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THE

LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES

DR. LEWIS F. LINN,

FOR TEN YEARS A SENATOR OF THE UNITED STATES FROM
THE STATE OF MISSOURI.

E. A. LINN AND N. SARGENT.

XEW YOEK:
D. APPLET ON AND COMPANY,

346 & 848 BROADWAY.

M.DCCC.LVIt.

;

ExTEiiED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by

D. APPLETON AND COMPANY,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States
for the Southern District of New York.

-f

PREFACE.

The present volume has been prepared in obedience to
what seemed to the writer to be a call from those, " the
pioneers of the great valley of the Mississippi and their
descendants," between whom and Doctor Linn there
was, during his lifetime, a long subsisting association,
a mutual esteem and interchange of good offices, which
from the beginning became more and more intimate
and cordial, nntil the ties which thus bound them to-
gether were severed by the hand of death.

Few men were more thoroughly identified with " the
Great West " than Dr. Linn, and no one took a livelier
interest in all that concerned the great Valley of the
Mississippi and its enterprising people, or labored with
greater zeal to develope its resources, open and improve
its highways, by land and water, with a view to expe-
dite the occupation of its rich soil and inviting climate
by the temperate sons of toil from the East, and to fa-
cilitate its commercial intercourse w^ith other parts of
the country.

It is gratifying to know that the subject of this
memoir is remembered through the fruits of his labors,
by thousands to whom he was not personally known,
but of whose interests, while he occupied a seat in the
Senate of the United States, he was never unmindful or
neglective ; and that his memory is still aftectionately
cherished by other thousands to whom he endeared

4fi7n9

PRO\ ::i':iAL UiB.^ARY
VICTORIA, B. C.

PREFACE.

hiinsi'lf in a personal intercourse of many years as their
neiglihor, friend, physician, and senator, in each of
wiiich relations he failed not to win and retain their
love and respect.

There are still others who have not forgotten the
persevering labors of Dr. Linn, in their behalf, and
whose memory is held by them in grateful regard for
his unceasing efforts to secure the noble country which
is now vocal with the voices of civilized man, whose
flocks and herds, fields and farms cover its green hills
and fruitful valleys, — the pioneers of Oregon. It is in
obedience also to their wishes that this memoir of him
whose name is so intimately connected with Oregon
has been prepared.

Aside from, and in addition to, these calls, it seemed
to be proper that some record of the services of one who
^abored so faithfully for others and for his country,
hould be preserved for those who for yenrs, perhaps
centuries, hence, will enjoy the fruits of those labors.
This task I have endeavored to perform, and to inscribe
his name upon a tablet composed of his own good
deeds ; and I need not say that it has been to me a
labor of love as well as of duty. If it has not been
done with artistic excellence, I know that the kind in-
dulgence of friends will see in the tdll all that is want-
ing in the skill. My endeavor has been less to present
a finished picture, than to body forth a tme portrait of
one whose every feature, physical and moral, I have
reason to know so well, and to remember with so nuich
afiection. E. A. Linn.

LixwooD Cottage, IJoonville, Missouri.

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

CHAPTER I

Dr. Lewis Fields Linn, the subject of tliis biography,
was born on the 5th of November, 1795, near the
present city of Louisville, in the State of Kentucky.
He was the grandson of the heroic Col. William Linn
of the Revolution. His parents emigrated from Penn-
sylvania at that early period of our national history
when there were few white people living on the banks
of the Ohio River. Those who had already pushed
their hardy fortunes so far into the wilderness and
upon its watercourses, dwelt in small settlements
scattered over the forests, and far apart from each
other. The prosperous and powerful States which now
skirt both margins of the Ohio River, were at that
remote day the hunting grounds and fastnesses of
roving Indian tribes, against whose ferocity neither
age nor sex was a shield — against the property and
lives of the white inhabitants they waged a harassing

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

1 1

. and incessant warfare, and seldom if ever spared one
or the other when fortune gave tliem the advjintage in
their incursions.

Botli the grandparents of Dr. Linn, witli seven
members of tlieir family, fell victims to the merc'lcs3
and hloody scalping-knife of the savages. His inti'epid
and chivalrous grandfather, Col. Linn, espoused the
cause of the Colonies and took up arms for their
liberties at the dawn of the American llcvolution ; he
constantly remained active in the service of his country
throughout that long struggle, so perilous and sangui-
nary to the frontier and its infant communities ; and
then sealed a life of devotion and patriotism by his
death in battle against the Indians. He lived, how-
ever, to behold the Independence for which he had
striven for so many years secured to his country ; and
some yeai*s after its establishment fell, overwhelmed
by nund)ers, in a conflict with the Indians near Louis-
ville, on the Ohio River.

An accurate and eloquent annaUst of the West, the
gifted Mr. Mann Butler of St. Louis, Missouri, thus
relates an achievement characteristic of the indomitable
spirit of Col. Linn, and the race from which he sprung :

" While the pioneers were thus bravely defending
themselves against appalling numbers of savage enemies,
the government of the parent State was not inattentive
to the interest of their Western children. By a stretch

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

of diplomacy scarcely to have been expectetl in so
young a State, just sprung out of colonial bondage, yet
still used to much independent care of her wide and
exposed dominion, the Executive of Virginia dispatched
a mission to New Orleans for the purpose of procuring
military supplies for her Western ports. The officers
sent on this perilous mission were Colonels Gibson and
Linn, the grandfather of the late Di . Lewis F. Linn,
the much-lamented senator from the State of Missouri.
These gentlemen went from Fort Pitt, and descended
the Mississippi River in 1776, to New Orleans, by
order, it is presumed, from the Governor of Virginia.
So extraordinary an adventiu-e may well rccpiire par
ticular confirmation for the satisfaction of the reader,
and it can be furnished to a most remarkable degree.
John Smith, lately, that is, in 1833, a resident of
Woodford County, State of Kentucky, was, in 1776,
employed in reconnoitring the country with James
Harod, so eminently distinguished in the difficulties
and dangers of Kentucky. On their return the com-
panions separated ; Harod to go to North Carolina,
and Smith to Potter's Creek on the Monongahela.
While travelling on the bank of the Ohio River, the
latter discovered Gibson and Linn mth their party
descending the river ; they hailed Smith and prevailed
on hun to embark on this, one of the boldest of
Western adventures. The party succeeded in their

i i

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

I
ill

obj< ot with the Spanish government at New Orleans
by obtaining one hundred and fifty-six kegs of gun-
powder. Mr. Smith helped to carry around the Falls
of the Ohio River this powder to the mouth of Bear
Grass Creek, in the spring of 1777 ; each man carried
three kegs along the portage, one at a time ; this gun-
powder was delivered at Wheeling or Fort Henry, and
thence conveyed to Fort Pitt." Independent of this
particularity of circumstances, learned from an old and
most venerable citizen of Louisville, (the late Worden
Pope, Esq., long a clerk, with untainted reputation to
the highest courts of law in Jefferson County, Ken-
tucky,) it was solenmly deposed to in a suit of law by
a very respectable party in the transaction ; it was
frequently mentioned by Col. Linn in his lifetime, and
is still known in 1833, as his information in the family
left by this gallant and most energetic man. To this
may be well added the manner in which he met his
death, and the heroic firmness of his last moments.
A few years after the United States had gained their
independence from the yoke of England, Col. Linn set
out at the head of sixty armed men on a march against
a body of hostile Indians who had foraged the White
settlements and taken many lives. At a point near
what was called Linn's Station, not far from Loidsville,
his pai'ty was met by a force of three hundred Indian
warriors, who had received full intelUgence of his ap-

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

proach, and mustered in strength to receive him. The
savages were composed of the most daring and vindic-
tive of the predatory bands infesting the great bend
of the Ohio River ; they were acquainted with all
forms assumed" by border warfare between the Red Men
and the frontier settlements ; apart from desultory
affrays many of them had borne part in the most
memorable engagement which had, as yet, taken place
upon this continent between a regular army in the
field, and Aboriginal warrioi-s ; within thirty years their
tribes had fought under the French banner against
Washington and Braddock, and they were now arrayed
within a few days' march from, that disastrous battle-
ground. The Indians were insph'ed with furious ani-
mosity against Col. Linn — his knowledge of their
character and stratagems, his superior sagacity and
dauntless intrcpedity, his genius in border warfare,
and the frequency with which they had been defeated
by him ; the dread inseparable from his name ; the
confidence and courage with which his protection in-
spired the weak and isolated societies of his partisans ;
added to the frightful chastisements with which he had
repeatedly visited their common enemy, combined to
render him, for long years, an object of deadly hatred
and hereditary revenge. This was the era of Indian
cond)ination and preconcerted movements ; his destruc-
tion appeared inevitable, and would open the way to

i I

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

sweep every stranger from the land ; but in order to
glut every horrid passion of their swarthy race, they
determined to take him alive ; his death could have
been easily effected as he led on and encouraged his
men. Suddenly a cry arose in the English tongue,
" Take him ! take him alive ! take him alive ! we want
to eat his heart ! " Instead of aiming at the vital
parts of his person, they fired volley after volley below
his knees, until his feet were shot to pieces and the
bones of his legs broken. When he fell the braves
rushed in to disarm and bear him off alive ; but they
found him in his last hour the same avenging implaca-
ble foe they, had dreaded through life. Gaining his
knees, the dying hero grappled with his enemies, giving
and receivhig many a death wound before he expired.
Of them he slew, hand to hand, seven, before his arm
was rendered nerveless by death.

It is a just reflection, that the most extraordinary
acts of fortitude and brilliant valor which excite our
admiration in history, have been evinced in the retro-
grade and not onward course of armies. Gallant
retreats and daring passages, whilst they warm our
sympathies lead us to forget that certain destruction
was willingly exchanged for the chances and probabil-
ities of self-extrication, and that chivalrv alone which
dazzles the mind in the face of death can best explain
the steady onward course of our early emigration to

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

the barriers held by savage races, and the strange
inflexibility with which they penetrated the fertile
region and mountain labyrinths beyond them. The
task was always to force new avenues and never to
retreat by old ones. Reviewing the occupation of
districts in ancient Virginia before their erection into
separate States, we are arrested by the number of ap-
palling murders in Massachusetts; — forts surprised;
block-houses given to the flames ; and other evidences
of civilization and industry reduced to ashes. The
heroic conduct of a vast number of our admirable
countrywomen during those distressing times, must be
a source of great pleasure to their descendants.

The mother of Dr. Linn, whose maiden name was
Ann Himter, when only fifteen years of age, conveyed
provisions on two several occasions, into forts invested
by the Indians, to save, not only members of her own
family, but others who with them were suffering for
food; young, active, and possessing great resolution.
Miss Ann Hunter eluded detection from the keenest
human vision, and with her own hands carried into the
forts food for her suffering friends.

Mr. Asael Linn, the father of Dr. Linn, accom-
panied four young gentlemen from his father's residence
near Louisville, on the Ohio River, in pursuit of wild
game. Carried away with the ardor of the chase, they
had gone some distance from home before they were

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

aware of it, when they suddenly found themselves
surrounded by a number of hostile Indians. Resistance
was vain. After one of their party was wounded in
the leg they were secured as captives by the savages,
and forced across the Ohio River. The Indians
travelled at a rapid pace, fearing pursuit from the white
settlements. Lewis Fields, although suffering greatly
from the wound in his leg, kept his place among the
prisoners with the utmost difficulty. The savages cast
looks of impatience and anger upon him whenever he
relaxed the speed at which they were proceedhig.
Young Asael Linn, scarcely twelve years of age, pressed
on before his wounded friend, and removed every
obstacle in his power Avhen he arrived at difficult
passes ; another companion made a rough crutch for
Lewis, which enabled him to keep up with the captors
and the captured. It was by the most strenuous efforts
on his part and the aid of his friends, that his life was
saved, for the Indians required but the least pretext to
determine upon his instant death ; for, whenever he
attempted to rest for a moment, they grasped their
weapons to kill him. Young Linn's efforts were solely
to save his friend Lewis Fields. He felt convinced
that his own death was resolved upon as soon as they
should reach the village of their tribe ; for, as the son
of Col. Linn, the great white warrior, there was no
hope for him. To watch his lingering death would be

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

grateful to the savage wretches who had so often
writhed under the blows of his father. At length,
after journeying incessantly for three days, so great a
distance had been put between them and the Ohio
River, that they supposed themselves safe from pursuit.
They made an encampment, binding their captives to
trees, leaving two old Indians to guard them, while
the young dispersed to hunt in the wilderness. They
judged the youth of Linn and the presence of the old
savages a sufficient security for his remaining , large
near his companions. The sequel shows how much
they had miscalculated the energy and nerve of a
border youth, partaking of the blood of Col. WilHam
Linn. When the shade of night had descended, young
Linn was made to lie down flat upon the ground : the
two old Lidians spread a blanket over him, placing
themselves on the edge of it on both sides of the brave
boy, Avedging him in between them, compressed by
the blanket with their weight upon it. In a short time
the old men, overpowered with fatigue, fell into a deep
sleep, Linn watched their movements with intense
anxiety, and when convinced his captors were asleep,
commenced with great dexterity and presence of mind
to draw his person from under the blanket without
disturbing those upon it ; for if awakened, his death
would not have been delayed one moment. When
liberated from his painful situation, the first object

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

i
I,

Linn beheld was one of his companions, Mr. Wells,
bound to a tree near him ; and seeing from the gleams
of light sent forth from the watch-fire, a tomahawk
near to his hand, he seized it, and soon cut the cords
that bound his friend. Mr. Wells made him a sign
to retain the weapon, and arming himself with another,
they drew near to their blood-thirsty foes, and in an
instant buried their tomahawks in the heads of the
Indians. Weakened in frame, and of the most humane
di«5position, in spite of the justice and necessity of the
act, Linn's heart recoiled from putting a sleeping enemy
to death, and the wound he inflicted, although com-
pletely stunning in its effect, did not produce death,
but left a hideous and distorting mutCidon on the face
of the savage. In a few moments the captives were
liberated from the cords that were cutting into their
flesh. Collecting in great haste a few fragments of
food, securing all the hatchets and knives they could
find for their defence, and concealing the guns, (as the
Indians might at any instant be so near their path as
to hear a report from them, and the weight of them
would retard their flight,) before the Hght of day (a
bitter cold morning in the month of November) these
five boys, not one of them out of his teens (Linn not
twelve years old), conunenced their flight through the
wilderness towards the Ohio River, half starved, almost
naked, and bearing with them one of their number,

III

) !l

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

wounded, sore and rnppled. Poor Lewis Fields suf-
fered so much from his inflamed wound in consequence
of the great exertions he was comj)elled to make, that
he fre(|uently stopped and implored his friends to leave
him to his fate, and save themselves hy retreating more
rapidly than it was possible to do while he continued
with them ; hut the faithful little hand of friends, deaf
to his self-devoting proposition, urged him forward by
every act of friendship and encouragement until, through
indescribal)le suffering of hunger, cold and lassitude,
they stood once more on the bank of the Ohio River.
Fortunately they could all swim, and it was only
necessary to construct from the limbs of trees and
drift-wood on the shore, a raft large enough to bear
their disabled friend, and push it before them while
swimming across the river. Linn was so nmch ex-
hausted that his friends feared he would perish in the
water, and urged him to get on the raft with Fields ;
but the gallant boy declined their friendly offer, assur-
ing them that his father had taught hun to swim very
well, and that he was still strong enough to assist in
getting their friend across the river. At the moment
the raft was launched into the water, the distant yell
of the Indians in piu*suit was heard. They had struck
the trail of the youths and were now almost upon them.
Straining every nerve, the gallant boys soon gained the
middle of the river, while the frail raft appeared as if

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

I I It

( .!

S !

it would go to pieces under the slight weight of Fields.
As the Indians arrived one after another at the water's
edge, they fired at the fugitives, but fortunately the
distance was so great they were unable to do them any
injiu*y; and the reports of their guns attracted the
attention of some settlers working on the Kentucky
side of the river, who immediately came to their
reUef. Although exhausted and half dead, Linn
still retained his hold upon the raft, but entirely in-
sensible, and at first it was thought he had expired.
He was carried home, and after remaining for three
days wholly unconscious, awoke to a sense of external
things in the arms of his mother. His life was spared,
and he grew up to a manhood of great energy and
exalted worth. Many years afterwards, when the
country had become peaceful, Linn met his old enemy
the Indian, whom in his boyhood he had deprived of
so large a portion of his face, and, touched with his
horrid appearance, bestowed on him an annuity for life.
The mother of Dr. Linn was married twice. Her
name, it has already been stated, was Ann Hunter.
This admirable and courageous lady did not live to see
an event unknown to the history of any other family
in our country, both of her sons and one of her grand-
sons Senators of the United States Senate, at periods
nearly simultaneous. Her first marriage was contracted
with Mr. Israel Dodge, of Louisville, the father of the

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

Hon. Henry Dodge, United States Senator from the
State of Wisconsin, and of Mrs. Nancy Sifton of St.
Louis, Missouri. After the loss of her first husband,
Mrs. Dodge was united to Mr. Asael Linn of Louis-
ville, Kentucky. Lewis Fields Linn and Mary Ann
Linn were their only offspring who siurvived to maturity.

Much might here be said of the half brother of
Dr. Linn, but these are not the pages to narrate the
eventful life of Senator Henry Dodge, for they are
devoted to the memory of one whose being was derived
from the same beloved mother, and among its dearest
recollections may justly be inscribed the tender affectiwi
that bound her two sons together ; yet there is one, who
deems it her privilege to say that for long years, with
thrilling pleasure, she has witnessed the truth, honor,
magnanimity, and heroic firmness, so conspicuous in
the character of a husband's only brother, and equally
so in that brother's son, the Hon. Augustus J. Dodge.

The death of both their parents left Lewis F. Linn
and his sister Mary orphans early in life ; the latter
being thirteen years of age and her brother twelve
years old. Between the brother and sister a remark-
able similarity of character and personal resemblance
existed ; both had the same resolution and precocious
self-reliance, with the same elevated and fea Jes;^ spirit ;
they both possessed great personal beauty, set off by
gentle unassuming manners ; both were equally en-

^■i,*!

„,,,

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

I t

dowed with guileless, generous hearts — ever anxious to
perform for their friends the most liberal and unselfish
services. Unhappily the cheerful and buoyant spirits
which Miss Linn had at all times possessed, and which
bore her up under the greatest misfortunes and afflic-
tions, were frequently overcast and oppressed in the
temperament of her brother. She was always animated
and full of hope, while he at times from his infancy
labored under a great depression of mind : the fatal
disease of the heart which cut him off prematurely
from a world, fast learning to love and admire him,
affected his health and induced periods of the greatest
despondency. The knowledge he attained of his pro-
fession in early life, informed him too surely of the
tenure by which his existence was held. When these
melancholy moments weighed him down, he never re-
pined, but by his touching sweetness of temper, and
unaffected gratitude to those around him for their kind
attentions and sympathy, drew them still nearer to him,
and opened too fully their hearts to the anguish of his
own predictions. He was left, it has just been stated,
at the age of twelve years, to struggle for the future.
Resolved that it should be an honorable one to him, as
soon as his fifteenth year was attained he commenced a
course of self-education. Making use of every means
in his power, he endeavored to compensate for that
want of early academical education inevitable in all

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

ixious to
unselfish
nt spirits
id which
nd afflic-
d in the
animated
\ infancy
the fatal
iniaturely
lire him,
3 greatest
his pro-
ly of the
len these
never re-
iper, and
leir kind
to him,
ih of his
stated,
future,
him, as
icnced a
means
ir that
in all

new countries, and commenced the study of medicine
with Dr. Gault, of Louisville.

Among the predilections of his earliest boyhood
Dr. Linn evinced a strong inclination to devote himself
to the profession of medicine, and following his desires
on this subject, his health became seriously impaired
by unremitting application to his studies, and at the
end of two years it became necessary for him to resort
to some relaxation from his labor and enjoy a period
of leisure and change of scene. He proceeded to St.
Genevieve, in Missouri, to visit his sister Mar}-^, (who
was then married to Mr. McArthur,) and his half
brother. Gen. Henry Dodge. During his residence
with these relatives the war with Great Britain broke
out. No surgeon being attached to the troops com-
manded by Gen. Dodge, he accompanied them in that
capacity, and at the close of the campaign, with restored
health and an increased desire to pursue his medical
studies, he returned to Louisville, and continued some
time with Dr. Gault, and ultimately proceeded to Phil-
adelphia for the purpose of embracing the facilities and
advantages that city has always afforded to medical
students. The presence of his sister and half brother
at St. Genevieve decided Dr. Linn to make that place
his residence and the field of his professional pursuits.
By his own energy and ability he had mastered one
of the most honorable and benevolent callings of

XO LIFE OF DR. LINN.

civilized society ; nnd at tlie age of twenty-one found
himself established as a physician in one of the most
refined and intelligent connmmities of the West.

At the period Dr. Linn established himself in St.
Genevieve, it retained the distinguishing characteristics
impressed upon it by its original settlers. They
bestowed the name of the " Gloriense patronne de
Paris " upon this, their new home in the " far Avest," and
from the banks of the Seine transplanted thither, with
their cherished faith, all the amenities of a high civili-
zation, the attentive politeness, the cultivated and
polished maimers, and the chivalrous gallantry peculiar
to the true son of France. These primordial bless-
ings, now transmitted through many successive genera-
tions, are sparklingly salient over the surface of society
in this and other quiet communities of similar origin,
and cannot escape the notice of the least incurious
observer. Perhaps it may be considered out of place
in a narrative like this to present these facts, but there
is so much misconception of the true character of these
most estimable citizens ; so much hatefid prejudice, and
almost inexcusable ignorance relative to them, that one
who went among them a stranger, of other affinity,
association, habits, education, and religion, vividly re-
taining a remembrance of the numberless kindnesses
received at their hands during a long series of years,
is impelled by a feeUng of gratitude and a sense of

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

justice, to endeavor, liowcver feebly, to dispel these
most erroneous, though conimonly received opinions.
A proper information would have prevented many, well-
intended, from having been betrayed into sj)eech and
action, tlie impression of wliich tliey subsequently
deemed necessary to erase by a mortifying apology.
With a charitable intent, it is desired most gently to
say to any young lady who may happen to peruse these
lines, that, if it should be her fortune in the great
assemblies of the Atlantic cities, to meet a young
person of her own sex from these ancient towns on the
river or prairie, that she should not treat her as a
semi-barbarian, and refrain joining in the invidious re-
marks which the appearance of a " creole " may occa-
sion. Let her receive some idea that this " creole "
girl is better instructed in her duty to her Maker and
towards her neighbor, than she is likely to be ; and is
at least her equal in all the proficiencies of a polite
education. The unlady-like conduct intimated is
related to have occurred, and though politeness and
self-respect forbade retort, others heard the unfounded
sarcasm, and made a comparison between its modest
subject and the pretentious beauty who so incautiously
uttered it, far from complimentary, though she was
the favorite of a fashionable boarding-school, and the
belle and toast of the locality. The very word " creole "
as usually received and applied in the more Eastern

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

I , i ,

'] !l

States, is a perversion of its meaning. The fair de-
scendants of those who first landed at Jamestown, of
those who were wafted in the " Ark and the Dove "
to the land of Mary, those who came in the " May-
flower" to the bleak shore of the " Old Colony," or in
the succeedhig ships to the more inviting ports on the
" Bay," are properly as much Creoles (m itii ilic prefix of
English) as their fellow countrywomen along the great
Father of Waters. The term Creole simply designs
to signify the children c.f European parents born in
America or the Indies, and their descendants. As
usually applied, it is incori'ect and offensive, and being
so, should be disused by every considerate person.

The discovery of the Mississippi, as the remote
initial point of interest to its settlers, was effected by
Fernando De Soto in 1541 ; its shore was the ter-
minus of all his mundane hopes, aspirations, difficulties
and disasters ; its depths received his, the first Christian
corse, over which its waters sang its monody, and its
current conveyed the disheartened and shattered re-
mains of his unfortunate expedition to the Gulf of
Mexico. The survivors made report of this acquisition
to geographical knowledge, but from deficiency in the
requisite science of that day, or loss of proper instru-
ments to determine, or of leaders most competent to
define it, the exact place of disembogucment for a long
period was mystical. Subsequent events have shown

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

the vast importance of this stupendous stream, and the
advent of De Soto is appropriately commemorated on
the canvas that adorns the rotunda of our national
Capitol.

The next approach of the European was from the
north through Canada, which appellation is said to
have been formed by that given in disappointment by
ihe first discoverers of the sterile coast leading thereto
— " Capo di Nada," or the Cape of Nothing. It was
named New France by Jacques Cartier. who ascended
the Saint LaA\Tence in 1533 as far as the Isle of
Orleans. Before that period the French had made
several unsuccessful essays at settlement at different
points upon this continent. A few years afterward,
Cartier with La Roche Robertval attempted to plant a
colony, which was not more fortunate ; from time to
time others followed, but the inhospitable climate and
the hostility of the natives prevented all permanent
settlement. It was not until 1608 that thev were able
to retain a residence. Champlain early in July of that
year laid the foundation of Quebec, and to conciliate
(lis immediate neighbors, the Hurons and Algonquins,
aided them in their war with the Iroquois. He secured
the friendship of the first named , and the enmity of
the warlike Iroquois continued towards his countrymen
for nearly a century, preventing their advance south-
ward until after the occupation of New York by the

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

i||

Dutch and English. Dangers, suffering, and privations
in every shape attended the feeble colony for many
years. In 1G20 there were but 100 inhabitants in
Quebec, men, women and children. But the French
had penetrated a great distance northwardly and west-
wardly, and were sparsely settled on the trail to the
valley of the Ottawa. The Jesuit Fathers Breboeuf
and Daniel, had entered the wilderness as far as the
southern shore of Lake Superior as early as 1634, by
way of the Ottawa ; and this dangerous and difficult
route was the one followed by the missionaries and
voyageurs for many years, the easier way by Lake
Ontario being closed by the hostility of the Iroquois.
In 1659 a bishop's see was created, and Francis de
Leval, the proto prelate of North America arrived. In
1665 the government of France considered the colony
of such importance as to deem it fit to send thither, for
the first time, a regiment of soldiers for its protection.
The French possessed a great excellency in their new
country by having among them a number of the much-
abused sons of Saint Ignatius. From these models
of piety, prudence and discrimination, in any emer-
gency, they could ahvays obtain the best advice, and
often, when within the object of their mission, r , .eived
the invaluable aid of their personal assistance. These
exemplars of true courage were ever in advance of the

i '1 '

1 ii'ji most venturesome voyageurs;

the great American

1 '' 1

1 ;

: ■

■

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

historian says of them : " The histoiy of their labors
is connected with the origin of every celebrated town
in the annals of French America; not a river was
entered, not a cape was turned, but a Jesuit led the
way." Indeed, for many years they were the main
stay of the feeble colony, and but for them, left as it
was, almost entirely to its own resoiu-ces, must have
succumbed in their inclement climate to the hostile
natives. The " Blacl: Gown " proved a more powerful
protection than a band of armed soldiery.

