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THE  LETTERS 

OF 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD 


^^c/"^  J^ajy^^^tMf 


ERKtiev 
BRARY 

r/ERSITY   O? 
MlFORNl, 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 


IN  MEMORY  OF 

WILLIAM  B.  WESTON 


1A7/L.J. 


Ignited  States  Senator,  Maine 


THE  LETTERS 


OF 


JOHN   FAIRFIELD 


A  REPRESENTATIVE  IN  CONGRESS  FROM  1835  TO  1837; 

A  MEMBER  OF  THE  SENATE  OF  THE  UNITED 

STATES    FROM    1843    TO    1847,    AND    A 

GOVERNOR   OF    MAINE   IN    1839, 

1840, 1842  AND  A  PART  OF  1843 


EDITED 


From  the  original  correspondence,  now  in  possession  of  the  Library 
of  Congress,  Washington,  D.  C. 

BY 

ARTHUR  G.   STAPLES 


special  Subscribers  Edition,  Issued  under  Direction   of  the  State  of  Maine 
and  the  family  of  John  Fairfield 


LEWISTON  JOURNAL  COMPANY 

Lewiston,  Maine 

1822 


7 


This  Edition  is  strictly  limited  to 
seven  hundred 
this  is  Number . 


seven  hundred  copies,  of  which 


The  Letters   of  John  Fairfield 

Copyrig-ht   1922  by 

Lhwiston  Journal  Company 

Lewiston,  Maine 


STATE  OF   MAINE 

Office  of  thk  Governor 

AUGUSTA 


FOREWORD  TO 
LETTERS  OF  JOHN   FAIRFIELD" 

By  PERCIVAL  P.  BAXTER 
Governor  of  Maine 


Man's  outward  surroundings,  changeable  though 
they  be,  make  but  slight  impression  upon  his  in- 
herent character,  and  his  inward  self  remains  un- 
altered by  passing  generations.   Unlike  the  cut  of 
his  garments,  his  ambitions,  loves,  successes  and 
failures  remain  the  same  throughout  the  centuries. 

In  the  rush  of  current  events  but  little  heed 
is  paid  the  lessons  of  the  past,  and  the  men  and 
women  of  the  present  are  prone  to  disregard  them. 

The  letters  of  John  Fairfield  portray  the 
lives  of  the  citizens  of  this  State  of  eighty 
years  ago  who  faced  and  overcame  the  difficult 
problems  of  the  early  days.   Those  actors  on  the 
stage  of  Maine's  life  moved  and  felt,  thought  and 
talked  just  as  do  their  successors  of  today. 
History  and  biography  are  the  refineries  in  which 
the  nobler  metals  of  man's  character  and  achieve- 
ments are  separated  from  the  baser.   They  furnish 
an  unfailing  standard  of  value  by  which  to  judge 
the  deeds  of  the  past  and  to  measure  the  merit  of 
those  of  the  present. 

Inspired  by  unselfishness  Mr.  Arthur  G. 
Staples  has  rendered  a  distinct  public  service  in 
collecting  and  editing  these  letters.   Mr.  Staples 
loves  "people"  whatever  be  their  generation,  and 
by  the  skilful  touch  of  his  pen  makes  others  love 
them. 

John  Fairfield,  Governor  of  Maine  for  the 
years  1§39»  1§42>  1§4'5»  is  taken  from  comparative 
obscurity  and  placed  in  a  conspicuous  position  in 
the  long  line  of  Maine's  Chief  Executives. 


October,  1922 


Governor  of  Maine. 


5[a  tljc  Eiuitt^  OlljilJirett 
of  Soljtt  Slaitfielb 


Martlia  m.  3Faxrfiel& 

3(ul}n  Baltrr  Jfairftelft 

Anna  Pain?  3fairfiplb  PerkinB 


(2[t|XH  look  ia  ieliuateti 


INTRODUCTORY  NOTE 

The  letters  of  John  Fairfield,  Congressman,  U.  S.  Senator 
and  Governor  of  Maine  are  believed  to  be  unique.  They  were 
written  between  the  years  1835  and  1847,  while  he  was  in  Con- 
gress or  in  the  Executive  chair  at  Augusta,  Maine.  There  is 
no  contemporary  correspondence  of  that  period  to  compare 
with  them  and  no  student  of  history  of  that  period  can  afford 
to  slight  them.  They  have  the  candor  of  Pepys  and  the  sim- 
plicity of  the  Puritan.  Intimately  personal,  they  betray  many 
things  which  never  would  have  been  written  by  Governor 
Fairfield  had  he  known  that  they  would  become  public.  No- 
where else  does  one  find  such  direct  personal  comment  on  Jack- 
son, Adams,  Webster,  Clay,  Calhoun,  Benton,  Buchanan, 
Preston,  Prentiss,  Wise  and  others,  as  in  these  intimate,  every- 
day letters  written  by  this  delightful  gentleman  of  the  old 
school  to  his  wife  and  children,  and  which,  after  the  passing  of 
nearly  a  century,  are  now  made  public,  for  the  first  time. 

If  there  is  any  peculiar  charm  in  these  letters,  it  is  in  their 
very  lack  of  effort,  their  freedom  from  attempt  at  literary  or 
high-sounding  phrase.  It  is  said  that  when  these  letters 
reached  the  town  of  Saco,  Maine,  where  Governor  Fairfield's 
family  lived  and  where  his  wife  ran  the  great  farm  and  cared 
for  her  large  family,  the  neighbors  came  from  many  miles 
around  to  listen  to  the  reading  of  them — so  scant  was  the  news 
of  the  day,  so  gossipy  and  clever  the  letters,  to  them.  Some 
discussion  has  arisen  during  the  publication  of  these  letters  in 
serial  form  in  the  Lewiston  Evening  Journal  of  Lewiston, 
Maine,  by  whom  they  were  originally  collected,  as  to  the  wis- 
dom of  publishing  all  of  the  minor  detail  of  these  letters.  The 
statesman's  personal  wardrobe ;  his  directions  as  to  the  affairs 
of  his  farm ;  trivialities  such  as  an  absent  and  loving  husband 
might  write  to  his  wife  at  home  on  the  farm  and  all  of  his  direc- 
tions to  his  law-partner  carrying  on  their  large  law  business 
in  Saco,  seemed  to  many  not  to  be  of  historical  worth.  But  it 
has   happened   that   in  many  cases,   the   publication   of  these 


X  INTRODUCTORY    NOTE 

seeming  trivialities  has  led  to  the  revelation  of  collateral  inci- 
dents of  much  interest  to  the  localities  to  which  they  relate  and 
to  the  clearing  up  of  matters  of  concern  to  students  of  Maine 
history,  in  particular. 

They  have  come  therefore  in  this  way  to  have  a  value, 
wholly  apart  from  their  political  or  historical  interest.  To 
have  changed  them  would  have  been  to  mutilate  them.  Their 
affectionate  and  loving  concern;  their  spontaneity  and  humor; 
their  graphic  descriptions  and  their  chance  observations  are  too 
intimately  interwoven  with  these  family  concerns,  to  permit  of 
any  elimination.  They  are  published  therefore  as  human- 
interest  documents,  covering  a  period  of  singular  interest,  con- 
cerning which  there  is  very  little  correspondence  of  this 
familiar  and  candid  nature.  There  may  be  plenty  of  formal 
correspondence  relative  to  the  period  and  there  are  one  or  two 
volumes  of  unusually  interesting  memoirs  relative  to  it,  such  as 
Ben:  Perley  Poore's,  but  nowhere  else,  we  are  assured,  the 
revelations  of  a  harmless  gossip  and  a  Puritan  Pepys. 

We  need  hardly  suggest  the  great  interest  among  students 
of  American  institutions  and  politics  in  this  period  of  the  rise 
of  popular  sovereignty,  through  the  social  and  political  revolu- 
tion brought  about  by  the  election  of  Andrew  Jackson  to  the 
presidency  of  the  United  States.  It  was  the  bii^h-time  of  the 
inquisitive  newspaper  press,  continually  asking  questions  about 
Federal  affairs ;  it  was  the  beginning  of  the  self-assertion  of  the 
commoner  in  public  affairs ;  it  was  the  beginning  of  the  down- 
fall of  the  so-called  aristocracy  of  culture  and  education  as  an 
essential  of  high  office  and  of  the  first  entrance  of  rough  soldiers 
and  rugged  leaders  into  public  life.  It  was  over  all,  the  begin- 
ning of  the  slave  issue,  the  golden-age  of  the  nullification  doc- 
trine and  of  the  titanic  debates  in  which  Webster,  Adams,  Clay, 
Calhoun  and  Preston  participated,  the  outcome  of  which  yet 
dominate  our  policies  as  a  nation.  It  begins  in  the  blazing  sun 
of  a  triumphant  Jacksonian  Democracy ;  it  ends  with  the  coming 
shadows  of  the  great  conflict  of  the  Civil  War;  for,  when  Fair- 
field lay  dead  in  the  city  of  Washington  in  1847,  Stephen  A. 


INTRODUCTORY  NOTE  xi 

Douglas  and  Abraham  Lincoln  were  coming  to  the  front  in  their 
political  life,  both  of  them  in  the  Congress  of  1847,  Douglas  as 
a  Senator  and  Lincoln  as  a  Congressman  from  Illinois. 

Certain  effort  has  been  made  to  give  a  background  to  these 
letters  of  John  Fairfield  by  some  running  commentary  on  poli- 
tics and  on  the  leaders  of  these  times,  as  well  as  by  some  depic- 
tion of  the  social  life  of  the  times  in  which  the  letters  were 
written.  These  conclusions  have  come  from  many  sources  to 
which,  in  general,  sufficient  reference  has  been  made  in  the  text. 
The  spelling,  the  use  of  the  characters  of  writing  as  used  by  Mr. 
Fairfield  have  been  followed  in  the  publication  of  the  letters 
themselves.  The  originals  of  these  letters  are  in  the  Library 
of  Congress,  where  they  are  frequently  consulted  by  writers, 
upon  that  period.  "There  is  no  other  source  of  original  con- 
temporary correspondence  comparable  to  the  Fairfield  letters" 
is  the  conclusion  of  the  Custodian  of  that  library  in  a  letter  to 
the  editor  of  this  volume. 

For  these  reasons  and  others — such  as  a  vital  interest  in 
the  preservation  of  even  the  least  of  the  records  of  the  past — 
we  have  undertaken  the  publication  of  these  letters.  We  make 
acknowledgment  to  the  Governor  of  Maine,  Hon.  Percival  P. 
Baxter,  for  a  lively  and  continued  interest  in  the  work ;  to  Henry 
E.  Dunnack,  Librarian  of  the  State  of  Maine,  for  his  assistance 
and  favors ;  to  Hon.  John  Francis  Sprague  of  Dover-Foxcroft, 
Maine,  for  his  authoritative  paper  on  the  Northeastern  Bound- 
ary Dispute,  which  is  made  an  appendix  to  these  letters ;  to  offi- 
cials of  the  Library  of  Congress  for  certain  favors;  to  Miss 
Martha  Fairfield,  daughter  of  Governor  Fairfield,  who  resides  in 
Washington,  D.  C,  and  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  the 
preservation  and  the  copying  of  these  letters  in  the  present  form 
and  for  many  personal  reminiscences  of  her  father ;  to  the  80th 
Legislature  of  Maine  for  its  concern  in  the  publication  of  this 
volume,  and  finally  to  the  Maine  Writers  Research  Club  for  a 
personal  interest  that  has  been  friendly  and  helpful  in  many 
ways. 
Lewiston,  Maine,  October,  1922. 

Arthur  G.  Staples. 


CONTENTS 


PAGB 

FOREWORD  V 

DEDICATION  VII 

INTRODUCTORY    NOTE  IX 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD  XIX 

CHAPTER  I— The  Time  and  the  Place  1 

CHAPTER    II — The  Letters  of  Fairfield  17 

Arrives  in  Washington — Seeks  Lodging — Senator  Smith's  Sudden 
Death — Pays  $8  Week  for  Room  Including  Fire  and  Two  CandLes — 
Attends  a  Funeral — To  Buy  Bed  Cord  for  Fire  Escape — The  Death 
of  a  Messmate — Anxious  About  the  Home  Folks — Another  Son  Bom 
to  the  Fairfields— The  "Bill  of  Fare"— Fairfield  and  Col.  Johnson  of 
Kemtucky — Calls  on  Oabineit  Minister  and  Mends  Hd!s  Trousers — A 
Metamorphosed  Oongressmiafn ! — Objects  to  Abolition  Fusses — The 
Admission  of  Michigan — Walks  Out  to  Georgietown — A  Voice  From 
the  Ladies'  Gallery — A  Pictui-e  of  Calhoun — Sees  Hope  in  Hi's  Eldest 
Son. 

CHAPTER   III— The  Year  1836,  as  Fairfield  Saw  It  49 

The  Year  1836— The  Waltz— Comments  on  Religion— Some  Re- 
markable Pen  Pictures — He  Has  His  Bumps  Located — Squally  News 
From  France — In  a  Playful  Mood — Col.  Benton  Characterized — Lively 
SpaiTing  in  the  House — Gov.  Fairfield's  Opini/on  of  Weljster — Davy 
Crockett's  Successor — Talks  About  Duelling — Slavery  the  Subject  of 
Debate — While  John  Quincy  Adams  Si>eaks — A  Dinner  with  Van 
Buren — Several  Speakers  Described — Anxious  to  Speak — His  First 
Writing  with  a  Steel  Pen' — On  His  Birthday — Hears  Secretary  Cass — 
Slavery  Question  Discussed — Listens  to  Eloquence  of  Buchanan — 
Gives  His  Opinion  on  Dancing — Patriotic  Speech  by  Clayton — Describ- 
ing the  New  Vapour  Baths — The  Maine  Delegation  on  Sliavery — In 
Regard  to  Wife's  Birthday. 

CHAPTER  III   ( Cow ewmed)— Letters  of  1836  101 

The  Bankruptcy  of  the  City  of  Washington  in  1836 — No  More 
Parties  for  Fairfield — Home  Folks  in  Washington^ — A  Chapter  of 
Politics — A  Maine  Private  Squabble — One  of  Judge  Shepley's  Speeches 
— Almost  Breaks  the  Sabbath — Clay  is  Impudent  and  Envious — Ink- 
lings of  a  Duel — Tyler  Resigns — Mr.  Fairfield  Moves  Down  and  Up — 
"Calhoun  Is  Crazy" — Almost  Makes  His  Speech — His  Religious  and 
Political  Duties  Conflict — Michigan  in  the  Senate — The  Expunging 
Resolutions  Again — Discussing  Old  Economies. 

CHAPTER  IV— Letters  of  1836  (Continued)  125 

A  Trip  to  Harper's  Ferry — He  Makes  a  Speech — They  Experi- 
ment with  Mulberry  Trees — Sees  the  First  of  the  Steam  Navy — 
Hears  Taylor  Preach — Trouble  on  the  Texas  Border — Attends  a  Boat 
Race^ — The    Small-Pox    Epidemic — Daniel    Webster    Plants    Mulberry 


xiv  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Trees — A  Trip  to  Mt.  Vernon — Made  a  Short  Speech — World 
Loses  Another  Speech — Spends  His  Sabbaths  Profitably — A  25-Hours' 
SessioJi — A  Quarrel  in  -the  House — Michigan  >and  Ai'kansas  Make  26 
States  in  Union — Duel  a  Farce — The  First  Beet  Sugar — A  Satisfying 
Vote — Killed  in  a  Duel — Last  Letter  Before  Adjournment — Back  in 
Washington — A  Room  Third  Story  Back — News  From  the  Farm — 
The  Women  of  the  Mess  Described— The  Post-Office  Burned— A  Little 
Romance — One  of  His  Messmates. 

CHAPTER  V— The  Last  Days  of  Jackson;  1837  155 

The  Burglar  Hunt — Arrival  in  Washington,  1837 — Describing  His 
New  Quarters — The  President's  Message — Mess  Is  Increased — Buys 
Bancroft's  History — He  Beats  at  Ghess — Appointed  on  Committee  on 
Foreign  Relations — A  "Thrashing"  in  the  House — The  Day's  Routine 
— Abolition  Speech  Excites  House — Mentioned  for  Governor — Adams 
Makes  Trouble. 

CHAPTER  VI— The  Year  of  the  Cilley  Duel  179 

The  President's  New  Year's  ReceT>tion — Gaieties  Continue — Lost 
Hymn  Book  Found — Abolition  Debate  Begins — He  Observes  the 
Fashions — Maine  Man  Burns  Up  His  Money — Anxious  About  Maine 
Governorship — Another  Duel  Threatens — A  Theatre  Party  Planned — 
"Rachael"  Compliments  Mrs.  Fairfield — Fairfield  "Talked  of"  for 
GJovernor — Fairfield  Discussies  Saco  "Revival" — Calls  Prentiss  "Vain 
and  Saucy" — "Wise  Roared  Like  a  Madman" — First  Mention  of 
Northeastern  Boundary — Robert  Fulton's  Children  Given  Aid — A 
Hypnotic  Demonstration — Charges  of  Corruption — Attack  on  Judge 
Ruggles — Visit  From  Indian  Chiefs — The  Eulogist  of  the  Kitchen 
Cabinet — Speech  Again  Postponed — The  Cilley  Duel  "Brewing" — 
"Cilley's  Death  Was  Murder" — Resolutions  on  Death  of  Cilley — 
Fairfield  Calls  for  Investigation — Dentistry  One  Hundred  Years  Ago 
— Runaway  Accident  at  Home — Petitions  Pour  In — Delivers  Speech 
on  Northeastern  Boundar3' — Mr.  Carter  Near  to  Death — Course  in 
Cilley  Investigation  Approved — Writing  Out  Bound)ary  Speech^ — 
Death  of  Congressman  Carter — Maine  Demands  Investigation — A 
Scrap  in  the  Senate — Longs  for  Home  Breakfast — Doesn't  Want  to 
Be  Governor — Prentiss'  Bill  to  Prevent  Duelling — Hotly  Pressed  to 
Run  for  Governor — Death  of  Congi'essman  McKim — Wants  to  Get 
Back  to  the  Farm — Sends  Grafts  for  the  Apple  Trees — Judge  Ruggles 
Exonoralted — An  April  Snow  Storm — Reports  Northeastern  Boundary 
Bill — Beginning  of  U.  S.  Weather  Bureau? — Planning  the  Garden — 
Makes  a  Speech — Indignation  Over  Cilley  Report — More  on  Cilley 
Reiport — Disapprove  of  Monument  to  Cilley — No  Quorum — Members 
Attend  Races — His  Views  on  the  Races — Boarding  House  Burglarized 
— Take  Vote  on  the  Cilley  Duel  Case — The  Reissue  of  Treasury 
Notes — Hopes  Soon  to  Get  to  Boundary  Bill — Would  Give  Ninepence 
to  See  the  Pigs — A  Bit  of  Home  Gossip — Mr.  Parris  Arrives — 
Disgraceful  Quarrel,  Blows  Being  Struck — Nobody  Dares  Fight  a 
Duel — State  Convention  Day  Approaches — Bill  to  Regulate  Steam- 
boats— Taking  Up  the  Sub-Treasury  Bill — Two  Terrible  Disasters — 
Gives  His  Views  on  Forrest,  the  Actor — Is  Nominated  for  Governor — 
Appropriation  for  Kennebunk — Leaving  for  Home — Finds  Changes 
in  House — Lost  Thanksgiving  Dinner — Resolutions  on  Slavery — Death 


CONTENTS  XV 

PAGE 

of    Cousin   Dolly — Mrs.    Madison    Attends    Funeral — Entertained    by 
Russian  Minister — High  Cost  of  Living — A  Sensational  Report. 

CHAPTER  VII — John  Fairfield,  Governor  op  Maine  247 

The  Inaugural  "Agony  Is  Over" — Geftting  Used  to  Being  Gov- 
ernor— The  Inaugural  Ball — Describes  His  Council — A  Letter  From 
President  Van  Buren — A  "Secret"  Messiage  to  Legislature — A  Regular 
Hurricane — Bridges  Swept  Away — Governor  Fairfield's  42d  Birth- 
day— Meets  Some  Inttere^ting  People — Aroostook  War  Clouds' — 
Collision  Seems  Inevitable — Orders  Ouft  the  Militia^ — "Now  Is  the 
Time  to  Strike  a  Blow  for  Our  Rights" — Reviews  the  Drafted  Troops 
— Waiting  for  Word  From  Washington^ — A  Letter  to  His  Son 
Walter — Reviews  the  Troops  From  Oxford — Points  a  Way  Out  of 
Trouble. 

CHAPTER  VIII— The  Year  1840— Second  Year  as  Governor  273 

Second  Winter  at  Augusta — Finds  Times  for  Charades — Sunday 
Afternoon,  January  12 — Many  Social  Fesltivities — Death  of  a 
Friend — G<)veTnor  Fairfield's  Views  on  Total  Depravity — A  Tea  Party 
at  Gardiner — Governor  Fairfield's  43d  Birthday — A  Round  of  Gaiety — 
Mrs.  Longley's  Cheese — Whigs  Carry  the  State — Making  the  Be'st  of 
It — May  Not  Be  Defeated  for  Governor — A  Christmas  Party  and 
an  Old  Fashioned  Sing— Believes  Kent  Will  Be  Elected— Election  Still 
Uncertain. 

CHAPTER  IX— Letters  of  1842-1843-1844.    Governor  and   U.   S. 

Senator  297 

Makes  More  Nominations — Remembers  45th  Birthday — Buys 
Cambric  Pantalettes  for  One  of  the  Girls — Temperance  Convention — 
Letters  to  the  Children — May  Run  Again  for  Governor — A  Woman's 
Diplomacy — Insane  Hospital  Investigation — An  Exciting  Trip  to 
Augusta — Inaugural  Ball — "Bumps" — Politics — Views  on  Capital 
Punishment — The  Political  Skies — Elected  to  U.  S.  Senalte — Back 
in  Washington — Chooses  His  "Mess" — Thanksgiving  in  December — 
Fairfield's  Committee  Appointments — Old  Maids  and  Other  Things — 
The  Daily  Menu — President's  New  Year's  Reception — The  Lost  Cloak 
Is  Found — The  Passing  of  Porky — A  Letter  to  Sarah — Nominations 
Made^ — A  Sunday  Chat — Heard  the  Hutchinsons — A  Letter  of 
Laments — Visitors  From  Maine — To  Make  a  Speech — As  a  Match- 
Maker — A  Picture  of  Home — A  Father  to  Love — A  Horrible  Ca- 
tastrophe— Memorial  Services  for  the  Dead — Calhoun  Secretary  of 
State — Miasquerades  in  Col.  Cutts'  Clothes — Letter  to  His  Daughters — 
Death  of  a  Cousin — An  Invitation — Keener  for  Politics  Than  Ever — 
On  Current  Politics — Worried  About  Lame  Knee — On  "Early 
Rising" — Exhibition  of  Colt's  Submarine  Battery — Annexation  of 
Texas — On  Business  MaJbters — Fondness  for  Politics  Not  Diminished — 
Opposes  Annexation  of  Texas — Morse  Experimenting  in  Telegraphy — 
Traitors  in  Camp — Political  Cauldron  Boiling — A  Shocking  Death — 
Attended  Mrs.  Madison's  Party — Polk  Nominated  for  Presidency — 
Voted  on  for  Vice-President — No  Desire  to  Be  Vice-President — Texas 
Treaty  Delbate  Ended — Wouldn't  Travel  on  Sabbath — Senator  Fair- 
field Campaigning — Goes  to  Boston  Physician — "Husking  Night" — 
Visit    From    Bancroft — Excitement    Among    Millerites — Returned    to 


JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

OHN  Fairfield's  ancestry  may  be  traced  to  John  Fair- 
field, a  freeman  of  Salem  in  the  year  1640.  He  came 
from  England  with  his  wife  Elizabeth  and  his  son, 
Walter,  who  was  born  in  1631.  Walter  was  the  father 
of  William  (b.  1662),  who  was  delegate  to  the  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  in  1689,  Representative  of  Wenham 
to  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  for  twenty- 
seven  years,  for  nine  of  which  he  served  as  Speaker  of  the 
House,  and  he  was  Moderator  of  Wenham,  Mass.,  from  1706  to 
1709.  His  son  William,  who  was  born  in  1693,  died  upon  May 
13,  1770.  His  son,  John,  was  Parson  Fairfield  of  Saco,  who  was 
many  years  a  beloved  minister  of  the  town.  He  was  born  in 
Wenham  in  1736,  was  graduated  from  Harvard  College  in  1757, 
and  was  settled  over  the  First  Church  of  Saco  in  1761.  The 
ordination  of  Mr.  Fairfield  took  place  October  27,  1762. 

Before  his  engagement  at  this  place,  Mr.  Fairfield  supplied 
the  desk  at  Leominster,  Mass.,  nearly  five  months,  1760;  and 
subsequently  preached  at  the  warehouse  at  Arrowsick,  George- 
town, in  the  First  Parish  at  Scarboro,  and  at  Dunstable,  Mass. 
He  was  engaged  as  a  teacher  at  Manchester  and  Roxbury,  Mass., 
until  he  commenced  preaching  Feb.  1760.  Previously  to  his 
settlement  July  20,  1762,  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Mary,  daugh- 
ter of  Capt.  Ichabod  Goodwin,  and  widow  of  Foxwell  Curtis 
Cuttle,  Esq.,  of  Berwick.  His  wife  died  April  16,  1774,  at  the 
age  of  thirty-seven,  leaving  a  family  of  six  children,  five  of 
whoni  were  daughters,  and  all  at  a  tender  age.  Mr.  Fairfield 
was  twice  subsequently  married.  The  ministerial  labors  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Fairfield  were  continued  during  a  period  of  thirty- 
six  years.  Mr.  Fairfield  resided  in  Biddeford  several  years 
prior  to  his  decease ;  he  died  December  16,  1819,  aged  eighty- 
three  years. 

In  his  last  three  years  this  parson  of  Revolutionary  time 
became  a  picturesque  figure  as  he  walked  about  the  town,  his 
long,  white  hair  surrounding  a  face  whose  eyes  were  sightless 
and  whose  cheeks  were  bright  and  round  and  his  short,  spare 
form  clad  in  a  flowing  red  cloak. 

Parson  John's  only  son  was  Ichabod,  who  was  born  in 
1783  and  died  in  1824.  He  married  Sarah  Nason,  widow  of 
Daniel  Scamman.  Their  oldest  son,  John,  is  the  subject  of 
this  volume.  His  brothers  and  sisters  were  Mary  (who  became 
the  wife  of  the  Reverend  Jason  Whitman),  Benjamin,  Martha, 
Cleaves  and  George  Ichabod. 


XX  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

John  Fairfield  was  born  in  Saco,  Maine,  January  20,  1797. 
Of  his  boyhood,  little  is  now  known.  As  a  mere  boy  he  was  on  a 
privateer  in  (the  War  of  1812.  He  was  educated  in  Saco,  attend- 
ing Thornton  Academy  from  October  4,  1813,  to  April  10,  1814, 
and  Limerick  Academy.  On  September  25,  1825.  he  married 
Anna  Paine  Thornton,  whose  fa4:her  was  Thomas  G.  Thornton, 
United  States  Marshal  in  the  War  of  1812.  Her  grandfather 
was  Col.  Thomas  Cutts  whose  mansion  on  the  crest  of  the  hill 
on  Cutts'  Island  was  her  home.  She  was  named  for  her  aunt 
Anna  Paine  Cutts,  wife  of  Richard  Cutts  and  the  sister  of 
Dolly  Paine  Madison,  the  President's  wife.  Although  a  rare 
thing  in  those  days  in  -Saco,  Ann  Thornton  was  reared  in 
luxury.  She  often  accompanied  her  father  on  his  long  drives, 
for  they  enjoyed  each  other,  her  father  being  proud  of  her 
good  "attic  furniture"  as  he  said.  She  inherited  from  him 
a  comfortable  sum  of  money  of  wliich  she  never  knew  even 
the  exact  amount,  for  it  was  given,  as  was  the  custom  in  those 
days,  by  her  guardian  to  her  husband  at  her  marriage,  and 
was  subsequently  lost.  In  1824  her  father  died,  as  did  also  Mr. 
Fairfield's  father. 

As  soon  as  John  Fairfield  finally  decided  to  study  law, 
he  entered  the  Saco  office  of  Judge  Shepley,  who  was  then 
U.  S.  district  attorney.  Being  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1826,  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  George  Thacher,  Jr.,  who  managed 
the  business  of  the  office  while  Mr.  Fairfield  attended  to  their 
pleadings  and  court  practise.  Mr.  Thacher  was  the  son  of 
Judge  Thacher  of  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court.  In  1832,  John 
Fairfield  received  an  appointment  as  reporter  of  decisions  of  the 
State  Supreme  Judicial  Court.  In  this  capacity  he  traveled 
throughout  the  Maine  towns,  much  of  the  time  upon  his  own 
horse.  His  daughter,  Mrs.  Sarah  F.  Hamilton,  in  an  interesting 
paper  upon  her  father's  letters,  says  concerning  this: 

"If  the  slowness  of  the  means  of  business  traveling  strikes 
us  forcibly  so  would  also  the  social  friendly  intercourse  pro- 
moted by  it.  .  .  .  At  that  time  when  the  line  of  march  lay 
directly  through  the  town,  it  would  seem  careless  incivility  to 
neglect  a  friendly  call.  Among  his  letters  to  his  wife,  many 
of  which  are  now  in  the  possession  of  his  daughters,  the  earliest 
is  dated  May  21,  1832,  while  he  was  reporter  of  decisions. 
There  are  several  other  letters  written  while  he  held  this 
appointment,  all  of  them  without  an  envelope  but  addressed 
upon  the  fold  of  the  paper  and  sealed  with  red  wax.  These  tell 
of  his  experiences,  but  filled  from  first  to  last  with  love  for  his 


MKS.   JOHN   FAIK'FII-I.I) 


JOHN  FAIRFIELD  xxi 

home.  One  was  written  from  Augusta,  April  24,  1834.  "In 
something  of  a  hurry,  for  I  write  this  while  taking  notes  at 
court."  He  asks  her  to  ride  into  Portland  to  meet  him  on  his 
return  and  bring  him  home.  Incidental  to  George  Thacher,  Jr., 
it  may  be  said  that  both  he  and  his  father,  George  Thacher, 
were  members  of  the  Maine  Constitutional  Convention  of  1820, 
that  the  elder  had  been  delegate  to  Congress  and  Associate 
Justice  of  the  Massachusetts  Supreme  Judicial  Court. 

In  1835  Mr.  Fairfield  was  elected  representative  in  the 
U.  S.  Congress.  It  was  not  a  pleasant  thing  for  him  to  con- 
template leaving  his  wife  and  their  children  for  so  many  months, 
but  he  yielded  to  the  unsolicited  honor,  going  to  Washington 
in  December,  1835.  His  daily  letters  throughout  his  Washing- 
ton residence,  during  a  period  of  more  than  ten  years,  are  most 
valuable  and  interesting.  By  them  he  kept  the  affection  of  his 
children  strong  and  lively.  The  father's  letters  were  the  chief 
events  in  the  life  of  the  family  circle.  Now  and  then  "a  wee 
bonbon  from  the  gold  and  silver  dishes  of  the  minister  pleni- 
potentiary's banquet  table  made  the  tales  of  the  Arabian  Nights 
more  real  to  us,"  says  Mrs.  Hamilton.  Poetical  effusions, 
acrostics  and  charades,  and  sketches  of  the  men  he  saw  about 
him  found  their  way  home  from  Washington. 

From  the  first  he  had  the  advantage  of  friends  in  Wash- 
ington, for  Richard  Cutts,  his  wife's  uncle,  one  of  Saco's  former 
citizens  who  had  served  seven  terms  in  Congress,  1800  to  1813, 
was  there.  Mr.  Fairfield  often  speaks  of  visiting  him,  his  son, 
Madison,  and  daughters,  Mary  and  Dolly,  and  often  he  speaks 
of  Mrs.  Madison,  the  widow  of  the  President,  who  was  of  much 
importance  in  Congressional  society.  Mr.  Fairfield  attended 
many  receptions,  for  he  enjoyed  social  life  and  all  this  Washing- 
ton society  was  new  and  delightful  to  him.  He  was  a  prime 
favorite  among  the  ladies  to  whom  he  was  charmingly  courteous. 
He  laughed  at  the  youthfulness  they  accorded  him,  guessing  his 
age  much  too  young  and  judging  him  to  be  single  because  he 
was  so  polite.  His  favorite  entei-tainments  were  dinner  parties 
where  business  often  mingled  with  pleasure,  wit  and  refresh- 
ment enlivening  more  serious  purposes. 

Amid  the  glow  of  social  enjoyment  he  was,  however, 
thoroughly  statesmanlike.  His  chief  complaints  are  at  the 
waste  of  time  and  the  irregular  attendance  at  the  meetings 
of  the  House.  He  finds  fault  with  the  extravagant  speech- 
making  members  who  use  for  commonplace  matters  a  style 


xxii  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

of  speech  suited  only  to  great  crises.  "I  am  agin'  'em  all  and  in 
favor  of  business." 

Meantime  Mrs.  Fairfield  and  their  children  were  much 
in  his  mind.  He  approved  her  plan  of  sending  the  boys  to 
dancing  school,  and  wishes  them  to  be  diligent  in  their  studies 
at  "Aunt  Cutts'  School."  As  many  other  Congressmen  did, 
he  bought  a  farai  where  they  might  bring  up  their  children 
better,  and  enjoy  the  delights  of  their  own  orchard,  poultry, 
cattle  and  garden.  They  also  were  anxious  to  attempt  silk- 
growing,  so  they  raised  mulberry  trees  and  purchased  silk- 
worms. It  promised  to  be  a  northern  industry  at  the  time. 
Mrs.  Fairfield's  pluckiness  showed  plainly  when  she  resolved 
to  move  to  their  farm  in  the  Ferry  Road,  on  the  height  near 
the  cemetery  of  today,  before  her  husband's  return,  since  it 
was  the  long  session  of  Congress  which  would  keep  him  there 
until  summer  time.  He  warns  her  against  doing  so,  fearing  the 
work  will  be  too  much  for  her,  suggesting  the  additional  burden 
incurred  in  boarding  the  workmen.  Through  his  law  partner, 
Mr.  Haines,  Mr.  Fairfield  bought  a  horse,  oxen  and  dairy  cows, 
and  made  inquiries  for  a  suitable  chaise. 

The  long  session  having  finally  terminated  in  July,  he 
hurried  back  eagerly  to  his  home  and  his  new  farm  whose 
further  establishment  occupied  most  of  his  intermission.  He 
was  very  apt  in  domestic  affairs;  if  the  children  felt  that 
mother  had  all  the  courage,  firmness,  decision  and  strength  of 
a  man,  they  also  felt  that  father  had  the  tenderness,  considera- 
tion and  housekeeping  abilities  of  a  woman.  It  was  a  rare  com- 
bination which  Mr.  Fairfield  had,  that  of  real  statesmanship 
and  a  genuine  love  of  domestic  duties,  but  it  was  not  more 
remarkable  than  the  good  sense  of  his  luxuriously  reared  wife. 
There  was  much  of  Puritan  simplicity,  patriotism  and  strength 
in  both  characters. 

When  Congressman  Fairfield  returned  to  Congress  in 
December,  1836,  he  begged  her  to  write  often,  more  often  than 
before.  She  had  written  somewhat  irregularly  once  a  week 
in  response  to  his  daily  letters,  but  then,  it  was  easy  for  him 
to  write  with  his  desk  ready  both  at  the  House  and  at  his  room 
at  any  time;  it  whiled  away  the  loneliness  of  many  a  solitary 
moment  and  the  tedium  of  many  a  ranting  speech,  while  for 
her  it  meant  a  collecting  of  pens,  paper  and  ink  and  a  half 
hour  away  from  the  children  or  a  turmoil  of  their  playing  for 
accompaniment. 


JOHN  FAIRFIELD  xxiii 

In  March,  the  short  session  being  over,  he  starts  again 
for  home,  planning  to  take  the  mail  stage  from  Boston  and  ride 
all  night. 

In  1837  he  was  re-elected  for  a  second  term,  and  upon 
his  return  was  placed  upon  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Relations. 
He  reports  much  excitement  over  slavery  questions  so  that 
the  business  of  the  House  is  seriously  impeded  until  a  vote 
is  taken  not  to  consider  any  such  matters.  It  is  interesting 
to  follow  the  course  of  events  which  led  to  his  governorship  as 
they  show  forth  in  his  letters  which,  being  meant  solely  for  his 
wife,  show  his  character  in  perfect  sincerity. 


It  is  little  wonder  that  the  Democrats  of  his  state  wished 
him  to  be  Governor  and  insisted  upon  it,  for  he  was  not  only 
well  known  to  them  and  trusted  with  important  offices  in  their 
keeping  but  he  was  also  at  this  time  covering  himself  with 
laurels  in  the  House  and  gaining  a  national  reputation.  Upon 
March  the  eighth,  after  repeated  postponements,  he  delivered 
his  speech  upon  the  North-eastern  Boundary,  a  question  with 
which  his  name  has  become  inseparably  linked. 

It  was  not,  however,  Mr.  Fairfield's  North-eastern  Bound- 
ary speech  which  made  his  name  familiar  to  all  the  nation. 
His  chief  part  in  that  question  came  later.  It  was  his  action 
concerning  the  Cilley-Graves  duel  which  gave  him  national 
importance.  Mr.  Cilley  of  Maine  was  challenged  by  Col.  Webb, 
editor  of  the  New  York  Courier,  on  account  of  some  words 
used  by  Mr.  Cilley  on  the  "corruption  case."  Mr.  Cilley  refused 
the  challenge.  Then  Mr.  Graves,  a  friend  of  Col.  Webb,  chal- 
lenged Mr.  Cilley,  who  was  forced  by  the  custom  of  the  day 
to  accept  or  prove  himself  a  coward.  An  attempt  to  prevent 
the  duel  was  too  late.  After  firing  three  times  ineffectually, 
Cilley's  seconds  tried  to  stop  the  affair,  but  the  opposition  of 
Graves's  friends  was  irresistible.  The  next  shot  killed  Mr. 
Cilley.  The  next  day  in  the  House,  Mr.  Fairfield,  contrary  to 
the  custom  of  the  time,  startled  the  members  by  his  courage 
in  demanding  that  an  investigation  of  the  affair  be  made. 
Upon  this  point  the  Maine  Democrat  says : 

"We  were  tauntingly  told  that  no  Northerner  would  dare 
incur  the  fearful  responsibility  of  demanding  an  investigation 
of  the  affair  by  a  Committee  of  Congress.  Mr.  Fairfield  proved 
himself  possessed  of  sufficient  moral  courage  to  meet  this 
critical  emergency,  unintimidated  by  the  menaces  of  his  oppo- 
nents, and  he  forever  silenced  the  foul  aspersion  flung  in  the 


xxiv  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

teeth  of  Northern  men,  that  they  dare  not  resist  the  current 
of  prejudice  in  favor  of  the  infamous  code  of  the  duello." 

Upon  the  5th  of  March,  the  members  of  the  Democratic 
party  at  Augusta  sent  him  the  following  resolution : 

"Resolved,  That  this  meeting  view  with  pride  and 
admiration  the  course  adopted  by  the  Hon.  John  Fair- 
field in  the  House  of  Representatives  in  demanding  an 
investigation  into  the  manner  and  circumstances  of  the 
death  of  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Cilley;  it  has  anticipated 
the  demands  of  the  people  and  will  be  by  them  fully 
sustained." 

The  historical  importance  of  Mr.  Fairfield's  action  is  that 
it  stopped  duelling  forever  in  Congress. 

In  the  midst  of  all  these  excitements,  he  misses  home  as 
much  as  ever.  In  place  of  his  luxuriousness  he  longs  for  a 
breakfast  at  the  farm.  It  was  a  pure  delight  to  him  when  his 
last  session  in  the  House  was  over,  for  he  might  then  return 
to  Saco  and  his  legal  work,  knowing  that  if  he  should  be  elected 
for  Governor  he  would  not  be  far  away  from  home. 

At  the  time  of  his  election  a  courier  was  sent  from  Port- 
land by  night  to  carry  the  news.  Mrs.  Hamilton  tells  a  char- 
acteristic story  of  Mrs.  Fairfield  in  this  connection.  "My  mother 
went  to  the  door  to  inquire  the  cause  of  a  visitor  at  that  time 
of  night.  Upon  learning  his  errand,  she  simply  thanked  him, 
and  concluding  that  a  good  night's  rest  was  worth  more  to  her 
sleeping  husband  than  the  announcement  of  his  governorship 
at  that  hour,  she  returned  to  her  slumbers  and  in  the  morning 
quietly  but  with  a  little  sly  fun,  informed  him  of  his  election. 

Hardly  was  the  inauguration  over  before  the  boundary 
question  threatened  trouble.  Oflficials  who  had  been  sent 
down  to  the  disputed  territory  had  been  captured  by  Great 
Britain's  subjects  and  were  held  in  prison.  With  commendable 
promptness  and  decision  which  contrasted  strongly  with  the 
dilatoriness  of  all  previous  authorities.  Governor  Fairfield  sent 
troops  to  the  line  and  prepared  others  to  reinforce  them.  Of 
the  whole  disgraceful  action  of  the  United  States  in  connection 
with  the  North-east  Boundary  question,  Governor  Fairfield's 
act  is  the  one  commendable  proceeding.  He  writes  upon  Feb- 
ruary 13 : 

"There  is  but  one  course  in  this  thing,  and  that  is  to  go 
ahead.     No  backing  out  and  no  flinching." 


JOHN  FAIRFIELD  xxv 

In  the  Life  and  Times  of  Hannibal  Hamlin,  by  Charles  E. 
Hamlin,  the  matter  of  the  Aroostook  war  is  explained  thus 
fully: 

"In  a  short  time  after  the  Governor  had  defined  the  position 
of  Maine  towards  the  disputed  territory,  the  State  was  elec- 
trified at  the  news  that  a  large  body  of  Canadians  were  robbing 
the  disputed  land  of  its  timber.  The  Governor  promptly  or- 
dered Sheriff  Hastings  Strickland  of  Penobscot  County  to 
organize  a  posse  of  men  and  drive  out  the  intruders.  Great 
excitement  prevailed,  and  an  unmistakable  war  fever  arose. 
With  two  hundred  men  the  sheriff  rapidly  proceeded  to  the 
scene  of  action  in  what  is  now  Aroostook  County.  The  Cana- 
dians heard  of  the  sheriff's  movements  and  possessing  them- 
selves of  arms  in  the  province  arsenal  of  Woodstock,  Maine,  and 
New  Brunswick  began  to  arm  themselves.  The  legislature 
appropriated  $800,000  and  the  Governor  ordered  a  draft  of 
10,000  to  protect  our  claims.  Congress  appropriated  $10,000,000 
and  authorized  the  President  to  call  for  fifty  thousand  vol- 
unteers to  help  Maine.  General  Scott  came  to  Augusta  to  take 
charge  of  the  military  operations.  He  opened  up  diplomatic 
negotiations  between  Governor  Fairfield  and  Governor  John 
Harvey,  of  New  Brunswick,  with  the  result  that  each  promised 
to  withdraw  his  forces  from  the  disputed  territory  and  leave 
it  in  charge  of  a  peace  posse  until  a  settlement  should  be  arrived 
at  by  diplomatic  methods.  Thus  ended  the  famous  Aroostook 
war.  It  was  a  bloodless  affair,  and  yet  it  was  a  narrow  escape 
from  a  collision  between  the  two  governments.  Both  sides  were 
prepared  to  fight,  and  the  loss  of  a  single  life  might  have  pre- 
vented a  peaceful  settlement.  The  wonder  is  that  no  harm 
came  out  of  all  that  excitement  and  manoeuvering." 


Three  times  Governor  Fairfield  was  re-elected,  though  by 
small  majorities  such  that  he  feared  defeat  and  that,  too,  rather 
with  a  feeling  of  personal  relief  than  of  chagrin.  This  was  not, 
however,  the  result  of  any  personal  unpopularity  but  rather 
the  proof  of  it,  for  no  other  man  of  his  party  could  have  secured 
the  election.  Amid  great  and  unusual  responsibilities,  he  dis- 
played a  decision  of  character  which  commanded  the  attention 
and  respect  of  the  whole  nation.  As  the  result  of  this  action, 
he  became  the  favorite  son  of  the  State,  being  sent  to  the  Senate 
chiefly  to  defend  Maine's  right  to  her  North-east  territory. 

During  his  last  term  as  Governor,  in  1842,  the  resignation 
of  Ruel  Williams  from  the  U.  S.  Senate  resulted  in  Mr.  Fair- 


xxvi  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

field's  appointment  for  that  office  for  the  remainder  of  that 
term.  It  is  worthy  of  notice  that  John  Fairfield  never  com- 
pleted his  term  of  office  in  any  position,  being  elected  to 
some  higher  office  before  its  expiration.  While  reporter  of 
decisions  of  the  Maine  Supreme  Judicial  Court,  in  1835,  he  was 
elected  U.  S.  Representative  of  the  First  District  of  Maine,  to 
which  office  he  was  re-elected  in  1837,  resigning  the  office  in 
1838  to  become  Governor  of  Maine ;  after  his  fourth  election  in 
1842,  he  resigned  to  accept  a  seat  in  the  U.  S.  Senate  to  which 
he  was  elected  by  the  Legislature.  He  was  re-elected  to  this 
office  in  1845,  not  completing  his  term  before  his  death. 

He  regretted  leaving  his  wife  to  so  many  domestic  cares 
for  so  long  a  time  again,  but  the  next  session  of  Congress  found 
him  once  more  in  Washington.  The  handwriting  of  his  almost 
daily  letters  is  coarser  ^nd  more  irregular  than  before.  He 
was  not  well.  For  years  he  had  had  trouble  with  his  joints,  one 
knee  suffering  most,  his  whole  state  of  health  being  uncom- 
fortable and  nervous  in  consequence,  a  steady  increase  of  the 
malady  continuing  during  his  term  of  service  in  the  Senate,  ^ 
as  his  letters  clearly  indicate.  There  is  less  description  of 
Washington  and  more  yearning  for  home  than  in  his  former 
letters,  yet  there  is  no  diminution  of  his  interest  in  government 
affairs.    Upon  March  24,  1844,  he  writes : 

"You  asked  me  at  a  wrong  moment  if  I  was  not  sick  of 
politics.  The  fact  is  I  feel  a  deeper  interest  in  them  than 
ever." 

Upon  the  30th  of  May  of  the  same  year  he  writes,  "To  my 
astonishment  I  received  yesterday  in  the  Baltimore  Convention, 
the  highest  vote  for  Vice-President  (with  James  K.  Polk,  Pres- 
ident) on  the  first  trial,  but  not  a  majority.  I  had  nine  states, 
to  wit,  Maine,  Massachusetts,  Vermont,  Rhode  Island,  New 
York,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Kentucky  and  Missouri,  making  a  hun- 
dred and  six  votes.  I  am  informed  I  should  have  been  nom- 
inated on  second  ballot  if  it  had  not  been  thought  that  my 
course  when  Governor  in  the  controversy  between  Maine  and 
Georgia  and  my  views  on  the  treaty  would  operate  against  me 
in  the  South.  With  the  result  I  am  entirely  satisfied — it  is 
honor  enough  for  me  to  have  been  a  candidate  for  nomination." 
Senator  Fairfield  was  a  popular  man  in  government  circles 
and  the  disappointment  of  his  friends  at  this  result  was  keen 
and  as  great  a  surprise  to  him  as  was  the  unanticipated  sug- 
gestion of  such  a  nomination.  Upon  June  2,  he  writes  to  his 
wife : 


JOHN  FAIRFIELD  xxvii 

"What  the  deuce  has  got  into  the  people?  I  would  prefer 
a  much  humbler  station — one  better  suited  to  my  talents  and 
tastes.  (Ain't  I  modest?)  Well,  I  don't  care  whether  I  am 
believed  or  not — I  speak  the  truth." 

During  the  forming  of  the  new  Cabinet,  there  was  much 
talk  of  making  Mr.  Fairfield  Secretary  of  Naval  Affairs,  a  posi- 
tion which  he  himself  would  have  liked  as  much  perhaps  because 
of  the  benefit  the  increased  salary  would  be  to  his  growing 
family  for  whom  he  felt  he  ought  to  be  making  surer  future  pro- 
vision as  for  the  honor  and  personal  liking  for  the  task  itself. 
His  rival  was  George  Bancroft,  the  historian,  who  had  often  de- 
clared that  he  was  more  than  ready  to  leave  his  chance  to  Mr. 
Fairfield.  To  his  secret  disappointment,  the  seat  in  the  Cabinet 
was  not,  however,  given  to  him.  The  disappointment  of  his 
friends  was  such  that  his  popularity  increased  and  there  w^ere 
prophecies  of  his  future  presidency. 

During  the  summer  of  1847  at  home,  he  wrote  some  de- 
lightfully characteristic  sketches,  including  a  Ride  to  the  Pool, 
which  were  printed  in  the  Maine  Democrat  of  which  he  had 
charge  in  the  editor's  absence.  These  now  exist  in  the  form 
of  clippings  arranged  so  as  to  form  a  neat  little  volume.  The 
face  side  of  the  fly-leaf  is  inscribed  in  his  own  hand,  "John 
Fairfield ;"  the  reverse  side  says : 

"Letters  of  0.  K.  published  in  the  Maine  Democrat,  Saco. 
The  whole  dedicated,  and  this  volume  affectionately  presented 
to  his  beloved  wife  by 

THE  AUTHOR" 

Since  these  letters  not  only  reveal  the  character  of  John 
Fairfield  but  also  give  a  glimpse  of  some  Saco  scenes  of  the  time, 
some  quotations  may  not  be  inappropriately  inserted  in  this 
place.  He  begins  by  telling  of  his  ambition  to  write  some  great 
travels,  not  knowing  where  to  go  to  find  a  suitable  journey 
for  his  description. 

"Almost  on  the  point  of  yielding  in  despair,  we  were  most 
happily  relieved  by  one  at  our  elbow  having  a  conjugal  right 
to  advise  us,  with  one  of  those  looks  you  have  no  rig'ht  to  inter- 
pret into  anything  in  particular,  and  yet  which  might  be  made 
to  mean  anything  in  general,  according  to  one's  fancy,  said, 
'Why  don't  you  go  to  the  Pool,  my  dear,  and  then  you  can 
return  the  same  day,  you  know.'  Mountains  and  Molehills! 
Think  of  that.  Was  there  ever  a  finer  specimen  of  pathos  in 
prose?  What  a  descent.  From  the  tour  of  Europe— the  visit- 
ing of  Rome — the  Holy  Land — tracing  the  sources  of  the  Nile — 


xxviii  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

exploring  the  interior  of  Africa — peeping  into  the  craters  of  a 
dozen  volcanoes,  putting  our  finger  upon  the  North  Pole,  etc., 
etc.,  down  to  a  ride  to  the  Pool.  The  idea  was  capital — decided 
fun.  We  seized  it  with  avidity  and  settled  the  whole  thing  in 
our  own  mind  in  a  moment.  Next  to  doing  a  great  thing,  you 
know,  is  the  doing  a  little  thing  in  a  great  way.  One  morning 
we  were  off  with  old  Switchtail  and  the  buggy  at  the  rate  of 
three  miles  an  hour." 

He  speaks  of  the  "white  and  yellow  house  formerly  owned 
and  occupied  by  the  late  Richard  Cutts  (his  wife's  uncle) ,  once 
the  most  elegant  house  in  town,  but  now  surrounded  and  thrown 
back,  as  it  is,  by  splendid  new  brick  blocks  with  iron  fronts,  it 
looks  like  some  old,  faded  belle  who  is  endeavoring  to  com- 
pensate for  the  loss  of  her  lovers  by  flaunting  a  portion  of  her 
finery  that  appropriately  belonged  to  the  day  of  her  youth  and 
beauty." 

He  says  of  the  old  mansion  house  (his  wife's  girlhood 
home),  home  of  the  original  proprietor  of  Indian  Island,  and 
indeed  of  almost  all  creation.  Colonel  Cutts  (his  wife's  grand- 
father) :  "It  is  a  substantial  and  elegant  building,  with  a  gam- 
brel  roof,  luthern  windows,  small  glass  and  other  insignia  of  a 
former  age.  ...  On  either  side  of  the  road,  fronting  the  man- 
sion house,  were  two  fields  formerly  known  under  the  significant 
sobriquet  of  the  Colonel's  vest  pockets.  One  of  these  is  now  a 
brick  yard,  and  the  other  is  covered  with  factories.  The 
Colonel,  if  permitted  to  revisit  us,  would  probably  be  not  a  little 
puzzled  in  regard  to  his  identity,  finding  his  pockets  thus 
stuffed — one  with  clay  and  brick,  the  other  with  spindles  and 
pretty  girls." 

Of  the  Pool  he  says : 

"It  was  almost  entirely  monopolized  both  by  land  and  by 
water,  by  Ithe  fishermen,  and  has  often,  with  its  nets  spread 
to  dry,  its  boats  resting  lazily  upon  the  shore  and  the  fishermen 
lying  about  the  rocks  in  scattered  groups,  reminded  us  of 
what  we  suppose  the  villages  to  be  on  the  shores  of  the  Sea  of 
Galilee." 

About  this  time,  a  poem  appeared,  praising  the  Andro- 
scoggin above  all  other  Maine  rivers,  to  which  a  response  was 
made  in  favor  of  the  Kennebec.  Mr.  Fairfield  added  his  voice 
to  the  chorus,  singing  his  admiration  for  the  Saco  in  the  fol- 
lowing verses : 


JOHN  FAIRFIELD  xxix 

"Oh,  hush,  ye  brooks,  pray  did  you  e'er  of  such  a  stream  as 

Saco  hear? 
If  not,  'tis  plain  enough  ye  ought  to. 
The  whole  of  babbling  Androscoggin 
Perhaps  might  fill  a  toddy  noggin ; 
And  so  perhaps  the  Kennebec  would, 
Including  mud,  sawdust  and  driftwood. 
But  Saco's  full  and  rapid  stream 
Old  ocean  fills  up  to  the  brim: 
And  many  think  if  it  should  halt. 
The  sea  would  be  one  cake  of  salt. 

for  'mixing  grog' 

Or  'floating  log' 

Or  'drowning  dog' 

Or  'breeding  fog' 
It  yields  at  once  and  oughter. 

It  scorns  to  take 

From  muddy  lake, 

Or  slimy  brook, 

By  hook  or  crook, 
Its  daily  draught  of  water. 

On  mountain-side 

E'er  eventide 

The  sun  from  sky 

Comes  down  to  lie 
Upon  the  fleecy  banks  of  snow: 

And  there  distills 

Those  gentle  rills 
That  sparkling  down  to  Saco  flow. 

Oh,  Prince  of  Streams! 

The  poet's  dreams 
Ne'er  formed  a  fairer  vision. 

Compared  to  thee 

Most  streams  will  he 
But  subject  of  derision." 

Mr.  Fairfield  had  a  decided  aptness  for  such  verse  making, 
which  enlivened  many  a  letter  or  entertainment,  or  now  and 
then  ornamented  an  album. 

The  following  letter,  now  in  possession  of  John  Fair- 
field's children,  is  presented  here  as  a  sample  of  an  old-fashioned 
love-letter  and  as  showing  in  John  Fairfield,  the  young  man, 
the  same  characteristics  of  serious-mindedness,  strong  con- 
viction, and  firmness,  tempered  with  consideration,  that  dis- 


XXX  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

tinguished  him  in  later  life,  both  in  public  matters  and  in  his 
domestic  relations. 

The  letter  has  the  old4ime  dignity  of  phrasing,  in  those 
days  considered  the  proper  form  of  correspondence  between 
lovers,  and  it  expresses  his  concern  over  the  apparent  reluctance 
of  his  sweetheart  to  enter  into  an  early  marriage.  At  this  time 
John  Fairfield  was  twenty-six  years  old  and  Ann  Thornton 
was  nineteen. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  Miss  Thornton  was  deeply  devoted 
to  her  fiance,  nor  was  she  given  to  caprice  and  coquetry.  She 
was  a  shy,  sensitive  person,  and  not  fond  of  dress  and  social 
functions  and  her  daughters  have  suggested  as  the  explana- 
tion of  her  attitude  that  she  dreaded  "the  fuss  and  feathers 
of  a  fashionable  wedding,"  which  seemed  inevitable,  as  her  fam- 
ily belonged  to  York  Coun/ty's  best  society  and  would  be  certain 
to  insist  on  the  proper  observances  of  such  an  important 
occasion. 

At  the  time  the  letter  was  written  Miss  Thornton  was 
in  Machias  at  the  home  of  an  older  sister,  who,  after  being 
informed  of  the  engagement,  wrote  to  her:  "I  should  think 
you  would  like  to  come  away  as  soon  as  your  engagement  is 
announced."  This  seems  to  have  been  considered  the  proper 
proceeding  at  that  time.     This  is  the  letter: 

Saco,   October   12,   1824. 
Dear  Ann, 

I  have  just  received  your  last  letter  dated  the  10th,  but  as  I  should 
very  much  deprecate  the  charge  of  hypocrisy  against  me,  more  particularly 
by  you,  I  shall  give  no  opinion  respecting  it — but  proceed  in  this  letter  to 
notice  an  expression  in  your  letter  last  but  one  in  which  you  say  "I 
mean  to  put  off  your  marriage  as  long  as  I  can." — In  the  first  place  I  say 
that  I  have  ever  been  an  advocate  for  early  marriages,  and  I  believe  my 
reasons  for  it  have  their  foundation  in  common  sense.  If  they  have  not 
be  so  good  as  to  sihow  me  wherein,  and  you  will  not  find  me  so  obstinate 
and  self-willed  as  not  to  acknowledge  the  force  and  justness  of  an  argu- 
ment, when  they  are  made  clearly  to  appear  to  my  mind.  First,  then, 
I  contend  that  while  we  are  young  all  the  generous  and  noble  feelings 
of  our  nature  are  alive,  active,  and  in  full  play — our  hearts  are  warm, 
and  overflowing  with  kindly  &  disinterested  feelings.  We  are  now  more 
susceptible  to  the  tender  and  bewitching  charms  of  love,  than  we  are 
in  after  life — consequently  there  is  less  of  that  cold,  calculating  policy 
in  attachments  between  youth,  than  we  almost  daily  observe  in  matches 
between  older  people.  As  the  blood  in  young  persons  flows  rapidly  and 
freely  through  the  veins  and  arteries  uncorrupted  by  dissipation  or  lux- 
urious living,  so  in  their  passions  &  feelings  we  observe  a  corresponding 
playfulness  and  purity,  and  disinterestedness — we  observe  a  certain  buoy- 
ancy of  spirits  and  feeling,  which  is  an  indication  of  honesty  and  virtue — 
which  knows  no  wrong  and  intends  none.  Consequently  friendly  and 
aff"ectionate  attachments  formed  in  youth  are  purer  and  less  disinterested 


JOHN  FAIRFIELD  xxxi 

than  in  after  life — and  although  they  are  sometimes  imprudent,  and  the 
subjects  of  them  are  consequently  exposed  to  many  temporal  evils  and 
sufferings,  yet  in  the  main  I  suspect  they  receive  as  much  enjoyment  and 
real  pleasure,  as  those  of  another  class  and  description.  It  is  a  melancholy 
truth  that  the  older  we  grow  the  more  refined  (in  fashionable  language) 
we  grow,  but  in  correct  language  the  more  corrupt.  The  pernicious 
influence  and  sample  of  a  wicked  world  does  have  an  effect  upon  us,  and  we 
have  much  reason  to  fear  not  a  very  salutary  one.  It  is  then  most  prudent, 
bestest,  and  safest  to  marry  young.  We  are  more  likely  to  get  husbands 
and  wives  who  will  love  us,  and  adhere  to  us  in  life  through  good  report, 
and  through  evil  report. 

In  the  next  place  as  life  is  short  we  ought  to  set  about  the  great 
day's  work  of  life  early.  When  'marriage  takes  place  late  in  life,  the 
subjects  of  it  almost  invariably  find  that  when  their  services  are  most 
required  here,  they  ibave  become  incapacitated  through  the  infirmities 
and  imbecilities  of  age — or  their  time  and  attention  taken  up  with  the 
concerns  of  futurity.  Besides  I  have  always  found  on  all  subjects  that 
"delays  are  dangerous."  And  then  again  if  considered  in  a  moral  point  of 
view  it  is  expedient  that  we  marry  young.  It  is  more  particulaly  true 
if  considered  in  regard  to  males  than  females.  Young  men  who  are  not 
engaged  in  such  business  as  requires  all  their  attention,  are  apt  to  pass 
their  spare  time  in  acquiring  habits  of  dissipation  and  extravagance.  But 
when  they  have  become  engaged  to  a  female  whom  they  love — or  have 
taken  unto  themselves  wives,  they  acquire  a  more  permanent  interest 
in  the  affairs  of  the  world.  They  then  feel  more  of  the  importance  and 
dignity  of  human  nature,  for  instead  of  standing  alone,  solitary,  isolated 
beings,  they  then  have  others  depending  upon  them.  They  then  feel  that 
they  have  a  character  to  establish  and  preserve,  not  only  that  they  may 
advance  their  pecuniary  interests,  but  that  their  offspring  may  not 
blush  to  own  them  as  the  authors  of  their  existence.  Do  you  not 
perceive  in  daily  life  that  all  this  is  the  effect  of  early  marriage?  I  do. 
And  even  in  myself  I  perceive  a  mo.st  wonderful  change  in  the  tone  of  my 
feelings  since  I  was  first  engaged  to  you — I  do  not  now,  and  cannot  take 
the  same  pleasure,  that  I  used  to  do  in  dissipation  of  any  sort.  I  used 
to  be  fond  of  what  we  called  a  good  blowout,  but  now  I  feel  myself  more 
of  a  man,  and  above  such  puerilities  to  call  them  by  no  harder  name.  Now 
I  take  more  interest  in  life,  because  now  there  is  a  prospect  that  I  shall 
have  one  whom  I  love  to  lean  upon  me,  and  accompany  me  through  life. 
One  who  will  participate  with  me  in  all  my  pleasures  and  divide  with 
me  all  my  griefs.  I  feel  now  that  my  time  and  talents  are  not  my  own, 
and  that  I  have  no  right  to  waste  either,  but  that  there  is  one  at  least, 
who  has  a  claim  upon  the  proper  use  of  them,  which  I  ought  not,  and  cannot 
in  justice  dispute. 

With  these  views  of  the  subject,  it  appears  to  me  that  nio  two  persons 
situated  as  you  and  I  are  ought  to  delay  marriage  longer  than  circum- 
stances absolutely  require.  And  if  in  our  case  good  reason  should  exist 
for  such  a  postponement  or  delay,  it  appears  to  me  I  could  wait  for  you 
twenty  years.  But  if  the  determination  on  your  part  to  delay  proceeded 
merely  from  a  caprice  of  the  mind — from  the  consciousness  of  possessing 
my  entire  affection,  and  consequently  of  having  a  power  over  me — from 
Whim  or  some  idle  phantasy  of  the  brain,  or  from  some  worse  motive, 
it  cannot,  and  I  presume  will  not  be  expected  that  I  should  consent  to  delay 
our  marriage  a  great  length  of  time.  In  our  conversation  upon  this 
subject  heretofore,  there  has  seemed  to  be  a  sort  of  tacit  agreement  that 


xxxii  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

it  should  take  place  in  May  next.  I  have  so  far  calculated  upon  it,  and 
presume  that  no  objection  would  be  made  to  it  on  your  part.  For  if 
we  love  each  other,  and  ever  intend  to  be  married  the  sooner  the  better. 
But  if  in  May  any  good  reason  can  be  urged  why  it  should  not  take  place, 
you  will  find  me  as  willing  as  yourself  to  postpone  it.  But  no  such  reasons 
appear  to  me  to  exist  at  the  present  time — and  I  pray  most  heartily  they 
may  never  exist.  Not  perceiving  any  reasons  for  delay  as  I  have  just  said, 
I  am  utterly  at  a  loss  to  account  for  your  wishes  "to  postp>one  it  as  long 
as  you  can."  Many  in  my  situation  would  conclude  it  proceeded  from 
want  of  affection — ^but  I  do  not  and  cannot  believe  it  to  be  the  cause, 
and  I  think  nothing  shall  tempt  me  to  believe  it,  but  a  declaration  to  that 
effect  from  your  own  lips  or  pen. 

I  hope,  my  Dear,  I  have  not  treated  the  subject  too  seriously,  for  I 
think  it  requires  some  seriousness,  and  much  candour.  You  are  dearer  to 
me  than  you  can  imagine,  and  I  feel  an  interest  in  you  which  I  never 
have  and  never  can  feel  for  any  other  being,  always  excepting  the  ties 
which  bind  me  to  a  mother  &  sisters,  and  which  can  in  no  way  interfere 
with  the  ties  which  bind  me  to  you.  Answer  this  soon — speak  freely — 
confide  in  me — and  believe  me  forever  yours  in  affection  if  not  in  marriage. 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


In  the  winter  of  1847,  his  chronic  lameness  confined  him 
to  his  room  for  some  days.  It  made  all  his  walks  so  uncom- 
fortable and  uncertain  that  he  considered  it  unsafe  to  try  to 
get  about  much  in  the  evening  darkness.  At  the  urgent  advice 
of  friends  he  consulted  Dr.  McGruder  who  had  had  some 
success  in  curing  such  cases  and  submitted  to  an  operation 
which  proved  not  unsuccessful.  He  prepared  carefully  for  this 
operation,  being  well  provided  with  nurses  and  sending  for 
his  son,  George,  who  was  then  at  Bowdoin,  to  come  and  help 
care  for  him.  The  operation  did  no  permanent  good,  how- 
ever, and  upon  his  return  in  December,  he  visited  him  again. 

Another  operation  was  then  performed,  concerning  the 
danger  of  which  he  does  not  seem  to  have  been  quite  cognizant, 
although  dreading  the  anticipated  pain.  He  did  not  send  the 
letter  telling  the  anticipated  pain,  meaning  to  finish  it  when 
all  was  successfully  completed.  The  letter  was  never  finished, 
for  after  suffering  intense  agony  from  the  time  the  poison  was 
injected  into  the  knee-pan  until  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening 
he  died,  the  victim  of  gross  malpractice  on  the  part  of  the  phy- 
sician. So  sudden  an  ending  of  so  promising  a  life  just  when  a 
more  brilliant  future  was  in  prospect  was  lamentable  in  an 
exceptional  way.  He  had  the  admiration,  not  only  of  his 
political  friends  but  of  those  of  the  opposing  party,  was  of 
keen  statesmanship,  and  was  the  pride  and  hope  of  a  warm 
circle  of  adherents,  who  recognized  that  his  ability  was  of  a 


JOHN  FAIRFIELD  xxxiii 

superior  type,  capable  of  executing  greater  responsibilities  than 
he  had  yet  been  entrusted  with. 


Among  his  eulogies  may  be  noted  the  following  para- 
graphs : 

Hon.  James  W.  Bradbury  addressed  the  Senate  in  these 
words : 

"I  need  not  speak  of  his  honorable  career  in  this  body.  You 
will  bear  witness  to  the  sound  judgment  and  ready  zeal  which 
he  brought  to  the  discharge  of  his  varied  duties ;  to  that  honesty 
of  purpose  which  knows  no  guile;  to  that  frankness  and  sin- 
cerity incapable  of  concealment;  to  that  firmness  of  resolution 
which  no  difficulties  could  shake  nor  dangers  overcome ;  and  to 
that  purity  of  life  and  conscientious  regard  to  his  convictions 
of  right  which  distinguished  him  as  a  man  and  as  a  Christian." 

Senator  Niles  said  that  he  was 

"A  plain,  unassuming  man,  never  attempting  to  shine  or 
attract  attention  to  himself,  but  with  his  strong  sense,  sound 
judgment  and  practical  views  was  content  with  his  honest  and 
faithful  discharge  of  his  public  duties.  He  was  true  to  his  con- 
stituents, true  to  his  country,  faithful  to  his  party  and  faithful 
to  his  principles." 

Representative  Hammond  said  of  him : 

"His  fine  manners  and  affable  deportment  attracted  public 
attention.  His  public  career  was  not  long  but  brilliant.  He 
possessed  in  an  eminent  degree  all  the  elements  of  popularity." 

Prior  to  his  death  the  New  York  Herald  spoke  of  him  in 
the  following  way: 

"Governor  Fairfield  of  Maine  is  a  man  whose  noble  heart 
beajt  for  his  country  when  the  British  invaded  the  territory  of 
his  native  state  and  it  was  he  who  stood  nobly  for  her  rights, 
her  honor,  and  her  glory  during  the  timid  administration  of 
Martin  Van  Buren.  I  have  carefully  studied  his  character  and 
believe  we  have  few  more  patriotic  and  none  more  honest.  He 
is  one  of  the  strongest  men  in  the  Senate.  I  look  upon  him  as 
one  of  the  last  of  the  seventy-sixers  in  everything  that  dignifies 
a  patriot  and  gives  force  to  a  statesman;  and  the  only  thing  I 
regret  is  that  we  have  not  more  such  men.  He  will  yet  write 
his  name  in  letters  of  glory  upon  the  brightest  page  of  his 
country's  fame." 

If  his  loss  to  the  public  was  great,  that  of  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren was  incomparably  harder  to  bear.  Then  it  was  that  his 
remarkable  wife  showed  in  full  strength  her  power.     A  widow 


xxxiv  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

with  eight  children,  the  eldest  in  college,  and  the  youngest  a 
baby  in  anns,  with  a  farm  to  manage  and  less  than  three  hun- 
dred dollars  of  income,  she  immediately  assumed  the  responsi- 
bility of  keeping  her  family  together  and  rearing  them  into 
manhood  and  womanhood.  Her  work  was  heroically  done,  she 
lived  35  years  after  her  husband's  death,  having  educated  her 
family  and  seen  them  well  started  in  their  ways  of  life,  leaving 
a  larger  property  than  had  been  left  her.  Her  business  ability 
was  of  no  small  kind  as  is  evidenced  by  an  incident  of  which 
Mrs.  Hamilton  writes  in  "Mothers  of  Maine :" 

"The  first  evening,  after  the  tidings  of  my  father's  death 
in  the  morning,  when  my  mother  was  alone  with  her  children, 
the  remembrance  of  her  quietly  putting  out  one  wick  of  a  com- 
mon oil  lamp,  saying,  "Children,  we  cannot  afford  to  burn  two 
wicks  of  the  lamp  when  one  will  answer,"  has  always  remained 
vivid  in  my  mind;  but  the  grim  pathos  of  the  act  was  only 
appreciated  in  maturer  years." 

That  she  was  able,  not  only  to  care  for  her  own  family,  but 
also  to  think  of  those  more  unfortunate  ithan  herself,  is  shown 
in  the  custom  she  had  of  sending  the  children  to  school  with 
calico  bags  filled  with  apples  to  give  to  the  children  who  had 
none ;  when  they  remonstrated,  she  would  say  very  quietly, 

"Then  go  without  apples  yourself  until  you  know  how  much 
other  children  like  them  who  have  none." 

Of  the  personal  characters  of  this  remarkable  husband  and 
wife  but  little  needs  to  be  added.  Mr.  Fairfield  was  fond  of 
many  people,  enjoyed  both  the  giving  and  the  receiving  of  hos- 
pitality, was  quite  at  ease  among  a  concourse  of  friends.  His 
wife  was  of  a  singularly  retiring  nature,  her  real  personality 
known  only  to  her  friends  and  her  family.  In  later  years  her 
embarrassment  before  strangers  melted  away  into  a  genial, 
sunny  old  age.  Both  were  fun-loving  people,  their  humor 
sparkling  over  all  domestic  matters  and  making  as  much  com- 
fort at  home  as  their  keen  common  sense.  In  appearance  Mr. 
Fairfield  was  short,  with  a  boyishness  about  him  that  made  him 
seem  younger  than  he  was  even  after  he  was  somewhat  crippled 
by  his  lameness.  He  refers  to  himself  as  "the  little  old  man ;" 
we  are  told  that  "the  affable  little  man"  would  better  describe 
him.     Throughout  the  state  he  was  known  as  "Honest  John." 


CHAPTER  I 
THE  TIME  AND  THE  PLACE 

John  Fairfield  first  went  to  Washington  as  a  member  of 
Congress  in  1835.  It  was  a  period  of  intense  partisanship,  of 
approaching  financial  depression,  of  multiplying  perplexities  in 
foreign  affairs  and  of  bitter  feeling  among  statesmen  of  that 
time,  surpassing  in  personal  acrimony  that  perhaps  of  any 
other  period  in  our  national  life. 

The  central  figure  of  the  day  was  Andrew  Jackson,  near- 
ing,  in  1835,  the  end  of  his  service  as  President  of  the  United 
States;  but,  like  some  of  our  other  strong  men  in  the  Presi- 
dency, forcing  a  successor  to  the  Presidency  upon  his  party  and 
fighting,  with  all  of  his  fiery  temper,  the  battles  of  his  party 
and  his  pride.  The  spoil  of  his  quarrels  lay  about  him ;  the  har- 
vest of  his  triumphs  was  at  his  feet.  He  commanded,  de- 
manded, and,  swearing  strange  oaths,  had  his  way.  He  had 
upset  an  ancient  aristocracy  of  power.  He  had  overthrown 
social  traditions.  He  had  introduced  a  new  policy  of  party 
patronage  and  spoils.  He  had  called  the  common  people  to  the 
support  of  a  rough  and  rugged  soldier,  in  the  chair  of  the  Pres- 
idency, hitherto  consecrated  to  "gentlemen  and  scholars." 
Thus  he  had  become  the  idol  of  Democrats.  He  was  undoubt- 
edly the  one  person  whom  the  young  Maine  congressman,  John 
Fairfield,  most  desired  to  see,  to  know  and  perchance  to 
worship. 

Jackson  was  now,  in  1835,  serving  the  third  year  of  his 
second  term  of  ofiice — the  protagonist  in  the  longest  and  per- 
haps the  most  dramatic  play  of  political  passion  and  prejudices 
that  ever  was  enacted  in  this  nation.  It  had  been  more  than 
ten  years  in  the  setting.  Though  it  was  nearing  the  end,  it  was 
none  the  less  in  its  climaxes,  and  the  principal  actors  were  yet 
about  him — John  Quincy  Adams,  Clay,  Calhoun,  Webster,  Ben- 
ton, Van  Buren,  Mrs.  Eaton  (Peggy  O'Neill)  and  his  "kitchen 
cabinet"  of  eager  advisers  who  never  left  his  side.  A  moment's 
review  may  be  illuminative  of  the  substance  of  the  correspond- 


2  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

ence  of  John  Fairfield  which  is  to  cover  the  next  ten  or  twelve 
years  subsequent  to  this  year  of  1835. 

Andrew  Jackson  was  elected  President  in  1829  and  inau- 
gurated in  December  of  the  same  year.  He  had  been  a  candi- 
date for  President  in  1825  against  John  Quincy  Adams  of 
Massachusetts,  William  H.  Crawford  of  Georgia,  and  Henry 
Clay  of  Kentucky,  then  Speaker  of  the  House.  Of  these  four 
candidates,  Jackson  had  the  largest  number  of  electoral  votes, 
but  neither  one  of  the  four  received  a  majority  and  according 
to  the  law,  the  election  went  forward  to  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives for  election  of  a  President.  As  the  law  required  that 
the  choice  be  limited  to  the  three  candidates  who  were  highest 
on  the  list,  Henry  Clay,  having  the  fewest  electoral  votes,  was 
excluded.  Exercising,  as  he  did,  great  personal  control  over 
his  supporters,  it  was  in  Clay's  power  to  elect  the  President. 
He  elected  Adams,  and  he  did  so  against  the  wish  of  his  state 
of  Kentucky  and  against  its  vote  to  that  effect.  The  triumph 
of  Jackson  was  thus  delayed  for  four  years,  solely  by  Clay's 
coalition  with  Adams.  The  Adams-Clay  coalition  was  a  polit- 
ical agreement  that  left  its  trail  through  years  and  years  of  na- 
tional political  life.  Jackson  never  forgot  it  or  forgave  it.  It 
rankled  for  the  rest  of  his  life,  and  though  he  could  extend  his 
hand  to  President  Adams  on  the  night  of  Mr.  Adams'  inaugu- 
ration, he  never  failed  to  allude  to  Henry  Clay  as  "the  Judas 
of  the  West ;  the  traitor  who  received  his  thirty  pieces  of  silver 
by  being  made  Secretary  of  State  in  Adams'  Cabinet  as  the 
payment  for  his  treachery."  But  there  is  no  evidence  in  his- 
tory, dispassionately  reviewing  Mr.  Clay's  procedure,  to  prove 
that  the  coalition  between  Mr.  Clay  and  Mr.  Adams  was  cor- 
rupt. Mr.  Clay  stood,  in  all  his  thought,  with  Mr.  Adams,  for 
the  same  principles  of  construction  in  applying  the  Constitu- 
tion, protective  tariffs,  internal  improvements,  and  a  deliberate 
binding  together  of  the  states  into  a  nation.  Gen.  Jackson's 
friends,  on  the  other  hand,  were  found  among  those  who  re- 
acted against  such  a  program — a  scrupulous  limitation  of 
the  powers  of  the  government  and  a  studious  regard  for  state's 
rights.     Yet  it  was  a  bitter  thing  to  see  the  support  of  Clay 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  3 

given  out  of  the  West  to  a  gentleman  from  New  England.  "A 
coalition,"  cried  John  Randolph,  "of  the  Puritan  and  the  black- 
leg." Calhoun  was  elected  Vice-President  and  re-elected  Vice- 
President  four  years  later  with  Gen.  Jackson. 

The  four  years  of  Adams'  administration  were  therefore 
tense  and  tempery.  From  1825  to  1829  Aaron  Burr,  Martin 
Van  Buren  and  Edward  Livingstone,  men  of  peculiar  charm, 
political  sagacity  and  executive  power,  had  charge  of  the  for- 
tunes of  General  Jackson.  Sensing  the  areas  of  popular  revolt 
against  Adams  and  Clay,  they  persuaded  Jackson  to  resign 
from  the  United  States  Senate,  lest  he  make  some  mistake  to 
damage  his  popularity;  and,  establishing  organs  of  publicity, 
with  the  brilliant  Livingstone  to  write  the  propaganda  of  the 
Jackson  campaign,  the  hero  of  New  Orleans,  in  his  retirement, 
was  made  the  "man  of  fthe  people"  and  the  essential  Democratic 
candidate  for  Presidency.  The  country  was  flooded  with  tales 
of  his  military  exploits  and  his  peculiar  trait  of  loyalty  to 
those  who  befriended  him  in  any  way.  Daniel  Webster 
told  Samuel  Breck,  as  will  be  found  in  Breck's  diary,  that  he 
knew  more  than  fifty  members  of  Congress  who  had  expended 
or  pledged  all  their  fortunes  in  setting  up  presses  and  employ- 
ing other  means  to  secure  Jackson's  election  and  the  defeat  of 
Adams,  in  1829. 

It  is  quite  probable  that  there  have  been  other  political 
campaigns  as  virulent  and  deliberately  personal  as  that  of 
Adams  and  Jackson  in  1829,  but  they  have  been  few.  Jack- 
son's youthful  indiscretions,  his  brawls  and  duels,  his  mar- 
riage to  Mrs.  Robards  before  she  had  been  legally  divorced  from 
her  first  husband,  his  summary  handling  of  deserters  in  the 
Florida  campaign  were  subjects  of  handbills  and  posters.  A 
campaign  book,  entitled  "Reminiscences:  Or  an  Extract  from 
the  Catalogue  of  the  Youthful  Indiscretions  of  General  Jackson, 
between  the  Age  of  Twenty-three  and  Sixty,"  especially  attack- 
ing his  beloved  wife,  was  circulated  broadcast  over  the  coun- 
try, leaving  a  wound  in  the  breast  of  General  Jackson  that 
never  healed  and  that  opened  afresh  in  a  manner  later  to  be 
indicated.    Jackson's  election  was  therefore  one  of  unique  im- 


4  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

portance.  It  was  the  victory  of  class  against  class.  It  was  the 
overthrow  of  a  political  and  intellectual  aristocracy  by  a  "pop- 
ular hero  and  a  man  of  the  people."  It  dethroned  an  austere 
and  powerfully  cultured  dynasty,  and  set  up  the  political 
dynasty  of  a  man  who  could  not  write  his  own  speeches,  could 
not  observe  the  full  requirements  of  a  traditional  etiquette,  or — 
what  was  worse — could  not  fail  to  reward  his  friends  without 
regard  for  merit  and  bitterly  despise  and  punish  his  enemies. 

The  upheaval  was  social  as  well  as  political.  It  commenced 
a  new  chronicle  in  the  life  of  the  Capitol.  Those  who  had 
known  the  Presidents  of  the  United  States  as  educated  and  cul- 
tivated gentlemen  saw  to  their  consternation  a  military  hero, 
who  had  lived  a  life  of  brawls  and  duels,  who  had  given  repeated 
evidences  of  disregard  of  laws  and  statutes,  who  had  swept 
away  enemies  by  pure  farce ;  who  had  no  learning  or  education 
and  who,  as  a  member  of  the  U.  S.  Senate,  had  given  no 
evidences  of  his  ability  as  a  legislator.  And  behind  him 
loomed  the  faces  of  the  imperturbable  Burr,  the  smiling  and 
the  unctuous  Van  Buren  and  the  alert  and  the  capable  Living- 
stone. It  was  the  beginning  of  a  period  of  tense  and  eager 
partisanship;  of  profound  emotional  legislation;  of  war  upon 
the  Bank  of  the  United  States;  of  bitter  Congressional  duels; 
of  the  installation  of  the  Spoils  system  so-called ;  of  the  Webster- 
Hayne  debate;  of  the  stamping  out  of  nullification;  of  the 
"Kitchen  Cabinet";  of  the  Peggy  O'Neill  scandals;  of  the 
expunging  of  the  resolutions  of  censure  against  President  Jack- 
son ;  through  which  and  through  many  more  besides.  President 
Jackson  sailed  along  on  a  growing  sea  of  popularity — so  great 
that  it  was  believed  he  could  have  been  again  and  again  elected 
President  if  he  would  have  consented  to  be  a  candidate  for 
additional  terms  of  office. 

It  is  not  the  purpose  of  this  consideration  to  pass  upon  the 
life  or  character  of  Andrew  Jackson,  but  rather  to  indicate  if 
possible  the  background  of  the  letters  which  make  up  this  sub- 
stance of  John  Fairfield's  impressions  of  the  times.  The  polit- 
ical scope  of  his  epistles  to  his  wife  is  evinced  in  his  estimate 
of  that  able  and  honest  statesman,  John  Quincy  Adams,  for 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  5 

whom  Mr.  Fairfield  had  no  words  strong  enough  to  express 
disapproval,  and  his  admiration  of  that  shrewd  and  smooth  gen- 
tleman, Mr.  Van  Buren,  the  most  consummate  of  politicians 
who  ruled  by  indirections  and  handled  the  temper  and  the  dis- 
position of  "Old  Hickory"  with  a  skill  that  bent  it  always  in 
the  direction  of  his  own  purposes. 

And  Mr.  Fairfield  was  going  into  a  company  that  might 
well  arouse  his  interest  and  stimulate  his  ambitions.  Henry 
Clay  returned  to  the  Senate  after  his  service  as  Secretary  of 
State  and  became  recognized  leader  of  the  Whigs ;  for  he  would 
recognize  no  other  leader.  His  oratory  was  persuasive  and 
winsome,  stirring  and  suggestive.  Daniel  Webster  even  yielded 
to  Mr.  Clay  the  leadership  of  the  Whigs  in  the  Senate,  although 
never  yielding,  so  far  as  any  individual  was  concerned,  his  own 
personality  or  independence. 

Calhoun  was  there,  no  longer  Vice-President  but  a  Sen- 
ator from  South  Carolina;  best  hated  of  Jackson.  "What  act 
of  mine,"  said  the  old  hero,  "will  God  not  pardon  when  I  die ; 
what  will  posterity  most  condemn  in  me?  I  will  tell  you;  not 
for  the  specie-circular;  not  the  removal  of  the  deposits  (which 
was  the  material  of  the  'expunged  resolution')  ;  none  of  these, 
but  because  I  was  persuaded  not  to  hang  John  C.  Calhoun  as 
a  traitor,  which  I  fully  intended  to  do."  And  Calhoun  was  the 
leader  of  the  Democrats,  although  Thomas  H.  Benton  repre- 
sented the  Jackson  adherents  in  the  Senate,  thus  "dividing  the 
House  against  itself"  in  many  an  issue;  for  it  was  "Old  Bullion," 
as  Senator  Benton  was  called,  who  fought  President  Jackson's 
personal  battles  against  the  United  States  Bank  and  forced 
through  the  resolution  "expunging"  the  resolution  censuring 
Jackson  for  removing  the  deposits  from  the  Bank  of  the  United 
States.  All  through  the  early  days  of  John  Fairfield's  service 
in  the  House,  this  expunging  resolution  took  up  the  debates; 
forced  the  bank  issue  on  the  attention  of  the  nation  and  in  the 
campaign  of  1832  was  the  political  rallying  call  of  the  loyal 
Jackson  Democrats  from  sea  to  sea.  Names  familiar  enough 
are  recalled  from  the  Senate  of  that  day.  Tom  Ewing,  John  J. 
Crittenden,  William  C.  Rives,  Richard  H.  Bayard,  Thomas  H. 


6  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Benton,  John  M.  Niles,  Daniel  Webster,  John  Davis,  George 
Evans,  Judge  White  of  Tennessee,  successor  of  Jackson  in  the 
Senate  and  later  his  political  foe — these  are  some  of  the  men 
whom  the  young  Congressman  was  eager  to  see. 

In  Mr.  Fairfield's  own  deliberative  body,  the  House, 
Andrew  Stevenson  of  Virginia  had  long  been  Speaker,  but  was 
to  be  succeeded  by  James  Knox  Polk.  Stevenson  served  for 
four  terms  and  was  a  most  adroit  parliamentarian  and  tacti- 
cian. He  went  from  the  Speaker's  chair  to  the  Court  of  St. 
James  as  Ambassador  and  John  Bell  of  Tennessee  succeeded 
him ;  but  later,  in  Fairfield's  first  term,  Mr.  Van  Buren  secured 
the  election  of  Mr.  James  K.  Polk  and  thereby  passed  the  suc- 
cession of  President  down  the  line.  Mr.  Van  Buren  was  indeed 
adroit.  There  was  also,  in  the  House,  that  interesting  man, 
"Parson"  Brownlow.  He  was  a  tall,  spare  man,  with  long, 
black  hair  and  black  eyes,  sallow  of  complexion,  and  spare  of 
figure.  Parson  Brownlow  led  the  editorial  forces  of  the  Judge 
White  party  against  President  Jackson,  and  he  acquired  a  na- 
tional reputation  by  his  trenchant  writing,  his  defiant  person- 
alities in  debate  and  by  his  marvelous  hold  on  the  popular  fancy 
of  the  East  Tennessee  contingent.  He  was  a  curious  subject 
of  general  interest  because  of  his  persistent  support  of  denom- 
inational doctrines  of  immersion,  and  the  political  doctrine  of 
emancipation  of  the  slaves.  And  he  was  a  Methodist  without 
fear  or  favor.  In  Fairfield's  time  the  first  representative  of 
labor  was  elected  to  Congress  in  the  person  of  Eli  Moore  of 
New  York,  a  journeyman  printer  and  a  very  able  and  powerful 
speaker.  He  made  a  sensation  in  a  reply  to  Waddy  Thompson 
of  South  Carolina  and  after  his  impassioned  and  dramatic  per- 
oration fell  forward  on  the  floor  insensible.  Churchill  Cam- 
breling,  chairman  of  the  Ways  and  Means  Committee,  leader 
of  the  Jackson  men  in  the  House,  was  an  able  man.  Millard 
Fillmore,  Franklin  Pierce,  James  Buchanan,  James  K.  Polk, 
afterwards  Presidents  of  the  United  States,  were  in  Congress 
in  this  period.  A  character  of  whom  Mr.  Fairfield  speaks  was 
Richard  Mentor  Johnson,  a  burly  and  slightly  educated  Ken- 
tuckian,  who  was  reputed  to  have  killed  Tecumseh,  the  great 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  7 

Indian  leader,  at  the  battle  of  the  Thames,  Gaily  dressed  in 
fine  colors,  smooth  of  face  and  piercing  of  eye,  he  looked  more 
like  Tecumseh,  than  did  Tecumseh's  portraits  of  the  time. 
Johnson  was  afterwards  elected  Vice-President  of  the  United 
States  with  Van  Buren,  but  was  later  defeated  in  the  Harrison 
campaign  four  years  later.  Elisha  Whittlesey  of  Ohio  was  in 
the  House.  He  became  auditor  of  the  United  States  after  six- 
teen years  of  service  as  a  Representative.  Gulian  C.  Verplanck 
and  Thomas  J.  Oakley,  two  members  of  the  New  York  state  bar, 
were  prominent  men  in  a  way  and  esteemed  for  pure  ability. 
A  character  of  the  House  was  Dixon  H.  Lewis  of  Alabama,  the 
largest  man  who  had  ever  occupied  a  seat,  or  rather  two  seats, 
in  Congress  and  for  whose  ponderous  figure,  special  chairs  were 
made.  Tom  Corwin,  a  wit  and  a  scholar  from  Ohio,  was  a  true 
personage.  His  name  yet  endures  for  the  brilliancy  of  his  re- 
partee and  the  chaste  and  elegant  style  of  his  oratory. 

Such  were  a  few  of  the  familiar  characters  among  the  men 
of  the  times  of  which  we  write,  under  the  attention  of  some  of 
whom  Mr.  Fairfield  immediately  came.  General  Jackson  had 
already  served  as  President  for  six  years  and  had  passed 
through  the  most  stormy  period  of  his  administration.  The 
first  shock  of  the  nation  at  the  entrance  into  power  of  a  rough 
and  ready  President,  of  courtly  address  when  he  pleased,  and  of 
a  certain  natural  grace,  sweetness  and  winsomeness  of  manner, 
but  of  a  determined  fixity  of  policy  and  a  rude  disregard  of  the 
etiquette  of  kings  and  princes,  had  passed  away.  His  delib- 
erate purpose  to  sweep  from  power  all  political  opponents  and 
reward  by  office  all  party  and  political  friends  had  been  forced 
upon  the  nation  to  the  joy  of  the  partisanship  of  a  triumphant 
democracy.  Old  Hickory  had  made  his  place  in  popular  esteem. 
He  had  an  impressive  dignity  and  power.  He  was  regarded  as  a 
man  of  destiny  and  of  prescience.  And  he  had  lived  through  a 
period  of  fierce  and  bitter  controversy,  some  of  it  based  on  suffi- 
ciently solid  grounds  of  contention.  He  believed  that  those  who 
were  with  him  in  any  issue  were  friends  and  those  opposed 
were  enemies.  He  rarely  left  the  White  House  and  passed  most 
of  his  time  in  the  second  story  of  the  White  House  where  he 


8         LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

kept  his  ofRce,  smoking,  it  is  said,  a  long-stemmed  corn-cob  pipe 
and  surrounded  by  such  of  his  friends  as  he  particularly- 
esteemed.  He  was  sixty-two  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  the 
Presidency.  He  had  a  high  forehead  from  which  the  hair  was 
brushed  back,  a  decisive  nose,  searching,  keen  eyes  and  an 
almost  childish  expression  about  his  mouth.  Ben :  Perley  Poore, 
a  famous  correspondent  of  that  time  who  knew  him  well,  de- 
scribes him  as  a  "self-reliant,  prejudiced  and  often  irascible 
man  whom  it  was  a  very  hard  task  to  manage."  Some  of  his 
advisers  were  always  with  him.  These  made  it  a  point  to  keep 
others  from  ingratiating  themselves  into  his  good  will  and 
some  of  these,  especially  in  the  first  years  of  his  administration, 
1828-32,  were  chronicled  in  the  ballads  of  his  times  as  follows : 

King  Andrew  had  five  trusty  squires 
Whom  he  was  wont  to  do ; 
He  also  had  three  pilot-fish 
To  give  the  sharks  their  cue. 

There  was  Mat  and  Lou  and  Jack  and  Lev, 

And  Roger  of  Taney  hue. 

And  Blair,  the  book, 

And  Kendall,  chief  cook, 

And  Isaac,  surnamed  the  true. 

These  were  "Matt"  Van  Buren,  Secretary  of  State  at  the 
time  the  foregoing  was  written ;  Lou  McLane,  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury;  John  Branch,  Secretary  of  Navy;  Levi  Woodbury, 
his  successor;  and  Roger  B.  Taney  was  Attorney  General. 
Francis  P.  Blair,  Amos  Kendall  and  Isaac  Hill  were  a  group  of 
newspaper  editors  and  staunch  supporters  (Hill  being  respon- 
sible for  swinging  New  Hampshire  toi  Jackson's  support). 
These  three  last  named  were  more  especially  known  as  the 
"Kitchen  Cabinet,"  a  term  that  was  bandied  about  from  sea  to 
sea.  They  were  able  and,  for  the  most  part,  decent  men.  Blair 
and  Kendall  had  been  partners  in  the  publication  of  the  Frank- 
fwt  Argus  and  both  had  deserted  Henry  Clay  when  he  broke 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  9 

for  Adams  against  Jackson ;  had  raised  the  cry  of  "corruption 
and  bargain"  and  had  joined  in  the  movement  that  gave  the 
electoral  vote  to  Jackson.  Blair  came  to  Washington,  entered 
into  partnership  with  William  C.  Rives  as  "Blair  and  Rives" 
and  published  the  Washington  Globe,  a  Jackson  organ,  that  had 
the  name  of  every  Federal  office-holder  on  its  subscription  list. 
Perley's  Reminiscences  of  the  times  says  that  no  hesitation  was 
shown  in  sending  this  paper  to  the  office-holders  under  Jackson ; 
of  sending  the  bill  and,  if  it  be  unpaid,  notifying  the  recipient 
that  unless  he  paid,  his  position  would  be  filled  by  someone  who 
would  pay.  Such  was  the  legitimate  outcome  of  the  new  policy 
of  Mr.  Jackson,  "to  the  victors  belong  the  spoils,"  the  policy  of 
war. 

Mr.  Fairfield  does  not  allude  in  any  of  his  letters  to  his 
wife  of  the  Peggy  O'Neill  affair.  He  would  not  speak  probably 
Of  such  a  matter  to  a  lady,  and  it  had  measurably  passed  out 
of  notice  in  1835.  But  even  in  his  time,  the  politics  of  this 
pertinent  imbroglio  could  not  have  been  unknown  to  Mr.  Fair- 
field. There  was  not  a  Whig  newspaper  in  New  England  that 
did  not  teem  with  allusions  to  Mrs.  Eaton,  even  then.  Some  of 
them  were  not  chaste  or  nice.  We  may  find  in  Maine  news- 
papers of  that  period  allusions  to  President  Jackson's  friend- 
ship for  the  charming  lady,  that  are  as  coarse  as  possible  and 
as  unkind  as  could  be  imagined  even  by  the  most  callous  and 
brutal  enmity.  The  politics  behind  this  subject  demands  a  mo- 
ment of  consideration  in  any  attempt  at  an  effective  setting  of 
the  stage  upon  which  this  young  Maine  Congressman  was 
entering.  Mr.  Webster's  speech  in  reply  to  Hayne  was  delivered 
January  20,  1830,  and  published  to  the  country  on  Feb.  23d, 
after  having  been  carefully  revised  from  the  notes  taken  at  the 
time.  Mr.  Webster  himself  did  this  work  of  revision.  The 
debate  continued  long  after  this  date,  and  it  was  not  until  May 
21st  that  Col.  Thomas  H.  Benton  delivered  the  final  speech,  on 
the  South  Carolina  doctrine  of  nullification.  President  Jackson, 
at  first,  spoke  highly  of  Hayne's  speech  and  said  that  he  con- 
sidered it  abler  than  Webster's  speech ;  but  the  astute  and  long- 
headed Van  Buren,  alarmed  at  this  doctrine  of  nullification  and 


10  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

fearful  of  its  effect  on  the  North,  set  about  slowly  and  silently 
to  demonstrate  to  the  imperious  old  soldier,  who  occupied  the 
Presidential  chair,  that  this  doctrine  could  not  fail  to  be  de- 
structive of  the  Union.  The  reasons  behind  Mr.  Van  Buren's 
attitude  are  variously  explained.  The  political  reasons,  usually 
ascribed,  lead  up  to  John  C.  Calhoun,  whom  Mr.  Van  Buren  did 
not  desire  to  see  further  advanced  in  favor  or  power.  Mr. 
Calhoun  was  not  aware  of  Mr.  Van  Buren's  intri^e  and  it  was 
he  who  organized  for  April  13th,  the  birthday  of  Thomas  Jef- 
ferson, the  Democratic  dinner  of  that  year,  1830,  in  Wash- 
ington. When  the  toasts  were  prepared  and  published,  in  ad- 
vance, as  was  then  the  custom,  it  was  found  that  they  were 
so  strongly  "States'  Rights,"  so  strongly  anti-tariff  and  pro- 
nullification,  that  many  Pennsylvania  Democrats  declined  to 
attend  the  meeting;  and  got  up  an  opposition  dinner  of  their 
own.  General  Jackson  had,  by  this  time,  been  persuaded  of  Cal- 
houn's purposes.  He  attended  the  dinner  but  left  early,  leaving 
a  volunteer  toast  which,  when  read,  fell  like  a  thunderbolt  into 
the  midst  of  the  plotters.  "The  Federal  Union:  It  must  and 
shall  be  maintained."  This  was  President  Jackson's  toast. 
It  stunned  the  South  and  electrified  the  North.  This  was  a 
severe  blow  to  Calhoun  who  had  labored  hard  to  break  down 
Mr.  Adams's  administration,  in  order  that  a  Democratic  party 
might  be  formed  which  would  elect  Mr.  Jackson  first  for  Pres- 
ident and  himself  as  his  successor.  But  Mr.  Van  Buren  had 
other  plans.  Van  Buren  and  others  found  a  letter  which 
William  H.  Crawford,  a  very  powerful  and  prominent  man  of 
the  period,  published,  showing  that  Calhoun  had  once  advocated 
severe  punishment  of  Jackson  for  his  procedure  in  the  Florida 
campaign — a  tender  topic  to  Jackson.  President  Jackson  began 
to  suspect  and  finally  to  discredit  Calhoun  and  finally  to  hate 
him,  with  a  bitterness  that  lasted  to  his  death. 

Mrs.  Eaton,  or  Peggy  O'Neill,  was  a  very  fascinating  and 
beautiful  daughter  of  William  O'Neill,  an  inn-keeper  in  Wash- 
ington. She  was  somewhat  acquainted  with  General  Jackson 
when  he  was  a  Congressman.  She  married  a  handsome  naval 
officer,  John  Bowie  Timberlake,  who  died  under  a  cloud  of  sus- 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  11 

picion,  leaving  his  accounts  in  a  mixed  condition.  Much  con- 
tention arose  over  the  death  of  Timberlake.  Defalcation  was 
charged  that  led  up  either  to  him  or  to  Lieutenant  Randolph,  an 
officer  of  prominence  at  that  time.  Randolph  was  acquitted. 
Amos  Kendall,  fourth  auditor  of  the  Treasury  at  that  time, 
claimed  that  Randolph  was  guilty.  President  Jackson  dismissed 
Randolph  from  the  navy  and  Randolph  pulled  President  Jack- 
son's nose  in  the  cabin  of  a  steamboat  at  the  wharf  in  Alex- 
andria. He  charged  openly  that  Jackson  had  dismissed  him 
and  sustained  Kendall's  findings  because  he  wished  to  relieve 
his  friend.  General  Eaton,  from  liability  as  bondsman  of 
Timberlake. 

General  Eaton  subsequently  married  Mrs.  Timberlake. 
She  was  the  most  beautiful  woman  of  Washington,  but  of  a 
reputation  for  easy  life  and  virtue  that  kept  busy  the  tongue  of 
gossip  and  perhaps  of  slander.  President  Jackson  had  come 
to  Washington  fresh  from  the  griefs  of  the  death  of  his  wife 
whom  he  had  idolized  and  whom  the  tongues  of  slander  had 
often  hurt.  He  breathed  vengeance  against  all  who  had  de- 
famed his  wife  in  the  campaign  and  he  swore  by  the  eternal 
that  they  should  never  drag  the  name  of  his  "old  friend  Peg" 
through  the  mire.  His  kindness  to  her  was  undeviating  and 
his  support  was  loyal.  He  deluged  the  press  with  letters  in 
support  of  her.  He  discussed  the  most  outspoken  attacks  upon 
her  life  and  virtue.  There  is  nowhere  any  suggestion,  in  his- 
tory, of  any  motive  or  animus  that  is  not  the  most  pure  and 
honorable  on  the  part  of  General  Jackson.  It  appears  to  have 
been  altogether  a  chivalric  devotion  to  the  purpose  of  sustain- 
ing the  good  name  of  a  difficult  lady.  Enchanting,  unscrupu- 
lous and  ambitious,  Mrs.  Eaton  had  the  old  soldier  completely 
under  the  influence  of  her  troubles  and  her  griefs.  She  went  to 
him  with  every  sort  of  a  complaint.  He  defended  her  at  a  cost 
of  his  own  good  name  and  his  political  career.  Pages  of  the 
various  biographies  of  Jackson  are  given  over  to  this  contro- 
versy.   It  flooded  the  press.    It  kept  society  alert  and  conscious. 

This  was  Mr.  Van  Buren's  opportunity.  A  widower  with  a 
fine  house  and  abundant  means,  he  made  Mrs.  Eaton  his  hon- 


12  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

ored  guest.  He  entertained  with  great  dinners  to  which  he 
invited  the  society  of  the  day  and  of  which  the  society  of  the  day 
refused  to  take  notice.  Mrs.  Calhoun  especially  refused  to  rec- 
ognize or  to  sit  at  table  with  Mrs.  Eaton.  She  led  indignant 
squads  of  her  women-friends  away  from  the  tables  when  Mrs. 
Eaton  was  installed  as  guest.  Clergymen  denounced  Mrs. 
Eaton.  But  Old  Hickory  attended  the  dinners;  gave  her  all 
attention;  made  her  the  principal  guest  at  state  affairs,  and 
forced  her  to  the  best  of  his  ability  on  Washington  society.  Van 
Buren  was  his  able  assistant.  Every  day  he  won  thereby  the 
favor  of  President  Jackson  and  every  day  Calhoun  lost  it.  Mrs. 
Eaton  determined,  without  doubt,  the  succession  of  the  Pres- 
idency. 

History  has  long  since  written  the  story  of  the  fight  over 
the  United  States  Bank  and  the  power  and  vigor  of  President 
Jackson's  course.  While  Jackson  reigned,  he  seemed  rather 
the  maker  than  the  representative  of  policies.  He  had  headed 
a  Democratic  revolution.  He  was  the  last  of  the  great  makers 
of  that  revolution.  When  Fairfield  went  to  Washington,  the 
Democratic  party,  powerful,  popular,  with  a  leader  of  magnet- 
ism and  of  strength  was  at  the  climax  of  its  glory.  Already 
the  seeds  of  dissolution  were  sown.  It  had  been  a  man  rather 
than  a  party  that  had  won  in  1832,  for  the  contest  had  been  on 
the  re-election  of  General  Jackson  rather  than  on  his  record  as 
President.  The  nullification  issue  was  not  made  a  test  of  doc- 
trine in  that  campaign  although  General  Jackson  took  it  as  a 
verdict  against  South  Carolina  and  Calhoun.  The  Bank  was 
the  General's  hobby  and  the  Bank  was  the  issue.  He  had  been 
tractable  on  the  tariff  and  on  internal  improvements.  On  the 
matter  of  the  Bank  he  stood  resolute  and  unmoved.  He  won 
on  personal  popularity  and  the  people's  love  of  a  fighter  and  of 
a  man  of  resolute  convictions. 

This  is  not  the  place  to  enter  on  a  discussion  of  the  Bank. 
The  purpose  of  this  chapter  is  to  set  up  a  background  of  the 
politics  and  the  social  life  of  the  period,  of  which  historians 
have  written  so  much  and  so  interestingly;  for  it  was  perhaps 
the  most  vital  and  climacteric  period  of  our  national  life.    When 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  13 

Jackson  asserted  that  the  Bank  had  spent  its  money — the  money 
of  the  people — to  defeat  him,  he  believed  it.  And  he  believed 
it  because  such  men  as  Isaac  Hill  and  Levi  Woodbury  of  New 
Hampshire,  bankers  themselves  and  men  of  influence,  told  him 
so,  and  when  Amos  Kendall  of  Kentucky  "proved"  to  him  that 
the  Bank  had  spent  money  in  Kentucky  to  defeat  him,  Old 
Hickory  believed  that  he  was  on  safe  ground  in  asserting  it 
and  maintaining  it.  And  this  swung  the  popular  vote.  The 
charter  of  the  Bank  was  safe  until  1836 ;  it  were  wise  for  its 
friends  to  have  let  the  subject  drop;  but  they  did  not.  In  the 
summer  of  1832,  they  applied  for  a  new  charter.  It  passed  both 
houses.  Jackson  met  it  on  the  eve  of  election  with  a  veto  that 
was  delivered  point-blank  and  without  equivocation  and  the 
Clay  men  and  the  Jackson  men  turned  to  the  country  for  its 
verdict. 

We  hardly  appreciate  at  this  time  what  a  turmoil  this 
thing  made  as  an  issue.  Such  men  as  Fairfield  fought  this  to 
the  finish.  Statesmen  might  approve  of  the  Bank,  but  under 
the  circumstances,  the  people  regarded  it  with  suspicion;  else 
why  General  Jackson's  opposition?  The  people  saw  in  Jackson 
a  defender  against  Capitalism.  They  saw  in  him  a  deliverer. 
He  interpreted  the  verdict  of  that  election  as  a  command  to 
destroy  the  Bank.  Its  fate  was  sealed.  He  began  immediately 
his  work.  He  asked  for  an  investigation  as  to  whether  or  not 
it  were  safe  to  peirmit  the  deposits  of  the  United  States  to 
remain  longer  in  the  Bank.  No  one  had  doubted  its  solvency,  but 
this  act  of  Jackson  cast  discredit  upon  it.  The  House  immedi- 
ately declared  that  the  deposits  were  safe  in  the  Bank.  General 
Jackson  decided  to  act  on  his  own  responsibility.  He  resolved 
that  the  Bank  should  no  longer  be  custodian  of  the  Federal 
funds.  Lou  McLane  of  Delaware,  a  friend  of  Jackson,  was  Sec- 
retary of  the  Treasury.  He  was  favorable  to  the  Bank.  Jack- 
son transferred  him  from  that  place  to  Secretary  of  State; 
appointed  Edward  Livingstone,  then  Secretary  of  State,  to  be 
minister  to  France ;  put  William  J.  Duane  of  Pennsylvania,  an 
opponent  of  the  Bank,  in  the  Treasury  Department,  and  the  way 
was  thought  to  be  clear.    Mr.  Duane  showed  scruples  and  was 


14  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

removed.  Roger  B.  Taney  of  Maryland,  Attorney  General,  later 
a  figure  in  the  Dredd  Scott  decision,  was  more  placable  and  he 
accepted.  An  order  from  Taney  removed  the  Federal  deposits 
on  September  26th,  1833,  and  the  thing  done  at  infinite  hazard 
of  a  financial  panic  was  accomplished. 

The  turmoil  of  the  country  may  be  imagined  but  not  de- 
scribed. The  President  took  all  the  responsibility.  His  own 
Cabinet  had  been  opposed  to  the  removal  of  the  deposits.  Taney 
was  admittedly  only  the  servant  of  the  President  in  the  matter. 
Jackson  declared  that  the  issue  was  clear,  and  that,  simply 
stated,  it  was  as  follows :  "Whether  the  people  were  to  govern 
or  whether  the  power  and  the  money  of  a  great  corporation  were 
to  be  used  to  influence  their  judgment  and  control  their  decis- 
ions."   How  like  the  frequent  utterances  of  the  present  day ! 

The  House  of  1832  was  controlled  by  friends  of  Jackson. 
The  Senate,  led  by  Clay,  was  controlled  by  Jackson's  foes.  The 
Senate  spread  on  its  records  the  resolution  of  a  formal  censure 
of  President  Jackson  for  the  removal  of  the  Federal  deposits 
from  the  Bank  of  the  United  States,  which  was  the  issue  of  the 
tremendous  agitation  of  debate  on  a  motion  to  "expunge"  that 
runs  through  the  letters  of  John  Fairfield.  General  Jackson 
replied  to  this  resolution  with  vigor  and  force.  He  asserted 
that  he  was  bound  by  no  precedent  and  recognized  nothing  else 
but  his  own  conviction  of  duty  as  a  representative  of  the  people 
under  the  Constitution.  The  fate  of  the  Bank  was  sealed.  It 
gave  up  its  charter  in  1836  and  accepted,  instead,  a  charter  from 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

By  1835,  when  John  Fairfield  went  to  Congress,  the  results 
of  Jackson's  policies  had  begun  to  be  felt.  Jackson  said  that  the 
Bank  did  not  give  a  stable  currency.  The  death  of  the  Bank 
was  followed  by  inflation  of  bank  issues,  and  the  establishment 
of  so-called  "pet-banks"  in  which  the  funds  of  the  Federal  gov- 
ernment were  deposited,  all  of  them  Democratic  banks,  and 
charged  with  political  power.  State  banks  came  in  again. 
State  legislatures  multiplied  charters  without  safeguards  and 
without  limit.  All  banks  were  banks  of  issue.  Paper  money 
began  to  pour  out  without  limit  and  without  security.     It  was 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  15 

a  period  of  inflation,  of  glittering  optimism  and  of  joy.  In 
1835,  the  close  of  the  year  when  John  Fairfield  went  to  Con- 
gress, the  nation  was  out  of  debt  and  Jackson  had  declared  for 
a  distribution  of  the  surplus  among  the  States.  He  pricked  the 
bubble  of  his  own  making.  For  this  joyous  experience  of  a 
surplus  of  cash  was  soon  to  be  followed  by  another  sort  of 
financial  experience — ^the  experience  of  the  panic  of  1837,  in 
which  business  was  prostrated,  ruin  followed  upon  the  heels  of 
success  and  business  concern  after  business  concern,  banking 
institution  after  banking  institution  went  down  in  one  nation- 
wide crash. 

It  was  indeed  a  period  worth  chronicling,  and  any  sort  of 
comment,  even  the  most  trivial,  throwing  light  upon  the  con- 
temporary state  of  mind  or  upon  the  character  and  abilities  of 
the  actors  in  this  great  political  drama  of  1835  to  1847  is  of 
interest  to  those  who  are  to  write  the  history  of  this  nation  in 
the  years  to  come. 


CHAPTER  II 

The  Letters  of  Fairfield 

The  locomotive  and  the  steamboat  were  new  things  even  in 
1835.  The  first  locomotive  in  America  was  then  only  ten  years 
old.  Mr.  Fairfield's  predecessors  from  Maine  in  the  early  years 
of  its  statehood,  which  began  in  1820,  went  to  Washington  by 
stage.  The  old  stage  route  from  Maine  to  Boston  continued 
from  Boston  via  Worcester,  Springfield,  Hartford  and  Norwalk 
to  New  York.  Passengers  paid  ten  dollars  a  seat  from  Boston 
to  New  York  and  were  fifty-six  hours  on  the  road.  In  about 
1825,  this  gave  way  to  a  steamboat  line,  via  Providence  to  New 
York,  which  carried  passengers  in  twenty-four  hours,  at  a  fare 
of  five  dollars  each. 

Stage  books  for  the  Providence  line  were  kept  in  Boston  in 
various  places  and  those  wishing  to  go,  registered  their  names. 
The  central  stage  office  was  at  the  Marlboro  Hotel.  At  four 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  a  man  started  out  in  a  chaise  and  went 
about,  waking  the  people  who  had  registered.  As  the  Old  South 
Church  clock  struck  five,  whips  cracked  and  the  stage  coaches 
started  at  ten  miles  an  hour  for  New  York,  stopping  at  Timothy 
Gay's  tavern  in  Dedham  for  breakfast. 

The  steamboats  lay  at  India  wharf  in  Providence  and  the 
stages  reached  there  at  about  half-past  eleven  o'clock.  There 
were  no  staterooms  and  the  24-hour  trip  imposed  many  incon- 
veniences and  even  some  hardships.  Arriving  at  New  York, 
the  passengers  were  landed  at  the  foot  of  the  pier.  The  city 
did  not  then  reach  above  Broome  Street,  although  above  that 
point  there  were  the  villages  of  Greenwich,  Bloomington,  York- 
ville  and  Harlem.  The  Boston  stages  stopped  at  Hall's  "North 
American  Hotel"  at  the  corner  of  Bayard  Street  and  the 
Bowery. 

From  New  York,  travelers  to  Washington  in  1825  to  1830 
went  south  probably  by  steamboat  to  Elizabethsport  and  were 
transferred  across  Jersey  to  Bordentown  on  the  Delaware  River 
where  a  steamer  transported  them  to  Philadelphia.  Many  of  the 


18  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

passengers  remained  over  a  day  at  Philadelphia  as  the  journey- 
had  by  this  time  become  fatiguing.  From  Philadelphia  by 
steamboat  to  New  Castle;  thence  by  stages  to  Frenchtown  on 
the  Elk  River ;  there  re-embarking  on  steamers,  they  went  down 
around  into  Baltimore.  This  was  another  long  and  wearisome 
trip.  At  each  change  the  passenger  had  to  look  after  his  own 
baggage.  Checking  systems  were  unknown.  Between  Balti- 
more and  Washington  they  went  over  the  old  turnpike,  where 
many  daring  hold-ups  by  highwaymen  had  been  perpetrated 
and  where  in  those  days  the  agent  carried  a  blunderbuss  loaded 
with  slugs  for  protection  of  mail  and  passenger. 

It  appears  from  Mr.  Fairfield's  letters  that  he  went  all  of 
the  way  from  Boston  to  Washington  by  steam ;  and  part  of  the 
way  at  the  speed  of  26  miles  an  hour ;  which  must  have  meant 
by  railroad  for  a  portion  of  the  way.  In  1828,  there  were  six 
hotels  in  Washington,  the  favorite  being  the  Indian  Queen,  kept 
by  Jesse  Brown,  who  used  to  come  to  the  curbstone  to  welcome 
his  coming  guests.  The  price  of  board  was  ten  dollars  a  week, 
and  the  food  was  sumptuous  and  plentiful.  Brandy  and  whis- 
key were  on  the  table  in  decanters  without  extra  charge. 

In  1830  to  '35,  the  city  of  Washington  was  decidedly  a  "city 
of  magnificent  distances."  The  capitol  had  been  pronounced 
"complete"  in  1825.  There  was  a  group  of  shabby  houses 
around  the  Navy  Yard ;  another  cluster  on  the  river  bank  just 
above  the  arsenal,  which  was  then  set  out  for  the  business  cen- 
ter of  the  city;  and  Pennsylvania  Avenue  from  the  Capitol  to 
Georgetown  was  lined  with  tenements,  many  of  them  with  shops 
on  the  ground  floor.  The  executive  departments  in  1835  were 
located  in  four  brick  buildings  on  the  corner  of  the  square  in 
the  center  of  which  was  the  "White  House."  There  was  one 
small  theatre  occasionally  opened  for  plays;  and  perhaps  an- 
other had  been  opened  by  the  time  of  Fairfield's  coming  to 
Washington.  At  this  theatre  Junius  Brutus  Booth,  Forrest 
(not  yet  famous),  Cooper  and  others  are  said  to  have  played. 
Fanny  Kemble  was  a  favorite  of  President  Adams.  The  pop- 
ular performance  of  the  days  of  President  Adams  was  "Tom 
and  Jerry,  or  Life  in  London."    There  was  much  of  gambling, 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  19 

Mrs.  Clay  saying  that  she  did  not  object  to  Mr.  Clay's  whist, 
because  he  almost  always  won.  There  was  much  of  dueling, 
much  of  social  life  and  many  balls  and  dances  in  which  the  most 
rigorous  of  evening  dress  was  demanded,  silk  hose,  knee 
breeches  and  pumps,  a  good  deal  of  drinking  and  roistering. 

The  most  elegant  estate  in  Washington  in  Jackson's  time 
was  the  Van  Ness  mansion  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac  at  the 
foot  of  Seventeenth  Street.  John  Van  Ness  had  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  House  from  the  state  of  New  York,  but  gave  up  his 
seat  in  the  House  for  an  appointment  as  Major  of  the  Militia 
in  the  District  Volunteers. 

Here  was  a  "mansion"  which  cost  the  then  fabulous  sum 
of  $30,000  in  which  entertainments  the  most  costly  and  lavish 
were  given ;  "a  mansion,"  as  a  chronicler  of  that  day  says,  "fit 
for  a  king."  Major  Van  Ness  was  president  of  a  bank,  mayor 
of  Washington,  philanthropist  and  benefactor  of  all,  and  yet 
always  just  a  little  short  of  ready  money.  General  Jackson  was 
a  frequent  guest  at  this  home.  It  was  during  Mr.  Fairfield's 
term  in  Congress  that  the  automatic  chess-players  and  other 
automata  made  such  a  deep  impression  on  the  public  life  of  the 
nation.  In  the  current  journalism  of  the  times,  there  is  no  sub- 
ject more  under  comment.  In  this  period  (the  subject  may  be 
hardly  worth  notice)  Mrs.  Alexander  Hamilton,  widow  of  the 
great  Hamilton,  introduced  ice-cream  into  the  cuisine  of  Wash- 
ington. Mr.  Fairfield  refers  to  viands  which  may  be  fairly  sup- 
posed to  be  this  delectable  which  at  the  time  made  the  most  tre- 
mendous sensation  in  fashionable  society.  President  Jackson 
was  fond  of  ice  cream  and  served  it  at  all  White  House  affairs. 

Although  debates  in  Congress  were  of  the  most  vital  and 
interesting  sort,  the  attendance  of  the  public  upon  them  was 
very  small,  owing  to  the  limited  room  for  visitors.  The  Senate 
Chamber  was  small  and  while  ladies  managed  to  get  seats  either 
on  the  floor  of  the  Senate  as  was  then  permitted  or  in  the  lim- 
ited gallery  space,  the  men  had  to  be  content  with  uncomfortable 
positions  leaning  against  pillars  or  peeping  through  the  doors. 
Mr.  Van  Buren  presided  as  Vice-President  with  imperturbable 
grace  and  fairness  and  stood  for  the  gibes  of  his  political  ene- 


20  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

mies  with  a  smile  and  a  politeness  that  never  were  disturbed. 
John  C.  Calhoun  who  had  resigned  as  Vice-President  that  he 
might  be  elected  a  Senator  was  almost  the  only  Senator  who 
broke  the  unwritten  law  of  the  Senate  and  appeared  in  anything 
but  the  dress  suits  of  black  broadcloth  which  were  the  require- 
ments of  the  time.  With  his  pale  attenuated  look,  his  scholarly 
face  and  his  reputation  for  the  strictest  probity  and  the  finest 
personal  character  he  was  a  personage  to  attract  the  attention 
of  the  young  Congressman  from  Maine  and  he  frequently 
alludes  to  him.  Congress  usually  convened  at  about  noon  and 
adjourned  at  5  P.M.  and  almost  always  adjourned  over  from 
Thursday  until  Monday. 

On  January  8th  of  1835,  the  year  of  John  Fairfield's  ar- 
rival in  Washington,  President  Jackson  gave  a  dinner.  It  was 
not  only  the  anniversary  of  the  battle  of  New  Orleans  but  on 
that  day  the  last  dollar  of  the  national  debt  was  paid.  General 
Jackson  was  jubilant.  "At  last  the  apparition  so  long  unseen 
on  earth,"  said  he,  "a  nation,  a  great  nation  without  a  national 
debt." 

Such,  in  a  brief  way,  is  the  environment  and  such  are  the 
political  conditions  into  which  Mr.  Fairfield  goes  and  under 
which  he  writes.  It  is  agreed  by  all  historians  and  commen- 
tators that  the  company  of  statesmen  was  brilliant.  Moore's 
History  of  Congress  says  that  it  was  the  most  brilliant  of  our 
national  life. 

In  the  period  covered  by  Mr.  Fairfield's  letters,  seven  Pres- 
idents were  seat  mates  with  him,  either  in  the  House  or  the 
Senate.  They  were  Polk,  Buchanan,  Johnson,  Pierce,  Tyler, 
Fillmore,  and  Lincoln,  who  was  in  Congress  in  1846.  His  let- 
ters of  the  year  1835  cover  the  period  of  the  debates  over  the 
resolution  to  expunge  the  censure  of  the  President  and  the  final 
days  of  the  Bank.  Up  to  1830,  members  had  usually  sat  in  the 
House  with  their  hats  on,  a  custom  that  had  come  down  from 
the  Continental  Congress.  It  was  thought  to  be  a  great  honor 
for  the  House  to  "uncover"  for  anything  or  anybody.  The 
Speaker  would  sit  through  all  the  session  with  his  hat  on,  but 
when  he  rose  to  call  the  attention  of  the  House  to  any  matter 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  21 

he  would  remove  his  hat.  About  five  years  previous  to  John 
Fairfield's  entrance  into  Congress  "cloak  rooms"  were  intro- 
duced and  gradually  members  discontinued  the  habit  of  wear- 
ing hats  during  the  session.  It  was  the  habit  in  both  branches 
of  Congress  to  have  great  silver  urns  filled  with  the  choicest 
and  most  fragrant  "Maccaboy"  and  "Old  Scotch"  snuff  placed 
where  members  could  help  themselves  freely.  It  was  no  un- 
common thing  to  see  a  speaker  who  was  delivering  an  epoch- 
making  address  to  the  House  or  Senate,  stop  suddenly,  go  over 
to  the  silver  urn,  take  a  sniff,  sneeze  once  or  twice,  flourish  his 
bandana  and  resume  his  eloquence.  Mr.  Macon  and  Mr.  Clay 
were  esteemed  to  be  the  most  graceful  snuff -takers  in  the  Sen- 
ate, Mr.  Clay  affecting  the  French  manner  in  so  doing.  The 
representatives  were  partial  to  a  beverage  called  "Switchell," 
supplied  by  the  nation  generously  and  in  charge  of  a  dispensing 
official.  It  was  made  of  molasses,  ginger,  pure  water  from  the 
Capital  spring  and  "flavored"  with  Jamaica  rum.  During  ex- 
citing debates  vast  quantities  of  it  were  consumed.  It  will  be 
noticed  that  Mr.  Fairfield  speaks  often  of  writing  with  a  steel 
pen.  In  each  house  were  official  pen-makers  who  mended  the 
goose-quills  used  by  the  members,  and  official  sealers  who  sealed 
the  letters  of  the  members  with  red  wax.  Everything  was  ex- 
ceedingly formal  and  simplicity  was  far  from  fashionable.  The 
steel  pen  was  introduced  just  previous  to  1835  by  Nathaniel 
P.  Willis,  a  son  of  a  Portland,  Maine,  editor,  himself  a  poet 
and  a  literateur,  then  a  Washington  correspondent.  Mr.  Willis 
had  been  traveling  in  Europe,  had  visited  Charles  Lamb, 
Bulwer-Lytton,  Barry  Cornwall  and  many  others  of  the  lions  of 
the  day  and  had  brought  to  Washington  steel  pens  made  by 
Joseph  Gillott. 

It  will  be  noticed  in  the  beginning  of  Mr.  Fairfield's  letter 
how  close  and  intimate  was  the  life.  He  might  have  "messed" 
with  "Old  Bullion,"  Col.  Benton,  but  did  not  like  the  appear- 
ance of  the  house.  He  meets  Judge  White,  Senator  from  Ten- 
nessee, the  implacable  foe  of  Jackson  and  leader  of  an  opposi- 
tion to  him.  He  meets  John  Bell,  Speaker  of  the  22d  Congress, 
soon  to  resign — a  person  of  fine  imposing  presence  and  great 


22  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

natural  ability.  He  messes  with  Buchanan  whom  he  admires, 
and  has  apparently  unusual  opportunities  for  close  acquaint- 
ance with  the  men  of  the  times,  as  is  indicated  in  the  letters 
which  follow. 


JOHN  FAIRFIELD^S  LETTERS 

Arrives  in  Washington 

Washington,  Dec.  4th,  1835, 
Dear  Wife, 

Here  I  am  at  Washington — and  embrace  the  first  moment 
to  write  you  a  line.  We  arrived  here  last  evening  Thursday  as 
we  calculated.  Our  passage  a  part  of  the  way  was  not  very 
comfortable  in  consequence  of  the  extreme  cold.  From  Boston 
our  progress  has  been  altogether  effected  by  steam — and  a 
part  of  the  way  at  the  rate  of  26  miles  an  hour.  My  health  is 
good — and  Oh,  how  I  long  to  hear  the  same  of  the  rest  of  you 
at  home.  I  reproach  myself  that  I  did  not  make  you  promise 
to  write  me  by  the  next  mail  after  1  left,  and  so  on  every  mail 
afterward  for  an  indefinite  time.  I  had  no  idea  before  being 
put  to  the  trial,  how  hard  it  would  be  for  me  to  quit  you  and 
ours.  But  I  need  say  nothing  in  regard  to  this — you  know 
what  I  feel — and  I  know  whose  sympathies  mingle  with  mine. 

* 

On  our  way,  we  fell  in  with  Smith^  from  own  State — Bean, 
Hubbard,  Hill,  Burns  &  Pierce-  from  N.  Hampshire  and  sev- 
eral members  from  other  States  with  whom  we  came  on.  We 
arrived  here  about  8  o'clock,  and  the  N.  Y.  members  having 
left  one  of  their  number  in  charge  of  the  baggage  ran  up  to 
the  Capitol  to  secure  seats — most  of  them  having  been  taken 
before,  many  of  the  members  having  been  here  a  week.  With 
the  N.  H.  members  I  went  up  this  morning  by  daylight,  and 
selected  a  seat  from  among  those  that  were  left  which  I  think 
almost  as  good  as  any  in  the  house.  It  is  in  the  3d  row  from 
the  Speaker's  chair  and  a  corner  box.  I  will  by  and  by  make 
a  little  diagram  of  the  house  and  show  you  where  I  and  all 
the  other  great  folks  are  located. 

When  we  got  to  Baltimore,  whom  should  we  meet  but  Par- 
son Clark — and  on  his  saying  that  he  was  going  on  to  Wash- 
ington in  the  car  with  us  I  asked  him  as  a  matter  of  joke 
whether  he  was  going  to  put  in  his  claims  for  Chaplain  to  Con- 
gress, when  what  should  he  do  but  hand  out  letters  of  recom- 
mendation from  gentlemen  in  B.  to  members  of  Congress, 
nominating  him  for  that  place.    He  did  not  ask  for  my  vote. 

Tell  Mr.  Haines  that  probably  Polk  will  be  elected  Speaker 
on  the  first  ballot — Mason  having  most  magnanimously  de- 
clined being  a  candidate.      The  news   here   from   Mississippi 


24  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

leaves  it  very  doubtful  as  to  what  is  the  result  of  their  elections. 
Gayarre,  the  Louisianan  Senator,  has  resigned.  This  is  too 
bad,  considering  the  present  state  of  the  Senate.  You  must 
now  begin  to  take  some  interest  in  politics — or  you  perhaps 
won't  like  all  my  letters.  Many  of  them,  however,  will  answer 
for  you  and  Mr.  Haines  both.  Do  write  often.  Do  let  the  boys 
carry  out  the  plan  I  laid  for  them — keep  a  diary — it  will  not 
only  delight  me,  but  be  an  excellent  exercise  for  them.  I  told 
Judge  Ruggles  of  it,  and  he  said  he  should  write  home  and 
make  his  children  do  the  same.  We  called  on  the  President 
today.  He  is  in  fine  health  and  spirits.  I  think  his  message 
will  not  breathe  much  of  a  spirit  of  war. 
Yours  ever, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

^F.  O.  J.  Smith  of  Portland,  a  prominent  railroad  builder,  business 
man  and  political   leader,   a  Democrat. 

^Franklin  Pierce,  afterward  President  of  the  U.  S.  It  is  freely  said  that 
had  Fairfield  not  died  untimely,  his  position  of  prominence  ■would  have  made 
him  President  rather  than  Pierce.  He  was  the  superior  of  Pierce  in  every 
way. 


Seeks  Lodging 

Washington,  Dec.  5th,  Saturday. 
Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  we  called  on  the  President,  Mr.  Woodbury  and 
Amos  Kendall.  Today  we  have  been  running  most  of  the  time 
to  obtain  a  boarding  place.  Have  examined  a  good  many  rooms 
etc.,  but  do  not  get  exactly  suited.  At  Mrs.  Harbaugh's,  there 
was  an  excellent  mess — say  Messrs.  Grundy  &  Robinson  of  the 
Senate,  Mann  of  N.  Y.,  Johnson  of  Ten.,  and  Conner  of  N.  C.  of 
the  House — but  then,  the  best  rooms  had  been  taken — and  she 
wanted  us  to  go  into  the  third  story  and  pay  $10 — this  was  up 
near  half  a  mile  from  the  Capitol. 

Afterward  we  looked  at  Dawson's  rooms  on  the  hill  near 
the  Capitol.  There  we  found  Col.  BentonS  and  would  have 
been  right  glad  to  have  become  his  messmates — but  then  the 
house  appeared  to  be  old,  and  cracky — and  the  furniture  in 
good  keeping  with  it — so  we  couldn't  go  that,  and  passed  on. 
Our  next  place  was  Mrs.  Hill's  on  Pennsylvania  Avenue — a 
pretty  good  location — good  house — good  furniture — fine  look- 
ing, smart  landlady — and  a  pretty  good  mess  of  Now  Yorkers 
and  Connecticuters — but,  then,  the  price  was  too  much — $12. 
After  our  leaving,  however,  she  concluded  to  come  down  to  $10, 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  25 

but,  then,  she  had  in  the  meantime  taken  in  an  opposition  man 
with  his  wife — so  what  we  shall  now  do  I  don't  know — we 
would  rather  prefer  being  with  those  of  the  same  political 
complexion.  I'll  let  you  know  more  about  it  on  Monday,  till 
then  we  shall  probably  remain  where  we  are,  at  Gadsby's. 

Tomorrow  is  Sunday  and  I  shall  go  to  hear  Mr,  Palfrey. 
There  are  several  candidates  for  the  Chaplaincy  of  the  House, 
among  the  rest  Rev.  Mr.  Clark,  Mr.  Fisk,  editor  of  the  Re- 
former, Boston,  Mr.  Stockton,  an  eloquent  man  who  was  Chap- 
^ ..  lain  year  before  last.  After  throwing  my  first  vote  to  Mr. 
Palfrey,  our  Unitarian  minister  here,  as  a  matter  of  compli- 
ment, I  think  I  shall  go  for  Mr.  Stockton  who  is  a  Methodist. 

Today  I  have  looked  a  little  at  the  Capitol  and  found — 
upon  the  whole  I  have  hardly  time  or  room  for  description. 
Having  at  least  six  months  before  me  I  hope  I  shall  be  enabled 
to  give  you  some  definite  ideas  of  matters  and  things  here,  so 
no  more  at  present.  Your  husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

^Thomas  H.  Benton  of  Missouri,  a  great  figure  in  the  Senate  for  thirty- 
years,  author  of  "Thirty  Tears  View";  dueUist;  orator;  soldier;  editor; 
father-in-law  of  Fremont  and  the  great  representative  of  the  Newer 
West    in    ante-bellum    days. 


Senator  Smith's  Sudden  Death 

Washington,  Dec.  6. 
Dear  Ann, 

Last  night  about  1  o'clock,  I  believe,  Mr.  Smith,  a  Senator 
from  Connecticut  died.  His  death  has  been  most  sudden  and 
melancholy.  He  came  on  in  the  steamboat  with  us,  having  his 
wife  and  I  believe  a  daughter  with  him.  He  appeared  in  per- 
fect health  and  laughed  and  talked  much.  I  have  not  learned 
the  particulars,  but  believe  he  had  an  apoplectic  fit.  He  was 
a  large,  fleshy  man,  dressed  in  the  old  style,  having  white  top 
boots,  small  clothes,  etc.,  and  having  his  head  profusely  pow- 
dered. 

We  are  still  at  Gadsby's.  Hope  to  get  a  boarding  place  to- 
morrow. Mr.  S.  and  I  occupy  the  same  chamber,  having  all 
the  time,  night  and  day,  a  good  coal  fire.  It  is  very  comfortable, 
but  accompanied  with  the  inconvenience  of  having  everything 
in  the  chamber  covered  with  dust. 

I  have  met  with,  and  been  introduced  to  many  of  the  great 
men.  Judge  White  called  on  the  President  while  we  were 
there.    Their  meeting  was  civil,  but  I  suspect  there  was   but 


26  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

little  of  that  cordiality  that  used  to  characterize  their  inter- 
course. Mr.  Bell  also  I  have  met.  He  is  a  fine  looking  man, 
rather  handsome,  but  it  is  said  he  does  not  feel  well.  I  have 
no  doubt  Polk  will  take  his  place  as  Speaker. 

Ever  yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Pays  $8  Week  for  Room  Including  Fire  and  Two  Candles 

Washington,  Dec.  8,  1835. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  am  now  writing  on  my  own  table  in  my  own  chamber,  in 
the  fourth  story  of  Mrs.  S.  F.  Hill's  house,  Pennsylvania  Ave. 
After  examining  most  of  the  houses,  messes,  etc.,  etc.,  I  con- 
cluded upon  the  whole  to  come  here  with  Judge  Ruggles  and 
Col.  Hall  from  Maine.  Mr.  Shepley  has  not  yet  determined 
whether  to  come  or  not,  tho  I  think  he  will. 

The  prices  are  graduated  from  $12  to  $8.  My  room  be- 
ing in  the  4th  story  and  rather  small,  I  pay  $8  a  week.  This 
includes  a  fire,  and  lights,  to  wit  two  spermaceti  candles  and  a 
wood  fire — which  I  think  I  shall  prefer  to  coal  which  some  of 
the  boarders  have.  Our  mess  at  present  is  composed  of  4 
from  N.  York,  3  from  Connecticut  and  3  from  Maine,  to  wit: 
Messrs.  Doubleday  (who  by  the  way,  is  as  dark  as  night), 
Phelps,  Hunt  and  Leonard    from   N.    York;   Messrs.    TouceyS 

Wildman  and from  Conn.     There  is  room  for  3  or  4 

more,  and  I  believe  Madame  is  now  expecting  beside  Mr.  Shep- 
ley, Mr.  Polk,  the  Speaker. 

The  house  has  an  excellent  reputation,  and  judging  from 
first  impressions,  the  mess  a  good  one.  They  are  all  good  demo- 
crats and  true  except  Hunt  from  N.  Y.,  who  is  an  anti-mason, 
and  on  the  whole  perhaps  a  little  inclined  to  go  with  us. 

The  waiter  has  just  popped  his  head  into  the  door  and 
says  he  must  have  my  letter,  as  he  is  going  to  the  P.  0.  The 
mail  I  believe  closes  at  9  o'clock  in  the  evening.  I  will  write 
again  tomorrow.    Love  to  all.  Your  husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

I  enclose  you  my  card.  Should  be  very  happy  to  have  you 
call  on  me  soon.  You  will  perceive  I  have  had  a  fac  simile  en- 
graved.    I  have  regretted  it  since  I  ordered  it,  as  it  affords  fa- 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 


27 


cilities  to  those  disposed  to  counterfeit.    Hope  I  shall  hear  from 
you  tomorrow,  I  have  not  time  to  read  this  over,  etc.,  etc. 


I 


j^ioS^x^'d-^ 


'Isaac  Toucey  of  Hartford,  Ct.,  was  quite  a  "big  gun"  for  the  young 
Maine  Congressman  to  meet,  altho  this  was  his  first  term  in  the  House. 
He  became  Governor  of  Connecticut,  U.  S.  Senator,  Attorney  General  of 
the  U.  S.,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  under  Pres.  Buchanan.  It  was  he  «w<ho 
came  under  such  disfavor  among  the  republicans  who  charged  him  with 
active  sympathy  with  the  South  just  prior  to  secession,  by  sending  the  war 
ships  of  the  U.  S.  to  foreign  stations  where  they  could  not  be  quickly  re- 
called  to   serve   against   seceding   states.      He   died    in   1869. 


Attends  a  Funeral 

Washington,  Dec.  9,  1835. 
Dear  Wife, 

Today  we  have  done  nothing  but  attend  the  funeral  of 
Mr.  Smith,  Senator  from  Connecticut.  The  order  of  procession 
I  enclose  you.  The  carriages  in  procession  extended  I  should 
think  near  half  a  mile,  furnished  and  all  other  expenses, 
amounting,  it  is  said  to  about  $2000,  paid  by  the  Government. 

The  services  on  the  occasion  were  performed  by  a  clergy- 
man of  this  City  as  I  was  told  by  the  name  of  Digby  or  Higby 
or  something  like  it.  His  address  was  eloquent  and  excellent, 
and  was  delivered  in  the  Senate  Chamber  before  the  Senators 
and  members  of  the  House,  who  filled  the  lower  part  of  the 
hall,  the  ladies  with  their  husbands  and  gallants,  the  gallery. 

I  have  been  to  see  President  Jackson  twice — the  last  time 
was  on  Monday  evening  after  the  election  of  Speaker,  Printer, 
etc.  The  old  gentleman  was  highly  gratified  at  the  result,  and 
in  speaking  of  it  was  highly  animated,  giving  us  some  slight 
specimens  of  his  eloquence.  He  is  a  warm-hearted,  honest  old 
man  as  ever  lived,  and  possesses  talents  too  of  the  first  order, 
notwithstanding  what  many  of  our  Northern  folks  think  of 
him.  He  talks  about  all  matters  freely  and  fearlessly  without 
any  disguise,  and  in  the  straightforward  honesty  and  simplic- 
ity of  style  and  manner  which  you  would  expect  from  what  I 
have  before  said  of  him.    I  wish  some  of  our  good  folks  North 


28  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

could  hear  him  talk  upon  a  subject  in  which  he  was  inter- 
ested,— say  the  French  question,  which  he  talked  about  on  Mon- 
day evening.  I  think  their  opinions  would  undergo  some 
change. 

Mr.  Shepley  has  come  to  our  mess  tonight,  so  we  now 
stand  four  from  Maine,  Shepley\  Ruggles-,  HalP,  Fairfield; 
four  from  N.  York,  Leonard,  Hunt,  Doubleday  and  Lee,  and  3 
from  Conn.,  Toucey,  Phelps  and  Wildman. 

To  Buy  Bed  Cord  for  Fire  Escape 

We  have  just  had  the  cry  of  fire,  which  I  believe  turns  out 
to  be  in  Alexandria,  but  I  am  determined  on  one  thing,  and 
that  is  to  buy  me  two  bed  cords,  connect  them,  and  have  them 
lying  near  my  window  constantly,  so  that  in  case  of  fire,  I 
may  have  some  way  of  escape.  Lodging  in  the  4th  story,  it 
seems  to  me  imprudent  to  be  without  something  of  the  kind. 
1  shall  attend  to  it  tomorrow. 

I  rec'd.  a  line  from  Mr.  Haines  today,  and  was  shocked  to 
hear  of  the  sudden  illness  and  probable  death  of  Cousin  Mari- 
anne Storer.  But  it  is  a  consolation  to  know  that  she  is  pre- 
pared for  death,  and  that  an  exchange  of  worlds  will  be  with 
her  but  an  exchange  of  cares,  vexation,  sorrow  and  death  for 
rich  and  ever  enduring  happiness  at  the  right  hand  of  her  God. 

I  was  introduced  today  to  Bellamy  Storer,  member  from 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  to  whom  I  communicated  the  above.  He  is 
a  cousin  to  Marianne. 

Dear  Wife,  give  my  love  to  the  children.  Tell  Walter  I 
shall  write  him  tomorrow  if  I  can,  and  to  George  very  soon. 
Kiss  Sarah  and  Augusta  for  me,  and  tell  all  of  them  if  they 
want  to  please  Father,  they  must  be  good  children,  do  as  Ma 
wants  them  to  do,  and  try  to  help  her  all  they  can. 

Love  to  Sister  Martha  and  all  inquiring  friends. 
Your  affectionate  husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

^Ether  Shepley  (dem.),  Saco,  who  was  a  U.  S.  Senator  for  1833-36,  re- 
signed to  accept  an  appointment  to  the   Supreme   Court. 

'John  Ruggles,  U.  S.  Senator   (dem.),  Thomaston,   1835-41. 

'Joseph  Hall  (dem.),  Camden,  member  of  House  in  the  24th  Congrress, 
1835-37. 


WILLIAM   P.    HAINES 
John  Fairfield's  Law  Partner  in  Saco 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  29 

The  Death  of  a  Messmate 

Washington,  Dec.  10,  1835. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

In  the  forenoon  I  wrote  to  Walter,  not  intending  to  write 
again  today,  but  an  event  has  occurred  which  induces  me  to 
write  again. 

When  I  came  from  the  Capitol  at  3  o'clock  I  was  aston- 
ished to  learn  that  Judge  Wildman,  one  of  our  Messmates,  was 
dying.  How  sudden,  and  awful.  When  we  came  here,  he  was 
afflicted  as  we  thought  with  a  slight  cold,  by  which,  however, 
he  was  confined  to  his  room. 

Yesterday  he  wanted  to  go  out  and  attend  the  funeral  of 
his  Colleague,  Mr.  Smith,  but  was  dissuaded  from  it  by  one  of 
our  boarders,  Mr.  Hunt.  He  sat  up  last  evening  and  wrote 
letters  home,  and  no  one  dreamed  of  his  being  dangerously  ill. 

Thus  things  remained  until  we  were  met  with  the  as- 
tounding news  on  returning  today  that  he  was  dying.  He  is 
somewhat  advanced  in  life,  perhaps  from  60  to  65  or  more,  and 
appeared  to  have  a  very  feeble  constitution,  one  that  was  incap- 
able of  resisting  a  severe  attack  of  any  disorder.  It  is  hard 
to  realize  the  fact  that  he  is  gone,  so  late  was  he  among  us 
talking  about  and  taking  an  interest  in  the  things  of  the  day. 
Such  events  are  calculated  to  impress  us  strongly  with  a 
sense  of  our  frailty,  and  admonish  us  to  have  our  houses  set  in 
order,  and  be  ready  whenever  our  Master  calls.  Mr.  Kane  of 
the  Senate,  I  understand,  is  also  sick  in  this  City  and  is  not  ex- 
pected to  recover.  Why  these  numerous  deaths  in  the  national 
delegation  I  cannot  tell.  It  seems  otherwise  to  be  healthy. 
As  for  myself  I  hardly  ever  enjoyed  better  health,  and  such 
is  apparently  the  case  with  Mr.  Shepley  and  Mr.  Ruggles,  ex- 
cept a  slight  cold. 

The  House  adjourned  over  today  until  Monday  next.  What 
I  shall  do  with  myself  tomorrow  and  next  day  I  have  not  con- 
cluded on — perhaps  I  shall  go  out  to  Georgetown,  or  down  to 
Alexandria.  Ever  yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Anxious  About  the  Home  Folks 

Washington,  Dec.  12,  1835. 
Dear  Wife, 

It  is  now  2  o'clock  and  I  have  just  returned  from  attend- 
ing the  funeral  of  our  messmate  Judge   Wildman.    I   wish   I 


30  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

could  stop  here  in  the  record  of  melancholy  occurrences,  but 
am  obliged  to  say  that  last  night  another  Senator  died  at  his 
lodgings,  Mr.  Kane  of  Illinois.  Three  deaths  within  the  first 
week.  It  is  really  awful.  But  I  pray  that  you  may  not  be 
alarmed  on  my  account,  there  is  really  no  reason  for  it. 

In  regard  to  these  deaths  that  have  occurred,  there  have 
been  special  causes  in  operation,  applying  peculiarly  to  those 
individuals,  and  not  to  all  of  us.  Judge  Wildman  was  a  very 
feeble  old  gentleman,  having  no  strength  of  constitution,  and 
besides  suffered  under  mismanagements.  His  friends  here  ad- 
vised him  to  have  a  physician,  but  he  declined;  said  he  knew 
his  own  constitution  best,  and  what  would  be  best  for  him, 
and  procured  a  considerable  laudanum.  This  he  diluted  and 
had  it  by  him  to  drink.  Now  altho  I  do  not  think  he  drank 
enough  to  poison  him,  yet  I  believe  that  he  stimulated  the  vi- 
tal powers  to  a  very  great  degree,  which  was  followed,  as  it 
always  is  by  exhaustion  and  consequent  reaction,  and  in  this 
case  the  reaction  was  so  powerful  that  his  constitution  was  un- 
able to  resist  it,  and  he  sank. 

In  the  case  of  Mr.  Kane  who  died  last  night,  it  seems  that 
he  has  been  sick  at  home  of  a  fever  which  has  been  pretty  ex- 
tensively prevailing  in  Illinois,  from  which  he  had  not  entirely 
recovered  when  he  came  here.  The  fatigue  of  the  journey,  and 
a  cold  added,  caused  a  relapse  which  terminated  his  life. 

Mr.  Smith's  case  I  believe  was  one  of  apoplexy,  which  may 
happen  to  fleshy  people,  those  of  plethoric  habits,  at  any  time 
or  in  any  place. 

I  allude  to  these  circumstances  that  you  may  not  be 
alarmed.  The  fact  is  that  the  City  is  very  healthy,  and  the 
members  generally  in  good  health  and  for  myself,  I  have  seldom 
been  better. 

Mr.  Palfrey,  the  Unitarian  minister,  performed  the  funeral 
services  today.  He  was  brief  but  impressive,  and  I  think  left  a 
good  impression. 

I  look  for  the  boys'  letters  with  some  interest  and  wonder 
why  I  have  not  received  one  before.  Daily  memoranda  of 
events  not  in  the  family  merely,  but  in  the  town,  etc.,  will 
possess  a  deep  interest  to  me,  or  as  John  Pierson  used  to  say : 

"A  faithful  list  of  Saco  annals, 
Will  warm  me  more  than  all  my  flannels." 

Your  Husband 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  31 

By  Mr.  Thatcher  I  regret  to  learn  the  death  of  our  Cousin 
Mary  Ann  Storer.  I  believe  if  anybody  is  prepared  for  death, 
she  was.  She  always  appeared  to  me  to  possess  great  purity 
of  heart  and  purpose,  and  I  think  she  is  in  Heaven. 


Another  Son  Born  To  the  Fairfields 

Washington,  Dec.  14,  1835. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  wept  for  joy  at  the  information  just  received  from 
home.  You  are  comfortable,  and  I  am  the  father  of  another 
fine  boy.  This  is  another  link  added  to  the  chain  that  binds 
our  souls  in  love,  a  love  from  which  I  have  derived  more  pure 
and  unalloyed  happiness  than  from  any  other  earthly  source, 
a  love  that  I  find  daily  increasing  and  strengthening  in  my 
heart.  There,  having  indulged  in  this  ebullition  of  feeling,  the 
overflowing  of,  I  trust,  an  honest  heart,  I  will  endeavor  here- 
after to  be  more  sober  and  fashionable.  I  cannot  write  more 
at  present. 

Yours  in  the  depths  of  a  Husband's  love. 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


The  "Bill  of  Fare" 

Washington,  Dec.  15,  1835. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  remain  in  the  enjoyment  of  good  health  and  spirits. 
The  change  in  mode  of  living  does  not,  that  I  preceive, 
affect  me  injuriously.  Three  o'clock  comes  round  each  day 
without  my  feeling  any  more  hungry  than  usual.  Our  fare 
is,  for  breakfast,  coffee,  tea,  green  and  black,  beefsteak,  mut- 
ton cutlet,  sausage  meat,  hominy,  buckwheat  cakes,  or  flap- 
jacks, "com  cakes,"  or  biscuits,  flour  biscuits,  etc.,  etc.  Din- 
ner, roast  beef,  boiled  turkey  with  oyster  sauce,  boiled  ham, 
roast  duck,  no  gravys  except  what  is  in  the  dish,  which  to  me 
is  a  great  deprivation,  puddings,  tarts  and  apples. 

This  has  been  the  most  common  bill  of  fare  so  far,  and 
it  is  as  good  as  I  want,  indeed  I  as  usual  make  my  dinner  from 
one  dish,  except  that  I  first  take  a  small  plate  of  soup,  which 
I  forgot  to  mention,  by  way  of  an  anti-eat-voraciously-appe- 
tizer. 


32  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

I  cannot  say  that  I  like  their  cooking — things  are  too 
fleshy — they  use  too  little  salt,  and  regard  fashion  and  gen- 
tility at  the  expense  of  real  wholesome  substance  and  gusto. 
That  is  a  very  homely  sentence  I  must  confess,  if  it  is  correct, 
of  which  I  much  doubt,  but  I  have  not  seen  a  dictionary  since 
I  left  home. 

Our  landlady  Mrs.  Hill  is  an  English  woman  and  a  widow 
of  about  45.  She  is  pretty  good  looking,  smart,  active  and 
pretty  generally  keeping  her  eye  on  the  main  chance.  She  has 
two  daughters,  one  of  them  married  to  a  Mr.  Wright,  who 
has  gone  out  to  Texas  to  fight.  The  other  I  have  only  met  in 
the  entry.  She  looks  Hke  her  mother,  plays  on  the  pianoforte 
and  all  that.  Of  our  mess  I  can  say  nothing  in  particular  at 
present.  They  are  very  clever,  so  so  sort  of  folks,  not  re- 
markable for  anything  that  I  know  of.  Doct.  Lee  from  N.  Y. 
has  his  wife  with  him.  We  see  nothing  of  her  except  at  meal 
times.  She  is,  or  was,  a  Quakeress,  is  about  45  or  50,  pretty 
fleshy,  beautiful  complexion,  skin  as  smooth  and  fair  as  a 
child.  She  looks  so  fresh  and  healthy  and  good-tempered  and 
intelligent,  that  I  like  to  look  at  her,  and  think  I  shall  try  by 
and  by  to  get  acquainted  with  her. 

Mr.  Doubleday,  also  from  the  State  of  N.  Y.  and  who  was 
preceded  in  Congress  by  Mr.  Day,  is  about  as  black  as  a  star- 
less night,  and  hair  so  thick  all  over  his  head,  and  down  almost 
to  his  eyes,  that  you  would  think  you  could  hardly  draw  a 
garden  rake  thru  it.  He  is  I  think  a  man  of  good  sense,  and 
often  disposed  to  be  facetious.  Mr.  Hunt  from  N.  Y.  is  an  op- 
position man,  very  tall,  slender,  feeble  and  vain.  Our  mess 
are  rather  inclined  to  dislike  him,  tho  I  do  not. 

Doct.  Phelps  from  Conn,  is  a  man  of  good  sense,  and  ap- 
pears very  well  in  all  respects.  Mr.  Leonard  from  N.  Y.  was  a 
Printer  &  Editor,  I  believe,  of  respectable  talents  and  appear- 
ance. Mr.  Toucey  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  is  a  lawyer  and  very  likely 
man.      Of  the  Maine  delegation  I  will  say  nothing  now. 

I  am  writing  this  letter  in  my  seat  in  the  House  while 
the  election  of  Sergeant-at-Arms  is  going  on,  leaving  off  only 
occasionally  to  put  in  my  vote  as  the  box  comes  round.  We 
have  already  tried  four  times,  without  making  a  choice,  and 
I  fear  may  have  to  try  many  times  more,  there  being  a  great 
many  candidates.  I  voted  the  2  first  times  for  John  A.  Webber, 
and  he  having  fallen  off  in  his  votes,  I  have  gone  the  2  last 
times  for  John  T.  Sullivan  who  was  once  nominated  as  Director 
for  the  U.  S.  Banks  by  the  President  and  rejected  by  the 
Senate. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  33 

The  members  wear  their  hats,  and  talk  and  buzz  while 
the  business  is  going  on  so  that  much  of  the  time  it  sounds 
like  a  town  meeting,  the  Speaker  only  appearing  to  attend  to 
the  business  of  the  House. 

The  pronunciation  I  find  here  somewhat  different  from 
ours,  for  instance  the  Speaker  says  cheer  for  chair  and  Clark 
for  Clerk.  It  is  also  very  fashionable  to  chew  words,  and  when 
d  u  come  together  as  in  duty,  durance,  etc.,  they  pronounce 
them  juty,  jurance,  etc.  Oh,  I  despise  it — it  is  sheer  affecta- 
tion, and  their  style  of  oratory,  too,  is  peculiar.  The  speak- 
ers all  have  abundance  of  action,  if  not  the  most  graceful, 
many  of  them  appearing  as  if  cutting  wood.  Their  style  of 
speaking  is  declamatory,  such  as  you  would  expect  to  see  in 
times  of  great  excitement,  but  unsuited  to  the  sober  business 
of  legislation. 

It  is  now  3  o'clock,  and  I  suppose  the  House  will  adjourn 
in  a  few  minutes.  I  therefore  close  this  long  and  I  fear  tedious 
letter.  Finding  that  Sullivan  fell  off  the  last  time,  I  voted  for 
Dorsey  who  they  say  is  the  best  man  politically.  After  going 
home,  and  after  dinner  I  shall  write  to  Mr.  Haines  if  I  can,  if 
not  I  shall  write  tomorrow.  I  feel  under  much  obligation  to 
him  for  his  kind  attentions.  Love  to  all. 
Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Fairfield  and  Col.  Johnson  of  Kentucky 

Washington,  Dec.  17,  1835. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

How  do  you  do?  How  does  our  dear  little  son?  Who  or 
what  does  he  look  like?  What  his  complexion,  his  eyes,  &c.? 
How  much  did  he  weigh?  How  do  the  children  like  him?  &c. 
&c.  &c.  Be  kind  enough  to  write  me  all  about  it,  and  I  hope  by 
the  time  this  reaches  you,  you  will  be  able  to  write,  though  I 
would  by  no  means  have  you  act  prematurely  and  in  imprudent 
haste  in  trying  to  get  about. 

Today  we  had  quite  a  flourishing  debate  in  the  House 
merely  on  the  motion  of  Col.  Johnson  of  Kentucky^  to  supply 
the  Secretary  of  War  and  some  of  the  bureaus  in  that  depart- 
ment with  Congressional  documents.  Mr.  Wise  of  Virginia- 
seized  upon  it  as  a  pretext  for  abusing  the  administration,  and 


34  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

making  a  display  of  his  eloquence  &  imitations  of  John  Ran- 
dolph. "He  is  no  great  shakes"  and  might  have  been  very 
easily  answered  by  no  greater  man  than  your  humble  servant. 
But  I  must  keep  cool,  and  try  to  be  a  sober,  industrious  and  use- 
ful member,  rather  than  a  meteor,  flashing  and  expiring.  Old 
Col.  Johnson  answered  him,  but  it  was  rather  "small  potatoes." 

I  like,  however,  the  plainness  and  honest  simplicity  of  the 
Col.,  though  I  don't  think  him  the  greatest  man  in  the  world. 
Mr.  Patton  of  Virginia  also  made  a  speech,  passable  and  that's 
all.  He  doesn't  know  which  side  he  is  on  now,  but  I  hope  he  & 
Wise  will  both  find  themselves  past  all  redemption  before  long, 
on  the  side  of  the  opposition — their  friendship  is  more  to  be 
dreaded  than  their  enmity. 

It  is  strange  that  I  can't  get  a  newspaper  from  Maine — 
they  are  the  impolitest  folks  imaginable  way  down  east.  Ask 
Mr.  Haines  to  ask  Condon  to  send  me  a  "Democrat"  during  the 
session  of  Congress.  The  Eastern  Argus,  daily,  is  to  be  sup- 
plied me  by  the  House.     The  Age  I  have  sent  for. 

