scrupulous; a cautions taan'wIU hardly permit even a friend to obtain an undue influence. Still Mr. B. with some small faults of course, was an 'excellent citizen, a boon companion, zealous but not illiberal In his political or other views ; and on all occasions rriahlfesling a strong attach ment to the liberties of the country, and its free Institutions. IhaVe known hini well and intimately for more than forty-One years; and though we often differed in our political views (for he^was a decided federalist) yet I must do him the justice to say, that during the late war with England, he 'always urged Its vigorous prosecution, fliough he condemned its origin. The encourageOiertt he gave to enhsltiiehts, as \vell aspeOunlary aid to those in service, was not only' commendable ; but might have been creditably imitated by many democrats who Wfere clamorous appro^^er^ of the war, but too readily avoiddd hSf burthens.' He' held several offices ; among others master in chancery, ''and 'surrogate of the county of Otsego. • ' '^'¦''' ' ' • '¦¦ Fond of field sports; hei was one of my compantona ia the ehasfe, and has assisted' itieito r'ti'ii' down and trth earlh reynard on many occasions. In which he delighted, ttiOugfeM Clever Was^ a -gSdod ishot at^a fox. He- was 7 93 REMINISCENCES too excitable, and the fox often coming suddenly upon him, was either the wrong fox and would get out of reach before firing, or he would look more closely at him, than at his gun, and almost uniformly miss him ; and then was unsparing in his denunciations against reynard for not condescending to be killed. He appeared al most angry with the fox for not turning fool, that he might be the more easily circumvented; instead of sus taining his natural propensity for craft and knavery. On one occasion we had got up a large dogfox, that was running right merrily before the hounds, and giving them fine play. We separated, and as the fox came cantering by Brackett, within a few rods of him, in an open field, he blazed away ; but reynard disre garded it and made off', the dogs following in close and eager pursuit ; I saw him as he passed over the hill, at a considerable distance ; and from his running felt quite sure he had not been harmed by the shot, though I was equally certain that Brackett would clairh that he had pep-pered him within an inch of his life. He soon came to me, and on my asking him if he had kiUed the fox, he said " no, but I knocked him down, and he has as many shots in his carcass as he can carry," and then added, in a subdued tone, " he is the most God forsaken fox I ever saw." " Where is he, Brackett?" was my enquiry, " gone to heU, or Pennsylvania, with the dogs at his heels," was his prompt response. , Waiting a short time and not hearing the dogs, we had no doubt the fox had left that range, and having been fired at and scared, at least, would not be likely soon to return ; so we left; and went home : Brackett dealing out many imprecations against reynard for get ting off. ; The dogs: npt having returned, and knowing their BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 99 spunk and perseverance, I got my horse and rode off to where I supposed the fox had led them ; and on en quiry learned that they had been bellowing and coursing about a field, where there was a flock of sheep, but had left it three hours ago. This was between two and three miles from where Brackett had shot at the fox. I soon learned that to avoid his pursuers be had mixed with the sheep, as the fox often does vvhen hard pressed, that their tracks might obliterate his own ; and that he had kept with them for some time. The dogs, equally crafty, were not to be baulked by such a device, and soon frisked him oiit of the flock, when, on leaving the " woolies " he ran half a mile and crept under a carriage house, where the dogs coming up tore away obstructions so that they could get in, and kiUed him. He was taken out by one of the neighbors, who knew my dogs ; and they lay down, watching and claiming the dead animal, and loitered there waiting my arrival. He was given to me, and was " toted" to the viflage ; the dogs following in a strutting manner, and taking great credit to themselves for their perform ance. Brackett was delighted ttJ see the fox, told uS where he aimed at him, and said we should find him fuU of shot. He caressed the dogs for their skill and perseverance ; declared they were the best he had ever followed ; and to satisfy the crowd that he had aimed with remarkable accuracy, insisted on disrobing rey nard at once, when on pulling off his jacket, there was not the slightest mark of a shot to be found. Bracke'tl was disappointed ; but to make amends, treated tl^ company, and sung us a hunting song to make us merry. Our excursions were attended with many other 100 REMINISCENCES laughable circum.stances. He and two others went with me to hunt the hare, or white rabbit : a light snow had fallen, so that they could easily be followed by the hounds, and we had three good ones. Before starting I had filled my hunting flask with gin, to be used as our comforts, or necessities might seem lo require. We got up a fine old jack hare, that gave.the dogs good play ; and after driving him through thick brush and niany intricate turnings, I shot him and called my companions to me. We were all pretty well warmed with the chaseiiand concluded to uncork the flask and partake of the gin. I drank first, and found that it had been poured out and water substituted ; which I had no doubt was a roguish, good-natured trick of my wife; andnot vvishlngtobe the only dupe,! said nothing, but handed It lo Brackett, whose mouth actually watered for the delighitful beverage^ as could be seen from the complacent expression of his enUvened countenance. He drank, but his visage changed at once, as did the others, when they found we were two miles in the woods,- wading in the snow, with no other stimulant -than coW'water. I saw him once amazingly excited on the Schoharie mountaicis, the autumn of 1818. We had been at Schoharie, attending court, in re- ¦latioH lo the murderer. Van Alstine, of. whom I shall have something more to say. We were hnnting for small gatne,'when the dogs beatinglhrbugh the thicket ¦onexpectedly started four deer that came within a few Tods of Brackett, who fired a charge of shot at one of them, and set up a tremendous outcry. We harried •to him and found him almost beiide himselfwith ex- icitement. He hadirei-ioadett, and just as we reached him the dogs gave tongue in pursuit of the deer. ".Tiiere they are," sjayfe Brackett; and springing over iheifeince. BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. lai Started to run across a field of ploughed land, and slightly covered with snow, but very rough. Mr. Seely, who was of the party, said, "Now see Brackett fall down ;" when running a few rods further, he slipped and did fall, much to our amusement and his own annoyance. The dogs pursued, ahd finally ran down and killed one of the deer, which was secured by a poacher. We heard of it, Jlnd next morning called On him, insisting on his giving il up, which He refbsed ; and neither our coaxing him, or the threats of the whole company to sue him, and of Brackett specially to flog him, would induce him to surrender the deer like a gentleman. Nearly two years ago, Mr. Brackett removed to Rock Island, Illinois, on the Mississipi, where he enjoys good health, and is well pleased with his new residence. He is getting old, and will probably spend the remain der of his days there. He frequently writes me, and always in decided terms of approval of the compromise measures Of the last congress ; and in a recent communication, speaking of the union of the Stales, he says, " Better live in the wilderness, like John the Baptist, and feed on locusts and wild honey, and preserve the union ; than revel in wealth, grandeur, and luxury, after destroying it." A few lines back T have spoken of John Van Alstine, of Sharon, Schoharie county, who had per petrated a horrid murder on Huddleston, deputy sheriff, for which he Was executed ; and although rather out of place, I will mention a. few circumstances now almost forgotten. While in parlnei'ship with Jabez D. Hammond, we had been employed by Van Alstine, to defend a suit brought' against him for' carelessly driving over h 102 REMINISCENCES boy, and inflicting a most serious injury. I attended the Schoharie circuit at the trial, and made the best defence that the circumstances would admit; but the result was a verdict against him for $400 or $500. An execution was put in the hands of Huddleston, on this judgment, who attempted to collect it. I recollect of going to Sharon, with James Brackett, whom I have just mentioned, and Col. Starkweather, and I think Col. Prentiss, of Cooperstown, one Saturday, lo shoot squir rels. In the afternoon we came lo the public-house to get dinner, and there met Huddleston, who dined wilh us; and this was the last lime I ever saw him aUve. He said he was going to Van Alstine, that afternoon lo close the execution, by selling his property if the money was not paid ; and remarked that he had already had much trouble with him. He was very urgent that we should go with him ; and I have always regretted that we did not, as the murder would probably have been averted had we gone. He went there ; and, as it subsequently appeared, while he was computing the amount of the execution on the barn floor. Van Alstine advanced upon him with a stake from the fence, and by one or more blows killed him outright, and concealed him through that afternoon by covering him with straw. At night he took him on his shoulders, and though Huddleston was a large man, at least one quarter heavier than Van Alstine, carried him fifty rods, over two or three fences, and buried him in a grave dug in a field recently sown with wheat. He then got his leam, and in the course of the night harrowed that field, and cross-harrowed il, so that every trace of the grave was oblit^erated. This was Saturday night, and early next Monday morning, before breakfast, he called at my office, having EY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 103 come twelve miles, and said he wanted to settle with me for defending that suit. He then remarked that it had been a hard business for him, and he wanted we should be as reasonable with him as we could ; "that he had at last paid the execution, which had given him much trouble, and he wanted everything relating lo the suit settled, that he should no more have his mind troubled with il. I had been told by several who knew him, that he always differed with his lawyers, and that he would never pay us without a quarrel, and probably a law suit. The bill was made out, and il was reasonable, as I Intended he should have no cause of complaint. He paid part, and gave his note for the balance, without a word of cavil or objection ; which I sub sequently remarked to Judge Hammond was altogether unexpected. After thus adjusting il, he asked me what would be the eff'ect of payment of the execution, in case Huddle ston should run away, and not pay over the money? and remarked that it was Indorsed on the execution, but he did not take a separate receipt. He said it was quite a large sum, and he should not be surprised if Huddleston ran away, for he was a d d rascal. The family and friends of the murder ed man became alarmed at his not returning home, and on enquiries being made, suspicions were rife that a murder had been perpetrated. Search was made and blood was found on the barn floor, which was finally traced, on the fences, lo the wheal field ; where, a week afterwards, the body was found, and In the meantime Van Alstine had escaped on the horse of the sheriff, which for a week had been concealed and fed in an adjoining swamp. I saw the 104 REMINISCENCES remains of the murdered man, whose head and face were horribly broken and lacerated. < : , It seems almost incredible that la, small man like Van Alstine could have carried his victim so far, and then to have had the hardihood to harrow over his re mains after midnight. He must have been nerved for deeds of desperation ; I can Imagine nothing more hor rible than those works of darkness. After his escape, and many weeks absence, so that almost all hope of his arrest was at an end, he embarked on lake Erie, on board a schooner for the western country. A storm arose, the murderer was there, and the vessel must needs return, lo escape destruction; and then the homicide Was arrested by a fellov/ passenger, and brought back to meet a murderer's retribution. Some apprehensions were entertained that he might be rescued by friends, as he was conveyed through, his former neighborhood, I, wilh se^^eral others, went with" the man who had him in charge, to see him safely delivered over to the; civil authorities,: I was setting by his side, when his old mother, his wife and children, almost distracted, had their inter view. She spoke to him in Dutch, and said, "what have you done ?" His firmness did not forsake him during this heart-rending interview.' He said lo them, '^-don't grieve, , don't grieve, all will come oUt right." I attended his trial, which resulted In his conviction, and subsequent executbn. If I recollect right, the rope broke or gave way after he was 'swung off, and raising a law question, he enquired of the sheriff, if he had a right to hang him again ? I have but little doubt that part of the money he paid me was taken from Huddle ston, for I observed a spot on one of ihe bills, when be paid me, that looked like blood ; but , it was passed BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 105 away before the murder was suspected, so that the blU never appeared In evidence against him. But let me go back from this digression lo my legal studies. On entering upon office duties at -Cherry Val ley, I methodized and divided my time, so as lo devote a portion to professional studies ; another to belles lettres, and light reading, with another, for writing and office services. * Besides law books, I read Blair's Lectures, RoUin's Belles Lettres, Locke on the Understanding, Paley's Philosophy, Akenside's Pleasures of the Imagination, Shakspeare, Ossian's Poems, with a great variety of historical works; books of travels and many others, both classical, poetical and miscellaneous. Shakspeare I always admired, and still read his works with Increasing interest. Who that understands our language and can appreciate the sublime and beau tiful, in conception as well as description, can fall to admire Shakspeare ? Ossian was a favorite, and afforded me much plea sure In reading It during the long stormy autumnal nights of 1810. There was a melancholy cast of thought running through those poems, that seemed In unison with my feelings at that particular time, heightened no doubt from the November storms, which In a hilly country may always be heard sighing and moaning, like those, so in accordance wilh nature, described by Ossian. Then the fact that I had left my poor mother hopelessly ill, and evidently hastening towards the close of life ; that I had separated front home, from my early friends, and the associates of youth ; altogether so affected my feelings as lo render Ossian doubly attractive. But with out these predisposing influences, there are beauties and truthful dehneallons, whh figures and adornments l06 EEMINISCENCES so appropriate and with so much pathos that no man of sensibility or poetical feeling but must admire them. It Is related of Buonaparte, that during all his youthful campaigns, and in fact for the greater part of his eventful life, he always had Ossian's poems in his camp, and begmled his leisure hours by reading them with profound admiration. I was fond of reading poetry, and if good, could appreciate it ; but I could never write it, nor did I often attempt lo do so. I could not make the rhymes jingle, nor had I the genius or imagination for a poet. That furor or frenzy of feeling, so essential for poetizing, was wanting. My mind and cast of thought were more staid and were of the practical matter-of-fact kind. At the close of the year 1810, under a melancholy stale of feeling, induced from the reflection that another year was passing away, I wrote during the last evening of that year, the following lines, which were published in the Otsego Herald, and are with few exceptions, my only efforts lo " invoke the muses." WRITTEN ON THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR, 1810. Hark, the dread fiat of vindictive time, Rings through the ¦world's vast fabric, far and near, As on his fleeting wrings he moves sublime, And views the ruins of the closing year. " Another year is gone," the monster cries; Plucked from the future, added to the past. The vanquished seasons close behind him lie, And sing their death song, to die vvdntry blast.. Firm in one rueful hand, die scythe is placed, ¦Which cuts the brittle thread of life away ; The other, with an hour glass is graced, And -ivasting sanda fast measure out the day. BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 107 Before him falls the monarch at his feet. As in hia course he moves with swift career. The charming maiden, innocently sweet, Whose exit claims the tributary tear. The beggar and the lord are prostrate laid. When time puts forth his hand with awful might ; Nor can his fatal blows be checked or staid. By characters, however gi-eat or bright. On hia firm breast is placed the book of fate, Whose leaves unfold, as time flies swift along^ And on each page is legibly engraved, The various actions of the busy throng. There read and meditate on^ages past, As up the long black course of time we run ; Look back and see the multitude, how vast ! Who've acted on the stage beneath the sun. Methinks I see the countless millions stand, On life's small isthmus, busily engaged, 'Till from their places, time with ruthless hand, Snatches the youthful hero and the aged. "Where are they now ? alas, they are no more. Sunk to the tomb, they slumber in the ground. Till the last trump, with awful solemn roar, Shall wake the nations fiom their sleep profound. Thus time's corroding touch sweeps man away. As dew-drops perish, when the rising sun Lights up the horizon, at the opening day, And drinks the pearly drops before 'tis noon. The marble towers and adamantine walls, Whose mossy heads defy the weight of years, Must into undistinguished ruin fall, Before the victor in his swift career. 108 ; EEMINISCENCES Even planets, from their orbits, shall be hurled. And blazing comets, whose tremendous race. In fields of ether, circle other worlds. Sunk far in regions of unmeasured space. The sun whose golden beams light up the day. Shall af his rueful touch expire. The waning moon that shines with midriight ray. Must from the face of heaven swift retire. Old earth again shall into chaos fall, As wrapped in fire, the heavens shall pass away And all that move on this terraqueous ball, To time's destroying scythe raust fall a prey Time then him,self shall end, and be no more, And nature shall expire and cease to be, On wings seraphic shall fair virtue soar, To spend an endless blessed eternity. Carril. Portions of RoUm's Belles Lettres, which I read In 1811, very much interested me. I do not know that I can insert anjlhlng more likely to be acceptable lo an American reader, than extracts from two letters, written by Marcus Brutus, who had aided lo slay Cassar In the senate house ; and who destroyed himself after the fatal battle of Phillippi, rather than survive the liberties of his country. Those letters and their sentiments should be studied and appreciated by the young men .of our Republic. After the death of Cassar, and the ficquisitlon of power by his nephew Octavius, surnamed Augustus Caesar, (the first emperor,) Cicero who was then regard ed as an old man, being between sixty and seventy years of age, wrote to Augustus, and implored his cle mency and protection for the "conspirators" as they BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 109 Were termed, who had struck down Julius Cajsar. Atticus sent a copy of Cicero's letter to Brutus, who then wrote to Cicero and to Atlicus the letters from ¦which the following are extracts. To Cicero he writes, and referring to his letter lo Octavius, says, — "All that is required of him, you say, is that he vvould be pleased to protect and defend the citizens who are esteemed and valued by men of probity, and the Roman people. Are we then at the discretion of Octavius; and ruined unless he please-to protect us? It were better to die an hundred deaths, than to be in debted to him for living. I do not think the Gods so RMJch the enemies of Rome, as to require that the pre servation of any citizen, and much less the deliverers of the world, should be asked of Octavius as a favor; for I think it proper to talk in this high strain lo persons ignorant of what every one has lo fear, and of whom anything Is to be asked. Are we then, upon the point of settling the conditions of slavery ; and not of abolish ing the slavery itself? What matters il, whether It is Caesar, or Anthony, or Octavius, dial reigns? Have we only taken up arms to change our masters, and not to assert our liberty? The Gods shall rather take from me life, a hundred linnes, than to take from me" the resolution of hot suffering. I say not, that the heir of him I have slain, should reign in hrs plaCe, but that tiny; Veryfather, were he to live agmn. should 7ioi make him self Lord of the Laws and' Senate. You Intreat tor our Security, and return to Rome: but be assured, that we value neither the one nor the other,'if they are to be bought at the prieef^of our honor and liberty. 'To live',; iri my opinion, is to be at a distance flom slavery, and from ihose who arfe friends to it. -Every place s/iull be JtoOT« to me, ^here I^can befrcci Take care, therefore. 110 EEMINISCENCES that you do not hereafter recommend me to that Caesar ; nor. If I have any credit wilh you, yourself either. The/eM7 years you have left to live, are of strange value to you, if they can induce you lo make abject suppli cations to that boy. For my part I am resolved not lo be led by the weakness, and desertion of others. There is nothing that I shall omit to preserve our common country from slavety ; and I shall look with pity upon those, in whom neither their advanced age, the glory of their past actions, nor the example of courage, which others set them, can diminish a fondness for living. If our desires and the justness of our cause meet with success, we shall be satisfied. But If things happen otherwise, I shall not judge myself at all the more unhappy, as I think myself born lo defend and deliver my country ; and that life is only desirable, on this account." In his letter to Alliens, he expresses himself with, still greater force and freedom. "I agree," says he, "that Cicero had a very good intention, in all that he' has done. Nobody is better acquainted with his affections, and zeal for the repubhc, than I am. But upon this occasion, shall I say that his wisdom is mistaken, or that he has been too much guided by policy ? He who was not afraid for the safety of the state, to make Anthony his enemy ? This I am sure of, that by treating Octavius as he has, he- has only nourished and Inflamed his ambition and pre sumption. He boasts of having put an end to the war against Anthony, without moving a single step from Rome. Did he do this, only to give him a successor?! I am grieved that I am forced to write thus to you. But you have desired me to lay open my heart, wilh entire freedom. How Imprudent is it through a Wind BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. Ill fear to araw upon ourselves the IUs we apprehend, and which possibly we may avoid. Death, banishment, and poverty are too terrible lo us. Cicero seems to judge these the worst of misfortunes; and provided he finds per sons who respect and commend him, and from whom he may obtain what he desires ; he Is In no dread of slavery, in case it be honorable; if indeed, anything can be honor able, in the lowest, and most wretched degree of in famy. Octavius Indeed, may well call Cicero his father; and seem' wiUIng to depend enlirelyupon him, and load him wilh commendations, and civilities. We shall soon see how much his words and actions disagree. Is anything, in short, more opposite to common sense, than to call him father, whom we do not look upon as a free man? But it is easy lo see that the good Cicero labors only to make Octavius favorable lo him, I no longer set any value upon all his phrlosoph3\ For of what use are those noble sentiments to him, with which his books are filled, where he treats of death and banishment, of poverty, and solid glory, of real honor, and the zeal which every man ought to shew, ht the liberty of his country ? Let Cicero then, live in sub mission and servitude, since he is capable of il; and neither his age nor his honors, nor his past actions, make him ashamed lo suffer il ! For my own pan, no condition of slavery, however honorable il may appear, shall hinder me from declaring war against tyrannj' ; against decrees irregularly made; against unjust domi nion ; and every power that would set itself above the laws." REMARKS. Such sentiments well become a Roman, and even a Brutus. His inflexible virtue, and fire of patriotism, which have been the admiration of ages, shine forth in 112 EEMINISCENCES these two letters, with a lustre that r awes the reader into a belief that he hears him actually chiding his friends for their servile entreaties. The love of liberty and of country appear the great movers of his actions ; and an implicit belief that virtue only consisted In dis charging his duty faithfully to that country and to those principles. Despising the pageantry of royalty, and the sordid views which governed the leaders of the different parlies in his time, he , fought only for his love of the republic. Liberty appeared dearer lo him than life itself; and a real patriot, he nobly resolved lo live free, or not five al all. The dignity, of his spirit forbade his asking terms of Octavius ; and he died as he had, lived, a votary of freedom. With him fell the last hope of Roman liberty ; and as it was a Brutus that freed the Romans from the tyranny of their kings, and formed the republic, so this Brutus sacrificed him self for that liberty, which his noble predecessor gained six hundred years before. The letters from which the above extracts were made,' may be found in RoUin's Belies Lettres, pages 218 and 219; and the remarks which follow them were made in 1811, A first impression on reading tliese letters will be an almost want of appreciaiion of the fact that at the age of the world, when Brutus lived, (abotit nineteen hundred years ago,) literature had so; far advanced, as to afford so fine a specimen of com-. position. But it: was the age of Cicero, when the lights of RomKH science were most respleng about it, except from hearsay ; and as this was the first intimation that I had received, I regarded it as a rumour without any foundation in fact, and thought but Utile of il at the lime. I have recently been Informed by a gentleman from Canada, who then resided al Niagara village, whose word Is entitled lo Implicit confidence, that he knows such a proposition was ma^e to Brandt, who repelled il wilh indignation. My Informant says, that when Brandt spoke of it, as an attempt to place Morgan in his hands, that if murdered, It might be charged as the brutal act of hardly half-civlllzed sa vages — he denounced it as a base, cowardly attempt to induce him and his nation lo do a lawless deed, desired by the instigators, but which they lacked courage lo perform. Indian as he was, he declared that blood in the peaceful walks of life should neither stain him or his nation. My informant added, that his denunciations were in language and in manner, that would have conferred honor on the most finished orators of Greece or Rome, in their palmiest days. I shall have something more lo say of this John Brandt, who Is now dead, in another chapter. It was not far from this lime that my father frequent ly spoke of selling his farm. He w'hs getting old, his children had left him, and he thought Its management required too much hard work, and brought with il too many cares for his age. It was the farm on which we had first settled, and was then under good cultivation, with a large orchard, commodious buildin"''' and every thing comfortable. 230 EEMINISCENCES I could not beUeve him In earnest, as the farm was a favorite one, on which he had resided since 1790; which he had cleared up and brought lo, from an un broken wilderness lo its then Improved condition. He had reared his family there, and on that farm in his new house my mother had died In 1811. Knowing his industrious habits, and his attachment to that farm, I did not believe he would be contented off of II; or anywhere, unless he had employment that should keep him busy. Not wishing him lo sell, I rather discouraged il, but alwaj's objected lo his working so much ; and advised him from time to lime lo get a steady Industrious man and woman, to take charge of the place; and he lo oversee and work occasionally, as best suited him. He would never consent lo any permanent arrangement of this kind, but kept along, occasionally hiring such out door help as was required, and keeping a hired girl to do the heavy work in the house. Had I beUeved him determined to sell, I should probably have bought il, for I could have paid for il without Inconvenience ; and rather wanted lo keep il in the family ; but regarding the talk of sale as the whim of an old man, who would probably change his mind and want II back again, I paid but little attention to it. In December, 1830, I went lo see him, when he informed me he had sold the farm. When he had pre viously spoken lo me about selling, I had requested him, if he made up his mind to do so, to let me know before he made an absolute bargain. He always replied that the farm would be valueless to me — that my profession was belter ; and If I should buy It, one or the other wjDuld suffer from neglect. The view he took of It was business-like, and good common sense; for II must have been just as he said BY LEVI BEAttDSLEY. 231 it would. But when I came to realize that the farm was gone ; and that henceforth I was to feel myself a stranger, where I had spent the days of my childhood — where I had labored from j-ear lo year ; clearing up, planting the orchard, erecting buildings, improving and beautlfs'Ing the place — I could not but feel un pleasantly. INIy first thought was td try to break up the bargain, and buy II myself. There, said I, in my reflections. Is the place where we first broke the forest, and erected the old log-house. My mother was then alive ; shared the toils and hardships incident to a new- country ; discharged her duty faithfully lo her family, and lo community ; assisted in building new houses ; bore her vounge^t child in the house where she died ; and now that place, hallowed with these associations, is lo go Into the hands of strangers. There Is the pine-tree, transplanted when but a shrub, by my own bands ; and now lowering and lofty by the side of the brook, in whose waters and on whose banks I have so often amused m3'self. Then again those poplars, eight in number, which I brought from the nursery at one time, and planted before the house, and are now eighty feet high. Ought I lo give up these, and other objects equally attractive ? and make no effort lo gel back the family home, where so much of my own life was passed, and my industry bestowed ? ^^ The family home!" How many associations, cherished, hallowed, and dear, does that bring lo mind ! My own childish existence ; my brothers and sisters, some of whom have passed away ; my parents, of whom one is gone, and the other verging towards that period when the grasshopper becomes a burden. Re flecting In this way, il appeared plain that I ought lo secure the farm. Pride says, you ought lo own It : you 232 EEMINISCENCES will be disgraced to let it go out of the family. Family! what is family pride, when the policy of law is to subdivide and break up, instead of perpetuating estates? You are indulging In anll-republican feelings. Prudence (call It avarice if you please,) says, what can you do with the farm ? You have a good profes sion : you cannot and ought not to think of giving It up. You are eighteen miles off': what can you do with It, if you buy il? You^will have lo lease, and intrust It lo a tenant ; who will require all the profits, and by some device or other will gel them. He will suffer the fences lo go lo decay ; the buUdings to become delapldated. The farm -will go up lo thistles and briars ; and here will not only be a constant drain by way of outlay, but you will be sadly vexed, morti fied, and disappointed in your expectations. Common sense and many years observation, convinced me that these were sound, practical vifews; but I could not, without a struggle, reconcile myself to the idea, that the old homestead must go into other hands. Shall I ever again meet my brothers and sisters under the paternal roof, where we shall all feel as if we were at home ? No ! that will be impossible, should it be al another place. Home ! everything dear is included In that word ; yet everything connected with it must be sacrificed, unless I step in and break up the sale. Such were my feelings ; but after reflecting upon it, and looking at the subject in a business-like view, I re luctantly reconciled myself lo it, and the sale was con summated. Il has appeared to me that there is less attachment among our countrymen lo their birth place, or the family homestead, than almost any civilized people on BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 233 earth. It is true that almost every one feels a venera tion for the place where he first saw the Ughl, and where the glimmerings of reason and memory first made a lasting impression. This is a natural impulse of our nature ; and it is one, I apprehend, that grows stronger as we advance in years ; still the roving pro pensity of the Yankee is proverbial. Our actions but too clearly indicate us as mere " pilgrims and sojourners on earth," ready lo settle down in one place, and then break up and re-settle in another, just as interest shall seem most likely, in our estimation, to be promoted. Our ancestors gave up home and country, and came here as pilgrims and ad venturers, to acquire a residence where they might enjoy civil and religious privileges, and lead a life more congenial to their feelings. Restless and unsettled, they and their descendants, like the ram seen in vision by the prophet Daniel, have pushed " westward, north ward, and southward, so that none might stand before them." Not content wilh the vast domain, washed by the stormy Atlantic, and bounded by the Alleganies, they have climbed the Appalachian range, and like an avalanche have precipitated themselves into the wide spread and far stretching Mississippi Valley. Discon tented, the restless backwoodsman, with axe and rifie, following the orb of day, presses on to the west, to find a more favored resting place. The rocky mountains, in solitary grandeur, interpose their eternal barriers. These, wilh indomitable resolution, are surmounted, and rushing down the western slope, regardless of hardships and dangers, nothing short pf the great ocean seems capable of arresting their onward course, or of repressing the migratory habits of our countrymen. 234 REMINISCENCES CHAPTER XIV. Visit Ohio, 1826. — Interview with Gov. Barry. — Shoot a fine Buck. — Again visit Ohio, 1835. — Maumee Country.— Wayne's Battle-field. — Fort Meigs, and incidents at its Siege. — Defeat of Col. Dudley. — Gov. Metcalf, of Ken tucky. — Anecdotes of him. — Indian Burying-ground, — Removal of Wyandots. My first visit to Ohio, as has been elsewhere mentioned, was during the autumn of 1826. Governor Clinton gave me introductory letters lo several of the leading men of that young stale, which, if necessary lo be used, would have secured a kind reception wherever I might have gone. The roads, though excessively bad a large portion of the way, were preferred by my family to a lake passage ; for in 1826, very few thought of trusting themselves on the lake, except those living on its borders, or In its immediate vicinity. We started oft' in our own hired conveyance, and were upwards of a fortnight reaching Norwalk, Huron county ; to. which place I could now go, in the summer season, within about forty hours. Such are the faciUtles of travel since 1826, only about twenty-five j'ears ! Traveling one day in the western part of Huron county, where the country was new, I stopped wilh my family al a log tavern ; and while they strayed into the garden for peaches, I went into the bar-room. A tall, good-looking man, who had just arrived on horseback, was sitting al the bar-room table, with some cold meat and potatoes before him, from which BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 235 and some corn bread, he was making a hasty, though cold dinner ; while his horse was eating corn at the trough. He had a bottle of rum standing before hliD, which he had brought from Cincinnati. I had lost my old hound, and was enquiring for him ; which attracted the notice of the tall gentleman at the table. Ad dressing me in western style, he said, " Stranger, will you sit down and take some dinner wilh me, and a drink of rum ? I have some that is right good, brought from Cincinnati ; for I knew that nothing but raw whiskey could be obtained in these parts." A second invitation was not necessary; so without apology I sat down, and a fair demonstration was soon made towards a total demolition of the cold meat and potatoes ; whfle his black bottle was subjected lo several heavy pota tions. He was jovial, communicative, and social, and on the whole a fine, weU-informed, agreeable man, who turned out to be Gov. Barry, of Kentucky, a decided opponent of Henry Clay ; and was travelling through Ohio, as I ascertained, to organize an opposition lo Mr. Adams' administration, with a view to the election of Gen. Jackson ; on whose coming to the presidency, Barry was made post-master general. He had many good points; a fine, dashing, offhand, high spirited and chivalric gentleman ; open and frank, but I should think imprudent, and by no means a safe adviser in the cabinet, or discreet manager of a department. His qualities however, were such as told effectually, wilh such a man as President Jackson ; and hence, when that great man came into power, Barry was selected as one of his cabinet. While on this excursion, I shot a fine large buck, near the Huron river, not far from Monroeville; He 236 EEMINISCENCES was driven from a corn field, by a small dog, in which field deer frequently concealed themselves, and fed on the corn. I heard the dog a good distance off, and soon the buck came bounding along through the small hazel bushes, with head and " flag " up most beautifully. He stopped about sixteen rods from me, presenting his side, though standing rather quartering. As soon as he hailed, I took quick aim, and fired the rifle barrel. He bounded off as if unharmed, and as he came into the path, twenty rods from me, 1 discharged the other barrel loaded with ball and buckshot, but undoubtedly missed him, for it was firing the moment he bounded from a thicket Into the path. On going to the spot where he crossed the road, I found his track, but there was no appearance of blood. The track, from the cleft hoofs spreading apart, indicated that he was fatally wounded and in extremis, but where was the blood ? Exces-? sively mortified, I began to think I had missed him, though I could not understand how that could be ; for the rifle went quick, threw ils ball accurately, I was within fair, even short rifle range, and I had good aim. The dog came up and soon solved the mystery, for he scented the deer, where he was lying in the weeds, a few rods from the road, and in plain sight. He was large and fat, with fine branching antlers, and was shot just were I intended to plant the balL My next visit to that stale, was in 1835, 'when I visited its northern portions and Detroit. My wiie went wilh me as did also Judge Morse and his lady. We took stage to Buffalo, and were wheeled rapidly throi^h the country, and arrived at Batavia, the afternoon of the 4lh of July ; where, not lo be wanting in patriotism, we had a bottle of champagne to drink a toast on the occasion. BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 237 Lake navigation was still held in so tnuchfear and detestation by those living away from the inland waters, that the judge and mj'self could not induce our "better halves" lo venture cheerfully on the steam boat, so we continued through by land, in the stage coach. He and I visited Toledo, then beginning to attract public atten tion; we also visited Perrysburgh, and thence up the Maumee river, lo the head of the rapids. The country was new, and the greater part of the way up the river 'was uncultivated. The Otlowa Indians were then on their reservation, where a missionary station had been for several years established ; but the Indians were a poor squaUd, degenerated race, given to nearly all the vices of the native population, where they are brought in contact with the border settlements of the whites. As we went up the river on the northerly side, 'we passed over the battle ground where Gen. Wayne, in August, 1794, so signally defeated the savages, and restored peace to the western frontier. He and his army came from the Ohio river at or near Cincinnati, and after striking the Auglaise, descended it to ils junction with the Si. Mary, thence down that river to Fort Wayne, from which place he descended the Maumee, intending to fight the Indians wherever he could find them. His army was composed of a few regular troops, and the residwie were volunteers, many of ihem from Kentucky. They had performed a lopg march through the wilderness, and had suffered much. Many of the volunteers were in buckskin breeches and shirts, and had been so long exposed to the weather, that their dresses had become greasy and dirty, and were nearly black. The Indians had many white men among them ; some were old tcarles ; others were from Canada; and some were said to be English officers. 238 EEMINISCENCES They posted themselves where the land rises and forms quite a hill, or ascent, making a sleep bluff' where it approaches the. river. This hill was covered with brush and forest trees, the path or trail running through them. The left of the Indian Une was on the river, and this line extended back a considerable distance into the forest. Wayne had his spies, and not only ascertained their position, but that the Indians intended lo make a stand. He determined to fight at once, and to surprise them wilh the promptness of his attack, and celerity of his movements. Dividing his forces, he sent a detachment under his second in command, to his left, who were lo march westerly into the forest, and turn the right flank of the Indians, while he with the residue attacked them by a forward movement, in the thicket. He had a small cavalry force, of which Gen. Solomon Van Rensselaer was a cornet. Part of these were directed lo ride into and down the river, with a view of turning the Indian left, and either cut off their retreat, or be ready to pursue when driven from their position. The bottom of the river along the battle ground is a smooth lime rock, with occasional fissures, over which the water flows rapidly, but is not deep at that season of the year. I have frequendy ridden over this rocky bottom. Having perfected his arrangements, the attack was made with great vigor. The detachment sent to the left had alarmed the Indian right, and out-flanking il, had nearly got in the rear of the right, which forced the Indians to fall back, and crowd towards the left, so that the bulk of their warriors before the battle was over, were mixed in and supported those who attempted to resist Wayne. The Kentuckians in his division, with characteristic ardor, rushed up the hiU into the thicket, BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 239 where being received by a close and deadly fire they were roughly handled: but the main force supporting them, and all pressing forward, the Indians were soon forced back, but continued the fight from tree to tree, to the opposite side of the hill, where the bluff descends north east down the river. .At the foot of this hill, on the north easterly side, a few rods from the river, was quite a large rock, since known as " turkey-foot rock," behind which the Indian chief, " Turkey-foot," stationed himself, when the Indians attempted to make their last stand. He bravely maintained his position, and was killed there, falling forward upon the rock when he was shot. On this was afterwards roughly engraved or chiseUed out, the foot of a turkey, emblematic of the chief. It has lately been rolled out of the road, and lies by the wayside as you descend the hill coming down the river. While the Indians remained on the reservation, they always reverenced this rock, and would place on it tobacco, and pour on il whiskey, for the spirit of the deceased warrior, for whose untimely fate they mourned with great apparent sincerity. I I have often seen those offerings of tobacco remaining where they had been placed. The Indians on being routed gave up all for lost, and retreated down the river, closely pursued by the victorious and incen sed Americans. Many attempted to cross over and some were forced into it where it was loo deep lo ford, and were drowned. They hoped to be received into Fort Miami, at the foot of the rapids, then in possession of the British ; but Wayne informed the EngUsh officer that if the fort was opened, or aid or protection given to the savages, he would storm it and put every man to the sword. He was just the man to do it, for he stormed Stoney Point, during the revolution; and there 240 EEMINISCENCES was nothing short of the infernal regions that he would not storm, if duty required il. His announcement had the desired effect on the garrison, for the gates were kept closed against the poor Indians; and Wayne, as if to tantalize and provoke the English officer lo fire on him, thereby giving a pretence for taking the fori, passed leisurely in his canoe under Its guns, closely observing its means of defence, and ils assailable points. The Indians being excluded, dispersed and dis heartened, made no further resistance, but sued for peace. Their crops and many huts were destroyed, and the defeat was overwhelmingly calamiluous. The treaty at Greenville finally settled those difficulties. Those large oak trees, where the brunt of the battle raged, many of which are still standing, show by nu merous scars where bullets have been cut out, the fierceness of the contest. I have hardly ever passed over that battle ground without seeing an eagle perched on one of those large trees, as if exulting over the result of the battle ; while on the rocks along the margin of the waters, numerous turkey-buzzards were often con gregated, as if StiU searching for the remains of the slain, from which they desired a horrid repast. The ruins of old Fort Miami, are still remaining, and may be seen and easily traced on the river's bank, in the lower part of Maumee city. Il was one of the western posts, retained by the British, in opposition lo the treaty of 1783, and was given up with Oswego, Niagara, Detroit, and Mackinau, under Jay's treaty, in 1795. Gen. Solomon Van Rensselaer was shot through the body, during the engagement, but retained his seat in his. saddle, and was brought out of the action though severely wounded. BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 241 A few miles below Wayne's battle-field, and about two miles above old Fort Miami, on the opposite side of the river, are the remains of Fort Meigs, where General Harrison sustained a protracted siege in 1813, and in the end repelled his assailants. The embank ments and entrenchments remain, and the lines of defence may easily be traced. The unheallhiness of the position, the constant and severe services in^ the defence, and the exposure of the troops, necessarily subjected them lo great losses ; as well from sickness, as from battles and casualties. To look at the ruins of Fort Meigs from the opposite side of the river, il has an elevated and formidable appearance ; and It was so elevated, that it could rather command the British battery, though al a long shot distance. I have often been told of a daring exploit of a lurking Indian, who had crossed from the northerly side of the river, from the British camp, and concealed himself near Fort Meigs. A soldier came out of the fort in the morning, and was fired at and badly wounded by the Indian. The wounded man turned and ran for the fort, closely pursued by the Indian, who struck him down wilh his tomahawk, hastily tore off his scalp, and then giving a shout of triumph and defiance, bounded off like a panther, amid a. shower of musket balls fired from the fort, but from which he escaped unharmed. It was an almost every day occurrence, for Indians to climb trees within mus ket-shot of the fort, and to pick off men -within the lines. J^early opposite Fort Meigs, on the northerly side of the river, the brave but unfortunate CoL Dudley, with his Kentucky detachment, were cut off, defeated, and nearly the whole corps killed or taken. His 16 242 EEMINISCENCES detachment, with another under General Clay, from Kentucky, had taken boats and descended the Mau mee, lo reinforce General Harrison, then besieged in Fort Meigs, The river being at high water, the boats descended the rapids wilh safely, and landed very near the head of the Island ; a mile or two above the fort. Governor Metcalf, of Kentucky, was with the other detachment, and commanded a company who were all drest in hunting shirts. The detachment lo which he belonged, was directed to land on the south erly side of the river, and in due time to march down and enter the fort; while Dudley was to land on the northerly side ; and, after dispersing the enemy who were posted along that shore, was lo march down the river, and assault the British batteries ; and after destroying or spiking their guns, lo retreat, cross the river, and enter the fort, A sortie from the fort was to be made at the same time, against the enemy on the south side of the river. Before the boats landed, they were fired upon from the shore, and several soldiers were killed or wounded. The Kentuckians were brave, but not under strict discipline — eager for a fight, but rather a furious onset, than one conducted on strict military principles. As soon as they landed they rushed upon the enemy, who fell back, skirmishing from tree to tree as they re treated, and Dudley and his men hotly pursuing them. The battery was bravely carried ; but " Kentuck" was not satisfied to retreat and leave the work unfinished ; lift the adversary was thoroughly whipped. The enemy systematically fell back ; and in the retreat were broken and scattered, which necessarily broke and scattered their pursuers ; so that Dudley's men were drawn into the woods; and in almost every direction, were without BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 243 order pressing forward to fight the Indians, who showed themselves on the skirts of the forest. The retreat was a device lo draw the spirited Kentuckians Into an ambush, and lo give time lo bring up forces from Fort Miami and the main encampment. The prudent command to retreat as soon as the battery was taken and disabled, having been disregarded, this rash for ward movement put everything al hazard. Col. Dudley did all he could to repress the ardour of his troops, and lo arrest their pursuit of the retreating party. He ordered a halt and retreat; and tried to slay the pursuit of his men by presenting his espontoon, with a view of enforcing his order, and of compelling them to fall back. They were entirely absorbed and wrapped up with the determination to see the fight " put through," and to " lick" their adversaries, where- ever they might show themselves. The terrible and ferocious Tecumseh was there ; and, wilh Indian canning, lay in ambush with a greatly superior force, inviting and provoking the Kentuckians lo enter the thicket, for a contest; while the British were bringing up their forces from below. The Kentuckians, broken by the pursuit, were fighting on their " own hook," without much order or command, when they were met by the enemy with aug mented forces, far superior in numbers, and in compact order. ' The pursuers were first checked, then driven back in confusion ; and the result was a total defeat and the annihUation of nearly the whole detachment. Col. Dudley was killed ; and it is said, that after he was mortally wounded, he slew an Indian who ad vanced upon him lo lake his scalp. Governor Metcalf, and the division that landed on the southerly shore, j repaired to the fort and assisted Gen. Harrison in its '. 244 EEMINISCENCES defence, till the British forces retreated and the Ameri cans made a forward movement. Major Oliver, who has recently died at Cincinnati, and whom I have known well for many years, was in the fort, and greatly distinguished himself by his gaUant conduct, particularly in stealing at night through the enemy's camp, and goirig thirty miles through the woods, lo hurry forward reinforcements and provision. Almost every American reader must know who Governor Metcalf is. His services in congress, as well as In the United States senate, lo say nothing of those at home, render him familiar to every one ac quainted with our political affairs. Nearly thirty years ago, while he was a member of the house of represen tatives, he was challenged by Mr. Mc Duffie, of South CaroUna, for some remarks in debate. The Governor was not a duellist; but he knew that np representative of Kentucky could retain the con fidence of his constituents, if he declined. Public sentiment In his own, as well as many other states, would not then brook a refusal. He accordingly promptly accepted ; and being tiie challenged person, had a right to naime his weapon. He made no preten sions to skill as a rifleman; but knowing that his countrymen were proverbially celebrated for their achievements with this formidable weapon, he named it as the arbiter lo adjust the question. General Mc Duffie had previously been badly wounded and dis abled, in a duel wilh Col. Cummings, which in the end, and recently tOo, has probably hastened his death. His second objected lo the rifle ; on the ground that the contest would be unequal, from .the inability of Mr. Mc Duffie lo Wield it, owing lo his having been disabled. This vvas freely admitted by Governor Met- BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 24$ calf, who, lo obviate the objection, proposed that Mr. Mc Duffie should shoot at " a rest." The result was a withdrawal of the challenge, and an amicable ad justment, highly creditable to both parties. Should these pages ever reach the Governor's eye, I beg him to excuse me for the use I have made of his name, and for an anecdote told of him In Ohio, loo good lo keep, which I am about to relate. The Governor was an old fashioned war democrat, though latterly a whig, as many of the great men of Kentucky are, and in 1840 felt a warm interest In the success of his old commander. Gen. Harrison. At home and in Ohio he is known by the cognumen of " Old sledge hammer," so it was thought he could be useful In Ohio, and they sent for him lo "stump It" through a portion of the state, and address the buck-eyes. He was quartered al a village inn, and was lo attend a public gathering In the evening, some distance from his slopping place. The landlord, who was also a politician, was to attend and address a meeting in another direction, but before leaving home took the governor lo a sleeping room, in which were several beds, and pointed out the particular one that would be re served for him, directing hkn logo in and lake possess ion should he return before his host. It turned out that before leaving home, the landlord had informed the black woman, who had charge of the room, that Gov. Metcalf, of Kentucky, would be there lo sleep, and that the bed must be reserved for him. During that political campaign, it was deemed ne cessary not only lo drink hard cider, and eat corn bread, and build log cabins, but the speakers must be in appropriate costume. As the governor had served under Gen. Harrison, where he had met and associated 246 EEMINISCENCES with many and nearly all the old leading men of the Buck-eye stale, it was thought advisable that he should appear among them with his old hunting shirt, just as he appeared at Fort Meigs, and he was requested to bring the identical indomitable shirt with him ; all of which he of course complied wilh. Disguised In this outer garment, he went and addressed the meeting, with fine effect, and received unbounded applause. Though a tall, dignified, good-looking man, I have no doubt, that In his old rifle shirt, he appeared very rough and uncouth; not very unlike a western wagoner in his frock. Returning before his host, he went lo the room that had been pointed out lo him, and began lo undress, to take possession of the bed that had been designated for his reception. At this interesting moment, the old female darkle appeared, and interposed her peremp tory objections. The governor remarked that he thought that room, and that bed had been pointed out lo him ; but he might have mistaken the room. She replied in good round broken negro, that it could not be his, for she was directed lo reserve it for another. The gover nor said he had been shown a room and a bed, and he thought this was the one, though he might be mistaken as he was a stranger in the house. Her reply was sub stantially "You can't come dat ober dis darkle, and must find anoder place." Not wishing lo discuss or contest the question with the ebony amazon, he retired lo an adjoining room filled with beds, but all occupied; and there turning down a chair, on which lo rest his head, he slept on the floor during the night. Sometime afterwards the host came home, and enquired of the darkle, whether the governor had returned ? She answered, "no!" that no one but a rough looking, ill- dressed man, who she thought was a teamster or BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 247 butcher, had been there, who wanted the spare bed, but she had driven him into the other room, and had kepi it for the governor, who she had no doubt would be along soon. The host said she was probably mis taken, and that she had driven the governor from his bed, for he was then strongly impressed with the belief that he was the rough old hunling-shirled gentleman. She persisted in saying that she knew the man she re pulsed was no governor or gentleman ; but the mystery was unravelled when he made his appearance in the morning. In 1S44, I met him at Columbus, Ohio, where each of us addressed a large audience the same evening, in favor of the election of Mr. Clay, for whose election the governor labored faithfully and efficiently, both In his own and other stales. Ohio was carried beautifully for Mr. Clay, but New York faltered, and hence the success of Mr. Polk. A few miles above Fort Meigs, al Bear Rapids, on the Maumee, the Otlowa Indians had a burying place on a farm of which I was pari owner. It was in an old corn field, and as long as I owned il the graves were protected. The Indian mode was to place over the grave a covering of bark. They cut small timbers and laid them parallel with the grave, with cross pieces at head and fool, laying it up log-cabin fashion, and narrowing it at the lop. Over this log-work was placed the bark, making a roof, which was kepi in place by laying on it small poles to press it down. At the head, between the cross pieces, was always notched out a loop-hole, to enable the spirit of the deceased to have free egress and Ingress from the resting place of the body lo this " breathing world," and thence back again to the charnel house. Those rude monuments are & 248 REMINISCENCES however, fast passing away, and must be entirely eradicated within a few years. Melancholy reflections rush on the mind, which we can neither put aside or suppress, when we dweU on the fate of the red men who once possessed this continent, and have now nearly disappeared, except in the reces ses of the vast west. Before another century passes away, the wild men of our country will be regarded as beings that once were, but now are not. History will speak of them as of the past. The canvas may represent them in their rude costume ; and the fine arts perpetuate their memories, and transmit them to posterity. Civilization, in its onward course, marches over the hut and the grave of the savage, erasing all visible objects of the p^st ; so that neither his works or his monuments remain, to tell where he revelled while living, or where he rests when dead. It is to be hoped that a remnant, al least, may be saved from the general wreck, which can only be effected by adopting the modes and habits of civilized life. The Cherokees, the Choctaws, the Senecas, and other civilized or partially civilized tribes, afford reason lo hope that the race will not become extinct ; but if perpetuated at all, il must be by abandoning the savage for the civilized slate. The fate of the savages of New England and New York, and In short nearly all the old stales, but too clearly indicates what is to be the fate of those who reject civilization. The Wyandots were the last of the race in Ohio. I had frequently passed over their reservation, and stopped over night among them. Several half-breeds of my acquaintance were shrewd, intelligent, and respectable ; but the great body of the people had but BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 249 partially advanced beyond the first rudiments of civi lized life. Soon, after their removal, I passed on horseback through their deserted grounds ; where their log-hotises were generaUy untenanted, though their booths were standing, as were the rude fixtures where their food had been cooked ; for the camp fires were scarcely extinguished, but the "poor Indians" were gone. Passing again, and at no distant period of time, the white man was there, numerous dwellings had been erected, a county seat established ; and now a smart village and well-cultivated fields, cover what was formerly the Indian viUage of " Upper Sandusky." At this visit I met one of the half breeds of my acquaintance, who had come back to his old residence, from the new home of the tribe far up the Missouri. He came on with me to the city of New York, where we stopped for a few days together. He was a merchant, and was purchasing an assortment lo lake with him to his countrymen at the west. The accounts he gave of them, and of their prospects of success, were by no means encouraging. He played a good game of whist, was gentlemanly and social, and on the whole an agreeable travelling companion. 250 REMINISCENCES CHAPTER XV. Visit Upper Lakes, 1836. — John B. Macy, esq., and Hon, R. J. Walker. — Reckless Speculations and Subsequent Em barrassments. — Rapid Growth of Cities, and Settlement of the Country. — Probable Growth and Importance of Toledo. — Indian Dance. — Chicago in. 1836, and 1847. — Its Convention. — Visit Sault St. Marie. — Descend the Rapids in Bark Canoe. — Incidents and Anecdotes. In the summer of 1836, a year long lo be remembered for inflated prices and blasted hopes, I went again to the west. Taking the steamer, Thomas Jefferson, at Buffalo, on which was embarked an immense crowd of passengers, who of course that year, were furnished with all the substantials and luxuries that could be pro cured; we passed up Lake Erie, stopping at interme diate ports between Buffalo, Toledo, and Detroit. Among other passengers was John B. Macy, esq., then of Bufl'aio, who had very much the control of the boat on ils passage, and who gave free tickets to many of those on board. Mr. Macy was an active, business man, engaged in forwarding on the lakes and canals; and although he has since met with adverse fortunes enough to dis courage most men, yet he never falters or despairs of ultimate success. He is now one of tlie most active and energetic men of my acquaintance, liberal in hia views, always devoted to projects calculated lo develope the resources of the country, and Improve its condition ; and will do anything reasonable to serve a friend or BY LEVI BEARDSLEY, 251 promote his interest. He is popular and well-informed, pf excellent address, and admirably qualified tc secure the success of any project he takes In hand. At pre sent he is the principal agent in constructing a railroad from his residence at Fond du lac, in Wisconsin, to JanesvIUe, on the Rock river, and thence to Chicago: and having overcome obstacles, which to almost any other man would have appeared insurmountable, has now placed the affairs of the road on such a basis that ils success is no longer doubtful. His ppsilipn is a proud one, for he has the confidence and esteem pf all parlies in his pwn vicinity, and throughout that part of his stale, as well as the whole extent of the road. There is anpther gratifying cir cumstance; and that is, in reference to his pecuniary affairs, which after many losses and adverse circum stances, I believe are now on a substantial basis, that wfll render him and his estimable family comfortable, and comparatively speaking, independent through life. He is a democrat of the old school; but liberal in his views, and without a particle of bitter or proscriplive feeling. For several years he has been on intimate and confidential terms with Hon. Robert J. Walker, the late accomplished and deservedly popular secretary of the treasury. Mr. Macy regards him, as he undoubtedly is, one of the great men of the nation, who at no distant day, may be called to the highest position in the gift of the country; and I wifl venture the remark, that if the democratic or any other party shall be so fortunate as to select him, or men equally worthy, the liberties of the country will be safe, its "interests promoted, and its commerce extended ; while its honor will be scrupu lously regarded and maintained. 