In 1G67, Father Allouez, being on the mission
among the Chippewas, Sioux, Potawatamics, Sacs and
Foxes, by his influence had reconciled their animosities
and established peace among them. He here received
information of a large river, unlike any that was as yet
known in their territory to Europeans, which rolled its
waters in a southern direction. Anxious to acquire a
correct idea of the topography of the immense wilder-
ness which he had entered, he retained the rude map
which the unlettered but observant savage had depicted,
and noting the time stated as necessary to proceed from
one indicated point to another, attained some approach
to information as regards distance, as well as direction.
These faithful symbols, with appropriate questioning,
were placed before other succeeding parties of aborigi-
nal friends of a more southern residence, and received
additions and confirmation. The French were con-

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

vinced of the existence of a river of great volume of
water, but where it would lead them they could only
conjecture : — would it afford them the much-coveted
passage to the South Sea ? or was it the lost river of
De Soto ? It was resolved to verify their information
and dispel their doubts, and if possible, by an expedition
to find and examine this flow of water, which seemed
to promise such transcendent advantages. Father
AUouez returned to Quebec in 1669 ; and Fathers
Marquette and Dablon were sent to the mission at the
Sault de Saiiite Marie. At this distant point the
Jesuits had assembled neophytes from almost all the
tribes among whom their brethren labored ; even at
that early day was there present a representative of
the only tribe of the Red Men on the Atlantic border
that yet possess a portion of their paternal heritage ;
the long-suffering, faithful, docile, patient, and once
powerful Penobscot. In thus collecting the youth of
their charge there was more than one object in view,
all worthy of praise and complimentary to the sagacity
said to be peculiar to their society ; they were desirous
those they were instructing should be free from the
allurements and distractions which their larger establish-
ments might expose them to ; they thought to bring the
neighboring Pagans to terms of greater amity and
confidence, by an exhibition of the mutual affection
between them and tlieu' pupils ; they desired also to

III

11:

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

be taught, and by teaching, learn themselves; they
considered it was of primary importance that mission-
aries should acquire a knowledge of the various
languages of the people to whom they are sent, and
it was thought by assembling the different dialects and
idioms in the new France, they might, by study and
observation, discover the radix of them all, and per-
haps construct a language intelligible to all. This last
object they soon found to present insuperable difficul-
ties. A philosophical writer whose attention had been
drawn to this subject (if his personal and political
enemies are to be credited), by a very different motive,
asserts that there are twenty radical languages among
the native Americans, for one in Asia.

After remaining at St. Marie for about two years,
acquiring the idiom nearest the scene of his sun^ey,
and making himself master of the unspoken language
which has since been so serviceable to many succeeding
adventurers through the wilds and over the wastes of
this continent, with a few select companions, Father
Marquette commenced his arduous undertaking; the
charge of the material of the expedition was intrusted
to Joliet, an experienced trader among the Indians,
and one variously well qualified to be of great service
to the enterprise in which they were embarked. Their
course was southwestwardly, and reaching Green Bay
ascended the Neenah or Fox River; and over the

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

portage, which, from the formation of the country,
offered much less formidable obstacles than had been
anticipated, they, through the River Ouisconsin,
entered a great stream with a southern current, the
object of their desu*e ; they descended to what is now
the Chickasaw Bluffs. Fully convinced they had at-
tained the great object of their voyage, they commenced
their arduous ascent against the current ; they entered
the Illinois, and from the head waters of that river
crossed to the creek which enters Lake Michigan, near
where is now the flourishing city of Chicago. The
pious Marquette remained to satisfy the yearnings of
his compassionate heart in devoting the best energies
of his nature to the labor of his love — the conversion
and instruction of the poor Pagans. Joliet returned
to Canada with a report of the result, and the observa-
tions which had been noted at the different points of
interest during their progress. The Canadians were
much elated with Joliet's success, and for years it was
thought that a way to the Indies was through their
territory : there was a special service of thanksgiving
in the Cathedral and the Te Deum chanted. But the
government of New France had its attention occupied
with matters of more immediate interest, and Averc
without the means to follow the discovery with another
and better appointed expedition. A private individual

country,
had been
iiisconsin,
trent, the
at is now
y had at-
nmenced
r entered
iiat river
^an, near
o. The
nings of
energies
iversion
eturned
)bserva-
)ints of
were

it was
tlieir

giving

ut the

!upied
were

lother

ddual

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

from his own resources was destined to effect the con-
tinuance of the exploration to the sea.

Robert Cavelier de la Salle, a native of the city of
Rouen, a gentleman of great natural abilities and of
competent education, who had been received as a novice
in a house of Jesmts where he remained some years ;
but finding his vocation was other than that of the
ministry, at his own request received his dismission,
and with the written commendation of his superior
entered into secular employments. He embarked for
New France, and was there first established as a fur
trader at La Chine. The recital of Joliet moved his
ardent temperament to action ; he represented to the
Count de Frontenac the governor, all the various ad-
vantages that must accrue to Canada and to France
upon the completion of the discovery, and pressed the
necessity of taking steps to secure the prize offered to
them. Frontenac assented to his views, and event-
ually sent La Salle to France, recommending him and
his purpose to the court. La Salle was favorably
received at Paris. He was made commandant and
proprietor at Fort Cataracoui, received a grant of land,
the king's approbation, and his patent of nobility —
but no money. For that powerful agent of good or
evil he had to rely upon his ovm talents, industry, and
fortune for supply. He engaged the Chevalier de
Tonti, a Neapolitan, hi liis enterprise, and having pur-

lil

LIFE OE DR. LINN.

chased a large supply of goods suitable for the Indian
trade, which his previous experience had taught the
value of in the new country, sailed with a company of
thirty, among whom were the mechanics necessary for
his purpose. He safely anived, and at once proceeded
to Cataracoui ; this fort, after\vards called Frontenac,
was built in 1670, and was of great service in securing
the navigation westwardly by the lakes. The city of
Kingston is now situnted upon its site. He made his
arrangements in the most prompt and business-like
manner, sending parties to prepare the natives for his
coming, and to barter his goods for furs, from the sale
of which he mainly depended to secure the means of
defraying the expense of his expedition. Having
built a small vessel, he left Cataracoui in the middle of
November, 1678, and after a tedious and tempestuous
voyage reached the western side of the lake, and de-
termined to winter near the Falls of Niagara. Sending
some parties of his men in various directions among
the Indians, and employing others in the construction
of another and larger barque above the Falls, near the
mouth of Tonnewanda Creek, he retiuned to Fort
Frontenac for further supplies, with which he again
arrived the following spring. Having launched and
freighted " The Griffon " the first vessel that ploughed
the great inland seas of America, equipped with artil-
lery, he pointed the prow of his argosy to the regions

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

of his hope and expectation on the seventh of August,
1679. SaiHng over unknown waters, his progress was
slow. Staying some time at Michihmacanac, lie entered
Green Bay in the early part of October, whence he
sent the Griffon richly laden with furs upon her return
voyage. He built a fort among the Miamies near the
Saint Joseph's river, where he anxiously awaited the
arrival of his vessel until December. Leaving there a
small garrison, with instructions for the captain of the
Gritfon, he with the Chevalier De Tonti and thirty-three
men departed, some in canoes upon the St. Joseph,
and by portage to the Kankeekee, and others by land
to the Illinois, which the whole party descended as far
as a large Indian village near Lake Peoria, where they
met a hospitable reception, and were freely furnished
with supplies of provisions which they greatly needed.
About sixty miles lower, with the consent of the
natives, it was determined to build a fort and await
intelligence from his vessel. Here his men became
discontented and disheartened, a mutinous spirit was
apparent, some deserted, among them were mechanics
upon whom he relied for the construction of the boats
necessary for the descent of the great river; the Indians
who had been friendly, became jealous of his purpose
among them, and charged him with behig in alliance
with their enemies, the Iroquois ; and to fill the cup
of calamity, news of the loss of his valued GriflPon

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

and cargo reached him in January. Yet under all
these adversities La Salle's energy and courage was
unbroken. By his personal influence the confidence
of the natives and the fealty of his followers were again
secured, when he determined to return to IVoncenac
Fort for assistance and supplies. Having phmned an
expedition to go up the great river towards its soiu'ce,
in his absence he left Fort Creve Cceur, which he so
named because of the adversities that beset him there,
and with but three companions threaded his perilous
way through the trackless wilds in safety to Canada.
Here he met with new difticidties — ^liis creditors were
clamorous ; the means by which he had expected to
satisfy their claims had been ingulfed with his vessel :
but he did not despair ; his perseverance and energy
gained hhn friends and assistance.

Among those who had accompanied him to Fort
Creve Cojur was Father Louis Hennepin, a Recollect ; to
him was hitrusted the exploration of the upper portion
of the river. It left the fort in a canoe near the end
of February, 1G80. Six men being the party with
Father Hennepin, they descended the Illinois to the
Mississippi, then fidl of running ice, which they as-
cended in despite of difficulty, delay and danger, to
the falls, which received the name of Saint Anthony,
to whose spiritual intercession the intent, progress, and
consummation of the expedition from its commence-

'fgf-r-

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

ment had been especially comniitted. . Correctly infer-
ring from the volume of water that it was the great
drain of a vast extent of unknown territory, they
intended further discov»iry, but were made prisoners by
a band of Sioux Ind'ans, and for a time held and
treated by them as slaves. Escaphig from their red
masters they descended to the mouth of the Ouisconsin,
and by the route of Father Marquette's coming, reached
the mission at Green Bay. Ambitious of effecting La
Salle's main design, he again entered the Mississippi,
going as far down that river as the mouth of the
Arkansas only, and not the ocean as has been asserted.
Late in the autumn he reached the Illinois, and re-
turned to Europe the following year.

De Tonti, who had been left in command at Fort
Crev6 Coeur, found himself in a precarious situation on
account of the hostilities between the lUinois and the
Iroquois. He was between the belligerent tribes, and
it was no part of his purpose to side with either; and
he deemed it prudent to retire to Fort Miami, whic^
he reached in September. In the spring of 1681 La
Salle rejoined him there, and peace being restored, they
again reoccupied Fort Creve Coeur. The summer of
this year La Salle spent in visiting his different trading
posts, and cementing the alliance with the Miamies and
his new friends on the Illinois. In November, to com-
plete his arrangements he again returned to Canada,
8

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

ill
jiiillll

ill

and thence in January to Fort Crcv^ Ca3ur. On the
2d of February, 1682, he and his companions were
floating with the mighty current of the great Father
of Waters, occasionally stopping for amicable inter-
course with the natives. They rapidly descended, every
day dawning upon new wonders, and every night
witnessing their watch of apprehension, until their
vision was greeted on the 7th of April by the billowy
expanse of the " American Sea," proving one of the
surmises of Allouez to be a verity : indeed, there are
those who think the other will not always remain as a
mere conjecture ; for men of cool heads and matured
judgment, with a life-long acquaintance with the subject,
and from a point of view which best enables them to
make the declaration, are of opinion that the rich
products of famed Cathay and furthest Ind will yet
come westward, to be water-borne on the capacious
bosom of the swift-rolling Mississippi. Le Page du
Pratz says, that this name is the French contraction of
the savage term Meacht Chassi^j^i, which literally de-
notes the ancient Father of Rivers.

La Salle, with his little frail flotilla, exposed to all
the influences of the elements, having achieved a dis-
covery, extending on one continuous stream over more
degrees of latitude than any yet accomplished, felt
himself recompensed for all his previous labors, priva-
tions and disappointments ; his great mind penetrated

I \

^''

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

futurity, and comprehended the vast results. Ascend-
ing the river above the marshes, he landed upon the
first firm ground, and took formal possession with all
the solemnity of religious and military ceremony. A
column was erected with the arms of France affixed, and
the inscription :

" Louis le Grand,

Roi de France et Navarre, Regne ;

Le neuvieme Avril, 1682,"

the whole party chanting the Te Deum, the Exaudiat,
the Dotnine salvumfac Begem.

La Salle in a loud voice made the proclamation of
possession and demanded the act of the notary. A
cross was erected, the Vexilla was intoned, and they
fondly hoped they had planted the germ of Christianity
as well as their evidence of French sovereignty in the
soil of the vast valley. A metal plate with an inscrip-
tion in Latin was buried at the foot of a tree. The
proems demanded was made and signed by La Metaire,
the notary, and was also signed by La Salle, Father
Zenobe Mambre, De Tonti, and ten others of the most
prominent of the party. After staying a short time to
refi-esh his men, he proceeded homeward, until ^e
reached the Chickasaws, among whom on his downward
voyage he had erected a small stockade which he called
Fort Prud'homme, from the name of the person he

LIFE OF DR LINN.

had there left in charge ; here he was taken ill, the
result of excitement, anxiety, and fatigue he had
encountered, and remained seven weeks with most of
his men, sending De Tonti with the others to the
Illinois to take charge of his various posts. In Sep-
tember he himself reached there, and some of his
followers, attracted by vhe beauty of the country, and
rightly judging they would soon be jclned by more of
their kindred when the result of their exploration
should be known, preferred remaining ; and the date
of the first European residents in the great valley of
the Mississippi may be stated to commence in the year
1682 ; — they settled at Kaskaskm and Cahokia. La
Salle sent Father Zenobe to France with his report of
his discovery. The first great political event conse-
quent thereto was the claim of his Most Christian
Majesty, Louis XIV., to rlie territory on the east bank
of the river to the western limits of Spanish Florida,
the English Carolinas and Virginia to the Illinois, and
on the west, along the shore of the gulf to the provinces
of Mexico and their eastern boundaries ; and in com-
pliment to him, this immense region received the name
of Louisiana, which was subsequently divided into
lower and upper ; the last, commonly and first called
and better known as "Les Illinois," which name is yet
retahied by the flourishing State, whose extent is but a
pvortion of the territory within its original boundary.

! I

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

1 ill, the
he had
most of
3 to the
In Sep-
e of his
itry, and
more of
ploration
the date
i^alley of
the year
cia. La
eport of
t conse-
iristian
st bank
Florida,
ois, and
ovinces
pn com-
e name
intu
called
is yet
but a.
Lndary.

:!>'t:

Illinois is an Indian term, and, like most of the ab-
original appellations, is beautifully expressive, signifying
a man in the flower of his age, and doubtlessly will be
considered as appropriately applied by all who have
witnessed the beauty of that country, the fertility of
its soil, and the luxiu-iance of its vegetation.

La Salle having visited his trading posts, left De
Tonti commandant of Fort Saint Louis and general
superintendent of all his affairs, and returned to Canada
for supphes. The governor of Canada, Le Ferre de
la Barre, had misrepresented him in his despatches to
the king, and though the Count de Frontenac, at that
time in Paris, had used all his influence to counteract
the impression they were intended to create. La Salle
deemed it necessary to cross the Atlantic to confute all
accusation and explain his plans of colonization. He
arrived at the close of the year 1G83 at Paris, and was
well received by the Marquis de Seignelay, the minister
and son of Colbert, the great prune minister of the
Crrand Monarque. The energy La Salle had evinced,
and the comprehensive views he entertained, secured
to him and towards hi? schemes all suitable considera-
tion. He was selected to put in execution the design
of establishing a chain of forts and posts from the
mouth of the Mississippi to Canada. He had proved
that he possessed tlie administrative qualities that fitted
to command ; he was also courageous, confident, and

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

11 I

*'!!wi

i:i;|i

self-reliant, characteristics which failed not to beget
confidence and reliance in his fohowers. This last
peculiarity of his temperament is alvrays of importance
to a leader, but has too often been the fount of great
disasters ; continued success frequently causes a neglect
of the suggestions of another qualification, with v^hich
it should always be accompanied. The stirring events
of history detail many examples, and the pursuits and
avocations of common life constantly present them ;
it was on this ruin of myriads, this rock every where
so prominent, that the arderit and adventurous La Sal"?
was most miserably wrecked. Had he heeded the
whispering of prudence he had avoided the error which
led to the fatal end of the career which seemed to be
entering the vista of a gloiious future. On the 24th
July, 1684, an expedition sailed from Rochelle consist-
ing of four vessels : one, Le Joli, a thirty -six gun frigate,
commanded by Monsieur de Beaujeau. There were
twenty families on board, furnished by the government
with every necessary to form a colony, artificers to erect
fortifications, and soldiers to protect them. The evils
of a mixed command were early apparent on the
voyage. The navol commander was arrogant and self-
willed, and was envious of the rising reputation of La
Salle.

In the West Indies, one of their vessels containing
their goods for trade and mechanics* tools was taken

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

to beget
rhis last
iportance
of great
a neglect
th v^hich
ig events
suits and
t them;
ry where
La Sal!^
ided the
ar which
ed to be
he 24th
consist-
[ frigate,
re were
irnment

erect
he evils
on the
nd self-

of La

;aining
taken

by the Spaniards. They remained there some weeks,
losing some men by fevers and recruiting others, of
whom a part had been buccaneers. Leaving San
Domingo on the 25th November for the Mississippi,
they arrived on the 10th January to where it was
thought the proper longitude had been attained, and
it was proposed to alter their course northwardly for
the mouth of the river. La Salle, adhering to his own
computation, which made a different allowance for set
of current than those of others, persisted it should be
continued westwardly. He afterwards admitted that
he might be wrong, and requested Beaujeau to return :
he refused, and after losing another vessel in a storm,
landed La Salle and his party at a bay called by the
French Saint Louis, and now known as Matagorda, in
the present State of Texas, seven degrees west of, and
by the coast line some eight hundred miles distant
from the Mississippi. He said he had fulfilled his in-
structions by landing them on the shore of the gulf,
and sailed in the Joli, leaving La Salle to find the river
Hs he could. La Salle took formal possession of the
v!ountry, hence it was always considered by the French
us part of Louisiana and included in the territory under
JefFjrson's treaty. In Mr. Monroe's administration the
Sabiuc was assigned as the boundary ; but the people
of the great valley were never satisfied until Texas was
reannexed. Having built a fort for the security of the

LIFE OF DB. LINN.

;:!

p : i'

kH^

ill

( ^ I

i''i

colonists, he penetrated the country in various direc-
tions, during his absence on one of which his last re-
maining vessel was lost, and his movements by water
were closed. In March, 1 687, being near the head waters
of the Trinity River, he received a lamentable death
from the hands of some of his own followers, who con-
sidered him the sole cause of all their calamities. He
may have been truly so; but his horrible assassination
may be marked as one of the numerous instances of the
blindne.i oassion, for it must be admitted that he
was the iK ^^, fitted, by his previous experience, to
rescue this party of newly arrived Europeans, lost in
the wilds of America, from the perils of their situation.
His murderers, quarrelling soon after, killed each other.
Some of this last party of La Salle resumed to their
companions at the Bay of Saint Louis, others remained
with the Indians and assisted them in their war against
the Spaniards. Seven determined to go to the Illinois,
among whom were the brother and nephew of La Salle,
Father Anastatius, and Monsieur Joutel, who, upon his
arrival in France, published a narrative of their last
voyage and wanderings through the wilds of Texas.
They, with the loss of one of their number, arrived at
Fort Saint Louis in September. For prudential reasons
the fate of La Salle was kept secret for a time, both in
Canada and France. The mouth of the river was found
by Iberville in 1699. Shortly after the discovery of

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

the Mississippi became known in Canada, La Salle's
foil' ^vers, who continued at Kaskaskia and Cahokia,
were joined by parties of their friends from thence and
from France ; every year added to their number : their
trail through the wilderness was distinct ; along which
the adventurous voyageurs first established their trading
posts, and the Canadian government soon sent soldiers
for their security: various forts were erected at the
most commanding points, and hamlets and villages
indicated the current of civilization.

The last fort on the line from Canada to the Missis-
sippi was Fort Chartres ; placed about a mile from the
river, and built with all the attention requisite to the
construction of a regularly fortified place of importance,
and furnished with every convenience for the officers
and garrison as well as magazines for munitions and
stores ; there was also within it swalls an entrance to a
subterranean communication with the river. The
French have always been remarkable for the care they
bestowed in the construction of the fortifications in
their colonies ; the cost of this, which was built in
1720, has been stated to have been equal to eleven
millions of francs; that at Louisbourg (considered
the Dunkirk of America), which was taken by the
Provincials under Colonel Pepperell and the English
squadron under Commodore Warren in the year 1745,
employed the French troops twenty-five years in its

...li

: f'H

ill

hi' I'.'

(:
I'll

^11^

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

construction, and involved an outlay of thirty millions
of livres.

The protection aflPorded by the erection of Port
Chartres was a great attracting cause of the several
little towns and villages in its vicinity. St. Genevieve
was one of the first on the west bank of the Mississippi
that availed itself of the advantages it secured. The
early settlers there could always be certain of the means
of regular communication with their European friends,
receive clerical ministration, and obtain medical assist-
ance and such needful stores as their situation required.

Considering the spare accommodation, the great
inconvenience and danger attending a sea voyage at
that period, and the no less deterring difficulties then
consequent to the long land travel; it is surprising
such thriving industrious communities of civilized
Europeans should at that early day be placed on this
distant and secluded frontier. The emigration here
was of a very superior character ; mostly agriculturists
from the vicinage of the city of Paris. They had
heard of the surpassing fertility of the soil, and were
aware of the facilities with which it could be obtained
under an easy soccage tenure, and did not remain in
Canada like their brethren from the maritime parts of
western France, whose trading and commercial instincts
and propensities stayed them on the borders of the St.
Lawrence in facile communication with the ocean.

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

y millions

i of Fort
le several
lenevieve
ississippi
3d. The
lie means
1 friends,
al assist-
required.
lie great
oyage at
ies then
rprising
civilized

on this
~m litre
ilturists
ey had

d were

)tained

ain in

arts of

stincts

:he St.

ocean.

Early in the eighteer^h century emigration received a
great impulse from tl le stimulating excitement produced
by one of those epidemics of enthusiastic delusion,
which occasionally occur in the progress of time, some-
thing of which has been witnessed in our day. The
"Mississippi scheme," one of the several gigantic plans
of the confident visionary Law, which were to have
enabled France and the French people to become the
recipients of the wealth of the world, certainly was
advantageous to the Illinois, however different it may
have been to the great majority of the duped victims
who held shares when the great bubble collapsed.
Were it possible that any company could now obtain
and exercise the privileges and monopolies Law
possessed, it might be said of him as has been said of
other projectors, that he only Uved a century too soon.
The settlers on the Illinois never had occasion to draw
from distant points the articles of first necessity.
These, from the first, their industry obtained from the
teeming soil on which they had transplanted themselyes,
not only enough for themselves, but sufficient and to
spare for all new comers. Not long after the establish-
ment of New Orleans, during the war of 1744, these
settlements, responsive to a demand from thence, in a
short time fumirhed four or five thousand barrels of
corn, flour, and other provision. Kaskaskia, the pi-
oneer of the Illinois villages, for a long time maintained

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

its supremacy; in 1721 there were 100 houses and a
convent ; and in its vicinage reductions of red men,
the neophytes and catechumens of their beloved " long
robes." It was afterwards of greater importance, but
declined from various controlling causes, and it may
be considered to have been almost totally destroyed by
the great flood of 1844.

