NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
3 3433 08233572 4
31;
.-'' 1
M 'if"
n
I
iuW
. H SjLtciae . s
OC'C'l^ /yu -^ Ct^i^ (;lvC(^
REMimSCENCES;
PERSONAL AND OTHER INCIDENTS; EARLY
SETTLEMENT OF OTSEGO COUNTY; NOTICES
AND ANECDOTES OF PUBLIC MEN ; JUDICIAL,
LEGAL AND LEGISLATIVE MATTERS ; FIELD
SPORTS; DISSERTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS.
t k > 1 ' . ^ *
1 1 J > . - ' , - ' 3 ^
W ' .". .' ? -' ;' .J? J'
,\ .', ' ..>,...
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY, ESQ; '
LATE OF THE NEW-YORK SENATE, AND PR.-JSmEHt" THEREOF.
NEW-YORK:
PRINTED BY CHARLES VINTEN, 100 NASSAU STREET,
1852.
^ ... ... - .
^'j iplBtpred'cSfccovdjng^ to ah, 'Act of Congress, by Levi Beardslet, ia the
'Ofece 6fthe'Ci'erko{"tbe Southern District of New-York, A.D. 1852.
* ^ rrf: '
PREFACE.
To my children I dedicate the following work ; "because
when it was commenced, I had no design beyond preparing
a manuscript for their perusal, and for such confidential
friends as mirrht feel an interest in looking: over the lucubra-
tions of idle hours, employed in this way, for my own amuse-
ment. It can the more appropriately be dedicated to them,
from the fact that so many personal and family matters are
interwoven; and from the additional, though painful reflec-
tion, that it is, probably, the only bequest they can expect.
If, therefore, they shall find by its perusal, anything that
shall incite them to an industrious, honorable, ar(d virtuous
course of life, a course that shall render thonr g<iod ciii^ehs,
exemplary members of society, respectable in their day and
generation, and worthy patterns for those ivho come after
them, my purposes in reference to them,' so far as present
views are concerned, will be mainly ans Jvered
They will, I trust, pursue such course through life, as shall
square with the most rigid rules of morality, in the estimation
of men; and as shall look to a future state of responsibility,
where the actions, motives, and principles that swayed and
governed here, shall bear the scrutiny of an after, and all-
wise and impartial judgment.
To the public in general, who have thus far patronized
and sustained me, by giving countenance to my efforts; and
to those who may honor me with a perusal of what I submit
to jiublic scrutiny, I owe an apology, that so krge a portion
relates to personal and family matters; and that so much
egotism should pervade the work.
I am aware that it is subject to this criticism; and per-
haps to such an extent, as to prejudice it in the estimation of
many, whose approval I should be proud to merit.
IV PREFACE,
My apology is, that when commenced, it was intended as
a personal matter, having more reference to a perusal by
family and friends, than by the public ; but as it progressed,
it was amplified, and many subjects introduced, so that those
better qualified to judge than the writer, advised and insisted
that it should be submitted to the general reader.
With this view a portion was re-written; other portions
revised, corrected, and enlarged, so that what was intended as
a manuscript that would probably never come to light, has
grown to quite a ponderous volume.
Many incidents have been introduced, that will let the
reader into the habits and modes of life at the early settle-
ment of the country; and these modes, though greatly modi-
fied by improvements, inventions and advances, within the last
sixty years, are not very dissimilar to those still adopted by
frontier settlements thousands of miles to the west.
The truth is, that the life of all pioneers in new countries,
'is l)eaetr.ivith'.hs,rds'hiMs,., difficulties and privations, that few
cavi rdahze wh'6 toro^ wter them
Vt'bdt I.hdtfe writt^en has been under the most unfavorable
circifidstaEces; 'fclr I have had scarcely any opportunity to
conyal.t'b.oplvs -o'r ;r.ecd<rds, as my employment has been such,
that on!ly small'' d&tcudhed portions of time, just as I could
snatch them from official duties, have been devoted to the
object.
It was more to occupy my mind, and amuse myself when
I had leisure hours, and half hours, that I commenced and
prosecuted my reminiscences, than for any other object.
Such as they are, with dissertations and discussions on
several subjects, I submit with diffidence to the public, with
an earnest request, that those who may condescend to peruse
them, may do so with all charity for the author; over-looking
his faults in style, his inaccuracies in regard to facts, and his
errors in judgment; always giving him credit for good inten-
tions.
If the productions of my leisure hours, many of which
have been under a most melancholy and sober cast of thought,
shall prove interesting to the reader; if the tendency shall be
PREFACE. V
to amuse, Instruct, or improve him, and particularly the risitig
generation, one leading object of the writer will have been
accomplished.
I hope such results may follow; and that the portions of
lime thus devoted, will neither have been thrown away, or
misapplied.
To those who have patronised me by a generous sub-
scription, I return sincere and hearty thanks, and trust they
will have no cause to regret the confidence thus far bestowed ;
while those who may hereafter become patrons, may find, as I
sincerely hope, something to amuse and instruct, and at the
same time make them better citizens.
With these hopes and aspirations, I submit the work, with
all its imperfections, to the perusal and candid scrutiny of an
intelligent and liberal public.
LEVI BEARDSLEY.
New-York, March llih, 1852.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Introductory Remarks Birth Bennington Battle Enfrlish Puritan
Ancestry ' Leather Mitten Ordination'' Pedigree and Great Ages^
Other Incidents, p. 1
CHAPTER II.
Early Recollections Remarkable Aurora Borealis Vulgar Supersti-
tions Removal to Otsego County, SfM-ing of 1790 Incidents of that
Year Removal to Log House in Richfield Almost a Fright from
Indians Saw Mill and Grist Mill Built p. 13
CHAPTER III.
Forest Scenery Household Manufactures Modes of Countiy Life-
Dress Carding and Spinning Bees Wrestling Matches Clearing
Land Fires in Woods Thunder Storms Marking Corner Tree Kil-
ling Bears Various Incidents, .. p. 29
CHAPTER IV.
Primitive Mode of extracting Teeth Wedding, Death and Funeral Or-
ganization of Otsego County Judge Cooper and others Early Schools
Sugar Making Scarcity of Books Town Library Otsego Herald
Washington's Death Commencement of present Century Early
Preachers Judge Peck Old Family Clock, with Reflections First
Visit to Albany, p. 49
CHAPTER V.
Military Enrolment Brigade Training Arnold Convicted of Murder
Popular Indignation Command Infantry Company and Volunteer
Plattsburgh Battle, Incidents and Anecdotes Country Dances Con-
test between Judge Cooper and Major Cochran Great Eclipse, 1806
School Keeping Great Snow Storm, April 180" Vote for Governor
Tompkins Political Matters Serve as Constable Quit Farming to
Study Law, p. 78
CHAPTER VI.
Eemove to Cheri"y Valley, 1810 Notice of James Brackett, esq. Inci-
dents Murder of Huddleston, and Execution of Van Alstine Books
read in 1810 and '11 Extracts, Remarks and Reflections Ossian's
Poems a favorite Book with Buonaparte Attempt at Poetry Death
of Parents, and Reflections Admitted to the Bar, in 1812. and Co-
partnership with Jabez D. Hammond, esq. Notice of Judge Ham-
mond, p. 96
CONTENTS. VU
CHAPTER VII.
political Matters Madness and extreme folly of the Federalists " Fete
of the Legitimates ;" with Introductory Remarks,.. p. 118
CHAPTER VIII.
Senatorial Convention, 1813 Parley Keyes, and Incident with Whittle-
sey Visit Niagara Falls, 1815 Appearance and Impressions Chip-
peway and Bridgewater Battle Fields Incidents Sf|uirrels swimming
the Niagara Buffalo and Western New-Yoik Observations and gen-
eral Remarks,.. p. 144
CHAPTER IX.
Purchase part of Grand Island Major Noah and his Jewish Project
Exploration of the Island, with Alvan Stewart and James 0. Morse
A Night on the Island during a Thunder Storm Laughable Incidents
Visit Fort Erie Proiouud Respect to Majesty Alvan Stewart and
general Traits of Character, p. 156
CHAPTER X.
Visit Chautauque County Land Purchase Several Incidents Myste-
rious Noise Superstitious Belief Dreams and Supernatural Appear-
ances Anecdotes of Solomon Southwick The late James 0. Morse
Outlines of Character, p. 171
CHAPTER XI.
Incidents in Justice's Courts Encounter with a PettifoggerJustice
Insulted for not appreciating Public Sentiment Dutch Justice com-
mits for Contempt Charge of Witchcraft and threatened Lawsuits
Favorable influence of common Schools Early Jury Trial Hunting
and Shooting Anecdotes An Old Foxhunter confounds Religious
"tracts" with " tracks" of the Fox An interesting Knock-down on
special request Other Anecdotes and Incidents, p. 184
CHAPTER XII.
Exemption of Homestead and Household Effects Professional Incidents
Admitted to Practice in Chancery Anecdotes of Chancellor Kent
Judge Spencer Judge Story Excun-ionto Boston, Providence, &:c.
Interesting case of Habeas Corpus Elisha Williams and Rhode Island
Bar Presidential Election in 1824 Last Interview with Gov. Tomp-
kins Celebration on Completion of Erie Canal Governor Clintoa
visits Otsego, and Incidents, P- 200
CHAPTER XIII.
Elected to the Assembly, 1825 Democratic Caucus first held with open
doors Distinguished Men in that Legislature Great Southern Road,
the Leading Measure First Railroad Charter Ignorance in regard to
Railroads Great Impulses from Construction of New-York Canals and
Railroads Fiftieth Anniversary of American Independence Extraor-
dinary Coincidence in the lives and Deaths of John Adams and Tho-
mas Jefferson Incident of Col Stranalian Morgan Outrage, and Anti-
Masonry Reflections on Sale of Paternal Homestead Migratory
Habits of our Country-men, P- 216
Vui CONTENTS. .
CHAPTER. XIV.
Visit Ohio 1826 Interview with Gov. Bany Shoot a Fine Buck-
Again visit Ohio, 1835 .Maumee Country Wayne's Battle Fields
Fort Meigs and Incidents at its Siege Defeat of Col. Dudley Grov.
Metcalf, of Kentucky Anecdotes of him Indian Burying Ground
Removal of VVyandots, p. 234
CHAPTER XV.
Visit Upper Lakes, 1836 John B. Macy, esq., and Hon R. J. Walker
Reckless Speculations and Subsequent Embarrassments Rapid
Growth of Cities and Settlement of the Country Probable Growth
and Importance of Toledo Indian Dance Chicago hi 183G, and 1847
Its Convention Visit Sault St. Marie Descend the Rapids in Bark
Canoe Incidents and Anecdotes . .... p. 259
CHAPTER XVI.
Election to the Senate Centennial Celebration, Feb. 22, 1832 First
breaking out of Cholera Great alarm Court for Correction of Er-
rors met in New York Death of William H. Maynanl Slight attack
of Cholera Several Legislative Incidents Introduction and passage
of Bill to replenish General Fund by Loans from Canal Revenue
Opposition of City of New York to Canals Chenango Canal Black
River and Geneseee Valley Canals Erroneous Estimates of Engineers
Report in favor of Black River Canal " Stand still" Policy Report
of Samuel B. Ruggles Criticism on that Report Canal Policy sus-
tained by Western New York from beginning...... p. 265
CHAPTER XVn.
Caucus Manoeuvres Election of Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, to U. S. Sen-
ate, iu 1833 He opposes the Independent Treasury Bill p. 305
CHAPTER XVUL
Legislative matters Makers and Indorsers liable in same Action Act
to prevent unnecessary Litigation Imprisonment for Debt abolished
Resolution against the Re-charter of United States Bank Small Bill
Law Democrats refuse its repeal, and are defeated in 1838 Suspeu-
Bion of Specie Payments attributed to United States Bank Controversy
Inflation of Currency and Over-trading Deposit Banks required to
discount liberally Afterwards denounced Bankers under a Cloud
Hard Money Gentry in Sunshine .\lmost Uiuversal Bankruptcy^
Mr. Van Buren defeated in 1840 Glance at same of the Causes of
Defeat p. 312
CHAPTER XIX.
Anti-Bank Feeling, and Repeal of Bank Charters Sackett's Harbor and
Lockport Bank Charters Repealed The former Restored at Subse-
quent Session Charges against Messrs. Bishop and Kimball, with
their Resignations Col. Young's Resolution, and Poor Law Debate.
p. 334,
CHAPTER XX.
Common Schools should be Free, but not Sectarian School District
Libraries projected and urged by the late James Wadsworth, Esq.,
Shaking Quaker Investigation p- 370
CONTENTS. f
CHAPTER XXI.
Anecdote of the Late Senators, Grifiin and Young The Late Col. Ste-
veus, of Hobokeu His Project for a Raih-oad and Locomotive in 1811
pronounced impracticable and visionary His Experimental Steam
boat in 1804 Robt. L. Stevens, Esq., invents and brings into use the
long heavy T or H Rail, in 1830 or '31 Extracts from Lecture of Hoq.
Charles King Legislation in relation to Railroads Opposition from
Ignorance and Prejudice New York and Eiie Road Extracts from
Speech in favor of $3,000,000 Loan ftjr its Construction, and Prediction
in 1836, of a Railroad to the Pacific Invited to St. Louis Convention,
1849, and Letter in Reply Remarks and Present Impressions in re-
gard to Asa Whitney's Project for Pacific Railroad Report of Hon.
Nathaniel P. Tallraadge, in New York Senate, (1831,) Predicting the
Construction of Hudson River Railroad p. 391
CHAPTER XXII.
Charter of Central Bank A. M. Schermerhorn, First Cashier Judge
White, First President Notice of him Dr. Little, Notice of him and
other Officers of the Bank Pecuniary aflairs Revulsions in 1836. '37,
&c., and Losses Remove to Oswego, 1839 Failure of Commercial
Bank of Oswego Notice of Oswego and its future Prospects Remove
to Columbus, Ohio, 1842 Loss by Fire Farming, and Large Crop of
Corn Broken Arm, and other Incidents Notice of Columbus Return
to New York, 1846 Candidate in 1847 for Supreme Court Judge^
Popular Excitement Jonnv T - -' t . Fnvpttp Kossuth p. 424
CHAPTER XX IH.
Visit Cherry Valley, October, 1850 Splendid View from its high Hills
Picturesque appearance of Forest Scenery Flight of Birds to the
South Visit Cooperstown and Susquehanna Valley The late George
Clarke, and Incidents Visit Oswego Death of Christian J. Burckle.
p. 442
CHAPTER XXIV. .
Tombstone Records Recollections of Individuals Anecdotes and Inci-
dents Notice of Col. Campbell and Family Col. Clyde and his Fami-
lyArchibald McKillip Hugh Mitchell Wells Family Col. Alden
Notice of Col. Willett Joseph Brandt and the Butlers Captain
Clark A Monument wanting p 452
CHAPTER XXV.
Unadilla Hunts Members of the Club Hon. Sherman Page, Grand
Sachem A Week's Shooting Premium Buck awarded Dog Prime
Interlopers and Poachers punished Shoot a large Buck Splendid
Sport for a Day, and a Carousal at Night Various Incidents Letters
from Judge Page and Col. Clapp Poems by the late Henry R. StoiTS
and Morris S. Miller Primo extricated from a perilous condition
Exploits and Incidents p. 471
CHAPTER XXVI.
Hunting Deer on the Maumee Several Incidents Birth-day Hunt
Chase on Horseback, and two unhorsed Cold bath for one, Cutting
off, but not " bruising the Serpent's Head'' " Coon" Hunt at night
Habits of the Raccoon and Opossum Fox chase Red, grey and
black Foxes, of different classes .... p. 495
X CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXVII.
Habits and Iiitelligeace of Auimals p. 5U
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Reflections in regard to Capital Punishment, in connection with the
Execution of Professor Webster ., p. 518
CHAPTER XXIX.
Slavery, and alienation of feeling between the North and South... p. 528
CHAPTER XXX.
Reflections in regard to the War with Mexico... ,.. p. 562
Appendix A......... .'...> p. 5G9
>
REMINISCENCES
BY
LEVI BEARDSLEY.
CHAPTER I.
Introductory Remarks. Birth. Bennington Battle. English
Puritan Ancestry. " Leather Mitten Ordination."
Pedigree and Great Ages. Other Incidents.
J' My way of life is fall'n into the sear, the yellow leaf."
Shakspeare, (Macbeth.)
Almost sixty-six years ! ! a brief space to be sure,
when reviewed ; but long enough to make sad inroads
upon the term of human existence. Old age induces,
or should induce reflection. No man, with intellect, of
mere ordinary grade, but looks back with deep interest
to the past, and with intense solicitude, for the future.
How can it be otherwise ? It is a principle of our
nature, stamped deep and lasting by Deity himself, that
induces a retrospect. We delight to retrace our steps,
from childhood to youth, and so on to old age. To call
up visions, and recollections of the past. To associate
in our minds, those who were once with us, who were
dear to us, and who have long since been called away.
Such reflections, though for a brief season, seem like
the re-union of hearts and the commingling of thoughts,
once sympathising and confiding. The human mind is
2 REMINISCENCES
SO constituted, that we derive pleasurable emotions,
when with the natural eye we gaze on those objects
that were familiar with our youth.
Who that is advanced in life, falls to appreciate an
opportunity of looking at those things that attracted his
attention in childhood ? no matter how humble and
common place those objects may be ; a tree, a rivulet,
an old stone wall, or the early family cottage, in after
life, have their attractions.
Talma, the celebrated Parisian player, (so much
admired and patronized by Buonaparte,) on returning
to London, after an absence of many years, burst into
tears on looking at the pavements, which "his little feet"
as he expressed it, had so often trodden. And as with
the natural eye, so memory, which acts as the mind's
eye, when it recurs to past events, imparts a pleasing,
though melancholy emotion that can neither be sup-
pressed or disregarded. ,
Childhood and youth, comparatively speaking, are
free from cares. We look back to early existence, as to
bright and vernal spots, where life, joy, reality of pre-
sent, and hopes of future enjoyment were predominant.
The youthful path Is through gay fields, strewed with
flowers and fruits ; where the sun shines with peculiar
lustre, the birds sing with the sweetest melody, and
the little streams leap, and sparkle and glitter by the
way-side, clear as chrystal. Old age, brings with it
cares, and vexatious burthens, never dreamed of in
youth, and then we contrast the present with the past.
Reason and observation tell us we shall soon be
gone ; a truth universally admitted, but seldom reali-
zed. " All men believe all men mortal, but themselves,"
and yet all know that at sixty-six, they must be near the
close of life. How then can a reflecting being, unless
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 3
perfectly stolid in all his faculties, look forward to
the future without solicitude ?
Human nature recoils instinctively from death, and
clings to life with a giant's grasp. It is a great matter,
" to cast off this mortal coil, and tread that unknown
country, from whose bourne no traveller returns."
I suppose it is an instinct of age, to look with interest
on past events. Probably, all men as they advance in
years, are more inclined to review and call up recollec-
tions of former incidents, than they are at early periods
of life. I am sure it is so with me ; and hence for
several years, I have dwelt with peculiar interest, and
often with delight, upon youthful scenes, youthful re-
collections, and friends once dear to me, in the spring
time of life. Awake and asleep I have thought of them,
and dreamed of them ; parents and grand-parents,
relatives and friends who have long since passed away
have been presented in recollection, in dreams, and
night visions, with all the freshness of life, and pre-
cisely as they once appeared.
How strange and mysterious this faculty of man,
that fixes the memory of the past and presents objects
as if in existence and life at present.
The reminiscences of past j'ears, have suggested to
me to place some of them on paper, with occasional
reflections, and discussions on public measures ; inter-
persed with personal and other incidents, that may be
interesting, at least to my children, grand-children, and
friends ; and perhaps not devoid of interest to readers
generally. It may be supposed from the minuteness
of detail, in relation to family matters, that the work is
more appropriate for those connected with the writer,
than for general perusal ; and the justice of this criticism
will not be denied. Still I have designed to intermix
i REMINISCENCES
incidents and details, in which the pubKc may feel an
interest; and thus render readable, that which other-
wise might be rejected at the outset. Discarding all
claims to literary merit, I hope to contribute something
that shall instruct and amuse the rising generation ;
the tendency of which, shall be to make them better
citizens, and fit them to discharge the various duties of
life, with credit to themselves and benefit to our com-
mon country. Individual incidents unimportant as they
appear, go to make up when combined, what we call
history; and though generally over-looked, except as
connected with "the great men of the earth," yet as
little rills and streamlets feed the mighty rivers, that
sweep along with irresistible force ; so individual
events help to make up the great historical mass, that
floats down the current of time.
I was born Nov. 13th, 1785, in the Town of Hoosic,
Rennsselaer County, New- York, on or near the Benning-
ton battle ground. This battle was fought in the State
of New-York, and has been known as Bennington Bat-
tle, from the fact that it was fought a few miles from
that place ; and that the object of the expedition w^as to
destroy or capture the provisions and munitions of war
collected there for the American army : let me refer to
a few incidents that my father and grand-father used to
relate :
A considerable part of the contest was on my grand-
father's farm, and in sight of his house ; in fact the enemy
commenced their breast work at his house, which being
of logs was intended to be filled with men as a strong
point of defence. Those who commenced building
this breast work, were finally called away to man the
works on the hill, and thus the house was left to the
family.
EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 6
My grandfather, then about fifty years old, was a
non-combatant; he always regarded the life of a soldier
with disrelish, full of hardship and danger, and during
the French war declined entering into military service.
He was an Episcopalian in sentiment, and like many
others of that denomination, was reluctant to bear arms
against the King, though he cheerfully paid his taxes
to promote the common cause ; and used to remark that
" it was as necessary to have some at home to raise
bread and meat for the armies as to engage in active
warfare."
I have no doubt he was very much under the influence
of his brother John, two years younger than himself,
who had been educated for the ministry, went to
England for Episcopal ordination, remained there about
aj^ear, preached before the King, not far from 1758 or 9,
and returned before the Revolution. His ordination
vows and oath of fealty to the King controlled him ; and
I have always understood my grandfather was very
much under his influence ; and it was natural it should
be so, for John was the educated member of the family,
respectably connected by marriage with some of the
influential families in Dutchess County ; where he was
settled over a flourishing congregation, in the vicinity
of which my grandfather had for many years resided,
if not in the same parish. On the war breaking out
and the English obtaining possession of the City of New-
York, the parishioners of John assisted him to remove
to the City, thus dissolving his clerical connection ; but
parting from them with mutual feelings of kindness and
respect.
He remained in the City in the discharge of his
duties as a clergyman, till the English evacuated it;
when he went to New Brunswick or Nova Scotia, where
the royal government made liberal provision for him.
REMINISCENCES
I do not think he ever attempted to influence any
of his brothers, except against bearing arms; and this
was not heeded by all of them, for some were active
whigs. It is doubtful whether he and my grandfather
ever saw each other after he removed to the City, the
revolution separated them, leaving one here, an Ameri-
can citizen, the other removed far away and retaining his
relation as a British subject ; such are revolutions. I
have never seen but one of his family, a respectable
lawyer in Canada, whom I shall have occasion to men-
tion hereafter.
In one of the old free-mason lodges in the city of
New- York, I have seen a charter signed by the Rev.
John Beardsley, during the war, who was an officer of
the lodge at that time.
It is time to quit this digression and return to the
few details of the Bennington battle, which I design to
relate.
My father was about fourteen years of age, and
with a younger brother, was made prisoner by some
lurking Indians, sent in advance of the Hessians, and
were part of the force sent on that expedition.
The boys, when surprised and taken, were going to
the pasture after cows ; the Indians would not permit
them to escape, though they treated them with kindness
and whenever they attempted to turn out of the path,
the Indians would press them in, by putting their guns
by their side, telling them " not to strive." They were
Rnally released by the interference of the Hessian offi-
cers, a short time before the battle, and with the rest
of the family were shut up in the house. After the
main force had been called away from the house, to
man the works on the hill, a soldier came in and com-
menced pulling out the " chi/iJcing^^ between the logs,
to enable him to fire out.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 7
My grandfather remonstrated, and on the soldier
persisting the old man seized his musket, and being a
strong man wrenched it out of his hands and tossed it
up into the chamber ; then seizing him by the shoulders
put him out by main force and fastened the door against
him. The battle was sharply contested, but the result
is known ; the Hessians were defeated and taken, and
a large body of them, when they surrendered, came
running down the hill near the house with as little
order as so many sheep, and surrendered in plain sight,
several being shot, after they had ceased firing. The
Indians ran away early in the battle, when they were
about to be surrounded ; they were painted and were
nearly naked, and when they left the hill, they ran
through a field covered with briars, paying little regard
to briars or thorns, naked as they were.
I have often heard that race of the naked Indians,
described as a masterly effort of Indian retreat ; and
not altogether without its annoyances to them, as well
as amusement to those who saw them scamper off
throu2;h the briars.
There had been occasional skirmishing before the
final contest commenced; which was on the 16th of
August, 1777. The previous da}'', an Indian chief had
been shot by a party of militia men, concealed in a field
of grain, as he with several of his warriors were riding
along the road on horses that had been plundered from
the inhabitants. A few days after the battle, an
attempt was made to exhume his body, under an im-
pression that possibly treasures might have been buried
with him. When they came to the remains, one of the
volunteers who had been engaged in the conflict, stood
over the grave with an uplifted tomahawk, and exclaimed
with stentorian voice, " arise, you old devil, arise."
8 REMINISCENCES
But the Indian gave no heed to the summons, nothing
short of " the trumj) of tlte arcJiangcV^ would ever
wake that sleeper ; and the treasure seeking whigs
findino: no inducement to further disturb the remains of
the ghastly warrior, were glad to rebury and leave him
till the "just and the unjust shall stand together."*
I may as well remark that my ancestors, on my
father's side, came from England before the breaking
out of the civil war, that resulted in the dethronement
and well merited death of Charles J.
In characterising the death of Charles as "well
merited," I do not intend to intimate the absence
of domestic virtues on the part of the monarch.
Charles possessed these, far beyond the great majority
of his predecessors, and of crowned heads in general.
The remark must be taken in connection with the fact
that the struggle then going on, was between popular
rights on ohe side, and arbitrary kingly power on the
other.
If the parliament, or popular party succeeded, it
was revolution; if the king, then the others were rebels,
and must expiate the offence with their lives.
Now whatever may be conceded in reference to the
virtues of Charles, it can never with truth be denied
that he was an advocate of the most slavish doctrines,
and the assertor of unlimited kingly authority by "divine
right." In Archbishop Laud, he had an ecclesiastic
whose claims in favor of the monarch and the esta-
blished church, were but little short of the most
extravagant pretensions of kings and priests, in the
darkest ages of Europe.
* Some further details in relation to Bennington battle may be found
in an appendix.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. ^
In Strafford he had a minister, ready and zealous to
carry out those pretensions with a thoroughness of pur-
pose that allowed no mitigation. In addition, it must
be admitted that Charles, obsequious to the views of
his ecclesiastical and temporal advisers, was false,
hj''pocritical, and deceptive to his opponents.
He made pretensions and promises to the repre-
sentatives of the people, that he never intended to
perform; or, if for the time intended, those under whose
influences he acted, had no difficulty in inducing him to
change and violate his intentions.
Under the circumstances in which he and his
opponents were placed, where their lives were to be
sacrificed if they failed, I can see no injustice in re-
quiring his, when arrayed against themselves. Why
should the monarch who strives against popular rights
be canonized and held up as a martyr, when in con-
flicts for power he is overwhelmed ; while his opponents
who represent the great multitude, the people, are
to be hanged and quartered as rebels, if they are
unsuccessful ?
When men are brought to this alternative, I can
see no better way of ridding themselves of tyranny,
than by cutting off* the heads of their oppressors. It
is but meting out to one party, the same measure of
justice that would be enacted and meted out to the
other; and hence when we look at the tergiversations,
the false pretenses, and the evident design of the mon-
arch and his court, civil and ecclesiastical, to retain
power at the expense of civil rights and popular liberty,
I cannot regard his death otherwise than as well
merited. Placed in the position of those on the other
side, they would have acted like men devoid of com-
mon sense had they spared the king, and permitted
Id REMINISCENCES
him and the adherents of power, to make war in his
name against the people ; hence it is, that I have look-
ed upon his sacrifice, not only as expedient for the
public good and quiet of the nation, but as merited.
And hence too I have always thought, that had his
sons Charles and James met the same fate, the cause
of civil liberty would have been promoted, and Eng-
land would have been spared the demoralising influen-
ces of the most corrupt and degraded reign of the one,
and the arbitrary assertions of power on the part of a
misguided bigot and despot in the other.
I am no admirer of kingly authority, or believer in the
"divine right" of kings and priests, to lord it over their
fellow men : and hence, can look with no complacency
on such pretentions, as Laud in the church, and Straf-
ford, and other adherents of the crcwn, put forward
and attempted to enforce among the people.
When it becomes a question whether the rights of
ihe many shall be " cloven down," or that one, Uvo or
more, shall be sacrificed who violate those rights, I
have very little S3^mpathy for the oppressors. Let the
people occasionally have the sway, even at the ex-
pence of majesty and its adherents. Whether the
king or the peasant is made the sacrifice, is in reality
of little difference ; except that the one, from his con-
spicuous position, is looked upon and regarded with awe
and veneration ; while obscure men may be sacrificed
by thousands, at the will or caprice of a master, and
the world jogs on little regarding the fate of the many.
Revolutions and civil wars are rough games to play
at; those who engage in that business, must be content
to receive buffets, as well as to give them; and though
results may not be precisely as we could wish, yet con-
sidering the excited passions that always predominate
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 11
in civil broils, we can hardly expect great changes
without great sacrifices.
But to return from this digression.
William Beardslee or Beardsley, as it was indis-
criminately written in the public records, and Mary
his wife, were among the first colonists and proprietors
at Stratford, Connecticut. The tradition is that they
came from Stratford-on-Avon, (Shakspeare's birth
place) and that their new town was named after their
old residence, I have not learned the year they came
to this country, but they were at Stratford at its first
settlement, as early as 1639 or 40, about twenty years
after the landi,ng of the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock.
The record of his will and other proceedings show that
he died about 1659-60, his wife surviving him several
years. They, with the colony, were Puritans of the
independent order ; brought their minister with them,
who, with the deacons of the church, had great authority
and were associated, as advisers with the executors,
under the will of my ancestor, (a common practice in
early wills in new England,) the heirs and represent-
atives being admonished to give heed to the friendly
and disinterested advice of the minister and deacons.
The inventory recorded with the will (Feb. 13th,
1660) shows him to have been a man of considerable
substance for the times in which he lived. Like others
of his order, he was prepared for " carnal, as well as
spiritual warfare," for his inventory shows " two mus-
ketts, four pistolls, bandolier, sword and belt." The
minister was Rev. Mr. Blackman, a well educated
worthy man. He took his degrees atone of the universi-
ties in England, but whether his ordination was Epis-
copal I have not learned. At any rate he was of the *
Independent congregational order when he came to
13. REMINISCENCES
Stratford, whereeplscopacy was not publicly introduced
or tolerated till nearly eighty years afterwards. The
deacons were John Brinsmaid and John B'lrdseye. The
latter I was told was the ancestor of Hon. Victory Birds-
eye, a highly respectable citizen of Onondago Count}'-,
New- York.
The Independents, justly jealous of clerical usurpa-
tions, held rigidly to lay ordinations. They tell the
followino: anecdote of Deacon Brinsmaid, who, zealous
and determined to sustain the rights of the laity, on a
certain occasion was in attendance to sit apart and
ordain some one for the ministry.
The weather was cold and mittens comfortable if
not indispensible. The candidate was presented, and
the worthy deacon in his haste and zeal to lay hands
on him, forgot to take off his buckskin mittens, so that
\\he transaction has been known as the " leather mitten
ordination.^
I looked at the homestead of my ancestor, bordered
by large spreading elms in the most pleasant part of
Stratford, where a most beautiful modern edifice has
been erected. No solitary " fox looked out of the
window" as Ossian described the ruins of ancestral
dwellino^s ; for no dwellinsfs of ancestors were there.
The land has passed out of the family to strangers and
not a trace of the old building remains, except the ruins
of the cellar. David Beardsley, about my age, a des-
cendant of old William and Mary, resides on a portion
of land out of the village that was set off to her, under
the will of her husband.
My ancestor spelled his name Beardslee, but the
town and parish records, as well as the stones in the
graveyards, show it spelled both ways ; many of them
as I spell mine, Beardsley. Thomas Beardsley, who
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 13
is mentioned among the first residents of Mllibrd, Con-
necticut, in the historical records of that state, who I
suppose was brother to William and came there the
same time, has his name spelled as we generally spell
it now, terminating with a y, which is the modern
English mode, as may be seen in " Strange's" law re-
ports. My grandfather's name in the town records
terminates with ee, and in the parish records " ey."
In early life he wrote it as his ancestor did, but modern-
ized it in after life.
The records and traditions abundantly prove the
names to be the same, and so far as I have been able
to learn, the tradition is, that all of the name, whether
spelled one way or the other, sprang from two brothers,
who came from England before the civil wars and set-
tled, one at Stratford the other at IMilford ; this my
grandfather used to tell me, who was born in 1728
about eighty years after their arrival.
I have recently received a letter from Hon. B. C.
Beardsley, of Canada West, now upwards of seventy-
five years of age, which explains the change of ortho-
graphy in reference to his father, the Rev. John
Beardsley, previously mentioned. John was born in
1732, and was brother to my grandfather, and in early
life terminated the spelhng of his name " Zee." In 1758
9, he went to England, as elsewhere remarked, and
while there ascertained at the Herald office or
otherwise, that the then English mode of spelhng the
name was Beardsley, and changed his accordingly ;
which accounts for my grandfather writing the names
ofpartof his children in the family Bible one way and
part the other. No question but that I am in the direct
line from William and Mary, the Stratford famil}^ ; and,
as I made it out from the town and church records.
14 REMINISCENCES
am just six degrees removed from them, excluding them
from the reconing.
The pedigree is as follows : William and Mary had
lour sons, Samuel, Joseph, John and Daniel, Samuel
the son of Samuel was the first grandchild, and was
born June 10th, 1666. William and Mary had three
grandsons named John, viz. John, son of Joseph, born
Nov. 1st, 1668. John of Samuel, 1673 ; and John of
Daniel, August 18th, 1681. John, son of Joseph or
John of Samuel, (and which I have not ascertained)
married Abigail, whose maiden name does not appear.
Through John, who married Abigail, I trace my pedi-
gree back to old William, for John and Abigail had a
son John, known as John Beardsley, jun. born March
9th, 1701-2; he married Keziah Wheeler, December
29th, 1725, and they are my great grand-parents.
Obadiah, their second son, my grandfather, was born
at Stratford, October 6th, 1728, and was baptized in
the Episcopal church, February 2nd, 1729. He married
Amy Calkins, from whom my father, Obadiah, was
born, June 18th, 1763, at Fredericksburgh, Dutchess
County, very near the birth place of Chancellor Kent,
and was of about the same age. My grandfather died
in the spring of 1807, my grandmother in the spring
of 1814, and both were buried in Richfield, Otsego
County. My father married Eunice Moore, my mother,
November 10th, 1784, she was the daughter of Daniel
and Elsie Moore, and was born January 22d, 1765,
and died in Richfield, December 7th, 1811, where my
father died November 15th, 1841, they are both buried
at Richfield springs.
1 have never attempted to trace my pedigree on my
mother's side, her parents lived to great ages, and died
at Camillus, Onondago County. The last lime I saw
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 15
my grandfather Moore he was about eighty-four years
of age, and told me he could mount his horse by putting
his foot in the stirrup and vaulting into his saddle with-
out a horse block or any 'vantage of ground. He was
in the habit of going to mill on horseback, and I think
lived about four years after I saw him, which would
.make him about eighty-eight. He was born on Long
Island and was no doubt a descendant of the family
of Moore's, settled there at an early day. My grand-
mother Moore was born in New Jersey, of Dutch parent-
age and lived to a greater age than her husband ; they
were industrious, religious people, of the baptist order
and decided revolutionary whigs.
Some of my name, who are remote collateral relatives,
have a tradition that our ancestors in this country were
descendants of a French Huguenot, who fled from
France to England during the religious wars and per-
secutions in France, about 80 years before the settle-
ment in Stratford, which would have been about 1560.
How that may have been, I know not ; as I have not
attempted to go farther back than the early records in
Connecticut. Should any one carry investigation
further I think it will be found that ihey were of old
English origin and not French.
From what I have said of my grandparents, it will
be seen that they lived to great ages ; my father was in
his 79th year when he died ; two of his brothers lived
to be more than eighty years, and his sister eighty-four.
On looking over the town and parish records and the
tombstones at Stratford, I could not but remark the great
ages at which many of my name arrived. Look at the
following : Abraham Beardsley eighty-eight years, his
wife eighty-one, Curtis sixty-two, Philo eighty, Abijah
sevent3'^-six, Henry sixty-nine, his wife eighty-nine.
John, buried in the old congregational burying ground
16 REMINISCENCES
in 1732, aged upwards of sixty, though the latter figure
is so defaced as to be illegible. I think his age was
sixty-four, and that he was the son of Joseph, born
Nov. 1st, 166S, and probably the father of my great
grandfather and grandson of William and Mary.
Stephen Beardsley recently died at Trumbull, Long
Hill, Connecticut, at a very advanced age-
Be3^ond what I have written, and what I recollect
from hearsay from my father and grandfather, I know
but little of the history or tradition of my ancestors.
They were respectable industrious people, and of
resolute old fashioned English stuff'. My grandfather,
as he has often told me, was fond of forest life, and the
sports of the field.
Before the American revolution, he made annual
excursions to the great forest, bordering on Lake
George, to enjoy his favourite amusements. It was a
hard life, full of excitement and adventure; but such a
life, and such adventures as hunters and back woods-
men, often seek and prize highly. He has related
many stirring adventures, and incidents with the red
men, who hunted in the same greatforest ; for it is well
known, that this was regarded as the favourite hunting
ground of the Iroquois. He related the following in-
cident On one occasion he was hunting in the
vicinity of Lake George ; and coming near a
swampy piece of ground, his companion remarked
that game was plenty in that neighbourhood, and
asked him to walk with him to the edge of the swamp,
where some one had shot a large buck a few days
before. They repaired to the spot, where his com-
panion pulled awa}-- a few pieces of rotten wood, thai
had been thrown on a large Indian, who lay there
partly stamped into the mud. I have no suspicion that
my grandfather ever shot, or encouraged the shooting
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 17
of Indians, but it is very certain, he occasionally asso-
ciated with those who sometimes indulged in this
interesting business. Those times were perillous, and
conflicts frequent between the white and red men, just
as they now are in the far off western regions. They
were inevitable, and of no uncommon occurrence; for
it was a question, whether the red men should alone
enjoy the game of the country.
Captain Earl, who I believe was the grand-father
of the late Jonas Earl, of Onondaga, was one of his
forest companions, but not the one who shewed him
the dead Indian.
Among other incidents he mentioned the shooting of
a large moose in 1776, the year before Bennington
battle, which was shot by Captain Earl, with my
grandfather's gun, on the eminence where the battle
was next year fought. The moose had strayed from
the great forests in that vicinity, and being pressed by
the dogs stood at bay on the hill, where Earl had fired
at and wounded him, as he bayed the dogs : my grand-
father coming up in a hurry handed his gun to Earl,
who knew where the moose stood, and was killed at
the next shot, a forerunner of the fate of the Hessians
the next year. I remember that old musket, with its brass
trimmings. It was one of the Cuba guns, and was
used in the expedition against that Island, when Ha-
vanna was beseiged. It threw a ball of rather more
than an ounce, about twelve to the pound, and when
loaded with ball and buck-shot, was terribly destruc-
live at eighteen rods ; it was a favourite piece in the
family, and had brought down many bear and deer,
but was finally burned in a log house since the com-'
mencement of the present century.
18 REMINISCENCES
CHAPTER 11.
Early Recollections. Remarkable Aurora Eorealis. Vulgar
Superstitions. Removal to Otsego County, Spring of
1790. Incidents of that Year. Removal to Log House
in Richfield. Almost a Fright from Indians. Saw
Mill and Grist Mill Built.
I HAVE a distinct recollection of some events as far
back as tlie summer of 1789 ; when I was in my fourth
year. I remember going to a funeral in Bennington, at
the burial of a man named Porter, who died suddenly.
It was summer, for the red cheries were then ripe. This
might have been the summer of 1788, but I think it
could not have been so far back, though I recollect
something, that took place in November or December
of that year or the winter of '89 ; as I went with my
parents to a country store, where I first saw a stove
and a negro. The stove I recollect, from putting my
hand on it and getting burned, and the negro, (old
mink) from being afraid of him.
In the latter part of '89 or early part of '90, there
was a remarkable exhibition of northern lights, which
formed a beautiful crown over head, bright and nearly
red, which my childish imagination turned into cart
wheels, from its forming many circles resembling
wheels. It was so brilhant, that my father want out
and read by its light. This exhibition was ailerwards
remembered and talked about, and as the French
revolution soon after broke out, which was ultimately
attended with horrid cruelties, some who had seen this
BV LEVI BEARDSLEY. 19
aurora borealis, superstitiously regarded it as the pre-
cursor of that bloody revolution.
In the autumn of '89 my father, with his brothers
and my grandfather, made up their minds to emigrate
to the west the next spring, and settle in the woods, on
new land which they had selected and purchased of
Goldsbro Banyer, of Albany, at $1 25 per acre. The
land was in what is now Richfield, Otsego county.
The spring of 1790 having sold their farm in Hoosic,
my father, with two of his brothers, who had small
families, and my grandfather, broke up and started
for their intended new home.
Their worldly substance was small. I think for the
purpose of moving, they had a cart and one or two
wagons, one or two yoke of oxen, three or four horses,
and a few cattle, sheep and hogs. The roads were
excessively bad, and they took but little household
stuff with them; nor could they, as their means of trans-
portation were very limited. I was little more than
four years old ; being four in November preceding, and
this movement commenced the latter part of April, 1790.
My mother was left behind with a sick child, who had
been dangerously ill, and was not well enough to be
removed. My sister, about two years younger than
myself, was with me, stowed away in the cart or wag-
on, among the chairs and furniture, and put under the
care of a girl brought up by my grandfather.
I recollect a few incidents of the journey. We
crossed the Hudson near Half Moon (Waterford) where
a young bull jumped out of the ferry boat, and swam
back to the eastern shore. He was finally driven up and
made to swim to the western side, to join the other
cattle. We then passed to the Mohawk, and kept up
that river on the north side, till we came to Fonda's ferry,
20 REMINISCENCES
which must have been very near the present village of
Fonda. Here we ferried over to the south side and con-
tinued up the river to Canajoharie.
I well remember the appearance of the elm trees,
that skirted the Mohawk, with their large swelling buds
and spring-like appearance. At Canajoharie we left
the river and took the old continental road, as it was
called, towards Springfield, Otsego county ; the same
road that a division of the American army had taken
to Otsego lake under Gen. Clinton, to join Sullivan's
expedition against the Indians. We staid all night at
Conradt Seeber's (now Seeber's lane,) where he kept a
poor Dutch tavern. Slavery was then common, and not
regarded a sin as now. Every Dutch farmer who was
able to purchase, had more or less slaves ; and negroes
generally fared as well as their masters.
I was somewhat afraid of the " darTcies''' but became
more reconciled to them when they spoke kindly to me,
in broken English.
Bread stuffs, were very scarce and dear that year,
all over the country, and in Europe too. We had got
out of bread and flour and could get nothing of the kind
at Seeber's, or among his neighbours. The negroes
were sent out, from house to house, but could get nothing
in the bread line but potatoes, which we roasted, and I
went to sleep, after eating someof them, crying for bread.
The next day we started and went as far as Wilham
Seeber's, with the teams, about three miles ; where they
concluded to leave part of the vehicles till the roads be-
came settled, which were then broken up and almost im-
passable. Some of the party drove the live stock,
and went on the best way they could. My father
put a saddle on one of the horses, and on another
packed a bed and bedding on which the girl was to
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 21
ride. I was placed on the horse behind him on a
pillow tied to the saddle, with a strap under my arms,
buckled round his waist, to prevent me from falling off,
and carrying my sister before him, we pursued our
journey ; the girl (Sukey) riding the other horse on top
of the bed and bedding ; and a yearling colt tagging
after. This constituted the cavalcade so far as my
father and his family were concerned. Our object
was to go up towards Springfield till we reached the
old road, that diverged and ran off west or southwesterly,
to the foot of Schu3der's lake, where my father and uncles
had hired the " Herkimer farm" on which was a
small improvement made before the war ; and two
small log houses, more properly speaking huts. We
went about half way that day and stopped overnight
in a log house, about two miles west of little lakes,
and a mile east of what is now Richfield springs, from
which stopping place we continued next day down the
lake, on the east side to its foot.
In due time after the roads were settled, the teams
were sent back for the cart, wagons and furniture, and
after planting a small piece of corn, my father took one
of the horses and went to Hoosic for my mother. She
rode the horse on a man's saddle, and carried the child,
my father in patriarchal manner walking by her side ;
and thus the family were at length re-united in the
woods at the foot of the beautiful lake, and by the side
of the fine little stream known as "Herkimer Creek,"
then full of fish, particularly the speckled trout. After
his return, one of the first things for the safety of
the sheep, was to build a fold or place where they
could be kept at night, safe from the depredations of
wolves, whose nocturnal bowlings on the hills, east of
the lake could be heard almost every night during that
22 REMINISCENCES
season. A pen was formed by laying up logs like the
body of a log house, and so close and high that a wolf
could not get in, or over it. In this the sheep were
driven every night. I recollect the putting up of this
pen. Timothy Morse, who had recently settled at
Burlington, was there to assist, and being a very strong
man carried up one of the corners. He was afterwards
Justice of the peace, and a Judge of the Court of Comr-
mon Pleas, when I was admitted to the bar.
After the weeding of the corn, and before and after
the hay making season, my father and his two bro-
thers went to work, and cut and cleared out a path
through the woods from the foot of the lake to their lot
in Richfield. They followed the marked trees on the
line of lots as near as the ground would admit, and
made a road or path, wide enough for a cart to get
along with skilful driving, about six miles, or as the
road ran a little more. The path being prepared, they
went to work whenever they could be spared from the
farm at the lake, and cut away the brush and small
trees, and enough of the large ones to afford room for
building two log houses, one on my father's farm the
other on my uncle's, the houses being twenty or twenty-
five rods apart. These were put up and partly com-
pleted in the course of the summer, that they might
move to them in August or September, after securing
the small crops. They were placed in the woods, and
not an eighth of an acre cleared around either, or even
both of them, and were any thing but habitable. The
one that we moved in, for my father moved to his one
or two daj's before m}'' uncle, \vas a small log cabin,
the body laid up, and part, though not the whole of
the roof was covered with black ash and elm bark,
which had been peeled from the trees at the season
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 23
when bark is taken off easil3% When spread out and
put on the roof and pressed down with poles or small
timbers, the rough side, exposed to the weather, it
makes a good roof that will last several years, and
shed the rain quite well. Our house was partiall}'-
covered, and when it rained we had to put our effects
and get ourselves under that part which was sheltered.
The floor was made of bass wood logs, split and
hewed partially on one side, and then spotted down,
making a good substantial floor, but only about half
of ours was laid. We had no fire place or chimney,
and till this was built, the cooking must all be done
out of doors. A place for the door was cut out, so that
we could go in, but no door had been made, nor had
we any way of fastening the doorway except by barri-
cading. There was of course no chamber floor, though
this was supplied by loose boards, subsequently ob-
tained. A mud and stick chimney and fire place were
afterwards added, as the weather became cool ; and
to get earth or clay to make mortar to daub the house
and make the chimney, a hole was dug under the floor,
which was our only cellar, in which in winter we put a
few bushels of potatoes and turnips, and took up one of
the flattened logs from the floor whenever we wanted
any thing from below. I have said there was no door
when we moved in. My father on reaching the house
with my mother and family, remained there the first
night, hanging a blanket at the door way to keep out
part of the night air. The next day he returned to the
lake, with the team to assist my uncle to move up with
his family, two days after we came. Thus my mother
and myself with the two younger children were left in
the woods alone for a dav and a nijzht, five or six
miles from our recent residence, and without any
24 REMINISCENCES
fastening to the door way in case we wanted to close
the entrance. It must be recollected that this was
but a few 3^ears after the close of the war, and all
the recollections of Indian atrocities were fresh in
remembrance among those who had gone through the
revolutionary scenes. My mother, with probably as
much courage as most women, and with more fortitude
than many of them, was timid in regard to Indians.
She and her sisters had narrowly escaped those that
passed through Cambridge on their way to Bennington.
Her cousin, John Younglove, an ardent whig, had been
shot in his own house by Indians, or Tories disguised
in Indian dresses.
During the day, after my father had gone with the
team, we heard noises in the woods, screaming, and
to us very frightful. I suppose it must haye been
blue jays, with the hootings of the owl ; but we con-
verted them into the possible, if not probable noise of
lurking Indians. What was to be done? we had no
door to the house, but mother went to work, to barri-
cade and secure the doorway; which she soon rendered
quite safe by bedsteads, chairs, tables, and other
household furniture. The gun had been left at home,
well loaded, and she said if we were attacked, she
would defend the house, though she knew but little
about the use of fire arms, except to load. She exam-
ined the powder horn, to see how much powder we
had, and the bullet pouch to see how many balls ; and
being thus prepared, secured and fortified, we passed
that night safely, annoyed more by musquitos than
anything else ; and the next day, father with my uncle
and family returned.
He brought with him some pieces of boards to make
ta door, which he soon completed, with wooden hinges
BY LEVI BEAK.DSLEY. 25
and wooden catch and latch, raised by a string ; and
ihe door was fastened by a pin inside, when we wanted
to secure it.
" The latch string however of that cabin was always
out^^'* except when the family were from home ; and
here we were settled on our new farm, in the midst of
the woods, five miles from our neighbours, except my
uncle and his family.
Let me go back for a few moments to our residence
at the lake before we removed to the farm. 1 want
to let my readers into the secrets of living in a new
country, the privations and hardships, incident to such
a life. You will probably, many of you, never know
them from experience, but I will give 3^ou an insight.
We all came to the country quite poor. There were
no stores near us, and if there had been We had nothing
to pay for goods. Our nearest mill, while we lived at
the lake was Tubb's, on Oak's creek, near Toddsville,
some three miles from Cooperstown. After we went to
Richfield, we sometimes went to this mill, sometimes to
Walbridges, in Burlington, and sometimes to Fort Plain ;
the latter at least thirty miles, as the road then ran.
In the year 1791, Wm. TunniclifF built a saw mill,
near Richfield springs, four miles from our residence ;
and the next year he built on the opposite side of the
creek a small grist mill, which served the purposes of
the townspeople for several j^ears, except in low water
when they had to go to greater distances. Judge Peck
was the millwright and built both mills ; the mill dam,
put in by him in 1791, is still standing ; and the old
building in which was the grist mill, though removed
is also standing, used for a shed ; the shingle roof put
on at the time, being quite perfect yet. Almost every
family in the country made their own cloth. The d3'e
26 REMINISCENCES
tub was always an appendage, and stood in the corner
near the fire, and served as a seat for one of the inmates.
We came to the country before sheep shearing, so we
had to wait till they were sheared and the wool picked,
carded, spun, wove and dressed, before we had our
annual supply of woollen clothing ; and for linen we
had to wait till we could raise flax and manufacture it.
To obviate the difiiculty, so far as I was concerned,
my mother, after she came to the lake, cut up an old
cloak, and from it made me a little coat with pockets.
My grandfather professed a knowledge in the tanning
business, and having provided himself with a large
trough in which he put such skins as he could get ; he
put them through his process of tanning. I don't think
he knew much about it except in reference to deer
skins ; he could dresethem Indian fashion (smoke dress-
ed) as well as any Mohawk or Iroauois. He however
got a sheep skin and having taken off the wool, went
on to dress it. I think the dressinsr was but little
O
more than rubbing and pulling it and then nailing it to
the wagon box to dry, after stretching it every way
to its utmost tension. He declared it fit for use, and it
was decided, in council, that for want of something
better, I should have a pair of sheepskin breeches,
which were soon prepared, and I was cased in them.
The skin was dry and rattled like parchment or an old
snuff bladder, and the garment was so short in the
legs that they extended but about half way below
my knees. You may judge of my appearance; the old
sheepskin when dry, would rattle 'S\'hen Iran, and if the
pants got wet they would stretch and become flabby,
and then harder and shorter than ever when they got
dry again.
Thus yantaloonei and coated, I spent a very pleasant
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 27
summer and for amusement often went out with David,
my father's j'oungest brother, some 14 years of age.
The marshy lands abounded with English snipe, which
you know sit so close to the ground, and so resemble
it in color that you can hardly see them, till they get
on wing. Just at night they delight in getting up, and
with a spiral whirl, ascend high into the air, with a con-
stant gyration, chirping, as they rise till they are out
of sight, and almost of hearing ; and then will come
down again, and settle very near where they started
fi-om, crj'ing as they squat on the ground *' quaack."
Uncle David used to arm himself with a lono:
brushy stick, with his pocket full of stones, and on
seeing the bird get up would place himself near where
he started from, and when he settled down would fre-
quently kill him with his brushy stick. Sometimes he
would kill him with stones, and to promote this desir-
able object, my coat pockets were filled with " rocks,"
as the huclc eyes say, for him to heave at them. The
cloth being old and tender, from which my coat was
made, the pockets were soon torn out, and I was
threatened with a severe chastisement for thus des-
troying my new coat.
The farm at the lake was retained a second year,
my grandfather and one of my uncles residing there
during the 3'ear 1791, and was kept for the common
benefit of the colony, to furnish hay and grain, till we
could clear the land and raise crops in Richfield.
It is time to go back again to our log house on the
new farm. In the course of the autumn of 1790, and
during '91, many people came to look for lands, and my
father's and uncle's houses, were places of rendezvous
for all comers. They generally slept on the floor before
the fire on straw beds ; for we had scarcely a spare
28 REMINISCENCES
one of other description at that time. After a chamber
floor was put in, some slept in the chamber, to which
they ascended by a ladder that always stood in the
house.
CHAPTER III.
Forest Scenery. Household Manufactures. Modes of Coun*
try Life. Dress. Carding and Spinning Bees. Wrest-
ling Matches. Clearing Land. Fires in Woods.
Thunder Storms. Marking Corner Tree. Killing
Bears. Various Incidents.
" There is a pleasure ia the pathless wood." Byron.
I SHALL never forget the freshness and beauty of
the forest, after winter had passed away. The spring
flowers were everywhere in bloom, the herbage high
and luxuriant covered the ground, the wild leek was
green and so abundant that it was used as a substitute
for onions ; the nettles were frequently four feet high,
and the ground yew, or running hemlock, with its
woody vine, often ten feet long and standing two or
three feet above the surface, spread over many acres,
presenting a formidable obstruction to the pedestrian,
particularly if he was barefooted, as men and boys
generally went in the summer season.
The winter had passed off, and during the whole
of it, the cattle had been sustained by occasionally a
little hay and straw and a few ears of corn ; relying
principally on browsing, which is feeding on the tops
of trees that were daily felled for them. They lived
through the winter quite well, and soon became thrifty
and sleek after the herbage had sprung up. This brow-
sing was resorted to frequently, and almost every year
more or less up to 1801-2.
30 KEMINISCENCES
Those only who have resided in a new country,
where forest scenery in all its richness and beauty is
presented to the view, can realize how strongly those
recollections are impressed on the mind. It is no
marvel to me, that the red man sighs for forest life,
where, without restraints, imposed by laws and customs
of civilized society, he roams free as the air he breathes.
To the man of reflection, who feels responsible to a
higher power, and looks upon objects around him as
evidence of the existence of that great and good being,
who created, regulates, and sustains all things, I
can conceive of no place or circumstance so well
calculated to impress the sensitive mind with awe
and veneration, as the deep seclusion of the forest.
Often, very often, when a mere boy, have I repaired
to a secluded spot, where there was a clump of
pine trees, and sat under them for hours together,
listening to the sighing of the winds in the topmost
branches. The slightest motion of air might be
heard, in fact, I have hardly ever known the atmo-
sphere so still, that it did not agitate and rustle through
the tops of those evergreens. If it was but a slight
breeze it produced a soothing hum, well calculated
to calm the mind and induce contemplation ; while if
the blast was violent, there was the loud resound-
ing roar through the branches ; giving incontestible
proof that the "stormy king," could invigorate those
gentle gales and convert them to the more stern ex-
hibitions of "storm and tempest." What temple
" made with hands," so raises the feelings of the con-
templative mind, as the vast creation of forest, river
and lake ? The beautiful archway of heaven, with
sun, moon and stars hung out as jewels, to shadow
forth the Almighty, as far surpass in magnificent
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 81
grandeur, the vast cathedral with richest ornaments,
and rendered vocal by organs and anthems, as the
light of the sun at mid-day exceeds the glimmering
of the fire-fly at night. Sterne, in his Tristam Shandy,
puts the following sentiment in the mouth of Uncle
Toby, " a soldier may pray in the trench, as accept-
ably as the parson in the church," and so may he
in the woods.
For several years each family made its own cloth,
from wool and flax ; and even sacks and coarse
garments from nettles, which were strong and durable
like hempen cloth. It must be borne in mind that
carding and picJcing machines had not then been in-
vented, and if they had, were not introduced in the
country till many years afterwards. The sheep being
washed and sheared, the wool must first be picked
by hand, and this was generally done by the
family in the evening ; then it must be greased and
broke as they called it, and afterwards carded into
rolls by hand, when it was fit for spinning. Each
family kept a great wheel, and a little wheel, the first
for wool and tow, and the other for flax; many also
had a loom, for almost every family wove their own
cloth, either at home or at their neighbours. At my
father's they had a loom and each kind of wheel, and
after the country became settled and we had advanced
a little, so as "to be able to do in the world," as the old
women used to say; we always had a spinning girl,
and sometimes two, a considerable part of each season.
Our mode of life for several j'^ears was plain, coarse
and primitive. Tea was scarcely known, and not at all
as a common beverage, till three or four years after we
were settled. Coffee was not introduced till several
years laten Sugar was made from the maple every
^^ REMINISCENCES
spring, and salt obtained from Albany in small quan-
tities. I think we had been in the country three or four
years, before any one thought of buying tea, except
perhaps a quarter or half pound oC bohea, which was
only doled out, when the women came together fur an
afternoon visit, and then only to them; labouring men
did not expect it.
A substitute for tea and coffee was often procured
from a root that grew in wet ground, which was called
evin root, but 1 do not know its botanical name. When
boiled, the decoction was somewhat of a chocolate
colour, though rather inclining to purple. The flavour
was remarkably pleasant when sweetened, and was
generally preferred to tea. The inner portion of white
pine bark, when boiled, and sweetened, makes a plea-
sant drink, and so does the sassafras root.
Let me describe those early female visits. A lady
wanted her nei2:hbours to come and make her a visit
and spend the afternoon ; mind you, an afternoon ; the
meaning of which was, to come as soon as they had
the dishes washed after dinner, which was at twelve
o'clock. They would come on foot three miles, and
remain as late as they could, and reach home in time
to milk the cows at night. They always had their tea
as early as five or six o'clock, and those farthest off
then started for home, through the woods. Some were
timid and afraid of bears, and with those, some one
would go and see them safely through swamps, and
dangerous places.
Sometimes a bear would present himself, just to
frighten them, but generally scampered off; for it is
seldom that he will make an attack, unless very hungry,
or when j'^oung ones are in peril, '^
Generally speaking, the ladies were resolute ; and
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 33
tvent everywhere without fear. Their dress was plain,
cheap and simple. A black skirt, and white or calico
short gown, with occasionally a full calico, or chintz
dress, constituted the top of the fashion. High heeled
shoes were worn, which were fastened and adorned by
a small buckle. Sometimes a cap was worn, but not
generally for the first few years. A bonnet constituted
the head dress, which on being laid aside, the head was
without covering.
It was no uncommon thing, for several years, to
see married, as well as young ladies, trudging along
barefoot, with their shoes and stockings in their hands,
to avoid getting them soiled with mud, and then
putting them on before they entefed the house.
It was quite common with the ladies, to couple
with their visits a quilting, or spinning, or carding bee.
The carding and quiltings, were done at the house,
where the visit, or bee was to be consummated. The
spinning was a different affair. When a spinning bee
was to come off, the wool or flax, in small quantities
was distributed among the invited guests ; and the day
indicated when they were to bring in the yarn and
drink tea. The yarn was returned, and the good dames
drank their tea, talked over neighbourhood affairs,
indulged in critical and sometimes even slanderous re-
marks, and then retired to their virtuous homes. To
suppose there was no gossip and slander in the country,
because it was new, would indicate but a superficial
knowledge of female character.
I may as well throw together, in this place, the
remarks intended to be made in reference to the early
habits and modes of life, which will apply to a series of
years after the settlement as well as the few first years ;
and as we had no aristocratic associations in those early
3
34' REMINISCENCES
times, my remarks apply to the bone and sinew, the
real democracy of the country. Those men, with
strong arms, hard hands, and iron frame, might daily
be seen, wending their way with knapsack on their
backs, an axe lashed on the outside, and with gun on
their shoulder, seeking a favorite resting place, prepared
to grapple with the hardships and privations of frontier
life, till the forests could be prostrated, the country
improved, and the modes of civilized life and luxurious
living, could take the place of unmitigated toil. Their
wives, generally speaking, were equally industrious,
and nobly sustained the exertions of their husbands.
The settlement of the town, after the first year or
two, went on rapidly ; men were rough and hardy,
and all public occasions wound up with trials of
strength. Wrestling, running, jumping, and hopping,
always constituted part of the amusements. Logging
bees and raisings, were of frequent occurrence. The
party making the bee, or raising, furnished himself with
some poor rum, as an indispensable article to ensure
success ; if he did not, he was regarded as a mean
covetous fellow, and his work would be poorly done,
if done at all. Whiskey was not then introduced, nor
till several subsequent years.
After the building was raised, or the bee concluded,
the party collected to take the last drink, and then the
sports commenced. Almost invariably a ring was
ibrmed for wrestling, and frequently commenced
with boys, the men looking on. The boy thrown,
would bring in one to wrestle with the victor, and so on
till all had wrestled, and the one was victor, who
could keep the ring against all comers ; so also with the
men, who never expected to separate without a goodly
number of wrestling matches. This practice was very
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 35
generally continued as late as 1S07. I have never
seen so good wrestlers as those early settlers in Rich-
field. The Colwell fan:iily, take them as a whole, were
the best in town. Isaac and Robert, who have been
dead many years, were very powerful ; Samuel, yet
alive, about four years older than myself, was master
among the boys.
I became skilful in all these sports, understood
them well, and in a rough and tumble scuffle, or at side
hold, there were but few of my age I could not throw.
Every lock, in wresthng, was familiar, and I knew
how and when to take them, and how and when to
lay out my strength to accomplish my object. I was
quick and but few men, even much larger and stronger
than myself, but I could more than match.
I have spoken of logging. Having been familiar
with clearing up new land from my early childhood,
let me describe the process. The ground to be cleared
being selected, the first move is to cut all the under-
brush and small trees, generally called staddles. The
brush are trimmed out and heaped in suitable places, and
all such small trees, as can conveniently be handled,
are cut and thrown on the heaps, with the old fallen
limbs of trees ; the small ones being cut near the
ground. You are now ready to cut the large timber;
and here great judgment must be used in falling it, so
that you can log it to advantage. Trees should be so
fallen as to be parallel with each other, and if on hilly
land, should be fallen in such a manner that on logging
they may be rolled down hill. Those cut up should be
in logs, fourteen or fifteen feet long, according to their
size. By skilful falling much chopping may be saved,
by leaving many large trees to be piled against, on
making log heaps. ^
36 REMINISCENCES
Hard timber, maple, beech, birch, and elm, pre-
dominated in that part of Otsego county; the timber
being very heavy. A good chopper would cut his acre
and pile the brush in seven or eight days : I have known
it done in less. At the age of twenty -two years I could
cut an acre in seven days, but as a general average
men would be from seven to ten days, particularly if
several worked together. Chopping is hard, but clean
work, and I was fond of it. A man going into the woods
with his axe, soon makes an opening, which being
enlarged daily, serves to encourage and stimulate him
to vigorous action. The trees being chopped and
brush piled, if done in May or June, should be left
through July and August, by which time they become
so dry, that the fire frequently runs over the whole
ground, burning all the brush, many of the logs, and
blackening those that remain. This would be regarded
as a good hum, leaving the soil clean of weeds, and
herbage. Then follows the logging and burning the
log heaps, most dirty, smoky, disagreeable work. Three
men and a yoke of oxen would log an acre per day,
sometimes more, if the timber was light, and well
felled and cut. The ashes, worth 6| cents, must be
scraped together, and carried to an ashery, to make
black salts, and eventually pearl or potash. All this
being done, the land was ready for harrowing and
reception of seed ; after which the fences could be
made at pleasure.
It was not uncommon to make sugar in the spring,
on a piece of forest land, and then clear it off for a crop
of corn the same season. Several acres of my father's
lands, where he after^yards planted his orchard, were
thus used, and cleared off; the small brush had been
cut the preceding autumn. When the time arrived for
BY LEVI BEARDSLET. 37
making sugar, the trees were tapped and a large
quantity made. As the season advanced, we cut the
small timber, heaped the brush, and got everything
ready to cut the large trees, as soon as sugar making
was over; that being past, we cut and burned all the
timber, and cleared the land for a crop.
The month of May was warm and dry, when on
burning the brush, the fire ran over all the ground
clearing it of herbage, so that we had but little harrow-
ing to do, to fit it for planting. It was nearly the first
of June when we planted, but the corn was soon up,
grew rapidly, and with but little more than one shght
dressing with the hoe, we had fifty bushels of good
corn to the acre, with any quantity of large yellow
pumpkins. After the corn was planted, and the ground
fenced, we had to trap and shoot the striped squirrels,
to protect the corn, as those little animals have an in-
veterate desire to dig it up, to obtain the grain at the
root. Those burnings of new lands, in dry weather,
frequently extend beyond the ground intended to be
cleared, and rage furiously in the woods. Every one
who has long resided in a new country has seen the
woods on fire ; nothing can be more grand than their
appearance at night, when the fire rages among dry
and partially deca5^ed trees. The flames, as they are
fanned by the breeze, seem to flash out and leap fit-
fully from tree to tree ; then, subsiding for a moment, will
break out again as the wind freshens. Frequently the
fire rapidly ascends a dry tree till it reaches the top-
most branches, and then becomes, from bottom to top,
a mass of flame, vivid and transparent ; the atmosphere
becomes charged v/ith smoke, the heavens enlightened
by the thousand fires, the roar of the flames, the
crackling of dry limbs and fagots, with the frequent
3S REMINISCENCES
ibunclenng of the large trees as they fall to the ground,
render the scene grand, imposing and magnificently
briUiant. Cooper, in his Pioneer, has given a graphic
picture of a burning forest, the best by far that I have
seen ; and yet grand and truthful as that description isi
it comes far short of reality, as all know who have wit-
nessed similar exhibitions.
It seems to me we had much more thunder durins:
those early years than we have latterly ; if it was so,
it might have resulted from accidental and natural
causes, some years more than others ; or may there
not be more electricity in the atmosphere, when a
country is new and uncultivated, than after it is cleared
and subjected to the free unobstructed rays of the sun ?
I was caught out in a storm that made a very lively
impression on my mind, as well as subjecting me to a
tremendous drenching. I must have been thirteen or
fourteen years of age, and had been sent that afternoon
three miles to the nearest blacksmith to have the plough-
share sharpened. In those days we used the old-
fashioned hull plough, with wrought iron coulters and
shares, which frequently required sharpening. The
share was put in one end of a bag, and the coulter in
the other, and was thrown on the back of the old brown
mare and I on the top of it.
In new countries, where there is not much work
required from the blacksmith, except those occasional
jobs, he generally works in the fields a large portion of
time ; and this was the case with the one whom I wanted
to see. He came from the field, and though short of
coal, managed to raise sufficient heat to do the work ;
but manifested no desire hurry it. When he had got
through, it was nearly night, and a thunder storm was
coming from the west. He put the bag, with share and
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 39
coulter on the mare, and I started for home. Nearly
the whole way was through the woods, and my load
being unequally balanced, I had to ride slow, so that
before I was one-third of the way home, the storm was
upon me. The rain poured down, the wind blew furi-
oush^ and the lightning was vivid and constant. It
soon became so dark, that I could not see objects a yard
from me, not even the horse's head, except by the
glare of the lightning, when the flashes were so bright
they seemed to blind me for a moment, and then left
me in more than natural darkness. The only way for
me, unless I had abandoned the load, was to hold it
on as well as possible, and let the mare take her own
course but not go faster than a walk, as her trot v/ould
have thrown off the bag, and probably me with it.
The thunder followed the lightning in quick succes-
sion, crash after crash, and so near that the old mare
would shudder and tremble under me, while the light-
ning seemed to leap from tree to tree. It was a most
sublime spectacle, could one have been sheltered from
the fury of the storm and felt himself safe and free
from danger. The roaring of the wind, the waving
of the trees, interlocking their branches with each
other, the frequent crash of those thrown down by the
force of the tempest and the vivid lightning, all com-
bined, rendered the night terrific.
Then the forked chain-like lightning in the distance,
as the thunder cloud advanced, and the heavy rever-
beration of the distant thunder, intermixed with that
near at hand, could not fail to impress with awe, if
not terror, one of sterner stuff than myself. The rain
raised some of the streams so that they were nearly
impassable in the dark.
I reached home about ten o'clock, drenched through
40 REMINISCENCES
and through, and nearly exhausted in holduig the un-
balanced load.
In 1797-8 or 9, (I ihhik in '9S) we had the most
severe storm of thunder, lightning and rain, that I have
ever known. The shower came from the west about
five o'clock in the afternoon, and at its commencement
was accompanied with wind and hail. It passed off to the
east, and then the current of air seemed to change,
which brought it back, so that it appeared as if two
storms had met over head, to contend for mastery
through the night ; there was a continual flashing of
lightning, and roar of thunder till daylight; much of
it was in our immediate vicinity, and a large sugar
maple was struck within a few rods of the house : the
trunk was cleft in twain, so that itcouldbe seen through
its whole length though it remained standing till the
next day, when it fell down. That storm extended all
over the country and was long remembered. The June
term of the common pleas, was in session at Coopers-
town, where the storm raged with equal fury as
elsewhere ; our large meadow was flooded with w-ater
nearly a foot deep. The Susquehanna river was so
swollen, that a boy who was in the woods after cattle,
was caught out, and remained in a tree top through the
night, not deeming it safe to attempt to cross the river
in the dark. The next morning he got across, by
making an ox swim and he held by his tail, and was thus
ferried over.
This mode of crossing the Scioto river in Ohio, I have
frequently seen resorted to in high water. While re-
siding there, I had an ox, a fine large gentle fellow, who
often carried me across that river, and sometimes when
the water was so deep that he had to swim a short
distance.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 41
He seemed pleased when he had an opportunity to
oblige his friends in this way, and was generally re-
paid for his kindness with many ears of corn given
to him at times rather out of season for his regular food.
An incident occurred in the early part of the storm,
that I have just described,whichdeserves notice. Several
neighbours as it came on took shelter in Mr. Edson's
log-tavern, where there was a large stick chimney
that admitted much hail and rain in the fire place
and on the hearth. With the hail and rain that
came pattering down, was a fish of the chub kind,
about eight inches long, such as the boys used
to catch with pin hooks in the brooks; he flopped
about precisely as if thrown on land from the water,
and was not injured ; on being put in a pail of water,
he swam about perfectly well. I have heard doubts
expressed, whether fish are ever taken up, and then
rained down, but I do not suppose there is any doubt
about it; for what I have related I saw, and am sure
the fish was not there by any other means. Water
spouts at sea are familiar to all sailors, when vast
columns of water are taken up, and no doubt fish with
them, and are afterwards precipitated on the ocean,
though of rare occurrence on land.
Let me leave this subject to relate a family inci-
dent, somewhat out of place but illustrative of the
custom of the times. A few years after our settlement,
a surveyor came there and was emplo3'ed by my father
and uncles to subdivide the lot, and run out and mark
the lines of their respective farms ; my father and three
of his brothers w^ere engaged, one carried the flag, two
the chain, and the other an axe to clear away the
brush, mark the line trees, and set and mark the corners.
On driving the last slake, and marking the witness
42 REMINISCENCES
trees of my father's farm, his brothers determined to
whip him, to make him remember the corner; they
prepared themselves with whips nearly as long and
large as were used to drive oxen, and he procured one
for defence equally as efficacious. To guard and pre-
vent an attack from the rear, he placed his back against
a large tree, which while it sheltered his back, warded
off the blows they attempted to give him. They
approached him in front, and he gave two of them each
a hearty thwack across their shoulders and back, that
raised ridges as large as the small finger, they struck
at him but the tree warded off' the force of their blows;
and to bring the contest to a close, one of my uncles, a
large strong man, more than six feet high, rushed in and
grasping my father round the waist, threw him down, but
he kept his whip, and gave them two more cuts after he
was down. The contest ended, they got up, my uncles
had the worst of it, for the whip had made a lively
impression on the outer man ; and my father had
enough of it, to impress him forcibly with the remem-
brance of that corner. All was in good nature, regrets
were expressed that either should have been hurt, the
surve3'or laughed, and the affair was settled. As I am on
incidents, let me relate another v/hich happened a few
5''ears afterwards. We had a log school house, near a
pine swamp. It was sabbath day, and Parson Nash, after-
wards, and for many years, favourably known as father
Nash,was to preach in the school-house. He was a pioneer
in the new country, and I suppose is the "Parson Grant,"
that Cooper had in his mind's eye, when he wrote the
" Pioneers." My father and a young man were going
in the morning to build a fire in the school house, when,
they heard an outcry in the swamp of dogs and boys ;
presently a large bear came in sight, followed in close
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 43
pursuit by two dogs, the one a large spirited animal fit
for a fight, the other a yelping whiffit or fisle, fit only
to make a noise and pester an adversary. Two boys
armed with clubs, who owned the dogs, and were
following the bear, soon made their appearance. The
dogs kept close to the bear, and would run up and snap
his hinder parts, particularly when he clambered over
logs, and as he turned to make fight or give them a
slap, would break and fall back. They so annoyed
him that he ran up several trees, but would come down
in spite of the dogs, when the bo3-s approached, and
would shew his heels, the dogs constantly annoying him.
My father armed himself with a club and joined in
pursuit, sending back for his gun.
The messenger came, almost out of breath, and I
followed him on his return. Bnii?i, in the meantime,
hotly pursued, had treed several times, and w^ould
come down as before. The noise of the dogs, and
shouts of the pursuers, brought my old grandfather,
one of my uncles, and some others, with several
strange dogs, into the swamp before the gun arrived.
Bruin had gone up a large pine, and ray father had
reached the tree, and stood on one side, and my uncle,
with an axe, on the other; the dogs were barking, and
the bear looking down upon them. The large brindle
dog, who first followed him, got into a fight with one
of the others, and this, bruin regarded as a favorable
moment to attempt an escape ; losing his hold, so as to
slide down the tree, he came down stern foremost,
almost as quick as his weight would have brought him
had he fallen, making the bark fly, as he scraped his
way down with his nails. He came on the side, where
my uncle stood with the axe, who gave him a large
flesh wound, but it neither impaired his strength or
44 REMINISCENCES
disabled him from running. The axe, as it slipped
from the bear, struck the brindle dog in the mouth,
as he ran up to seize him, and cut out two of his teeth.
The bear was off, and the dogs at his heels so annoyed
him, that he soon ran up another pine, where resting
himself, with his neck partly over a limb, some fifty or
sixty feet high, he watched the proceedings below.
The gun arrived, and was charged with pigeon or
squirrel shot ; for neither ball or buck shot were to be
had. My father tore off a rag and wrapped in it as
many shot as he could force down the barrel, intending
to make a sort of cartridge, that should keep the shot
more closely together, when they were discharged.
This being done, and the priming being replenished
with fresh powder, a short consultation was had, as to
the best place to shoot the varmint.
My father decided on shooting him in the throat, as he
projected his head over the limb; and then the old
patriarch, my grandfather, interposed his advice, with
suggestions as to the beauty and importance of holding
the gun steady, and making sure aim. It was well
directed, and on being discharged, bruin tumbled to
the ground ; but with a skill, peculiar to the animal,
fell like an old rug, apparently unhurt by the fall. He
was up and off in a moment, followed by the dogs,
yelling and yelping like so many fiends. The blood
flowed copiously from the wound, like a stuck hog, so
that it was apparent the shots had well performed their
office. A run of twenty-five rods exhausted him, and
he gave up. He was of the long legged brawny kind,
large, though not very fat, but was well fitted for a
fii^ht or a race.
He was dragged out of the swamp, a team was
sent for, and poor bruin was toted to Edson's log tavern.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 45
where the whole congregation, with Father Nash, as-
sembled. Mr. Edson brought out his poor rum, gave the
company a treat, himself included ; and the bear, having
his skin pulled off, was soon turned into hear meat, and
distributed. Father Nash ate of it at supper and made
himself sick ; the hunt had spoiled his forenoon services,
for the bear had more attraction than the worth}"- parson.
He however rather admitted that it was a good christian
act to destroy the dangerous animal on the sabbath ;
and if not precisely within the canons of the church,
the offence was venial, and should be overlooked.
It is wonderful how much a small resolute dog, that
is fleet of foot, and understands his business, can annoy
a bear. Neither a small or large dog should risk a fight,
but by running up and snapping his hinder parts, and
breaking and falling back, when the bear turns upon
them, they soon pester him so that he takes to the tree.
A few years, after the incident just related, another
bear, much larger and fatter than the former, was
killed in the same swamp. He had been marauding
the night before in a young orchard, regaling himself
on sweet apples, of which the bear is very fond. He
was encountered by a resolute bull dog, who was on
the watch, and with the courage, for which his kind is
distinguished, laid hold of bruin for a regular set too ;
precisely what the bear wanted, for he fully compre-
handed that sport, and gave the dog a hug and a slap
with his great paw and long nails, that knocked the
old fellow over ; inflictino: wounds from which bull newer
recovered. The bear had struck his nails nearly into
the cavity of the dog's body, tearing and lacerating
him severely.
Bruin, by this exploit, had disabled his adversary,
and very well pleased with his supper of apples, and
40 REMINISCENCES
his night's performance ; made ofFfor the swamp. The
next morning several went in pursuit, and occasionally
finding his track, they, with the assistance of dogs,
soon came upon him, where he was reposing himself,
near a large pine, and he was disabled by a musket
ball and then killed. He was fat and weighed four
hundred pounds. Old hull was game, and had hobbled
along with the party, and though he was too lam.e to
run, he assisted in noseing and scenting the track. On
coming up with the disabled bear, the old dog was
very savage, and seemed determined to be avenged for
the injuries inflicted the night before. This was his
last effort, for he soon pined away and died ; no doubt
from the wounds he had received, which never healed
up.
As I am upon hear stories, I must relate one more
that occurred many years afterwards, when the last
one was killed, in Cherry valley.
A man, who had come through the woods, across
the hills, came to my office in the morning, and said
he had seen a bear in an apple tree, a mile and a half
from the village. He came to me, because he knew I
always had my gun and ammunition ready ; and that
I had an excellent hound, old Primo.
It was in September, and the apples were so far
advanced, as to be inviting; and bruin had selected a
tree that bore sweet apples, for his breakfast. Primo
was called, and I was soon on my horse galloping
away as fast as possible, hoping to reach the tree before
the bear had left it. When within half a mile of it, the
dog struck a track, or rather scent (for I could see no
track) and started ofT in full cry, towards a large forest
on the hill. From the eagerness of the dog to pursue,
I knew he had a fresh track, and thought it possibly
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 47
might be the trail of the bear ; though more probably a
fox, as Primo had never followed a bear, but was
familiar with foxes, and delighted to follow them. With
some difficulty, I called him off, and made him go with
me to the apple tree, which he did with reluctance.
The bear was gone, but Primo scented him, and run-
ning to the tree, reared up and looked eargerly into its
top ; then taking a circle round it, to ascertain which
way he had gone, took his trail, and hurried off through
brush and briars at a tremendous rate, towards where
he first struck it as he came up.
I went back, as fast as possible, to reach the road
as soon as the dog, for it was now apparent that the
trail he had first struck, was that of the bear. To reach
the forest on the hill, I had to get through, or over several
fences, so that Primo was soon half a mile a head of
me, running at the top of his speed, and giving tongue
every jump.
As soon as I had started from the villaofe, it was
noised about that I had gone after a bear, and this
started out a dozen interlopers, with as many dogs. Primo
was so vehement in his cry, that several dogs heard and
followed him to the woods, where some of the party,
running across the fields, arrived. He soon started
the bear, and drove him up a tree, when several well
directed shots, brought him down. Bruin was carried
in triumph to the village, where, on disrobing him, he
was found to be young, fat and tender, and constituted
the main portion of a feast, a few evenings afterwards ;
his flesh proving very fine and acceptable. When he
fell to the ground, on being shot, Primo eagerl}'- laid
hold of him, and jerked him about before he was dead;
determined to have his share of the sport.
It was sinijular that he should have followed the
4S REMINISCENCES
track so well, for he had never before hunted a bear or
seen one ; but he was a dog of great sagacity, and
seemed to know instinctively what was wanted of him.
I have known many dogs, more fleet on foot, but none
had a better nose, or more cheering cry than Primo, or
enjoyed a frolic better than he.
After this transaction, he and my other two hounds,
Hunter and Dash, fought two bears in the street. They
were a little more than half grown, and belonged to a
travelling showman, who carried them in his wagon,
confined in a cage ; and laid the village boys under a
contribution, for a sight of his interesting quadrupeds.
After getting all he could from the boys, I gave him
two dollars to let his bears out for the fight. The dogs
soon drove one of them up a horse post, and the other
into a grocer's cellar, where he attempted to escape
among the barrels, but was followed by them, and
would have been killed, had not the proprietor inter-
posed with his whip. They were so eager for the fight,
and exasperated at the interference, that it was as much
as I could do to call them off, and prevent their killing
the bear, and attacking the owner.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 49
CHAPTER IV.
Primitive Mode of Extracting Tectli. Wedding, Death, and
Funeral. ' Organization of Otsego County. Judge
Cooper and others. Early Schools. Sugar Making.
Scarcity of Books. Town Library. Otsego Herald.
Washington's Death. Commencement of present Century.
Early Preachers. Judge Pech. Old Family Clock,
with Refections. First Visit to Albany.
It is time lo go back to more earl}^ incidents, than some
of those related in the preceding chapter. Richfield
when first organized as a town, comprised what is now
Richfield, Plainfield, Exeter, and part of Winfield. In
our part of it (the present town of Richfield,) there
were no residents when we went there, except a family
or two, four miles east of us, who lived in a log house,
on the Tunnicliff Farm, built before or immediately after
the revolutionary war, near the present Richfield
springs. There was no road or pathway between that
settlement and ours; in passing from one place to the
other, the marked trees on the line of lots were
generally followed. My father used to keep a lancet,
with which he would open a vein, whenever it was
necessary to let blood, for it was several years before
we had a physician near us. If a tooth required to be
extracted he had a primitive mode and quite effective.
My uncle had a large double tooth that pained him
excessively, so that he could have no rest day or night till
it was removed. He came and said it must be drawn ;
and as there was no turn screw or other instrument
4
50 REMINISCENCES
for drawing teeth in the neighbourhood, a piece of hard
seasoned wood was prepared to serve as a punch, and
my uncle placing his head against tlie wall of the
house, to keep it firm and steady, my father adjusting
the punch against the offending tooth, gave it a smart
blow with a hammer, loosening it from its docket, and
then pulled it out with pincers.
Let me describe the first wedding, which was the
marriage of a sister of my mother, who was married to
Ebenezer Russell ; the marriage was at my father's,
in the log house : I do not remember how the parties
were dressed, but no doubt in their hest gear. Judge
Cooper, of Cooperstown was sent for, being the nearest
magistrate, and came eighteen miles principally through
the woods, to perform the ceremony. The neighbours
were invited, the old pine table w^as in the middle of
'"''the room, on which I recollect was placed a large
wooden bowl filled with fried cakes, (nut cakes or
dough nuts, as the country people call them.) There
might have been something else to constitute the
marriage feast, but I do not recollect any thing expept
a black junk bottle filled with rum ; some maple sugar,
and water. The judge was in his long riding boots,
covered with mud up to his knees, his horse was fed,
that he might be off when the ceremony was over ; the
parties presented themselves, and were soon made
man and wife as his " Honor" officially announced.
He then gave the bride a good hearty kiss, or rather
' * smack, remarking that he always claimed that as his
fee ; took a drink of rum, drank health, prosperity and
long life to those married, ate a cake or two, declined
staying even for supper, said he must be on his way
home, and should go to the foot of the lake that night,
refused any other fee for his services, mounted his barse
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 51
and was off; and thus was the first marriage celebrated.
The few other guests who were in attendance, re-
mained and partook of as good a meal as the house
could afford.
I may as well speak of the first death and funeral,
that followed soon after, I think within a year. There
had to be sure been a man killed, within the boundaries
of the town, by the fall of a tree a short time before,
but he was regarded as an itinerant, looking for land,
rather then as an inhabitant of the town. My aunt,
whose marriage I have just related, went into a
consumption and died at my father's in the spring, soon
after the leaves and flowers had put forth. A small
elm stood by the brook near the house, on which a pair
of 3'ellow robins {Baltimore orioles,) made a nest that
year for the first time, and resorted there many succeed-
ing years. The singing of that bird is sweet and
plaintive, we all listened to it, and my mother and her
poor sick sister, both strongly tinctured with Dutch
superstitions, believed the bird to have come there to
announce the death. How strange it is, and how hke
an Exercise of reason or memory, that those birds will
come back to the same nest for many years in succes-
sion. My family will all remember the pair, that used
to come year after year to that beautiful elm on my lot,
back of Cherry Valley academy.
One word in passing relative to that fine elm. In
the years 1798 9, it was a small saphng. An officer
on recruiting service, for John Adams' army, as it was
called, was stationed at Cherry Valley: one of his
soldiers had offended, and on being sentenced to be
whipped, was tied to that tree. The late Major Lester
Holt, was present at the whipping, and has told me, that
he recollected the soldier was tied to that part of the
52 REMINISCENCES
tree above the first limbs or branches, " above its forks
or prongs" as he expressed it. The shaft of the tree
must be now more than two feet in diameter, perfectly
straight, and nearly of the same size tip to where it
branches out. He made the remark in reference to the
branches now being nearly or quite thirty feet from
the ground, which he said, had been carried up as the
trunk grew larger and shot up higher. But to return
to the funeral : during her sickness my father had pro-
vided some pine boards for a coffin, which after her
death, he made himself and stained it black. The
neighbours assembled ; we had no clergyman, for at
that day there was none in that vicinity; Timothy
Hatch, father of Hon. Moses P. Hatch, of Oswego,
read a chapter, and at the grave a hymn, " why do we
mourn departing friends?" With these humble cere-
monies the body was deposited in its " narrow house,"
then "earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust,"
were pronounced, a rough stone was planted at the
head ; and there the remains have rested for sixty
years. As I am on early incidents, let me refer io the
organization of the county of Otsego, which was set
off from Montgomery, (formerly Tryon) in February,
1791. William Cooper was first judge, and Jedediah
Peck was one of the judges. My father was made
justice of the peace, at an early day after the county
was organized. A day was agreed upon for all those
appointed, to meet at Cooperstown to take the oath of
ofl5ce, and receive their commissions. My father got a
new blue coat rather short, which was pronounced by
a country tailor, " a handsome genteel coat." I re-
collect a rather coarse pair of white top'd boots for the
occasion. At the appointed time he went, and I think
walked there and back, which was as well as to ride,
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 63
as the roads then were. He stayed all night, and with
those that met there, must have had a hard lime of it
at Griffin's tavern, "the Bold Dragoon of the Pioneers,"
for he came home lame, partly from an injury in a scuffle
pulling off each other's boots nolens volens, and partly
from walking so far in his new ones.
Among the justices, was James Aplin, an honest,
worthy but rather vain man, who lived in Hartwick.
They used to tell this anecdote of him ; but whether
true or false I cannot state. It was said, that on his
return home, he remarked to his better half, " my dear,
last night you slept with James Aphn ; to-night with
James Aplin, esquire ; God bless my good friend.
Judge Cooper."
As Judge Cooper has been introduced, I may as
well relate an incident witnessed by my father, not far
from this time, and lam not sure but the very time he
went to Cooperstown to receive his commission. I have
thought it strange that James F. Cooper, the novelist,
has not introduced it in. some of his works, and once
spoke to him about it and related the circumstances,
as my father described them. A wrestling match was
got up, in front of Griffins ; where a ring was formed,
and the parties matched for the contest. Judge Cooper
said he was a wrestler himself; and believed he could
throw any man in the county; and further, that he
wanted to find a man on his patent, who could throw
him ; remarking, that he would give any one in the
companj'-, one hundred acres of land, who would throw
him at arms length. Timothy Morse, who I have else-
where mentioned as a strong man, stepped up and laying
his hands on the judge's shoulder, said, " Cooper, I
believe I can lay you on your back." Cooper replied
" If you can I will give you one hundred acres." A
54 REMINISCENCES
ring was formed, and at it they went, and Morse soon
brought him to the position indicated. The judge got
up and ordered Richard Smith, his clerk, to make
out the necessary papers for one hundred acres.
This Richard Smith was the first sheriff of the
county. Whether a deed was executed for this one
hundred acres, or the value of the land deducted from
a previous or other purchase, I am not positive ; but
have always supposed Morse resided on the identical
hundred acres in Burlington. There is no doubt, I pre-
sume, of the v/restling match, and that one hundred
acres was at stake ; for the contest is still remembered
by some of the old inhabitants, who point out the place
where they wrestled, near the corner of the present
Eagle tavern, formerly Griffin's.
When I mentioned this to James F. Cooper, he re-
marked " that it used to be fashionable to wrestle where
his father was brought up, and from whence he removed
toOtsego county ; and that William Penn was a cele-
brated wrestler, and introduced and encouraged this with
other athletic sports among his colonists."
It is generally known that a small portion of Otsego
county was settled at a much earlier day than 1790.
Cherry Valley was commenced about 1740 or '41, and
when the revolution broke out, contained a good num-
ber of inhabitants, who were generally of Scotch and
Irish descent. In the north part of Springfield, a few
Dutch families had settled, and at Unadllla, Butternuts,
and present town of Otsego, a few English families
had located before the war. But the great body of the
county was a wilderness in 1790.
Samuel Crafts, esq. who has recently died in the town
of Hartwick, a few miles from Cooperstown, at a very
advanced age,^came from Connecticut to Springfield,
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 55
a few years after the war. He had been a revolution-
ary soldier, and must have been nearly the first new
Englander that came to the county ; having arrived
there several years before its organization. When
Judge Cooper, the founder of Cooperstown, came,
Capt. Crafts was living in Springfield, and conveyed
the judge in a boat from the head of Otsego lake to
its foot, where Cooperstown is situated.
Mr. Crafts was an industrious, worthy, intelligent
man ; of stern, unbending integrity, and I think was a
justice in the first commission of the peace ; and foreman
of the first grand jury in the county. He was father of
Willard Crafts, esq., of Utica, a highly respectable
citizen.
My readers may wish to know something more of
our mode of life for the first few years, and what our pro-
visions were. The mills were poor and flour consequently
coarse and often black from smutty wheat. The Indian
corn of course made good meal and johnny cakes, when
ground, but as it would take two days at least to go
and return from mill, many families had what they
called a samp mortar ; that is, a hard log with the end
cut off square, set on end and hollowed out at top, as
the Indians prepare theirs for the reception of corn,
which is then pounded and broken by hand, with a
pestle : a drawing and description of one, may be seen
in a recent volume, published by the State, in relation
to Indian habits and manufactures, (Cabinet of Natural
History.)
I have had many a good supper of samp and milk,
made in this way. The milk and butter were often
disagreeable, from the cows eating the wild leek, and
this, when used, was obviated by eating a piece of the
same, which dissjuised the leekv taste of the milk and
56 REMINISCENCES
butter. We could always get fish, by going to the
lake; and most generally brook trout, for several years,
from the small streams, where none can be found at
present.
I maj' as well remark, that when we first came to
the country, it was said shad and herring annually
came up the Susquehanna, to where mill-dams obstructed
their ascent. As to fresh meat, we had it, as the
Indian did his, whenever we could get it. Venison
was quite common, bear meat occassionally, and per-
haps veal three or four times a year, by dividing round
and exchanging among our families ; w"hich including
my grandfather in our circle, were five. When they
had veal, a pot pie must always be made, and the
whole tribe congregated to partake of it. There was
but one iron pot in the settlement, which belonged to
my grandfather, and this was sent to the house where
the feast was to be provided. My grandmother, alwa^'S
presided at the making of these pies, and she could
make them better than any one I ever saw. The dough
or paste was spread over and round the inside of the
pot, before the meat was put in ; and when done was
called the crust. This would come out a little browned
on the outside, but light and tender, not such heavy,
clammy stuff", as is too often made now. When it was
placed on the pine table, on a large pewter platter, it
was very inviting, and delicious. Good spring water
was the beverage, each house being placed near a
spring ; for the}' had no wells, and if the springs failed
in summer, they would clear them out, and dig deeper,
or find anew one. They had no . temperance societies^
in those days ; and no one, whether he drank or not,
deemed it sinful or improper to refresh the inner man,
when the needful could be had. After the first year,
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 57
ibey generally had at their feasts a black junk bottle,
that would bold a quart of rum, and this was dealt out
in a wine glass; about hg-lf a gill to each man. Of
course there was not much intemperance in town, till
many years afterwards ; and not very much then, or at
any time. Wild pigeons were plenty, spring and fall,
and were killed and eaten in great numbers. The
black and grey squirrel, it is known, hardly ever pre-
cede civilization, but follow it. We had been there
several years before any were seen. Foxes also gene-
rally follow instead of preceding. Martens, or as the
Indians pall them ivau-pnu-nau-cau, were quite plenty,
and occasionally an otter, in the larger streams.
I must say something about schools. My father
had learned me my letters some time before we had a
school, and I could spell ba, and soon after baker. 1
remember his first teaching me my letters. There was
A, with two feet, i with a dot, round O, Q vv'ith a tail,
crooked S, T with a hat, &c. &c. After six or seven
families had settled within striking distance, it was de-
cided that a school house must be built, and a summer
school started for the children. The house must be
near water, and must be built where it would best ac-
commodate its patrons ; accordingly a place was selected,
the neighbours made a bee, came together, cut away
the underbrush, and the trees, that were near enough
to endanger the house. They cut logs, drew them to
the place, and put up a log house, small but low, and
the roof nearly flat for several years ; and covered with
bark. One side was so much elevated by an additional
log, that the water would run off, and subsequently rafters
were added, making an ordinary roof, but no floor over
head. The floor beneath was made of split logs,
hewed to make them smooth ; and some narrow benches
53 REMINISCENCES
made from split logs, supported by legs, were put in
for the scholars.
There were no writing tables or desks, but these
were added afterwards when they wanted to educate
larger boys, and were made by boring into the logs,
and driving pins to support a sloping board for a writing
table, so that those who wrote sat with their faces to
the wall, and their backs to the teacher.
There was no glass to be had for windows in the
country, and, as a substitute, a rude sash was made
and placed in the wall, and this sash was supplied with
white paper, which being oiled or greased, would let
in the light and exclude the wind. When the weather
became cold, a large fire place and stick chimney,
daubed with mud, were added, and this was the first
school house in that part of the county. A school was
kept for several summers by a schoolmistress, who
boarded round among the proprietors, and in the
winter by schoolmasters, when the larger boys attended.
To this school house, scholars were sent from abroad,
who boarded with the proprietors.
The boarding of the schoolmistress and master always
led to one agreeable result. The family lived better,
and had more of the delicacies and luxuries of life,
than on ordinary occasions. This rendered boarding
round popular, among the children at least ; for pre-
paratory to the master or mistress coming, an additi-
onal quantity of fried cakes must be prepared, and
mince and other, pies, if they could be afforded. In
truth, the master and mistress were regarded as dis-
tinguished personages. This first house v/as used for
several years, when it was deemed advisable to build
another, further south, to accommodate those living in
that direction.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 69
The second one, was a little south of the orchard,
now on the farm formerly owned by my father, and it
was in this building, that father Nash was to preach
when the bear was killed. The schoolboy pranks
were rude and abundant, as they are at all schools.
The day the second house was completed we had
some cider brought there, to dedicate the house, being
the first I had ever tasted, and the first ever brought
into that part of the town; the cider having been brought
there by some one from Cherry Valley or Mohawk river.
The snows fell deep every winter; the boys used to
wrestle and wallow in the snow, and often fight ; then,
if the master found it out, they were almost sure to be
flogged, for the birch and ferule were regarded, in those
da3'-s, as indispensable appendages ; and by frequent
appliances " the young idea was taught to shoot." In
winter, all the children were clothed with coarse thick
home made clothing ; they brought their dinner with them
to school, and after eating it indulged in play of course.
Those narrow benches were awfully tiresome.
Children would get tired and sleepy, but their vigilant
instructors would contrive to stir them up ; sometimes
by one, and then by other devices.
The children were of course restless, and wanted to
go out, which they were permitted to do, once each half
day, and oftener by special permission. Sometimes
the instructor so arranged matters in relation to going
out, that any one might enjoy that privilege as a matter
of course, each half day, without asking, provided he
could go alone, when all others were in school. To
carry out this provision, a hole was bored in one of the
logs of the house, in which a loose wooden peg was
inserted, which any one might take as a passport out
of the house ; and when he had staj'ed the permitted
60 REMINISCENCES
time, he returned and placed the peg in position, which
might be taken by another without applying to the
master, and thus disturbing; the school.
The boys were taught b}'' their instructors how to
make their best bow, and how to address strangers in
the most formal st3de : and the girls how to shew off
their graces, by the most fashionable curtsies.
Better progress was made in education than could
have been expected, and nearly all of mine was obtained
in such schools as I have described. I could always
read and spell as well, and I thought a little better than
any in school, and when put to my arithmetic, went
directly ahead of all competitors. I could play as well
as any one ; run much better on -the snow crust than
most of them ; always fond of play and frolic ; and
never doubted but what I could do anything that
others could. This impression has been a leading
one through life, and to my perseverance in it, I have
ascribed much of my success. That I could not do a
thing, that wanted doing, never entered my mind. In
the winter nearly all the boys went to school, and in the
summer, those large enough to work, staid at home
and worked on the farm ; going barefoot till cold weather
came again. This going barefoot in a new country,
among small stumps and roots, is a bad business.
The feet get sore, and then to go in the woods among
the ground yew, was exceedingly annoying to sore feet.
It was however the fashion of the country and could
not be avoided ; for shoes were not to be had, except for
winter, when a cat wkij^jpcr came to the family, with
kit, and made them.
The sugar-making season was always hailed with
rapture by the boys. No one, brought up in a new
country, but can realize how exciting it was, and how
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 61
eager and industrious the boys were to commence tap-
ping the trees. This used to be done by cutting a
notch in the sugar maple, and putting a spout under it,
inserted by driving in a partly rounded, sharp iron in-
strument, called a tapping gouge, to cut a place for the
spout that led the sap to the trough. Sap buckets were
not then introduced, nor did they use an auger, as they
do now, for tapping trees.
Troughs were generally made from the butternut,
and would hold about a pailful, and some nearly two.
The season having arrived, boys with their hand sleds
would soon distribute the troughs to the trees that were
to be tapped, by drawing them in the morning on the
snow crust. Then the master of ceremony would
follow with his axe, spouts, and tapping gouge ; the
sharp ringing of the iron, as he drove the gouge into
the tree, kept all advised where he was. The trees
being tapped and troughs set, the next thing was to
shovel away the snow, and prepare a place to hang
the kettles for boiling.
I have frequently found the ground covered two or
three feet deep with snow, entirely free from frost, and
the young leeks already pricking up through the ground
and reaching the snow that lay on it. The gathering
of sap, which had to be done generally with pails, was
hard work while the snow lasted, as we frequently
sunk into the snow up to our knees. When the boiling
was commenced, a small piece of pork was thrown in
the kettle, to prevent the sap, as it boiled, from running
over. The little chickadee birds are always attracted
to where one is at work in the woods, and they would
generally find the spare piece of pork and pick and eat
it up, unless concealed. The sugaring off, gave great
delight to the parties present, as every one knows;
62 REMINISCENCES
and this sugar making, in a new country, is alwaj's to
boys a delightful employment. When we had a good
run of sap, as it was called, that is, when it ran freely,
I have frequently remained in camp, and tended the
kettles late in the evening. The atmosphere being
clear and delightful in spring time, the dropping of the
sap in the troughs could be heard in all directions ; and
for a considerable distance ; and then the hootinsr and
screaming of owls, often very near, being attracted by
the fire, would, to an unpractised ear, render night
hideous, discortant and melancholy.