252 REMINISCENCES I have reason lo beUeve that Mr. Walker, shrewd as he Is, and well qualified lo judge of men and their worth, and capacity for business, has formed the same favorable opinion of Mr. Macy, that I have Indicated. Should Mr. M. consent to enter the poUtlcal arena, in stead of devoting himself to the superintendence of the important raflroad he now has in charge, I shall expect lo see him ere long in Congress, or In some other position equally honorable and responsible. I speak thus favor ably, because I have known him many years, and known him intimately ; and In all our relations and our business matters, which have been many, I have found him honorable, liberal, and upright. But II Is lime to quit this personal digression, and return to our lake passage, in 1886. In that memorable year every one was imbued with a reckless spirit for speculation. The mania, for such it undoubtedly was, did not confine itself to one particular class, but extended lo all. Even the reverend clergy doffed their sacerdotals, and eagerly entered into competition with mammon's votaries, for the acquisition of this world's goods, and tested their sagacity against the shrewdness and more practised skill of the professed sharper. All felt rich and in fine spirits that year, and hence inordinate quantities of champaigne, and other fashipn- ble exhiliralors were deemed indispensable to make buying and selling go on with alacrity. On reaching Toledo, we found the viUagers assem bled lo celebrate. In a suitable manner, the adjustment of the disputed boundary, between Ohio and Michigan. Judge Potter was lo deliver an oration, and. then a pub lic dinner was lo come off, of which many of us partook, and joined In the festivities. FromToledo we went to Detroit, where I attended BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 253 the celebration of the fourth of July, and became acquainted wilh Gov. Mason. Many of us decided on going to Chicago, by the Straits of Mackinau, which was then thought quite an achievement, and a novelty lo most of us. As we went round the lakes we had several adven tures that I noted down at the time, but the manuscript is now lost. Those on board the boat were intent on speculations, and were enquiring prices and making bargains, 'not only at points where the boat stopped, but continually were buying and selling on board, as the boat traversed the lakes. Towns had been laid out at every imaginable point ; splendid lithographic maps had been prepared and were exhibited, and the most extravagant prices demanded and given- Money was abundant this year, and everybody had credit to get it. The whole country seemed to be in motion ; and most extravagant anticipations prevailed in regard lo the settlement of the country, and the rapid growth of towns on the margin of the lakes. Just in propor tion lo these high expectations, were the prices of village and city lots enhanced ; and as almost every body desired to purchase, the sellers soon became rich as Nabobs, on paper : but when a change, in 1837, " came o'er the spirit of their dreams," debtors were unable lo pay ; and creditors who relied on these payments, and, on the strength of them had made other engagements — nearly the whole list of creditors and debtors went down with one general crash, and bankruptcy became the fate of most of them. No doubt settlements would have gone on wilh great rapidity, and would have enhanced the value of agricultural lands, and town and city property, had it not been for the revulsions of 1837 and '8, and the embarrassments that followed them for several years : 254 REMINISCENCES but no state of affairs could justify such high prices, and such numerous contracts, as grew out of the sale of town lots. The obUgallons were too heavy, and the town lots too numerous, and very many of them alto gether worthless. High as the prices were, many of those city plats would have done much to save the purchasers from ruin, had not the embarrassments of a few years checked the settlement of the country and the building up of cities. The tendency of those embarrassments was, to depress the value of that kind of property, and did depress il much below its actual value ; so that before the towns began to start vigorously, the owners were ruined. Then, as those embarrassments were overcome, and the farming portions rapidly filled up with inhabitants, such cities as Chicago, Milwaukie, and others on the lake shores, began to rise ; and improvements and rapid growth followed lo such an extent, as almost to justify those former extravagant prices. To look at those cities, and in fact the whole of Wisconsin, as well as other portions of the west, the increase has been such as to startle the incredulous, and almost exclude belief on the part of those most sanguine in their temperaments. No one of those western-cities has so disappointed me in its growth as Toledo. Fourteen years ago, in my estimates of the probable building up of cities on the lakes, I used to think that within a few years Toledo would surpass Cleveland and Detroit; and that after Buffalo, il would be necessary lo go to Chicago, to find a rival to what Toledo was to be ultimately. I am by no means certain but I was then right, and that a few years wUl ,see something Uke an approximation to those anticlpalions. Toledo has had a bad character in regard to health, BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 255 which has had a pernicipus influence ; but this Is in a great measure overcome, and no doubt will be entirely, when the country is cleared up and cultivated. Wilh a canal, crossing the state to the Ohio river at Cincinnati, through the fine Miami country, and then another up the Maumee, and down the Wabash valley to the Ohio, thus making Toledo the outlet for the unsurpassed agricultural districts ' through which these canals pass, it seems impossible that it shpuld much Ipnger be kept depressed. Then again, the rallreads that npw ccmmunicate wilh it, and ethers that will sppn be completed, must give an impulse tp its grpwth and business ; unless causes thf.t have uniformly built up other cities, shall fail of producing like results in this. A few years will indicate the chances of ils future progress ; and to lime, the enterprise of ils citizens, and the influx of business, that result must be left. But to return again to our excursion : On passing Mackinau, we ran over to the mainland, near Point Ignatius, where the boat lay-to for flrewoood. The passengers generally, left it and rambled along the shore and in the adjoining woods, for several hours. An immense number of Indians were there, who had congregated to receive their annual payments and presents, whose slight tents and shelters, many of them of bark only, were stretched along the beach for two mfles. They had wilh them great numbers of bark canoes. With several companions, I had walked down the beach nearly two miles, looking at the Indians ; and in the course of the excursion, had shot at a mark with some pf them who had a rifle. Mr. Carroll, of Washington city, brother of Hon. Charles H. Carroll, I recollect was with me. We met several Indians 256 EEMINISCENCES who were gaily adorned and painted, hurrying along towards the steamer ; and were at last informed, that they were going lo have a dance on board. Wishing to be present lo see the performance, we engaged an old lazy Indian and his squaw, to take us In his bark canoe and paddle us to the boat. He was lying in his lent, and was little inclined to go, till the offer we made the squaw, induced her lo persuade him lo accompany us. The canoe was large, and eighteen or twenty of us got in ; and then two or three papooses cried to go with us, and Were taken on board. Next two dogs came crowding along, looking as if they were half- wolves ; but ihey were excluded, and trudged along shore towards the steamer, howling and yelping occa sionally, for not being allowed to come into the canoe. Arriving at the boat, we found a large number of Indians on board, ready for the dance; nearly all of them naked, except their breech-cloth. Their faces were painted with rich stripes of Vermillion and lines of black ; and one of the varlels had one side of his face altogether black, the other deep red. Round their ankles they had «heir deer-hoof rallies. Some had ornamental feathers in their hair : others had girdles or straps round their waists, to which were fastened birds and squirrels, that dangled on their rumps as they danced. One, to be more highly ornamental, had a horse's tail so fastened under his girdle, and hanging down behind, as to look as if it was his own natural appendage. Two or three of the party had small drums, on which they beat lime with sticks ; and one of the dancers had contrived to fasten the pate and horns of the buffalo on his head, so that he was a two- legged animal actually sporting a pair of horns. BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 257 A great variety of Indian dances were performed, accompanied wilh the usual guttural sound, and fre quent whoops and yells. An Indian, though active, is an awkward dancer. I never saw one who had the least grace of motion. His contortions are strained, unnatural, and painful ; and besides these, his dance consists of Utile else than a monotonous stamp and tread, conforming lo the beating on his rude drum ; the rattles making a continual noise, intermixed with his measured intonations shouts and yells. An Indian walks well, and runs beautifully in the woods, but there is no grace or beauty in his dance. The old Indian that paddled us up to the steamer, looked on with profound interest for a considerable time, when the excitement became so high, and the temptation too strong to be resisted, and then he joined in it, wilh great glee and apparent satisfaction. A collection was taken up among the passengers, which was a liberal one ; and the avails were divided Into parcels, agreeably to Indian rules, by one or two of their leaders. One of the party attempted lo cheat, by concealing a piece pf money, which was taken from him, and he kicked out of the company, wilh disgrace. The Indians left us wilh kind feelings, and the boat being put under way, ran for Green Bay, passing among those fairy like islands. On reaching the wharf, one of our party, who I frequently meet in New York, fell from the boat in deep water, but was rescued unharmed except a good ducking. Returning from the bay, after setting an interloper on shore in the woods, we ran along the western shore to Milwaukie, (then scarcely commenced) and thence to Chicago, where there was but Utile except the old garrison house, a few new buildings completed, and 17 258 REMINISCENCES Others begun. This or the preceeding year may be regarded as the commencement of a city now number ing 30,000 inhabitants. The few buildings there, were much crowded, and fare at the public houses exces sively high. It was difficult to get a place to sleep. The night I was there I slept at the " Lake House," in an unfinished room, where there were plenty of shavings, so, throwing a buffalo skin on them, I slept comfortably. For town lots, they asked prices far beyond my estimate or comprehension ; and I would "have none of them." My oldest son was with me ; and we crossed the lake from Chicago to St. Joseph, and thence by stage wagons to Detroit ; a most uncomfortable mode of tra velling, as the roads then were. For the next ten years, I passed over Lakes Ontario and Erie in almost every direction, and in almost all kinds of weather, more or less every year ; but did not go again to Chicago till the summer of 1847, when I went as a delegate from the city of New York, to the river and harbour con vention. What a change had been wrought within that ten years ! Chicago was no longer a city merely on paper, with a few poor sparse buildings ; but had become a substantial city, abounding with commerce, and a thrifty, industrious population of more than twenty thousand. Such are the benign influences of our political institutions, that from an influx of foreign as weU as our native citizens, the last four years, have added to the wealth, the business, and the population of this city, a ratio of increase much beyond previous years ; and its prosperity and onward course appear now permanently established for many years to come. The convention having completed its labours, many BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 259 of us who were members took passage on board the steamer St. Louis, for a pleasure trip lo the Sault St. Marie. More than two hundred I should think were on board, and a fine enterprising jolly set they were. I have now before me a letter, written by me on board the St. Louis, while on Lake Huron, dated July 14lh, 1847 ; giving some of the incidents of our excur sion, a portion of which is here transcribed. " Among our passengers 'were many from Ohio — Gov. Corwin, Gov. Bebb, Messrs. Schenck, PhiUips, and others. A large represenlatloh from Pittsburgh, twelve from St. Louis; Thomas Butler King, of Georgia, some from Indiana, lUinois, &c. ; many from New York, and in fact from ' everywhere.' " Touching at Southport, Racine, Milwaukie, &c. we proceeded north, to the * death-door' passage, through which we entered Green Baj'', among the beautiful islands ; and thence easterly to the ' Manilou' Island, On arriving at Mackinau, a large proportion of ladles and gentlemen went ashore, and spent the day on the island, where they had a pic nic and dance ; ran foot races ; wilh other amusements, indicating much hilarity and fine flow of feeling, when they came on board. Champagne had been liberally sent on shore from the boat, which no doubt contributed to the gaiety of the occasion, "About twenty of us remained on board, intending to go sixteen miles to the mainland, northwest of Macki nau, passing on its southerly side going, and on its northerly returning; so that we sailed round tbe island. The object of the excursion was to fish for speckled trout, in a stream known as ' carp river,' We were put ashore in the yawl, properly prepared with hooks and lines, to take any trout that would condescend to 260 REMINISCENCES give us a nibble. To do the work successfully, and with scientific skill, it was necessary lo wade the river, a course which George W. Clinton, J. L. Barton, and others who professed more science than I did, and were far more enthusiastic, adopted; and were of course both wet and muddy. " I sported from the shore, and thus avoided gelling wet: but lake the party together, I suppose a more forlorn, seedy, and graceless-looking group was never seen. The weather was hol,^and the sun shone with uncpmmon lustre* and power. The mosquitoes were enprmously large, thick, and hungry, and determined to have their share of the sport. Being sharp biters, they drew blood wherever they perched themselves : and I am sure I do not enlarge in saying, that some of the party had more than fifty stings and blotches in their faces, where blood was drawn ; to say nothing of their hands and ears. We took about two hundred trout, and returned to Mackinau, from whence, on the assembling of the passengers, we expected to start that evening for the Sault, lo arrive there the next morning; but the boat did not get off till Sunday morning. " We had a New England clergyman on board, who preached to those who went in the cabin lo hear him ; but as his services commenced just as we were going out of Lake Huron, into the bays and river leading up to the Sault, where every thing was new to us, several kept aloof, preferring to remain on deck, and view the beautiful scetiery they had come so far to see. " They regarded it as not In good taste to volunteer a sermon at this particular time and place, however well intended. I have passed down Lake Ontario, among the Galloes, and the St. Lawrence, among the Thou sand Islands, so through Lake Erie, and Green Bay, BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 261 where the islands are beautiful and enchanting, yet have I never beheld scenery and views so picturesque as the water, and Islands, and headlands present, as you go towards the Sault. A large proportion of the Inhab itants of Sault St. Marie, were half breeds, and on arriving there we found the public houses thronged and crowded to overflowing. We were lo remain there the next day; and our parly amused themselves, some by loitering about the town, others strolling up the river above the rapids lo the schooners, that run to the cop per mines, on Lake Superior. " The weather was excessively hot, thermometer ranging at ninety-seven. Judge Stevens, of Buff'alo, Mr. Wakefield, of Ohio, and myself, wishing lo fish for trout, hired an Indian, (George,) to lake us in his bark canoe, and paddle us across the river, nearly a mile wide, and then to keep us In rapid water where the trout were lo be found. He was introduced to us as a faithful feUow, who knew where to find the fish, and who would manage his canoe wilh perfect safety. " He had a boy seated in the stern, who with his pad dle assisted in steering and moving us about. To give a specimen of his skill, George struck across the river, just at the fool of the rapids, so near that the rough water as it pitched and tumbled, danced our canoe about right merrily, occasionaUy taking in a little water that dashed over Its sides. As we fished among the breakers, George and his boy kept "forcing the canoe up the rapids on the north side, through the creeks that came down parallel wilh the main river, from the capacious estuary above, so that at last we reached the level of Lake Superior, having ascended twenty-three feet. The bed of the river is full of rocks, some above water and others just beneath, wilh thousands of them 262 REMINISCENCES scattered from one side to the other, nearly a mile in width, and at least a mile down lo sllll water. Over and among these the wal.er rushes and tumbles in the wfldesl confusion, shooting off in every direction, in currents and eddies very much like the rapids above Niagara, the whole channel appearing white with the surging element. We were at the smooth water some way above, and proposed lo George to set us over from the Canadian lo the other side, He thought the wind blew loo much down the river to cross over, unless we went further up, where il would be much wider. He proposed lo run us down the main river, which he said he could do with safely; that by keeping out of the creeks, and keeping near the Canadian shore, we should find plenty of water, and thus avoid breaking the canoe upon the rocks. That he had been familiar wilh the river for twenty years ; had run the rapids often, and never upset his canoe ; and though we were one and a quarter mile from the foot, he could run It In five or six minutes. " We remarked that three men had been drowned there a few days before, and their boat dashed to pieces, and there must be danger. He said the boat was over loaded, and the sailors who navigated It knew nothing about running the rapids, and nothing better could be expected. " On crossing the river In the morning, I had a strong desire lo run the rapids, as an amateur; but before reaching the still water above, and seeing how many rocks there were, and how rapid the current ran, this desire abated, and I preferred passing over, instead of running down. " George reasoned all fear out of us, and we con cluded to let him do as he pleased. He told us to sit down BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 263 in the canoe and remain steady, without stirring, and then asked us lo look at our watches, lo see how long he would be in going his mile and a quarter. After we had got ready for the descent, we offered George some gin and wqler, of which he partook; and on asking him if we should give some lo the boy, he shook his head, and said 'No, the bo}' is good enough boy without gin.' On Starting, I remarked to mv companions, that If we should get drowned so soon after three others had met with that fate, no one would give us any credit for it, but would set us down as- fools at least, if nothing worse. "We descended with race-horse speed, the canoe gliding down the rapids wilh the velocity of an arrow, and safely bearing us lo the foot of them in about five minutes. "It Is . surprising to see with what skill an Indian manages his canoe. He sits in the prow to steer it, and puis the paddle in the water near the forward end, at ils side. The race down the river was of course ex citing, and as we had made il with safety, it seemed to pay for all the trouble we had incurred, and the risk we had run. The canoe would seem to be running into an immense heap or surge of water, as if il was going lo enter it ten feet below the top; or would be apparently about to run upon a rock that threatened to dash it In pieces, when George, by a little pull or push with his paddle would steer clear of the apparent danger, almost but not quite touching il. Many of the passengers from the other side of the river saw and admired the velocity of our descent. One of ibfem, a sober, sedate citizen, with much assumed gravity, took us to task for running such an unnecessary risk, which probably by the example, as he said, would induce 264 REMINISCENCES Others lo run and lose their lives. He remarked that no one had a right lo sport with his life by such risks, for getting that the rapids had been run in canoes for a hundred years with comparatively few accidents. "Many ladles were on board the boat, and dancing parlies were got up almost every evening. Among some of the gentlemen all kinds of fun, frolic, joking, swearing, playing, and drinking, was constantly going on. Among the MIssourians was Doctor S. of St. Louis, who gave us infinite amusement. He left us yesterday for Mackinau, lo return home by Chicago. He is a man of wit and humor, rather smart, and of great colloquial powers. He kept his copper hot all the lime 'he was with us. On one occasion he look a copious draft of cold water, when one of his associates, who is editor of the St. Louis Revlelle, remarked that the water would ' be a d d surprise to his sto mach ;' another replied, ' if it was not lo his stomach, his stomach would be to the water;' and a third said, 'listen, and hear him condense the water into steam.' " Bloomer, the accomplished steward of the boat, gave me a memorandum of the stores put on hoard for the trip, which to those not acquainted wilh the abun dant supplies provided in those large upper lake boats, would excite wonder and surprise : but as I have already extended this article lo loo great a length, the stores must be omitted, though if staled at large ihey could not but interest all amateurs who delight in ' creature comforts,' " BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 265 CHAPTER XVL Election to the Senate. — Centennial celebration, Feb. 22, 1832, — First breaking out of Cholera. — Great alarm. — Court for Correction qf Errors meet in New York. — Death of William H. Maynard. — Slight attack qf Cholera. — Several Legislative Incidents. — Introduction and passage of Bill to replenish General Fund by Loans from Canal Revenue. — Opposition of City of New York to Canals. — Chenango Canal. — Black River and Genesee Valley Canals. — Erroneous Estimates of Engineers. — Report in favor of Black River Canal. — '¦ Stand still" Policy. — Report of Samuel B, Ruggles, — Criticism on that Report. — Canal Policy sustained hy Western New York from beginning. — Criticism on Judge Hammond' s opinion in regard to State Debt. In 1829 I was elected to the senate for four years ; my first session commencing January 1st, 1830, The autumn of 1834 I was re-elected, and served four years more ; just four years too long, for I ought not to have gone back a second time. The last year of my service I was elected president of the senate, by a nearly unanimous vote ; which position I held till my term of service expired. During my first term, (Feb, 22nd, 1832) we had a centennial celebration of Wash ington's birthday : the two houses, by concurrent reso lution, uniting with the city authorities and citizens generally, to pay respect to the day, and lo the memory of the father of the country, Oran G, Otis, member of assembly from Saratoga county, delivered an excel lent oration, I was chairman of the committee of arrangements, which consisted of members of both houses, making It a joint committee. 206 EEMINISCENCES In addition to the adjournment of the legislature, and the attendance of the members, as well as the slate officers and governor, lo hear the oration, and make other demonstrations of respect, a ball on a mag nificent scale was got up by the citizens, of which the joint committee of arrangements acted as managers, in concert with those appointed by the citizens. Hon. John Townsend was the chairman of the citizens' managers ; and they made me chairman of the whole board. The ball was held in the City Hall, which was magnificently lighted, from the first-floor up to the interior of the dome, with lamps of every variety of colour. Invitations were sent out to almost every part of the stale ; and citizens from the country as well as the cities, attended In great numbers. The, supper was excellent; and among other conceits, our host Drake, of the American, had a pie prepared, covered with a crust, on the removal of which two young pigeons, disengaged from their delicate confinement, flew away and fluttered about the dining room. Dan cing was kept up till a late hour ; or more appropriately speaking, not an early hour in the morning. It was indeed a splendid affair ; probably the most so of any that had ever come off in Albany; and it will be many years before it will be surpassed. How many of those then redolent with life are now gone? and in so short a space ! It really makes me melan choly to think of it. The next summer the cholera made ils appearance, while the legislature were in extra session, and such was the alarm that it induced hasty legislation, and a speedy adjournment. It is hardly possible to realize the fear and excitement that it produced. Many emigrants were coming lo the city by 'Lake Champlain, from BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 267 Canada, and so great was the fear, that a cordon of police officers, and even an armed force was proposed, to prevent the Ingress of those coming from abroad. The law passed on .that occasion, bears incohtesli- ble evidence of the fear that pervaded the communIt3^ On the close of the week before our adjournment, several senators went with me to the Mountain House, on CatsklU mountains, ¦where we spent Saturday and Sunday, and returned to Albany on Monday. No pains were spared by those at the Mountain house, to guard against the fearful malady, by generous living, careful diet, and moderate exercise. The fine bracing mountain air, had an exhlllradng effect on the system, so that 'we felt renovated and quite improved by the visit. We amused ourselves by strolling about in the fastnesses of the mountain, and viewing the splendid cataract in the vicinity of the mountain house, over which young Foster, of Utica, was recently precipitated, and strange to teU was not dashed in pieces. Among those who wentto the mountain, I remember Hon. Trumbull Cary, of Batavia; Senator McLean, of Washington county ; Senator McDonald, of West chester; Hon. Nathaniel P. Tallmadge; and some others. In the month of August, the court for correction of errors, was to meet in New York, where the cholera was StiU raging, but it was necessary to go there, and open and adjourn the court if nothing more. Judge Nelson and myself, went together through Schoharie county to CalskUl, thus avoiding Albany, where the disease was prevalent and fatal. We had a thin attendance of the members of the court, but a quorum appeared, and agreed to adjourn at once. WiUiam H. Maynard, from Utica, one of our 268 REMINISCENCES most talented members, was present. He had received letters in the morning advising him of the sudden death of several of his neighbors in Ullca, which distressed and evidently much alarmed him. We stopped at the American, where we dined together the day that I left the city. Maynard sat next lo me at table, and drank moderately of port wine which was then regarded as an antidote. I saw he was alarmed, and tried lo cheer him up. I cannot say that I had personally any fears ; for I put myself in the way of looking al some of the subjects, as they were carried lo the hospital. Still I felt as if It was prudent to leave the city, and not voluntarily expose ourselves to danger. On leaving the American to go to the boat, May nard went to the door, and shook hands with us. His countenance did not look right. I asked him when he would return home? He answered in a desponding tone, "probably on Thursday." That was the last time I saw him, as he was taken with cholera next day, and died a short time afterwards. He was a man of splendid talents, greatly beloved, and lamented by his associates in the senate, and by citizens of the state generally, and particularly his con stituents. Senator Hubbard, of Chenango, returned with Judge Nelson and myself, and took break.fast wilh us at Cat- skill. We had not driven more than twelve miles, when he was suddenly taken ill, with all the symptoms of cholera. The Judge drove the hcrses, and I held Hubbard, and supported him in the wagon the best way I could. We procured and gave him medicine, and finally got him near Schoharie, where we intended to stop wilh him and procure medical attendance. The proprietor of BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 269 the tavern was fearful and unwilling lo admit a cholera subject, and docllned, till I told him to put him in a room, and lock him in, and I would remain with and nurse him; which I did till morning. He had a severe attack, and did not fully recover for a considerable time afterwards. On my return home I concluded to take my family and travel with them through the southern counties to Chautauque. This I did wilh my own horses and carriage, making easy stages, which I thought woifld be conducive lo health instead of exposing them lo sick ness. While stopping at Bath over Sabbath, I had a very severe and sudden attack, which I have no doubt was cholera in a modified form ; which in the city would have been a decided case. It had all the appear ances of the disease, and prostrated my strength at once. The physician treated me as he would a cholera patient, and within a few days I was able to resume the journey. Eight years services in the senate, where I •was generally on one or more important committees, and nearly all the time chairman of one, necessarily con nected me with much important legislation. For several sessions I was chairman of the judiciary com mittee, and was a member of that committee, at other sessions. Sometimes on the canal committee, and committee of finance, (ways and means.) My voles will be found uniformly in favour of a liberal system of canal and other public improvements. At an early day I had taken the canal side of the question; and in 1817, '18, '19, and '20, &c. had uniformly supported Mr. CUnton In that policy. No doubt several of my voles in the senate were indiscreet ; but I never doubled, and do not now doubt. 270 REMINISCENCES but that our canal ipprovements, lake them as a-whole, are immensely beneficial to the stale, mi every point of view. And not only so in reference to business matters and intercommunication, but in a strict financial view of the question. This position I uniformly maintained in the senate, in opposition lo daily denunciations, from men who should have been friends instead of opposers of the canals ; and who predicted ruin and bankruptcy to the stale, for not yielding to their clamor. The canals have finally fought themselves, as it were, into favor; and the splendid annual revenue derived from them, establishes the position, that as a mere monled investment, looking only to revenue, the slate In no way could have more profitably used its money or ils credit ; while the enhanced value of pro perty, the increase of population, and the facIUtles for markets at cheap rates, have been of incalculable bene fit to the slate and union. The principle adopted In the present state constitu tion — setting apart a portion of the earnings of the canals, to reimburse the general fund of the state — had its origin in a bill that I introduced in 1835, as a sub stitute for direct taxation. The bill, I think, was brought in on notice : I am sure without much previous consultation wilh members of the senate. The comptroller, Mr. Flagg, had recommended a direct tax, as he had done in several annual reports. These recommendations were seized upon by the oppo nents of canals, particularly all the lateral canals then constructed, authorized, or asked for; and in short, against all appropriations. The general fund of the slate was represented in the senate and assembly, as nearly " used up," and the treasury bankrupt. It ap peared to me quite obvious, that these representations BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 271 were the ebullition of feelings against the whole canal policy, as I have no doubt they were wilh many ; though the canals were yielding an annual revenue that should have silenced these clamors. It was thought by many of the canal advocates, that, some of the stale officers encouraged these vituperations ; and that the tax was recommended, lo induce the legisla ture to limit their appropriations, particularly in refer ence lo canals ; or to take the responsibility of levying a tax. I was willing to take that responsibility, when ever it appeared necessary ; but I did not wish the canals, or the canal poUcy, decried and rendered un popular, by representing to the community that taxes must be levied to sustain that policy, when the canals were yielding so prolific a revenue. The tax proposition had been warmly debated, with but little prospect that it would become a law. The bill which I drew up, proposed that when a sufficient amount of money was collected to pay the Erie and Champlain canal debt, for the payment of which the earnings of the canals were pledged by the constitution, and then had nearly provided for their payment — the state should annually borrow from the canal fund S300,000 dollars, for the use of the general fund. This bfll was submitted to the comptroller, who said he could get along well enough if it was passed, but expressed doubts whether it could be, as the canal counties would prefer retaining all canal earnings, to repair and improve them. I felt sure the advocates for canals generally, would stand on better ground in the estimation of tax-payers, if we could show the canals paying back to the treasury, (for the loan was merely paying back) than to pass a law for taxing them, and the canal fund to retain all earnings : and 272 REMINISCENCES with this impression determined lo introduce and press the bill to a vole. It was not necessary for the comp troller to inform me, that the bill would be opposed, or to indicate where the opposition would come from ; for I had considered that before. If carried at all, il must be by a portion of those opposed to direct taxation, uniting with representatives from the remote parts of the state, north and south of the Erie canal, with the co-operation of the river counties, and of Long Island, and a considerable portion of the city of New York. Strange as it may now appear, the city representatives, when Mr. Clinton proposed the canal, were generally against It ; and so a large portion of them had been in opposition to tlial policy, in almost every subsequent session. It is indeed passing strange that it should be so, when II is certain that no portion of the slate derived greater benefits from the canals, than the city. Long Island, and the counties along the Htidson, for many years, felt their interest was not promoted, but rather injured; and hence, very naturaUy, went for a law that should make the canals begin to pay lo the slate, instead of drawing from the tax-payers. The bfll authorized the money withdrawn from the canal fund to be regarded as a loan to the stale, for which separate accounts were to be kept ; the object of which was to steer clear of objections, growing out of the consti tutional pledge of all canal revenues, till the canal debt was paid off. The debt being not yet due, and conse quently not actually paid, it was intended to provide money enough for ils payment, and the state then to become a borrower: no one supposing the money borrowed would have lo be repaid to the canal fund. By putting it in the shape of a loan, we could count on BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 273 several voles, that would have gone against an appro priation of money from the canal to the general fund, except as a loan. And here let me observe, that a discreel legislator will always put his main proposition in such a shape as to realize what he desires ; al the same lime keeping out of it such matters as may be regarded as objectionable, by those who are to pass upon It. The object was to strengthen the general fund, and replenish the treasury ; and whether It was called a loan, or merely taking money from one pocket and putting it into the other, was of no consequence. The support expected from the remote counties was predi cated on the fact that they wanted local and lateral improvements, to put them more nearly on an equality with the favored counties along the canals : and as it appeared reasonable that they should participate in the benefits of stale improvements, they would probably replenish the treasury from the canal fund, in preference to taxing their constituents ; and again, would be more Ukely to succeed in their local projects, than if taxes must be resorted to, over the whole slate. Such were the general views ; portions of which were explained to the representatives of different sec tions, and a strong interest was soon combined in favor of the bill. It was introduced, called up in due time, warmly opposed, and part of the time bitterly, particularly by the representatives from canal counties ; and In the end, was carried by small majorities in both houses. To this law may be traced the principle of that provision in the recent constitution, setting apart annually a portion of the canal revenue, for the sup port of government and the payment of the state debt, — a provision much more wise and salutary, than 18 274 REMINISCENCES the restriction upon the legislative power of contracting debts for Improvements. Had the latter provision been in the old constitution, we should probably have no canals even at this day. This law seemed to reconcile the remote counties, and I think was fairly due lo them. I have no doubt that the advocates of a liberal but dis.creet prosecution of our Internal improvement system, stood belter in the estimation of the community al large, after ils passage than before ; and this was an important point that I wished lo attain. The canals are now more in credit than ever ; and prejudices that used to exist, are nearly effaced. No part of the state is injured by them, while every part is benefited, either directly or indirectly. As I am on the subject of canals, I will throw together a few addi tional remarks. I have already stated my constant support of the canal policy, from its first commence ment ; and that I wished to continue it, by a discreet application of the means and credit of the state, so far as its abiUty would permit. Hence my votes in assem bly and senate have been uniformly favorable to the policy, though not always in favor of each particular canal. In the assembly I voted against the Chenango canal, and voted for it in the senate several years afterwards. My vote in the assembly was given in 1826, when I represented Otsego county, that had a rival project quite as objectionable, and I think more so than the Chenango, and never combining half ils strength. The objection of my constituents to the Chenango, would have induced me to vote against it, even if my indivi dual predilections had been for II, which they were not. Nor was I desirous for its passage when elected to the EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 275 senate, though my position was then changed ; as my senatorial district favored it by a very decided support. Still I never did believe it was to be a productive canal, nor was I satisfied with the estimates of its cost ; and knowing that a large proportion of my own county was against il, I was not displeased with its rejection in the assembly after I was in the senate. The truth is, it was an embarrassing question, and that II should be postponed was not objectionable. The applicants, nothing daunted, continued to press their project ; and by enlisting Oneida, Madison, Chenango, and Broome, which counties felt a strong local interest, they were enabled to come back wilh more strength at each session. The Otsego canal project was in a measure lost sight of, as that county had no backers from abroad ; but the Chenango had grown so strong, that it entered into many other subjects of legislation ; controlling and di recting some, and defeating others. Politicians seized upon it and gave it support ; and thus entering into the , elections and the legislature with so much strength, no one could be so blind as not to foresee its eventual success. The immensely large majorities in Chenango and Broome, for Mr. Granger as governor, over Governer Throop, showed the political infiuence it swayed above all other considerations ; and almost every one in the legislature wanted it out of the way, though many would not vote for it who desired its success, rather than to have it remain for further agitation. Applica tion was renewed, and in due time it passed tbe assembly, by a respectable majority; and wilh the endorsement of that body, came to the senate, where it seemed to have about an even chance of passing ; 276 EEMINISCENCES and then I was appealed lo by the advocates of the canal, as one of the senators of the district, to sustain it. My three senatorial colleagues were for it ; and all the assembly men from that senatorial district fa vored il, except three from Otsego, and one or two others ; one of the Otsego representatives being deci dedly for it. Knowing that my own county cared but Utile about il, except perhaps about one-third of the county, along the Susquehanna, who from a desire to have a canal from the Erie up to Otsego lake, and thence by Slackwater, or otherwise down the Susque hanna, wished IP defeat the Chenango. Beyond this interested rival view, the other two-thirds of the county felt but little interest in either question, (other than that of dollars and cents) except the western part of Otsego, which favored the Chenango canal; and the represen tative from that section advocated and voted for il. I did not believe it was to be a highly profitable canal, nor did I suppose it likely to be very burden some, to the state. Convinced that it must, beyond a reasonable doubt, pass next session, if not at the then present, I made up my mind, that, representing a district from which at least three-fourths of the assem blymen, and the same proportion in the senate favored the; project; in which more than one-fourth of my constituents felt a deep personal Interest, and a large proportion of the others, though rather indifferent, yet tolerating if not actually encouraging the application, it was not my business to defeat it, and thus perpetuate the contest, when representatives from other portions of the slate were voting for it. With views like these I voted for the canal, which passed and was con structed. With the knowledge we now have of railroads, BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 277 I should hardly vote for that canal ; nor would I have voted for il at the time, had I supposed it was lo cost as much as il actually did. The truth is, the legislature was shamefully imposed upon by the engineers, in reference lo the cost of this, as well as the Genesee Valley and Black river canals. Their estimate for this was about $1,000,000, and it cost upwards of '$2,500,000; the Genesee Valley, about $1,000,000, which wiU probably cost $4,000,000, if not $4,500,000; and about $1,000,000 for the Black river canal and feeder which is likely to cost $2,000,000 or more. • The coal trade was always put forward as a prob able business, that would eventually enhance the value of the Chenango canal ; which from present indica tions, will soon be realized ; so that in the end that canal will be m-uch more productive than it has been, and probably somewhat profitable ; but hitherto it has been a hard bargain for the state. The Genesee Valley canal, though I voted for it, should never have been authorized farther south than Mount Morris, wilh a branch to Dansville. To those points from Rochester it would have paid well, and to that extent the project was feasible and meritorious. Experience has shown the attempt to climb the high ridge at Mount Morris, wilh a view of reaching the Allegany river, has been the expensive and ob jectionable part of the work. The engineers either mistook or deceived themselves in regard to the ex pense, and the legislature misjudged in heeding their advice. The New York and Erie railroad wfll accom modate that part of the country lying between Mount Morris and Olean ; and though the canal will undoubt edly be of considerable benefit to those in ils vicinity, yet with the railroad constructed, it may be unfortu- 278 EEMINISCENCES nale for the state that the canal was. authorized beyond Mount Morris. Stfll It must be recollected, that al that time, it was extremely doubtful whether the road would ever be buUl ; and If il was, whether it would answer the business purposes that it probably wiU. For lumber, and heavy bulky articles of that region, I suppose the canal will be decidedly preferable ; and when completed, and paid for from the earnings of* the canals generally, it will not be a matter of deep regret, that this and the others were authorized. • The Black river canal for which I voted, and for which, in behalf of a majority of the canal committee, I drew a long report, was the more favorably adopted by the committee, from the fact, that the canal commis sioners had decided on the necessity, of drawing water from the Black river, or Fish creek, to supply the long level of the Erie canal, about to be enlarged. The expense of constructing the feeder, from the former, was estimated at about one fourth of the esti mated expense of the canal, and the improvement of the river for steam tugs and canal boats, from High Falls to Carthage, opening a canal communication from Rome lo Carthage, some seventy-five miles through a heavy-limberqd, secluded part of the country, and ten miles of navigable feeder, making eighty-five mfles in the whole. As the feeder had lo be constructed al so much ex pense. It was deemed best to couple with It the canal and river improvement, which if successful would have been well enough, provided the expense had not been greatly beyond the estimate. With the enhanced ex pense, it remains to be seen whether the measure was a wise one, and this is only to be ascertained from the test of experience. Had theaclualcostbeen foreseen, Ido BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 279 not suppose the canal would have thenheen authorised. Now look at our canals, as a whole; and although the construction of some of them should be admitted as indiscreet, and by far too expensive, yet, what a splen did revenue they produce, and how much they have enhanced the value of the stale, and increased its population ! Whh the Erie canal enlarged, the certain enlargement of the Oswego canal, now half-authorised by its authorised enlarged locks, and the unfinished lateral canals soon to be completed, the stale with a greatly reduced tariff' of tolls, will be able to pay off the stale debt, meet the ordinary expences of govern ment, and extend canal facilities to other parts, stretch ing its net-work ofV internal navigation lo remote and still secluded sections. Nor is this all, for the canals 'will do this, and furnish abundant means to sustain common schools and school district libraries, without resorting to taxation. Who with statesman-like views, can contemplate these improvements and splendid results, and not feel proud of the canal policy ? For one, I neither regret having sustained that policy ; nor on the whole, the votes I have given. It is now fifteen years since I drew, for a majority of the canal committee, the report in favor of the Black river canal and feeder; and yet the canal is not com pleted. At that time the canal commissioners and engineers, and I believe the canal board, estimated the expense of the Erie canal enlargement at twelve million dollars ; and the time necessary for its completion, twelve years. The slop policy afterwards adopted delayed all the canals several years, and subjected the slate to heavy losses, for damages and dilapidations ; and it is now 280 REMINISCENCES apparent that the enlarged canal, and also the laterals, were not estimated by the slate officers, within a hundred and twenty per cent, of what they have and are lo cost. As a matter of curiosity, it may not be uninteresting to review this report, which I suppose presents the main points on which the senators relied, who voted for the canal : I am sure it does my own. The committee adopted the estimate of the canal commissioners and engineers, as the basis of their report, so far as estimates of expense and time for construction, entered into their consideration. , To see how near our estimates would have been realised, had the Erie canal been enlarged within the time, and at the expense proposed; and whether our estimates of increased canal revenues, were a fair approximation lo actual results since, I have concluded to transcribe the substance of that report. Senate Document, No. 36. Feb. 8th, 1836. " The committee have had the subject under con sideration, and have regarded il as presenting several important questions, both as it respects the public at large, and the interest of that part of the state more imrnediately concerned, " So far as the public is concerned, without par ticular reference to the petitioners, the committee have considered it, in connection wilh the already authorised project of enlarging the Erie canal, as calculated lo contribute a large share of water that will be required on the Rome level. That a large additional supply will be wanted, is officially announced to the legislature by the report of the canal board. "From this report It appears that the enlarged canal BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 281 will require, in addition tp the present supply, 14,546 cubic feet of water per minute, on the Rome summit ; and the Black river, or Fish creek, have been looked to as the source from whence it must be drawn. "The repcrt of the engineer, accompanying the report of the canal board, estimates the quantity that may be drawn from the Black river at 14,681 feet per minute, and the expense of the feeder at $221,469; while by the same report, a feeder from Fish creek Is estimated at $158,482, and the quantity of water 13,725 feet per minute, which is below the required amount. It is therefore, obvious that one or both of these streams must be resorted lo; and when it is considered that the quantity of water in each will decrease as the country shall become more improved and open lo the sun, the committee suppose that although the Black river feeder will cost the most, yet the commissioners cannot well hesitate to give this the preference, where more than Is wanted may be obtained, while the other will fall short. If the Fish creek should be selected, the committee suppose it would require all the water in dry seasons, — and this too, below the estimate. This would subject the state to he'avy damages, on account of mills and machinery depending on the stream below the feeder, which in the end would approximate very nearly to the expense of the Black river feeder. This objection, the committee believe, wfll not to any considerable extent apply to the Black river, which, comparatively speak ing, is not much occupied with mills or machinery, between the contemplated feeder and the High fafls. The committee suppose a large portion of the Black river may be turned into the Erie canal, and yet leave water enough for present mills on the river, and supply a canal from the Boonville summit, northerly, to the 282 EEMINISCENCES High falls ; and below these falls they suppose there will always be an abundant supply not only for naviga tion but for hydraulic purposes. The committee are aware, that if a, canal is constructed from Rome lo the High falls, part of the river will be needed to supply the northern portion, and thus abstract part that might other wise be taken to the Erie canal. But they suppose, that in addition lo a portion of the Black river on the summit level, several sm-all streams may be taken Into that level, such as Alder, Benedict, Fisher and Mill creeks, which by previous surveys, may be as cheaply taken into the canal, as lo be passed under il. Then, for the levels north of the summit, it Is supposed the Moose and Sugar rivers may be taken in, yielding an abundant supply. They therefore assume, that there is abundant water for the Black river canal, and that it may contribute largely lo the wants of the Erie. " Another argument In favor of the Black river, -(even if Fish creek should be deemed sufficient,) arises from the probability that those asking for the Black river canal, wifl scarcely perceive the propriety of ex pending near $200,000 for a feeder only, with an inadequate supply, and their section of country excluded frorn a participation in our canal system. " The committee suppose, the present application will not be abandoned, even if the Black river should not be selected as a feeder, or if resorted to as a feeder only, and this project having for twelve years been re garded as an important auxiliary In our canal system, and having been favorably received in the other branch of the legislature, not only in the reports of its com mittees, but last session, passed by a strong vole, your committee suppose the applicants may with great pro priety persevere, and in the end meet wilh success. The BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 283 committee therefpre, believing that ultimately the Black river will have lo be resorted lo as a feeder, are decidedly of opinion that when so resorted to, a canal should be constructed ; and so far as the expense of the feeder shall become a question, the present funds of the Erie and Champlain canals may be appropriated. They are the more induced to recommend its con struction, from the fact that the stale is interested in the project, from having large tracts of lands belonging to the school fund, the value of which, it is beUeved, wfll be much enhanced by the construction of the canal, and the contemplated improvement of the river. The com mittee forbear going into a detail of the project, the general outline of which, is a canal from Rome up the Mohawk and Lansing Kill, to the Black river, al the High faUs, (about thirty-five miles,) with a navigable feeder from the river, ten or eleven miles lo the summit level, near BoonviUe ; also an improvement of the river for canal and small steam boats, "from the High faUs to Carthage, forty miles ; making eighty-five miles of navigation, at an estimated expense of $1,070,000. " Since this subject 'was before the legislature, at ils last session, we have had another year's experience, under our canal system ; and the result is not only gratifying, but a most triumphant vindication of the wisdom of its projectors, and of successful manage ment on the part of those having the canals in charge. The increase of business has been such, that notwith standing the reduction in the rales of loll, the revenue has gone on Increasing ; and we may safely anticipate a steady and rapid annual increase for the future. The Chenango canal is in such a state of forwardness, that we may look for ils completion during the ensuing sea son, so that the construction of the Black river canal 284 EEMINISCENCES need not interfere wilh the Chenango, by .drawing off laborers from the latter, as the surveys and examinations for the Black river canal will not be completed much before the Chenango. " The canal and river improvement will afford a cheap and easy access to a vast timber and lumber region, so essential to ship building, and to the various wants of community, that our cities and villages seem_ to have a deep interest in the project. Secluded as this section of country is, these important articles can not now find their way to market. They will not bear transportation, and must be suffered lo remain as they are, or be destroyed in vast quantities, as the country is cleared up. " True, the lockage is great, and presents a formid able barrier. But this height, formidable as it is, has lo be overcome by animal power, whenever products are sent to market, or merchandize redeived in return; which if more cheaply done by canal, will be so much saved to community. " The stale of New York has taken the lead in internal improvements, which has not only given it character and eclat, but has added untold millions to its wealth and resources. The committee cannot too highly extol the wisdom of this system, and they regard ils commencement as the, brightest era of the state, though for a time undoubtedly prejudicial to some portions, now in a great measure overcome, by accom modating their business pursuits to existing circum stances. Still, the committee believe there are portions of the state, (and the Black river region is one,) where they now, and must for a long time labor under dis advantages, should the state stop its advance in internal improvements. BY LEyi BEAEDSLEY. 2S5 " If the legislature had deemed it advisable to sus pend all further expenditures for improvements, till the final liquidation of the public debt, there might be an apparent propriety in urging applicants for this canal to wait ten years longer. But when the public aulhorilies are prepared to sanction other expenditures lo a large amount, ills unreasonable to deny this application, from the mere fact that the slate is in debt. The slate, however, has not, nor will it arrest the further pro secution of ils public works ; the authorised enlargement of the Erie canal marks ils policy on a gigantic scale. " That canal, as it now exists, is sufficient for the business of the citizens of this slate, for many years ; and one of the effects of its enlargement, will be to extend ils benefits lo citizens of other states, whose pro ducts, by the reduction of expences, will be invited from ferlfle regions 1,500 mfles beyond our stale, in direct competition with our farming interest. The committee do not object lo the policy of enlarging the Erie ; but they do object that canal making shall be confined to one particular portion, to the exclusion of other parts of the state; and that such enlargement shall be urged as a reason for refusing other applications, when the enlargement is not only to benefit the citizens of the already favored portion of the stale, but lo citizens of other stales far beyond. " A merchant at Green Bay or Chicago, can now obtain his goods about as cheap as they can be delivered at Lowville ; and agricultural products from the great west, reach the sea-board at about as low rates as from the section of country intended to be benefited by this canal. The tendency of this state of things, is to keep real estate stationary, if not lo depress its value, in the secluded counties, and not only to retard their settle^ 286 REMINISCENCES ment, but to draw their inhabitants to more favored regions. When we consider the low price of land in the western states and territories, their unrivalled fertility, the ease- with which they are brought to and cultivated, the mfldness of their winters, and their proximity lo our immense inland seas, and then, super add the facilities for reaching market, through our canals, we cannot but perceive the fearful odds of our agriculturists, in entering into competition wilh the highly favored west. " The committee, however, hope to see an enlarged and liberal spirit of legislation, that while it cherishes that part already favored, shall not overlook the humble pretensions of the less favored portions, north and south of the present great thoroughfares. They do not intend to recommend a rash and extravagant expenditure, that shall create an unwieldy state debt, or lo alarm the fears of liberal-minded, well-informed citizens, wilh apprehensions of such a result. The only doubt of the committee is, whether the stale should now embark in this new work. In reference lo the time of its com mencement, they have looked, first, lo the ability of the state lo carry it on, and secondly, whether it should be delayed till the Erie canal Is enlarged, or partially so? Thej' think that after expending so large an amount In constructing the Erie, by which expenditure and the facilities for business, the agricultural, commercial, and manufacturing interests In Its vicinity, have been so much advanced, It would be unequal and unjust lo re fuse to other portions, a parllcipallon in the public bounty of the stale, while the enlargement is being made, " It is estimated that twelve years, and as many millions of dollars will be required for its accomplish- BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 287 ment, thus cheapening transpprlatipn, and by an annual expenditure of large sums of money on the favored route, giving a stimulus to business not enjoyed in other parts of the state. Why then, should citizens residing in remote sections, where canals may be constructed, be required to wait this long period, (more than half a generation) till the other is completed ? " It has been before remarked, that the present canal is sufficient for our own citizens, were II not used by those of Pther states. The pellcy cf enlarging, (in which the committee concur,) is to secure the business and transpoftation to and fro of the products and return cargoes of citizens out of the state, as well as our own within, " To compete for, and to secure the trad^ and busi ness of the great west, is an object for which a stale or empire may well contend. New York, while she will indulge in no petty jealousies or rivalries, will neverthe less put forth her whole strength for a fair participation in the golden harvest. To suppose her indifferent lo this result, would be to suppose her recreant to the interests of her citizens, and aS overlooking the un rivalled natural advantages of her position, " While, therefore, lo secure this immense boon, the committee approve of the enlargement, and that loo at a more early period than eonlemplaled, if necessary, they think the secluded parts of the slate should not be denied a few millions, in the construction of works greatly promotive of their interest, provided the finan cial affairs of the state will warrant it. They therefore reject the proposition, that all lateral canals shall bp suspended till the Erie is enlarged, and turn to the enquiry, whether the stale, in reference lb its fiscal concerns, can safely embark in further public works ? 288 REMINISCENCES "If the policy of the slate indicates, as recommended from high authority, the propriety of applying $1,000,000 annually from canal revenues, for twelve years, to complete the enlargement, the committee can see no impropriety In borrowing for lateral canals such rea sonable sums as may be necessary; and of reimbursing them from canal revenues, after the Erie shall be enlarged; and they feel confident that the earnings of a few years will repay such loans. Why then should the stale hesitate as lo this policy, when il is certain that the construction of lateral canals will greatly en hance its aggregate wealth, while it stimulates and benefits the local portions : and when il is as certain as any future event can be, that the canal revenues will in the end furnish ample means. By anllcipallng these means, and subsliluling the credit of the slate, we immediately accomplish the desired objects ; and hold out Inducements to our own citizens lo remain, and emigrants to settle with us, instead of going lo other stales. " It is said the treasury is nearly exhausted. If this be conceded, it must be recollected that a large portion has gone for the construction of canals, that are abun dantly able lo respond lo the uttermost farthing ; and as the people have had the benefit of the expenditure, without taxation. If a light tax should be resorted to for a few years, till the canal revenues are released from the constitutional pledge, no good cause" of com plaint would exist. " If It be said the canal policy has impoverished the treasury, we point with pride lo the last year, showing a revenue of $1,000,000 over all charges, and constantly increasing. But this is not all. The committee might point to a rapid increase of inhabitants, unexampled BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 289 agricultural prosperity, farms highly cultivated, cities springing up as if by magic, and an increase of wealth beyond computation. Although the general fund is nearly exhausted, yet we have in its stead our canals, wilh an Increasing revenue much beyond what that fund could have produced ; and though we have a state debt, yet apply the cash on hand for its reduction, and we find it decreasing with such rapidity, that were it not that the state has resolved on enlarging the Erie canal, the 'whole debt would be pi'ovided for before 1845, and an amount would accumulate by that lime, much beyond any previous nieans of the treasury. They therefore cannot doubt the ability of the slate to accomplish desirable improvements, and that too with out burlhening ils citizens. " The committee will submit a few observations, shovnng upon what estimates they base their conclusion of the ability of the state to go forward. The Erie and Champlain debts will be provided for during the ensu ing month of June, and probably by the first of that month. The auction and salt duties, estimated at $330,000 for the first year, will go far towards meeting t'ne ordinary expences of government, with a probable increase, and may go to the treasury. They therefore return to the canal revenues $1,000,000 over and above expences and repairs ; and are rapidly increasing, though the tariff of tolls has been annually reduced. " No further great reduction of tolls can be made, until the canal debt is actually paid, in 1845, being re stricted by the constitution. The committee beUeve, that the increase of business and loUs on the canals, for the last five years, will warrant the assumption that for the next nine there will be an increase of revenue equal to $160,000 dollars per annum ; and on enlarging the 19 290 REMINISCENCES canal, or even doubling the locks, wilh the present rales, they cannot doubt that for the last three years of the term the increase will be much greater. The expenditures the present year, on the Erie and Cham plain canals, beyond ordinary repairs and expences, wifl probably not exceed from $300,000 to $400,000 ; so that it is fair to presume, $500,000 at least of this year's earnings will remain in the treasury at the end of the year. The committee do not believe it wIU be necessary for the purposes of enlargement, to draw this sum from the treasury; because, after the pre sent year, the earnings of the canals each year wiU be sufficient to meet the estimated amount for the enlarge ment — $1,000,000. They therefore think ihey wfll be safe, in estimating this $500,000 at the end of the year 1845, including interest quarterly al five per cent., at $800,000. Then, after the year 1837, $300,000 each year is to be retained from the canal revenues, under the act of Maj'^ llth, 1835, which with interest at same rale lo the end of 1845, will amount lo $2,100,000; these two items alone amounting to $2,900,000. The increase of business and tolls on the canals, they sup pose will largely exceed the estimated amount. But suppose the state, for the purpose of expediting the enlargement of the Erie, should apply all the tolls, or should borrow and create a stock, payable In twenty years, to complete the enlargement at an early period, and to construct lateral canals ? In that case the com mittee cannot doubt, but with the lolls at present rates untfl 1845, and a large reduction after that time, that in twetity years the canals would yield a revenue, not only sufficient to enlarge and double lock the Erie, at estimated expence, and pay off all the present state debts, but to ccnstruct the Black river and several BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 291 Other lateral canals. The question, therefore, seems more appropriately lo be, whether the state will borrow in anticipation of ils means, than whether it will be in possession of means within fifteen or twenty years, to liquidate such loans? " In looking for results based on these estimates, reliance must be had on the good faith of citizens of the western part of the state, to keep up a reasonable toU after 1845 ; and the committee will not beUeve, that the representatives of those counties, and canal counties generally, will object to a reasonable revenue; for the purpose of constructing practicable lateral canals. In previous legislation, in reference to canals, the western representatives have manifested a spirit of liberality that illy comports wilh a supposed design to render the canals in a measure free lo all 'comers and goers,' To reduce the tolll to a nominal amount, would be to bring the products from the far west in direct competition with our own citizens, as well in the western as in other parts of the slate. When it shall become a question, whether Canada and the western states shall use our canals for a nominal toll, the com mittee believe the western counties will act with other portions of the state, and insist on a rate of (blls that shaU keep them in repair, and a reasonable amount for revenue, " The committee feel great confidence that they are not mistaken, in their estimate of business hereafter to'be transacted on the canals. The increase from our own stale has been immense, and will enlarge from year to year, not only from the increase of population and wealth, but from the necessary demand and en hanced prices in our .cities and villages, for timlaer, raw materials and products from the country, ' Every 292 EEMINISCENCES road and avenue leading lo our great thoroughfare wfll add to its business, and the canal under consideration wfll contribute essentiaUy to that object. It will Induce settlements in the Black river section, heretofore deemed Inexpedient ; and thus bring under cultivation large tracts now a wflderness. But without relying on the business of New York, may we not wilh perfect certainty look to Upper Canada and the western stales, as affording business enough to warrant all the assump tions of this conimiltee? " Ohio, comparatively speaking, has scarcely found the way to our metropolis ; and the other western states are far behind Ohio. Twelve years more, and this young and vigorous member of the confederacy will have nearly 2,000,000 of inhabitants, and the increase of business will far more than equal her population. Within twelve years Michigan will probably have half a million; Indiana, 1,200,000; lUinois, 890,000; and Wisconsin, 300,000. The upper Mississippi, including Missouri, will resort to our canals, for transporting a great proportipn pf their products to market, and bring back a rich return of mercantile commodities ; whfle we may reasonably expect to transmit through these avenues a large portion of merchandise for the slates spulh of the Ohio, Nor are our western brethren in sensible lo the superior advantages of our state im provements, in reference to their sections of country. Illinois has determined to connect the lUinoIs river with Lake Michigan. The Missislppi wiU soon be connected by navigable rivers and canal wilh Lake Michigan by Green Bay; and probably by railroad from St. Louis to Chicago. Indiana has recently passed a law, contemplating an expenditure of $10,000,000 in, canals and railroads, the principal part of them looking BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 293 to lakes Michigan and Erie as the outlets to market; while Ohio is pushing forward her canals, to connect ¦with the latter great natural outlet. " The committee believe they do not look in vain to our canal revenues, as presenting in prospect an abundant fund for liquidating afl reasonable expendi tures for canal purposes. If a retrospect of the past can be relied upon as shadowing forth the coming greatness of the future, in reference to the mighty west, they might strengthen their position, by calling lo mind what it was forty years ago, and what it Is now. Then an unbroken wflderness, possessed almost exclusively by savages — now, comparatively speaking, a garden ; interspersed, to be sure, with large tracts of unculti vated country, but with a soil rich and inviting, and capable of sustaining as dense a population as any under the sun. Within thirty-five years, and within the recollection of a large proportion of this senate, the population, even in that part formerly known as the north-west territory, has from a small beginning arrived at about 2,500,000. Now if in perspective we could behold the results of the next forty years, and some wizard could conjure up and show us the immense groups that will then be ther?, the committee suppose, that after registering the astonishing number of seven millions of human beings, the cry would be ' stiU they come.' "It may perhaps be supposed, that the committee, from an overheated imagination in contemplating the past, have erred in their estimate of the future ; and have presented a fancy sketch, on a grave subject of legislation : but fully believing that the great and unrivalled west, with a soil inexhaustibly fertile, teeming with an enterprising, industrious, and public-spirited 294 EEMINISCENCES population, outstripping all ordinary rules of Increase, .both in numbers and in wealth, will fully answer all just expectations, not only rendering what may appear illusions of fancy probable ; but In their results will be found the sober realities of life. Believing this, they have prepared a bfll, which they now ask leave lo present." By those unacquainted wilh New York legislation, and the course taken in reference to canals. It may be asked, how has It happened, that, though the canal revenues have increased fully lo the anllcipallons of the committee, yet the stale debt is largely increased, and neither the enlargement of the Erie, or the con struction of the lateral canals is yet completed ? The answer to this query has already been intimated, but may be profitably enlarged upon. When the com mittee made the Black river canal report, they adopted the report of the slate authorities having charge of canal Improvements, as to the time necessary, and the expence of those improvements, as the basis of sena torial estimates. The then proposition was, lo enlarge the Erie canal with double locks, within twelve years, by expending $1,000,000 per year. The canals would have fur nished this amount, and left a large balance in the treasury : but it now appears, the enlargement wfll not fafl much, if any, short of $28,000,000. Then, as has been remarked, the lateral canals have greatly exceeded the expence of their estimates ; to which may be added, a large amount paid for damages on sus pending the public works, while the partially completed works greatly deteriorated by delay and dilapidation. All those estimates in regard to expenditures were greatly below actual cost, while the "canal revenues BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 295 have gone beyond estimates. It will be found, by comparing the estimates of the commillee of the senate with the actual earnings of the canals, that the com- iniliec would have been fully sustained by results, had the estimates of expences and time for completing the worlcs been anywhere near right. Tt would swell these remarks too much, to go into a discussion in regard to the " stand still" policy which was fiiiallj' adopted by the slate. Those questions have been elaborately discussed and passed upon ; and po good can arise from further discussion. It had its origin partly, from the difficulty of raising money al reasonable rales, as had been done before, and has been sinec ; but more from political considerations, I'.iat induced a large portion of the democratic party to go against further loans, with a view of discrediting and counteracting the policy of the whigs. The demo cratic leaders who took this view of the question, argued against creating a debt except as means were provided for its early extinguishment ; and not only this, but that the work should not go on, except as the money could be furnished from the earnings of the canals. The whig party, almost to a man, urged the vigo rous prosecution of the public works, and the early completion of the canal enlargement : in which policy a large portion of democrats coincided, who were known as hunkers, of whom Gov. Bouck was one, who was ppen and decided in his views. These democrats who took the other side, insisted on the slop policy, which in regard to contractors, was nothing more or less than repudiation on the part of the stale, which in the end had lo pay largely for violating ils contracts. They a 'so took ground again,st public improvements. 