In 1762 D'Abadie the Governor-general of Louis-
iana granted to Pierre Ligueste Lacede and his associ-
ates, under the name of the " Louisiana Fur Company,"
the privilege of trading with the Indians on the Mis-
souri and west of the Mississippi : the succeeding year
he ascended the river to the Illinois with several com-
panions, among the youngest of whom were the brothers
Pierre and Auguste Chouteau, whose names have been
identified with the growth and prosperity, not only of
the great city Lacede founded, but of the noble and
then unknown territory over the western plains. Every
point considered as eligible was personally visited and
carefully examined with a view to select one as most
suitable for his purpose for a depot, not omitting St.
Genevieve, which for many years had been of impor-
tance as the centring position of the fur, peltry, and
lead trade of the region : he preferred an entirely new
and unoccupied place, of which he took formal posses-
sion, as his intended principal trading post, on the
fifteenth day of Pebruary, 1764 ; and that which is

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

now the great inland mart of the great valley, on that
day received from Lacede the name of the courageous
soldier, wise king, and humble Christian, Saint Louis.
At this period there occurred a political event of the
first importance to " the Illinois :" The Treaty of Paris,
under which Great Britain received from the French
all their territory east of the Mississippi, with the ex-
ception of New Orleans; which city, with all their
domain west of that river was ceded to Spain. Those
of the inhabitants who were by the treaty under the
jurisdiction of t);e English government, evinced great
repugnance to dwell under the drapeau of the arrogant
islanders; they crossed the river in great numbers,
joining theii relatives on the western bank, filling and
extending their towns and villages, and forming new
communities. The present villages of Carondelet and
Jblorisant are of those thus founded. They did more ;
with their western brethren they set up a government
of their own, the spontaneous act of all, and St. Ange
De Bellenve was the first governor in America bievated
by the living voice of the people, under no commission
or charter from any foreign king or government, and
without aid or hindrance from any previously contrived
machinery. He had been the commandant of the
French at Fort Chartres ; he crossed the river in 1765 ;
whereupon he was invested with civ^il and military
command over the * Upper Louisiana," and thit power

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

he most beneficently exercised and held with a firm
and able hand, though legally he had no right to its
sway, save the acclaim of the people. He was " every
inch a governor," and no act of his, Avill ever militate
against the advocates of popular sovereignty. His
name is in benediction ; his very name, — if one who has
scarce a pretension to the most imperfect knowledge of
the elegant language in which it is written can be
permitted to say, — •" Saint Ange De Bellerive," may
be rendered as having been, the Blessed Angel of the
beautiful water-side. He, supported by the unanimous
voice of his constituents, did and performed every act
and deed deemed necessary or proper for the common
weal of all, without fear, favor, or afffection. His
numerous grants of land, to their honor be it spoken,
were afterwards confirmed by the Spaniards, and again
reconfirmed by the United States commissioners, not-
withstanding the efforts of the speculating land-sharks
who sought to oppugn their validity. In 1768 a body
of Spanish troops under Rious arrived at St. Louis with
the claim of possession for his Catholic Majesty; it
was peacefully admitted, but the authority of St. Ange
continued with undiminished force until 1770. Mr.
Chambers of the Missouri Republican, in his valuable
Annual Review (1854), adverting hereto, says : " This
anomaly may be explained by the condition of political
afl'irs in New Orleans, it not being till 1769, after

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

serious collisions, that under O'Reilly, the representative
of the King of Spain, the transfer so unpalatable to
the French was finally acquiesced in at the capital of
the country." Pedro Piemas was the first lawful
governor of Upper Louisiana ; he took possession
towards the end of 1770 ; the Spanish rule continued
through Cruzat, De Leyba, Perex, Trudeau, and ended
with Delassus in 1804. By the treaty of San IldefQnso
in 1800, France again became possessed of the vast
territory of Louisiana ; and the sagacious Jefferson, by
the treaty of 30th of April, 1803, added this empire to
the domain of our Republic, at the insignificant cost
of fifteen millions of dollars. Scarcely any act of our
government has been fraught with greater beneficial
results, both immediate and prospective ; or met (in
some sections of our country then influential) a more
malign reception ; the bitterest denunciators, the most
active stirrers of strife were they, who claimed to be
followers of the Prince of Peace, the political parsons
then, as from the beginning, and now, the pests of the
society that support them ; they hesitated not to an-
nounce and denounce from their " sacred desks " the
chief executive of their country as a pei;jured tributary
of Antichrist — the man of sin — conveniently transferring
for the time, their habitual appellation of the Pope, to
the ruler of the French, and knowing, and caring not
to know, that the spuitual supremacy of the Bishop of

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

Rome being not of the kingdoms of this worhl, was as
effective in the depths of a French dungeon, as from
the hills of his eternal city. Under Jefferson's treaty
and a consequent act of Congress, Captain Amos
Stoddard, on the 10th March 1804, as agent for the
United States, received from Don Carlos Dehault
Delassus, the Spanish Lieutenant-govenior, the posses-
sion of Upper Louisiana, the keys of the government
house, the public archives and property : the flag of
Spain descended, and the ensign of our Union, amid
salvos of artillery, waved free in the breeze over the
icestern bank of the great river. At this period the
inhabitants of the territory were nearly all of French
hneage (there being then but two Angio-Americar
families in St. Louis) ; they, having again been, Avithoi
any voice of their own, transferred as subjects to
another system of government, were not without the
natural feeling of apprehension which such a change
must ever produce ; but the conduct of the United
States agents, and the character of the fast-coming new
emigrants soon dissipated their anxiety. The first
families arriving among them from the States were not
the Bostonians of their tradition, being from Virginia,
Maryland and Kentucky ; whose social, frank and open
manners most nearly resembled their own, so different
from the arrogant English of the Canadas, and others
with whom some among them had the mipleasant ex-

|ii I

LIFK OF DR. LINN.

pcricncc of pv(n'ioiis intercourse : tlioy rendered ii cheer-
ful fealty to tlint government whose institutions, in
accordance to the h'gend of its national enibla/oinnent,
are so ha|)[)ily constituted to absorb and blend into one
homogeneous people the varieties of ditferent nations.
Should any one l)e disposed to doubt this, let thcni, or
any one of them, point to their exemplar of a com-
munity of more law-observing and law-abiding citizens
than can be found among the old French villages within
the bounds of the State of Missouri.

All Louisiana north of the thirty-third parallel was
designated by Congress in 1804 as tlie District of
Louisiana, and the executive })ower of the Territory
of Indiana was extended over the new District, and
accordingly was first exercised by Gen. William Henry
Harrison, then governor. The folloAviug year the Dis-
trict was changed to the Territory of Louisiana. James
Wilkinson became its governor, and with Return J.
Meigs and J. B. C. Lucas, the judges of the Su})erior
Court, were the Legislature of the Territory ; this
system, with occasional change of person, renuiined for
some time. Li 1812 it took the iiame of the Missouri
Territory ; there was a Governor and a Legislative
Assembly, the upper branch consisting of nine coun-
cillors, selected by the governor from double that
number, nominated to him by the lower branch, and
was represented in Congress by a delegate. The first

LIFE OP DR. LINN

flits

:ii!jl-
,!!i!

Ill'r

I :

governor of the Missouri Territory was Merriwetlier
Lewis, and Edward Hempstead the delegate.

By the act of the 6th March, 1820, the terms of
whicli being accepted by the representatives of the
people in convention held at St. Louis on the 19th
of the following July, Missouri was admitted as one of
the sovereign States of this IJnion. The first Legisla-
tui'^ met at St. Louis in 1820 ; the seat of government
\/as transferred to St. Charles, and remained there
until its removal to the Citv of Jefferson, in 1826.
Alexander McNair was the first governor of the State
of Missouri.

From the fi"st settlement of the French in " Les
Illinois," to the pcriou when their descendants became
citizens of the dift'ercnt Republican States among which
their great territory has been divided, there were but
few incidents arising immediately among them of
sj)e.nd notice. They pursued the even tenor of their
})eaccful way ; instructed their children in the precepts
of thch" religion, and by their example of the practice
of tlieiu secm'cd the continuance of their living faith ;
they mostly cultivated the ground of their common
fields contiguous to tlieir villages ; their traders traf-
ficked with the Indians, aiul procured for them from
Canada and New Orleans th" textile fabrics and such
other articles of Eiu'opean manufactiu"e as they desired :
they had not much money among them, they needed

ill

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

erriwether

! terms of

es of the

the 19th

as one of

it Legisla-

)vernment

lied there

in 1826.

tlie State

Les

s became

>ng which

were but

them of

of their

precepts

practice

■»g faith ;

common

Icrs traf-

|em from

md such

Idesired :

needed

■-1

but Kttle; almost all the transactions of a business
character were effected through the medium of " peltry-
bons," and the bills payable in this pecunia, so nearly
allied to the primitive origin of the word, were every
where current, and were far better and more substan-
tially based, than the greater portion of the pretty
promises to pay, now so prevalent with all their incon-
gruous superadvenienccs of mythological device, medal-
lion heroes and statesmen, beautiful belles and ugly
usurers. It has always been noted as worthy of
remark, that the Indians better preserved the terms of
amity with the French, than with any other European
nation. With them they seldom had trouble ; when
it did arise, it was usually traceable to English incite-
ment. Thus, the death of the famous Pontiac in
1709 ; who, being on a visit to St. Ange at St. Louis,
accepted an invitation to an Indian feast near Cahokia,.
during Avhich he was killed by a Kaskaskia Indian,
instigated by a British trader. His body was taken to
his Erench friends in St. Louis, and there by them
honorably buried. The French were imsuccessful in
their endeavor to avert the consequences of this murder
from their neighbors ; for the Ottawas, i;^ n^venge for
the loss of their chief, nearly exterminated the Illinois
nation. Again, in 1779, during our war of Independ-
ence, wlien France was our valued ally, ruimers
brought intelligence that the British meditated an

■I

1 i'

LIFE or DR. LINN.

assault upon St. Louis. Heed was given to the infor-
mation, and such additions made to their defence as
was in their power. In May of the following year,
fourteen hundred well armed savages and one hundred
and forty British regulars arrived on the opposite side
of the river, and lay in ambush unknown to the St.
Louians ; on the 20th of that month they crossed, and
killing some fifteen or twenty whom they found in the
common field outside of the stockade, they advanced
upon the village ; but though taken by surprise, the
French rushed to their barriers and met the foe with
such a manful and determined resistance, that all his
efforts to carry them were ineffective ; and after ex-
periencing great loss, the allied savages retreated towards
Lake Michigan, as stealthily as they came. This first
attenn)t to pass a ligature around the great jutery of
the West was as unsucccssfid as the later trial at New
Orleans. Mr. Chambers states, " Tiie particulars of
this defence reflect very great credit on the villagers.
They munbered only about one hundred and fifty males
fit for service. At the commencement of the attack,
the Spanish troops, whose proper bushiess it was to
lead in the di'fence, ran off and secreted themselves in
a garret. Lcnba, the Lieutenant-governor, acted in a
manner to show that he had been in traitorous com-
munication with the enemy."

AMiile the undaunted villagers were pouring grape

■ ii

! i

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

3 the infor-

(lefence as

kving year,

le Imndred

iposite side

to the St,

rossed, and

iind in the

f advanced

u'prise, the

e foe with

;hat all his

I after ex-

fdd towards

This first

artery of

al at New

iculars of

villagers.

[ifty males

le attack,

was to

st'lves in

ted in a

'ous coni-

njr

grape

from the cannon's month on the host of assailants,
Leyba made his appearance 'trundled on a wheel-
barrow,' and ordered the gvnis to be spiked. Before
tl'is, he had discouraged all rumors of the approaching
invasion, imprisoning those who set them afloat, and
had sold all the powder in the place, on which he coidd
lay his hands. An account of his procedure was
transmitted to Galvez, then Governor of Louisiana,
who inmiediately superseded him. After all fair de-
ductions, (enough remains to show that Leyba was
unworthy of the trust coniided to him, and that the
(•efonders of St. Louis deserve to be held in honorable
remembraiic'^ for their bravery." It was an epoch
whence other occurring miitters in these peaceful com-
munities were dated, as afterwards this year 1780 was
gcnei'ally spoken of as " Vannce dii grand coup"
There were some other periods during the contiiuiance
of Ihe Spanish rule considered suffic m'v out of the
course of ordinary events as to obtain a general de-
finitive ; as \l%o,''L'an>i(k' des grandes eaiix,' from
an unprecedented rise of the river, and since only
equalled by the devastating floods of 1844 and '52.
1788, " L\inr('c des dix bafcaiLv," from the arrival at
one time of a fleet of ten barges, avIio had associated
for mutual protection agahist the river-pirates on their
voyage from New Orleans. 1 798, the arrival of galleys
with Spanish troops as ''Vanme des galeres." 1799,

: I

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

the thermometer indicating 32° below zero, was
"L'atuwe da (jrand Jiiver." 1801, the remembered
scourge of the small-pox, " L'anncc dela Picotte"

St. Louis, though among the younger, has far out-
stripped and outgrown her sister villages in the matters
of more material progress, but not in the sense of
Pharaoh's dream as inteipreted by the young Hebrew
captive (no, not captive — Joseph was the captive of his
brethren, but was the bargained, and sold, and money-
purchased bondman of the Midianite merchant ; and
of Potiphar, the chamberlain of Pharaoh) ; some of them
are yet flourishing " on the very bank of the river in
green places." Of these St. Genevieve is not the least
attractive ; originally built upon the site of one long
occupied by the Peoria Indians, and possessing all the
advantages usually sought for in those days of primitive
habits and moderate desires. The first buildhigs were
erected close to the water-side, but in the memorable
L'annee des grandes eaux Avere swept away by the great
Pather of Waters, leaving the vestiges of that destruc-
tive inundation visible as late as 1832. Warned by
this bitter experience, the inhabitjmts rebuilt their
dwellings and business houses on a more elevated and
pleasant situation : above their new town are several
springs of extraordinary volume of water, the tavored
encamping ground of their long lingering red friends.
The Prench and Spanish emigrants, the earliest pioneers

LIFE OF Dll. LINN.

zero, was
'eiuembered
'cotter
lias far out-
tlie matters
le sense of
ig Hebrew
ptive of his
iiid iiioney-
^liant ; and
me of them
he river in
3t the least
\ one long
ing all the
f primitive
lings were
neniorable
' the great
dcstruc-
irned by
ilt their
ited and
e several
favored
friends,
pioneers

in the exploration and settlement of our western wil-
derness, congregated in villages for greater secarity,
and in accordance with their social instincts, as fsir as
they conld, they made their American homes to re-
semble those they had left in their father-lands. Unlike
the Anglo-American, who, armed with axe and rifle,
plunges into the primeval forest fearless and alone,
b'lilding himself a little cabin and clearing a patch for
the cultiva!'"n of the indispensable " soothing weed,"
is content to lead the life of a solitaire, until the tide
of civilization invades his seclusion, and settles che
waste places around him, — the natives of soutliern
Europe, no less brave and adventurous, adhere to their
innate and irradicable love of companionship, and with
a facility of adaptation to new modes of life peculiar to
themselves, cultivate every where the tastes, the habits,
and social qualities, that distinguish them from all other
people. It is owing to these characteristics, that the
French especially have exhibited such a remarkable
aptitude in contentedly and peacefully dwelling .near
and among our aboriginal tribes, and securing their
faithfid attachment, confidence, and affectionate esteem.
They resided hi villages and ciJtivated the earth, and
pastured their cattle in common enclosures, the conmion
property of all. These fields were divided into separate
allotments, in which each proprietor planted and tended
such products as he preferred; but if there was any

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

difference of ownership or taste in the growth and
culture of contiguous i)lants, when the harvest was
gathered, it was freely offered to the enjoyment of all.
Thus they peacefully and hap[)ily lived luitil some time
after the appearance of the wonder which has contri-
buted so much to the improvement of the West.

In 1817 the General Pike, a Louisville low-pressure
steamboat, first startled the quiet waters of the Upper
Mississippi, reaching St. Louis on the second day of
August in that year, luider the command of Captain
Jacob Reed. Two years afterwards, the Independence,
Captain Nelson, ascended the Missouri, demonstrating
that even the cm'rent of that more turbulent stream
could be overcome by the new giant motor. This
many of the old A'oyageurs and others had doubted,
but they now saw that the days of the slow-progressing
keel-boat (Uid barge were about to pass, and with them
the occupation of their previous life. Nothing has con-
tributed so nuich to effect the surprising change notice-
able within the last thirty years, as the introduction of
the bateau-a-vapeur, not only over the face of the
country, but in the manners, pursuits and occupations
of the whole western people. For a time, the villagers,
wedded to their old customs, Avere content with the
slow and toilsome progress of their keel-boat and barge.
To tiie successful prosecution of voyages in such craft,
the services of the patient, abstemious, and light-hearted

I I

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

)wtli and
•vest was
!nt of all.
omc time
IS coiitri-

3St.

-pressure

le Upper

I day of

Captain

endence,

iistrating

t stream

r. This

loubted,

pressing

til tliem

las con-

iiotice-

tion of

of the

nations

lagers,

litli the

I barge.

craft,

learted

voyageurs were, until their business was broken up by
the general use of steam, deemed al)solutely indispen-
sable. They were so thoroughly acquainted with the
great rivers of the West, knowing every highland and
jutting promontory, every rock, sunken tree, and shift-
ing sand-bar, and every cleft and cavern on their
shores. No danger appalled or difficulty disheartened
them. Always cheerful and alert, they lightened their
labor at the oar, and enlivened the long dreary nights
by song and dance, and traditional tales of love, or war
or daring adventure, giving a romantic or historical
interest to the Avild and comparatively tenantJess scenes
along which they passed. But the keel-^: jut, the barge,
and the lithe, athletic and joyous voyageurs, nuiy be
said to have disappeared, and with them the limited
desires .and few and simple wants, which for a long
series of years they so abundantly supplied.

In 1817 St. Genevieve contained a goodly number
of American families, and a nmcli greater proportion
of French ; many of whom were descended from the
best blood of France, and retained, in a remarkable
degree, the refinement, the courtesy, and the ardent
temperament which so pre-eminently distinguished
their countrymen of the last centiu-y. To their heredi-
tary gayety and inborn politeness, their close and fre-
(juent intercourse of late years with their American
neighbors, have imparted not a little of the solidity and

■i!:li

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

progressive energy wliicli characterize the latter. Their
manners and conversation, always sprightly and agree-
able, rendered their society at home or abroad, miiver-
sally and at all seasons, most attractive and acceptable.
Those parents Avho possessed the time and means, gave
to their children the best education the circnmstances
of jjlace and period permitted ; all, howevei-, received
moral and religious instruction from the faithful pastor
of the church, and accpiired, from the constant associa-
tion of (.'very class, an amenity of deportment more
captivating than any learning without it, — a deference
for the feelings and wishes of others, which never failed
to secure it for themselves. No matter how poor or
how ignorant they at first to some appeared to be, they
were rich and instructed, possessing a grace so winning,
an address so fascinatuig, a bearing so manly, that it
levelled all distinctions of birth and ducation, and not
to admire and respect them was an impossibility.
The men of this interesting society were proverbial for
their probity, for their gentleness and devotion as
husbands, fathers and friends, Avhile the women were no
less remarkable for their warm and ingenuous affections,
their purity and scrupulous neatness, their untiring at-
tention to their household duties, and for all the little
nameless offices of kindness, whose ministrations enter
so largely into the siun of domestic felicity. Their
many attractive little fetes and obsei^ances cannot fail

LIFE OF DU. LINN.

ter. Tlieir
and agree-
ad, imiver-
acceptable.
leans, gave
nnnstances
!]•, received
!iful pastor
nt associa-
lent more
deference
ever failed
w poor or
be, they
winning,
Y, that it
and not
5ssibility.
rbial for
otion as
were no
Sections,
n-nig at-
he little
IS enter
Their
not fail

to make a favorable impression on a stranger. One, a
custom connnon to all classes, so touching and beau-
tiful, so instinct with gracious sentiment and geiAuine
refinement, that the portraitiu-e of excellent friends
would be wanting in its crowning grace, and perhaps
most characteristic trait, if it were omitted. The oldest
male member of each family is looked up to by all who
compose it, as its patriarch and head; and on the
morning of every new year all its branches, young and
old, gather around him, and each one kneeling in turn
begs his blessing for the coming year. The venerable
sire first extends his arms over them and says, in an
aftectingly solemn and affectionate voice, " My children,
is there peace between you all ? " If answered affirm-
atively, as it always is, he, placing his hand on the head
of each, gives the much-valued blessing ; this exquisite
usage has the hapi)iest effect in preventing and healing
family feuds; for, if difficulties occiu", all are interested
in tlieir disappearance, they must be reconciled before
the year expires, else the erring parties woidd be de-
prived of the annual benediction so piously and so
hopefully looked forward to by all, and the withholding
of Avhich is considered not merely a stigma, but one of
the heaviest calamities that could beM them. Can
the vapid morning receptions, or the glittering soirees
of our eastern cities welcome the incoming of the new
year with a more attractive beauty, or confer more en-

• I

1 1

li f !

LU'E OV DIl. LINN.

::|:i U

(luring benefits? 'J'he people of this little eonnnunity
paid a more tlian Spartan reverence to old age, and
it diftcred not whether it was arrayed in rags, or clothed
in the costliest apparel. The silvery sheen of gray
liairs seemed in their eyes as a halo of glory, and to
claim for the form of feebleness and decrepitude they
covered a sort of devotional respect, originating, not in
the mere sympathy and compassion which helplessness
seldom fails to awaken, but from a feeling, that, having
reached the last .resting-places of this hnpcrfect exist-
ence and being purified from its stains, they were
almost Avithin tlie poiials of the true and perfect life to
come, and already appeared imbued with a portion of
its unearthly and inconceivable purity and splendor.
The mutual kind love and esteem subsisting between
the master or mistress and their servants, are only sur-
passed ijy the relation of parents and children. The
tender and faithful remembrance of those Avho have
passed before them Avith the sign of faith to their
peaceful rest, is a beautiful instance of the enduring
affection, always observable among them.

Such were the people among whom Dr. Linn's lot
in life was cast, and with whom himself and family long
lived so happily, and who are left the beloved guardians
of his mortal remains. At St. Genevieve is a convent
founded in 1832, l)y a wealthy lady, a descendant of
the last European governor of Upper Louisiana. At-

li!

! ,!1

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

age, and
)r clothed
I of gray
y, and to
ude they
g, not in
plessness
t, having
ct exist-
ey were
ct hfe to
>rtion of
plendor.
jctween
Illy sur-
The
io have
their
during

n's lot
J long
rdians
mvent
mt of
At-

tached tliercto, is an academy of great excellence, in
charge of the Sisters, for the education of young ladies
in the different brauches of useful knowledge, aiul all
th(! accomplishments usually deemed necessary to a
female in polite society. The present Mother Superior
is a jewel from the Emerald Isle of unusual intellect
and administrative capacity, of great and varied attain-
ments, and being specially educated herself for com-
municating knowledge to others, has with these advan-
tages the natural tact so useful to a teacher ; a com-
manding personal appearance and deportment, and the
most attractive manners. Parents and [)upils all speak
the praise of these sisters. This is written by one avIio
is a Methodist, and surely may be considered impartial,
who had children to educate, and was as an anxious
mother desirous to select the best school where the
moral instruction, health and deportment of the })U[)ils
would receive the requisite attention, as well as learning
and accomplishments. She knew of several, and could
have had choice of any hi the land ; this she deemed
the best, and although warned by some of her friends
that the religion of her daughter would be interfered
with, has had no reason to regret her choice, but on the
contrary, is gratefully thankful. Her daughter received
an excellent education, at the St. Genevieve convent,
and soon after leaving that institution, became a
member of the Methodist Church.

CHAPTER II.

I iiiLii

On the first dny of July, 1818, Dr. Linn was married
to the only daughter of Mr. John Relfe, of Virginia,
whose early death (at the age of 29) cut short a life
which his attainments and acknoAvlcdgcd abilities
promised to adorn and render useful to his country.
His son. Dr. James Relfe, of Washington Comity, Mis-
souri, was several years a representative in Congress
from that State.

Providence, in depriving Mrs. Linn and her brother
of a fiither in their early life, yet left them the in-
estimable blessing of a devoted and most intelligent
mother, who w^as descended from an ancient ftuuily in
Scotland, and had received from nature a character of
singular firmness. Her personal beauty and highly
cultivated mind led to eligible offers of a second mar-
riage, which, though only twenty-seven years of age,
she declined, and made the care and education of her
children the sole object of her existence. Educated

;! J

^'A

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

5 iTiarried
Virginia,
ort a life

abilities
country.

y, Mis-

/ongress

)rotlier
ic in-
lligent
lily in
ter of
highly
(I inar-
)f age,
of her
icated

If '3

herself in the most intelligent circles of the day, and
eminently pious, her capacit) as aguide andinstri'^tress
was equal to her anxiety as a mother. Many of hev
deelhiing days were passed at the house of her son-in-
law, in whose charitable ministrations to the sick and
distressed she deeply sympathized. lie constantly s;iid
that her religion and pure benevolence brought blessings
upon the hous(5hold and those aroimd it.

Iiumediately after he established himself in St.
Genevieve, Dr. Linn commenced the practice of his
profession with the most unwearied devotion, iuid de-
rived the greatest pleasure in witnessing the relief his
rare medical skill gave to poor suffering humanity.
He was no respector of persons in his practice ; the
poor and lowly received his unwearied attention with
the same zeal that it Avas extended to the wealthy and
aristocratic. The destitute widow and orphan, and all
other indigent persons obtained his medicine and per-
sonal attention, knowing that they would never be re-
quired to pay for them. Dr. Linn had a Lu'ge press
in his house which w-as called " the closet fcr the poor,"
and which contained every thing necessary to add to the
comfort of the sick Avho were unable tc provide for
themselves. One day, a wine merchant vlio lived near
the doctor, said to Mrs. Linn, " Do your family use all
the wine your husband sends for duiing the sickly
season ? I should think you would have enough to

Hi:

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

,i I

H,:.

bathe in, but I l)clieve every drop of it goes to the sick
who arc not able to procure it for themselves." The
doctor had a very extensive practice iu three counties,
and was frequently called to St. Loujs to visit the sick.
He loved his ])rofession and attached great responsibility
to it. Night and day he would watcii over his patients
with intense solicitude, as long as his physical powers
would permit, and not unfrequently did he need Jissist-
ance on returnhig home, when exhausted fronnvatching
over and administering to the \vants of the sick and
dying.

When it became evident that the Asiatic cholera
had taken its direction towards this side of the Atlantic,
and while as yet all attention was absorbed in the
fatality of its ravages in l*]uropc, Dr. Linn opened a
cori'espondence with medical men abroad, who were
familiar with the symptoms it presented, the treatment
and remedies most successfully nsed, and the theories
held iu relati(m to it. He received from various sources
a niiiss of information in advance of its appearance
here, and was thus prepared to use and dissemhiate
such information, and to grapple with the terrible foe
upon its advent and desolating march over our con-
tinent.

When the scoiu'gc at length reacluul the Atlantic
cities, aiul it was impossible to doubt its malign })resence
in New York, Dr. Linn iimnediately ])Kblished iu the

J —

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

to the sick
es." The
3 counties,
t the sick.
ponsibiHty
is patients
!al })o\vers
eed assist-
nvatching
sick and

tic cholera
! Athnitic,
3(1 in the
Dpcned a
10 were
eatnient
tlieories
sources
)earance
seniuiate
ible foe
I)ur con-

■:.*d|2

fonu of a circular, a history of the disonso and its
peculiar effects uixm the human system, and he warned
the i)eople of jNlissouri and Ilhnois that it would ere
long sweep like a desolating- blast ovei- their lionu^s.
Tie enjoined them to be prepared to resist its visit by
observing the premonitory symptoms which he indicated
as its attendants, and assured them that its inroads
could bo arrested and life saveil.

The reci[)e he had received from foreign faculties
was composed of ingredients so simple and accessi])le,
that tlie poorest as well as tlu)se in the most secluded
corners of tlie States could obtain and keep them ready
for nse. lie also urged tliem to dispel their fears as
far as practicable, as fear was a great })re(lisposing cause
of the cholera, by rapidly enervating the physical power.

Owing to these investigations and timely counsels,
the strides of the pestilence w(;re arretted on both sides
of the Mississij)])! Kiver, its fatal course controi't'd by
the (1 stant hand of medical scieiic(> and the betievok'ut
discernment of one of its votaries. Tlie foicsiglit which
provided against its advent l)efore it had k^ft the shores
of .another hemisphere, elevates lae skilful jdiysician
from the |)osition of individual mei'it to the rank of
|)hilanthropist, whose unseltish toils ask to be re[)aid
only by the benetit bestowed upon the human family.
To the lati'st period of Dr. Linn's life he di'rived the
most li\elv satisfaction from dwcllinji; on th; vast nuni-

jl 1
f" !

] '

'• ,

1:1 i ;:■

i;ih::i!

'
i

ii!