Before passing to other matters, I may as well
mention a little incident illustrative of the hardships
and hardihood of life in a new countr}'. We had
been some two or three years at our new home, when
it seemed to be necessary for some one to return to our
former residence in Rennsselair county. The principal
object was to collect in some small debts, and to adjust
some unsettled matters. My mother wanted to go and
visit her parents and relatives in Cambridge, Washing-
ton county, so she concluded to make the visit, and
then go to Hoosic on business matters. One, and I am
not sure but two, of my uncles, were going the same
time to arrange their affairs, so my mother was to go
with them. They were all to go on horseback, and
m}'^ mother for want of a better, was to ride on a man's
saddle. We had a high-spirited black horse, which
she was to ride ; a pillow was strapped on the saddle,
saddle bags or portmanteaus properly adjusted, and
thus rigged and equipped, she started off with my
uncles; I think it was in the fall of 1792, and I am
quite sure she carried a child. They were to strike the
Mohawk river at Canajoharie, then across the country
to Johnstown and Saratoga, and thence to Cambridije.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 63
I remember how ihey looked as they started ofT.
As soon as they had crossed a small pole bridge, near
the house, my mother to shew her fearlessness, and
that she could control her horse, gave him a slight blow,
that put him into a good round gallop, and they were
soon out of sight, as they rode along the narrow, crooked
pathway through the woods. She returned in due
time, having made the journey comfortably, had a good
visit, and transacted the business correctly. Every
woman in a new country soon becomes a fearless rider.
It is a noble and invigorating exercise, and a woman
never appears so well as when she is well mounted, on
a spirited horse. This was the most fashionable mode
of travelling in that part of the country for many
years afterwards. Even as late as 1806 7, young
people when they went to a ball, or fas]?ionable
party, generally went on horseback. It is so yet in
the new States at the west. Even at Columbus, the
capital of Ohio, a large proportion of the country
women come into the city on horseback. I always
admired the fearless manner in which those huclc-eye
women rode. Judge Cooper had a favourite daughter
killed by a fall from a starting horse, as she was going
to the town of Butternuts, at a very earl}'- day after
the settlement of the county. I must say something
about the scarcity of books, and the difficulty of
obtaining anything hke readable matter, except the
bible, psalm book, and a few other books, till we had
been several years in the county. Each family had
a bible and psalm book ; my grandfather had a large
English bible with the liturgy, and versification of
the psalms, as used by the English church. The
bible was printed, the old testament at Oxford, and
the new testament at London in 1715. He also had
64 REMINISCENCES
a copy of Iludibras, which next to the bible, he regarded
as superior to all other productions. My father had
two volumes of Dryden's poems ; and one of my
uncles a copy of Young's Night Thoughts. This was
about all the reading matter for four or five families
in our circle, till a small town library was established
a few years afterwards. After learning to read, I
went through with the books I have mentioned, and
could soon repeat a great number of psalms and
hymns, and a large portion of Hudibras, as I can
to this day. The library being established, was kept
about two miles from my father's. The books were
drawn out, and returned once a month. To encourage
me to read he very soon after its establishment, used
to send me to return the books, and draw new ones,
directing me to select according to my choice. I
used to read all that were drawn out, and among
others I recollect reading six volumes of Bruce's travels
to the sources of the Nile. Grecian and Roman history
became familiar to me; superficially to be sure, but
more in detail and incident than I now recollect them.
That old library was added to, and kept up till
after I left Richfield, in 1810; and I have always
thought, and have no doubt, that it induced a pro-
pensity for reading among the farmers, that for many
years put them a-head for general intelligence, of
those in other towns where a library was neglected,
n imitation of this library among the men, I set on
foot a project for a library among the boys, and we
got up quite a respectable juvenile library, which ran
down about 1805, in consequence of our treasurer
and hbrarian misapplying the funds. I do not re-
member how many years it was after the first
settlement, before we had a mail in that part of the
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 65
county, but should think six or seven years, and
probabl}'' more; newspapers were scarce. The Otsego
Herald, a very small weekly paper was published
by Judge Phiney, and continued for many years ;
this was almost the only paper that any citizen in
town had an opportunity of reading. It was some-
times brought by a post rider ; and at other times a
class of thirteen was formed, each member going to
Cooperstown for the papers once a quarter. The
motto of ihe Herald was kept up as long as it was
published,
" Historic truth our Herald shall proclaim,
The law our guide, the public good our aim."
With the almost surfeit of newspapers that we
now have, it is difficult to imagine with what avidity the
little weekly messenger was sought after, and how tho-
roughly it was read among the neighbours. At an early
day after 1 was able to read, my father to encourage
me, used to buy small books, and among those was a
little one, giving an account of the trial and execution
of the King and Queen of France, illustrated with
an engraving, shewing the guillotine, and Gen. Santerre,
mounted on a large horse, with troops under arms.
The reading of this book, with occasional scraps from
newspapers, excited an eager desire to make my-
self acquainted with the important events growing out
of the French revolution. I have a slight recollection
of the siege of Toulon in 1794, when Buonaparte first
distinguished himself in driving off the English. The
campaigns of 1795 I recollect, the most of them from
newspaper readings.
Buonaparte's Italian campaign in 1796, and from
that time till his final downfall and banishment to St.
5
66 REMINISCENCES
Helena, all the principal events are more firmly fixed
in my memory than occurrences of a recent date.
In 1797-8-9, the Otsego Herald, was generally
brought by a post rider, who left our paper each
Saturday afternoon at a neighbour's about a mile off,
and it was my business to run through the woods over
a hill, (often before breakfast,) after the paper, and I
generally read the part containing the news, before
reaching home. The escape and sailing of the French
fleet from Toulon in 179S, with the army for the Egyp-
tion expedition ; the pursuit by Nelson in search of it,
created a deep sensation in this country, for several
months before hearing of the landing in Egypt, and
destruction of the French fleet at the battle of the Nile.
It must be recollected that in 179S, our troubles with
the French Republic had assumed a belligerent aspect,
almost a declaration of war on each side.
The object of the expedition was secret, and many
apprehended an invasion from this formidable army,
with Buonaparte at its head; at last the expedition
was heard from, by its attack and conquest of Malta.
Next came the battle of the Nile in large capitals, with
Nelson's official account from the Vanguard, off* the
mouth of the Nile, &c. The contest that we had with
the French kept up an interest. Truxton captured Le
Insurgent, of superior force. Bainbridge, Tingey, Tal-
bot and others distinguished themselves. I recollect a
doggrel song got up and published in the Herald, about
tho.t time. Let me give a stanza or two, to call up old
recollections.
" Of our tars so brave and handy,
Gallant Truxton is the dandy,
Talbot, Bainbridge, Morris too
Are among the valiant crew.
BY LEVI EEARDSLEY. 67
, They're a match for hostile clogs, sir,
"Whether they eat beef or frogs, sir,
Let them meet by night or day,
They will shew them Yankee play."
Several other patriotic effusions appeared from
week to week in the Herald, which as they bring up
old matters may be now inserted and not deemed out
of place.
" I wonder what the matter means,
A cutting of such capers,
The parson says the French are mad,
He reads it in the papers,
Hey ho Billy bo, I b'lieve the wars are coming, >
And if they do, I'll get a gun as soon as I hear them drumming.
I heard them say on training day,
That Washington's a-going,
And Captain Toby swears they'l fall,
Like grass when he's a mowing,
Hey ho, &c.
He says as how in t'other war.
He ran right at the bullets,
And never minded grenadiers,
No more than we do pullets."
Hey ho, &c.
ANOTHER.
"There's Yankee doodle come to town,
From Philadelphia city.
He's ranged the streets all up and down,
And brought nice news to fit ye.
63 REMINISCENCES
He's been among the Peeplisli folks,
And vows tliey'r rotten clever,
They talk so 'cute and crack such jokes,
Would make one stare for ever."
Soon afterwards the Herald was dressed in mourn-
ing on the death of the father of his country, General
Washington, who died in December, 1799. The
announcement of which melancholy event, threw the
whole country in consternation and sorrow. We had
an assemblage, and a funeral oration from our singing
master Doctor Meacham, who stood on the table in
Brewster's ball room. I have recently seen a piece of
mourning drapery from the Otsego Lodge, Coopers-
town, used on that occasion.
In the Herald and other papers, a discussion was
kept up, whether the nineteenth century comm.enced
1st January 1800, or ISOl ; very similar to the recent
discussion in regard to the commencement of the
present last half century. I do not recollect which
side Judge Phinney took, but I think in favor of 1801.
Peter Porcupine had illustrated his views of the ques-
tion, by comparing mile stones to centuries ; and had
asserted that any one differing from his position, had
no more brains than an oyster. In a new year's
address probably written by Judge Phinnf'y, was this
verse,
" This good day my friends will enter ye.
Fairly in the nineteenth century,
In spite of mile stones on the plains.
In spite of Peter's oyster brains,"
At the age of fifteen I had become a large stout
boy, worked hard on the farm all the year, except
about four month's in winter, when I went to school.
From the age of ten years, I used to go to mill on horse-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 69
back, often ten miles or more, which of course brought
me in contact with other boys, who came many miles
on the same business. Our casual interviews were not
of the most amicable character, they often assumed a
belligerent aspect, and not unfrequently bloody noses
grew out of them. On one occasion, a boy a year older
and much larger than myself, became insolent, and after
threatening to lick me, persisted in fastening his quarrel
so that I could not avoid a set-to. The miller wanting
to see the sport encouraged it, and the result was my
adversary was essentially flogged within three minutes,
and came out of the contest with his nasal organ pretty
well swollen and bleeding freel}^, while my face was
only slightl}' scratched, but not hurt.
Many similar incidents occurred with the Dutch boys
during these excursions to mill, who were very much
inclined to flog the "Yankees," as they called us. So
also at school such frolics were not unusual, as well as
playing off divers pranks on those who were regarded
as rather soft and green. My friend, Samuel Russell,
was generally in concert with me, and was not only
fond of fun, but full of school boy pranks in the
superlative degree. A negro who used to go to school,
was frequently duped and made the laughing stock of the
company. On one occasion we made him believe he
could fly, and persuaded him to jump from the highest
part of a shed, some fourteen feet to the frozen ground.
He went up, and after flopping and swinging his arms
as a rooster does his wings, crowed stoutly, and then
leaped off", intending to fl}'- and come down lightly, but
his avoirdupoise brought him to the frozen ground with
a violence that nearly broke his limbs. On another
occasion, we persuaded him to dive from a high stump,
into what he thought was a bank of light snow recently
[70 REMINISCENCES
fallen, but which in fact was a knoll slightly covered ;
much of the new snow having been blown off. Ike, for
that was the negro's name, went in head foremost, and
although it of course did not hurt his head, it nearly
broke his neck, for he complained for a long time of
the injury. After these adventures he was more cautious,
but was still the dupe of his tormentors, who frequently
got him into other scrapes, such as could only be tole-
rated as boyish pranks, or as another has fitly said,
"youthful indiscretions."
Russell has been prosperous in life, and though
starting poor and entirely destitute, is not only comfort-
ably off in regard to property, but a correct business
man.
He has represented Otsego county in the assembly ;
has been commissioner of loans and county clerk; and
. now possesses, in an eminent degree, the confidence
and respect of his neighbours and friends. I must re-
late an anecdote of his father, an old revolutionary sol-
dier, who I remember seeing nearly fift3^-seven years ago.
The old man thought he was somewhat religious, and
probably was, though it was not that strait laced reli-
gion that would preclude him from cracking his jokes
and enjoying his fun, of which he was as fond as his
son. On one occasion he was attending a conference
meeting, when an aged sister, whom Russell disliked
excessively, got up, and addressing the meeting with a
decided nasal twang, said " My dear brothers and sis-
ters, I feel like a poor miserable creature," and sat
down. Capt. Russell immediately arose and said '* I
can fellowship you in that, for I think 3-ou are," and
then took his seat. Some of those in attendance lauijh-
ing, and others suppressing a desire to laugh, at the old
man's prompt and appropriate response.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 71
I ought to say something about our spiritual teachers.
We had quacks, and empyrics in divinity, as well as
in physic, during the early days of our new residence.
Many straggling itinerants came among, us and would
give the neighbours what was called a sermon, which
might have been called an^'thing else just as well.
There was one man, who for several years gave us the
" stated preaching of the gospel." He was a Rhode
Island farmer, of the baptist denomination, very illite-
rate, and known all over the country, as " old esq.
Pray."
He owned a fine farm on the Unadilla river, in the
present town of Winfield, and kept a poor tavern,
where he sold most villainous new EuGfland rum. Elder
Pray had his farm carried on, but did not work much
himself, generall}^ staying in the house to 'tend bar and
see to matters relating to his tavern. On Sunday he
would ride away in pursuance of previous appointments,
and preach, as he called it.
His education was so defective that he could hardly
read his bible intelliglbl}'' ; and his preaching, if possi-
ble, was more defective still. He used the most unsavory
similes, to illustrate his positions. I heard him, on one
occasion, describe the operations of the Holy spirit ;
^nd to show how inadequate human means were, to
)romote the new birth, he illustrated his views, b}'- in-
foducing as a simile, a carved basswood woman, and
hen went on with his comparison, altogether too inde-
cent to repeat. It answered however for preaching,
for want of better.
Jedediah Peck, the indomitable democrat, who
soon after the organization of the county, got up an
opposition to Judge Cooper, Genl. Morris, and the fede-
ral party generally, was a preacher as well as politician.
72 REMINISCENCES
He was illiterate, but a shrewd cunning man. For
many years he controlled the politics of the county, put
up and put down who he pleased ; he had no talent as
a preacher or speaker; his language was low, and he
spoke with a drawling, nasal, yankee twang, so that in
public speaking he was almost unintelligible. He al-
ways had his saddle bags with him, filled with political
papers and scraps, that he distributed whenever he
went from home, and then at night and frequently on
Sundays, would hold meeting and preach.
I have always been so uncharitable as to believe
his preaching resulted more from a desire to promote
political than spiritual objects. Still the judge was a
worthy, honest, exemplary man; and entitled to great
credit. He represented the county many years in the
assembly and senate; and had as much influence, and I
think more than any county member. It was through
his exertions the found ationof our school fund was
laid ; and for that act alone, if for no other, he is entitled
to the gratitude of the state.
He was county judge for many years, and in 1S12,
although of advanced age, was in Queenstown battle,
acting as paymaster of Col. Stranahan's regiment. The
old man of nearly seventy years crossed the river and
behaved remarkably well. The official account of the
battle made honorable mention of him.
The federalists disliked the judge, and always ridi-
culed him and his decisions in court. Not being a law-
yer by profession, his honor never pretended to much
knowledge of the law, but went for the common sense
reasonable construction of each transaction. I recollect
a case of crim. con., when he charged the jury. The
defendant attempted to show, that the plaintiff knew
of and colluded at the transgression of his wife ; this,
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 73
if true, would have been a good legal defence. Not
establishing this point, as he intended, he next resorted
to proof in mitigation of damages, and proved the wife
not only abandoned, but of infamous reputation; this,
the books all agree, should be taken into consideration,
in fixing the amount of damages.
His honor however decided and charged the jury,
that it was neither a justification or mitigation, but on
the contrary, a gross aggravation, which ought to
enhance the damages against defendant, for having
anything to do with the dirty slut. Not very sound law
to be sure, but well enough for such a suit.
For several years very few incidents occurred worthy
of record : suffice it to say, I worked hard all the year,
except winter, when I went to school. In this way I
became familiar with all kinds of work incident to a
new country, and on arriving at twenty-one years of
age, was a good practical farmer.
I recollect in lSOl-2 or 3, when I must have been
some fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen 3'ears old, of assist-
ing my father in cutting down and sawing into logs,
the largest and tallest wild (black) cherry tree that I
ever saw. It seems tome it was very near three feet in
diameter, and held nearly that size the whole length
of its trunk ; it was perfectly straight, and we cut from it
five or six loojs twelve feet lonof, before reachinsr a
limb. The logs were cut by a cross cut saw, and I
know it was while I was a mere boy, as it fatigued me
very much to carry my end of it while we were cutting
them.
I\Iy father was preparing to build a house, and he
wanted the boards and timber from this tree to use
about the house, and for making cherry furniture. We
cut it two or three years before it was to be used, that
74 REMINISCENCES
it might be well seasoned. I speak particular]}'- of this
tree, because from some of its boards, in 1805, was
made the case for that old family clock, that I have
had long before the remembrance of either of my child-
ren. Soon after the falling of that tree, a young one
shot up from or among its roots, and was protected by
the stump of the parent tree for many years. We pre-
served it, and if still standing, as I suppose it is, may
be seen ver}^ near the southerly line of the large orchard,
planted on my father's farm. That young tree must
be about fifty years old, and I suppose two feet in diam-
eter. On returning from Columbus, Ohio, in 1846,
where I had resided four years, I went to see if this
tree was still standing ; and found it large and thrifty,
but every vestige of the parent had long since disappeared.
Phoenix like, the young tree had risen from the dust
and ashes of the old, and now remains in full strenoth
and vigour of life.
To return to that old family clock. There is some-
thing interesting, I have thought, when we contemplate
the busy and constant flow of time, as marked off by
seconds, minutes, hours and days, indicated by the
vibrations of the pendulum. How solemn the mea-
sured tick of that old clock at midnight ! How many
tales it could tell, were it gifted with speech. Before
Buonaparte by one of those masterly stratagems and
military combinations for which he was distinguished,
invested and captured Ulm, in 1805, with an immense
Austrian army; before Nelson lost his life, when he
annihilated the combined fleets of France and Spain
at Trafalgar that old clock was in its present case-
ment. And should we go back a few years we should
find the clock itself, measuring off the time when Buo-
naparte crossed the great St. Bernard, and gained the
BY LEVI BEARDSLET. 75
decisive victory at Marengo. Even as early as his
Egyptian expedition, that clock marked the time, of
minutes, hours and days, fraught with great events. It
has, as will be perceived, been familiar with the times
that brought forth the empire, under Napoleon. It has
marked the periods of his rise, his greatness, his ambi-
tion, and his mad career ending with his downfall,
banishment and melancholy death, on a far-off isle, in
the great southern ocean. It has marked the time of
great events in our own country ; all the presidential
terms, except Washington's, and the first half of the
elder Adams' have been measured, and passed away
with years beyond the flood. If contemplated in
reference to family and domestic relations, what tales
it unfolds ! how solemn and interesting! My grand-
parents, paternal and maternal, have all watched the
march of time, as indicated by its dial. My parents,
also, and yet the3'- have all passed away; so also the
greater part of m}^ brothers and sisters ; two of my
children also. I can never look on that old clock, other
than with awe and respect, almost amounting to vene-
ration ; and there it is yet, just as ready to measure
off another half century as the one that has recently
closed. But wh}'' moralize so much ? Because there
are times when it accords, and chimes ia with my in-
most feeling ; when (to use an apt quotation,) " this our
life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees,
books in running brooks, sermons in stones, and good
in every thing."
I ought to mention among these old recollections,
my first visit to Albany, at a very early day, and
several years before the present century. 1 went there
with my father on a load of wheat, by sleighing; we
.started very early in the morning, which was the
76 REMINISCENCES
fashion with those going to Albany, or they could not
get back within five days, which was the usual time
for a journey to the city and home again. It was a
curious sij^ht to observe the immense number of sleifjhs,
on approaching the city ; a string a mile long, was no
uncommon occurrence in those days, and even more
Generally speaking, each teamster carried his own hay
bound on to the sleigh, with a bag or two of oats ; he
also had a pail or box of provisions, and always a bot-
tle of rum stowed away among the bags of grain.
The fashion was to stop about once in ten miles, to
feed and rest the horses, and while th5y were eating
their oats, the owner felt bound to call for at least a
mug of gingered cider, or gill of rum, which served as
a remuneration for the use of the shed. At night he
fed on his own provision, but generally paid sixpence
for a cup of tea or alike sum for a mug of cider, and
the same for his bed. For his horses when he fed his
own hay and grain, he paid sixpence or a shilling, and
he took care of them himself; and at these prices,
William McKown, and others, who kept taverns for
the farmers, got rich. Those were good jolly times ; and
if not rich and prosperous to those who thus visited
Albany, they could not well fail to be interesting, for
they brought citizens in contact, who lived remote from
each other.
I recollect the old Dutch church which I saw at
this my first visit, which stood at the foot of State street,
very near the exchange building in Alban}^ The
venerable edifice protected an old woman, who sold
coffee and chocolate on the south side, and sometimes
" strong beer," as it was called. My father patronized
her, and bought a cup of the former, and a glass of the
latter, which was the first beer I had ever tasted. I
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 77
recollect very well the appearance of the old church
and of those sheltered on the south side, which I have
since seen coarsely delineated in print. We of course
went to see the lion that was kept somewhere on the
hill; but father did not go to see the Albany witch,
who was generally visited by those going there from
the country, who wanted to know their fortune, and
who delighted in the marvellous ; which my father did
not, for he was a perfect infidel, in relation to those
matters. The witch made her craft a regular business
at that time.
How interesting were those journeys to Albany,
which from Richfield took about five days, and the
usual load for a sleigh did not then exceed from twenty
to twenty-five bushels, for the turnpike was not
constructed. My father at this time received $1 68
per bushel for his wheat.
Those large winter fires at the taverns were delight-
ful; and then the jingling of bells made travelling ex-
ceedingly spirited and cheerfuL T went to Albany in
ISll or 1S12, with Colonel Fitch and Captain Loomis,
of Richfield, who were going with their wives; each
had a sleigh pretty well loaded with country products,
and each had a pail or box of excellent provisions ready
cooked ; they insisted on my going with them, and
said it should not cost me a cent.
We had a pleasant journey to and from the city,
and while there visited the Otsego members, who were
stowed away in a small room, and upper story of a poor
wooden buildinar.
How diflferent from accommodations furnished the
present members of the legislature, who have, generally,
pleasant respectable rooms, and good comfortable living,
if nothing more.
7S REMINISCENCES
CHAPTER V.
Military Enrolment. Brigade Training. Arnold convicted
of Murder. Popular Indignation. Command Infantry
Company and Volunteer. Plattsiurgh Battle, Inci-
dents and Anecdotes. Country Dances. Contest between
Judge Cooper and Major Cochran. Great Eclipse, 1806.
Scliool Keeping. Great Snow Storm, April, 1807.
Vote for Governor Tompkins. Political Matters. Serve
as Constahle. Quit Farming to Study Law.
On arriving at eighteen years of age, I enrolled myself
in a company of light infantry, commanded by Capt.
Minerva Cushman, a worthy excellent man, who was
father of Don F. Cushman, esq. a highly respectable
and successful merchant of New- York, now doing busi-
ness in Cortland street. This was one of the oldest
independent companies in the county. In the autumn
of 1805, our company, in common with the Otsego
brigade, repaired to Cooperstown for parade, inspec-
tion and general review, in conformity to orders from
Governor Lewis.
The governor was there with his staff, in full uniform ;
and I suppose was much gratified with the parade as
well as his reception in the county. He was fond of
show, and it was argued by his opponents, that he was
excessively vain in reference to military matters.
Those brigade parades that he ordered, were not
well received by the public ; they required a sacrifice
of three days time to a large portion of those subject to
duty, and of course were attended with considerable
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 79
expence. When brought forward as a candidate for
re-election, these parades were urged against him with
much effect.
In Otsego there was another matter of complaint
that lost him some votes. Benjamin Arnold, a school-
master, had whipped a little girl in an unmerciful man-
ner, which caused her death ; and the circumstances
were such, that he was convicted of murder and sen-
tenced for execution. On the day appointed, everybody
repaired to Cooperstown to see Arnold hung. A gallows
was erected, the prisoner was brought out and placed
on the staging, where the sheriff with his deputies w-ere
in attendance. Clergymen were there, and went through
with their religious exercises; the criminal was exhorted
to make his everlasting peace, and the spectators to
take warning and profit from the melancholy exhibition.
Arnold was invited to address the multitude, which he
did in a few words, but in so low a tone of voice as
scarcely to be heard. He stood under the gallows,
with the halter about his neck, expecting, as did those
who were looking at him, that the next moment would
be his last; when the sheriff put an end to the painful
suspence, by taking from his pocket a commutation of
the death penalty to imprisonment for life.
Arnold fainted on the annunciation, and the specta-
tors were sadly disappointed. They were not slow in
giving utterance to their feelings ; some swore, others
laughed, but all were dissatisfied. Many had come a
great distance, their curiosity had been much excited,
a day had been lost, besides incurring considerable
expence, for which they had no corresponding return.
The greater part wanted to see a man hung ; and when
Arnold was excused from gratifying their morbid desire,
ihey acted and talked as if they must have a substitute.
80 REMINISCENCES
Had the governor himself been there, many of them
would hardly have refrained from making him a con-
spicuous figure in the very interesting exhibition.
They had a right to be displeased ; for if the sheriff
was in possession of the governor's commutation, be-
fore Arnold was taken from the jail, it was a wanton,
inexcusable act of cruelty thus to expose him, and hor-
rify his feehngs ; and it was so regarded by the by-
standers, who thought the public exposure of the crim-
inal should have been spared. I do not know what
explanation could have been given ; some said the
messenger did not arrive with the commutation till just
as the sheriff was preparing to swing up the prisoner;
others said he had received it in due time, but wanted
to make a show and frighten the culprit. I have no
doubt the governor lost votes for his interference, if not
for the circumstances at the gallows.
In the company of light infantry, already mentioned,
I continued to serve ; and went through every grade of
promotion, until 1810 or early part of 1811, when I
had the command ; holding com.missions under Gov-
Tompkins. By a law of congress, passed in 1811,
authorizing the President to accept the services of one
hundred thousand volunteers ; my company was en-
rolled, accepted and held in readiness to be called out
at any time. Our year expired shortly after the decla-
ration of war in 1812. In September of that year,
troops were wanted for the Niagara frontier. I still
retained the command, though I had removed to Cherry
Valley two years before, but used to repair to Richfield
to muster and drill ray company, whenever it was ne-
cessary.
I went there in September, called them out, in pur-
suance of general orders, intending to induce them to
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 81
volunteer for the campaign. I had prepared a speech
full of patriotic sound and fury, to induce the com-
pany to turn out, and go to the war. They were
paraded and drilled a short time ; the speech was
delivered, but not responded to, as desired ; the drum-
mer was put in requisition ; the troops being directed to
shoulder arms, and such as would volunteer, to step out
and follow the drum. At this order every democrat (or
republican as then called,) came forward, and every
federalist refused. Party spirit ran high ; the war was
unpopular with the federalists, who, as a party, con-
demned and opposed it ; and thus my project of going
with a volunteer company, which I very much desired,
proved an abortion.
A draft was next resorted to throusfh the reijiment,
for the requisite number, and with my company I stood
a draft and drew a blank.
Norton, my brother-in-law, a lieutenant, was drafted ;
and as he had a family, I offered to take his place,
(the colonel having agreed to accept me,) but Norton
dechned it and went himself. I afterwards tendered
my services to Col. Stranahan, who commanded the
regiment, provided he would give me an active place
of equal rank with my own. I offered to take rank as
lieutenant if he would make me adjutant, but that place
had been given to Stafford, of Sangerficld, a fine brave
fellow, who was shot through at Queenston, but who
I believe is still living. Stranahan offered to make me
quarter-master, but this was rather the place of a non-
combatant, and I did not want it. Whether I should
have gone through a fight manfully I have some doubt,
but have none whatever that I should have gone where
ordered, as I had no constitutional scruples, and my
82 REMINISCENCES
pride would nave impelled me even if my courage liad
faltered.
During the spring and summer of 1S14, I had a
severe fit of sickness that nearly proved fatal ; and
though very weak and lame was able to hobble about,
when I heard of the approach of the British fleet and
army before Plattsburgh. I at once concluded to arm
myself and start for the scene of action, by the next
morning's stage.
Without consulting any one, I selected a good
military musket with equipments, and directed a knap-
sack with provisions and blanket to be prepared that
I might be off. My M'ife knew it was a conceit, or
freak, growing out of ill health and half shattered in-
tellect, and remonstrated ; but I was stubborn, and
determined to go; so she called in Judge Hammond
and Major Packard, in each of whom I had confidence,
who soon persuaded me to give it up, as I was in no
condition of health for such a journey, or the duties of
a soldier ; and thus ended this patriotic effervescence.
During the autumn of that year, I was at Johnstown,
Montgomery county, when a detachment of sailors
passed through that place, on their way to Sackett's
Harbor, to man the fleet on Lake Ontario. They were
from Plattsbnrgh, having been in the battle under Mc
Donough, when the British fleet was defeated. It is
related, that on board of McDonough's ship, was a
cock that was petted by the sailors, and was a great
favorite with the whole crew. During the hottest part
of the engagement, this bird was perched on top of
his coop, listening to the " hurly burly " that was going
on, and very complacently surveying the exertions of
his patrons, the sailors, when an enemy's shot struck his
^
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 8^
coop and shivered it in pieces. Chanticleer was
'* game ;" and on the coop being knocked from under
him, flew up and perched himself on a shroud, where
he crowed lustily in defiance. Those who saw it,
regarded it as a favorable omen, and cheered through
the ship. On leaving Plattsburgh, they took their
feathered favorite with them, regarding him as a talis-
i man to avert danger. One of the sailors carried the
rooster under his arm ; and it was said at the time, and
I suppose he was, the identical bird that crowed on the
ship during the battle.
I recollect some of us clubbed, and gave the sailors
a good treat, and filled their canteens, as I had assisted
to do on another occasion at Palatine Bridge, where we
had met a detachment of soldiers. Sailors are of all men
most superstitious, and inclined to believe in omens.
I have no doubt the presence and good conduct of this
cock, during a naval battle, would have contributed to
win it, as much as the exertions of ten resolute men.
After giving up my miUtary company, I held several
commissions in the major general's staff; was division
judge advocate, with rank of colonel, and some other
positions of equal rank, for which I have commissions
from Gov. Clinton. The highest position in lank that
I ever actually obtained, was colonel ; by which title,
Cols. Deitz and Geer, who were with me in the senate,
and who had been cols, of militia, were specially
observant to address me, as they did each other.
On removing to Ohio, where they have a weakness
for addressing almost every man by some title, they
often magnified me into a general, which honor, my
extreme modesty never allowed me to appropriate to
myself. As I am on military affairs, I will remark
that when I was first a commissioned officer, we wore
84 REMINISENCES
the three-cornered cocked hat, continental fashion :
mine was of that description. Afterwards, the French
chapeau de bras came in fashion, and was adopted
in the country as well as the cities.
But to leave military matters for another subject.
Dancing has been a favorite amusement in all
countries, and in all ages ot" the world. In the new
settlements it was not so fashionable as more alhletio
exercises. For several years they had no suitable
rooms ; and then again, the farmers were staid in their
habits, and generally had no desire to encourage it.
Those split logs from which the floors for houses were
made, were not very well adapted forshowing off" the gra-
ces of motion. Governor Corwin, of Ohio, having been
brought up in anew country, and being well acquainted
with the customs of that kind of life, used to tell many
amusing anecdotes, and among others, of an old French-
man, of Cincinnati, who delighted to go into the coun-
try towns and dancing all night on those rough, non-
elastic floors. Although we had dancing parties oc-
casionally for several years, yet we did not have a
dancing school in that part of Otsego county, till the
winter of 1805 or 1806. A strolling dancing master
then came there, and after much opposition from the
serious part of ihe community, got up a class, and
instructed them in jigs, French fours, and figures,
throughout the winter. I was permitted to make one
of the class, though my grand-parents regarded it as a
great scandal, and little better than serving the devil ;
they were probably about half right. We never
aspired to cotilions ; and I don't know but our light
heeled instructor might have deemed himself incom-
petent to impart instruction beyond the first rudiments :
" down the outside, up again ; turn your partner; down
BY LEVI BEAUDSLEY. 86
in the middle, up again ; cast off; and right and left."
We had no aristocracy in those days. The
laboring man, who worked by the month, and the spin-
ning girl who worked by the week, were as good as
others, and of course must not be slisrhted, or over-'
looked. Dressed in their Sunday clothes they appeared
well, and were respected.
This was right. All were workers ; and hard
labor brought all on a level of equality.
I remember one of the early settlers, who is still
living, and is now a wealthy farmer ; who, when he
came there had scarcely anything but his axe, and
used to chop, and clear land by the acre, till he had
earned enough to buy a new farm. On getting married,
he was so determined not to disofuise his condition in life,
that he insisted on beinsf married in the dress in which
he expected to earn his living. The result was, that he
dressed himself in a clean tow shirt, frock, and trow-
sers ; while his wife, the daughter of a respectable
farmer, put on her petticoat and short gown ; and in
these every-day dresses they were married.
It was no uncommon thins: then, for the dau2;hters
of substantial farmers, to go out to work by the week,
when they could be spared from home. Such a thing
now is hardly thought of by our native-born citizens ;
in which respect I think they manifest a greater degree
of false pride than good sense.
As I have referred to dancing; ; let me describe the
arrangements for getting up a ball.
The managers being chosen, had two ways of get-
ting it up. One was to make a hap-hazard business,
and let each gentleman select his partner, and wait on
her to the dance. When this mode prevailed, there
was a scramble among the beaux to get the start of
86 REMIXISCENCES
each other, to invite the young ladies who were regard-
ed as favorites. This mode had its objections, as it not
only induced scrambles, and competitions, but frequent-
ly resulted in leaving some of the girls less attractive at
home, who would be overlooked. There was another
objection that had weight, particularly with those young
men who were admitted into society, not because their
company was very desirable, but because it was an
unpleasant business to exclude them. They were ra-
ther cheap, ordinary, or as the buck-eyes would say,
"or' nary fellows," who were sometimes refused by the
ladigs, because they of course had preferences, and
would give these fellows " the mitten," and take their
chance of an invitation from some one else. I pre-
sume my readers, particularly of the younger class,
will understand what "giving the mitten" means. At
any rate, those who were so unfortunate as to submit,
to that mortification, understood the meaning and pre-
ferred the other mode ; because, as will soon be seen,
they were backed up by the influence of the managers
when the fair ones were invited. To obviate these ob-
jections, it was more generally voted that the other
mode should be adopted, and that the managers should
classify and select partners among the gentlemen and
ladies. Preparatory to this important matter, lists
were made out of those who w^ere to be invited, and
then the managers went to work and would sit down
Mr. A. B. and Miss C. D., and so on through the lists.
Tickets were given out something in this form, " Inde-
pendence Ball, Mr. A. B. is invited to attend a fourth of
July ball, at &c. and to wait on Miss C. D., who is also
invited." On receiving the ticket, the gentleman must
call on the lady for whom a ticket was enclosed, and
invite her attendance ; which, under this arrangement,
BY LEVr BEARDSLEY. 87
she almost invariably accepted ; because to refuse
would not only have been an insult to the gentleman,
but to the managers who had selected, and by their
ticket invited her ; and they represented society, so that
she would probably be excluded, unless she had good
reasons for refusing. If it was a fourth of July ball,
they frequently met before dinner, danced a few figures
and then dined in the open air, under booths. After
dinner they went to dancing in good earnest ; had tea,
cakes, and wine handed round at evening, and during
the night ; and frequently more stimulating potations,
particularly among the gentlemen. They were not
nice in the observance of hours, but danced them away
tin they were generally satisfied to break up at broad
day light.
If it was a winter frolic they went in sleighs; but
at other times, nearly all on horseback. The young
gentleman would provide himself with as good a horse
as he could, and another with a ladies saddle, for his
partner. Thus furnished with the means of locomotion,
he would start after the fair one, leading the horse she
was to ride ; and being equipped, girled, and mounted,
they would start for the ball. As all were fearless
riders, the horses were frequentW put to the top of their
speed.
It was no uncommon thing for a young lady to
mount the same horse behind the gentleman, and thus
ride double to the ball. The objection to the managers
selecting and arranging was, that they generally secured
the lion's share for themselves, by selecting the favorite
girls.
They had the trouble of arranging for the ball;
and I don't know that there was any violation of prin-
ciple, if the managers did choose wisely. Some how-
83 REMINISCENCES
ever did think it objectionable, as they thought it con-
ceded too much, and gave undue advantages to mono-
polise the choice articles. For several years we had
no musician near us, andacommittee had to be appointed
to secure a fiddler from abroad. My first acquaintance
with Brayton Allen, who pla\'ed the violin remarkably
well, was his attendance at Richfield to discourse elo-
quent music for a new year's ball. He then resided at
Cherry Valley ; has since resided in Western Virginia,
on the great Kanhawa, was alwa5's fond of fun and frolic,
sang a good song, told a good story, was an accom-
plished shot, kept excellent hounds ; a man of sense
and sound philosophy, for he took the world easy,
laughed at its follies, submitted to its crosses, and mur-
mured not at its reverses. We have formerly ran down
and unearthed many foxes ; but for several years I have
lost sight of him, and whether dead or alive, I really
do not know. The fashions, in social life, have very
much changed within the last forty or fifty years.
Now, when a party meet, and wish to take a social
glass, a brandy smash or whisky toddy is prepared for
each. Then, on meeting at a country tavern, some
one of the company would call for a brandy sling, or
a rum or gin sling, which required a gill of liquor ;
this being properly mixed, with sugar and water, and
stirred up with the toddy stick, till the compound
almost foamed, w^as ready for a sprinkling of nutmeg,
and was then handed to the one who called for it. He
look a drink and handed it to his neighbour; w^ho
drank and passed it along till it was drank off, and the
one who finished it called for another, each one gene-
rally calling for a sling before the sitting was completed.
In reference to musicians, it has been above remark-
ed, that they were scarce. I will relate a trifling inci-
OF LEVI BEARDSLEY. S9
dent, growing out of a performance on the violin,
though not immediately connected with the thread of
my story. Major Cochran, who recently died at Oswe-
go, (universally esteemed and regretted, and whose
excellent lady resides there still.) could in his younger
days play the fiddle. About the year 179G he was a
candidate for congress against Judge Cooper, of Coop-
erstow^n. The congressional district embraced not only
Montgomery and Otsego, the residences of Cochran and
Cooper, but nearly the w^hole of western New York.
After Major Cochran was put in nomination, he had
occasion to visit the western counties and took his violin
with him.
He sta3-ed over night at Canandaigua, where a
dance was got up, and the Major obliged and amused
the company by fiddling for them. He beat Judge
Cooper at the election, but whether from the influence
of music and dancing or other causes, is now too late
to enquire. It was alleged however that Judge Cooper
had either published or remarked that Cochran had
been through the district with his violin, and had fid-
dled himself into oflnce. This came to Cochran's ear
and brought him from Jlontgomery county to Coopers-
town.
He started on horseback, as I have heard him say,
and went there, where Judge Cooper was presidinf^ as
first judge at the court of Common Pleas.
On his coming out of court Cochran met him, and
after alluding to the election and what had taken place,
informed the judge that he had come from the Mohawk
to chastise him for the insult.
Judge Cooper treated it lightly, and remarked that
Cochran could not be in earnest, who answered by a
cut with his cow skin. Cooper closed in with his ad-
90 REMIXISCENCES
versary, but Cochran being a large strong man, they
were pretty well matched for the scuffle, and the judge
did not throw him down as he intended ; the by-stand-
ers interposed and the parlies were separated. Coch-
ran was indicted for the assault and battery, but removed
the indictment to the oyer and terminer, where he
pleaded guilty, and was fined a small amount for the
breach of the peace. How it happened that they were
opposing candidates, I really do not know ; they were
both federalists, and I am quite sure both belonged to
the same party at that time. Major Cochran has told
me that he supported John Adams' administration, and
was always regarded as an out-and-out old fashioned
federalist.
Judge Cooper, I think, was elected at the next
election, which I suppose must have been in the spring
of 1798, so that his congressional term commenced 4th
of March, 1799, and expired with 3rd of March, 1801,
when on the election of Mr. Jefferson, Judge Cooper,
in a measure withdrew from active political life ; though
he remained a decided party man up to the time of his
death.
He was present at those ballottings in congress,
between Mr. Jefferson and Col. Burr, and with others
of the federal party, voted for the latter. He was so
unwell at the time, that I believe he had to be carried
into congress to give his votes.
The 13th November, 1806, was the anniversary of
my birth-day, when I became twenty-one years of
age. Up to this time I had worked on the farm, the
greater part of which was cleared and fenced ; houses
and barns had been erected ; and a large orchard
planted, which was fast coming to perfection. In the
summer of 1805 or 180G, immediately after corn-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 91
planting, my father went to the northerly part of
Wayne county, then nearly an unbroken wilderness.
He went there with a view of selecting a larger quan-
tity of land ; and thus providing farms for myself and
brothers. Our farm in Richfield, with its improvements,
had become saleable and valuable ; and would then
have sold for as much if not more than at any sub-
sequent period. Had he been suited with the country
he went to explore, he intended to sell his farm and
buy a tract of new land, large enough for several
farms.
He crossed the Seneca, or Oswego river, at three-
river point, and went to Williamson, in Wayne county.
Fever and ague were so prevalent that he concluded
not to purchase. The result of this exploration, I sup-
pose, gave a cast to my subsequent pursuits for life.
Had he purchased, I should undoubtedly have re-
mained a farmer.
When he went away he directed me to cut and split
rails and make a line fence through the woods, on the
east line of the farm. The fence I was to make must
have been from sixty to eighty rods long, which was
nearly completed when he returned.
In the summer of 1842, before removing to Ohio,
I had the curiosity to pass along through the woods, and
see if any part of this fence remained ; but there was
not a vestige neither log or rail remaining, of those
I had split and placed there ; nor was a single stump
to be found of the trees I had cut down to make the
fence. Everything had rotted away, and disappeared.
In the summer of 1S05, I was in the meadow, mow-
inof, when news arrived that Gen. Hamilton had fallen
bv Col. Burr.
In 1806, I was at work on the day of the great
92 REMINISCEXCES
eclipse. I recollect precisely where and what I was
doino'; and the gloomy appearance at the time of total
obscuration. The atmosphere became chilly. It ap-
peared like the commencement of night : so much so
that the fowls repaired to their roosts, as they do at
night season. A more gloomy and at same time grand
spectacle could hardly be witnessed, than the coming
on ; the total eclipse ; and then its passing off; till the
sun appeared again, unshorn of its beams, with all its
strengUi and beauty. The winter after I became of
age, I kept school about four months; and so again the
next winter; thus devoting myself, two winter seasons,
to the humble but honorable avocation of countr}^ school
keeping; boarding round among the proprietors. Not
far from the time of closing my school, we got up a
sleirrh-ride and ball, and went to Winfield to hold it,
about the 7th or 8th of April, 1S07. A snow storm
came on, which resulted in the greatest fall of snow
I have ever known. The snow wos so deep that it not
only blocked up the roads, but covered the stumps and
fences, so that there was no communication till the
roads were partly shovelled out and broken.
This snow remained during the greater part of the
month, so that on election day of that year, which
I think commenced the last Tuesday in April, it was
very deep in the woods; but having thawed in the day.
had, by freezing at night, formed a strong crust, on
which I went to shoot patridges on their drumniing logs
in the morning.
At that election I gave my first vote, and voted the
democratic ticket. Daniel D. Tompkins, who was
designated the " farmer's son," was our candidate for
governor, and was elected over ]MorQ:an Lewis, who
was up for re-election. The federalists supported
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 93
Gov. Lewis, with a portion of the republicans ; and
these last were designated as " quids." Embargo times
soon followed. Politics ran hio;h. I was voun^, ardent,
and active, and soon became a leader among the de-
mocratic young men ; and frequently acted as secre-
tary of political meetings for the old.
Entering into political matters with so much active
zeal, secured me many fast and devoted friends among
the democrats ; of whom Col. Lemuel Fitch was one, to
whom I have been indebted for many acts of conbdence
and kindness ; and whose friendship I enjoyed till his
death, in 1826.
In the spring of 1808, I was elected constable, and
again in 1809, in which capacity 1 served two years.
This required my frequent attendance at Cooperstown,
at Court ; and these attendances first sucrQrested to me
the propriety of turning my attention to the legal pro-
fession. 1 was not unaware of my defective education,
and that it would be under discouraging auspices in
case I attempted it. Reasoning on the subject, I satisfied
myself that much might be done to overcome embarras-
ments by close application. From the time I became
of age I had worked on the farm, at such times as I
could spare, when not keeping school or engaged in my
duties as constable. I consulted my father as to the
propriety of entering a law ofiice, and his advice was
to follow the bent of my own inclination.
Soon after, I went to Cherry Valley, and consulted
with my friend Jabez D. Hammond, who was then in
successful practice, with whom was associated James
Brackett, as law partner. On informing them that I
thought of entering upon legal studies, they both advised
me to go-ahead, and kindly offered to enter my name as
clerk in their office ; lend me books till I got ready to
94 REMINISCENCES
go there permanently; and to impart such information
as they could, (classical and legal,) whenever I should
take my place in the office. This settled the question.
In the fall of 1809, a certificate was filed of my clerk-
ship ; books were furnished which I took home with me,
commencing with " Blackstone's Commentaries," of
course.
These and other law books were read that 5-ear ; and
turning ofT all the business I could, as constable, I in-
tended in the course of the coming winter, to review
my English grammar, while my law studies were going
on. W[iile acting as constable I had many adventures
with those against whom I had warrants. On one occa-
sion a fighting fellow, who had kept out of my way for
some time, struck me violently on the head with a club,
as I came suddenly on him in the morning. The blow-
stunned me slightly, but did not knock me down, as a
stifT hat broke its force ; he was soon mastered ancj
marched off. Kind treatment on my part subdued him,
so that from that time forward he always professed to
be, and I think was, an ardent devoted friend. He
seemed to like me the better for having ventured upon
liim armed as he was, after he had warned me to keep
off.
I never found but one man, against whom I had pro-
cess, who 1 hesitated to encounter, and he was a large
stout-looking fellow, against whom I had an execution
for a small military fine, which required me for want
of property to take the body. He lived about ten miles
from me, near the county fine. On approaching him he
sprang over the fence, seized a heavy slake, and stood
at bay ; declaring that he would not be taken and
threatening to knock me down if I came over.
He had a sinister look, that I did not Hke ; pale,
BY LEVI EEARDSLEY. 95
firm, and determined ; his whole appearance indicated
courage and desperation. Had he been charged with
crime, I would have tried to take him, but for a paltry
fine, when he might probably have to go to jail for the
want of a few dollars, I thought it would be ridiculous
to have my head broken, and had no desire to make
the experiment, so deeming " discretion the better part
of valor," I rode off, and that was the last of it.
I was now preparing to leave Richfield, to pursue
my legal studies in Cherry Valley ; before going there
I delivered a fourth of July oration, at Richfield in IS 10,
and in 1812 went from Cherry Valley to Winfield,
Herkimer county, and delivered another on the fourth
of July of that year.
#
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 96
CHAPTER VI.
Remove to Cherry Valley, 1810. Notice of James Brachett,
esq. Incidents. Murder of Iluddlcston, and Execution
of Van Alstine. Books read in 1810 and 11. Extracts,
Remarks and Reflections. Ossian's Poems, a favorite
Book with Buonaparte. Attempt at Poetry. Death of
Parents, and Reflections. Adinitted to the Bar, f/il812,
and Copartnership with Jabez D. IIam?nond, esq. Notice
of Judge Hammond.
After a residence of more than twenty years in Rich-
field, where I had resided nearly all the time at home,
and that too at the most interesting period of life ; it
was not without painful emotions that I left the parental
roof and separated from my old associates, to form new
acquaintances abroad. No doubt almost every young
man feels a deep solicitude, if not regret, when he
thus assumes the responsibilities of life, and casts him-
self forth on the world, where he is to associate with
strangers and carve out his own fortune.
The early part of July, 1810, I reinoved to Cherry
Vallev, where I found Messrs Hammond and Brackett
had dissolved partnership, and were in separate offices.
My law reading was principally with the former, but I
always f )und both of them kind and courteous, for
which they have my thanks, even at this late day.
Mr. Brackett was a good scholar, liad graduated
with reputation at Dartmouth, wro!e well and with
facility, and was a correct practitioner, lie was ardent
in his feelings, conliding and unsuspecting almost to a
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 97
fault, where professions of friendship were made ; kind
hearted, popular with the masses, with whom he asso-
ciated freely and whose confidence he enjoyed in an
eminent degree. Social among his companions; de-
voted to his friends, he could never do too much for
them. If they had faults he overlooked or extenuated
them, and from his confiding disposition, was at times
more under their influence than he imagined; or than
a prudent cautious man should be.
These were amiable traits in his character ; but
until men become less selfish and more scrupulous; a
cautious man will hardly permit even a friend to obtain
an undue influence. Still Mr. B. with some small faults
of course, was an excellent citizen, a boon companion,
zealous but not illiberal in his political or other views ;
and on all occasions manifestingastrongattachmenttothe
liberties of the country, and its free institutions. I have
known him well and intimately for more than forty-one
years; and though we often differed in our political
views (for he was a decided federalist) yet I must do
him the justice to say, that during the late war with
England, he always urged its vigorous prosecution,
though he condemned its origin. The encouragement
he gave to enlistments, as well as pecuniary aid to those
in service, was not onl}'' commendable ; but might have
been creditably imitated by many democrats who were
clamorous approvers of the war, but too readily avoided
its burthens. He held several oflSces ; among others
master in chancery, and surrogate of the county of
Otsego.
Fond of field sports, he was one of my companions
in the chase, and has assisted me to run down and un-
earth reynardon many occasions, in which he delighted,
though he never was a good shot at a fox. He was
7
98 KEMINISCENCES
too excitable, and the fox often coming suddenly upon
him, was either the wrong fox and would get out of
reach before firing, or he would look more closely at him,
than at his gun, and almost uniformly miss him ; and
then was unsparing in his denunciations against reynard
for not condescending to be killed. He appeared al-
most angry with the fox for not turning fool, that he
might be the more easily circumvented ; instead of sus-
taining his natural propensity for craft and knavery.
On one occasion we had got up a large dog fox ^ >
that was running right merrily before the hounds, and
giving them fine play. We separated, and as the fox
came cantering by Brackett, within a few rods of him,
in an open field, he blazed away ; but reynard disre-
garded it and made off", the dogs following in close and
eager pursuit ; I saw him as he passed over the hill, at
a considerable distance ; and from his running felt quite
sure he had not been harmed by the shot, though I was
equall}'- certain that Brackett would claim that he had
peppered him within an inch of his life. He soon came
to me, and on my asking him if he had killed the fox,
he said " no, but I knocked him down, and he has as
many shots in his carcass as he can carry," and then
added, in a subdued tone, " he is the most God forsaken
fox I ever saw." Where is he, Brackett?" was my
enquiry, " gone to hell, or Pennsylvania, with the dogs
at his heels," was his prompt response.
Waiting a short time and not hearing the dogs, we
had no doubt the fox had left that range, and having
been fired at and scared, at least, would not be likely
soon to return ; so we left and went home : Brackett
dealing out many imprecations against reynard for get- *
ting off*.
The dogs not having returned, and knowing their
^
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 99
spunk and perseverance, I got nny horse and rode off to
where I supposed the fox had led them ; and on en-
quiry learned that they had been bellowing and coursing
about a field, where there was a flock of sheep, but had
left it three hours ago. This was between two and
three miles from where Brackett had shot at the
fox. I soon learned that to avoid his pursuers he
had mixed with the sheep, as the fox often does when
hard pressed, that their tracks might obliterate his
own ; and that he had kept with them for some time.
The dogs, equally craft}^ were not to be baulked by
such a device, and soon frisked him out of the flock,
when, on leaving the " woolies " he ran half a mile and
crept under a carriage house, where the dogs coming
up tore away obstructions so that they could get in, and
killed him.
He was taken out by one of the neighbors, who
knew my dogs; and they lay down, watching and
claiming the dead animal, and loitered there waiting
my arrival. He was given to me, and was " toted " to
the village ; the dogs following in a strutting manner,
and taking great credit to themselves for their perform-
ance. Brackett was delighted to see the fox, told us
where he aimed at him, and said we should find him
full of shot. He caressed the dogs for their skill and
perseverance ; declared they were the best he had ever
followed ; and to satisfy the crowd that he had aimed
with remarkable accuracy, insisted on disrobing rey-
nard at once, when on pulling off' his jacket, there was
not the slightest mark of a shot to be found. Brackett
was disappointed ; but to make amends, treated the
company, and sung us a hunting song to make us
merry.
Our excursions were attended with many other
100 REMINISCENCES
laughable circumstances. He and two others went
with me to hunt the hare, or white rabbit : a light snow
had fallen, so that they could easily be followed by the
hounds, and we had three good ones. Before starting
I had filled my hunting flask with gin, to be used as our
comforts or necessities might seem to require. We got
up a fine old jack hare^ that gave the dogs good play;
and after driving him through thick brush and many
intricate turnings, I shot him and called my companions
to me. We were all pretty well warmed with the
chase, and concluded to uncork the flask and partake
of the gin. I drank first, and found that it had been
poured out and water substituted ; which I had no
doubt was a roguish, good-natured trick of my wife ;
and not wishing to be the onl}' dupe, I said nothing, but
handed it to Brackett, whose mouth actually watered
for the delightful beverage, as could be seen from the
complacent expression of his enlivened countenance.
He drank, but his visage changed at once, as did the
others, when they found we were two miles in the
woods, wading in the snow, with no other stimulant
than cold water. I saw him once amazingly excited on
the Schoharie mountains, the autumn of 1818.
We had been at Schoharie, attending court, in re-
lation to the murderer. Van Alstine, of whom I shall
have something more to say. We were hunting for
small game, when the dogs beating through the thicket
unexpectedly started four deer that came within a few
rods of Brackett, who fired a charge of shot at one of
them, and set up a tremendous outcry. We hurried
to him and found him almost beside himself with ex-
citement. He had re-loaded, and just as we reached
him the dogs gave tongue in pursuit of the deer. " There
they are," says Brackett; and springing over the fence,
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 101
Started to run across a field of ploughed land, and
slightly covered with snow, but very rough. Mr. Seely,
who was of the party, said, "Now see Brackett fall
down ;" when running a few rods further, he slipped
and did fall, much to our amusement and his own
annoyance. The dogs pursued, and finally ran down
and killed one of the deer, which was secured by a
poacher. We heard of it, and next morning called on
him, insisting on his giving it up, which he refused ;
and neither our coaxing him, or the threats of the whole
company to sue him, and of Brackett specially to flog
him, would induce him to surrender the deer like a
gentleman.
Nearly two years ago, Mr. Brackett removed to
Rock Island, IlHnois, on the Mississipi, where he enjoys
good health, and is well pleased with his new residence.
He is getting old, and will probably spend the remain-
der of his da3'^s there.
He frequently writes me, and always in decided
terms of approval of the compromise measures of the
last congress ; and in a recent communication, speaking
of the union of the States, he says, " Better live in the
wilderness, like John the Baptist, and feed on locusts
and wild honey, and preserve the union ; than revel in
M'eahh, grandeur, and luxury, after destroying it."
A few lines back 1 have spoken of John Van
Alstine, of Sharon, Schoharie county, who had per-
petrated a horrid murder on Huddleston, deputy
sheiiff, for which he was executed ; and although rather
out of place, I will mention a few circumstances now
almost forgotten.
While in partnership with Jabez D. Hammond,
we had been emplo^-ed by Van Alstine, to defend a
suit brought against him for carelessly driving over a
102 REMINISCENCES
boy, and inflicting a most serious injury. I attended the
Schoharie circuit at the trial, and made the best defence
that the circumstances would admit; but the result was
a verdict against him for $400 or $500. An execution
was put in the hands of Huddleston, on this judgment,
who attempted to collect it. I recollect of going to
Sharon, with James Brackett, whom I have just
mentioned, and Col. Starkweather, and I think Col.
Prentiss, of Cooperstown, one Saturday, to shoot squir-
rels. In the afternoon we came to the public-house to get
dinner, and there met Huddleston, who dined with us ;
and this was the last time I ever saw him alive. He
said he was going to Van Alstine, that afternoon to close
the execution, by selling his property if the money was
not paid ; and remarked that he had already had much
trouble with him. He was very urgent that we should
go with him ; and I have always regretted that we did
not, as the murder would probably have been averted
had we gone.
He went there; and, as it subsequently appeared,
while he was computing the amount of the execution
on the barn floor. Van Alstine advanced upon him with
a stake from the fence, and by one or more blows
killed him outright, and concealed him through that
afternoon by covering him with straw. At night he
took him on his shoulders, and though Huddleston was
a large man, at least one quarter heavier than Van
Alstine, carried him fifty rods, over two or three fences,
and buried him in a grave dug in a field recently sown
with wheat. He then got his team, and in the course
of the night harrowed that field, and cross-harrowed it,
so that every trace of the grave was obliterated.
This was Saturday night, and early next Monday
morning, before breakfast, he called at my office, having
BY LEVI BEARDSLEr. 10-3
come twelve miles, and said he wanted to settle with
me for defending that suit. He then remarked that it
had been a hard business for him, and he wanted we
should be as reasonable with him as we could ; that he
had at last paid the execution, which had given him
much trouble, and he wanted everything relating to the
suit settled, that he should no more have his mind
troubled with it.
I had been told by several who knew him, that he
always differed with his lawyers, and that he would
: never pay us without a quarrel, and probably a law
suit. The bill was made out, and it was reasonable, as
I intended he should have no cause of complaint.
He paid part, and gave his note for the balance,
without a word of cavil or objection ; which I sub-
sequently remarked to Judge Hammond was altogether
unexpected.
After thus adjusting it, he asked me what would be
the eflect of payment of the execution, in case Huddle-
ston should run away, and not pay over the money?
and remarked that it was indorsed on the execution,
but he did not take a separate receipt.
He said it was quite a large sum, and he should not
be surprised if Huddleston ran away, for he was a
d d rascal. The family and friends of the murder-
ed man became alarmed at his not returning home, and
^ on enquiries being made, suspicions were rife that a
murder had been perpetrated.
Search was made and blood was found on the barn
floor, which was finally traced, on the fences, to the
wheat field ; where, a week afterwards, the body was
found, and in the meantime Van Alsline had escaped
on the horse of the sheriff, which for a week had been
concealed and fed in an adjoining swamp. I saw the
104 REMINISCEXCE3
remains of the murdered man, whose head and face were
horribly brok'^n and lacerated.
It seems almost incredible that a small man like
Van Alstine could have carried his victim so far, and
then to have had the hardihood to harrow over his re-
mains after midnight. He must have been nerved for
deeds of desperation ; I can imagine nothing more hor-
rible than those works of darkness. After his escape,
and many weeks absence, so that almost all hope of his
arrest was at an end, he embarked on lake Erie, on
board a schooner for the western country. A storm
arose, the murderer was there, and the vessel must
needs return, to escape destruction; and then the
homicide was arrested by a fellow passenger, and
brouo;ht back to meet a murderer's retribution. Some
apprehensions were entertained that he might be rescued
by friends, as he was conveyed through his former
neighborhood. I, with several others, went with the
man who had him in charge, to see him safely delivered
over to the civil authorities.
I was setting by his side, when his old mother, his
wife and children, almost distracted, had their inter-
view. " She spoke to him in Dutch, and said, " what
have you done?" His firmness did not forsake him during
this heart-rending interview. He said to them, " don't
grieve, don't grieve, all will come out right."
I attended his trial, which resulted in his conviction,
and subsequent execution. If I recollect right, the rope
broke or gave way after he was swung off, and raising
a law question, he enquired of the sheriff, if he had a
rio'ht to hano; him again ? I have but little doubt that
part of the money he paid me was taken from Huddle-
ston, for I observed a spot on one of the bills, when he
paid me, that looked like blood; but it was passed
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 105
away before the murder was suspected, so that the bill
never appeared in evidence against him.
But let me go back from this digression to my legal
studies. On entering upon office duties at Cherry Val-
ley, I methodized and divided my time, so as to devote
a portion to professional studies ; another to belles lettres,
and light reading, with another, for writing and office
services.
Besides law books, I read Blair's Lectures, RoUin's
Belles Lettres, Locke on the Understanding, Paley's
Philosophy, Akenside's Pleasures of the Imagination,
Shakspeare, Ossian's Poems, with .a great variety of
historical works; books of travels and many others,
both classical, poetical and miscellaneous.
Shakspeare I always admired, and still read his
works with increasing interest. Who that understands
our language and can appreciate the sublime and beau-
tiful, in conception as well as description, can fail to
admire Shakspeare ?
Ossian was a favorite, and afforded me much plea-
sure in reading it during the long stormy autumnal nights
of 1810. There was a melancholy cast of thought
running through those poems, that seemed in unison
with my feelings at that particular time, heightened
no doubt from the November storms, which in a hilly
country may always be heard sighing and moaning, like
those, so in accordance with nature, described by Ossian.
Then the fact that I had left my poor mother hopelessly
ill, and evidently hastening towaixls the close of life ;
that I had separated from home, from my early friends,
and the associates of youth ; altogether so affected my
feeling? as to render Ossian doubly attractive. But with-
out these predisposing influences, there are beauties
and truthful delineations, with figures and adornments
106 REMINISCENCES
SO appropriate and with so much pathos that no man of
Sensibihty or poetical feehng but must admire them.
It is related of Buonaparte, that during all his
youthful campaigns, and in fact for the greater part of
his eventful life, he always had Ossian's poems in his
camp, and beguiled his leisure hours by reading them
with profound admiration.
I was fond of reading poetry, and if good, could
appreciate it ; but I could never write it, nor did I
. often attempt to do so. I could not make the rhymes
jingle, nor had I the genius or imagination for a poet.
That furor or frenzy of feeling, so essential for poetizing,
was wanting. My mind and cast of thought were more
staid and were of the practical matter-of-fact kind.
At the close of the year 1810, under a melancholy
state of feeling, induced from the reflection that another
year was passing away, I wrote during the last evening
of that 3^ear, the following lines, which were pubhshed
in the Otsego Herald, and are with few exceptions, my
only efforts to " invoke the muses."
WRITTEN ON THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR, 1810.
Hark, the dread fiat of vindictive time,
Rings through the world's vast fabric, far and near,
As on his fleeting wings he moves sublime,
And views the ruins of the closing year.
" Another year is gone," the monster cries ;
Plucked from the future, added to the past,
The vanquished seasons close behind him lie,
And sing their death song, to the wintry blast.
Firm in one rueful hand, the scythe is placed,
Which cuts the brittle thread of life away :
The other, with an hour glass is graced,
And. wasting sands fast measure out the day.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 107
Before him falls the monai-ch at his feet,
As in his course he moves with swift career.
The charming maiden, innocently sweet,
Whose exit claims the trihutary tear.
The beggar and the lord are prostrate laid,
When time puts forth his hand with awful mifrht:
Nor can his fatal blows be checked or staid.
By characters, however great or bright.
On his firm breast is placed the book of fate,
Whose leaves unfold, as time flies swift alone.
And on each page is legibly engraved,
The various actions of the busy throng.
There read and meditate on ages past,
As up the long black course of time we run ;
Look back and see the multitude, how vast !
Who've acted on the stage beneath the sun.
"o^
Methinks I see the countless millions stand.
On life's small isthmus, busily engaged,
'Till from their places, time with ruthless hand,
Snatches the youthful hero and the aged.
Where are they now? alas, they are no more,
Sunk to the tomb, they slumber in the ground,
Till the last trump, with awful solemn roar.
Shall wake the nations from their sleep profound.
Thus time's corroding touch sweeps man away,
As dew-drops perish, when the rising sun
Lights up the horizon, at the opening day.
And drinks the pearly drops before 'tis noon.
The marble towers and adamantine walls.
Whose mossy heads defy the weight of years.
Must into undistinguished ruin fall.
Before the victor in his swift career.
108 REMINISCENCES
Even planets, from their orbits, shall be hurled,
And blazing comets, whose tremendous race,
In fields of ether, circle other worlds,
Sunk far in regions of unmeasui'ed space.
The sun whose golden beams light up the day,
Shall at his rueful touch expire.
The waning moon that shines with midnight ray.
Must from the face of heaven swift retire.
Old earth again shall into chaos fall,
As wrapped in fire, the heavens shall pass away
And all that move on this terraqueous ball,
To time's destroying scythe must fall a prey
Time then himself shall end, and be no more,
And nature shall expire and cease to be,
On wings seraphic shall fair virtue soar.
To spend an endless blessed eternity.
Carril.
Portions of Rollin's Belles Lettres, which I read in
1811, very much interested me.
I do not know that I can insert anything more likely
to be acceptable to an American reader, than extracts
from two letters, written by Marcus Brutus, who had
aided to slay Caesar in the senate house ; and who
destroyed himself after the fatal battle of Phillippi,
rather than survive the liberties of his country. Those
letters and their sentiments should be studied and
appreciated by the young men of our Republic.
After the death of Caesar, and the acquisition of
power b}^ his nephew Octavius, surnamed Augustus
Caesar, (the first emperor,) Cicero who was then regard-
ed as an old man, being between sixty and seventy
years of age, wrote to Augustus, and implored his cle-
mency and protection for the "conspirators" as they
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 109
vrevo termed, who had struck down Julius Ca3sar.
Atticus sent a copy of Cicero's letter to Brutus, who
then wrote to Cicero and to Atticus the letters from
which the followins: are extracts. To Cicero he writes,
and referring to his letter to Octavius, says,
" All that is required of him, you say, is that he would
be pleased to protect and defend the citizens who are
esteemed and valued by men of probity, and the
Roman people. Are we then at the discretion of
Octavius; and ruined unless he please to protect us ?
It were better to die an hundred deaths, than to be in-
debted to him for living. I do not think the Gods so
much the enemies of Rome, as to require that the pre-
servation of any citizen, and much less the deliverers
of the world, should be asked of Octavius as a favor;
for I think it proper to talk in this high strain to persons
ignorant of what every one has to fear, and of whom
anything is to be asked. Are we then, upon the point
of settling the conditions of slavery ; and not of abolish-
ing the slavery itself? What matters it, whether it is
Caesar, or Anthony, or Octavius, that reigns? Have
we only taken up arms to change our masters, and not
to assert our liberty? The Gods shall rather take from
me life, a hundred limes, than to take from me the
resolution of not suffering. I say not, that the heir of
him I have slain, should reign in his place, bui that my
very father, were he to live again should not make him-
self Lord of the Laws and Senate. You intreat for our
security, and return to Rome: but be assured, that
we value neither the one nor the other, if they are to be
bought at the price of our honor and liberty. To live,
in my opinion, is to be at a distance fiom slavery, and
from those who are friends to it. Every ylace shall be
Rome to me, where I can be free. Take care, therefore,
110 REMINISCENCES
that you do not hereafter recommend me to that Caesar ;
nor, if I have any credit with you, yourself either.
The few years you have left to live, are of strange value
to you, if they can induce you to make ahject suppli-
cations to that hoy. For my part I am resolved not to
be led by the weakness^ and desertion of others. There
is nothing that I shall omit to preserve our common
country from slavery ; and I shall look vi^ith pity upon
those, in whom neither their advanced age, the
glory of their past actions, nor the example of courage,
which others set them, can diminish a fondness for
living. If our desires and the justness of our cause
meet with success, we shall be satisfied. But if things
happen otherwise, I shall not judge myself at all the
more unhappy, as I think myself born to defend and
deliver my country ; and that life is only desirable, on
this account."
In his letter to Atticus, he expresses himself with
still greater force and freedom.
*'I agree," says he, "that Cicero had a verj' good
intention, in all that he has done. Nobody is better
acquainted with his affections, and zeal for the republic,
than I am. But upon this occasion, shall I say that his
wisdom is mistaken, or that he has been too much
guided by policy ? He who was not afraid for the
safety of the state, to make Anthony his enem}^? This
I am sure of, that by treating Octavius as he has, he
has only nourished and inflamed his ambition and pre-
sumption. He boasts of having put an end to the war
against Anthony, without moving a single step from
Rome. Did he do this, only to give him a successor ?
I am grieved that I am forced to write thus to you.
But you have desired me to lay open my heart, with
entire freedom. How imprudent is it through a blind
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. Ill
fear to araw upon ourselves the ills we apprehend, and
which possibly we may avoid. Death, banishment, and
poverty are too terrible to us. Cicero seems to judge
thesethe worst of misfortunes; and provided he finds per-
sons who respect and commend him, and from whom he
may obtain what he desires ; he is in no dread of slavery,
in case it he honorable ; if^ indeed, any thi?ig can be honor-
able, in the lowest, and most wretched degree of in-
famy. Octavius indeed, may well call Cicero Jtis
father; and seem\villing to depend entirely upon him, and
load him with commendations, and civilities. We shall
soon see how much his words and actions disagree. Is
anything, in short, more opposite to common sense,
than to call him father, whom we do not look upon as a
free man? But it is easy to see that the good Cicero
labors only to make Octavius favorable to him. I
no longer set any value upon all his philosophy.
For of what use are those noble sentiments to him, with
which his books are filled, where he treats of death
and banishment, of poverty, and solid glory, of real
honor, and the zeal which every man ought to shew, for
the liberty of his country? Let Cicero then, live in sub-
mission and servitude, since he is capable of it; and
neither his age nor his honors, nor his past actions,
make him ashamed to suffer it ! For my own part, no
condition of slavery, however honorable it may appear,
shall hinder me from declaring war against tyrann}'^ ;
against decrees irregularly made; against unjust domi-
nion ; and every power that would set itself above the
laws."
REMARKS.
Such sentiments well become a Roman, and even a
Brutus. His inflexible virtue, and fire of patriotism,
which have been the admiration of ages, shine forth in
112 REMIOTSCENCES
these two letters, with a lustre that awes the reader
into a belief that he hears him actually chiding his
friends for their servile entreaties. The love of liberty
and of country appear the great movers of his actions;
and an implicit belief that virtue only consisted in dis-
charging his duty fliith fully to that country and to those
principles. Despising the pageantry of royalty, and
the sordid views which governed the leaders of the
different parlies in his time, he fought only for his
love of the republic. Liberty appeared dearer to him
than life itself; and a real patriot, he nobly resolved lo
live free, or not live at all. The dignity of his spirit
forbade his asking terms of Octavius ; and he died as
he had lived, a votary of freedom. With him fell the
last hope of Roman liberty ; and as it was a Brutus
that freed the Romans from the tyranny of their kings,
and formed the republic, so this Brutus sacrificed him-
self for that liberty, which his noble predecessor gained
six hundred years before.
The letters from which the above extracts were
made, may be found in Rollin's Belles Leitres, pages
218 and 219; and the remarks which follow them were
made in 1811. A first impression on reading these letters
will be an almost want of appreciation of the f;jct that
at the age of the world, when Brutus lived, (about
nineteen hundred years ago,) literature had so far
advanced, as to affiird so fine a speci:rien of com-
position. But it was the age of Cicero, when the lights
of Roman science were most resplendent.
In December, 181 1, my mother, who had been ill
for a long lime, departed this life. Although not unex-
pected, it was a sad announcement when the messenger
came to inform infahathersufrerin2;s were over. She had
cheerfully borne her share in the hardships and priva-
OF LEVI BEAUDSLEY. 113
tions of a new country, where she had resided nearly
twenty-two years ; and that country instead of an unbro-
ken wilderness, had now become well cultivated, and
improved, where the comforts of life were scattered with
a lavish hand, She was an industrious, intelligent wo-
man, limited in her education, as most females were in the
agricultural parts of the countr}", who were reared
during the revolutionary troubles.
I have heard her say that during that war, when
she was of suitable age to go to school, writing paper
was so scarce in the part of the country, where she
resided, that white birch bark, was frequently substi-
tuted for paper in country schools.
A baptist by profession, she was of a religious cast
of feeling, and eminently carefal to impress on the minds
of her children, the importance of a virtuous and reli-
gious life. A faithful, devoted wife, and affectionate
mother, her loss was irreparable ; and so I felt it at the
time.
A niother ! what tender associations and reflections
are called up in connection with mother? In those
associations, are found untiring devotion to the interest
and welfare of her offspring ; an affection that never
falters, which neither time nor circumstances can ef-
face; and amidst the cares, the vexations and vicissi-
tudes of life, a mother's love runs on, overlooking,
extenuating, and even forgiving the derelictions of the
child, when all else beside are ready to cast off the
erratic and perhaps criminal object, to which her heart
is bound by those natural ties, which death only can
sever. The loss of a good mother can never be made
up to her surviving family.
Her remains rest by the side of my father, in the
churchyard at Richfield springs ; who, thirty years
8
114 REMINISCENCES
afterwards, at an advanced age, paid the great debt
of nature. Their graves are shaded by four small
thrifty maples, planted by him at the corners of a square,
a few 3-ears before his decease.
I may as well remark that my father was a man of
excellent judgment and sound practical views. He was
pretty well read in general history, travels, and that
kind of reading. A more honest man never lived, or
more kind hearted to the poor; and a very good country
magistrate, whose judgments were seldom disturbed
by certioraries. He always made it a point to reconcile
the parlies, and induce settlements instead of litigation.
Under Mr. Clinton's administration, he was appointed
judge of the Court of Common Pleas.
I never knew a more industrious man ; he could
not be idle, and deprecated it above all things. Strong,
hardy, active and popular among his associates, he
was well calculated for a pioneer in a new country ;
and that with his limited means, he should have sup-
ported his family on his new farm, and brought them
up so comfqitably, is almost incomprehensible to those
who have never encountered the hardships of forest
life. His children have no occasion to blush for any
stigma on their parentage, either paternal or maternal.
In 1812, I was licensed to practice in the Common
Pleas ; and soon after, at the suggestion of Mr. Ham-
mond, entered into co-partnership with him, and re-
mained connected in business till 1820 or 22, when he
wishing to leave Cherry Valley, I bought him out, and
took the whole office business.
He commenced his practice in Cherry Valley, in
1804 or 5, having come there poor, and depending
wholly on his own personal exertions, to sustain himself.
Popular with the masses, he soon acquired their confi-
BY LEVI BEAUDSLEY. 115
dcnce ; built up within a short time a respectable and
profitable legal practice, and took a prominent stand as
a politician. He was kind hearted, and I never knew
him oppress a poor mjn; nor do I believe he can'
rightly be charged with it. While together, we did a
prosperous business, and made considerable money.
We had no difficulties or misunderstandino;s that in-
duced a dissolution of our copartnership, and I wish to
say in reference to Judge Hammond, and in justice to
him, that during ten or twelve years business connection
I always found him honest, kind and courteous, and
am indebted to him for numerous acts of friendship.
I hope he has no reason to have formed a less favor-
able opinion of me than I have of him. He is a man
of sound practical good sense ; not a fluent speaker or
eloquent debater. As a writer he is well known, and
holds a highly respectable rank ; by his industry and
excellent judgment, he succeeded at the bar, much bet-
ter than many who were greatly his superior as advo-
cates. From the time of my first acquaintance with
him, (now some forty-three j^ears,) he has mingled much
in political matters. A member of congress for one
term, then four j^ears in the state senate, he formed
extensive acquaintances, became a political leader of
much influence and sao^acitv. Devoted to Gov. Clinton
and one of his principal advisers for many years, he
probably contributed as much as any one in the state,
in sustaining the fortune and ascendancy of that truly
great man. Fortunate indeed would it have been for the
governor, if he had given more heed to the advice of
Judge Hammond, and less to many of the favorites and
sj'cophants, who basked in executive sunshine, and
weighed down the fortunes of him, whose friendship
imparted more importance to them than any merits of
their own.
116 REMINISCENCES
The judge and myself have frequently differed in
our political views ; we differ now on many points.
For several years he has, in my judgment, held the
abolition party in too high an estimation ; and though
I have no belief that he is willing to act the madman,
as many of them are acting, yet it seems to me that
the countenance he gives them, is calculated to excite
feelings of discontent against the constitution, and unity
of the states, that he never can sanction.
A republican in sentiment, he has too often found
occasions to differ with the majority of the party, to
retain a strong hold on decided party men. In other
words, he has exercised the right of thinking for him-
self, and marking out a path, not perfectly in accord-
ance with the prescriptions of the party ; and thus has
been brought in conflict with those, who have at other
times acted with him.
A course like this, though it may be regarded as an
independent exercise of the right of judgment, and the
right that every free man has, to act and think as he
pleases in those matters, is not calculated to build up
a strong position in a political point of view. He is
certainly a man of extensive reading and sound judg-
ment; an accurate judge of men and profound in his
discriminations of character.
As a member of congress, and state senator, and
in short in all his official relations, which have been
many, he has acquitted himself with distinguished tact
and ability. Few men in Otsego, and I may say in the
state at large, have been more shrewd and adroit poli-
ticians than Judge Hamm.ond.
His suggestions, in reference to public policy, and
his influences have frequently extended to remote parts
of the state, though the mover was not publicly visible,
as the su^r'estor.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 117
In 1S14, I was a delegate to the convention, when
he was nominated for congress. An address to the re-
publicans of the county, in favour of his election, was
drawn by me, and since that time and even before, I
have been familiar with all his pohtical movements.
In short he has been, through life, a good citizen, a
kind neighbour, and in my humble judgment, an honest
upright man.
December 31st, 1S51. It is just forty-one j^ears
ago this evening, since I wrote those lines on the close
of the year, IS 10, which are inserted in this chapter.
What a strange coincidence it is, that without any pre-
concert, it should so happen that I am this day reading
and correcting the proof sheet of that very production.
Forty-one j-ears ! what changes have been wrought.
How solemn the reflection that those j'ears have thus
rapidly passed away, and have brought me so near the
close of life. Yet so it is; and although avast majority
of those who entered with me upon life's busy stage,
have been called awa}^, and their accounts made up
and closed for ever ; 1 am still spared and have great
cause to thank the sovereign disposer of events, for
his manifold blessings and goodness.
Here I am ; an old man, my children grown up ;
and my grandchildren about me. I can truly say, with
Lord Byron, " I am not now, that which I have been."
lis nEMINISCENCES
CHAPTER VII.
Political Matters. Madness and extreme folly of tJie Fede-
ralists. ''Fete of the Legitimates ;^' with introductory
remarks.
In 1812 the republicans of our congressional district,
and in fact the republicans throughout the state, took a
decided stand in favor of the war, and for sustaining
the administration in its vigorous prosecution. I was
secretary of the congressional convention, and wrote the
address to the electors. I have recently looked over
the old manuscript, which though decidedly approba-
tory of the Avar, shows a labored effort to make it
acceptable to the people : and so we found it on going
to the ballot box, for our candidates were defeated.
I have also been looking over some of my old
political productions of 1S09 and 10, which call up re-
collections of the points in issue between the republican
and federal parties of those times.
To politicians of the present day, who do not
recollect so far back, and who have not read the
newspapers published at those periods, it would be
interesting, as v/ell as instructing, to mark the differ-
ences between the two great parties, and the issues
raised to be passed upon, at each election. The federal
party, great and powerful, particularly in the northern
and eastern states, had been hurled from power on the
election of Mr. Jefferson.
That part}' embraced a great proportion of the mer-
IJY LEVI BEAllDSLEY. 119
cliants and commercial men, and much of the talent of
the countr3\ Though defeated in ISOl, they did not
give up the contest; but kept up their organization,
ready to seize upon any false step of the administration,
or any pretence to render it unpopular. Hence they
represented the democratic, or republican party as being
under French influence, and subservient to the views
of the government of France.
There was a time during the early part of the
French revolution, when great numbers of our people
(I will not say a majority) desired to favor France; and
those most ardent, seemed prepared to make common
cause, and rush into" an alUance, that must have
involved us in the wars that grew out of that revolution.
This feehng was perfecdy natural. We had re-
cently come out of a seven year's contest with Great
Britain, with feelings highly exasperated against her.
France had been our ally, and had assisted to gain our
independence.
The French people Avere now struggling for liberty,
against an arbitrary government, that had ruled and
oppressed the nation with feudal, ecclesiastical, and
aristocratic restrictions, for a thousand years ; and the
crowned heads of Europe were in league and battle
array against them.
They appealed to us ; and French emissaries were
among us, insidiously endeavoring to fraternise, and in-
duce us to cast off our neutralitv, and assume a
belligerent attitude. Had we been powerful as now, we
should very likely have rushed into the contest to aid
France. It required all the firmness and popularity of
Washington to withstand these popular impulses.
Hence had the charge been confined to several years
during the administrations of Washington, and the
120 REMINISCENCES
elder Adams, that we had a French party among us,
there would have been truth in the charge, to a con-
siderable extent.
The federal party had imbibed and encouraged
strong prejudices against the French, which were
strengthened by the enormities of the revolutionists;
and when the empire under Buonaparte was establish-
ed, and the boasted liberties of that country were
crushed in the strong grasp of a military despot; they
pointed to the result as a consummation of their previous
predictions.
With feelings exasperated almost to madness against
France, it was natural for men to lean strongly to the
other side ; and hence partialities for England very
generally pervaded the masses of the federal party ;
quite as decidedly so as could ever have been rightly
charged against the republican party, of favoritism to
France.
When I speak of partialities for England, as per-
vading the federal party at a more early day, I speak
of it as contra-distinguished from their feelings towards
France. That the public mind should be divided in
our country, as between France and England, was to
be expected. Our feelings would naturally sympathise
with one or the other belligerent, nor would this differ-
ence be essential. But the federalists went far be3'ond
this. They were so determined in their opposition to
Mr. Jefferson's administration so bent on acquiring
political power, by putting down the republican party,
that overstepping the line of propriety, and sacrificing
their patriotism at the shrine of party politics, impru-
dently for their political reputation, and future chance
of success, they not only became the apologists of
Britain, but took the British side in almost every contro-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 121
verted point between that governnnent and ours. The
impressment of seamen was glossed over by ihem.
The Berlin and Milan decrees of the French Emperor
promulgated, the one in Nov. 1S06, and the other in
Jan. 1807, with the British orders in council of nearly
the same period, were calculated to sweep a large pro-
portion of our commerce from the ocean. The execu-
tive of the country became acquainted with these de-
crees and orders before they went into effect, and before
the public knew of their existence. Mr. Jefferson, by
special message, recommended an embargo ; a law for
which was immediately passed by congress, and this
was justified as a prudential measure, as well as follow-
ing a precedent of Genl. Washington, who for a limited
period resorted to an embargo, during his administra-
tion.
It was certainly a rank measure, and operated wiih
destructive severity on the commercial and agricultural
pursuits of the middle, northern and eastern states ;
nay, it brought ruin and desolation in its train ; and
excited a determined opposition to its enactments, and
open threats of resistance. Had the embargo been for
a limited period, say three to six months, to have put
the commercial interests on their guard, and enabled
them to meet the risks they were to encounter; I have
no doubt, it would have been acquiesced in as a pru-
dential measure, with much more unanimity and com-
placency. But its limitation, depended on certain con-
tingencies, which might or might not happen in an in-
definite period; and this, instead of promoting commerce,
as the constitution contemplated, was argued by the
federal leaders to be its destruction ; and it was nearly
so, for the time being. Such a measure could not be
sustained now, but would prostrate any administration
122 REMINISCENCES
that should attempt it. Now we are powerful and feel
an ability to chastise aggressors, which we then neither
felt or possessed. As it was, the great body of repub-
licans stuck to the administration, and justified the em-
bargo, as both wise and prudent ; on which point their
opponents joined issue, and seemed likely to regain
their lost ascendancy, had not England and France
rescinded or modified their decrees and orders; which
enabled the President to remove the embargo, and the
democrats to allege that it had coerced the two great
belligerents to succumb, and come to our terms. I do
not intend to intimate that the embargo caused more
losses to commercial men than would have been suf-
fered under the decrees and orders, had our merchants
gone on with their usual shipments without restraint.
The losses must have been great in either event, and
must have been sorely felt in every portion of the
country.
The restrictive measures of the government (embar-
go and non-intercourse) exasperated and confirmed the
federahsts in a determined opposition ; and to give
effect to their exertions, they condemned the adminis-
tration and took the English side on almost every con-
troverted question. Their leaders were designated by
the British press as the leaders of the English inirty m
the United States.
After congress had declared in 1S09 by an almost
unanimous vote, (only two negatives, and they federa-
lists) " that the United States could not submit to the
French decrees and British orders in council wiihout a
sacrifice of their rights as an independent nation," and
after Pearce had been killed in our own waters ; the
frigate Chesapeake attacked and captured by the ship
Leopard; with reiterated instances of impressments;
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 123
the federal press and federal leaders had the imprudent
hardihood to deny that we had any just cause of war.
Some even said we had no cause of complaint, and
charged the administration with a desire to plunge the
country in war with England, to gratify national pre-
judices and assist the French.
To show that I have not misrepresented the federal
party, I will select a few articles, which those who
lived at that time or will look at the newspapers of the
day, will find are not overdrawn, beyond the general
scope of political effusions of that party.
England, on one occasion, was alluded to " as the
bulwark of our religion." A governor of one of the
New England States gave the following toast, which
was drank with acclamation, " The world's last hope ;
England's fast anchored Isle."
The Boston Centinel of Sep. 10th, ISOS, has the following :
" This perpetual embargo, being unconstitutional,
every man will perceive that he is not bound to regard
it. If the petitions do not produce a relaxation or re-
moval of the embargo, the people ought immediately to
assume a higher tone."
The Boston Gazette :
" It is better to suffer amputation of a limb, than to
lose the whole body. We must prepare for the opera-
tion. Wherefore then is New England asleep? where-
fore does she submit to the oppression of enemies in the
south? have we no Moses, who is inspired by the God
of our fathers, and will lead us out of Egypt ?"
Extract from Rev. David Osgood'' s Sermon, April 8th,
1810:
" The strong prepossessions of so great proportion
324 REMINISCENCES
of my fellow citizens in favor of a race of demons and
against a nation of more religion, virtue, good faith,
generosity and beneficence, than any that now is or
ever has been upon the face of the earth, wring my
soul with anguish, and fill my heart with apprehensions
and terror of the judgments of heaven upon this sinful
people."
Another extract from this gentleman's sermon after the de-
claration of war :
" If at the command of weak and wicked rulers,
they undertake an unjust war, each man who volunteers
his services in such a cause, or loans his money for its
support, or by his conversations, his writings, or any
other mode of influence encourages its prosecution, that
man is an accomplice in the wickedness, loads his con-
science with the blackest crimes, brings the guilt of
blood upon his soul, and in the sight of God and his
laws, is a murderer."
Rev. Elisha Parish, April 7th, 1S14, had the following :
" The Israelites became weary of yielding the fruit
of their labors to pamper their splendid tyrants. They
left their political war; they separated. Where is our
Moses ? where is the rod of his miracles? where is our
Aaron? alas, no voice from the burning bush has di-
rected them here. Such is the temper of American
republicans, so called, that a new language mast be
invented before we attempt to express the baseness of
their conduct or describe the rottenness of their hearts."
" New England, if invaded, would be obliged to
defend herself. Do you not then owe it to your chil-
dren, and owe it to your God, to make peace for your-
selves ?"
BY LEVI EEARDSLEY. 125
One extract more from Rev. Mr. Gardncr^s dh-courscy
July 23/-J, IS 12 :
" What consequence is it to you, if they be repealed
or not, if you are sold to Napoleon, as you have reason
to believe, by the slaves who have abused your confi-
dence ?
" Let no consideration, my brethren, whatever deter
you, at all times, and in all places, from execrating
the present war.
" It is a war unjust, foolish and ruinous.
"As Mr. Madison has declared war, let Mr. Madison
carry it on. The union has been long since virtually
dissolved, and it is full time that this part of the dis-
united states should take care of itself."
These are but a few specimens of ebullition of feel-
ings, that everywhere teemed from the federal press
and federal pulpits. How could a party of sensible
men expect to succeed, with effusions so wanting in
patriotism, and bordering, if carried into effect, soclosely
on treason ?
The war of 1812 went on, and the federalists, with
unabated rancour, continued their denunciations against
the government ; many of their leaders and the federal
press taking the English side on that question. There
were many honorable exceptions, but it cannot with
truth be denied, that the great body of the party, par-
ticularly in the eastern and northern states, denounced
the war, and refused a cordial support. The eastern
federalists not only refused to support the war, but
threatened resistance. The Hartford convention was
gotten up, but negotiations at Ghent having resulted in
a termination of hostilities, that convention dispersed
under an odium that the leaders have never been able
to shake off.
126 REMINISCENCES
Now the federal party should never have placed'
itself in an attitude so wanting in patriotism. If, for a
single instance, it might have been overlooked and for-
given ; but it was reiterated from year to year, as ff
there was, in their opinion, no American pride, or love
of country, except as it exhibited itself in opposition to
our own government.
That party was great and powerful, and had a large
share of the wealth and talent of the country. It could
not be that they intended to subvert their own govern-
ment, or wished to change it for another; for it had men
of intelligence and patriotism, who had fought for the
liberties of the country, and no doubt were inclined to
defend them, if actually and seriously assailed.
Such a man as Col. Timothy Pickering, who had
served with Washington during the revolution, and was
now one of the most decided leaders of the federalists,
could not be suspected of a desire to betray that country.
No, it was party spirit, and party prejudices, so warp-
ing the minds of honest patriotic men, that they ex-
hibited themselves in such unfavourable attitudes, before
the country, that many of them were never able to wipe
out the stio^ma.
Hence, on the election of Mr. Monroe, the once
honorable party appellation " federalist," was gladly
thrown aside as a worn-out garment; and no political
leader has since been found, who had hardihood enough,
to take it up.
To have done so, or to do so now, would be regard-
ed as evidence of political insanity ; and the name of a
former great political party, when taken in connection
with national transactions from 1S07 to 1S15, will go
down to posterity unblest and unhonored.
It is marvellous that a party comprising so much
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 127
talent and respectability, could have so little sagacity,
as thus to place itself in the wrong, and enable their
political adversaries to hold them up as unworthy of
public confidence, which they were not slow to do.
Thus the federal candidates were generally defeated;
and the party leaders growing more wise from the
often prostration of those they sought to elevate, hailed
with avidity and joy, an opportunity to throw off their
old cognomen, and mix themselves indiscriminately with
their political opponents.
Such, I have little doubt, will be the fate of ultra
abolitionists, who desire to obtain power and place, by
denouncing the compromises of the federal constitution,
even to the destruction of that sacred instrument, and
the prostration of that national strength, derived from
the union of the states.
So also, with nullifying mad caps, who seem to
think the separation of the states a desirable consum-
mation for all the toil, the sacrifices, and blood of the
revolution.
Mad and insane, as the leaders of these opposing
factions are, they are aiming at, and laboring for the
same result. But I trust there is sufficient patriotism,
sufficient American feeling, and love of country and of
the union of the states, to consign to infamy those who
shall attempt to prostrate the political temple reared by
our fathers ; or dissever the ligaments that bind the
various portions together.
Have these madmen ever considered the injury they
would inflict on the cause of civil liberty, could they
effect the severance of these states ?
What a sad exhibition would be presented ; and
how would the despots of Europe, and their abettors
chuckle if they could witness the failure of the " model
128 REMINISCENCES
republic." Where would liberty find a resting place if
driven from these states? And driven from them it
would be with the destruction of the union ; for hence-
forth, civil wars, intestine broils, blood-shed and car-
nage; with jealousies, and intense hatred, would follow
in the train of disunion, with as much certainty as
night follows day.
The strong hand of a military despot, would most
likely take the place of our present free government ;
and those who should come after us, would have abun-
dant cause to mourn in "sackcloth and ashes," the
weakness, the wickedness, and extreme folly of those
who had been instrumental in subverting the pillars of
the repubhc, and destroying the only free government
on earth.
From a consummation so dire, so disastrous in con-
sequences, and so deleterious to the cause of freedom,
throughout thg world, we may well say in the language
of the church " Good Lord deliver us."
As I have in the course of this chapter brought in
review to a limited extent the derelictions and short
comings of the federal party, which contributed to
weigh them down in public estimation, and to affix a
stigma, that more than thirty-six years have scarcely
effaced. My readers must excuse me for inserting a
production, that appeared in the Boston Patriot, Dec.
13th, 1815. Who the author was, I have never learned ;
.but the satire is so keen, and the hits so palpable, in
reference to the legitimates in Europe, and the leaders
of the Hartford convention, who represented a large
portion of the eastern federalists, that its perusal by the
present generation cannot be unacceptable.
It must be borne in mind, that the " poem," or
" vision," or whatever else it may be called, was pub-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 129
lisbed in December 1815, about six months after the
decisive battle of Waterloo, which was fought on the
18th of June, of that year.
The result of that tremendous conflict, was the
downfall of Buonaparte, who was sent as an exile or
state prisoner to St. Helena ; and the Bourbons were
restored. The inquisition had been revived in Spain ;
aud the crowned heads of the principal powers in Eu-
rope, known as the " Holy Alliances," who regarded
themselves as legitimates, were in conclave, adjusting
the balance of power, subjecting Europe to the old
order of things, by which kings, lords, nobles, and
priests, were almost deified and the yeomanry again
reduced to servitude.
The most extravagant pretensions of divine right
and kingly power were put forward, and all concessions
of popular rights were declared to emanate from the
crown, as a free gift to the people, which they had no
right to require. To understand the allusions to the
Prince Regent, it must be borne in mind, that in conse-
quence of the insanity of the old king, (George III.)
the Prince of Wales, who on the death of the kintr,
succeeded to the throne as George TV., had, by act of
parliament, been placed at the head of government as
the Prince Regent.
The current reports of the time, which subsequent
historical and biographical sketches fully corroborate,
represent him as a man, gentlemanly in his appearance
and address, a social companion, but leading a life of
scandalous debauchery, which he took no special pains
to conceal.
He had insulted, quarrelled with, and put away his
wife soon after their marriao'e. This marriafje took
place in April, 1795, and was the result of state nego-
9
130 REMINISCENCES
tiatlon, in which the prince and princess had no parti-
cular concern.
They had never seen each other, and he spoke of it
as buying a pig in a poke ; not a very refined expres-
sion, when applied to a lady who was to be his wife.
The negotiation was entrusted to Lord Malmesbury. She
was Princess Caroline, of Brunswick, and had been
brought up in that petty German court, with a limited
education, coarse in her manners, very little refinement,
and altogether disqualified to shine at an English court.
An imprudent, romping girl, and nearly spoiled in
bringing up, 5^et probably virtuous when she came to
England ; she had no qualities that were calculated to
win the Prince or secure his affections. Bell, in his
life of Canning, says, " she had scarcely touched our
shores, when the timid feelinQ;s of the bride were out-
raged and insulted, by finding Lady Jersey already
installed, and retained too, in spite of the expressed
interdict of the sovereign."
AVhen she was taken to the palace, the prince came
to ner, after some delay, and having received her, turned
away, and called for a glass of brandy, and when
water was suggested, he refused it with an oath. Lady
Charlotte Bury relates, that the night of the wedding
the prince reeled drunk into the bridal chamber, and
fell under the grate.
This is corroborated in part by Lord Malmesbury,
who'says, " that on the evening of the wedding day
the prince appeared unhappy, and as a proof of it,
had manifestly had recourse to wine or spirits."
The princess said "judge what it was to have a
drunken husband, on one's wedding day ; and one who
passed the greater part of his bridal night under the
grate, where he fell, and where I left him. If any-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY, 331
body says to me at dis moment, will you pass your life
over again, or be killed ? I would choose death." " Oh,
mine Got," she would say, " I could be the slave of
a man I love, but one whom I love not, and who did
not love me, impossible."
It is sufficient to say, that the Prince became pre-
judiced and disliked her. He abandoned her, and she
maintained a separate establishment, where she indulged
in her coarse girlish amusements, romped and played
blind man's buff, eat onions, drank ale, which in her
broad German she called oil. Though imprudent in
her conduct, there was no evidence' of criminality,
while she remained in England, though she was closely
watched by spies and retainers.
In 1814, she retired to the continent, where she re-
mained till the death of George III, in 1S20, when she
returned and insisted on being acknowledged and crown-
ed as Queen Caroline of England.
The English government, knowing the scandal that
would be elicited, in reference to George IV, as well as
the queen, if a public trial should take place, which
could not fail to shock the moral sense of the nation,
offered to settle on her, for life, 50,000 pounds sterling
annually, ($200,000,) if she would live abroad, under
an assumed name. This she refused, and the celebra-
ted trial of the Queen was commenced ; which after
several weeks progress, and a display of the finest
legal and forensic talent of England, resulted in the
abandoning of the trial and the quasi triumph of the
queen.
The English people sympathized with her, partly
no doubt from the fact that she was a woman, and rela-
tive of the king, as well as his wife ; that she was the
mother of the princess Charlotte, who, before her death,
132 REMINISCENCES
had been adored by the nation, but more from the fact
that an infamous system of espionage had been practised
against her, and that Itahan pimps and spies had been
brought to England to ensure her destruction. More
than all ; if she had been imprudent, or even corrupt,
it was but a result that might be expected, from the
shameful treatment she had received from her husband :
and though to be regretted, yet a merited retribution for
the profligate hfe he had led ; that whatever her fauhs
were, he had no right to complain. Her death soon
after, relieved the nation from a further discussion of a
painful subject*; and left the king, her husband, to close
his short reign, without further annoyance from an in-
jured woman.
It was while she was residing abroad that the poem
was written ; in reference to which foreign residence,
the prince is made to say, " I am rid of my wife, &c."
The notorious Mary Ann Clark, was then in the
ascendant, and Mrs. Hamilton, who had been Nelson's
favorite up to the time of his death in 1805, was now
wooed by others.
Bearing these preliminary remarks in view, and
keeping in remembrance what was going on in Europe,
and the principal topics that excited and divided the
American people, my readers cannot but appreciate
the article as illustrative of the feelings and views enter-
tained at that time. Whether they approve or disap-
prove of the sentiments inculcated, or those matters
brought into ridicule, they can hardly deny the merits
of the performance.
Without further remarks or apologies for inserting a
newspaper production, which I have preserved thirty-
six years, I will introduce to my readers :
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 133
"THE MERRY-GO-ROUND, OR FETE OF THE
LEGITIMATES. A VISION."
The moonbeam on the ocean slept,
No breeze her tranquil bosom swept,
1 look'd abi'oad, and sens'd the pow'r
Of midnitrht's chill and awful hour ;
I watch'd the stars unclouded beaming,
I watch'd the north-light fitful streaming,
Save that the startled sea-bird scream'd
When o'er the deep the meteor gleam'd,
All silent was the awful gloom.
As if night's vault were nature's tomb.
*o'
The scene august my fancy fir'd,
My mind to solemn thought inspir'd ;
I view'd the folly, crime, and woe,
Too well, that wretched mortals know ;
I thought of mitres, crowns, and thrones,
Of dungeons, racks, and dying groans j
I saw the few in splendor shining,
I saw the million hopeless pining,
I sicken'd at the tyrant's pow'r,
The tyrant's wrath, the victim's hour.
(*) E'en now, methought, in " dungeon damps" confin'd,
There sinks to ruin many a noble mind;
E'en now, despair affrights befriending sleep,
From the lone couch, where v/orth and genius weep ;
Yes, for a word, a look, thought unexpress'd.
Swift to the victim flew the tyrant's best.
The hinges sullen turn, the bolts are driven.
Farewell the breath of life, the liijht of heaven ;
There shall dread reason from her mooring^ swinsf,
, And there shall fancv droop her angel wing;
* There are at this raomeut, 50,000 oi the friends of liberty
imprisoned in Spain.
134 REMINISCENCES
There shall his check grow pale, there fade his eye,
There shall he mourn and madden, sink and die.
There stands the palace there the great ones meet,
And kings, and priests, (*) and lords, their fellows greet;
Blithe winds the dance, to minstrelsy divine,
And mirth and song, a wreath of joy entwine ;
Fair flows the light, from tapers many hu'd,
' Athwart as bright a scene as fancy ever view'd.
I see that blaze, so dazzling, and yet bright'ning,
The prison's massy battlements enlight'ning;
When stops the dance, when sinks the music's swell,
Far other sound breaks from that prison's cell ;
(Curse on their mirth, hell blight their smiles of gladness,)
Oh! 'tis the laugh, the shriek of "moody madness."
Why there 1 does rankling guilt extort that cry ?
Does murder haunt 1 or foul adultery?
Oh no, mere trifl.es these to monarclis seem.
He wept, he wish'd, and freedom was the theme.
How long, uncheck'd, shall tyrants madly run.
And millions tremble at the frown of one %
I gave the victim all I could, a tear,
And thank'd kind heav'n, that kindly placed me here.
In this sweet land, where I can spurn the throne,
And scofl^ at crown'd heads, and yet wear my own.
Fast wan'd the night, chill rose the blast,
The sere leaves rustled as it past.
The east disclos'd ths tints of day,
Low in the west orion hung,
And the dim moon, her farewell ray
Faint o'er the troubled waters flung ;
The moaning wind soon lull'd to rest
* I refer to the priests of religious establishments, and under a head
whose kingdom is of this world.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 135
My mind with thought of woe deprest ;
Yet, fancy wak'd, and o'er my slumbers
Warbled in wild and varied numbers ;
She seiz'd the shreds of waking thought,
And lo, the tissue strange she wrought.
THE VISION.
I imagined myself on a spacious plain, surrounded by
palaces, temples and splendid pavilions. In one of the tem-
ples, they were chaunting " Te Deum ;" the full organ swelled
on the breeze, and never before had I witnessed " such sweet,
such solemn notes divine." The music ceased, I approached
the palace, and heard the noise of evelry and debauch ; at
length the tumult partially subsided, and I caught the follow-
ing strain :
Nightly shalt thou watch the star.