296 EEMINISCENCES for an indefinite time al least ; and then, aided by those who sought every occasion to discredit the canals, particularly the laterals, finally succeeded in arresting the public works. The embarrassments growing out of the suspension of specie payments, the prostration of individual as w;ell as public credit, the great reduction of currency, and general bankruptcy that ensued, presented diffi culties not easily surmounted. To these must be added the tirades against the credit system, and vituperation against banks ; whfle a hard money currency was lauded and urged as the only constitutional currencj'', and by far the most desirable. These, all combined, had a pernicious influence on the credit of the canals, as well as the credit of the stale. Mr. Samuel B. Ruggles, chairman of the committee of ways and means in the assembly, (decidedly whig) had previously made an able report, in regard to the fiscal concerns of the state. It has been much criticised, commented upon, and misrepresented ; but It was able and statesman-like ; and in regard to estimates of canal earnings, and the ability of the state, so far as revenue was concerned, has thus far stood the test of experience. The canals have exceeded, and probably wfll continue lo exceed his estimates : but the public were not prepared to take the enlargfed views of stale affairs that he had taken ; nor could capitalists, always absorbed wilh the mere question of profit and loss, fully comprehend It. They, of all others, are most timid; parUcularly in limes of depression and embarrassment. The holders of present stocks of course would not desire lo see them depressed by an Issue of new ; and as monied affairs then were, with political clamor and opposition, the issue of any considerable amount of BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 297 new state stock would have that tendency. Hence the time was unpropilious, and large amounts of money could not be realized, except at ruinous rates of interest. INIr. Ruggles showed the ability of the state to sustain a debt of $40,000,000 at 5 per cent, interest, and at the same time create a sinking fund, that would extinguish such a debt within a given number of years, without resorting to taxation. He recommended bor rowing money, to complete the enlargement of the Erie canal; a policy which, if it could have been carried out, at five, six, or even seven per cent., I think no sane man would now regret had It been done. I have not his report before me ; but I think he did not recommend the creation of a $40,000,000 debt, though he discussed and shewed the abiUty of the state to sustain il ; and perhaps il may be inferred from his report, that indi vidually he would have gone for il. He and the whig party have been charged with a design to create such a debt; but certainly, the house of assembly, of which he was an influential member, did not act to the extent of any such suggestion ; nor did they go as far as the democratic senate, in regard to the authorization of loans for the enlargement of the canal. As I have before remarked, Mr. Ruggles demon strated, by a course of reasoning based on what the canals had done for a series of years, showing that there had deen a constant and large Increase; and then, deducing that from the rapid population going on at the west, an annual and large augmentation of business and tolls might be relied upon, for a like series thereafter. This view he enforced, by esli- maling that after the canal was enlarged, the business and tolls must also enlarge ; so that the annual Increase 298 EEMINISCENCES would be much greater than for the preceding series : and hence argued that the revenues would not only pay the interest of $40,000,000, should the debt go to that amount, but would pay off the principal within a given number of years. It is now about fourteen years since that report was made ; and any one who will look al the earnings of the canals from year lo year, will find, that with the rates of lolls greatly reduced, the annual increase has been much beyond his estimate. But the annunciation of such a proposition, in relation to the ability of the state, was seized upon by political leaders on the other side, to represent him and his party as prepared lo plunge the slate into an enormous debt, that would cripple and paralyze it for y-ears. The timid were alarmed ; capitalists hesitated. The embarrassments of the limes, the opposition and de nunciations of politicians striving for power, with the natural timidity of monied men, interposed difficulties, so that loans could not be made on fair terms. The whigs lost power ; and the " slop policy" be came the law of the slate. The weak point in Mr. Ruggles' report, if there was any weak point, was not in the estimate of the means of the stale, or the amount of canal revenues ; but in not fully realizing, under the then depressed slate of affairs, the difficulty of borrowing at rates compatible with the public in terest, such sums as were necessary for stale purposes. Hence, when at a subsequent period, attempts were made to borrow comparatively small sums, they were obtained with difficulty ; and objections were interposed by holders of state stocks, against creating and issuing new. Could money then have been obtained, on as favorable terms as it could be now, or in 1836, and even in 1838, aU the loans contemplated by Mr. Rug- BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 299 gles could have been made, and the stale would have realized a handsome profit from premiums. As money matters were two or three years afterwards, the sacri fice would have been considerable, and much too great, even If the money could have been obtained. I have no doubt, that were not the stale prohibited from borrowing, except under restrictions imposed by the constitution, a loan of $5,000,000, or $6,000,000, and even more, might now be advantageously nego tiated, as suggested by Governor Hunt ; by which large premiums might be realized, and the slate enabled to complete the canals within a very limited period, and much to the interest of the public. In reference to canals and many other projects of internal improvement, it is almost incredible that the city of New York, whose prosperity is so intimately con nected with the opening and sustaining those great avenues, so essential lo the promotion of the agricultural and commercial interests of both the city and the state at large, should have allowed itself to be placed in opposition ; and yet, strange as it may appear, the city, through its representatives, has not only once, but often sturdily resisted those improvements. The .law authorising the Erie canal, was forced through the legislature in opposition to a large majority of the city members. It was Western New York, — the old western senatorial district, — the then most democratic part of the stale, that stood by Mr. Clinton, and mainly sustained those measures, so beneficial to both the city and country ; and which the city some times from political reasons, and at others, from the influence of monied men, who could not comprehend the value of improvements, so strongly resisted. To look at the opposition, so frequently urged against 300 EEMINISCENCES the enlargement of the Erie and Oswego canals, except by a sloW-paced, snail-like movement, that shall nearly use up the present generation, one would suppose, that a large proportion of those In the city, even with an ex perience that ought to open the eyes of the blind, and urisloplheearsof the deaf, are still insensible lo their own interests, or indifferent lo that of the stale at large. Is il political infatuation? A failure of vision lo perceive the interest of the city? or a total disregard to Its future growth ahd prosperity? or a sordid feeling, that looks only to present profits, and immediate results? It is a suicidal policy, of which the city has many times been guilty, and probably will be again. How different has been the course of Buffalo, situated al the far western terminus of the canal! That young city has grown lo manhood within a few years, its growth greatly augmented from the faciUties of business, resulting from oUr internal improvement sys tem ; and Ils citizens have had the good sense to perceive their interest, and to sustain that policy. No matter what party has been in power, whether whig or democratic, or anti-masonic : all have gone for a liberal system in regard lo canal improvements. I have been much surprised that a man of the intelligence and liberal views of my friend, Jabez D. Hammond, and one too, who has sustained the canal policy, should have allowed the paragraph that I am about to quote, a place in his " Political History of New York." At ]1age 426 of his second volume, speaking of the law authorising the Chenango canal, he uses the following language : " I have been the more particular in relating ihe origin, progress, and consummation of the scheme of making this canal ; because I regard it as the commencement of, or entering wedge to, a system BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 301 of measures and a policy which have involved this state in a debt, which, for ought I can perceive, will continue to accumulate ; or which, at all events, will not be extinguished by the present, and I apprehend, many succeeding gen erations." This must have been written not far from 1842 ; and the Judge must have been under the In fluence of those panic anti-canal speeches, that prepared the way for the " slop law," and " stand still" policy of^the state, which cost millions to pay damages. He raust have known what the canals had been earning the preceding years; for he would esteem it a sorry compliment to suppose him writing about the revenues and debts of the stale, and not to have acquainted him self wilh ils finances. He certainly must have known what the canals had been earning over and above repairs and superintendance, as I lake It for granted he had consulted the annual reports. Had he analyzed them, as he did in 1848, when he wrote the " Life and Times of Silas Wright," he would have found that the net earnings, applicable to the en largement of the canal, or for other stale purposes, as had been or might be directed were as follows: 1837 ... - $717,803. 1838 . - - 841,888. 1839 .... 1,111,517. 1840 ... 1,060,000. 1841 .... 1,533,224. I have taken the above from a table appended by the Judge himself, on page 88, of the " Life and Times of Sflas Wright," published in 1848; which table goes on, and gives the earnings for several years succeeding 1841, viz : 1842 .... $1,177,771, 1843 ... 1,457,733. 302 REMINISCENCES 1844 - - . - 1,802,400, 1845 - - - 1,714,566, 1846 .... 2,202,861. 1847 - - - 2,866,000, . This shows an increase in ten years from $717,803, to $2,866,000, about fourfold ; which, one would sup pose ought lo have quieted those gloomy forebodings. And If he will look althe net earnings each year, up to the last, he will have great reason to hope that the state is not lo be burlhened wilh a debt that shall afflict the present and " many succeeding generations," When the judge prepared his table, and wrote the "Life and Times," It would have been a favoraWe opportunity for him Iq have corrected previous impres sions, if he had. Inadvertently or otherwise, fallen into an error, — which I have no doubt he would have done had il occurred lo him ; but as he did not do so, I hope - he will excuse me when I apply lo him the substance of what he says in reference lo Mr. Wright, on pages 93 and - 94, where speaking of his anti-canal report, in 1827, Judge Hammond says : " It seems to us that he did not perceive and fully appreciate the resources of the state ; that his apprehensions of ils incapacity lo make public improvements and pay for them, were too gloomy and desponding ; and it is certain, that in 1827, he, in common wilh all other intelligent men, was greatly mistaken in the estimate he formed in relatiori, lo the amount of revenue which might be received, and which, in fact, subsequently was realized from the canal." As an offset to the Judge's opinion, in 1842, I wfll hazard a prediction, that those who may be living fifteeen years hence may compare and decide between ihem. We shall now probably have the enlargement BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 303 of both the Erie and Oswego canals completed within four or five years ; and I wfll estimate the amount at $12,000,000, Instead of ten miflions lo be added to our present stale debt. My prediction is, that wilh rales of tolls so reduced as to defy all competition, the present generation, reckoning from the completion of these enlargements, will see the present debt, and the $12,000,000 that may be added, paid off or provided for, and the state left wilh an annual revenue, that without taxes wfll defray the ordinary expences of government; support free schools, and school district libraries, all over the stale ; endow colleges and acade mies; relieve the deaf, dumb, blind, and Insane ; and StiU have a large surplus lo prosecute other necessary improvements. Certainly, with the excellent provision in the constitution, setting apart a portion of the canal earnings for payment of interest, and a sinking fund for the ultimate extinction of the principal, no one should despair of the payment of the slate debl, I believe Judge Hammond takes a different view of the canal question now, and the probability, nay certainty, of paying off the slate debl from the canal revenues, from what he did In 1842 : for he not only approved of the recent law, authorizing loans on the credit of funds pledged by the constitution, for en larging and finishing the canals ; but wrote one of the best and most convincing articles, in favor of the poUcy and consritutionalily of the law, that appeared during the excited canvas preceding the special election, Wilh the kindest feelings towards him personally I have fell that I ohght not lo pass over the extracts from bis works that I have given, without a criticism ; because they relate to legislative matters in which I had no inconsiderable share, and in which I acted S04 REMINISCENCES under convictions, in regara lo canal revenues, so different from those expressed by him, that I ought to dissent from his conclusions. My report on the Black river canal, which has been partly transcribed in this chapter, will show my reasons for voting for lateral canals in 1836, and on what estimates of revenue those votes were given ; and now, wilh annual earnings by the canals of about $3,000,000, which will probably increase, I am willing to submit to the lest of experi ence, and to the judgment of those who come after me, whether those former estimates have not been more than reaUzed ; and whether my voles, though liberal, were not statesman-like and appropriate? BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 305 CHAPTER XVII. Gauctis Manasuvres. — Election of Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, ta U. S. Senate, in 1833. — He opposes the Independent Treasury Bill. In February, 1833, a senator for congress was to be appointed. Nathaniel P. TaUmadge had entered the senate with me. In 1830, and was then on the last year of his term. He had discharged his duties with zeal and fidelity, was popular and conciliating, of highly respectable talents, and had acquired a strong position in the senate, as well as in the assembly. His friends proposed him as candidate for the dis tinguished position, which seemed to be quite favorably regarded. It was soon obvious that he was to meet with a decided opposition, though il was by no means so clear who was to be his opponent. Senators and members of the house, who professed to be the more immediate exponents of Mr. Van Buren, were opposed to Mr. Tallmadge. Several of them look the ground that he was by the state constitution, ineligible to the office ; and this from first being whispered round, was soon openly put for ward. A friend of Mr. Tallmadge, in the senate, introduced a resolution, referring the question to attorney General Bronson, whose report 'was decidedly favor able on the constitullonal question, which, with a sound lawyer, as the conslilutlon then stood, could hardly have been different. Mr. Van Buren happened to be in 20 306 REMINISCENCES Albany a few weeks before the appointment was made, and remained there until very near or about the time the caucus was held. He stopped al Congress Hall, where Mr. Taflmadge and myself, with several other senators and members were staying, but professed to take no part in the question while the canvas was going on. , A few days before the election, Mr. Van Buren being in Mr. Tallmadge's room, — as they were fre quently in each other's rooms, though they never exchanged a word about the senalorship, — Mr. Tall madge thought he would sound him on the subject, and remarked that his name had been mentioned in con nection with the appointment. Mr. Van Buren made no reply, but turned or checked the conversation, by enquiring whether Mr. T. had read the life or works of George Canning, then recently published. He left the room a few rrioments afterwards, politely saying, he would send the books for perusal; which he accord ingly did. The inference that Mr. T. drew, was a very natural one, which was, that Mr. Van Buren was not favorable, and that he preferred some other man ; which was the only inference that could be drawn. A day or two before the caucus, a friend of Mr. Tallmadge was in Mr. Van Buren's room, and seeing a book lying there, took it up ; and on opening, found it was the journal of the constitutional convention. Leaves were turned down at portions having reference to disqualification of members of the senate and assembly, for other offices, during the term for which they were elected. Knowing that the opponents of Tallmadge were urging this objection against him, he and his friends had BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 307 no doubt that Mr. V. B. entertained the question, and had been consulting authorities. Edward Livingston represented the city and county of Albany that year; and I think was speaker. He was ardent and active, and very much devoted to politics; and under parly influences. He was one of the first to propose Mr. Taflmadge, and proffered him his active and decided support; which I have no doubt he then intended lo render. But a few days before the caucus, " a change came o'er the spirit of his dream." For a considerable time after the question began lo be agitated, those opposed to Mr. Tallmadge, had not fixed on a candidate. They were opposed lo him, and in favor of " some good sound republican, that the party might agree upon." Three or four days before the caucus, the contest began to assume a more definite shape ; and it was given out that Judge Sutherland waslo be the opposing candidate. He was brother-in-law lo Mr. Livingston ; and from the course taken by Livingston before and at the caucus, it looked very much as if the Judge had been made a candidate with a view of detaching Livingston from Tallmadge's support. Whether intended for that or not, it had that effect ; for he called on Tallmadge before the caucus, and frankly told him that he could not support him, though he admitted that he had been in favor of him, but Judge Sutherland being a can didate, he must now go for him; and remarked that Sutherland had been urged and pushed into the can vas by Mr. Van Buren. The contest was now be coming active and earnest ; and as it was apparent the vole would be exceedingly close, both sides were vigilant, that a vote should not be lost. It was in fact, a contest among veteran politicians ; not your mllllia- fightingi but well-drilled regulars were in the ranks, who ,S08 REMINISCENCES had been disciplined and were familiar with " regency tactics." The caucus was held, and those opposed lo Mr. T. were active In urging the constitutional objection, as well as others which they supposed might influence the members of the caucus. Short debates followed, in which his friends maintained that he was eligible, and manifested as much determination lo sustain him, as the other side did to defeat him. A ballot was had, the result of which was that Tallmadge lacked one or two voles of a majority of the whole. The votes on the other side were nearly all given for Judge Sutherland and Benjamin F. Butler; but Mr. Butler was consider ably a-head of Sutherland. From the time the judge was named as a candidate, we felt quite sure we could beat him, as the course he had recently taken on the tariff question, then of absorb ing interest, had disaffected those who were looking for a reliable candidate on that great national question. The late Benjamin Knower 'was indefatigable in his exertions tor Mr. Tallmadge. Mr. Knower was a practical mechanic, and wanted the tariff laws so adjusted, as to afford protection to American industry. He was shrewd, intelligent, per severing, and influential ; and being father-in-law lo Governor Marcy, and then or recendy slate treasurer, stood remarkably well wilh the democracy. He wanted something more than a "judicious tariff," which could be construed to mean, protection or no prolecUon, at pleasure ; and hence, when Judge Sutherland, had re cently al a tariff meeting, taken a course in opposition lo such men as Benjamin Knower, and other high tariff men, it naturally placed ihem in opposition to his nomination. BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 309 Knowing what the actual feeling 'was, in regard to Judge Sutherland, the friends of Mr. TaUmadge did not believe that the voles against him could be con centrated on the Judge so, as to ensure his appointment; and hence they were apprehensive that he had been brought forward lo draw off votes from Tallmadge, with a view of ultimately transfering them to another candidate. Il was, therefore, all important that Tallmadge's friends should stand firm for the second or subsequent ballotings. Before going into caucus they had been urged lo be firm, as well as vigilant; for we expected an attempt would be made to carry the caucus by stratagem : and in this respect our anticipations shadow ed forth what was soon to lake place. As soon as it was ascertained that a candidate was not selected at the first ballot, and that Mr. Butler was a-head of Judge Sutherland, Mr. Livingston got up, and said he was authorised to withdraw the Judge from the further canvas ; and that he should then go for Mi. Butler ; and urged all others to do so for the harmony of the party. This movement revealed the plan of the contest; which was to use Southerland's name, wilh a view to transfer voles eventually to Mr. Butler. Il did not succeed as well as was expected ; for Major Myers immediately arose, and said, in substance, that though he had voted for Judge Sutherland, on the first ballot, he did not admit the right of Mr. Livingston to transfer him lo Mr. Butler; and If a transfer was to be made, he should make it himself, and should next time go for Mr. Tallmadge. Here we had gained one vole at least; and it remained to be seen, whether others had come over to 310 REMINISCENCES US in consequence of changing front and position, and whether we had lost any by this stralagellc movement. The canvas on the second ballot was spirited. The friends of the two candidates were vigilant and active. Those who voted for Taflmadge on the first, stood firm on the second ; and he was nominated by a small majority ; thus defeating those who esteemed themselves the heart and soul of the Albany regency, just as they had been defeated a few years before, when Judge Bronson was made attorney-general. That Mr. Livingston should have gdne for the nomination of his brother-in-law. Judge Sutherland, notwithstanding his former preference for Mr. Tall madge, was not deemed objectionable by those who preferred the latter, and had expected the co-operation of Mr. L. The relationship and known intimacy be tween Mr. Livingston and the judge, was of itself a sufficient apology ; particularly when taken iu connec tion with the conceded fact, that the latter was a man of strict integrity, pure character, and respectable talents. The objectionable feature, if any, was, that Mr. Livingston, after his proffer of support to "Mr. Tallmadge, and then withdrawing that support, should have made, or aUowed himself lo be made, the transfer agent, when he found the judge could not succeed. That matter was commented on, and was generally conceded by both sections of the party, that some other one should have been selected to perform that opera tion ; but as Mr. Tallmadge had succeeded, his friends did not feel disposed lo be censorious, and the affair was soon dropped or smoothed over, so that harmony was restored. I do not suppose the success of Mr. Tallmadge was agreeable to Mr. Van Buren ; or that he was then oi EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 311 subsequently reconcfled lo il. He undoubtedly wanted some other man, and one on whom he t'.ioughl he could rely with more confidence than on Mr. T., lo carry out the part)' measures that would probably arise. Hence, when Mr. Tallmadge faltered, in regard lo the Independent ti-easury recommended by Mr. Van Buren, though he was sustained by such men as Mr. Rives, John P. King, Hugh S. Legare, with an In numerable host of sterling democrats, whose allach- ment and 'fidelity lo democratic principles had never been doubted, his hesitancy on this one point, was made the pretext for a prescriptive attack by the government organ. This was, with other matters in regard lo the currency of the country, put forward and attempted lo be made tests of parly devotion. Many of the best democrats in the country regarded them as decidedly pernicious, and calculated to em barrass If not lo destroy the banks then struggling for existence, as weU as to depress the business of the country, so that the venerable Mr. Ritchie, whose ortho doxy had never till now been doubled, was forced into opposition to many of those radical measures. Mr. Tallmadge being denounced by the organ, at Washington, the attacks were reiterated by those party papers, throughput the country, that sided wilh the president on this question, so that "recreant," "traitor," and " turncoat," were but moderate epithets that Were constantly bestowed on him. An unrelenting warfare was the consequence. In which he and those democrats who had acted wilh him, not only repelled the attacks, but carried the war into the ranks of the administration with Such vigor and effect, that in the election of 1840, Mr. Van Buren was defeated by a vole that, consider ing his strength in 1836, was more overwhelming than any candidate had ever sustained. 312 REMINISCENCES CHAPTER XVm. Legislative matters. — Makers and Indorsers liable in same Action. — Act to prevent unnecessary Litigation. — Im prisonment for Debt abolished. — Resolution against the Re-charter of United States Bank. — Small Bill Law. — Democrats refuse its repeal, and are defeated in 1838. — Suspension of Specie Payments attributed to United States Bank Controversy. — Inflation of Currency and Over-trading. — Deposit Banks required to discount liber ally. — Afterwards denounced. — Bankers under a Cloud. — Hard Money Gentry in Sunshine. — Almost Universal Bankruptcy.- — Mr. Van Buren defeated in 1840. — Glance at some of the Causes qf Defeat, Nine years legislative services necessarily connected me with many important matters that came up from year lo year. Three times I assisted in districting the state, viz. in 1826, for senators and assembly ; in 1S31 or 1832, for members of congress ; and In 1836, for senators and assembly men, under the stale census then recently taken. As chairman of the judiciary commillee, I concocted and brought in a bill, authoriz ing the joining of makers and indorsers of negotiable paper in the same suit, thus saving debtors large amounts of cost, that used to be made by bringing separate actions. This law, though not perfectly ac ceptable to the legal profession al the lime, has worked well ; and no one would now think of repealing, and going back to the old order of things. Another act entirely my own, and brought ia on BY LE'VI BEAEDSLEY. 313 notice " to prevent unnecessary litigation," was pushed through the senate, and then through the house, after a stubborn opposition from the lawyers. The principle assumed by tl^ bill was, that the public had an interest in keeping the nigher courts clear of litigation for trifling sums ; which, from the amount of costs growing out of such suits, were accumulating in court ; were fiercely contested, to the delay of important business ; and in the end, very often ruined the litigants. I have known sails brought from justice's courts lo the supreme court, and thence to the court for correction of errors, where the amount in contrbversy was less than a dollar ; and would wind up with many hundred dollars of costs. The bill introduced did not prevent, nor was it intended to prevent suits Involving important legal ques tions from going to the higher courts ; but II regu lated and restricted the right, by making the decision on appeal in the common pleas conclusive, unless an order was obtained from a judge that the case was a proper one to be carried up. This was not a new principle, but was applying an old principle to a new set of cases. The bill in niy judgment was perfectly proper, and tended to prevent ruinous liligallon, and promote peace in neighborhoods. In the senate I had no great difficulty in gelling II through ; but I felt sure it would be opposed by the legal gentlemen in the other house, where there were quite a large number. To ward off their opposition, I called on Doctor Elye, of Otsego, and General Lockwood, of West chester, members of the house, and explained the bill to them, requesting them to look lo II if it met their approbation, as I had no doubt it would. They were siirewd and inlefligent, and both of them plain but strong debaters ; seizing the prominent point, and 314 EEMINISCENCES urging it with force "and ability ; while they parried or demolished the arguments of adversaries. The bill, though reported against by the judiciary committee, and sturdily opposed In ihe.assembly, was sustained by Elye, Lockwood, and others, and became a law. My voles vvere uniformly In favor of concessions to firemen, whose Imporlanl, arduous, and dangerous services lo protect life and property, are still very poorly requited. In reference to all the important legislation for the city of New York, growing out of the disastrous fire in 1835, I stood by the senators from that city, and rendered all the services possible ; though some senators from the country took a very illiberal, and in my judgment, reprehensible course In opposition. When the bill abolishing imprisonment for debt (Introduced and advocated by Silas M. Slillwell, a talented member from New York,) was passed, I was a member of the judiciary committee in the senate, and reported and voted for the bill. Out of deference lo the supposed rights of creditors, and to make it altogether prospective in ils operation, I was in favor of applying the new law to new contracts only ; a concession that I would not now make lo creditors, or any one else. Subsequent reflection has convinced me that the credi tor has no vested right, implied or otherwise, in the person or liberty of his debtor, from the mere fact of delinquency In payment. The power lo imprison, was a remedy, and not a right. It formed no part of the con tract, but was merely a remedy to enforce a right ; so thai abolishing imprisonment was not a violation of contract, by " impairing ils obligation." As well might it be argued, that a law requiring six months notice of BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 315 mortgage sale, where il had been only four, was a violation of contract. Imprisonment rady serve as a punishment lo debtors, for im'provldent contracts, — it may coerce a dishonest debtor occasionally, and make him disgorge where he has concealed means ; but as It was generally used, it was more likely lo coerce friends of the debtor, or his famfly, lo step in and from sympathy pay the debt; which the creditor had no more moral right to exact from friends, than lo obtain il by disreputa ble devices. It was in fact the coercemenl of poverty, through the sympathy of friends. The jail is a poor place to pay debts. It breaks down the spirit and destroys the courage of the debtor ; oppresses and disheartens his family ; and generally was of Utile use to the creditor, except as it ministered lo gratify malevolent feelings. It was a stain on the statute book, which being blotted out, no legislator will be Ukely again to restore. Soon after the commencement of my first senatorial term, the re-charter of the United States Bank began lo be agitated, and soon became a question of deep interest. The business of the country was so mixed and connected wilh the bank in all ils ramifications, that it is not surprising that merchants and business men generally desired its re-charter. Had this been conceded before the conflict commenced, in regard to its continuance, the capital of the bank would have pro bably been unimpaired, and would have been useful. But the bank felt strong; and counting upon an almost certainty of re-charter, was neither disposed to yield its pretensions or make concessions to political power. It was unfortunate for the country in any event ; for it must of necessity draw banking and other business matters into the vortex of parly politics. As potent for good as the bank wilh a sound capital 316 EEMINISCENCES and discreet management might have been, il •was found equally potent for evil, before the contest was ended. The democratic party, under the lead of Gen. Jackson, became arrayed against il, and neither parly seemed disposed lo yield or conciliate. A resolution against the re-charter, known as Deitzs resolution, was introduced in the senate. It was drawn by Nathaniel P. Tallmadge or myself; and I am sure -that I took charge of II, and got Col. Deitz lo Introduce it. The resolution barely expressed an opinion against the re-charter of the bank, and was introduced by Col. Deitz, because on consultation it was deemed advisable lo have it put forward by one of the " lay members," as they were called, and Col. Deitz was selected lo do the needful. Being connected with a state bank, I did not deem it politic to introduce il myself, but I agreed lo stand by the resolution and the mover. In due time it was called up, and debated at great length, when several democratic senators as well as all on the other side In polities, were found in opposition to the resolution, so that there was danger of its rejection, as the senate stood, on one day of the debate. Col. Geer, of Saratoga, who we relied upon, was absent, having gone home and was not expected to return in several days. Il was necessary therefore to have him back before the vole was taken ; and those in favor of the resolution must debate, and talk il over for the day, that the senate might adjourn before voting. Towards the close of that day's session, I got the floor and moved an adjournment, -which was agreed lo ; and this entitled me to the floor, on taking up the resolution the next day. A short consultation was held among the friends of the resolution, and it was agreed lo debate the question till Col. Geer could be brought in. I wentto a Uvery stable BY LEVI BEARD-SLEY. 317 keeper and enquired how long il would lake him to go for and return with Col. Geer ? He said by starting immediately and driving all night, he could be back the next day by 11 or 12 o'clock. He was started off, and it cost me a good round sum for the job, but as the resolution had been moved, we were determined lo piit it through. The senate met at ten, and we supposed the resolution would come up in the order of business, not far from eleven o'clock. On calling It up, I com menced the debate, intending lo keep the floor till Geer arrived, or only lo yield it lo a friend of the resolution. Soon after. Senator Tracy, who was against il, ex pressed a wish that the vole might be taken without further debate, — precisely what the opponents of the bank intended lo prevent, — and he was told that we were not ready. Pretty soon Senator Geer came in, shortly before twelve o'clock, when Mr. Tracy playfull)'- remarked (looking significantly at Geer,) that he perceived we had' exhausted the subject matter of debate, and were now ready for the vole ; which being assented to, it was taken; and thus was passed the resolution against the bank. Rather a farce lo look al it now, but things more queer have been often done in legislative bodies. Cob Geer expressed many thanks for being deemed worthy to be sent for, and said he should have been sadly mortified, had he been absent and not voted for the resolution, which being democratic, he highly ap proved of; and the more so as emanating from his friend Col. Deitz. Though interested in safely fund banks to a con siderable amount, in proportion to the value of my property, I voted for the free banking law, and that too on the mpst liberal plan desired by its friends; 3l8 EEMINISCENCES Subsequent amendments have made the provisions . of that law safe, and salutary ; and free banking is becoming the order of the day. When I first went lo the senate, fears were entertained by those who wanted new banks, that my interest was so blended with old ones, that I would not vole for new. In this ihey were mis taken, as they found me, if any thing, loo liberal In voting for charters. The Otsego county, Herkimer county, and Mont gomery county banks were supposed by many to interfere wilh the central, in which I was interested ; yet I voted for these and many others, without the slight est injury lo the central. No better country banks with small capitals can be found In the stale, than the three or four above named ; or that have been belter managed in reference lo business men as "well as stockholders. In 1835 I voted to restrain the issue of bills below the denomination of five dollars, generally known as the " small bill law," I never believed it necessary, right, or expedient; but it was one of the party measures of the day, to restrict the circulation of "paper currency," and had been resolved as a necessary and proper reform, both by the county and senatorial conventions that nominated me for re-election, I must of course vote for and sustain the measure, or decline the nomination. This law In the end contributed more than any one measure to prostrate the democratic parly in the stale. We got along with il pretty well for the two first years ; the small bflls of New England coming In and taking the place of our own, though we had a statute against the circulation of small notes of other states. Still the law was a dead letter, and those foreign bills were received and passed freely by almost every one, except corporations, whose charters were declared EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 319 forfeited in case they violated the law. The public seemed restive under the small bill law, and the great mass could not comprehend the reasoning of politicians in favor of suppressing our own, when foreign notes w'ould circulate freely and wilh impunity: or why a bank that was good for its five doflar notes was not just as safe for those of smaller denominations. It was the suspension of specie payments, in 1837, and embarrassments from want of small bills, growing out of that stale of things, that rendered the law per fectly odious lo the great body of the people ; and in the end led to its repeal, after the democratic party had been signally defeated. Had the operation of the law been suspended during the suspension of the banks, as it ought to have been, it is by no means certain that such an overwhelming defeat would have followed ; ¦though the stringent measures at Washington, and the severe embarrassments of the times, were tending towards a revolution of parties that could hardly be averted. On passing the law legalizing bank suspensions, on the last day but one of the session of 1837, senator Tracy, of Buff'alo, introduced a bill on notice, to sus pend the operation of the small bill law, tfll the banks resumed payments, A large majority of the senate were for passing It, and would Undoubtedly have done so; had the session continued two days longer; but it was defeated on purely technical grounds, by one of the senators who was radically ultra in his feelings against banks, and In favor of a specie currency. We had four or five senators who leaned strongly that way, who by objecting (under the rules) against giving the bill the required number of readings the same day, stove II off, and the legislature adjourned at the hour already fixed by concurrent resolutions of the two 320 , REMINISCENCES , houses. This left the matter precisely as every whig politician desired, who looked to the success of his party as a paramount object : for the democrats having large majorities In both houses, and having Introduced and passed the small bill law, in opposition tc the ¦whigs, and now refused lo suspend it, were responsible for its existence, and for Its inconveniences; which the whigs were not slow In demonstrating. It was only necessary lo pass through the state in any direction, lo satisfy one's-self from the general clamor, thai the bill was odious, and that the people desired ils repeal. Stfll the state officers, known as the Albany regency, or the most of them, could not view il in this light; nor did politicians at Washington, who gave tone to political matters at Albany, heed the warning. When the legislature came together. In January, 1838, a large majority of the senate, though still democratic, " thought the law should be repealed or modified. Every whig was of course clamorous for ils repeal; and even among the democrats, a decided majority thought it best to gel rid of it, or al least to suspend Its operations. All the radical senators were for keeping it as il was, as were also four or five others, who on this point went with them, though not generally on man}-- others. Caucuses wereheld, and among the democratic senators there was a majority who thought it best to yield to what appeared the popular wish, and make the con cession with as good a grace as possible, instead of resisting, and in the end have lo yield, or break down in attempting to sustain It. Those stale officers who seemed to lake their cue from Washington, and those senators who were for letting the law stand and risk consequences, urged it as a democratic measure — that we had passed the small bill law, and made it a distinctive point of parly EY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 321 policy, and to repeal it, as the whigs urged, (for they did not then ask its suspension, but went for repeal) would be falling back and abandoning pur position. Not wishing to divide the party, and thus have a family quarrel, a majority of the democratic senators concluded to leave it as it was, and let the stale officers take the consequences of the course which they advised wilh so much pertinacity. When the bill from the assembly repealing the law was rejected in the senate, I think seventeen voted against the repeal, an ominous number, that caused a laugh among senators, and extended to the lobby. The discussions in caucus had been warm, but on the whole courteous and friendly, and there was a dispo sition by concessions lo keep the party together, though a majority of democratic senators expressed decided opinions, that by persisting, the parly would be de feated at the next election. The late Micah Sterling, Judge Skinner, and John Beanlsley, then senators, and several others, stated this as their belief, in positive terms. It is more than probable, that a portion of the senators who believed it best to repeal or suspend the small bill law, but who finaUy yielded the point, on the urgent recommendations of those state officers who seemed to coincide in views with the radical senators, voted against the repeal, under a full conviction that in the end it would displace those officers. The democratic party had become divided in sentiment- one portion apparently desiring to restrict and cripple hanks, if not to destroy them, and then to substitute a metaUc currency, or a much larger proportion of the precious metals; while the other party desired to sustain them, and believed to do so, it was necessary to pursue a Uberal course cf legislation, that should 21 322 EEMINISCENCES invite capital, that should not alarm stockholders, and that should foster and' encourage banking institutions, so essentially mixed with the business of the country, that lo destroy or depress the one, must necessarily cripple and paralyze the other. Probably both parties carried their views too far, and that a medium course would have been better for all; but it is certain that at Washington, those that seemed to represent the views of the administration, were decidedly anti-bank in their feeUngs ; and many Albany politicians took their cue from that quarter. Hence it is hot improbable that several senators, who thought the warfare against banks and corporations unjust as well as inexpedient, voted against the repeal' of the small bill law, with an almost certainty that its continuance would in the end displace those state officers, who if they did not encourage assaults on the' currency of the state, did nothing lo prevent them, but rather sustained the assailants. Almost any man of ordinary capacity, could not fail to understand, that popular sentiment was against- ihe law ; but as the greater part of the slate officers could not or would not so regard it, I think a portion of senators were willing to leave the law as it was, and let the state officers take their chance, if the party was defeated. I recollect of hearing a conversation with one of the stale officers who held a prominent and influential station, in •which a' se hater remarked, "that they (the' officers) held important positions, which would pro bably be lost. ' That their vision would be more clear after the dlectiori. That the party would go to the! d — 1, and the officers with il; and it was no great matter how soon, if they were so blind or prejudiced, '¦ BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 323 that they could not see which way the popular current was setting." This was all in good nature, but was nevertheless true. The election came off in the fall. Governor Marcy was defeated by an overwhelming majority; Governor Seward was elected; and the whigs were triumphant in every part of the state. The small bill law was repealed ; and since that lime no politician in the state has ventured to "burn his fingers," by "tinkering", in that way the currency, or attempting to re-enact the odious law. The truth is it was unwise, and should never have been made a party question, or adopted. The suspension of specie payments, with all the embarrassing and calamitous circumstances, may be traced to conflicts and assaults on the currency, wilh inflations and contractions growmg out of the " United States Bank" controversy. This was the primary cause. Having Uved through these convulsions, and seen that bank killed and buried, I hope never to see another chartered. It probably never would have been authorized, except for the embarrassments under which we labored, on closing the war with England. The attempt to renew ils charier brought on the conflict, that in tbe end drew the state banks and the business of the country into the vortex, to the manifest injury of all : resulting in the destruction of the bank, the suspension of specie payments, almost universal bankruptcies, and nearly destroying the credit and means of the government. Nothing but a resort to loans and treasury notes saved the national treasury from absolute disgrace. I know it will be said, and has been said a thousand times, that bver-frading, with rash, improvident speculations in 1835 and '6, led. to the calamitous results, which is undoubtedly true to 324 EEMINISCENCES a large extent. If secondary causes only are referred to : but the question is, what induced these speculations, over-trading, and the spirit of gambling in stocks, and in' short everything else, that so generally pervaded the country ? The answer is, an inflation of the currency. And what was the leading cause of this inflation ? Il was the removal of the deposits, and placing them in stale banks, with offcial intimations that they were expected lo take the place of the United Slates bank, in making liberal discounts. This intimation, published throughout the country, placed the banks in such a position, that the public felt that they had claims on them. They had the government money, which be longed to the people ; were making money out of il ; and the people had a right to borrow their own money, and on liberal terms. This had been intimated from head quarters ; and the banks having accepted the deposit, tnust carry out the expected terms of the compact. Hence they wished to conciliate the pubUc, lest the " deposits" might be withdrawn, and they become unpopular. Nor was this all. Many banks were chartered, in every part of the country ; some to obtain a porllpn pf the deposits, and Pthers to do business, and thus fill the vacuum caused by the winding up of the United States Bank, It must be borne in mind, that in 1834 the state banks had been driven almost to suspension, by the curtailments of the United States Bank, and the alarm and agitation growing out of the contest for renewal of its charter. This was the panic season, when the legislature, under the advice of Governor Marcy, authorised a state loan to sustain the state banks. The United States bank, under wicked and short sighted advice, attempted to coerce a renewal of its BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 325 charter, by pressing and embarrassing the business men and the business of the country. That it mani fested such power for evil, confirmed those opppsed to it, in a more stubborn resistance to ils re-charter, and a determination to effect its overthrow at every hazard. The state of Pennsylvania stepped in and gave it a state charter. The bank tpok another lack, and not having coerced by curtaflment, a renewal of its national charter, it determined to discount with an unsparing hand, as if foreseeing the result that was so sopn to come, and not caring what that result should be, or the embarrassments that might grow out of it. Thus with the large issues by this and the state banks, the currency became inflated, a vast amount was added to the circulating medium, currency was abundant, every one had credit and could command any amount of discount, for credit seemed to be the basis of all monetary trans actions. Bread stuffs and provislpns, and in short every thing saleable advanced rapidly in price beyond any fair estimate of cash value. Speeulations became rife ; friends of government officers, state and national, and officers themselves rushed madly into contracts. The demo cratic organs congratulated the country on the success of the experiment, and demonstrated its prosperity ant,: ils abflily to get on just as well without the United States bank, and a little better. Every thing appeared calm and smooth on the sur face. Trade was brisk ; the national debt had been paid off; the treasury was pverflowing, and required depletion ; but a storm was gathering. First came the treasury circular, which creating alarm, and embarrass ing purchasers, brought the speculators up with a " round turn." Then tricks and devices were resorted to, by those having the public monies, by loaning specie 326 EEMINISCENCES , to applicants, for lands ; wheeling, it out of the office, and then wheeling It back to pay for land entries. Many defalcations on the part of officers having charge pf the funds tPok place ; they were squandered, and good old " Uncle Sam" pcckeled the loss. The banks foreseeing, or fearing a storm, began lo curtail and take in sail. Debtors were required to pay. Assaults were daily made by the pubUc press, (partic ularly that portion, that had the confidence of the administration,) against speculators and the banks. , Credit was first shocked, then impaired, and finaUy destroyed. Bankers, as well as speculators, were . represented as unsafe advisers, even in political matters. , Many of those who had assisted in elevating Mr. Van Buren to his distinguished position, who had sustained his safety fund system, spent their' money freely, and stuck to him " through evil and through good report," were unceremoniously in the end thrust aside ; while . the rampant ultra democrat, who warred against all banks .and paper currency, as well as against credit, was smiled upon, and condescendingly courted from high quarters, as worthy of all favors and confidence. The catastrophe finally came ; the banks exploded, and with their suspension went the state bank deposit system. The administration saw their own project had proved a failure, but they had not the magnanimity to divide, and take their share of the odium attached to it. They threw nearly the whele blame pn the banks, which had but little mere than cairied put the policy prescribed to them when the public deppsits were placed in their vaults. Hence, almost daljy tirades appeared in the government paper, under the immediate eye of Mr. Van Buren, denouncing banks and bankers, and speculators as very little belter than pick-pockets. BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 327 Many of his confidential friends were deeply imbued with the speculating mania, and had to submit lo the prescribed castigation. The " foul spirit" of specula tion must needs be exorcised, if not actually cast out. A free purgation among officials and their friends was deemed necessary ; and so far as the public knew them, they seemed to take it meekly, and te submit wilh christian fortitude. But, not to speak ironically, I have always looked on this attempt of Mr. Van Buren, to countenance prejudices against his eld friends and sup porters, who had done so much to elevate him to powier, merely because they were interested in banks, and were unwilling to sacrifice them and their property with them, as altogether indefensible. It seemed to be an attempt to court the radicals who were opposed te all banks, and thus sustain an anti-bank party ; if not a party based on prejudices against property and capital, as well as banks. Perhaps I do him injustice without intending it ; but I cannot believe those denunciatory, anti-bank articles, in the Washington Globe, the then official organ, would have continually appeared, and in numerous other radical papers, had he discountenanced them. The inference was. irresistible, that he looked upon those interested in banks wilh disfavor and suspicion ; and knowing that their interest would naturally prompt them to go for measures to sustain the banks, and there by place them In opposition to the cherished proscrip tions of those who seemed to represent his views, he intended to make up in numbers, for their loss, from the ranks of the radicals.. The times however, became too hard to sustain any- party, or set of men, who attempted to place themselves on such narrow prejudices; for the poor and laboring S2S REMINISCENCES classes suffered quite as much, and even more than men of property ; and in the end the laborers and middling classes were the most efficient agents in producing his defeat. The consequences growing out of the suspension of bank payments were ruinous to debtors. The currency must be greatly reduced before the banks could resume and stand on a specie basis. Al least three-fourths or more must be called in, the effect of which was, that properly that had cost $4,000, would hardly bring $l,00t), as the latter sum was the representative of value, on the reduction of the currency. But that was not all ; the general embarrassment and bankruptcy induced a desire and necessity to sell. Property must go: large quantities were thrown on the market, and very few wished to purchase, and only then at ruinous rates, as much below actual value, as they had been above, before the suspension. My pecuniary affairs suffei;ed tremendously under this state of things. It destroyed several who were my debtors, and rendered the securities relied on for pay ment nearly worthless. I can never dwell on these disastrous times, without feeling that I have been injured and lost many thousand dollars, from the mere fact of these assaults on banks and bankers, and on credit. It is bad enough, nay loo bad, to lose the fruits of persevering industry, under any circumstances; but when coupled with abuse and sneers, and those loo from men you have helped lo elevate and sustain. It is doubly painful. It was too much, and too repulsive lo the feelings of an intelligent man, claiming the right to think for himself, lo require him, as a test of fidelity, not only lo sacrifice his properly and judgment, and pretend to approve a policy which he beUeved wrong, and which BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 329 he knew was destructive, merely to keep in faver with the leaders pf his party, and retain a seeming ccnsis- tency pf going "strait ahead" -without regard to consequences. Still I voted for Mr. Van Buren, in 1840 ; not because I approved his course, or the general scope of those newspaper articles referred to, but because I did not wish to separate from the democratic party with w^hich I had always acted. The breaking off from party associates, and taking an antagonistic position, even when you believe they are wrong, is extremely unpleasant ; and political men wish to avoid it. Mr. Van Biiren, himself, has probably found it so ; and by this time has learned that it is neither pleasant or profitable to array himself against a great popular parly, particularly one that has ad vanced and sustained him in the highest national positions. When his old New York friends, who had sustained him in his own state, and assisted to elevate bim in the national councils, were placed in the shade, they felt aggrieved, and thought they had good cause lo complain ; but when he adopted the sectional Buffalo platform, and united with former adversaries, against former friends, the republicans of the Union were out raged ; for they had sustained him under almost every vicissitude An additional reason for my sustaining him in 1840, was the fact that the banks had resumed specie payments; and as it was quite apparent his adminis tration would be strengthened by sustaining them, I felt sure he would do nothing wifllngly to cripple'or bring them into discredit again. Il was apparent however, that votes and efforts for his re-election would be in vain, as no one who observed the indica tions before the election, could fafl to se" that his 330 REMINISCENCES.. defeat was • inevitable.-. The, times, were too hard for him to succeed., The people felt, that his rule had ,been an "iron rule;" that they could not be worse off by a change ; and hence they determined lo put him down, as they did most effectually al that election, and as I have no doubt they would in 1844, had he been the candidate. One item- in making up the prejudices of the people against his administration,' was the course pursned by some of those holding office under him. They received their pay in specie, which bore a high premium. While private citizens were content to take bank notes for products, and for debts ¦ diie them, they were annoyed for change, and some times for specie, by captious creditors, which, if com pelled to procure, must be had at a large advance. Office holders, instead of paying away their gold, which as it bore a premium could .hardly be expected, •would frequently tantalize the citizen, by denouncing bank paper as worthless " rags ;" and while lauding his specie currency, for which he realized large profits, would boast of his extraordinary good luck, in holding a position that gave him such advantages. Such things were not pleasant ; and with, rankling, outraged feel ings, they were generally scored against the adminis tration ; and hence the catch words so much harped on by the whigs — " Gold for office-holders, and rags for the people." The ultra manifestations of Mr. Van Buren, and those who had his confidence, drove off a large num ber who had formerly supported him. They were active, intelligent, persevering democrats — many of them men of properly and influence — who became alarmed, and thought they saw in his measures and recommendations, absolute ruin to themselves and BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 331 famflies. This feeling was prevalent among many, who finaUy stayed with and voted the democratic ticket; but that portion who went off and organized as conservatives, were his most active and efficient opponents, as well as most bitter. The course taken by Mr. Van Buren in regard to banks, after their suspension, was very different from that pursued by the secretary of the treasury, towards the banks that suspended during the war with Eng land. Mr. Crawford, and indeed the whole cabinet and administration of which he was a member, did all that could well be done to aid the banks In resuming payments. They had sustained the government during the war, by numerous loans and advances. Governor Tompkins had raised large sums from the banks in the city of New York ; and the government felt it due to the banks, lo treat them kindly and help them forward. Had this course been pursued by Mr. Van Buren, I have no doubt the losses to government would have been much less ; the embarrassments and dis tresses of the people would have been greatly amelio rated ; trade, would have gone on more briskly, and the government revenues would have been largely augmented. But a different, and the most rigid course imaginable, was resolved on, and persisted in; as if gpvernnient aimed at nothing short of punishing, if not destroying the banks ; as well as creditors and debtors whose fortunes were to a great extent indissolu bly connected with them. It was even suggested to place the banks and cqr'porations under a national bankrupt law, that would have enabled the general govemment to crush and sweep them all out of exis tence. Mr. Van Buren did not manifest his usual .sagacity, when he thus lost so many, and such influ- 332 REMINISCENCES entlal members of the party. By some slight con cessions and timely manifestations of kind feelings, be could have retained many of them; and prpbably a large majority of those who finally left him. He should have counted well his strength, before casting off such a body of men, and driving them into opposition. He felt strong however, even up to the election, and could not beUeve that party attachments and party discipline, which had so strongly sustained him in 1836, could be subverted in 1840. I know that the views above advanced, in regard to the inflation of the currency, as resulting from the government policy of depositing with slate banks, with intimations to discount, would have been cotilro verted when the banks failed, and th^se matters were the subject of partizan controversy. Perhaps they may be controverted now. The admin istration organs then, charged it wholly to the banks and speculators; but willany candid man, who re collects the events and discussions of those times, now deny, that the inflation mainly resulted from the deposit system ? the free discounts of the state banks, stimu lated by these deposits, the multiplication of banks, to fill the vacuum caused by the expected withdrawal of the United States Bank ; and the unlimited issue of that bank, after it obtained its state charter? The panic season was in 1834. at which lime the inflation and over-trading had not occurred. But Hide more than two years elapsed, before a general suspension of payments took place all over the country ; and it really appeared as if the tnammolh bank, when it found it could not coerce a charter by withholding discounts, was willing, by an expansion, to crush th^ stale institulions, if not to fall wilh them, and Sampson like, to bury itself and them under the ruins. ST I.KVI BBARDSCBY. S33 It seems to me, that the over-trading and specula tions of that disastrous period, were the results of over issues growing out of that change of govemment poUcyi and the other causes referred to. Those who admi nistered the govemment, and advised and adopted that poHcy, should have had the magnanimity to have admitted and taken their share of the responsibility, instead of evading and throwing the whole obloquy on others ; but this they did not d<: 334 REMINISCENCEa CHAPTER XIX. Anti-Bank Feeling, and Repeal of Bank Charters. — Sackett's Harbor and Lockport Bank Charters Repealed. — The former Restored at Subsequent Session. — Charges against Messrs. Bishop and Kimball, with iheir Resig nations.