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

ber of letters from different parts of Missouri and
Illinois, which were addressed to him by persons ])ouring
forth the deepest fe(;lings of gratitude for the medical
advice imparted to them through his timely warning.
They did not hesitate to say that they believed the
diffusion of this information was the cause of saving
of the lives of hundrcids of persons ; for previous to
its reception they wcn'e all paralyzed with horror at the
ai)proach of tlie disease ; but when they saw those cir-
culars frcmi one who had attained so high a reputation
as Dr. Linn, they became inspired Avith liope and
courage.

It was a cold and very disagreeable morning in
October, 1S32, when a gentleman, a citizen of St.
(lenevieve, came riding rapidly to the door of Dr. Liim's
house, and calling to him, said that a steamboat had left
an unfortunate stranger very ill on the bank of the
river, a little distance from town : that he ap])eared from
his violent strugg^js to have the cramp, and that his
cries for assistance were ^f.ily distressing. No person
wonld ap[)roach him, for l)y doing so tlie\ thonght i,
would seal their own doom, not doubting tliat he was
a victim of the cholera. " Now, good Dr. Linn," the
gentleman continued, " if you decline doing any thing
for the stranger, no other ])erson will venture to aid him,
and it is dreadful to think of his dying on the cold, wet
earth, (K'prived of assistance, and so many persons near

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

ssouri and
ms pouring
he medical
y warning,
^lieved the

of saving
)revi()us to
)rror at the
i those cir-
reputation

liope and

norning in

;en of St.

Dr. Liini's

lit ]iad left

iilv of the

arcd from

that his

o persoa

ought i,

t lie was

nil," the

my tiling

aid him,

cold, wet

■foiis near

him ! " Without an instant's hesitation, tlu; Doctor
replied that he would take charge of the invalid ; and
looking with great affection on his wife and children, he
sjiid, " jVIy dear Avife, the time is at hand when it be-
comes necessary for you to take our children, and
without delay hasten to the country, to avoid this
strange and awful sco\n*ge Avhicli is about to visit us ;
mv diitv is to remain here and do all I can for the
sick." Mrs. Linn, looking with affection on her noble
and self-sacrificing husband, I'cplied — "The time has
indeed arrived when I too nuist do my duty, and that
is to stay with my blessed husband and relieve him as
far as it is in my poAVcr, In Avatching over and nursing
tlic sick. Dr. Linn fondly embraced his wife, saying,
" Such a determination is worthy of you, my beloved
wife, [ind I should liave expected it from you ; now let
us hasten to do something for the suffering stranger
whom Providence has intrusted to our keeping." In
vain, however, were all their efforts to get any person
or any sort of conveyance to bring the sick man to
their house. Such was the dreadful panic which had
seized the inhabitants of the place (believing the cholera
was as infectious as ever the plague liad been), they
could not think of Dr. Linn going near the diseased
person, or that he should 1)e brought to town. The
Doctor findinir all his servants had fled irom home on
hearing his intention, requested one of his students,

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

Mr. AVilk(;rs()ii, to assist liim, as he tliouglit tl>cy to-
gctlici- might be able to convey tlie })aticut in n blanket
from t]i(! river to his lioiise. While they Avent on this
mission of merey, Mrs, Linn commenced to |)rej)are, in
great haste, a room for her expected guest ; but was
internq)ted by a number of jjcr.sons collected ai'ound
the house, who clamorously assured herthat herhiisband
would not be [)ermitted tobrisig a person in their midst
with the cholera, for coutitgion and (^eath followeil in
its wake. Serious ap[)reheusions entered her mind that
they might molest the Doctor and his kind-hearted
siudent; for she Siiw in the wild excitement of the
l)anic-strickeii ])eopl(3 that they were not responsible for
their acts. Jler fears Avere increased when she saw
one of her most intimate ac(juaintances with a torch in
his hand, and heard him exclaim, '' Mis. Limi, let me
see tiie Doctor turn the corner of that street, and I will
a])j)ly this torch to hisoifici^* and bju'u it to its founda-
tion." Another still more energetically called out,
"Let us tear down the hous(! and save our conuuunity
from the [)estilence." It was in vain she attempted to
l)e heard, thev wei'e beyond the bounds of reason ;
their (.'ars open to but one word, cholera; and that
Avord closed all the avcmies to charity, humanity and
hos])itality. While thus contesthig the point, a little

* Rodiiis were, [ircijand in Dr. Liiiii'.s oflico for the reception of those sick
with the cliolcni.

|ii !■

LirK OF IJR. LINN.

t tb.cy to-

'i blanket

lit on this

ii'ej)ar{3, in

; l)llt WilS

(I around

I'lmshaiul

WAV midst

llowod in

iiiiid tliat

d-licai'tcd

it of the

iisil)lo lor

she saw

I torch in

1, let me

11(1 1 will

> foniidu-

ed out,

1 nullity

ipted to

reason ;

id that

lity and

a little

colored inessenger Avhom she had sent to inform her
husband of the threats that had been made, returned
in haste to inform his mistress that Dr. Linn and Mr.
W'ilkerson Avere approaehiiig, bearui'i; the sick to tlio
house. This struck the crowd a\ it!; naiiie, and as if by
magic it brcjke and dispersed scattering lit every di-
rection, terror giving speed to its retreat. A^'llcn tlic
Doctor arrived, not one remained to prevent his entrance
to the house.

Life was not extinct in the unfortunate man, and
he was soon made as comfortable as the case permitted ;
his first words to j\Irs. Linn, wlioAvas standing near his
coucii, were uttered in a voice of agonv : " Madam, if
you wish (iod to l)h>ss you in your dyhig hour, pray give
iiK! something warm to drink." Mr. I f amiiii (the name
f the stranger) received all the attention that could be
bestowed u])on him, until death termhiated his sufferings,
'i^lirec other victims of the cholera, left by steamers
on tlu! bank of the river, were taken in charge and
nursed. Durhig this time Ave all enjoyed perfect health.
This circumstance, Avitli the constant assurance of their
kind |)liysician, that the cholera Avas not infectious,
(hspelled the fears of the citizens of St. (Jenevieve, and
they again became unwearied in kindness and attention
to the sick and afflicted, hospitable and humane.

tlio.se sick

CHAPTER III

Dr. Linn was frequently urged by his friends to suffer
his name to be used as a candidate for Congress. His
popularity rendered his elcetion certain. He declined,
however, such friendly proposals, re])lying to them truly
that he had no political aspirations. Soon after the
lamented decease of the Hon. S. Pettis, a connnittee
of gentlemen from St. Louis waited upon Dr. Linn, to
request him to become a candidate for Congress as the
successor of this gentleman. He again stated hiss un-
willingness to enter into public life, and respectfully de-
clined their friendly overtures. Once, and once only,
he was prevailed iq)on to seiTC one session in the State
Senate of Missouri, for the purpose of procuring the pas-
sage of a law^ beneficial to the southern part of the State.
In 1833. his reputation as a physician had Ijecome
so extensive, and the demands on his time so constant,
that his health became impaired from the fatigue he
underwent, , His friends and family became so nmch

. 1 '

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

alarmed on his account, that they induced him to accept
au appointment tendered to him hy General Jackson,
to act as one of three commissioners appointed to settle
the ohl French land claims in Missouri. The change
of occupation and relaxation from professional duties,
it was trusted, would restore his health ; and he con-
sented to become a member of the Board.

The satisfaction he gave to all parties interested in
these lands, by the mode in A\hich his duties were dis-
charged, added to the confidence of the pid)lic in his
character, and enabled him, Avlien in the Senate of the
United States, to demonstrate the justice of the adjudi-
cation, and to procure from Congress an equitable law
for the final adjnstment of them all. Nevertheless, this
new field of duties, instead of bringing the repose and
change of life he so nnich needed, plunged him into
the discharge of a more arduous ami perilous })rofes-
sional life. His society was sought by all social circles
with great eagerness. To the aged he was ever a most
welcome guest ; his animated conversation charmed
them, and the enjoyment he received in hearing them
relate events of bygcme days, made them feel, as they
expressed themselves, "young again." To those in the
meridian of life his society possessed a general charm —
his fine conversational powers, his winning manners,
his versatility of talent, drawn from a mind that was a
pei-fect storchonse of knowledge, could not be excelled

::i

iiili l-i

11:1

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

l)y any one. By young persons his appearance was
hailed with dchght ; his juanly beauty, liis graceful de-
portuKMit, A\'ith Jiis great desire to contribute every
tiling ill his ])ower to amuse or instruct them, made
them iiuxious for his society. The Doctor's passionate
attnchmciit to cliildren made their pure young hearts
spring fortli to meet his affectionate embrace wherever
they beheld liiin. As it became necessary for him to
live in St. Louis to attend to his duties as commis-
sioner, he removed with his family to that city in June,
1833. A mouth after their departure from St. Gene-
vieve, the cholera broke out in the most frightful form
in St. Louis. Little could be done by the Board in a
time of death and distress, and he devoted himself
night and day to the victims of the pestilence. In
the moiitli of September his friends in St. Genevieve
sent an express, entreating him to return to them, if it
was only for a few days, informing him that many of
his most valued friends had beoii swept from the world
within a few days by the cholera, and that the deepest
gloom hung over the village. They declared " that the
united ^'oice of every citizen implored their kind friend
and successful [ihysician to come and give them medical
aid, that if mortal man could save them from the cholera
he could." The Doctor was not proof to *such an ap-
peal : concealing from his family the cause of his de-
parture, he went immediately to relieve his friends.

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

aiice was

ccfiil de-

te every

1)1, made

assioiiate

ig lieai'ts

ivlicrever

' him to

commis-

iii June,

t. Geiie-

:ful form

)ar(l in a

liimself

ice. In

.'nevicve

111, if it

lany of

3 world

deepest

liat the

friend

nediciil

liolera

an ap-

liis de-

riends.

Many of the citizens wlieii descrihing the effect of his
arrival among them, said, " Tlic very sight of Dr. Linn
inspired hope and coiitidence, and they felt he was like
iin angel of mercy come to restore health and h!ii)})i-
ness to them, through the blessing of God." Taking
little rest for twelve days and nights, the Doctor at-
tended constantly to the sick and dying. At length he
was seized Avith the cholera himself. Believing he
would die, he despatched a faithful French servant,
Antohie, for his Avife. His greatest earthly hope Avas
to see her before his death. In less time than the
distance Avas ever travelled })efore, Aiitoine reached St.
Louis, at eiglit o'clock in the morning. It required
but a fcAv moments for Mrs. Linn to take lier departure
to join her husband. As there Avas no steand)oat to
leave St. Louis for sonic hours, a friend brought an
(excellent horse and carriage to her, and offei'cd to ac-
company her. Thanking him for his kindness, she pre-
ferred going Avitli Antoine, as she knew she could
accelerate the jonmcy more Avith her servant than with
any other person. (jOA'crnor Dodge Avas at that time
in the city, Init unfortunately had Avalked out on busi-
ness. As the exigency of her summons made every
moment precious, she sent a messenger for hhu and
hurj'ied on her Avay. The road Ijcing better on the
Illinois than the Missouri side of the river, they crossed
tilt! ^Mississippi at St. Louis and travelled at a very rapid

, ^ \

LIFE OF DR. TJNN.

rate ; but night came on wlien tlicy were still tliree
miles tVoni the ferry-house opposite St. Genevieve.
A slow tine rain had been tailing all day, and it now
became so intei.sely dark that the nearest object could
not be s(;en, and it was only by the flashes of lightning
which now and then lit up the heavens, that they could
see they were still in the road. At length Antoinetold
Mrs. Liim that there was a thick wood, more than a
mile long, through which they nmst pass before they
reached the ferry-house ; that it was intersected with a
great nund)er of sloughs putting back from the river;
that it wiis perilous to pursue the road in the diirkness
and storm, but that if slu Mild permit him to turn
back a little distance, he could find a road that led to a
small village, where she could remahi until daylight,
and reach St. Genevieve early in the morning. Mrs.
Linn implored him not to think of donig so, but to
remember his promise to her husband to hasten her
journey without any delay : that he nmst uoav keep on
at all hazards, for she would not stop unless forced to
do so until she was uiuler the same roof Avith her hus-
band. Antoine then gave her the rehis and Avent in
ad\ ance, feeling for the road through the woods a short
distance at a time, and, as he found it, called to her
and she drove up to him. In this manner, groping
their way, Autoine in advance, they proceeded until
they passed the woods, and reached the ferry-house.

Lll'Ji OF DR. LINN.

still tliree

Genevieve.

imd it now

il)ject could

if lightning

they could

^ntoinetold

iiore than a

before they

cted with a

I the river ;

le d.'U'kness

iin to turn

liut led to a

daylight,

]\lrs.

so, Ijut to

asten her

iw keep on

forced to

I her hus-

went in

ds a short

ed to her

groping

(led until

rv-house.

ng.

Although saturated with the contunied rain, and very
nuich l)ruis(;d by the limbs and low brandies of the
trees through which she had passed, jMrs. L. was so
absorbed in agonizhig apprehensions for her husband,
that she was insensible to the injuries she had received
and the discomfort of her person. On enterhig the
fcrry-honse, a innnber of persons were found assembled
in a large room, — many of them victims of the cholera
— three were dying. Mrs. L. instantly recpiested the
ferryman to take her across the Mississij)pi without
delay, lie j)ointed to the dreadful condition of his
family, and told her it was utterly impossible to do so.
lie could not lea\e them, addhig that the night was
too dark and tempestuous to attempt crossing the river.
In great distress she exclaimed, " Is there no one here
who for the love of the Blessed Virgin will assist me
over the river to my dying husband ? " Lumediately a
fine-looking young girl rose from the bedside of one
of the dying persons Avliere she had been kneeling, and
said, " iMrs. Linn, I will take you over with the assist-
ance of Antoine, if you will go in a skiff," Her father,
the ferryman, objected in the most positive terms to
the attempt. The young woman remonstrated with him
saying, " iMy father, do you not remember all that good
Dr. Linn did for us when my mother died, and the
great tronble he underwent when my brother J.'unes was
so long sick, ami that he never charged lis for what he

Lll'r, OF DR. I, INN.

(lid? indeed I ciuinot refuse to tid<c Ills wife to him
when he may be dyinfj;." " Cjo, Margjiret," said lier
fatlier, "' and may tlie saints proteetyoii." jNIrs. Linn,
Margaret and Antoine, hastened to the rivei*. The
nii^ht continned intensely dark and the thunder rolled
territic.dly,l)ut the rain had ceased, and flashes of light-
ning illmninated the water and the objects around
them. They entered the skiff', and Margaret directed
Antoine to take the steering oar while she nsed the
paddles. At a short distance from the shore the waves
filled the boat and it sank, fortunately in shallow water.
They Avaded to the bank, Antoine dragging the skiff
with him. ^Irs. Linn persuaded him to empty the
watei', and ])repare for another endeavor to cross the
ri\ei\ INIargaret directing him to take the paddles, said
she wT)uld manage the steering oar, and get safely
across, although the wind was very high. Again they
embarked in the skiff, and in a few moments were
rapidly gliding vwer the water. As they approached
the jMissouri shores, they discovered that the skiff' was
leaking very fast. ]\Lu'garet told Mrs. Linn that she
would find a tin bucket under the seat, and that she
must use it with all her strength in throwing the water
out of the skiff', or it would sink and all would be lost.
Mrs. Linn followed the instructions of the admirable
girl, and the powerful use Antohie made of the paddles
brought them safely to the shore. They had but

LIIK OF DR. LINN.

fe to him

' said lier

Irs. Linn,

vol'. 'IMie

idcr rolled

3S of light-

ts nroinul

t directed

nscd the

the waves

low water.

the skiff

empty the

cross the

hlles, said

T;(,'t safely

irain they

ents were

proached

skiff was

that she

he water

1 be lost.

idmirahle

e paddles

had but

abanduued the skiff an instant when it filled hi deep
water. iMrs. Linn urged Margaret to go with her into
^t. (jenevieve and remain until dayliglit, bnt the kind-
hearted girl rephed, " Oh, 1 nuist return as soon as
possible; to my suffering family." Heing near the house
of a friend on the river bank, Mrs. Linn proenred a
good boat, and two stont men to take jVIargaret back
to her fath{;r. She pressed her to re('ei\e money for
the great services she had rendered, but the noble girl
positively refnsed, and said, " that which she had done
was for the sake of her religion and the debt of grati-
tude she owed Dr. Linn."

Mi-s. Limi Avas repaid for the risks she had encoun-
tered by tliuling herluisband still living, and that hopes
were entcrtaincul of his recovery. Ill as he was, he
was iuex[)ressibly rejoiced to behold her, and })rayed
God to s})are his life for the sake of his wife and
childnm. (jovernor Dodge reached St. Genevieve the
following mornuig, and told Mrs. Linn that he had
frctpiently o\';rtakeu Indians runnhig from him with all
the fleetness for Avhich they are I'emarkable, but he
should never again try to overtake a wife flying to seek
a sick husband. Lie had left St. Louis half an hour
after her, and although mounted on a fine horse, had
tried in vain to overtake her

CHAPTER IV.

The (lay before Dr. Linn was taken ill, his predecessor
in tlie United Sates Senate, Col. Alexander l-Jnckner,
and his wife, hotli died of the cholera. Inmiediately
nnnierons petitions were sent from different })arts of
Sonthcrii Missonri to (jov. Dnnklin, vn'ij;ini; him to select
Dr. Linn to till the vacancy occasioned by the deatli of
Col. Bnckner (in the U. S. Senate). A large nnmber of
Whigs signed these petitions, stating that they k!iew a
Dchiocmf nnist fill the office, and they pri^ferred l)i'.
Linn to any other man of that party, as they knew he
wonld attend to the bnsiness of his ])olitical o})ponents
before Congress us faithfully as he Avonld discharge his
dnty to his democratic constitnents. IJefore Dr. Tjiini
was sufficiently restored to health to leave the hos])itable
mansion of his friend, the lion. John Scott, in St.
(ji'iievieve (where he had been attended with unwearied
kindness by that gentleman and every member of his
family), he received the appointment of U. S. Senator

LIFE OF 1)11. LINN.

idcccssor

'■Jnckiier,

ledi.'itely

parts of

to select

lea til of

mber of

knew a

ivd Dr.

knew he

[poiieuts

firge liis

I'. Linn

pitable

in St.

ivearied

of his

Beiiator

from (Jov. Dunklin, which Avas contirnied h\ the iniani-
nious vote of the Missonri Legislature, as soon as that
bodv convened.

One of the agreeable anticipations he had indulged
in taking his scat in the U. S. Senate was, the ()|)|)or-
tunity it would atford him to cultivate an intercourse
with (Jen. Jackson, who had been the hi'io of his
heart's Avarmest admiration from ins youth, lie had
frequ(ntlv expressed the hope that (leu. Jackson Avould
be elected to the presidency. In lS;2."i, when (ien.
Jackson Avas elected to tlieU. S. Senate from tlie State
of 'rennessee, Dr. Liiui said at a large dinner party at
the Hon. John Scott's, in St. Genevieve, Avhere there
AATrc present several disthiguished politicians, tiiat he
firmly believed the election of (ien. Jackson at that
time to the Senate Avas the precursor of his being elected
to tile presidency in a fcAV years. His friends laughed
at his enthusiastic admiration of the Hei'o of NeAV
Orleans, and Judge Po})e of Illinois remarked to him —
"You never Avill he able to find seven votes in Missouri
or Illinois that Avoiild sustain (Jen. Jackson for that
high station." Dr. Linn replied, that such Avas the
contidcnce he had in the sound judgment of his
countrymen, that he would be willing to pledge his
life that before the expiration of ten years, no political
men in either Missonri or Illinois would be sustained,
Avho Avere not in favor of CJen. Jackson for the i)resi-

I ::i i

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

I , I

r''-u.

deiicy. Ill five years the Doctor's prediction was
verified.

Diliideiit of liis powers in pu1)lic debate, Dr. Linn
rarely s[)oke in tlie Senate during' tlie first few years he
was a niein])er of ^iiat ])()dv, ])nt dc^voted his attention
to tlie private elaiins of IMissonri, in which he was very
foi'tuiiate ; for, of the number of hills he j)resented to
the Senate for his constituents he never lost one.

]lc ])ossessed the respect and esteem of e\ery
member of the Senate without regard to political
opinions. The Ihjihly lijifted and liberal senator, Mr.
Crittenden, from his native State of Kentiickv, was his
warm friend, and said of him, that Dr. Linn possessed
a high order of intellect ; was resolute, courageous, and
ardent in all his pursuits. A decided party man,
he aftei'wards ])articipatetl largely in the business of
the Senate and the confiicts of its debates, but there
was a kindness and benignity about hhn, that, like
polished armor, turned aside all feeling of ill-will or
animosity. He had political opponents in the Senate,
but not an enemy.

The ehxpient W . C. Preston, senator from South
(,'arolina, once said to a gentleman in Philadel[)liia, " Dr.
Limi is the only Democrat 1 should W\ distressed to
hear had hecomc a candidare for the Presidency ; for,
good Whig as I am, I could not bring myself to vote
against such a pure and noble patriot as I know hhn

LIFE OF Dll. LINN.

ion wa^

)r. Linn
years lie
ittcntion
was very
eiiteil to
le.

)t' every

politieal

it or, Mr.

, was I lis

)ossessed

'ous, and

ty man,

iness of

lit tliere

hilt, like

-will or

Senate,

11 South

|a, "Dr.

lessed to

'V ; lor,

to vote

)\v him

to be, and one who loves his conntry with a zeal rarely
eqnalled and never surpassed."

The great Western statesman, Mr. Clay, in a letter
addressed to Mrs. Linn, expressing his grateful feelings
for Dr. Linn's great kindness hi his niedieal attention
on his son, observed, " The greatest boon yon can ask
from Heaven, my dear madam, is that your son may
resemble liis father, Avho eommands the admiration and
gains the love of all that know him." If such were
the sentiments of Dr. Linn's political opponents towards
him during exciting times in the Senate, what may be
imagined were the feelings of his own political friends,
where not a cloud of })()litical difference could cast a
shadow OAcr the Avariii snnshine of their friendship ?

During the iirst session Dr. Linn Avas in 4ie Senate,
he became acquainted Avitli ourju'csent Chief Magistrate,
Gen. Pierce, then the much-admired, nm\ youngest
member in the House of Reiiresentatives. The Doctor
deemed himself most fortunate hi living hi the same
mess whh Gen. Pierce, for whom he soon formed a
warm friendship ; he loved to dwell on the rare coni-
biiiiitions in his friend's character — of the cool, dis-
criminating judgment of the North, with the warm
chivalry of Southern feeling. Little then could he
imagine that the friend in whose society he s])ent so
many hajipy hours, was to be the best friend of his
bereaved family in adversity, when he slept in the

ii 1

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

tonih — not only to aid his only son on the fiehl of
battle in a (Hstant couutiy, but to kindly extend his
fi'icndship to him from the highest station on earth.

When Gen. Pieree beeanic a member of the U. S.
Senate, the pleasure of Dr. Linn's intercourse with liim
was inereased by fornung the acquaintance of Mrs.
Pierce, whose pure and lovely cluu'aeter made the
Doctor esteem and admire her as one of the first ladies
in our country, a model for her sex. Ardent in his
feehngs, the deep attachment he felt for some of the
senators, with the kindest regard for all of them, ap-
peared daily to increase initil the time of his death —
he felt, with all the sensibility of his nol)le nature, the
kindness with which they had all treated hhu while
discliargiiig his senatorial duties. J lis absorbing love
for jMissouri had made him ask much for his gifted
State, and, as all he required was reasonable, not a
senator felt disposed to vote agahist him who was ever
happy to have it in his poAv<<r to do a faAor for any one
of them.

So fortunate was- Dr. Lhni in getting bills through
the Senate for the benefit of Missouri, that one day,
when ill his usual happy manner he was [)rcsenting a
nund)er of bills to the Senate, his friend Mr. Buchanan
remarked jestingly, " that it would save nuich time to
the Senate, and great trouble to the Doctor in reading
these l)ills, to put them in a })ile and say, 'These bills

ield of
cud his
irtli.
ic U. S.
■itU him
of Mrs.
iule the
■st ladies
it in his
ic of the
hem, ap-

death —
iturc, the
iin while

)[\v^ love
gifted

V, not a

was ever
any one

through

Diie dav,

renting a

uchaium

V time to

reading

ese hills

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

are Dr. Linn's for the benefit of Missonri,' and thus
let them pass as they are sure to do." Tliis snggestioii
was in the same spirit of jileasantry seconded by Mr.
Cliiv. There was one bill for the benefit of Missouri
wliich Dr. Linn carried tAvice through the Senate, and
was nnu'h grieved that the House of Representatives
(Ud not act on it — it was the ai)i)ropriation which the
Senate made to drain the swamp lands in the southeri'
part of the State, which were so deleterious to the
heal til of a large portion of the country during the Avarm
season. To drain these swamps would not only be
beneficial to tlio health of the inhabitants of the
country, but land Avould be redeemed that would form
many rich counties for the State.

At the time Dr. Linn took his seat in the U. S.
Senate there was great excitement in the two ])olitical
parties of our coimtry. It was fre((uently the case that
some of the distinguished statesmen of our nation
rather avoided forming the acquaintance of new senators,
b(>(^anse they wttc of diffcM-ent political opinions, wlnle
others took phiasure in cultivating an intercourse with
those who possessed a similarity of taste and feeling
with themselves, not permitting a difterence of politics
'. t inar the ])leasure of social intercourse.

Di". Linn had been in the Senate some tim(> Ix^forc
any thing more than the conunon civilities of life liad
taken phice between himself and Mr. Clay. At lengtii

ivt-

i! mi

' • li

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

a young SOD of Mr. Clay's came to \ isit liis father at
Washington City. A few days after liis arrival he was
taken very ill, and his life appeared in imminent danger.
Many of Mr. Clay's personal friends who had r-^' cived
medical aid from Dr. Linn, m-ged Mr. C. to send for
the Doctor to visit his son, expressing their confidence
in his medical skiU. Mr Clay said it Avas impossible
for him to ask snch a favor of the Doctor, as he was
scarcely ac(piainted with him, and knew the Doctor
would receive no remuneration for his professional ser-
vices. Young Clay grew rapidly worse, and it was
thought he could Kve but a few hours. His father,
overcome with anxiety and the entreaties of his friends,
addressed a note to Dr. Linn, soliciting him to come as
" the Good Samaritan," and strive to save the precious
life of his son. The Doctor immediately complied with
the request. Mr. Clay meeting him at the door of the
sick room, his countenance expressing the deepest
anguisli, accosted Inm with, " I thank you with all my
heart. Doctor, for coming to see my son, but it is too
late ; I am confident his hours on earth are numbered ;
my dear boy nmst die." Dr. Linn tried to inspire
hope in the heart of the parent, and after a close ex-
amination of the youtli, who lay in a lethargic state
which a[)])eared to be the precursor of death, said,
'- Mr. Clay, trust yoiu- son to me ; go to the Senate,
and should my vote be wanted for Missouri, send for

LIFE OF I)R. LINN.