Trembling o'er the wave afar ;
Thy music is the billow's roar,
On Helen's wild and rocky shore;
And when thou seest t^ne passing sail,
Thy sigh, thy tear shall nought avail;
No eye of love shall beam on thee,
But deadly hate thy portion be ;
Nor shall that infant's angel smile.
Thy bosom of one pang beguile.
The song continued, but my atten on was called away by
a procession of Inquisitors, slowly mo^-ing across the plain
with heretics bound.
CHORUS OF INQUISITORS.
Blood blood oh blof d.
Dear mother thou snalt have it;
Blood- blood oh blood.
For keenly dost tlaou crave it.
136 REMINISCENCES
How dim has burnt thy light,
How has thy sun been qlouded.
Oh, cheerless was the long, long night,
That deep thy glories shrouded.
How didst thou shriek in wild afFright,
As oft (to thee) a baleful light
Athwart its gloom would blazon ;
As oft upon that night's dread stillness.
There broke a voice which boded illness,
The light the voice of reason.
"*
That light is quench'd that voice is still,
And on the high and holy hill
Thy seat once more assuming.
Thou richly shalt redeem the past,
And heresy shall shrink aghast
To see thy glories looming.
Blood blood oh blood,
(*) Long has the church been thirsting,
She hankers for the crimson flood,
Her sons, with holy wrath are bursting.
The march was staid, the chorus ended,
The pyre was rais'd, the flame ascended ;
Good angels wept hell laugh'd, to view
The crimson banner wave anew.
And dire anathemas were hurl'd,
At him (f) who late that banner fuil'd;
* Reference is here had to no particular church, but to the spirit of
an established pi'iesthood, the villainy of which has ever been propor-
tionate to its power: whether orthodox or heretical, whether headed by
Pope, Patriarch, Protector, or Prince Regent, the Priests of Constantiue
and Constantius were alike given to persecution. Calvin burnt Servetus,
and our pious forefathers were hugely delighted with the smell of a
roasted Quaker.
t Doctor Buchanan allows that Buonaparte destroyed the Inquisition
in Spain, though he supposes, as in duty bound, that it wcs for no good
motive.
BY LEVI CEARDSLEY. 137
And oh, 'twas awful then to see
The flame around them close ;
To hear the shriek of agony,
Which from that flame arose.
" Father in heaven, oh, pitying see ;
" Father, we look alone to thee ;"
Nor look in vain the woe is past
All still and that faint shriek the last.
Oh, mother church, in scarlet flaunting gay,
I know thou httle heed'st my humble lay ;
Thine is the rack, the dungeon and the fire ;
To thee, how- harmless then the poet's ire.
Yet no mean pleasure doth it yield my heart
To tell thee, graceless hag how foul thou art.
To flout thee, beldame, and the reptile fry,
That spring and fatten in thy reeking sty.
I next beheld a procession of monks, marching in quick
time toward a monastery, which had lately been swept, aired
and prepared for their reception. They chaunted a peculiar
kind of metre, wherein they set forth the praises of fat living,
and celebrated the downfall of the " Tyrant" the restoration
of the Bourbons, and the re-enslavement of the ^'plebeians,'"
for their support in sloth and luxury. They continued the
shout till they reached the monastery, when the discharge of
cannon called my attention to another part of the plain,
where I beheld a glorious spectacle indeed ; a company of
monarchs, with Alexander the deliverer of Poland at their
head, advanced in measured step, to the sound of " flutes and
soft recorders," and halting in the middle of the plain raised
the following chorus :
CHORUS OF KINGS.
Come, come away,
Monarchs all haste hither ;
Hail, hail the day,
That calls us thus together.
138 REMINISCENCES
Oh ! tremble ye not at the ill boding star
That shone on the vine-cinctur'd vallies of France,
How baleful that lustre, when, beaming afar.
Thrones rock'd on their bases, that caught but its glance,
The crown had no brightness, and craz'd with its splerdor.
No more shrank the vassal with awe.
Nor the throne, nor the sceptre, would shield the offender,
For the will of the people was law.
'Tis past, they are down, and we'll bind them and grind them,
And hunt them, and fleece them, wherever we find them.
While the sorceress church, flings a mist that shall blind them,*
Come, come away,
Monarchs all haste hither ;
Hail, hail the day,
That calls us thus together.
A full band now struck up " God save the King," and fie
Prince Regent entered, drunk, supported by two attendants,
and preceded by the Poet Laureat.
ODE BY THE LAUREAT.
Hail to the chiefcain, who reeling advances.
As fat as a porpoise, and drunk as a swine ;
Oh could he but stand, he would join in your dances,
E'en now, save his highness, he'll guzzle your wine.
Oft on the downy bed.
Low have I seen his head.
And faintly would he murmur, " Oh, pour, vassals, pour j"
When his royal lip was pale,
^ When his eye august would fail.
Yet fainter would he murmur, " Oh, more, vassals, more."
(*) The inhabitants of Mount Jura were actually slaves at the com-
mencement of the French Revokition, being the absolute proj^erty of
the noble Chapter of St. Claude ; and Jean Jacob, one of the natives
who repaired to Paris in the year 1789, declared that the Abbot of Clair-
veaux was accustomed to shoot the peasants for his amusement. See
Stephens' History of tiie wars of the French Revolution, page 16, vol II-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 139
Ours is no milk-sop, now drunk and now steady,
Moist'ning at beltane, in winter to dry,
When one goblet's drained, aye another stands ready,
And, " brandy, oh brandy," forever he'll cry.
O fill his cup anew.
Bring the brothel's treasures too,
For there does he limit his wishes below ;
Let all who hear it then.
Send the shout back again,
Hail to the Regent boo ! ! " ho ! ieroe !"
Soft music, " When pensive I thought on my love," and
enter Bishop of Banbury and Mistress Clark, Bishop of
Deny and Lady Hamilton, (*) Duke of Clarence, Mother
Jordan, and the Marchioness of Hertford.
BISHOP OF DERRY.
Oh, dance away cheerily, sing away merrily,
Now is the season for glee,
May love bloom for ever, and schisms happen never.
Between my dear Emma and me.
Let infidel tribes, fling their jeers and their gibes.
And heretics cavil and sneer.
Oh blast their scurrility and all infidelity,
Save thine to thy husband my dear, (t)
(I) PRINCE REGENT. STILL sux-ported.
Huzza for Old England huzza for her church
For of both do ye see I'm the head
Hold fast my good lads, or I fall in the lurch.
Bad plight for a monarch so dread.
(*) The Bishop of Deny was with thirty or forty others rival to Lord
Nelson iu the affecticn aud favors of the "all accomplished and incom-
parable."
(t) I have softened the Bishop's language a little. Read his letter to
Emma, aud you will see that blasting was but milk-and-water swearing
to him.
(t) Why meddle with the king and church at all ? Why not let every
nation quietly enjoy its own institutions? and why do you not say, let
140 REMINISCENCES
Oh ne'er such a day have I seen in my life, >
I'm stewing in brandy, and melting in bliss,
I'm rid of my foe, and I'm rid of my wife,
Then come my dear Marchioness, give me a kiss.
The Regent approaches a splendid altar, made of the
golden throne recently talcen without leave from the king of
Ceylon and think ye, by the way, that Buonaparte would
have converted his plunder to such pious purposes ? No, no.
Antichrist that he is ! He approached the altar, I say, and
received the sacrament from the hands of the good Bishop of
Derry, asd o all the pious young men in the army and navy.
But now came an appalling spectacle indeed ; Mrs. Clarke
shrieked, and Lady Hamilton fainted, for lo ! the Car op
Juggernaut, drawn by five huge elephants, moved slowly
across the scene
JUGGERNAUT.
Blood has swell'd the tide of Ganges,
Red the Burrampooter flow'd.
O'er ev'ry path the Hindoo ranges,
Ruin has triumphant rode.
Crowns have fall'n, and throne are shatter'd,
India weeps for woe and ciime.
With scorpion lash, her sons are scatter' d,
Yet still unscath'd I tow'r sublime.
The " Bulwark's" health in blood I'll drink,
Friend of Religion aye, of mine,
Let her but speak, my fane must sink,
Long may she live to guard its shrine.
Which one shall bow before that fane ?
Mine be the glory, hers the ^am, *
the sheep-stealer quietly follow his vocation, and give full credit to his
pretensions to sanctity ? No, no let not the crown or the episcopal robe
shield the scoundrel, any more than the baize cap and leather breeches.
I once heard of a society for suppressing vice, among those whose
income is less than 200 a year but I did not belong to it.
* " The Temple of Juggernaut is under the immediate control of
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 141
Health to the " Bulwark" India weeps ;
Health to the" Bulwark" Tippoo sleeps;
Health to the " Bulwark" Millions mourn ;
Yet of my sun, no beam is shorn.
On mov'd the car, and on they madly rush'd.
Its massy wheel, the wretched viciims crush'd ;
Yet o'er no head the awful engine roll'd,
Till safely had the " Bulwark" touched the gold.*
My attention was now directed to a forlorn little group
seated in a remote part of the plain, and zealously employed
in draining the bottle, and devouring the snips, a basket of
which was occasionally sent them from the palace kitchen. I
approached the spot, and what was my astonishment on re-
cognising the very persons who recently composed the very
respectable
HARTFORD CONVENTION.
I was at first altogether indignant on beholding such choice
characters served with slops and fragments, but soon finding
that they were very well satisfied, concluded of course, that I
had no business to be othei'wise. I sat down to listen, in the
certain hope of edification ; but was too late, for no sooner
was I seated, than they arose and called on the chaplain to
dismiss the table. I forget the name of this gentleman, I only
know that he had been a large trader in geographies, and
said some hard things about southern infidelity, and Rhode
Island paganism ; and that from some scratches in his face,
he appeared recently to have shared the fate of Sisera, whom
the Lord delivered into the hands of a woman ; he accord-
ingly rose and addressed the convention in the words following:
the British Government, which levies a tax on the pilgrims as a source
of revenue." Buchanan, p. 110.
* " After the car had proceeded some way, the pilgrim laid himself
down before it, and was crushed to death ; how much I wished that the
proprietors of India stock had been present and seen this peculiar source
of their revenue." Buchanan, p, 107.
142 REMINISCENCES
We thank the givers for their fare,
For all their shreds and driblets;
The bones were good, the slops were rare,
And pleasant wei-e the giblets.
Long shall I ponder in delight,
On this sublime occasion ;
And ever bless v^^ith all my might,
This pious congregation.
I'll bless Old England's good Mon arch,
And the whole brood of Rats too ;
The Duke of York and Mistress Clarke,
And all the Regent's brats too.
I'll bless old mother Jordan kind.
And bless the Duke of Clarence,
And may she meet his princely mind,
For many a pleasant year hence.
Bless Juggernaut and bless the Pope,
And bless the scarlet too,
And praise and bless the world's last hope,
Henceforth, for eveiTnore too.
I'll bless the good legitimates
And all their comely madams,
Bless all except the Democrats,
And eke Miss H A .
The charm dissolved bright rose the sun-
Then hush my lyre the lay is done.
OF LEVI BEARDSLET. 143
CHAPTER VIII.
Senatorial Convention, 1813. Parley, Keyes, and Incident
with Whittlesey. Visit Niagara Falls, 1815. Appear-
ance and Impressions. Chippeway and Bridgewater
Battle Fields. Incidents. Squirrels swimming the Nia-
gara. Buffalo and Western New York. Observations
and general remarks.
I HAD never been lo Western New York, till 1815.
The spring of 1811, 1 went to Onondaga Hollow; and in
February, 1813, went as a delegate from Otsego, to the
Western District senatorial convention, at Onondaga
Hill. That district then extended so far east as to in-
clude Schoharie and Herkimer, and now comprises
one half of the population of the state. John Nicho-
las, of Ontario, was president of the convention; and
Enos T. Throop, (since governor) secretary. So far as
I can recollect, nearly all who attended are dead, ex-
cept Governor Throop and myself, and I think Thomas
Skinner, of Utica. What a change within so few
years !
Here 1 first became acquainted with the late Henry
Seymour, then a merchant at Pompey, a most estimable
man, and father of Horatio Seymour, democratic can-
didate for Governor, at the recent election; who, though
he failed by about three hundred votes, was well worthy
the support of his party.
The convention took a decided stand in favor of the
war, passed strong resolutions for its vigorous prosecu-
tion; and to test the views of the electors, nominated
144 REMINISCENCES
those who had been actively engaged in actual service,
or conspicuous in support of war measures.
Col. Stranahan, of Otsego, and Col. Bloom, of
Caj^uga, were nominated ; they had both been in Queen-
ston battle, and the latter wounded; Parley Keyes,
of Jefferson county, who had been sheriff, and an
earnest supporter of the war, was now first brought
forward as a legislator. We elected our whole ticket,
for the Western district was then the most reliable
democratic district of the state.
The venerable Joshua Hathaway, of Oneida, was
a delegate, as was also Chillis Doty, of Lewis county,
father of Governor Doty, now member of congress, and
of Baron S. Doty, who read law with me, was with me
in the assembly of 1S26, and now resides at Bufliilo.
Those of my readers who recollect political events,
and politicians who were active and influential from
twenty-five to thirtj^-five years ago, need not be told
that Parley Keyes was amongst those who in a great
measure swaj-ed the democratic party. He was a man
of strong, intellectual powers, coarse and uncultivated,
for his education was exceedingly limited; but he was
full of expedients, shrewd in his observations, and as a
political manager, far above many who supposed them-
selves the great men of the state. I am not going into
a discussion of his merits, or his political standing, but
to readers who have grown up since he was in active
life, an incident in which he was a conspicuous actor
will not be without its interest.
Near the close of the war of 1812, Mr. Whittlesey,
a lawyer of Watertown, where Mr. Keyes resided, was
paymaster for a portion of the troops, and was entrusted
with large sums of money. Mr. Keyes and Jason
Fairbanks, esq., the latter of whom is still living at
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 145
Watertown, were bail for Whittlesey. lie had gone
from home on official business, as he alleged, carrying
a large amount of bank notes in his portmanteaus.
They were cut and sliced ; and he alleged that the
money had been abstracted and stolen. The amount
was large enough to ruin both his bondsmen in case they
had it to pay.
For some reasons not necessary to mention, they
believed he had robbed himself, and kept a strict watch
on his movements, which resulted in the full conviction
that he had the money, or knew where it v/as.
Keyes and Fairbanks were both of them firm,
resolute men, who were determined to bring the matter
to an issue at once; and to put Whittlesey to a test
that should elicit the truth, if there was any truth in
him.
They induced him to accompany them to a se-
cluded spot, where they questioned him about the money ;
but he denied all knowledge of it, except that it had
been stolen. Not being able to induce a confes-
sion by mild means, they charged the theft directly
upon him ; told him they were ruined if they must pay
the money; that they did not prize life so highly, with
beggary staring them in the face, as to restrain them
from acts of violence ; and unless he would restore the
money they would drown him, and risk the con-
sequences. On his persisting in his innocence, they
seized him and immersed him head and ears under
water, and held him there a considerable time, but he
still made no confession.
Telling him they would certainly drown him, they
thrust him under again, and kept him there till life was
in danger, when they took him out, but he again denied
it. They then gave him fair notice, that unless con.
10
146 REMINISCENCES
fession was made, he might rely on that being the last
opportunity he would have to make a disclosure; when
on seizing him the third time, he became alarmed, and
promised to inform them where the money was, if they
would spare him.
He conducted them to his house, and to the room c^
Mrs. Whittlesey, who was found in the act of sewing
the bank notes in a garment of her own, for conceal-
ment. She was a high-minded, well educated New-
England woman, whose reputation had been, previous
to this transaction, beyond reproach.
As soon as they arrived, the enormity of the deed
and its disclosure, with all the fearful consequences,
flashed upon her mind. Giving her husband a Avild,
but withering look, she reproached him for his coward-
ice, in preferring life and dishonor, to secresy and
resolute death. She said that to her., life was not so
desirable as to be retained at such sacrifices ; that
though a woman, she had spirit and courage to set him
an example, that he should have adopted, rather than
to have subjected the family to obloquy and disgrace ;
but which from his craven spirit, she did not expect him
to imitate. Then seizing her bonnet, she rushed in a
perfect frenzy from the room, and ran towards the river,
where boiling and surging its turbid waters roll in wild
commotion through a deep chasm of rocks.
Approaching the edge of the precipice, she for a
moment looked round, as if to take a last survey of
earthly objects, when with an air of triumph, she threw
away her bonnet, and leaped into the flood beneath.
The dark waters of the Black river received and buried
her for ever ; and thus the high-minded, gifted but
erring woman, too proud to survive disgrace, made that
shocking sacrifice of self-immolation, which with those
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 147
of her strong nerve and elevated sentiment, is often the
retribution of crime.
Almost forty years have passed away, and yet the
transaction is vivid in the minds of those who lived at
the time ; and the place is still pointed out where she
took that last fatal leap, and thus closed her earthly
career.
In the autumn of 1S15, I visited what is appropri-
ately known as Western New York. Taking the stage,
with my wife and child, we were rapidly trundled over
the rough and muddy roads to Ontario count3\ On
arriving there where peaches were plenty, and quite a
rarity with us, like FalstafT, T found myself " heinousl}''
unprovided for," and like him, wanted "a good thief;
one that could steal well, of about the age of three and
twent}''."
Leaving my wife there to make a family visit, I
went on horseback to Buffalo; crossed the Niagara at
Black Rock, and thence down the river to Chippewa}',
where I stayed all night, and next day visited the falls.
The appearance of the rapids above, as the water
rushed and tumbled along, was grand and imposing;
and being the first time I had ever seen them, the im-
pression on njy mind was, from its novelty, more vivid
than at any subsequent period. The great fall viewed
from table rock was the consummation of all that is
magnificently sublime, picturesque and solemn. The
wild agitation of the water, as it rushed to take its final
leap; the roar of the cataract; the boiling, surging flood
beneath ; the strong rush of air forced up by the im-
mense weight of the descending column; the spray
forming a constant shower; and the beautiful rainbovv',
with all its prismatic hues, present to the beholder, on
first looking at them a spectacle grand beyond description.
14S - REMINISCENCES
I have often viewed thera since from almost every
position ; but never with such emotions and awe as at
this my first visit. What an exhibition of Almighty
power ! and what an emblem of eternity is suggested,
in the constant, solemn flow of that great river, as it
hurries along towards its final resting place !
Those who have read and admired the sublime and
beautiful description of Lord Byron, of an Italian cata-
ract, (and who has ever read it without admiring?) will
not doubt that, had he viewed Niagara, the inspiration of
his mighty genius, would have prompted an effusion,
that would have lasted as long as Niagara itself. How
he would have felt, and how he would have written, had
he visited the great American cataract, may be partly
imagined from the following extract, above referred to :
BYRON'S DESCRIPTION OF A CATARACT.
CHILDE HAROLD'S PILGRIMAGE.
4tk canto, 69th verse.
*' The roar of waters! from the headlong height
Velino cleaves the wave worn precipice ;
The fall of waters ! rapid as the light
The flashing mass foams shaking the abyss ;
The hell of waters ! where they howl and hiss.
And boil in endless torture ; while the sweat
Of their great agony, wrung out from this
Their Phlegethon, curls round the rocks of jet
That gird the gulf around, in pitiless horror set ;
( 70)
" And mounts in spray the skies, and thence again
Returns in an unceasing shower, which round
With its unemptied cloud of gentle rain,
Is an eternal April to the giound,
Making it all one emerald ; how profound
The gulf! and how the giant element
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 149
From rock to rock leaps with delirious bound,
Crushing the cliffs, which, downward worn and rent
With his fierce footsteps, yields in chasms a fearful vent,
( 71 )
" To the broad column which rolls on, and shows
More like the fountain of an infant sea
Torn from the womb of mountains by the throes
Of a new world, than only thus to be
Parent of rivers, which flow gushingly
With many v.'indings, through the vale : look back !
Lo ! where it comes like an eternity,
As if to sweep down all things in its track,
Charming the eye with dread, a matchless cataract,
( 72 )
" Horribly beautiful ! but on the verge,
From side to side, beneath the n^litterinsr morn.
An Iris sits, amidst the infernal surge.
Like hope upon a death-bed ; and, unworn
Its steady dyes, while all around is torn
By the distracted waters, bears serene
Its brilliant hues with all their beams unshorn :
Resembling, 'mid the torture of the scene,
Love watchinof madness with unalterable mien."
o
I had no desire at this my first visit, to venture
under table rock be^^ond the descending column of
water ; though I did at a subsequent period, when
my old faithful dog attempted to follow me, but be-
coming alarmed, he for the first time refused, and turned
back : and when I had receded from his sight, he gave
up all for lost, setting up a most doleful howling till my
return. I have often heard it stated by those who had
passed under the rock, that rattlesnakes were to be
found there, which I do not believe. I saw many eels
which I presume by others have been taken for snakes
150 REMINISCENCES
What could possibly induce a rattlesnake, who deho^hts
in warmth and sunshine, to visit so gloom}^ chilly, and
constantly wet receptacle ? The story is incredible.
After visiting the cataract, Mr. Forsyth, the gentle-
manly keeper of the " pavihon," the then only hotel at
the falls, went with me over the Lunday Lane (Bridge-
water,) battle-field.
He was in that sanguinary engagement, and pointed
out the localities connected with it. This was but little
more than a year after that terrible nocturnal conflict.
Passing over a pasture where the fight commenced,
and where great numbers were killed and wounded,
we observed many bunches of luxuriant grass, which
he assured me had grown thus rank, from the fertility
imparted to the soil from the blood of the killed and
wounded. What a sad inhuman fertilizer!
A young officer of my acquaintance, who as lieu-
tenant commandant, carried a company of upwards of
sixty men into action, brought out only twenty-three
uninjured. If I recollect right seventeen were killed,
the others wounded.
In 1816, the late Col. Leavenworth, who was then
in Albany, as one of the representatives in assembly
from Delaware county, and who was major of one of the
regiments engaged in that hard contested battle, related
to me many incidents that transpired during the four or
five hours contest.
Among other things he remarked, that in the course
of the night his regiment during the darkness, had almost
intermixed with the enemy. The two lines were within
thirty or forty yards of each other, when several volleys
were fired by each; our troops being cautioned to take
the best aim they could from the flash of their adver-
saries guns. The English mode of infantry firing, is to
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 151
bring their pieces' about breast high and discharge
without takino; aim. This will answer where the firinc;
is in the dark, and the ground nearly level, but still I
should think taking aim, even when it was imperfect,
would be preferable to hap-hazard firing; and our
troops practised it.
Col. Leavenworth remarked, that they were so near
each other, that at the flash of the enemy's guns, as
they fired volley after volley, they could, through the
darkness, by the lurid glare of the flash and blaze, see
the faces, and even mark the countenances of their
adversaries; and also that the darkness and smoke
combined with the fitful light made the faces of those in the
opposing ranks wear a sort of blue sulphureous hue, and
the men at each flash had the appearance of laughing.
His horse was shot under him, and if I recollect right,
he was himself wounded.
I had passed over the Chippewa battle field, and
paused at the mounds where the dead were deposited ;
but the stench was too repulsive to render delay desira-
ble. It was apparent the destroyer had revelled there,
a few months before, when all was life, passion, and
excitement ; but now, those then so active, were forever
hushed and still.
All along the river, the trees and fences were covered
with black squirrels, and thousands were swimming
from the Canadian to the other side. I never saw them
so plenty, anywhere before ; and have never seen them
in such numbers in our own state as they were that
year. There is something remarkable in regard to
squirrels, as well as other animals, and birds also.
They seem to have a presentiment or knowledge in
relation to the season that is coming, and hence if you
have a mild winter you find birds and migratory animals
152 REMINISCENCES
remaining, that usually go to the south. Thus it has been
the present winter, (1S51) ; wild geese and other birds,
thatalmost uniformly go south to spend their winters, have
remained in the vicinity of Rock Island, Illinois, and
the upper Missisippi. I have no doubt that the migra-
tion of squirrels from Canada to New York, in the fall
of 1S15, was induced from a knowledge that nuts and
such food, as they rely upon in winter, would be scarce,
and that a hard winter for them was coming ; while in
New York, nuts were unusually plenty, and so were
squirrels, and remained so for several years.
They could be seen in the river, in every direction,
with their tails cocked up, which naturalists say are
raised for sails. They also say, that the squirrel seizes
on a bark or chip to buoy himself up, when he crosses
rivers. I do not know whether that be so, but I can
imagine a very good reason for keeping their tails out
of water ; they swim better. Just like the fox, who
swims and runs poorly when his brush is wet. ]Many
of the squirrels got in the rapid water and were carried
over the falls.
Buffalo had been burned in 1S13, and in 1815 they
had scarcely began to build up that now flourishing and
populous city. It was in fact nothing. Look at Buffalo
now, with its more than fifty thousand inhabitants.
What a commentary on the favorable workings of our
political system. What a monument does it present of
the wisdom and foresight of our canal improvements,
and how rapidly have former anticipations been more
than realized. No wonder that Buffalo, and in fact the
whole of western New York, look to the Erie canal
as the sheet anchor of their prosperity.
What would that fine portion of the state be worth,
without this great thoroughfare ? Its itiifluence has been
BY LEVI BEARDSLET. 153
such, that it has built up and peopled not only that fa-
voured region, but other states and territories, stretching
far beyond ; augmenting the value of real estate, ex-
citing to industry and good husbandry; and is now the
main artery, through which the great streams of com-
merce as regularly flow as blood through the human
system.
Those western counties have from the beginning,
been the steady, consistent supporters of our canals ;
and look with jealousy and displeasure at every move-
ment or combination to retard their completion.
Those resigning senators would have done well, to
have borne in mind that there is this uncontrollable feel-
ing that has in former times overborne sturdy political
opponents, and will probably, for the future admonish
delinquents in reference to their duty.
A proper regard to the wishes, the views, and inte-
rests of the people, would have induced those senators
to refrain from a revolutionary measure ; and themselves
and their party from an awkward untenable position,
and disastrous defeat.
In 1815, Rochester, which now numbers more than
thirty thousand, was then nearly a wilderness, and was
only known as a place at Genesee Falls, favourable for
mills, where Col. Rochester had recently gone to open
a settlement and begin a village. Even as late as 1824,
when my friend, A. M. Schermerhorn, now member of
congress went there to reside, scarcely a lot in the city
was clear of stumps, except where buildings actually
stood.
Those fine towns, Bergen, Riga, &c. were then
nearly in a primeval state. I went with the deputy
sheriff to one of those towns to collect a debt from a
man who had ran from Otsego county. He was living
154 . REMINISCENCES
two or three miles in the woods, away from his neigh-
bors; was a bad tempered, ignorant man, and threat-
ened to shoot me. His wife urged me not to annoy him
in his angry mood, and she would bring him in the
morning to see me. I left him, and staid all night three
miles from him, where he came with her in the morning
armed still with his musket. After talking mildly with
him, and offering to give him time for payment, he se-
cured the debt, and we soon became quite good friends.
He said his gun was loaded with ball and buckshot, and
to satisfy myself whether it was, I asked him to let me
discharge it at a blue jay, to which he assented. I
missed the bird but cut away the hmb, as large as my
finger, on which it was seated, which was satisfactory
evidence that the gun was charged with ball, as he,
averred. \
Wishing to visit my sister, Mrs. Norton, who resided
in Sheldon, the south part of Genessee countj^ I went
from Buffalo through the Indian reservation; where I
called on Rev. Bacchus Hyde, who for many years had
been a missionary, and teacher among those people.
He was a worth}^ honest, devoted man, an old acquain-
tance, and former townsman. I believe he is still living
though I have not seen him in thirty-five years.
Falling in withatravelhng companion, who resided
in Sheldon, and was returning home, we kept together,
and had a pleasant jide through the woods, and over
pole bridges. His name is out of my mind, and I have
seen him but once since, and then in Ohio in 1S44 or 5.
Our recognizing each other was the result of quite a
coincidence. We were ridino; in the staoe coach from
Cleveland to Columbus, and all the passengers, as I
supposed were strangers to me. Riding along I became
drowsy and being but partially awake, heard him con-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 155
versing with some of the passengers, and relating an
incident in connexion with my father, whom he desig-
nated as " old esquire Beardsley," who used to hve
down in Otsego county, New York.
The circumstance mentioned I knew to be true, and
was this : A chap from Ilhode Island, at an early day
had agreed to marry a young lady from his own state,
and about as green as himseli'. They came to my father
to marry them, and as money was scarce in the country
and the aspirant for matrimony being slwrt, he very
frankly stated that he could not pay for the job at pre-
sent, but would do so when dad returned from Rhode
Island, who had gone there after money, or he would
come and dress flax, a day whenever wanted. They
were soon made husband and wife, and the happy
pair departed, with many thanks for the kind treat-
ment. The fellow, true to his word, came and offered
to work the day, but whether it was accepted or not I
do not remember, but think not. On hearino; this I an-
nounced myself, which led to our mutual recognition.
He was a respectable man, of considerable substance,
and had been a county judge where he resided.
From Sheldon I went to Batavia, about twenty-six
miles, the greater part of the way in a violent rain
storm, and was wet through. Batavia was then noted
for fever and ague, which afflicted its citizens every
year, but is now as healthy as any of the fine western
villages, and as flourishing.
156 REMINISCENCES
CHAPTER IX.
Purc7iase part of Grand Island. Major NoaTi and 7iis Jewish
Project. Exploration of the Island, with Alvan Stewart
and James O' Morse. A Night on the Island during a
Thunder Storm. Laughable Incidents. Visit Fort
Erie. Profound respect to Majesty. Alvan Stewart and
General Traits of Character.
The summer of 1S25, I visited the Niagara river a
second time, having purchased in connection with the
late James O' Morse and Alvan Stewart, a considerable
portion of Grand Island in that river, which had been
recently sold by the state.
Major Noah by himself and friends, purchased
largely, with a viev/ of colonizing it with Jews, of
which the city of Arrarat was to be the seat of govern-
ment; and to take a distinguished stand among the
great cities of the earth. The I\Iajor was enthusiastic,
but apparently sincere in his project, and shortly after
went there and erected a momument to perpetuate the
important event, acting as high priest for the time being,
or as a distinguished rabbi.
The monument erected has survived him, and is
still standing, though in a dilapidated condition. AVe
were offered a handsome advance on our purchase, and
on writing to him on the subject, he wrote us by no
means to sell at present, as he had no doubt of the
success of his project, which would greatly enhance the
value of our lands. The letter written by him is still
among my old papers, relating to that transaction.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 1-37
The offer for our interest in the island was made up to
about fifty per cent beyond what it cost us; the pay to
be prompt; and on the whole we concluded it was
more safe to take the profits, and make a clean business
of it, than to wait for the coming of the Jews, or even
Gentiles.
We sold to the late Rev. Andrew Yates, professor
in Cnion College, who seemed to be as visionary as
Major Noah ; for the professor bought it with a view of
establishing a high, or select school on the island, where
his pupils would be uncontaminated with the world ;
and to make the safeguard the more perfect, he wanted
the whole island, upwards of seventeen thousand acres,
and actually authorised us verbally to buy largely for
him at the advance paid us. He however soon
champed his mind, countermanded his orders before we
had purchased for him, established his school at Chit-
tenango, where he subsequently died ; and his grand
island property bought of us, went into other hands.
He probably lived long enough to satisfy himself, that
to shut young men up, or seclude them from the
active bustle, and rough and tumble of the world, is
not calculated to make wise and practical men. li^ he
did not learn this, he came far short of that worldly
wisdom so necessary to stem with success the adverse
fortunes of life. Before offering our lands for sale we
were determined to know something of their value,
and went there in July, 1S25, to explore each lot. We
stopped at Buffalo, on our way to the island, where
Judge Morse, an excellent travelling companion, got a
large jug filled with good port wine, a pail filled with
bread and butter, boiled ham and tongue, with other
substantials, which he was to bring to the island the
next morning. Stewait and myself, with my oldest
158 REMINISCENCES
son, about ten years of age, went to Black Rock, where
we enofaged three Irishmen, to take us to the island in a
skiff, and to return at night to bring Judge Morse in the
morning, with his jug of wine and other necessaries.
I had my rifle with me, so putting a bottle of brandy
with a small quantity of eatables on board, we pushed
off, and landing on the upper end of the island,
examined some of our lots, and finally brought up at
a log hut, about two and a half miles from the head of
the Island, on the side next to our shore. The Irishmen
returned to Black Rock, to bring the Judge in the
morning.
The man who owned the hut was Stephen Morse,
who had worked two seasons for my father, nearly
thirty years before, and whom I had not seen or heard
of during all that period. On hearing my name he e'n-
quired me out, and made himself known. He was
glad to see me, and said he had been rambling about
the world for several years, having met with rough
usage and hard fortune ; had been in South America,
where he had been imprisoned ; which I conjectured
was not for any of his good deeds. He insisted on our
sta3nng with him through the night, which we readily
agreed to, as a thunder shower was rapidly coming from
the west. He was very poor, and had but little to eat;
but we made shift for the night, from what we brought
with us. To provide us with meat for breakfast,
Morse slaughtered the only pig he had, which waS'
about as poor in flesh, as his master was in purse.
There were none but squatters on the island, all of
them poor, and living along daily from hand to mouth,
just as they could catch it.
The house in which he lived had no floor, and was
a mere hut, leaked like a riddle, and was so open under
and between the logs, that when the shower came upon
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 150
US, several toads, frogs, and lizards crept into it, to
avoid the rain. The t'amily had what they called a
spare bed, which Stewart and myself occupied. It was
supported by boring three holes in one of the logs of the
house, about as high from the ground as an ordinary
bedstead. In these holes were driven three sticks that
came out into the room, as far as the width of the bed.
These sticks were each supported by a standard under-
neath, at the outer end, like table legs; and elm bark
was interwoven from stick to stick, as a substitute for
cords, to support the bed. The family bed was equally
rude, which was given up to my son, and to Morse, the
lord of the mansion ; the good woman sitting up in her
chair, and sleeping as well as she could through the
night.
My readers shall soon be informed how our worthy
host spent the night till twelve or one o'clock, when he
turned into the bed with my son, leaving his wife still
in the chair. My friend Stewart, at this time was
quite too much given to his cups, and nothing seemed
to delight him more, when off on an excursion, where
he could lay aside restraints and checks of society,
than to get half seas over ; and then freely indulge in
all the freaks and frolics, that his exuberant fancy could
suggest. Respect for his memory, and for his worthy
family, would restrain me from dwelling on these frail-
ties, did I not know that after his reformation, and com-
mendable pledge to total abstinence, he has himself, in
public addresses, and elsewhere, frequently and unre-
strainedly dwelt on these, his besetting weaknesses*
Let me say then, that with the assistance of our Irish
skiffmen, before they returned, and our host Morse, the
brandy bottle was soon exhausted, and Stewart having
become excited, was determined to have more.
What was to be done ? There was not a drop of
IGO REMINISCENCES
the creature, on the island ; the night was dark and
stormy, the thunder and lightning had been constant,
and the rain had fallen fast and heavy. The wind blew
with considerable force, and blowing up the river, we
could distinctly hear the solemn heavy roar of the cat-
aract, after the rain subsided. In short it was dark and
gloomy, and a most cheerless night ; we were a mile
from the New York shore, where there was a grocery on
the canal to furnish whiskey to labourers and boatmen.
Stewart was determined to have some ; and though ex-
cessively dark and the river rough, Morse said he had
a canoe that would carry him safely over ; and on Stew-
art offering him a dollar to go and get a jug of whiskey,
which Stewart paid for, Morse, about ten o'clock, after
it had stopped raining, got into his canoe and paddled
over. Another shower came up, which delayed his re-
turn, for it became so dark, that he could not see objects,
and landed on the island some distance below his cabin.
Between twelve and one o'clock he came in, thoroughly
drenched with rain, and Stewart was delighted to find
the jug had been filled and safel}"" returned, of which
we both partook before Morse retired to rest.
The truth is, that with the rain, thunder and hght-
ning, sending away for the whiskey and a sweltering
hot July night, with myriads of mosquitoes, there was
not much sleep for any of us.
Stewart and myself wished to go and look at a lot
before Judge Morse should arrive, so we were up early
and found two or three squatting neighbors had made
their appearance, to learn who the strangers were, who
were the honored guests of neighbor Morse. They
took a morning dram, and Stewart announced ourselves
and business, as the lords of the soil, who had come
to look after their estate. We all started off before
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 161
breakfast to look at the lot, but the brush and herbage
were so wet with rain, that we were as well drenched
as if we had been in the river.
On coming back a most laughable scene occurred,
while we were waiting for breakfast. A loafer who bore
the inimitable cognomen of Tickout, was very inquisi-
;ive ; and being a pettifogger professed considerable
vnowled2;e of law and natural rights.
He had spoken several times, while on our way to
the lot, in disparaging terms of the quality of the soil ;
and its value. Stewart, half in jest, reproved him,
but Tichout, who had got tight, persisted ; and Stewart
with most imperturable gravity, and apparently half in
earnest, repeated to him, that the lords of the soil
were here, and would not submit to abuse. Tichout
replied, but without much regard to the rights of the
lords of the soil, and intimated the squatter's right as
being quite as good as the state could impart.
Stewart said he would throw him in the river, and
Tichout invited the trial. Stewart, a large strong man,
immediately advanced upon him, and pressing him
down, laid hold of him and dragged him to the river's
brink, threatening to throw him in. I do not suppose
he was very much in earnest, but on the whole I thought
it was time to interpose and become a peace maker.
They were easily reconciled, and another draft from
the jug restored peace; so that they parted on excellent
terms, highly pleased with each other and with the inte-
resting incidents of the morning. Judge Morse soon
came, with the three Irishmen, and then we prepared
to make our further explorations of the island. The
weather was excessively hot, and Stewart, always a
poor walker, had no intention of traversing the island
on foot. It was finally decided that he should go in the
162 REMINISCENCES
skiff, and descend the river to the lower end of the
island, stepping opposite Tonawanda island, where he
was to go ashore and examine one of our lots; the
Irishmen and my son to go with him, and on reaching
the foot of the island, were to pass between it and
Buckhorn island, to the other side next to the Canada
shore. Judge INIorse, though a heavy, fleshy man, was
a good pedestrian, and he was to go with me across the
island, zig-zaging from lot to lot, so that we should
come out at the lower corner, near the Canada shore,
among the pines, known as the old French burying
ground. We had a map with the lots, as laid off, and
I had my pocket compass and rifle. Stephen Morse,
our host, was to pilot us across, and it was evident that
with our zig-zaG: course we should have to travel
twelve or fifteen miles; so filling the. bottle and my
hunting flask with port wine, and taking a piece of
bread and meat in our pockets, we started off. The
jug of wine was put in the skiff, and the remains of the
whiskey donated to our host, Morse.
They were directed to hurry along, and get round
in time to meet us, and all were enjoined not to run
below " Buckhorn island," as we apprehended it might
bring them too near the falls. Morse and myself struck
off through the woods, and then I felt strong misgivings
for having -entrusted my son in the skiff, but it was too
late to remedy the matter. We had a warm fatigueing
walk, excessively anno3^ed by flies and mosquitoes, and
found but little water on our route.
A little before sunset we reached the pine grove,
where the boat was to join us, but it had not got round,
nor was it in sio;ht. The cataract was a few miles
below ; we could hear its roar, and see the heavy column
of spray ascending, that appeared like a mass of fog
EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 1G3
Standing over ihe abyss. I fired my rlfie to attract at-
tention in case the boat had got in shore, and was
concealed; and felt more anxiety than I expressed ; for
when we separated, it was conceded that the boat
would arrive some time before we could traverse the
island. At length we were gratified to see it come
round the point, and enter the straits between the two
islands, and passing over towards us. They rowed up
to a house opposite the upper end of Navy Island,
where we proposed to stay all night, but were told that
the family could not keep us. Stewart had landed
opposite Tonawanda, to look at the lot, but hearing a
noise that he took to be the buzz of the rattle snake,
which I suppose was the cry of a locust, he hurried
down to the boat, and there he and the Irishmen
loitered along through the day. The man of the house
where we had stopped, took the two Morses and mj^self
across the river to Canada, as the skiff was deemed
unsafe for the whole.
It was dark, but we were soon set across, passing a
little above and in the shadow of Navy Island, after-
wards distinguished as the head quarters of the
Canadian patriots, in 1S3S.
We went to the public house, kept on or near the
Chippeway battle ground, by a jolly old boniface by
the name of Yale. His face was red and livid, for he
kept his " salamander" constantly heated. He v^^as a
great talker, fancied himself witty, and was a good
deal of a wag. He and Stewart had a keen encounter
of wit after supper, and remained a considerable por-
tion of the night on the stoop or vestibule, where the
fresh breeze from the river rendered them much more
comfortable than in the heated rooms of the house.
The next morning we took the stage as it came up
1G4 KEMINISCENCES
from the falls, and left our scarlet faced host, to crack
his coarse jokes on the next comers. We went to Fort
Erie, to look at the ruins of that old fortification.
Stewart had kept in fine trim, just enough excited all
day to be full of talk and anecdotes, which always
rendered him witty and companionable.
No one, when in these sprees, could more attract
or amuse the masses than Stewart. He was all life,
wit, and conviviality. On reaching the fort, and after
surveying the ruins, he wanted some wine to drink the
health of the king, under the protection of whose laws
he had spent so pleasant a night at Yales. A worthy
loyal Scotchman furnished the beverage, and very
meekly besought the honor of joining in the toast, which
of course was assented to.
Stewart filled his glass, and made a speech, which
he was always ready to do on such occasions ; and it
was an excellent one, and was well received by the
bystanders. He then drank with great gravity and
apparent sincerity, "Health, long life, and prosperity to
His Majesty, the King of Great Britain;" to Avhich he
appended, "and of Tichout," the squatting loafer with
whom he had the contest on the island. The Scotchman
not knowing the allusion, took no offence, but brought
in and filled again, and then responded to the sentiment;
while Morse and myself kept dark as to who Tichout
was; but laughed at the conceit of coupling Majesty
with so base a specimen of humanity, and the Scotch-
man joining in the sentiment with so much gratification.
We then passed over to Buffalo, where we remained
a few days with Rathbun, at the "Eagle." Stewart
was not ready to wind off'; but took his room, where he
received his friends, conversed pleasantly with them,
but managed to keep slightly excited. Some three
BY LEVI EEARDSLEY. 365
days afterwards, we came down with Judge Morse, to
Lewiston, who went home ; and Stewart and myself
went to Fort Niagara, and thence over the river to
Niagara Village, where I wished to spend the day with
my friends. Stewart stopped at the public house,
while I went to find them, telling him I would call and
see him in the morning. Accordingly I called, and my
brother-in-law, Doctor Raymond, went with me, and
invited Stewart to dine with him that afternoon; to
which he assented. He said he would go to the bar-
bers and would then join us. As I was about leaving
him, he called me aside and said very pleasantly, (at
the same time giving me one of his peculiarly significant
looks,) " Beardsley, j^ou know we have been on Grand
Island, away from civihzation, for a few da3^s; I know
what is due to gentlemen ; so don't be alarmed." He soon
joined us, when we spent the day pleasantly, visited the
ruins of Fort George, and went through Fort Massisauga.
We dined at three o'clock, where we met a small
part}', among whom was Hon. B. C. Beardsley, mem-
ber of the provincial parliament, and his lady. Mr.
Beardsley was cousin to my father, and was the son of
Rev. John Beardsley, whom I have already mentioned
as havmg left New York, and gone to New Brunswick,
at the close of the revolution. B. C. Beardsley had
for a time been king's attorney in Canada, was a
highly respectable man, and a sound lawyer. He told
me he had been at Detroit, to attend court, while the
English held it, after Hull's surrender; and that he
acted as king's attorney at those courts. We remained
late at table, and drank wine freely, as was the fashion
in Canada. Stewart was full of anecdote, conversed
remarkably well, and made a decidedly favorable
impression on those present. They were all pleased
166 ' REMINISCENCES
with him, as I knew they would be; and have ofien
enquired for him since with deep interest. No man
could have been more gentlemanly, or behaved better
than he did.
After dinner we went to Queenston, where, after
visiting the heights, and looking at Brock's monument,
we came down upon the wharf, where the Niagara,
with its whirlpools and counter currents, appears un-
commonly grand an'd imposing. The, inspiration was
too great to be resisted. Stewart commenced a speech,
which soon drew a crowd about him. He apostrophised
the river, dwelt upon its magnitude, its beauty, and its
grandeur ; referred to the stirring events connected
.with Queenston battle, the fall of Brock, and the erec-
tion of the monument, to the memory of that brave and
accomplished officer. Then, referring to our common
origin, and the mutual benefits of peaceful relations,
he exhorted them not to suffer any root of bitterness to
spring up between us and them.
The Canadians cheered him, and responded to
his sentiments. Then, pointing across the river, he
. said, " we Avere going to a State called New York, one
of the United States, which he presumed they had
heard of, and might probably again." He wanted
them to remember that there was such a country as
the United States, and such a people as the Yankees,
who they might know better at a future day.
Then he remarked, that if they should ever wish
to change their government, and set up for themselves,
the citizens of the United States would bid them God
speed, and very likely yield them more substantial aid.
All of this was good naturedly received, and no
offence was given or intended
While he was in the midst of his speech, my son,
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 167
very much like a boy, got into a skiff that was
slightly fastened, which in some way got loose, and
floated off from the dock. He was frightened, and ran
to the end of the boat nearest the shore, as if he
intended to jump out, which we were fearful he might
do ; for the current was strong, and was moving the
boat rapidl3\ We ordered him, in the most peremptory
manner, to sit down, which he did ; and then the boat
was soon brought back by anodier that went in pursuit.
We crossed over to Lewiston, the Canadians cheer-
ing us as we pushed oft from the shore and here our
adventures must be brought to a close.
I have spoken somewhat freely of Alvan Stewart ;
and desire, in justice to his memory, to make a few
further remarks. My first acquaintance with him was
in September, 1S12, when he came to Cherry Valley.
He had graduated in Vermont, and had been keeping
school in Canada, from whence, on war breaking out,
he came to Plattsburgh, and thence to Schoharie
count}-, where he was arrested as a spy, by some
" Justice Shallow" or " Dogberry" of that patriotic
county. An examination was had at one of their country
taverns, when he was honorably acquitted, and came
to Cherry Valley.
We formed an intimate acquaintance, as young men
of congenial feehngs generally do, when brought in con-
, tact with each other. He w^as frank and social, conversed
well, and read much, and possessed a most retentive
memory. In short, he was an agreeable companionable
man, in whose society I spent many pleasant evenings,
during tlie latter part of the year 1812, and the years 13
and 14. W^hen he came to Cherry Valley he was poor,
and has often told me he had but a single pistareen on
his arrival. This he spent for a treat for himself and
16S REMINISCENCES
a wagoner, who was going to Richfield, where Stewart
wanted to go, to visit a relative. The bargain was,
that after the treat, Stewart v/as to amuse the teamster
with stories enough to pay for the ride. After the
visit, Stewart borrowed a dollar from his uncle, to get
back ; and thus he commenced life in Cherry Valley,
teaching the academy for a living, and reading law
when not engaged in school. In the course of IS 14
15 he became embarrassed with some patent-right
speculations ; and in autumn of 1815, went to Ken-
tucky, via Olean, and down the Allegany on a raft ;
taught an academy at Paris, Kentucky, where he
became acquainted with Jesse Bledsoe ; heard Mr.
Clay make a speech, which he greatly admired ;
bought a horse ; came back over the mountains ; visited
Mr. Jefferson, at Monticello ; came on to New York,
where he was admitted as an attorne3^ Then to
Cherry Valley ; paid up his debts; and became a law
partner of the late Judge Morse.
Stewart was not a profound lawyer. He had read
considerable law ; but it was a sort of desultory reading;
not systematized. But he was a man of strong dis-
criminating mind, of sound judgment ; took practical
common sense views of his cases, and succeeded
remarkably well ; particularly as an advocate before
a jury. That was his forte. He had a fine flow of
language, and embellished his subject with figures and
tropes not the most classical and appropriate, but
strong and original; marked with genius, and sparkling
with wit. He was odd in his corrvparisons ; and
alawys kept the jury good-natured, by his sallies of
wit and his ludicrous illustrations. In short, he was a
favorite a successful advocate with jurymen; and
succeeded in trying causes much better than many
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 169
advocates more profound in law learning, bat yet
greatly inferior to him as sound practical rnen. He
was successful in the accumulation of property, far
beyond those whose business was greatly superior to
his own. The death of two favorite children was a
terrible blow to him. He lost, in some degree, his fine
flow of feeling and vivacity of spirit ; became at times
gloomy; and, I think, never after the death of his
children, appeared hke the same man. He had hs
flashes of wit, which hke coruscations, would often
shoot up and enliven ; but it was not that full flowing
stream that used to convulse those who heard him at
the bar, and was wont to " set the table in a roar."
For many years he was fond of politics, but not a
successful politician. In that particular he wanted
stability, and always managed to enlist on the weaker
and unsuccessful side. He finally became a temperance
lecturer, pledged to total abstinence. This was a
wise step, and probably saved him. A man of his
temperament could not rely on any half-way measures.
It must be total abstinence, or he was in danger.
The moment he tasted, it seemed to create an appetite,
and an inordinate desire to go farther and farther.
His friends, as well as himself, had great cause to
rejoice at his resolution to firmly resist temptation.
He became ultra in his feelings, and embraced the
cause of northern abolitionism, which he advocated to
such an extent as greatly to impair his influence and
usefulness.
He was, as I thought, altogether wrong on this
subject ; and it was quite apparent that this was the
end of his chances for political preferment.
He has gone to his last account ; having left his
family with a competency ; (a very handsome estate)
170 REMINISCENCES
and although we difFered in our political views at times,
and ahvays on the abolition question, yet our friendly
relations were not interrupted.
Let him rest in peace. I shall always remember
our early associations, and contemplate them with a
melancholy pleasure.
During the struggle of the Greeks against the
Turks, Stewart and myself took the lead in getting up
and sending forward contributions. We went about
the town, held meetings, and made speeches. The
Lodge and Chapter at Cherry Valley contributed
freely ; and among other articles sent, was a box or
two of rifles, made for that particular service ; each
of which I tried before boxing them up ; and each, if
rightly loaded, and accurately held, would bring down
a man at thirty rods every shot. They were shipped
to Leghorn, to be forwarded to Greece, with a letter,
written by me, giving special directions, in reference
to the use of the American rifle.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 171
CHAPTER X.
Visit Chautauque County. Land Purchase. Several Inci-
dents. Mysterious Noise. Superstitious Belief.
Dreams and Supernatural Appearances. Anecdotes of
Solomon Southwick. The hate James O. Morse. Out-
lines of Character.
The excursion to Grand Island has been the subject of
a long story, in the preceding chapter; but I will make
amends by studying brevity in the present. Morse,
Stewart, and myself, went to Chautauque county, the
autumn of 1827, where we bought upwards of sixty-
thousand acres of the Holland land company, at one
dollar (cash) per acre.
Preparatory to the taking of our deeds, we visited
almost every town in the county, to determine where
we would select the land.
, The deeds were ready the next spring, when we
paid the money and obtained the title. We divided
the land into shares, and retaining eight or ten thousand
acres for each of us, let the residue go to others at cost,
they paj'ing a small per centage for driving the bargain,
and selecting the land. The purchase was safe; and
we made some money out of it ; but it was a long
winded concern, and required close attention. Had we
laid out our money in any part of Buffalo, at the then
prices, and had not hurried the sales, the astonishing
growth of that city would have enabled us to realize
much greater profits, and with far less trouble. In
short we should have made a very handsome fortune.
172 REMINISCENCES
While we were in Chautaugue, in 1S27. exploring with
a view of selecting our lands, we hired a man to take
his wagon and go with us for several days.
It was nearly night, and we were going to the Con-
newongo Valley, and thence up to Cherry Creek.
That is, we were going east to the Cnnnewongo, and
then north up the valley. The roads were rough and
the riding uncomfortable ; when coming to an old
Indian trail that led across the hills, through the woods,
and shortened the distance, I concluded to go on fool.
They remarked that I must hurry along, or I might be
caught out in the dark, and have to sleep in the woods.
1 had my rifle with me, and as the weather was not
very cold, the sleeping in the woods had no peculiar
terror. Coming down to a branch of clear creek, a
drove of deer started up, and ran a north-west course
up the creek, towards the most hilly part of the present
town of Cherry Creek. The forest was large and in-
tricate, but I could not resist the temptation to go after
them, for I saw at least a dozen ; several of which were
large, well-antlered fellows. Taking their trail, and
going slowly and cautiously, I followed on, hoping to
find a loiterer among them ; but they eluded the pursuit,
and I saw no more of them. I had followed a good
distance; in fact, as far as I thought it safe to go, in
case I was to get out of the w^oods that night. Hurry-
ing along, I rejoined my companions after dark, who
had got through with their suppers, and booked me as a
lost man. One night we stopped at a log tavern, at
what is now known as Panama, several miles westerly
from Jamestown, where notice w^as given of a religious
meeting, which was to be held in the school house,
icross the road. It was a methodist meeting, very
nuch like those we used to have among the first
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 173
settlers in Otsego connty. Stewart and myself walked
over to the meeting, where we heard an itinerant
preacher, who for want of something more appropriate,
entertained his enlightened hearers, with common-place
remarks; told some stories to illustrate his positions;
and wound up with an exhortation. The greater part
of his auditors were females ; who in accordance with
the fashion of all new countries, had to bring their
children with them. I think eighteen were present, of
whom fifteen or sixteen had infants, and nursed them
during the interesting performance of the preacher.
On one occasion we were examining land in the south-
east part of the county, where we had ascended a high
hill that divides the waters of the Connewongo and the
Allegany. One of the company had seen a bear, and
having my rifle, I was on the look out for him. Pretty
soon, I saw a black animal climbing a tree, a consider-
ble distance from me; and looking at him through the
brush and leaves, he appeared much larger than he
actually was, so that I magnified him into a bear.
Running forward and approaching the tree, till wdthin
fair rifle range, I saw him through the leaves, and
taking deliberate aim brought down an immensely
large porcupine ; but bruin was not there.
At another time we came down from this hill, late in
the afternoon, to the house of a respectable farmer,
where we were to stay all night. Three deer had been
seen in a field near by, and I hurried away to get a shot,
but they escaped. Coming back near the house, I
heard in an adjoining thicket, something like the crying
and moaning of a child.
The good woman of the house had heard it, and
was out looking for it, actually believing it to be a child.
We both listened and searched the thicket, but never
ascertained what it was. She was superstitious, and
174 REMINISCENCES
became alarmed. She believed in sights and noises,
as forerunners of coming events.
When I went back the next spring, she was in deep
affliction, having lost a favorite child, in the course of
the winter; and asked me if I remembered hearing the
cry the fall before. On my answering in the affirma-
tive, she said, she had no doubt it was a forerunner of
the death of her child. I mentioned that I had lost my
little son the preceding January, and then she was sure
it was intended as a warning to both of us; for each
of us had heard it, though Stewart did not, who was
quite near us. We never ascertained the cause; and
it is useless now to speculate.
Thousands of people in our own and other countries,
and those too who are well informed, believe in super-
natural appearances, as well as indications of coming
events by dreams, noises, or other manifestations. The
late Solomon Southwick, of Albany, was a remarkable
instance. He was a well-educated man; of sound
mind, fine talents, great popularity ; and for many
years possessed an influence in the state, particularly
with the democracy, that few could aspire to, and that
none could surpass.
More than thirty years ago 1 was attending court
in Albany, and Mr. Southwick asked me to go with
him a few miles the next day, where we were to take
a skift", and fish in the Hudson river. He was to
have a horse and buggy readv to take us to Van
Wie's Point.
I found him with -his fishing dress and tackle, his
pail of eatables and refreshments, ready to start off.
He sent for the horse and buggy, and the livery man
brought a white horse, which as soon as Southwick
saw, he started back as if he had seen a ghost.
He ordered the man to take him back and get
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 175
another ; declared that he would not ride after him,
for he knew he would kill him if he did ; and then
said he saw that horse in a dream the night before ;
with other things that had so alarmed him, that I do
not believe he could have been induced under any
circumstances to ride after him. Another Avas pro-
cured, and we rode off; but he continued to talk much
of this and other dreams through the day. It seemed
to have made a vivid impression on his mind. He
said many dreams indicated nothing ; that they were
fugitive, and often but the result of impressions the
mind had dwelt upon before going to sleep, or from a
derangement of the physical system. He then referred
to many instances, where the impression was so vivid*
that the dreamer had awakened ; and then, on going
to sleep, had dreamed the same dream a second and
third time. " These," to use his own expressions,
" are revelations or night visions from Deity ; and
when they come with all those solemn impressions
that fix themselves on the mind with a stamp almost
ineffaceable, they are as sure and true as the throne of
God."
He had just been reading those marvellous adven-
tures of Capt. Riley, who, when he was wrecked
on the coast of Africa, had so miraculously escaped
through the breakers, that he ascribed it to a special
interposition of Providence. Southwick believed all
this ; and mentioned many similar instances to fortify
his belief.
I have been greatly at a loss to determine what
to believe, in reference to supposed supernatural ap-
pearances ; as well as manifestations or indications
of future events by dreams, visions, and other exhi-
bitions of power and intelligence beyond our com-
176 REMINISCENCES
prehension ; call them what you will. There is an
innate feeling in almost every man, that such things
may be, though he does not actually believe them.
On passing a grave-yard at night, in a secluded place,
it is natural to glance over it, to see if there may not
be a ghost or other supernatural appearance.
Almost every one, I apprehend, has had such
impressions. The belief in witches, demons, ghosts,
spiritual appearances, dreams, visions, and miraculous
interpositions, has been as universal as a belief in
Deity himself; or nearly so. And this belief has not
been confined to the ignorant and uninformed ; but
has been adopted generally by the wisest and best
of men in ancient, and by many in modern times.
The Bible, both the old and New Testament, fully
inculcate and sustain the doctrine. It was no uncom-
mon belief in apostolic times, that " a spirit" had
appeared, or that " visions" had been seen. Witch-
craft and demonology were prevalent in those times,
which to discredit, is to discredit holy writ. Even
Herod believed " that John the Baptist had risen from
the dead ;" and the apostles and people at large
" thought they had seen a spirit."
If we go to profane history, we find this belief
just as prevalent ; and supernatural appearances as
well authenticated as any other historical facts. The
same author who informs us that there were such men
as Caesar and Brutus, relates prodigies in reference
to the former, and that his " evil genius" appeared
to the latter.
Ml these things may be the result of ignorance
and superstition ; or the ready acquiescence of popular
belief in the marvellous ; and that all have been
duped, or " left to believe a lie." Polemical writers
BY LEVI EEAKDSLEY. 177
often refer to the universal belief of mankind in the
existence of Deity, as an impress or revelation of'
Deity himself, of his own existence ; and \vhy not
the other. If such things were in olden time, why
not now ? Some one may say, the age of miracles
has passed, and with it supernatural events, witchcraft,
and demonology. But where is the evidence, and
who has declared it ? I do not intend to assert the
truth, or even the existence of satisfactory evidence
of either proposition : but it seems to me, that in
modern times, we have accounts of extraordinary
occurrences and appearances, in reference to particular
men, just as well authenticated as that such men
existed ; and that cannot be accounted for on any
known principles short of miraculous or supernatural.
Still it is certain, that much superstition pervades
the human mind now, as well as formerly ; and, no
doubt, many things that appear strange and incom-
prehensible, are the result of self or other deception ;
or of a superstitious belief, in which the ignorant
are too prone to indulge.
Animal magnetism and clairvoyance, have chal-
lenged the belief of many intelligent men, after
witnessing exhibitions coming under this class, who
were unbelievers before. The same may be said of
dreams, spiritual communications, supernatural appear-
ances, and miraculous interpositions. With biblical
authorities and profane history, in reference to ancient
times; and the many apparently well authenticated
instances of later years ; he must be a bold man, who
pronounces the whole (ancient and modern) to be the
result of imposition, self-deception, jugglery, or vulgar
superstition,
Witchcraft was believed in, by the learned and un-
12
178 REMINISCENCES
learned throughout Europe; and it may be said, was
not only a common, but an almost universal belief,
previous to, and even during a portion of the last
century. It is now a common belief throughout many
countries on the continent of Europe ; and even in Great
Britain and Ireland, is far from being eradicated among
the common people.
Our ancestors brought that belief with them, when
they came to this country; and though they have been
taunted and ridiculed for hanging and burning witches,
yet they were but carrying out the same principles that
were believed in and practised upon in England, Scot-
land, and Ireland^ at a much later period. Even as
late as 1745, laws existed in some of those countries,
against witchcraft and demonology, and punishments
were inflicted.
Chief Justice Holt, and Sir Mathew Hale, were be-
lievers in witchcraft. Cotton Mather, in our own
country, was also a believer; and denounced the
" hellish art." Doctor Johnson, the great moralist in
later times, was a firm believer in second sight, and
supernatural appearances; and so, I believe, was Sir
Walter Scott.
In our own times. Lord Castlereagh, the celebrated
English minister, whose melancholy death threw a gloom
over the nation, told Sir Walter Scott, that he had him-
self seen a ghost.
I really do not know what to believe on these sub-
jects ; but if we are to give credence to the bible
accounts of witchcraft, demonology, visions, and spirit-
ual appearances, I do not know upon what authority
we are to deny them now.
When I was a boy, about fifteen years old, I had,
as it appeared to me, a most extraordinary sight, or
UY LEVI EEARDSLEV. 179
vision; perhaps the result of a disturbed mind, and
possibly, but partially, though it seems to mc I was
never more perfectly awake in my life. My brother and
myself slept together; and before going to bed we had
been stealthily playing several games of cards, with an
old pack that we kept concealed. We played "old
sledge," (high low jack) ; the first game of cards that
boys learn to play. I say stealthily, because it was in
direct violation of the commands of my parents. We
finally laid the cards aside, and went to sleep. I have
no doubt my mind reproved me for the transaction ;
and this mental reproof disturbing me, very likely con-
tributed to what 1 am ffoins: to relate.
Falling asleep, I could hear the cards shuffled
and played, one after the other; and the counting,
" high," "low," "jack," and "the game ;" part of the
time by one, and part by the other. I knew I was not
playing, but was sure my brother was, and his anta-
gonist sitting in a chair facing the bed ; and my brother
on or in the bed, playing wnth him. I could not only
hear the cards** shuffled and pla3'ed, and the game
counted, but looked in my brother's hand, and saw
the cards he held. Although fifty years ago, the
impression on my mind, if not on my vision, was
so strong, that I recollect precisely how his playing
competitor appeared, and his cast of countenance.
With a thick-set frame, poorly clad ; a large head ;
large teeth ; some of them partially, and others entirely
decayed ; and his head and teeth quite too large
for any human being I have ever seen. His com-
plexion was sallow, partaking of a gangrene ; and
he was surrounded by a dim blue light, just enough
to enable me to see what was going on. I reached
my hand to my brother, and found he was lying
ISO REMINISCE XCES
in bed ; and then enquired what he was doing. The
moment I spoke, " the charm dissolved apace ;" and
the figure that I had looked upon with a feeling of
dismay, moved without noise and receded, till it
finally disappeared at the window. My brother was
asleep ; and I suppose the whole must have been
an illusion, which I shall never forget, though I am
unable to account for, or explain it on philosophical
principles. I have always supposed it resulted from
my mind not being at ease ; and that I was but
partially awake till after I spoke.
Probably it was in a state similar to that of a
half crazy man, who conjures up in his imagination,
things and forms that have no existence in nature.
All appeared to me natural and real, till 1 spoke ;
and then, I presume, on opening my eyes, the creations
of fancy receded and disappeared.
It was a strange freak, that perhaps may be ex-
plained by some principle of physiology or psychology,
or by ph^'sicians who are familiar w'ith the operations
of the mind. But I have never been* able to solve
it satisfactorily, except by regarding myself as having
been partially asleep till 1 spoke, (though T fancied
myself perfectly awake) and that when I did speak,
the vision disappeared. While in a partial sleep, I
must have seen with the *' mind's eye," objects that
were invisible to the natural eye ; and probably the
whole was the creation of fanc}' a mere illusion of
the mind.
I have introduced the late James O. Morse, of
Cherry Valley, in this and the previous chapter, as
having been associated with me in several landed
transactions, as well as other matters of business.
Our acquaintance commenced at an early day, while
EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 181
we were law students, in 1810. He was a man of
untiring industry, great energy of character, and ex-
cellent judgment. He was a graduate at Union
college, where he acquired a highly respectable stand-
ing. Not a fluent speaker, but well read in his pro-
fession ; a ready, forcible writer, a good classical
scholar, and of extensive general reading.
In addition to these qualifications, he was eminently
practical, and conservative in his views. He was dis-
tinguished for his liberality; and few men of his means,
contributed more freely to public objects; such as the
support of the gospel, religious and charitable institu-
tions academies, colleges, and literary purposes gen-
erally. He had an extensive acquaintance, and for
many years his hospitable mansion was open to
respectable sojourners, who visited the village.
He wrote much for newspapers and periodicals ;
and left many unpublished manuscripts that would do
credit to his memory.
I used to marvel how he could write so much, and
yet keep up an extensive correspondence; at the same
time transact his office business, which was large and
respectable, while he always had so much time for con-
versation ; which as he conversed well, was entertaining
and instructive. He read a large proportion of the
periodicals of the day, with a great variety of other
matter, besides law reports and professional books
generally. He was appointed first judge of Otsego
county, and discharged the duties of his office with
fidelit3S good sense, and dispatch, to the general satis-
faction of the community; yet, with this accumulation
of business, he found much leisure for study and con-
versation.
In many particulars he was a remarkable man.
182 REMINISCEXCES
Kind and benevolent, the poor of his neighborhood lost
by his death, one of their best friends.
I think Judge Morse, take him all in all, was one of
the most able men we had in the county; and in many
respects he had but few superiors in the state. By this
I do not mean, that he was a distinguished advocate,
though in that respect he spoke well, and always with
good sense; but he was a ready writer, had a remark-
ably accurate knowledge of men, and was an excellent
discriminator of character. It will, I fear, be many
years before Cherry Valley, or the county of Otsego,
can boast of a superior.
Having very little paternal assistance, he was in a
great measure, the artificer of his own fortune ; yet he
lived well, reared his family respectably, and left them
a snug estate, on his decease. At the time of his
melancholy death, (the autumn of 1S37,) we were
associated in some large landed operations, in which our
interests were so blended, that it seemed to throw a
double burthen upon me, which I hardly knew how
to bear. His death was sudden, and to me altogether
unexpected, for I was in the city of New York; and
the news of his illness was soon succeeded by the as-
tounding information of his death, which I could hardly
realize. We had at different times many pecuniary
transactions, often amounting to several thousand dol-
lars ; sometimes resting merely in parol ; and at other
times evidenced only by slight memorandums; in the
adjustment of which we never had the least difficulty.
I had full confidence in his integrity, and believe he
had in mine, of which he gave conclusive evidence, in
making me by his will, one of the trustees of his
estate.
Such men are a great loss at any time ; and few
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 1S3
men have died in Otsego county, whose death was a
greater calamity to the community, than was that ef
James O. Morse; while to his family it was irrepa-
rable.
184 REMINISCENCES
CHAPTER XL
Incidents in Justice's Courts. Encounter with a Pettifogger.
Justice insulted for not appreciating puhlic sentiment.
Dutch Justice commits for contempt. Charge of Witch-
craft and threatened Lawsuits. Favorable influence of
common Schools. Early Jury Trial. Hunting and
Shooting Anecdotes. An old foxhuntcr confounds re-
ligious "^ tracts''' with ''tracks'' of the fox. An interesting
knock-down on sj^ecial request. Other anecdotes and
incidents.
It may be amusing to my readers, if I throw together
several trifling incidents iUustrative of the times, which
I will do in a separate chapter, instead of intermixing
them with other matters.
I will first relate an occurrence that took place
in ISll, in a neighboring town, while I was reading
law, which will give an insight into the proceedings
in Justice's Courts in the back country.
I had agreed to go ten or twelve miles, to prosecute
a trifling suit, and was to be opposed by a noted
pettifogger, who, although ignorant, and without charac-
ter, had acquired such an influence over the justices
and jurors of his neighborhood, that he generally
gained his causes, whether " right or wrong."
He was dirty, ragged, and slovenly in his appear-
ance, and was known as " the black sloven." I had
never met him in court ; but had been informed by
those who had, that he was not only personally abusive
in speech, but with young men, would swagger, brow-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 185
beat, and threaten to flog them ; though an arrant
coward if manfully withstood.
On appearing before the justice, issue was joined,
and a jury called for; the summoning of whom among
the hills would take all the afternoon, which would
require the trial to be had in the night. This was
precisely what the witnesses and jurors expected and
desired : for it would afford an excuse for wastinsf
the night in fun and frolic, if nothing else.
The jury were finally empanelled and sworn ; and
his honor, who had a distillery hard by, took his seat
by a long table, a little after dark, the jury sitting
near him. It was fashionable then, to treat the court
and jury as the trial proceeded ; and a party who
should be so wanting in good sense or generosity, as
to forget or refuse to enlighten the minds of the jury,
b}-- a good substantial drink, before the constable
was sworn "to keep them together without meat or
drink," would be very likely to lose his cause.
In the present case, both parties were determined
to "concihate" the justice and jury ; so they sent to the
distillery for whiskey, and clubbed together to pay
for it. They took a drink all round, and the bottle
was placed on the table, to be used as the trial pro-
gressed, whenever it should be necessary to solve
an intricate question.
My antagonist and myself were standing on oppo-
site sides of the table ; and, as the trial proceeded,
he began his objections to certain testimony, and called
on me to produce law, to show that it could be legally
introduced. As I was twelve miles from home, and
in the woods too, he was very sure that I had no law
books with me ; and on my asserting our right to
introduce the testimony, he became very rude and
ISO REMINISCENCES
insuliing ; and said il was a common thing for young
men who were upstarts, to come out among honest
farmers, to deceive and mislead them. Then he
remarked that they " wanted none of my butterfly
stufl;"; and unless I kept a civil tongue in my head,
he would slap my face." This was about as I had
been told he would treat me, so that I was not taken
by surprise.
As soon as he said he would slap my face, I
reached across the table, seized him by the shoulder,
and with a good smart jerk, pulled him on to it, so
that he lay across it, where, with one hand I held
him. The court and jury got up, and peace and
quiet was soon restored. As we were about resuming
the trial, he called me one side, and in a very friendly,
good-natured manner, asked me if I "was a mason ?"
My answer was not very masonic ; for it was in
Yankee style by asking him a question " what if
I am ?" He then said, in an under tone " I have
been found worthy of a place in that ancient and
honorable order, and have understood that j^ou belong
to it. You are under the tongue of good report, and
I have a high opinion of your character." He con-
tinued " You must not notice these little altercations.
f we did not have them, these fellows would think
we did not earn our money ; but among gentlemen
they are overlooked, of course ;" laying special stress
on the word " gentlemen," as if by possibility it could
apply to himself. He then told me to go on with the
trial, and we should have no difficulty that he had
no doubt my client was in the right, but his own was
a stubborn unreasonable fellow, and he must make
the best defence for him he could.
The further proceedings were very amicable. He
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 187
behaved well, and treated me with civility ; and,
towards morning, the jury rendered a satisfactory
verdict for my client. The court, jury, witnesses, and
attendants, seemed well gratified with the night's
performance, as the whiskey jug had been kept re-
plenished, and they had been treated to the altercation
and collision between the counsel ; which seemed to
delight them as much as the copious drafts, and in-
spiration derived from the jug of whiskey. Nor were
they displeased that the old greasy pettifogger had the
worst of it ; and I am quite sure he was not, as it
seemed to make him my fast and devoted friend,
which for several years he manifested by sending me
many clients. I did not hurt him, nor did I intend
to ; but felt quite sure I could frighten him, though
he was much larger and heavier than I was ; and in
this respect I succeeded to admiration.
At last he was indicted for some small alleged
offence nothing less or more than perjury ; and em-
ployed me to defend him. Before the indictment was
ready for trial, he concluded to give " leg bail," and
show "a light pair of heels;" and this was the last
I ever saw or heard of my former competitor, and
subsequent client : and thus end my recollections of
the " black sloven."
Many of those country trials were rich with adven-
tures and laughable incidents. To see them in per-
fection, you must go back to the early settlements,
in the remote towns.
I recollect on one occasion the justice had been
holding court at night, where the cause was tried by a
jury. A crowd of course assembled, and as usual,
took sides with the parties, some on one side, some on
the other; but in this instance, were nearly unanimous
188 REMINISCENCES
for one of the parlies, and in opposition to the justice;
who, they thought favored the wrong party. To
aveno'e themselves on him, and to briniy him and his
judicial authority into contempt, after the trial was over,
and the bystanders had partaken freely at the bar of
the country tavern, they gathered round "his honor,"
and commenced urinating on him, from every direction.
He set up an outcry and escaped from the crowd, but
brought actions of assault and battery against the per-
petrators, which in due time the defendants settled, by
paying costs and making suitable amends to the
distinguished jurist. There was something ridiculous
in the idea of bringing actions of assault and battery
for such a transaction. That action is always predi-
cated upon what the law terms "a trespass, with force
and arms;" and although the flowing, if not Hushing
J{0?iors, were bestowed lavishly on his honor, the justice;
j^et it was not pretended that there was a great degree
o^ force. Technically it might have been " a trespass
vi et armis,^^ though certainly not ^'jjitgnis et calcibus,^^
but I suppose the injury to the justice was as repulsive
to his feelings, and quite as offensive, as if he had been
sorely beaten, instead of thus saluted and insulted.
Hence, I suppose, that gentleman "learned in the law,"
would have no difficulty in coming to the conclusion
that the actions were well brought, and were sustain-
able on principle.
A Dutch justice came to pne once for counsel, who
had been sued in an action of assault and battery, and
false imprisonment, by one whom he had sent to jail for
contempt. To make his incarceration certain, the
iustice had given the constable strict injunctions to bind
him, and had assisted in tying his legs, after he was
placed on horseback. The culprit had fallen from the
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 189
horse, either intentionally or accidentally, and his feet
being tied under the horses belly, he was dragged a
short distance on the ground. His honor said it was
only a device to try to enhance the damages ; and went
on to state the circumstances that led to the commit-
ment.
He was delighted with having gotten the fellow in
Johnstown jail; and on my enquiring into the offence,
that constituted the contempt, and the substance of
what he had set out in the warrant, or mitimus for the
commitment, he said he did not recollect the whole of it,
but he had ordered him "committed till discharged by
due course of law ;" that he had the jailor's acknow-
ledgment of his reception; "and the d d rascal
might find out himself what that due course of law
was."
Another Dutch justice, once came to me to consult
about the defence of a suit with which he had been
threatened, for calling the wife of one his neighbors a
witch, and charging her with looking with an evil e3'e
at his cows, and bewitching them. He admitted
that he made the charge, and believed it true; but I
told him it was hardly worth while to get into a law
suit about such a matter, and subject himself to the ex-
pense of litigation ; that I knew the woman, and
whether witch or not witch, I had no doubt that matters
could be amicably adjusted, when I saw her, which I
would and did do soon; and by talking with her and
her husband kindly ; neighborly relations were soon
restored. It will hardly be believed, that so recently
such things were so thoroughly believed in, and pro-
bably would have produced a law suit and bitter
quarrel had it not been adjusted.
Such a law suit would have been rich in its dis-
190 REMINISCENCES
closures ; and I have sometimes almost reproved
myself for acting as a peace-maker, and not letting it
fro to court.
The settlement, however, saved good, honest,
industrious people from angry litigation and expense ;
and on the whole, was the best though not the most
profitable course for me.
I shall hardly be believed, when I state that withir
seven miles of Cherry Valley, is a valuable farm^
from which two acres of the best land was carved out,
and conveyed, to settle a claim, for having charged a
woman with witchcraft; and that'^y her witcheries she
had destroyed his property. She accepted the two
acres, and still holds it, under this witch consideratioii
for the title, having hitherto refused to sell it back at any
price, though the original owner was desirous to re-
purchase, and offered a high price for it.
In the same neighborhood lived a man who was a
seventh son, and has been sent for hundreds of
limes, to charm awaj^ or take off the witch spell, from
those afflicted by the " hellish arts," as Cotton Mather,
and other old writers used to designate them, when
speaking of witchcraft.
Within sixteen years, there were portions of country
in several counties, where very few of the Dutch
population could speak a word of English, so that a
drover who did not understand Dutch, and wanted to
go among them to purchase cattle, had to take an in-
terpreter with him.
The common schools, however, have changed this
state of things ; and now, scarcely a neighborhood can
be found, where the Enghsh language is not understood
and generally spoken ; particularly b}'" the younger
classes.
BY LEVI CEARDSLEY. 191
One more story. At a very early day, a Dutch
magistrate, who was the father of one I have previously
alluded to, had issued a warrant against a lawless
neighbour, who had been brought by the constable, to
answer the plaintiff's action. The justice went to a
country tavern to hold his court in the bar-room, which
was the only room in the house large enough for
the court, jury, and attendants, and was not far
from the hne of the county. The defendant was a
noted fighter, a hard drinker, and very much of an
outlaw. He had amused himself, while the jury were
being summoned, with drinking, and playing with an
old dirty pack of cards on one end of the bar-room
table. The jury being in attendance, the justice called
the parties, and had the warrant returned, and then
directed the plaintiff to state the nature of his demand ;
which being done, he with great humility, and in
broken English, asked the defendant, who we will call
Mr. C. "Well, Mr. C, what do you say to dat?"
"What do I say to ihat?" says the defendant; "I say
that you are a d d old fool." "Oh! tut, tut," says
the justice, "dat may very well be, Mr. C, but what
has dat to do with this case?" At this stage of the
proceedings, the defendant knocked down the constable,
threw the cards in the justice face, kicked over the
table, and cleared out for the adjoining county, where
for a long time he concealed himself, or eluded those
who wanted to take him.
As I am on story telling, I will relate one of a Yan-
kee justice, who used to hunt fogies with me, and was
passionately fond of the sport. The transaction took
place at the same tavern, where the constable was
knocked down. The old man had been with several
companions on a fox hunt, who ahvays delighted in
192 REMINISCENCES
playing off their tricks; so coming to the tavern, they
called for refreshments. The landlady had a large
flock of geese, and while she was getting dinner, one
of the party got some corn, and scattering it in a row,
called the geese, who soon huddled along to pick up the
corn. Two of the party then discharged their pieces
from the tavern door, as if shooting at the geese, but
intending to shoot over them. The justice prided him-
self on being a good shot, and having taken two or
three drinks while waiting for dinner, was in excellent
condition to show off his skill to the best advantage.
He believed his companions had fired at the geese, but
for want of skill had missed them. Stepping along to
the door with his long fox gun in his hand, he said,
"stand away and let me try; I'll be bound I'll pepper
them," and so he did, for he knocked down nearly a
dozen, which he had to pay for. This old man used
to attend our annual fox hunts. I hunted with him
iifter he was eighty years old; and though very much
affected with an almost shaking palsy, he managed to
shoot a fox, though he could not for his life hold his gun
steady.
Preparatory to one of those annual fox hunts,
another old man, who for many years joined in those
sports, came to my office, having travelled seven miles
across the hills, a large part of the way through the
woods, to satisfy himself whether we were likely to
have a good time of it, from the foxes being plenty.
Pie assured me that their tracks indicated them in great
abundance, and he anticipated rare sport. While
sitting there and conversing earnestly about fox hunting,
a "scant of grace" preacher came in, with his pockets
filled with tracts, by the distribution of which he seemed
desirous to make up for other delinquencies. He offered
BY LEVI EEARDSLEY. 193
some of them to the old fox hunter, and began to ex-
patiate on their importance. The old man never read
a word, for he did not know " B from a bull's foot,"
nor had he ever heard of a tract; the nearest that he
comprehended the meaning of the divine, was, that it
related to foxtiacks, of which he had been conversing.
He declined receiving them, and then was told by
the minister, thatthey were tracts to be read. Old Nimrod
said " we do not read at our house, we think ;" and
then addressing himself to me, repeated "tracks! why
Mr. Beardsley, I never saw tracks half so plenty' ; the
d d curses have been running all over the hills, and
we shall have plenty of them on Tuesday." On my
telling him what the tracts were, and advising him to
take them home for his daughter, who would read them,
he put them in his pocket and took them with him ; but
remarked to me, after the clergyman had gone out, that
he was always suspicious of those black-coated gentle-
men, and wanted nothing of them. However unreason-
able his prejudices were, he was probably not much
out of the way, in reference to the one who had offered
the tracts; for, unless he was awfully belied, his subse-
quent conduct, to all human appearances, showed him
as far from a state of grace, as was the old fox hunter
himself.
At one of those fox hunts, which usually came off"
the day before Christmas, unless it was on Sunday, I
witnessed in the evening a most laughable transaction*
If it could be described as Fielding used to describe
his hunting scenes, it would be inimitable.
^Ve had a noisy swaggering fellow who drove us
to head quarters for the hunting excursion, who remained
through the day at the tavern, instead of going to the
woods and joining the hunt. For swaggering he was
13
194 REMINISCENCES
nearly equal to " Pistol," and with but little more
courage. He had the reputation of being a most
arrant coward, when among his equals ; but was
overbearing and insolent with those he thought he
could master ; and hence, when he wrangled, as he
often did on such occasions, he would strut and bellow,
and make great pretensions to courage. During the
day he had " got tight," and at night fastened a
quarrel on a young man, who he professed to be
desirous to flog. Our swaggerer always excused him-
self from commencing a " set to," by saying his
adversary W'Ould "take the law of him, and sue him
for assault and battery ;" and this he did on the
present occasion.
The 5'oung man was a stranger to him ; but that
did not abate his desire to have a row with him,
particularly when he discovered a disposition on the
part of the youngster to avoid a contest. Bully finally
told him that he would "lick him like a sack," if
it was not for the law ; and wound off by taking out
a quarter of a dollar, which he said he would give
youngster if he would strike him.
The money was eyed for some time, and the
offerer was asked if he really was in earnest ; to
which he replied that he was ; for then, acting in
self-defence after the first blow, he would lick him
without fear of the law. The young fellow told him
he felt very much disposed to take the quarter, and
give him the consideration for it ; and was again
invited to do so. Finally, after conversing back and
forth, and throwing the old fellow partly off of his
guard, he seized the piece of money ; at the same
time planting a " smasher," partly on his " nob" and
between his " peepers ;" which, while it started the
BY LEVI EEATIDSLEY. 195
"claret" from the nasal orgnn, broup:ht star-light to
his half-obscured vision ; and disturbing his perpen-
dicular, laid him sprawling on the floor.
The 3'oung3ter ran out of the house, and was
not seen there again. The performance was greeted
with loud shouts of approval. Old " blow-hard" got
up ; and looking round with amazement, enquired
"where he was?" and after he found his man was
gone, went on to describe how he would maul him,
were he there ; or if he could ever come across him.
He finally went home, feeling no doubt much the
better inwardlv, for havins; blown off so much of his
gas ; but on his frontlet he carried the mark of his
adversary for several days, who he never had the
pleasure of recognizing afterwards.
As I am in the vein for story-telling, bear with
me, gentle reader, while I relate an incident that took
place at an early day.
The old fox-hunter, who never knew any thing
about "tracts," except fox "tracks," was a strict
observer of every thing that looked like cunning and
device. No man knew the habits of the fox and
deer, and in short all animals with which he was
familiar, better than he. Anything that looked like
a curious ingenious device, always attracted his atten-
tion. He had a brother, who, growing dissatisfied with
the world, concluded to make a short job of it, and
rid himself of life, with all the cares and vicissitudes
that " flesh is heir to."
One day he was missing; and, after a protracted
search, was found in the woods, dangling from the
top of a small sapling. It appeared that he had got
on a log a considerable distance from the ground ;
and after chmbing a small tree, had bent its top-most
196 EExMINISCENCES
branches down to the log where he stood. Having
lied a rope, or bark, or withe, round the small tree,
as it was bent down, he fastened it round his neck,
and then let the tree spring back to its natural position,
which took up the man with a jerk that soon strangled
him. When the old fox-hunter came to the tree,
and looked at his brother, who was still suspended
by the neck in the top, he could not but admire the
skill and sagacity of the device. Looking at the dead
man, and then at the log from which he had swung,
he broke out with this expression "Look, how in-
genious the crittur was !"
The last adventure that I had with him, was on
the steep side hill west of Cherry Valley, in plain
si^ht of the villaa;e, iust above the residence of the
late Judge White, where my friend Jacob Livingston
now resides.
W^e had been out fox hunting ; and the dogs had
driven a fox into his burrow in that steep side hill.
We sent to the village for working tools ; and my
old and esteemed associate, James Brackett, being
informed of what was going on, soon came to us,
bringing a bottle of brandy, which was most acceptable
after the long chase through the snow, over the Middle-
. field hills. We went to work in good earnest, and
soon excavated a deep pit, which ran into the hill.
We had five dogs; but it was necessary to tie
up four of them, while one was allowed to dig and
follow the hole of the fox. Those that were tied
up were almost frantic, and kept up a constant outcry
while the work was going on. One of our party
had to be with the dogs, to keep them as quiet as
possible, aud prevent their breaking away. My old
friend Bennet, (for that was his name) had got down
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 197
into (he hole that was dug, and by breaking away
the earth round the fox-hole, a small hound was able
to crowd himself so far in, that the fox advanced
and took him by the muzzle. The dog was game ;
but as he could not get hold of the fox, all he had
to do was to whine, and "grin and bear it," while
reynard had him by the nose. Bennett swore tre-
mendously when he found the fox was punishing his
dog ; and told the company to loose my old dog
Primo, that he might take the place of the small
hound. Primo was good spunk, and rushed in as
far as he could, digging and working himself in, till
reynard greeted him, by taking him firmly by his
nasal organ, and holding on with a most tenacious
gripe. Primo Avhined, and tried to get hold of the
fox ; but reynard just held him by the nose, and
thus punished him for his intrusion. Bennett broke
away the ground, to make more room for the dog,
and then ordered the small dog to be brought forward,
who crowded in by the side of Primo ; and Bennett,
by taking Primo by his hind legs, dragged him back ;
and the fox still holding him by his muzzle, was so
far brouofht forward, that the small doo; seized the
fox by his face. The two dogs were then pulled
out by main force, bnnging the fox with them ; and
Bennett, to save the fox from being torn in pieces,
got him away from the dogs.
On getting out of the hole where he and the dogs
had been digging, he intended to kill the fox, by striking
his head against a tree ; but the dogs were as eager to
share in the death, as he was to prevent it. The hill
was steep, and the leaves being covered with snow,
rendered it slippery. While he was preparing to kill
the fox, the dogs that had helped pull him out were
19S REMINISCENCES
constantly striving to get hold of him, and were jumping
up to get him away from Bennett. Pie held him as high as
he could to keep him away from the dogs, when one
of the company wishing to see all the sport that could
be got out of such an affair, let slip the other three dogs,
who rushed down with tremenduous yells to share in
the conflict. All five leaped upon Bennett, determined
to have the fox, and by jerking and scuffling soon got
him down as he slipped on the side hill. Part of the
time he was under, and the dogs on top, and at other
times he had some of them under him ; but he held
on to the fox most manfully, while he was dragged
several rods down the hill. They w'ere jerking him by
his clothes, and striving for the possession of the prize,
at the same time keeping up the most discordant 3'ells,
which were interrupted occasionally w^ith horrid oaths
and imprecations, uttered by Bennett with stentorian
power. The swearing of the army in Flanders, was
no comparison with it. I do not suppose there has
been a rouoh and tumble conflict between man and
dogs that would surpass it, since the memorable occur-
ence between Parson Adams and the pack of hounds,
so inimitably described by Fielding, in his ''Joseph
Andrews." We finally interfered and beat off the
dogs, and the old man after despatching rejaiard
secundem artem, went with us to the village, where we
gave him a good warm supper, and night's lodging,
with plenty of good cheer.
He amused us through the evening with his stories,
and took the fox skin in the morning, which we all con-
cluded belonged to him.
This was our last frolic with Bennett; for, desiring
to remove w^here he could enjoy in a greater degree
the pleasures and excitements of frontier life, he went
BY LEVI BEARDSLEy. 199
to the forests of Michigan, where a fever of the country
soon terminated his eventful life.
Before his removal he often complained that the
encroachments of society had nearly destroyed the
pleasures of life; and he never expected to live so
happily again, as he had on the banks of Otsego Lake,
before settlers intruded. Deer were then plenty, and
the old man alwaj^s regretted that the country should
not have remained in its primeval state.
200 REMINISCENCES
CHAPTER XII.
Exemption of Homestead and Household effects. Professional
incidents. Admitted to practice in Chancery. Anecdotes
of Chancellor Kent. Judge Spencer. Judge Story.
Excursion to Boston, Providence, Sfc. Interesting case
of Haheas Corjnis. Elisha Williams and Rhode Island
Bar. Presidential Election in 1824. Last interview
xoith Gov. Tompkins. Celebration on completion of
Erie Canal. Gov. Clinton visits Otsego, and incidents.
After my admission to the bar, in 1812, I devoted
myself to my profession with much assiduity; worked
hard, lived prudently, but respectably, and saved from
my earnings as much as possible. Everything went
on favourably. I made money slowl}', took good care
of it, made good bargains, was ready night and day
to serve my clients ; and in this way, secured business
from many mercantile firms in the cities, who had
debts to collect in the country.
I do not recollect ever selling the household furniture
of a debtor, where the debt was due to me personally ;
but in many instances where I was acting as attorney
for others, sales have been made that gave me pain.
So also in relation to imprisoning debtors. It was
not my business to interpose where clients were con-
cerned : but the going into the house, and selling the
furniture necessary for family comforts, always ap-
peared wrong, though justified by law.
Let us look at it for a moment. Those sales never
BY LEVI BEAUDSLEY. 201
amounted to much. The household furniture of almost
any family, costs considerable at the commencement ;
but when you come to sell, it goes as second-hand
property, and brings but little. The sale depresses
the debtor mortifies and distresses the family ; while
the creditor gets but little from it. The homestead
and furniture of every family, in my judgment, should
be exempt from seizures. The state has an interest
in the welfare of each individual ; and should not
suffer the house or furniture to be sold, and thus
turn the family upon the charities of the world, helpless
and dependent. I hope to see laws that shall entirely
exclude sheriffs, constables, &c. from the interior of
every dwelling-house. Let this be understood ; and
creditors will look to the character and integrity of
the debtor, instead of looking to his homestead, where
the quiet of the family should be protected, without
coercion, which too often operates on the sympathies
of friends.
In the course of my practice as attorne}^ and coun-
sel, very many incidents occurred, which, if related
as anecdotes and reminiscences, might be interesting;
but I should fear a general recital would too much
enlarge my narrative. I must, however, relate a few
of them.
On one occasion, I prosecuted a suit in the Otsego
common pleas, to recover a note, where the defence
was usury. The late Isaac Seelye was counsel for
the defendant ; and, having by evidence made out
a strong case, he urged the defence with zeal and
much abihty. Judge White presided, and it was
quite apparent he was against my client. His honor
the judge, although a money-lender, did not exact
usur}^ ; but, on the contrary, despised those who did.
202 REMINISCENCES
AH of this I knew, and expected a decided charge
from him against the note, which my client had bought
honestly, but which, if the defendant's evidence was
to be believed, was tainted with usury, and void.
T summed up the cause to the jur}^, better I think
than any cause I ever argued ; and, dweUing on the
hardship of the case, to allow a man to make a note,
and send it out to the community with the guarantee
of his own name, thereby entrapping and defrauding
innocent purchasers, should not be excused from pay-
ment, except on the most conclusive evidence.
The jury finally gave me a verdict, notv.ithstanding
a direct charge from the court ; and Judge White
often complimented me, for winning that cause against
"law and evidence," as he expressed it, and in oppo-
sition to that charge. The evidence, however, was
not all on one side, but was such that the jury might
honestly differ, and having found in my favor, the
court would not interfere with the verdict.
My first appearance in chancery had some amusing
incidents. I was in Albany very near the time Chan-
cellor Kent had published his rules of practice. I was
entitled to an examination as solicitor, but had never
read a book on chancery practice, and but barely
glanced over his rules.
Knowing the chancellor to be talkative, kind, and
good-natured, I called on him at chambers, and ex-
hibited my Siqjrcme Court license, told him I thought
of applying for one in his court. He remarked that he
was very glad of it, and asked me what books in chan-
cery I had read. " Not any," was my reply, but I have
to-day bought j^our new rules, and am going to
read them. "Well," says he, "you are a good-
looking man, and are taller than I am; I know your
BY LEVI EEARDSLEY. 203
brother Sam personally, and you by reputation. Your
father and I were born in the same neighborhood, and
were nearly of the same age. Go to my brother Moss,
who is register of my court, and ask him to come here
and bring the rolls. You know ]\Ioss, don't you?
He is a clever man, used to live in Otsego, and was
called the ' honest lawer ;' bring him, and I will admit
j'ou. You must pay Moss the fees for admission, for he
likes the fees ; and you must read my rules. If you
come into court without understanding them, or with a
^veak cause, j^our client will have to pay for it." In
this way he ran on for some time, and told me his
dining hour, which he said was early, and was regarded
unfashionable; described a journey he had made with
Mrs. K. ; and another he intended to make. I think he
said he had met Denny, a distinguished writer, and
mentioned some anecdotes and adventures with him.
Denny resided at Pittsburgh, and for a time edited a
periodical, "the Portfoho."
His brother came ; I subscribed the roll, took the
oath, obtained my license, and was thus legally quali-
fied to practice in the high court of chancery.
My first suit in that court, was to restrain certain
defendants from trespassing on lands, cutting down and
carrying off timber, and thus working an irreparable
injury to the estate of my client.
" Eden on Injunction," a standard Enghsh work had
just been published ; and on drawing the bill, setting
out the grievances of my client, I felt sure it was a case
of equity jurisdiction, where we were entitled to relief.
I despatched my client to Albany with the bill, and
synopsis of its contents, for the chancellor, and asked
for an injunction. Without much reflection, I suppose;
and under an impression that a suit at law would be
204 REMINISCENCES
sufficient, he refused it. My client, a good, honest
Dutchman, told him that Squire Beardsley said he was
entitled to it. The chancellor replied, that he thought
he was as good a lawyer as Squire Beardsley, and if
he did not think so, he must come to Albany and see
to it himself. A few days afterwards I went there,
and called on the chancellor. " Well," says he, " I am
glad to see you. A client of yours, a very worthy
Dutchman, came here the other day and wanted an in-
junction. He said you told him he was entitled to it.
I thought not; and told him I was as good a lawyer as
you are. These injunctions are too frequently granted.
They are the result of an aibitrary power ; a tremen-
duoQS power. A strong case should be made out to
warrant them." " I admit all that, chancellor, but
still I think we are entitled to it; and upon well
established principles of equit}'' jurisdiction." " You
must argue that question," says the chancellor ; " sit
down now, and argue it before me, at chambers." I
referred to the allegations in the bill, shewing the
trespass and irreparable injury; and referred him to the
leading cases in "Eden."
He told me to come in the next morning, and he
would decide it. On going there, as soon as I entered
his office, he said, " You are right ; you have beat me ;
you have fairly beaten me ; step up and bring Moss,
and the injunction shall be made out at once." All of
which was done, and in the end I succeeded in every
particular in the suit.
He was an excellent man, full of talk and anecdote.
No man was more honest, or had a better heart. He
had stock in the central bank, which my friend, A. M.
Schermerhorn and myself, had transferred to him and
to his brother, from whom, on his death, the chancellor
EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 205
derived the stock held by Moss. I think he retained it
up to, or very near the time of his decease.
Many years ago, I applied to the chancellor, to ap-
point appraisers of improvements, under a statute of
the state, in reference to certain military lands, that I
had recovered in ejectment.
One of the appraisers appointed by him, was the
late Robert S. Rose, of Ontario county, who had been
in the constitutional convention with him. In his order
appointing appraisers, he alluded to Mr. Rose as having
been a member of the convention, and indorsed him as
follows : " Known to me to be an honest man." A
flattering adjudication to Mr. Rose, coming as it did
from the high court of chancer}'.
On the first of January, 1S47, I made a New-year's
call on the chancellor, and also on Chief Justice
Spencer, then in New York. The chancellor was
cheerful and affable as ever, enjoyed good health, took
a glass of wine, remarked that he had always taken
his wine occasionally ; that he was old fashioned in his
opinions ; that he was sure wine did him no harm, but
was rather a benefit ; that he was never ultra in his
views; and he would not give up well settled opinions,
or habits of life, to conform to ultraisms of the day.
On calling on Judge Spencer, I found him in fine
health and spirits. He, like Chancellor Kent, was not
ultra, but seemed to enjoy life ; though I believe he did
not drink wine at that time. One incident occurred,
that showed the strength and accuracy of his memory.
On my remarking to him, that he had licensed me to
practice as attorney, he replied that I was mistaken,
that Judge Thompson signed my attorney's license ; and
he, (Judge Spencer,) my license as counsel; which was
correct, though I had forgotten it.
206 REMINISCENCES
Judge Spencer was a remarkably strong-minded
man. I don't suppose he had read so much as Chan-
cellor Kent; but as a common law judge, we have
never had his superior in the state. He always took a
strong, common-sense view of the case, and grasping
the whole subject, applied the law with an accuracy
and consistency, at which but few men can arrive. At
the circuits, and at oyer and terminer, he disposed of
cases with great promptness, and was generally ac-
curate in his off-hand opinions. He was very much of
a politician, and for more than twenty years, exercised
an almost uncontrolled influence throughout the state,
with the democracy. Unbending in his views, competi-
tors usually yielded to him ; and if not, a trial of
political strength was sure to follow. While he was a
member of the bench, it would have been an ornament
to any state or country. I fear it will be many years
before we shall have a court equal to that old supreme
court. Its superior I do not expect to see.
The New Year's call just mentioned, was my last
interview with each of these great men, who now '^ sleep
with their fathers."
I have thought the late Judge Story, very much re-
sembled Chancellor Kent, in the cast of mind, and
conversational powers. Kent was the most talkative
of the two. In 1824, I had business before Judge
Story, and went to Salem, where he resided, to have
him allow a writ of habeas corpus.
The object of the writ was to obtain the custody
of a little motherless o;irl, who resided with her grand-
parents, at Pawtucket, near Providence. Some family
difficulty between them and the father of the child,
induced them to keep her secluded from him. He was
my client, and sued out the writ.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 207
Under the advice of the late Thomas Addis Em-
mett, the father and myself, at a previous time had
started for Providence, intending to pick up the child
as she was going to school, or wherever she might be
found, and carry her out of that state to Connecticut.
We came to New York, and corresponded with
friends at Providence, who discouraged that summary
mode of proceeding, and expressed a belief that we
would probably fail, and get imprisoned ourselves.
Mr. Emmett's opinion was predicated on the right
of the father to the custody of the child, as the natural
guardian and protector. The advice was rash ; and
we did well in giving up the project, and resorting to
legal proceedings. Having obtained the writ, I came
on with Judge Story, to Providence, where the court
was to be held, and where the late Elisha Williams,
who was associate counsel, was to meet me.
The child was at school, at the quaker seminary
in Providence ; and was spirited away at niglit, as
soon as the grand-parents learned that we were after
her. The next day they appeared in court, to make
return and answer the writ. We had served the
habeas corpus at night, on the principals of the sem-
inary, who also appeared and answered. All of them
denied having the child in custody. They made
return to the writ, and put in their answers, under
the advice of counsel, and the best counsel they could
get. Dutee J. Pearce, and the late William Hunter,
acted as counsel. Mr. Williams moved the court for
leave to file interrogatories, and that the defendants
should answer on oath. This was resisted ; and the
questions were argued with much ability, and by
Williams with thrilUng eloquence, and most powerful
effect
203 REMINISCENCES
He bad never met the Rhode Island bar before,
and this was his first appearance before Judge Story ;
who, as well as the members of the bar, were delighted
with him. Williams seemed to enter into the argu-
ment, and the whole proceedings, with more heart
and feeling, from the fact that the parent of the child,
who was a respectable clergyman, was the son of
the old pastor under whose preaching Williams had
been brought up. The cause was argued with much
ability on the other side ; for Pearce was quite an
able man, and Hunter was at the head of the bar in
that state. But Williams brol^e down all opposition,
and carried the court and audience with him. When
he discussed the natural right of the father to the
custody of the child, that he might enjoy her society,
and direct her footsteps along the path of life, while
her tender mind should be guided in the ways of
truth and virtue ; and then depicted the cruelty of
the attempt to exclude him, and to prejudice her mind
against him ; while those having the custody of the
child were setting the laws at defiance, and evading
or disregarding the mandate of the court his appeal
was eloquent and effective beyond description. Many
of the crowded audience were in tears. The court
allowed our motion, and ordered the parties to appear
the next day, to answer interrogatories.
In the evening, we drew up and copied interroga-
tories, twenty-five in number, as searching and sifting
as we could make them. When we were throush
it was eleven o'clock. WiUiams said, "we will stop
now ; we have got enough. We will go down, and
let Horton make us a good glass of whiskey punch ;
and to-morrow we will have the girl, or have the
quaker in jail."
EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 209
On serving copies of interrogatories, the opposite
party in a measure gave it up, and proposed a com-
proniise, which was assented to, and an order nnade
by .the court to carry it into effect.