I  think  it  would  have  been  well  for  us  to  have  acknowledged 
the  receipt  of  letters  with  their  dates.  Now  I  have  written 
some  one  of  the  family  every  day  since  Thursday  the  3d.  day 
of  December  i.  e.,  14  including  this — saying  nothing  about  two 
on  the  same  day.     Love  to  all. 

Your  husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

^Richard  Mentor  Johnson,  soldier,  politician,  Vice-President  of  the 
United  States  from  1837  to  1841.  Member  of  the  House  from  1806  to  1813. 
Soldier  in  the  War  of  1812  and  a  colonel  in  William  Henry  Harrison's 
division  of  Kentucky  riflemen.  It  is  said  that  he  shot  and  killed  the  great 
chief  Tecumseh.  In  the  House  in  1814-15,  elected  to  the  U.  S.  Senate  in  1819, 
served  as  Senator  to  1829,  and  went  back  to  the  House  in  1829,  where  he 
served  until  1837.  He  was  put  on  the  ticket  with  Van  Buren  in  1835,  but 
failed  of  election,  thru  no  choice.  The  choice  went  to  the  Senate  and 
dragged  along,  but  Johnson  was  elected  finally.  He  was  a  candidate  for 
President  in  the  Convention  of  1844,  but  was  defeated.  Gov.  Fairfield  gives 
an   interesting  side-light  on   Col.   Johnson. 

=Henry  A.  Wise  of  Virginia,  famous  in  American  politics  and  history, 
his  name  still  perpetuated  in  his  descendants.  He  was  a  great  political  boss 
in  his  day.  Congressman,  minister  to  Brazil,  Governor  of  Virginia.  One  of 
his  last  acts  was  signing  John  Brown's  death  warrant  in  the  Harper's  Ferry 
raid.  Wise  opposed  immediate  secession  in  the  Virginia  Convention  of  1861. 
He  became  a  Major-General  in  the  Confederate  Army.  He  wrote  a  history 
entitled  "Seven  Decades  of  the  Union."     He  died  in   1876. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  35 

Calls  on  Cabinet  Minister  and  Mends  His  Trousers 

Washington,  Dec.  19,  1835. 

My  dear  Wife, 

It  seems  you  have  good  sleighing,  and  I  suppose  a  plenty 
of  bitter  cold  weather.  Here  the  weather  is  about  as  cold  as  we 
have  it  in  Maine  the  middle  of  Oct.  About  a  week  ago,  how- 
ever, we  had  a  little  snow  in  the  night,  say  i/o  ^^  inch,  but  it 
very  quickly  disappeared  in  the  morning.  I  have  worn  my  sur- 
tout  every  day  but  one,  and  then  I  found  my  wrapper  too  warm. 

Today  Col.  Hall,  myself  and  Mr.  Leonard  took  a  hack  and 
went  around  leaving  our  cards,  that  is  to  say,  with  Mr.  Van 
BurenS  Mr.  Cass-, Mr.  KendalP,Mr.  Butler"  and  Mr.  Dickerson^ 
All  we  do  is  to  drive  up  to  the  door,  and  without  getting  out, 
send  our  cards  in  by  the  driver.  This,  you  see,  places  us  in  the 
way  of  invitations,  and  for  myself  I  feel  very  much  inclined  to 
see  &  hear  whatever  is  to  be  seen  &  heard  in  this  great  Ameri- 
can Babylon  I  had  almost  called  it.  Mr.  Chas.  Cutts  has  called 
to  see  me  at  my  lodgings,  and  your  Uncle  Richard  at  the  House. 
I  intend  soon  to  call  on  them  again.  But  after  all,  I  cannot  find 
here  a  New  England  winter  evening  with  all  its  domestic  and 
social  accompaniments — the  closed  shutters,  the  brisk  fire,  the 
table  &  light  &  books,  the  familiar  and  pleasant  chit-chat,  the 
plain  fare  of  an  apple  &  nuts,  the  unsophisticated  honesty  and 
bluntness,  and  absence  of  what  is  merely  artificial,  &c.  &c. 

We  have  just  had  news  of  a  dreadful  conflagration  in  N. 
Y. — they  say  that  between  20  and  30  millions  of  property  has 
been  destroyed,  but  I  suppose  you  will  get  all  the  particulars  be- 
fore this  reaches  you,  so  I  add  no  more. 

If  you  wish  to  be  very  inquisitive  and  ask  me  about  my 
small  affairs,  I  suppose  I  must  answer  So,  let's  see — since  I 
left  home  I  have  bought  me  a  new  hat,  a  silk  stock,  and  a  pair 
of  overshoes,  bought  them  all  here.  I  have  had  occasion  3 
times  to  use  my  tailoring  apparatus  which  you  with  so  much 
wise  forethought  provided  me  with.  My  suspenders  gave  out 
twice  &  needed  a  good  deal  of  stitching  over,  and  once  my  black 
trousers  gave  out  at  the  meeting  of  the  four  seams  by  tearing, 
and  not  knowing  that  I  had  any  cloth  scraps  in  my  trunk  until 
afterward,  I  darned  the  rent,  and  then  sewed  a  piece  of  tape 
across  the  seams  to  hold  all  fast,  and  if  I  didn't  have  the  panta- 
loons as  handsome  as  they  were  before,  I  believe  I  left  them 
much  better  able  to  endure  a  strain. 


36  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Today  my  washerwoman  called  for  her  pay,  and  after  some 
little  dickering  with  her  as  to  prices,  I  agreed  to  give  her  6 
cents  a  piece,  or  fippenny  bit  as  they  call  it  here,  not  counting 
as  many  dickeys  as  there  are  shirts,  but  paying  6  cents  a  piece 
for  each  extra  one,  which  is  in  my  case  today  3.  I  believe  she 
washes  very  well,  but  now  I  think  on't  for  the  first  time,  she 
has  not  brought  back  the  bag  in  which  the  clothes  were  carried 
away.  That  perhaps  is  a  little  worse  than  Mr.  Shepley  said 
would  happen  to  me,  that  is,  that  they  would,  in  spite  of  direc- 
tions, wash  the  bag  itself  and  charge  a  fippenny  bit  for  it. 

What  do  you  say  to  the  name  of  Hampden?  If  you  don't 
like  that,  suggest  some  other. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

^Martin  Van  Buren,  Secretary  of  State  under  Jackson;  Vice-President 
in  1835.  „  ^  - 

"Lewis  Cass,  the  distinguished  American  statesman,  was  Secretary  of 
War    in    Jackson's    Cabinet. 

'Amos    Kendall    of    Kentucky,    Postmaster    General. 

♦Benjamin  F.  Butler  of  New  York,  Attorney  General,  succeeding  Lewis 
Cass  as   Secretary  of  War. 

^Mahlon  Dickerson  of  New  Jersey,   Secretary  of  the   Navy. 


A  Metamorphosed  Congressman! 

Washington,  Dec.  21,  1835. 
My  Dear  Mrs.  F. 

It  will  be  three  weeks  tomorrow  since  I  left  home  and  how- 
ever ungallant  it  may  seem  I  must  acknowledge  that  the  time 
has  flown  to  me,  somewhat  swiftly.  It  seems  but  yesterday 
that  I  left  you,  so  fresh  are  all  the  circumstances  of  that  mo- 
ment remaining  upon  my  mind,  nay,  may  I  not  say  engraven 
upon  the  tablets  of  my  heart.  And  yet  how  crowded  with 
events  have  been  those  short  three  weeks — events  interesting 
not  to  us  alone,  but  to  millions  &  millions  of  beings — to  the  na- 
tion and  the  world.  Happy  shall  we  be  if  the  instruction  drop- 
ped from  the  wings  of  time  in  his  rapid  flight  has  contributed 
aught  to  our  improvement — has  made  us  more  confiding  in  the 
goodness  of  our  Heavenly  Father,  more  grateful  for  benefits 
bestowed,,  more  earnestly  desirous  to  attain  to  the  moral 
purity  of  Him  who  was  given  to  be  our  pattern;  more  fit  for 
the  society  of  the  spirits  of  the  just  made  perfect  in  Heaven. 

Today  being  Sunday,  and  having  no  pew  in  the  Unitarian 
House,  I  concluded  to  attend  services  at  the  Capitol.  Mr.  The- 
ophilus  Fisk  preached — a  Universalist  and  former,  if  not  pres- 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  37 

ent,  editor  of  the  Republic  in  Boston.  He  has  a  very  pretty- 
poetical  style  of  writing,  abounds  in  figures,  piles  on  figures, 
and  some  of  them  very  good  ones,  too.  Has  abundance  of 
action,  even  to  theatricals,  a  tolerable  voice,  but  he  is  wanting 
in  what  we  homespun  folks  away  down  east  are  apt  to  consider 
somewhat  essential,  to  wit,  ideas.  He  is  a  candidate  for  the 
Chaplaincy  of  the  Senate — what  his  prospect  is  I  know  not.  We 
have  not  chosen  one  yet  for  the  House,  and  I  don't  know  when 

we  shall.     Clark  has  been  busy  as  the  " in    a   gale    of 

wind,"  as  the  sailors  say,  but  I  doubt  whether  he  is  going  ahead 
very  fast.  I  suspect  that  when  we  do  choose,  Stockton,  a  Meth- 
odist, will  be  the  man. 

We  have  now  added  to  our  number  at  Mrs.  Hill's,  Mr. 
Niles,  the  new  Senator  from  Connecticut,  and  Mr.  Polk,  Speak- 
er of  the  House,  &  Lady,  tho  Mr.  Polk  does  not  mess  with  us. 
I  continue  to  like  our  house  very  well,  with  one  exception,  and 
that  is  my  smoky  fireplace.  So,  if  you  ever  discover  any  tears 
on  my  letters,  you  must  not  suppose  I  am  unhappy  or  give  me 
credit  for  any  extraordinary  degree  of  tenderness,  but  you  will 
attribute  it  simply  to  Smoke,  the  whole  Smoke,  and  nothing 
but  the  Smoke.  I  keep  hearing  every  day  about  a  grate  and 
coal,  but  they  don't  come,  and  I  am  not  sorry,  for  this  coal  is 
vile  stuff  in  some  respects.  It  gives  us  heat,  to  be  sure,  but 
buries  us  in  its  ashes,  and  yet  it  teaches  one  moral  lesson  for 
which  it  should  have  credit — on  examining  anything  in  your 
chamber  where  coal  is  burnt  you  cannot  but  be  ready  to  ex- 
claim, "We  are  dust." 

Mr.  Hunt,  one  of  our  boarders  who  is  a  Whig  (instead  of 
an  anti-mason  as  I  thought)  has  made  a  speech  in  the  House, 
and  you  can't  think  what  a  metamorphosis  it  has  produced. 
Before,  he  spoke  like  a  mouse  in  a  cheese,  and  didn't  seem  to 
have  courage  enough  to  fight  a  sheep;  now,  he  talks  loud,  has 
much  to  say,  drinks  porter  at  dinner  and  wine  after  it,  and  is 
so  elated,  that  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  he  swelled  to  the  size  of  a 
gallon  pot,  being  now  not  much  larger  than  one  of  Deacon 
Gray's  legs,  though  at  least  six  feet  high.  He  is  very  far  from 
being  a  favorite  with  any,  and  to  Mr.  Hale  and  Judge  Ruggles 
he  is  exceedingly  obnoxious.  The  rest  of  our  boarders,  so  far 
as  I  can  judge,  are  capital  fellows — Mr.  Toucey  from  Connecti- 
cut in  particular.  Mr.  Doubleday  is  queer  as  anybody's  folks, 
has  a  sober  face,  a  sly  eye  and  much  humor. 


38  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Dear  Ann,  when  am  I  to  hear  from  you  again  ?     No  letters 
today,  but  I  suppose  it  is  in  consequence  of  the  great  fire  at  New 
York,  as  we  have  no  mail  from  there  or  beyond. 
Love  to  all. 

Your  husband, 

JOHN   FAIRFIELD. 


Objects  to  Abolition  Fusses 

Washington,  Dec.  22,  1835. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  thank  you  for  your  note  reed,  today.  I  rejoice  that  you 
are  getting  along  so  comfortably,  and  pray  for  a  continuance  of 
your  progress.  I  cannot  say  so  much  for  my  own  comfort  as 
heretofore,  for  I  have  been  troubled  for  2  or  3  nights  past  with 
a  pain  in  my  foot  on  the  outer  edge  of  the  right  foot,  just  back 
of  the  little  toe  joint.  Last  night,  however,  it  jump'd  at  one 
time  to  the  bone  above  the  heel  and  there  continued  during  the 
remainder  of  the  night.  By  day  it  is  less  painful.  It  has  now 
commenced  again  in  the  old  place,  and  gives  me  some  trouble. 
It  causes  no  swelling,  nor  is  the  flesh  sore,  so  I  apprehend  it 
must,  of  course,  be  in  the  bone.  I  have  taken  some  corrective 
powder,  but  it  does  no  good,  so  I  shall  try  to  "tough  it  out," 
i.  e.,  "grin  and  bear  it." 

Since  writing  to  you  last  we  have  added  to  our  mess 
Messrs.  Niles  and  Norwell,  the  new  Senators  from  Connecticut, 
and  the  almost  a  State,  Michigan,  and  Mr.  Polk,  the  Speaker,  & 
wife,  who  live  by  themselves  though  under  the  administration 
of  Mrs.  Hill. 

We  have  had  another  exciting  debate  in  the  House  today 
upon  the  subject  of  slavery  in  the  Dist.  of  Col.  It  appears  to 
me  if  the  abolitionists,  or  those  who  get  up  these  petitions,  many 
of  them  at  least,  knew  what  mischief  they  were  doing,  that 
they  would  abstain.  The  South  will  not  have  that  question 
meddled  with,  and  if  we  persist  in  attempting  it,  a  dissolution 
of  the  Union  must  follow. 

We  had  some  pretty  able  speeches  today,  particularly  one 
from  Ingersoll  of  Philadelphia.  Wise  has  also  been  letting  off 
the  steam  again.  Among  other  things  he  said,  in  answer  to 
some  compliments  on  the  Ladies  by  Granger  of  N.  Y.,  that  if 
ever  there  was  a  devil  incarnate,  when  she  was  a  devil,  it  was  a 
woman.     How  this  suited  the  long  row  of  ladies  in  the  gallery 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  39 

I  don't  know,  but  it  was  followed  by  a  considerable  rustling  of 
the  silk. 

I  enclose  you  a  plan  of  the  Hall  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, which  has  just  been  published.  My  position,  you  will 
perceive,  is  in  one  wing,  a  pretty  good  one  for  hearing,  as  you 
may  face  almost  the  whole  House,  and  the  inconvenience  from 
the  proximity  of  the  door,  has  in  some  measure  been  obviated 
by  a  screen  which  the  Doorkeeper  has  caused  to  be  made.  The 
back  seats  are  considered  the  poorest,  it  being  difficult  there  to 
hear  the  speakers.  The  circles,  as  I  believe  I  have  before 
stated,  are  marble  pillars  about  2i<  feet  in  diameter,  and  take 
it  all  in  all,  I  suspect  it  is  the  most  splendid  room,  perhaps  I 
might  say,  in  the  world. 

My  twinges  are  so  importunate  in  demanding  attention 
that  I  believe  I  must  stop  writing.  What  shall  I  do  for  my 
poor  foot? 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN    FAIRFIELD. 


The  Admission  of  Michigan 

Washington,  Dec.  24,  1835. 
Dear  Wife, 

The  Senate  yesterday  chose  the  Revd.  Mr.  Higbee  their 
Chaplain,  the  same  who  performed  funeral  services  at  the 
burial  of  Senator  Smith.  The  House  has  just  balloted  for  a 
Chaplain,  without  making  a  choice.  Mr.  Comstock  stood  high- 
est, having  50  odd;  Clark  next,  having  33;  Stockton — the  elo- 
quent Stockton — 31 ;  Mr.  Palfrey  8,  &c.,  &c.  The  boxes  are  be- 
ing carried  round  again,  I  believe  I  shall  vote  for  Palfrey  once 
more — Stockton  is  my  second  choice. 

The  first  hour  of  this  morning's  session  was  spent  in  dis- 
cussing the  question  what  committee  the  subject  of  Michigan's 
application  to  be  admitted  into  the  Union  should  be  submitted 
to.  We  had  2  or  3  short  speeches  from  Ohio  and  among  others, 
one  from  Bellamy  Storer.  He  is  a  pretty  good  speaker  and  has 
considerable  enthusiasm  for  a  Northern  man.  Lane  of  Indiana 
also  gave  a  speech.  He  is,  they  say,  a  real  screamer,  but  was 
pretty  moderate  today.  I  have  taken  a  lurch  in  favor  of  Michi- 
gan— Mr.  Norwell,  one  of  her  Senators,  boards  with  us,  and  is 
about  my  size,  how  much  influence  this  has  had  on  my  opinion 
I  can't  say;  in  justice  to  myself,  however,  I  should  say  that  I 
have  read  the  appeal  of  Michigan  to  the  people  of  the  U.  S.  in 


40  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

which  she  sets  forth  her  claims  &  the  foundations  of  them  par- 
ticularly in  regard  to  the  question  of  her  boundary. 

The  2d  vote  for  Chaplain  has  just  been  declared — no  choice 
— Comstock  stands  ahead — Clark,  I  believe,  fell  off,  though  I 
did  not  distinctly  understand  the  Clerk.  The  boxes  are  going 
round  again.     I  shall  now  vote  for  Stockton. 

Third  ballot  declared — no  choice  again.  All  fell  off,  but 
Comstock  &  Stockton — the  former  ahead.  Box  is  going  round 
again.  Oh,  how  my  foot  twinges.  By  the  way,  I  found  a  medi- 
cine last  night  which  gave  me  some  relief,  and  that  was  no 
more  nor  less  than  a  long  walk.  After  my  return  the  pain 
ceased,  and  I  have  felt  but  little  of  it  till  within  an  hour.  After 
dinner  I'll  have  another  walk.  Tonight  I  go  to  the  President's, 
and  tomorrow  Doct.  Mason  &  I  have  agreed  to  walk  to  George- 
town, and  then  what  do  you  think  I  mean  to  do?  I'll  tell  you. 
I  mean  to  ascertain  what  you  &  I  &  Doct.  Mason  &  wife  can 
get  boarded  for  next  winter  with  as  many  of  our  children  as 
we  have  a  mind  to  take  with  us,  keeping  a  horse  &  chaise  with 
which  we  could  ride  each  day  to  the  Capitol,  or  not  keeping  a 
horse  but  going  back  &  forth  in  the  omnibuses  which  go 
hourly.  The  distance  is  only  abut  three  miles.  I  understand 
we  can  get  boarded  there  pretty  cheap  compared  with  City 
board.     What  do  you  say  to  that? 

The  result  of  another  ballot  is  declared  &  no  choice — Com- 
stock 83,  Stockton  73,  and  all  the  rest  but  a  few  apiece,  poor 
Clark  5.  He  sits  in  the  Ladies'  Gallery  looking  like  a  "mother- 
less colt."  You  must  mind  how  you  repeat  what  I  say  about 
Clark  considering  how  my  friend,  Amos  Clark,  is  connected 
with  him. 

It  is  now  within  5  minutes  of  the  time  of  adjournment, 
and  so  I  close. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

P.  S.     Stockton  is  elected,  1  majority. 


Washington,  Dec.  26,  1835. 
Dear  Wife, 

The  Eastport,  Calais,  Bangor  &  Thomaston  papers  have 
been  sent  to  me  gratuitously,  while  the  Saco  Democrat,  for 
which  I  expect  to  pay,  is  not  sent  to  me.  I  attribute  it  to  the 
irregularity  of  the  mails  and  not  to  Mr.  Condon's  forgetfulness. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  41 

I  would  thank  you,  however,  to  ask  Mr.  Haines  to  remind  Mr. 
Condon  of  my  request. 

My  letters  are  not  very  valuable  nor  are  they  designed 
to  be.  I  do  not  pretend  to  act  the  philosopher  or  scholar — to 
make  profound  remarks  or  write  elegant  essays,  but  simply  to 
chat  with  my  family  as  I  would  if  I  were  present  with  them. 
And  in  doing  this,  if  I  contribute  in  any  degree  to  relieve  you 
from  the  tedium  of  daily  cares,  and  to  excite  a  single  pleasur- 
able emotion,  I  am  only  doing  that  which  contributes  essential- 
ly to  my  own  happiness. 

Yesterday  Doct.  Mason  and  I  walked  out  to  Georgetown 
and  back  before  dinner.  I  was  much  pleased  with  my  jaunt, 
though  there  were  many  things  to  be  seen  of  an  unsightly  char- 
acter. The  land  all  the  way  between  Washington  and  George- 
town lies  entirely  uncultivated  and  the  most  of  it  unfenced. 
The  houses,  except  here  and  there,  are  small,  old,  ill-fashioned, 
and  out  of  repair.  At  Georgetown  we  found  quite  a  city — 
buildings  large — streets  wide  and  paved,  etc.  But  in  the  lower 
part  of  it  towards  the  river,  where  the  merchants,  formerly, 
and  what  remains  of  them,  now  occupy,  exhibits  a  most  deso- 
late and  melancholy  appearance.  A  large  portion  of  the  stores 
are  unoccupied,  and  those  that  are  appeared  to  be  occupied  by 
the  small  fry,  a  sort  of  nuts,  gingerbread  and  egg-pop  gentle- 
men. The  back  part  of  the  city,  however,  on  the  high  ground, 
is  very  pleasant.  There  are  many  very  fine  houses  and  much 
more  taste  is  displayed  in  laying  out  the  grounds  and  decorat- 
ing with  trees  and  shrubbery  than  I  have  seen  anywhere  in 
this  city.  I  did  not  visit  the  College,  the  nunnery  or  anything 
else  of  a  public  character,  but  the  canal,  the  locks  of  which  are 
worth  examining.  I  think  very  shortly,  whenever  we  can  steal 
a  day  or  two  from  the  press  of  public  business,  I  shall  get  on 
board  of  the  canal  boat  and  go  up  to  Harper's  Ferry.  We  did 
not  have  an  opportunity  to  make  any  inquiries  about  board 
out  there,  but  I  think  there  is  so  little  doubt  about  our  being 
accommodated  to  our  liking,  that  you  may  if  you  please  put 
on  your  bonnet  and  shawl. 

Last  evening  Mr.  Shepley,  myself  and  Doct.  Mason  and 
wife  spent  at  Mr.  Charles  Cults',  and  I  must  say  very  pleas- 
antly, too.  Doct.  Mason  and  Mr.  Cutts  played  cards,  Mrs.  Cutts 
talked  till  all  was  blue,  and  Mr.  Shepley  and  Miss  Stras  (I  be- 
lieve) talked  till  all  was  bluer.  He  is  a  capital  hand  to  enter- 
tain the  ladies  and  enjoys  a  little  social  chit-chat  much.  I  beat 
Stephen  a  game  at  chess  and  then  Miss  Stras  beat  me,  it  was 


42  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

however  through  the  accidental  loss  of  my  Queen.  Miss  Stras 
gave  us  some  very  good  tunes  on  the  pianoforte,  and  a  few 
very  pretty  Scotch  songs.  She  is  I  presume  a  little  over  bloom- 
ing 16 — say  45 — but  that  you  know  was  of  no  consequence  to 
us  old  married  men.  She  is  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Cults  and  I  think 
it  likely  that  you  have  heard  of  her.  Next  week  I  mean  to  go 
up  and  pass  an  evening  at  your  Uncle  Richard's. 

Thinking  that  it  might  afford  you  some  amusement  at 
home,  I  have  permitted  Doct.  Fowler  a  Phrenologist  to  exam- 
ine my  head  and  lay  down  the  results  of  his  examination  on  a 
phrenological  chart,  which  I  have  enclosed  with  a  document 
and  shall  send  by  the  same  mail  which  carries  this  letter  under 
direction  to  Mr.  Haines.  Let  me  know  where  you  think  he 
has  succeeded  and  where  he  has  failed.  He  occupies  the  same 
room  with  Brown,  the  profile  cutter,  and  it  is  really  very  amus- 
ing to  sit,  and  hear  the  result  of  his  examination  of  heads.  He 
speaks  right  out  plainly,  and  if  a  man  has  no  conscience,  or  is 
conceited  and  vain,  he  says  so.  There  are  various  opinions  en- 
tertained of  him  and  the  science,  but  he  has  been  remarkably 
successful,  and  has  made,  they  say,  $2000  here  in  2  or  3  months. 
I  wish  I  could  send  you  my  profile  but  I  am  afraid  to  try  it.  I 
think  it  would  be  injured  in  the  mail,  and  shall  therefore  prob- 
ably retain  it  until  I  return  home,  and  perhaps  I  may  add  to  it 
those  of  the  Pres.  Mr.  Van  Buren  and  Amos  Kendall. 

We  have  two  more  added  to  our  mess  but  not  permanently, 
Doct.  Dubois  and  wife  from  N.  Y., — just  married.  There,  my 
letter  is  long  enough — perhaps  too  long  for  your  patience.  You 
may  not  however  expect  such  long  ones  by  and  by,  when  I 
have  something  more  to  do  in  committee,  and  when  I  begin  to 
work  on  my  reports,  which  I  have  not  done  yet. 

Give  my  love  to  our  Dear  Children  and  all  the  rest. 
Your  Husband 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

P.  S.  Doct.  Fowler  never  saw  me  or  heard  of  me  before, 
and  never  was  in  our  part  of  the  country. 


A  Voice  from  the  Ladies'  Gallery 

Washington,  Dec.  28,  1835. 
Dear  Wife, 

We  have  just  had  a  sermon  or  exhortation  from  a  Quaker- 
ess in  the  Ladies'  gallery.     While  the  members  were  lounging 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  43 

about,  reading  newspapers,  writing  letters,  &c.,  &c.,  about  20 
minutes  before  the  hour  of  meeting  of  the  House,  a  female  voice 
came  in  most  sepulchral  tones  from  the  gallery.  To  some  it 
was  a  source  of  much  merriment,  others  looked  upon  her  in  pity 
as  insane,  but  all  were  for  permitting  her  to  go  on  when  the 
Doorkeeper  attempted  to  stop  her.  I  could  not  distinctly  hear 
all  she  said,  but  it  appeared  to  be  a  religious  exhortation  or  as 
some  would  call  it  a  moral  one,  i.  e.,  "fiat  justitia,  ruat  coelum." 
If  the  time  would  have  permitted  I  suppose  she  would  have  ap- 
plied her  principles  to  the  subject  of  slavery.  Her  language 
was  good,  and  were  it  not  for  the  time,  place  &  circumstances 
of  her  address,  no  one  would  take  her  to  be  insane.  Who  or 
what  she  was  I  know  not. 

After  the  House  adjourns  I  will  resume  my  letter. 


The  House  has  adjourned,  the  forenoon  having  been  occu- 
pied with  a  discussion  of  the  question  of  reconsideration  of  the 
vote  by  which  the  President's  message,  &c.,  relating  to  admis- 
sion of  Michigan  was  referred  to  a  Select  Com.,  of  which  J.  Q. 
A.^  was  chairman.  We  had  some  very  good  speeches  upon  the 
subject.  Adams  became  a  good  deal  warmed  up,  and  was  very 
sarcastic.  Storer,  Vinton,  Corwin^  Lane  &  others  also  made 
speeches — Storer's  very  good.  The  House  voted  to  reconsider 
— myself  in  the  minority. 

Ohio,  lUinois  &  Indiana  (29)  go  in  a  body  upon  these  ques- 
tions, being  directly  interested,  having  all  of  them  stolen  from 
the  territory  of  Michigan.  I  tho't,  therefore,  that  Ohio  start- 
ing in  the  controversy  with  29  enlisted  in  her  cause  &  Michigan 
none,  we  ought  to  let  the  matter  go  to  the  Select  Committee  tho' 
Adams'  opinions  were  well  known. 

I  have  not  yet  been  in  the  Senate,  except  for  one  moment 
when  they  were  about  adjourning.  We  meet  at  the  same  hour, 
and  new  members,  they  say,  are  generally  very  sensitive  at  be- 
ing absent  when  a  vote  is  taken — it  certainly  is  somewhat  so 
with  me.  I  hope,  however,  to  have  an  opportunity  soon,  when 
I  will  endeavor  to  give  you  some  account  of  the  members. 

I  have  reed,  an  invitation  from  Mrs.  Cass  to  attend  a  party 
on  Thursday  evening,  and  as  a  specimen  I  enclose  it  to  you. 
Tell  Mr.  Haines  that  today  the  President  sent  in  the  nomina- 
tions of  Toucey  for  C.  J.  P.  P.,  Barbour  for  associate  hero,  and 
Kendall  as  P.  M.  Genl.  Speculations  are  various  as  to  whether 
they  will  be  confirmed  or  not.    My  own  impressions  are  that  the 


44  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

two  first,  if  not  all  three  will,  and  it  is  hard  to  believe  that  the 
opposition  will  be  so  demented  as  to  reject  Kendall,  but  they 
may.     Today  I  got  nothing  by  mail,  not  even  a  newspaper. 

I  hope  soon  to  hear  from  my  dear  children  again.  Oh,  I 
wish  I  could  have  a  smack  at  certain  fat  cheeks  beneath  a  pair 
of  black  eyes  that  I  know  of.  I  can  see  Miss  Bunch  sitting  at 
the  table  looking  sideways,  slying  with  the  one  sitting  next  to 
her.  I  would  give  a  week's  pay  if  I  could  have  her  here  five 
minutes.  Give  my  love  to  her,  and  Walter  &  George  &  Augusta 
and  Hampden  (?).  Of  this  last  name  I  have  not  yet  heard  your 
decision.  I  hope  for  a  letter  tomorrow. 
Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

>John  Quincy  Adams. 

2Tom  Corwin,  born  in  Kentucky,  orator  and  statesman,  Congressman, 
Senator,  Governor  of  Ohio,  celebrated  for  arraignment  of  administration  for 
War   with   Mexico.     Secretary  of   the   Treasury   under  Fillmore. 


A  Picture  of  Calhoun 

Washington,  Dec.  29. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  sit  down  to  write  my  daily  letter  as  regularly  as  if  I 
always  had  something  to  say.  I  set  the  mill  a-going  without 
ever  thinking  to  inquire  whether  there  is  anything  in  the  hop- 
per, and  it  cannot,  therefore,  be  very  strange  if  you  sometimes 
are  obliged  to  take  an  article  a  little  worse  than  bran.  But  I 
can't  well  avoid  it.  It  constitutes  a  part  of  my  daily  food,  that 
is,  food  for  the  mind  and  the  affections.  It  seems  like  going 
home  after  the  day's  work  is  done  and  sitting  down  with  my 
wife,  children  and  friends,  and  if  my  imagination  is  not  equal 
to  hearing  you  talk,  I  can  imagine  that  the  next  morning's  mail 
will  bring  your  thoughts  if  not  your  voice. 
iti     *     *     *     * 

I  had  written  thus  far  last  night,  when  I  was  sent  for  to 
go  to  the  parlor.  There  I  found  Saml.  Cutts  who  detained  me 
until  after  our  bag  had  gone  to  the  P.  Office.  So  I  am  one  day 
behind-hand.  Your  letter,  my  Dear  Wife,  of  the  24th  I  have 
just  received — 4  pages — I  thank  you  heartily — you  are  desei*v- 
ing  of  a  pension,  and  if  you  will  send  on  your  petition  I  will 
present  it,  and  make  a  speech  in  support  of  it.  Your  letter 
touched  upon  many  interesting  topics,  and  afforded  me  much 
pleasure,  excepting  that  part  relating  to  your  cough,  and  indeed 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  45 

even  there,  though  I  regret  your  illness,  yet  I  am  pleased  to 
think  that  you  will  be  honest  with  me,  and  when  you  are  really 
sick  let  me  know  it. 

To  one  part  of  a  prior  letter  of  mine  I  think  you  had  a 
pretty  fair  offset.  The  fact  is  that  many  of  the  ills  of  life  are 
imaginary,  and  all  of  them  are  much  more  endurable  than  they 
appeared  in  their  approach  to  us.  It  is  a  very  happy  faculty 
(and  I  think  I  possess  something  of  it)  of  adapting  one's  self 
to  the  circumstances  in  which  he  may  be  placed  for  the  time 
being. 

I  am  glad  to  hear  of  Grandma,  Aunt  Mary,  Phebe,  Lucy, 
Augusta  &  others,  besides  our  own  family — give  my  love  to 
them  all.  The  children,  you  say,  call  the  baby  John — that 
won't  do.  You  know  I  don't  like  the  Jnrs.,  &  2ds.  &  3ds.  I 
think  we  had  better  stick  to  Hampden. 

H:  H:  ^  ^  4: 

The  House  adjourned  at  a  little  before  4  o'clock,  having 
spent  the  whole  day  in  discussing  the  question  whether  the 
petitions  of  the  Banks  in  this  District  for  renewal  of  charter 
should  be  referred  to  the  committee  on  the  Dis.  of  Columbia  or 
to  a  Select  Com.  The  vote  was  against  referring  it  to  our  Com- 
mittee, in  which  I  concurred,  together  with  Mr.  Townes  of 
Georgia — (the  rest  of  our  committee  voting  the  other  way.) 

There  is  a  general  impression  here  that  one  of  these  Banks 
which  failed  or  stopped  specie  payment  during  the  panic,  did 
it  purposely  to  help  Clay  &  Co.^  along  with  their  villainous 
projects,  and  our  friends  here  are  desirous  that  the  matter 
should  be  thoroughly  probed.  Find  that  it  was  to  be  a  party 
vote,  &  considering  that  Shepard,  our  Chairman,  was  an  oppo- 
sition man,  I  concluded  to  vote  against  its  coming  to  our  Com- 
mittee, though  it  is  not  very  usual,  I  believe,  for  members  of 
Committees  so  to  vote. 

I  went  into  the  Senate  Chamber  yesterday  for  a  few  min- 
utes, and  heard  Mr.  Calhoun-  make  a  short  speech  introductory 
to  a  resolution  which  he  offered  proposing  an  alteration  in  the 
Constitution  so  that  the  surplus  revenues  may  be  divided.  He 
speaks  like  what  he  in  fact  is,  a  man  of  talents,  but  he  is  far 
from  being  an  orator.  His  voice  is  not  very  good,  and  his  man- 
ners are  stiff,  and  upon  this  occasion,  if  the  people  could  have 
heard  him,  they  would  have  laughed  in  his  face.  He  was  croak- 
ing about  the  state  of  affairs,  as  if  we  stood  upon  the  very  verge 
of  ruin.     Really  he  &  many  others  seem  to  be  laboring  under 


46  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

some  strange  hallucination  of  mind,  which  nothing  can  remove. 
Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

'Henry    Clay,    of    course. 

'John   C.   Calhoun,    the   great    democratic   leader,    soon    to    split   with   Van 
Buren  and,  even  then,  losing-  favor  with  such  as  Gov.  Fairfield. 


Sees  Hope  in  His  Eldest  Son 

Washington,  Dec.  31,  1835. 
Dear  Wife, 

From  among  over  20,000  volumes,  contained  in  our  library, 
I  took  out  the  other  day  Hazlitt's  "Table  Talk  &  Essays."  In 
the  chapter  "on  the  ignorance  of  the  learned"  I  found  the  fol- 
lowing remarks  which  gave  me  some  pleasure,  on  the  ground  of 
furnishing  an  apology  for  "our  eldest,"  and  exciting  a  hope  of 
future  progress  in  some  way  if  not  in  that  of  learning. 

"A  lad  with  a  sickly  constitution,  and  no  very  active 
mind,  who  can  just  retain  what  is  pointed  out  to  him,  and 
has  neither  sagacity  to  distinguish  nor  spirit  to  enjoy  for 
himself,  will  generally  be  at  the  head  of  his  class.  An  idler 
at  school,  on  the  other  hand,  is  one  who  has  high  health 
and  spirits,  who  has  the  free  use  of  his  limbs,  with  all  his 
wits  about  him,  who  feels  the  circulation  of  his  blood  and 
the  motion  of  his  heart,  who  is  ready  to  laugh  and  cry  in  a 
breath,  and  who  had  rather  chase  a  ball  or  a  butterfly, 
feel  the  open  air  in  his  face,  look  at  the  fields  or  the  sky, 
follow  a  winding  path,  or  enter  with  eagerness  into  all  the 
little  conflicts  and  interests  of  his  acquaintances  and 
friends,  than  doze  over  a  musty  spelling  book,  repeat  bar- 
barous distichs  after  his  master,  sit  so  many  hours  pin- 
ioned to  a  writing  desk,  and  receive  his  reward  for  the  loss 
of  time  and  pleasure  in  paltry  prize  medals  at  Christmas 
and  Midsummer.  There  is,  indeed,  a  degree  of  stupidity 
which  prevents  children  from  learning  the  usual  lessons, 
or  ever  arriving  at  these  puny  Academic  honors.  But 
what  passes  for  stupidity  is  much  oftener  a  want  of  inter- 
est or  a  sufficient  motive  to  fix  the  attention,  and  force  a 
reluctant  application  to  the  dry  and  unmeaning  pursuits  of 
school  learning.  The  best  capacities  are  as  much  above 
this  drudgery,  as  the  dullest  are  beneath  it.  Our  men  of 
the  greatest  genius  have  not  been  most  distinguished  for 
their  acquirements  at  school  or  at  the  University." 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  47 

There,  though  I  think  this  would  be  dangerous  doctrine  to 
preach  to  boys,  I  cannot  help  thinking  there  is  some  truth  in  it, 
don't  you? 

So  far  I  wrote  last  evening.  The  House  has  just  ad- 
journed, having  spent  the  day  in  the  further  discussion  of  the 
submission  with  instructions  to  a  select  committee  of  the  peti- 
tions of  the  Banks  in  this  District.  We  have  had  speeches  to- 
day from  Thomas  of  Maryland,  J.  Q.  Adams,  Beardsley  &  Mann 
of  N.  Y.,  Parker  of  N.  J.,  Wardwell  of  N.  Y.  and  McKenman  of 
Penn.  The  latter  is  a  Roarer.  He  is  almost  a  giant  in  frame, 
has  a  voice  corresponding  with  his  body,  and  flourishes  a  fist 
big  enough  to  knock  down  an  ox.  Thomas  has  a  middling 
voice,  is  a  very  good  looking  man  and  speaks  tolerably  fluently. 
But  he  is  vain  of  his  qualities  as  a  peacock  of  his  tail  or  a  night- 
ingale of  his  voice,  and  speaks  much  too  often.  Beardsley  & 
Mann  are  both  men  of  good  talents  &  tolerable  speakers,  tho 
Beardsley's  voice  is  not  very  good. 

Adams^  is  generally  interesting  from  the  circumstance  of 
his  age,  former  high  standing  and  great  fund  of  knowledge 
which  he  possesses.  He  is  very  often  animated  and  sometimes 
lashes  himself  into  a  great  rage,  when  the  top  of  his  head, 
which  is  usually  white  as  alabaster,  becomes  as  red  as  a  came- 
lian.  The  members  generally  treat  him  with  much  respect,  and 
from  some  he  gets  the  highest  compliments,  though  from  a  few 
he  has  had  some  pretty  hard  cuts. 

The  debate  today  resulted  in  a  reference  to  a  select  com- 
mittee with  instructions  to  go  into  a  thorough  examination  of 
the  affairs  of  the  Banks. 

Tonight  we  go  to  Mr.  Cass's — Messrs.  Shepley,  Ruggles, 
Hall  &  Fairfield  have  engaged  a  carriage,   as  the  distance  is 
over  a  mile  &  a  half,  and  the  weather  is  somewhat  threatening. 
Your  husband, 

JOHN   FAIRFIELD. 

^The   Ex-President   of   the   United  States. 


CHAPTER  III 
The  Year  1836,  as  Fairfield  Saw  It. 

Frequent  references  will  be  found  in  Mr.  Fairfield's  letters 
of  1836,  to  affairs  with  France.  Early  in  that  year,  the  situa- 
tion was  tense  and  war-like.  For  several  weeks,  the  United 
States  and  France  faced  each  other  threateningly.  A  French 
fleet  was  on  the  seas,  preparing  to  strike  our  coast.  Such  was 
the  official  announcement  in  Congress  and,  for  the  opening 
weeks  of  the  session  of  1836,  debates  focused  on  appropriations 
for  coast-wise  fortifications  and  naval  enlargements.  Through 
these,  raged  all  of  the  personal  animosities  of  the  Whig  and  the 
Democrat;  the  Jacksonian  and  the  anti-Jacksonian. 

As  usual,  the  centre  of  the  storm  was  President  Jackson. 
In  his  annual  message  of  1835,  he  had  discussed  the  "aggres- 
sions of  France  upon  our  American  commerce"  with  emphasis 
and  with  a  great  deal  of  truth.  So  forcible  was  his  address 
upon  this  point,  that  France  took  offence ;  and,  while  admitting 
the  justice  of  the  indemnity  claims  of  the  United  States  against 
France,  declined  to  pay  them  unless  President  Jackson  offer 
suitable  apologies  for  the  expressions  of  his  message  of  1835. 
This,  President  Jackson  declined  to  do;  and  not  even  his  bit- 
terest political  enemies,  such  as  Clay  and  Calhoun,  suggested 
that,  as  representative  of  the  United  States,  the  President 
should  apologize  to  any  foreign  power. 

Mr.  Fairfield's  letters  frequently  refer,  therefore,  to  the 
debates  of  January  and  February,  1836,  upon  the  resolution 
providing  an  outlay  of  some  millions  of  dollars  for  fortifications 
and  naval  preparations  for  the  war  that  seemed  impending. 
The  digest  of  debates  of  the  period  indicate  the  intense  feeling 
over  the  issue.  While  the  anti-Jackson  partisan  did  not  as  a 
rule  go  so  far  as  to  suggest  that  the  President  apologize,  he 
did  not  seem  inclined  to  help  the  President  out  of  his  difficulties 
by  providing  him  any  further  means  of  national  defence. 
France's  position  also  seemed  a  bit  puerile.  After  having  voted 
to  pay  the  indemnity  for  its  spoliations  and  having  appropriated 
the  money  in  its  assembly,  it  was  apparently  confusing  its 


50  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

sense  of  justice  with  its  traditional  etiquette  and  its  national 
pride.  Calhoun,  with  his  customary  offense  against  Jackson, 
opposed  any  appropriation  for  national  defense.  Benton  urged 
a  union  of  all  patriots  against  foreign  aggression.  The  debates 
enlisted  the  supreme  effort  of  the  best  that  we  had.  Daniel 
Webster,  James  Buchanan,  William  C.  Preston,  whom  Fairfield 
calls  "the  eminent  South  Carolinian,"  Clay  and  Calhoun  all 
took  part. 

It  will  be  noticed  that,  in  February,  Mr.  Fairfield  writes 
his  wife  jubilantly  that  he  has  heard  the  rumor  that  England  is 
to  mediate  in  the  matter.  History  proves  the  truth  of  Mr.  Fair- 
field's gossip.  Great  Britain  did  mediate  in  the  matter.  The 
French  fleet  of  sixty  sail,  for  which  America  had  been  watching 
on  every  headland,  did  not  come.  France  ultimately  paid  the 
indemnity.  The  United  States  did  not  expend  the  $3,000,000 
for  fortifications  and  Jackson  did  not  apologize.  Thus,  the  war 
cloud  passed,  and  the  skies  cleared,  soon,  however,  to  be  dark- 
ened by  other  portents,  for  the  financial  storm  of  1837  was 
already  gathering  in  the  business  centres  of  the  land. 

As  a  subject  of  a  purely  political  and  party  concern,  none 
is  more  interesting  than  the  situation  in  Congress  in  regard  to 
the  expunging  resolution  of  1836,  which  reached  its  culmination 
in  the  vote  of  January  14,  1837,  when  "expunged"  was  finally 
written  across  the  face  of  this  obnoxious  resolution.  For  a 
year,  therefore,  this  subject  of  a  purely  personal  and  political 
scope,  involving  the  censure  of  Gen.  Jackson  and  the  removal 
of  that  censure,  occupied  the  attention  of  the  master-minds  of 
that  day.  The  debates  on  it  ramify  into  every  department  of 
public  policy  and  search  out  every  fundamental  principle  of  our 
government. 

Another  issue  of  importance  came  into  being  in  this  year, 
in  the  debates  upon  the  famous  Cherokee  Indian  removal, 
which  kindled  the  slumbering  sparks  of  slavery  agitation  into 
the  fires  of  civil  war,  within  the  lifetime  of  many  who  partici- 
pated therein.  The  issue  itself  was  apparently  insignificant. 
The  removal  of  the  Creek  Indians  from  the  State  of  Georgia 
had  been  accomplished  by  treaty  of  1826.     This  removal  sat- 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  51 

isfied  the  obligations  of  the  United  States  to  Georgia  under  the 
compact  of  1802.  But  the  same  obligations  remained  with 
respect  to  the  Cherokee  Indians,  founded  on  the  same  consid- 
eration, viz.,  the  cession  to  the  United  States  of  the  valuable 
lands  now  constituting  the  States  of  Alabama  and  Mississippi. 
Thirty-five  years  had  passed  and  the  United  States  had  not 
fulfilled  her  promises  to  Georgia  with  regard  to  the  removal  of 
the  Cherokees.  Georgia  was  impatient  and  importunate,  de- 
manding the  use  and  profit  of  the  land  to  which  she  claimed  a 
title.  Gen.  Jackson  was  anxious  to  effect  the  removal  of  this 
tribe.  Mr.  Cass,  Secretary  of  War,  seconded  him.  A  commis- 
sion had  investigated  and  reported  in  accord  with  the  designs 
and  desires  of  Gen.  Jackson.  In  1835-36  a  treaty  had  been  made 
with  the  Cherokees,  who  agreed  to  go  West  beyond  the  Missis- 
sippi and  join  a  portion  of  the  tribe  which  had  long  since  jour- 
neyed westward. 

Advantageous  as  this  treaty  seemed  to  be  for  all  parties 
thereto,  it  was  intensely  and  almost  successfully  opposed  in 
the  Senate  and  finally  passed  by  only  one  vote.  A  discontented 
party  of  the  Cherokees  invaded  Washington.  Mr.  Clay,  Mr. 
Calhoun  and  Mr.  Webster  opposed  the  treaty  tooth  and  nail. 
It  was  a  Southern  question,  involving  the  extension  of  slavery 
over  a  great  tract  of  a  slave-state.  It  required  only  a  minority 
of  one-third  to  defeat  it.  The  South  divided  on  it  under  the 
leadership  of  Calhoun,  who  was  opposed  on  general  principles 
to  any  of  Gen.  Jackson's  plans.  The  same  may  be  said  of  Mr. 
Clay.  Mr.  Webster  was  opposing  it  on  the  fundamental  basis 
of  anti-extension  of  slavery  and  prospective  nullification.  The 
treaty,  thus  enkindling  the  fierce  fires  of  the  slavery  issue,  was 
saved  only  by  the  votes  of  Northern  Democrats  who  refused  to 
take  any  vote  or  action,  which  should  cause  the  South  to  break 
with  them  politically  as  Democrats  or  which  should  stir  the 
issue  of  slavery,  which,  as  a  rule,  they  believed  might  slumber 
forever,  if  undisturbed  by  Northern  zealots.  Among  the  votes 
that  saved  the  Cherokee  removal  treaty  were  those  of  Senators 
Ruggles  and  Shepley  of  Maine.  The  only  Northern  votes 
against  the  treaty  were  those  of  Webster  and  Davis  of  Massa- 


52  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

chusetts,  Ewing  of  Ohio,  N.  P.  Tallmage  of  New  York,  Tipton 
of  Illinois,  Wall  of  New  Jersey  and  Silas  Wright,  Jr.,  that  wise 
and  capable  farmer-Senator  from  New  York. 

This  treaty  was  therefore  passed  by  the  fourteen  votes  of 
free-state  Senators  which  precisely  balanced  the  fourteen  votes 
of  the  seven  slave-state  Senators,  who  followed  the  lead  of 
Calhoun.  Mr.  Benton,  sizing  up  this  question  in  his  Thirty 
Years'  View,  says,  "I,  who  write  history,  not  for  applause  but 
for  the  sake  of  the  instruction  which  it  affords,  gather  up  these 
dry  details  from  the  neglected  documents,  in  which  they  lie  hid- 
den, and  bring  them  forth  to  the  knowledge  and  consideration 
of  all  candid  and  impartial  men,  that  they  may  see  the  just  and 
fraternal  spirit  in  which  the  free-states  then  acted  towards 
their  brethren  of  the  South.  Nor  can  it  fail  to  be  observed,  as 
a  curious  contrast,  that,  in  the  very  moment  that  Mr.  Calhoun 
was  seeing  cause  for  Southern  alarm,  lest  the  North  should 
abolish  slavery  in  the  South,  the  Northern  Senators  were  ex- 
tending the  area  of  slavery  in  Georgia  by  converting  Indian  soil 
into  slave  soil;  and  that  against  strenuous  exertions  made  by 
himself."  How  short  a  space  Senator  Benton  saw  into  the 
future ! 

Again,  in  this  period  (in  the  extension  of  the  Missouri 
question)  did  Senator  Benton  extol  the  generosity  of  the  North- 
ern Democrats  in  regard  to  extension  of  slave-soil.  In  his  sum- 
mary of  the  debates  and  the  votes  of  1836  upon  this  important 
question  embodying  fundamental  issues  of  slave-soil  extension, 
he  records  his  undying  gratitude  to  the  Senators  from  such 
states  as  Maine  and  New  Hampshire  for  their  "magnanimous 
assistance  under  such  trying  circumstances."  In  resonant  sen- 
tences he  testifies  voluntarily  and  graciously  his  appreciation 
of  their  vote  as  a  proof  "of  the  willingness  of  the  non-slave- 
holding  part  of  the  Union  to  be  just  and  generous  to  their  slave- 
holding  brethren,  even  in  disregard  of  cherished  prejudices  and 
offensive  criminations." 

This  side-light  of  history  upon  the  spirit  of  the  times  is  of 
peculiar  interest,  in  view  of  Mr.  Fairfield's  letters.  Again  and 
again,  Mr.  Fairfield  regrets  the  activities  of  those  who  would 


Sarah,  Oldest  Daughter  of  John  Fairfield 

Portrait  taken  when  a  younpr  woman 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  53 

disturb,  by  their  impertinencies,  the  giood  feeling  between  North 
and  South.  Unquestionably  a  hater  of  slavery,  Mr.  Fairfield, 
like  many  another  good  man  of  that  time  who  later  became 
abolitionists,  deprecated  the  stirring  of  this  issue.  They  would 
let  sleeping  lions  go  on  dozing.  His  case  was  identical  with  that 
of  Hannibal  Hamlin,  who  later  became  so  vigorously  anti- 
slavery.  Mr.  Fairfield,  undoubtedly,  would  have  done  as  did 
Hamlin,  for  he  was  a  man  of  conscience  and  of  honor.  And 
there  was  reason  for  such  a  feeling  among  Northern  Democrats 
in  1836.  Congress,  as  Mr.  Benton  says,  "was  at  this  time  being 
inflamed  with  angry  debates  over  abolition  petitions,  and  the 
transmission  through  the  United  States  mails  of  incendiary 
petitions  imputing  designs  to  abolish  slavery."  And  Mr.  Benton 
refers  particularly  to  the  recent  appearance  in  the  South  of 
issues  of  a  certain  "criminating  article  entitled  'The  Crisis'  " 
which  announced  an  "impending  Southern  convention  and  the 
secession  of  the  Southern  states  unless  certain  Northern  states 
took  action  immediately  to  suppress  the  abolition  societies 
within  a  definite  time." 

It  was,  therefore,  a  time  of  exciting  discussion.  On  De- 
cember 2,  1835,  President  Jackson  had  advocated,  in  a  message 
to  Congress,  the  passage  of  a  law  prohibiting,  under  severe  pen- 
alties, the  circulation  through  the  Southern  states  of  incendiary 
publications,  intended  to  instigate  slaves  to  insurrection.  On 
January  7,  1836,  in  the  Senate,  Calhoun  opened  the  flood-gates 
of  debate  on  slavery  by  his  motion  not  to  receive  two  petitions 
for  the  abolition  of  slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 

This  war  of  words  lasted  until  March  11,  1836.  Every 
day,  intermittently,  this  subject  reopened  in  the  Senate  and 
stirred  new  enmities.  Reference  to  it  appears  frequently  in  Mr. 
Fairfield's  letters.  Northern  Democrats  like  Fairfield  and  the 
Maine  Senators  of  that  Congress  did  not  approve  this  sort  of 
thing.  They  were  willing  to  befriend  the  South  but  disapproved 
of  much  mention  of  their  generosity.  Even  Calhoun's  Southern 
colleagues  severely  reproved  him.  They  accused  him  of  going 
on  a  quixotic  expedition  in  search  of  abstract  political  prin- 
ciples.    Was  it  not  a  frivolous  playing  with  fire  and  powder 


54  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

thus  to  force  on  Congress,  at  this  time,  the  discussion  of  a  ques- 
tion that  was  inessential  to  the  South,  under  the  circumstances? 
Did  not  the  condition  obtain  that  we  have  indicated  in  our  quo- 
tation from  Senator  Benton  ?  Every  material  right  and  interest 
of  the  South  was  absolutely  secured  by  the  perfect  unanimity 
of  Congress  "energetically  backed  by  public  opinion  in  the 
Northern  states."  Would  not  this  agitation  do  more  to  promote 
abolition  than  all  of  the  pamphlets  and  emissaries  of  the  aboli- 
tionists combined?  And  while  the  biographers  of  John  Cald- 
well Calhoun  assert  with  a  show  of  truth,  that  Mr.  Calhoun 
sought  only  the  perpetuity  of  the  Union,  it  is  apparent  that  this 
eminent  Southern  statesman,  in  1836,  opened  the  debate  that 
led  to  the  dissolution  of  the  Union  and  the  Civil  War. 

Such  was  the  condition  of  political  and  national  life  in  the 
opening  of  1836,  when  Congressman  Fairfield  begins  his  second 
set  of  letters  to  his  wife  up  in  Maine.  Through  them  runs  occa- 
sionally reference  to  these  deeper  problems  of  the  times.  Their 
chief  value  is,  however,  as  a  sidelight  on  the  men  and  the 
problems. 

He  was  surrounded,  especially  in  Maine,  by  a  group  of 
stalwart  and  uncompromising  Democrats  who  followed  the  lead 
of  the  party.  As  a  rule,  their  attitude  is  properly  depicted  by 
the  foregoing  summary  of  their  votes  on  the  Cherokee  Treaty 
and  the  Missouri  extensions.  They  were  eager  partisans,  reli- 
ant on  their  solidarity  with  the  Southern  Democrat  and  willing 
to  condone  slavery  within  the  South  for  a  consideration  of  peace 
and  power.  With  a  word  or  two  more  as  to  the  personality  of 
some  of  these  men  from  Maine  and  a  few  other  states,  the  stage 
is  cleared  for  the  continuance  of  Mr.  Fairfield's  correspondence. 


The  first  Senators  from  Maine  after  the  separation  from 
Massachusetts  were  John  Holmes  of  Alfred  and  John  Chandler 
of  Monmouth.  Both  of  these  men  had  gained  prominence  in 
the  State  of  Maine  Constitutional  Convention  of  1819-1820. 
Holmes  was  significantly  the  leader  of  the  two.  He  was  born 
in  Kingston,  Mass.,  in  1773,  and  was  graduated  at  Brown  Uni- 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  55 

versity  at  an  early  age.  He  settled  in  Maine  at  Alfred  in  1799. 
Holmes  was  a  stout  supporter  of  President  Madison  as  a  mem- 
ber of  Congress  before  the  separation  from  Masaschusetts,  from 
1817  to  1821.  At  first  a  Federalist,  he  was  later  a  Democrat. 
His  great  abilities  called  him  into  prominent  positions  of  trust 
and  adjudication.  He  was  a  commissioner  to  Ghent  on  Passa- 
maquoddy  boundary  disputes  in  1815.  His  law  practice  had 
been  large  and  his  reputation  for  ability  as  a  lawyer  had  been 
based  on  sound  results  of  practice  in  the  courts,  and  upon  his 
masterful  leadership  in  the  debates  of  the  constitutional  con- 
vention in  Maine,  in  which  he,  more  perhaps  than  any  other 
one  man,  was  responsible  for  our  form  of  Constitution  and  for 
the  several  unique  elements  of  Maine's  constitutional  law  which 
endure  to  this  day. 

Mr.  Holmes  was  a  very  witty,  powerful  and  intellectual 
man.  In  'Terley's  Reminiscences"  he  is  called  the  ''leading  Sen- 
ator of  the  North."  Perley  says  that  Holmes  became  famous 
for  his  rude  speech  ("at  times  vulgar")  and  for  his  vigor  in 
debate.  "Humorous,  powerful,  sarcastic,  ever  on  the  watch  for 
some  unguarded  expression  by  some  Southern  Senator,  he  was 
the  humorous  champion  of  the  North." 

John  Tyler,  thinking  to  annoy  Mr.  Holmes,  asked  him  in 
debate  what  had  become  of  the  political  firm,  once  mentioned 
by  John  Randolph  as  "James  Madison,  Fehx  Grundy,  John 
Holmes  and  the  Devil." 

"I  will  tell  you,"  said  John  Holmes,  springing  to  his  feet. 
"The  first  member  is  dead ;  the  second  has  gone  into  retirement ; 
the  third  is  now  addressing  you,  and  the  fourth  member  has 
gone  over  to  the  Nullifiers  and  is  now  engaged  in  electioneering 
among  the  distinguished  gentleman's  constituents.  So  the  part- 
nership is  legally  dissolved." 

John  Holmes's  second  wife  was  the  daughter  of  General 
Henry  Knox.  Holmes  lived  at  Thomaston,  Me.,  from  1838  to 
1841,  in  the  old  residence  of  General  Knox. 

Albion  Keith  Parris,  Senator  from  Maine  in  the  second 
period,  was  also  sufficiently  noted  to  be  mentioned  in  the  chron- 
icles of  the  time.     Ben :  Perley  Poore  refers  to  him  as  a  blue- 


56  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

eyed  giant  and  says  that  Senator  Parris  "is  said  to  have  filled 
more  public  offices  than  any  other  man  of  his  age  in  the  United 
States."  Mr.  Parris  was  born  in  Oxford  County  and  was  grad- 
uated from  Dartmouth  in  1806  at  the  age  of  18.  Admitted  to 
the  bar  at  the  age  of  21,  he  immediately  took  the  State  by 
storm.  He  was  county  attorney  of  Oxford  County  in  1811; 
member  of  the  Legislature  in  1813;  Senator  in  1814;  member 
of  the  14th  and  15th  Congresses ;  appointed  Judge  of  the  United 
States  District  Court  in  1814,  when  he  removed  to  Portland; 
Governor  of  Maine,  1822-27 ;  United  States  Senator,  1827 ;  Asso- 
ciate Justice,  Maine  Supreme  Court,  1828,  resigning  as  Senator 
to  accept  the  office ;  Second  Comptroller  of  United  States  Treas- 
ury, 1836  to  1840;  and  in  1852,  when  77  years  old,  he  was 
elected  Mayor  of  Portland.  The  record  of  continuous  office- 
holding  is  hardly  surpassed  in  our  public  life. 

John  Chandler  of  Monmouth,  Me.,  a  Senator  in  the  first 
delegation  from  Maine  after  separation  from  Massachusetts, 
represented  Maine  in  the  Senate  for  nine  years,  when  he  became 
collector  of  the  Port  of  Portland  for  eight  years,  retiring  from 
office  in  1837  at  the  age  of  75.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary War  and  in  the  War  of  1812.  He  represented  the 
Kennebec  district  in  Congress  from  1805  to  1810,  and  was  also 
a  prominent  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  Maine 
in  1819-20. 

Ether  Shepley  of  Saco,  Senator  from  Maine  in  1836,  a  grad- 
uate of  Dartmouth  College  and  an  eminent  lawyer,  had  pre- 
viously been  a  representative  from  Maine  to  the  General  Court 
of  Massachusetts ;  a  United  States  District  Attorney  for  twelve 
years  until  elected  to  the  United  States  Senate,  from  which  he 
resigned  to  be  an  Associate  Justice  and  later  a  Chief  Justice  of 
the  Supreme  Judicial  Court  of  Maine.  He  was  a  most  able  and 
conscientious  man.  Of  fine  personal  appearance  and  of  great 
dignity  of  bearing,  he  was  also  of  high  integrity  and  purity  of 
life  and  purpose. 

Judah  Dana,  who  was  a  Senator  in  1836  for  a  short  term 
and  of  whom  Mr.  Fairfield  speaks,  was  a  grandson  of  Gen. 
Israel  Putnam  of  Revolutionary  War  fame.    In  1795,  he  opened 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  57 

the  first  law  office  in  Oxford  County  at  Fryeburg,  Me. ;  was  ex- 
ecutive councillor,  bank  commissioner,  Judge  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas  and  finally  Senator.  His  son,  John  W.  Dana,  was 
afterward  Governor  of  Maine.  His  wife  was  the  granddaughter 
of  Eleazer  Wheelock,  first  president  and  the  founder  of  Dart- 
mouth College. 

The  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives  in  Congress 
from  Maine  in  1836  were  Jeremiah  Bailey,  George  Evans,  John 
Fairfield,  Joseph  Hall,  Leonard  Jarvis,  Moses  Mason,  Gorham 
Parks  and  Francis  0.  J.  Smith.  Of  these  the  most  distinguished 
in  service  was  undoubtedly  George  Evans,  of  Gardiner,  Me., 
afterward  United  States  Senator  and  a  personage  of  renown 
in  the  debates  of  succeeding  years. 

Of  other  New  England  Senators  and  Representatives,  the 
most  prominent  were  Daniel  Webster  and  his  rugged  colleague, 
John  Davis  of  Massachusetts ;  Isaac  Hill  and  Henry  Hubbard  of 
New  Hampshire — Hill  an  influential  friend  and  counsellor  of 
Gen.  Jackson,  reputed  to  be  one  of  his  "kitchen  cabinet." 

The  roll  call  of  the  Senate  of  1836  included  Nehemiah  R. 
Knight  and  Asher  Robbins  of  Rhode  Island ;  Gideon  Tomlinson 
and  Nathan  Swift  of  Connecticut;  Samuel  Prentiss  and  Ben- 
jamin Swift  of  Vermont;  Nathaniel  P.  Tallmadge  and  Silas 
Wright,  Jr.,  of  New  York;  James  Buchanan  and  Samuel  Mc- 
Kean  of  Pennsylvania;  John  M.  Clayton  and  Arnold  Daudain 
of  Delaware;  Robert  H.  Gouldsborough  and  Joseph  Kent  of 
Maryland;  Benjamin  Watkins  Leigh  and  John  Taylor  of  Vir- 
ginia; Bedford  Brown  and  Willie  P.  Mangum  of  North  Caro- 
lina; John  C.  Calhoun  and  William  C.  Preston  of  South  Caro- 
lina ;  Alfred  Cuthbert  and  John  P.  King  of  Georgia ;  Henry  Clay 
and  John  J.  Crittenden  of  Kentucky;  Felix  Grundy  and  Hugh 
Lawson  White  of  Tennessee ;  Thomas  Ewing  and  Thomas  Mor- 
riss  of  Ohio;  Alexander  Porter  and  Robert  C.  Nicholas  of 
Louisiana;  Wilham  Hendricks  and  John  Tipton  of  Indiana; 
John  Black  and  Robert  J.  Walker  of  Mississippi ;  Elias  K.  Kane 
and  John  M.  Robinson  of  Illinois ;  William  R.  King  and  Gabriel 
P.  Moore  of  Alabama;  Lewis  F.  Linn  and  Thomas  H.  Benton 
of  Missouri ;  Ether  Shepley  and  John  Ruggles  of  Maine. 


58  LETTERS   OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

In  the  House  there  were  many  prominent  men.  John 
Quincy  Adams  was  leader  of  the  Massachusetts  delegation  with 
such  men  as  Caleb  Gushing,  afterwards  an  ambassador  to  for- 
eign courts ;  Abbot  Lawrence,  an  ambitious  and  purposeful  aris- 
tocrat; Samuel  Hoar,  Levi  Lincoln  and  Stephen  C.  Phillips. 
Reference  has  been  made  to  some  of  the  New  York  delegation, 
notably  Mr.  Cambreling,  chairman  of  Ways  and  Means  Commit- 
tee, and  Mr.  Doubleday,  to  whom  Mr.  Fairfield  often  refers,  in 
his  letters.  Mr.  Doubleday  has,  however,  no  place  of  note  in  his- 
tory. John  Bell  of  Tennessee,  who  had  been  Speaker,  was  back 
in  his  seat,  having  cast  his  political  fortunes  with  Judge  White 
as  a  candidate  for  the  Presidency  in  opposition  to  the  plans  of 
Gen.  Jackson  which  were  identified  with  the  ambitions  of  Mr. 
Van  Buren;  and  a  colleague  of  John  Bell's  was  Adam  Hunts- 
man, successor  to  Davy  Crockett,  whom  Mr.  Fairfield  graph- 
ically describes  in  the  subjoined  letters.  James  K.  Polk  was 
also  a  member  of  the  House  from  Tennessee.  Richard  Mentor 
Johnson,  of  whom  Mr.  Fairfield  often  speaks  in  his  letters,  was 
a  member  from  Kentucky.  Tom  Corwin,  Elisha  Whittlesey, 
Sherrod  Williams,  Waddy  Thompson,  Henry  A.  Wise,  Abram 
P.  Maury,  Bellamy  Storer  are  some  of  the  names  with  which 
the  history  of  the  times  may  have  some  concern.  Mr.  Fairfield 
frequently  refers  to  Jesse  Bynum  of  North  Carolina  but  always 
spells  his  name  as  "Byrnum."  He  also  has  much  to  say  of  Dutee 
Pearce  of  Rhode  Island. 

John  Chambers  of  Kentucky,  a  "gigantic  economist  who 
was  always  ready  to  cut  out  small  expenditures  and  who  looked 
rarely  at  the  large  ones,"  was  one  of  the  characters  of  the  House 
in  this  year,  and  Davy  Crockett  was  frequently  in  and  about 
Washington  and  was  delving  into  history  and  biography  in  a 
way  to  arouse  the  concern  of  his  friends  for  his  outspoken  com- 
ments and  his  curious  views. 

Much  of  Mr.  Fairfield's  letters  are  made  up  of  subjects  that 
throw  light  on  social  festivities.  Mr.  Poore  in  "Perley's  Remi- 
niscences" says  that  although  society  had  been  disorganized  by 
the  removal  from  ofl^ce  of  most  of  the  old  citizens  who  therefore 
kept  aloof  from  the  White  House,  there  was  no  lack  of  social 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  59 

enjoyments  at  Washington  during  the  Jackson  administration. 
Mr.  Forsyth,  Secretary  of  State,  gave  a  series  of  balls.  There 
were  large  "parties"  at  the  beautiful  home  of  Mr.  Dickerson, 
Secretary  of  the  Navy;  Major  General  Macomb,  General  Miller 
and  other  prominent  men  vied  with  each  other  in  entertainment. 
At  each  of  these  Mr.  Van  Buren  was  prominent,  smooth  and 
easy  of  manner,  handsome  and  well-dressed,  shaking  hands  with 
everyone  and  never  making  an  enemy,  and  "trusting  that  every- 
one was  well  and  happy."  Col.  Richard  M.  Johnson  was  to  be 
seen  at  all  gatherings  in  his  scarlet  waistcoat  and  ill-fitting  coat. 
Mr.  Webster  was  seldom  seen  at  public  parties.  Clay  and  Cal- 
houn were  usually  present.  The  foreign  ministers  and  their 
suites,  who  were  the  only  wearers  of  mustaches  in  those  days, 
were  distinguished  attendants.  There  were  also  the  magnates 
of  the  Senate  and  the  House,  each  one  great  in  his  own  esteem, 
and  added  to  these  the  "chevaliers  d'industrie,"  who  lived  by 
their  wits  on  long  credits  and  new  debts.  Mrs.  Alexander  Ham- 
ilton was  yet  living  in  Washington,  widow  of  the  great  founder 
of  the  Constitution  and  Secretary  of  Treasury.  Mrs.  Hamilton 
was  much  troubled,  it  is  related,  by  a  pamphlet,  pubHshed 
when  Mr.  Hamilton  was  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  alleging  an 
intrigue  with  the  wife  of  one  of  his  clerks.  She  paid  five  dollars 
a  copy  for  every  copy  of  this  pamphlet  that  was  brought  to  her. 
A  cunning  printer  in  New  York  republished  the  edition  and 
sold  them  to  Mrs.  Hamilton  through  the  second-hand  book  shops 
of  Washington. 

Mr.  Fairfield  is  continually  referring  to  William  C.  Preston 
of  South  Carolina,  and  it  is  evident  that  the  eloquence  of  this 
gentleman  had  a  greater  vogue  in  1836  than  history  has  since 
suggested.  Senator  Preston  was  not  only  a  famous  "orator  of 
the  times"  but  also  a  noted  conversationalist  of  the  monologue 
school.  One  of  his  colleagues  in  the  House,  Warren  R.  Davis, 
ran  him  a  close  second.  On  one  occasion  Mr.  Preston  had  held 
the  conversation  at  a  dinner  party  against  all  comers,  contend- 
ing that  the  classics  afforded  the  finest  examples  of  terse  and 
expressive  language  that  could  be  found.  Finally  he  paused  to 
take  a  pinch  of  snuff. 


60  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Mr.  Davis  seized  the  opportunity ;  denied  that  the  Spartan 
mother's  remarks  to  her  son  to  "return  with  his  shield  or  upon 
his  shield"  was  the  finest  and  shortest  expression  of  speech,  as 
Mr.  Preston  had  contended.  He  said  that  he  knew  a  better  in 
English.  Returning  towards  his  home  through  the  mountains, 
he  had  met  a  rustic  Naiad  crossing  a  brook  with  a  piggin  of 
butter  on  her  head. 

He  said  to  her,  **My  girl,  how  deep  is  the  water  and  what 
is  the  price  of  butter?" 

"Up  to  your  waist  and  ninepence,"  was  the  reply.  And 
the  roar  of  laughter  silenced  the  voluble  Preston  for  the 
evening. 

The  wedding  of  Robert  E.  Lee  to  Mary  Custis  at  Arlington 
was  one  of  the  social  affairs  in  Jackson's  times  and  was  cele- 
brated throughout  the  South  by  the  first  families  of  the  day. 
No  wonder  that  amid  all  this  rout  of  dinner  and  "party"  the 
letters  of  the  Maine  Congressman  are  full  of  tales  of  their 
splendor.  The  plain  woman  at  home  with  her  children  up  in 
Maine,  must  have  appreciated  them. 


GEORGE   A.    FAIRFIELD 
Second  Son  of  John  Fairfield 


The  Year  1836— The  Waltz 

Washington,  Jan.  1,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  wish  you  a  happy  New  Year — may  the  blessings  of  a  good 
Providence  descend  on  us  and  ours  in  the  year  before  us,  as  in 
the  year  past — and  may  our  gratitude  in  some  better  degree 
be  commensurate  with  our  blessings. 

I  heard  from  you  this  morning  through  the  kindness  of 
George,  and  have  written  him  in  return — since  which  I  have 
been  at  the  President's.  Oh,  how  I  pitied  the  poor  old  man! 
There  are  few  men  of  his  age  who  can  stand  as  he  does  four 
hours  upon  a  stretch  receiving  callers  and  shaking  hands  with 
each.  However,  his  health  is  apparently  pretty  good — and  he 
does  the  thing  in  excellent  style.  He  is  very  polite,  polished  and 
gentlemanly  in  his  manners.  Today  I  should  think  while  I  was 
there  that  there  were  200  carriages  drove  up.  There  were  at 
least  1,000  people  in  the  House  &  about  the  door,  and  it  is  not 
impossible  that  the  President  will  shake  hands  with  2,000 
people  today. 

In  the  outer  Hall  and  near  the  door  was  deposited  the  great 
cheese,  which  you  may  recollect  to  have  read  about,  a  present 
from  the  democratic  farmers  of  Oswego  County  in  N.  Y.,  I  be- 
lieve. It  is  over  two  feet  thick  and  about  five  feet  across  it. 
Around  it  was  a  brown  linen  cloth  with  various  inscriptions 
on  it  which  I  did  not  stop  to  read.  The  tub  in  which  it  was 
brought  was  standing  near  by.  The  staves  were  an  inch  thick 
at  least  and  were  bound  with  very  stout  hickory  hoops,  some 
of  them  with  the  bark  on.  In  the  bottom  of  the  tub  I  noticed 
the  following  inscription,  "The  Union,  it  must  be  preserved." 

It,  the  cheese  I  mean,  excited  a  great  deal  of  attention  and 
I  suppose  made  some  mouths  water.  A  band  was  also  placed 
in  the  outer  Hall  who  kept  discoursing  most  excellent  music. 
The  officers  of  the  Navy  and  Army  were  in  uniform  and  foreign 
ministers  in  their  Court  dresses,  though  I  did  not  see  the  lat- 
ter. I  saw  a  few  with  mustachios  and  with  stars  on  their 
breasts,  but  these  were  of  a  subordinate  grade,  perhaps  secreta- 
ries. 

Last  night  I  attended  a  party  at  Mr.  Cass's.  It  was  a  pret- 
ty splendid  affair  but  a  terrible  jam.  Four  rooms  were  filled 
except  two  little  spots  where  they  danced.  There  were  besides 
a  great  many  in  the  chambers.     The  ladies,  I  think,  were  more 


64  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

elegantly  dressed  than  they  were  the  other  night  at  the  Presi- 
dent's and  a  few  of  them  were  really  beautiful. 

Here  for  the  first  time  I  have  seen  waltzing.  As  a  matter 
of  curiosity,  and  none  of  my  French  friends  being  engaged  in  it, 
I  was  gratified  but  I  do  not  think  the  dance  would  be  tolerated 
in  the  North  nor  ought  it  to  be.  They  also  danced  cotillions  and 
had  very  fine  music.  Your  Uncle  Richard  &  Dolly  and  Thomas 
&  his  wife  were  there.  Dolly  is  not  so  very  homely,  nor  so 
very  cold  and  gloomy  as  I  thought.  Mary,  they  said,  had  a 
good  crying  spell  because  she  could  not  attend,  but  did  not  say 
why  she  couldn't  attend. 

I  have  not  spent  my  evening  with  them  yet,  tho  I  intend 
to  soon.  As  business  multiplies  on  my  hands,  your  letters  will 
be  shorter.  This  is  the  sixth  written  today — most  of  them  on 
business  of  my  constituents.  Our  Committee  also  expect  to 
have  a  great  deal  to  do,  which  we  shall  commence  upon  next 
Tuesday.     Love  to  all. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Comments  on  Religion 

Washington,  Jan.  3d,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  been  to  meeting  today  and  heard  Mr.  Palfrey  preach. 
He  is  a  very  sensible  man,  and  sound  preacher,  but  he  has  not 
so  much  animation  as  I  should  like.  It  was  communion  day 
and  the  sacrament  was  administered  by  him  in  a  very  solemn 
manner.  The  ceremony  and  mode  of  administering  it  is  very 
similar  to  that  adopted  in  our  churches  North.  Of  the  mem- 
bers who  remained  to  partake  I  noticed  only  three — Lawrence 
of  Boston,  Hoar^  of  Concord  &  Reed-  of  Barnstable.  Gov.  Lin- 
coln with  his  family  attends  meeting  there,  but  was  not  out 
today. 

Mr.  Palfrey  is  about  leaving  here — I  do  not  know  the  par- 
ticular reasons,  but  believe  it  is  owing  to  the  smallness  of  the 
society,  &  their  inability  to  support  a  minister. 

This  is  not  a  soil  in  which  religion  flourishes  very  well  and 
least  of  all  that  which  requires  a  man  "to  work  out  his  own  sal- 
vation." They  had  much  rather  rest  in  the  belief  that  some 
one  else  has  done  or  will  do  it  for  them  arbitrarily  &  according 
to  preordination.     They  are  mostly  Presbyterians  &  Episcopa- 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  65 

lians.  The  Unitarian  Church  here  is  a  very  pretty  building  and 
well  located.  It  contains  about  the  same  number  of  pews  as 
our  house,  though  of  a  different  shape,  being  broader.  The 
congregation  is  not  more  than  fds.  as  large  as  ours,  but  of  very 
respectable  appearance  and  are  very  attentive  listeners.  The 
music  is  excellent.  The  organ  is  skilfully  played  and  there  are 
two  female  singers  with  very  melodious  voices,  and  v/ho  sing 
with  much  good  taste. 

Mr.  Stockton,  our  Chaplain,  has  not  yet  made  his  appear- 
ance. What  the  reason  is  I  do  not  know.  We  had  no  services 
at  the  Capitol  last  Sabbath  nor  today  and  Wardwell  of  New 
York  has  given  notice  that  he  intends  offering  a  resolution 
against  permitting  the  House  to  be  used  in  that  way. 

Mr.  Higbee,  the  Chaplain  for  the  Senate,  has  officiated  in 
our  House  also.  His  prayers  are  about  2  minutes  long.  Judge 
Ruggles  has  just  informed  me  that  there  were  services  at  the 
Capitol  today  by  Mr.  Higbee. 

Do  you  have  preaching  at  our  house  now?  Has  Mr. 
Williams  returned?  Who  is  preaching  at  Mr.  Whitman's 
house?  In  your  next  tell  me  a  little  of  everything.  Love  to 
the  children  &  everybody  &c. 

Your  Husband, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 

^Samuel  Hoar,  Whig. 

^Member   of   Congress   for   Massachusetts,    1835-37.     Prominent   abolition- 
ist,  distinguished  lawyer  and  judge. 


Some   Remarkable  Pen   Pictures 

Washington,  Jan.  7th,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

This  morning,  very  soon  after  the  House  convened,  the 
rules  &  orders  were  agreed  by  vote  to  be  suspended  in  order  to 
make  way  for  the  introduction  of  petitions  and,  deeming  it 
therefore  a  good  time  to  visit  the  Senate,  I  cleared  out.  When 
I  went  into  the  Senate  Chamber,  Calhoun  was  speaking  and, 
finding  that  an  interesting  debate  was  going  on,  I  concluded  to 
spend  the  day  there,  which  I  did.  I  had  the  good  fortune  to 
hear  Calhoun,  Buchanan,  Morris,  Preston,  Porter,  Tyler  and 
Brown.  The  discussion  was  upon  Calhoun's  motion  that  a  peti- 
tion for  the  abolition  of  slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia 
should  not  be  received. 


66  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Calhoun  is  rather  tall  &  slender.  He  has  a  head  of  dark 
bushy  hair  and  thick  eyebrows  of  the  same  color.  His  com- 
plexion is  dark,  his  eye  deeply  sunken  in  his  head,  and  his 
face  strongly  marked.  There  is  nothing  amiable  in  his  counte- 
nance, but  the  contrary.  The  strongest  expressions  are :  mind, 
energy  and  malignity.  His  voice  is  rather  harsh,  but  cannot  be 
regarded  as  a  bad  one.  He  speaks  with  great  force,  but  not 
with  ease,  not  making  many  gestures,  but  expressing  much  by 
the  muscles  of  his  face,  and  his  deep,  dark  eyes. 

After  him  spoke  Mr.  Morris,  who  is  a  very  plain  looking 
man,  not  much  superior  to  the  best  looking  of  our  farmers. 
His  remarks  were  plain,  unimpassioned,  and  without  gesture, 
but  characterized  by  good  sense.  Then  followed  Porter  of 
Louisiana,  who  is  an  Irishman.  I  was  very  much  amused 
with  him.  He  has  very  much  of  the  Irish  brogue  and  speaks 
with  great  fervour  and  rapidity,  so  much  so  that  it  is  dif- 
ficult to  understand  him.  But  there  was  at  times  such  a  queer, 
good-natured  sarcasm  in  his  smile,  that  I  wanted  to  laugh  out- 
right. His  personal  appearance  is  ordinary,  his  voice  only 
tolerable  and  his  talents  not  above  mediocrity,  so  that,  were  it 
not  for  his  brogue  &  fervour  &  queer  look,  he  would  not  be  a 
very  interesting  speaker. 

Mr.  Preston,  the  great  orator  of  the  South,  followed  Por- 
ter. His  personal  appearance  is  very  good.  As  much  as  6  feet 
high  and  his  size  corresponding  thereto.  His  face  is  rather 
full,  complexion  and  hair  sandy,  features  rather  regular,  and 
the  general  indications  rather  of  an  open-hearted,  frank,  ready, 
talented,  off-hand  man,  than  of  a  deep  and  strong  mind.  And 
I  believe  the  facts  correspond  with  these  indications.  His 
voice  is  pretty  good — nothing  remarkable  about  it — but  his 
manner  is  inimitable.  He  abounds  in  action  and  most  of  our 
Northern  friends  here  think  there  is  a  great  deal  too  much  of 
it — that  he  is  far  too  theatrical,  but  his  motions  of  hands,  arms, 
head  and  body  are  so  appropriate  and  graceful,  that  I  must 
confess  I  liked  him.  He  is  very  figurative — one  for  instance  I 
recollect  he  used  was  this:  He  compared  the  petitions  &  me- 
morials upon  the  subject  of  slavery  now  flowing  in  upon  Con- 
gress to  a  swollen  &  turbid  stream,  while  those  which  came  in 
formerly  were  merely  a  little  rill  that  percolated  through  the 
Hall. 

After  Preston,  came  Mr.  Buchanan — and  he  is  a  great  fa- 
vorite of  mine — I  liked  him  the  first  time  I  put  my  eye  upon  him. 
He  is  rather  tall  &  large — light  complexion — and  a  fine,  open, 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  67 

manly,  ingenuous  face.  In  consequence  of  a  defect  in  his  eyes 
he  holds  his  head  sideways  while  he  looks  ahead  and  this,  to 
me,  makes  him  more  interesting.  His  voice  is  clear,  rather 
strong  and  very  pleasant.  He  has  about  as  much  animation  & 
action  as  is  common  among  our  Northern  men. 

Brown  of  N.  C.  succeeded  much  better  than  I  had  antici- 
pated. He  reminded  me  of  Gov.  Dunlap  and  is  about  as  much 
of  a  man.  Leigh  is  rather  a  small  man  &  lame,  having  the  sole 
of  one  boot  near  two  inches  thick.  He  has  a  short,  round,  hand- 
some face,  black,  beautiful  eye,  and  a  round,  bald,  shiny  head. 
His  voice  is  rather  small,  but  sweet  &  musical,  tho  he  rose  only 
to  make  a  few  suggestions  and  not  a  speech ;  it  may  be  different 
with  him  at  other  times ;  I  must  confess  I  was  rather  favorably 
impressed  for  the  first  sight  &  hearing.  How  it  will  be  after 
next  Monday,  when  he  gave  notice  that  he  should  make  a 
speech,  we  shall  see. 

After  him  Mr.  Webster  rose  &  after  making  a  remark  or 
two  moved  an  adjournment,  so  that  on  Monday  he  will  have  the 
floor,  when  I  shall  try  to  hear  him.  Tomorrow  is  the  8th  of 
Jan.  and  both  Houses  have  adjourned  over  to  Monday.  I  have 
reed,  an  invitation  to  attend  the  laying  the  corner  stone  of  a  new 
city  tomorrow,  by  the  Genl.  We  have  had  a  rain  storm  for 
two  or  three  days  past.  I  suspect  you  have  had  a  violent  snow 
storm  North  corresponding  with  it.  Last  night  about  4  I  was 
waked  by  the  cry  of  fire  &  the  ringing  of  bells — it  lasted,  how- 
ever, but  a  few  minutes. 

Your  loving  Husband, 

JOHN   FAIRFIELD. 


He  Has  His  Bumps  Located 

Washington,  Jan.  10,  1836. 
Dear  Ann, 

Our  long  storm  has  ceased,  and  we  are  left  with  fair 
weather  and  a  strong  wind ;  but  what  renders  the  latter  almost 
as  uncomfortable  for  me  as  a  storm,  is  that,  instead  of  blowing 
horizontally  as  it  used  to  in  old  times,  it  now  blows  perpendic- 
ularly downwards — and  the  cowardly  smoke  instead  of  pressing 
its  way  upward  as  it  ought,  retreats  before  the  wind  down  into 
the  room,  when  I  have  to  open  the  door  and  let  it  escape  a  back 
way,  but  what  can't  be  cured  must  be  endured,  so,  patience  is 
the  word. 


68  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

I  have  been  to  meeting  today  at  the  Capitol  to  hear  our 
Chaplain,  Mr.  Stockton — and  I  am  sorry  to  say  I  am  disap- 
pointed— I  had  heard  so  much  of  him  that  my  expectations  were 
raised  too  high.  It  is  very  probable,  however,  that  he  may  do 
better  hereafter.  His  manner  is  very  fine,  and  he  abounds  in 
beautiful  figures,  but  he  is  deficient  in  matter.  His  bump  of 
ratiocination  is  very  small — while  that  of  imagination  is  large. 
His  sermon  commenced  thus :  "As  in  the  natural  world  we  some- 
times see  a  dark  cloud,  one  end  resting  on  the  horizon,  and  the 
other  illuminated  by  the  rays  of  the  setting  sun,  so  in  the  moral 
world  no  cloud  of  sorrow  is  so  utterly  dark  but  that  some  faint 
streaks  of  the  light  of  joy  may  be  visible  in  its  borders."  I 
have  not,  perhaps,  got  his  precise  words,  and  the  figure  is  not  so 
good  as  it  fell  from  him,  but  I  have  the  idea.  His  power  of  de- 
scription is  great.  He  brings  unseen  things  before  you  so  that 
you  can  put  out  your  hand  and  touch  them — but  I  cannot  say 
that  he  touched  my  feelings.  He  cannot  make  the  heart  rise  up 
in  the  throat,  or  start  a  tear  in  the  eye.  At  least  he  did  not 
do  it;  perhaps  he  may,  and  lest  I  do  him  injustice  in  my  haste, 
I  will  give  no  opinion  of  him  until  I  hear  him  again.  So  you 
will  just  please  rub  all  out  and  let's  begin  anew — next  Sunday. 
In  enclose  a  specimen  of  my  handy  work  in  sketching.  Here 
you  have  Old  Hickory  himself.  It  is  a  middling  good  likeness, 
not  perfect.  The  lower  lip,  I  think,  protrudes  too  much,  though 
there  is  a  falling  in  of  the  upper  lip  owing  to  the  loss  of  teeth. 
Tomorrow,  if  I  have  time,  I  will  send  you  Mr.  Van  Buren. 

So  it  seems  you  have  got  my  phrenological  chart;  well,  I 
think  you  are  right  in  regard  to  the  two  subjects  alluded  to,  to 
wit,  cautiousness  and  not  being  able  to  receive  a  joke  unless  he 
meant  a  joke  founded  in  ill-nature,  or  of  a  wanton  character, 
having  no  regard  to  feelings.  It  appears  to  me  that  Fowler  was 
a  good  deal  out  in  some  things :  for  instance,  before  I  sent  you 
the  chart  I  sat  down  &  marked  where  I  disagreed  with  him — 
thus: 

Destructiveness       he  marked  12  I  mark     9 
Secretiveness  he  marked     4  I  mark     9 

Acquisitionness        he  marked     6  I  mark  10 
Cautiousness  he  marked  19  I  mark  12 

Marvelousness  he  marked     6  I  mark  10 

Imitation  he  marked     9  I  mark  10 

Mirthfulness  he  marked     9  I  mark  12 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  69 

Tell  Mr.  Haines  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  we  should  have 
a  message  from  the  President  tomorrow. 

Genl.  Macomb^  it  is  said,  has  had  a  fit  of  apoplexy,  though 
not  very  severe,  will  probably  get  over  it.     He  is  fleshy,  has  a 
short  neck,  and  looks  like  what  is  called  a  "good  liver."     I  sup- 
pose Genl.  Scott  wouldn't  cry  much  if  Macomb  was  to  die. 
Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

^General  Alexander  Macomb  (1782-1841)  commanding  general  of  the 
U.  S.  Army  at  the  time  of  Gov.  Fairfield's  writing.  Gen.  Macomb  was  prom- 
inent in  the  War  of  1812  and  greatly  distinguished  himself  in  1813  at  Fort 
St.  George  and  Fort  Niagara.  He  defended  Plattsburg,  N.  Y.,  in  1814,  against 
a  greatly  superior  force  under  Sir  George  Prevost.  In  recognition  thereof 
he  was  made  major-general,  receiving  a  vote  of  thanks  and  medal  from 
Congress.  He  was  commanding  general  of  the  armies  from  1828  to  1841, 
the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  author  of  many  books  on  law,  court-martial, 
and   similar  matters. 


Squally  News  From  France 

Washington,  Jan.  11,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  time  to  scratch  a  word  or  two  only.  We  have  a  long 
session,  say  from  12  to  nearly  5.  It  is  now  only  about  1/2  an 
hour  since  I  rose  from  dinner  table  since  which  I  have  been 
hard  at  work  directing  some  papers,  &c,,  in  time  to  go  in 
this  mail. 

There  was  a  long  discussion  whether  a  memorial  from 
the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Michigan  should  be  reed.  The 
Ohio  folks  stuck  up  their  backs  at  once  &  spit  like  cats.  After 
a  long  debate,  however,  it  was  reed,  with  some  qualifying  con- 
ditions appended  to  it. 

Then,  after  it  was  time  to  adjourn,  Leonard  Jarvis  as 
Chairman  of  the  Com.  on  Naval  Affairs,  introduced  a  resolution 
directing  that  Committee  to  inquire  into  the  expediency  of  in- 
creasing our  Naval  force  in  commission.  It  was  a  foolish  move, 
he  had  better  waited  until  tomorrow  when  we  shall  probably 
have  some  Executive  recommendation  upon  the  subject.  How- 
ever, having  been  introduced,  it  was  necessary  to  support  it; 
Wise  of  Virginia  and  Hammond  of  South  Carolina  opposed  it ; 
Hawes  of  Kentucky  &  McLean  of  N.  Y.  made  short  but  thrilling 
replies.  The  vote  was  taken  by  yeas  &  nays  &  stood  160  odd 
to  18.  So  this  shows  a  little  the  spirit  prevailing.  The  Country 
will  go  strong  for  the  Country  and  against  France. 


70  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

No  message  from  the  Pres.  today.  Barton  has  not  yet  ar- 
rived in  this  City,  but  expected  tonight,  I  believe.  The  news 
from  France — such  as  you  will  see  in  the  papers — looks  a  little 
squally.  And  a  great  many  of  us  are  willing  to  fight  if  France 
will  only  begin — so  as  to  let  conscience  have  the  principle  of 
self-defence  on  her  side. 

There  was  no  debate  in  the  Senate  today  on  the  slavery 
question,  as  was  expected. 

Enclosed  you  have  Mr.  V.  B.^  which  I  sketched  last  night 
just  before  going  to  bed. 

We  have  no  mail  today  from  the  North,  suspect  there  has 
been  a  violent  storm. 

Yours  truly, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

*Van    Buren. 


In  a  Playful  Mood 

Washington,  Jan.  11,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  written  you  once  today,  and  my  letter  is  gone,  but 
having  returned  from  an  evening  at  your  Uncle  Rich- 
ard's, and  not  feeling  very  much  of  go-to-bed-ishness,  I  thought 
I  would  devote  a  few  minutes  to  the  beginning  of  a  letter  which 
I  could  finish  tomorrow  after  the  adjournment  of  the  House. 

I  am  very  much  pleased  with  your  Uncle  Richard  and  his 
family.  He  is  very  pleasant,  exceedingly  fond  of  talking  over 
Saco,  its  people  and  affairs,  is  in  good  spirits,  much  better  than 
when  I  was  here  before,  and  appears  to  be  in  good  health.  Mad- 
ison and  his  wife,  Mary,  were  at  the  theatre.  Thomas  was  at 
home.  He  is  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Army ;  was  educated  at  West 
Point,  and  is,  I  should  think,  an  accomplished  officer.  He  exhib- 
ited to  me  many  of  his  drawings,  done  while  at  West  Point  and 
since.  They  indicate  much  scientific  skill  and  good  taste.  They 
also  shew  me  many  drawings  and  paintings  of  Mary,  all  of  them 
good  and  many  of  them  in  pencil  and  crayon  equal  to  anything 
of  the  kind  I  ever  saw.  I  might  say  almost  as  much  of  some 
of  Dolly's. 

By  the  way,  I  must  do  penance  in  some  way  for  having 
slandered  and  misrepresented  Dolly  to  you.  She  is  not  as 
homely  as  a  log  fence,  as  sour  as  buttermilk,  as  solemn  as  a 
tombstone  and  as  melancholy  as  a  weeping  willow.  No,  on  the 
contrary,  she  is  very  pretty,  considerable  handsome;  laughs  as 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  71 

much  as  common  and  talks  a  little  more.  She  is  learned,  accom- 
plished and  on  the  whole  what  we  should  call  in  the  North  a 
"pretty  likely  girl."  Thomas's  wife  talks  through  her  nose;, 
but,  poor  woman,  I  suppose  she  can't  help  that,  her  mouth 
being  very  small  and  her  nose  very  large. 

If,  however,  it  can  be  regarded  as  a  defect,  it  is  all  made  up 
by  her  cleverness,  in  the  best  sense  of  the  term.  But  I  must 
stop,  for  , 

"I  feel  a  wicked  tingling  come 
Down  to  the  finger  &  the  thumb."      That  is,  I  am 
afraid  that  out  of  pure  mischief,  I  shall  slander  and  ridicule 
where  I  ought  to  praise.     Tomorrow  I  will  resume. 


Col.   Benton    Characterized 

Jan.  12. 
Dear  Wife, 

No  message  yet.  I  shall  think  it  strange  if  we  do  not  have 
one  tomorrow.  I  passed  a  couple  of  hours  in  the  Senate  today 
and  heard  Benton,  Preston,  Leigh,  and  Payton.  Benton  intro- 
duced a  resolution  in  regard  to  an  appropriation  for  military 
fortifications  and  took  occasion  to  allude  to  the  unjustifiable 
course  of  the  Senate  last  session  in  not  allowing  the  appropria- 
tion of  $3,000,000,  &c.,  &c.  It  caused  a  good  deal  of  fluttering. 
Leigh  &  Clayton  tried  to  get  clear  of  the  imputation  against 
them  and  were  willing  to  go  all  lengths  now  in  support  of  appro- 
priations for  strengthening  the  arm  of  defence.  But  Preston, 
who  is  honester  than  the  rest,  still  insisted  that  he  was  right  in 
his  former  opposition,  on  constitutional  grounds.  Benton  has 
a  fine  voice  and  can  express  as  much  with  his  face  and  eyes  as 
any  other  man.     His  contempt  is  withering. 

We  had  no  Northern  mail  yesterday  and  none  today,  until 
very  late  &  then  bringing  us  papers  only,  no  letters,  and  the 
papers  being  over  a  week  old.  Among  the  rest  is  a  Register  for 
which  I  am  obliged  to  you.  I  was  in  hopes  today  of  hearing 
from  our  Legislature,  am  very  anxious  to  hear. 

This  day  has  been  about  as  warm  and  pleasant  as  our 
weather  the  middle  of  April. 

Tonight  I  go  to  Mr  Blair's,  and  break  off  writing  to  dress. 
Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


72  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Lively  Sparring  in  the  House 

Washington,  Jan.  13,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

My  apprehensions,  it  turns  out,  were  well  founded,  that  is 
to  say,  you  have  had  a  tremendously  severe  snow  storm  at  the 
North.  We  hear  from  no  farther  north  than  Philadelphia,  and 
it  seems  that  even  there  two  feet  of  snow  has  fallen  and  is  so 
drifted  as  to  render  travelling  almost  impossible.  We  have  had 
no  Northern  mail  now  for  3  days  but  I  trust  we  shall  get  one 
tomorrow. 

The  Committee  of  Ways  and  Means  called  up  the  appropri- 
ation bills  today,  and  Mr.  Cambrelling  moved  an  amendment  to 
appropriate  two  millions  for  the  fitting  out  of  the  Navy,  &c. 
This  called  out  Waddy  Thompson  of  S.  C.^  in  a  bitter  attack  on 
Genl.  Jackson  and  Mr.  Rives.- 

His  speech  was  a  real  Tory  French  speech,  said  our  Gov- 
ernment was  wrong  in  every  step  that  it  had  taken  and  that  the 
French  were  right.  That  if  he  had  been  a  member  of  the 
French  Chamber  he  would  have  voted  against  the  appropriation 
and  would  have  gloried  in  it.  That  the  French  had  done  ex- 
actly right  in  making  the  preparation  they  had,  but  that  it 
would  be  wrong  for  us  to  do  anything  of  the  kind  and  that  he 
should  vote  against  the  appropriation  of  two  millions.  And 
many  other  things  he  said,  so  execrable  that  I  can't  think  of 
them  with  patience,  much  more  write  them.  Sutherland  an- 
swered him,  but  it  didn't  suit  me.  It  sounded  like  the  falls  of 
Niagara,  while  in  fact  it  was  nothing  more  than  a  shallow  brook. 
He  may,  however,  write  out  a  pretty  good  one  for  the  paper. 

When  he  sat  down  Bynum  of  N.  C,  whom  Mr.  Haines  has 
probably  heard  Mr.  Shepley  speak  of,  a  real  fighter  and  duellist, 
got  the  floor.  And  though  his  manner  is  bad,  that  is,  ranting, 
voice  up  and  down  to  the  two  extremes  almost  every  minute,  yet 
he  made  a  speech  much  more  to  my  mind  than  Sutherland.  He 
made  some  pretty  hard  thrusts  at  Thompson  and  brought  the 
latter  to  his  feet  two  or  three  times  to  explain. 

He  said  that  during  the  last  war  we  had  a  British  party  in 
the  Country  who  rejoiced  over  the  victories  of  the  enemy  while 
they  deplored  our  own — burnt  blue  lights,  &c.. — and  that  it 
seemed  now  that  we  were  to  have  a  French  party.  He  poured 
in  broadside  after  broadside,  until  a  friend  near  him,  finding 
him  pretty  much  exhausted  in  strength,  moved  an  adjourn- 
ment ;  so  that  B.  still  has  the  floor  and  I  hope  he  will  give  these 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  73 

Tory  nullifiers  "as  much  as  they  want."  My  blood  boiled  to 
hear  Thompson  talk  and  if  I  had  had  a  little  more  confidence 
in  myself,  I  would  have  taken  the  floor  against  him.  But  this 
"tarnal"  great  bump  of  bashfulness  that  Doct.  Fowler  has 
raised  on  my  head  will  forever  keep  me  in  the  background. 

I  went  to  Mr.  Blair's  party  last  night — had  a  fine  time — 
found  all  things  pretty  much  as  at  the  other  parties  I  have  at- 
tended, and  came  home  before  eleven.  I  have  become  acquainted 
with  Frank  Smith's^  wife  notwithstanding  his  incivility  (for  tho 
we  came  on  a  considerable  part  of  the  way  in  company,  he 
didn't  even  introduce  me  to  her)  and  find  her  a  very  pleasant, 
companionable  lady.  I  have  written  this  upon  a  gallop  and 
must  now  dismount  and  sign  myself 

Affectionately  Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

"  ^Waddy  Thompson,  American  legislator  and  diplomat,  born  in  Pickering-, 
S.  C.  He  was  a  lawver  of  distinction,  member  of  the  House  for  1835  to  '41 
as  a  Whig-,  in  1840  Chairman  of  Military  Affairs,  in  1846  U.  S.  minister  to 
Mexico.  He  -was  a  fiery  debater  and  as  Whig  calculated  to  stir  the  anger  of 
our  Maine  democrat. 

=This  is  probably  William  C.  Rives  who  had  been  U.  S.  minister  to 
Prance  from  1829  to  1832,  U.  S.  Senator  to  1834,  re-elected  in  1835.  This 
French  stir  was  spoliation   claims  and  impending   war. 

3F.   O.   J.   Smith   of   Portland,   Me. 


Gov.  Fairfield's  Opinion  of  Webster 

Washington,  Jan.  14,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

Yours  of  the  6th  I  have  just  received,  having  been  a  week 
on  the  way — v/hich,  upon  the  whole,  considering  what  storms 
you  have  had,  is  a  tolerable  quick  passage.  I  thank  you  for  giv- 
ing me  a  peep  into  domestic  affairs,  and  I  am  happy  to  find 
things  so  comfortable  with  you.  I  can  see  you  and  the  babe 
and  the  children,  the  girls  with  "woolen  tires"  and  all  that,  and 
the  rest  of  the  family.  It  is  a  picture  that  I  love  to  contem- 
plate. 

In  the  House  today  they  have  been  discussing  the  Bill  for 
the  relief  of  N.  Y.  Merchants,  i.e.,  a  bill  which  proposes  an  ex- 
tension of  credit  for  1,  2,  3  &  4  years,  on  bonds  given  for  duties. 
We  had  speeches  from  Lee  &  McKean  from  N.  Y.,  Old  Ben 
Harden  from  Kentuck.,  Pickens  of  S.  C,  Mann  of  N.  Y.  and 
Underwood  of  Kentucky. 

I  heard  only  a  part  of  them,  being  the  rest  of  the  time  in 
the  Senate,  hearing  a  discussion  growing  out  of  Mr.  Benton's 


74  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

resolutions.  I  heard  Porter,  Webster  &  Cuthbert.  I  continue 
to  think  Porter  rather  an  interesting  speaker;  Mr.  Shepley 
thinks  otherwise.  Webster  made,  they  say,  one  of  his  best 
speeches,  or  rather  it  was  one  of  his  best  specimens  as  to  man- 
ner, &c.  He  is  a  most  powerful  debater,  but  his  positions,  many 
of  them,  appeared  to  me  to  be  perfectly  untenable,  and  easily 
overturned  by  much  lesser  minds  than  his  own.  For  instance, 
he  held  that  the  3d  of  March  did  not  terminate  at  12  o'clock  at 
night,  but  when  the  House  adjourned,  even  if  it  was  3  o'clock 
in  the  morning;  that  there  was  nothing  in  the  Constitution 
conflicting  with  this;  that  tho'  it  said  members  should  be 
chosen  for  2  years,  it  did  not  say  when  the  2  years  should  end. 
I  have  not  looked  at  the  precise  words  of  the  Constitution,  but 
I  think  his  positions  utterly  unsound.' 

He  attacked  the  President  for  saying  in  his  message  that 
the  $3,000,000  bill  was  lost  in  one  of  the  Houses  of  Congress, 
and  then  went  on  to  prove  that  it  was  lost  in  the  House  &  not 
the  Senate;  endeavored  to  escape  the  odium  of  having  defeated 
it,  and  then  said  that  he  should  not  have  voted  for  it,  at  any 
rate,  on  the  ground  that  it  abounded  in  unconstitutionality.  On 
the  whole,  though  a  powerful  speech,  it  abounded  in  inconsist- 
encies. 

Cuthbert  took  the  floor  when  Webster  sat  down.  He  is 
rather  an  ill-looking  man,  or  rather  not  remarkably  good-look- 
ing. He  is  about  the  middling  size,  bald-headed,  red  face  and 
very  much  pitted  by  small  pox.  But  he  is  made  of  capital  stuff 
and  appears  to  be  a  good,  thorough-going  democrat.  He  is  said 
to  be  courageous  as  a  lion  and  will  fight  like  a  tiger.  His  voice 
is  very  bad,  and  I  found  it  difficult  to  understand  him  distinctly. 
But  he  turned  upon  Webster  and  answered  his  charges  agamst 
the  President  and  the  dangers  to  be  apprehended  from  his  im- 
mense personal  popularity  and  popular  enthusiasm  by  firing  a 
broadside  or  two  at  the  aristocracy.  He  said  that  instead  of 
dangers  to  be  apprehended  from  the  source  pointed  out  by  the 
gentleman,  they  were  rather  to  be  apprehended  from  a  combi- 
nation of  powerful  minds,  of  men  of  great  weight  of  character, 
&c.,  who  were  the  leaders  of  the  aristocratic  party  in  the  Coun- 
try, &c.  After  speaking  4  or  5  minutes  he  moved  an  adjourn- 
ment, so  I  suppose  he  will  have  the  floor  on  Monday,  to  which 
day  the  Senate  adjourned  over. 

Our  House  sits  tomorrow.  Today  the  two  Committees  on 
the  Dist.  of  Col.  had  a  joint  meeting  &  conference.     The  Com. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  75 

on  the  part  of  the  Senate  are  Gov.  Tyler,  Gov.  Kent,  Doctor  Nan- 
dain,  Col.  King  of  Alabama  &  Mr.  Southard.  Not  having  time 
or  paper  to  do  it  now,  I  will  endeavor  hereafter  to  give  you  a 
particular  description  of  each — as  well  as  the  members  of  the 
Committee  on  the  part  of  the  House. 

Have  an  invitation  to  attend  another  party  at  Mr.  Cass's  on 
Thursday  next  one  week.  Give  my  love  to  the  children  and  tell 
Walter  and  George  they  must  write  me  oftener.  Where  is 
Martha's  letter  &  Augusta's?  I  reed,  today  a  letter  from  Bro. 
Wm.  Cutts.  So  warm  here  today  that  I  have  been  to  the  House 
without  a  surtout.  We  go  nearly  half  a  mile. 
Your  Husband, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 

^Note   Col.   Benton's   long  and    interesting   account  of   this   debate   in   his 
"Thirty  Years'   View." 


Davy  Crockett's  Successor 

Washington,  Jan.  16,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

There  has  been  no  session  of  the  Senate  today.  The  House 
a  portion  of  the  time  has  been  engaged  in  private  business,  i.  e., 
passing  bills  providing  relief  for  individuals.  After  this  was 
disposed  of  a  discussion  was  got  up  in  relation  to  the  extension 
of  the  Charter  of  the  Banks  in  this  District  to  the  1st  of  October 
next.  Thomas,  Mann,  Pearce  of  R.  I.,  Parker  &  Huntsman  took 
part.  The  latter  is  the  successor  of  Davy  Crockett.  He  is  short 
and  rather  fleshy,  round  face  and  bald  head,  one  wooden  leg,  and 
one  not  wooden.  He  speaks  rapidly,  in  a  small,  clear  voice,  but 
when  very  earnest  clips  his  words  so  that  you  cannot  always 
understand  him.  He  appears  to  be  a  man  of  good  sense  having 
a  spice  of  the  West  in  his  composition. 

After  that  question  was  settled  a  debate  commenced  on  the 
resolution  offered  by  Hawes  of  Kentucky  to  raise  a  select  com- 
mittee to  look  into  the  affairs  of  the  West  Point  Academy. 
Among  other  speakers  Frank  Pierce  acquitted  himself  very  well, 
but  has  not  yet  finished  his  speech.  We  probably  shall  not  get 
a  message  from  the  President  until  Monday.  The  news  from 
France  today  looks  favorable,  it  is  what  you  will  see  in  the 
papers.  We  are  going  to  have  a  goodly  number  of  the  letter  of 
"John  Dickinson"  stricken  off  for  distribution.  Nothing  by 
mail  today.  Spent  last  evening  at  Chs.  Cutts's — Miss  Stras  (or 
what's  her  name?)  beat  me  a  game  of  chess  and  I  beat  her  a 


76  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

game  of  checkers  or  draughts  as  they  call  it.  Mrs.  C.  sends  her 
love  to  you  and  says  she  would  be  very  glad  to  see  you  &  I  be- 
lieve her.  I  am  afraid  if  I  go  on  improving  so  in  my  hand  writ- 
ing that  I  shall  soon  get  to  be  illegible.  After  this  I  think  I 
will  take  more  pains  and  write  less.  Tell  Mr.  Haines  tomorrow 
I  shall  send  a  draft  for  $200.  I  wrote  yesterday  telling  him  how 
much  he  might  subscribe  for  me  toward  hose  for  engine.  Give 
my  love  to  our  household,  and  everybody  else. 

Affectionately  Your  Husband, 

JOHN    FAIRFIELD. 


Talks    About   Duelling 

Washington,  Jan.  17,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

Your  respectably  long  letter  I  reed,  yesterday.  It  con- 
tained much  to  awaken  pleasant  reflections  and  to  warm  my 
heart.  But  to  dispose  of  matters  of  business  first,  let  me  tell 
you  that  instead  of  mulberry  for  your  cloak,  my  taste  inclines 
to  green  if  you  can  get  a  handsome  one.  However,  when  you 
suit  yourself  you  will  suit  me. 

Taking  up  matters  as  they  stand  in  your  letter,  I  would  re- 
ply to  your  inquiry  whether  it  is  not  most  time  for  a  duel,  that 
yesterday  I  heard  that  there  was  to  be  a  duel  between  two  mem- 
bers of  our  House,  and  that  one  of  them  had  been  practicing 
down  at  the  Navy  Yard  for  some  time — but  I  could  not  learn 
their  names.  Whether  Mother  Rumor  has  anything  to  found 
this  tale  on,  time  will  show,  I  agree  with  you  that  I  have  not 
enough  of  combativeness  in  my  disposition  to  make  me  a  duell- 
ist, even  if  there  were  no  restraint  of  principle,  so  you  need  not 
be  alarmed  about  me.  I  hope,  however,  that  my  dispositions  or 
principles  will  never  prevent  my  defending  myself  even  though 
it  should  be  at  the  expense  of  life. 

You  say  our  great  baby  is  well  &  improving  though  he  is 
homely  yet.  It  is  of  very  little  consequence  how  he  looks,  pro- 
vided he  has  mind  &  right  dispositions.  Indeed,  I  sometimes 
think  it  is  better  for  a  man  to  be  homely,  certainly  better  to  be 
not  handsome.  So  far  as  our  own  children  are  concerned  I  have 
no  anxiety  in  regard  to  it.  I  return  Miss  Augusta  a  kiss  for 
hers  and  wish  I  could  lay  it  on  myself.  I  think  it  might  be 
heard  all  over  the  house — the  same  to  Sarah.     You  say  Walter 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  77 

&  George  have  letters  written,  but  have  yet  to  copy  them.  As 
soon  as  I  receive  them  I  will  write  answers. 

I  have  been  to  meeting  today  at  the  Capitol,  thought  I 
would  hear  Mr.  Stockton  again,  and  make  up  an  opinion  about 
him,  but  we  had  Mr.  Higbee,  Chaplain  for  the  Senate.  He  is 
certainly  more  than  a  common  preacher,  much  more  of  a  man 
in  point  of  talents,  I  suspect,  than  Stockton.  There  was  a  man 
that  responded  who  seemed  determined  to  let  everybody 
know  it  as  well  as  the  Lord,  indeed,  he  was  rather  annoying 
and  forcibly  brought  a  certain  gentleman  in  Saco  to  my  mind 
whose  name  I  need  not  mention,  though  I  believe  he  has  quit  the 
meeting-house  where  the  boy  thought  "the  people  mocked  the 
minister." 

We  had  last  night  a  fall  of  snow  of  about  an  inch  and  today 
strange  looking  vehicles  are  in  rapid  motion  about  the  City.  The 
sun  has  not  shone  out  today,  but  the  snow  is  nearly  gone  in 
the  street. 

Doct.  Dubois  &  wife  left  yesterday,  and  Mr.  Alexr.  Hamil- 
ton &  wife  have  taken  their  place  at  our  table.  He  is  a  son  of 
the  celebrated  Alexr.  Hamilton  and  she  was  a  rich  heiress  of 
N.  Y.  I  know  nothing  more  about  them ;  their  personal  appear- 
ance testifies  very  favorably  of  them.  She  is  the  only  lady  now 
at  our  table.  Mrs.  Hill  &  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Wright,  used  to 
take  the  head  of  our  table,  but  having  two  other  messes  to  look 
after,  they  have  entirely  deserted  us. 

While  I  think  of  it,  what  do  you  think  I  breakfast  on? 
Buckwheat  cakes  baked  thin  like  flapjacks,  and  molasses.  We 
have  often  heard  the  Yankees  ridiculed  for  their  use  of  mo- 
lasses, but  I  have  never  seen  it  used  in  the  North  as  it  is  here. 
It  is  not,  however,  a  matter  of  complaint  with  me,  you  know 
how  I  love  molasses,  and  this  morning  I  added  some  pork  to  it, 
which  is  really  quite  delicious — pork  &  molasses! 

I  don't  know  that  I  have  before  named  to  you  that  I  have 
had  two  letters  from  Ruf us  King  and  that  I  have  written  to  him. 
He  is  in  Shiloh,  North  Carolina,  is  engaged  in  school  keeping 
yet,  and  judging  from  the  appearance  of  his  letters,  very  much 
improved.  He  appeared  to  be  very  grateful  for  the  letter  I  sent 
him,  in  which  I  tried  to  rouse  him  to  aspire  to  something  better 
than  what  he  could  hope  for  in  his  present  pursuit.  Genl.  King^ 
of  Bath  is  here,  and  says  he  has  sent  for  Rufus  to  come  here, 
so  i  suppose  I  shall  see  him.  He,  Rufus,  has  been  sick,  but  is 
now  well,  or  better — whether  it  is  best  to  tell  anything  of  this 


78  LETTERS  OF  JOHN   FAIRFIELD 

to  the  family  or  not,  you  will  judge.     If  I  have  been  rightly  in- 
formed, they  have  no  communication  with  each  other. 
Verj^  Affectionately  Your  Husband, 

JOHN   FAIRFIELD. 

^Governor   King. 


Slavery  the  Subject  of  Debate 

Washington,  Jan.  19,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

Today,  I  understand,  Leigh  has  been  making  an  argument 
on  the  Constitutional  power  of  Congress,  or  rather  the  want  of 
it,  over  the  subject  of  slavery  in  the  Dist.  of  Col.  In  the  House 
the  same  subject  was  on  the  carpet,  to  wit,  Jarvis  resolutions. 
Peyton  of  Tennessee  made  a  most  violent  speech  &  travelled  out 
of  his  way  to  try  to  hit  Mr.  Van  Buren,  but  it  was  a  failure.  He 
was  followed  by  Bouldin  of  Virginia  who  is  on  our  Committee 
on  Dis.  Columbia  and  with  whom  I  am  pretty  well  acquainted. 
His  speech  was  a  most  amusing  one.  He  comes  from  the  Dis- 
trict formerly  represented  by  John  Randolph,  and  is  his  legiti- 
mate successor  if  anybody  is,  in  some  respects.  His  speech  was 
exceedingly  rambling,  without  much  point,  abounding  in  his- 
torical allusions,  containing  some  wit  and  a  good  deal  of  humor, 
and  all  done  up  in  great  good  nature.  He  stood  very  near  me 
so  that  I  heard  all.  He  was  not  in  his  place  and  I  heard  it  re- 
marked that  he  happened  to  stand  in  the  very  place  where 
Judge  Bouldin,  his  brother,  dropped  down  dead,  winter  before 
last,  I  believe  it  was. 

He  is  a  singular  looking  man  in  his  personal  appearance  (If 
this  is  Irish  I  can't  help  it).  Is  rather  tall  &  slender,  round- 
shouldered,  and  bones  looking  as  if  they  were  meditating  a  re- 
lease from  their  confinement.  He  is  very  bald  and  has  a  very 
singular  skull.  It  is  all  bumps,  there  are  no  smooth  places  on 
it.  His  eyes  are  quite  small,  and  set  farther  back  into  his  head 
than  those  of  any  man  I  ever  saw.  He  has  a  long  arm  and  long, 
bony  fingers  which  he  shakes  after  the  manner  of  Randolph.  He 
is  a  man  of  pretty  good  sense  and  very  fond  of  talking.  The 
House  adjourned  before  he  had  finished.  Before  these  speeches 
the  previous  question  was  moved  by  Hawes  of  Kentucky  and  I 
voted  for  it,  but  was  defeated  90  to  100,  so  I  suppose  we  are  yet 
to  be  afflicted  with  another  long  debate  upon  this  troublesome 
topic. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  79 

I  promised  to  tell  you  something  about  the  others  on  our 
Committees — I  can  say  a  word  or  two  only  now.  W.  B.  Shep- 
ard  of  N.  C,  our  Chairman,  tho'  of  the  opposition,  is  a  lawyer 
about  40  years  of  age,  middling  height,  straight  and  well- 
formed.  Has  a  dark  complexion  with  light  eyes  or  rather  light 
which  is  uncommon,  I  think,  black  hair  and  a  fine  shaped  head. 
He  wears  gold  spectacles,  dresses  fashionably  and  speaks  with 
his  gloves  on,  U  somcthhig  of  a  man,  reminds  me  of  Folsom, 
and  is  perhaps  about  as  much  of  a  man,  tho  I  have  had  no  par- 
ticular means  of  judging  yet. 

Lane  of  Indiana  is  older,  say  50,  nose  about  the  color  of  John 
Holmes';  an  administrative  man,  and  something  of  a  debater, 
having  a  stentorian  voice  and  pours  forth  and  smashes  down  and 
about  his  eloquence  in  the  true  Western  style.  Washington  is 
a  gentleman,  rather  handsome,  dresses  elegantly,  is  President 
of  the  Potomac  &  Ohio  Canal  Co.,  a  gentleman  of  fortune,  I  be- 
lieve, and  of  middling  talents,  is  about  46  years  old.  Heister  of 
Pennsylvania  is  about  45  to  50  yrs.  old,  tall  &  slender,  very 
dark  complexion,  has  a  sour  look,  and  I  have  not  yet  seen 
enough  of  him  to  know  whether  his  heart  corresponds  with  the 
acidity  of  his  look  or  not. 

Rogers  of  So.  Carolina  is  a  General  in  the  militia,  tolerable 
good  looking  man  tho  rather  plain  &  modest  in  his  dress  &  ap- 
pearance, is  about  42  years  old,  rather  tall  and  large,  and  as 
to  talents,  I  have  had  no  particular  means  of  judging  yet,  but  I 
suspect  nothing  extraordinary.  Towns  of  Georgia  is  a  lawyer 
and  about  my  age,  middling  size  and  very  dark  complexion. 
Judging  from  conversation  with  him  &  from  his  remarks  in 
Committee  I  should  think  he  was  a  man  of  considerable  talent. 
Vanderpoel  I  have  described  before,  tall,  large,  fine  personal  ap- 
pearance, tremendous  voice,  a  great  debater,  but  not  a  very  great 
man,  nor  a  very  small  one.  His  vanity  is  great,  and  his  ballast 
sometimes  too  small.  On  reviewing  this,  I  must  say  it  is  some- 
what indefinite,  and  if  you  can  make  anything  out  of  it,  you  are 
welcome. 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

P.  S.  I  enclose  you  an  invitation  reed,  today  to  give  you  an 
idea  of  the  idea  here  entertained  of  time,  &c. — dinner  5  o'clock ! 
Have  also  reed,  an  invitation  today  to  attend  a  party  at  Mr. 
Forsyth's  next  Tuesday  night ;  Thursday  night  go  again  to  Mr. 

Cass's. 


80  "    LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

While  John  Quincy  Adams  Speaks 

Washington,  Jan.  22,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  commence  my  letter  today  in  the  House  of  Rep.  and  while 
J.  Q.  Adams  is  speaking.  He  introduced  a  resolution  providing 
for  the  appointment  of  a  Special  Committee  to  take  into  consid- 
eration that  part  of  the  President's  message  relating  to  the 
causes  of  the  loss  of  the  fortification  bill  last  winter  which  con- 
tained the  appropriation  of  three  millions  for  the  defence  of  the 
Country.  He  has  accompanied  the  motion  by  a  speech  in  an- 
swer to  one  made  a  few  days  since  in  the  Senate  by  Webster. 
He  has  been  very  severe  and  caustic  on  Webster.  He  has  proved 
that  the  loss  of  the  Bill  was  owing  to  the  Senate,  and  pro- 
nounced Webster's  assertion  to  the  contrary  to  be  utterly  desti- 
tute of  truth. 

There  has  been  a  good  deal  of  excitement  from  the  com- 
mencement of  the  speech,  and  Mercer,  Reed  and  some  of  the 
old  federalists  have  been  trying  to  trig  and  obstruct  Adams, 
but  without  success.  He  made  one  remark  which  excited  much 
applause  by  clapping  and  otherwise — a  thing  that  the  Speaker 
said  had  not  occurred  before  for  ten  years  and  others  said  it 
never  had.  The  Speaker  was  much  excited  and  did  the  best  he 
could  to  preserve  order.  I  did  not  join  in  the  applause,  and  trust 
we  never  shall  have  another  instance  of  it.  The  remark  was 
this:  Webster  had  said  that  he  would  not  have  voted  for  the 
appropriation  even  if  the  enemy  had  been  thundering  at  the 
walls  of  this  Capitol.  Adams  said  that  a  man  who  would  do 
that  had  but  one  step  more  to  take,  and  that  was  to  go  over  to 
the  enemy. 

Adams  has  also  very  severely  &  successfully  attacked  the 
Senate,  denounced  them  for  insolence  to  this  House  at  the  last 
session,  this  House,  the  representatives  of  the  people.  Wise^ 
has  followed  Adams.  He  is  smashing  away  at  a  great  rate,  but 
it  is  more  like  "a  tempest  in  a  teapot"  than  anything  else. 

I  wrote  thus  far  before  the  adjournment  of  the  House. 
The  debate  throughout  today  has  been  of  the  most  exciting 
character,  sometimes  the  scene  was  tumultuous.  Wise  was 
guilty  of  the  grossest  violations  of  the  rules  &  orders  and  of 
decency.  Among  other  thing  he  said  that  many  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  House  at  the  adjournment  last  year  on  the  night  of 
the  third  of  March,  were  drunk.  Lane  of  Indiana,  like  a  sim- 
pleton, got  up  &  asked  him  to  call  names.     Wise  replied  that  he 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  81 

should  be  sorry  to  do  it  for  it  might  make  the  gentleman  from 
Indiana  unhappy.  Wise  also  charged  the  Speaker  with  certain 
things  which  he  considered  wrong;  that  he,  Polk,  did  when 
Chairman  of  Com.  of  Ways  &  Means  &  called  upon  him  to  ad- 
mit or  deny.  This  was  outrageous  in  the  extreme,  I  think. 
But  the  Speaker  replied,  the  House  consenting  to  it.  The  mat- 
ter charged  was  this :  That  during  the  pendency  of  the  appropri- 
ation bill  last  year  a  member  asked  Polk  if  the  President  wished 
the  appropriation  made;  that  he  replied  in  the  affirmative,  but 
did  not  wish  anything  said  about  it.  Mr.  Polk  remembered  the 
conversation,  but  did  not  remember  the  last  part. 

In  too  much  haste  to  write  more  now.  The  House  does  not 
adjourn  until  4  o'clock.  We  then  come  home  &  dine,  and  have 
a  little  while  after  dinner  and  a  little  while  after  tea  to  do  our 
writing. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN   FAIRFIELD. 

'Henry  A.  Wise. 

A  Dinner  with  Van  Buren 

Washington,  Jan.  24,  1836. 

Yours  of  the  17th  is  at  hand.  I  rejoice  at  your  ability  to 
go  abroad  so  much,  and  that  you  are  disposed  to  exercise  it.  I 
am  strongly  in  favor  of  action,  good  health  cannot  be  preserved 
without  it.  I  am  also  strongly  in  favor  of  keeping  bright  the 
links  of  that  chain  which  binds  us  to  society.  I  am  persuaded 
our  happiness  is  essentially  promoted  by  it,  so  keep  it  up,  go 
abroad  as  much  as  is  convenient  for  you,  when  your  health  and 
the  weather  will  permit,  until  you  find  people  begin  to  call  you 
a  gadder.  You  may  then  take  in  a  little  sail,  if  you  please,  or 
lay  by  in  Port  a  while. 

Yesterday,  agreeably  to  invitation,  I  went  and  dined  with 
Vice-President  Van  Buren.  We  had  a  capital  time,  and  I  came 
away  better  pleased  with  the  gi'eat  Magician  than  I  ever  had 
been  before.  He  is  a'ltogether  without  stiff  formality  and 
stately  ceremony  both  in  his  personal  deportment  and  house- 
hold arrangement.  He  is  very  easy  in  his  manners,  plain,  di- 
rect, straightforward  in  all  his  remarks,  and  very  social.  I 
walked  and  got  there  about  1/2  Past  5.  In  all,  I  believe  there 
were  15  of  us,  viz. :  Mr.  Roane,  Col.  Barton  and  Mr.  Morgan  of 
Virginia;  Judge  Lansing,  Judge    Backee,    Genl.    Fuller,    Doct. 


82  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Maeon,  Doct.  Taylor,  Mr.  Hunt,  Mr.  Doubleday,  Mr.  Gillet  and 
Doct.  Lee  of  N.  Y.,  Mr.  Toucey  and  Doct.  Phelps  of  Connecticut, 
and  myself.  Col.  Hall  was  invited  but  was  sick.  Mr.  Roane 
is  an  old  gentleman  and  was  elector  of  President  in  1801.  He 
was  and  is  an  old  Jeffersonian  democrat.  Judge  Backee  is  the 
one  who  wrote  to  Duff  Green  prior  to  the  election  of  a  printer  to 
Congress  inquiring  whether  he  would  support  the  re-election  of 
Genl.  Jackson. 

About  6  o'clock  we  sat  down  to  the  table.  There  were  very 
few  eatables  on  it,  but  the  things  were  brought  on  separately 
by  the  servants.  Before  each  one  was  a  plate  and  napkin,  a 
small  decanter  of  water  with  a  tumbler  turned  over  the  neck,  a 
wine  glass  on  the  table,  and  another  in  a  glass  vessel  of  water 
to  keep  cool,  I  suppose,  besides  a  long  glass  of  champagne. 
And  besides  all  this,  a  blue  glass  about  twice  as  large  as  a  wine 
glass  but  similarly  shaped,  which  I  suppose  was  a  place  of  de- 
posit for  the  slops. 

In  the  center  of  the  table  was  a  long,  oval  waiter,  reaching 
2/3ds.  the  length  of  the  table.  The  sides  were  of  brass  and  I 
believe  the  bottom  of  polished  steel,  of  this,  however,  I  am  not 
sure;  it  was  very  brilliant.  In  this  waiter  were  three  stands 
for  lights,  each  stand  bearing  about  8  or  10  candles;  between 
them  stood  two  wine  coolers  with  two  bottles  in  them,  which  I 
supposed  to  be  claret,  they  were  not  broached. 

I  cannot  recollect  all  the  courses,  but  I  believe  they  were 
something  like  the  following:  1st,  soup,  very  rich  and  delicious; 
2d,  turkey ;  3d,  beef  smothered  in  onions,  as  I  thought,  the  tech- 
nical terai  I  know  nothing  about ;  4th,  a  la  mode  beef ;  5th,  most 
superb  mutton,  which  you  know  is  a  favorite  of  mine ;  6th,  ham ; 
7th,  a  bird,  the  name  of  which  I  could  not  understand ;  8th, 
pheasants,  and  9th,  bass.  I  am  wrong  in  the  order,  for  I  now 
recollect  the  bass  followed  the  soup.  I  may  have  otherwise 
erred  in  regard  to  the  order  in  which  they  were  sent  on.  At 
each  of  these  our  pilates  were  changed  and  I  believe  I  had  a  taste 
of  everything,  but  the  bird  more  out  of  curiosity  than  any 
other  motive.  After  this  came  ice  cream,  then  jelly,  then  two 
articles  the  names  of  which  I  could  not  understand,  but  very 
delicious,  they  resembled  ice-cream  somewhat,  but  were  not  cold 
&  had  a  different  flavor— then  almonds,  raisins,  apples  and 
oranges. 

During  the  eating  of  all  this  they  were  drinking  each 
other's  healths  with  pale    &    brown    sherry,    two    kinds    of 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  83 

madeira,  one  Tinto  madeira  very  superior,  and  champagne. 
About  half  past  7  the  V.  P.  said:  "Come  fill  your  glasses  for  the 
President  of  the  U.  S.  and  we  will  adjourn  for  a  cup  of  coffee." 
Returning  to  the  room  from  which  we  came,  a  strong  cup  of 
coffee  was  handed  around.  After  partaking  of  this  we  very 
soon  shook  hands  with  the  V.  P.  and  took  our  leave,  reaching 
home  a  little  after  8  o'clock. 

There,  what  do  you  think  of  that?  Am  I  becoming  dissi- 
pated? Whatever  your  answer  may  be,  I  must  say  I  never 
enjoyed  a  dinner  party  so  much  before,  and  notwithstanding  the 
great  variety,  and  the  tempting  shapes  &  taste  &  smell  which 
everything  assumed,  I  had  so  much  self-control  as  to  eat  no 
more,  or  very  little  more,  than  I  do  upon  ordinary  occasions.  At 
all  events,  I  suffered  none  in  consequence  of  it,  and  am  able  to 
write  this  long  letter  to  you  &  subscribe  myself 
Your  scribbling  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Several  Speakers  Described 

Washington,  Jan.  26. 
Dear  Wife, 

The  House  sat  from  12  to  5  today,  after  which  we  came 
home  &  crammed.  Upon  the  whole  I  don't  know  but  by  this 
term  I  do  injustice  to  myself,  for  notwithstanding  the  change  in 
mode  of  living  requiring  so  long  an  abstinence  from  food,  I  don't 
know  that  I  have  eaten  too  much,  or  at  aU  events  so  much  as  to 
make  me  feel  uncomfortable. 

Very  early  in  the  session  today  Mr.  Mason,  Chairman  of 
the  Com.  of  For.  Rel.,  introduced  a  Resolve  to  appropriate  each 
day  after  one  o'clock  to  the  consideration  of  the  appropriation 
bills  until  they  finally  pass.  It  was  attacked  by  Bell,  Ben  Har- 
din &  others,  and  sustained  principally  by  Sutherland  &  Mason, 
the  latter  of  whom  is  a  very  fine  speaker.  He  has  not  much 
action,  though  he  often  speaks  with  much  animation.  His 
voice  is  sweet  and  its  modulations  excellent.  He  is  a  man  of 
considerable  talent  and  from  his  known  kindness  of  disposition, 
and  from  the  handsome  specimens  of  elocution  he  almost  always 
gives  us,  he  is  listened  to  attentively  and  with  respect. 

Bell  has  a  strong,  harsh  voice,  speaks  with  a  good  deal  of 
fluency,  and  is  a  man  of  good  talents.     I  do  not  entertain  a  very 


84  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

exalted  opinion  of  Sutherland.  He  mouths  it  too  much,  and 
thinks  too  much  of  himself.  The  vote  on  adopting  Mason's 
resolution  was  carried  by  a  majority  of  100,  I  think. 

After  that  was  disposed  of,  Cambrelling,  Chairman  of  Com- 
mittee of  Ways  &  Means,  reported  a  bill  making  additional 
appropriations  to  carry  on  the  Seminole  War  (which  word,  by 
the  way,  is  pronounced  here  in  four  syllables,  Sem-i-no-le.)  I 
suppose  you  perceive  by  the  papers  what  terrible  slaughter 
there  has  been  of  our  folks  in  Florida  by  the  Semino'ie  Indians. 
Two  companies  entirely  cut  off  and  destroyed  with  the  excep- 
tion of  three  men.  Some  think  here  that  the  utter  extermina- 
tion of  this  tribe  of  Indians  will  be  the  consequence  of  it.  The 
inhabitants  of  that  quarter  will  feel  like  taking  heavy  ven- 
geance. 

Yesterday  we  reed,  the  good  news  of  the  election  of  Nich- 
olas to  the  Senate  from  Louisiana  and  today  we  have  reed,  the 
capital  news  of  the  election  of  Walker  from  Mississippi.  Now 
if  McKean  &  Hendricks  will  go  right,  and  many  think  they  will, 
parties  wil'i  be  equally  divided  in  the  Senate,  Mr.  Van  Buren 
having  the  casting  vote.  This  news  elates  our  friends  here 
very  much,  particularly  those  in  the  Senate.  Our  friends 
there  have  had  a  hard  time  of  it. 

There  is  to  be  a  party  at  Mr.  Forsyth's  tonight,  but  I  be- 
lieve I  shall  not  go,  the  travelling  is  not  good,  and  it  is  rather 
cold  and  uncomfortable.  The  snow  remains  on  the  ground  yet 
and  sleighs  are  flying  about  briskly.  I  believe  I  told  you  that  a 
grate  had  been  set  in  my  little  chamber  in  which  I  burn  coal; 
so  far  it  has  done  pretty  well,  though  it  will  not  be  long  before 
it  will  prove  too  warm ;  by  that  time,  however,  I  hope  to  be  able 
to  change  my  quarters — i.  e.,  so  far  as  regards  rooms.  Love 
to  the  children  and  everybody  else. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN    FAIRFIELD. 


Washington,  Jan.  27,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  take  some  credit  to  myself  for  my  self-denial  in  not  going 
last  night  to  Mr.  Forsyth's  party,  and  probably  today  I  feel  as 
well,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  as  if  I  had  gone.  Today  we  have  done 
nothing  in  the  House  but  hear  two  speeches,  one  from  Cambrell- 
ing of  N.  Y.,  and  the  other  from  Reed  of  Mass.  upon  Mr.  Adams' 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  85 

resolution  instituting  an  inquiry  into  the  causes  of  the  loss  of 
the  three  million  bill  last  session.  This  is  most  contemptible 
business,  instead  of  acting  now,  to  be  spending  the  time  in  in- 
quiring why  they  did  not  act  last  session.  It,  however,  all  goes 
to  show  that  the  President  was  right  in  asking  of  the  Com.  of 
Ways  &  Means  the  appropriation,  and  so  far  may  be  of  some 
use. 

Reed  made  rather  an  acrimonious  speech,  directed,  a  good 
deal  of  it,  against  Mr.  Adams.  He  has  been  taking  notes  and 
I  suspect  will  demolish  poor  Reed  when  he  can  get  the  floor. 
Old  Hardin  got  the  floor  after  Reed,  and  then  moved  an  ad- 
journment. He  is  apparently  about  60  years  of  age,  rather 
tall,  light  hair  &  red  beard  &  whiskers.  He  is  rather  coarse 
in  his  dress  and  still  more  so  in  his  manners.  He  is  not  a  pleas- 
ant speaker,  but  is  a  strong  debater,  and  oftentimes  deals 
around  the  most  cutting,  or  mangling  perhaps  I  shouM  say, 
sarcasm.  He  abounds  in  anecdote  drawn  from  his  experiences 
in  the  backwoods,  and  has  a  good  deal  of  wit,  though  of  a  coarse 
character.  Cambrelling  got  angry  with  him  the  other  day  and 
said  hard  things,  and  now  I  suspect  Hardin  intends  to  repay 
him  with  usury. 

The  Supreme  Court  commences  its  session  each  day  at  11, 
one  hour  before  the  House,  so  whenever  I  am  not  engaged  in 
Committee,  I  spend  an  hour  there.  I  have  already  had  the 
pleasure  of  hearing  Webster,  Livingston,  Sargent,  Butler, 
Clayton  &  Jones.  This  is  a  treat  that  Mr.  Haines  would  like 
much,  but  I  can  assure  him,  most  of  these  diminish  in  size  as 
you  approach  them.  They,  or  some  of  them,  at  least,  are  great 
men,  but  I  believe  most  of  us  expect  in  all  such  cases  more  than 
we  realize.  Livingston  is  not  an  interesting  speaker.  He  is 
not  rapid  in  utterance,  hesitates  somewhat  for  words  &  often- 
times makes  (like  Mr.  Shepley)  a  very  bad  sentence.  How- 
ever, you  cannot  listen  to  him  without  feeling  you  are  listening 
to  a  man  of  strong  intellectual  powers. 

I  was  very  much  disappointed  in  the  appearance  of  John 
Sargent.  He  is  a  small  man,  not  quite  so  thick  as  myself,  and 
about  as  tall,  certainly  not  more  than  1/2  an  inch  taller.  His 
head  is  large  and  well  formed.  He  dresses  very  plain  &  seems 
to  be  far  behind  the  fashions.  He  wore  a  blue  coat,  with  velvet 
on  the  collar,  and  a  white  cotton  cravat.  His  voice  is  small  and 
a  little  nasal,  and  very  much  resembles  that  of  Increase  Sum- 
ner Kimball,  with  whom  Mr.  Haines  is  acquainted.    He  is  per- 


86  LETTERS  OF   JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

fectly  cool  and  unimpassioned,  and  appears  to  have  perfect 
confidence  in  his  own  powers.  His  manner  is  very  plain  &  un- 
pretending, but  he  argues  with  great  force. 

Clayton  is  the  last  man  in  the  world  you  would  select  for  an 
intellectual  man,  or  one  of  considerable  talents.  He  is  very- 
fleshy  and  very  ill-shaped.  His  head  and  face  are  quite  large, 
his  hair  grey,  his  eyes  light  blue  or  grey  and  very  dull  and  un- 
expressive.  His  body  is  large  (not  portly)  and  his  legs  not 
very  graceful  in  shape  and  hardly  large  enough  for  his  body. 
His  neck,  if  he  have  one,  is  very  short,  and  head  stooping,  com- 
plexion very  white  but  not  pale,  I  have  not  yet  heard  him  in  the 
Senate.  In  his  argument  in  Court,  which  was  in  reply  to  Sar- 
geant,  he  appeared  to  be  wide-awake,  and  argued  with  a  good 
deal  of  power  and  some  eloquence.  He  is  manifestly  not  a 
small  man.  I  heard  Gen.  Walter  L.  Jones  this  morning,  and 
must  say  that  I  can  find  ten  men  at  our  bar  and  perhaps  more 
who  could  do  better.  It  was  not,  however,  a  good  case  for  a 
man  to  show  himself  to  advantage. 

Since  I  have  been  writing  this  Mr.  Ela  came  in  who  was 
formerly  of  N.  H.,  now  resident  of  this  City.  He  says  Randolph 
once  said  of  Hardin :  "Oh,  yes,  H.  is  a  man  of  genius,  but  then 
it  is  coarse.  He  is  like  a  common  case  knife  whetted  on  a 
brick."  This  you  will  perceive  accords  with  the  ideas  [  have  al- 
ready expressed. 

Granny  White^  has  been  spouting  in  the  Senate  today: 
"The  King  of  France  with  20  thousd.  men,"  &c.,  you  recollect 
the  rest.  If  this  letter  is  too  long  you  may  console  yourself 
with  the  expectation  of  my  letters  being  shorter  very  soon,  i.  e., 
when  the  Judges  send  me  some  work  which  they  have  promised. 
Thy  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

^Hugh  Lawson  White,  called  "The  Cato  of  the  United  States"  in  his  day. 
He  was  a  senator  from  Tennessee  for  many  years,  succeeding-  Gen.  Jackson. 
Gov.  Fairfield  disliked  him,  doubtless  because  he  had  broken  with  President 
Jackson  over  the  Bank,  foug-ht  Jackson  with  a  bill  to  limit  federal  patron- 
age, pursued  a  most  independent  course;  harrassed  the  administration  con- 
tinually and  fought  Van  Buren's  succession  to  the  Presidency  by  running 
himself,  carried  Tennessee  and  Georgia  and  got  26  electoral  votes.  He  re- 
fused to  vote  to  expunge  resolutions  censuring  President  Jackson  and  in 
1838  became  a  Whig.     He  was  a  man  of  unblemished  rectitude. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  87 

Anxious  to  Speak 

Washington,  Jan.  28,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

We  have  had  in  the  House  today  a  continuation 
of  the  discussion  on  Adams'  resolution,  proposing  an  inquiry 
into  the  causes  of  the  loss  of  the  three  million  bill.  Ben 
Hardin  &  Evans  have  occupied  the  whole  day  at  the  close  of 
which  little  Bynum  of  N.  C.  got  the  floor  and  moved  an  ad- 
journment, so  to-morrow  we  must  have  a  continuance  of  this 
unprofitable  debate,  when  we  ought  to  be  devoting  all  our  ener- 
gies to  putting  the  Country  in  a  proper  state  of  defence.  I  heard 
but  a  sma;i'l  part  of  these  two  speeches.  Evans,  it  is  said,  made  a 
very  good  one,  and  both  were  very  severe  upon  Mr.  Adams.  I 
divided  my  time  between  the  House,  the  Senate  and  the  Su- 
preme Court,  which  is  directly  under  the  Senate  Chamber.  In 
the  Senate  I  heard  Mr.  Benton  thunder  and  lighten  (?)  for 
about  ten  minutes  at  poor  Ewing.  Grundy  made  an  excellent 
speech  of  an  hour  or  more  in  length  upon  Benton's  resolution 
for  appropriating  the  surplus  revenue  to  the  defences  of  the 
Countiy.  Isaac  Hill  also  made  one  in  which  he  lashed  the 
Senate  not  a  little,  bringing  up  to  their  recollection  many  facts 
which  I  suppose  they  would  prefer  not  to  remember. 

There  is  a  very  strong  disposition  to  speechify  in  our 
House,  so  much  so,  that  when  a  member  closes  a  speech  upon 
any  of  the  general  exciting  topics  of  the  day  a  half  a  dozen 
&  sometimes  many  more  strive  to  get  the  floor.  Under  these 
circumstances  it  will  require  a  good  deal  of  assurance  in  a  new 
and  young  member  to  enter  the  lists — more  I  am  afraid  than  I 
possess.  If  I  make  a  speech  it  must  be  upon  some  private  bill, 
or  matters  of  a  less  exciting  character  than  the  subjects  now 
before  Congress. 

Smith  has  been  trying  to  get  the  floor  some  days,  but  has 
not  yet  been  able. 

The  weather  is  quite  cold  here  now  and  has  been  so  for  sev- 
eral days.  The  snow  remains  upon  the  ground,  and  it  is  very 
tolerable  sleighing. 

You  inquire  about  Mrs.  Cutts'  school.  I  believe  she  has  a 
very  small  one,  but  entirely  inadequate,  I  apprehend,  for  their 
support.  He  has  been  besetting  me  and  some  others  of  our  del- 
egation to  get  a  clerkship  for  Samuel  in  the  Post-OfRce  de- 
partment, that  he  may  help  support  them.  We  have  not  been 
able  to  effect  it,  and  probably  shall  not. 


88  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Tell  my  dear  boys  that  I  sha'il  very  soon  look  for  some 
more  letters  from  them.  My  good  little  Sarah  can  now  and  then 
add  a  word  to  yours.  Kiss  her  and  my  sweet  Augusta  for  me, 
as  well  as  the  little  great  homely  boy,  Hampden. 

Thy  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


His  First  Writing  with  a  Steel  Pen 

Washington,  Jan.  29. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  reed,  nothing  from  the  North  for  three  days  except 
a  pamphlet  from  Prof.  Hall  and  an  Age  from  Mr.  Haines,  which 
by  the  way,  he  need  not  send  me  again  as  it  is  sent  to  me  from 
Augusta.  I  apprehend  the  making  of  the  ice  in  the  rivers,  and 
the  great  quantity  of  snow  south  of  Boston  is  the  reason  that  I 
have  reaped  so  poor  a  harvest  from  the  mails.  The  daily  Argus 
I  have  reed,  very  irregularly  since  they  first  began  to  send  it 
to  me. 

Today  we  have  had  the  first  part  of  Byrnum's  speech  on 
Adams'  resolution.  He  has  been  paying  very  particular  atten- 
tion to  Wise  of  Virginia,  and  many  think  that  before  he  finishes 
he  will  say  enough  to  make  matter  for  "a  very  pretty  quarrel" 
as  the  Irish  Major  says  in  the  Rivals.  He  has  fought,  I  be- 
lieve, several  times,  and  is  one  of  those  men  who  would  as  soon 
fight  as  eat,  certainly  when  the  passions  are  up  if  not  at  any 
time.  And  Wise,  too,  has  fought  his  duel.  Byrnum  is  a  small 
man,  a  little  taller  than  myself,  and  very  slender.  He  looks 
pale  and  appears  to  be  a  man  in  rather  feeble  health,  but  he 
has  courage  equal  to  any  undertaking,  and  is  a  sterling  dem- 
ocrat. 

Adams  gave  notice  today,  that  after  gentlemen  had 
poured  out  ai'l  the  vials  of  their  wrath  upon  him,  he  had  some- 
thing to  say  in  reply.  I  suspect  he  will  make  something  of  an 
effort,  and  will  let  some  folks  know  that  he  can  give  as  well  as 
receive  blows.  But  knowing  the  inconsistency  of  the  man  &  his 
course,  it  would  not  be  very  strange  if  he  undid  what  he  has 
heretofore  done.  The  Senate  have  no  session  today  and  to- 
morrow. 

This  is  my  first  attempt  to  write  with  a  metallic  pen  and  it 
minds  me  of  what  the  countryman  said  of  Van  Buren  on  re- 
turning home  from  Washinfirton.    He  was  very  free  in  giving 


LETTERS   OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  89 

his  opinion  of  all  whom  he  saw  here  until  he  was  asked  what 
he  thought  of  V.  Buren.  Why,  as  to  him,  said  he,  he  is  such 
d fine  print  I  couldn't  read  him.  Now  you  may  find  a  diffi- 
culty of  the  same  kind  in  this  letter,  and  if  the  point  of  my  pen 
don't  very  soon  become  blunt  and  make  a  large  mark,  I'll  go  to 
the  quills  again. 

I  believe  I  told  you  yesterday  that  we  were  having  very 
cold  weather  here.  With  unlisted  doors,  loose  windows,  and 
open-mouthed  joints,  I  find  my  coal  fire  just  the  thing.  The 
snow  lasts  yet,  and  there  is  pretty  good  sleighing,  but  now  I 
think  of  it,  you  were  told  of  the  same  thing  yesterday;  well, 
my  Dear,  what  can  you  expect  of  a  man  who  writes  every  day. 
I  suppose  you  would  not  consent  to  let  me  exchange,  and  open 
a  correspondence  with  some  other  member's  wife  &  he  with 
mine,  therefore  the  least  you  can  do  is  to  let  me  occasionally 
preach  an  old  sermon. 

Good  night, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


On  His  Birthday 

Washington,  Jan.  30th,  1836. 

If  years  were  stripes,  I  could  today, 
With  good  old  Paul,  th'  Apostle,  say, 
With  no  less  truth,  but  more  of  fun, 
That  I've  had  forty,  saving  one. 

There,  dear  wife,  what  do  you  think  of  that  for  a  specimen 
of  birthday  poetry  ?  I  wish  I  had  thought  of  it  earlier,  I  would 
have  endeavored  to  have  extended  my  rhymes  through  the 
whole  letter,  but  I  have  a  special  invitation  to  attend  a  meeting 
tonight  at  the  Capitol,  of  the  American  Historical  Society  at 
which  Mr.  Secretary  Cass  is  going  to  deliver  an  oration — and 
so  I  haven't  time  to  make  poetry  if  I  had  the  power.  Maybe, 
however,  on  my  return,  I  will  sit  down  and  write  a  few  more 
stanzas. 

Most  of  the  time  was  taken  up  in  the  House  today,  discuss- 
ing a  resolution  introduced  by  White  of  Florida,  authorizing 
the  President  to  cause  the  suffering  inhabitants  (said  to  be 
500  families)  who  have  had  their  property  destroyed  and  been 
driven  from  their  homes  by  the  Indians,  to  be  supplied  with 
food  from  the  public  stores  until  restored  to  their  homes  or  so 


90  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

long  as  the  President  should  deem  necessary.  White,  Holsey 
of  Georgia,  Harper  of  Penn.  &  others  spoke  in  favor  of  it,  and 
Parks  Parker  of  N.  J.,  Patton  of  Virg.,  Granger  of  N.  Y.,  and 
others  spoke  against  it. 

White  is  a  very  fine  looking  man,  and  is  a  handsome 
speaker.  His  voice  is  very  musical  and  his  manners  very  cour- 
teous. The  vote  was  taken  by  yeas  and  nays  and  only  14 
found  in  the  negative.  It  is  strange  that  upon  such  an  occa- 
sion, men  having  a  particle  of  human  sympathy  and  kindness 
in  their  bosoms  should  set  their  ingenuity  to  work  to  hunt  up 
possible  objections. 

The  hour  of  meeting  has  arrived  and  I  must  go,  stopping 
only  long  enough  to  say  I  hate  these  metallic  pens. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Hears  Secretary  Cass 

Dear  Wife, 

Not  being  moved  by  the  spirit  of  poetry,  I  cannot  do  what  I 
promised,  and  must  therefore  perform  my  daily  ministration 
in  plain  prose  as  I  have  been  accustomed  to  do.  When  I  ar- 
rived at  the  Capitol  last  evening  I  found  our  seats  wholly  occu- 
pied by  ladies  and  their  beaux,  so  I  pushed  up  the  gallery, 
the  ladies'  gallery,  which  is  the  farthest  from  the  Speaker's 
chair,  though  in  front  of  it. 

Mr.  Cass  has  rather  a  small  voice,  and  husky,  so  that  I 
could  not  hear  all.  I,  however,  heard  enough  to  satisfy  me  that 
it  was  an  address  of  great  merits,  both  as  regards  the  matter, 
and  the  felicitous  style  in  which  it  was  written.  I  hope  it  will 
be  published,  when  I  will  endeavor  to  send  you  one.  A  young 
lady,  very  tonish,  and  who  talked  French  occasionally,  sat  next 
to  me.  After  the  first  half  hour,  she  slept  more  than  half  the 
time.  I  wanted  to  jog  her,  but  I  was  afraid  if  I  did  that  her 
big-whiskered  beau  sitting  behind  us  would  want  to  jog  me. 
He  didn't  sleep,  I'll  assure  you,  but  finding  his  property  thus 
exposed  kept  a  sharp  look-out. 

Today  I  attended  meeting  again  at  the  Capitol  with  the 
expectation  of  hearing  Mr.  Stockton,  but  was  disappointed.  I 
do  not  think,  however,  that  I  lost  anything.  Mr.  Higby  is  very 
far  superior  to  Stockton  I  think,  and  with  the  exception  of  the 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  91 

Trinity  it  appears  to  me  that  his  notions  are  very  commonsensi- 
cal  as  well  as  scriptural. 

I  believe  I  was  the  only  one  who  went  to  meeting  from  our 
House,  so  you  see  what  an  atmosphere  I  live  in ;  I  should,  how- 
ever, say  that  it  snowed  and  rained  a  little  and  was  very  un- 
comfortable walking,  and  that  Mr.  Shepley  was  not  very  well. 
Mr.  Isaac  Hill  has  just  called  to  see  me.  I  like  him  very  well. 
He  is  a  man  of  good  sense,  and  of  warm  feelings.  He  is  to  be 
the  next  Governor  of  N.  H.  I  hope  I  shall  have  a  letter  from 
some  of  you  tomorrow.  Got  nothing  today  but  three  old  news- 
papers. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

P.  S.  There  is  a  rumor  here  that  England  has  offered  to 
mediate  between  us  &  France  &  that  dispatches  from  that 
Government  have  been  reed.  I  suspect  the  rumor  is  well 
founded,  and  that  we  may  expect  to  hear  from  the  Prest.  soon 
in  regard  to  it.  I  do  not  see,  however,  what  good  it  will  do, 
unless  the  mediation  shall  consist  in  advice  merely  to  France 
to  pay  and  us  to  accept.  We  certain'iy  never  shall  consent  for 
England  or  any  other  Power  to  have  authority  to  decide  that 
the  Prest.  shall  apologize.  Never — peaceable  as  I  am,  I  would 
resist  "even  unto  blood"  any  attempt  to  coerce  an  apology. 


Slavery  Question  Discussed 

Washington,  Feb.  1,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

Only  think  of  it — two  months  have  passed  since  I  left  home 
— long  enough  to  have  made  a  voyage  to  the  West  Indies  and 
back. 

Nothing  has  been  done  in  the  House  today  but  to  receive 
and  refer  petitions  and  hear  a  speech  from  Hammond  of  South 
Carolina  on  the  slavery  question.  He  is  about  my  age,  a  good 
looking  man,  has  a  very  pleasant  musical  voice,  is  a  good 
speaker,  and  possesses  considerable  talent.  I  did  not  hear  the 
whole  speech,  but  in  what  I  did  hear,  he  appeared  to  be  reiter- 
ating the  aristocratic  sentiments  of  Pickens.  I  think  the  South 
Carolina  delegation  is  talented  and  most  of  them  are  eloquent, 
bold  and  daring.     The  two  from  that  state  who  are  on  our  side 


92  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

in  politics,  Manning  &  Ropes,  do  not  seem  to  be  debaters,  but  are 
plain,  substantial  men  and  men  of  good  sense. 

In  the  Senate  I  understand  Mr.  Buchanan  has  been  making 
a  very  fine  speech  on  the  subject  of  our  relations  with  France. 
If  I  had  anticipated  it  I  would  have  gone  and  heard  it. 

The  Globe  of  this  morning  states  the  fact  of  the  arrival  of 
a  British  Sloop  of  War  bringing  dispatches  to  Mr.  Bankhead, 
instructing  him  to  offer  a  mediation.  What  is  to  be  the  result, 
we  have  yet  no  means  of  knowing.  The  Telegraph  &  Intelli- 
gencer speculate  about  it,  but  they  know  nothing. 

I  have  just  reed,  an  invitation  from  Mr.  Cass  to  supper  on 
Friday  evening  next  at  V2  past  7.  So  about  the  time  that  you 
are  reading  this  letter,  I  shall  be  partaking  of  the  luxuries  of 
Mr.  Secretary  Cass'  table.  I  called  last  evening  to  Mr.  Wood- 
bury's for  the  first  time,  except  at  his  first  party ;  to  his  second 
I  had  no  invitation.  I  spent  a  very  pleasant  evening.  Isaac 
Hill,  Commodore  Morris  &  two  other  gentlemen  were  there. 
Coming  home  it  was  so  slippery  &  windy  that  we  could  hardly 
keep  on  our  feet  and  so  cold  that  we  could  hardly  keep  from 
freezing.  And,  by  the  way,  the  weather  is  excessively  cold  to- 
day &  night,  it  is  seldom  we  have  colder  even  in  Maine. 

I  had,  last  night,  a  grand  coal  fire,  but  before  morning  it 
was  so  far  burnt  down  that  I  was  obliged  to  get  up  and  put  my 
wrapper  on  the  bed. 

Having  performed  my  pleasing  task,  1.  e.,  spun  my  daily 
skein,  I'll  now  leave  it  for  you  to  reel  off — so  good  night,  taking 
with  you  my  love. 

JOHN    FAIRFIELD. 


Listens  to  Eloquence   of  Buchanan 

Washington,  Feb.  2d,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  ran  into  the  Senate  chamber  a  few  minutes,  and  heard 
Buchanan  close  in  an  eloquent  manner  what  was  said  to  have 
been  a  most  eloquent  speech  upon  the  subject  of  our  relations 
with  France.  He  was  followed  by  Crittenden  of  Kentucky.  I 
staid  long  enough  to  hear  his  voice,  see  his  manner,  and  form 
some  slight  opinion  of  him,  this  being  the  first  time  of  his 
speaking.  There  is  nothing  remarkable  in  his  appearance,  a 
common  sort  of  a  man,  but  I  should  think  a  man  of  good  talents. 
Although  from  Kentucky,  he  did  not  seem  to  have  any  of  the 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  93 

stump  eloquence  that  we  often  hear  from  that  quarter,  but 
spoke  much  more  like  our  Northern  logical,  matter-of-fact  men. 
He  undertook  to  compliment  the  Senate,  and  spoke  of  its  past 
efforts,  as  probably  hereafter  constituting  one  of  the  brightest 
pages  in  our  history.  A  man  who  could  do  that  seriously  I  re- 
gard as  a  hypocrite,  or  as  laboring  under  a  delusion  of  mind. 

Webster  looks  as  black  as  a  thunder  cloud,  and  is,  I  think, 
rather  chop-fallen.  Clay's  nose  is  about  as  brilliant  as  ever, 
but  does  not  contain  quite  a  sufficient  amount  of  choloric  to  dry 
the  moisture  of  his  eye.  The  opposition  in  the  Senate  are  in  a 
truly  pitiable  condition.  They  do  not  know  which  way  to  turn 
without  meeting  disgrace  and  defeat.  I  don't  know  but  this  is 
too  harsh,  if  so,  3^ou  can  soften  it  by  reflecting  that  my  words 
are  always  harsher  than  my  feelings. 