[ler at
le was

• civcd
11(1 for
fideiicc
)ossiblc
he Avas
Doctor
nal ser-
it Avas
father,
friends,
come as
precious
id with
of the
eepest
all my
] is too
nhered ;
nspire
ose ex-
ile state
1, said,
Senate,
end for

me ; in the meanwhile I will stay witli your son, using
every effort with God's blessing, to save liis hfe." In
an instant of time Iiow Avere the feehngs of these two
gentlemen eliiinged towards each other ! the cold frost
of l)arty feeling was swept off hy the warm sunshine
of th(! heart's best impulses, and they both felt how
much pleasure vv'as in store for them in a future friendly
intercourse. Mr. Clay went to the Senate, leaving his
son ill charge of Dr Linn, by whose medical skill he was
once more restored to health, and from that time forth
the Doctor was the friend and medical adviser of Mr.
Clay. The friendship of the latter continued towards
jiis family as Ion"; as he lived.

A few years previous to Mr. Clay's death he visited
St. Louis, and the morning after his arrival, in leaving
his own church he observed Mrs. Linn returning from
hers; conihig up he accosted her, saying, " although
it was the Sabbath he covdd not refrain from inquiring
after her health." After entering her house his eye
rested on the portn'it of Dr. Linn, and he added, " I
wished to talk to you of the light of other days, as
this is the first time we have met since your great be-
reavement."

Dr. Linn's enthusiastic devotion to Missouri carried
him far beyond political feeling : towards every son and
daughter of that noble State he felt the strongest
fraternal regard. He lived in the utmost harmony Avith

f"'1

LIFE OF J)H. LINN.

his colleagues from his own State, highly respecting
Col. Benton as a great statesman, and feeling the
warmest attachment for the energetic and generous
Gen. Ashley, who had for long years been on the most
intimate terms of friendship with himself and many
members of his family. The unwearied zeal with which
Gen. Ashley served Missomi met a ready response in
the ardent bosom of Dr. Liim ; they l)otli felt their
State pride much gratified in seeing it so well repre-
sented in oin national hahs, and also in the salons oi'
fashion by many of the most lovely and Jittractive
ladies. The charming and hitellectual Mrs. Ashley
(now Mrs. Crittenden), the beautiful and attractive
Mrs. Col. Stuart, and the lovely Mrs. Decansor, were
greatly admired by Dr. Linn, as they were universally.
Like himself, in their youth they had been transplanted
from their dear native State, Kentucky, to the State of
their adoption, Missouri.

It gave Dr. Linn great pleasure to meet in the Halls
of Congress his gallant youpg friend, Geo. W. Jones,
a delegate from ^Visconsin Territory, Avho had been his
devoted friend from his boyhood, and took great pleasure
in spending much of his time with the Doctor, and
frequently visiting his family, every niend)er of which
felt the warmest attachment for Gen, Jones.

It Avas with a feeling of parental i)ri(le and pleasure
that the Doctor beheld the energy and devotion with

LIFF, OF DR. LINN.

wliich ricn. Jones served his constituents ; and it was
witli lively satisfaction lie heard the great Webster once
say to ]\Irs. L., he " thought her young friend had done
more to i'id his constituents than had been aceoin-
plishcd by any other delegate." Although the general
had no vote in Congress himself, he obtained an influ-
ence with those who had votes, which was of great
advantage to the prosperity of Wisconsin.

When Dr. Linn first entered the Senate, Missouri
had Ivut four representatives; two in the Senate, and
two in the House of Representatives. There were but
few newspapers printed in the State, and general in-
formation was very far from being largely diffused
among its rnp* lly mcreasing p^jpulution. To obviate
this want as much as possible^ and to give pleasure to
those that had reposed so much confidence in him, Dr.
Linn, on coming to Washington, sent a great number
of newspapers and p\d)lic documents to his constitu-
ents : to ol)tain their names and places of residence,
application was made to the sheriff of every county in
the State, and a list of names being taken from the
poll-tax aooks, the Doctor arranged them in a large
book, so hat all of the citizens of Missom'i might receive
some papers from him during the sessions of Congress.
To meet this expense, he appropriated from three to
five hundred dollars every session while he served in
the U. S. Senate.

' jl'

■ill
! 1

1 1 ■ i , , 1

t 1: .,.„

1 '

1 1

i
1

III

lllii 11

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

Not satisfied with serviiii? JMissoiiri in the Senate
with all the energy of his noble heart, Dr. ]jinn did
every thing in his power to develope the vast resources
of his State. While the Nortliern and Eastern people
of onr eountry were annising themselves at i\\(i fable
(as they termed it) of an iroii mountain in Missouri, he
had a lump of iron, weighing two tons, taken from the
mountain and sent to Paris, to be sut)mitted to the in-
s})eeti{)n of men of science. They reported that it was
the best of iron, and, for many purjjoses, far superior
to any they had ever seen. In compliment to the
Doctor, these gentlemen had a beautiful set of orna-
ments made from some of the iron, and sent as a present
to Mrs. Linn.

The pin-e and very white sand which is found in
great quantities near St. Genevieve, was first taken to
Pittsburg by the Doctor to be tried in the Glass Works
there, and was found to make the most beautiful glass.
It is now used exclusively in the great manufactories
of glass along the Ohio River.

As there were constant new discoveries of precious
metals in the different mines in the southern part of
Missouri, and the mode of mining was in a very im-
perfect state, Dr. Linn determined to visit the mines in
Europe, and bring home with him men experienced in
mining, who could instruct our own people, who, for
want of information on the subject, had many difficul-

LIFE 01' 1)11. LTNN.

tics to coiitciul with, wliicli retarded the prosperity of a
eoniitry rich with a great variety of uujtals. Many a
Missoiiriaii felt interested in the hiudablc motive wiiicHi
])i'()ni})ted Dr. Linn to visit Enrope ; and one acconi-
piislied gentleman, who is not only an lionor to the
American arniv, but whose pure; and patriotic feelings
induce him to aid his coiuitry in every way in his
power, was so inueli pleased with th(! Doctor's design,
that (aware of his limited means) he tendered him
what mon(>y he coidd readily connnand, and his credit
foi- any amount lie might find necessary to carry out
his ])lans on a hu'ge scale, as it would be of such great
u(l\antage to Missouri, This generous and patriotic
individual was Col. A. D. Stewart, Paymaster U. S.
Army.

That the Doctor was an observant traveller, the
letter here published, addressed to liis wife from Lon-
don, will abundantly show ; .and it will probably be
regretted by the reader that this is the only one from
his pen it is in my power to present ; others addressed
to his family at various times from Washington, de-
scriptive of men and society in that political centre of
this great Republic, of fashionable life as he saw it, have
unfortnn.ately been lost. He was a discriminative ob-
server of hur an character, and a great adiuirer of
elegant simjuicily, unpretending manners, and genuine
goodness of licarl ; while no one held in greater dislike

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■<*

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

i"'"'

every thinj]; like assumption, hauteur, pretence, affecta-
tion, and tliat bad taste which overloads with dress or
ornament.

Thougli eminently social in his disposition, gifted
with conversational powers in a high degree, and full
of pleasantry and anecdote, which caused his society to
be much sought, and insiu'cd him a warm and cordial
welcome wherever he came, he had little taste for what
is termed fashionable soticity in AV'ashington, looking
upon it as ostentatious, heartless, chilling, and unsatis-
factory. It was in a small circle of select friends, and
in the bosom of his own beloved family, that the subject
of this memoir dehghted to indidge in a free and easy
social converse, and to give the reins to his scintillating
wit and innocent mirth. For fashionable society he
had no love ; but for iiis friends the warmest affection,
and this was ardently reciprocated. No one had
warmer friends, no one was more truly esteemed and
sincerely beloved.

The incident mentioned m the following letter in
regard to the purchase of a shawl for Mrs. Linn, by
direction of one to whom it had been in the power of
the Doctor to show kindness and render professional
sei-vice, will illustrate his power of winning the affections
as well as the esteem of those with whom he was
brought in close contact, as it was also illustrated in
the incident related in regard to Mr. Clay's son. The

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

whole secret of this power Uiy '}n tlie warm and generous
feehngs of his own guileless heart, the entire absence
of all selfishness, and that overflowing goodness which
ever prompted him to do all in his power to alleviate
the sufteriugs and j)romot^ the happiness of those around
liiin, thoughtless of liiinself. But though in rendering
services to, and conferrhig benefits upon others, self
never entered his mind, vet such goodness is like
mercy :

" It dropjK'tli, .IS the gentle rain from hcavoii,
Upon tlie pliU'o beneath : it is twice blessed :
It blcsseth him that gives, and him that tiikcs."

It is a perpetual sunshine in the heart that beams forth
tin'ough the countenance, and gives it that indescribable
expression which nuikes even ugly featiu^es lovely and
attractive.

The letter to which I have referred will show that
Dr. Linn had an eye for the picturesque, and all the
beauties of cultivated and of uncultivated nature, as
well as a pen of most graphic poAver. With the aid
of this we shall find the journey from Boulogne to
Pai'is one of continual interest and pleasure.

LcNDON, September 17, 1839.
My Beloved AVife :

I have written you many, very many letters
since ray arrival ir England, and hope most sincerely

i.ii

M >:

5: H

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

that tlioy all may have reached yon, as I flatter myself
that they would prove a great source of consolation.
Your truly affectionate and beautiful letters, four in num-
ber, have proved a blessing to me, and have been read
over and over again, as proving that I still live fresh and
green in the memory of my beloved wife and children ;
for to be embalmed in their affections, is the height of
my oarthly wishes and hopes.

I will conuiience where I left off in my longest
letter. I took lodgings in a boarding-house kept by
an Englishwoman on the plan of an American house.
She is short, thick, fat, loquacious, obsequious to those
above her, and a tyrant to those below ; keen, sarcastic,
unfeeling and avaricious, — these are her principal vir-
tues. Her daughter, Miss F , is about twenty-
two years of age, above the ordinary stature, quite fat,
or rather as a Frenchman woidd say, inclined to " on-
boiipoint," with a tolerably handsome face, shaded very
much by a profusion of dark brown curls of her own,
or borrowed from the dead or bought from the living — -
cannot say which — she plays well on the piano and
harj), [uid speaks the French remarkably well. She is
certainly an accomplished woman, and would she per-
mit connnon sense to have fair play, would be an in-
teresting one. She assumes the delicate, sensitive,
languishing, lacadaisical beauty. Her tyes are usually
cast down, and have a half-sleepy and dreamy expression.

LIFE OF DU. LINN.

The living was only tolerable, for which I had to pay
$20 per week, and for candles and servants besides.
Will you believe it ? my washing costs nic from $5 to $7
per month. You can get nothing done here without
paying well for it, for there seems to be an organized
system of extortion upon strangers from one end of the
island to another. Prices are extravagant for almost
every thing but clothing, and to strangers there is veiy
little diC' jence between this and our own country.

Mr. Lamb soon changed his quarters, and it seemed
from some cause or other that I should not go with
him, for as Col. March of St. Louis soon after arrived
and came to the same house, I concluded to remain,
particularly as it was difficult, even in this great city, to
better ourselves. Hotels and eating-houses arc abun-
dant, whilst boarding-houses are few in number, so that
vou are limited in choice.

There was oidy one Englishman in the mess — the
remainder, perhaps twenty in number, were Americans,
with and without families, and among the number was
a Mrs. Hoffman from Baltimore. She was a delicate,
sickly-looking little creature, with jet-black hair, eye-
brows just commingling, just dividing ; nose straight, but
slightly turned up at the end, givhig a piquant expres-
sion to the countenance — mouth small, beautifully
shaped, and when sue smiled or laughed numy dimples
played about it — the lower lip slightlg pouting ; chin

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

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small and well turned ; eyes large, black, brilliant and
expressive ; skin not fair but of ii mellow, lustrous white,
more deeply interesting to me than red and white.
When I first saw her it was at the breakfast table ; her
head was inclined to one shoulder, when she tiu'ued it
sliglitly and her eyes met mine — and sueh a look from
those lovely eyes fringed with long, black, silken eyelashes
as made nie nearly start from my seat ; it seemed as if
my long-lost daughter had again returned to eju'th; but
how much grown, and how little changed in face from
the little girl we had parted with ! it seemed as if the
dead had arisen — my feelings can be better imagined
than described. They stayed but a few days, and as
sickness often confined her to the room I saw but little
of her, but that little convinced me that she was as
pure in morals and mind, as she was lovely in person ;
and though we may never meet again, the recollection
of my first view of her beautiful face will [dways be
pleasant and mournful to the soul.

You Avill doubtless remember a hjmdsome young
man by the name of Plitt, of Pennsylvania, who, as
post-office agent visited our house in St. Genevieve, and
perhaps called on us in Washington. He married a
Miss Wager of Philadelphia, a tall, stout, well-made
Dutch girl, with dark skin, noble Roman features,
showy and dashing manners, very intelligent, and a
heart beating with kindness and affection — she is an

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

admirable lady, and one that you would love, I found
them a truly admirable couple, and great source of en-
joyment to me in this stranger land.

The next in order for the present was the l^obinson
family of New York, consisting of father, mother, and
daughters. Mr. Robinson, is a most excellent and
amiable gentleman, who left his own dear America in
search of health for himself, and i)leasure for his family.
He is about fifty-six years of age. Mrs. R. was a
tall, graceful, dignified, intelligent, noble-lookhig lady,
about forty-eight or fifty years of age. Slie was the life
and soul of our society, and her lively sallies of wit and
humor diffused warmth and sunshine wherever she
went.

The eldest girl is dark-skinned like her mother, but
has the high features of the father : she is in stature
above the usual height, gracefid and easy in licr
manners, though they might be considered by tlie world
a little too cold and distant. Her eyes are very black,
and the whole expression of her countenance pensive
and pleasing. The second daughter is a tall, slender,
gracefiil, blue-eyed, fair-skinned girl, of gay, sprightly
manners, and cheerful disposition — always on the wing
in search of pleasure, and always ready and willing to
impart it to others ; and pleasure they all had to over-
flowhig, even to satiety ; for IMrs. Robinson behig second
cousin to Sir George Rose, a distinguished baronet and

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LIFE or DR. LINN.

an important member of Parliament, they were invited
to a great many dinner.s, balls, parties, concerts, the-
atres, operas, &c., &c., &c.

They often remained out at night until three o'clock
in the morning. This lasted about ten days after my
arrival, when one morning at breakfast Mrs. Robinson
complained of being very sick, and leaving the table,
retired to her room. During the fore part of the day
I often sent to know how she was, and her daughters
uniformly answered to these incpiiries that their mother
was quite sick. I repeatedly oiFered my services ; they
were gently but firmly declined, and even an admission
into her room to sec how she was. In the course of
the day I often met Mrs. Plitt, who-unifonnly ex^Dressed
great imeasiness for Mrs. Robinson. Still she would
neither se(^ me nor send for another physician.

On pressing Mrs. Plitt to know what wsis the matter
with Mrs. R , she informed me that it was almost in-
cessant vomiting. Just after supper I told one of the
girls that although her mother had persisted in refusing
my services, I was determined to see her, even if I had
to enter her room contraiy to her wishes. She smiled
at my earnestness, but whilst at tea she came and in-
formed me tlijit her mother was not only willing, but
anxious to see me then, as she felt herself much worse.
I found her laboring under the second stage of cholera.
I prescribed the usual remedies, and most earnestly

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

requested to be sent for in the night, in the event of
the medicines producing no sahitary effect. This was
not done, for fear of giving trouble to me as a stranger
upon whom they had no chiinis whatever. In the morn-
ing at nine o'clock I found her decidedly worse. I then
informed Mr. Robinson of her critical situation, and
desired that he would call in other medical aid ; not
that I had any difficulty in the treatment of her case ;
but that, being out of regular practice, I wished to avoid
so responsible a trust ; and, moreover, if the attack
should end isitally, the family and friends would have
good reason to congratulate themselves upon the reflec-
tion, melancholy as it was, that they had done all they
could do to avert the arrow of the Grim Tyrant. He
called in considtation Sir James Andei*son, who coin-
cided with me in opinion that she was in decided
danger. Our efforts for forty -eight hom*s were vigorous
and unceasing, but alas ! unavailing. She died in the
arms of her beloved husband, children and brother,
and surrounded by a few friends from her native, but
far distant country. And such a death — so triumph-
antly Christian ! so calm, so self-possessed, that I would
give all the glory and wealth of this world, if in my
j)ower, to die as she died. Such thrilling advice and
admonition to husband, daughters and brother, — such
heart-rending adieus I never heard in all this checkered
life of mine, so full of melancholy and sorrowful le-

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

collections. She bade a most affectionate farewell to
Mrs. Plitt, and, indeed, to all who had been near her
person during her sickness ; and when she called me
to her bedside I sunk upon my knees, her glazed and
sunken eyes were turned upon me, with her clay-cold
hand in mine ; she said she hoped that God woidd
guard, guide, and keep near Him me and mine, for
my kindness and attention to her in that, her last hour
of life, suffering and trial. She prayed earnestly for
forgiveness for past sins, and felt a lively and cheering
conviction that they would be forgiven through the blood
and intercession of Our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
My heart felt much too big for my body, and many

the tears shed by me on this melancholy occasion.

^ne was placed in a leaden coffin enclosed in one of
wood, and on the second day after her death conveyed
to Kensall Cemetery, about three miles from London,
on the road to Windsor Castle. Your imagination,
my beloved wife, can scarcely picture to itself so sweet
a spot, devoted to so sad a purpose — it is just out of
the great Babel — ^just out of the verge of its sins and
son'ows, and seems on the borders of the spirit-land.
It contains about fifty or sixty acres of ground, enclosed
by a high brick wall, immediately within which is a
beautiful green hawthorn hedge. The whole lot is laid
out in little plantations already occupied, or to be occu-
pied by the last remains of poor mortality, until the

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

angel of God shall sound his trump from on hiph, to
call up by its thunders the quick and dead to stand
before the everlasting throne. Around cnchfourhs/iin^
plantation is a row of tombstones marking the ivho and
the when. Between each toMd)stone are planted flowers,
evergreens and rose-bushes — in every spot where grass
grows it is cut down close to the earth — fit emblem of
man's frail and mortal condition. The roads through-
out the grounds are broad and neatly gravelled, and at
regular distances the mournful cypress and other ever-
greens are planted, alternately with rose-bushes and
other flowering shrubs ; whilst at their feet bloom every
variety of beautifiU flower that Tlora can offer to man.
In the midst of all this display, which seems intended
to take as much as possible from the horrors of the
tomb, stands a neat, beautiful little chapel, of the
Church of England, but at which ministers of other
flenominations officiate on such occasions.

Into this the body of Mrs. R. was conveyed on a
dark, damp, gloomy English day, and set down half
way between the door and altar. She was of the
Anglican Church, consequently the officiating minister
was of that persuasion. He read in a deep, solemn,
and impressive voice, the service for the dead, which
was responded to by the clerk ; and now and then the
trembling voice of a mourner might be heard mingUng
in the service, and echoed by the lofty walls and arches

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of the bnildiiig. When the senice was near the close,
tlie coffin was seen to move l)y an invisible hdiui, and
sink through the floor gradually and slowly. When it
had nearly disappeared, the melancholy sounds were
heard which stnick a cold damp to the heart of each
sorrowing friend, "dust to dust," and dust was scattered
upon the coffin as it departed from our sight and sunk
into the damp vaults below, there to remain until taken
from thence, to be conveyed, according to her own re-
quest, to her beloved America. A few days after the
interment, Mr. Robinson came to my room with tears
in his eyes, and remarked that he had seen enough of
me to know that he could not hope that I would accept
any pecuniary compensation for my attentions to his
wife, but he thanked me in the most kind and feeling
terms for those attentions, and left my room for the
country with his daughters, after a warm shake of the
hand, and with professions of sincere regard.

After my pamphlet was finished with the map,
having some leisure, I took a flying trip to Paris, the
great seat of learning, science, and art. Mr. Plitt,
wife and self, left London Bridge in the steamship
Magnet for Boulogne in France. We had literally to
weave our way through a forest of masts, or rather
through a vast crowd of ships and watercraft of every
size, sort, and description. We passed the Royal
Docks of Deptford, Greenwich, Gravesend, Sheemess,

LIF£ OF DR. LINN.

101

the Nore, and tuniing the j)()int to tlie south, on which
stands a very lofty lighthouse, whose bright blaze is
thrown fnr away upon the wide and stormy deep, to
cheer the heart of the sailor when tempest-tost and
seeking a safe haven for his little bark, we came
broad out into the English Channel — night came on,
and as we passed along the coast, the lights of Rams-
gate, Margate, and the celebrated Dover, becamn visible
along the English side, and Calais and Boulogne on the
French.

We continued our course until twelve o'clock at
night, when we entered the harbor of Boulogne at
high tide. Our trunks were immediately taken pos-
session of by the custom-house ofHcers, whilst, after
examining our passports, we were permitted to go to
our hotel. Morning came with slow and measured
steps to me after passing a sleepless night, and looking
out, I found the harbor perfectly free from water, and
all the shipping sticking bolt upright in the mud. I
had forgotten that this harbor is made by the rise of
the tide, which is very great at this point, and unmade
by its retirement. After breakfast we took our de-
parture in the cumbrous French diUgence, and began
our journey over the vine-covered hills and gay regions
of France. A diligence, my dear Libby, is about three
times as large as our stage coaches, and is divided
into three compartments ; and so lofty is it, that a

rr-;ri> M. V/. Kir^frv-^v Dipt
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VICTORIA, B. C.

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

ladder is used on which to mount on the top — ^the
whole will contain fifteen or twenty persons.

We travelled day and night over this beautiful land ;
but still I find many objections to the country on the
route from Boulogne to Paris — there is too great a
scarcity of villages, towns and country-seats — and when
you do find the latter, they are generally much out of
order, and in the construction of the mansion house,
and in the arrangement of the grounds, a want of taste
is very manifest ; indeed, it was only m dense forests
which were like oases in a desert, whose umbrageous
shade was too thick for even a straggling sunbeam to
enter, that you found these manor-houses at all. As
to the villages and towns, they all presented a most
antiquated and worn-out appearance. Our own St.
Genevieve is a perfect beauty to any of them, I assure
you ; and blessings on its simple and venerable head ;
the seat to me of youth's early and romantic dreams,
of the joys and sorrows of manhood's maturer years,
and holding at present all that my heart holds dear ;
wife, children and friends. Yes ! it is a perfect beauty
spot to me, and although I may travel to the uttermost
ends of the earth, tread the palaces of kings, and stand
unawed in the presence of princes, my heart will turn
with fond affection to the home of my youth, and to
the land that has so lavishly heaped honors upon me.

The large towns were Montreuil and Abbeville, both

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103

walled and strongly fortified; but on entering their
gates the same marks of age and decrepitude appear ;
narrow, diity streets, crumbling walls and dilapidated
ruins ; but still much of animation is seen, and the
music and dance of our French friends of St. Genevieve
are almost seen and heard, for it was a festival day when
we passed through, and all the young girls were dressed
in white and walked the streets bareheaded, whilst the
old folks had caps or blue handkerchiefs on theirs.

We passed Abbeville at nine o'clock at night, and
not long after came upon the ground where was fought
the celebrated battle of Cressy. Ages seemed to roll
back to the period when this spot was the scene of a
fierce and bloody conflict between nations hostile to
each other almost from their origin. The shouts of
victory are no longer heard, even to the ear of imagina-
tion, the shock of contending armies no longer seen,
and nothing is left to tell the fate of the mighty dead
but a few lines of history. As we passed along through
the woods of Cressy the cold night winds swei)t mourn-
fully through its venerable trees, resembling the fitful
moans of departing spirits. Morning came, and the
sun rose in beauty OAcr the plains all glittering with
dew ; and his roseate beams were shed over tower and
tree in glorious eff'ulgence. This gave us an opportunity
to examint; the country with an incjuisitive eye — here
and there a small hamlet rising out of a clump of tall

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and graceful trees ; or now and then a more consider-
able village, partially hid by orchards, might be seen,
and close by a huge windmill, whose enormous wings
and arms are waving in endless rotation in the air.
Almost every hill or eminence in France is crowned
with one or more of these mills.

About nine o'clock in the morning we reached
Beauvais, a large town, from which emigrated the an-
cestors of our friends, the St. Genevievans. On the
approach to the place, its venerable, stately, and truly
noble-looking Gothic cathedral first rose to view. Time
with his effacing fingers has been at work ; as yet he
has only touched, not destroyed. I believe this church
is the work of the twelfth or thirteenth century, and
Beauvais is celebrated in history for one of the most
affecting incidents ever recorded : it was besieged by
a hostile army, and reduced to the last extremity;
quarter was refused to the men, but leave given to the
women to leave the town with as nuich as they could
carry on their backs of their most valuable effects.
Accordingly they were seen issuing from the gates of
the town with their fathers, husbands and lovers on their
backs. IMic church is one of the finest memorials of
the age in which it was built now extant, and presents
a grand and imposing appearance — ^but here again we
have narrow, crooked, and dirty streets, with crumbling
walls and decaved columns ; sad remembrances of

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105

better days. We passed along these streets until the
diligence stopped at apparently a decayed tavern, which
no one under heaven — no, not even a Yankee, could
guess capable of furnishing a breakfast for so many
hungry and half-famished travellers ; and yet it did :
and one of the very best — first-rate coffee, bread and
butter, stewed and fried chickens, fresh pork and
broiled ham, boiled and fried eggs, excellent soup, and,
indeed, evoiy thing that could satisfy the appetite of a
famished traveller. " Well done, Beauvais," cried I ;
" my ft'iends of St. Genevieve preserve their love of
good living, which doubtless their family acquired
whilst residing here" — ^but stop — on looking out of the
window, many signs over doors caught my eye on which
were written J. B. Beauvais, " marchand," or Bciuivais
"Tient Auberge ici," or A. Beauvais, " Forgeron" — Ma
parole, c'est vrai.