In due time the child was surrendered to her
father. She has often told nje, that had we gone
there, and carried her away, she should have been
fri2;htened to death.
While we were at Providence, we were invited
by Mr. Whipple, a highly respectable member of the
bar, to a supper party. Judge Story, and nearly
all the legal gentlemen, with several others, were
present. We spent a pleasant evening, full of anec-
dote and conversation. The supper was good, the
wine excellent; and Whipple brought out a bottle or
two of rum, which his uncle. Commodore Whipple,
had bottled during the war in 17S0, forty-four years
before.
Hunter, who was a lover of good things, became
quite gay and loquacious, somewhat in advance (though
not a great deal) of the rest of the company. He
was a man of fine talents ; occupied, for many years,
a distinguished position in that state, and in the senate
of the United States ; and died either last j^ear or
the present.
Few men in this state have equalled Elisha
Williams, as a jury advocate. His fine form, open,
generous countenance, sonorous voice, contributed
tov/ards his success : but his great forte was, his
manner of convincing the understanding, and then
corntroUing and carrying the feelings of the jury and
auditory with him. Some of his efforts I used to
tlhink superior to any thing I had ever heard. David
'B. Ogden was an able man before a jury, but not
14
210 REMIXISCEXCES
a match for Mr. Williams. Before the court for the
correction of errors, I think Ogden was his superior.
Ogden had the faculty of condensing his arguments,
and seizing upon, and presenting the strong points of
his case, in a manner more effective than any man
I have ever heard before that court ; and at the same
time demolishing those of his adversar}^
I had letters to Hon. Daniel Webster, as well
as to Judge Story ; and on my way to Salem, called
on INJr. W. which was the first time I had ever seen
that distinguished gentleman. He invited me to a
small party at his house that evening, where, among
others, I met the late George Blake, an eminent lawyer
of Boston ; and Major Russell, editor of a leading
city paper. It was in November, 1S24 ; and the New
York legislature were then in session, to choose electors
of president and vice-president. The contest was
between Adams, Clay^ Crawford, and Jackson. I
was on the Clay electoral ticket, and on the first trial
five Clay electors were chosen. Had the legislature
gone on, and perfected the work at that sitting, prob-
ably * the whole Clay ticket would have been elected ;
but having adjourned, the Adams and Crawford men
became alarmed ; and, under an impression that INIr.
Clay would be elected by Congress, should he be
returned as one of the three highest candidates, as
he undoubtedly would have been ; they united, and
divided the rest of the votes between Adams and
Crawford, except one given for General Jackson. The
Boston gentlemen felt a strong interest for Mr. Adams,
and were very inquisitive to know what I thought
would be the result in New York.
I told them I thought Mr. Clay would get a majority
of the New York votes, unless the other parties com-
BY LEVI EEAKDSLEY. 211
bined to defeat him, which I somewhat apprehended.
They knew I was on the Clay ticket, and spoke
kindly of Mr. Clay, as their second choice. I thought
the next mail would announce my own election, with
several others from our ticket ; but after the first trial
we were never able to command a majority ; the com-
bination controlled, and Mr. Clay failed by a few
votes of beins: as hi2;h as Mr. Crawford. When
congress assembled, they proceeded to elect a presi-
dent from the three highest ; and Mr. Adams, through
I\Ir. Clay's influence, Avas chosen.
Mr. Clay, in my judgment, was then in a position,
as speaker of the house, to have been Mr. Adams'
successor, had he remained as he was, instead of
taking a place in the cabinet. No matter whether he
had opposed or sustained the administration, his high
standing and personal popularity would have made
him president ; but his friends, particularly those from
the west, wanted him in the cabinet with Mr. Adams,
and insisted upon and controlled him. They felt
unbounded confidence in him, but did not in Mr.
Adams, to the same extent.
It was an error for Mr. C. to take office as it
gave the opposition, an opportunity of holding his
appointment up to the community, as the result of a
bargain between him and the president. This was
seized upon with avidity, and was believed by great
numbers, though the allegation was without the slightest
ground of truth. Mr. Clay was urged there by his
friends ; and abundant proof has been furnished, to
exculpate him and Mr. Adams from the foul charge.
In fact, their high reputation, and many years devotion
to the interests of the country, with characters untar-
nished and undefiled, should have been a sufficient
212 REMINISCENCES
guarantee of their integrity, without the abundant
refutation from well-established facts.
While in New York, on my way to Boston, Provi-
dence, &c., I met Gov. Tompkins, at or near the post
office, which I think was the last time I ever saw him.
He was decidedly favorable to the election of Mr. Clay,
and complained of the pertinacity of those democrats,
(Mr. Van Buren in particular,) who insisted on forcing
Mr. Crawford, in direct opposition to ihe feelings of a
large majority of the voters of the state. He predicted
the defeat of the democratic parly, from these dissen-
tions.
I had seen the Governor a year or two before, at
his house on Staten Island, where with a committee
from the Grand Lodge, I had gone to invite him as
Past Grand Master, to attend our sitting; which he
complied with the next day. Nathaniel Allen, of On-
tario county, (since deceased) was one of the committee ;
and he was a man of integrity and great energy of
character ; a good democrat, and popular political
leader in his county.
In the summer of 1825, I met Judge Story, at
Niagara Falls, and again for a short time at Cherry
Valley, where he stopped on his way home. He was
at the public house kept by the late William Story, who
for several years kept the stage house, which was one
of the best hotels between Albany and Canandaguai.
The judge had observed the spelling of the name on
the sign, and was criticising it. I think he said it was
spelled wrong, and sent for the host to make enquiry.
If I recollect right it was spelled on the sign "Storey,"
which on explanation, turned out to have been a mis-
take of the painter, for I believe the}"^ spelled their
names alike, without the e.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 213
Mr. Webster was with the judge, and had been with
him to Niagara.
As I am on events of 1824-5, I may as well refer
to the completion of the Erie canal, which was finished
in 1825 ; when the waters of Lake Erie were mingled
with the ocean.
It was a proud day for New York, and particularly
so for those who for years had sustained and upheld the
canal policy. The great work was completed ; and
cannon stationed alons; the canal had announced it from
Buffalo to the ocean.
I had gone to Albany to be present at the imposing
ceremony, where were collected in immense numbers,
citizens from every part of the state.
Masonry was then in its zenith. The fraternity
were there in greater numbers, and in more splendour
than I have ever seen them on any other occasion.
On reaching Albany, the public houses were all
filled. I was put in a room with three others, one of
whom, was the late learned Doctor Mitchell, of New
York. He was there to take char2;e of the waters
from Lake Erie, which were to be presented by the
doctor to " Old Neptune." The doctor was always
sociable and interesting, for his varied learning
on almost every subject, rendered his conversation
attractive.
The boats had arrived at the locks at Albany,
where they were to be passed through into the river,
when the procession formed and moved there, to perfect
the masonic ceremonies, typical of the completion of
the great work. The military and citizens generally
were out ; and the procession was striking and im-
posing.
The late Ezra Ames, of Albany, acted as Grand
#
214 REMINISCENCES
Master. Gen. Stephen Van Renssellaer, " the Patroon,"
was in fact Grand Master of the State, and Gov. Clin-
ton of the United States; but they being canal com-
missioners, or belonging to the canal board, were in the
first boat with the other commissioners.
Several boats were in the procession, all of them
loaded with passengers containing as many as could
safely be on them. As they approached the lock, a
deposit was made in the monument, of papers, manu-
scripts, and other articles, giving a history of the work.
The acting grand master then proceeded in the presence
of the fraternity and thousands of spectators, to adjust
and place the " cap stone," in masonic forms. He
finally gave the three emblematic knocks, declaring it
finished. The brethren passed round, as if to inspect
and verify the truth of the annunciation, performing
their part of the ceremony ; the cannon announced the
completion ; and the boats glided through the lock
into the Hudson. Gov. Clinton was standino- in the
bow of the first boat; he was well dressed, and never
appeared better. He no doubt exulted in his feelings,
in the success of the great measure, on which he had
for many years staked his reputation, and for which he
had contended against fearful odds, and a determined
opposition. I could see his emotions as they were
manifested in his manly countenance. A nervous, or
muscular twitchino; of his cheeks could not be un-
observed by those who watched him closely.
,It was not far from this year, though I think a
few years before. Governor Clinton came to Cherry
Valley. Judge Hammond, Oliver Judd, Esq. and
myself, went with him to see " Brimstone Falls," as
they were called ; then in the solitude of a deep
forest. We had no way of gettitjg into the profound
BV LEVI BEARDSLEY. 215
gulf, except to go down some half-mile and descend,
and then walk up to the falls, unless we crowded
ourselves through a narrow fissure in the rocks, on
the easterly side, and then, by a very rapid descent,
reach the bottom of the gulf.
We took the latter course ; but Mr. Clinton beins:
a large man, it was as much as he could do to crowd
through. 1 had my gun with me, and shot a large
cat-hv^aded owl, that was flitting about in the tops
of the trees, secluded, as he thought, in this recess,
from observation. Mr. CUnton examined him closely,
made a note of the exploit in his note-book, and
frequently afterwards referred to my shooting his
"owl-ship." He gave us an interesting dissertation
on the great variety of the owl family, willi the habits
and mode of life of many of them ; showing himself
a well-read ornitholo2;ist.
I think it was at this visit to the county, that he
procured some of the " Otsego bass," which he Latin-
ized, and called them the " Salmo OtsegoensisJ^ He
had an accurate drawing made of the fish, which
for many j^ears was deposited in the Albany institute,
and is probably there yet. He wrote an able article
in relation to this fish, which he said was not to be
found in any other waters of the United States, or
elsewhere, so far as he had been able to ascertain.
He declared it among fish the " beau ideal" of perfec-
tion, as the canvass-back duck is among aquatic birds.
Doctor William Campbell, late survej'or-general,
and myself, were made honorary members of the
Albany institute ; and as long as I visited it, the
drawing of that fish was there, with an extract from
Governor Clinton's description of him.
216 REMINISCENCES
CHAPTER XIII.
Elected to the AssemUy , 1825. Democratic Caucus first held
with open doors. Distinguished Men in that Legisla-
ture. Great Southern Road, the Leading Measure.
First Railroad Charter. Ignorance in regard to Rail-
roads. Great Impulses from Construction of New York
Canals and Railroads. Fiftieth Anniversary of Ameri-
can Independence. Extraordinary Coincidence in the
Dives and Deaths of John Adams cmd Thomas Jefferson.
Incident of Col. Stranahan. Morgan Outrage, and
Anti-Masonry. Reflections on Sale of Paternal Home-
stead. Migratory Hahits of our Countrymen.
At the election of 1825, I was sent to the assembly,
from Otsego county, by a very flattering vote, and
served through the session of 1826 ; during which we
apportioned the representation to the legislature, under
the census then recently taken, Previous to organizing
the house the democratic members held a caucus.
Those caucuses had always been held in secret,
with closed doors, and every one excluded, except
members of the " right stripe." In accordance with
former usage, it was proposed to close the doors, which
was opposed by several of us. Ogden Hoffman was
then a democratic member from Orange county, and
he, with myself and a few others, advocated a public
caucus, contending that there was the same propriety
in having our convocation with open doors, as there was
in open county conventions, for nomination of candi-
. BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 217
dates. That we had no work of darkness to perform ;
and from the fact that these meetings had been private,
the community were suspicious of them, and disappro-
bated secret conclaves. Gen. Root, and some old
politicians opposed public caucuses, as an innovation
upon democratic usages; but on putting it to vote we
carried the question, which threw open the doors ; and
since that time those meetings have generally been
public. I do not recollect an instance to the con-
trary.
Col. Young was selected as our candidate for speak-
er, by a unanimous vote, and was subsequently elected
by the house. He made me chairman of the com-
mittee of ways and means ; a conspicuous position for
a new member. That house of assembly was an able
one, and comprised many men who have since taken
high and commanding stations in stale and national
affairs. Gen. Root, a veteran politician, was there.
Francis Granger was then for the first time member of
assembly ; John Tracy, since Lieutenant Gov. ; Judge
Jewett, now of the court of appeals ; Judge Monell,
late circuit judge; Hon. Aaron Vanderpool ; John G.
Forbes; Ogden Hoffman; Baron S. Doty; Gen. Sill;
David Woodcock; David W. Bucklin; Daniel Ward-
well; Sam. S. Lush; Stephen Allen; Asa Haskell;
Isaac Hayes; Eleazer Burnham; Elisha W. King;
Henry Stephens ; David Woods ; and Peter Robinson ;
the two latter having been speakers of assembly. Gen.
Cruger, and several others of highly respectable talents
besides Col. Young, the speaker. Few houses of assem-
bly have contained so many good debaters, and men of
practical good sense, as the assembly of 1826 ; and I think
it may be said that none since that time have excelled it.
De Witt CUnton was then Governor, who had pre-
21S REMINISCENCES
viously recommended a road from Lake Erie, through
the southern tier of counties, to the Hudson river; and
in pursuance of that recommendation a law was passed
authorising an exploration and survey ; in pursuance of
which law, the late Nathaniel Pitcher, George Morell,
and Jabez D. Hammond, were appointed commis-
sioners.
They made a favorable report, and the Gov. urged
the construction of the road, which became the leading
and absorbing question of the session. The house was
nearly equally divided ; the northern and canal counties
generally opposing it. General Root and Col. Young
taking opposite sides, the former for, the latter against it;
between whom a bitter personal discussion took place,
resultino: in a quarrel which was never wholly recon-
ciled.
After a protracted and animated debate, the bill was
finally rejected by a very close vote ; and soon after,
the advocates of the road partially avenged themselves
by repealing the law authorising a half mill tax.
Bills having in view the construction of lateral
canals were also rejected, so that very little legislation
succeeded, that was regarded as of deep importance to
several local interests. One law however, was passed,
which has in its consequences led to most important re-
sults ; and has nearly changed the mode of locomotion,
as well as business. I allude to the first railroad char-
ter in the state, which was incorporated this session :
Albany and Schenectady.
Railroads have become so common, and we are now
so familiar with their construction, their management,
and the running on them, that it is almost impossible at
the present day, to realize how little was then known of
them. At that time, if I recollect right, a locomotive
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 219
had not passed over the Groat Western railroad, in
England : and, comparatively speaking, little was
known of them there. Now every one comprehends
them and appreciates their general utility.
The Erie canal had been completed in 1S25, which
splendid achievement had enlarged the views, and
removed many prejudices against internal improve-
ments, so that men began to believe many things
possible which they did not fully comprehend ; and
railroads were among the incomprehensibles. There
was scarcely any one in the legislature who knew any
thing about them, or who had a correct idea in relation
to this grand modern improvem.ent. Tredgold's work
on railroads, had recently been published, and a few
had slightly glanced over it, but it was not understood
except by professional engineers ; and hence, when they
talked of railroads, locomotives, flanges, &c. the great
body of the legislature had no adequate idea of the
subject. It was all " Greek " to them, " a sealed
book." I know the bill was advocated, and voted for,
more to enable an experiment to be made, than from a
belief that the road would be constructed.
It was apprehended that frosts in our climate would
operate upon, and throw the track out of place, that it
would be buried many months with snow, and that the
whole would prove a failure.
Under such impressions our first railroad was
authorised; and what has been the result? Twenty-
five years have dispelled all illusions, solved the doubts,
and removed prejudices, that then existed. Now
no one is so blind, or incredulous, as to regard railroads
with doubt or disfavor.
They are the great annihilators of space in locomo-
tion; as the magnetic telegraph is, in reference to
220 REMINISCENCES
thought and mind. The authorization and construction
of this road, was but the commencement of a system
of improvements, that has already spread over the
country, interlacing and binding together, with iron
bands, far distant and disjointed portions of the repub-
lic. The Erie canal was the precursor to many others
in the empire state; and these, as a system, have
demonstrated their utility and value, to such an extent,
as to be followed and imitated by other states of the
union. What would western New York, or the west-
ern states be worth, without the benefits of canals to
reach tide water?
It was the Erie canal, under the auspices of Mr.
Clinton, that shed light on understandings darkened
with ignorance, or warped by prejudice ; thereby
creating and sustaining a system that has enlarged and
diffused itself, to an unlimited extent; and resulting in
benefits to every portion of the countr}'', bej^ond estima-
tion. So too, in regard to railroads, New York has
given the impulse. If the history, in detail, of the
various canals and railroads, shall ever be written, it
will present great outlines, in a high degree creditable
to my native state ; and yet there has been no time,
that ignorance or narrow prejudices, have not to a con-
siderable extent existed, even in the city of New York ;
where certainly, the splendid revenues, and immense
benefits of the canals, should have dispelled illusions
that honestly existed before their completion. Party
spirit seized on these prejudices, during Mr. Clinton's
time, and wielded them in opposition to him and his
canal projects. They have existed ever since, and still
exist; and have too often been used with hurtful effects,
to the great leading interests of the country. Poll-
EY LEVI BEARDSLKY. 221
ticians, however, have generally been rebuked ; and
found it an unprofitable, as well as unpopular position to
place themselves in opposition to state improvements.
Several instances mi2;ht be 2;iven, fullv sustainin": and
illustratino: the truth of this remark.
It is a reflection in the highest degree consolator3s
that my efforts, humble as they have been, have
uniformly sustained the great systems of improvement,
from the time canals were first urged upon the con-
sideration of the state authorities, up to their final
triumph, and the general adoption of railroads through-
out the country.
To show how little was known of railroads, even
by men of general information and scientific acquire-
ments men who had travelled abroad, and were
distinguished for their devotion to projects of improve-
ments it may be interesting to my readers, to look
at the following letter from Chancellor Livingston, in
March, 1811, with remarks of the Philadelphia Ledger.
Chancellor Livinojston had been our minister to France
had spent several years in Europe had patronized
Fulton, in his steam-boat improvements and yet had
no adequate conception of railroads.
"Railroads in ISll. 'Impossible!' is still a word of
thundering sdund and mighty influence, in the ears of some
of the most sensible of people. It seems a characteristic
quality of human nature, to think that each great invention
or improvement must of necessity be the last. As an illus-
tration, we copy a letter recently communicated to the
National Era, written by Robert R. Livingston, (a great
man in his day, and at one time Chancellor of the State of
New York,) on the subject of a projected railroad. It
contains a homily for progress, and a deal of amusement
besides :
222 REMIN-ISCENCES
"Albany, March 11, 1811.
" Dear Sir,
' I did not till yesterday receive yours of the 25th
of February : where it has loitered on the road, I am at a
loss to say. I had before read of your very ingenious propo-
sitions as to the railway communication. I fear, however,
on mature reflection, that they will be liable to serious
objection, and ultimately more expensive than a canal. They
must be double, so as to prevent the danger of two such
heavy bodies meeting. The walls on which they are placed
must be at least four feet below tlie surface, and three above;
and must be clamped with iron ; and even then would hardly
sustain so heavy a weight as you propose, moving at the
rate of four miles an hour on wheels. As to wood, it would
not last a week. They must be covered with iron, and
that too very thick and strong. The means of stopping these
heavy carriages, without great shock, and of preventing them
from running upon each other for there would be many
running on the road at once would be very difficult. In
case of accidents, stops, or the necessary stops to take wood
and water, 5cc. many accidents would happen. The carriage
for condensing water would be very troublesome. Upon
the whole, I fear the expense would be much greater than
that of canals, without being so convenient.
R. R. Livingston."
" The reader of the present day, who sees what a railroad
is, and what it accomplishes, may readily laugh ^t the above
suggestions. Yet every discovery of the present day is met
with objections equally as absurd. Not that men ought to
receive everything new as practicable and good ; but they
ought not to oppose a thing without proper examination,
and because it is new, conceive it to be a humbug. Careful
and patient examination is necessary, in both cases ; and
where such examination is made for the purpose of discover-
ing the truth alone, the properly-informed man is seldom
mistaken in his conclusions. Investigation establishes truth,
and exposes error." Philadelphia Ledger.
LY LEVI BEARDSLEY". 223
The fourth of July of this year, was the fiftieth
anniversary of our national independence ; on which
day, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, by so many,
and scarcely short of miraculous coincidences, closed
their eventful lives. The facts that they were members
of the same congress ; on the same committee for
drafting the declaration of independence, thereby im-
mortalizino: their names then that each had been
vice-president and president, and should have gone
off the same day, and that day just half a century
from the nation's birth presented coincidencies so
strange and unlikely, that chance could not bring it
about, one time in many millions.
Preparations were made to celebrate the day at
Cooperstown with extraordinary show and spirit. Al-
van Stewart was orator, and a large assemblage from
every part of the county was present.
On arriving at Cooperstown, Stewart and myself
ascertained that Col. Stranahan, who for many years
had been a leader of the Otsego democracy, ha'd
held a respectable standing at the bar, and in the
community; had behaved gallantly in Queenston bat-
tle, (though taken prisoner) was locked up in jail for
debt. We thou2:ht it too bad that he should be in-
carcerated, when everybody else was free ; so we
went to the sheriff, and gave our word to indemnify
him, if he would bring Stranahan to the celebration.
They came ; and after the oration, dined with the
celebrating party.
The toasts being drank, and table exercises over,
as night approached the sheriff wanted to return to
the jail, and Stranahan must go with him. We were
all in merry mood, and felt independent. Some one
proposed to go with the colonel, and see him locked
224 KEMtMSCE>7CES
up. Stewart, Judge Morel], and myself; and I think
one or two others, went with thenn. I think Sherman
Page was one : when, on reaching the jail, we con-
cluded to be locked in with the colonel, to ascertain
how it would seem to be confined in jail. We en-
quired tlie amount of the debt ; and finally proposed
to the sheriff to have an interview with the plaintiff,
which resulted in our paying about S20 each, and he
losing the rest: so that Stranahan was discharged,
and released from confinement. This, if I recollect
right, was the last time I ever saw poor Stranahan.
He seemed to have fallen from the " high estate"
which for many years he had occupied, and died a
few months afterwards.
During the autumn of 1S2G I first visited Ohio ;
and while there, that wicked and ill-judged occurrence
took place, known as the abduction of Morgan ; from
which arose the anti-masonic party that swept over
western New York like wild-fire, revolutionizing a great
number of counties, formerly the most democratic
portions of the state.
The excitement was not confined to the western
part of the state, though it was more pervading, from
the fact, that the outrage being committed there, was
brought more immediately under observation, and
became the subject for embittered discussions in news-
papers, the pulpit, and among politicians. In fact,
it came very near revolutionizing the whole state : but
the democratic party, planting itself on its old, well-
established platform, and adhering to regular nomina-
tions, was able to withstand it in the state at large ;
though it found in anti-masonry, a most fierce, unre-
lenting, and powerful adversary. The outrage was
the act of a few enthusiastic, misguided masons ; who
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 225
assumed the lawless and fearful responsibility of kid-
napping and carrying off Morgan, to punish him for
having revealed, what he declared to be the secrets
of the society.
William Morgan is represented by those who knew
him, as a garrulous, triflins: man ; of some smartness
to be sure, but not distingui-shed for talents or profound
judgment. He had written w'hat he called a disclosure
of the secrets of the order; and several masons, more
imprudent than himself as if to give consequence to
his production by their anxiety to destroy his manu-
script, and to punish him, gave it more credit for truth
than it could otherwise have obtained ; and, in the
end, committed an outrage, from the odium of which,
the society of free-masons, after more than a quarter
of a century, has not yet entirel}'' recovered.
He was seized at Canandaigua, put in a carriage,
and posted hastily and secretly to Batavia ; thence to
Lockport ; and thence to Fort Niagp.ra, on the Niagara
river; where, from the fact that he has never been
heard of since, and from the threats and givings out
of those who had him in custody, there can be scarcely
a doubt that he was murdered.
To say nothing of the wickedness of the transaction,
and its lawless assumption of power over life and
liberty ; it was Aveak and impolitic in the extreme.
Had the masons disregarded the publication, it would
have passed off and died away, like ^'- Jachin and
Boaz,'''' and other ephemeral productions ; and would
soon have been forgotten : while the attempt to suppress '
it, acQompanied b}'^ acts of violence and disregard of
law, seemed to be an indorsement, that could hardly
fail to satisfy the uninitiated that it contained much
truth. That the public mind should be exasperated,
15
226 REMINISCENCES
and wrought up to a high state of excitement, was to
be expected ; for the transaction assumed and sanc-
tioned an inquisitorial power superior to law ; by
which a secret society claimed to have, or did exercise
authority, over the liberty and life of the citizen.
It is extraordinary, that men of reputation, fair
standing, and sound judgment, could have been so in-
fatuated as to engage in the lawless enterprise. Yet it
was so ; for many of those implicated were leading
influential men of Western New York; and hence, it
is not extraordinary that the great mass of the people
condemned and denounced the act, when they learned
that men of property and high standing had thus
violated law.
Had anti-masonry confined its exertions to warring
against the institution of free-masonry, and against
masons themselves, it would very likely have nearly
destroj'Cd the one in the state, and put down the others
for a season, at least. But it was bitter and prescrip-
tive ; and not only denounced all members of the
society, who did not renounce, and that too, whether
they justified or condemned the outrage. They went
far beyond this ; and proscribed and denounced those
who were not masons, unless they would join in the
crusade against those who were ; whether guilty or
innocent.
Those who were not masons and refused to join the
anti-masons, were designated by them as " mason's
jacks;" and the "jacks" were as bitterly stigmatised,
as the masons themselves, and even more so, by the
anties. This intolerant spirit sealed the fate of the anti-
masonic party, which in a few years pined and dwindled
away.
Its operation was singular. It never made much
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 227
impression or gained much foothold in the '* river coun-
ties," as they are called : or in counties where a large
proportion of the inhabitants were of Dutch origin:
nor did it materially affect the cit}-- of New York, or
Long Island. In some towns, in the same county, it
changed democratic towns, and placed them in decided
opposition to the party ; while in others, it rendered
towns democratic that had always been on the other
side. Thus, in my own county, (Otsego,) the towns of
Cherry Valley, Springfield, Middlefield,, and Otsego,
had always been relied upon, as the strongholds of
federalism, or whatever names the opposition to the de-
mocratic party assumed ; and these were completely
revolutionized, and remained democratic for several
years, from the mere attempt to introduce anti-masonry.
They are strongly democratic still, with the exception
of Cherry Valley, which, since anti-masonry died away,
is able, if canvassed closely, to give small majorities for
the whig party. In Richfield, Plainfield, Exeter, and
Hartwick, which had uniformly been democratic towns, i
anti-masonry turned them over to the other side, where
they remained, till anti-masonic zeal began to abate.
The county of Otsego, one of the most reliable demo-
cratic counties, though much infected with anti-masonry
in man}'- portions of it, was able generally to maintain
its republican ascendancy, notwithstanding the efforts
of the anties, aided by those who did not profess to be
such, but yet from political considerations went in with
them against the democracy.
In one or two elections, they succeeded in electing
portions of their ticket ; owing more to the popularity
of their candidates, and the unpopularity of the dem-
ocratic nominees, than from the strength of parties.
Nor was the sixth senatorial district, of which I was
228 REMINISCENCES
one of the senators for eight years, so far carried away
as to be of equivocal poHtical standing, except for a
single year, when the opposition carried their senator,
through the joint efforts of anti-masonry and its allies,
aided by some local questions in the district.
My first election to the senate was in the fall of
1829 ; when the anti-masonic party were quite as
powerful in Otsego as at any other period, and I think
more so ; and my election was contested by a can-
didate of that party, who was defeated by nearly six
thousand in the district ; and, if I remember right,
almost two thousand in our county, (Otsego.)
On the whole, my vote was probably increased
from that kind of opposition ; for I had an unusually
large majority. I first heard of the Morgan outrage at
Niagara, in Canada; where I stopped a few days, on
my return from Ohio. I saw at that place, an acquain-
tance who was residing there ; formerly from Cherry
Valley ; on whom I had, as master of the lodge, con-
ferred the degree of master mason. He had heard
rumours that Morgan had been brought to Fort Niagara,
and that he had probably been murdered ; and asked
me if I had heard of it? On my answering in the
negative, he said he had been told by certain masons
in the village, that a deputation had been sent from the
American side of the river, to consult with masons in
Canada, as to the best mode of disposing of Morgan ;
and to solicit their co-operation, which had been
refused. He also said, that the lodge at Brantford
had been consulted, of which John Brandt, son of the
celebrated Joseph Brandt, of revolutionary memory,
was master, or a leading member; and that Brandt
had been urged to take charge of Morgan, and dispose
of him as he and his Indians should think proper.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 229
This proposition, my informant said, had been
promptly and decidedly rejected ; and he was appre-
hensive Morgan had been sent out of the country, or
slain by those who had him in charge. He did not
seem to know anj^thing about it, except from hearsay ;
and as this was the first intimation that I had received,
I regarded it as a rumour without any foundation in
fact, and thought but little of it at the time.
I have recently been informed by a gentleman
from Canada, who then resided at Niagara village,
whose word is entitled to implicit confidence, that he
Jinows such a proposition was made to Brandt, who
repelled it with indignation. My informant says, that
when Brandt spoke of it, as an attempt to place
Morgan in his hands, that if murdered, it might be
charged as the brutal act of hardly half-civilized sa-
vages he denounced it as a base, cowardly attempt
to induce him and his nation to do a lawless deed,
desired by the instigators, but which they lacked
courage to perform. Indian as he was, he declared
that blood in the peaceful walks of life should neither
stain him or his nation. INfy informant added, that his
denunciations were in language and in manner, that
would have conferred honor on the most finished orators
of Greece or Rome, in their palmiest days.
I shall have something more to say of this John
Brandt, who is now dead, in another chapter.
It was not far from this time that my father frequent
ly spoke of selling his farm. He was getting old, his
children had left him, and he thought its management
required too much hard work, and brought with it too
many cares for his age.
It was the farm on which we had first settled, and
w^as then under good cultivation, with a large orchard,
commodious buildip'T=: and every thing comfortable.
230 REMINISCENCES
I could not believe him in earnest, as the farm was
a favorite one, on which he had resided since 1790;
which he had cleared up and brought to, from an un-
broken wilderness to its then improved condition. He
had reared his family there, and on that farm in his
new house my mother had died in ISll.
Knowing his industrious habits, and his attachment
to that farm, I did not believe he would be contented
off of it; or anywhere, unless he had employment that
should keep him busy.
Not wishing him to sell, I rather discouraged it, but
alwa3's objected to his working so much ; and advised
him from time to time to get a steady industrious man
and woman, to take charge of the place ; and he to
oversee and work occasionall}", as best suited him. He
would never consent to any permanent arrangement of
this kind, but kept along, occasionally hiring such out-
door help as was required, and keeping a hired girl to
do the heavy work in the house. Had I believed him
determined to sell, I should probably have bought it,
for I could have paid for it without inconvenience ; and
rather wanted to keep it in the family; but regarding
the talk of sale as the whim of an old man, who would
probably change his mind and want it back again, I
paid but little attention to it.
In December, 1S30, I went to see him, when he
informed me he had sold the farm. When he had pre-
viously spoken to me about selling, I had requested him,
if he made up his mind to do so, to let me know before
he made an absolute bargain. He alwa3's replied that
the farm would be valueless to me that my profession
was better ; and if I should buy it, one or the other
would suffer from neglect.
The view he took of it was business-like, and good
common sense; for it must have been just as he said
BY LEVT BEARDSLEY. 231
it would. But vvlien I came to realize that the farm
was gone ; and that henceforth I was to feel myselt
a stranger, where I had spent the days of my childhood
where I had labored from year to year ; clearing up,
planting the orchard, erecting buildings, improving
and beautifying the place I could not but feel un-
pleasantW. My first thought was to try to break up
the bargain, and buy it myself. There, said I, in my
reflections, is the place where we first broke the forest,
and erected the old log-house. My mother was then
alive ; shared the toils and hardships incident to a new
country ; discharged her duty faithfully to her famih',
and to community; assisted in building new houses ;
bore her younsfest child in the house where she died ;
and now that place, hallowed with these associations,
is to go into the hands of strangers. There is the
pine-tree, transplanted when but a shrub, by my own
hands; and now towering and lofty by the' side of the
brook, in whose waters and on whose banks I have so
often amused m3'self. Then again those poplars, eight
in number, which I brought from the nursery at ojie
time, and planted before the house, and are now eighty
feet high. Ought I to give up these, and other objects
equally attractive ? and make no effort to get back the
family home, where so much of my own life was
passed, and my industry bestowed?
^^ The family home!" How many associations,
cherished, hallowed, and dear, does that bring to mind !
M}'' own childish existence ; my brothers and sisters,
some of whom have passed away ; my parents, of
whom one is gone, and the other verging towards that
period when the grasshopper becomes a burden. Re-
flecting in this wa}', it appeared plain that I ought to
secure the farm. Pi'ide says, j'OU ought to own it : you
232 REMINISCENCES
will be disgraced to let it go out of the family.
Family! what is family pride, when the policy of law
is to subdivide and^ break up, instead of perpetuating
estates? You are indulging in anti-republican feelings.
Prudence (call it avarice if you please,) sa3's, what
can you do with the farm ? You have a good profes-
sion : you cannot and ought not to think of giving it
up. You are eighteen miles off: what can you do
with it, if j'ou buy it? You will have to lease, and
intrust it to a tenant ; who will require all the profits,
and by some device or other will get them. He will
suffer the fences to go to decay ; the buildings to
become delapidated. The farm will go up to thistles
and briars ; and here will not only be a constant drain
by way of outlay, but you will be sadly vexed, morti-
fied, and disappointed in your expectations. Common
sense and many years observation, convinced me that
these were sound, practical views; but I could not,
without a struggle, reconcile myself to the idea, that
the old homestead must go into other hands.
Shall I ever again meet my brothers and sisters
under the paternal roof, where we shall all feel as if
"we were at home ? No ! that will be impossible,
should it be at another place. Home ! everything dear
is included in that word ; 3^et everything connected
with it must be sacrificed, unless I step in and break
up the sale.
Such were my feehngs ; but after reflecting upon it,
and looking at the subject in a business-like view, 1 re-
luctantly reconciled myself to it, and the sale was con-
summated.
It has appeared to me that there is less attachment
among our countrymen to their birth place, or the
family homestead, than almost any civilized people on
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 233
earth. It is true that almost every one feels a venera-
tion for the place where he first saw the light, and
where the glimmerings of reason and memory first
made a lasting impression. This is a natural impulse
of our nature ; and it is one, I apprehend, that grows
stronger as we advance in years ; still the roving pro-
pensity of the Yankee is proverbial.
Our actions but too clearly indicate us as mere
*' pilgrims and sojourners on earth," ready to settle
down in one place, and then break up and re-settle in
another, just as interest shall seem most likely, in our
estimation, to be promoted. Our ancestors gave up
home and country, and came here as pilgrims and ad-
venturers, to acquire a residence where they might
enjoy civil and religious privileges, and lead a life more
congenial to their feelings. Restless and unsettled, they
and their descendants, like the ram seen in vision by
the prophet Daniel, have pushed " westward, north-
ward, and southward, so that none might stand before
them."
Not content with the vast domain, washed by the
stormy Atlantic, and bounded by the Alleganies, they
have climbed the Appalachian range, and like an
avalanche have precipitated themselves into the wide-
spread and far stretching Mississippi Valley. Discon-
tented, the restless backwoodsman, with axe and rifle,
following the orb of day, presses on to the west, to find
a more favored resting place. The rocky mountains,
in solitary grandeur, interpose their eternal barriers.
These, with indomitable resolution, are surmounted,
and rushing down the western slope, regardless of
hardships and dangers, nothing short of the great ocean
seems capable of arresting their onward course, or
of repressing the migratory habits of our countrymen.
234 REMINISCENCES
CHAPTER XIV.
Visit OJiio, 1826. Interview with Gov. Barry. Shoot a fine
Buck. Again visit Ohio, 1835. Maumee Country.
Wayne's Battle-field. Fort Meigs, and incidents at its
Siege. Defeat of Col. Dudley. Gov. Metcalf, of Ken-
tucky. Anecdotes of him. Indian Burying-ground.
Removal of Wyandots.
My first visit to Ohio, as has been elsewhere mentioned,
was durinj; the autumn of 1826. Governor Chnton
gave me introductory letters to several of the leading
men of that young state, which, if necessary to be
used, would have secured a kind reception wherever
I might have gone. The roads, though excessively
bad a large portion of the way, were preferred by my
family to a lake passage; for in 1826, very few thought
of trusting themselves on the lake, except those living
on its borders, or in its immediate vicinity.
We started oft" in our own hired conveyance, and
were upwards of a fortnight reaching Norwalk, Huron
county ; to which place I could now go, in the summer
season, within about forty hours. Such are the facilities
of travel since 1826, only about twenty-five years !
Traveling one day in the western part of Huron
county, where the country was new, I stopped with
my family at a log tavern ; and while they stra3^ed
into the garden for peaches, I went into the bar-room.
A tall, good-looking man, who had just arrived on
horseback, was sitting at the bar-room table, with
some cold meat and potatoes before him, from which
BY LEVI EEARDSLEY. 235
and some corn bread, he was making a hasty, though
cold dinner: while his horse was eatins: corn at the
trough.
He had a bottle of rum standing before him, which
he had brought from Cincinnati. I had lost my old
hound, and was enquiring for him ; which attracted
the notice of the tall gentleman at the table. Ad-
dressing me in western style, he said, " Stranger, will
you sit down and take some dinner with me, and a
drink of rum ? I have some that is right good, brought
from Cincinnati ; for I knew that nothing but raw
whiskey could be obtained in these parts." A second
invitation was not necessary ; so without apology I sat
down, and a fair demonstration was soon made towards
a total demolition of the cold meat and potatoes; while
his black bottle was subjected to several heavy pota-
tions. He was jovial, communicative, and social, and
on the whole a fine, well-informed, agreeable man, who
turned out to be Gov. Barry, of Kentucky, a decided
opponent of Henry Clay ; and was travelling through
Ohio, as I ascertained, to organize an opposition to Mr.
Adams' administration, with a view to the election of
Gen. Jackson ; on whose coming to the presidency,
Barry was made post-master general. He had many
good points; a fine, dashing, off-hand, high spirited and
chivalric gentleman ; open and frank, but I should think
imprudent, and by no means a safe adviser in the cabinet,
or discreet manager of a department. His qualities
however, were such as told effectually, with such a man
as President Jackson ; and hence, w^hen that great man
came into power, Barry was selected as one of his
cabinet.
While on this excursion, I shot a fine large buck,
near the Huron river, not far from Monroeville. He
236 REMINISCENCES
was driven from a corn field, by a small dog, in which
field deer frequently concealed themselves, and fed on
the corn. I heard the dog a good distance off, and soon
the buck came bounding along through the small hazel
bushes, with head and "flag" up most beautifully.
He stopped about sixteen rods from me, presenting his
side, though standing rather quartering. As soon as he
halted, I took quick aim, and fired the rifle barrel. He
bounded off as if unharmed, and as he came into the
path, twenty rods from me, 1 discharged the other barrel
loaded with ball and buckshot, but undoubtedly missed
him, for it was firing the moment he bounded from a
thicket into the path. On going to the spot where be
crossed the road, I found his track, but there was no
appearance of blood. The track, from the cleft hoofs
spreading apart, indicated that he was fatally wounded
and in extremis, but where was the blood ? Exces-
sively mortified, I began to think I had missed him,
though I could not understand how that could be ; for
the rifle went quick, threw its ball accurately, I. was
within fair, even short rifle range, and I had good aim.
The dog came up and soon solved the mystery, for he
scented the deer, where he was lying in the weeds, a
few rods from the road, and in plain sight. He was
large and fat, with fine branching antlers, and was shot
just were I intended to plant the ball.
My next visit to that state, was in 1835, when T
visited its northern portions and Detroit. My wife went
with me as did also Judge Morse and his lady. We
took stage to Buffalo, and were wheeled rapidly through
the country, and arrived at Batavia, the afternoon of the
4th of July ; where, not to be wanting in patriotism, we
had a bottle of champagne to drink a toast on the
occasion.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 2.j7
Lake navio-ation was still held In pn much fear and
detestation by those living away from the inland waters,
that the judge and myself could not induce our "better
halves" to venture cheerfully on the steam boat, so we
continued through by land, in the stage coach. He and
I visited Toledo, then beginning to attract public atten-
tion ; we also visited Perr3^sburgh, and thence up tlie
Maumee river, to the head of the rapids. The country
was new, and the greater part of the way up the river
was uncultivated. The Ottowa Indians were then on
their reservation, where a missionary station had been
for several years established; but the Indians were a
poor squalid, degenerated race, given to nearly all the
vices of the native population, where they are brought
in contact with the border setdements of the whites.
As we went up the river on the northerly side, we
passed over the battle ground where Gen. Wayne, in
August, 1794, so signally defeated the savages, and
restored peace to the western frontier. He and his
army came from the Ohio river at or near Cincinnati,
and after slrikino: the Auglaise, descended it to its
junction with the St. Mary, thence down that river to
Fort Wayne, from which place he descended thp
Maumee, intending to fight the Indians wherever he
could find them. His army was composed of a few
regular troops, and the residue were volunteers, many
of them from Kentucky. They had performed a long
march through the wilderness, and had suffered much.
Many of the volunteers were in buckskin breeches and
shirts, and had been so long exposed to the weather,
that their dresses had become greasy and dirty, and
were nearly black. The Indians had many white men
among them ; some were old tories ; others were from
Canada; and some were said to be English officers.
23S REMINISCENCES
They posted themselves where the land rises and forms
quite a hill, or ascent, making a steep bluff where it
approaches the river. This hill was covered with
brush and forest trees, the path or trail running through
them. The left of the Indian line was on the river,
and this line extended back a considerable distance
into the forest. Wayne had his spies, and not only
ascertained their position, but that the Indians intended
to make a stand. He determined to fight at once, and
to surprise them Avith the promptness of his attack, and
celerity of his movements. Dividing his forces, he sent
a detachment under his second in command, to his left,
who were to march westerly into the forest, and turn
the right flank of the Indians, while he with the residue
attacked them by a forward movement, in the thicket.
He had a small cavalry force, of which Gen. Solomon
Van Rensselaer was a cornet. Part of these were
directed to ride into and down the river, with a view of
turning the Indian left, and either cut off their retreat,
or be ready to pursue when driven from their position.
The bottom of the river alonsj the battle o^round is a
smooth lime rock, with occasional fissures, over which
the water flows rapidly, but is not deep at that season
of the year. I have frequently ridden over this rocky
bottom.
Having perfected his arrangements, the attack was
made with great vigor. The detachment sent to the
left had alarmed the Indian right, and out-flanking it,
had nearly got in the rear of the right, which forced the
Indians to fall back, and crowd towards the left, so that
the bulk of their warriors before the battle was over,
were mixed in and supported those who attempted to
resist Wayne. The Kentuckians in his division, with
characteristic ardor, rushed up the hill into the thicket,
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 239
where being received by a close and deadly fire they
were roughly handled: but the main force supporting
them, and all pressing forward, the Indians were soon
forced back, but continued the fight from tree to tree, to
the opposite side of the hill, where the bluff descends
north east down the river. At the foot of this hill, on
the north easterly side, a few rods from the river, was
quite a large rock, since known as " turkey-foot rock,"
behind which the Indian chief, " Turkey-foot," stationed
himself, when the Indians attempted to make their last
stand. He bravely maintained his position, and was
killed there, falling forward upon the rock when he was
shot. On this was afterwards roughly engraved or
chiselled out, the foot of a turkey, emblematic of the
chief. It has lately been rolled out of the road, and
lies by the wayside as you descend the hill coming
down the river. While the Indians remained on the
reservation, they always reverenced this rock, and
would place on it tobacco, and pour on it whiskey, for
the spirit of the deceased warrior, for whose untimely
fate they mourned with great apparent sincerity. I
I have often seen those offerings of tobacco remaining
where they had been placed. The Indians on being
routed gave up all for lost, and retreated down the
river, closely pursued by the victorious and incen-
sed Americans. Many attempted to cross over and
some were forced into it where it was too deep to ford,
and were drowned. They hoped to be received into
Fort Miami, at the foot of the rapids, then in possession
of the British; but Wayne informed the English officer
that if the fort was opened, or aid or protection given
to the savages, he would storm it and put every man
to the sword. He was just the man to do it, for he
stormed Stoney Point, during the revolution; and there
240 REMINISCENCES
was nolhinsr short of the infernal remons that he would
not storm, if duty required it. His announcement had
the desired effect on the garrison, for the gates were kept
closed against the poor Indians; and Wayne, as if to
tantalize and provoke the English officer to fire on him,
thereby giving a pretence for taking the fort, passed
leisurely in his canoe under its guns, closely observing
its means of defence, and its assailable points.
The Indians being excluded, dispersed and dis-
heartened, made no further resistance, but sued for
peace. Their crops and many huts were destroyed,
and the defeat was overwhelmingly calamituous. The
treaty at Greenville finally settled those difficulties.
Those large oak trees, where the brunt of the battle
raged, many of which are still standing, show by nu-
merous scars where bullets have been cut out, the
fierceness of the contest. I have hardly ever passed
over that battle ground without seeing an eagle perched
on one of those large trees, as if exulting over the result
of the battle; while on the rocks along the margin of
the waters, numerous turkey-buzzards were often con-
gregated, as if still searching for the remains of the
slain, from which they desired a horrid repast.
The ruins of old Fort Miami, are still remaining,
and may be seen and easily traced on the river's bank,
in the lower part of Maumee chy.
It was one of the western posts, retained by the
British, in opposition to the treaty of 1783, and was
given up with Oswego, Niagara, Detroit, and Mackinau,
under Jay's treaty, in 1795.
Gen. Solomon Van Rensselaer was shot through the
body, during the engagement, but retained his seat in
his saddle, and was brought out of the action though
severely wounded.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 241
A few miles below Wayne's battle-field, and about
two nniles above old Fort Miami, on the opposite side
of the river, are the remains of Fort Meigs, where
General Harrison sustained a protracted siege in 1S13,
and in the end repelled his assailants. The embank-
ments and entrenchments remain, and the lines of
defence may easily be traced. The uahealthiness of
the position, the constant and severe services in the
defence, and the exposure of the troops, necessarily
subjected them to great losses ; as well from sickness,
as from battles and casualties.
To look at the ruins of Fort Meigs from the opposite
side of the river, it has an elevated and formidable
appearance ; and it was so elevated, that it could
rather command the British battery, though at a long
shot distance. I have often been told of a daring
exploit of a lurking Indian, who had crossed from the
northerly side of the river, from the British camp, and
concealed himself near Fort Meigs. A soldier came
out of the fort in the morning, and was fired at and
badly wounded by the Indian. The wounded man
turned and ran for the fort, closely pursued by the
Indian, who struck him down with his tomahawk,
hastily tore off his scalp, and then giving a shout of
triumph and defiance, bounded ofFlike a panther, amid
a shower of musket balls fired from the fort, but from
which he escaped unharmed. It was an almost every-
day occurrence, for Indians to climb trees within mus-
ket-shot of the fort, and to pick off men within the
lines.
Nearly opposite Fort Meigs, on the northerly side
of the river, the brave but unfortunate Col. Dudley,
with his Kentucky detachment, were cut off, defeated,
and nearly the whole corps killed or taken. His
16
242 REMINISCENCES
detachment, with another under General Clay, from
Kentucky, had taken boats and descended the Mau-
mee, to reinforce General Harrison, then besieged in
Fort Meigs. The river being at high water, the boats
descended the rapids with safety, and landed very
near the head of the island ; a mile or two above the
fort. Governor Metcalf, of Kentucky, was with the
other detachment, and commanded a company who
were all drest in huntino; shirts. The detachment to
which he belonged, was directed to land on the south-
erly side of the river, and in due time to march down
and enter the fort; while Dudley was to land on the
northerly side ; and, after dispersing the enemy who
were posted along that shore, was to march down the
river, and assault the British batteries; and after
destroying or spiking their guns, to retreat, cross the
river, and enter the fort. A sortie from the fort was
to be made at the same time, against the enemy on
the south side of the river.
Before the boats landed, they were fired upon from
the shore, and several soldiers were killed or wounded.
The Kentuckians were brave, but not under strict
discipline eager for a fight, but rather a furious onset,
than one conducted on strict military principles. As
soon as they landed they rushed upon the enem.y, who
fell back, skirmishing from tree to tree as they re-
treated, and Dudley and his men hotly pursuing them.
The battery was bravely carried ; but " Kentuck" was
not satisfied to retreat and leave the work unfinished ;
till the adversary was thoroughly whipped. The enemy
systematically fell back ; and in the retreat were broken
and scattered, which necessarily broke and scattered
their pursuers ; so that Dudley's men were drawn into
the woods; and in almost every direction, were without
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 243
order pressing forward to fight the Indians, wlio showed
themselves on the skirts of the forest. The retreat
was a device to draw the spirited Kentuckians into an
ambush, and to give time to bring up forces from
Fort Miami and the main encampment. The prudent
command to retreat as soon as the battery was taken
and disabled, having been disregarded, this rash for-
ward movement put everything at hazard.
Col. Dudley did all he could to repress the ardour
of his troops, and to arrest their pursuit of the retreating
party. He ordered a halt and retreat; and tried to
stay the pursuit of his men by presenting his espontoon,
with' a view of enforcing his order, and of compelling
them to fall back. They were entirely absorbed and
wrapped up with the determination to see the fight
" put through," and to " lick" their adversaries, where-
ever they might show themselves. The terrible and
ferocious Tecumseh was there ; and, with Indian
cunning, lay in ambush with a greatly superior force,
inviting and provoking the Kentuckians to enter the
thicket, for a contest; while the British were bringing
up their forces from below.
The Kentuckians, broken by the pursuit, were
fighting on their "own hook," without much order or
command, when they w^ere met by the enemy with aug-
mented forces, far superior in numbers, and in compact
order. The pursuers were first checked, then driven
back in confusion ; and the result was a total defeat
and the annihilation of nearly the whole detachment.
Col. Dudley was killed ; and it is said, that after he
v/as mortally wounded, he slew an Indian w^ho ad-
vanced upon him to take his scalp. Governor Metcalf,
and the division that landed on the southerly shore,
repaired to the fort and assisted Gen. Harrison in its
244 REMINISCENCES
defence, till the British forces retreated and the Ameri-
cans made a forward movement. Major Oliver, who
has recently died at Cincinnati, and whom I have
known well for many years, was in the fort, and
greatly distinguished himself by his gallant conduct,
particularly in stealing at night through the enemy's
camp, and going thirty miles through the woods, to
hurry forward reinforcements and provision.
Almost every American reader must know who
Governor Metcalf is. His services in congress, as
well as in the United States senate, to say nothing of
those at home, render him familiar to every one ac-
quainted with our political affairs. Nearly thirty years
ago, while he was a member of the house of represen-
tatives, he was challenged by Mr. Mc Duffie, of South
Carolina, for some remarks in debate.
The Governor was not a duellist; but he knew that
no representative of Kentucky could retain the con-
fidence of his constituents, if he declined. Public
sentiment in his own, as well as many other states,
would not then brook a refusal. He accordingly
promptly accepted ; and being the challenged person,
had a right to name his weapon. He made no preten-
sions to skill as a rifleman; but knowing that his
countrymen were proverbially celebrated for their
achievements wnth this formidable weapon, he named
it as the arbiter to adjust the question. General Mc
DuJSie had previously been badly wounded and dis-
abled, in a duel with Col. Cummings, which in the
end, and recently too, has probably hastened his death.
His second objected to the rifle; on the ground that
the contest would be unequal, from the inability of
Mr. Mc Duffie to wield it, owinsr to his bavins: been
,4isii^l^d. This was freely admitted by Governor Met-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 245
calf, who, to obviate the objection, proposed that Mr.
Mc Duffie should shoot at "a rest." The result was
a withdrawal of the challenge, and an amicable ad-
justment, highly creditable to both parties.
Should these pages ever reach the Governor's eye,
I beg him to excuse me for the use I have made
of his name, and for an anecdote told of him in Ohio,
too good to keep, which I am about to relate. The
Governar was an old fashioned war democrat, though
latterly a whig, as many of the great men of Kentucky
are, and in 1840 felt a warm interest in the success af
his dd commander. Gen. Harrison.
At home and in Ohio he is known by the cognomen
of *' Old sled2;e hammer," so it was thought he could be
useful in Ohio, and they sent for him to "stump it"
through a portion of the state, and address the buck-eyes.
He was quartered at a village inn, and was to attend
a public gathering in the evening, some distance from
his stopping place. The landlord, who was also a
politician, was to attend and address a meeting in
another direction, but before leaving home took the
governor to a sleeping room, in which were several beds,
and pointed out the particular one that would be re-
served for him, directing him to go in asid take possess-
ion should he return before his host.
It turned out that before leaving home, the landlord
had informed the black woman, who had charge of the
room, that Gov. Metcalf, of Kentucky, would be there
to sleep, and that the bed must be reserved for him.
During that political campaign, it was deemed ne-
cessary not only to drink hard cider, and eat corn bread,
and build log cabins, but the speakers must be in
appropriate costume. As the governor had served
under Gen. Harrison, where he had met and associated
24:6 REMINISCENCES
with many and nearly all the old leading men of the
Buck-eye stale, it was thought advisable that he should
appear among them- with his old hunting shirt, just as
he appeared at Fort isleigs, and he was requested to
bring the identical indomitable shirt with him ; all of
which he of course complied with. Disguised in this
outer garment, he went and addressed the meeting,
with fine effect, and received unbounded applause.
Though a tall, dignified, good-looking man, 1 have no
doubt, that in his old rifle shirt, he appeared very rough
and uncouth; not very unlike a western wagoner in his
frock. Returning before his host, he went to the room
that had been pointed out to him, and began to undress,
to take possession of the bed that had been designated
for his reception. At this interesting moment, the old
female darkle appeared, and interposed her peremp-
tory objections. The governor remarked that he thought
that room, and that bed had been pointed out to him ;
but he might have mistaken the room. She replied in
good round broken negro, that it could not be his, for
she was directed to reserve it for another. The go\er-
nor said he had been shown a room and a bed, and he
thought this was the one, though he might be mistaken
as he was a stranger in the house. Her reply was sub-
stantially " You can't come dat ober dls darkie, and
must find anoder place." Not wishing to discuss or
contest the question with the ebony amazon, he retired to
an adjoining room filled with beds, but all occupied;
and there turning 'down a chair, on which to rest his
head, he slept on the floor during the night. Sometime
afterwards the host came home, and enquired of the
darkie, whether the governor had returned ? She
answered, "no!" that no one but a rough looking, ill-
dressed man, who she thouG:ht was a teamster or
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 247
butcher, had been there, who wanted the spare bed,
but she had driven him into the other room, and had
kept it for the governor, who she had no doubt would
be along soon. The host said she was probably mis-
taken, and that she had driven the governor from his
bed, for he was then strongly impressed with the belief
that he was the rough old hunting-shirtcd gentleman.
She persisted in saying that she knew the man she re-
pulsed was no governor or gentleman; but the mystery
was unravelled when he made his appearance in the
mornino:.
In 1844, I met him at Columbus, Ohio, where each
of us addressed a large audience the same evening, in
favor of the election of Mr. Clay, for whose election
the governor labored faithfully and efficiently, both in
his own and other states. Ohio was carried beautifully
for iMr. Clay, but New York faltered, and hence the
success of Mr. Polk.
A few miles above Fort Meigs, at Bear Rapids, on
the JNIaumee, the Ottowa Indians had a burying place
on a farm of which I was part owner. It was in an
old corn field, and as long as I owned it the graves were
protected. The Indian mode was to place over the
grave a covering of bark. They cut small timbers and
laid them parallel with the grave, with cross pieces at
head and foot, laying it up log-cabin fashion, and
narrowing it at the top. Over this log-work was
placed the bark, making a roof, which was kept in
place by laying on it small poles to press it down. At
the head, between the cross pieces, was always notched
out a loop-hole, to enable the spirit of the deceased to
have free egress and ingress from the resting: place of
the bodv to this "breathing world," and thence back
again to the charnel house. Those rude monuments are
248 REMINISCENCES
however, flist passing away, and must be entirely
eradicated within a few years.
Melancholy reflections rush on the mind, which we
can neither put aside or suppress, when we dwell on the
fate of the red men who once possessed this continent,
and have now nearly disappeared, except in the reces-
ses of the vast west.
Before another century passes away, the wild men
of our country will be regarded as beings that once
were, but now are not. History will speak of them
as of the past. The canvas may represent them in
their rude costume ; and the fine arts perpetuate their
memories, and transmit them to posterity. Civilization,
in its onward course, marches over the hut and the
grave of the savage, erasing all visible objects of the
past; so that neither his works or his monuments
remain, to tell where he revelled while livinfr, or
where he rests when dead.
It is to be hoped that a remnant, at least, may be
saved from the general wreck, which can only be
effected by adopting the modes and habits of civilized
life. The Cherokees, the Choctaws, the Senecas, and
other civilized or partially civilized tribes, afford reason
to hope that the race will not become extinct ; but if
perpetuated at all, it must be by abandoning the savage
for the civilized state. The fate of the savages of
New England and New York, and in short nearly all
the old states, but too clearly indicates what is to be
the fate of those v/ho reject civilization.
The Wyandots were the last of the race in Ohio.
I had frequently passed over their reservation, and
stopped over night among them. Several half-breeds
of my acquaintance were shrewd, intelligent, and
respectable ; but the great body of the people had but
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 249
partially advanced beyond the first rudiments of civi-
lized life.
Soon after their removal, I passed on horseback
through their deserted grounds ; where their log-houses
were generally untenanted, though their booths were
standino:, as were the rude fixtures where their food
had been cooked ; for the camp fires were scarcely
extinguished, but the " poor Indians" were gone.
Passing again, and at no distant period of time, the
white man was there, numerous dwelHngs had been
erected, a county seat established ; and now a smart
village and well-cultivated fields, cover what was
formerly the Indian village of " Upper Sandusky."
At this visit I met one of the half breeds of my
acquaintance, who had come back to his old residence,
from the new home of the tribe far up the Missouri.
He came on with me to the city of New York, where
we stopped for a few days together. He was a
merchant, and was purchasing an assortment to take
with him to his countrymen at the west. The accounts
he gave of them, and of their prospects of success,
were by no means encouraging. He played a good
game of whist, was gentlemanly and social, and on the
whole an agreeable travelling companion.
250 REMINISCENCES
CHAPTER XV.
Visit ZTiyper Lakes, 1836. Jo7in B. Macy, esq., and Hon. R.
J. Walker. Reckless Speculations and Subsequent Em-
barrassments. Rajnd Growth of Cities, and Settlement
of the Country. Prohahle Growth and Importance of
Toledo. Indian Dance. Chicago in 1836, and 1847.
Its Convention. Visit Sault St. Marie. Descend the
Rajnds in Bark Canoe. Incidents and Anecdotes.
In the summer of 1S36, a year long to be remembered
for inflated prices and blasted hopes, I went again to
the west. Taking the steamer, Thomas Jefferson,
at Buffalo, on which was embarked an immense crowd
of passengers, who of course that year, were furnished
with all the substantial and luxuries that could be pro-
cured; we passed up Lake Erie, slopping at interme-
diate ports between Buffalo, Toledo, and Detroit.
Among other passengers was John B. Macy, esq., then
of Bufiiilo, who had very much the control of the boat
en its passage, and who gave free tickets to many of
those on board.
Mr. Macy was an active, business man, engaged in
forwarding on the lakes and canals; and although
he has since met with adverse fortunes enough to dis-
courage most men, yet he never falters or despairs of
ultimate success. He is now one of the most active
and energetic men of my acquaintance, liberal in his
views, always devoted to projects calculated to develope
the resources of the country, and improve its condition ;
aud will do anything reasonable to serve a friend or
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 251
promote his interest. He is popular and well-informed,
of excellent address, and admirably qualified to secure
the success of any project he takes in hand. At pre-
sent he is the principal agent in constructing a railroad
from his residence at Fond du lac, in Wisconsin, to
Janesville, on the Rock river, and thence to Chicago:
and having overcome obstacles, which to almost any
other man would have appeared insurmountable, has
now placed the affairs of the road on such a basis that
its success is no longer doubtful.
His position is a proud one, for he has the confidence
and esteem of all parties in his own vicinity, and
throughout that part of his state, as well as the whole
extent of the road. There is another gratifying cir-
cumstance; and that is, in reference to his pecuniary
affairs, which after many losses and adverse circum-
stances, I believe are now on a substantial basis, that
will render him and his estimable family comfortable,
and comparatively speaking, independent through
life. He is a democrat of the old school; but liberal in
his views, and without a particle of bitter or proscriptive
feeling. For several years he has been on intimate and
confidential terms with Hon. Robert J. Walker, the late
accomplished and deservedly popular secretary of the
treasury.
Mr. Macy regards him, as he undoubtedly is, one
of the great men of the nation, who at no distant day,
may be called to the highest position in the gift of the
country; and I will venture the remark, that if the
democratic or any other party shall be so fortunate as
to select him, or men equally worthy, the liberties of the
country will be safe, its interests promoted, and its
commerce extended ; while its honor will be scrupu-
lously regarded and maintained.
252 REMINISCENCES
I have reason to believe that Mr. Walker, shrewd
as he is, and well qualified to judge of men and their
worth, and capacity for business, has formed the same
favorable opinion of Mr. Macy, that I have indicated.
Should Mr. M. consent to enter the pohlical arena, m-
stead of devoting himself to the superintendence of the
important railroad he now has in charge, I shall expect
to see him ere long in Congress, or in some other position
equally honorable and responsible. I speak thus favor-
ably, because I have known him many years, and
known him intimately; and in all our relations and our
business matters, which have been many, I have found
him honorable, hberal, and upright. But it is time to
quit this personal digression, and return to our lake
passage, in 1836. In that memorable year every one
was imbued with a reckless spirit for speculation. The
mania, for such it undoubtedly was, did not confine
itself to one particular class, but extended to all. Even
the reverend clergy doffed their sacerdotals, and eagerly
entered into competition with mammon's votaries, for
the acquisition of this world's goods, and tested their
sagacity against the shrewdness and more practised
skill of the professed sharper.
All felt rich and in fine spirits that year, and hence
inordinate quantities of champaigne, and other fashion-
ble exhilirators were deemed indispensable to make
buying and selling go on with alacrity.
On reaching: Toledo, we found the villagers assem-
bled to celebrate, in a suitable manner, the adjustment
of the disputed boundary, between Ohio and Michigan.
Judge Potter was to deliver an oration, and then a pub-
lic dinner was to come off, of which many of us
partook, and joined in the festivities.
FromToledo we went to Detroit, where I attended
EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 2o3
the celebration of the fourth of Jul}', and became
acquainted with Gov. Mason.
Many of us decided on going to Chicago, by the
Straits of Mackinau, whicli was llien thought quite an
achievement, and a novelty to most of us.
As we went round the lakes we had several adven-
tures that I noted down at the time, but the manuscript
is now lost. Those on board the boat were intent on
speculations, and were enquiring prices and making
bargains, not only at points w'here the boat stopped,
but continually were buying and selling on board, as
the boat traversed the lakes. Towns had been laid
out at every imaginable point ; splendid lithographic
maps had been prepared and were exhibited, and the
most extravagant prices demanded and given. Money
was abundant this year, and everybody had credit to
get it. The whole country seemed to be in motion ;
and most extravagant anticipations prevailed in regard
to the settlement of the country, and the rapid growth
of towns on the margin of the lakes. Just in propor-
tion to these high expectations, were the prices of
village and city lots enhanced ; and as almost every-
body desired to purchase, the sellers soon became rich
as Nabobs, on paper: but when a change, in 1837,
"came o'er the spirit of their dreams," debtors were
unable to pay ; and creditors who relied on these
payments, and on the strength of them had made
other engagements nearly the whole list of creditors
and debtors went down with one general crash, and
bankruptcy became the fate of most of them.
No doubt settlements w'ould have gone on with
great rapidity, and would have enhanced the value of
agricultural lands, and town and city property, had it
not been for the revulsions of 1837 and '8, and the
embarrassments that followed them for several years :
254 REMINISCENCES
but no state of aflfairs could justify such high prices,
and such numerous contracts, as grew out of the sale
of town lots. The obligations were too heavy, and the
town lots too numerous, and very many of them alto-
gether worthless.
High as the prices were, many of those city plats
would have done much to save the purchasers from ruin,
had not the embarrassments of a few years checked the
settlement of the country and the building up of cities.
The tendency of those embarrassments was, to depress
the value of that kind of property, and did depress it
much below its actual value; so that before the towns
began to start vigorously, the owners were ruined.
Then, as those embarrassments were overcome, and
the farming portions rapidly filled up with inhabitants,
such cities as Chicago, INIilwaukie, and others on the
lake shores, began to rise ; and improvements and
rapid growth followed to such an extent, as almost to
justify those former extravagant prices. To look at
those cities, and in fact the whole of Wisconsin, as
well as other portions of the west, the increase has
been such as to startle the incredulous, and almost
exclude belief on the part of those most sanguine in
their temperaments.
No one of those western cities has so disappointed
me in its growth as Toledo. Fourteen years ago, in
my estimates of the probable building up of cities on
the lakes, 1 used to think that within a few 3-ear3
Toledo would surpass Cleveland and Detroit; and
that after Buffalo, it would be necessary to go to
Chicago, to find a rival to what Toledo was to be
ultimately. I am by no means certain but I was then
right, and that a few years will see something like an
approximation to those anticipations.
Toledo has had a bad character in regard to health,
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 255
which has had a pernicious influence; but this is in
a great measure overcome, and no doubt will be
entirely, when the country is cleared up and cultivated.
With a canal, crossing the state to the Ohio river at
Cincinnati, through the fine Miami country, and then
another up the Maumee, and down the Wabash valley
to the Ohio, thus making Toledo the outlet for the
unsurpassed agricultural districts through which these
canals pass, it seems impossible that it should much
longer be kept depressed.
Then again, the railroads that now communicate
with it, and others that will soon be completed, must
give an impulse to its growth and business ; unless
causes that have uniformly built up other cities, shall
fail of producing like results in this. A few years will
indicate the chances of its future progress ; and to time,
the enterprise of its citizens, and the influx of business,
that result must be left. But to return again to our
excursion :
On passing Mackinau, we ran over to the mainland,
near Point Ignatius, where the boat lay-to for firewoood.
The passengers generally, left it and rambled along
the shore and in the adjoining woods, for several hours.
An immense number of Indians were there, who had
congregated to receive their annual payments and
presents, whose slight tents and shelters, many of them
of bark only, were stretched along the beach for two
miles. They had with them great numbers of bark
canoes. With several companions, I had walked down
the beach nearly two miles, looking at the Indians ;
and in the course of the excursion, had shot at a mark
with some of them who had a rifle. Mr. Carroll, of
Washington city, brother of Hon. Charles H. Carroll,
I recollect was with me. We met several Indians
256 REMINISCENCES
who were gaily adorned and painted, hurrying along
towards the steamer; and were at last informed, that
ihey were going to have a dance on board. Wishing
to be present to see the performance, we engaged an
old lazy Indian and his squaw, to take us in his bark
canoe and paddle us to the boat. He was lying in his
tent, and was little inchned to go, till the offer we
made the squaw, induced her to persuade him to
accompany us.
The canoe was large, and eighteen or twenty of
us got in ; and then two or three papooses cried to go
with us, and were taken on board. Next two dogs
came crowding along, looking as if they were half-
wolves ; but they were excluded, and trudged along
shore towards the steamer, howling and yelping occa-
sionally, for not being allowed to come into the canoe.
Arriving at the boat, we found a large number of
Indians on board, ready for the dance; nearly all of
them naked, except their breech-cloth. Their faces
were painted with rich stripes of vermillion and lines
of black ; and one of the varlets had one side of his
face altogether black, the other deep red. Round their
ankles they had their deer-hoof rattles. Some had
ornamental feathers in their hair : others had girdles or
straps round their waists, to which were fastened birds
and squirrels, that dangled on their rumps as they
danced. One, to be more highly ornamental, had a
horse's tail so fastened under his girdle, and hanging
down behind, as to look as if it was his own natural
appendage. Two or three of the party had small
drums, on which they beat time with sticks ; and one
of the dancers had cantrived to fasten the pate and
horns of the buffalo on his head, so that he was a two-
legged animal actually sporting a pair of horns.
BY LEVI EEAUDSLEY. 257
A great variety of Indian dances were performed,
accompanied with the usual guttural sound, and fre-
quent whoops and yells. An Indian, though active, is
an awkward dancer. I never saw one who had the
least grace of motion. His contortions are strained,
unnatural, and painful ; and besides these, his dance
consists of little else than a monotonous stamp and
tread, conforming to the beating on his rude drum ;
the rattles making a continual noise, intermixed with
his measured intonations shouts and yells. An Indian
walks well, and runs beautifully in the woods, but
there is no grace or beauty in his dance. The old
Indian that paddled us up to the steamer, looked on
with profound interest for a considerable time, when
the excitement became so high, and the temptation too
strong to be resisted, and then he joined in it, with
great glee and apparent satisfaction. A collection was
taken up among the passengers, which w^as a liberal
one ; and the avails were divided into parcels, agreeably
to Indian rules, by one or two of their leaders. One
of the party attempted to cheat, by concealing a piece
of money, which was taken from him, and he kicked
out of the compan}'', with disgrace. The Indians left
us with kind feelings, and the boat being put under
way, ran for Green Bay, passing among those fairy-
like islands. On reaching the wharf, one of our party,
who I frequently meet in New York, fell from the boat
in deep water, but was rescued unharmed except a
good ducking.
Returning from the bay, after setting an interloper
on shore in the woods, we ran along the western shore to
Milwaukie, (then scarcely commenced) and thence to
Chicago, where there was but little except the old
garrison house, a few new buildings completed, and
17
25S REMINISCENCES
Others begun. This or the preceeding jj'ear may be
regarded as the commencement of a city now number-
ing 30,000 inhabitants. The few buildings there, were
much crowded, and fare at the public houses exces-
sively high. It was difficult to get a place to sleep.
The night I was there I slept at the " Lake House," in
an unfinished room, where there were plenty of shavings,
so, throwing a buffalo skin on them, I slept comfortably.
For town lots, they asked prices far beyond my
estimate or comprehension ; and I would "have none
of them."
My oldest son was with me ; and we crossed the
lake from Chicago to St. Joseph, and thence by stage
wagons to Detroit ; a most uncomfortable mode of tra-
velhng, as the roads then were. For the next ten years,
I passed over Lakes Ontario and Erie in almost every
direction, and in almost all kinds of weather, more or
less every year; but did not go again to Chicago till
the summer of 1847, when I went as a delegate from
the city of New York, to the river and harbour con-
vention. What a change had been wrought within
that ten years ! Chicago was no longer a city merely
on paper, with a few poor sparse buildings ; but had
become a substantial citv, aboundinsr with commerce,
and a thrifty, industrious population of more than
twenty thousand.
Such are the benign influences of our political
institutions, that from an influx of foreign as well as
our native citizens, the last four years have added to
the wealth, the business, and the population of this
city, a ratio of increase much beyond previous years ;
and its prosperity and onward course appear now
permanently established for many years to come.
The convention having completed its labours, many
CY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 259
of US who were members took passage on board the
steamer St. Louis, for a pleasure trip to the Sault St.
Marie. More than two hundred I should think were
on board, and a fine enterprising jolly set they were.
I have now before me a letter, written by me on
board the St. Louis, while on Lake Huron, dated July
14th, 1S47 ; giving some of the incidents of our excur-
sion, a portion of which is here transcribed.
"Among our passengers were many from Ohio
Gov. Corwin, Gov. Bebb, Messrs. Schenck, PhiUips,
and others. A large representation from Pittsburgh,
twelve from St. Louis; Thomas Butler King, of Georgia,
some from Indiana, Illinois, &c. ; many from New
York, and in fact from ' everywhere.'
" Touching at Southport, Racine, Milwaukie, &c.
we proceeded north, to the ' death-door' passage,
through which we entered Green Ba}'', among the
beautiful islands ; and thence easterly to the ' Manitou'
Island. On arriving at Mackinau, a large proportion
of ladies and gentlemen went ashore, and spent the
day on the island, where they had a pic nic and dance ;
ran foot races ; with other amusements, indicating
much hilarity and fine flow of feeling, when they came
on board. Champagne had been liberally sent on
shore from the boat, which no doubt contributed to the
gaiety of the occasion.
"About twenty of us remained on board, intending
to go sixteen miles to the mainland, northwest of Macki-
nau, passing on its southerly side going, and on its
northerly returning; so that we sailed round the island.
The object of the excursion was to fish for speckled
trout, in a stream known as ' carp river.' We were
put ashore in the yawd, properly prepared with hooks
and lines, to take any trout that would condescend to
260 REMINISCEN'CES
give us a nibble. To do the work successfully, and
with scientific skill, it was necessary to wade the river,
a course which George W. Clinton, J. L. Barton, and
others who professed more science than I did, and
were far more enthusiastic, adopted ; and were of
course both wet and muddy.
"I sported from the shore, and thus avoided getting
wet : but take the party together, I suppose a more
forlorn, seedy, and graceless-looking group was never
seen. The weather was hot, and the sun shone with
uncommon lustre and power. The mosquitoes were
enormously large, thick, and hungry, and determined
to have their share of the sport. Being sharp biters,
they drew blood wherever they perched themselves :
and I am sure I do not enlarge in saying, that some of
the party had more than fifty stings and blotches in
their faces, where blood was drawn ; to say nothing of
their hands and ears. Wp took about two hundred
trout, and returned to Mackinau, from whence, on the
assembling of the passengers, we expected to start that
evening for the Sault, to arrive there the next morning;
but the boat did not get off till Sunday morning.
" We had a New England clergyman on board, who
preached to those who went in the cabin to hear him ;
but as his services commenced just as we were going
out of Lake Huron, into the bays and river leading up
to the Sault, where every thing was new to us, several
kept aloof, preferring to remain on deck, and view the
beautiful scenery they had come so far to see.
" They regarded it as not in good taste to volunteer a
sermon at this particular time and place, however well
intended. I have passed down Lake Ontario, among
the Galloes, and the St. Lawrence, among the Thou-
sand Islands, so through Lake Erie, and Green Bay,
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 261
where the islands are beautiful and enchanting, yet
have I never beheld scenery and views so picturesque
as the water, and islands, and headlands present, as3'ou
go towards the Sault. A large proportion of the inhab-
itants of Sault St. Marie, were half breeds, and on
arriving there we found the public houses thronged and
crowded to overflowing:. We were to remain there the
next day ; and our party amused themselves, some by
loitering about the town, others strolling up the river
above the rapids to the schooners, that run to the cop-
per mines, on Lake Superior.
" The weather was excessively hot, thermometer
ranging at ninet3^-seven. Judge Stevens, of Buffalo,
Mr. Wakefield, of Ohio, and myself, wi-shing (o fish for
trout, hired an Indian, (George,) to take us in his bark
canoe, and paddle us across the river, nearly a mile
wide, and then to keep us in rapid water where the
trout were to be found. He was introduced to us as a
faithful fellow, who knew where to find the fish, and
who would manage his canoe with perfect safety.
" He had a boy seated in the stern, who with his pad-
dle assisted in steering and moving us about. To give
a specimen of his skill, George struck across the riverj
just at the foot of the rapids, so near that the rough
water as it pitched and tumbled, danced our canoe
about right merrily, occasionally taking in a little water
that dashed over its sides. As we fished among the
breakers, George and his boy kept forcing the canoe
up the rapids on the north side, through the creeks that
came down parallel with the main river, f>'om ths
capacious estuary above, so that at last we reached the
level of Lake Superior, having ascended twenty-three
feet. The bed of the river is full of rocks, some above
water and others just beneath, with thousands of them
262 REMINISCENCES
scatteretl from one side to the other, nearly a mile in
width, and at least a mile down to still water. Over
and among these the water rushes and tumbles in the
wildest confusion, shooting off in every direction, in
currents and eddies very much like the rapids above
Niagara, the Avhole channel appearing white with the
sur^ino: element. We were at the smooth water some
way above, and proposed to George to set us over from
the Canadian to the other side. He thought the wind
blew too much down the river to cross over, unless we
went further up, where it would be much wider. He
proposed to run us down the main river, which he said
he could do with safety ; that by keeping out of the
creeks, and keeping near the Canadian shore, we should
find plenty of water, and thus avoid breaking the canoe
upon the rocks. That he had been familiar with the
river for twenty years ; had run the rapids often, and
never upset his canoe ; and though we were one and a
quarter mile from the foot, he could run it in five or six
minutes.
" We remarked that three men had been drowned
there a few days before, and their boat dashed to pieces,
and there must be danger. He said the boat was over-
loaded, and the sailors who navigated it knew nothing
about running the rapids, and nothing better could be
expected.
' On crossing the river in the morning, I had a strong
desire to run the rapids, as an amateur; but before
reaching the still water above, and seeing how many
rocks there were, and how rapid the current ran, this
desire abated, and I preferred passing over, instead of
running down.
" George reasoned all t'ear out of us, and we con-
cluded to let him do as he pleased. He told us to sit down
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 263
in the canoe and remain steady, without stirring, and
then asked us to look at our watches, to see how long he
would be in going his mile and a quarter. After we had
got ready for the descent, we offered George some gin
and water, of which he partook; and on asking him if
we should give some to the boy, he shook his head, and
said 'No, the bo}'- is good enough boy without gin.'
On starting, I remarked to my companions, that if we
should sret drowned so soon after three others had met
O
with that fate, no one would give us any credit for
it, but would set us down as fools at least, if nothing
worse.
"We descended with race-horse speed, the canoe
gliding down the rapids with the velocity of an arrow,
and safely bearing us to the foot of them in about five
minutes.
"It is surprising to see with what skill an Indian
manages his canoe. He sits in the prow to steer it, and
puts the paddle in the water near the forward end, at
its side. The race down the river was of course ex-
citing, and as we had made it with safety, it seemed to
pay for all the trouble we had incurred, and the risk
we had run. The canoe would seem to be running
into an immense heap or surge of water, as if it was
going to enter it ten feet below the top ; or would be
apparently about to run upon a rock that threatened to
dash it in pieces, when George, by a little pull or
push with his paddle would steer clear of the apparent
danger, almost but not quite touching it. Many of the
passengers from the other side of the river saw and
admired the velocity of our descent. One of them, a
sober, sedate citizen, with much assumed gravity, took
us to task for running such an unnecessary risk, which
probably by the example, as he said, would induce
2G4 REMINISCENCES
Others to run and lose their lives. He remarked that no
one had a right to sport with his life by such risks, for-
getting that the rapids had been run in canoes for a
hundred years with comparatively i'ew accidents.
"Many ladies were on board the boat, and dancing
parties were got up almost every evening. Among
some of the gentlemen all kinds of fun, frolic, joking,
swearing, playing, and drinking, was constantly going
on. Amon the Missourians was Doctor S. of St.
Louis, who gave us infinite amusement. He left us
yesterday for Mackinau, to return home by Chicago.
He is a man of wit and humor, rather smart, and of
great colloquial powers. He kept his copper hot all the
time he was with us. On one occasion he took a
copious draft of cold water, when one of his associates,
who is editor of the St. Louis Revielle, remarked that
the water would ' be a d d surprise to his sto-
mach ;' another replied, * if it was not to his stomach,
his stomach would be to the water;' and a third said,
'listen, and hear him condense the water into steam.'
" Bloomer, the accomplished steward of the boat,
gave me a memorandum of the stores put on hoard for
the trip, which to those not acquainted with the abun-
dant supplies provided in those large upper lake boats,
would excite wonder and surprise : but as I have
already extended this article to too great a length, the
stores must be omitted, though if stated at large they
could not but interest all amateurs who delight in
'creature comforts.' "
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 265
CHAPTER XVI.
Election to the Senate. Centennial celebration, Feb. 22, 1832.
First breaking out of Cholera. Great alarm. Court
for Correction of Errors meet in New York. Death of
William H". Maynard. Slight attack of Cholera.
Several Legislative Incidents. Introduction and passage
of Bill to replenish General Fund by Loans from Canal
Revenue. Opposition of City of New York to Canals.
Clienango Canal. Black River and Genesee Valley
Canals. Erroneous Estimates of Engineers. Report in
favor of Black River Canal. " Stand still" Policy.
Report of Samuel B. Ruggles. Criticism on that Report.
' Canal Policy sustained by Western Neiv York from
beginning. Criticism on Judge Hammond's opinion in
regard to State Debt.
In 1829 1 was elected to the senate for four years ; my
first session commencing January 1st, 1830. The
autumn of 1834 I was re-elected, and served four
years more ; just four years too long, for I ought not to
have gone back a second time. The last year of my
service I was elected president of the senate, by a
nearly unanimous vote ; which position I. held till my
term of service expired. During my first term, (Feb.
22ncl, 1S32) we had a centennial celebration of Wash-
ington's birthday : the two houses, by concurrent reso-
lution, uniting with the city authorities and citizens
generally, to pay respect to the day, and to the memory
of the father of the country. Oran G. Otis, member
of assembly from Saratoga county, delivered an excel-
lent oration. I was chairman of the committee of
arrangements, Vv^hich consisted of members of both
houses, making it a joint committee.
2GG REMINISCENCES
In addilion to the adjournment of the legislature,
and the attendance of the members, as well as the
state officers and governor, to hear the oration, and
make other demonstrations of respect, a ball on a mag-
nificent scale was got up by the citizens, of which the
joint committee of arrangements acted as managers, in
concert with those appointed by the citizens. Hon.
John Townsend was the chairman of the citizens'
managers ; and they made me chairman of the whole
board. The ball was held in the City Hall, which was
magnificently lighted, from the first-floor up to the
interior of the dome, with lamps of every variety of
colour. Invitations were sent out to almost every part
of the state; and citizens from the country as well as
the cities, attended in great numbers. The supper
was excellent; and among other conceits, our host
Drake, of the American, had a pie prepared, covered
with a crust, on the removal of which two young
pigeons, disengaged from their dehcate confinement,
flew away and fluttered about the dining room. Dan-
cing was kept up till a late hour ; or more appropriately
speaking, not an early hour in the morning.
It was indeed a splendid affair ; probably the most
so of any that had ever come off in Albany; and it
will be many years before it will be surpassed. How
many of those then redolent with life are now gone?
and in so short a space ! It really makes me melan-
choly to think of it.
The next summer the cholera made its appearance, ^
while the legislature were in extra session, and such was
the alarm that it induced hasty legislation, and a speedy
adjournment. It is hardly possible to realize the fear
and excitement that it produced. Many emigrants
were coming to the city by Lake Champlain, from
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 2G7
Canada, and so great was the fear, that a cordon of
police officers, and even an armed force was proposed,
to prevent the ingress of those coming from abroad.
The law passed on that occasion, bears incontesti-
ble evidence of the fear that pervaded the communit3\
On the close of the week before our adjournment,
several senators went wiih me to the Mountain House,
on Catskill mountains, where we spent Saturday and
Sunday, and returned to Albany on Monday. No pains
were spared by those at the Mountain house, to guard
against the fearful malady, by generous living, careful
diet, and moderate exercise. The fine bracing mountain
air, had an exhilirating effect on the system, so that we
felt renovated and quite improved by the visit. We
amused ourselves by strolling about in the fastnesses of
the mountain, and viewing the splendid cataract in the
vicinity of the mountain house, over which young
Foster, of Utica, was recently precipitated, and strange
to tell was not dashed in pieces.
Among those who went to the mountain, I remember
Hon. Trumbull Gary, of Batavia; Senator McLean,
of Washington county ; Senator McDonald, of West-
chester; Hon. Nathaniel P. Tallmadge; and some
others.
In the month of August, the court for correction of
errors, was to meet in New York, where the cholera
was still raging, but it was necessary to go there, and
open and adjourn the court if nothing more. Judge '
Nelson and myself, went together through Schoharie
county to Catskill, thus avoiding Albany, where the
disease was prevalent and fatal.
We had a thin attendance of the members of the
court, but a quorum appeared, and agreed to adjourn at
once. Wilham H. Maynaid, from Utica, one of our
263 REMINISCENCES
most talented members, was present. He had received
letters in the morning advising him of the sudden
death of several of his neighbors in Utica, which
distressed and evidently much alarmed him. We
stopped at the American, where we dined together the
day that I left the city. Maynard sat next to me at
table, and drank moderately of port wine which was
then regarded as an antidote. I saw he was alarmed,
and tried to cheer him up. I cannot say that I had
personally any fears; for I put myself in the way of
looking at some of the subjects, as they were carried to
the hospital. Still I felt as if it was prudent to leave the
city, and not voluntarily expose ourselves to danger.
On leaving the American to go to the boat, May-
nard went to the door, and shook hands with us. His
countenance did not look right. I asked him when he
would return home? He answered in a desponding
tone, *' probably on Thursday." That was the last
time I saw him, as he was taken with cholera next day,
and died a short time afterwards.
He was a man of splendid talents, greatly beloved,
and lamented by his associates in the senate, and by
citizens of the state generally, and particularly his con-
stituents.
Senator Hubbard, of Chenango, returned with Judge
Nelson and myself, and took breakfast with us at Cat-
skill. We had not driven more than twelve miles,
when he was suddenly taken ill, with all the symptoms
of cholera.
The Judge drove the horses, and I held Hubbard,
and supported him in the wagon the best way I could.
We procured and gave him medicine, and finally got
him near Schoharie, where we intended to stop with him
and procure medical attendance. The proprietor of
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 2G9
the tavern was fearful and unwillino; to admit a cholera
subject, and declined, till I told him to put him in a
room, and lock him in, and I would remain with and
nurse him; which I did till morning. He had a severe
attack, and did not fully recover for a considerable
time afterwards.
On my return home I concluded to take my family
and travel with them throuGfh the southern counties to
O
Chautauque. This I did with my own horses and
carriage, making easy stages, which I thought would be
conducive to health instead of exposing them to sick-
ness. While stopping at Bath over Sabbath, I had a
very severe and sudden attack, which I have no doubt
was cholera in a modified form; which in the city
would have been a decided case. It had all the appear-
ances of the disease, and prostrated my strength at
once. The physician treated me as he would a cholera
patient, and within a few days I was able to resume the
journey.
Eight years services in the senate, where I was
generally, on one or more important committees, and
nearly all the time chairman of one, necessarily con-
nected me with much important legislation. For
several sessions I was chairman of the judiciary com-
mittee, and was a member of that committee, at other
sessions. Sometimes on the canal committee, and
committee of finance, (ways and means.)
My votes will be found uniformly in favour of a
liberal system of canal and other public improvements.
At an early day I had taken the canal side of the
question; and in 1817, '18, '19, and '20, &c. had
uniformly supported Mr. Clinton in that policy.
No doubt several of my votes in the senate were
indiscreet ; but 1 never doubted, and do not now doubt,
270 REMINISCENCES
but that our canal improvements, take them as a whole,
are immensely beneficial to the state, in every point of
view. And not only so in reference to business matters
and intercommunication, but in a strict financial view
of the question. This position I uniformly maintained
in the senate, in opposition to daily denunciations, from
men who should have been friends instead of opposers
of the canals ; and who predicted ruin and bankruptcy
to the state, for not yielding to their clamor.
The canals have finally fought themselves, as it
were, into favor; and the splendid annual revenue
derived from them, establishes the position, that as a
mere monied investment, looking only to revenue, the
state in no way could have more profitably used its
money or its credit ; while the enhanced value of pro-
perty, the increase of population, and the facilities for
markets at cheap rates, have been of incalculable bene-
fit to the state and union.
The principle adopted in the present state constitu-
tion setting apart a portion of the earnings of the
canals, to reimburse the general fund of the state had
its origin in a bill that I introduced in 1835, as a sub-
stitute for direct taxation. The bill, 1 think, was
brought in on notice: I am sure without much previous
consultation with members of the senate.
The comptroller, Mr. Flagg, had recommended a
direct tax, as he had done in several annual reports.
These recommendations were seized upon by the oppo-
nents of canals, particularly all the lateral canals then
constructed, authorized, or asked for ; and in short,
against all appropriations. The general fund of the
state was represented in the senate and assembly, as
nearly " used up," and the treasury bankrupt. It ap-
peared to me quite obvious, that these representations
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 271
were the ebullition of feelin2;3 aQ;ainst the whole canal
policy, as I have no doubt they were with many ;
though the canals were yielding an annual revenue
that should have silenced these clamors. It was
thought by many of the canal advocates, that some of
the state officers encouraged these vituperations ; and
that the tax was recommended, to induce the legisla-
ture to limit their appropriations, particularly in refer-
ence to canals ; or to take the responsibility of lev^nng
a tax. I was willing to take that responsibility, when-
ever it appeared necessary ; but I did not wish the
canals, or the canal pohcy, decried and rendered un-
popular, by representing to the community that taxes
must be levied to sustain that 2>olicy, when the canals
were yielding so prolific a revenue.
The tax proposition had been warmly debated, with
but little prospect that it would become a law. The
bill which I drew up, proposed that when a sufficient
amount of money was collected to pay the Erie and
Champlain canal debt, for the payment of which the
earnings of the canals were pledged by the constitution,
and then had nearly provided for their payment the
state should annually borrow from the canal fund
$300,000 dollars, for the use of the general fund.
This bill was submitted to the comptroller, who said
he could get along well enough if it was passed, but
expressed doubts whether it could be, as the canal
counties would prefer retaining all canal earnings, to
repair and improve them. I felt sure the advocates
for canals generally, would stand on better ground in
the estimation of tax-payers, if we could show the
canals paying back to the treasury, (for the loan was
merely paying back) than to pass a law for taxing
them, and the canal fund to retain all earnings : and
272 REMINISCENCES
with this impression determined to introduce and press
the bill to a vote. It was not necessary for the comp-
troller to inform me, that the bill would be opposed, or
to indicate where the opposition would come from ; for
I had considered that before. If carried at all, it must
be by a portion of those opposed to direct taxation,
uniting with representatives from the remote parts of
the state, north and south of the Erie canal, with the
co-operation of the river counties, and of Long Island,
and a considerable portion of the city of New York.
Strange as it may now appear, the city representatives,
when Mr. Clinton proposed the canal, were generally
against it; and so a large portion of them had been in
opposition to that policy, in almost every subsequent
session.
It is indeed passing strange that it should be so,
when it is certain that no portion of the state derived
greater benefits from the canals, than the cit3% Long
Island, and the counties along the Hudson, for many
years, felt their interest was not promoted, but rather
injured ; and hence, very naturally, went for a law that
should make the canals begin to pay to the state,
instead of drawing from the tax-payers. The bill
authorized the money withdrawn from the canal fund
to be regarded as a loan to the state, for which separate
accounts were to be kept ; the object of which was to
steer clear of objections, growing out of the consti-
tutional pledge of all canal revenues, till the canal debt
was paid off. The debt being not yet due, and conse-
quently not actually paid, it was intended to provide
money enough for its payment, and the state then to
become a borrower : no one supposing the money
borrowed would have to be repaid to the canal fund.
By putting it in the shape of a loan, we could count on
BY LEVI EEARDSLEV. 273
several votes, that would have gone against an appro-
priation of money from the canal to the general fund,
except as a loan. And here let me observe, that a
discreet legislator will always put his main proposition
in such a shape as to realize what he desires ; at the
same time keeping out of it such matters as may be
regarded as objectionable, by those who are to pass
upon it.
The object was to strengthen the general fund, and
replenish the treasury ; and whether it was called a
loan, or merely taking money from one pocket and
putting it into the other, was of no consequence. The
support expected from the remote counties was predi-
cated on the fact that they wanted local and lateral
improvements, to put them more nearly on an equality
with the favored counties along the canals : and as it
appeared reasonable that they should participate in the
benefits of state improvements, they would probably
replenish the treasury from the canal fund, in preference
to taxins: their constituents; and ao;ain, would be more
likely to succeed in their local projects, than if taxes
must be resorted to, over the whole state.
Such were the general views; portions of which
were explained to the representatives of different sec~
tions, and a strong interest was soon combined in
favor of the bill. It was introduced, called up in due
time, warmly opposed, and part of the time bitterly,
particularly by the representatives from canal counties;
and in the end, was carried by small majorities in both
houses. To this law may be traced the principle of
that provision in the recent constitution, setting apart
annually a portion of the canal revenue, for the sup-
port of government and the payment of the state
debt, a provision much more wise and salutary, than
18
274 . REMINISCENCES
the restriction upon the legislative power of contracting
debts for improvements. Had the latter provision been
in the old constitution, we should probably have no
canals even at this day.
This law seemed to reconcile the remote counties,
and I think was fairly due to them. I have no doubt
that the advocates of a liberal but discreet prosecution
of our internal improvement sj'stem, stood better in the
estimation of the community at large, after its passage
than before ; and this was an important point that I
wished to attain.
The canals are now more in credit than ever ; and
prejudices that used to exist, are nearl}'' effaced. No
part of the state is injured by them, while every part
is benefited, either directly or indirectly. As I am on
the subject of canals, I will throw together a few addi-
tional remarks. I have already stated my constant
support of the canal policy, from its first commence-
ment ; and that I wished to continue it, by a discreet
application of the means and credit of the state, so far
as its ability would permit. Hence my votes in assem-
bly and senate have been uniformly favorable to the
policy, though not always in favor of each particular
canal.
In the assembly I voted against the Chenango canal,
and voted for it in the senate several years afterwards.
My vote in the assembly was given in 1S26, when I
represented Otsego county, that had a rival project
quite as objectionable, and I think more so than the
Chenango, and never combining half its strength. The
objection of my constituents to the Chenango, would
have induced me to vote against it, even if my indivi-
dual predilections had been for it, which they were not.
Nor was I desirous for its passage when elected to the
EY LEVI KEARDSLEY. 275
senate, though my position was then changed ; ns my
senatorial district favored it by a very decided support.
Still I never did believe it was to be a productive
canal, nor was I satisfied with the estimates of its cost;
and knowing that a large proportion of my own county
was against it, I was not displeased wiih its rejection
in the assembly after I was in the senate. The truth
is, it was an embarrassing question, and that it should
be postponed was not objectionable. The applicants,
nothing daunted, continued to press their project; and
by enlisting Oneida, Madison, Chenango, and Broome,
which counties felt a strong local interest, they were
enabled to come back with more strength at each
session.
The Otsego canal project was in a measure lost sight
of, as that county had no backers from abroad ; but
the Chenango had grown so strong, that it entered into
many other subjects of legislation ; controlling and di-
recting some, and defeating others. Politicians seized
upon it and gave it support ; and thus entering into the
elections and the legislature with so much strength,
no one could be so blind as not to foresee its eventual
success.
The immensely large majorities in Chenango and
Broome, for Mr. Granger as governor, over Governor
Throop, showed the political influence it swayed above
all other considerations ; and almost every one in the
legislature wanted it out of the way, though many
would not vote for it who desired its success, rather
than to have it remain for further agitation. Applica-
tion was renewed, and in due time it passed the
assembly, by a respectable majority ; and with the
endorsement of that body, came to the senate, where
it seemed to have about an even chance of passing ;
276 REMINISCENCES
and then I was appealed to bj the advocates of the
canal, as one of the senators of the district, to sustain
it. My three senatorial colleagues were for it ; and
all the assembly men from that senatorial district fa-
vored it. except three from Otsego, and one or two
others ; one of the Otsego representatives being deci-
dedly for it. Knowing that my own county cared but
little about it, except perhaps about one-third of the
county, along the Susquehanna, who from a desire to
have a canal from the Erie up to Otsego lake, and
thence by Slackwater, or otherwise down the Susque-
hanna, wished to defeat the Chenango. Beyond this
interested rival view, the other two-thirds of the county
felt but little interest in either question, (other than that
of dollars and cents) except the western part of Otsego,
which favored the Chenango canal ; and the represen-
tative from that section advocated and voted for it.
I did not believe it was to be a highl}'" profitable
canal, nor did I suppose it likely to be very burden-
some to the state. Convinced that it must, beyond a
reasonable doubt, pass next session, if not at the then
present, I made up my mind, that, representing a
district from which at least three-fourths of the assem-
blymen, and the same proportion in the senate favored
the project; in which more than one-fourth of my
constituents felt a deep personal interest, and a large
proportion of the others, though rather indifferent, yet
tolerating if not actually encouraging the application,
it was not my business to defeat it, and thus perpetuate
the contest, when representatives from other portions
of the state were voting; for it. With views like these
I voted for the canal, which passed and was con-
structed.
With the knowledge we now have of railroads,
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 277
I should hardly vote for that canal ; nor would I have
voted for it at the time, had I supposed it was to cost
as much as it actually did. The truth is, the legislature
was shamefully imposed upon by the engineers, in
reference to the cost of this, as well as the Genesee
Valley and Black river canals. Their estimate for
this was about $1,000,000, and it cost upwards of
$2,500,000 ; the Genesee Valley, about $1,000,000,
which will probably cost $4,000,000, if not $4,500,000 ;
and about $1,000,000 for the Black river canal and
feeder which is likely to cost $2,000,000 or more.
The coal trade was always put forward as a prob-
able business, that would eventually enhance the value
of the Chenango canal ; which from present indica-
tions, will soon be realized ; so that in the end that
canal will be much more productive than it has been,
and probably somewhat profitable ; but hitherto it has
been a hard bargain for the state.
The Genesee Valley canal, though I voted for it,
should never have been authorized farther south than
Mount Morris, with a branch to Dansville. To those
points from Rochester it would have paid well, and to
that extent the project was feasible and meritorious.
Experience has shown the attempt to climb the
high ridge at Mount Morris, with a view of reaching
the Allegany river, has been the expensive and ob-
jectionable part of the work. The engineers either
mistook or deceived themselves in regard to the ex-
pense, and the legislature misjudged in heeding their
advice. The New York and Erie railroad will accom-
modate that part of the country'' lying between Mount
Morris and Olean ; and though the canal will undoubt-
edly be of considerable benefit to those in its vicinity,
yet with the railroad constructed, it may be unfortu-
278 REMINISCENCES
nate for the state that the canal was authorized beyond
Mount MoztIs. Still it must be recollected, that at that
time, it was extremely doubtful whether the road
would ever be built ; and if it was, whether it would
answer the business purposes that it probably will.
For lumber, and heavy bulky articles of that region,
I suppose the canal will be decidedl}^ preferable ; and
when completed, and paid for from the earnings of
the canals generally, it will not be a matter of deep
regret, that this and the others were, authorized.
The Black river canal for which I voted, and for
which, in behalf of a majority of the canal committee,
I drew a long report, was the more favorably adopted
by the committee, from the fact, that the canal commis-
sioners had decided on the necessity of drawing water
from the Black river, or Fish creek, to supply the long
level of the Erie canal, about to be enlarged.
The expense of constructing the feeder, from the
former, was estimated at about one fourth of the esti-
mated expense of the canal, and the improvement of
the river for steam tugs and canal boats, from High
Falls to Carthage, opening a canal communication from
Rome to Carthage, some seventy-five miles through a
heavy-timbered, secluded part of the countr}', and ten
miles of navigable feeder, making eighty-five miles in
the whole.
As the feeder had to be constructed at so much ex-
pense, it was deemed best to couple with it the canal
and river improvement, which if successful would have
been well enough, provided the expense had not been
greatly beyond the estimate. With the enhanced ex-
pense, it remains to be seen whether the measure was
a wise one, and this is only to be ascertained from the
test of experience. Had the actual cost been foreseen, I do
BY LEVI BEATIDSLEY. 279
not suppose the canal would have thenheen authorised.
Now look at our canals, as a whole; and although the
construction of so^me of them should be admitted as
indiscreet, and by far too expensive, yet, what a splen-
did revenue they produce, and how much they have
enhanced the value of the state, and increased its
population ! With the Erie canal enlarged, the certain
enlarfjement of the Oswejjo canal, now half-authorised
by its authorised enlarged locks, and the unfinished
lateral canals soon to be completed, the state with a
greatly reduced tariff' of tolls, will be able to pay off
the state debt, meet the ordinary expences of govern-
ment, and extend canal facilities to other parts, stretch-
ing its net-work of internal navigation to remote and
still secluded sections. Nor is this all, for the canals
will do this, and furnish abundant means to sustain
common schools and school district libraries, without
resorting to taxation.
Who with statesman-like views, can contem.plate
these improvements and splendid results, and not feel
proud of the canal policy ? For one, I neither regret
having sustained that policy ; nor on the wliole, the
votes I have given.
It is now fifteen years since I drew, for a majority
of the canal committee, the report in favor of the Black
river canal and feeder; and yet the canal is not com-
pleted.
At that time the canal commissioners and engineers,
and I believe the canal board, estimated the expense of
the Erie canal enlargement at twelve miUion dollars ;
and the time necessary for its completion, twelve years.
The stop policy afterwards adopted delayed all the
canals several years, and subjected the state to heavy
losses, for damages and dilapidations; and it is now
280 REMINISCEXCES
apparent that the enlarged canal, and also the laterals,
were not estinaated by the state officers, within a hundred
and twenty per cent, of what they have and are to
cost.
As a matter of curiosity, it may not be uninteresting
to review this report, which I suppose presents the
main points on which the senators relied, who voted for
the canal: I am sure it does my own. The committee
adopted the estimate of the canal commissioners and
engineers, as the basis of their report, so far as estimates
of expense and time for construction, entered into their
consideration.
To see how near our estimates would have been
realised, had the Erie canal been enlarged within the
time, and at the expense proposed; and whether our
estimates of increased canal revenues, were a fair
approximation to actual results since, I have concluded
to transcribe the substance of that report.