— Col. Young's Resolution, and Poor Law De- hate. During my second senatorial term, a strong anti-bank feeling manifested itself in the legislature, which was unquestionably stimulated by the course of the admi nistration organ at Washington. No doubt the legislative leaders who were most prominent in denunciations against banks, paper money, and credit, with their laudations of hard money as a currency, took their cue from that quarter, and were encouraged by some of the state officers at Albany. The close intimacy between them and the Albany officials, with whom they were often closeted, afforded incontestible evidence that these daily assaults on the state institutions and their conductors, were not unpalatable to those who seemed to have Mr. Van Buren's confidence, ner were they discpuntenanced by him cr the presses mere immediately under o-overn- mental inffuence. Ccmrnittees were raised, and the banks were required tp answer interrogatories ; and these legislative BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 335 movements gave occasion to denounce the banks In advance, charging many of them with delinquencies as well as over trading. It is a marvel that with all the clamor in and out of the legislature, against them and paper currency, that a panic had not been created, that had led to runs on the banks, and a total prostration even of those most sound. Several attempts were made to repeal charters, which I generally resisted, for I did not believe in that summary mode of disposing of questions, where private rights and interests might be sacrificed, and those too, where widows and infants, as well as others might be the sufferers. The Sackett's Harbor bank was assailed on a most frivolous pretext; and after a debate, in which the, bank and its managers, as well as banks in general were denounced, its charter was repealed. All I could honorably do to sustain it and preserve its charter, was done ; but the anti-bank feeling required a sacrifice, and was too strong, in this instance, to be resisted. In addition to general prejudices they existed especially against this bank, and against some of its managers. "When its repeal was debated in the senate, ils opponents asserted that the county of Jefferson, where il was located, was decidedly favorable to the measure, and would sustain the legislature in its action. In reply to these assertions, I took the other side, and predicted that the repeal would create an excite ment that would make a restoration of the charter a test question, at the next election ; that members would be returned favprable tP the re-establishment of the bank, which the next legislature would be glad to con cede ; and that I should have the pleasure of voting 336 EEMINISCENCES with a majority of both houses to undo the wrong they were about lo perpetrate. All of this happened at the next session, when the charter was restored by a decisive vole, though against the votes of many of Its former opponents. In regard to the Lockport Bank, I departed from my usual position relative to repealing charters, and voted for the repeal of this, which was the only vote of the kind I ever gave. We had abundant evidence of most disreputable conduct on the part of the bank, not only vexatious, captious, and oppressive, but calculated, if overlooked, to throw discredit on all, as well as that particular institution. I thought it best lo make it an example ; for although there were doubtless many allegations that were merely the coinage of anti-bank gentlemen, and without any foundation in truth, yet we had evidence of derelictions so shameful, that, with an indignant feeling I determined lo move the repeal at the first opportunity, ¦which being done, the charter was taken away. Proceedings against Messrs. Bishop and Kimball. Among other legislative measures, the complaint and proceedings against Messrs. Bishop and Kimball should be mentioned. The former was senator from the fourth, and the latter from the third district. They were charged with stock-jobbing, and attempting lo control or so shape legislation, as lo affect the prices of Harlaem raflroad stock. A committee of investiga tion was raised, testimony taken, and a report made that implicated both senators ; but in reference to Mr. Kimball was far more aggravated than in the case of Bishop. BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 337 The committee recommended the expulsion of each. There was apparently no great difference in opinion among senators, in regard lo Kimball. All considered his conduct highly reprehensible ; and wilh the excep tion of a few senators who denied the constitutional right of expulsion, seemed prepared to turn him out of the senate. I had no doubt about the parliamentary right to expel ; and though the argument of the sena tors on the other side were strong and fortified by authorities, I was prepared lo give a vote for expulsion, in reference lo Kimball, unpleasant and painful as such a vole would have been. The morning the question was to be acted upon, he called on me at my room, whfle I was yet in bed, to know whether in my opinion he could be saved, when, receiving no encouragement, he made out and placed in the hands'of a senator, a letter lo the presi dent of the seriate, resigning his place. In regard to Bishop, a majority of the senate were for censuring him, but were against expulsion. They thought the case In reference to him much .mitigated, and that a reprimand or censure would be going far enough. Perhaps there was too much sympathy, but if there was it was on the side of mercy. Resolutions were passed nearly unanimously, in strong terms against each ; but in reference to Bishop, a majority refused to expel him. He however immediately resigned. That he was censured and not expelled, created a clamor of inconsistency on the part of senators who had censured, and yet had refused lo expel, as if there were not degrees in offences as well as punishments! It was a most painful duly, in either aspect ; and I have no doubt those who voted against expulsion were as honest and conscientious as those who voted 22 338 EEMINISCENCES for the extreme measure. They deemed censure without expulsion a sufficient punishment, while the others Were for both. POOR LAWS. On the 31st of January, 1835, Col. Young intro duced in the senate, ¦without notice, a resolution that the standing committee on poor laws be instructed to prepare and report a bill for their repeal. He pro ceeded to address the senate in an able, manner, in favor of this his cherished proposition ; for he was a debater of no ordinary grade, clear and forcible, and often eloquent. He had read much, particularly on the subject of political economy, which wilh him was a favorite topic, and almost a hobby ; and he had also thought much of our, and other systems of pauper support. His leading- proposition ¦was, that it was not a matter that government should interfere wilh, but that relief for the poor should be left to the charities of the benevolent, who by voluntary contributions would relieve the necessities of those really worthy, and would discountenance those who were paupers from choice. That where provision was made by law, sturdy Idle vagabonds would avafl themselves of its benefits, as well as those who absolutely required assistance ; and thus the reUef for pauperage served as a bounty to increase the number who depended on government for support. His resolution was radical, and went for cutting up the whole system of relief, by legal enactment, instead of amending and iiDproving the law. The speech in favor of the resolution, as well as his subsequent reply to my remarks, were characterised by his usual tact and abflily, and were BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 339 published at the time. I laid them by, intending lo preserve them ; but they are lost, which I very much regret, as^I should be glad to insert them in this chapter, that the whole debate might appear. On concklding his first speech in favor of the resolution, I offered an amendment, which appears in connection wilh the proceedings of the senate, and of my remarks on the 16th of February, 1835, as pubUsh ed in the Albany Argus; which proceedings and remarks were as follows : THE POOR LAWS. " Remarks of Mr. Beardsley in the Senate of New York, February 16th, 1835, on a resolution instructing the committee on the poor laws to introduce a bill repealing all the laws for the support of the poor. " Mr. Young called for the consideration of the following resolution, offered by him on the 31st ult. " Resolved, That the standing commillee on the poor laws be instructed lo prepare and report a bill providing for the repeal of the poor laws of this slate. " The question was on the following amendment, proposed by Mr. Beardsley : " And If the poor laws are to be abolished, that the committee report a substitute that shall require the rich, hard-hearted, and miserly citizen lo contribute of his portion, as well as the philanthropic and benevolent citizen, lo sustain the really worthy and helpless pauper. " Mr. Beardsley addresed the senate as follows : " Mr. President : — When the gentleman from the fourth, (Mr. Young,) presented his resolution, instructing the committee to introduce a Bill for repealing the poor 340 REMINISCENCES laws, it wifl be recollected, that I offered an amend ment lo his resolution, and that the resolution and amendment were laid on the table for further con sideration. " In offering this amendment, I confess I did not expect a vote would be necessary on the point presented by It, for I could not believe that the proposition of the gentleman, for repealing all laws for the alleviation of helpless poverty, could be seriously entertained by the senate. " The gentleman's views I did know, for I had heard him express them in public debate on previous occasions, and in offering the amendment, I wished to present a prominent point of objection lo his proposition, that In discussing his resolution, he might obviate the objection which I intended lo present. " And here, I wfll take occasion to remark, that in offering that amendment which was drawn up In haste, I had no Intention of any personal Illusion, or of giving cause for a moments unpleasant or unkind reflections. " I make this statement, lest It may have been sup posed that the amendment was intended for the gentleman personally, and because I have perceived a disposition on the part of certain journalists, to give it a personal application. " The gentleman from the fourth, wfll do me the justice lo believe, that I intended no such allusion; and whatever I may think of the propriety of his views on a great question of public poUcy, no doubt honestly en tertained, and sanctioned by high authority, I trust I shall not so far humble myself as to attempt to parry the force of his reasoning, by an unworthy effort to excite prejudices that can have no proper bearing upon "ihe discussion. BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 341 " The senate will also bear with me when I stale that in presenting the amendment, I had no thought of taking part in the debate on this question. " Political economy has not been my study ; while I am fully aware that the mover of the resolution has devoted much lime to It, has reflected much, and is famlUar with all that has been written on, the subject, and in fact has written himself. " I cannot therefore hope lo contend with him, by a famiUar reference lo authorities, nor would I now enter into this' discussion, even superficially, as I must do if at afl, had I not, by proposing to amend his resolution, seemed to put myseu forward lo sustain the proposition contained in that amendment. " Under this impression, I have concluded to sub- mil some crude old-fashioned reflections, and suCh as in my judgment may have a bearing upon the propo sitions submitted for the consideration of the senate. " The proposition submitted for discussion Is, not whether our poor laws are imperfect, and require amendment, bill whether we are lo have any legal provision for the support or alleviation of the poor. " I am not, under this resolution or amendment. called upon to maintain that our system is perfect, or that improvements are not desirable, or to deny that great abuses exist ; nor will I be drawn into a dis cussion of these matters, unless upon a proposition to amend or improve the system. " Whenever a project is brought forward to amend the law and to correct abuses under il, by the gentle man from the fourth, or any other senator, I proffer my services and my best exertions, feeble as they are, to go forward in what I consider a most laudable and humane undertaking. 342 EEMINISCENCES " But when the proposition is, lo prostrate all legal provision for the support of the poor, the aged, and the young ; the impotent, the Insane, and infirm ; no matter whether better days have beamed updn them,, and, in their declining years, the sun of prosperity has first w\ned, and then set in endless night, without a ray of hope for the future ; no matter whether the man of sorrow is poor and cheerless, without friend or relative ; or whether his misfortunes have been induced by his own folly, or brought upon him by unavoidable accident ; the whole legal obligation lo feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and lo visit the sick, is proposed to be blotted out; and -against this proposition I must enter my protest. " I cannot consent at one fell swoop, lo uproot and overturn a system that has existed as long as a civilized government has existed in this country, upon any theory, however plausible and sanctioned by names however respectable. " The gentleman will agree wilh me, that numerous cases arise, where individuals by unavoidable acci dents are reduced to poverty and great suffering, who are without friends, and yet entirely worthy of charita ble support, and whose very existence depend upon prompt and continued relief, either from private or public charities. " The question then seems to be, whether in a civilized country and a government of la^ws, this sup port is lo b^ left lo mere chance ; and when assistance is absolutely necessary, is lo be thrown exclusively upon the benevolent, or whether the whole community shall contribute to the necessary sustenance of a fellow-being. " Now I respectfully contend that the gentleman's BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 343 proposition is, at war with the first principles, nay, the very elements of society. It is antirsocial in the extreme ; it resolves society into first principles — into a state of nature, where every man takes care of himself, without reference to a dependence upon others. It is an easy matter to find fault with existing laws and existing establishments, but it has often been found a more difficult task to propose an adequate remedy, than to point out evils as ihey exist. " The advocates of the new system of poHtical economy denounce the poor laws as a monstrous evfl, and while they are constrained to admit, th^t in every society objects will be found who, without fault on iheir part, are entirely dependent upon others for support, and must also admit, that without legal coercion this support "will not only be uncertain, but must fall principally on the benevolent, yet no adequate remedv is proposed in lieu of our legal provisions. " Some writers propose to withhold support as a punishment for vice ; but suppose poverty has been induced from the vices of others ? then the punishment would be unjust. So also in cases of accident, disease, and misfortune. " I have recently been presented with a semi annual report from a nunister at large, as he styles himself, in the city of New York, who is eloquent in his denunciation of the poor laws, and yet admits that great actual suffering exists as well from unavoidable acci dents, as from vicious propensities. — He finds It easy and convenient to denounce the law, but proposes no remedy except In reference to the spiritual wants of those to whom he ministers. I suppose the substance of his recommendation would be, lo give a greater amount in money, lo improve the spiritual condition of the 344 REMINISCENCES poor, and lo leave them lo take care of themselves in reference lo temporal matters. I am, however, incUned to believe, that a helpless starving family would edify- but little under the pious exhortations of the worthy divine ; and where the gnawlngs of hunger prevailed, something more substantial would be required lo support life, than the spiritual food which he would administer. " Now I am free lo confess, that moral and religious instruction may do much to prevent vice and poverty, and to encourage a proper self respect that would deprecate a reliance on the poor laws for support, but it is going quite loo far in the opposite extreme to recommend a withdrawal of all public support for the needy and infirm. " A legal provision' for the support of the poor has always existed in this, and I beUeve in all the other stales of the Union, unless it be Loulslanla. Under this system we have prospered and grown rich, the country has made rapid improvements, taxes are light, and thus far we certainly have but litde of which lo complain. " Our laws have recently been revised, our pauper system improved, and after full consideration has been continued. I cannot, therefore, deem it necessary to say much to induce the continuance of this system, adopted by an almost unanimous expression of the representatives of the people, and in fact in relation to county poor houses in many instances in effect, by the people themselves. " It is said they have no poor laws in Canada ; if that be so, I presume that It will not be contended that Canada Is more prosperous or the state of society better, than in our own state. What is the object of society? and why do men surrender up a portion of their natural rights? It is because a community cannot exist with- BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 345 out such surrender ; and when the surrender is made, it is upon an implied condition, that it shall receive protection from that community into whpse keeping he has committed himself. " Hence the reciprocal duty of allegiance, on the part of the subject, and protection on the part of the govemment. Why should allegiance be required, un less protection is afforded ? Why should an individual be restrained from laying hands on any properly within his reach, and not in the actual possession of another? In a slate of nature, he would exercise this right, but by becoming a member of society, he renounces it, and your laws restrain him. You require your citizens to obey your laws, to make roads, pay taxes, and defend the country against invasion and insurrection. Nay more, you compel the whole community to support courts of justice, to pdss upon the rights of citizens, and those rights too, of very trifling importance. — And shall I be told that it is right to compel a citizen lo pay taxes, that a tribunal may be sustained to pass upon a fifty dollar controversy ? That he shall be compelled to fight the battles of his country, and perhaps in that- very contest, find himself disabled, and then in his declining years be cast upon the world to perish, unless the hand of private charity is extended? " Sir, the proposition in my judgment is absurd, and I am almost inclined to impute it, as the gentleman did the proposition, that the poor should be provided for by legal enaclmeht as the result of deep rooted prejudice. And here I will remark further, that I have never heard il controverted by the advocates of this new system of political economy, that government al ils own expense, or rather al the common expense, was not only bound to defend its citizens, but to provide tribunals that 346 REMINISCENCES should secure to the citizen the- right of property and all his civil rights, and yet we shall be told that he who has spent his strength and best days in the service of the State, although enlided lo protection, where a paltry sum is concerned, yet when disabled and unable to maintain himself, has no claim upon community for protection, except from the sympathies of those who may chance lo behold him. " The gentleman will not deny, nor can he deny that In every community we have many ' rich men and hard-hearted miserly men,' who never gave and who never will give a dollar for benevolent purposes. You may as well talk lo a block of marble, or think of thawing a northern, ice-berg with a taper, as to soften their obdurate hearts by appeals of charity. You may tell them of the beauties of charily, that charily is a heavenly virtue, which ' droppeth^ like the gentle rain from heaven upon the earth beneath.' ' That il is more blessed to give than to receive,' and yet ' they are deaf lo the charmer, charm he never so wisely,' And why should such men be exempted from bearing their just proportion in the support of paupers, absolutely unable to support themselves. The properly of the rich man is as well protected by your laws, as that of the poor man ; and in a contest with a foreign enemy, or in cases of insurrection, certainly a rich hard-hearted man stands as much in need of protection, as the bene volent man. Why then should he be permitted to escape from paying his share to support the infirm ? and escape he will, if your laws are repealed. " But we are told that private charity will seek out and wilh a proper discrimination, betw^een the worthy and unworthy applicants, cheerfully and promptly re lieve the wants of the former. Suppose this to be so; BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 347 I intend (if I have not already done so,) to show that it would be both impolitic and unjust, to throw the whole support of the poor on the benevolent. — But is it cei-tain that private charities wifl be more discreetly bestowed, than under the direction of public officers, as practised under our system ? So far as the country is concerned, I believe the relief of the poor is not very onerous, and In my judgment but Ultie reason of complaint exists. Taxes are inconsiderable, except In your cities, where from the nature of 4he population, pauperism must exist to a greater extent .than in the country. When private charity is bestowed, it is a great fault that the individ ual applied lo, often gives indiscriminately. He does this for the purpose of ridding himself of importunity and lest by refusing he may unintentionally deny relief to an applicant who is worthy of it. " Another objection is, that by leaving this support to private charity, you in a great measure throw it upon the middle classes.; for I maintain as a general proposition, that those who do most in active charities, are of that class, or those who have in most instances been the architects of their own fortune. I am aware there are honorable exceptions to this general rule ; but as a general proposition I am quite sure it will hold true. " The gentleman says, leave these matters to pri vate charity, and paupers wfll be as promptly supported as ministers of the gospel. He says that churches are built, missionaries supported, and immense sums paid annually, lo sustain and promote the general objects of reUglon and morality ; and he asks whether men will give their money for distant and doubtful projects, when they have objects of charitj' around them ? I suppose mpney will be sent abrpad for re- 34S REMINISCENCES ligious purposes, to support missionary and tract operations, whatever caUs for private charity may be presented at home. " It is not my business to inquire whether these are in all cases most discreetiy bestowed. On that question men have different views ; but I am content to leave il to the decision of those who have whereof to give ; and as a general remark it wfll be found true, that those who give most for distant benevolent opera- lidns, give most at home. Nor do I consider that giving for reUgious purposes, either in reference to building churches, supporting the clergy, or supporting misionary or tract operations, comes al all Within the principle of supporting the poor. Our c^jnslitution and laws leave reUgious matters lo be decided, according lo the judgment and conscience of each individual; but recognizes no right to require the advance of a dollar for reUgious purposes. Il is all a moral coercion. The man who believes it his duty, as a moral agent and accountable being, lo impart of his substance to sustain religion and propagate the gospel in foreign countries, will do so without law ; whfle he that doubts his duly in this respect, will withhold bis funds, and our laws recognize his right to do so. " But the support of such poor persons as are worthy of support, and unable to support themselves, I hold to be a duty imposed upon the whole community by natural law, arising from the reciprocal obligation of allegiance and protection. Then why shift this responsibility from the public at large, where it ought to rest, for the purpose of throwing it upon the benevo lent, who not only pay their full proportion of taxes for all purposes of government, but give Uberally and often almost im providently, for religious and philan- BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 349 ihroplc purposes ? I confess I can see no propriety in so doing ; and I will inquire how the advocates of this doctrine can distinguish between the obligatioii of society lo support paupers, and the obUgalion of de fending the country, supporting schools, academies, and colleges ? Or am I lo understand that these should all be left to private charity, and the enterprise of benevolent individuals? I am aware that when our present system of common schools was Introduced, and attempted to be enforced by law, it was met by the wealthy with many objections. It was asked, wh^' compel me to assist in building school houses and paying teachers for my neighbors? I educate my children abroad, and shall derive no benefit from your schools ; or, I have already educated my chfldren, and being old myself, can expect no benefit from the system. And bachelors were prompt with their ob jections. They had no children to educate, and why tax them ? These objections appeared plausible twenty years ago, when they were common, but probably would not now be listened to with much deference. " Again, your insane paupers, so feelingly urged upon your favorable consideration by the governor, are I suppose to be left to private charity, as I can perceive no principle that will justify supporting one class of paupers, and turning others away who are equally helpless and worthy. And -if this new doctrine is to prevafl, I cannot perceive why it should not apply to your public Improvements and public defence. Leave ihe whole to private charily, and the enterprise and palflolism of the citizen. Private charity and a spirit of patriotism will not only build your roads, bridges, and canals, but fight the battles of the country. This would enable the citizen soldier most emphatically to 350 REMINISCENCES fighl on his own hook, the coward to skulk frorn danger, and the miser- to hoard his wealth instead of paying his, taxes. A most salutary system indeed 10 those who have weak consciences and weak nerves, and one that would greatly commend itself lo the " peace party," as well as to those who are constitutionally opposed to war. All who had conscientious scruples would find a most convenient and consoling shelter under this system ; as no one would be compelled lo fight except those who had "a stomach for il." But I will not push this point any further. My propositions are — " First : That there are a class of paupers who not only deserve support, but must have it, or ^hey must perish. " Second : That in such cases it is right that this support be rendered at the public expense. " Third : That if you have no compulsory laws, this expense wfll fall almost entirely on the benevolent, as the miserly wfll refuse lo give. " Fourth : that as a general remark, those who are most benevolent, (I mean according lo their means) are the middle classes, and a repeal of the poor laws would throw the support of the poor almost entirely on that class. Besides, there is naturally a more'im- mediale sympathy and connection between this class and the poor, than the rich and the poor. " Fifth : That without a legal enactment, the sup port of paupers would necessarily be uncertain, and would lead lo street begging, and consequently to great impositions. " But we are told that poor-laws are the relics of a semi-barbarous age, and were reared under the auspices of a monarchlal govemment. Grant it if EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 351 you please, and what then? They wfll not be laid aside for that cause only. The trial by jury is of much more remote origin, and yet no person would think of abrogating it. It Is said that the poor laws are often abused, and that they sometimes hold out legislative premiums for pauperism. I do not dispute these assertions ; but am incUned lo believe, that such has to a considerable extent, been their effect In England ; though as far as my knowledge extends in this country, poor people are very unwilling to go to the poor-house ; they would about as soon go to the stale prison : nor do I doubt that our laws have held out inducements for foreign paupers to throw them selves upon us for support. "If this be conceded, what does it prove? Why perhaps that our laws are imperfect and have been evaded, and want amending, or that the regulations under these laws are too loose. But is it a fair course of reasoning, to urge the abuse of a thing against its ulillly? Fire is said to be a good servant, but a bad master; it will not however, be contended that we must have no fire, because it sometimes gels the ascendancy. " Courts of justice afford facilities for litigation, and yet this abuse will not be urged against having courts. It is said that wheat may be converted into alcohol, and that apples may have a tendency lo promote intempe rance. Yet among sensible men, wheal and apples will continue to be used, and although now and then, a fool or fanatic may destroy his orchard and refuse to taste an apple lest he encourage intemperance, yet such instauces are rare, and to my mind, go to prove two propositions ; first, that they are fit subjects for chan cery jurisdiction, by inviting the appointment of a 352 REMINISCENCES guardian ; and, secondly, that scarcely any theory is so gross, as not occasionally lo find an advocate. "The English poor laws, whether of semi barba- rious origin or not, grew out of the great moral and religious reformation in England, and the suppression of monastic establishments and religious houses. Be fore tbe reformation, England was a popish kingdom, and was filled with religious establishments. Priests, monks, and friars, were the almoners of public bounty, and I may almost say of private charily, for they attempted to bring every thing within their control. The country was fifled with mendicants, who, being fed and sustained at these establishments, were entirely subservient lo the clergy, idle, worthless and rapacious, and under the most dangerous influence. The clergy rioted In wealth and debaucheries ; deceived the people, practised upon the fears and credulity of the weak, lo strip them of their properly, under the pre tence of masses and pious purposes, and wilh this wealth supported the vagraril, and corrupted those who were dependent upon them. What England then was will be found true to some extent, in many countries on the continent. " On the suppression of monastic establishments by Henry VIII, these mendicants were thrown in great numbers upon the community, helpless and dependent. This led lo the passage of several laws for the support of paupers, of which that of 43d Elizabeth, in 1601, is the principal. I am not an admirer of this English statute, for I concede il attempts quite loo much, but I am yet to learn that under ils auspices a state of society exists as deplorable as under the old order of things, or as now exists in most European countries. " While I am free to concede that this law has held BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 3S3 out inducements to paupers to become such, I also maintain that it has sustained and alleviated the con dition of thousands who otherwise had no means of support. Yet I cannot concede that il has been the principal cause of pauperism in England. The diffi culty lies deeper and is of a broader cast, and will be found more enduring from a superabundant population, a monstrous inequality and unjust distribution of property, and the grinding system of taxation arising from a national debt of 1,000,000,000 sterling, which presses like an incubus upon the industry and resources of the country. " These combined causes, together with the opera tion of the corn laws produce an increase of paupers which wfll go on Increasing till a radical reform is effected. Let England then commence this reform in good earnest if she wishes lo reduce her pauper lists. " I will here make a passing remark in relation lo the discrepancy between the views of EngUsh writers on political economy and the acts of parliament and policy of the government. For instance, Adam Smith, whb seems to be the standard in that as well as this country, advocates a free trade — perfectly free — ' Let trade regulate itself.' And this is responded lo in that as weU as other countries ; and yet the policy of the government is precisely the reverse. So also of the Poor Laws. " But, sir, we .have been referred to Scotland, and have been told that Scotiand never had any poor laws. 'Even If this were so, the general exemption from extreme poverty might to a considerable extent, be accounted for from the habits of economy and industry of that^ enlightened people, together with the general diffusion 23 3'04 EEMINISCENCES of education and the moral and rfetigious instruction with which they are favored. But I must be permitted to question the correctness of an unqualified assertion that Scotland has no poor laws. The fact, I imagine, is, that they have laws that authorise an assessment for part of the support of the poor, and that the residue is raised by contributions ; but as I wish to argue ihis question more upon principle than upon the practice of other couritries, I do not consider it a matter of much importance, except as a historical fact, and In this I may be mistaken. I do not pretend that their system is like the English ; but yet it recognizes the principle for which I contend, that there is a class of paupers who require support, and that the public al large are by legal enactments required lo render that support, or part of it, and for the purposes of my argument, a part recognizes the principle as well as the whole. " The gentleman is referred lo Jacob's Law Diction ary, as an authority, vol. 5, page 195, title ' Poor,' where he wiU read as follows : ':' ' In Scotland, the poor are distinguished into the idle and the infirm. " ' Several acts have been made for the' punishment of sturdy beggars and vagabonds, by whipping and burning in the ear. " ' Those, who from age or infirmities ate unable to maintain themselves, are maintained by a tax levied on the parish. " ' The collection and managemenPbf the poor fiind, - is placed in the heritor's and kirk session. " ' In parishes, where a sufficient fund cannot be raised tor all the popr, either by taxation or voluntary contribution at church doors, the magistrates are author ised togiiie them badges^ as a warrant to ask* alms within the limits of their parishes.' BY LEVI BEAEDStEY. 355 " The Edinburgh EncyclopEedia, title ' Poor,' pages 84 and 85, holds the following language in reference to the poor in Scotiand : " ' In the central districts, and in some parishes the land holders generally contribute what is wanting for the support of the poor, over and above the collec tions and other funds, without assessing : but here many heritors refuse, or neglect to give anything, and the burden devolves with unequal pressure, on the liberal, while others very improperly escape. " ' There is also, commonly, another great evil throughout this part of Scotland, (which is not permit ted in the border districts where assessments are made), and which is caused by swarms of common beggars from all quarters, infesting the country, and raising con tributions in amount, often exceeding what would sup port the poor of the district. " ' There is in reality a tendency towards Improve ment ; but certainly the most equal and effcient adminis tration, is in the way of regular assessment, notwithstand ing the objections against it, " ' We have laws in Great Britain to regulate this administration, (the management of the poor) and the statute laws are in principle similar in the two United Kingdoms; though in most parts of Scotland, the common law has established a practical and superior influence. " ' The sum applied in aid of the whole number of paupers, (about 30,000) somewhat exceeds one hundred thousand pounds; of which above two-tenths are col lected at the church doors, about five-tenths consist of accumulated funds, and voluntary grants by heritors and' others ; and not quite three-tenths are assessed ; though this mode of provision is how adopted in above one hundred and fifty parishes.' (Page 87.) 356 EEMINISCENCES " These authorities appear to me to require a qualification to the assertion that Scotland has no poor laws. Now, as Scotland seems lo be the beau Ideal of perfection In the gentleman's estimation, allow me to inquire whether its laws do not recognize the princi ple for which I contend — the obligation of the' public to maintain the impotent poor? or lo contribute a portion for their support? I will also inquire, whether that part, df the Scotch law which authorises whipping and burning In the ear, commends itself lo the advo cates of the new system, as worthy of imitation? and whether an authorised street begging is not infinitely more objectionable than pur system of public support? " I hesitate not to say, that if your poor laws are repealed, begging from door lo door must and will be adopted lo an incalculable extent; and what system so objectionable as this ? Knaves and vagabonds immediately resort to il, not only as a means of support, but as a most profitable business. Fortunes have been amassed by it, and even schools have been established lo instruct children in the science of begging. OO o " The necessary consequence of this system is, lo harden the heart against applicants who are worthy of support, because an individual, after having been imposed upon by the unworthy, and his sympathies grossly outraged, may very naturally come to the con- clusioii that all beggars may be impostors; and as he has been repeatedly deceived, he will guard against future impositions by withholding all charities. " Again, repeal your laws, and leave your paupers to the chance of support, and many must be neglected, nay must perish for want of immediate relief. " The gentleman has referred lo the man among thieves and the good Samaritan. But what would have become of the sufferer, if by chance the Samari BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 357 tan had not come that way? The Levile and the priest, from whom he had a right to look for belter things, had already passed by on the other side, and left him as they found him. It was by chance that he was rescued ; and It appears to me that the gentieman's doctrine of relying upon private charity, Is rebuked from the very case lo which he has referred, where two out of three outraged the principles of humanity. I will not contend that this proportion will hold good ; but I venture to affirm, and I put il lo the observation of every senator, whether we have not in all communi ties many individuals, and rich ones too, who are most aptly personified In the priest and Levile ? " We are told that no country on the continent of Europe has poor laws ; and yet I am inclined to believe, that there is scarcely a country on the con tinent but what has some partial provision for the poor, either from religious establishments, hospitals, or by an appropriation of public funds, for part of the pau pers' support. It appears to me that it necessarily must be so In every civilized country. " In Switzerland the principle is recognized, that the pauper has a right lo look lo the public for support; and ' though there i^no absolute provision for the poor in Switzerland, yet each parish generally possesses some seignorial rights and properly in land for the public use, and is expected to maintain ils own poor.' (1st Malthas on Population, 424.) Or in other words," a portion of public property in lands is set apart for the support of the poor, and the parish makes up the residue. > " So loo in Ireland, a corporation is erected in every county, of which the bishop and member of parliament are presiding members, and who are 358 EEMINISCENCES empowered to relieve poor parish vagabonds, to ap prentice children, &c. and are clothed with great dis cretionary powers. (Irish act. 11 and 12 Geo. III. chap. 30.) " ' The national assembly of France, though they disapproved of the English poor laws, still adopted their principle, and declared that the pooK had a right to pecuniary assistance ; that the assembly ought lo consider such a provision as one of its first and most sacred duties.'' (2 Malthus, 520, note to appendix.) But I believe France has not yet perfected her system of poor laws, although scarcely a country In Europe has so great a proportion pf paupers. In Paris, it is estimated that every seventh person is a beggar; and that of the burials one-third are at the public expense. In the towns in France, the poor are estimated as one to ten ; and in rural districts, as one to fifteen : while in Scotland, about one in' a hundred are considered regular poor, and two in a hundred receive partial support. (See Edinburgh Encyclopedia, title Poor, 87.) France, with her sans culottes, will long hold an unenviable comparison, even with England. Books have been referred to, and I*will detain the senate with a few extracts, lo show howj,hIs matter has been regarded abroad as well as at home. In addition to those already given from the Encyclopedia, I will add a few more. "'Entire neglect of the poor drives them lodes- pair, and of course to acts of desperation and violence: laws and regulations having no object except to silence or suppress their demands, are cruel, injudicious, and Ineffectual. The correct principles of the admini stration of the funds of charily have certainly not J'et been generally understood ; otherwise the practice BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 359 would have been proportionably Improved. Utter neglect of the wants of the poor, is one extreme which has a dangerous and obvious tendency to excite all the worst feelings of the poor, and to stir them up to violence against individuals, and to hatred and rebel lion against the laws. The opposite extreme consists in making want, without regard lo conduct, the measure of the pauper's claim, and in grounding this claim not in charily but in right. Our sister kingdom of Ireland furnishes too many instances of a near approach lo- ¦R'ards the former extreme, and England towards the latter. In Scotland, notwithstanding the rather boasted superiority of the general mode of administration, there is really a tendency towards both of these extremes." (Page 81.) " ' In other kingdoms and stales there is little to remark, and less lo commend ; only that the poverty, misery, and vice, which have overrun some of the finest and most ferlfle nations, are truly astonishing. And on this point it seems unnecessary lo say more, than merely to name France and Spain, Portugal and Italy : and lo refer to the too well-authenticated facts connected wilh the poissards, the sans culotte, and the lazzaroni. (Page 85.) " ' The legislature of France has rejected all assess ments for the poor, and sanctioned common mendicity over the land. The despotic governments of other nations appear slow and reluctant in giving their people emancipation from a slate of servitude. Little hope of melioration for the slate of the poor in these nations, appears at present. Perhaps it is reserved for this island, lo give the tone and example In this great branch of policy and humanity. The United States of America have evinced both a liberal and profound 360 REMINISCENCES policy in providing for the poor already, by aflotmenls of land, even before their slate of population and society had arrived at such a point as lo bring this burthen Into existence. (Page 89.) " ' Common begging is one of the very worst Wa5'S in which the poor are, or have been supported in any country ; and yet It continues even In France, where the revenues of the state are sparingly supplied in aid of the funds of charily. (Page 85. See also Phillips' Manual of Political Economy, pp. 144 and 145.) " ' This mode Is so pregnant with evils, that It appears astonishing how any enlightened legislature should deliberately tolerate it.' (Page 87.) " These general views are recognised in PhiUips' Manual of Political Economy as being correct, and he remarks, in reference lo private charily, that — " ' Persons of the greatest benevolence contribute far more than their just proportion, to support the poor ; and if relief of the poor is wholly voluntary, some persons will be left to perish for want. This, il is true, according lo Mr. Malthus' doctrine, is one of the necessary correctives of redundancy of people ; but il certainly is not necessary until a country has become greatly overcharged wilh inhabitants, which will not soon happen in the United Stales. (Page 145.) " ' Justice dictates such a provision for the poor, that the burthen may fafl upon each one in proportion to his means,' (Page 146.) " A few selections from f he North American Review of 1827, pages 118 and 121, shall close my extracts. The article lo which I allude, is a review of Mc CuUoch's Political Economy, and the author rernarks that — " Marriage and the poor laws are, as Is well BY LE^VI BEARDSLEY. 361 known, the two great bugbears of the new economical school. Our ancestors, simple souls, thought it a vastly fine thing to promote marriage ; but like the man in Moliere who had reformed the position of the great vital organs. Nous avons change tout cela. Our readers are not so ignorant as to require to be told, that it is considered al present the great object of political economy, to bring about a slate of things in which there shall be the fewest possible marriages, and lo each marriage the fewest possible chfldren. Since the publication of the work of Mr. Malthus, the sages and statesmen of the mother country are continually beset wilh the apprehension of being eaten out of house and home, by a hungry population, which, as they say, is pressing hard everywhere against the limits of the means of subsistence.' (Page 118.) " Here Col. Young remarked, that no writer on political economy had objected to marriages, except the visionary theories of Mr. Malthus. " To which Mr. Beardsley repUed, that Dr. Chal- mer, who had been referred lo by Mr. Young as a standard writer on political economy, had objected to the poor laws as inducing frequent and improvident marriages ; and whether other writers had adopted this- theory of Malthus, he, Mr. B. was not then pre pared lo say ; but he would say, that other theories, which in his judgment were equally visionary, had been adopted, and that this was not the most extravagant theory that had been put forward for public approval. " Mr. Beardsley then read from the North Ameri can Review, as follows : " ' A strong aversion lo the poor laws is, as we have already intimated, another favorite tenet •with the writers of this economical school. A public provision ,362 RBMINISCENaES . for the disabled members of society, has' no other effect, they say, than to create the very wretchedness which il afterwards imperfectly relieves, without in any way diminishing the amount which would otherwise exist. Private charily Is less mischievous, because it operates less sysleinalicafly and extensively ; but in principle, and as far as il goes. It is no better. There fore, steel your heart and shut your hands. — Let the poor laws be repealed without delay, and let it be un derstood that the supposed right of the indigent or distressed lo relief, either public or private, is wholly inadmissible. Such doctrines, like the anti-malrlmonlal system which we have just been considering, are so completely abhorrent from all common notions and common feeUngs — from the text and spirit of Scripture, the traditions of the fathers, and the universal consent and practice of all nations and ages, that we hardly know in what manner lo treat them. One is templed to think, that the writers who support these monstrous paradoxes cannot be really serious, and that ihey are imposing upon the public a sort of melancholy humbug. At all events, their language addressed to a civilized and christian community carries ils own refutation with It. " ' When we are told that we are no longer to per form the duties of charily, pubUc and private, because of this or that discovery in political economy, we may well answer, without examining at all the value of the supposed new lights, that our own hearts, (to say nothing of scripture) furnish us with stronger evidence of the reality of these duties than we can possibly have of the truth of any metaphysical theory. If then the new system be at variance with our strongest natural senti ments, and the conduct they prescribe, it follows not BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. .863 that these sentiments are of Injurious tendency, and this conduct immoral, but that the system is false, were it even impossible to delect the least logical flaw in the argument.' " ' This, however, is so far from being the case here, that the argument in support of this theory is as singu larly flimsy, as the theory itself is unnatural and inhuman.' (Page 121.) " Let us glance, (said Mr. B.) for a moment, at other countries where religious establishments are looked lo for the principal support of the poor. Look at Spain, Italy, and Naples, with swarms of lazzaroni and street beggars, and I submit it to every man of sound judg ment whether the English system, objectionable as I admit it to be, is not infinitely preferable. And yet our system, whicb is proposed to be repealed, is greatly preferable lo that of England. I may almost say that the two systems are so dissimilar, that no justsconclu- sion can be drawn of their effects and influence on society, from a comparison of one system with the other. " The^ practical pperalion of our poor laws in general (always, however, with some few exceptions,) is to relieve those who are in absolute want, and unable to support themselves, instead of supporting those who are able. Such will be found the general operation throughout the stale, which is unlike the practical operation of the English poor laws ; the latter yielding indiscriminate relief to the sturdy vagrant as well as the impotent and infirm. " We are told that private charily will do all that is absolutely necessary to support the worthy pauper ; but will it be contended that this private charily will always seek out and provide for such as require immediate support ? 364 REMINISCENCES " Will not many suffer, and even die, unless you have a certain and compulsory legal provision, before private charity will apply the remedy ? " Let any one step into our poor houses or asylums and he will meet with objects entirely unabl^to main tain themselves, destitute of friends, relatives or pro perty, and who must perish, unless sustained at private or public expense. And such objects too as no in dividual, however humane, would wish or hardly consent to make an inmate of his family. "How are these loathsome objects lobe supported? Are they to be left to chance? Wfll the rich take them into their families, or even give them a place in their kitchens or garrets? Certainly not. The most charitable will turn away from objects so. painful and disgusting, although they may give liberally for their support, to such as will consent to take them in charge. " As a lest of the correctness of the theory, that private charity will do all that is necessary, for the relief of those who are absolutely dependant and worthy of support, I will again refer to the poor in France, Spain, Italy, Naples, and Ireland, where my friend from the fourth contends they have no legal provision for the support of the poor; and I ask him, whether private charily has made aU requisite pro vision for the helpless pauper? "If his theory is correct, these countries, in the absense of poor laws, (those ' relics of a semi-barbarous age') afford an extensive field for the exercise of private charity, and the happy developemenls of his cherished theory ; and yet I think it will not be con tended, that In point of fact, the practical effects have been such as he supppses the absence pf poor laws would produce. BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 365 " I have always understood, as well from general information as from those who have travelled through these countries, that they abound with beggars ; and that poverty and distress are as common as in England ; nay more, that even England, with its swarms of paopers, its heavy taxes, and its improvident poor laws, as they are considered, suffers nothing In a comparison wilh other European countries. "And so far as private charily is concerned, I assert, without fear of contradiction, that nothwilh- standing the supposed withering eflfects of poor laws upon the exercise of private charily, no country in Europe can compare wilh Great Britain, in its hospitals, asylums, and general provision for the sup port and comfort of the helpless and infirm, as well as other objects of benevolence and religion. " If this be so, and that it is I have no doubt, how is the theory in relation to private charity supported by facts ? " It appears to me, that instead of sustaining the theory, the facts rather go to overturn il : and should at least induce a doubt of its correctness, even with ils most strenuous advocates. " It has been said that the drunkard, from his vices, brings suffering on himself, and that his suffering is a righteous retribution for his offences; that he deserves nothing at the hands of the public. Be it so: I am no apologist for the drunkard: but suppose, instead of the drunkard, you are presented with the drunkard's wife and drunkard's children, who, from his folly and vices, ^without fault on their part, are reduced to poverty and absolute dependence — have they no claims to our sympathies for suppoijt? and are we, in our crusade against vice, to visit the sins of- 366 REMINISCENCES the father upon the chfldren ? God forbid ! That wife, and those children have, indeed, too hitler a portion of this world's evil, to merit the infliction of iUs intended as a punishment lo the drunkard. " I cannot, Mr. President, in looking upon this subject, bring myself lo the conclusion that Our poor laws, are ' a standing statutory libel upon God and man.' The principle on which they rest, in my judgment, is pure and benevolent. It is an emanation of that ' divinity which stirs within us.' Il throws the support of those who are unable to support themselves, upon the community at large, of ¦which community they are members; and while it provides a certain and prompt relief, leaving nothing to chance, it throws on those who are able to pay and yet unwilling, no greater burthen than upon the benevolent, who are willing, but often less able to bear these burthens. " I concede that your laws may be defective : that they may invite to pauperism ; and that impositions are sometimes practiced ; but let this be corrected by legislative enactments ; and not from an abuse of a salutary law, reason against its expediency ; and by pushing theories to an extreme point, deny all liability, on the part of'the communit}^ to relieve extreme pover ty, often the result of providential visitation, and without fault of the sufferer. " I cannot adopt this cold and heartless theory, which, whfle it recognises what no man can deny, that thousands of our feUow-beings, without fault on their part, are thrown without friends or protectors upon the charities of the world, either public or private, for support, shall be turned over to the uncertain relief of private benevolence. " I rather choose to adhere to laws, the principles BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 367 of which are deeply implanted In our nature, by an all-wise and benevolent being: laws that have grown up wilh our growth, and strengthened wilh our strength ; ¦^\'hich recognise an obligation, on the part of the community, to sustain its helpless members, equally binding as the dictates of humanity upon an individual, to rescue a fellow-being from suffering or death. " And whfle I wfll go as far as any gentleman to correct abuses, and to render our system more perfect, I cannot consent to repeal our poor laws, and thus cast a vast number of helpless beings, and vast amount of human suffering, upon the cold and uncertain charities of the world. That warm hearts exist, I admit, and that the principles of humanity will prompt the bene^volent to deeds of mercy ; but I also know that there are individuals in every community, who, al though abundantly able, will do nothing and pay nothing, except as -your laws compel them. While they claim and receive the protection of your govern ment and laws, the enjoyment of which, I trust, wfll never be denied, they shall not, with my consent, escape from bearing their equal burthen in supporting that government, and the helpless members of the community. " Our present system of county poor-houses has scarcely been tested. Il is an experiment which may require years of practice to bring lo perfection, and as its defects become manifest let them be corrected. If in some few instances they invite pauperism, and if foreign poor are thrown upon us, the legislature can, and no doubt Avill apply a remedy. But while our taxes' are Ughl, and our citizens satisfied with our present system, a system which thus far has worked w^l, let us not, from an apprehension of future evfls. 368 REMINISCENCES that may or may not be realized, endeavor to subvert a policy Identified with the sj'rapalhies pf the great body of the community, and grounded in the purest principles of humanity. This inroad upon our system, without the apology of a petition or complaint to justify our action, is now urged for our approval. A change based upon an un tried and doubtful theory — a theory at war with all our early impressions and the whole tenor of legislative enactments; — a change as uncalled for as il will be unexpected by the people, and one that I hesitate not to say, instead of commending itself lo their favorable consideration, would be received with uller astonish ment, if not with deep and unqualified reprobation." It is worthy of remark that the resolution was intro duced, and its adoption urged without a petition for the proposition, and though sustained by able arguments, presenting with much ability the slrpng points, fortified by numerous references to writers who had entertained similar views, it received but few votes beyond the movers. I had never read much on that question and was poorly qualified lo discuss it, but the negative of his proposition seemed lo me so reasonable, and so much in accordance with the sympathies of the age in which we live, that after offering an amendment I could not shrink from the contest. Some of the colonel's assertions in regard lo the absence of legal provision for pauper support in the different governments of con tinental Europe, were very broad and sweeping. An able article soon after appeared in one of the London Quarterlies, that went far lo overthrow some of his propositions, in which the writer showed the pro vision, in nearly every country, of Europe, for the relief of the poor, from which It appeared that scarcely any BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 369 of them were without some legal enactment, or other certain means provided, for the aid and sustenance of the destitute. Indeed; I do not see how any civilized country, to say nothing of christianized, can gel along without some legal provision for those who cannot help them selves; wthout it innumerable cases raust arise, where those who are worthy but unfortunate must perish for want of prompt assistance. It is an interesting subject, and enters largely into the political economy of the slate, ¦which I hope may be deemed of sufficient importance by those who may honor me with a perusal, to warrant me In submilting my remarks in the present chapter to the scrutiny of the public. 