We left Beauvais in the finest humor, and as we
slowly ascended the hill that overlooks the town I
showered praises on it, on account of its name and the
excellent cheer it had afforded us. It has perhaps a
population of five thousaiul soids, and the country
around fertile, weH cultivated, and presented us with
the first vineyard we had seen in France. We moved
on slowly, and in the course of the day passed many
such venerable-looking towns and villages, and in the
evening arrived at Paris, and put up at the Hotel

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

51"= !

■'rtfi-

Meurice, Rue Rivoli, near the Palace of the Tuile-
ries.

Paris is beautifully situated on the Seine, in a lovely
valley, overlooked by several heights, in the distance,
such as Montmartre, and Mont St. Louis, on which
is situated the celebrated burying-ground of Pere la
Chaise, where repose in eternal silence some of the most
stupendous intellects that ever adorned the globe.
The pensive man, as he wanders through these death
paths, will experience sensations of melancholy mingled
with delight, for here death seems to have existence
in the quiet, and the perfume, and the beauty of nature.
The sad cypress hangs oyer the passer-by, but roses
and ^ iolets are at his feet ; the monumental urn is
before his eyes, but it is relieved by a thousand beautiful
objects, in which art and affection have combined to
hon^r the memory and decorate the mansions of the
dead. -The lustres of centuries have burned out, but
their light still seems to stream through the mind.
Here, as he wanders through the tombs, filled with a
holy fervor before those which contain the ashes of the
good, and over v'hich myrtles and jessamines, planted
by a sorrowing wife or pious child, spread their rich
fragrance ; or cums with pity for poor humanity from
those pompous mansions of dust, in which lie the re-
mains of men to whom wealth and power alone gave
distinction in life, and procured for them a gilded sep-

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

107

ulchre and a lyinff monumental history, he stops before
the plain wooden tablet where the only sign of funereal
greatness is the gilded cross ; but around which shrubs
are smiling and flowers are bursting forth, whilst a sister,
daughter or wife, may be seen sending forth a silent
prayer to the ever-living God, to be merciful to the
living and to the dead. Excuse me, dear wife, for thus
often introducing you to the mansions of the dead ;
but if God in his mercies will spare me, my children
shall have a tomb worthy of their beauty and angelic
natures. Morning comes, and they are present to my
mind, and as sleep falls upon me in the silent watches
of the night, their visions pass before me as the images
in a magic lantern.

But to go back a little — the country from Boulogne
to Paris is gently rolling, but strangely destitute of
houses, villages, and even trees, at least along the route ;
and as you see no fences or hedges, it strongly reminded
me of my own dear prairies adorned Avith their islands,
clumps, and islets of trees. But still every inch of
ground is highly cultivated, and the traveller is con-
stantly asking himself the question, where do the people
come from that perform all this labor ? The secret is
they ret-ide in little villages off" from the roadside, and
go to their work like our good people in their big field.
Occasionally we met a wagon or cart, in structme ex-
actly like those of Vide Poclie, and as to the plough

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LIFE OP DR. LINN.

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and harness, they are exactly the same — even the names
of their horses are ahke, and you will hear them calling
to " Dauphin and Libertin," to quicken their step.

As I had but a few days to stay in Paris, they were
devoted to the paintings and statuary in the Louvre
and Luxembourg, Jardin des Plantes, Hospital of the
Invalides, Pantheon, Notre Dame, which is a vast and
venerable Gothic pilr^ the palaces of St. Cloud and the
glories of Versailles — tho magnificence of which sur-
passed all that my imagination had conceived or pictured
of oriental gorgeousness and splendor. In my opinion,
it stands alo?/e and unrivalled ; and may it always so
stand, whilst palaces are built by money wiung from
the sweat of the people's brows.

The day after our arrival, Mr. and Mrs. Plitt urged
me to go with them to a celebrated shawl merchant's,
to aid in the selection of those elegant Prench shawls
so much like the cashmere and almost as costly. She
insisted on my making the choice, which I reluctantly
did at 250 francs. On our return in the carriage shi^
placed it in my hands, as a present to you from Mr.
Robinson, with the letter from him to me, and which is
sent with this. It would be difficult to portray my
feelings at such delicacy of gratitude, as it was entirely
unlooked-for.

Occasionally I attended to the debates in the House
of Lords during the sitting of Parliament — ^but ghosts

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

109

of Chatham, Burke, Fox and Pitt, what speaking ! If
the characters of these great men for eloquence could
be torn up and divided among the speakers I heard in
Parliament, broad as their mantles were, there would
not be enough to hide the nakedness of their successoi-s.
Such stammering, repetition, and unfitness I never
heard. Bad as the nonsense was, it was rendered in-
finitely worse by llie delivery ; and such speaking I
assure you would soon deliver both Houses of Congress
or any of our Legislatures.

I arrived here after the last drawing-room, and
consequently could not be presented to the queen.
But at all events I could not, or would not go to the
expense of several hundred dollars to purchase a court
dress, and I am rather too proud to hire one, which was
sometimes the case here this season. Webster, I am
told, went to the expense of a new suit. I have occa-
sionally seen the queen on several public days, and
think her rather pleasing in her appearance, and very
much like Antoinette Roy, raised by old Madame Le-
compte, though Antoinette is much the best looking of
the two.

I will not attempt to describe to you the splendor,
riches and beauty, of this great commercial metropolis
of the world. The concentrated riches of the globe
seem to be here — spacious parks dressed in the deepest
green, and divided into beautiful parterres, rendered

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LIFE OP DR. LINN.

lovely as the eye could desire by evergreens and flowers
— every where over the city open squares have been
left, surrounded by elegant iron railings, and planted
with shrubbery, where groups of children may be seen
at play — 'these add greatly to the health and beauty of
this noble city. Paris excels in its paintings, palaces
and public buildings, London in every thing else.

Since my arrival, money aflairs here have been in
the worst possible condition — men looked into each
others' faces with suspicion, and turned with disgust
from every proposition relating to American property
and security, and the recent protest in Paris of a million
and a half of drafts drawn by the Bank of the United
States, I fear will give the finishing blow to every thing
American. Mr. Lamb and myself have done every
thing that could be done to insure success, but I fear
the result. We will continue our efforts up to the last
moment.

I will return to Missouri to attend to my private
affairs, as you suggest in your letter of the 3d of
August (your last), and to take you on to Washington,
and accordingly make your arrangements. I think I
will place my boy at the college near St. Louis. Should
I not succeed in getting money I shall be dreadfully ha-
rassed, but in no event will we be separated this winter.

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

Ill

Present me to all my old friends— love to my chU-
dren, and blessings upon your head.

Yours affectionately,

Mrs. E. a. Linn. ^ ^ ^'^''-

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CHAPTER V.

From childhood Dr. Linn had serious feelings on the
subject of religion ; he daily read portions of the Bible,
and took the most lively pleasiu-e in having clergymen
of every religious denomination make his house their
home whenever they visited St. Genevieve; and in
particular those self-sacrificing pioneers of religion, the
Methodist clergy, who endured every sort of ]irivation
and suffering to preach the Gospel to the inhabitants
scattered along the frontiers of our Western country.
Those pure and holy men cheerfully did so nmch for
the cause of our Blessed Redeemer, desiring nothing for
themselves, that Dr. Linn and every member of his
family deemed it a blessed and most delightful priv-
ilege to entertain them. The Doctor, felt a decided
preferenc*^ for the Methodist Church, and united himself
to it on the 5th day of April, 1839, at Wesley Chapel,
in the City of Washington.

The winter previous he had been a constant attend-

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LIFE OF DU, LINN.

113

ant oil the ministry of tlmt good man, the eminently
pious Mr. George Cookman, then chaplain to Congress,
with whom he formed a warm personal friendship which
was so soon to terminate painfully in the loss of the
latter, who was a passenger on board the ill-fated
steamer President.

In March, 1843, on his return home from Wash-
ington Dr. Linn, with his usual considerate kindness
to others, relinquished a very comfortable state-room
that had been engaged for him in a steamer, to an old
gentleman who was in bad health, and took a room
near the wheel-house which was very damp. In con-
sequence of this, the Doctor took a violent cold : he,
however, resisted all entreaties to take medicine, when
he reached home, feeling confident he would soon be
well. But in a few days he became very ill, and con-
tinued so for tw^o weeks : he at that time informed his
wife and children that he believed it impossible for him
to live. This mournful presentiment was confirmed
by both the attending physicians, and they frankly told
the Doctor that they feared he had but a few hours to
live.

He received this information with great calmness,
and with the deepest tenderness bid his wife and chil-
dren farewell, praying that they would meet him in
Heaven. With hearts overwhelmed and ready to burst
with agony, his wife and children clasped the hands of
8

114

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

i3i *'■■

their dearest friend, when he suddenly exclaimed, " My
sight is failing, my beloved wife, my darling children, I
cannot sec you." Mrs. Linn implored to know of the
physicians if they had done all they could for the Doc-
tor, they assured her they had ; " Then," she exclaimed,
" I will do for him that which I have seen him do for
others," and innuediatcly ordered a quantity of turpen-
tine to be heated, into which she dipped flannel, and
with the assistance of others, connnenced rubbing her
husband's body so as to give him a bath of turpentine
with much friction. In a few moments a profuse per-
spiration overspread his forehead, and he cried out,
" My dear wife and children, I again see you. I am
better, but greatly exhausted." He immediately
dropped into a sweet sleep which continued for three
hours and then awoke free from all pain. He requested
his friends to retire to rest and leave him alone with
his wife. Left together, they held such a sweet and
holy conversation that the recollection of it will be a
consolation to the lone widow's heart to the latest hour
of her existence. Mrs. Linn, fearing that talking too
much might injure her husband, besought hhn to try
and compose himself and strive to rest ; she drew her
chair near his bed, and placing her head on the pillow
which supported his, holding one of his hands, said,
" Let us both try to sleep, for my anxiety about you
has been too great to pennit me to take any rest for

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

115

some time ; but now, thank God, you nro safe and I
can sleep peacefully." They both sank into a deep
slumber which continued a length of time, when the
Doctor awoke with a violent start and exclaimed, " Dear
wife, did you hear that ? "

She assured him she had not heard anv thing, and
that all was quiet about them. " You are under a
great mistake," he replied, " for I heard distinctly a
voice say. Prepare, Lemia F. Linn, for this year thy
soul shall be required of thee." Mrs. Linn tried to con-
vince her husband that he had been dreaming ; but he
insisted that it was not so, for the voice he heard was
so loud as to awake him from a deep sleep. He re-
quested her to look at her watch and see what hour it
was, then to take his day-book and write in it the
time and day of the month, for she would find before
that time twelvemonths she would be a mourning widow.

To gratify the Doctor, she did as he desired ; it
was half-past one o'clock on the morning of the 28th
of April, 1843.

. He then requested her to summon all their family,
and two visitors then staying with them, to his room,
and especially to call her mother and send for Dr. Sar-
gent. When all these friends were assembled around
him, Dr. Linn told them what he had heard, and ex-
pressed his finn conviction that his life would terminate
before the expiration of that year.

4 '

.1- ; .'

116

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

His manner was so calm and solemn when he gave
his friends this information, that not one of them ven-
tured to try and convince him that he had ])ecn dis-
turbed by a painful dream, though such was their be-
hef. He requested his friends to unite with him in
prayer, and in a most powerfiU and thrilhngmanaer he
implored our Heavenly Father to have mercy on him,
and in the blessed Redeemer's name to give him
strength to prepare for eternity.

He expressed his belief that his severe illness had
greatly increased the disease of his heart, and that he
was liable to be called to depart at any time, without a
moment's warning. He recovered his usual health in
a little time, but still retained the impression that he
should die soon, and commenced arranging his world-
ly affairs. He made many improvements on his place,
and when his friends expressed their pleasure in seeing
him do so (as it was an evidence that he did not intend
to leave them to move to St. Louis, as they had long
feared), the Doctor would smile sadly, and remark, that
he was striving to make his home comfortable for his
wife and children, for he knew that he would soon be
taken from them. All who heard him make this ob-
servation listened with incredulous astonishment, as
they saw him, to all appearance, in most perfect health ;
but his medical knowledge made him fully aware of the
slight teniu'e by which he held life.

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

117

It had been some time since he had seen his very
dear sister Mary and her family, and he determined to
visit them in Wisconsin, and also his brother. Gov.
Dodge, and his family, to whom he was tenderly at-
tached: then to visit his friend, Gen. George W. Jones,
who had ever been to him like a cherished younger
brothel He anticipated lively pleasure in seeing all
these dear and highly valued friends in their own
homes, and his noble heart entered joyfully into this
last visit to those to whom he was so devotedly
attached.

On his return, although looking well, he complained
frequently of a violent palpitation of the heart, and a
difficidty of brejithing ; these painful sensations would
not continue long, but they often recurred, and while
they lasted were very distressing.

His business matters annoyed him greatly, as he
was compelled to pay some heavy security debts for
those in whom he had placed great confidence.

Only three weeks before his death. Dr. Linn called
to see a lady for Avhom he felt a great friendship, (Mrs.
Rousan, daughter of the Hon. John Scott of St. Gen-
evieve,) and told her that he had a great favor to ask
of her, which was, that should she hear of his sudden
death, she would hasten to his wife and remain with
her until her mother coidd arrive. Mrs. R. was dis-
posed to smile at such a request, coming from one

118

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

looking in such perfect health. The Doctor took her
hn'^d and said in an impressive manner, " I know my
true situation ; I may drop dead at any moment from
this dreadful disease, and the better my health appears,
the worse it is for me, for I am far too plethoric. My
death Avill be an awful blow to my dear wife, Avho can-
not believe that my life is in danger while I am looking
in good health, and therefore I hope you will stay with
her until her relations come to her." Mrs. R. gave
the promise which she most faithfully kept.

The Doctor went to Mine Lamotte where he was
detained by very harassing business for twelve days,
and on his retmii appeared vjery nervous and excited
about a paper he feared was lost, and which was of
great pecuniary value to him. The morning after his
return, he desired jMrs. Lhni to accompany him to his
office and assist him to look for the mislaid paper, and
the greater portion of the day was spent in a vain search
for it.

Mrs. Linn became alarmed at finding the Doctor's
nervous agitation rapidly increase, and beggrd him to
sit still while she continued the search. He replied
that he ahould be compelled to do so, as he felt a violeii'.
vertigo in his head, which nearly made hhu blind.
Mrs. L. continued searching, when suddenly her hus-
band calling to her, observed, " There is a trunk under
that table, in which, my dear wife, I have faithfully

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

119

kept every line tliiit you ever wrote ine ; I may have
put the paper with your letters, and I will l(K)k there
for it." He then stooped to draw out the trunk, when
his head dropped on the arm of the chair, and a horrid
spasm passed over his face. In an instant she was by
his side supporting his head. The Doctor's counte-
nance soon rcgahied its wonted composure, and he sat
up apparently unconscious that any thing painful Iiad
taken place, and inquired if the paper had been found.
Mrs. L. implored liim to go to bed immediately and
send for a physician, as he was ill ; he smiled and re-
plied that he was in his usual health, and insisted on
still continuing to search for the missing paper, which
Mrs. L. was so fortunate as to find a few moments
after.

Just at this time a young friend, now an eminent
lawyer in the City of New Orleans, ciillcd to Mrs. Linn
and requested her to come to him in lier garden, and
give him some of her beautiful autumnal flowers to
send to N. O. on a steamer about leavincf for that
city ; the Doctor accompanied her, and for some time
the three walked in the garden enjoying a most cordial
conversation — the last they were ever to have witli each
other in this world. For this young friend the Doctor
and Mrs. L. entertained a warm, parental affection.
They had watched him from infancy to the bright
maturity of manhood, possessing endowments to com-

120

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

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mand their admiration and win their love. The Doctor
took great pleasure in conversing Avith and advising him
in regard to his futm'e course in hfe, and liecanie warm
and animated on the subject. Never, I am sure, will
that young friend forget the eloquent and paternal
solicitude which he manifested for his prosperity on
that, the last evening that good man spent on earth.

The shades of night were closing around the three
who cojitinued to walk in the garden, imconscious of
the lateness of the hour, when supper was announced.
Mr. R., having an engagement, declined entering the
house A\lth Dr. and Mrs. Linn, who then approached
the table to take the last supper that they were ever to
enjoy on earth together. Before taking his seat at the
table, the Doctor extended his arms over it, and made
a beautiful prayer. His good old mother-in-law gazed
on him with delight, and said, " My dear son, you look
far more attractive and interesting than you did the
evening you married my daughter, twenty-six years
ago." The Doctor remarked, " You all keep me in
such good humor with myself when I am at home, that
I am induced to forget how heavily time has laid his
hand upon my brow." After supper the Doctor vftn-
tinued in unusually fine spirits, and did not exhibit
any ill-effects from the momentary spasm which had so
greatly alarmed his Avife. For more than an hour he
entertained his family with his violin, upon which he

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

121

played with exquisite taste. Tie held his daughter
(twelve years of age) a long tiuic in his arms seated
on his knees, telling her if God spared his life how
perfectly her education slioidd he finished, lie then
liad a long and most affectionate conversation with his
son, expressing his Conviction that he woidd die soon,
and connnitting to his care his mother and sister, when
they would have no other protector.

Mrs. Linn could not refrain from feeling the most
painful anxiety in regard to her husband, although he
looked so well, and urged him to retire to rest, but he
declined doing so untU twelve o'clock. He then re-
quested her to read a chapter in the Bible, and some
hymns, remarking that there "were two of a number of
liynms she had often read to him, which he would like
to think would be sung at his funeral. I'inding this ob-
servation greatly distressed his wife, he begged her to
forget it, and said he Avould retire to rest. After praying,
he requested her to lie down, and scarcely had she done
so when he threw himself on the bed, looking very weary.
His head resting on her bosom, in an instant he ap-
peared to be in a heavy sleep. She did not move,
fearing she might disturb him, but she felt too much
concerned to sleep. Day began to dawn, and ]\Irs. Linn
discovered that the whidow shutter near their bed had
not been closed ; fearing the light would awake her
liusband, she tried to rise as gently as possible to close

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1 *

122

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

it. With all her . care she coukl not avoid making a
Uttle noise, and the Doctor awoke and asked her why
she rose so early ? When informed of the reason he
said, " It is evei* thns Avith you, my dear Avifc ; I firmly
believe that your sleepless vigilance and kind nursing
have added many years to my life." He then inquired
whether she felt well ; if so, he requested her to write
the letters he had mentioned to her, and after he had
taken a little more sleep he would get up, sign the
letters, and they would both leave home in the first
steamer, on a visit to St. Louis, He desired her to
bring a little table near his bed and Avrite there, that
he might feel that she was near him. Mrs. Linn was
leaving the room to get her writing materials, when her
husband called to her to come and place another pillow
under his head, which felt as if it was pressed down by
a great weight. Wliile doing this, the Doctor threw
his arms around his wife's neck and pressed her head
upon his bosom, and while using some affectionate ex-
pression dropped into his last sleep. Por some hours
Mrs. Linn sat close to her husband's bed, writing and
watching.

As she finished her letters, her son came into the
room, and seeing how calmly his father appeared to
rest, urged his mother to try and sleep herself, as she
looked very weary. Not wishing to leave her husband,
whom she expected to wake every moment and call for

%«;)

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

123

her, Mrs. L. thought she woiUd rest a while on the back
part of his bed. In passing round to do so, she stopped
and looked at the Doctor, who appeared to be sleeping
as sweetly as an inftmt. Suddenly a dark shadow
passed over his face, which greatly alarmed her, and
she called a servant. In an instant more the same dark
and unearthly expression came over the face of Dr.
Lhm, and the cries of both Mrs. L. and the servant
soon filled the room Avitli anxious friends and several
physicians. Every effort was made to restore the Doc-
tor to life, but all in vain ; he breathed for fifteen or
twenty minutes after being bled, and expired without
a struggle or a groan.

In moving him, the blood gushed from his eyes,
nose and mouth ; the fatal aneurism had burst in his
noble heart, and his precious soul was in heaven, —
•2 o'clock, October 3d, 1S43.

As soon as Dr. Linn's death was known, meetings
were convened in every county in the State of Missomi
for the purpose of paying tributes to the memory of
their deeply -lamented and favorite statesman . Eloquent
speeches were made on this mournful occasion, and
from all these meetings letters of condolence Avere sent
to his bereaved family.

Wisconsin and Iowa, then territories, claimed the
privilege of mourning the death of Dr. Linn, as if he
had been their own senator ; he had served them so

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124

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

faithfully in the U. S. Senate, where they were too
young to have a voice, that their citizens felt with the
deepest gratitude all he had done in that body, for the
prosperity of their respective territories; and on the
assembling of their Legislatures, after pronouncing
beautiful eulogies on Dr. Linn, passed unanimous re-
solutions in both their legislative bodies to wear mourn-
ing for him, and send letters of condolence to his widow
and family. So great were the number of letters of
condolence addressed to Dr. Linn's bereaved family,
from every part of the United States upon the an-
nouncement of his death, as to form a large volume.
Copies of some of them will serve to show what were
the feelings of sympathy expressed in all.

The State of Missouri erected a splendid monument
over the remains of their favorite statesman, Dr. Lewis
F. Linn, by the unanimous vote of their Legislature.

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PUBLIC LIFE OF DR. LINN ;

OB,

TEN YEAKS' SERVICE IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

BY N. SARGENT

||..':

ADVEKTISEMENT.

I FEEL it due to myself to say, that, to prepare a notice of
the Public Life of Dr. Linn, was an undertaking I should
never have voluntarily, and at the suggestion of my own mind,
assumed ; and I have prepared the following at the request of his
amiable relict, with a consciousness of my inability to do justice
to the late Senator, and to meet the expectations of his numerous
and warm-liearted friends.

It is to be regretted, that some one of those whose intimacy
with Dr. L. would have enabled him to have written an account
of his senatorial life more satisfactory to his friends, and with
an ability that woidd have enhanced the value of the work, did
not take upon himself to perform this duty.

Ther3 are those who had the privilege of an intimate and
I'iuniliar personal intercourse with him for many years, who, of
course, knew him far better than I did, and who could have en-
livened the narrativ e of his public life with many interesting and
characteristic anecdotes. It was not my lot to be upon intimate
terms with him. Our personal acquaintance was but slight. I
knew him only as a Senator ; and considering that our acquaint-
ance was so slight, and that we belonged to opposing political
parties, it is not a little singular that the labor of preparing a
notice of his public services shoidd have devolved upon me. All
I can say in regard to the manner in which this has been ex-

■ ^ s

128

ADVERTISEMENT.

'^i y

ecuteil, is, that I have emleavoreil to do justice vo Dr. Linn, and
with that view, to make him speak for himself as often as possi-
ble, through the debates of the Senate in which he took part.

I am indebted solely to the public records of the country, —
chiefly to the journal and debates of the Senate, — for the mate-
rials from which I have compiled this memoir. I had hoped to
have obtained some anecdotes and incidents of an interestliig
character from the few personal friends of tlie Doctor who are
still here, that would have broken the monotony of the narrative ;
but in this I have been disappointed.

From the only specimen of his epi-stoiary talent that has not
been lost, — his letter to Mrs. Linn, from London, — we cannot
but regret that the numerous letters he must have written from
Washington, in his playful moods, and when he felt keenly and
spoke freely in .egard to public men and measures, fashionable
society, the gayeties, follies and frivolities of metropolitan life
during the winter season, have been los.;. The absence of such
anecdotes and incidents, and ^o of his private letters, is thus
accounted for. It is hoped, however, that the account of his ten
years' service in the Senate will be found neither uninteresting
nor unprofitable reading.

N. SARGENT.

Wushitiffton City, Oct., 1856.

R) <

PUBLIC LIFE OF DR. LINN ;

OB,

TEN YEARS' SERVICE IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

• k-'-'

CHAPTER I.

'iii

It has already been mentioned that Doctor Linn was,
in the autumn of 1833, appointed by the Gover-
nor of the State of Missouri, a Senator of the United
States, to fill tlie vacancy which had l)een created by
t^ii death of Alexander Buckner. He accepted the
vni light appointment v/ith that distrust of his own
mti cs and ability to discharge the arduous duties ac-
ceptably to the people of his State, which often marks
talent of a high order and great capacity for nsefid-
ness in pub he station.

Upon entering that august body ho deported him-
self with a modest reserve most creditable to him,
:md commendable as an example to others of less

130

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

M :=■ ^

■•:'?[

ability than fell to his lot; yet this diffidence in
his own powers, and that sense of propriety which
prompted him to allow more experienced senators to
take the lead in the business and debates of the Sen-
ate, did not prevent hiin from giving liis unremitting
attention to whatever affected the interests of the State
he in part represented, nor from bringing forward
measures r^alculated to promote her welfare and that
of her citiii.'

Seldom has the Senate of the United States con-
tained a greater number of men distinguished for
talent and eloquence, and eminent for ptiblic services,
than belonged to that body at the time Dr. Linn en-
tered it ; and becoming a member for the first time of
any legislative body, it cannot be matter of surprise
that he should at least not seek to attract attention by
occupying much time or taking a prominent part in
debate. Nor did he consider this necessaiy to the
interests of his State, since his colleague, Colonel Ben-
ton, was already numbered among the oldest senators,
and one of the most prominent in all important debates.

The following gentlemen constituted the Senate at
the commencement of the session of 1833-4, on the
first session of the 23d Congress, the time Dr. Linn
entered it, to Avit :

Maine — Peleg Sprague, Ether Shepley.
New Hampshire — Samuel Bell, Isaac Hill.