Senate Documciit, No. 36. Feb. 8tk, 1S36.
" The committee have had the subject under con-
sideration, and have regarded it as presenting several
important questions, both as it respects the public
at large, and the interest of that part of the state more
immediately concerned.
" So far as the public is concerned, without par-
ticular reference to the petitioners, the committee have
considered it, in connection with the already authorised
project of enlarging the Erie canal, as calculated to
contribute a large share of water that will be required
on the Rome level. That a large additional supply
will be wanted, is officially announced to the legislature
by the report of the canal board.
"From this report it appears that the enlarged canal
BY LEVI BEARD3LEY. 281
w\\\ require, in addition to the present supply, 14,546
cubic feet of water per minute, on the Rome summit;
and the Black river, or Fish creek, have been looked to
as the source from whence it must be drawn.
" The reportofthe engineer, accompanying the report
of the canal board, estimates the quantity that may be
drawn from the Black river at 14,081 feet per minute,
and the expense of the feeder at $221,469; while by the
same report, a feeder from Fish creek is estimated at
$158,482, and the quantity of water 13,725 feet per
minute, which is below the required amount. It is
therefore, obvious that one or both of these streams
must be resorted to; and when it is considered that the
quantity of water in each will decrease as the country
shall become more improved and open to the sun, the
committee suppose that although the Black river feeder
will cost the most, j^et the commissioners cannot well
hesitate to give this the preference, where more than is
wanted may be obtained, while the other will fall short.
If the Fish creek should be selected, the committee
suppose it would require all the water in dry seasons,
and this too, below the estimate. This would sul^ect
the state to heavy damages, on account of mills and
machinery depending on the stream below the feeder,
which in the end would approximate very nearly to the
expense of the Black river feeder. This objection, the
committee believe, will not to any considerable extent
apply to the Black river, which, comparatively speak-
ing, is not much occupied with mills or machinery,
between the contemplated feeder and the High falls.
The committee suppose a large portion of the Black
river may be turned into the Erie canal, and yet leave
water enough for present mills on the river, and supply
a canal from the Boonville summit, northerly, to the
2S2 REMINISCENCES
High falls ; and below these falls they suppose there
will alvva3'S be an abundant supply not only for naviga-
.tion but for hydraulic purposes. The committee are
aware, that if a canal is constructed from Rome to the
High falls, part of the river will be needed to supply the
northern portion, and thus abstract part that might other-
wise be taken to the Erie canal. But they suppose,
that in addition to a portion of the Black river on the
summit level, several small streams may be taken into
that level, such as Alder, Benedict, Fisher and Mill
creeks, which by previous surveys, may be as cheaply
taken into the canal, as to be passed under it. Then,
for the levels north of the summit, it is supposed the
Moose and Sugar rivers may be taken in, yielding an
abundant supply. They therefore assume, that there
is abundant water for the Black river canal, and that
it may contribute largely to the wants of the Erie.
" Another argument in favor of the Black river,
(even if Fish creek should be deemed sufficient,) arises
from the probability that those asking for the Black
river canal, will scarcely perceive the propriety of ex-
pending near $200,000 for a feeder only, with an
inadequate supply, and their section of country excluded
from a participation in our canal system.
" The committee suppose, the present application
will not be abandoned, even if the Black river should
not be selected as a feeder, or if resorted to as a feeder
only, and this project having for twelve years been re-
garded as an important auxiliary in our canal system,
and having been favorably received in the other branch
of the legislature, not only in the reports of its com-
mittees, but last session, passed by a strong vote, your
committee suppose the applicants may with great pro-
priety persevere, and in the end meet with success. The
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 283
committee therefore, believing that ultimately the Black
river will have to be resorted to as a feeder, are
decidedly of opinion that when so resorted to, a canal
should be constructed; and so far as the expense of the
feeder shall become a question, the present funds of the
Erie and Champlain canals may be appropriated.
They are the more induced to recommend its con-
struction, from the fact that the state is interested in the
project, from having large tracts of lands belonging to
the school fund, the value of which, it is believed, will
be much enhanced by the construction of the canal, and
the contemplated improvement of the river. The com-
mittee forbear going into a detail of the project, the
general outline of which, is a canal from Rome up the
Mohawk and Lansing Kill, to the Black river, at the
High falls, (about thirty-five miles,) with a navigable
feeder from the river, ten or eleven miles to the summit
level, near Boonville ; also an improvement of the
river for canal and small steam boats, from the High
falls to Carthage, forty miles ; making eighty-five miles
of navigation, at an estimated expense of $1,070,000.
" Since this subject was before the legislature, at
its last session, we have had another year's experience,
under our canal system ; and the result is not only
gratifying, but a most triumphant vindication of the
wisdom of its projectors, and of successful manage-
ment on the part of those having the canals in charge.
The increase of business has been such, that notwith-
standing the reduction in the rates of toll, the revenue
has gone on increasing ; and we may safely anticipate
a steady and rapid annual increase for the future. The
Chenango canal is in such a state of forwardness, that
we may look for its completion during the ensuing sea-
son, so that the construction of the Black river canal
2S4 REMINISCENCES
need not interfere with the Chenango, by drawing off
laborers from the latter, as the surveys and examinations
for the Black river canal will not be completed much
before the Chenango.
" The canal and river improvement will afford a
cheap and easy access to a vast timber and lumber
region, so essential to ship building, and to the various
wants of community, that our cities and villages seem
to have a deep interest in the project. Secluded as
this section of country is, these important articles can-
not now find their way to market. They will not bear
transportation, and must be suffered to remain as they
are, or be destro^^ed in vast quantities, as the country
is cleared up.
" True, the lockage is great, and presents a formid-
able barrier. But this height, formidable as it is, has to
be overcome by animal power, whenever products are
sent to market, or merchandize received in return;
which if more cheaply done by canal, will be so much
saved to community.
" The state of New York has taken the lead in
internal improvements, which has not only given it
character and eclat, but has added untold millions to
its wealth and resources. The committee cannot too
highly extol the wisdom of this system, and they regard
its commencement as the brightest era of the state,
though for a time undoubtedly prejudicial to some
portions, now in a great measure overcome, by accom-
modating their business pursuits to existing circum-
stances. Still, the committee believe there are portions
of the state, (and the Black river region is one,) where
they now, and must for a long time labor under dis-
advantages, should the state stop its advance in internal
improvements.
BY LEVI EEARDSLEY. 2S5
" If the lerjislature had deemed it advisable to sus-
pend all further expenditures for improvements, till the
final liquidation of the public debt, there might be an
apparent propriety in urging applicants for this canal to
wait ton years longer. But when the public authorities
are prepared to sanction other expenditures to a large
amount, it is unreasonable to deny this application, from
the mere fact that the slate is in debt. The state,
however, has not, nor will it arrest the further pro-
secution of its public works ; the authorised enlargement
of the Erie canal marks its policy on a gigantic scale.
" That canal, as it now exists, is sufficient for the
business of the citizens of this state, for many years ;
and one of the effects of its enlarsement, will be to
extend its benefits to citizens of other states, whose pro-
ducts, by the reduction of expences, will be invited
from fertile regions 1,500 miles beyond our state, in
direct competition with our farming interest. The
committee do not object to the policy of enlarging the
Erie ; but they do object that canal making shall be
confined to one particular portion, to the exclusion of
other parts of the state; and that such enlargement shall
be urged as a reason for refusing other applications,
when the enlargement is not only to benefit the citizens
of the already favored portion of the state, but to
citizens of other states far beyond.
" A merchant at Green Bay or Chicago, can now^
obtain his goods about as cheap as they can be delivered
at Lowville ; and agricultural products from the great
west, reach the sea-board at about as low rates as from
the section of country intended to be benefited by this
canal. The tendency of this state of things, is to keep
real estate stationary, if not to depress its value, in the
secluded counties, and not only to retard their settle-
2S6 P..EMINISCENCE3
ment, but to draw their inhabitants to more favored
regions. When we consider the low price of land in
the western states and territories, their unrivalled
fertility, the ease with which they are brought to and
cultivated, the mildness of their winters, and their
proxinnity t6 our immense inland seas, and then, super-
add the facilities for reachins; market, through our
canals, we cannot but perceive the fearful odds of our
agriculturists, in entering into competition with the
highly favored west.
" The committee, however, hope to see an enlarged
and liberal spirit of legislation, that while it cherishes
that part already favored, shall not overlook the humble
pretensions of the less favored portions, north and south
of the present great thoroughfares. They do not intend
to recommend a rash and extravagant expenditure,
that shall create an unwieldy state debt, or to alarm the
fears of liberal-minded, well-informed citizens, with
apprehensions of such a result. The only doubt of the
committee is, whether the state should noic embark in
this new work. In reference to the time of its com-
mencement, they have looked, first, to the ability of the
state to carry it on, and secondly, whether it should be
delayed till the Erie canal is enlarged, or partially so?
They think that after expending so large an amount in
constructing the Erie, by which expenditure and the
facilities for business, the agricultural, commercial, and
manufaclurinfT interests in its vicinitv, have been so
much advanced, it would be unequal and unjust to re-
fuse to other portions, a participation in the public
bounty of the state, while the enlargement is being
made.
" It is estimated that twelve 3-ears, and as many
millions of dollars will be required for its accomphsh-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 287
ment, thus cheapening transportation, and by an annual
expenditure of large sums of money on the favored
route, giving a stimulus to business not enjoyed in other
parts of the state. Why then, should citizens residing
in remote sections, where canals may be constructed,
be required to wait this long period, (more than half a
generation) till the other is completed ?
" It has been before remarked, that the present
canal is sufficient for our own citizens, were it not used
by those of other states. The policy of enlarging, (in
which the committee concur,) is to secure the business
and transportation to and fro of the products and
return cargoes of citizens out of the state, as well as
our own within.
" To compete for, and to secure the trade and busi-
ness of the great west, is an object for which a state or
empire may well contend. New York, while she will
indulge in no petty jealousies or rivalries, will neverthe-
less put forth her whoie strength for a fair participation
in the golden harvest. To suppose her indifferent to
this result, would be to suppose her recreant to the
interests of her citizens, and as overlooking; the un-
rivalled natural advantages of her position.
" While, therefore, to secure this immense boon, the
committee approve of the enlargement, and that too at
a more early period than contemplated, if necessary,
they think the secluded parts of the state should not be
denied a few millions, in the construction of works
greatly promotive of their interest, provided the finan-
cial affliirs of the state will warrant it. They therefore
reject the proposition, that all lateral canals shall be
suspended till the Erie is enlarged, and turn to the
enquiry, whether the state, in reference to its fiscal
concerns, can safely embark in further public works?
2SS REMINISCENCES
"If the policy of the state indicates, as recommended
from high authority, the propriety of applying $1,000,000
annually from canal revenues, for twelve years, to
complete the enlargement, the committee can see no
impropriety in borrowing for lateral canals such rea-
sonable sums as may be necessary; and of reimbursing
them from canal revenues, after the Erie shall be
enlarged ; and they feel confident that the earnings of
a few years will repay such loans. Why then should
the state hesitate as to this policy, when it is certain
that the construction of lateral canals will greatly en-
hance its aggregate wealth, while it stimulates and
benefits the local portions : and when it is as certain
as any future event can be, that the canal revenues
will in the end furnish ample means. By anticipating
these means, and substituting the credit of the state,
we immediately accomplish the desired objects ; and
hold out inducements to our own citizens to remain,
and emigrants to settle with us, instead of going to
other states.
*' It is said the treasury is nearly exhausted. If this
be conceded, it must be recollected that a large portion
has gone for the construction of canals, that are abun-
dantly able to respond to the uttermost farthing ; and
as the people have had the benefit of the expenditure,
without taxation, if a light tax should be resorted to
for a few years, till the canal revenues are released
from the constitutional pledge, no good cause of com-
plaint would exist.
" If it be said the canal policy has impoverished the
treasury, we point with pride to the last year, showing
a revenue of $1,000,000 over all charges, and constantly
increasing. But this is not all. The committee might
point to a rapid increase of inhabitants, unexampled
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 289
agricultural prosperity, farms highly cultivated, cities
springing up as if by magic, and an increase of wealth
beyond computation. Although the general fund is
nearly exhausted, 3^et we have in its stead our canals,
with an increasing revenue much beyond what that
fund could have produced ; and though we have a
state debt, j'et apply the cash on hand for its reduction,
and we find it decreasing with such rapidity, that
were it not that the state has resolved on enlarging the
Erie canal, the whole debt would be provided for before
lS4o, and an amount would accumulate by that time,
much be3'oiid any previous means of the treasury.
They therefore cannot doubt the ability of the state to
accomplish desirable improvements, and that too with-
out burthening its citizens.
" The committee will submit a few observations,
showing upon what estimates they base their conclusion
of the ability of the state to go forward. The Erie and
Champlain debts will be provided for during the ensu-
ing month of June, and probably by the first of that
month. The auction and salt duties, estimated at
$330,000 for the first year, will go far towards meeting
the ordinary expences of government, with a probable
increase, and may go to the treasury. They therefore
return to the canal revenues $1,000,000 over and above
expences and repairs ; and are rapidly increasing,
though the tariff of tolls has been annually reduced.
" No further great reduction of tolls can be made,
until the canal debt is actually paid, in 3845, being re-
stricted by the constitution. The committee believe, that
ihe increase of business and tolls on the canals, for the
last five years, will warrant the assumption that for the
next nine there will be an increase. of revenue equal to
$160,000 dollars per annum ; and on enlarging the
19
290 REMINISCENCES
canal, or even doubling ihe locks, with the present
rates, they cannot doubt that for the last three years of
the term the increase will be much greater. The
expenditures the present year, on the Erie and Cham-
plain canals, beyond ordinary repairs and expences,
will probably not exceed from $300,000 to $400,000 ;
so that it is fair to presume, $500,000 at least of this
year's earnings will remain in the treasury at the end
of the year. The committee do not believe it will be
necessary for the purposes of enlargement, to draw
this sum from the treasury; because, after the pre-
sent year, the earnings of the canals each year will be
sufficient to meet the estimated amount for the enlarge-
ment $1,000,000. They therefore think they will be
safe, in estimating this $500,000 at the end of the year
1845, including interest quarterly at five per cent., at
$800,000. Then, after the year 1837, $300,000 each
year is to be retained from the canal revenues, under
the act of Ma}-- 11th, 1S35, which with interest at
same rate to the end of 1845, will amount to $'2,100,000;
these two items alone amounting to $2,900,000. The
increase of business and tolls on the canals, they sup-
pose will largely exceed the estimated amount. But
suppose the state, for the purpose of expediting the
enlargement of the Erie, should apply all the tolls, or
should borrow and create a stock, payable in twenty
years, to complete the enlargement at an early period,
and to construct lateral canals ? In that case the com-
mittee cannot doubt, but with the lolls at present rates
until 1845, and a large reduction after that time, that
in twenty years the canals would yield a revenue, not
only sufficient to enlarge and double lock the Erie, at
estimated expence, and pay off all the present state
debts, but to construct the Black river and several
BY LEVI EEAIIDSLEY. 291
Other lateral canals. The question, therefore, seems
more appropriately to be, whether the state will borrow
in antici[)ation of its means, than Avhether it will be in
possession of means within fifteen or twenty years, to
liquidate such loans?
" In lookinnr for results based on these estimates,
reliance must be had on the good faith of citizens of
the western part of the state, to keep up a reasonable
toll after 1845 ; and the committee will not believe,
that the representatives of those counties, and canal
counties generally, v/ill object to a reasonable revenue,
for the purpose of constructing practicable lateral
canals. In previous legislation, in r^erence to canals,
the western representatives have manifested a spirit
of liberality that illy comports with a supposed design
to render the canals in a measure free to all 'comers
and goers.' To reduce thfe tolls to a nominal amount,
would be to bring the products from the far west in
direct competition with our own citizens, as well in the
Avestern as in other parts of the state. When it shall
become a question, whether Canada and the western
states shall use our canals for a nominal toll, the com-
mittee believe the western counties will act with other
portions of the state, and insist on a rate of tolls that
shall keep them in repair, and a reasonable amount
for revenue.
" The committee feel great confidence that they
are not mistaken, in their estimate of business hereafter
to be transacted on the canals. The increase from our
own state has been immense, and will enlarge from
3^ear to year, not only from the increase of population
and wealth, but from the necessary demand and en-
hanced prices in our cities and villages, for timber,
raw materials and products from the country. Every
292 REMINISCENCES
road and avenue leading to our great tborongbfare will
add to its business, and the canal under consideration
will contribute essentially to that object. It will induce
settlements in the Black river section, heretofore
deemed inexpedient; and thus bring under cultivation
large tracts now a wilderness. But without relying on
the business of New York, may we not with perfect
certainty look to Upper Canada and the western states,
as affording business enough to warrant all the assump-
tions of this committee?
"Ohio, comparatively speaking, has scarcely found
the way to our metropolis ; and the other western states
are far behind Oliio. Twelve years more, and this
young and vigorous member of the confederacy will
have nearly 2,000,000 of inhabitants, and the increase
of business will far more than equal her population.
Within tv/elve years Michigan will probably have half
a million; Indiana, 1,200,000; Illinois, 800,000 ; and
Wisconsin, 300,000. The upper Mississippi, including
Missouri, will resort to our canals, for transporting a
great proportion of their products to market, and bring
back a rich return of mercantile commodities ; while
we may reasonably expect to transmit through these
avenues a large portion of merchandise for the states
south of the Ohio. Nor are our western brethren in-
sensible to the superior advantages of our state im-
provements, in reference to their sections of country.
Illinois has determined to connect the Illinois river
with Lake Michigan. The Missisippi will soon be
connected by navigable rivers and canal with Lake
Michigan by Green Bay ; and probably by railroad
from St. Louis to Chicago. Indiana has recently passed
a law, contemplating an expenditure of $10,000,000 ia
canals and railroads, the principal part of them looking
BY LEVI BEATIDSLEY. 293
to lakes Michigan and Erie as the outlets to market ;
while Ohio is pushing forward her canals, to connect
with the latter great natural outlet.
" The committee believe they do not look in vain
to our canal revenues, as presenting in prospect an
abundant fund for liquidating all reasonable expendi-
tures for canal purposes. If a retrospect of the fast
can be relied upon as shadowing forth the coming
greatness of the future, in reference to the mightij west^
they might strengthen their position, by calling to mind
what it was forty years ago, and what it is now. Then
an unbroken wilderness, possessed almost exclusively
by savages now, comparatively speaking, a garden ;
interspersed, to be sure, with large tracts of unculti-
vated country, but with a soil rich and inviting, and
capable of sustaining as dense a population as any
under the sun. Within thirty-five years, and within
the recollection of a large proportion of this senate, the
population, even in that part formerly known as fhe
north-west territory, has from a small beginning arrived
at about 2,500,000. Now if in perspective we could
behold the results of the next forty years, and some
wizard could conjure up and show us the immense
groups that will then be there, the committee suppose,
that after re^isterino: the astonishing; number of seven
millions of human beings, the cry would be ' still they
come.'
"It may perhaps be supposed, that the committee,
from an overheated imagination in contemplating the
past, have erred in their estimate of the future; and
have presented a fancy sketch, on a grave subject of
legislation : but fully believing that the great and
unrivalled west, with a soil inexhaustibly fertile, teeming
with an enterprising, industrious, and public-spirited
294 REMINISCENCES
population, outstripping all ordinary rules of increase,
both in numbers and in wealth, will fully answer all
just expectations, not only rendering what may appear
illusions of fancy probable ; but in their results will be
found the sober realities of life. Believing this, they
have prepared a bill, which they now ask leave to
present."
By those unacquainted with New York legislation,
and the course taken in reference to canals, it may be
.asked, how has it happened, that, though the canal
revenues have increased fully to the anticipations of
the committee, yet the state debt is largely increased,
and neither the enlargement of the Erie, or the con-
struction of the lateral canals is yet completed ? The
answer to this query has already been intimated, but
may be profitably enlarged upon. When the com-
mittee made the Black river canal report, they adopted
the report of the state authorities having charge of
canal improvements, as to the time necessary, and the
expence of those improvements, as the basis of sena-
torial estimates.
The then proposition was, to enlarge the Erie canal
with double locks, within twelve years, by expending
$1,000,000 per year. The canals would have fur-
nished this amount, and left a large balance in the
treasury : but it now appears, the enlargement will
not fall much, if any, short of $28,000,000. Then, as
has been remarked, the lateral canals have greatly
exceeded the expence of their estimates ; to which may
be added, a large amount paid for damages on sus-
pending the public works, while the partially completed
works greatly deteriorated by delay and dilapidation.
All those estimates in regard to expenditures were
greatly below actual cost, while the canal revenues
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 295
have gone be^'ond estimates. It will be found, by
comparing the estimates of the committee of the senate
with the actual earnings of the canals, that the com-
mittee would have been fully sustained by results, had
ihe estimates of cxpences and time for completing the
works been anjnvhere near right.
It would swell these remarks too much, to go into
a discussion in regard to the " stand still" policy which
was finally adopted by the state. Those questions
Jjave been elaborately discussed and passed upon ;
nnd po good can arise from further discussion. It had
its origiii partly, from the difficulty of raising money at
reason lb le rates, as had been done before, and has
been sin(;e ; but more from political considerations,
t!iat induced a large portion of the democratic party
to :;o against further loans, with a view of discreditinor
and counteracting the policy of the whigs. The demo-
cratic leaders who took this view of the question,
argued against creating a debt except as means were
provided for its early extinguishment ; and not only
this, but that the work should not go on, except as the
money could be furnished from the earnings of the
canals.
The whig party, almost to a man, urged the vigo-
rous prosecution of the public works, and the early
completion of the canal enlargement : in which policy
a large portion of democrats coincided, who were
known as hunkers, of whom Gov. Bouck was one, who
was open and decided in his views. Those democrats
who took the other side, insisted on the stop policy,
which in regard to contractors, was nothing more or
less than repudiation on the part of the state, which in
the end had to pay largely for violating its contracts.
They li'so took ground against public improvements,
296 REMINISCENCES
for an indefinite time at least ; and then, aided b}'
those who sought every occasion to discredit the canals,
particularly the laterals, finally succeeded in arresting
the public works.
The embarrassments growing out of the suspension
of specie payments, the prostration of individual as
well as public credit, the great reduction of currency,
and general bankruptcy that ensued, presented diffi-
culties not easil}' surmounted. To these must be added
the tirades against the credit system, and vituperation
against banks ; while a hard money currency was
lauded and urged as the only constitutional currency,
and by far the most desirable. These, all combined,
had a pernicious influence on the credit of the canals,
as well as the credit of the state.
]\Ir. Samuel B. Ilusfffles, chairman of the committee
of wa3'S and means in the assembl}^, (decidedly whig)
had previously made an able report, in regard to the
fiscal concerns of the state. It has been much criticised,
commented upon, and misrepresented ; but it was able
and statesman-like ; and in regard to estimates of
canal earnings, and the ability of the state, so far as
revenue was concerned, has thus far stood the test of
experience. The canals have exceeded, and probably
will continue to exceed his estimates : but the public
were not prepared to take the enlarged views of state
affairs that he had taken ; nor could capitalists, always
absorbed with the mere question of profit and loss, full};
comprehend it. The}-, of all others, are most timid ;
particularly in times of depression and embarrassment.
The holders of present stocks of course would not
desire to see them depressed by an issue of new ; and
as monied affairs then were, with political clamor and
opposition, the issue of any considerable amount of
BY LEVI EEARDSLEY. 297
4
new state stock would have that tendency. Hence the
time was unpropitlous, and large amounts of money
could not be realized, except at ruinous rate* of interest.
Mr. Ruggles showed the ability of the state to
sustain a debt of $40,000,000 at 5 per cent, interest,
and at the same time create a sinking fund, that would
extinguish such a debt within a given number of 3-ears,
without resorting to taxation. He recommended bor-
rowing money, to complete the enlargement of the Erie
canal ; a policy which, if it could have been carried
out, at five, six, or even seven per cent., I think no sane
man would now regret had it been done. I have not
his report before me ; but I think he did not recommend
the creation of a $40,000,000 debt, though he discussed
and shewed the ability of the state to sustain it ; and
perhaps it may be inferred from his report, that indi-
vidually he would have gone for it.
He and the whig party have been charged with a
design to create such a debt; but certainly, the house
of assembly, of which he was an influential member,
did not act to the extent of any such suggestion ; nor
did they go as far as the democratic senate, in regard
to the authorization of loans for the enlargement of
the canal.
As T have before remarked, Mr. Ru^oles demon-
strated, by a course of reasoning based on what the
canals had done for a series of years, showing that
there had deen a constant and large increase ; and
then, deducing that from the rapid population going
on at the west, an annual and large augmentation
of business and tolls might be relied upon, for a like
series thereafter. This view he enforced, by esti-
mating that after the canal was enlarged, the business
and tolls must also enlarge ; so that the annual increase
293 REMINISCENCES
would be much greater than for the preceding series:
and hence argued that the revenues would not only
pay the interest of $40,000,000, should the debt go to
that amount, but would pay off the principal within a
given number of years. It is now about fourteen years
since that report was made ; and any one who will
look at the earnings of the canals from year to year,
will find, that with the rates of tolls greatly reduced,
(he annual increase has been much beyond his estimate.
But the annunciation of such a proposition, in relation
to the ability of the state, was seized upon by political
leaders on the other side, to represent him and his
party as prepared to plunge the state into an enormous
debt, that would cripple and paralyze it for years.
The timid were alarmed ; capitalists hesitated. The
embarrassments of the times, the opposition and de-
nunciations of politicians striving for power, with the
natural timidity of monied men, interposed difficulties,
so that loans could not be made on fair terms.
The whigs lost power ; and the " stop policy" be-
came the law of the state. The weak point in Mr.
Ruggles' report, if there was any weak point, was
not in the estimate of the means of the state, or the
amount of canal revenues ; but in not fully realizing,
under the then depressed state of affairs, the difficulty
of borrowing at rates compatible with the public in-
terest, such sums as were necessary for state purposes.
Hence, when at a subsequent period, attempts were
made to borrow comparatively small sums, they were
obtained with difficulty ; and objections were interposed
by holders of state stocks, against creating and issuing
new. Could money then have been obtained, on as
favorable terms as it could be now, or in 1S36, and
even in 1S3S, all the loans contemplated by Mr. Rug-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 299
gles could have been made, and the state would have
realized a handsome profit fiom premiums. As money
matters were two or three 3'^ears afterwards, the sacri-
fice would have been considerable, and much too
great, even if the money could have been obtained.
I have no doubt, that were not the state prohibited
from borrowing, except under restrictions imposed b}^
the constitution, a loan of sSo, 000,000, or $6,000,000,
and even more, might now be advantageously nego-
tiated, as suggested by Governor Hunt ; by which
large premiums might be realized, and the state enabled
to complete the canals within a very limited period,
and much to the interest of the public.
In reference to canals and many other projects of
internal improvement, it is almost incredible that the city
of New York, whose prosperity is so intimately con-
nected with the opening and sustaining those great
avenues, so essential to the promotion of the agricultural
and commercial interests of both the city and the state
at large, should have allowed itself to be placed in
opposition ; and yet, strange as it may appear, the city,
through its representatives, has not only once, but often
sturdily resisted those improvements.
The law authorising the Erie canal, was forced
through the legislature in opposition to a large majority
of the city members. It was Western New York,
the old western senatorial district, the then most
democratic part of the state, that stood by Mr. Clinton,
and mainly sustained those measures, so beneficial to
both the city and country ; and which the city some-
times from political reasons, and at others, from the
influence of monied men, who could not comprehend
',he value of improvements, so strongly resisted.
To look at the oppositioti, so frequently urged against
300 REMINISCENCES
the enlargement of the Erie and Oswego canals, except
by a slow-paced, snail-like movement, that shall nearly
use up the present generation, one would suppose, that
a large proportion of those in the city, even with an ex-
perience that ought to open the eyes of the blind, and
unstop the ears of the deaf, are still insensible to their own
interests, or indifferent to that of the state at large. Is
it political infatuation ? A failure of vision to perceive
the interest of the city? or a total disregard to its future
growth and prosperity? or a sordid feeling, that looks
only to present profits, and immediate results ? It is a
suicidal policy, of v/hich the city has many times been
guilty, and probably will be again.
How different has been the course of Buffalo,
situated at the far western terminus of the canal! That
young city has grown to manhood within a few j^ears,
its growth greatly augmented from the facilities of
^ business, resulting from our internal improvement sys-
tem ; and its citizens have had the good sense to
perceive their interest, and to sustain that polic}^ No
matter what party has been in power, whether whig or
democratic, or anli-masonic : all have gone for a liberal
system in regard to canal improvements.
I have been much surprised that a man of the
intelligence and liberal views of my friend, Jabez D.
Hammond, and one too, who has sustained the canal
policy, should have allowed the paragraph that I am
about to quote, a place in his " Political History of New
York." At page 426 of his second volume, speaking of
the law authorising the Chenango canal, he uses the
following language : " I have been the more particular
in relating the origin, progress, and consummation of
the scheme of making this canal; because I regard it
as the commencement of, or entering wedge to, a system
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 301
of measures and a policy which have involved this state
in a debt, ivhich,for ought I can 'perceive, will continue to
accumulate ; or which, at all events, will not he extinguished
by the present, and I apprehend, many succeeding gen-
'crations.'^ This must have been written. not far from
1S42 ; and the Judge must have been under the in-
fluence of those panic anti-canal speeches, that prepared
the way for the " stop law," and " stand still" policy
of the state, which cost millions to pay damages. He
must have known what the canals had been earning
the preceding years; for he would esteem it a sorry
compliment to suppose him writing about the revenues
and debts of the state, and not to have acquainted him-
self with its finances. He certainly must have known
what the canals had been earning over and above
repairs and superintendance, as I take it for granted he
had consulted the annual reports.
Had he analyzed them, as he did in 1S43, when he
wrote the " Life and Times of Silas Wri2;ht," he would
have found that the net earnings, applicable to the en-
largement of the canal, or for other state purposes, as
had been or mi2;ht be directed were as follows:
1837 . - - - $717,803.
1838 . - - 841,888.
1839 . - - - 1,111,517.
1840 - - - 1,060,000.
1841 - - - - 1,533,224.
I have taken the above from a table appended by
the Judge himself, on page 88, of the " Life and Times
of Silas Wright," published in 1848; which table goes
on, and gives the earnings for several years succeeding
1841, viz:
1842 - - - - $1,177,771.
1843 - - - 1,457,733.
302 KEMTNISCENCES
1S44 - - - . 1,802.400.
1845 - - - 1,714,560.
1846 - . . . 2,202,861.
1847 - - - 2,866,000.
This shows an increase in ten j'ears from $717,803,
to $2,866,000, about fourfold ; which, one would sup-
pose ought to have quieted those gloomy forebodings.
And if he will look at the net earnings each year, up to
the last, he will have great reason to hope that the state
is not to be burthened with a debt that shall afflict
the present and " many succeeding generations."
When the judge prepared his table, and wrote the
"Life and Times," it would have been a favorable
opportunity for him to have corrected previous impres-
sions, if he had, inadvertently or otherwise, fallen into
an error, which I have no doubt he would have done
had it occurred to him ; but as he did not do so, I hope
he will excuse me when I apply to him the substance of
what he says in reference to Mr. Wrigbt, on pages 93
and 94, where speaking of his anti-canal report, in
1827, Judge Hammond sa3^s : " It seems to us that he
did not perceive and fully appreciate the resources
of the state ; that his apprehensions of its incapacity to
make public improvements and pay for them, were too
gloomy and desponding; and it is certain, that in 1827,
he, in common with all other intelligent men, was
greatly mistaken in the estimate he formed in relation
to the amount of revenue which might be received,
and which, in fact, subsequently was realized from the
canal."
As an offset to the Judge's opinion, in 1842, I will
hazard a prediction, that those who may be living
fifteeen years hence may compare and decide between
them. We shall now probably have the enlargement
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 303
of both the Erie and Oswego canals completed within
four or five years ; and I will estimate the amount at
$12,000,000, instead of ten millions to be added to our
present state debt. My prediction is, that with rates
of tolls so reduced as to defy all competition, the
present generation, reckoning from the completion of
these enlargements, will see the present debt, and the
$12,000,000 that may be added, paid off or provided
for, and the state left with an annual revenue, that
without taxes will defray the ordinary expences of
government; support free schools, and school district
libraries, all over the state ; endow colleges and acade-
mies"; relieve the deaf, dumb, blind, and insane ; and
still have a large surplus to prosecute other necessary
improvements. Certainly, with the excellent provision
in the constitution, setting apart a portion of the canal
earnings for payment of interest, and a sinking fund
for the ultimate extinction of the principal, no one
should despair of the payment of the state debt.
I believe Judge Hammond takes a different view
of the canal question now, and the probability, nay
certainty, of paying off the state debt from the canal
revenues, from what he did in 1S42 : for he not only
approved of the recent law, authorizing loans on the
credit of funds pledged by the constitution, for en-
larging and finishing the canals ; but wrote one of the
best and most convincinsf articles, in favor of the
policy and constitutionality of the law, that appeared
during the excited canvas preceding the special election.
With the kindest feelings towards him personally
I have felt that I ought not to pass over the extracts
from his works that I have given, wifhout a criticism ;
because they relate to legislative matters in which I
had no inconsiderable share, and in which I acted
304 REMINISCENCES
under convictions, in regard to canal revenues, so
difTerent from those expressed by him, that I ouwht to
dissent from his conclusions. My report on the Black
river canal, which has been partly transcribed in this
chapter, will show my reasons for voting for lateral
canals in 1836, and on what estimates of revenue
those votes were given ; and now, with annual earnings
by the canals of about $3,000,000, which will probably
increase, I am willing to submit to the test of experi-
ence, and to the judgment of those who come after me,
whether those former estimates have not been more
than realized ; and whether my votes, though liberal,
were not statesman-like and appropriate ?
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 305
CHAPTER XVII.
Caucus Manoeuvres. Election of NatJianicl P. Talhnadge, to
U. S. Se?ia(e, in 1833. He opposes ilie Independent
Treasury Bill.
In February, 1833, a senator for congress was to be
appointed. Nathaniel P. Tallmadge had entered the
senate with me, in 1830, and was then on the last year
of his term. He had discharged his duties with zeal
and fidelity, was popular and conciliating, of highly
respectable talents, and had acquired a strong position
in the senate, as well as in the assembly.
His friends proposed him as candidate for the dis-
tinguished position, which seemed to be quite favorably
regarded. It was soon obvious that he was to meet
with a decided opposition, though it was by no means
so clear who was to be his opponent. Senators and
members of the house, who professed to be the more
immediate exponents of Mr. Van Buren, were opposed
to Mr. Tallmadge.
Several of them took the ground that he was by the
state constitution, ineligible to the office ; and this from
first being whispered round, was soon openly put for-
ward. A friend of Mr. Tallmadge, in the senate,
introduced a resolution, referring the question to attorney
General Bronson, whose report was decidedly favor-
able on the constitutional question, which, with a sound
lawyer, as the constitution then stood, could hardly have
been different. Mr. Van Buren happened to be in
20
006 REMINISCEXCES
Albany a few weeks before the appointment was made,
and remained there until very near or about the time
the caucus was held. He stopped at Congress Hall,
where Mr. Tallmadge and myself, with several other
senators and members were staying, but professed to
take no part in the question while the canvas was
going on.
A few days before the election, Mr. Van Buren
being in Mr. Tallmadge's room, as they were fre-
quently in each other's rooms, though they never
exchanged a word about the senatorship, Mr. Tall-
madge thought he would sound him on the subject, and
remarked that his name had been mentioned in con-
nection with the appointment. Mr. Van Buren made
no reph'-, but turned or checked the conversation, by
enquiring whether Mr. T. had read the life or works
of George Canning, then recently published. He left
the room a few moments afterwards, politely sajnng, he
would send the books for perusal ; which he accord-
ingly did.
The inference that Mr. T. drew, was a very natural
one, which was, that Mr. Van Buren was not favorable,
and that he preferred some other man ; which was the
only inference that could be drawn.
A day or two before the caucus, a friend of Mr.
Tallmadge was in Mr. Van Buren's room, and seeing
a book lying there, took it up ; and on opening, found it
was the journal of the constitutional convention.
Leaves were turned down at portions having
reference to disqualification of members of the senate
and assembly, for other offices, during the term for
which they were elected.
Knowing that the opponents of Tallmadge were
urging this objection against him, he and his friends had
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 307
no doubt that Mr. V. B. entertained the question, and
had been consultinn; authorities. Edward Livinojston
represented the city and county of Albany that year;
and I think was speaker. He was ardent and active,
and very much devoted to politics; and under party
influences. He was one of the first to propose Mr.
Tallmadge, and proffered him his active and decided
support; which I have no doubt he then intended to
render. But a few days before the caucus, " a change
came o'er the spirit of his dream." For a considerable
time after the question began to be agitated, those
opposed to Mr. Tallmadge, had not fixed on a candidate.
They were opposed to him, and in favor of "some good
sound republican, that the party might agree upon."
Three or four days before the caucus, the contest began
to assume a more definite shape ; and it was given out
that Judge Sutherland was to be the opposing candidate.
He was brother-in-law to Mr. Livingston ; and from the
course taken bv LivinQ:ston before and at the caucus, it
looked very much as if the Judge had been made a
candidate with a view of detaching Livingston from
Tallmadge's support. Whether intended for that or
not, it had that effect ; for he called on Tallmadge
before the caucus, and frankly told him that he could
not support him, though he admitted that he had been
in favor of him, but Judge Sutherland being a can-
didate, he must now go for him"; and remarked that
Sutherland had been urged and pushed into the can-
vas by Mr. Van Buren. The contest was now be-
coming active and earnest ; and as it was apparent
the vote would be exceedingly close, both sides were
vigilant, that a vote should not be lost. It was in fact,
a contest among veteran politicians ; not your militia-
fighting, but well-drilled regulars were in the ranks, who
r^OS REMINISCENCES
had been disciplined and were familiar with " regency
tactics."
The caucus was held, and those opposed to Mr. T.
were active in urging the constitutional objection, as
well as others which they supposed might influence the
members of the caucus. Short debates followed, in
which his friends maintained that he was eliirible, and
manifested as much determination to sustain him, as
the other side did to defeat him. A ballot was had,
the result of which was that Tallmad^e lacked one or
two votes of a majority of the whole. The votes on the
other side were nearly all given for Judge Sutherland
and Benjamin F. Buder ; but Mr. Butler was consider-
ably a-head of Sutherland.
From the time the judge was named as a candidate,
we felt quite sure we could beat him, as the course he
had recently taken on the tariff question, then of absorb-
ing interest, had disaffected those who were looking for
a reliable candidate on that great national question.
The late Benjamin Knower was indefatigable in his
exertions tor Mr. Tallmadge.
Mr. Knower was a practical mechanic, and wanted
the tariff laws so adjusted, as to afford protection to
Atnerican industry. He was shrewd, intelligent, per-
severing, and influential ; and being father-in-law to
Governor Marcy, and then or recently state treasurer,
stood remarkably well with the democracy. He wanted
something more than a "judicious tariff," which could be
construed to mean, protection or no protection, at
pleasure ; and hence, when Judge Sutherland, had re-
cently at a tariff meeting, taken a course in opposition
to such men as Benjamin Knower, and other high
tariff men, it naturally placed them in opposition to his
nomination.
EY LEVI BEAKDSLEY. 309
Knowing what the actual feeling was, in regard to
Judge Sutherland, the friends of Mr. Tallmadge did
not believe that the votes a2;ainst him could be con-
centrated on the Judge so as to ensure his appointment ;
and hence they were apprehensive that he had been
brought forward to draw off votes from Tallmadge,
with a view of ultimately transfering them to another
candidate.
It was, therefore, all important that Tallmadge's
friends should stand firm for the second or subsequent
ballotings. Before going into caucus they had been
urged to be firm, as well as vigilant; for we expected
an attempt would be made to carry the caucus by
stratagem : and in this respect our anticipations shadow-
ed forth what was soon to take place.
As soon as it was ascertained that a candidate was
not selected at the first ballot, and that Mr. Butler was
a-head of Judge Sutherland, Mr. Livingston got up, and
said he was authorised to withdraw the Judge from the
further canvas ; and that he should then go for Mi.
Butler; and urged all others to do so for the harmony
of the party.
This movement revealed the plan of the contest;
which was to use Southerlanu's name, with a view to
transfer votes eventually to ]Mr. Butler. It did not
succeed as well as was expected ; for Major Myers
immediately arose, and said, in substance, that though
he had voted for Judge Sutherland, on the first ballot,
he did not admit the rii^htof Mr. Livinofston to transfer
him to Mr. Butler; and if a transfer was to be made,
he should make it himself, and should next time go for
Mr. Tallmadge.
Here we had gained one vote at least ; and it
remained to be seen, whether others had come over to
310 REMINISCENCES
US in consequence of changing front and position, and
whether we had lost any by this stratagetic movenient.
The canvas on the second ballot was spitited.
The friends of the two candidates were vigilant and
active. Those who voted for Tallmadge on the first,
stood firm on the second ; and he was nominated by a
small majority ; thus defeating those who esteemed
themselves the heart and soul of the Albany regency,
just as they had been defeated a few years before,
when Judge Bronson was made attorney-general.
That Mr. Livingston should have gone for the
nomination of his brother-in-law. Judge Sutherland,
notwithstanding his former preference for Mr. Tall-
madge, w'as not deemed objectionable by those who
preferred the latter, and had expected the co-operation
of Mr. L. The relationship and known intimacy be-
tween Mr. Livingston and the judge, was of itself a
sufficient apology ; particularly when taken in connec-
tion with the conceded fact, that the latter was a man
of strict integrity, pure character, and respectable
talents. The objectionable feature, if any, was, that
Mr. Livingston, after his proffer of support to Mr.
, Tallmadge, and then withdrawing that support, should
have made, or allowed himself to be made, the transfer
agent, when he found the judge could not succeed.
, That matter was commented on, and was generally
conceded by both sections of the party, that some other
one should have been selected to perform that opera-
tion ; but as Mr. Tallmadge had succeeded, his friends
did not feel disposed to be censorious, and the affair
was soon dropped or smoothed over, so that harmony
was restored.
I do not suppose the success of Mr. Tallmadge was
agreeable to Mr. Van Buren ; or that he was then oi
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 311
subsequently leconcilcd to it. He undoubtedly wanted
some other man, and one on whom he t^iought he
could rely with more confidence than on Mr. T., to
carry out the party measures that would probably
arise. Hence, when Mr. Tallmadge faltered, in regard
to the independent treasury recommended by Mr. Van
Buren, though he was sustained by such men as Mr.
Rives, John P. King, Hugh S. Legare, with an in-
numerable host of stealing democrats, whose attach-
ment and fidelity to democratic principles had never
been doubted, his hesitancy on this one point, was
made the pretext for a prescriptive attack by the
government organ. This was, with other matters in
regard to the currency of the country, put forward and
attempted to be made tests of party devotion.
Many of the best democrats in the country regarded
them as decidedly pernicious, and calculated to em-
barrass if not to destroy the banks then struggling for
existence, as well as to depress the business of the
country, so that the venerable Mr. Ritchie, whose ortho-
doxy had never till now been doubted, was forced into
opposition to many of those radical measures.
Mr. Tallmadge being denounced by the organ, at
Washington, the attacks were reiterated by those party
papers, throughout the country, that sided with the
president on this question, so that "recreant," "traitor,"
and " turncoat," were but moderate epithets that were
constantly bestowed on him. An unrelenting warfare
was the consequence, in which he and those democrats
who had acted with, him, not only repelled the attacks,
but carried the war into the ranks of the administration
with such vigor and effect, that in the election of 1840,
Mr. Van Buren was defeated by a vote that, consider-
ing his strength in 1S36, was more overwhelming than
any candidate had ever sustained.
312 REMINISCENCES
CHAPTER XVIIL
Legislative matters. Makers and Indorsers UahU in same
Action. Act to inevent unnecessary Litigation. Im-
prisonment for Deht abolished. Resolution against the
Re-charter of United States Bank. Small Bill Laiv.
Democrats refuse its repeal, and are defeated in 1838.
Suspension of Specie Payments attributed to United
States Bank Controversy. Inflation of Currency and
Over-trading. Deposit Banks required to discount liber-
ally. Afterwards denounced. Bankers under a Cloud.
Hard Money Gentry in Sunshine. Almost Universal
Bankruptcy. Mr. Van Buren defeated in 1840. Glance
at some of the Causes of Defeat.
Nine years legislative services necessarily connected
me with many important matters that came up from
year to year. Three times I assisted in districting the
state, viz. in 1826, for senators and assembly ; in 1831
or 1832, for members of congress; and in 1836, for
senators and assembly men, under the state census
then recently taken. As chairman of the judiciary
committee, I concocted and brought in a bill, authoriz-
ing the joining of makers and indorsers of negotiable
paper in the same suit, thus saving debtors large
amounts of cost, that used to be made by bringing
separate actions. This law, though not perfectly ac-
ceptable to the legal profession at the time, has worked
well ; and no one would now think of repealing, and
going back to the old order of things.
Another act entirely my own, and brought in on
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 313
notice "to prevent unnecessary litigation," was pushed
through the senate, and then through the house, after
a stubborn opposition from the lawyers. The principle
assumed by the bill was, that the public had an interest
in keeping the higher courts clear of litigation for trifling
sums ; which, from the amount of costs growing out
of such suits, were accumulating in court ; were fiercely
contested, to the delay of important business; and in
the end, very often ruined the litigants. I have known
suits brought from justice's courts to the supreme court,
and thence to the court for correction of errors, where
the amount in controversy was less than a dollar ; and
would wind up with many hundred dollars of costs.
The bill introduced did not prevent, nor was it
intended to prevent suits involving important legal ques-
tions from going to the higher courts ; but it regu-
lated and restricted the right, by making the decision
on appeal in the common pleas conclusive, unless an
order was obtained from a judge that the case was a
proper one to be carried up. This was not a new
principle, but was applying an old principle to a new
set of cases. The bill in my judgment was perfectly
proper, and tended to prevent ruinous litigation, and
promote peace in neighborhoods. In the senate I had
no great difficulty in getting it through ; but I felt sure
it would be opposed by the legal gentlemen in the
other house, where there were quite a large number.
To ward off their opposition, I called on Doctor
Elye, of Otsego, and General Lockwood, of West-
chester, members of the house, and explained the bill
to them, requesting them to look to it if it met their
approbation, as I had no doubt it would. They were
shrewd and intelligent, and both of them plain but
strong debaters ; seizing the prominent point, and
314 REMINISCENCES
urging It vvjtli force and ability; while they parried or
denaolished the arguments of adversaries.
The bill, though reported against by the judiciary
committee, and sturdily opposed in the assembly, was
sustained by Elye, Lockwood, and others, and became
a law.
M}'' votes were uniformly in favor of concessions to
firemen, whose important, arduous, and dangerous
services to protect life and property, are still very
poorly requited. In reference to all the important
legislation for the city of New York, growing out of the
disastrous fire in 1835, I stood by the senators from
that city, and rendered all the services possible ;
though some senators from the country took a very
illiberal, and in my judgment, reprehensible course in
opposition.
When the bill abolishing imprisonment for debt
(introduced and advocated by Silas M. Slillwell, a
talented member from New York,) was passed, I was a
member of the judiciary committee in the senate, and
reported and voted for the bill. Out of deference to the
supposed rights of creditors, and to make it altogether
prospective in its operation, I was in favor of applying
the new law to new contracts only ; a concession that
I would not now make to creditors, or any one else.
Subsequent reflection has convinced me that the credi-
tor has no vested right, implied or otherwise, in the
person or liberty of his debtor, from the mere fact of
delinquency in payment. The power to imprison, was
a remedy, and not a right. It formed no part of the con-
tract, but was merely a remedy to enforce a right ; so
that abolishing imprisonment was not a violation of
contract, by " impairing its obligation." As well might
it be argued, that a law requiring six months notice of
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 515
mortgage sale, where it had been only four, was a
violation of contract. Imprisonment may serve as a
punishment to debtors, for improvident contracts, it
may coerce a dishonest debtor occasional!}'", and make
him disgorge where he has concealed means; but as it
was generally used, it was more likely to coerce friends
of the debtor, or his family, to step in and from sympath}''
pay the debt; which the creditor had no more moral
right to exact from friends, than to obtain it by disreputa-
ble devices. It was in fact the coercement of poverty,
through the sympathy of friends. The jail is a poor place
to pay debts. It breaks down the spirit and destroys the
courage of the debtor ; oppresses and disheartens his
family ; and generally was of little use to the creditor,
except as it ministered to gratify malevolent feelings.
It was a stain on the statute book, which being blotted
out, no legislator will be likely again to restore.
Soon after the commencement of my first senatorial
term, the re-charter of the United States Bankbeo:an to
be agitated, and soon became a question of deep
interest. The business of the country was so mixed
and connected with the bank in all its ramifications,
that it is not surprising that merchants and business
men generally desired its re-charter. Had this been
conceded before the conflict commenced, in regard to
its continuance, the capital of the bank would have pro-
bably been unimpaired, and would have been useful.
But the bank felt strong; and counting upon an almost
certainty of re-charter, was neither disposed to yield its
pretensions or make concessions to political power. It
was unfortunate for the country in any event; for it
must of necessity draw banking and other business
matters into the vortex of party politics.
As potent for good as the bank with a sound capital
o
16 REMINISCENCES
and discreet management might have been, it was found
equally potent for evil, before the contest was ended.
The democratic party, under the lead of Gen. Jackson,
became arrayed against it, and neither party seemed
disposed to yield or conciliate.
A resolution against the re-charter, known as Deitzs
resolution, was introduced in the senate. It was drawn
by Nathaniel P. Tallmadge or myself; and I am sure
that I took charge of it, and got Col. Deitz to introduce
it. The resolution barely expressed an opinion against
the re-charter of the bank, and was introduced by Col.
Deitz, because on consultation it was deemed advisable
to have it put forward by one of the " lay members,"
as they were called, and Col. Dehz was selected to do
the needful. .Beino: connected with a state bank, I did
not deem it politic to introduce it myself, but I agreed
to stand by the resolution and the mover.
In due time it was called up, and debated at great
length, when several democratic senators as well as all
on the other side in politics, were found in opposition to
the resolution, so that there was danger of its rejection,
as the senate stood, on one day of the debate. Col.
Geer, of Saratoga, who we relied upon, was absent,
having gone home and was not expected to return in
several days. It was necessary therefore to have him
back before the vote was taken ; and those in favor of
the resolution must debate, and talk it over for the day,
that the senate might adjourn before voting. Towards
the close of that day's session, I got the floor and moved
an adjournment, which was agreed to ; and this entitled
me to the floor, on taking up the resolution the next da3^
A short consultation was held among the friends of the
resolution, and it was agreed to debate the question till
Col. Geer could be brought in. I went to a hvery stable
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 317
keeper and enquired how long it would take him to go
for and return with Col. Geer ? He said by starling
immediately and driving all night, he could be back the
next day by 11 or 12 o'clock. He was started off, and
it cost me a good round sum for the job, but as the
resolution had been moved, we were determined to put
it through. The senate met at ten, and we supposed
the resolution would come up in the order of business,
not far from eleven o'clock. On calling it up, I com-
menced the debate, intending to keep the floor till Geer
arrived, or only to yield it to a friend of the resolution.
Soon after. Senator Tracy, who was against it, ex-
pressed a wish that the vote might be taken without
further debate, precisely what the opponents of the
bank intended to prevent, and he was told that we were
not ready. Pretty soon Senator Geer came in, shortly
before twelve o'clock, when Mr. Tracy playfull}--
remarked (looking significantly at Geer,) that he
perceived we had exhausted the subject matter of
debate, and were now ready for the vote ; which being
assented to, it was taken ; and thus was passed the
resolution against the bank. Rather a farce to look at
it now, but things m.ore qucei' have been often done in
legislative bodies.
Col. Geer expressed many thanks for being deemed
worthy to be sent for, and said he should have been
sadly mortified, had he been absent and not voted for
the resolution, which being democratic, he highly ap-
proved of; and the more so as emanating from his friend
Col. Deitz.
Though interested in safety fund banks to a con-
siderable amount, in proportion to the value of my
property, I voted for the free banking law, and that too
on the most liberal plan desired by its friends.
3lS REMINISCENCES
Subsequent amendments have made the provisions
of that law safe, and salutary ; and free banking is
becoming the order of the day. When I first went to
the senate, fears were entertained by those who wanted
new banks, that my interest was so blended with old
ones, that I would not vote for new. In this they were mis-
taken, as they found me, if any thing, too liberal in
voting for charters.
The Otsego county, Herkimer county, and Mont-
gomery county banks were supposed by many to
interfere with the central, in which I was interested;
yet I voted for these and many others, without the slight-
est injury to the central. No better country banks with
small capitals can be found in the state, than the three
or four above named ; or that have been better managed
in reference to business men as well as stockholders.
In 1835 I voted to restrain the issue of bills below the
denomination of five dollars, generally known as the
" small bill law." I never believed it necessary, right,
or expedient ; but it was one of the party measures of
the day, to restrict the circulation of "paper currency."
and had been resolved as a necessary and proper reform,
both by the county and senatorial conventions that
nominated me for re-election. I must of course vote
for and sustain the measure, or decline the nomination.
This law in the end contributed more than any one
measure to prostrate the democratic party in the state.
We got along with it pretty well for the two first years ;
the small bills of New England coming in and taking
the place of our own, though we had a statute against
the circulation of small notes of other states.
Still the law was a dead letter, and those foreign
bills were received and passed freely by almost every
one, except corporations, whose charters were declared
BY LEVI BEARDSLEy. 319
forfeited in case they violated the law. The public
seemed restive under the snnall bill law, and the great
mass could not comprehend the reasoning of politicians
in favor of suppressing our own, when foreign notes
would circulate freely and with impunity: or why a
bank that was good for its five dollar notes was not just
as safe for those of smaller denominations.
It was the suspension of specie payments, in 1S37,
and embarrassments from want of small bills, growing
out of that, state of things, that rendered the law per-
fectly odious to the great body of the people ; and in
the end led to its repeal, after the democratic party had
been signally defeated. Had the operation of the law
been suspended during the suspension of the banks, as
it ought to have been, it is by no means certain that
such an overwhelming defeat would have followed ;
though the stringent measures at Washington, and the
severe embarrassments of the times, were tending
towards a revolution of parties that could hardly be
averted.
On passing the law legalizing bank suspensions, on
the last day but one of the session of 1837, senator
Tracy, of Buffalo, introduced a bill on notice, to sus-
pend the operation of the small bill law, till the banks
resumed payments. A large majority of the senate
were for passing it, and would undoubtedly have done
so ; had the session continued two days longer ; but it
was defeated on purely technical grounds, by one of
the senators who was radically ultra in his feelings
against banks, and in favor of a specie currency. We
had four or five senators who leaned strongly that way,
who by objecting (under the rules) against giving the
bill the required number of readings the same day,
stove it off, and the legislature adjourned at the hour
already fixed by concurrent resolutions of the two
320 REMINISCENCES
houses. This left the matter precisely as every whig
politician desired, who looked to the success of his
party as a paramount object: for the democrats having
large majorities in both houses, and having introduced
and passed the small bill law, in opposition to the
whigs, and now refused to suspend it, were responsible
for its existence, and for its inconveniences; which the
whigs were not slovir in demonstrating. It was only
necessary to pass through the state in any direction,
to satisfy one's-self from the general clamor, that the
bill was odious, and that the people desired its repeal.
Still the state officers, known as the Albany regency,
or the most of them, could not view it in this light;
nor did politicians at Washington, who gave tone to
political matters at Albany, heed the warning. When
the legislature came together, in January, 1S3S, a
large majority of the senate, though still democratic,
thought the law should be repealed or modified. Every
whig was of course clamorous for its repeal; and even
among the democrats, a decided majority thought it
best to get rid of it, or at least to suspend its operations.
All the radical senators were for keeping it as it was,
as were also four or five others, who on this point went
with them, though not generally on man}-- others.
Caucuses were held, and among the democratic senators
there was a majority who thought it best to yield to
what appeared the popular wish, and make the con-
cession with as good a grace as possible, instead of
resisting, and in the end have to yield, or break down
in attempting to sustain it.
Those state officers who seemed to take their cue
from Washington, and those senators who were for
letting the law stand and risk consequences, urged it
as a democratic measure that we had passed the
small bill law, and made it a distinctive point of party
I
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 821
policy, and to repeal it, as the wbigs urged, (for they
did not then ask its suspension, but went for repeal)
would be falling back and abandoning our position.
Not wishing to divide the party, and thus have a
family quarrel, a majority of the democratic senators
concluded to leave it as it was, and let the state officers
take the consequences of the course which they advised
with so much pertinacity.
When the bill from the assembly repealing the law-
was rejected in the senate, I think seventeen voted
against the repeal, an ominous number, that caused a
laugh among senators, and extended to the lobby.
The discussions in caucus had been warm, but on the
whole courteous and friendly, and there was a dispo-
sition by concessions to keep the party together, though
a majority of democratic senators expressed decided
opinions, that by persisting, the party would be de-
feated at the next election. The late Micah Sterling,
Judge Skinner, and John Beardsley, then senators, and
several others, stated this as their belief, in positive
terms. It is more than probable, that a portion of the
senators who believed it best to repeal or suspend the
small bill law, but who finally yielded the point, on
the urgent recommendations of those state officers who
seemed to coincide in views with the radical senators,
voted against the repeal, under a full conviction that
in the end it would displace those officers. The
democratic party had become divided in sentiment
one portion apparently desiring to restrict and cripple
banks, if not to destroy them, and then to substitute
a metalic currency, or a much larger proportion of the
precious metals : while the other party desired to
sustain them, and believed to do so, it was necessary
to pursue.- a liberal course of legislation, that should
21
322 REMINISCENCES
invite capilal, that should not alarm stockholders, and
that should foster and encourage banking institutions,
so essentially mixed with the business of the country,
that to destroy or depress the one, must necessarily
cripple and paralyze the other.
Probably both parties carried their views too far,
and that a medium course would have been better for
all; but it is certain that at Washington, those that
seemed to represent the views of the administration,
were decidedly anti-bank in their feelings ; and many
Albany politicians took their cue from that quarter.
Hence it is not improbable that several senators, who
thought the warfare against banks and corporations
unjust as well as inexpedient, voted against the repeal
of the small bill law, with an almost certainty that its
continuance would in the end displace those state
officers, who if they did not encourage assaults on the
currency of the state,, did nothing to prevent them, but
rather sustained the assailants.
Almost any man of ordinary capacity, could not
fail to understand, that popular sentiment was against
the law ; but as the greater part of the state officers
could not or would not so regard it, I think a portion
of senators were willing to leave the law as it was, and
let the state officers take their chance, if the party was
defeated.
I recollect of hearing a conversation with one of
the state officers who held a prominent and influential
station, in which a senator remarked, " that they (the
officers) held important positions, which would pro-
bably be lost. That their vision would be more clear
after the election. That the party would go to the
d 1, and the officers with it ; and it was no great
matter how soon, if they were so hl'iyid or prejudiced,
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 323
that they could not see which way the popular current
was setting." This was all in good nature, but was
nevertheless true. The election came off in the fall.
Governor Marcy was defeated by an overwhelming
majority; Governor Seward was elected; and the
whigs were triumphant in every part of the state.
The small bill law was repealed ; and since that time
no politician in the state has ventured to "burn his
fingers," by " tinkering" in that way the currency, or
attempting to re-enact the odious law. The truth is
it was unwise, and should never have been made a
party question, or adopted.
The suspension of specie payments, with all the
embarrassing and calamitous circumstances, may be
traced to conflicts and assaults on the currency, with
inflations and contractions growing out of the " United
States BanJc^^ controversy. This was the primary
cause. Having lived through these convulsions, and
seen that bank killed and buried, I hope never to see
another chartered. It probably never would have
been authorized, except for the embarrassments under
which we labored, on closing the war with England.
The attempt to renew its charter brought on the
conflict, that in the end drew the state banks and the
business of the country into the vortex, to the manifest
injury of all : resulting in the destruction of the bank,
the suspension of specie payments, almost universal
bankruptcies, and nearly destroying the credit and
means of the government. Nothing but a resort to
loans and treasury notes saved the national treasury
from absolute disgrace. I know it will be said, and
has been said a thousand times, that over-trading, with
rash, improvident speculations in 1835 and '6, led to
the calamitous results, which is undoubtedly true to
324 REMINISCENCES
a large extent, if secondary ca^ises only are referred to :
but the question is, what induced these speculations,
over-trading, and the spirit of gambling in stocks, and
in short everything else, that so generally pervaded the
country? The answer is, an inflation of the currency.
And what was the leading cause of this inflation? It
was the removal of the deposits, and placing them in
state banks, with official intimations that they were
expected to take the place of the United States bank,
in making liberal discounts. This intimation, published
throughout the country, placed the banks in such a
position, that the public felt that they had claims on
them. Tlicy had the government money, which be-
longed to the people ; were making money out of it ;
and the people had a right to borrow their own money,
and on liberal terms. This had been intimated from
head quarters; and the banks having accepted the
deposit, must carry out the expected terms of the
compact. Hence they wished to conciliate the public,
lest the " deposits" might be withdrawn, and they
become unpopular. Nor was this all. Many banks
were chartered, in every part of the country ; some to
obtain a portion of the deposits, and others to do
business, and thus fill the vacuum caused by the
winding up of the United States Bank. It must be
borne in mind, that in 1S34 the state banks had been
driven almost to suspension, by the curtailments of
the United States Bank, and the alarm and agitation
growing out of the contest for renewal of its charter.
This was the panic season, when the legislature, under
the advice of Governor Marcy, authorised a state loan
to sustain the state banks.
The United States bank, under wicked and short-
sighted advice, attempted to coerce a renewal of its
EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 325
charter, by pressing and embarrassing ihe business
men and the business of the country. That it mani-
fested such jjoiver for evil, confirmed those opposed to
it, in a more stubborn resistance to its re-charter, and
a determination to effect its overthrow at every hazard.
The state of Pennsylvania stepped in and gave it a
stale charter. The bank took another tack, and not
having coerced by curtailment, a renewal of its national
charter, it determined to discount with an unsparing
hand, as if foreseeing the result that was so soon to
come, and not caring what that result should be, or the
embarrassments that might grow out of it. Thus with
the large issues by this and the state banks, the currency
became inflated, a vast amount was added to the
circulating medium, currency was abundant, everyone
had credit and could command any amount of discount,
for credit seemed to be the basis of all monetary trans-
actions. Bread stuffs and provisions, and in short every
thing saleable advanced rapidly in price beyond any fair
estimateof cash value. Speculations became rife ; friends
of government officers, state and national, and ofRcers
themselves rushed madly into contracts. The demo-
cratic organs congratulated the country on the success
of the experiment, and demonstrated its prosperity anu
its ability to get on just as well without the United
States bank, and a little better.
Every thing appeared calm and smooth on the sur-
face. Trade was brisk ; the national debt had been
paid off; the treasury was overflowing, and required
depletion ; but a storm was gathering. First came the
treasury circular, which creating alarm and embarrass-
ing purchasers, brought the speculators up with a
" round turn." Then tricks and devices were resorted
to, by those having the public monies, by loaning specie
o
26 REMINISCENCES
to applicants, for lands ; wheeling it out of the office,
and then wheeling it back to pay for land entries.
Many defalcations on the part of officers having charge
of the funds took place ; they were squandered, and
good old "Uncle Sam" pocketed the loss.
The banks foreseeing, or fearing a storm, began to
curtail and take in saiL Debtors were required to pay.
Assaults were daily made by the public press, (partic-
ularly that portion that had the confidence of the
administration,) against speculators and the banks.
Credit was first shocked, then impaired, and finally
destroyed. Bankers, as well as speculators, were
represented as unsafe advisers, even in political matters.
Many of those who had assisted in elevating Mr. Van
Buren to his distinguished position, who had sustained
his safety fund system, spent their money freely, and
stuck to him " through evil and through good report,"
were unceremoniously in the end thrust aside ; while
the rampant ultra democrat, who warred against all
banks and paper currency, as well as against credit,
was smiled upon, and condescendingly courted from
high quarters, as worthy of all favors and confidence.
The catastrophe finally came ; the banks exploded,
and Avith their suspension went the state bank deposit
system. The administration saw their own project
had proved a failure, but they had not the magnanimity
to divide, and take their share of the odium attached
to it. They threw nearly the whole blame on the banks,
which had but little more than cairied out the policy
prescribed to them when the public deposits were placed
in their vaults. Hence, almost daily tirades appeared
in the government paper, under the immediate 63^6 of
Mr. Van Buren, denouncing banks and bankers, and
speculators as very little better than pick-pockets.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 327
Many of bis confidential friends were deeply imbued
with the speculating mania, and had to submit to the
prescribed castigation. The *' foul spirit" of specula-
tion must needs be exorcised, if not actually cast out.
A free purgation among officials and their friends was
deemed necessary ; and so far as the public knew them,
they seemed to take it meekly, and to submit with
christian fortitude. But, not to speak ironically, I have
always looked on this attempt of Mr. Van Buren, to
countenance prejudices against his old friends and sup-
porters, who had done so much to elevate him to power,
merely because they were interested in banks, and
were unwilling to sacrifice them and their property with
them, as altogether indefensible. It seemed to be an
attempt to court the radicals who were opposed to all
banks, and thus sustain an anti-bank party; if not a
party based on prejudices against property and capital,
as well as banks. Perhaps I do him injustice without
intending it ; but I cannot believe those denunciatory,
anti-bank articles, in the Washington Globe, the then
official organ, would have continually appeared, and in
numerous other radical papers, had he discountenanced
them.
The inference was irresistible, that he looked upon
those interested in banks with disfavor and suspicion ;
and knowing that their interest would naturally prompt
them to go for measures to sustain the banks, and there-
by place them in opposition to the cherished proscrip-
tions of those who seemed to represent his views, he
intended to make up in numbers, for their loss, from the
ranks of the radicals.
The times however, became too hard to sustain any
party, or set of men, who attempted to place themselves
on such narrow prejudices; for the poor and laboring
S2S REMINISCENCES
classes sufTered quite as much, and even more than men
of property ; and in the end the laborers and middling
classes were the most efficient agents in producing his
defeat.
The consequences growing out of the suspension of
bank payments were ruinous to debtors. The currency
must be greatly reduced before the banks could resume
and stand on a specie basis. At least three-fourths or
more must be called in, the effect of which was, that
property that had cost $4,000, would hardly bring
$1,000, as the latter sum was the representative of
value, on the reduction of the currency. But that was
not all ; the general embarrassment and bankruptcy
induced a desire and necessity to sell. Property must
go: large quantities were thrown on the market, and
very few wished to purchase, and only then at ruinous
rates, as much below actual value, as they had been
above, before the suspension.
My pecuniary affairs suffered tremendously under
this state of things. It destroyed several who were my
debtors, and rendered the securities relied on for pay-
ment nearly worthless. I can never dwell on these
disastrous times, without feeling that I have been injured
and lost many thousand dollars, from the mere fact of
these assaults on banks and bankers, and on credit.
It is bad enough, nay too bad, to lose the fruits of
persevering industry, under any circumstances ; but
when coupled with abuse and sneers, and those too from
men you have helped to elevate and sustain, it is doubly
painful. It was too much, and too repulsive to the feelings
of an intelligent man, claiming the right to think for
himself, to require him, as a test of fidelity, not only to
sacrifice his property and judgment, and pretend to
approve a policy which he believed wrong, and which
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 329
he knew was destructive, merely to keep in favor with
the leaders of his party, and retain a seeming consis-
tency of going " strait ahead" without regard to
consequences. Still I voted for Mr. Van Buren, in
1840 ; not because I approved his course, or the general
scope of those newspaper articles referred to, but
because I did not wish to separate from the democratic
party with which I had always acted.
The breaking off from party associates, and taking
an antagonistic position, even when you believe they
are wrong, is extremely unpleasant ; and political men
wish to avoid it. Mr. Van Buren, himself, has probably
found it so ; and by this time has learned that it is
neither pleasant or profitable to array himself against
a great popular party, particularly one that' has ad-
vanced and sustained him in the highest national
positions. When his old New York friends, who had
sustained him in his own state, and assisted to elevate
him in the national councils, were placed in the shade,
they felt aggrieved, and thought they had good cause to
complain ; but when he adopted the sectional Buffalo
platform, and united with former adversaries, against
former friends, the republicans of the Union were out-
raged ; for they had sustained him under almost every
vicissitude
An additional reason for my sustaining him in
1840, was the fact that the banks had resumed specie
payments; and as it was quite apparent his adminis-
tration would be strengthened by sustaining them, I
felt sure he would do nothing willingly to cripple or
bring them into discredit again. It was apparent
however, that votes and efforts for his re-election
would be in vain, as no one who observed the indica-
tions before the election, could fail to se^ that "his
330 RExMINISCENCES
defeat was inevitable. The limes were loo hard for
him to succeed. The people felt that his rule had
been an *' iron rule ;" that they could not be worse
off by a change ; and hence they determined to put
him down, as they did most effectually at that election,
and as I have no doubt they would in 1S44, had he
been the candidate. One item in making up the
prejudices of the people against his administration,
was the course pursued by some of those holding office
under him. TJmj received their pay in specie, which
bore a high premium. While private citizens were
content to take bank notes for products, and for debts
due them, they were annoyed for change, and some-
times for specie, by captious creditors, which, if com-
pelled to procure, must be had at a large advance.
Office holders, instead of paying away their gold,
which as it bore a premium could hardly be expected,
would frequently tantalize the citizen, by denouncing
bank paper as worthless " rags ;" and while lauding
his specie currency, for which he realized large profits,
would boast of his extraordinary good luck, in holding
a position that gave him such advantages. Such things
were not pleasant ; and with rankling, outraged feel-
ings, they were generally scored against the adminis-
tration ; and hence the catch words so much harped
on by the whigs " Gold for office-holders, and rags
for the people."
The ultra manifestations of Mr. Van Buren, and
those who had his confidence, drove off* a large num-
ber who had formerly supported him. They were
active, intelligent, persevering democrats many of
them men of property and influence who became
alarmed, and thought they saw in his measures and
recommendations, absolute ruin to themselves and
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 331
ikmlHes. This feeling was prevalent among many,
who finally stayed with and voted the democratic
ticket ; but that portion who went off and organized
as conservatives, were his most active and efficient
opponents, as well as most bitter.
The course taken by Mr. Van Buren in regard to
banks, after their suspension, was very different from
that pursued b}' the secretary of the treasury, towards
the banks that suspended during the war wilh Eng-
land. Mr. Crawford, and indeed the whole cabinet
and administration of which he was a member, did
all that could well be done to aid the banks in resuming
payments. They had sustained the government during
the war, by numerous loans and advances. Governor
Tompkins had raised large sums from the banks in
the city of New York ; and the government felt it due
to the banks, to treat them kindly and help them
forward. Had this course been pursued by Mr. Van
Buren, I have no doubt the losses to government would
have been much less ; the embarrassments and dis-
tresses of the people would have been greatly amelio-
rated ; trade would have gone on more briskly, and
the government revenues would have been largely
augmented. But a different, and the most rigid course
imaginable, was resolved on, and persisted in ; as if
government aimed at nothing short of punishing, if
not destroying the banks ; as well as creditors and
debtors whose fortunes were to a great extent indissolu-
bly connected with them. It was even suggested to
place the banks and corporations under a national
bankrupt law, that would have enabled the general
government to crush and sweep them all out of exis-
tence. Mr. Van Buren did not manifest his usual
sagacity, when he thus lost so many, and such influ-
332 REMINISCENCES
oo~i
ential members of the party. By some slight con-
cessions and timely manifestations of kind feelings, he
could have retained many of them ; and probably a
large mnjority of those who finally left him. He should
have counted well his strength, before casting off such
a body of men, and driving them into opposition. He
felt strong however, even up to the election, and could
not believe that party attachments and party discipline,
which had so strongly sustained him in 1S3G, could be
subverted in 1840. I know that the views above
advanced, in regard to the inflation of the currency,
as resulting from the government policy of depositing
with state banks, with intimations to discount, would
have been controverted when the banks failed, and
these matters were the subject of partizan controversy.
Perhaps they may be controverted now. The admin-
istration organs then, charged it wholly to the banks
and speculators ; but will any candid man, who re-
collects the events and discussions of those times, now
deny, that the inflation mainly resulted from the deposit
system ? the free discounts of the state banks, stimu-
lated by these deposits, the multiplication of banks,
to fill the vacuum caused by the expected withdrawal
of the United States Bank; and the unlimited issue
of that bank, after it obtained its state charter? The
panic season was in 1S34. at which time the inflation
and over-trading had not occurred. But little more
than two, years elapsed, before a general suspension
of payments took place all over the country ; and it
really appeared as if the mammoth bank, when it
found it could not coerce a charter by withholding
discounts, was willing, by an expansion, to crush the
state institutions, if not to fall with them, and Sampson-
like, to bury itself and them under the ruins.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. S33
It seems to me, that the over-trading and specula-
tions of that disastrous period, were the results of over-
issues growing out of that change of government pohcy,
and the other causes referred to. Those who admi-
nistered the government, and advised and adopted that
policy, should have had the magnanimity to have
admitted and taken their share of the responsibility,
instead of evading and throwing the whole obloquy
on others ; but this they did not dc
334 EEMINISCENCES
CHAPTER XIX
Anti-Bank Feeling, and Repeal ofBanh Charters. SacTceWs
Harbor and Lochport Bank Charters Repealed. The
former Restored fit Subsequent Session. Charges
against Messrs. Bishop and Kimball, with their Resig-
nations. Col. Young's Resolution, and Poor Law De-
hate.
During my second senatorial term, a strong anti-bank
feeling manifested itself in the legislature, which was
unquestionably stimulated by the course of the admi-
nistration organ at Washington.
No doubt the legislative leaders who were most
prominent in denunciations against banks, paper money,
and credit, with their laudations of hard money as a
currency, took their cue from that quarter, and were
encouraged by some of the state officers at Albany.
The close intimacy between them and the Albany
officials, with whom they were often closeted, afforded
incontestible evidence that these daily assaults on the
state institutions and their conductors, were not
unpalatable to those who seemed to have Mr. Van
Buren's confidence, nor were they discountenanced by
him or the presses more immediately under o-overn-
mental influence.
Committees were raised, and the banks were
required to answer interrogatories ; and these legislative
I
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 335
movements gave occasion to denounce the banks in
advance, charging many of them with dehnqueucies as
well as over trading.
It is a marvel that with all the clamor in and out of
the legislature, against them and paper currency, that
a panic had not been created, that had led to runs on
the banks, and a total prostration even of those most
sound.
Several attempts were made to repeal charters,
which I generally resisted, for I did not believe in that
summary mode of disposing of questions, where private
rights and interests might be sacrificed, and those too,
where widows and infants, as well as others might be
the sufferers.
The Sackett's Harbor bank was assailed on a most
frivolous pretext; and after a debate, in which the
bank and its managers, as well as banks in general
were denounced, its charter was repealed. All I could
honorably do to sustain it and preserve its charter, was
done ; but the anti-bank feeling required a sacrifice,
and was too strong, in this instance, to be resisted. In
addition to general prejudices they existed especially
against this bank, and against some of its managers.
When its repeal was debated in the senate, its opponents
asjerted that the county of Jefferson, where it was
located, was decidedly favorable to the measure, and
would sustain the legislature in its action.
In reply to these assertions, I took the other side,
and predicted that the repeal would create an excite-
ment that would make a restoration of the charter a
test question, at the next election ; that members would
be returned favorable to the re-establishment of the
bank, which the next legislature would be glad to con-
cede ; and that I should have the pleasure of voting
33G RExMINISCENCES
with a majorily of both houses to undo the wrong they
were about to perpetrate.
All of this happened at the next session, when the
charter was restored by a decisive vote, though against
the votes of many of its former opponents.
In regard to the Lockport Bank, I departed from
my usual position relative to repealing charters, and
voted for the repeal of this, which was the only vote
of the kind I ever gave.
We had abundant evidence of most disreputable
conduct on the part of the bank, not only vexatious,
captious, and oppressive, but calculated, if overlooked,
to throw discredit on all, as well as that particular
institution. I thought it best to make it an example ;
for although there were doubtless many allegations
that were merely the coinage of anti-bank gentlemen,
and without any foundation in truth, 3'et we had
evidence of derelictions so shameful, that, with an
indignant feeling I determined to move the repeal at
the first opportunity, which being done, the charter
was taken away.
Proceedings against Messrs. Bishop and Kimball.
Among other legislative measures, the complaint and
proceedings against IMessrs. Bishop and Kmrnau should
be mentioned. The former was senator from the
fourth, and the latter from the third district. They
were charged with stock-jobbing, and attempting to
control or so shape legislation, as to affect the prices
of Harlaem railroad stock. A committee of investi^a-
tion was raised, testimony taken, and a report made
that implicated both senators ; but in reference to Mr.
Kimball was far more aggravated than in the case of
Bishop.
BY LEVI EEARDSLEY. 837
The committee recommended the expulsion of each.
There was apparently no great difFerence in opinion
among senators, in regard to Kimball. All considered
his conduct highly reprehensible ; and with the excep-
tion of a few senators who denied the constitutional
right of expulsion, seemed prepared to turn him out
of the senate. I had no doubt about the parliamentary
right to expel ; and though the argument of the sena-
tors on the other side were strong and fortified by
authorities, I was prepared to give a vote for expulsion,
in reference to Kimball, unpleasant and painful as
such a vote would have been.
The morning the question was to be acted upon,
he called on me at my room, while I was yet in bed,
to know whether in my opinion he could be saved,
when, receiving no encouragement, he made out and
placed in the hands of a senator, a letter to the presi-
dent of the senate, resigning his place. In regard to
Bishop, a majority of the senate were for censuring
him, but were against expulsion. They thought the
case in reference to him much mitigated, and that a
reprimand or censure would be going far enough.
Perhaps there was too much sympathy, but if there
was it was on the side of mercy. Resolutions were
passed nearly unanimously, in strong terms against
each ; but in reference to Bishop, a mnjority refused
to expel him. He however immediately resigned.
That he was censured and not expelled, created a
clamor of inconsistency on the part of senators who
had censured, and yet had refused to expel, as if there
were not degrees in offences as well as punishments!
It was a most painful duty, in either aspect; and
I have no doubt those who voted against expulsion
were as honest and conscientious as those who voted
22
33S REMINISCENCES
for the extreme measure. They deemed censure
without expulsion a sufficient punishment, while the
others were for both.
POOR LAWS.
On the 31st of January, 1835, Col. Young intro-
duced in the senate, without notice, a resolution that
the standing committee on poor laws be instructed to
prepare and report a bill for their repeal. He pro-
ceeded to address the senate in an able manner, in
favor of this his cherished proposition ; for he was a
debater of no ordinary grade, clear and forcible, and
often eloquent. He had read much, particularly on
the subject of political economy, which with him was
a favorite topic, and almost a hobby ; and he had also
thought much of our, and other systems of pauper
support.
His leading proposition was, that it was not a
matter that government should interfere with, but that
relief for the poor should be left to the charities of
the benevolent, who by voluntary contributions would
relieve the necessities of those really worthy, and
would discountenance those who were paupers from
choice. That where provision was made by law,
sturdy idle vagabonds would avail themselves of its
benefits, as well as those who absolutely required
assistance ; and thus the relief for pauperage served
as a bounty to increase the number who depended on
government for support. His resolution was radical,
and went for cutting up the whole system of relief, by
legal enactment, instead of amending and improving
the law. The speech in favor of the resolution, as
well as his subsequent reply to my remarks, were
characterised by his usual tact and ability, and were
I
BY LEVI EEARDSLEY. 339
published at the time. I laid them by, intending to
preserve them ; but they are lost, which I very much
regret, as I should be glad to insert them in this
chapter, that the whole debate might appear.
On concluding his first speech in favor of the
resolution, I offered an amendment, which appears in
connection with the proceedings of the senate, and of
my remarks on the IGth of February, 1835, as publish-
ed in the Albany Argus ; which proceedings and
remarks were as follows :
THE POOR LAWS.
* RemarJcs of Mr. Beardslcy in the Senate of New
York, February 16th, 1S35, 07i a resohUion instructing
the committee on the jjoor laws to introduce a hill repealing
all the laws for the supi^ort of the poor.
" Mr. Young called for the consideration of the
following resolution, offered by him on the 31st ult.
" Resolved, That the standing committee on the
poor laws be instructed to prepare and report a bill
providing for the repeal of the poor laws of this state.
" The question was on the following amendment,
proposed by Mr. Beardsley :
" And if the poor laws are to be abolished, that the
committee report a substitute that shall require the rich,
hard-hearted, and miserly citizen to contribute of his
portion, as well as the philanthropic and benevolent
citizen, to sustain the really worthy and helpless
pauper.
" Mr. Beardsley addresed the senate as follows :
" Mr. President : When the gentleman from the
fourth, (Mr. Young,) presented his resolution, instructing
the committee to introduce a Bill for repealing the poor
340 REMINISCENCES
laws, it will be recollected, that I offered an amend-
ment to his resolution, and that the resolution and
amendment were laid on the table for further con-
sideration.
" In offering this amendment, I confess I did not
expect a vote would be necessary on the point presented
by it, for I could not believe that the proposition of the
gentleman, for repealing all laws for the alleviation of
helpless poverty, could be seriously entertained by the
senate.
" The gentleman's views I did know, for I had
heard him express them in public debate on previous
occasions, and in offering the amendment, I wished to
present a prominent point of objection to his proposition,
that in discussing his resolution, he might obviate the
objection which I intended to present.
" And here, I will take occasion to remark, that in
offering that amendment which was drawn up in haste,
J had no intention of any personal illusion, or of giving
cause for a moments unpleasant or unkind reflections.
" I make this statement, lest it may have been sup-
posed that the amendment was intended for the
gentleman personally, and because I have perceived a
disposition on the part of certain journalists, to give it
a personal application.
" The gentleman from the fourth, will do me the
justice to believe, that I intended no such allusion; and
whatever 1 may think of the propriety of his views on a
great question of public policy, no doubt honestly en-
tertained, and sanctioned by high authority, I trust I
shall not so far humble myself as to attempt to parry
the force of his reasoning, by an unworthy effort to
excite prejudices that can have no proper bearing upon
ihe discussion.
EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 341
" The senate will also bear with mc when I state
that in presenting the amendment, I had no thought of
taking part in the debate on this question.
*' Political economy has not been my study ; while
I am fully aware that the mover of the resolution has
devoted much time to it, has reflected much, and is
familiar with all that has been written on the subject,
and in fact has written himself.
" I cannot therefore hope to contend with him, by
a familiar reference to authorities, nor would I now
enter into this discussion, even superficially, as I must
do if at all, had I not, by proposing to amend his
resolution, seemed to put myself forward to sustain the .
proposition contained in that amendment.
" Under this impression, I have concluded to sub-
mit some crude old-fashioned reflections, and such as
in my judgment may have a bearing upon the propo-
sitions submitted for the consideration of the senate.
" The proposition submitted for discussion is, not
whether our poor laws are imperfect, and require
amendment, but whether we are to have any legal
provision for the support or alleviation of the poor.
"I am not, under this resolution or amendment-
called upon to maintain that our system is perfect, or
that improvements are not desirable, or to deny that
great abuses exist; nor will I be drawn into a dis-
cussion of these matters, unless upon a proposition to
amend or improve the system.
" Whenever a project is brought forward to amend
the law and to correct abuses under it, by the gentle-
man from the fourth, or any other senator, I proffer my
services and my best exertions, feeble as they are, to
go forward in what I consider a most laudable and
humane undertaking.
342 REMINISCENCES
" But when the proposition is, to prostrate all legal
provision for the support of the poor, the aged, and
the young ; the impotent, the insane, and infirm ; no
matter whether better days have beamed upon them,
and, in their declining years, the sun of prosperity has
first waned, and then set in endless night, without a
ray of hope for the future; no matter whether the man
of sorrow is poor and cheerless, without friend or
relative ; or whether his misfortunes have been induced
by his own folly, or brought upon him by unavoidable
accident: the whole lefjal oblis-ation to feed the hun^rv,
clothe the naked, and to visit the sick, is proposed to
be blotted out; and against this proposition I must
enter my protest.
*' I cannot consent at one fell swoop to uproot and
overturn a system that has existed as long as a civilized
government has existed in this country, upon any
theory, however plausible and sanctioned by names
however respectable.
" The 2;entleman will agree with me, that numerous
cases arise, where individuals by unavoidable acci-
dents are reduced to poverty and great suffering, who
are without friends, and y^et entirely worthy of charita-
ble support, and whose very existence depend upon
prompt and continued relief, either from private or
public charities.
" The question then seems to be, whether in a
civilized countiy and a government of laws, this sup-
port is to be left to mere chance ; and when assistance
is absolutely necessary, is to be thrown exclusively
upon the benevolent, or w^hether the whole community
shall contribute to the necessary sustenance of a
fellow-being.
*' Now I respectfully contend that the gentleman's
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 343
proposition is at war with the first principles, nay,
the very elements of society. It is anti-social in the
extreme ; it resolves society into first principles into
a state of nature, where every man takes care of
himself, without reference to a dependence upon others.
It is an easy matter to find fault with existing laws
and existing establishments, but it has often been
found a more difficult task to propose an adequate
remedy, than to point out evils as they exist.
" The advocates of the new sj^stem of poHtical
economy denounce the poor laws as a monstrous evil,
and while they are constrained to admit, that in every
society objects will be found who, without fault on their
part, are entirely dependent upon others for support, and
must also admit, that without legal coercion this support
will not only be uncertain, but must fall principally on
the benevolent, yet no adequate remedv is proposed in
lieu of our legal provisions.
" Some writers propose to withhold support as a
punishment for vice ; but suppose poverty has been
induced from the vices of others? then the punishment
would be unjust. ISo also in cases of accident, disease,
and misfortune.
" I have recently been presented vi^ith a semi-
annual report from a minister at large, as he styles
himself, in the city of New York, who is eloquent in his
denunciation of the poor laws, and yet admits that great
actual suffering exists as well from unavoidable acci-
dents, as from vicious propensities. He finds it easy
and convenient to denounce the law, but proposes no
remedy except in reference to the spiritual wants of those
to whom he ministers. I suppose the substance of his
recommendation would be, to give a greater amount
in money, to improve the spiritual condition of the
344 REMINISCENCES
poor, and to leave them to take care of themselves In
reference to temporal matters. I am, however, inclined
to believe, that a helpless starving family would edify
but little under the pious exhortations of the worthy
divine; and where the gnawings of hunger prevailed,
something more substantial would be required to support
life, than the spiritual food which he would administer.
" Now I am free to confess, that moral and religious
instruction may do much to prevent vice and poverty,
and to encourage a proper self respect that would
deprecate a reliance on the poor laws for support, but
it is going quite too far in the opposite extreme to
recommend a withdrawal of all public support for the
needy and infirm.
"A legal provision for the support of the poor has
always existed in this, and I believe in all the other
states of the Union, unless it be Louisiania. Under this
system we have prospered and grown rich, the country
has made rapid improvements, taxes are light, and thus
far we certainly have but little of which to complain.
" Our laws have recently been revised, our pauper
system improved, and after full consideration has been
continued. I cannot, therefore, deem it necessary to
say much to induce the continuance of this system,
adopted by an almost unanimous expression of the
representatives of the people, and in fact in relation to
county poor houses in many instances in effect, by the
people themselves.
"It is said they have no poor laws in Canada; if
that be so, I presume that it will not be contended that
Canada is more prosperous or the state of society better,
than in our own state. What is the object of society ?
and why do men surrender up a portion of their natural
rights? It is because a community cannot exist with-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 345
out such surrender ; and when the surrender Is made,
it is upon an implied condition, that it shall receive
protection from that community into whose keeping he
has committed himself.
" Hence the reciprocal duty of allegiance, on the
part of the subject, and protection on the part of the
government. Why should allegiance be required, un-
less protection is afforded? Why should an individual
be restrained from laying hands on any property within
his reach, and not in the actual possession of another?
In a state of nature, he would exercise this right, but
by becoming a member of society, he renounces it, and
your laws restrain him. You require your citizens to
obey 5"our laws, to make roads, pay taxes, and defend
the country against invasion and insurrection. Nay
more, you compel the whole community to support
courts of justice, to pass upon the rights of citizens, and
those rights too, of very trifling importance. And
shall I be told that it is right to compel a citizen to pay
caxes, that a tribunal may be sustained to pass upon a
fifty dollar controversy ? That he shall be compelled
to fight the battles of his country, and perhaps in that
very contest, find himself disabled, and then in his
dechning years be cast upon the world to perish, unless
the hand of private charity is extended?
" Sir, the proposition in my judgment is absurd, and
T am almost inclined to impute il,^s the gentleman did
the proposition, that the poor should be provided for by
legal enactment as the result of deep rooted prejudice.
And here I will remark further, that I have never heard
it controverted by the advocates of this new system of
political economy, that government at its own expense,
or raiher at the common expense, was not only bound
to defend its citizens, but to provide tribunals that
S46 REMINISCENCES
should secure to the citizen the right of property and all
his civil rights, and j^et we shall be told that he who has
spent his strength and best days in the service of the
state, although entitled to protection, where a paltry
sum is concerned, yet when disabled and unable to
maintain himself, has no claim upon community for
protection, except from the sympathies of those who
may chance to behold him.
" The gentleman will not deny, nor can he deny
that in every community we have many ' rich men and
hard-hearted miserly men,' who never gave and who
never will give a dollar for benevolent purposes. You may
as well talk to a block of marble, or think of thavt'ing a
northern ice-berg with a taper, as to soften their
obdurate hearts by appeals of charity. You may tell
them of the beauties of charity, that charity is a
heavenly virtue, which ' droppeth like the gentle rain
from heaven upon the earth beneath.' ' That it is
more blessed to give than to receive,' and yet ' they are
deaf to the charmer, charm he never so wisely.' And
why should such men be exempted from bearing their
just proportion in the support of paupers, absolutely
unable to support themselves. The property of the
rich man is as well protected by your laws, as that of
the poor man ; and in a contest with a foreign enemy,
or in cases of insurrection, certainly a rich hard-hearted
man stands as much in need of protection, as the bene-
volent man. Why then should he be permitted to
escape from paying his share to support the infirm ?
and escape he will, if your laws are repealed.
" But we are told that private charity will seek out
and with a proper discrimination, between the worthy
and unworthy applicants, cheerfully and promptly re-
lieve the wants of the former. Suppose this to be so;
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 347
I intend (if I have not already done so,) to show that it
would be both impolitic and unjust, to throw the whole
support of the poor on the benevolent. But is it certain
that private charities will be more discreetly bestowed,
than under the direction of public oflicers, as practised
under our system ? So far as the country is concerned, I
believethereliefofthepoorisnot very onerous, and in my
judgment but little reason of complaint exists. Taxes
are inconsiderable, except in your cities, where from
the nature of the population, pauperism must exist to a
greater extent than in the country. When private
charity is bestowed, it is a great fault that the individ-
ual applied to, often gives indiscriminately. He does
this for the purpose of ridding himself of importunity
and lest by refusing he may unintentionally deny relief
to an applicant who is worthy of it.
'- Another objection is, that by leaving this support
to private charity, you in a great measure throw it
upon the middle classes ; for I maintain as a general
proposition, that those who do most in active charities,
are of that class, or those who have in most instances
been the architects of their own fortune. I am aware
there are honorable exceptions to this general rule ;
but as a general proposition I am quite sure it will
hold true.
" The gentleman says, leave these matters to pri-
vate charity, and paupers will be as promptly supported
as ministers of the gospel. He says that churches
are built, missionaries supported, and immense sums
paid annually, to sustain and promote the general
objects of religion and morality ; and he asks whether
men will give their money for distant and doubtful
projects, when they have objects of charit}"- around
them ? I suppose money will be sent abroad for re-
348 REMINISCENCES
ligious purposes, to support missionary and tract
operations, whatever calls for private charity may be
presented at home.
" It is not my business to inquire whether these
are in all cases most discreetly bestowed. On that
question men have different views ; but I am content
to leave it to the decision of those who have whereof
to give ; and as a general remark it will be found true,
that those who give most for distant benevolent opera-
tions, give most at home. Nor do I consider that
giving for religious purposes, either in reference to
building churches, supporting the clergy, or supporting
misionary or tract operations, comes at all within the
principle of supporting the poor. Our constitution and
laws leave rehgious matters to be decided, according
to the judgment and conscience of each individual;
but recognizes no right to require the advance of a
dollar for religious purposes. It is all a moral coercion.
The man who believes it his duty, as a moral agent
and accountable being, to impart of his substance to
sustain religion and propagate the gospel in foreign
countries, will do so without law ; while he that doubts
his duty in this respect, will withhold his funds, and
our laws recoa:nize his ris^ht to do so.
" But the support of such poor persons as are
worthy of support, and unable to support themselves,
I hold to be a duty imposed upon the whole community
by natural law, arising from the reciprocal obligation
of allegiance and protection. Then why shift this
responsibility from the public at large, where it ought
to rest, for the purpose of throwing it upon the benevo-
lent, who not only pay their full proportion of taxes
for all purposes of government, but give liberally and
often almost im providently, for religious and philan-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 849
throplc purposes? I confess I can see no propriety in
so doing; and I will inquire how the advocates of this
doctrine can distinguish between the obligation of
society to support paupers, and the obligation of de-
fending the country, supporting schools, academies,
and colleges ? Or am I to understand that these
should all be left to private charity, and the enterprise
of benevolent individuals? I am aware that when
our present system of common schools was introduced,
and attempted to be enforced by law, it was met by
the wealthy wllh many objections. It was asked,
why compel me to assist in building school houses and
paying teachers for my neighbors? I educate my
children abroad, and shall derive no benefit from your
schools; or, I have already educated my children, and
being old myself, can expect no benefit from the
S3'^slem. And bachelors were prompt with their ob-
jections. They had no children to educate, and why
tax them ? These objections appeared plausible twenty
years ago, when they were common, but probably
would not now be listened to with much deference.
' Again, j^our insane paupers, so feelingly urged
upon your favorable consideration by the governor,
are I suppose to be left to private charity, as I can
perceive no principle that will justify supporting one
class of paupers, and turning others away who are
equally helpless and worth}'. And if this new doctrine
is to prevail, I cannot perceive why it should not apply
to your public improvements and public defence. Leave
the whole to private charity, and the enterprise and
paliiotism of the citizen. Private charity and a spirit
of patriotism will not only build your roads, bridges,
and canals, but fight the battles of the country. This
would enable the citizen soldier most emphatically to
350 REMINISCENCES
jfight on his own JiooTc, the coward to skulk from clanger,
and the miser to hoard his wealth instead of paying
his taxes. A most salutary system indeed to those
who have weak consciences and weak nerves, and
one that would greatly commend itself to the " peace
party," as well as to those who are constitutionally
opposed to war. All who had conscientious scruples
would find a most convenient and consoling^ shelter
under this system ; as no one would be compelled to
fight except those who had "a stomach for it." But
I will not push this point any further. My propositions
are
" First : That there are a class of paupers who not
only deserve support, but must have it, or they must
perish.
" Second : That in such cases it is right that this
support be rendered at the public expense.
" Third : That if you have no compulsory laws,
this expense will fall almost entirely on the benevolent,
as the miserly will refuse to give.
"Fourth : that as a general remark, those who are
most benevolent, (I mean according to their means)
are the middle classes, and a repeal of the poor laws
would throw the support of the poor almost entirely
on that class. Besides, there is naturally a more im-
mediate S3^mpathy and connection between this class
and the poor, than the rich and the poor.
"Fifth: That without a legal enactment, the sup-
port of paupers would necessarily be uncertain, and
would lead to street begging, and consequently to
great impositions.
" But we are told that poor-laws are the relics of
a semi-barbarous age, and were reared under the
auspices of a monarchial government. Grant it if
BY LEVI BEARDSLEy. 351
you please, and what then? They will not be laid
aside for that cause only. The trial by jury is of
much more remote origin, and j^et no person would
think of abrogating it. It is said that the poor laws
are often abused, and that they sometimes hold out
legislative premiums for pauperism. I do not dispute
these assertions ; but am inclined to believe, that such
has to a considerable extent, been their effect in
England ; though as far as my knowledge extends in
this country, poor people are very unwilling to go to
the poor-house ; they would about as soon go to the
state prison : nor do I doubt that our laws have held
out inducements for foreign paupers to throw them-
selves upon us for support.
"If this be conceded, what does it prove? Why
perhaps that our laws are imperfect and have been
evaded, and want amending, or that the regulations
under these laws are too loose. But is it a fair course
of reasoning, to urge ^jhe abuse of a thing against its
utility ? Fire is said to be a good servant, but a bad
master; it will not however, be contended that we
must have no fire, because it sometimes gets the
ascendancJ^
" Courts of justice afford facilities for litigation, and
3^et this abuse will not be urged against having courts.
It is said that ^vheat may be converted into alcohol, and
that apples may have a tendency to promote intempe-
rance. Yet among sensible men, wheat and apples will
continue to be used, and although now and then, a fool
or fanatic may destroy his orchard and refuse to taste
an apple lest he encourage intemperance, yet such
instances are rare, and to my mind, go to prove two
propositions ; first, that they are fit subjects for chan-
cery jurisdiction, by inviting the appointment of a
3-52 REMINISCENCES
guardian ; and, secondly, that scarcely any theory is so
gross, as not occasionally to find an advocate.
" The English poor laws, whether of semi barba-
rious origin or not, grew out of the great moral and
religious reformation in England, and the suppression
of monastic establishments and religious houses. Be-
fore the reformation, England was a popish kingdom,
and was filled with religious establishm.ents. Priests,
monks, and friars, were the almoners of public bounty,
and I may almost say of private charity, for they
attempted to bring every thing within their control.
The country was filled with mendicants, who, being
fed and sustained at these establishments, were entirely
subservient to the clerg}'', idle, worthless and rapacious,
and under the most dangerous influence. The clergy
rioted in wealth and debaucheries ; deceived the
people, practised upon the fears and credulity of the
weak, to strip them of their property, under the pre-
tence of masses and pious purposes, and with this
wealth supported the vagrant, and corrupted those who
were dependent upon them. What England then was
will be found true to some extent, in many countries on
the continent.
"On the suppression of monastic establishments by
Henry VIII, these mendicants were thrown in great
numbers upon the community, helpless and dependent.
This led to the passage of several laws for the support
of paupers, of which that of 43d Elizabeth, in 1601, is
the principal. I am not an admirer of this English
statute, for I concede it attempts quite too much, but I
am yet to learn that under its auspices a state of society
exists as deplorable as under the old order of things,
or as now exists in most European countries.
' While I am free to concede that this law has held
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 353
out inducements to paupers to become such, I also
maintain that it has sustained and alleviated the con-
dition of thousands who otherwise had no means of
support. Yet I cannot concede that it has been the
principal cause of pauperism in England. The diffi-
culty lies deeper and is of a broader cast, and will be
found more enduring from a superabundant population,
a monstrous inequality and unjust distribution of
property, and the grinding system of taxation arising
from a national debt of 1,000,000,000 sterling, which
presses like an incubus upon the industry and resources
of the country.
" These combined causes, together with the opera-
tion of the corn laws produce an increase of paupers
which will go on increasing till a radical reform is
effected. Let England then commence this reform
in good earnest if she wishes to reduce her pauper
lists.
" I will here make a passing remark in relation to
the discrepancy between the views of English writers
on political economy and the acts of parliament and
policy of the government. For instance, Adam Smith,
who seems to be the standard in that as well as this
country, advocates a free trade perfectly free ' Let
trade regulate itself.' And this is responded to in that
as we|l as other countries ; and yet the policy of the
government is precisely the reverse. So also of the
Poor Laws.
" But, sir, we have been referred to Scotland, and
have been told that Scotland never had any poor laws.
Even if this were so, the general exemption from extreme
poverty might to a considerable extent, be accounted
for from the habits of economy and industry of that
enhghtened people, together with the general diffusioa
23 #
354 REMINISCENCES
of education and the moral and religious inslrucllon
with which they are favored. But I must be permitted
to question the correctness of an unqualified assertion
that Scotland has no poor laws. The fact, I imagine,
is, that they have laws that authorise an assessment for
part of the support of the poor, and that the residue is
raised by contributions ; but as I wish to argue this
question more upon principle than upon the practice of
other countries, I do not consider it a matter of much
importance, except as a historical fact, and in this I may
be mistaken. I do not pretend that their system is like
the English ; but yet it recognizes the principle for
which I contend, that there, is a class of paupers w'ho
require support, and that the public at large are by legal
enactments required to render that support, or part of it,
and for the purposes of my argument, a part recognizes
the principle as well as the whole.
" The gentleman is referred to Jacob's Law Diction-
ary, as an authority, vol. 5, page 195, title ' Poor,'
where he will read as follows:
"'In Scotland, the poor are distinguished into the
idle and the infirm.
" ' Several acts have been made for the punishment
of sturdy beggars and vagabonds, by whipping and
burning in the ear.
" ' Those, who from age or infirmities are unable to
maintain themselves, are maintained hy a tax levied 07i
the parish.