370 REMINISCENCES CHAPTER XX. Common Schools should he Free, but not Sectarian. — School District Libraries projected and urged hy the late James Wadsworth, Esq. — Shaking Quaker Investigation. Among "the many subjects of legislation that came before the senate while I was a member of that body, and which was by no means of the least importance, was the common schools of the slate ; and in reference to which, my voles ¦were wilh those sustaining the most Uberal principles. I had been a school-master. All the scholastic learning I had acquired was at these humble institutions. From the lime our coramon school system went into operation, in 1814 or '15, I had been a commissioner or inspector, up to my election to the senate, and always felt a deep interest in perfecting and sustaining them, looking at the general diffusion of education among the masses as the sheet anchor of our liberties. So I regard il still ; and hence have looked upon the question of free schools, just passed upon and sustained by a vote of the stale, as one of absorbing interest. Public opinion has been ranch divided ; but I think it is more a division in regard lo details, than the abstract question whether the schools shall be free. In reference to the law lately submitted lo the people, and sustained by the popular vole, the details were undoubtedly defective, and this I suppose was the principal cause of clamor. These defects have been, EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 371 or should be amended and corrected, as I do not doubt they will be, if they are not already. Had I been a member of the legislature, I would never have sent the question of free schools back lo the people. I do not Uke this mode of shuffling off responslbflity from the representative to his constituents. If he Is fit to represent them, he ought to have a mind of his own, and be willing to take the responsibility of deciding on questions, Instead of shirking them. The decision of Judge Shankland, of the supreme court, which I understand has been concurred in by some of his associates, that a law, the vitality of which is made to depend on the vote of the people, is uncon stitutional, fully meets my approbation, and will serve to check the inclination of legislators lo avoid respon slbflity. I think the constitution never intended to call in the popular vole, for the purpose of law-making. Still, as the school law was submitted and sustained, I hope it will be an additional inducement to legisla tors, to perfect the sy^st^m by discreet amendments, till the schools are made free for every child within the borders of the state. Well-founded objections, that have heretofore rendered free schools unpopular, should be removed, which subsequent legislation can and no doubt will effect. Education and general inlelUgence are indispensable requisites, for a discreet exercise of the electj^ve fran chise, and the varied duties of the citizen. We, allow almost universal suffrage. The vote of the poor man, however ignorant he may be, has the same weight in the ballot box as that of his rich educated neighbor. That box is indeed the medium, if not the source of power ; and how is this power to be safely exerted, unless inteUigence goes with it? The state, — the body ppUtic, has an interest then, in having its citizens 372 REMINISCENCES educated as well for this as other duties. Every one will admit the foregoing proposition ; and then the question arises, how can this desirable result be best promoted? Make your schools free, so that no child shall be excluded on account of the poverty of his parents, or be degraded in his own feelings, or taunted by his associates, as being there on the pauper list. Children of extremely poor parents have embarrass ments enough to overcome, from the mere fact that they know they are not as well conditioned as those who move in a higher sphere. It may be said that our schools were so free that any child could be educated. This may have been sub- slarilially true, and yet we know that many have been debarred, from the inability of parents lo pay the rale bills, and their reluctance to place their children in school as charily scholars,. The pride of even a poor man revolts at the latter proposition, as well on acc9unt of his own humiliation of feeling, as for respect lo the feelings and spirit of his child. Hence, make your schools free, and you secure a more general education to your citizens. But il is objected that the property of one man shall not be appropriated to school the children of another. If this is a valid objection, it is equally so against the law which has for many years imposed part of the expense of schools on property. The c^jection, in my judgment, is not well taken, for as long as laws have lo be made and enforced to pro tect property, the public have a right to judge and decide how that protection can be best and most cheaply afforded. Properly is subjected to the expense of maintaining police regulations, criminal courts, jails, and stale prisons, poor houses and paupers. No one denies the truth or propriety of this proposition. Now, I imagine, criminal statistics wfll abundantly BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 373 prove that education greatly restrains crime ; so also in regard to pauperage. Probably no more efficient protection can be prescribed for the safely of persons or property than a general diffusion of education, through y^our common school ; nor no regulation that will so greatly limit the expense for the poor. Hence, when you ask property to support schools, you violate no private right, you merely adopt the same principle that has always governed in relation to criminal proceedings. No one thinks of requiring a parent who has a vicious child to pay for proceedings lo bring him to justice. Nor do we subject the properly even of a murderer, lo pay for the gaUows, or the executioner for inflicting the death penally. Not only property is more secure, but the order and quiet of society and life of the citizen Is more safe in an educated population than an uneducated. Ignorance is truly the parent of vice. An intelligent community is far more respectable, and adds strength lo the political fabric. " Knowledge Is strength ;" and when you connect it with the ballot and jury box, and in short wilh all the duties of citizenship, no one can adequately estimate its value or importance. It not only protects, but enhances ihe value of pro perty. What man in his senses would place as high an estimate on farms in an uneducated, ignorant neighborhood, as he would where it was surrounded by intelligent, well educated farmers ? A good man, from the mere sympathies of his nature, wifl desire to see his fellow men, and the chfldren of his fellows, so situated in the worid as wiU best promote their happiness and respectabflity. Hence, he •wifl freely contribute of bis substance, to promote so desirable an object ; and this consideration wfll prompt many to sustain a system of free education. But all do 374 REMINISCENCES not so regard it, and hence the necessity of law, to compel coritributlon. Sympathies need not be invoked where reasons of state afford an abundant justification. When I speak oi free schools, I mean those that are without charge lo the pupils and free from sectarian as well as other influences, except a desire to educate and fit those for an inlelligenl exercise of the duties of life, who attend for Instruction. Any abstraction of funds raised by authority of law, to promote common school education, when. devoted lo sectarian purposes, is, in my judgment, a base per version from the object for which they were intended. Wilh the same propriety laws might be passed to levy money for religious associations ; a proposition which in this country, would neither be listened lo, or submit ted to for a moment; nor should the other. What would be the result In reference to common schools, should sectarian divisions of the funds be allowed ? You destroy the system of general education al once. If one denomination Is aUowed to have a portion, another, and all denominations must have iheir share; and thus your schools instead of being inslllutlons where all may meet on equal terms, wifl be narrow, bigolted, and exclusive. The catholic must have his, the episcopalian his, the presbylerian his, and so through all the denominations that exist In the country, down to those who disbelieve and repudiate the whole. A sectarian school will, of course, be narrow and ex clusive. The dogmas of each denomination will be insidiously instilled, if not openly taught the pupfls, and thus the whole community will be brought under clerical influence, — an influence, which, when exerted in reference to political affairs, has loo often been per nicious to liberty. I would allow the clergy their due BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 375 •weight in the pulpit, and treat them with deference and respect In reference to religious matters, bull never desire to see tlfe schools or politics of the country subject to their control, Whfle Sunday schools are kept up they will necessa rily be in a great measure sectarian. To this I do not object; nor has anyone, except those who estabUsh them, a right lo control them ; because they are the re sult of free voluntary associations. A discreet man, therefore, would not desire lo interfere wilh others In this particular, even if he could. In these schools the clergy^ wfll, of course, exercise great influence, which should satisfy the aspirations of any reasonable man. My position in regard lo schools, is this : they must be kept free from sectarian influences, or they cannot be sustained as a general system ; the contrary course must necessarily break them up, or introduce dissenlions that would destroy their usefulness. Then again, if you attempt to divide the funds, with a view of dividing according lo the number and interests of the different denominations, your schools become weak and inefficient, while your population becomes divided and jealous of each other, if not actually inimical, I am perfectly satisfied the common school system cannot be sustained, if placed on a sectarian fooling ; and if such Influences are allowed lo enter or govern the schools, they will be regarded wilh disfavor by some, if not aU the many denominations, and their usefulness paralyzed if not destroyed. To say that a large majority of a district is of a particular denomination, and therefore their dogmas may be taught, is no answer lo the objection ; because our laws and whole theory of government go on the assumption that all reUglons are alike tolerated, ¦while 570 REMINISCENCES none can claim precedence. And besi(les this con sideration, il cannot rightfully be pretended that schools under our system, are established lo inculcate religious dogm'as, much less sectarian. It has with me been a matter of regret, that catho lic citizens, in some instances, have desired to keep their chfldren from common schools. This prejudice is most prevalent with those who have come from foreign countries, lo settle and reside among us. How absurd it is, to think of keeping up distinctions and divisions here, that used lo divide them at home, or to divide our schools from religious views and differences. The sooner they can throw off their foreign prejudices, and become Americanised in their feelings and sympathies, the belter for ihem and the community in general. I can make some slight allowance for foreigners, when they are influenced by foreign prejudices, but when our American prolestanls inveigh against common schools as being unfit lo educate the chfldren of religi ous people, and ask charily to enable them lo establish select sectarian schools, I am astonished al their folly. Within a few weeks, I have listened to a discourse from a prolestant minister, who represented common schools, in certain specified localities, if not absolute nurseries of vice, as but very little short of them. Such discourses are calculated lo do harm, and should not be countenanced. If schools are not conducted as they should be, there is more necessity for good men lo remain wilh them for the purpose of correction and improvement. The education of the masses is an element entering so largely into our municipal regula tions, that no man who has a proper regard for the interest of society, to say nothing of private Interest, can look upon It wilh indifference. BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 377 If its Importance is properly appreciated, good men will desire to Interest themselves in the schools of their neighborhood, and to reform such defects as are ap parent. It appears to me, that scarcely a school district can be found, where the proprietors could desire any thing short of a well-conducted school. Very few parents are so indifferent to the welfare of their children, as to tolerate a loose, disorderly, im moral school; and I should require strong evidence to induce me to believe, that a majority In any district could be induced to favor such a project. There is virtue enough, in my humble opinion, in the community, to require schools to be managed on principles of good morals ; where youth may be taught, and by leaching made belter men and belter citizens, and better quali fied lo discharge the various duties of life. Hence, any attempt, from the pulpit or elsewhere, to decry or render them odious or unpopular, should be reprobated and treated with contempt. It may be said, and has been said, that religious instruction should go hand in hand with education, and that an irreligious man cannot be a good citizen. That religion is essential to the well-being and safely of society, as well as of our political institulions, I freely admit, and certainly shall not be found arguing against it, or religious instruction. But the question is, whether such instruction can be carried into our schools, without being sectarian ; and if sectarian, whether It will not of necessity destroy the school system ? Solomon says, " there is a lime for all things ;" and though I admit the importance of reUgious Instruc tion, I do not beUeve the hours deVoted to common school learning, the appropriate time, nor the school- house, as such, the proper place. Instruction in re ligious matters is more appropriate for the family 378 EEMINISCENCES circle, the pulpit, and pastoral visits ; and in my judg ment, should be kept out of schools, if we intend lo sustain them under our school-law as a system. The law requires a certificate of good moral charac ter on the part of teachers, united with a competency of learning, to leach a common school; and these certificates, with the license predicated upon them, are revocable, if the candidate is found lo be wanting in these pre-requisites. The law knows nothing of religious qualifications, and requires none, beyond a good moral character, with abflily to teach ; and as in qualifications for governors, legislators, and judges, we require no religious test, neither should we in regard lo school teachers. He who requires it goes beyond the requisitions of the law. I am not to be understood as objecting to a teacher because he is religious. If truly so. It should be a recommendation, rather than an objection. I hope my remarks will not be regarded as the ebullition of unkind feeling towards the clergy, for they are not so intended ; but on the contrary, from a perfect conviction that schools must be kept free from sectarian influences ; and by keeping them so we best promote their usefulness, and leave the clergy in a position where their worth and high standing wiU be better and more highly appreciated. SCHOOL DISTRICT LIBRARIES. The school district library law had my hearty approval and zealous support. Judge Hammond, In his political history of New York, makes honorable mention of my exertions. A few incidents in regard to the legislation on this subject may not be out of place or uninteresting. In ils results, In distributing nearly one million of BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 379 readable volumes through the state, where almost every child can have access lo them, I have regarded this as one of the most important laws I have ever assisted to pass. I hope it ¦will long be so regarded, by those who shall hereafter legislate. Next lo our common schools, and auxiliary lo them, I consider it of inestimable value. I shall always feel proud of that law, though I make no claim to its paternity. That honor belongs to the late James Wadsworth, a wealthy, Uberal, far-seeing, and highly esteemed gen tleman, from Geneseo, Livingston county. Fully im pressed with the importance of a more perfect system, and general diffusion of knowledge through the medium of common schools, wilh aU the zeal of an enlightened philanthropist he came to Albany, to promote the object he had so much at heart, and sought interviews wilh several members of the legislature. Before that occasion, he had purchased and presented to each member. Cousins' work on the Prussian System of Common Schools. He requested me to meet him for a few minutes, in one of the committee rooms, where he immediately introduced the subject of school district libraries, in connection wilh common schools. He proceeded to enlarge on the advantages to be derived from the introduction of good, well-selected, interesting books, placed in reach of every chfld In the slate. Recollect ing how much pleasure and profit I had myself re ceived from the few books I had been able to obtain during my childhood, he had only to state his project, when its propriety and advantages appeared so ap parent, that I wondered I had never thought of it before. I told him at once, that I did not wish him to spend 380 REMINISCENCES a moment in convincing me of the propriety of the principle. All I wanted to hear, was his suggestions as lo details, in carrying out the measure. This he explained, and I assured him of my zealous co-opera tion whenever it should be brought up. I was sure It would meet wilh a stern, determined opposition, and so Informed him; but he had dwelt upon it so much, and making il a hobby, had so convinced himself of its propriety, that he could hardly believe II could be opposed by any one. He seemed lo think il would commend itself lo the favor and good opinion of every one, as it had to himself. When the bfll was called up In committee of the whole, it was assailed as an attempt lo throw an additional burden on men of property, already unequally and oppresively taxed, under our school system. It was said, ihe books. If taken out at all, would be lost, or carried away by those moving from the district; that plenty of books were already in reach of all who desired to read ; and that the library creating an additional burden, would endanger the schools, by rendering the whole unpopular. In favor of the libraries we argued, that the introduction of interesting books would create a desire to read, and thus Infuse a more general feeling among parents and chfldren, lo keep up and render the schools more perfect. That under suitable regulations, lo be pre scribed by the proprietors of schools, the books would be preserved. Parents and children could profit by iheth, for parents as well as children would read, when the books were brought home ; and thus a more general knowledge would diffuse itself through the length and breadth of the slate. That where each citizen had an access to the ballot box, it was abso- BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 381 lulely necessary, for a judicious exercise of the right of voting, that he should be informed. That the safely of our institulions in a great measure depended on the intelligence of those entitled to the high privi lege of choosing their rulers. That education was ealculated to prevent crime and pauperism ; and I recollect of making the remark, the substance of which I have recently seen reiterated in reference lo free schools, " that property owners would have no reason to complain, as a general diffusion of knowledge was the best and most efficient safeguard property could have, against both pauperism and crime." The debate may be seen, and the substance of my remarks, in the daily Albany Argus, the day after we had it up in the senate. I do not recoUect whether Col. Young was in the senate, when the first law passed in reference to school libraries, but I think he was. I am sure he was, when the law was passed in relation to the application of interest arising from the deposit of surplus revenue with the state, by which the funds for schools and libraries were largely aug mented. The Colonel and myself differed on many subjects, but in relation to schools and school libraries we always worked and pulled together. The slate is much indebted to him, and to John C. Spencer, for the flourishing condition of our schools and libraries. Mr. Wadsworth had the gratification of seeing his favorite project carried into successful operation, and should be remembered and regarded as a distinguished public benefactor, to whom the citizens of New York, particularly the younger members of society* are greatly indebted. At our interview in the committee-room, I offered to contribute towards any expenses that might be 3S2 EEMINISCENCES incurred for books or printing, but he would accept nothing. He was rich, and said he wanted no money : he only wanted to contribute lo the well-being and respectability of his fellow men, and was convinced that he could do nothing of so much importance to them, or to the stability of our republican institulions, as the diffusion of knowledge among the masses. It would be fortunate for society, if men of properly and influence would more frequently imitate his bright and patriotic example. Here was a man of great wealth, who of course, under any system of free education, must contribute largely for its allainment, was urging the passage of a law that must subject his estate to annual charges, which many others strive to avoid. Yet he had plenty of this world's goods, and had the good sense to see how it might be made useful lo the community, as well as lo himself and relatives. He did not long survive the passage of his favorite law ; but long enough, I beUeve, to see it carried Into successful operation. When full of years, with an untarnished reputation, he was " gathered lo his fathers," leaving a princely estate to his relatives, who are in every respect worthy representatives of the distinguished gentleman from whom a large portion was derived. SHAKING QUAKERS. Before leaving senatorial proceedings, and going to other subjects, I wfll introduce a few pages in reference to this singular sect. During the session of 1838, several petitions and communications were presented, making serious charges against the shakers, and praying for a legislative investigaiion. It turned out in the end, that these EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 383 proceedings were principaUy instigated by backsli ders, who had been with, and subsequently left them. A commillee was finally raised in the senate, consisting of Hon. F. A. Tallmadge, Col. Young, and myself; of which I think Mr. Tallmadge was chairman. The committee had several meetings, and took considerable testimony, which did not seem to amount lo much, except to show the singular tenets, " rules," and regu lations of those extraordinary fanatics. The drift of testimony was more aimed against the elders than private members, probably on account of their official standing. Some of their "orders," or " rules" appear arbitrary ; and as love of power and authority is inherent in man in every station of Ufe, I have no doubt that those elders held a "taut rein," which would not be tolerated out, and should hardly be permitted within the society. Still, the joining and remaining with them being a matter of choice, and not of coercion, if the members are satisfied with arbitrary rules, "the world's people" should not very much complain, so long as the exercise is within the society. The shakers were before the commillee in con siderable numbers ; and were' of course very civfl to them, as well as to members of the legislature generally. The public know but Utile of the " rules and orders" that regulate the members in their isolated society ; for it was proved by the oath of several witnesses, and rather admitted, that members are not aUowed to com municate the " rules and orders" lo those not of their fraternity. The interior regulations, in fact nearly the whole of the affairs, are under the elders, or are ma naged as they direct. The proof went to show that they exercised an influence both inquisitorial and restrictive. Books or 384 REMINISCENCES newspapers were neither to be bought or read by the members, except by permission of the elders. Letters were not lo be written, or received and opened, unless they inspected them. It was proved lo be contrary lo or ders for members lo look at any thing to gratify curiosity. For instance, they must not visit a museum, or even to go on board a steam boat to examine it or ils machinery. To lest them in regard lo this point, I invited some of the shaker females, who visited the senate, lo go with me lo the state library, and look at Audubon's great work on Ornithology, then just published. They com plied with some little reluctance, but I have always thought their going was more out of compliment lo me, (as I was of the committee) than a desire on their part to examine that splendid production. The evidence was, that the society believe in a future slate of rewards and punishments ; and that it is Inculcated on members, particularly on children, that no one can be happy hereafter unless he becomes a shaker ; and if he violates the rules, or leaves them after uniting with their socletj'-, he must be miserable in this Ufe as well as the life lo come. Again it was testified that it is inculcated, by preaching that the members wfll "never see any God but in their elders." They leach that there is, and should be " no natural affection," and hence, parents and chfldren are not allowed to visit each other, except by permission of the elders, and generally in their presence, or in the pre sence of a deaconess. One of the witnesses testified that the society was strict, and often abused children. That the chfldren and members are taught that " il is right to lie, and cheat the devil." and thereby defend and promote the Gospel." BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 385 This witness had testified to certain acts of violence, particularly in reference lo himself. He had been flogged once for an alleged offence of which he was not guilty, and afterwards used to lie and deny things which were alleged against him that were true. At the age of fifteen he was stripped on a cold day and severely flogged. He finaUy stated that when he was a boy he was very graceless, and probably one of the worst boys in the world for lying and stealing. The committee thought from his own statement that though the flogging might not have been strictly legal, yet it was not entirely unmerited. He went on to stale, that they were taught by the elders "that this world is a sink of corruption." On being asked what had been his experience in this respect, he said he had not found it so. He then com- complained of ill-treatment of the members by the superiors, and to illustrate his views, remarked that " all men are born free and equal," and hence deduced that it was wrong for the elders to live or dress better than other members ; and staled that he had been required to wear the old shirts of the elders. Their " orders," as they call them, are very strict, particularly in reference to the sexes. A male and female are not allowed to pass each other going up or down stairs ; one must wait till the other has ascended or descended. They must not hang their clothing together. The males hang their garments in one part of the house, .and the females in the other. A male and female are not to be in a room together without a third person, or to ride out together without another with them. In reference to this latter regulation, one of the witnesses testified to what he had heard of a ludicrous evasion of the " order." " One of the elders was in 25 3S6 REMINISCENCES the habit of riding out with a particular sister, and to make up the third person they used to take a dog • in the buggy wilh them." This was promptly pro nounced a lie by an elder who was present, as it probably was. It was proved lo be contrary to " order" " to pay anything for the gratification of the sight or senses ;" " lo tell your feeUngs, trials, &c. to any one but an elder ;" " to talk after going to bed ;" " to be in the room when a female makes the bed;" "to go into meeting or tp bed after having broken an order, without confessing il to an elder ;" " to sing worldly songs, or lo tell worldly stories, or read worldly books, except approved by him." " Males and females of the society are not to touch each other;" nor must the female "go alone out of the family at night." One of the witnesses scandalized an elder and three sisters, by relating that "they were in the habit of going in a pond to bathe together, he having on a short shirt, and they wilh each only a cap on the head ;" the reason given for putting on such sUghl appendages, was lo be enabled to say, that " they^ did not go into the water naked." Probably the whole was a slander; but I suppose men and women of more pretensions than these obscure shakers, have been guilty of inde cencies quite as reprehensible. And if il be true that delinquencies occasionally happen among our shaker friends, 'they only imitate vile examples from more distinguished quarters. The committee were invited to visit the settlement at Niskauna, to see and examine for themselves, whether any wrong could properly be imputed to the society. We went there twice, and were received and treated with much respect and kindness. We went through the establishment, conversed freely wilh the BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 387 inmates, adults and chfldren. They aU professed to be' contented, and desired to be left alone, that they might remain there in quiet. They have schools where the children are taught to read, write, and cypher. Their clothing was good, substantial, and clean. Their houses and enclosures were the patterns of neatness and cleanliness ; and their food though plain was of the best quality, and got up well cooked, and was in every respect as It should be. We dined with them twice, and I want no belter bread and butler, boiled ham, roast turkey and beef, with excellent bottled cider, than we found among the shakers ; nor could better be had, if It was wanted. One of our visits was on the Sabbath, as we ¦wanted to see them at their devotions on that day. Sister Abigail who took charge of the kitchen department, got us an excellent dinner, and after we had dined we proposed to return to the city. They urged us to stay and be present at the afternoon exercises, when they were going through with those dances, as we call them. Abigail was a large, tall woman, and we told them we would stay if she and Senator Wager, who was wilh us and was also very tall, would dance together. It was finally adjusted by Frederick, their market agent, w^ho was a shrewd, good-natured man, and I should think was very competent for his position, assuring us that he would join in the exercises. We concluded to wait; so in due time they congregated in the large room, and after singing some of their hymns, and the elder giving words of exhortation, they prepared for " labor." The men took off their coats, and hung them with their hats on pegs on one side of the rooni, the females hung their bonnets on the other, and then all commenced. 3SS EEMINISCENCES Frederick did not " go in" with the first, but wailed some time, and then very deliberately look off and hung up his coat, and joined the others, giving us occasionally a significant look, which went lo say that he was keeping his engagement. One of their stanzas was very much In the foUow ing style ; which was sung with a decidedly nasal twang : — "And David dwced with all his might, And then h'S muid was eas-ed ; r Because he knew that he was right, And the Lord was not dIppleas-etZ." Among the females was a young woman who, fashionably dressed, would have appeared well, though not handsome. She had been the subject of a habeas corpus, which had been sued out by her mother, whose reputation was equivocal. The girl desired lo return and remain with her shaker friends, which the judge permitted. She seemed lo enter into the exercises wilh great enthusiasm of feeling, and eventually ap peared almost frantic, and then, apparently, seemed lo sink away and fall into a trance. I cannot better describe it, than by comparing it to those exhibitions or manifestations so frequent among the methodisls, which they designate as " spiritual power." Probably it is su.bslanllally the same, or strongly partaking of it. The shakers are a very industrious, economical people ; making nearly all their wearing apparel, buying but few articles, and those generaUy paid for by such things as they sell. They take good care of their members when sick or aged, and have no paupers supported by the pubUc. Their fare is good, substan tial and wholesome. They are divided into what they call " famiUes," and each of these "families" eat at the same table. They are remarkably temperate, and BY LE>VI BEAEDSLEY. 389 although they make and put up good bottied cider, equal to the best Newark, yet it is not used as a common drink ; water is the usual beverage. I have known some of their IraveUing, out-door agents, who would occasionally drink a glass of brandy and water; but this I beUeve, was more out of compUment lo the person Inviting them lo drink, than a desire lo do so. In the main, I regard them as an inoffensive, simple sect, who should be let alone, and who are entitled, as well as others, lo the protection of our laws. They should not be encouraged, but tolerated; and when parents, father and mother, in a proper stale of mind, unite In placing their children with the society, and under their care, I do not wish to restrain them from doing so, or the shakers from receiving them, though I should esteem it a misfortune lo the child, so far as intellectual improvement Is concerned. In reference to the worldly wants of children, they vv-fll generally be well cared for ; but I do not like the practice of taking charge of children, where one parent consents and the other objects, even if the one consenting has the legal right to control the question. I think where either parent objects, il should not be permitted, unless there are some special reasons for disregarding the wishes of the one objecting. A parent who neglects or abuses his children, should not be allowed to control such an arrangement. There are, undoubtedly, in their society, some of reputable, intellectual standing ; nay, I doubt not, some that are shrewd, and even designing. A man of dis tinguished acquirements and high order of talents, may, from disgust of the ¦world, or other reasons, seclude and bury himself in the society, as such men have often devoted themselves to monastic Ufe. 390 EEMINISCENCES I cannot doubt the sincerity of the great body oi shakers ; but still from their regulations, so contrary to the perpetuation of our race and the social relations of life, they as a sect can never be numerous or danger ous. I look upon them as an inoffensive deluded people; sincere, but fanatical, and made up of the credulous and weak-minded, with now and then an exception. Any man of discernment who will visit their society, and note their intellectual appearance, I think cannot fail to see great credulity and feebleness of mind enstamped on their features, too apparent to be mis taken, even without the aid of a professed phrenologist. The committee came to the conclusion, that so far as the charges preferred against them were concerned, the shakers "were raore sinned against than sinning;" and so without making a formal report, we gave the subject the go-by, and let It drop where it was. BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. S9t CHAPTER XXL Anecdote of the Late Senators, Griffin and Young. — The Late Col. Stevens, of Hoboken. — His Project for a Rail road and Locomotive in 1811, pronounced impracticable and visionary. — His Experimental Steamboat in 1804. — Robt, L. Stevens, esq. invents and brings into use the long heavy T or H Rail, in 1830 or '31. — Extracts from Lecture of Hon. Charles King. — Legislation in relation to Railroads. — Opposition from Ignorance and Prejudice. — New York and Erie Road. — Extracts from Speech in favor of $3,000,000 Loan for its Construction, and Prediction in 1836, of a Railroad to the Pacific. — Invited to St. Louis Convention, 1849, and Letter in Reply. — Remarks and Present Impressions in regard to Asa Whitney's Project for Pacific Railroad. — Report of Hon. Nathaniel P, Tallmadge, in New York Senate, (1831,) Predicting the Construction of Hudson River Railroad. What I have written in relation to legislative matters is principally from recollection, without having had access lo documents, journals, or newspapers of that time, so that the production may be regarded as reminiscences in the strictest sense of the term. By comparing my statements with the journals and proceedings of the legislative bodies and the news papers of the day, I think they will be found subslanllally correct in reference to the important outline referred to. I must bring in the present chapter those legislative matters to a close, but before leaving them entirely, I 392 REMINISCENCES ^ will introduce an anecdote, and then go to subjects of more gravity and importance. ' We had in the senate, John Griffin, of Allegany county, who was elected from the eighth senatorial district, and had been first judge of his county. He was a tall, large, coarse man, of little education, but of a strong mind and good sense. I have heard many anecdotes of him in regard to his official conduct as judge of the court. On one occasion the lawyefs were arguing a case before him and his associates, and after listening to them a long time the court decided the question, when the lawyer, against whom the decision was made, went on lo argue il over again, lo convince the judges that they ought lo reverse their own decision, and decide otherwise. The judge remarked to him once or twice that the cause had already been decided, and manifested an indisposition lo listen to a further discussion ; but the lawyer, nothing daunted, persisted in his argument, and was several limes interrupted by the court. Al last, becoming somewhat impatient and irritated, he remarked that, it was really unpleasant to stand there " wrestling with the opinion of the court," lo which the judge replied In no very courteous terms, " Then sit down you d d fool." The judge was nominated on the strength of the Genesee Valley canal, for which he was a great stickler ; and his principal efforts were directed to carry the law for his favorite project. When the bill was under discussion, he prepared a written speech of great length, which he must needs deliver and publish, lo let his constituents know how vigilant he was, and how devoted to the project in which their interests, as well as his own, were so much concerned. BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 393 He obtained the floor at an afternoon session, and commenced reading his speech, which was drawn out to an interminable length, on loosS sheets of paper. The drawer to his desk In front of him, appeared to be full of his manuscript, which he ¦went on lo read, in a drawling, miserable manner, sheet after sheet, making many mistakes In his reading, till the senators becoming tired of the performance, were all wishing him to come lo an end. Some left the senate chamber, others read the newspapers, and others were writing letters, caring little for his remarks; whfle another portion were laughing, and thereby showing their want of interest, if not dislike. The judge kept on reading, and maintained his position and held his countenance with imperturable gravity ; and after finishing the large roll of loose sheets that were in his desk, when every one hoped and supposed he was coming to an end, he deliberately unlocked an adjoining desk, and look out a roll larger than the first, and then wilh a smile and wink al some of his friends, continued his reading. One of the senators playfuUy proposed to him, that the reading of the residue of the speech be dispensed with, and that it be printed ; whfle another suggested that it be "read by its title," and adopted. He took it in good part, but went on with it tfll it was com pleted ; and the next day the evening journal came out wilh the great speech in favor of canals, by " the Hon. John Griffin ;" the editor of the journal having cor rected, pruned, and dressed it up, so that it appeared remarkably well in print. Whfle the judge was reading his speech. Cob Young, who disliked him, and had already had several altercations with him, and besides personal dislikes 394 REMINISCENCES abominated his canal project, drew a caricature of a large, tall, awkward-looking man, reading an enormous manuscript, and wrote under It something Uke the following — " John Griffin, of Allegany, reading his interesting speech in favor of his canal." This was found on the judge's desk the next morn ing, who without this aggression, had no very amiable feeUngs towards the writer; for he as cordially dis liked Col. Young, and had berated him as roundly as Young possibly could him. Not to be outdone In these Mildly notices of each other, the judge immediately tried his hand at caricature, and caused lo be placed on the colonel's desk the result of his labour, which was a caricature of the colonel, under which was written subslanllally as follows — " This Is Sam Young, bank slock speculator, the d — d'st rascal in the slate." This Griffin regarded as but a fair offset for the liberty the colonel had taken, and the feud between them, though not entirely allayed, was for a lime considerably subdued. In a preceding chapter, speaking of raflroads, and how Utile was known of them in 1826, I have intro duced a letter written by the late ChanceUor Living ston, on that subject. Before closing what I have to say, in regard to their invention and introduction for general use, I wish to state a few facts, highly credita ble to the inventive genius and enterprise of our countrymen. The late Col. John Stevens, of Hoboken, father of John C. and Robert L. Stevens, Esqs., of the city of New York, was distinguished for his enterprise and energy of character; qualities which his sons seem to have inherited in an eminent and highly creditable degree. When the Erie canal was first projected, and BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 395" I am told by E. F. Johnson, Esq., a distinguished engineer, as long ago as 1812, Col. Stevens wrote a letter or memorial, in favor of a railroad from the Hudson river to Lake Erie, that was addressed to or submitted tp the late Gpverner Cllntpn, and some of the other distinguished advocates of the canal project. This, it must be borne in mind, was long before rail roads had been introduced, even in England, and in fact before they had any adequate conception in that country, of what a railway was or ought to be, for travel or general business. Colonel Stevens accompa nied his letter or memorial with the description, and I believe a rough drawing of a locomotive that he pro posed to invent and construct, to be used on his contemplated road. This led to a correspondence, the whole of which I am told has been published in pamphlet form, though I have never been able to pro cure or examine a copy. He was inquired of, what speed he expected to obtain, in case his road and engine were constructed ? He supposed it might, by improvements, be driven to the speed of a pigeon's flight, say sixty miles to the hour; but for practical, useful purposes, should be limited to twenty-five or thirty miles. Those with whom he corresponded, could not com prehend the project as he regarded it, and pronounced it altogether visionary, though they gave him credit for his splendid conceptions in regard to a matter that they supposed impracticable. Mr. Johnson, the en gineer with whom I have recently conversed, informed me that he has a copy of the pamphlet, and that the locomotive proposed by Col. Stevens included all the leading principles, and its plan of construction was very simflar to the most approved engines now in use on our railroads. S96 REMINISCENCES ' Another fact in relation to Col. Stevens's inventiv^ genius should be mentioned, in regard to steamboats. As long ago as 1804, which was a few years beford Robt. Fulton brought out his first boat on the Hudson, and I think before he came back to this country frPm Europe, Col. Stevens constructed a small boat, for experimental purposes, in which he placed a steam engine, with wheels of the screw or propeller principle, and used to run it on the waters of the Hudson, I am told that the hull of the boat, with its bofler and machinery, has been preserved, just as it was when he used it ; and that the same machinery was placed in a boat, and attained a speed of eight mfles to the hour, old and iniperfect as it was. These are impor tant and highly credita.ble facts, that I imagine are unknown to the most of our pubUc men, and even to those who are distinguished for their general and scientific information. The late Oliver Evans, not far from this time, constructed a boat which he placed on the Delaware, and propelled it by machinery worked by steam, which, after various experiments on water, was taken out and transported through the city of Phfladelphia^ with m-uch parade and many demonstrations of triumph^ for the supposed important invention. I am also told, that the long roUed iron I or T rail, now so generally used, was invented and brought into use by Robert L. Stevens, Esq. of the city of New York, who went to England in 1830 or 1831,-' to procure heavy rafls for the Camden and Amboy road, in New Jersey. He wanted rails that in length would correspond with the rails now used in this country, say about fifteen to eighteen feet ; but there was not an iron mill in England nr Wales, the P'vvfier pf which would undertake to fujrpjsh rails of BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 397 that description, or who believed that they had ma chinery capable of rolling them. After much solici tation and negotiation wilh the owner of one of the largest mflls in Wales, who was a member of par liament, Mr, Stevens obtained permission to attempt the construction, at his own expence, of such rails as he described and desired. At that time the only rails used in England, were the fiat wrought iron rail, and the short rail that was cast; the heavy long T or H rail not having been invented. He went lo the mill and commenced operations, but his first efforts were unsuccessful, for he brokethe machinery of the mfll ; and the attempt seemed likely to prove a failure. But he persevered, and Invented or constructed other machinery of more power ; and in the end successfully accomplished his object. The result was the production of the long, heavy rail, as desired, flat on the bottom, and almost precisely such as is now used throughout this state, and generally most approved of, by our American engineers. These are creditable facts lo the gentlemen who have been engaged In them, and they should be ranked among the great improvements of the age, and they go to prove that enterprise and genius is frequently transmitted from father to son. The Messrs, Stevens, certainly, as a family, are entitled to great credit for their intelligence, public spirit, and dashing, off hand energy in promoting individual and national objeQts, that go far to elevate the character of our countrymen, both at home and abroad. During my nine years legislative services, we had much legislation in regard to railroads, and my votes were generally on the liberal side of those questions. Since writing the foregoing in relation to the Messrs. 398 REMINISCENCES Stevens, I have been furnished with a copy of a very interesting lecture, delivered by Hon, Charles King, president of Columbia college, on the 29th of Decem ber, 1851, before the mechanics' society of the city of New York, It was published in the Dafly Tribune, January 21sl, 1852, and I am told, will soon appear in pamphlet form, wilh additions and notes. It contains a vast amount of local information, connected with the city and Ils growth and improvements, and other im provements for the last fifty years, which will profitably instruct any one who will give it a perusal. I cannot so well illustrate the subject of steamboats and railroads, to which allusion has been made, as by inserting a few extracts from that lecture. Speak ing of the "early days of steam navigation," he says — " But I am running ahead of my subject. Let us get back to 1806, from which dales the era of steam applied to navigation, and the great discovery — for the successful application of a known force in a new manner, and lo new and before unthoughl-of purposes, may justly be styled a discovery — belongs to our city, of which Fulton was a resident, and from which the first boat, the Clermont, started for Albany on the 7lh day of August, 1807. " An hour might be readily occupied with a recital of the hopes and fears, the almost angry doubts and passionate sneers, with which the announcement was received, that a boat without sails or oars was to be forced up the Hudson to Albany, against wind and tide, in a shorter time than was ever dreamed of, and all by the vapor which the housewife's tea-pot sends curling into the air, lo vanish in an instant from sight. For at that time steam engines, as applied lo the various processes of manufacturing or other industry BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 399 on land, were Ultie known generally, and the whole United States furnished but one ipachlne-shop or foun dry where a steam-engine could be made, and that was opposite to this city, at'Hoboken, in the works of Col. Stevens, of whom more anon." In reference lo the " progress of river steamers," Mr. King remarks as follows : — " The palm thus gained by Fulton was closely contested by John Stevens, of Hoboken, who long In concert with R. R. Livingston and Robert Fulton, had made experiments in steam as a means of propulsion ; but now aided by the genius and practical mechanical skill of his son, R. L. Stevens, was operating separately. Almost simultaneously, but yet behind by that fatal quarter of an hour which determines the fate of so many enterprises, and of so many human beings, both men and women, Mr. Stevens produced, independently of Fulton's plans and experiments, his steamboat. Phoenix ; but precluded by the monopoly which Ful ton's success had obtained for him of the waters of New York, Mr. Stevens first employed her as a pas sage boat between this city and New Brunswick, and finally conceived the bold purpose of sending her round lo Phfladelphia by sea, and he executed it successfuUy. His son, Robert L. Stevens, went round with the boat in the month of June, 1808. A fierce storm overtook them. A schooner in company was driven out lo sea, and was absent many days ; but the Phoenix made a safe harbor al Barnegal, whence, when the storm abated, she proceeded safely to Philadelphia, and plied many years between that city and Trenton. Mr. Stevens thus earned indisputably the honor of first venturing and succeeding to encounter the might of the ocean with a steam-propeUed vessel. When the 400 REMINISCENCES Phoenix went round to Philadelphia, the Atlantic, and no other sea, had ever known the domination of vic torious Steam. Even now, when our magnificent steamers, exceeding In dimensions llne-of-baltle ships, go and come with the regularity of mail-coaches on a beaten turnpike road, this first daring conception of trusting lo the ocean a frail craft, with nothing but steam for her means of safety and progress, may recall the lines of the Roman lyrist: ' Illi robur et aes triplex Circa pecus erat, qui fragilem truci Commisit pelago ratem.' ' Cased was his breast in triple brass and oak. Who first old Ocean's storm-tossed surface broke With his fraU bark.' " And here let me expatiate a little upon the service to the mechanic arts, and consequently lo the welfare of humanity, of the family of Slovens, resident during the half-cenlury among us. We have seen that by the lucky quarter of an hour, Fulton carried away from Stevens the prizeof the first successful steamboat; but years before, viz. 1804, Col. Stevens, whose fertile and ingenious mind was speciaUy turned to mechanical inventions, had constructed and put into operation a steamboat, of which the motive power was a propeller, the propeller which at this day I beUeve is admitted, in form and proportion, to be the best. This boat was a small one. In it CoL Stevens put an engine with tubular boilers, the first ever made, now universal in locomotives. The machinery, made under his own direction, and in his own shop at Hoboken, set in motion two propellers, of five feet diameter each, and each furnished wilh four blades having the proper BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 401 twfet^^ta obtain 'whiph he had. the greatest difficulty with his work^nen— and ; s^t ,at, .an angle of al^out thirtyrfive ¦ degrees. v' This ves&e}, ,u,sed, only , for, testing the possibility of steam-navigation, so completely deEnpn*- strated' the fact,, that Col. Stevens applied it on/ a larger scale, in, 18:06, to a pirogue,, fifty feet Ipngi twelve feet wide,- seven feet deep, which attained very ccgisiderable speed;. , Encouraged thereby, ., he comm^nce^d the Phoenix, with side-wheels, to whpse success allnsipn has already been made, nit, is prcof of the remarkable accuracy and mechanical skill of tbe HobroJiLen worjsshpp, ; that , ^he ¦ engine- of. , the first small propeller, carefully, ;preservedj was set up again not more., than ten or,, twelve years ago-, ,in^ a new vessel, :and, without altering a screw, jwcrj^ed mpst successfuUy. The old ^)^^ and' the blades of ;the propefler^are yet in existence at Hoboken." ' Then, in reference , tojraflypaids; and locomotives, he has the-foUpwing, •which fully sustain^, the reniarks that I have made, in commendation of Col. Steyens and bis: sons, so justly .distinguished, for talents and enterprise. EARLY LOCOMOTIVES. " The Ipciomfltive^. first, «sed, on the Camdeni-and A,mboy railroad, were naade or constructed hy; Robert Sievens, at his works,- pr uppnhis mpdels- in- Engjapd, differing, epsenj;i^Uy :firQra.,-th9se/ in use in England. At jl,he,,-9.ntset -he applied a spark-catcher, ^thnugh patents-fox lffe^;epntrii^^9ps, , have since .}3een .l^Jfe.n out, and )b,e-inv^ted,'an4applie4 theffl? and-b3,s ppntinued ever .sijnce ; ,«;yi ;Xilher • railways, baye , ai^opted tlje contrivance 'jof tl>e guidq^ ;pr., ,cow-catc|ier, .,^s it is commenly called* frpni an incidental ffunctijj^jjitf.djis- 402- REMINISCENCE^ charges, of which the wheels, easily followitig the" Curves, give a directicn to the fprward wheels pf the locomotive, fix^d on art axle slightly moveable, as with the forvvard pair of Carriage wheels, atid thus enable it,' •without danger of flying off at a tangent, to diverg^ from its straight, on wkrd, rapid courfe. ' - The'invention of the T rail, which renders travel ling it) secure, is also due to R. L. Stevens. He went to England with the - model, presented it to the^ engineers' and iron-masters, and begged they Would make him rails on that pattern,' but they all decliried^^ saj/tng that they had no machinery which could do it.' He persisted, arid finally obtained from Mr. Guest,' a nifenibef '^of parUament, and a' ^reat iron^-Hiaster, an order to use his furnaces in Wales.- Mr. Steverts posted thither, wrought with his o-wn hands at the work, but at the mpment pf success the machinery gave way, and he was obliged td return to ^London. Yet undismayed, and abating no jot of hope, he' asked permisslpn, after paying hiinself the expenses of repairing the damage? to tbe machlntei^y, to try again'. It was' given ; be did try and succeeded, and gave to the world,- taking no' patent, that fprna of rail now universal on every secure road. So much for an American mechanic." " The iflofe raflroads t^ere brtjught into- use in 'our state, the riioie I bedarne convinced of their utility ,- arid that' their 'cetistructibri sbbhld be reasonably en- coiitraggd^ -Hencfe T -was for giving liberal charters, such tis wpuld ittdtice their cpnstructicn, in'stead oS depMssing -bt retarding the ptpject. We had in each hrahth. cf the legislature, a fe^w who from a pretended TSoT^o}' of corpdtations, voted against every bfll, whiT^ otb^s -were fdr Ibadihg' thein dWn with restrictions, fvhlfcli 'if adopted must'liavfe defeated them. It appiJs' BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 403 singular now, when raflroads are so much in favor, to look back fifteen years and observe the strange reasons sometimes assigned for voting against them. I have heard it argued that they were rhonopblies, inasmuch as each individual had not a right to use it at his pleasure, as he would his wagon pn the highway. Others have expressed a willingness tP VPte for par ticular raflroad biUs, if they Were so framed that individuals might, if they desired' it, place their own cars on tiie road and run them ; and would vote against them because this impracticable cpncession was not made. Otber-s again, would urge the old fashioned mode of locomotion by horse power, over rough, roads, as decidedly preferable, • particularly for the farming interest. We can hardly Conceive that any sensible, practical man, who bad seen the facility and; comfort of railroad movements, could desire to resist this great, modem improvement for the sake of keeping up expensive, uncomfortable,': antiquated mcdes ef travel,, where in performing what is npw eafeiljf accomplished in a day, a man and hi* team would be subjected to seven or eight days hard travel. , , Th^ seemed to have no cdmpassion foi: the posar •hoTse, nor even for his owner ; nor did they seem to value time as anything. Thei old lumberitig stages, or horses and wagons were urged as decidedly pr^erablei. Such' conceits and narrow prejudices had tdbemetand overcome ; and as it required a vote of twd-t^irdsjof all the members elected in 6Bch house, it was frequents ly necessary itp see tfce bouses well filled before venturing to tafee-the vote for a railroad charter The charter for the New York and Erie raflroad, was obtained while I was iin' the senate,; foe which C404 REMINISCENCES I voted, and also for nearly all the subsequent bills in favor of that toad; upto the close of my senatorial term, ending with the year 1838. The charter of this, road Was granted in 1832, anb, was reported iin; theisenate by Nathaniel P. TaUmadge, .who was chairman of 'the ' railroad committee. We had never till this year had a general committee on railroads,' but since that time a standing committee has been appointed at each session. The proposed road was to; run a great distance through - my senatorial .district; and as adarge proportion of^my constituents felt, a deep interest in its success, theyj -of course ex pected' my support, which from the favorable' view I entertained of , the j project, they would have had under any circumstances. 'The construction, of a road of such"length, over a country much, of it broken, hilly, and forbidding, was a herculean task that not? only required '^ faith and works" in an eminent degree, but large expenditures of money., , :; Ev^ry ohe regarded its success with doubt. The task was deemed too great; If it could be carried through I had no doubt of its importance and utility. It would bring the whole range' of southern counties, then in a measure ¦ secluded from the great state tho roughfare, ill direct communication with the city of New York ; and. while ' it prompted the growth and markets of the city, would, open those counties to settlers, induce investments of capital, afford cheap and expeditious means of transporting their surplus products, and thus renovate the- latent -energies of those counties. All of theSe benign Consequences the city and country are now realizing beyond the reasohablB expect ations of i either, though the rodd^ has but just been BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 405 completed ; and it not only afibrds a direct communic'a- tipn with the city, but cpnnects the intermediate regitohs between the Chenango and Chemung, as it will Vith the Genesee Valley canal, thus enabling these engaged in transpprting heavy articles pn the lateral- canals, to reach them by steam power on the raflroad. The bfll loaning the credit of this state to the amount of $3,000,000, to expedite the construction of the road, was passed during the session of 1836, after a most sturdy and vindictive opposition. Nearly all the canal counties from Albany to Buffalo opppsed it, to which must of course be added those who opposed railroad projects in general, and ; those who wished to withhold stale aid, and state credit. This bifl received my cordial and earnest support ; and with a good board of directors ought to have ensured the construction of the road at a more early day. They so managed that the public lost confidence in them, and poorly, requited the liberaUty of the state. I thought while the state was doing so much for canals, through other portions, the spulhern cpuhties: were entitled to pubUc aid ; and if the road could be con structed,, even if the $3,000,000 should eventually be lost, I cared little about it; for, from -the increase of population and wealth, the state in the end would be the gainer, as I have no doubt it wiU be, _ Every one now sees and admits the importance of this, great thoroughfare ; and who can now regret the aid 6f the state? , The bill was debated in the, senate for several days, ,and I think passed in cpmnjittee pf the. whole by a ^ small majority, on-gOlh April, 1836,. on which day I closed the debate in favor of the bill., A few extracts ,frpm my remarksj; the whcle of ^6 EEMINISCENCES - which were published in the daily Albany Argus, and in pamphlet form,, will show spme'of the views enter tained in regard to this road as well as others. My extracts , roust be , brief. In reference to the project. It was .said : — "In a case like the ,'p resent; where so large an expenditure -is Contemplated, where so extensive a districtistp be benefitted, and where such > important results are to foflow, I should deem it an incalculable evil, if the slate, by withholding its encouragement, should lose the benefit of this vast expenditure of pri vate capital, so essential to the prosperity of that part pf the state.-.where it Is tp be expended. " The magnitude and extent of the project, com mends itself strongly to the favor of the stale, and invokes ils aid tp encourage and give confidence to the credit and exertions of private enterprise. It contem plates the constructipn of a raflroad greater in extent than any one that has ever been made, and looking to mpre important results. There is a magnitude and boldness in the project,-^a moral grandeur that chal lenges admiration and baffles description, holding in suspense and awe the most vivid imagination, in refer ence to results, and far outstripping and confounding the conceptions of the timid. *' Commencing on tide waters, at or near the ' com mercial emporium,' it stretches away to the west ; cUmbs with audacious boldness the Apalaehian range ; traverses the romantic and delightful vallies of the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers -and their tribu taries, for more than twp hundred miles ; communicates with the Allegany, thereby opening to the Ohio and Mississippi valley and Gulf of Mexico ; and uniting ^with Lake Erie, on whose capacious bosom the com- BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 407 roodities of the east wifl be distributed to the borders ,of our other immense inland seas for many thousand mfles." Again : — " Let me inquire what benefits wfll result from this bill ? . By its passage, you give the company such credit and assistance as wfll enable them to complete the work, at a much earlier day than if left to their own exertions. By its construction you "open a thorough fare from New York to Lake Erie, pn a route remote from ihe canal, and afford faciUties for business and a ready and cheap access to market, to an extensive and important part of the stale. Not only the inhabi tants of this state, but those 9f .Northern Pennsylvania and the western stales, will be greatly benefited, whfle the city of NeW York will acquire additional faciUties for business. " This great thoroughfare can be used, when the Hudson river, the Erie cai^al, and lake Erie, are blocked up with ice,; and with Its cpnstructlpp, goods may be thrown into the valley of the Ohio, by descend ing the Allegany, before the other channels of commu nication are open. In. addition to these commercial advantages, great agricultural benefits wfll result from die construction of the rpad ; an impetus will be given to business from the expenditure of money ; labor and agricultural praducts will be in. demand; fartns will greatly increase in value ; and pubUc attention being turned in that direction, your southern counties will fiU up wilh inhabitants." , Now are not the foregoing anticipations nearly realized, though the road is but just completed ? The recent census goes, far to iUustrale the propositions,; in reference to improvements and increased value of 408 REMINISCENCES property, and great augmentation of population. Look at the increase in those counties, and see -their advance, no doubt greatly stimulated by the construction of the road." A further extract : — "Construct this ' road, and il will be but a few years before ^oiir slate will be cut up wilh railroads like a checker-board, conneoling this wilh the Erie canal. I think it no.t extravagant to, look for one from Attica to the New York-aud Erie road, thus connecting with Rochester and Buffalo. Another may be looked for frdpn Ithica lo Auburn, and thence lo the canal. Another from Blnghamlon or Oswego, to Syracuse ; and- another from Utica, down 4he Unadilla, lo the Susquehanna valley. ' • "- Nor is this all. It wfll be but a few years before a railroad will be carried up lake Erie, uniting with some one or more of the railroad routes to the .Missi slppi. Fifteen years will probably accomplish all this, and I think ten years will show a -continuous, and unbroken communication by railroads and steamboats, from New York to St. Louis. And may •we not look for more important results? Who that looks back to the commencement of the present century, and. com pares the then situation of what now constitutes the ¦ western states, with their present improved condition, can' limit his anticipations for far greater improvements, and a vast increase of -wealth arid population, for the next thirty-six years ? Is it extravagant lo believe, that before another ihlrly-six years expire, we shall not only have an organized stale government beyond the rocky mountains, with ' important commercial cities, but a communication by steamboat and raflroad, to the mouth of the Columbia? BY LEVI BffiARDSliEY. 409 •' The Missouri already affords navigation for thou sands of miles ; and gentlemen who have crossed the continent, represent the route to the Pacific as pecu liarly favorable for r&ilroad communication. " In my judgment twenty-five years will consum mate this object, and when accomplished, what im- 'porlanl results must follow ! With a rail and steam communication from New Yorii lo St. Louis, and thence lo the Columbia river, the whole distance may be traversed in less than twenty days, and thus open a direct communication with China. The effect ot such communication wfll be, loturn a great proportion of the American trade wilh China and' the neighboring countries. In this direction ; and instead of a dangerous and protracted voyage round Cape Horn or tbe Cape of Good Hope, six months will be sufficient; and some favorite city, on the Pacific will become the great point where the trade of the eastern and western world will concentrate, and from whence it will radiate, and diffuse itself through the various avenues of our re- . public, and to nations with whom we are in communi cation." , In regard to the importance of this great thorough fare, and of the anticipations put forward In the fore going remarks, Cob Medara, of Columbus, Ohio, In the Ohio Statesman (stale paper)'of January 15, 1845, when speakirig of the occupation and Improvement of Oregon, and! the adjustment of its boundary, has the following remarks : — " The Hon. Levi Beardsley, of this city, has sent us, at our request^ (for we delight to spread and re-spread before the world any thing : connected with this great subject) an extract of a speech deUvered by him in the New'York Senate, in 1836. We scarcely 410 REMINISCENCES : -believe it wifl be twenty-five years from that time, which wfll be 1861, before we shall have a connected . route of raUroads and steamboats,: from the Atlantic lo the Pacific, over the Rocky mountains, and Mr. Beard- ¦ sley's prophecy will then be history.'' One extract more from the raUroad speech. ; "In reference to the bill under consideration, I must be permitted to say, that I think I can see in prospect, cities and villages springing up on this road, to rival those on the Erie canal; and it is not an extravagant prediction to suppose, that whoever shall live a quarter of a century after the road is completed, will see several cities on its route, more than surpassing what Utica is now. "It will serve as a chain, connecting the southern extremities of your lateral canals, rendering access easy and cheap for such articles as may be carried on them. " When I look at the map of New York, and con template what she now is, and her future greatness, I am proud of my native state. I look abroad, and perceive her great commercial metropolis inviting tbe -commerce and unlocking the treasures, not only of our own, but of foreign lands. I perceive the noble rivers, the capacious lakes, the immense water power, the fertility of its soil, the healthiness and salubrity of ils climate, the wealth and enterprise of ils citizens ; and I then look at the works of internal improvement, that within fifteen years have added so much lo the credit, the wealth, prosperity, and population of the state, and inquire whether this glorious career is to be arrested? It cannot, it must not stop here. "And now let me ask, why should we withhold our assent to this bfll? The spirit of impravement BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 411 and enterprise is abroad, teeming with energy and giant strength ; developing the resources of'the country, improving its avenues of communication, and diffusing wealth, prosperity, and blessings In Its onward coutse. Shall we check Its course, and wither its energies? or by extending the fostering aid of government, give such strength and impetus lo private enterprise, as shall secure the early and certain consummation of this stupendous projecl? Our course is pnward, and no-Umited views should withhold the countenance or ^d of government, where such important results will follow. Let us seize the auspicious moment, with a ,firm hope that our best anticipations will be more than realized. ''Sir, I Willmjc loiTgeiri dijtctin the committee, but .commit this subject, wilh the rights, interests, feelings, ^•>^ -"Jshes of more than one-third of your citizens, to the decision of those whose duty it is to pass on this •momentous question. If you reject it, you blast the topes, of thousands whose hearts have beat high, while they have fondly cherished the hope of success. I trust that in these, their just expectations, they are not to be disappointed. They have beeri represented as 'abiding In a wilderness.' If this be sp, and the southern counties are to be so regarded, I trust that in the vote of this committee, ' the tvUderness and solitary l^aces shall be made glad:^ and those inhabitants of the mointalns, who, on a former occasion, my friend from the seventh (Mr. Edwards,) seemed to think were occupying high places bettei suited for wild beasts than civilized m^; who, like the Kenites, are re^ presented as seated on a rock,^I trust that even these wiU also be made glad; and as they look from their giddy heights, sd" 'graphically described, to the delibe- il2 REMINISCENCES rations of the senate, watching with intense anxiety its action, I hope, in the success of this bfll, It may soon be said of themj ' Let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout with joy from the tops of tbe mountains.' " The bifl was finally passed; and the splendid business now doing on the road gives sure evidence ot success hereafter, and vindicates the ooUcy of tbe state in its legislative and pecuniary aid. Before leaving the subject, of railroads, I may as well remark that, during the Autumn of 1849, i received an invitation from a committee of citizens of. St. Lpuls, to attend a national convention at that. place, on the 15lh October, to deliberate on the expediency of connecting the Mississippi valley With the I'acific by railroad and telegraphic communications. The hospi talities of the city were tendered, and the invitatior' ^'^^ every way flattering and acceptable. Not being able to, attend, I enclosed to the committee an extract from my railroad speech, in which I had alluded to the project, and also the editorial remarks of Col. Medara, before referred to. A portion of my letter lo the com mittee, in answer to theirs may not be inappropriate. "For more than thirteen years, as you wiU perceive by the enclosed extract, I have looked lo the connection of t\ie Atiantic with the Pacific, by steamboat, and rail road, as, an event that certainly must take place. At that early day, those most ardent, in iteir devotion to internal improvements, could but barely dream of a project so slupenduous without being re garded as moon struck visionaries ; and yet there has been no time since th^t period that I have doubted its ultimate success. " The adjustment of the Oregon boundary, the BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 413 .acquisition of New Mexico and California, the immense emigration to those countries, and the attraction of mineral ¦«'ealth, afford inducements for an early con nection wilh those far off regions, that no one thought of in 1836. " There is, as your address intimales, great danger of losing , those distant territories, and the establish ment of an independent confederated western republic, unless more easy and rapid communications Can be established. You might have enlarged and illustrated a principle which you merely hinted" at, that (in the language of a distinguished author,) ' Every improve^ ment of the means of , locomotion, beriefits mankind morally and intellectually, ¦ as well at 'materially, and not only facilitates the interchange of the various product ions of nature arid art, but tends to remove national and provincial -antipathies, and lo bind together all the branches of the great human family.' " " The means to accomplish the work must in a ^eat measure depend on the action of congress. No individual exertions or combinations are adequate. Perhaps a judicious combination of individual and national means may be deemed advisable. ¦: « Whether your city shall be the place of departure from the Mississippi,- as I' ha^te' heretofore supposed, or whether a more northern or southern route is td be adopted, must, of course, 'depend upon explorations, surveys arid estimates yet to be made. Judging from fliaps and what I have read, it seems probable that ¦v^b'en the road is cpmmenced it wfll be up the Misscuri, at least as far as the western boundary of ypur slate, using the river tp reach the starting point, until a read shall be made thrpugh your state, and thus avoiding-' the embarrassing question of state rights. 