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

131

Massachn-wtts — Nathaniel Silsbee, Daniel Webster.
Rhode Land — Ashur Robbing, Nehemiah R. Knight.
Connecticut — Gideon Tonilinson, Nathan Smitli.
Vermont — Samuel Prentiss, Benjamin Swift.
Neio lor/^— Silas Wright, N. P. Tallmadge.
New Jersey — T. Erelinghuyscn, Samuel L. Southard.
Pennsylminia — Wlllian Wilkins, Sanuiel McKean.
Delaware — John M. Clayton, Arnold Naudain.
Maryland — Ezekiel F. Chambers, Joseph Kent.
Virginia — Wm. C. Rives,* John Tyler.
North Carolina — Bedford Brown, Willie P. Mangum.
South Carolina — John C. Calhoun, Wm. C. Preston.
Georgia — John Forsyth, John P. King.
Kentucky — George M. Bibb, Henry Clay.
Tennessee — Felix Grundy, Hugh Lawson White.
Ohio — Thomas Ewing, Thomas Morris.
Louisiana — G. A. Waggaman, Alex. Porter
Indiana — Wm. Hendricks, John Tipton.
Mississippi — Geo. Poindexter, John Black.
Illinois — Elias K. Kane, John M. Robinson.
Alabama — Wm. R. King, Gabriel Moore.
Missouri — Thos. H. Benton, Lewis F. Linn.

i-i

This was the first session of Congress held after the
election of General Jackson for a second term, and was
as remarkable for the exciting topics introduced and

* In consequenci' of a series of resolutions adopted by the Legislature of
\'irgipia, expressing views and sentiments different from those held by Mr.
li'ives, and instructiag lier senators to support measures which he could not
conscientiously support, he ret^igned his seat early in the session, and was suc-
leeJcd by Benjamin Watkins Leigh, a man of great eloquence and distin-
jiuished ability.

132

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

I r^'- ^

It'

made the subjects of heated pohtical discussion, as it
was for the amount of talent and the number of dis-
tinguished men it contained.

The bill to recharter the Bank of the United States,
passed by the precetling Congress, had been vetoed by
President Jackson in 1832, iir.d the public deposits or
government funds had been removed from the bank
shortly preceding the commencement of this session.
Upon these subjects the country had been, and now con-
tinued to be, greatly agitated, and politick feeling prob-
ably never ran higher. Every man in the community
became to acertahi extent a politician, and thousands
of wealthy business-men — merchants, manufactiu:ers,
artisans, mechanics and professional men, who never lie-
fore interested themselves in political affairs, — now took
an active part in the disturbhig questions of the day.
From every quarter — State Legislatuiv^s, county conven-
tions, cities, towns, various mercantile and mechanical
associations, from citizens of every class, profession and
enqjloyment — came pouring in resolutions, memorials
and petitions, condemnatory of the removal of the de-
posits from the United States Bank, and depicting in
glowing language the stagnation in business, and the
general derangement and distress it had occasioned.
These were mostly sent to the Senate, and when pre-
sented, were made the occasion for an eloquent speech
or speeches by the senator to whom they had been

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

133

intrusted, and not unfre(juently by. Mr. Clay, Mr.
Webster, Mr. Calhoun, My. Ewing, Mr Clayton, and
other distinguished senators, opposed to the administra-
tion, and by Mr. Wright of N. Y., Mr. Forsyth, Mr.
Grundy, Mr. Benton, and otiiers in reply and in defence
of the President.

Early in the session Mr. Clay introduced resolutions
condemnatory of the President for dismissing the Secre-
tary of the Treasury (Mr. Duanc), because he would
not remove the money of the United States in deposit
with the Bank of the United States in conformity with
the President's desire, and appointing his successor
(Mr. Taney) to effect such removal, and declaring that
in so doing, the President had " assumed the exercise
of a power over the Treasury of the United States, not
granted to him by the constitution and laws, and dan-
gerous to the liberties of the people."

These resolutions were the subject of a very able,
but very heated and acrimonious debate, which lasted
until the 28tli of March, when they were modified by
the mover, and that relating to the President passed in
tlie following words :

" Resolved, That the President, in the late executive
proceedings in relation to the public revenue, has as-
sumed upon himself authority and power not conferred
l)y the constitution and laws, but in derogation of both."
9

134

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

m0 1 1

li ■■■'V'''-'

In opening the debate upon his resolutions in an
elaborate, highly-wrought and powerfid speech, on the
2Gth of Dec., 1833, Mr. Clay commenced by sayhig,
" We are in the midst of a revolution hitherto blood-
less, but rapidly tending towards a total change of the
pure republican character of the government, and to
the concentration of all power in the hands of one man.
The powers of Congress are paralyzed, except when
exerted in conformity with his will, by frequent and an
extraordinary exercise of the executive veto, not antici-
pated by the founders of the constitution, and not
practised by any of the predecessors of the present
Chief Mgistrate."

In addressing the Senate upon this subject in one
of his thrilling speeches, Mr. Calhoun said, alluding to
the entrance of Cyesar, sword in hand, into the treasury
of Rome : " They [the Administration] have entered the
treasury, not sword in hand, as public plunderers, but
with the false keys of sophistry, as pilferers, under the
silence of midnight. The motive and the object are
the same, varied in like manner by circumstances and
chai'acter. 'With money I will get men, and with
men money,' was the maxim of the Roman plunderer.
With money we will get partisans, with partisans votes,
and with votes money, is the maxim of our public pil-
ferers. With men and money, Coesar struck down
Roman liberty at the fatal battle of Philippi, never to

;

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

135

nse again ; from which disastrous hour all the powers
of the Roman repubhc were consolidated in the person
of CcTsar, and perpetuated in his line. With money
and corrupt partisans a great effort Is now making to
choke and stifle the voice of American liberty, through
all its natural organs : by corrupting the press ; by
overawhig the other departments ; and, finally, by set-
ting up a new and polluted organ, composed of office-
holders and corrupt partisans, under the name of a
national convention, which, counterfeiting the voice of
the people, will, if riot restrained, in their name dictate
the succession ; when the deed will be done, the revo-
lution be completed, and all the powers of our repub-
hc, in like manner, be consolidated in the President,
and perpetuated by his dictation."

In closing this celebrated speech, Mr. Calhoun gave
utterance to the following impassioned and impressive
language :

" We have arrived at a fearfid crisis ; things can-
not long remain as they are. It behooves all who
love their country, who have affection for their off-
spring, or who have any stake in our institutions, to
pause and reflect. Confidence is daily withdrawing
from the General Government. Alienation is lioufly
going on. These will necessarily create a state of
things inimical to the existence of our institutions, and,
if not speedily arrested, convulsions must follow, and

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LIFE OP DR. LINN.

then comes dissolution or despotism, when a thick cloud
will be thrown over the cause of liberty, and the future
prospects of oiu* country."

In opening his speech, Mr. Ewing said: "The
sudden alarm in all (piarters of the country, occasioned
by the removal of the public funds, the magnitude of
the calamity which it has brought upon the people, and
the just apprehension of still greater evils which are to
follow in its trair., give to the subject a grave and ab-
sorbing interest."

These extrficts will suffice to show the temper of the
times and the inflammatory character of party politics
at the period when Dr. Linn first became a member of
the United States Senate. Of the debates which took
place during this session, he was a silent but not an
indifferent listener. Ardent and sincere in aU his opin-
ions and sentiments ; entering, as he was accustomed
to do, with his whole soul into whatever interested him,
and being a wann personal as well as political friend
of General Jackson, whose measures lie a^)proved, and
whom he believed to be a bold, upright, and patriotic
Chief Magistrate, though his modesty and distrust of
his own powers ot debate deterred him from entering
the arena where so many, and such celebrated cham-
pions vere contending with keen weapons and bright
and pdished armor, yet he failed not to sustain the
President by his votes and by his sympathy and en-

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

137

couragement, wliich the latter by no means under-
valued.

The war carried on during this session by the
Whigs against the Administration, and the Adminis-
tration against the Whigs, may well be styled, from the
character of the leaders and champions on both sides,
"the war of the Titans, or Giants." Truly, when we
behold the number of able, eloquent, and distinguished
statesmen who were then arrayed against each other in
the Senate, we may exclaim, " There were giants in
those days." But those giants have passed way ; the
noise and din of their battle has ceased, and many of
them have been called to a higher sphere of action,
where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary
are at rest.

Having devoted himself heretofore most assidu-
ously to the studies and arduous duties of a profession
which required him to give attention to the constitu-
tions and diseases of the human body rather than to
those of the body politic — ^miaceustomed to the duties
of a legislator and to grappling with the knotty ques-
tions and nice distinctions of law, and never having
made the great science of jurisprudence a study, he
was now placed iii a field of action not only new to
him, but for which his previous studies and occupation
in life had not altogether prepared him. No one knew
this better than himself; no one saw as he did the

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necessity of fuiuiliarizing himself witli those great
!uul general principles of constitutional, international
and nuuiicipal law, which form the hasis of our free
inslitutions, and guaranty to us a degree of civil liberty
which falls to the lot of no other people. With sena-
tors and members of the House of Representatives of
the United States, generally, who are mostly lawyers,
these leading principles of law are familiar acquaint-
ances and of frequent reference ; they have been with
them subjects of study and of daily forensic discussion
before judicial tribunals ; not so Avith those of other
professions and occupations, and they nmst tlierefore
feel less at home amid such discussions, and more
reluctant to take part in the debates of the body of
which they are men;bers, especially if, as was the case
with Dr. L., they had never taken part in the discus-
sions of political questions before the people in popular
assemblies, and upon what is technically called " the
stump," where, according to the practice in some
States, mind grapples with mind, logic with logic, and
all the powers of the speaker are tasked, called forth,
exercised and unproved.

But though Dr. Linn did not venture into the
arena of debate amidst the Titans of the Senate, he
was not unmindful of the interests of the State which
he represented and her citizens, but exerted himself to

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139

obtain appropriations for the iniproveinent of the har-
bor of St. Louis and of the Mi8sissi})pi river.

Singularly but characteristieally it appc^u's, in ex-
amining his " record," that the first time he stood
prominently forward in the Senate, was to act the part
of a mediator or peacemaker.

Mr. Calhoun had made an elaborate speech upon
the dangerous abuse of Executive Patronage. Mr.
Benton replied, commenting upon the report of tlie
committee, of which Mr. Calhoun was chairman, and
who reported the bill under consideration, " with great
warmth and severity." Mr. B. read from the report
the following : " It is to convert the entire body of
those in office into corrupt and supple instruments of
power, and to raise up a host of hungiy, greedy, and
subservient partisans, ready for every senice, liowever
base and corrupt." Mr. B. remarked, " corrupt and
supple instruments of power," and the gentleman has
done me the honor to identify me with them, ' as base
and corrupt.' * * * It is not necessary that I should
repel the accusation, for the whole t 3oi)le of the United
States will drive it back upon him as a bold and direct
attack upon truth ! " Mr. B. was here called to order
by Mr. Poindexter, and the objectionable words "a
direct attack upon truth " taken down.

A debate ensued upon the question whether the

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words were a breach of order, during a part of which
iimch excitement prevailed in the Senate.

The Vice President, Mr. Van Buren, decided that
the words did not cliarge the senator from South
Carohna with falsehood, and were therefore not of a
personnl character ; from which decision an appeal was
taken. After several senators had spoken eloquently
and warmly on the subject, Mr. Linn rose to express
his deep regret that any thing should have arisen to
distiu'b the harmony of debate. Por the honorable
Senator from South Carolina lie entertained the utmost
respect, and for his honorable oUeague, whom he had
known so many years, he felt the warmest friendship.
He regretted the unpleasant occurrence of that morn-
ing, though he Avas bound to say it was not an unusual
one. He felt convinced that the Senate had been
often out of order, in the course of debate, and the
friends of the administratic ri frequently had to bear
much from gentlemen on the other side.

This was undoubtedly true. It was true that great
latitude had been allowed in the debates of the Senate.
Political feeling ran high throughout the country ; the
most intense acrimony characterized the political con-
flicts of tlie two parties into which the country was
divided, and every where the war between them was a
"war to the knife, and the knife to the hilt." No
quarter was asked, none expected, and none given. It

LIFE OF Dll. LINN.

141

was not strange then that the feeling which animated
the masses of the people should tind its way into the
bosoms of senators, and an outlet in language, which,
if kept within the bounds of senatorial decorum, was
not the less provoking and irritating to those to whom
it w^as applied.

The decision of the President of the Senate was
reversed, and without retracting any thing Mr. Benton
was permitted to proceed with his remarks.

At the close of this session, the second of the
twenty-third Congress, 1834-5, another subject was
introduced which produced much feeling and called
forth a very heated debate. A misunderstanding had
sprung up between the governments of Trance and the
United States in regard to the payment of indenmity
for spoliations by the former to the latter. The {imouni
due had been settled by treaty or convention, but the
King of the French, I-ouis Philippe, had refused or un-
rearjonably neglected to pay over the stipulated amount.
Under these circumstances the President of the United
States, Gen. Jackson, never disposed to be trifled with
nor to permit his country to be, was stronj>;ly inclined
to resort to coercive measures. An amendment was
therefore adopted in the House of Representatives to
the Fortification Bill on the last day of the session,
appropriating $3,000,000, to be expended in whole or in
part, under the direction of the President of tl:e

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United States, for the military and naval service, includ-
ing fortifications and ordnance, and increase of the
navy : Provided, such expenditures should be ren-
dered necessary for the defence of the country prior to
the next meeting of Congress.

This amendment, which was intended to enable the
President, in case of a rupture with Prance, " to secure
the safety of the country until the assem])ling of Con-
gress," was earnestly and Avarmly opposed. In favor
of the appropriation it was urged that it was well
known that " there was a peculiar crisis in our foreign
relations, and it was now too late to go into the detail
of legislation."

Dr. Linn advocated the appropriation, and declared
that he should vote for it, although it v/as an extraor-
dinary one, because he thought it necessary under the
present state of affairs. He could not believe that
this Chief Magistrate or any other who might preside
over the destinies of this people, would make a Avrong
or improper application of their funds.

The amendment foiled to pass the Senate and
therefore fell to the ground ; but it was the subject of
very acrimonious discussion subsequently in the public
press, and served to add intensity to the already em-
bittered feeling between the two great parties.

But though the amendment failed, it is proper to
add that the high tone and firm stand taken by the

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

143

President, soon brought about an amicable adjustment
of the misunderstanding by the payment, in gold, of
the amount due from France to our citizens, which was
all the President had desired or asked.

It was in connection with this affair that the Presi-
dent made the celebrated and patriotic declaration that
"The Government of the United States would
demand nothing but what was right, and would
SUBMIT TO >0TniNG THAT WAS WRONG." A sentiment
worthy of Washington himself, and which ought to
be inscribed in letters of gold upon the front of the
Executive Mansion, and over the seats of the presiding
officers of both Houses of Congress.

r>r. Linn had now been two terms, or during one
Congress, in the Senate, and had become known to the
members generally ; and with acquaintance grew es-
teem. From an examination of somt .»! his private
correspondence, it is seen that he had already won the
friendship of many distinguished members of the body
of which he was a member, to whom he was, person-
ally, an entire stranger when he entered it ; nor Avas
this friendship in any instance interrupted so long as he
and they lived ; on the contrary, it became more and
more ardent, and each was more and more esteemed by
the other. Such, indeed, were the warm and affection-
ate disposition, the kindly social feeling, the agreeable
conversation and the genial temper of the Doctor, that

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LIFE OP DR. LINN.

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those who had once come in close and social contact
with him, could scarcely prevent his taking captive their
willing hearts, and loving him for his many noble quali-
ties. He was the soul of honor, and his sense of Avhat
was due to others as well as to himself, of the most
delicate kind ; yet not such as to prompt him to be on
the "w atch for personal aflronts and neglects ; far from
it ; for while he had a just appreciation of himself, his
modesty would not permit him to doubt that he re-
ceived from others all the respect that was justly his
due. While no 6i\e had a higher reputation for chival-
rous bravery and a readiness to resent any intended
affront, yet no one had a more ardent love for peace,
or a greater desire to live on terms, not only of amity,
but of cordiality with all with whom he was brought in
association ; and no one was more ready to act the part
of a peacemaker, and heal misunderstandings between
others.

It was the esteem which Dr. Linn won from his
brother senators by these generous, amiable, and manly
qualities, and the rule he invariably observed, never to
throw any obstacle in the way of imy bill or measure in
which other senators took an interest, unless compelled
to oppose it by a sense of public duty, that enabled him
to carry so man> of his own through the Senate, and
render such important services to his immediate con-
stituents, and to the people of the West genovally. In

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

145

this respect, no one could be more fortunate and suc-
cessful ; indeed, it came to be considered that almost,
as a matter of course, whatever bill or measure Dr.
Linn introduced, would find favor with the Senate, and
be sure to be passed. Such is the power of coiu-tesy,
kindliness, and condescension in a grave, dignified, de-
liberati' e body ; but, where the human heart beats with
the same impulse is subject to the same passions, and
influenced by the same motives as subject, influence,
and control men in a less elevated sphere of life.

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CHAPTER II.

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From the commencement of the 24th Congress, Dr.
Linn began to take a more active part in the business
before the Senate. Nothing in which his own State
and constituents were interested, or that concerned that
portion of the country then denominated " the far
West," or that which Hes west of the Mississippi river,
escaped his notice. Identified, as he was, in interest
and association with this interesting section of the
Union, his home from youth to manhood, containing
all that he most loved and cherished, his wife, children
and friends, no wonder he looked upon it with fond
affection, and to whatever affected its interests, pros-
perity, seciu-ity, and happiness, with filial attention and
dutiful devotion.

The settling the Missouri land claims, or claims to
lands in Missouri and Arkansas, under Spanish and
French grants, by a law of Congress, was one of the
important subjects which engaged his attention, and by

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

147

which he rendered a very essential service to a large
class of worthy citizens. A Board of Commissioners
had been appointed under the acts of July 9th, 1832,
and March 2d, 1833, for the purjjose of receiving tes-
timony in support of these claims, and of reporting
thereon to the government, with a view to determine
what claims were valid and what were otherwise. Dr.
Linn had been a member of this Board, and the bill
referred to was brought in for the purpose of confirm-
ing the decisions the Board had made, so that the in-
quietude of the claimants might be removed, and their
titles established by law. Aided by his ad ocacy, and
the lucid and satisfactory explanations of the whole
subject he was able to give, the biU passed the Senate.
Another subject to which Dr. Linn gave much at-
tention, was the putting of the Western country in a
state of defence against the large bodies of Indians
that had been congregated west of Missoiu*i and those
occupying the country north. Addressing the Senate
on this subject on one occasion when Mr. Clay's land
bill was under consideration, " he implored senators to
look at the great western frontier, from the Falls of St.
Anthony to the Gulf of Mexico, and the examination
he was sure would produce feelings of sympathy for
the situation of the people of Louisiana, Arkansas, Mis-
souri, and Wisconsin. The existence of the numerous
tribes of Indians claiming to be independent within the

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States, had shaken the Union to its centre, and at one
time appeared to threaten a dissoUition of the confed-
eracy. To get rid of this embarrassing subject, and
to save the Indians from destruction, their removal to
the west l)ank of the Mississippi was determined on by
the General Government, and following out this line of
policy, tribe after tribe has been located, imtil the ag-
gregate amount has become alarming to contemplate.
These Indians were placed there for the benefit of the
old States respectively. Have we not, then, the right,
asked Mr. L., to demand from the justice of Congress
all the means necessary for our defence and protection ?
War, he said, was at all times terrible ; but a war with
Indians doubly so. They are our hereditary enemies,
and we may expect combinations among them. A ge-
nius of the commanding character of Tecumseh, pos-
sessing a mind to concoct and a hand to execute, could
form combinations among the discordant elements that
woidd set oiu* whole border in a blaze. From the mo-
ment the foot of the first white man touched the soil
of this continent, a system of injustice and aggression
commenced towards the Indians, which has been perse-
vered in and perfected, until they find themselves on
the confines of the great western plains, far from their
homes and the graves of their fathers. Their hatred,
therefore, is natural. But the laws governing popula-
tion can no more be stayed than the tides of the ocean.

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149

Cain slew Abel, and the farmer will ever possess po\/er
over the hunter or herdsman. The Indians are thero-
fore a doomed race ; treat them with all the kindness
and humanity in your power, and to this melancholy
complexion it must come at last. ******

" But he found himself, he remarked, wandering from
the subject that had induced him to obtrude himself
on the notice of the Senate. lie rose merely to state,
that for months previous to the celebrated Black Hawk
having crossed the Mississippi to commence the war,
which afterwards raged, he had despatched emissaries
to every tribe from the Mississippi to the Sabine, with
a view to form combinations, and holding out induce-
ments to the different tribes, to make a simultaneous
attack on the whole line of frontier. From infonna-
tion imparted to him, and which came from a reliable
source, he felt justified in asserting, that if Black Hawk
had gained a decisive battle, such an assault would
have been made, the consequences of which would har-
row up every feeling of the soul.

" Mr. L. looked upon such combinations among the
Indians, as he had spoken of, more than probable, and
should that happen, and the thirst for plunder and re-
venge urge them on, they would burn, plunder, nmr-
der and destroy ; and if, at length, they met an over-
powering force, they would fly to the boundless plains
behind them, where they could sustain themselves on

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LIFE OP DR. LINN.

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the countless herds of buffalo that roam over these
plains, until such period as they might think proper to
renew the attack. Nothing, at some future day, will
prevent this state of things, he said, but the presence
of a force sufficiently great to overawe the disaffected,
and restrain the unruly. The presence of such a force
is due to them from humanity, and to us (he spoke for
the people of the West) from justice."

It must be recollected, that this view of the impend-
ing dangers to the people of the West from a terrible
Indian war, was presented twenty years ago; and
though no such apprehensions can now be entertained
from the same cause, yet that the dangers thus glow-
ingly depicted at that time were imaginary and un-
founded, no one at all conversant with Indian and fron-
tier affairs will pretend. The danger of such combina-
tions as Dr. Linn spoke of among the western tribes of
Indians, from St. Anthony's Falls, or from our extreme
northern boundary, to Texas, was perceived by the
government, and provided against by raising and sta-
tioning one or two regiments of dragoons on the western
border, and directing them to penetrate the Indian ter-
ritories occasionally, and let the savages see that they
were watched, and a force was ready to meet them
whenever they should assume any hostile attitude.
Even within a year or two the Government have found
it necessary to greatly increase the mihtary force sta-

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

151

tioned along the base of the Rocky Mountains and in
the western forts generally, to curb the western tribes
of Indians, and to piuiish their hostile acts, which has
been done by General Harney.

On a subsequent occasion, Mr. Benton, from the
Committee on Military AfFjiirs, reported, with amend-
ments, the bill from the House of Representatives, to
authorize the President of the United States to accept
the services of volunteers for the defence of the fron-
tiers, and moved that the Senate proceed to the consid-
eration of the bill.

Opposition being made, Mr. Linn sustained the
motion of his colleague. He said, he could consider
nothing more worthy of their immediate attention than
the protection of our frontiers, threatened, as they now
had good reason to apprehend, with the greatest dan-
gers. He asked the Senate to look at the frontier from
north to south, and they would see a vast column of
Indians, the base of which rested on Texas, now fight-
ing for independence, and against which the Mexicans
were waging a war of extermination. No senator, he
said, could turn his eye from this examination, without
being convinced that a train of the most inflammable
materials is laid around our borders, ready at any mo-
ment to have a spark applied, and light up the flame
of war — of all others the most appalling."

At a later period of the session, the Senate, on mo-

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tion of Mr. Benton, took up the bill to increase the
niilitm-y peace cstablislnncnt of the United States. Mr.
B. havin<( cxi)laine(l and advocated the bill, Mr. Clay
opposed it, and Hiov(;d to strike out the first section,
which v^udd be killing it, shoidd his motion be
adopted.

Mr. Linn then came to the aid of his colleague,
and opposed Mr. Clay's motion, ui'ging, in the main,
arguments, the substance of Avhich has already been
given. It would be a humane policy, he said, to the
frontier States, to have such a force as would prevent
the possibility of an Indian outbreak. He spoke of the
warlike character of the Indians, the feelings of hatred
and revenge they must necessarily indulge against the
whites, and the facilities they had for forming combi-
nations, which demonstrated the necessity of having a
sufficient force to overawe them.

After further debate, in which Mr. L. replied to
Mr. Crittenden, the bill Mas passed by the Senate by
more than three to one.

It was at this session that a law was passed, annex-
ing to Missouri what is called " the Platte country,"
now the most wealthy and densely settled part of the
State, except St. Louis city and county. Dj*. Linn
took a deep interest in this measure, and exerted him-
self to procure the passage of the act. The territory
gained thereby is a most valuable acquisition to the

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

153

State. By this iiddition, the vcsteni bountlary was
extended to, and is now the Missouri river. One of
tlie ol)jecti3n8 to this measure was, tiuit it wouhl annex
a hu'ge tract of country, over which, by the Missouri
Coniproniise, slavery could not be extended, to a State
in which slavery existed, and by whose laws, authorizing
the holding of slaves, it would thereafter be governed.
The subject was referred to the Connnittee on the Ju-
diciary, then composed of the following distinguished
gentlemen, all of whom, siive one, are now living : to
wit, John M. Clayton, James Buchanan, Benjamin
Watkins Leigh, William C. Preston, and John J. Crit-
tenden.*

The committee were fully aware that the annexa-
tion of this countiy to the State of Missouri, by ex-
tending her western boundary to the Missouri river,
would be a breach of the Missouri Compromise ; never-
theless, as it was situated, it had become a den of
thieves, robbers, and outlaws, subject to no law and
the jurisdiction of no State. It was then IiidiMU terri-
tory, but filled with that infamous population which

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* Since this was ^n-ittei Mr. Clayton has passed away; ar i it is no dis-
paragement to others to say, that, as a statesman of broad, compi eliensive, and
national views ; of a strong and highly cultivated intellect, and well stored
mind; of ardent and patriotic devotion to his country, laid zea' in promoting
all her great interests, protecting her honor, and so elfiv»*!:.g her character
that she might be a light and a guide to, and command the respect and ad-
miration of, all civilized nations, he has left no superior. Mr. Buchanan is
now President elect of the United States.

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LIFE OF DR. IJNN.

delights to escape from the restraints which law im-
poses, to some place where they can give loose to all
the evil passions and propensities of their degraded na-
tures. To break up this nest of outlaws, who demor-
alized the Indian population, and committed all sorts
of depredations upon the people of Missouri, was con-
sidered a greater good than the breach of the Missouri
Compromise was an evil, and the committee therefore
reported uranimously in favor of the measure ; nor did
it meet with any serious opposition in the Senate. The
bill became a law on the 7th June, 1836.

During the first session of the 24th Congress, a
large number of petitions for the abolition of slavery
in the District of Columbia were sent to the Senate
and House of Representatives from various parts of
the country. The people of the North had become
much excited on the subject, and in regard to slavery
generally. Agitators were among them; meetings
were gotten up, and resolutions of the most intemper-
ate character adopted and published ; these were scat-
tered abroad like so many fire-brands, for the purpose
of spreading the flame of excitement and agitation.
The most incendiary publications vere thrown in grsat
profusion from abolition presses, and the mails were
made the vehicle of scattering these among the people
of the South, and of getting tliern into the hands of
such blacks, bond or free, as could k ad. Calculated,

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

155

and probably intended, to excite discontent among the
slaves, if not to incite and encourage them to insurrec-
tion against their owners, the people of the slave States
naturally became indignant and alarmed at this insidi-
ous and unjustifiable interference in their aflfairs, and
the attempt to bring about a state of things in those
States, at which humanity must shudder with horror.