" ' The collection and management of the poor fund,
is placed in the heritor's and kirk session.
" ' In parishes, where a sufficient fund cannot be
raised for all the poor, either by taxation or voluntary
contribution at church doors, the magistrates are author-
ised to D-it'e them badges as a warrant to ask alms williin
the limits of their parishes.'
^Y LEVI REARDSLEY. 355
'* The Edinburgh Encyclopnedia, title ' Poor,' pngrs
84 and S5, holds the following; lanf;:ua2:e in reference to
the poor in Scotland :
" ' In the central districts, and in some parishes
the land holders generally contribute what is wanting
for the support of the poor, over and above the collec-
tions and other funds, without assessing : but here
many heritors refuse, or neglect to give anything, and
the burden devolves with unequal pressure, on the
liberal, while others very improperly escape.
" ' There is also, commonl3s another great evil
throughout this part of Scotland, (which is not permit-
ted in the border districts where assessments are made),
and which is caused by swarms of common beggars
from all quarters, infesting the country, and raising con-
tributions in amount, often exceeding what would sup-
port the poor of the district.
" ' There is in reality a tendency towards improve-
ment ; but certainly the most equal and efficient adminis-
tration, is in the way of regular assessment^ notwithstand-
ing the objections against it.
" ' We have laws in Great Britain to regulate this
administration, (the management of the poor) and the
statute laws are in j^rincijde similar in the two United
Kingdoms; though in most parts of Scotland, the
common law has established a practical and superior
influence.
" ' The sum applied in aid of the whole number of
paupers, (about 30,000) somewhat exceeds one hundred
thousand pounds; of which above two-tenths are col-
lected at the church doors, about five-tenths consist of
accumulated funds, and voluntary grants by heritors
and others ; and not quite three-tenths are assessed ;
though this mode of provision is now adopted in above
one hundred and fifty parishes.' (Page 87.)
356 * REMINISCENCES
" These authorities appear to me to require a
quahfication to the assertion that Scotland has no poor
laws. Now, as Scotland seems to be the beau ideal
of perfection in the gentleman's estimation, allow me
to inquire whether its laws do not recognize the princi-
ple for which I contend the obligation of the public
to maintain the impotent poor? or to contribute a
portion for their support? I will also inquire, whether
that part of the Scotch law which authorises whipping
and burning in the ear, commends itself to the advo-
cates of the new system, as worthy of imitation? and
whether an authorised street begging is not infinitely
more objectionable than our system of public support?
*' I hesitate not to say, that if your poor laws are
repealed, begging from door to door must and will be
adopted to an incalculable extent ; and what system
so objectionable as this ? Knaves and vagabonds
immediately resort to it, not only as a means of
support, but as a most profitable business. Fortunes
have been amassed by it, and even schools have been
established to instruct children in the science of begsjinof.
" The necessary consequence of this system is, to
harden the heart against applicants who are worthy of
support, because an individual, after having been
imposed upon by the unworthy, and his sympathies
grossly outraged, may very naturally come to the con-
clusion that all beggars ma}^ be impostors ; and as he
has been repeatedly deceived, he will guard against
future impositions by withholding all charities.
*' Again, repeal your laws, and leave your paupers
to the chance of support, and many must be neglected,
nay must perish for want o^ immediate relief.
" The gentleman has referred to the man among
thieves and the good Samaritan. But what would
have become of the sufferer, if by chance ihe Samaci
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 357
tan had not come that way? The Levlte and the
priest, from whom he had a right to look for better
things, had already passed by on the other side, and
left him as they found him. It was by chance that he
was rescued ; and it appears to me that the gendeman's
doctrine of relying upon i-irivate charitrj, is rebuked
from the very case to which he has referred, where
two out of three outraged the principles of humanity.
I will not contend that this proportion will hold good ;
but I venture to affirm, and I put it to the observation
of every senator, whether we have not in all communi-
ties many individuals, and rich ones too, who are
most aptly personified in the priest and Levite ?
*' We are told that no country on the continent" of
Europe has poor laws; and 5^et I am inclined to
believe, that there is scarcely a country on the con-
tinent but what has some partial provision for the poor,
either from religious establishments, hospitals, or by
an appropriation of public funds, for part of the pau-
pers' support. It appears to me that it necessarily
must be so in every civilized country.
" In Switzerland the principle is recognized, that
the pauper has a right to look to the public for support;
and ' though there is no absolute provision for the poor
in Switzerland, yet each parish generally possesses
some seignorial rights and property in land for the'
public use, and is expected to maintain its own poor.'
(1st Malthus on Population, 424.) Or in other words,
a portion of public property in lands is set apart for
the support of the poor, and the parish makes up the
residue.
" So too in Ireland, a corporation is erected in
every county, of which the bishop and member of
parliament are presiding members, and who are
358 REMINISCENCES
empowered to relieve poor parish vagabonds, to ap-
prentice children, &c. and are clothed with great dis-
cretionary powers. (Irish act. 11 and 12 Geo. III.
chap. 30.)
" ' The national assembly of France, though they
disapproved of the English poor laws, still adopted
their principle, and declared that the poor had a right
to pecuniary assistance; that the assembly ought to
consider such a provision as one of its first and most
sacred duties.^ (2 Malthus, 520, note to appendix.)
But I believe France has not yet perfected her system
of poor laws, although scarcel}'' a country in Europe
has so great a proportion of paupers. In Paris, it is
estimated that every seventh person is a beggar ; and
that of the burials one-third are at the public expense.
In the towns in France, the poor are estimated as one
to ten ; and in rural districts, as one to fifteen : while
in Scotland, about one in a hundred are considered
regular poor, and two in a hundred receive partial
support. (See Edinburgh Encyclopedia, title Poor,
87.) France, with her sans culottes, will long hold an
unenviable comparison, even with England. Books
have been referred to, and I will detain the senate
with a few extracts, to show how this matter has been
regarded abroad as well as at home. In addition
to those already given from the Encyclopedia, I will
add a few more.
" ' Entire neglect of the poor drives them to des-
pair, and of course to acts of desperation and violence:
laws and regulations having no object except to silence
or suppress their demands, are cruel, injudicious,
and ineffectual. The correct principles of the admini-
stration of the funds of charity have certainly not yet
been generally understood ; otherwise the practice
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 359
would have been proportionably improved. Utter
neglect of the wants of the poor, is one extreme which
has a dangerous and obvious tendency to excite all
the worst feelings of the poor, and to stir them up to
violence against individuals, and to hatred and rebel-
lion against the laws. The opposite extreme consists
in making want, without regard to conduct, the measure
of the pauper's claim, and in grounding this claim not
in charity but in right. Our sister kingdom of Ireland
furnishes too many instances of a near approach to-
wards the former extreme, and England towards the
latter. In Scotland, notwithstanding the rather boasted
superiority of the general mode of administration, there
is really a tendency towards both of these extremes."
(Page SI.)
" ' In other kingdoms and states there is liitle to
remark, and less to commend ; only that the poverty,
misery, and vice, which have overrun some of the
finest and most fertile nations, are truly astonishincr.
And on this point it seems unnecessary to say more,
than merely to name France and Spain, Portugal and
Italy : and to refer to the too well-authenticated facts
connected with the poissards, the sans culotte, and the
lazzaroni. (Page 85.)
" ' The legislature of France has rejected all assess-
ments for the poor, and sanctioned common mendicity
over the land. The despotic governments of other
nations appear slow and reluctant in giving their
people emancipation from a state of servitude. Little
hope of melioration for the state of the poor in these
nations, appears at present. Perhaps it is reserved for
this island, to give the tone and example in this great
branch of policy and humanity. The United States
of America have evinced both a liberal and profound
/
3G0 ~ REMINISCENCES
policy in providing for the poor already, by allolmcnls
of land, even before their state of population and
society had arrived at such a point as to bring this
burthen into existence. (Page 89.)
" ' Common begging is one of the very worst wajvs
in which the poor are, or have been supported in any
country ; and yet it continues even in France, where
the revenues of the state are sparingly suppHed in aid
of the funds of charity. (Page 85. See also PhilHps'
Manual of Political Economy, pp. 144 and 145.)
" ' This mode is so pregnant with evils, that it
appears astonishing how any enlightened legislature
should deliberately tolerate it.' (Page 87.)
" These general views are recognised in Phillips'
Manual of Political Economy as being correct, and he
remarks, in reference to private charit\s that
" ' Persons of the greatest benevolence contribute far
more than their just proportion, to support the poor ;
and if relief of the poor is wholly voluntary, some
persons will be left to perish for want. This, it is
true, according to Mr. Malihus' doctrine, is one of the
necessary correctives of redundancy of people; but it
certainly is rot necessary until a country has become
greatly overcharged with inhabitants, which will not
. soon happen in the United States. (Page 145.)
"'Justice dictates such a provision for the poor,
that the burthen may fall upon each one in proportion
to his means,' (Page 14G.)
" A few selections from the North American Review
of 1827, pages 118 and 121, shall close my extracts.
The article to which I allude, is a review of Mc
CuUoch's Political Economy, and the author remarks
that
" Marriage and the poor laws are, as is well
EV LEVI EEATIDSLEY. 361
known, the two great bugbears of the new economical
school. Our ancestors, simple souls, thought it a vastly
fine tiling to promote marriage; but like the man in
Moliere who had reformed the position of the great
vital organs. Nous avons change tout ccla. Our readers
are not so ignorant as to require to be told, that it is
considered at present the great object of political
econom3% to bring about a state of things in which
there shall be the fewest possible marriages, and to
each marriage the fewest possible children. Since the
publication of the work of Mr. Malthus, the sages and
statesmen of the mother country are continually beset
with the apprehension of being eaten out of house and
home, by a hungry population, which, as they say, is
pressing hard everywhere against the limits of the
means of subsistence.' (Page 118.)
" Here Col. Young remarked, that no writer on
political economy had objected to marriages, except
the visionary theories of Mr. Malthus.
" To which Mr. Beardsley replied, that Dr. Chal-
mer, who had been referred to by Mr. Young as a
standard writer on political economy, had objected to
the poor laws as inducing frequent and improvident
marriages ; and whether other writers had adopted
this theor}"- of Malthus, he, Mr. B. was not then pre-
pared to say ; but he would say, that other theories,
which in his judgment were equally visionary, had
been adopted, and that this was not the most extravagant
theory that had been put forward for public approval.
" Mr. Beardsley then read from the North Ameri-
can Review, as follows :
*' ' A strong aversion to the poor laws is, as we have
alreadv intimated, another favorite tenet with the
writers of this economical school. A public provision
362 REMINISCENCES
for the disabled members of society, has no other
effect, they say, than to create the very wretchedness
which it afterwards imperfectly relieves, without in any
way diminishing the amount which would otherwise
exist. Private charity is less mischievous, because
it operates less systematically and extensively ; but in
principle, and as far as it goes, it is no better. There-
fore steel your heart and shut your hands. Let the
poor laws be repealed without delay, and let it be un-
derstood that the supposed right of the indigent or
distressed to relief, either public or private, is wholly
inadmissible. Such doctrines, like the anti-matrimonial
system which we have just been considering, are so
completely abhorrent from all common notions and
common feelings from the text and spirit of Scripture,
the traditions of the fathers, and the universal consent
and practice of all nations and ages, that we hardly
know in what manner to treat them. One is tempted
to think, that the writers who support these monstrous
paradoxes cannot be really serious, and that they are
imposing upon the public a sort of melanchohj humhig.
At all events, their language addressed to a civilized
and christian community carries its own refutation
with it.
*' ' When we are told that we are no longer to per-
form the duties of charity, public and private, because
of this or that discovery in political economy, we may
well answer, without examining at all the value of the
supposed new lights, that our own hearts, (to say nothing
of scripture) furnish us with stronger evidence of the
reality of these duties than we can possibly have of
the truth of any metaphysical theory. If then the new
S3'-stem be at variance with our strongest natural senti-
ments, and the conduct they prescribe, it follows not
BY LEVI EEARDSLEY. 3G3
that these sentiments are of injurious tendency, and
this conduct immoral, but that the system is false, were
it even impossible to detect the least logical flaw in the
argument.'
" ' This, however, is so far from being the case here,
that the argument in support of this theory is as singu-
larly flimsy, as the theory itself is unnatural and
inhuman.' (Page 121.)
>" Let us glance, (said Mr. B.) for a moment, at other
countries where religious establishments are looked to
for the principal support of the poor. Look at Spain,
Italy, and Naples, with swarms of lazzaroni and street
beggars, and I submit it to every man of sound judg-
ment whether the English system, objectionable as I
admit it to be, is not infinitely preferable. And yet our
system, which is proposed to be repealed, is greatly
preferable to that of England. I may almost say that
the two systems are so dissimilar, that no just conclu-
sion can be drawn of their effects and influence on
society, from a comparison of one system with the other.
" The practical operation of our poor laws in
general (always, however, with some few exceptions,)
is to relieve those who are in absolute want, and unable
to support themselves, instead of supporting those who
are able. Such will be found the general operation
throughout the state, which is unlike the practical
operation of the English poor laws ; the latter yielding
indiscriminate rehef to the sturdy vagrant as well as
the impotent and infirm.
" We are told that private charity will do all that is
absolutely necessary to support the worthy pauper; but
will it be contended that this private charity will always
seek out and provide for such as require immediate
support?
SG4 REMINISCENCES
" Will not many suffer, and even die, unless j^ou
have a certain and connpulsory legal provision, before
private charity will apply the remedy?
" Let any one step into our poor houses or as3'lums
and he will meet with objects entirely unable to main-
tain themselves, destitute of friends, relatives or pro-
perty, and who m.ust perish, unless sustained at private
or public expense. And such objects too as no in-
dividual, however humane, would wish or hafdly
consent to make an inmate of his family.
" How are these loathsome objects to be supported?
Are they to be left to chance? Will the rich take
them into their families, or even give them a place in
their kitchens or garrets? Certainly not. The most
charitable will turn away from objects so painful and
disgusting, although they may give liberally for their
support, to such as will consent to take them in charge.
"As a test of the correctness of the theory, that
private charity will do all that is necessary, for the
relief of those who are absolutely dependant and
worthy of support, I will again refer to the poor in
France, Spain, Italy, Naples, and Ireland, where my
friend from the fourth contends they have no legal
provision for the support of the poor; and I ask him,
whether private charity has made all requisite pro-
vision for the helpless pauper?
"If his theory is correct, these countries, in the
absense of poor laws, (those * relics of a semi-barbarous
age') afford an extensive field for the exercise of
private charity, and the happy developements of his
cherished theory ; and yet I think it will not be con-
tended, that in point of fact, the practical effects have
been such as he supposes the absence of poor laws
would produce.
BY LEVI BEAUDSLEY. 3G5
" I have always understood, as well from general
information as from those who have travelled throuf^h
o
these countries, that they abound with beggars; and
that poverty and distress are as common as in England ;
nay more, that even England, with its swarms of
paupers, its heavy taxes, and its improvident poor
laws, as they are considered, suffers nothino- in a
comparison with other European countries.
"And so far as private charity is concerned, I
assert, without fear of contradiction, that nothwith-
standing the supposed withering effects of poor laws
upon the exercise of private charity, no country in
Europe can compare with Great Britain, in its
hospitals, asylums, and general provision for the sup-
port and comfort of the helpless and infirm, as well
as other objects of benevolence and religion.
" If this be so, and that it is I have no doubt, how
is the theory in relation to private charity supported
by facts ?
" It appears to me, that instead of sustaining the
theory, the facts rather go to overturn it : and should
at least induce a doubt of its correctness, even with
its most strenuous advocates.
" It has been said that the drunkard, from his
vices, brings suffering on himself, and that his suffering
is a righteous retribution for his offences ; that he
deserves nothing at the hands of the public. Be it
so: I am no apologist for the drunkard: but suppose,
instead of the drunkard, you are presented with the
drunkard's wife and drunkard's children, who, from
his folly and vices, without fault on their part, are
reduced to poverty and absolute dependence have
they no claims to our sympathies for support? and are
we, in our crusade against vice, to visit the sins of
uG6 REMINISCENCES
the father upon the children ? God forbid ! That
wife, and those children have, indeed, too bitter a
portion of this world's evil, to merit the infliction of
ills intended as a punishment to the drunkard.
" I cannot, Mr. President, in looking upon this
subject, bring myself to the conclusion that our poor
laws, are ' a standing statutor}^ libel upon God and
man.' The principle on which they rest, in my
judgment, is pure and benevolent. It is an emanatiou
of that ' divinity which stirs within us.' It throws the
support of those who are unable to support themselves,
upon the community at large, of which community
they are members ; and while it provides a certain
and prompt relief, leaving nothing to chance, it throws
on those who are able to pay and yet unwilhng, no
greater burthen than upon the benevolent, who are
wilhng, but often less able to bear these burthens.
" I concede that your laws may be defective : that
they may invite to pauperism ; and that impositions
are sometimes practiced ; but let this be corrected by
legislative enactments; and not from an abuse of a
salutary law, reason against its expediency; and by
pushing theories to an extrem.e point, deny all liabilit}'-,
on the part of the community, to relieve extreme pover-
ty, often the result of providential visitation, and without
fault of the sufferer.
" I cannot adopt this cold and heartless theory,
which, while it recognises what no man can deny,
that thousands of our fellow-beings, without fault on
their part, are thrown without friends or protectors
upon the charities of the world, either public or private,
for support, shall be turned over to the uncertain relief
of private benevolence.
" I rather choose to adhere to laws, the principles
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 3G7
of which are deeply implanted in our nature, by an
all-wise and benevolent being: laws that have grow-n
up with our growth, and strengthened with our strength ;
which recognise an obligation, on the part of the
community, to sustain its helpless members, equally
binding as the dictates of humanity upon an individual,
to rescue a fellow-being from sufTering or death.
" And while I will go as far as any gentleman to
correct abuses, and to render our system more perfect,
I cannot consent to repeal our poor laws, and thus cast
a vast number of helpless beings, and vast amount of
human suffering, upon the cold and uncertain charities
of the world. That warm hearts exist, I admit,
and that the principles of humanity wdll prompt the
benevolent to deeds of mercy ; but I also know that
there are individuals in every community, who, al-
though abundantly able, will do nothing and pay
nothing, except as j^our laws compel them. While
they claim and receive the protection of your govern-
ment and laws, the enjoyment of which, I trust, will
never be denied, they shall not, with my consent,
escape from bearing their equal burthen in supporting
that government, and the helpless members of the
community.
" Our present system of county poor-houses has
scarcely been tested. It is an experiment which may
require years of practice to bring to perfection, and as
its defects become manifest let them be corrected.
If in some few instances they invite pauperism, and if
foreign poor are thrown upon us, the legislature can,
and no doubt will apply a remedy. But while our
taxes are light, and our citizens satisfied with our
present system, a system which thus far has worked
well, let us not, from an apprehension of future evils,
3GS REMINISCENCES
that may or may not be realized, endeavor to subvert
a policy identified with the S3''mpathies of the great
body of the community, and grounded in the purest
principles of humanity.
This inroad upon our system, without the apology
of a petition or complaint to justify our action, is now
urged for our approval. A change based upon an un-
tried and doubtful theory a theory at war with all our
early impressions and the whole tenor of legislative
enactments; a change as uncalled for as it will be
unexpected by the people, and one that I hesitate not
to say, instead of commending itself to their favorable
consideration, would be received with utter astonish-
ment, if not with deep and unqualified reprobation."
It is worthy of remark that the resolution was intro-
duced, and its adoption urged without a petition for the
proposition, and though sustained by able arguments,
presenting with much ability the strong points, fortified
by numerous references to writers who had entertained
similar views, it received but few votes beyond the
movers. I had never read m.uch on that question and
was poorly qualified to discuss it, but the negative of
his proposition seemed to me so reasonable, and so
much in accordance with the S3'-mpathies of the age in
which we live, that after offering an amendment I could
not shrink from the contest. Some of the colonel's
assertions in regard to the absence of legal provision
for pauper support in the different governments of con-
tinental Europe, were very broad and sweeping.
An able article soon after appeared in one of the
London Quarterlies, that went far to overthrow some of
his propositions, in which the writer showed the pro-
vision, in nearly every country of Europe, for the relief
of the poor, from which it appeared that scarcely any
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 309
of ihem were without some legal enactment, or other
certain means provided, for the aid and sustenance of
the destitute.
Indeed, I do not see how any civilized country, to
say nothing of christianized, can get along without
some legal provision for those who cannot help them-
selves ; without it innumerable cases must arise, where
those who are worthy but unfortunate must perish for
want of prompt assistance.
It is an interesting subject, and enters largely into
the political economy of the state, which I hope may
be deemed of sufficient importance by those who may
honor me with a perusal, to warrant me in submitting
my remarks in the present chapter to the scrutiny of
the public.
370 REMINISCENCES
CHAPTER XX.
Common Schools should he Free, hut not Sectarian. School
District Lihraries projected and urged hy the late James
Wadsworth, Esq. Shaking Quaker Investigation.
Among the many subjects of legislation that came
before the senate while I was a member of that body,
and which was by no means of the least importance,
was the common schools of the state ; and in reference
to W'hich, my votes were with thbse sustaining the
most liberal principles. I had been a school-master.
All the scholastic learning I had acquired was at these
humble institutions. From the time our common school
S3'^stem went into operation, in 1814 or '15, I had been
a commissioner or inspector, up to my election to the
senate, and always felt a deep interest in perfecting
and sustaining them, looking at the general diffusion of
education among the masses as the sheet anchor of
our liberties. So I regard it still; and hence have
looked upon the question of free schools, just passed
upon and sustained by a vote of the state, as one of
absorbins; interest.
Public opinion has been much divided ; but I think
it is more a division in regard to details, than the
abstract question whether the schools shall be free.
In reference to the law lately submitted to the people,
and sustained by the popular vote, the details were
undoubtedly defective, and this I suppose was the
principal cause of clamor. These defects have been,
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 371
or should be amended and corrected, as I do not
doubt tliey will be, if they are not already.
Had I been a member of the lefrislature, I would
never have sent the question of free schools back to
the people. I do not like this mode of shuffling off
responsibility from the representative to his constituents.
If he is fit to represent them, he ought to have a mind
of his own, and be willing to take the responsibility of
deciding on questions, instead of shirking them.
The decision of Judge Shankland, of the supreme
court, which I understand has been concurred in by
some of his associates, that a law, the vitality of -which
is made to depend on the vote of the people, is uncon-
stitutional, fully meets my approbation, and will serve
to check the inclination of legislators to avoid respon-
sibility. I think the constitution never intended to
call in the popular vote, for the purpose of law-making.
Still, as the school law was submitted and sustained,
I hope it will be an additional inducement to legisla-
tors, to perfect the system by discreet amendments,
till the schools are made free for every child within
the borders of the state. Well-founded objections,
that have heretofore rendered free schools unpopular,
should be removed, which subsequent legislation can
and no doubt will effect.
Education and general intelligence are indispensable
requisites, for a discreet exercise of the elective fran-
chise, and the varied duties of the citizen. We
allow almost universal suffrage. The vote of the poor
man, however ignorant he may be, has the same weight
in the ballot box as that of his rich educated neighbor.
That box is indeed the medium, if not the source of
power; and how is this power to be safely exerted,
unless intelligence goes with it? The state, the body
politic, has an interest then, in having its citizens
372 REMINISCENCES
educated as well for this as other duties. Every one
will admit the foregoing proposition ; and then the
question arises, how can this desirable result be best
promoted? Make your schools free, so that no child
shall be excluded on account of the poverty of his
parents, or be degraded in his own feelings, or taunted
by his associates, as being there on the pauper list.
Children of extremely poor parents have embarrass-
ments enough to overcome, from the mere fact that
they know they are not as well conditioned as those
who move in a higher sphere.
It may be said that our schools were so free that
any child could be educated. This may have been sub-
stantially true, and yet we know that many have been
debarred, from the inability of parents to pay the rate
bills, and their reluctance to place their children in
school as charity scholars. The pride of even a poor
man revolts at the latter proposition, as well on account
of his own humiliation of feeling, as for respect to the
feelings and spirit of his child. Hence, make your
schools free, and you secure a more general education
to your citizens. But it is objected that the property of
one man shall not be appropriated to school the
children of another. If this is a valid objection, it is
equally so against the law which has for many years
imposed part of the expense of schools on property'.
The objection, in my judgment, is not well taken, for
as long as laws have to be made and enforced to pro-
tect propert}'', the public have a right to judge and
decide how that protection can be best and most cheaply
afforded. Property is subjected to the expense of
maintaining police regulations, criminal courts, jails,
and state prisons, poor houses and paupers. No one
denies the truth or propriety of this proposition.
Now, 1 imagine, criminal statistics will abundantly
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 373
prove that education greatly restrains crime ; so also
in regard to pauperage. Probably no more efficient
protection can be prescribed for the safety of persons
or property than a general diffijsion of education,
through 3^our common school ; nor no regulation that will
so greatly limit the expense for the poor. Hence, when
you ask property to support schools, you violate no
private right, 3'ou merely adopt the same principle that
has always governed in relation to criminal proceedings.
No one thinksof requiring a parent who has a vicious child
to pay for proceedings to bring him to justice. Nor do
we subject the property even of a murderer, to pay for
the gallows, or the executioner for inflicting the death
penalty. Not only property is more secure, but the
order and quiet of society and life of the citizen is more
safe in an educated population than an uneducated.
Ignorance is truly the parent of vice. An intelligent
community is far more respectable, and adds strength
to the political fabric. " Knowledge is strength ;" and
when you connect it with the ballot and jury box, and
in short with all the duties of citizenship, no one can
adequately estimate its value or importance.
It not only protects, but enhances the value of pro-
perty. What man in his senses would place as high
an estimate on farms in an uneducated, ignorant
neighborhood, as he would where it was surrounded by
intelligent, well educated farmers ?
A good man, from the mere sympathies of his
nature, will desire to see his fellow men, and the
children of his fellows, so situated in the world as will
best promote their happiness and respectability. Hence,
he will freely contribute of his substance, to promote so
desirable an object ; and this consideration will prompt
many to sustain a system of free education. But all do
374 RExVIINISCEXCES
not so regard it, and hence the necessity of law, to
compel contribution. Sympathies need not be invoked
where reasons of state afford an abundant justification.
When I speak o^ free schools, I mean those that are
without charge to the pupils and free from sectarian as
well as other influences, except a desire to educate and
fit those for an intelligent exercise of the duties of life,
who attend for instruction.
Any abstraction of funds raised by authority of law,
to promote common school education, when devoted to
sectarian purposes, is, in my judgment, a base per-
version from the object for which they were intended.
With the same propriety laws might be passed to levy
money for religious associations ; a proposition which
in this country, would neither be listened to, or submit-
ted to for a moment; nor should the other. What
would be the result in reference to common schools,
should sectarian divisions of the funds be allowed ?
You destroy the system of general education at once.
If one denomination is allowed to have a portion,
another, and all denominations must have their share;
and thus your schools instead of being institutions
where all may meet on equal terms, will be narrow,
bigotted, and exclusive. The catholic miust have his,
the episcopalian his, the presbyterian his, and so
through all the denominations that exist in the country,
down to those who disbelieve and repudiate the whole.
A sectarian school will, of course, be narrow and ex-
clusive. The dogmas of each denomination will be
insidiously instilled, if not openly taught the pupils, and
thus the whole community will be brought under
clerical influence, an influence, which, when exerted
in reference to polilical aflfairs, has too often been per-
nicious to liberty. I would allow the clergy their due
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 375
weight in the pulpit, and treat them with deference
and respect in reference to religious matters, but I never
desire to see the schools or politics of the country
subject to their control.
While Sunday schools are kept up they will necessa-
rily be in a great measure sectarian. To this I do not
object; nor has anyone, except those who establish
them, a right to control them ; because they are the re-
sult of free voluntary associations. A discreet man,
therefore, would not desire to interfere with others in
this particular, even if he could. In these schools the
clergy will, of course, exercise great influence, which
should satisfy the aspirations of any reasonable man.
My position in regard to schools, is this : they must
be kept free from sectarian influences, or they cannot
be sustained as a general system ; the contrary course
must necessarily break them up, or introduce dissentions
that would destroy their usefulness.
Then again, if you attempt to divide the funds, with
a view of dividing according to the number and interests
of the different denominations, your schools become
weak and inefficient, while 3'our population becomes
divided and jealous of each other, if not actually
inimical. I am perfectly satisfied the common school
system cannot be sustained, if placed on a sectarian
footing ; and if such influences are allowed to enter or
govern the schools, they will be regarded with disfavor
by some, if not all the many denominations, and their
usefulness paralyzed if not destroyed.
To say that a large majority of a district is of a
particular denomination, and therefore their dogmas
may be taught, is no answer to the objection ; because
our laws and whole theory of government go on the
assumption that all religions are ahke tolerated, while
37G REMINISCE\CE3
none can claim precedence. And besides this con-
sideration, it cannot rightfully be pretended that schools
under our system, are established to inculcate religious
dogmas, much less sectarian.
It has with me been a matter of regret, that catho-
lic citizens, in some instances, have desired to keep
their children from common schools. This prejudice is
most prevalent with those who have come from foreign
countries, to settle and reside among us. How absurd
it is, to think of keeping up distinctions and divisions
here, that used to divide them at home, or to divide our
schools from religious views and differences. The
sooner they can throw off their foreign prejudices, and
become Americanised in their feelings and sympathies,
the better for them and the community in general.
I can make some slight allowance for foreigners,
when they are influenced by foreign prejudices, but
when our American protestants inveigh against common
schools as being unfit to educate the children of religi-
ous people, and ask charity to enable them to establish
select sectarian schools, I am astonished at their folly.
Within a few weeks, I have listened to a discourse
from a protestant minister, who represented common
schools, in certain specified localities, if not absolute
nurseries of vice, as but very little short of them. Such
discourses are calculated to do harm, and should not be
countenanced. If schools are not conducted as they
should be, there is more necessity for good men to
remain with them for the purpose of correction and
improvement. The education of the masses is an
element entering so largel}' into our municipal regula-
tions, that no man who has a proper regard for the
interest of society, to say nothing of private interest,
can look upon it with indifference.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEy. 377
If its importance is properly apprcciatecl, good men
will desire to interest themselves in the schools of their
neighborhood, and to reform such defects as are ap-
parent. It appears to me, that scarcely a school
district can be found, where the proprietors could
desire any thing short of a well-conducted school.
Very few parents are so indifferent to the welfare of
their children, as to tolerate a loose, disorderl}^ im-
moral school ; and I should require strong evidence to
induce me to believe, that a majority in any district
could be induced to favor such a project. There is
virtue enough, in my humble opinion, in the community,
to require schools to be managed on principles of good
morals ; where youth may be taught, and by teaching
made better men and better citizens, and better quali-
fied to discharge the various duties of life. Hence,
any attempt, from the pulpit or elsewhere, to decry or
render them odious or unpopular, should be reprobated
2.n<'1 trpatori iTntVi '^'^"'itempt.
It may be said, and has been said, that religious
instruction should go hand in hand with education,
and that an irreligious man cannot be a good citizen.
That religion is essential to the well-being and safety
of society, as well as of our political institutions, I
freely admit, and certainly shall not be found arguing
against it, or religious instruction. But the question is,
whether such instruction can be carried into our schools,
without being sectarian ; and if sectarian, whether it
will not of necessity destroy the school system ?
Solomon says, " there is a time for all things ;"
and though I admit the importance of religious instruc-
tion, I do not believe the hours devoted to common
school learning, the appropriate time, nor the school-
house, as such, the proper place. Instruction in re-
ligious matters is more appropriate for the family
378 REMINISCENCES
circle, the pulpit, and pastoral visits ; and in m}'- judg-
ment, should be kept out of schools, if we intend to
sustain them under our school-law as a system.
The law requires a certificate of good moral charac-
ter on the part of teachers, united with a competency
of learning, to teach a common school ; and these
certificates, with the license predicated upon them,
are revocable, if the candidate is found to be wanting
in these pre-requisites. The law knows nothing of
religious qualifications, and requires none, beyond a
good moral character, with ability to teach ; and as in
qualifications for governors, legislators, and judges,
we require no religious test, neither should we in
regard to school teachers. He who requires it goes
beyond the requisitions of the law.
I am not to be understood as objecting to a teacher
because he is religious. If truly so, it should be a
recommendation, rather than an objection.
I hope my remarks will not be regarded as the
ebullition of unkind feeling towards the clergy, for
they are not so intended; but on the contrary, from a
perfect conviction that schools must be kept free from
sectarian influences ; and by keeping them so we best
promote their usefulness, and leave the clergy in a
position where their worth and high standing will be
better and more highly appreciated.
SCHOOL DISTRICT LIBRARIES.
The school district library law had my heart}'
approval and zealous support.- Judge Hammond, in
his political history of New York, makes honorable
mention of my exertions. A few incidents in regard
to the legislation on this subject may not be out of
place or uninteresting.
In its results, in distributing nearly one million of
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 379
readable volumes through the state, where almost
every child can have access to them, I have regarded
this as one of the most important laws I have ever
assisted to pass. I hope it will long be so regarded,
by those who shall hereafter legislate. Next to our
common schools, and auxiliary to them, I consider it
of inestimable value. I shall always feel proud of
that law, though I make no claim to its paternity.
That honor belongs to the late James Wadsworth, a
wealthy, hberal, far-seeing, and highly esteemed gen-
tleman, from Geneseo, Livingston county. Fully im-
pressed with the importance of a more perfect system,
and general diffusion of knowledge through the medium
of common schools, with all the zeal of an enlightened
philanthropist he came to Albany, to promote the
object he had so much at heart, and sought interviews
with several members of the legislature. Before that
occasion, he had purchased and presented to each
member. Cousins' work on the Prussian System of
Common Schools.
He requested me to meet him for a few minutes,
in one of the committee rooms, where he immediately
introduced the subject of school district libraries, in
connection with common schools. He proceeded to
enlarge on the advantages to be derived from the
introduction of good, well-selected, interesting books,
placed in reach of every child in the state. Recollect-
ing how much pleasure and profit I had myself re-
ceived from the few books I had been able to obtain
during my childhood, he had only to state his project,
when its propriety and advantages appeared so ap-
parent, that I wondered 1 had never thought of it
before.
I told him at once, that I did not wish him to spend
380 REMINISCENCES
a moment in convincing me of the propriety of the
principle. All I wanted to hear, was his suggestions
as to details, in carrying out the measure. This he
explained, and I assured him of my zealous co-opera-
tion whenever it should be brought up. 1 was sure it
would meet with a stern, determined opposition, and
so informed him; but he had dwelt upon it so much,
and making it a hobby, had so convinced himself of
its propriety, that he could hardly believe it could be
opposed by any one. He seemed to think it would
commend itself to the favor and good opinion of every
one, as it had to himself. When the bill was called
up in committee of the whole, it was "assailed as an
attempt to throw an additional burden on men of
property, already unequally and oppresively taxed,
under our school system.
It was said, the books, if taken out at all, would
be lost, or carried away by those moving from the
district ; that plenty of books were already in reach
of all who desired to read ; .and that the library
creating an additional burden, would endanger the
schools, by rendering the whole unpopular. In favor
of the libraries we argued, that the introduction of
interesting books would create a desire to read, and
thus infuse a more general feeling among parents and
children, to keep up and render the schools more
perfect. That under suitable regulations, to be pre-
scribed by the proprietors of schools, the books
would be preserved. Parents and children could
profit by them, for parents as well as children would
read, when the books were brought home ; and thus
a more general knowledge would diffuse itself through
the length and breadth of the state. That where each
citizen had an access to the ballot box, it was abso-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 3S1
lutely necessar}', for a judicious exercise of the right
of voting, that he should be informed. That the
safety of our institutions in a great measure depended
on the inteUigence of those entitled to the liigh privi-
lege of choosing; their rulers. That education was
calculated to prevent crime and pauperism ; and I
recollect of making the remark, the substance of which
I have recently seen reiterated in reference to free
schools, " that property owners would have no reason
to complain, as a general diffusion of knowledge was
the best and most efficient safeguard property could
have, against both pauperism and crime."
The debate may be seen, and the substance of my
remarks, in the daily Albany Argus, the day after we
had it up in the senate. I do not recollect whether
Col. Young was in the senate, when the first law
passed in reference to school libraries, but I think he
was. I am sure he was, when the law was passed
in relation to the application of interest arising from
the deposit of surplus revenue with the state, by which
the funds for schools and libraries were largely aug-
mented. The Colonel and myself differed on many
subjects, but in relation to schools and school libraries
we alwa3's worked and pulled together. The state is
much indebted to him, and to John C. Spencer, for
the flourishing condition of our schools and libraries.
Mr. Wadsworth had the f^ratification of seeinsr his
favorite project carried into successful operation, and
should be remembered and resrarded as a distin2;uished
public benefactor, to whom the citizens of New York,
particularly the younger members of society, are
greatly indebted.
At our interview in the committee-room, I offered
to contribute towards any expenses that might be
3S2 TEMINISCENCES
i'lciirred for books or printing, but he would accept
nothing. He was rich, and said he wanted no money :
he only wanted to contribute to the well-being and
respectability of his fellow men, and was convinced
that he could do nothing of so much importance to
them, or to the stability of our republican institutions,
as the diffusion of knowledge among the masses. It
would be fortunate for society, if men of property and
influence would more frequenlly imitate his bright and
patriotic example.
Here was a man of great wealth, who of course,
under any system of free education, must contribute
largely for its attainment, was urging the passage of
a law that must subject his estate to annual charges,
which many others strive to avoid. Yet he had plenty
of this world's goods, and had the good sense to see
how it might be made useful to the community, as
well as to himself and relatives. He did not long
survive the passage of his favorite law ; but long
enough, I believe, to see it carried into successful
operation. When full of years, with an untarnished
reputation, he was "gathered to his fathers," leaving
a princely estate to his relatives, who are in every
respect worthy representatives of the distinguished
gentleman from \\hom a large portion was derived.
SHAKING QUAKERS.
Before leaving senatorial proceedings, and going
to other subjects, I will introduce a few pages in
reference to this singular sect.
During the session of 1S3S, several petitions and
communications were presented' making serious charges
against the shakers, and praying for a legislative
investigaiion. It turned out in the end, that these
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. SS3
proceedings were principally instigated by badcsli-
ders, who had been with, and subsequently left them.
A confimittee was finally Vaised in the senate, consisting
of Hon. F. A. Tallmadge, Col. Young, and myself;
of which I think Mr. TallmadQ;e was chairman. The
committee had several meetings, and took considerable
testimon}^ which did not seem to amount to much,
except to show the singular tenets, " rules," and regu-
lations of those extraordinary fanatics. The drift of
testimony was more aimed against the elders than
private members, probably on account of their official
standing. Some of their "orders," or " rules" appear
arbitrary ; and as love of power and authority is inherent
in man in every station of hfe, I have no doubt that
those elders held a "taut rein," which would not be
tolerated out, and should hardly be permitted within
the society. Still, the joining and remaining with them
being a matter of choice, and not of coercion, if the
members are satisfied with arbitrary rules, "the world's
people" should not very much complain, so long as
the exercise is within the society.
The shakers were before the committee in con-
siderable numbers ; and were of course very civil to
them, as well as to members of the legislature generally.
The public know but little of the "rules and orders"
that regulate the members in their isolated society ; for
it was proved by the oath of several witnesses, and
rather admitted, that members are not allowed to com-
municate the " rules and orders" to those not of their
fraternity. The interior regulations, in fact nearly the
whole of the affairs, are under the elders, or are ma-
naged as they direct.
The proof went to show that they exercised an
influence both inquisitorial and restrictive. Books or
3S4 REMINISCENCES
, newspapers were neither to be bought or read by the
members, except by permission of the elders. Letters
were not to be written, or received and opened, unless
they inspected them. It was proved to be contrary to or-
ders for members to look at any thing to gratify curiosity.
For instance, they must not visit a museum, or even to
go on board a steam boat to examine it or its machinery.
To test them in regard to this point, I invited some of
the shaker females, who visited the senate, to go with
me to the state library, and look at Audubon's great
work on Ornithology, then just published. They com-
plied with some little reluctance, but I have always
thought their going was more out of compliment to me,
(as I was of the committee) than a desire on their part
to examine that splendid production. The evidence
was, that the society believe in a future state of rewards
and punishments ; and that it is inculcated on members,
particularly on children, that no one can be happy
hereafter unless he becomes a shaker ; and if he
violates the rules, or leaves them after uniting with
their societ}'', he must be miserable in this life as well
as the life to come. Ag:ain it was testified that it is
inculcated, by preaching that the members will "never
see any God but in their elders."
They teach that there is, and should be ' no natural
affection," and hence, parents and children are not
allowed to visit each other, except by permission of the
elders, and generally in their presence, or in the pre-
sence of a deaconess.
One of the witnesses testified that the society was
strict, and often abused children. That the children
and members are taught that " it is right to lie, and
cheat the devil." and thereby defend and promote the
Gospel."
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 38-3
This witness had testified to certain acts of violence,
particularly in reference to himself. He had been
floo2;ed once for an alle2;ed offence of which he was not
guilt3% and afterwards used to lie and deny things
which were alle2;ed arainst him that were true. At
the age of fifteen he was stripped on a cold day and
severel}^ flogged. He finally stated that when he was
a boy he was very graceless, and probably one of the
worst bo3^s in the world for lying and stealing. The
committee thought from his own statement that though
the flogging might not have been strictly legal, yet it
was not entirely unmerited.
He went on to stale, that thej^ were taught by the
elders *' that this world is a sink of corruption." On
being asked what had been his experience in this
respect, he said he had not found it so. He then com-
complained of ill-treatment of the members by the
superiors, and to illustrate his views, remarked that
" all men are born free and equal," and hence deduced
that it was wrona; for the elders to live or dress better
than other members ; and stated that he had been
required to wear the old shirts of the eiders.
Their " orders," as they call them, are very strict,
particularly in reference to the sexes. A male and
female are not allowed to pass each other going up or
down stairs ; one must wait till the other has ascended
or descended. They must not hang their clothing
together. The males hang their garments in one part
of the house, and the females in the other. A male and
female are not to be in a room together without a third
person, or to ride out together without another with
them. In reference to this latter regulation, one of the
witnesses testified to what he had heard of a ludicrous
evasion of the "order." "One of the elders was in
25
3S6 REMINISCENCES
the habit of riding out with a particular sister, and to
make up the third person they used to take a dog
in the buggy with them." This was promptly pro-
nounced a He by an elder who was present, as it
probably was.
It was proved to be contrary to " order" " to pay
anything for the gratification of the sight or senses ;"
*' to tell your feelings, trials, &c. to any one but an
elder ;" " to talk after going to bed ;" " to be in the room
when a female makes the bed;" "to go into meeting
or to bed after having broken an order, without
confessiflg it to an elder ;" " to sing worldly songs, or
to tell worldly stories, or read worldly books, except
approved by him." '' Males and females of the society
are not to touch each other;" nor must the female " go
alone out of the family at night."
One of the witnesses scandalized an elder and
three sisters, by relating that "they were in the habit of
going in a pond to bathe together, he having on a short
shirt, and they with each only a cap on the head ;"
the reason given for putting on such slight appendages,
was to be enabled to say, that " they did not go into
the water naked." Probably the whole was a slander;
but T suppose men and women of more pretensions
than these obscure shakers, have been guilty of inde-
cencies quite as reprehensible. And if it be true that
delinquencies occasionally happen am'ong our shaker
friends, 'they only imitate vile examples from more
distinguished quarters.
The committee were invited to visit the settlement
at Niskauna, to see and examine for themselves,
whether any wrong could properly be imputed to the
society. We went there twice, and were received and
treated with much respect and kindness. We went
through the establishment, conversed freely with the
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 8S7
inmates, adults and children. They all professed to be
contented, and desired to be left alone, that they might
remain there in quiet.
Thev have schools where the children are tausht to
read, write, and cypher. Their clothing was good,
substantial, and clean. Their houses and enclosures
were the patterns of neatness and cleanliness ; and
their food though plain was of the best quality, and got
up well cooked, and was in every respect as it
should be.
We dined with them twice, and I want no better
bread and butter, boiled ham, roast turkey and beef,
with excellent bottled cider, than we found amons: the
shakers ; nor could better be had, if it was wanted.
One of our visits was on the Sabbath, as we wanted to
see them at their devotions on that day. Sister Abigail
who took charge of the kitchen department, got us an
excellent dinner, and after we had dined we proposed
to return to the city. They urged us to stay and
be present at the afternoon exercises, when they were
going through with those dances, as we call them.
Abigail was a large, tall woman, and we told them we
would stay if she and Senator Wager, who was with
us and was also very tall, would dance together. It
was finally adjusted by Frederick, their market agent,
who was a shrewd, good-natured man, and I should
think was very competent for^his position, assuring us
that he would join in the exercises. We concluded to
wait; so in due time they congregated in the large
room, and after singing some of their hymns, and
the elder giving words of exhortation, they prepared
for " labor." The men took off their coats, and hung
ihem with their hats on pegs on one side of the room,
the females hung their bonnets on the other, and then
all commenced.
338 REMINISCENCES
Frederick did not "go in" with tlie first, but waited
some time, and then very deliberately took ofF and
hung up his coat, and joined the others, giving us
occasionally a significant look, which went to say that
he was keeping his engagement.
One of their stanzas was very much in the follow-
ing st^rle ; which was sung with a decidedly nasal
twang :
" And David d"a?ced with all his might,
And then h's muid was eas-ed ;
Because he knew that he was right,
And ihe Lord was not d"?pleas-e<^."
Among the females was a young woman who,
fashionably dressed, would have appeared well, though
not handsome. She had been the subject of a habeas
corpus, which had been sued out by her mother, whose
reputation was equivocal. The girl desired to return
and remain with her shaker friends, which the judge
permitted. She seemed to enter into the exercises
with great enthusiasm of feeling, and eventually ap-
peared almost frantic, and then, apparently, seemed to
sink away and fall into a trance. I cannot better
describe it, than by comparing it to those exhibitions
or manifestations so frequent among the methodists,
which they designate as " spiritual power." Probably
it is substantially the same, or strongly partaking of it.
The shakers are a very industrious, economical
people ; making nearly all their wearing apparel,
buying but few articles, and those generally paid for
by such things as they sell. They take good care of
iheir members when sick or aged, and have no paupers
supported by the public. Their fare is good, substan-
tial and wholesome. They are divided into what they
call " families," and each of these " families" eat at
the same table. They are remarkably temperate, and
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 389
although they make and put up good bottled cider,
equal to the best Newark, j'et it is not used as a
common drink ; water is the usual beverage. I have
known some of their travelling:, out-door agents, who
would occasionally drink a glass of brandy and water;
but this I believe, was more out of compliment to the
person inviting them to drink, than a desire to do so.
In the main, I regard them as an inoffensive, simple
sect, who should be let alone, and who are entitled, as
well as others, to the protection of our laws. They
should not be encouraged, but tolerated; and when
parents, father and mother, in a proper state of mind,
unite in placing their children with the society, and
under their care, I do not wish to restrain them from
doing so, or the shakers from receiving them, though
I should esteem it a misfortune to the child, so far
as intellectual improvement is concerned. In reference
to the worldly wants of children, they will generally
be well cared for ; but I do not like the practice of
taking charge of jchildren, v.'here one parent consents
and the other objects, even if the one consenting has
the legal right to control the question. I think where
either parent objects, it should not be permitted, unless
there are some special reasons for disregarding the
wishes of the one objecting. A parent who neglects
or abuses his children, should not be allowed to control
such an arrangement.
There are, undoubtedly, in their society, some of
reputable, intellectual standing; nay, I doubt not, some
that are shrewd, and even designing. A man of dis-
tinguished acquirements and high order of talents,
may, from disgust of the world, or other reasons,
seclude and bury himself in the society, as such men
have often devoted themselves to monastic life.
390 REMINISCENCES
I cannot doubt the sincerity of the great body oi
shakers ; but still from their regulations, so contrary
to the perpetuation of our race and the social relations
of life, they as a sect can never be numerous or dangej-
ous. I look upon them as an inoffensive deluded people;
sincere, but fanatical, and made up of the credulous
and weak-minded, with now and then an exception.
Any man of discernment who will visit their society,
and note their intellectual appearance, I think cannot
fail to see great credulity and feebleness of mind
enstamped on their features, too apparent to be mis-
taken, even without the aid of a professed phrenologist.
The committee came to the conclusion, that so far
as the charges preferred against them were concerned,
the shakers "were more sinned against than sinning;"
and so without making a formal report, we gave the
subject the go-hj, and let it drop where it was.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 391
CHAPTER XXL
Anecdote of the Late Senators, Griffin and Young. The
Late Col. Stevens, of Hohoken. His Project for a Rail-
road and Locomotive in 1811, pronounced impracticable
and visionanj. His Experimental Stcamhoat in ISOl.
Roht. L. Stevens, esq. invents and brings into use the long
heavy T or H Rail, in 1830 or '31. Extracts from
Lecture of Hon. Charles King. Legislation in relation
to Railroads. Opposition from Ignorance and Prejudice.
New York and Erie Road.Exti-acts from Speech in
favor of $3,000,000 Loan for its Construction, and
Prediction in 1836, of a Railroad to the Pacific.
Invited to St. Louis Convention, 1849, and Letter in
Reply. Remarks and Present ImjJressions in regard to
Asa Wldtnefs Project for Pacific Railroad. Report of
Hon. Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, in New York Senate,
(1831,) Predicting the Construction of Hudson River
Railroad.
What I have written in relation to legislative matters
is principally from recollection, without having had
access to documents, journals, or newspapers of that
time, so that the production may be regarded as
reminiscences in the strictest sense of the term.
By comparing my statements with the journals and
proceedings of the legislative bodies and the news-
papers of the day, I think they will be found
substantially correct in reference to the important
outline referred to.
I must bring in the present chapter those legislative
matters to a close, but before leaving them entirely, I
092 REMINISCENCES
will introduce an anecdote, and then go to subjects of
more gravity and importance.
We had in the senate, John Griffin, of Allegany
county, who was elected from the eighth senatorial
district, and had been first judge of his county. He
was a tall, large, coarse man, of little education, but
of a strong mind and good sense. I have heard many
anecdotes of him in regard to his official conduct as
judge of the court.
On one occasion the law3'ers were arguing a case
before him and his associates, and after listening to
them a long time the court decided the question, when
the lawyer, against whom the decision was made,
went on to argue it over again, to convince the judges
that they ought to reverse their own decision, and
decide otherwise. The judge remarked to him once
or twice that the cause had already been decided,
and manifested an indisposition to listen to a farther
discussion ; but the lawyer, nothing daunted, persisted
in his argument, and was several times interrupted by
the court. At last, becoming somewhat impatient and
irritated, he remarked that, it was really unpleasant
to stand there "wrestling with the opinion of the
court," to which the judge replied in no very courteous
terms, " Then sit down 5^00 d d fool."
The judge was nominated on the strength of the
^ Genesee Valley canal, for which he was a great
stickler ; and his principal efforts were directecl to
carry the law for his favorite project. When the bill
was under discussion, he prepared a written speech
of great length, which he must needs deliver and
publish, to let his constituents know how vigilant he
was, and how devoted to the project in which their
interests, as well as his own, were so much concerned.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 393
He obtained the floor at an afternoon session, and
commenced reading his speech, which was drawn out
to an interminable length, on loose sheets of paper.
The drawer to his desk in front of him, appeared to
be full of his manuscript, which he went on to read,
in a drawling, miserable manner, sheet after sheet,
making many mistakes in his reading, till the senators
becoming tired of the performance, were all wishing
him to come to an end. Some left the senate chamber,
others read the newspapers, and others were writing
letters, caring little for his remarks; while another
portion were laughing, and thereby showing their want
of interest, if not dislike.
The judge kept on reading, and maintained his
position and held his countenance with imperturable
gravit}'- ; and after finishing the large roll of loose
sheets that were in his desk, when every one hoped
and supposed he was coming to an end, he deliberately
unlocked an adjoining desk, and took out a roll larger
than the first, and then with a smile and wink at some
of his friends, continued his reading.
One of the senators playfully proposed to him, that
the reading of the residue of the speech be dispensed
with, and that it be printed ; while another suggested
that it be "read by its title," and adopted. He took
it in good part, but went on with it till it was com-
pleted ; and the next day the evening journal cam.e out
with the great speech in favor of canals, by " the Hon.
John Griffin ;" the editor of the journal having cor-
rected, pruned, and dressed it up, so that it appeared
remarkably well in print.
While the judge was reading his speech. Col.
Young, who disliked him, and had already had several
altercations with him, and besides personal dislikes
394 REMINISCENCES
abominated his canal project, drew a caricature of a
large, tall, awkward-looking man, reading an enormous
manuscript, and wrote under it something like the
following " John GriflBn, of Allegany, reading his
interesting speech in favor of his canal."
This was found on the judge's desk the next morn-
ing, who without this aggression, had no very amiable
feelings towards the writer; for he as cordially dis-
liked Col. Young, and had berated him as roundly as
Young possibly could him. Not to be outdone in these
Tcindhj jioticcs of each other, the judge immediately
tried his hand at caricature, and caused to be placed
on the colonel's desk the result of his labour, which
was a caricature of the colonel, under which was
written substantially as follows " This is Sam Young,
bank stock speculator, the d d'st rascal in the state."
This Griffin regarded as but a fair offset for the
liberty the colonel had taken, and the feud between
them, though not entirely allayed, was for a time
considerably subdued.
In a preceding chapter, speaking of railroads, and
how little was known of them in 1S26, I have intro-
duced a letter written by the late Chancellor Living-
ston, on that subject. Before closing what I have to
say, in regard to their invention and introduction for
general use, I wish to state a few facts, highly credita-
ble to the inventive genius and enterprise of our
countrymen.
The late Col. John Stevens, of Hoboken, father of
John C. and Robert L. Stevens, Esqs., of the city of
New York, was distinguished for his enterprise and
energy of character; qualities which his sons seem to
have inherited in an eminent and highly creditable
degree. When the Erie canal was first projected, and
BY LEVI BEARDSLEV. 395'
I am told by E. F. Johnson, Esq., a distinguished
engineer, as long ago as 1S12, Col. Stevens wrote a
letter or memorial, in favor of a railroad from the
Hudson river to Lake Erie, that was addressed to or
submitted to the late Governor Clinton, and some of
the other distinguished advocates of the canal project.
This, it must be borne in mind, was long before rail-
roads had been introduced, even in England, and in
fact before they had any adequate conception in that
country, of what a railway was or ought to be, for
travel or general business. Colonel Stevens accompa-
nied his letter or memorial with the description, and I
believe a rough drawing of a locomotive that he pro-
posed to invent and construct, to be used on his
contemplated road. This led to a correspondence,
the whole of which I am told has been published in
pamphlet form, though I have never been able to pro-
cure or examine a copy. He was inquired of, what
speed he expected to obtain, in case his road and
engine were constructed ? He supposed it might, by
improvements, be driven to the speed of a pigeon's
flight, say sixty miles to the hour; but for practical,
useful purposes, should be limited to twenty-five or
thirty miles.
Those with whom he corresponded, could not com-
prehend the project as he regarded it, and pronounced
it altogether visionary, though they gave him credit
for his splendid conceptions in regard to a matter that
they supposed impracticable. Mr. Johnson, the en-
gineer with whom I have recently conversed, informed
me that he has a copy of the pamphlet, and that the
locomotive proposed by Col. Stevens included all the
leading principles, and its plan of construction was
very similar to the most approved engines now in use
on our raihoadi.
396 REMTNISCENCES
Another fact in relation to Col. Stevens's inventive"
genius should be mentioned, in regard to steamboats.
As long ago as 1S04, which was a few years before
Robt. Fulton brought out his first boat on the Hudson,
and I think before he came back to this country from
Europe, Col. Stevens constructed a small boat, for
experimental purposes, in which he placed a steam
engine, with wheels of the screw or propellor principle,
and used to run it on the waters of the Hudson. I am
told that the hull of the boat, with its boiler and
machinery, has been preserved, just as it was when he
used it ; and that the same machinery was placed
in a boat, and attained a speed of eight miles to the
hour, old and imperfect as it was. These are impor-
tant and highly creditable facts, that I imagine are '
unknown to the most of our public men, and even
to those who are distinguished for their general and
scientific information.
The late Oliver Evans, not far from this time,
constructed a boat which he placed on the Delaware, ^
and propelled it by machinery worked by steam,
which, after various experiments on water, was taken
out and transported through the city of Philadelphia,
with m.uch parade and many demonstrations of triumph, j
for the supposed important invention.
I am also told, that the long rolled iron I or T
rail, now so generally used, was invented and brought
into use by Robert L. Stevens, Esq. of the city
of New York, who went to England in 1830 or 1831,'
to procure heavy rails for the Camden and Amboy,
road, in New Jersey. He wanted rails that in length
would correspond with the rails now used in this
country, say about fifteen to eighteen feet ; but there
was not an iron mill in England or Wales, the
owne*" of which would undertake to furnish fails q
BY LEVI BEAUDSLEY. G97
that description, or who believed that they had ma-
chinery capable of rolling them. After much solici-
tation and negotiation with the owner of one of the
largest mills in Wales, who was a member of par-
liament, Mr. Stevens obtained permission to attempt
the construction, at his own expence, of such rails as
he described and desired. At that time the only rails
used in England, were the flat wrought iron rail,
and the short rail that was cast ; the heavy long T or
II rail not having been invented.
He went to the mill and commenced operations,
but his first efforts were unsuccessful, for he broke the
machinery of the mill ; and the attempt seemed likely
to prove a failure. But he persevered, and invented
or constructed other machinery of more power ; and
in the end successfully accomplished his object. The
result was the production of the long, heavy rail,
as desired, fiat on the bottom, and almost precisely
such as is now used throughout this state, and generally
most approved of, by our American engineers.
These are creditable facts to the gentlemen who
have been engaged in them, and they should be ranked
among the great improvements of the age, and they
go to prove that enterprise and genius is frequently
transmitted from father to son. The Messrs. Stevens,
certainly, as a family, are entitled to great credit
for their intelligence, public spirit, and dashing, off-
hand energy in promoting individual and national
objects, that go far to elevate the character of our
countrymen, both at home and abroad.
During my nine years legislative services, we had
much legislation in regard to railroads, and my votes
were generally on the liberal side of those questions.
Since writing the foregoing in relation to the Messrs.
398 REMINISCENCES
Stevens, I have been furnished with a copy of a very-
interesting lecture, delivered by Hon. Charles King-,
president of Columbia college, on the 29th of Decem-
ber, 1851, before the mechanics' society of the city of
New York. It was pubhshed in the Daily Tribune,
January 21st, 1852, and I am told, will soon appear
in pamphlet form, with additions and notes. It contains
a vast amount of local information, connected with the
city and its growth and improvements, and other im-
provements for the last fifty years, which will profitably
instruct any one who will give it a perusal.
I cannot so well illustrate the subject of steamboats
and railroads, to which allusion has been made, as
by inserUng a few extracts from that lecture. Speak-
ing of the " early days of steam navigation," he says
" But I am. running ahead of my subject. Let us
get back to 1806, from which dates the era of stearn
applied to navigation, and the great discovery for the
successful application of a known force in a new
manner, and to new and before unthought-of purposes,
may justly be styled a discovery belongs to our city,
of which Fulton was a resident, and from which the
first boat, the Clermont, started for Albany on the 7th
day of August, 1807.
" An hour might be readily occupied with a recital
of the hopes and fears, the almost angry doubts and
passionate sneers, with which the announcement was
received, that a boat without sails or oars was to be
forced up the Hudson to Albany, against wind and
tide, in a shorter time than was ever dreamed of, and
all by the vapor wliich the housewife's tea-pot sends
curling into the air, to vanish in an instant from sight.
For at tliat time steam engines, as applied to the
various processes of manufacturing or other industry
EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 399
on land, were little known generall}', and the whole
United States furnished but one machine-shop or foun-
dry where a steam-engine could be made, and that
was opposite to this city, at Hoboken, in the works of
Col. Stevens, of whom more anon."
In reference to the " progress of river steamers,"
Mr. Kino; remarks as follows :
" The palm thus gained by Fulton was closely
contested by John Stevens, of Hoboken, who long in
concert with R. R. Livingston and Robert Fulton, had
made experiments in steam as a means of propulsion ;
but now aided by the genius and practical mechanical
skill of his son, R. L. Stevens, was operating separately.
Almost simultaneously, but yet behind by that fatal
quarter of an hour which determines the fate of so
many enterprises, and of so many human beings, both
men and women, Mr. Stevens produced, independently
of Fulton's plans and experiments, his steamboat,
Phoenix ; but precluded by the monopoly which Ful-
ton's success had obtained for him of the waters of
New York, Mr. Stevens first employed her as a pas-
sage boat between this^city and New Brunswick, and
finally conceived the bold purpose of sending her round
to Philadelphia by sea, and he executed it successfully.
His son, Robert L. Stevens, went round with the boat
in the month of June, 1S08. A fierce storm overtook
them. A schooner in company was driven out to sea,
and was absent many days ; but the Phoenix made
a safe harbor at Barnegat, whence, when the storm
abated, she proceeded safely to Philadelphia, and
plied many years between that city and Trenton.
Mr. Stevens thus earned indisputably the honor of first
venturing: and succeeding? to encounter the mie;ht of
the ocean with a steam-propelled vessel. When the
400 RE MINIS CEA'CES
Pha3nix went round to Philadelphia, the Atlantic, and
no other sea, had ever known the domination of vic-
torious steam. Even now, when our maijnificent
steamers, exceeding in dimensions line-of-battle ships,
go and come with the regularity of mail-coaches on a
beaten turnpike road, this first daring conception of
trusting to the ocean a frail craft, with nothing but
steam for her means of safet}"- and progress, may recall
the lines of the Roman lyrist:
* Illi robur et ses triplex
Circa pecus erat, qui fragilem truci
Commisit pelago ratem.'
' Cased was his breast in triple brass and oak,
Who first old Ocean's storm-tossed surface broke
With his frail bark.'
" And here let me expatiate a little upon the service
to the mechanic arts, and consequently to the welfare
of humanity, of the family of Stevens, resident during
the half-century among us. We have seen that by
the lucky quarter of an hour, Fulton carried away
from Stevens the prize of the first successful steamboat;
but years before, viz. 1804, Col. Stevens, whose fertile
and ingenious mind was specially turned to mechanical
inventions, had constructed and put into operation a
steamboat, of which the motive power was a propeller,
the propeller which at this day I believe is admitted,
in lorm and proportion, to be the best. This boat was
a small one. In it Col. Stevens put an engine with
tubular boilers, the first ever made, now universal in
locomotives. The machinery, made under his own
direction, and in his own shop at Hoboken, set in
motion two propellers, of five feet diameter each, and
each furnished with four blades having the proper
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 401
twist ^to obtain which he had the greatest difficulty
with his workmen and set at an angle of about
thirty-five degrees. This vessel, used only for testing
the possibility of steam-navigation, so completely demon-
strated the fact, that Qol. Stevens applied it on a
larger scale, in 1806, to a pirogue, fifty feet long,
twelve feet wide, seven feet deep, which attained
very considerable speed. Encouraged thereby, he
commenced the Phoenix, with side-wheels, to whose
success allusion has already been made. It is proof
of the remarkable accuracy and mechanical skill of
the Hoboken workshop, that the engine of the first
small propeller, carefully preserved, was set up again
not more than ten or twelve years ago, in a new
vessel, and, without altering a screw, worked most'
successfully. The old hull and the blades of the
propeller are yet in existence at Hoboken."
Then, in reference to railroads and locomotives,
he has the following, which fully sustains the remarks
that I have made, in commendation of Col. Stevens
and his sons, so justly distinguished for talents and
enterprise.
EARLY LOCOMOTIVES.
" The locomotives first used on the Camden and
Amboy railroad, were made or constructed by Robert
Stevens, at his works, or upon his models in England,
differing essentially from those in use in England.
At the outset he applied a spark-catcher, though
patents for like contrivances have since been taken out,
and he invented and applied them, and has continued
ever since ; and other railways have adopted the
contrivance of the guide, or cow-catcher, as it is
commonly called, from an incidental function it dis-
402 REMI^riSCENCES
charges, of which the wheels, easily following the
curves, give a direction to the forward wheels of the
locomotive, fixed on an axle slightly moveable, as with
the forward pair of carriage wheels, and thus enable it,
without danger of flying off at a tangent, to diverge
from its straight, onward, rapid course.
The invention of the T rail, which renders travel-
ling so secure, is also due to R. L. Stevens. He went
to England with the model, presented it to the
engineers and iron-masters, and begged they would
make him rails on that pattern, but they all declined,
saying that they had no machinery which could do it.
He persisted, and finally obtained from Mr. Guest,
a member of parliament, and a great iron-master, an
order to use his furnaces in Wales. Mr. Stevens posted
thither, wrought with his own hands at the work, but
at the moment of success the machinery gave way, and
he was obliged to return to London. Yet undismayed,
and abating no jot of hope, he asked permission, after
paying himself the expenses of repairing the damage
to the machinery, to try again. It was given ; he did
try and succeeded, and gave to the world, taking no
patent, that form of rail now universal on every secure
road. So much for an American mechanic."
The more railroads were brought into use in our
state, the more I became convinced of their utility,
and that their construction should be reasonably en-
couraged. Hence I was for giving liberal charters,
such as would induce their construction, instead of
depressing or retarding the project. We had in each
branch of the legislature, a few who from a pretended
horror of corporations, voted against every bill, while
others were for loading them down with restrictions,
which if adopted must have defeated them. It appears
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 403
singular now, when railroads are so much In favor, to
look back fifteen years and observe the strange reasons
sometimes assigned for voting against them.
I have heard it argued that they were monopolies,
inasmuch as each individual had not a right to use it
at his pleasure, as he would his wagon on the highway.
Others have expressed a willingness to vote for par-
ticular railroad bills, if they were so framed that
individuals might, if they desired it, place their own
. cars on the road and run them ; and would vote against
, them because this impracticable concession was not
_ made. Others again, would urge the old fashioned
, mode of locomotion by horse power, over rough roads,
I as decidedly preferable, particularly for the farming
interest.
We can hardly conceive that any sensible, practical
jnan, who had seen the facihty and comfort of railroad
movements, could desire to resist this great modern
J. improvement for the sake of keeping up expensive,
uncomfortable," antiquated modes of travel, where in
performing what is now easily accomplished in a day,
a man and his team would be subjected to seven or
eight days hard travel.
They seemed to have no compassion for the poor
horse, nor even for his owner ; nor did they seem to
value time as anything. The old lumbering stages, or
horses and wagons were urged as decidedly preferable.
Such conceits and narrow prejudices had to be met and
overcome ; and as it required a vote of two-thirds of
all the members elected in each house, it was frequent-
ly necessary to see the houses well filled before
jVenturing to take the vote for a railroad charter. .,
The charter for the New York and Erie railroad,
,was obtained while I was in the senate, for which
G4^4 *"'" REMINISCENCES
^I Voted, and also for nearly all the subsequent bills
^in favor of that road, up to theclose of my senatorial
term, ending with the year 1838.
The charter of this road was granted in 18-32, anb,
"Was reported in the senate by Nathaniel P. Tallmadge,
who was chairman of the railroad committee. We
had never till this year had a general committee on
-i tailroads, but since that time a standing committee has
^-'been appointed at each session. The proposed road
^was to run a great distance through my senatorial
- district ; and as a large proportion of my constituents
'felt a deep interest in its success, they of course ex-
'pected my support, which from the favorable view
""I entertained of the project, they would have had
under any circumstances.
The construction of a road of such length, over a
-country much of it broken, hilly, and forbidding, was
a herculean task that not only required " faith and
works" in an eminent degree, but large expenditures
of money.
Every one regarded its success with doubt. The
task was deemed too great. If it could be carried
through I had no doubt of its importance and utility.
'It would bring the whole range of southern counties,
then in a measure secluded from the great state tho-
roughfare, in direct communication with the city of
New York; and while it promoted the growth and
markets of the city, would open those counties to
settlers, induce investments of capital, afford cheap
'and expeditious means of transporting their surplus
products, and thus renovate the latent energies of those
counties. All of these benign consequences the city and
country are now realizing beyond the reasonable expect-
ations of either, though the road has but just been
BY LEVI BEARD3LEY. 405
completed ; and it not only affords a direct communica-
tion with the city, but connects the intermediate regions
between the Chenango and Chemung, as it will with
the Genesee Valley canal, thus enabling those engaged
in transporting heavy articles on the lateral canals,
to reach them by steam power on the railroad.
The bill loaning the credit of the state to the
amount of $3,000,000, to expedite the construction of
the road, was passed during the session of 1836, after
a most sturdy and vindictive opposition. Nearly all the
canal counties from Albany to Buffalo opposed it, to
which must of course be added those who opposed
railroad projects in general, and those who wished to
withhold state aid, and state credit.
This bill received my cordial and earnest support ;
and with a good board of directors ought to have
ensured the construction of the road at a m.ore early
day. They so managed that the public lost confidence
in them, and poorly requited the hberahty of the state.
1 thought while the state was doing so much for canals,
through other portions, the southern counties were
entitled to public aid ; and if the road could be con-
structed, even if the $3,000,000 should eventually be
lost, I cared little about it ; for, from the increase of
population and wealth, the state in the end would be
the gainer, as I have no doubt it wull be. Every one
now sees and admits the importance of this great
thoroughfare ; and who can now regret the aid of the
state ?
The bill was debated in the senate for several days,
and I think passed in committee of the whole by a
small majority, on 20th April, 1S36, on which day
I closed the debate in favor of the bill.
A few extracts from my remarks, the whole of
.406 REMINISCENCES
which were published in the daily Albany Argus, and
in pamphlet form, will show some of the views enter-
tained in regard to this road as well as others.
My extracts must be brief. In reference to the
project, it was said :
" In a case like the present, where so large an
expenditure is contemplated, where so extensive a
district is to be benefitted, and where such important
results are to follow, I should deem it an incalculable
evil, if the state, by withholding its encouragement,
should lose the benefit of this vast expenditure of pri-
vate capital, so essential to the prosperity of that part
of the state where it is to be expended. ' -
' The magnitude and extent of the project, com-
mends itself strongly to the favor of the state, and
invokes its aid to encourage and give confidence to the
credit and exertions of private enterprise. It contem-
plates the construction of a railroad greater in extent
than any one that has ever been made, and looking to
more important results. There is a magnitude and
boldness in the project, a moral grandeur that chal-
lenges admiration and baffles description, holding in
suspense and awe the most vivid imagination, in refer-
ence to results, and far outstripping and confounding
the conceptions of the timid.
" Commencing on tide waters, at or near the * com-
mercial emporium,' it stretches away to the west ;
climbs with audacious boldness the Apalachian range ;
traverses the romantic and delightful vallies of the
Delaware and Susquehanna rivers and their tribu-
taries, for more than two hundred miles ; communicates
with the Allegany, thereby opening to the Ohio and
Mississippi valley and Gulf of Mexico ; and uniting
with Lake Erie, on whose capacious bosom the com-
BY LEVI BEARDSLT3Y. 407
modities of the east will be distributed to the borders
of our other immense inland seas for many thousand
miles."
A2;ain :
*' Let me inquire what benefits will result from
this bill? Cy its passage, you give the company such
credit and assistance as will enable them to complete
the work, at a much earlier- day than if left to their
own exertions. By its construction you open a thorough-
fare from New York to Lake Erie, on a route remote
from die canal, and afford facilities for business and
a ready and cheap access to market, to an extensive
and important part of the state. Not only the inhabi-
tants of this state, but those of Northern Pennsylvania
and the western states, will be greatly benefited, while
the city of New York will acquire additional facilities
for business.
" This great thoroughfare can be used, when the
Hudson river, the Erie canal, and lake Erie, are
blocked up with ice ; and with its construction, goods
may be thrown into the valley of the Ohio, by descend-
ing the Allegany, before the other channels of commu-
nication are open. In addition to these commercial
advantages, great agricultural benefits will result from
the construction of the road ; an impetus will be given
to business from the expenditure of money ; labor and
agricultural products will be in demand ; farms will
greatly increase in value ; and public attention being
turned in that direction, your southern counties will
fill np with inhabitants."
Now are not the foregoing anticipations nearly
realized, though the road is but just completed? The
recent census goes far to illustrate the propositions, in
reference to improvements and increased value of
40S REMINISCENCES
properly, and great augmentation of population. Look
at the increase in those counties, and see their advance,
no doubt greatly stimulated by the construction of the
roac^."
A further extract :
" Construct this road, and it will be but a few
years before your state will be cut up with railroads
like a checker-board, connecting this with the Erie
canal. I think it not extravagant to look for one from
Attica to the New York and Erie road, thus connecting
Math Rochester and Buffalo. Another may be looked
for from Ithica to Auburn, and thence to the canal.
Another from Binghamton or Oswego, to Syracuse;
and another from Utica, down the Unadilla, to the
Susquehanna valley.
" Nor is this all. It will be but a few years before
a railroad will be carried up lake Erie, uniting with
some one or more of the railroad routes to the IMissi-
sippi. Fifteen j^ears will probably accomplish all this,
and I think ten years will show a continuous and
unbroken communication by railroads and steamboats,
from New York to St. Louis. And may we not look
for more important results? Who that looks back to
the commencement of the present century, and com-
pares the then situation of what now ponstitutes the
western states, with their present improved condition,
can limit his anticipations for far greater improvements,
and a vast increase of wealth and population, for the
next thirty-six 5'ears? Is it extravagant to beheve, that
before another thirty-six j^ears expire, we shall not
only have an organized state government beyond the
rocky mountains, with important commercial cities,
but a communication by steamboat and railroad, to
the mouth of the Columbia?
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 409
,r. "The Missouri already affords navigation for thou-
sands of miles; and gentlemen who have crossed the
continent, represent the route to the Pacific as pecu-
liarly favorable for railroad communication.
" 111 my judgment twenty-live years will consum-
mate this object, and when accomplished, what im-
portant results must follow! With a rail and steam
communication from New York to St. Louis, and
thence to the Columbia river, the whole distance may
be traversed in less than twent}' days, and thus open
a direct communication with China. The effect of
such communication will be, to turn a great proportion
of the American trade with China and the neighboring
countries, in this direction; and instead of a dangerous
and protracted voyage round Cape Horn or ilie Cape
of Good Hope, six months will be sufficient; and some
favorite city on the Pacific will become the great point
where the trade of the eastern and western world will
concentrate, and from whence it v\'ill radiate, and
diffuse itself through the various avenues of our re-
public, and to nations with whom we are in communi-
cation."
^o In regard to the importance of this great thorough-
fare, and of the anticipations put forward in the fore-
going remarks. Col. JMedara, of Columbus, Ohio, in
the Ohio Statesman (state paper) of January 15, 1S45,
when speaking of the occupation and improvement of
Oregon, and the adjustment of its boundar}^, has the
following remarks :
" The Hon. Levi Beardsley, of this city, has sent
us, at our request, (for we delight to spread and
re-spread before the world any thing connected with
this great subject) an extract of a speech delivered by
him in the New York Senate, in 1S36. Vv^e scarcely
410 REMINISCENCES
believe it will be twenty-five years from that time,
which will be 1861, before we shall have a connected
route of railroads and steamboats, from the Atlantic to
the Pacific, over the Rocky mountains, and Mr. Beard-
sley's prophecy will then be history."
One extract more from the railroad speech.
" In reference to the bill under consideration, I
must be permitted to say, that I think I can see in
prospect, cities and villages springing up on this road,
to rival those on the Erie canal ; and it is not an
extravagant prediction to suppose, that whoever shall
live a quarter of a century after the road is completed,
will see several cities on its route, more than surpassing
what Utica is now.
" It will serve as a chain, connecting the southern
extremities of your lateral canals, rendering access
easy and cheap for such articles as may be carried on
them.
" When I look at the 'map of New York, and con-
template what she now is, and her future greatness,
I am proud of my native state. I look abroad, and
perceive her great commercial metropolis inviting the
commerce and unlocking the treasures, not only of
our own, but of foreign lands. I perceive the noble
rivers, the capacious lakes, the immense water power,
the fertility of its soil, the healthiness and salubrity of
its climate, the wealth and enterprise of its citizens ;
and I then look at the works of internal improvement,
that within fifteen years have added so much to the
credit, the wealth, prosperit}'', and population of the
state, and inquire whether this glorious career is to be
arrested? It cannot, it must not stop here.
" And now let me ask, why should we withhold
our assent to this bill? The spirit of improvement
EY LEVI BBARDSLEY. 411
and enterprise is abroad, teeming Avith energy and
giant strength ; developing the resources of the country,
improving its avenues of communication, and diffusing
wealth, prosperity, and blessings in its onward course.
Shall we check its course, and wither its enerG;ics? or
by extending the fostering aid of government, give
such strength and impetus to private enterprise, as
shall secure the early and certain consummation of
this stupendous project? Our course is onward, and
Ho limited views should withhold the countenance or
aid of government, where such important results will
follow. Let us seize the auspicious moment, with a
firm hope that our best anticipations will be more than
realized.
" Sir, I will not longer detain the committee, but
commit this subject, with the rights, interests, feelings,
and wishes of more than one-third of j^our citizens, to
the decision of those whose duty it is to pass on this
momentous question. If you reject it, you blast the
hopes of thousands whose hearts have beat high, while
they have fondly cherished the hope of success. I
trust that in these, their just expectations, they are not
to be disappointed. They have been represented as
* abiding in a wilderness.' If this be so, and the
southern counties are to be so regarded, I trust that in
the vote of this committee, 'the wilderness and solitary
places shall he made glad:^ and those inhabitants of the
mountains, who, on a former occasion, my friend frorn
the seventh (Mr. Edwards,) seemed to think were
occupying high places better suited for wild beasts
than civilized men ; who, like the Kenites, are re-
presented as seated on a rock, I trust that even these
will also be made glad ; and as they look from their
giddy heights, so graphically described, to the delibe-
412 REMINISCENCES
rations of the senate, watching with intense anxiety-
its action, I hope, in the success of this bill, it may
soon be said of them, ' Let the inhabitants of the rock
sing, let them shout with joy from the tops of the
mountains.' "
The bill was finally passed ; and the splendid
business now doing on the road gives sure evidence ot
success hereafter, and vindicates the Dolicy of the
state in its legislative and pecuniary aid.
Before leaving the subject of railroads, I may as
well remark that, during the Autumn of 1849, I
received an invitation from a committee of citizens of
St. Louis, to attend a national convention at that place,
on the 15th October, to dehberate on the expediency of
connecting the Mississippi valley with the Pacific by
railroad and telegraphic communications. The hospi-
talities of the city were tendered, and the invitation was
every way flattering and acceptable. Not being able
to attend, I enclosed to the committee an extract from
my railroad speech, in which I had alluded to the
project, and also the editorial remarks of Col. Medara,
before referred to. A portion of my letter to the com-
mittee, in answer to theirs may not be inappropriate. ,,'
" For more than thirteen years, as you will perceive
by the enclosed extract, I have looked to the connection of
the Atlantic with the Pacific, by steamboat and rail-
road, as an event that certainly must take place.
At that early day, those most ardent in their
devotion to internal improvements, could but barely
dream of a project so stupenduous without being re-
garded as moo7i strucli visionaries ; and yet there has
been no time since that period that I have doubted its
ultimate success.
" The adjustment of the Oregon boundary, the
BY LEVI BEAKDSLEY. 413
acquisition of New Mexico and California, the immense
emigration to those countries, and the attraction of
mineral weaUh, afford inducements for an early con-
nection with those far off regions, that no one thought
of in 1S36.
" There is, as your address intimates, great danger
of losing those distant territories, and the establish-
ment of an independent confederated western republic,
unless more' easy and rapid communications can be
established. You mi2;ht have enlaro^ed and illustrated
a principle which you merely hinted at,- that (in the
language of a distinguished author,) ' Every improve-
ment of the means of locomotion, benefits mankind
morally and intellectually, as well as materially, and not
only facilitates the interchange of the various product-
ions of nature and art, but tends to remove national
and provincial antipathies, and to bind together all the
branches of the great human family.'
" The means to accomplish the work must in a
great measure depend on the action of congress. No
individual exertions or combinations are adequate.
Perhaps a judicious combination of individual and
national means may be deemed advisable.
" Whether 5'Our city shall be the place of departure
from the Mississippi, as I hnxe heretofore supposed,
or whether a more northern or southern route is to be
adopted, must, of course, depend upon explorations,
surveys and estimates yet to be made. Judging from
maps and what I have read, it seems probable that
wHen the road is commenced it will be up the Missouri,
aft least as far as the western boundary of your state,
using the river to reach the starting point, until a road
shall be m.ade through your state, and thus avoiding the
embarrassing question of stale rights. In any event
414 REMINISCE NQES
your city must participate largely in the trade and bene-
fits resulting from the success of the project. An attempt
to connect two oceans, more than three thousand miles
asunder, is of a magnitude to alarm the timid, and to
induce doubts and fears from those most ardent and
sanguine. But look at it as it is. We have at this moment
steam communication by boat and railways from New
York and Boston to your city, and thence by the
Missouri more than five hundred miles west, thus
making near half the distance from ocean to ocean.
Now, with the experience we have in railroad making,
I regard the construction of a road from your west-
ern borders, with branches to Oregon and Califor-
nia, by no means so doubtful of success, or onerous to
the nation, as the Erie canal was regarded to the stare
of New York, in 1817, and yet that was completed
in seven years and the debt soon paid off. Your
project while confined to the territories, is free from
constitutional objections, even with the most strict coii,
structionists, for no considerable number deny cie
power of congress to make roads for military purposes,
for the transmission of the mail, and to enhance the
value of public lands ; and 'whether lands are appro-
priated, (of which there are numerous precedents) or
their avails in money, there can be no coastitutional
difference in principle. The great point at present to
be attained, to render success cenain, is to edist the
general government, in a united, well-considered, and
enlightened effort to promote the object Rival interests
and projects must be reconciled ; for, to accomplish a
work of such magnitude we must have united councils, as
well as efforts. With these secured, your hopes and the
expectations of the nation will eventually be realized :
and the stately goings forth of the 'ir.pn horse' as he
BY LEVI EEARDSLEY. 415
drags the ponderous train across the almost boundless
plains that skirt your frontier, and stretch away to the.
west, will be viewed with astonishment by the back-
woodsman, and the red men of the forest. The shrill
scream of the steam whistle will enliven the recesses
of the Rocky Mountains, and those barriers of nature
that have stood in solitary grandeur, frowning defiance
since their creation, will yield to scientific application
of mechanical skill ; and their subjugation will add
another chaplet to American enterprise. To carry
forward this un parallelled project, is the object of your
convention, which, if successful, will remain a monu-
ment of American energy, firm and durable as the
mountains themselves. There is an indomitable resolu-
tion in our countrymen, that yields to no discouraging
circumstances, but surmounts all obstacles. If the
nation wills the road desirable, means will be found
for its construction. It is for your convention to take
wise, incipient measures, to promote a union of senti-
ment, to develops the means, and then to press to
completion the great work, in which you have my
warmest sympathies and most ardent hopes.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
Levi Beardsley."
I have formerly thought favorably of the project of
Asa Whitney, esq., for constructing a railroad to the
Pacific; not perhaps in all its details, but in the
general proposition of governmental aid, by a liberal
donation of public lands to him, or in some other mode
to promote the great object.
He contemplated starting from the westerly side of
Lake Michigan, and desired an extensive grant of
lands on each side of his road. The longer the project
is delayed, the less inducement will remain for com-
41.G *- REMINISCENCEG
plying with his wishes. The lands in Wisconsin, from
.Lake Michigan to the Mississippi, have been sold to a
great extent, so that the requisite grant could hardly
be obtained even if congress was prepared to adopt and
carry out his favorite project, which from present
appearances they will not do. But there are other
objections which in my judgment should control the
question in regard to authorizing a road from the Lake.
Those objections are, that at least two railroads are
now being constructed, that will connect the Lake
with the Mississippi, and perhaps three.
The road from Chicago will undoubtedly be finished
within a few years, and perhaps anotlier from Mil-
waukie. Then it is very certain that a road will
be made through central or lower part of Illinois,
that will terminate on the Mississippi, at the west.
In addition to these, there is but little doubt that a
road will be made from Cincinnati to St. Louis ; and
from St. Louis a road will unquestionably be con-
structed to the western boundary of Missouri, which
for one hundred miles is now under contract. Then
again, another road is contemplated, and I believe
authorized, that will probably very soon be made,
starting from the Mississippi a considerable distance
^ above St. Louis, and running through or near the
southerly part of Iowa, westerly to the Missouri river.
And still another, from some point on the Mississippi,
in Arkansas, and running westerly or north-west, to
connect with the road now constructing from St. Louis,
in the direction of Independence, near the westerly
line of Missouri. These several roads will probably
soon be completed, from individual and state enter-
prise, stimulated by grants from congress of portions
of the public domain.
Now in my iudgment, the Pacifi^^c railroad, properly
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 417
Speaking, so far as it is to be regarded as a national
work, should start at some point westerly of the western
boundary of Missouri, at or near that boundary where
the three roads referred to can concentrate, and from
thence should be carried westerly by one principal
stem. The first thing congress should do to promote
this great object, should be an accurate and scientific
survey, to ascertain where these roads may most fea-
sibly concentrate, to form a starting point for the road
to the west. Then let a careful survey and estimate
be made, by competent engineers, for a road leading
away to the Pacific, and the best plan adopted for its
construction.
To start at that western point, and work away to
the west, towards the Pacific, will afford ample space
for enterprise, and require all the means that can be
spared, without building a single rod of road that can
be dispensed with.
If the road shall ever be authorised, its eastern
terminus should be as far west as the Missouri line,
or in no event further east than the Mississippi; for
why build another road from Lake Michigan to the
western boundary of Missouri? The facilities for
reaching California, and in short any part of the
Pacific coast, by the way of Nicaragua and Chagres,
render the railroad of less importance than it would
otherwise be ; but still it is very desirable to open a
quick, safe, and convenient communication by latid,
through our own territories, and thus bring those far
off regions, in communication with the eastern portions
of the republic.
I have great confidence in the project, and hope
and believe a few years will see it authorized and
commenced ; but national efforts, in the present state
27
418 REMINISCENCES
of affairs, talcing into consideration the sale of lands
between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi, and thence
throudi Iowa to its western borders, should be con-
fined to a road from these western borders to the
Pacific. The immense emigration going on to Cali-
fornia and Oregon, and the certainty of a continued
and rapid increase, from which new states will soon
be formed, and the present state and territoiy on the
Pacific, greatly augmented iii point of numbers, every
day increases the national importance of such a road.
Congress should no longer remain passive, but the
energies and means of the government should be put
forward, 'if not for the whole expense, at least for a
portion that should stimulate and sustain private enter-
prise till the great project is completed.
We have already seen, in the preceding pages,
how little was known of railroads in 1826, when the
first charter was granted in this state. It also appears
that Chancellor Livingston, the enlightened and liberal
patroniser of steam navigation, had no adequate idea
of what railroads should be, or of what could be per-
formed on these great modern improvements. I sup-
pose the fertile brain of Col, Stevens, in ISll, came."
much nearer, in its conceptions of what might be
expected, and of the importance to be derived from
their construction, than any man then living. In 1831,
which was twenty years after Col. Stevens had pro-
posed constructing railroads, they were with us re-
garded as experiments merely. The Albany and
Schenectady road, in the early part of that year, though
under contract and far advanced, was not completed.
At that time, our attention was drawn to the improve-
ments going on in England ; and though nothing like
the present speed had been attained, yet all eyes were
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 419
turned in that direction, wondering and speculating
on what was to be the result.
In 1S30 I entered the senate, and Hon. Nathaniel
P. Tallmadoe, as before remarked, was elected at the
same time, and came into that body in the same class
with me. Mr. Tallmadsfe was an enlightened Icmslator,
and from his enlarged and liberal views, in reference
to internal improvements, had sustained the policy of
Governor Clinton in regard to canals. At the legisla-
tive session of 1S31, Mr. Tallmadge was chairman of
the canal committee in the senate, and on 14th of
February of that year made a report which he had
drawn, distinguished for talents, liberal views, and a
full appreciation of the extent and importance of the
question brought under consideration.
This- was twenty years before the completion of
the Hudson river railroad ; and though such a project
had been at times casually spoken of, and some of
sanguine temperament had hinted that such a road
might at a future day be constructed ; yet almost
every one looked at the suggestion as the coinage of a
distempered brain, and visionary in the extreme.
, ^ Since the successful completion of that stupendous
work, many are now ready to claim great foresight in
its projection and auspicious termination, who in 1S31
would have repudiated and denounced any one who
had favorably listened to it, as wanting in sound
practical good sense, and altogether an unsafe adviser.
If there is any merit in having, at that early day,
listened to and heeded the suggestions, and thereby
given credence to the possibility of success in such an
undertaking, Mr. Tallmadge, as I will shortly shoAV,
should be regarded as one of those who gave credit to
its probable realization, by discussing, and not rejecting
it as visionary.
420 REMINISCENCES
The report to which I have referred, and from
which I am about to make an extract, may be found
in senate documents No. 32, of 1831, where, speaking
in reference to the further prosecution of new works of
internal improvements by the state, Mr. Tallmadge
discusses the subject as follows :
" The determination of this question depends on a
variety of general considerations, which will be briefly
examined, without reference to any particular applica-
tions. The subject of internal improvements, by means
of railroads, has been referred to another committee of
the senate, from whom, it is presumed, it will receive
a satisfactory examination. Your committee therefore,
only allude to it in this place, in reference' to the
general question. It is worthy of the most serious
consideration, how far or to what extent, railroads are
to take the place of or supersede canals. Both modes
of intercommunication have their respective advocates.
Railroads are in their infancy. From the experience
already derived from their construction and practical
operation, it is difficult to determine and impossible to
foresee the extent to which they may be carried. It
is certain that in many instances, the expectations of
the friends of their construction have been crowned
with entire success.
*' The benefits of internal commerce depend upon
the facility and rapidity of transportation. The ad-
vantages of canals, as a means of transportation, over
land carriage, we have already experienced ; but it
is impossible to calculate the additional benefits which
railroads may confer, when used for carrying passen-
gers and valuable commodities The application of
steam power to the propelling of canal boats, is an
experiment which has partially been made, and prob-
ably little can be anticipated from it. No greater
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 421
facility or rapidity can therefore be expected on canals,
than what we now have ; but when steam power is
applied to railroads, we are amazed at a velocity which
only lags behind the celerity of thought.
" The experiments have been most effectually made
in England ; and we are now us?ng the experience
that has been there acquired in the construction of
numerous similar works in this country.
" The one now under contract between Albany and
Schenectady, is held in high estimation by the public,
and little doubt is entertained that the most sanguine
anticipations of its friends will be fully realized.
" In reference to this subject also, your committee
cannot refrain from alluding to the bold enterprise said
to be in contemplation, of constructing a railroad from
Albany to New York, of uniting the capital of the
state with the great commercial emporium of the
union. This to many may appear chimerical. The
idea of a railroad on the banks of the Hudson river,
indeed excites surprise by its unexpectedness, and
wonder by its novelty. A river, for its extent, and
as a connecting link in the great water communication
between the Atlantic and the lakes, not surpassed in
the known world. An attempt by such means to
divert from their accustomed channel, the thousands
upon thousands of individuals and of vahae that seemed
destined for ages to be wafted on its majestic current,
may well challenge our utmost credulity. But from
the experience of the past, who shall pretend to fix
limits to the future ?
" A quarter of a centur}'' has not yet elapsed since
the idea of navigating the Hudson by steam was
deemed infinitely more extravagant than the contem-
plated railroad on its banks !
422 REMINISCENCES
" Whatever may be the result of railroads, in
reference to particular undertakings, it is sufficient for
our present purpose to observe that their practical
benefits have to a degree been already tested ; and
when we reflect that they may be used at seasons
of the year whep canals and navigable streams are
locked up by ice, 'it is worthy of the serious attention
of individuals and of government, whether they may.
not, to a considerable extent, at least, be successfully
and advantageously introduced."
In twenty years from the time the above report was
made, a railroad on the banks of the Hudson was in
full operation ! and in the language of the report, "we
are amazed at a velocity which onhj lags lehind the
celerity of thovght.^'
That great thoroughfare being now completed, and in
successful operation ; and after witnessing the construct-
ion of the New York and Erie, the Hudson river and
Harlem railroads, who can set limits to the onward
course and march of the country ?
With free scope for railrpad competition I suppose
our canals will sustain themselves, and realize the just
expectations of their friends and patrons.
The growth, extent, and improvements of the
country, will probably keep pace with the facilities of
transportation, and we shall find an accumulation of
yearly business sufficient for all.
I have great confidence in the belief, that when
the Erie canal is enlarged so that we have more
breadth and depth of water, steam power will be
so applied as to be more rapid in its movements, and
in a great measure relieve the poor horse from the
annual labor, the fatigues and hardships of which
destroy so tn^niy of those noble and useful animals.
BY LEVI UEARDSLEY. 4^3
In short, after witnessing so man}^ such groaf
and varied applications of steam, and then add the
surprising perfection of telegraphic communication by
which thought is transmitted with lightning speed, and
electricity subjected to science and philosophy, I am
about prepared to assent to any proposition having
improvements in view. At this age of the world he
must be a bold man who pronounces any invention
impossible. It is about time to strike that word from
our vocabulary.
Citizen Genet, during the latter days of his life,
was an enthusiast in the belief that balloons would be
brought to such perfection, that eventually the intrepid
aeronaut would so far subject the wind and elements
to his control, as to make distant vo3'ages with celerity,
regularity, and safet3% He woukl ai^gue the question,
and explain his views at great length ; and I used
to listen to him with pleasure, for he was a man of
learning and genius, and I am by no means certain
but that a few years more may realise those fervid
anticipations in which he used to indulge. Quite as
strange things have come to pass, and others may
follow, to astonish those who come after us, if not
within our own day and generation.
421 REMINISCENCES
CHAPTER XXII.
Cliarter of Central Bank. A. M. Seller mcrJiorn First Cashier.
Judge TV/lite First President. Notice of Jiim. Dr.
Little, Notice of him and other Officers of the Bank.
Pecuniar?/ affairs. Revulsions in 1836, '7, Sfc, and
Losses. Remove to Oswego, 1839. Failure of Commer-
cial Bank of Oswego. Notice of Oswego and its future
Prospects. Remove to Columhus, Ohio, 1842. Loss hy
Fire. Farming, and Large Crop of Corn. Broken
Arm, and other Licide?its. Notice of Columbus. Return
to New York, 1846. Candidate in 1847 for Supreme
Court Judge. Popular Excite?nent. Jenny Lind. La
Fayette, Ivossuth.
I HAD assisted in obtaining the charter of the Central
Bank at Cherry Valley, at the legislative session of
IS 18, and was one of the commissioners to receive
subscription for stock. The stock being taken, the
bank went into operation the autumn of that year,
under the auspices of Hon. Abraham M. Schermerhorn,
as cashier, who is member of the present congress
from Rochester, Monroe county, and was also a mem.-
ber of the last. Mr. Schermerhorn was a man of
decided talents, managed the bank with great ability,
and finally went to Rochester six years afterwards,
where for many years he was the leading and most
popular financier in western New York. He is shrewd,
kind-hearted, sincere and ardent in his friendships ;
and I have alwavs reg;arded him as a InVh-minded,
honorable, and honest man. I had a respectable por-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEy. 4:25
tion of stock in the new bank, and was a director from
its first organization till I left Cherry Valley, the autumn
of 1839.
Dr. Joseph White, of Cherry Valley, who for many
3'ears past was first judge of the county of Otsego, was
the first president of the bank. lie was a wealthy
man, and had acquired it by industrious and constant
attention to his profession as physician and surgeon.
As an operator in surgery he was highly distinguished,
and for many years was justly regarded as standing
at the head of his profession, and was unquestionably
the best surgeon in the state west of Albany. For
several years he was connected with the medical
institution at Fairfield, Herkimer " County, and left it
with high reputation. He was a careful, prudent man,
and safe adviser in the manaQ:emcnt of the bank, and
so too in regard to money matters generally.
Dr. White came to the county at an early day,
with limited m.eans, and was the architect of his own
fortune. He was alwavs kind-hearted and liberal to
the poor, against whom his professional bills were
remarkabl}'' moderate ; and he never oppressed or
harrassed his debtors, to compel payment. He was a
mone3Mender, but never took more than legal interest :
a man of intelligence, excellent judgment, and beyond
all question of strict integrity. In his politics he was
a high-toned federahst, and exercised much authority
and influence with his party, to which, from his position
and standino; in societv, he was iustlv entitled.
He^died in the spring of 183, leaving a high and
enviable professional reputation. His son. Dr. Delos
White, the father of Hon. Joseph L. White, of the city
of New York, had for several years before the death
of his father, acquired a reputation in his profession, of
426 REMIXISCENCES
nearly equal celebrity. He too had been at the head
of one of the departments in the medical college already
mentioned, and on the decease of his senior, was
looked upon as almost the only man who could fill the
place of his deceased but distinguished ancestor, whom
he survived but a few years, having died in 1835.
Dr. David Little, from the adjoining town of Spring-
field, was the second president of the bank, and re-
mained such till his decease, in the fall of lS-32, when
I was elected president in his place, and remained
such till my removal from Cherry Valle}^ the latter
part of 1S39.
The bank was ahvays well managed, its afliars
were conducted with rigid economy, in strict reference
to the interest of stockholders, and for the accommoda-
tion of the public. No one connected with that bank
has occasion to blush for any mismanagement during
the third of a century since it went into operation.
Dr. Little was a man of excellent judgment, stood
remarkably well in his profession, v/as skilful and
successful in the management of his pecuniary affairs,
sustained a fair reputation, and is justly entitled to the
praise of having presided over and protected the in-
terest of the bank, with vigilance and consummate
skill. I have always found him honest, honorable,
and upright. Ansel St. John was the second cashier ;
and was not only correct, and in every respect well
qualified, but was remarkably popular with the direc-
tors and with customers generally. On his leaving
the bank, the present cashier, Horatio J. 01c(|tt suc-
ceeded him, and David H. Little, Esq. the present
president, succeeded me in 1839.
The bank continues to be well managed, and is
popular, and now as formerly makes good dividends.
EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 427
While connected wilh iL, I for several years owned
nearly one-fourth of the stock, and was its attorney.
A share of its business, added to a respectable profes-
sional business besides, enabled me, with the semi-
annual bank dividends, to make and save considerable
money.
In 1S33, '34, or '35, I could have paid oil' all my
debts, and have saved $50,000, at least, and I think
from $55,000 to $60,000.
Here I made an irretrievable mistake, which at
; my present advanced period of life, I can never expect
to correct. As a prudent man, I ought to have invested
$10,000 for my wife, and 5,000 for each of my four
children, which would have left m.e with at least
$20,000 and my profession to support myself and
family, while those sums at interest would have yielded
seven per cent., and by annual accumulations would
have soon doubled. I did not do so ; and shall never
forgive myself for the neglect. Like many others, I
purchased real estate, hoping to profit from its rise
in value.
The change of limes and revulsions in 1836, '37,
and several succeeding years, first depressed and
afterwards destroyed the value of that kind of property,
so that the more an embarrassed man had, the poorer
he was esteemed. It is needless to remark that I lost
money by these purchases ; nearly every one did so.
f,v But my investments in land and subsequent losses
were not so great as ruinously to impair my estate, had
I not endorsed and lent my nanje to friends. In almost
every instance they w'ere ruined, either by improvident
purchases or failure of those upon whom they relied.
The result was, I had to pay where I had thus become
liable, and " pocket the loss." In some cases I had to
428 REMINISCENCES
take encumbered real estate and wild lands, with-
occasional bonds and mortgages, inadequately secured.
The lands thus taken in payment, and many of the
securities became of little value, and I might about as
well have lost the entire debts for which I was liable,
as to be plagued and harrassed with such property.
To these should be added a large amount, (nearly
$30,000,) principal and interest growing out of the sale
of bank and railroad stock, for which I had paid
nothing but cash ; and on the sale of which I never
realized anj^thing worth mentioning. These various
losses with liabilities for others, indicated very clearly
that I must go to work where I could earn money and
retrieve my affairs.
I had recently got through with eight years se-
natorial service, which of itself was pretty well cal-
culated to deplete the pockets; while so many years
public service from home, necessarily lost me my
clients, and impaired my business.
Stockholders in the Commercial Bank of Oswego,
a bank Very much embarrassed, desired me to go there
and take it in charge, with a view of sustaining, and
ultimately restoring it to credit.
They made me a liberal offer, which I concluded
to accept, and went there in October, 1S39. In going
I committed an error, for the bank was so much
crippled, that it was soon apparent that nothing could
save it, short of a heavy contribution from the stock-
holders, which on being made known, some made the
required advances, while others refused, and ultimately
the bank was forced into liquidation ; winding up dis-
astrously for all concerned.
On going to Oswego I resigned the presidency
of the Central Bank, and ceased to be a director, as I
had been twenty-one years ; thus entirely dissolving
I
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 429
my connection with that institution, so far as its ma-
nagement was concerned. As it turned out it was a
most unfortunate move. I had done more than any
one, except Judge Hammond, in obtaining the charter;
had spent considerable money in attendance in Albany ;
and when an extension or renewal of the charter was
obtained, Judge Morse and myself devoted much of
our time to it, for which we never received a farthing.