'In any event 414 REMINISCENCES - your city must participate largely In the trade and bene^ fits resulting from the success of the project.' An attempt to connect two oceans, more than three thousand mfles asunder, is of a magnitude to alarm the timid, and lo induce doubts and fears from those most ardent and sanguine. But look at it as it is. We have at this mott ent steam communication by boat:and railways from New Yprk and Boston to your city, and thence by the Missouri more than five hundred miles west, thus making, njear half the distance from ocean to Ocean. Now, with the experience we have in railroad makings X regard the construction of a road from your west ern borders, with branches to Oregon and Callfor*' nia, by no means so doubtful of success, or onerous to the nation, as the Erie canal was regarded to the; state of New York, ,in 1817, and yet that was completed; in seven years and the debt: soon paid off. . Yovar project while confined to the territories,, is free from constitutional objections, even with the mpst strict noa- ! structionists, for no cpnsiderable number deny nae- power ef cpngress tP make roads for militaiy purposes* fop, the transmission of the mail, and tD enhance the value of public lands ; and whether lands are appro priated,, (of which tbere are numerous precedents) or their avails in money, there can be no constittrtionat difference in principle. The great point at present to be attained, to render success certain, is to enlist the; general government, in a united, well-considered, and- enUghtened effort to pronrote the objecft. Riyal interests and projects must be reconcfled; for, to accomplish a- wnrk of such; ipagnitude we must have united councils, as, well as efforts.. With these secured, your hopes and the r expectations of the nation wfll eventually be realized ; and the stately goings forth of the « iron horse' as he BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 415 drags the penderous train acrcss the almbst boundless plains that skirt your frontier, and stretch away to the west, wfll be viewed with astonishment by the back woodsman, and the red men of the forest. The shrill scream of the steam whistle will enliven the recesses of the Rocky Mountains, and those barriers of nature that have stood in solitary grandeur, frowning defiance since their creation, ;will yield to scientific application pf mechanical skiU ; and their subjugation will add another chaplet to American enterprise. To carry forward this un parallelled project, is the object of your eonVfentlpn, which, if successful, will remain a monu ment of American energy, firm and durable as the mountains themselves. There is an indomitable resolu tion in our countrymen, that yields to no disGouragifig circumstance, but surinounts all obstacles. If- the nation wills the road i desirable^ means will be found for its construG_Uon. It is for ypur conventlpn tP take •wise, incipient measuresj to promote a union of senti- rnent, to develope the means, and then to press to completion the great work, in which, yoa have my warmest sympathies and most ardent hopes. Very respectfully:, your obedient servant Levi Beardsley." I have formerly thought favorably of the project of Asa Whitney, esq., for constructing a raflroad to the Pacific^ not perhaps in all its details,, but in the general proposition of governmental aid, by a liberal donation of publict lands tahira, or in somie other mCde to promote the great' object. He contemplated starting from the westerly side of Lake Michiga,n, and,' desired an extensive grant of iaflds oh each side of his road. The longer the project isr delayed^ the less indocertient wfll remain i for my reader to go with me, in imagination, through that receptacle of the dead. It is quite probable, that on looking at the names, we may call i.'^< recollections of some that will not be devoid of interest. Here you wfll find some of those who, as pioneers, first led the way BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 453 5nto this romantic and then far-off" valley ; and of their descendants, who perilled their lives in the struggle for independence. Any one looking through that burying-ground, wifl be forcibly struck wilh the large proportion of elderly people who rest there, and whose memory is perpetuated by inscriptions on the grave stones. The first impression would be, that the place is remarkably healthy, as it undoubtedly is. Let me name over some pf them, and threw in spme hasty recollections and incidents. James Campbell died 1770, aged eighty years. Sarah Simpson, bis wife, died 1773, aged seventy-nine years. This James Campbell, I suppose, was the first of the CampbeU family who came there among the early settiers, not far from 1740, and was the father of Col. Samuel CampbeU, who died 1824, aged eighty-six years ; and great grandfather of Hon. Wil liam W. Campbell, of the city of New York, author of the " Annals of Tryon County," and now judge of the superior court. Jane Cannon, wife of Col. Samuel CampDell, died 1836, aged ninety-two years. Col. Campbell was an active, patriotic whig, of the revolution. I think he was in the ill-fated expedition against Crown Point, during the old French war, where Abercrombie was repulsed and defeated, and Lord Howe killed. At the Oriskany battle, in 1777, he was in the thickest of the fight ; and after General Herki mer was wounded and Col. Colt killed. Col. Campbell succeeded to the command, and after rriaintaining the contest wilh obstinate bravery, brought off that portion of the survivors who had stood their ground, manfully, instead of running away as some did, on being sur prised. He had several bullet holes through his clothes, one ball cutting away the string by which his 454 REMINISCENCES powder horn was suspended. In 1778, when Cherry Valley was surprised, and: the settlement broken up by tories and Indians, his buddings , were burned, his wife, with two or three children, made captives, and carried off to Niagara, thence to Canada, and down to Montreal, where, after an absence of two years, they were exchanged for the family of Col. John Butler. Cpl. Campbell, who was en his farm some distance from the housb, escaped. When he learned that the savages had made their onset, his first impulse was to reach his house and to defend it and his family to the last extremity ; but on cpming in sight he saw it on fire, and surrounded by Indians. He could not save his family, though by flying to the woods he was enabled to escape himself. Mrs. Campbell travelled on foot, and the greater part of the way carried her infant child. The Indians bad intimated an intention tO' kill it, that it might no longer be an incumbrance to the party, er hindrance on their long' journey. She begged them to spare the child and she would take the sole charge of it, severe as the task was, lo carry an infant and keep up wilh the retreating party. At, or soon after the close of the war, Col. Campbell rebuilt his house, and when Gen. Washington, Gov. George Clinton and pthers visited the western part of the state, they stopped with him over night. He was an old fashioned republican of the Jeffersonian school, and always a decided friend and admirer of Gov. George Clinton, as he was afterwards of Gpv. De Wilt CllntPri, his nephew. CpI. Campbell represented the cpunty pf Otsegp as pne ef ils members of assembly, not far from the ccmmencement pf the present century. During the war pf 1812, he was decided in his ap- BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 455 proval of its declaration, and was for sustaining vigor ous measures for ils prosecution. It seemed lo rouse up his spirit and to awaken early prejudices against the mother country, for revolutionary atrocities. His eldest son. Doctor Wm. CampbeU, is buried near bis father. He was an excellent man, remarkably weU informed ; represented the county in the assembly for several sessions, and in 1835 was made surveyor general, the duties of which office he discharged wilh fidelity and skill. In 1844 he departed this life at the advanced age of seventy-six years, his wife Mrs. Sabrlna- Campbell, a lady of much worth, having died at the age of fifty-four years, in 1830. Eleanor, wife of Samuel Dickson and daughter of Col. Campbell, died 1844, aged seventy-four years. Samuel Dickson her husband, died 1822, aged fifty- seven years, who, previous to his death, erected a stone at the grave of his mother, wilh this inscription: "In memory of EUzabeth Dickson, wife of Wm. Dickson, who was barbarously murdered by the savages, llth November, 1778, aged forty-eight years." Matthew Campbell, anpther son of Col. Campbell, aged about seventy years, and his wife about the same age, are also burled there. I might say much more in reference to the Campbell family, and of their captivity and sufferings during the revolutionary war, but it has been better told and on more authentic information than Ican pretend to, by Hon. Wm. W. Campbefl In his " Annals of Tryon County," and to that interesting work the reader is referred. Gen. Elijah Holt, then of Buffalo, died in 1826, aged sixty-four years, and Is buried in Cherry Valley, as is his brother. Major Lester Holt, who at seventy-five years, died there. Ephralm Hudson, died 1801, aged 456 REMINISCENCES eighty-eight. Ephralm his son, 1805, aged forty-eight. Jesse Johnson, aged eighty-seven. Isaac Seelye, esq., 1833, aged fifty-four years. Wm. Cook, died 1829, aged eighty-one years. His wife Candace, 1835, aged sixty-nine. This William Cook was an Englishman by birth ; an old seaman, and was the " Ben Pump" of Cooper's " Pioneers." Patrick Davison, one of the early settiers, died In 1813, aged seventy-nine years. His wife Mary, in 183-0, aged ninety-four. Archibald McKeUIp, died 1847, aged more than ninety. His wife Mary, died 1843, aged eighty-two years. Archibald McKeUip was a whig in the revolution, served seven years in the army ; was at the storming of Quebec when Mont gomery fell, and was an honest, worthy, industrious man, and good citizen. James Thompson also a revolutionary soldier, died 1821, aged sixty years. James Cannon another revolutionary whig, brother to Mrs. Campbefl the wife of Col. Campbefl, died 1829, aged seventy-eight years. His wife, of nearly the same age rests by him. Col. Libbeus Loomis, a revo lutionary officer and member of the Cincinnati Society, died 1836, aged seventy-nine years. His sister, Mrs. Little, wife of Dr. David Little, died 1846, aged seventy- seven. Dr. Little, her husband, 1832, aged sixty-five y6ars. Dr. Delos While, 1835, aged forty-six. Major John Walton, 1812, aged forty-nine years. WiUiam Peeso, revolutionary soldier, 1831, aged seventy-three years. His wife Lydia, 1846, aged eighty-two. Eliza beth, widow of the late Reverend Aaron Putnam, of Pom fret, Connecticut, died 1835, aged ninety. Hugh Mitchell, an old man, and respectable ; whom I used to know, lies there without a stone to mark his resting-place. He was very near a hundred years old BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 457 when he died ; and was buried near the south-side of the yard by the remains of his first wife and six child ren, who were butchered by the savages In 1778. He barely escaped by fleeing to the adjacent woods, where he concealed himself till the enemy were gone, when he returned, placed his murdered famfly on an ox sled, and drove them to the fort, where they were buried, and the old man by request, was placed beside them, when he died. Another very old man of ray former acquaintance, lies there, who died in 1814, al an ex ceedingly advanced age. He was known as " Old Jackey Foster," was at Cherry Valley long before the revolution, came there from Scotland or the North of Ireland ; was as he said in the battle of CuUoden in 1746, and used to sing anll-jacobile songs. One of his couplets was something like the follow ing : " And buttocks hare, were turned up there, Of many a brawny Highland mon." Foster was a man of coarse, low wit, and used lo crack his jokes, and play off his tricks -with an almost unlimited license. At the early organization of the county, there was considerable strife between Cherry Valley and Cooperstown, In relation to public bufld- ings. The former was settled fifty years before the latter, and had been destroyed during the revolutionary struggle, and hence felt entitled lo pubUc favor. Ills said, that Judge Cooper, on one occasion, play fully remarked, that the court house should be placed in Cooperstown, the jail in New Town Martin (Middle- field,) and the gallows In Cherry Vafley. Dr. Joseph White, afterwards first ji^dge, and Luther Rich, esq., were leading men in Cherry VaUey ; and Foster who 458 REMINISCENCES was- always poor, and inclined lo his drink, had not much credit wilh these or others pf his neighbors. He frequently, wanted to bprrow small sums of money, and would go to Judge Cooper, always taking care to con ciliate his feelings as Foster stjpposed, by roundly abus ing Messrs. White and Rich, and other men of influ ence at home. Judge Cooper •who understood the ob ject, would listen to Foster's various devices to obtain money, and sometimes obliged him by small loans, though none the more for the abuse of his neighbors. On one occasion he had been sworn as a witness, when, on coming out of court the judge asked him -whether he had sworn to the truth ? Foster laid his hand on his breast, and raising his eyes, said, wilh much appa rent solemnity, " I have Judge, as I am a Christian mon." " But did you tell the whole truth," says the judge ? " Yes, yer Honor" (with a significant wink of his eye,) " and a d d sight more." Col. Alden, who was in command, when Cherry Valley was destroyed, and was killed outside of the fort, has a plain slab to mark his grave ; wilh this in scription : " In memory of the brave Col. Ichabod Alden, a na tive of Danbury, Massachusetts, who was murdered by the savages iri this place, on the memorable llth day of November, 1778, in the thirty-second year of his age." His remains are by the side of Col. and Mrs. Clyde. When her grave was dug in 1825, being crowded upon that of Col. Alden, his remains became visible. I saw and examined his skull, which was sound as when first buried. The tomahawk with which he was struck, after being shot, had not cut through the skull to the brain, but seemed to have BY LEVI BEARDSLEV 459 glanced off, chipping away a portion of the skull. The cavity was discolored with blood, and several lines or , marks, where the tomahawk had entered were red and bright. Alvan Stewart look one of the loosened teeth. Col. Samuel Clyde of whom I have just spoken was born in Windham, Rockingham county. New Hamp shire, April llth, 1732, and died in Cherry Vafley, November 30th, 1790. He was an ardent devoted whig during the revolutionary struggle, and all agree .' that he was a man of Indoinitable resolution, and true courage. During the French war he held a commis sion as captain, which commission is now almost one hundred years old, and is in the hands of his youngest son. Col.. Joseph Clyde. He was In the expedition against Ticonderoga during that war, and was engaged in that sanguinary contest. He was also at the taking , of Frontenac under CoL Bradstreet. On the breaking out of the revplution he look an active part against the mother country ; was a member of assembly in the first legislature under the state conslilulion of 1778, having been elected from what was then Tryon ; and subsequently Montgomery county, of which latter county he. was the first sheriff after ils organization. He came to Cherry VaUey, then a portion of Tryon county, seventeen or eighteen years before the revolu tion, and resided on the farm now owned by some of ^ his grand chfldren hear the village. Neither he or Mrs. Clyde, bis wife, had any relative there except their children. He was engaged In the Orlscany battle In 1777, where he was knocked down by a blow from a British musket, but was rescued by a man named John Flock, who shpt the man whp had given the blow. The next 460 REMINISCENCES year 1778, he was appointed Col. of the Canajoharie regiment, which he commanded till the war closed. With this regiment or a portion of it, he was en gaged in the Palatine battle, when his men look a field piece from Sir John Johnson ; and Cob Clyde took a musket from the enemy, now owned by his grandson, Hon. George C. Clyde. At the interview with Brandt, at Unadflla, Col. Clyde was present with Gen. Herkimer, whose confidence he enjoyed during the life of the generah After Col. Clyde was commissioned as such, and after the destruction of Cherry Valley, a small fort was constructed .at Freysbush, in the present town of Canajoharie, which was named after him "Fort Clyde." There was in the British service, an active, bold, and desperate partizan officer, who, I believe, was a tory, named Joseph Beltis, or some such name, who was hung at Albany as a spy, before the war closed. This Beltis had offered a reward of $100 to any one who would deliver Col. Clyde into his hands. The Col., of course, was on his guard, and was always armed when he went from home. Beltis told Archibald McKeUIp, who I have already mentioned, that on a certain occasion he was in the woods, when he saw Col. Clyde who was armed wilh a gun within eight or ten rods of him. Clyde was not aware that he was in the presence of his dangerous adversary ; and Beltis drew up his gun by the side of a tree to shoot him. He told McKellip, that on taking aim at him he felt an im pression that he was about lo shoot a brave man, who, if not killed, would be very likely to fight desperately and lo kill him before the contest was over ; h.nd on re flecting on it he dare not shoot, and thus assassinate BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 461 even an adversary. Col. Clyde was the first justice of the peace in Cherry Valley, after the revolution. Dur ing the war and even after ils close, he was very much devoted to the public service, to the neglect of his own affairs ; for he went to New York in 1784, and on state security, raised money to paj' arrearages, due the officers and soldiers of his regiment, His wife, Mrs. Catharine Wasson Clyde, was born in Worcester, Mass., April 5, 1737, and at an early age came with her father to the present town of Amsterdam, near the residence of Sir William Johnson. She was intimately acquainted with the celebrated Indian chief, Brandt, who, when a boy, frequently came lo her father's house lo play with her brothers. Up lo the time of her death, .which' was In 1825, at the age of eighty-seven ; she always expressed a con- fident belief that if she could have seen Brandt before the massacre al Cherry Valley, she could have prevailed on him to have saved the inhabitants. She was a niece of Matthew Thornton, one of the signers of the Decla ration of Independence ; a courageous woman ; well informed ; recollected all the events of the revolution, particularly all the incidents relating lo the destruction of Cherry Valley. On that disastrous occasion, when she found the settlement was attacked, she left her house, and finditig all communication -with the fort cut off, she with part of her family concealed themselves in a thicket where they remained through the night ofNov. llth, 1778. It was cold and stormy, and considerable snow fell. The darkness was enlivened wilh the Ughl of burn ing buildings in every part of the settlement; and in the course of that long and dreary night she heard Indians pass and repass several limes but a short distance from 462 REMINISCENCES where she was concealed. She kept her children still, but she had with her a small dog who gave her intense solicitude lest by his barking, he should attract the al tenlion of the savages ; but the dog seemed to under stand the importance of " a silent tongue," and kept stfll. On the morning of the 12lh, a scout of twelve men was sent from the fort; and then she emerged from her concealment, all wet and chilly, from the snow that had fallen, and went with the parly to the fort. Here she was presented by the officer in command with one of his shirts, lo take the place of her wet under garment. She retired to put it on ; but one of her daughters was missing, who separated from her when they fled from the house, and who the mother, with painful apprehensions, supposed had very likely been captured or murdered by the enemy. Soon after Mrs. Clyde had adjusted her dress, she was delighted to see her daughter approaching the fort. When the family left the house, they hurried to a thicket to conceal themselves, and in the confusion of the moment became separated. The young woman remained con cealed through the night, and next morning crept stealthily from her concealment, intending to majie a desperate effort to reach the fort. Her father had a mare, on which the girls were accustomed lo ride, and so gentle, that the young woman did not hesitate to mount her without saddle or bridle. Guiding her wilh a stick, she made directly " for the fort, by a foot-path across the flats, and came galloping up to the gateway, her dishevelled hair streaming in the wind, and thus was she united wilh thc-rest of the famfly Mrs. Clyde was well-informed, for she read every thing, and remembered all she read. I have frequently BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 463 heard her relate those revolutionary incidents ; and I do not suppose there was a more 'earnest, resolute, and devoted whig in the country than she was. It has often been remarked, that her influence was as great in keeping up revolutipnary ardpr, as was any of the settlers on that frontier, whether male or female. It is proper to. state, that several incidents that I have related in reference to Col. Clyde, are from his grand son, Hon. George C. Clyde, in whpse tstatemenls I have the fullest cpnfidence ; for having studied his pro- , fession with me, I ought to know something pf his reputatipn, and I have np dpubt pf the general accuracy of his statements. I have been at a loss to determine in my own mind, whether the dreadful butchery that took place at Cherry Valley is, as it has generally been, to be attributed to a cold-blooded determination on the part of Brandt, tp massacre these whp shpuld fall into his hands. Brandt had been educated, and had asspciated much with white men, and was famfliar wilh habits and mcdes of civilized life. He is said to have been a freemaspn ; and I have pften heard it asserted by .the pld residents of Cherry VaUey, that he saved the life of Lieut. Col. Stacy, whp was seccnd in command of the fort, but being outside, was made prisoner when Col. Alden was kiUed. It is said Stacy was a free mason, and as such made an appeal to Brandt, and was spared. Judge James S. Campbefl, of Cherry Valley, who was then a child and a prisoner, informs^ me, that he recollects seeing Col. Stacy stripped of his clothing, as if about tP be murdered, but his life was spared. I can easily imagine, that in the heat of battie, the lives of prisoners might be sacrificed, even if orders had been given to the contrary, for with civilized na- 464 REMINISCENCES tions such melancholy events are not of rare occurrence. But il Is obvious that Brandt could not have been everywhere among the Indians, when the sudden attack was made ; for they came up on each side of the creek far removed from each other, arid passing by the fort hastfly, spread over the settlement. I have understood that Brandt always denied that he au thorised the destruction] of women and children, or of men after thay ceased to resist. No doubt he intended to break up the settlement, and scatter the inhabitants by fire and sword, and hoped to lake and destroy the fort. Whatever might have been his private wishes, il was hardly possible to restrain the wild and blood thirsty^ savages from indulging in their natural pro pensities and their usages in war. Another extenuating gircumstance, in reference to Brandt, may be drawn from the fact, that Capt. Waller Butler, who commanded the "rangers," had command of the parly in this expedition, under whom Brandt was a subordinate. Butler was the son of Col. John Butler, who commanded the " greens," and Walter Butler is known to have indulged in all the barbarities of his savage associates, and was prover bial for his cruelties, for which he received a merited retribution shortly afl^'wards. In 1830 I met a son of the warrior Brandt, at Saratoga. He was from Canada, and on learning that I was from Cherry Valley, made many inquiries, and remarked that he wished very much to visit the place. He told me who he was, and said bis father bad been cruelly misrepresented in regard to the Cherry Valley massacres ; that he never authorized them, but on the contrary, restrained the Indians as far as he could, and always regretted the sacrifice of life. The late Wifliam McKown, who died a lew years BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 465 ago, related the following incident to me, which would rather go to exculpate Brandt from the charge of a de sire for indiscriminate slaughter. Mr. McKown was a lad when Cherry Valley was destroyed, and the incident referred to was as follows : The summer previous to the destruction of Cherry VaUey, he was raking hay on the McConnel farm, when late in the afternoon he heard foptsteps, and on turning round, saw a man stealthily approaching him, who was so near that escape seemed impossible. The stranger was Brandt, who was armed, and came out of the adjacent woods. McKown was alarm ed, and his first thought was to make his escape, but Brandt told him not to be alarmed, as he wpuld npt hurt him. He then enquired where one of the settlers might be found, who was suspected of being a tory in his pre judices, if not openly so, and on being directed lo his residence, peaceably departed. The settler referred to was " Old Jackey Foster." There is no doubt Brandt came there privately, to ascertain the strength of the fort, and the condition and location of the inhabitants, preparatory tp the ccn- templaled attack. In speaking of Col. Clyde, I have remarked that he was engaged in the battle of Palatine. I suppose this to have been one of those frontier skirmishes, where Col. Willett was in command. In one of those skirmishes Walter Butler, who was son of Col. John Butler, was killed near Canada Creek. Walter Butler commanded a company known as •' rangers," and generally accompanied the Indians in their expeditions. He was as npted for his barbarities as his most savage associates, and was the leader of 30 46b RLMINISCENCES the party that destroyed Cherry Valley, a bpld, vigflant, and dangerous adversary. Seebe Granger, a revolutionary soldier, who recently died at Cherry Vafley, has told me that he belonged to a corps stationed at or near Herkimer or German Flats. They received orders to march up one of the Cana da Creeks with a view of attacking or culling off But ler's party, who were retreating through the woods from the neighborhood of Johnstown, where Willett had en countered them. The party to which Granger be longed, marched up the creek into the wilderness, and struck the trail of the retreating party, and soon came on the camp where they had stopped through the night. The camp fires were burning, but the enemy were away. They were pursued, and on the opposite side of the creek, Butler was discovered by the advanced scouts of the American party. He had loitered behind his own men, to see that they all hurried along in making good their retreat. They had all crossed the stream, and Butler at a long shot distance from the pursuing party, with the large creek between him and them, felt quite secure, and to tanlaUze them, clapped his hand upon his poste riors. An Oneida Indian, who was with the American party, was one of the foremost of the pursuers ; and when Butler presented his backside, the Indian drew up with deliberate aim and though a very long shot, brought down his adversary. Rushing across the creek he soon approached him. Butler attempted to rise, but his back was broken, so that he was helpless ; and then he begged for quarter. The Indian told him he should have " Cherry Valley quarter," and knocking him on BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 467 the head, tore off" his scalp, while he was yet writhing in the agonies of death. Granger saw him before he was quite dead, and very soon a Dutch boy came tp them whp had been captured by Butler's party, and escaped frem them as they were hastily retreating. Many pther incidents might be related pf those bor der troubles, but I fear my remarks are already lop desultory, and too much extended for "grave yard" re flections. I was a member of the court for the ccrrecticn pf errors, and was attending a session of that court in the city of New York, when Col. Willett died. The court was invited to attend his funeral. Those present who remember the circumstances, wfll recollect that he was buried in the dress that he formerly wore, which I suppose, was his old revolutionary partizan field dress. The coat was grey or mixed, and he had on his head a half-military cap. How it happened that he was thus clad I do not knpw, but presume he had requested to be buried in the dress he had worn while in the ser vice of his country. He was a brave, vigilant, and valuable officer, ad mirably qualified for active frontier services. Hi? remains were deposited in Trinity church-yard, and vollies of musketry over the grave of the departed hero were fired, but not tiU it began to grow dark, in the evening. Those who have read the " Annals of Tryon coun ty" and other works treating of those frontier contests, wfll recoflect the butchery of the Wefls family at Cher ry Valley, as one of the most appaUing in that bloody tragedy. They were all murdered except the late dis tinguished John WeUs, of the city of New Yerk, whp 468 REMINISCENCES was absent at the time ; and the whole family consigned to a common grave without a stone to mark their burial place. In addition to those I have mentioned, many other old people are buried there; among Pthers, Simeon Goodell, a revolutionary soldier, nearly ninety years old. Also captain Jerome Clark, who was in Bunker Hill battle, and served through the war. He lived to the advanced age of ninety-four years, always sustain ing the character of an American patriot, as weU as a good citizen, and upright religious man. There is a mournful pleasure in looking at the graves of my old neighbors and friends ; and at my last visit my mind was in that gloomy stale, that I would not on any account have omitted my usual ramble " among the tombs." Only think of the changes where I resided thirty years. To say nothing of children and other relatives, look at the list of a small portion of my old associates. Isaac Seelye, Judge Morse, the two Dr. Whites, Dr. Campbell, Mr. Rose, Mason Fitch, and many others, now no more. Scarcely any of those of my immediate associates remain, except Judge Ham mond, Judge Campbell, Mr. Ripley, and a few others. My old friend Brackett, as I have elsewhere remarked, is alive, but has gone to the Mississippi, and is so far removed and advanced in life, that we shall probably never again see each other. Mason Fitch went off suddenly, an honest, noble-souled, kind-hearted man. At the time of his death, I thought no one could have been taken from that little society whom I should more miss and deplore than him. Judge Hammond is there still, but age impairs his health, and too clearly indicates the wintry period of Ufe. Mr. Trufl, one of the most stirring, energetic, busi- BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 469 ness men in the village, came there at a later period ; and though he and myself for many years have been on close intimate terms, I do not class him among my " oldest associates." I shall always hold Cherry Valley in kind remem brance. It is the birth-place of my children. Thirty years of my life, and by far the best and most prosper ous, were spent there. The confidence of ils citizens was extended to me beyond what I had a right to ex pect ; and being the resting-place of two of my child ren, and the birth-place of all, wilh two brothers and a sister sleeping in its grave-yard, I should hold myself in abhorrence could I forget or cease to love and vener ate ils haflowed associations. No ! I deUght to cherish these recollections, and to dwell on the vicissitudes of bye-gone years, when hope, joy, and bright anticipations for the future were predominant, and impelled me for ward in the " struggle of life." I delight to visit that yard, where in the stillness of the evening, I have frequently cafled up in memory the recoUection of many friends now sleeping their " last sleep." May the clods of that beautiful and romantic valley lie gently on them ; and the remembrance of their names and their virtues come up sweetly lo the recollection and contemplation of surviving friends. There is one thing wanting, that will occur lo every visitant who brings to mind the horrid massacre during the revolutionary war. Strange as it may now seem when our frontier set tlements are pushed lo the Rocky Mountains, lo say nothing of the Pacific, Cherry Vafley was then an ex posed and poorly protected settlement ; where Its seclu ded inhabitants were liable to surprise al any lime by lurking savages, which alas, was too fearfully realized. 470 REMINISCENCES Every one acquainted with revclutipnary incidents, knpws that next tP the massacre of Wyoming, none were attended with more fearful consequences, more suffering and brutal sacrifice of Ufe, without regard to sex, age, ox condition, than were here perpetrated. Whole families were immolated and consigned to a common grave. On visiting the village in 1848, I was so impressed wilh the belief that ils citizens would at some future time, desire to place something there, that should perpetuate the remembrance of the sad event, that I asked Col. Clyde, who knew the spot where the Wells family and others of the murdered were buried, to point il out. This he did, and as the old inhabitants were near ly all gone, and those remaining rapidly passing away, we drove a stake near the centre of the pit, lo designate the place, in hopes that at some subsequent period- a monument might be placed there. My Cherry Valley friends, I trust, may yet awake to the subject, and by erecting some suitable, plain, sub stantial monument wilh appropriate inscription, thus mark the spot, and by perpetuating the event, add an additional attraction to that hallowed locaUty. BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 471 CHAPTER XXV. Unadilla Hunts. — Members of the Club. — Hon. Sherman Page, Grand Sachem, — A Week's Shooting, — Premium Buck awarded Dog Primo. — Interlopers and Poachers punished. — Shoot a large Buck, — Splendid Sport for a Day, and Carousal at Night. — Various Incidents, — Letters from Judge Page and Col. Clapp. — Poems hy the late Henry R, Storrs and Morris S. Miller. — Primo extricated from a perilous condition. — Exploits and Incidents. "Hark! the goddess Diana calls aloud for the chase, Bright Phcsbus awakens the, morn!" — Himting Song. As I was formerly a member of the Unadilla Hunting Club, I must devote a large portion of a chapter, which I fear wfll be too much in extenso, lo sports of the field, growing out of visits to that celebrated sporting ground. Those Unadilla hunts, about thirty years ago, were belter managed, I imagine, than any of the kind in this slate for many years, and were attended by sports men who came, some of them, more than sixty ralles, about which distance I used to go. From Chenango several used lo attend, among whom were Col. Clapp, Gen. Ralhbone, Judge Monell, Simon G. Throop, Gen. Peter Sken Smith, Hon. John C. Clark, and Col. Ben jamin, now deceased. Judge Morris, of Butlernuls, Col. Starkweather, and Joseph Miller, of Cooperstown ; , Messrs. Devereaux, Lansing, and Griswold, from Utica, with others from abroad. At Unadilla, Hon. Sherman Page, who has been judge of Otsego county, representative in assembly, and twice elected to con- 472 REMINISCENCES gress, was the soul of the hunt, and was known as our "grand ss.chem." Henry Ogden, esq. since deceased, a fine talented fellow, but amazingly fond of hunting and fishing, was one of the association, and a most keen sportsman. Dr. Colwell, an old school-fellow wilh me, still living at Unadilla, was also one of the craft. These meetings were in the auluran, for several successive years, generally in Noveraber, and usually commenced Tuesday morning, winding off Friday evening. The time devoted to ihera was given up, particularly the evening, to boisterous mirth and roister ing stirring events. In the course of the week, the grand sachem would give an excellent supper, which from the substantial fare and abundance of creature comforts, should have been dignified as dinner, except as the day's sport compelled the table exercises lo come off in the evening. One or two good saddles of venison always constituted part of these feasts, to which were added other substantials as well as luxuries, of which the fine Susquehanna pike taken by friend Ogden, were indispensable. Wine and brandy were not unsparingly proffered, and those suppers passed off with an exuberance of good feeling and good cheer, that rendered them, as well as their hospitable giver, decidedly popular. An account of a day's shooting will serve as an insight lo the sports of each day through the week. Our rendezvous was the viflage Inn, known as " Hun ter's Hall," where each night were assembled a crowd, consisting of the patrons of the hunt, and a large number of those who, knowing the woods, were to put out the dogs In the morning, and drive the deer to the different "runways" where the amateur sportsmen BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 473 were stationed. These runners and scourers of the hills were good shots. Each had his rifle, and was to shoot the deer whenever he could. They were selected and employed by the grand sachem, and were devoted to our interest ; and unless we had employed them, we should hardly have been permllled lo " drive the deer," except al the imminent peril of our hounds, if not of ourselves. After taking the best precautions we could, many deer were shot by poachers and Interlopers before our dogs, but if they came among us al night, being generally known by our hunters, they fared poorly, for ours were not slow to Inflict personal chas tisement. I saw one who avowed having shot one ol our deer, and justified it on the ground that he had as much right to it as we had, knocked down and kicked about the street by one of our drivers. Ours was a raftsman, a good shot, and as fond of a fight as of a frolic, and always ready for either. He so punished the interloper that he gave us a wide berth for the future, though he threatened to shoot our dogs, for which he was "licked" a second lime. Our man Carly was pretty well paid for his pugilistic services, as he assured me on my shaking hands, and leaving a half dollar in bis, that every gentleraan had blessed him with an equal amount. Every night the tavern was crowded wilh our huntsmen, who with the grand sachem, discussed and settled upon the route for the ensuing day. They as well as the sportsmen generally, were well refreshed, and the evenings wound up with story telling and song singing, in which our friend Throop and Gen. Smith used to distinguish themselves. The dogs were secured at night, that we might be sure of their services in the morning. Just al day-Ught the bugle was sounded, which was a signal for the sportsmen to prepare for breakfast, and for the hunters 474 EEMINISCENCES to be ready to start with the dogs. As it reverberated beautifully among the hills, and diffused its animating strains along the valley. It would stir and cheer up the dogs, who would respond by clamorous and discordant yells, all eager to join in the chase which they knew was In preparation. Having decided to scour the bflls, for instance, on the north side of the river, part of the dogs were sent lo the round top, others lo the vlie, and sportsmen were stationed at the Indian monument, the hay stacks, the mouth of the ouleout, and other well- known runways of the deer to the river. My old hound Primo had never followed deer till he went with me to Unadilla, and as he would not foflow strangers, I generaUy went on horseback lo the woods wilh him. Primo was inlelligenl, had a good nose, was reasonably fleet on foot, patient and perse vering in tracing out a cold track, and when he opened, his voice was most musical and sonorous. He assisted in running the first deer started, and although his first effort, he acquitted himself so well, and also through the week, that the sportsmen awarded me a preraium buck, for his distinguished services. Those chases were exceedingly exciting; nothing could be more so. On reaching the recesses of the forests with which the hills on each side of the river were densely covered, the dogs would frequently beat the thickets an hour before getting up the deer. On striking the old trail, they would occasionally give tongue, whfle they were slowly tracing it out In all ils intricate windings. As they drew nearer, the scent became more apparent, and they of course more ex cited. They would finally rouse him and then open in full ory, so that the most inexperienced ear could not fail to know the game was up. The deer, on being thus started, often leads off in BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 475 a contrary direction from the river, to ascertain whether the dogs are actually pursuing him, and makes several doubles to throw iheiD off his track, running often round the bflls, where the hunters try lo shoot him. Finding himself holly pursued, or alarmed al a shot or the sight of a huntsman, he makes a straight course for the river, and then leaves the dogs far behind. When he makes up his mind to go, it is almost im possible lo check him till he reaches the river's bank. He shoots straight a-head, and often lakes the water before the dogs are in hearing of those at the river. The cry of the dogs is enchanting, as they pass from hill lo hill ; now swelling into full chorus, and then receding till entirely lost ; again returning, and their cheerful notes re-echoing from one side of the river lo the other, and reverberating among the hills. On reaching the strait trail, they come rushing down like a mountain storm. You hear rifle shots In the distance, which tell you the deer is there, far far ahead of the dogs. They finally reach the river, and if he is killed the clamor ceases : if not, they plunge in and swim, to take the trail on the other side. I have seen nine of them swimming the river at once, and nothing can be more beautiful — their noses just out of water, and their large ears floating on its surface, as they make for the farther shore. I recoflect my dogs swam the river nearly a dozen times In a single day In Novem- ¦ ber. It is surprising to see the sagacity of the hound in hunting out the trail when he crosses lo the opposite shore. As soon as he reaches land, he runs up and down the river's bank, tifl he finds the place where the deer left the water, and then is off in pursuit and fuU cry. I have recently written to Judge Page, now seventy- 476 REMINISCENCEo two years of age, inquiring what he recoUects of those hunts. After recurring with melancholy reflections, to the loss of so many of our old associates, the spirit of the sportsman becomes so apparent, that I cannot refrain from Inserting an extract from his letter. " We kflled (he says) twenty-seven deer one week. You helped slaughter the whole. Among them were twelve large bucks." This is rather figurative. I only " slaughtered" them by being present during the week, and doing what I could to promote the general object. " That week we ran fifty-two well-trained hounds, among whom were Primus and Driver. We had thirty-one men who put out the dogs, some in pairs, others single ; and about thirty bloods, some on horse back and others on foot ; some watching the points of hills, others at the fords of the river, and always one or more at the Indian raonuraent. All stations were occupied ; and by the rising of the sun, our hounds were giving tongue at every point of compass from Hunter's HaU. " These were times that enlarged and enUvened men's souls. Imagine yourself on the high bank at Pomps Eddy, (as you used to be,) the sun just rising over ' Burnt HiU,' ' Round Top' at the south. Poplar HIU at the north, the famous eel weir above, and the cave bank below you. A hound breaks forth on Poplar Hill, another, and slill another on Burnt Hill, and Round Top. By this time twenty are in hearing. You know not where the deer may come — you hear a rifle al the cave bank, and now another at the eel weir ; and perhaps al the hay stacks and ouleout ; crack ! crack ! crack ! and still the music of the dogs, growing louder and more shrfll, as they approach. AU is expectation and BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 47? excitement ; you are flurried. At this moment, a Jarge buck wilh antlers erect, is seen on the opposite side making his way directly lo you. Your rifle Is well loaded, and you have examined the priming, lo see that all is right, you are certain of a shot, and a moment more you have him. Pop goes a smooth bore, and Splkerman the poacher has killed him. Your agitation and excitement ceases, for you are angry, and wish John Carley was there to lick the rascal. You despair pf killing anything ; but don't be discouraged, for an other deer will soon be along, and as for Carley, he will certainly flog the poacher, when he meets him. The dogs are still in full cry in every direction, and your morning's sport has just commenced ; keep your place, for another deer will be here ; and so it turned out. You have killed him, and Carley has found and licked Spikerman, and got away his buck ; but has finally restored It at your request after the fiogging ; for you and your friends have enough, and you have given the poaching rascal a drink from that choice bottle slung under your arm, and thus secured bis friendship, just as you did wilh Captain Adarine Carley, and uncle Sperry." Now in all this, though pretty well colored, there is more truth than fiction ! Standing on those high hills, and listening lo the cry of the hounds, I have often ad mired the inimitable description by the " Bard of Avon" who in the " mid-summer night's dream" makes The seus before uncoupling his hounds, invite Hyppolita to a position the better to hear them, and says : " We will, fair queen, up to the mountain top, and mark the musical confusion of hounds, and echo in conjunction." To this she replies : " I was wi'.h Hercules aud Cadmus once, when in 478 REMINISCENCES a wood of Crete they bay'd the bear with hounds of Sparta ; never did I hear such gaUant chiding ; for, be sides the groves, the skies, the fountains, every region near seemed all one mutual cry ; I never heard so mu sical a discord, such sweet thunder." Theseus flattered wilh the just discrimination of his queen, In thus appreciating the cheerful exhilirating cry of the hounds, and approbation of the sport, gives the quaUtles of his own ; not inappropriate lo ours, particu larly my three — Primo, Hunter, and Dashwood, and says : " My hounds are bred out of the Spartan kind, so flowed and sanded ; and their heads are hung with ears that sweep away the morning dew ; crook kneed and dewlap'd Uke Thessallan bulls ; slow in pursuit, but match'd In mouth Uke bells, each under each ; a cry more tuneable, was never halloo'd to, nor cheered wilh horn." How true to life all this Is, and how often I have realized it. Even in my sleep, and often within the last twelve months I have drearaed of those Unadilla hunts, and the well-known cries of the hounds that used lo traverse those romantic hills. That music has, in fact ceased, the deer are all gone, the huntsmen have laid by their rifles, and civilization and agricultural improvements have spread over those rugged hills, as well as the delightful vallies. On one occasion, at those hunts, I had gone on horseback with my three dogs, to a high hill, known as the " Round Top," where, after beating about a con siderable time, they struck a trail that slightly attracted their attention, which was manifested by an occasional yelp. I hurried to them, and found them slpwly working BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 479 their way towards a thicket, interspersed wilh low tang ling brush, and well calculated lo conceal any animal which should choose to take shelter in it. The dogs were not in the least excited, but were patiently scenting out an old, but monstrous large track of a deer, that had been there so long before, thai scarcely any scent remained by which they could trace him. When hounds attempt to follow such a track, they not only keep their noses lo il, but they smeU the small brush and weeds, that may have come in contact wilh the sides or legs of the deer, and to which he may have imparted in the sUghlest degree that scent, which, however subtle and insinuating, enables them lo follow. The farther they went the more earnest they seemed lo be, and instead of that slight yelp that was only in tended to attract attention, they began lo indulge in a much more frequent and sonorous cry, which clearly indicated that they were gelling nearer the chase. As they went into the thicket, I was quite sure they would soon rouse him, nor was it long before my anti cipations were fully realized, for I saw a monstrous buck leap out and bound away at a long shot distance, moving off in most gallant style. His flag was up, showing the white; and his antlers hugely large, and apparently broad as a rocking chair. When a buck goes off in this proud manner, he appears much larger than he actually is, for his brush being erected, and al every bound, showing the white of it with his white belly, he looks at a distance nearly as large as a smaU horse, particularly lo new sportsmen ; and hence, they generally miss them al their first shots. He did not run swiftly, but went off with that proud high bound, for which his kind are distinguished, when they wish to give play, look around and ascertain whe ther they are exposed te danger. 4S0 REMINISCENCES The moment he stirred the dogs caught his fresh scent, and then all three opened in full cry, and pur sued as fast as they could. The buck steered for sorhe high rough cobble hills, and there played for some time before the dogs, running round the hills, and keeping just far enough ahead to be a few rods out of their way, but near enough lo excite ihem to make all the haste they could, and all the music that three matched and well-toned voices could possibly utter. My object was to shoot him before he left the hill, and though I .saw him several limes playing through ihfe bushes before the dogs, I could not get a shot at him. It became very exciting ; when at last he must have seen me as I was moving from one place to ano ther, to cut him off, and then he increased his speed. He had played so long, that I was sure he would soon make for the river, and the place to -which he would be likely lo run, was known as the " hay stacks," where our Grand Sachem Page and another good shot were stationed. In his course there the deer would be likely to cross the road near the Indian raonumenl, where a rifleman was also placed. I had pushed ray horse somewhat towards the river before the deer began to run that way, so that by hurrying down the bfll I sbon saw him as he passed down some distance from me, and was thus considerably ahead, and the dogs follow ing in full cry, though many rods behind him. On clearing the wood, my horse was put in pursuit as fast as I could whip him lo il, and il was an exciting ride ; for I could nearly keep up with the dogs, and the deer was In plain view the whole way after he had broke cover and approached the flat land and meadows, that skirted the beautiful Susquehanna. In his course he ran wide from the Indian monu ment, so that he vvas neither frightened or annoyed BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 481 from that quarter, which induced me to redouble my Speed, under an impression that he might give play in the meadow before taking water, and thus enable me to get a shot. Riding at that speed was exceedingly hazardous, but it was a " neck-or-nothing" sort of busi ness, a perfect hurry scurry ; and wilh a large buck in sight the danger of a fall, and breaking of limbs or even the neck was not to be taken into the account. The deer baited for a short time as he approached the meadow, to look about and see if the course was clear ; when hearing the clamor of the dogs as they were ra pidly approaching, he cleared the fence at a single bound , and galloped off towards the river in the direc tion of the "hay stacks." This was an interesting moment, for the question whether he was to be caught before entering the river, depended on the skill, coolness, and good conduct of the sachem and his companion, who were stationed there. Fixing my eyes in that direction, I soon saw the curling of the smoke from two rifles, almost instantane ously followed by their sharp reports, and at the same time, saw the deer make a high unnatural spasmodic spring, dropping his flag at the same instant, and then made his way slowly towards the river's brink. I had shot deer myself, and had seen enough shot to satisfy me, from his movements, that he was amaz ingly sick from the medicine they had administered, but be soon disappeared from sight as he descended the bank towards the water. In a moment the sachem and his companion ran towards him, and raised a shout of triumph that came echoing back from the southern hills, and this shout told the story, that the monarch of the forest was slain. 31 482 REMINISCENCES The dogs with disccrdant and vocifercus yells, in creased their speed en hearing the rifles and the shputs, and were spon in at the death, and then their cries ceased. On seeing the flash of the rifles I slackened my pace and rode leisurely along, for there was no occasion then for hurrying at the risk of my neck, and it was lucky that I did so, for just then I heard the cry of a strange dog, and lopking pff at the right I saw pn a small hillpck cpvered with shrubs, a large buck that slopped and listened. He was a long shpt from me, but his side was partly presented, making a beautiful mark. I had checked my horse as sopn as I heard the strange dog, and on the deer getting in position, I took a hasty aim, holding my gun as steady as possible on horse back, and let drive at him. He was at least, twenty- five rods from me, but the rifle being well directed, the flying messenger sped its unerring way, and lodged in his vital parts. The buck bounded off, and was soon concealed in the brush and shrubberry. Leaving my horse and scrambling up lo where he stood, I soon found incontes tible proof that he had been shot through the body, and I had no doubt that it was near his heart, for I had aimed at that part. Tracing him by bis blood, I did not go more than ten rods when I came upon him, stretched out and entirely dead, and before I had fully cut his throat the dog that had been following him came up. Then repairing to the river where my friend Page was stationed, I found my three dogs lying by the side of the deer they had driven, watching him intent ly, and waiting my arrival, They knew him to be the one they had been following, and claimed him as their own, and when we drew him up the river's bank, and BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 483 tnence to the road, they strutted aleng by his side ; and whenever a strange deg apprpached, they manifested great displeasure, and were ready tp cpntest their right by a regular pnslaught pn all intruders. From the size of the ball that had killed him, it was apparent the grand sachem had done the work, thus adding another chaplet to his well-deserved sporting brow, and an addltinnal incident to his catalogue of splendid achievements. The buck was truly a mam moth, and after he was dressed, his carcass weighed abcut twp hundred ppunds. We then drew the deer that I had shpt tPthe read, and the two were piled into a one-horse wagon, and " toted" to the village; though to put them into the wagon, was about as much as we could do. Creditable as these exploits were, two enormous bucks were not the only trophies of this day's work. A parly at another runway, brought in two or three others, but none so large as ours. The sport had been so fine that day, that the evening was spent wilh far more than usual hilarity, even into the eye of the morning ; and many songs, jokes, and stories, served to whfle away the time, to the infinite amusement of the <;rowd who nightly assembled at " Hunters HaU." Of that night it might truly be said, " There was a sound of revelry by night." Nor were they spaiing in their potations, so that had old Bacchus himself been there, he would have found votaries very well qualified to contest even wilh him, the palm of victory, and not improbably would have hustied him under the table. If it could not be done there, it would have been a work of supererogatipn to have gone any where else. From the sppfls pf this week's hunting I carried heme as 484 REMINISCENCES many choice saddles as I desired, and the antlers that had graced the heads of several of the forest rangers. Several well written accounts and articles, in refer ence lo the hunts, were published at the time, some of which will be found in the course of this chapter. I ought to say a word of the excellent lady, Mrs. Page, who used to provide those fine entertainments, (and hope I may say it without offence.) No one knew better than she, how to get up a venison supper that would fit precisely the appetites of those prepared for their enjoyment, by the active exercises of the day. So far as appetite was concerned, the jaunting through woods, over hill and dale, could not fail to promote it. Talk of your Saratoga waters, your sea-bathing, and the various effeminate devices lo promote health ! Good enough in their places, yet in comparison wilh manly field sports, they are mere nostrums, simple ex pedients lo engage the attention of idlers, and evanes cent and trifling as vanity itself. The man who is fond of wood-craft, who rides well, shoots well, and enjoys with a keen relish the hardy amusements, is a wise man ; for he promotes health, and takes life easily. Such a man with a clear conscience, sleeps well, and must have a good appetite. But with out artificial stimulants, those venison suppers would induce desire, for they were precisely the creature com forts that the " inner man" would delight in, under any circumstances. Col. Clapp, of Oxford, Chenango, has recently writ ten me, and enclosed several productions relative to the Unadflla hunts. One is an appropriate parody by the late Henry R. Storrs, a distinguished advocate, who formerly repre sented the Oneida district, in congress. Another signed BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 485 " Old Towser," by the late Morris S. Miller, first judge of Oneida county, which wilh other productions were published at the time. He has also sent me a letter from our grand sachem, giving an account of the Cap ture and rescue of the colonel's favorite dog Driver. Speaking of our hunts, Col. Clapp says, " They generally lasted four or five days, and resulted in the capture of twenty or twenty-five deer. " I have seen nineteen fat bucks and does, lying side by side, in the ball room of our hotel, in Unadilla. The glorious scenes in. the chase, and many remark able deaths that occurred ; the music of the dogs, and the excitement of the sportsmen, are indelibly impressed on my mempry." Letter from Hon. Sherman Page. November SOth, 1821. " J. Clapp, esq. : — I this day shipped Driver with General Ralhbone, for Oxford. As Driver wifl hardly be able to inform you of the various incidents which have befallen him since the great hunt, I assume the task. He drove one of our stall fed bucks into the in terior of Delaware county, where the buck was killed before him ; and Driver, poor fellow, was made prisoner by one of the pirates, where for several days wilh a rope about bis neck, and more than Algerlne barbarity inflicted on his weary body, he suffered many pains and tortures simflar to Captain Riley. His liberation was effected yesterday by sending an express. S. Page." 486 REMINISCENCES " THE SPORTS OF THE CHASE ; Or the ryghte merrie exploits of ye huntinge in Unadilla foreste." Br HON. HENRY R. STORRS. "Cer-vlia erat forma praestanti et comibus ingens." ^n. Virg., Lib. VI. 483. I. " Have you heard of a buck, which came out of the west ? Of all that wore antlers, his speed was the best, Save his broad horns and swift heels, he weapons had none, He roamed without fear, for he roamed all alone; So stately his gait, and so nimble his feet, You'd have long'd for a shot, though you liked not his meat. II. " By a late heavy freshet, the bridges were gone, So he swam the Chenango where ford there was none, He stop't not for fences, and staid not for brake. Till he reached the deep thickets of Buttei-nut Creek, There he nipp'd the green moss, to all bucks a rich benison, Nor dreamt that ere night he'd be turned into venison III. " But Dian's high votaries were up with the dawn. The dogs they gave tongue, the hills echoed the horn, Yet so boldly he bay'd them, so stately and tall. The huntsmen, dogs, muskets, and horses and all ; And so fiercely he fought, he'd near stamp'd out the liver. Of those " thorough-bred," " far-famed" dogs, Primus and Driver. IV. " Came ye here to be chased, or came ye in war ? Cried out jClapp ; ' Primus, Driver ! set on, boys, hurra!' We'll tread you a measure, but scarce had he spoke. When from Driver's deep mouth the loud whilliloo broke. And the mountains, the wood-lands, the dales and the bogs, Again rang with the music of three packs of dogs. BY LEVI BEAEDSLEY. 487 V. " So lightly o'er briar, bush, and hillock he sprang, And so loudly the thickets, v/ith whilliloo rung. One followed the dogs, one examined his flint. One look'd in his pan, if his priming -was in't, One flash'd, many shot, and another miss'd fire, They'd have killed him, no doubt, had he beerf somewhat nigher. VI. " There was mounting 'mongst those of the Otsego clan, Beardsley, Morris, Starkweather, they rode and they ran. There was racing and chasing on Butternut Creek, 'Twas sublime sport to ride at the risk of your neck; But sublimer by far, when the dogs seemed to pose. To see Driver lead on the true track by his nose. VII. " The dogs are at fault, but dog, huntsmen, and horse. All met near the stream, where 'twas too wide to cross. And the buck seemed at last, to have made his escape, (Eight glad without doubt to get out of the scrape ;) E'eii Driver was bauk'd, Clapp was fixing to hide him, When at last on the opposite bank they espied him, VIII. " They looked up and down, for a passage of dry land, But found that the chase had fled to an island. There he looked at the dogs, and the dogs looked at him, 'Twas too rapid and broad for e'en Driver to swiin ; And so they resolved, as they could not get nigh him, . Tho' 'twas too far to shoot, 'twasn't too far to try him. IX. " He seemed as he stood there, the cavalcade viewing. To have very faint notions of what they were doing, So composed and at leisure, he looked in their faces, He seemed to feel quite sure, at two hundred paces, 'Twas provoking to think that he thus bid defiance, To their dogs, horses, shot, their gun-powder, and science. 