I  suppose  Mr.  Haines  is  thinking  about  going  to  court,  for  if 
I  am  not  out  in  my  reckoning  it  sits  a  week  from  yesterday.  I  pre- 
sume he  has  not  a  great  amount  of  business.  It  is  not  usual  for 
Feb.  term.  I  hope,  however,  he  will  have  some  trials,  and  meet 
with  abundant  success.  If  this  reaches  you  before  he  leaves, 
tell  him  I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  as  soon  as  he  returns  from  Court, 
a  full  history  of  matters  and  things. 

No  information  yet  whether  the  offered  mediation  of  Eng- 
land is  accepted  or  not.  I  have  an  invitation  for  a  supper  party 
at  Mr.  Cass'  on  Friday,  and  an  evening  party  at  the  President's 
on  Thursday,  the  11th.  I  have  cards  from  J.  P.  Van  Ness,  for- 
mer Mayor  &  Genl.  Macovent,  but  I  believe  I  shall  not  return  the 
call.  With  my  present  acquaintance  I  shall  go  abroad  full 
enough. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Gives  His  Opinion  on  Dancing 

Washington,  Feb.  3d,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

With  regard  to  the  boys  going  to  the  dancing  school,  I 
might  as  well  as  not  skulk  from  the  responsibility,  you  having 
sent  them  before  receiving  my  advice.  But  I  do  not  hesitate  to 
say,  I  approve  your  step.  If  I  had  been  at  home  I  should  have 
permitted  them  to  attend  if  they  had  desired  it.  In  dancing, 
there  is  no  harm,  I  regard  it  as  a  pleasant  and  healthy  exercise. 


94  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

It  also  serves  to  form  the  manners,  and  aids  in  the  right  devel- 
opment and  expression,  if  I  may  so  speak,  of  the  body  &  limbs. 
But  it  may  be  abused,  may  be  connected  with  dissipation,  or 
indulged  in  to  excess.     For  this  I  am  no  advocate. 

I  hope  the  boys  will  take  some  interest  in  it,  and  strive  to 
become  graceful  and  elegant  dancers,  rather  than  clumsy  & 
sprawling  dancers.  Oh!  the  rogues,  I  wish  I  could  see  them 
taking  their  steps! 

You  ask  who  "Reis  Effendi"  is.  His  name  is  Paine,  and  is 
from  Boston,  a  man  about  my  age,  less  than  my  size,  and  does 
not  look  much  like  the  author  of  such  letters  as  you  see  in  the 
Argus.  He  is  a  fellow  of  real  genius,  but  a  little  odd.  About 
4  weeks  ago  he  was  in  at  Col.  Hall's  room  with  me  when  we  got 
entangled  in  an  argument.  Each  maintained  his  side  spiritedly 
and  as  well  as  he  could.  My  vanity  led  me  to  suppose  that  I 
had  the  better  of  it,  and  that  Reis  Effendi  had  the  worst  of  it. 
At  all  events  he  went  out  rather  shortly,  and  I  did  not  see  him 
again  for  weeks,  except  by  meeting  him  in  the  streets  when  it 
was  difficult  to  get  a  nod  from  him.  He  now,  however,  occa- 
sionally comes  to  my  room,  and  is  apparently  on  good  terms 
with  himself  and  me.  Who  "Reis  Effendi"  is,  is  now  no  secret 
here,  all  know  him.  Many  of  his  letters  published  in  the  Argus 
I  presume  you  find  very  amusing.  The  one  today  comparing 
Wise  to  a  bottle  of  spruce  beer  has  a  good  deal  of  humor  in  it. 

This  day  has  been  taken  up  with  a  debate  on  the  question, 
which  committee,  Calhoun's  executive  patronage  bill  should  be 
submitted  to,  whether  judiciary  or  select,  and  the  House  ad- 
journed without  coming  to  a  conclusion.  Oh,  what  a  monstrous 
waste  of  time  is  committed  here.  Sometimes  I  have  no  patience 
with  these  eternal  gabblers,  and  wish  they  had  their  mouths 
full  of  hot  water.  I  don't  know  what  they  have  been  about  in  the 
Senate.  Tonight  I  have  an  invitation  to  go  up  to  Chs.  Cutts'  & 
suppose  I  must  go,  but  it  is  awful  cold,  and  I  had  rather  not.  I 
forgot  to  name  to  you  some  time  ago  that  I  had  been  admitted 
to  practice  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  U.  S.  It  is  a  mere  honorary 
matter  and  costs  nothing.  I  presume  I  never  shall  have  an  en- 
gagement in  it.     Love  to  all. 

Your  Husband  &c. 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

P.  S.  My  Lord  Coke  says  that  "there  is  much  excellent 
learning  in  all  the  &c.  of  Littleton." 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  95 

Patriotic  Speech  by  Clayton 

Washington  Feb.  4,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

One  thing  done  today  in  the  House  which  caused  some  lit- 
tle fluttering  in  certain  quarters  was  to  raise  a  committee  of  24, 
one  from  each  State,  to  look  into  the  matter  of  mileage,  i.  e.,  the 
number  of  miles'  travel  for  which  the  members  receive  pay. 
The  course  always  has  been  for  each  member  to  fix  his  own  dis- 
tance from  home,  and  in  consequence  some — those  who  have 
little  conscience  united  with  great  developments  of  the  bump 
of  acquisitiveness — receive  much  more,  it  is  believed,  than  they 
ought.  White  of  Florida,  it  is  said,  draws  pay  for  1800  miles. 
How  he  makes  it  out  I  can't  conceive  and  no  one  else  I  suspect 
but  himself.     But  he  is  not  alone. 

I  went  into  the  Senate  a  few  minutes  and  heard  Clayton 
make  a  very  patriotic  speech.  He  said  he  was  willing  to  vote 
for  appropriating  whatever  was  necessary  to  put  the  Country  in 
.a  complete  state  of  defence  if  it  took  every  dollar  in  the  treas- 
ury and  every  dollar  that  we  could  borrow,  and  said  moreover 
that  France  nor  any  other  foreign  Power  had  a  right  to  inter- 
fere in  any  way  with  the  communicating  between  the  different 
departments  of  our  government  and  that  for  one,  he  never 
would  consent  that  the  President  should  apologize  or  even  ex- 
plain. 

Last  evening  in  pursuance  of  an  invitation  I  went  up  to  Mr. 
Chs.  Cutts',  Mr.  Shepley  was  too  unwell  to  go  out,  as  he 
thought.  Judge  R.  was  under  engagements  to  go  to  the  theatre 
&  Col.  Hall  wouldn't  go.  So  I  went  alone.  I  met  there  a  Mr. 
Sherburn,  formerly  of  N.  H.,  now  in  one  of  the  Departments, 
and  his  two  sisters,  a  Miss  Van  Zandis,  sister  of  Dolly,  our  old 
acquaintance,  a  Miss  Evans  formerly  of  Portsmouth,  a  Miss 
Mills,  formerly  of  S.  C.  and  whose  father  I  believe  is  now  in  one 
of  the  departments,  and  some  others.  Also  Mr.  Atkinson,  edi- 
tor of  the  Casket,  a  periodical  published  at  Philadelphia,  and 
for  which  Miss  Stros  is  a  writer,  poetry  &  prose. 

I  had  rather  a  pleasant  time  but  liked  to  have  frozen  to 
death.  I  waited  upon  Miss  Mills  &  Miss  Evans  home  which 
was  all  on  my  way.  I  left  them  at  the  door  supposing  that 
their  knock  would  be  answered  and  that  they  would  be  let  in  at 
once,  but,  as  far  as  I  could  see,  after  leaving  them,  and  it  was  a 
very  bright  moonlight  night,  they  were  standing  at  the  door 
outside.     Whether  they  got  in  at  all  or  not  I  have  not  yet  heard. 


96  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

but  they  probably  did  not  freeze  to  death,  otherwise  we  should 
see  an  account  of  it  in  the  morning  papers.  With  nothing  more 
to  add  I  subscribe  myself 

Forever  yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Describing  the  New  Vapour  Baths 

Washington,  Feb.  6,  1836. 
My  dear  Wife, 

I  expected  to  have  reed,  a  letter  from  you  this  morning,  but 
was  in  some  measure  consoled  for  my  disappointment  by  re- 
ceiving a  long  and  interesting  one  from  Mr.  Haines.  It  was 
all  about  business,  to  be  sure,  but  I  have  not  been  long  enough 
at  Washington  yet  to  extinguish  my  love  of  business,  and  on 
reading  Haines'  letter  I  felt  as  if  I  wanted  to  put  the  profes- 
sional harness  on  again  and  go  to  work.  It  seems  he  has  been 
doing  very  well  in  the  office,  and  I  am  glad  of  it  for  his  sake  if 
not  for  my  own.  When  this  reaches  you,  I  suppose  he  will  be 
away  at  Court. 

Today  we  have  no  session  of  either  branch  of  Congress,  so 
I  have  nothing  political  to  communicate.  Last  night  I  went  to 
Mr.  Cass'  supper  party.  There  were  23  of  us  and  though  it 
may  sound  ungrateful,  I  must  say  we  had  rather  a  cold  and 
cheerless  time.  In  the  first  place  it  was  an  awful  cold  night  and 
all  the  fires  that  could  be  made  in  his  small  fireplaces  were  in- 
sufficient to  warm  the  rooms.  We  went  at  1/2  past  7  and  sat 
shivering  from  that  time  till  10,  some  playing  whist  and  some 
talking  politics. 

At  10  we  sat  down  to  supper  and  rose  at  11.  The  table 
was  most  splendidly  decorated,  and  we  had  everything  and  a 
little  more  to  eat  and  drink.  But,  after  all,  I  cannot  say  it  was 
equal  to  the  Vice-President's  dinner  party,  and  other  con- 
siderations aside  I  should  say  so  of  all  suppers  compared  with 
dinners.  Mr.  Cass  is  a  very  religious  man  and  President,  I  be- 
lieve, of  the  American  Temperance  Society.  He  drinks  noth- 
ing himself,  but  keeps  his  glass  of  wine  before  him,  and  is  every 
few  minutes  inviting  some  one  to  take  a  glass  with  him,  when 
he  puts  his  to  his  lips  and  goes  through  the  form  without  drink- 
ing any.  This  is  one  way  to  cheat  the  "Old  Fellow,"  which  I 
don't  like.     I  should,  however,  add  that  he  keeps  no  spirit  in  his 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  97 

house,  except  some  "Port  Wine"  which  those  who  tasted  said 
came  so  near  to  brandy  that  it  was  not  worth  disputing  about. 

Mr.  Shepley  could  not  go,  having  a  bad  cold.  I  have  tend- 
ered my  services  to  cure  him  of  it,  and  he  is  inclined  to  accept, 
but  don't  seem  to  have  quite  faith  enough.  By  the  way,  in 
connection  with  this  subject,  I  would  remark  that  a  gentleman 
has  two  vapour  baths  exhibiting  at  the  Capitol,  for  which  he  is 
asking  the  patronage  of  Congress.  It  is  in  fact  an  ingenious 
way  of  practicing  on  the  Thompsonian  principle  under  new 
names.  In  this  case,  however,  they  generally  use  sulphur, 
though  you  may  use  spirits  or  water.  I  like  the  machine  very 
much,  and  should  like  to  have  one  of  them.  One  is  portable.  It 
may  be  folded  together  and  put  into  a  case  2  feet  square  and 
6  inches  thick. 

You  can  form  some  idea  of  it  by  supposing  a  cross-legged 
bedstead,  with  a  silk  gum  elastic  canopy  over  it  with  sides  fall- 
ing down  round  the  bedstead  so  as  to  keep  in  all  the  vapor.  The 
patient  lies  down,  puts  his  head  through  a  hole  and  lays  it  upon 
a  movable  cushion.  The  vapor  or  steam  is  then  caused  by 
burning  the  sulphur  or  spirits  in  a  tin  vessel  at  the  foot,  which 
is  conveyed  by  a  pipe  in  under  the  canopy  or  covering  to  the  pa- 
tient. Another  pipe  leading  into  the  fireplace  carries  off  the  ir- 
respirable  vapor  after  it  has  done  its  office  on  the  patient.  This 
will  give  you  some  idea  of  it.  I  may,  however,  add  that  instead 
of  the  canvas,  you  may  suppose  a  wooden  frame  or  box  a  few 
inches  deep,  and  some  webbing  extending  across  &  back  from 
one  end  to  the  other  a  few  inches  above  the  wood,  on  which  the 
patient  lies.  Into  this  box  or  hollow  frame,  the  fumes  are  first 
introduced,  from  which  they  come  up  through  a  hole  to  the 
patient,  and  after  doing  their  office,  as  I  before  observed,  are 
carried  off  by  a  pipe  into  the  chimney. 

Mr.  Haines  says  in  his  letter  reed,  today  that  Danl.  Merrill 
wants  to  know  whether  I  want  him  to  work  with  me  next  sum- 
mer. You  may  tell  him  when  he  returns  from  Court  to  bar- 
gain if  you  please,  if  he  will  work  for  $120.  He  asked  me  $132. 
This,  I  think,  is  too  much.  I  presume  I  can  get  enough  for 
$120.  The  commencement  of  the  year,  I  suppose,  would  be  be- 
tween the  1st  of  April  to  the  1st  of  May,  I  couldn't  say  pre- 
cisely now. 

Well,  how  do  the  boys  get  along  in  dancing? 
Your   husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


98  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Steel  pen  again,  you  perceive. 

What  do  you  think  of  my  seal?  It  is  my  old  watch  seal, 
and  is,  I  think,  a  very  pretty  one.  I  suppose  it  is  the  emblem  of 
Pleasure,  but  don't  know.     At  all  events,  it  is  a  female  dancing. 


The  Maine  Delegation  on  Slavery 

Washington,  Feb.  8,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

Our  session  continued  today  until  after  5  o'clock,  by  which 
time  you  may  well  imagine  we  wanted  some  dinner.  The  whole 
time  with  the  exception  of  two  short  speeches  has  been  taken 
up  in  voting  by  yeas  and  nays  on  certain  resolutions  introduced 
by  Pinckney  of  South  Carolina  as  a  sort  of  compromise.  The 
resolutions  refer  all  the  petitions  upon  the  subject  of  slavery 
with  all  the  resolutions  heretofore  introduced  and  pending,  to 
a  select  committee  of  nine  with  instructions  to  report  that  it 
would  be  unconstitutional  to  legislate  upon  the  question  of 
slavery  in  the  States,  that  Congress  ought  not  to  legislate  upon 
the  subject  in  the  Dis.  of  Columbia,  because  it  would  be  a 
breach  of  public  faith,  unwise,  impolitic,  and  would  tend  to  dis- 
solve the  Union,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 

I  found  no  difficulty  in  going  for  all  but  the  breach  of  pub- 
he  faith  to  legislate  upon  the  subject  for  this  District.  How- 
ever, I  did  go  for  It.  For  all  admit  that  it  would  be  a  breach  of 
public  faith  to  meddle  with  slavery  in  the  States.  If,  then,  by 
legislating  upon  the  subject  here,  it  should  vitally  affect  the 
question  of  slavery  in  the  States,  render  their  property  less 
secure,  as  well  as  endanger  the  lives  of  the  owners,  it  would 
seem  to  me  to  be  a  breach  of  public  faith,  it  would  be  doing  indi- 
rectly what  we  admit  we  have  not  the  power  of  doing  directly. 
The  Maine  delegation  all  went  for  it  but  Smith. 

The  President  sent  in  a  message  today,  stating  that  England 
had  offered  a  mediation  between  us  &  France,  that  he  had  ac- 
cepted it,  and  recommended  that  we  should  not  act  upon  his 
former  recommendation  of  non-intercourse  until  it  be  seen  what 
course  France  takes  with  regard  to  this  proposition  of  England. 

This,  I  apprehend,  will,  as  well  it  may,  put  to  flight  all  ap- 
prehensions of  war.  I  have  no  doubt  England  will  advise  France 
to  pay  on  the  ground  that  the  explanation  in  the  President's 
message  should  be  regarded  as  satisfactory,  and  France  will 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  99 

yield  to  the  advice.  I  rejoice  at  this  prospect.  I  am  inclined 
by  principle  and  feeling  to  peace,  as  you  well  know,  but  I  would 
prefer  fighting  to  degradation. 

Mrs,  Cass  is  out  with  another  invitation  to  a  party  for 
Thursday,  the  18th.  He  is  very  rich,  worth  from  500,000  to  a 
million  of  dollars,  and  is  very  desirous  that  his  wife  should 
spend  freely.  To  this  neither  she  nor  her  daughters  are  very 
much  inclined.  The  daughters  are  very  plain  and  simple  in 
their  dress  and  manners,  &  are  called  rather  superior  girls. 

Last  night  I  went  to  hear  a  Mr.  Mussey  at  the  Unitarian 
Church.  He  was  pretty  fair,  or  a  little  better  than  that,  per- 
haps. Mr.  Palfrey  has  left  here  and  I  believe  has  gone  North. 
He  is  a  man  of  excellent  sense,  great  purity  of  character  and  a 
polished  writer,  but  is  wanting,  as  most  ministers  are,  in  ani- 
mation. Mussey  is  here,  I  believe,  only  for  a  few  weeks,  whether 
they  mean  to  break  up  or  not,  I  am  not  informed.  Their  society 
is  very  feeble. 

This  steel  pen  on  hard  polished  paper  enables  me  to  write 
upon  the  gallop. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


In  Regard  to  Wife's  Birthday 

Washington,  Feb.  9,  1836. 

Dear  Wife, 

On  Monday  you  say  you  was  31.  I  had  forgotten  the  day 
of  the  month,  but  I  know  the  relative  difference  of  our  ages. 
You  feel  like  50,  or  rather  as  others  appear  at  50,  you  say.  You 
feel,  then,  very  differently  from  what  you  appear.  No  one,  I 
think,  would  take  you  to  be  over  25  by  your  appearance.  And 
as  for  myself,  you  know  my  looks  belie  me  very  much — or 
rather  it  is  so  said.  The  other  day  I  set  our  boarders  to  guess- 
ing my  age.  One  went  as  high  as  37,  one  as  low  as  27,  but  most 
of  them,  I  believe,  about  28  to  30.  Up  at  Mrs.  Cutts'  the  other 
evening  I  was  supposed  by  one  to  be  25  only,  and  "so  we  go,"  as 
you  say. 

Your  remark  that  unless  we  alter  our  course  we  shall  have 
the  opportunity  next  winter  to  inquire  into  the  causes  of  the 
loss  of  another  fortification  bill,  has  as  much  truth  as  wit  in  it. 


100  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

We  have  spent  the  whole  of  this  day  in  discussing  one  item,  in 
one  of  the  appropriations,  for  one  of  the  harbors  of  our  coast. 
When  we  shall  get  through  at  this  rate  "the  Lord  only  knows." 

In  the  Senate,  Leigh  has  been  making  a  speech  about  the 
lost  bill,  relations  with  France,  &c.  I  did  not  hear  him,  but  I 
understand  he  went  almost  as  far  as  Calhoun  in  putting  his  own 
Country  in  the  wrong  and  France  in  the  right.  The  Lord  pre- 
serve us  from  such  patriots,  say  I.  There  is  an  illiberality  and 
narrowness  of  views  and  feelings  about  the  opposition  that 
astonishes  me,  if  it  does  not  lessen  my  estimation  of  the  dignity 
&  worth  of  human  nature. 

And  my  dear  boys,  how  do  you  get  along?  How  do  you 
like  going  to  dancing  school  ?  Have  you  learnt  your  steps  yet  ? 
How  many  go,  and  who  are  they  ?  Who  are  the  best  dancers  ? 
How  do  you  get  along  at  Aunt  Cutts'  school,  too?  For  I  hope 
you  do  not  neglect  that.  Very  soon  I  trust  I  shall  get  letters 
from  you.  I  believe  you  are  good  boys,  study  your  lessons,  for 
school,  get  lessons  for  Sunday,  obey  your  Ma  in  all  things,  are 
good  natured  &  try  to  make  everybody  happy. 
My  love  to  all, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


CHAPTER  III. 

(Letters  of  1836,  Continued) 

Washington,  Feb.  10,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

Another  day  has  been  spent  in  the  discussion  of  one  of  the 
items  in  the  bill  making  appropriation  for  the  repair  and  im- 
provement of  the  Navy  Yards,  and  the  adjournment  was 
moved  by  Dutee  J.  Pearce,  who  will  probably  spend  a  large  part 
of  the  morrow  in  a  boisterous  speech  if  nothing  more.  From 
attacks  on  the  amount  proposed  for  the  repair  &  improvement 
of  the  Navy  Yard  at  Portsmouth,  some  of  them  have  com- 
menced attacks  upon  the  station  itself,  and  Pearce,  though  an 
administration  man,  will  probably  attempt  to  show  the  vast  su- 
periority of  Narragansett  bay  over  every  other  part  of  the 
Country,  &  propose  that  all  other  stations  be  dropped  for  Narra- 
gansett. 

Last  evening  I  went  up  to  your  Uncle  Richard's.  I  did  not 
see  Dolly,  or  Thomas'  wife  and  Mary  was  just  rigging  off  for  a 
party,  so  I  spent  the  evening  with  the  old  gentleman  &  Thos., 
of  whom  I  have  before  spoken  in  my  letters. 

Tomorrow  night  we  go  to  the  President's  and  I  would  give 
all  my  old  shoes  if  you  were  here  to  go  with  me  But,  for  the 
want  of  you,  I  shall  take  Mrs.  Mason,  if  I  can  get  her,  i.e.,  when 
there,  for  one  feels  awkward  &  lonely  without  a  lady  to  prome- 
nade and  chat  with.  I  have  been  to  the  President's  but  a  few 
times  since  I  came  here,  and,  indeed,  have  been  about  very  little. 
Just  before  commencing  this  letter  I  finished  franking  200 
of  Isaac  Hill's  speeches  and  so  feel  somewhat  fatigued.  I  am 
In  love  and  law.  Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


The  Bankruptcy  of  the  City  of  Washington  in  1836 

Washington,  Feb.  11,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  spent  the  whole  of  today  in  the  Senate  listening  to  a 
debate  on  a  bill  for  the  relief  of  the  District  of  Col.  I  took  a 
particular  interest  in  the  bill  as  it  went  from  the  Committee  to 
which  I  belong,  although  I  opposed  it  in  Committee.     Or  rather 


102  LETTERS    OF    JOHN    FAIRFIELD 

the  two  committees,  Senate  &  House,  had  two  joint  meetings 
&  they  finally  agreed  on  the  bill  reported,  accompanied  by  a  long 
report,  myself  alone  dissenting.  It  seems  that  some  few  years 
ago,  the  Cities  of  Washington,  Alexandria  &  Georgetown  sub- 
scribed about  a  million  &  a  half  of  dollars  to  the  stock  of  the 
Ohio  &  Potomac  Canal,  Congress  authorizing  them  to  hire  the 
money  for  that  purpose.  Mr.  Rush,  who  was  then  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury,  was  sent  to  Holland  by  the  Corporations  for  the 
purpose  of  effecting  the  loan  which  he  accordingly  did. 

For  the  security  of  the  creditors,  the  President  of  the  U. 
States  was  authorized  to  issue  his  warrant  and  cause  the  prop- 
erty of  the  cities  to  be  sold  whenever  they  were  delinquent. 
They  have  struggled  along  and  paid  the  interest  until  now,  when 
they  find  themselves  unable  to  do  it  any  longer.  This  City  is 
literally  bankrupt,  and  the  warrant  has  issued  for  a  sale  of  the 
property.  Under  these  circumstances  what  shall  be  done? 
The  Committee  proposed  by  their  bill  to  assume  the  debt  &  re- 
fund to  the  corporations  what  they  had  already  paid !  A  prop- 
osition which  I  considered  monstrous,  a  gift,  an  absolute  gift, 
of  about  $2,000,000!  Instead  of  this,  I  proposed  in  Committee 
that  we  should  pay  the  debt  now  outstanding  &  no  more ;  and 
that  not  by  way  of  gift,  but  that  we  should  take  a  conveyance 
of  the  canal  stock  to  trustees  or  Sec.  of  Treasury,  and  that  it  be 
held  as  security  for  the  repayment  to  the  U.  S.  of  the  sum  ad- 
vanced for  the  Cities.  After  a  whole  day's  discussion  of  the 
bill  in  the  Senate,  it  has  been  re-committed  for  the  purpose  of 
having  the  very  amendments  made  in  it  which  I  proposed. 

Tyler%  Clay,  Benton,  Southard,  Leigh,  Davis,  Shepley, 
Goldsborough  &  Niles  took  a  part  in  the  discussion.  Tyler  in 
his  speech  said  that  a  different  ground  was  taken  in  the  Com- 
mittee from  that  assumed  in  the  bill,  but  was  afterward  aban- 
doned. That  was  a  mistake,  to  call  it  by  no  harsher  name.  I 
expressly  dissented,  and  stated  my  reasons  and  never  aban- 
doned them. 

In  the  House  the  discussion  of  the  Navy  Yard  bill  was  con- 
tinued by  Pearce,  Hardin  &  Cushing-.  I  understand  there  was 
some  pretty  sharp  shooting  between  Cushing  &  Hardin,  and  that 
one  man  in  the  gallery  undertook  to  clap  Cushing,  whereupon 
the  galleries  were  cleared.  A  few  days  ago  Judge  Underwood 
of  Kentucky  broached  the  subject  of  our  mileage  and  on  reso- 
lutions introduced  by  him  for  the  purpose  of  equalizing  the 
travel  a  Com.  of  24,  one  from  each  State,  was  raised,  on  which 


LETTERS   OF   JOHN   FAIRFIELD  103 

you  perceive  I  have  the  honor  to  be  placed.  I  suspect 
it  will  not  be  a  very  thankful  job  if  we  are  obliged  to  cut  down 
some  of  the  Western  members. 

Last  night,  for  the  first  time,  I  wrote  a  letter  to  my  old 
friend  in  the  East,  Rogers  of  Bangor,  and  while  it  lay  upon  my 
table  this  morning  whom  should  I  meet  in  the  street  but  Mr, 
Rogers  himself,  he  having  arrived  last  night.  A  young  man  from 
Maine  is  also  here  by  the  name  of  Browne,  son  of  the  husband 
of  Elizabeth  Titcomb,  also  a  Capt.  Eastman  of  Fryeburg  and 
Tom  Abbott  has  also  been  here,  but  I  believe  he  has  returned 
home.     Little  Vose  of  Augusta  is  also  here. 

It  being  now  time  to  dress  for  the  President's  party  I  must 
"haul  taut  &  belay"  as  the  sailors  say. 
Ever  yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

ijohn   Tyler,   afterward   President. 

=This  introduces  a  most  interesting  personality,  Caleb  Gushing,  of  vast 
erudition,  rare  ability,  imposing  in  person,  forcible  in  argument;  an  author 
of  a  one-time  widely  useful  book  on  Political  Economy,  of  numerous  histo- 
ries, reminiscences,  historical  revie'vvs  and  a  master  of  parliamentary  prac- 
tice. Mr.  Fairfield  was  hearing  a  great  man  in  Gushing.  He  was  about  35 
years  old  at  this  time  and  had  been  a  wide  traveler,  graduate  of  Harvard, 
and  had  been  practicing  law  at  Newburyport,  Mass.  John  Tyler,  who  par- 
ticipated in  this  debate,  appointed  Gushing  first  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to 
China.  His  service  there  was  historical.  He  became  a  brigadier-general  in 
the  Mexican  War,  Justice  of  the  Massachusetts  Supreme  Court,  Attorney 
General  under  Pierce.     He  was  minister  to   Spain   when   74   years   of  age. 


No  More  Parties  for  Fairfield 

Washington,  Feb.  12,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

If  I  do  not  change  my  mind,  I  shall  go  to  very  few  more 
parties.  The  fruits  of  my  last  night's  party  are  a  cold,  a  head- 
ache and  much  stupidity.  The  jam  was  tremendous,  and  when 
the  door  of  the  supper  room  was  opened,  there  was  a  rush  and 
a  scramble  disgraceful  to  the  last  degree  and  such  an  one  as  I  re- 
joice will  not  again  occur,  for  Maj.  Donelson  said  there  would  be 
no  more  suppers  given.  We  (Niles,  Ruggles,  Toucey  &  myself) 
got  ready  to  leave  about  12  o'clock,  but  it  was  full  1  o'clock  be- 
fore we  could  get  our  carriage  to  the  door  or  could  find  it. 

To  know  where  to  lay  our  hands  on  our  coats  &  hats,  they 
were  left  in  the  carriage,  in  consequence  of  which  I  had  to  go 
out  without  either  and  after  I  had  been  perspiring  freely,  to 
hunt  up  our  carriage,  which  was  no  easy  job  among  hundreds. 


104  LETTERS    OF   JOHN   FAIRFIELD 

the  drivers  of  which  were  all  quarreling  and  pushing  for  the 
next  turn  to  drive  up  to  the  door. 

In  this  way  I  caught  a  little  cold  which,  added  to  my  im- 
prudence in  partaking  so  freely  of  the  good  things  provided  for 
us,  causes  me  today  to  feel  as  if  I  never  want  to  go  to  another 
party.  I  would  undertake  to  describe  this  one  to  you,  but  it 
would  be  no  more  than  a  repetition  of  what  I  have  said  before, 
except  that  this  was  larger  than  the  prior  one,  and  more 
strangers  were  present. 

Today  we  have  been  discussing  in  the  House  a  bill  for  the 
relief  of  Jesse  Smith  &  others,  the  same  which  was  discussed 
last  Friday,  involving  an  appropriation  of  about  20,000  dollars. 
If  I  had  felt  well  enough  I  think  I  should  have  had  a  word  to  say 
upon  the  subject.  It  excites  much  interest  and  has  called  forth 
two  or  three  of  the  best  speeches  I  have  heard  in  the  House  par- 
ticularly Whittlesey's  for  the  bill  &  Williams,  of  N.  C.  against 
it.  In  the  Senate  Calhoun  has  been  making  an  anti-abolition 
speech  and  was  particularly  abusive  of  Mr.  Hill  as  I  have  heard, 
and  also  of  Mr.  Pierce  of  the  House.  Hill  also  attacked  Calhoun 
with  much  acrimony  and  I  suspect  pretty  fairly  balanced  the  ac- 
count. Considering  all  things  I  know  you  will  pardon  me  for 
writing  no  more  at  present. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Home  Folks  in  Washington 

Washington,  Feb.  13,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

The  Senate  did  not  sit  today,  and  the  House  have  done  noth- 
ing but  receive  resolutions,  memorials,  &c.,  and  refer  them,  so 
I  have  but  little  to  say. 

We  have  a  considerable  number  of  Maine  folks  here,  which 
is  a  very  pleasant  thing  for  us,  say  Mr.  Rogers  &  Genl.  Veazie 
of  Bangor,  John  D.  McCrate  of  Wiscasset,  Mr.  Cooley  also  of 
Bangor  &  wife,  who  I  believe  are  coming  to  Mrs.  Hill's  to  board, 
Mr.  Vose  of  Augusta,  Mr.  Eastman  of  Fryeburg  and  Mr.  Nor- 
ton also  of  Bangor. 

You  will  undoubtedly  see  by  the  papers  that  France 
has  accepted  of  the  offered  mediation  of  England,  and  that  con- 
sequently all  apprehensions  of  war  are  entirely  dispersed. 


LETTERS   OF   JOHN   FAIRFIELD  105 

The  Bank's  operations  in  the  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania 
seem  to  be  attracting  as  much  of  the  public  attention  now  as 
anything  else.  There  is  no  doubt  entertained  now,  I  believe,  of 
the  success  of  the  Bank  through  bribery  the  most  foul  and  dis- 
graceful, in  procuring  a  charter.  The  people  are  holding  public 
meetings  there,  and  expressing  their  feelings  in  the  strongest 
manner,  but  I  don't  believe  it  will  prevent  the  charter,  and  once 
obtained  I  see  no  way  of  getting  rid  of  it. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


A  Chapter  of  Politics 

Washington,  Feb.  13,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

At  the  opening  of  the  session  today  Frank.  Pierce  obtained 
leave  to  make  an  explanation  of  a  statement  made  some  weeks 
since  that  not  one  in  800  of  his  constituents  were  abolitionists 
and  to  repel  an  attack  made  upon  him  in  the  Senate  by  Calhoun. 
It  seems  that  on  Friday  last  when  one  of  these  abolition  petitions 
was  under  discussion,  Calhoun,  in  order  to  show  that  Pierce's 
statement  was  not  true,  introduced  and  read  a  scurrillous  article 
from  a  scurillous  paper  in  New  Hampshire. 

Pierce  replied  with  a  good  deal  of  feeling  and  vindicated 
himself  from  the  charge  of  having  stated  what  was  not  true,  and 
as  he  had  been  called  in  the  article  alluded  to  "a  dough  face," 
he  took  occasion  to  say  that  if  any  gentleman  was  disposed  to 
take  that  statement  for  truth,  he  would  then  inform  him,  that 
"he  was  ready  at  any  time,  and  in  any  way,  to  test  it  with  him." 
And  I  presume  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  he  would  make  this 
declaration  good  and  fight  if  any  one  should  challenge  him. 

After  this  matter  was  disposed  of,  Briggs  of  Massachusetts 
introduced  another  abolition  petition,  which  under  the  resolu- 
tion introduced  the  other  day  by  Pinckney,  should  have  gone  to 
the  Select  Committee  without  debate,  but  the  Speaker  made  an 
erroneous  decision  &  said  the  question  of  its  non  reception 
might  be  made  &  debated. 

Whereupon  Wise  got  on  his  tall  horse  &  rode  off,  splashing 
the  mud  all  over  the  House.  He  was  soon,  however,  called  to  or- 
der for  a  gross  personal  attack  on  Pinckney,  and  before  he 
could  get  under  way  again,  Vinton  of  Ohio  appealed  from  the 


106  LETTERS    OF   JOHN   FAIRFIELD 

decision  of  the  Chair,  that  this  question  was  open  to  debate. 
And  upon  this  question  of  order  a  debate  ensued  which  lasted 
the  whole  day,  and  had  not  terminated  when  the  House  ad- 
journed. I  think  the  Speaker's  decision  was  wrong  &  that  it 
will  tomorrow  be  reversed,  the  effect  of  which  will  be  to  stop  the 
mouths  of  these  Southern  fanatics,  upon  the  petitions  of  the 
Northern  fanatics. 

The  news  from  France  this  morning  is,  that  Louis  Phillipe 
has  sent  word  to  England  that  she,  England,  need  not  trouble 
herself  about  a  mediation,  for  that  she,  France,  is  ready  to  pay 
without  further  delay.  From  Virginia,  too,  we  not  only  have 
the  good  news  that  the  instructions  to  their  Senators  to  vote  for 
the  expunging  resolutions  of  Benton  have  passed, — but  the 
Richmond  Whig,  an  opposition  paper,  says  that  it  is  the  wish 
of  the  Whig  party  at  home  that  the  Senators  should  resign,  & 
that  they  cannot  with  any  propriety  hold  their  seats.  They 
must  resign,  they  cannot  stand  against  all  this,  and  then  we 
shall  have  Mr,  Rives  back  and  another  democratic  Senator. 

Glorious !  Soon  the  expunging  resolution  will  pass  and  the 
day  that  sees  that  matter  accomplished  should  be  observed  as  a 
day  of  general  jubilee  throughout  the  Country^ 

If  this  dish  is  too  highly  seasoned  with  politics  for  your 
taste,  you  can  hand  it  over  to  Mr.  Haines. 

Affectionately  Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

^The  expunging-  resolution  was  the  cause  celebre  of  the  day — the  resolu- 
tion to  expunge  from  the  records  the  resolution  of  censure  passed  on  Pres. 
Jackson  for  withdrawing  United  States  deposits  from  the  United  States 
Bank.  A  censure  of  the  President  was  unheard  of  until  then.  In  1837  the 
vote  was  expunged  from  the  record.  But  around  these  votes  waged  bitter 
warfare.  Feuds  were  started  that  never  ended.  It  brought  the  differences 
between  Clay  and  Jackson  to  a  head.  And  Old  Hickory  stormed  about 
Washington  declaring  that  he  would  "cut  off  the  ears"  of  his  opponents, 
especially  Clay's  ears. 


A  Maine  Private  Squabble 

Washington,  Feb.  16,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

We  have  had  another  rather  exciting  time  in  the  House, — 
the  circumstances  of  which  were  thus :  Some  time  since  F.  O.  J. 
Smith  of  Maine  introduced  a  resolve  that  Maj.  Barry's  (the  old 
P.  M,  Genl.)  letter  sent  to  the  House  last  session,  but  too  late  to 
be  acted  on,  be  now  printed.  The  letter  contradicted  the  state- 
ments of  a  report  of  a  special  committee  who  had  been  ap- 
pointed to  investigate  the  affairs  of  the  P.  O.     Smith's  motion 


LETTERS    OF   JOHN   FAIRFIELD  107 

was  laid  over  &  came  up  regularly  today.  At  the  time  of  its 
introduction  Hawes  of  Kentucky,  who  is  a  good  democrat  &  who 
was  moreover  a  warm  friend  of  Barry,  told  me  that  if  Smith 
persisted  in  his  motion,  he  and  others  of  the  Committee  would 
in  vindication  of  themselves  denounce  the  letter  of  Barry  said 
to  be  written  by  Frank  (F.  O.  J.  Smith  of  Portland)  &  a  clerk 
in  the  P.  O.  as  a  tissue  of  falsehood  and  would  moreover  show  it 
to  be  so  in  point  of  fact. 

Whereupon  I  went  to  Smith  &  endeavored  to  persuade  him 
to  withdraw  his  motion  and  so  did  Hall  &  Doct.  Mason.  But 
he  would  not.  So  today  when  the  matter  came  up  Hawes  took 
the  floor  &  said  at  the  commencement  of  it  that  he  should  go  as 
far  in  his  attacks  on  the  gentleman  from  Maine  as  the  rules 
would  permit.  He  is  very  inflammable  and  one  of  the  greatest 
declaimers  in  the  House  and  had  not,  therefore,  made  much 
progress  before  he  pronounced  a  letter  which  had  been  written 
&  pubhshed  by  Smith  during  the  vacation  upon  the  subject  of 
the  report  of  Hawes'  committee,  to  be  absolutely  and  unqual- 
ifiedly false. 

The  Speaker  here  called  him  to  order  and  then  a  scene  of 
much  confusion  commenced,  a  great  many  striving  to  get  pos- 
session of  the  floor,  and  those  who  did  get  it,  arguing  with  much 
vehemence  &  feeling  that  it  was  or  was  not  out  of  order,  an  ap- 
peal having  been  taken  from  the  Speaker's  decision.  Wise  & 
Peyton  also  embraced  the  opportunity  to  be  very  saucy  and  run 
into  the  political  topics  of  the  day.  Finally  a  vote  was  taken 
and  the  decision  of  the  Speaker  was  sustained  by  a  large  ma- 
jority. 

In  the  meantime,  however.  Smith  in  speaking  on  the  ques- 
tion of  order  had  pronounced  the  statement  of  Hawes  to  be 
false  and  he  was  called  to  order  &  made  to  sit  down.  After  the 
decision  of  the  question  of  order,  Cambrelling  moved  that  we 
proceed  to  the  orders  of  the  day,  which  was  carried. 

The  New  York  bill  providing  for  the  relief  of  the  merchants 
who  had  suffered  by  the  fire  by  extending  the  credit  on  their 
bonds  to  U.  S.  for  duties,  came  up,  and  Phillips,  a  merchant  of 
Salem,  got  the  floor  and  made  a  long  and  able  speech  in  favor 
of  the  bill,  after  which  the  House  adjourned. 

There  is  much  combustible  matter  in  the  House,  and  I  am 
expecting  every  day  to  have  it  blow  up.  Not  time  to  write  more 
now. 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


108  LETTERS    OF    JOHN   FAIRFIELD 

One  of  Judge  Shepley's  Speeches 

Washington,  Feb.  18,  1836. 
Hon.  R.  Mclntire, 

Dr.  Sir,  1  went  into  the  Senate  chamber  about  half  an  hour 
ago  and  found  Mr.  Shepley  (Judge  Ether  Shepley  of  Maine) 
making  a  speech,  on  Benton's  resolutions,  I  suppose,  but  in 
which  he  noticed  some  things  that  took  place  in  the  Senate  yes- 
terday, and  I  think  very  happily  and  with  much  effect. 

Yesterday  Calhoun  used  very  harsh  language  in  regard  to 
the  President  and  in  substance  denounced  him  as  guilty  of  false- 
hood and  also  used  very  uncourteous  &  ungentlemanly  language 
of  Mr.  Van  Buren.  Wall  of  N.  J.  upon  the  spur  of  the  moment, 
and  in  an  indignant  manner,  answered  him  and  said  substan- 
tially that  no  gentleman  would  use  such  language.  Niles  of 
Conn,  in  a  very  spirited  speech  pretty  distinctly  called  in  ques- 
tion the  honesty  of  Calhoun  &  Co. 

Today  when  I  went  into  the  Senate,  Shepley  was  saying 
that  such  matters,  i.  e.,  the  course  of  denunciation  pursued  by 
the  gentlemen  from  South  Carolina,  gave  him  no  trouble — for 
he  had  always  found  that  denunciations  were  harmless,  except 
so  far  as  they  acted  by  way  of  recoil  on  the  actors.  If,  he  said, 
you  found  many  political  carcasses  along  the  political  highway, 
they  were  not  the  carcasses  of  men  who  had  been  killed  by  de- 
nunciation either  on  this  floor  or  in  the  newspapers  or  else- 
where, but  of  those  who  were  the  authors  of  their  own  mire — 
i.  e.,  it  was  the  result  of  their  own  doctrines  and  course  of  con- 
duct, &c.,  &c. 

He  said  that  the  gentleman  from  N.  Y.  (Wall)  would,  after 
he  had  been  there  a  little  longer,  learn  to  sit  coolly  &  philosophi- 
cally &  hear  the  system  of  denunciation  &  abuse  pursued.  He 
said  that  gentleman  probably  had  some  mistaken  notions  of  the 
Senate,  of  its  nature,  organization,  duties,  &c.  That  he  had  prob- 
ably looked  into  the  Constitution  to  ascertain  those  matters,  but 
that  he  should  recollect  that  in  practice  the  Senate,  instead  of  be- 
ing what  it  was  designed  to  be,  was  four  days  out  of  five  resolved 
into  a  great  central  electioneering  committee.  And  that  in  this 
committee  the  parts  were  all  regularly  assigned ;  that  is  to  say. 
to  the  gentlemen  from  S.  C.  and  one  from  N.  C.  (Mangum)  was 
assigned  the  part  of  denunciation  and  abuse;  to  the  gentleman 
from  Mass.  (Webster)  to  be  the  guardian  &  protector  of  the 
Constitution,  though  he  didn't  think  he  was  very  successful  in 
that  object  when  he  took  the  Constitutional  powers  from  one 


LETTERS   OF   JOHN   FAIRFIELD  109 

department  of  government  &  transferred  them  to  another;  to 
the  gentleman  from  Kentucky  (Clay)  to  originate  matters  for 
electioneering;  to  the  gentleman  from  N.  J.  (Southard)  to  deal 
out  the  sops  by  way  of  increased  salaries,  &c. ;  to  the  gentleman 
from  R.  I.  (Robbins,  I  suppose),  to  distribute  the  various  mat- 
ters concocted  in  committee,  &c.,  though  he  never  was  heard  to 
give  a  reason  for  anything  he  proposed,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 

This  slight  sketch  is  perhaps  erroneous  in  some  things,  and 
I  hope  you  will  see  his  speech  published. 

Mangum  answered  him,  in  good  humor,  &  Shepley  replied 
in  fine  taste  and  so  humorously  that  the  whole  matter  went  off 
in  good  nature. 

In  too  much  haste  to  add  more. 

Very  truly  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Almost  Breaks  the  Sabbath 

Washington,  Feb.  21,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

Here  you  have  Mr.  BentonS  the  noble,  heroic  old  Tom,  the 
veteran  democrat  &  the  probable  successor  of  Mr.  Van  Buren. 
I  have  been  to  meeting  today  at  the  Unitarian  House  where  I 
have  hired  half  a  pew,  for  which  I  have  to  pay  at  the  rate  of  $26 
per  year  for  the  whole  pew,  or  $13  for  my  half.  This  is  enor- 
mous but  I  could  do  no  better.  I  am  tired  of  running  about  to 
meeting  and  I  am  loth  any  longer  when  I  don't  run  about  to  be 
dependent  upon  first  one  &  then  another  for  a  seat,  and  upon 
those,  too,  who  have  had  to  hire  their  pews. 

Mr.  Farley  preached  and  is  to  continue  here,  I  believe,  some 
weeks.  He  is  a  very  sound,  substantial  preacher,  but  appears 
to  be  a  little  cold  &  artificial.  Mr.  Stockton,  I  think,  has  lost 
some  of  his  popularity,  he  is  not  much  run  after  this  session. 

Last  evening  I  was  up  at  Mr.  Chas.  Cutts'  again.  There  is 
no  resisting  their  invitations,  for,  if  you  stay  away,  they  are 
apt  to  attribute  it  to  their  poverty,  &c.,  &c.,  and  I  would  submit 
to  a  good  deal  rather  than  have  such  a  notion  imputed  to  me. 
Indeed,  there  is  no  great  sacrifice  about  it,  except  that  the  idea 
is  constantly  present  to  your  mind  that  they  are  not  able  to  have 
company. 

Last  evening  I  had  a  very  pleasant  time,  more  so  than  at 
any  party  since  I  have  been  in  Washington.     There  were  Uncle 


110  LETTERS   OF   JOHN   FAIRFIELD 

Richard,  Thomas  &  Dolly,  Miss  Evans  &  Miss  Mills,  of  whom  I 
spoke  once  before  in  my  letters,  Doct.  Mason  &  wife  and  Mr. 
Harlan,  a  member  from  Kentucky.  These,  added  to  Miss  Stros, 
Mrs.  Cutts  &  family,  made  a  very  pleasant  little  party.  Dolly 
is  really  quite  social,  agreeable  and  sometimes  humorous.  How 
came  I  to  be  so  mistaken  in  her  at  first  ? 

You  may  be  surprised  that  I  should  go  Saturday  evening. 
It  is  strange  how  soon  we  become  accustomed  to  the  habits  and 
manners  of  those  with  whom  we  happen  to  be  placed  and  how 
readily  we  slide  into  their  views  and  modes  of  thinking  and  feel- 
ing, however  adverse  to  them  we  might  formerly  have  been.  In 
this  case,  however,  I  sacrifice  no  principle,  nor  are  my  views  or 
feelings  in  any  degree  changed.  In  regard  to  Saturday  evening 
and  the  Sabbath  I  have  always  entertained  what  I  deemed  to  be 
rational  views,  but  I  made  the  remark  as  a  general  one.  It  is, 
however,  certainly  true  that  the  influences  here  are  of  an  anti- 
religious  character,  and  though  I  came  here  fully  aware  of  that 
fact,  I  suppose,  with  all  others,  niy  feelings  may  have  been  in 
some  measure  affected  by  them,  but  I  trust  in  the  goodness  of 
Him  who  has  hitherto  protected  &  sustained  me,  that  I  may  be 
enabled  to  cherish  religious  principle,  if  I  cannot  always  have 
religious  fervor.  Wishing  you  an  abundance  of  happiness,  I  am 
Very  truly  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

'This  is  probably  another  of  Mr.  Fairfield's  pen  sketches  which  he  was 
fond  of  making.  It  was  then  planned  by  the  Democrats  that  democratic 
succession  should  be  Van  Buren  following-  Jackson  and  Benton  followingr 
Van   Buren. 


Clay  Is  Impudent  and  Envious 

Washington,  Feb.  22d,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

There  being  no  session  of  the  House  today,  I  went  into  the 
Senate  Chamber.  The  President  sent  in  his  message  in  relation 
to  French  affairs  accompanied  by  a  letter  from  the  English 
Minister  stating  that  France  had  given  them  notice  that  the 
money  would  be  paid  without  anything  being  done  by  way  of 
mediation. 

After  the  reading  of  the  message  &  documents  Clay  got  up 
and  made  an  impudent  and  envious  speech.  He  congratulated 
the  Senate  &  the  Country  on  the  happy  termination  of  this  dif- 
ficulty but  particularly  the   Senate   for   what    they    had    con- 


LETTERS   OF   JOHN   FAIRFIELD  111 

tributed  toward  it;  charged  both  countries  with  being  in  the 
wrong  and  then  went  on  to  show  wherein  our  Country  was 
wrong,  saying  nothing  about  the  errors  of  France. 

He  intimated  an  opinion  that  France  had  a  right  to  call  for 
explanations  of  a  President's  message  to  Congress,  therein  dif- 
fering from  Clayton  and  several  others  of  the  opposition.  He 
tried  to  hit  Van  Buren  for  his  instructions  to  McLane  when  the 
latter  was  minister  to  England,  abused  the  President,  the  party 
&  almost  everybody  else.  No  one  answered  him,  at  which  I 
was  much  disappointed. 

As,  however,  in  the  present  state  of  affairs,  Clay  can  do 
nothing  but  growl,  perhaps  it  is  but  fair  to  let  him  retain  that 
privilege.  It  was  rumored  this  morning  that  Clay  was  about 
to  resign,  and  I  went  into  the  Senate  Chamber  with  the  expecta- 
tion of  hearing  him  make  a  farewell  speech.  I  was  quickly  un- 
deceived, however,  on  getting  in  &  finding  that  there  were  very 
few  ladies  in  the  gallery.  It  is  rumored  that  he  will  resign  soon, 
whether  with  or  without  foundation,  time  will  show. 

The  weather  here  is  beginning  to  be  spring  like,  and  they 
say  we  shall  have  no  more  uncomfortably  cold  weather. 

I  enclose  you  a  likeness  of  Chief  Justice  Marshall,  said  to 
be  a  very  correct  one  by  those  who  had  seen  him  much.  I  wish 
I  could  shade  it,  it  would  appear  much  better,  but  I  cannot. 

Robert  J.  Walker,  the  new  Miss.  Senator,  took  his  seat 
today.  He  is  about  my  height,  if  anything,  under,  and  more 
slender,  but  he  has  a  fine  head  and  countenance.  I  was  sur- 
prised to  find  a  man  who  had  acquired  so  much  reputation  and 
whom  we  have  regarded  as  a  great  man,  so  small  a  man.  I 
only  had  a  moment's  look  at  him.  I  will  tell  you  more  of  him 
by  and  by. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

iJohn  Marshall  died  July  6th,  1835.  Mr.  Fairfield  must  have  sent  a  picture 
that  he  obtained  elsewhere  of  the  distinguished  jurist  who  died  in  his  80th 
year.     In  other  words  it  was  not  one  of  his  own  sketches  from  life. 


Inklings  of  a  Duel 

Washington,  Feb.  27th. 
My  dear  Wife, 

The  Senate  has  not  been  in  session  today  and  in  the  House 
we  have  been  at  work  upon  private  business,  i.  e.,  the  claims  of 
individuals  upon  the  government.     This  generally  is  not  verj" 


112  LETTERS    OF   JOHN   FAIRFIELD 

interesting,  though  now  &  then  a  claim  comes  up  which  excites 
a  very  good  debate ! 

A  day  or  two  since  we  had  an  inkling  of  what,  perhaps,  you 
have  been  long  expecting,  viz.  a  duel.  It  seems  that  Hannegan 
of  Indiana,  who  is  about  my  age  &  size  &  a  good  deal  wilder, 
when  coming  on,  fell  into  the  company  of  a  Lieut,  in  the  army, 
with  whom  he  had  rather  an  angiy  dispute.  A  few  nights  ago 
they  again  met  at  the  theatre,  accidentally  falling  into  the 
same  box.  The  Lieut.,  it  is  said,  punched  Hannegan  with  his 
elbow,  whereupon  H.  drew  his  pistol  and  threatened  to  shoot 
him — the  quarrel  making  a  good  deal  of  noise.  The  next  day, 
it  is  said,  the  Lieut,  challenged  Hannegan  and  the  government 
thereupon  immediately  ordered  him  (the  Lieutenant)  off,  and 
there  the  matter  rests.  For  most  of  these  facts  I  am  indebted 
to  Doct.  Mason  and  I  suppose  in  the  main  they  are  correct. 

By  the  way,  did  I  ever  tell  you  who  &  what  Doctor  Mason^ 
was  ?  I  presume  you  may  have  heard  of  a  letter  he  wrote  home 
to  Stephen  Emeiy  last  winter,  which,  by  hook  or  by  crook, 
found  its  way  into  the  newspaper.  It  must  be  confessed  that 
in  a  literary  point  of  view  the  letter  was  a  wretched  affair,  and 
did  no  great  credit  to  the  literature  of  the  State.  But  it  would 
hardly  be  fair  to  judge  the  Doctor  by  that.  It  is  true  that  his 
early  advantages  were  small,  and  that  he  is  somew^hat  illiterate, 
but  no  one  would  suspect  it  by  personal  intercourse  with  him, 
i.  e.,  a  casual  intercourse  I  mean.  He  is  a  man  of  good  personal 
appearance,  indeed,  there  are  few  handsomer  men  in  the  House, 
and  has  a  good  share  of  common  sense.  He  seems  also  to  be  a 
m.an  of  good  principles,  and  of  a  kindly  disposition.  Upon  the 
whole,  I  like  the  Doctor  very  well. 

His  wife  is  a  real,  clever,  good  Yankee  woman.  In  former 
days,  she  was  a  school  mistress,  and  of  course  is  pretty  well  edu- 
cated. She  dresses  well  and  appears  well,  though  a  Calvinistic 
Baptist-.  By  and  by  I  will  say  something  of  the  remainder  of 
our  delegation  when  I  have  more  time.  But  for  the  present  1 
only  add 

Good  night, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

^Dr.  Moses  Mason  of  Bethel,  Me.,  a  physician,  member  of  the  House  with 
Fairfield. 

="'Though  a  Calvinist  Baptist."  This  alone  is  worth  the  price  of  pub- 
lishing   these    memoirs. 


LETTERS   OF   JOHN  FAIRFIELD  113 

Tyler  Resigrns 

Washington,  Feb.  29,  1836. 

Dear  Wife, 

As  was  anticipated,  today  Mr.  Tyler  of  Virginia  sent  in  his 
resignation  to  the  Senate.  Leigh  remains,  though  I  think  he 
will  find  his  seat  rather  uncomfortable.  This  being  petition  day 
in  the  House,  but  little  has  been  done  other  than  receiving  and 
referring  petitions.  On  the  presentation,  however,  of  some  Vir- 
ginia Resolutions  upon  the  subject  of  slavery.  Wise  continued  to 
give  us  another  tirade — but  after  squirting  his  small  beer  as 
Paine  says  for  about  half  an  hour,  the  Speaker  called  him  to 
order,  directed  him  to  take  his  seat.  A  motion  was  then  made 
that  he  have  liberty  to  proceed,  which  did  not  prevail,  so  he  has 
been  fairly  choked  down  once,  if  no  more. 

In  the  Senate  Mr.  King  of  Georgia,  has  been  making  a  very 
sound  speech  upon  some  questions  growing  out  of  the  abolition 
petitions.  Since  writing  the  foregoing  Mr.  Ela,  a  fine  fellow,  a 
Clerk  in  the  Treasury  Department,  &  formerly  from  N.  H.  has 
been  in  and  says  that  he  heard  today  that  Leigh  had  concluded 
to  obey  instructions  and  vote  for  the  expunging  resolutions — 
but  I  doubt  it.     If  he  do,  it  will  be  swallowing  a  bitter  pill. 

Have  you  got  any  weather  at  Saco  ?  We  have  a  plenty  of 
it  here.  Yesterday  and  today  the  sleighs  have  been  flying 
briskly,  though  I  think  tomorrow,  the  first  day  of  March,  will 
put  a  stopper  on  them. 

One  word  as  to  matters  at  home.  If  you  conclude  to  move 
the  1st  of  May  I  will,  by  and  by,  take  measures  to  have  a  horse 
bought,  that  is,  a  farm  horse,  which,  upon  the  whole,  I  suppose 
I  shall  have  to  buy  whether  you  move  or  not,  for  I  have  con- 
cluded that  it  would  be  better  for  me  to  have  one  yoke  of  oxen 
and  a  horse  to  work  before  them,  than  two  yoke  of  oxen.  So, 
having  a  horse,  we  must  borrow  Uncle  William's  chaise,  or 
somebody's  else,  until  I  return,  when  I  shall  buy  one  or  some- 
thing that  will  do  as  well.  By  and  by,  however,  when  the 
weather  is  suitable,  say  in  April,  you  had  better  go  down  and 
see  the  House,  and  ascertain  whether  your  courage  is  equal  to 
going  into  it  to  live  before  it  is  repaired.  I  shall  write  to  Mr. 
Haines  tomorrow  and  enclose  him  a  draft  for  $500  and  ask  him 
to  do  some  errands  for  me  touching  the  farm,  &c.  &c. 

Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


114  LETTERS   OF   JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Mr.  Fairfield  Moves  Down  and  Up 

Washington,  March  11th. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  got  the  start  of  you  in  one  thing  at  least,  to  wit,  I 
have  moved  and  you  have  not.  I  now  write  from  a  room  one 
story  lower  than  my  old  one.  It  is  about — stop  &  I'll  jump  up 
and  pace  it — say  18  to  12  feet  large,  is  on  the  front  and  has  a 
pleasant  aspect,  burns  wood  instead  of  coal,  has  shelves  &  other 
conveniences  that  the  old  one  had  not.  On  the  whole  my  loca- 
tion is  very  pleasant.  There  is  one  slight  drawback,  I  have  to 
pay  $10  a  week  instead  of  $8. 

Among  the  pleasant  things,  however,  connected  with  this 
important  event  is  that  Hunt,  the  only  heretical  fellow  in  the 
mess  politically,  has  changed  his  quarters,  leaving  this  very 
room.  I  suspect  he  began  to  find  his  position  at  our  table  beset 
with  too  many  perils,  or  at  all  events  rather  uncomfortable — 
for  we  have  not  been  much  in  the  habit  of  restraining  speech. 

A  somewhat  curious  &  novel  case  was  presented  to  the 
House  today,  and  one  which  elicited  a  good  deal  of  discussion. 
It  seems  that  last  session  an  act  passed  the  House  directing  that 
two  individuals,  naming  them,  be  placed  upon  the  pension  rolls, 
and  was  sent  to  the  Senate.  By  the  Journal  of  the  Senate  it 
appears  that  the  bill,  or  the  report  of  the  Senate's  committee 
thereon,  be  indefinitely  postponed.  And  yet  by  accident  it  was 
signed  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Senate  and  sent  to  the  President 
who  also  signed  his  approval. 

The  Secretary  of  War  on  being  informed  of  the  fact  by  the 
Secretary  of  the  Senate,  declined  paying  the  pensions,  and  to- 
day the  matter  was  presented  to  the  House.  Underwood  of 
Kentucky,  Hoar  of  Massachusetts,  Vinton  &  Storer  of  Ohio, 
took  the  ground  that  the  law  was  valid  to  all  intents  and 
purposes  and  that  the  Secretary  was  bound  to  execute  it. 
Beardsley  and  some  others,  that  it  was  to  be  regarded  as  valid 
by  the  Judiciary  and  the  Secretary  of  War,  but  not  by  Congress, 
and  this  latter  was  the  ground  I  took  when  the  question  was 
first  broached — i.  e.,  to  the  little  squad  immediately  around 
where  I  sit,  for  though  I  don't  make  public  speeches,  we  very 
often  have  quite  a  discussion  among  ourselves.  It  is  a  question 
of  some  difficulty — and  where  so  many  good  lawyers  differ,  I 
cannot  feel  confident.  Shepley  is  inclined  to  think  that  though 
the  Judiciary  could  not  go  behind  the  law  and  show  that  the 


LETTERS   OF   JOHN  FAIRFIELD  115 

legal  forms  had  not  been  observed  in  passing  it,  yet  that  the 
Secretary  might.     So  there  you  have  it. 
Good-night, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


"Calhoun  is  Crazy" 

Washington,  March  14th. 
Dear  Wife, 

As  I  have  engaged  to  go  out  tonight  and  have  but  little 
time  to  spare,  I  believe  I  will  take  for  my  letter  to  you  an  ex- 
tract from  one  I  have  just  finished  to  Stephen  Emery:  "Well, 
how  do  you  like  Washington  ?" 

That  is  a  very  natural  question  of  yours — but  in  answer  1 
am  obliged  to  say  I  don't  know.  There  are  so  many  things  to 
please  &  so  many  to  displease  that  I  find  my  opinions  constantly 
balancing — or  in  other  words  my  mind  is  like  a  piece  of  India 
rubber,  fastened  in  the  centre  while  various  characters,  scenes, 
events,  interests  and  objects  are  pulling  at  the  circumference. 
Sometimes  the  tension  is  more  one  way  than  another,  and 
sometimes  equal,  and — but  I  must  leave  it  to  your  better  imag- 
ination to  carry  out  the  figure — " 

In  giving  him  a  brief  description  of  some  of  the  Senators 
my  letter  goes  thus:  "Calhoun  is  crazy  and  malignant  as  a 
demon,  Preston  is  imagination  personified.  Clay  is  ebullient 
with  egotism,  envy  &  eloquence.  Leigh  is  an  old  school  Syllo- 
gism, an  absurdity  with  Reason's  great  coat  on.  Mangum  is 
vain,  vaunting  &  vituperative.  Wall  is  a  sort  of  'sleepy 
David,'  give  him  whip  and  spur  enough  and  he'll  run  like 
Eclipse.  Benton  is  a  Seventy  Four,  and  woe  betide  the  barque 
that  receives  his  broadside,"  &c.,  &c. 

In  love  and  law  Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Washington,  March  18th. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  went  last  night  to  Mrs.  Woodbury's  party.  The  company 
was  more  select  than  her  former  ones.  There  was  all  the  beauty 
&  fashion  of  the  City,  and  some  besides.  In  regard  to  dress  of 
ladies,  manners,  modes  of  enjoyment  there,  eatables  and  drink- 
ables, they  were  about  what  I  have  before  described. 


116  LETTERS   OF   JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Perhaps  I  should  except  the  dress  of  one  lady  said  to  be  the 
fashion  latest  from  Paris.  It  was  a  gown  minus  the  bishop 
sleeves.  The  sleeve  was  short,  reaching  a  little  more  than  half 
way  to  the  elbow,  snug,  and  three  or  four  rows  of  shoal  ruffles  at 
the  end,  say  something  like  this.  (Here  sketch  is  made.)  I 
hope  I  was  correctly  informed,  and  that  the  bishop  sleeves  are 
soon  to  be  among  the  things  lost  on  earth.  I  never  thought 
they  were  graceful  or  added  in  any  way  to  the  beauty  of  the 
form.  If  I  recollect  rightly,  your  Mother's  dress  in  her  portrait 
will  be  all  the  go,  though  I  don't  feel  very  positive  about  the 
dress  in  the  portrait. 

I  do  not  intend  to  go  to  any  more  parties.  I  have  had 
enough  of  them  for  one  winter. 

By  the  way,  Mrs.  Tooley  gave  me  an  invitation  to  visit  Col. 
Tooley  and  herself  during  the  session.  I  believe  it  is  about  60 
miles  from  here.  She  planned  the  route  and  appeared  to  be 
very  cordial  in  the  invitation.  Doct.  Mason  &  his  wife  are  go- 
ing, &  the  latter  seems  to  be  a  great  friend  of  Mrs.  Tooley. 
However,  I  suppose  I  ought  to  tell  further,  and  not  lay  my  in- 
vitation to  the  score  of  her  partiality,  that  I  have  been  talking 
of  going  to  Harper's  Ferry  during  the  spring,  which  I  believe 
is  only  about  ten  or  fifteen  miles  from  Tooley's  plantation. 

I  have  spent  the  whole  day  in  the  Senate  hearing  Mr.  Ben- 
ton on  the  expunging  resolutions.     He  is  making  a  powerful 
speech,  and  I  presume  is  not  half  through. 
Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Almost  Makes  His  Speech 

Washington,  March  25th. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  came  pretty  near  making  a  speech  today  on  the  North 
Carolina  contested  election.  I  made  two  attempts  to  get  the 
floor  and  failed  in  both.  The  last  time  Graves  of  Kentucky  suc- 
ceeded and  after  he  had  proceeded  a  few  minutes,  I  rose  to  a 
question  of  order  and  claimed  the  floor  on  the  ground  that 
Graves  had  spoken  once  before  upon  the  same  question,  but  the 
Speaker  decided  that  it  was  too  late  to  take  that  ground  after 
the  member  from  Kentucky  had  been  permitted  to  proceed  in 
his  remarks. 


HAMPDEN   FAIRFIELD 
Third  Son  of  .lolin  Fairfield 


LETTERS   OF   JOHN  FAIRFIELD  117 

So  there's  my  luck,  and  who  knows  but  what  it  may  have 
been  in  fact  good  luck,  for  if  I  lost  the  opportunity  of  making  a 
good  speech,  I  also  lost  the  opportunity  of  making  a  poor  one,  so 
I'll  study  to  be  content.  But  I  felt  pretty  well  for  a  speech  just 
then. 

Wise  had  been  giving  us  one  of  his  tirades  and  I  wanted 
to  answer  him  from  the  impulse  of  the  moment,  and  while  my 
feelings  were  warm.  I  believe  I  shall  not  renew  the  attempt 
tomorrow  as  we  have  stinted  them  (the  opposition)  with  three 
days,  closing  with  tomorrow,  for  the  settling  of  this  question, 
and  the  regular  speakers,  those  to  whom  parts  have  been 
assigned,  will  want  the  whole  day,  probably. 
Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


His  Religious  and  Political  Duties  Conflict 

Washington,  March  27. 
Dear  Wife, 

This  is  Sunday,  and  what  will  you  say  when  I  tell  you  that 
I  did  not  get  home  from  the  session  of  the  House  until  daylight 
this  morning.  The  session  was  from  11  o'clock,  forenoon,  to  1/2 
past  4  next  morning,  say  17 1/2  hours.  It  was  such  a  night  as  I 
hope  never  to  be  obliged  to  pass  through  again. 

I  felt  determined  with  the  rest  during  the  whole  day  to  sit 
the  opposition  out  and  take  the  vote,  not  dreaming  that  there 
was  danger  of  going  into  Sunday.  But  when  12  o'clock  arrived 
I  was  in  a  quandary.  I  hesitated  about  my  course  but  finally 
concluded  that  I  would  stick  to  my  post,  a  post  assigned  me  by 
the  people.  But  then,  being  satisfied  that  more  injury  would 
result  to  the  public  morals  by  the  example  set,  than  political 
good  from  continuing  this  session  into  the  Sabbath,  I  felt  in- 
clined to  adjourn. 

But  my  political  friends  were  opposed  to  adjournment. 
What  then,  should  I  do?  I  finally  concluded  to  stand  by  but 
take  no  part  except  under  imperious  circumstances.  Accord- 
ingly there  will  be  three  lists  of  yeas  &  nays  when  my  name  will 
not  be  found.  I  declined,  or  rather  omitted  to  vote,  nothing,  of 
course,  being  said  about  it.  So  my  vote  will  not  be  found  re- 
corded among  the  nays  on  the  questions  of  adjournment  where- 
by I  should  have  contributed  to  keep  the  House  in  session  & 


118  LETTERS   OF   JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

compelling  them  to  act  on  the  Sabbath,  nor  will  it  be  found 
among  the  yeas,  whereby  I  should  appear  to  be  acting  with  the 
opposition.  And  on  the  whole,  considering  what  scenes  trans- 
pired after  12  o'clock,  I  feel  somewhat  satisfied  with  my  course, 
though  I  felt  a  little  troubled  about  it  at  the  time. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Michigan  in  the  Senate 

April  2d,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

The  House  today  has  been  engaged  except  the  first  hour,  in 
private  business,  and  I  have  been  passing  my  day  in  the  Senate 
where  the  Michigan  question^  has  been  under  ':'iscussion. 

Yesterday  we  dined  and  took  our  tea  without  our  Senators, 
after  having  waited  for  them  a  reasonable  time.  About  1/2  after 
7  in  the  evening  I  went  back  to  the  Capitol  and  found  the  Senate 
in  session,  and  our  friends  manifesting  a  determination  to  have 
the  vote  taken  at  all  events. 

The  opposition  were  maneuvering  just  as  they  did  in  the 
House  last  Saturday,  moving  adjournments,  and  other  ques- 
tions, to  take  up  the  time  of  the  Senate,  weary  our  Senators  out, 
and  prevent  the  question  being  taken.  When  they  found  that 
they  could  not  accomplish  their  purpose  in  any  other  way,  most 
of  them  went  away,  to  destroy  a  quorum,  but  seven  of  them,  it 
seems,  were  afraid  to  carry  matters  this  length,  and  remained 
&  voted.  The  bill  was  carried  by  24  to  7.  Today  the  question 
is  on  its  final  passage. 

One  of  the  principal  questions  raised  is  as  follows:  The 
constitution  of  Michigan  permits  "inhabitants"  to  vote,  and 
Clay  &  the  opposition  contend  she  may,  under  this,  permit 
aliens  to  vote  (indeed  as  a  matter  of  fact  they  do),  and  thereby 
defeat  the  naturalization  laws  of  the  U.  S. 

Preston  broke  from  his  party,  and  made  a  very  able 
argument  in  favor  of  Michigan.  He  maintained  that  the  qual- 
ifications of  voters  was  a  matter  entirely  for  the  States  to  set- 
tle, each  State  for  itself;  that  the  constitution  of  U.  S.  requires 
that  the  electors  of  members  of  Congress  shall  have  the  qualifi- 
cations requisite  for  electors  of  the  most  numerous  branch  of 
the  State  Legislature  but  don't  say  what  those  qualifications 
shall  be,  leaving  it  for  the  State  to  settle.     He  said  that  if  Con- 


LETTERS    OF   JOHN   FAIRFIELD  119 

gress  should  go  farther,  they  might  as  well  add  to  the  constitu- 
tional qualifications  of  members  of  Congress,  to  wit,  25  years  of 
age,  7  years  residence,  &c. 

Clay  replied  to  him,  making  one  of  his  best  arguments.  The 
question  is  a  doubtful  one,  though  I  am  inclined  to  think  our 
folks  are  right;  indeed,  on  reflection,  I  am  satisfied  of  it.  The 
Senate  have  not  yet  adjourned.  I  suspect  they  are  determined 
to  have  the  vote  tonight. 

Since  writing  the  foregoing,  finding  that  our  Senators  did 
not  come  home  to  dinner,  I  have  been  up  to  the  Senate.  They 
have  just  adjourned — say  1/2  past  7,  having  passed  the  bill  ad- 
mitting Michigan  and  also  the  bill  admitting  Arkansas  through 
all  its  stages  but  the  lasit,  which  I  suppose  will  be  done  on 
Monday. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

^The  admission  of  Michigan  as  a  State  was  a  celebrated  issue  in  Jack- 
son's day.  Benton's  "Thirty  Years  View"  contains  many  pages  of  this  de- 
bate. 


Washington,  Apr.  3d,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

For  want  of  something  better  to  write  you,  I  send  a  letter 
reed,  from  Judge  Mellen  this  morning,  with  my  answer,  which 
was  as  follows: 
"Dear  Judge, 

Today  your  letter  came,   Bro.   Pond, 
Like  most  men,  being  rather  fond 
Of  seeing  his  watery  name  in  print, 
Inclines  to  think  the  deuce  is  in't, 
That  his  great  case,  Adams  &  Rowe, 
Should  e'er  by  me  be  treated  so; 
And  left  as  if  'twere  useless  lumber, 
Upon  the  dusty  shelf  to  slumber. 
In  answer,  now,  I  have  the  pleasure. 
In  rickety,  disjointed  measure. 
To  say  that  Adams  versus  Rowe, 
Will  be  in  "Fairfield"  volume  two: 
"And   fuddermore"*    'tis   now   in   press, 
And  soon  the  legal  world  will  bless. 

My  "printed  speech,"  Oh  dear.  Oh,  Oh, 
Existing  but  in  embryo, 


120  LETTERS    OF    JOHN   FAIRFIELD 

I  cannot  send  you ;  and  the  best 
I  can  do,  is,  of  your  request 
To  take  the  other  branch ;  &  so  I'll  try. 
To  send  some  "staves  of  social  poet-wry." 
Your  wish  falls  sweetly  on  my  ears, 
That  I  may  live  a  thousand  years ; 
And  in  return,  from  my  heart's  core, 
I  wish  for  you  a  thousand  more. 
Respectfully  &  truly  yours, 

J.  F.— " 
(* Parson  Webster) 

There,  what  do  you  think  of  that  ?      "Hain't  I  going  to  be  a 
Poet?"  as  Hodge  said,  when  he  wrote: 
Sweetly  the  breezes 
Blow  thro'  the  freezes; 
I  send  by  the  muses 
A  new  pair  of  shoeses 
Or  as  the  Vermont  Poet  said,  when  he  began  his  poetical  career 
with, 

The  sun  to  bed  began  to  hitch 
And  everything  grew  dark  as  pitch. 
Your  opinion  is  respectfully  solicited,  and  "the  smallest 
favors  gratefully  acknowledged." 

There,  if  this  isn't  nonsense  enough  for  one  letter,  I  think 
it's  a  pity.     In  love  &  fun 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN    FAIRFIELD. 


The  Expunging  Resolutions  Again 

Washington,  April  4,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

In  the  Senate  Leigh  has  occupied  the  day  in  answer  to 
Rives  on  the  expunging  resolutions.  One  side  say  it  is  a  very 
able  speech,  and  the  other  side  say  that  his  arguments,  many 
of  them,  are  very  good  only  they  had  no  application  to  the  case. 
I  did  not  hear  it  myself. 

In  the  House  Hawes  of  Kentucky  occupied  the  time  till  one 
o'clock  in  answer  to  Chilton  Allan  on  the  Kentucky  resolutions 
in  favor  of  dividing  the  moneys  arising  from  sales  of  the  public 
land.  He  didn't  leave  Granny  Harrison  in  the  shape  of  any- 
thing human.  Went  into  his  war  history,  and  among  other 
things  introduced  some  of  his  correspondence. 


LETTERS   OF   JOHN   FAIRFIELD  121 

Hawes  is  naturally  a  man  of  very  good  powers — but  he  is  a 
real  ranter — speaks  as  loud  as  possible,  and  as  low  as  possible 
and  speaks  not  merely  with  his  tongue,  but  with  his  hands, 
feet,  head  &  whole  body. 

After  one  o'clock  Jarvis^  took  the  floor  on  the  Naval  appro- 
priation bill  and  made  what  I  suppose  will  read  as  a  tolerable 
good  speech.  He  has  a  voice  which  is  very  feeble,  and  seems  to 
come  from  a  tomb,  or  the  bottom  of  a  well.  No,  I  now  recollect 
what  it  is  like, — the  voice  of  one  in  a  chest  with  the  lid  shut 
down.  He  spoke  to  a  beggarly  account  of  empty  boxes.  I 
counted  his  audience  at  one  time  &  found  only  46  members  there 
out  of  240,  and  no  one  in  the  gallery. 

Robertson  of  Virginia  got  the  floor  after  him  &  then  moved 
for  an  adjournment.  Now  we  shall  have  some  gall  &  worm- 
wood. He  sits  directly  behind  our  tier  of  boxes,  and  I,  of 
course,  hear  a  good  deal  of  his  talk.  He  is  regarded  as  a  good 
lawyer,  has  been  Atty.  Genl.  of  Virginia,  but  he  is  as  full  of 
acrimony  as  talent,  according  to  my  way  of  thinking. 

I  have  pretty  much  abandoned  the  idea  of  making  a  speech, 
unless  it  should  be  impromptu  upon  some  fit  occasion.  The 
prejudice  against  speech  making  is  getting  to  be  rather  strong, 
and  I'm  glad  of  it. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

^Leonard   Jarvis,   Republican   from   Maine,   resident   of  Surry. 


Discussing  Old  Economies 

Washington,  April  18,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

We  have  been  discussing  in  the  House  today  a  motion  to 
strike  from  the  appropriation  bill  $20,000,  a  part  payment  to 
Clark  &  Force,  two  old  federal  printers,  for  what  is  to  be  called 
the  Documentary  History  of  the  Revolution.  The  work,  it  is 
supposed,  will  cost  half  a  million  of  dollars.  I  regard  it  as 
cheating  the  people  to  reward  pet  printers,  and  to  appropriate 
property  to  the  members  which  they  have  no  right  to,  so  I  went 
against  the  appropriation,  but  the  book  folks  carried  it  by  8  ma- 
jority. 

In  the  Senate  they  have  been  debating  Mr.  Grundy's  project 
of  buying  the  use  for  the  Govt,  of  all  the  railroads  established 


122  LETTERS    OF   JOHN   FAIRFIELD 

in  the  Country,  and  to  be  established,  instead  of  paying  a  yearly 
compensation  for  carrying  the  mail,  &c.  Jno.  Hartley  &  Moses 
had  a  fine  opportunity  of  hearing  the  lions  of  the  Senate.  The 
following  Senators,  I  believe  all  of  them,  had  more  or  less  to 
say:  Webster,  Clay,  Calhoun,  Leigh,  Benton,  Grundy,  Walker, 
Buchanan,  King  of  Georgia,  &c.     They  were  highly  delighted. 

I  have  two  invitations  before  me.  One  for  a  party  at 
Blair's  tomorrow  evening,  which  I  think  I  shall  not  attend,  and 
one  from  the  Proprietors  of  the  Chesapeake  &  Ohio  Canal  Co, 
to  take  an  excursion  on  the  Canal  to  Wheeling.  To  start  Satur- 
day the  30th  inst.  at  5  o'clock  in  the  morning,  reach  Wheeling 
the  same  day  &  return  again  on  Monday,  and  this  invitation  I 
think  I  shall  accept. 

It  will  be  at  the  time  when  the  House  has  agreed  to  adjourn 
over  for  3  days  in  order  to  have  the  carpets  taken  up  and  straw 
carpets  put  down.  This  will  be  a  very  great  improvement  and 
promotion  of  health.  Now,  when  the  sun  shines  across  the 
Hall  in  a  line  of  rays  of  light  (if  that  is  proper)  you  can  see 
that  the  Hall  is  full  of  dust. 

Ever  Yours, 

JOHN   FAIRFIELD. 


April  27th,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

The  trees  are  all  leaving  out  and  peaches,  apricots  &  some 
others  in  bloom. 

This  will  be  a  beautiful  City  in  a  few  weeks,  for  about  all 
the  public  buildings  and  the  whole  length  of  Pennsylvania  Ave- 
nue much  attention  has  been  paid  to  the  planting  of  trees.  I 
see  but  little  shrubbery  about  the  private  houses  compared  with 
what  we  see  at  the  North. 

We  begin  to  find  our  situation  rather  uncomfortable  in  one 
respect,  to  wit,  the  great  quantities  of  dust  continually  floating 
in  the  air.  Pennsylvania  Avenue  was  McAdamized  a  year  or 
two  since,  but  was  done  with  so  soft  a  stone  that  it  grinds  into 
dust  which  is  between  one  &  two  inches  deep  at  all  times  when 
dry,  and  after  a  rain  we  have  that  depth  of  mud.  I  wish,  there- 
fore, that  I  was  now  on  Capitol  hill,  but  having  been  with  Mrs. 
Hill  during  all  the  cold  weather  when  much  wood  was  burned, 
perhaps  it  would  be  hardly  fair  to  leave  her  now  when  we  can 
obtain  board  a  little  cheaper  elsewhere,  and  when  she  begins  to 
make  a  little  profit. 


LETTERS   OF   JOHN   FAIRFIELD  123 

In  the  Senate  today  after  much  discussion,  Clay's  land  bill 
passed  by  a  vote  of  25  to  21,  which  is,  I  suppose  you  know,  pro- 
viding for  the  distribution  among  the  States  of  the  proceeds 
arising  from  the  sale  of  the  public  lands  for  five  years. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


LUCY  FAIRFIELD   DODGE 
Daughter  of  John  Fairfield 


CHAPTER  IV 
(Letters  of  1836  Continued) 

A  Trip  to  Harper's  Ferry 

Washington,  May  3d,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  returned  from  my  excursion  to  Harper's  Ferry  last  night, 
but  not  in  season  to  write  you.  It  was  a  great  treat  &  afforded 
the  most  unbounded  satisfaction  to  all  who  went,  constituting 
about  60  members,  &  some  half  a  dozen  other  gentlemen.  We 
were  absent  three  days  and  the  whole  treat  was  gratuitous,  even 
to  the  passage  in  the  hacks  from  here  to  Georgetown  &  back, 
that  being  the  place  from  which  the  boats  start.  The  distance 
is  something  over  60  miles,  and  is  accomplished  in  a  day,  the 
Canal  boats  being  drawn  by  3  horses  and  a  part  of  the  time  by 
four.  The  topmost  piece  is  a  canvas  awning,  an  open  space  con- 
stituting a  long,  commodious  and  comfortable  dining  hall. 
There  were  three  boats,  the  largest  being  what  I  have  sketched, 
the  others  not  so  large  and  having  no  awnings.  I  kept  in  the 
large  boat,  which  afforded  a  fine  opportunity  of  viewing  the 
scenery  in  our  progress  up  the  canal,  which  we  found  to  be 
really  worth  seeing.  After  getting  up  about  ten  or  a  dozen 
miles,  we  found  the  land  rich,  pretty  well  cultivated,  and  exhib- 
iting some  of  the  most  beautiful  landscapes  that  I  have  ever 
seen. 

In  some  places  the  Canal  runs  along  the  side  of  a  mountain, 
there  being  say  a  precipice  100  feet  high  above  us  on  our  right, 
&  100  feet  below  us  on  our  left.  From  Georgetown  up  there  are 
33  locks,  which,  if  you  understand,  you  can  explain  to  the  chil- 
dren. There  were  also  several  aqueducts,  one  vastly  superior 
in  every  respect  to  anything  of  the  kind  I  have  ever  seen.  It 
carries  the  canal  over  the  river  Manocasin  (Fm  not  sure  that  I 
spell  it  right) .  It  is  about  500  feet  long  &  has  7  arches.  It  is 
built  of  large,  square  blocks  of  a  very  white  kind  of  granite,  and 
is  nearly  as  handsome  as  marble.  It  is  a  noble  specimen  of 
mason  work. 

For  a  considerable  distance  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  railroad 
passes  side  by  side  with  the  canal,  and  in  one  place  I  recollect  we 
had  an  aqueduct  &  viaduct  beside  each  other,  the  first  being  the 
conducting  of  water  over  a  river  or  over  a  road,  and  the  latter 


126  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

being  a  road  built  over  a  river  or  road.  The  scenery  grows 
more  sublime  as  you  approach  Harper's  Ferry,  and  when  you 
get  there  it  is  truly  wild.  There  the  waters  of  the  Potomac 
and  Shenandoah  meet,  and  seem  once  to  have  constituted  a  vast 
lake  which  had  forced  its  way  through  the  mountain,  and  that  I 
believe  was  Mr.  Jefferson's  opinion.  (See  his  notes  on  Virginia.) 

The  tongue  of  land  in  the  centre  rises  precipitously  from 
the  water  for  about  300  feet  and  is  incapable  of  occupation  by 
buildings  except  a  narrow  strip  round  its  base,  near  the  water, 
a  narrow  piece  in  the  center,  where  I  have  placed  a  meeting 
house,  and  a  Masonic  hall,  which  are  about  half  way  up  the  hill. 
Much  of  the  way  you  ascend  by  steps  hewn  into  the  solid  ledge 
which  seems  to  be  a  kind  of  slate  rock.  The  bank  on  the  Poto- 
mac side  is  1100  feet  high,  and  500  of  it  nearly  perpendicular. 
The  sides  also  of  the  tongue  of  land  in  the  center  are  very  pre- 
cipitous &  are  entirely  impassable  except  in  one  narrow,  wind- 
ing, &  dangerous  footpath,  which  I  descended  though  in  some 
places  it  was  really  frightful. 

All  of  our  Company  but  about  half  a  dozen  went  on  the 
railroad  to  Winchester  about  30  miles  &  spent  the  day.  Mr. 
Shepley  &  I  with  some  others  remained  and  visited  Capt.  Hall 
whom  Mr.  Haines  will  recollect  as  the  man  from  whom  I  reed, 
some  communications  before  leaving  home  on  the  subject  of  his 
patent  rifle.  We  found  Mrs.  Hall  to  be  a  fine  looking  woman  & 
quite  polished,  &  surrounded  by  7  children,  one,  a  fine  girl  of 
about  19.  Whom  do  you  guess  Mrs.  Hall  was  ?  One  of  my  con- 
stituents, almost,  she  was  an  old  Yorker  and  the  sister  of  no  less 
a  personage  than  Judge  Preble. 

Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Washington,  May  4,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  just  stepped  into  the  Library  and  taken  down  Jef- 
ferson's notes  on  Virginia ;  I  find  there  a  description  of  Harper's 
Ferry  which  is  much  better  than  anything  original  I  can  give 
you,  and  therefore  I  transcribe  it: 

"The  passage  of  the  Potomac  through  the  Blue  ridge  is  per- 
haps one  of  the  most  stupendous  scenes  in  nature.  You  stand 
on  a  very  high  point  of  land.  On  your  right  comes  up  the 
Shenandoah,  having  ranged  along  the  foot  of  the  mountain  an 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  127 

hundred  miles  to  seek  a  vent.  On  your  left  approaches  the 
Potomac,  in  quest  of  a  passage  also.  In  the  moment  of  their 
Junction  they  rush  together  against  the  mountain,  rend  it 
asunder,  and  pass  off  to  the  sea. 

"The  first  glimpse  of  this  scene  hurries  our  senses  into  the 
opinion  that  this  earth  has  been  created  in  time;  that  the 
mountains  were  formed  first,  that  the  rivers  began  to  flow  after- 
wards, that  in  this  place  particularly  they  have  been  dammed  up 
by  the  Blue  ridge  of  mountains,  and  have  formed  an  ocean  which 
filled  the  whole  vallej'';  that  continuing  to  rise,  they  have  at 
length  broken  over  at  this  spot,  and  have  torn  the  mountain 
down  from  its  summit  to  its  base.  The  piles  of  rock  on  each 
hand,  but  particularly  on  the  Shenandoah,  the  evident  marks 
of  this  disrupture  and  avulsion  from  their  beds  by  the  most 
powerful  agents  of  nature,  corroborates  the  impression. 

"But  the  distant  finishing  which  nature  has  given  to  the 
picture  is  of  a  very  different  character.  It  is  a  true  contrast 
to  the  foreground.  It  is  as  placid  and  delightful  as  that  is 
wild  and  tremendous.  For  the  mountain  being  cloven  asunder, 
she  presents  to  your  eye,  through  the  cleft,  a  small  patch  of 
smooth  blue  horizon,  at  an  infinite  distance  in  the  plain  country, 
inviting  you,  as  it  were,  from  the  riot  and  tumult  roaring 
around,  to  pass  beneath  the  breach  and  participate  in  the  calm 
below.  Here  the  eye  ultimately  composes  itself ;  and  that  way, 
too,  the  road  happens  actually  to  lead.  You  cross  the  Potomac 
above  the  Junction,  pass  along  its  side  through  the  base  of  the 
mountain  for  three  miles,  its  terrible  precipices  hanging  in  frag- 
ments over  you,  and  within  about  20  miles  reach  Frederic  town 
and  the  fine  country  around  that. 

"This  scene  is  worth  a  voyage  across  the  Atlantic.  Yet 
here,  as  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  natural  bridge,  are  people 
who  have  passed  their  lives  within  half  a  dozen  miles,  and  have 
never  been  to  survey  these  monuments  of  a  war  between  rivers 
and  mountains  which  must  have  shaken  the  earth  itself  to  its 
center." 

There,  what  do  you  think  of  that?  It  is  poetical  at  least, 
and  if  I  had  placed  my  hand  on  it  before  today,  perhaps  you 
might  not  have  had  the  letter  I  wrote  you  last  night. 

After  this  extract,  perhaps  I  ought  to  say  no  more  upon 
this  subject,  but  I  cannot  help  enclosing  you  a  little  pencil 
sketch  of  what  is  called  Jefferson  rock,  which  I  made  while 
standing  near  it.     It  is  situated  on  the  tongue  of  land  between 


128  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

the  Shenandoah  and  Potomac,  perhaps  50  rods  up  the  Shenan- 
doah side  from  the  end  of  the  tongue.  It  is  on  the  top  of  the 
main  ledge  which  rises  nearly  200  feet  and  almost  perpendicu- 
larly, ani  stands  on  the  outer  edge  of  the  main  ledge,  so  that 
by  standing  on  the  little  flat  rock,  as  I  did,  which  looks  like  a 
cap,  and  looking  over,  it  will  almost  make  your  head  whirl.  To 
give  a  better  idea  of  it,  I  would  add  that  the  topmost  piece  is 
about  7  or  8  feet  across. 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


He  Makes  a  Speech 

Washington,  May  5,  1836. 
Dear  Ann, 

Our  session  was  continued  until  a  late  hour  today  and  I  did 
not  get  my  dinner  until  near  7  o'clock.  We  have  been  discussing 
the  bill  proposing  relief  to  the  Cities  of  this  District  from  the 
Dutch  loan.  The  Dutch  creditors  now  have  a  warrant  issued 
for  selling  the  City  for  the  payment  of  the  interest  of  the  debt, 
which  the  City  cannot  do;  I  am  for  avoiding  the  national  dis- 
grace if  possible;  I  shall  go  for  the  bill;  I  have  made  a  little 
speech  today,  which  perhaps  you  will  see  in  tomorrow's  paper. 
Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


They  Experiment  with  Mulberry  Trees 

Washington,  May  10,  1836. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

After  tea  Mr.  Shepley  came  in  &  staid  until  about  five 
minutes  before  the  boy  came  with  his  bag,  and  as  soon  as  he 
went  out  Judge  Ruggles  came  &  challenged  me  to  a  game  of 
chess  and  staid  until  12!  Thus  you  see  I  could  not  write.  I 
beat  the  Judge  three  games,  and  indeed  I  believe  I  beat  all  who 
play  with  me.  It  is  a  great  game  in  this  City,  and  they  have 
one.  Col.  Gardner,  Deputy  Post  Master  General,  who  beat  the 
automaton  chess  player.  Doubleday  has  beaten  Gardner,  and  I 
beat  Doubleday.  What  a  brag!  say  you.  Never  mind,  it  is 
only  to  my  wife. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  129 

I  thank  you  for  your  letter  of  yesterday,  though  it  was 
merely  a  business  one.  Perhaps  you  had  better,  as  suggested 
by  Ellis,  buy  some  of  Mr.  Calef's  Spanish  potatoes.  I  should 
like,  however,  to  have  many  of  our  kidney  potatoes  planted,  & 
perhaps  all  we  have.     Don't  recollect  the  quantity. 

You  think  if  every  mulberry  seed  produces  a  tree  we  shall 
have  enough  to  cover  the  whole  farm,  but  you  must  recollect 
that  I  don't  intend  to  make  a  regular  orchard,  placing  the  trees 
a  rod  apart,  but  to  set  them  in  rows  a  few  feet  only  from  each 
other,  keeping  them  all  down  into  shrubs,  except  one  tree  at  the 
termination  of  each  rod.  I  am  glad  that  on  experiment  you 
find  the  seed  so  good.  As  for  the  pear  trees  &  cherries  I  sup- 
pose it  is  of  no  use  to  say  anything  about  them  now,  for  they 
are  in  the  ground  long  ago,  but  I  gave  to  Mr.  Billings,  accord- 
ing to  present  impressions,  written  directions  where  to  set  them 
out.  By  the  way,  did  Sinnott  cut  off  the  tops  of  the  maples 
before  setting  them  out,  or  any  part  of  the  tops?  Such  was 
my  direction.  How  much  gravel  &  butter  &  cheese  have  you 
sold?  The  first,  at  least,  is  to  be  a  staple  production  of  our 
farm,  I  presume,  and  by  and  by  it  will  be  silk  &  gravel. 

I  am  glad  that  the  boys  find  amusement,  but  let  me  caution 
you  about  keeping  all  the  children  from  the  well.  You  know 
they  are  very  much  inclined  to  be  playing  about  such  places,  and 
have  no  discretion.  When  I  return  I  mean  to  have  the  boys 
learn  how  to  swim.  I  suspect  we  have  a  grand  place  for  that 
amusement  down  at  our  shore. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Sees  the  First  of  the  Steam  Navy 

House  of  Representatives,  Washington,  May  15th. 
Dear  Wife, 

As  we  may  have  another  night  session,  I  will  drop  you  a 
line  from  the  House,  though  I  have  nothing  in  particular  to  say. 
The  opposition  are  occupying  the  whole  time  in  speeches,  while 
our  friends  are  obliged  to  be  silent,  for  while  we  charge  them 
with  a  gross  waste  of  time,  consistency  forbids  our  following 
in  their  track. 

Biddle  having  about  one  o'clock  commenced  a  speech  which 
bid  fair  to  be  of  no  moderate  length,  four  of  us  jumped  into  a 


130  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

hack  and  went  down  to  the  Navy  Yard  to  see  the  steam  frigate 
which  arrived  here  a  few  days  since  from  New  York.  The 
officers  received  us  very  politely  and  shew  off  the  lion  with  con- 
siderable pride.  I  was  much  pleased  with  her,  and  found  con- 
firmation of  my  opinions  that  the  best  defense  for  our  harbors 
will  be  steam  batteries. 

On  our  return  we  found  Biddle  still  speaking  and  sweatin^r 
like  a  pitcher  of  cold  water  in  a  warm  room.  As  soon  as  he 
closed  John  Bell  got  the  floor  and  is  now  hammering  away  like  a 
blacksmith,  but  with  the  stunning  clatter  of  a  tinman.  I  be- 
lieve you  heard  him  in  September. 

J.  F. 


Hears  Taylor  Preach 

Washington,  May  15,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

This  morning,  as  I  have  for  several  preceding  mornings,  I 
rose  early  and  had  a  long  walk,  getting  back  in  season  for  break- 
fast. Found  it  cold  as  Greenland,  almost  mitten  cold,  and  after 
my  return  ascertained,  I  suppose,  the  cause  of  it,  to  wit,  an 
eclipse  of  the  sun.  Did  you  see  it?  Here  they  say,  for  I  did 
not  see  it  myself,  the  sun  was  |ds.  covered.  I  have  had  a  fire 
in  my  room  all  day,  and  for  a  wl^ole  week  past  we  have  had  as 
cold  weather,  almost,  as  I  ever  witnessed  at  the  North  at  this 
season  of  the  year.  You  don't  complain  in  your  letters,  so  I  sup- 
pose you  have  it  pleasant  enough. 

Today  I  have  attended  meeting  at  the  Capitol  to  hear  Tay- 
lor', he  who  preaches  to  the  sailors  in  Boston.  He  evidently  was 
not  at  home  and  did  not  preach  so  well  as  I  once  heard  him  to 
his  own  congregation.  He  must  have  an  opportunity  to  go  to 
the  Ocean  for  his  illustrations,  and  then  he  can  certainly  be  very 
forcible,  but  these  would  not  answer  quite  so  well  for  members 
of  Congress  as  for  sailors. 

He  prayed  very  heartily  for  the  President  and  said  his  sun 
was  about  setting  but  not  diminishing.  I  thought  this  was  say- 
ing a  good  deal  for  a  Boston  minister  &  one  who  I  had  sup- 
posed was  a  federalist.  In  his  sermon  however,  he  shew  him- 
self no  narrow  &  bigoted  sectarian.  He  regarded  with  con- 
tempt all  the  theological  religion.  He  wanted  the  plain,  prac- 
tical heart  religion  and  if  we  must  have  sects,  said  he,  at  least 
let  us  live  like  families  of  the  same  neighborhood.     Let  us  love 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  131 

each  other  like  Christians,  though  we  happen  to  differ  some- 
what in  our  speculations. 

He  preaches  this  evening  at  the  Wesleyan  Chapel  and  per- 
haps I  may  try  him  again. 

I  bought  some  time  ago  Dewey's  volume  of  sermons  and 
have  been  reading  it.  Many  of  the  sermons  are  excellent,  far 
superior,  I  think,  to  Fox's,  a  volume  you  will  recollect  Tom  Lane 
lent  us,  and  which  were  quite  celebrated.  For  this  half  a  dozen 
last  Sundays  we  have  had  to  preach  for  us  at  the  Unitarian 
house  young  Cranch,  a  son  of  Judge  Cranch  of  this  city.  He  is 
a  fine  looking  young  man,  and  I  should  think  of  pretty  fair  tal- 
ents, but  he  is  too  bashful  to  look  his  audience  in  the  face,  much 
more  to  scold  at  them,  and  reprimand  them  for  their  sins.  He 
may  make  something  ten  years  hence,  but  is  not  fit  for  a  minis- 
ter now.  Stockton,  our  Chaplain,  has  fallen  very  much  in  the 
estimation  of  the  members  so  far  as  relates  to  his  talents.  Now, 
everybody  entertains  the  opinions  I  expressed  the  first  time  I 
heard  him. 

Only  think,  I  have  now  been  absent  over  51/2  months.  I 
hope  we  shall  never  be  so  long  separated  again.  Next  session, 
you  know,  is  a  short  one,  even  if  you  should  not  come  on  with 
me.  Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

^"Father"    Taylor,    the    celebrated  mission-preacher   of  Boston. 


Trouble  on  the  Texas  Border 

Washington,  May  16th. 
Dear  Ann, 

Today  there  is  great  rejoicing  here  among  those  who  are 
particularly  interested  for  Texas,  and  all  feel  some  degree  of 
pleasure  at  the  news  from  that  quarter.  By  a  handbill  issued 
from  the  Telegraph  office,  it  appears  that  Houston  with  600 
Texans  met  Santa  Anna  with  1100  Mexicans  and  in  the  contest 
killed  one-half  the  Mexicans  and  made  prisoners  of  the  other 
half,  including  Santa  Anna  and  all  his  principal  officers. 

It  is  said  further  that  a  Council  of  War  was  held  and  that 
Santa  Anna  &  his  officers  were  shot.  The  last  step  may  be 
wrong,  but  no  one  having  a  human  heart  can  cry  at  the  death 
of  such  inhuman,  fiendish  monsters  in  human  shape.  The  mas- 
sacre of  100  or  more  of  Texan  prisoners  in  cold  blood  after  they 


132  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

had  surrendered  upon  a  promise  of  protection,  I  presume  you 
have  not  heard. 

On  a  bill  being  called  up  today  making  an  appropriation  to 
carry  into  effect  a  treaty  which  has  been  concluded  between  us 
and  Mexico,  which  provides  for  a  survey  &  settlement  of  the 
line  between  U.  S.  and  Mexico,  Wise,  Peyton  &  others  of  the 
nullifiers  embraced  the  opportunity  to  make  long  harangues  in 
favor  of  Texas  and  among  other  things  avowed  their  object  to 
be,  to  obtain  by  &  by  the  annexation  of  Texas  to  the  U.  S.,  and 
thereby  enable  the  slave-holding  States  to  balance  the  power  of 
the  North.  I  think  they  will  meet  with  a  few  obstacles  before 
they  accomphsh  that  object. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Wednesday,  May  18th. 
Dear  Wife, 

This  morning  when  I  went  out  to  take  my  walk  I  found  the 
front  of  our  building  almost  literally  covered  with  a  yellow  fly 
somewhat  resembling  our  miller  and  about  as  large.  Vast 
quantities  were  also  dead  upon  the  sidewalk  and  in  some  places 
were  swept  into  quite  a  windrow.  It  was  a  great  curiosity  to 
me,  but  I  am  told  they  have  the  same  occurrence  every  year, 
only  the  flies  are  not  usually  so  numerous  as  now.  They  ap- 
pear to  be  perfectly  harmless  &  are  ephemeral  in  their  exist- 
ence. 

The  news  today  about  the  battle  between  the  Mexicans  & 
Texans  is  doubted,  and  by  some  papers  contradicted.  We  shall 
know  certainly  soon.  Today  also  we  have  news,  authentic  news, 
coming  from  the  U.  S.  Officer  commanding  Fort  Mitchell  that 
the  Creek  Indians  have  made  war  upon  us,  and  are  making 
serious  &  disastrous  inroad  upon  the  population  of  Alabama. 

We  have  today  appropriated  half  a  million  &  authorized 
the  President  to  accept  of  volunteers  not  exceeding  10,000.  I 
am  really  afraid  we  are  to  have  desperate  times  on  our  frontier 
— there  seems  to  be  some  prospect  of  a  general  Indian  war. 

But  enough  for  this  time. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  133 

Dear  Wife, 

Reed,  your  letter  today.  Think  upon  the  whole  you  have 
done  about  right  in  not  taking  the  Mixer  chaise.  It  was  rather 
old  and  rather  heavy. 

I  wish  I  could  have  dined  with  you  upon  head  and  pluck 
last  Monday  for,  though  we  occasionally  have  that  dish  here, 
it  is  not  cooked  as  it  is  at  home  and  not  so  much  to  my  taste. 
It  seems  that  you  don't  conclude  to  raise  any  stock  this  year. 
Well,  just  as  you  say.  Am  sorry  that  the  Livingston  cow  doesn't 
turn  out  to  be  so  valuable  as  you  expected,  perhaps  she  may  im- 
prove, for  if  I  recollect  Bro.  William's  statement,  she  is  a  young 
cow. 
,  Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Attends  a  Boat  Race 

Washington,  May  21. 
Dear  Wife, 

After  the  adjournment  of  the  House  this  afternoon  most 
of  the  members,  including  myself,  went  to  the  Navy  Yard  to 
witness  a  boat  race.  The  assembly  of  people  was  quite  large,  a 
good  deal  of  enthusiasm  prevailed  among  the  betting  gentry  and 
I  suppose  much  money  was  lost  and  won.  There  were  5  boats 
— four  of  them  manned  by  six  oarsmen  and  one  of  them  by 
four.  The  latter  was  a  small  white  boat,  and  won  the  race.  A 
long,  low  black  boat  belonging  to  the  steam  frigate  came  out 
next.     The  winning  boat  belonged  to  Alexandria. 

The  moral  influence  of  the  thing,  I  presume,  you  will  not 
consider  as  much  promoted  by  the  fact  that  many  of  the  ladies 
present  participated  in  the  betting  as  well  as  the  men.  After 
the  race,  ladies  and  gentlemen  repaired  to  a  hall  at  the  Yard 
for  a  dance,  but  not  feeling  in  the  mood,  I  came  home. 

I  was  up  to  Mrs.  Woodbury's  a  few  nights  since,  and  she 
said  she  should  look  to  me  to  chaperone  her  at  the  race,  but  I 
didn't  see  her  there,  so  I  had  nothing  to  do  but  look  at  the  boats. 
I  am  so  clumsy  that  I  am  a  poor  hand  to  gallant  the  ladies. 
Yours  ever, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


134  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

The  Small-Pox  Epidemic 

Washington,  May  22d. 

Reed,  a  letter  this  morning  from  Mr.  Haines,  by  which,  and 
the  papers  it  seems  that  the  small-pox  is  raging  up  at  Hollis — 
that  Tom  Lane  had  it  and  that  Mr.  Bradbury  and  his  daughter 
died  of  it.  The  alarm  and  consternation  up  there  must  be  very 
great,  for  I  suppose  but  very  few  of  them  have  ever  been  vac- 
cinated. Mary  Lane,  too,  it  seems  has  got  it ;  poor  girl,  I  hope 
it  will  not  terminate  fatally  with  her. 

By  the  way,  how  many  of  our  family  have  been  vaccinated  ? 
All,  I  suspect,  but  Augusta  and  Hampden.  Had  you  not  better 
let  them  be  vaccinated  forthwith? 

I  heard  yesterday  for  the  first  time  that  we  have  several 
cases  of  the  small-pox  in  this  City.  I  hope  it  will  have  the  effect 
to  frighten  the  members  into  doing  what  they  ought  to  have 
done  before,  to  wit,  doing  the  business  of  the  people  and  then 
going  home.  If  it  have  no  worse  effect,  I  should  not  regret  its 
appearance  here. 

Today  it  is  said  by  some  of  our  boarders  who  have  seen  the 
hand  bill  just  issued,  that  the  first  news  reed,  of  the  battle  be- 
tween the  Mexicans  and  Texans  is  confirmed,  and  that  Santa 
Anna  is  a  prisoner.  It  is  said  he  offers,  if  they  will  spare  his 
life,  to  have  the  independence  of  Texas  acknowledged  &  to  pay 
the  expenses  of  the  war. 

After  the  recpt.  of  the  first  news  it  was  contradicted,  the 
letter  of  Rush,  Sec'y  of  War,  pronounced  a  forgery  and  a  vari- 
ety of  reasons  set  forth  why  it  could  not  be  so.  I  was  the  only 
one  of  our  mess,  except  a  young  man  on  a  visit  here  from 
Lowell,  who  still  believed  in  the  truth  of  the  first  report.  We 
had  several  controversies  about  it  and  I  was  almost  sneered  at 
for  my  credulity.  But  to  my  mind  it  bore  the  impress  of  truth, 
which  it  turns  out  to  be. 

Whom  do  you  think  I  have  been  hearing  preach  today  ?  None 
other  than  Mr.  Lothrop.  I  saw  him  in  the  gallery  yesterday 
and  went  up  and  had  some  conversation  with  him.  It  seems  he 
is  journeying  with  Amos  Lawrence  who  is  sick.  His  sermon 
today  was  of  the  first  order,  and  made  the  Washingtonians 
prick  up  their  ears.  Among  the  congregation  I  observed  Mr. 
John  Q.  Adams  &  Mr.  Woodbury. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  135 

Daniel  Webster  Plants  Mulberry  Trees 

May  26,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

By  a  letter  from  Mr.  Haines  today,  I  learn  that  the  small- 
pox is  abating  at  Salmon  Falls  and  that  no  alarm  prevails  there 
now.  I  am  very  glad  to  hear  it,  but  am  compelled  to  say  that 
if  you  are  escaping  there,  we  are  just  getting  into  it  here. 
Doctor  Mason  says  he  was  in  at  Doctor  Sewall's  today  and  that 
he  told  him  there  were  20  cases  existing  here,  and  among  them 
Mr.  Whittlesey  of  Connecticut,  who  has  lately  come  on  as  the 
successor  of  Judge  Wildman,  who,  you  will  recollect,  died  the 
first  of  the  session.  Many  of  the  members,  I  believe,  are  about 
being  vaccinated,  and  I  don't  know  but  I  shall  try  it. 

I  see  by  the  papers  that  Danl.  Webster  has  been  planting 
mulberry  trees  on  his  farm  at  Marshfield,  and  that  he  intends 
quitting  politics  &  to  devote  himself  to  the  culture  of  silk.  So 
you  see  we  have  magnificent  company  in  some  of  our  projects. 

But  I  must  break  off — as  there  is  a  bill  now  under  discus- 
sion, on  which,  if  I  can  get  the  floor,  I  intend  to  make  a  short 
speech. 

Yours  in  much  love, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


A  Trip  to  Mt.  Vernon 

Saturday  Morning,  May  28. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  just  (i.e.  1/2  an  hour  ago),  jumped  out  of  bed  and 
drop  you  a  line  at  this  unusual  hour  because  I  am  going  to 
Mount  Vernon  today  and  don't  know  that  I  shall  return  soon 
enough  to  write  you  again.  Doctor  Mason  &  wife  &  myself 
constitute  the  party.  We  expect  to  go  from  here  to  Alexandria 
by  steamboat,  where  we  take  a  carriage  &  drive  to  Mount  Ver- 
non, about  11  miles. 

I  expected  to  have  made  a  little  speech  yesterday,  but  in 
discussion  of  the  bill  organizing  the  Post  Office  department 
we  did  not  quite  reach  the  section  to  which  I  am  opposed ;  the 
bill  having  been  postponed  to  Monday,  perhaps  I  may  then 
have  a  chance  to  say  a  word  or  two.     The  bell   has   begun  to 


136  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

ring  for  breakfast,  and  so,  my  dear  wife,  good  morning  to  you, 
if  you  are  up,  say  1/2  past  7. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 
Doctor  Lee  has  just  been  in  &  says  he'll  go,  too — so  making 
four  of  us — just  a  hack  load. 


Washington,  May  29,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  morning  at  10  minutes  before  9  o'clock  Doctor 
Mason  &  wife,  Mr.  Miles,  a  Mississippi  planter,  and  Miss  Latoo 
(that's  the  way  it's  pronounced)  and  myself  (Doct.  Lee  having 
backed  out)  stepped  into  a  hack  which  carried  us  one  mile  to  the 
steamboat  wharf.  In  a  few  minutes  we  cast  loose  and  had  a 
pleasant  sail  down  to  Alexandria. 

The  distance,  I  believe,  is  only  about  6  or  7  miles.  The 
Potomac  here  is  broad,  and  on  both  sides  is  presented  very 
pretty  scenery.  At  one  or  two  points  you  have  very  rich  land- 
scapes indeed.  Alexandria  is  pleasantly  located,  but  seems  to 
be  laboring  under  the  effects  of  old  age  or  want  of  stimulus.  In 
some  of  the  streets  I  noticed  that  the  grass  was  literally  grow- 
ing up  among  the  pavements.  And  in  these  streets  the  build- 
ings looked  old,  moss  covered,  out  of  repair  and  forsaken. 

In  other  streets,  however,  I  found  the  buildings  good,  hand- 
some, and  the  shops  well  tilled  with  goods.  It  was  once  a  place 
of  great  trade.  Indeed,  I  believe  it  was  the  first  City  in  the 
State  of  Virginia.  It  is  possible  that  it  may  be  resuscitated  and 
restored  to  its  former  activity  and  standing  by  the  Chesapeake 
&  Ohio  Canal,  which  is  soon  to  be  extended  to  it — though  I 
doubt  it,  as  the  principal  trade  will  go  to  Baltimore,  the  canal 
being  about  to  be  tapped  by  the  Baltimoreans  above  George- 
town, and  a  branch  carried  to  their  City. 

At  Alexandria  Doctor  M.  &  wife  &  Mr.  M.  &  Miss  L.  took 
a  hack,  and  I  took  a  saddle  horse,  with  which  we  set  out  for 
Mount  Vernon,  leaving  word  with  the  landlord  to  have  dinner 
for  us  at  V2  past  3.  The  distance  is  about  9  miles,  to  pass  over 
which  took  us  two  hours,  as  the  road  was  very  bad.  Their  neg- 
lect of  roads  in  this  part  of  the  country  is  shameful.  The  horse 
I  rode  was  the  best  for  the  saddle  that  I  have  ever  known.  He 
would  walk  at  least  4  miles  an  hour,  and  when  I  wanted  to  go 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  137 

faster  than  that  I  could  set  him  into  a  pace  of  six  miles  an  hour 
which  would  carry  me  nearly  as  easy  as  the  walk. 

On  arriving  at  the  Mount  Vernon  estate,  or  rather  the 
entrance  to  it,  we  found  a  gate,  at  either  side  of  which  was  a 
porter's  lodge,  small  building,  perhaps  12  or  15  feet  square, 
covered  with  mortar  rough-cast.  Entering  here  we  pursued  our 
way  to  the  mansion  house  which  is  about  a  half  a  mile  from  the 
road,  through  a  noble  grove  of  oaks,  and  by  a  way  winding  & 
undulating  enough  to  make  it  very  romantic  and  pleasant. 

The  house  is  2  stories  and  large  upon  the  ground,  but  by  no 
means  handsome.  Its  style  is  old,  of  course,  particularly  in 
regard  to  the  windows  and  doors.  Upon  the  top  and  in  the 
centre  is  a  sort  of  cupola  or  rather  steeple,  which  gives  it  the 
appearance  of  a  public  building. 

As  to  the  tomb  itself,  or  its  peculiar  location,  I  saw  nothing 
to  excite  the  admiration  or  even  particular  notice  of  anybody. 
And  the  whole  plantation  has  been  eulogized,  in  my  opinion,  far 
beyond  what  the  truth  would  warrant.  I  can  find  hundreds  of 
places  in  Maine  excelling  it  in  every  respect,  except  that  of  con- 
taining the  remains  of  the  great  Father  of  his  Country.  Indeed 
to  this  last  circumstance  is  to  be  attributed  much  of  the  fame 
which  this  spot  has  acquired. 

The  garden,  however,  is  magnificent.  It  is  well  laid  out, 
and  is  filled  with  everything  to  delight  the  eye,  and  indeed  to 
regale  all  the  senses.  I  saw  many  rare  plants,  such  as  I  have 
never  seen  before  or  read  of,  and  what  was  particularly  pleas- 
ing to  me,  orange  and  lemon  trees  heavily  laden  with  fruit.  The 
trees  were  about  10  or  12  feet  high,  and  stood  in  boxes  about  3 
feet  square.  They  are  kept  under  cover  during  the  winter 
months.  After  spending  nearly  an  hour  in  seeing  what  was  to 
be  seen  we  returned  the  way  we  came  &  arrived  at  Alexandria 
within  five  minutes  of  the  time  we  had  set.  And  here  we  sat 
down  to  a  most  excellent  dinner,  composed  of  roast  lamb,  green 
peas  and  asparagus,  boiled  ham,  veal  cutlets  and  fried  sturgeon. 
The  latter  is  considered  a  great  dish  here,  &  I  tasted  of  it  as  a 
matter  of  curiosity  merely.  It  has  the  taste  of  veal,  indeed,  I 
could  hardly  tell  it  from  veal,  but  don't  like  it  very  much.  After 
this  we  had  custard  pudding  &  old  Dutch  Cheese  and  a  dessert 
of  strawberries  and  cream. 

We  finished  our  dinner  just  5  minutes  before  the  hour  for 
the  starting  of  the  steamboat. 


138  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Upon  the  whole  it  was  a  very  pleasant  excursion  and  I 
would  have  given  very  much  if  my  wife  could  have  accompanied 
me. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Made  a  Short  Speech 


May  31,  1836. 


My  dear  Wife, 

I  have  made  a  short  speech  today  on  the  subject  of  estab- 
lishing "express  mails."  I  took  ground  against  them  on  the 
ground  that  they  would  in  their  effect  be  for  the  benefit  partic- 
ularly of  the  speculator.  But  the  majority  was  against  me,  and 
the  P.  M.  Genl.  is  authorized  to  establish  the  express  mail  for 
letters  &  slips  from  newspapers  at  triple  the  present  rate  of 
postage. 

Perhaps  my  remarks  may  be  published  in  tomorrow's 
Globe,  if  so,  I  will  send  you  one. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


World  Loses  Another  Speech 

Dear  Wife, 

I  was  very  glad  to  receive  a  letter  from  you  today  after 
waiting  for  it  nine  days.  I  was  beginning  to  be  alarmed,  when, 
yesterday  morning,  came  a  letter  from  Mr.  H.  and  you  will 
judge  of  the  shock  to  my  feelings  on  reading  the  first  line  which 
was  as  follows :  "It  is  melancholy,  but  must  be  told."  The  let- 
ter almost  dropped  from  my  hand,  before  I  could  read  the  next 
line,  which,  when  read,  afforded  me  entire  relief  &  unbounded 
pleasure — to  wit:  "The  Imogene  is  lost — not  a  plank  of  her  is 
saved." 

We  have  had  a  rain  storm  here  which  has  lasted  over  a 
week.  Everything  seems  to  be  afloat  here  and  I  have  just  heard 
that  about  60  feet  of  the  Potomac  bridge  has  been  carried  away. 

In  the  House  today  we  have  had  the  Post  Office  bill  under 
consideration,  upon  its  last  stage.  I  tried  three  times  to  get  the 
floor  to  make  a  speech  upon  another  part  of  it  from  that  on 
which  I  spoke  'tother  day.  I  wanted  to  answer  Wise  and  Un- 
derwood upon  some  legal  questions  they  had  raised.     But  the 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  139 

last  time  I  tried  Speight  of  N.  C.  got  the  floor  and  moved  the 
previous  question,  which  was  carried  and  so  the  world  lost  an- 
other speech  of  "the  gentleman  from  Maine."  I  feel  very 
grateful  to  Mr.  Thacher  for  having  willed  me  his  Krout  ma- 
chine, as  much  so,  probably,  as  you  do  for  your  new  hens. 
Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Washington,  June  3d,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

We  have  just  taken  up  and  passed  a  most  important  bill 
sent  down  to  us  from  the  Senate.  It  provides  that  Congress 
shall  meet  on  the  first  Monday  of  November  instead  of  Decem- 
ber, and  that  the  first  session  of  each  Congress,  i.e.,  the  long 
session,  shall  adjourn  the  2d  Monday  of  May,  the  other  session, 
you  know,  being  limited  by  the  constitution  to  the  4th  of  March. 
I  went  for  this  bill  very  heartily.  It  will  be  much  pleasanter 
coming  on  here  in  Nov.  than  in  Dec,  at  the  same  time  will  have 
me  at  home  to  attend  our  May  Court.  I  am  glad,  therefore, 
that  while  I  think  the  bill  will  very  much  promote  the  public 
interest,  I  regard  it  as  very  promotive  of  my  own. 
Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

P.  S.     I  feel  rather  easy,  as  you  well  suppose,  under  the 
loss  of  my  Brig, — she  having  been  fully  insured. 


Washington,   June   4th. 
Dear  Wife, 

It  was  with  deep  &  heartfelt  regret  I  learned  by  your  letter 
of  this  morning  that  Mary  Lane's  disease  had  taken  an  unfa- 
vorable turn  &  resulted  fatally.  Poor  girl,  how  early  her 
hopes  have  been  cut  off — and  prospects  blasted! 

I  should  be  glad  to  learn  the  particulars  of  her  death. 
Whether  she  retained  her  reason  and  whether  she  was  resigned 
to  her  fate  &  diecl  in  hope  of  future  happiness.  I  have  nothing 
in  particular  to  communicate,  and  if  I  had,  I  would  prefer  to 
postpone  it  to  another  letter. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


140  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Spends  His  Sabbaths  Profitably 

June  5th,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

We  had  no  Northern  mail  today,  and  I'm  thinking  it  is 
owing  to  the  extraordinary  fall  of  rain  that  we  &  probably  you 
have  had  for  a  fortnight  past.  I  am  dreading  to  hear  from  our 
rivers,  particularly  Penobscot  and  Kennebeck.  There  must 
have  been  great  freshets  there,  and  perhaps  the  logs  all  swept 
away  in  consequence,  a  few  days  will  confirm  or  contradict  my 
apprehensions. 

We  have  Mr.  Fox  of  N.  Port  here  preaching.  He  gave 
us  an  excellent  sermon  today,  and  is  a  first-rate  writer,  but  I 
do  not  think  he  delivers  his  sermons  remarkably  well. 

The  people  here  are  not  churchgoing  people  and  I  am 
afraid  that  very  few  members  of  Congress  are  in  the  habit  of 
attending  meeting  on  the  Sabbath.  Most  of  them,  I  suspect, 
stay  at  home  to  write  speeches,  letters,  &c.  I  believe  you  joked 
me  once  about  writing  letters  on  the  Sabbath.  But  I  have  two 
things  to  justify  me — 1st,  your  own  example;  and  2d,  I  do  not 
in  consequence  neglect  other  duties.  Now,  for  instance,  today 
I  have  read  the  whole  of  Paul's  2d  epistle  to  the  Corinthians, 
one  of  Dewey's  sermons  in  the  Christian  Register  and  been  to 
meeting  expecting  also  to  go  again  this  evening.  And  I  should 
have  added,  taken  a  long  walk,  which  I  am  obliged  to  do  every 
day,  Sunday  not  excepted,  when  the  weather  will  permit,  for 
my  health's  sake.  Do  you  keep  your  Sabbaths  better  than  that  ? 
Your  Husband, 

J.  F. 


June  7th,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

Tomorrow  has  been  assigned  to  take  up  the  bill  providing 
for  the  admission  of  Michigan  &  Arkansas  into  the  Union. 
Both,  I  suppose,  will  be  warmly  opposed,  particularly  the  latter 
on  account  of  a  provision  in  her  constitution  prohibiting  the 
Legislature  from  ever  abolishing  slavery.  It  is,  to  be  sure,  a 
bad  provision,  but  then  we  have  nothing  to  do  with  it,  each 
State  has  a  perfect  right  to  form  its  own  constitution  uncon- 
trolled by  Congress. 

Love  to  all,  and  so — good  night. 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  141 

A  25-Hours  Session 

June  10,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  intended  to  have  written  you  yesterday,  but  the  cause  of 
my  omission  was  a  session  of  25  hours  in  duration ! 

The  reason  of  our  long  session  is  this:  By  an  unexpected 
decision  of  a  question  of  order  three  or  four  days  ago  the  bills 
for  the  admission  of  Michigan  &  Arkansas  into  the  Union  were 
committed  to  a  "Committee  of  the  Whole  House."  It  was  a 
hard  struggle  on  both  sides.  Several  times  in  the  night  we 
found  ourselves  without  a  quorum,  i.e.,  120 — half  the  number 
of  members  &  of  course  could  not  proceed  until  we  called  in 
enough  to  make  a  quorum.  But  at  3  o'clock  this  morning  we 
had  a  call  of  the  House,  and  sent  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  with  his 
assistants  to  take  the  absentees  from  their  beds  &  bring  them 
into  the  House.  And  then  followed  an  hour  or  two  in  hearing 
causes  of  absence  and  granting  excuses.  At  11  o'clock  today, 
however,  the  opposition  perceiving  that  we  were  not  to  be 
wheedled  or  intimidated,  gave  way  &  let  the  committee  rise  and 
report  the  bills  to  the  House.  So  now  they  will  come  up  again 
on  Monday. 

I  hope  the  report  will  prove  true  that  D.  Webster  is  about  to 
take  Martha  Freeman.  He  will  make  a  good  husband  for  her 
and  she  a  good  wife  for  him. 

Sarah's  messages  were  very  pleasing  to  me,  and  I  thank 
her  for  them.  I  will  endeavor  to  buy  her  something  on  my 
way  home.  I  have  sent  you  the  two  first  Nos.  of  the  Silk  Cul- 
turist  and  today  2  more.  I  shall  continue  this  until  I  have  sent 
you  the  number  I  now  have,  viz.,  14.  In  good  time  we  will  have 
them  bound.  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


A   Quarrel  in  the  House 

Washington,  June  11,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

Soon  after  the  commencement  of  the  session  this  morning, 
we  had  quite  a  stirring  event — that  is  to  say,  a  personal  ren- 
contre on  the  floor  of  the  House  between  two  reporters  and 
hired  letter  writers  for  the  federal  newspapers  in  New  York.  I 
understand  they  are  both  Englishmen  and  named  Wheeler  & 


142  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Codds.  The  former  undertook  to  cane  the  latter,  in  return  for  a 
caning  the  other  way  yesterday.  I  felt  very  much  about  it  as 
Jack  did  when  he  saw  the  skunk  &  hedgehog  fighting,  he  said 
he  didn't  care  a  fig  which  licked. 

They  were  both  taken  into  custody  by  the  Sergeant-at- 
Arms  and  a  select  committee  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  mat- 
ter and  report.  The  result,  I  suppose,  will  be  a  reprimand  and 
expulsion  from  the  floor  of  the  House  as  reporters.  And  this 
will  be  quite  mild,  considering  how  indignant  the  members  were 
at  the  outrage. 

It  is  also  said  here  by  many  that  there  is  to  be  a  duel  be- 
tween Bynum  of  N.  C.  and  Jennifer  of  Maryland  on  account  of 
some  words  that  passed  between  them  during  the  night  session. 
The  words,  as  near  as  I  can  recollect,  were  these :  Jennifer,  hav- 
ing been  at  home  nearly  all  night  in  his  bed,  after  being  brought 
in  in  the  morning,  undertook  to  make  a  long  speech.  The  mem- 
bers were  rather  impatient,  and  some  of  them  cried  "question" 
pretty  loudly,  and  made  some  noises  to  express  their  disappro- 
bation. 

After  it  had  subsided  Jennifer  went  on,  and  in  the  course  of 
his  speech  denounced  the  course  of  the  administration  party  in 
the  House  as  ungentlemanly.  Bynum  sprang  to  his  feet  &  said 
that  it  was  ungentlemanly  in  him  to  say  so.  Said  Jennifer, 
"You  must  take  that  back."  Bynum  replied  that  he  wouldn't 
take  it  back,  but  would  repeat  it. 

There,  what  a  great  matter  for  men  to  cut  each  other's 
throats  about!  To  my  mind  it  is  supremely  ridiculous,  if  such 
a  word  may  be  used  upon  so  grave  a  subject.  I  am  clearly  of 
opinion,  however,  that  if  the  difficulty  is  not  healed  by  the  in- 
terference of  friends,  a  duel  is  inevitable.  I  know  some  things 
which  I  cannot  now  state. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Michigan  and  Arkansas  Make  26  States  in  Union 

June  13,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

We  took  up  today  in  the  House  the  two  bills  providing  for 
the  admission  of  Michigan  &  Arkansas  into  the  Union.  Old 
Adams'  made  a  speech  of  four  hours  long  on  the  first,  and  as 
he  sat  down  some  one  moved  the  previous  question  &  it  was  car- 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  143 

ried.  Arkansas  was  carried  in  the  same  way,  and  both  are  now 
among  the  United  States  of  America.  We  have  now  in  all  26, 
just  double  the  original  number. 

The  select  committee  who  were  appointed  to  inquire  into 
the  case  of  contempt  of  the  House  by  Wheeler  &  Codds,  re- 
ported last  night  in  favor  of  Codds  &  he  was  discharged.  They 
are  also  now  ready  to  report  upon  the  other  &  will  probably  to- 
morrow morning.  I  understand  they  will  report  in  favor  of  his 
being  excluded  from  the  Reporters'  privilege  in  the  House  & 
imprisoned  for  the  rest  of  the  session. 

The  duel  between  Bynum  &  Jennifer  has  not  been  fought 
yet,  but  I  suspect  will  be  tomorrow  morning,  unless  the  quarrel 
be  settled  by  friends,  which  I  hope  will  be  the  case. 

Mr.  Cushman  has  just  come  in  and  invited  me  to  walk  with 
him  to  Charles  Cutts',  so  I  can  write  no  more. 
Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

'John   Quincy  Adams. 


Duel  a  Farce 

Washington,  June  14th. 

As  I  suspected  when  I  wrote  you  last  night,  Bynum  &  Jen- 
nifer had  a  meeting  this  morning  at  7  o'clock,  and  after  six  in- 
effectual shots,  a  reconciliation  took  place.  Pickens  of  South 
Carolina  was  the  second  of  Jennifer,  and  Sevier  of  Arkansas  the 
second  of  Bynum. 

The  shots  were  strange  ones  considering  the  reputation 
that  both  of  them  have,  particularly  Bynum,  and  that  they 
stood  only  30  feet  from  each  other.  The  sixth  shot,  Bynum's 
pistol  went  off  before  the  last  word  was  given.  The  signal  is 
one,  two,  three — the  firing  to  be  at  the  last  word.  Bynum's 
pistol  went  off  at  two,  altogether  by  accident,  no  doubt,  but 
Pickens  immediately  levelled  his  pistol  at  him  &  was  about  to 
shoot  him  down,  which  is  according  to  the  laws  of  duelling. 
Sevier  &  Jennifer,  however,  cried  out  "^or  him  not  to  shoot  and 
he  desisted.  After  this  Jennifer  fired  and  missed.  A  Captain 
Somebody,  who  was  present,  then  interposed,  and  made  a  prop- 
osition which  was  accepted  &  a  reconciliation  took  place. 

What  a  farce !  to  give  it  no  harsher  name.  Nothing  is  more 
contemptible  and  but  few  things  more  wicked  in  my  eye  than 
this  practice  of  duelling.     At  the  same  time  I  am  free  to  confess 


144  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

that  if  a  few  of  the  opposition  should  get  peppered  a  little,  it 
would  mend  their  manners  very  much  in  the  House. 

Well,  after  so  long  time  I  am  enabled  to  say  that  the  day 
of  adjournment  is  fixed,  so  far,  at  least,  as  regards  the  House, 
the  Senate,  I  presume,  will  concur.  The  day  fixed  is  the  4th  of 
July,  three  weeks  from  yesterday,  so  I  shall  now  begin  to  count 
days. 

I  reed,  your  letter  of  the  9th  this  morning  giving  some  ac- 
count of  farming  operation,  growth  of  children,  or  rather  of 
Hampden,  &c.  I  should  think  he  was  a  noble  fellow  as  to  size, 
at  all  events  quite  middling.  Sometimes  I  think  I  can  see  just 
how  he  looks. 

How  do  you  get  along  for  a  chaise?     I  presume  Mr.  Calef 
would  lend  you  his  occasionally.     I  write  this  from  the  House 
in  the  midst  of  dull  speeches,  &c.,  &c. 
Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


The  First  Beet  Sugar 

June  16,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  write  today  from  the  Hall  of  House  of  Representatives 
fearing  that  I  shall  no  longer  have  any  evenings  to  myself,  the 
House  having  today  agreed  to  take  a  recess  each  day  from  1/2 
past  2  to  4,  thereby  giving  time  to  go  home  to  dine.  Heretofore, 
I  understand.  Congress  has  always  been  afraid  to  have  a  ses- 
sion after  dinner,  on  the  ground  that  the  members  would  be 
rather  too  winy  and  of  course  too  talkative.  But  I  think  the 
present  Congress  (and  that  is  the  general  opinion),  is  much 
more  temperate  than  any  preceding  one,  and  therefore  I  do  not 
fear  any  great  increase  of  talkativeness. 

I  shall  return  home  about  in  as  good  case  as  I  left.  Have 
heard  nothing  further  today  about  the  additional  duel,  hope  it 
will  blow  over. 

I  saw  today  a  piece  of  sugar  made  from  beets.  It  came 
from  France,  was  as  white  as  snow  and  as  sparkling  &  clear 
as  any  sugar  that  I  ever  saw.  They  make  vast  quantities  of  it 
in  France  and  I  believe  it  is  recommended  to  our  folks  in  this 
Country.  I  hope  you  won't  engage  in  it  until  after  we  have 
made  a  little  silk,  or  at  all  events  until  I  return  home. 
Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  145 

A  Satisfying  Vote 

Hall  of  House  of  Representatives,  June  22,  1836. 

Dear  Wife, 

I  have  been  dreadfully  puzzled  for  near  a  week  past  to 
know  how  to  vote  on  the  subject  of  the  depositer  of  the  public 
money  and  a  distribution  of  it  among  the  States.  I  thought  of 
it  by  day  &  by  night,  asleep  and  awake,  but  I  came  to  a  result  at 
last  and  found  myself  on  voting  to  be  in  a  minority  of  38. 
Notwithstanding  which  I  never  felt  better  satisfied  with  a  vote 
in  my  life.  I  voted  against  the  bill  and  there  is  more  than  one 
among  the  majority  who  would  give  a  great  deal  to  change  posi- 
tions with  me. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Killed  in  a  Duel 

Washington,  June  23d,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

Yours  of  the  17th  inst.  is  just  reed.  Your  views  and  mine 
in  regard  to  the  kind  of  carriage  exactly  coincide  and  I  shall  en- 
deavor to  get  such  an  one  as  you  describe,  though  perhaps  it  is 
very  doubtful  whether  I  shall  be  able  to  find  one  ready-made, 
and  if  I  don't,  I  shall  wait  until  I  return  home  before  I  do  any- 
thing more  about  it.  I  doubt  whether  Doctor  Green's  will 
answer  our  purpose  because  the  wheels  are  too  near  together  to 
admit  of  another  body  being  placed  upon  them  large  enough  for 
our  purposes,  and  the  present  body  is  entirely  too  small. 

I  have  just  learned  that  a  duel  was  fought  yesterday  be- 
tween two  midshipmen  here — young  Keay,  a  son  of  Francis  S. 
Keay,  the  U.  S.  District  Attorney  here,  and  young  Sherburne, 
either  a  son  or  brother  of  Sherburne  who  is  a  clerk  in  one  of  the 
departments  &  formerly  from  Portsmouth,  aged  about  17  or  18. 
The  second  fire  Sherburne  shot  Keay  through  the  body  and  he 
expired  in  a  few  minutes. 

It  is  a  terrible  affliction  to  Mr.  Keay's  family  and  the  first 
intimation  they  had  of  it,  the  deceased  was  brought  home 
dead.  They,  the  combatants,  had  sailed  together  and  returned 
from  a  cruise  only  about  a  month  since  and  had  been  fast 
friends.     The  quarrel,  it  is  said,  originated  in  a  dispute  a  few 


146  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

days  since  as  to  which  of  two  steamboats  would  sail  the  fastest. 
It  is  a  shocking  case,  and  I  hope  the  seconds  and  physicians 
will  be  punished  with  the  utmost  severity  of  the  law, 

I  suppose  I  ought  to  let  the  President  know  that  you  ap- 
prove of  his  veto  of  the  bill  fixing  the  time  of  adjournment  for 
future  Congresses,  for  he  will  be  glad  of  all  the  support  he  can 
get,  since  he  has  been  attacked  by  Webster,  Clayton  &  Leigh 
in  the  Senate.  I  voted  for  the  law  myself,  but  I  suppose  I  must 
give  up  that  it  is  unconstitutional,  though  I  didn't  think  so  at 
the  time. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Last  Letter  Before  Adjournment 

House  of  Representatives,  June  29,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

The  House  has  just  passed  an  act  providing  for  the  meet- 
ing of  all  future  Congresses  on  the  first  Monday  of  November 
instead  of  December,  leaving  out  the  time  of  adjournment. 

We  are  driving  on  pretty  rapidly  now  with  the  business, 
and  I  am  in  hopes  it  will  be  so  far  disposed  of  as  to  permit 
me  to  leave  on  Saturday,  or  at  all  events  on  Monday  morning. 
My  impression  now  is  that  I  shall  be  at  home  on  Thursday  or 
Friday  of  next  week.  I  will,  however,  write  you  once  more  be- 
fore I  set  out,  if  no  more. 
Nothing  new. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Back  in  Washington 

Washington,  Dec.  3d,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

Here  I  am  once  more  in  Washington.  Made  no  stop  in 
Boston,  but  was  detained  one  day  in  New  York,  the  boat  not 
arriving  there  in  time  for  the  Philadelphia  boat.  Nothing  new. 
Have  not  taken  quarters  yet ;  board  is  riz  and  they  say  is  to  be 
rizzer,  from  $12  to  $15. 

Excuse  this  hasty  scrawl. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  147 

A  Room  Third  Story  Back 

Washington,  Dec.  5,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

Though  this  is  the  first  day  of  the  session  I  write  you  from 
my  own  chamber,  having  taken  permanent  lodgings  at  Mrs. 
Pitman's  in  3d  street.  It  is  regarded  as  about  No.  1  in  the 
City.  So  far  I  am  very  much  pleased.  It  is  an  excellent  build- 
ing, and  is  elegantly  furnished,  and  what  is,  if  not  better  than 
all,  certainly  not  to  be  disregarded  these  times,  my  price  of 
board  is  very  low.  Generally  through  the  City,  I  believe,  the 
price  is  $12,  while  here  I  pay  only  $9.  The  reason  of  this  is, 
that  I  take  a  small  room  in  the  3d  story  and  in  the  back  part  of 
the  house.  The  room  is  12  feet  square  and  for  furniture  has  a 
table,  3  chairs,  bed  and  a  wash  stand.  It  is  not  quite  what  I 
should  like,  but  then,  $3  a  week  is  a  very  pretty  little  sum  to 
be  saved,  and  when  I  think  how  much  good  I  may  do  with  it,  for 
myself  and  friends,  I  feel  willing  to  put  up  with  a  few  incon- 
veniences. 

We  have  an  excellent  mess,  composed  at  present  of  Brown, 
Wardwell,  Chapin,  Page  &  Lee  of  New  York,  Lyon  of  Michigan, 
Lane  of  Indiana,  Buchanan  of  Pennsylvania,  Whittlesey  of 
Connecticut,  Toucey  of  Connecticut  &  wife,  Peirce  &  Hubbard 
of  N.  H.  with  their  wives, — I  know  them  all  but  one  and  antici- 
pate much  pleasure  from  the  association. 

We  have  had  our  first  meeting,  organized  and  adjourned.  I 
suppose  it  will  take  two  or  three  days  to  get  fairly  under  way. 
There  is  a  great  deal  of  shaking  hands  to  undergo  the  first  day 
or  two  and  really  I  did  not  anticipate  quite  so  much  pleasure  as 
I  have  enjoyed  from  meeting  my  acquaintances  of  last  session 
because  I  did  not  suppose  so  many  would  be  glad  to  see  me. 

The  President's  health  has   improved   a  little,   but   he   is 
quite  feeble  yet,  and  does  not  see  company. 
Your  Husband, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


News  From  the  Farm 

Friday,  Dec.  9,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  thank  you  for  the  letter  reed,  today,  though  it  contained 
the  melancholy  intelligence  of  the  death  of  three  pigs.  The 
fourth,  I  am  glad  to  learn,  is  doing  well  through  your  kindness 


148  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

&  fostering  care.  But  what  a  picture !  a  pig  in  the  parlor,  and 
an  egg  incubating,  I  won't  say  where,  for  I  suppose  you  may 
have  been  trying  experiments  with  the  little,  long,  curious  egg 
we  found  just  before  I  left  home.  Really,  I  think  you  enter 
into  the  spirit  of  our  occupation  with  commendable  zeal,  and 
are  a  complete  farmer's  wife  even  now.  If  I  can  keep  up  with 
you  on  my  return,  I  think  we'll  make  the  thing  go  very  well. 

I  hope  you  will  be  successful  in  saving  your  pig  for  he  will 
be  a  kind  of  curiosity.  How  much  did  the  old  hog  weigh  ?  Was 
he  fat?  &c.,  &c.  I  am  glad  the  old  horse  is  gone.  How  much 
did  Milliken  give  for  him  ?     Fifty  dollars,  I  suppose. 

In  answer  to  your  inquiries  I  would  say  that  I  did  not  buy 
the  curtains  or  the  pump,  both  through  forgetfulness.  But  I 
shall  write  your  brother  James  today  on  business,  and  will  ask 
him  to  buy  a  pump  for  me. 

Among  the  papers  furnished  me  this  session  by  Congress 
is  the  Metropolitan.  It  is  miscellaneous  and  literary  in  its 
character,  and  I  shall  send  the  most  of  them  to  you  if  you 
would  like  them.  The  President  remains  in  feeble  health  and 
does  not  see  company  yet. 

I  have  called  at  your  Uncle  Richard's.  They  were  all  out 
but  him  &  we  spent  a  very  pleasant  evening  together.  He  has 
moved,  you  know,  from  Mrs.  Madison's  house.  Dolly  is  with 
him,  but  Mary  is  with  Mrs.  Madison. 

Thine, 

J.  F. 


The  Women  of  the  Mess  Described 

Washington,  Dec.  11. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  find  I  have  forgotten  a  few  things  in  leaving  home  & 
among  them  my  clothes  brush  &  hymn  book.  The  want  of  the 
latter  I  found  today  on  going  to  meeting  and  of  the  former 
every  morning,  as  the  servants  do  not  attend  upon  us  regularly 
with  their  brush,  as  they  did  at  my  old  boarding  house.  How- 
ever, I  continue  to  like  the  house  very  much.  Mrs.  Pitman  ap- 
pears to  be  an  excellent,  motherly  sort  of  a  woman,  and  dis- 
posed to  make  us  all  as  comfortable  as  possible.  Our  mess 
(with  perhaps  one  exception,  Lane  of  Indiana),  is  composed  of 
the  best  stuff,  and  if  I  only  had  you  here  I  think  I  should  feel  as 
comfortable  and  happy  as  if  I  was  at  home. 


JOHN   W.   FAIRFIKLD 

Youngest  Son  of  Governor  John  Fairfield 

Resides  in  Stryker,  Montana 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  149 

Night  before  last  I  had  a  bad  coughing  spell,  founded,  I  be- 
lieve, upon  a  slight  cold.  As  a  cure,  I  have  resorted  to  absti- 
nence— eating  no  meat,  but  living  principally  upon  bread  and 
butter.  I  have  also  begun  the  practice,  which  I  hope  I  shall  be 
able  to  keep  up,  of  bathing  myself  all  over  in  the  morning.  I 
have  bought  a  tin  thing  with  an  iron  handle  holding  about  2 
quarts,  which  I  have  placed  on  the  fire  after  a  servant  has  made 
it  before  I  get  up  and  the  first  thing  on  rising  is  to  bathe  all 
over.  It  would  probably  be  better  for  me  to  use  cold  water,  but 
I  can't  quite  go  that. 

Mr.  Brown  of  New  York,  who  is  of  our  mess,  and  by  the 
way  a  fine  lawyer,  a  man  of  good  talents,  and  a  companionable 
fellow,  says  he  has  long  practiced  it,  and  has  thereby  made  a 
very  weak  constitution,  strong,  and  keeps  himself  in  good 
health. 

I  have  been  to  meeting  today  and  heard  Mr.  Burton.  How 
long  he  is  to  continue  here  I  know  not.  His  manners  are  not 
very  much  in  his  favor,  but  he  gave  us  a  pretty  good  sermon. 
I  sat  with  Mr.  Hubbard  and  family,  but  shall  hire  a  seat  before 
next  Sabbath. 

The  President's  health  is  improving,  and  he  now  sees  a  few 
select  friends.  The  party-giving  folks  will  probably  lose  some- 
thing by  the  President's  illness  and  by  Mr.  Cass'  absence. 

I  called  up  one  evening  to  Mr.  Woodbury's  and  passed  an 
hour  very  agreeably.  Mrs.  Woodbury  is  a  very  pleasant  woman 
but  I  was  sorry  to  hear  one  or  two  suppressed  sighs,  while  her 
face  was  clothed  in  smiles.  I  also  called  at  Mr.  Polk's  and 
spent  part  of  an  evening  very  pleasantly.  Mrs.  Polk  is  not  by 
any  means  handsome,  but  she  appears  more  like  our  northern 
women  than  any  that  I  have  met  with  here.  She  dresses  with 
much  simplicity,  and  is  easy  &  familiar  though  not  inelegant  in 
her  manners.  I  like  her  much,  as  well  as  Mr.  Polk,  and  should 
go  there  oftener,  if  they  did  not  have  so  many  callers,  particu- 
larly among  the  members. 

Of  our  mess  Mrs.  Toucey  is  quite  handsome,  has  consider- 
able wit,  and  is  very  agreeable.  Mrs.  Chapin  is  not  beautiful, 
but  has  a  sweet  face  &  is  rather  diffident  in  her  manners.  I 
have  conversed  but  little,  but  am  rather  pleased  with  her. 

Mrs.  Hubbard  I  have  not  spoken  with.  She  is  not  hand- 
some nor  is  she  very  remarkable  for  anything,  I  suspect. 
Rather  silent  and  reserved.  Her  mother,  Mrs.  Lee,  is  also  with 
her.  I  never  heard  her  speak  &  know  nothing  of  her.  She  ap- 
pears well  enough.  Mrs.  Peirce  we  have  seen  little  of,  she  being 


150  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

confined  to  her  chamber  by  a  cold.     She  seems  to  be  in  very  deli- 
cate health,  and  wanting  in  cheerfulness.     But  here  I  am  at  the 
end  of  my  sheet  before  I  know  it — so  farewell. 
Good-night, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


December  13,  Tuesday. 
Dear  Wife, 

To  begin  with  the  smallest  subject  first,  how  do  you  get 
along  with  your  pig?  I  have  some  curiosity  to  know  whether 
his  squeals  could  overcome  your  benevolence  and  love  of  pork 
both,  and  induce  you  to  thrust  out  poor  piggy  to  the  cold  chari- 
ties of  an  unfeeling  world.  What  a  chorus  you  must  have  some- 
times with  the  children  making  such  a  noise  as  we  have  many 
a  time  heard  them  make,  and  piggy  in  the  wood  box  also  piping 
away  at  the  top  of  his  voice.  Oh,  the  thought  of  it  is  enough 
to  make  my  ears  tingle. 

Have  you  had  snow  yet?  Is  it  cold?  Look  out  for  your 
cellar.  If  I  lose  my  potatoes  I'll — let  me  see — yes,  I'll  kill  your 
pig.  Nothing  new  here  of  consequence.  Wise  made  one 
of  his  violent  and  ranting  speeches  today,  but  I  suspect  his  own 
political  friends  were  not  over  pleased  with  it.  The  President's 
health  is  improving  and  he  will  probably  see  company  soon. 

Good-night, 

J.  F. 


The  Post-Office  Burned 

Washington,  Dec.  16. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  am  sorry  to  communicate  another  public  loss  here  by  fire. 
This  morning  between  3  &  4  o'clock  the  great  building  occu- 
pied as  Genl.  Post  Office  and  Patent  Office  took  fire  and  burned 
to  the  ground.  Most  of  the  papers  in  the  post-office  were  saved, 
but  all  the  papers,  models  of  patents,  &c.,  were  consumed 
with  the  building.  It  is  believed  by  many  that  it  was  the  work 
of  an  incendiary,  but  no  one  knows  anything  about  it.  The 
Com.  on  Post  Offices  has  this  morning  offered  a  resolution 
authorizing  an  inquiry  into  the  circumstances. 

Electioneering  speeches  have  been  commenced  with  great 
violence  and  fury.     Yesterday  we  had  one  from  Wise,  today 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  151 

from  Pearce  and  Peyton.     I  am  "agin  'em  all"  and  in  favor  of 
business. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


A  Little  Romance 

Dec.  19,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

There  was  a  little  piece  of  gossip  going  at  our  breakfast 
table  this  morning,  relating  to  a  marriage  that  has  lately  taken 
place  in  Philadelphia,  I  think.  A  Capt.  Reed,  I  think  his  name 
is,  saw  an  article  of  poetry  by  a  lady  in  one  of  the  annuals, 
which  pleased  him  much,  so  much  so  that  he  said  if  he  knew 
who  the  author  was  he  would  marry  her  if  he  could.  He  sub- 
sequently ascertained  and  wrote  to  her,  asking  her  for  a  poetic 
description  of  some  natural  scenery  near  where  she  resided.  She 
answered  him,  complying  with  his  request.  He  then  sought 
some  pretext  or  other  for  writing  her  again,  and  again,  in  his 
letters  making  known  his  feelings  for  her.  She  seemed  also 
to  have  fallen  in  love  with  him,  and  at  his  request  sent  him  her 
slipper  and  belt,  that  he  might  judge  of  her  waist  and  foot. 
They  also  exchanged  miniatures  and  after  carrying  on  a  court- 
ship for  a  considerable  time  through  the  mail  in  the  manner 
described.  Reed  at  last  set  out  for  Philadelphia  to  see  his  es- 
poused &  to  get  married. 

When  he  went  to  the  house  where  she  resided,  she  met  him 
at  the  door  and  embraced  and  kissed  him.  He  was  somewhat 
shocked  at  her  forwardness  and  told  her  that  he  was  not  ex- 
actly pleased  with  her  manners.  She  thought  he  would  be  on 
further  acquaintance,  or  at  all  events,  she  was  willing  to  con- 
form her  manners  in  all  respects  to  what  he  wished.  On  fur- 
ther personal  acquaintance  it  seems  he  did  like  her  and  they 
were  married.  They  are  now  in  this  City,  and  related  all  the 
particulars  last  evening  to  Mr.  Lee  of  New  York  of  our  mess 
who  related  them  to  us.  They  also  shew  Mr.  Lee  their  cor- 
respondence and  I  understand  make  no  secret  of  all  their  little 
billing  and  cooing.  Upon  the  whole,  I  presume  you  will  con- 
clude with  me  that  they  are  two  great  fools ;  notwithstanding 
which  I  have  some  curiosity  to  see  them  and  I  understand  they 
are  to  call  at  our  house  today. 


152  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

After  such  an  interesting  story  you  can't  expect  me  to 
touch  any  common  matter,  so  I  close  with  the  usual  assurance 
that  I  am 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Wednesday,  Dec.  21,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  wrote  you  day  before  yesterday,  and  now  sit  down  to 
write  you  again  under  a  sort  of  mechanical  impulse,  rather  than 
because  I  have  anything  in  particular  to  say. 

If  you  have  read  the  "Heart  of  Midlothian"  you  will  prob- 
ably recollect  "Dumbedikes"  whose  happiness  seemed  to  derive 
its  sole  nourishment  from  his  going  daily  to  the  house  of  Jean- 
nie  Deans  and  silently  watching  or  contemplating  her  as  she 
moved  about  the  house  in  the  discharge  of  her  domestic  duties. 
It  is  with  a  similar  feeling  that  I  often  sit  down  to  write  you, 
but  if  I  should  carry  out  the  comparison  farther,  perhaps  you 
might  regard  this  as  little  too  much  of  a  love  letter. 

There  are  very  few  members  in  the  House,  most  of  them 
having  gone  into  the  Senate  to  hear  Webster.  Lane  of  Indiana 
is  now  making  a  speech  to  us  on  the  subject  of  Wise's  resolu- 
tion. He  roars  like  a  cataract,  &  sometimes  with  about  as 
much  sense. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


One  of  His  Messmates 

Tuesday,  Dec.  27,  1836. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Having  just  finished  a  political  letter  to  one  of  my  con- 
stituents of  four  pages,  I  find  myself  now  with  little  time  be- 
fore me  to  write  you. 

My  wrapper  has  two  holes  in  it — one  on  each  hip  like  this 

1 torn  on  passage  to  this  City.     I  intend  to  mend  them 

soon.  Brown  who  lodges  upon  the  same  floor  with  me,  thinks 
I  must  have  a  paragon  of  a  wife,  when  I  shew  him  how  you  put 
up  a  box  of  needles,  thread,  scissors,  buttons,  &c.,  for  my  own 
use,  together  with  the  materials  for  playing  chess  and  checkers. 
He  is  a  man  of  excellent  habits  and  great  economy,  but  he  never 
tho't  he  could  do  anything  of  his  own  mending. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  153 

In  some  respects  his  circumstances  are  like  my  own.  He 
is  a  lawyer,  &  has  been  in  practice  about  as  long  as  I  have. 
Lives  on  a  farm  just  one  mile  from  his  office.  Has  a  wife  and 
3  or  4  children,  is  exceedingly  attached  to  them,  and  is  longing 
for  the  time  to  arrive  when  he  shall  retire  from  public  life,  to 
his  farm,  his  profession  and  the  society  of  those  he  loves.  I  wish 
the  parallel  could  be  carried  farther.  He  is  worth  over  fifty 
thousand  dollars,  and  has  a  farm  which  he  gave  $15,000  for, 
though  containing  only  about  30  acres,  situated  on  the  bank  of 
North  river  about  a  dozen  miles  above  West  Point  at  the  village 
of  Newburg.  He  has  been  offered  for  one-half  of  his  place, 
what  he  gave  for  the  whole,  and  I  believe  has  engaged  to  let  it 
go.  He  is  a  good  lawyer,  a  man  of  fine  talents,  and  very  com- 
panionable.    How  do  you  like  him? 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

P.  S.  The  moose,  alias  the  great  hog,  I  suppose  has  gone 
the  way  of  all  the  earth  before  this.  I  want  the  particulars 
about  him. 


Friday,  December  30,  1836. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  intended  to  have  written  you  yesterday,  but  got  engaged 
after  dinner  in  a  game  of  chess  with  Mr.  &  Mrs.  Chapin  and  let 
the  whole  of  letter  time  slip  through  my  fingers.  He  beat  me 
and  I  beat  her,  so  you  see  I  am  not  so  much  of  a  crack  player  as 
I  thought  I  was.  After  tea  I  went  with  Col.  Hall  to  visit  Judge 
Parris.  It  is  almost  the  only  evening  I  have  been  out  yet.  I 
have  an  invitation  for  Mrs.  Forsyth's  party  next  Wednesday 
evening  and  am  hesitating  about  making  up  my  mind  to  go  to 
no  parties  this  winter. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


CHAPTER  V. 
The  Last  Days  of  Jackson;  1837 

"The  second  and  last  term  of  the  Presidency  of  General 
Jackson  expired  on  March  3d,  1837.  The  next  day,  at  12,  he 
appeared  with  his  successor,  Martin  Van  Buren,  on  the  elevated 
and  spacious  eastern  portico  of  the  Capitol,  as  one  of  the 
citizens  who  came  to  witness  the  inauguration  of  the  new  Pres- 
ident, and  in  no  way  distinguished  from  them,  except  by  his 
place  on  the  left  hand  of  the  President-elect." 

Thus  writes  Senator  Benton  in  his  "Thirty  Years  View," 
unconsciously  reflecting  the  common  attitude  of  homage  to  Gen- 
eral Jackson  that  the  times  required  of  all  true  Democrats. 
With  fine  rhetorical  fervor  he  describes  the  day  with  its  clear 
sky,  balmy,  vernal  sun,  tranquil  atmosphere,  the  "vast  crowd, 
riveted  to  their  places,  and  profoundly  silent,  until  the  ceremony 
of  inauguration  was  over." 

To  the  great  Missouri  champion  of  General  Jackson,  there 
was  no  question  as  to  the  central  figure  of  this  scene  of  March 
4,  1837.  "There  was  no  room,"  declares  he,  "for  mistake  as  to 
whom  this  mute  and  impressive  homage  was  rendered.  For 
once  the  rising  was  eclipsed  by  the  setting  sun.  Though  dis- 
robed of  power  and  retiring  to  the  shades  of  private  life,  it 
was  evident  that  the  great  ex-President  was  the  absorbing 
object  of  this  intense  regard." 

President  Jackson  retired  from  office  at  the  climax  of  his 
power  and  in  the  full  tide  of  popular  approval.  The  early 
portion  of  the  year  1837  had  been  taken  up  with  the  passage 
of  the  expunging  resolution,  which  was  the  only  stain  upon 
his  official  life.  The  tactics  of  the  Democratic  senators  led  by 
Benton  of  Missouri,  Senators  Wright  of  New  York  and  Allen  of 
Ohio,  who  were  leading  the  fight  to  expunge  from  the  Senate 
records  the  resolutions  of  censure  against  General  Jackson  for 
his  procedure  in  the  matter  of  the  United  States  Bank,  were 
developed  at  a  secret  meeting  at  the  then  "famous  restaurant  of 
Boulanger,  where  the  meeting  was  given  the  air  of  a  convivial 


156  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

entertainment."  It  continued  until  midnight  and  required  all 
the  tact,  moderation  and  skill  of  the  prime  movers,  to  maintain 
the  union  upon  details  essential  to  a  success.  They  did  not 
underestimate  their  adversaries,  among  whom  were  Clay,  Cal- 
houn and  Webster.  Serious  differences  arose  among  the  "ex- 
pungers"  over  the  form  in  which  the  expurgation  should  be 
effected.  This  was  finally  determined  and  it  was  then  decided 
to  call  the  resolution  immediately  after  the  morning  business 
of  Monday.  Expecting  a  protracted  session,  these  doughty 
friends  of  General  Jackson  provided  for  an  ample  supper  of 
cold  hams,  turkeys,  rounds  of  beef,  pickles,  wines,  liquors,  cups 
of  hot  coffee,  to  be  ready  in  a  certain  committee-room  near  the 
Senate  Chamber  by  four  o'clock  of  the  afternoon  of  Monday. 