For our expences, the bank made some advances, but
not to the full amount of our outlays; nor was anj'thing
ever paid by the bank for, expences in procuring the
charter. Thus the stockholders, without expense,
derived the full benefit growing out of the charter,
which I very much doubt can be said of any other
bank in the state.
At the time of renewing the charter, and accepting
it under the " safety fund" sj'^stem, Judge Morse and
m}' self had more political influence with the legislature
than all the other stockholders put together ; and the
bank had the benefit of this influence. So also, for
nine years, while I was in the assembly and senate,
for which positions I was under no obligation to
the bank ; yet in all legislation my course was con-
servative in reference to banks, and would have been
so, even had my interest not been identified with them.
Banking so far entered into, and was connected
with the business and affairs of life, that no one could
wish to cripple them, unless he was prepared to
embarrass, if not destroy his friends and business men
generally. The sad results that followed the suspension
of specie payments ; the universal depression in value
of property ; the bankruptcies of individuals ; and
general distress that pervaded the communit3% should
serve as a warning against contributing to bring about
a like result.
430 REMINISCENCES
Were I again clothed with legislative power, I
would do no act that would be likely to place the banks
in a dishonored position ; and hence I deprecate
legislation that is calculated to create distrust, or to
excite prejudices against well conducted institutions.
It is trifling with individual interests, and often resulting
in losses to widows, orphans, and minors, as well
as those engaged in the active duties of life. Well
conducted banks alwa3^s found me ready to protect
and defend them against factious and malevolent
assaults.
My connection with and claims on the Central
Bank, were such, that they ought not to have been
severed so long as it could have been avoided.
Breaking up and removing from Cherry Valley,
necessarily required sales and sacrifice of property,
and threw me entirely out of professional business ; so
that in this view, as matters turned, it would have
been better to have remained there. Before removing
from the village, my old neighbors honored me with a
public dinner, at which toasts were drank, speeches
were made, and " Aukl Lang Syne" was sung by the
whole company.
I was then president of the Cherry Valley Agricul-
tural Society, and a large number of its members
attended. A residence of thirty years at that place
had necessarily created strong attachments, which
rendered my withdrawal painfull}^ oppressive to my
feelings. I had no reason to complain of my new
acquaintances at Oswego. They were kind, and
treated me with respect and attention. Soon after my
removal there, we got up an agricultural society for
that county, of which I was the first president, which
I believe is still kept up, and is apparently doing much
good.
EY LEVI EEARDSLEY. 431
The commercial bank which I had in charfje was
crippled greatly beyond what I had supposed, and
was much more embarrassed than its directors and
stockholders were aware : in fact, it was "past praying
for." It had to take large quantities of real estate,
much of it encumbered ; and although the same pro-
perty is now valuable, it could then hardly be so con-
sidered, as the scarcity of money and depression of the
times rendered such property nearly valueless. The
directors exerted themselves to save it, but the effort
was vain. Several other banks failed during the au-
tumn of IS-il. which gave a shock to the Commercial,
then " on its last legs," and that finally went with the
rest.
The failure of the bank induced me to go to
Columbus, Ohio, the next j'ear, where I had a large
farm and other real estate, with mills, that required my
personal attention. Accordingly I went there with my
family, in October 1842.
It was with profound regret that I left Oswego,
which I have regarded as one of the most pleasant
residences in the state, particularly during the summer
season. Its proximity to Lake Ontario, gives it almost
uniformly the benefit of a cooling breeze each day.'
Then again, in the fall, the lake has such an effect
on the temperature, that frosts which destroy the
herbage in the interior are not experienced near the
lake ; while in the spring a humid chilliness is imparted
to the air that checks vegetation, and thus the apple, '
peach, pear, and plum escape the effects of frosts that
are often destructive, remote from its borders. The
winters to be sure are long, with much wind and
raw weather, but the thermometer shows the cold
several degrees more intense at Auburn, Syracuse,
432 REailNISCENCES
or Utica. I think Oswego and its vicinity, particularly
along the lake shore, is as fine a portion of the state
for fruit, especially the apple and grape, as can be
found, scarcely excepting Rochester and its charming
surrounding country. Its position is such, as to make
it for Lake Ontario, what Buffalo is to Erie ; and its
extensive business so rapidly increasing from year
to 5''ear, indicates it, beyond a doubt, as a most impor-
tant point, and one too where a large city is to grow up
ultimately. Its fine water power, healthy climate,
commodious harbor, added to its conceded command
of a large portion of the Canadian, and even the
trade of the Upper Lakes, cannot fail of producing
such a result.
The present population is not far from fourteen
thousand, which from appearances must be augmented
to double that number at no distant day.
For those who wish to escape from the large cities
during the heat of summer, I scarcely know a more
pleasant retreat than may be found at Osv/ego, and on
and about the shores of the beautiful inland sea that
separates it from Canada.
As before' remarked, for a summer residence it can
hardly be exceeded. Its broad streets enable pro-
prietors, under city regulations, to take in a portion for
ornamental purposes, so that each house has in front a
small flower garden.
The importance of Oswego, as a frontier position,
was discovered at an early day, where a military post
was established by the English government. Nearly
one hundred years ago, it was taken and destroyed by
the French, under Montcalm ; and afterwards, a fort
known as Fort Ontario, was built by the English
and Pr&vincials, which remained in possession of the
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. * 433
British till 1795, when it was given up with other
western posts, under " Jay's Treat}'," and has re-
cently been rebuilt, enlarged, and strengthened, where
a small force is maintained.
Its inhabitants are kind, enterprising, and social ;
and scarcely any city in the state can boast of society
more fashionable or refined. It has already nine
churches, if not more, viz : two presbyterian, two epis-
copalian, two catholic, two methodist, and one baptist.
The school houses are new, large, and commodious,
and do much credit to the city.
In going to Ohio, I had no definite object beyond
putting my property in a condition to sell, or perma-
nently to retain, as after circumstances should seem
most advisable.
On reaching Columbus, I went on to repair and
finish my mills, at expenses of course much beyond
estimates. My fences were repaired and new ones
built. Many acres of new land cleared up, and
brought under cultivation, so that each year I was
enabled to raise large crops of corn, but prices were
exceedingly low.
The autumn that I went there, and the succeeding
winter, the cash price for corn was but ten cents per
bushel, so that to pay the postage on a letter from New
York, (then twenty-five cents,) would require two and
a half bushels. Even at this low price, I have known
farmers come twenty-five miles to market, when the
roads were so bad as to require three horses to- haul
twenty bushels, and then sleep in their covered market
wagons through the night.
My farm was extensive, but was soon put in good
condition, on which a large new barn was erected,
iin 1844.
28
434 REMINISCENCES
During the spring of the next year, a disastrous
fire swept away my property, which was without
insurance, and* seemed to annihilate all chance for
retrieving my affairs. In that year, (1845,) though
an unfavorable season for corn, was raised on my lands
about thirteen thousand bushels, of which my share
was eio-ht or nine thousand, about six thousand of which
was sold when harvested, at twenty cents per bushel,
which was more than was realized from that part
which was kept through the winter.
Few farmers in the state of New York, I apprehend,
can boast of ever raising so much corn in a year,
as 1 raised in 1845.
To be burned out, subjects a man to queer feelings,
for it comes so suddenl}'-, and works so hasty a change
in his affairs, that he can scarcely realise it.
Every reasonable effort was made to save my pro-
perty from the destructive element, but all in vain. I
shall always feel thankful to the citizens of Columbus
and Franklinton, for their exertions, particularly the
firemen from the city, who hurried to the conflagration,
a mile out of their corporate boundaries.
The loss was astounding, and many of my friends
feared my feelings would be so overwhelmed as to
discourage further efforts, but there was no use in
despairing, so I returned hom.e, took my breakfast, and
then went to church, where good old Parson Hoge
gave us, as he always did, an excellent sermon.
" Misfortunes seldom come single." I had just
before the fire, submitted to an operation on my
left eye, to remove a " terrigium," or wing that had
formed, and was likely to extend over the pupil and
destroy its sight.
Sitting in a chair and placing my bead against the
p."
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 435
wall of the house, without being held or confined,
I suffered Doctor Thompson to thrust in his crooked
needle, and tear and clip off the part to be removed.
The operation was sharp and painful, nearly as much
so, I suppose, as removing a cataract from the eye ;
but it was soon over. Next came the fire, and next
spring a broken arm or wrist, which kept me at
Columbus, till some time in July, 1846, when I re-
moved from there to Oswego; having sold my lands
before rem.oving.
Here I may as well rem.ark, that could I have
retained my Columbus property till the present time,
the rapid growth of the city and consequent rise in the
value of real estate in its vicinity, would have enabled
me to pay off all incumbrances, and left me with a
surplus of from fifteen to tvventy thousand dollars.
Columbus, surrounded by a fine agricultural country,
is beautifully situated on the eastern side of the Scioto
river. The extensive bottom lands are distinguished
for their richness and fertility, and are scarcely sur-
passed by any within that, or any other state.
The best part of the city is situated on ground
considerably above the river; the streets are broad,
and "high street" in particular is not only quite so, but
remarkably well built up with substantial buildings.
Its present population is about twenty thousand, which
is rapidly augmenting every year, and being the capi-
tal of that great state, with numerous railroads running
into it, and manufacturing establishments already in
operation, I can see no reason why it should not,
within a few years, have a population of from forty to
fifty thousand. Undoubtedl}'', it will be one of the
largest inland cities in the country. There is much
wealth and enterprise among its citizens, and they
436 REMINISCENCES
now seem to appreciate the importance of rail-road
communications ; though when I resided there, the
feeling of some of its principal citizens was against
improvements of that kind. The state has several
public buildings in the city, large and commodious;
among which are the state prison or penitentiary, an
asylum for the blind, an institution for the deaf and
dumb, and a lunatic asylum* A state house is now
being constructed, which will probably be the largest
and most costly building of the kind within the United
States. A medical college has been endowed, and is
now in the progress of erection. They have many
churches and schools, and the society in the city is
choice and good as can be found elsewhere. About
one-third of the population of the city is made up of
Germans, who are industrious, economical, and thrift}'',
and as a class are excellent citizens.
The soil of Ohio is such, that except ,where they
had McAdamised or graveled roads, the traveling
used to be horrible. I frequently had to ride from
Columbus to Cleveland, and to Toledo, over those
rough and muddy roads, and in stage wagons but
little better than " murder carts." Railroads have now
been introduced, so that it is little or no fatigue to go
there ; but formerly, the best way to go through the
country was on horseback, and in this way I often
made my journeys. It was necessary for me to be
on horseback every day when I was at home, to visit
the different parts of my farm ; so that to thus ride
was not only pleasant, but conducive to health. I
used to ford the Scioto and Olentange rivers at every
season of the year, and twice found mj'-self in deep
water, so that my horse had to carry me out by swim-
ming. One of these times was in December, when
the weather was exceedingly cold.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 407
Columbus was a pleasant residence, and on coming
away I left it with many kind recollections ; for I had
friends there highly esteemed, whom I hope to see
again at no distant day. On leaving that place I came
to the city of New York, and opened a law office in
August 1846, and next year was nominated as one of
the justices of the supreme court, under the new con-
stitution, but like others on the same ticket, failed of
an election.
New York, like all populous cities, must always
have something to excite the multitude. A " nine
days' wonder" is hailed with avidity ; and then the
subject of excitement wears off, or becomes stale, till
something else absorbs popular attention.
When Jenny Lind came the whole city was agog
to see as well as to hear her. The streets in front of
her hotel were crowded day and night, that the gazers
and loiterers might by chance catch a glimpse of the
distinguished stranger. Her reception was in the
highest degree flattering; and what was more, there
seemed to be, and no doubt was, a sincerity a kind)
enthusiastic, heart-felt, friendly feeling towards her,
which scarcely any foreigner, with the exception of
La Fayette has ever enjoyed. La Fayette, for his
revolutionary services, his sacrifices in blood and trea-
sure to secure our independence, his devotion to liberal
principles in Europe, and his uniform attachment,
during' a long and eventful life, to the interests and
institutions of our country, acquired and deservedly
retained a hold on the American heart, immeasurably
beyond any one who ever came from a foreign land.
The love and respect of our countryman for him,
was the result of a nation's gratitude to a distinguished
benefactor, creditable to ourselves and justly due to
438 REMINISCENCES
him. Hence, every American not lost to the ennobling
principles of our nature, felt himself a debtor to the
brave, the generous La Fayette ; and rejoiced at an
opportunity to pay respect to the man who had periled
his life and fortune in our cause ; and by pecuniary
advances to remunerate those services, and in a mea-
sure restore the fortune which he had so generously
sacrificed. The devotion to him was the result of a
far different feeling from that manifested towards the
distinguished Scandinavian songstress. She came among
us with a most enviable reputation, established on
ennobling and virtuous principles, well known here
before her arrival among us. Sprung from the humble
walks of life, of obscure parentage, and dependant on
her own exertions for success, she has after attaining
an unrivalled eminence in. her profession, had the good
sense to wear her honors meekly, which of itself is a
triumph to which few females similarly situated would
be likely to attain. There is a kindness, a generosity,
a goodness of heart in her nature, that places her far
above the position of almost any one who follows
similar pursuits.
It is true our people are excitable, and enthusiastic
in their admiration of distinguished performers from
abroad; but making due allowances for this, and for
the artificial excitement created b}' newspaper para-
graphs, the effect of which no man can better calculate
than Mr. Barnum, there are elements in Jenny Lind's
life and character that will always commend her, not
only to the admiration of our countrymen, but to their
warmest affections. Her whole cast of mind is closely
assimilated to the broad principles on which our
national institutions are founded. Were she an Ameri-
can citizen, as I hope she will be, she would make an
EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 439
excellent republican. Her feelings are with the masses,
and her sympathies prompt her to deeds of charit}',
calculated to improve and elevate their mental con-
dition.
A woman with these views, connected with a
benevolence of feeling continually prompting her to
relieve the suffering, and improve the condition of her
fellow-beings, can never fliil of being a decided fa7
vorite with our people. She would be so, without
those musical qualities for which she is distinguished
far above any competitor. The annoyances to v/hich
she is said to have been subjected, by the reception of
numerous letters askino; charitv, are di52;raceful in the
extreme ; and I fear will.be calculated to induce a low
estimate of our countrj^men. .
Is self-respect entirely obliterated? It is bad
enough for those connected with charitable or other
institutions, to intimate a desire to be recipients of her
bount}'; but for individuals to become mendicants and
alms-seekers, to the extent represented, is shameful to
them and disreputable to the country.
I hope she will have good sense enough to make
ample provision for herself, her family, and ffiends, so as
to secure a liberal competency through life, beyond all
contingencies; and then, if she can carry out her free
school project for her countrymen, she will establish a
reputation more desirable, and should be more hon-
ored and enduring, than all the conquerors who have
graced and embellished the annals of the world.
Scarcely had the sweet strains of the enchantress
died upon our ears, and the excitement subsided which
her appearance among us had created, when the illus-
trious Magyar chieftain became the engrossing object
of the public mind. Every one must see and hear
440 REMINISCENCES
Kossuth, whose advent was hailed and regarded as
the oreat epoch of the day. The mind of this great
city, and I may say of the whole country, has seemed
to be absorbed and intensely excited ; so that it would
really appear that we could not exist without an ex-
citement of some kind.
That he is an orator of a high order of talents, no
one who has heard or read his speeches can doubt;
but intense and engrossing as the feeling was on his
arrival, and as it remained for many days, it is now
evidently wearing off in the city, and we are waiting
for some other interesting event to take its place.
There is unquestionably a deep feeling of sympathy
among our citizens in every part of the republic, for
the Hungarian cause; but I cannot comprehend the
earnest appeals for aid, unless it is certain that another
struo-ale is to be made for the independence of that
nation. To talk about that struggle, or of "non-inter-
vention," while the people of that country are quiescent,
and while they are held in servitude by foreign bayo-
nets, which they have no adequate power to resist,
even if they have the will, is the very romance of
knight errantry.
With a fair prospect of success, I should rejoice to
see Hungary again in arms against her oppressors;
and that time will probably come at some future day,
should the German people make common cause, in
favor of popular rights : but the affairs of Europe, even
of France, I regret to believe, do not at present indicate
such an event, or that it could be successful, if under-
taken.
A better and more favorable day I hope may soon
dawn, when the tyrants who have so long governed
and oppressed the European people, may be brought
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 411.
into judgment; and that the masses, now regarded as
little above serfs, may acquire those natural rights to
vi^hich they are entitled, while each nation is left to
regulate its own affairs, independent of foreign inter-
position or aggression. When that time arrives, ' in-
tervention" and "aid" may have a meaning; and
patriotism may be invoked for objects that now appear
impracticable, if not visionary.
44:2 REMINISCENCES
CHAPTER XXIII.
Visit Cherry Valley, October, 1850. Splendid View from
its high Hills. Picturesque appearance of Forest Sce-
nery. Flight of Birds to the South. Visit Cooperstown
and Susq^uehanna Valley. The late George Clarke,
and Tricide7its. Visit Osicego. Death of Christian J.
BurcJcle.
It is now November, 1850, and I have just returned
from Oswego, where, after more than eight months'
absence, I have been on a short visit. More than forty
j"ears ago I was spending my first autumn in Cherry
Valley, where I now stopped a few days on my way
to Oswego. My excursion there was in October,
before the forest trees had cast off their foliage, but
after they haS lost the freshness and deep green of
summer.
Those high blue hills, dividing the waters of the
Mohawk from the Susquehanna, which appear so for-
midable and forbidding as you rise from the immediate
bed of the former river, are admirably calculated to
show off" the beauties of forest scenery, constituted as
they are of lofty hills and picturesque vallies.
I know of no position in the state, except from the
summit of Catskill mountain, where so fine and exten-
sive a view can be obtained, as from the top of the "
hill above the turnpike gate, two miles east of Cherry
Valle}'. From that lofty eminence, with a small teles-
cope I have counted the windows in Johnstown court-
house, nearly thirty miles distant. You look down
EY LEVI BEAUDSLEY. 443
upon Bowman's Creek Valley as upon a map, and
trace it till it loses itself in the valley of the Mobawk.
The eye can follow the course of that river from Little
Falls to Schenectad}^ ; while the high ridge of forest land
that divides its waters from, those of the St. Lawrence,
alone interrupts the vision to the north. The elevated
lands in Rensselaer and Washington counties, and
western Massachusets, may plainly be traced v/hile
away off in the north-east ; the Green Mountains may
be seen stretching far to the north, in solitary grandeur,
and skirting the eastern boundary of Lake Champlain.
Those who appreciate the beauties of mountain
scenery, will find themselves amply paid for their
trouble, if they will, on a clear summer or autumnal
day, take a survey from that giddy height. It is
several years since I visited Cherry Valley at that
particular season of the year. All the way, the hills
and vallies presented the gay yet melancholy aspect
of autumn : gay, because the shrubbery and trees were
yet clothed with their summer dress ; but it had as-
sumed all the tawdry colors of the season, from the
faded green to the pale and dark lemon ; the beech
leaf, with its modest brown yellow ; the sumach, from
its native green, through every variety of shade up to
the deep scarlet ; and then the sugar and water maple,
green, yellow, purple, and red, beautifully commingled.
The village of Cherry Valley, skirted by hills,
abounds with maple and other trees, which have so
far grown, that it has the appearance of a village in a
juvenile forest. Birds, particularly robin redbreast,
resort there in great numbers; and at the time I was
there, they were gathering for their annual flight to the
south. I have, no doubt that more than one hundred
of them fed daily on the red berries of the mountain
444 REMINISCENCES
ash, of which tree great numbers were luxuriantly
growing, on the beautiful homestead of my late friend
Judge Morse. The little pilferers seemed to regard
those trees as planted, and the fruit preserved, for
their express accomodation. No matter ; it is all right ;
let them enjoy the fruits of the season. The poor things
want something to cheer and support them for their
long journey. This brings to my remembrance an
incident at Columbus, Ohio. While I resided there,
the winter of 1844 was very mild, and the blackbirds
came back a month earlier than usual. The red-
headed woodpecker was also there, whistling and
tapping the hollow trees. I had two thousand bushels
of corn in a building, with the windows all open, to
promote the free circulation of air. The weather
changed suddenly and became cold, which induced
hundreds of blackbirds, accompanied by wood-peckers,
to resort to my corn for daily food. My hired men
proposed to close the windows, and exclude them,
which I forbade, as I was quite sure their depredations
would cease with the return of warm weather. The
blackbirds did not treat me well; for on planting my
corn in the spring, the ungrateful rascals seemed to
take special delight in pulling it up, so that I had to
shoot many of the black-coated gentr}"-, to make them
" a terror to evil doers."
But to return from this digression. After a brief
visit at Cherry Valley I went on to Cooperstown, and
thence down the Susquehanna to Milford. Coopers-
town, beautiful and romantic as ever, remains with
but little apparent increase, at the foot of the splendid
lake so much admired by all who visit it; while
" Mount Vision" at the east, rises with, solemn gran-
deur to obstruct the early rays of the morning sun.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 446
Here a division of General Sullivan's arm}'', under
Gen. Clinton, concentrated, and by damming, and thus
raising the water of the lake, were enabled to float
down the river in batteaux, on its augmented waters,
as they went on, to chastise the savages during the
revolutionary war.
This delightful village, which is the county seat of
the large, intelligent, agricultural county of Otsego,
has been brought into general notice among the reading
community, as the residence of James F. Cooper, esq.
the novelist, whose " Pioneers" has faithfully delineated
many of its localities, and chronicled the early inci-
dents connected with its settlement and growth. Several
distinguished citizens of the state have been, and still
are among its inhabitants, whose beautiful picturesque
mansions adorn and add to the interest of its natural
attractions.
Looking up to the north over the blue expanse of
waters may be seen a high head-land jutting out into the
lake, where stands Hyde Hall, the splendid and costly
residence of the late George Clark, now owned and
occupied by his son. Mr. Clark, the elder, was an En-
glishman by birth, and came to this country a few years
after the revolution. He was a descendant in the direct
line from Lieutenant Governor Clark, a former provin-
cial governor of New York, from whom the late George
Clark (who I believe was his grandson) derived a large
landed estate in Otsego county, as well as other portions
of the state, and in other states also. George Clark
encountered, at an early day, much opposition from his
tenantry. The tenure by which they held their lands
was not in accordance with the views of our citizens
generally. These large estates were leased out, some
on durable leases, at a small rent, and others for
446 REMINISCENCES
three lives or twenty-one years. I have a lease drawn
out on a monstrous scroll of parchment, executed by his
ancestor, and acknowledged before Sir William John-
son, now nearly one hundred years old, under which,
as assignee, I used to own and occupy one of his farms
in Cherry Valley. For many years I was tenant under
Mr. Clark for this and other farms, and alwavs found
him kind and gentlemanly, so that I wanted no better
landlord. He, of course, wanted his rents and what
legally was due to him ; and in exacting these his un-
doubted rights, he no doubt offended many of his tenants,
who wanted a little more than their own. It was a
tenure that I have often told him would give him
trouble; for in my judgment, it was calculated to
invite aggressions on his rights, and its tendencies
were adverse to the rapid growth and improvement of
the country, as with us, each one wanted to bo sole
owner and master of what he possessed.
I have no doubt that leasing real estate in agricultu-
ral districts is a m.ost pernicious S3^stem, and so
I used to argue with him. Had he lived till the present
time, he would have probably found in the anti-rent
demonstrations, good cause to change his views, so far
at least as the profits of leasing are concerned.
I am told that his son is inchned to pursue a different
course, and by selling out the fee of his extensive do-
mains, will relieve himself from much trouble ; and I
hope, will realize in the interest of his money, a better
return than from the rents exacted under the old leases.
To do justice to his father's memory, I wish to
state as the result of my honest and unbiassed judg-
ment, that had tenants treated him with respect and
kindness, and paid him the rents honestly due to him,
ihey would have had no good right to complain ; but thr<v
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 447
disliked the relation of landlord and tenant, and hence
he was frequently annoj^ed with insolent demands,
which his high English notions o^ strict right would not
allow hitn to concede. He could be as obstinate as
they, and hence collisions. Otsego county certainly
should not complain of Mr. Clark, for he not only ex-
pended his rents derived from that county, but a far
larger amount, in the erection of those elegant buildings
that adorn his estate ; and which are, undoubtedly, the
most expensive structures in the county, and probably,
the best private establishment west of Albany.
He was a man of extensive reading, well informed,
social in his feelings, hospitable to those with whom he
was on intimate terms ; and I believe a strictly honest
man. His prejudices were strong, and if he beKeved
any one intended to w'rong him, he was stubborn in
resisting any invasions of his rights ; but with kind
treatment, on the other side, Mr. Clark, so far as I knew
him, could be relied upon for a corresponding return of
kind feelings. I have been the recipient of his hospi-
tality, though not of his patronage and have a right to
speak of him, as T believe him to have been an honest,
intelligent, worthy man. That he was social and com-
panionable, I hioiv, for he gave good dinners, conversed
well, told a good stor}'", delighted in a good one from
others, and when in merry mood, would sing a good
song, but generally one that he had brought with him
from "merrieold Endand." In short he was an En-
O
glish gentleman in his habits and feelings. I hope it
will not be regarded as invading the sanctity of domes-
tic relations, if I allude to some of the incidents con-
nected with that baronial establishment.
Mr. Clark in his feelings, was thoroughly English.
He delighted to have his dinner got up in old English
44S heminiscences
style, with the best of roast beef and mutton, garnished
with such delicacies as' the lake and country afforded,
and just such as his countrymen, who knew how to
appreciate good things, would order, were they the
caterers, and in these particulars he hardly ever failed
to excel. Not only were his household arrangements
in this style but he was English in his religious views ;
unless those matters were in accordance with good old
mother church, they were not acceptable. I was invited
nearly, if not quite-, thirty years ago, to attend the
christening of his son, the present owner of that princely
establishment. Good old Father Nash, with several
other episcopal clergymen were in attendance, and in
the end received, it was said, liberal presents. The
late Jt)hn Van Der Speigle Scott, of Catskill, was one of
the sponsors ; I do not recollect the other, but there were
two. Several were there from Utica, a large number
from Cooperstown and the surrounding country. The
christening was performed with suitable solemnity and
gravity, aiKl in due time the dinner was announced,
which was in that substantial, excellent style, that just
such a man as Mr. Clark would be likely to order on
such an occasion. I never knew him more talkative and
pleasant, nor could his guests feel otherwise than good-
natured and satisfied with him, as well as themselves.
In due time the ladies and clergy retired; and then
his guests were effectually plied with creature comforts.
There was nothing he seemed to delight in more than
to sit and enjoy rational conversation ; to discuss liter-
ary and other questions ; to tell stories and hear good
songs, and in the end, get his guests, or a portion of
them, " under the table." On this occasion, after par-
taking of his good things and good cheer, on leaving the
table in the early part of the evening, they repaired
BY LEVI EEARDSLEY. 419
to the plateau in front of the house, where some of
them ran foot races in the dark, but with no great
credit to themselves as pedestrians.
As they were going back into the house, one of his
guests, who sometimes indulged too freely, mis-stay'd
and fell into the hall, obstructing, as he lay, the closing
of the outer door. One of the servants came to Mr.
Clark, and asked him what he should do with the
" large gentleman," who had fallen in the doorway, and
was not able to get up ? The answer was " drag him
in and put him under the table," which was forthwith
complied with, where he remained till morning. Those
were gay, frolicsome times, and though they may now
appear to have been rude, and perhaps wanting in grav-
ity ; yet, I very much doubt whether thirty years have
made any great improvement in the substantial qualities
of a feast, or the enjoyment of it after it was prepared.
It is very much the same still.
.r The remains of the founder of Hyde Hall rest near
the mansion ; where his son, in the enjo3^ment of an
ample patrimony, maintains the reputation of a worthy
honest man, and a gentleman of decided worth and
popularity.
In 1834, I had the honor of an invitation from Mr.
Clark to attend the wedding of his daughter. Delicacy
forbids saying much about a wedding party, because
ladies are more or less mixed up in such an affair ; but
I may be permitted to remark that the company was
not only large but highly respectable. His tenantry
had been invited to come there in the afternoon, and
came in great numbers to enjoy his good cheer ; and
then returned home before the wedding feast, which
did not take place until evening ; but was then ample,
and befitting a rich princely establishment like his. I
29
450 REMINISCENCES
shall not very soon forget that evening, for to imprest
more forcibly its recollection, my driver, who was an
Eno-lishman, managed to overcharge himself with stimu-
lants, and in the dark, upset the carriage, nearly break-
incr both our necks, as we went into the ditch.
It is time to return from this digression, and pass
down the river, from, Cooperstown to Milford. I thought
the lofty hills on each side never appeared so beautiful.
All the varieties that constitute the beauties of an
American forest in autumn were before me in their
most attractive form; and when I looked on "old
Crum Horn" mountain, as it rose between, and divided
the Susquehanna from the "classic waters of Schene-
vas," as my friend Alvan Stewart used to call them,
I thought a landscape view could not be presented
more appropriate, for the painter who delights to
adorn his canvas with the beauties of nature.
There is an indescribable beauty and richness in
the American forest, as viewed through the medium
of an autumnal atmosphere and Indian summer's sun-
shine. There is a sober melancholy, which is heightened
by the reflection that a few weeks will scatter the rich
drapery, and make those gaudy appendages the sport
of winter's chilling blasts. To render our forests most
attractive in autumn, the dark rich green of the hem-
lock, fir, and pine, are indispensable. These ever-
greens form such a beautiful contrast with the varied
hues of other foliage, interspersed with them, that no
one, unless perfectly insensible to the charms that
nature spreads abroad, can fail to admire them.
My visit at Oswego was painfully unpleasant.
My old friend, Christian J. Burckle, who had been
sick for several weeks, was evidently near his end,
and soon paid the great debt. I had known IMr. Bur-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 451
ckle sixteen or seventeen years; and our associations
were of that intimate kind, that I am sure I knew him
well. He was an excellent man, of varied and exten-
sive information, ardent and sincere in his attachments, a
kind parent and devoted friend. His death so shocked
my feelings, that it nearly destroyed the pleasure ot
my visit ; and when I came back from Oswego, and
aoain stopped a day at Cherry Valley, my short visit
there seemed as gloomy as if attending a funeral.
452 ' REMINISCENCES
CHAPTER XXIV.
To77ibstone Records. Recollections of Individuals. Anecdotes
and Incidents. Notice of Col. Campbell and Family.
Col. Clyde and his Family. Archibald McKillip.
Hugh Mitchell Wells Fa?nily Col. Alden. Notice of
Col. Willett. Joseph Brandt and the Butlers. Captain
Clark. A Monument wanting.
The melancholy state of mind under which I was
'laboring, on coming back to Cherry Valley from Os-
wego, as mentioned at the close of the last chapter,
was not inappropriate to the occasion. The season of
the year {then November) was of itself calculated to
induce reflection, and t(5 impress the mind with solemn
recollections; but in addition to this, the death of so
many of my old neighbors and associates, always
renders my thoughts of a sombre cast whenever I go
there, though there is a melancholy pleasure inter-
mingled, such as we feel on visiting a cemetery, and
reading the names of departed friends.
At that time I strayed through the grave-yard, as
I always do; and as there is much to interest the
contemplative mind, particularly those who are familiar
with, or delight in hearing individual incidents, I invite
my reader to go with me, in imagination, through that
receptacle of the dead. It is quite probable, that on
looking at the names, we may call up recollections of
some that will not be devoid of interest. Here you will
find some of those who, as pioneers, first led the way
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 453
jnto this romantic and then far-ofl' valley ; and ot tlieir
descendants, who perilled their lives in the struggle
for independence. Any one looking through that
burying-ground, will be forcibly struck with the large
proportion of elderly people who rest there, and whose
memory is perpetuated by inscriptions on the grave-
stones. The first impression would be, that the place
is remarkably healthy, as it undoubtedly is. Let me
name over some of them, and throw in some hasty
recollections and incidents.
James Campbell died 1770, aged eighty years.
Sarah Simpson, his wife, died 1773, aged seventy-nine
years. This James Campbell, I suppose, was the
first of the Campbell family who came there among
the early settlers, not far from 1740, and was the
father of Col. Samuel Campbell, who died 1S24, aged
eighty-six years ; and great grandfather of Hon. Wil-
liam W. Campbell, of the city of New York, author
of the " Annals of Tryon County," and now judge of
the superior court. Jane Cannon, wife of Col. Samuel
Campbell, died 1836, aged ninety-two years.
Col. Campbell was an active, patriotic whig, of the
revolution. I think he was in the ill-fated expedition,
against Crown Point, during the old French war, where
Abercrombie was repulsed and defeated, and Lord
Howe killed. At the Oriskany battle, in 1777j he was
in the thickest of the fight ; and after General Herki-
mer was wounded and Col. Cott killed. Col. Campbell
succeeded to the command, and after maintaining the
contest with obstinate bravery, brought off that portion
of the survivors who had stood their ground, manfully,
instead of running away as some did, on being sur-
prised. He had several bullet holes through his
clothes, one ball cutting away the string by which his
45^ REMINISCENCES
powder horn was suspended. In 1778, when Cherry
Valley was surprised, and the settlement broken up
by tories and Indians, his buildings were burned, his
wife, with two or three children, made captives, and
carried off to Niagara, thence to Canada, and down to
Montreal, where, after an absence of two years, they
were exchanged for the family of Col. John Butler.
Col. Campbell, who was on his farm some distance
from the house, escaped. When he learned that the
savages had made their onset, his first impulse was to
reach his house and to defend it and his family to the
last extremity ; but on coming in sight he saw it on
fire, and surrounded by Indians. He could not save
his family, though by flying to the woods he was
enabled to escape himself.
Mrs. Campbell travelled on foot, and the greater
part of the way carried her infant child. The Indians
had intimated an intention to kill it, that it might no
longer be an incumbrance to the party, or hindrance on
their long journ^5^ She begged them to spare the
child and she would take the sole charge of it, severe
as the task was, to carry an infant and keep up with
the retreating party.
At, or soon after the close of the war. Col. Campbell
rebuilt his house, and when Gen. Washington, Gov.
George CKnton and others visited the western part of the
state, they stopped with him over night. He was an
old fashioned republican of the JefFersonian school,
and always a decided friend and admirer of Gov.
George Clinton, as he was afterwards of Gov. De Witt
CHnton, his nephew. Col. Campbell represented the
county of Otsego as one of its members of assembly,
not far from the commencement of the present century.
During the war of 1812, he was decided in his ap-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 4-55
proval of its declaration, and was for sustaining vigor-
ous measures for its prosQCution. It seemed to rouse
up his spirit and to awaken early prejudices against
the mother countr}'', for revolutionary atrocities.
His eldest son, Doctor Wm. Campbell, is buried
near his father. He was an excellent man, remarkably
well informed ; represented the county in the assembly
for several sessions, and in 1835 was made surveyor
general, the duties of which office he discharged with
fidelity and skill. In 1S44 he departed this life at the
advanced age of seventy-six years, his wife Mrs. Sabrina
Campbell, a lady of much worth, having died at the age
of fifty- four years, in 1830.
Eleanor, wife of Samuel Dickson and daughter of
Col. Campbell, died 1844, aged sevent3''-four years.
Samuel Dickson her husband, died 1822, aged fifty-
seven years, who, previous to his death, erected a stone
at the grave of his mother, with this inscription: "In
memory of Elizabeth Dickson, wife of Wm. Dickson,
who was barbarously murdered by the savages, 11th
November, 1778, aged forty-eight years."
Matthew Campbell, another son of Col. Campbell,
aged about seventy years, and his wife about the same
age, are also buried there. I might say much more in
reference to the Campbell fam.ily, and of their captivity
and sufferings during the revolutionary vv'ar, but it has
been better told and on more authentic information than
lean pretend to, by Hon. Wm. W. Campbell in his
" Annals of Tryon County," and to that interesting work
the reader is referred.
Gen. Elijah Holt, then of Buffalo, died in 1826,
aged sixty-four years, and is buried in Cherry Valley,
as is his brother, Major Lester Holt, who at seventj'-five
years, died there. Ephraim Hudson, died 1801, aged
456 "'reminiscences
eightjwjight. Ephraim his son, 1S05, aged forty-eight.
Jesse Johnson, aged eighty-seven. Isaac Seelye, esq.,
1833, aged fifty-four years. Wm. Cook, died 1S29,
at^ed eighty-one years. His wife Candace, 1S35, aged
sixty-nine.
This William Cook was an Englishman b}'' birth;
an old seaman, and was the " Ben Pump" of Cooper's
" Pioneers." Patrick Davison, one of the earl}^ settlers,
died in 1S13, aged seventy-nine years. His wife Mary,
in 1S30, aged ninety-four. Archibald McKellip, died
1847, aged more than ninety. His wife Mary, died
1843, aged eighty-two years. Archibald McKellip was
a Vv'hig in the revolution, served seven years in the
army ; was at the storming of Quebec when Mont-
gomery fell, and was an honest, worthy, industrious
man, and good citizen. James Thompson also a
revolutionary soldier, died 1821, aged sixty years.
James Cannon another revolutionary whig, brother to
Mrs. Campbell the wife of Col. Campbell, died 1829,
aged seventy-eight years. His wife, of nearly the
same age rests by him. Col. Libbeus Loomis, a revo-
lutionary officer and member of the Cincinnati Society,
died 1836, aged seventy-nine j'^ears. His sister, Mrs.
Little, wife of Dr. David Little, died 1846, aged seventy-
seven. Dr. Little, her husband, 1832, aged sixt3'-five.
years. Dr. Delos White, 1835, aged forty-six. Major
John Walton, 1S12, aged forty-nine 3'ears. William
Peeso, revolutionary soldier, 1831, aged seventy-three
years. His wife Lydia, 1846, aged eighty-two. -Eliza-
beth, widow of the late Reverend Aaron Putnam, of
Pom fret, Connecticut, died 1835, aged ninety. Hugh
Mitchell, an old man, and respectable ; whom I used
to know, lies there without a stone to mark his
resting-place. He was very near a hundred years old
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 457
when he died ; and was buried near the soutli-side of
the yard by the remains of his first wife and six child-
ren, who were butchered by the savages in 1778. He
barely escaped by fleeing to the adjacent woods, where
he concealed himself till the enemy were gone, when he
returned, placed his murdered family on an ox sled,
and drove them to the fort, where they were buried,
and the old man by request, was placed beside them,
when he died. Another very old man of m}^ former
acquaintance, lies there, who died in 1814, at an ex-
ceedingly advanced age. He was known as " Old
Jackey Foster," was at Cherry Valley long before
the revolution, came there from Scotland or the North
of Ireland ; was as he said in the battle of Culloden in
1746, and used to sing anti-jacobite songs.
One of his couplets was something like the follow-
ing :
" And buttocks bare, were turned up there,
Of many a brawny Highland mony
Foster was a man of coarse, low wit, and used to
crack his jokes, and play off his tricks with an almost
unhmited license. At the early organization of the
county, there was considerable strife between Cherry
Valley and Cooperstown, in relation to public build-
ino-s.
O
The former was settled fifty years before the latter,
and had been destroj'ed during the revolutionary
struggle, and hence felt entitled to public favor.
It is said, that Judge Cooper, on one occasion, play-
fully remarked, that the court house should be placed
in Cooperstown, the jail in New Town Martin (Middle-
field,) and the gallows in Cherry Valley. Dr. Joseph
White, afterwards first judge, and Luther Rich, esq.,
were leading men in Cherry Valley ; and Foster who
45S REMINISCENCES
was always poor, and inclined to his drink, had not
much credit with these or others of his neighbors. He
frequently wanted to borrow small sums of money, and
would go to Judge Cooper, always taking care to con-
ciliate his feehngs as Foster supposed, by roundly abus-
ing Messrs. White and Rich, and other men of influ-
ence at home. Judge Cooper who understood the ob-
ject, would listen to Foster's various devices to obtain
money, and sometimes obliged him by small loans,
thouoh none the more for the abuse of his neighbors.
On one occasion he had been sworn as a witness, when,
on coming out of court the judge asked him whether
he had sworn to the truth ? Foster laid his hand on
his breast, and raising his eyes, said, with much appa-
rent solemnity,
" I have Judge, as I am a Christian mony
" But did you tell the whole truth,'''' says the judge ?
" Yes, yer Honor" (with a significant wink of his
ej^e,) " and a d d sight more."
CoL Alden, who was in command, when Cherry
Valley was destroyed, and was killed outside of the
fort, has a plain slab to mark his grave ; with this in-
scription :
" In memory of the brave Col. Ichabod Alden, a na-
tive of Danburj', Massachusetts, who was murdered
by the savages in this place, on the memorable ilth
day of November, 1778, in the thirty-second year of
his age." His remains are by the side of Col. and
Mrs. Clyde. When her grave was dug in 1825, being
crowded upon that of Col. Alden, his remains became
visible. I saw and examined his skull, which was
sound as when first buried. The tomahawk with
which he was struck, after being shot, had not cut
through the skuli to the brain, but seemed to have
I
BY LEVI BEARDSLEV 459
glanced off, chipping away a portion of the skull. The
cavity was discolored with blood, and several lines or.
marks, where the tomahawk had entered were red
and bright. Alvan Stewart took one of the loosened
teeth.
Col. Samuel Clyde of whom I have just spoken was
born in Windham, Rockingham county. New Hamp-
shire, April 11th, 1732, and died in Cherry Valley,
November 30th, 1790. He was an ardent devoted
whig during the revolutionary struggle, and all agree
t1iat he was a man of indomitable resolution, and true
courage. During the French war he held a commis-
sion as captain, which commission is now almost one
hundred years old, and is in the hands of his youngest
son, CoL Joseph Clyde. He was in the expedition
against Ticonderoga during that war, and was engaged
in that sanguinary contest. He was also at the taking
of Frontenac under Col. Bradstreet. On the breaking
. out of the revolution he took an active part against the
mother country ; was a member of assembl}^ in the
first legislature under the state constitution of 177S,
having been elected from what was then Tryon ; and
subsequently Montgomery county, of which latter
county he was the first sheriff after its organization.
He came to Cherry Valley, then a portion of Tryon
county, seventeen or eighteen years before the revolu-
tion, and resided on the farm now owned by some of
**" his grand children near the village. Neither he or Mrs.
Clyde, his wife, had any relative there except their
children.
He was engaged in the Oriscany battle in 1777,
where he was knocked down b}^ a blow from a British
musket, but was rescued by a man named John Flock,
who shot the man who had given the blow. The next
46Q REMINISCENCES
year 177S, he was appointed Col. of the Canajoharle
regiment, which he commanded till the war closed.
With this regiment or a portion of it, he was en-
gaged in the Palatine battle, when his men took a field
piece from Sir John Johnson ; and Col. Clyde took a
musket from the enemy, now owned by his grandson,
Hon. George C. Cl3'de. At the interview with Brandt, at
Unadilla, CoL Cl3'-de was present with Gen. Herkimer,
whose confidence he enjo3^ed during the life of the
general.
After Col. Clj'de was commissioned as such, and
after the destruction of Cherry Valley, a small fort
was constructed at Freysbush, in the present town of
Canajoharie, which was named after him " Fort
Clyde."
There was in the British service, an active, bold,
and desperate partizan officer, who, I believe, was a
tory, named Joseph Bettis, or some such name, who
was hung at Albany as a spy, before the war closed.
This Bettis had offered a reward of SlOOto any one
who would deliver Col. Clyde into his bands. The
Col., of course, was on his guard, and was always
armed when he went from home. Bettis told Archibald
McKellip, who I have already mentioned, that on a
certain occasion he was in the woods, when he saw
Col. Clyde who was armed Avith a gun within eight or
ten rods of him. Cl3^de was not aware that he was in
the presence of his dangerous adversary ; and Bettis
drew up his gun by the side of a tree to shoot him. He
told McKellip, that on taking aim at him he felt an im-
pression that he was about to shoot a brave man, who,
if not killed, would be very likely to fight desperately
and to kill him before the contest was over ; and on re-
flecting on it he dare not shoot, and thus assassinate
I
BY LEVI EEARDSLEY. 461
even an adversary. Col. Clyde was the first justice of
the peace in Cherry Vallej'-, after the revolution. Dur-
ing the war and even after its close, he was very much
devoted to the public service, to the neglect of his own
affairs ; for he went to New York in 1784, and on state
security, raised money to pay arrearages, due the
officers and soldiers of his regiment,
His wife, Mrs. Catharine Wasson Cl3^de, was born
in Worcester, Mass., April 5, 1737, and at an early age
came with her father to the present town of Amsterdam,
near the residence of Sir William Johnson.
She was intimately acquainted with the celebrated
Indian chief, Brandt, who, when a boy, frequently
came to her father's house to play with her brothers.
Up to the time of her death, which was in 1825, at
the age of eightj^-seven ; she always expressed a con-
fident belief that if she could have seen Brandt before
the massacre at Cherry Valley, she could have prevailed
on him to have saved the inhabitants. She v/as*a niece
of Matthew Thornton, one of the signers of the Decla-
ration of Independence ; a courageous woman ; well
informed ; recollected all the events of the revolution,
particularly all the incidents relating to the destruction
of Cherry Valley. On that disastrous occasion, when
she found the settlement was attacked, she left her
house, and finding all communication with the fort cut
off", she with part of her family concealed themselves in
a thicket where they remained through the night of iXov.
11th, 1778. It was cold and stormy, and considerable
snow fell.
The darkness was enlivened with the light of burn-
ing buildings in every part of the settlement; and in the
course of that long and dreary night she heard Indians
pass and repass several times but a short distance from
4G2 RExMINISCENCES
where she was concealed. She kept her children still,
but she had with her a sniall dog who gave her intense
solicitude lest by his barking, he should attract the at-
tention of the savages ; but the dog seemed to under-
stand the importance of <' silent tongue^'' and kept
still.
On the morning of the 12th, a scout of twelve men
was sent from the fort; and then she emerged from
her concealment, all wet and chilly, from the snow
that had fallen, and went with the party to the fort.
Here she was presented by the officer in command
with one of his shirts, to take the place of her wet
undergarment. She retired to put it on; but one of
her daughters was missing, who separated from her
when they fled from the house, and who the mother,
with painful apprehensions, supposed had very likely
been captured or murdered by the enemy. Soon after
Mrs. Clyde had adjusted her dress, she was delighted
to see her daughter approaching the fort. When the
family left the house, they hurried to a thicket to
conceal themselves, and in the confusion of the moment
became separated. The young woman remained con-
cealed through the night, and next morning crept
stealthily from her concealment, intending to make a
desperate effort to reach the fort. Her father had a
mare, on which the girls were accustomed to ride, and
so gentle, that the young woman did not hesitate to
mount her without saddle or bridle. Guidins: her with
a stick, she made directly for the fort, by a ibot-path
across the flats, and came galloping up to the gateway,
her dishevelled hair streaming in the wind, and thus
was she united with the rest of the family
Mrs. Clyde was well-informed, for she read every
thing, and remembered all she read. I have frequently
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 463
heard her relate those revolutionary incidents ; and I
do not suppose there was a more earnest, resolute, and
devoted whig in the country than she was. It has
often been remarked, that her influence was as ofreat
in keeping up revolutionary ardor, as was any of the
settlers on that frontier, whether male or female. It
is proper to state, that several incidents that I have
related in reference to Col. Clyde, are from his grand-
son, Hon. George C. Clyde, in whose statements I
have the fullest confidence ; for having studied his pro-
fession with me, I ought to hioio something of his
reputation, and I have no doubt of the general accuracy
of his statements.
I have been at a loss to determine in my own
mind, whether the dreadful butchery that took place at
Cherry Valley is, as it has generally been, to be
attributed to a cold-blooded determination on the part
of Brandt, to massacre those who should fall into his
hands. Brandt had been educated, and had associated
much with white men, and was famihar with habits
and modes of civilized hfe. He is said to have been
a freemason ; and I have often heard it asserted by
the old residents of Cherry Valley, that he saved the
life of Lieut. Col. Stac}'-, who was second in command
of the fort, but being outside, was made prisoner when
Col. Alden was killed. It is said Stacy was a free-
mason, and as such made an appeal to Brandt, and
was spared. Judge James S. Campbell, of Cherry
Valley, who was then a child and a prisoner, informs
me, that he recollects seeing Col. Stacy stripped of his
clothing, as if about to be murdersd, but his hfe was
spared.
, I can easily imagine, that in the heat of battle, the
lives of prisoners might be sacrificed, even if orders
had been given to the contrary, for with civilized na-
464 REMINISCENCES
tions such melancholy events are not of rare occurrence.
But it is obvious that Brandt could not have been
ever3''where among the Indians, when the sudden
attack was made ; for they came up on each side of
the creek far removed from each other, and passing
by the fort hastily, spread over the settlement. I have
understood that Brandt always denied that he au-
thorised the destruction" of women and children, or of
men after they ceased to resist. No doubt he intended
to break up the settlement, and scatter the inhabitants
by fire and sword, and hoped to take and destroy the
fort. Whatever might have been his private wishes,
it was hardly possible to restrain the wild and blood-
thirsty savages from indulging in their natural pro-
pensities and their usages in war.
Another extenuating circumstance, in reference to
Brandt, may be drawn from the fact, that Capt,
Walter Butler, who commanded the "rangers," had
command of the party in this expedition, under whom
Brandt was a subordinate. Butler was the son of
Col. John Butler, who commanded the "greens," and
Walter Butler is known to have indulged in all the
barbarities of his savage associates, and was prover-
bial for his cruelties, for which he received a merited
retribution shortly afterwards.
In 1830 I met a son of the warrior Brandt, at
Saratoga. He was from Canada, and on learning that
I was from Cherry Valley, made many inquiries, and
remarked that he wished very much to visit the place.
He told me who he was, and said his father had been
cruelly misrepresented in regard to the Cherry Valley
massacres ; that he never authorized them, but on the
contrary, restrained the Indians as far as he could,
and always regretted the sacrifice of life.
The late WilUam McKown, who died a lew years
: BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 465
ago, related the following incident to me, which would
rather go to exculpate Brandt from the charge of a de-
sire for indiscriminate slaughter.
Mr. McKown was a lad when Cherry Valley was
destroyed, and the incident referred to was as follows :
The summer previous to the destruction of Cherry
Valley, he was raking hay on the McConnel farm, when
late in the afternoon he heard footsteps, and on turning
round, saw a man stealthily approaching him, who was
so near that escape seemed impossible.
The stranger was Brandt, w^ho was armed, and
came out of the adjacent woods. McKown was alarm-
ed, and his first thought was to make his escape, but
Brandt told him not to be alarmed, as he would not
hurt him.
He then enquired where one of the settlers might be
found, w^ho was suspected of being a tory in his pre-
judices, if not openly so, and on being directed to his
residence, peaceably departed. The settler referred to
was "Old Jackey Foster."
There is no doubt Brandt came there privately, to
ascertain the strength of the fort, and the condition
and location of the inhabitants, preparatory to the con-
templated attack.
In speaking of Col. Clyde, I have remarked that
he was engaged in the battle of Palatine.
I suppose this to have been one of those frontier
skirmishes, where Col. Willett was in command.
In one of those skirmishes Walter Butler, who was
son of Col. John Butler, was killed near Canada Creek.
Walter Butler commanded a company known as
' rangers," and generally accompanied the Indians in
their expeditions. He was as noted for his barbarities
as his most savage associates, and was the leader of
30
46b REAIINISCENCES
the party that destroyed Cherry Valley, a bold, vigilant,
and dangerous adversary.
Seebe Granger, a revolutionary soldier, who recently
died at Cherry Valley, has told me that he belonged
to a corps stationed at or near Herkimer or German
Flats.
They received orders to march up one of the Cana-
da Creeks with a view of attacking or cutting off But-
ler's party, who were retreating through the woods from
the neighborhood of Johnstown, where Willett had en-
countered them. The party to which Granger be-
longed, marched up the creek into the wilderness, and
struck the trail of the retreating party, and soon came
on the camp where they had stopped through the night.
The camp fires were burning, but the enemy were
away.
They were pursued, and on the opposite side of the
creek, Butler was discovered by the advanced scouts
of the American party. He had loitered behind his
own men, to see that they all hurried along in making
good their retreat.
They had all crossed the stream, and Butler at a
long shot distance from the pursuing party, with the
large creek between him and them, felt quite secure,
and to tantalize them, clapped his hand upon his poste-
riors. An Oneida Indian, who was with the American
party, was one of the foremost of the pursuers ; and
when Butler presented his backside, the Indian drew
up with deliberate aim and though a very long shot,
brought down his adversary. Rushing across the creek
he soon approached him. Butler attempted to rise, but
his back was broken, so that he was helpless ; and then
he begged for quarter. The Indian told him he should
have " Cherry Valley quarter,^^ and knocking him on
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 467
.the head, tore ofT his scalp, while he was yet writhing
in the agonies of death.
Granger saw him before he was quite dead, and
very soon a Dutch boy came to them who had been
enptured b}'' Butler's party, and escaped from them as
they v/ere hastily retreating.
Many other incidents might be related of those bor-
der troubles, but I fear my remarks are already too
desultory, and too much extended for "grave yard" re-
flections.
I was a member of the court for the correction
of errors, and was attending a session of that court in
the city of New York, when Col. Willett died. The
court was invited to attend his funeral. Those present
who remember the circumstances, will recollect that he
was buried in the dress that he formerly wore, which I
suppose, was his old revolutionary partizan field dress.
The coat was grey or mixed, and he had on his head
a half-military cap. How it happened that he was
thus clad I do not know, but presume he had requested
to be buried in the dress he had worn while in the ser-
vice of his country.
He was a brave, vigilant, and valuable officer, ad-
mirably qualified for active frontier services.
His remains were deposited in Trinity church-yard,
and volhes of musketry over the grave of the departed
hero were fired, but not till it began to grow dark, in
the evening.
Those who have read the " Annals of Tryon coun-
ty" and other works treating of those frontier contests,
will recollect the butchery of the Wells family at Cher-
ry Valley^ as one of the most appalling in that bloody
tragedy. They were all murdered except the late dis-
tinguished John Wells, of the city of New York, who
^(68 REMINISCENCES
was absent at the time ; and the whole family consigned
to a common grave without a stone to mark their burial
place.
In addition to those I have mentioned, many other
old people are buried there; among others, Simeon
Goodell, a revolutionary soldier, nearly ninety years
old. Also captain Jerome Clark, who was in Bunker
Hill battle, and served through the war. He lived to
the advanced age of ninety-four years, always sustain-
ing the character of an American patriot, as well as a
good citizen, and upright religious man.
There is a mournful pleasure in looking at the
graves of my old neighbors and friends ; and at my last
visit my mind was in that gloomy state, that I would
not on any account have omitted my usual ramble
" among the tombs." Only think of the changes where
I resided thirty years. To say nothing of children and
other relatives, look at the list of a small portion of my
old associates. Isaac Seelye, Judge Morse, the two Dr.
Whites, Dr. Campbell, Mr. Rose, Mason Fitch, and
many others, now no more. Scarcely any of those of
my immediate associates remain, except Judge Ham-
mond, Judge Campbell, Mr. Ripley, and a few others.
My old friend Brackett, as I have elsewhere remarked,
is alive, but has gone to the Mississippi, and is so far
removed and advanced in life, that we shall probably
never again see each other. Mason Fitch went off
suddenly, an honest, noble-souled, kind-hearted man.
At the time of his death, I thought no one could have
been taken from that little society whom I should more
miss and deplore than him. Judge Hammond is there
still, but age impairs his health, and too clearly indicates
the wintry period of hfe.
Mr. Trull, one of the most stirring, energetic, busi-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 469
ness men in the village, came there at a later period;
and though he and myself for many years have been on
close intimate terms, I do not class him among my
" oldest associates."
I shall always hold Cherry Valley in kind remem-
brance. It is the birth-place of my children. Thirty
years of my life, and by far the best and most prosper-
ous, were spent there. The confidence of its chizens
was extended to me beyond what I had a right to ex-
pect ; and being the resting-place of two of my child-
ren, and the birth-place of all, with two brothers and a
sister sleeping in its grave-yard, I should hold myself
in abhorrence could I forget or cease to love and vener-
ate its hallowed associations. No ! I deliQ;ht to cherish
these recollections, and to dwell on the vicissitudes of
bye-gone years, when hope, joy, and bright anticipations
for the future were predominant, and impelled me for-
ward in the " strus^ofle of life."
I delight to visit that yard, where in the stillness of
the evening, I have frequently called up in memory the
. recollection of many friends now sleeping their " last
sleep." May the clods of that beautiful and romantic
valley lie gently on them ; and the remembrance of
their names and their virtues come up sweetly to the
recollection and contemplation of surviving friends.
There is one thing wanting, that will occur to every
visitant who brings to mind the horrid massacre during
the revolutionary war.
Strange as it may now seem when our frontier set-
tlements are pushed to the Rocky Mountains, to say
nothing of the Pacific, Cherry Valley was then an ex-
posed and poorly protected settlement ; where its seclu-
ded inhabitants were Hable to surprise at any time by
lurking savages, which alas, was too fearfully realized.
470 REMINISCENCES
Every one acquainted with revolutionary incidents,
knows that next to the massacre of Wyoming, none
were attended with more fearful consequences, more
suffering and brutal sacrifice of life, without regard to
sex, age, or condition, than were here perpetrated.
Whole families were immolated and consigned to a
common grave. On visiting the village in 1S4S, I was
so impressed with the belief that its citizens would at
some future time, desire to place something there, that
should perpetuate the remembrance of the sad event,
that I asked Col. Clyde, who knew the spot where the
Wells family and others of the murdered were buried,
to point it out.
This he did, and as the old inhabitants were near-
ly all gone, and those remaining rapidly passing away,
we drove a stake near the centre of the pit, to designate
the place, in hopes that at some subsequent period a
monument might be placed there.
My Cherry Valley friends, I trust, may yet awake
to the subject, and by erecting some suitable, plain, sub-
stantial monument with appropriate inscription, thus
mark the spot, and by perpetuating the event, add an"
additional attraction to that hallowed locahty.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 471
CHAPTER XXV.
Unadilla Hunts. Mcmlers of the Club. IIo}t. Shcr7nan
Page, Grand Sachem. A Week's Shooting. Preinimti
Buck awarded Dog Prima. Interlopers ajid Poachers
punished. Shoot a large Buck. Splendid Sport for a
Day, and Carousal at Night. Various Licideiits.
Letters from Judge Page and Col. Clapp. Poems hy
the late Henry R. Storrs and Morris S. Miller. Primo
extricated from a perilous condition. Exploits and
Incidents.
" Hark ! the goddess Diana calls aloud for the chase,
Bright Phoubus awakens the morn!" Hunting So7ig.
As I was formerly a member of the Unadilla Hunting
Club, I must devote a large portion of a chapter, which
I fear will be too much in extenso, to sports of the field,
growing out of visits to that celebrated sporting ground.
Those Unadilla hunts, about thirty years ago, were
better managed, I imagine, than any of the kind in
this state for many years, and were attended by sports-
men who came, some of them, more than sixty miles,
about which distance I used to go. From Chenango
several used to attend, among whom were Col. Clapp,
Gen. Rathbone, Judge Monell, Simon G. Throop, Gen.
Peter Sken Smith, Hon. John G. Clark, and Col. Ben-
jamin, now deceased. Judge Morris, of Butternuts,
Col. Starkweather, and Joseph Miller, of Cooperstown;
Messrs. Devereaux, Lansing, and Griswold, from
Utica, with others from abroad. At Unadilla, Hon.
Sherman Page, who has been judge of Otsego county,
representative in assembly, and twice elected to con-
472 REMINISCENCES
gress, was the soul of the hunt, and was known as our
" grand sachem." Henry Ogden, esq. since deceased,
a fine talented fellow, but amazingly fond of hunting
and fishing, was one of the association, and a most
keen sportsman. Dr. Colwell, an old school-fellow
with me, still living at Unadilla, was also one of the
craft.
These meetings were in the autumn, for several
successive years, generally in November, and usually
commenced Tuesday morning, winding off Friday
evening. The time devoted to them was given up,
particularly the evening, to boisterous mirth and roister-
ing stirring events. In the course of the week, the
grand sachem would give an excellent supper, which
from the substantial fare and abundance of creature
comforts, should have been dignified as dinner, except
as the day's sport compelled the table exercises to
come off in the evening. One or two good saddles of
venison always constituted part of these feasts, to
which were added other substantial as well as luxuries,
of which the fine Susquehanna pike taken by friend
Ogden, were indispensable. Wine and brandy were
not unsparingly proffered, and those suppers passed
ofT with an exuberance of good feeling and good cheer,
that rendered them, as well as their hospitable giver,
decidedly popular.
An account of a day's shooting will serve as an
insight to the sports of each day through the week.
Our rendezvous was the village inn, known as " Hun-
ter's Hall," where each night were assembled a crowd,
consisting of the patrons of the hunt, and a large
number of those who, knowing the woods, were to
put out the dogs in the morning, and drive the deer to
the different "runways" where the amateur sportsmen
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 473
were stationed. These runners and scourers of the
hills were good shots. Each had his rifle, and was to
shoot the deer whenever he could. They were selected
and employed by the grand sachem, and were devoted
to our interest ; and unless we had employed them, we
should hardly have been permitted to " drive the deer,"
except at the imminent peril of our hounds, if not of
ourselves. After taking the best precautions we could,
many deer were shot by poachers and interlopers
before our dogs, but if they came among us at night,
being generally known by our hunters, they fared
poorly, fjr ours were not slow to inflict personal chas-
tisement. I saw one who avowed havino: shot one of
our deer, and justified it on the ground that he had as
much right to it as we had, knocked down and kicked
about the street by one of our drivers. Ours was a
raftsman, a good shot, and as fond of a fight as of a
frolic, and always ready for either. He so punished
the interloper that he gave us a wide berth for the
future, though he threatened to shoot our dogs, for
which he was "licked" a second time. Our man
Carly was pretty well paid for his pugilistic services,
as he assurpd me on my shaking hands, and leaving a
half dollar in his, that ever}"- gentleman had blessed
him with an equal amount. Every night the tavern
was crowded with our huntsmen, who with the grand
sachem, discussed and settled upon the route for the
ensuing day. They as well as the sportsmen generally,
were well refreshed, and the evenings wound up with
story telling and song singing, in which our friend
Throop and Gen. Smith used to distinguish themselves.
The dogs were secured at nidit, that we misht be
sure of their services in the morning. Just at day-light
the bugle was sounded, which was a signal for the
sportsmen to prepare for breakfast, and for the hunters
474 REMINISCENCES
to be ready to start with the dogs. As it reverberated
beautifully among the hills, and diffused its animating
strains along the valley, it would stir and cheer up the
dogs, who would respond by clam.orous and discordant
yells, all eager to join in the chase which they knew
was in preparation. Having decided to scour the hills,
for instance, on the north side of the river, part of the
dogs were sent to the round top, others to the vlie, and
sportsmen were stationed at the Indian monument, the
hay stacks, the mouth of the ouleout, and other well-
known runways of the deer to the river.
My old hound Primo had never followed deer till
he went with me to Unadilla, and as he would not
follow strangers, I generally went on horseback to tlie
woods with him. Primo was intelligent, had a good
nose, was reasonably fleet on foot, patient and perse-
vering in tracing out a cold track, and when he opened,
his voice was most musical and sonorous., He assisted
in running the first deer started, and although his first
effort, he acquitted himself so well, and also through
the week, that the sportsmen awarded me a premium
buck, for his distinguished services.
Those chases were exceedingly exciting; nothing
could be more so. On reaching the recesses of the
forests with which the hills on each side of the river
were densely covered, the dogs would frequently beat
the thickets an hour before getting up the deer. On
striking the old trail, they would occasionally give
tongue, while they were slowly tracing it out in all its
intricate windings. As they drew nearer, the scent
became more apparent, and they of course more ex-
cited. They would finally rouse him and then open
in full cry, so that the most inexperienced ear could
not fail to know the game was up.
The deer, on being thus started, often leads off" in
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 475
a contrary direction from the river, to ascertain whether
the (Jogs are actually pu^-suing him, and makes several
doubles to throw them off his track, running often
round the hills, where the hunters try to shoot him.'
Finding himself hotly pursued, or alarmed at a shot or
the sight of a huntsman, he makes a straight course
for the river, and then leaves the dogs far behind.
When he makes up his mind to go, it is almost im-
possible to check him till he reaches the river's bank.
He shoots straight a-head, and often takes the water
before the dogs are in hearing of those at the river.
The cry of the dogs is enchanting, as they pass from
hill to hill ; now swelling into full chorus, and then
receding till entirely lost; again returning, and their
cheerful notes re-echoing from one side of the river to
the other, and reverberating among the hills. On
reaching the strait trail, they come rushing down like
a mountain storm. You hear rifle shots in the distance,
which tell you the deer is there, far far ahead of the
dogs. They finally reach the river, and if he is killed
the clamor ceases : if not, they plunge in and swim,
to take the trail on the other side. I have seen nine
of them swimming the river at once, and nothing can
be more beautiful their noses just out of water, and
their large ears floating on its surface, as they make
for the farther shore. I recollect my dogs swam the
river nearly a dozen times in a single day in Novem-
ber. It is surprising to see the sagacity of the hound
in hunting out the trail when he crosses to the opposite
shore. As soon as he reaches land, he runs up and
down the river's bank, till he finds the place where
the deer left the water, and then is off in pursuit and
full cry.
I have recently written to Judge Page, now seventy*
476 REMINISCENCE^
two years of age, inquiring what he recollects of those
hunts. After recurring with rjielancholy reflections, to
the loss of so many of our old associates, the spirit of
the sportsman becomes so apparent, that I cannot
refrain from inserting an extract from his letter.
*' We killed (he says) twenty-seven deer one week.
You helped slaughter the whole. Among them were
twelve larc2;e bucks." This is rather fi2;urative. I
only " slaughtered" them by being present during the
week, and doing what I could to promote the general
object.
" That week we ran fifty-two well-trained hounds,
among whom were Primus and Driver. We had
thirty-one men who put out the dogs, some in pairs,
others single ; and about thirty bloods, some on horse-
back and others on foot ; some watching the points of
hills, others at the fords of the river, and always one
or more at the Indian monument. All stations were
occupied ; and by the rising of the sun, our hounds
were giving tongue at every point of compass from
Hunter's Hall.
" These were times that enlarged and enlivened
men's souls. Imagine 3'ourself on the high bank at Pomps
Eddy, (as you used to be,) the sun just rising over
' Burnt Hill,' ' Round Top' at the south. Poplar Hill
at the north, the famous eel weir above, and the cave
bank below you. A hound breaks forth on Poplar Hill,
another, and still another on Burnt Hill, and Round
Top. By this time twenty are in hearing. You know
not where the deer may come you hear a rifle at the
cave bank, and now another at the eel weir ; and perhaps
at the hay stacks and ouleout ; crack ! crack ! crack !
and still the music of the dos;?, 2:rowin2; louder and
more shrill, as they approach. All is expectation and
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 477
excitement ; you are flurried. At this moment, a large
buck with antlers erect, is seen on the opposite side
making his way directly to you. Your rifle is well
loaded, and you have examined the priming, to see that
all is right, you are certain of a shot, and a moment
more you have him. Pop goes a smooth bore, and
Spikerman the poacher has killed him. Your agitation
and excitement ceases, for you are angry, and wish
John Carley was there to lick the rascal. You despair
of killing anything ; but don't be discouraged, for an-
other deer will soon be along, and as for Carley, he will
certainly flog the poacher, when he meets him. The
dogs are still in full cry in every direction, and your
morning's sport has just commenced; keep 3'our place,
for another deer will be here ; and so it turned out.
You have killed him, and Carley has found .and licked
Spikerman, and got away his buck ; but has finally
restored it at your request after the flogging ; for you
and your friends have enough, and you have given the
poaching rascal a drink from that choice bottle slung
under your arm, and thus secured his friendship, just
as you did with Captain Adarine Carley, and uncle
Sperry."
Now in all this, though pretty well colored, there is
more truth than fiction ! Standing on those high hills,
and listening to the cry of the hounds, I have often ad-
mired the inimitable description by the " Bard of Avon"
who in the " mid-summer night's dream" makes The-
seus before uncoupling his hounds, invite Hyppolita to a
position the better to hear them, and says :
" We will, fair queen, up to the mountain top, and
mark the musical confusion of hounds, and echo in
conjunction." To this she replies :
" I was wilh Hercules and Cadmus once, when in
478 . REMINISCENCES
a wood of Crete the}^ bay'd the bear with hounds of
Sparta ; never did I hear such gallant chiding ; for, be-
sides the groves, the skies, the fountains, every region
near seemed all one mutual cry ; I never heard so mu-
sical a discord, such sweet thunder."
Theseus flattered with the just discrimination of his
queen, in thus appreciating the cheerful exhilirating cry
of the hounds, and approbation of the sport, gives the
qualities of his own ; not inappropriate to ours, particu-
larly my three Primo, Hunter, and Dashwood, and
says :
" My hounds are bred out of the Spartan kind, so
flewed and sanded ; and their heads are hung with
ears that sweep away the morning dew ; crook kneed
and dewlap'd like Thessalian bulls ; slow in pursuit,
but match'd in mouth like bells, each under each; a
cry more tuneable, was never halloo'd to, nor cheered
with horn."
How true to life all this is, and how often I have
realized it. Even in my sleep, and often within the
last twelve months I have dreamed of those Unadilla
hunts, and the well-known cries of the hounds that
used to traverse those romantic hills. That music has,
in fact ceased, the deer are all gone, the huntsmen have
laid by their rifles, and civilization and agricultural
improvements have spread over those rugged hills, as
well as the delightful vallies.
On one occasion, at those hunts, I had gone on
horseback with my three dogs, to a high hill, known as
the " Round Top," where, after beating about a con-
siderable time, they struck a trail that slightly attracted
their attention, which was manifested by an occasional
yelp.
I hurried to them, and found them slowly working
BY LEVI EEARDSLEY. , 470
their way towards a thicket, interspersed with low tang-
ling brush, and well calculated to conceal any animal
which should choose to take shelter in it.
The dogs were not in the least excited, but were
patiently scenting out an old, but monstrous large track
of a deer, that had been there so long before, that
scarcely any scent remained by which they could trace
him. When hounds attempt to follow such a track,
they not only keep their noses to it, but they smell the
small brush and weeds, that may have come in contact
with the sides or legs of the deer, and to which he may
have imparted in the slightest degree that scent, which,
however subtle and insinuating, enables them to follow.
The farther they went the more earnest they seemed to
be, and instead of that slight yelp that was only in-
tended to attract attention, they began to indulge in a
much more frequent and sonorous cry, vv'hich clearly
indicated that they were getting nearer the chase.
As they went into the thicket, I was quite sure they
would soon rouse him, nor was it long before my anti-
cipations were fully realized, for I saw a monstrous
buck leap out and bound away at a long shot distance,
moving off' in most gallant stjde.
His flag was up, showing the white; and his antlers
hugely large, and apparently broad as a rocking chair.
When a buck goes off" in this proud manner, he appears
much larger than he actually is, for his brush being
erected, and at every bound, showing the white of it
Avith his white belly, he looks at a distance nearly as
large as a small horse, particularly to new sportsmen ;
and hence, they generally miss them at their first shots.
He did not run swiftly, but M'ent off" with that proud
high bound, for which his kind are distinguished, when
they wish to give play, look around and ascertain whe-
ther they are exposed to danger.
4S0 HEMINISCENCES
The moment he stirred the dogs caught his fresh
scent, and then all three opened in full cr}"-, and pur-
sued as fast as they could. The buck steered for some
high rough cobble hills, and there played for some time
before the dogs, running round the hills, and keeping
just far enough ahead to be a few rods out of their way,
but near enough to excite them to make all the haste
they could, and all the music that three matched and
well-toned voices could possibly utter. My object was
to shoot him before he left the hill, and thouoh I saw
him several times playing through the bushes before the
dogs, I could not get a shot at him.
It became very exciting ; when at last he must
have seen me as I was moving from one place to ano-
ther, to cut him off, and then he increased his speed.
He had plaj^ed so long, that I was sure he would soon
make for the river, and the place to which he would
be likely to run, was known as the " hay stacks," where
our Grand Sachem Page and another good shot were
stationed. In his course there the deer would be likely
to cross the road near the Indian monument, where a
rifleman was also placed. I had pushed my horse
somewhat towards the river before the deer began to
run that way, so that by hurrying down the hill I soon
saw him as he passed down some distance from me,
and was thus considerably ahead, and the dogs follow-
ing in full cry, though many rods behind him. On
clearing the wood, my horse was put in pursuit as fast
as I could whip him to it, and it was an exciting ride;
for I could nearly keep up with the dogs, and the deer
was in plain view the whole way after he had broke
cover and approached the flat land and meadows,
that skirted the beautiful Susquehanna.
In his course he ran wide from the Indian monu-
ment, so that he was neither frightened or annoyed
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 481
from that quarter, which induced me to redouble my
speed, under an impression that he might give play in
the meadow before taking water, and thus enable me
to get a shot. Riding at that speed was exceedingly
hazardous, but it was a " neck-or-nothing" sort of busi-
ness, a perfect hurry scurry ; and with a large buck in
sight the danger of a fall, and breaking of limbs or
even the neck was not to be taken into the account.
The deer halted for a short time as he approached the
meadow, to look about and see if the course was clear ;
when hearing the clamor of the dogs as they were ra-
pidly approaching, he cleared the fence at a single
bound, and galloped off towards the river in the direc-
tion of the " hay stacks."
This was an interesting moment, for the question
whether he was to be caught before entering the river,
depended on the skill, coolness, and good conduct of
the sachem and his companion, who were stationed
there .
' Fixing my eyes in that direction, I soon saw the
curling of the smoke from two rifles, almost instantane-
ously followed by their sharp reports, and at the same
time, saw the deer make a high unnatural spasmodic
spring, dropping his flag at the same instant, and then
made his way slowly towards the river's brink.
I had shot deer myself, and had seen enough shot
to satisfy me, from his movements, that he was amaz-
ingly sick from the medicine they had administered,
but he soon disappeared from sight as he descended
the bank towards the water. In a moment the sachem
and his companion ran towards him, and raised a shout
of triumph that came echoing back from the southern
hills, and this shout told the story, that the monarch
of the forest was slain.
31
482 REMINISCENCES
The dogs with discordant and vociferous yells, in-
creased their speed on hearing the rifles and the shouts,
and were soon in at the death, and then their cries
ceased.
On seeing the flash of the rifles I slackened my
pace and rode leisurely along, for there was no occasion
then for hurrying at the risk of my neck, and it was
lucky that I did so, for just then I heard the cry of a
strange dog, and looking off at the right I saw on a small
hillock covered with shrubs, a large buck that stopped
and listened. He was a long shot from me, but his
side was partly presented, making a beautiful mark.
I had checked my horse as soon as I heard the strange
dog, and on the deer getting in position, I took a hasty
aim, holding my gun as steady as possible on horse-
back, and let drive at him. He was at least, twenty-
five rods from me, but the rifle being well directed, the
flying messenger sped its unerring way, and lodged in
his vital parts.
The buck bounded off, and was soon concealed hi
the brush and shrubberry. Leaving my horse and
scrambling up to where he stood, I soon found incontes-
tible proof that he had been shot through the body, and
I had no doubt that it was near his heart, for I had
aimed at that part. Tracing him by his blood, I did
not go more than ten rods when I came upon him,
stretched out and entirely dead, and before I had fully
cut his throat the dog that had been following him came
up. Then repairing to the river where my friend
Page was stationed, I found m3ahree dogs lying by the
side of the deer they had driven, watching him intent-
ly, and waiting my arrival, They knew him to be the
one they had been following, and claimed him as their
own, and when we drew him up the river's bank, and
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 483
tnence to the road, they strutted along by his side ; and
whenever a strange dog approached, they manifested
great displeasure, and were ready to contest their right
by a regular onslaught on all intruders.
From the size of the ball that had killed him, it was
apparent the grand sachem had done the work, thus
adding another chaplet to his well-deserved sporting
brow, and an additional incident to his cataloe;ue of
splendid achievements. The buck was truly a mam-
moth, and after he was dressed, his carcass weighed
about two hundred pounds. We then drew the deer
that I had shot to the road, and the two were piled into
a one-horse wagon, and " toted" to the village ; though
to put them into the wagon, was about as much as we
could do.
Creditable as these exploits were, two enormous
bucks were not the only trophies of this day's work.
A party at another runway, brought in two or three
others, but none so large as ours. The sport had been
so fine that day, that the evening was spent with far
more than usual hilarity, even into the eye of the
morning ; and many songs, jokes, and stories, served to
while away the time, to the infinite amusement of the
crowd who nightly assembled at " Hunters Hall." Of
that night it might truly be said, " There was a sound
of revelry by night."
Nor were they sparing in their potations, so that had
old Bacchus himself been there, he would have found
votaries very well qualified to contest even with him,
the palm of victory, and not improbably would have
hustled him under the table.
If it could not be done there, it would have been a
work of supererogation to have gone any where else.
From the spoils of this week's hunting I carried home as
484 REMINISCENCES
many choice saddles as I desired, and the anllers that
had graced the heads of several of the forest rangers.
Several well written accounts and articles, in refer-
ence to the hunts, were published at the time, some of
which will be found in the course of this chapter.
I ought to say a word of the excellent lady, Mrs.
Page, who used to provide those fine entertainments,
(and hope I may say it without offence.) No one knew
better than she, how to get up a venison supper that
would fit precisely the appetites of those prepared, for
their enjoyment, by the active exercises of the day. So
far as appetite was concerned, the jaunting through
woods, over hill and dale, could not fail to promote it.
Talk of your Saratoga waters, your sea-balhing,
and the various effeminate devices to promote health !
Good enough in their places, yet in comparison with
manly field sports, they are mere nostrums, simple ex-
pedients to engage the attention of idlers, and evanes-
cent and trifling as vanity itself.
The man who is fond of wood- craft, who rides well,
shoots well, and enjoys with a keen relish the hardy
amusements, is a wise man ; for he promotes health, and
takes life easily. Such a man with a clear conscience,
sleeps well, and must have a good appetite. But with-
out artificial stimulants, those venison suppers would
induce desire, for they were precisely the creature com-
forts that the " inner man" would delight in, under any
circumstances.
Col. Clapp, of Oxford, Chenango, has recently Avrit-
ten me, and enclosed several productions relative to
the Unadilla hunts.
One is an appropriate parody by the late Henry R.
Storrs, a distinguished advocate, who formerly repre-
sented the Oneida district, in congress. Another signed
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 485
" Old Towser," by the late Morris S. Miller, first judge
of Oneida county, which with other productions were
published at the time. He has also sent me a letter
from our grand sachem, giving an account of the cap-
ture and rescue of the colonel's favorite dog Driver.
Speaking of our hunts, Col. Clapp says, " They
generally lasted four or five days, and resulted in the
capture of twenty or twenty-five deer.
" I have seen nineteen fat bucks and does, lying
side by side, in the ball room of our hotel, in Unadilla.
The glorious scenes in the chase, and many remark-
able deaths that occurred ; the music of the dogs, and
the excitement of the sportsmen, are indelibly impressed
on my memory."
Letter from Hon. Sherman Page.
November 30th, 1821.
" J. Clapp, esq. : I this day shipped Driver with
General Rathbone, for Oxford. As Driver will hardly
be able to inform you of the various incidents which
have befallen him since the great hunt, I assume the
task. He drove one of our stall fed bucks into the in-
terior of Delaware county, where the buck was killed
before him ; and Driver, poor fellow, was made prisoner
by one of the pirates, where for several days with a
rope about his neck, and more than Algerine barbarity
inflicted on his weary body, he suffered many pains
and tortures similar to Captain Riley. His liberation
was effected yesterday by sending an express.
S. Page."
486 REMINISCENCES
THE SPORTS OF THE CHASE ;
Or the ryghie merrie exploits of ye huntinge in Unadilla
forested''
BY HON. HENRY R. STORRS.
"Cervus erat forma praestanti et cornibus ingens."
JEn. Yirg., Lib. VI. 483.
I.
" Have you heard of a buck, wliicli came out of tlie west ?
Of all that wore antlers, his speed was the best,
Save his broad horns and swift heels, he weapons had none,
He roamed without fear, for he roamed all alone ;
So stately his gait, and so nimble his feet,
You'd have long'd for a shot, though you liked not his meat.
II.
'< By a late heavy freshet, the bridges were gone.
So he swam the Chenango where ford there was none.
He stop't not for fences, and staid not for brake.
Till he reached the deep thickets of Buttemut Creek,
There he nipp'd the green moss, to all bucks a rich benison,
Nor dreamt that ere night he'd be turned into venison
III.
" But Dian's high votaries were up with the dawn.
The dogs they gave tongue, the hills echoed the horn.
Yet so boldly he bay'd them, so stately and tall.
The huntsmen, dogs, muskets, and horses and all ;
And so fiercely he fought, he'd near stamp'd out the liver,
Of those " thorough-bred," " far-famed" dogs, Primus and
Driver.
IV.
' Came ye here to be chased, or came ye in war ?
Cried out Clapp ; ' Primus, Driver ! set on boys, hurra !'
We'll tread you a measure, but scarce had he spoke,
When from Driver's deep mouth the loud wJiilliloo broke,
And the mountains, the wood-lands, the dales and the bogs,
Again rang with the music of three packs of dogs.
BY LEVI EEARD3LEY. 4S7
V.
" So liglitly o'er briar, bush, and hillock he sprung,
And so loudly the thickets, with xoliilliloo rung.
One followed the dogs, one examined his flint,
One look'd in his pan, if his priming was in't,
One flash'd, many shot, and another miss'd fire,
They'd have killed him, no doubt, had he been somewhat
nigher.
vr.
" There was mounting 'mongst those of the Otsego clan,
Beardsley, Morris, Starkweather, they rode and they ran.
There was racing and chasing on Butternut Creek,
'Twas sublime sport to ride at the risk of your neck;
But sublimer by far, when the dogs seemed to pose,
To see Djiver lead on the true track by his nose.
vir.
" The dogs are at fault, but dog, huntsmen, and horse.
All met near the stream, where 'twas too wide to cross,
And the buck seemed at last, to have made his escape,
(Right glad without doubt to get out of the scrape ;)
E'en Driver was bauk'd, Clapp av as fixing to hide him.
When at last on the opposite bank they espied him,
VIII.
" They looked up and down, for a passage of dry land.
But found that the chase had fled to an island,
There he looked at the dogs, and the dogs looked at him,
'Twas too rapid and broad for e'en Driver to swim ;
And so they resolved, as they could not get nigh him,
Tho' 'twas too far to shoot, 'twasn't too far to try him.
IX.
** He seemed as he stood there, the cavalcade viewing,
To have very faint notions of what they were doing,
So composed and at leisure, he looked in their faces,
He seemed to feel quite sure, at two hundred paces,
'Twas provoking to think that he thus bid defiance,
To their dogs, horses, shot, their gun-pow/Ier, and science.
4SS REMINISCENCES
X.
" But thy days, (alas ! poor buck, how unkind thy fortune !)
The obdurate fates, had determined to shorten,
At two shots he fell, and I'd say if I dare to,
That 'twas full forty rods ; but the fact I don't swear to,
'Twas said so, and pity, it were for the glory
Of such a grand frolic, to spoil a good story.
NiMROD."
THE UNADILLA HUiNT ; OR OXFORD CHASE.
By the late Morris S. Miller, of Utica.
I.
" Chenang, or Otsego, old Oneida invites,
To join in the chase for three days and three nights,
Their rifles are ready, flint, barrel and stock.
And their pulses strike seconds, as true as a clock,
Tally ho ! hark away ! see them mount with a grace,
Huzza! Yoicks! Tantivy! see the gods of the chase.
II.
" There's Thro op ready mounted, upon a fine black.
And a far fleeter gelding, does Starkweather back,
Cox MoiTis' bay, full of mettle and bone,
And gaily Sken Smith's on a dark sorrel roan,
But the horse of all horses that rivals the day.
Is Clapp's well-fed charger, and that is a gray.
III.
" Their horses thus all of the very best blood.
They'll make the snow fly, and they'll dash through the
mud,
And for hounds, their opinions with thousands they'll back,
Devereaux, Storrs, or Lansing can't show such a pack,
There's Nimble, Crack, Frolick, Bounce, Slyboots, and
South,
And Primus and Driver too, with their deep mouth.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 489
iV.
"Forty stags are brought down, at forty rods how they fall !
Forty bucks are made * venison' by the long shots and ball,
Forty saddles now smoke on the plentiful board,
Forty corks are now drawn from Bacchus' hoard,
Forty sportsmen club- wits, every man in his place,
Forty stories are told of the grand Oxford chase.
Old Towser."
I must relate an incident that took place at Unadil-
la, in December, 1S23, not far from Christmas; as ex-
citing and probably more dangerous than any of my
adventures.
The sleighing was good, and the late Isaac Seelye
and myself, with Mrs. S., and Mrs. B., concluded to
improve it, and visit our friends at Unadilla. I took
my gun, and old Primo, determined to have a deer
before our return. Our friends, Page and Ogden, and
some others, were delighted to have one more hunt, be-
fore the law took effect, prohibiting it. In the morning
we took the sleigh, and drove some two miles south of
the river, where the dogs were to be put in the woods.
It had thawed considerable, making the snow soft and
wet, which with the rain had raised the river, so that
where the current was rapid, the ice had broken and
given away in the middle of the channel.
The dogs were put out on the mountain, and beat
about a long time without getting up the game. They
finally led off and left us; and as we were getting wet
with rain, we concluded to return. While getting
ready, we heard Primo, at a great distance, apparent-
ly running for the river. I knew from his cry that he
had game before him, that was making for the river, at
a run-way half a mile above the bridge. We were told
that deer, on taking the river at that place, uniformly
490 REMINISCENCES
swam down below the bridge, passing under it ; and as
he was probably nearly a mile before the dog, was most
likely then in the river. We jumped in the sleigh, and
Johnson, our driver, ran his horses down the hill to
the bridge, to reach it before the deer should escape.
On approaching the bridge, I saw the deer swim-
ming down the stream below, and jumping out of the
sleigh, I clambered down the bank on the south side,
and got on the ice skirting the border, the main channel
in the middle being open a considerable distance below
to still water, where it was closed over. The others
were directed to cross the bridge to the other side, and
shoot the deer if he came out.
My running down the ice on the south side turned
him towards the north shore, where the ice also shelved
out and prevented him from landing, where he was
shot, after I had snapped my gun at him several times,
which having got wet would not go off. Prime had
followed the deer to the river and put in after him,
nearly half a mile above the bridge, and came swim-
ming down the current, occasionally giving tongue,
which was greatly increased when he heard the rifle.
I. saw him forty rods above the bridge, and very much
feared he would continue down to where the ice closed
over, and that he would be drawn under and drowned.
It was necessary to make a prompt effort to save
him, for he was a favorite; but how to do it, I really
did not know.
I finally began to try the strength of the ice towards
its edge by stamping on it, and approached very near
the open current, in which the dog was swimming
rapidly down the river.
His attention was attracted by my calling him, and
as he came swimming down, he turned towards me,
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 491
where I was on the ice near the edge. My gun was
a long one, and laying it down on the ice parallel with
the current, I pushed it as near the water as possible,
and so near that by resting one hand on the gun, I
could by lying down, reach the water with the other,
and as the dog approached me, laid hold of him and
pulled him out. It was extremel}'' hazardous, for had
the ice given away, the gun v^-ould have gone to the
bottom, and probably I should have gone with it, and
been swept under the ice. Those looking on, called to
me to desist, but I could not see Primo perish without
an effort to save him. He was much chilled b}'- being in
the water; but to make amends, he had a supper from
the offals of the deer, and was allowed to sleep by the
fire at nisrht.
The last deer of my shooting at Unadilla, was in
1825. It was a wind}'', chilly day. Messrs. Page and
Ogden stationed me near a creek, and went with their
dogs to the woods, my dog Primo remaining with me,
whom I tied with my pocket handkerchief to a willow
bush, to prevent his escape in case he heard the dogs
on the hill. A deer at length came dashinsr towards
me, running down the creek in its current. I had my
double barrel, and fired the rifle at him as he was
approaching, intending to shoot him in the breast, but
he was running swift and presented but a narrow
mark, and in my haste I missed his breast, but the ball
struck his hind leg near the upper joint, and the leg
being extended back, the bone was shattered the whole
length of it. He continued, and as he passed me at
four rods distance, his neck was broken by a shot from
the other barrel. The lock of my gun was blown off
by the discharge; Primo broke awaj"- from the bush
492 REMINISCENCES
with the handkerchief about his neck and was on the
deer immediately.
That old dog, Primo, was a rare specimen, and
was respected by all who knew him. He was nearly
as intelligent as most men, particularly in finding his
home, when he was far away in a strange country. He
had gone with me on one occasion to the Black river,
about sixtv miles, where I intended to hunt deer for a few
days. The snow had melted, and freezing in the eve-
ning, formed a sharp crust, which I was apprehensive
would cut his feet, and render him unfit for service.
He was always averse to riding, but I tried to coax him
into my wagon, and on his refusal, I laid hold of him
to put him in. This gave offence, and he very soon
stole away and returned home, sixty miles, where I
found him on my return.
In the fall of 1826, he went with me to Ohio, and
went on foot all the way. We stopped at Cleveland
over night, and next day pursued our journey about thir-
ty-seven miles, when on coming to a piece of bad road, as
it ran through a forest, I got out of the carriage with my
rifle, to walk until the road was better. Primo soon
got up a deer, which after making a turn or two, led
off to the south till the dog was out of hearing, where
he remained a long time. I waited in that vicinity
nearly the whole daj', but as he did not return, I gave
him up lor lost, and pursued my journey; not without
hopes that he would come back and take our track and
follow us. Going on to Norwalk, in Huron county, we
made a visit, so that it was three weeks before my re-
turn to Cleveland, where I was happy to find the old
dog, who had gone back to the house where we had
stayed, and took possession of the very room m which
we had slept.
BY LEVI EEARDSLEY. 493
ustice to his memory requires me to relate a far-
ther incident. Hunting foxes on one occasion, he had
driven a grey fox after a long chase into her burrow,
where it turned, out she had young ones, though I did
not know it at the time, or they would not have been
disturbed.
Tools were obtained to unearth her, and Primo was
in the hole digging and rendering such service as he
could. I had another hound whh me, a lazy, bob-tailed,
worthless animal, that was of no earthly use except
to babble, make a tremendous noise, and eat every
thing eat|ible that came in his way.
Primo was industriously engaged, and had worked
himself far into the burrow, so that he was almost out
of sight, while Bobtail was lazily reposing himself hard
by. The first intimation of there being 3'oung foxes,
was a whining of Primo, and then that he carefully
brought out one of the pups and laid it down without
harming. I presume he had ascertained by this time that
the fox he had been pursuing was a female, and that he
had no desire to injure her ; for it is well known to na-
turalists that the hound if a male will often be merci-
ful to the female fox, and I suppose Primo intended to
be equally merciful to the offspring, for it was not at
all injured. Bobtail on the present occasion, had none
of those generous instincts, for as I was about taking
up the youngster to secure and preserve him, the worth-
less quadruped who had hitherto been resting himself,
rushed in and snatching up the young fox devoured him
in a moment.
The outrage was so great that I was strongly tempted
to shoot him on the spot, but as an act of humanity
spared him from a well merited and ignominious death ;
not that I had any expectations that he would ever re-
494 REMINISCENCES
deem his character by a magnanimous act, or peform a
commendable deed of any kind.
With Primo it was different, for he was always
trusty and faithful, and being so, and resolute too, he
could be relied upon in any emergency.
EY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 495
CHAPTER XXVI.
Hunting Deer an the Maumee. Several Incidents. Birt7i-day
Hunt. Chase on Horsehack, and two unhorsed. Cold bath
for one, Cutting off, hut not "bruising the Serpent's head."
" Coon" Hunt at night. Habits of the Raccoon and Opos-
sum. Fox chase. Red, gray and black Foxes, of different
classes.
Those hunting excursions at Unadilla, have been the
subject of a long chapter, and the recital of them may
have fatigued the reader. But as I have had many
since, on the Maumee river, near Toledo, my readers
must, allow me to draw on my memory for some of
those more recent adventures.
On one occasion I was riding my high-spirited
horse Logan, when hearing the dogs at a great distance,
a deer dashed into a thick patch of weeds and hazel
bushes,,and concealed himself. Satisfied that the dogs
were on his track, and that he would break cover as
they approached, I crowded Logan towards the place
of concealment, when as they approached, out jumped
the deer on the other side, but at a considerable
distance from me. Logan was put in pursuit, and at
last seeing the deer he seemed to comprehend the busi-
ness, and went into it with alacrity. The ground wag
prairie, interspersed with oak openings, and some places
covered with small brush, consequently, not good
smooth, safe riding. I could gain on the deer, and
several times got within long rifle range, but before I
could check up my horse and get him still, the deer
496 REMINISCENCES
would be out of reach. Every one knows that yith a
gun charged with buck shot, you may make a pretty
good shot, though the deer and horse are both in
motion; yet for rifle shooting, j^our horse at least, must
be still. Pursuing the deer, I saw several of our party
near where he passed, but they did not fire, and he
escaped. On coming back to them, Cornelius Shaw,
late sheriff, whose melancholy death on a California
steamer has been recently announced, enquired of Capt.
Pheatt, why he did not shoot the deer? Who rephed,
that he dare not, for "the Judge," meaning myself, was
so much exposed, that it would have been dangerous.
Shaw dryly remarked, "the Judge is getting old, it
could make but little difference to him; I think you
should have risked it." Not very much in earnest I
suppose, but about in the same vein as the conversation
of two sportsmen after dinner, recorded by Fielding in
Tom Jones, or Joseph Andrews, when one ofiered the
other a wager, and said he might shoot at his posteriors.
The wager was taken, (pro forma,) and the "taker"
said he would pepper him worse than he was ever
"peppered by Betty Bouncer."
My oldest son will recollect the first deer he killed,
as he stood under an oak where I had placed him, in-
tending to give him the first chance. He had a double
barreled gun, each charged with buck shot. I had my
rifle, and took a long rifle shot distance from him, so
that if the deer came between us, he would probably
be in reach of both. I saw the deer when he broke
cover; he came out beyond where my son was station-
ed, and on coming within range, and receiving the fire
from one barrel, turned, and ran back for the wood,
when the other was discharged with alacrity and pre-
cision. The deer ran but a short distance; both shots
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 401^
had- taken effect, which tor a new beginner, who is
generally flurried, was a very fair demonstration j in
fact, highly creditable.
The day I was sixty years old, (13th ]\ov. 1845,) I
was at Toledo, and Judge Potter agreed to go with me
after deer. We were up at four o'clock in the morn-
ing, and found it cloudy, dark, and drizzly. We in-
tended to go five miles before putting out the dogs. He
went on horseback, and I took my youngest son in a
one horse wagon. Before we reached our intended
place, the dogs took a fresh track where the deer had
crossed the road, and soon brought him in sight, just
about sunrise. He finally got off, the dogs at his heels,
and Potter following on horseback, while I drove as
fast as possible to reach the runway, where 1 supposed
he would cross the road. Just after getting m}-- position,
he presented himself on the opposite side of the road,
a good distance off, where he stopped in the hazel
bushes.
I delivered a charge of buck shot which I thought
more sure than the rifle, where the brush and weeds
were so thick, when he turned and ran a few rods, and
gave up. This was about eight o'clock in the morning,
and I would have killed another before nine, had not
my gun become wet so that each lock missed fire. My
son's gun was in the same unfortunate predicament, or
he would have killed the deer, as he was standing bv
me, when it stopped near us.
A party came out after breakfast to join us, my eld-
est son among them, who shot one, and in the course
of the day we killed four altogether.
Another time four or five of us went out on horse-
back, my second son being of the party, and Judge
Poitrr, Mr. Goodscll, and I think Dr. Ackley being the
others.
498 REMINISCENCES
We had three or four good hounds, and went about'
four miles before putting them out. My companions
knew where the deer were most likely to be found, and
their usual runways.
They pointed out to me a position where I stationed
myself, and shortly afterwards a deer came bounding
through the thick brush, and as he leaped into a narrow
path, I gave him a shot from one barrel, and before
he was fairly out, another from the other ; both of which
took effect, and brought him down on the further side
of the road. The dogs soon came in, and after dressing
and hanging him up, we concluded to go in search of
another, first giving the hounds a good meal from the
offals of the slain deer. We were hunting on prairie
ground, where there were occasionally bunches of wil-
low and other shrubs, with a belt of timber land skirt-
ing in the distance. There were many places on the
prairie, where the ground was slightly depressed, which
from recent rains were covered with water; sometimes
an acre or more, that appeared like a small pond,
through which we rode without difficulty.
We did not proceed far before the dogs got up a
large buck, that led off to the forest, and soon doubled
to come back, and run the length of the timber land.
We all pushed ahead hoping to shoot him as he passed,
each striving to ride faster than the others. We
separated as we rode forward, and Goodsell being far-
thest to the left was so near, that as the deer came
bounding by at along shot distance, he let drive at him,
and was instantly thrown from his horse, which recoiled
and started back at the report, throwing his rider over
his head.
My son was mounted on an active high-mettled
Indian or French pony, full of life, but not well bro-
ken, nor under perfect control.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 499
He and Judge Potter, and myself, aiter Goodsell's
mishap were riding full tilt towards the runway of the
deer, each one whipping his horse and trying to get
near enough for a shot.
We had rode through several ponds of water, por-
tions of them being but httle more than fetlock deep, and
others up to the knees of our horses, but had uniform-
ly found good substantial ground underneath.
The deer being in sight and the dogs not far behind,
with open mouths and full throats, added greatly to the
excitement, so that we dashed forward without much
regard to water or other impediments. The Indian
pony rode by my son had become greatly excited, and
was making fine head-way, when on coming to a pond
of water which he had barely entered, where he found
the ground more miry than he expected or desired;
and as his fore feet slightly sunk into the mud, he
stopped suddenl}^, and immediately sprang back, throw-
ing his rider a rod and a half over his head sprawling
into the water. The pony pricked up his ears and
trotted off, and then shook himself, right glad no doubt
to have thus ridded himself of his rider, while he,
picking up his gun, waded out to dry land, where
he shook hiinsdf, to throw off a portion of the dirty
water, with which he was dripping.
While this was going on, the deer ran past the whole
of us and escaped, for neither Potter or myself could
get within rifle range. The pony was caught after
considerable coquetry on his part, and my son at last
mounted; when in due time the hounds returned and we
started in another direction.
Presently the dogs gave tongue vehemently, but
seemed to be stationary, when on approaching them
we saw them at a respectful distance from a large
500 REMINISCENCES
skunk, and he was slowly walking away from them
with his white tail up over his back, and his hair stand-
ing on end, so that he appeared nearly twice as large
and tall as he really was. He was marching off with
that firm stepping, strutting gait, for which this animal
is distinguished, and which, will be better understood
by those who have seen him move off in this way than
I can describe it. He had not yet emitted his offensive
odor, but was prepared to do so whenever the dogs
should attack him, or he should be otherwise disturbed.
It is well known that a hound, however keen-scent-
ed he may be, finds his olfactory powers paralyzed
whenever he is besmeared with the disgusting liquid
which the skunk emits j because the pungency of that
odor is so insinuating, that he can smell nothing else.
Hence we were desirous to prevent them from coming
in contact with him, as we hoped to get up another deer.
Hurrying my horse along, I got between them and the
skunk, and ordered them peremptorily to keep back;
then as he went purring and sputtering off, and had
got about three rods from me, 1 drew up my rifle
and fired at him ; but either from the stirring of the
horse, or that deceived from his hair and tail being up,
I did not hold quite low enough, and instead of shoot-
ing him in his stern as intended, I cut off his tail close
to the root. One of the others then fired with more ac-
curacy and killed him.
He emitted his liquid the moment the rifle was dis-
charged, the scent of which was diffused around,
but the dogs were kept back, and we were so far off
that the only inconvenience experienced was from the
odor, and not from the liquid itself. We were not able
to start another deer, and this was the last exploit of the
day, for we soon reached the one we had slain, and
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 501
having packed him on the most gentle horse, we carried
him out to the public highway, where he was placed in
a wagon going to town ; and was safely deposited in
the American, at Toledo.
Next day he was served up, and contributed largely
to make up a venison dinner for the whole of those at
the table ; among whom were, of course, the sportsmen
who were out the day before.
This being my first performance in the hunting line,
on the Maumee, though not the first in the order in
which I have related those exploits, it was deemed
a fitting occasion to put me in for the " trimmings," and
champaign was distributed freely. The boarders at
the house having partaken of the venison, and of course
of the drinkables, were not slow in furnishing their
share of beverage on such a joyous occasion; so that
on the whole, the dinner went off well, and all se-
parated with kind feehngs, and an earnest desire that
the next hunt should be equally successful, and the
feast as creditably sustained.
At another time, while hunting deer in Ohio, I saw
in the weeds on the prairie ground, a large snake, glid-
ing rapidly along, but not being pursued, he stopped
about two rods from me, where he seemed prepared to
start on a race to avoid harm, keeping his head about
a foot from the ground. There he lay In plain sight;
his sharp forked tongue darting out, and his keen eye
glancing about, as if to detect the slightest indication
of danger.