488 ' EEMINISCENCES " But thy days, (alas ! poor buck, how unkind thy fortune !) The obdurate fates, had determined to shorten. At two shots he fell, and I'd say if I dare to. That 'twas full forty rods ; but the fact I don't swear to, 'Twas said so, and pity, it were for the glory Of such a grand frolic, to spoil a good story. NiMROD." THE UNADILLA HUNT ; OR OXFORD CHASE. By the late Morris S. Miller, of Utica, I, " Chenang, or Otsego, old Oneida invites. To joiii in the chase for three days and three nights, Their rifles are ready, flint, barrel and stock, And their pulses strike seconds, as true as a clock, Tally ho ! hark away ! see them mount -with a grace, Huzza ! Yoicks ! Tantivy ! see the gods of the chase. II. " There's Throop ready mounted, upon a fine black, And a far fleeter gelding, does Starkweather back. Cox Morris' bay, full of mettle and bone, And gaily Sken Smith's on a dark sorrel roan, But the horse of all horses that rivals the day. Is Clapp's well-fed charger, and that is a gray. HI. " Their horses thus all of the very best blood. They'll make the snow fly, and they'll dash through the mud. And for hounds, their opinions with thousands they'll back, Devereaux, Storrs, or Lansing can't show such a pack. There's Nimble, Crack, Frolick, Bounce, Slyboots, and South, And Primus and Driver too, with their deep mouth. BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 489 IV. " Forty stags are brought down, at forty rods how they fall ! Forty bucks are made ' venison' by the long shots and hall. Forty saddles now smoke on the plentiful board. Forty corks are now drawn from Bacchus' hoard. Forty sportsmen club-wits, every man in his place. Forty stories are told of the grand Oxford chase. Old Towser." I must relate an incident that took place at Unadil la, In December, 1823, not far from Christmas; as ex citing and probably more dangerous than any of my adventures. The sleighing was good, and the late Isaac Seelye and myself, -with Mrs. S., and Mrs. B., concluded to improve it, and visit our friends al Unadilla. I look my gun, and old Primo, determined lo have a deer before our return. Our friends. Page and Ogden, and sorae others, -were delighted to have one raore hunt, be fore the law took effect, prohibiting il. In the morning we took the sleigh, and drove some two miles south of the river, •where the dogs were to be put in the woods. It bad thawed considerable, making the snow soft and wet, which with the rain had raised the river, so that where the current was rapid, the ice had broken and given away in the middle of th^ channel. The dogs were put out on the mountain, and beat about a long time without gelling up the game. They finally led oft" and left us; and as we were getting wet ¦with rain, we concluded lo return. While getting ready, we heard Primo, at a great distance, apparent ly running for the river. I knew from his cry that he had game before him, that was making for the river, at a run-way half a mfle above the bridge. We were told that deer, on taking the river at that place, uniformly 490 REMINISCENCES swam down below the bridge, passing under fl ; and as he was probably nearly a mfle before the dog, was most Ukely then in the river. We jumped in the sleigh, and Johnson, our driver, ran his horses down the hill to the bridge, Ip reach il befpre the deer should escape. On approaching the bridge, I saw the deer swim ming down the stream below, and jumping out of the sleigh, I clambered down the bank on the south side, and got on the ice skirting the border, the main channel in the middle being open a considerable distance below to stifl water, where it was closed over. The others were directed to crpss the bridge to the other side, and shoot the deer if he came out. My running down the ice on the south side turned him towards the north shore, where the ice also shelved out and prevented him from, landing, where he was shot, after I had snapped my gun at him several times, whicb having got wet would not go off. Primo had followed the deer lo the river and put in after him, nearly half a mfle above the bridge, and came swim ming down the current, occasicnally giving tongue, which was greatly increased when he heard the rifle. I saw him forty rods above the bridge, and very much feared he would continue down to where the ice closed over, and that he wpuld be drawn under and drpwned. It was necessary to make a prompt effort to save him, for he was a favorite; but how to do it, I really did not know. I finally began to try the strength of the ice towards ils edge by stamping on It, and approached very near the open current, in which the dog was swimming rapidly down the river. His attention was attracted by my calling him, and as he came swimming down, he turned towards me. BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 491 where I was on the ice near the edge. My gun was a long one, and laying II down on the ice parallel with the current, I pushed it as near the water as possible, and so near that by resting one hand on the gun, I could by lying down, reach the water with the other, and as the dog approached me, laftl hold of him and pulled him out. Il was extremely hazardous, for had the ice given away, the gun would have gone lo the bottom, and probably I should have gone wilh il, and been swept under the ice. Those looking on, called lo me lo desist, but I could not see Primo perish without an effort to save him. He was rauch chflled by being In the water; but to make amends, he had a supper from the offals of the deer, and was allowed to sleep by the fire at night. The last deer of my shooting at Unadilla, was in 1825. It was a windy, chilly day. Messrs. Page and Ogden stationed me near a creek, and went wilh their dogs to the woods, my dog Prime remaining wilh me, whom I tied wilh my pocket handkerchief to a willow bush, to prevent bis escape in case he heard the dogs on the hill. A deer at length came dashing towards me, running down the creek in its current. I had my double barrel, and fired the rifle at him as he was approaching, intending lo shoot him in the breast, but he was running swift and presented but a narrow mark, and in my baste I raissed his breast, but the baU struck bis hind leg near the upper joint, and the le,g being extended back, the bone was shattered the whole length of it. He continued, and as he passed me at four rods distance, his neck was broken by a shot from the other barrel. The lock of my gun was blown off by the discharge; Primo broke away from the bush 492 REMINISCENCES with the handkerchief about his neck and was on the deer immediately. That old dog, Primo, was a rare specimen, and was respected by all who knew hira. He was nearly as intelligent as most men, particularly in finding his home, when he was far away in a strange country. Pe had gone wilh me on one occasion to the Black river, about sixty miles, where I intended to hunt deer for a few days. The snow had melted, and freezing in the eve ning, formed a sharp crust, which I was apprehensive would cut his feet, and render him unfit for service. He was always averse lo riding, but I tried to coax him into my wagon, and on his refusal, I laid hold of him to put him In. This gave offence, and he very soon stole away and returned home, sixty miles, where I found him on my return. In the fall of 1826, he went with me to Ohio, and went on foot all the way. We slopped at Cleveland over night, and next day pursued our journey about thir ty-seven miles, when on coming to a piece of bad road, as it ran through a forest, I got out of the carriage wilh my rifle, to walk until the road was belter. Primo soon got up a deer, which after making a turn or two, led off to the south till the dog was out of hearing, where he remained a long time. I wailed in that vicinity nearly the whole daj', but as he did not return, I gave him up for lost, and pursued ray journey ; not without hopes that he would come back and lake our track and fqllow us. Going on lo Norwalk, In Huron county, we made a visit, so that it was three weeks before my re turn to Cleveland, where I was happy to find the old dog, who had gone back to the bouse where we had stayed, and took possession of the very rppm in which we had slept. BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 493 ustice to his memory requires me lo relate a fur ther incident. Hunting foxes on one occasion, he had driven a grey fox after a long chase into her burrow, where it turned out she had young ones, though I did not know it at the lime, or they would not have been disturbed. Tools were obtained to unearth her, a,nd Primo was in the hole digging and rendering such service as he could. I had another hound with me, a lazy, bob-tailed, worthless animal, that was of no earthly use except to babble, make a tremendous noise, and eat every thing eatable that came in his way. Primo was industriously engaged, and had worked himself far into the burrow, so that he was almost out of sight, while Bobtail was lazily reposing himself hard by. The first inliraation of there being young foxes, was a whining of Primo, and then that he carefully brought out one of the pups and laid il down without harming. I presume he had ascertained by this lime that the fox he had been pursuing was a female, and that he had no desire to injure her ; for it is well known to na turalists that the hound If a male will often be merci ful to the female fox, and I suppose Primo intended to be equally merciful to the offspring, for il was not at all injured. Bobtail on the present occasion, had none of those generous instincts, for as I was about taking up the youngster lo secure and preserve him, the worth less quadruped who had hitherto been resting himself, rushed In and snatching up the young fox devoured him in a moment. The outrage was so great that I was strongly tempted to shoot him on the spot, but as an act of humanity spared him from a well merited and Ignominious death ; not that I had any expectations that he would ever re- 494 REMINISCENCES deem his character by a magnanimous act, or peform a commendable deed of any kind. Wilh Primo it was different, for he was always trusty and faithful, and being so, and resplute tPP, he cpuld be relied upon in any emergency. BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 495 CHAPTER XXVI Hunting Deer on the Maumee, — Several Incidents. — Birth-day Hunt. — Chase on Horseback, and two unhorsed. — Cold hath for one, — Cutting off, hut not "bruising the Serpent's head." — " Coon" Hunt at night, — Habits of the Raccoon and Opos sum, — Fox chase. — Red, gray and black Foxes, of different classes. Those hunting excursions at Unadilla, have been the subject of a long chapter, and the recital of them may have fatigued the reader. But as I have had many since, on the Maumee river, near Toledo, ray readers must allow me to draw pn my mempry for some of those more recent adventures. On one occasion I was riding my high-spirited horse Logan, when hearing the dogs at a great distance, a deer dashed into a thick patch of weeds and hazel bushes, and concealed himself. Satisfied that the dogs were on his track, and that he would break cover as they approached, I crowded Logan towards the place of concealment, when as they approached, out jumped the deer on the other side, but at a considerable distance from me. Logan was put in pursuit, and at last seeing the deer he seemed to comprehend the busi ness, and went into it wilh alacrity. The ground was prairie, interspersed with oak openings, and some places covered wilh small brush, consequently, not good smooth, safe riding. I could gain on the deer, and several times got within long rifle range, but before I could check up my horse and get him stfll, the deer 496 REMINISCENCBS would be out of reach. Every one knows that with a gun charged with buck shot, you may make a pretty good shot, though the deer and horse are both in motion; yet for rifle shooting, 5'-our horse at least, raust be stfll. Pursuing the deer, I saw several of our party near where he passed, but they did not fire, and he escaped. On coming back to them, Cornelius Shaw, late sheriff,' whose melancholy death on a California steamer has been recently announced, enquired of Capt. Pheatt, why he did not shoot the deer? Who replied, that he dare not, for "the Judge," meaning myself, was so much exposed, that il would have been dangerous. Shaw dryly remarked, "the Judge is gelling old, it could make but little difference to him; I think you should have risked it." Not very much in earnest I suppose, but about in the same vein as the conversation of two sportsmen after dinner, recorded by Fielding in Tom Jones, or Joseph Andrews, when one oflered the other a wager, and said he might shoot at his posteriors. The wager was taken, (pro forma,) and the " laker" said he would pepper him worse than he was ever " peppered by Betty Bouncer." My oldest son will recollect the first deer he killed, as he stood under an oak where I had placed him, in tending lo give him the first chance. He had a double barreled gun, each charged with buck shot. I had my rifle, and look a long rifle shot distance from him, so that if the deer came between us, he would probably be in reach of both. I saw the deer when he broke cover ; he came out beyond where my son was station ed, and on coming within range, and receiving the fire from one barrel, turned, and ran back for the wood, when the other was discharged wilh alacrity and pre cision. The deer ran but a short distance; both shots BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 497 had taken effect, which tor a new beginner, who is generally flurried, was a very fair demonstration; in fact, highly creditable. The day I was sixty years old, (13th Nov. 1845,) I was at Toledo, and Judge Potter agreed to go with me after deer. We were up at four o'clock in the morn ing, and found it ck»udy, dark, and drizzly. We in tended lo go five miles before putting out the dogs. He went on horseback, and I took my youngest son in a one horse wagon. Before we reached our intended place, the dogs look a fresh track where the deer had crossed the road, and soon brought him in sight, just about sunrise. He finally got off, the dogs at his heels, and Poller following on horseback, while I drove as fast as possible to reach the runway, where I supposed he would cross the road. Just after getting my position, he presented himself on the opposite side of the road, a good distance off, where he stopped in the hazel bushes. I delivered a charge of buck shot which I thought more sure than the rifle, where the brush and weeds were so thick, when he turned and ran a few rods, and gave up. This was about eight o'clock in the morning, and I would have killed another before nine, had not my gun become wet sp that each leek missed fire. My sen's gun was in the same unfortunate predicament, or he would have killed the deer, as he was standing bv me, when it stopped near us. A party came out after breakfast to join us, my eld est son among them, who shot one, and in the course of the day we killed four altogether. Another time four or five of us went out on horse back, my second son being of the party, and Judge Potter. iMr. Goodsell, and I think Dr. Ackley being the others. 49S REMINISCENCES' We had three or four good hounds, and went about four mfles before putting them out. My companions knew where the deer were most Ukely to be found, and their usual runways. They pointed out to me a ppsition where I stationed myself, and shortly afterwards a deer came bounding through the thick brush, and as heieaped into a narrow path, I gave him a shot from one barrel, and before he was fairly out, another from the other ; both of which took effect, and brought him down on the further side of the road. The dogs soon came in, and after dressing and hanging him up, we cpncluded to go in search of another, first giving the hounds a good meal from the offals of the slain deer. We were hunting on prairie ground, where there were occasionally bunches of wil low and other shrubs, wilh a belt of timber land skirt ing in the distance. There were many places on the prairie, where the ground was slightly depressed, which from recent rains were covered wilh water; sometimes an acre or more, that appeared like a small pond, through which we rode without difficulty. We did not proceed far before the dogs got up a large buck, that led off lo the forest, and soon doubled to come back, and run the length of the timber land. We all pushed ahead hoping to shoot him as he passed, each striving to ride faster than the others. We separated as we rode forward, and GoodseU being far thest to the left was so near, that as the deer came bounding by at a long shot distance, he let drive at him, and was instantly thrown from his horse, which recoiled and started back at the report, thrpwing his rider pver his head. My son was mpunted pn an active high-mettled Indian or French pony, full of life, but not well bro ken, nor under perfect control. BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 499 He and Judge Potter, and myself, after Gopdsell's mishap were riding full lilt towards the runway of the deer, each one whipping his horse and trying to get near enough for a shot. We had rode through several ponds of water, por tions of them being but little more than fetiock deep, and others up to the knees of our horses, but had uniform ly found good substantial ground underneath. The deer being in sight and the dogs not far behind, wilh open mouths and fuU throats, added greatly lo the excitement, so that we dashed forward without much regard to water or other impediments. The Indian pony rode by my son had become greatly excited, and was making fine head-way, when on coming to a pond of water which he had barely entered, where he foUnd the ground more miry than he expected or desired; and as his fore feet slightly sunk into the mud, he stopped suddenly, and immediately sprang back, throw ing his rider a rod and a half over his head sprawling into the water. The pony pricked up his ears and trotted off, and then shook himself, right glad no doubt to have thus ridded himself of his rider, while he, picking up his gun, waded out to dry land, where he shook himself, to throw off a portion of the dirty water, with which he was dripping. While this was going on, the deer ran past the whole of us and escaped, for neither Poller or myself could get within rifle 'range. The pony was caught after •considerable coquetry on his part, and my son at last mounted; when in due time the hounds returned and we started in another direction. Presently the dogs gave tongue vehemently, but seemed to be stationary, when pn approaching theni we saw them at a respectful distance from a large 500 REMINISCENCES skunk, and he was slowly walking away from ihem 'with his -white tail up over his back, and his hair stand ing on end, so that he appeared nearly twice as large and tall as he really was. He was marching off with that firm stepping, strutting gait, for which this animal is distinguished, and which, will be belter understood by those who have seen him move off In this way than I can describe it. He had not yet emitted his offensive pdor, but was prepared to do so whenever the dogs should attack him, or he should be otherwise disturbed. It Is well known that a hound, however keen-scent ed he may be, finds his olfactory powers paralyzed whenever he is besmeared wilh the disgusting liquid which the skunk emits; because the pungency of that odor Is so insinuating, that be can smell nothing else. Hence we were desirous lo prevent them from coming in contact with hira, as we hoped to get up another deer. Hurrying ray horse along, I got between them and the skunk, and ordered them peremptorily to keep back; then as he went purring and sputtering off, and had got about three rods from me, I drew up my rifle and fired at him ; but either from the stirring of the horse, or that deceived from his hair and tail being up, I did not hold quite low enough, and instead of shoot ing him in his stern as intended, I cut off his tail close to the root. One of the others then fired wilh more ac curacy and killed him. He emitted his liquid the moment the rifle was dis charged, the scent of which was diffused around, but the dogs were kept back, and we were so far off that the only inconvenience experienced was from the odor, and not from the liquid itself. We were not able to start another deer, and this was the last exploit of the day, for we soon reached the one we had slain, and BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 601 having packed him on the most gentle horse, we carried him out to the public highway, where he was placed in a wagon going lo town ; and was safely deposited in the American, at Toledo. Next day he was served up, and contributed largely to make up a venison dinner for the whole of those at the table ; among whom were, of course, the sportsmen who were out the day before. This being my first performance in the hunting line, on the Maumee, though not the first in the order in which I have related those exploits, it was deemed a fitting occasion to put me in for the " trimmings." and champaign was distributed freely. The boarders at the house having partaken of the venison, and of course of the drinkables, were not slow in furnishing their share of beverage on such a joyous occasion; so that on the whole, the dinner went off well, and all se parated with kind feeUngs, and an earnest desire that the next hunt should be equaUy successful, and the feast as creditably sustained. At another time, whfle hunting deer in Ohio, I saw in the weeds on the prairie ground, a large snake, glid ing rapidly along, but not being pursued, he stopped about two rods from me, where he seemed prepared to start on a race to avoid harm, keeping bis head about a foot from the ground. There he lay In plain sight; his sharp forked tongue darling out, and his keen eye glancing about, as if to detect the slightest indication of danger. I did not unhorse to fulfil the scripture injunction, to "bruise the serpent's head," for I thought il extremely doubtful whether I should succeed if it was attempted, as those reptiles run amazingly fast when they choose to dart away among weeds and shrubs. I thought It would 502 EEMINISCENCES bi3 a creditable performance to decapitate him with my rifle; and at that distance I was sure I could do it, if my gun did not hang fire, and if I could for a moment control my horse so that he should not stir. In fact, I would have wagered five to one, that at three rods I could have cut off a wire; so checking up my horse till he was motionless as a statue, I took a hasty, close, but steady aim, and clipped off his head with the rifle ball .IS neatly as it could have been done with the best Sheffield blade in the hands of an experienced operator. The Indians have acquired considerable reputation for their supposed skill and accuracy in shool'mg the rifle, but I think much more than they are entitled lo. Our American riflemen I think far superior lo the Indian; and this will be conceded by those familiar with ih^ performances of each. I have shot wilh sev eral of them, and have never found one whom I could npt beat twice out of three times ; and that loo, with his own rifle. As a hunter, the Indian is excelled by no one for craft and cunning ; as he understands the habits of ail the beasts of the forest, and knowing them, resorts to skilful stratagems to circumvent the animal he desires to kill or capture. Those "coon" hunts that we used to have in Ohio, were not without interest, and ought not to be passed over without notice. The raccoon is a sly, cunning animal, and scarcely ever shows himself in the day lime ; but he Is an errant thief, and a great night walker, and hence those who wish to lake him must go at night. The best season of the year for that kind of sport, is In the months of September and October, when the moon shines so as to shed sufficent light to aid the pe- EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 503 deslrlan, as he threads the thickets In the neighborhood of corn fields. The month of October is preferable, for the j-oungsters by that time have acquired a growth sufiBcIent to give good sport, and to be worth catching. The raccoon resorts to corn fields, and delights in pufling down and feeding on the newly half glazed corn; and he Is also passionately fond of resorting to swampy thickets, where he can hunt along In a slight water course for such things as he prefers; nor Is he backward in occasionally robbing a hen roost. To hunt him with success, you must knov/ his modes and habits of life, as well as the places where he Is most likely to be found ; and this remark is ap plicable to all animals, for no one can be an experi hunter, unless he knows those modes and habits. In Ohio, a coon hunt always implies " a smart chance," as th'ey say at the west, of taking one or more opossums; for like the raccoon, this animal is most active al night; and is also noted as a "chicken thief," as well as a great cheat. In Columbus, when I lived there, I suppose there were nearly one thousand negroes, a large proportion of whom came from the slave slates, and I don't remember one of the kind, who was not passionately fond of both the raccoon and opossum. A " coon bake" and " possum roast" seemed the beau ideal with them of a good feast, and they were not very rauch out of the way; for a fine, fat raccoon, when stufi'ed and baked, is rather inviting lo almost any one, particularly to sportsmen. While the possum, when roasted, is in flavor some what similar to a roasted pig, the raccoon has more of the wild gamey flavor than the opossum ; but either, or both, v/hen well cooked, are not lo be despised, when 504 REMINISCENCES To gratify some of my hired men, and the boys in the neighborhood ; and, perhaps a little pre-disposed for the sport, I sometimes went out with them on their night expeditions. Those excursions were not altogether without their annoyances; for we frequently had logo through mud and water, as well as thickets, and lo clamber over logs and fallen timber in the dark. A gentleman, now of the city of New York, whom I meet every day in Wall street, was then a resident of Columbus, and went with me one evening, and he, I know, will corroborate every word I say In regard lo fatigue and annoyances. In hunting coons al night, particularly if the moon shines, it is best to have a rifle with the parly ; though generally this is omitted, and nothing but an axe and flambeaux are taken. If you have a rifle, the animal may frequently be shot from the topmost branches of the large, high trees, and thus save cutting ihem down, or climbing lo shake him off. By looking carefuUy into the top of the tree, particu larly when you can look towards the moon, the game may be seen among the branches, and with the rifle may frequently be brought down by a second or third shot. If not the first. A shot gun would be best, from Ils throwing ils charge al a wider range, were il not from the fact that the fur is so thick and woolly, that unless the shot were very coarse, an old coon would carry off all that could be got into his carcase from half a dozen discharges ; while a rifle ball has a mighty soothing influence, and generally produces a quietude, in case you can gel II through the body of your interesting customer. BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 505 An experienced dog is absolutely necessary, and he must have seen service in coon hunting, to be useful ; for, though many dogs will bark and babble on the track, yet there is no relying on their cry, unless you have one of sufficient experience to counteract the cun ning of the animal you wish to lake. There Is nothing more common with him than to climb a tree, and then, by running on the branches, to go from one lo another, and perhaps lo several, where he wifl conceal himself in the top, or perhaps run down and make off lo another. The young, inexperienced dogs, on coming to the tree where he ascended, are very noisy and jump up its side as if they were sure he was alraost in reach ; but the old dog is not to be deceived by the yelping of the youngsters. He examines the tree, to be sure that the coon went up, and then exaraines the others lo ascertain whether he has come down ; and often makes a circuit of many rods, to learn whether he has descended and led off. When you have such a dog, never mind the cry of babbUng pups, for they only deceive you. We went out one fine moon-shining night in October, accompanied by tbe gentleman from Columbus, to whom I have referred, and another of his companions. Several of my hired men went along, and, on reaching the corn field, a large coon was soon driven up a tree standing on the border of a swamp. This was cut down, for we had no gun with us, and then the coon scampered off through the thick brush and ran up another small tree. One of the men ascended and shook him off, when he was soon killed by the dogs. They struck another track that led off through wet, forest land, over fallen trees, and part of the way on fences, the dogs keeping up a constant cry, till at last, after slowly wending their way and tracing cut the trafl, 606 REMINISCENCES they became stationary, where we expected to find ano ther coon. We hurried along by our torch-lights as fast as we could, and found ihem barking at an opossum that had ran up a sapling. He was soon secured ; but, with the craft and cheating of his kind, pretended lobe dead, though he was not in the slightest degree injured. To test him, some one applied a torch to his nose, which he entirely disregarded ; another poured some raw brandy into his mouth ; and another pricked him with a knife : but he would heed neither, nor would he manifest the least symptom of life, except a spas modic action by contracting his tail, as he was carried by thai appendage, after knocking him on the head. We got up another coon that ran into the mill-pond lo swim across ; but the dogs were in so soon after him, that he returned back lo the shore he had started from, where they caught and killed him. On coming near the pond, the man who carried the possum threw him down in the road, when the wily quadruped, nolwith standing his previous hard usage, and the death that he had so well counterfeited, began lo make off, and was finally killed by a blow from the axe. The bank where we approached the mill-pond was high and steep, and one of the party in his haste to get down to the water's edge, mis-stayed and rolled thirty feet down the steep bank, where it was rough and nearly perpendicular. Those in attendance were alarmed, and enquired whe ther he was hurt ? To which he responded by enquir ing, " where is the coon ?" We reached home about twelve o'clock at night, very well jaded out, when, after taking supper, we separated ; and the next day we had several applications for the coons and possums from the darkies, who were highly gratified pn receiving the desired boon. BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 607 In the vicinity of Columbus there were but few red foxes, and I saw but one during the four years that I resided there. The gray fox, though not so plenty as the red one is in New York, was more abundant there than the red; but be never ran long, and of course afforded but little sport. He will very soon lake to his burrow, or climb a tree lo get away from the dogs. The red fox, though not so rauch of a racer as the black, gives fine play, and is distinguished not only for fleelness of foot, great bottom for a long race, but for craft and cunning to circuravent and avoid his pursuers. Major Webber, in his recently pubUshed book, en titled the " Hunter Naturalist," rather comes lo the con clusion that we have but two kinds of foxes in America, the red and gray ; and that the cross and black foxes are of the same class with the red, only differing In color, as a Utter of kittens among cats, and pups among dogs, are of different color. As an evidence of his posi tion, he refers lo an instance, where, among a Utter of young foxes, they were found of each color, red and black, and others of a shade between the two. I do not dispute the latter fact, but differ wilh him in his conclusions. The different colors may have result ed from a cross between the red and black fox ; for there is no doubt that they Intermix and cross the breed : or it may result from the same class having young of dif ferent color. But It seems lo me there is nearly as much difference in the running of the two, as there is between the latter and the large gray wolf of the north ern slates ; or as there is between him and the small wolves of the western prairies. The black fox will frequently lead off twenty miles, while the red, though he wfll run a long tirae, generally plays round within a few miles of his home, and it is 508 REMINISCENCES difficult to drive him off any considerable distance. I think the gray, red and black are three distinct classes, but they are all of ihem of the reynard family, and dis tinguished for their craftiness. The red fox at Columbus that I have spoken of, was captured In the fall of the year, about twelve railes west of the city, near the great Darby Creek, where he was taken frora his burrow without injury, and being bagged, was brought in to make sport. on another occasion. He had often been chased, and was well known In his neighborhood, but till now had been so fortunate as to elude his pursuers. He was an " old he one," and the winter before had managed lo drown two good dogs that were pursuing him, by crossing himself on the weak, thin Ice on the creek, which, though II would bear hira, he knew would not bear the large hounds that were on his trail, — and they, like fools, alterapling lo cross, broke through, and were drawn under the ice below and drowned. On being taken, he was locked in a large room, where he was fed and kept for a week, till the appoint ed lime lo let him out for a run. The sportsmen were notified that a "bagged" fox would be put out, and on the daj' appointed, they came wilh their hounds for ten or fifteen miles round about. More than sixty men assembled on horseback, and probably as many raore, of raen and boys, on fool. Up wards of thirty-six hounds were In attendance, the most of them of the large fine Virginia breed. Reynard was taken out in a bag about three miles west of Columbus, where he was turned loose In Mr. Sulllvanl's large woods, and a small dog of the whiffit, or fiste kind, was set after him lo frighten him by bark ing. We gave him more than half an hour's starting BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 509 time, and during this half hour, the hounds were very clamorous, for they all knew that something of the kind was on foot. In due lime they were brought to the woods, where they soon struck bis track, and then were off on his trail, doubling from one part of the woods to another, tfll they finally crossed the national road, and led off lo the southwest towards the great Darby Creek, for the fox had sagacity enough lo make for his former home. The horsemen pursued as fast as possible, hurrying through the woods, over all Impediments, and several were unhorsed, being thrown entirely over the heads of their animals. I was mounted on my horse Logan, who was fond of that kind of sport, and of course was ridden without a martingale, that his head might be the more free on his leaping over logs and fences. Then wilh a cap tied down snugly under the chin, and boots drawn up over a strong pair of pantaloons, I was pre pared lo make my way through the open forest, among brush or brambles. Reynard gave fine play, and had almost reached his old ground, when the dogs overlook and kUled him, about twelve miles from the city. We came out of the woods lo a small tavern some ten miles west of Columbus, where we refreshed our selves and prepared lo return home. Before starting, a man was posted off on horseback with the dead fox, noosed in a rope, who was directed on reaching the large meadows in the Scioto Vafley, to drag the fox through the meadows and fields towards the city, so that we might have a "drag hunt," and have the national road to course upon, while the hounds kept through the fields hard by. They took the trail, and the whole pack dashed forward at a smash- 610 REMINISCENCES BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. ing rate, in full cry; while the horsemen kept the road and came in, full lilt, with whip In hand, and cheering the dogs with their shouts. A considerable number of sportsmen dined togeth er; and one of thera, a Virginian, who had former ly kept upwards of thirty magnificent hounds of the Virginia "yellow Ian" breed, but had got reduced down lo fifteen, offered to give me the whole If I would take them. He said game had become so scarce, that there was no use In keeping the dogs ; that he would not separate them, or sell them ; nor would he give them to one who could not appreciate thera, and who would not use them well. They were beautiful dogs, and remarkably well broke, as well as fleet of foot. As with the Virginia breed of horses, so with their hounds; great pains have been taken lo keep the blood pure, and they have the finest dogs, I suppose. In the United Stales. Those hounds on Long Island, or on the low level lands in New Jersey, would be invaluable to a sports man. It Is quite time to bring this yarn lo a close ; and I will not aggravate my reader by a further recital, or in flict another coon or fox hunt story for his perusal. It is quite apparent, as the reader wfll perceive, that I have been extravagantly fond of field sports ; and If senllmentaUsts are good authority, I have much to answer for. In reference lo these delinquencies. The propensity, whether right or wrong, is still predominant, and I should be very Ukely to add to former transgres sions should favorable opportunities again occur. I am sure I could hardly resist, nor do I supppse I shpuld try very hard lo do so. 511 CHAPTER XXVII. Habits and Intelligence qf Animals, To those who have closely observed the habits and intelligence of animals, many indications have been noted that appear Uke an exhibition pf reasoning facul ties. Call it instinct, or craf*, or whatever else ypu please, still a great degree of cunning is manifested, coupled with circumstances very nearly approaching lo reasoning, if not absolutely so. Take the fox hound as an instance, ¦u'ho often be comes as subtle and expert in circumventing the fox, as the latter is crafty in avoiding his pursuer. An experienced hound after ascertaining from fre quent trials the usual course of the fox pn a given por tion of ground, wifl resort to devices lo circumvent him, which appear like the intelligence of school boys. Those hounds that I formerly owned, were expert fox hunters, and I used frequently to go wilh them to Windmill Hifl, in Cherry VaUey; which, with a large forest adjacent to II, was much frequented by foxes. The hill was high, and narrow at top, from whence the land on each side, (east and west,) descended. Il was more than half a mfle in length. The fox when start ed, would generaUy course several limes rpund the hfll, playing sprae distance befpre the dogs, about half way down the hill on one side ; and pn dpubUng, would take the other side about the same distance frcm the tpp. In ibis way he would frequently make a run of a mile or two, north or south, passing on the sides of the bifl 612 HABITS AND lengthwise, several times before leaving it entirely. This was his usual run-way ; and the dogs on learning it, instead of running the whole course and keeping his track, would often leave it on one side, and pass up over to the other, with a view of cutting hira off, and taking the track nearer to him. If reynard in the mean time had left the hfll, they of course would loose his track by leaving it and running across, and then would have lo look it up the best way they could; but they very often were the gainers by this device, and would save a half mile or more of running, and gain so much on the fox. Almost every man famiUar wilh fox bunting, if ob serving, has witnessed such performances. Now the fact being so, how is it to be accounted for? Simply that the dog knows it is shorter to run up, and lake the track on the other side of the hifl, than to run the whole length. of it, and then come back to the place where he Strikes il again; precisely as the boy knows that it Is shorter lo run through the barn and come out on the other side, than to run around it. Now take the deer, who is by no means as crafty as the fox or dog. Why does he when pursued, sp fre quently lake the brpok and run in the water, often a half mile or more? The object is to cpnceal his track, and lo leave no scent by which he can be followed. Then comes the question, how does he know that he makes a track, or leaves a scent, by which his pursuers follow him? Instinct, perhaps, leaches him. The horse soon learns to open his stable door, by pulling out the pin by which it is fastened. This he ac quires from observing how others open it. Every one familiar with horses have observed this, aud other vidences of Intelligence and observation. INTELLIGENCE OP ANIMALS. 513 I have known horses and cattle who would break into forbidden fields at night, and to conceal their de predations, would be out in the morning, when they would assume an unusually honest look. Watch them at night, and you wpuld detect their maraudings. Np pne who ever hunted the squirrel, but has no ticed his devices for deception. Nothing is mere com mon than to see him run to a tree, and ascend it on the side next to you fpr a considerable distance, then work himself round till out of sight on the other side ; when he will run down and scamper off to another, keeping the first in range between j'ou and himself, so that you shall not see him when he makes off. The object of this is to deceive you, and make you think he is on the tree you saw him ascend ; when, in fact, he has prac tised a cheat, and is in the top of another, often many rods distant. The fox has always been noted for his cunning, and fraudulent devices. When pursued by dogs, he frequently gets on the fence where the snow is blown off, and will keep on it a great distance, and on leaving it will make a long leap frora it, that his track shall net be discpvered by the dogs, whp are slpwly foflpwing by the slight scent left en the rails. At ether times he will run into a flock of sheep, and keep wilh them for a given time, that his tracks may be trodden out by theirs, and the hounds thus be put at fault. Those who have trapped for him, knew hpw necessary it is tP conceal the trap, and tP cpver with such Ughl substances as shall disguise, or prevent his smelling it ; and yet he wfll frequently dig it out so far as to expose, and thereby comprehend it ; and some- limes spring it by thrusting a stick upon it. , They have even been caught by the nose with steel traps, in con- 614 HABITS AND sequence of using too short a stick to spring the trap. That they wfll cpunterfeit death for a long time, when they wish to deceive, is a fact well authenticated. 1 will mention a remarkable instance : I had once been pursuing reynard for a long time, and bis foot prints in the snow showed him lo be a large fellow, and, no doubt, an " old one." The dogs finally drove him from Windmill Hill to_ a ledge of rocks, where, running into a hole between the courses of lime rock, too narrow for the dogs to enter, he fancied himself quite secure, as he undoubtedly Was, so far as the dogs were concerned. On arriving al the hole, the dogs were digging and barking, but made no headway towards capturing the fox. The seam between the rocks extended several rods, and the earth resting on them, and extending over the seam, two or three inches deep, was frozen. With an iron bar I broke through this layer of earth, till I found where reynard lay, a rod or two from where he went in* The frozen earth over him was removed, and some of it fell in upon him, partly covering him. The edges of the rock were broken away, so that I could see him; but he would not move. I thought he had gone in as far as the nar row seam would permit, and had got fastened between the rocks. On searching, I soon found which way his head was, and applied a stick to his face and nose, punching and irritating him to ascertain whether he ¦was alive ; but he gave not the least indication that he perceived or cared for the stick. Then, breaking away the rocks so that I could get my hand between them, I seized him by his long nose with my left hand, and held him al Last fifteen minutes, till one of my com panions broke away the rocks with the bar, so much as to make ropin to take him put. During all the time I INTELLIGENCE OF ANIMALS. 515 held him, he gave no sign of life, ner could' he be induced to do so, till one of my companions who held, and kept back the dogs, allowed them to come forward and seize him ; when he immediately threw off the disguise "and fought resolutely, but was soon killed. Now he evidently was practising this deceit, in hopes that I would take him out and throw him down, when he would have shown a light pair pf heels, and been off in a moment. I have known the opossum, who is celebrated for playing false, to practice deceits, even beyond this ; so also the coon. The opossum, of all animals, is prob ably the most inveterate cheater ; so that to deceive, is, in common parlance, " lo play possum." In my last chapter has been related an instance of his deception, as well as various devices of the raccppn, whicb are but Ultie infericr in point of saga city. My friend McKenstry, who keeps one of the best hotels at Sandusky city, Ohio, who is a keen sports man, and a highly inteUigent and respectable man, re lates circumstances in regard to three hounds, that he witnessed at Little FaUs, Herkimer county, when he re sided there several years ago. A brief account of this •was pubUshed two or three years since, in the " New- York Spirit of the Times," and was substantially as follows : McKenstry and Matthew Talcolt, now deceased, who was a brother of the late Attorney General Tal colt, had been out hunting, and taken with them Mc- Kenslry's hound. As they came into the viflage on their return, a large cur dog belonging to a villager, sprang over the fence, and laying hold of the hound, got bim down, and bit and shopk him severely. The 5Ib HABITS AND cur was finally beaten off, and the hound went along home; but from some indications observed by Talcolt, who was a close scrutinizer in matters of that kind, he thought the dog intended to run off, and so informed' McKenstry, and advised him to shut or tie him up. This advice was not heeded ; but the dog was watch ed, and soon after leaving home, was followed by Mc Kenstry and Talcolt, to satisfy themselves what he was after, and where he was going. He trotted along some two mfles, and stopped at a house where two hounds were kept, with whom he often bunted. Arriving there, he fondled around them, and by intimations understood by them, the two were induced to follow him. The three returning to the village on a good round trot, heads and tails up, went directly lo the yard where the cur was, and jumping over the fence, fell upon him, and never let go their hold till they had killed him. Now, of the truth of this, I have no doubt. And how can it be accounted for, except that the hound knew he was not a match for the cur, but thought with the assistance of the two others of his own kind, they would be more than a match for him ; and hence in duced them to make common cause with him, against their common adversary? That although one could not resist him, the three could ; and so the result proved. No one doubts that dogs have tenacious memories, for they will remember you for many years. So have horses. Birds must have the faculty of memory in an eminent degree ; for some of them wfll come back an nually from the south, many years in succession, and repair and occupy the nest of preceding years. These faculties in beasts and birds, whatever you choose to call them, are strange and mysterious, indicating intel ligence, and many of them approaching close to reason- INTELLIGENCE OF ANIMALS. 517 ing, if* not properly designated as such. Man with all his boasted wisdom, is in many respects not greatly superior to the beasts that perish. Many circumstances and incidents will occur to those who have been close observers of the habits and instincts of animals, that indicate much sagacity and cunning; which If not properly resulting from reason ing faculties, come so near, that the shade of difference can hardly be distinguished. 518 CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. CHAPTER XXVIII. Reflections in regard to Capital Punishment, in connection with the Execution of Professor Webster, Professor Webster has suffered the extreme penalty pf the law — whfle penning this paragraph, the boys are crying " Extra Herald ; Execution of Doct. Webster." The melancholy fate of Webster is a sad exhibition of the weakness and wickedness of poor human na ture. He has " gone to his last account," to meet the victim of unbridled passion. The laws have been vindicated In the face of strong prejudices, that, for a time, seized upon and pervaded the public mind ; while the stern Integrity of the jury, the unwavering firmness of the court and civil authorities, are highly creditable and afford incontestible evidence, that no man, however eminent in station, is superior to law. Much is said in opposition lo capital punishment, which its opponents denounce as "judicial murder." " It s contrary lo natural law " say they, to take life. The Supreme Being alpne, can give life, and as man cannot give, he has no right to destroy. " Shut the culprit up in solitary confineraenl," it is said, and then he will be pointed at as an object loo bad and loo dangerous to be tolerated in society, while he will have space for repent ance. Again it is flippantly said, " the object of punish ment is lo reform and make better the offender, mstead of subjecting him to suffering." A sickly mawkish sensibiUty seems to have taken hold of the minds of CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. 619 many good men, which perverts and misleads their judgment. How is It contrary to " natural law," to Inflict the death penalty on the murderer ? If I am attacked and my Ufe put In danger, the opponents lo capital punish ment agree that I am justified In kflUng my adversary. But bowis this? I am destroying Ufe, which I can neither give or restore ! I am justified because my life was in danger ; and I had the same right to slay my assailant, that I would have to kill a wild beast that attacked me. Precisely so In relation to society. The murderer has proved himself an unsafe member. Tbe man who " of malice aforethought " slays a human being, cannot be suffered to remain at large, because of his dangerous propensities. Community is not safe. The public good, the public safely, requires that he should be cut pff; and then it becomes a question of expediency, upon which the law-making power must decide whether life shall be required, or whether he shall be restrained of his liberty. Men may and will differ when expediency is the question. I am now speaking of the right of society lo punish wilh death : and I hold that they have the same right as they have to imprison or banish. The murderer has foreited all his rights, and society may Inflict the utmost penally, or restrain his liberty, just as shall seem most expedi ent, or may remit or pardon altogether. To say the object of punishment is to reform, the guilty, is expressing but half ils object. It is not only lo reform ; but it is to inflict pain, or disgrace, or both, to make the culprit desist for the future, under an ap prehension of suffering ; and to make him an example that shall serve as a " terror to evfl doers." But it is said solitary confinement, (solitary and 520 CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. perpetual,) where the convict raay reflect, and repent ; is more humane, and in accordance with the march of civilization, and melioration of the criminal code. Do the advocates for solitary confinement fully understand what the}' ask for? They surely would not advocate the keeping of a prisoner with a view of inflicting daily or weekly tortures, and yet solitary confinement is but little, if any short of it. The general result in reference to those in solitary confinement, is an early loss of in tellect, and rapid decay of the system, that soon puts a period to human existence. Now I will not discuss the question which is most merciful or cruel to the prisoner, to execute him, or subject him to an imprisonment, that shall soon terriii- nale his existence, with the probable previous destruc tion of mind and reasoning faculties. In ray judg ment, death is far preferable. A strong objection to substituting iraprlsonment for capital punishment, ari ses — First, from the difficulty of keeping the prisoner in perpetual imprisonment. Society would not feel safe were the murderer at large ; or if it was believed that he might be al large by escape, executive clemency, or commutation of pu nishment. In the slate of New York, the pardoning power is vested in the governor by the constitution ; and before abrogating the death penalty, public sentiment, I appre hend, would require an amendment that should place the exercise of that prerogative under rigid restrictions. A second consideration is this. We know that although the laws of nearly all countries punish the raurderer wilh death, yet in cases of great aggravation, it is diffi cult to restrain popular impulses, which prompt to im- CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. 521 mediate punishment, and that too, without waiting for the forms of law. Take our own slate, and the most sober, sedate, and staid part of society, (and law abiding loo,) and let an aggravated murder be committed, perhaps a wife, or daughter, after other flagrant indignities, and let the law be changed so that the raurderer can only be im prisoned after a legal trial, and what would probably be the result ? In four cases out of five, the offended party would invoke the aid of Judge Lynch, to do speedy execution; or he would lake the law in his own hands and slay the murderer hiraself. This, may be said, would be from a spirit of revenge, which I am willing to grant; but it is in accordance with the promptings of nature, and when we legislate and make laws, we must make them in reference lo the predomi nant feelings in society. It seems to me that such would be the natural tendency, and that laws would be violated and set aide- fiance by the injured party, whenever an aggravated case should occur. But It is said that executions are demoral izing, and tend to harden and debase the feelings of the lookers on, when public ; and that neither public or private examples have the effect of restraining crime. In reference to the public execution of criminals, I free ly grant the influence is pernicious; and hence, those who are doomed lo suffer, should meet their fate where but few should be witnesses. I do not, however, admit that capital punishment as some contend, loses ils terrors on the masses, and rather tends to increase crime; nor do I admit that it fafls to restrict the number of homicides that would otherwise take place. One thing is very certain, and that is, that where 522 CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. the murderer is executed, he will net ccmmlt further pffonces. Society, therefore, is rid of one dangerous member, who is thus cut off. To say that imprisonment would be equally salutary in its effects, is an assertion, that may, or may not be true. To say that it would be more salutary, and that it would restrict crime, I should very much doubt ; for it seems to me, that the penalty that is most dreaded by a vast majority of mankind, is the most likely to restrain offences. And what has so much terror for poor hu man nature, as the deprivation of life? "What -wifl not a man give in exchange for his life ?" On looking over and reviewing this question, I am strengthened in my impressions by what has recently taken place in California. There they have not only tried men by self-constitut ed courts, emanating from popular impulses, but have repeatedly and speedily inflicted the death penalty. The safely of society required it, and popular sentiment justified and sustained those proceedings. The organization and action of the self-organized vigflance committee of San Francisco, where the trial of offenders was speedy, and the execution of the crimi nal not only certain, but summary in the highest de gree, had an effect in restraining crime, as all, I sup pose, will now admit, far beyond any lenient measures that could have been adopted. Here, the question became practical ; and in addi tion to sustaining the action of self constituted courts and committees, public sentiment required laws more stringent and sanguinary, which were enacted, extend ing the death penalty to other pffences than murder. The state of society there, and the practical ques tions growing out of it in reference to crime and pun- CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. 523 ishment is worth a thousand theories put forward in books or pubUc journals. Human nature is very much the same in all ages, and in every country ; and proceedings that would restrict crime /in one region would be very Ukely to have the same eftect in others similarly situated. What I have said thus far, has been without refer ence to scripture injunctions, where the death penalty is not only recognized, but expressly enjoined ; and those who look to the holy book as authority, wfll find abundant proof of ils early enactment and uniform in- ^iction. So also may it be said that all nations in all ages of the world, have regarded the murderer as an enemy to mankind, and have required Ufe for life. If it has not been so universally, the exceptions are only exceptions to a general rule of action and belief. The murder of Doct. Parkman, as well as the pu nishment of his murderer, should not be lost in its influ ences on community. It should be a solemn and im pressive warning to creditors, not to oppress and drive a needy man to desperation. Recollect that debtors have feelings and rights, as well as creditors. It is an easy matter to take a debtor by the throat, and tell him " pay me that thou owesl ;" but It is not always safe or expedient. Doct. Webster, though poor in property, had a proud spirit. He had a family depending on him for support — he had a reputation dear to him and them — and should this reputation be blasted, it was to him and his family, the loss of every thing. The great dramatic poet says, "you take my life, when you do take the means whereby I live." This was Webster's situation; and Parkman, for a few hundred doUars, which neither his necessities, or his superfluities re- 524 CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. quired, determined to disgrace his debtor — ^his former friend — and take from him the means of support for himself and dependant family. Il requires no stretch of imagination to realize the deep distress and indignation that agitated the bosom of Webster, when he learned that Parkman threatened to expose his delinquency, and to wrest from him the fees and emoluments, on which he and bis family relied for support; and then the insolent, overbearing manner! Debtors, if they are not altogether lost to a sense of honor, are, of all men living, the most sensitive. They feel themselves dependant, and subject to the caprice of creditors. They feel depressed and degraded, frora the fact that they are not able lo meet their obUgallons ; and they feel an anxiety in reference lo famfly wants, that no man can ever realize till brought down by ad versity to a state of poverty. Such, I have no doubt, were Webster's feelings, provoked and aggravated by Parkman's importunities; and, although no justification for the horrid tragedy, yet a sympathy is excited for the man thus painfully situa ted, and an abhorrence for one who would needlessly tantaUze a wounded spirit, though improvident, as weU as dependent. It should be a solemn -warning lo cred itors as Well as debtors. The one should not oppress, nor the other avenge. Had a mild, forbearing course been pursued, the murdered man and bis murderer, would probably still be in the land of the living, and the stern relribullons of a future slate not yet reaUzed, though sure in tbe end to overtake the delinquent. Oh ! what pains and heart-rendings have been the result of this deed of darkness ! What blasted hopes, what household and family desolation! Surely, an inordinate love of money "is the root of much evfl." SLAVERY QUESTION. 625 PREFACE TO CHAPTER XXIX. To THE Reader: In reference to the following chapter, "slavery and aUenatlon of feeUng between the north and south," I wish to remark, that It was not written wilh a fuU de termination to make it a part of this volume. The public mind has been so much excited in refer ence lo the slave question, that some friends who have examined and approved of this chapter, and who de sired to see it in print, have advised me lo publish it in pamphlet form, under an irapresslon that its insertion in this volume, might prejudice the sale of the book wilh a portion of readers. • I was half inclined to yield to these suggestions; but on reflection, have concluded lo give it a place in my published volume, and submit It to the scrutiny of those who may deign lo peruse it, with a request that they give It a candid and impartial consideration. I am the more inclined lo this course, frora the fact that the public mind appears to De settling down to a more tranquil state, and that a discussion of the question wifl now be heeded by candid men, who under the excited stale of feeling that has existed, might have passed It by with contumely, if not contempt. The great body of the American people, are law abiding and orderly citizens, and desire to act rightly, when'rightly informed. Hence I cannot beUeve that a candid discussion of this absorbing question. Can or ought to give offence to those who differ with me, and 626 SLAVERV QUESTION. yet aim at the best Interest of the country, and who are willing lo investigate questions that enter so largely into our poUtlcal institutions. I have endeavored lo present the slave question, its origin, progress, and present existence. In such a light as well authenticated facts will warrant ; and to urge upon my readers the importance of abiding by the con stitutional provisions, as the only chance of perpetuating the union of the slates. Il has appeared to me, that through our syrapathies at the north, or our prejudices against the institution of slavery, we have for many years, in a measure overlooked our obligations under the national conslilulion ; and have too easily yielded to our impulses, while southern rights and interests have been rudely and unscrupulously assailed. If those who read wfll reflect, and regard the con stitution as the result of the labors of our revolutionary fathers, and its compromises and concessions as mutual pledges from different portions of the union, for the peace and harmony of the whole, it appears lo me they must yield a more ready acquiescence to those provi sions, though particular portions may not be precisely as we may desire. To those who set up conscience as a "higher law," and as a law, over and beyond the constitution, or any enactments Under it, I cannot hope to bring them lo an approval of what I may advance, for ihey deny the vaUdity and binding force of the constitutional compact on that subject. Such men will not be convinced, even if Washing ton should arise from the dead, and urge an acquies cence in a provision which the fathers of the republic sanctioned ; and without which, the union of the states could never have been cemented. SLAVERY QUESTION. 527 But there are others equally opposed to slavery, and probably none more so than the writer, who recognise that provision of the conslilulion, as of the same valid ity as other portions; and who will yield a ready ac quiescence lo that, as well as lo all constitutional laws that may be enacted. To them, and others, who beUeve in sustaining the provisions of the constitution in all its parts, I invoke a candid perusal of the following chapter ; and lo those who may difler with me, I only ask the charity of the j-eader, lo believe that my intentions are upright, hon orable, and patriotic. 628 SLAVERY QUESTION. CHAPTER XXIX. Slavery, and alienation of feeling between the North and South. When the federal constitution was adopted, slavery was tolerated, and existed, in almost evety state of the union. The territory north-west of the river Ohio, then a wflderness, with the exception of a few old French set tlements, though formerly subject lo slavery, had been declared free by an ordinance of the old continental congress In 1787, before the formation of the federal constitution, with an express proviso, however, that those owing service, and escaping from other states, should be restored lo that service. The comparatively few slaves in the northern states, with the manifest disposi tion, that began to show itself in favor of manumission, rendered il quite certain that it would not long be toler ated among thera. Hence, a wefl-founded apprehension, araong the southern stales, where the great mass of slaves were held, that their northern neighbors, by free ing their own, would not only influence the black po pulation of the south to flee from their masters, but would make the free slates receptacles for the run-a way slaves. Each stale was then sovereign and independent of the others, except so far as the old confederation united them for certain purposes, of which slavery formed no part. Just as independent of each other on this ques tion, as any sovereignty of Europe; and the right to reclaim and bring back a fugitive from service, did no SLAVERY QUESTION. 529 mdre exist, except by compact or law, than it does now, to bring him back from Canada. Such right could only exist by compact among the different slates. It is easy to perceive that the southern states, whose laws and civil institulions, were in a peculiar degree based on the relation of master and slave, which, en tering into the elements of society, could not but regard this matter as of absorbing interest; and without a compact to restore fugitives from service, they could not safely enter into, and maintain the union of the slates. Not only were their laws and institulions based on this State of society, but the property of southern citizens was, in a large degree, vested in slaves and plantation establishments, suitable for slave labor, and the com forts of living. Slavery bad been forced upon the colonists north and south, (more particularly the latter,) by the mother country, at their early settlement ; and northern ship pers had been for many years, the principal importers. Hence, where slaves abounded in great numbers, they could not be universaUy manumitted, except by break ing up the well established organization of society, and the sacrifice of private rights, lo the ruin of nearly all the landed proprietors. It may be remarked that the revolution was " begwi, continued, and ended," under this stale of things ; leaving each state to manage and control the question within its own borders, as, in its sovereign capacity it should think proper. It may be further remarked, that the revolution was neither start ed nor prosecuted to redress the grievance of negro slavery, nor did the continental congress possess, claim, or assume such power. This delicate question, therefore, became a " stum bling block " in the convention that formed the consti- 530 SLAVERY QUESTION. tution, and it was only by a compromise among the delegates from the several states, where some opinions and rights must be mutually conceded, for the acqulsi- sition of others, equally desirable ; that a federal union could be secured, or a satisfactory constitution agreed upon. Nor could it have been concurred in by the states, after the convention had adopted it ; except upon an expectation that it would be carried out, and abided by in the several states. The convention was composed of men of the revolution ; those who had been reared under the British yoke ; but who, at an immense sacrifice of blood, and treasure, had gone through a seven years' war, and triumphantly thrown off that yoke. Such men, imbued with a patriotic love of country— with a desire to perpetuate the principles for which they had fought, and to secure the union of the slates, devoted themselves lo compromise, and ad just the embarrassing questions, which resulted in the adoption of the following provisions, — Art. 4, sect. 2 of the constitution : " A person charged in any state wilh treason, felo ny, or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found In another state, shall, on demand of the execu tive authority of the state from which he fled, be deU vered up, to be removed to the stale having jurisdiction of the crime. " No perspn, held tp service pr labpr in pne stale, un der the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in conse quence of any law pr regulatlpn therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shaU be delivered up on claim pf the party tP whpm such service cr labpr may be due." Here are twp clauses, the first relating tp fugitives from justice ; simflar in principle to treaty stipulations SLAVERY QUESTION. 531 now existing between the United States and several foreign governments. The other, having express refer ence to slaves, and those pwing service in pne slate " under the laws thercpf," and escaping into another, who shafl be deUvered up, on claim of the party to whom such such service or labor may be due." Words cannot make it more plain and significant. Under this provision of the constitution ; and, to carry it out, congress, in 1793, passed a law authorizing certain officers to entertain jurisdiction of applications for the surrender of run-a-way slaves, which was signed by General Washington, as president; and John Adams as vice president ; and this has been in force nearly sixty years. The very state of things apprehended by the southern states, has happened. The northern states have, from lime to time abolished slavery ; sorae, by an immediate emancipation ; others, as in New York, by a gradual abolition ; and now it is well for law abi ding, peaceful, good citizens, candidly to reflect on what has passed, as wefl as what Is to follow. Whatever may be the opinion of northern men upon the abstract question of slave holding, it is quite time for them to consider whether it is right, prudent, or honorable, to shuSle off, or evade this requirement of the constitution. I do not, nor will not suppose, that northern men in great numbers, will openly avow a desire to evade this prevision ; much less to cpunte- nance ppposillon to it. Tp supppse such a northern feeling, would indicate a willingness to viplate express stipulations, to outrage southern rights, and southern feelings, and to put in extreme peril, the unien pf the stales ; which unicn, mpre than anything else, has ccn- -632 SLAVERY QUESTION. tributed to the growtb, prosperity, and happiness of the whple country. Is it honorable for any portion of citizens either north or south, to repudiate the stipulations of our an cestors — of our representatives, who formed the conslir tution, and of those who adopted it? Nullification- al the south has been in bad odor at the north ; and yet a refusal lo abide in good faith, by the compromises of the constitution, and faithfully to carry thera out ; is but another name for nullification, and equaUy repre hensible. When Louisiana was purchased under Mr. Jeffel- son's administration. It was a slave province, and was sturdily opposed by the federal party. I have no doubt, a portion of that opposition resulted from an ap prehension that, in the end, it would give an undue influence to the south, particularly in reference to the slave question. I am aware that the avowed opposition was on other grounds, and no doubt much of it from party, political considerations. It was finally acqui esced in, the more readily, as the purchased province controlled the outlet of the Mississippi, and the de scending products of our western citizens, who -were settled on that great natural thoroughfare, wilh its nu merous and extended tributaries. But when Missouri — a portion of Louisiana — ap plied for admission, as an independent state, with slavery existing within her borders, and a slavery pro vision in her constitution, the smothered feeling in the free states, broke out with an energy, that, in the struggle between the north and spulh, almost rent asunder the ligaments that bound the slates togetber ; and threatened the stability of the union. Louisiana, as claimed by Spain and France, and SLAVERY QUESTION. 