The  motion  to  take  up  the  matter  was  made  at  the  ap- 
pointed time  and  a  debate,  with  long  speeches,  immediately 
opened.  The  three  great  leaders  of  the  opposition,  Clay,  Cal- 
houn and  Webster  did  not  join  in  the  opening,  but  effective 
speeches  were  made  by  their  friends,  Preston  of  South  Carolina, 
Richard  H.  Bayard  and  John  M.  Clayton  of  Delaware,  Critten- 
den of  Kentucky,  White  of  Tennessee  and  Ewing  of  Ohio.  That 
was  practically  the  team  that  had  led  the  opposition  three  years 
before,  now  reinforced  by  Judge  White  of  Tennessee,  Jackson's 
own  state,  a  powerful  opponent  with  a  strong  following.  Dark- 
ness came  on  and  the  chandeliers  flung  a  brilliant  light  over 
the  Senate  Chamber,  crowded  with  members  of  the  House. 
The  galleries  were  filled  to  their  utmost  capacity  with  visitors 
and  spectators.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  Mr.  Fairfield  had  no 
occasion  to  describe  the  scene  in  these  letters ;  but,  as  indicated 
in  the  following  chapter,  Mrs.  Fairfield  was  with  him  and  doubt- 
less they  were  both  in  attendance.  But  few  spoke  for  the 
resolution,  chiefly  Rives,  Buchanan  and  Niles.  There  was  no 
occasion.  They  had  counted  noses  and  knew  that  the  resolu- 
tion would  carry.  It  was  high-tide  of  Jacksonian  democracy. 
The  Maine  Senators  were  hand  and  glove  with  it,  while  Fairfield 
and  his  friends  in  the  House  gloried  in  the  victory  about  to 
be  won  againsit  the  Clay-Calhoun  wing  of  the  democracy.     Cal- 


■r  ^ 

W  \    ' 

1  w-^ 

,||^^H  >   "^^^^1 

Bl '  - ' 

M 

H 

GRANDDAUGHTER   OF  GOVERNOR  JOHN   FAIRFIELD 
The  Youngest  Daughter  of  Annie  Fairfield  Perkins  of  New  York 

Photofjraphed  in  the  Hallway  of  the  Hamilton  House  in  Saco  and 

Wearing  her  Great-Great-Grandmother's  dress. 

Old  Cutts  Clock  in  the  corner 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  157 

houn  spoke  finally — in  anguish  at  the  serious  condition  in  which 
the  party  found  itself. 

"But  why  do  I  waste  my  breath,"  cried  Mr.  Calhoun  in  his 
matchless  style,  "I  know  it  is  utterly  vain!  The  day  is  gone; 
the  night  approaches  and  might  is  appropriate  to  the  dark  deed 
we  meditate.  *  *  *  This  act  originates  in  pure,  unmixed,  personal 
idolatry.  It  is  the  melancholy  evidence  of  a  broken  spirit, 
ready  to  bow  at  the  feet  of  power.  An  act  like  this  could  never 
have  been  consummated  even  by  a  Roman  Senate  until  the 
days  of  Caligula  and  Nero." 

Mr.  Clay  also  closed  his  argument  with  similar  words. 
"Why,"  cried  he,  "shouHd  I  detain  the  Senate?  The  decree  has 
gone  forth.  It  is  one  of  urgency.  The  deed  is  to  be  done — 
that  foul  deed  which,  like  the  blood-stained  hands  of  the  guilty 
Macbeth,  all  ocean's  waters  will  never  wash  out.  Proceed  then 
with  the  work  and,  like  other  skillful  executioners,  do  it  quickly. 
*  *  *  And  then,  go  home  and  tell  the  people  that  henceforward 
no  matter  what  daring  or  outrageous  act  any  President  may 
perform,  you  have  forever  hermetically  sealed  the  mouth  of  the 
Senate.  Tell  them  that  he  may  fearlessly  assume  what  power 
he  pleases,  snatch  from  its  lawful  custody  the  public  purse, 
command  a  military  detachment  to  enter  the  walls  of  the  Capi- 
tol, overawe  Congress,  trample  down  the  Constitution  and  raze 
every  bulwark  of  Freedom,  but  that  the  Senate  must  stand 
mute,  in  silent  submission,  and  dare  not  raise  an  opposing 
voice." 

Mr.  Webster  spoke  last  and,  presaging  the  passage  of  the 
resolution,  closed  by  saying,  "We  collect  ourselves  to  look  on 
in  silence,  while  a  scene  is  exhibited  which,  if  we  did  not  regard 
it  as  a  ruthless  violation  of  a  sacred  instrument,  would  appear 
little  elevated  above  the  character  of  a  contemptible  farce." 

After  Mr.  Webster  closed,  no  one  else  arose.  A  dead 
silence  ensued.  The  vote  was  taken;  carried;  the  expunging 
was  done  amid  hisses,  denunciation  and  demands  that  the 
"bank  ruffians  who  hissed  this  act"  be  brought  to  the  bar  of 
the  Senate — altogether  the  most  dramatic  scene  peiihaps  that 


158  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

ever  was  enacted  in  the  United  States  Senate.  History  does 
not  bear  out  as  a  Whole  the  estimate  of  Clay,  Calhoun  and 
Webster  as  to  the  "foulness"  of  the  deed,  nor  were  the  "con- 
spirators" of  the  school  of  Caligula  and  Nero.  Today,  it  is 
regarded  as  much  ado  about  nothing  and  the  expunging  as  a 
considerate  kindness  to  a  patriotic  but  hot-headed  President 
who  did  things  as  he  saw  them  to  do. 

In  the  year  1837  Roger  B.  Taney  was  appointed  to  succeed 
Chief  Justice  Marshall  who  had  died.  His  confirmation  was 
opposed  by  the  same  group  that  fought  the  expunging  reso- 
lution and  Taney  went  on  to  the  bench  to  do  the  bidding  of 
his  masters  and  to  serve  the  slave-holding  states  by  his  rulings 
in  the  case  of  fugitive  slaves.  Maine  Senators  voted  to  con- 
firm Taney,  but  Webster,  Clay,  Calhoun,  White,  Preston  and 
others  voted  against  confirmation. 

The  new  administration  retained  very  nearly  the  same 
Cabinet  as  that  of  President  Jackson — Mr.  Forsyth,  Secretary 
of  State;  Mr.  Woodbury,  Secretary  of  Treasury;  Mr.  Poinsett, 
Secretary  of  War ;  Mahlon  Dickerson,  Secretary  of  Navy ;  Amos 
Kendall,  Postmaster-General,  and  Benjamin  F.  Butler,  Attorney 
General,  Mr.  Butler  soon  resigning  to  be  succeeded  by  Henry 
D,  Gilpin  of  Pennsylvania.  Hardly  had  Jackson  passed  on 
to  his  home  at  the  Hermitage  and  Mr.  Van  Buren  and  his 
Cabinet  assumed  control  of  affairs  when  the  storm  that  had 
been  predicted  burst  with  all  its  fury  in  the  financial  panic  of 
1837,  the  most  serious  period  of  depression  that  ever  was 
known  in  the  United  States.  The  John  Fairfield  type  of  Dem- 
ocrats were  in  for  a  season  of  distressing  experience.  The  old- 
fashioned  aristocratic  leadership  that  had  spoken  with  pre- 
tentions of  infallibility,  unwittingly  suffered  its  severest  blow 
when  Jackson  himself  became  the  head  of  the  democracy. 
Unaware  of  itself,  the  very  career  of  Jackson  seemed  to  in- 
crease the  ascendency  of  pure  democracy  and  enhance  the  power 
of  general  opinion.  Such  newspapers  as  the  Neto  York  Herald 
and  the  New  York  Sun,  papers  of  a  new  type,  had  sprung  up, 
asking  impertinent  questions  and  prying  into  public  affairs. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  159 

The  upturning  which  General  Jackson  had  brought  upon  gov- 
ernment was  beginning  to  be  noticed  equally  in  every-day  life. 

Most  of  the  sad  stories  of  political  jobbery,  malfeasance 
in  office  and  incompetency  of  years  long  past  and  yet  continuing 
were  disclosed  while  President  Van  Buren  was  in  office,  and  the 
discredit  of  what  Jackson  had  done  fell  upon  him.  The  "spoils 
system"  which  Van  Buren's  party  in  New  York  State  was 
believed  to  have  originated  and  perfected  under  General  Jack- 
son was  made  the  subject  of  rabid  and  unceasing  attack.  Van 
Buren  shielded  no  one  and  excused  nothing,  but  got  no  credit 
for  that.  His  administration,  clouded  by  panic,  disrupted  by 
disclosures  of  discreditable  service  under  predecessors,  soon 
became  difficult  of  defense  and  may  have  led  even  the  most 
faithful  followers  of  Democracy  to  look  about  for  preferment 
elsewhere  than  in  Washington  and  in  Congress.  Suspension  of 
banks,  insolvency  of  the  Federal  Treasury,  widespread  un- 
employment, actual  want  and  suffering,  absolute  derangement 
both  of  commerce  and  of  industry,  made  the  year  1837  memo- 
rable in  our  national  annals.  Washington  must  have  been  an 
uncomfortable  residence  for  John  Fairfield,  Democrat.  Small 
wonder  that  he  was  listening  acutely  and  with  new  interest 
to  the  frequent  requests  from  his  political  friends  in  Maine  to 
come  home  and  become  a  candidate  for  Governor. 

The  situation  in  Maine,  so  far  as  the  Democratic  Party 
was  concerned,  was  somewhat  unsettled.  Governor  Dunlap 
had  declined  a  nomination  and  the  field  was  open.  The  friends 
of  the  young  Saco  Congressman  were  beseeching  him  to  enter. 
He  probably  saw  the  situation  better  than  they.  There  was 
a  revolt  against  Jacksonianism  and  against  the  Democrats. 
He  kept  out  of  the  fight  in  Maine.  His  party  nominated  Col. 
Gorham  L.  Parks  of  Bangor  for  Governor — a  fine,  conciliatory, 
able  man,  who  happened  to  be  unfortunate  in  his  enemies.  Six 
years  previous  he  had  quarrelled  with  F.  O.  J.  Smith  of  Port- 
land and  Mr.  Smith  was  one  of  those  who  never  forgot  an 
affront.  The  historic  campaign  "when  Maine  went  hell-bent 
for  Governor  Kent"  was  by  no  means  so  emphatic  as  the  words 


160  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

would  signify.  In  reality  it  was  settled  in  Penobscot  County, 
the  home  of  each  of  the  candidates.  Into  the  Maine  campaign 
were  interjected  the  affairs  of  a  Bangor  sheriff  whom  Mr.  Parks 
had  defended  as  counsel.  F.  O.  J.  Smith  attacked  Mr.  Parks 
as  a  Federalist  and  produced  letters  tending  to  prove  his  charge ; 
and  on  these  two  counts,  chiefly,  Edward  Kent  ran  ahead  of  the 
ticket  in  Penobscot  and  defeated  the  Democracy  by  a  small  but 
significant  majority  that  aroused  the  country  and  brought  con- 
sternation to  President  Van  Buren. 

In  the  session  concerning  which  Congressman  Fairfield 
writes,  the  fate  of  Texas  was  hanging  in  the  balance  and  the 
war  with  Mexico  was  brooding.  The  re-establishment  of  credit 
and  of  business  was  brought  about  with  little  credit  to  the 
Democrats  as  a  national  party.  Mr.  Van  Buren  handled  dip- 
lomatic matters  with  wisdom  and  good  judgment,  but  with 
the  loss  of  Jackson,  the  Democracy  lost  initiative.  With  these 
facts  in  mind  the  letters  of  Governor  Fairfield  take  on  new  in- 
terest. It  is  ito  be  added  that  in  point  of  sheer  ability  the 
Congress  of  1837  had  not  been  hitherto  excelled.  In  it  was 
one  man  who  had  been  President  and  four  who  were  to  be 
Presidents,  viz.  Polk,  who  was  Speaker;  Buchanan,  Fillmore 
and  Pierce,  while  ex-President  Adams  was  in  the  House  for 
Massachusetts.  Clay,  Calhoun,  Webster,  Silas  Wright  and  Wm. 
C.  Preston  were  men  of  power  and  of  vision.  The  Maine 
Senators  were  John  Ruggles  and  Reuel  Williams.  George  Evans 
of  Gardiner,  Maine,  was  in  the  House,  a  great  financial  expert 
and  master  mind !  Other  Maine  Congressmen  were  John  Fair- 
field, F.  0.  J.  Smith,  Timothy  J.  Carter,  Thomas  Davee,  Jon- 
athan Cilley,  Joseph  C.  Noyes  and  Hugh  J.  Anderson.  "In  my 
long  service,"  said  Senator  Benton  in  his  "Thirty  Years  View" 
in  1856,  "I  have  not  seen  a  more  able  Congress.  It  is  only  nec- 
essary to  read  the  names  and  to  possess  some  knowledge  of 
public  men  to  be  struck  with  the  number  of  names  which 
would  come  under  the  description  of  useful  or  brilliant  mem- 
bers." Of  the  Maine  Congressmen  Evans  and  Noyes  were 
Whigs,  the  others  were  Democrats.     Mr.  Carter  of  Paris  died 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  161 

in  mid-term  and  was  succeeded  by  Virgil  D.  Parris,  Democrat, 
of  Buckfield.  Jonathan  Cilley  was  killed  in  a  duel  and  was 
succeeded  by  Edward  Robinson  of  Thomaston,  a  Whig. 

This  Congress,  the  25th,  met  the  first  Monday  in  September 
and  chose  James  K.  Polk  Speaker  of  the  House.  Mr.  Fairfield's 
correspondence  is  silent  on  these  scenes,  as  Mrs.  Fairfield  was 
with  him.  He  resumed  correspondence  with  Mrs.  Fairfield,  in 
November,  1837,  after  an  intermission  of  several  months. 


The  Burglar  Hunt 

Boston,  Nov.  29,  Wednesday.  (1837) 
Dear  Wife, 

I  arrived  here  safely  last  night,  though  pretty  thoroughly 
chilled,  having  rode  outside  more  than  half  the  way.  At  12 
o'clock  today  I  leave  for  New  York  but  shall  be  obliged  to  go 
round  Point  Judith  in  the  steamboat  as  the  Stonington  cars  run 
only  every  other  day.  I  find  here  Mr.  Williams  &  family, 
Messrs.  Davee,  Cilley  &  Anderson,  all  of  whom  are  going  on 
today,  but  Mr.  Anderson. 

Last  night  between  11  &  12  o'clock  some  one  knocked  at 
my  chamber  door  &  asked  me  to  turn  the  key  &  let  him  in. 
"Who  are  you?"  said  I.  "The  landlord,"  said  he.  "What  do 
you  want?"  "Some  goods  have  been  stolen,"  said  he,  "and 
we  are  searching  the  rooms."  "Well,"  said  I,  "why  do  you  come 
here  ?  Why  not  go  to  the  other  rooms  ?"  "I  have  searched  all 
the  rest."  "I  know  better,"  said  I, — "if  you  had  I  should  have 
heard  you."  "Well,"  said  he,  "I  must  come  in,  and  now  I  am 
pretty  well  satisfied  that  you  are  the  rogue  who  has  gotten  the 
goods."  "Well,  now,"  said  I,  "you  don't  come  into  this  room 
without  having  others  present — so  clear  out."  "Oh  nonsense, 
open  the  door,"  said  he,  "this  is  all  in  sport,  I  am  McCrate."  I 
jumped  out  of  bed,  unlocked  my  door  &  who  should  enter  but  my 
old  friend,  John  D.  McCrate  of  Wiscasset. 
Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD, 


Arrival  in  Washington  1837 

Washington,  Dec.  2,  1837. 
Dear  Wife, 

Here  I  am  Saturday  night,  in  my  little  7  by  9,  seated  in  the 
old  chair  with  a  changeable  bottom  and  back,  you  know,  at  the 
same  table  we  had  last  session,  once  more  writing  to  you.  I 
feel  rejoiced  that  I  am  settled  down. 

I  found  here  on  my  arrival  Judge  Prentiss  of  Vermont  & 
wife  &  Mr.  Allen,  your  old  acquaintance.  No  others  have  ar- 
rived yet,  and  it  is  doubtful  whether  many  of  them  take  quar- 
ters here;  McClellan,  Parker,  Prentiss  &  Birdsall  engaged  be- 
fore leaving.    The  rest,  I  believe,  did  not. 


164  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

We  dined  today  with  the  mess  on  'tother  side.  They  were 
all,  Mr.  &  Mrs.  Berry,  Maj.  Hall,  Mr.  Duncan,  Mr.  Caster  & 
others,  full  of  inquiries  about  you  &  Augusta,  and  gratified  me 
much  by  the  respect  &  kindness  which  they  really,  I  think,  & 
not  piquedly,  manifested  for  you  both. 

Mrs.  Barry  is  not  as  big  as  an  ox,  nor  could  she  crawl 
through  an  alderman's  ring,  but  somewhere  "betwixt  and  be- 
tween." Mr.  Duncan  eats  enormously  as  usual  &  complains  of 
a  weakness  in  his  back ;  Mr.  Caster's  face  is  constantly  radiant 
with  smiles  and  Mr.  Frenctchilkman,  otherwise  Fleshman, 
looks  grave,  talks  queer  &  plays  on  the  fiddle  as  he  used  to  do. 
Mrs.  Pitman  was  full  of  her  kind  remembrances  of  you  & 
seemed  very  much  to  lament  that  you  had  not  returned. 
As  ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Describing  His  New  Quarters 

Washington,  Dec.  3d,  1837. 
Dear  Wife, 

Our  mess  now  stands :  Judge  Prentiss  &  wife,  Mr.  Fillmore 
&  wife,  Mr.  Birdsall  &  wife  and  Mr.  Allen,  Mr.  Anderson  &  my- 
self. It  is  to  be  of  a  very  mixed  character  as  to  politics,  but  I 
hope  a  pleasant  one.  Mrs.  P.  is  a  prim,  neat,  Quaker-like  old 
lady,  and,  I  suspect,  a  clever,  so-so  sort  of  body.  Mrs.  F.  is 
rather  plain,  something  of  a  talker  &  a  woman  of  good  sense. 
Mrs.  B.  I  mean  to  like  the  best,  but  having  been  merely  intro- 
duced &  passed  only  a  word  or  two  with  her  you  must  wait  for 
further  developments. 

I  found  all  my  things  here  that  we  left  except  my  Bible, 
frock  coat,  shoes  and  box  of  chess  men.  Perhaps  they  are  still 
in  our  old  room  which  is  now  occupied  by  Judge  Prentiss  &  wife. 
I  have  been  trying  to  ascertain,  but  have  not  made  out  yet. 
Where  did  you  put  them?  I  don't  see  why  they  were  not  re- 
moved to  this  room  with  the  other  things.  Shelves  have  been 
put  up  against  the  middle  door  as  I  directed,  and  my  books 
make  quite  a  show  upon  them.  There  are  6  shelves  &  under  the 
lower  one  stands  the  large  trunk  and  it  is  quite  out  of  the  way. 

Between  the  shelves  &  the  window  stands  my  wash  stand 
&  under  that  a  most  capacious  and  well  constructed  keeler,  for 
washing  feet,  I  suppose.  Against  the  window  stands  my  table 
and  under  it  the  small  trunk.     On  the  other  side  of  the  window 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  165 

hangs  a  very  respectable  sized  mahogany  framed  looking  glass, 
and  under  that  stands  a  chair.  Then  comes  a  closet,  then  the 
fireplace,  then  another  closet,  then  a  chair,  then  the  door,  then 
another  chair,  and  then  my  bed. 

In  the  middle  of  the  floor,  before  the  fire,  stands  the  arm 
chair  occupied  by  his  honor  and  thus  you  have  the  whole  para- 
phernalia of  the  room  (if  I  have  spelt  it  right,  look  &  see,  to- 
morrow I  mean  to  buy  a  dictionary.)  Oh,  dear,  I  can't  bear  to 
think  that  I  am  doomed  to  be  from  you  half  a  year.  When  I  see 
so  many  bringing  their  wives  it  makes  me  feel  desolate,  indeed. 
Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


The    President's  Message 

Washington,  Dec.  5,  1837. 
Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  Congress  met,  163  members  were  present,  the 
usual  committee  was  chosen  to  wait  on  the  President  and  we 
then  adjourned.  Today  at  12  o'clock  the  President  sent  in  his 
message  which  was  read  &  20,000  copies  ordered  to  be  printed. 
It  is  a  masterly  document,  and  everything  that  his  friends  could 
wish. 

I  called  up  to  the  White  House  last  evening  with  Col.  Pren- 
tiss &  Mr.  Loomis  of  New  York,  and  passed  half  an  hour  with 
the  President.  He  appeared  remarkably  well.  The  New  York 
election  did  not  seem  to  disturb  his  equanimity  in  the  least.  He 
seems  to  have  no  doubt  of  the  ultimate  success  of  our  party 
everywhere  because  it  is  based  upon  just  principles  and  has  for 
its  object  the  maintenance  of  the  rights  of  the  many  against 
the  encroachments  &  usurpations  of  the  few. 

Our  mess  is  now  nearly  full ;  Parker  McClellan  &  Buchanan 
have  arrived  and  Mr.  Loomis  of  New  York  has  joined  us.  All 
goes  on  pleasantly,  notwithstanding  our  differences  in  politics. 
I  had  much  rather  have  those  who  diflfer  with  us  totally,  i.  e., 
the  Whigs,  than  those  who  pretend  to  be  of  us  &  yet  differ  with 
us  in  many  things,  the  conservatives. 

Today  Rachael  brought  in  my  frock  coat,  shoes,  Bible  & 
chess  men,  so  now  I  believe  everything  has  been  found  that  we 
left.  Nancy  has  made  her  appearance,  and  says  she  will  mark 
everything  so  that  there  shall  be  no  mistake.  But  I  have 
chosen  to  set  down  in  a  memorandum  book  the  pieces  she  takes, 
and  will  give  her  credit  for  them  when  returned. 


166  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Among  the  papers  I  ordered  yesterday  was  the  N.  Y.  Mir- 
ror for  the  benefit  of  you  and  Martha  these  long  winter  even- 
ings, and  when  I  arrived  here  I  found  three  or  four  numbers 
sent  by  the  publishers  to  connect  the  two  sessions,  I  suppose. 
I  take  also  the  Daily  Globe,  Boston  Courier,  N.  Y.  Evening 
Post,  Saturday  Courier  (Phil.),  &  Richmond  Enquirer.  Prob- 
ably, I  may  also  send  you  occasionally  the  Saturday  Courier 
which  is  a  great  bed  blanket  of  a  thing  and  not  political,  I  be- 
lieve. 

Good  night, 

J.  F. 


Mess  Is  Increased 

Washington,  Dec.  6,  1837. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  taken  on  going  to  bed,  2  Wistar's  lozenges,  and  have 
found  that  they  are  a  perfect  preventive  of  my  cough,  which 
troubled  me  a  good  deal  for  a  few  nights.  I  find  my  little 
chamber  very  comfortable  except  that  Sam  don't  keep  me  so 
well  supplied  with  wood  as  he  ought  to.  For  servants  we  have 
Sam  and  Nat  and  William.  The  last  takes  the  place  of  Robert, 
but  is  not  half  equal  to  him. 

Today  Gov.  Knight  &  lady  from  R.  I.  have  joined  our  mess. 
He  is  a  Senator,  Federal  in  politics,  but  a  clever,  inoffensive  sort 
of  man.  His  wife  has  not  made  her  appearance  yet  at  the  table. 
Col.  Pratt  has  his  fourth  wife.  She  is  apparently  much  younger 
than  he  is,  dresses  very  much  and  is  something  of  a  talker.  Our 
mess  has  now  got  to  be  large,  numbering,  I  believe,  about  17, 
including  ladies. 

Carter  brought  his  wife  as  far  as  New  York,  and  will  have 
her  here  in  a  few  weeks.  He  goes  to  Berth's  who  keeps,  if  you 
recollect,  nearly  opposite  to  us.  Peirce  &  wife,  &  Williams  & 
wife,  and  Cilley,  board  there  also. 

Today  I  put  on  my  old  frock  coat  &  really  it  looked  so  smart 
that  I  have  concluded  to  wear  it  awhile  as  my  day  coat  instead 
of  confining  it  to  my  chamber.  I  have  also  been  contemplating 
buying  a  new  surtout,  but  have  given  that  up  for  the  present ; 
the  old  one  will  do,  perhaps,  till  spring  or  longer.  Your  old 
friend,  the  Major,  has  reed,  an  order  to  repair  forthwith  to 
Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  where  he  will  be  attached,  I  suppose,  to  the 
Navy  Yard.  Yesterday  he  dined  out  and,  I  believe,  got  a  little 
corned.     He  was  exceedingly  talkative  when  he  returned,  and 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  167 

it  was  late  at  night  before  he  could  be  persuaded  to  go  to  bed. 
Mr.  Caster  has  improved  somewhat  upon  both  the  flute  & 
violin,  though  he  does  not  play  so  much  as  formerly. 

I  have  played  one  game  of  chess  with  Mr.  Loomis  and  beat 
him.  Birdsall  says  his  wife  is  a  whole  team  at  it.  I  shall  try 
her  soon. 

Your  Husband, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Buys  Bancroft's  History 

Washington,  Dec.  7,  1837. 
Dear  Wife, 

Today  we  met,  spent  about  10  or  15  minutes  in  business  & 
then  adjourned  over  to  Monday  next,  giving  us  2  leisure  days. 

1  hardly  know  what  to  do  with  them,  but  if  I  felt  better  I  would 
take  this  opportunity  to  visit  Norfolk  &  Richmond.  I  stepped 
out  just  now  and  bought  Bancroft's  history  of  the  United  States, 

2  vols.  These  will  afford  me  both  pleasure  and  instruction,  I 
think.  He  is  about  the  best  writer  of  the  day  and  is  a  particu- 
lar favorite  of  mine  for  more  reasons  than  one. 

Do  you  hear  anything  of  your  quillapi  ? 
I  hope,  if  you  have  good  sleighing,  that  you  will  improve  it. 
You  must  go  abroad  more,  ride  more  &  enjoy  yourself.     But  I 
must  go  out  and  take  a  walk  before  dark,  so  good-night. 
Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


He  Beats  at  Chess 

Washington,  Dec.  8,  1837. 

Last  night  I  called  up  to  Judge  Parris'.  Found  them  all 
pretty  well,  though  they  were  well  acquainted  with  all  the  med- 
icines for  coughs,  &c.  I  borrowed  Doct.  Sewall's  lectures 
against  phrenology  and  am  willing  to  be  convinced  by  them 
though  I  doubt  their  having  that  effect.  After  my  return  I 
played  chess  with  Paine  and  beat  him  one  game,  at  which  he 
was  very  angry,  laid  it  all  to  "that  ass"  as  he  called  him,  that 
sat  beside  him,  Mr.  Loomis,  when  Loomis  did  nothing  &  said 
nothing  but  look  on  with  great  earnestness.     Paine  is,  I  think, 


168  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

the  most  incitable  man  I  ever  met  with  &  consequently  he  must 
be  among  the  most  unhappy.  I  have  also  played  one  game  of 
chess  with  Mr.  Loomis,  and  one  with  Mrs.  Birdsall,  both  of 
which  I  beat. 

Tomorrow  I  think  I'll  call  at  Mr.  Chas.  Cutts'  &  then  I  shall 
have  completed  my  circle  of  calls.  Today  I  left  cards  with  Mr. 
Forsyth,  Sec.  State,  Mr.  Woodbury,  Mr.  Poinsett,  Sec.  War,  Mr. 
Dickinson,  Sec.  Navy,  Mr.  Butler,  the  Atty.  Genl.,  Mr.  Kendall, 
P.  M.  Genl.,  Mr.  Fox,  the  English  minister,  &  Mr.  Pontois,  the 
French  minister.  So  that  when  the  parties  come  round  I  shall 
probably  have  an  opportunity  to  attend  if  I  have  the  inclination. 
Your  affectionate  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Washington,  Dec.  9,  1837. 
Bear  Wife, 

It  did  my  heart  good  to  get  a  letter  from  you  this  morning. 
You  are  very  smart  to  be  at  the  breakfast  table,  and  to  have 
finished  every  morning  before  8  o'clock.  Do  persevere.  I  am 
well  persuaded  you  would  feel  better  for  it. 

In  regard  to  Walter's  riding,  I  would  suggest  that  you  try 
him  again.  Don't  get  him  dissatisfied  and  cross,  we  had  better 
let  him  ride  too  fast  sometimes,  or  err  in  some  other  respects. 
We  must  show  him  that  we  have  confidence  in  him  &  get  him 
to  have  a  confidence  in  himself  and  a  respect  for  himself.  But 
it's  of  no  use  to  preach  to  you,  you  understand  the  matter  as 
well  as  I  do. 

Would  you  believe  it,  we  are  determined  to  nominate  Mr. 
Johnson,  a  Unitarian,  for  Chaplain,  and  with  some  hopes  of  suc- 
cess. He  had  letters  from  Mr.  Peabody  of  Portsmouth  to  Mr. 
Parker  of  New  York,  who  married  sisters.  Parker,  although 
an  Episcopalian,  takes  a  warm  interest  in  the  thing,  and  he  & 
Mr.  Allen  have  waited  upon  Mr.  Johnson  who  consents  to  be 
nominated.  We  have  begun  to  make  a  little  interest  for  him 
today  with  the  members  &  find  that  the  thing  takes  pretty  well. 

We  have  had  another  added  to  our  mess  since  writing  you 
yesterday,  a  Mr.  White  of  Indiana.  He  is  Whig  in  politics,  but 
appears  very  well  at  first  sight.  Judge  Ruggles  has  arrived  and 
has  had  a  talk  with  Mrs.  Pitman,  but  don't  conclude  to  come 
here,  her  lowest  price  for  the  unoccupied  room  being  $13.00. 
Your  Affectionate  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  169 

Appointed  on  Committee  on  Foreign  Relations 

Washington,  Dec.  11,  1837. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  enclose  you  the  card  of  Mrs.  Kendall,  left  here  for  you  to- 
day. I  trust  you  will  be  polite  enough  to  return  the  call.  Par- 
ties have  not  commenced  yet,  but  I  suppose  they  will  soon. 
Some  of  our  ladies  are  ill.  Mrs.  Fillmore  has  a  bad  cough  and 
has  been  confined  to  her  chamber  for  several  days,  I  fear  she  is 
verging  towards  consumption.  Mrs.  Birdsall  was  not  at  the 
dinner  table  today,  though  I  suspect  her  case  is  not  very  serious. 

Our  mess  thus  far  proves  to  be  a  very  pleasant  one,  not- 
withstanding the  different  complexion  of  our  politics.  Mrs. 
Knight  is  a  very  handsome,  stately  and  dignified  old  lady. 

Today  we  have  done  little  in  the  House  except  to  choose 
Chaplain  and  appoint  the  committees.  In  the  latter  I  think 
Maine  has  been  very  liberally  dealt  by.  I  remain  on  the  Com- 
mittee on  Foreign  Relations  tho'  it  has  somewhat  changed  in 
other  respects.  It  is  now  as  follows:  Howard,  Gushing,  Jack- 
son, Dromgoole,  Claiborne,  Fairfield,  Patton,  Legare,  Hoffman. 
Saying  nothing  about  myself,  I  think  this  is  a  splendid  commit- 
tee &  will  compare  with  any  other  in  the  House. 

We  had  four  trials,  I  believe,  for  Chaplain  before  a  choice 
was  effected.  It  finally  resulted  in  the  choice  of  Mr.  Reese  of 
this  City  and,  I  believe,  a  Methodist.  Mr.  Johnson,  the  Unitarian, 
had  50  votes  the  first  two  trials ;  after  these  the  number  fell  off 
to  30.  But  though  defeated,  we  feel  gratified  at  having  obtained 
as  many  votes  as  50.  This  is  far  beyond  what  was  ever  done 
before,  and  augurs  well  for  the  growing  good  sense  of  people  at 
the  South. 

I  have  not  seen  any  of  Mr.  Dummer's  folks  since  a  week 
ftgo  yesterday  when  I  walked  up  there.  Today  I  met  two  of  the 
Misses  Parris  on  the  avenue.  They  had  been  a  shopping,  and 
were  carrying  home  their  purchases  in  large  bundles.  It  re- 
minded me  of  good  old  New  England  independence. 
Your  affectionate  husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


A  "Thrashing"  in  the  House 

Washington,  Dec.  13,  1837. 
Dear  Wife, 

At  the  House  today  we  have  had  one  of  Adams'  violent  & 
intemperate  speeches.    The  question  was  upon  referring  the 


170  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

petitions  on  subject  of  Texas  to  a  select  committee  or  to  the 
Committee  on  Foreign  Relations.  He  dragged  in  the  subject  of 
slavery  and  among  other  things  the  affair  at  Alton  and  the 
death  of  Lovejoy.^  This  brought  the  Southrons  to  their  feet. 
Much  excitement  prevailed  among  them  &  a  few  were  very 
anxious  to  answer  him,  but  Wise,  who  was  as  cool  as  a  cucumber, 
got  the  floor  and  moved  to  lay  the  whole  on  the  table.  This, 
you  know,  cuts  off  debate,  and  the  motion  prevailing,  put  the 
whole  matter  at  rest. 

We  have  also  had  one  other  matter  up  today  which  excited 
a  good  deal  of  interest.  It  seems  that  Fletcher  of  Boston,  after 
the  special  session,  made  a  speech  in  Boston,  in  which  he  stated, 
or  the  report  of  his  speech  in  the  Boston  papers  made  him  say 
that  all  the  bills  reported  by  the  Com.  of  Ways  &  Means  of 
which  he  was  a  member,  were  procured  by  Cambreling,  the 
Chairman  at  the  White  House,  were  ordered  to  be  reported  by 
the  committee  without  examination,  and  were  passed  by  the 
House  without  the  alteration  of  a  word,  letter  or  comma. 

He  also  said  many  other  things  touching  that  Committee  of 
the  same  character.  This  morning  there  appeared  in  the  Globe 
a  statement  signed  by  5  or  6  of  the  members  of  the  Committee 
contradicting  &  proving  to  be  false  nearly  every  assertion  made 
by  Fletcher  &  lashing  him  a  little  for  his  course.  As  soon  as 
the  House  met,  F.  asked  leave  of  the  House  to  make  an  explana- 
tion in  regard  to  it,  which  was  granted  him.  He  then  said  that 
he  did  not  publish  the  speech  himself,  nor  examine  the  proof, 
nor  did  he  see  it  until  he  saw  it  in  the  Boston  papers,  that  some 
of  the  things  there  reported  by  him  to  have  been  said  were  not 
said,  &c.,  &c.  Cambreling  made  a  short  and  somewhat  cutting 
reply. 

Atherton  of  New  Hampshire  thrashed  him  pretty  soundly, 
and  then  Jones  of  Virginia  took  the  floor  and  gave  Fletcher  a 
terrible  castigation.  He  said  there  was  no  difference  between 
Fletcher's  writing  out  the  speech  himself  and  not  contradicting 
what  was  erroneously  written  by  others.  He  denounced  the 
speech  as  false,  calumnious  and  base,  and  bore  down  upon  poor 
Fletcher  with  all  his  power  and  in  a  manner  that  made  me  feel 
for  him.  But  Fletcher  took  it  all  in  silence  and  did  not  attempt 
a  reply.     You  will  probably  see  it  all  in  the  Globe. 

I  am  writing  now  in  a  sort  of  gown  which  I  bought  yester- 
day. It  is  half  way  between  a  gown  &  a  surtout.  I  like  the 
fashion  much.  It  is  a  real  comfortable  affair  &  will  save  coats 
not  a  little.     With  the  aid  of  this  I  think  I  can  make  my   old 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  171 

frock  coat  last  all  winter.     Have  not  called  on  Mrs.  Madison  yet, 
but  mean  to  in  a  few  days. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

^Elijah  Parish  Lovejoy,  known  as  the  first  Abolitionist  martyr.  He  was 
born  in  Albion,  Me.,  and  graduated  at  Waterville  CoUeg-e.  The  "affair  at  Al- 
ton" referred  to  was  the  destruction  by  a  mob  of  L.ovejoy's  newspaper  press, 
and  the  shooting-  of  Lovejoy  while  trying  to  protect  it.  The  wrath  of  Alton 
citizens  had  been  aroused  by  the  strong  Abolition  sentiments  in  the  paper. 


Washington,  Dec.  15,  1837. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

The  House  today  have  adjourned  over  to  Monday,  so  tomor- 
row will  be  a  play  day  for  most  of  the  members, — but  for  my- 
self I  mean  to  work  hard,  having  a  good  many  matters  on  hand 
requiring  my  attention.  Last  night  I  went  by  invitation  to  Mr. 
Charles  Cutts'  where  I  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  Mrs.  Madi- 
son. I  was  engaged  so  that  I  was  unable  to  get  there  until 
nearly  9  o'clock,  &  consequently  did  not  see  much  of  her  as  she 
left  about  1/2  past  9.  She  is  rather  tall  and  large,  of  a  com- 
manding figure  and  dignified  and  graceful  in  her  movements.  I 
had  a  few  minutes  conversation  with  her  only.  She  made  par- 
ticular inquiries  after  you  and  said  that  she  had  heard  much  of 
you,  regretted  that  she  was  not  to  meet  you  here,  &c.,  &c.  I 
think  I  shall  not  be  satisfied  with  this,  but  shall  call  upon  her 
one  of  these  days. 

Holsey  of  Georgia  is  just  added  to  our  mess. 
Affectionately  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


The  Day's  Routine 

Washington,  Dec.  17,  1837. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  am  as  comfortably  situated  as  a  man  can  well  be  who  is 
600  miles  away  from  those  he  loves  better  than  all  the  world  be- 
side. Sam  comes  very  early,  oftentimes  as  soon  as  daybreak, 
and  makes  a  fire.  After  dressing  and  shaving,  I  read  regu- 
larly two  chapters  in  my  Bible.  Then  go  down  &  read  the 
Globe  and  Intelligencer  in  the  parlor  until  breakfast  time. 

My  breakfast,  as  of  old,  is  principally  made  upon  buck- 
wheat cakes  and  molasses,  with  a  tumbler  of  milk  substituted 
for  coffee.     I  have  drank  but  one  cup  of  coffee,  I  believe,  since 


172  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

I  have  been  here !  and  think  I  improve  upon  it.  Once  in  a  while 
I  take  a  cup  of  black  tea,  which,  by  the  way,  I  have  just  found 
out  is  much  better  than  green  tea.  The  latter  almost  always 
makes  me  thirsty  and  feverish.  Suppose  you  try  the  experi- 
ment of  black  tea  at  home. 

I  have  been  to  meeting  today  &  heard  Mr.  Berry  of  Fram- 
ingham,  Massachusetts.  He  gave  us  an  excellent  sermon,  and 
in  good  style.  Text,  "I  am  the  light  of  the  world."  I  sus- 
pect that  it  is  the  same  Mr.  B.  who  was  once  settled  at  Lowell 
&  whom  I  tried  to  get  down  to  Saco. 

I  have  changed  my  seat  in  our  house  here,  now  sitting  in  a 
body  pew  the  3d  one  from  the  front,  with  Reed  &  Hastings  of 
Mass.  &  Noyes  of  our  State.  It  is  cushioned  &  carpeted  &  is  verv 
comfortable.  Yesterday,  I  went  to  the  Capitol  to  hear  Wolff, 
the  converted  Jew.  The  Hall  was  crowded  and  as  I  could  not 
obtain  a  seat  I  staid  only  about  15  or  20  minutes.  During  that 
time  he  was  relating  his  adventures,  a  part  of  which  was  quite 
humorous  and  a  part  of  it  rather  tedious  &  dull.  He  has  a  rich 
voice  and  imitates  the  Persian  singing  admirably.  He  was  once 
taken  by  the  Turcomans  or  robbers  among  whom  he  had  a 
variety  of  adventures.  Once  he  hallooed  to  a  company  passing 
not  far  from  them  in  the  night  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  his 
release.  They  said  to  him :  "You  fellow,  if  you  make  any  more 
noise  we'll  shoot  you  like  von  dog,"  "and,"  said  he,  *T  was  quiet 
all  like  von  mouse." 

The  Intelligencer  contains  Mr.  Adams'  short  speech  on  ask- 
ing for  the  use  of  the  Hall.  He  was  quite  eloquent  &  repeated 
some  dozen  lines  from  one  of  Bishop  Heber's  hymns  in  fine 
style. 

Mrs.  Fillmore  was  down  to  breakfast  this  morning,  but 
Mrs.  Birdsall  is  really  quite  sick. 

My  dear  wife,  good  night. 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Washington,  Dec.  19,  1837. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  commence  this  letter  in  the  House,  with  Mr.  Holsey  of 
Georgia  making  a  speech  in  the  seat  directly  behind  me.  Doc- 
tor Duncan  of  Cincinnati  has  just  closed  a  real  slang-whanging 
speech,  but  it  was  in  answer  to  speeches  of  the  same  kind  on  the 
other  side,  particularly  one  made  by  Wise.  Duncan  is  a  fear- 
less fellow  and  jusit  fit  for  an  opponent  of  some  of  the  Federal 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  173 

Whigs  here.  Some  of  them  on  both  sides  are  beginning  to  wax 
warm,  but  for  myself  I  am  as  cool  as  a  December  morning,  and 
more  than  that,  mean  to  keep  so. 

I  intend  soon  to  call  up  to  Mr.  Dummer's  and  leave  them 
some  franks  which  I  forgot  when  I  was  there  before.  The  only- 
visiting  I  have  done,  since  I  have  been  here,  is  once  to  Judge 
Parris',  once  to  Mr.  Dummer's,  twice  to  Chas.  Cutts'  &  once  to 
Uncle  Richard's.  But  I  mean  to  go  about  a  little  more  by  &  by. 
Of  your  Uncle  Richard  I  bought  the  other  day  his  share  of  the 
Uncle  Dominicus  Scamman  estate,  not  because  I  wanted  it,  but 
because  he  wanted  the  money  very  much  and  could  not  sell  it 
to  anyone  else. 

You  forgot  to  put  up  one  of  my  woolen  waistcoats  or 
guernsey  frocks.  When  I  came  to  change  on  Sunday  morning  I 
could  not  find  the  mate  of  the  one  taken  off  and  so  put  on  one 
of  the  blue  &  whites,  which  I  find  is  not  as  thick  as  the  other 
kind  and  has  shorter  sleeves.  However,  it  will  do  well  enough 
for  this  mild  region. 


Abolition  Speech  Excites  House 

Washington,  Dec.  20,  1837. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  did  not  intend  to  write  you  again  until  tomorrow,  but  as 
an  event  has  occurred  here  producing  considerable  excitement 
I  thought  I  would  relate  it. 

Slade  of  Vermont  presented  several  petitions  for  the  aboli- 
tion of  slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia  and  moved  their  ref- 
erence to  a  select  committee  with  instructions  to  bring  in  a  bill 
for  that  purpose. 

This  gave  him  a  right  to  discuss  the  question,  so  this  morn- 
ing at  it  he  went.  His  speech  was  of  a  character  calculated 
under  existing  circumstances  to  produce  excitement  among  the 
Southern  members,  as  it  did  in  fact.  He  was  very  frequently 
interrupted,  but  nothing  could  stop  him.  Finally,  Wise  rose 
and  said  that  as  the  gentleman  had  begun  to  discuss  the  ques- 
tion of  slavery  in  the  States  as  well  as  in  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia, he  invited  the  Virginia  delegation  to  leave  the  Hall  in  a 
body  and  retire  to  one  of  the  committee  rooms.  Holsey  of 
Georgia  gave  the  same  invitation  to  his  delegation,  and  some 
member  from  South  Carolina,  the  same  as  to  that  State,  and 
accordingly  the  most  of  them  retired.     Some  one  then  moved 


174  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

an  adjournment  of  the  House,  on  which  the  ayes  and  noes  were 
ordered  and  the  adjournment  carried  by  a  large  majority. 

As  soon  as  the  vote  was  announced  Campbell  of  South 
Carolina  invited  all  the  gentlemen  from  slave  holding  States  to 
meet  in  a  committee  room  forthwith.  And  there  they  are  now. 
What  all  this  is  to  end  in  no  one  can  tell,  but  I  suspect  it  will 
blow  over.  The  Northern  fanatics,  however,  will  push  this  mat- 
ter, I  fear,  until  they  lay  the  foundations  for  a  disunion  of  the 
States,  if  they  do  not  actually  produce  it.  Holsey  has  just  re- 
turned, but  don't  say  what  they  have  done  and  we  have  some 
delicacy  in  asking  him.  Nothing  new  beyond  this  worth  telling. 
Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Washington,  Dec.  22d,  1837. 
Dear  Wife, 

In  my  last  I  believe  I  gave  you  some  account  of  the  excite- 
ment produced  here  by  Slade's  abolition  speech.  It  seems  that 
the  Southern  members  adjourned  their  first  meeting  until  the 
evening  when  they  had  a  full  one  and  had  a  good  deal  of  ani- 
mated discussion.  They  concluded  to  come  into  the  House  the 
following  morning  and  offer  a  resolution  similar  to  the  one  pro- 
posed last  year  by  Pinckney  &  adopted  by  the  House,  viz.,  that 
all  petitions,  &c.,  touching  the  abolition  of  slavery  either  in  the 
States  or  the  Territories  should  be  laid  upon  the  table  without 
being  read,  debated,  referred  or  printed.  This  Resolve  passed 
by  a  large  majority. 

It  was  different  from  what  I  should  have  liked,  but  as  the 
previous  question  had  been  moved  &  carried  we  were  obliged 
to  take  that  or  let  the  whole  subject  remain  open  for  a  long,  vio- 
lent, angry  &  dangerous  discussion.  I  say  dangerous  because 
I  believe  the  permanency  of  the  Union  would  be  endangered  if 
not  destroyed  by  it.  We  had  another  little  flurry  yesterday 
morning  through  the  instrumentality  of  old  Adams,  but  it  soon 
blew  over. 

I  have  got  an  invitation  to  go  to  Mr.  Chas.  Cutts'  on  Mon- 
day, which  is  Christmas,  you  know.  Today  I  have  also  reed, 
an  invitation  to  dine  with  the  President  on  Thursday  next  at  5 
o'clock  and  requesting  an  answer.  I  shall  go,  of  course,  "wind 
&  weather"  permitting,  as  the  sailors  say.  I  found  today  in  a 
N.  Y.  paper  an  article  written  by  'Judge  Mellen  on  his  73d  birth- 


LETTERS  OF  JOH^J^  FAIRFIELD  175 

day.    It  pleased  me  so  much  that  I  cut  it  out  &  herewith  enclose 
it  to  you. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 

^Prentiss  Mellen  of  Portland,  Maine's  first  chief  justice.  He  retired  from 
oflfice  three  years  previous,  having  reached  the  age  of  70,  vi^hich  was  the 
limit   for   holding   that   office. 


Mentioned  for  Governor 

Washington,  Dec.  24,  1837. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  received  your  regular  Saturday  morning  epistle,  written 
the  Sunday  evening  preceding.  I  am  glad  to  perceive  your  per- 
severance in  going  to  meeting  notwithstanding  you  have  so 
much  to  encounter.  I  can't  say  much  for  myself,  however,  to- 
day, for  I  am  spending  the  day  in  my  chamber,  enveloped  in  my 
gaudy  calico,  and  toasting  my  shins  before  a  good  fire.  For 
my  justification,  however,  I  have  to  plead  a  swollen  face,  a  little 
out  of  orderish  internally,  and  3  or  4  inches  of  snow  on  the 
ground,  which  fell  during  the  night.  There  is  something  a 
little  queer  about  my  face,  swelling  unaccompanied  by  much  pain 
or  soreness. 

At  tea,  Mrs.  Pitman  &  I  play  bo-peep  and  wish  for  you  to 
join  us.  Mr.  Buchanan  sticks  by  the  old  place  but  is  far  less 
stupid  than  he  used  to  be.  He  now  talks  considerably  and  is  a 
very  sensible  man.  The  reason  of  all  of  which  is,  a  great  im- 
provement in  his  health. 

Congress  adjourned  over  from  Friday  to  Tuesday,  as  to- 
morrow is  Christmas.     Nothing  new  in  the  way  of  politics. 

I  think  it  will,  on  the  whole,  be  best  to  keep  Sarah  at  home 
this  winter.  It  is  too  far  to  walk  in  winter.  Tell  my  dear 
Sarah  I  think  of  her  much,  and  love  her  more  than  I  can  ex- 
press. She  must  be  a  good  girl  &  read  a  good  deal  this  winter. 
I  shall  expect,  also,  that  she  will  help  her  mother  in  sewing, 
knitting,  clearing  away  the  table  and  in  doing  pleasantly  every- 
thing that  her  mother  wants  her  to  do.  I  shall  endeavor  to  send 
home  to  her  and  the  rest  of  the  children  some  little  books  as 
New  Year's  presents.  My  sweet  Augusta,  too,  must  be  a  nice 
girl  and  mind  her  mother  in  all  things  and  learn  to  sew,  so  that 
by  &  by  she  can  make  some  shirts  for  her  Father.  I  hope,  too, 
that  she  will  soon  learn  her  letters,  for  as  soon  as  she  can  read 
I  shall  write  some  letters  to  her. 


176  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Dear  little  Hammy,  I  wish  I  could  hear  him  say  "Far" 
once,  &  have  the  happiness  of  trotting  him  on  my  knees.  He  is 
a  noble  boy  and  I  love  him  much. 

You  ask  if  I  have  been  at  Uncle  Richard's.  I  have  been 
there  but  once  and  then  did  not  see  Dolly  or  Mary.  I  have,  how- 
ever, met  them  in  the  street,  and  once  at  Chas.  Cutts'.  They  are 
just  as  when  you  knew  them.  Dolly,  I  think,  a  little  disposed  to 
backbite.     Mary  is,  I  believe,  very  clever. 

A  few  begin  to  address  me  upon  the  subject  of  our  next 
election,  and  of  my  being  a  candidate  for  Governor !  Don't  be 
alarmed,  nothing,  I  think,  can  ever  induce  me  to  consent,  even 
if  the  people  are  silly  enough  to  invite  me.  With  my  small 
property  and  large  family,  an  election  would  be  utter  ruin  to  me. 
Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Adams  Makes  Trouble 

Washington,  Dec.  26,  1837. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  begin  my  letter  in  the  House  today,  where  old  Adams  is 
again  making  trouble  for  the  Speaker  and  the  House.  He  pre- 
sented a  petition  the  other  day  from  a  Peace  Society  praying 
that  our  trouble  with  Mexico  might  be  referred  to  some  friendly 
power.  Howard  moved  that  it  be  referred  to  Committee  on 
Foreign  Relations.  Adams  moved  with  "instructions  to  read, 
consider  &  report  thereon,"  and  under  this  motion  insists  upon 
his  right  to  discuss  the  merits  of  the  memorial,  which  is  clearly 
a  violation  of  the  rules  of  the  House.  After  a  great  many  inef- 
fectual attempts,  the  Speaker  has  finally  stopped  him.  A 
motion  is  made  granting  him  leave  to  proceed  and  on  this  the 
ayes  &  noes  are  being  taken;  I  presume  the  motion  will  suc- 
ceed, and  then  we  may  expect  to  have  a  pretty  copious  stream 
of  the  bitter  waters  of  his  heart. 

Yesterday,  Christmas,  I  spent  principally  in  my  chamber, 
the  swelling  in  my  face  not  having  entirely  subsided.  In  the 
evening,  however,  I  went  to  Chas.  Cutts'.  There  was  nobody 
there  but  the  little  guitar  player  (whom  you  probably  recol- 
lect), and  myself.  Had  no  great  of  a  time.  Egg-nog  is  the 
great  Christmas  drink  here,  which  you  know  I  can't  drink,  as  it 
contains  brandy  or  whiskey.  My  health,  aside  from  my  cheek, 
is  very  good.     My  cough  is  cured,  that  is,  so  far  as  a  constitu- 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  177 

tional  ailment  can  be  cured.     I  cannot,  however,  preserve  that 
degree  of  cheerfulness  which  I  felt  at  the  special  session. 

Carter  has  gone  to  New  York  to  bring  on  his  wife.  Ander- 
son is  troubled  with  inflammation  of  the  eyes,  but  is  still  able 
to  attend  the  sessions  of  the  House.  He  is  an  excellent  chum, 
very  intelligent,  friendly  and  social.  I  don't  know  what  I  could 
do  without  him.  Paine  &  I  once  in  a  while  play  a  game  of 
chess.  Whenever  he  gets  beaten  he  swears  and  frets  as  usual. 
He  has  the  most  irritable  and  unhappy  disposition  of  any  man 
I  ever  met  with.  Anderson  is  a  very  good  player,  because  he 
beats  me  as  often  as  I  beat  him.  This  game,  however, 
is  too  much  of  a  tax  upon  time,  and  I  must  abandon  it,  partially, 
at  least. 

When  I  had  written  thus  far  our  mess  came  off  for  dinner, 
leaving  Adams  on  the  floor,  it  then  being  more  than  1/2  past  3. 
He  may  speak  all  night  now  if  he  chooses  as  he  will  not  have 
me  for  an  auditor. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


CHAPTER  VI 
The  Year  of  the  Cilley  Duel. 

In  the  letters  written  in  the  early  weeks  of  1838  we  find 
the  first  serious  consideration  of  John  Fairfield's  candidacy 
for  Governor  of  Maine.  Of  course  his  name  had  only  been 
proposed  by  his  party,  but  its  leaders  were  growing  more  and 
more  insistent  and  already  he  is  receiving  pressing  letters 
to  allow  his  name  to  be  used.  Mr.  Fairfield  was  very  emphatic 
in  his  refusal  to  consider  such  a  possibility.  He  was  not  in- 
sensible of  the  honor,  but  believed  he  could  not  afford,  with  his 
small  means  and  large  family,  to  enter  the  campaign.  The 
first  letters  give  no  hint  that  any  urging  would  cause  him 
to  alter  his  opinion.  He  was  rather  hoping  that  Parks  would 
be  mentioned  as  the  Democratic  candidate.  At  the  last  election 
Parks,  Democrat,  ran  against  Kent,  Whig,  and  lost  out  by  a 
small  margin.  He  was  a  Bangor  man,  a  lawyer  and  a  good 
speaker,  but  was  more  popular  in  other  parts  of  the  State  than 
in  his  home  district.  It  transpired,  however,  that  Col.  Parks 
wisely  declined  being  a  candidate  again  and  was  rewarded  by 
the  oflflce  of  U.  S.  Marshal  of  Maine. 

However,  the  gubernatorial  campaign  was  not  yet  on  in 
earnest  and  many  things  of  more  immediate  interest  claimed 
Congressman  Fairfield's  attention.  Abolition  was  assuming  a 
larger  and  more  important  place  in  the  affairs  of  the  Nation  and 
there  were  some  hot  debates  inspired  by  it  and  some  unpleasant 
differences.  Maine  had  already  produced  one  abolitionist  who 
had  created  a  nation-wide  stir  and  sacrificed  his  life  for  the 
cause.  This  was  Elijah  Parish  Lovejoy,  writer  and  editor,  who 
had  gone  into  the  cause  heart  and  soul.  To  the  tragedy  which  re- 
sulted in  his  death  Mr.  Fairfield  referred  briefly,  but  expressed 
no  particular  concern  or  indignation  against  those  who  caused 
his  untimely  death.  At  that  time  Fairfield  was  opposed  to  any 
interference  on  the  part  of  Northerners  with  the  slave  ques- 
tion.    While  of  course  he  was  opposed  to  slavery,  he  held 


180  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

that  the  Southern  States  had  a  right  to  settle  these  matters  for 
themselves  and  he  feared  a  disruption  of  the  Union  if  the  North 
persisted  in  meddhng. 

Mr.  Fairfield  writes  as  delightfully  as  usual  of  the  little 
doings  of  every-day  life,  and  the  social  functions  he  attends,  in- 
cluding the  New  Year  reception  at  the  President's. 

He  sends  the  most  charming  messages  to  his  beloved  chil- 
dren, particularly  his  eldest  daughter,  Sarah.  All  the  hopes,  so 
often  expressed  by  her  father  for  her,  were  realized,  and  she  de- 
veloped into  a  woman  of  strong  character  and  inspiring  person- 
ality. The  Hamilton  house  in  Saco  was  for  many  years  her 
home,  for  she  married  Benjamin  F.  Hamilton,  a  merchant  and 
prominent  citizen  of  the  place.  Mrs.  Hamilton  was  a  prominent 
club  woman  and  interested  in  all  public  affairs.  Her  house  was 
a  center  of  hospitality,  not  only  to  friends  but  to  every  good 
cause  that  needed  a  shelter.  Here  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hamilton  cel- 
ebrated their  golden  wedding  and  here,  in  1909,  at  an  advanced 
age,  she  died. 

In  the  correspondence  of  1838,  is  the  first  mention  of  the 
Northeastern  Boundary  question,  which  was  to  have  a  large 
part  in  the  remainder  of  John  Fairfield's  life.  There  are 
occasional  references  to  the  subject  referred  to  in  the  intro- 
duction to  our  previous  chapter — the  investigation  of  corrupt 
pubhc  servants  who  had  flourished  under  previous  administra- 
tions and  who  were  being  routed  out  by  the  tireless  investi- 
gations of  a  re-awakened  public  press.  It  concerned  John  Fair- 
field closely,  because  in  the  outcome  of  one  of  the  "attacks" 
made  against  the  corruptionists  on  charge  of  selling  influence 
at  one  of  the  Departments,  the  person  routed  out  proved  to  be 
Senator  Ruggles  of  Maine.  There  was  a  great  ado  in  the 
State  of  Maine  newspapers  of  the  day,  but  Judge  Ruggles  made 
an  explanation  in  the  Congressional  Globe,  which  was  circulated 
among  his  constituents  and  which  explained  everything  as  con- 
sistent with  innocence.  Mr.  Fairfield  adds:  "This  outcome  of 
the  matter  will  give  you  pleasure,  I  think,  for  you  would  be 


1 

r 

\l,  ^ 

1  ' 

MRS.   JOHN   FAIRFIHLl) 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  181 

sorry  to  see  your  old  friend  convicted  of  corruption  and  expelled 
from  the  Senate." 

The  event  that  most  concerned  the  nation  and  that  did 
most  to  bring  Fairfield  into  public  notice  occurred  in  1838, 
the  duel  between  Representatives  William  Graves  and  Jonathan 
Cilley,  which  was  closely  connected  with  the  foregoing  incident, 
of  Senator  Ruggles's  defense. 

Matthew  L.  Davis,  a  newspaper  correspondent,  had  said 
in  a  letter  to  the  New  York  Courier  and  Enquirer  that  he  could 
prove  that  a  member  of  Congress  had  offered  to  sell  his  influence 
to  one  of  the  Departments  and  that  things  did  not  go  by  merit 
but  by  the  pulling  of  strings  for  suitable  recompense.  The 
statement  aroused  inquiry.  James  Watson  Webb,  editor  of  the 
Courier  and  Enquirer,  vouched  for  the  character  of  Davis,  whom 
Mr.  Fairfield  refers  to  as  "Old  Davis,"  and  Congress  demanded 
an  investigation.  Henry  A.  Wise  asked  for  a  committee.  Con- 
gressman Cilley  of  Maine  clashed  with  Wise  and  in  a  fiery 
speech  severely  characterized  the  character  of  Webb.  Mr. 
Davis,  the  correspondent,  was  called  to  the  bar  of  the  House 
and  said  that  the  person  referred  to  was  not  a  member  of  the 
House  of  Representatives.  This  called  Judge  Ruggles  into  the 
affair.  He  published  his  statement  that  he  had  been  informed 
that  he  was  the  person  referred  to  in  the  charges  of  Davis. 
He  said  that  he  had  given  purely  legal  services  in  the  drawing 
up  of  an  application  for  a  patent;  that  he  was  promised  a 
quarter  interest  in  the  patent;  that  the  papers,  though  drawn, 
were  never  executed  and  that  he  never  received  any  compensa- 
tion. Judge  Ruggles  was  exonerated  by  a  committee  of  the 
Senate. 

Meanwhile,  Webb  posted  off  in  a  hurry  from  New  York 
to  Washington,  and  sent  Cilley  by  the  hand  of  Representative 
Graves  of  Kentucky,  a  challenge  to  mortal  combat,  which  Cilley 
declined  to  receive.  Graves  took  up  the  matter,  as  personal, 
after  Cilley  had  refused  to  make  any  statement  whatever  in 
regard  to  Webb's  character.     Graves  then  sent  Cilley  a  personal 


182  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

challenge  and  they  fought  with  rifles.  Two  shots  were  ex- 
changed without  injury  to  either.  Efforts  were  made  to  settle 
the  matter.  Mr.  Cilley  was  perfectly  ready  to  express  esteem 
for  Mr.  Graves  as  he  had  already  done ;  he  had  no  quarrel  with 
him  whatever.  He  insisted,  however,  that  he  would  not  be 
drawn  into  any  controversy  with  Mr.  Webb,  would  express 
no  opinion  as  to  him;  would  say  nothing  further  concerning 
him  and  hence  would  not  retract  anything  that  he  had  said. 
At  the  third  shot  Cilley  was  killed,  the  bullet  passing  through 
the  femoral  artery  and  death  ensuing  before  the  blood-flow 
could  be  stopped. 

Northern  Democrats  were  aroused.  "Murder  Most  Foul" 
was  the  favorite  headline  in  the  newspapers.  It  was  a  plot 
of  the  Federalists  to  wipe  out  opposition.  "Those  whom  they 
can  not  intimidate  with  abuse,  they  determine  to  silence  by 
the  bullet."  Fairfield  led  this  campaign  in  the  House  as  a 
neighbor  and  a  friend  of  Jonathan  Cilley.  President  Jackson 
wrote  to  Van  Buren,  "I  cannot  write  on  the  murderous  death  of 
poor  Chilley  (Cilley).  If  Congress  does  not  do  something 
to  wipe  oujt  the  stain  of  the  murdered  blood  of  Chilley  from 
its  walls,  it  will  raise  a  flame  in  the  public  (word  erased) 
mind  against  it,  not  easily  to  be  quelled.  Chilley  was  sac- 
rificed." Nathaniel  Hawthorne,  a  classmate  of  Cilley  at  Bow- 
doin,  wrote  a  sketch  of  his  life  and  said  that  a  duel  was  never 
pressed  to  a  fatal  close  in  the  face  of  such  open  kindness  as  was 
expressed  by  Mr.  Cilley  *  *  *  Graves  and  his  principal  second, 
Mr.  Wise  of  Virginia,  overstepped  the  imaginary  distinction 
which  on  their  own  principles  separates  manslaughter  from 
murder." 

Mr.  Fairfield's  letters  carry  a  great  deal  of  contemporary 
historical  value  regarding  the  public  attitude.  His  letters  were 
quoted  in  a  number  of  pulpits  on  Fast  Day,  1838,  with  fierce 
rebuke  toward  an  attitude  of  mild  indifference  toward  the 
crime  itself.  Congress  did  nothing  but  give  Cilley  a  perfunc- 
tory thirty  days  of  mourning,  meanwhile  doing  business  as 
usual;  and  the  Supreme  Court,  while  expressing  sorrow  at  the 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  183 

affair,  refused  according  to  custom  to  attend  the  funeral  of 
one  who  had  fallen  in  a  duel. 

Mr.  Fairfield's  efforts  to  make  of  the  Cilley  duel  the  founda- 
tion for  laws  against  duelling  are  a  tribute  to  -his  zeal  as  a 
Christian  and  a  hater  of  such  things  as  well  as  to  his  energy  as 
a  Democrat.  The  duel  became  a  party  matter.  It  was  claimed 
that  it  was  the  outcome  of  the  Bank  matter,  the  Whigs  wishing 
to  remove  a  man  who  was  to  be  feared  for  his  brilliant  invective 
and  his  power  in  debate.  The  Whigs  replied  that  Senator 
Reuel  Williams  of  Maine  knew  that  the  duel  was  to  take  place ; 
that  he  could  have  had  the  parties  arrested  and  that  they 
looked  to  certain  victory  over  Graves.  The  quarrel  was  bitter 
and  endured  for  generations. 

John  Fairfield's  resolution  regarding  duelling;  his  fearless 
advocacy  of  it  in  the  face  of  the  opposition,  made  him  a  national 
figure.  It  had  much  to  do  with  his  subsequent  prominence  in 
the  Democratic  convention  when  he  came  so  near  to  being 
nominated  for  Vice-President  of  the  United  States. 

The  references  to  the  Maine  gubernatorial  campaign  in  the 
letters  of  1838  require  little  background  to  make  them  intel- 
ligible. Fairfield  was  practically  forced  to  run  by  reason  of  the 
Cilley  duel  and  the  speeches  that  he  had  made  regarding  the 
Northeastern  boundary  question  which  was  then  attracting 
attention.  The  campaign  for  Governor,  bitter  by  reason  of  the 
old  antipathies,  was  marred  by  personalities.  The  Whigs  de- 
clared that  Fairfield  was  a  young,  inexperienced  loco-foco.  The 
Democrats  declared  that  Kent  was  a  Federalist;  that  he  was 
without  independence  of  character  and  was  the  tool  of  the 
"irresistible  cabal  of  office  seekers."  The  largest  vote  in  the 
history  of  the  State  was  cast  on  election  day  and  Fairfield  was 
elected  Governor  by  a  majority  of  3,000  in  a  total  vote  of 
85,599. 

His  letters  from  Washington  close  with  his  return  to  Maine 
in  July  and  resume  in  December  after  he  had  been  elected 
Governor. 


184  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

The  President's  New  Year's  Reception 

Washington,  Jan.  1,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Today  being  New  Year's  day  the  President's  House  was 
thrown  open  for  visitors,  and  v/as  literally  thronged  from  12  to 
3  o'clock.  On  Saturday  Mr.  Dummer  came  dov/n  and  requested 
me  to  take  Mary  with  me.  Accordingly  today  at  1/2  after  12 
Mr.  Dummer's  carriage  came  for  me,  and  after  Mary  &  I 
had  called  on  the  President,  Almira  brought  me  home,  so  you 
see  my  gallantry  cost  me  very  little. 

I  suspect  there  were  at  least  4,000  people  called  at  the 
President's,  and  as  the  day  was  remarkably  fine,  the  ladies 
made  a  great  display  in  dress  and  the  officers  in  uniform.  There 
was  also  stationed  in  the  outer  hall  a  fine  band  of  musicians 
who  occasionally  struck  up  some  noble  march,  drowning  the 
hum  of  voices  and  the  tramp  of  a  thousand  feet.  We  stayed 
there  perhaps  half  an  hour,  promenading  about  the  great  east 
room  and  out  on  the  balcony,  viewing  faces,  dresses  and  man- 
ners and  picking  out  the  lions. 

We  met  Mr.  Carter  &  his  wife  there,  he  having  returned 
from  New  York  with  her  last  night,  after  having  been  absent 
about  a  week.  She  is  rather  pretty  &  looks  good,  Anderson  & 
I  are  talking  of  visiting  her  and  our  other  Maine  friends  this 
evening,  as  we  have  not  done  it  before,  much  to  our  shame, 
living  as  they  do  right  across  the  street. 

I  send  you  today  a  beautiful  likeness  of  Washington  Irving 
in  the  Mirror.  I  have  also  had  presented  to  me  by  Mr.  Parker 
a  book  of  over  400  pages  entitled  "Embassy  to  the  Eastern 
Courts  of  Cochin  China,  Siam  and  Muscat,"  by  Edward  Roberts. 
Parker  &  Mr.  Peabody  of  Portsmouth  married  daughters  of 
Roberts,  it  seems.  Roberts  went  out  to  these  eastern  Courts  as 
a  secret  agent  for  the  government  and  was  very  successful  in 
negotiating  treaties  with  two  of  the  Powers,  and  was  on  his 
second  embassy  last  year  when  he  died. 
Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Gaieties  Continue 

Washington,  Jan.  3d,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  time  only  to  say  a  few  words,  for  I  have  lo  shave, 
dress  &  get  ready  to  go  to  Mr.  Kendall's  this  evening,  and  it  is 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  185 

now  late.  I  shall  probably  start  about  8,  and  if  you  don't  call  for 
me  before  that  I  shall  be  obliged  to  go  alone. 

Another  invitation  was  also  reed,  today  for  a  party  at  Mr. 
Forsyth's  next  Monday,  so  you  see  the  days  or  rather  nights  of 
frolic  and  dissipation  are  beginning. 

You  recollect  there  were  several  clothes  cleansers  along 
the  avenue,  some  of  them  near  our  comer.  Well,  I  gave  one  of 
them  my  blue  pantaloons,  and  he  has  returned  them  "bran  fire 
new" — at  least,  you  could  not  tell  them  from  such  a  pair.  I 
shall  wear  them  tonight,  and  keep  them  for  my  bettemiosts. 
I  have  today  also  given  him  my  2d  best  coat.  He  is  to  color  it 
black  &  cleanse  it.     Pants,  75c,  coat  $1.50,  coloring  &  all. 

Mrs.  C.  &  Miss  S.  sent  for  me  to  the  gallery  again  today, 
and  S.  has  been  down  tonight  to  know  if  I  will  introduce  him  to 
Mr.  Kendall  this  eve.  Now,  I'll  tell  you  what.  I'll  cut  their 
acquaintance  pretty  soon,  if  I  don't  change  my  mind.  I  have 
my  suspicions  that  S.  has  no  invitation  and  is  going  to  ride  in 
on  my  shoulders.  If  so,  he'll  get  twig'd.  But  more  anon. 
Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Lost  Hymn  Book  Found 

Washington,  Jan.  5,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

When  I  wrote  you  last  I  was  about  setting  out  for  Mr.  Ken- 
dall's where  I  had  rather  a  pleasant  time.  It  was  Kendall's  first, 
and  was  gotten  up  in  very  good  style.  There  were  four  rooms 
below,  all  pretty  well  filled,  and  two  of  them  with  cotillion 
dancers.  There  were  two  chambers  with  tables,  cards,  chess 
boards,  &c.  I  beat  Doctor  Taylor  of  New  York,  two  games  of 
chess,  besides  spending  a  considerable  time  in  seeing  the  ladies 
dance,  eating  and  drinking  the  good  things  provided  for  us,  and 
playing  at  chit  chat  with  A.  B.  C.  &  D.  I  left  at  about  1/2  after 
10,  and  got  home  in  good  season. 

Since  I  began  this  letter  Nancy  brought  in  my  Hymn  book 
&  says  "Here's  your  book,  Mrs.  Prentice  says  she's  been  read- 
ing it."  So  the  lost  is  found.  Well,  I  should  have  thought  she 
might  have  informed  me  that  she  had  it,  even  if  she  meant  to 
keep  it.  But  I  suppose  I  ought  to  excuse  her  for  she  can't 
speak  loud  enough  to  tell  anything.  Her  voice  is  about  equal 
to  the  hum  of  a  mosquito's  wing.  But  she's  very  clever  so  we'll 
say  no  more  about  it. 


186  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

You  recollect  what  I  told  you  about  S. ;  well,  he  did  not 
make  his  appearance  there  that  I  saw.  I  am  inclined  to  think 
he  saw  I  was  not  to  be  made  a  cat's  paw  of,  for  I  made  an  occa- 
sion to  tell  him  significantly  that  I  had  no  authority  to  invite 
any  one.  Next  Monday  evening,  which  is  the  8th  of  January, 
we  are  to  have  2  parties,  to  wit,  at  Forsyth's  &  Woodbury's. 
Don't  know  as  I  shall  go  to  either. 

Your  affectionate  husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Abolition    Debate    Begins 

Washington,  Jan.  7,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  as  I  was  walking  Penn.  Ave.  whom  do  you  think  I 
met?  Ah,  guess — and  as  the  dinner  bell  has  this  moment  rung, 
you  may  have  till  after  dinner  for  guessing. 

Here  I  am  again  after  dining  on  roast  pig  and  plum  pud- 
ding— pretty  stuff  isn't  it  for  a  dyspeptic !  but  I  eat  light,  there- 
by showing  a  little  self  control.  Well,  whom  did  I  meet — why, 
who,  pray,  but  your  old  friend.  Miss  Clark !  She  has  been  here 
but  a  few  days  but  expects  to  spend  the  winter,  says  she  shall 
stay  if  she  don't  get  so  wild  that  her  father  will  be  obliged  to 
send  her  home.  The  first  thing  she  wanted  to  know  was  why 
you  had  not  answered  her  letter,  said  she  had  not  heard  from 
one  of  you  and  she  was  pretty  nigh  mad  about  it.  While  we 
were  talking.  Carter  came  along,  going  her  way,  I  having  met 
her.  She  asked  him  for  leave  to  walk  with  him.  Pretty  much 
the  same  as  ever,  I  guess,  as  volatile  as  a  giddy  young  creature 
can  be. 

We  had  no  session  of  the  House  yesterday,  and  the  Senate 
was  occupied  in  discussing  Calhoun's  resolutions  touching  abo- 
lition, the  rights  of  the  States,  &c.  I  am  afraid  no  good  will 
grow  out  of  their  introduction.  The  debate  begins  to  wax 
warm.  Calhoun  is  not  practical  enough  for  me,  deals  too 
much  in  abstractions,  but  I  think  he  is  now  clearly  a  general 
supporter  of  the  administration. 

I  enclose  a  little  knick-knack  for  Walter,  "Before  &  after 
the  drawing  of  a  Lottery."  Tell  George  I  received  his  knife  yes- 
terday, it  has  just  arrived  from  England.  I  shall  have  his 
name  put  on  it,  like  Walter's. 

Love  to  all.  Ever  yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  187 

He  Observes  the  Fashions 

Washington,  Jan.  9,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Last  night  being  the  8th  of  January,  Mr.  Forsyth  and  Mr. 
Woodbury  both  had  parties.  I  went  to  Mr.  Forsyth's.  The 
house  was  not  so  much  crowded  as  usual,  but  still  there  were  a 
great  many  there.  The  ladies  were  elegantly  dressed  and  in 
very  good  taste.  I  perceive  that  the  richest  dresses  are  silk 
velvet;  two  elegant  ones  I  noticed  last  night,  one  red  and  the 
other  purple.  One  lady  also,  I  observed,  had  a  purple  silk  vel- 
vet head  dress,  ornamented  with  a  bird  of  paradise.  Not  the 
tail  merely,  but  the  whole  bird,  and  a  beautiful  ornament  it 
was. 

^Mrs.  Madison  was  there,  and  formed  quite  a  center  of 
attraction.  She  is  not  handsome.  She  is  too  large,  and  her 
features  too  coarse  for  that.  But  she  is  stately  and  indeed,  I 
may  say,  magnificent.  She  dresses  in  black,  with  her  neck  ruf- 
fled up  much  in  the  style  of  Mrs.  Storer  of  Kennebunk.  Her 
head  dress  is  a  sort  of  turban,  resembling  what  I  have  seen  m 
prints  as  the  turban  of  the  Turks. 

Our  fare  was  rather  light.  A  few  cakes,  light  enough  to 
blow  away,  a  glass  of  wine  and  lemonade,  ice  creams  and 
grapes,  constituted  the  whole  treat.  It  was  all  well  enough,  but 
very  cheap.  And  so  far  as  it  may  operate  as  an  example  to 
repress  extravagance  &  encourage  simplicity  and  economy,  it  is 
all  well  and  ought  to  be  approved. 

Yesterday  we  had  quite  a  war  debate  in  the  House  in  con- 
sequence of  a  message  sent  in  by  the  President  touching  the  case 
of  the  destruction  of  the  Steamboat  Caroline  &  murder  of  our 
citizens  by  British  authorities  near  Navy  Island  on  the  Niagara. 
It  was  a  gross  outrage  upon  our  rights,  but  I  trust  no  war  will 
grow  out  of  it. 

I  am  writing  in  the  House  where  Murray  of  Kentucky  is 
making  a  speech.  He  is  doing  pretty  well,  but  the  House  is 
nearly  deserted.  Old  Mr.  Adams  is  in  the  chair,  and  has  fallen 
asleep  half  a  dozen  times. 

Love  to  all. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

^Dolly   Paine   Madison,   widow   of  President    James   Madison.     Her   sister, 
Anne  Paine,  married  Richard  Cutts  of  Saco.  uncle  of  Mrs.  Fairfield. 


188  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Maine  Man  Bums  Up  His  Money 

Washington,  Jan.  11,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

My  health  is  pretty  good  now,  under  the  influence  of  Peters' 
Vegetable  Pills. 

The  members  are  now  engaged  in  a  discussion  which  has 
arisen  upon  the  presentation  of  a  letter  from  the  Sergeant-at- 
Arms,  Mr.  Dorsey,  representing  that  $27,000  which  he  reed,  or 
should  have  reed,  from  the  Bank  of  the  Metropolis  at  the  late 
special  session  fell  short  near  $4,000.  From  that  time  to  this, 
he  has  been  endeavoring  to  procure  an  examination  by  the  Bank 
of  the  amount  of  specie  in  its  vaults,  but  has  so  far  been  unsuc- 
cessful. It  is  now  proposed  to  refer  the  matter  to  a  select  com- 
mittee, which  I  suspect  will  be  the  result,  though  it  creates  some 
interest  and  much  talk. 

The  other  day  we  had  another  money  case,  growing  out  of 
a  loss  by  Mr.  Noyes  from  Maine.  It  seems  that  he  reed,  a  pack- 
age containing  gold  and  treasury  notes.  He  took  out  the  gold 
and  threw  the  wrapper,  notes  and  all,  into  the  fire.  On  the  facts 
being  proved,  the  House  ordered  the  loss  to  be  made  up  to  him. 

Yesterday  I  met  Mr.  &  Mrs.  Woodbury  in  the  street,  where 
she  began  to  scold  me  for  not  going  to  her  party  on  Monday 
night  last.  I  replied,  "Madam,  I  was  so  unfortunate  as  not 
to  get  an  invitation  from  you,  but  having  one  from  Mrs. 
Forsyth,  I  went  there."  She  appeared  to  be  sorry  for  the  acci- 
dent, and  Mr.  Woodbury  said  he  placed  my  invitation  himself  in 
the  hands  of  the  P.  Master,  who  promised  to  deliver  it. 

In  your  next  give  me  some  few  items  of  domestic  informa- 
tion, say,  for  instance,  have  you  had  your  stove  moved  back  to 
its  old  position?  Is  your  glass  mended?  Does  your  pump  and 
water  hold  out?  Did  Stuart  bring  the  cider  and  is  it  good? 
One  barrel  I  want  to  remain  untouched.  Do  you  make  butter 
now  &  enough  for  your  daily  use  ?  By  the  way,  I  think  favora- 
bly of  Davis'  suggestion  to  kill  the  Fogg  cow,  and  replace  her 
next  spring.  Love  to  all. 

Ever  thine,         JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Anxious  About  Maine  Governorship 

Washington,  Jan.  13,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  was  much  gratified  to  receive  a  letter  from  you  this  morn- 
ing.    The  domestic  scenes  it  painted  were  pleasanter  than  any- 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  189 

thing  I  can  see  here.  I  am  pleased  that  Walter  takes  some  in- 
terest in  his  book,  do  all  you  can  to  keep  up  his  interest  and  get 
him  to  prying  into  things  a  little.  With  regard  to  matters  in 
mechanics  I  think  he  is  somewhat  inquisitive  and  has  a  pretty 
good  understanding.  I  am  glad  also  to  learn  that  both  he  and 
George  like  Mr.  Adams.  I  wish  I  was  where  I  could  help  them 
get  their  Latin  lessons.  It  would  be  of  great  service  to  myself, 
if  not  to  them,  and  I  don't  think  the  exercise  will  do  you  any 
harm. 

I  suspect  you  are  more  than  half  right  about  my  coat.  The 
fellow  brought  it  home  tonight.  It  looks  well,  to  be  sure,  "most 
as  good  as  new,"  but  I  fear  that  it  will  smut.  However,  must 
make  the  best  of  it  now. 

A  select  committee  of  5  were  appointed  to  investigate  the 
matter  of  the  deficiency  of  Dorsey's  money  to  the  amount  of 
about  $4,000.  I  am  one  of  them,  and  on  Monday  next  we  go  to 
the  Bank  in  prosecution  of  the  matter,  expecting  to  find  the 
whole  riddle  solved  by  an  examination  of  the  records  &  a  count 
of  the  specie.  The  Committee  is  as  follows:  W.  C.  Johnson, 
Whittlesey,  Fairfield,  Thomas,  De  Graff. 

Today  has  been  private  bill  day  in  the  House  so  of  course 
we  have  nothing  interesting.     The  Senate  did  not  sit. 

We  are  anxiously  waiting  to  find  out  who  is  Governor  of 
Maine.  I  pray  that  they  may  figure  Parks  in, — then  he  will,  of 
course,  be  run  again,  and  somebody  will  not  be  troubled  with 
solicitations  to  be  a  candidate.  This  somebody  has  already  had 
some  pressing  letters  upon  the  subject,  and  one  in  which  it  is 
said  they  will  have  him  for  a  candidate,  nolens  volens.  In  this 
instance,  at  least,  he  has  more  good  sense  than  vanity,  and  has 
absolutely  and  resolutely  refused  to  have  his  name  used. 
After  all,  it  may  be  more  the  partiality  of  a  few  friends  than  a 
general  wish  of  the  people.  As  to  the  result,  however,  it  is  of 
no  consequence  which.  In  either  case  he  refuses.  But  here  is 
egotism  enough  for  one  letter,  so  no  more  of  it. 

Yesterday  Mr.  Cleaves  and  two  of  the  Misses  Parris  rode 
to  the  door  &  sent  the  boy  in  for  me.  I  waited  upon  them  into 
the  Supreme  Court  now  in  session  &  afterward  into  the  Senate. 
When  I  went  for  them  an  hour  or  two  afterward,  they  were 
gone. 

Have  had  an  invite  to  Chas.  Cutts'  tonight.  Shan't  go. 
That's  poz.  Yours, 

J.  F. 


190  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Another   Duel   Threatens 

Washington,  Jan.  17,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  the  ladies  in  the  gallery  had  quite  a  treat,  and 
those  who  were  not  present  regret  their  absence  exceedingly ! 

The  case  of  the  Mississippi  election  being  taken  up,  some 
discussion  ensued  in  the  settlement  of  some  preliminaiy  ques- 
tion. Claiborne,  who  is  confined  by  sickness,  sent  in  an  argu- 
ment in  writing  maintaining  the  right  of  himself  &  Gholsam  to 
seats  in  the  House.  Someone  suggested  that  it  should  be 
printed.  Whereupon  Wise  said  that  a  statement  of  facts  had 
been  made  by  Prentiss  &  Word,  the  claimants  for  the  seat,  and 
had  been  printed  at  their  own  expense,  and  that  in  his  opinion 
Claiborne  &  Gholsam  should  do  the  same. 

Gholsam,  who  has  long  been  confined  by  sickness,  came  in  a 
few  minutes  before  Wise  spoke,  rose  and  replied  that  he  wished 
the  House  to  understand  that  they  did  not  ask  the  charity  of 
the  House  but  were  able  and  willing  to  pay  from  their  own 
pockets  the  expense  of  printing,  &c.,  and  that  the  insinuation 
contained  in  Wise's  remarks  was  unworthy  of  the  State  from 
which  he  came  and  of  his  seat  in  the  House. 

Wise  sprang  up  and  said  "if  impudence  &  ignorance  can 
make  a  blackguard,  there  is  one,"  pointing  to  Gholsam.  The 
latter  then  said  that  "no  one  but  a  scoundrel  &  a  coward  would 
make  such  a  remark."  The  Speaker  cried  "order"  and  the  mem- 
bers cried  "order,  order" — and  the  combatants  were  put  down. 

I  am  told  by  those  who  sit  in  the  neighborhood  of  Wise  & 
Gholsam  that  subsequent  to  the  above  they  had  a  conversation 
in  an  undertone  in  which  they  used  language  very  angry,  pro- 
fane and  abusive.  Under  these  circumstances,  I  do  not  well 
see  how  a  duel  can  be  avoided. 

Old  Mercer,  as  usual,  introduced  a  resolve  of  a  pacificatory 
character,  but  it  did  not  succeed  and  the  House  adjourned  with- 
out there  being  any  adjustment  of  the  difficulty. 

Today  Prentiss  is  arguing  his  case  before  the  House.  He 
is  manifestly  a  talented  man,  and  is  making  an  able  speech. 

Our  special  committee  have  been  to  the  Bank  today,  made 
some  progress  &  adjourned  to  the  day  after  tomorrow. 

I  received  a  letter  from  Sister  Martha  this  morning. 
Yours  truly, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  191 

A  Theatre  Party  Planned 

Jan.  20,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

We  have  nothing  new  here.  In  the  House  Mr.  Foster  has 
been  making  a  speech  in  answer  to  Prentiss,  the  claimant  of  a 
seat  from  Mississippi.  It  is  said  he  is  doing  very  well.  I  have 
not  been  at  the  House  today,  but  have  been  all  day  at  the 
Metropolis  Bank  pursuing  our  inquiry.  We  adjourned  over  to 
Tuesday  when  I  hope  we  shall  bring  the  matter  towards  a  close. 

There  is  a  great  comic  actor  coming  along  next  week,  and, 
let  me  whisper  in  your  ear,  Mrs.  Pitman  &  I  are  going  to  hear 
him.  I  gave  her  an  invitation  and  she  very  gratefully  accepted. 
I  wish  you  could  go  with  us,  but  though  you  cannot,  I  know  you 
will  not  envy  either  of  us  the  pleasure,  if  it  shall  turn  out  to  be 
one,  of  which  there  is  some  doubt. 

Good  night. 

J.  F. 


"Rachael"  Compliments  Mrs.  Fairfield 

Washington,  Jan.  24,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Well,  how  go  matters  at  home  ?  Rachael  often  inquires  for 
you,  and  the  other  day  complimented  you  highly.  I  was  asking 
her  about  her  work.  She  said  she  had  several  chambers  to  take 
care  of  in  the  front  part  of  the  house  &  Mr.  Carter's  &  mine  in 
the  back  part.  That  she  had  rather  take  care  of  half  a  dozen 
gentlemen's  chambers  than  one  lady's,  the  ladies  here  were  so 
particular  and  required  so  much  waiting  upon. 

It  was  different,  though,  she  said,  with  Mrs.  Fairfield.  She 
did  a  great  deal  herself,  in  picking  up  things,  setting  the  bureau 
to  rights,  and  I  don't  know  what  else.  You  &  Augusta  seem  to 
have  been  great  favorites  with  Rachael.  And  though  she  is  a 
poor  black  girl  and  a  slave,  is  it  not  better  to  have  her  kind  feel- 
ings and  good  wishes  than  the  contrary?  I  think  so.  The 
promptings  of  my  own  heart  are  those  of  universal  good  will. 
I  cannot,  therefore,  be  indifferent  to  the  good  will  of  others,  of 
all  others,  however  humble  they  may  be. 

Good  night. 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


192  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Fairfield  **Talked  of"  for  Governor 

Washington,  Jan.  27,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Our  Special  Committee  have  brought  their  labors  to  a  close 
and  will,  I  presume,  report  today.  The  Bank  having  intimated 
a  willingness  to  be  governed  by  the  advice  of  the  Committee, 
day  before  yesterday  I  introduced  a  resolution  that  the  commit- 
tee were  satisfied  that  in  the  money  transaction  between  Mr. 
Dorsey  &  the  Bank  on  the  13th.  Oct.  there  was  an  error,  and 
that  the  committee  advise  the  Bank  to  pay  him  $3,886.71,  that 
being  the  amount  which  I  regarded  as  the  excess  found  in  the 
vaults,  tho  a  few  dollars  short  of  Dorsey's  loss.  The  resolution 
passed  unanimously  in  the  committee  and  I  understand  that  the 
Bank  immediately  thereupon  passed  the  amount  to  the  credit  of 
Dorsey  on  the  books  of  the  Bank.  It  was  really  a  plain  case 
when  we  had  dived  to  the  bottom  of  it,  and  I  was  astonished 
that  the  Bank  refused  for  an  instant  to  pay  the  money. 

Almost  every  day  some  of  our  delegation  here  are  receiv- 
ing letters  from  Augusta  in  which  it  is  said  that  Shepley  and  I 
are  talked  of  much  for  Governor  but  myself  the  most.  I  have 
done  what  I  could  to  stop  it,  but  don't  seem  to  succeed  very  well. 
I  cannot  for  my  life  see  why  they  should  pitch  upon  me,  my 
humble  self,  for  such  an  important  and  honorable  station,  can 
you?  I  am  persuaded  that  people  think  of  me  "more  highly 
than  they  ought  to  think."  My  vanity,  therefore,  is  not  at  all 
excited  by  this  distinction.  On  the  contrary,  its  tendency  is  to 
oppress  me  with  a  sense  of  my  own  unworthiness. 

I  have  been  contemplating,  you  know,  at  the  end  of  my 
Congressional  career,  and  I  still  contemplate,  returning  to  that 
domestic  circle  which  contains  those  whom  I  tenderly  love  and 
those  who  I  believe  "love  me  without  dissimulation,"  there  to 
spend  the  remnant  of  my  days,  estranged  to  some  extent  from 
the  turmoil  of  politics,  and  engaged  only  in  those  employments 
which  are  more  consonant  to  my  taste,  and  which  I  believe  to 
accord  more  fully  with  your  own  wishes.  Phoebus !  What  a  sen- 
tence, long,  intricate  and  clumsy.  Never  mind,  as  old  Emerson 
says,  "you  take  the  idea."  And  if  you  will  forgive  this  ego- 
tism, I'll  try  to  avoid  a  repetition  of  it. 

Last  evening  Parker  &  I  went  up  to  the  President's.  Mr. 
&  Mrs.  Polk  &  Mr.  Attorney  General  Butler  were  there.  Passed 
a  very  pleasant  evening  and  came  home  at  Vo  past  9. 

Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  193 

Fairfield  Discusses  Saco  "Revival" 

Washington,  Jan.  29,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Oh,  dear !  lack-a-day !  Tomorrow  I  shall  be  two  score  years 
and  one !  Who  would  think  it  on  looking  at  me !  Last  evening 
in  judging  of  my  age,  the  highest  I  was  set  down  was  33.  I  do 
not  regard  this  as  at  all  complimentary  to  me,  for,  after  all,  it's 
only  calling  me  a  boyish  man.  And  so  I'm  forty-one!  Some- 
thing of  an  old  man  with  a  large  family.  Well,  I  have  one  con- 
solation left,  and  that  is,  that  you  and  I  are  no  farther  apart 
than  we  were  the  5th  of  September,  1825.  In  years  I  mean,  and 
would  I  could  say  in  distance. 

Had  a  line  from  Mr.  Haines  today,  who  says  there  is  quite 
a  revival  at  Saco  &  names  T.  Jordan,  Mr.  Saml.  S.  Jordan,  3 
King  girls,  2  Shepley  girls,  Geo.  Hayes,  Mrs.  Saml.  Moody  & 
daughter  &  Mrs.  Hersey  &  Susan.  He  says  there  is  no  undue 
excitement  and  all  moves  on  well  and  quietly.  I  am  rejoiced  to 
hear  it,  and  hope  the  good  will  prove  enduring.  I  hope,  though, 
that  Mrs.  H.  has  not  left  her  own  fold.  Haines  don't  say,  so  I 
suppose  she  has  not.  The  longer  I  live  the  more  strongly  am 
I  attached  to  "our  views."  If  a  rational  being  cannot  find  a 
religion  suited  to  his  wants,  and  really  &  truly  promotive  of  his 
happiness  in  the  Unitarian  religion,  then  I  know  not  where  he 
should  go.  Mr.  H.  names  none  among  the  Methodists.  How  is 
it  with  them?  And  who  is  now  preaching  for  them?  Let  me 
know  in  your  next,  as  I  want  to  send  some  documents  to  him. 

Nothing  new.  No  vote  on  the  Mississippi  question  yet.  It 
will  probably  be  taken  tomorrow. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Calls  Prentiss  "Vain  and  Saucy" 

Washington,  Feb.  1,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  do  not  feel  in  very  good  spirits,  for  on  a  vote  taken  last 
night  we  were  most  shamefully  beaten.  The  House  rescinded 
the  resolution  passed  at  the  last  session  under  which  Claiborne 
&  Gholsam  have  been  holding  their  seats.  This  unfortunate 
result  has  been  accomplished  by  the  votes  of  six  traitors  to  their 
party,  viz.,  Grantland  of  Georgia,  Patton,  Hopkins  &  Mason 


194  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

of  Virginia,  Richardson  of  South  Carolina,  and  McKay  of  North 
Carolina. 

The  other  branch  of  the  question  however,  to  wit,  whether 
Prentiss  &  Word  are  entitled  to  seats,  has  not  yet  been  decided. 
Some  think — indeed  the  general  impression  is,  that  the  vote 
will  be  against  them  and  that  the  election  will  be  sent  back  to 
Mississippi.  I  hope  so,  and  probably  the  vote  will  be  taken 
tonight. 

Trentiss  is  speaking  and  I  hope  it  will  close  the  debate,  it 
is  now  nearly  dark  and  I  feel  exceedingly  dinnerish.  This  Pren- 
tiss is  the  vainest  &  sauciest  fellow  1  ever  heard.  His  impu- 
dence is  beyond  all  patient  enduring.  Should  he  get  a  seat  here 
he  will  make  a  very  pretty  coadjutor  for  Mr.  Henry  A.  Wise. 
Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

♦Sergeant  Smith  Prentiss  (1808-50)  born  in  Portland  Me.,  graduate  of 
Bowdoin  at  age  of  19,  settled  in  Natchez,  Miss.,  studied  law,  admitted  to  the 
bar  in  1839,  at  age  of  21.  One  of  the  best  of  American  orators  of  the  florid 
style.  Lived  in  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  became  influential,  elected  to  Legislature 
in  1835  and  in  1837  was  sent  to  Congress  but  was  unseated;  re-elected  the 
following  year  and  this  time  allowed  to  serve.  In  1840  made  speeches  in 
many  parts  of  the  country  in  support  of  Harrison.  Withdrew  from  politics 
in  1843,  removed  to  New  York,  in  1845,  practiced  with  much  success  in  that 
city.  Some  of  his  speeches  are  included  in  all  collections  of  masterpieces 
of  oratory.     Only  a  few  of  them   have   been   preserved. 


"Wise  Roared  Like  a  Madman" 

Washington,  Feb.  5,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

We  have  finally  taken  a  vote  in  the  case  of  the  Mississippi 
election  and  have  triumphed.  That  is,  so  far  as  to  reject  the 
whole  four  and  send  the  election  back  to  Mississippi.  The  vote 
stood  on  the  question  of  the  rejection  of  Prentiss  &  Word,  117 
&  117.  The  Speaker  gave  the  casting  vote  for  us.  It  was  a 
moment  of  intense  anxiety  and  excitement,  and  when  the  vote 
was  declared  we  "breathed  freer  and  easier"  as  Mr.  Webster 
said  after  the  N.  Y.  election.  The  Feds  were  terribly  disap- 
pointed and  Wise  roared  like  a  madman.  Old  Boon  answered 
him  in  a  short  speech,  every  word  of  which  was  a  dagger. 

Our  friends  think  there  is  no  danger  of  our  failure  in  an- 
other trial  in  Mississippi,  and  I  think  so,  too,  as  Prentiss  has 
already  thrown  out  that  he  shall  not  enter  the  contest  again, 
but  come  here  again  the  next  Congress  &  insist  upon  his  right 
under  the  election  already  made. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  195 

Since  his  first  speech  he  has  been  losing  ground,  this,  some 
of  his  own  political  friends  admit.  His  two  last  speeches  have 
been  mere  rant.  Excuse  me  for  dwelling  so  long  upon  this,  I 
have  been  exceedingly  interested  in  it,  and  should  have  grieved 
without  measure  if  Prentiss  &  Word  had  been  admitted  to  seats. 
As  it  is,  I  feel  much  elated  &  can  talk  of  nothing  else  now. 
This  has  been  written  upon  the  gallop. 
Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


First  Mention  of  Northeastern  Boundary 

Washington,  Feb.  7,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Evans  made  a  speech  today  on  the  Northeastern  boundary 
in  part,  finishes  tomorrow.  I  shall  follow  him  if  I  can  get  the 
floor  and  am  busy  in  preparing. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  F. 


Robt.  Fulton's  Children  Given  Aid 

Washington,  Feb.  9,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  at  a  little  after  3  o'clock  Evans  finished  his 
speech  and  I  obtained  the  floor.  But  the  House  being  very  thin 
at  the  time  and  it  being  rather  late  I  gave  way  for  a  motion  to 
adjourn.  In  consequence,  I  am  unfortunately  turned  over  to 
Monday,  Friday  &  Saturday  being  private  bill  days.  I  regret 
it  much  as  I  dislike  to  be  burthened  with  a  speech  for  three 
days,  more  especially  when  I  think  I  have  a  tolerably  good  one, 
if  delivered  now.     What  it  will  be  next  week  I  can't  say. 

The  House  has  just  passed  a  bill  granting  $100,000  to  the 
heirs  of  Robert  Fulton.  Under  the  influence  of  the  glowing 
eloquence  of  Mr.  Hoffman  of  N.  Y.  I  voted  for  it.  The  chil- 
dren, it  is  said,  are  living  in  penury  and  want.  This  ought  not 
to  be  when  their  father  devoted  his  substance,  his  time,  and 
above  all,  his  genius  to  his  Country. 

The  claim  has  been  once  submitted  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy  &  he  reported  $100,000  in  favor  of  the  children.  This  is 
enough  to  quiet  conscience,  and  if  I  have  erred  I  shall  have  the 
satisfaction  of  knowing  that  I  have    erred    on    the    side    of 


196  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

benevolence  and  kind  feeling.  Mrs.  Pitman  &  I  have  not  been 
to  the  theatre,  as  I  told  you  we  contemplated,  nor  shall  we,  as 
the  theatre  has  closed  for  the  season,  so  I  am  spared  that 
temptation. 

The  House  have  adjourned  over  to  Monday.  This  is  a  most 
unwarrantable  waste  of  time,  considering  the  great  amount  of 
business  now  pending. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


A  Hypnotic  Demonstration 

Washington,  Feb.  10,  1838. 

I  went  last  night  to  see  some  experiments  in  Animal  Mag- 
netism by  Potter  from  Rhode  Island.  He  put  his  subject  to 
sleep  in  less  than  five  minutes.  He  then  bandaged  his  eyes 
with  two  handkerchiefs  and  otherwise,  so  that  there  was  no 
possibility  of  his  seeing.  He  then  shew  his  power  over  the 
mind  of  the  subject  by  making  him  raise  his  hand  without 
touching  it,  by  mere  volition  and  by  motions  of  his  own  hands. 

He  also  conveyed  impressions  of  taste.  For  instance,  Mr. 
Parker  wrote  on  paper  tobacco.  Potter  then,  standing  several 
feet  from  the  subject,  commenced  chewing  and  imagining  (as 
he  said)  that  he  had  tobacco  in  his  mouth.  Very  soon  the  mus- 
cles about  the  mouth  of  the  subject  began  to  twitch  and  soon 
he  appeared  to  be  sick  at  the  stomach.  Potter  asked  him  what 
it  was,  but  he  appeared  to  be  angry  for  having  such  stuff  put  in 
his  mouth  and  refused  to  tell,  saying  in  answer  to  his  inquiries, 
"you  know  what  it  is."  He  also  conveyed  the  taste  of  vinegar, 
and  the  idea  of  fire,  as  of  a  handkerchief  burning,  &c.,  &c.  I 
have  not  time  to  tell  you  more  about  it  now.  I  can  only  say  that 
I  believed  the  sleep  was  real,  as  to  the  rest  I  should  rather  see 
some  further  evidence. 

Tomorrow  you  know  at  1  o'clock  I  shall  have  the  floor  & 
shall  endeavor  to  make  a  speech  upon  the  question  of  the 
Northeastern  boundary.  If  it  is  published  I  will  send  you  one. 
I  have  some  little  trepidation  about  it  though  I  have  a  preftty 
good  understanding  of  the  subject.  But  it  requires  much  more  of 
an  effort  with  me  to  make  a  speech  in  Congress  than  an  argu- 
ment in  Court. 

Let  me  have  your  sympathy  and  I'll  do  the  best  I  can. 
Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  197 

Charges  of  Corruption 

Washington,  Feb.  11,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  expected  to  be  able  to  give  you  some  account  tonightof  my 
speech,  but  am  disappointed.  This  morning  when  the  session  of 
the  House  commenced.  Wise  introduced  a  subject  that  has  occu- 
pied the  whole  day,  it  now  being  6  o'clock.  Oh,  dear,  I  wish  I 
had  some  dinner!  The  subject  of  our  debate  is  this:  Old  Mat 
Davis,  the  Spy  in  W.  in  a  letter  to  the  Courier  &  Enquirer,  N. 
Y.,  charges  a  member  of  Congress  with  corruption,  with  offering 
to  sell  his  influence  at  the  Departments  in  relation  to  some  con- 
tract. A  committee  of  investigation  is  proposed  and  I  presume 
it  will  be  carried.  It  is  intimated  that  the  story  implicates  a 
Senator — who,  I  can  probably  tell  you  tomorrow. 
In  haste  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Attack  on  Judge  Ruggles 

Washington,  Feb.  15,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Two  days  more  elapsed  and  I  am  still  undelivered  of  my 
speech.  Yesterday  the  whole  day  was  taken  up  by  the  pre- 
sentation of  petitions,  and  today  the  House  refused  to  proceed 
to  the  order  of  the  day  (in  which  my  case  comes  up),  in  order 
to  settle  a  bill  under  consideration  touching  the  Choctaw  In- 
dians. Tomorrow  and  next  day  are  private  bill  days,  Monday 
is  petition  and  resolution  day  and  Tuesday  Mr.  CambrelHng  will 
insist  on  having  for  his  appropriation  bill,  and  I  fear  that  he 
will  get  it  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds.  So  that  when  I  shall  get 
the  floor,  if  ever,  is  a  matter  of  great  doubt  &  uncertainty.  I 
regret  this  very  much  for  I  feel  pretty  well  prepared  for  a 
speech  now  and  I  don't  know  how  it  may  be  by  and  by. 

I  have  not  been  in  remarkably  good  health  for  this  week 
past,  I  have  a  cold  &  night  cough,  and  my  digestion  is  constantly 
getting  out  of  order,  notwithstanding  I  am  very  careful,  eating 
perhaps  not  more  than  half  as  much  as  any  other  one  at  table, 
including  perhaps  the  ladies.  Last  night,  for  the  first  time,  I 
took  a  dose  of  corrective  and  today  feel  much  improved  from  it. 
Think  I  shall  try  it  again  tonight,  notwithstanding  the  trial 
and  conviction  of  Frost  in  New  York.  By  the  way,  what  an 
"infernal"  crusade  the  regular  physicians  are  getting  up  against 


198  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

the  Thompsonians,  causing  them  to  be  prosecuted,  and  then 
tried  upon  the  testimony  of  the  regulars.  I  believe  it  to  be 
one  of  the  grossest  outrages  ever  practiced  upon  an  unsuspect- 
ing community. 

Nothing  new  here,  except  the  attack  on  Judge  Ruggles. 
Old  Mat  Davis  charged  a  member  of  Congress  with  corruption 
in  offering  to  sell  his  influence  at  one  of  the  Departments.  On 
Monday  Wise  introduced  a  resolution  proposing  an  inquiry. 
This  was  debated  two  days,  and  on  its  finally  turning  out  to  be  a 
member  of  the  Senate,  the  matter  was  permitted  to  subside  in 
our  House.  Judge  R.  has  come  out  in  the  Globe,  which  you 
will  see  and  explains  it  all,  as  perfectly  consistent  with  inno- 
cence. 

This  will  give  you  pleasure,  I  think,  for  you  would  be  sorry 
to  see  your  old  friend  convicted  of  corruption  &  expelled  from 
the  Senate. 

Our  dear  children,  my  confounded  speech  has  almost  driven 
them  from  my  head,  nothing  can  drive  them  from  my  heart. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Visit  From  Indian  Chiefs 

Washington,  Feb.  17,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

After  the  hour  spent  in  receiving  Reports  of  Committees, 
the  N.  Y.  bill  came  on,  and  a  rather  prosy  speaker  having  got 
the  floor,  I  pushed  off  into  the  Senate  Chamber.  When  I  went 
in  Mr.  Wright  of  New  York  was  making  a  speech  on  Benton's 
resolutions.  It  was  the  first  time  I  had  heard  him  except  for  a 
word  or  two,  and  I  was  very  much  gratified.  He  is  a  very  able 
man,  and  a  good  speaker.  His  voice,  to  be  sure,  is  not  the  best, 
being  rather  husky  and  having  no  great  compass.  But  his  elo- 
cution is  fine,  manners  pleasing,  is  exceedingly  courteous  and  is 
listened  to  with  much  attention  and  apparent  respect.  He  never 
speaks  unless  he  has  something  to  say,  and  when  he  has  said  it, 
he  sits  down.  He  was  followed  by  Ewing  of  Ohio,  who  is  a 
man  of  respectable  talents,  but  is  rather  coarse  in  his  manners, 
and  not  a  very  interesting  speaker. 

Then  came  Calhoun,  who  is  up  on  all  occasions.  He  compli- 
mented himself  that  he  had  originally  advocated  measures  in 
regard  to  fortifications  which  some  gentlemen  then  opposed,  but 
now  supported,  and  made  a  low,  ungentlemanly,  not  to  say 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  199 

malignant,  attack  upon  the  President  &  Mr.  Van  Buren,  the 
latter  not  then  being  in  the  chair.  And  among  other  things 
charged  the  President  with  falsehood. 

He  was  followed  by  Wall  of  New  Jersey  who  spoke  for 
the  first  time  this  session.  His  speech  was  short,  but  very  neat 
and  spirited.  He  rebuked  severely  Calhoun,  and  said  substan- 
tially that  no  gentleman  would  use  the  language  that  he,  Cal- 
houn, had  used.  This  called  out  Preston  in  one  of  his  most 
fiery  &  eloquent  speeches.  Then  a  reply  from  Wall,  and  to 
close  the  whole,  Niles  of  Connecticut  took  the  floor  and  gave 
Calhoun  &  several  of  the  opposition  leaders  a  pretty  good  drub- 
bing. He  told  them  that  the  great  secret  of  Jackson's  popu- 
larity which  some  of  them  had  pretended  to  dread  so  much, 
did  not  have  its  origin  in  any  of  the  ways  described  by  them. 
His  popularity  came  in  a  way  not  to  be  bought — i.e.,  by  his 
honesty,  &c.,  &c.  And  advised  those  who  coveted  his  popular- 
ity to  pursue  the  same  course  to  obtain  it.  The  speeches,  I  sup- 
pose, will  be  published,  and  I  think  Father  Niles'  will  be  found 
worth  reading. 

Last  evening  I  called  up  to  Mrs.  Latimer's  near  the  Presi- 
dent's house  to  see  Mr.  Parks,  and  there  I  found  a  company  of 
Cherokees  and  Pottawottamie  chiefs.  Some  of  them  were 
dressed  as  elegantly  as  almost  any  gentleman  in  the  room  and 
appeared  as  well  in  every  respect. 

One  of  the  Cherokee  Chiefs,  Ridge,  is  as  tall,  large  and  fine 
looking  man  as  you  will  commonly  see.  He  wore  a  frock  coat 
and  pantaloons  and  was  dressed  very  handsomely.  His  head 
was  quite  white  though  he  did  not  look  to  be  over  fifty.  I 
understand  he  was  educated  in  Connecticut  &  married  his  wife 
there.  The  Pottawottamies  (I  believe  it  is  so  spelt)  most  of 
them  were  dressed  in  Indian  fashion,  and  one  of  them  was 
painted  and  "ornamented"  most  hideously.  The  principal  Potta- 
wottamie conversed  through  interpreters  with  Ridge.  His 
speech  was  animated  and  accompanied  by  many  and  very  nat- 
ural gestures. 

After  he  had  finished,  a  second  Indian  translated  into 
English  to  a  third,  and  that  third  into  Cherokee  or  something 
else  to  Ridge  &  others.  The  interpreters  appeared  to  be  men  of 
mind  &  intelligence.  They  expressed  themselves  with  great 
clearness  and  in  very  choice  language.  The  Pottawottamie  told 
Ridge  that  they  had  moved  to  the  Country  provided  for  them  by 
their  Great  Father,  the  President,  that  they  were  very  con- 
tented &  happy  and  hoped  the  Cherokees  would  do  the  same. 


200  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

He  said  he  hoped  to  meet  him  again  beyond  the  Mississippi  and 
should  be  happy  then  to  cultivate  his  acquaintance. 

In  the  course  of  the  evening  two  of  them  sang  an  Indian 
song.  There  was  not,  it  is  true,  much  music  in  it,  but  much  to 
gratify  curiosity. 

About  9  o'clock  the  Pottawottamie  jumped  up  in  the  floor 
and  made  a  speech.  He  was  greatly  animated  &  made  many 
gestures,  &  once  wheeled  entirely  round  on  his  heel.  I  did  not 
know  what  to  make  of  it,  but  as  soon  as  he  had  finished  the  one 
who  had  before  acted  as  an  interpreter  translated  it.  He  said 
he  was  very  much  gratified  with  his  visit,  thanked  Mrs.  M.  for 
the  entertainment,  and  all  for  their  politeness  to  him  &  his 
brethren,  and  that  he  then  wished  to  be  permitted  to  go.  This 
was  the  substance  of  it. 

Their  deportment  was  polite,    and   several   of   the   ladies 
thought  that  in  that  respect,  at  least,  they  outdid  us  on  our 
own  ground.     I  hope  you  will  pardon  me  for  spinning  so  long 
a  yam,  I  probably  shall  not  do  it  again. 
Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


The  Eulogist  of  the  Kitchen  Cabinet 

Washington,  Feb.  18. 
Dear  Wife, 

In  the  House  today  they  have  been  debating  the  New  York 
bill,  and  finally  took  a  vote  on  it  in  committee  of  the  whole, 
which  is  one  important  step  in  its  progress.  I  went  into  the 
Senate  and  found  Mr.  Shepley  making  a  speech,  and  it  turned 
out  to  be  the  close  of  a  very  pointed  and  effective  speech.  In 
allusion  to  Calhoun's  offensive  language  used  yesterday,  he 
said  that  he  had  learned  to  sit  and  hear  coolly  and  philosophi- 
cally the  most  bitter  &  violent  denunciations  made  daily  on  the 
floor  of  the  Senate  because  he  had  found  that  they  did  no  harm, 
or  at  all  events  no  harm  except  by  way  of  recoil  on  those  who 
used  such  language.  He  said  that  when  the  gentleman  from 
N.  J.  (Wall)  had  been  here  a  little  longer  he  would  learn  the 
same. 

Said  he,  the  gentleman  from  N.  J.  has  fallen  into  some 
error  as  to  what  the  Senate  was,  and  what  were  its  duties.  He 
supposed  he  had  gone  to  the  Constitution  and  found  the  Senate, 
its  powers,  duties,  &c.,  there  described,    but    then   he    should 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  201 

recollect  that  in  practice,  about  four  days  in  five  it  resolved 
itself  into  a  great  central  electioneering  committee,  and  in  which 
the  parts  were  regularly  assigned. 

For  instance,  the  part  of  the  gentlemen  from  South  Caro- 
lina and  one  of  the  members  from  North  Carolina,  was  the  part 
of  denunciation  and  abuse,  that  of  the  gentleman  from  Massa- 
chusetts to  preserve  and  protect  the  Constitution,  tho'  he  did 
not  do  it  very  successfully  when  he  took  the  Constitutional 
powers  from  one  branch  of  the  government  &  transferred  them 
to  another;  that  of  the  gentleman  from  Kentucky  to  originate 
electioneering  matter;  and  that  of  the  gentleman  from  R.  I. 
(old  Robbins)  to  give  a  direction  &  distribute  the  various  mat- 
ters concocted  in  Committee — though  he  had  wisdom  enough 
never  to  assign  a  reason  for  any  of  his  motions. 

After  he  sat  down  Mangum  replied  that  in  pursuing  a  sim- 
ilar course  the  other  day,  he  had  confined  himself  to  a  few  of 
the  distinguished  men  of  the  party,  but  if  he  had  descended  to 
some  of  the  subordinate  characters,  he  should  have  assigned 
the  part  to  the  gentleman  from  Maine  of  Eulogist  of  the 
Kitchen  Cabinet.  Shepley  replied  that  his  opinions  remained 
the  same  of  what  they  called  the  Kitchen  Cabinet,  but  added 
that  since  he  made  the  speech  alluded  to,  one  of  that  cabinet 
had  been  promoted,  so  that  now  the  gentleman  from  N.  C. 
would  not  be  obliged  to  go  into  the  kitchen  to  assail  him. 

This  is  a  very  meagre  sketch,  and  does  poor  justice  to  the 
speech.     I  hope  you  will  see  it  in  print. 
Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Speech  Again  Postponed 

Washington,  Feb.  20,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  am  again  doomed  to  disappointment  in  regard  to  my 
speech.  I  had  just  completed  arrangements  with  Cambrelling 
not  to  interfere  with  me  at  one  o'clock  when  Howard  came  in 
with  his  bill  providing  for  the  civil  war  in  Canada,  or  rather  to 
enforce  neutrality  on  the  part  of  our  citizens,  and  moved  that  it 
be  taken  up  at  1  o'clock,  which  was  carried,  everybody  seeming 
to  be  alarmed  lest  we  should  get  into  a  war  with  England.  It 
is  now  more  uncertain  than  it  has  been  at  all  whether  I  shall  get 
the  floor  for  weeks.  It  is  extremely  annoying,  but  I  must  sub- 
mit as  well  as  I  can. 


202  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Mrs.  Birdsall,  Mrs.  Pratt  &  Mrs.  Fillmore  are  beginning  to 
talk  about  going  home.  I  suspect  they  will  go  in  April  if  not 
earlier.  What  do  you  think  of  coming  on  in  the  spring?  Let 
me  know  how  you  feel  about  it.  It  would  give  me  great  pleas- 
ure, as  you  well  know.  My  little  room  could  very  readily  be 
exchanged  for  a  larger  one  with  those  who  are  to  lose  their 
wives. 

Yesterday  Clay  made  a  speech  in  the  Senate  and  it  was 
crowded  almost  to  suffocation.  I  suspect  the  ladies  must  have 
filled  the  galleiy  long  before  the  hour  of  meeting;  our  ladies 
here,  I  believe,  were  shut  out.  Allen  of  Ohio  has  made  a  great 
speech  today.  A  very  young,  tall  man  with  light  complexion. 
I  suspect  you  recollect  him.  He  is  very  eloquent. 
Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


The  Cilley  Duel  "Brewing" 

Washington,  Feb.  23d,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

My  speech  yet  remains  unsung.  Next  Tuesday  I  hope  to 
get  the  floor,  but  of  that  do  not  feel  very  sanguine. 

In  the  way  of  news  let  me  tell  you  that  a  duel  is  brewing, 
and  more  than  that,  Maine  is  to  figure  as  one  of  the  principals. 
The  facts  so  far  as  I  can  gather  them,  are  these :  About  a  week 
or  ten  days  ago  when  Wise  moved  a  committee  of  investigation 
in  relation  to  the  charge  made  by  Old  Davis  in  the  Courier  & 
Enquirer  of  New  York,  Cilley  opposed  him  on  the  ground  that 
nothing  appearing  in  that  paper  was  worthy  of  notice,  and 
alluded  to  the  old  charge  of  Webb,  the  editor,  having  been 
bought  up  by  the  Bank  for  $52,000.  Although  this  charge  has 
been  repeated  a  thousand  times,  Webb  took  it  this  time  in  high 
dudgeon  and  posted  off  for  Washington  to  fight  Cilley. 

Some  two  or  three  days  since,  I  believe,  Webb  sent  a  chal- 
lenge to  Cilley  by  Graves  of  Kentucky.  C,  it  is  said,  refused 
to  take  it  &  read  it,  alleging  that  Webb  was  no  gentleman,  and 
moreover  that  he  would  not  yield  the  principle  in  the  constitu- 
tion which  protected  him  for  words  spoken  in  debate.  Graves 
asked  him  to  put  his  answer  in  writing,  which  C.  intimated  that 
he  would  do,  but  afterward  thinking  better  of  it,  told  G.  that 
he  would  not  put  it  in  writing.  Graves  thereupon  said  he  must, 
and  that  he,  G.,  would  make  it  a  personal  matter  to  himself, 
and  here,  I  believe,  the  matter  rests. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  203 

It  is  expected  that  Graves  will  challenge  him,  and  if  he 
does,  I  think  there  will  be  a  fight,  not  with  pistols,  but  with 
rifles,  as  the  person  challenged  has  a  right  to  select  his  weapon. 
This  is  the  rumor,  whether  true  in  point  of  fact  I  do  not  know, 
but  I  have  good  reason  to  believe  that  the  main  part  of  it  is 
true. 

Last  night  they  had  a  grand  ball  here,  by  way  of  celebrat- 
ing Washington's  birthday.  It  was  a  sort  of  Congressional 
ball,  and  I  understand  was  quite  splendid,  A  few  of  our  gen- 
tlemen, say  Parker,  McClellan  &  Holsey,  went,  but  none  of  our 
ladies.  In  the  evening,  Mr.  &  Mrs.  Pratt  invited  the  whole 
household  into  their  chamber  to  take  a  glass  of  champagne, 
where  Mr.  Fleischman  (is  that  the  way)  gave  us  some  tunes 
upon  the  guitar,  with  a  few  mountain  songs  in  Dutch. 

Judge  R's  case  is  not  yet  brought  to  a  close.  Judge  Parris 
has  moved  to  the  upper  part  of  the  City.  He  is  not  promoted 
as  I  told  you  in  my  last.  Wolf's  place  as  First  Comptroller  is  to 
be  filled  with  a  Mr.  Barker  of  Philadelphia. 

I  continue  to  be  pestered  with  letters  from  Augusta,  and 
I  continue  to  say  NO. 

Ever  thinei, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Washington,  Feb.  24th. 
Dear  Wife, 

Oh,  I  wish  I  could  see  the  children  taking  their  steps,  in- 
cluding little  Augusta — "one,  two,  three,  four  is  five,"  as  Cham- 
prosay  used  to  say  when  I  went  to  dancing  school.  I  am  glad 
to  learn  that  the  children  are  doing  pretty  well  in  some  things, 
though  they  are  becoming  orthodox. 

In  the  House  today  they  have  been  discussing  further  the 
N.  Y.  bill.  As  soon  as  Williams  of  Kentucky  rose  to  make  a  set 
speech  about  one-half  of  the  members  cleared  out  and  went  into 
the  Senate  Chamber  and  I  suppose  they  would  have  done  the 
same  let  who  would  have  risen  to  speak  on  that  bill  after  it  had 
been  so  fully  discussed.  It  finally,  however,  came  to  a  vote 
and  passed  by  a  majority  of  41. 

In  the  Senate  we  heard  a  portion  of  a  speech  from  Preston. 
He  is  certainly  very  eloquent,  though  I  cannot  say  much  for  his 
logic.  His  figures  are  appropriate,  poetical  and  selected  with 
good  taste.  His  voice  is  not  so  good  as  Mr.  Clay's,  and  to  tell 
the  truth  I  do  not  like  his  oratory  so  well.     But  enough  for 


204  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Washington.  What  "terrible"  times  you  are  having  in  Saco. 
Snow  five  feet  deep,  weather  cold  enough  to  freeze  mercury, 
and  wood  six  dollars  a  cord.  I  hope  the  poor  will  find  those 
who  will  see  that  they  do  not  suffer,  but  it  cannot  be  expected 
that  ail  will  escape  suffering. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


"Cilley's  Death  Was  Murder" 

Feb.  26,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  communicate  the  solemn  news  of  the  death  of  my  col- 
league, Mr.  Cilley.  It  is  almost  impossible  to  conceive  of  the 
excitement  which  it  produces  here,  against  Graves  and  his 
friends,  and  against  James  Watson  Webb,  who  is  at  the  bottom 
of  the  whole.  The  latter,  I  think,  will  get  lynched  if  he  do  not 
leave  the  City  or  keep  himself  pretty  close.  It  is  a  dreadful 
affair  and  is  looked  upon  by  most  people  here  as  a  deliberate 
murder. 

Cilley  tried  hard  to  keep  out  of  it,  but  with  his  views  of 
honor  could  not.  He  avoided  his  colleagues,  and  took  advice 
from  more  belligerent  characters.  He  is  represented  by  all  as 
being  as  brave  a  man  as  ever  walked.  His  conduct  on  the 
ground  is  said  to  have  been  beyond  all  praise  by  those  ac- 
quainted with  and  acknowledging  the  validity  of  the  laws  of  the 
duello. 

Today  I  announced  his  death  in  the  House  and  offered 
some  resolutions  upon  the  subject  which  are  contained  in  the 
newspaper  slip  which  I  send  you,  having  had  8  or  10  given  me 
by  the  Printer.  It  is  not  as  it  should  be,  but  as  well  as  I  could 
do  at  a  short  notice,  for  it  was  not  finally  settled  until  this 
morning  whether  I  should  announce  the  death  or  Evans. 

The  funeral  you  will  perceive  takes  place  tomorrow,  after 
which  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  there  should  be  an  attempt 
to  expel  Graves  from  the  House  and  perhaps  Wise,  his  second, 
with  Jones,  the  second  of  Cilley.  The  feeling  in  the  House 
against  them,,  is  very  strong. 

The  matter  would  probably  have  been  settled  after  the 
first  fire,  if  it  had  not  been  for  the  objections  of  Wise,  8  out  of 
10  on  the  ground  saying  that  it  was  a  mere  point  of  etiquette 
and  only  one  fire  should  be  allowed.     And  even  the  surgeon  of 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  205 

Graves,  I  understand,  said  that  if  Cilley  was  shot  after  the  first 
fire  it  would  be  a  case  of  deliberate  murder. 

You  will  not  think  it  strange  that  this  matter  fills  my  head 
and  that  I  can  write  of  nothing  else.  But  as  it  is  an  unpleas- 
ant subject  I  will  stop  here. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Resolutions  on  Death  of  Cilley 

Washington,  Feb.  28. 
Dear  Wife, 

This  morning  I  moved  resolutions  of  inquiry  into  the 
causes  that  led  to  poor  Cilley's  death,  which  brought  on  a  dis- 
cussion that  lasted  all  day.  I  participated  in  it,  and  my  friends 
say  with  great  spirit  and  credit  to  myself  &  State.  What  my 
enemies  will  say  remains  to  be  seen.  Tomorrow  I  will  send 
you  a  Globe  containing  a  sketch  of  the  debate.  I  was  not  to 
be  on  the  committee,  it  having  been  agreed  beforehand  that  I 
should  not,  the  moving  of  the  resolutions  being  my  share. 

Yours  as  ever, 

J.  F. 


Fairfield  Calls  for  Investigation 

Washington,  March  2d,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  the  committee  to  look  into  the  circumstances  of 
poor  Cilley's  murder  was  appointed  and  was  as  follows :  Toucey 
of  Connecticut,  Potter  of  Pennsylvania,  Briggs  of  Massachu- 
setts, Elmore  of  South  Carolina,  Bruyn  of  New  York,  Harrison 
of  Missouri,  &  Rariden  of  Indiana.  Briggs  &  Harrison  asked 
to  be  excused  and  were.  You  perceive  I  am  not  on  it.  It  was 
thought  to  be  right  and  proper  that  no  one  should  be  on  the 
committee  coming  from  either  of  the  States  where  any  of  the 
parties  resided;  accordingly  Maine,  Kentucky,  Virginia,  Ohio, 
&  N.  C.  were  stricken  from  the  list.  I  suppose  you  will  not 
regret  that  I  am  left  off  from  the  Committee,  though  if  I  were 
on,  I  should  not  entertain  the  least  fear  of  personal  injury. 

I  perceive  the  press,  particularly  from  N.  Y.  is  speaking 
out  upon  the  subject  in  withering  language,  and  I  cannot  but 
believe  it  must  be  so  throughout  the  country.  The  sensation  is 


206  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

very  deep  and  strong  here  and  they  give  me  much  credit  for  the 
step  I  have  taken  in  calling  for  an  investigation. 

I  have  another  swelling  on  my  jaw  and  went  today  to  a 
dentist's  to  have  it  opened.  Instead  of  that  he  persuaded  me 
to  have  my  teeth  sawed,  filed,  cut,  scraped,  plugged,  and  I  don't 
know  what  else,  which  I  did.  He  worked  about  21/2  hours  upon 
them  and  will  resume  his  job  tomorrow.  He  has  plugged  3  to- 
day, 1  with  tin  and  2  with  gold.  I  feel  much  pleased  with  what 
he  has  done  thus  far,  and  anticipate  an  escape  from  future 
toothaches. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Dentistry  100  Years  Ago 

March  3d,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Nothing  new  or  uncommon  has  transpired  here  since  the 
fatal  duel.  The  newspapers  from  abroad  begin  to  come  in 
teeming  with  heavy  denunciations  of  the  gang  who  murdered 
poor  Cilley. 

Today  the  dentist  completed  his  job  on  my  teeth.  I  taste 
like  a  new  man,  if  I  do  not  feel  like  a  new  man.  Several  teeth 
occupying  very  important  positions  were  getting  into  great 
danger.  These  he  drilled  and  bored  out,  separating  from  the 
teeth  every  particle  of  caries,  and  then  plugging  them  up  with 
gold.  In  two  instances  the  holes  were  too  large  for  gold  &  so 
he  used  tin  foil,  which  probably  will  last  as  long  as  I  shall,  but 
if  it  should  be  otherwise  it  is  very  easy  to  renew  them.  I  wish 
you  were  here,  I  would  have  you  thoroughly  overhauled,  as 
the  sailors  say.  I  know  you  have  some  good  subjects  to  operate 
upon  in  your  head. 

Yours  truly, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Runaway  Accident  at  Home 

March  4,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  been  writing  for  several  days  in  regard  to  thrilling 
events  which  have  occurred  here,  and  was  not  prepared  to  ex- 
pect any  information  of  occurrences    of    exciting    interest    at 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  207 

home.  Oh,  how  grateful  we  should  be  that  things  were  no 
worse.  You  and  the  children  have  had  quite  an  escape,  par- 
ticularly poor  Walter.  Nothing  saved  you  but  that  Good  Prov- 
idence which  has  ever  watched  over  me  and  mine  and  blessed 
us  immeasurably  beyond  our  deserts.  Let  us  gratefully  re- 
member it,  and  act  according  to  its  wise  suggestions.  But 
while  I  am  thankful  the  case  is  no  worse,  I  regret  very  sincerely 
that  poor  Davis  should  have  been  so  injured.  He  should  be  care- 
ful not  to  attempt  to  use  his  arm  too  early,  and  above  all  things 
not  to  catch  cold  in  it,  in  which  case  amputation  might  possibly 
become  necessary.  Hereafter,  tell  Davis  to  use  the  double 
twisted  bit.  I  believe  we  have  two  or  three  of  them,  but  if  he 
does  not  find  them,  let  him  go  to  Fernald's  and  have  one  made. 
The  bit  should  be  double  and  break  joints  in  different  places. 
With  such  a  bit  I  could  hold  a  rhinoceros. 

I  am  very  glad  you  had  presence  of  mind  enough  to  saw  his 
mouth,  and  wonder  that  you  could  not  in  that  way  hold  him, 
more  especially  as  he  is  not  very  hard  mouthed,  at  least  I 
never  supposed  him  to  be  so.  You  certainly  managed  from 
beginning  to  end  with  great  skill  and  good  judgment  and  I  have 
no  fault  to  find  with  any  body  or  thing,  except  the  colt. 

I  should  not  advise  any  of  you  to  ride  him  again  without 
Davis,  and  then  not  without  the  bit  I  have  named. 

Your  letter  came  last  night,  one  day  later  than  usual,  and 
accompanying  it  was  one  from  Mr.  Haines  announcing  the  death 
of  Mr.  Burbank  &  Mrs.  Allen.  Events  gather  upon  me  so  fast 
that  I  can  hardly  contemplate  them  separately.  Mr.  B.  I  left 
in  most  robust  and  vigorous  health,  and  bidding  as  fair  for  a 
long  life  as  any  man  of  my  acquaintance.  His  death  will  be 
much  felt  in  our  little  community,  as  well  as  in  his  young  fam- 
ily. But,  after  all,  how  much  less  cause  has  Mrs.  B.  to  mourn 
than  Mrs.  Cilley ;  I  forbear  to  refer  to  the  circumstances  of  dif- 
ference, because  they  will  all  suggest  themselves  to  your  own 
mind. 

Oh,  how  thankful  I  am  that  our  dear  children  as  well  as 
yourself  escaped  injury.  I  had  too  many  eggs  in  that  basket, 
as  your  father  used  to  say.  J.  F. 


Petitions  Pour  In 

Washington,  March  6. 
Dear  Wife, 

No  letters  or  papers  from  Maine  yet,  since  the  receipt  of 
the  news  there  of  Cilley's  death,  but  presume  I  shall  get  some 


208  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

tonight.  The  committee  are  going  busily  on  prosecuting  their 
inquiry,  but  I  know  little  of  what  has  actually  transpired  be- 
fore them. 

I  am  daily  receiving  letters,  some  anonymous  and  some 
otherwise,  complimenting  me  for  the  bold  stand  I  have  taken — 
and  last  night  I  reed,  from  Newark,  N.  J.,  a  petition  with  87 
names  upon  it  calling  for  the  expulsion  of  those  who  were  con- 
cerned in  this  atrocious  murder,  as  the  petitioners  call  it.  Mr. 
Adams  had  another  with  over  200  names  upon  it,  of  a  like  char- 
acter with  mine.  Hs  asked  for  a  suspension  of  the  rule  to  in- 
troduce which  was  granted  by  a  vote,  80  or  90  majority.  Mine 
followed  in  the  same  track.  I  should  not  wonder  if  such  peti- 
tions were  sent  in  in  great  numbers. 

I  am  sorry  to  inform  you  that  Mr.  Carter  is  dangerously 
sick.  He  has  been  confined  to  his  bed  for  about  a  week.  His 
wife  is  an  excellent  woman  and  displays  uncommon  fortitude 
under  the  circumstances. 

Yours  truly, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Delivers  Speech   on   Northeastern    Boundary 

Washington,  March  7th. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  I  have  at  last  been 
delivered  of  my  speech  upon  the  northeastern  boundary  ques- 
tion. I  was  something  over  two  hours  in  the  delivery,  and  am 
not  very  well  satisfied  with  myself,  though  my  friends  speak 
well  of  the  speech.  I  shall  write  it  out  as  soon  as  I  can  and 
publish  it  in  pamphlet  form. 

I  reed,  your  letter  last  night,  and  admire  the  spirit  it  con- 
tained. You  ask  dare  they  (the  murderers),  hold  their  heads 
up?  Graves  I  have  not  seen,  though  I  believe  he  is  in  the 
House  every  day.  It  is  said  he  looks  solemn  and  oppressed ; 
Wise  looks  haggard,  and  feels,  I  apprehend,  that  the  weight  of 
public  indignation  is  too  heavy  for  him.  The  others  being  more 
remotely  implicated  in  the  affair,  look  sorrowful,  and  that  is  all. 

The  committee  are  prosecuting  the  inquiry  and  will,  I  hope, 
report  early.     The  House  is  now,  I  think,  in  the  right  state  of 
opinion  &  feeling  to  act  upon  the  subject. 
Your  Husband, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  209 

Mr.  Carter  Near  to  Death 

Washington,  March  7th. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  feel  much  better  tonight  than  I  did  last  night  at  9  o'clock. 
Then  I  had  no  expectation  that  Carter  would  live  the  night  out 
and  now  the  physicians,  Sewall,  Taylor  &  Lime,  consider  the 
danger  as  past  and  his  recovery  certain.  Between  8  &  9  I  went 
into  Berth's.  Carter  was  then  bereft  of  his  senses  and  tossing 
himself  about  upon  the  bed  apparently  in  the  most  intense 
agony,  and  groaning  dreadfully.  Four  or  five  persons  were 
round  his  bed  endeavoring  to  prevent  his  bounding  off.  His 
wife  was  kept  out  of  the  chamber,  and  was  nearly  as  crazy  as 
her  husband. 

Doct.  Sewall,  I  understood,  had  given  him  over,  and  he,  the 
Doctor,  at  the  time,  told  me  that  these  paroxysms  would  occur 
until  he  died.  About  9  the  pain  subsided  a  little  &  he  called 
Mrs.  Jones  by  name.  They  then  thought  it  would  be  well 
enough  to  let  Mrs.  Carter  come  in.  When  she  did  come,  her 
eye  was  glassy  and  wild ;  she  lay  down  upon  the  bed  with  him, 
called  him  by  every  endearing  epithet  that  you  can  imagine  & 
implored  him  to  recognize  her.  But  he  took  no  notice  of  her. 
His  reason  had  fled  again,  and  tho'  relieved  from  pain  for  a 
moment  he  did  not  seem  to  know  anybody  or  be  conscious  of 
what  was  going  on  around  him.  It  was  an  affecting  scene,  & 
such  as  I  hope  I  shall  not  soon  be  called  to  witness  again. 

Evans  &  Noyes  sat  up  with  him,  and  early  this  morning 
before  I  was  up  I  sent  Sam  in  to  know  if  he  was  living,  who  brot 
back  for  answer  that  he  had  a  tolerably  quiet  night  and  was 
better.  This  information  was  as  joyful  as  it  was  unexpected. 
I  have  spent  the  whole  day  with  him,  having  just  stolen  away 
to  write  you  a  letter.  During  the  forenoon  he  was  very  uneasy 
and  tossed  about  a  great  deal.  This  afternoon  he  has  been 
more  quiet  &  has  slept  at  least  2  hours.  The  Doctors  all  concur 
in  saying  that  the  critical  point  is  passed  and  that  he  will  get 
well,  though  it  is  difficult  to  convince  Mrs.  Carter  of  any  such 
probability.  She  seems  to  think  they  are  either  deceived  them- 
selves, or  else  that  their  favorable  opinions  are  mere  pretence, 
and  a  deception  practiced  for  her  benefit. 

Judge  Ruggles  &  Davee  sit  up  with  C.  tonight.  The  latter 
appears  to  me  rather  chicken-hearted,  and  would  be  a  poor 
hand  as  well  as  myself  in  such  a  scene  as  we  had  last  night. 

Good  night, 

J.  F. 


210  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Course  in  Cilley  Investigation  Approved 

Washington,  March  11,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Your  answer  to  my  invitation  to  come  on  here  was  what  I 
had  feared.  I  am  aware  how  much  you  are  tied  down  by  do- 
mestic cares  &  duties — but  hope  it  will  not  always  be  so.  It 
would  give  me  much  pleasure  to  see  you  enjoying  more  of  it 
(pleasure  &  not  cares),  though  I  am  not  sure  that  freedom  from 
care  would  effect  it. 

You  ask  where  is  Eliza  Clark?  Her  father  has  just  left 
my  room  and  I  am,  therefore,  able  to  give  you  satisfactory  in- 
formation, viz.:  she  is  in  Philadelphia  where  she  has  been  for 
some  time,  but  what  is  of  more  importance  she  is  about  to  be 
married.  And  whom  do  you  think  it  is  to?  Why,  no  less  a  per- 
sonage than  Lieut,  (now  Capt.)  Downing  of  the  Navy.  Perhaps 
you  may  recollect  him.  He  was  one  of  Mrs.  Pitman's  city  mess. 
I  am  not  sure  that  he  was  there  when  we  were  on  that  side  of  the 
entry,  I  think  he  was  not,  but  came  afterward.  He  is  quite  a 
small  man,  of  tolerable  capacity,  exceedingly  vain  &  a  very  great 
talker.  But  he  is  a  man  of  good  habits,  and  I  should  think  upon 
the  whole  that  Miss  Eliza  is  making  out  pretty  well. 

Poor  Carter  remains  in  a  critical  state  yet.  I  sat  up  with 
him  night  before  last,  and  a  dreadful  night  it  was.  He  had  five 
fits  between  2  o'clock  and  morning — and  twice  the  Doctor  (his 
brother  from  N.  Y.)  said  he  was  dying.  Since  then  he  has  been 
lingering  along,  sometimes  upon  the  very  edge  of  existence,  and 
then  brightening  up  and  appearing  to  be  better.  Today  his 
friends  begin  to  cherish  some  hope,  but  it  is  slight.  He  is  blessed 
in  having  his  wife  and  three  brothers  with  him,  one  a  physician, 
one  an  Episcopalian  clergyman  and  the  other,  I  believe,  a  mer- 
chant. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Cilley  is  still  the  subject  of  conversation. 
The  committee  are  pursuing  their  subject  of  inquiry  steadily  & 
firmly,  and  I  hope  will  be  prepared  to  report  in  a  few  days — per- 
haps a  week.  If  they  do  not  recommend  an  expulsion  of  Graves 
and  perhaps  the  seconds,  I  shall  be  disappointed.  For  the  part  I 
have  taken  in  this  matter  I  am  constantly  receiving  complimen- 
tary letters,  and  evidences  that  my  course  is  meeting  the  warm 
approbation  of  the  wise  and  good  everywhere.  To  this  I  know 
you  cannot  be  insensible  any  more  than  myself,  approbation  for 
doing  right  cannot  be  unwelcome  to  us. 

Among  others  I  have  just  reed,  the  following:  "At  a  meet- 
ing of  the  members  of  the  Democratic  party  holden  at  the  new 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  211 

Court  House  in  Augusta  on  the  evening  of  the  5th  of  March,  Col. 
Geo.  W.  Stanley  was  chosen  chairman  &  V.  D.  Parris,  Secretary. 
Hon.  Saml.  Mildram  of  York  offered  the  following  resolutions 
which  were  unanimously  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  this  meeting  view  with  pride  &  admiration 
the  course  adopted  by  the  Hon.  John  Fairfield  in  the  House  of 
Representatives  in  demanding  an  investigation  into  the  manner 
and  circumstances  of  the  death  of  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Cilley.  It 
has  anticipated  the  demands  of  the  people  and  will  be  by  them 
fully  sustained. 

Resolved,  That  the  foregoing  resolution  be  signed  by  the 
chairman  &  secretary  and  forwarded  to  the  Hon.  John  Fairfield. 
GEO.   W.  STANLEY,   Chairman, 
VIRGIL  D.  PARRIS,   Secretary. 

The  underscoring  is  not  mine,  but  comes  with  the  resolves. 
In  one  sense,  to  be  sure,  such  testimonials  are  gratifying,  but  I 
do  not  feel  that  I  have  done  anything  beyond  what  most  other 
men  would  have  done,  placed  in  similar  circumstances.  I  am 
not,  therefore,  deserving  of  all  the  praise  that  is  bestowed  up- 
on me. 

I  reed,  a  letter  today  from  Bro.  Whitman,  giving  me  some 
good  advice,  which  I  needed,  and  which  I  hope  to  profit  by. 

Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Writing   Out  Boundary   Speech 

13  March,  Tuesday. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  am  sorry  to  be  obliged  to  say  that  there  is  no  probability 
that  Mr.  Carter  will  live  through  the  night.  He  has  been  fail- 
ing gradually,  I  think,  ever  since  the  night  I  sat  up  with  him. 
They  sent  for  me  about  two  hours  ago  thinking  that  he  was  dy- 
ing. Since  that,  however,  he  has  revived,  and  seems  to  be 
tolerably  comfortable.     His  wife  is  calm  and  appears  very  well. 

I  have  been  hard  at  work  for  several  days  and  nights  writ- 
ing out  my  speech  on  the  northeastern  boundary  for  publica- 
tion.    It  is  a  laborious  job  and  I  shall  be  glad  when  it  is  over. 

I  am  glad  to  hear  that  Hammy  is  learning  to  talk  so  well ; 
by  the  time  I  get  home  he  will  talk  as  well  as  anybody. 

Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


212  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Death  of  Congressman  Carter 

Washington,  March  15,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  am  sorry  to  be  obliged  to  inform  you  that  poor  Carter  is 
dead.  He  died  last  night  about  10  o'clock.  I  was  there  a  min- 
ute after  he  breathed  his  last.  His  death  was  announced  today 
by  Mr.  Evans  and  thereupon  the  House  adjourned  over  to  Sat- 
urday when  the  funeral  is  to  take  place. 

I  hope  this  is  the  last  piece  of  bad  news  I  shall  have  to  com- 
municate to  you  this  session,  though  we  should  always  be  pre- 
pared for  the  bad  as  well  as  the  good. 

Mrs.  C,  I  believe,  bears  it  very  well,  and  having  her  three 
brothers  with  him,  everything  was  done  for  Mr.  Carter  that 
could  be  done.  Evans'  announcement  of  the  death  was  in  excel- 
lent taste  and  cannot  but  yield  much  comfort  to  his  friends.  He 
spoke  of  him  in  the  highest  terms,  as  he  ought. 

The  committee  on  the  murder  of  Cilley  are  making 
progress  and  I  trust  will  report  next  week.  If  you  see  the  pa- 
pers, you  will  find  that  I  am  reaping  a  harvest  of  glory  for  my 
course  upon  this  subject,  but  I  am  not  conscious  of  deserving  it. 

Others,  I  suppose,  in  similar  circumstances  would  have 
done  the  same. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Maine  Demands  Investigation 

Washington,  March  18,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  poor  Carter  was  buried,  but  it  was  so  stormy 
that  the  concourse  of  people  was  small.  Mrs.  C.  did  not  attend 
the  funeral,  nor  any  of  the  ladies  at  Berth's.  Mr.  Reese,  our 
Chaplain,  delivered  a  very  appropriate  and  eloquent  address. 
Two  of  the  brothers  have  returned,  and  the  third  &  Mrs.  C.  set 
out  about  Wednesday  next. 

Mr.  Prince,  the  father-in-law  of  Cilley,  has  written  on  that 
he  shall  send  for  the  body. 

Whether  the  body  of  Carter  is  to  be  carried  home  I  have 
not  learnt. 

Petitions  and  accounts  of  meetings  are  flowing  in  upon  me 
from  Maine,  demanding  an  investigation,  and  expulsion  of  those 


^i 


'4 


■  i- 

4 

•••• 

J.  - 

-V  i- 

««««l«» 

•  %•  < •  «   ' 

AS 


iii;rsi'.\- 

Old  Family  Servant  of  the   P'aii-fields 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  213 

concerned  in  the  late  murder.     I  have  11  to  present  tomorrow 
morning. 

My  speech  on  the  northeastern  boundary  I  have  written 
out  and  carried  to  the  printer.  It  is  to  appear  in  the  next  Tues- 
day's Globe,  and  immediately  afterward  will  be  published  in 
pamphlet  form  for  distribution.  It  is  longer  than  I  intended  it 
should  be,  and  will  cover,  I  think,  two  sheets,  or  32  pages. 

Mr.  Buckingham,  the  famous  English  traveller,  is  lectur- 
ing here  and  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  hearing  three  of  his 
lectures  upon  Egypt.  His  lectures  are  very  interesting,  but  I 
cannot  help  thinking  sometimes  that  they  are  a  little  too  highly 
embellished  for  truth. 

I  am  glad  the  colt  has  returned  to  his  soberness  and  gov- 
emability,  for  I  cannot  help  feeling  some  attachment  to  him, 
though  there  are  a  few  unpleasant  reminiscences  connected 
with  his  course  of  life.  I  apprehend  he  wants  to  be  worked 
more.  You  spoke  in  one  of  your  letters  of  his  being  lame,  how 
is  that  now? 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


A  Scrap  in  the  Senate 

March  23d,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  will  just  write  you  a  line  from  the  House  today,  for  as 
soon  as  the  House  adjourns  I  must  go  home  and  go  to  work 
franking  off  my  speeches,  they  having  at  last  been  published. 

Nothing  new  here.  In  the  Senate  Calhoun,  Clay  &  Web- 
ster have  been  indulging  in  personal  attacks,  much  to  the 
amusement  of  the  spectators,  but  to  the  degradation  of  the 
persons  engaged  in  it.  In  the  House  we  are  engaged  upon  the 
appropriation  bills  and  such  other  dry  matter. 

The  committee  of  investigation  in  the  murder  case  will  not 
report  before  next  week,  then  I  suppose  we  shall  have  some 
pretty  warm  discussion. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


214  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Longs  for  Home  Breakfast 

Washington,  March  27,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

It  seems  you  have  a  new  cow,  and  that  the  colt  is  recover- 
ing from  his  lameness.  This  is  not  bad  news,  but  it  is  much  bet- 
ter to  hear  that  Davis'  lame  hand  is  getting  better.  How  does 
your  other  cow  hold  out,  and  your  hay  ?  Oh,  I  wish  I  had  a  lit- 
tle piece  of  your  new  butter.  Their  butter  here,  you  know,  is 
greasy.  I  don't  like  it.  Though  we  live  here  like  princes,  I 
want  one  of  your  Sunday  morning  breakfasts.  A  cup  of  coffee, 
neither  too  strong  nor  too  weak,  with  good  fresh  cream  in  it; 
a  loaf  of  rye  &  Indian  with  crust  as  thick  as  your  foot,  and  but- 
ter, hard,  clean,  bright  and  sweet ;  and  last  but  not  least,  mince 
fish,  smoking  from  the  kettle,  warmed  in  pork,  not  butter,  and 
eaten  with  real  mustard,  and  not  mustardy  flour.  And  then 
the  pleasure  of  helping  our  children,  and  the  rest  of  you  all 
round,  &  seeing  the  mills  set  a-going  at  a  merry  rate.  What  a 
picture!  I  can't  say  that  there  is  much  poetry  in  it — but  you 
won't  deny,  I  think,  that  it  looks  a  little  like  comfort. 

Yesterday  was  petition  day  &,  today  but  little  has  been 
done.  The  sub-treasury  bill  from  the  Senate  was,  to  be  sure, 
laid  on  the  table,  but  as  there  were  39  members  absent,  the  vote 
amounts  to  just  nothing. 

Yours  ever, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Doesn't  Want  to  Be  Governor 

Washington,  March  28,  1838. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  concur  with  you  fully  in  the  views  you  take  of  poor  Cil- 
ley's  death  and  the  manner  in  which  it  was  compassed.  The 
committee  are  prosecuting  the  inquiry  steadily,  industriously 
and,  I  trust,  firmly.  It  will  result  in  a  resolution  of  expulsion, 
offered  by  the  committee  or  some  one  else,  but  it  probably  will 
not  be  carried,  two-thirds  being  required,  you  know. 

In  regard  to  the  other  matter  alluded  to,  I  must  be  per- 
mitted to  express  my  sincere  regret  that  you  should  find  any 
obstacles  in  the  way  of  your  success.  For  in  the  first  place,  I 
know  of  no  man  who  would  fill  the  place  better  than  yourself; 
and  in  the  second  place  I  know  of  no  man  who  has  so  great  an 
aversion  for  it  as  myself.     I  have  written  many  letters  in  which 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  215 

I  have  stated  peremptorily  that  under  no  circumstances  could  I 
consent  to  be  a  candidate  for  Governor,  and  I  do  not  wish  to 
retract  this  at  present.  My  inclinations  for  private  life  seem 
almost  irresistible,  yet  there  is  no  knowing  what  sacrifices  one 
may  make  under  peculiar  &  trying  circumstances. 

I  know  not  to  whom  you  allude  when  you  speak  of  antici- 
pated opposition  from  York  &  Cumberland,  unless  in  C.  you 
mean  Smith  and  his  few  friends.  If  you  mean  these,  they  are 
not  to  be  dreaded,  their  number  is  too  small  to  be  feared.  Per- 
haps you  may  find  reason  to  change  your  views  upon  this  mat- 
ter before  the  Convention  is  holden.  If  public  opinion  should 
settle  down  in  your  favor,  and  you  should  be  nominated,  nothing 
could  afford  me  more  pleasure,  though  with  yourself,  I  thought 
the  nomination  of  Judge  Shepley  would  unite  more  votes  than 
that  of  any  other  man.  But  I  regard  him  as  out  of  the  question. 
He  will  not  consent  to  a  nomination,  and  so  far  as  regards  his 
own  interest,  his  course  is  unquestionably  right.  The  office  of 
Governor  I  regard  as  the  least  desirable  of  any  place  in  the 
State  or  nation.  Indeed,  in  my  case,  it  would  be  next  to  ruin. 
You  could  much  better  afford  it  than  myself.  Upon  this  subject 
I  have  no  thoughts  to  conceal  from  anybody,  and  least  of  all 
from  you.  For  your  letter,  for  the  admirable  tone  &  spirit  in 
which  it  is  written,  you  have  my  sincere  thanks.  I  have  not 
time  to  say  more  now.  Perhaps  you  or  I  must  be  the  victim 
(if  Shepley  holds  out  in  his  refusal)  and  time  will  show  which. 
Write  often  &  much  oblige 

Very  truly  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD 


Prentiss*  Bill  to  Prevent  Duelling 

Washington,  March  29th. 
Dear  Wife, 

The  Senate  have  been  discussing  the  bill  introduced  by 
Judge  Prentiss  to  prevent  duelling,  and  the  House  have  been 
engaged  in  the  appropriation  bills.  In  the  morning,  however, 
we  made  an  attempt  to  have  the  13th  &  14th  of  April  specially 
assigned  to  take  up  the  bill  for  the  payment  of  French  spolia- 
tions. It  requiring  two-thirds,  we  failed,  but  we  have  had  a 
vote  which  may  be  regarded  as  a  very  favorable  indication.  It 
was  79  to  63.  The  House,  to  be  sure,  was  thin,  but  probably 
we  had  as  many  absent  as  the  enemies  of  the  bill  had.  This 
looks  very  much  like  carrying  the  measure. 


216  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Old  Mr.  Carr,  the  Doorkeeper,  is  dead,  and  the  appHcants 
for  his  place  are  as  thick  as  snow  fleas.  I  think  I  shall  go  for 
Foilansby,  the  man  having  charge  of  the  Document  Room. 

Col.  Hall  has  got  an  appointment  in  the  Boston  Custom 
House,,  which  will  give  him  about  $1,500  a  year. 

Jarvis  is  nominated  for  Navy  Agent  in  Boston.  Parks  is 
to  be  Marshal,  "and  so  on." 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Hotly   Pressed   to   Run   for  Governor 

Dear  Wife, 

In  regard  to  your  domestic  operations  I  must  say  I  think 
you  do  nobly.  The  amount  of  butter  manufactured  is  much 
beyond  what  I  had  supposed.  It  is  more  than  a  pound  a  day 
throughout  the  whole  year.  This  is  pretty  well.  As  to  the 
lame  colt  &  the  proposition  to  take  one  of  Uncle  James'  horses, 
I  refer  you  to  a  letter  written  yesterday  to  Walter. 

I  also  send  directed  to  Martha  a  caricature  of  Webb.  It  is 
no  great  affair.  Not  half  so  good  as  a  caricature  I  saw  in  a 
shop  window  a  day  or  two  ago  of  most  of  our  great  men 
mounted  upon  hobbies.  Nothing  is  going  on  in  the  House  or 
Senate  of  any  great  consequence,  except  upon  second  thought 
the  Senate  are  discussing  the  bill  introduced  by  Judge  Prentiss 
to  prevent  duelling. 

The  fates  seem  to  be  against  us  in  some  respects.  In  addi- 
tion to  all  the  other  inroads  that  death  has  made  upon  our 
party,  I  am  now  obliged  to  say  that  Mr.  McKim  of  Baltimore 
is  considered  to  be  dangerously  ill.  He  is  at  Gadsby's  and  his 
wife  is  with  him.     Others  are  sick  but  none  dangerously  so. 

Judge  Ruggles'  committee,  I  understand,  is  to  report  today 
and  that  the  report  will  probably  acquit  him  on  the  charge  of 
corruption.  The  committee  on  the  subject  of  Cilley's  murder 
will  probably  report  some  time  next  week. 

In  regard  to  your  inquiry  about  the  question  relating  to 
Governor,  I  say  that  I  am  hotly  pressed  upon  all  sides.  Many, 
however,  are  beginning  to  cease  asking  my  consent  and  claim  a 
right  to  nominate  me  upon  public  considerations.  What  the 
result  is  to  be,  time  only  can  answer.  We  must  all,  however, 
"prepare  for  the  worst."  Your  joke  upon  this  subject  I  think 
was  rather  a  hard  one,  though  I  must  confess  it  seemed  to  be 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  217 

based  upon  a  correct  view  of  the  case.  Rice  Garland  has  got  up 
right  behind  me  to  talk  and  his  sharp  voice  being  no  more  pleas- 
ant to  me  than  his  sharp  temper,  I  find  myself  unable  to  write 
longer. 

Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Death  of  Congressman  McKim 

Washington,  April  1,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  regret  to  be  obliged  to  add  another  to  our  list  of  deaths. 
Mr.  McKim,  one  of  the  members  from  Baltimore,  died  this  fore- 
noon abou^-  10  o'clock.  He  had  been  sick  only  about  a  week; 
complaint,  the  pleurisy  originating  in  a  cold.  His  death  will  be 
much  felt  in  Baltimore  where  his  benevolence  has  been  un- 
bounded. I  believe  he  has  a  left  a  great  fortune,  and  a  young 
widow.  Perhaps  you  may  recollect  her.  She  is  a  sort  of  rela- 
tion of  Mrs.  Barry.  Mr.  McKim  was  also  a  staunch  friend  of 
the  administration — and  herein  we  meet  a  great  loss,  which  we 
can  ill  afford  to  incur,  after  the  loss  of  two  from  Mississippi 
and  two  from  Maine. 

Night  before  last  we  had  a  charming  serenade  from  the 
marine  band.  They  came  round  and  stood  in  the  lane  directly 
opposite  our  windows,  and  woke  me  from  sleep  about  2  o'clock 
with  a  tune  which  I  admire  very  much,  tho'  I  do  not  know  its 
name.  They  had  before  this  played  several  tunes  in  front  of 
the  house.  I  can  hardly  imagine  anything  more  delightful  than 
it  was. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Washington,  April  3d,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Today  was  held  the  funeral  of  Mr.  McKim.  At  11  o'clock 
we  assembled  at  the  Capitol,  and  had  funeral  ceremonies.  Mr. 
Slicer  gave  us  an  address  made  up  of  commonplace  sentiments 
expressed  in  the  coarsest  manner.  There  was  as  great  a  want 
of  taste  in  it  as  anything  I  have  heard  of  late. 

At  12  a  procession  was  formed,  which  proceeded  from  the 
Capitol  to  the  railroad  depot,  and  thence  to  Baltimore.    Most 


218  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

of  the  members  went,  conveyance  being  provided  at  the  public 
expense.  Not  feeling  remarkably  bright  myself,  and  it  being 
a  cold,  windy  day,  I  concluded  to  stay  at  home  and  try  to  bring 
up  some  of  my  work  in  which  I  am  a  little  behindhand. 

Mr.  McKim  is  said  to  have  left  an  estate  worth  a  million 
and  a  half.  He  made  his  will  before  he  died  but  I  have  not 
heard  any  of  the  particulars. 

I  have  been  to  see  a  pair  of  large  oxen  today.  The  present 
owner  gave  $3,500  for  them.  They  are  supposed  to  weigh  over 
3,000  lbs.  each.  They  are  of  the  Durham  shorthorn  breed,  and 
are  very  handsome,  notwithstanding  their  extreme  fatness.  I 
should  think  two  middling  sized  men  might  lie  on  the  back  of 
the  ox  without  rolling  off.  They  beat  all  hollow,  everything  of 
the  kind  that  I  have  seen  before. 
Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Wants  to  Get  Back  to  the  Farm 

Washington,  April  10,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

We  have  nothing  new  here  but  flowers,  and  they  are  com- 
ing out  daily  in  beautiful  variety,  both  as  to  shape  &  color. 
Peach  trees  have  been  in  bloom  a  week  and  other  trees  are  put- 
ting out  their  leaves.  The  walk  behind  Mrs.  Pitman's  house 
will  look  beautifully  soon.  The  grass  about  the  Capitol  forms 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  carpets  that  I  ever  beheld.  The  green 
is  handsomer  than  anything  we  have  at  the  North. 

I  was  up  to  the  President's  this  morning  to  introduce 
young  B — .  He  is  a  fool  to  be  spending  his  time  in  endeavoring 
to  obtain  an  office.  He  had  much  better  go  to  work  upon  the 
land,  or  engage  in  some  active  employment.  It  is  strange  to  me 
that  people  should  be  so  fascinated  with  office,  with  a  degree  of 
dependence  upon  the  humor  and  caprice  of  A.  B.  &  C. 