I did not unhorse to fulfil the scripture injunction, to
"bruise the serpent's head," for I thought it extremely
doubtful whether T should succeed if it was attempted,
as those reptiles run amazingly fast when they choose to
dart away among weeds and shrubs. I thovight it would
502 REMINISCENCES
be a creditable performance to decapitate him with my
rifle; and at that distance I was sure I could do it, if
my gun did not hang fire, and if I could for a moment
control my horse so that he should not stir. In fact, I
would have wagered five to one, that at three rods I
could have cut off" a wire; so checking up my horse till
he was motionless as a statue, I took a hasty, close, but
steady aim, and clipped off his head with the rifle ball
Rs neatly as it could have been done with the best
ShelReld blade in the hands of an experienced operator.
The Indians have acquired considerable reputation
for their supposed skill and accuracy in shooting the
rifle, but I think much more than they are entitled to.
Our American riflemen I think far superior to the
Indian; and this will be conceded by those familiar
with the performances of each. I have shot with sev-
eral of them, and have never found one whom I could
not beat twice out of three times; and that too, with his
own rifle.
As a hunter, the Indian is excelled by no one for
craft and cunning ; as he understands the habits of all.
the beasts of the forest, and knowing them, resorts to
skilful stratagems to circumvent the animal he desires
to kill or capture.
Those "coon" hunts that we used to have in Ohio,
were not without interest, and ought not to be passed
over without notice.
The raccoon is a sly, cunning animal, and scarcely
ever shows himself in the day time ; but he is an errant
thief, and a great night walker, and hence those who
wish to take him must oo at nio-ht.
The best season of the year for that kind of sport,
is in the months of September and October, when the
moon shines so as to shed sufficent light to aid the pe-
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 503
deslrian, as he threads the thickets in the neighborhood
of corn fields. The month of October is preferable,
for the youngsters by that time have acquired a growth
sufficient to give good sport, and to be worth catching.
The raccoon resorts to corn fields, and delights in
pulling down and feeding on the newly half glazed
corn; and lie is also passionately fond of resorting to
swampy thickets, where he can hunt along in a slight
water course for such things as he prefers; nor is he
backward in occasionally robbing a hen roost.
To hunt him with success, you must know his
modes and habits of life, as well as the places where
he is most likely to be found; and this remark is ap-
phcable to all animals, for no one can be an e^xpert
hunter, unless he knows those modes and habits.
In Ohio, a coon hunt always implies "a smart
chance," as they say at the west, of taking one or more
opossums; for like the raccoon, this animal is most
active at night; and is also noted as a "chicken thief,"
as well as a great cheat.
In Columbus, when I lived there, I suppose there
were nearly one thousand negroes, a large proportion of
whom came from the slave states, and I don't remember
one of the kind, who was not passionately fond of both
the raccoon and opossum.
A ' coon bake" and "possum roast" seemed the
heau ideal wath them of a good feast, and they were not
very much out of the way ; for a fine, fat raccoon, when
stuffed and baked, is rather inviting to almost any one,
particularly to sportsmen.
While the possum, when roasted, is in flavor some-
what similar to a roasted pig, the raccoon has more of
the wild gamey flavor than the opossum ; but either, or
both, when well cooked, are not to be despised, when
504 REMINISCENCES
To gratify some of my hired men, and the boys in
the neighborhood ; and, perhaps a Httle pre-disposed for
the sport, I sometimes went out with them on their night
expeditions.
Those excursions were not altogether without their
annoyances ; for we frequently had to go through mud
and water, as well as thickets, and to clamber over logs
and fallen timber in the dark.
A gentleman, now of the city of New York, whom I
meet every day in Wall street, was then a resident of
Columbus, and went with me one evening, and he, I
know, will corroborate every word I say in regard to
fatigue and annoyances.
In hunting coons at night, particularly if the moon
shines, it is best to have a rifle with the party ; though
generally this is omitted, and nothing but an axe and
flambeaux are taken.
If you have a rifle, the animal may frequently be
shot from the topmost branches of the large, high trees,
and thus save cutting them down, or climbing to shake
him off.
By looking carefullj' into the top of the tree, particu-
larly when you can look towards the moon, the game
may be seen among the branches, and with the rifle
may frequently be brought down by a second or third
shot, if not the first.
A shot gun would be best, from its throwing its charge
at a wider range, were it not from the fact that the fur
is so thick and woolly, that unless the shot were very
coarse, an old coon would carry off all that could be got
into his carcase from half a dozen discharges ; while a
rifle ball has a mighty soothing influence, and generally
produces a quietude, in case you can get it through the
body of 3'our interesting customer.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 505
An experienced dog is absolutely necessary, and he
must have seen service in coon hunting, to be useful ;
for, though many dogs will bark and babble on the
track, yet there is no relying on their cr}^ unless you
have one of sufficient experience to counteract the cun-
ning of the animal you wish to take. There is nothing
more common with him than to climb a tree, and then,
by running on the branches, to go from one to another,
and perhaps to several, where he will conceal himself
in the top, or perhaps run down and make off to another.
The 3'oung, inexperienced dogs, on coming to the tree
where he ascended, are very noisy and jump up its side
as if they were sure he was almost in reach ; but the
old dog is not to be deceived by the yelping of the
youngsters. He examines the tree, to be sure that the
coon went up, and then examines the others to ascertain
whether he has come down ; and often makes a circuit
of many rods, to learn whether he has descended and
led off. When 5'-ou have such a dog, never mind the
cry of babbling pups, for they only deceive you.
We went out one fine moon-shining night in October,
accompanied by the gentleman from Columbus, to whom
I have referred, and another of his companions. Several
of my hired men went along, and, on reaching the corn
field, a large coon was soon driven up a tree standing
on the border of a swamp. This was cut down, for we
had no gun with us, and then the coon scampered off
through the thick brush and ran up another small tree.
One of the men ascended and shook him off, when he
was soon killed by the dogs.
They struck another track that led ofF through wet,
forest land, over fallen trees, and part of the way on
fences, the dogs keeping up a constant cry, till at last,
after slowly wending their way and tracing out the trail,
506 REMINISCENCES
they became stationary, where we expected to find ano-
ther coon. We hurried along by our torch-lights as fast
as we could, and found them barking at an opossum
that had ran up a sapling. He was soon secured ; but,
with the craft and cheating of his kind, pretended to be
dead, though he was not in the slightest degree injured.
To test him, some one applied a torch to his nose,
which he entirely disregarded ; another poured some
raw brand}'- into his mouth ; and another pricked him
with a knife : but he would heed neither, nor would
he manifest the least symptom of life, except a spas-
modic action b}^ contracting his tail, as he was carried
by that appendage, after knocking him on the head.
We got up another coon that ran into the mill-pond
to swim across ; but the dogs were in so soon after him,
that he returned back to the shore he had started from,
where they caught and killed him. On coming near
the pond, the man who carried the possum threw him
down in the road, when the wily quadruped, notwith-
* standing his previous hard usage, and the death that he
had so well counterfeited, began to make off, and was
finall}^ killed by a blow from the axe. The bank where
we approached the mill-pond was high and steep, and
one of the party in his haste to get down to the water's
edge, mis-sta3^ed and rolled thirtj'' feet down the steep
bank, where it was rough and nearly perpendicular.
Those in attendance were alarmed, and enquired whe-
ther he was hurt ? To which he responded by enquir-
ing, " where is the coon ?"
We reached home about twelve o'clock at night,
very well jaded out, when, after taking supper, we
separated ; and the next day we had several applications
for the coons and possums from the darkies, who were
highly gratified on receiving the desired boon.
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. '007
In the vicinity of Columbus there were but few red
foxes, and I saw but one during the four years that I
resided there. The gray fox, though not so plenty as
the red one is in New York, was more abundant there
than the red ; but he never ran long, and of course
afforded but httle sport. He will very soon take to his
burrow, or climb a tree to get away from the dogs.
The red fox, though not so much of a racer as the
black, gives fine play, and is distinguished not only for
fleetness of foot, great bottom for a long race, but for
craft and cunning to circumvent and avoid his pursuers.
Major Webber, in his recently published book, en-
titled the "Hunter Naturalist," rather comes to the con-
clusion that we have but two kinds of foxes in America,
the red and gray ; and that the cross and black foxes
are of the same class with the red, only differing in
color, as a litter of kittens among cats, and pups among
dogs, are of different color. As an evidence of his posi-
tion, he refers to an instance, where, among a litter of
young foxes, they were found of each color, red and
black, and others of a shade between the two.
I do not dispute the latter fact, but differ with him
in his conclusions. The different colors may have result-
ed from a cross between the red and black fox ; for there
is no doubt that they intermix and cross the breed : or
it may result from the same class having J'oung of dif-
ferent color. But it seems to me there is nearly as
much difference in the running of the two, as there is
between the latter and the large gray wolf of the north-
ern states ; or as there is between him and the small
wolves of the western prairies.
The black fox will frequently lead off twenty miles,
while the red, though he will run a long time, generally
plays round within a few miles of his home, and it is
5 08 REMINISCENCES
difficult to drive him off any considerable distance. I
think the Qvaj, red and black are three distinct classes,
but they are all of them of the reynard family, and dis-
tincfuished for their craftiness.
The red fox at Columbus that I have spoken of, was
captured in the fall of the year, about twelve miles west
of the city, near the great Darby Creek, where he was
taken from his burrow whhout injury, and being bagged,
was brought in to make sport on another occasion. He
had often been chased, and was well known in his
neighborhood, but till now had been so fortunate as to
elude his pursuers.
He was an " old he one," and the winter before had
managed to drown two good dogs that were pursuing
him, by crossing himself on the weak, thin ice on the
creek, which, though it would bear him, he knew would
not bear the large hounds that were on his trail, and
they, like fools, attempting to cross, broke through, and
were drawn under the ice below and drowned.
On being taken, he was locked in a large room,
where he was fed and kept for a week, till the appoint-
ed time to let him out for a run.
The sportsmen were notified that a "bagged" fox
would be put out, and on the day appointed, they came
with their hounds for ten or fifteen miles round about.
More- than sixty men assembled on horseback, and
probably as many more, of men and boys, on t'oot. Up-
wards of thirty-six hounds were in attendance, the most
of them of the large fine Virginia breed.
Reynard was taken out in a bag about three miles
west of Columbus, where he was turned loose in Mr.
SuUivant's large woods, and a small dog of the whiffit,
or fiste kind, was set after him to frighten him by bark-
ing. We gave him more than half an hour's starting
BY LEVI BEARDSLEY. 509
time, and during this half hour, the hounds were very
clamorous, for they all knew that something of the kind
"was on foot.
In due time they were brought to the woods, where
they soon struck his track, and then were off on his
trail, doubling from one part of the woods to another,
till they finally crossed the national road, and led off to
the southwest towards the great Darby Creek, for the
fox had sagacity enough to make for his former home.
The horsemen pursued as fast as possible, hurrying
through the woods, over all impediments, and several
were unhorsed, being thrown entirely over the heads of
their animals. I was mounted on my horse Logan,
who was fond of that kind of sport, and of course was
ridden without a martingale, that his head might be the
more free on his leaping over logs and fences. Then
with a cap tied down snugly nnder the chin, and boots
drawn up over a strong pair of pantaloons, I was pre-
pared to make my way through the open forest, among
brush or brambles.
Reynard gave fine play, and had almost reached
his old ground, when the dogs overtook and killed him,
about twelve miles from the city.
We came out of the woods to a small tavern some
ten miles west of Columbus, where we refreshed our-
selves and prepared to return home.
Before starting, a man was posted off on horseback
with the dead fox, noosed in a rope, who was directed
on reaching the large meadows in the Scioto Valley, to
drag the fox through the meadows and fields towards
the city, so that we might have a "drag hunt," and
have the national road to course upon, while the hounds
kept through the fields hard by. They took the
trail, and the whole pack dashed forward at a smash-
510 REMINISCENCES BY LEVI BEARDSLEY.
in<^ rate, in full cry; while the horsemen kept the road
and came in, full tilt, with whip in hand, and cheering
the dogs with their shouts.
A considerable number of sportsmen dined togeth-
er; and one of them, a Virginian, who had former-
ly kept upwards of thirty magnificent hounds of the
Virginia "yellow tan" breed, but had got reduced
down to fifteen, offered to give me the whole if I would
take them. He said game had become so scarce, that
there was no use in keeping the dogs ; that he would
not separate them, or sell them ; nor would he give
them to one who could not appreciate them, and who
would not use them well. They were beautiful dogs,
and remarkably well broke, as well as fleet of foot.
As with the Virginia breed of horses, so with their
hounds; great pains have been taken to keep the blood
pure, and they have the finest dogs, I suppose, in the
United States.
Those hounds on Long Island, or on the low level
lands in New Jersey, would be invaluable to a sports-
man.
It is quite time to bring this yarn to a close ; and I
will not aggravate my reader by a further recital, or in-
fliict another coon or fox hunt story for his perusal. It
is quite apparent, as the reader will perceive, that I
have been extravagantly fond of field sports ; and if
sentimentalists are good authority, I have much to
answer for, in reference to these delinquencies. The
propensity, whether right or wrong, is still predominant,
and I should be very likely to add to former transgres-
sions should favorable opportunities again occur. I am
sure I could hardly resist, nor do I suppose I should try
very hard to do so.
511
CHAPTER XXVII.
Habits and Intelligence of Animals.
To tliose who have closely observed the habits and
intelligence of animals, many indications have been
noted that appear like an exhibition of reasoning facul-
ties. Call it instinct, or craf*, or whatever else you
l)lease,_ still a great degree of cunning is manifested,
coupled with circumstances very nearly approaching to
reasoning, if not absolutely so.
Take the fox hound as an instance, who often be-
comes as subtle and expert in circumventing the fox, as
the latter is crafty in avoiding his pursuer.
An experienced hound after ascertaining from fre-
quent trials the usual course of the fox on a given por-
tion of ground, will resort to devices to circumvent him,
which appear like the intelligence of school boys.
Those hounds that I formerly owned, were expert
fox hunters, and I used frequently to go with them to
Windmill Hill, in Cherry Valley; which, with a large
forest adjacent to it, was much frequented by foxes.
The hill was high, and narrow at top, from whence the
land on each side, (east and west,) descended. It w^a5
more than half a mile in length. The fox when start-
ed, would generally course several times round the hill,
playing some distance before the dogs, about half way
down the hill on one side ; and on doubling, would take
the other side about the same distance from the top.
In this way he would frequently make a run of a mile
or two, north or south, passing on the sides of the hill
512 HABITS AND
lengthwise, several times before leaving it entirely.
This was his usual run-way ; and the dogs on
learning it, instead of running the whole course and
keeping his traclv, w^ould often leave it on one side, and
pass up over to the other, with a view of cutting him off,
and taking the track nearer to him. If reynard in the
mean time had left the hill, they of course would loose
his track by leaving it and running across, and then
would have to look it up the best way they could; but
they very often were the gainers by this device, and
would save a half mile or more of running, and gain
so much on the fox.
Almost every man familiar with fox hunting, if ob-
serving, has witnessed such performances. Now the
fact being so, how is it to be accounted for? Simply
that the dog knows it is shorter to run up, and take the
track on the other side of the hill, than to run the whole
length of it, and then come back to the place where he
strikes It again; precisely as the boy knows that it is
shorter to run through the barn and come out on the
other side, than to run around it.
Now take the deer, who is by no means as crafty as
the fox or dog. Why does he when pursiied, so fre-
quently take the brook and run in the water, often a
half mile or more? The object is to conceal his track,
and to leave no scent by which h^ can be followed.
Then comes the question, how does he know that he
makes a track, or leaves a scent, by which his pursuers
follow him? Instinct, perhaps, teaches him.
The horse soon learns to open his stable door, by
pulling out the pin by which it is fastened. This he ac-
quires from observing how others open it. Every one
familiar with horses have observed this, and other
videuccs of intelligence and observation.
INTELLIGENCE OP ANIMALS. 513
I have known horses and cattle who would break
into forbidden fields at night, and to conceal their de-
predations, would be out in the morning, when they
would assume an unusually honest look. Watch them
at night, and you would detect their maraudings.
No one who ever hunted the squirrel, but has no-
ticed his devices for deception. Nothing is more com-
mon than to see him run to a tree, and ascend it on the
side next to you for a considerable distance, then work
himself round till out of sight on the other side ; when
he will run down and scamper off to another, keeping
the first in range betv/een you and himself, so that you
shall not see him when he makes off. The object of
this is to deceive you, and make you think he is on the
tree you saw him ascend ; when, in fact, he has prac-
tised a cheat, and is in the top of another, often many
rods distant.
The fox has always been noted for his cunning,
and fraudulent devices. When pursued by dogs, he
frequently gets on the fence where the snow is blown
off, and will keep on it a great 'distance, and on leaving
it will make a long leap from it, that his track shall not
be discovered by the dogs, who are slowly following
by the slight scent left on the rails. At other times he
will run into a flock of sheep, and keep with them for
a given time, that his tracks may be trodden out by
theirs, and the hounds thus be put at fault.
Those who have trapped for him, know how
necessary it is to conceal the trap, and to cover with
such light substances as shall disguise, or prevent his
smelling it ; and yet he will frequently dig it out so far
as to expose, and thereby comprehend it ; and some-
limes spring it by thrusting a stick upon it. They have
even been caught by the nose with steel traps, in con-
514 HABITS AND
sequence of using too short a stick to spring the trap.
That they will counterfeit death for a long time, when
they wish to deceive, is a fact well authenticated. I
will mention a remarkable instance :
I had once been pursuing reynard for along time,
and his foot prints in the snow showed him to be a
large fellow, and, no doubt, an " old one." The dogs
finally drove him from Windmill Hill to a ledge of
rocks, where, running into a hole between the courses
of lime rock, too narrow for the dogs to enter, he fancied
himself quite secure, as he undoubtedly was, so far as
the dogs were concerned. On arriving at the hole, the
dogs were digging and barking, but made no headway
towards capturing the fox. The^seam between the
rocks extended several rods, and the earth resting on
them, and extending over the seam, two or three inches
deep, was frozen. With an iron bar I broke through^
this layer of earth, till I found where reynard lay, a
rod or two from where he went in. The frozen earth
over him was removed, and some of it fell in upon him,
partly covering him. The edges of the rock were
broken away, so that I could see him ; but he would
not move. I thought he had gone in as far as the nar-
row seam would permit, and had got fastened between
the rocks. On searching, I soon found which way his
head was, and applied a stick to his face and nose,
punching and irritating him to ascertain whether he
was alive ; but he gave not the least indication that he
perceived or cared for the stick. Then, breaking away
the rocks so that I could get my hand between them, I
seized him by his long nose with my left hand, and
held him at 1 ast fifteen minutes, till one of my com-
panions broke away the rocks with the bar, so much as
to make room to take him out. During all the time I
INTELLIGENCE OF ANIMALS. 515
held him, he gave no sign of life, nor could he be
induced to do so, till one of my companions who held,
and kept back the dogs, allowed them to come forward
and seize him ; when he immediately threw off the
disguise and fought resolutely, but was soon killed.
Now he evidently was practising this deceit, in
hopes that I would take him out and throw him down,
when he would have shown a hght pair of heels, and
been off in a moment.
I have known the opossum, who is celebrated for
playing false, to practice deceits, even beyond this ; so
also the coon. The opossum, of all animals, is prob-
ably the most inveterate cheater ; so that to deceive, is,
in common parlance, " to play possum."
In my last chapter has been related an instance
of his deception, as well as various devices of the
raccoon, which are but little inferior in point of saga-r
city.
My friend McKenstry, who keeps one of the best
hotels at vSandusky city, Ohio, A\ho is a keen sports-
man, and a highly intelligent and respectable man, re-
lates circumstances in regard to three hounds, that he
witnessed at Little Falls, Herkimer county, when he re-
sided there several years ago. A brief account of this
was published two or three years since, in the " New-
York Spirit of the Times," and was substantially as
follows :
McKenstry and Matthew Talcott, now deceased,
who was a brother of the late Attorney General Tal-
cott, had been out hunting, and taken with them Mc-
Kenstry's hound. As they came irvto the village on
their return, a large cur dog belonging to a villager,
sprang over the fence, and laying hold of the hound,
got him down, and bit and shook him severely. The
5 lb HABITS AND
cur was finally beaten off, and the hcxund went along:
home; but from some indications observed by Talcott,
who was a close scrutinizer in matters of that kind, he
thought the dog intended to run off, and so informed
McKenstry, and advised him to shut or tie him up.
This advice was not heeded; but the dog vi^as watch-
ed, and soon after leaving home, was followed by Mc-
Kenstry and Talcott, to satisfy themselves what he was
after, and where he was going. He trotted along some
two miles, and stopped at a house where two hounds
were kept, with whom he often hunted. Arriving there,
he fondled around them, and by intimations understood
by them, the two were induced to follow him. The
three returning to the village on a good round trot,
heads and tails up, went directly to the 3'ard where the
cur was, and jumping over the fence, fell upon him, and
never let go their hold till they had killed him.
Now, of the truth of this, I have no doubt. And
how can it be accounted for, except that the hound
knew he was not a match for the cur, but thought with
the assistance of the two others of his own kind, they
would be more than a match for him ; and hence in-
duced them to make common cause with him, against
their common adversary? That although one could
not resist him, the three could; and so the result proved.
No one doubts that dogs have tenacious memories,
for they will remember j^ou for many years. So have
horses. Birds must have the faculty of memory in an
eminent degree ; for some of them will come back an-
nually from the south, many years in succession, and
repair and occupy the nest of preceding years. These
faculties in beasts and birds, whatever you choose to
call them, are strange and mysterious, indicating intel-
ligence, and many of them approaching close to reason-
INTELLIGENCE OF ANIMALS. 51^
ing, if not properly designated as such. Man with all
his boasted wisdom, is in many respects not greatly
superior to the beasts that perish.
Many circumstances and incidents will occur to
those who have been close observers of the habits and
instincts of animals, that indicate much sagacity and
cunning; which if not properly resulting from reason-
ing faculties, come so near, that the shade of difference
can hardly be distinguished.
18 CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
CHAPTER XXVTIT.
Reflections in regard to Capital PicnisJiment, in connection
xoitli the Execution of Professor Webster.
Professor Webster has suffered the extreme penalty
of the law while penning this paragraph, the boys are
crying *' Extra Herald ; Execution of Doct. Webster."
The melancholy fate of Webster is a sad exhibition
of the weakness and wickedness of poor human na-
ture. He has " gone to his last account," to meet the
victim of unbridled passion.
The laws have been vindicated in the face of strong
prejudices, that, for a time, seized upon and pervaded
the public mind ; while the stern integrity of the jury, the
unwavering firmness of the court and civil authorities,
are highly creditable and afford incontestible evidence,
that no man, however eminent in station, is superioc to
law. Much is said in opposition to capital punishment,
which its opponents denounce as "judicial murder." " It
s contrary to natural law " say they, to take life. The
Supreme Being alone, can give life, and as man cannot
give, he has no right to destroy. " Shut the culprit up
in solitary confinement," it is said, and then he will be
pointed at as an object too bad and too dangerous to be
tolerated in society, while he will have space for repent-
ance. Again it is flippantly said, " the object of punish-
ment is to reform and make better the offender, instead
of subjecting him to suffering." A sickly mawkish
sensibihty seems to have taken hold of the minds of
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. 5V.)
many good men, which perverts and misleads their
judgment.
How is it contrary to " natural law," to inflict the
death penalty on the murderer ? If I am attacked and
my life put in danger, the opponents to capital punish-
ment agree that I am justified in killing my adversary.
But how is this ? I am destroying life, which I can
neither give or restore ! I am justified because my
life was in danger ; and I had the same right to slay
my assailant, that I would have to kill a wild beast
that attacked me. Precisely so in relation to society.
The murderer has proved himself an unsafe member.
The man who " of mahce aforethought" slays a human
being, cannot be suffered to remain at large, because
of his dangerous propensities. Community is not safe.
The public good, the public safety, requires that he
should be cut oflT; and then it becomes a question of
expediency, upon which the law-making power must
decide whether life shall be required, or whether he
shall be restrained of his liberty. Men may and will
differ when expediency is the question. I am now
speaking of the right of society to punish with death :
and I hold that they have the same right as they have
to imprison or banish. The murderer has foreited all
his rights, and society may inflict the utmost penalty,
or restrain his liberty, just as shall seem most expedi-
ent, or may remit or pardon altogether.
To say the object of punishment is to reform-, the
guilty, is expressing but half its object. It is not only
lo reform ; but it is to inflict pain, or disgrace, or both,
to make the culprit desist for the future, under an ap-
prehension of suffering ; and to make him an example
that shall serve as a "'terror to evil doers."
But it is said solitary confinement, (solitary and
520 CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
perpetual,) where the convict may reflect, and repent ; is
more humane, and in accordance with thei inarch of
civihzation, and melioration of the criminal code. Do
the advocates for solitary confinement fully understand
what the}'' ask for? They surely would not advocate
the keeping of a prisoner with a view of inflicting daily
or weekly tortures, and yet solitaiy confinement is but
little, if any short of it. The general result in reference
to those in solitary confinement, is an early loss of in-
tellect, and rapid decay of the system, that soon puts
a period to human existence.
Now I will not discuss the question which is most
merciful or cruel to the prisoner, to execute him, or
subject him to an imprisonment, that shall soon termi-
nate his existence, with the probable previous destruc-
tion of mind and reasoning faculties. In my judg-
ment, death is far preferable. A strong objection to
substituting imprisonment for capital punishment, ari-
ses First, from the difficulty of keeping the prisoner in
perpetual imprisonment.
Society would not feel safe were the murderer at
large ; or if it was believed that he might be at large
by escape, executive clemency, or commutation of pu-
nishment.
In the state of New York, the pardoning power is
vested in the governor by the constitution ; and before
abrogating the death penalty, public sentiment, I appre-
hend, would require an amendment that should place
the exercise of that prerogative under rigid restrictions.
A second consideration is this. We know that although
the laws of nearly all countries punish the murderer
with death, yet in cases of great aggravation, it is diffi-
cult to restrain popular impulses, which prompt to im-
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. 621
mediate punishment, and that too, without waiting for
the forms of law.
Take our own state, and the most sober, sedate,
and staid part of society, (and law abiding too,) and let
an aggravated murder be committed, perhaps a wife,
or daughter, after other flagrant indignities, and let the
law be changed so that the murderer can only be im-
prisoned after a legal trial, and what would probably
be the result ? In four cases out of five, the ofTenued
party would invoke the aid of Judge Lynch, to do
speedy execution ; or he would take the law in his own
hands and slay the murderer himself. This, may be
said, would be from a spirit of reveno;e, which I am
willing to grant; but it is in accordance with the
promptings of nature, and when we legislate and make
laws, we must make them in reference to the predomi-
nant feelings in society.
It seems to me that such would be the natural
tendency, and that laws would be violated and set at de-
fiance by the injured party, whenever an aggravated case
should occur. But it is said that executions are demoral-
izing, and tend to harden and debase the feelings of the
lookers on, when public; and that neither public or
private examples have the effect of restraining crime.
In reference to the public execution of criminals, I free-
ly grant the influence is pernicious ; and hence, those
who are doomed to suffer, should meet their fate where
but few should be witnesses.
I do not, however, admit that capital punishment
as some contend, loses its terrors on the masses, and
rather tends to increase crime; nor do I admit that it
fails to restrict the number of homicides that would
otherwise take place.
One thing is very certain, and that is, that where
522 CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
the murderer is executed, he Avill not commit further
offences. Society, therefore, is rid of one dangerous
member, who is thus cut off.
To say that imprisonment would be equally salutary
in its effects, is an assertion, that may, or may not be
true. To say that it would be more salutary, and that
it would restrict crime, I should very much doubt; for it
seems to me, that the penalty that is most dreaded by a
vast majority of mankind, is the most likely to restrain
offences. And what has so much terror for poor hu-
man nature, as the deprivation of life? "What will
not a man give in exchange for his life?"
On looking over and reviewing this question, I am
strengthened in my impressions by what has recently
taken place in California.
There they have not only tried men by self-constitut-
ed courts, emanating from popular impulses, but have
repeatedly and speedily inflicted the death penalty.
The safety of society required it, and popular sentiment
justified and sustained those proceedings.
The organization and action of the self-organized
vigilance committee of San Francisco, where the trial
of offenders was speedy, and the execution of the crimi-
nal not only certain, but summary in the highest de-
gree, had an effect in restraining crime, as ail, T sup-
pose, will now admit, far beyond any lenient measures
that could have been adopted.
Here, the question became practical ; and in addi-
tion to sustaining the action of self constituted courts
and committees, public sentiment required laws more
stringent and sanguinary, which were enacted, extend-
ing the death penalty to other offences than murder.
The state of society there, and the practical ques-
tions growing out of it in reference to crime and pun-
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. 523
ishment is worth a thousand theories put forward in
books or public journals.
Human nature is very mLich the same in all ages,
and in every country ; and proceedings that would
restrict crime in one region would be very likely to
have the same eflect in others similarly situated.
What I have said thus far, has been without refer-
ence to scripture injunctions, where the death penalty
is not only recognized, but expressly enjoined ; and
those who look to the holy book as authority, will find
abundant proof of its early enactment and uniform in-
fliction.
So also may it be said that all nations in all ages of
the world, have regarded the murderer as an enemy to
mankind, and have required hfe for life. If it has not
been so universally, the exceptions are only exceptions
to a general rule of action and belief.
The murder of Doct. Parkman, as well as the pu-
nishment of his murderer, should not be lost in its influ-
ences on community. It should be a solemn and im-
pressive warning to creditors, not to oppress and drive
a needy man to desperation. Recollect that debtors
have feelings and rights, as well as creditors. It is an
easy matter to take a debtor by the throat, and tell him
" pay me that thou owest ;" but it is not always safe
or expedient. Doct. Webster, though poor in property,
had a proud spirit. He had a family depending on
him for support he had a reputation dear to him and
them and should this reputation be blasted, it was to
him and his family, the loss of every thing. The great
dramatic poet says, " you take my Hfe, when you do
take the means whereby I live." This was Webster's
situation ; and Parkman, for a few hundred dollars,
which neither his necessities, or his superfluities re-
524: CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
quired, determined to disgrace his debtor his former
friend and take from him the means of support for
himself and dependant family.
It requires no stretch of imagination to realize the
deep distress and indignation that agitated the bosom of
Webster, when he learned that Parkman threatened to
expose his delinquency, and to wrest from him the fees
and emoluments, on which he and his family relied for
support; and then the insolent, overbearing manner!
Debtors, if they are not altogether lost to a sense of
honor, are, of all men living, the most sensitive. They
feel themselves dependant, and subject to the caprice
of creditors. They feel depressed and degraded, from
the fact that they are not able to meet their obligations ;
and they feel an anxiety in reference to family wants,
that no man can ever realize till brought down by ad-
versity to a state of poverty.
Such, I have no doubt, were Webster's feelings,
provoked and aggravated b3'- Parkman's importunities;
and, although no justification for the horrid tragedy, yet
a sympathy is excited for the man thus painfully situa-
ted, and an abhorrence for one who would needlessly
tantalize a wounded spirit, though improvident, as well
as dependent. It should be a solemn warning to cred-
itors as well as debtors. The one should not oppress,
nor the other avena-e.
Had a mild, forbearing course been pursued, the
murdered man and his murderer, would probably still
be in the land of the living, and the stern retributions
of a future state not yet realized, though sure in the
end to overtake the delinquent.
Oh ! what pains and heart-rendings have been the
result of this deed of darkness ! What blasted hopes,
what household and family desolation ! Surely, an
inordinate love of money "is the root of much evil."
SLAVERY QUESTION. 525
PREFACE TO CHAPTER XXIX.
To THE Reader:
In reference to the following chapter, "slavery and
alienation of feeling between the north and south," I
wish to remark, that it was not written with a full de-
termination to make it a part of this volume.
The public mind has been so much excited in refer-
ence to the slave question, that some friends who have
examined and approved of this chapter, and who de-
sired to see it in print, have advised me to publish it in
pamphlet form, under an impression that its insertion
in this volume, might prejudice the sale of the book
with a portion of readers.
I was half inclined to yield to these suggestions;
but on reflection, have concluded to give it a place in
my published volume, and submit it to the scrutiny of
those who may deign to peruse it, with a request that
they give it a candid and impartial consideration.
I am the more inclined to this course, from the fact
that the public mind appears to De settling down to a
more tranquil state, and that a discussion of the question
will now be heeded by candid men, who under the
excited state of feeling that has existed, might have
passed it by with contumely, if not contempt.
The great body of the American people, are law
abiding and orderly citizens, and desire to act rightly,
when rightly inform.ed. Hence I cannot believe that a
candid discussion of this absorbing question, can or
ought to give offence to those who differ with me, and
526 SLAVERY QUESTION.
yet aim at the best interest of the countrj'-, and who
are willing to investigate questions that enter so largely
into our political institutions.
I have endeavored to present the slave question, its
origin, progress, and present existence, in such a light
as well authenticated facts will warrant; and to urge
upon my readers the importance of abiding by the con-
stitutional provisions, as the only chance of perpetuating
the union of the states. It has appeared to me, that
through our sympathies at the north, or our prejudices
against the institution of slavery, we have for many
years, in a measure overlooked our obligations under
the national constitution ; and have too easily yielded
to our impulses, while southern rights and interests have
been rudely and unscrupulously assailed.
If those who read will reflect, and regard the con-
stitution as the result of the labors of our revolutionary
fathers, and its compromises and concessions as mutual
pledges from different portions of the union, for the
peace and harmony of the whole, it appears to me they
must yield a more ready acquiescence to those provi-
sions, though particular portions may not be precisely as
we may desire.
To those who set up conscience as a "higher law,'*
and as a law, over and bej^ond the constitution, or any
enactments under it, I cannot hope to bring them to an
approval of what I may advance, for they deny the
vahdity and binding force of the constitutional compact
on that subject.
Such men will not be convinced, even if Washino;-
ton should arise from the dead, and urge an acquies-
cence in a provision which the fathers of the republic
sanctioned; and without which, the union of the states
could never have been cemented.
SLAVERY QUESTION. 527
But there are others equally opposed to slavery, and
probably none more so than the writer, who recognise
that provision of the constitution, as of the same valid-
ity as other portions; and who will yield a ready ac-
quiescence to that, as well as to all constitutional laws
that may be enacted.
To them, and others, who believe in sustaining the
provisions of the constitution in all its parts, I invoke a
candid perusal of the following chapter ; and to those
who may differ with me, I only ask the charity of the
reader, to believe that my intentions are upright, hon-
orable, and patriotic*
5S8 SLAVERY QUESTION.
CHAPTER XXIX.
Slavery, and alienation of feeling between the Nortli and South. .
When the federal constitution was adopted, slavery
was tolerated, and existed, in almost every state of the
union.
The territory north-west of the river Ohio, then a
wilderness, with the exception of a few old French set-
tlements, though formerly subject to slaver}^ had been
declared free by an ordinance of the old continental
congress in 1787, before the formation of the federal
constitution, with an express proviso, however, that those
owing service, and escaping from other states, should
be restored to that service. The comparatively few
slaves in the northern states, with the manifest disposi-
tion, that began to show itself in favor of manumission,
rendered it quite certain that it would not long be toler-
ated among them. Hence, a well-founded apprehension,
among the southern states, where the great mass of
slaves were held, that their northern neighbors, by free-
ing their own, would not only influence the black po-
pulation of the south to flee from their masters, but
would make the free states receptacles for the run-a-
way slaves.
Each state was then sovereign and independent of
the others, except so far as the old confederation united
them for certain purposes, of which slavery formed no
part. Just as independent of each other on this ques-
tion, as any sovereignty of Europe ; and the right to
reclaim and bring back a fugitive from service, did no
SLAVERY QUESTION. 529
more exist, except by compact or law, than it does
now, to bring him back from Canada. Such right
could only exist by compact among the different states.
It is easy to perceive that the southern states, whose
laws and civil institutions, were in a peculiar degree
based on the relation of master and slave, which, en-
tering into the elements of society, could not but regard
this matter as of absorbing interest ; and without a
compact to restore fugitives from service, they could
not safely enter into, and maintain the union of the states.
Not only were their laws and institutions based on this
state of society, but the property of southern citizens
was, in a large degree, vested in slaves and plantation
establishments, suitable for slave labor, and the com-
forts of living.
Slavery had been forced upon the colonists north
and south, (more particularly the latter,) by the mother
country, at their early settlement ; and northern ship-
pers had been for many years, the principal importers.
Hence, where slaves abounded in great numbers, they
could not be universally manumitted, except by break-
ing up the well established organization of society, and
the sacrifice of private rights, to the ruin of nearly all
the landed proprietors. It may be remarked that the
revolution was " begun, continued, and ended,^^ under
this state of things ; leaving each state to manage and
control the question within its own borders, as, in its
sovereign capacity it should think proper. It may be
further remarked, that the revolution was neither start-
ed nor prosecuted to redress the grievance of negro
slavery, nor did the continental congress possess, claim,
or assume such power.
This delicate question, therefore, became a " stum-
bling bluck " in the convention that formed the consti-
530 SLAVERY QUESTION.
tution, and it was only by a compromise among the
delegates from the several states, where some opinions
and rights must be mutually conceded, for the acquisi-
sition of others, equally desirable ; that a federal union
could be secured, or a satisfactory constitution agreed
upon. Nor could it have been concurred in by the
states, after the convention had adopted it ; except
upon an expectation that it would be carried out, and
abided by in the several states. The convention was
composed of men of the revolution ; those who had
been reared under the British yoke ; but who, at an
immense sacrifice of blood, and treasure, had gone
through a seven years' war, and triumphantly thrown
off that yoke. Such men, imbued with a patriotic love
of country with a desire to perpetuate the principles
for which they had fought, and to secure the union of
the states, devoted themselves to compromise, and ad-
just the embarrassing questions, which resulted in the
adoption of the following provisions, Art. 4, sect. 2
of the constitution :
' A person charged in any state with treason, felo-
ny, or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be
found in another state, shall, on demand of the execu-
tive authority of the state from which he fled, be deli-
vered up, to be removed to the state having jurisdiction
of the crime.
" No person, held to service or labor in one state, un-
der the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, inconse-
quence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged
from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on
claim of the party to whom such service or labor may
be due."
Here are two clauses, the first relating to fugitives
from justice j similar in principle to treaty stipulations
SLAVERY QUESTIOX. 53l
now existing between the United States and several
foreign governments. The other, having express refer-
ence to slaves, and those owing service in one state
' under the laws thereof," and escaping into another,
who shall be delivered up, on claim of the party to
whom such such service or labor may be due."
Words cannot make it more plain and significant.
Under this provision of the constitution ; and, to carry
it out, congress, in 1793, passed a law authorizing
certain officers to entertain jurisdiction of applications
for the surrender of run-a-way slaves, which was
signed by General Washington, as president; and
John Adams as vice president ; and this has been in
force nearly sixty years.
The very state of things apprehended by the
southern states, has happened. The northern states
have, from time to time abolished slavery ; some, by
an immediate emancipation ; others, as in New York,
by a gradual abolition ; and now it is well for law abi-
ding, peaceful, good citizens, candidly to reflect on
what has passed, as well as what is to follow.
Whatever may be the opinion of northern men upon
the abstract question of slave holding, it is quite time
for them to consider whether it is right, prudent, or
honorable, to shuffle off, or evade this requirement of
the constitution. I do not, nor will not suppose, that
northern men in great numbers, will openly avow a
desire to evade this provision ; much less to counte-
nance opposition to it. To suppose such a northern
feeling, would indicate a willingness to violate express
stipulations, to outrage southern rights, and southern
feelings, and to put in extreme peril, the union of the
states ; which union, more than anything else, has con-
532 SLAVERY QUESTION.
tributed to the growth, prosperity, and happiness of the
whole country.
Is it honorable for any portion of citizens either
north or south, to repudiate the stipulations of our an-
cestors of our representatives, who formed the consti-
tution, and of those who adopted it ? Nullification at
the south has been in bad odor at the north ; and yet a
refusal to abide in good faith, by the compromises of
the constitution, and faithfully to carry them out; is
but another name for nullification, and equally repre-
hensible.
When Louisiana was purchased under Mr. Jeffer-
son's administration, it was a slave province, and was
sturdily opposed by the federal party. I have no
doubt, a portion of that opposiiion resulted from an ap-
prehension that, in the end, it would give an undue
influence to the south, particularly in reference to the
slave question. I am aware that the avowed opposition
was on other grounds, and no doubt much of it from
party, political considerations. It was finally acqui-
esced in, the more readily, as the purchased province
controlled the outlet of the Mississippi, and the de-
scending products of our western citizens, who were
settled on that great natural thoroughfare, with its nu-
merous and extended tributaries.
But when Missouri a portion of Louisiana ap-
plied for admission, as an independent state, with
slavery existing within her borders, and a slavery pro-
vision in her constitution, the smothered feeling in the
free states, broke out with an energy, that, in the
struggle between the north and south, almost rent
asunder the ligaments that bound the states together;
and threatened the stability of the union.
Louisiana, as claimed by Spain and France, and
SLAVERY QUESTION. 533
as we purchased it, extended almost indefinitely, on
the west side of the Mississippi, to the north and west ;
and the whole, when acquired, was subject to slavery.
The question was finally happily settled by a com-
promise, known as the Missouri compromise : by which
that slate was admitted, with a concession to the free
states, that no other slave states should be created north
of 3G 30' north latitude. Here was a concession to
freedom, that converted from slave into free territory, a
vast area, from which Towa is already admitted as a
free state, and Minesota and Nebraska, with others at
the west, unquestionably will be, in due time. Here the
free states will, in the end, be decided gainers in refer-
ence to slavery, without reckoning Missouri, which from
present appearances will be made free, though the others,
without her, will outnumber those subjected to slavery.
Florida was subsequently acquired, and though a
slave territory large enough for two states, was admit-
ted to the union without serious opposition, even from
the north. The whole country regarded it as a desira-
ble acquisition, to get rid of a foreign government that
gave protection to fugitives from justice, as well as from
service; that served as a rallying point for hostile
savages; that in a measure controlled a portion of
southern trade, and that in case of hostilities, would
greatly annoy our commerce in the Gulf of Mexico.
We wanted it to round out our southern border, to secure
our commerce, and free us from unwelcome neighbors.
Thus Florida was acquired and admitted by almost
unanimous consent.
When Texas commenced her unequal struggle with
Mexico, which resulted in Texan independence, the
whole country, north and south, sympathised in feeling
with the brave Texans. Thev, to be sure, had estab-
534 SLAVERY QUESTION.
lislied slavery within their borders ; but so long as the
contest was between them and the Mexicans, even
northern sympathies were decidedly with Texas. We
had heard with horror of Mexican cruelties ; the taking
of the Alamo, and cold blooded massacre of its defend-
ers; and when at San Jacinto, Texas, under her brave
and accomplished Houston, and other leaders eminent
in Texan warfare, avenged former injuries, and estab-
lished her independence, at the same time holding in
captivity, Santa Anna, the leader of her oppressors,
the whole country greeted "the lone star," as it rose
resplendent from the smoke of battle.
The proposition to annex it to this republic, was not
well received by a large portion of our citizens, partic-
ularly those of the whig party. Mexico protested, and
it was perfectly obvious that its annexation would in-
volve us in war.
This consideration embodied nearly the whole whig
party, north and south, against the acquisition, unless
the consent of Mexico was first secured. Many north-
ern whigs, and some democrats, had misgivings, from
the fact that it would add slave territory large enough
for several states, which in the end would give undue
influence to the southern portion of the union. This
consideration, however, no doubt added considerably to
the popularity of the measure at the south. The presi-
dential campaign in 1844, was mainly contested on this
question; and the abolition party, though professing an
abhorrence to the admission of Texas, threw away
their votes, and thus enabled Mr. Polk to carry New
York, which secured his election. Texas was brought
into the union almost entirely by democratic votes ; the
democrats of the north very generally going with the
south in favor of the measure, and were equally re-
SLAVERY QUESTION. 535
sponsible for its admission, as well as the war that grew
out of it, as were the southerners who supported Mr.
Polk. This remark is as applicable to that portion of
the democracy since known as free soilers, who under
the lead of Mr. Van Buren, have professed such a holy
horror for slavery, as to the most zealous republicans
who favored the annexation and the compromise mea-
sures afterwards.
I know it has been said that Mr. Van Buren cared
not for the slavery question; but in consenting to stand
as a candidate, desired to avenge himself on General
Cass, whose friends had pressed him for a presidential
nomination in 1844, and who had contributed to the de-
feat of Mr. Van Buren, at the Baltimore convention.
Mr. Van Buren had objected to the admission of Texas,
unless matters could be amicably arranged with INIexico,
to avoid war; but I am not aware that the existence of
slavery was ever urged by him, or any considerable
number of his friends, against the admission. He and
they aided in electing Mr. Polk; they sustained him in
prosecuting the war against Mexico, and with few ex-
ceptions, went for annexing Texas, and the acquisition
of large portions of Mexican territory.
Whatever Mr. Van Buren's private feelings were in
reference to the question of slavery, there is not a doubt
that many who supported him for president, in 1S4S,
regarded it v/ith absorbing interest ; and having been
influential in bringing on the Mexican war, it seems to
me it would have been more magnanimous for them to
have gone on and aided in adjusting the disturbing
questions growing out of their own acts, instead of act-
ing with the abolitionists, and thus adding fuel to the
excitement.
Mr. Van Buren will hardly live long enough to con-
536 SLAVERY QUESTION.
vince his countrymen that his course has been discreet
or proper. They will, very likely, be so dull of com-
prehension, as not to discover the propriety of a proffer-
ed veto in advance, against abolishing slavery in the
District of Columbia, when southern votes were want-
ed ; and an announcement, in 1848, that a like veto
would be withheld.
However plausible and satisfactory to himself his
reasons may appear, it will be no great marvel, if the
public at large shall look at the latter declaration, as a
device to secure the votes of a class of politicians for-
merly discarded by himself and party ; and whose S5''m-
pathies were antagonistical to those of the south, and to
his own, a few years previous. His position in 1848,
will add no desirable chaplet to his brow.
The war with Mexico, though not popular with the
whig party, was nevertheless sustained with energy
and good faith by the great body of the people, whigs
as well as democrats. The cabinet of Mr. Polk, or rather
that part more immediately connected with the war (the
purse and the sword,) was of eminent ability. The
commanding generals and their subordinates, down to
the privates in the ranks ; displayed military talent,
and indomitable bravery, that soon planted the stars
and stripes on the towers and ramparts of the proud
Aztec metropolis. The result was the acquisition of
an immense territory ; and then, in reference to the
government and division of these extensive domains,
the slavery agitation between the north and south, were
revived with unparallelled bitterness. Under this state
of feeling, the first session of the thirty-first congress
commenced, beset with difficulties, heart-burnings, and
divisions, that threatened the peace and perpetuity of
the union itself.
SLAVERY QUESTION. 637
It cannot be necessary, so soon after the protracted
and embittered discussions of that session, to go into a
full detail of the various questions that divided the re-
presentatives of the people.
These, in short, were the admission of California
as an independent state ; the adjustment of the Texas
boundary ; the establishment of territorial governments
in New Mexico and Utah ; the abolition of the slave
trade in the District of Columbia ; and the " fugitive
slave law " so called.
When it was ascertained that the Mexican war was
to result in the acquisition of the territories above
mentioned, a large portion of the representatives of the
free states, passed a resolution known as " the Wilmot
proviso," introduced by INIr. Wilmot, a democratic
member from Pennsylvania, the substance of which
was, " that slavery, or involuntary service, except for
crime, should not exist in any territories that might be
acquired." A large portion of whigs, with many de-
mocrats from the free states, insisted on appl3'ing this
provision to the bills relative to the territories above
mentioned ; and even to California, although she had
adopted a constitution with an express exclusion of
slavery.
The southern representatives generally, insisted on
adopting the Missouri compromise line, 3G 30', exclu-
ding slavery north of that line, and leaving it optional
with citizens south of it on being admitted as states, to
permit or prohibit slavery as they pleased ; or, in other
words, to say nothing about it at present ; while a few
ultra southern gentlemen, desired an express recogni-
tion, if not authorization of slavery, south of the Mis-
souri compromise line. The latter view of the question
was not generally satisfactory, even to southern repre-
538 SLAVERY QUESTION.
sentatives, as it implied a right on the part of congress
to legislate in regard to slaver}'', which many of them
denied. Those who opposed the Wilmot proviso, took
the ground, that it was a mere abstraction, of no prac-
tical force ; and, if adopted, would amount to nothing,
as the territories on becoming states, would permit
slavery if they pleased, notwithstanding the proviso.
This was the view taken by some of its opposers ;
while others, particularly southern members, look the
ground that, though it would not prohibit slavery, if the
states on being admitted chose to sanction it ; yet, it
was unjust to the south, by whose blood and treasure,
as well as that of the north, the territories had been
acquired ; and southern men had the same risht as
northern, to go there with their property, and be pro-
tected in its enjoyment. Again, the proviso, even if of
no binding validity, would seem to deter slave holders
from going there with their slaves; and, on the whole,
was an injury, as well as insult to the south, to be thus
thrust forward in advance. Others, again, argued that
the question appropriately belonged to the citizens of
the territory, and should be left to their decision ; while
others voted against the proviso, for the reason that the
situation, climate, and physical condition of the terri-
tories, would preclude the introduction of slave labor,
which never could be profitable or desirable ; and
therefore it was unnecessary to pass the obnoxious
provision.
In relation to the dividing line between Texas and
New Mexico, there was an embittered controversy,
with threats and well-grounded apprehensions, of a
hostile collision, that would light the torch of civil war.
Whether a few square miles, more or less, of a desert
country, should be under the jurisdiction oi free, or slave
SLAVERY QUESTION. 539
laws, was an absorbing question, in reference to which,
mad-caps of the north and south, seemed ambitious to
drive the controversy to a trial of strength. These,
with the fugitive slave law, and suppression of the
slave trade io the District of Columbia, were the lead-
ing questions in the embittered struggle, which pro-
longed the session of congress to an unexampled
leno-th ; engrrossed its attention to the exclusion of near-
ly all other matters ; and seemed only to be adjusted
by the devotion and generous exertions of distinguished
leading men of the two great political parties, who
nobly resolved "that the union must and should be
preserved " at every hazard.
The several laws of that session, known as " the
compromise measures," were finally carried, after pro-
tracted debates, and in the face of determined opposi-
tion. For a time it seemed impossible to reconcile the
requisite number to any one proposition, to give it the
shape of law ; while to keep the questions open for the
purpose of agitation, seemed to be the object and de-
sire of abolitionists at the north, and ultra slavery men
at the south.
Mr. Clay was constituted the acknowledged leader
by those of each political party, who thus wished to ad-
just the disturbing questions ; and nothing short of mutual
concessions seemed likely to promote the desired result.
A more gallant, patriotic, talented, and devoted
leader, could nowhere be found. Bold, upright, and
persuasive, he had, in times past, hushed the elements
of strife, and restored quietude to the union ; first, by
his proposition known as the IMissouri compromise ;
and secondly, the tariff adjustment; which, for a time,
allayed sectional controversies, on that exciting subject.
Not only Mr. Clay, but General Cass, Mr. Webster,
540 SLAVERY QUESTION.
Senators Foote and Dickinson, General Houston, the
senators from Indiana and Illinois, Messrs. Mangum,
Badger, Bell, and Underwood, with others equally de-
serving the thanks of their countrymen, devoted them-
selves to adjusting, by way of compromise, the vari-
ous complicated questions under discussion.
To them, and their associates who acted w-ith them,
in the senate, and those of similar views in the house
of representatives, the country is specially indebted
for the passage of the conjpromise measures ; which,
it is hoped, if faithfully adhered to, will give quiet
again to the country ; and restore that harmony and
kind feelling, which has been rudely disturbed.
And now arises the important question, whether
these measures, and the requirements of the constitu-
tion, shall be sustained and carried out in good faith ?
Or, shall every thing that should be most dear to the
American heart, be put at hazard by an attempt to
evade, or oppose the laws, and the constitutional pro-
visions?
On this subject, it is most consoling to know, that
president Fillmore, with his confidential official ad-
visers, stands firm and immovable. His integrity, firm-
ness, and consistency of purpose, in every official sta-
tion heretofore filled by him, give assurances to the na-
tion, that with him as its chief magistrate, there will be
no faltering, no hesitancy, in sustaining and enforcing
the laws of the land.
I by no means intend to intimate that those who op-
posed the compromise measures, were wanting in
patriotism, or attachment to the union. The great
body of them acted from pure and patriotic motives;
and though they did not concur in the measures adopt-
ed by the majority, I have no doubt they desired an ad-
SLAVERY QUESTION. 541
jnstment that should be satisfactory to the country, and
substantially just to all its parts.
Conceding as I do, purity of intention to most of
ihem, I cannot but look upon tlieir opposition as fraught
with danger to the stability of the union. While some
hesitated to vote for measures, under an impression
that their constituents would not approve of their votes,
others may have voted with an expectation of building
up a political reputation by adhering to, or opposing
certain measures; and others again, unwilling to incur
the responsibility of taking a stand, and boldly throw-
ing themselves into the breach, were content to see
those who were more chivalric in feeling than them-
selves, adopt a course which they secretly approved,
but wanted courage to pursue.
It is too much to expect from political men, general-
ly, that they will jeopardize their position by running
counter to the opinion of their constituents; even when
those opinions are the result of prejudices. Still there
are representatives who will take this responsibility,
and like Curtius, sacrifice themselves to preserve the
country; and most fortunate it is, that such representa-
tives can sometimes be found.
Those who took the opposite side on the compro-
mise measures, did not regard the danger so imminent
as those who sustained them ; and no doubt believed
their own propositions would arrive at the same result.
In my judgment, the risk was too great to justify
doubtful measures, or to experiment upon the forbear-
ance of different sections of the country, already too
highly excited. It was time to stop discussions, and by
mutual concessions and conciliatory measures, bring
back the country to fraternal feelings, then nearl}' lost
from recriminations, and alleged aggressions, mutually
charged against each other.
542 SLAVERY QUESTION.
Those laws thus far, have been acquiesced' in with
reasonable unanimity on the part of the people, with
the exception of the fugitive slave law, which has been
bitterly denounced by a large number of citizens in the
free states. That law, if abided by, and carried out in
good faith with the other enactments, I trust will give
quiet once more to the union. Indeed, save the dis-
content in South Carolina, which has been prevalent in
regard to tariff laws, as well as resullino; from the slave
question, I know of no serious impediment to a restora-
tion of kind feelings, except the continued hostility of a
portion of the north, to the constitutional provision re-
quiring the return of fugitive slaves to their masters.
This is the real ground of opposition to the fugitive
slave law, and has been at the bottom of all the diffi-
culties between the free and slave states in regard to
slavery. The law of 1793, which prescribed the mode
of proceedings to compel a return to service, was not
much clamored against, because abolitionists, and those
who connived at the escape of slaves, could by delays
and devices evade that law. It is true, laws were pass-
ed in some of the states, securing to the fugitive slave
the trial by jury of the question, whether he should be
returned to service; that is, he might replevy himself
and allege his freedom, and thus, under a state law,
claim for himself a jury trial. More than twenty j-ears
ago, the supreme court of the state of New York, by a
solemn decision, adjudged the state law unconstitution-
al, as it undoubtedly was; and this has also been ad-
judged by the supreme court of the United States.
The correctness of those decisions, will be made ap-
parent to any one who will candidly examine the cases;
or who will consult the writings of the late accomplish-
ed Judge Story, who certainly will never be suspected
SLAVERY QUESTION. -513
of partialities to slavery, or slave laws. All the clamor
and denunciations that have been got up against the
fugitive slave law, on the ground that it took away the
right of trial by jury, is the merest pretence, without
the shadow of excuse. Those making the assertion,
either know nothing about the laws, or if knowing them,
have intentionally misrepresented them to deceive and
impose on those more ignorant than themselves.
The ri'^ht of trial hy jury never existed to decide
ivhethcr a slave charged with escaping from service, or a
fugitive from justice, should he given up. Who ever
heard of such a trial, where one was arrested on an
allegation of crime?
Fugitives from justice, and from service, stand on
the same ground by the constitutional provision; and
though they have the right to be tried by a jury where
the crime was committed, or where the service is al-
leged to be due, which in the latter case brings up the
question o'l freeman or slave, yet in reference to sending
back either, it is a preliminary enquiry merel}^ whether
there is reasonable cause.
When I say the right of trial by jury never existed to
decide ichether a slave, charged ivith escapiiig from service,
should he given up, I do not intend to deny that state
laws have been passed, authorizing such trials. But
those laws have been adjudged unconstitutional; and
hence, the assertion that the right never existed, as an
unconstitutional law, is a nullity.
The slave states have laws securing the right of
trial by jury, to any one held in servitude, who claims
to be free ; and I have no doubt, the trial would be as
fair and impartial as in any other state. But it is said
at the north, if it is a question of property to the value
of a " writing desk," the parties have the right of trial
544 SLAVERY QUESTION.
by jury ; while, if a claim of service is made, that in-
volves a question of freedom ; the party claimed, must
be given up without intervention of a jury ; and
should he after his removal, have a jury trial, it will
be among strangers, and under most disadvantageous
circumstances.
This is all true ; but is it a fair argument when
taken in connection with the provisions of the consti-
tution? " Disguise it as you will, still slavery is a hitter
dranght,^^ and I freely admit that the constitution, and
the laws under it, so far as slaves are concerned, are se-
vere ; and a departure from the English common law.
Hence, when it is asserted that it would be but just to
allow a black man claimed as a slave to have a trial
by jury, where the claim is made, and would be in
accordance with the common law ; as a distinct pro-
position will hardly be disputed, even by southern
Iaw3^er3. I am sure I shall not dispute it; and I will
add, that it would be more in accordance with the
common law, not to surrender him at all ; but to regard,
every human being found in a free state, as a free man,
and entitled to its protection. This would be the com-
mon law, but it has nothing to do with the question.
Slavery was forced upon the colonies, in opposition
to the common law ; and being here before, and at the
time the constitution was formed, the provision requir-
ing the giving up of those claimed as fugitives from
service, was adopted as a compromise between the
north and south, and the faith of each was pledged in
the most solemn manner, for its performance. Under
that provision, the law of '93 was passed, and has been
adjudged a constitutional law.
Why then, is it now contended that fugitives from
service should have a jury trial, except by those who
SLAVERY QUESTION. 54-5
are willing to violate the constitution, and dissolve the
union of the states ? And suppose this could be effect-
ed, how would it benefit the slave? They would be
slaves still, unless northern philanthropists, with fanatic
zeal, should invade the slave holding states, and by
encouraging and aiding a servile war, thus sever the
bonds of the slave, to the degradation and destruction
of the whites.
This must necessarily be the result ; and hence,
good men, who love the union of the states, and be-
lieve it of inestimable value to all, though there may
be many provisions in the constitution that they individ-
ually might prefer to change, or even abrogate alto-
gether, have, for the preservation of the union, more
than once made concessions ; and in this spirit, the fu-
gitive slave law, amending the law of '93, was adopted.
The law of '93 being so often, and so easily evaded ;
the fugitive slave law, though more stringent in its pro-
visions, as it was intended to be, was substituted ; but
contains no new principle in regard to the return of the
slave. It to be sure authorizes certain officers to act
in carrying out the law, and so did the law of '93 ; and
the law of 1860, in certain prescribed cases, requires
the law to be executed, and authorizes the employment
of force to compel submission.
But there is no requirement beyond the constitution-
al provision, that those " held to service or labor, in one
State, under the laws thereof, escaping into another
state, shall be delivered up on claim of the party to
whom such service or labor is due." Those willing to
obey this provision of the constitution, have no reason
to object to, or oppose the fugitive slave law. The
truth is, a small portion of citizens in the free states,
known as abolitionists, openly denounce and oppose
S5
546 SLAVERY QUESTION.
this constitutional provision ; while a much larger num-
ber, who do not go the whole length of the abolitionists,
so far sympathize with them on this question, that they
are not only willing to see them entice, and even steal
away a slave, but will indirectly connive at, and se-
cretly aid the escape. This northern feeling, which
had led to depredations on the rights and interests of
the south, outraging their feelings by denunciations, and
robbing them of their property, lies at the bottom of
all the difficulties, between the free and slave holding
states.
No candid man, who knows and regards facts, but
must admit that we of the north, in these matters
have been the aggressors, not only in a few isolated in-
stances, but daily, and that too for many years. North-
ern citizens, many of them, without much reflection,
have practically repudiated the requirements of the
constitution ; while professed abolitionists, and others
not admitting themselves such, but justifying them-
selves on the score of " conscience," have professed
to obey " a higher law," and therefore disregarded the
constitution.
As between these classes, I can look on j'our out-
and-out abolitionist, with some little complacency, for
he tells you plainly, that the provision in the constitu-
tion is contrary to the divine law; and, therefore, void
from beginning. While your "conscience" man will,
very likely, find excuses to swear to support the con-
stitution, and then hypocritically violate it, as well as
his oath.
Though I regard the abolitionists, were it not for
the msignificance of their numbers, as the most danger-
ous enemies to the peace and stability of the union, yet
their extravagant, fanatical zeal, will, probably, always
SLAVERY QUESTION. 547
l:eep them a p^irty so weak in numbers, that their
efforts will appear ridiculous, as well as impotent.
On the other hand, j'our "conscience men," make
their "consciences," like charity, " cover a multitude of
sins." I cannot comprehend the dictates of that con-
science., that will permit its possessor to sleep quietly un-
der its monitions, while he claims and enjoys the bene-
fits of the constitution, as a shield for the protection of
life, property and national rights, at home and abroad,
and yet winks at evasions, if not actually encourages
opposition ; and that too, after an oath registered in
heaven for its support.
While freely admitting the existence and binding
authority of that great code of natural law, impressed
by Deity himself upon the consciences of all intelligent
beings, and which is superior to all human, conflicting
enactments; yet, in reference to civil duties, as a mem-
ber of community living under laws, and professing
an attachment and adherence to the constitution, I
know of no higher law, and desire to know none, than
the constitution itself. Hence when conscience is made
a pretext for violating constitutional laws, or repudiating
the constitutional provisions, I want "none of it."
Should I ever feel constrained to resist the laws of
my country, (which God forbid,) my opposition will be
of that cast, that it will be revolution, -if successful;
treason, if not. I will not profess reverence for the
constitution and laws that protect me, and make con-
science a pretext for forcibly violating those I dislike.
Conscience is made the pretext for so many aberra-
tions of duty, and is used for such base purposes, that
\ almost abominate the word, and can say of it, as
Shakspcare makes one speak of the word occupy, that
it "was an excellent good word before it was ill as-
porled."
54S SLAVERY QUESTION.
I once bad a "conscience man" in my employn)pnt,
who always thrust his conscience forward, when he
was most delinquent in duty. On one occasion he
felt himself greatly scandalized, on my telling him he
had too much, and made too fiee use of the commodi-
ty. Our business relations were finally brought to an
abrupt close, by his stealing my corn and running
away, taking with him bag and baggage, conscience
and all.
I do not intend to speak irreverently, or disparaging-
ly, of the monitions of conscience. But it seems to
me, that efforts to enlighten and appropriately apply
it to the affairs of life, instead of casuistical devices,
which too often lead to its misapplication, would make
us better men, and better citizens.
I know there is a repugnance to slavery, and a con-
scientious abhorrence of it, that pervades, and in a
great measure controls the feelings of citizens in free
states; and I respect that feehng, when restrained with-
in its appropriate sphere.
I also know, that this anti-slavery sentiment has
greatly increased in the free states, since the manumis-
sion of their own slaves. To look at its operations, it
would really appear that individual interest, or the in-
terest of friends, or perhaps the former universahty of
slavery at the north, by bringing our citizens in contact,
and daily intercourse with those who held slaves, had
in a great measure quieted conscience, and stifled its
monitions, till we were rid of them ourselves ; and
now, as if to atone for former delinquencies, exhibits
itself with recuperated energies, in an unrelenting war-
fare against all who hold them, just as our citizens for-
merly did. If it is sinful now, it was equally sinful
then; but the zeal now manifested, was then dormant;
SLAVERY QUESTION. 549
and being rid of our own, is now rampant for extirpa-
ting slavery wherever it exists.
If our northern cilizcns regard it as a conscientious
duty to war against slavery, why not wage the warfare
against its existence in Cuba and Brazil, where the
slave trade is permitted, if not actually authorized; in-
stead of warring against their southern brethren? Here
is a foreign field for their sympathies, wide enough for
the most active exercise of benevolence and philantro-
phy. In the one case, it would be a controversy with
foreigners who approve of, and sustain the trade ; while
in the other, it is interfering with the rights of our own
countr3rmen, disturbing the peace of the union, and that
too, in express violation of constitutional engagements.
I am not to be understood as an advocate for slave-
ry. I would not establish it anywhere ; and being rid
of it ourselves, have no desire to see it re-established.
It is an evil fastened upon the country before our na-
tional existence, and must be left to the States where it
exists to manage it, like other evils, the best way they
can for the public good. Were I a citizen of Maryland,
Kentucky, or Missouri, I would favor incipient steps for
a gradual manumission, so remote as not to produce re-
vulsions and disruptions in society, but would, event-
ually, result in a full abolition of slavery. In Delaware,
I would vote for it at once; while, in the Carolinas, or
more southern states, I would not, for the present, vote
for even the incipient steps.
Whites, as well as blacks, have rights ; and I am
satisfied, that in those states where so many are held in
servitude, it is better for both races to remain as they
are, for the present, than to disorganize society by free-
ing the blacks, and thus setting them and the whites in
antagonistic positions.
550 SLAVERY QUESTION.
The two races cannot bold an equal standing.
They cannot, and do not, at the north. Prejudices too
strontT to overcome, will not permit it; and to think of
liberating the vast numbers of ignorant southern slaves,
and throwing them upon their own resources for a live-
lihood, many of them with but little more capacity for
taking care of themselves, than so many oxen, would
be the extreme of fanatical folly, and ruinous to those
states. If it did not lead to an immediate conflict for
mastery, as it did in St. Domingo, it would let loose a
multitude, who, from sheer necessity, must either beg,
steal, or rob, to sustain life, or must be supported by
society at large.
I would not from any mawkish sensibility in regard
to natural rights, like Don Quixotte, half crazed on one
particular subject, make war, and contend with wind-
mills; but would treat slavery, as I would other evils
engrafted upon society; ameliorate the condition of the
slave ; render him comfortable and happy ; make his
servitude as endurable as possible, till it could be re-
moved without inflicting greater evils on society. When
that time will arrive, is best known to him who fore-
knows and controls human events. I would not pre-
cipitate it, to introduce the fruits of West India eman-
cipation; besides, as a citizen of another state, I have
.no right, legal or moral, to interfere with the domestic
relations of others; nor would J, if I had such right.
Let them adjust the matter themselves, as we have
done; and as I know we would not have consented
that other states should interfere with our affairs, neith-
er will I with theirs. While the black man, I hope,
will always find me his friend, and ready to protect
him in all his legal rights, he must not expect me to
outrage, or violate the constitutional rights of the whites.
SLAVERY QUESTION. 501
Those southern domestic relations, must be left to south-
ern management; and in my judgment, the northern
man who interferes with them, whether so intended or
not,* inflicts a great evil on the slave, and is in fact his
worst enemy.
Whether slavery of itself be a sin, is a point on
which good, and great men, both laymen and divines,
have, and probably will always differ. While it is
generally conceded that the negroes are an inferior
race (intellectually, if not physically,) to the Caucasian ;
it is contended by many eminent theologians, that a
state of servitude is allotted to them by a " higher lav/ "
than man can enact, which, for nearly 4,000 years
has existed without change.
" Cursed be Canaan, a servant of servants shall he
be unto his brethren." " Blessed be the Lord God of
Shem, and Canaan shall be his servant." " God shall
enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of
Shem ; and Canaan shall be his servant." Gen. 9th
chap., 25th, 26th, and 27th.
Here is a denunciation thrice repeated, to give it
more emphasis and solemnity, which is significant, and
no doubt has a meaning. It is supposed to refer to the
descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham ; and the best
and most learned biblical scholars have uniformly con-
ceded that the negro race are those descendants.
Whether that be so or not, certainly the curse or
denunciation referred to individuals or nations of some
description ; and men more learned and wise than m3-self,
have contended that it expressly refers to slavery, which
we know has always existed. I will not assert that it re-
fers to, or sanctions slavery, but at least it implies a degra-
ded, inferior position, mentally or otherwise, and perhaps
such a condition would be a fulfilment of the prophecy.
552 SLAVERY QUESTION.
We know from histoiy, sacred and profane, that
slavery has existed in all ages of the world, authorized
in the old, and tolerated in the new testament ;. yet it is
a monstrous evil to both races which I hope may be
removed, whenever it can be, without inflicting great-
er. This hope, I confess, is more like the christian
hope, that the world will be converted and become
better, and the millenium ushered in at some indefi-
nite future period, than a positive reasonable expecta-
tion that such result, however desirable, will soon take
place.
That the negroes are an inferior race, I cannot rea-
sonably doubt ; though this affords no excuse for buy-
ing or stealing them from their own country to make
slaves abroad.
Reasoning from analogy, their inferiority in the
scale of being, may be deduced from the fact, that
there is a gradation, mentally and physically, from the
lowest to the highest of created things. This we see
in the vegetable and animal creation it pervades the
whole, and appears to be the order and economy of
nature. Then when we leave the brute part, and in-
stitute comparisons between the different classes or
races of the human family, where should the negroes
be placed?
While almost every race except his, has advanced
in civilization, arts, and sciences, he has remained sta-
tionary; and is now, where left to himself, substantially
the same as he was 3,000 years ago.
The lights of Egyptian, Assyrian, Hebrew, Greek,
and Roman science made no impression on him, while
civilization and the arts of modern times find him
scarcely an imitator, except as he has been forced to
adopt them from communication with civilized men.
SLAVERY QUESTION. 553
He has withstood the whole and at the present
day, in all the fastnesses of his native Africa, he ex-
hibits the same stupid brutalized condition that charac-
terized him in the first ages of the world, and that has
marked his progress through the "whole course of re-
corded time."
Even on the western coast of Africa, where, for
nearly four hundred years, he has been brought in inti-
mate relations with Europeans, he has scarcely emerged
from barbarism, and still worships his idols ; while his
leading trait of character is an aptitude to steal or cap-
ture his own race, and sell them into bondage.
He can imitate, but what has he ever invented, or
what talent for invention has he ever manifested?
Probably the Caffirs and Hottentots are the lowest
class of humanity, and who would think of comparing
them intellectually or otherwise, with the European
races? Their very physical conformation, their heads,
and frontlets, stamp them as beings of an inferior order.
If this be so, they must remain a degraded race, even
if admitted to equal legal privileges, for the laws of
nature can neither be overthrown or counteracted.
If the black race are ever to be improved, it would
seem to be by a forced communication with civilized
life ; and in this view of the question, good may event-
ually be derived, even from a state of slavery.
Situated as they are, in the southern states, where
the slave is compelled to associate with civilized men ;
and conform in a great measure to the modes and ha-
bits of civilized life ; I have no doubt, that take them as
a race, they are far better off than an equal number
ever have been in their original condition.
It may, in God's good lime, be made apparent, that
slavery has been permitted for some great purpose, that
554 SLAVERY QUESTION.
shall eventually work out in his inscrutable providen-
ces, the good, and the civilization of that benighted race.
While I would not extend slavery, I am willing to
abide by the stipulations of the constitution, and leave
the amelioration or abrogation of the condition of the
slave to the several states, who, alone have the control
of the question.
In this view, I ask all good men ; those who are
considerate, well disposed, and who wish to preserve
the rights and liberties of the country whether opposi-
tion to the fugitive slave law is a moral or christian
duty?
Can an American citizen, who has the good of his
country at heart, desire or aid in producing such a re-
sult ? Is it not the first duty of a good citizen to obey
the law, till your courts, organized by yourselves, to
decide on its constitutionality, have declared it invalid;
or until you can amend or repeal it, through the me-
dium of the ballot box. It seems to me this is the legiti-
mate course the only course that good citizens should
desire.
Certainly you do not wish to encourage an opposi-
tion that may place life, liberty, and property, under
the control of mobs, or lawless assemblages ; nor do
you wish to see the majesty of the laws derided.
Let me make a candid appeal, and ask you, if you
have not formed hasty conclusions, such as have result-
ed from prejudices or pre-conceived opinions, without
much reflection?
I know the great body of my readers do not desire
a dissolution of the union ; and yet it appears very
plain to me, that this will be lost, unless we abide
in good faith by the requirements of the constitution.
Ask yourselves whether rjou will repudiate those com-
SLAVERY QUESTION. 555
promises, and run the risk, and lake the consequences
of a disruption? Or will you adhere to engagements
made by wise and good men, which many, very many
of us have sworn to support ! Or will we basely cast
aside and trample upon those provisions, which we
personally dislike, and yet, without which, the con-
stitution could neither have been formed or adopted !
Is it reasonable to expect the south to abide by the
constitution, when the north violate and repudiate those
provisions intended to secure southern rights and inter-
ests ? It is preposterous to think so.
The truth is, we at the north have been unwiUing
to carry out the provisions, where they were against
our opinions, and this is made painfully obvious by
matters transpiring daily. If we are honest we must
admit it. What else is the meaning of petitions pre-
sented to the legislatures asking for a state law " to pre-
vent the return of fugitive slaves?" What else means
the following abolition resolutions adopted in Massa-
chusetts?
^^ Resolved That we rejoice with our whole hearts
at the recent rescue of a man claimed as a slave in
Boston, as an act just and merciful towards man and
well pleasing in the sight of God.
*' Resolved That we hope that this act will grow
into a perpetual precedent, and that, law or no law,
constitution or no constitution, union or no union ; the
hospitality of Massachusetts will never be violated by
the deliverance of any fugitive from oppression to his
tvrant again."
It has been proclaimed even from the sacred desk,
that opposition to the law, and the constitutional provi-
sion, is a christian dniy. Can it be possible that doc-
trines like this will long be tolerated by any considera-
556 SLAVERY QUESTION.
We number? I cannot believe it. Men will reflect,
and reflection will induce other convictions.
Perhaps I am too sensitive on these subjects, but if I
am, it is no new born zeal. It is at least of twenty
years' standing. I am on record, and have been on
this subject, for sixteen years. By referring to the de-
mocratic legislative address, drawn by me, and adopt-
ed May 24th, 1836, the following clause will be found,
not inappropriate to the present state of affairs :
"Within the last year the public mind has been
greatly excited on the subject of abolition. We are
satisfied that the great body of the American people are
sound on this question ; and that they not only depre-
cate any interference with the rights of the people at
the south, but view with disapprobation any attempt to
agitate the public mind in reference to this delicate and
exciting subject. We think, however, that you cannot
have failed to observe in the congressional proceedings
of the present session, a studied design on the part of
the abolitionists to agitate this question; and a most
ready acquiescence on the part of southern nullifiers, in
any scheme to invite or provoke discussion. It has ap-
peared to us, that there has been a perfect understand-
inof between the fanatics of the north, and the nuUifiers
of the %puth, to thrust this subject before the public,
with a view to detach the slave holding states from the
support of the administration.
" But thanks to the intelligence and patriotism of the
south, this project has found but little favor, except with
a few disappointed and desperate politicians of the
nullification school ; and at the north, it has been abet-
ted by comparatively few in numbers, and (in refer-
ence to its leaders) those have been principall}^ broken
down, unprincipled aspirants, who have long since, not
SLAVERY QUESTION'. 557
only rendered themselves odious, but have justly lost
the confidence of those to whom they are best known.
" With a zeal untirhig, and an unabated ardor for
public notoriety, ' they will compass sea and land to
make a proselyte,' but their object being political dis-
tinction, the people duly appreciate their exertions, and
will consign to merited obscurity, those who attempt to
rise by such base artifices and deceptions." This was
signed by every democratic member of the legislature.
Now, though I believe the feeling in every slave
state, to be perfectly sound in favor of the union, and
that, too, by large majorities; and though, in my judg-
ment, it would be for the interest of each to adhere,
even if the free states should violate the provision of
the constitution, by refusing to surrender slaves ; yet,
with the present exasperated feeling on that question, I
do not believe the union can, by any possibility be pre-
served, without the faithful performance of that en-
gagement.
The south may well say, why shall we remain united
wiLh those who openly deride and set aside the terms of
the original compact? If they violate one provision,
what assurance can we have, that all will not be set at
nought'^'' Pride of feeling will come in, and even if
interest should say stick by the union, for in union only,
there is strength ; yet it is almost certain that southern
pride would revolt at the unequal co-partnership, and
would go out by main force, rather than submit to dis-
grace, as well as injury.
Viewing as I do, the union of the states, as beyond
all comparison, the most important bequest left us by
the fathers of the country the men of revolutionary
times ; I beseech all who so regard it, to stop aggres-
sions at once ; and though slavery be abhorrent to our
65S SLAVERY QUESTION.
feelings, and a return of fugitives from service, a most
unpleasant duty; yet let us not be aggressors on the
rights of the south, and set an example of disobedience
to law, which may be deeply deplored in the end.
Reasonable considerate men should reflect, and
make up their minds, whether the perpetuity of the
union with a restoration of kind feelings between the
north and south, is not of vastly more importance to all
classes, both white and black, than a severance of the
interest and unity of the states, with all the concom-
itants of civil war, and bitter hatred, which must ine-
vitably follow.
" The dissolution of the union." Have the citizens
of the different states, north or south, properly consider-
ed the direful consequences that must follow such an
event?
The union resulted from a consciousness that it was
indispensably necessary to the whole country. It was
consecrated by the blood of the revolution, which, shed
for a common cause, carried with it cohesive powers
that consolidated the mass. That union once disrupt-
ed, and by force too, if broken up at all, in all human
probability can never be again consummated. The
blood that will be shed in colHsions between the states,
will have lost its cohesive qualities, and henceforth will
have become repulsive and antagonistical.
A dissolution of the union, of all political calamities,
would be the greatest. To say nothing of the civil
wars that must inevitably follow; and the border hostili-
ties that collisions of feeling and interest must constant-
ly engender; it would annihilate all the bright hopes of
the apostles of liberty. It would render of no avail the
blood and treasure of the revolutionary struggle ; for
how could we appeal to other nations, and talk of the
SLAVERY QUESTION. 5-59
blessings of liberty, when we had made so calamilous
a use of it ourselves ? We are all of the same race
scattered through the different states, but united in in-
terest, in language, in the social relations of life, and
bound up in one common destiny.
A dissolution would blot out the stars, and efface
the stripes of our glorious flag; and the eagle if allow-
ed to remain as the representative of a fragment of the
now favored confederacy, would no longer be the bird
of Jove, invested with power ; but rather of weakness
and degeneracy. Spirit broken and disgraced, the no-
ble emblem, thus far the harbinger of victory and na-
tional glory, would flee to a more generous people, or
remain as a sad memento of the glories of the past.
Who would become the depositors of those works of
art that illustrate and perpetuate our onward march,
and excite the pride and veneration of the beholder,
whether from the north or south?
Marius sitting solitary and degraded among the ruins
of Carthage, has in all ages been regarded as a melan-
choly spectacle of the reverse of human greatness.
But how inferior would the misfortunes of that great
man of antiquity appear, to the sad exhibition which
the dismemberment of this republic would present?
Its splendor effaced, its laws violated, intestine
commotions within, weakness substituted for strength
without; the sturdy pillars that supported the political
arch prostrated, disjointed, and in ruins; while desola-
tion overspreading the whole, would write viene tekel on
all our former greatness. I trust in God that such a re-
sult, so dire and calamitous, shall never be realized.
After all what benefit have we of the north gained
by agitating the slavery question, except the assertion
of an abstract principle, and the acquisition of a few
fugitive slaves, which we did not want?
5G0 SLAVERY QUESTION.
I will not argue this point, for no man of truth and
connmon sense will pretend that any practical good has
resulted; or that we have acquired anything beyond
the unenviable distinction of evading, or violating the
compromises of the constitution.
But what benefits have accrued to the slaves?
Nothing beyond the escape of a few, the greater part
of whom, I have no doubt, have not improved their con-
dition; while northern agitation, and bad faith to the
south, have riveted the fetters of the slave with tenfold
severity, on the great body of them ; have induced laws
and police regulations more strict and penal, and put
far off their emancipation in states, Avhich if left to them-
selves, would have sanctioned a gradual abolition.
Even in Delaware, where they seemed prepared to
liberate the whole, and where it would seem they might
be set free without injury to any one, it is very doubt-
ful whether the proposition could now be sustained.
While in Maryland and Kentucky, slave holders, abused
and tantalized, their property stolen, or spirited away,
have become callous in feeling from repeated abuses,
so that to all human appearances, slavery is now more
firmly fixed than ever. I would not do on command of
an intermedler, what I might think right of itself, and
which I might cheerfully yield on request. I should be
more likely to break the head of him for his insolence,
who would rudely command, than to yield acquiescence.
In other words, 1 would do no such thing on compulsion;
and so it is, and will be, with the south. We have no
right to interfere with their afHiirs, and they will re-
fuse to listen to our suggestions, for the reason that we
are *' busy bodies in other men's matters."
If abolitionists intend to repudiate the constitution,
and resist, or encourage others ro resist the laws of the
SLAVERY QUESTION.^ 5G1
land, (and that seems to be their intention, if their
blustering means anything,) let them do so openly, and'
take their chance of punishment. Let them so act as
to acquire a patriot's name; if it be successful, revolu-
tion ; or let it be rebellion and a halter, if they fail.
In this position they will be respected for courage,'
if for no other quality. But let them not pretend to
acquiesce in the union of the states, and claim and en-
joy protection of life and property from its laws, while
withholding obedience to them, and exhorting to dis-
obedience. They have been zealous in their teach-
ings that it is sinning against God, against light and
knowledge, and outraging the monitions of conscience,
to obey the requirements of the constitution.
If an attachment to the union, and a determination
to adhere to and fulfil the requirements of the constitu-
tion, be sinful; then, beyond a peradventure, I am " one
of the wicked."
While, if claiming and enjoying protection, and
swearing to support the constitution, yet evading, and
encouraging others to resist the laws and nullify its
provisions, thereby putting the peace of the country,
and the stability of its government in jeopardy, be sin-
ful ; I know of no condition so deserving of reprobation
here, or hereafter, as should be visited on such trans-
gressors.
In the latter unenviable condition, I look upon the
out-and-out, half crazed abolitionists ; and have no great
^ doubt that they will be so regarded by the enlightened
and unbiased judgment of the country, and of posterity.
36
562 MEXICAN WAR.
CHAPTER XXX.
ReJlectio7is in regard to the toar with Mexico.
The annexation of Texas we all know, led to the war
with Mexico. When the project was first started for
bringing Texas into our union, and thus getting back
an immense territory that we had ceded away, it met
my decided approbation. I was desirous of avoiding
a war, but wanted Texas in almost any event; and it
appeared unreasonable that INIexico, weak as she was,
should so pertinaciously object.
Texas came into the union by compact between
that and our own government; the war followed, and
an additional territory was acquired, sufficient for an
empire.
A few reflections in regard to that war, its com-
mencement, prosecution, and conclusion, may not be
out of place.
That a war would be the result of the annexation
of Texas, was apparent in 1844, from the pertinacity
with which the Mexicans asserted their claim to the
territories represented by the "lone star," and their re-
fusal to acknowledge an independence already achieved.
The United States, England and France, had re-
cognized Texas as an independent government ; and it
was a foolhardy effort on the part of Mexico, to keep
up a claim to that country, from which they were more
likely to be invaded and harrassed, than to invade and
recover the revolted province. Mexican pride, how-
ever, was aroused; and when Texas was admitted to
MEXICAN WAR. 5G3
fellowship with the states represented by the stars and
stripes, Mexico, weak as she was, blustered, and seem-
ed to think a resort to arms necessary to -sustain her
reputation, even if she perished sword in hand.
She voluntarily assumed that attitude; and if her
spirit is admired, her prudence, and her efforts in the
desperate conflict, will afford no flattering reflections to
her national pride, or give assurance to the world that
she can sustain herself hereafter.
The contest resulted very much as was to be ex-
pected. President Polk was aided by a cabinet of ex-
traordinary talent. Mr. Walker at the head of the
treasury, managed it with a skill and success rarely
equalled, and never surpassed. While Governor Mar-
cy, in the war department, conducted it, and in con-
junction with military men called into council, matured
the government plans for the campaigns, with an ener-
gy and forecast, that shewed him eminently qualified
for the important position he held. War being declar-
ed, the great body of the whig party, though they dis-
approved of it, yet resolved to support it till brought to
an honorable conclusion.
National pride was excited, and the whigs did not
play the fool as the federalists did during the war of
1812, but generally voted the supplies. The first mili-
tary talent of the country was put in requisition ; and,
while Generals Taylor and Scott headed the principal
armies, they were seconded by Generals Wool, Worth,
and other subordinates, whose brilliant exploits, and
chivalric bearing, would have confered honor on any
service.
The troops, too, though most of them new recruits,
or volunteers, were invincible ; and Mexico harrassed
and annoyed by our navy in the gulf, and on the
56^ MEXICAN WAR.
Pacific, and pressed by the armies within her territory,
was soon at the mercy of the invaders. Her capital
taken, her armies defeated and dispersed, her treasury
exhausted, and the spirit of her people broken, we
might as well have subjugated the whole, and retained
the whole, as to have made peace by purchasing Cali-
fornia and New Mexico, then subdued and in our pos-
session. It was understood that Yucatan, harrassed by
her Indian population, would cheerfully have come into
our union; and I am by no means certain, but it would
have been better for our own country, after so nearly
subjugating Mexico, to have sent ten or fifteen regi-
ments more of volunteers, who with the armies there,
and the fleets on the coast, would have conquered the
whole country. It would have been for the interest ot
Mexico, however revolting to its pride, to have been
brought under, or in connection with, a strong govern-
ment like ours. We should probably have had no
more difficulty among ourselves in adjusting matters in
reference to the slavery question, than we have had
in regard to New Mexico, California, and the Texas
boundary.
As to the morality of the act, I do not see that we
should have been in fault, so long as we treated the~
conquered people with humanity, and improved their
condition, as we should have done, had they been an-
nexed to the union. Mexico when she crossed the Rio
Grande in hostile array, took the chance of war ; and
had she been entirely conquered, and made part of
ourselves, it would have been but the result of the
hazard on which she ventured to stake her political
existence.
It is no new thing for the sword to serve as arbiter
to settle the fate of provinces and empires.
MEXICAN WAR. 565
It appears not only probable, but almost inevitable,
that the whole of Mexico will ultimately be absorbed
and brought under our control, making part of our con-
federacy.
^ Such an event with the consequent infusion of Anglo-
American spirit and enterprise, would make Mexico
what she ought to be, (but what she never will be un-
der her present laws and system of government,) one
of the finest portions of the American continent.
I have been told, that Mr. Secretary Walker took
this view of the question, in cabinet council; and was
for subjecting and annexing the whole, but whether
that was so in point of fact, I have no certain know-
led2;e ; though I think such was the case, for a man of
his enlarged views, would very likel3'- be of that opin-
ion. It has been intimated that he contended, after we
were in possession of the Mexican capital, that a rea-
sonable tariffon Mexican importations, tobelevied under
our laws, or laws regulating military operations, would
enable us to prosecute the war to the subjugation of the
whole of that country, without being burthensome to
this. If any man could have xionsummated such a re-
sult, Mr. Walker could.
Mr. Pclk and his cabinet did not favor so bold and
grasping a project, and perhaps it is best that they did
not; as it is not certain that public opinion at home,
would have sustained that policy.
There were, certainly, difficulties and prejudices in
the way. Our domains were already so extensive, that
good and wise men feared that it would break to pieces
from its own weight and extension.
Then there was the objection trom the difference of
races, the prejudices naturally existing, and those that
would likely spring up from a difference in language,
566 MEXICAN WAR.
laws, religion, habits of life; and, in short, everythinf^
that mark the lines of distinction between two nations,
in almost every respect so dissimilar.
In addition to all this, very serious objections would
have been raised, particularly at the north, against en-
larging our domains so much at the south, under an
apprehension that slavery might be carried there, and
thus create an overbearing influence in our national
councils; while, as slavery had been abolished and
proscribed in Mexico, our southern states might have
objected to the acquisition under a belief that slavery
would still be excluded, and thus the southern slave
holding states would in a measure, be swallowed up by
the free states at the north and the free Mexican states.
With these different views and prejudices, it was pro-
bably best not to press the matter to extremities, and
thus create prejudices at home, prolong the war with
Mexico ; and, perhaps, had a disposition manifested
itself, for the final conquest, a war might have been
provoked with England, if not with other European
powers.
On the whole, Mr. Polk, in negotiating for a peace,
and acquiring, as he did by purchase, California and
New Mexico, probably better met the views of the
American people, than he would by protracting the
war, for the purpose of acquiring more, or even the
whole.
Still I do not believe it possible to arrest our influ-
ence, our progress, or our acquisinon of more southern
territory ; nor will Cuba cease to be regarded as a most
desirable acquisition by a large proportion of our peo-
ple, and I am by no means certain but that even the
New Englanders as well as the south, may become re-
conciled to the acquisition. We have lost none of the
MEXICAN WAR. 5G7
Anglo-Saxon propensity for good land ; and New Eng-
land, shrewd, calculating, and money-loving, as well as
money-getting, would be quite likely in the end, to be
governed by what she should deem her interest ; and'
that interest, I have no doubt, would be r)romoted by^
the acquisition of Cuba.
That fine island with the whole of the IMexican
states are within our reach, and within the track of our
extended commerce.
The isthmus that divides the Atlantic from the Pa-
I.? cific, should belong to a people who would open that,
as a thoroughfare for the commerce of the world.
To our country it would be invaluable, in reference
to free communications betw^een our eastern and wes-
tern possessions, as well as to eastern Asia. We ought
to have it, and it is probable that the sentiment will
become so prevalent that pretexts, will be found for its'
acquisition.
Negotiations most likely will be resorted to, within
a few years, to consummate peaceably what appears
to be coming along by " manifest destiny." Whenever
it can be done, and Cuba and Mexico can be acquired
and absorbed, without disturbing the harmony of the
present states of this great republic, and without war
or ill will among other nations, I hope to see the whole
accomplished. ' ^
THE END.
APPENDIX a;
In my first chapter, speaking of the battle of Bennington, an
intimation is given of an appendix, giving some further details.
It is an old hacknied subject, but at this day almost any inci-
dent connected with the revolutionary sti'uggle, when brought
out in detail so as to present personal actions, is read with
interest, particularly by the rising generation.
That battle had incidents, that I have heard talked over so
often by my parents, that I have always felt a deep interest
in them ; and being so intimately connected with my birth-
place, the reader must excuse me for briefly referring to them.
Burgoyne, as is well known, advanced from Canada with
a powerful and well appointed force in the early part of June,
1777, intending to open a communication by the way of Lake
Champlain, with Albany, and thence with New York.
In every respect, except cavalry, his equipment was per-
fect ; but this arm was deficient for the want of horses, a por-
tion of which he expected would be sent after him from Ca-
nada, and the residue he intended to procure as he advanced
into the settled portions of New York.
The latter part of June he arrived before Ticonderoga,
which from the extent of its works, and the inadequate force
under General St. Clair, was incapable of sustaining a pro-
tracted siege.
Before it was fully invested, the American general under
the advice of a council of war, evacuated the fort, and retreat-
ed towards the head of Lake Champlain ; but his rear guard,
under Col. Warner, was vigorously attacked at Hubbardton,
and defeated with considerable loss after an obstinate defence.
Col. Warner retreated to Manchester, Vermont, while the
main body of the Americans proceeded to Skenesborough,
570 APPENDIX.
and thence by the way of Wood Creek to the Hudson river.
Burgoyne pursued, but his progress was greatly impeded
from the want of provisions and munitions of war, and the
means of transportation, as well as from the destruction of
bridges, and obstructions by fallen trees across the road by
the retreating Americans.
On reaching the Hudson, after waiting for provisions and
stores to be brought from his reai", he advanced slowly and
cautiously down the river; and on arriving at a suitable point,
detached Cols. Breyman and Baum with a strong force of
Hessians, in the dii-ection of Bennington. They were accom-
panied by a large number of Indians, who were sent forward
as scouts and rangers. Breyman encamped at Batten Kill,
while Baum, with his Hessians and Indians, pushed on through
Cam.bridge and White Creek, to Hoosic, within a few miles
of Bennington.
The object of the expedition was to capture a large quantity
of provisions and military stores collected for the American
army ; also to drive back the militia who were concentrating
there in considerable force, and thus free the left flank of the
royal army from their annoyance. A fuithcr object was to
give countenance and support to those who were supposed to
be well affected towards the English government, who were
erroneously estimated by Col. Skene, a loyalist ofiicer, as five
to one ; and a still further object was to provide horses, as it
was intended to organize a corps of dragoons, a considerable
portion of Baum's force having their dragoon swords with
them, as well as muskets.
Nly grand-parents on my mother's side, resided in Cam-
bridge, on the route that the enemy would take, and as they
advanced, the country was filled with alarm and consterna-
tion. The cattle and live stock of all descriptions were driven
off into Vermont, the iron ware and kitchen furniture buried
and hid in the garden, while the wagon was placed before
the door, where the horses were standing with their harness
on, ready to start at a moment's warning. On the 13th or
14th of August, 1777, a man on horseback riding rapidly from
APPENDIX. 571
the rear, came to warn the family to flee ; tdhnj^ them to be
off at once, as the Indians were approaching, and were within
a mile of the dwelling. Beds and bedding were hastily thrown
into the wagon, and the family on top of them drove off to-
wards Bennington.
Asthey went forward, tney f^und the inhabitants flying
like themselves; and soon after met a detachment of Ameri-
cans under Col. Gregg, who had been sent forward by Gen.
Stark, to the number of two hundred, to oppose and harrass
the Hessians and Indians. My mother, then about twelve
years old, has often described the alarm that pervaded all
classes. In the ranks of those who were advancino: to check
the enemy, were many so young that they appeared like boys,
several of whom were crying.
Baum pressed on, and Gregg and his detachment fell back,
when on arriving at the Wallomsack Ci'eek, where the battle
was subsequently fought, the Hessian commander alarmed at
the numbers in his front, halted and intrenched himself on the
heights, and sent back for reinforcements. This was the 14tli
of August, during which day there was much skirmishing, so
that he lost thirty men killed and wounded, two being distin-
guished Indian chiefs ; one of whom was shot from the field
of grain, as related in the first chapter. Stark with his regi-
ment lay in front of the Hessians, and he was aided by several
small regiments.
Col. Warner was still at Manchester, but had been request-
ed to march forward to co-operate with Stark. It rained
nearly the whole day on the 15th, which rendered the roads
almost impassable, so that Warner did not arrive in time for
the principal action, as it was a long march and he had to halt
to rest and refresh his men, to clean and prepare their arms, and
to furnish them with fresh ammunition, their cartridores havingr
become wet and unfit for use. The same rain equally retarded
the advance of Breyman, who did not reach the scene of con-
flict until Baum had been attacked and defeated.
He had skilfully selected his ground where he had intrench-
ed his party, consistingf of upwards of five hundred well armed
572 APPENDIX.
and disciplined Hessians, with more than one hundred In-
dians ; and he was aided by a strong force of tories, who con-
structed and posted themselves behind a breastwork.
He had also two pieces of field artillery judiciously station-
ed to defend his intrenchment.
His object was to maintain his position till the re-inforce-
ment should arrive, while the object of the Americans was to
overwhelm him before that arrival.
Though Warner's regiment was not present, Stark deter-
mined to attack the enemy, and preparatory thereto Col. Ni-
chols with two hundred men was sent to the rear of the left of
the Hessians, and Col. Herrick with three hundred to the rear
of the right, with orders to unite by a flank movement as
they advanced to the attack, and thus enclose the Hessians
and Indians, and cut off their retreat.
Cols. Hubbard and Stickney, with about two hundred, were
still farther to the right, and were to attack from that quarter;
while about one hundred were to advance and attack in front.
Gen. Stark commanded the whole, and led one of the latter
columns into action. The object in attacking the enemy
from the rear was to drive him still farther from his expected
re-inforcements, in case he could be forced from his intrench-
ments.
The Americans were undisciplined, nearly all direct from
their farms ; poorly armed, the most of them without bayo-
nets, and many of them with fowling pieces only. But they
were stern, resolute, reflecting men, who not only believed
their cause just, but that it was a religious duty to fight stoutly
in defence of their families and their homes, as well as to
maintain their political rights.
In addition to these considerations they were incensed in
the highest degree against the Hessians, who were regarded
as mercenaries ; while the barbarities of the Indians were
such, that it needed no incentive to stimulate a desire to exter-
minate them, as well as the tories.
To induce his men to act more vigorously however. Stark
promised them the plunder and spoils of the enemy. The
APPENDIX. 573
action commenced about three o'clock in the afternoon, hy a
vigorous charge on all sides of the enemy's works. Tlio firing
was incessant, not in vollics or platoons by the Americans, but
indiscriminately ; each man loading and firing as fast as he
could, and taking as deliberate aim as possible.
My father, who was very near the scene of action, and could
hear every gun, used to compare the incessant reports with
the constant snapping of hemlock brush when exposed to fire.
In the midst of all the din of small arms, the field pieces
were admirably sei'ved, and kept booming away at the ad-
vancing Americans. They pushed forward cautiously towards
the breastworks and intrenchments, sheltering themselves
wherever a shelter intervened ; but to render their attack suc-
cessful it was necessary to advance and come to close work
as soon as possible, for the Hessians and tories were mainly
protected.
The Indians finding themselves likely to be enclosed by
the divisions of Nichols and Herrick, which were closing up,
broke through between them, and scampered off at the early
part of the action, running through the briar field as formerly
mentioned. A batth^ probably excites and brings out the hu-
man passions with an intensity beyond any other incident in
life. It is a struggle where human existence is at stake, be-
sides other minor considerations that excite and stimulate to
action.
Near the intrenchments was a field of standing flax, which
having grown high and luxuriant aff'orded a covering, and
slight protection to a party of Americans, who crejDt through
it ; when on emerging from it, they were within a few rods
of the enemy. The commandant of the party immediately
sprung on an adjoining stump, and swinging his hat round his
head in a frantic manner, cried out with stentorian voice,
" there they are boys, put it into them, put it into them," ac-
companied with the most horrid oaths and imprecations.
Being so near the enemy, and exposed to his fire, it was
necessary to advance upon him at once or to retreat ; and the
former course was adopted; for the brown muskets soon cros-
APPENDIX. 574
scd the rampart and raked the intrenchment?. The action
lasted nearly three honrs, and when the Hessians had ex-
hausted their ammunition, they resolutely charged with their
dragoon swords.
Their efforts however were vain, as they were driven from
their works and retreated in disorder, followed by the Ame-
ricans ; who intent on the promised plunder had become
broken and in confusion. At this critical moment, and not far
from sundown, Breyman approached with a strong force,
bringing with him two other field pieces.
It fortunately happened that about the same time Col. War-
ner arrived with his regiment, which being led against Brey-
man, the action was resumed, and the Americans who had
broken in pursuit of Baum's party rallied, and were again
brought into action. Breyman defended himself with bravei-y,
but was forced to fall back with the loss of his artillery, and
many of his men who were killed, wounded, or taken. The
defeat was complete, and nothing saved his whole corps from
absolute destruction but the darkness of the night.
Baum had been mortally wounded, and the result of the
battle was to the Americans most auspicious. They took four
brass field pieces, twelve brass drums, four ammunition wa-
gons, two hundred and fifty dragoon swords, more than one
thousand muskets, and seven hundred prisoners. The Ame-
ricans lost in killed and wounded about one hundred. The
Hessians, tories and their Indian allies, between two and
three hundred ; of whom a large proportion of those killed at
the breastwork and in the intrenchments were shot through
the head. About three hundred of both parties were left on
the field.
In this contest whole families were engaged. The father
of the late Joshua Hathaway, of Rome, Oneida county, was
there, with five or six of his sons ; all of whom I believe es-
caped unhurt. A clergyman, with a large proportion of his
congregation, from a western town in Massachusetts, was also
in the hottest of the fight.
At Bunker Hill, a little more than one thousand raw troops
APPENDIX. 575
had defended their intrenchmcnts against more than three
thousand regulars, till their ammunition was expended ; while
here, in the words of an English historian, " about ei"^ht
'hundred undisciplined militia without bayonets, attacked and
routed five hundred regular troops, advantageously posted
behind intrenchments, furnished with the best arms, and de-
fended by two pieces of artillery." And he ought to have
added, assisted by Indians and a large body of tories.
This was the first check that Burgoyne had met with, and
in its consequences was most fatal ; for his force was weak-
ened by more than one thousand men ; his operations crippled
and restricted to the immediate vicinity of his head quarters ;
while the influence on the Americans was electrical. It gave
them confidence ; they rallied as one man, and forming a net-
tvork around, so entangled him in their meshes, that after two
desperate and hard fought battles, he Avas compelled to sur-
render in less than two months after the affair at Bennington.
i
^
LDI?Q>( IrlRRARY
}^ann*aft CoUx^ctiatx.