533 as we purchased it, extended almost indefinitely, on the west side of the Mississippi, to the north and west ; and the whole, when acquired, was subject to slavety. The question was finally happily settled by a com promise, known as the Missouri comproraise : by which that state was admitted, -with a concession to the free states, that no other slave states should be created north of 36° 30' north latitude. Here was a concession to freedom, that converted from slave into free territory, a vast area, from which Iowa is already admitted as a free state, and MInesota and Nebraska, with otherS at the west, unquestionably wfll be. In due time. Here the free states will, in the end, be decided gainers in refer ence to slavery, without reckoning Missouri, which from present appearances will be made free, though the others, without her, will outnumber those subjected to slavery. Florida was subsequently acquired, and though a slave territory large enough for two states, was admit ted to the union without serious opposition, even from the north. The whole country regarded il as a desira ble acquisition, to get rid of a foreign government that gave protection to fugitives from justice, as well as from service; that served as a rallying point for hostile savao-es; that in a measure controlled a portion of southern trade, and that in case of hostiUties, would greatly annoy our commerce in the Gulf of Mexico. We wanted it to round out our southern border, to secure our commerce, and free us from unwelcome neighbors. Thus Florida was acquired and admitted by almost unanimous consent. When Texas commenced her unequal struggle with Mexico, which resulted in Texan independence, the whole country, north and sPulh, sympathised in feeling with the brave Texans. They, tp be sure, had estab- 634 SLAVEEY QUESTION. lished slavery within their borders; but so long as the contest was between them and the Mexicans, even northern syrapathies were decidedly with Texas. We had heard with horror of Mexican cruelties; the taking of the Alamo, a,nd cold blooded massacre of Its defend ers; and when at San Jacinto, Texas, under her brave and accomplished Houston, and other leaders eminent in Texan warfare, avenged former injuries, and estab lished her independence, al the same lirae holding in captivity, Santa Anna, the leader of her oppressors, tbe whole country greeted "the lone star," as it rose resplendent frora the smoke of battle. The proposition lo annex it lo this republic, was not wefl received by a large portion of our citizens, partic ularly those of the whig party. Mexico protested, and it was perfectly obvious that ils annexation would in volve us in war. This consideration embodied nearly the whole whig parly, north and south, against the acquisition, unless the consent of Mexico was first secured. Many north ern whigs, and some democrats, had misgivings, from the fact that it would add slave territory large enough for several stales, which in the end would give undue influence to the southern portion of the union. This consideration, however, no doubt added considerably to the popularity of the measure al the south. The presi dential campaign in 1844, was mainly contested on this question; and the abolition parly, though professing an abhorrence lo the admission of Texas, threw away their voles, and thus enabled Mr. Polk lo carry New York, which secured his election. Texas -was brought into the union almost entirely by democratic votes ; the ' democrats of the north very generally going wilh the south in favor pf the measure, and were equally re- SLAVERY QUESTION. 535 sponsible for its admission, as well as the war that grew out of il, as were the southerners who supported Mr. Polk. This remark is as applicable lo that portion of the democracy since known as free soilers, who under the lead of Mr. Van Buren, have professed such a holy horror for slavery, as to the most zealous repubUcans who favored the annexation and the compromise mea sures afterwards. I know il has been said that Mr. Van Buren cared not for the slavesy question; but in consenting lo stand as a candidate, desired to avenge hiraself on General Cass, whose friends had pressed him for a presidential nomination in 1844, and who had contributed lo the de feat of Mr. Van Buren, al the Baltimore convention. Mr. Van Buren had objected to the admission of Texas, unless matters could be amicably arranged with Mexico, to avoid war ; but I am not aware that ihe existence of slavery was ever urged by him, or any considerable number of his friends, against the admission. He and they aided in electing Mr. Polk ; they sustained him in prosecuting the war against Mexico, and with few ex ceptions, went for annexing Texas, and the acquisition of large portions of Mexican territory. Whatever Mr. Van Buren's private feelings were In reference lo the question of slavety, there is not a doubt that many who supported him for president, in 1848, regarded it with absorbing interest; and having been influential in bringing on the Mexican war, it seems to me it would have been more magnanimpus for thera to have gone on and aided in adjusting the disturbing questions grpwing out of their own acts, instead of act ing wilh the abolitionists, and thus adding fuel to the excitement. Mr. Van Buren will hardly live long eneugh tP cpn- 536 SLAVERY QUESTION. vince his countrymen that his course has been discreet or proper. They will, very likely, be so dull of com prehension, as not lo discover the propriety of a proffer ed veto in advance, against abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia, when southern voles were want ed ; and an announcement, in 1848, that a like veto would be withheld. However plausible and sallsfactoty to hiraself his reasons may appear. It will be no great marvel, if the public at large shall look at the latter declaration, as a device to secure the votes of a class of politicians for merly discarded by himself and party ; and whose sym pathies were antagonistic al to those of the south, and to his own, a few years previous. His position in 1848, will add no desirable chaplet to his brow. The war wilh Mexico, though not popular wilh the whig parly, was nevertheless sustained with energy and good faith by the great body of the people, whigs as well as democrats. The cabinet of Mr. Polk, or rather that part raore immediately connected with the war (the purse and the sword,) was of eminent abflity. The commanding generals and their subordinates, down to the privates in the ranks ; displayed military talent, and indomitable bravery, that soon planted the stars and stripes on the lowers and raraparts of the proud Aztec metropolis. The result was the acquisition of an immense territory ; and then, in reference lo the government and division of these extensive domains, the slavery agitation between the north and south, were revived with unparallelled bitterness. Under this state of feeling, the first session of the thirty-first congress commenced, beset with difficulties, heart-burnings, and divisions, that threatened the peace and perpetuity of the union itself. SLAVERY QUESTION. 537 Il cannot be necessary, so spon after the pretracted and embittered discussions of that session, lo go into a full detail of the various questions that divided the re presentatives of the people. These, in short, were the admission of California as an independent stale ; the adjustment of the Texas boundarj" ; the establishment of territorial governments in New ^lexico and Utah ; the abolition of the slave trade in the District of Columbia ; and the " fugitive slave law " so called. When it was ascertained that the Mexican war was to result in the acquisition of the territories above mentioned, a large portion of the representatives of the free states, passed a resolution known as " the Wilraot proviso," introduced by Mr. Wllmot, a democratic member from Pennsylvania, the substance of which was, " that slavery, or involuntary service, except for crime, should not exist in any territories that might be acquired." A large portion of whigs, wilh many de mocrats from the free stales, insisted on applying this provision to the bills relative lo the territories above mentioned ; and even to California, although she had adopted a constitution with an express exclusion of slavery. The southern representatives generally, insisted on adopting the Missouri compromise Une, 36° 30', exclu ding slavety north of that line, and leaving it optional with citizens south of it on being admitted as states, to permit or prohibit slavery as they pleased ; or, in other words, to say nothing about il al present ; while a few ultra southern gentlemen, desired an express recogni tion, if not authorization of slavery, south of the Mis souri ccmpromise line. The latter view of the question was not generally satisfactery, even to southern repre- 638 SLAVERY queIstion. sentatlves, as it implied a right on the part of congress to legislate in regard to slavery, which many of them denied. Those who opposed the Wilmot proviso, look the ground, that It was a mere abstraction, of no prac tical force ; and, if adopted, would amount lo nothing, as the territories on becoraing stales, would permit slavery if they pleased, notwithstanding the proviso. This was the view taken by some of Its opposers ; while others, particularly southern members, look the ground that, though it would not prohibit slavery, if the states on being admitted chose to sanction it ; yet, it was unjust lo the south, by whose blood and treasure, as well as that of the north, the territories had been acquired ; and southern men had the same right as northern, to go there wilh their properly, and be pro tected in Its enjoyment. Again, the proviso, even If of no binding validity, would seem lo deter slave holders from going there with their slaves; and, on the whole, was an injury, as well as insult to the south, to be thus thrust forward in advance. Others, again, argued that the question appropriately belonged to the citizens of the territory, and should be left to their decision ; while others voted against the proviso, for the reason that the situation, climate, and physical condition of the terri tories, would preclude the introduction of slave labor, which never could be profitable or desirable ; and therefore it was unnecessary lo pass the obnoxious provision. In relation to the dividing line between Texas and New Mexico, there was an embittered controversy, with threats and well-grounded apprehensions, of a hostile collision, that would light the torch of civil war. Whether a few square miles, more or less, of a degert country, should be under the jurisdiction oi free, pr slave SLAVEEY QUESTIPN. 539 laws, was an absorbing question, in reference to which, mad-caps of the north and south, seemed ambitious to drive the controversy to a trial of strength. These, with the fugitive slave law, and suppression of the slaVe trade io the District of Columbia, were the lead ing questions in the embittered struggle, which pro longed the session of congress to an unexampled length ; engrossed Its attention lo the exclusion of near ly all other matters ; and seemed only to be adjusted by the devotion and generous exertions of distinguished leading men of the two great political parties, who nobly resolved " that the union must and should he preserved " al every hazard. The several laws of that session, known as " the compromise measures," were finaUy carried, after pro tracted debates, and in the face of determined opposi tion. For a lime it seemed impossible lo reconcile the requisite number to any one proposition, lo give II the shape of law ; while lo keep the questions open for the purpose of agitation, seemed to be the object and de sire of abolitionists at the north, and ultra slavery men at the south. Mr. Clay was constituted the acknowledged leader by those of each political parly, who thus wished to ad just the disturbing questions-; and nothing short of mutual concesslpns seemed likely to promote the desired result. A more gallant, patriotic, talented, and devoted leader, could nowhere be found. Bold, upright, and persuasive, he had, in times past, hushed the elements pf stitfe, and restored quietude lo the union ; first, by his proposition known as the Missouri comproraise ; and secondly, the tariff adjustment; which, for a tirae, allayed sectional controversies, on that exciting subject. Not only Mr. Clay, but General Cass, Mr. Webster, 640 SLAVERY QUESTION. Senators Foote and Dickinson, General Houston, the senators from Indiana and Illinois, Messrs. Mangum, Badger, Bell, and Underwood, wilh others equally de serving the thanks of their countrymen, devoted them selves lo adjusting, by way of compromise, the vari ous complicated questions under discussion. To them, and their associates who acted with them, in the senate, and those of similar views in the house of representatives, the country is specially Indebted for the passage of the compromise measures ; which, it is hoped, if faithfully adhered lo, will give quiet again to the country ; and restore that harmony and kind feelUng, which has been .rudely disturbed. And now arises the important question, whether these measures, and the requlreraenls of the constitu tion, shall be sustained and carried out in good faith ? Or, shall every thing that should be raost dear to the Araerlcan heart, be put al hazard by an attempt to evade, or oppose the laws, and the constitutional pro visions? On this subject, it is most consoling to know, that president Fillmore, with his confidential official ad visers, stands firm and Immovable. His integrity, firm ness, and consistency of purpose, in every official sta tion heretofore fifled by him, give assurances to the na tion, that with him as its chief magistrate, there will be no faltering, no hesitancy, in sustaining and enforcing the laws of the land. I by no means intend to intimate that those who op posed the compromise measures, were w^animg in patriotism, or attachment to the union. The great body of them acted from pure and patriotic motives; and though they did not concur in the measures adopt ed by the majority, I have no doubt they desired an ad- SLAVERY QUESTION. 641 justment that should be satisfactory to the country, and substantially just to all its parts. Conceding as I do, purity of intention to most of them, I cannot but look upon their opposition as fraught wilh danger to the stability of the union. While some hesitated to vote for measures, under an impression that their constituents would not approve of their voles, others may have voted with an expectation of building up a political reputation by adhering to, or opposing certain measures; and others again, unwiUing to incu» the responslbflity of taking a stand, and boldly throw ing themselves into the breach, were content lo see those who were more chivalric in feeling than them selves, adopt a course which they secretly approved, but wanted courage lo pursue. It is loo much lo expect frora political men, general ly, that they will jeopardize their position by running counter to the opinion of their constituents; even when those opinions are the result of prejudices. Still there are representatives who will take this responsibility, and like Curllus, sacrifice themselves to preserve the country; and most fortunate it is, that such representa tives can sometimes be found. Those who look the opposite side on the compro mise measures, did not regard the danger so imminent as those who sustained them; and no doubt believed their own propositions would arrive at the same result. In my judgment, the risk was too great to justify dpubtful measures, or to experiment upon the forbear ance of different sections of the country, already too highly excited. It was time lo slop discussions, and by mutual concessions and conciliatory measures, bring back the country to fraternal feelings, then nearly lost from recriminations, and alleged aggressions, mutually charged against each other. 642 SLAVERY QUESTION. Those laws thus far, have been adquieSced in with reasonable unanimity on the part of the people, wilh the exception of the fugitive slave law, which has been bitterly denounced by a large number of citizens in the free slates. That law, if abided by, and carried out in good faith with the other enactments, I trust wfll give quiet once more to the union. Indeed, save the dis content in South Carolina, which has been prevalent in regard to tariff laws, as well as resulting from the slave question, I know of no serious impediment lo a restora tion of kind feelings, except the continued hostility of a portion of the north, lo the constitutional provision re quiring the return of fugitive slaves to their masters. This is the real ground of opposition lo the fugitive slave law, and has been at the bottom of all the diffi culties between the free and slave states in regard to slavery. The law of 1793, which prescribed the mode of proceedings to compel a return to service, was not much clamored against, because abolitionists, and those who connived al the escape of slaves, could by delays and devices evade that law. It is true, laws were pass ed In some of the slates, securing lo the fugitive slave the trial by jury of the question, whether he should be returned to service ; that is, he might replevy himself and allege his freedom, and thus, under a stale law, claim for himself a jury trial. More than twenty years ago, the supreme court of the state of New York, by a solemn decision, adjudged the state law unconstitution al, as it undoubtedly was; and this has also been ad judged by the supreme court of the United Stales. The correctness of those decisions, will be made ap parent to any one who will candidly examine the cases ; or who will consult the writings of the late accomplish ed Judge Story, who certainly will never be suspected SLAVERY QUESTIPN. 543 of partialities to slavery, or slave laws. AU the clamor and denunciations that have been got up against the fugitive slave law, on the ground that it took away the right of trial by jury, is the merest pretence, without the shadow of excuse. Those making the assertion, either know nothing about the laws, or if knowing them, have intentionally misrepresented them to deceive and impose on those more ignorant than themselves. The right of trial by jury never existed to decide whether a slave charged with escaping from service, or a fugitive from justice, should be given up. Who ever heard of such a trial, where one was arrested pn an aUegaiion of crime ? Fugitives from justice, and from service, stand on the same ground by the constitutional provision; and though they have the right lo be tried by a jury where the crime was committed, or where the service is al leged to be due, whicb in the latter case brings up the question oi freeman or slave, yet in reference to sending back either, it is a preliminary enquiry merely, whether there is reasonable cause. When I say the right of trial by jury never existed to decide whether a slave, charged with escaping from service, should he given up, I do not intend to deny that stale laws have been passed, authorizing such trials. But those laws have been adjudged unconstitutional; and hence, the assertion that the right never existed, as an unconstitutional law, is a nuUity. The slave states have laws securing the right of trial by jury, to any one held in servitude, who claims to be free ; and I have no doubt, the trial would be as fair and impartial as in any other state. But it is said at the north, if it is a question of property to the value of a " writing desk," the parlies have the right of trial 544 SLAVERY QUESTION. by jury ; whfle, if a claim of service is made, that in volves a question of freedom ; the party claimed, must be given up without intervention of a jury ; and should he after his removal, have a jury trial, it will be among strangers, and under most disadvantageous circumstances. This is afl true ; but is it a fair argument when taken In connection wilh the provisions of the consti tution ? " Disguise it as you will, still slavery is a bitter draught," and I freely admit that the constitution, and the laws under it, so far as slaves are concerned, are se vere ; and a departure from the English common law. Hence, when II Is asserted that it would be but just to allow a black man claimeid as a slave to have a trial by jury, where the claim is made, and would be in accordance wilh the common law; as a distinct pro position will hardly be disputed, even by southern lawyers. I am sure I shall not dispute it; and I will add, that il would be raore in accordance with the common law, not to surrender him at all ; but to regard every human being found in a free slate, as a free man, and entkled to its protection. This would be the com mon law, but It has nothing to do with the question. Slavery was forced upon the colonies, in opposition to the common law ; and being here before, and at the time the coustilullon was formed, the provision requir ing the giving up of those claimed as fugitives from service, was adopted as a compromise between the north and south, and the faith of each was pledged in the most solemn manner, for its performance. Under that provision, the law of '93 was passed, and has been adjudged a constitutional law. Why then, is it now contended that fugitives from service should have a jury trial, except by those who SLAVERY QUESTION. 645 are wifling to violate the constitution, and dissolve the union of the slates ? And suppose this could be effect ed, how would it benefit the slave ? They would be slaves StiU, unless northern phflanlhropisls, with fanatic zeal, should invade the slave holding stales, and by encouraging and aiding a servile war, thus sever the bonds of the slave, lo the degradation and destruction of the whites. This must necessarily be the result; and hence, good men, who love the union of the stales, and be Ueve it of Inestimable value lo all, though there may be many provisions in the constitution that they individ ually might prefer to change, or even abrogate alto gether, have, for the preservation of the union, more than once made concessions ; and in this spirit, the fu gitive slave law, amending the law of '93, was adopted. The law of '93 being so often, and so easily evaded ; the fugitive slave law, though more stringent in ils pro visions, as it was intended lo be, was substituted; but contains no new principle in regard to the return of the slave. It to be sure authorizes certain officers to act in carrying out the law, and so did the law of '93 ; and the law of 1850, in certain prescribed cases, requires the law lo be executed, and authorizes the employment of force to compel submission. But there is no requirement beyond the constitution al provision, that those " held lo service or labor, in one State, under the laws thereof, escaping into another state, shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor is due." Those wiUingto obey this provision of the conslilulion, have no reason to object lo, or oppose the fugitive slave law. The truth is, a small portion of citizens in the free states, known as abolitionists, openly denounce and cppose 35 6iS SLAVERY QUESTION. ' this constitutional provision ; whfle a much larger num ber, who do not go the whole length of the abolitionists, so far sympathize with them on this question, that they are not only willing to see them entice, and even steal aWay a slave, but will indirectly connive at, and se cretly aid the escape. This northern feeling, -which had led lo depredations on the rights and interests of the south, outraging their feelings by denunciations, and robbing them of their property, lies at the bottom of all the difficulties, between the free and slave holding states. No candid man, who knows and regards facts, but must admit that we of the north, in these matters have been the aggressors, not only in a few isolated In stances, but daily, and that loo for many years. North ern citizens, many of them, without much reflection, have practically repudiated the requirements of the constitution; Whfle professed abolitionists, and others not admitting themselves such, but justifying them selves on the score of " conscience," have professed to obey " a higher law," and therefore disregarded the constitution. As between these classes, I can look on your out- and-out abolitionist, with some little complacency, for he tells you plainly, that the provision in the constitu tion is contrary to the divine law; and, therefore, void from beginning. While your "conscience" man will, very likely, find excuses to swear lo support the con stitution, and then hyppcritically viplate it, as well as his path.Thpugh I regard the abolitionists, were it not for the insignificance of their numbers, as the most danger-' ous enemies to the peace and stabiUty of the union, yet their extravagant, fanatical zeal, wfll, probably, always' SLAVERY QUESTION. 547 keep them a party so weak in numbers, that their efforts wiU appear ridiculous, as weU as impotent. On the other hand, your "conscience men," make their " consciences," Uke charily, " cover a multitude of sins." I cannot comprehend the dictates of that con science, that will permit its possessor to sleep quietly un der its monitions, whfle he claims and enjoys the bene fits of the constitution, as a shield for the protection of life, property and national rights, at home and abroad, and yet winks at evasions, if not actually encourages opposition; and that too, after an oath registered in heaven for its support. While freely admitting the existence and binding authority of that great code of natural law, impressed by Deity himself upon the consciences of all intelligent beings, and which is superior to all human, conflicting enactments; yet, in reference to civil duties, as a mem ber of community living under laws, and professing an attachment and adherence to the constitution, I know of no higher law, and desire to know none, than the constitution itself. Hence when conscience is made a pretext for violating constitutional laws, or repudiating the constitutional provisions, I want "none of it." Should I ever feel constrained to resist the laws of my country, (which God forbid,) my opposition wfll be of that cast, that it will be revolution, if successful? treason, if not. I will not profess reverence for the constitution and laws that protect me, and make con science a pretext for forcibly violating those I dislike. Conscience is made the pretext for so many aberra tions of duty, and is used for such base purposes, that I almost abominate the word, and can say of it, as Shakspeare makes one speak pf the wprd occupy, that it "was an exceUent gopd wprd befpre it was fll as sorted." •548 SLAVERY QUESTIPN. I once had a "conscience man" in my employment, who always thrust his conscience forward, when he was raost delinquent in duly. On one occasion he felt himself greatly scandalized, on my telling him he had too much, and made loo free use of the commodi ty. Our business relations were finally brought to an abrupt close, by his stealing my corn and running away, taking wilh him bag and baggage, conscience and all. I do not intend to speak irreverently, or disparaging ly, of the monitions of conscience. But it seems to me, that efforts to enlighten and appropriately apply it to the affairs of life, instead of casuistical devices, which loo often lead lo its misapplication, wpuld make us better men, and better citizens. I know there is a repugnance to slavery, and a con scientious abhorrence of it, that pervades, and in a great measure controls the feelings of citizens in free states; and I respect that feeling, when restrained with in its appropriate sphere. I also know, that this anli-slayery sentiment has greatly increased in the free states, since the manumis sion of their own slaves. To look at its operations, it would really appear that individual interest, or the in terest of friends, or perhaps the former universality of slavery al the north, by bringing our citizens in contact, and daily intercourse with those who held slaves, had in a great measure quieted conscience, and stifled its monitions, till we were rid of them ourselves ; and now, as if to atone for former delinquencies, exhibits itself with recuperated energies, in an unrelenting war fare against all who hold them, just as our citizens for merly did. If it is sinful now, it was equally sinful then; but the zeal now manifested, was then dormant; SLAVERY QUESTION. 649 and being rid of our own, is now rampant for extirpa ting slavery wherever il exists. If our northern citizens regard it as a conscientious duty to war against slavery, why not wage the warfare against its existence in Cuba and Brazil, where the slave trade is permitted. If not actually authorized ; in stead of warring against their southern brethren? Here is a foreign field for their sympathies, wide enough for the most active exercise of benevolence and philantro- phy. In the one case, it would be a controversy with foreigners who approve of, and sustain the trade; while in the other, it is interfering wilh the rights of our own countrymen, disturbing the peace of the union, and that top, in express viplation of constitutional engagements. I am not to be understood as an advocate for slave ry. I would not establish it anywhere ; and being rid of it ourselves, have no desire to see it re-established. It is an evil fastened upon the country before our na tional existence, and must be left to the states where it exists to manage it, like other evils, the best way they can for the public good. Were I a citizen of Maryland, Kentucky, or Missouri, I would favor incipient steps for a gradual manumission, so remote as not lo produce re vulsions and disruptions in society, but would, event ually, result in a fufl abolition of slavery. In Delaware, I would vote for it at once ; while, in the Carollnas, or more southern states, I would not, for the present, vote for even the incipient steps. Whites, as wefl as blacks, have rights ; and I am satisfied, that in these states where so many are held in servitude, it is better for both races to remain as they are, for the present, than to disorganize society by free ing the blacks, and thus setting them and the whites in antagonistic positions. 650 SLAVERY QUESTION. The two races cannot hold an equal standing. They cannot, and do not, at the north. Prejudices too strong lo overcome, will not permit it ; and to think of liberating the vast numbers of ignorant southern slaves, and throwing them upon their own resources for a live lihood, many of them wilh but little more capacity for taking care of themselves, than so many oxen, would be the extreme' of fanatical folly, and ruinous to those states. If il did not lead to an immediate conflict for mastery, as it did in St. Domingo, it would let loose a multitude, who, from sheer necessity, must either beg, steal, or rob, to sustain life, or must be supported by society at large. I would not from any mawkish sensibiUty in regard to natural rights, like Don Quixotte, half crazed on one particular subject, make war, and contend with wlnd- :miUs; but would treat slavery, as. I would other evils engrafted upon society; ameliorate the condition of the slave; render him comfortable and happy; make his servitude as endurable as possible, till it could be re moved without inflicting greater evils on society. When that time wfll arrive, is best known lo him who fore knows and controls human events. I would not pre cipitate it, lo introduce the fruits of West India eman cipation ; besides, as a citizen of another stale, I have no right, legal or moral, to interfere with the domestic relations of others ; nor would I, if I had such right. Let them adjust the matter themselves, as we have done; and as I know we would not have consented that other states should interfere with our affairs, neith er will I wilh theirs. While the black man, I hope, wfll always find me his friend, and ready to protect him in all his legal rlghts,''he must not expect me to outrage, or violate the constitutional rights of the whites. SLAVERY QUESTION. 551 Thpse southern domestic relations, must be left lo south ern management; and in my judgment, the northern man who interferes wilh them, whether so intended or not, inflicts a great evfl on the slave, and is in fact his worst enemy. Whether slavery of itself be a sin, is a point on which good, and great men, both laymen and divines, have, and probably will always differ. While it is generally conceded that the negroes are an inferior race (intellectuaUy, if not physically,) to the Caucasian ; it is contended by many eminent theologians, that a state of servitude is allotted to them by a " higher law " than man can enact, which, for nearly 4,000 years has existed without change. " Cursed be Canaan, a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren." " Blessed be the Lord God of Shem, and Canaan shall be bis servant." " God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwefl In the tents of Shem ; and Canaan shaU be his servant." — Gen. 9th chap., 25lh, 26th, and 27lh. Here is a denunciation thrice repeated, to give It more emphasis and solemnity, which is significant, and no doubt has a meaning. It is supposed to refer to the descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham ; and the best and most learned biblical scholars have uniformly con ceded that the negro race are those descendants. Whether that be so or not, certainly the curse or ~ denunciation referred to individuals or nations of some description ; and men more learned and wise than myself, have contended that it expressly refers to slavery, which we know has always existed. I wifl not assert that it re fers IP, or sanctions slavery, but at least il implies a degra ded, inferior position, mentally or otherwise, and perhaps such a condition would be a fulfilment of the prophecy. 552 SLAVERY QUESTION. We know from history, sacred and profane, that slavery has existed in all ages of the world, authorized in the old, and tolerated in the new testament; yet it is a monstrous evil lo both races which I hope raaj^ be removed, whenever il can be, without Inflicting great er. This .hope, I confess, is niore like the christian hope, that the world will be converted and become better, and the raillenium ushered in al some indefi nite future period, than a positive reasonable expecta tion that such result, however desirable, will soon lake place. That the negroes are an inferior race, I cannot rea sonably doubt ; though this affords no excuse for buy ing or stealing them from their own country lo make slaves abroad. Reasoning from analogy, their inferiority In the scale of being, may be deduced from the fact, that there Is a gradation, mentally and physically, from the lowest to the highest of created things. This we see in the vegetable and animal creation — it pervades the whole, and appears lo be the order and economy of nature. Then when we leave the brute part, and in stitute coraparisons between the different classes or races of the human family, where should the negroes be placed? While almost every race except bis, has advanced in civilization, arts, and sciences, he has remained sta tionary ; and is now, where left to himself, substantially the same as he was 3,000 years ago. The lights of Egyptian, Assyrian, Hebrew, Greek, and Roman science made no irapresslon on him, while civilization and the arts of modern times find him scarcely an imitator, except as he has been forced lo adopt ihem from communication wilh civilized men. SLAVERY QUESTION. 653 He has •withstood the whole — and at the present day, in all the fastnesses of his native Africa, he ex hibits the same stupid brutalized condition that charac terized him In the first ages of the world, and that has marked bis progress through the "whole course of re corded lime." Even on the western coast of Africa, where, for nearly four hundred years, he has been brought In inti mate relations wilh Europeans, he has scarcely emerged from barbarism, and still worships his idols ; while his leading trail of character is an aptitude lo steal or cap ture his own race, and sell them into bondage. He can imitate, but what has he ever invented, or what talent for invention has he ever manifested ? Probably the Caffirs and Hottenlols are the lowest class of huraanily, and who would think of comparing them intellectually or otherwise, wilh the European races? Their very physical conformation, their heads, and frontlets, stamp thera as beings of an inferior order. If this be so, they raust remain a degraded race, even if admitted to equal legal privileges, for the laws of nature can neither be overthrown or counteracted. If the black race are ever to be improved, it would seem to be by a forced communication with civilized life ; and in this view of the question, good raay event ually be derived, even from a stale of slavery. Situated as they are, in the southern stales, where the slave is compeUed lo associate with civilized raen ; and conform in a great measure lo the modes and ha bits of civflized Ufe ; I have no doubt, thai lake them as a race, they are far belter off than an equal number ever have been in their original condition. It may, in God's good time, be made apparent, that slavery has been permitted for some great purpose, that 554 SLAVERY QUESTION. shall eventually work out in his inscrutable providen ces, the good, and the civilization of that benighted race. Whfle I would not extend slavery, I am willing to abide by the stipulations of the constitution, and leave the amelioration or abrogation of the condition of the slave to the several stales, who, alone have the contrpl pf the question. In this view, I ask all good men ; those who are considerate, well disposed, and who wish lo preserve the rights and liberties of the counlry^whether opposi tion to the fugitive slave law is a moral or christian duly? Can an American citizen, who has the good of his country at heart, desire or aid in producing such a re sult ? Is it not the first duty of a good citizen to obey the law, till your courts, organized by yourselves, to decide on ils constitutionality, have declared it Invalid ; or until you can amend or repeal it, through the me dium of the ballot box. It seems lo me this is the legiti mate course — the only course that good citizens should desire. Certainly you do not wish to encourage an opposi tion that may place life, liberty, and property, under the control of mobs, or lawless assemblages ; nor do ypu wish to see the majesty of the laws derided. Let me make a candid appeal, and ask you. If you have not forraed hasty conclusions, such as have result ed from prejudices or pre-conceived opinions, without much reflection ? I know the great body of my readers do not desire a dissolution of the union ; and yet it appears very plain to me, that this will be lost, unless we abide in good faith by the requirements of the constitution. Ask yourselves whether you wfll repudiate those com- SLAVERY QUESTION. 655 promises, and run the risk, and take the consequences of a disruption ? Or will you adhere lo engagements made by wise and good men, which many, very many of us have sworn to support! Or wifl we basely cast aside and trample upon those provisions, which we personally dislike, and yet, without which, the con stitution could neither have been formed or adopted ! Is il reasonable lo expect the south to abide by the constitution, when the north violate and repudiate those provisions intended lo secure southern rights and inter ests ? It is preposterous to think so. The truth is, we at the north have been unwiUing to carry out the provisions, where they were against our opinions, and this is made painfully obvious by matters transpiring daily. If we are honest we must admit it. What else is the meaning of petitions pre sented to the legislatures asking for a stale law " to pre vent the return of fugitive slaves?" What else means the following aboUtion resolutions adopted in Massa chusetts? " Resolved — That we rejoice with our whole hearts at the recent rescue of a man claimed as a slave in Boston, as an act just and merciful towards man and weU pleasing in the sight of God. " Resolved — That we hope that this act wfll grow into a perpetual precedent, and that, law or no law, conslilutlon or no constitution, union or no union ; the hospitality of Massachusetts wifl never be violated by the deliverance of any fugitive from oppression to his tvrant again." Il has been proclaimed even from the sacred desk, that opposition lo the law, and the constitutional provi sion, is a christian duty. Can it be possible that doc trines Uke this wfll long be tolerated by any cousldera- 556 SLAVERY QUESTION. ble number ? I cannot believe it. Men will reflect, and reflection will induce other convictions. Perhaps I am too sensitive on these subjects, but if I am, it is no new born zeal. It is at least of twenty years' standing. I am on record, and have been on this subject, for sixteen years. By referring to the de mocratic legislative address, drawn by me, and adopt ed May 24lh, 1836, the following clause will be found, not Inappropriate to the present stale of affairs : " Within the last year the public mind has been greatly excited on the subject of abolition. We are satisfied that the great body of the American people are sound on this question ; and that they not only depre cate any Interference with the rights of the people at the south, but view With disapprobation any attempt lo agitate the public mind in reference to this delicate and exciting subject. We think, however, that you cannot have failed to observe in the congressional proceedings of the present session, a studied design on the part of the abolitionists to agitate this question ; and a most ready acquiescence on the part of southern nullifiers, in any scheme lo invite or provoke discussion. Il has ap peared to us, that there has been a perfect understand- ' ing between the fanatics of the north, and the nullifiers of the south, to thrust this subject before the public, with a view lo detach the slave holding stales from the support of the administration. " But thanks lo the intelligence and patriotism of the south, this project has found but little favor, except wilh a few disappointed and desperate politicians of the nullification school ; and at the north, it has been abet ted by comparatively few in numbers, and (in refer ence to ils leaders) those have been principallj'- broken down, unprincipled aspirants, who have long since, not SLAVERY QUESTION. 557 only rendered themselves odious, but have justly lost the confidence of those lo whom they are best known. " With a zeal untiring, and an unabated ardor for public notoriety, ' they will compass sea and land lo make a proselyte,' but their object being political dis tinction, the people duly appreciate their exertions, and will consign to merited obscurity, those -who atterapt to rise by such base artifices and deceptions." This was signed by every democratic member of the legislature. Now, though I beUeve the feeling in every slave State, to be perfectly sound in favor of the union, and that, too, by large majorities; and though, in ray judg ment, it would be for the interest of each to adhere, even if the free states should violate the provision of the constitution, by refusing to surrender slaves ; yet, with the present exasperated feeling on that question, I do not Iielleve the union can, by any possibility be pre served, without the faithful performance of that en gagement. The south may well say, why shall we remain united with those who openly deride and set aside the terras of the original compact? If they violate one provision, what assurance can we have, that all will not be set at nought^ Pride of feeUng wfll come in, and even if interest should say stick by the union, for In union only, there Is strength ; yet it is almost certain that southern pride would revolt at the unequal co-partnership, and would go out by main force, rather than submit to dis- ' grace, as well as injury. Viewing as I do, the union of the stales, as beyond afl comparison, the most important bequest left us by the fathers of the country — the men of revolutionary times ; I beseech aU who so regard it, to stop aggres sions at once; and though slavery be abhorrent lo our 658 SLAVERY QUESTION. feeUngs, and a return of fugitives from service, a most unpleasant duty ; yet let us not be aggressors on the rights of the south, and set an example of disobedience to law, which may be deeply deplored In the end. Reasonable considerate men should reflect, and make up their mlpds, whether the perpetuity of the union with a restoration of kind feelings between the north and south, is not of vastly more importance to all classes, both white and black, than a severance of the interest and unity of the slates, with all the concom itants of civil war, and bitter haired, which must ine vitably follow. "The dissolution of the union." Have the citizens of the different stales, north or south, properly consider ed the direful consequences that must follow such an event? The union resulted from a consciousness that It •was indispensably necessary to the whole country. It was consecrated by the blood of the revolution, which, shed for a common cause, carried with it cohesive powers that consolidated the mass. That union once disrupt ed, and by force too, if broken up at all, in all human probability can never be again consummated. The blood that will be shed In collisions between the states, wfll have lost its cohesive qualities, and henceforth will have become repulsive and anlagonislical. A dissolution of the union, of all political calamities, would be the greatest. To say nothing of the civil wars that must inevitably follow; and the border hostili ties that collisions of feeling and interest must constant ly engender ; it would annihilate all the bright hopes of the apostles of liberty. It would render of no avail the blood and treasure of the revolutionary struggle ; for how could we appeal to other nations, aud talk of the SLAVERY QUESTION. 559 blessings of Uberty, when we had made sp calamitous a use of it ourselves ? We are all of the same race scattered through the different slates, but united in in terest, in language, in the social relations of Ufe, and bound up in one common destiny. A dissolution would blot out the stars, and efface the stripes of our glorious flag ; and the eagle if aUow ed lo rem.ain as the representative of a fragment of the now favored confederacy, would no longer be the bird pf Jove, invested wilh power ; but rather of weakness and degeneracy. Spirit broken and disgraced, the no ble emblem, thus far the harbinger of victory and na tional glory, would flee to a more generous people, or remain as a sad memento of the glories of the past. Who would become the depositors of those works of art that illustrate and perpetuate our onward march, and excite the pride and veneration of the beholderi whether from the north or south ? Marlus sitting solitary and degraded among the ruins of Carthage, has in aU ages been regarded as a melan choly spectacle of the reverse of human greatness. But how inferior would the misfortunes of that great man of antiquity appear, to the sad exhibition which the dismemberment of this republic would present? Its splendor effaced, its laws violated, intestine commotions within, weakness substituted for strength without; the sturdy pfllars that supported the political arch prostrated, disjointed, and in ruins; while desola tion overspreading the whole, would write mene tekel on aU our former greatness. I trust in God that such a re sult, so dire and calamitous, shafl never be realized. After aU what benefit have we of the north gained by agitating the slavery question, except the assertion of an abstract principle, and the acquisition of a few fugitive slaves, which we did not want ? 560 SLAVERY QUESTION. I will not argue this point, for no man of truth and common sense will pretend that any practical good has resulted; or that we have acquired anything beyond the unenviable distinction of evading, or violating the compromises of the constitution. But what benefits have accrued lo the slaves? Nothing beyond the escape of a few, the greater part of whom, I have no doubt, have not improved their con dition; while northern agitation, and bad faith lo the south, have riveted the fellers of the slave with tenfold severity, on the great body of them ; have induced laws and police regulations more strict and penal, and put far off their emancipation In stales, which if left lo them selves, would have sanctioned a gradual abolition. Even In Delaware, where they seemed prepared to liberate the whole, and where it would seem they might be set free without injury to any one, il is very doubt ful whether the proposition could now be sustained. While In Maryland and Kentucky, slave holders, abused and tantalized, their property stolen, or spirited away, have become callous in feeling frorn repeated abuses, so that to afl human appearances, slavery is now more firmly fixed than ever. I would not do on command of an Inlermedler, what I might think right of itself, and which I might cheerfully yield on request. I should be more likely lo break the head of him for his insolence, who would rudely command, than lo yield acquiescence. In other words, 1 would do no such thing on compulsion; and so It Is, and will be, with the south. We have no right lo interfere with their affairs, and they will re fuse to listen lo our suggestions, for the reason that we are " busy bodies in other men's matters." If abolitionists intend to repudiate the constitution, and resist, or encourage others lo resist the laws of the SLAVERY QUESTION. 561 land, (and that seems to be their intention, if their blustering means anything,) let them do so openly, and take their chance of punishment. Let them so act as to acquire a patriot's name ; if it be successful, revolu tion ; or let it be rebellion and a halter, if they fafl. In this position they wfll be respected for courage, if for no other quality., But let them not pretend to acquiesce in the union of the states, and claim and en joy protection of life and property from its laws, while withholding obedience to them, and exhorting to dis obedience. They have been zealous in their teach ings that it is sinning against God, against light and knowledge, and outraging the monitions of conscience, to obey the requirements of the constitution. If an attachment to the union, and a determination to adhere to and fulfil the requirements of the constitu tion, be sinful; then, beyond a peradventure, I am " one of the wicked." While, if claiming and enjoying protection, and swearing to support the constitution, yet evading, and encouraging others to resist the laws and nullify its provisions, thereby putting the peace of the country, and the stabflity of its government in jeopardy, be sin ful ; I know of no condition so deserving of reprobation here, or hereafter, as should be visited on such trans gressors. In the latter unenviable condition, I Icpk uppn the out-and-out, half crazed aboUtionists ; and have no great doubt that they will be so regarded by the enlightened and unbiased judgment of the country, and of posterity. 36 562 MEXICAN WAR. CHAPTER XXX. Reflections in regard to the war with Mexico. The annexation of Texas we all know, led to the war wilh Mexico. When the project was first started for bringing Texas into our union, and thus getting back an immense territory that we had ceded away, it met my decided approbation. I was desirous of avoiding a war, but wanted Texas in almost any event; and it appeared unreasonable that Mexico, weak as she was, should so pertinaciously object. Texas came into the union by compact between that and our own government; the war followed, and an additional territory was acquired, sufficient for an empire. A few reflections in regard to that war, its com mencement, prosecution, and conclusion, may not be out of place. That a war would be the result of the annexation of Texas, was apparent in 1844, from the pertinacity with which the Mexicans asserted their claim to the territories represented by the "lone star," and their re fusal to acknowledge an independence already achieved. The United States, England and France, had re cognized Texas as an independent government ; and it was a foolhardy effort on the part of Mexico, to keep up a claim to that country, from which they were more likely to be invaded and harrassed, than to invade and recover the revolted province. Mexican pride, how ever, was aroused; and when Texas was admitted to MEXICAN WAR. 563 fellowship wilh the states represented by the stars and stripes, Mexico, weak as she was, blustered, and seem ed to think a resort to arms necessary to sustain her reputation, even if she perished sword In hand. She voluntarily assumed that attitude; and if her spirit is admired, her prudence, and her efforts in the desperate conflict, will afford no flattering reflections to her national pride, or give assurance to the world that she can sustain herself hereafter. The contest resulted very much as was to be ex pected. President Polk was aided by a cabinet of ex- traordinaty talent. Mr. Walker at the head of the treasury, managed it wilh a skfll and success rarely equalled, and never surpassed. Whfle Governor Mar cy, in the war department, conducted il, and in con junction with military men called into councfl, matured the government plans for the campaigns, wilh an ener gy and forecast, that shewed him eminently quahfied for the important position he held. War being declar ed, the great body of the whig party, though they dis approved of it, yet resolved to support it till brought to an honorable conclusion. National pride was excited, and the whigs did not play the fool as the federahsts did during the war of 1812, but generally voted the supplies. The first mili- taty talent of the country was put in requisition ; and, while Generals Taylor and Scott headed the principal armies, they were seconded by Generals Wool, Worth, and other subordinates, whose brifllant exploits, and chivalric bearing, would have confered honor on any service. The troops, too, though raost of them new recruits, or volunteers, were invincible ; and Mexico harrassed and annoyed by our navy in the gulf, and on the 564 MEXICAN WAR. Pacific, and pressed by the armies within her territory, was soon at the mercy of the invaders. Her capital taken, her armies defeated and dispersed,- her treasury exhausted, and the spirit of her people broken, we might as well have subjugated the whole, and retained the whole, as to have made peace by purchasing Cali fornia and New Mexico, then subdued and in our pos session. It was understood that Yucatan, harrassed by her Indian population, would cheerfully have come into our union; and I am by no means certain, but il would have been better for our own country, after so nearly subjugating Mexico, lo have sent ten or fifteen regi ments more of volunteers, who with the armies there, and the fleets on the coast, would have conquered the whole country. Il would have been for the interest ot Mexico, however revolting to its pride, lo have been brought under, or in connection with, a strong govern ment like ours. We should probably have had no more difficulty among ourselves In adjusting matters in reference to the slavery question, than we have had in regard to New Mexico, California, and the Texas boundary. As lo the morality of the act, I do not see that we should have been in fault, so long as we treated the conquered people with humanity, and improved their condition, as we should have done, had they been an nexed to the union. Mexico when she crossed the Rio Grande in hostile array, took the chance of war; and had she been entirely conquered, and made part of ourselves, it would have been but the result of the hazard on which she ventured to slake her political existence. Il is no new thing for the sword to serve as arbiter to settle the fate of provinces and empires. MEXICAN WAR. 665 It appears not only probable, but almost inevitable, that the whole of Mexico wfll ultimately be absorbed and brought under our control, making part of our con federacy. Such an event wilh the consequent infusion of Anglo- American spirit and enterprise, would make Mexico what she ought to be, (but what she never wiU be un der her present laws and system of government,) one of the finest portions of the American continent. I have been told, that Mr. Secretary Walker took this view of the question, in cabinet council ; and was for subjecting and annexing the whole, but whether that was so in point of fact, I have no certain know ledge ; though I think such was the case, for a man of his enlarged views, would very likely^ be of that opin ion. It has been intimated that he contended, after we were in possession of the Mexican capital, that a rea sonable tariff on Mexican importations, to be levied under our laws, or laws regulating military operations, would enable us to prosecute the war to the subjugation of the whole of that country, without being burthensome tp this. If any man could have consummated such a re sult, Mr. Walker could. Mr. Pclk and his cabinet did not favor so bold and grasping a project, and perhaps il is best that they did not ; as it is not certain that public opinion at home, would have sustained that policy. There were, certainly, difficulties and prejudices in the way. Our domains were already so extensive, that good and wise men feared that It would break to pieces from Ils own weight and extension. Then there was the objection from the difference of races, the prejudices naturally existing, and those that would Ukely spring up from a difference in language. 665 MEXICAN WAR. laws, religion, habits of life ; and, in short, everything that mark the linep of disllnctlon between two nations, in almost every respect so dissimilar. In addition lo all this, very serious objections would have been raised, particularly al the north, against en larging our domains so much at the south, under an apprehension that slavery might be carried there, and thus create an overbearing influence in our national councils; while, as slavery had been abolished and proscribed in Mexico, our southern states might have objected to the acquisition under a belief that slavery would still be excluded, and thus the southern slave holding slates would in a measure, be swallowed up by the free states at the north and the free Mexican states. With these different views and prejudices, Il was pro bably best not to press the matter to extremities, and thus create prejudices at home, prolong the war with Mexico; and, perhaps, had a disposition manifested itself, for the final conquest, a war might have been provoked wilh England, if not wilh other European powers. On the whole, Mr. Polk, in negotiating for a peace, and acquiring, as he did by purchase, California and New Mexico, probably belter met the views of the American people, than he would by protracting the war, for the purpose of acquiring more, or even the whole. Still I do not believe it possible to arrest our influ ence, our progress, or our acquisition of more southern territory; nor will Cuba cease to be regarded as a raost desirable acquisition by a large proportion of our peo ple, and I am by no means certain but that even the New Englanders as well as the south, may become re conciled to the acquisition. We have lost none of the MEXICAN WAR. 567 Anglo-Saxon propensity for good land ; and New Eng land, shrewd, calculating, and money-loving, as weU as money-getting, wpuld be quite likely in the end, to be governed by what she should deem her interest ; and' that interest, I have no doubt, would be promoted by ¦ the acquisition of Cuba. That fine island wilh the whole of the Mexican states are within our reach, and within the track of our extended commerce. The isthmus that divides the Atlantic from the Pa cific, should belong to a people who would open that, as a thorpughfare for the commerce of the world. To our country it would be invaluable, in reference to free communications between our eastern and wes tern ppssessipns, as well as to eastern Asia. We ought to have it, and it is probable that the sentiment wiU become so prevalent that pretexts, wiU be found for its' acquisition. Negotiations most likely wiU be resorted to, within a few years, to consummate peaceably what appears to be coming along by " manifest destiny." Whenever it can be done, and Cuba and Mexico can be acquired and absorbed, without disturbing the harmony of the present stales of this great republic, and without war or ill will among other nations, I hope to see the whole acccmpllshed. THE END. APPENDIX A. In my first chapter, speaking of the battle of Bennington, an intimation is given of an appendix, giving some further details. It is an old hacknied subject, but at this day almost any inci dent connected with the revolutionary struggle, when brought out in detail so as to present personal actions, is read with interest, particularly by the rising generation. That battle had incidents, that I have heard talked over so often by my parents, that I have always felt a deep interest in them ; and being so intimately connected with my birth place, the reader must excuse me for briefly referring to them. Burgoyne, as is well known, advanced from Canada with a powerful and well appointed force in the early part of June, 1777, intending to open a communication by the way of Lake Champlain, with Albany, and thence with New York. In every respect, except cavalry, his equipment was per fect ; but this arm was deficient for the want of horses, a por tion of which he expected would be sent after him from Ca nada, and the residue he intended to procure as he advanced into the settled portions of New York. The latter part of June he amved before Ticonderoga, which from the extent of its works, and the inadequate force under General St. Clair, was incapable of sustaining a pro tracted siege. Before it was fully invested, the American general under the advice of a council of war, evacuated the fort, and retreat ed towards the head of Lake Champlain; but his rear guard, under Col. Warner, was vigorously attacked at Hubbardton, and defeated with considerable loss after an obstinate defence. Col. Warner retreated to Manchester, Vermont, while the main body of the Americans proceeded to Skenesborough, 570 APPENDIX. and thence by the way of Wood Creek to the Hudson river. Burgoyne pursued, but his progress was greatly impeded from the want of provisions and munitions of war, and the raeans of transportation, as well as from the destruction of bridges, and obstructions by fallen trees across the road by the retreating Americans. On reaching the Hudson, after waiting for provisions and stores to be brought from his rear, he advanced slowly and cautiously down the river ; and on arriving at a suitable point, detached Cols. Breyman and Baum with a strong force of Hessians, in the direction of Bennington. They were accom panied by a large number of Indians, who were sent forward as scouts and rangers. Breyman encamped at Batten Kill, while Baum, with his Hessians and Indians, pushed on through Cambridge and White Creek, to Hoosic, within a few miles of Bennington. The object of the expedition was to capture a large quantity of provisions and military stores collected for the American army ; also to drive back the militia who were concentrating there in considerable force, and thus free the left flank of the royal army from their annoyance. A further object was to give countenance and support to those who were supposed to be well affected towards the English government, who were erroneously estimated by Col. Skene, a loyalist ofiicer, as five to one ; and a still further object was to provide horses, as it was intended to organize a corps of dragoons, a considerable portion of Baum's force having their dragoon swords with them, as well as muskets. My grand-parents on my mother's side, resided in Cam bridge, on the route that the enemy would take, and as they advanced, the country was filled with alarm and consterna tion. The cattle and live stock of all descriptions were driven off" into Vermont, the iron ware and kitchen furniture bm-ied and hid in the garden, while the wagon was placed before the door, where the horses were standing ¦with their harness on, ready to start at a moment's warning. On the 13th or 14th of August, 1777, a man on horseback riding rapidly from APPENDIX. 671 the rear, came to warn the family to flee ; tolling them to be ofi" at once, as the Indians were approaching, and were within a mile of the dwelling. Beds and bedding were hastily thrown into the wagon, and the family on top of them drove oif to wards Bennington. As they went forward, tney found the inhabitants flying like themselves ; and soon after met a detachment of Ameri cans under Col. Gregg, who had been sent forward by Gen. Stark, to the number of two hundred, to oppose and harrass the Hessians and Indians. My mother, then about twelve years old, has often described the alarm that pervaded all classes. Iu the ranks of those who were advancing to check the enemy, were many so young that they appeared like boys, several of whom were crying. Baum pressed on, and Gregg and his detachment fell back, when on amving at the Wallomsack Creek, where the battle was subsequently fought, the Hessian commander alarmed at the numbers in his front, halted and intrenched himself on the heights, and sent back for reinforcements. This was the 14th of August, during which day there was much skirmishing, so that he lost thirty men killed and wounded, two being distin guished Indian chiefs ; one of whom was shot from the field of grain, as related in the first chapter. Stark with his regi ment lay in front of the Hessians, and he was aided by several small regiments. Col. Warner was still at Manchester, but had been request ed to march forward to co-operate with Stark. It rained nearly the whole day on the 15th, which rendered the roads almost impassable, so that Warner did not arrive in time for the principal action, as it was a long march and he had to halt to rest and refresh his men, to clean and prepare their arms, and to furnish them with fresh ammunition, their cartridges having become wet and unfit for use. The same rain equally retarded the advance of Breyman, who did not reach the scene of con flict until Baum had been attacked and defeated. * He had skilfully selected his ground where he had intrench ed his party, consistins- of upwards of five hundred well armed 572 APPENDIX. and disciplined Hessians, with more than one hundred In dians ; and he was aided by a strong force of tories, who con- sti-ucted and posted themselves behind a breastwork. He had also two pieces of field artillery judiciously station ed to defend his intrenchment. His object was to maintain his position till the re-inforce- ment should arrive, while the object of the Americans was to overwhelm him before that arrival. Though Warner's regiment was not present. Stark deter mined to attack the enemy, and preparatory thereto Col. Ni chols with two hundred men was sent to the rear of the left of the Hessians, and Col. Herrick with three hundred to the rear of the right, with orders to unite by a flank movement as they advanced to the attack, and thus enclose the Hessians and Indians, and cut off" their retreat. Cols. Hubbard and Stickney, with about two hundred, were still farther to the right, and were to attack from that quarter; while about one hundred were to advance and attack in front. pen. Stark commanded the whole, and led one of the latter columns into action. The object in attacking the enemy from the rear was to drive him still farther from his expected re-inforcements, in case he could be forced from his intrench- ments. The Americans were undisciplined, nearly all direct from their farms ; poorly armed, the most of them without bayo- pets, and many of them with fowling pieces only. But they were stern, resolute, reflecting men, who not only believed their cause just, but that it was a religious duty to fight stoutly in defence of their families and* their homes, as well as to maintain their political rights. In addition to these considerations they were incensed in the highest degree against the Hessian?, who were regarded as mercenaries ;. while the barbarities of the Indians were such, that it needed no incentive to stimulate a desire to exter minate them, as well as the tories. To induce his men to act more vigorously however. Stark promised them the plunder and spoils of the enemy. The APPENDIX. 573 action commenced about three o'clock in the afternoon, by a vigorous charge on all sides of tho enemy's works. The firing was incessant, not in vollies or platoons by the Americans, but indiscriminately ; each man loading and firing as fast as he -«i .•.*?» J m;t *(«,, <4 i.AM m ¦W I 'tail* Jf.'l r*'. 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