The  President  appeared  very  well  and  indulged  in  a  few 
pleasantries.  Poor  man,  I  should  think  he  would  regard  it  as  a 
great  luxury  to  laugh  once  in  a  while.  Why,  I  would  not  be 
President  of  the  United  States  for  all  the  honors  or  wealth  that 
Uncle  Sam  could  pour  upon  me. 

I  have  not  yet  consented  to  be  candidate  for  Governor, 
though  the  invitations  still  flow  in  upon  me.     I  want  to  be  at 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  219 

home  now  and  go  about  my  farming.     That  is  the  best  employ- 
ment, after  all.     I  shall  try  to  get  Uncle  William  to  engraft  the 
remaining  apple  trees.     One  row,  I  think,  had  better  be  grafted 
with  the  Island  Greening.     What  do  you  think? 
Your  Husband, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Sends  Grafts  for  the  Apple  Trees 

April  12,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  reed,  your  letter  last  evening,  one  day  in  advance  of  the 
regular  time.  So  it  seems  there  is  some  multiplication  going 
on  out  to  the  barn.  I  suppose  you  won't  think  of  raising  the 
"critter"  after  the  experience  of  last  year.  What  are  the  indi- 
cations in  the  new  swine  palace  behind  the  stable?  I  have 
written  today  to  Judge  Hayes  to  send  to  Uncle  William  grafts 
enough  for  all  trees  except  one  row — the  Island  Greening  row. 
I  have  also  written  to  Uncle  William  asking  him  to  do  the  need- 
ful when  the  grafts  shall  arrive.  If  he  can't  attend  to  it,  Davis 
must  get  Bowden.  I  feel  anxious  to  get  our  orchard  into  good 
fruit  as  soon  as  possible. 

I  hope  you  will  pay  a  little  attention  to  the  strawberry  bed 
this  spring,  that  is,  you  or  Martha.  Keep  it  clear  of  weeds,  cut 
the  runners  and  make  the  plants  grow.  I  don't  know  but  that 
it  would  be  a  good  plan  to  dig  trenches  between  the  rows  &  cover 
up  some  old  manure,  or  to  spread  a  little  about  the  plants  them- 
selves.   The  ground  there,  I  think,  is  not  very  rich. 

I  don't  see  where  your  pump  or  pipe  could  have  frozen  up. 
If  anywhere,  it  must  have  been  in  the  well  near  the  top  of  the 
water. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  F. 


Judge  Ruggles  Exonerated 

Washington,  April  14,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

"Every  other  day"  has  arrived,  and  so  I  must  write  you 
a  letter.  Not  that  I  consider  it  a  task  which  must  be  performed, 
but  then  I  like  to  have  something  to  say.    Our  committee,  the 


220  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

duel  committee,  I  mean,  has  not  yet  reported.  I  called  on 
Toucey  this  morning  to  know  when  we  might  expect  the  report, 
and  his  reply  was  the  first  of  next  week.  What  the  report  is  to 
be  I  could  not  learn.     They  keep  all  matters  secret. 

The  stream  of  petitions  continues  to  flow  on  and  probably 
will  continue  to  for  a  long  time  to  come.  Their  character  has 
been  very  uniform,  speaking  of  the  duel  in  strong  language, 
asking  for  the  expulsion  of  all  concerned  in  it,  and  the  passage 
of  a  law  to  prevent  such  occurrences  in  future.  One,  however, 
was  presented  by  a  Whig  member  the  other  day  in  which  the 
petitioners  prayed  no  expulsion  might  take  place. 

F.  O.  J.  has  this  day  (through  Mr.  Evans)  asked  leave  of 
absence  after  the  first  of  May.  So  it  seems  he  has  cor-^'^ded 
not  to  resign.  If  the  Cumberland  people  don't  scold  about  this 
I  shall  be  mistaken. 

The  Ruggles  committee  have  reported,  exonerating  him 
entirely.  I  am  very  glad  of  it.  It  would  have  been  a  sad 
affair  to  have  had  it  otherwise! 

Now  I  am  bound  off  to  attend  a  caucus. 
Yours  as  ever, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


An  April  Snow  Storm 

Washington,  April  15,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Would  you  believe  it,  we  have  had  quite  a  snow  storm  to- 
day! The  snow  melted,  to  be  sure,  as  soon  as  it  touched  the 
ground,  but  it  snowed  in  tolerable  earnest  for  several  hours  and 
if  it  had  not  melted,  would  probably  have  made  two  inches  or 
more.  The  peach  &  plum  trees  are  all  in  bloom,  and  I  fear  that 
the  cold  weather  we  have  had  for  two  days,  aided  with  this 
snow,  have  cut  off  their  prospect  here  for  fruit.  So  you  see 
there  is  no  condition  from  which  some  comfort  may  not  be  ex- 
tracted. With  you,  frosts  at  this  season  can  do  no  harm.  Veg- 
etation, I  presume,  has  not  yet  started,  or  at  all  events  has  not 
got  so  far  along  as  to  be  liable  to  injury  from  frosts. 

I  felt  like  meeting  an  old  acquaintance  today  when  I  came 
across  an  article  in  a  paper  about  old  Uncle  Brannan.  I  have 
sent  you  the  paper — the  Eastern  Republican.  The  article,  it 
seems,  is  extracted  from  a  Pennsylvania  paper.     The  account 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  221 

given  must  be  very  true  to  nature,  there  is  no  difficulty  in  see- 
ing the  old  man  just  as  he  was  at  Saco. 

I  wish  the  members  would  begin  to  talk  about  adjourn- 
ment, but  they  don't  seem  at  all  inclined  that  way. 
Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Reports  Northeastern  Boundary  Bill 

Washington,  April  17,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

The  weather  here  is  "awful  cold,"  how  is  it  with  you?  I 
have  been  obliged  to  keep  as  large  fires  for  two  or  three  days 
past  as  at  any  time  during  the  winter. 

The  flowers  in  bloom  look  like  old  ladies  rigged  out  in  the 
finery  of  girls  and  everything  else  looks  "kind  of  sorry." 

I  got  my  bill  for  surveying  and  marking  the  northeastern 
boundary  line  through  the  Committee  of  Foreign  Affairs  today 
and  reported  the  same  to  the  House.  I  also  gave  notice  that  I 
should  call  it  up  for  consideration  on  Tuesday,  two  weeks  from 
today,  when  I  shall  probably  make  a  short  speech,  simply  to 
show  that  the  communication  from  the  British  government, 
since  I  made  my  former  speech,  has  not  changed  the  state  of  the 
case,  or  diminished  the  necessity  of  passing  this  bill. 

In  the  House  they  have  spent  the  whole  day  in  discussing 
a  bill  providing  for  the  taking  down  of  the  new  Treasury  build- 
ing and  putting  the  materials  into  a  post-office  building  about 
to  be  erected.  The  new  Treasury,  probably  you  recollect,  is 
only  a  third  built  and  stands  at  the  west  end  of  Pennsylvania 
Avenue,  just  this  way  of  the  President's.  It  is  said  that  the 
architect,  Mills,  has  made  some  great  mistakes  and  that  the 
walls  are  not  strong  enough  to  sustain  the  lateral  pressure  of 
the  arches.  A  Philadelphia  architect  thinks  that  it  will  tumble 
down  itself,  if  finished  on  the  present  plan.  Sargeant,  the  other 
day,  said  he  had  often  heard  of  things  falling  to  ruins,  but  here 
a  thing  seemed  to  be  rising  to  ruins. 

The  tree  bearing  the  large,  beautiful  white  flower  that  I 
spoke  about  some  time  ago,  I  have  ascertained  is  the  Magnolia. 
What  I  once  called  the  holly  is,  I  believe,  nothing  more  than  a 
species  of  the  thorn,  perhaps  the  buckthorn. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  F. 


222  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Beginning  of  U.  S.  Weather  Bureau? 

Washington,  April  19,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

April  19 — the  thought  has  just  occurred  to  me  that  this  is 
the  anniversary  of  the  Boston  massa-cre,  as  Aunt  Rachael 
would  prononnce  it,  jus1  before  the  commencement  of  the  Rev- 
olutionary War.  I  do  not  mention  it  because  of  its  appropriate- 
ness in  a  letter  to  you,  but  to  show  how  I  write  my  letters,  that 
is,  by  taking  my  pen,  and  putting  on  paper  the  first  thoughts 
that  come  into  my  head.  Thus,  this  thought  or  rather  remem- 
brance was  suggested  by  dating  my  letter,  and  so  down  it  went 
on  the  paper.  After  all,  it  would  be  laughable  if  I  should  prove 
to  be  mistaken  in  point  of  fact.  Let  the  boys  take  down  some 
book  &  ascertain  if  I  am  right. 

This  morning  from  i/o  past  9  to  1/2  past  10  we  listened  to  a 
lecture  in  the  Capitol  from  Professor  Epsy  on  meteorology, 
&c.  He  delivered  one  yesterday  morning  which  I  did  not  hear. 
Today  it  was  upon  the  winds,  and  so  far  as  I  could  understand 
him,  he  was  quite  interesting.  His  object  is  to  have  Congress 
make  an  appropriation  for  the  purchase  of  instruments,  &c., 
that  observations  may  be  made  and  registered  at  particular 
points  throughout  the  United  States,  in  aid  of  science. 

The  Select  Committee  have  not  yet  reported  and  I  learn 
today  they  will  not  until  Saturday.  I  dislike  this  procrastina- 
tion very  much.  Yesterday  Graves  had  the  unblushing  impu- 
dence to  get  up  in  the  House  and  make  a  speech  on  the  Cumber- 
land road  bill.  I  took  my  hat  and  left  the  House,  as  did  some 
others.     It  was  a  gross  outrage  upon  decency. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Planning  the  Garden 

Washington,  April  21,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

In  regard  to  the  patch  of  ground  between  the  house  &  the 
gravel  pit,  I  think  your  suggestion  a  good  one,  that  it  should  be 
planted  with  potatoes,  or  corn  or  whatever  Davis  may  think 
best.  As  to  the  trees  in  which  the  grafts  failed,  I  think  they 
should  be  regrafted  this  spring, — but  whether  the  same  limbs 
will  answer  I  have  some  doubt.     Uncle  William  can  best  tell 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  223 

that.  It  is  of  no  great  consequence  if  different  fruit  be  put 
into  the  same  tree  provided  it  is  of  the  same  class,  i.  e.,  summer 
or  winter.  Perhaps,  however,  some  grafts  of  the  same  kind 
may  be  sent  by  Judge  Hayes.  I  have  a  little  memorandum  in 
my  pocketbook  from  which  it  appears  the  grafting  was  as  fol- 
lows: 

1st  Row  5  winter  &  3  Imperial  Russets 

2d  Row        13  Baldwins 

3d  Row  6  Nonsuch  &  4  or  5  Porter  Apples 

4th  Row  6  Royal  Pearmain  &  5  June  Pearmain 

5th  Row  St.  Lawrence  apple 

(Sketch  is  here  inserted) 

I  will  thank  you  to  preserve  this  letter  as  the  memorandum 
may  be  of  use  at  some  future  time. 

Uncle  Richard  some  time  since  left  some  tomato  seed  with 
me  which  after  adjournment  I  will  send  you.  Northern  seed, 
however,  I  should  think  would  be  best  if  you  have  it. 

I  think  you  had  better  not  undertake  to  drive  the  colt  alone. 
I  will  bring  him  to  his  bearings  when  I  get  home,  I'll  warrant 
you. 

The  investigating  committee  have  not  reported  today   as 
was  anticipated.     I  am  almost  out  of  patience  with  them. 
Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Makes   a  Speech 

April  23d,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  only  time  to  say  that  I  have  made  a  short  speech  to- 
day— say  half  an  hour  long.  It  will  be  reported  in  the  Daily 
Globe  about  an  inch  long.  I  have  taken  pains  to  write  it  out 
since  the  House  adjournment,  but  was  too  late  for  the  daily,  it 
will  appear  in  the  weekly  tomorrow.  I  will  endeavor  to  send 
you  one.  The  whole  day  has  been  spent  in  debating  the  ques- 
tion whether  the  report  of  the  committee  shall  be  printed.  The 
Feds  seem  determined  to  make  a  political  question  of  it. 

In  haste  yours, 

J.  F. 


224  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Indignation  Over  Cilley  Report 

April  24,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

This  is  the  third  day  spent  in  speeches  for  and  against  the 
printing  of  the  reports  of  the  committee. 

If  the  indignation  of  the  people  is  not  poured  out  upon 
these  fellows  for  smothering  the  evidence  in  this  case,  then  I'll 
think  the  worse  of  mankind  as  long  as  I  live. 

Viewed  in  a  political  aspect,  only,  things  are  working  well. 
Every  speech  the  opposition  makes  is  a  nail  in  their  coffin.  They 
are  on  the  side  of  the  murderers ;  they  are  for  suppressing  the 
reports,  smothering  the  evidence,  and  screening  the  guilty.  We 
are  on  the  side  of  humanity ;  we  are  against  crime ;  we  are  for 
letting  facts  go  forth  to  the  people ;  we  are  for  light.  In  such 
circumstances  it  appears  to  me  we  have  little  to  fear.  If  we  do 
not  carry  our  point,  we  shall  fail  in  a  good  cause,  &  have  the 
satisfaction  of  having  done  our  duty. 

It  has  been  very  cold  here  for  a  few  days  and  part  of  the 
time  a  disagreeable  easterly  rain  and  drizzle.     Best  love  to  all. 

Thy  Husband, 

J.  F. 

Yesterday,  sent  you  paper  containing  my  speech. 


More  on  Cilley  Report 

Washington,  April  27,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Another  day  has  been  spent  in  the  duel  case  on  the  prelim- 
inary question  to  print  without  coming  to  a  vote.  Tomorrow 
night  I  think  will  find  us  voting.     The  opposition 

(Here  part  of  sheet  has  been  torn  off) 
Massachusetts  backed  out, — took  back  his  speech  he  made  the 
other  day, — and  now  says  he  shall  vote  for  the  printing. 

Toucey  made  an  excellent  speech  today  in  which  he  lashed 
Johnny  Q.  rather  severely. 

It  is  now  7  o'clock,  and  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Affairs 
have  a  special  meeting  at  that  hour,  to  take  up  our  affairs  with 
Mexico,  so  excuse  me. 

Your  Husband, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  225 

Disapprove  of  Monument  to  Cilley 

Washington,  April  29,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Thank  you  for  your  letter  of  last  evening.  I  must  be  per- 
mitted to  say  further  that  I  felt  proud  of  my  wife  for  that  part 
of  her  letter  which  related  to  the  contemplated  monument  to 
the  memory  of  Mr.  Cilley.  I  read  it  to  Anderson  and  he  spoke 
of  it  in  warm  terms  for  its  high  tone  of  moral  feeling,  though 
he  could  not  agree  with  you.  He  is  for  erecting  the  monu- 
ment &  subscribing  liberally  toward  it.  I  disagreed  with  him, 
and  your  letter  comes  in  the  right  time  to  confirm  my  impres- 
sions which,  though  early  taken,  were  not  sufficiently  deep  and 
strong. 

The  funeral  honors  paid  him  here  I  think  were  justifiable 
and  right.  They  rested  on  a  different  principle  from  the  one 
involved  in  the  erection  of  a  monument.  The  mode  in  which 
he  was  buried  here  was  the  usual  mode  for  the  burial  of  mem- 
bers of  Congress.  We  neither  stepped  out  of  our  way  to  pay 
undue  and  unusual  honors  to  his  remains,  nor  did  we  under- 
take to  lacerate  the  feelings  of  his  friends  by  omitting  the  cus- 
tomary rites.  This  course  I  think  was  just  right,  and  I  have 
seen  no  cause  to  regret  the  part  I  took  in  inducing  the  House  to 
adopt  it. 

I  have  received  a  subscription  paper  from  Thomaston,  but 
with  my  present  views  I  shall  give  nothing. 

The  question  whether  the  reports  &  evidence  shall  be 
printed,  in  the  duel  case,  has  not  yet  been  decided,  though  de- 
bated a  whole  week.  Some  of  them  had  a  touch  at  me  yester- 
day for  "springing  a  trap  upon  them"  and  possibly  I  may  give 
them  a  short  reply  tomorrow.  I  do  not,  however,  consider  it  of 
much  consequence.  I  expect  as  these  fellows  find  themselves 
driven  into  a  corner,  that  they  will  turn  round  and  go  to  abus- 
ing me.     I  hope  my  philosophy  will  enable  me  to  endure  it. 

One  word  as  to  matters  at  home.  If  you  feel  very  desir- 
ous of  raising  the  two  calves  I  will  not  object,  though  I  had 
rather  not.  But  if  they  are  raised,  I  insist  on  their  being  taken 
from  the  cows  after  they  are  three  months  old ;  butter  is  butter, 
say  what  you  will  to  the  contrary.  Your  dairy  will  be  a  small 
affair  this  year,  I  suspect. 

Hope  the  children  are  not  going  to  have  the  whooping 
cough,  notwithstanding  your  suggestions.  It  is  a  complaint  I 
dread  much.     I  would  give  a  good  deal  to  see  them,  though  in 


226  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

consequence  of  the  employment  of  my  mind  just  now  I  do  not 
think  of  them  so  much  as  I  ought  to.  Right  gladly  would  I  con- 
sent to  little  Hammy's  pinching  me. 

The  Senate,  as  you  suggest,  took  up  the  subject  of  an  ad- 
journment, but,  I  believe,  fixed  no  time.  There  is  no  probability 
I  think,  of  adjourning  before  the  first  of  July. 

The  weather  yesterday  was  extremely  warm  and  today 
differs  but  little  from  it.  I  put  on  cotton  drawers  &  worsted 
stockings  this  morning  for  the  first  time,  &  yesterday  had  my 
hair  cut — three  things  that  have  promoted  my  comfort  not  a  lit- 
tle. I  doubt  whether  I  shall  want  the  pair  you  have  been  knit- 
ting for  me;  if  I  should  I  will  let  you  know.  Did  you  receive 
yours  through  the  mail?     I  sent  them  as  requested. 

Have  you  read  the  nos.  of  the  Dyspeptick  in  the  Mirror  or 
Robert  Rueful?     I  think  they  are  very  amusing. 

Have  been  to  meeting  today  &  had  an  excellent  sermon 
from  Mr.  Bullfinch. 

Your  Husband, 

J.  F. 


No  Quorum — Members  Attend  Races 

Washington,  May  1,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Another  little  speech  of  ''our  John's"  will  appear  in  tomor- 
row's Globe.  It  hit  some  sore  places  of  the  opposition,  and 
caused  a  little  wincing.  Hope  1  shall  not  be  called  out  again. 
Have  spoken  enough  for  one  session, — want  to  be  more  quiet. 
Today,  at  one  time,  we  were  without  a  quorum,  many  of  the 
members  having  gone  off  to  the  race  course,  where  a  purse  of 
$20,000  was  to  be  run  for.  At  3  o'clock  we  adjourned  on  ac- 
count of  the  absence  of  members ;  this  is  disgraceful  to  the  last 
degree.  It  is  a  foul  stain  upon  the  character  of  an  American 
Congress. 

No  decisive  vote  yet  in  the  duel  case,  tomorrow  I  hope  we 
shall  bring  it  to  some  point. 

Yours, 

J.  F. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  227 

His  Views  on  the  Races 

Washington,  May  4,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Immediately  after  the  House  met  this  morning  Mr.  Bell 
introduced  a  resolution  to  adjourn  over  to  Monday  to  give  the 
officers  of  the  House  an  opportunity  to  change  the  carpets,  put- 
ting down  straw  matting,  and  to  cleanse  and  air  the  House, 
and  it  was  carried  by  a  vote  of  more  than  two-thirds.  I,  how- 
ever, voted  against  it,  for,  tho  our  health  requires  this  change 
in  the  House,  the  public  business  is  suffering  for  our  action. 
Besides,  I  was  not  disposed  to  lay  the  duel  case  aside  for  any- 
thing. 

After  the  House  adjourned  I  joined  in  the  dissipation  of 
going  to  the  races  which  have  been  going  on  for  two  or  three 
days,  and  by  reason  of  which  we  have  not  been  able  to  have  a 
quorum  in  the  House  more  than  half  the  time. 

The  horses,  8  or  10  in  number,  ran  finely.  The  day  was 
good.  Much  company  was  there  though  but  few  ladies.  I  saw 
but  few  intoxicated,  but  such  a  scene  of  gambling  I  never  saw 
before.  Roulette  tables,  faro  tables,  &c.,  &c.  I  have  been  to 
these  races,  I  think,  for  the  last  time.  They  create  no  pleas- 
urable excitement  for  me  at  all.  But  for  going  I  have  high 
authority ;  if  I  am  not  much  mistaken  I  once  saw  several  north- 
ern ladies  there,  who,  it  is  to  be  supposed,  will  set  themselves 
against  every  thing  immoral. 

What  shall  I  do  with  myself  for  the  three  days  before  me? 
I  have  been  contemplating  a  journey  to  Richmond,  but  find 
that  most  of  it  will  be  in  the  night  and  I  have  no  taste  for  that. 
So  I  will  sleep  upon  the  matter  one  night  and  then  determine. 
It  looks  now  like  foul  weather;  if  that  comes  it  will,  of  course, 
interrupt  all  plans. 

No  decisive  vote  yet  on  the  case  reported  by  the  duel  com- 
mittee. I  think  the  Whigs  will  carry  their  point  and  kill  the 
whole  matter  by  indirect  and  unfair  attacks.  Well,  I  shall  have 
discharged  my  duty  and  for  the  rest  the  House  must  take  the 
responsibility. 

Love  to  all. 

Yours, 

J.  F. 


228  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Boarding  House  Burglarized 

Washington,  May  8,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

The  House  has  just  adjourned  at  11  o'clock,  on  the  an- 
nouncement of  the  death  of  another  member,  Mr.  Lawler  of  Ala- 
bama. I  was  much  astonished  this  morning  to  hear  of  his 
death  as  I  had  not  before  heard  of  his  sickness.  He  had,  how- 
ever, been  sick  for  a  few  days  only — the  complaint  being  what 
is  a  very  common  one  among  Southern  men,  bilious  pleurisy. 
The  death  was  announced  by  Mr.  Lyon  and  the  funeral  takes 
place  tomorrow,  12  o'clock.  This  makes  the  4th  death  this 
session. 

I  have  also  another  piece  of  news  for  you,  to  wit,  that  last 
night  our  house  was  entered  and  robbed  by  some  villains  at 
present  unknown,  tho  the  officers  are  in  hot  pursuit  of  them. 
They  probably  entered  at  the  front  window  which,  to  my  aston- 
ishment, I  find  was  not  fastened,  indeed,  that  is  the  case  with 
all  the  windows.  Mrs.  Pitman  lost  her  large  spoons,  soup  ladles, 
fish  knives,  rings  for  the  napkins,  &c.,  &c.,  making  a  loss  of 
about  $100,  she  thinks.  The  robbers  then  went  to  Mr.  Allen's 
room,  where  he  was  asleep,  and  took  his  watch  from  the  table, 
worth  about  $80,  his  wallet  from  his  pantaloons'  pocket,  con- 
taining about  $30  in  money,  and  his  gold  spectacles,  worth 
about  $14.00. 

They  went  to  Mr.  Loomis'  room,  who,  you  know,  is  a  little 
hard  of  hearing,  and  took  from  his  pocket  a  wallet  containing 
about  $100  in  money.  His  trunk  was  taken  down  into  the  par- 
lor and  broken  open,  but  nothing  was  taken  from  it  that  Mr.  L. 
has  yet  discovered.  All  the  rest  of  us  escaped.  Mrs.  P.  sus- 
pects a  man  by  the  name  of  William,  who  was  with  her  about  a 
week  during  the  special  session.  I  do  not  recollect  him,  do  you  ? 
Mr.  Allen  laughs  very  heartily  about  it,  and  Loomis  doesn't 
cry;  indeed,  all  concerned  bear  their  loss  very  well.  I  suspect 
we  all  hereafter  lock  our  rooms  on  going  to  bed.  This  perhaps 
is  safest,  though  I  do  not  like  it. 

I  intended  to  have  made  an  asparagus  bed  this  spring,  but 
suppose  we  must  let  it  go  another  year. 

Have  the  peach  trees  shown  any  signs  of  life  yet?  I'll 
thank  you  just  to  have  an  eye  to  my  mulberries  in  the  front 
yard. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  229 

Take  Vote  on  the  Cilley  Duel  Case 

Washington,  May  10,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

We  have  at  last  taken  a  vote  on  the  report  of  the  select 
committee  in  the  duel  case,  twenty  days  having  elapsed  since 
the  report  was  made  and  a  motion  to  print.  The  question  was 
divided,  and  on  the  first  branch  to  lay  upon  the  table,  there  was 
a  small  majority.  On  the  second  for  printing  the  Reports,  there 
was  a  majority  of  over  50,  and  the  third,  to  print  the  evidence, 
&c.,  was  carried  unanimously.  The  opposition  squirmed  dread- 
fully at  being  obliged  to  vote,  for  a  motion  to  lay  upon  the 
table  is  not  debatable,  and  immediately  after  a  vote 
was  taken  on  that,  the  previous  question  was  moved  and 
carried  as  to  the  printing.  In  this  dilemma  Old  Adams  and 
others  found  themselves  placed  and  finally  had  to  vote  for  the 
printing  after  they  had  wasted  three  weeks  in  opposing  it. 
Adams,  Gushing,  Lincoln  &  several  other  Feds  had  to  go  for 
the  printing. 

Old  A.  I  believe  to  be  a  rotten,  unprincipled  old  scamp.  I 
have  heretofore  supposed  that  his  course  was  to  be  attributed 
to  waywardness.  I  now  believe  him  to  be  destitute  of  principle, 
a  man  who  has  but  little  to  restrain  him  from  the  gratification 
of  the  worse  passions.  May  the  Lord  forgive  me  if  I  am  un- 
charitable, but  I  know  of  no  way  but  to  judge  a  tree  by  its  fruit. 
There,  that  is  letting  off  a  little.  I  hope  I  shall  now  feel  easier. 
Yesterday,  Anderson,  Loomis  &  myself  took  three  horses  and 
off  we  started  for  Curtis's,  which  I  suppose  you  remember  as  a 
sort  of  palace  visible  from  the  Capitol,  situated  on  very  high 
ground  on  the  other  side  of  the  Potomac,  distant,  say  3  or  4 
miles.  The  location  we  found  very  fine,  but  the  soil  was  poor, 
and  much  of  the  growth  appeared  to  be  rather  stunted  and 
dwarfish.  The  house,  too,  altho  it  makes  such  an  imposing 
appearance  from  Washington,  is  rather  shabby  when  reached. 

From  Curtis's  we  went  up  to  opposite  Georgetown  on  the 
southern  side  of  the  Potomac  intending  to  cross  to  Georgetown 
by  the  ferry,  but  on  reaching  it,  the  ferryman  said  the  current 
was  so  strong  he  could  not  venture  to  take  horses  over,  so  we 
made  back  tracks,  reaching  home  before  dinner.  Today,  with 
the  exception  of  two  chafed  spots  and  lame  shoulders,  I  feel 
much  improved  by  my  ride. 

J.  F. 


230  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

The  Reissue  of  Treasury  Notes 

House  Representatives,  May  12,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Our  friends  having  agreed  to  sit  out  the  question  now  pend- 
ing, to  wit,  a  bill  authorizing  the  Secretary  to  reissue  treasury 
notes,  I  have  taken  a  cold  bite  below  and  am  prepared  for  a  ses- 
sion of  a  part,  if  not  the  whole,  of  the  night.  I  regret  this  in- 
asmuch as  it  is  Saturday.  But  the  opposition  grow  worse  & 
worse,  and  as  we  now  are  in  committee  of  the  whole  where  the 
previous  question  cannot  be  moved,  we  have  no  other  remedy 
than  to  sit  out  the  matter. 

The  necessity,  too,  is  exceedingly  strong  as  the  treasury  is 
empty  and  the  public  business  must  stop  and  the  public  credi- 
tors must  go  unpaid  unless  something  is  done  forthwith. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  F. 


Hopes  Soon  to  Get  to  Boundary  Bill 

Washington,  May  17,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Last  night  about  9  o'clock  we  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  vote 
on  the  bill  providing  for  the  reissue  of  Treasury  notes.  The 
previous  question  was  carried  by  the  casting  vote  of  the 
Speaker.  Today  a  motion  was  made  to  reconsider  the  vote  by 
which  the  bill  passed  last  evening  and  on  the  vote  being  taken, 
it  stood  for  reconsidering  110,  against  it,  109.  By  the  rules 
of  the  House,  when  the  Speaker  by  voting  can  produce  a  tie, 
he  has  a  right  to  vote,  which  he  did  in  this  instance  and  thereby 
defeated  the  motion  for  reconsideration;  so  the  question  may 
now  be  regarded  as  settled. 

Today  Gushing  &  Mr.  Adams  have  been  holding  forth 
about  the  territory  beyond  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  the  occu- 
pation of  Columbia  river.  We  shall  try  to  get  up  our  North- 
eastern boundary  bill  next  week  probably.  Chas.  S.  Davis  has 
been  sent  here  by  Gov.  Kent  to  aid  us  in  procuring  the  passage 
of  the  bill !  &c.,  &c. 

I  want  to  hear  from  my  own  dear  children.  Hope  their 
whooping  cough  is  not  to  be  very  severe.  The  weather  today  & 
yesterday  has  been  very  warm.     I  have  not    yet    doffed    my 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  231 

guernsey  but  have  put  on  my  summer  coat.  I  have  also  ex- 
changed my  white  summer  hat  for  a  black  one  of  the  same  ma- 
terial, and  which  is  very  ''genteel." 

The  ladies  are  all  cleared  out  from  the  City  and  very  soon 
it  will  be  as  dull  and  gloomy  as  a  bachelor's  hall. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  F. 


Would  Give  Ninepence  to  See  the  Pigs 

Washington,  May  19,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  was  glad  to  get  a  letter  from  you  last  night  and  to  learn 
that  the  children  are  no  worse. 

I  was  also  much  gratified  to  learn  that  we  have  been  so 
fortunate  in  our  pigs — 10  and  7,  with  a  loss  of  2  only,  I  call 
capital  luck.  I  think  we  had  better  keep  4  of  them  &  sell  the 
rest.  About  this,  however,  I  will  write  to  Davis.  As  to  your 
inquiry  about  the  roaster,  if  you  are  serious,  let  me  say  that  I 
hope  you  will  not  deprive  yourself  of  any  comforts  which  the 
farm  can  furnish. 

Oh,  the  pigs,  I  have  thought  of  them  a  good  deal  since  last 
night.  The  dear  little,  round,  plump,  white  squealers,  how  I 
should  like  to  look  down  into  your  comfortable  quarters  and 
see  you  nestle,  climb  over  each  other's  backs,  and  nose  one  an- 
other about,  to  say  nothing  of  listening  to  the  combination  ot 
musical  voices.  Ah,  I  would  give  ninepence  to  see  you,  and 
that  is  saying  a  good  deal,  for  it  is  half  as  much  as  they  ask 
to  see  an  elephant. 

Your  list  of  news  about  domestic  operations  was  very  wel- 
come to  me.  You  will  have  a  late  garden,  I  fear,  but  there  is 
no  help  for  it.  I  have  just  heard  that  Mr.  Senator  Tallmadge 
was  awakened  last  night  by  some  one  in  his  chamber  who  was 
endeavoring  to  get  open  the  drawers  of  his  bureau.  He  jumped 
out  of  bed,  when  the  rogue  fled  &  escaped.  If  my  turn  is  to 
come  the  rogues  will  find  easy  work,  for  I  not  only  sleep  with 
my  door  unlocked,  but  open.  I  should  have  locked  it  the  night 
after  our  robbery,  but  could  not  find  any  key. 

The  President  &  a  few  from  the  Senate  have  been  down  to 
Mount  Vernon  today  in  the  steamship  Fulton. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  F. 


232  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

A  Bit  of  Home  Gossip 

Washington,  May  23d. 
Dear  Wife^, 

Our  House  commenced  its  session  today  at  10  o'clock,  this 
leaves  us  no  time  hardly  for  anything,  and  we  seemed  to  have 
little  enough  before,  in  all  conscience.  However,  I  voted  for  it. 
But  little  is  yet  said  in  favor  of  adjournment,  though  that  little 
is  in  favor  of  the  2d  or  9th  of  July.  Some  have  suggested  the 
expediency  of  meeting  a  month  earlier  next  session.  If  so,  this 
session  may  be  shortened  thereby  a  little. 

I  never  should  have  thought  of  neighbor  Dearing  taking 
Widow  Gould !     Hope  you  will  leave  your  card  early. 

If  Uncle  William  wants  the  heifer  calf,  give  it  to  him. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  F. 


Mr.  Parris  Arrives 

Washington,  May  30,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday,  notwithstanding  your  injunction  to  the  con- 
trary, I  took  the  liberty  to  make  another  short  speech  upon  the 
subject  of  the  boundary.  It  will  come  out  in  this  evening's  pa- 
per, which  I  will  send  you,  though  I  don't  know  as  you  will  care 
much  about  it. 

We  had  a  report  here  last  evening  of  an  insurrection  among 
the  slaves  out  at  Georgetown,  but  I  believe  but  a  very  small 
number  were  found  to  be  implicated  and  they  are  now  in  jail. 

Mr.  Parris,  our  new  representative,  has  arrived,  and  aston- 
ishes everybody  with  his  beauty.  From  some  remarks  in  the 
papers  about  his  chin,  everybody  was  prepared  to  see  a  very 
ugly  looking  fellow.  He  is,  however,  very  far  otherwise. 
Prentiss  &  Word  from  Mississippi,  have  also  arrived,  which  is 
rather  a  sore  matter  to  me.     I  can't  endure  that  Prentiss. 

Yesterday  we  had  for  our  dessert  my  great  favorite,  straw- 
berries &  cream,  and  better  still,  I  had  as  many  as  I  wanted.  I 
wish  I  could  send  you  a  quart  or  two,  don't  you? 

Ever  yours, 

J.  F. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  233 

Disgraceful  Quarrel,  Blows  Being  Struck 

Washington,  June  1,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  one  more  disgraceful  scene  to  record  enacted  upon 
the  floor  of  the  House  of  Representatives.  Mr.  Turney  of  Ten- 
nessee concluded  a  speech  today,  begun  yesterday,  in  which  he 
replied  to  a  speech  before  made  by  Jno.  Bell.  Turney  had  re- 
viewed the  political  course  of  Bell  with  some  severity  but  keep- 
ing himself  within  the  rules  of  the  House.  He  was  followed  by 
Bell,  who  indulged  in  a  strain  of  violent  and  bitter  invective, 
using  many  epithets  of  a  personal  and  offensive  character. 

At  one  of  his  remarks,  Turney,  who  sat  immediately  before 
him,  rose,  and  turning  to  Bell  said,  *'It  is  false,  basely  false,"  be- 
ing strongy  excited  at  the  time.  Thereupon  Bell  struck  at  him 
with  his  fist.  Turney  parried  the  blow  and  struck  at  Bell.  They 
continued  striking  at  each  other  for  some  time  before  they 
could  be  stopped  by  the  members  who  surrounded  them.  Cries 
of  "Order !"  "Order !"  rang  from  every  part  of  the  Hall,  and  the 
Speaker  (we  then  being  in  committee  of  the  whole,  Mr.  Howard 
in  the  chair),  resumed  the  chair  without  a  vote  of  the  House  in 
order  to  bring  the  House  to  order,  which  he  finally  succeeded  in 
doing.  After  a  few  short  speeches  upon  the  subject.  Bell  & 
Turney  apologized  to  the  House  and  so  the  matter  passed  off. 

It  was  a  disgraceful  scene  and  will  go  far  to  destroy  the 
dignity  &  character  of  Congress  in  the  eyes  of  the  Nation  and 
the  world.  I  was  in  the  gallery  at  the  time  with  Mr.  Chase  & 
Mr.  Balkam  from  Maine  and  had  a  fair  opportunity  to  see  the 
whole. 

I  am  writing  now  from  the  House  where  I  expect  to  be  de- 
tained at  least  till  12  o'clock.  The  Florida  war  bill  is  to  be  set 
out  tonight  &  I  understand  that  Wise  is  to  come  in  and  make  a 
long  speech  in  the  course  of  the  evening. 

Yours, 

J.  F. 


Nobody  Dares  Fight  a  Duel 

Washington,  June  9,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

This  has  been  an  exceedingly  warm  day  with  us.  It  is 
fortunate  we  are  not  made  of  tallow,  otherwise  we  might  melt 
as  quick  as  Mrs.  Gage's  ice  creams. 


234  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

The  anticipated  duel  between  Biddle  &  Downing  has  been 
settled  and  a  very  silly  &  pompous  announcement  made  of  it 
in  the  House  by  Waddy  Thompson.  The  truth  is  no  one  ever 
dreamt  a  duel  would  grow  out  of  what  passed  between  them; 
no  one  dare  fight  a  duel  here  now,  and  this  parade  about  the 
affair  made  by  Thompson  is  merely  to  keep  up  the  idea  that  the 
peculiar  code  of  southern  honor  is  still  in  force,  and  that  certain 
folks  are  determined  to  be  very  "chivalrous" — yes,  chivalrous  is 
the  word. 

Sunday  Afternoon,  June  10. 

After  writing  the  foregoing  I  was  called  to  tea  last  night 
and  did  not  return  in  season  to  get  into  Sam's  bag,  so  I'll  finish 
it  now.  Another  warm  day.  Have  been  to  meeting  and  had  a  first 
rate  sermon  from  Mr.  Bulfinch.  Moderate  dinner,  strawberries 
smothered  in  cream  for  dessert,  short  nap  after  it,  "&  so  on." 

Ever  thine, 

J.  F. 


State  Convention  Day  Approaches 

June  13,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

We  have  many  important  bills  that  must  be  acted  on  before 
we  can  agree  to  adjourn,  particularly  the  sub-treasury,  the  in- 
crease of  the  army,  northeastern  boundary,  &c.  We  are  now 
debating  the  pre-emption  bill,  i.  e.,  a  bill  for  the  benefit  of  the 
squatters.  Gushing  has  just  made  quite  a  democratic  speech  in 
favor  of  the  squatters,  and  in  the  course  of  it  cited  and  read  a 
case  from  3d  of  Fairfield's  Reports. 

Rice  Garland  is  now  at  it  with  his  sharp  voice  and  vinegar 
spirit.  He  is  no  favorite  of  mine  as  you  may  well  judge  from 
what  passed  between  us  in  regard  to  the  duel  investigation,  tho 
I  think  he  entertains  harder  thoughts  of  me  than  I  do  of  him. 

I  received  last  night  from  Gol.  Dunn  "The  Old  Orchard 
Sentinel"  No.  2.  It  is  quite  amusing,  have  you  seen  it?  Amos 
Goodwin  adds  a  P.S.  to  Dunn's  letter  and  speaks  about  the  pros- 
pect of  my  descending  to  be  candidate  for  Governor, 

The  Convention  takes  place  a  week  from  today  &  I  fear  the 
result.  If  they  nominate  me  I  shall  have  to  stand.  What  say 
you? 

Ever  yours, 

J.  F. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  235 

Bill  to  Regulate  Steamboats 

Washington,  June  16. 
Dear  Wife, 

How  does  the  farm  get  along?  By  the  way,  just  tell  Davis 
I  think  we  had  better  have  a  horse  rake  made  before  haying 
comes  on.  Capt.  Jordan,  I  believe,  has  a  pretty  good  one  and 
Davis  had  better  go  see  it  before  he  has  one  made.  Hope  I 
shall  get  home,  and  think  I  shall,  time  enough  to  help  get  in  the 
hay.  My  first  job  will  be  though,  I  think,  to  build  a  front  yard 
fence,  the  old  one  probably  looking  very  shabby  by  this  time — 
doesn't  it? 

Today  we  are  acting  on  the  bill  regulating  the  manage- 
ment of  steamboats.  Hope  we  shall  get  through  it  today.  It 
is  an  important  bill  &  may  save  many  lives.  But  everybody  is 
so  full  of  talk  that  I  get  out  of  patience  with  them. 

My  colleague  "Davee"^  is  in  the  chair  and  presides  remark- 
ably well.  He  is  an  old  Speaker,  you  know.  My  colleague,  Par- 
ris,  has  learned  within  a  few  days  that  his  wife  &  child  are  sick 
with  the  small  pox,  he  having  carried  it  home  from  Augusta. 
It  seems  that  he  was  not  aware  that  he  had  it  himself,  inasmuch 
as  he  had  before  been  vaccinated,  and  indeed  it  is  probable  that 
he  only  had  the  varioloid.  The  last  letter  he  had  they  were 
supposed  to  be  out  of  danger. 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

'Thomas  Davee  of  Blanchard,   Me.,   a  Democrat  and  a  merchant.     Served 
two  terms. 


Taking  Up  the  Sub-Treasury  Bill 

Dear  Wife, 

We  have  today  taken  up  the  sub-treasury  bill  which  is  the 
great  measure  of  the  administration  and  when  we  shall  have 
reached  a  vote  upon  it,  everything  else  will  be  disposed  of  has- 
tily and  members  will  begin  to  scramble  for  home.  We  have 
all  along  been  calculating  upon  a  protracted  debate  upon  this 
question,  but  the  indications  at  present  seem  to  be  the  other 
way.  At  all  events,  I  think  the  matter  will  be  disposed  of  this 
week. 

Mrs.  Pitman  says  she  is  going  to  Maine  to  visit  you,  but 
won't  say  when.  I  invited  her  to  go  with  me,  but  without 
effect.    She  gives  us  an  abundance  of  strawberries  of  the  largest 


236  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

&  best  kind.  Hope  you  get  some  now  and  then — and  yester- 
day she  gave  us  a  new  article,  viz.:  ice  custards  (frozen  cus- 
tards instead  of  cream).  They  were  very  nice.  I  mention  these 
little  things  because  this  hot  weather  we  cannot  eat  much  of 
anything  but  nic-nacs,  and  to  remind  you  of  your  sojourning 
here. 

Our  mess  has  diminished  somewhat,  most  of  the  ladies  hav- 
ing gone  &  two  of  the  gentlemen.  Poor  Mrs.  Birdsall  seems 
to  be  dreadfully  homesick,  I  don't  wonder  at  it.  She  never 
goes  to  the  House  or  Senate  and  but  seldom  anywhere  else. 

Parris'  wife  is  like  to  get  well,  but  his  child  is  yet  danger- 
ous. Judge  Bruyn  of  N.  Y.,  who  left  here  some  weeks  since  for 
home  on  account  of  his  ill  health,  we  hear  has  not  yet  reached 
home  &  probably  never  will.     He  is  nearly  gone  in  consumption. 

Tomorrow  the  great  convention  meets  at  Augusta.  I  hope 
Mclntire  will  be  agreed  on  for  Governor,  but  I  fear  otherwise. 
If  they  should  agree  upon  you  &  I,  we  shall  have  to  submit. 
How  does  the  prospect  affect  you  ? 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  F. 


Two  Terrible  Disasters 

Washington,  June  22d,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

This  morning  the  rules  are  suspended  to  admit  a  resolution 
fixing  upon  a  day  of  adjournment  and  I  have  been  giving  some 
very  reluctant  votes.  After  amending  the  resolution  so  as  to 
stand  for  the  second  Monday  of  July,  the  9th  day,  the  resolution 
was  postponed  to  Friday,  this  day  week.  Much  against  my 
feelings  I  voted  for  the  postponement.  There  are  certain  bills 
pending  before  the  House  that  must  be  attended  to  and  as  a 
friend  of  the  administration,  I  cannot  consent  to  fix  upon  a  day 
of  adjournment  until  some  disposition  is  made  of  them.  On 
Friday  I  think  the  resolution  will  be  taken  up  again  &  the  16th 
will  be  determined  on  for  adjournment. 

We  have  just  heard  of  two  more  terrible  steamboat  disas- 
ters, one,  the  burning  of  a  boat  on  Lake  Erie  within  2  or  3  miles 
of  the  shore  by  which  about  40  persons  have  lost  their  lives. 
The  other  is  the  case  of  the  Pulaski,  bound  from  Charleston  to 
Baltimore,  having  on  board  about  150  passengers — 50  of  them 
women — off  Cape  Hatteras.     Her  boiler  burst  and  all  were  lost 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  237 

except  about  20  who  betook  themselves  to  the  boats.  Gov. 
Hamilton  of  South  Carolina  and  other  distinguished  men  are 
among  the  lost.  There  were  also,  I  believe,  many  persons  & 
families  on  their  way  to  spend  the  summer  at  the  North. 

We  have  a  bill  pending  which  has  for  its  object  to  prevent 
these  accidents,  but  I  fear  that  it  will  not  be  very  effectual,  tho 
it  may  do  some  good.  Steam  is  too  powerful  an  agent  to  be 
entirely  within  human  control. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  F. 


Gives  His  Views  on  Forrest,  the  Actor 

Washington,  June  25,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  write  from  the  House  where  I  think  we  shall  be  confined 
to  a  late  hour, — as  there  seems  to  be  a  strong  desire  on  both 
sides  of  the  House  to  take  up  the  question  of  the  sub-treasury 
bill  tonight,  and  still  many  have  speeches  prepared  for  deliv- 
ery. The  vote  will  be  a  close  one,  but  I  fear  we  shall  get  beaten. 

Tonight  we  shall  hear  who  is  to  be  our  candidate  for  Gov- 
ernor and  consequently  who  is  to  receive  the  outpourings  of 
federal  abuse  for  two  months  or  more. 

I  send  you  today  two  plays,  "Ion"  and  "The  Love  Chase." 
I  have  tried  to  obtain  the  "Lady  of  Lyons  or  Love  and  Pride," 
but  could  not.  It  is  excellent,  and  when  I  can  get  it,  will  for- 
ward it  to  you.     "The  Love  Chase"  is,  I  think,  next  to  it. 

Without  making  any  acknowledgments  as  to  what  I  have 
seen  or  heard,  I  will  give  it  as  my  opinion  that  Forrest  as 
Claude  Melnott  &  Miss  Monier  as  Pauline,  are  inimitable.  For- 
rest is  a  most  magnificent  looking  fellow,  and  what  is  better,  is 
a  thorough-going  Democrat.  He  has  consented  to  deliver  an 
oration  on  the  4th  of  July  at  New  York,  and  it  is  said  that,  hav- 
ing acquired  a  fortune,  he  intends  quitting  the  stage  and  enter- 
ing upon  political  life.  "The  Lady  of  Lyons"  is  full  of  noble 
sentiment  and  seems  to  have  been  written  for  Forrest  himself. 

Mrs.  P.'s  flowers  look  elegantly,  particularly  the  Tennessee 
rose,  which  runs  up  over  a  frame  work  and  bears  very  abund- 
antly. 

Today  the  Masons,  great  fools  as  they  are,  are  having  a 
public  celebration.  Mr.  Allen,  who  boards  with  us  you  know, 
says  he  was  once  admitted  to  a  lodge,  but  has  never  been  near 


238  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

them  since.  He  admits  that  Morgan  disclosed  the  secrets  and 
calls  the  whole  institution  a  humbug.  He  offered  if  we  would  go 
to  his  chamber  to  go  through  the  process  &  show  us  how  Ma- 
sons were  made,  but  none  of  us  had  curiosity  enough  to  go 
with  him. 

J.  F. 


Is  Nominated  For  Governor 

Washington,  June  27. 
Dear  Wife, 

So  it  seems  the  matter  is  settled,  and  if  the  doings  of  the 
Convention  be  ratified  by  the  people  you  &  I  are  to  be  promoted. 
You  recollect  the  story  of  Major  Bryant  and  his  wife,  I  suppose. 
I  perceive  that  there  was  great  unanimity  among  the  members, 
and  so  far  as  that  goes,  augurs  well  for  our  success.  Our  friends 
are  very  sanguine,  and  if  beaten  will  be  much  disappointed. 

For  myself,  aside  from  political  considerations,  defeat 
would  not  excite  any  very  strong  feelings  of  regret.  The 
office  has  nothing  inviting  about  it  in  my  eye.  Its  duties,  cares, 
responsibilities,  etc.,  are  far  from  being  desirable  to  one  who 
loves  quiet  as  I  do.  Beside,  you  know  I  hate  dignity,  much 
more  stiff,  stately  form  and  ceremony,  and  Governor  or  no 
Governor,  I  never  can  array  myself  in  it. 

Another  of  the  unpleasant  things  connected  with  my  an- 
ticipations is  the  abuse  that  I  must  receive  from  the  federal 
papers.  Slander  will  be  heaped  on  slander;  my  conduct  mis- 
represented; my  motives  impugned,  my  character  traduced  & 
everything  done  &  said  which  may  be  thought  necessary  to 
prevent  my  election.  Well,  I  must  make  up  my  mind  to  endure 
it.  Conscious  rectitude,  if  it  will  not  arrest  the  arrows  of  the 
enemy,  may  prevent  the  infliction  of  very  deep  wounds. 
Nothing  new  here,  except  that  speeches  diminish  in  length  and 
business  men  are  becoming  more  prominent  in  the  House  as  the 
session  draws  to  its  close. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  F. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  239 

Appropriation  for  KennebunK 

Washington,  July  5,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

We  are  having  an  abundance  of  warm  weather  and  busi- 
ness. Yesterday  Evans  &  I  had  a  very  pretty  little  skirmish 
about  an  appropriation  for  Kennebunk  Harbor.  The  debate  on 
my  side,  although  pretty  earnest,  was  in  good  nature  &  appar- 
ently so  on  the  part  of  Evans,  though  his  object  was  political  and 
insidious.     He  is  welcome  to  all  he  made  by  the  attack. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  F. 


Leaving  for  Home 

Washington,  July  7,  1838. 
Saturday  Afternoon. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  not  fully  made  up  my  mind  yet  whether  I  shall  set 
out  for  home  on  Monday  or  Tuesday,  that  must  depend  upon  the 
course  which  the  business  of  the  House  shall  take.  I  shall  start 
on  Monday  morning  at  6  o'clock  if  I  can,  in  which  case  I  suppose 
I  can  reach  home  by  Thursday  morning.  My  present  impres- 
sion is,  in  accordance  with  your  suggestions,  that  I  shall  not 
take  the  steamboat  route  from  Boston,  but  shall  go  by  the  mail 
stage,  reaching  home,  if  no  alteration  has  been  made  in  the 
stage  arrangements,  at  2  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

You  may,  therefore,  leave  open  or  rather  unfastened  the 
front  door  on  Wednesday  and  Thursday  nights — but  don't  say 
anything  to  the  family  about  it.     I  don't  want  to  disturb  them. 

This  probably  is  the  last  letter  I  shall  write  you  this  ses- 
sion, trusting  that  we  shall  soon  have  the  pleasure  of  meeting 
personally. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Finds  Changes  in  House 

Washington,  Saturday,  Dec.  1,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Here  I  am  at  Mrs.  Pitman's  up  in  the  3d  story  in  a  large 
room  in  the  front  part  of  the  house.  I  arrived  here  last  even- 
ing about  8  o'clock,  having  had  a  very  pleasant  time  on,  the 


240  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

weather  moderating  gradually  as  we  approached  the  great  city. 
Mrs.  P.  is  very  well,  has  her  house  newly  fitted  up,  and  is  very 
anxious  to  have  a  full  and  a  good  mess.  At  present  she  has 
Parker,  McClellan,  Birdsall,  Cushman,  Jones  of  N.  Y.,  Allen  and 
Prentiss  of  Vt.,  Anderson  &  myself  and  Dr.  Jones,  minister 
from  Texas.  I  have  just  returned  from  a  call  on  the  President. 
He  appears  to  be  remarkably  well  &  and  in  good  spirits.  In  four 
days,  he  says,  at  the  springs  he  actually  gained  5  lbs.,  ascer- 
tained by  weighing  in  the  scales. 

Mr.  Dungan  says  that  Mr.  Dummer  &  family  are  well.  I 
shall  try  to  go  up  &  see  them  tomorrow  or  Monday,  as  well  as 
Uncle  Richard.  Mrs.  Barry,  I  understand,  is  well,  still  keeping 
house.  All  inquire  for  you  and  Augusta  and  regi'et  that  you 
didn't  come  on  with  me.  At  present  we  have  only  one  lady, 
Mrs.  Judge  Prentiss.  Mrs.  Allen  is  to  be  here  by  and  by,  now 
at  her  son's  in  Newark. 

Everything  looks  pretty  natural  here  and  I  think  I  might 
spend  a  pretty  comfortable  winter  if  duty  didn't  call  me  back 
again.  The  journey  back  I  dread;  the  residence  nearer  home  I 
anticipate  with  some  pleasure. 

The  Hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives  has  been 
entirely  changed  in  its  fitting  up.  The  Speaker's  chair  has 
changed  fronts,  the  seats  of  members,  of  course,  following  suit. 
It  is  more  elegantly  fitted  up  than  it  was  before,  and  the  whole 
arrangement  I  think  is  much  better. 

Your  Husband, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Lost   Thanksgiving   Dinner 

Washington,  Dec.  5,  1838. 
Dear  Ann, 

Today  the  deaths  of  two  members  have  been  announced,  to 
wit,  Judge  Bruyn  &  Mr.  Patterson,  both  of  N.  Y.,  who  died  as 
you  may  perhaps  recollect,  during  the  vacation. 

The  House  in  consequence  immediately  adjourned  till  to- 
morrow, at  which  time  I  suppose  the  appointment  of  commit- 
tees will  be  ordered  and  then  the  House  will  adjourn  over  to 
Monday  to  give  the  Speaker  time  to  execute  the  order,  and  thus 
one  week  will  have  been  used  up. 

I  have  just  been  called  upon  by  two  ladies  soliciting  my 
vote  for  chaplain.     Who  do  you  think  they  were  ?     Do  you  give 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  241 

it  up?  Mary  &  Almira.  What  could  I  do — but  to  tell  them 
I  would  go  for  their  candidate,  a  Mr.  Fowler,  if  I  thought  there 
was  any  prospect  of  electing  him,  but  that  the  prospect  was  alto- 
gether against  him.  What  efficient  politicians,  in  some  respects, 
the  ladies  might  become,  if  they  should  enter  the  field  in  ear- 
nest. 

Many  of  the  members  have  brought  their  wives  with  them, 
and  I  suspect  they  are  preparing  for  a  pretty  gay  winter.  I 
shall,  however,  gladly  quit  all  the  allurements  of  the  great 
Metropolis  to  go  into  the  cold  regions  of  the  North,  inasmuch  as 
I  shall  then  be  near  those  who  fill  my  heart. 

Tell  the  boys  while  they  were  enjoying  their  good  Thanks- 
giving dinner  (as  I  trust  you  had  one,  tho  I  forgot  your  tur- 
key) I  was  going  without  any  at  all.  The  arrangement  was  for 
us  to  take  dinner  on  board  of  the  boat  immediately  after  getting 
on  board  of  her  at  Bordentown,  but  when  we  reached  there  on 
the  railroad,  the  Delaware  was  found  so  frozen  that  the  boat 
could  not  run,  so  we  had  to  go  up  to  Bordentown  &  take  the  cars 
for  Phila.,  which  we  did  not  reach  till  night.  So  it  was  the 
next  day.  Instead  of  taking  the  boats  by  the  way  of  Newcastle  & 
Frenchtown,  we  took  the  railroad  from  Wilmington  to  Balti- 
more &  so  went  without  my  dinner  again.  But  I  am  alive  and 
well  and  upon  the  whole,  think  that  going  without  one's  dinner 
once  in  a  while  is  no  such  killing  affair. 

I  found  but  little  snow  west  of  Portsmouth  in  coming  on. 
Here  the  weather  is  quite  mild.     I  can't  wear  my  new  wrap- 
per and  at  night  throw  all  off  but  the  sheet  &  spread. 
Truly  your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Resolutions  on  Slavery 

Washington,  Dec.  10,  1838. 
My  dear  Wife, 

I  regret  to  tell  you  that  your  cousin  Dolly  is  very  sick  and 
some  of  the  family  think  dangerously.  She  was  sick  when 
I  came  here  and  partially  recovered;  since  that,  however,  she 
has  suffered  a  relapse.  Bilious  pleurisy,  they  call  the  disease. 
I  believe.  I  have  not  yet  been  up  to  Mr.  Chas.  Cutts',  tho  I 
intend  to  in  a  few  days.  They  are,  however,  all  well,  including 
"Kate,"  my  favorite,  you  know. 


242  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Today  the  House  has  been  discussing  a  proposition  to 
amend  the  rules  so  as  to  require  all  elections  hereafter  in  the 
House  to  be  viva  voce.  The  proposition  was  carried,  "the  Gov." 
himself  going  for  it. 

They  are  having  strange  times  in  Pennsylvania.  I  sup- 
pose you  hear  something  about  it.  The  Whigs  have  sent  8  mem- 
bers there  from  Philadelphia  &  seem  determined  to  press  them 
upon  the  House  of  Assembly  tho  they  were  never  elected  by 
the  people.  If  they  prove  successful  in  this,  the  Lord  only 
knows  what  they  will  attempt  next.  The  Governor  has  called  out 
the  militia  to  suppress  the  meeting  of  the  citizens,  calling  it  a 
mob,  &c.,  &c.  Unless  some  compromise  is  effected  soon,  I  fear 
some  blood  will  be  shed. 

Tuesday,  Dec.  11. 

Dear  Ann:  I  wrote  thus  far  yesterday  but  did  not  get  it 
into  Sam's  green  bag,  so  I'll  make  it  answer  for  my  letter  today. 
We  had  a  caucus  last  evening  which  kept  me  out  till  12  o'clock. 
Our  object  was  to  agree  on  some  resolutions  touching  the 
troublesome  subject  of  slavery,  which  we  finally  did.  This 
morning  they  were  introduced  into  the  House  by  Atherton  of 
New  Hampshire  (I  having  refused)  by  whom  the  p.  q.  was 
moved  to  cut  off  debate.  The  whole  day  has  nevertheless  been 
spent  without  taking  a  vote  except  upon  the  first  resolution — 
tomorrow  comes  the  rest. 

Have  not  heard  from  Cousin  Dolly  to-day. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Death  of  Cousin  Dolly 

Washington,  Dec.  13. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  have  just  heard  that  your  Cousin  Dolly  is  dead.  She  died 
last  night  and  is  to  be  buried  tomorrow  afternoon.  Her  death, 
following  so  soon  after  that  of  Thomas,  must  be  veiy  afflicting 
to  them.  I  shall,  of  course,  attend  the  funeral  if  I  am  able,  but 
I  am  sorry  to  say  that  I  am  now  laboring  under  a  severe  pain  in 
my  leg, — a  touch  of  my  old-fashioned  rheumatism.  Am  very 
glad  to  hear  by  Walter  that  you  are  to  have  Mrs.  Morse  with 
you  this  winter.     I  shall  feel  much  easier  about  you. 

My  twinges  are  so  confoundedly  severe  that  I  can't  write. 
Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  243 

Mrs.  Madison  Attends  Funeral 

Washington,  Dec.  16,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

Cousin  Dolly  was  buried  yesterday.  Poor  Mary  was  ex- 
ceedingly affected.  The  attachment  existing  between  her  & 
Dolly,  I  am  told,  was  uncommonly  strong.  The  sickness,  I  be- 
lieve, was  only  about  three  weeks'  duration,  before  that  time  she 
having  enjoyed  the  most  robust  health.  I  am  told,  also,  that 
her  constitution  was  remarkably  strong  and  vigorous. 

Mrs.  Madison  was  at  the  funeral  and  appeared  to  be  in  good 
health,  though  she  did  not  go  to  the  grave.  I  rode  in  a  carriage 
with  Madison  Cutts'  wife  and  Anna  Payne,  a  niece  of  Mrs.  Mad- 
ison. This  Anna  is  a  plain,  simple,  sweet  girl,  and  I  had  a  great 
mind  to  love  her  for  her  name,  if  for  nothing  else. 

Dolly,  it  seems,  had  contemplated  going  to  the  North  the 
first  of  January,  probably  with  me,  though  it  was  not  so  said. 
I  have  a  great  mind  to  invite  Mary,  tho'  I  suppose  it  would  be 
useless,  she  probably  cannot  now  be  spared,  unless  Uncle  Rich- 
ard should  break  up  housekeeping. 

I  have  not  yet  called  at  Mrs.  Chas.  Cutts'  or  to  Mr.  Dum- 
mer's,  am  almost  ashamed  of  it,  will  try  to  call  this  week,  espe- 
cially as  the  last  of  it,  or  the  first  of  next,  I  shall  start  for  home. 

We  have  nothing  new  here.  On  Friday  Congress  adjourned 
over  to  Monday.  Thus  two  weeks  have  passed  without  our 
having  accomplished  much  of  anything,  except  the  passing  of 
some  pretty  important  anti-abolition  resolutions. 

The  weather  here  is  very  mild  and  I  am  enjoying  pretty 
good  health,  my  rheumatism  lasting  only  one  day. 

I  have  written  this  with  a  stump  pen  and  it  is  not  strange, 
therefore,  if  the  writing  looks  like  a  stump  fence. 

Love  to  the  boys  &  girls  and  to  my  dear  wife  the  assurance 
that  I  am 

Ever  Hers.  J.  F. 


Entertained  by  Russian  Minister 

Washington,  Dec.  16,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  just  returned  from  dining  out  and  in  a  few  minutes 
must  begin  to  rig  for  a  "soiree" — the  invitation  to  which  I  en- 
close. Pretty  well,  in  dissipation,  for  such  a  steady  old  man  as 
myself,  isn't  it?     About  1  o'clock  Mary  &  Almira  came  down 


244  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

to  the  Capitol  &  called  me  out.  M.  &  I  went  into  the  Senate 
gallery,  heard  a  couple  of  hours  of  interesting  debate  from  Ben- 
ton, Buchanan,  Davis,  Wall  &  Calhoun,  and  then,  Almira  hav- 
ing sent  the  carriage  back,  we  went  to  their  boarding  house, 
Mrs.  Craven's,  to  dine.  Staid  there  till  after  5  o'clock,  when 
they  sent  me  home,  and  here  I  am  writing  to  you.  They  are  all 
well — and  in  good  spirits  and  send  an  abundance  of  love  to  you. 

The  party  tonight  is  to  be  given  by  the  Russian  Minister  at 
Georgetown.  I  understand  it  is  to  be  a  splendid  affair.  Per- 
haps I'll  tell  you  more  about  it  in  my  next. 

I  had  a  call  the  other  night  from  Mr.  Papineau,  the  great 
Canadian  orator,  &  Doct.  Walfred  Nelson,  who  fought  the  Brit- 
ish troops  there  and  was  afterward  banished  to  Bermuda.  He 
spent  about  3  hours  with  us  and  interested  us  the  whole  time 
with  his  instructive  and  pleasing  conversation  and  at  times  by 
flashes  of  the  purest  eloquence.  Not  time  to  write  more  now. 
Shall  probably  start  Saturday  morning,  but  will  write  you 
again,  next  day  after  tomorrow. 

Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


High  Cost  of  Living 

Washington^  Dec.  20,  1838. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  made  up  my  mind  to  start  on  Saturday  morning. 
Perhaps  I  might  have  delayed  it  until  Monday  if  I  was  sure  of 
a  direct  passage  home  without  any  obstructions,  but  I  am 
afraid  to  risk  it,  and  so  shall  start  on  Saturday.  I  shall  prob- 
ably reach  home  Wednesday  at  2  o'clock  in  the  morning  or  2 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  as  I  may  feel,  and  the  weather  may 
feel,  when  I  get  to  Portsmouth.  It  is  possible  I  may  get  home 
Tuesday  morning,  but  I  don't  think  it  very  probable  and  I  may 
not  reach  there  until  Thursday. 

Night  before  last  I  attended  the  party  of  de  Bodisco,  the 
Russian  Minister,  and  such  a  magnificent  affair  as  it  was,  I 
have  never  witnessed  in  Washington  before,  but  I  reserve  my 
description  of  it  until  I  get  home. 

I  called  this  morning  for  the  first  time  at  Mrs.  Charles 
Cutts'.  She  was  in  a  pretty  coarse  dishabille,  but  otherwise 
appeared  very  well.  I  had  a  homily  upon  the  difliculty  of  liv- 
ing with  eggs  50  cents  a  dozen,  butter  1/2  a  dollar  a  pound,  beef 


LUCY   FAIRFIELD   PKRKINS   HIPLEY 

Daughter  of  Annie  Fairfield  Perkins  and  Granddaughter  of 

Governor  Fairfield 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  245 

10  or  12  cents,  &c.,  &c.  Poor  woman,  I  pity  her,  but  how  many 
are  there  who  are  worse  off.  Miss  Stros  is  as  handsome  as  ever 
and  as  full  of  flattery  as  an  egg  is  full  of  white  &  yolk  both. 

I  also  called  at  Uncle  Richard's,  but  he  was  at  market  and 
the  black  girl  said  Miss  Mary  was  not  to  be  seen.  Tonight, 
however,  Uncle  R.  called  upon  me.  He  feels  the  death  of  Thos. 
&  Dolly  very  much  and  thinks,  moreover,  that  Walter  died  the 
last  summer  in  New  Orleans.  He  said  he  was  not  sure  of  it — 
but  thought  so — and  seemed  to  have  some  information  which 
he  did  not  wish  to  communicate. 

Dolly,  I  understand,  has  left  her  property  principally  to 
Mary,  which  was  between  two  and  three  thousand  dollars,  so 
that  with  what  Mary  had  before,  she  is  comfortably  off. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


A  Sensational  Report 

Augusta,  Dec.  27,  1838. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Mr.  Pratt  being  about  to  start  for  Saco  I  will  avail  myself 
of  the  opportunity  to  drop  you  a  line. 

You  can't  think  how  rejoiced  I  was  on  reaching  Portland 
to  find  myself  alive.  The  same  morning  I  went  in,  a  report 
was  put  in  circulation  there  that  I  had  fallen  suddenly  in  a  fit 
and  expired.  Everybody  seemed  to  believe  it  because  the  news 
was  so  direct — to  wit — that  an  express  had  arrived  at  Mr. 
Whitman's  announcing  the  fact,  and  that  Mr.  Dow  who  lives  in 
the  same  house  had  reported  it.  Some  of  my  political  enemies, 
now  that  I  was  dead,  began  to  praise  me,  and  all  began  to  think 
about  a  successor. 

Here  I  am  at  my  old  stand  at  Hutchins'.  Have  not  suc- 
ceeded yet  in  making  a  bargain  with  him,  but  have  laid  a  train 
for  bringing  him  down  to  a  reasonable  sum,  which  I  have  no 
doubt  he  will  take  rather  than  let  me  leave  for  a  private  house. 

I  want  to  know  very  much  how  little  Hammy  does.  Don't 
fail  to  write  by  Mr.  Tucker,  who,  I  suppose^  will  leave  by  Mon- 
day. 

Yours  as  ever, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


CHAPTER  VII. 
John  Fairfield,  Governor  op  Maine. 

This  is  the  first  installment  of  letters  written  by  John 
Fairfield,  now  Governor  Fairfield,  from  Augusta.  Fortunately 
for  readers  of  his  letters,  Mrs.  Fairfield  decided  not  to  go  to  the 
capital  with  her  husband  that  first  session,  owing  to  her 
domestic  cares,  and  so  we  have  his  letters  written  during  that 
important  session. 

His  letters  while  Governor  were  not  so  regular  as  formerly, 
for  he  usually  waited  to  send  them  privately  rather  than  by 
mail,  postage  no  longer  being  free  to  him  as  it  had  been 
when  he  was  writing  upon  his  gilt-edged  correspondence  paper 
as  Congressman.  By  this  we  see  how  a  public  man  of  that  day, 
unless  he  had  private  means,  was  obliged  to  count  the  cost  of 
things  and  practice  little  economies.  However,  he  was  able 
now  to  go  home  occasionally  and  did  not  need  to  depend  so 
much  upon  correspondence. 

That  the  new  Governor  was  of  a  shy  and  retiring  nature  is 
shown  by  his  dread  of  the  inauguration  ceremonies,  which  he 
evidently  regarded  as  an  ordeal  to  be  gotten  thru  as  well  as  pos- 
sible and  for  which  to  be  thankful  when  it  was  all  over. 

That  first  term  upon  which  Governor  Fairfield  was  entering 
was  one  of  the  most  important  in  the  whole  history  of  Maine's 
Governors.  These  letters  are  of  peculiar  interest  revealing  the 
inside  affairs  of  the  Aroostook  war  and  also  revealing  the  spirit 
and  determination  of  the  man  when  he,  alone  and  single- 
handed,  asking  neither  President  nor  Congress,  declared  war 
against  a  foreign  nation. 

Readers  of  these  letters  no  doubt  recall  how  interested  Con- 
gressman Fairfield  had  become  in  the  Northeastern  Boundary 
question,  from  the  time  the  matter  was  first  introduced  in  Con- 
gress, and  what  difficulty  he  had  in  getting  an  opportunity  to 
deliver  the  speech  he  had  prepared  on  it. 


248  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Upon  March  the  eighth,  after  repeated  postponements,  he 
delivered  his  speech  upon  the  Northeastern  Boundary.  No 
better  explanation  of  this  trouble  can  be  given  than  by  direct 
quotations  from  this  speech  which  is  marked  with  clearness 
and  simplicity,  an  eloquence  which  proceeds  from  the  reason- 
ableness of  the  doctrine.  Mr.  Fairfield  began  his  address  to 
the  House  as  follows: 

"Mr.  Speaker:  I  am  in  favor  of  the  bill  which  my  colleague 
proposes  to  introduce.  What  is  it,  sir?  Why,  it  simply  pro- 
vides that  the  President  cause  the  Northeastern  Boundary  line 
of  the  United  States  to  be  accurately  surveyed  and  marked,  and 
suitable  monuments  to  be  erected  thereon  at  such  points  as 
may  be  deemed  necessary  and  important.  ...  In  Maine, 
there  is  but  one  feeling  on  this  subject.  That  State,  sir,  feels 
that  she  has  suffered  deep  and  enduring  wrongs  at  the  hands  of 
the  British  Government.  She  knows  that  she  has  been  ille- 
gally and  unjustly  deprived  of  the  property  and  jurisdiction  in 
a  portion  of  her  territory;  that  the  valuable  timber  upon  that 
territory  has  been  the  subject  of  plunder  and  waste;  that  her 
citizens  have  been  seized  and  imprisoned  in  foreign  jails,  with- 
out law  and  without  right,  and  that  the  nation  guilty  of  these 
multiplied  and  gross  outrages  not  only  denies  redress,  but  re- 
fuses even  to  agree  upon  a  mode  by  which  the  legality  of  her 
acts  can  be  tried  and  an  amicable  adjustment  of  the  difficulties 
can  be  made.  That  state  also  feels  that  she  has  not  been 
treated  by  the  General  Government  as  she  has  endeavored  to 
deserve.  .  .  .  Corresponding  with  the  extent  of  wrongs  suf- 
fered by  Maine  will  be  the  measure  of  her  right  to  redress.  If 
she  has  been  doubly  wronged  she  is  doubly  entitled  to  relief." 

After  showing  the  dispositions  of  the  several  administra- 
tions immediately  preceding  concerning  this  boundary  ques- 
tion, and  arguing  forcibly  Maine's  entire  right  to  the  disputed 
territory,  showing  the  indignity  Maine  had  received  from  the 
trespassing  of  the  British  government  and  the  neglect  of  the 
Federal  government  concerning  the  issue,  Mr.  Fairfield  ends 
the  speech  in  the  following  manner: 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  249 

"What,  then,  shall  be  done?  Shall  Great  Britain  be  per- 
mitted to  remain  in  the  quiet  and  undisputed  possession  and  use 
of  our  property,  without  making  one  single  effort  on  our  part  to 
procure  its  restoration  ?  Shall  we  tamely  submit  to  the  degra- 
dation of  being  plundered  of  our  property,  and  then  spend  years 
soliciting  the  plunderer  to  agree  upon  some  mode  in  which 
the  legality  of  his  conduct  may  be  tried?  I  trust  not.  It  will 
not  be  in  accordance  with  that  spirit  which  has  hitherto  dis- 
tinguished the  American  character. 

"It  would  argue  a  weakness  and  pusilanimity  disgraceful 
to  us  in  the  last  degree,  and  cannot,  I  am  confident,  find  advo- 
cate:^ upon  this  floor.  What,  then,  shall  be  done?  Shall  we 
go  to  war?  I  answer,  no;  unless  the  surveying  and  marking 
our  line,  and  resisting  all  forcible  attempts  to  take  our  prop- 
erty from  us,  be  war;  I  profess  to  be  the  friend  of  peace,  and 
would  not  rashly  and  unnecessarily  embroil  our  country  in  dif- 
ficulties which  would  result  in  war,  but  in  this  case,  I  have  not 
the  remotest  suspicion  that  the  measure  proposed  could  have 
so  disastrous  and  unhappy  a  result.  Let  this  step  be  taken 
and  the  whole  question  is  settled.  Great  Britain  will  agree  to 
terms  at  once.  .  .  A  rupture  of  the  peaceful  conditions  sub- 
sisting between  that  country  and  this  would  be  one  of  the  last 
things  that  Great  Britain  could  regard  as  desirable.  Nor  will 
she  permit  it  when  it  is  so  easily  avoided. 

"The  President  in  his  last  annual  message,  holds  the  fol- 
lowing language  upon  this  subject:  'Of  pending  questions  the 
most  important  is  that  which  exists  with  the  government  of 
Great  Britain,  in  respect  to  our  northeastern  boundary.  It  is 
with  unfeigned  regret  that  the  people  of  the  United  States 
must  look  upon  the  abortive  efforts  made  by  the  Executive  for 
a  period  of  more  than  half  a  century,  to  determine  what  no 
nation  should  suffer  long  to  be  in  dispute,  the  true  line  which 
divides  its  possessions  from  those  of  other  powers. 

"  'The  time  has  arrived  when  some  decisive  step  should  be 
taken.  Let  there  be  union,  energy  and  firmness  among  the 
different  branches  of  government  upon  this  subject;  let  them 


250  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

manifest  the  determination  to  submit  to  nothing  wrong,  as  well 
as  to  ask  for  nothing  but  what  is  right,  and  this  long  vexed 
question  will  be  terminated  and  settled  forthwith.' " 

In  one  of  the  following  letters  to  his  wife,  Gov.  Fairfield 
tells  of  his  confidential  message  to  the  Legislature  and  a  secret 
session  of  both  Houses  and  hints  great  consequences  to  follow, 
but  even  to  his  wife  he  doesn't  divulge  the  secret.  We  now 
know  that  it  had  to  do  with  the  Northeastern  Boundary  trouble. 

One  of  Gov.  Fairfield's  first  acts,  after  assuming  office,  had 
been  to  dispatch  Rufus  Mclntire,  a  lawyer  of  Parsonsfield,  but 
then  land  agent,  to  the  disputed  territory  to  drive  off  the  timber 
thieves,  who  were  stripping  the  forests  along  the  banks  of  the 
Aroostook  River. 

Mclntire  was  no  longer  a  young  man  and  his  previous  eight 
years  in  Congress  had  poorly  fitted  him  for  the  rigors  of  a  win- 
ter's campaign  in  the  Madawaska  country  and  soon  tiring  of  the 
rude  fare  and  frigid  nights  of  the  cabins  of  the  forest  he  sought 
more  comfortable  quarters.  Though  more  comfortable  they  were 
more  exposed  and  while  enjoying  a  sound  night's  sleep  in  the 
house  of  one  Fitzherbert,  he  was  surprised  by  a  force  of  New 
Brunswick  militia  and  Indians  who  unceremoniously  dragged 
the  land  agent  from  his  warm  nest  and  hurried  him  across  the 
country  to  Fredericton,  N.  B.,  where  he  was  thrown  into  prison. 

The  news  of  the  land  agent's  arrest  spread  like  wildfire 
thru  Maine  and  Gov.  Fairfield  at  once  sent  a  message  to  the 
Legislature  then  in  session.  This  was  the  "secret  message" 
of  which  he  spoke  in  the  letter,  and  the  result  of  it  was  that 
the  militia  was  ordered  to  put  themselves  in  readiness  to  march 
at  once. 

Three  days  after  the  "Secret  message,"  of  which  Gov. 
Fairfield  spoke  in  the  letter  to  his  wife,  August  24th,  he 
hastened  a  second  message  to  the  Legislature.  He  had  re- 
ceived a  proclamation  issued  by  the  Lieut.  Gov.  of  New  Bruns- 
wick, designating  the  movements  of  the  Maine  land  agent  and 
his  posse  as  an  "invasion"  and  an  "outrage."  In  this  message 
the  Governor  recalls  the  circumstances  and  asks:   "Could  a 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  251 

greater  indignity  be  offered  any  people  having  a  particle  of 
sensibility  to  its  rights  and  its  honor  or  to  the  sacred  liberty 
of  its  citizens?  .  .  .  How  long  are  we  thus  to  be  trampled 
upon — our  rights  and  claims  derided — our  power  contemned — 
and  the  State  degraded  ?"  Gov.  Fairfield  had  already  hastened 
the  departure  of  reinforcements  and  issued  an  order  to  Maj. 
Gen.  Hodsdon  to  detach  one  thousand  men  by  draft  or  other- 
wise, to  proceed  at  the  earliest  possible  moment  to  the  aid  of 
the  land  agent  who  had  been  chosen  to  fill  the  place  of  Agent 
Mclntire,  held  captive  by  the  Canadians. 

The  Legislature  gave  the  Governor  prompt  support  and  an 
appropriation  of  $800,000.  In  a  postscript  Gov.  Fairfield  in- 
formed the  Legislature  that  since  writing  the  message  he  had 
received  another  communication  from  Lieut.  Gov.  Harvey,  in 
which  the  latter  called  attention  to  an  alleged  agreement  by 
which  the  British  government  was  to  have  exclusive  jurisdic- 
tion and  possession  of  the  disputed  territory,  and  urged  the 
withdrawal  of  the  land  agent's  party,  stating  that  he  had 
directed  a  strong  force  of  troops  to  be  in  readiness  to  support 
Her  Majesty's  authority  in  the  disputed  territory.  "No  such 
agreement  as  that  alluded  to  by  the  lieutenant-governor  can  be 
recognized  by  us,"  said  Gov.  Fairfield,  "it  is  a  misapprehension, 
to  say  the  least,  that  such  an  agreement  has  ever  been  made." 

Patriotic  feeling  was  roused  to  a  high  pitch.  Gov.  Fair- 
field tells  of  reviewing  the  troops  that  were  recruited  from  the 
logging  camps,  the  farms  and  hamlets  in  answer  to  his  call  for 
men  to  protect  the  State's  rights. 

Meanwhile,  the  Governor  was  trying  to  arouse  Congress  to 
some  action  in  behalf  of  Maine.  He  had  written  to  President 
Van  Buren  concerning  the  threatening  conditions  that  had 
forced  the  State  to  call  out  such  large  reinforcements,  inclosing 
correspondence  and  a  copy  of  his  message  to  the  Legislature. 
The  President,  in  a  message  to  Congress  a  few  days  later  (Feb. 
26)  referred  to  the  matter.  He  said  that  examination  of  the 
correspondence  showed  that  no  such  agreement  as  the  Lieut.- 
Gov.  spoke  of  had  ever  been  made  and  that  "the  State  of  Maine 


252  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

had  a  right  to  arrest  the  depredations  complained  of."  But  he 
tempered  this  by  informing  the  Senate  that  he  might  find  it 
proper  to  propose  to  her  Brittanic  Majesty's  government  a  tem- 
porary arrangement  for  "the  mutual  exercise  of  jurisdiction" 
by  means  of  which  border  trouble  would  be  avoided. 

There  was  further  transmitted  to  Congress  by  the  Presi- 
dent a  Memorandum,  dated  Feb.  27,  signed  by  the  Secretary  of 
State  of  the  U.  S.  and  the  British  minister  in  Washington,  stat- 
ing terms  on  which  it  was  believed  that  boundary  collisions 
could  be  avoided,  consistently  with  the  claims  of  both  coun- 
tries, the  terms  being  that  New  Brunswick  officials  were  not  to 
seek  to  expel  by  military  force  the  armed  party  of  Maine  in  the 
Aroostook  country,  while  the  Government  of  Maine,  voluntarily 
and  without  delay,  was  to  withdraw,  beyond  the  bounds  of  the 
disputed  territory,  any  armed  force  at  that  time  there." 

This  spiritless  and  luke-warm  attitude  in  Washington 
must  have  sorely  vexed  the  intrepid  Maine  Governor,  but  he 
did  receive  some  support  in  Congress  and  many  encouraging 
letters.  Mr.  Williams  of  Maine  expressed  doubts  as  to 
Maine's  acceptance  of  any  such  agreement  as  was  proposed  in 
the  Memorandum.  Mr.  Ruggles  of  Maine  spoke  in  behalf  of 
Maine  and  Daniel  Webster  declared  his  belief  that  "if  some- 
thing of  her  own  spirit  and  feeling  pervaded  us  here  we  should 
have  now  been  through  the  controversy." 

Miss  Martha  Fairfield,  daughter  of  Governor  Fairfield,  has 
in  her  possession  some  interesting  letters  of  this  period,  showing 
that  Governor  Fairfield  had  attracted  nation-wide  attention  and 
had  support  outside  of  New  England.  S.  T.  Carr,  from  Albany, 
N.  Y.,  wrote: 

Governor  Fairfield,  Sir — Where  National  honor  is  con- 
cerned the  voice  of  the  humblest  individual  has  a  right  to  be 
raised  in  assisting  that  honor.  You,  I  know,  are  fully  compe- 
tent to  sustain  the  rights  of  Maine  and  the  dignity  of  the 
American  name.  But,  Sir,  to  do  this  you  must  necessarily  pay 
no  attention  to  the  "Memorandum"  of  Forsyth  and  Fox.  Sir, 
that  Memorandum  is  a  foul  blot  upon  our  nation,  which  Gov- 


JOHN   FAIRFIELD 
Great-Grandson  and  Namesake  of  Governor  Fairfield 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  253 

emor  Fairfield  must  wash  away.  Does  it  not  plainly  surrender 
up  the  disputed  territory  to  the  possession  of  the  British?  And 
then  it  stipulates  that  Her  Majesty's  officers  shall  not  "drive" 
off  the  troops  of  Maine !  And  is  it  possible  that  an  American 
can  be  found  to  put  his  name  to  such  a  paper  ?  Thank  Heaven 
that  Forsyth  is  not  Governor  of  Maine,  else  her  dignity  were 
low  indeed.  You,  Sir,  stand  upon  a  proud  eminence, — the  eyes 
of  the  whole  Nation  are  upon  you.  Assert  your  rights  over 
the  territory,  occupy  and  hold  it,  and,  if  necessary,  every  state 
in  the  Union  will  pour  forth  her  troops  to  sustain  your  just 
war  against  British  oppression.  You  need  not  the  inter- 
ference of  the  general  government.  You  can  contend  single- 
handed — and  conquer,  too.  And  the  name  of  Governor  Fairfield 
shall  be  as  a  bright  star  in  our  national  firmament,  around 
which  the  sons  of  Revolutionary  heroes  shall  rally  and  go  forth 
"conquering  and  to  conquer." 

Respectfully,    S.  T.  CARR. 


Later  came  a  letter  from  J.  C.  Bennett,  Brigadier-General 
of  the  Invincible  Dragoons  of  the  2d  Division  of  Illinois  Militia, 
with  this  substantial  offer  of  assistance : 

Dear  Sir :  Permit  me.  Sir,  though  a  stranger,  to  ask  you  if 
you  will  require  any  additional  troops  for  the  defence  of  the  justt 
rights  of  your  state  against  foreign  usurpation?  If  so,  will 
you  be  so  good  as  to  use  your  influence  with  the  President  to 
make  a  call  on  my  brigade?  By  doing  so  you  will  much  oblige, 
Yours  respectfully, 

J.  C.  BENNETT,  Brig.-Gen. 


The  following  from  Hon.  H.  J.  Anderson,  of  the  Maine  dele- 
gation to  Congress,  marked  "Private,"  must  have  come  as  a 
relief  to  the  harassed  Governor,  in  view  of  the  apparent  deter- 
mination of  the  President  to  avoid  a  clash  of  arms  with  the 
British : 


254  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

"I  mark  this  private,  not  from  my  own  choice,  but  because 
my  information  comes  in  such  a  way  as  to  forbid  me  from  com- 
municating it  in  any  other  manner. 

"Feeling,  as  you  will  readily  imagine  we  all  do,  great 
solicitude  and  anxiety  in  relation  to  the  present  posture  of  our 
border  relations,  we  have  had  frequent  conferences  and  con- 
sultations, as  to  the  course  it  had  become  our  duty  to  adopt. 

"After  one  of  those  consultations  with  Clifford  and  Davies 
day  before  yesterday,  Mr.  Clifford  went  to  see  the  President 
and  had  a  long  and  interesting  interview  with  him  upon  the 
subject  of  our  affairs.  He  was  informed  by  the  President,  that 
the  aspect  of  affairs  had,  in  his  view,  essentially  changed,  that 
a  letter  of  an  exceedingly  angry  character  had  been  received 
from  Fox,  and  that  in  his  opinion,  the  British  Government  had 
come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  negotiations  should  be  broken 
off.  To  this  letter  they  were  preparing  a  reply  with  the  utmost 
care  and  that  a  communication  would  shortly  be  made  to  Con- 
gress upon  the  subject.  The  opinions  of  the  President,  Mr.  C. 
thinks,  have  evidently  undergone  a  great  change,  and  he  now, 
as  C.  thinks,  entertains  much  less  hope  of  avoiding  serious  col- 
lision between  the  two  countries.  This  information  was  given 
to  C.  in  confidence  and  imparted  to  me  under  the  same  injunc- 
tion, and  you  may  consider  it  as  coming  directly  from  him,  he 
authorizing  and  seeing  the  communication.  You  will  give  it 
what  importance  you  think  it  deserves. 

"I  cannot  ascertain  what  came  by  the  British  queen. 
Pickens  spoke  to  me  yesterday  on  the  subject,  was  evidently 
somewhat  alarmed  and,  I  thought,  had  some  information  which 
he  did  not  feel  at  liberty  to  communicate.  From  all  the  indi- 
cations I  see  here,  it  seems  to  me  most  manifest  that  matters 
are  rapidly  coming  to  a  crisis,  and,  to  my  mind,  the  ultimate 
result  is  almost  equally  clear.  A  few  regiments  of  troops  have 
been  ordered  to  Houlton  and  I  think  Congress  will  be  speedily 
called  upon  to  make  extensive  preparations  of  a  hostile  char- 
acter. "Very  truly  your  friend, 

H.  J.  ANDERSON." 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  255 

This  encouragement  was  well  founded,  for  soon  after  the 
President  was  empowered  to  employ  for  the  defence  of  Maine 
the  naval  and  military  forces  of  the  United  States,  the  sum 
of  ten  million  dollars  was  placed  at  his  disposal  and  he  was  fur- 
ther authorized,  in  case  of  actual  invasion,  to  accept  the  ser- 
vices of  any  number  of  volunteers  not  exceeding  fifty  thous- 
and. In  the  course  of  the  debate  on  the  matter  of  the  appro- 
priation, Mr.  Buchanan  said :  "Should  Maine  act  in  accordance 
with  the  spirit  of  these  resolutions  then,  if  war  must  come,  it 
will  find  the  country  unanimous."  General  Winfield  Scott  was 
ordered  to  proceed  to  Maine  and  "Only  peace  with  honor"  was 
his  instructions  from  the  President. 

This  was  actually  accomplished.  By  the  Governor's  mes- 
sage, following  General  Scott's  personal  efforts  as  a  peace- 
maker, the  way  was  prepared  for  action  by  the  Legislature.  A 
resolve  was  adopted  March  23,  1839,  authorizing  the  Governor, 
when  satisfied  that  the  Lieut.  Governor  of  New  Brunswick  had 
abandoned  all  intention  of  occupying  the  disputed  territory  with 
a  military  force,  to  withdraw  the  Maine  militia,  leaving  the  land 
agent  with  a  sufficient  posse,  armed  or  unarmed,  carrying  the 
resolve  into  effect. 

The  Aroostook  country  remained  in  possession  of  Maine, 
while  the  Madawaska  country  was  left  in  the  possession  of  the 
British.  There  was  no  more  encroachment  on  the  timber  lands 
of  Maine,  and  there  was  no  further  seizure  of  Maine  land  agents 
or  imprisonment  of  Maine  citizens.  What  the  Governor  in- 
tended had  been  accomplished. 


The  family  has  the  following  interesting  and  quaint 
anonymous  letter  to  Governor  Fairfield,  which  came  from 
England,  simply  signed  "John  Bull." 

The  Tight  Little  Island,  April  18,  1839. 

Sir. — In  the  excellent  letter  of  your  Excellency  to  John 
Harvey  of  New  Brunswick,  of  the  19th  Feb.,  you  have  been 


256  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

pleased  to  say,  you  have  neither  "threats  nor  boasting"  to  in- 
dulge in,  and  that  if  Maine  does  her  duty  no  palaver  of  yours 
will  add  to  her  glory,  and  that  if  she  prove  recreant  you  could 
not  by  any  use  of  the  same  commodity,  diminish  her  shame. 
Now  I  believe  your  Excellency  has  in  this  matter  taken  much 
too  humble  a  course,  for  although  your  Excellency  be  but  the 
temporary  monarch  of  a  petty  state,  that  is  no  reason  why  you 
should  humble  yourself;  and  it  is  for  the  purpose  of  putting 
you  right  in  your  own  conceit,  that  I  take  the  liberty  of  tres- 
passing on  you. 

I  have  for  a  long  time  studied  mankind,  and  the  knowl- 
edge that  I  have  acquired  enables  me  to  be  quite  sure  that  none 
but  a  very  brave  man  could  write  such  a  very  brave  letter,  and 
therefore  the  reverse  of  your  Excellency's  modest  declaration 
is  the  true  truth;  that  is  to  say,  if  the  State  of  Maine  do  her 
duty,  her  glory  will  be  double  in  the  renown  of  her  Governor, 
and  if  she  prove  altogether  recreant,  the  glory  of  her  Governor 
will  save  her  entirely  from  shame ;  and  that  consequently  both 
"threats  and  boastings"  will  very  well  fit  your  Excellency  and 
become  you  admirably. 

I  beg  to  assure  you  that  your  letter  has  my  high  approba- 
tion, and  I  am  sure  it  would  have  that  of  all  my  countrymen  if 
they  had  time  to  read  it. 

Sir,  I  have  the  honour  to  be 
Your  Excellency's  much  approving  and  most  humble  servant, 

JOHN  BULL. 


The  Inaugural  "Agony  Is  Over" 

Augusta,  Jan.  4,  1839. 
Dear  Wife, 

If  I  cannot  say  that  "the  long  agony  is  over"  I  can  say 
with  truth  that  a  matter  very  much  dreaded  has  been  disposed 
of,  to  wit,  the  inauguration.  It  took  place  today  at  12  o'clock 
in  a  Hall  crowded  to  excess  with  spectators.  I  can  assure  you 
all  my  equanimity  and  self-possession  was  put  in  requisition. 
However,  I  got  through  it  without  fainting  or  appearing  very 
much  frightened.  The  particulars  I  must  write  you  another 
time. 

I  am  now  writing  in  the  Council  Chamber,  seated  in  the 
Governor's  great  chair,  the  Council  having  taken  a  recess  of 
half  an  hour  to  hear  the  message  which  I  have  just  sent  in, 
read  in  the  House. 

On  my  way  here  I  stopped  Tuesday  night  at  Portland  & 
Wednesday  night  at  Gov.  Dunlap's  and  came  here  on  Thurs- 
day, say  2  o'clock  afternoon. 

Sleighing  fine,  weather,  after  Tuesday,  not  very  cold. 
Good  quarters  here.  A  good  many  comforts  &  not  a  few 
friends,  &c.,  &c.     So  ends  the  first  epistle. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Getting  Used  to  Being  Governor 

Augusta,  Jan.  6,  1839. 
Dear  Wife, 

My  room  is  now  clear  of  callers  and  I  can  devote  a  moment 
to  you.  You  have  no  idea  how  much  I  am  favored  with  com- 
pany. From  morning  till  bed-time  the  stream  is  running  in 
and  out.  The  President  himself  can  hardly  beat  me  in  callers 
— mine,  however,  are  more  troublesome — for  they  stay  much 
too  long.  I  suppose,  however,  I  should  not  complain,  for  if  my 
time  is  the  public's,  why  should  I  seek  to  appropriate  it  to 
myself? 

I  have  taken  the  rooms  previously  engaged,  you  know,  and 
like  them  pretty  well,  except  that  all  the  doors  are  whistling 
for  list.  I  pay  $14  per  week  which  is  $3  less  than  I  had  antici- 
pated, but  this  is  bad  enough  in  all  conscience  for  a  poor  fellow 
with  a  small  salary  and  a  large  family. 


258  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

We  have  two  long  tables  set  the  whole  length  of  a  long 
hall, — at  which  are  seated  between  40  &  50  members  of  the 
Senate  &  House,  besides  others. 

Yesterday  a  new  council  was  chosen  and  among  them  old 
Elder  Hobbs  of  Waterboro!  I  suppose  by  Tuesday  a  majority 
of  them  will  be  here,  so  that  we  can  organize  &  go  to  work. 

My  message,  I  believe,  gives  very  general  satisfaction, 
which  rejoices  me  much.  The  Printers,  though,  made  some 
bad  mistakes,  which  is  a  little  annoying  to  me. 

Our  friends  here  all  talk  of  a  short  business  session ;  I  pray 
that  it  may  be  so. 

I  send  you  a  few  Ages,  which  I  will  endeavor  to  follow  up 
as  I  receive  them.     Weather  mild,  sleighing  good,  "&  so  on." 

Went  to  meeting  all  day  to  Mr.  Edes — capital  sermons 
"and  so  on." 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


The   Inaugural   Ball 

Augusta,  Jan.  11,  1839. 
Dear  Wife, 

My  room  being  clear  I  embrace  the  moment  to  write  you 
a  line.  You  can  have  no  idea  how  I  am  thronged.  Sometimes 
my  mail  lies  almost  the  whole  day  upon  the  table  without  my 
having  an  opportunity  to  open  it.  I  would  not,  however,  have 
you  think  that  all  my  callers  are  after  office,  many  of  them 
merely  want  to  see  the  Governor  a  few  minutes,  then  make  way 
for  others. 

Six  out  of  seven  of  the  Council  are  in  and  we  are  fairly 
under  way.  Today  I  made  a  batch  of  nominations  and  next 
nomination  day,  which  will  be  Friday,  I  shall  make  nearly  all 
that  remain  to  be  made. 

Last  night  the  folks  here  had  an  "inaugural  ball."  At  9 
o'clock  the  President  of  the  Senate  &  myself  went  in,  showed 
ourselves  like  lions,  &c.,  &c.  The  Hall,  which  is  very  large, 
was  pretty  well  filled,  the  ladies  quite  handsome  and  very  well 
dressed,  the  music  good,  and  every  one  disposed  to  enjoy  him 
&  herself.  At  11  o'clock  or  so  a  most  elegant  supper  was  fur- 
nished on  a  table  extending  through  two  large  rooms  with  fold- 
ing doors  and  a  long  hall  between  them.  I  have  seen  nothing 
superior  to  the  supper  this  side  of  Washington.  I  left  about 
1/2  past  12  after  having  enjoyed  myself  much.     I  was  beau  to 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  259 

our  old  friend,  Sarah  Child.     She  is  a  charming  girl.     Hannah 
Buckminster  was  also  there  and  was  really  quite  a  belle. 

Everybody  wants  the  Governor's  wife  to  come  down  here 
&  show  off.     What  say  to  it? 

Yours  ever, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Describes  His  Council 

Augusta,  Jan.  13,  1839. 
Dear  Wife, 

On  my  way  here,  you  know  I  stopped  over  night  at  Port- 
land. Sister  Mary  inquired  of  me  if  we  had  yet  made  any 
presents  of  some  of  Martha's  things  and  particularly  to  Mari- 
anne Condon.  I  told  her  I  didn't  know,  but  would  inquire.  If 
you  have  not  done  it,  would  it  not  be  well  to  do  it?  Marianne, 
you  know,  did  a  good  deal  for  her,  and  I  suppose  it  would  not 
do  to  offer  her  pay.  Should  you  not  also  give  Jane  Leland 
something  as  a  remembrancer?     Do.  to  Hepsy. 

I  intended  to  say  something  to  Cousin  Harriet  about  the 
silk,  but  forgot  it. 

Did  Martha,  while  sick,  say  anything  about  Sarah  Child? 
The  other  evening  at  the  ball,  Sarah  talked  a  good  deal  with 
me  about  her,  and  said  she  had  hoped  that  Martha  had  said 
something  which  she  could  have  treasured  up.  My  impression 
is  that  she  did  talk  about  Sarah  C,  but  am  not  certain. 

Today  is  Sunday  and  I  have  been  to  hear  Doctor  Tappan, 
Mr.  Edes  being  sick  and  unable  to  preach. 

He  is  orthodox  "clear  down" — but  upon  the  whole  did 
pretty  well.  Mr.  Fletcher,  one  of  my  Council,  is  a  Universal- 
ist  minister.  He  is  rather  a  young  man,  and  I  believe  of  very 
good  talents  and  excellent  character.  Lyon  of  Waterville  is  a 
lawyer,  respectable  in  talents  and  character,  and  nothing  more. 
Cony  is  also  a  young  lawyer,  and  a  very  fine  fellow.  I  anticipate 
much  aid  from  him.  He  is,  by  the  way,  the  same  who  was  in 
partnership  with  Albert  awhile. 

Elder  Hobbs  is,— Elder  Hobbs. 

Mr.  Milliken  from  Waldo  is  a  farmer  of  over  50  years  of 
age,  a  man  of  good  sense,  but  plain  &  obstinate,  I  think. 

Webb  is  a  large,  good-looking  man  who  has  been  chiefly,  I 
believe,  a  schoolmaster.     Walker  has  not  yet  arrived. 


260  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Our  Council  Chamber  is  the  largest  and  best  room  in  the 
Capitol— say  30  feet  square. 

When  shall  I  hear  from  you?     Do  write  soon. 
My  room  has  been  clear  the  whole  day,  two  callers  only. 
Judge  Weston  has  spent  most  of  the  evening  with  me. 

Ever  Yours^ 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


A  Letter  From  President  Van  Buren 

Augusta,  Jan.  20,  1839. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

On  Friday  last  I  made  another  batch  of  nominations  which 
relieves  me  very  much.  I  shall  now  look  for  some  ease,  though 
from  my  anxiety  to  perform  my  duties  well  and  faithfully,  I  do 
not  expect  to  be  idle.  Much  is  to  be  studied  &  learned,  espe- 
cially by  one  so  poorly  qualified  as  myself  for  the  station  in 
which  I  am  placed. 

It  is  amusing  to  see  in  what  manner  I  am  spoken  of  in  the 
papers,  and  myself  and  motions  described.  Don't  be  jealous  at 
my  alleged  familiarity  with  the  ladies  at  the  inaugural  ball — 
much  of  it,  I  can  assure  you,  is  hyperbole.  By  the  way,  though, 
I  have  reed,  a  compliment  from  the  President  which  I  appre- 
ciate highly,  and  as  you  are  mentioned  also  in  his  note,  I  will 
transcribe  it : — 

"Washington,  Jan.  15,  1839. 
My  Dear  Sir:  I  beg  you  to  accept  my  thanks  for  your 
very  sensible  &  appropriate  speech  and  to  believe  that 
there  is  no  one  who  more  sincerely  rejoices  in  your  well- 
deserved  success,  or  who  is  more  anxious  for  its  contin- 
uance. Remember  me  kindly  to  your  family,  and  to  my 
friend,  Chief  Justice  Shepley. 

Very  truly  Yours, 

M.  VAN  BUREN." 
I  have  also  reed,  some  other  compliments  from  Washing- 
ton, well  calculated  to  excite  my  vanity  if  I  was  not  proof 
against  it.     But  what  an  egotist  I  am  becoming.     Let's  talk 
about  something  else. 

You  will  be  gratified  to  learn  that  I  have  appointed  your 
old  friend,  Stephen  Emery,  Attorney  General.  I  have  incurred 
much  responsibility  in  doing  it,  but  believe  in  the  long  run  it  will 
prove  to  be  a  judicious  appointment. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  261 

I  send  you  today  Gov.  Hill's  new  agricultural  paper.  After 
Davis  has  read  it,  let  it  be  preserved,  as  I  intend  to  have  them 
bound.  It  appears  to  me  that  few  papers  in  the  country  will 
possess  more  value. 

I  will  also  in  a  day  or  two  after  I  have  read  them,  send  you 
Mr.  Morris'  papers  on  Common  Schools,  which  you  will  also 
preserve,  if  you  please. 

J.  F. 


A  "Secret"  Message  to  Legislature 

Augusta,  Jan.  24,  1839. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Here  I  am  sitting  in  my  big  chair,  with  my  seven  wise, 
grave  and  reverend  Councillors  around  me,  and  seeming  to 
have  nothing  of  much  importance  to  occupy  our  time  just  at 
this  moment,  I  will  give  you  a  line  or  two. 

Yesterday  I  dined  with  Maj.  Ripley  of  U.  S.  Army,  who 
has  charge  of  the  Arsenal  at  this  place,  and  really  I  have  seen 
nothing  equal  to  the  treat  since  leaving  Washington.  The 
company  was  Judge  Weston,  Rob.  H.  Gardiner,  Danl.  Williams, 
Adjt.  Genl.  Thompson  and  some  half  a  dozen  others.  Our  en- 
tertainment was  very  fine,  and  was  enjoyed  much  by  us  all.  I 
have  always,  you  know,  preferred  dinner  parties  to  those  of  any 
other  kind. 

The  conversation  at  table  was  lively,  interesting  and  in- 
structive and  was  only  put  an  end  to  by  the  lighting  of  candles. 
We  did  not  see  Mrs.  Ripley,  she  being  unwell.  Don't  you  recol- 
lect of  seeing  her  &  husband  at  the  table  at  the  Augusta 
House,  when  you  were  here  with  me? 

Today  I  dine  at  Danl.  Williams',  where  I  expect  a  rich  enter- 
tainment, from  his  great  reputation  in  sudh  matters,  and  hav- 
ing dined  once  with  him  several  years  ago.  I  hope  you  won't 
think  I  am  becoming  dissipated,  notwithstanding  these  circum- 
stances seem  to  be  a  little  against  me. 

You  will  see  by  the  papers  that  yesterday  the  Governor 
sent  a  confidential  message  to  the  Legislature  and  that  both 
Houses  had  a  secret  session.  Now  don't  you  wish  you  knew 
what  it  was  all  about?  What  will  you  give  to  know?  If  you 
have  half  the  curiosity  that  is  attributed  to  your  sex,  I  think 
I  could  drive  a  good  bargain  with  you.     But  keep  quiet,  you 


262  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

will  find  out,  shortly,  without  paying  anything  for  it.  The  in- 
junction of  secrecy  will  probably  be  removed  in  the  course  of  a 
week  or  so. 

At  the  end  of  five  weeks  I  shall  begin  to  think  about  mak- 
ing you  a  visit,  considering  that  as  about  the  middle  of  the 
session. 

The  weather  last  night  and  today  is  excessively  cold.  All 
my  Yankee  ingenuity  is  insufficient  to  make  my  parlor  com- 
fortable.    The  messenger  calls,  and  so  I  stop. 

Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


A  Regular    Hurricane 

Augusta,  Jan.  27,  1839. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Since  I  wrote  you  yesterday  we  have  had  a  tremendous 
wind  which  has  done  some  injury  and  frightened  a  good  many 
people.  It  blew  with  such  violence  during  the  whole  or  a 
greater  part  of  the  night  as  to  shake  the  large  brick  house  we 
occupy  very  sensibly.  Indeed,  while  sitting  at  the  table  with 
one  elbow  resting  upon  it,  reading,  the  newspaper  shook  in  my 
hands.  I  can  hardly  say  how  much.  Not  so  much  as  an  aspen 
leaf,  or  a  man  with  the  ague,  but  considerably  to  say  the  least. 
Some  dozen  chimneys  are  blown  down  here,  several  sheds,  tav- 
ern signs,  &c.,  and  our  house  partially  unroofed.  I  presume 
you  had  a  touch  of  the  same  at  Saco,  and  I  shall  be  anxious  to 
hear  whether  it  has  done  any  damage. 

Mr.  Edes,  our  clergyman,  has  preached  but  once  since  I 
have  been  here,  being  quite  unwell.  Today  we  had  an  orthodox 
clergyman  by  the  name  of  Adams.  He  is  one  of  the  old  school 
and  laid  out  his  sermon  with  mathematical  precision  into  divis- 
ions, sub-divisions,  points,  improvement,  &c.,  and  then  shelled 
it  off  for  about  three-quarters  of  an  hour  with  about  as  much 
monotony  as  Pap's  shelling  corn.  However,  it  was  not  a  very 
bad  sermon  and  perhaps  many  were  improved  by  it. 

Accompanying  the  wind  last  night  was  a  warm  rain  which 
has  carried  off  all  the  snow,  leaving  us  without  sleighing.  What 
effect  this  will  have  upon  my  contemplated  return  home  on 
Saturday  next,  can't  say.  If  it  should  be  good  wheeling  I  think 
I  shall  go. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  263 

Afternoon.  I  have  only  to  add  that  I  learn  several  houses 
have  been  blown  down  between  here  &  Waterville,  but  I  be- 
lieve no  lives  have  been  lost.  Tell  Mrs.  Freeman  that  two  or 
three  chimneys  in  the  house  of  her  nephew,  Mr.  Gillpatrick, 
have  been  blown  down. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Bridges  Swept  Away 

Augusta,  Jan.  28,  1839. 
My  Dear  Son, 

In  my  letter  to  your  Mother  of  yesterday  I  spoke  of  a  high 
wind  that  we  had  here  on  Saturday  night.  Since  that  I  have 
learned  that  much  more  damage  was  done  than  I  at  first  sup- 
posed. Many  bams  have  been  blown  down  and  cattle  killed, 
fences  and  trees  have  been  prostrated  and  much  property  de- 
stroyed. The  water  in  the  rivers  has  also  risen  to  a  great 
height,  sweeping  almost  everything  before  it.  The  ice  is  en- 
tirely broken  up  and  is  floating  down  in  cakes  from  8  to  20  feet 
square.  All  the  bridges  in  this  river  above  this  place  have  been 
swept  away,  including  that  at  Waterville,  one  at  Skowhegan, 
one  at  Norridgewock,  one  at  Anson  &  one  at  Farmington. 

The  dam  here  &  the  beautiful  covered  bridge  are  consid- 
ered in  danger.  I  have  been  to  look  at  them  this  afternoon, 
however,  and  am  of  the  opinion  that  they  will  stand,  though 
some  damage  has  already  been  done  to  some  of  the  stone  work 
upon  the  side  of  the  river  below  the  dam. 

As  I  was  returning  from  my  visit  to  the  dam,  my  attention 
was  called  to  a  painting,  suspended  over  a  shop  door  in  the 
lower  street  in  this  town,  which  I  regard  as  a  very  great  curi- 
osity. When  I  first  saw  it,  which  was  about  at  this  angle  (a 
sketch  inserted)  it  was  an  elegant  representation  of  a  tiger. 
When  I  was  directly  abreast  of  it — thus — it  was  a  most  beau- 
tiful horse  upon  a  full  gallop.  After  passing  it,  and  viewing  it 
from  the  opposite  angle,  thus — it  had  changed  to  a  noble,  great 
lion  with  his  shaggy  mane  and  open  mouth.  Now,  how  was  all 
this  done?  Study  it  out  if  you  can.  I  saw  it  but  a  minute,  but 
I  think  I  see  through  it,  and  if  you  can't  find  it  out  before,  I  will 
tell  you  when  I  go  home. 

I  have  had  for  this  two  or  three  days,  delegations  waiting 
upon  me  from  the  Penobscot  and  Passamaquoddy  tribes.    They 


264  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

are  very  eloquent  in  setting  forth  their  grievances  and  de- 
manding redress.  You  would  be  very  much  pleased  to  hear 
them  talk.  Tell  your  Mother  that  the  letter  we  had  in  the 
paper  purporting  to  be  from  Sabattis  to  Gov.  Kent,  was  a 
pretty  fair  specimen  of  their  talk.  But  I  must  stop  until  the  mail 
arrives. 

Trusting  that  you  are  a  good  boy,  diligent  in  your  studies, 
obedient  to  your  Mother  &  kind  to  all  about  you,  I  subscribe 
myself 

Your  affectionate  Father, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Gov.  Fairfield's  42d  Birthday 

Augusta,  Jan.  30,  1839. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  write  you  now  for  three  purposes  only,  1st,  to  let  you 
know  what  an  old  fellow  for  a  husband  you  have  got,  being 
this  day  42  years  old;  2d,  that  I  shall  probably  be  at  home  on 
Saturday  night;  and  third,  that  I  shall  not  write  again  this 
week. 


Augusta,  Feb.  6,  1839. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  only  time  to  say  that  here  1  am,  safe  &  sound. 
Reached  Portland  just  as  the  sun  was  peeping  from  his  bed  in 
the  ocean,  and  in  ample  season  to  get  on  a  welding  heat  before 
taking  the  stage.  Our  ride  in  it  was  exquisitely  cold.  Trist 
came  near  freezing  his  hands,  though  I  drove.  The  Messenger 
stands  by  &  says  can't  wait  any  longer. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  F. 


Meets  Some  Interesting  People 

Augusta,  Feb.  10,  1839. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Everything  is  moving  on  here  smoothly  and  quietly,  but 
not  so  rapidly  as  I  could  wish.  At  present  there  is  no  telling 
when  the  Legislature  will  bring  its  session  to  a  close. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  265 

Mr.  Rantoul  of  Gloucester,  Mass.,  is  here  and  expects  to- 
night to  make  an  address  at  the  Representatives  Hall  upon  the 
subject  of  education.  Quite  a  treat  is  expected.  He  has  called 
upon  me  twice.  I  find  him  to  be  a  very  interesting  man.  He  is 
possessed  of  extraordinary  talents  and  is  now  exerting  them  to 
the  utmost  in  endeavoring  to  promote  the  happiness  of  the 
people. 

In  personal  appearance  he  is  said  to  resemble  "the  Gov- 
ernor," but  this  I  know  to  be  gross  flattery  to  one  of  the  par- 
ties.    Mr.  R.  is  one  of  the  finest  looking  men  I  ever  saw. 

Last  night  I  had  an  invitation  to  call  at  Parlor  No.  3  where 
Mrs.  Hutchins,  my  landlady,  presides.  She  is  a  very  fine-look- 
ing woman  and  with  some  more  mental  cultivation,  would  make 
something  of  a  figure.  We  had  also  Mrs.  Hamlin,  Mrs.  Emery, 
wife  of  Senator  Emery,  and  Mrs.  Whidden,  wife  of  the  mem- 
ber from  Calais.  Mrs.  E.  is  quite  a  sensible  and  accomplished 
lady,  dresses  in  excellent  taste  and  is  highly  polished  in  her 
manners.  This  is  saying  not  a  little  for  "a  way  down  east" 
lady — don't  you  think  so?  Two  of  them,  Mrs.  E.  and  Mrs.  H., 
started  for  home  this  morning,  much  to  my  regret.  It  was 
really  comforting  to  see  a  few  female  faces  at  our  dinner  table, 
and  still  more  so  to  have  the  privilege  of  calling  upon  them  now 
and  then  at  their  rooms,  to  say  nothing  of  their  calling  upon 
me,  as  they  did. 

We  have  an  invitation  to  attend  a  ball  tomorrow  evening 
at  Hallowell.  I  have  sent  for  answer  that  it  is  inconvenient 
for  me  to  attend.  You  can  answer  for  yourself.  I  enclose  the 
invitation. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Aroostook  War  Clouds 

Augusta,  Feb.  16,  1839. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

You  will  see  by  the  paper  sent  you  today  that  I  have  had  a 
little  something  to  do.  Night  before  last  between  one  &  two 
o'clock  an  express  arrived  from  our  Company  in  the  woods.  I 
got  up  and  was  busy  the  remaining  part  of  the  night  in  writing 
letters,  and  making  preparations  for  the  extraordinary  emer- 
gency. I  regret  exceedingly  that  Mr.  Mclntire  should  have 
been  captured.  Everything  has  worked  well  with  that  exception. 


266  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

You  now  see  what  the  secret  session  was  about.  The 
whole  matter  creates  a  good  deal  of  excitement,  particularly  in 
Bangor  and  that  region.  We  experience  no  difficulty  in  pro- 
curing men  to  go  on  this  service  against  the  trespassers.  On 
the  contrary,  it  is  hard  work  to  keep  them  back.  Thousands 
and  thousands  would  go  if  permitted.  1  am  too  busy  now  to 
extend  this  letter  farther. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Collision  Seems  Inevitable 

Augusta,  Feb.  21,  1839. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Last  night  Mr.  Mclntire  returned  to  this  place,  having 
been  released  upon  his  parole  of  honor.  McLaughlan  &  his 
assistants  I  thereupon  directed  to  be  released  upon  the  same 
terms.  Mr.  Mclntire  &  Mr.  Ropes  brought  me  another  letter  from 
Sir  John  Harvey,  from  which  it  would  appear  that  collision  is 
inevitable.  His  insolent  demands  will  never  be  complied  with 
by  us  while  we  have  a  sword  to  draw  &  an  arm  to  wield  it. 

I  am  just  about  sending  in  another  message  to  the  House 
of  Representatives,  after  which  a  large  number  of  all  the  doc- 
uments will  be  printed.  The  House  is  thronged  to  hear  the 
message.  The  deepest  excitement  prevails  and  but  one  spirit 
animates  our  whole  people.  Our  house  was  thronged  last 
night  after  Mclntire  returned.  He  &  Rodgers  had  to  address 
the  people,  when  they  cheered  with  great  enthusiasm. 

The  sleepers  gave  way  &  they  all  came  near  going  into  the 
cellar,  but  escaped  by  the  door  without  injury. 

I  can  write  about  nothing  else  now,  and  but  little  at  that. 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Orders  Out  the  Militia 

Augusta,  Feb.  23d,  1839. 
Dear  Walter, 

If  you  read  the  papers  you  will    see    that    very    serious 
troubles  are  occurring  on  the  eastern  frontier  of  our  State. 

Certain  persons  from  the  Province  of  New  Brunswick,  hav- 
ing gone  on  to  our  territory  to  plunder  it  of  its  valuable  timber. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  267 

we  sent  an  agent  with  200  men  to  aid  him  in  driving  these 
trespassers  off  from  the  land.  Sir  John  Harvey,  Lt.  Gov.  of 
the  Province,  had  the  Agent  seized,  carried  to  Fredericton  and 
imprisoned  and  says  he  shall  send  a  military  force  and  drive 
back  the  rest  of  our  men.  Now,  although  it  is  wicked  to  fight 
under  most  circumstances,  it  is  not  wicked,  in  my  opinion,  to 
fight  for  the  defence  of  our  country.  Consequently  I  have 
ordered  out  about  4,000  of  the  militia  to  meet  the  troops  of  Sir 
John  Harvey  and  resist  his  insolent  pretensions,  an  unjustifi- 
able attempt  to  drive  us  from  our  soil. 

By  looking  at  the  map  you  can  see  all  the  places  which  are 
spoken  of  in  the  papers  and  your  Mother  can  give  you  further 
explanations. 

Affectionately,  Your  Father 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


"Now  Is  the  Time  to  Strike  a  Blow  for  Our  Rights" 

Sunday,  Feb    24. 
Dear  Wife, 

The  only  news  I  have  today  from  the  frontier  is  a  letter 
from  Mr.  Wiggin  who  is  there,  in  which  he  states  that  on  that 
day,  which  was  last  Friday,  our  force  there  was  300.  The  rest 
were  on  their  way. 

About  100  of  the  number  had  gone  across  from  No.  10,  on 
the  Aroostook,  the  place  of  their  encampment,  to  Fish  river, 
emptying  into  the  St.  John,  to  break  up  the  gang  of  trespass- 
ers there  and  the  remainder  intended  to  move  down  the  river  to 
the  mouth  of  the  Little  Machias  and  fortify  there. 

You  had  better  have  the  map  of  Maine  brought  into  the 
house  and  you  can  then  see  better  what  our  troops  are  about. 
We  shall  have  1,000  troops  assembled  here  tomorrow,  who  will 
immediately  take  up  their  line  of  march  for  the  frontier.  More 
will  follow  the  last  of  the  week. 

This  affair,  I  suppose,  is  not  very  gratifying  to  you  in 
some  respects,  but  you  must  be  willing  to  make  every  sacrifice 
in  the  cause  of  duty.  How  soon  I  may  be  able  to  return  I  know 
not.  I  had  been  anticipating  an  early  return  with  much  pleas- 
ure. But  if  the  cause  of  my  Country  and  my  own  honor  re- 
quires me  to  remain  here,  I  know  you  will  cheerfully  acquiesce. 
Perhaps  however,  things  may  take  a  favorable  turn,  and  leave 
me  at  liberty  soon.     Can  form  a  better  opinion   when    I    hear 


268  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

from  Washington.  Thus  far  I  am  happy  to  say  that  my  meas- 
ures meet  with  almost  universal  approbation.  Party  spirit 
seems  for  the  moment  to  be  forgotten  and  all  are  willing  to  do 
me  justice. 

So  far  as  in  me  lies,  I  am  determined  now  to  have  this 
boundary  question  settled.  Now  is  the  time  to  strike  a  blow 
for  our  rights.  If  we  let  this  golden  opportunity  pass  without 
improvement,  we  shall  deserve  to  lose  our  territory  and  win 
the  contempt  of  the  world. 

Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Reviews  the  Drafted  Troops 

Augusta,  Feb.  27,  1839. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

You  will  perhaps  be  surprised  to  learn  that  I  have  turned 
soldier.  But  don't  be  alarmed.  I  have  no  present  intention  of 
going  to  the  seat  of  the  war. 

Yesterday,  the  drafted  troops  assembled  here  to  the  num- 
ber of  perhaps  six  or  seven  hundred  were  very  anxious  to  have 
me  review  them,  and  Gen.  Bachelder,  having  circulated  a  report 
that  I  was  to  do  it,  I  found  that  it  would  not  do  for  me  to  disap- 
point public  expectation.  So  I  mounted  my  horse  and  acted  the 
Commander-in-Chief.  The  day,  as  you  know,  was  lovely.  I 
had  a  horse  belonging  to  Thomas  W.  Smith  of  this  place,  the 
finest  saddle  horse  I  ever  knew.  The  concourse  of  spectators 
was  immense,  perhaps  some  thousands.  The  windows  of  all  the 
houses  were  full,  tops  of  houses  covered,  trees  full  of  boys,  and 
the  streets  crowded  with  men. 

After  reviewing  the  troops,  that  is,  in  the  first  place,  by 
taking  my  station  in  front  in  the  center  with  my  aids,  the  Adjt. 
Genl.,  «&c.,  I  then  advance  a  few  steps,  take  off  my  hat  and  the 
whole  brigade  salute  me  by  presenting  arms — flourish  of  music. 
I  then  go  to  the  right  of  the  Brigade  &  walk  my  horse  down  the 
whole  length  of  the  line  in  front,  merely  inspecting  the  men  and 
their  arms ;  then  pass  back  in  the  rear  of  the  troops,  down  again 
in  front  to  the  center.  The  troops  are  then  put  in  motion,  and 
are  made  to  pass  me,  I  standing  uncovered  &  receiving  the  sa- 
lute of  the  officers  as  they  pass. 


RICHARD   CUTIS   FAIRFIELD 

Grandson  oF  George  Fairfield  and  Great-Grandson  of  John  Fairfield 

He  was  killed  in  Italy  in  the  first  year  of  the  war  with 

Germany  at  the  age  of  18  years 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  269 

After  reviewing  them,  in  this  manner,  they  were  drawn 
into  a  hollow  square,  and  I  made  a  short  address  to  them,  de- 
signed to  infuse  into  them  a  little  spirit  and  military  ardor.  My 
address  was  only  about  five  minutes  long,  and  was  responded 
to  by  the  shouts  and  claps  of  the  whole  multitude.  It  is  spoken 
highly  of,  but  whether  in  flattery  or  not,  can't  say.  You  will 
judge  for  yourself  tomorrow,  when  you  will  see  it  in  the  paper. 

The  troops  are  in  excellent  spirits  and  anxious  to  march 
for  the  Aroostook. 

How  all  this  is  to  end,  I  know  not,  but  I  am  conscious  of 
having  thus  far  done  my  duty.  Events  are  in  the  hands  of  a 
Wise  and  Good  Being,  and  with  his  orderings,  I  will  endeavor  to 
be  content. 

Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Waiting  for  Word  From  Washington 

Augusta,  March  3d,  1839. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

No  news  yet  from  Washington.  Last  night  we  should 
have  had  the  President's  message,  but  there  was  no  mail  south 
of  Boston.  How  provoking!  Nothing  has  occurred  since  my 
last  to  change  the  aspect  of  affairs.  The  news  from  Washing- 
ton may. 

Last  night  I  received  a  most  elegant  and  valuable  present 
from  Col.  Cross  of  Portland — to  wit,  one  of  "Cutting's  patent 
rifles" — cost  $100.  Perhaps  you  may  recollect  of  my  speak- 
ing of  the  agreeable  acquaintance  I  formed  with  him  a  short 
time  since  when  on  my  way  from  here  to  Saco.  He  commands 
the  Portland  regiment  and  is  under  marching  orders  for  the 
Aroostook.  It,  the  present,  is  an  elegant  affair  and  will  be 
properly  appreciated. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

P.  S.  Charles  Waterhouse,  the  Clerk  of  the  House,  was 
taken  sick  last  Monday  and  died  on  Friday.  He  is  to  be  buried 
today.  He  was  a  very  estimable  man  &  is  much  lamented.  A 
very  handsome  contribution  of  over  $500  has  been  taken  among 
the  members  of  the  Legislature. 


270  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

A  Letter  to  His  Son  Walter 

Augusta,  March  6,  1839. 
Dear  Walter, 

In  reply  to  yours  received  yesterday  I  must  refer  you  to 
your  mother  for  an  answer  to  your  request  to  go  to  Standish. 
Situated  as  I  am,  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  say  whether  it  would 
be  proper  for  you  or  not.  I  don't  know  how  good  a  boy  you 
have  been.  I  know  nothing  about  the  state  of  your  clothes.  I 
don't  know  how  much  Old  Dick  may  be  wanted  at  home,  &c., 
&c.  These  are  things  about  which  your  Mother  can  judge 
much  better  than  myself.  You  say  you  have  had  11  pigs,  and 
that  four  have  died.     Do  these  include  both  litters? 

Poor  little  lamb  with  his  bitten  head.  Old  Dick  ought  to 
be  deprived  of  his  oats  a  whole  week  to  punish  him  for  his 
cruelty. 

The  troops  are  mustering  here  today  from  Oxford  &  Port- 
land. They  are  noble  looking  fellows  and  I  believe  mean  to  in- 
sist on  my  reviewing  them  tomorrow. 

If  the  news  from  Washington  tonight  should  be  favorable, 
perhaps  I  can  make  my  arrangements  so  as  to  be  at  home  in  2 
or  3  weeks.  The  Legislature  will  probably  rise  the  last  of  next 
week,  if  the  state  of  our  frontier  difficulties  should  not  require 
them  to  remain  in  session. 

Very  affectionately,  Your  Father 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Reviews  the  Troops  From  Oxford 

Augusta,  March  9,  1839. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

The  troops  from  Oxford  and  a  small  detachment  from 
Portland  were  yesterday  paraded  on  the  field  in  front  of  the 
Capitol  and  reviewed  by  the  Governor.  I  tried  to  avoid  it,  but 
it  was  insisted  on,  and  I  had  to  consent.  The  troops  numbered 
1,000  and  the  spectators  perhaps  two  thousand.  I  made  a  little 
speech  to  the  troops  which  was  received  with  tremendous 
cheering. 

General  Scott  is  here,  and  is  now  the  lion  of  the  day.  He  is 
often  at  my  rooms  and  I  find  him  to  be  very  agreeable.  Last 
night  some  twenty  of  us  were  at  Dan'l  Williams'  and  had  a 
splendid  treat.  Today  we  dine  with  Maj.  Ripley.  This  looks 
rather  dissipated,  but  you  must  recollect  how  hard  we  have 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  271 

been  at  work  and  how  necessary  a  little  relaxation  is.  Great 
anxiety  is  manifested  here,  to  hear  from  me  upon  the  subject 
of  our  difficulties,  and  the  proposed  arrangement  between  Mr. 
Fox  and  Mr.  Fonsyth.  Monday  I  shall  gratify  them  and  send  a 
message  to  the  Legislature.  I  hope  I  shall  be  able  to  take  a 
course  which  shall  preserve  our  honor  and  yet  not  unnecessa- 
rily provoke  hostilities. 

The  Legislature  may  rise  the  first  of  next  week,  or  the  first 
of  the  week  after,  in  which  case  I  hope  I  may  be  able  to  go  home 
in  the  course  of  the  same  week,  say  by  the  23d.  About  this, 
however,  I  cannot  speak  with  any  confidence. 

My  health,  under  all  the  excitement  and  labors,  remains 
good.  I  have  scarcely  had  the  slightest  touch  of  a  cold  for  the 
winter. 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Points  a  Way  Out  of  Trouble 

Augusta,  March  15,  1839. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  sent  a  message  to  the  Legislature  yesterday,  advising 
them  not  to  agree  to  the  "memorandum"  signed  at  Washing- 
ton by  the  diplomatic  agents  of  the  countries.  You  will  see  the 
message  in  the  papers  and  my  reasons.  I  think  they  will  prove 
satisfactory  to  all.  A  collision  of  arms,  however,  will  not  neces- 
sarily follow.  On  the  contrary,  I  point  out  a  mode  in  which  the 
whole  thing  may  be  adjusted  without  difficulty,  and  I  have  now 
but  little  doubt  that  it  will  be  so  adjusted. 

The  Legislature  are  talking  about  getting  up  by  the  last  of 
next  week. 

Last  night  Mr.  Reuel  Williams  gave  a  very  fine  entertain- 
ment at  which  I  had  the  honor  and  pleasure  to  be  present.  After 
our  return  General  Scott  and  myself  were  invited  into  the  ball 
room,  where  we  spent  a  half  hour  or  so. 

I  have  an  invitation  to  dine  on  Monday  next  with  the  St. 
Patrick's  Benevolent  Society.  So  you  see  we  are  endeavoring 
to  enjoy  ourselves  here,  notwithstanding  the  bellicose  aspect 
of  things.  Hope  soon  to  be  able  to  beat  the  sword  into  the 
ploughshare  and  to  go  to  work  upon  our  humble  farm. 
Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

The  boys  at  the  High  School  are  declaiming  my  addresses 
to  the  soldiers  here. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
The  Year  1840 — Second  Year  as  Governor. 

The  political  campaign  of  1840  has  gone  on  record  as  the 
most  boisterous  in  American  history.  It  was  the  year  of 
national  as  well  as  state  election  and  marked  the  great  revival 
of  the  Whig  party,  culminating  in  the  election  of  General 
Harrison  to  the  Presidency  of  the  United  States. 

In  no  state  was  there  greater  campaign  excitement  than  in 
Maine.  In  fact,  it  was  believed,  at  the  time,  that  the  National 
election  was  much  aided  by  the  result  of  the  September  election 
in  Maine,  when,  in  the  language  of  a  poet  wit  of  the  time, 
"Maine  went  hell  bent  for  Governor  Kent,"  and  this  campaign 
slogan  which  so  tickled  the  fancy  of  the  throngs  that  crowded 
the  Whig  rallies  and  aroused  the  most  uproarious  applause 
whenever  quoted  by  the  Whig  spell-binders,  has  come  down 
to  us  as  a  part  of  Maine's  political  history. 

This  was  known  and  remains  known  to  this  day,  as  "the 
hard  cider  and  coonskin  campaign."  The  Whigs  at  their  na- 
tional convention  had  nominated  Gen.  Harrison  of  Ohio  for 
President  and  John  Tyler  of  Virginia  for  Vice-President.  As 
they  could  agree  on  no  principle  except  that  of  opposition  to 
Van  Buren,  they  wisely  adopted  no  platform  at  all.  However, 
they  did  vote  to  raise  money.  This  called  forth  the  Portland 
Argus'  pithy  remark  that  "in  money  and  machinery  it  had  im- 
plicit confidence,  but  no  faith  in  its  principles."  The  Demo- 
crats were  more  definite  in  stating  the  Whigs'  platform  than 
were  the  Whigs  themselves,  for  their  circular  declared  that  the 
Whigs  "favored  an  assumption  of  State  debts,  a  splendid  and 
extravagant  system  of  internal  improvements,  a  high  tariff  for 
protection  and  a  United  States  Bank."  The  Democrats,  of 
course,  stood  for  the  opposite  of  all  these.  The  candidates  for 
Governor  in  Maine  were  Kent  and  Fairfield,  as  the  year  before. 

The  Whigs,  generally  speaking,  were  afraid  to  advocate 
specific  measures,  except,  perhaps,  the  repeal  of  the  sub-treas- 
ury bill,  so  they  resorted  to  spouting  demagogism  and  abusing 


274  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

their  opponents.  The  Democrats  played  into  their  hands.  They 
sneered  at  Harrison  and  a  Democratic  paper  in  Baltimore  pub- 
lished a  letter  stating  that  a  Clay  man  had  said,  after  the  Whig 
nomination,  "Give  Harrison  a  barrel  of  hard  cider  and  settle  a 
pension  of  $2,000  a  year  on  him,  and,  my  word  for  it,  he  will 
sit  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  his  log  cabin,  by  the  side  of  a 
sea-coal  fire,  and  study  moral  philosophy." 

The  Whigs  called  their  candidate  a  "man  of  the  plain 
people,  the  honest  old  farmer  of  Ohio,"  and  the  Hero  of  Tippe- 
canoe. Of  the  latter  they  made  much.  The  Democrats  called 
him  in  ridicule,  "old  Granny  Harrison,"  and  "the  candidate  with 
a  padlock  on  his  mouth."  They  bitterly  attacked  his  civic  as 
well  as  his  military  record. 

In  Maine  each  party  accused  his  opponents  of  employing 
unworthy  methods.  A  Farmington  paper  said  that  the  Whig 
ladies  were  wearing  little  gold  cider  barrels  on  their  bracelets 
and  watchguards,  and  that  it  feared  that  this  would  result  in 
their  all  becoming  intemperate.  The  Saco  Democrat  bade  its 
political  brethren  "Organize.  Imitate  the  zeal  but  not  the 
malignity  of  your  opponents.  They  keep  their  spirits  up  by 
pouring  spirits  down." 

No  political  campaign  in  Maine  either  before  or  since  was 
carried  on  with  so  much  hurrah  and  excitement  and  at- 
tended by  so  many  sensational  features  as  was  this  one.  And 
so  it  is  most  interesting  to  read  these  letters  from  the  Demo- 
cratic candidate  for  Governor  to  his  wife,  straight  from  the 
political  battleground,  for  the  Governor  was  in  Augusta  at  the 
time  of  the  election  and  off  and  on  subsequently  while  the 
election  was  being  contested. 

The  Whigs  opened  their  State  campaign  with  a  monster 
convention  that  met  at  the  State  House,  June  17.  Although  there 
had  been  freshets  that  had  recently  washed  away  bridges  in 
many  parts  of  the  State,  yet  thousands  poured  into  the  capital 
city  from  the  remotest  sections  of  the  State,  and  by  every  mode 
of  conveyance.     Some  appeared  on  the  streets  on  horseback, 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  275 

their  garments  dripping  water,  where  they  had  plunged  their 
steeds  into  the  swollen  water  where  the  bridges  had  gone  out. 

An  enthusiastic  partisan  from  an  adjoining  town  paraded 
the  streets  with  a  long  string  of  oxen  and  steers,  drawing  a  log 
cabin,  hung  over  with  coon  skins,  while  within,  the  projector 
shocked  the  temperance  principles  of  the  Democrats  by  selling 
hard  cider  to  the  shouting  and  thirsty  Whigs. 

The  convention  was  presided  over  by  Rufus  K.  Goodenow, 
a  prominent  politician  of  the  time,  who  severely  arraigned  the 
financial  policy  of  the  Democratic  party,  that  had  "hurried  the 
country  from  an  era  of  unexampled  prosperity  to  the  verge  of 
bankruptcy."  A  committee  on  resolutions  presented  a  lengthy 
series  of  resolutions,  which  would  be  looked  upon  today  as  a  lit- 
erary curiosity,  being  nothing  more  than  a  prolonged  stump 
speech.  Senator  John  Holmes  exhausted  his  rhetoric  and  wit 
arraigning  the  Democratic  party  and,  at  the  close  of  the  conven- 
tion, in  response  to  the  shouts  of  the  "cider-gu^zling  Whigs," 
appeared  on  the  balcony  of  the  State  House  and  read  a  poem  of 
sixteen  verses  understood  to  have  been  his  own  composition. 
This  doggerel  was  received  with  the  most  uproarious  applause 
by  the  masses  that  crowded  the  State  House  grounds. 

Here  are  a  few  of  the  verses,  which  show  the  sort  of  stuff 
which  the  spell-binders  depended  upon  in  political  gatherings 
75  years  ago: 

It  rather  seems  that  humbug  schemes 
Can  never  more  cajole  us. 
There's  such  a  run  for  Harrison 
That  nothing  can  control  us. 
The  western  world's  the  flag  unfurled. 
No  faction  can  divide  her, 
And  all  the  rest  will  sign  the  test — 
"Log  Cabin  and  Hard  Cider." 

Come,  farmers  all,  attend  the  call, 
'Tis  working  like  a  charmer, 
Hitch  on  the  team  and  start  with  him, 
For  he's  a  brother  farmer. 


276  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

His  cabin's  fit  and  snug  and  neat, 
And  full  and  free  his  larder, 
And  though  his  cider  may  be  hard, 
The  times  are  vastly  harder. 

Let  Grundy  sneer  and  Benton  jeer, 
The  day  of  Retribution 
We  firmly  trust  will  be  for  us 
A  day  of  Restitution. 

With  social  joys,  our  wives,  girls  and  boys, 
Our  Cabins  and  our  Cider, 
We'll  shout  as  one  for  Harrison, 
And  spread  his  glories  wider. 

With  all  this  parade  of  log  cabins  and  coon  skins  and 
expenditure  for  hard  cider,  and  all  the  enthusiasm  and  hooray, 
Kent  barely  pulled  through.  In  fact,  the  election  was  for  a  long 
time  uncertain,  as  these  letters  of  Governor  Fairfield  show.  Bo^h 
parties  were  unwilling  to  admit  that  there  had  been  no  choice. 
The  Democrats  stated  that  28  votes  had  been  cast  for  Hannibal 
Hamlin  for  Governor,  under  the  mistaken  impression  that  he 
was  the  party  candidate  for  Governor  instead  of  for  Congress, 
and  that  a  correction  of  this  error,  with  other  changes  which 
should  be  made,  would  give  Fairfield  a  majority. 

The  Whigs  also  believed  that  certain  returns  were  invalid 
and  it  is  said  that  some  wished  to  have  the  Legislature  declare 
Kent  elected  by  the  people,  but  more  prudent  counsels  prevailed. 
The  report  of  a  joint  committee  that  there  was  no  election  was 
acquiesced  in,  the  House  sent  to  the  Senate  the  names  of  Kent 
and  Fairfield,  and  the  Senate,  in  which  the  Whigs  were  in  con- 
trol, elected  Kent  Governor. 

The  Whigs  throughout  the  country  expressed  great  elation 
because  they  had  carried  Maine  and  the  young  state  was  put  on 
the  map  politically.  All  through  the  fall  campaign  was  heard  the 
famous  song,  or  rather  the  ending  to  a  song, 

"Oh,  have  you  heard  how  old  Maine  went? 
She  went,  hell-bent,  for  Governor  Kent, 
And  Tippecanoe  and  Tyler,  too, 
Tippecanoe  and  Tyler,  too." 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  277 

The  Democrats  in  Maine  were  much  disappointed  by  the 
defeat  of  Fairfield,  but  they  made  a  gallant  attempt  to  rally  for 
the  Presidential  election.  The  Democratic  members  of  the  Leg- 
islature issued  an  address  which  began :  "The  result  of  the  late 
election  has  been  to  all  a  source  of  mortification  and  chagrin. 
Our  partial  defeat,  however  it  may  have  been  brought  about, 
should  now  engage  our  attention,  only  so  far  as  it  may  serve  to 
throw  light  upon  the  future  and  guide  us  in  the  way  of  duty. 
Crimination  and  recrimination  can  do  no  good.  If  all  have  not 
done  their  duty,  the  approaching  election  affords  ample  oppor- 
tunities for  amends." 

Their  efforts  were  unavailing,  however.  Harrison  carried 
Maine  by  411  majority  and  swept  the  country.  "The  battle  is 
over,"  said  the  Argus,  "and  Hard  Cider  is  triumphant."  The 
Democrats  claimed  that  the  Whigs  had  triumphed  by  means  of 
fraud,  slander  and  money,  probably  supplied  by  a  British 
source.  This  was  the  opinion  of  Gov.  Fairfield,  as  evidenced 
by  one  of  the  following  leitters. 


Second  Winter  at  Augusta 

Augusta,  Jan.  9,  1840. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  been  very  anxious,  especially  to  hear  about  little 
Hammy.  Give  me  full  information  respecting  him.  How  did 
the  tonic  vermifuge  operate  with  him?  Tell  me  also  all  about 
the  rest  of  the  children  and  generally  how  you  get  along.  My 
mind,  not  being  so  constantly  employed  about  public  business 
as  it  was  last  year,  hovers  about  home  a  good  deal  more.  Our 
notion  of  writing  only  when  private  opportunities  occur  for 
sending  letters,  must  be  abandoned.  Let  us  write  once  a  week 
at  least,  to  each  other.     The  postage  is  a  mere  trifle. 

To  give  you  some  little  account  of  myself,  I  would  inform 
you  that  I  am  at  my  old  quarters  at  Hutchins',  though  my 
establishment  has  been  somewhat  reduced.  I  have  given  up  the 
bed-room  attached  to  my  parlor  and  have  taken  a  bed  into  the 
latter.  This,  in  addition  to  reducing  the  price  of  board  to  ten 
dollars,  I  find  to  be  very  much  promotive  of  comfort.  You  know 
I  always  had  a  strong  desire  for  a  warm  room  to  go  to  bed  in. 
"Sylvester"  also  builds  a  good  fire  every  morning  before  day- 
light, and,  would  you  believe  it,  I  have  several  mornings  got 
up  and  read  a  long  time  by  candle  light,  after  shaving  and 
"doing  my  toilet."  This  habit  I  fear  is  too  good  to  last  long. 
I  shall,  however,  keep  it  up  as  long  as  I  can. 

I  have  already  read  "Nicholas  Nickleby,"  2  vols.;  "Lord 
Brougham's  Opinion,"  1  vol. ;  Murray's  "March  in  North  Amer- 
ica," 2  vols. ;  "The  Black  Dwarf,"  1  vol.,  and  am  now  reading 
"Old  Mortality,"  2  vols.  This,  with  my  political  reading, 
has  kept  me  from  being  idle,  I  can  assure  you.  Let  me  tell  you 
also  of  another  reform,  if  you  choose  to  call  it  so,  to  wit,  that 
I  have  not  tasted  a  drop  of  coffee  or  tea  since  I  have  been  here — 
nothing  but  milk,  excepting  at  tea  time,  when  I  take  a  cup  of 
hot  water,  milk  it  and  sugar  it  well,  and  this  answers  all  the 
purpose  of  the  best  of  tea.  I  have  not  persevered  long 
enough  yet  in  the  practice  to  judge  of  its  effect  upon  my  health, 
except  that  it  is  not  injurious  thus  far. 

We  are  having  very  quiet  times  here,  there  being  but  few 
offices  to  fill,  Augusta  is  not  thronged  as  it  was  last  year  with 
strangers.  And  as  for  my  cihamber,  iit  seems  to  be  quite  a 
retired  and  almost  lonely  spot. 

A  Council  has  been  chosen,  but  a  quorum  have  not  yet 
arrived,  so  we  are  unable  to  do  any  business.     Three  of  the  old 


280  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Council  are  re-elected,  to  wit,  Lyon,  Fletcher  &  Webb.  The 
four  new  ones  are  old  Doct.  Bumham  of  Hancock  County,  Col. 
Wilson  of  York,  a  Mr.  Eastman  of  Somerset  and  Mr.  Talbot 
of  Washington.  I  think  the  Legislature  has  given  me  this  year 
a  very  good  council. 

Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Finds  Time  for  Charades 

Augusta,  Jan.  11,  1840. 
Dear  Wife, 

My  new  Council  have  not  got  in  yet,  and  of  course  we  are 
doing  nothing.  Last  night  I  was  up  to  Judge  Fuller's  where 
there  were  some  eight  or  ten  gentlemen  and  ladies.  Had  a 
very  pleasant  time,  and  among  other  amusements,  played 
plays,  can't  describe  them  now.  Had  one  game  of  chess  with 
Judge  Fuller  who  is  an  old  hand  at  it,  and  beat  him,  at  which 
he  seemed  a  little  vexed.  Vows  he'll  pay  me  for  it.  We  also 
had  lots  of  charades,  among  which  was  the  following,  which  by 
the  way,  was  made  last  September  by  a  Mrs.  Gould  of  Boston 
who  was  visiting  at  Judge  Fuller's. 

Charade. 

My  first,  to  employ  a  lady's  eyes. 

And  hands,  and  heart,  is  seen; 

Is  often  used  a  general  term. 

Though  due  to  fresh  eighteen. 

My  next,  the  gifts  of  Heaven  conveys. 

And  makes  our  Country  blest; 

My  whole  deserves  to  be  your  praise, 

And  you  must  guess  the  rest. 

There,  if  you  can  puzzle  it  out,  very  well ;  if  you  can't,  I'll 
help  you  in  my  next.  It  is  not  often,  however,  that  you  need 
any  aid  in  things  of  this  sort. 

My  washerwoman  has  just  sent  home  4  shirts,  6  collars, 
&c.,  white  as  the  driven  snow.  She  is  not  the  one  I  employed 
last  winter,  but  I  am  inclined  to  think,  much  better. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  281 

Sunday  Afternoon,  Jan.  12 

Have  been  to  meeting  all  day  and  had  two  excellent  ser- 
mons from  Mr.  Cole  of  Hallowell,  it  being  also  communion  day. 
Many  of  the  members  attend  this  meeting,  so  that  the  house  is 
now  pretty  well  filled. 

By  the  way,  we  have  upon  our  tea  table  very  frequently 
pumpkin  preserve  and  it  is  really  very  good.  I  should  like  to 
have  you  try  it.  You  have  a  way  of  preserving  apples  in  a  short 
time  which  I  always  liked  much.  I  think  you  may  use  pump- 
kin m  the  same  way.     It  is  not 

When  I  had  written  thus  far,  Judge  Weston  gave  me  a  call 
and  after  chatting  with  him  about  an  hour,  I  resumed  my  pen 
but  could  not  for  my  life  recollect  what  I  was  saying  when  I 
was  interrupted.     Of  course  it  was  not  of  much  consequence. 

Augustine  Haines  is  here  from  Portland — came  in  today. 
He  is  endeavoring  to  aid  John  Appleton  in  procuring  the 
appointment  of  Register  of  Probate  in  Cumberland,  that  office 
having  become  vacant  by  the  death  of  John  L.  Megquier.  There 
are  several  candidates  and  all  very  pressing.  Can't  please  all — 
wish  I  could.     Near  1/2  past  10,  so  good  night. 

Monday  Afternoon. — New  Council  came  in  this  morning 
and  were  qualified,  except  Col.  Wilson  from  York.  Doctor 
Burnham  is  a  real  old  patriarch,  full  of  religion,  politics  and 
fun,  all  most  delightfully  commingled.  He  is  not,  by  the  way, 
the  Doctor  Burnham  who  married  the  quondam  wife  of  Bill 
Fairfield  and  whom  we  saw,  you  recollect,  at  Unity  some  years 
ago.  This  one  is,  I  should  think,  some  70  years  old,  if  not 
more. 

Tuesday  Afternoon. — Soon  after  the  mail  bringing  your 
good  letter,  came  in  last  evening.  Col.  Reddington  of  this  town 
called  and  invited  me  to  ride  over  to  Danl.  Williams'  with  him 
and  pass  the  evening,  which  I  did,  enjoying  it  very  much.  Had 
one  game  of  chess  with  the  Colonel  and,  playing  very  care- 
lessly, was  beaten.  Augustine  left  this  morning  before  I  was 
up.  John  Holmes  is  here  today,  so  I  suppose  something  is 
brewing  in  favor  of  Granny  Harrison.  The  session,  I  am  in- 
clined to  think,  will  not  be  long.  They  are  now  talking  of  hav- 
ing an  extra  session  to  take  up  the  subject  of  the  revised  stat- 
utes. If  this  project  should  prevail,  as  is  more  than  probable, 
the  present  session  will  be  short — i.e.,  it  will  not  extend  into 
March. 


282  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Thursday  Evening,  Jan.  16. — Today  I  nominated  John 
Appleton  for  Register  of  Probate,  the  delegation  from  Cumber- 
land being  equally  divided  between  him  and  a  Mr.  Leach. 

If  you  can  procure  "Nicholas  Nickleby"  I  advise  you  to 
read  it.  It  is  excellent — much  better  than  "Oliver  Twist"  and 
that  is  saying  a  great  deal. 

Friday  Afternoon. — Have  nothing  new  to  add,  except  that 
it  has  just  occurred  to  me  to  ask  you  to  send  me  a  box  of  chess 
men  by  Mr.  Tucker,  or  by  any  other  opportunity  that  occurs. 
Weather  still  very  cold.  I  have  just  learned  that  Col.  Spring 
&  A.  Goodwin  are  in  town,  and  I  am  every  moment  expecting  a 
call  from  them.  Hope  they  have  brought  letters  for  me.  At 
all  events,  their  return  will  afford  a  good  opportunity  to  send 
mine.  I  have  also  just  heard  of  the  loss  of  the  steamboat  Lex- 
ington by  burning  with  110  passengers  on  board,  all  of  whom, 
dreadful  to  relate,  it  is  said  are  lost,  excepting  three.  Among 
all  the  late  disasters  this  is  the  most  horrible.  I  have  not  heard 
the  names  of  the  passengers,  but  have  no  doubt  some  of  them 
will  prove  to  have  been  from  Maine. 

Mr.  Goodwin  &  Col.  S.  have  been  in.  They  bring  letters 
from  Mr.  Emery  and  Mr.  Haines.  By  the  former,  I  learn  that 
L —  has  not  yet  sent  the  deeds  of  the  Tennessee  lands,  but  he. 
L — ,  says  that  "I  am  assured  that  by  tomorrow  I  shall  have  the 
deeds  which  shall  be  forwarded  at  once."  I  believe  him  to  be 
a  great  rogue  and  have  pretty  much  made  up  my  mind  that  I 
have  lost  my  $300. 

Sunday  Morning. — It  seems  there  were  very  few  persons 
from  this  State  on  board  the  Lexington — a  Mr.  Hinckley  and  a 
Mr.  Peirce  from  Portland  are  the  only  persons  I  have  yet  heard 
named.  Professor  Follen  &  wife,  it  seems,  were  on  board — 
the  latter,  you  know,  was  the  author  of  tales  of  married  life 
that  we  all  admired  so  much — Oh,  how  much  misery  this  dread- 
ful accident  will  cause. 

We  have  no  news  here  of  any  sort.  Col.  S.  and  A.  G.  G. 
are  still  here,  and  I  believe  expect  to  remain  several  days.  I 
shall  avail  myself  of  their  return  to  forward  this  long,  desul- 
tory, and  I  fear  uninteresting  epistle.  I  enclose  a  receipt  for 
pumpkin  preserve.  By  the  way,  I  have  reed,  a  letter  from 
Geo.Folsom,N.  H.,to  whom  I  had  written  upon  the  subject,  say- 
ing that  the  publishers  of  the  New  Era  had  no  bill  against  me. 
That  he  had  sent  it  gratuitously  and  should  continue  so  to  do. 
Enough  for  one  sheet. 

Yours  as  Ever,  J.  F. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  283 

Many  Social  Festivities 

Augusta,  Jan.  21,  1840. 
Dear  Wife, 

Thursday  night  I  have  an  invitation  for  tea  at  Mr.  Allen's 
at  Gardiner.  The  small  social  party  here  seems  to  be  taking 
the  place  of  jams;  and  plays,  of  dancing.  For  one  I  have  no 
objection  to  both,  regarding  them  as  decided  improvements. 

You  can  hardly  imagine  what  a  still  and  quiet  time  I  am 
having  here  this  winter,  no  war,  no  offices  to  give  away,  the 
Whigs  as  mum  as  oysters,  and  the  Democrats  half  asleep. 
Really,  unless  something  occurs  soon  to  excite  the  political  ele- 
ments, this  place  will  be  fairly  entitled  to  the  appellation  of 
"sleepy  hollow."  I  enclose  you  Rules  &  Orders  of  Council,  a 
list  of  recipes  and  a  specimen  of  Provincial  eloquence. 

They  talk  here  of  a  short  session.  I  hope  it  will  not  end 
in  talk.  I  long  to  be  at  home.  Not  that  I  am  what  we  call 
homesick,  but  the  older  I  grow,  the  more  I  become  attached  to 
home  and  the  joys  that  cluster  around  the  domestic  fireside.  I 
doubt,  though,  whether  you  will  see  me  until  the  close  of  the 
session,  certainly  not  if  it  be  likely  to  terminate  by  the  first  of 
March. 

Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Death  of  a  Friend 

Wednesday,  Jan.  22,  1840,  1-4  past  11. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

It  is  with  pain  inexpressible  that  I  inform  you  of  the 
death  of  my  friend,  A.  G.  Goodwin.  He  expired  about  10  min- 
utes ago,  after  an  illness  of  a  little  more  than  a  day. 

On  Monday  afternoon  he  came  into  my  room  and  after  sit- 
ting a  little  while  threw  himself  upon  the  sofa  where  he 
remained  perhaps  some  15  minutes,  when  he  arose,  walked  to  the 
fire  and  seemed  to  be  very  cold,  shivering  much.  I  advised  him 
to  go  to  bed  &  take  a  sweat  and  he  thereupon  went  up  to  his 
uncle's  room,  went  to  bed,  took  from  his  uncle  some  warm 
medicine  and  that  night  sweat  profusely. 

The  next  morning  the  fever  appeared  to  have  been  broken 
up  and  I  thought  he  was  in  a  fair  way  to  get  out  again  imme- 
diately.    In  the  afternoon  I  went  again  to  his  room  &  found 


284  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

him  up  and  dressed,  the  girl  making  his  bed.  Was  there  again 
in  the  evening  as  late  as  1/2  past  10.  Saw  then  no  particular 
alteration  in  him  and  presumed  that  he  would  be  out  soon,  in- 
deed he  himself  insisted  that  he  must  go  out  today.  In  the 
night — say  2  or  3  o'clock — his  uncle  who  staid  with  him,  says 
he  grew  worse,  complained  of  pain  in  his  head,  got  up  once  or 
twice  himself  and  bathed  it. 

Before  daylight,  it  was  concluded  to  send  for  a  physician 
and  at  Amos'  request  Doctor  Briggs,  who  was  a  classmate  of 
his,  was  sent  for.  He  immediately  let  blood  and  finding  that  he 
was  very  restless,  administered  a  dose  of  opium.  About  9 
o'clock  I  went  to  his  room,  asked  him  how  he  did.  He  replied 
"I  am  worse  this  morning,"  but  I  had  not  the  least  apprehen- 
sion that  he  was  then  dangerous. 

Soon  after  I  left,  say  I/4  past  9,  he  began  to  be  delirious  and 
gave  other  indications  of  failing.  Immediately  after  the  meet- 
ing of  the  Council  at  10  o'clock,  I  went  to  his  chamber,  intend- 
ing to  spend  the  day  with  him.  When  I  arrived,  however,  I 
found  him  apparently  in  a  stupor  and  breathing  with  great 
difficulty.  Soon  after  Dr.  Hubbard  of  Hallowell  arrived,  and  he, 
after  many  inquiries  and  a  private  consultation  with  Dr.  Briggs, 
pronounced  the  difl[iculty  to  be  apoplectic  affection  of  the  brain 
and  that  nothing  would  save  him  but  taking  blood  from  the 
temple,  and  he  doubted  whether  even  that  would.  This  was 
done,  but  in  less  than  half  an  hour  he  expired.  For  the  last  two 
hours  or  so,  he  did  not  appear  to  have  his  senses — and  before 
that  time  I  do  not  think  he  was  aware  of  his  danger. 

A  two-horse  sleigh  will  start  with  the  body  tomorrow 
morning  &  reach  home  tomorrow  night.  Col.  Spring  will  start 
at  the  same  time,  by  whom  I  shall  send  this  letter  &  others 
heretofore  written.  There  is  nothing  important  in  the  others 
and  you  had  better  lay  them  aside  unopened  for  the  present. 
I  fear  they  are  much  too  light  to  be  read  while  this  affliciting 
event  is  so  fresh  in  our  minds.  It  will  be  a  dreadful  blow  to 
his  wife  &  relations.  I  sympathize  with  them  deeply,  but  can 
do  nothing  for  them.  There  is  one  source  of  consolation,  how- 
ever, to  which  they  may  resort  which  never  fails — the  goodness 
of  God,  the  benevolence  of  his  dispensations,  however  grievous 
they  may  appear,  the  certainty  of  immortality  and  the  union 
of  friends  in  another  world,  will  afford  a  consolation  that  the 
world  can  neither  give  nor  take  away. 

Yours  as  ever, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  285 

Gov.  Fairfield's  Views  on  Total  Depravity 

Augusta,  Jan.  25,  1840. 
Dear  Wife, 

What  can  have  become  of  Mr.  Tucker?  We  have  been 
looking  for  him  all  the  session.  I  have  been  the  more  desirous 
for  him  to  arrive  as  I  expect  letters  by  him.  An  order  was 
moved  in  the  House  the  other  day  inquiring  what  members 
were  absent  and  the  reasons  therefor,  &c.  More  a  matter  of 
sport,  I  suppose,  than  anything  else. 

I  did  not  go  down  to  Gardiner  on  Thursday  evening  as  I 
once  contemplated.  The  weather  was  cold  and  unpleasant  and 
besides  my  feelings  were  too  depressed  at  that  time  to  per- 
mit my  contributing  a  fair  share  to  the  enjoyments  of  a  social 
party ;  nor  have  they  yet  recovered  from  that  depression.  The 
death  of  Mr.  G.  was  so  sudden,  so  unexpected,  and  under  such 
peculiar  circumstances  that  it  could  not  fail  to  make  a  deep  and 
painful  impression.  But  God  in  his  goodness  has  so  consti- 
tuted us  that  the  afflictive  events  of  his  providence  may  in  time 
be  forgotten — or  remembered  only  with  the  bright  and  happy 
scenes  and  events  of  life  intermingled,  and  thereby  robbed  of 
all  their  poignancy.  What  a  merciful  provision  of  a  Kind 
Father  this  is !  Were  it  otherwise,  our  lot  in  this  world  would 
be  perpetual  misery,  our  life  a  grievous  burthen. 

Sunday  Noon,  Jan.  26.  Mr.  Crufft  being  too  unwell  to 
preach  today,  I  strolled  away  to  the  orthodox  church  and  heard 
Doctor  Tappan  deliver  one  of  his  stiffest  sermons  upon  the 
subject  of  total  depravity. 

He  goes  the  whole  figure,  filling  us  from  the  crown  of  the 
head  to  the  sole  of  the  foot  with  innate,  hereditary,  total  de- 
pravity, from  which  he  said  we  had  no  more  power  to  rid  our- 
selves than  a  corpse  had  the  power  to  restore  itself  to  life  and 
that  we  shall  all,  nevertheless,  be  eternally  damned  unless  we 
are  relieved  from  it. 

This  doctrine  is  not  only  utterly  abhorrent  to  all  the  better 
feelings  of  the  heart,  but  utterly  at  war  with  the  plainest  dic- 
tates of  common  sense  and  common  justice.  And  when  I  hear 
a  man  preaching  it,  as  I  did  today,  and  illustrating  by  a  refer- 
ence to  children,  I  cannot  help  thinking  that  he  must  have  a 
very  bad  heart  himself,  and  must,  moreover,  be  cursed  with  a 
very  perverse  set  of  children.  However,  I  think  I  shall  go  to 
hear  him  again  this  afternoon.  I  do  not  like  to  stay  at  home, 
and  I  have  no  very  great  desire  to  go  to  the  Unitarian  and  hear 


286  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

a  tailor  by  the  name  of  Hawes  read  a  sermon,  although  it  be 
one  of  Doctor  Channing's. 

Sunday  Afternoon.  The  doctor  gave  us  this  afternoon 
the  end  of  what  he  began  this  morning,  in  inferences  from  the 
positions  then  established.  Judge  Weston  has  just  given  me  his 
usual  Sunday  afternoon  call,  spending  about  an  hour  in  inter- 
esting chat.     The  Judge  is  really  a  very  interesting  companion. 

Monday  Afternoon,  Jan.  27.  On  making  this  date  I  am 
reminded  that  it  is  Sister  Mary's  birthday,  she  being  41  years 
old.  Mine  comes  on  Thursday  next.  We  have  no  excitement 
here,  but  little  business  and  ample  leisure  to  read.  I  went  into 
the  library  today  and  took  "The  Court  and  Camp  of  Bona- 
parte," 1  vol.  and  "Russell's  Life  of  Cromwell,"  2  vols.,  and 
since  that  Mrs.  Williams  has  sent  me  Stephens'  travels  in  "Ara- 
bia and  the  Holy  Land,"  2  vols.  So  you  see  I  have  work  enough 
before  me. 

Have  you  got  hold  of  "Nicholas  Nickleby"  yet?  To  give 
you  some  idea  of  the  power  of  the  author,  at  least  in  the  way 
of  description,  let  me  give  you  his  description  of  the  house  and 
furniture  of  old  Gride,  a  miser.  "In  an  old  house,  dismal,  dark 
and  dusty,  which  seemed  to  have  withered  like  himself,  and  to 
have  grown  yellow  and  shrivelled  in  hoarding  him  from  the 
light,  as  he  had  in  hoarding  his  money,  lived  Arthur  Gride. 
Meagre  old  chairs  and  tables  of  spare,  bony  make,  and  hard 
and  cold  as  misers'  hearts,  were  ranged  in  grim  array  against 
the  gloomy  walls — attenuated  presses,  grown  lank  and  lantern- 
jawed  in  guarding  the  treasures  they  enclosed,  and  tottering  as 
though  from  constant  fear  and  dread  of  thieves,  shrank  up  in 
dark  corners,  whence  they  cast  no  shadow  on  the  ground,  and 
seemed  to  hide  and  cower  from  observation. 

"A  tall,  grim  clock  up  on  the  stairs,  with  long,  lean  hands 
&  famished  face,  ticked  in  continuous  whispers,  and  when  it 
struck  the  time  in  thin  and  piping  sounds,  like  an  old  man's 
voice,  rattled  as  if  'twere  pinched  with  hunger.  No  fireside 
couch  wos  there  to  invite  repose  and  comfort.  Elbow  chairs 
were  there,  but  they  looked  uneasy  in  their  minds,  cocked  their 
arms  suspiciously  &  timidly  and  kept  upon  their  guard.  Others 
were  fantastically  grim  and  gaunt,  as  having  drawn  them- 
selves up  to  their  utmost  height  and  put  on  their  fiercest  looks 
to  stare  all  comers  out  of  countenance.  Others  again,"  &c., 
but  I  must  stop — this  is  enough  for  my  purpose.  Really,  Boz. 
is  one  of  the  greatest  geniuses  living ! 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  287 

A  Tea  Party  at  Gardiner 

Tuesday  Afternoon.  Last  night  Mr.  Blake  of  the  Senate  & 
myself  having  an  invitation,  went  down  to  Mr.  Allen's  at  Gar- 
diner and  had  rather  a  pleasant  time.  I  would  not  say  as  one 
did  after  dining  out  with  a  friend  "that  everything  was  cold  but 
the  ice  and  everything  sour  but  the  vinegar."  I  would  only  say 
that  if  the  rooms  had  been  better  warmed,  the  coffee  not  quite 
so  cold,  and  the  toast  had  been  made  of  baker's  bread,  I  think 
we  should  have  "enjoyed  our  tea"  a  little  better.  But  this  is 
making  a  poor  return  for  the  extreme  kindness  with  which  we 
were  treated  and  so  I  have  no  more  to  say  about  it. 

The  whole  family  were  very  amiable  and  disposed  to  make 
everybody  happy.  The  girls  sing,  play  upon  the  piano,  write 
poetry,  and  talk  like  a  book  and  the  old  lady  is  a  perfect  library 
of  ancient  history.  Fortunately,  she  requires  but  little  more 
than  a  good  listener,  otherwise  I  should  have  found  myself 
pretty  often  against  a  stump. 

Mrs.  Cheever  and  daughter  were  there,  the  mother  and 
sister  of  the  celebrated  George  Cheever,  formerly  minister  at 
Salem,  now  at  New  York,  and  the  author  of  the  famous  dream 
called  "Deacon  Giles'  distillery."  I  found  the  daughter  very 
pleasant,  intelligent  and  talented,  besides  playing  well  on  the 
piano  and  singing  pretty  fair.  Mr.  Foote  of  Wiscasset  had  two 
daughters,  but  I  saw  but  little  of  them  except  that  they  were 
rather  pretty.  In  all,  there  were  about  a  dozen  of  us,  and  upon 
the  whole  we  had  a  very  good  time. 

This  afternoon  it  is  snowing  again.  Nothing  new  except 
that  I  think  the  news  from  Washington  looks  a  little  more 
belligerent  than  it  has  heretofore.  Shall  expect  something 
more  positive  in  a  few  days. 


Gov.  Fairfield's  43d  Birthday 

Thursday  Afternoon,  Jan.  30.  This  day  I  pass  the  43d  year- 
stone  in  the  great  journey  of  life.  In  casting  my  eye  back  along 
the  way  I  have  trod,  I  find  innumerable  deficiencies  and  sins  to 
lament,  and  uncounted  mercies  of  God  to  be  thankful  for.  My 
life  ha.«  certainly  been  somewhat  of  an  eventful  one  and  though 
my  path  has  not  always  been  scattered  with  roses,  I  feel  that 
I  have  enjoyed  a  greater  measure  of  happiness  than  I  deserved. 


288  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Next  month  comes  your  birthday,  when,  I  believe,  you  will 
be  35 — am  I  right?  Let  me  exhort  you  to  spend  it  in  reflec- 
tions upon  the  past  with  a  view  to  a  better  improvement  of  the 
future.  I  do  not  say  this  in  my  capacity  of  husband,  finding 
fault  with  his  wife,  for  in  that  relation,  thank  God,  I  have 
much  to  commend  and  but  little  to  censure,  but  as  a  preacher 
to  a  fellow  mortal.  However,  lest  you  should  turn  upon  me 
with  the  charge  that  like  a  guide  post  I  point  the  way  in  which 
I  do  not  walk  myself,  I  will  consult  discretion,  the  better  part 
of  valor,  so  far  as  to  say  no  more  about  the  matter. 

Nothing  further  yet  from  Washington.  Shall  expect 
something  tonight.  Our  monotony  was  yesterday  broken  in 
upon  by  a  most  abusive  political  speech  from  Chadbourne  of 
Eastport,  who  was  replied  to  by  D.  in  the  same  spirit.  A  little 
cayenne  now  &  then,  I'm  inclined  to  think,  won't  do  much  harm. 
Today  we  have  rain,  but  it  is  too  cold  to  permit  the  snow  to 
run  off. 

Sunday  Noon,  Feb.  2d.  Blake  and  I  have  agreed  to  accept 
the  invitation  of  Mr.  Allen  and  go  down  to  Gardiner  to  church 
this  afternoon.  After  our  return  I  will  add  a  word  or  two 
more, 

Monday  Morning.  After  my  return  last  evening  I  found 
a  document  on  my  table  from  Washington  &  so  postponed  my 
letter  till  this  morning.  The  church  at  Gardiner  was  very 
handsomely  &  tastefully  decorated ;  we  had  a  middling  sermon, 
took  tea  &  spent  the  evening  at  Mr.  Gardiner's  &  altogether 
had  a  fine  time.  Nelly  read  to  us  some  half  hour  from  a  poem 
which  she  is  writing,  and  I  must  confess  it  surpassed  a  good 
deal  what  I  had  anticipated. 

I  have  been  watching  the  movements  of  the  Legislature  for 
some  time  to  see  whether  the  session  was  to  be  a  prolonged 
one  or  not.  I  am  now  pretty  well  satisfied  that  it  will  be  of  the 
usual  length,  say  to  continue  to  the  last  of  March,  and  there- 
fore I  am  half  inclined  to  go  home  next  Saturday  or  the  Satur- 
day after.  I  shall  send  this  by  mail,  so  that  you  may  be  pre- 
pared to  receive  the  Governor  and  not  be  caught  in  your  disha- 
bille. However,  don't  rely  on  my  coming,  I  shall  keep  further 
watch  upon  the  movements  of  the  Legislature  and  if  I  am  con- 
firmed in  my  present  opinion  and  the  weather  is  suitable,  I  shall 
start,  otherwise  not. 

Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  289 

A  Round  of  Gaiety 

Augusta,  Feb.  17,  1840. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  had  a  remarkably  pleasant  ride  down  for  a  stage  ride. 
Had  the  sleigh  principally  to  myself  and  of  course  kept  curtains 
rolled  up  and  had  all  the  benefit  of  the  fresh  air  which  gener- 
ally prevents  my  being  stage  sick.  We  reached  Portland  much 
earlier  than  was  anticipated. 

When  I  arrived  here,  found  that  Gen.  Merrill  &  wife  had 
been  occupying  my  chamber  and  my  narrow  bed.  Things  some- 
what in  confusion,  didn't  much  like  the  liberty  taken  by  my 
landlord,  though  as  there  was  a  lady  in  the  case,  I,  of  course, 
smothered  my  wrath. 

On  Wednesday  evening,  after  my  return  on  Tuesday,  there 
was  a  most  magnificent  party  at  Danl.  Williams',  at  which 
probably  there  were  over  200  persons,  and  which  approached 
more  nearly  to  a  Washington  party  than  anything  I  have  seen 
here.  On  Friday  Genl.  Chandler  gave  a  dinner  party  for  about 
a  dozen  of  us  which  was  a  very  pleasant  one.  On  Saturday 
evening  Judge  Fuller  came  down,  as  he  said,  to  pay  me  off  for 
the  game  of  chess  I  beat  him  one  evening  at  his  house,  and 
thereupon  I  sat  down  and  beat  him  four  games  in  succession  at 
which  the  poor  Judge  was  considerably  mortified. 


The  Legislature  are  moving  along  a  little  more  rapidly, 
though  no  one  can  predict  the  end  of  the  session  as  yet. 

Friday  Afternoon.  I  suppose  I  ought  to  acknowledge  to 
you,  between  whom  and  myself  you  know  there  should  be  no 
secrets,  that  I  have  been  somewhat  dissipated  since  my  visit 
home,  that  is  to  say  I  have  attended  a  party  at  Danl.  Williams', 
one  at  Deacon  Means',  do.  at  Mr.  Potter's,  do.  at  Judge  Wes- 
ton's, do.  at  Capt.  Berry's  in  Gardiner,  and  dinner  party  at 
Gen.  Chandler's.  This  will  do  pretty  well  for  so  short  a  time, 
won't  it  ?  Last  night  I  was  down  to  Gardiner,  took  a  little,  not 
half  a  cup  full  of  strong  coffee,  and  for  that  or  some  other 
reason  could  not  sleep  any.  The  weather  is  very  warm  and  the 
roads  are  getting  to  be  very  muddy. 


Sunday  Afternoon.  I  have  just  returned  from  meeting 
and  am  enjoying  a  profuse  sweat,  such  weather,  I  believe, 
never  grew  in  February  before.  It  is  really  uncomfortably 
warm.     The  snow  is  all  gone  and  the  mud  has  taken  its  place. 


290  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

In  addition  to  the  parties  named  above  I  may  add  to  the 
list,  a  small  one  at  Judge  Fuller's  on  Friday  evening.  It  was  a 
real  orthodox  concern — Doctor  Tappan  with  his  church  deacons 
and  a  few  of  his  parish.  We  nevertheless  had  a  pretty  fair 
time.  Doctor  T.  and  I,  among  other  things,  discussed  the  sub- 
ject of  slavery  and  I  must  confess  that  out  of  the  pulpit  he  is 
not  so  morose  and  so  much  of  a  tyrant  as  he  appears  to  be  in  it. 

Tuesday  night  I  have  an  invitation  to  Marcellus  A.  Chand- 
ler's, but  doubt  whether  I  shall  go. 

Many  of  the  members  begin  to  think  that  they  may  bring 
the  session  to  a  close  by  the  middle  of  March.  I  hope  and  pray 
that  they  may. 

Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Mrs.  Longley*s  Cheese 

Augusta,  March  8,  1840. 
Dear  Wife, 

You  will  have  seen  by  the  two  papers  I  sent  you  that  my 
good  friend,  Mrs.  Longley,  has  at  last  brought  down  my  great 
cheese  and  that  we  have  written  each  other  a  somewhat  flatter- 
ing, if  not  loving,  letter.  The  cheese  is  a  beauty,  finely  propor- 
tioned, and  I  hope  of  a  good  quality.     At  all  events  it  looks  well. 

With  the  personal  appearance  of  Mrs.  Longley  I  was  some- 
what disappointed.  I  expected  to  see  a  tall,  large,  masculine- 
looking  woman,  one  who  could  shoulder  a  piece  of  artillery  if 
necessary  and  flog  half  a  dozen  men  if  insulted.  But  I  found 
her  to  be  a  lady  of  say  some  fifty  years  of  age,  of  middling  size, 
good  personal  appearance,  intelligent  face  and  modest  deport- 
ment. On  the  whole  I  was  very  much  pleased  with  her.  But 
this,  I  suspect,  is  saying  enough  for  you.  I  should  be  sorry  to 
excite  your  jealousy.  However,  I  suppose  you  will  forgive  a 
good  deal  if  I  send  home  a  good  large  piece  of  the  cheese.  My 
present  intention  is  to  cut  out  a  slice,  say  10  or  20  lbs.,  box  it  up 
and  send  home,  and  the  remainder  to  cut  up  here  and  distribute 
among  the  members  of  the  Legislature.  This  course  I  pro- 
posed to  Mrs.  Longley  and  she  seemed  to  be  pleased  with  it. 

The  Legislature  talks  of  rising  one  week  from  tomorrow, 
but  I  think  it  will  be  more  likely  to  extend  the  session  to  two 
weeks  from  tomorrow. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  291 

The  good  people  here  are  having  a  great  many  small  par- 
ties, to  all  of  which  I  have  an  invitation  and  many  of  which  I 
attend. 

In  reading  some  of  Bryant's  poetry  today  I  was  struck 
with  the  beauty  of  the  following: 

"So  live,  that  when  thy  summons  come  to  join 
The  innumerable  caravan,  that  moves 
To  that  mysterious  realm,  where  each  shall  take 
His  chamber  in  the  silent  halls  of  death. 
Thou  go  not,  like  the  quarry  slave  at  night, 
Scourged  to  his  dungeon,  but,  sustained  and  soothed 
By  an  unfaltering  trust,  approach  thy  grave. 
Like  one  who  wraps  the  drapery  of  his  couch 
About  him,  and  lies  down  to  pleasant  dreams." 

What  can  be  more  soothingly  beautiful  than  the  last  two 
lines?  Let  the  boys,  aye  and  the  girls,  too,  commit  it  to 
memory. 

Wednesday  Afternoon.  We  have  cut  up  the  big  cheese 
and  this  afternoon  at  4  o'clock  it  is  to  be  distributed  to  the 
members  of  the  Legislature  and  all  others  who  may  think  a 
slice  worth  calling  for.  It  has  cut  up  finely,  is  rich,  well-fla- 
vored, and  has  not  crumbled.  I  have  caused  a  piece,  weighing 
probably  40  or  50  lbs.,  to  be  cut  out  in  a  regular  shape  and 
placed  in  a  box,  made  for  the  purpose,  just  big  enough  to  con- 
tain it,  so  that  it  cannot  crumble,  for  you.  You  probably,  how- 
ever, will  not  receive  it  until  you  receive  me. 

The  Legislature  now  thinks  of  adjourning  on  Monday  or 
Tuesday.  The  Council  will  remain  only  one  day  after  the  Leg- 
islature rises,  so  that  you  may  expect  to  see  me  some  time  in  the 
course  of  the  week — i.e.,  next  week. 

Last  night  attended  a  very  pleasant  chess  party  at  Judge 
Fuller's,  say  half  a  dozen  playing  chess  till  10,  then  having  a 
cold  roast  turkey,  ham,  &c.,  &c. 

How  do  you  like  my  proclamation?  It  certainly  has  one 
good  quality,  to  wit,  its  brevity.  Oh,  I  abominate  a  long,  pros- 
ing proclamation  of  all  things,  and  so,  I  believe,  does  almost 
everybody  else. 

Evening.  It  seems  when  4  o'clock  arrived  the  House  took 
a  recess  of  an  hour.  One  of  the  Whi?s  sent  off  and  got  a  barrel 
of  "hard  cider"  and  a  Democrat  half  a  dozen  loaves  of  brown 
bread  and  with  these  and  my  cheese  they  had  a  very  merry 
time  of  it. 


292  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Thursday  Morning.  Nothing  to  add  except  to  say  that  I 
doubt  whether  the  Legislature  gets  up  before  Tuesday  and  per- 
haps Wednesday,  so  that  by  Thursday  or  Friday  at  longest  I 
hope  to  see  my  dear  wife  and  children. 

Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Mr.   Fairfield  wrote   no  more  letters  until   September,  after  the   election 
in  which  he  was  defeated. 


Whigs  Carry  the  State 

Augusta,  Sept.  19,  1840. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  regret  that  I  have  no  more  agreeable  communication  to 
make  to  you  than  the  fact  of  the  almost  complete  rout  and 
overthrow  of  the  Democratic  party  in  the  late  election.  The 
Senate  is  clean  gone.  The  House  is  yet  doubtful.  The  Whigs 
have  now  chosen  86 — eight  less  than  a  majority — and  there 
are  some  dozen  towns  in  which  there  was  no  choice,  and  in 
which  another  election  takes  place  next  Monday.  The  votes 
for  Governor  are  all  in  but  a  few  towns  in  Oxford,  Washington 
and  the  whole  of  the  County  of  Aroostook.  My  majority,  sup- 
posing these  towns  to  do  as  well  as  they  did  in  1838,  would  be 
about  100.  Seven  of  them  have  just  come  in  showing  a  net 
gain  for  us  of  10.  How  many  scattering  there  may  be  I  don't 
know,  perhaps  enough  to  prevent  a  choice.  But  if  there  be  not 
and  the  Whigs  have  both  branches  of  the  Legislature,  they  will 
deprive  me  of  any  majority  I  may  have  short  of  400  or  500. 

The  result  of  the  election  is  nearly  as  unexpected  to  the 
Whigs  here  as  to  us,  and  is  almost  inexplicable.  A  few  of  the 
causes  we  can  see  and  their  operation  in  future  will  be  pre- 
vented, but  the  distribution  and  use  of  British  gold  we  cannot 
well  prevent. 

I  trust  I  shall  be  able  to  meet  this  disaster  like  a  Christian 
and  a  philosopher.  By  the  blessing  of  God,  it  may  result  more 
beneficially  to  both  of  us  than  success.  My  spirits  are  by  no 
means  depressed  and  I  begin  to  anticipate  with  some  degree  of 
satisfaction  when  my  time  will  be  divided  between  my  profes- 
sional duties  and  the  society  of  home.  Rightly  viewed  and  im- 
proved the  event  may  not  only  serve  to  increase  the  fund  of 
our  social  happiness,  but  essentially  to  promote  in  our  hearts  a 
sounder  and  more  healthy  moral  condition. 


Commander  ARTHUR   PHILIP   FAIRFIKLI),  U.  S.  N. 
Great-Great-Grandson  of  Governor  Fairfield 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  293 

I  have  the  satisfaction  to  believe  that  we  have  not  lost  the 
election  through  any  misconduct  of  mine.  The  battle  has  been 
fought  almost  exclusively  upon  national  ground.  Van  Buren 
and  Harrison  have  been  kept  before  the  people  during  the  con- 
test much  more  than  Kent  and  myself. 

My  political  friends  here  are  not  dismayed  or  disheartened, 
and  seem  determined  to  take  hold  and  carry  the  State  for  Van 
Buren  in  November,  as  they  undoubtedly  can. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 

If  an  opportunity  occurs  I  wish  you  would  send  my  chess 
board  and  men. 


Making  the  Best  of  It 

Augusta,  Sept.  25,  1840. 
Dear  Wife, 

It  is  uncertain  yet  who  has  the  majority  of  votes  for  Gov- 
ernor, if  any  one  has.  Our  friends  still  insist  that  I  have,  while 
the  Whigs  insist  that  Mr.  Kent  has.  The  certainty  of  the  mat- 
ter will  probably  not  be  known  until  the  votes  are  counted  by 
the  Legislature.     My  own  impression  is  that  there  is  no  choice. 

The  Whigs  are  far  less  boisterous  and  overbearing  than 
they  were  in  1837,  indeed  they  seem  quite  meek.  The  reason  is 
that  they  see  we  have  the  power  to  choose  by  the  present  Legis- 
lature the  10  Electors  of  President,  a  U.  S.  Senator  for  the  next 
6  years,  and  district  the  State  for  the  choice  of  Senators  and 
Representatives  so  that  it  would  not  be  changed  for  five  years. 
With  this  power  in  our  hands  the  Whigs  are  living  in  constant 
alarm  lest  we  should  exercise  it. 

Notwithstanding  our  political  reverses  of  fortune,  the  sun 
still  continues  to  shine  as  pleasantly  as  ever,  and  pleasant  par- 
ties and  happy  faces  are  by  no  means  scarce.  I  have  attended 
two  large  family,  lady  &  gentleman,  dinner  parties  at  Judge 
Weston's  and  Daniel  Williams',  attended  one  wedding  and  been 
invited  to  another  party  which  I  could  not  attend.  So  you  see 
I  am  not  disposed  to  cry  about  the  election,  but  to  "make  the 
best  of  it."  As  the  Legislature  will  probably  be  Whig  in  both 
branches,  Mr.  Kent  will,  of  course,  be  elected  by  them  if  he  is 
not  by  the  people.  So  there  is  a  pretty  certain  prospect  of  your 
having  me  at  home  one  winter  at  least.  This  is  no  slight  offset 
in  my  estimation  for  the  loss  of  office. 


294  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Oh,  I  forgot  to  say  that  I  want  Davis  to  haul  up  to  Grand- 
mother Fairfield  a  cord  of  dry  hemlock  wood.  This  I  promised 
last  spring,  and  perhaps  she  may  be  wanting  it  about  this  time. 

Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


May  Not  Be  Defeated  for  Governor 

Augusta,  Oct.  4,  '40. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  kind  letter.  I  forgive 
the  rejoicing  of  yourself  and  the  children  over  my  defeat  when 
I  consider  its  inducements.  There  is  really  no  little  comfort  to 
myself  in  the  idea  of  spending  one  winter  at  home.  And  be- 
sides the  indulgence  of  the  affections,  I  have  reason  to  believe 
that  I  could  make  myself  useful  to  the  children  at  least. 

But  what  if  I  am  elected  after  all?  Would  you  believe  it, 
after  all  the  crowing  on  one  side  and  giving  up  on  the  other, 
that  I  have  a  plurality  of  147?  It  is  even  so,  and  with  a  fair 
count  I  apprehend  it  would  appear  that  I  am  elected,  for  I  do 
not  believe  there  are  scattering  votes  enough  to  prevent  choice. 

The  Legislature  are  driving  on  as  fast  as  they  can  and  will 
probably  adjourn  in  the  course  of  three  weeks  and  possibly 
sooner. 

I  am  astonished  that  you  could  not  prevail  on  Cousin  Han- 
nah to  make  you  a  longer  visit.  If  she  is  at  Aunt  Hartley's 
yet,  you  ought  to  invite  her  again.  Miss  Kettell,  I  suspect,  will 
be  along  in  a  few  days.  Mr.  Whidden  and  Bion  Bradbury  from 
Calais  have  been  here  and  said  that  she  was  about  leaving  when 
they  left.  Tell  her  not  to  get  homesick  before  I  get  back  and 
I'll  try  to  find  a  sweetheart  for  her. 

We  had  an  ordination  here  last  Thursday.  Mr.  Whitman 
was  here  and  was  very  well.  The  sermon  was  by  Mr.  Peabody 
&  pretty  fair.  Mr.  Judd,  the  gentleman  who  is  settled  here,  is 
a  young  man  apparently  of  first  rate  talents.  His  sermons 
today  were  more  than  common. 

Let  me  hear  from  you  again  if  you  can. 

Love  to  all. 

Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

I  have  broken  open  this  letter  to  say  that  the  majority  on 
the  Governor's  vote  has  been  reduced  by  corrections  to  85. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  295 

A  Christmas  Party  and  an  Old  Fashioned  Sing 

Augusta,  Dec.  26,  1840. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  had  a  pretty  comfortable  ride  down  notwithstanding  it 
was  cold  and  snowy.  The  weather  for  a  day  or  two  has  been 
awful,  and  I  have  found  it  difficult  to  keep  myself  comfortable 
in  my  ice  house  of  a  chamber.  Last  night  I  went  to  bed  about 
11  o'clock,  leaving  a  good  fire,  another  being  made  about  day- 
light this  morning  by  my  boy,  and  yet  water  froze  quite  hard — 
ice  1/4  of  an  inch  thick. 

Yesterday  I  attended  religious  services  at  the  Church. 
The  house  was  very  prettily  decorated  and  the  services  appro- 
priate, bating  a  good  deal  of  flummery  growing  out  of  the 
church  forms. 

Last  night  Mrs.  Danl.  Williams  gave  a  fine  Christmas 
party,  where  we  had  an  abundance  of  "creature  comforts"  and 
also  had  a  fine  treat  in  the  singing  of  some  old-fashioned  tunes, 
such  as  "Sherburne,"  &c. 

Tell  M —  her  Representative,  Mr.  Lowell,  is  elected  by  a 
majority  of  two  votes.     The  votes  stood  thus: 

Lowell    5194 

Noyes   5051 

Scate   139 

Ever  Yours, 

J.   FAIRFIELD. 


Believes  Kent  Will  Be  Elected 

Augusta,  Jan.  5,  '41. 
Dear  Wife, 

Nothing  has  occurred  since  I  have  been  here  to  give  us  any 
more  satisfaction  in  regard  to  the  state  of  the  votes  for  Gov- 
ernor. Both  sides  seem  to  be  pretty  confident  of  having  a  ma- 
jority, while  I  feel  pretty  confident  that  there  is  no  election  by 
the  people  and  that  Mr.  Kent  will  be  elected  by  the  Legislature. 

Tomorrow  I  shall  "qualify  the  Legislature"  by  adminis- 
tering the  oaths  of  office.  The  Senate  and  House  will  then 
proceed  to  choose  their  clerks  and  presiding  officers,  and  per- 
haps commit  the  votes  for  Governor  the  same  day.  I  am  in 
great  hopes  that  matters  will  progress  so  fast  and  reach  a  final 
result  early  enough,  in  case  I  am  not  elected,  to  enable  me  to* 


296  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

reach  home  by  Saturday  night  next.  At  present,  however,  this 
may  be  considered  doubtful,  especially  as  Mr.  Kent  is  not  here, 
and  may  not  be  until  after  he  shall  have  been  notified  at  Bangor 
of  an  election. 


Election  Still  Uncertain 

Augusta,  Jan.  9,  1841. 
Dear  Wife, 

The  Committee  having  charge  of  the  votes  for  Governor 
has  not  yet  reported.  The  true  state  of  the  case,  however,  is 
known.  The  whole  number  of  votes  thrown  is  91,237.  I  have, 
including  28  returned  by  mistake  for  Hannibal  Hamlin  which 

were  thrown  for  me 45,588 

Kent  has    45,579 

Leaving  my  majority  over  Kent 9 

There  are,  however,  70  scattering,  &  so  of  course  there  is 
no  election. 

The  Whigs  are  talking  about  rejecting  all  the  votes  from 
certain  unincorporated  places  and  the  28  from  Springfield  and 
then  declare  Mr.  Kent  elected.  If  they  do  this,  there  is  no 
knowing  when  I  shall  be  at  home,  for  such  an  outrageous  course 
will  be  strenuously  opposed  by  my  friends  in  the  Legislature. 

My  opinion  rather  is,  however,  that  the  Whigs  will  adopt 
the  easiest  and  wisest  course  for  themselves,  that  is  to  say,  to 
count  all  the  votes,  thereby  showing  no  election,  and  then  to 
choose  Mr.  Kent  by  the  Legislature. 

This,  I  hope,  will  be  done  up  soon,  for  such  a  hungry  set  of 
office-seekers  as  now  throng  the  Capitol  I  suspect  were  never 
congregated  before.     There  are  a  score,  at  least,  of  mouths  for 
every  teat — of  course  19  must  go  home  gaunt  and  growling. 
Yours  as  ever, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Letters  of  1842-1843-1844.    Governor  and  U.  S.  Senator. 

The  letters  of  John  Fairfield  which  are  included  in  this 
chapter,  include  those  written  in  1842,  1843  and  1844. 

He  wrote  occasionally  from  Augusta  during  the  session  of 
1842  foreshadowing  his  renominastion  for  Governor  for  the  third 
term  and  describing  with  some  wit  and  much  detail  the  simpler 
things  of  life  at  the  State  capitol.  He  was  the  Democratic 
nominee  for  Governor  in  1842  against  Edward  Robinson,  Whig, 
and  James  Appleton,  Liberty  Party.  He  was  elected  by  a 
majority  of  over  14,000  in  a  total  vote  of  about  72,000. 

He  did  not  serve  out  his  term  as  Governor.  His  letters 
foreshadow  a  plan,  concerning  which  he  speaks  guardedly  but 
which  appears  ito  have  been  a  political  secret  early  in  January 
and  which  probably  was  antecedent  to  Mr.  Fairfield's  consent 
to  run  a  third  term  for  Governor — the  resignation  of  Reuel 
Williams  as  United  States  Senator  and  the  election  of  Fair- 
field to  his  seat  in  the  Senate.  Mr.  Fairfield  speaks  of  this  in 
a  letter  to  his  wife  as  early  as  January  and  compliments  her 
on  "guessing"  so  shrewdly  what  was  in  the  political  air.  The 
resignation  came  late  in  February  and  Governor  Fairfield, 
having  the  situation  in  hand,  was  chosen  to  succeed  Senator 
Williams,  Edward  Kavanagh  of  Newcastle  acting  as  Governor 
for  the  remainder  of  the  year. 

We  have  but  few  letters  from  Mr.  Fairfield  from  Washing- 
ton in  1843,  for  he  did  not  go  to  Washington  until  December. 
He  speaks  of  his  mess-mates  at  Mrs.  Scott's  boarding-house 
on  Pennsylvania  Avenue,  where  he  paid  a  "stiff  price"  of  $9 
a  week,  as  including  Wright  of  New  York  and  Mrs.  Wright. 
Mr.  Fairfield  might  well  feel  pleased  to  have  so  distinguished 
a  man  as  Silas  Wright,  Senator  from  New  York,  as  his  com- 
panion. He  was  an  eminent  leader  of  the  times,  a  most  con- 
scientious old-school  Jacksonian  Democrat  of  the  loftiest  char- 
acter and  greatest  learning  and  much  wisdom.  He  was  a 
progressive  farmer,  a  man  of  the  country-side,  loving  a  simple 


298  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

and  pure  life.  In  the  Senate  he  ranked  with  Benton  and  Allen 
as  active  iconstructive  forces.  For  a  wonderful  biography 
of  Silas  Wright,  read  Mr.  Benton's  remarkable  summary  of 
his  life  in  the  "Thirty  Years  View." 

We  find  in  these  letters  more  and  more  allusions  to  Mrs. 
Madison,  widow  of  the  former  President  and  a  distant  relative 
by  marriage  of  Mrs.  Fairfield.  He  and  his  aristocratic  kins- 
folk, the  Cutts's,  were  frequently  at  Mrs.  Madison's  home  in 
Washingiton.  In  his  1844  letters  are  many  allusions  to  historic 
matters,  the  great  Princeton  disaster,  the  annexation  of  Texas, 
the  growing  disturbances  that  led  to  the  war  with  Mexico, 
the  great  Millerite  agitation  which  swept  the  country  at  that 
period,  the  prospects  of  his  nomination  for  Vice-President  at 
the  Baltimore  convention  of  that  year  and  his  aversion  to  the 
same.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  among  his  acquaintances 
of  that  day  were  Samuel  F.  B.  Morse,  the  inventor  of  the 
"electric  telegraph,"  and  a  young  man  named  Fremont,  who 
was  afterward  to  be  the  path-finder,  as  he  had  already  crossed 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  who  was  to  be  a  candidate  for  Pres- 
ident after  Mr.  Fairfield  had  passed  on. 


Makes  More  Nominations 

Augusta,  Jan  20,  1842. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

You  can  imagine  something  of  my  cares  and  perplexities. 
I  would  not  go  through  it  again  for  a  year's  salary.  Rejoice 
with  me,  however,  that  it  is  nearly  over.  Today  I  almost  fin- 
ished the  batch  of  nominations  and,  of  course,  as  Danl.  Web- 
ster said,  I  breathe  deeper  &  freer.  All  the  anxiety  &  trouble 
is  up  to  the  point  of  the  nomination ;  the  moment  that  is  made, 
I  throw  care  to  the  dogs.  Having  done  the  best  I  could  I  let  the 
consequences  take  care  of  themselves. 

Aunt  Cutts  will  be  glad  to  learn,  and  you  had  better  send 
one  of  the  boys  with  a  note  to  inform  her,  that  I,  this  day,  nom- 
inated Mr.  Lane  Register  of  Probate.  It  required  something  of 
an  effort,  but  I  hope  it  will  not  prove  very  unacceptable  to  the 
people  and  it  is  a  fact  that  there  is  a  good  deal  of  sympathy 
felt  for  him. 

My  health  has  been  good  since  I  came  here,  though  it  has 
been  sickly.  One  member,  Mr.  D.,  as  you  will  have  perceived  by 
the  papers,  has  died  after  an  illness  of  three  or  four  days  and 
several  have  been  sick.  The  scarlet  fever  prevails  a  good  deal 
among  the  children  and  makes  me  think  of  home  with  no  little 
anxiety. 

How  goes  the  singing  and  dancing?  your  every-day  affairs, 
etc.,  etc. 

I  looked  in  on  the  ball  the  other  evening  as  you  perhaps 
have  seen  by  Tom  Lane's  soft-soaping  letter  in  the  Argus.  This 
is  the  only  dissipation  in  which  I  have  yet  indulged. 
Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Augusta,  Jan.  24,  1842. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Judge  Cony  died  a  few  days  since  of  old  age,  being  in  his 
90th  year. 

I  called  the  other  day  to  see  Messrs.  Williams,  Daniel  & 
Reuel,  but  they  were  both  out,  probably  with  Judge  Cony  who 
died  the  next  day.  I  am  almost  afraid  to  meet  Mrs.  D.  Williams 
after  neglecting  to  appoint  her  husband  Clerk  of  the  Courts.  I 
could  not  avoid  doing  as  I  did  without  disregarding  the  popu- 
lar will,  which  as  a  good  Democrat,  you  know,  I  could  not  do. 


300  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

There  was  the  case  of  "Uncle  Stephen."  It  fairly  wrung  my 
heart  to  pass  him  over,  but  I  could  not  help  it.  However,  as 
some  balm  to  both  his  and  my  spirit,  I  appointed  his  son  Reg- 
ister of  Probate. 

But  I  am  rejoiced  that  the  principal  portion  of  this  busi- 
ness is  over.     There  are  but  a  few  of  the  minor  offices  left,  so  if 
you  come  down  here,  it  must  be  purely  by  way  of  a  visit  for  I 
have  no  office  now  to  give  you  that  you  would  probably  take. 
Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Remembers  45th  Birthday 

Saturday,  Jan.  29.  I  am  inexpressibly  shocked  and 
astounded  to  read  in  the  Portland  papers  that  Mr.  Edmund  Cof- 
fin of  Biddeford,  died  in  Portland  yesterday.  The  Sabbath 
evening  before  I  left,  you  know,  I  was  at  his  house.  He  then 
appeared  to  be  entirely  well.  Since  which  I  have  heard  noth- 
ing of  him. 

Sunday  Evening,  Jan.  30.  In  writing  the  foregoing  date  it 
occurs  to  me,  for  the  first  time  today,  that  it  is  my  birthday. 
The  lapse  of  45  years !  While  it  speaks  loudly  of  the  past,  it 
admonishes  me  of  the  future. 

Have  called  twice  to  see  Mrs.  D.  WiUiams,  &  both  times 
found  her  out.  Today  I  met  her  on  my  way  to  meeting,  &  she 
gave  me  a  very  cordial  reception  notwithstanding  her  hus- 
band's failure  to  obtain  an  office. 


Buys  Cambric  Pantalettes  for  One  of  the  Girls 

Monday  Evening,  Jan.  31.  I  have  just  returned  from 
attending  the  Temperance  Fair  where  we  had  a  brief  off-hand 
address  from  Mr.  Pierpont  of  Boston.  It  was  very  neat,  and 
contained  some  capital  stories  most  capitally  told.  Do  you 
remember  Film?  I  think  he  tells  a  story  much  like  Flim — 
including  his  comical  expression  of  face. 

I  have  brought  away  a  pair  of  cambric  pantalettes  for  one 
of  the  girls,  and  a  butterfly  pin-cushion.  An  ice  cream,  some 
grapes,  &c.,  helped  to  make  up  my  quota  of  purchases.  When 
I  was  down  to  Gardiner  the  other  evening  Miss  Elen  gave  me 
a  beautiful  little  pin-cushion  bird  for  Augusta. 


MAYNARD   PERKINS  of  New  York 
Son  of  Mrs.  Annie  Perkins  and  Grandson  of  John  Fairfield 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  301 

Tomorrow  is  the  meeting  of  the  State  Temperance  Conven- 
tion and  tomorrow  evening  we  are  to  have  another  address 
from  Mr.  Pierpont. 


Temperance  Convention 

Thursday,  Feb.  3.  We  have  been  having  great  doings  here 
in  the  temperance  way  for  the  last  two  or  three  days.  Mr. 
Pierpont's  addresses  were  admirable  and  well  calculated  for 
effect.  I  attended  the  Convention  yesterday,  but  did  not  hear 
anything  of  much  importance  or  interest.  There  was  too  much 
bickering  between  the  Washingtonian  and  the  Old  Society. 
Both  want  the  glory  of  having  originated  the  reform  and  revo- 
lution in  this  town.     How  ridiculous! 

Yesterday  Doctor  Bumham  started  a  Legislative^  temper- 
ance book — i.  e.,  a  large  blank  book  headed  with  a  pledge  for 
"total  abstinence  from  all  intoxicating  liquors  as  a  beverage." 
This  is  intended  solely  for  the  executive  &  legislative  depart- 
ments of  government,  not  only  the  present  year,  but  for  all 
future  time.  It  was  headed  by  the  Governor  and  six  of  his 
Councillors.  I  have  not  yet  learnt  how  it  has  succeeded  in  the 
Senate  and  House,  but  think  the  thing  will  take  pretty  well — I 
hope  so,  at  least. 

The  cars,  I  perceive,  are  to  start  this  week. 
Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Augusta,  Jan.  28,  1842. — Last  night  there  was  a  military 
ball  here  and  I  dropped  in,  in  the  course  of  the  evening,  and  saw 
them  dance  twice.  Next  Monday  there  is  to  be  a  Temperance 
Fair  and  Mr.  Pierpont  of  Boston  makes  an  address ;  I  shall  en- 
deavor to  attend.  Last  Sunday  by  request  I  addressed  the  Sab- 
bath School  connected  with  the  Unitarian  Society  here  and  am 
pressed  to  do  so  again,  to  which  I  may  by  and  by  consent. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


302  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Letters  to  the  Children 

Augusta,  Feb.  6,  1842. 
My  Dear  Sarah, 

I  would  go  without  my  supper  tonight  if  I  could  hear  you 
sing  one  of  your  sweet  tunes — say  "Upon  the  Distant  Moun- 
tain's Head."  You  must  write  me  soon  and  let  me  know  how 
well  you  succeed,  and  whether  George  is  likely  to  make  a  singer 
or  not.  You  must  both  of  you  remember  that  I  pay  for  your 
tuition  not  merely  that  you  may  go  to  Mrs.  Kelley's  and  have 
a  good  time, — but  that  you  may  learn  to  sing. 

I  have  not  time  to  write  more  now,  best  love  to  all. 
Your  Affectionate  Father, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Augusta,  Feb.  6,  1842. 
My  Dear  Augusta, 

I  have  just  returned  from  the  concert  and  will  devote  a 
few  minutes  before  retiring  to  bed,  to  give  you  some  account 
of  it.  The  first  part  was  composed  of  six  or  eight  songs,  glees 
and  catches,  sung  by  little  girls  about  as  old  as  you  and  Sarah 
and  one  little  boy  not  much  larger  than  Hammy.  They  sang 
beautifully  and  received  abundant  applause.  Tell  Sarah  that 
one  of  their  songs  was  "Oh,  How  Brightly"  and  that  it  sounded 
finely.  The  little  girls,  or  several  of  them,  played  very  well 
upon  the  pianoforte.  They  were  not  at  all  frightened,  but  sang 
apparently,  with  as  much  confidence  as  if  they  were  singing  at 
home. 

The  second  part  of  the  entertainment  was  composed  of 
songs,  etc.,  principally  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lincoln  of  this  town, 
both  of  whom  are  very  superior  singers.  The  whole  closed  with 
the  song  of  "Auld  Lang  Syne,"  in  the  chorus  of  which  the 
audience  were  invited  to  join. 

At  the  two  back  corners  of  the  hall  were  fixed  up  two  con- 
fectionery establishments  where  could  be  had  all  sorts  of  can- 
dies and  articles  made  of  sugar,  apples  &  other  fruits,  ice 
creams,  whips,  custards,  chicken  salad,  hot  coffee,  &c.,  &c.  The 
hall  was  well  lighted,  prettily  decorated  and  tolerably  well 
filled,  there  being,  I  should  judge,  near  200  gentlemen  and 
ladies.    The  fee  for  admittance  was  only  nine  pence.    I  wish  all 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  303 

my  dear  children  could  have  been  present  and  have  enjoyed  it 
with  me. 

Your  Affectionate  Father, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


May  Run  Again  for  Governor 

Augusta,  Feb.  20,  1842. 

The  eiTect  of  my  course  in  the  appointments  is  beginning 
to  develop  itself  and  is  in  accordance  with  my  expectations. 
That  is  to  say,  knowing  how  much  the  people  have  complained 
for  the  last  8  or  10  years  of  the  influence  exerted  by  the  repre- 
sentatives in  the  appointments,  I  have  done  a  good  deal 
toward  breaking  up  the  system.  Many  of  the  members  wanted 
office  themselves  and  many  others  wanted  it  for  their  relatives 
and  particular  friends.  In  many  of  these  cases,  thus  far,  the 
representatives  have  been  disappointed  and  of  course  do  not 
feel  very  kindly  toward  me. 

Some  in  Cumberland  of  the  old  Preble  and  Mitchell  faction 
think  I  have  given  too  many  of  the  offices  to  the  "Argus  clique" 
as  they  call  it,  and  they  are  dissatisfied  and  angry.  The  Waldo 
delegation  are  anxious  to  get  up  Mr.  Anderson  of  Belfast  as  a 
candidate  for  Governor.  These  with  some  other  elements  that 
I  could  name  have  combined,  and  instead  of  nominating  a  can- 
didate for  Governor  by  a  legislative  caucus,  as  is  usual  when 
the  incumbent  is  renominated,  have  agreed  on  a  State  Conven- 
tion to  be  held  at  Bangor  on  the  22d  of  June.  In  this  way  the 
movers  in  this  thing  hope  to  defeat  my  nomination,  presuming 
that  the  western  part  of  the  State  will  not  be  fully  represented 
and  I  think  such  a  result  quite  probable  if  I  should  be  a  can- 
didate. 

It  is  true  that  a  large  number  of  those  who  voted  for  the 
State  Convention  insist  upon  it  that  it  is  not  a  measure  un- 
friendly to  me,  and  that  they  are  in  favor  of  my  renomination ; 
but  I  have  no  great  faith  in  these  protestations — or  at  least  in 
many  of  them. 

My  own  judgment  and  inclinations  prompt  me  to  decline 
at  once  being  a  candidate  again,  but  my  good  friends  here  in- 
sist that  I  ought  not,  that  if  I  do  our  party  will  become  divided, 
the  Whigs  encouraged  to  exert  themselves  and  defeat  might  be 
the  result.     They  insist  that  among  the  people  the  most  perfect 


304  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

satisfaction  exists  in  regard  to  my  course  and  that  there  is  no 
doubt  of  my  nomination  if  I  will  consent  to  it.  Under  these  cir- 
cumstances I  am  not  a  little  perplexed  as  to  what  I  should  do. 
Perhaps  a  little  more  reflection  and  the  advice  of  friends  from 
abroad  may  relieve  me. 

We  have  been  enjoying  two  or  three  concerts  here,  given 
by  a  Mr,  Friend,  who  is  also  something  of  a  ventriloquist. 

Dr.  LefRngwell  has  also  just  commenced  a  course  of  lect- 
ures on  chemistry.  He  has  very  politely  presented  me  with  a 
ticket  for  the  course  and  I  have  attended  one  of  them,  and  shaU 
attend  as  many  of  the  remainder  as  I  possibly  can.  Tonight, 
Mr.  Judd  is  to  give  a  lecture  on  popular  amusements,  in  regard 
to  their  influence  on  morals. 

It  has  been  reported  here  that  John  Batchelder  and  Mary 
Cutts  were  engaged.  How  is  it?  What  a  sad  ship-wreck  there 
has  been  on  Wells  beach — 8  lives  lost  and  among  them  Capt. 
Thomas,  brother  of  Edmund  Perkins'  wife.  The  barque  was 
built  last  year  by  Perkins  at  Biddeford. 
Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


A  Woman's  Diplomacy 

Augusta,  Feb.  27,  1842. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  see  by  the  paper  that  Sukey  is  at  last  married.  The 
reason  of  the  delay  I  understand  to  have  been  the  sickness  of 
Mr.  Rice,  from  which,  it  was  understood  at  one  time,  he  would 
not  recover.     I  wish  them  happiness. 

It  is  now  probable  that  the  Legislature  will  not  rise  be- 
fore the  15th  of  March.  After  which  it  will  be  my  duty,  as  it 
will  be  my  pleasure,  "to  relieve  you  of  some  of  your  care."  I 
know  how  much  you  have  had  upon  your  hands  this  winter  and 
while  I  commiserate  you,  I  thank  God  that  I  have  a  wife,  who 
is  not  only  willing  to  assume  responsibilities,  but  capable  of 
discharging  them.     Near  meeting  time,  will  finish  in  afternoon. 

4  o'clock  P.M. — Have  just  had  a  call  from  Mrs.  Fuller, 
daughter  of  Judge  Weston,  you  know,  upon  special  and  impor- 
tant business !  What  do  you  think  it  was  ?  Why  this — the  Mar- 
tha Washington  Society  were  about  to  apply  to  me  to  deliver  an 
address  to  them  and  took  advice  of  Mrs.  Fuller  in  regard  to  it. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  305 

She,  knowing  that  my  engagements  during  the  remainder  of 
the  session  would  prevent  my  acceptance  of  the  invitation,  and 
fearing  that  my  declining  might  be  misconstrued,  and  injure 
me,  told  them  they  had  better  wait  until  she  had  conferred  with 
me,  which  they  consented  to.  And  now  she  says  she  can  sat- 
isfy them  perfectly,  and  that  I  shall  come  off  without  blame  from 
any  one.  Wasn't  that  capitally  done?  Is  she  not  a  fine  man- 
ager? And  is  she  not  a  friend  worth  having? 
Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Insane  Hospital  Investigation 

Augusta,  March  15,  '42. 
Dear  Wife, 

The  Legislature,  I  think,  will  rise  by  the  day  after  tomor- 
row, say  Thursday — in  which  case  I  hope  to  be  at  home  on 
Saturday,  though  it  depends  somewhat  upon  a  Resolve  now 
pending  in  the  Senate  providing  for  a  reference  of  the  Insane 
Hospital  affairs,  which  are  to  be  investigated,  to  a  committee 
of  gentlemen  not  of  the  Legislature.  If  this  passes,  I  do  not 
see  but  I  can  leave  the  day  after  the  Legislature  &  perhaps 
reach  home  on  Friday,  though  probably  not  until  Saturday.  If 
the  Resolve  does  not  pass  the  investigation  of  the  Hospital 
affairs  will  be  thrown  upon  the  Governor  and  Council  and  we 
may  be  detained  a  week  longer. 

I  received  a  letter  from  George  yesterday.  He  reached 
North  Yarmouth  (Academy)  well.  Did  not  like  Commons,  but 
has  taken  board,  he  and  Thornton,  with  a  Mr.  Mitchell  at  $1.50 
a  week.  He  wishes  me  to  stop  at  North  Yarmouth  from  one 
stage  to  another. 

Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


An  Exciting  Trip  to  Augusta 

Augusta,  Dec.  27,  1842. 
Dear  Wife, 

After  waiting  at   the    depot    on   Wednesday    night    until 
about  9  o'clock  for  the  cars,  we  started  for  Portland  amidst 


306  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Egyptian  darkness  and  torrents  of  rain.  Notwithstanding  all 
which  we  reached  Portland  in  about  35  minutes.  On  Thurs- 
day morning  in  company  with  two  old  gentlemen  with  baggage 
enough  for  a  regiment  of  soldiers,  three  young  ladies  who  had 
been  attending  the  Academy  at  Gorham  and  an  Englishman 
with  a  terrier  which  he  seemed  to  worship,  I  started  in  the 
stage  for  Augusta. 

Before  reaching  Backbone  bridge  we  had  a  very  pretty 
overturn,  doing  no  other  injury  than  frightening  the  poor  girls 
almost  to  death,  one  of  whom  was  constantly  "Oh  dearing,"  the 
remainder  of  the  day.  After  crossing  the  bridge  a  few  rods  the 
sleigh  plunged  into  a  drift,  when  the  forward  horses  sprang, 
broke  their  traces,  pulled  the  reins  from  the  drivers'  hands 
and  ran  off.  Having  an  extra  driver,  one  took  one  of  the  pole 
horses  and  went  in  pursuit  of  the  runaways,  while  the  other 
took  the  remaining  horse  and  went  back  to  Portland  to  get  new 
harness.  During  which  we  all  sat  in  the  stage  enjoying  our- 
selves very  well. 

After  remaining  thus  about  an  hour  we  got  all  ready  for 
a  fresh  start,  when  the  two  old  men  concluded  that  they  would 
return  to  Portland  and  take  another  day.  This  was  a  capital 
piece  of  good  fortune  for  us,  for  after  getting  rid  of  so  much 
baggage  we  skimmed  along  like  a  bird,  and  had  no  more  diffi- 
culty for  the  day,  reaching  Augusta  about  1/2  past  7  in  the 
evening. 

In  regard  to  myself,  I  am  taking  cocoa  shells  for  break- 
fast and  tea  at  night.  By  the  way,  is  it  not  most  time  for 
me  to  leave  off  drinking  tea?  as  the  late  treaty  between  Eng- 
land and  China  will  probably  make  it  very  cheap  again.  I 
have  anticipated  you  in  this  joke,  haven't  I? 

Went  to  meeting  last  Sunday  and  heard  Mr.  Judd  all  day. 
In  the  forenoon  we  had  a  Christmas  rhapsody,  and  in  the  after- 
noon a  very  good  practical  sermon  upon  family  worship.  Mr. 
Freeman,  the  Episcopal  clergyman,  intending  to  have  a  party 
on  Monday  night  and  not  wishing  to  be  at  the  trouble  of  writing 
invitations  or  for  some  other  reason,  gave  his  invitation  from 
the  pulpit,  extending  it  to  the  whole  parish,  and  as  many  of 
other  societies  as  should  choose  to  come.  I  had  a  special  invita- 
tion and  attended.  We  had  a  very  pleasant  time;  sang  old 
tunes,  such  as  "Sherburne,"  "Turner,"  "Lennox"  and  "Majesty," 
and  those  who  chose  ate  cold  turkey,  ham,  chicken  salad,  ice 
creams,  custards,  nuts,  apples,  raisins,  &c. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  307 

I  am  driving  away  at  my  message  and  hope  soon  to  have  it 
off  my  hands.  All  the  new  appointments  have  been  made,  with 
nobody  to  perplex  and  disturb  me ;  indeed  I  have  had  but  a  few 
letters  in  relation  to  them.  They  have  seemed  disposed  to 
let  me  have  matters  all  my  own  way. 
Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Inaugural  Ball — "Bumps" — Politics 

Augusta,  Jan.  10,  1843. 
Dear  Wife, 

Thus  far,  we  move  rather  slowly.  New  Councillors  not 
chosen  yet,  and  doubt  if  they  will  be  until  the  last  of  the  week. 
I  sent  you  a  copy  of  the  message.  Its  tone  and  recommenda- 
tions seem  to  take  tolerably  well  with  my  Democratic  friends 
here.  And  as  for  my  political  opponents,  I  am  not  very 
desirous  of  pleasing  them. 

Last  evening  a  Doct.  Ellis,  a  Phrenologist,  came  into  my 
room  to  ask  the  favor  of  examining  my  head  and  presenting 
me  with  a  chart.  I  consented,  and  herewith  enclosed  is  the 
result.  I  don't  know  how  it  will  compare  with  Fowler's  map,  but 
it  appears  to  me  he  has  missed  a  figure  in  more  than  one  bump. 
He  is  to  deliver  a  course  of  lectures,  perhaps  I  may  attend  some 
of  them. 

What  a  horrible  affair  this  mutiny  case  is.  As  the  evi- 
dence is  developed,  I  begin  to  doubt  whether  McKenzie  was 
justifiable  in  executing  Spencer  and  his  confederates,  if  they 
were  such.  There  seems  to  be  little  or  nothing  against  Crom- 
well, and  there  is  but  little  evidence  of  the  danger  of  under- 
taking to  bring  them  all  home  for  trial.  I  am  afraid  the  poor 
fellows  have  been  sacrificed  to  the  timidity  of  McKenzie  and 
his  officers. 

I  have  just  received  a  card  of  invitation  for  the  Inaugural 
Ball  on  Thursday  evening  next.  Suppose  I  shall  have  to  go  in 
and  look  on  for  an  hour  or  two. 

Friday  Evening.  Last  night  I  went  into  the  ball  room 
about  9  o'clock  and  staid  until  a  little  after  10  only.  There 
were  very  few  whom  I  knew,  and  I  found  but  little  there  to 
amuse  me.  The  ladies  outnumbered  the  gentlemen,  I  should 
think,  two  to  one.  The  weather  continues  very  warm  yet, 
and  the  stages  are  beginning  to  go  on  wheels. 


308  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Monday  Morning.  Yesterday  I  heard  three  sermons  upon 
Millerism.  Mr.  Judd  preached  upon  it  all  day  and  Dr.  Tappan 
in  the  evening.     They  left  nothing  but  a  grease  spot. 

Tuesday  Evening.  Yesterday  and  today  I  sat  for  my  like- 
ness in  India  ink  by  a  Mr.  Homans — Mr.  Johnson,  the  Secretary 
of  State,  takes  it  and  pays  for  it  for  a  son  of  his  in  Boston  who 
is  to  lithograph  it.  I  suppose  I  shall  have  an  opportunity  of 
purchasing  some  of  the  lithographs. 

Five  of  the  new  Council  were  sworn  in  today,  so  now,  one 
branch  is  prepared  to  go  ahead. 

Saturday  Afternoon.  Homans  has  completed  my  likeness, 
which  everybody  pronounces  to  be  excellent,  and  I  am  not 
inclined  to  differ  with  everybody,  so  a  good  likeness  it  is. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Views  on  Capital  Punishment 

Augusta,  Jan.  30,  1843. 
Dear  Wife, 

Will  you  be  good  enough  to  find  O'Sullivan's  report  to  the 
New  York  Legislature  on  abolishing  capital  punishment  and 
send  it  to  me  by  the  stage  driver.  If  the  Saco  stage  don't  run 
now,  George  can  take  the  report  to  the  depot  and  give  it  to  Max- 
well asking  him  to  hand  it  to  the  stage  driver  at  Portland,  pay- 
ing Maxwell  a  ninepence  for  his  part  of  the  trouble. 

I  am  this  day  46  years  old — Tempus  fugit — and  we  all  fly 
with  it.  Happy  are  we  if  we  grow  wiser  and  better  as  we  grow 
older.  Last  night,  for  the  first  time,  I  went  over  to  Mr.  Danl. 
Williams'  and  took  tea.  Had  a  very  pleasant  time  and  after- 
ward went  to  hear  Dwight  of  Portland  advocate  his  abominable 
doctrines  in  favor  of  capital  punishment. 

Augusta,  Feb.  3,  1843. — You  are  pretty  good  at  guessing — 
I  have  a  private  intimation  of  Mr.  W.'s  intended  course  from 
him.  Of  this  part  of  it  there  is  no  doubt,  but  of  the  successor- 
ship  I  cannot  speak  with  confidence,  though  I  have  no  reason 
to  complain  of  the  present  aspect  of  things.  I  admit  there  are 
some  offsets  to  the  anticipated  pleasure,  but  the  precariousness 
of  my  health  and  other  circumstances  admonish  me  of  the 
necessity  of  providing  the  means,  while  I  can,  for  the  future 
comfort  of  my  dear  wife  and  children. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  309 

Night  before  last,  the  ladies  of  St.  Marks  had  a  Fair,  and 
last  night  a  concert  in  connection  with  it.  Tonight,  also,  I 
understand  we  are  to  have  the  same.  So  you  see,  we  are  not 
entirely  without  amusement. 

I  send  you  "Pauline"  and  "The  Neighbors,"  both  good,  the 
latter  excellent.  You  cannot  fail  to  be  deeply  interested  in  it. 
I  am  astonished  to  find  that  a  Swede  can  write  anything  worth 
reading.  Dumas,  the  author  of  Pauline,  you  know,  is  one  of 
the  most  learned  and  talented  men  in  France,  though  a  man  of 
color.  I  am  now  trying  to  read  Stephen's  Central  America, 
though  I  must  confess  my  progress  is  very  slow.  It  is  about 
time  for  the  meeting  of  the  Council,  so  good-bye. 


The  Political  Skies 

Augusta,  Feb.  21,  1843. 
Dear  Wife, 

By  today's  mail  I  received  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Williams, 
and  immediately  transmitted  it  to  the  Legislature.  I  presume 
there  will  be  many  candidates  for  the  vacancy,  but  entre  nous, 
I  have  no  reason  to  be  dissatisfied  with  the  present  aspect  of 
things.  Unless  something  occurs  to  change  the  current  of 
public  feeling  here,  I  am  confident  I  shall  carry  the  election. 


Elected  to  U.  S.  Senate 

Augusta,  Feb.  26,  1843. 
Dear  Wife, 

Arrangements  have  been  made  for  the  nomination  of  a 
Senator  on  Thursday  evening  next — the  election  will  probably 
follow  on  Friday  or  Saturday.  In  that  case,  and  should  I  be 
elected,  I  shall  immediately  resign  my  present  office  and  start 
for  home  on  Monday. 

Present  prospects  are  favorable  to  my  election.  What 
changes  may  occur  between  this  and  Thursday  no  one  can 
foresee.  The  friends  of  Parks,  who  is  my  principal  opponent. 
are  very  active,  and  I  think  are  disposed  to  bargain  and  log-roll 
where  they  can.  My  friends  will  scorn  every  such  expedient 
and  stand  or  fall  upon  the  merits  or  demerits  of  the  case. 


310  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

At  first,  I  supposed  I  might  retain  my  present  office  until 
it  was  necessary  to  go  to  Washington — but  now  am  inclined  to 
think  that  course  impracticable.  If  elected  Senator,  I  must 
resign  the  office  of  Governor. 


Augusta,  March  19. — The  Legislature  adjourned  yesterday 
morning — but  the  public  business  will  detain  "the  Governor 
and  Council"  until  Monday  morning. 


Augusta,   March  3,   1843. — An   election  of  Senator  took 
place  today  and  resulted  in  my  favor. 

The  vote  in  the  House  stood  thus: 

Self  68 

W.  S.  Fessenden 40 

Scattering   4 

112 
In  the  Senate  whole  number  22 — all  of  which  were  for  me. 
So  you  may  expect  me  home  soon,  I  think. 

J.  F. 


Back  in  Washington 

Washington,  Dec.  1,  '43. 
Dear  Wife, 

Here  I  am,  safe  &  sound.  Arriving  last  evening  (Thurs- 
day). Got  here  thus  early  in  consequence  of  accomplishing 
my  business  at  Philadelphia  the  same  evening  I  reached  there. 
The  commission  sent  to  Buenos  Ayres  for  testimony  had  not 
been  returned — of  course  no  trial  can  yet  be  had.  I  like 
Mr.  Wharton  very  much.  He  is  a  young  man  and  appears  to  be 
a  man  of  business. 

It  is  fortunate  I  had  a  piece  taken  from  my  cloak  and  col- 
lar— coz  why? — coz  the  rest  of  it  is  gone — clean  gone.  While 
it  was  lying  on  the  back  of  a  chair  in  the  parlor  of  the  American 
hotel  in  New  York,  and  I  was  in  the  Reading  Room  close  by, 
some  gentleman  gathered  its  graceful  folds  around  him  and 
walked  off — so,  take  care  of  the  pieces,  will  you  ? 
Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  311 

Chooses  His  "Mess" 

Washington,  Dec.  3,  1843. 
Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  I  connected  myself  with  a  mess  at  Mrs.  Scott's, 
south  side  Pennsylvania  Ave., — a  little  farther  from  the  Capitol 
than  I  was  before.  Our  mess,  thus  far,  is  made  up  of  Mr. 
Wright  of  New  York,  and  myself,  of  the  Senate,  and  Mr.  King, 
Mr.  Clinton  and  Mr.  Stetson  of  New  York  of  the  House.  Mrs. 
Scott  hopes,  I  believe,  to  have  half  a  dozen  more — Mr.  Wright 
and  Mr.  Clinton  have  their  wives. 

I  have  a  room  on  the  same  floor  with  the  parlor  and  dining 
room,  about  14  feet  square,  nearly  as  large  as  our  sitting  room. 
It  has  a  large  bed  in  it,  clothes  press,  bureau,  etc.  I  pay  $9  a 
week,  which  is  tolerably  reasonable. 

Have  just  returned  from  meeting.  Mr.  Bulfinch  gave  us  a 
very  fine  Thanksgiving  sermon.  The  congregation  was  not 
more  than  two-thirds  as  large  as  ours  at  Saco.  Old  Mr.  Adams 
was  there  and  I  am  inclined  to  think  means  to  attend  there.  Of 
the  northern  folks  there  I  noticed  Danl.  P.  King,  &  Mr.  Hudson 
of  Massachusetts,  J.  P.  Hale  of  New  Hamps;hire,  and  Col. 
Hamlin  of  Maine. 

Despairing  of  ever  hearing  again  of  my  cloak,  I,  yesterday, 
bought  another.  It  is  better  than  the  other,  made  of  as  good 
or  better  cloth,  lined  two-thirds  of  the  way  down  and  faced 
clean  down  with  very  nice  velvet.  The  cost  was  $30,  after 
beating  him  down  all  I  could.  Cozzens,  the  landlord  of  the 
American  at  New  York,  before  I  left  there,  gave  me  $15,  which 
was  what  I  told  him  it  cost  me,  so  my  loss  is  $15  only. 
Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Thanksgiving  in  December 

Senate  Chamber,  Dec.  7,  1843. — Today  is  Thanksgiving, 
you  know,  and  Gov.  Dunlap  and  I  have  engaged  to  dine  at  Mr. 
Dummer's.  Since  writing  last  we  have  had  two  added  to  our 
mess,  Strong  and  Murphy  of  New  York. 

I  have  a  tolerably  good  seat  in  the  Senate,  say  in  front 
row,  third  from  broad  aisle,  Gov.  Sprague  of  Rhode  Island  on 
my  right.  Judge  Semple  of  Illinois  on  my  left  and  McDufRe  of 
South  Carolina  immediately  behind  me. 


312  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Committees    are    not    yet    appointed.     Senate    has    just 
adjourned  over  to  Monday!     What  waste  of  time. 


Fairfield's  Committee  Appointments 

Washington,  Dec.  11,  1843. — It  seems  there  has  been  a  con- 
troversy between  Mr.  Clinton  and  his  wife  as  to  whether  I  was 
a  bachelor — and  for  what  reason,  think  you?  Could  you  ever 
guess?     Do  you  give  it  up?     Because  I  was  so  polite! 

Yesterday  the  committees  were  announced  in  the  Senate. 
They  have  placed  me  on  two  committees,  viz.:  Militia  and 
Printing.  Their  duties,  I  think,  will  not  be  very  laborious  and 
so  far  I  am  satisfied,  though  if  my  political  friends  had  the 
majority  I  should  probably  have  received  a  little  higher  ap- 
pointment. 1  don't  blame  the  Whigs  for  making  the  most  of 
their  power,  the  prospect  being  that  it  will  be  short  lived. 

Today  Mr.  Benton  announced  the  death  of  Doctor  Linn.  It 
was  admirably  done.  Mr.  Crittenden,  a  Whig,  followed  him, 
with  a  most  beautiful  eulogy  upon  the  Doctor,  and  as  just  as 
it  was  beautiful.  He  was  a  remarkable  man.  His  praises  are 
in  everybody's  mouth. 

Yesterday,  Stephen  was  removed  from  his  place  by  Dow, 
the  new  Door-keeper.  I  helped  our  delegation  "make  a  fuss" 
about  it,  when  he  promised  to  give  him  another  place  with  the 
same  compensation. 

Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Old  Maids  and  Other  Things 

Washington,  Dec.  24,  '43. 
Dear  Wife, 

Last  Sunday,  I  went  to  the  Capitol  to  hear  Rachael  Barker, 
a  Quakeress.  I  heard  but  little,  but  quite  enough.  She  would 
have  appeared  to  better  advantage  at  home,  knitting  blue  yarn 
stockings  with  white  toes  for  her  husband. 

The  new  painting  by  Weir  of  the  embarcation  of  the  Pil- 
grims has  just  been  suspended  in  the  Rotunda  of  the  Capitol. 
It  is  highly  spoken  of  by  those  who  claim  to  be  judges.  It  ap- 
pears to  me  so-so — I  had  a  glance  the  other  day  at  the  collec- 
tion of   birds,   beasts,    reptiles    and    curiosities,    of    all    sorts, 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  313 

brought  home  by  Wilkes  of  the  exploring  expedition,  now  de- 
posited at  the  Patent  Office.  I  was  delighted  and  mean  to  spend 
many  hours  there.  The  exhibition  is  an  exceedingly  interest- 
ing one,  and  will  afford  me  subjects  for  letters  to  the  children. 
I  called  at  young  Uncle  Richard's.  Found  Mary  had  gone 
to  Mrs.  Madison's  and  Richard  to  the  Opera.  Uncle  and  I  then 
went  to  Mrs.  Madison's  where  we  spent  an  hour  or  two  very 
agreeably.  Miss  Legare,  a  maiden  sister  of  the  late  Attorney 
General,  is  spending  the  winter  with  Mrs.  M.  She  plays  on  the 
pianoforte  most  splendidly  and  paints  admirably — but  after  all 
she  is  a  real  old  maid.  Mrs.  Madison  looks  as  young  as  when 
I  saw  her  five  years  ago.  Ann  Paine  I  also  saw  there,  an 
adopted  daughter,  you  know,  of  Mrs.  Madison's.  A  tolerably 
pretty,  sprightly  girl. 


The  Daily  Menu 

Washington,  Dec.  30,  '43. 
Dear  Wife, 

We  breakfast  at  1/2  past  8,  for  the  most  part  on  buckwheat 
cakes  and  molasses,  accompanied  by  a  pork  or  beef  steak  and 
cup  of  green  tea.  Dine  somewhere  between  3  and  5  o'clock, 
usual  dishes  roast  turkey,  roast  ducks,  oysters  in  some  way, 
best,  however,  in  a  fry,  or  fried ;  rock  fish ;  and  sometimes  ham, 
corned  beef,  calf's  head,  mutton,  etc.,  etc.  Always  followed 
by  a  dessert  of  preserves,  apples,  almonds,  raisins,  custards, 
puddings,  pies,  etc. — I  mean  some,  not  all  of  them.  Between 
dinner  and  tea,  Mr.  King  of  New  York  or  Judge  Breeze  of  Illi- 
nois and  I,  play  chess.  At  1/2  past  6  or  7  take  a  cup  of  tea,  and 
for  the  most  part  spend  the  evening  in  reading,  retiring  to  rest 
about  11  o'clock. 

By  the  way,  I  am  in  the  3d  volume  of  Prescott's  Conquest 
of  Mexico.  It  is,  by  far,  the  most  interesting  history  I  ever 
read.    It  is  as  interesting  as  Scott's  novels. 

I  have  also  read  the  mysteries  of  Paris  which  I  will  send 
to  you.     Very  interesting,  but  too  much  of  it. 

We  have  just  had  an  addition  to  our  mess  of  Mr,  and  Mrs. 
Hill  and  daughter  of  New  York.  They  come  only,  I  believe, 
for  a  few  weeks. 

I  have  had  a  letter  from  George  in  which  he  asks  for  $5 
to  buy  Lemprieres  Classical  Dictionary  and  Homer.     I  wrote 


314  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

him  that  he  might  get  trusted  for  the  books  and  I  would  pay 
at  the  end  of  the  term.  On  second  thought,  however,  I  think  it. 
would  be  better  for  you  to  send  him  $5,  for  which  purpose  I 
enclose  you  an  envelope.  I  have  no  money  that  would  pass  at 
the  north. 

What  is  going  on  at  home  ?  Have  you  killed  the  hog  yet  ? 
Has  old  Dick  got  the  heaves?  Does  Davis  keep  the  oxen  he 
had  when  I  left?  and  so  on. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 
What  an  ugly  thing  a  steel  pen  is. 


President's  New  Year's   Reception 

Washington,  Jan.  2d,  1844. 
Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  being  New  Year's  day,  the  President's  house 
was  open  for  all,  and  such  a  jam  I  scarcely  ever  saw  before. 
There  was  nothing  agreeable  about  it  but  to  see  how  happy 
it  made  the  "President  without  a  party"  and  the  excellent 
music  of  the  band  from  the  Navy  Yard. 

I  forgot  to  call  on  Mrs.  Madison  and  felt  very  much 
chagrined  about  it. 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


The  Lost  Cloak  Is  Found 

Washington,  Jan.  9,  *44. 
Dear  Wife, 

Mr.  Murphy,  from  Brookline,  N.  Y.,  has  just  returned  from 
a  visit  home,  bringing  his  wife  with  him.  She  plays  well  on 
the  piano  and  sings  superbly.  It  is  really  a  God-send  to  us;  I 
keep  her  playing  and  singing  till  she  fairly  tires.  She,  how- 
ever, is  not  averse  to  the  exercise  of  her  admirable  talents, 
deriving,  apparently,  as  much  pleasure  therefrom  as  she  imparts 
to  others. 

By  the  way,  Mr.  King  of  our  mess  is  rather  too  much  for 
me  at  chess.  We  play  between  dinner  and  tea.  Dinner  at  Vis 
past  4  and  taking  tea  at  1/2  past  6. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  315 

Did  I  ever  tell  you  that  my  cloak  had  been  found  ?  It  was 
found  hanging  in  the  wardrobe  of  one  of  the  boarders  at  the 
American  Hotel.  A  few  days  since,  one  of  Cozzen's  clerks,  the 
keeper  of  the  hotel,  brought  it  on  to  me.  My  new  one  I  sold 
to  Mr.  Herrick  for  $25 — $5  less  than  cost;  so  I  have  my  old 
cloak  back  again,  with  a  loss  of  $5  only.  This  is  doing  pretty 
well,  isn't  it? 

Today  Jno.  C.  Spencer  was  nominated  Judge  of  the  Su- 
preme Court.  The  nominations  of  Tyler's  cabinet  have  not  yet 
been  acted  on.  What  is  done,  you  know,  is  in  Secret  Council. 
But  I  suppose  it  wiU  all  see  the  light  some  time  or  other. 


The  Passing  of  Porky 

Washington,  Jan.  10th,  1844. 
Dear  Sarah, 

You  are  very  kind  to  write  me  such  good  long  letters  and 
tell  me  so  many  interesting  things,  for  everything,  you  know, 
about  home,  however  insignificant  to  you,  is  interesting  to  me. 
Poor  old  Dick !  I  am  very  sorry  he  has  the  heaves.  He  is  not 
merely  a  faithful  servant,  but  an  old  and  highly  esteemed 
friend.  If  our  attachment  to  him  should  be  measured  by  his 
kind  services  to  us,  our  love  for  him  would  be  strong  indeed. 
Porky,  too,  it  seems,  has  got  into  trouble,  as  well  as  old  Dick, 
and  far  worse,  too,  for  while  old  Dick's  wind  is  merely  ob- 
structed, Porky's  is  entirely  stopped.  Well,  pork  and  greens 
is  good,  as  Madam  Malaprop  would  say,  and  so  I  will  indulge  in 
no  hypocritical  lament  about  Porky's  death.  If  I  had  time, 
however,  I  would  write  an  eulogium  upon  her  character.  For 
there  never  was  a  peacefuller,  kindlier,  cleverer  critter  in  this 
ere  world. 

Tell  your  mother  I  made  a  speech  in  the  Senate  today  on 
a  private  bill  in  which  the  Jewells  of  South  Berwick  were  con- 
cerned.    I  suppose  it  will  come  out  in  tomorrow's  Globe. 
Your  Affectionate  Father, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


316  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

A  Letter  to  Sarah 

Washington,  Jan.  19,  '44. 
Dear  Sarah, 

I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  interesting  letters,  and 
would  write  you  oftener  in  reply  were  it  not  for  my  many  en- 
gagements. I  am  obliged  sometimes  to  write  from  five  to  ten 
letters  a  day  besides  going  a  mile  and  a  half  to  the  public 
offices  on  errands  for  my  constituents.  So  you  see  I  have  not  so 
much  leisure  as  many  suppose. 

I  can  well  conceive  of  your  lonesomeness  while  Hannah 
is  at  South  Berwick.  Might  not  this  be  relieved  by  a  cor- 
respondence between  you?  This  might  not  only  afford  you 
pleasure  but  be  of  mutual  advantage.  Mr.  Bridge  don't  seem 
to  be  a  favorite  with  you  or  your  mother.  I  think  if  you  would 
shut  your  eyes  and  listen  to  him,  his  preaching  would  be  less 
objectionable.  The  matter  of  his  sermons  is  far  better  and 
more  agreeable  than  the  galvanic  twitch  of  his  elbows,  his 
awful  pauses,  and  the  painful  regularity  in  the  use  of  his  white 
handkerchief. 

You  say  "Augusta  is  asleep  in  her  chair."  Just  give  her  a 
jog,  and  tell  her  I  shall  be  very  happy  to  hear  from  her  when 
she  feels  wide  awake  enough  to  write.  Or,  if  she  has  the  power 
of  going  into  the  mesmeric  sleep,  tell  her  to  take  a  peep  at  me 
in  my  little  chamber  and  describe  to  the  rest  of  you  what  she 


And  Hammy,  my  dear  boy,  and  dear  little  Marty  and  Luly 
and  Johnny,  I  should  be  glad  to  have  letters  from  you  all. 

That  Johnny  can  make  his  mark  my  own  face  could  once 
furnish  practical  proof. 

I  send  you  a  plan  of  the  Senate  Chamber,  seats  of  Sena- 
tors, etc. 

Your  Affectionate  Father, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Nominations   Made 

Washington,  Jan.  20,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

Have  I  told  you  how  unwell  I  have  been?  One  night,  say 
about  a  week  ago,  was  a  night  of  great  suffering.  My  teeth 
were  chattering  the  whole  night  and  no  amount  of  clothing 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  317 

could  prevent  it.  The  pains  through  my  body  and  limbs  at 
the  same  time  were  excessively  severe.  I  am  not  yet  entirely 
clear  of  the  violent  cold  that  I  had  caught.  And  now  my 
mouth  is  awfully  disfigured.  Large  fever  sores  came  out  on 
both  upper  and  lower  lips,  which  with  the  swelling  gave  me 
a  hideous  appearance.  I  am  on  the  mending  hand,  however, 
and  hope  in  a  few  days  to  be  entirely  well. 

For  news  let  me  say:  Henshaw's  nomination  as  Secretary 
of  the  Navy  has  been  rejected  by  the  Senate,  so  has  Isaac  Hills' 
as  Chief  of  one  of  the  Bureaus.  Porter's  as  Secretary  of  War, 
I  think,  will  follow.  Spencer's  as  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court 
may  be  confirmed.  Wise  has  been  nominated  as  Minister  to 
Brazil.     I  cannot  go  for  him  whatever  others  may  do. 

Have  just  received  an  invitation  to  dine  with  the  Presi- 
dent on  Tuesday  next.     Don't  know  what  I  shall  do. 

Sunday.  Have  just  returned  from  church  where  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  hearing  Mr.  Giles,  the  English  or  Irish  Unitarian. 
It  was  a  great  intellectual  treat,  but  for  a  constant  preacher  I 
would  much  prefer  Mr.  Bulfinch.  He  is  a  dwarf  &  a  good  deal 
deformed.  His  head,  however,  is  large  and  finely  formed  and 
his  eye  is  large  and  full  of  the  fire  of  genius.  Though  a  dwarf 
in  body  he  is  a  giant  in  intellect.  He  brought  a  letter  to  me 
from  Jno.  Wingate  and  so  I  stopped  after  meeting  a  little  while 
to  see  him.  He  is  now  delivering  a  course  of  lectures  at  Balti- 
more and  will  do  the  same  here,  if  he  meets  with  encourage- 
ment. But  I  do  not  anticipate  much.  The  prejudices  against 
Unitarianism  are  so  strong,  that  even  philosophy  would  not  be 
favorably  received  from  that  source. 

In  the  Senate,  the  three  great  guns  on  our  side  are  Benton, 
Wright  and  Allen — or  perhaps  I  should  say  four,  and  include 
Buchanan.  Haywood  of  North  Carolina,  a  new  Senator,  is 
also  a  man  of  fine  talents  and  an  eloquent  speaker.  He  is  very 
nice  in  his  dress,  rather  fashionable  and  wears  black  gloves 
constantly  in  the  Senate. 

Well,  my  dear  children,  how  do  you  all  do?     How  many 
teeth  has  Johnny  got?     Does  his  hair  grow  any  and  is  it  as 
white  as  tow  ?     Learn  Luly  to  talk  and  Marty  to  read.  I  would 
give  my  cloak  with  its  new  lining  to  hear  them. 
Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


318  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

A  Sunday  Chat 

Washington,  Jan.  28,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

Well,  here  we  are  again  set  down  to  our  Sunday  chat.  How 
do  you  do  ?  Are  you  as  large  as  your  mother  yet,  or  have  you 
pined  away  to  a  delicate  thinness  ?  How  many  teeth  has  Johnny 
got?  Does  he  bite?  Oh,  the  scamps!  how  I  should  like  to 
wake  up  in  the  morning  and  have  a  frolic  with  them  and  hear 
mother  scold  a  little  at  keeping  her  awake. 

Last  night  I  went  to  hear  Mr.  Giles  lecture  upon  Irish  his- 
tory and  today  have  heard  him  preach.  He  is  a  man  of  extraor- 
dinary talents.  His  subject  today  was  "temper"  and  the  way 
he  poked  some  folks  with  a  picked  stick,  as  George  would  say, 
was  a  caution.  His  personal  appearance  reminds  me  of  the 
"Black  Dwarf"  in  one  of  Scott's  novels.  His  body  is  a  rough 
casket  to  contain  so  precious  a  jewel  as  his  mind. 

I  did  not  dine  with  the  President  the  other  day.  Had  too 
many  black  patches  on  my  face.  They  are  off  now,  thank  fort- 
une, and  I  am  well  again.  By  the  way,  I  don't  sleep  near  so 
much  as  I  used  to.  Don't  go  to  bed  often  till  12,  and  wake  up 
by  daylight,  after  which  I  indulge  in  waking  dreams  of 
home  till  1/2  past  7,  when  I  rise,  heat  water,  shave,  wash  and 
read  a  few  chapters  in  the  Old  Testament  which  I  am  going  to 
read  through,  and  then  breakfast  at  1/2  past  8.  That  is  going  it 
pretty  regular,  isn't  it? 

Let  me  see,  when  shall   I   hear   from   you?     About   next 
Thursday  night,  for  I  persuade  myself,  you  are,  about  this 
time,  getting  out  your  writing  apparatus  for  a  letter  to  husband. 
Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Heard  the  Hutchinsons 

Washington,  Feb.  1. 
Dear  Wife, 

Day  before  yesterday  was  my  birthday — 47  years  have 
rolled  over  my  head,  and  have  not  rubbed  ail  the  hair  off  yet. 

I  am  going  tonight  to  hear  the  Hutchinsons  and  anticipate 
a  rich  feast  of  music.  They  sing  "right  on,"  as  Mark  Antony 
talked.     They  sing  to  make  melody,  instead  of  endeavoring  to 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  319 

show  the  wonderful  mechanical  qualities  of  the  human  voice. 
I  can't  bear  the  Italian  school  of  singing.  Tomorrow  night  Mr. 
King — Preston  King  of  New  York,  an  old  bachelor  of  our  mess 
— gives  a  sort  of  dancing  party  here.  We  anticipate  a  pleasant 
time. 

(Next  day).  I  had  written  thus  far  when  a  call  compelled 
me  to  suspend, — so  you  have  been  delayed  one  mail  the  pleas- 
ure of  reading  my  gossip. 

There  was  nothing  done  in  the  Senate  today  but  the  an- 
nouncement of  the  death  of  Judge  Porter,  a  Senator  from 
Louisiana,  who  died  at  home,  not  having  been  here  during  the 
session.  It  was  done  by  Barrow,  his  colleague,  and  seconded 
by  Col.  Benton  in  most  beautiful  and  eloquent  terms. 

There  is  a  duel  brewing  here  between  Weller  of  Ohio,  and 
Dawson  of  Louisiana  on  one  side,  and  Johnson  and  Shriver  on 
the  other.  I  hope,  however,  the  fools  will  see  their  folly  before 
the  affair  reaches  a  bloody  catastrophe. 

Went  last  night  to  hear  the  Hutchinsons.  Sang  no  better 
than  when  I  heard  them  at  Saco,  but  that  is  well  enough  to 
satisfy  any  reasonable  expectation. 

If  you  can  find  my  card  plate  I  will  thank  you  to  enclose  it 
by  mail.    It  will  probably  not  weigh  more  than  two  ounces. 
Your  Husband, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


A  Letter  of  Laments 

Washington,  Feb.  5,  1844. 
Dear  Wife, 

What  an  awful  cold  Sunday  you  had  the  day  you  wrote — 
30  degrees  below  zero!  and  yet  you  went  to  meeting!  How 
courageous  and  how  commendable.  That  is  a  shocking  aifair 
of  Mrs.  F — .  I  remember  her  very  well.  Another  shocking 
affair,  it  seems  by  the  Democrat,  has  occurred  among  you.  The 
attempt  of  a  man  to  hack  out  his  brains  with  a  dull  axe !  Poor 
creature — what  an  object  of  commiseration.  Again,  what  sad 
information  your  letter  gives  me  of  Elizabeth  Fairfield.  Poor 
girl — or  rather  I  should  say  poor  father  and  mother.  Her 
death  would  be  a  terrible  blow  to  them.  Elizabeth  would 
exchange  a  world  of  suffering  for  one,  I  trust,  of  bliss. 


320  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Have  seen  but  very  little  of  Daniel  and  Marcia  Cleaves  yet. 
Have  not  been  to  Mr.  Dummer's  since  their  arrival.  Tomor- 
row night  I  have  an  invitation  to  Judge  Parris'  "to  meet  our 
northern  friends"  and  shall  endeavor  to  go. 

Glad  to  hear  that  Old  Dick  is  frisky  and  happy  and  that 
Johnny  is  beginning  "to  show  his  teeth."  Hope  it  may  never 
be  in  anger.  George  writes  again  a  pitiful  story  of  his  coat 
and  wants  a  new  one.  I  believe  I  will  write  leaving  the  matter 
to  Mrs.  Weld.  If  she  thinks  by  repairing  it  may  be  made  de- 
cent, he  must  continue  to  wear  it  this  winter.  Otherwise,  I  will 
request  Mrs.  W.  to  purchase  the  materials  for  a  new  one  and 
have  the  bill  forwarded  to  me.     Shall  I  do  right? 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Visitors  From  Maine 

Dear  Wife, 

Last  night  I  v/ent  to  Judge  Parris'  and  had  a  very  pleasant 
time.  I  was  very  much  tempted  to  expose  my  lame  leg  on  the 
floor  when  I  heard  Fisher's  hornpipe  to  the  figure  of  the  Vir- 
ginia Reel.  Daniel  Cleaves  danced  and  appeared  quite  social. 
Sarah  Lord  is  also  a  dancer.  I  told  her  I  didn't  believe  she 
learned  at  Kennebunk,  but  she  said  she  did  and  moreover,  that 
BiD  Banks  was  keeping  dancing  school  there  this  winter!  The 
Parris  girls  are  very  lively  and  agreeable,  particularly  Sarah. 
Mr.  Dummer  has  also  a  sister,  Mrs.  Moody,  and  her  husband 
visiting  him  at  this  time,  and  a  sister  of  Mr.  Moody. 

Thursday.  Dear  Wife:  Mr.  Woodbury  has  been  making 
an  admirable  speech  today  on  the  tariff,  which  I  suppose  he  will 
finish  tomorrow.  Noticed  Daniel,  Marcia  and  Mary  in  the  gal- 
lery but  did  not  have  an  opportunity  of  speaking  with  them. 
In  the  Supreme  Court  they  are  trying  the  great  case  of  Girard's 
will;  Binney  &  Sergeant  on  one  side  and  Webster  &  Jones  on 
the  other — very  eminent  counsel.  I  steal  a  moment  now  and 
then  to  run  in  and  hear  them. 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


To  Make  a  Speech 

Washington,  Feb.  12,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  intended  to  write  you  a  long  letter  today   but    am   pre- 
vented by  the  following  reason — that  is  to  say,  tomorrow,  wind 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  321 

and  weather  permitting,  I  am  to  make  a  short  speech.  I  have 
just  received  Resolutions  of  our  Legislature  in  favor  of  the 
French  claims,  and  tomorrow  morning  I  am  to  present  them  to 
the  Senate,  when  I  intend  to  make  some  remarks  upon  the  sub- 
ject— consequently  I  have  been  obliged  to  appropriate  that  part 
of  today,  not  spent  at  meeting,  to  the  reading  of  documents, 
and  am  not  yet  half  through. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


As  a  Match-Maker 

Washington,  Feb.  16,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

Entre  nous,  there  is  a  match  about  forming  and  I  have 
been  consulted  in  the  matter.  Who  do  you  think  the  parties 
are?  Do  you  give  it  up?  Well,  if  you  will  say  nothing  about 
it  at  present,  I'll  tell  you.  My  old  friend,  Richard  Ela — do  you 
remember  him? — and  Lucia  King.  Yesterday  I  enclosed  a  let- 
ter from  him  to  Mr.  King  asking  consent.  In  mine  I  told  what 
I  know  of  Mr.  Ela  and  have  no  doubt  of  the  consent  of  Mr.  K. 
Ela  is  an  excellent  fellow  and  Lucia  is  a  first-rate  girl.  It  is  a 
capital  match  for  both.  Ela,  as  you  may  recollect,  is  a  clerk  in 
the  treasury  department  and  is  the  one  who  has  so  rich  a 
laugh. 

Last  night,  for  the  first  time,  I  started  for  a  call  at  Mrs. 
Charles  Cutts'.  Not  finding  them  at  home  I  went  to  Mr.  Bum- 
mer's and  finished  my  evening  there.  Mr.  D.  and  Daniel  had 
gone  to  a  lecture. 

Last  night,  also,  there  was  a  party  at  the  Post-Master 
General's  and  the  night  before,  the  President's  Levee.  I  go  to 
none  of  them.  I  care  but  little  about  company  and  hate  to  go 
out  evenings.  Can't  see  in  the  night  well  enough  to  make  it 
safe  for  me,  at  least  without  moonlight. 

Today  the  President  sent  in  Mr.  Wilkins  of  Pennsylvania 
as  Secretary  of  War  and  Governor  Gilmer  of  Virginia  as  Secre- 
tary of  the  Navy.  They  were  both  confirmed  right  off  without 
going  through  the  usual  forms  of  reference  to  a  committee. 

I  have  a  letter  from  Haines  by  which  it  appears  he  has 
been  for  a  fortnight  at  Augusta  getting  new  charters  through 


322  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

for  Factory  Companies.     I  expect    we    shall    have    smashing 
works  in  Saco  next  summer. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


A  Picture  of  Home 

Washington,  Feb.  16,  '44. 
Dear  Sarah, 

I  am  pleased  to  find  all  my  letters  from  home  concurring 
in  representing  Johnny  as  a  noble  fellow.  Has  he  any  hair 
yet?  He  had  none  when  I  left  home.  I  can  see  his  great, 
white,  hairless  head,  his  mild  and  handsome  blue  eyes  and  good- 
natured,  intelligent  face  as  plain  as  if  they  were  before  me. 

Little  Marty,  I  see  her,  too,  with  her  large,  full  and  intel- 
ligent eye,  pug  nose,  soft  flaxen  hair,  delicate  complexion  and 
funny  expression  of  countenance,  sitting  at  one  corner  of  the 
breakfast  table  and  our  little  brunette  at  the  other,  with  her 
piercing  black  eye  and  regular  and  handsome  features.  Next 
to  whom  sits  my  not-to-be.forgotten  noble  boy,  Hammy;  on 
opposite  sides  my  good,  smart  and  much-loved  daughters, 
Sarah  and  Augusta,  and  at  the  head  she  who  constitutes  the 
better  part  of  myself.  What  a  group!  But  I  must  not  keep 
the  picture  before  me  too  long,  or  I  shall  grow  homesick. 
Your  Affectionate  Father, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


A  Father  to  Love 

Washington,  Feb.  26,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  was  delighted  with  little  Martha's  discrimination — "Well, 
that  isn't  a  Father  to  love  and  take  you  on  his  knees" — Oh,  the 
sweet  one,  I  wish  I  could  take  her  on  my  knees.  And  the 
sweet  Lucy,  too,  it  seems  she  begins  to  talk  a  little.  How 
delightful  it  must  be  to  hear  them  chat. 

I  shall  rejoice  to  see  the  flowers  coming  out  in  the  grounds 
around  the  Capitol.  Additions  are  made  every  year  and  I 
think  they  are  much  more  beautiful  than  when  you  were  here. 
1  am  ashamed  to  say  that  I  have  not  yet  been  out  on  the  square 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  323 

east  of  the  Capitol  to  see  the  statue  of  Washington — but  I'll 
tiy  to  do  it  this  week. 

Next  Tuesday  I  am  engaged  to  dine  with  Mr.  Blair,  which 
will  be  the  first  dinner  party  I  have  attended  since  I  have  been 
here,  unless  I  except  Judge  Breeze  and  myself  dining  with  Mr. 
Beale  our  "Door  Keeper."  They  are  trying  to  induce  me  to 
speak  on  the  Oregon  question.  A  day  or  two  ago  Gen.  Atchi- 
son of  Missouri  paid  me  a  compliment  in  his  speech  with  that 
design.  But  I  think  I  shall  not  say  anything.  A  more  war- 
like speech  would  be  expected  than  I  am  willing  to  make  just 
now,  though  I  am  for  maintaining  our  rights  to  that  territory 
at  all  hazards.  You  need  not  break  over  your  rules  and  com- 
pliment my  speech  on  French  spoliations,  for  without  vanity, 
I  think  it  will  stand  pretty  well  without  propping.  And  this  re- 
mmds  me  of  a  remark  of  Doctor  Franklin's — to  wit — that  when 
one  said  "without  vanity  he  might  say,"  etc.,  you  might  always 
look  for  a  piece  of  most  consummate  vanity  to  follow. 

Mr.  Bulfinch  today  alluded  to  the  late  duel  between  two 
young  men  here  in  a  most   feeling   manner,    but   most   indig- 
nantly at  the  conduct  of  those  who  permitted  it  to  go  on  when 
both  the  young  men  would  have  been  glad  to  have  adjusted  it. 
Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


A  Horrible  Catastrophe 

Washington,  Feb.  28,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

Just  before  commencing  my  letter  I  received  some  horrible 
news  which  unfits  me  from  saying  anything  more — to  wit,  that 
the  big  gun  on  board  the  Princeton  today  burst,  killing  the 
Secretaries  of  State  &  Navy,  Upshur  and  Gilmer,  and  five  or 
six  others,  but  who  the  others  are  I  know  not.  You  will  have 
the  particulars  in  a  day  or  two  in  the  papers.     How  shocking ! 

Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 

I  open  my  letter  to  add  that  Capt.  Kennon  of  the  Navy, 
Virgin  D.  Maxey  and  a  Mr.  Gardiner  of  New  York,  and  five  of 
the  crew  are  to  be  added  to  the  list  of  killed  and  Capt.  Stockton 
and  Col.  Benton  to  the  list  of  wounded. 


324  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Washington,  Feb.  29,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

The  horrible  catastrophe  of  yesterday  unfits  us  all  for 
everything  but  thinking  about  it.  My  account  in  letter  of  last 
evening  was  erroneous  in  stating  that  five  sailors  were  killed. 
They  were  badly  wounded  only — a  black  servant  of  the  Presi- 
dent who  was  wounded  died  soon  afterward.  A  report  has 
just  started  that  there  are  many  sailors  missing,  but  I  do  not 
credit  it.  Both  branches  of  Congress  met  today  and  ad- 
journed over  to  Monday.  In  the  Senate  the  deaths  were 
announced  by  a  message  from  the  President  which  was  followed 
by  a  few  eloquent  remarks  from  Mr.  Rives.  Mrs.  Gilmer,  Mrs. 
Upshur  and  Mrs.  Kennon  are  said  to  be  almost  distracted.  Mr. 
Gardiner  of  New  York  was  here  on  a  visit  with  two  beautiful 
daughters,  both  of  whom  were  on  board  the  Princeton. 

The  time  for  the  funeral  services  has  not  yet  been  fixed,  or 
rather  has  not  been  announced. 

Yours  as  Ever, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Memorial  Services  for  the  Dead 

Washington,  March  3d,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  just  returned  from  meeting.  Mr.  Bulfinch  preached 
a  sermon  adapted  to  the  melancholy  occasion,  but  not  quite  up 
to  my  anticipations.  He  alluded  to  one  of  the  slain  on 
board  the  Princeton  as  one  "who  last  Sabbath  was  seen  in 
this  house,  his  arm  around  one  who  is  now  an  orphan."  I  rec- 
ollect very  well  that  in  the  pew  immediately  back  of  me  was 
a  large,  noble-looking  man  who,  during  the  prayers,  stood  with 
his  arm  around  a  little  boy  about  11  or  12  years  old,  pinching 
his  cheeks,  playing  with  his  hair,  etc.,  in  the  most  aifectionate 
manner.  I  felt  a  warming  of  my  own  heart  toward  him  but 
was  not  aware  until  today  that  it  was  Commodore  Kennon. 

Yesterday  the  funeral  services  were  performed  and  such  a 
concourse  of  people  before,  I  think,  I  never  witnessed.  The 
burial  was  from  the  President's  house.  The  great  East  room 
was  filled  with  members  of  Congi-ess,  ofl^cers,  civil,  militaiy  and 
naval,  foreign  ministers,  etc.  Coming  out,  we  found  the 
grounds   around    the   house   and   the    avenue    thronged   with 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  325 

people.  Atherton  and  myself  wishing  to  see  the  military  escort 
which  we  could  not  do  if  we  went  in  the  procession,  con- 
cluded to  leave  it  and  walk  on  before.  From  the  President's 
house  nearly  to  the  Capitol  we  found  the  sidewalk  nearly  full 
of  people.  The  walks,  you  know,  are  over  20  feet  wide.  Be- 
sides this  every  window  of  the  houses  was  full  of  heads  and 
the  tops  of  many  of  the  houses  covered  with  people. 

The  whole  thing  was  very  imposing.  There  were  a  large 
number  of  light  companies  and  among  them  a  company  of 
Flying  Artillery  of  the  U.  S.  Army.  All  the  officers  of  the 
Army  and  Navy  were  in  uniform  and  mounted.  All  the  for- 
eign ministers  also  were  arrayed  in  their  Court  dresses. 

The  address  o^  Mr.  Butler  of  Georgetown  was  highly  im- 
pressive and  eloquent.  The  other  services  were  rather  com- 
monplace. I  was  struck  with  one  of  your  remarks,  made  by 
you  just  before  the  accident,  and  received  by  me  just  afterward 
— to  wit:  "You  must  have  had  a  grand  time  on  board  the 
Princeton.  I  think  I  should  not  care  to  be  in  the  way  of  one 
of  their  balls."  If  you  had  said  guns  instead  of  balls,  the  coin- 
cidence would  have  been  stronger. 

Well,  George,  it  seems,  has  got  home,  for  you  say  his 
quarter  was  to  terminate  last  Wednesday.  Tell  him  I  want  to 
hear  from  him.  He  must  give  an  account  of  himself  and  of 
the  expenditure  of  all  his  money. 

I  hope  Augusta  will  go  to  the  Academy.  I  think  she 
would  do  better  there,  considering  her  age  and  advancement, 
than  at  Aunt  Cutts'. 

Yours  as  ever, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Calhoun  Secretary  of  State 

Washington,  March  6,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

This  morning  Mr.  Thacher  started  for  home,  taking  with 
him  Lucia  King,  who,  I  presume,  returns  to  make  ready  for  get- 
ting married.  Last  night  I  went  up  to  Mr.  Hartley's  and  took 
tea,  but  could  not  stop  for  the  evening  as  we  had  a  caucus 
which  I  wished  to  attend. 

John  C.  Calhoun  was  nominated  by  the  President  today 
as  Secretary  of  State  and  was  immediately  confirmed  by  the 


326  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Senate.     This  is  a  matter  of  some  importance  and  its  effect 
upon  our  politics  generally  seems  to  excite  a  variety  of  opinion. 
Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Masquerades  in  Col.  Cutis'  Clothes 

Washington,  March  10,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

You  say  my  letter  did  not  contain  the  particulars  of  the 
awful  calamity  on  board  the  Princeton.  I  would  give  them  to 
you  now,  but  I  suppose  you  have  had  them  long  before  this  in 
the  papers.  As  you  say,  the  gloom  thrown  over  the  city  will 
hardly  be  dispelled  for  the  remainder  of  the  session.  All  the 
parties  and  balls  which  were  in  anticipation  have  been  given 
over  and  I  presume  will  not  be  revived. 

We  have  had  a  caucus  composed  of  the  Democratic  mem- 
bers of  both  Houses  and  chosen  an  executive  committee  to 
prepare  and  send  out  electioneering  documents,  etc.  I  am 
placed  on  it,  and  expect  therefore  that  for  the  remainder  of 
the  session  I  shall  be  very  busy. 

Mrs.  Wright  and  Mrs.  Murphy  insist  that  you  must  come 
on  here  and  spend  the  remainder  of  the  session.  They  say  they 
will  take  care  of  your  baby  for  you  all  the  time.  Mrs.  Wright 
never  had  children  and  therefore  would  be  delighted  to  have  a 
baby  to  tend  and  Mrs.  M.  has  seven,  so  that  she  understands  it. 
You  see  how  the  case  stands.  I  told  them  I  would  write  you 
as  requested  and  would  rejoice  if  you  could  see  your  way  clear 
to  come.     Is  the  thing  possible? 

I  am  disappointed,  and  I  wish  you  would  tell  George  so,  if 
not  gone  before  this  reaches  you,  in  not  receiving  a  letter  from 
him  giving  a  detailed  account  of  all  his  expenditures  as  well  as 
of  his  studies,  as  I  had  directed  him.  I  couldn't  help  laughing, 
though,  at  the  idea  of  his  strutting  about  in  one  of  Col.  Cutts' 
old  waistcoats.  I  hope  you  did  not  let  him  carry  the  gun.  It 
would  interfere  too  much  with  his  studies.  If  Augusta  remains 
at  home  this  quarter,  and  I  don't  know  but  what  it  would  be  as 
well  for  her,  I  hope  the  opportunity  will  be  embraced  to  make 
her  familiar  with  all  household  duties,  including  cooking. 
I  hope  when  I  come  home  we  can  have  the  breakfast  table  set 
with  the  cookery,  and  good  cookery,  too,  of  Sarah  and  Augusta. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  327 

If  they  read  Frederika  Bremer's  novels  they  will  never  omit  to 
learn  cookery  and  other  household  duties. 

I  have  received  a  copy  of  the  Columbian  Ladies'  and  Gen- 
tlemen's Magazine  which,  after  I  have  read  one  or  two  of  the 
articles  I  will  send  you.     I  find  little  time  for  reading  anything 
now,  except  political  matter,  which  I  regret. 
Yours  as  ever, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Letter  to  His  Daughters 

Washington,  March  10,  '44. 
My  Dear  Daughters, 

With  your  sleigh-riding,  sled-riding,  going  over  to  see  Han- 
nah, Hannah  coming  over  to  see  you,  going  up  in  town,  up  to 
Mr.  Locke's,  etc.,  etc.,  etc.,  I  think  you  must  be  having  a  pretty 
merry  time.  Well,  enjoy  yourselves.  I  like  to  see  it.  Inno- 
cent pleasures  are  the  sweeteners  of  life.  But  we  should 
always  be  careful  that  our  pleasures  are  innocent.  Never  do 
that,  or  say  that,  which  will  cause  you  to  look  back  upon  it 
with  regret  or  shame.  Preserve  an  entire  innocence  in  thought, 
word  and  action  if  you  would  be  entirely  happy. 

I  have  written  much  in  my  letter  to  your  mother  today 
which  I  should  have  reserved  for  this.  I  will,  therefore,  refer 
you  to  it.  It  is,  to  be  sure,  about  common,  every-day  matters, 
but  you  must  not  think  lightly  of  it  on  that  account,  for  the 
greater  part  of  life  is  made  up  of  such  matters. 

I  met  a  little  girl  at  the  door  just  now  as  I  returned  from 
meeting  and  gave  her  a  good  smack ;  another  little  one  ran  and 
hid  behind  the  door.  Oh,  how  it  reminded  me  of  home  and 
made  me  long  to  be  among  you ! 

I  had  a  japonica  given  me  the  other  night  which  I  intended 
to  send  home  to  you  in  a  letter.  But  in  the  morning,  lo  and 
behold !  there  was  nothing  left  but  the  leaves. 


Death  of  a  Cousin 

Washington,  March  14,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

Your  letter  informing  me  of  the  death  of  Elizabeth  Fair- 
field is  received.     It  must  be  most  grievous  and  afflicting  to 


328  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Seth  and  Phebe,  and  I  have  written  them  a  letter  expressive  of 
my  sympathy. 

You  must  have  had  a  beautiful  ride  to  Portland.  I  always 
liked  spring  sleigh  rides.  Am  very  glad  Sister  Mary  is  going 
to  make  you  a  visit. 

I  have  sent  to  Sarah  and  Augusta  today  a  package  of 
flower  seeds.  Would  it  not  be  best  to  start  some  of  them  in 
pots  ?  Before  any  seed  is  sown  in  the  flower  garden,  the  weeds 
and  roots,  etc.,  should  be  thoroughly  eradicated.  The  ground 
is  full  of  them. 

Mr.  Strong  from  New  York,  who  has  been  home  on  a  visit, 
writes  that  he  is  about  to  bring  his  wife  and  three  children — 
the  youngest  eight  weeks  old.  Perhaps  this  may  operate  as 
some  inducement  for  you  to  come  on.  Our  weather  here  is  de- 
lightful. I  have  thrown  off  all  outer  garments,  given  up  my 
silk  lung  protector,  taken  my  summer  stockings,  and  am  enjoy- 
ing myself  "as  well  as  could  be  expected." 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


An  Invitation 

Dear  Wife, 

We  have  had  several  very  pleasant  meetings  lately — meet- 
ings in  which  nothing  occurred  to  mar  our  mutual  enjoyment, 
but  awaking  and  finding  it  all  a  dream.  I  suppose  my  invitation 
lately  given  you  to  come  on  here  and  spend  the  remainder  of  the 
session  may  have  particularly  induced  these  pleasant  dreams, 
so  I  have  gained  something  by  it,  even  if  you  should  not  come 
on.  Mr.  Evans  introduced  a  resolution  into  the  Senate  today 
for  an  adjournment  on  the  20th  of  May.  I  shall  vote  for  it  and 
hope  it  will  pass. 

I  wish  sometimes  I  could  have  a  lump  of  your  good  butter 
for  breakfast.  The  butter  here  is  grey,  greasy  and  rancid. 
However,  the  envy  shan't  be  all  on  one  side,  so  let  me  tell  you 
that  we  have  beautiful  Carolina  potatoes  on  the  table  every  day 
— what  say?  Is  not  that  an  additional  argument  for  you  to 
come  on?  Where  shall  I  meet  you,  at  N.  Y.  or  Boston? 
Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  329 

Keener  for  Politics  Than  Ever 

Washington,  March  24,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

Your  answer  to  my  invitation  is  about  what  I  expected, 
though  I  thought  I  could  see  a  way  in  which  it  could  be  done, 
i.  e.,  by  placing  three  of  the  children  at  Aunt  Cutts'  and  two  at 
Aunt  Augusta's  and  bringing  Johnny  with  you.  But  if  a  reso- 
lution just  introduced  into  the  Senate  should  pass,  I  should  care 
less  about  your  declining  to  come  on.  The  resolution  fixes 
the  day  of  adjournment  on  the  20th  of  May. 

What  a  queer  blunder  I  must  have  made  in  my  letter  to 
Mrs.  Allen.  I  must  have  gathered  up  everything  on  my  table 
after  finishing  my  letter  to  Mrs.  Allen  and  put  them  in  the  same 
envelope  with  hers.  Mine  to  you,  I  suppose  of  course,  was  not 
sealed.  I  cannot  remember  its  contents,  but  trust  there  was 
nothing  in  it  that  I  should  wish  to  keep  from  the  eye  of  anyone. 

Mrs.  Murphy  promises  to  comply  with  your  request  and 
look  after  your  husband  a  little,  and  she  is  an  excellent  hand 
for  the  purpose,  I  can  assure  you.  Already  has  she  reformed 
three  of  our  mess  in  regard  to  smoking  and  some,  I  believe,  in 
regard  to  drinking. 

Have  just  had  a  call  from  General  Scott.  He  is  nearly  as 
tall  as  the  steeple  of  St.  Paul's,  and  seems  to  feel  "*as  huge  as 
Olympus."  However,  I  ought  not  to  complain  of  him  or  any 
other  vain  man,  inasmuch  as  they  add  to  my  stock  of  happi- 
ness. It  always  gives  me  pleasure  to  see  people  happy  and 
especially  well  satisfied  with  themselves. 

You  asked  me  at  a  wrong  time  if  I  was  not  almost  sick  of 
politics.  The  fact  is,  I  feel  a  deeper  interest  now  than  ever  and 
mean  to  go  into  the  coming  contest  with  all  my  soul  and  "feel 
it  in  my  bones"  that  we  shall  triumph. 

Love  to  everybody  who  loves  me,  and  in  a  Christian  sense 
to  everybody  else. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


On  Current  Politics 

Washington,  March  26. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  write  you  one  day  in  advance  merely  to  say  that  the  reso- 
lution fixing  on  the  27th  of  May  as  the  day  for  adjournment, 
passed  the  Senate  yesterday  without  opposition. 


330  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Yesterday  Mr.  Benton  made  the  first  half  of  an  excellent 
speech  on  the  tariff,  which  is  lo  be  continued  today.  By  the 
bursting  of  the  gun  on  board  the  Princeton  he  has  lost  the 
hearing  entirely  in  one  ear.  By  stopping  the  nostrils  he  can 
force  the  air  through  his  ear,  making  a  noise  equal  to  the  wind 
coming  from  bellows. 

The  anticipated  annexation  of  Texas  to  the  United  States 
seems  to  be  creating  a  terrible  commotion  at  the  North. 

I  suppose  the  report  is  true  that  the  President  is  negotiat- 
ing a  treaty  for  that  purpose  but  I  have  no  idea  that  it  could 
be  ratified  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  Senate, — especially  if 
slavery  should  not  first  be  abolished  therein. 

Yours  as  Ever, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Worried  About  Lame  Knee 

Washington,  March  29,  ^44. 
Dear  Wife, 

Your  note  of  26,  is  received.  It  grieves  me  much  to  hear 
that  Augusta's  swollen  knee  is  growing  worse.  The  complaint 
is  precisely  like  my  own  and  I  have  pretty  much  made  up  my 
mind,  on  my  return  home,  to  have  an  operation  upon  the  knee, 
or  something  done  to  attempt  a  cure,  for  I  am  satisfied  that  the 
difficulty  is  increasing,  and  unless  something  be  done,  I  shall  in 
time  lose  the  use  of  my  leg. 

With  these  views  I  cannot  hesitate  to  say  I  very  much 
approve  of  the  suggestion  of  Sister  Mary.  By  all  means  let 
Augusta  stay  at  Portland  and  let  Doctor  Clark  do  what  he  can. 
I  have  no  faith  in  salt  and  water  and  besides  if  she  came  home 
to  try  that  experiment,  it  would  not  be  constantly  attended  to. 
By  all  means  let  her  stay.  It  is  possible  that  by  taking  the 
thing  in  hand  thus  early  Doctor  Clark  may  be  able  to  do  some- 
thing for  her.  Poor  girl,  I  can't  bear  to  think  of  her  being 
lame. 

I  send  you  a  recipe  for  making  a  syrup  the  best,  the  very 
best  thing  I  have  ever  seen,  tasted,  or  heard  of  for  a  laxative. 
The  receipt  which  I  send  made  6  bottles,  champagne  bottles, 
two  of  which  I  gave  away,  cost  50  cents  a  bottle. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  331 

Syrup  for  Dyspepsia  or  Costiveness 

8  oz.  Lig.  Guiac  (Lignum  vitae  shavings) 

2  oz.  Rose  Leaves 

4  oz.  Senna 

4  oz.  Strong  extract  of  Sarsaparilla 

21/2  qts.  Water 

4  qts.  Maple  or  sugar  house  molasses 

Flavor  with  wintergreen. 

To  make  it:  Make  a  decoction  by  simmering  the  Lig. 
Guiac,  Rose  leaves  and  Senna  in  the  water.  Strain  the  decoc- 
tion, and  in  it  dissolve  the  sarsaparilla,  or  mix  if  fluid,  and  mix 
with  the  molasses  and  simmer  until  thoroughly  mixed  10  or  15 
minutes,  and  it  is  ready  for  use. 

Dose — From  one  spoonful  to  a  wine  glass  full — one,  two 
or  three  times  a  day  as  the  patient  may  find  necessary. 


On  "Early  Rising'' 

Washington,  April  M,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  thank  you  very  much  for  a  lock  of  Johnny's  hair.  It  is 
beautiful,  fine  and  soft  as  silk  and  many  shades  darker  than  I 
supposed  it  was.  I  know  he  must  be  a  good  looking  little  fel- 
low, but  I  care  less  about  that  than  other  things.  Is  he  not 
good?  He  don't  get  angry  and  show  temper  at  nothing,  does 
he? 

You  are  right  in  your  conjectures  that  the  information  you 
had  to  communicate  would  give  me  pleasure.  I  was  very  glad 
to  learn  that  for  several  weeks  you  have  risen  and  breakfasted 
by  7  o'clock.  Not  that  I  would  complain  of  your  lying  longer 
if  you  wished,  for  you  know  my  sentiments  upon  that  subject. 
I  always  knew  of  your  habit  and  how  much  it  apparently  con- 
tributed to  your  comfort.  I  had,  therefore,  determined,  on  our 
marriage,  that  I  had  no  right  to  complain  of  it  and  would  not 
complain  of  it,  which  you  know  I  never  have  done. 

Nevertheless,  if,  of  your  own  accord,  you  are  inclined  to 
rise  early,  I  must  admit  that  it  gives  me  pleasure. 
Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


332  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Exhibition  of  Colt's  Submarine  Battery 

Washington,  April  14»  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  everybody  went  to  see  the  grand  exhibition,  to 
wit,  the  blowing  up  of  a  ship  under  full  sail  by  means  of  Colt's 
submarine  battery,  and  I,  of  course,  among  the  rest.  There 
were  a  few  explosions  before  the  blowing  up  of  the  ship,  as 
matter  of  exhibition,  by  which  the  water  was  thrown  into  the 
air,  a  distance,  I  should  think,  of  two  hundred  feet. 

All  things  being  ready,  about  5  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
the  ship  was  got  under  way,  sailing  up  the  east  branch  of  the 
Potomac  towards  the  Navy  Yard.  In  a  few  minutes  the  helm 
was  lashed  and  the  crew  left  her.  Once  she  careened,  alone  in 
her  glory,  for  about  five  minutes  after  the  men  left  her,  when 
the  explosion  took  place.  The  battery  was  let  off  when  the  bow 
of  the  ship  was  over  it.  The  bow  was  apparently  raised  some  6 
or  8  feet,  breaking  the  ship  in  the  center  and  coming  down  a 
perfect  wreck.  All  the  fore  part  of  the  ship  seemed  to  be  en- 
tirely demolished.  The  stern  stuck  up  out  of  water  apparently 
but  little  injured.  The  water  was  shoal,  otherwise  I  suppose, 
the  whole  hull  would  have  disappeared. 

The  experiment,  on  the  whole,  I  suppose,  may  be  regarded 
as  a  successful  one,  and  Colt  will,  of  course,  become  a  Lion. 
The  battery,  as  it  is  called,  is,  I  believe,  a  keg  or  large  quantity 
of  powder  sunk  under  the  place  where  the  vessel  is  to  pass.  This 
is  connected  by  a  tube  with  a  galvanic  battery  on  the  shore  and 
by  which  the  powder  under  water  is  ignited  at  any  desired  mo- 
ment. Its  proposed  use  is  to  defend  our  harbors  from  attack 
by  an  enemy.  A  string  of  these  batteries  might  be  placed 
across  the  mouth  of  a  harbor,  over  which  no  ship  could  pass 
without  being  blown  up. 

The  idea  that  all  these  inventions  are  for  the  destruction 
of  men  as  well  as  property,  is  horrible.  But  they  carry  with 
them,  I  think,  one  consolation,  and  that  is,  that  the  more  per- 
fect these  instruments  of  destruction  become,  and  the  more  the 
horrors  of  war  increase,  the  chances  for  actual  war  will  di- 
minish. It  being  nearly  meeting  time  I  will  leave  my  letter 
unfinished  and  perhaps  add  a  word  on  my  return. 

Am  sorry  to  be  obliged  to  say  that  my  knee  is  worse  than 
it  has  ever  been.  The  joint  is  becoming  stiff er  and  weaker  and 
is,  morever,  just  now  not  a  little  sore  and  painful.  I  wish 
Hewitt  was  here,  I  would  set  him  to  work  upon  it  at  once. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  333 

Annexation  of  Texas 

Washington,  April  13,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

The  treaty  for  the  annexation  of  Texas  to  the  United  States 
has  been  signed  but  not  yet  sent  to  the  Senate,  I  doubt  if  two- 
thirds  of  the  Senators  are  in  favor  of  it,  which  is  necessary  to 
secure  its  confirmation.  Opinions,  however,  are  daily  changing 
and  no  one  knows  what  the  result  may  be. 

Judge  Niles  is  still  here  with  us  and  declines  taking  his 
seat.  He  spent  last  evening  in  my  room  and  talks  as  rationally 
as  he  ever  did  on  any  subject  that  may  be  started.  His  com- 
plaint is  not  insanity  but  hypochondria.  We  hope  he  will  be 
well  enough  by  and  by  to  take  his  seat.  If  he  does  not,  you 
know,  the  Wliig  legislature  of  Connecticut  will  choose  a  Whig 
in  his  place.  This  would  be  joy  to  the  Whigs  but  mortification 
to  us. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


On  Business  Matters 

Washington,  April  20,  1844. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  don't  know  how  early  in  May  the  Rumery  estate  is  to  be 
sold,  before  which  I  should  like  to  know  how  many  acres,  or 
about  how  many  there  are  in  the  pasture  adjoining 
mine.  I  wish,  therefore,  you  would  ask  Davis  to  ascertain,  or 
by  looking  at  it  to  give  me  his  judgment.  Should  the  sale  take 
place  before  I  give  further  directions  about  it,  I  am  willing 
Davis  should  bid  as  high  afe  $180  for  it.  Perhaps  on  ascertain- 
ing the  quantity  I  may  be  willing  to  go  higher. 

One  thing  further  I  wish  to  suggest,  and  that  is  the  sale 
of  the  buggy  wagon.  If  you  and  the  children  have  not  become 
attached  to  it,  I  think,  as  soon  as  the  travelling  becomes  dry, 
Davis  had  better  wash  it  and  carry  it  up  to  T.  K.  Lane  and 
have  it  sold  at  auction. 

I  can  get  something  when  I  get  home^  if  needed,  which  will 
suit  us  much  better. 

Yours  as  ever, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


334  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Fondness  for  Politics  Not  Diminished 

Washington,  April  21,  1844. 
Dear  Wife, 

Mr.  Bulfinch  having  lost  his  father,  Charles  Bulfinch  of 
Boston,  did  not  preach  today.  In  the  forenoon  we  had  Mr.  Pea- 
body,  I  believe  that  is  the  name,  of  New  Bedford,  and  Mr.  Moor, 
a  Free  Will  Baptist  clergyman  of  this  city  in  the  afternoon. 
Mr.  Peabody's  sermon  was  beautiful  and  excellent  and  if  he 
had  had  sense  enough  to  know  when  he  was  done  the  sermon 
would  have  done  good,  but  it  was  spun  out  to  such  an  intolera- 
ble length  that  vexation  overcame  all  the  previous  good  im- 
pressions. Mr.  Moor  was  so-so — couldn't  sleep  under  it  more 
than  half  the  time, 

I  dined  today  at  your  Uncle  Richard's  expecting  to  meet 
Mrs.  Madison,  but  she  was  unable  to  go  out.  Cousin  Mary 
sends  her  love.  I  invited  her  to  go  North  with  me  this  sum- 
mer. Possibly  she  may.  By  the  way.  Cousin  John  Hartley 
was  here  last  night  and  wanted  me  to  let  one  of  our  girls  come 
on  and  make  them  a  visit,  saying  that  they  were  very  lonesome 
since  Lucia  went  away.  I  told  him  I  thought  it  was  out  of  the 
question,  but  that  I  would  name  it  to  you. 

You  think  my  verses  to  Ellen  show  that  I  am  not  entirely 
devoted  to  politics.  Hope,  therefore,  your  regret  will  some- 
what diminish.  Again  let  me  tell  you  that  my  madness  in  pol- 
itics (if  you  think  there  be  any)  is  not  without  method.  I  am 
not  fond  of  constant  turmoil  and  excitement  but  am  always 
looking  ahead  to  a  haven  of  quiet  happiness.  If  you  fear  that 
politics  will  supplant  you  in  my  affections  you  are  mistaken. 
Everything  in  which  I  engage  is  subsidiary  to  the  main  desire 
of  promoting  and  securing  the  happiness  of  those  I  love. 
I  have  no  ambition  as  connected  with  myself  that  I  could 
not  crush  in  a  moment  if  the  happiness  of  wife  or  children 
required  it. 

Yours  as  Ever, 

J.  FAIRFIELD 


Opposes  Annexation  of  Texas 

Washington,  April  28,  1844. 
Dear  Wife, 

Mr.  Stetson,  one  of  our  mess,  has  brought  his  wife,  so  we 
have  now  four  ladies.  Of  course  it  is  four  times  as  agreeable 
as  it  would  be  without  them. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  335 

You  will  see  by  the  papers  that  we  have  lost  another  mem- 
ber of  the  House  of  Representatives,  Mr.  Bossier  of  Louisiana. 
Two  others,  Mr.  Campbell  of  South  Carolina  and  Mr.  McKay 
of  North  Carolina,  are  quite  sick. 

Mr.  Clay  is  here  and  many  of  his  friends,  who  are  on  their 
way  to  the  Baltimore  Convention  to  be  holden  on  Tuesday  next. 
He  had  a  greeting  for  me  in  the  publication  of  my  letter  writ- 
ten to  a  Louisiana  Democratic  Association  last  February,  a 
copy  of  which  I  sent  you  in  the  Globe. 

Mr.  Clay  and  Mr.  Van  Buren  are  both  out  in  opposition  to 
the  annexation  of  Texas,  and  I  am  glad  of  it.  Our  people  in 
Maine,  I  found  by  letters  and  otherwise,  were  getting  to  be 
strongly  in  favor  of  it.  Mr.  Van  B.'s  letter  will  check  them  a 
little  and  set  them  to  thinking.  Nothing  can  be  clearer  than 
that  by  adopting  Texas  we  adopt  the  war  between  her  and  Mex- 
ico. Now  when  I  consent  to  going  to  war,  I  want  something 
better  to  stand  on  than  the  acquisition  of  Texas,  which,  under 
any  circumstances,  would  be  a  little  questionable.  A  bill  has 
been  reported  to  the  House  providing  for  the  appointment  of 
Commissioners  to  examine  claims  for  French  spoliations.  If 
it  pass,  about  which  I  have  doubts,  the  great  difficulty  will  have 
been  gotten  over.  An  appropriation  for  the  payment  of  the 
claims  would  follow  by  and  by. 

Thine  as  Ever, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Morse  Experimenting  in  Telegraphy 

Washington,  May  5,  1844. 
Dear  Sarah, 

I  have  just  received  a  letter  from  George  which  I  enclose 
to  you.  If  the  old  saying  be  true  that  "brevity  is  the  soul  of 
wit,"  what  a  very  witty  fellow  George  must  be. 

I  was  much  delighted  a  day  or  two  since  in  witnessing  the 
operation  of  Prof.  Morse's  telegraphic  apparatus.  He  has  wires 
extending  now  from  the  Capitol,  some  22  miles  towards 
Baltimore,  on  the  track  of  the  railroad.  At  each  end  is  what  is 
called  a  galvanic  Battery,  by  means  of  which  and  the  connect- 
ing wires,  persons  may  converse  as  readily  as  if  standing  ten 
feet  only  apart.  When  I  went  into  his  room,  which  is  one  of 
the  lower  rooms  in  the  Capitol,  he  said  his  man  at  the  other  end 


336  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

would  not  be  ready  to  converse  until  after  5  minutes  had 
elapsed.  At  the  end  of  that  time  the  machinery  began  to  be 
operated  upon  by  the  galvanic  battery  at  the  other  end  22  miles 
off.  When  a  strip  of  paper  was  drawn  off  from  a  wheel  and 
through  rollers,  a  pronged  hammer  or  whatever  you  might  call 
it,  kept  striking  up  against  the  paper,  making  impressions  upon 
it  representing  letters  of  the  alphabet. 

The  first  thing  he,  the  man  at  the  other  end  of  the  wires, 
did,  was  to  write  "junction,"  which  I  enclose.  This  was  simply 
to  let  him  know  from  which  one  of  two  places  he  was  writing. 
After  which  Professor  Morse  asked  him  several  questions,  an- 
swers to  which  commenced  immediately  after  the  question  was 
asked.  "Where  is  Jim?"  said  Mr.  Morse.  "He  went  to  Balti- 
more last  night,"  was  the  immediate  reply.  Taking  but  little 
more  time  than  it  would  to  write  down  the  matter  with  a  pen. 

It  is  said  this  would  be  the  case  if  the  wires  extended 
round  the  globe.  An  instant  of  time  would  be  sufficient  for  the 
passage  of  the  electric  fluid  over  the  whole  distance.  All  this 
you  will  see  when  you  study  natural  philosophy.  It  is  hard  to 
explain  such  difficult  matters  in  a  letter. 

When  I  come  I  can  tell  you  more  particularly  about  it.     As 
it  is  about  meeting  time  I  must  say  I  am  very  affectionately, 
Your  Father  and  friend, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Traitors  in  Camp 

Washington,  May  5,  1844. 
Dear  Wife, 

Johnny  is  one  year  old  today,  and  as  he  took  one  step  a 
week  ago,  I  suppose  he  can  almost  run  now. 

Mr.  bummer  was  here  last  night  and  says  Sarah  Lord 
starts  for  home  tomorrow,  and  that  he  and  Cousin  Mary  Cleaves 
go  with  her  as  far  as  New  York  where  they  will  spend  a  week. 

Our  troubles  here  thicken  and  multiply  greatly  and  it  is 
not  easy  to  tell  what  the  result  will  be.  Our  camp  is  full  of 
traitors  and  there  is  danger  in  letting  them  remain  and  danger 
in  exposing  them.  The  latter  course  has  been  thought  to  be 
best.  The  great  object  of  these  fellows  now  is  to  prevent  the 
nomination  of  Mr.  V.  B.  who  is  the  strong  man,  each  in  hopes 
that  his  favorite,  whether  it  be  Johnson,  Cass,  Stewart  or  an- 
other, may  be  the  next  successful  one.     I  trust  they  will  all  be 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  337 

disappointed.  Would  you  believe  it,  I  find  myself,  in  these 
stormy  times,  one  of  five  or  six  who  consult  about  and  give 
some  direction  to,  affairs.  This  I  attribute,  not  to  talents,  but 
to  my  associates'  belief,  whether  true  or  not,  in  my  honesty, 
and  firmness  and  perhaps  political  sagacity.  This  will  do  to 
say  to  one  who  is  bone  of  my  bone  and  flesh  of  my  flesh,  and 
nobody  else. 

Yours  as  Ever, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Political  Cauldron  Boiling 

Washington,  May  8,  1844. 
Dear  Wife, 

Don't  all  speak  at  once  now,  you  and  the  flock  around  you 
— who  wants  some  green  peas?  Wish  I  could  send  them  to 
you,  but  inasmuch  as  I  could  not,  why  I  did  the  next  best  thing 
yesterday,  at  dinner,  to  wit,  ate  them  myself.  But  now  just 
hold  your  lips  together  while  I  inform  you  that  our  dessert  yes- 
terday and  today  was  strawberries  and  cream — i.  e.„  southern 
cream,  which  is  very  nearly  as  good  as  Yankee  skim-milk.  The 
strawberries  were  rich  and  of  a  good  size ;  the  crushed  sugar,  of 
course  white  as  snow  and  sweet  as  sugar;  the  milk  as  good  as 
could  be  expected,  being  "the  product  of  slave  labor,"  the 
right  hand  ready  to  replenish  the  saucer  every  three  minutes. 
Wasn't  this  comfortable?  I  can  only  ease  my  conscience  for 
provoking  your  appetite  in  this  way,  by  considering  that  you 
and  I  are  one.  The  Good  Book  says  so.  Then,  if  I  have  eaten 
strawberries  and  cream,  haven't  you?  There  now,  don't  that 
philosophy  make  you  feel  as  comfortable  as  if  you  had  just 
sat  down  your  emptied  saucer? 

To  be  serious — if  you  have  read  the  Globe,  you  will  have 
seen  that  on  the  30th  of  April,  I  think  it  was,  I  presented  the 
credentials  of  Judge  Niles.  Objection  was  made  to  his  being 
sworn.  A  little  discussion  arose  in  which  I  took  part,  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  investigate  the  case  and  there  it  rests 
for  the  present.  He  will  undoubtedly  be  permitted  to  take  his 
seat  in  a  few  days,  as  soon  as  the  committee  can  get  time  to 
tend  to  the  case. 

The  political  cauldron  still  keeps  boiling,  sometimes 
threatening  the  overthrow  of  our  party  and  again  brightening 


338  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

up.     For  myself  I  think  I  see  a  clear  sky  through  the  storm  and 
my  faith  satisfies  me  that  all  will  come  out  right  at  last. 

These  rascally  steel  pens  make  me  look  on  paper  like  a 
stranger  to  you,  I  fear,  but  they  are  better  than  my  quill  pens, 
for  these,  the  moment  they  are  split,  seem  to  be  negatively 
electrified,  the  points  standing  as  far  from  each  other  as  possi- 
ble, looking  more  like  pitchforks  than  pens. 

Love  to  you  and  ours  in  a  hurry. 
Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


A  Shocking  Death 

Washington,  May  12,  '44. 

I  was  shocked  to  learn  by  your  letter  received  this  morn- 
ing of  the  death  of  your  Uncle  Dominicus.  And  such  a  death, 
too !  From  the  circumstances  which  you  relate,  it  would  seem 
that  he  must  have  committed  the  act  under  some  sudden  im- 
pulse or  at  all  events  did  not  contemplate  it  in  the  morning. 
Immediaftely  after  breakfast  I  went  up  to  your  Uncle  Rich- 
ard's and  communicated  the  sad  news  to  them. 

Tomorrow  is  the  day  when  the  resolution  of  the  Senate 
fixing  the  day  of  adjournment  is  to  be  taken  up  in  the  House. 
I  should  not  be  surprised  if  they  should  extend  the  time  to  the 
10th  of  June  or  possibly  the  17th.  I  suppose  I  shall  be  obliged 
to  remain  until  the  close  of  the  session,  as  there  will  be  some 
very  important  questions  to  be  acted  upon  perhaps  the  very  last 
day  of  the  session.  The  political  skies  remain  somewhat 
clouded. 

I  can  see  little  John  tottling  along  to  his  mother's  knees 
and  jumping  with  delight  to  find  that  he  can  go  alone.  Poor 
Hammy,  tell  him  the  next  time  I  write,  I  will  endeavor  to  write 
better  and  plainer.  Am  sorry  he  was  puzzled  to  find  out  his 
letter. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Attended  Mrs.  Madison's  Party 

Washington,  May  19,  1844. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  regret  to  be  obliged  to  say  that  Mr.  Bulfinch  has  left  us. 
His  pastoral  duties  and  services  as  instructor  of  a  large  school 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  339 

were  too  much  for  his  health  and  the  parish  is  not  able  to  give 
him  an  ample  support  independently  of  the  school  and  he  has 
left. 

Judge  Reddington  and  wife  and  Ann  Longfellow  are  here. 
Mrs.  R.'s  health  has  improved  greatly  since  she  left  home  two 
or  three  weeks  ago.  Ann  is  very  well  apparently,  except  her 
voice  which  is  somewhat  husky  yet.  I  met  them  last  evening 
at  Cousin  John  Hartley's.  Our  day  of  adjournment  is  not  fixed 
yet,  though  I  am  strongly  inclined  to  the  belief  that  we  shall 
ultimately  settle  down  upon  the  17th  of  June. 
Yours  as  Ever, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Washington,  May  23,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

Night  before  last  I  attended  a  select  party  at  Mrs.  Madi- 
son's. Last  night  had  an  invitation  to  Doctor  Sewall's  and  to- 
night to  Mr.  Dummer's.  Didn't  go  to  first  and  can't  to  last,  I 
believe. 

If  you  can't  read  this,  have  patience  and  I'll  read  it  for  you 
in  a  few  weeks. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Polk  Nominated  for  Presidency 

Washington,  May  29,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  but  a  minute  to  write  in.  This  morning,  or  rather 
this  afternoon,  after  8  ineffectual  ballotings,  7  yesterday,  and 
one  today,  James  K.  Polk  of  Tennessee,  was  unanimously  nomi- 
nated for  the  Presidency. 

This  evening,  say  about  1/2  past  6,  Mr.  Wright  was  nomi- 
nated for  the  Vice-Presidency,  and  in  a  minute  or  two  after- 
ward sent  back  to  the  Convention  by  Morse's  telegraph  an  abso- 
lute refusal  to  be  run.  Gov.  Morton,  I  think,  will  now  be  nom- 
inated and  we  shall  have  a  good  ticket. 

Mrs.  Cutts  came  down  today  and  says  Martha  wants  to  go 
on  with  me.  Have  an  invitation  to  dine  with  British  Minister 
on  Saturday.     Shan't  go,  I  think. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


340  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Voted  on  For  Vice-President 

Washington,  May  30,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

To  my  astonishment  I  received  yesterday  in  the  Balti- 
more Convention  the  highest  vote  for  Vice-President  on  the 
first  trial,  but  not  a  majority.  I  had  9  states:  to  wit,  Maine, 
Massachusetts,  Vermont,  Rhode  Island,  New  York,  Indiana, 
Illinois,  Kentucky  and  Missouri,  making  106  votes.  Wood- 
bury had  44 ;  Dallas,  13 ;  Cass,  39 ;  Johnson,  26 ;  Stewart,  23 ; 
Marcy,  5;  self,  106.  On  second  ballot,  Dallas  had  220;  Fair- 
field, 30 ;  Woodbury,  6.  I  am  informed  that  I  should  have  been 
nominated  on  2d  ballot  if  it  had  not  been  thought  that  my 
course  when  Governor  in  the  controversy  between  Maine  and 
Georgia  and  my  views  on  the  treaty  would  operate  against  me 
in  the  South.  With  the  result  I  am  entirely  satisfied.  It  is 
honor  enough  for  me  to  have  been  a  candidate  for  nomination. 

I  am  writing  in  the  Senate  and  am  happy  to  be  able  to  say 
that  the  Senate  have  this  moment  concurred  with  the  House 
in  fixing  the  17th  of  June  as  the  day  for  adjournment. 

This  morning  a  bill  was  sent  to  me  by  Wm.  Fischer  as  fol- 
lows, viz.: 

"Mrs.  Fairfield  to  Wm.  Fischer,  Dr. 

1841,  July  1.     To  curling  fluid  $1.00" 

I  wish  I  had  time  to  crack  some  jokes  upon  this ;  it  affords 
a  fine  subject.  The  mystery  probably  may  be  solved  by  insert- 
ing before  your  name,  Mrs.  Sumner  L. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


No  Desire  to  Be  Vice-President 

Washington,  June  2d,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

Two  weeks  from  tomorrow,  Providence  permitting,  I  trust 
I  shall  be  on  my  way  home. 

I  presume  you  were  as  much  astonished  as  some  other 
folks,  not  omitting  myself,  at  my  being  a  "prominent  candi- 
date for  the  Vice-Presidency"  in  the  Baltimore  Convention. 
What  the  deuce  has  got  into  people!  They  seem  to  be  deter- 
mined to  consider  me  a  very  clever  fellow  to  thrust  honors  upon 
me  "whether  I  will  or  no."     Yesterday  it   was   reported   here 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  341 

that  Dallas  had  declined,  whereupon  not  a  few  here  began  to 
rejoice  and  to  talk  of  my  immediate  nomination  by  a  Congres- 
sional Convention.  The  rumor,  however,  turns  out  to  be  untrue, 
and  I  am  glad  to  it.  I  would  prefer  a  much  humbler  sta- 
tion, one  better  suited  to  my  talents  and  tastes.  "Ain't  I  mod- 
est?" Well,  I  don't  care  whether  I  am  believed  or  not,  I  speak 
the  truth. 

Yesterday  I  met  Mrs.  Cutts  and  Miss  Stross  in  the  street. 
I  could  have  brought  away  a  bushel  of  compliments  if  I  had 
gullibility  enough  to  swallow  them.  Mrs.  C.  complains  dread- 
fully of  poverty  and  wants  me  to  get  some  place  for  Stephen. 
He  has  been  out  of  employment  the  whole  session.  Sam  owns 
a  farm  3  or  10  miles  out  of  the  city  and  lives  on  it.  I  don't  see 
that  she  and  her  husband  can  do  better  than  to  doff  their  gen- 
tility and  go  on  to  the  farm  with  Sam.  Met  Cousin  John  Hart- 
ley also  and  his  wife  yesteiday.  They  are  both  well  and  happy. 
John  has  a  good  salary  and  his  wife  is  an  excellent  manager, 
and  so  they  get  along,  I  should  think,  right  comfortably. 

Heard  Mr.  Buckingham  again  today.  His  sermon  was  as 
long  as  a  turnpike  and  sleepy  as  a  pillow  of  hops.  He  needs  a 
little  more  worldly  wisdom. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Texas  Treaty  Debate  Ended 

Washington,  June  9,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

Last  night  we  had  an  evening  session  for  the  first  time, 
and  terminated  the  debate  on  the  Texas  treaty.  The  vote  was 
15  for  the  ratification  and  35  against  it.  I  was  among  the  nays. 
Col.  Benton  gave  immediate  notice  of  his  intention  to  bring 
in  a  bill  on  Monday  morning,  providing  for  the  annexation  of 
Texas  in  a  way  which  should  not  be  attended  with  war  nor 
violate  our  faith  with  Mexico.  I  can  go  for  such  a  measure  as 
that. 

You  will  perceive  that  the  papers  insist  upon  it  that  I  went 
to  Philadelphia  and  in  the  dead  of  night  and  to  the  alarm 
of  everybody  announced  to  Mi.  Dallas  his  nomination  to  the 
Vice-Presidency,  while  in  fact  1  was  snugly  ensconced  in  my 
bed  at  Washington,  dreaming  Df  far  more  agreeable  matters 


342  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

than  politics,  to  wit,  of  wife  and  children  and  all  the  dear 
delights  of  home.  I  don't  know  how  the  mistake  orginated,  but 
I  have  not  deemed  it  of  sufficient  consequence  to  make  a  public 
correction  of  it.  When  you  wrote  last  you  had  not  heard  of 
my  being  a  candidate  in  the  Baltimore  Convention.  I  can 
assure  you  I  am  much  better  pleased  with  the  result  than  if  I 
had  been  nominated. 

Heard  Mr.  Buckingham  again  today  at  our  church.  Don't 
like  him.  His  sermons  are  unendurably  long.  It  is  bad 
enough  to  sit  and  take  his  cold  water  without  being  obliged  to 
drink  a  hogshead  at  a  time.  This,  I  learn,  is  his  last  Sabbath 
here. 

Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Wouldn't  Travel  on  Sabbath 

Washington,  June  15,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

T  am  pretty  much  over  my  ill  turn.  Hope  to  be  entirely 
well  before  reaching  home.  Martha  Cutts  goes  with  me  to 
Kennebunk.  Cousin  Mary  can't  go  now, — but  says  she  may 
come  along  by  and  by.  Shall  try  to  call  on  Cousins  Hartley 
and  Dummer  before  I  leave. 

Thank  you  for  your  very  judicious  suggestion  against 
travelling  on  the  Sabbath.  It  accords  precisely  with  my  own 
views  and  feelings.     I  had  not  intended  to  start  on  Saturday. 

When  shall  I  start?     That's  the  question.     As  near  as  I 
can  guess  on  Monday  or  Tuesday  morning.     If  the  business 
is  pretty  much  all  done  up  by  tomorrow  night,  leaving  little  or 
nothing  for  Monday,  I  shall  start  on  that  day. 
Yours  E/er, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Senator  Fairfield  Campaigning 

Waterville,  Aug.  14,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  arrived  here  last  night  after  a  very  pleasant  passage. 
My  present  arrangement  is  to  go  to  Boston  tomorrow  afternoon 
by  steamboat,  and  return  home  on  Saturday  by  railroad. 
Should  I  change  my  plans  I  will  endeavor  to  notify  vou  of  it. 

J.  F. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  343 

Norway,  Sept.  3d. 
Dear  Wife, 

My  engagements  remaining  unfulfilled  are  at  Casco  tomor- 
row, Wednesday;  Gray,  Thursday;  Freeport,  Friday,  and  Sac- 
carappa  Saturday  afternoon.  I  wish  Davis  or  somebody  to  be 
at  Donnell's  tavern  in  Scarboro  Saturday  afternoon,  where  I 
shall  endeavor  to  be  by  6  o'clock.  Health  remains  good. 
Glorious  meeting  today.  Only  3,000  of  the  Oxford  bears  pres- 
ent.    Wait  for  the  rest  till  I  see  you. 


Portland,  Sept.  5th. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  write  to  say  that  you  need  not  send  to  Scarboro  for  me 
on  Saturday.  The  Standish  folks  have  persuaded  the  Sacca- 
rappa  folks  to  let  me  go  to  the  former  place  on  Saturday  after- 
noon, Col.  Pool  agreeing  to  see  me  home  Saturday  night. 

I  have  just  arrived  here  from  Gray  where  I  spoke  today. 
Tomorrow  I  go  to  Freeport. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Goes  to  Boston  Physician 

U.  S.  Hotel,  Boston,  Oct.  15,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

Arrived  here  last  evening  about  10,  "safe"  if  not  "sound." 
This  morning  called  on  Dr.  Hewett  and  had  another  examina- 
tion of  my  knee.  He  says  it  is  much  worse  than  it  was  when 
he  examined  it  a  year  and  a  half  ago,  and  does  not  speak  so 
strongly  as  he  did  as  to  an  entire  cure.  The  process  that  he 
deems  the  most  effective  and  most  certain  to  cure  would  require 
months,  say  3  or  4,  of  confinement.  That  is  out  of  the  ques- 
tion with  me  at  this  time,  at  all  events.  The  next  best  course, 
in  his  opinion,  is  to  get  rid  of  the  diflficulty  by  absorption.  This, 
he  says,  may  be  done  externally  and  internally  (How  it  is  to 
be  done  internally  is  beyond  my  comprehension).  And  I  am 
inclined  to  think  he  prefers  this  course  himself.  If  the  cure 
should  not  be  so  radical,  there  will  be  much  less  danger  in  the 
process  than  in  the  other.  Indeed,  in  this  I  presume  there  can 
be  none. 


344  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

He  says  he  must  have  me  with  him  a  fortnight,  at  least, 
and  I  have  concluded  to  stop  and  let  him  go  to  work.  He  com- 
menced operations  this  forenoon,  occupying  less  than  an  hour. 
Beginning  with  a  hot  bath  of  a  very  strong  decoction  of  some 
very  strong  articles  and  following  it  with  friction  or  a  sort  of 
animal  magnetism  manipulations  and  bathing  with  what  smelt 
like  alcohol  or  ether.  On  leaving  he  gave  me  two  bottles  from 
each  of  which  I  am  to  bathe  and  rub  three  times  a  day,  the  two 
kinds  not  interfering  with  each  other,  making,  as  you  per- 
ceive, six  times  a  day. 

His  house  was  full  and  consequently  he  could  not  take  me 
in.  I  am  at  the  U.  S.  Hotel  now,  but  think  I  shall  look  out  for  a 
private  boarding  house  tomorrow. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


"Husking  Night" 

Boston,  Oct.  17,  1844. 
Dear  Wife, 

After  wearisome  travellings  and  various  discussions  with 
landlords  and  landladies,  at  last  here  I  am  set  down  at  "No.  24 
Franklin  Place"  where  Mr.  Calef  and  Hannah  boarded.  Hewett 
and  his  operations  are  going  on  as  usual.  Every  forenoon  I  go 
to  his  house,  where  my  knee  goes  through  the  hot  bath  and 
then  the  process  of  friction  by  Hewett.  After  which  4  times  a 
day  thus  far  (ought  to  be  6)  I  bathe  and  rub  myself.  Can't 
say  that  I  feel  any  great  improvement  yet,  but  have  confidence 
that  the  improvement  will  come.  I  talked  with  Hewett  today 
about  Augusta.  He  says  send  her  along  and  I'll  cure  her. 
When  I  return  we  will  talk  about  it. 

This  is  husking  night!  isn't  it?     Oh,  what  a  grand  time 
you  are  to  have — success  to  ye — "Away  with  melancholy"  and 
let  all  hearts  be  tuned  to  happiness  and  husks. 
Yours  as  Ever, 

J.  FAIRFIELD 


Visit  From  Bancroft 

Boston,  Oct.  21,  1844. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  was  very  agreeably  surprised  today  on  going  down  to 
dinner  to  meet  Mary  Calef  on  the  stairs.     Mr.  Calef  I  have  not 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  345 

seen  yet.  Mary  sails  tomorrow  in  the  ship  Milton  for  Mobile. 
She  seems  to  be  pleased  with  the  idea  of  going,  and  I  hope  it 
will  prove  a  happy  expedient  for  restoring  her  to  health. 

Am  sorry  to  say  that  I  can  feel  and  see  no  improvement 
as  yet.  Indeed,  I  have  slept  but  little  for  the  last  three  nights, 
such  has  been  the  pain  in  my  knee  and  shin. 

Yesterday  I  went  to  hear  Mr.  Gannett,  but  found  Mr. 
Morrison  of  New  Bedford.  He  gave  us,  however,  a  very  good 
sermon  for  a  metaphysical  one.  In  the  afternoon  Gannett  him- 
self preached.  He  is  lame  and  awkward  in  appearance  but 
gave  us  such  a  sermon,  practical  though  it  was,  as  no  one  but 
a  man  of  genius  and  fervent  piety  could  give. 

In  the  evening,  Gough  Green,  the  reformed  gambler,  held 
forth  at  the  Odeon, — but  I  did  not  attend.  Indeed,  ever  since 
I  have  been  here  there  have  been  a  variety  of  entertainments, 
intellectual  and  otherwise,  going  on  in  the  evenings,  but  I  have 
eschewed  them  all.  I  find  it  difficult  enough  to  get  about  by 
day  with  my  game  leg,  without  risking  the  perils  of  the  night. 

Saturday  night  I  had  a  long  and  interesting  visit  from 
Mr.  Bancroft.  I  admire  him,  his  greatness  is  so  tempered  by 
simplicity.  I  like  him  again  because  our  thoughts  are  so  much 
alike  on  political  subjects  and  our  views  of  political  men. 

J.  F. 


Excitement  Among  Millerites 

Boston,  Oct.  24,  '44. 
Dear  Wife, 

For  the  last  two  days  I  have  had  strong  hopes  of  improve- 
ment. The  knee  is  not  so  stiff  or  so  weak  as  it  was  last  week. 
This  morning,  however,  I  have  those  nervous  pains  in  my  shin 
and  foot  which  have  so  long  troubled  me. 

Mary  Calef  is  still  here,  the  vessel  not  having  sailed  for 
want  of  a  wind.  Lewella  Bell  is  also  here,  and  we  are  having 
fine  times,  I  assure  you.  Mary's  health  is  pretty  good,  and 
she  appears  to  be  in  fine  spirits.  Lewella  is  the  picture  of 
health  and  beauty  and  charms  us  with  her  music  and  pleas- 
antry. She  well  remembers  and  speaks  of  George  and  Walter 
and  the  sport  they  used  to  have  in  the  old  Tapley  house.  She 
and  Mary  accompany  each  other  to  Mobile.  The  ship  in  which 
they  go  (the  Milton)  is  a  large,  noble  looking  ship,  nearly  new, 
and  having  very  fine  accommodations.     I  wish  you  would  let 


346  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

them  know  into  Mr.  Calef  s  that  the  ship  has  not  sailed  and 
why.     I  told  Mary  I  would  write  today  for  that  purpose. 

Since  I  have  been  here  there  has  been  a  good  deal  of  ex- 
citement among  the  Millerites.  The  great  day,  however,  is  past 
and  it  is  said  that  Himes,  the  principal,  has  gone  to  Europe 
with  a  large  amount  of  money.  There  may  be  something 
in  it,  but  exaggeration  is  to  be  expected  now  when  so  many  are 
suffering  the  mortification  of  their  delusion. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Returned  to  Washington 

Washington,  Nov.  29. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  hail  once  more  from  the  great  City,  having  arrived  here 
last  night  at  about  1/2  past  7.  Came  directly  to  Mrs.  Scott's, 
where  I  found  only  my  old  friend,  Mr.  King,  I  have  taken  my 
old  room  and  shall  probably  keep  it,  especially  as  Mrs.  Scott 
has  been  sprucing  it  up  a  little.  Mr.  Wright,  I  learn,  very 
much  to  my  regret,  is  not  coming  on.  On  looking  for  my  letters 
for  delivery  I  find  some  of  them  missing.  I  have  the  package 
that  Edward  Hartley  brought  down  for  his  Father,  a  letter  to 
Mary  Cleaves  and  one  to  Mrs.  Ela.  These  are  all  I  find  in  the 
trunk  or  in  pockets.  Now  where  are  the  rest?  I  guess  they 
must  be  in  my  wrapper  pocket  hanging  in  the  entry.  Do  look 
and  see  and  if  they  are  there  send  them  on  as  soon  as  possible. 

Did  I  not  also  leave  on  the  parlor  table  letters  for  Reuel 
Williams  and  some  others?  If  so,  I  wish  them  put  into  the 
post-office.     What  a  confounded  careless  fellow  I  am. 

Yours  as  ever, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Mrs.  Madison  Grows  Younger  and  Handsomer 

Washington,  Dec.  22d,  1844. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  an  invitation  from  Cousin  Mary  to  dine  with  heir 
today,  when  I  am  to  meet  Mrs.  Madison,  I  believe.  After  my  re- 
turn, if  I  have  time,  I  will  give  you  some  account  of  it.  We 
dine  at  2.  Uncle  Richard  bought  a  great  turkey  and  other 
things  last  week  to  give  Mrs.  Madison  and  me  a  dinner,  but 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  347 

in  the  night  some  one  carried  them  all  off.  They  were 
placed  in  a  refrigerator  standing  in  the  back  yard.  Very  cool, 
wasn't  it? 


5  O'clock.  Just  returned.  At  dinner  met  Mrs.  Madison, 
Anna  Paine,  Madison  Cutis  and  wife  and  a  Mr.  Hayes,  member 
of  Congress  from  Pennsylvania.  Had  an  excellent  dinner  and 
very  pleasant  time.  Bill  of  fare,  roast  turkey,  boiled  chickens, 
boiled  ham,  stewed  oysters,  venison  steak,  etc.  Mrs.  M.  is  a 
pretty  good  trencher  man,  I  can  assure  you.  I  thought  she 
ate  enormously.  She  appeared,  though,  younger  and  handsomer 
than  I  ever  saw  her  before  and  was  in  fine  spirits.  Anna  Paine 
is  all  life  and  animation,  full  of  fun  and  up  to  all  sorts  of  jokes. 

Love  to  our  dear  little  chips. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


George  at  Bowdoin 

Washington,  Dec.  23d,  1844. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  enclose  George's  term  bill,  the  amount  of  which  you  can 
furnish  him  when  he  leaves  for  Brunswick.  I  like  the  account, 
etc.,  at  the  bottom  with  the  exception  of  the  "2  mornings  ab- 
sent without  excuse."  Let  George  make  his  excuse  to  you  if  he 
can. 

24th.  I  have  just  received  an  invitation  to  dinner  next 
Saturday,  6  o'clock,  from  Mr.  Packenham,  the  British  minister. 
Believe  I  shall  accept  it,  though  I  had  rather  stay  at  home  by  a 
great  deal. 

Now  don't  laugh.  There  is  nothing  like  the  hair  mittens. 
I  get  up  pretty  early,  and  after  rubbing  or  washing  with  a  wet 
towel  and  wiping  dry,  I  spend  from  I/4  to  1/2  an  hour  with  the 
mitten.  I  "fancy"  it  has  improved  me  much  generally  and  par- 
ticularly. Your  steam  engine  lays  snugly  stowed  away  in  the 
trunk.  Its  proximity  has  done  some  good,  perhaps,  without 
other  use  of  it. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


348  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Dinner  at  British  Minister's 

Washington,  Dec.  29,  1844. 
Dear  Sarah : 

Tired  of  waiting  for  your  letter,  I  have  concluded  to  send 
you  mine,  hoping  that  you  may  thereby  be  waked  up  to  a  little 
effort  for  my  gratification.  I  ought,  however,  to  submit  with 
tolerable  patience  to  this  absence  of  letters  from  you,  inasmuch 
as  I  have  you  in  propria  persona  before  me  every  day  at  the 
breakfast,  dinner  and  tea-table,  grown  up  to  twenty-one.  "Why, 
Father,  how  you  talk!"  Wait  a  moment  and  let  me  explain. 
Opposite  to  me  at  the  table  every  day  sits  Miss  Lucalia  Niles, 
niece  of  Judge  Niles,  between  whom  and  you  there  is  a  very 
striking  likeness.  The  shape  of  the  head,  color  of  hair  and 
features  of  the  face,  are  alike.  The  differences  are  that  you 
have  rather  the  blackest  eye  and  she  has  the  softest  complex- 
ion. If  I  add  to  this,  my  opinion,  that  she  is  quite  handsome, 
I  suppose  you  will  not  be  disposed  to  find  fault  with  my  apti- 
tude at  discovering  resemblances. 

Yesterday,  agreeably  to  invitation,  I  went  to  dine  with 
Mr.  Packinham,  the  British  minister.  He  is  an  old  bachelor, 
say  about  55  years  old,  and  lives  in  the  house  owned  and  for- 
merly occupied  by  Danl.  Webster.  The  hour  of  dining  was  six. 
The  door  was  opened  by  a  servant  dressed  in  uniform — say 
blue  coat,  faced  with  white,  very  similar  to  the  uniform  coats 
of  our  militia  captains,  white  small  clothes,  white  silk  stock- 
ings and  shoes.  Another  in  the  same  uniform  took  my  cloak 
and  hat  and  a  third,  I  believe,  opened  the  parlor  door  and  an- 
nounced me  by  name,  having  first  inquired  what  it  was. 

After  exchanging  salutations,  I  looked  about  and  found 
the  company  to  consist  of  the  following  persons:  Seven  Sena- 
tors, Col.  Benton,  Gov.  Woodbury,  Mr.  Allen,  Mr.  Haywood, 
Mr.  Sturgeon,  Mr.  Semple  and  himself.  Also,  Mr.  Ellsworth, 
commissioner  of  patents,  Mr.  Dickens,  secretary  of  the  Senate, 
Mr.  Morse,  the  inventor  of  the  famous  electric  telegraph,  Mr. 
Greenhow,  the  author,  Lieut.  Fremont,  who  has  several  times 
crossed  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  published  accounts  thereof, 
and  one  young  gentleman  whose  name  I  did  not  learn. 

The  table  was  covered  with  a  rich,  massive  service  of  pure 
silver,  consisting  of  a  large  and  elegant  candelabra  in  the  cen- 
ter and  two  smaller  ones  at  either  end  of  the  table,  large  and 
elegant  dishes  holding  oyster  pies  and  things  of  that  descrip- 
tion.    Our  knives  and  forks  were  also  of  solid  silver.    The  first 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  349 

course  was  soup;  2d,  fish,  bass;  3d,  "sweetbread"  with  tomato 
sauce;  4th,  chicken  curiously  cooked;  5th,  je  ne  sais  quoi;  6th, 
canvas  back  ducks;  7th,  boiled  ham;  8th,  oyster  pie;  9th,  sad- 
dle of  mutton.  All  intermixed  with  jelled  jams,  sauces,  etc., 
etc.,  and  followed  by  ice  creams,  cakes,  grapes,  knick-knacks, 
etc.,  etc.  I  have  not  enumerated  probably  much  more  than 
half,  and  don't  suppose  I  have  them  arranged  in  exact  order, 
but  it  is  as  near  as  I  can  recollect. 

As  a  matter  of  curiosity  I  ate  a  little  from  almost  every 
dish  and  in  consequence  thereof  had  rather  a  sleepless  night. 
Today,  however,  I  found  I  could  eat  my  allowance  at  dinner  as 
well  as  others.  We  sat  at  table  about  two  hours,  a  light,  pleas- 
ant conversation  going  on  the  while.  After  leaving  the  table 
and  retiring  to  the  parlor  again  strong  coffee  was  brought  in. 
Soon  after  which  we  "old  uns"  made  our  bow  and  got  home 
about  9  o'clock.  How  long  the  others  staid,  can't  say.  There, 
what  do  you  think  fo  such  a  dinner  as  that?  How  would  you 
and  George  like  to  show  your  skill  in  despatching  it? 

There  was  one  thing  about  it,  which  I  had  forgotten,  and 
which  I  particularly  liked,  to  wit,  there  were  no  black  odor- 
iferous niggers  about. 

I  think,  however,  this  will  be  the  last  dinner  party  I  shall 
attend  this  session.  They  wiU  do  for  some  folks  better  than 
they  will  for  me. 

Your  Affectionate  Father, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Early  in  the  year  of  1845  Senator  Fairfield  was  re-elected 
to  the  U.  S.  Senajte  and  with  an  unanimity  thait  surprised 
and  gratified  him.  During  the  forming  of  the  new  Cabi- 
net that  year  there  was  much  talk  of  making  Mr.  Fairfield  Sec- 
retary of  the  Navy.  He  admits  in  the  following  letters  to  his 
wife  that  it  is  a  position  which  he  would  like,  as  much,  perhaps, 
because  of  the  benefit  the  increased  salary  would  be  to  his 
growing  family,  for  whom  he  felt  he  ought  to  be  making  surer 
future  provision,  as  for  the  honor  and  his  liking  for  the  task 
itself.  That  position  would  give  him  $6,000  a  year  and  he  felt 
that  he  could  make  good  use  of  it. 

His  rival  was  George  Bancroft,  the  historian,  for  whom  he 
has  already  expressed  a  liking  in  former  letters.  Mr.  Bancroft 
had  repeatedly  declared  that  he  was  more  than  ready  to  give 
his  chance  to  Fairfield.  This  is  plainly  stated  in  a  letter  to  Mr. 
Fairfield,  in  which  he  said: 

"Some  persons  are  suggesting  my  name  for  consideration 
in  making  up  the  Cabinet.  This  is  done  by  some  personal 
friends  with  the  kindest  motives;  by  some  with  a  view  to 
counteract  your  wishes ;  by  some  for  ulterior  purposes.  I  can- 
not directly  take  notice  of  this  myself  in  the  present  aspect  of 
things ;  but  I  have  written  to  several  whose  friendship  I  cherish 
and  avowed  to  them  my  views  with  the  same  frankness  with 
which  I  opened  myself  to  you.  I  am  convinced  that  a  position 
like  that  at  Berlin  would  be  considered  as  better  suited  to  my 
purposes  of  life  than  a  seat  in  the  cabinet;  and  I  write  this 
letter,  of  which  you  will  make  none  but  a  discreet  use,  that  you 
may  be  able,  if  opportunity  offers,  to  interpret  my  feelings 
without  fear  of  mistake. 

"With  regard  to  yourself,  the  opposition  to  you  in  Maine  is 
comparatively  feeble ;  I  advise  you  through  your  friends  to  urge 
on  the  period  of  your  re-election.  That  should  be  done  at  once 
at  the  meeting  of  your  Legislature,  and  then  you  may  safely 
leave  affairs  to  their  natural  development. 


352  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

"Mr.  Henshaw's  friends  speak  of  him  with  some  hope  that 
he  may  one  day  resume  the  Navy  Department,  and  as  that 
could  not  be  accomplished  immediately,  it  is  possible  that  some 
might  wish  to  see  the  post  filled  temporarily.  You  do  not  need 
any  assurance  from  me  that  I  shall  lend  myself  to  no  such  pur- 
pose. 

"Thanks  for  your  maps  and  the  pamphlet.  Very  valua- 
ble they  are,  to  me.  The  Whigs  are  dreadfully  savage,  worse 
than  I  ever  knew  them.     Write  to  me." 

The  letter  marked  "very  private,"  is  dated  Boston,  Dec.  26, 
1844,  and  bears  this  signature: 

Senator  Fairfield  did  leave  things  to  their  natural  develop- 
ment. He  was  a  man  who  never  pushed  his  candidacy  or 
worked  for  office.  Notwithstanding  Mr.  Bancroft's  protesta- 
tions that  he  did  not  want  the  office,  it  was  given  to  him  and  he 
accepted  it.  In  doing  this,  Senator  Fairfield,  always  fair  and 
generous-minded,  always  maintained  there  was  no  hypocrisy  in 
his  attitude  at  the  time  he  wrote  the  letter  and  he  never  laid  it 
up  against  Bancroft  for  changing  his  mind.  It  was  believed  that 
Senator  Fairfield  was  secretly  disappointed  that  the  secretary- 
ship was  given  to  another,  but  if  so  he  covered  his  disappoint- 
ment well,  consoling  himself  with  the  thought  that  he  could 
the  sooner  get  home  to  his  loved  ones  and  that  he  still  held  a 
good  office. 

The  disappointment  of  his  friends,  as  usual  in  the  case  of 
his  defeats,  outweighed  his  own.    The  incident  only  increased 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  353 

his  popularity  and  there  were  prophecies  of  his  future  Presi- 
dency. What  the  future  would  actually  have  brought  him  we 
can  never  know,  for  his  career  was  cut  off  in  its  prime.  The 
letters  continue: 


Aspires  to  Seat  in  Cabinet 

Washington,  Jan.  3,  1845. 
Dear  Wife. 

Your  last  letter,  dated  the  28th,  was  quite  philosophical 
And  I  must  confess  it  requires  some  philosophy  to  live  as  you 
do,  with  all  the  family  cares  thrown  upon  you,  having  not  only 
no  help  from,  but  not  even  the  countenance  of,  your  husband. 
But  these  are  evils.  Dear  Wife,  that  are  unavoidable  for  the 
present.    We  must  hope  for  better  things  by  and  by. 

The  honors  of  public  office,  I  don't  care  a  rush  about.  My 
object  now  is  to  scrape  a  little  something  together  for  the  ben- 
efit of  those  whom  I  love  beyond  all  the  world  beside.  How  I 
shall  succeed,  time  only  can  show.  A  seat  in  the  Cabinet  with 
$6000  a  year,  if  I  have  my  health,  would  probably  aid  me  in 
cariying  my  projects  into  effect,  better  than  almost  anything 
else  that  could  be  given  me.  About  that,  however,  I  shall  not 
be  sanguine.  And  if  I  can  get  my  re-election  to  the  Senate,  I 
shall  not  have  any  great  degree  of  solicitude  about  the  other. 

By  night  the  swelling  in  my  foot  and  ankle  subsides,  so 
that  I  can  wear  my  boots,  both  boots.  During  the  day,  how- 
ever, it  (the  ankle,  not  the  boot)  swells  up  again.  No  inflam- 
mation or  soreness. 

Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

I  have  a  ten  dollar  bill  of  Saco  money  that  I  can  send  you 
when  you  want  it. 


Sees  Mrs.  Alexander  Hamilton 

Washington,  Jan.  10,  1845. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  attended  a  large  party  at  Blair's  on  night  of  8th  January, 
the  only  one  I  intended  to  attend  for  the  session.  It  was  a 
splendid  affair.  Got  home  at  12  and  then  sat  up  till  one,  read- 
ing letters.  Yesterday  the  widow  of  Alexander  Hamilton,  near 
90  years  old,  I  believe,  was  in  the  gallary  of  the  Senate.  She 
looked  like  one  of  our  plain  old-fashioned  ladies,  cap  and  all. 
She  appeared  to  take  a  deep  interest  in  the  debate,  and  is,  I  am 
told,  a  very  intelligent  and  interesting  lady. 

It  is  rumored  today  that  Clingman  of  North  Carolina  and 
Yancey  of  Alabama  have  gone  somewhere  out  of  the  city  or 


356  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

rather  out  of  the  district  to  prepare  for  a  duel.  I  fear  there 
may  be  some  truth  in  the  rumor.  Clingman  is  a  bitter  Whig 
and  a  few  days  ago  made  a  bitter  and  abusive  speech.  Yancey 
replied  and  made,  it  is  said,  one  of  the  most  eloquent  speeches 
ever  made  in  that  Hall.  He  was  very  severe  and  sarcastic 
upon  Clingman  who,  it  is  said,  means  to  seek  his  remedy  by 
challenging  Y.  to  fight  him. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Consults  Dr.  Harris 

Washington,  Jan.  12,  '45. 
Dear  Wife, 

Judge  Mason,  Secretary  of  Navy,  has  been  urging  me  for 
some  time  to  permit  him  to  introduce  me  to  Doc.  Harris,  Chief 
of  the  Bureau  of  Medicine,  etc.,  a  branch  of  the  Navy  Depart- 
ment, for  the  purpose  of  procuring  his  opinion  and  advice  upon 
my  knee.  He  thinks  Harris  has  not  his  superior  in  the  United 
States,  so  yesterday  I  went  with  him.  After  examination,  the 
Doctor  said  that  the  collection  about  the  knee  was  water,  and 
that  he  could  cure  it,  making  the  joint  as  good  as  it  ever  was, 
whenever  I  would  consent  to  lay  by  two  months. 

He  said  it  would  never  do  to  use  caustics  and  make  a  sore 
— that  it  would  be  attended  with  great  danger.  That  a  mere 
puncture  was  sufficient  through  which  to  draw  off  the  water, 
and  that  then  the  air  must  be  entirely  excluded  from  it.  That 
it  must  be  kept  tightly  bound  up  and  the  leg  not  used  for  about 
two  months.  He  thinks  I  might  be  a  good  deal  benefited  by  a 
laced  stocking  which  I  can  get  made  in  Philadelphia,  in  which 
the  whole  leg  is  kept  tightly  bound.  Capt.  Tallcott  of  the 
Army,  he  says,  had  just  such  a  knee^  and  has  been  entirely 
cured  by  him.  All  this  is  encouraging,  and  when  I  can  get  2 
months  leisure  I  think  the  experiment  will  be  tried.  I  keep  up 
the  use  of  the  hair  mitten  yet,  and  find  it  useful,  so  far  as  re- 
gards my  general  health  and  by  consequence,  probably,  the  par- 
ticular difficulty. 

Nothing  particularly  new  here,  except  the  rumor  that  a 
duel  is  in  process  of  being  got  up  between  Clingman  of  North 
Carolina  and  Yancey  of  Alabama.  They  are  both  in  Maryland 
carrying  on  a  correspondence  preparatory  to  a  duel. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  357 

I  hope  they  will  both  be  arrested  and  they  probably  will  be 
before  anything  serious  occurs. 

In  bonds  of  love  and  matrimony 
Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Yancey-Clingman  Duel 

Washingrton,  Jan.  15,  1845. 
Dear  Wife, 

Accorciing  to  my  letters  today  (Wednesday)  is  the  day 
fixed  for  an  election  of  U.  S.  Senator  in  Maine  Legislature. 
So  before  this  time  the  deed  is  done  and  I  am  re-elected,  or  I  am 
not.  My  anxieties  upon  the  subject  are  not  very  great.  That 
may,  however,  be  owing,  in  part,  to  the  pretty  strong  probabil- 
ities that  I  have  a  very  considerable  majority  of  the  Democrats 
in  my  favor.  As,  however,  "there  is  many  a  slip  between  the 
cup  and  the  lip"  I  will  endeavor  to  be  tolerably  modest. 

Yancey  and  Clingman  exchanged  shots  and  "nobody  was 
kilt."     The  tragedy  was  turned  into  a  farce. 

Just  had  a  call  from  Mr.  Dummer,  Almira  in  the  mean- 
while taking  a  ride.  I  see  nobody  who  seems  to  be  more  in- 
terested in  my  re-election  and  appointment  to  the  Cabinet  than 
they  are. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Re-elected  to  U.  S.  Senate 

Washington.  Jan.  19,  '45. 
Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  I  received  news  of  my  re-election  to  the  Senate, 
and  with  a  degree  of  unanimity  that  I  had  not  been  anticipat- 
ing. If  anybody  has  reason  to  be  grateful,  am  I  not  the  one? 
Now,  I  feel  but  little  solicitude  about  being  invited  to  a  seat  in 
the  new  cabinet.  With  the  latter  place,  to  be  sure,  I  could 
make  most  money,  but  then  it  has  some  offsets.  My  condition 
upon  the  whole,  is  rather  comfortable,  that  is,  an  alternative 
between  two  good  offices.  Nothing  has  transpired  to  change 
the  aspect  of  the  case  so  far  as  regards  the  Secretaryship,  since 


358  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

I  wrote  last.  Mr.  Polk  will  not  be  here  until  about  the  20th  of 
February  and  I  doubt  if  there  be  any  amiouncement  of  ap- 
pointments until  after  that  time. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Annexation  of  Texas 

Washington,  Jan.  26,  1845. — The  resolutions  for  the  an- 
nexation of  Texas  passed  the  House  yesterday  by  a  vote  of  119 
to  98.  I  do  not  exactly  like  the  resolutions,  inasmuch  as  they 
have  nearly  the  whole  territory  a  slave  territory.  Think  we 
shall  amend  them  in  the  Senate.  Our  Legislature,  I  perceive, 
are  discussing  the  question  of  instructions  to  the  Maine  dele- 
gation in  Congress.  It  will  be  queer  if  the  whole  thing  is  set- 
tled here  before  they  come  to  any  conclusion  among  them- 
selves. , 


Washington,  Jan.  30,  1845. — Dating  my  letter  reminds  me 
that  this  day  I  am  48  years  old — "Tempus  fugit" — and  we  fly 
with  it. 

Happy  should  we  be  if  we  could  always  truly  say  that  the 
years  marked  our  progress  in  wisdom  and  virtue  as  weU  as 
our  progress  towards  the  grave.     But  most  of  us  live  on  to 

"Resolve,  and  re-resolve  and  die  the  same." 

Dined  once  with  the  British  minister  and  attended  one 
party  at  Blair's.  This  is  about  the  extent  of  my  participation 
in  high  life. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Texas,  Callers,  Hopes  and  Fears 

Washington,  Feb.  2,  1845. 
Dear  Wife, 

Talking  as  I  do  about  the  anticipated  appointment,  "should 
I  not  be  dreadfully  disappointed  and  mortified  if  I  failed  to  re- 
ceive it?"     No,  by  no  means,  my  dear  child. 

The  truth  is  I  think  it  is  very  doubtful  what  the  President 
will  do  in  this  respect,  and  in  the  next  place  I  don't  care  much 
what  he  does.     If  the  appointment  possesses  many  advantages, 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  359 

it  has  also  its  offsets.     To  you,  however,  I  need  not  enumerate 
them,  they  will  occur  to  your  mind  as  readily  as  to  my  own. 

Nevertheless  the  balance  is  probably  in  favor  of  the  ap- 
pointment, so  if  it  comes  I  will  take  it  thankfully.  If  it  do  not, 
I  will  submit  without  murmuring  or  repining,  and  believe  that 
all  is  for  the  best. 

On  Sunday  we  dine  at  2  o'clock  and  immediately  after,  I 
commenced  writing  the  above,  intending  to  write  at  some 
length  and  afterward  to  go  up  to  Mr.  Ela's  and  take  tea.  But 
when  I  had  gotten  thus  far  Gen.  Dix,  senator  from  New  York, 
and  Judge  Niles,  came  into  my  room  and  have  been  here  talk- 
ing, talking  and  talking  until  it  is  now  near  tea  time.  Judge 
N.  is  the  most  inveterate  talker  I  ever  knew.  Stand  a  barrel 
of  water  on  its  head,  pull  out  a  small  spile  near  the  bottom,  and 
the  running  stream  will  give  you  some  idea  of  his  stream  of 
conversation.  Genl.  Dix,  the  successor  of  Mr.  Wright,  I  like 
very  much.  Modest  and  unassuming,  but  a  man  of  superior 
talents.  The  Legislature  of  Maine,  it  seems,  has  postponed  in- 
definitely the  resolutions  introduced  there  to  instruct  its  Sen- 
ators how  to  vote  upon  the  question  of  annexation  of  Texas. 
As  they  have  left  it  entirely  to  my  discretion,  I  am  the  more 
anxious  to  do  what  I  believe  they  would  have  me  do.  My  im- 
pression is  that  Texas  will  be  admitted  in  some  shape  or  other, 
and  probably  with  my  vote.  Gen.  Dix  has  just  come  to  Judge 
Niles  and  me  from  Col.  Benton  to  tell  us  confidentially  that  he 
intends  tomorrow  to  introduce  a  new  scheme  and  make  a  speech 
upon  it — a  scheme  that  all  of  us  can  go  for.  And  we  learn, 
moreover,  that  it  will  have  the  approbation  of  Gen.  Jackson, 
which  will  be  a  great  point  gained. 

Ever  Yoursi, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Meets  President-Elect  Polk 

Washington,  Feb.  14,  1845. 
Dear  Wife, 

The  President  arrived  here  last  night.  This  morning  Judge 
Niles  and  I  called  upon  him.  Found  him  just  what  he  used 
to  be,  plain,  frank,  honest  and  agreeable.  Did  not  see  Mrs. 
Polk.  She  is  a  good  deal  used  up  by  her  journey.  Nothing 
new  as  to  Cabinet.  A  few  days  must  give  us  some  important 
developments.  Yours  ever, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


360  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Doubts  About  Cabinet 

Washington,  Feb.  16,  1845. 
Dear  Wife, 

A  friend  has  just  been  in  to  give  me  his  opinion  that  I  am 
not  to  be  selected  for  one  of  the  Cabinet.  His  reasons  are 
these,  Parmenter  of  Massachusetts  received  a  letter  a  few  days 
since  from  Mr.  Bancroft,  in  which  he  positively  said  that  he 
should  not  be  in  Washington  until  after  the  inauguration  of 
President.  Last  night,  however,  he  arrived,  and  Hallett  of 
Boston  and  Parmenter  intimate  that  they  have  good  reason  to 
believe  that  he  has  been  invited  to  go  into  the  cabinet,  and  has 
come  on  by  invitation  of  the  President  for  that  purpose. 

Now  all  this  may  be  so,  but  I  shall  not  give  credence  to 
it  without  the  strongest  proof.  Bancroft,  you  know,  has  all 
along  been  corresponding  confidentially  with  me,  and  has  pro- 
fessed to  be  warmly  in  favor  of  my  going  into  the  cabinet,  he 
not  wishing  the  place  himself,  but  having  his  eye  on  another 
thing.  My  friend  thinks  this  is  all  gammon  and  that  Ban- 
croft has  been  playing  double  with  me.  I  don't  believe  it.  I 
have  more  faith  in  man.  I  have  full  confidence  that  in  his  let- 
ters to  me  he  has  been  perfectly  sincere  and  honest,  and  that 
time  will  demonstrate  it.  Tomorrow  probably  he  will  call  on 
me,  when  I  can  guess  the  true  state  of  the  case  if  it  is  not  com- 
municated to  me. 

The  interest  taken  in  this  matter  by  everybody  as  the  time 
approaches  for  action,  is  very  deep.     Shall  be  glad  when  it  is 
all  over.     I  can  derive  some  consolation  from  my  failure  should 
I  fail,  inasmuch  as  I  shall  sooner  be  at  home. 
Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Meets  Bancroft  at  Mrs.  Polk's 

Washington,  Feb.  18,  1845. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  told  you  that  Bancroft  arrived  Saturday  night.  Monday 
forenoon  he  called  to  see  me  and  left  his  card,  but  while  he  was 
doing  that  I  was  calling  upon  him  and  leaving  my  card.  Last 
night  I  called  up  again  at  Colman's  where  he  stops  and  where 
the  President  also  has  quarters,  and  finding  him  (B.)  out  again, 
I  improved  the  occasion  to  call  on  Mrs.  Polk  whom  I  had  not 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  361 

seen.  While  spending  a  very  agreeable  half  hour  with  her, 
Bancroft  came  in.  He  was  very  cordial,  and  notwithstanding 
what  has  been  insinuated,  I  believe  perfectly  sincere.  I,  of 
course,  invited  him  to  call  upon  me,  and  expected  he  would 
today,  but  he  has  not. 

Judge  Niles  saw  him  yesterday  and  from  the  conversation 
the  Judge  gathered  that  he  had  been  urged  by  certain  persons 
(my  opponents  in  Maine,  I  presume)  to  become  a  candidate 
for  a  place  in  the  Cabinet.  That,  he  was  half  inclined  to,  but 
was  unwilling  to  thwart  or  interfere  with  my  wishes.  In  this 
state  of  the  case,  I  think  the  appointment  lies  between  us.  I 
hope  to  see  him  tonight,  and  bring  him  to  an  explanation.  The 
President,  it  is  thought,  will  announce  his  selection  in  two  or 
three  days. 

There  is  hardly  anything  else  talked  of,  and  a  deep  interest 
is  manifested,  for  on  this  the  character  and  complexion  of  his 
administration  is  supposed  to  depend.  Rumor  is  constantly 
making  up  tickets  or  lists  of  the  Cabinet  on  half  of  which,  per- 
haps, my  name  may  be  found. 

Have  an  invitation  tomorrow  night  to  Mrs.  Tyler's  ball, 
but  I  won't  go.  Yesterday  he  sent  in  another  nomination  for  a 
Collector  in  Maine !  For  one  who  will  act  so  outrageously  I  can 
have  no  respect  and  can't  conscientiously  attend  his  balls  or 
parties.  For  Thursday  night  have  an  invitation  to  Doctor 
Sewell's  and  another  to  Mrs.  Ela's.  Think  I  shall  accept  the 
latter,  if  any.     Love  to  all. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Much  Doubt  on  Cabinet 

Washington,  Feb.  20,  '45. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  have  seen  Mr.  Bancroft  and  am  satisfied  that  he  has 
changed  his  views  and  is  now  desirous  of  going  into  the  Cabinet 
himself.  I  cannot  and  will  not  think  he  was  insincere  when  he 
wrote  me  heretofore.  His  ambition  is  too  strong  to  keep  it  in 
subjection  to  his  former  disposition  to  oblige  me.  What  is  to 
be  the  result  of  all  this  I  cannot  guess.  The  President  still 
maintains  his  imperturbable  silence.  Everybody  guesses  his  in- 
tentions but  no  one  knows  them.  I  shall  be  as  well  prepared  now 


362  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

to  hear  of  the  appomtment  of  another  as  of  my  own,  and  in 
that  case  I  shall  the  sooner  be  with  my  loved  ones.     I  am  pre- 
pared for  anything.     Is  not  my  condition  a  happy  one  ? 
Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Texas  Annexation    Bill    Passes    Senate 

Washington,  Feb.  28. 
Dear  Wife, 

The  bill  providing  for  the  annexation  of  Texas  passed  last 
night  by  a  vote  of  27  to  25.  All  the  Democrats  and  3  Whigs 
composed  the  majority. 

It  creates  a  time  of  general  rejoicing  here.  During  the 
voting,  the  Senate  was  thronged  and  the  most  intense  interest 
prevailed.  Nothing  yet  known  about  the  Cabinet,  but  I  fear 
Maine  will  have  no  lot  or  part  in  the  matter,  so  expect  me  home 
along  by  and  by. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Gives  Up  Cabinet  Hopes 

March  2,  1845. — Time  only  for  a  word.  The  letters  throng 
in  upon  me  so  that  weeks  will  be  required  to  answer  them.  We 
are  also  up  to  our  chins  in  business  in  the  Senate.  The  session 
continued  last  night  (Saturday)  until  12  o'clock.  Tomorrow  is 
the  last  day  of  the  session  and  the  last  of  the  Tyler  dynasty, 
at  which  I  rejoice.  I  am  satisfied  now  that  I  am  not  to  go 
into  the  Cabinet  and  I  can  assure  you  I  feel  quite  reconciled  to 
it.     Home  looms  up  at  the  reflection. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Bancroft  Named  for  Cabinet 

March  7,  1845. 
Dear  Wife, 

Day  before  yesterday  the  Cabinet  was  nominated  thus: 
Buchanan,  Secretary  of  State ;  Walker,  Secretary  of  Treasury ; 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  363 

Gov.  Marcy,  Secretary  of  War;  Bancroft,  Secretary  of  Navy; 
Jno.  J.  Mason,  Attorney-General,  and  Case  Johnson,  Postmas- 
ter-General. All  have  been  confirmed  by  the  Senate  except 
Bancroft,  I  think  he  will  be  on  Monday  next.  The  opposition 
to  him  does  not  come  from  me.  On  the  contrary  I  have  been 
appointed  Chairman  of  Committee  on  Naval  Affairs  and  have 
to  defend  him.     Is  not  that  a  little  curious? 

We  have  adjourned  over  (wrongfully  though)  until  Mon- 
day, so  I  shall  get  a  little  respite.  For  the  last  week  or  so,  I 
have  not  been  able  to  get  more  than  4  or  5  hours  sleep  out  of 
the  24. 

Last  night  we  had  a  great  fire  here,  burning  the  National 
theatre  and  the  roofs  and  insides  of  several  dwelling  houses. 
The  fire  took,  I  believe,  among  the  scenery  while  the  play  was 
being  performed.     Have  not  heard  of  anybody  being  injured. 
Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


President  Polk  Explains 

Washington,  March  9,  '45. 
Dear  Wife, 

By  special  appointment  of  the  President  I  went  to  see  him 
at  5  o'clock  yesterday  and  had  a  private  interview  with  him. 
He  was  desirous  of  explaining  the  appointment  of  Bancroft, 
and  of  driving  away  any  hard  feelings  on  my  part  if  I  should 
entertain  them.  He  was  very  kind  and  assured  me  that  he  had 
not  passed  over  Maine  in  the  formation  of  his  Cabinet  from  any 
want  of  respect  or  esteem  for  me,  for  I  had  not  a  better  friend 
on  earth  than  he  was,  and  he  hoped  some  place  would  present  it- 
self during  his  four  years  which  would  suit  me  better  than 
the  one  he  now  sought,  etc.,  etc.  Our  interview  was  brief  but 
very  satisfactory.  In  all  the  appointments  in  our  State,  I  shall 
have  all  the  influence  that  I  ought  to  have,  and  no  mistake. 

I  have  had  one  letter  from  George  since  he  went  to  Bruns- 
wick and  shall  try  to  give  him  one  before  I  leave  Washington. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


364  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Some  Maine  Appointments 

Senate  Chamber,  March  13,  1845. 
Dear  Wife,  , 

Senator  Bates  of  Massachusetts  now  lies  dangerously  ill. 
The  President  has  requested  me  to  remain  a  few  days  after  the 
adjournment  of  the  Senate,  consequently  I  am  unable  to  say 
precisely  when  I  shall  be  at  home. 

Yesterday  Capt.  Jordan  was  nominated  Collector  of  Cus- 
toms at  Saco.  Today  Osborne  of  Kennebunk  was  nominated 
for  Collector  at  that  place  and  one  of  my  old  Councillors,  N.  C. 
Fletcher,  as  Chaplain  in  the  Navy.  Our  postmaster  at  Saco 
will  not  be  appointed  until  after  my  return  home. 

Love  to  all. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

A.  G.  Jewett  was  yesterday  nominated  as  Charge  d'affaires 
to  Peru. 


Death  of  Senator  Bates  of  Massachusetts 

Washington,  March  17,  '45. 
Dear  Wife,  , 

Mr.  Bates  died  last  night  about  6  o'clock  and  is  to  be  buried 
tomorrow,  or  rather  the  funeral  ceremonies  will  be  performed 
and  then  the  corpse  will  be  taken  to  the  cars  and  carried  to 
Massachusetts.  , 

In  consequence  of  this  the  Senate  will  not  probably  ad- 
journ until  Thursday. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Hasting  Back  to  Washington 

Washington,  April  12. 
Dear  Wife, 

Thus  far,  I  have  succeeded  pretty  well  in  my  objects  and  I 
am  very  glad  I  came  on.  I  fear  that  most  mischievous  conse- 
quences would  have  resulted  from  my  absence. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  365 

Washington,  April  13,  1845. — Almost  the  first  news  that 
met  me  on  my  arrival  here  was  the  death  of  your  Uncle  Rich- 
ard. He  died  last  Monday  after  having  been  confined  only  a 
few  days.  He  was  buried  yesterday.  I  attended  the  funeral 
and  rode  with  Mrs.  Madison.  President  Adams  was  one  of  the 
pall  bearers. 

Can't  tell  as  yet  when  I  may  be  home.  My  presence  was 
necessary  here,  and  I  am  very  glad  I  came  on. 


Washington,  April  18. — I  shall  probably  leave  here  for 
home  tomorrow,  Sunday  will  stop  me  one  day,  and  a  visit  to 
Gov.  Wright  at  Albany,  perhaps  another  day. 

Dr.  Nourse  was  appointed  Collector  at  Bath  today,  and 
other  arrangements  made  of  which  I  am  not  at  liberty  now  to 
speak.  Some  things  are  well  and  some  not  quite  so  well,  but 
all  might  have  been  much  worse. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Once  More  in  Washington 

Washington,  Nov.  29,  '45. 
Dear  Wife, 

Once  more  located  in  my  little  12  by  14, 1  embrace  the  very 
first  leisure  moment  to  commence  my  old  and  agreeable  occupa- 
tion. I  reached  here  last  night  about  8  o'clock  and  came  di- 
rectly to  Mrs.  Satts',  who  I  found  very  glad  to  see  me  and  all 
prepared  for  us — I  mean  Judge  Niles  and  myself.  The  Judge 
I  fell  in  with  at  Philadelphia,  having  with  him  his  bran  new 
young,  accomplished  and  amiable  wife,  to  whom  he  was  very 
slyly  united  on  Wednesday  last  in  New  York,  and  having  with 
him  also  his  niece,  Kate  Robinson,  both  of  whom,  I  suppose,  are 
to  spend  the  session  with  us.  I  will  tell  you  more  about  them 
by  and  by.  Mr.  King,  our  good-natured  bachelor,  is  to  come 
here  tonight,  and  a  Mr.  Gordon,  another  member  from  New 
York.     Farther  than  this,  our  mess  is  not  made  up. 

Called  upon  the  President  today  but  finding  him  busy  in 
Cabinet  meeting,  went  in  to  see  Mrs.  Polk.  Had  a  very  pleas- 
ant call  and  among  others  met  our  sweet  cousin,  Anna  Payne. 
She  wants  to  see  you  much  and  regretted  that   you   had   not 


366  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

come  on  with  me.  Cousin  Mary  has  been  here  a  couple  of  weeks 

and  is  now  at  her  Aunt  Madison's.     Richard  is  not  married  yet 

but  expects  to  be,  as  Anna  said,  about  the  16th  of  December. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Washington,  Dec.  1,  1845. 
Dear  Wife, 

Went  to  meeting  twice  yesterday  carrying  "Kate  Robin- 
son" with  me.  She  is  a  very  handsome,  sensible,  witty,  humor- 
ous, amiable  and  excellent  girl  and  if  she  were  not  engaged  and 
expecting  to  be  married  shortly,  would  captivate  half  the  beaux 
in  Washington.  Mrs.  Niles,  also,  I  like  much.  She  is  about  35 
or  40  and  is  a  woman  of  mind  and  good  education.  I  think  my 
old  friend  has  made  a  very  happy  choice.  Yesterday  he  gave 
me  a  detailed  account  of  his  courtship  and  marriage  which  I 
may  give  to  you  some  time  when  leisure  will  permit. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Brother  George's  Case 

Washington,  Dec.  3\,  '45. 
Dear  Wife, 

I  am  sorry  to  say  that  the  verdict  in  Brother  George's 
favor  at  Philadelphia  does  not  seem  to  be  so  secure  as  I  at  first 
thought.  I  have  received  another  letter  from  Mr.  Wharton  by 
which  I  learn  that  a  motion  for  a  new  trial  has  first  to  be  de- 
cided by  the  Judge  who  tried  the  case.  Generally,  of  course, 
this  is  mere  matter  of  form,  because  it  is  to  be  presumed  that  a 
Judge  will  adhere  to  the  same  doctrines  for  a  few  days  at  least. 
The  Judge,  in  this  case  however,  it  seems,  doubts  the  correct- 
ness of  his  ruling  at  the  trial.  That  is  to  say,  he  doubts  if  it 
was  correct  in  him  to  leave  it  to  the  Jury  to  determine  whether 
Bro.  George  returned  the  machine  within  a  reasonable  time, 
that  being  a  question  of  law  which  he  should  have  determined 
himself.  The  point  is  to  be  argued  in  a  few  days  and  I  am 
very  fearful  of  the  result. 

Called  last  night  at  Mrs.  Madison's,  saw  Cousins  Mary 
and  Anna  Payne,  both  well  and  frisky.  Richard  is  also  stop- 
ping there.  Expects  to  be  married  the  16th  inst.  and  has  in- 
vited me  to  the  wedding.     As  the  ceremony,  however,  is  to  be 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  367 

performed  at  Norfolk,  a  day  and  night's  journey  from  here,  I 
shall  ask  to  be  excused. 

I  am  having  some  shelves  put  up  and  fixing  my  room  for 
a  six  years'  residence,  some  alone  and  some  with  wife. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Called  on  President 

Washington,  Dec.  7,  '45. 
Dear  Wife, 

A  few  nights  since  I  called  at  Mrs.  Madison's,  saw  Mary 
and  Anna,  etc.  The  latter  was  very  much  pleased  that  you 
sent  her  your  love.  Mrs.  M.  appears  about  as  she  did  last  win- 
ter. The  footprints  of  age  are  no  more  distinctly  seen  upon  her 
brow  than  they  were  years  ago.  Mr,  Buchanan,  the  Secretary 
of  State,  also  came  in  (an  old  bachelor,  you  know),  and  the 
girls  plagued  him  almost  to  death,  including  among  them  Mrs. 
Governeur,  daughter  of  President  Monroe^  and  Mrs.  Haskell, 
her  daughter. 

Called  last  evening  to  see  the  President  and  had  an  hour's 
private  chat  with  him  and  was  well  satisfied  with  the  result. 
The  only  addition  to  our  mess  since  I  wrote  you  last  is  that  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dillingham  from  Vermont.  They  are  "nice" 
folks  I  believe,  she  being  a  Methodist.  Mrs.  Niles  is  a  Presby- 
terian, Miss  Robinson  an  Unitarian,  and  goes  to  meeting  with 
me  regularly,  thus  far. 

Our  minister,  Mr.  Augier,  is  very  much  of  a  man.  His 
sermons  are  finely  written,  but  at  the  same  time  are  very  forci- 
ble and  pungent.  His  voice  and  manner  are  also  good  and,  I 
think,  draws  a  larger  congregation  than  any  of  his  predeces- 
sors. Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Chosen  Chairman  Naval  Committee 

Washington,  Dec.  9,  '45. 
Dear  Wife, 

Your  humble  servant  was  again  chosen  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  on  Naval  Affairs.  The  honor  is  a  good  deal,  but  I 
dread  the  labor  and  responsibility. 

Am  sorry  to  say  my  lameness  does  not  improve. 


368  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Since  I  wrote  you  last  we  have  had  additions  to  our  mess. 
It  now  stands  thus :  Judge  Niles,  wife  and  niece ;  Senator  Dick- 
inson, wife  and  two  daughters ;  Mr.  Dillingham,  representative 
from  Vermont,  with  wife  and  little  boy ;  Mr.  King,  Mr.  Gordon 
and  myself.  We  have  one  room  not  yet  taken  up.  Hope  to  get 
Judge  Pennybacker  from  Virginia. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Dined  with  Bancroft 

Washington,  Dec.  14,  '45. 
Dear  Wife, 

Day  before  yesterday  dined  with   Mr.   Bancroft.     Had   a 
very  agreeable  time,  Mrs.  B.  being  particularly  agreeable. 

Our  mess  remains  as  before.  Kate  Robinson  is  an  excel- 
lent creature;  shall  be  sorry  to  lose  her  from  our  mess,  when 
she  goes  home  to  be  married.  Yesterday  she  helped  me  direct 
documents,  one  of  which  was  to  you.  I  continue  to  like  Mrs. 
Judge  Niles.  Miss  Virginia  Robinson  is  a  first  rate  pianoforte 
player  and  she  and  Kate  both  sing,  so  we  have  tolerably  agree- 
able times. 

My  old  friend  Nancy  has  been  after  a  batch  of  clothes. 
She  is  as  homely  and  as  good  as  ever. 

Yours  as  Ever, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Things   Look   Belligerent 

Washington,  Dec.  17,  '45. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  and  the  day  before  we  had  quite  an  animated 
debate  the  aspect  of  which  many  regard  as  somewhat  belliger- 
ent. I  always  go  for  the  most  warlike  measures  you  know, 
though  really  a  peace  man.  For  one,  I  do  not  apprehend  war, 
but  if  it  comes  while  we  are  only  contending  for  what  is  true 
and  right,  why  let  it  come.  There  are  worse  evils  than  war, 
and  national  dishonor  is  one  of  them. 

Our  session  continued  until  4  o'clock.  Hungry  as  a  bear,  I 
have  eaten,  if  not  a  peck  of  oyster  patties  and  three-quarters  of 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  369 

a  big  turkey,  accompanied  by  a  gallon  of  water  and  followed 
by  pies  and  tarts  without  number,  then  I  am  no  Turk. 
Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Called  on  New  Cousin 

Washington,  Dec.  20,  1845. 
Dear  Sarah, 

I  called  up  this  morning  to  see  our  new  cousin,  Mrs.  Rich- 
ard D.  Cutts  at  Mrs.  Madison's  where  they  are  to  stay  for 
the  present.  Her  name  was  Martha  Jefferson  something,  I 
have  forgotten  what.  She  is  rather  handsome,  at  all  events 
very  good  looking. 

Richard  is  as  happy  as  a  clam  on  Cape  Cod  beach,  and 
bears  jokes  extremely  well.  Cousin  Anna  Payne  is  full  of  her 
fun  and  Mrs.  Madison  looks  as  though  she  had  retrograded  in 
years  about  a  quarter  of  a  century.  Cousin  Mary  had  gone 
out  and  I  did  not  see  her.  Whenever  I  have  seen  her,  she  has 
been  full  of  inquiries  about  my  children  and  Saco  matters. 

A  Mrs.  Bun  who  keeps  a  school  in  the  city  has  sent  me  an 
invitation  to  attend  a  concert  of  her  pupils  on  Tuesday  even- 
ing next.     If  my  engagements  will  let  me  go,  I  shall  anticipate 
much  pleasure.     Perhaps  I  may  write  you  about  it. 
Your  Affectionate  Father, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Declined  French  Claims  Chairmanship 

Washington,  Dec.  23d,  '45. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

What  will  you  say  when  I  tell  you  that  I  yesterday  intro- 
duced you  into  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  in  a  few  re- 
marks that  I  deemed  it  necessary  to  make.  Can  you  imagine 
how  or  wherefore  it  was  done?  I  guess  not.  And  yet  it  was 
certainly  done.  And  I  hope  your  vanity  will  not  be  wounded, 
when  I  tell  you  that  it  created  no  extraordinary  sensation  at  all. 
The  Senators  kept  right  along,  some  reading,  some  writing  and 
some  taking  snuff,  just  as  if  nothing  had  happened! 

Seriously,  upon  sober  reflection,  I  felt  that  I  could  not 
properly  act  as  Chairman  of  the  Select  Committee  on  French 
claims,  interested  as  I  was.  I  therefore  stated  the  facts  that  by 
the  death,  within  a  few  weeks,  of  a  relative  of  my  wife,  she 
had  become  entitled  to  l-60th  part  of  the  claim  of  Thos.  Cutts, 


370  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

and  though  the  laws  of  Maine  secured  to  the  wife  her  property 
both  real  and  personal,  yet  the  interest  of  the  husband  in  this 
instance,  might  be  of  such  a  character,  in  the  opinion  of  the 
Senate,  as  to  disqualify  him  from  acting  or  voting  upon  the 
subject.  Upon  this  statement  the  Senate  excused  me  from 
acting,  and  Mr.  Webster  was  appointed  in  my  stead. 

Thursday,  Christmas  day,  I  am  engaged  to  dine  with  Mrs. 
Madison,  Friday  with  the  President,  and  Saturday  with  Mr. 
Corcoran,  the  rich  banker. 

Shall  try  to  write  some  of  the  children  tomorrow. 
Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Dines   with    President 

Washington,  Dec.  28,  '45. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Thursday,  Christmas,  I  dined  at  Mrs.  Madison's,  was  the 
only  guest.  Had  a  capital  old-fashioned  frolic.  Mrs.  Madison 
to  redeem  a  pledge  had  to  take  off  her  shoes,  place  them  in  the 
middle  of  the  floor  and  run  and  jump  over  them,  which  she  did 
with  a  good  deal  of  agility  for  a  lady  of  80.  On  Friday  dined 
with  the  President.  The  company  consisted  of  about  30  ladies 
and  gentlemen.  Particular  ladies  were  assigned  to  particular 
gentlemen  and  their  places  at  the  table  designated.  Mrs.  Mc- 
Clemand,  wife  of  a  member  from  Illinois,  was  assigned  to  me 
and  placed  next  to  the  President  on  his  left,  Mrs.  Niles  occupy- 
ing the  right.  I  found  Mrs.  Mc.  a  very  sprightly,  intelligent 
and  interesting  lady.  On  my  other  hand  was  Mrs.  Walker, 
the  wife  of  the  private  secretary  of  the  President,  celebrated 
for  her  beauty.  I  found  her  also  quite  chatty  and  agreeable. 
Mrs.  Mc.  asked  me  when  I  was  married,  told  her  1825 — "the 
very  year,"  said  she,  "that  I  was  bom!" 

On  Saturday  I  dined  with  Mr.  Corcoran,  the  great  Banker. 
Found  a  very  select  company.  Col.  Benton,  Allen  and  myself 
of  the  Senate,  Hilliard  from  the  House,  Judge  Woodbury,  Sec- 
retaries Buchanan  and  Bancroft,  Commodore  Morris  and  the 
Portuguese,  Dutch  and  Brazilian  Ministers. 

I  have  not  seen  such  gorgeous  furniture  in  Washington. 
Nor  have  I  seen  such  a  splendid  dinner  served  up.  Have  an 
invitation  for  Capt.  Wilkes'  party  on  Monday,  but  think  I  shall 
not  go.  Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


CHAPTER  XI. 
The  First  Year  of  President  Polk's  Administration 

It  will  be  noticed  from  Senator  Fairfield's  correspondence 
in  the  year  1846  that  he  seemed  to  lose  interest  in  Washington 
life,  especially  in  its  social  affairs;  that  politics  wearied  him 
and  that  he  esteemed  his  position  as  Senator  of  the  United 
States  higher  than  he  did  any  prospects  of  succession  to  the 
place  in  the  Cabinet,  which  George  Bancroft,  the  historian,  was 
about  to  give  over,  through  weariness. 

As  a  matter  of  fact.  Senator  Fairfield  was  chiefly  interested 
in  his  Naval  Bill,  providing  for  an  augmentation  of  the  United 
States  Navy,  although  he  had  an  incidental  interest  and  concern 
in  the  war  with  Mexico  (1846-1848).  His  first  mention  of 
the  Mexican  War  is  in  a  letter  to  his  wife  of  May  18th,  1846, 
in  which  he  says,  "The  news  just  received  from  our  army  is  that 
Taylor  with  a  part  of  his  force  went  down  to  Point  Isabel  to 
get  provision.  After  he  had  left,  the  remainder  were  attacked 
by  the  Mexicans.  The  latter  were  repulsed  and  Matamoros  was 
battered  dov/n  and  burned,  etc."  "This,"  adds  Senator  Fair- 
field, "I  have  had  from  a  friend  verbally.  The  papers  may  give 
different  accounts." 

History  says  that  on  March  12th,  1846,  under  orders  from 
the  U.  S.  Government,  Taylor  advanced  into  territory,  the  pos- 
session of  which  was  then  in  dispute.  After  a  march  of  sixteen 
days  he  reached  the  Rio  Grande  at  a  point  opposite  to  the  Mex- 
ican city  of  Matarnoros.  This  was  March  28th.  This  was  con- 
strued as  an  offensive  by  the  Mexicans  and  was  the  de  facto 
beginning  of  the  Mexican  War.  The  battle  to  which  Senator 
Fairfield  refers  is  Matamoros  or  Palo  Alto.  General  Taylor 
had  about  3000  men.  Leaving  a  regiment  and  two  companies 
of  artillery,  early  in  May,  1846,  to  garrison  Fort  Brown,  which 
was  an  earthwork  in  front  of  Matamoros,  he  proceeded  with 
the  remainder  of  his  command  to  Point  Isabel,  in  order  to 
effect  his  communications.    During  his  absence,  the  Mexicans 


372  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

attacked  the  fort  vigorously  but  to  no  avail.  As  Taylor  was 
returning  May  8th,  he  encountered  General  Arista,  the  Mexican 
leader,  who  with  6,000  men  and  ten  guns  barred  the  road,  at 
a  place  nine  miles  from  Matamoros,  known  as  Palo  Alto. 
Taylor's  force  numbered  2300  officers  and  men  and  ten  guns. 
After  a  fight  of  four  hours.  Arista  fell  back  through  Resaca 
de  la  Palma  with  a  loss  of  252  men  and  officers.  The  American 
casualties  comprised  seven  killed  and  47  wounded.  On  the  fol- 
lowing day  Taylor  continued  his  march  and  by  a  series  of  brill- 
iant encounters  finally  took  the  city  of  Matamoros  on  May  17th. 
On  May  18th  Taylor  crossed  the  Rio  Grande  and  took  possession 
of  the  city. 

This  is  the  incident  to  which  Senator  Fairfield  refers  in 
his  letter  of  the  same  day.  Senator  Fairfield  wrote  no  letters 
home  during  the  earlier  period  of  the  Mexican  War  excitement, 
from  April  26th  to  May  16th,  1846.  On  May  11th  President 
Polk  sent  to  Congress  his  famous  message  in  which  he  declared 
that  Mexico  had  invaded  the  territory  of  the  United  States 
and  had  shed  American  blood  on  American  soil.  Two  days 
later.  Congress  issued  its  formal  declaration  of  war. 

Mr.  Fairfield's  Naval  Bill  was  the  object  of  his  chief  solici- 
tude— that  and  his  rapidly  failing  health.  This  bill  indicates 
that  Senator  Fairfield  was  one  of  the  early  advocates  of  a 
"bigger  navy."  In  it  he  advocated  the  construction  of  ten  steam- 
ships, vessels  of  war,  to  be  constructed  of  iron,  to  wit;  three  of 
the  class  of  frigates,  five  of  the  class  of  sloops  of  war,  two  of  a 
smaller  class.  His  bill  also  authorized  the  President  any  time 
before  the  commencement  of  the  next  session  of  Congress,  if  the 
public  exigencies  should  require,  to  cause  to  be  completed  all 
the  frigates  and  sloops  of  war  now  upon  the  stocks,  and  to  repair 
and  put  into  active  service  all  the  sloops  or  vessels  of  war,  now 
in  ordinary."  This  bill  carried  an  appropriation  of  $5,625,000. 
Senator  Fairfield  introduced  this  bill  in  a  vigorous  speech  in  the 
U.  S.  Senate  January  28th,  1846. 

President  James  Knox  Polk  had  been  inaugurated  in  1845, 
a  staunch  Democrat,  formerly  a  stout  adherent  of  General  Jack- 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  373 

son,  Speaker  of  the  24th  and  25th  Congresses,  an  industrious 
man  and  a  consummate  politician.  He  stuck  by  Van  Buren 
through  all  his  difficulties,  and  after  Van  Buren's  nomination 
became  politically  impossible,  became  a  compromise  candidate 
in  the  Democratic  convention  of  1844,  unanimously  nominated 
on  the  ninth  ballot  as  the  man  to  beat  Henry  Clay,  the  candi- 
date of  the  Whigs.  He  carried  the  country  by  170  electoral 
votes  to  Clay's  105,  and  with  him  was  elected  George  M.  Dallas 
of  Pennsylvania  as  Vice-President. 

This  had  been  a  great  relief  to  the  feelings  of  Fairfield  and 
his  friends:  for  the  election  of  General  Harrison  in  1840  was 
so  severe  a  blow  to  the  Democrats  that  for  a  time  it  had  stunned 
them  and  abased  them;  for  they  felt  themselves  measurably 
betrayed  and  fooled  by  their  own  tactics.  The  Whigs  had 
come  into  power  in  masquerade.  Instead  of  putting  one  of 
their  true  leaders,  such  as  Clay,  into  the  nomination  they  had 
copied  a  leaf  out  of  the  book  of  the  Jacksonian  democracy  and 
had  nominated  a  western  soldier  whose  rugged  strength  made 
him  a  popular  favorite.  In  reality  they  had  nominated  a  Whig 
Jackson,  with  hardly  a  single  tie  to  the  Whig  party,  and  they 
elected  him  in  a  noisy,  riotous  campaign  of  torch-light  parades, 
barbecues  and  general  "hooray."  Their  emblems  were  hard- 
cider  and  the  log  cabin,  "Tippecanoe  and  Tyler  too !"  a  staged 
effect  of  democracy.  With  Harrison  and  Tyler  they  had  also 
a  majority  of  both  houses  of  Congress,  narrow  margins  that 
made  them  uncomfortable.  Fairfield  was  out  of  Congress  a 
portion  of  this  administration,  returning  as  will  be  recalled 
in  the  last  years  of  President  Tyler's  term,  Tyler  succeeding 
to  the  Presidency  on  the  death  of  General  Harrison,  only  about 
a  month  after  his  inauguration. 

Tyler  was  a  President  to  whom  no  Whig  looked  for  leader- 
ship. He  was  a  Southern  Democrat  opposed  to  the  bank  on  gen- 
eral principles;  but  he  had  held  away  from  his  leader  in  the 
matter  of  deposits  and  credits  and  had  opposed  Jackson's  blows 
at  Calhoun  and  the  doctrines  of  South  Carolina.  He  was  nom- 
inated Vice-President  in  an  attempt  to  unite  with  the  Whigs 


374  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

a  section  of  opposition  to  radical  Jacksonianism,  which  they 
believed  might  add  to  the  chances  of  success.  In  the  mid- 
term elections,  the  Whigs  lost  their  command  of  Congress  and 
here  they  were ;  led  by  a  Democratic  President  and  a  Democratic 
Congress  after  all. 

Mr.  Fairfield  was  chairman  of  the  committee  of  the  Demo- 
cratic Convention  which  he  attended  in  1844,  to  notify  George 
M.  Dallas  of  Pennsylvania  of  his  nomination  as  Vice-President. 
On  his  return  from  Philadelphia  he  told  an  amusing  story  of  his 
experiences  of  this  occasion.  This  story  is  related  in  the  book 
known  as  "Perley's  Eeminisceiices"  by  Ben:  Perley  Foore,  a 
famous  Washington  newspaper  correspondent  of  that  period: 
"The  committee  reached  Philadelphia  about  three  o'clock  in  the 
morning  and  were  piloted  to  Mr.  Dallas's  house  by  his  friend, 
Senator  Robert  J.  Walker.  Loud  knocks  at  the  door  brought  Mr. 
Dallas  to  the  chamber  window.  Recognizing  Mr.  Walker  and 
fearing  that  his  daughter,  who  was  in  Washington,  was  ill,  he 
hastened  down  stairs,  half  dressed,  and  in  slippers,  when  to  his 
utter  amazement,  in  walked  sixty  or  more  gentlemen,  two  by  two 
with  the  tread  of  soldiers,  passing  him  by  and  entering  his 
front  parlor,  all  maintaining  the  most  absolute  silence.  Mr. 
Dallas,  not  having  the  slightest  conception  of  their  object,  stood 
thunderstruck.  Mr.  Walker  then  led  him  into  the  back  parlor. 
"My  dear  Walker,"  said  he  in  amazement,  "what  is  the  matter?" 
"Wait  one  moment,  if  you  please,  Dallas ;  wait  one  moment  if 
you  please."  In  a  few  moments  the  folding  doors  connecting 
the  parlors  were  thrown  back,  and  in  the  front  parlor,  which 
had  meanwhile  been  lighted  up,  Mr.  Dallas  saw  a  semi-^circle 
of  gentlemen,  who  greeted  him  with  applause.  Governor  Fair- 
field then  stepped  forward  and  briefly  informed  Mr.  Dallas 
what  the  action  of  the  convention  had  been.  The  candidate 
for  Vice-President,  who  had  recovered  from  momentary  sur- 
prise, eloquently  acknowledged  the  compliment  paid  him,  and 
promised  to  reply  more  formally  by  letter.  He  then  opened  his 
side-board  and  all  joined  in  pledging  "success  to  the  ticket." 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  375 

At  the  "birth  night"  ball,  February  22,  1845,  President 
Tyler  was  accompanied  by  President-elect  Polk.  Mrs.  Mad- 
ison, of  whom  Mr.  Fairfield  always  speaks  so  pleasantly,  was 
also  present  with  Mrs.  Alexander  Hamilton.  A  few  nights 
later  President  Tyler  gave  a  parting  ball  at  the  White  House, 
his  young  and  handsome  wife  receiving  the  guests  with  dis- 
tinguished grace.  Mr.  Polk  was  not  present  but  the  Vice- 
President-elect,  Mr.  Dallas,  with  his  splendid  crown  of  white 
hair,  towered  above  all  other  guests,  except  General  Scott 
and  "Long  John"  Wentworth.  This  night  ended  the  "cavalier" 
reign  within  the  White  House,  which  was  soon  ruled  with  the 
Puritan  austerity  of  Mrs.  Polk. 

Mr.  Polk  was  inaugurated  on  a  rainy  day,  the  fourth  of 
March,  1845,  Pennsylvania  Avenue  being  so  slippery  with 
mud  that  many  soldiers  fell  ingloriously  on  the  march.  Pres- 
ident Polk  was  a  spare  man  of  unpretending  appearance  and 
middle  stature,  with  a  rather  small  head,  full  angular  brow, 
penetrating  dark  eyes  and  a  firm  mouth.  He  was  calm,  cold, 
intrepid  in  moral  character.  He  was  ambitious  and  success- 
ful, methodical  and  remarkably  industrious. 

There  were  two  inaugural  balls  in  honor  of  the  new  Pres- 
ident's accession,  one  at  $10.00  a  ticket  and  the  other  at  $2.00 
a  ticket.  The  $10.00  ball  was  at  Carusi's  Saloon,  of  which 
Mr,  Fairfield  speaks  often  in  his  letters.  One  of  the  features 
of  the  ball  was  the  dress  worn  by  Madame  De  Bodisco,  wife  of 
the  Russian  minister,  "superb  court  dress  which  she  had  worn 
on  her  bridal  visit  to  St.  Petersburg,  and  which  contrasted 
strongly  with  the  attire  of  Mrs.  Polk,  which  was  very  plain. 
There  was  a  great  scandal  over  the  ball  at  $2.00  a  ticket,  held 
at  the  National  Theatre,  which  ended  in  a  riot,  and  where  pick- 
pockets stole  hats,  coats,  canes  and  pocketbooks.  A  suggestion 
of  the  social  life  at  the  White  House  may  be  inferred,  from  the 
statement  of  Mr.  Poore,  that  Mrs.  Polk  was  a  strict  Pres- 
byterian, that  she  shunned  what  she  regarded  as  "the  vanities  of 
the  world"  and  that  while  she  did  not  possess  the  queenly  grace 
of  Mrs.  Madison  or  the  warm-hearted  hospitality  of  Mrs.  Tyler, 


376  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

she  presided  over  the  White  House  with  great  dignity.  She  was 
of  medium  height  with  very  black  hair,  dark  eyes  and  com- 
plexion, and  formal  yet  graceful  deportment. 

The  most  important  men  in  Washington  life  during  the 
Polk  administration,  which  was  the  last  that  Mr.  Fairfield 
ever  knew,  were  James  Buchanan  and  William  Learned  Marcy. 
Mr.  Buchanan  was  Secretary  of  State,  a  bachelor,  and  in  full 
training  for  the  Presidency,  which  he  subsequently  attained. 
Mr.  Marcy  was  Secretary  of  War  and  was  called  the  "wheel 
horse"  of  President  Polk's  cabinet.  He  used  to  write  his  most 
important  dispatches  in  the  library  of  his  own  house,  where 
he  usually  sat  in  his  dressing  gown  with  an  old  red  hand- 
kerchief on  the  table  before  him.  One  could  judge  of  the  rel- 
ative activity  of  his  mind  by  the  frequency  of  his  application 
to  the  snuff  box.  Silas  Wright  was  offered  the  position  of 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  but  declined  it,  having  been  recently 
elected  Governor  of  New  York.  Robert  J.  Walker,  Senator 
from  Mississippi,  who  had  advocated  the  admission  of  Texas 
and  opposed  the  protective  tariff,  was  made  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury.  George  Bancroft,  the  historian,  was  appointed  Sec- 
retary of  the  Navy,  and  Cave  Johnson  of  Tennessee,  Postmaster- 
General. 

During  his  term  the  Oregon  boundary  dispute  was  settled 
with  England,  a  subject  to  which  Senator  Fairfield  frequently 
refers,  the  United  States  accepting  the  parallel  of  49  N.  as  the 
northern  limit,  although  the  party  cry  of  the  Democrats  who 
elected  Polk  had  been  for  "54.40  or  fight." 

Frequent  references  are  made  by  Senator  Fairfield  to  the 
Tariff  law  of  1846,  with  references  to  men  in  Congress  who 
resigned  from  their  seats,  rather  than  vote  as  they  felt  re- 
garding this  Tariff,  in  opposition  to  the  mandates  of  their  con- 
stitutuents.  This  Tariff  was  modeled  on  the  principles  of 
Tariff  for  Revenue  Only  and  the  establishment  of  an  inde- 
pendent treasury  system.  The  famous  debate  over  the  Wil- 
mot  Proviso,  and  the  bill  to  organize  the  Territory  of  Oregon 
were  incidental  to  this  period. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  377 

This  was  an  age  of  distinguished  men  in  Washington  and 
the  names  that  run  through  the  pages  of  these  memoirs  are 
those  that  posterity  yet  cherishes. 

In  the  presidential  terms  of  Tyler  and  Polk,  during  part 
of  which  Mr.  Fairfield  was  Governor  of  Maine  and  part  of 
which  he  was  United  States  Senator,  Henry  A.  Wise,  John  C. 
Calhoun,  Daniel  Webster  and  John  Qunicy  Adams  were  potent 
men.  Mr.  Wise  was  Tyler's  chief  adviser  and  it  was  he  who 
forced  Calhoun  on  Tyler  as  Secretary  of  State,  directly  after 
the  Princeton  disaster.  Stephen  A.  Douglas  had  just  entered 
Congress,  later  to  be  the  chief  adversary  of  Lincoln  in  the  great 
debates  over  slavery.  In  Congress  in  this  period  were  Ham- 
ilton Fish  of  New  York,  Alexander  Ramsay — a  worthy  de- 
scendant of  the  Pennsylvania  Dutch;  the  loquacious  Garrett 
Davis  of  Kentucky,  the  emaciated  Alexander  H.  Stephens  of 
Georgia,  who  apparently  had  not  a  day  to  live,  yet  who  lived  on 
for  many  years;  John  Wentworth  of  New  Hampshire,  trans- 
planted to  the  prairies  of  Illinois;  Andrew  Johnson,  subse- 
quently to  be  President  on  the  death  of  Lincoln;  John  Slidell 
of  New  Orleans ;  Robert  Dale  Owen,  the  visionary  socialist  and 
communist  from  Indiana;  Howell  Cobb  of  Georgia  and  Jacob 
Thompson  of  Mississippi,  who  were  even  then  laying  the  founda- 
tions for  the  Southern  Confederacy;  the  brilliant  Robert  C. 
Schenck  of  Ohio  and  the  genial  Isaac  E.  Holmes  of  South  Caroli- 
na, who  softened  many  of  the  asperities  of  debate  by  their  kindly 
comments  in  an  undertone. 

This  was  the  evironment  of  Governor  Fairfield  and  this 
is  the  background  against  which  these  casual  letters  are  to 
be  read. 


A  Pleasant  Mess 

Washington,  Jan.  7,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Balls  and  parties  are  beginning  to  abound,  but  those,  you 
know,  I  eschew,  the  first  peremptorily  and  the  latter  when  I 
can  and  be  civil.  I  have  an  invitation  to  dine  with  Mr.  5th 
Auditor  Pleasonton  next  Saturday,  but  as  I  have  advised  the 
President  to  remove  him,  I  think  I  shall  ask  to  be  excused.  A 
dinner  is  hardly  sop  enough  to  stop  my  mouth,  in  such  a  case. 

Our  mess  continues  to  be  very  agreeable.  Kate  Robinson 
is  full  of  life  and  animation.  Virginia  Dickinson  plays  and 
sings  and  is  very  agreeable  and  matron  ladies  are  very  little 
older  than  they  should  be.  King  is  fat,  hearty  and  good  na- 
tured  as  ever.  Gov.  Dickinson  is  a  good  punster  and  not  a  bad 
story  teller.  Of  Judge  Niles  I  can  say  "Richard's  himself 
again."  Our  good  Methodist  friends,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dillingham, 
have  shaken  many  of  the  puckers  out  of  their  risible  muscles 
and  nothing  is  wanting  but  your  company  to  make  me  as  happy 
as  a — senator. 

I  have  heard  that  there  is  a  young  collegiate  from  Bow- 
doin  spending  his  vacation  with  you.  If  it  be  so,  I  should  be 
very  happy  to  cultivate  his  acquaintance.  Give  him  my  best 
respects  and  tell  him  that  a  letter  from  him  will  be  most 
graciously  received  and  duly  answered. 
Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Birth  of  Daughter  Anna 

Washington,  Jan.  14,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  have  not  words  to  express  my  gratification  at  the  news 
communicated  to  me  in  a  letter  just  received  from  Doctor 
Goodwin,  to  wit,  that  on  Saturday  night  about  9  o'clock,  after 
an  illness  of  yourself  of  about  three  hours,  a  little  daughter  was 
added  to  our  present  string  of  jewels,  as  a  Roman  matron  once 
called  her  children.  The  same  happy  information  was  given 
in  Augusta's  interesting  note  received  at  the  same  time. 

For  this,  my  dear  wife,  and  our  other  multiplied  favors,  we 
cannot  be  too  truly  thankful. 


380  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Augusta  says  it  has  Father's  eyes  and  Mother's  nose.  It 
is,  of  course,  a  beauty.  What  shall  we  caU  her,  says  Augusta. 
If  I  have  my  way  the  name  shall  be  Anna  Payne.  Sarah  says, 
I  understand,  that  it  should  be  Kate  Robinson.  If  you  should 
object  to  the  first,  I  have  no  objection  to  the  last,  for  which 
Kate  prays  very  hard.  For  myself  I  cannot  hesitate  between 
the  two,  though  I  must  confess  I  like  very  much  the  name  of 
Kate  and  the  original  Kate  here  is  an  excellent  girl  and  a  great 
favorite  of  mine.  Was  she  weighed?  If  so,  how  much?  Do, 
some  of  you,  write  daily  or  often  and  let  me  know  all  about 
both  young  and  old  Anna. 

I  have  not  time  to  say  more  now.  God  bless  you  and  all 
the  dear  pledges  of  our  love. 

Ever  Yours^ 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Fairfield's  Naval  Bill 

Washington,  Jan.  21,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Tonight  the  President  has  his  first  levee.  I  had  rather  be 
whipped  than  go,  but  circumstances  render  it  unavoidable. 
There  will  be  no  dancing  and  no  refreshment  of  any  kind.  The 
dish  will  be  standing,  marching,  talking,  walking,  &c.,  &c., 
until  everybody  is  tired  to  death,  especially  those  who  have 
lame  knees,  and  then  go  home. 

On  Friday  night  Mr.  Buchannan,  Secretary  of  State,  who, 
you  know,  is  an  old  bachelor,  gives  a  large  party  at  Carusi's 
saloon.     I  send  you  his  card.     Think  I  shan't  go. 

My  bill  providing  for  an  augmentation  of  our  naval  force 
was  taken  up  today  and  assigned  for  nex*  Tuesday.  Upon  this 
motion  quite  a  debate  sprang  up,  in  which  I  slightly  partici- 
pated. 

How  is  my  sweet  little  Anna?  If  you  can  find  nobody  to 
love  her  at  home,  send  her  on  here  ])y  mail,  I  can  assure  her  a 
welcome  reception  from  one  at  least. 

Tell  George,  I  saw  Professor  Upham'  here  yesterday,  and 
what  may  surprise  him  somewhat,  tell  him  the  Professor  spoke 
very  well  of  him. 

'Professor  Thomas  Croswell  Upham,  a  distinguished  teacher  of  Mental 
and  Moral  Philosophy,  Bowdoin  Collef^e,  author  of  a  much-used  text-book  of 
the  times,  "Elements  of  Mental  Philosophy  (1831),"  commonly  known  as 
"Upham's  Philosophy,"  and  of  many  other  similar  works,  of  advanced 
thought. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  381 

Did  I  tell  you  that  I  had  a  letter  from  Mr.  Wharton  inform- 
ing me  that  the  verdict  recovered  in  Philadelphia  had  been  set 
aside  and  a  new  trial  ordered.  What  will  be  the  result  now,  no 
one  can  tell.  I  believe  the  trial  is  expected  in  February.  It 
is  possible  I  may  be  there. 

There  is  a  report  that  Bancroft  is  to  leave  the  Navy  De- 
partment and  go  to  Prussia.  I  doubt  some  whether  it  be  well 
founded,  but  if  it  is,  I  feel  no  interest  in  it.  The  vacant  place 
will  probably  not  be  offered  to  me  and  if  it  should  be,  I  should 
not  accept  it.     My  present  position  is  much  better. 

Thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


The  Ninth  Wonder 

Washington,  Jan.  23d,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  rejoice  to  learn  that  you  are  getting  along  so  smartly. 
Take  good  care  of  the  "9th  wonder."  In  my  imagination  I  can 
see  her  "as  plain  as  day"  and  could  draw  her  profile  as  thus :  I 
find  on  trial,  I  can't  make  what  I  want  to.  Thank  you  for 
adopting  my  name,  notwithstanding  your  joke  about  first  and 
second  mother,  but  let  it  be  spelt  and  pronounced  Anna  Payne, 
making  two  syllables  of  the  first. 

I  have  sent  Sarah  a  paper  today,  directing  it  to  Sarah  E., 
as  she  signed  her  last  letter  to  me.  I  know  not  what  it  means 
unless  she  designs  to  change  Thornton  to  Emery,  after  Aunt 
Emery,  to  which  I  have  no  objection  if  you  have  not,  or  to 
C.  for  Cutts. 

Mrs.  Madison  was  at  the  President's  levee  and  looked  as 
young  as  half  the  people  there.  She  is  a  most  remarkable 
woman.  I  have  not  been  there  since  Christmas  and  got  a  good 
scolding  for  it  from  Richard's  wife.  Last  Sunday  went  and 
took  tea  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ela  and  afterward  called  and  spent 
an  hour  at  Dummer's.     All  well. 

Am  preparing  for  a  speech  and  so  have  but  little  time  to 
spare. 

As  Ever,  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


382  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Preparing  a  Speech 

Washington,  Jan.  25,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  have  but  a  moment  to  give  you  today,  being  very  busy 
in  examining  documents,  etc.,  and  preparing  for  my  speech  on 
Tuesday.  Oh,  how  I  wish  it  was  over.  I  fear  I  must  fall  far 
short  of  what  my  friends  seem  to  be  expecting  of  me.  Let 
me  have  your  prayers. 

My  friend.  Judge  Niles  and  family  here,  are  in  no  little 
trouble.  It  seems  that  a  Mr.  Grant  of  Hartford,  a  relative  of 
theirs  and  for  a  long  time  a  resident  in  the  family  of  the  Judge, 
one  of  whom  they  evidently  thought  much,  and  to  whom  they 
were  much  attached,  especially  Kate  Robinson,  has  failed  in 
business,  dragging  in  the  Judge  for  some  two  or  three  thousand 
dollars.  And  what  is  worse  than  all  that,  it  is  supposed  has 
been  forging  the  name  of  his  father,  if  not  of  others.  It  throws 
something  of  a  gloom  over  our  little  circle  but  I  trust  will  not 
last  long. 

Mr.  Buchanan  gave  a  great  party  on  Friday  night  at 
Carusi's  saloon  at  which  it  was  supposed  there  were  present 
about  1500.  I  was  not  fool  enough  to  be  there,  I  can  tell  you. 
I  think  I  have  done  with  balls  and  parties  for  this  winter. 

Ever  Thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


A  Wedding  Brewing 

Washington,  Jan.  28,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  received  your  note  this  morning,  and  feel  rejoiced  that 
you  are  getting  along  so  comfortably,  and  that,  too,  without  a 
regular  nurse,  for  I  suppose  Sarah  would  be  unwilling  to  take 
the  title  tho'  she  performed  the  duties  of  the  office. 

I  shall  begin  to  count  weeks  now  when  I  am  to  see  you. 
My  present  impression  is  that  if  business  here  will  permit,  and 
nothing  occurs  at  home  to  make  one  time  better  than  another, 
I  may  select  about  the  middle  of  March. 

And  so  Davis  and  Hepsey  are  to  be  married  right  away? 
Having  made  the  cake,  pray  why  don't  you  fit  up  the  other 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  383 

front  room  and  let  them  have  a  good  frolic  ?  Oh,  I  wish  I  was 
at  home.  I  would  have  a  real  good  old-fashioned  wedding  and 
a  dance. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN. 


Speech  Is  Complimented 

Washington,  Jan.  31,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Have  you  seen  my  speech  yet  ?  I  shall  have  it  by  Monday 
I  think,  in  pamphlet  form  and  will  then  send  you  one.  Whether 
it  was  published  in  the  semi-weekly  Union,  as  it  was  in  the 
Daily,  I  do  not  know.  I  get  a  good  many  compliments  for  it, 
but  how  sincp.re  they  are  no  one  can  know. 

My  bill  has  been  under  debate  since  Tuesday,  one  or  two 
days  more  I  think  may  be  taken  up  with  it,  and  then  I  shall 
probably  consent  to  let  it  lie  over  without  taking  a  vote  upon 
it,  until  the  10th  of  February,  when  the  resolution  for  giving 
notice  to  England,  etc.,  will  be  taken  up.  After  which  I  shall 
make  another  speech  in  reply  to  those  who  have  spoken  against 
the  measure. 

Saw  Mrs.  Dummer  yesterday  at  the  Capitol.  She  was 
with  Cousin  Moses  and  appeared  very  well.  I  can't  find  time 
to  go  about  much,  and  so  get  a  good  many  scoldings.  Have  not 
been  to  Mrs.  Madison's  since  Christmas.  Have  you  any  choice 
about  the  time  of  my  coming  home  ?  If  so,  speak  freely.  Per- 
haps I  can  arrange  matters  here  so  as  to  suit  you.  I  shall  also 
write  to  Bro.  Emery  and  ascertain  if  one  time  would  be  prefer- 
able to  another  on  the  score  of  business. 

I  don't  see  why  Davis  and  Hepsey  should  want  to  leave 
unless  they  intend  to  buy  a  farm.  At  all  events  I  hope  they 
will  stay,  until  I  come  home  and  make  new  arrangements. 

Has  George  his  last  quarter  bill  and  do  you  know  what 
money  you  will  want?  You  must  preach  economy  to  him,  for 
at  the  rate  he  has  been  going  on  it  will  cost  me  $200  more  to 
get  him  through  college,  than  it  costs  for  most  other  boys  of 
whom  I  have  inquired.  How  does  my  sweet  little  Anna  Payne 
and  all  the  rest?  Can  little  Lucy  talk  yet?  Oh,  how  I  long  to 
see  you  all.  But  patience  and  red  baize,  you  know,  is  the  old 
proverb. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN. 


384  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Advice  to  Son  George 

Washington,  Feb.  1,  1846. 
Dear  George. 

I  am  not  sure  whether  I  answered  your  "solitary  and 
alone"  epistle,  as  Col.  Benton  would  say,  or  not.  No  matter, 
having  a  leisure  moment  I  feel  inclined  to  devote  it  in  a  brief 
line  or  two  to  yourself.  And  first  let  me  say  that  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  meeting  one  of  your  Professors  here  the  other  day, 
Mr.  Uphams,  though  but  for  a  moment.  I  was  very  glad  to 
hear  him  speak  well  of  you  and  trust  that  you  will  never  give 
him  cause  to  speak  otherwise.  Oh,  if  children  only  knew  how 
the  heart  of  a  parent  bounds  with  delight  at  hearing  their 
praise,  and  how  it  sinks  and  is  distressed  at  the  recital  of  their 
misdeeds,  I  know  they  would  strive  harder  to  do  right,  and 
shrink  dreadfully  at  the  idea  of  wrong-doing. 

I  have  been  looking  for  President  Wood/  having  under- 
stood that  he  was  to  spend  a  portion  of  his  vacation  here.  As 
yet,  however,  he  has  not  made  his  appearance.  I  should  have 
been  very  happy  to  see  him. 

When  does  your  next  term  commence?  I  hope,  George, 
you  will  write  me  oftener,  when  you  get  to  Brunswick,  than 
you  have  from  home.  Give  me  particulars.  Whom  do  you 
room  with,  if  anybody?  Whom  board  with  and  at  what  price? 
and  who  are  your  fellow-boarders?  Your  studies,  arrange- 
ments of  time,  professors  and  tutors,  to  whom  you  recite,  and 
"a'  that  and  a'  that"  as  Burns  would  say.  I  want  to  know. 
Don't  fail  to  tell  me  all  about  it.  After  what  has  passed  be- 
tween us  heretofore  about  economy,  running  in  debt,  etc.,  and 
your  promises  upon  the  subject.  I  have  no  more  to  say  now.  I 
feel  a  strong  confidence  that  you  will  keep  your  word  and  give 
me  no  more  cause  of  complaint. 

I  hope,  George,  you  will  be  constant  in  your  attendance  at 
Mr.  Wheeler's  meeting  at  Topsham.  No  matter  if  it  be  some 
way  off.     The  exercise  will  do  you  no  harm. 

Tell  your  mother  I  have  just  received  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Wharton,  in  which  he  says  that  the  Court,  at  which  your  Uncle 
George's  suit  is  to  be  tried,  commences  its  session  a  week  from 
tomorrow,  the  9th  of  February,  and  he  thinks  that  this  may  be 

President  Leonard  Woods,  D.D.,  of  Bowdoin  College;  Gov.  Palrfleld  has 
made  a  common  error  in  the  name  of  this  distinguished  educator,  who  was 
a  remarkable  conversationalist,  preacher  and  lecturer. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  385 

the  first  trial.  If  it  be  possible  for  me  to  leave  here,  I  shall  at- 
tend the  trial.  My  presence,  may,  in  various  ways,  be  useful. 
Besides,  I  hope  the  ride  may  not  prove  detrimental  to  my 
health. 

Mr.  Amory  Edwards  informs  me  he  is  going  out  to  Rio 
Janeiro  and  will  take  letters  to  Bro.  George.     And  for  the  pur- 
pose of  writing  him,  I  break  off  yours  somewhat  abruptly. 
Your  Affectionate  Father, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Washington,  Feb.  4,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  write  from  the  Senate  and  as  Allen  of  Ohio  is  making  a 
speech  directly  behind  me,  it  would  not  be  strange  if  I  should 
fill  it,  my  letter,  I  mean,  with  thunder.  Of  all  the  roarers  that 
ever  I  heard,  I  think  he  stands  No.  1.  There  is  nothing  in  na- 
ture with  which  to  compare  him  that  I  know  of  except  the  faDs 
of  Niagara. 

Other  business  has  crowded  out  my  bill  for  the  War  Steam- 
ers for  the  last  two  days.  Tomorrow,  I  presume,  it  will  be  re- 
sumed again.  I  shall  probably  feel  obliged  to  make  another 
speech  upon  it,  by  and  by. 

The  President's  second  levee  is  tonight  and  I  have  also  an 
invitation  to  a  party  at  Commodore  Shubric's.  I  have,  how- 
ever, determined  to  attend  neither. 

On  S'^turday  I  have  an  invitation  for  dinner  at  Bancroft's. 
This,  I  think  I  shall  accept. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Starts  for  Philadelphia 

Washington,  Feb.  8,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday,  I  dined  with  Mr.  Bancroft.  Had  a  very  pleas- 
ant and  agreeable  time.  Our  second  course  was  halibut,  ap- 
parently as  hard  and  fresh  as  thouorh  just  taken  from  the  water. 

To  avoid  travelling  on  the  Sabbath,  I  shall  start  this  even- 
ing for  Philadelphia  and  ride  all  night,  reaching  Philadelphia, 


386  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

I  believe,  about  daylight.  I  don't  dread  it  much,  as  I  have  the 
power  of  sleeping  in  the  cars  almost  as  well  as  in  a  bed.  The 
dangers,  I  suppose,  are  greater,  but  I  see  no  way  to  avoid  them, 
as  it  is  supposed  our  case  will  be  the  first  one  for  trial  tomorrow 
morning. 

Mrs.  Madison  has  just  lost  a  sister — a  widow  Todd.  Anna 
Payne,  I  understand,  also  is  sick  and  has  not  been  able  to  leave 
her  chamber  for  two  weeks  or  more. 

I  shall  write  you  from  Philadelphia. 
Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


The  Suit  Settled 

Philadelphia,  Feb.  9,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Here  I  am  safe  and  sound  in  the  City  of  Brotherly  Love 
having  reached  here  about  3  o'clock  this  morning.  My  trip  was 
not  a  very  unpleasant  one,  inasmuch  as  I  am  able,  you  know, 
to  spend  my  time  in  sleep  and  pleasant  dreams, 

I  have  been  disappointed  in  not  finding  our  case  ready  for 
trial.  Mr.  Wharton  now  thinks  it  will  not  come  on  before 
Thursday,  if  so  soon.  I  shall  be  at  a  loss  what  to  do,  if  the 
case  is  not  settled.  I  have  this  evening,  however,  been  holding 
a  conference  with  Mr.  Merrick  with  a  vifew  to  an  adjustment 
and  my  impression  is  that  it  may  result  favorably.  He  offers 
$2,700,  payable  on  time.  I  have  offered  to  take  $3,000  and  pay 
the  cost,  about  $30,  and  Mr.  Wharton's  fees,  which  will  be  I 
don't  know  what,  perhaps  $300.  Mr.  Merrick  has  agreed  to 
consult  his  partner,  and  let  me  know  by  one  o'clock  tomorrow. 
I  am  rather  inclined  to  think  that  either  of  these  offers  will  be 
better  than  to  go  to  trial  again,  inasmuch  as  the  Judge  has  de- 
cided the  point  against  us,  that  George  did  not  return  the  ma- 
chine in  due  season,  as  a  matter  of  law.  Hence  under  the  new 
ruling  of  the  Court,  all  we  can  recover  is  the  difference  between 
the  defective  machine  and  a  good  one,  leaving  the  old  machine 
on  our  hands. 

It  is  late  bed  time  and  so  I  will  postpone  the  finishing  of 
this  letter  until  after  I  get  an  answer  from  Merrick.  Good 
night. 

Feb.  10. — I  have  only  time  to  say  that  the  suit  is  settled. 
They  pay  $3,000  in  8,  10  and  12  months.    Mr.  Wharton's  charge 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  387 

is  $200,  leaving  about  $2800  clear.  There  is,  I  believe,  some 
$14  cost  that  I  have  to  pay.  Under  all  the  circumstances  the 
adjustment  is  a  favorable  one.     Laus  Deo. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN. 


Messages  to  the  Children 

Washington,  Feb.  12,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Leaving  Philadelphia  yesterday  morning,  I  reached  this 

place,  last  night,  about  8  o'clo(3k,  in  good  health  and  feeling 
well  for  having  made  my  visit  to  Philadelphia  so  successful. 

This  morning  your  last  letter  was  received.  Am  glad  to 
find  you  so  smart  as  to  ride  out. 

Hope  you  will  get  George  away  without  much  trouble.  Haa 
he  said  anything  about  the  watch?  If  he  wants  it,  you  may 
let  him  have  it.     Hope  the  effect  will  not  be  unfavorable. 

And  so  the  baby  is  a  little  troublesome,  is  she?  A  trol- 
lop! I'll  see  to  her  when  I  come  home.  Poor  Hammy,  too,  it 
seems,  is  offended  because  I  have  not  written  him.  I  was  not 
aware  of  my  neglect  and  will  try  to  remedy  it,  by  and  by.  Tell 
him,  in  the  meantime,  that  I  bought  for  him  at  Philadelphia 
"The  Fortunes  of  Frank  Fairfield,"  which  I  think  he  will  like 
very  much.     Will  send  it  by  first  opportunity. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN. 


A  Comforting  Sermon 

Washington,  Feb.  15,  '46. 
My  Dear  Anna, 

I  have  just  returned  from  meeting,  where  I  heard  one  of 
the  most  eloquent  and  excellent  sermons  that  I  ever  had  the 
pleasure  of  listening  to.  Mr.  Dewey  preached  from  the  text: 
"It  is  appointed  unto  all  men  once  to  die."  His  leading  idea  was 
that  death  was  not  a  penalty,  a  doom,  a  calamity,  but  an  ordi- 
nance of  God,  an  "appointment"  in  the  general  economy  of  the 
Universe,  designed  for  the  benefit  and  glory  of  humanity.  He 
considered  it  in  a  variety  of  moods  with  a  great  variety,  beauty 


388  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

and  force  of  illustration.  No  one  could  come  away  without 
feeling  himself  of  more  consequence  and  that  without  vain 
boasting  and  feeling  better  reconciled  to  the  ills  of  life  and  the 
event  of  death. 

His  allusion  to  death  as  it  invades  the  family  circle, 
brought  tears  to  my  eyes,  but  joy  beamed  through  my  tears 
as  he  proceeded  to  show  how,  instead  of  severing  the  bond  that 
connects  us,  it  only  strengthens  it,  consecrates  the  memory  of 
those  who  have  gone,  enshrines  them  in  our  hearts,  perpetuates 
their  virtues  and  reunites  us  in  Heaven.  Oh,  it  was  a  glorious 
discourse!  I  wish  you  could  have  heard  it.  He  only  arrived 
last  night,  but  the  House  was  crowded.  I  shall  look  for  a  pile- 
up  tonight. 

By  the  way,  I  suppose  you  have  seen  by  the  papers,  the 
death  of  Mrs.  Todd,  the  sister  of  Mrs.  Madison.  She  was  the 
wife  of  Judge  Todd,  formerly  a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
the  United  States,  who,  I  believe,  was  also  a  cousin  to  Mrs. 
Madison's  first  husband,  whose  name  you  know  was  also  Todd. 
Mrs.  M.  I  understand,  in  consequence,  does  not  see  company. 
She  will,  however,  probably  see  me,  and  I  intend  soon  to  call. 
Richard  is  about  going  to  housekeeping.  Mary  will  hover  be- 
tween the  two,  that  is,  her  aunt's  and  Richard's. 

I  have  asked,  I  don't  know  how  many  times,  when  George 
is  going  to  Brunswick,  but  I  get  no  answer.  I  want,  also,  reg- 
ular bulletins  arjout  the  health,  condition,  appearance,  etc.,  etc., 
of  Miss  Anna  Payne. 

Did  I  ever  tell  you  that  the  February  number  of  the  Dem- 
ocratic Review,  is  to  contain  my  likeness  or  rather  what  is 
called  my  likeness.  I  have  been  furnished  with  several  copies 
of  the  picture  and  I  do  think  it  is  horrible.  It  is  not  only  no 
likeness  but  represents  an  ugly  man  enough.  It  is  a  real  mon- 
key, outlar.dish  face,  I  think.  As  soon  as  I  saw  it.  I  wrote  im- 
mediately to  O'Sullivan  to  suppress  it  if  not  too  late.  I  fear  it 
was  too  late.  In  a  day  or  two,  however,  we  shall  see.  I  send 
you  one  of  them.  I  have  many  others  but  I  think  I  shall  never 
dare  to  give  them  away.  Let  me  know  at  once,  what  you 
think  of  it. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  389 

Plagued  by  Nominations  for  Maine 

Washington,  Feb.  18,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  am  plagued  to  death  with  the  nominations  for  Maine.  I 
have,  in  the  first  place,  to  fight  the  battle  before  the  Presi- 
dent, then  before  a  committee  of  the  Senate  and  lastly  before 
the  Senate  itself.  Thus  far  I  have  been  successful  and  hope 
my  good  luck  will  continue. 

Oh,  dear,  Oh  dear!  Would  you  believe  it?  I  have  had  to 
change  my  glasses  numbered  30  for  a  pair  numbered  25.  Is 
there  no  recipe  for  advancing  age?  Should  you  discover  any- 
thing of  that  sort,  I  hope  you  will  not  keep  it  all  to  yourself. 
Only  think,  if  while  I  was  growing  older  you  should  be  growing 
younger?  I  should  very  much  fear  we  should  reach  a  point 
when  you  would  cease  to  love  me.  So  remember,  if  you  dis- 
cover the  philosopher's  stone,  we  are  to  participate  jointly  in 
its  benefits,  and  I  will  make  the  same  promise  on  my  part.  My 
specs  work  beautifully,  the  glasses  are  very  clear  and  easy  to 
the  eye. 

We  are  having  a  visit  from  Gov.  Anderson,  arrived  yester- 
day, very  glad  to  see  him,  but  sorry  we  could  not  find  room  for 
him  in  our  mess.  By  the  way,  Mrs.  Dillingham  has  left  us  and 
Miss  Robinson  and  Miss  Dickerson  are  to  leave  us  the  first  of 
April  or  thereabouts  to  be  married.  Their  absence  will  make 
a  great  hole  in  our  society.  Judge  Johnson  of  Belfast  with  his 
daughter  came  with  Gov.  Anderson.  The  daughter  has  the 
reputation  of  being  a  great  beauty. 
Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Fears  George  Is  Extravagant 

Washington,  Feb.  20,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Yours  was  received  last  night  in  which  you  informed  me 
of  the  cashing  of  Dr.  Nourse's  check, — the  receipt  of  the  Wig- 
gin  money,  and  above  all,  of  giving  George  $100. 

What  upon  earth  could  he  want  so  much  for!  I  was 
astounded.  But  I  suppose  you  have  looked  into  the  particulars 
and  know  that  it  was  needed.  I  shall  write  him  again  and  in- 
sist on  accounts  being  regularly  and  truly  kept  and  upon  a  rigid 


390  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

system  of  economy.  I  will  sooner  take  him  from  College  than 
permit  him  to  remain  to  acquire  habits  of  extravagance,  to  say 
nothing  of  dissipation. 

It  seems  you  have  been  enjoying  a  tremendous  snow  storm. 
The  papers  inform  us  of  a  good  many  shipwrecks  with  a  great 
loss  of  lives. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Oregon  Question  Nears  Settlement 

Washington,  Feb.  22d,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

22d — Washington's  birthday,  isn't  it?  Dr.  Dewey 
preached  at  the  Capitol  today,  had  a  full  house,  and  gave  us  a 
splendid  sermon. 

The  probabilities  against  a  war  are  daily  increasing  and  I 
should  not  be  surprised  if  very  soon  a  treaty  is  concluded  by 
which  the  whole  Oregon  question  will  be  settled, 

I  see  by  the  papers  today  that  the  Democratic  Review  is 
out  without  my  likeness,  or  rather  unlikeness.  I  rejoice  that 
my  request  to  suppress  it  was  not  too  late.  I  suppose  you  have 
received  one  of  the  pictures,  I  sent  you  one  by  mail. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Four  Maine  Governors  in  Washington 

Washington,  March  1,  1846. 
My  dear  Wife, 

I  received  a  line  from  you  day  before  yesterday  in  which 
I  perceive  you  have  been  permitting  some  one  else  to  hold  the 
pen.  Who  could  it  be?  I  thought  I  recognized  the  handwrit- 
ing but  not  the  style.  I  refer  to  the  very  flatfooted  contradic- 
tion about  my  inquiries  as  to  George's  going  to  Brunswick. 
However,  I  forgive  the  author  whoever  it  was,  as  I  am  confi- 
dent no  unkindness  was  intended,  and  because  it  is  more  than 
probable  that  I  was  wrong  in  the  matter.  The  only  explana- 
tion I  can  give  is  that  my  questions  were  addressed  to  some  of 
the  children  instead  of  to  yourself.  If  that  is  not  so,  then  I 
had  the  questions  in  mind  but  never  committed  them  to  paper. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  391 

By  Sarah's  letter  it  seems  she  is  to  go  into  the  kitchen.  I 
like  the  idea  of  her  learning  everything  in  the  way  of  house- 
hold matters,  but  really  you  must  not  think  of  getting  along 
without  a  girl.  It  will  never  do.  With  your  baby  to  take  care 
of.  you  will  do  a  great  deal  more  than  you  ought  to  do,  either 
for  your  health  or  comfort. 

I  want  you  to  tell  me  again  the  color  of  the  baby's  eyes 
and  hair,  complexion,  resemblance,  etc.,  etc.  I  want  to  form 
some  opinion  of  her  before  I  see  her. 

I  am  very  sorry  to  hear  that  poor  Augusta's  lameness  is 
not  quite  so  well.  Your  course  is  probably  right.  If  another 
trial  of  Colby's  system  does  not  succeed,  I  think  we  should  try 
Hewett. 

Night  before  last  I  was  at  Judge  Parris',  where  there  were 
near  40  persons,  and  all  from  Maine  but  two,  to  wit  Mr.  Ela, 
and  Dr.  Oilman,  who  married  a  daughter  of  Judge  P.  And 
what,  perhaps,  may  be  regarded  as  another  curious  coincidence 
was  the  presence  of  four  Governors  of  Maine.  One  live  one 
and  three  dead  ones — to  wit :  Gov.  Parris,  Gov.  Dunlap,  Gov.  F, 
&  Gov.  Anderson. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


On  Receiving  Baby's  Sock 

Washington,  March  8,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Thank  you  for  the  dear  little  specimen  you  sent  me  of 
Anna  Payne.  You  know  it  is  said  of  naturalists  that  show 
them  a  single  bone  of  an  animal  and  they  will  give  you  its 
genus,  species,  and  describe  it  with  almost  as  much  particular- 
ity as  if  it  stood  before  them.  My  imagination  will  enable  me 
to  go  a  good  way  in  building  a  superstructure  upon  the  sock, 
but  I  confess  myself  unable  from  the  sock  to  imagine  the  color 
of  the  baby's  hair. 

I  re-enclose  it  as  Miss  Anna  may  want  it  more  than  I  do. 
Besides,  it  makes  me  homesick  to  look  at  it.  You  remember 
my  story  of  the  green  hand  at  sea  who,  after  being  out  a  month 
or  so,  used  to  go  down  into  the  hold  and  smell  of  the  ballast,  as 
being  the  nearest  approach  to  home  that  he  could  get.  I  re- 
garded the  sock  much  in  the  same  light.  It  smells  of  home 
most  delightfully.     I  am  glad  to  find  that  you  and  the  girls  are 


392  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

so  independent  and  are  enabled  to  get  along  without  a  new 
Hepsey  or  any  other  help.  It  is  a  good  thing  to  know  how 
things  should  be  done  and  to  do  them  upon  a  pinch.  Our  girls 
should  fully  understand  and  appreciate  this.  However,  I  hope 
you  will  not  extend  this  experiment  too  far.  You  cannot  get 
along  without  help,  and  good  help,  too,  and  you  must  not  think 
of  it. 

Am  glad  our  Society  have  a  singing  school.  Hope  you 
will  let  our  children  go  if  practicable. 

Think  you  are  right  about  Augusta.  If  Colby  can't  help 
her  and  that  without  delay,  we  must  send  her  to  Boston. 

If  company,  nor  anything  else  prevents,  I  think  I  shall  go 
up  and  see  Cousin  Richard  tonight,  who  has  gone  to  house- 
keeping.    Cousin  Mary  is  at  present  with  him. 

Mrs.  Madison  has  been  in  mourning  for  a  sister,  and  Anna 
Payne  has  been  sick,  so  I  have  a  tolerable  excuse  for  not  going 
there  since  Christmas. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Reports  a  Suicide 

Washington,  March  20. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

We  are  having  a  most  delicious  day,  if  such  a  term  can 
properly  be  applied  to  weather.  Doors  are  open,  windows  up. 
fires  out,  crocuses  blooming,  grass  springing,  birds  warbling, 
women  shopping,  etc.,  etc. 

I  regret  to  be  obliged  to  pass  from  this  beautiful  picture 
to  one  so  sad  as  that  presented  by  a  suicide.  The  day  before 
yesterday  Commodore  Crane  severed  his  ties  with  this  world 
by  cutting  his  throat.  The  cause  no  one  knows  unless  it  is  to 
be  found  in  his  long  physical  suffering  by  gout  and  other  com- 
plaints. He  has  left  a  wife,  but  no  children.  His  pecuniary 
circumstances  were  comfortable. 

A  few  days  since  Mr.  Ezra  Holden's  card  was  laid  upon  my 
table,  by  which  I  was  also  informed  where  he  was  to  be  found. 
viz.,  at  Gadsby's.  I  returned  his  call  the  next  day,  he  be- 
ing out.  I  left  my  card  for  him.  This  man,  I  am  just  informed, 
is  dead.  He  died  this  morning  of  mania  a  potu.  He  was 
brought  up  in  the  Argus  office.  Afterwards  kept  a  book  store 
in  Portland  and  for  several  years  has  published  the  Saturday 


To  Anna  Payne 


\JAlJl^    jfu^4y^    —.^^ve^  Ur-iJf^-^  yy-C^lje_  iJy  OcT^TX^ 

(^  f ^ 


The  above  lines  were  penned  by  John  Fairfield  to  Dolly  Madison*^ 
young  niece,  Anna  Payne,  who  bore  the  same  name  as  his  wife, 
the  two  having  been  named  for  Anna  Payne  Cutts,  sister  of  Dolly 
Madison  and  wife  of  Richard  Cutts,  Mrs.  Fairfield's  uncle.  This 
Ar.na  Payne,  who  inspired  the  versos,  was  a  southerner  and  spent 
much  time  with  her  aunt,  Mrs.  Madison.  It  was  at  Mrs.  Madison's 
home  Mr.  Fairfield  met  her.  He  speaks  with  admiration  of  her  a 
number  of  times  in  his  letters  to  his  wife  and  in  one  of  them 
mentions    these   verses. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  39S 

Courier  at  Philadelphia,  a  very  valuable  family  paper.  These 
cases  are  sad  enough  and  abound  in  instruction  to  us.  I  re- 
ceived a  letter  yesterday  from  George  which  I  enclose.  I  dis- 
like very  much  his  suggestion  about  a  clerkship  and  have  writ- 
ten him  pretty  plainly  upon  the  subject. 
Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Made  Speech  Off-Hand 

Washington,  March  24th. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  made  a  little  speech  today  upon  the  subject  of  the  fisiimg 
bounties,  which  you  will  see  in  a  Union  which  I  will  send  you. 
It  was  entirely  off  hand  and  without  a  minute  for  reflection.  If 
it  is  published  as  it  ought  to  be  it  will  not  appear  very  bad. 
There  was  some  talk  today  about  endeavoring  tomorrow  to  fix 
upon  a  day  for  taking  the  question  on  the  Oregon  resolutions. 
When  that  is  done  I  can  begin  to  make  my  calculations  about 
going  home,  I  hope. 

I  sent  you  yesterday,  the  lines  I  have  written  for  Anna 
Payne's  Album,  but  have  not  yet  put  them  in  the  book.  How 
do  you  like  them? 

Love  to  all. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Washington,  March  27,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Yours  is  rec'd.  I  think  you  were  very  moderate  in  your 
purchases  and  I  enclose  you  a  check  for  $100  for  which  Uncle 
Seth  will  give  you  the  money.  Am  sorry  you  could  not  get 
the  side  saddle.  As  Uncle  James  had  one  of  his  own,  it  ap- 
pears to  me  he  might  have  been  liberal  enough  to  let  you  have 
this  one.  Yesterday  an  understanding  was  entered  into  to  take 
the  question  on  the  Oregon  resolutions  on  Friday  of  next  week, 
which  will  be  the  3d  of  April,  I  believe.  Immediately  after 
that,  I  shall  call  up  my  War  Steamer  Bill.  How  long  a  discus- 
sion it  will  provoke  it  is  impossible  now  to  foresee.  I  cannot, 
however,  think  it  will  exceed  from  one  to  five  days.     When  that 


394  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

is  disposed  of,  I  shall  start  for  home  like  a  streak  of  lightning. 
So  that  I  think  there  can  be  but  little  doubt  of  my  being  at  home 
by  the  middle  of  April  and  perhaps  by  the  10th. 
Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Washington,  March  29. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Had  the  pleasure  of  a  letter  from  Augusta  today,  but  none 
from  you.  She  says  you  are  almost  tired  out  and  I  don't  won- 
der at  it,  being,  as  you  are,  without  a  girl.  You  must  have  one 
before  I  come  home  and  no  mistake.  Why  would  not  Hepsey 
come  down  and  stay  while  I  am  at  home,  if  no  longer?  Tell  her, 
I  insist  upon  it.  I  can't  get  along  a  single  week  without  Hep- 
sey. Am  sorry  to  learn  that  old  Dick  is  no  better.  Poor  old 
fellow,  I  fear  he  has  "eat  most  of  his  wild  oats."  Well,  when 
I  come  home  I  will  try  to  get  you  a  new  horse.  Perhaps  I 
might  get  one  cheap  in  Boston,  at  this  time  of  year. 

Mrs.  Richard  Cobb  and  daughter  of  Boston,  are  in  the  City. 
Having  heard  that  she  said  should  like  to  have  me  wait  upon 
her  to  the  President's,  I,  day  before  yesterday,  made  a  call  upon 
her,  and  offered  my  services.  She  was  a  little  too  unwell  to  go 
that  night  and  goes  Tuesday  night  which  is  the  next  regular 
one.  She  is  very  ladylike  and  handsome,  and  "entres  nous," 
learn  she  says  that  she  was  very  much  pleased  with  me.  A 
rich,  handsome  widow!  Only  think  of  that!  I  scarcely  ever 
perpetrate  a  joke  upon  such  subjects,  without,  upon  the  second 
thought,  thinking  it  to  be  wrong.  So  you  will  consider  the 
above  as  sponged. 

I  wrote  you  two  days  since  that  the  prospect  was  I  might 
be  at  home  by  the  middle  of  April,  if  not  sooner.  Should  any- 
thing occur  to  change  this  prospect  I  will  inform  you  of  it. 


An  April  Fool  Joke 

Washington,  April  1,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

On  dating  my  letter  the  thought  occurred  of  sending  you 
a  blank  envelope.  But,  upon  "sober  second  thought,"  as  Mr. 
Van  Buren  says,  I  have  concluded  that  you  and  I  are  a  little 
too  old  to  be  made  April  fools  of. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  395 

The  bell  ringing  for  dinner  after  writing  thus  far  I  went 
out  and  found  a  very  pretty  cake,  a  present  from  Anna  Payne. 
I  felt,  of  course,  highly  gratified.  On  tasting  it,  however,  I 
found  it  full  of  salt  and  everything  else  that  could  make  it  of- 
fensive. I  was  not  only  thus  fooled  by  Anna,  but  was  also  fool 
enough  to  spit  out  my  bite  of  it,  with  a  wry  face  instead  of 
smacking  my  lips  and  sending  it  round  the  table. 

Wonder  if  I  shall  get  any  fooleries  from  home  or  did  you 
all  forget  the  first  of  April. 

I  have  nothing  new  to  tell  you.  Gen'l  Cass  made  a  great 
speech  yesterday  on  Oregon  and  so  forth.  Col.  Benton  made 
a  queer  one  today.  Last  evening,  I  went  to  the  President's 
with  Mrs.  Cobb  and  her  daughter.  They  were  both  highly  de- 
lighted as  I  took  a  little  pains  to  have  some  attention  paid  to 
them.  Mrs.  Cobb,  you  know,  was  the  daughter  of  Abial  Wood 
of  Wiscasset,  and  is  now  the  widow  of  Richard  Cobb,  formerly 
of  Portland,  but  who  for  many  years  resided  in  Boston.  The 
President  and  his  lady  were  both  very  gracious  and  gained 
golden  opinions. 

The  great  Texan  Senator,  Gen'l  Houston  or  President 
Houston,  was  there.  He  wears  a  sort  of  Indian  blanket,  very 
beautiful,  and  appears  as  though  he  represented  an  Indian 
tribe,  instead  of  a  sovereign  State.  Nevertheless,  thus  far,  I 
am  pleased  with  him.  He  has  eccentricities,  but  he  is  a  fine 
looking  man,  and  unquestionably  possesses  a  good  deal  of  tal- 
ent. His  colleague,  Gen'l  Rusk,  is  nearly  as  tall,  say  6  ft.  3  or 
4  in.,  but  I  suspect  is  not  so  much  of  a  man. 

I  begin  to  fear  we  may  not  get  the  vote  on  Oregon  by  Fri- 
day.    Today  has  been  lost  from  the  regular  debate. 
Your  Affectionate  Husband, 

J. 


Washington,  April  3d,  1846. 
My  Dear  Anna, 

Sorry  you  remain  without  a  girl,  but  as  Sarah  is  learning 
to  make  a  good  brown  loaf,  we  may  well  exclaim,  "It  is  an  ill 
wind  that  blows  nobody  any  good."  I  suspect  you  will  have 
Hepsy  before  I  get  home.  When  will  that  be,  do  you  say?  Oh 
dear!  I  am  farther  from  certainty  now  unon  the  subiect  than 
ever.  Today  was  the  day  assigned  for  taking  the  vote  upon 
the  Oregon  resolutions  but  from  present  prospects,  if  we  can 


396  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

get  it  by  the  last  of  next  week,  I  shall  regard  it  as  fortunate. 
Tomorrow  McDuffie  is  to  speak  and  Webster  on  Monday. 

By  the  way,  you  say  nothing  of  Augusta,  but  I  suppose  you 
have  recommenced  your  experiments  with  her.  I  do  hope  and 
pray  that  she  may  be  benefited  by  them,  though  I  must  confess 
my  faith  is  not  very  strong. 

So  the  babe,  little  Miss  Annie  Payne,  grows  fast  and 
grows  good.  Am  glad  to  hear  it.  Fancy  I  can  see  how  she 
looks.  Would  give  all  my  old  shoes  and  throw  in  a  hat  be- 
sides, for  one  good  kiss.  Marty,  Luly  and  Johnny  I  can  see  as 
distinctly  as  ever — their  talk,  their  smile,  walk,  etc.,  etc. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 

My  company  having  left  I  will  add  a  word  or  two.  And, 
imprimis,  had  you  not  better  take  the  side  saddle  of  Uncle 
James  at  what  he  would  give  ?  Or  would  it  be  better  to  buy  a 
new  one,  which  I  suppose  would  cost  $15?  Leave  it  all  to  you. 
We  shall  probably  be  obliged  to  have  one  of  some  sort  as  horse- 
back riding,  I  think,  will  be  almost  indispensable  for  Augusta. 

I  was  engaged  to  go  to  Mrs.  Madison's  last  evening,  but  was 
so  lame  I  could  not.  My  lameness  for  three  days  has  been 
rather  worse,  paining  me  also  by  night. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  F. 


Fairfield  Answers  Webster 

Washington,  April  10,  *46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  write  from  the  Senate.  I  am  getting  to  be  quite  talkative. 
Day  before  yesterday  I  made  a  short  speech  upon  a  bill  chang- 
ing the  duties  of  the  naval  bureaus  and  now  I  have  just  fin- 
ished a  speech  of  about  an  hour  in  answer  to  Mr.  Webster  upon 
the  Northeastern  boundary  question.  It  is  some  credit  to  be 
engaged  in  a  contest  with  the  "Godlike,"  but  in  addition  to  that 
can't  say  much.  However,  you  will  judge  of  the  speech  your- 
self, as  I  will  tomorrow  send  you  a  paper  containing  it. 

Have  rec'd  your  note  giving  an  account  of  the  fire.  It  is 
well  that  Adams  was  out  of  town,  for  as  his  goods  were  insured, 
many  would  have  been  uncharitable  enough  to  have  charged 
him  with  setting  the  fire  himself. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  397 

It  grieves  me  much  to  hear  you  say  poor  Augusta's  troubles 
are  spreading  and  that  her  elbows  are  now  affected.  If  some- 
thing effectual  is  not  soon  accomplished  by  the  sweating  process 
she  must  go  to  Boston. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  F. 


Thinks  Webster's  Reply  Inefifectual 

Washington,  April  12,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  sent  you  a  paper  yesterday  containing  my  little  speech  on 
the  Ashburton  treaty.  I  wish  I  could  have  sent  you  a  better 
one,  but  you  must  be  content  with  such  as  I  have.  I  shall  print 
it  in  pamphlet  form,  with  a  note  appended,  improving  it  some- 
what. Webster  replied  to  it  very  mildly  and  very  ineffectually, 
as  I  thought.  The  Whigs  probably  think  otherwise.  Tomorrow 
we  are  to  have  a  speech  from  Upham,  and  I  begin  to  feel  some 
confidence  in  getting  the  vote  this  week. 

Last  night  I  was  up  to  Mrs.  Madison's  and  had  a  very 
pleasant  evening,  though  Mrs.  M.  was  alone.  Anna  was  visit- 
ing at  Commodore  Morris'.  Mrs.  M.  is  in  apparently  fine  health 
and  spirits  and  is  as  magnificent  as  ever. 

I  think  I  shall  not  attempt  to  write  poetry  again,  if  I  can 
get  no  better  compliments  for  it  than  Sarah's.  And,  by  the 
way,  you  did  not  say  which  piece  it  was  about,  that  written  to 
Cousin  Mary  or  Anna  Payne. 

As  I  have  many,  or  rather  several  other  letters,  to  write 
today,  I  will  break  the  thread  here  and  ask  you  to  reel  up  what 
I  have  spun. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


From  Speeches  to  Pigs 

Washington,  April  14,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

We  begin  to  see  daylight.  Yesterday  it  was  agreed  to 
take  the  vote  on  the  Oregon  resolutions  on  Thursday  next — 
say,  the  day  after  tomorrow.  After  that  I  shall  permit  noth- 
ing to  interrupt  my  arrangements  for  going  home  but  two  or 


398  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

three  nominations  now  pending,  viz.:  Gov.  Morton's,  J.  H. 
Wright's  and  Dr.  Nourse's,  and  these  I  hope  will  be  de- 
termined without  much  delay. 

Miss  Harper  left  us  four  or  five  days  ago  and  this  morning 
Miss  Virginia  Dickinson  did  the  same  uncivil  thing.  Miss  Rob- 
inson goes  soon  and  then  we  shall  be  left  for  the  lady  branch  of 
our  mess  with  Mrs.  Niles  and  Mrs.  Dickinson  alone,  and  the 
latter  an  invalid.  These  losses  will  be  severely  felt  by  all  of  us, 
not  omitting  myself,  although  I  spend  but  very  little  of  my 
time  in  the  parlor. 

I  write  from  the  Senate  where  Wescott  is  making  a  speech 
on  the  Oregon  resolution  and  is  so  highly  charged  with  electric- 
ity that  his  queue  sticks  out  behind  at  an  angle  of  90  degrees 
with  his  back,  looking  something  like  a  pump  handle.  Tomor- 
row we  are  to  have  one  from  the  veteran,  Gen'l  Houston.  I  an- 
ticipate for  him  crowded  galleries.  Did  you  have  patience  to 
wade  through  mine  upon  the  Ashburton  treaty?  I  assure  you 
I  shall  not  think  hard  of  it  if  you  did  not.  How  glad  I  shall  be 
when  I  escape  from  the  region  of  speeches  and  get  into  the  re- 
gion of  pigs  and  calves.  By  the  way,  I  have  heard  nothing  of 
pigs  this  spring,  how  is  it?  Are  we  to  have  any? 
Thine  as  Ever, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Dick's    Demise 

Washington,  April  17,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Thank  you  for  your  note  received  today,  but  regret  very, 
very  much  to  learn  that  "poor  old  Dick  has  breathed  his  last." 
My  affection  for  him  had  a  good  foundation.  He  loved  me  and 
more  than  that  he  served  me  well.  There  never  was  a  more 
faithful  creature.  Now  that  he  is  dead  and  gone,  his  virtues 
cluster  about  the  memory  in  great  profusion.  Think  how  much 
he  has  contributed  to  our  pleasure,  how  useful  he  has  been  in  the 
"field"  if  not  in  the  "cabinet,"  how  careful  he  always  was  of  the 
children,  how  considerate  he  has  been  upon  all  occasions,  except 
now  and  then  in  refusing  to  be  caught  when  I  was  in  a  hurry, 
how  gentle,  how  sagacious,  how  kind  and  good,  alas  poor  Dick! 
I  loved  thee  living — I'll  mourn  thee  dead.  Though  thou  hadst 
many  excellent  and  shining  qualities,  I  can  say  of  thee  as  Hal 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  399 

said  of  Falstaff,  "we  could  have  better  spared  a  better"  horse. 
To  change  the  subject: 

"From  grave  to  gay, 
From  lively  to  severe:" 
Am  glad  to  hear  that  the  baby  is  growing  and  is  "a  cunning 
little  thing,"  but  sorry  to  hear  that  you  are  still  without 
**help."  Glad  to  learn  that  Augusta  is  a  little  better,  but  sorry 
to  find  that  she  is  still  so  lame.  Happy  that  Johnny  is  fat  and 
good  natured,  but  not  so  happy  at  the  idea  of  all  the  children 
staying  away  from  school.  Rejoice  that  you  are  able  to  work, 
but  regret  that  you  have  to  work  so  hard.  Oh.  these  buts! 
What  ugly  things  they  are  and  how  full  life  is  of  them,  good 
and  evil,  roses  and  thorns,  sweet  and  bitter  are  inextricably 
commingled  in  all  the  scenes  and  events  of  life.  Wise  and 
happy  is  he  whose  regrets  for  the  latter  do  not  exceed  his  grat- 
itude for  the  former  or  prevent  his  rightful  enjoyment  of  them. 
But,  intending  to  write  a  letter  and  not  a  sermon,  I  pass  on: 

Yesterday  the  question  was  taken  in  the  Senate  on  the 
Oregon  resolutions,  and,  would  you  believe  it!  I  voted  against 
them !  In  which  I  found  myself  in  company  with  my  colleague, 
Mr.  Evans,  but  for  very  different  reasons.  He  voted  against 
the  resolutions  because  they  were  too  strong  and  I,  because 
they  were  too  weak. 

This  out  of  the  way,  1  begin  to  feel  homewardish.  I  think, 
as  soon  as  the  action  of  the  Senate  can  be  had  on  Dr.  Nourse's 
nomination,  I  shall  set  my  face  against  the  East  wind  "like  a 
flint."  When  that  will  be  "not  knowing,  can't  say,"  but  hope 
it  will  be  by  the  middle  of  the  week.  I  shall  be  highly  honored 
with  my  escort  inasmuch  as  I  am  to  have  Cousin  Mary  Cleaves 
all  the  way  and  Miss  Robinson  to  New  York,  and  perhaps  to 
Hartford.  Am  I  not  highly  favored? 
Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Went  to  the  Circus 

Washington,  April  21. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

One  event  has  occurred  today  which  will  hasten  my  return 
home  and  were  it  not  for  this  effect  among  others  I  should  re- 
gret it  deeply.    I  mean  the  rejection  of  Dr.  Nourse  by  the  Sen- 


400  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

ate.  We  had  a  hard  battle.  I  did  the  best  I  could,  but  a  com- 
bination of  Whigs  and  spurious  Democrats  was  too  much  for  us. 
Unless  something  occurs  to  prevent  my  present  arrangement  I 
think  I  may  get  away  from  here  by  Monday  next — the  28th — 
reaching  home  by  the  first  of  May.  I  am  anxious  to  vote  on 
Gov.  Morton's  nominations  and  would  like  to  move  my  war 
steamer  bill  before  I  go — both  of  which  I  think  may  be  done 
this  week.  However,  I  shall  write  you  again  once  or  twice  be- 
fore I  start,  when  I  can  probably  speak  more  definitely. 

Mr.  J,  M.  Clayton  has  made  a  good  speech  on  the  claim  for 
French  spoliations.  I  hope  a  bill  may  pass  this  session  but 
have  very  strong  doubts  about  it. 

I  have  attended  but  few  amusements  here,  but  a  few  nights 
since  could  not  resist  the  inclination  to  go  to  the  circus,  per- 
forming here  for  a  week  from  the  Philadelphia  Company. 
There  were  between  three  and  four  thousand  people  there  and 
among  them  many  members  of  Congress  and  much  of  the  elite 
of  the  City. 

Tomorrow  night  our  Sergeant-at-Arms,  Mr.  Beale,  gives  a 
party,  and  I  think  I  shall  yield  to  his  pressing  invitation  to 
attend.  I  have  an  invitation  also  for  dinner  next  Saturday 
with  Mr.  Buchanan.  So  you  see  after  denying  myself  for  a 
good  while,  I  am  about  to  repay  myself  for  lost  time  with  in- 
terest. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Washington,  April  26. 
My  Dear  Anna, 

The  prospect  now  is  that  I  may  be  able  to  leave  here  on 
Tuesday  next.  A  motion  has  been  made  to  reconsider  the  vote 
by  which  Dr.  Nourse's  nomination  was  rejected.  We  shall  en- 
deavor to  have  this  acted  upon  tomorrow.  If  we  succeed  in  this 
I  shall  be  ready  to  go  the  next  day.  I  have  heretofore  told  you, 
I  believe,  of  two  companions  I  am  to  have.  The  prospect  now 
is  that  I  may  have  two  more.  A  Mr.  Sylvester  has  just  been 
in  to  ask  me  to  take  charge  of  his  daughter,  and  some  one  told 
me  last  night  that  Mrs.  Dunlap  was  thinking  of  offering  her- 
self to  me.  Four  ladies,  four  trunks  and  thirteen  bandboxes  I 
am  inclined  to  think  will  give  me  something  to  do.  Aren't  I  a 
good-natured  man? 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  401 

We  are  having  a  cold  rain  storm  today.  I  fear  it  may  be 
snow  with  you.  Yesterday  morning  I  changed  my  thick  under- 
vest  to  thin,  and  my  woolen  drawers  to  cotton.  Now  don't 
laugh  and  say  I  told  you  so,  but  the  truth  is  that  before  10 
o'clock  the  weather  changed,  it  became  as  cold  as  Greenland 
and  I  had  to  change  "back  again." 

Probably  this  is  the  last  you  will  receive  before  seeing  me. 
Love  to  all. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN. 


Delayed  by  a  Washout 

Washmgton,  May  16,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  reached  here  last  night  (Friday)  one  day  earlier  than  I 
had  anticipated  but  not  until  after  12  o'clock  at  night,  when  we 
should  have  regularly  reached  here  at  7.  The  reason  whereof 
is  this.  A  bright  morning  sun  went  into  a  cloud  before  noon. 
About  2  o'clock  the  rain  began  to  come  down  in  torrents  and 
continued  its  outpouring  without  intermission  through  the  day 
and  night.  Per  consequence  a  deep  cut  in  the  road  extending 
some  mile  or  two  was  filled  (comparatively)  with  water,  so 
that  the  track  was  covered  to  the  depth  of  a  foot.  After  mak- 
ing this  water  passage  through  great  perils,  we  reached  a  point 
within  about  3  miles  of  Washington  where  the  mud  had  washed 
in,  covering  the  rails  two  feet.  And  there,  as  the  boy  said  who 
was  learning  to  spell,  having  reached  m-u-d,  we  stuck.  The 
"distress  whistle"  was  blown,  but  no  one  came  to  our  relief. 

A  man  was  then  dispatched  on  foot  to  the  city  for  aid  and 
for  near  five  mortal  hours  we  had  to  wait  until  relief  came  in 
the  shape  of  negroes  and  shovels.  However,  as  we  reached  here 
safely  at  last,  perhaps  it  is  best  to  say  no  more  about  the  mat- 
ter. Gratitude  at  not  being  compelled  to  wait  all  night,  is  far 
better  than  unavailing  complaints  at  having  to  wait  half  the 
night.  I  found  the  mess  all  statu  quo,  with  the  exception  of 
some  half  dozen  of  its  best  members.  All  were  right  glad  to 
see  me,  apparently,  and  I  have  the  vanity  to  believe,  really. 

Have  just  had  a  call  from  Cousin  Mary  and  Isabella  Batch- 
elder. 

Went  to  my  trunk  and  got  all  the  things  supposed  to  be- 
long to  Cousin  Mary,  one  package  of  which  she  opened  with 


402  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

great  avidity,  supposing  it  to  contain  wedding  cake,  but  lo  and 
behold !  nothing  was  found  within  but  my — charcoal !  What  a 
laugh  and  shout  and  boxed  ears  followed  you  may  guess.  They 
regarded  it  as  a  hoax  of  mine,  when  in  truth  it  was  one  of  my 
blunders. 

Everybody  exclaims:  "How  you  have  improved!"  and  in- 
deed I  am  fully  convinced,  whether  the  fact  be  so  or  not,  that 
I  am  many  years  younger  than  when  I  left  Washington  some 
three  weeks  ago. 

My  room  has  been  whitewashed  during  my  absence,  the 
bed  has  put  on  a  new  dress  and  everything  looks  nice  and  clean. 

I  found  a  mail  that  would  fill  a  diver  eel  pot  and  shall  have 
to  work  night  and  day  for  a  long  time  to  catch  up  with  my  cor- 
'eespondence. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Trouble  in  Mexico 

Washington,  May  18,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Green  peas,  strawberries  and  cr — no,  milk,  etc.,  etc.  Don't 
your  mouth  water?  Such  has  been  my  fare  since  my  return. 
I  wish  right  sincerely  you  could  participate  with  me. 

The  news  just  received  from  our  army  is  that  Taylor  with 
a  part  of  his  force,  having  left  his  encampment  at  Matamoros, 
went  down  to  Point  Isabel  to  get  his  provision.  After  he  had 
left,  the  remainder  in  command  of  Capt.  Ringgold  were  at- 
tacked by  the  Mexicans.  The  latter  were  repulsed  and  Mata- 
moros was  battered  down  and  burnt  so  that  hardly  houses 
enough  are  left  to  protect  the  sick.  Taylor  was  on  his  way 
back  to  the  camp,  and  when  the  vessel  left,  cannonading  was 
heard  in  the  direction  of  Matamoros ;  so  it  is  probable  that  the 
attack  of  the  Mexicans  was  renewed  upon  Ringgold.  This  I 
have  had  verbally  from  a  friend.  The  papers  may  give  a  little 
different  detail.  The  next  news  will  be  looked  for  with  great 
interest. 

Cousin  Moses  has  received  his  appointment  to  a  clerkship 
in  the  P.  O.  Department  and  is  very  happy  about  it. 

As  many  inquiries  are  made  for  you  as  if  they  were  all  in- 
timate acquaintances  of  yours.     Written  upon  the  run. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  403 

i 
Sail  Down  the  Potomac 

Washington,  May  22,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  I  took  a  sail  down  the  Potomac  in  the  Massa- 
chusetts from  Boston.  A  ship  combining  the  two  forces  of 
steam  and  wind.  Forbes  wants  to  sell  her  to  the  government 
and  so  invited  the  naval  committees  and  some  naval  officers  to 
witness  her  powers.  Had  a  delightful  time.  Another  invita- 
tion to  go  again  tomorrow  with  the  ladies,  but  cannot.  Plenty 
of  business  on  hand,  I  can  tell  you.  Have  also  an  invita- 
tion to  a  menagerie  but  can't  go.  Do.  to  the  National  Fair 
where  I  shall  go,  although  it  is  a  sort  of  humbug  affair  designed 
to  have  some  effect  upon  the  tariff. 

Remember  what  I  told  you  about  Brother  Emery's  note. 
You  must  collect  that  to  rig  out  George  with  and  before  he  goes 
I  will  send  you  the  needful  for  Brunswick. 

Thine  ever 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Calls  Gen.  Scott  an  Old  Granny 

Washington,  May  24,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Today  we  have  a  confirmation  of  the  news  of  yesterday 
that  two  battles  had  been  fought  between  our  troops  and  the 
Mexicans  on  the  8th  and  9th  of  May,  in  which  our  troops  were 
signally  victorious  The  particulars  you  will  see  by  the  papers. 
Maj.  Ringgold  of  Baltimore  and  several  other  valuable  officers 
on  our  side  killed,  in  all  men  and  officers  about  60,  while  on  the 
other  side  there  are  several  hundred.  Gen.  Scott  has  gone  to 
take  command  of  the  Army,  much  to  my  regret.  He  has  seen 
his  day  and  is  now  too  much  of  an  old  granny.  Besides,  as  Mrs. 
Gaines  says,  I  never  knew  a  man  to  be  much  whose  mouth  you 
could  cover  with  a  button. 

Some  expect  to  make  a  speech  tomorrow  on  my  war 
steamer  bill,  so  must  abbreviate  this  letter  and  set  about  mak- 
ing some  preparations. 

Very  truly, 

Your  Husband  and  Prochein  Amie, 
J.  FAIRFIELD. 


404  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Attends  Big  Fair 

Washington,  May  26. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Hot,  hotter,  hottest!!  For  two  or  three  days  eggs  might 
be  pretty  thoroughly  roasted  in  the  sun.  I  have  not  doffed  my 
flannel,  but  I  must  confess  it  is  pretty  hard  to  keep  it  on  today. 
As  an  offset,  if  one  needed,  we  have  an  abundance  of  strawber- 
ries and  for  two  days  past,  cucumbers.  I  would  go  without  a 
week  if  I  could  only  pass  you  a  dish  of  each.  Isn't  that  tolera- 
bly magnanimous  ? 

Last  night  after  visiting  the  President,  called  at  Mrs.  Mad- 
ison's. She  is  complaining  and  Anna  Payne  is  sick  abed. 
Cousin  Mary  is  right  well.  I  was  not  able  to  give  her  any  mes- 
sage or  vote  of  thanks  from  you  or  the  girls  for  her  generous 
presents  for  I  believe  I  received  none  from  you  for  that  pur- 
pose. I  came  near  melting  in  walking  home,  and  of  course  of 
leaving  a  great  grease  spot  on  the  sidewalk. 

The  great  Fair  here  is  all  the  go.  I  went  in  before  they 
had  their  things  arranged  and  may  go  again.  I  saw  a  bed- 
stead, cost  $2,500,  chamber  furniture  to  match.  I  think  I  could 
sleep  sounder  on  a  two  and  three  penny  bedstead  in  the  north 
corner  of  the  west  chamber  of  an  old  house  on  Beach  street. 

Ever  yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Troops  Winning  in  Mexico 

Washington,  May  31,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Am  right  glad  you  have  been  successful  in  obtaining 
"help."  Hope  she  may  have  the  bump  of  inhabitiveness  as 
strongly  developed  as  Hepsey.  Bob  ought  to  be  ashamed  of 
himself.  I  have  no  objection  to  his  being  polite,  but  he  need  not 
carry  the  accomplishment  so  far  as  to  be  falling  on  his  knees 
to  little  school  girls.  Well,  under  the  circumstances,  you  will 
perceive  the  propriety  of  using  him  altogether  in  the  wagon  or 
carriage. 

You  ask  if  the  war  is  to  prolong  the  session.  I  hope  not. 
Day  before  yesterday  Hannegan  introduced  a  resolution  into 
the  Senate  fixing  upon  the  20th  of  July  for  the  adjournment. 
Dayton  moved  to  amend  by    inserting   20th    of   June.     After 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  405 

some  little  talk  the  whole  matter  was  postponed  to  the  8th,  one 
week  from  tomorrow.  The  probability  I  think,  is,  that  the 
20th  of  July  may  be  fixed  upon.  Certainly  nothing  short  of  it, 
but  as  old  Ritchie  says,  nous  venons.  I  shall  soon  begin  to 
count  the  weeks  that  separate  me  from  my  beloved  ones. 

Let  me  know  how  Augusta  gets  along  under  Dr.  Colby.  I 
will  some  time  this  week  send  you  some  money,  as  it  seems  the 
Doctor  has  exhausted  you.  I  forget  precisely  how  much  George 
wanted  but  if  I  send  you  $125  it  will  probably  be  all  you  will 
want  for  the  present.  If  you  do  want  more  let  me  know  and  it 
shall  be  forthcoming.  I  enclose  George's  term  bill  which  I  be- 
lieve is  about  what  we  reckoned. 

Our  troops  are  winning  honors  thick  and  fast  in  Texas. 
The  war,  if  prosecuted  as  vigorously  as  I  think  it  will  be,  will 
be  a  short  one. 

Gov.  Morton  has  been  confirmed.  Good!  I  have  not  been 
expecting  it,  but  think  Calhoun  has  become  a  little  frightened 
at  his  position  and  thinks  it  best  to  stay  his  hand. 

Hope  you  have  not  forgotten  to  have  some  mushmelons 
planted;  lettuce  sowed,  etc.,  etc. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Maine  Officers  Killed 

Washington,  June  7,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  suppose  you  get  papers  enough  to  give  you  the  news  from 
the  seat  of  war.  Nothing  else  constitutes  news  here  now.  Our 
army  has  covered  itself  with  glory.  Maine,  however,  has  suf- 
fered more  than  her  share  among  the  officers.  Lieut.  Chad- 
bourne  who  was  killed  was  a  son  of  Ichabod  R.  Chadbourne  of 
Eastport,  and  Capt.  Page  who  was  so  badly  wounded,  having 
his  lower  jaw  shot  away,  was  from  Fryeburg.  Notwithstand- 
ing this,  in  the  appointment  of  officers  for  the  new  Mounted 
Riflemen,  Maine,  and  indeed  New  England,  got  nothing.  This 
is  treating  us  rather  shabbily  and  causes  a  good  deal  of  com- 
plaint. 

Tomorrow,  the  Senate  will  take  up  the  resolutions  fixing  a 
day  of  adjournment.  My  impression  is,  that  the  20th  of  July 
will  be  selected.  I  think  I  shall  vote  for  it,  although  some  of 
our  party  scold  a  good  deal  about  it,  especially  the  Southern 


406  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

men,  who  say,  if  we  do  that,  nothing  will  be  done  with  the  tariff. 
But  I  am  not  owing  the  Southern  gentlemen  any  special  favor 
just  at  this  time. 

Washington  is  really  getting  to  be  rather  a  dull  place. 
Most  of  the  ladies  are  gone  and  parties,  balls  and  public  enter- 
tainments seem  to  have  subsided,  while  business  grows  more 
pressing  and  wearisome. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


French  Spoliations  Claims 

Washington,  June  9,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Finding  Senators  engaged  in  rather  a  dry  discussion,  I 
avail  myself  of  the  moment  to  drop  you  a  line  or  two.  Yester- 
day the  bill  appropriating  five  millions  of  dollars  in  the  public 
lands  to  the  Claimants  for  French  spoliations  was  carried  by  a 
majority  of  4,  myself  not  voting,  feeling  myself  restrained 
by  the  small  interest  which  you  have.  What  will  be  its  fate  in 
the  House  is  now  very  doubtful.  Its  friends,  however,  seem  to 
feel  much  confidence  in  its  success.  A  short  time  will  deter- 
mine. 

Yesterday,  also,  the  resolution  for  fixing  a  day  of  adjourn- 
ment was  taken  up,  and  after  discussion  was  postponed  an- 
other week.  You  must  not  scold  when  I  tell  you  that  I  voted 
for  the  postponement.  It  was  very  hard  for  me  to  do  so,  but 
the  debates  gave  it  such  a  political  aspect,  that  I  felt  bound  to 
yield  my  own  feelings  and  opinions  to  those  of  my  friends.  I 
hope,  however,  that  on  Monday  next,  the  20th  of  July  will  be 
agreed  on. 

George,  I  suppose,  is  gone.  Tell  Sarah  to  write  and  let  me 
know  something  about  Miss  Haines'  school.  How  does  Augusta 
get  along?  Is  little  Anna's  head  as  square  as  a  horse  block 
yet?     Or  does  it  change? 

My  dear  wife,  ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


The  Oregon  Question  Again 

Washington,  June  11,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday,  the  President  sent  us  confidentially,  a  message, 
accompanied  by  a  proposition  of  the  British  Govt,  for  the  set- 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  407 

tlement  of  the  Oregon  question.  It  will  probably  be  under  dis- 
cussion several  days.  Of  the  particular  terms,  you  know,  I  am 
rr  t  at  liberty  to  speak,  the  subject  being,  at  present,  in  secret 
session.  Nor  of  the  result  can  I  speak  with  certainty.  My 
impression,  however,  is  that  the  proposition  will  be  agreed  to 
substantially  and  so  the  whole  matter  ended.  But  this  I  know, 
that  my  Country  shall  never  be  disgraced  by  my  vote,  if  I  know 
what  I  am  about. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Took  an  Electric  Treatment 

Washington,  June  14,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

There  was  a  fellow  here  two  or  three  nights  ago,  pretend- 
ing to  be  an  astrologer.  Says  some  6  years  ago  he  wrote  to  me 
for  the  day,  month  and  year  I  was  born,  in  order  to  make  some 
calculations  touching  my  fortune  and  that  I  did  not  answer.  I 
have  no  recollection  of  it,  have  you?  He  said,  after  making 
some  calculations,  that  we  should  not  have  fair  weather  until 
after  the  14th  (today). 

There  is  a  Mr.  Goad  here  from  Philadelphia  with  apparatus 
invented  by  himself  for  administering  the  electric  fluid  in  an 
unbroken  stream,  to  any  extent,  and  without  shocks.  I  let 
him  have  my  committee  room  to  exhibit  in  and  he  has  twice 
tried  it  upon  my  knee.  It  is  produced  by  a  galvanic  battery.  I 
hold  the  two  poles,  one  positive,  the  other  negative,  each  side  of 
the  knee,  and  the  electric  fluid  passes  from  one  to  the  other 
through  the  knee  joint.  There  is  no  shock  nor  is  the  sensation 
more  disagreeable  than  two  hot  irons  would  produce.  It  some- 
times agitated  the  limb  so  that  I  could  hardly  hold  it  still.  The 
immediate  effect  is  very  favorable.  Stiffness  is  removed  and 
the  knee  strengthened,  but  the  effect  is  not  permanent.  Goad, 
however,  is  satisfied  that  by  perseverance  my  knee  may  be 
fully  cured.  Who  knows  but  it  might  be  a  good  thing  for  Au- 
gusta ? 

Tomorrow  we  take  up  the  resolution  for  adjournment. 
My  impression  now  is  that  I  shall  go  for  it,  let  who  will  scold. 
I  have  no  idea,  for  one,  of  staying  here  all  summer. 
Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


408  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Treaty  Confirmed 

Washington,  June  19,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Nothing  new.  Treaty  is  confirmed.  Rumor  says  by  vote 
of  41  to  14.  If  there  is  any  glory  in  it,  let  those  wear  it  who 
have  won  it.     I  covet  none  of  it. 

Another  picture  auction  tomorrow  night,  am  afraid  to 
trust  myself  there.  Hope  to  hear  from  some  of  the  children 
soon.     "Brevity  is  the  soul  of" — short  letters. 

Affectionately  your  husband, 

J.  F. 


Illness  of  Cousin  Anna 

Washington,  July  3d,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Last  night  I  called  at  Mrs.  Madison's  and  Mr.  Dummer's. 
At  the  former,  I  regretted  to  learn  that  Anna  Payne  was  dan- 
gerously ill.  I  believe  she  has  not  been  very  well  since  early 
in  the  spring,  but  she  has  been  confined  to  her  bed  but  about 
three  weeks.  I  have  not  seen  her,  I  believe,  since  March,  then 
she  was  complaining  a  little,  but  appeared  pretty  well.  Cousin 
Mary  calls  her  case  one  of  consumption,  but  it  strikes  me  it 
must  be  a  severe  case  of  dysentery,  or  hemorrhage  of  the 
bowels.  The  Doctor,  they  say,  gives  them  but  very  little 
encouragement.  I  was  there  not  more  than  five  minutes  and 
Cousin  Mary  was  sent  for,  the  girl  saying  that  Anna  was 
worse. 

I  regret  also  very  much  to  inform  you  that  Mr.  Ward  was 
called  to  Virginia  to  see  Lauriston  who  was  there  for  the  pur- 
pose of  keeping  school.  He  found  him  feeble,  and  more  than 
that,  his  mind  affected,  probably  much  as  his  mother's  was. 
He  did  not  recognize  his  Father.  Mr.  W.  brought  him  to  this 
City  and  placed  him  in  the  hospital,  where  he  will  be  well  taken 
care  of.     Probably  the  most  judicious  thing  he  could  have  done. 

Mrs.  Dummer  was  just  recovering  from  the  effect  of  her 
trial  of  Goad's  galvanic  apparatus,  about  10  days  ago.  It  does 
not  agree  with  her  at  all. 

I  have  something  curious  to  tell,  which  is  just  brought  to 
my  mind  by  John's  bringing  me  a  note  requring  an  answer.  A 
gentleman,  perhaps  for  himself  and  others,  has  requested  me  to 
consent  to  have  my  bust  taken  in  plaster.     I  consented  and  a 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  409 

few  days  since  he  came  with  a  carriage  and  carried  me  about 
2V2  miles  to  one  of  the  most  beautiful  country  seats  I  ever  saw, 
owned  by  a  Mr.  Stone,  who  for  many  years  was  an  engraver  in 
this  City  and  has  retired  with  a  large  fortune.  Being  a  man  of 
genius  and  having  a  particular  fondness  for  sculpture  he  is 
now  passing  his  time  very  pleasantly  in  making  busts. 

He  commenced  taking  measurements  of  my  head  that  day 
and  has  been  at  my  room  once  since  to  complete  them.  His 
note  is  to  inform  me  that  the  clay  is  up,  and  that  he  wishes  for 
a  sitting  tomorrow  morning.  He  says  that  he  shall  want  about 
24  hours  sitting,  say  about  2  hours  at  a  time.  He  proposed  the 
other  day  that  I  should  go  out  early  in  the  morning  and  break- 
fast with  him.  This  will  be  delightful,  especially  when  the 
weather  is  good  and  I  can  go  on  horseback.  The  bust  will  be 
just  the  size  of  life.  A  complete  model,  you  know,  is  first  made 
of  clay  and  upon  this  the  mould  is  made  in  which  the  busts  are 
run.     Perhaps  you  had  better  not  say  much  about  it  at  present. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


An  Agreeable  July  Fourth 

Washington,  July  5,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  was  the  glorious  fourth  and  what  has  been  very 
unusual,  it  rained  half  the  day.  At  V2  past  6  in  the  morning  I 
started  for  Stone's,  arrived  there  at  7,  breakfasted  with  him, 
sat  down  to  the  bust  where  he  kept  me  until  dinner,  say  2 
o'clock.  After  dinner  he  made  me  take  the  chair  again  where 
he  kept  me  as  long  as  I  could  keep  my  eyes  open,  after  which, 
say  at  4  o'clock,  he  sent  me  home.  His  relative,  an  old  maid, 
read  a  fine  story  to  us.  His  sister,  another  old  maid,  kept  the 
flies  off  from  me  and  upon  the  whole,  I  spent  a  very  agreeable 
Fourth  of  July.     He  is  to  let  me  know  when  he  wants  me  again. 

Have  not  heard  from  Anna  Paine  since  I  was  up  there  on 
Thursday  or  Friday.  If  I  can  get  waked  up  enough,  shall  walk 
up  there  by  and  by.  Mrs.  Ogle  Taylor,  a  near  neighbor  of  Mrs. 
Madison's,  I  learn,  died  very  suddenly  yesterday.  She  went 
into  the  bath  well,  for  aught  that  any  one  knew.  Afterward 
was  found  in  her  room  on  the  floor  senseless  and  soon  after 
died. 


410  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

The  great  tariff  bill  has  passed  the  House.  I  fear  it  wiir 
take  a  good  deal  of  time  in  the  Senate.  We  are  deter- 
mined, however,  to  try  our  resolution  for  adjournment  again, 
tomorrow. 

Ever  thy  Affectionate  Husband. 


Anna  Payne  Reported  Dead 

Washington,  July  8. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  morning  at  the  breakfast  table  Mrs.  Scott  told 
me  that  Anna  Payne  was  dead,  and  after  going  to  the  Senate 
Chamber,  I  wrote  you  a  letter  informing  you  of  the  fact.  Not 
finding  the  news  confirmed,  however,  during  the  day,  I  began  to 
doubt  its  correctness,  and  so  retained  my  letter.  Last  night  I 
went  up  to  Mrs.  Madison's  and  was  told  by  the  servant  that  she 
was  living  but  very  low. 

The  weather  has  now  got  to  be  very  warm.  So  much  so  as 
to  enable  me  (almost  to  the  vexation  of  other  members)  to  say 
that  it  is  very  comfortable. 

Yesterday  the  House  voted  to  fix  the  day  of  adjournment 
at  the  3d  of  August  and  afterwards  reconsidered  it,  and  post- 
poned the  matter  to  a  week  from  next  Monday.  Oh !  the  block- 
heads !  I  wish  I  was  a  Doctor  and  could  have  the  physicing  of 
them  a  little  while.  I  think  I  could  set  their  eyes  and  their 
hearts  homeward  pretty  soon.  Nevertheless,  I  am  still  in- 
clined to  think  we  may  adjourn  about  the  time  named. 

We  are  now  beginning  to  have  apricots,  apples  and  pears 
among  our  fruit.  Blackberries  and  raspberries  are  about  dis- 
appearing. Apricots  resemble  a  peach  having  a  plum  stone, 
nectarines  are  plums  on  a  peach  stone.  Is  this  new  or  can  you 
say  "Who  didn't  know  that?" 

Your  Affectionate 

HUSBAND. 


Negro  Humor 

July  10,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

This  morning  while  I  was  dressing  Mr.  Stone's  son  called 
for  me  with  his  buggy  and  took  me  out  to  the  studio.     Break- 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  411 

fasted  there  and  sat  about  2  hours.  Stone  is  proceeding  admir- 
ably. You  can  almost  hear  the  bust  speak  now.  We  are  get- 
ting along  pretty  well  now  with  business  and  I  begin  to  have 
some  hope  of  getting  home  before  autumn. 

Yesterday  I  made  a  little  speech  upon  the  question  of  tak- 
ing the  Texan  officers  into  our  Navy  with  their  Texan  rank.  I 
send  you  a  Union  containing  it. 

Have  not  heard  from  Anna  Payne  today. 

Cousin  Moses  has  just  come  in  laughing  "to  kill"  at  some 
negro  remarks  he  had  just  heard.  One  was  going  along  plum- 
ing himself  upon  a  new  dress,  white  gloves,  etc.,  etc.  Another, 
a  little  envious  perhaps,  says,  "Ah,  you  poor  nigger,  all  you 
brought  'tother  day  was  $150."  So  you  see  nigger  merit  is 
measured  by  price.  Another  negro  was  sitting  on  his  hack  at 
the  door  of  the  Post  Office  Department  when  Pakenham's 
servant  drove  up  and  told  him  to  get  out  of  the  way.  He  re- 
fused, said  he  paid  the  Corporation  $10  for  the  right  to  drive 
his  hack  and  he  had  as  good  a  right  to  the  shade  as  any  one. 
"You  need  not  tink  you  can  cheat  us  poor  hack  niggers  out  of 
our  rights  as  your  Master  cheated  Congress  out  of  Oregon," 
&  so  forth. 

Ever  thy  Affectionate 

HUSBAND. 


Fairfield's  Bust  Nearly  Completed 

Washington,  July  16,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  the  Senate  has  just 
passed  the  resolution  by  a  large  majority  fixing  the  day  of 
adjournment  on  the  10th  of  August.  This  was  farther  off  than 
suited  me,  but  no  better  terms  could  be  obtained. 

Last  night  I  walked  up  to  Mrs.  Madison's  to  inquire  about 
Anna.  They  say  she  continues  about  the  same.  Upon  the 
whole,  I  should  think  there  was  now  much  hope  of  her.  Cousin 
Mary  is  well  and  talks  a  little  about  going  North  with  me. 

This  morning  I  went  out  to  Stone's  again.  He  is  getting 
an  excellent  head,  I  think,  or  I  should  rather  say,  an  excellent 
likeness. 

You  ask  about  my  galvanic  operations.  I  have  had  but 
one  operation  since  I  wrote  you  last  about  it  and  that  was  night 
before  last.     The  night  before  that  I  lay  awake  all  night  with 


412  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

pain  in  my  legs.  Not  wishing  to  pass  such  another  I  went  to 
O'Reilly's  who  succeeds  Coad,  and  stood  fire  for  about  half  an 
hour,  went  home  and  had  a  good  night's  sleep.  So  much  for 
galvanism.  Have  not  time  to  follow  it  up,  especially  as  we  have 
changed  our  hour  of  meeting  to  10,  nor  do  I  see  how  I  can  go  out 
to  Stone's  any  more. 

I  write  from  the  Senate  while  a  prosy  tariff  speech  is  ding- 
ing in  my  ears,  so  excuse  me  if  I  stop  here. 

Ever  Your  Affectionate 

HUSBAND. 


Anna  Payne  Recovering 

Washington,  July  22d. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Madison  Cutts  was  here  last  night  and  said  they  began  to 
have  strong  hopes  that  Anna  Paine  would  recover.  Cousin 
Moses  came  in  soon  afterward  bringing  news  from  Mrs.  Hart- 
ley, not  so  favorable.  He  says  Mr.  Ela  told  him  they  feared 
she  would  not  recover. 

In  consequence  of  the  Senate's  meeting  at  10,  I  had  yes- 
terday morning  to  get  up  at  5  o'clock  and  ride  on  horseback  to 
Stone's.  Gave  him  two  hours  and  a  half  sitting,  breakfasted 
with  him,  and  returned  by  half-past  nine.  Expect  to  do  the 
same  again  tomorrow  morning  if  the  weather  is  suitable.  Had 
a  hard  fight  today  in  executive  session  upon  the  nomination  of 
Joseph  H.  Jordan  as  Collector  at  Frenchman's  Bay  in  our 
State,  but  ultimately  carried  the  nomination  by  3  majority. 
Some  of  the  most  interesting  sessions  we  have  are  the  secret 
ones.  The  tariff  bill  is  creating  a  good  deal  of  excitement.  It 
will  probably  be  carried  by  the  casting  vote  of  the  Vice-Presi- 
dent. Have  just  received  a  letter  from  George,  which  I  enclose. 
It  is  better  written,  I  think,  than  his  former  letters.  I  can't  go 
the  watch  trade,  though.     I  shall  send  him  five  dollars. 

Every  once  in  a  while  they  get  up  a  report  that  I  am  going 
into  the  Navy  Department.  It  is  all  gammon.  I  don't  think 
the  President  contemplates  making  such  an  offer,  and  if  he 
should,  I  should  tell  him  I  preferred  my  present  position  to  any- 
thing in  his  gift. 

Ever  Your  Affectionate 

HUSBAND. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  413 

Made  Speech  on  Navy  Pension  Bill 

Washington,  July  23d,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  write  from  the  Senate,  and  almost  directly  under  the  pelt- 
ing of  a  speech  from  Gov.  Bagby  against  the  Harbor  Bill.  Yes- 
terday I  had  the  honor  to  make  a  speech  on  the  Navy  pension 
bill,  and  tho'  I  say  it  myself,  one  of  my  best,  for  a  short  one, 
and  yet  not  a  word  of  it  is  reported  in  the  Union. 

Night  before  last,  I  had  the  pleasure  to  meet  a  large  num- 
ber of  the  old  Commodores  at  Mr.  Bancroft's.  It  was  a  noble 
sight  and  a  most  agreeable  time  we  had. 

Anna  Payne,  I  hear,  can  walk  across  the  chamber.  Have 
not  heard  from  Mrs.  Hartley  since  I  wrote  last,  either  to  you 
or  to  Augusta. 

Ever  Your  Affectionate 

HUSBAND. 


Excitement  Over  Tariff 

Washington,  July  26,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  regret  to  be  obliged  to  inform  you  that  Mrs.  Hartley  died 
last  night  and  Cousin  John  has  just  left  in  the  cars  with  the 
corpse,  so  that  he  will  probably  reach  Saco,  one  mail  before  this 
letter.  He  seems  to  bear  up  under  the  loss  pretty  well  but  in 
my  opinion  it  will  be  more  and  more  afflictive  to  him  for  a  long 
time  to  come. 

Anna  Paine,  I  have  not  heard  from  since  I  wrote  you  last. 
We  are  having  very  exciting  times.  The  tariff  is  trembling 
upon  the  verge  of  success  and  defeat.  It  is  rather  difficult  to 
say  what  will  be  the  end.  We  have  been  calculating  all  along 
that  it  was  to  be  carried  by  the  casting  vote  of  the  Vice- 
President.  Yesterday,  however,  Haywood  of  North  Carolina 
sent  in  his  resignation. 

All  sorts  of  stories  are  in  circulation  as  to  the  means  used 
to  bring  this  about.  For  myself,  however,  though  I  think  he 
has  acted  very  foolishly,  I  believe  him  to  be  entirely  honest  and 
conscientious  about  it.  Jannagan,  however,  of  Tennesssee,  a 
Whig,  is  instructed  to  go  for  the  Bill,  by  a  democratic  Legisla- 
ture.    Lf  he  obeys,  as  he  probably  will,  the  bill  is  safe  yet. 

Ever  thine. 

J.  F. 


414  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Washington,  July  28,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

We  are  in  a  state  of  very  considerable  excitement,  I  assure 
you,  growing  out  of  the  new  tariff  bill.  The  Senate,  for  a  long 
time  has  been  considered  to  be  equally  divided,  and  that  the 
fate  of  the  bill  would  depend  upon  the  vote  of  the  Vice-Presi- 
dent. On  Saturday,  however,  Haywood  of  North  Carolina  re- 
signed, rather  than  vote  upon  the  bill  against  his  party  one 
way  or  his  conscience  the  other  way,  and  Janngan,  a  Whig,  who 
has  been  instructed  by  a  democratic  Legislature  to  vote  for  the 
bill,  is  continually  backing  and  filling,  so  that  all  are  in  doubt 
what  he  will  finally  do.  Under  these  circumstances  there  is,  of 
course,  not  a  little  excitement. 

Tell  Augusta  I  have  received  another  letter  from  her,  for 
which  I  am  much  obliged.  She  says  you  have  received  from 
Uncle  Emery  $270,  and  want  to  know  what  is  best  to  do  with  it. 
I  think  it  would  be  better  for  you  to  ask  Uncle  Seth  to  buy  you 
stock  in  the  Manufacturers'  Bank.  As  it  will  probably  be  about 
$100  a  share,  you  may  draw  upon  my  funds  in  the  Bank  for 
enough  to  make  up  three  shares.  If  Uncle  Seth  should  doubt 
whether  this  is  the  best  way  for  you  to  invest,  you  can  then  let 
it  remain  until  I  get  home.  If  stock  is  bought,  the  certificates 
will,  of  course,  be  made  out  in  your  name.  I  want  you  to  keep 
all  your  property  in  your  own  name. 

I  called  up  to  Mrs.  Madison's  last  night.  Anna  is  better 
and  will  probably  recover.  Rode  out  to  Stone's  this  morning 
horseback.  Had  a  delightful  ride,  rising  at  half-past  4.  How 
would  you  like  that? 

Servier,  who  sits  by  my  side,  thinks  I  am  a  very  cool  fellow 
to  be  writing  my  wife  in  a  state  of  such  excitement. 
Ever  Your  Affectionate 

Husband. 


French  Claim  Bill  Passed 

Aug.  4,  1846. 
Dear  Wifey, 

The  French  claim  biU  has  passed  both  Houses  and  is  now 
a  law. 

It  appropriates  five  millions  of    dollars    in   public    lands. 
Laus  Deo. 

In  haste  ever  thy 

Affectionate  Husband. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  415 

A  Difficult  Passage  to  Washington 

Washington,  Dec.  6,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  am  happy  to  be  able  to  say  that  I  reached  this  City  last 
evening  safely  and  in  a  condition  of  health  somewhat  im- 
proved. There  has  been  no  repetition  of  my  nightly  attacks  of 
any  consequence  since  I  left  home  and  I  begin  to  entertain 
strong  hopes  of  staving  them  off  entirely  or  for  the  present  at 
least. 

Our  passage  on  was  not  entirely  free  from  obstruction  and 
difficulty.  I  left  Boston,  you  know,  on  Wednesday  morning  for 
the  Long  Island  route.  When  we  reached  Allyn's  Point  at  Nor- 
wich, the  place  from  which  the  ill-fated  Atlantic  sailed,  we 
found  no  boat  to  take  us  over  to  Long  Island  and  had  to  wait 
in  the  cars  for  one  nearly  two  hours.  After  she  arrived  we 
found  her  very  slow  and  what  was  worse  got  aground  on  the 
Long  Island  side  of  the  sound  and  had  to  lie  nearly  two  hours 
before  the  boat  could  be  got  off,  so  that  we  did  not  reach  Green- 
port  until  after  dark. 

When  there  we  found  that  a  baggage  car  of  the  train  go- 
ing North  had  run  off  the  track  and  we  had  to  wait  a  long  time 
for  the  track  to  be  cleared.  In  consequence  of  all  these  mis- 
haps we  did  not  reach  New  York  until  one-half  pa^t  2  in  the 
morning  when  we  should  have  reached  it  at  8  in  the  evening. 
Our  baggage  we  had  to  leave  in  the  cars  and  did  not  get  it  early 
enough  in  the  morning  to  take  the  train  for  Philadelphia  and  so 
had  to  wait  and  take  the  night  train.  Since  then  things  have 
gone  well  enough. 

I  stopped  at  Philadelphia  on  Friday  and  dined  with  Mr. 
Pettit  in  company  with  a  Russian  Count  and  Baron.  The  Count 
is  soon  to  be  married  to  a  Miss  McKnight  of  Bordentown.  The 
Baron  certainly  cannot  marry  anybody  until  he  "gets  out  of  the 
woods."     He  is  now  buried  up  in  hair. 

Took  the  morning  train  yesterday  (Saturday)  and  reached 
this  city  about  8.     Found  Mrs.  Scott  hauled   up   with   a   lame 

ankle.     Mrs.  King,  Mr.  Gordon  and  Mr.  ,  Vermont,  had 

already  arrived  and  taken  their  old  quarters.  Have  seen  noth- 
ing of  Judge  Niles  or  Gov.  Dickerson.  Cousins  John  Hartley 
and  Moses  Titcomb  met  me  at  the  Depot. 

Had  a  magnificent  sermon  from  Dr.  Dewey  this  morning 
and  I  anticipate  another  this  evening.  He  has  as  much  true 
warmth  of  piety  as  he  has  of  splendid  talents. 


416  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Perhaps  Augusta  had  better  postpone  going  to  Hewett's 
until  spring  when  you  can  make  sister  Mary  a  visit  and  go  in 
to  Boston  and  see  Augusta  often. 

Your  Affectionate 

Husband. 


The  Senator  is  "Worsest" 

Washington,  Dec.  8,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

You  may  expect,  for  the  present  at  least,  to  be  a  good  deal 
bored  with  my  complaints.  So  let  me  say  that  yesterday  I  felt 
finely.  Thought  I  was  going  to  get  well  at  once.  Today  I  am 
worse,  worser,  worsest,  troubled  with  flatulency,  low  spirits, 
etc.,  etc.,  etc.  Did  I  tell  you  that  Dr.  Peirson  put  me  on  a 
somewhat  restricted  diet?  He  says  in  his  memorandum  "For 
diet  use  plain  food,  avoiding  gross  articles,  such  as  fat,  gravy, 
melted  butter,  etc.,  and  all  flatulent  substances  such  as  cab- 
bage, turnip,  baked  beans,  pickles  and  the  like.  Avoid  pastry 
and  made  dishes.     Abstain  from  coffee  and  green  tea." 

There,  what  do  you  think  of  that?  How  would  you  like  it? 
For  myself,  I  can  conform  to  his  directions  without  any  diffi- 
culty. Gravy  is  the  only  thing  I  part  with,  with  much  re- 
luctance. In  conversation,  he  added  some  other  things  such  as 
hot  bread,  etc.,  etc.,  so  I  am  now  confining  myself  to  the  Gra- 
ham loaf.  I  like  it  very  well,  but  think  they  extract  too  much 
of  the  bran.  It  is  that  mainly,  I  think,  which  gives  it  its  effi- 
cacy. The  Doctor  also  prescribed  a  medicine  composed  of 
aloes,  myrrh  and  some  kind  of  tincture  of  iron — a  teaspoonful 
in  water  just  before  eating — a  teaspoonful  of  soda  in  water  on 
going  to  bed. 

Cousin  Richard  called  last  evening.  Cousin  Mary  and  all 
the  rest,  he  says  are  very  well.  Hope  to  be  able  to  go  and  see 
them  soon.  President's  message  came  in  today.  Very  good, 
I  think,  tho  rather  too  long. 

Affectionately, 

Your  Husband. 


Uses  a  Lard  Lamp 

Washington,  Dec.  13,    '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

You  will  be  pleased  to  hear  that  my  health  is  still  improv- 
ing and  persevering  in  the  diet  prescribed  by  Dr.  Peirson  and 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  417 

a  liberal  and  faithful  use  of  hair  mittens  (which  I  have  bought) 
with  cold  water  baths,  I  hope  to  be  as  well  as  ever,  in  a  short 
time. 

I  keep  a  light  burning  all  night  and  Mr.  Gordon  who  sleeps 
in  the  adjoining  chamber  is  appraised  of  my  difficulty  and  will 
come  to  my  aid  if  necessary.  Mrs.  Scott  also  sleeps  in  a  room 
directly  under  mine  and  says  she  will  be  on  hand  in  a  moment 
at  my  tap  upon  the  floor. 

For  a  light  I  have  bought  a  lard  lamp  and  like  it  much.  I 
am  inclined  to  think  you  might  introduce  it  at  home  with  good 
economy.  The  light  is  white  and  soft,  almost,  as  gas.  My 
lamp  will  hold  about  2  cents  worth  of  lard  and  but  a  little  more 
than  one-third  of  it  is  consumed  in  a  night.  The  lamp  is  so 
constructed  that  the  lard  will  burn  until  entirely  consumed. 
My  lamp  is  common  tin,  painted.  The  wick  is  flat  and  is  placed 
beneath  a  tin  holder  something  like  this  (sketch  here).  This 
runs  down  into  the  cold  lard  near  to  the  bottom  of  the  lamp  and 
being  heated  by  the  blaze  keeps  the  lard  melted  sufficiently  to 
burn  well. 

We  have  had  a  most  capital  sermon  today  from  Dr.  Dewey. 
House  full.  I  observed  Mrs.  Madison  among  the  multitude. 
Have  not  yet  called  upon  her.  Understand  that  Anna  Payne  is 
quite  well  again.  Called  at  the  President's  night  before  last, 
small  party,  but  a  very  cheerful  one.  Never  saw  the  President 
and  Mrs.  P.  in  better  spirits.  The  City,  by  the  way,  is  very 
dull.  Never  saw  the  public  houses  so  little  thronged.  Very 
few  of  the  members  have  their  wives  or  children  with  them  and 
the  lovers  of  high  life  are  anticipating  a  duU  winter. 

Our  mess  at  present  is  Judge  Niles  (and  lady  next  week), 
Gov.  Dickerson,  Yules  and  myself  of  the  Senate,  and  King,  Gor- 
don, and  Dillingham  of  the  House.  Yules  is  to  come  tomor- 
row with  his  wife.     Mrs.  Scott  has  still  two  rooms  vacant. 

Tomorrow  is  assigned  for  the  choice  of  our  Committees. 
Expect  a  hard  day's  work  and  a  day  of  grievance  and  disap- 
pointment to  many.  I  wish  all  felt  as  easy  and  indifferent  as  I 
do  upon  the  subject. 

By  the  way,  a  Mr.  Hume  is  pressing  me  to  let  Dr.  McGru- 
der  operate  upon  my  knee.  He  had  precisely  such  an  one  which 
the  Doctor  has  entirely  cured.  I  can't  bear  to  think,  in  my  pres- 
ent health,  of  3  weeks'  confinement  to  my  chamber.    However,  I 


418  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

am  determined  to  consult  the  Doctor  and  see  what  encourage- 
ment he  can  hold  out.  If  you  can  read  this,  give  me  credit  for 
letter  No.  5  and  believe  me  to  be 

Ever  your  affectionate 

Husband. 


Examined  by  Dr.  Magruder 

Washington,  Dec.  15,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

On  calling  a  few  days  since  at  the  6th  Auditor's  office,  Mr. 
Washington's,  he  inquired  very  particularly  about  my  knees, 
seemed  to  take  great  interest  in  the  case  and  said  he  had  a  clerk 
in  the  office  who,  a  few  months  since,  had  just  such  a  knee 
which  had  been  entirely  cured  by  a  Dr.  McGruder  of  this  City. 
He  sent  for  the  Clerk  who  confirmed  all  that  Washington  had 
told  me.  They  both  pressed  me  hard  to  let  him  operate  upon 
me.  Day  before  yesterday,  Hume,  the  Clerk,  came  to  my  room 
and  urged  me  most  strenuously  to  go  and  see  Dr.  McGruder. 
being  sure,  he  said,  that  he  could  cure  me. 

In  consequence  of  all  which,  I  took  some  pains  to  find  out 
who  and  what  this  Dr.  McGruder  was.  The  result  is  that  he 
is  regarded  here  as  an  exceedingly  skilful  physician  and  sur- 
geon, is  rather  rough  and  odd,  but  a  kind-hearted  man,  and  one 
in  whom  his  employers  have  great  confidence.  I  learn  also  that 
he  is  physician  for  Pakenham,  the  British  minister,  Bodicke, 
the  Russian  minister,  Papor,  the  French  minister,  and  was 
physician  for  Fox  before  he  died.  In  addition  to  all  this  I  find 
his  reputation  to  be  first  rate  among  the  citizens. 

Whereupon  today  I  took  Hume  with  me  and  called  upon 
him.  I  liked  his  looks  much.  He  is  no  dandy,  but  he  has  a 
broad,  good-natured  Scotch  face  and  looks  like  a  man  of  genius. 
Said  he,  "I  should  have  known  you  without  an  introduction." 
"How  so,  my  dear  sir?"  "Because  I  have  seen  your  head  out 
at  Stone's." 

Well,  after  some  conversation,  he  said  he  would  prefer 
calling  on  me  at  my  rooms  this  afternoon  when  he  would  ex- 
amine my  knees  and  give  me  his  opinion.  At  4  o'clock,  he 
called,  examined,  etc.,  and  says  the  case  is  one  of  dropsy  and 
that  he  can  cure  it.  I  told  you  the  other  day  that  they  had  not 
been  better  for  years.  Strange  to  say,  the  next  day  they  were 
hardly  ever  worse  and  now  my  legs  and  ankles  are  much 
swollen.     He  says  the  dropsy  is  beginning  to  spread  and  will 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  419 

soon  extend  upwards  to  the  abdomen  unless  something  is  done. 
In  the  case  of  Hume,  he  put  an  instrument  entirely  through  the 
knee  under  the  pan.  In  my  case  he  said  he  should  not.  Would 
merely  make  an  incision  and  draw  off  the  water.  He  says  I 
shall  not  be  confined  more  than  a  week  and  that  mainly  to  pre- 
vent my  catching  cold.  He  speaks  with  perfect  confidence  of 
success,  and  I  am  free  to  say  that  he  has  inspired  me  with  a 
similar  confidence. 

The  result  of  all  which  is,  that  he  is  to  come  here  next 
Saturday  to  fix  on  a  day  next  week  when  he  will  come  and  per- 
form the  operation.  I  asked  him,  in  reference  to  a  particular 
matter  (entre  nous)  whether  I  should  want  a  nurse  or  any  one 
to  take  care  of  me,  and  he  said  no — not  at  all.  So  you  see  I  am 
fairly  committed.  The  deed  is  to  be  done.  I  am  determined 
on  the  trial,  especially  as  he  says  there  is  not  the  least  danger 
of  producing  a  stiff  joint  or  doing  any  other  injury.  He  has 
given  me  some  medicine  to  take  to  prepare  me  for  the  opera- 
tion for  which  I  have  discarded  everything  else.  I  am  all  anx- 
iety until  the  day  arrives. 

As  ever, 

Your  Affectionate  Husband. 


Arranges  for  George  to  Come  to  Washington 

Washington,  Dec.  16,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Mrs.  Scott  says  that  if  I  will  let  George  come  on  and  take 
him  into  my  bed,  she  will  charge  but  $3  a  week  for  him.  In 
view  of  this  and  the  convenience  of  having  him  with  me  just 
now,  I  have  concluded  to  let  him  come  unless  you  should  see 
some  strong  objection  to  it.  I  have  marked  my  letter  private 
in  order  that  if  you  should  think  George  had  better  not  come  on 
you  can  destroy  it  and  say  nothing  of  its  contents  to  any  one. 
I  suppose  he  is  now  at  home;  if  so,  the  sooner  he  comes  the 
better.  You  can  probably  get  what  clothes  he  wants  at  the 
shop  in  Saco,  if  not,  he  can  buy  them  in  Boston.  He  will  prob- 
ably want  a  frock  coat,  pants  and  overcoat.  His  dress  coat,  I 
think,  had  better  be  postponed  for  the  present.  I  enclose  you 
a  check  for  $100.  After  you  have  fitted  George  out  with 
clothes  you  can  give  him  $30  in  money. 

If  you  think  best  for  him  to  come  on,  write  me  immedi- 
ately on  the  receipt  of  this.     I  want  to  know,  one  or  two  mails 


420  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

in  advance  of  the  time  of  his  starting.  I  will  write  him  by  this 
or  the  next  mail,  giving  him  some  directions.  I  will  enclose  the 
letter  to  you,  which  you  can  give  him  or  not  according  to  cir- 
cumstances. 

My  health,  I  think,  continues  improving,  except  my  lame- 
ness. That  just  now  is  very  bad.  The  swelling  extends  to  my 
ankles  and  feet,  and  has  compelled  me  to  buy  some  thin  merino 
socks.  If  George  comes  on,  you  had  better  send,  by  him,  my 
worsted  socks. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Washington,  Dec.  17,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  wrote  you  yesterday  saying  that  if  you  saw  no  insuper- 
able objection  to  George's  coming  to  W.  I  was  willing  he  should 
set  out,  and  that  the  sooner  he  came  the  better.  A  violent 
storm  occurring  has  induced  me  to  write  again  by  next  succeed- 
ing mail,  to  say  that  there  is  no  such  urgent  necessity  for  his 
coming  as  would  justify  his  setting  out  when  the  passage  might 
be  attended  with  danger  or  even  with  much  discomfort.  Last 
night,  for  instance,  would  have  been  dangerous  upon  the 
Sound.  I  do  not  know  when  it  began  to  storm,  but  this  morn- 
ing when  I  waked,  I  found  some  3  or  4  inches  of  snow  on  the 
ground,  and  snow  then  falling  fast.  It  has  since  turned  to  rain 
and  I  hope  will  carry  all  the  snow  off. 

I  received  your  note  this  morning  which  gave  me  much 
pleasure.  The  "blues"  are  not  upon  me  very  hard  now,  but  I'll 
assure  you  a  letter  from  you  will  always  tend  to  dissipate  any 
little  gathering  clouds.  Had  forgotten  about  George's  term 
and  supposed  him  to  be  at  home.  It  seems,  however,  that  you 
will  be  likely  to  get  my  letters  written  yesterday  as  early  as,  if 
not  before,  he  returns. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 

The  items  about  Black  Charley,  the  curtains,  children,  etc., 
etc.  are  all  interesting.  How  is  Lion  and  how  does  he  behave? 
I  wrote  you  about  Augusta  some  days  since,  giving  my  opinion 
that  Augusta  had  better  not  go  to  Hewett's  until  spring  or  sum- 
mer when  you  could  go  to  Lexington  and  make  a  long  visit, 
going  to  Boston  often  to  see  her.  However,  I  am  not  very 
sanguine  in  my  opinion  and  will  leave  all  to  you. 


UNITARIAN  CHURCH,  SACO 

which  John  Fairfield  was  instrumental  in  founding  and  which  the  Fairfield 

family  attended 


THE  FAIRFIELD  PEW 
in  Unitarian  Church,  Saco 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  421 

Date  Set  for  Operation 

Washington,  Dec.  19,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Today,  for  the  first  time,  I  have  called  at  Cousin  Richard's 
and  at  Mrs.  Madison's.  Did  not  see  Mary,  she  being  engaged 
at  church  decorating  it  for  Christmas.  Richard  has  a  boy,  a 
few  weeks  old,  of  which  he  and  his  wife  are  proud  enough.  Mrs. 
Madison  appeared  to  be  well  and  Anna  Payne  extremely  so. 
Never  saw  her  looking  better.  They  were  both  preparing  to 
ride  out  so  that  I  stopped  but  a  moment. 

Dr.  McGruder  has  just  been  here  agreeably  to  his  appoint- 
ment and  has  designated  Tuesday  next  at  11  o'clock  to  perform 
his  operation  upon  my  knees.  He  still  speaks  with  the  utmost 
confidence  of  a  cure.  Cousin  Moses  will  probably  sleep  with  me 
until  George  comes,  i.  e.,  should  it  seem  to  be  at  all  necessary. 

Sunday — The  foregoing  was  not  early  enough  for  the  mail 
last  night  and  as  we  have  no  Sunday  mail,  this  will  not  go  until 
tomorrow. 

Mr.  Burnap  of  Baltimore,  preached  for  us  today,  a  very 
good  philosophical  essay  from  the  text  "The  rich  and  poor  meet 
together,  the  Lord  is  the  maker  of  them  all." 

I  feel  pretty  well  today  and  begin  to  have  confidence  in  my 
full  restoration — i.  e.,  to  my  ordinary  state  of  health,  perhaps 
better  if  Dr.  McGruder's  operation  should  prove  successful,  for 
I  am  not  sure  that  the  difficulty  in  the  knee  may  not  be  the 
source  of  my  other  troubles. 

I  shall  endeavor  to  write  you  again  on  Tuesday  after  the 
operation  or  the  next  day.  Hume  says  the  Dr.  gave  him  some- 
thing after  his  operation  which  made  him  sleep  several  hours. 
I  may  possibly  in  the  same  way  be  prevented  from  writing  to 
you  on  Tuesday.  Love  to  little  Marty,  Luly  &  Donny,  and  all 
the  rest. 

Ever  Your  Affectionate 

Husband. 


The  Senator's  Knee  Operated  On 

Washington,  Dec.  22d,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

"The  long  agony  is  over,"  as  once  was  said  upon  a  more  im- 
portant occasion.     My  knees  have  been  operated  upon  and  so 


422  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

far  as  we  can  now  judge  with  the  most  perfect  success.  It  is 
now  12  o'clock,  meridian,  an  hour  not  having  elapsed  since  the 
operation  was  perfonned. 

I  am  sitting  up  in  my  bed,  with  very  little  pain,  and  devot- 
ing the  first  moments,  after  thanks  to  my  Heavenly  Father,  to 
gratifying  and  allaying  what  I  know  must  be  the  anxiety  of 
my  dear  wife.  When  the  Doctor  got  ready  to  put  in  his  knife, 
"Now,"  said  he,  "if  I  am  right  in  my  opinions  of  your  case  a 
yellow  gelatinous  fluid  will  follow  the  knife."  He  then  in- 
serted the  instrument  on  the  outside  of  the  knee  joint  and  just 
above  it  and  his  prediction  was  fully  verified.  From  both 
knees  there  was  drawn  about  a  pint  and  a  half  of  yellow  fluid, 
nearly  the  consistency  of  the  white  of  an  egg,  not  quite  so  thick. 
He  says  that  at  least  a  pint  more  will  yet  be  drawn  off.  He 
then  bandaged  my  knee  and  leg  below  it  tightly,  and  left  me, 
saying  that  he  will  call  again  this  evening  and  relieve  the  ban- 
dages, one  of  which  already  begins  to  give  me  considerable 
pain. 

Cousins  Moses  Titcomb  and  Richard  Cutts  were  present  at 
the  operation  and  are  delighted  wiith  Dr.  McGruder  and  the 
apparent  success  of  the  operation.  Richard  pressed  me  very 
hard  to  call  in  Dr.  Hall  as  advising  physician,  but  I  declined, 
having  full  confidence  in  McGruder's  honest  face,  strong  good 
sense,  his  siimplicity  and  want  of  pretension,  and  apparent 
frankness  and  honesty. 

I  will  leave  ithe  next  page  to  add  anything  that  may  occur 
before  the  hour  of  sending  to  the  mail. 
Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

4  O'clock.     Nothing  to  add.     Just  time  to  send  to  P.  O. 


A  "Port  Wine"  Operation 

Washington,  Dec.  23,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  have  just  received  yours  of  the  20th.  If  your  calcula- 
tions were  correct,  George  would  start  this  morning  and  may 
be  expected  here  by  Saturday  night.  Shall  be  glad  to  see  him, 
wish  he  was  here  now. 

The  Doctor  has  just  left  me.  He  opened  my  knees  again, 
in  new  places,  and  drew  off  about  another  pint  of  blood  and 
matter  and  poked  pieces  of  cloth  into  the  orifices  to  keep  them 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  423 

open.  He  hurt  me  much  more  today  than  he  did  yesterday  and 
the  irritation  caused  by  the  pieces  of  cloth  in  the  holes  is  by 
no  means  agreeable,  I  can  tell  you.  He  has  postponed  the  op- 
eration with  the  Port  wine  until  tomorrow.  As  I  understand 
him,  the  coming  away  of  the  wine  will  be  accompanied  by  the 
remaining  fluids  and  the  knees  will  then  be  in  a  proper  condi- 
tion to  heal,  or  rather  for  the  parts  so  long  separated  to  come 
together  again. 

Cousin  Moses  slept  with  me  last  night  and  probably  will 
continue  to  until  George  comes  on.  I  am  troubled  with  wake- 
ful spells  occasionally,  but  not  more  so  than  I  was  at  home.  If 
you  were  only  here,  I  should  feel  quite  happy.  Nevertheless, 
I  ought  not  to  complain.  Under  all  the  circumstances  I  am 
getting  along  very  well. 

I  had  a  letter  from  Augusta  a  few  days  since,  written,  I 
should  think,  the  day  before  the  burning  of  the  meeting  house. 
She  appears  quite  happy  and  says  she  would  like  to  stay  aU 
winter  and  study  with  Uncle  Whitman,  which  I  think  would 
not  be  an  injudicious  move,  if  you  should  not  conclude  to  put 
her  to  Hewett's  now. 

By  the  way,  if  her  disease  is  like  mine,  I  should  be  in  favor 
of  having  the  knee  opened.  Of  all  that,  however,  we  can  con- 
fer again.  The  weather  is,  and  has  been  for  several  days 
delightful,  so  I  presume  there  is  not  much  doubt  of  George's 
starting  this  morning. 

Affectionately, 

Your  Husband. 


Washington,  Dec.  24,  '46. 
My  Dear  Sarah, 

Thank  you  for  yours  received  some  time  since  but  must 
postpone  answer  until  I  am  in  better  condition  to  write.  My 
principal  object  now  is  to  give  you  a  bulletin  of  my  health.  This 
morning  the  Doctor  opened  my  right  leg  upon  the  inside  but 
got  nothing  but  blood.  He  then  with  a  syringe  forced  cold 
water  into  it  and  afterwards  Port  wine,  both  of  which  were 
almost  immediately  ejected,  and  the  leg  bound  up.  The  oper- 
ation this  morning  was  very  severe  and  my  leg  is  yet,  say  3 
o'clock,  in  a  good  deal  of  pain.  To  the  left  leg  he  did  nothing 
more,  believing  that  there  had  been  already  inflammation 
enough. 


424  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Excuse  me  for  brevity.     WiU  try  to  make  up  for  it  another 
time.    My  confidence  in  the  Doctor  remains  undiminished  and 
believe  I  am  getting  along  better  than  could  be  expected. 
Your  Affectionate  Father, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


The  Operation  Successful 

Washington,  Dec.  25,  1846. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Am  happy  in  being  able  to  inform  you  that  thus  far,  the 
operation  proves  successful.  Yesterday  the  Doctor  made  a 
new  opening  which  brought  on  my  old  neuralgic  pain  which 
lasted  all  day.  In  the  evening,  by  direction  of  the  Doctor,  I 
enveloped  one  knee  with  a  bread  and  milk  poultice.  This  re- 
lieved the  pain,  and  was  followed  by  one  of  the  best  night's 
sleep  I  have  had  since  leaving  home.  Consequently  today,  I 
am  bright,  cheerful  and  full  of  hope.  The  Doctor  has  just  been 
in,  but  has  done  nothing,  says  everything  is  working  to  his  sat- 
isfaction. There  is  considerable  inflammation  in  both  knees, 
but  no  more,  the  Doctor  says,  than  he  wants  to  make  the 
parts  knit  well  together. 

I  walk  my  chamber  a  good  deal,  by  direction,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  producing  irritation  and  consequent  inflammation, — the 
very  thing  that  most  other  surgeons  seem  to  dread.  I  have  a 
capital  appetite  for  breakfast — but  for  dinner  I  have  hard  work 
to  dispose  of  a  small  bowl  of  gruel,  taking  nothing  at  tea  time. 

Cousin  Moses  continues  to  sleep  with  me,  and  is  very  kind 
and  attentive.  Tomorrow  night  I  hope  I  shall  have  George. 
His  letter  was  received  this  morning,  by  which  I  learn  that  he 
was  to  start  Wednesday,  day  before  yesterday  morning.  The 
letter,  I  suppose,  passed  him  in  Boston  where  he  probably 
passed  the  night.  Today  is  Christmas  and  the  weather  is  mild, 
but  a  rain  storm  I  can  see,  is  brewing.  George  may  have  some 
of  it  tomorrow,  but  he  will  be  across  Long  Island  Sound,  which 
is  some  comfort.  I  have  an  invitation  to  dine  with  the  Presi- 
dent on  Wednesday  next,  but  suppose  I  shall  have  to  forego 
that  pleasure,  although  my  week  will  then  have  been  out  which 
the  Doctor  limited  for  my  confinement. 

Had  a  call  at  the  door  some  days  ago  from  Cousin  Mary. 
She  appears  to  be  in  prime  health  and  in  good  spirits. 

Ever  thine, 

I  write  every  day.  J.  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  425 

Caucus  in  the  Sick  Room 

Washington,  Dec.  26,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

About  an  hour  since  I  found  half  the  democratic  Senators 
rushing  into  my  room,  to  hold  a  caucus,  by  appointment  of 
General  Cass  without  a  word  to  me  upon  the  subject.  We 
have  had,  however,  an  agreeable  consultation  and  pleasant  time 
of  it.  And  now  as  all  are  gone  I  will  spend  the  next  few  min- 
utes in  writing  you. 

The  Doctor  came  while  they  were  here,  and  I  had  to  with- 
draw to  an  adjoining  chamber.  The  opening  on  the  left  knee  I 
found  very  sore  and  beginning  to  fester.  On  opening  it,  how- 
ever, we  found  that  the  piece  of  cotton  cloth  had  never  been  ex- 
tracted. I  told  him  on  Wednesday  that  it  was  out,  and  he  took 
it  for  granted  that  I  was  right.  That  part  of  the  knee  has,  of 
course,  been  very  sore.  Upon  the  whole,  I  am  getting  along 
finely.  Slept  well  again  last  night  and  feel  20  years  younger 
than  I  did  a  week  ago.  The  Doctor  thinks  I  may  safely  go  out 
on  Monday.  I  almost  fear  he  is  a  little  too  liberal  and  shall 
endeavor  to  be  careful. 

I  see  by  the  New  York  Herald  that  George  was  at  New 
York  on  Thursday  night.  Of  course  I  shall  expect  him  here 
this  evening.  He  will  come  just  in  time  to  do  a  job  which  the 
Doctor  has  this  morning  directed,  that  is,  to  bathe  my  legs  in 
bay  rum  and  then  rub  them  well.  The  weather  today  is  de- 
lightful, quite  contrary  to  my  expectations  and  George  will,  of 
course,  have  a  pleasant  passage. 

The  report  is  that  Bailey  of  Virginia  and  Davis  of  Ken- 
tucky have  gone  out  to  fight  a  duel.  Poor  fools.  I  pity  them 
and  sincerely  hope  that  nothing  worse  will  result  than  a  flesh 
wound  to  each.  It  is  said  that  Bailey  was  arrested  and  gave 
bail,  that  Davis  avoided  the  officer  and  went  to  Baltimore 
where,  it  is  supposed,  Bailey  will  follow  him  despite  of  his 
bonds. 

The  law  upon  this  subject  is  very  severe  here  now,  and  I 
hope  it  will  be  enforced. 

When  George  comes  I  hope  I  shall  be  able  to  make  him  do  a 
part  of  the  writing. 

Your  Affectionate 

Husband. 


426  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Announcing  George's  Arrival 

Washington,  Dec.  27,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

You  will  be  happy,  I  know,  to  learn  that  no  danger  thus 
far,  appears  to  attend  the  operation  upon  my  knees.  The  in- 
flammation has  nearly  ceased  and  the  healing  process  appears 
to  be  going  on  gradually  and  healthily.  The  knees,  to  be  sure, 
are  still  swollen — but  the  swelling  is  mainly,  I  apprehend,  in 
consequence  of  the  incisions,  or  the  sores  made  by  them.  It 
will  probably  be  months  before  an  entire  restoration  to  the 
original  strength  of  the  joints, — though  for  most  purposes  I 
may  be  considered  well. 

George  arrived  last  night  about  half  past  7,  having  had  a 
safe  and  pleasant  journey,  both  by  land  and  water.  He  has 
been  today  to  hear  Dr.  Dewey.  He  paid  a  pretty  extravagant 
price  for  his  clothes,  it  appears  to  me,  or  perhaps  I  should 
rather  say,  he  bought  better  than  he  need  to  have  done,  to  wit, 
$18  for  his  frock  coat,  $18  for  his  overcoat  and  $3.75  for  his 
vest.  However,  they  are  quite  large  and  I  hope  he  may  be  able 
to  keep  (at  least  the  great  coat)  many  years. 

Last  night  I  had  a  call  from  Mr.  Dummer  and  Cousin  Mary 
Cleaves.  Mr.  D.  brought  me  his  pocket  full  of  big  apples 
which  were  very  acceptable. 

Regret  very  much  poor  Luly  has  burned  her  face.  Hope 
you  used  Connel's  pain  extractor,  for  if  there  is  any  faith  in 
certificates  it  would  have  instantly  relieved  the  pain.  I  tell 
George  he  must  write  by  and  by  and  I  suppose  he  will.  The 
Doctor  says  I  may  go  to  the  Senate  tomorrow,  but  I  doubt  if 
I  shall  avail  myself  of  his  liberality.  Tomorrow  morning,  he 
says,  he  shall  bandage  both  knees  tightly. 

Found  George  very  handy  last  night  in  bathing  my  legs 
in  bay  rum  and  this  morning  in  rubbing  my  back  with  a  hair 
mitten.  But  enough  and  more  than  enough  of  this  everlast- 
ing talk  about  myself.  If  you  find  me  tiresome,  give  me  a  hint 
and  let  me  try  to  amend. 

Yours  in  the  bonds  of  love  and  matrimony, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  427 

Unhappy  Sequel  to  a  Duel 

Washington,  Dec.  29,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  omitted  to  write  you  yesterday,  and  directed  George  to 
take  my  place,  which  he  did.  He  has  now  gone  to  the  P.  O. 
Dept.  to  visit  Cousin  Moses,  so  I  will  drop  you  a  line  myself. 

My  knees  are  getting  along  better  than  I  expected,  which 
you  would  probably  infer  from  the  fact  that  yesterday,  Mon- 
day, one  day  within  the  week  set  by  the  Doctor,  I  went  to  the 
Senate  Chamber.  The  joints  are  now  considerably  swollen 
and  are  bandaged  tightly,  I  suppose  to  reduce  the  swelling  and 
to  aid  the  healing  process. 

I  have  not  been  to  the  Senate  today,  understanding  that 
there  was  to  be  no  session,  in  consequence  of  the  death  of  Sen- 
ator Barrow  from  Louisiana.  This  death  has  been  sudden  and 
melancholy.  It  is  not  three  days.  General  Dix  told  me,  since 
he  was  boasting  of  a  constitution  that  was  capable  of  resisting 
any  and  everything.  Now  he  is  a  corpse.  His  death  was 
caused  by  bilious  colic.  He  went  to  Baltimore  with  Garrett 
Davis  and  Bailey.  While  there  he  was  attacked  with  the  bil- 
ious colic  and  died  last  night.  What  an  unfortunate  sequel  to 
the  unfortunate  drama  of  the  abortive  duel! 

Poor  Barrow!  of  all  the  men  in  the  Senate,  he  is  the  last 
whom  I  would  have  selected  for  so  early  a  death.  He  was,  say, 
6  feet  2  or  3  inches  tall  and  otherwise  large;  he  had  a  very 
broad  chest  and  was  a  man  of  great  muscular  power  and  always 
appeared  to  be  in  the  very  best  of  health.  No  order  has  yet 
been  taken  for  his  funeral. 

Last  night  I  had  a  very  pleasant  call  from  Mrs.  Ela,  ac- 
companied by  Cousin  John.  George  has  had  an  abundance  of 
invitations  and  will  soon,  I  suppose,  begin  to  avail  himself  of 
some  of  them.  He  caught  a  slight  cold  coming  on  and  I,  not 
finding  any  corrective  in  my  medicine  chest,  advised  him  to 
take  a  couple  of  pills  which  he  essayed  to  do,  but  was  unable. 
He  tried  them  with  water  and  without,  with  apple,  etc.,  etc.,  but 
it  was  no  go,  he  could  not  get  one  of  them  down,  scolding  nor 
ridiculing  had  any  effect.  I  send  you  a  letter  I  have  received 
from  Augusta. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


428  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Dined  with  President 

Washington,  Dec.  31,  '46. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

By  a  misunderstanding  between  George  and  myself  you 
had  no  letter  yesterday,  or  rather  there  was  none  written  yes- 
terday. In  the  way  of  news,  the  duel  between  Davis  and  Bailey 
turned  out  to  be  no  duel,  probably  just  as  the  chivalrous  parties 
wanted.  These  Southern  men,  while  they  like  to  have  the  repu- 
tation of  fighters,  do  not  like  actual  fighting  better  than  others. 
Mr.  Barrow  was  buried  today  with  all  the  usual  forms  and  cere- 
monies. 

Yesterday,  contrary  to  my  expectations  I  dined  with  the 
President.  I  did  not,  however,  risk  so  much  without  the  advice 
of  the  Doctor.  Today  I  went  to  the  Senate,  attended  the  fu- 
neral and  afterward  with  George  went  and  dined  with  Cousin 
Richard.  Tomorrow  is  New  Year's  day,  when  all  the  world 
will  be  agog.  I  think  I  shall  participate  but  little  in  the  festiv- 
ities (if  so  they  may  be  called)  of  the  occasion. 

My  lameness  is  about  the  same  as  it  has  been  for  three 
days.  There  is  a  little  soreness,  some  pain  and  weakness.  I 
walked  tonight,  however,  from  Cousin  Richard's.  I  do  nothing 
now  but  bathe  the  legs  in  rum  and  afterward  in  a  solution  of 
potash  I  believe,  and  bandage  tightly.  I  have  a  good  appetite 
and  am  doing  pretty  well. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


SARAH   FAIRFIELD   HAMILTON 
Daughter  of  John  Fairfield 


CHAPTER  XII. 
The  Closing  Year  of  Senator  Fairfield's  Life — 1847. 

The  last  letter  that  Senator  Fairfield  ever  wrote  was  on 
December  23d,  1847,  the  Senator  stopping  in  the  middle  of  a 
letter,  which  never  was  completed.  "So  no  more  tonight — " 
were  his  last  written  words. 

The  letters  of  his  closing  year  of  life  are  pathetically  sug- 
gestive of  pain  and  growing  concern  as  to  the  state  of  his  health. 
They  breathe  a  fonder  affection  for  home  and  assume  the 
personal  note  almost  exclusively. 

The  letters  of  1847  begin  shortly  after  the  first  surgical 
operation  was  performed  on  his  knee.  This  must  have  been 
temporarily  successful,  for  at  the  close  of  the  spring  session  of 
1847  he  returned  to  Maine  feeling  better  and  looking  younger. 

On  the  way  to  Maine,  early  in  1847,  he  stopped  in  Boston, 
to  consult  a  prominent  Boston  physician  as  to  the  health  of  their 
daughter  Augusta  who  was  staying  with  her  uncle's  family 
in  Lexington,  Mass.  Mrs.  Fairfield  met  the  Senator  in  Boston. 
The  daughter  Augusta,  to  whom  reference  is  made  so  often 
in  these  letters,  was  about  fourteen  years  old  at  the  time  when 
she  began  to  show  symptoms  of  a  trouble  very  like  that  of 
her  father.  Thereafter  she  was  always  an  invalid,  and  died 
in  early  womanhood.  Her  sister,  Miss  Martha  Fairfield,  now 
(1922)  a  resident  of  Washington,  D.  C,  writes  of  this  Augusta, 
"She  was  a  beautiful  character,  always  cheerful  and  sunny, 
with  her  father's  courage  and  joyousness.  Her  wheel-chair 
was  always  the  happy  center  of  the  family  circle." 

Senator  Fairfield  left  eight  children.  The  oldest  son, 
Walter,  was  drowned  when  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  gave 
his  life  to  save  a  comrade  in  a  canoe  accident.  In  all  of  Senator 
Fairfield's  early  letters  he  made  frequent  reference  to  Walter. 
These  references  cease  at  a  certain  point  in  this  correspondence. 
It  is  evident  that  Governor  Fairfield  was  at  home  in  Saco, 
Maine,  at  the  time  of  this  family  tragedy. 


430  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

The  associations  of  Governor  Fairfield  with  his  children 
were  intimate  and  happy.  He  wrote  them  often  and  many  of 
the  letters  in  this  collection  were  addressed  to  them.  These 
letters  show  tender  interest  in  their  every-day  pursuits  and 
are  filled  with  good  counsels  of  frugality,  thrift  and  religious 
admonition. 

Miss  Martha  Fairfield  cherishes  a  copy  of  some  stanzas 
written  by  her  father,  for  his  children  to  sing  as  a  morning 
hymn  at  their  family  devotions.  She  remembers  sitting  on  a 
little  cricket  at  his  feet  on  these  occasions  and  singing  this  song 
which  so  well  expresses  the  mild  and  beneficent  theology  of 
John  Fairfield,  at  a  time  when  the  old  and  stern  theology  pre- 
vailed. Miss  Fairfield  says  also,  "My  father,  at  an  early  age, 
turned  from  the  church  of  which  his  grandfather  had  been 
the  only  minister  for  thirty  years,  and  with  some  other  young 
men  founded  the  Unitarian  Church  at  Saco,  saying  that  he 
could  not  bring  up  his  children  on  what  seemed  to  him  ter- 
rible doctrines. 

The  morning  hymn  to  which  Miss  Fairfield  refers  is  as  fol- 
lows: 

A  MORNING  HYMN 

Again  a  flood  of  golden  light 
Succeeds  the  sombre  shades  of  night. 
Refreshing  slumber's  gentle  reign 
Gives  way  to  active  life  again. 

Father  in  Heaven,  thy  loving  grace 
In  each  event  of  life  we  trace ; 
Asleep,  awake,  we  need  not  fear, 
A  father's  love  is  always  near. 

To  thee,  0  Father,  now  we  raise 
Our  notes  of  gratitude  and  praise. 
O !  may  the  day  we  now  begin 
Be  free  from  sorrow  and  from  sin. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  431 

He  was  also  given,  in  his  spare  moments,  to  the  writing  of 
charades  for  the  diversion  of  his  children  and  friends.     Each 
member  of  the  family  had  his  or  her  name  cleverly  worked  into 
a  charade.     The  "dearest  name  in  the  world"  inspired  this: 
Between  two  interjections  place 
Two  times  the  end  of  pain; 
And  then  I  think  you'll  plainly  trace 
A  much-loved,  pretty  name. 
This  was  the  charade  version  of  his  daughter  Martha's 
name : 

My  first's  a  place  where  merchants  meet, 
To  buy  and  sell  and  gain; 
To  this  an  interjection  add, 
'Twill  make  my  daughter's  name. 
ThiSb  the  reader  will  readily  guess,  is  Augusta: 
I  take  a  month  of  flowers  and  fruit, 

And  place  it  first  in  order ; 
An  article  to  this  I'll  suit, 
And  write  another  daughter. 
For  his  eldest  daughter  he  composed  this : 

From  snow-clad  mountains  gently  rolls 

Its  tribute  to  the  sea, 
A  nobler  stream  of  nobler  Maine — 

Its  half  my  first  shall  be. 
One-third  a  stream  of  Scottish  fame 

Will  make  another  letter; 
An  exclamation  gives  a  name, 
You  scarce  could  spell  it  better. 
The  following  was  written  to  delight  the  Senator's  beloved 
"Hammy:" 

My  first  is  one  who  braved  the  flood. 

In  Noah's  noble  barque; 
And,   landing  safe  on  Ararat, 

Descended  from  the  Ark. 
My  next  a  vegetable  is — 

But  for  rhyme  and  meter, 
I'll  further  add,  without  its  aid, 

We  could  not  have  a  Peter. 
My  third  is  sought  by  brigands  bold, 

To  hide  their  ill-got  gain ; 
The  whole,  when  fairly  ranged  and  told, 
Will  show  my  son  his  name. 


432  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

During  the  summer  of  1847,  Senator  Fairfield  took  charge 
of  the  Maine  Democrat  during  the  absence  of  the  editor.  It 
was  in  this  connection  that  he  wrote  the  series  of  "Letters  of 
O.  K."  which  were  collected  in  a  book  and  given  to  his  wife. 
He  returned  to  Washington  for  what  proved  to  be  his  last 
session,  on  the  first  of  December.  He  wrote  but  four  more 
letters,  particularly  chatty,  making  but  little  mention  of  his 
illness,  although  it  was  apparent  to  him  that  his  condition  was 
by  no  means  reassuring.  He  says  in' one  case  that  his  health 
was  "as  good  at  least  as  when  I  left  home." 


New  Year's  Calls 

Washington,  Jan.  1,  1847. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

There — hit  it  right,  the  first  time  writing — that  is  to  say, 
have  written  1847  instead  of  1846. 

The  weather  is  delightful.  In  going  to  make  some  calls 
put  on  George's  coat  (which  by  the  way  just  fits  me)  and  found 
it  uncomfortably  warm.  The  day  will  compare  very  well  with 
our  early  days  in  September. 

I  have  called  at  the  Vice-President's,  Mrs.  Madison's,  Mr. 
Dickens'  our  Secretary,  Mr.  Rives',  Gov.  Parris'  and  Col.  Ben- 
ton's and  have  just  returned  somewhat  fatigued.  I  could  not 
undertake  to  crowd  my  way  through  the  throng  at  the  Presi- 
dent's with  my  game  legs.  George  is  out  upon  an  expedition 
with  Moses.  I  met  them  a  short  time  ago  and  urged  them  to 
call  at  Mrs.  Madison's  where  I  suspect  they  are  now  gone. 

I  never  saw  Mrs.  M.  looking  better,  Anna  Paine  and  Cousin 
Mary  supported  her, — i.  e,  in  a  military  sense,  not  that  they 
have  hold  of  her. 

When  George  returns,  will  make  him  write  some  of  you 
if  I  can.  I  wish  he  had  more  of  an  inclination  to  write.  Of 
my  lameness  I  am  obliged  to  say  that  the  joints  are  yet  weak, 
and  it  is  with  some  difficulty  that  I  can  walk  a  considerable  dis- 
tance, but  I  still  have  confidence  that  they  are  improving,  and 
that  an  entire  cure  is  in  prospect. 

Ever  Yours, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 

Had  almost  forgotten  to  wish  you  and  all  our  household  a 
happy  New  Year. 


George  Having  a  Good  Time 

Washington,  Jan.  3d,  1847. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

As  George  wrote  yesterday  it  has  become  my  turn  today. 
As  Ego,  I,  I,  myself,  have  been  the  absorbing  topic  of  my  let- 
ters, I  begin  by  saying  that  I  am  getting  along  "as  well  as  could 
be  expected."  Nay,  better  than  that.  There  is  now  no  in- 
flammation in  the  knees,  the  swelling  is  subsiding  gradually, 
and  the  only  pain  is  an  occasional  one  of  my  old  neuralgic 


434  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

pains.  I  walk  well,  at  least  as  well  as  I  did  before  the  opera- 
tion, which  is  saying  a  good  deal,  when  you  consider  how 
tightly  my  legs  are  bandaged.  The  Doctor  has  not  been  here 
for  two  days,  shall  expect  him  today.  The  only  thing  now  done 
is  to  bathe  in  New  Rum,  and  a  kind  of  alkali.  George  is  of 
some  service  though  he  gets  terribly  sleepy  before  we  finish 
at  11  o'clock.  Have  been  at  church  today  and  heard  the  inimit- 
able Dr.  Dewey.  Of  all  the  men  whom  I  ever  heard  preach  he 
is  my  favorite.  He  draws  crowded  houses  and  is  doing  a  great 
amount  of  good. 

George  is  busy  examining  curiosities  at  the  Patent  Office, 
and  seems  to  be  enjoying  himself.  This  week  he  means  to  at- 
tend more  to  the  debates  in  the  Senate  and  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives. I  shall  take  him  with  me  to  the  President's,  I 
believe,  on  Tuesday  evening. 

New  Year's  day  he  and  Moses  strolled  about,  but  I  suspect 
made  but  few  calls.  Moses  has  two  things  in  his  composition 
that  keep  him  back,  to  wit,  diffidence  and  laziness. 

I  called  at  Mrs.  Madison's  New  Year's  day.  Never  saw 
her  looking  better.  The  President's  jam  I  very  prudently  de- 
clined attempting  to  penetrate. 

One  month  nearer  seeing  my  dear,  dear  home  than  I  was. 
Two  months  will  soon  slip  away.  I  begin  to  anticipate  with 
great  delight  (if  my  knees  are  cured)  the  taking  hold  actively 
of  my  agricultural  pursuits.  I  am  persuaded  it  is  the  only  way 
to  ensure  good  health,  without  which,  what  is  wealth  or  fame  ? 

Tomorrow  I  intend  to  take  my  seat  in  the  Senate  and  go  to 
work.  I  have  several  bills  to  report  from  Committee  on  Naval 
Affairs  which  may  give  me  something  to  do. 

In  reply  to  your  inquiry  I  know  not  who  and  what  "Mar- 
garet" is.  Who  is  the  author?  I  have  never  seen  or  heard  of 
the  work. 

Yours  in  love  and  marriage. 

J.  F. 


Knees  Are  Improving 

Washington,  Jan.  5,  1847. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday,  I  believe,  escaped  without  a  letter  either  from 
myself  or  George.  He  says  he  will  write  today.  I  am  happy 
in  being  able  to  say  that  my  knees  are  gradually  improving. 
The  swelling  is  subsiding  and  the  joints  gaining  strength.     I 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  435 

walk  today  better  than  I  have  for  years,  I  think.  It  may  be 
imaginary, — but  I  hope  not.  At  all  events  I  know  I  am  im- 
proving. I  spend  over  an  hour  morning  and  evening  in  bath- 
ing in  New  Rum  and  afterward  with  an  alkali.  If  I  have  told 
you  this  seven  times  before,  hope  you  will  pardon  me. 

The  weather  here  continues  to  be  delightful.  George  and 
I  are  talking  of  attending  a  party  tonight  at  Capt.  McCauley's 
at  the  Navy  Yard. 

Yesterday,  I  understand,  a  young  man,  son  of  a  Judge  re- 
siding at  Richmond,  Va.,  committed  suicide.  I  have  no  in- 
formation of  the  cause  or  particulars  farther  than  that  he  went 
into  a  "Pistol  Gallery,"  as  it  is  called — a  sort  of  shooting  school 
— and  after  firing  11  shots  at  a  mark,  the  12th  he  put  through 
his  own  head.  Poor  fellow!  Intemperance  and  gaming  lie 
at  the  bottom  of  most  of  these  things.  Don't  know  how  it  may 
be  here. 

I  write  from  the  Senate  and  as  an  order  has  passed  to  go 
into  executive  session  I  must  close. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Plans  for  Augusta 

Washington,  Jan.  8,  1847. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  was  willing  to  leave  everything  in  regard  to  Augusta  to 
you,  having  more  confidence  in  your  judgment  than  my  own. 
However,  as  you  seem  to  insist  on  my  views,  I  will  give  them 
freely.  I  enclose  a  letter  received  today  from  Bro.  Whitman 
from  which  it  appears  that  Augusta  is  happy  where  she  is,  and 
is  in  better  health.  Moreover,  she  is  now  studying  Latin,  etc., 
with  her  uncle  and  is  probably  doing  better  than  she  would  any- 
where else. 

The  winter  will  be  an  uncomfortable  time  for  you  to  go  to 
Lexington  and  to  pass  in  and  out  to  and  from  Boston  once  or 
twice  a  week  and  it  may  be  a  bad  time  to  leave  Annie. 

Upon  the  whole,  it  appears  to  me,  it  would  be  better  to  per- 
mit Augusta  to  remain  where  she  is  until  spring  (say  March, 
if  that  suits  you  better  than  any  other  month)  when  you  can 
go  up  and  make  your  visit  and  superintend  the  operations  upon 
Augusta  at  Hewett's.  After  my  return,  which  will  be  early  in 
March,  I  can  go  up  with  you,  if  necessary. 


436  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

If  we  take  this  course,  perhaps  it  would  be  better  to  sug- 
gest to  Mr.  W.  that  Augusta  should  be  a  boarder  and  a  pupil, 
instead  of  a  visitor.  However,  upon  this  point,  I  am  not  clear. 
In  regard  to  Augusta's  ailment,  I  am  confident,  it  differs  en- 
tirely from  mine.  I  doubt  if  any  water  or  fluid  is  collected 
about  her  joints. 

If  I  am  right  in  this,  no  surgical  operation  would  be  re- 
quired. Hewett's  course  is  probably  the  best  that  could  be 
adopted.  There — "them  is  my  sentiments,  Mr.  Speaker."  If 
you  differ  from  me,  say  so,  and  wherein.  You  will  find  me  very 
tractable.  I  am  happy  to  repeat  that  I  am  still  improving. 
I  was  so  imprudent  at  McCauley's  party  night  before  last,  as  to 
eat  a  hearty  oyster  supper  about  11  o'clock,  for  which  I  suffered 
all  day  yesterday.  A  good  night's  sleep,  however,  has  dissi- 
pated the  effects  and  today  I  am  feeling  remarkably  well,  and 
walking  better  than  I  have  for  years. 

I  got  a  letter  out  of  George  yesterday  for  Sarahs  but  there 
are  so  many  things  to  take  up  one's  attention  here,  that  I  can- 
not promise  myself  success  in  attempts  to  draw  one  from  him 
daily.  I  owe  my  dear  little  Martha  a  letter  which  I  must  write 
very  soon.  Her  letters  have  amused  George  very  much.  To 
me,  they  have  certainly  been  quite  interesting. 
Your  Affectionate 

Husband. 

If  you  should  deem  it  better,  from  any  considerations,  to 
meet  me  in  Boston,  so  let  it  be. 


Calls  Mexicans  "Rascally" 

Washington,  Jan.  10,  1847. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Oh,  what  magnificent  preaching  we  are  having.  Never  in 
my  life,  have  I  heard  preaching  half  so  interesting,  or  half  so 
well  calculated  to  do  good.  I  shall  go  to  meeting  again  this 
evening  if  I  have  to  wade  knee  deep  in  the  snow. 

Congress  is  very  dilatory  in  all  its  proceedings.  Nearly 
half  of  the  session  is  gone,  and  yet  nothing  of  importance  ac- 
complished. I  wish  the  war  could  be  brought  to  a  close,  but  I 
fear  very  much  that  it  is  to  be  procrastinated  indefinitely.  The 
Mexican  Congress  has  met — and  has  declared  they  will  not 
treat  for  peace  while  any  of  our  troops  remain  in  Mexico  or  any 
of  our  ships  remain  upon  her  coast.    War,  then,  and  war  to  the 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  437 

knife  and  the  hilt  must  be  the  consequence.  She  said  once  be- 
fore, if  our  ships  were  withdrawn  from  her  coast  she  would  re- 
ceive a  minister  from  the  U.  S.  The  ships  were  withdrawn  and 
then  she  refused  to  receive  the  Minister.  The  truth  is,  the 
Mexicans  are  a  rascally,  perfidious  race.  No  reliance  can  be 
placed  in  their  most  solemn  compacts.  They  are  little  better 
than  a  band  of  pirates  and  robbers. 

I  had  a  call  from  Mrs.  Chas.  Cutts  the  other  day.  First,  to 
tell  me  that  she  called  her  last  session  to  pay  me  my  $5  but 
found  me  out,  etc.,  etc.,  will  pay  it  soon.  Second,  to  ask  my 
advice  about  her  proposed  attempt  to  raise  money  on  her  furni- 
ture to  help  Mrs.  Madison ! ! !  Think  of  that !  I  could  not  help 
laughing  in  her  face.  She  immediately  dropped  that  topic  and 
did  not  again  recur  to  it.  How  ridiculous!  Suppose  Mrs.  M. 
is  poor.  She  has  friends  by  whom  she  could  raise  money  at 
any  time ;  while  poor  Mrs.  C.  is  much  more  destitute  than  Mrs. 
M.  and  without  the  means  of  raising  the  wind  I  presume  except 
to  a  very  limited  extent  say  a  few  dollars.  But  the  whole  thing 
is  in  character  just  like  her! 

Bulletin  No.  40, — save  one.  Knees  growing  better.  Have 
not  seen  the  Doctor  since  a  week  last  Thursday  and  don't  know 
what  has  become  of  him. 

Ever  thy  affectionate 

Husband. 


Death  of  Judge  Pennybacker 

Washington,  Jan.  12,  1847. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  have  the  melancholy  intelligence  to  communicate  of  an- 
other death  in  our  body.  Judge  Pennybacker  of  Virginia  died 
last  night  after  an  illness  of  only  a  few  weeks.  At  the  com- 
mencement of  the  session  perhaps  no  two  men  would  be  more 
likely  to  be  selected  from  the  Senate  for  long  life  than  Barrow 
and  Pennybacker.  Now!  alas!  neither  of  them  are  among  the 
living.  Truly  the  race  is  not  always  to  the  swift  or  the  battle 
to  the  strong.  The  death  of  Mr.  Pennybacker  will  be  an- 
nounced today,  when  the  Senate  will  adjourn  over  today  until 
tomorrow,  probably. 

Night  before  last  we  had  a  fall  of  some  eight  inches  of 
snow,  which  makes  capital  sleighing.     Never  saw  better  in  this 


438  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

city.  Being  under  the  necessity  of  going  to  the  War  Depart- 
ment, I  took  25  cents'  worth  in  a  big,  oblong  willow  basket, 
drawn  by  two  queue-up-tailed  nags. 

I  received  another  letter  from  Martha  this  morning  for 
which  I  am  much  obliged  to  her.  I  think  she  improves  in  writ- 
ing very  fast. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 

Archer  has  just  made  his  announcement„  and  the  funeral 
is  to  be  tomorrow. 


Washington,  Jan.  16. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

The  weather  is  very  changeable  and  everybody  is  contin- 
ually catching  cold.  My  brushing  and  washing  in  the  mornings 
I  believe  saves  me.  They  are,  I  think,  the  best  preservatives. 
Wish  you  would  try  them  yourself,  one  or  both. 

George  has  had  a  cold  ever  since  he  has  been  here,  at- 
tended with  sore  lips.  Tonight,  I  mean  to  dose  him  well  with 
cayenne. 

Have  not  seen  my  Doctor  yet,  it  being  a  fortnight  yester- 
day since  he  was  here.  I  don't  know  that  I  suffer  from  his  ab- 
sence. My  limbs,  I  think,  are  gradualy  gaining,  though  not 
quite  so  fast  as  I  could  wish. 

When  ought  George  to  start  for  home?  His  term  com- 
mences about  the  middle  of  February,  and  I  suppose  it  would 
be  well  enough  for  him  to  be  at  home  one  or  two  weeks  before 
going  to  Brunswick.  Consequently,  unless  you  have  some  sug- 
gestion to  make  to  the  contrary,  I  shall  start  him  off  towards 
the  close  of  this  month.  It  would,  perhaps,  be  well  to  give  him 
one  day  at  Lexington. 

I  shall  be  glad  when  the  time  arrives  for  me  to  set  my  face 
homeward  also.  The  attractions  of  home  seem  to  me  to  deepen 
and  gather  force,  the  older  I  grow  and  I  will  add  what  I  said  to 
O'Sullivan  last  night,  who  is  now  revelling  in  his  honeymoon, — 
that  although  I  had  been  married  over  twenty-one  years,  I  could 
say  with  truth  that  I  loved  my  wife  better  now  than  I  did  the 
first  month  of  my  marriage.  There, — was  not  that  a  pretty 
gallant  speech?  Don't  you  "owe  me  one"?  O'Sullivan  was 
delighted  to  hear  me  say  so  and  has  no  doubt  he  can  say  the 
same  at  the  end  of  21  years.     Perhaps  he  may — I  hope  he  may. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  439 

Not  knowing  anything  of  his  wife  I  ought  not  to  doubt  it.  He, 
himself,  is  an  excellent  fellow  and  moreover  is  an  excellent 
friend  of  mine. 

I  write  from  the  Senate,  while  Badger  of  North  Carolina 
is  making  a  speech  against  tht  Bill  providing  for  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  Lieutenant  General. 

Yours  in  the  bonds  of  love  and  wedlock, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Visit  to  Annapolis 

Washington,  Jan.  19,  1847. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Grand  levee  of  the  President  tonight.  Vidt  of  Naval  Af- 
fairs Committee  to  Annapolis  postponed  until  tomorrow.  Spe- 
cial train  got  up  for  us.  In  addition  to  examina'iion  of  Naval 
School,  there  is  to  be  a  grand  naval  ball.  If  I  shoald  attend  it 
and  dance  you  shall  be  duly  informed  thereof  by  \he  earliest 
mail  thereafterwards. 

Another  member  of  Congress  almost  dead.  Sinirns  of 
South  Carolina  has  been  suffering,  I  am  told,  for  several  days 
with  mania  a  potu. 

George  and  I  went  night  before  last  to  hear  Lover,  th« 
author  of  several  amusing  books.  The  audience  laughed  heart- 
ily at  stories  old  as  Methuselah,  but  the  whole  affair  was  a 
humbug.  Balls,  parties,  concerts,  theatres,  etc.,  etc.,  are 
abounding.  Have  attended  only  the  one  named  and  McCau- 
lay's  party.  Next  Saturday,  however,  dine  with  Mr.  Buch- 
anan. Although  something  of  a  politician,  yet  like  a  dinner 
party  about  as  well  as  any  party. 

George  will  probably  leave  on  Wednesday,  one  week  from 
today.  This  will  enable  him  to  spend  one  day  at  Lexington  and 
get  home  on  Saturday  night,  the  thirtieth.  This  also  wiU  give 
him  about  a  fortnight  at  home  before  going  to  Brunswick. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Washington,  Jan.  22,  1847. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  morning  I  went  to  Annapolis  as  I  contemplated. 
Had  a  very  pleasant  time,  but  am  suffering  from  late  hours 


/ 

440  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

and  extra  eating  and  drinking.  Returned  this  morning,  time 
enough  for  the  session.  The  ball  was  a  most  magnificent  one. 
The  school  is  first  rate.  Upon  the  whole  I  was  very  much  grat- 
ified. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Mr.  Buchanan's  Dream 

Washington,  Jan.  28,  '47. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  have  alrea(^  written  you  that  George's  departure  is  to  be 
delayed  another  week,  so  I  hope  you  will  not  worry  about  him. 
He  is  enjoying  himself  very  well,  but  in  a  very  quiet,  steady 
way.  Not  a+  all  disposed,  so  far  as  I  know,  to  any  unlawful  or 
improper  indulgences. 

I  thin-^  you  have  done  right  in  informing  Augusta  that  she 
might  sia.y  at  Lexington  until  I  return.  Am  glad,  also,  that 
you  h«ve  concluded  to  meet  me  in  Boston  or  Lexington.  I  am 
sure  that  Augusta  will  need  you  for  a  while. 

Let  me  suggest  that  you  should  get  some  one  who  can 
fake  your  place  and  devote  herself  entirely  to  Annie.  Sarah,  I 
should  think,  could  take  charge  of  the  rest. 

George  and  I  have  an  invitation  to  a  small  party  at  Mrs. 
Dickens'  on  Saturday  evening  next.  Mrs.  D.,  the  wife  of  our 
Secretary,  I  mean.     We  go,  of  course. 

By  the  way,  I  have  often  laughed  at  a  dream  of  Mr.  Buch- 
anan which  he  related  to  us  the  other  day  at  his  dinner.  That 
is  to  say:  He  dreamed  that  he  had  a  shirt  made  of  gun  cotton 
and  a  big,  ugly  looking  fellow  was  continually  in  chase  of  him 
with  a  red  hot  poker  to  blow  him  up.  A  Daniel  might  perhaps 
connect  it  with  his  waking  thoughts  in  a  manner  not  entirely 
complimentary  to  the  Secretary. 

I  cannot  close  without  alluding  to  my  knees,  and  I  am 
happy  to  say  the  two  last  days  they  have  been  much  better  than 
they  have  been  since  the  operation,  while  the  two  days  before 
they  were  worse.  If  things  go  on  as  favorably  as  they  have 
for  the  two  last  days,  you  and  I  will  dance  a  jig  when  we  have 
the  pleasure  of  meeting. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  441 

Completes  a  Half  Century 

Washington,  Jan.  31,  1847. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  was  my  fiftieth  birthday.  Half  a  century  have 
I  lived.  Half  a  century  been  subject  to  all  the  vicissitudes  of 
life.  Half  a  century  have  I  suffered  and  enjoyed.  "Half  a  cen- 
tury!" In  what  solemn  tones  it  strikes  upon  my  ear.  How 
old  and  sombre  it  looks  upon  paper.  I  can  almost  see  the  moss 
gathering  about  it  and  fancy  a  necessity  for  the  chisel  of  Scott's 
"Old  Mortality."  I  am,  nevertheless,  unable  to  indulge  in  any 
sorrowful  reflections  of  the  past  or  gloomy  forebodings  for  the 
future.  Though  a  cloud  has  occasionally  overshadowed  my 
path — and  for  brief  periods,  the  way  before  me  has  appeared 
dark, — yet  on  the  whole,  my  life,  thus  far,  has  been  a  happy 
one — and  in  looking  back,  I  can  find  nothing  but  causes  for 
gratitude,  deep  and  heart-felt  gratitude  to  my  Heavenly  Father. 
In  my  wife  and  children  I  find  the  most  abundant  source  of 
gratitude  for  the  past  and  solicitude  for  their  welfare  and  hap- 
piness in  the  future,  mingles  with  every  thought  by  day  and 
every  dream  by  night.  Two  pages  to  this  topic,  however,  I  be- 
lieve, is  about  enough.  I  have  no  news,  moral  or  political,  that 
I  know  of.  The  weather,  a  universal  topic,  you  know,  is  very 
fine.  Today  is  Sunday,  and  we  have  had  two  magnificent  ser- 
mons from  Dr.  Dewey.  I  long  for  Sunday  to  come  round. 
Such  treats,  intellectual  as  well  as  moral  and  religious,  I  have 
never  enjoyed  before  in  the  shape  of  preaching.  The  Doctor  is 
a  whole  head  and  shoulders  above  any  man  living  in  the  minis- 
try, and  in  my  opinion  is  superior  to  Dr.  Channing.  Mrs.  Niles 
went  with  me  tonight,  and  though  a  strong  Presbyterian,  she 
admitted  that  she  was  perfectly  fascinated. 

George,  I  suppose,  will  leave  some  day  this  week.  Last 
night  we  both  attended  a  small  party  at  Mr.  Dickens'  and  to- 
day we  dined  with  Cousin  Richard.  After  dinner  I  walked  up 
to  Dr.  Magruder's,  say  two  miles  or  more,  and  back  again. 
George  went  to  meeting  with  Cousin  Mary  and  afterward  to 
Mrs.  Madison's.  We  have  yet  to  visit  the  Navy  Yard  and  the 
Observatory. 

Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


442  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

The  Senator's  Youthful  Appearance 

Washington,  Sept.  5. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

I  have  nothing  to  tell  you  today  but  an  anecdote  which  I 
got  at  Gov.  Marcy's  dinner  yesterday.  I  sat  near  Professor 
Henry,  who  has  lately  been  chosen  superintendent  of  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution  in  this  city.  He  asked  me  if  I  had  any  of  my 
family  with  me.  I  told  him  no;  that  my  son  had  just  left  for 
home,  who  had  been  spending  his  college  vacation  with  me. 
"College!"  said  he,  "is  it  possible  that  you  have  children  old 
enough  to  go  to  College!  Why  you  must  have  begun  young." 
"Why,"  said  I,  "how  old  would  you  take  me  to  be?"  "About 
35,"  said  he.  His  astonishment  was  great  on  being  informed 
that  I  had  completed  my  half  century  last  Saturday. 

On  telling  the  anecdote  at  the  breakfast  table  this  morning 
Mrs.  Niles  said  it  was  manifest  that  I  was  10  years  younger  this 
session  than  I  was  last  session.  The  Judge  said  he  could  not 
answer  to  that  but  he  was  sure  I  was  at  least  5  years  younger 
now  than  I  was  at  the  commencement  of  the  session. 

From  all  this  you  will  draw  your  own  inferences. 

George  had  a  pretty  windy  day  yesterday,  but  I  trust  he 
got  along  safely. 

If  you  can't  decipher  this,  lay  it  aside  and  I  will  help  you 
when  I  get  home. 

Ever  thine, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


The  Starving  Irish 

Washington,  Feb.  8,  1847. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

George  left  on  Wednesday  and  a  windy  time  he  had  of  it. 
Not  having  heard  anything  to  the  contrary  I  presume  he  got 
along  safely. 

Last  night  I  walked  up  to  Ela's  and  took  tea.  In  the 
evening,  tho  it  rained  hard,  went  and  heard  an  excellent  sermon 
from  Dr.  Dewey.  I  have  also  met  the  Doctor  two  or  three  times 
in  private  circles  and  I  find  him  to  be  as  playful  and  agreeable 
as  he  is  profound  and  learned  in  the  pulpit. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  443 

Tomorrow  night  there  is  to  be  a  meeting  to  raise  subscrip- 
tions for  the  poor  Irish  who  are  absolutely  dying  of  starva- 
tion. The  descriptions  of  their  sufferings  are  horrible  and  we 
cannot  be  held  guiltless,  if,  with  such  an  abundance  as  we  have 
in  this  country,  we  do  not  contribute  to  their  aid. 

I  regret  to  be  obliged  to  say  that  we  are  likely  to  lose  an- 
other Senator.  Dixon  H.  Lewis,  the  fat  man,  is  now  lying  in  a 
lethargic  state,  from  which  his  friends  fear  he  will  be  never 
fully  aroused.  He  was  in  the  Senate  about  a  week  ago,  though 
not  very  well.  Everybody  has  seen  that  his  prospects  for  a 
much  longer  continuance  of  life  were  rather  poor. 

Hope  to  hear  from  George  immediately  upon  his  reaching 
home. 

Ever  Yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Carried  Through  Two  Bills 

Washington,  Feb.  16,  1847. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Yesterday  I  had  the  good  fortune  of  carrying  through  two 
important  Bills  reported  by  my  Committee, — a  bill  gi-anting 
pensions  to  widows  under  certain  circumstances,  and  a  bill 
providing  for  the  building  of  four  war  steamers.  They  cre- 
ated a  pretty  little  discussion  in  which  I  participated  and  car- 
ried my  measures  against  the  expectation  of  everybody.  The 
Naval  appropriation  bill  comes  up  tomorrow  when  for  one  day 
at  least,  I  shall  be  pretty  busy. 

Last  night  I  attended  a  jamb — literally  a  jamb — and  at  Mr. 
Secretary  Mason's.  I  can  eat  now  as  much  ice-cream,  Char- 
lotte Russe  and  even  boned  turkey  and  chicken  salad  as  other 
folks  without  being  troubled  by  it  afterward  either  asleep  or 
awake.  I  know  nothing  now  to  prevent  my  leaving  here  on 
the  4th  of  March  and  meeting  you  either  at  Boston  or  Lexing- 
ton on  Friday  or  Saturday.  If  you  stop  at  Boston,  you  will,  of 
course,  go  to  the  Tremont  House.  Of  this,  however,  we  will 
talk  further  by  and  by.  And,  by  the  way,  why  don't  you  talk? 
I  have  not  received  a  letter  from  you  for  a  fortnight,  I  think. 

I  suppose  Sarah  is  all  agog  to  get  her  ring  and  pin.  George 
lost  some  of  our  most  interesting  debates.  I  regretted  that  he 
could  not  have  been  here. 

Love  to  all.  Ever  thine, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


444  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Plans  for  Meeting 

Washington,  Feb.  24,  '47. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Our  session  will  terminate  just  one  week  from  today,  that 
is,  Wednesday  night  at  12  o'clock.  My  present  intention  is  to 
start  the  next  morning  at  5  o'clock  and,  having  good  luck  and 
no  interruptions,  to  reach  Boston  on  Friday  night. 

I  think  you  had  better  come  to  Boston  on  Friday  and  stay 
there  Friday  night.  On  Saturday  we  can  see  Hewett  and  then 
go  to  Lexington.     Stop  at  the  Tremont. 

Col.  Benton  is  just  going  to  commence  a  crack  speech, 
everybody  is  on  the  tiptoe  of  expectation. 

Soule  of  Louisiana  made  a  most  eloquent  speech  day  before 
yesterday.     He  is  a  Frenchman,  or  rather  was  bom  in  France, 
speaks  with  a  brogue  which  renders  him  quite  interesting. 
Ever  yours, 

J.  FAIRFIELD. 


Begins  His  Last  Session 

Friday  Night,  Washington,  Dec.  2d,  1847. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Here  I  am  again  snug  and  safe  in  my  old  quarters — and 
right  glad  I  am  for  a  chance  to  rest  and  to  get  a  modicum  of 
sleep,  very  little  of  which  precious  article  have  I  been  favored 
with  since  leaving  home.  On  Monday  I  stopped  and  dined 
with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Batchelder  and  a  right  pleasant  time  I  had 
of  it.  I  think  they  are  very  agreeably  situated,  and  appear  to 
be  very  happy.  The  farm,  though  small,  is  a  very  good  one. 
The  house  is  very  convenient  and  comfortable,  it's  old-fashion- 
able-ness  don't  hurt  it  any.  They  were  very  sorry  that  neither 
you  nor  one  of  the  children  came  with  me. 

The  next  day  I  went  out  and  spent  a  good  part  of  the  day  in 
Lexington.  Sister  Mary  and  family  are  all  well  (Oh,  I  forgot 
to  say  that  Aunt  Augusta  is  as  fat  as  one  of  Hepsey's  lumps 
of  butter — and  the  story  of  the  dimples,  I  verily  believe  is  no 
fiction).  Mr.  Whitman  went  to  Boston  on  business  by  the  same 
cars  that  brot  me,  returning  at  3  o'clock,  and  at  4,  left  again 
with  me  to  deliver  a  lecture  at  Medford,  so  I  saw  but  little  of 
him.  All  were  delighted  with  my  family  picture  and  I  hope 
you  will  not  fail  to  go  up  to  Ormsby's  and  have  yours  and 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  445 

Annie's  retaken.  You  can  probably  send  it  on  to  me  by  Mr. 
Haines,  who,  I  understood,  was  talking  of  coming  on  in  a  few 
weeks. 

On  Wednesday  after  leaving  Boston,  we  had  a  tolerably 
pleasant  day,  though  it  was  constantly  threatening  to  be  worse. 
We  did  not  cross  the  sound  as  I  had  anticipated,  that  route  not 
being  in  operation  now.  On  Thursday  and  Friday  we  had 
pretty  constant  rain,  but  in  good,  comfortable  cars  it  made 
but  little  difference  to  us.  Mr.  Bradbury  and  Mr.  Hammons 
came  with  me  from  Boston.  They  will  both  look  at  rooms 
here  tomorrw  morning  and  I  am  in  great  hopes  of  having 
them  both  for  messmates.  Judge  Niles  and  wife  are  expected 
tomorrow,  who  take  their  old  room.  There  is  no  one  else 
here  or  engaged  except  a  Mr.  Collins  and  wife  from  New 
York,  whom  I  have  not  yet  seen.  Mrs.  Scott  is  very  well  and 
apparently  improved  from  last  year. 

Cousin  Moses  was  the  first  to  see  me.  He  is  fat,  hearty 
and  good-natured  as  ever.  He  says  our  friends  are  all  well  ex- 
cept Mrs.  Dummer,  who  has  sprained  her  ankle  and  is  quite  un- 
well. My  own  health  since  I  started  has  been  pretty  good,  and 
my  appetite  enormous. 

Oh,  how  the  wind  whistles  about  my  feet  and  ankles.  If  I 
should  undertake  to  quote  from  Shakespeare  just  now  I  should 
begin  "List,  oh,  list."  My  room  has  been  newly  painted, 
whitewashed,  etc.  but  my  old  patchings  and  listings  have  all 
disappeared  consequently  the  wind  is  as  antic  as  a  young  colt 
and  as  noisy  as  a  brazen  trumpet.     I'll  bridle  it  tomorrow. 

I  will  write  you  again  soon.  With  the  hope  that  you  and 
all  of  you  will  throw  laziness  to  the  winds  and  write  me  very, 
very  often,  I  remain 

Yours  as  ever, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Gas  Lighting  Put  Into  Capitol 

Washington,  Dec.  4,  1847. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

Our  minister  is  a  boy  the  name  of  Allen,  son  of  the  Allen 
who  is  the  author  of  Allen's  questions.  But  though  a  boy  in 
stature  and  personal  appearance,  he  is  a  giant  in  intellect.  Sel- 
dom have  I  listened  to  a  sermon  more  crowded  with  thought, 
or  one  more  beautifully  and  forcibly  written. 


446  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

Crutchet's  big  light  on  the  dome  of  the  capitol  I  don't 
think  much  of.  It  affords  a  tolerable  light  immediately  about 
the  capitol,  but  the  light  is  not  extended  so  far  as  had  been 
anticipated. 

The  Senate  Chamber  was  lighted  up  last  evening  with  gas, 
and  looked  splendidly.  The  light  proceeds  from  a  sort  of  chan- 
delier suspended  in  the  center  and  quite  up  to  the  ceiling.  This 
alone  makes  light  enough  to  write  by  and  read  the  finest  print 
in  any  part  of  the  chamber. 

Thus  far  our  mess  is  composed  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Collins  and 
Mr.  Lawrence  from  New  York,  Mr.  Hammons  from  Maine  and 
myself.  Judge  Niles  and  wife  have  spoken  rooms  and  are  ex- 
pected here  tonight. 

Mr.  Bradbury  is  balancing  whether  to  come  here  or  go  to 
Gilbert's.  All  are  anticipating  the  collection  of  a  great  many 
people,  and  a  brilliant  winter.  Landladies,  therefore,  are  a  lit- 
tle exorbitant  as  to  prices.  I  should  not  be  surprised  at  a  good 
deal  of  disappointment  on  their  part  by  and  by. 

When  shall  I  have  a  letter  from  home?  Who  will  write 
first?    Don't  all  speak  at  once. 

Your  Affectionate 

Husband. 


Scores  Politics  in  the  Pulpit 

Washington,  Dec.  16,  1847. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

A  letter  from  you  is  like  medicine  for  the  soul,  I  know  how 
little  time  you  have  to  write,  but  really  I  cannot  relinquish  the 
hopes  of  one  letter  from  you  a  week.  Am  happy  to  inform  you 
that  my  health  is  as  good,  at  least,  as  when  I  left  home.  Strange 
that  I  have  not  seen  Dr.  Magruder  yet. 

Tell  George  I  thank  him  for  his  letter  and  am  glad  to  learn 
that  he  takes  good  care  of  Billy.  When  I  come  home  in  the 
spring  I  shall  want  a  good  horse  to  ride. 

How  did  you  like  the  new  painting  of  the  sleigh?  I 
did  not  see  it.  It  was  to  be  a  little  darker  than  the  old  color 
and  a  light  color  inside. 

None  of  you  tell  me  how  much  the  hog  weighed.  Perhaps, 
however,  he  was  not  weighed  at  all.  I  should  have  set  him  at 
about  425.  Have  not  heard  from  any  quarter  what  was  done 
with  the  $100  I  left  with  George  for  Uncle  Seth.  Suppose, 
however,  I  shall  hear  from  Uncle  Seth  soon. 


LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD  447 

If  I  had  been  at  home  when  Tenney  preached  I  should  have 
left  the  meeting  house.  I  was  right  glad  to  see  that  Hans- 
com  put  the  lash  on  to  Dwight  about  right.  If  such  men  want 
to  become  politicians,  let  them  doff  the  parson's  robes  and  go 
into  the  arena  where  they  can  take  knocks  as  well  as  give  them. 
But  "nuff  ced." 

Yours  forever, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


Last  Letter  to  Sarah 

Washington,  Dec.  19,  1847. 
My  Dear  Sarah, 

I  am  unable  to  answer  your  letter  today,  for  a  reason 
which  you  can  probably  guess: 

"Sharp  optics  it  must  need,  I  ween, 
To  see  what  is  not  to  be  seen." 
However,  I  presume  what  with  your  studies  and  what  with 
household  work  your  time  is  pretty  fully  occupied.  I  excuse 
you,  therefore,  and  will  only  ask  you  for  a  letter  when  you  can 
spare  time  as  well  as  not  from  other  engagements  of  more  im- 
portance. 

Yesterday,  for  the  first  time,  I  called  at  Cousin  Richard's. 
Saw  only  Cousin  Mary,  Mrs  C.  being  too  unwell  to  make  her 
appearance.  I  carried  up  my  family  picture  which  seemed  to 
afford  Mary  great  pleasure.  She  thought  it  was  admirably 
done  and  insisted  on  my  leaving  it  with  her  to  show  to  Mrs. 
Madison.  By  the  way,  where  is  your  mother's  new  one?  Tell 
your  mother  I  have  written  to  Mr.  Haines  to  inform  her  of  the 
time  he  intends  leaving  for  Washington  in  order  that  she  may 
send  whatever  she  may  wish  to  send.  Among  other  things  I 
had  hoped  for  a  new  picture  of  your  mother.  George  says 
Ormsby  says  he  would  have  to  lose  the  plate.  Very  well,  pay 
him  for  another  plate.  I  hope  it  will  be  done.  The  rest  of  you 
must  not  be  offended  when  I  tell  you  that  Mrs.  Scott  picks  out 
Lucy  and  Johnny  as  the  handsomest  of  the  group.  Madison 
Cutts  wants  me  to  lend  it  to  him  for  the  purpose  of  having  an- 
other taken  from  it. 

How  do  you  get  along  at  the  Academy?  Does  Mr.  P.  tell 
as  many  stories  as  ever?  He  will,  I  suspect,  learn  you  all  to  be 
talkers.  I  hope  you  will  improve  well  your  present  opportuni- 
ties whatever  they  may  be,  as  preparatory  to  going  to  a  school 


448  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

abroad  next  year.     They  have  some  pretty  good  schools  here 
but  they  are  too  expensive  for  my  short  purse. 
Your  Affectionate  Father, 

JOHN  FAIRFIELD. 


The  Final  Operation 

Washington,  Dec.  23d,  1847. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

We  have  nothing  new  here  of  any  importance.  On  Thurs- 
day the  Senate  regularly  adjourns  over  to  Monday,  so  that  we 
have  considerable  leisure.  And  yet  with  newspaper  letters,  er- 
rands at  the  Departments,  calls,  etc,  we  have  not  a  great  deal 
of  spare  time. 

Mrs.  Madison's  bill,  giving  her  $25,000  for  her  husband's 
papers,  was  introduced  into  the  Senate  today  and  will  probably 
pass  on  Monday.  I  am  almost  ashamed  to  say  that  I  have  not 
called  upon  her  yet,  and  as  I  am  to  be  "operated  upon"  probably 
shall  not  call  upon  her  for  weeks. 

Dr.  Magruder  called  to  see  me  today  for  the  first  time. 
His  confidence  in  his  ability  to  cure  me  is  not  only  undiminished 
but  strengthened  by  the  success  of  other  cases  which  he  has 
had.  So  it  is  all  arranged.  He  is  to  be  here  tomorrow  morn- 
ing and  operate  upon  my  knees.  He  is  unwilling  that  I 
should  inhale  ether  and  that  project  is  abandoned.  He  says  in 
addition  to  his  prejudices  against  it,  that  in  my  case  it  would 
do  no  good,  inasmuch  as  the  vitriol  is  to  be  kept  in  the  cavities 
of  the  knee  twelve  hours  or  more,  and  that  the  pain  will  be 
more  severe  at  the  close  than  at  the  commencement.  Oh,  dear ! 
What  a  prospect  I  have  before  me.  The  fire  burning  into  my 
flesh  for  12  hours! 

It  is  hard  to  think  of,  but  I  submit  willingly  under  the 
probable  chance  of  a  cure.  Cousin  Moses  and  Mr.  Hammons 
are  to  be  here. 

I  did  intend  to  send  this  letter  by  this  night's  mail,  but 
not  wishing  to  give  you  24  hours'  anxiety  about  me,  I  think  I 
will  keep  it  until  after  the  operation  and  then  finish  it,  so  that 
you  will  have  the  annunciation  and  result  together.  So  no 
more  tonight 


And  indeed  no  more  forever!  The  Senator  died  from 
this  surgical  operation,  after  a  few  hours  of  intense  suffering. 
As  has  been  said  often  in  reference  to  Senator  Fairfield's  death, 
he  was  the  victim  of  gross  malpractice.  The  shock  to  Mrs. 
Fairfield  was  intensified  from  the  fact  that  she  was  not  aware 
that  her  husband  was  contemplating  this  surgical  operation,  at 
the  hands  of  Dr.  Magruder. 

The  funeral  services  of  Senator  Fairfield  took  place  at  his 
residence  in  Saco.  The  Senate  and  its  officers,  the  delegation 
from  the  State  and  other  members  of  the  House  and  friends  ac- 
companied his  body  from  his  boarding  house  to  the  depot,  where 
it  was  received  by  the  Hon.  Mr.  Clark,  one  of  the  members  of 
the  House  of  Representatives  from  Maine  and  accompanied  by 
him  to  Saco.     A  Washington  paper  of  that  date  said: 

"The  solemn  procession  which,  on  Tuesday  last,  followed 
the  last  remains  of  Senator  Fairfield,  afforded  a  most  impres- 
sive tribute  to  his  worth.  The  long  array  of  mourners  on  foot, 
told  an  earnest  tale  of  national  loss ;  for  there  was  mingled  the 
Chief  Magistrate  of  the  Union,  with  the  principal  officers  of 
the  nation — its  senators,  its  representatives,  and  its  citizens — 
all  intent  to  evince  sincere  respect  to  the  memory,  and  sorrow 
for  the  loss,  of  one  suddenly  withdrawn  from  the  councils  of  his 
country,  where  his  purity  of  purpose  and  patriotism  were  ever 
respected,  even  by  political  opponents. 

"It  had  been  the  request  of  Governor  Fairfield's  most 
heavily-afflicted  family  that  his  remains  should  be  sent  on,  to 
be  entombed  in  the  family  vault  at  hom_e.  This  desire  was  sig- 
nified, by  telegraph  from  Maine,  to  the  committee  appointed  to 
celebrate  his  obsequies  here.  Hence,  as  announced  by  this 
paper,  the  funeral  procession  moved,  at  half-past  four  o  dock, 
P.M.,  from  the  late  lodgings  of  the  deceased,  through  Pennsyl- 
vania avenue,  clad  in  snow,  to  the  railroad  depot,  where  the  cof- 
fin was  placed  in  charge  of  the  Hon.  Franklin  Clark,  member 
from  Maine,  to  return  his  remains  to  his  native  State  which  had 
so  often  and  so  long  honored  him  while  living,  and  will  mourn 
him  dead. 


450  LETTERS  OF  JOHN  FAIRFIELD 

"We  know  not  when  we  have  been  more  impressed  with 
the  solemn  effect  of  a  funeral  procession.  It  was  not  alone  that 
we  knew  the  worth  of  the  deceased — that  we  remembered  the 
enthusiasm  which  pervaded  the  whole  nation  at  Governor  Fair- 
field's firm  and  patriotic  stand  when  England  was  thought  to 
have  invaded  the  soil  of  Maine — that  we  vividly  recollected  the 
moment  of  patriotic  excitement  in  the  House  of  Representatives 
which  gave  Mr.  Van  Buren,  the  President,  fifty  thousand  men 
and  ten  millions  of  dollars  to  second  the  call  of  this  same  Gov- 
ernor Fairfield,  should  British  troops  tread  the  soil  of  the  State 
of  Maine,  of  which  he  was  then  chief  magistrate;  but  that  we 
felt,  as  all  felt,  how  just,  how  sincere  was  that  tribute  which 
commingled  the  wise  and  the  good  of  all  parties — the  exalted  in 
station  and  the  humblest  in  station — in  this  most  impressive 
republican  demonstration  of  respect  to  worth  and  patriotism." 


APPENDIX  I. 


The  Northeastern  Boundary  Dispute 
by  john  francis  sprague 


A  serious  disagreement  existed  between  the  United  States 
and  Great  Britain  from  the  treaty  of  peace  (1783)  to  the  Web- 
ster-Ashburton  treaty  (1842),  respecting  the  boundary  hne  be- 
tween what  is  now.  and  what  was  in  1841,  the  State  of  Maine 
and  Canada,  and  known  in  history  as  the  Northeast  Frontier. 

The  beginning  of  this  story  of  a  serious  international  dis- 
agreement and  diplomatic  struggle  for  a  half  century 
crowded  with  exciting  events  and  at  times  shadowed  by  clouds 
of  war,  starts  when,  on  the  10th  of  September,  1621,  James  I. 
granted  to  Sir  William  Alexander  a  certain  territory  under  the 
name  of  Nova  Scotia,  afterwards  known  in  North  American 
history  as  Acadia. 

The  "eastern  boundary"  of  the  United  States,  as  described 
in  the  peace  treaty  of  1783,  differed  in  vital  respects  from  the 
western  boundary  of  this  grant,  as  set  forth  therein. 

Sir  Ferdinando  Gorges  received  his  grant  of  territory  from 
Charles  I.,  by  the  name  of  "Province  or  Country  of  Mayne," 
April  3,  1639,  which  was  purchased  in  the  year  1674  by  the  col- 
ony of  Massachusetts. 

By  the  twelfth  article  of  the  Treaty  of  Utrecht,  in  1713, 
"the  Most  Christian  King  of  France"  ceded  to  the  Queen  of 
England  in  perpetuity,  Acadia  or  Nova  Scotia  entire,  "according 
to  its  ancient  boundaries." 

But  what  its  ancient  boundaries  were,  was  for  nearly  fifty 
years  after  that  a  matter  of  dispute  between  England  and 
France,  and  more  especially  betv/een  the  pioneers  and  settlers 
of  New  France  and  the  Massachusetts  Colony  and  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  Province  of  Maine,  who  had  settled  east  of  the 
Kennebec  river. 

The  Governor  of  New  France  contended  that  the  ancient 
bounds  of  Acadia  extended  as  far  west  as  the  Kennebec  river 
under  the  grant  of  Charles  I.  to  Gorges,  and  had  never  been 
changed  by  any  act  of  England. 


452  APPENDIX  I. 

Attempts  at  a  settlement  were  made  between  the  two  gov- 
ernments at  various  times,  but  the  results  were  futile. 

When  Wolie  conqiiere;'  Quebec  m  1759,  all  of  Canada 
passed  to  the  domain  of  the  English  by  conquest  and  the  minor 
question  of  boundary  lines  was  lost  sight  of  and  remained 
obscure  for  thirty  or  more  years  thereafter. 

Incidental  to  this  long  contention  as  to  what  was  the  west- 
erly line  of  Acadia,  was  the  destruction  of  the  Jesuit  mission  at 
Norridgewock  and  the  killing  of  its  missionary,  Father  Sebas- 
tian Rale,  in  1724,  by  the  Massachusetts  colonists. 

The  Northeastern  Boundary  Situation 

At  the  opening  of  the  19th  century  or  a  few  years  there- 
after, when  complex  boundary  questions  were  arising,  mark- 
ing the  beginning  of  what  is  known  in  the  history  of  Maine  and 
of  the  country  as  the  "Northeastern  Boundary  Controversy," 
this  entire  subject  was  in  a  chaotic  state. 

The  second  article  of  the  peace  treaty  of  1783  contains 
these  words : 

"And  that  all  disputes  which  might  arise  in  future,  on 
the  subject  of  the  boundaries  of  the  said  United  States 
may  be  prevented,  it  is  hereby  agreed  and  declared,  that 
the  following  are  and  shall  be  their  boundaries,  viz:  From 
the  northwest  angle  of  Nova  Scotia,  viz.,  that  angle  which 
is  formed  by  a  line  drawn  due  north  from  the  source  of  St. 
Croix  River  to  the  Highlands ;  along  the  said  Highlands 
which  divide  those  rivers  and  empty  themselves  into  the 
Atlantic  Ocean,  to  the  northwesternmost  head  of  Connecti- 
cut River.      *     *     *" 

From  the  first  a  misunderstanding  regarding  the  correct 
interpretation  of  the  second  article  of  this  treaty  appears  to 
have  existed  between  the  inhabitants  of  that  part  of  Nova  Sco- 
tia which  is  now  the  Province  of  New  Brunswick,  and  the  peonle 
of  what  is  now  the  State  of  Maine.  At  the  close  of  the  War 
of  1812,  the  Treaty  of  Ghent  (1814)  recognized  this  contention, 
which  was  acute  between  the  two  peoples  for  more  than  half 
a  century. 

The  fifth  article  of  this  treaty  was  as  follows : 

Article  V. — Whereas  neither  that  point  of  the  High- 
lands lying  due  north  from  the  source  of  the  river  St.  Croix, 
and  designated  in  the  former  treaty  of  peace  between  the 
two  powers  as  the  northwest  angle  of  Nova  Scotia,  nor  the 
northwesternmost  head  of  Connecticut  River,  has  yet  been 


APPENDIX  I.  453 

ascertained;  and  whereas  that  part  of  the  boundary  line 
between  the  dominions  of  the  two  powers  which  extends 
from  the  source  of  the  River  St.  Croix  directly  north  to  the 
aoove  mentioned  northwest  angle  of  Nova  IScotia,  thence 
down  along  the  middle  of  that  river  to  the  forty-fifth  de- 
gree of  north  latitude;  thence  by  a  line  due  west  on  said 
latitude  until  it  strikes  the  river  Iroquois  or  Cataraquy, 
has  not  yet  been  surveyed:  It  is  agreed  that  for  these  sev- 
eral purposes  two  commissioners  shall  be  appointed,  sworn 
and  authorized  to  act  exactly  in  the  manner  directed  with 
respect  to  those  mentioned  in  the  next  preceding  article, 
unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  present  article.  The  said 
commissioners  shall  meet  at  St.  Andrews,  in  the  Province 
of  New  Brunswick,  and  shall  have  power  to  adjourn  to 
such  other  place  or  places  as  they  shall  think  fit.  The  said 
commissioners  shall  have  power  to  ascertain  and  determine 
the  points  above  mentioned,  in  conformity  with  the  pro- 
visions of  the  said  treaty  of  peace  of  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  eighty-three,  and  shall  cause  the  boundary 
aforesaid,  from  the  source  of  the  River  St.  Croix  to  the 
River  Iroquois  or  Cataraquy,  to  be  surveyed  and  marked 
according  to  the  said  provisions.  The  said  commissioners 
shall  make  a  map  of  the  said  boundary,  and  annex  to  it  a 
declaration  under  their  hands  and  seals,  certifying  it  to  be 
the  true  map  of  the  said  boundary,  and  particularizing  the 
latitude  and  longitude  of  the  northwest  angle  of  Nova  Sco- 
tia, of  the  northwesternmost  head  of  Connecticut  River, 
and  of  such  other  points  of  the  said  boundary  as  they  may 
deem  proper.  And  both  parties  agree  to  consider  such 
map  and  declaration  as  finally  and  conclusively  fixing  the 
said  boundary.  And  in  the  event  of  the  said  two  commis- 
sioners differing,  or  both  or  either  of  them  refusing,  de- 
clining or  wilfully  omitting  to  act,  such  reports,  declara- 
tions or  statements  shall  be  made  by  them,  or  either  of 
them,  and  such  REFERENCE  TO  A  FRIENDLY  SOVER- 
EIGN OR  STATE  shall  be  made  in  all  respects  as  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  fourth  article  is  contained,  and  in  as  full 
a  manner  as  if  the  same  was  herein  repeated. 

The  two  governments  appointed  commissioners  conform- 
ably with  this  provision. 

This  commission,  after  sitting  for  five  years,  could  not  even 
agree  on  a  plan  for  a  general  map  of  the  country  exhibiting  the 
boundaries  respectively  claimed  by  each  party ;  much  less  could 


454  APPENDIX  I. 

they  settle  any  of  the  matters  referred  to  them.  They  accord- 
ingly dissolved  and  made  separate  reports  to  both  governments, 
stating  the  points  on  which  they  differed  and  the  grounds  of 
their  difference. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  War  of  1812^  settlements,  not 
only  in  the  northeastern  parts  of  the  District*  of  Maine,  but  in 
Nova  Scotia  and  Quebec  as  well,  began  to  increase;  business 
was  expanding  and  land  under  both  flags  was  becoming  more 
valuable.  All  of  these  things  tended  to  re-awaken  the  interest 
in  the  question  of  boundary  lines  between  the  two  dominions. 

Maine  became  a  state  in  1820,  and  by  the  Articles  of  Separa- 
tion the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  reserved  to  herself 
one-half  of  the  unincorporated  lands  within  the  Province  of 
Maine.  Hence,  not  only  the  inhabitants  of  eastern  Maine,  but 
both  State  governments  were  intensely  interested  in  having  the 
matter  decided. 

Finally,  the  statesmen  of  both  the  United  States  and  Great 
Britain  concluded  that  a  condition  had  arisen  which  made  it  nec- 
essary to  refer  the  points  of  difference  to  a  friendly  sovereign 
under  the  terms  of  the  Treaty  of  Ghent ;  and  on  the  29th  day  of 
September,  1827,  a  convention  to  that  effect  was  concluded. 

The  King  of  the  Netherlands  was  selected  as  arbiter,  and 
when  he  heard  the  case  of  the  high  contracting  parties,  changes 
of  magnitude  had  taken  place  both  in  the  American  and  English 
possessions  since  the  treaty  of  1783.  The  District  of  Maine  was 
independent  of  the  mother  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts 
and  had  entered  upon  her  career  as  a  sovereign  state  of  the 
Union.  Nova  Scotia  had  been  divided  and  a  new  province 
erected  called  New  Brunswick,  within  the  borders  of  which  was 
the  territory  about  which  the  contention  had  arisen,  and  Quebec 
had  been  made  into  two  provinces,  then  known  as  Upper  Canada 
and  T  ower  Canada. 

He  was  to  construe  the  provisions  of  the  treaty  of  1713. 
The  potential  points  which  he  was  to  decide  and  which  were 
for  more  than  20  years,  subsequent  to  1820,  ever  accentuating 
in  vehemence  and  bitterness  were: 

1.  What  was  the  "north-west  angle  of  Nova  Scotia"? 

2.  The  "Source"  of  the  St.  Croix  River? 

3.  What  were  the  "Highlands  "  which  "divide  those  riv- 
ers that  empty  themselves  into  the  River  St.  Lawrence  from 
those  which  fall  into  the  Atlantic  Ocean"? 

4.  What  was  the  "Northwesternmost  head  of  the  Con- 
necticut River." 


APPENDIX  I.  455 

The  "Highlands"  Causes  Confusion. 

It  was  undoubtably  unfortunate  for  all  parties  to  this  im- 
broglio, that,  in  designating  the  northerly  boundary  between 
the  territory  of  Massachusetts  (Province  of  Maine)  and  Nova 
Scotia,  in  the  treaty  of  1783,  the  term  "Highlands"  should  have 
been  used.  It  should  be  observed  that  this  word  was  not  used 
in  these  treaties  except  in  the  sense  of  dividing  rivers,  and  that 
in  the  early  grants  the  intention  of  making  the  St.  Lawrence 
River  the  northerly  boundary  of  Maine  seemed  to  be  apparent. 

This  was  the  position  taken  by  the  American  commission- 
ers before  the  King  of  the  Netherlands,  and  it  was  furthermore 
contended  by  them  that  taking  the  whole  article  together,  the 
word  "Highlands"  as  therein  expressed,  referred  to  an  unex- 
plored country  and  was  applicable  to  any  ground,  whatever 
might  be  its  nature  or  elevation,  along  which  the  line  dividing 
the  rivers  was  necessarily  more  elevated  than  those  rivers  and 
their  banks,  was  sufficient  to  entitle  it  to  the  designation  of 
"Highlands"  in  relation  to  those  rivers. 

The  British  theory  from  first  to  last  was  that  "Highlands" 
represented  a  mountainous  or  hilly  country  or  district.  They 
would  not  admit  its  American  significance  as  a  continuous  hne 
dividing  rivers,  regardless  of  whether  such  line  was  mountain- 
ous or  not. 

The  north  line  would  terminate  at  Mars  Hill  as  the  British 
construed  the  treaty,  while  under  the  American  construction  it 
would  run  as  far  north  as  the  sources  of  the  Restigouche  river, 
which  empties  into  the  Bay  des  Chaleurs.  The  St.  John  River 
was  midway  between  the  two  lines,  or  in  about  the  central  part 
of  the  disputed  territory. 

Had  the  British  claim  prevailed  all  of  what  is  now  Aroos- 
took County,  north  of  Mars  Hill,  and  the  most  of  what  is  now 
Piscataquis  County,  northerly  of  the  Penobscot  waters,  would 
be  a  part  of  Canada ;  and  if  the  Americans  had  finally  been  sus- 
tained in  all  for  which  they  contended,  the  rich  St.  John  river 
valley  and  a  large  stretch  of  territory  northerly,  easterly  and 
northwesterly  would  now  be  a  part  of  the  State  of  Maine. 

Finally,  on  the  10th  day  of  January,  1831,  the  decision  of 
the  King  of  the  Netherlands  was  made  public,  and  it  was  a  sur- 
prise to  both  governments  and  to  all  parties  of  interest.  When 
his  award  was  analyzed,  it  was  found  that  he  had  sustained  in 
words  the  American  contention  that  the  term  "Highlands"  was 
applicable  to  ground  which,  without  being  mountainous  or  hilly, 


456  APPENDIX  I. 

divided  rivers  flowing  in  the  opposite  directions ;  but  that  it  v/as 
not  shown  that  the  boundaries  described  in  the  treaty  of  1783 
coincided  with  the  ancient  hmits  of  British  provinces;  and  that 
neither  the  line  or  "Highlands"  claimed  by  Great  Britain  so 
nearly  answered  the  requirements  of  the  treaty  of  1783  in  re- 
spect to  division  of  rivers  as  to  give  preference  one  over  the 
other. 

Abandoning  therefore  the  attempt  to  determine  this  part 
of  the  boundary  according  to  the  treaty  of  1783,  he  recommend- 
ed what  was  termed  a  line  of  "convenience"  or,  in  other  words 
he  made  an  arbitrary  line,  not  found  in  Mitchell's  map,  or  in 
any  of  the  maps  used  by  the  negotiators  of  the  treaty  of  1783, 
of  the  treaty  of  Ghent,  or  by  either  party  before  him.  It  was 
evidently  intended  by  him  as  a  compromise,  pure  and  simple. 
This  award  was  such  a  strange  proceeding  that  the  reason 
for  it  immediately  interested  American  statesmen  and  Maine 
public  men.  They  had  a  feeling  that  the  arbiter  was  deter- 
mined not  to  decide  against  the  contention  of  Maine.  The  more 
it  was  discussed  and  analyzed  the  stronger  this  sentiment 
became. 

The  conclusion  at  which  they  finally  arrived  is  interesting. 
An  expression  of  this  sentiment  is  found  in  resolutions  reported 
by  a  joint  committee  of  the  Legislature  of  Maine  of  1831,  of 
which  John  G.  Dean  was  its  chairman.  They  stated  that  the 
King  of  the  Netherlands,  when  selected  by  the  United  States 
and  Great  Britain  to  arbitrate  their  dispute,  was  then  an  inde- 
pendent sovereign,  exercising  dominion  over  more  than  6,000,- 
000  subjects,  but  that  political  events  since  that  time  had  over- 
thrown his  power  to  a  great  extent  and  made  him  a  dependent 
upon  Great  Britain. 

These  resoiutlop.s  clo^e  as  follows : 

And  Whereas,  the  King  of  the  Netherlands  had  not 
declared  before  his  Kingdom  was  dismembered  and  he  con- 
sented to  the  division,  and  his  public  character  had 
changed,  so  that  he  had  ceased  to  be  that  public  character, 
and  occupying  that  independent  station  among  the  sov- 
ereigns of  Europe  contemplated  by  the  convention  of  Sep- 
tember, 1827,  and  which  led  to  his  selection. 

Therefore,  Resolved,  In  the  opinion  of  this  Legislature, 
That  the  decision  of  the  King  of  the  Netherlands,  cannot 
and  ought  not  to  be  considered  obligatory  upon  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States^  either  on  the  principles  of  right 
and  justice,  or  of  honor. 


APPENDIX  I.  457 

Resolved,  Further,  for  the  reasons  before  stated.  That 
no  decision  made  by  any  umpire  under  any  circumstances, 
if  the  decision  dismembers  a  state,  has  or  can  have,  any 
constitutional  force  or  obligation  upon  the  State  thus  dis- 
membered unless  the  State  adopts  and  sanctions  the 
decision. 
The  final  result  of  this  award  by  the  King  of  the  Nether- 
lands, was  its  rejection  by  the  United  States  Senate. 

Conditions  as  Fairfield  Found  Them 

From  this  time  on,  until  1839,  conditions  became  more  and 
more  inflamed  on  both  sides  of  the  border.  Inhabitants  of  New 
Brunswick  and  subjects  of  Great  Britain  who  were  residents 
of  New  Brunswick,  commenced  trespassing  upon  timberlands 
within  the  disputed  domain ;  altho  the  contentions  between  the 
people  on  both  sides  had  been  constantly  increasing  in  bitter- 
ness and  turbulence  ever  since  the  first  decade  of  Maine's  state- 
hood. 

At  this  time  a  portion  of  the  public  lands  of  Maine  were 
owned  jointly  by  the  State  of  Maine  and  the  Commonwealth 
of  Massachusetts.  When  John  Quincy  Adams  was  President 
(1825-29)  Governor  Enoch  Lincoln  made  strenuous  efforts  to 
interest  the  government  at  Washington  and  awaken  it  to  the 
dangers  which  the  people  of  Maine  believed  threatened  the  fu- 
ture welfare  of  their  State.  His  attempt  at  this  was  not  suc- 
cessful and  the  tactics  of  the  American  government  then  and 
until  the  difficulties  finally  culminated  in  preparation  for  war, 
were  dilatory  under  all  of  the  federal  administrations. 

President  Jackson  (1829-37)  did  not  during  his  adminis- 
tration, act  with  his  usual  vigor  and  aggressiveness  in  any  at- 
tempts to  settle  this  question  with  England  and  preserve  our 
rights  and  honor  of  a  sovereign  State  against  the  overt  acts  of 
a  foreign  power.  He  disappointed  his  political  friends  and 
lent  encouragement  to  his  enemies  in  both  Maine  and  Massa- 
chusetts. 

President  Van  Buren  took  his  seat  in  1837,  and,  altho  the 
situation  was  more  serious  than  at  any  time  during  Jackson's 
administration,  he  was  as  inclined  to  procrastinate  if  not  to  vac- 
illate about  this  subject  of  such  vast  importance,  as  was  his 
predecessor. 

There  was  never  any  disagreement  between  the  political 
parties  in  Maine  as  to  the  rights  of  Maine  to  this  disputed  ter- 


458  APPENDIX  I. 

ritory  or  to  the  justice  of  her  cause.  And  yet,  hke  public  agi- 
tations of  our  own  day — prohibition,  waterpower,  taxation, 
woman  suffrage,  etc., — this  subject  at  times  became  a  sort  of 
football  between  the  Democrats  and  the  Whigs;  whichever 
chanced  to  be  the  minority  party,  devoted  a  part  of  the  time  in 
charging  the  party  in  power  with  indifference  or  mismanage- 
ment and  that  thereby  the  cause  of  Maine  in  this  diplomatic 
battle  of  magnitude  between  England  and  the  United  States 
was  suffering. 

The  legislatures,  governors  and  pubhc  officials  of  Maine 
were  continually  urging  the  Washington  government  to  take 
decisive  action  in  opposition  to  the  multiplying  endeavors  of  the 
Canadians  to  extend  their  jurisdiction  over  the  disputed  region, 
without  avail.  These  efforts  on  the  part  of  British  subjects 
were  of  grave  and  serious  import,  all  of  them  oppressive,  aggra- 
vating and  harrassing  to  the  inhabitants  along  the  Maine  bor- 
der, and  yet,  some  so  absurd  as  to  be  humorous. 

One  George  Morehouse  resided  in  Tobique,  in  a  newly  or- 
ganized parish  known  as  Kent.  He  had  a  magistrate's  com- 
mission from  the  Province  of  New  Brunswick,  and  the  first  of 
the  Madawaska  troubles  originated  from  a  process  which  he  had 
issued  as  magistrate  against  an  inhabitant  of  the  Madawaska 
settlement  which  was  a  part  of  the  controverted  section. 

Criminal  processes  were  also  frequently  issued  against 
these  inhabitants  by  Morehouse. 

New  Brunswick  oppressed  the  settlers  by  levying  and 
assessing  upon  them  an  alien  tax.  They  were  treated  as  out- 
laws, intruders  and  trespassers;  their  property  seized  and  con- 
fiscated by  the  government. 

John  Baker  Arrested 

The  hero  among  the  American  settlers  was  John  Baker, 
whose  home  was  on  a  farm  which  had  been  conveyed  to  him 
by  a  joint  deed  from  the  Land  Agents  of  Maine  and  Massachu- 
setts. He  was  arrested,  tried  and  imprisoned  for  about  a  year 
for  sedition  and  conspiracy,  based  upon  facts  which  today 
would  appear  grotesque  as  grounds  for  treason. 

When  these  settlers  had  endured  the  methods  and  prac- 
tices of  Morehouse  and  others  as  long  as  they  felt  it  was  pos- 
sible, instead  of  organizing  an  armed  revolt,  which  might  have 
been  natural  under  the  circumstances,  they  conceived  the  idea 
of  a  general  agreement  to  avoid  all  resort  to  courts  or  legal  pro- 
ceedings whatsoever. 


APPENDIX  I.  459 

The  plan  was  simple  and  yet  unique  and  perhaps  in  a  de- 
gree communistic. 

A  paper  was  accordingly  drawn  up  and  signed  by  the  Amer- 
ican inhabitants  generally,  constituting  a  sort  of  compact,  by 
which  they  mutually  agreed  to  adjust  all  disputes  of  whatever 
nature  which  might  arise  among  themselves,  by  virtue  of  ref- 
erees, without  admission  of  British  authority,  and  that  they 
would  support  each  other  in  abiding  by  this  determination. 

This  was  to  be  a  provisional  agreement,  to  continue  in  force 
for  only  one  year;  and,  in  the  meantime,  application  was  to  be 
made  to  the  government,  in  order  to  obtain,  if  possible,  the 
benefit  of  some  regular  authority. 

Thus  these  isolated  and  primitive  people  in  that  desolate 
and  remote  region,  buffeted  by  the  persecutions  of  one  govern- 
ment, and  forsaken  and  abandoned  to  their  own  resources  by 
another  government,  more  than  half  a  century  after  the  treaty 
of  1783,  proposed  to  free  themselves  from  the  tyranny  of  all 
magistrates,  courts,  lawyers  and  officers. 

The  redoubtable  Morehouse  appeared  upon  the  scene  as 
soon  as  he  learned  of  the  existence  of  this  written  agreement 
and  demanded  it  of  them,  but  it  was  in  their  estimation  too 
sacred  a  document  to  part  with,  and  they  refused  to  deliver  it 
up  as  did  the  people  of  Connecticut  refuse  to  surrender  their 
ancient  charter  to  James  II  in  1637. 

At  the  Hilary  term  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  1828,  the 
grand  jury  for  the  County  of  York  in  the  Province  of  New 
Brunswick  found  a  true  bill  of  indictment  against  John  Baker, 
James  Bacon  and  Charles  Studson  for  sedition  and  conspiracy. 

The  defendants.  Bacon  and  Studson,  were  never  taken  into 
custody,  but  John  Baker  was  arrested  and  arraigned  Thursday, 
May  8,  1828,  before  the  Honorable  Chief  Justice  Saunders,  Mr. 
Justice  Bliss  and  Mr.  Justice  Chipman. 

The  indictment  alleged  that  the  defendants  "being  persons 
greatly  disaffected  to  our  said  lord  the  now  King,  and  his  Gov- 
ernment, within  this  his  Majesty's  Province  of  New  Brunswick, 
and  being  factiously  and  seditiously  disposed,  on  the  fourth  day 
of  July  in  the  eighth  year  of  the  reign  of  our  sovereign  Lord 
George  the  Fourth,  with  force  and  arms,  at  the  Parish  afore- 
said, in  the  county  aforesaid,  did  amongst  themselves,  conspire, 
combine,  confederate  and  agree  together,  falsely,  maliciously, 
factiously  and  seditiously,  and  to  bring  hatred  and  contempt 
on  our  said  lord  the  King,"  etc.,  etc. 


460  APPENDIX  I. 

The  first  overt  act  complained  of  in  this  indictment  was  that 
on  the  said  fourth  day  of  July  at  the  place  above  named,  the 
defendants  "in  pursuance  of,  and  according  to  said  conspiracy," 
'■'  *  '■'  did  "cause  to  be  raised  and  erected,  a  certain  flag- 
staff, and  did  place  thereon  a  certain  flag,  as  the  Standard  of  the 
United  States  of  America." 

The  second  overt  act  relates  to  the  provisional  paper  which 
the  inhabitants  had  signed  as  above  referred  to  and  alleged 
that  the  defendants  had  "applied  to  divers  liege  subjects  of  our 
said  lord  the  King,  and  then  and  there  presented  to  the  same 
subjects  a  paper  writing,  which  the  said  John  Baker,  Jam.es 
Bacon  and  Charles  Studson,  then  and  there  requested  the  said 
subjects  to  sign,  then  and  there  declaring  that,  by  the  said  pa- 
per, they  the  said  subjects  would  bind  themselves  to  oppose  the 
execution  of  the  laws  of  Great  Britain,  to  wit,  in  the  Mada- 
waska  settlement,  so  called." 

The  third  overt  act  states  that  the  defendants  "did  oppose 
and  obstruct  the  post  man"  in  carrying  the  mail  through  Mada- 
waska  settlement,  etc. 

Arrest  of  Ebenezer  Greeley 

In  June,  1837,  Ebenezer  Greeley  of  Dover,  Maine,  was  em- 
ployed by  the  State  of  Maine  as  an  agent  to  take  the  census  of 
the  people  of  Madawaska,  and  at  the  same  time,  to  distribute 
their  share  of  the  surplus  money  which  had  accumulated  in 
the  United  States  Treasury  as  had  been  ordered  by  President 
Jackson. 

A  provincial  constable  arrested  Mr.  Greeley  and  carried 
him  as  a  prisoner  to  Fredericton,  N.  B. 

But  while  the  Fredericton  officials  had  for  some  time  un- 
hesitatingly imprisoned  humble  and  uninfluential  citizens  of 
Maine  when  brought  to  them  in  custody,  they  were  alarmed  at 
this  bold  procedure.  The  sheriff  there  feared  to  detain  in  gaol 
an  agent  or  officer  of  the  State  of  Maine  while  in  the  discharge 
of  his  duties,  and  refused  to  receive  the  prisoner.  After  being 
liberated,  Mr.  Greeley  returned  to  the  Aroostook  and  resumed 
his  labors  as  census-taker  and  distributor  of  the  federal  sur- 
plus funds. 

A  short  time  after  this,  however.  Governor  Harvey  of  New 
Brunswick,  hearing  that  Mr.  Greeley  was  distributing  money 
to  the  people,  assumed,  without  making  any  attempt  to  obtain 
evidence  of  the  facts,  that  it  was  done  as  a  bribe  to  induce  the 
inhabitants  to  continue  their  allegiance  to  the  United  States. 


APPENDIX  I.  461 

He,  therefore,  ordered  Mr.  Greeley  to  be  re-arrested,  and 
he  was  lodged  in  Fredericton  jail  and  afterwards  released  with- 
out trial. 

Upon  this  disputed  territory  or  "no  man's  land,"  were 
tracts  richly  covered  with  pine  timber.  Ever  since  Maine  had 
become  a  state  the  Canadians  had  engaged  more  or  less  in  cut- 
ting and  removing  this  timber.  As  the  years  passed  these 
operations  increased  until  the  people  of  Maine  saw  the  possi- 
bility of  an  almost  complete  devastation  of  this  immense 
forestry. 

It  was  this  more  than  the  minor  depredations  and  oppres- 
sions, some  of  which  we  have  hastily  considered,  that  finally 
produced  the  climax  in  1839. 

When  Fairfield  Became  Governor 

This  was  the  condition  which  confronted  John  Fairfield 
when  he  was  inaugurated  Governor  of  Maine  in  that  year. 

During  this  period  Maine  had  been  ably  represented  in 
both  houses  of  Congress.  In  the  Senate  had  been  such  men  as 
Ether  Shepley,  Peleg  Sprague,  John  Holmes  and  Reuel  Will- 
iams. In  the  lower  house  had  been  George  Evans,  F.  O.  J. 
Smith,  Edward  Kavanagh,  Gorham  Parks,  Leonard  Jarvis  and 
Virgil  D.  Parris.  The  Maine  delegation,  heartily  supported  by 
the  Massachusetts  delegation,  had  been  incessant  in  their  effort 
to  force  the  administration  to  action.  Of  their  vigilance  and 
faithfulness  in  this  respect,  their  endeavors  to  constantly  keep 
this  issue  a  prominent  one  before  the  country,  there  can  be  no 
doubt. 

And  yet  eloquent  speeches  in  Congress,  convincing  pas- 
sages in  Governor's  messages  and  exciting  reports  and  resolves 
of  legislative  committees,  however  much  they  might  have 
aroused  public  sentiment  in  Maine,  failed  of  having  any  salu- 
tary effect  upon  their  neighbors  across  the  border,  sustained  as 
they  were  by  the  powerful  arm  of  Great  Britain,  so  long  as  the 
policy  of  the  national  government  was  a  passive  one.  Rather 
did  their  magistrates  become  more  defiant  in  claiming  jurisdic- 
tional rights  over  the  disputed  territory,  by  issuing  civil  and 
criminal  processes  against  the  settlers  along  the  Aroostook, 
Madawaska  and  Upper  St.  John  rivers,  and  their  officers  more 
arrogant,  bold  and  domineering,  and  trespassing  on  these  lands 
was  increasing. 

Conditions  were  equally  as  grave  when  Edward 
Kent    was    the    Whig    Governor.     He    was    one    of    Maine's 


462  APPENDIX  I. 

ablest  men  of  that  day,  later  serving  as  Associate  Justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  but  the  procrastinating  tactics  and  slow  devices 
of  the  government  at  Washington  prevented  him  or  the  Legis- 
lature from  making  any  aggressive  move. 

In  1838  reports  of  rapidly  increasing  encroachments  of  New 
Brunswick  inhabitants  upon  the  timberlands  of  Maine,  were  so 
frequent  and  alarming  that  on  December  14  of  that  year  the 
land  agents  of  Maine  and  Massachusetts  appointed  George  W. 
Buckmore,  their  agent,  to  visit  and  explore  these  lands  and  make 
report  to  the  next  Legislature.  Based  upon  this  report  and 
other  information  received,  Governor  Fairfield,  Jan.  23,  1839, 
submitted  to  the  Legislature  a  message  in  which  he  asserted 
that: 

"By  this  report  it  appears  that  a  large  number  of 
men,  many  of  them,  I  am  informed,  from  the  British 
provinces,  are  trespassing  very  extensively  upon  the 
lands  belonging  to  this  State;  that  they  not  only  refuse 
to  desist,  but  defy  the  power  of  this  government  to 
prevent  their  cutting  timber  to  any  extent  they  please. 
"Upon  the  Grand  River,  it  is  estimated  that  there 
are  from  forty  to  fifty  men  at  work.  On  the  Green 
River  from  twenty  to  thirty. 

"On  the  Fish  River,  from  fifty  to  seventy-five  men 
with  sixteen  yoke  of  oxen  and  ten  pairs  of  horses,  and 
more  daily  expected  to  go  in.  On  township  H  ten  m_en, 
six  oxen  and  one  pair  of  horses.  On  the  Little  Mada- 
waska  seventy-five  men,  with  twenty  yoke  of  oxen  and 
ten  horses.  At  the  Aroostook  Falls  fifteen  men,  with 
six  yoke  of  oxen. 

"The  quantity  of  timber  which  these    trespassers 
will  cut  the  present  winter  is  estimated  in  value  by  the 
land  agent,  at  one  hundred  thousand  dollars." 
And  the  government  very  pertinently  remarked  that  it  was 
not  merely  the  property  that  was  at  stake,  but  "the  character 
of  the  State  is  clearly  involved."    He  recommended  to  the  Leg- 
islature that  the  land  agent  be  instructed  forthwith  to  proceed 
to  the  place  of  operation  on  the  Aroostook  and  Fish  Rivers  with 
a  sufficient  number     of  men  suitably  equipped,  to  "seize  the 
teams  and  provisions,  break  up  the  camps,  and  disperse  those 
who  are  engaged  in  this  work  of  devastation  and  pillage." 


APPENDIX  I.  463 

Mclntire  Taken  Prisoner 

January  24,  1839,  the  Legislature  passed  a  resolve  instruct- 
ing and  empowering  the  land  agent  to  carry  out  the  recom- 
mendations of  the  Governor,  and  appropriated  ten  thousand 
dollars  for  the  purpose.  Pursuant  to  this  resolve,  Governor 
Faiiiield  ordered  the  land  agent  to  go  to  the  Aroostook  and 
Madawaska  country  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  iits  provis- 
ions. Eufus  Mclntire  was  land  agent  and  he  employed  Major 
Hastings  Strickland  of  Bangor,  sheriff  of  Penobscot  County,  to 
accompany  and  assist  him  in  the  work.  They  took  with  them 
a  large  civil  posse.  They  proceeded  to  the  mouth  of  the  Little 
Madawaska  River,  where  they  encamped.  During  the  night  of 
February  12,  the  house  or  camp,  where  they  slept,  was  sur- 
rounded by  armed  men  from  New  Brunswick,  who  captured 
Land  Agent  Mclntire,  Gustavus  G.  Cushman,  and  Thomas  B. 
Bartlett  of  Bangor,  who  were  forthwith  marched  to  Fredericton 
and  lodged  in  jail.  On  February  13,  1839,  Sir  John  Harvey, 
Lieutenant  Governor  of  New  Brunswick,  issued  a  proclamation 
which  the  people  of  Maine  regarded  as  a  declaration  of  war. 

On  March  1,  news  was  received  in  Bangor  that  a  regiment 
of  eight  hundred  Fusilliers  had  arrived  in  the  city  of  St.  John 
from  Cork,  Ireland,  and  would  march  at  once  to  the  disputed 
territory. 

Five  hundred  British  regulars  had  already  arrived  at  Mad- 
awaska from  the  city  of  Quebec  and  eight  pieces  of  cannon  had 
been  transported  up  the  St.  John  river  from  Fredericton.  Im- 
mediately after  the  land  agent  was  taken  prisoner,  Mr.  Strick- 
land went  from  Madawaska  to  Augusta  as  rapidly  as  relays  of 
swift  horses  would  carry  him  for  the  purpose  of  prevailing  upon 
the  State  Government  at  Augusta  to  mobilize  troops  upon  the 
border  without  further  delay.  The  National  Government  was 
also  at  last  awake  to  the  seriousness  of  the  situation. 

Congress  passed  a  bill  authorizing  the  President  of  the 
United  States  to  raise  fifty  thousand  troops  for  the  support  of 
Maine  and  appropriated  ten  million  dollars  to  meet  the  expenses 
if  war  became  unavoidable. 

At  about  the  same  time  the  Legislature  of  Maine  made  an 
appropriation  of  eight  hundred  thousand  dollars  to  be  used  by 
the  State  for  the  protection  of  the  public  lands.  A  draft  was 
ordered  for  ten  thousand  three  hundred  and  forty-three  men 
from  the  militia  to  be  ready  for  immediate  action.     Besides 


454  APPENDIX  I. 

these,  many  volunteers  from  the  eastern  part  of  the  state,  Pen- 
obscot, Piscataquis  and  Somerset  Counties,  were  also  arriving 
at  Augusta  for  service. 

Winfield  Scott  Ordered  to  Maine 

The  President  ordered  General  Winfield  Scott  to  proceed  to 
Maine  to  take  charge  of  the  situation.  In  taking  leave  of  the 
President,  General  Scott  said:  "Mr.  President,  if  you  want 
war,  I  need  only  look  on  in  silence.  The  Maine  people  will 
make  it  for  you  fast  and  hot  enough.  I  know  them ;  but  if 
peace  be  your  wish,  I  can  give  no  assurance  of  success.  The 
difficulties  in  the  way  will  be  formidable." 

"Peace  with  honor,"  was  the  President's  reply,  that  being 
also  General  Scott's  own  wish,  as  he  has  recorded. 

He  started  on  his  mission  with  the  President's  "hearty 
good  will."  He  was  accompanied  by  Captain  Robert  Anderson, 
22  years  later  to  be  the  hero  of  Fort  Sumter,  and  Lieutenant  E. 
D.  Keyes,  later  Major  General  Keyes.  a  distinguished  officer  in 
the  Civil  war. 

General  Scott  arrived  at  Augusta,  March  5,  1839,  and  im- 
mediately opened  headquarters.  He  first  conferred  with  Gov- 
ernor Fairfield,  his  council  and  leaders  and  prominent  members 
of  the  Legislature.  At  these  conferences  Gov.  Fairfield,  upon 
one  occasion,  said :  "The  people  of  this  State  surely  are  not  de- 
sirous of  hurrying  the  two  nations  into  a  war.  Such  an  event 
is  anxiously  to  be  avoided  if  it  can  be,  without  dishonor;  we 
owe  too  much  to  the  Union,  to  ourselves  and  above  all  to  the 
spirit  and  principles  of  Christianity  to  bring  about  a  conflict  of 
arms  with  a  nation  having  with  us  a  common  origin,  speaking 
a  common  language  and  bound  to  us  by  so  many  ties  of  common 
interest,  without  the  most  inexorable  necessity. 

"Under  these  circumstances  I  would  recommend  that  when 
we  are  fully  satisfied  either  by  the  declarations  of  the  Lieu- 
tenant Governor  of  New  Brunswick  or  otherwise,  that  he  has 
abandoned  all  idea  of  occupying  the  disputed  territory  with  a 
military  force,  and  of  attempting  an  expulsion  of  our  party, 
then,  the  Governor  be  authorized  to  withdraw  our  military' 
force,  leaving  the  land  agent  with  a  sufficient  posse,  armed  or 
unarmed,  as  the  case  may  require,  sufficient  to  carry  into  effect 
your  original  design,  that  of  driving  out  or  arresting  the  tres- 
passers, and  preserving  and  protecting  the  timber  from  depre- 
dations. From  such  an  act  of  jurisdiction — an  attempt  so 
right  and  proper  in  itself,  and  so  imperatively  called  for  by  the 


APPENDIX  I.  465 

circumstances  of  the  case,  we  should  not  be  driven  by  any 
power  on  earth.  We  ought  not,  however,  wantonly  to  do  more 
than  is  necessary.     We  want  no  military  force  against  us." 

Fairfield  Wanted  "Peace  Without  Dishonor" 

This  was  the  spirit — peace  without  dishonor — the  shib- 
boleth of  Maine  ever  after  until  the  Webster-Ashburton  treaty 
was  made  and  finally  ratified  by  the  two  governments.  It  was 
undoubtedly  providential  that  during  this  period  the  two  great 
leaders  of  the  two  political  parties  controlled  the  destinies  of 
Maine. 

John  Fairfield,  the  leader  of  the  Democratic  party,  was 
Governor  in  1840,  and  Edward  Kent,  the  great  leader  of  the 
Whigs,  was  Governor  in  1841. 

Maine  was  never  entirely  satisfied  with  this  treaty ;  neither 
was  England  or  the  Canadians.  It  is  however  evident  that  the 
latter  criticised  and  blamed  Lord  Ashburton  to  a  far  greater 
degree  than  did  the  Americans  and  the  people  of  Maine  blame 
Mr.  Webster. 

My  investigation  of  this  matter  for  several  years  past  has 
convinced  me  that  no  one  can  carefully  and  impartially  consider 
the  facts  regarding  Governor  Fairfield's  management  of  State 
affairs  at  this  time,  without  being  convinced  that  we  owe  much 
to  his  thoughtfulness,  wise  forethought,  broad  vision  and  real 
statesmanship.  It  was  at  a  moment  when  a  single  misstep 
might  have  produced  disastrous  results. 


APPENDIX  11. 


For  purposes  of  general  reference  we  include  tlie  list  of  Members  of 
Cortgress,  in  the  years  when  Mr.  Fairfield  was  a  member,  excluding  extra 
sessions  and  these  in  which  there  was  a  continuing  membership  without 
intervening  elections. 

Commencement  of  Twenty-Fourth  Congress — 1835. 

The  following  was  the  list  of  members: 

SENATORS 
MAINE — Ether  Shepley,  John  Ruggles. 
NEW  HAMPSHIRE— Isaac  Hill,  Henry  Hubbard. 
MASSACHUSETTS— Daniel   Webster,  John  Davis. 
RHODE   ISLAND— Nehemiah  R.  Knight,  Asher  Robbins. 
CONNECTICUT— Gideon  Tomlinson,  Nathan  Smith. 
VERMONT— Samuel  Prentiss,  Benjamin  Swift. 
NEW  YORK— Nathaniel  P.  Tallmadge,  Silas  Wright,  Jr. 
NEW  JERSEY— Samuel  L.  Southard,  Garret  D.  Wall. 
PENNSYLVANIA— James  Buchanan,  Samuel  McKean. 
DELAWARE— John  M.  Clayton,  Arnold  Naudain. 
MARYLAND— Robei't  H.   Goldsborough,  Jcs.  Kent. 
VIRGINIA— Benjamin  Watkins  Leigh,  John  Tyler. 
NORTH  CAROLINA— Bedford  Brown,  Willie  P.  Mangum. 
SOUTH  CAROLINA— John  C.  Calhoun,  William  C.  Preston. 
GEORGIA— Alfred  Cuthbert,  John  P.  King. 
KENTUCKY— Henrry  Clay,  John  J.  Crittenden. 
TENNESSEE— Felix  Grundy,  Hugh  L.  White. 
OHIO — Thomas  Ewing,  Thomas  Morris. 
LOUISIANA— Alexander  Poi-ter,  Robert  C.  Nicholas. 
INDIANA— Wm.  Hendricks,  John  Tipton. 
MISSISSIPPI— John  Black,  Robert  J.  Walker. 
ILLINOIS— Elias  K.  Lane,  John  M.  Robinson. 
ALABAMA— Wm.  R.  King,  Gabriel  P.  Moore. 
MISSOURI— Lewis  F.  Linn,  Thomas  H.  Benton. 

REPRESENTATIVES 

MAINE — Jeremiah   Bailey,   George   Evans,  John   Fairfield,   Joseph   Hall, 

Leonard  Jarvis,  Moses  Mason,  Gorham  Parks,  Francis  0.  J.  Smith — 8. 
NEW  HAMPSHIRE— Benning  M.  Bean,  Robert  Burns,  Samuel  Cushman, 

Franklin  Pierce,  Jos.  Weeks — 5. 
MASSACHUSETTS— John  Quincy  Adams,  Nathaniel  B.  Borden,  George 

N.  Briggs,  William  B.  Calhoun,  Caleb  Gushing,  George  Grennell,  Jr., 

Samuel    Hoar,    William    Jackson,    Abbot    Lawrence,    Levi    Lincoln, 

Stephen  C.  Phillips,  John  Reed— 12. 
RHODE  ISLAND— Dutee  J.  Pearce,  W.  Sprague— 2. 
CONNECTICUT— Elisha    Haley,    Samuel    Ingham,    Andrew    T.    Judson, 

Lanceli^t  Phelps,  Isaac  Toucey,  Zalmon  Wildman — B. 
VERMONT— Heman  Allen,  Horace  Everett,  Hiland  Hall,  Henry  F.  Janes, 

William  Slade— 5. 


468  APPENDIX  II. 

NEW  YORK — Samuel  Biarton,  Saml.  Beardsley,  Abraham  Bockee,  Mat- 
thias J.  Biovee,  John  W.  Brown,  C.  C.  Cambreleng,  Graham  H.  Chapin, 
Timothy  Childs,  John  Cramer,  Ulysses  F.  Doubleday,  Valentine  Efner, 
Dudley  Parlin,  Philo  C.  Fuller,  William  K.  Fuller,  Ransom  H.  Gillet, 
Francis  Granger,  Gideon  Hard,  Abner  Hazeltine,  Hiram  P.  Hunt, 
Abel  Huntington,  Gerrit  Y.  Lansing,  George  W.  Lay,  Gideon  Lee, 
Jioishua  Lee,  Stephen  B.  Leonard,  Thomas  C.  Love,  Abijaih  Mann,  Jr., 
William  Mason,  Jo'hn  McKeen,  Ely  Moore,  Sherman  Page,  Joseph 
Reynolds,  Davis  Russell,  William  Seymour,  Nicholas  Sickles,  William 
Taylor,  Joel  Turrill,  Aaron  Vanderpool,  Aaron  Ward,  Daniel 
Wardwell— 40. 

NEW  JERSEY — Philimon  Dickerson,  Samuel  Fowler,  Thomas  Lee,  James 
Parker,  Ferdinand  S.  Schenck,  William  N.  Shinn — 6, 

PENNSYLVANIA— Joseph  B.  Anthony,  Michael  W.  Ash,  John  Banks, 
Andrew  Beaumont,  Andrew  Buchanan,  George  Chambers,  William  P. 
Clark,  Edward  Darlington,  Harmar  Denny,  Jacob  Fry,  Jr.,  John  Gal- 
braith,  James  Harper,  Samuel  S.  Harrison,  Joseph  Henderson,  William 
Hiester,  Edward  B.  Hubley,  Joseph  R.  Ingersoll,  John  Kingensmith, 
Jr.,  Joihn  Laporte,  Henry  Logan,  Job  Mann,  Thomas  M.  T.  McKen^ 
nan,  Jesse  Miller,  Matthias  Morris,  Henry  A.  Muhlenberg,  Davis 
Potts,  Jr.,  Joel  B.  Sutherland,  David  D.  Wagener— 28. 

DELAWARE— John  J.  Milligan— 1. 

MARYLAND — Benjamin  C.  Howard,  Daniel  Jenifer,  Isaac  McKim,  James 
A.  Pearce,  John  N.  Steele,  Francis  Thomas,  James  Turner,  Getorge  C. 
Washington — 8 . 

VIRGINIA— Jam^s  M.  H.  Beale,  James  W.  Bouldin,  Nathaniel  H.  Clai- 
borne, Walter  Coles,  Robert  Craig,  George  C.  Dromgoole,  James  Gar- 
land, G.  W.  Hopkins,  Joseph  Johnson,  John  W.  Jones,  George  Loyall, 
Edward  Lucas,  John  Y.  Mason,  William  McComas,  Charles  F.  Mercer, 
William  S.  Morgan,  John  M.  Patton,  John  Roane,  John  Robertson, 
John  Taliaferro,  Henry  A.  Wise — 21. 

NORTH  CAROLINA— Jesse  A.  Bynum,  Henry  W.  Connor,  Edmund  De- 
berry,  James  Graham,  Mica j ah  T.  Hawkins,  James  J.  McKay,  William 
Monitgome'ry,  Ebenezer  Pettigrew,  Abraham  Rencher,  William  B. 
Shepard,  Augustine  H.  Shepperd,  Jesse  Speight,  Lewis  Williams — 13. 

SOUTH  CAROLINA— Ro!bert  B.  Campbell,  William  J.  Grayson,  John  K. 
Griffin,  James  H.  Hammond,  Richard  J.  Manning,  Francis  W.  Pickens, 
Henry  L.  Pinckney,  James  Rogers,  Waddy  Thompson,  Jr. — 9. 

GEORGIA— Jesse  F.  Cleveland,  John  Coffee,  Thomias  Glassock,  Seaton 
Grantland,  Charles  E.  Haynes,  Hopkins  Holsey,  Jabez  Jackson,  George 
W.  Owens,  George  W.  B.  Towns — 9. 

ALABAMA — Reuben  Chapman,  Joab  Lawder,  Dixon  H.  Lewis,  Francis 
S.  Lyon,  Joshua  L.  Martin — 5. 

MISSISSIPPI— David  Dickson,  J.  F.  H.  Claiborne— 2. 

LOUISIANA — Rice  Garland,  Henry  Johnson,  Eleazer  W.  Ripley — 3. 

TENNESSEE— John  Bell,  Samuel  Bunch,  William  B.  Carter,  William  C. 
Dunlap,  John  B.  Forester,  Adam  Hunteiiian,  Cave  Johnson,  Luke  Lea, 
Abram  P.  Maury,  Balie  Peytom,  James  K.  Polk,  E.  J.  Shields,  James 
Standefer — 13. 

KENTUCKY — Chilton  Allan,  Lynn  Boyd,  John  Oalhoun,  John  Chamberts, 
Richard  French,  Wm.  J.  Graves,  Benjamin  Hardin,  James  Harlan, 


APPENDIX  II.  469 

Albert  G.  Hawes,  Richard  M.  Johnson,  Joseph  R.  Underwood,  John 
White,  Sherrod  Williams— 13. 

MISSOURI— Wm.  H.  Ashley,  Albert  G.  Harrison— 2. 

ILLINOIS— Zadok  Casey,  William  L.  May,  John  Reynolds^S. 

INDIANA — Ratiff  Boon,  John  Carr,  John  W.  Davis,  Edward  A.  Hanneg-an, 
George  L.  Kinnard,  Amos  Lane,  Jonathan  McCarty — 7. 

OHIO — William  K.  Bond,  John  Chaney,  Thomas  Ck)rwin,  Joseph  H.  Crane, 
Thomas  L.  Hamer,  Elias  Howell,  Benjamin  Jones,  William  Kennon, 
Daniel  Kilgore,  Sampson  Mason,  Jeremiah  McLene,  William  Patter- 
son, Jonathan  Sloaoie,  David  Spangler,  Bellamy  Storer,  John  Thomp- 
son, Samuel  F.  Vinton,  Taylor  Webster,  Elisha  Whittlesey — 19. 

FIRST    SESSION    OF     TWENTY-FIFTH    CONGRESS 

The  first  session  of  the  twenty-fifth  Congress,  convened  upon  the 
proclamation  of  the  President,  to  meet  an  extraordinary  occasion,  met  on 
the  first  Monday  in  September,  and  consisted  of  the  following  members: 

SENATE 
NEW  HAMPSHIRE— Henry  Hubbard  and  Franklin  Pierce. 
MAINE — John  Ruggles  and  Ruel  Williams. 
VERMONT — Samuel  Prentiss  and  Benjamin  Swift. 
MASSACHUSETTS— Daniel  Webster  and  John  Davis. 
RHODE  ISLAND— Nehemiah  R.  Knight  and  Asher  Robbinis. 
CONNECTICUT— John  M.  Niles  and  Perry  Smith. 
NEW  YORK— Silas  Wright  and  Nathaniel  P.  Tallmadge. 
NEW  JERSEY— Garret  D.  Wall  and  Samuel  L.  Southard. 
DELAWARE— Richard  H.  Bayard  and  Thomas  Clayton. 
PENNSYLVANIA— James  Buchanan  and  Samuel  McKean. 
MARYLAND — Joseph  Kent  and  John  S.  Spence. 
VIRGINIA— William  C.  Rives  and  William  H.  Roane. 
NORTH  CAROLINA— Bedford  Brown  and  Robert  Strange. 
SOUTH  CAROLINA— John  C.  Calhoun  and  Wm.  CampbeU  Preston. 
GEORGIA— John  P.  King  and  Alfred  Cuthbert. 
ALABAMA— Wm.  Rufus  King  and  Clement  C.  Clay. 
MISSISSIPPI— John  Black  and  Robert  J.  Walker. 
LOUISIANA — Robert  C.  Nicholas  and  Alexander  Mouton. 
TENNESSEE— Hugh  L.  White  and  Felix  Grundy. 
KENTUCKY — Henry  Clay  and  John  Crittenden. 
ARKANSAS— Ambrose  H.  Sevier  and  William  S.  Fulton. 
MISSOURI— Thomas  H.  Benton  and  Lewis  F.  Linn. 
ILLINOIS — Richard  M.  Young  and  John  M,  Robinson, 
INDIANA— Oliver  H.  Smith  and  John  Tipton. 
OHIO— William   Allen    and    Thomas    Morris. 
MICHIGAN — Lucius  Lyon  and  John  Norvell. 

HOUSE    OF    REPRESENTATIVES 
MAINE— George  Evans,  John  Fairfield,  Timothy  J.  Carter,  F.  0.  J.  Smith, 

Thomas  Davee,  Jonathan  Cilley,  Joseph  C.  Noyes,  Hugh  J.  Anderson. 
NEW  HAMPSHIRE— Samuel   Cu&hman,  James  Farrington,   Charles  G. 

Atherton,  Joseph  Weeks,  Jared  W.  Williams. 
MASSACHUSETTS— Richard  Fletcher,  Stephen  C.  Phillips,  Caleb  Cusih- 

ing,  Wm.  Parmenter,  Levi  Lincoln,  George  Grinnell,  Jr.,  George  N. 


470  APPENDIX  11. 

Briggs,  Wm.  B.  Calhoun,  Nathaniel  B.  Borden,  John  Q.  Adams,  John 
Reed,  Abbott  Lawremee,  Wm.  S.  Hastings. 

RHODE  ISLAND— Robei^t  B.  Cramaton,  Joseph  L.  Tillinghasit. 

CONNECTICUT— Isaac  Toucey,  Samuel  Ingham,  Elisha  Haley,  Thomas 
T.  Whittlesey,  Launcelot  Phelps,  Orrin  Holt. 

VERMONT— Hiland  Hall,  William  Slade,  Hemian  Allen,  Isaac  Fletcher, 
Horace  Everett. 

NEW  YORK — Thomas  B.  Jackson,  Abraham  Vanderveer,  C.  C.  Oaan- 
breleng,  Ely  Moore,  Edward  Curtis,  Ogden  Hoffman,  Gouvemeiir 
Kemble,  Obadiah  Titus,  Nathaniel  Jones,  John  C.  Broadhead,  Zadoc 
Pratt,  Robert  McClelland,  Henry  Vail,  Albert  Gallup,  John  I.  DeGraff, 
David  Rusa&ll,  John  Palmer,  James  R.  Spencer,  John  Edwards, 
Arphaxad  Loomis,  Henry  A.  Foster,  Abraham  P.  Grant,  Isaiac  H. 
Bronson,  John  H.  Prentiss,  Amasa  J.  Parker,  John  C.  Clark,  Andrew 

D.  W.  Bruyn,  Hiram  Gray,  William  Taylor,  Bennett  Bicknell,  William 
H.  Noble,  Samuel  Birdsall,  Mark  H.  Sibley,  John  T.  Andrews, 
Timothy  Childs,  William  Patterao^n,  Luther  C.  Peck,  Richard  P. 
Marvin,  Millard  Fillmore,  Charles  F.  Mitchell. 

NEW  JERSEY— John  B.  Aycrigg,  John  P.  B.  Maxwell,  William  Halstead, 
Jos.  F.  Randolph,  Charles  G.  Stratton,  Thomas  Jones  Yorke. 

PENNSYLVANIA — Lemuel  Paynter,  John  Sergeant,  George  W.  Toland, 
Charles  Naylor,  Edward  Davies,  David  Potts,  Edward  Darliington, 
Jacob  Fi-y,  Jr.,  Matthias  Morris,  David  D.  Wagener,  Edward  B. 
Hubley,  Henry  A.  Muhlenberg,  Luther  Reilly,  Henry  Logan,  Daniel 
Sheflfer,  Chas.  McClure,  Wm.  W.  Potter,  David  Petriken,  Robert  H. 
Hammond,  Samuel  W.  Morris,  Charles  Ogle,  John  Klingensmith, 
Andrew  Buchanan,  T.  M.  T.  McKennan,  Richard  Biddle,  William 
Beatty,  Thomas  Henry,  Arnold  Pulmer. 

DELAWARE— John  J.  Milligan. 

MARYLAND— John  Dennis,  James  A.  Pearce,  J.  T.  H.  Worthington, 
Benjamin  C.  Howard,  Isaac  McKim,  William  Cost  Jo^hnson,  Francis 
Thomas,  Daniel  Jenifer. 

VIRGINIA — Henry  A.  Wise,  Francis  Mallory,  John  Robertson,  Charles 
F.  Mercer,  John  Taliaferro,  R.  T.  M.  Hunter,  James  Garliind, 
Francis  E.  Rives,  Walter  Coles,  George  C.  Dromgoole,  James  W. 
Bouldin,  John  M.  Patten,  James  M.  Mason,  Isaac  S.  Pennybacker, 
Andrew  Beirne,  Archibald  Stuart,  John  W.  Jones,  Robert  Craig, 
Geo.  W.  Hopkins,  Joseph  Johnson,  Wm.  S.  Morgan. 

NORTH  CAROLINA— Jesse  A.  Bynum,  Edward  D.  Stanley,  Charles 
Shepard,  Mica j  ah  T.  Hawkins,  James  McKay,  Edmund  Deberry, 
Abraham  Rencher,  William  Montgomery,  Augustine  H,  Shepherd, 
James  Graham,  Henry  Connor,  Lewis  Williams,  Samuel  T.  Sawyer. 

SOUTH  CAROLINA— H.  S.  Legare,  Waddy  Thompson,  Francis  W. 
Pickens,  W.  K.  Clowney,  F.  H.  Elmore,  John  K.  Griffin,  R.  B.  Smith, 
John  Campbell,  John  P.  Richardson. 

GEORGIA— Thomas  Glascock,  S.  F.  ClevelaTid,  Seaton  Grantland,  Charles 

E.  Haynes,  Hopkins  Holsey,  Jabez  Jackson,  Geo.  W.  Owens,  Geo.  W. 
B.  Townes,  W.  C.  Dawson. 

TENNESSEE— Wm.  B.  Carter,  A.  C.  McClelland,  Joseph  Williams 
(one  vacancy),  H.  L.  Turney,  Wm.  B.  Campbell,  John  Bell,  Abraham 
P.  Maury,  James  K.  Polk,  Ebenezer  J.  Shieldis,  Richard  Cheatham, 
John  W.  Crockett,  Christopher  H.  Williams. 


APPENDIX  II.  471 

KENTUCKY — John  L.  Murray,  Edward  Rumsey,  Sherrod  Williams, 
Joseph  R.  Underwood,  James  Harlan,  John  Calhoun,  John  Pope, 
Wm.  J.  Graves,  John  White,  Richard  Hawes,  Richard  H.  Menifee, 
Joihii  Chambers,  Wm.  W.  Southgate, 

OHIO — Alexander  Duncan,  Taylor  Webster,  Patrick  G.  Goode,  Thomas 
Oorwin,  Thomas  L.  Hamer,  Calvary  Morris,  Wm.  K.  Bond,  J.  Ridge- 
way,  John  Chaney,  Samson  Mason,  J.  Alexander,  Jr.,  Alexander 
Harper,  D.  P.  Leadbetter,  Wm.  H.  Hunter,  John  W.  Allen,  Elisha 
Whittlesey,  A.  W.  Loomis,  Matthias  Shepler,  Daniel  Kilgore. 

ALABAMA — Francis  S.  Lyon,  Dixon  H.  Lewis,  Joab  Lawler,  Reuben 
Chapman,  J.  L.  Martin. 

INDIANA — Ratiff  Boon,  John  Ewing,  William  Graham,  George  JI. 
Dunn,  James  Rariden,  William  Herrod,  Albert  S.  White. 

ILLINOIS— A.  W.  Snyder,  Zadoc  Casey,  Wm.  L.  May. 

LOUISIANA — Henry  Johnson,  Eleazer  W.  Ripley,  Rice  Garland. 

MISSISSIPPI— John  F.  H.  Claiborne,  S.  H.  Gholson. 

ARKANSAS— Archibald   Tell. 

MISSOURI— Albex^  G.  Harrison,  John  Miller. 

MICHIGAN— Isaac  E.  Crary. 

FLORIDA— Charles  Downing, 

WISCONSIN— George  W.  Jone®. 

FIRST    SESSION    OF    TWENTY-EIGHTH    CONGRESS 

SENATE 
MAINE — John  Fairfield,  George  Evans. 
NEW  HAMPSHIRE— Levi  Woodbury,  Charles  G.  Atherton. 
VERMONT— Samuel  Phelps,  William  C.  Upham. 
MASSACHUSETTS— Rufus  Choate,  Isaac  C.  Bates. 
RHODE  ISLAND— William  Sprague,  James  F.  Simmons. 
CONNECTICUT— J.  W.  Huntington,  John  M.  Niles. 
NEW  YORK— N.  P.  Tallmadge,  Silas  Wright. 
NEW  JERSEY— W.  L.  Dayton,  Jacob  W.  Miller. 
PENNSYLVANIA— D.  W.  Sturgeon,  James  Buchanan. 
DELAWARE— R.  H.  Bayard,  Thomas  Clayton. 
MARYLAND — William  D.  Merrick,  Reverdy  Johnson. 
VIRGINIA— Wm.  C.  Rives,  Wm.  S.  Archer. 

NORTH  CAROLINA— Willie  P.  Mangum,  Wm.  H.  Haywood,  Jr. 
SOUTH  CAROLINA— Daniel  E.  Huger,  George  McDuffie. 
GEORGIA— John  M.  Berrien,  Walter  T.  Colquit. 
ALABAMA— William  R.  King,  Arthur  P.  Bagby. 
MISSISSIPPI— John  Henderson,  Robert  J.  Walker. 
LOUISIANA — Alexander   Barrow,   Alexander    Porter. 
TENNESSEE— E.  H.  Foster,   Spencer  Jarnagan. 
KENTUCKY— John  T.  Morehead,  John  J.  Crittenden. 
OHIO — Benjamin  Tappan,  William  Allen. 
INDIANA— Albert  S.  White,  Ed.  A.  Hannegan. 
ILLINOIS— James  Semple,  Sidney  Breese. 
MISSOURI— T.  H.  Ben-ton,  D.  R.  Atchison. 
ARKANSAS— Wm.  S.  Fulton,  A.  H.  Sevier. 
MICHIGAN— A.  S.  Porter,  W.  Woodbridge. 


472  APPENDIX  11. 

HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES 

MAINE — Jashua  Herrick,  Robert  P.  Dunlap,  Luther  Severance,  Hannibal 
Hamlin. 

MASSACHUSETTS— Robert  C.  Winthrop,  Daniel  P.  King,  William 
Parmenter,  Charles  Hudson  (vacancy),  John  Quincy  Adams,  Henry 
Williams,  Joseph  Grinnel. 

NEW  HAMPSHIRE— Edmund  Burke,  John  R.  Reding,  John  P.  Hale, 
Mioses  Norri's,  Jr. 

RHODE  ISLAND— Henry  Y.  Cranston,  Elisha  R.  Potter. 

CONNECTICUT— Thomas  H.  Seymour,  John  Stewart,  George  S.  Catlin, 
Samuel  Simons. 

VERMONT — Solomon  Foot,  Jacob  Collamer,  George  P.  Marsh,  Paul 
Dillingham,  Jr. 

NEW  YORK— Selah  B.  Strong,  Henry  C.  Murphy,  J.  Phillips  Phoenix, 
William  B.  Maclay,  Moses  G.  Leonard,  Hamilton  Fisih,  Jos.  H.  Ander- 
.son,  R.  D.  Davis,  Jas.  G.  Clinton,  Jeremiah  Russell,  Zadoc  Pratt, 
David  L.  Seymour,  Daniel  D.  Barnard,  Wm.  G.  Hunter,  Lemuel 
Stetson',  Ohesselden  Ellis,  Charles  S.  Bentton,  Pre«ton  King,  Orville 
Hungerford,  Samuel  Beardsley,  J.  E.  Gary,  S.  M.  Purdy,  Orville 
Robinson,  Horace  Wheaton,  George  Rathbun,  Amasa  Dana,  Byram 
Green,  Thos.  J.  Patterson,  Charles  H.  Carroll,  Wm.  S.  Hubbell, 
Asiher  Tyler,  Wm.  A.  Moseley,  Albert  Smith,  Washington  Hunt. 

NEW  JERSEY— Lucius  Q.  C.  Elmer,  George  Sykes,  Isaac  G.  Farlee, 
Littleton  Kirkpatrick,  Wm.  Wright. 

PENNSYLVANIA— Edward  J.  Morris,  Joseph  R.  Ingersoll,  John  T. 
Smith,  Charles  J.  Ingersoll,  Jacob  S.  Yosit,  Michael  H.  Jenks,  Abraham 
R.  Mcllvaine,  Henry  Nes,  James  Black,  James  Irvin,  Andrew  Stewart, 
Henry  D.  Foster,  Jeremiah  Brown,  John  Ritter,  Richard  Brodhead,  Jr., 
Benj.  A.  Bidlack,  Almond  H.  Read,  Henry  Frick,  Alexander  Ramsey, 
John  Dickey,  William  Wilkins,  Samuel  Hays,  Cbarles  M.  Read,  Joseph 
Buffington. 

DELAWARE — George  B.  Rodney. 

MARYLAND— J.  M.  S.  Causin,  F.  Brengle,  J.  Withered,  J.  P.  Kennedy, 
Dr.  Preston,  Thomas  A.  Spence. 

VIRGINIA — ^Arohibald  Atkinson,  Geo.  C.  Dromgoole,  Walter  Coles, 
Edmund  Hubard,  Thomas  W.  Gilmer,  John  W.  Jones,  Henry  A.  Wise, 
Wiloughby  Newton,  Samuel  Chilton,  William  F.  Lucas,  William 
Taylor,  A.  A.  Chapman,  Geo.  W.  Hopkins,  Geo.  W.  Summers,  Lewis 
Steenrod. 

NORTH  CAROLINA— Thomas  J.  Clingman,  D.  M.  Barringer,  Davds  D. 
Reid,  Edmund  Deberry,  R.  M.  Saunders,  James  J.  McKay,  J.  R. 
Daniel,  A.  H.  Arrington,  Kenneth  Rayner. 

SOUTH  CAROLINA— James  A.  Black,  Richard  F.  Simpson,  Joseph  A. 
Woodward,  John  Campbell,  Artemas  Burt,  Isaac  E.  Holmes,  R.  Bam- 
well   Rhett. 

GEORGIA— E.  J.  Black,  H.  A.  Haralson,  J.  H.  Lumpkin,  Howell  Cobb, 
Wm.  H.  Stiles,  Alexander  H.  Stephens,  A.  H.  Chappell. 

KENTUCKY— Linn  Boyd,  Willis  Green,  Henry  Grider,  George  A.  Cald- 
well, James  Stone,  John  White,  William  P.  Thompson,  Garrett  Davis, 
Richard  French,  J.  W.  Tibbatts. 

TENNESSEE— Andrew  Johnson,  William  T.  Senter,  Julius  W.  Black- 
well,  AJvan  Cullom,  George  W.  Jones,  Aaron  V.  Brown,  David  W. 


APPENDIX  II.  473 

Dickinson,   James  H.   Peyton,   Cave  Johnson,  John   B.  Ashe,  Milton 

Brown. 
OHIO — Alexander   Duncan,   John   B.   Weller,   Robt.    C.    Schenck,   Joseph 

Vance,  Emery  D.  Potter,  Joseph  J.  McDowell,  John  I.  Vanmeter,  Ellas 

Florence,   Heman  A.   Moore,   Jacob   Brinkerhoff,   Samuel   F.   Vinton, 

Perley  B.  Johnson,  Alexander  Harper,  Joseph  Morris,  James  Mathews, 

Wm.  C.  McCauslin,  Ezra  Dean,  Daniel  R.  Tilden,  Joshua  R.  Giddings, 

H.  R.  Brinkerhoff. 
LOUISIANA— John    Slidell,    Alcee   Labranche,   John   B.    Dawson,   P.   E. 

Bossier, 
INDIANA— Robert  Dale  Owen,  Thomas  J.  Henley,  Thomas  Smith,  Caleb 

B.  Smith,  Wm.  J.  Bi'own,  John  W.  Davis,  Joseph  A.  Wright,  John 

Pettit,  Samuel  C.  Sample,  Andrew  Kennedy. 
ILLINOIS— Robert  Smith,  John  A.  McClernand,  Orlando  B.  Ficklin,  John 

Wentworth,  Stephen  A.  Doug-las,  Joseph  P.  Hoge,  J.  J.  Hardin. 
ALABAMA — James   Dellet,  James  E.  Belser,   Dixon   H.   Lewis,  William 

W.   Payne,  George   S.  Houston,  Reuben  Chapman,  Felix  McConnell. 
MISSISSIPPI— Wm.  H.  Hammett,  Robert  W.  Roberts,  Jacob  Thompson, 

Tilghman  M.  Tucker. 
MISSOURI— James   M.   Hughes,   James   H.   Rolfe,    Gustavus    B.    Bower, 

James  B.  Bowlin,  John  Jameson. 
ARKANSAS— Edward  Cross. 
MICHIGAN— Robert  McClelland,  Lucius  Lyon,  James  B.  Hunt. 

FIRST    SESSION    OF    29TH    CONGRESS 

SENATORS 
MAINE — George  Evans,  John  Fairfield. 

NEW  HAMPSHIRE— Benjamin  W.  Jenness,  Charles  G.  Atherton. 
VERMONT— William  Upham,  Samuel  S.  Phelps. 
MASSACHUSETTS— Daniel  Webster,  John  Davis. 
RHODE  ISLAND— James  F.  Simmons,  Albert  C.  Green. 
CONNECTICUT— John  M.  Niles,  Jabez  C.  Huntington. 
NEW  YORK— John  A.  Dix,  Daniel  S.  Dickinson. 
NEW  JERSEY— Jacob  W.  Miller,  John  L.  Dayton. 
PENNSYLVANIA— Simon  Cameron,  Daniel  Sturgeon. 
DELAWARE— Thomas  Clayton,  John  M.  Clayton. 
MARYLAND — James  A.  Pearce,  Reverdy  Johnson. 
VIRGINIA— William  S.  Archer,  Isaac  S.  Pennybacker. 
NORTH   CAROLINA— Willie   P.   Mangum,  William   H.   Haywood,  Jr. 
SOUTH  CAROLINA— John  C.  Calhoun,  George  McDuffie. 
GEORGIA— John  McP.  Berrien,  Walter  T.  Colquit. 
ALABAMA— Dixon  H.  Lewis,  Arthur  P.  Bagby. 
MlSSISSIPPI-^oseph   W.   Chalmei-s,  Jesse  Speight. 
LOUISIANA — Alexander  Barrow,  Henry  Johnson. 
TENNESSEE— Spencer  Jarna^n,  Hopkins  L.  Turney. 
KENTUCKY— James  T.  Morehead,  John  J.  Crittenden. 
OHIO— William  Allen,  Thomas  Corwin. 
INDIANA— Ed.  A.  Hannegan,  Jesse  D.  Bright. 
ILLINOIS — James  Semple,  Sidney  Breese. 
MISSOURI— David  R.  Atchison,  Thomas  H,  Benton. 
ARKANSAS— Chester  Ashley,  Ambrose  H.  Sevier. 


474  APPENDIX   II. 

MICHIGAN— William  Woodbridge,  Lewis  Cass. 
FLORIDA— David  Levy,  James  D.  Westcott. 

HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES 

MAINE — John  F.  Scammon,  Robert  P.  Dunlap,  Luther  Severance,  John  D. 
McCrate,  Cullen  Sawtelle,  Hannibal  Hamlin,  Hezekiah  Williams. 

NEW  HAMPSHIRE— Moses  Norris,  Jr.,  Mace  Moulton,  James  H.  Johnson. 

VERMONT — Solomon  Foot,  Jacob  Collamer,  George  P.  Marsh,  Paul 
Dillingham,  Jr. 

MASSACHUSETTS— Robert  C.  Winthrop,  Daniel  P.  King,  Amos  Abbot, 
Benjamin  Thompson,  Charles  Hudson,  George  Asihmun,  Julius  Rock- 
well, John  Quincy  Adamsi,  Joseph  Grinnell. 

RHODE   ISLAND— Henry  Y.   Cranston,   Lemuel  H.   Arnold. 

CONNECTICUT— James  Dixon,  Samuel  D.  Hubbard,  John  A.  Rockwell, 
Truman  Smith. 

NEW  YORK — John  W.  Lawrence,  Henry  I.  Seaman,  William  S.  Miller, 
William  R.  Maclay,  Thomas  M.  Woodruff,  William  W.  Campbell, 
Joseph  H.  Anderson,  William  W.  Woodworth,  Archibald  C.  Niven, 
Samuel  Gordon,  John  F.  Collin,  Richard  P.  Herrick,  Bradford  R. 
Wood,  Erastus  D.  Culver,  Joseph  Russell,  Hugh  White,  Charles  S. 
Benton,  Preston  King,  Orville  Hungerford,  Timothy  Jenkins,  Charles 
Goodyear,  Stephen  Strong,  William  J.  Hough,  Horace  Wheaton, 
George  Rathbun,  Samuel  S.  Ellsworth,  John  De  Mott,  Elias  B. 
Holmes,  Charles  H.  Carroll,  Martin  Grover,  Abner  Lewis,  William 
A.  Mosely,  Albert  Smith,  Wasihington  Hunt. 

NEW  JERSEY — James  G.  Hampton,  George  Sykes,  John  Runk,  John 
Edsall,  William  Wright. 

PENNSYLVANIA— Lewis  C.  Levin,  Joseph  R.  Ingersoll,  John  H.  Camp- 
bell, Charles  J.  Ingersoll,  Jacob  S.  Yost,  Jacob  Erdman,  Abraham 
R.  Mcllvaine,  John  Strohm,  John  Ritter,  Richard  Brodhead,  Jr., 
Owen  D.  Leith,  David  Wilmot,  James  Pollock,  Alexander  Ramsay, 
Moses  McLean,  James  Black,  James  Blanohard,  Andrew  Stewart, 
Henry  D.  Foster,  John  H.  Ewing,  Cornelius  Darragh,  William  S. 
Garvin,  James  Thompso.n,  Joseph  Buffington. 

DELAWARE— John  W.  Houston. 

MARYLAND— John  G.  Chapman,  Thomas  Perry,  Thomas  W.  Ligon, 
William  F.  Giles,  Albert  Constable,  Edward  Long. 

VIRGINIA— Archibald  Atkinson,  George  C.  Dromgoole,  William  M.  Tread- 
way,  Edward  W.  Hubard,  Shelton  F.  Leake,  James  A.  Seddon,  Thomas 
H.  Bayly,  Robert  M.  T.  Hunter,  John  S.  Pendleton,  Henry  Redinger, 
William  Taylor,  Augusta  A.  Chapman,  George  W.  Hopkins,  Joseph 
Johnson,  William  G.  Brown. 

NORTH  CAROLINA— James  Graham,  Daniel  M.  Barringer,  David  S. 
Reid,  Alfred  Dockery,  James  C.  Dobbin,  James  J.  McKay,  John  R. 
J.  Daniels,  Henry  S.  Clarke,  Asa  Biggs. 

SOUTH  CAROLINA— James  A.  Black,  Richard  F.  Simpson,  Joseph  A. 
Woodward,  A.  D.  Sims,  Armistead  Burt,  Isaac  E.  iH'olmest  R. 
Barnwell  Rhett. 

GEORGIA — Thomas  Butler  King,  Seaborn  Jones,  Hugh  A.  Haralson, 
John  H.  Lumpkin,  Howell  Cobb,  Alex.  H.  Stephens,  Robt.  Toombs. 


APPENDIX  11.  475 

ALABAMA — Samuel  D.  Dargin,  Henry  W.  HilHard,  William  L.  Yancey, 

Winter   W.    Payne,   George   S.   Houston,   Reuben    Chapman,   Felix   G. 

McConnell. 
MISSISSIPPI— Jacob    Thompson,    Stephen    Adams,    Robert    N.    Roberts, 

Jefferson  Davis. 
LOUISIANA— John    Slidell,   Bamtion   G.   Thibodeaux,  J.   H.   Harmonson, 

Isaac  E.  Mtorse. 
OHIO — James  J.  Faran,  F.  A.  Cunningham,  Robert  C.   Schenck,  Joseph 

Vance,  William  Sawyer,  Henry  St.  John,  Joseph  J.  McDowell,  Allen 

G.  ThuiTnan,  Augustus  L.  Perrill,  Columbus  Delano,  Jacob  Brinker- 

hoff,    Samuel    F.    Vinton,    Isaac    Parish,    Alexander    Harper,    Joseph 

Morris,  John  D.  Cummins,  George  Fries,  D.  A.  Starkweather,  Daniel 

R.  Tilden,  Josihua  R.  Giddings,  Joseph  M.  Root. 
KENTUCKY— Linn  Boyd,  John   H.  McHenry,  Henry  Grider,  Joshua  F. 

Bell,  Bryan  R.  Young,  John  P.  Martin,  WiJliam  P.  Tho^masison,  Garrett 

Davis,  Andrew  Trumbo,  John  W.  Tibbatts. 
TENNESSEE— Andrew  Johnson,  William  M.  Cocke,  John  Crozier,  Alvan 

Cullom,  George  Jones,  Barclay  Martin,  Mei-idith  P.  Gentry,  Lorenzo 

B.  Chase,  Frederick  P.  Stanton,  Milton  Brown. 
INDIANA— Robert  Dale  Owen,  Thomas  J.  Henley,  Thomas  Smith,  Caleb 

B.  Smith,  William  W.  Wick,  John  W.  Davis,  Edward  W.  McGaughey, 

John  Petit,  Charles  W.  Cathcart,  Andrew  Kennedy. 
ILLINOIS— Robert  Smith,  John  A.  McClernand,  Orlando  B.  Ficklin,  John 

Wenitworth,  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  Joseph  P.  Hoge,  Edward  D.  Baker. 
MISSOURI— James  B.   Bowlin,  James  H.  Rolf,  Sterling  Price,  John  S. 

Phelps,  Leonard  H.  Simms. 
ARKANSAS— Archibald  Yell. 
MICHIGAN— Robert  McClelland,  John  S.  Chapman,  James  B.  Hunt. 


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