To such an extent had this system of agitation been
narried, and so inflamed had become the public mind in
all parts of the country in consequence, that the Presi-
dent, General Jackson, deemed it proper to make it one
of the topics of his annual message. In speaking of
the affairs of the General Post Office, he said :

" I must also invite your attention to the painful
excitement produced in the South, by attempts to cir-
culate through the mails inflammatory appeals, ad-
dressed to the passions of the slaves, in prints, and in
various aorts of publications, calculated to stimidate
them to insurrection, and to produce all the horrors of
a servile war. There is, doubtl<3ss, no respectable por-
tion of our countrymen who can be so far misled, as to
feel any other sentiment than that of indignant regret
at conduct so destructive of the harmony and of the
peace of the country, and so repugnant to the princi-
ples of our national compact, and to the dictates of hu-
manity and rehgion. Our happiness and prosperity
essentially depend upon peace within our borders — and

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

peace depends upon the maintenance, in good faitii, of
those compromises of the constitution upon which the
Union is founded. It is fortunate for the countiy that
the good sense, the generous feeUng, and the deep-
rooted attachment of the people of the non-slavchold-
ing States, to the Union, and to their fellow-citizens of
the same blood in the South, have given so strong and
impressive a tone to the sentiment entertained against
the proceedings of the misguided persons who have
engaged in these unconstitutional and wicked attempts,
and especially against the emissaries from foreign parts
who have dared to interfere in this matter, as to au-
thorize the hope that those attempts will no longer be
persisted in."

Early in the session, Mr. Calhoun moved that so
much of the President's message as relates to the
transmission of incendiary publications by the United
States mail be referred lO a special committee. This
was agreed to, and Dr. Linn was [>iaced upon this com-
mittee, which made a report, and introduced a bill to
prohibit the circulation of such publications through
the U. S. mail.

This subject, and that of receiving petitions for
abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia, which
can'e pouring in in great numbers, became prominent
topics of debate during the session, and of the most
heated and inflammatory speeches ever listened to in

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

157

the Senate. One mode of treating these petitions, pro-
posed, Avas to receive thein, and silently refer them to
the Committee on the District of Columbia, or, with-
out debate, lay them on the table. Mr. Calhoun, how-
ever, objected to their being received at all, and upon
this question arose a protracted discussion. The tem-
per and spirit of this debate may be inferred from the
following remarks of Mr. Preston, of S. C.

Mr. P. said : " When I consider the extraordinary
excitement which has been produced throughout the
country ; the combustible material, in the shape of in-
cendiary pamplilets, which has been accumulated and
spread abroad ; the vast multitudes which have assem-
bled ; the apostles who have addressed them ; their acts
f.nd their menaces ; though I am but little disposed to
allude to them, yet a regard to the honor and interests
of the South calls upon me to do so, and that, too, in
language which she has a right to expect and demand.

" Sir, the Southern mind has already been filled
with agitation and alarm. Their property, their do-
mestic relations, their altars, their lives, are in danger ;
and, as if this were not sufficient, we have now these
agitators and incendiaries calling upon Congress t^ act
upon the slaveholding States, either directly or mdi-
rectly, through the medium of this District. And are
we, sir, to sit still and see it ? Are we to behold our
rights and privileges trampled upon ? All upon which

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

the permanence and security of our prosperity de-
pend, is assailed by these blood-tiiu*sty fanatics, and
Government called upon to participate in thv^ wanton
and malicious movement, without lifting a hand, with-
out raising a voice, without acting as a due regard to
the honor, dignity, and happiness of our constituents
calls upon us to act ? "

This exciting subject was disposed of in the Senate
by corning to an understanding that all petitions should
be received and laid upon the table, there to remain ;
which was much the wisest course, and least likely to
produce and foster excitement either at the North or at
the South. It was yielding to the petitioners the naked
light to petition, but laying their petitions quietly on
the table was saying to them that it was useless to
send their inflammatory memorials to that body.

In the House, however, a more impohtic and un-
wise course was pursued. The subject was there re-
ferred to a special committee, who reported, among
other resolutions, the following, which was adopted,
and out of which grew the famous 21st rule, to wit :

" Resolved, That all petitions, memorials, resolutions,
propositions, or papers, relating in any way, or to any
extent whatever, to the subject of slavery, or the aboli-
tion of slavery, shall, without being either printed or
referred, be laid upon the table, and that no further
action whatever shall be had thereon."

my.

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

159

That the adoption of this rule by the House, in-
stead of pursuing the practice of the Senate, was the
cause of the very great increase in the number of
petitions of this kind presented, and of increased
agitation at the North, no one, it is presumed, now
doubts. Dr. Linn was in favor o^ the course adopted
by the Senate, rightly judging what the effect of the
other would be. The subject coming up again at the
subsequent session, he took occasion briefly to express
his views thereon.

A memorial from the grand jury of Washington
County, D. C, having been presented, protesting
against the interference of citizens from distant States
in respect to the abolition of slavery in the District of
Columbia, a motion was made that it be laid on the
table and printed. Mr. Calhoun then moved to print
an extra number of copies.

In making this motion, Mr. Calhoun said it was a
most important paper, and there was one part of it at
which he most heartily rejoiced. It took the true posi-
tion — that abolition petitions should not be received.
He further expressed himself very earnestly and warmly
upon this subject in advocating the motion to print an
extra number.

"Mr. Linn said he should be pleased to know
whether any practical benefits were likely to grow out
of circulating, by order of the Senate, copies of the

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

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document now proposed to be printed. What, he
asked, was the proper remedy for the evil of which the
people of the District of Columbia complained, and
concerning which they had directed the attention of
Congress ? Was their property in danger ? Were the
laws insufficient to protect their slaves ? If so, let us
then march directly up to the subject, and enact such
as will afford ample seciu-ity. For measures of a prac-
tical nature, he would give his vote with a great deal
of pleasure. He said, he was well aware that ques-
tions of this kind came up here, and incidentally im-
pressed persons at a distance with the ' lea that Con-
gress wished to deprive them of the right to petition.
Nothing, in his opinion, was more erroneous. Refuse
to receive and hear an abolition petition, and you ren-
der the abolitionist a thousand times more active and
industrious in propagating their doctrines, and more
successfiU in enlisting the sympathies in their favor of
those who believed in the inherent right of the people
to assemble and petition for a redress of grievances.
He never had voted, and never would vote, for the
printing and disseminating an abolition memorial ; nor
would he lend his aid for the printing of this docu-
ment in favor of slavery.

" On the great question of slavery, the constitution
and laws would find ample support in the good sense
of the great body of the American people. lie gave

*■;

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

161

it as his opinion, that to insure tranquillity was to let
this exciting topic alone."

The wisdom of this remark, and the correctness of
the views taken by Dr. L., have now been fully proved.
So long as the 21st rule existed in the House, the peo-
ple of the North never ceased to pour in their abolition
petitions ; hundreds, and perhaps thousands of them,
having been offered by Mr. John Q. Adams, more
with the view to vindicate or claim the right of petition,
than with any desire that the prayer of the petitioners
should be granted. But scarcely had this rule been
abrogated, as it was at the first session of the 29th
Congress, than these petitions almost wholly ceased ; and
we now hear no more of them, though there are pro-
bably some of them occasionally presented and laid
quietly on the table.

In the discharge of his public duties, no senator

could be more constant in his attendance, observant of

what was going on, watchful of the interests of the

people of his own State, and efficient in promoting

thera. Whatever concerned Missouri, or the people of

Iowa, or Wisconsin, had a peculiar interest for Dr.

Linn ; and the more deeply it concerned these, the more

ardently did he embrace and labor to accomplish the

object proposed. Among the subjects which seemed

most to occupy his thoughts at this period, w^re the

obtaining of grants of public lands for various purposes
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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

for his State, and the protection of the western and
northern frontiers against the hostihties of the Indians,
to which tlie people of Missouri and Iowa were at that
time so much exposed. The Black Hawk war had
shown what murders and depredations the Indians, if
united in large bodies and led on by a warrior of ge-
nius and influence, might commit before a sufficient
force to repel them could be got together and brought
against them ; and he constantly, therefore, advocated
the increase of the army, or the raising* of some regi-
ments of dragoons to be stationed along the frontier,
to scour the country, overawe the savages, and prevent
them from committing outrages upon the whites.

At the second session of the 24th Congress, Mr.
Benton, chairman of the Military Committee, brought
in a bill to increase the military establishment of the
United States. It being warmly opposed, chiefly by
Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Crittenden, Mr. Linn took part
in the debate in aid of his colleague. After several
days had been spent in dicussing the bill,

" Mr. Linn rose, and said, that it was now the settled
policy of the Government to remove those remnants of
Indian tribes who yet retained some territory within
the States, from the positions they occupied, and to give
them in exchange a territory Avest of the Mississippi ;
thereby at once protecting the Indians from the en-
croachments and depredations of a surrounding white

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

163

population, and enabling the State Governments to
exercise uninterrupted jurisdiction over the entire ex-
tent of their own territory. It was a noble policy,
characterized alike by wisdom and humanity. It had
originated in the cabinet of which the Senator from
South Carolina had been at the time a distinguished
member, and it would stand in the history of the coun-
try a glorious and enduring monument of the enlight-
ened views and enlarged benevolence of its authors.
The process had commenced, and the plan was in the
course of execution by the present administration, not-
withstanding many obstacles. The Indians had been
removed from many of the States, and collected in their
respective tribes on our Western frontier. Now, Mr.
L. would ask the Senator from South Carolina, and all
those other senators who represented States that had
formerly been burdened with an Indian population,
whether they were not under the most solemn obliga-
tions of justice to the States of Missouri, Louisiana,
and Arkansas, and Temtory of Wisconsin, in whose
immediate vicinity this large body of Indians had been
assembled, to protect her people from the Indians, and
to protect the several Indian tribes from each other ?
Now, what course of policy was it necessary to pursue,
iu order to effectually accomplish this "end? Having
removed these people from their native haunts, and
brought them together under new circumstances, the

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

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Government Avas obviously under obligations to extend
to them, so far as it should be in their power, the bless-
ings of goverinncnt, reli;^ion, and civilization ; and for
this purpose the great and efficient means uuist be, to
break up the war spirit amongst iliemst;lves. Unless
that spirit could be put down, these warlike tribes
would in a little time destroy each other, or cause ag-
gression upon us. For this purpose, it was indispen-
sable that we should have at our disposal, and ready for
action, a respectable military force. Successive Secreta-
ries of War, and among them the late Secretary Cass, than
whom no man was better acquainti l with the Indian
habits and character, had estimated the force requisite
for this object, at 7,000 men. General Jessup, in a
communication made by him to the Government, had
made the same estimate, and all the Indian agents who
had been consulted, concurred in the same opinion.
The present acting Secretary of War fully agreed in it.
They all agreed in opinion, that a permanent military
for.ce must be established on that frontier. When not
engaged in military duty, they might be employed in
constructing military roads and fortifications. Foits
must be established at short distances from each other,
and garrisoned by a standing body of troops, whilst
cavalry should be employed to move from point to
point. To hope for any thing like permanent peace
among a large body of Indians, under any other cir-

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

165

cunistances, was idle. The very nature of the Indian
was war ; it was the clement m which lie moved ; and
lie must see a force actually present, and sufficient to
control him, or this warlike propensity could never be
repressed. It was utterly vain to re[)rcsent to these
people the power of the United States Government.
Nothing of the kind made any impression on the In-
dian mind, unless accompanied by a visible demonstra-
tion of military force.

" The Senator from Kentucky (Mr. Crittenden) had
observed that the militia of the Union could defend
themselves. It was \mqestionably true ; but Mr. L.
contended that this Government had no right to place
the people of the country in such a condition that they
must take up arms to defend themselves. It was un-
just. No one knew better than the gentleman, at what
cost the dark and bloody soil of Kentucky had been
conquered and maintained against a savjige foe. Its
soil had been fattened by the best blood of this land —
blood which might all have been spared, if the Go-
vernment had been in circumstances to afford to those
hardy settlers the protection of a regular military force,
but which was denied them in consequence of revolu-
tionary struggles. Mr. L. did not want to see such
scenes enacted in Missouri. No doubt the people of
xMissouri could subdue any Indian force which should
invade their soil, but it was not their place to do it.

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They ought not to be compelled to work out their own
safety.

" Mr. L. spoke of the Black Hawk war and its cause ;
also of some of the incidents attending it, us illustrating
Indian warfare and Indian character, and asked if the
Indian character and habits had changed ? Not at all.
'^rhey were the same ferocious and bloodthirsty ])eople
they had ever been. No doubt the people of Missouri,
after a bloody struggle, from time to time renewed,
might subdue them. But he repeated the assertion,
that the Government had no right to compel them into
any such contest. It was the act of the Government
which had congregated these Indian tribes on the fron-
tiers of that State, and it was unjust to leave the in-
habitants exposed to have their houses burnt, their
farms laid waste, and their wives and children toma-
hawked before their eyes."

In the progress of this debate, Dr. Linn understood
some senators, Mr. Calhoun especially, to have made
charges against the people of Missouri, of having plun-
dered and oppressed the Indians on their border. The
least intimation of any thing of this kind, the slightest
imputation cast upon the people of his State — a State
which he loved and served with filial affection and de-
votedness, — ^was sufficient to rouse all his feelings, and
call forth all his ability to repel the charges, and defend
the fair fame of the State whose honor and interest had

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

167

been in part intmstcd by her to his safe-keeping. He
was not the man to sit silent when even there was the
l{!ast whisper of dislionor connected witli the name of
Missouri. Sans jjcur, sans reproche liimself, with an
honor as spotless as that of a Clievaher Bayard, of an
Admirable Crichton, he felt with the keenness of a no-
ble son, the least imputation cast upon the State of
which he was himself an integral part, and to which he
owed willing allegiance. As the debate Avas about to
close, and the question to be taken on the passage of
the bill,

Mr. Linn rose to reply to these charges. He said
he had resided permanently for twenty -six years in the
State of Missouri, and knew that the charge was wholly
unfounded. There was not a man in Missouri or Wis-
consin, who did not possess too much sense to plunder
Indians. The people of Missouri had never robbed or
trampled on these natives of the forest. They had
been represented as a poor, spiritless, downtrodden
race, ignorant of their own rights, and continually im-
posed upon by the whites. Nothing could be more
opposite to the truth. No people were keener-sighted,
or more fidly awake to their rights and interests. No
one could have personal intercourse with them, and not
discover that they were shrewd in an unusual degree,
The Black Hawk war was to be traced entirely to the
fraud practised by that chief in the execution of the

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LIFE OP DR. LINN.

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treaty. He had openly insulted General Gaines, and
threatened his soldiers, and the General, to comply with
the general peace-poiicy of the Government, bought
him off. But he returned again the iiext year. Mr.
L. claimed from this Government protection for his
constituents. It was in vain for gentlemen to declare
there was no danger, when 150,000 Indians had been
collected on their frontier, and who were in reach, and
might be in communication with 1 50,000 more, inhab-
iting the vast prairies of the West. Mr. L. here
quoted :

" * On these extensive plains, a new state of things
was likely to grow up. It is to be feared that a great
port, will form a lawless interval between the abodes of
civilized man, like the wa'jtes of the ocean and the des-
erts of Arabia ; and, like them, be subject to the depre-
dations of the marauder. Here may spring up new
and mongrel racce., like new formations in geology, the
amalgamation of the " debris " and abrasions of former
races, civilized and savage ; the remains of broken and
almost extinguished tribes ; the descendants of wan-
dering hunters and trappers .; of fugitives from the
Spanish and American frontiers ; of adventiu*ers and
desperadoes of every class and country, yearly ejected
from the bosom of society into the wilderness. We
are contributhig incessantly to swell its singular and

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

169

heterogeneous cloud of wild p(jpulation, that is to hang
about our frontier, by the transfer of whole tribes of
savages from the cast of the Mississippi to the great
wastes of the far West. Many of these bear with
them the smart of real or fancied injuries ; many con-
sider themselves expatriated beings, wrongfully exiled
from their hereditary homes and the :'piil('hrcs of their
fathers, and cherisli a deep and al)iding animosity
against tlie race that has dispossessed them. Some
may gradually become pastoral hordes, like those rude
and migratory people (half shepherd, half warrior) who,
with their flocks and herds, roam the plains of Upper
Asia ; but others, it is to be apprehended, will become
predatory bands, mounted on fleet steeds of the prairies,
with the open plains for +heir marauding grouiuls, and
the mountains for their retreats and hu'king-places.
Here they may resemble those great hordes of the
North, " Gog and Magog, with their bands," that haunt-
ed the gloomy imaginations of the Prophets. " A great
company and mighty host, all riding upon horses, and
warring upon those nations which were at rest, and
dwelt peaceably, and had gotten cattle and goods." '

The way to prevent the existence of this state of
thina's, Mr. L. said, was to civilize the Indians. This
was a noble design, and, projierly pursued, would suc-
ceed ; but never, until the warlike habits of the In-

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LIFE OF DR. LP:N.

dians Averc brokjii, and they were converted into agri-
culturists. So long as they shouhl be left unawed by
a military force, and at liberty to butcher each other,
the benevolent design intended in their removal could
never be acomplished.

" Mr. L. said he had travelled through the Indian
settlements near Fort Leavenworth, and he had found
fields cultivated, houses built, school-houses erected,
workshops opened, the loom going, young Indian boys,
from sixteen to eighteen years old, learning the me-
chanic arts, and some of them as good workmen as
could be found any where. Here the Indians were per-
fectly peaceable ; and, beholding the controlling force
in their presence, had abandoned their warlike habits,
and were beginning to cultivate the arts of peace. Let
but this system be carried out, and the same results
would follow throughout the Indian country. Was it
not worth an experiment ? Did wc not owe it to these
people thus to secure; to them a fair start in the course
of civihzation ? This once secured, their progress
would afterwards be certain. Only keep down the
tomahawk for a few years, and interest and experience
would convince; these people of the advantages of peace
and civilization. But leave them to their own savage
nation, refuse to the white settlers any niiUtary defence,
and these Indians, whenever their resentments should
be awakened, could at any time make an irruption into

LIFE OF Dll. LINN.

171

our settlements, burn, sculp, slay and butcher, without
mercy, and tlien retreat to their swamps and deserts
before any force could be collected to resist them. It
required no spirit of pro})hecy to foretell, with great
certainty, the recurrence of scenes of this character on
our frontiers, if the Govennnent should neglect to erect
forts, and, after they were erected, shouhl be unable or
unwilling to garrison them. And when the blood of
helpless women and children had thus been shed, would
not those seiuitors feel bitter remorse, who, by op[)osuig
a measure so necessary and so salutary as that now be-
fore the Senate, had, to a certain extent, made them-
selves sharers in that blood?

" Mr. L. had repeatedly heard ic said, that Missouri
would find ample compensation, in the vast expenditure
of public money on her borders, for the evils tliat might
grow out of the congregation of such fiery and dis-
cordant tribes of Indians cm her borders. She wanted
wealth from no such sources. The God of nature had
been most bountiful to her ; and all her ])oj)ulation ear-
nestly desired, was to be left in peace to cultivate the
blessings so lavishly showered upovi them. Washed on
the east by ' the Fatiier of Waters,' some of whose
tributaries inosculat(; with the silver lakes of th(> north ;
divided into nearly e(|unl ])arts by the mighty Missouri
river, whose sources lie hid in the recesses and caves of
tlie Rocky Mountains, where silence loves to keep her

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

long millennium of unl loken repose ; a rich virgin soil,
mountains pregnant with mineral wealth ; extensive
plains and noble forests — nuich reason has she for re-
joicing, but let her rejoice with modesty."

Mr. Calhoun remarked, that the Senator from Mis-
souri had represented the Indians in his neighborhood
as for advanced in civilization, yet was demanding
troops to protect his constituents against their ravages.

Mr. Linn explained : " What he had said about
advanced civilization, referred not to the body of In-
dians on the frontiers generally, but to those only who
were in the vicinity of Fort Leavenworth ; and his argu-
ment had been, that, if similar forts should be distrib-
uted at short distances along our frontier, the same
effects might be hoped for on a wider scale."
. The bill then passed the Senate, 26 to 13.

No one will doubt that Dr. Linn looked forward
with fearfid apprehension to the consequences that
might result from the gathering together of such great
numbers of Indians upon th'^ western borders of Mis-
souri, and their banding, as he was fearful they would,
with the ferocious and warlike tribes of the plains and
the Rocky Mountains. His fears have not. been fiilly
realized, fortunately; but the Government has prevented
their being so, at least in part, by keeping an active
and vigilant military force in the plains, and estabhsh-
ing and garrisoning forts in the heart of the Indian

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

173

country. The acquisition of California and Isew Mex-
ico., and the rapid increase of the emigrants to these
countries as well as to Oregon ; the increase also of the
trade to Santa F6, New Mexico, as well as the hostile
demonstrations of some of the Indians, and the mur-
ders and depredations continually committed by others,
rendered such a measure indispensable to the safety of
persons and the protection of property on the frontiers
and in the Indian country. But in spite of this mili-
tary force, many murders have been annually connnit-
ted, and nmcli property stolen and destroyed. A con-
tinued war has existed with some of these fierce and
warlike tribes occupying a part of Texas, New Mexico,
and Utah, and the hostile demonstrations of other more
northern tribes has rendered it necessary for the Gov-
ernment to throw at once and with all speed, an effec-
tive force into their country, and to attack and disperse
them.

But for these vigorous measures, the necessity of
which was eloquently and forcibly urged by Dr. Linn,
no one can doubt but that all the horrors of an Indian
war, and an Indian raid upon the unprotected white
S(;tt]ements exposed to their incursions, so graphically
and truthfully depicted by him, would have been real-
ized, Well he knew, that nothing but force and fear
would restrain them from indulging their natural blood-
thirsty disposition ; and that, to produce fear, the force

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must be present or visible, and be sufficient to inspire
them with awe. He knew the Indian character most
thoroughly ; and that he could never be civilized, so
long as he was permitted to carry and use his toma-
hawk arid rifle ; that he could never be Christianized
until he had become domiciled, and had learned to de-
pend upcm the earth for his sustenance, rather than
upon robbery and the chase. The only mode of civil-
izing savages is by teaching them to cultivate the earth ;
to raise flocks and herds, and to confine themselves to
the spot they cultivate, instead of roaming about. And
it is the veriest waste of effort, time, and expense, to
attempt to Christianize them, imtil they have acquired
agricultural habits. The hunter has no Sabbath, and
no church, save that not made with hands, and covered
by the canopy of heaven. He may have renounced his
false gods, and professed his belief in the true God and
His Son Jesus Christ, and may have done so sincerely ;
but let him go afterwards into the woods or prairies to
hunt, and meet with bad luck, and he will at once
attribute it to the anger of his object of worship, what-
ever that be, and will take such means as his ignorance
and superstition prompt, to appease the anger of his
god and propitiate his favor. What then becomes of
his CluMstianity ? It is gone. Should it chance, then,
that this son of the forest, immediately after, or during
the day, was lucky enough to discover and capture a

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

175

(leer, buffiilo, moose, elk, or other game, would he not
attribute his change of fortune to his having discarded
his new religion, and sacrificed to the spirit to which he
and his fathere had always paid homage ? Undoubt-
edly such would l)e his conchision.

The condition of the Indian population in the vicin-
ity of Tort Leavenworth, as described by Dr. Linn, is
the condition in which they are almost invariably found
when compelled to rely upon the productions of the
earth for subsistence, are prevented from leading a
roaming, vagabond life, are taught how to cultivate the
soil, furnished at first Avith agricultural implements, and
have with them white men to teach them various me-
chanic arts, and to make and repair their agricultural
tools. Without this aid, instruction, and encourage-
ment, they are imable to surmount the first difficidties
of their new mode of life ; become discouraged and
disheartened ; will not apply themselves to labor, resort
to drink, petty thefts, and vagabondism, and drag out
a miserable existence, constantly diminishing in num-
bers, until what was once Ji powerful, warlike tribe, ter-
rible in its numbers and ferociousness, is dwindled
down to half a dozen families of miserable, ragged,
half-starved, wandering beggars and pilferers, more like
gypsies in their appearance and habits, than the well-
formed, dauntless, bloodthirtsy red men with whom
our ancestors had so often to grapple in deadly conflict.

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LIFE OF Dll. LINN.

from whom tlicsc miserable remnants descended. If
our Government would prevent the red men from being
swept away entirely, and becoming an extinct race, it
nmst be by teaching them the arts of civilization, and
compelling them to draw their subsistence from the
bosom of mother earth. They nuist be taught to de-
pend upon the products of their own labor, and to re-
spect the property of others ; to learn the law of mciwi
and tuurn, the foundation of all civilization. Wherever
this has been done under the auspices of the Federal
Government, it has been attended with the most grati-
fying results. By no other process or system can the
red man be civilized, and saved from the doom that
seems to threaten hhn.

With this, the 24tli Congress, closed the eight
years' admhiistration of Gen. Jackson, of whom Dr.
Linn was a most ardent and devoted personal and po-
litical friend. Warm in his temperament, sincere in
his attachments, giving his whole heart where he gave
his confidence, brave and chivalrous himself, and an
admirer of hei'oic courage and noble daring in others,
it is not surprising that Dr. Linn should have felt that
almost filial attachment and veneration for the Hero
and the Chief Magistrate, which all knew him to feel,
and which the latter so w'armly reciprocated. In his
speech on the bill to iiulemnify General Jackson for the
fine imposed upon him at New Orleans in 1815, made

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

177

several years after tliis, he gave utterance to his feehngs
towards him in the following language : " I would
have avoided," lie said, " if possible, saying any thing in
reference to the deeds of General Jackson ; neither do
I Avish to point the Senate to the halo with which those
deeds have surrounded his veneral^le head, and illumi-
nated his country. My voice will not be heard in
utterance of his praise, to induce senators to support
the bill which they are now considering. Nor is it ne-
cessary ; for even those .vho have opposed obstacles to
its passage, have admitted his just claim to honor and
fame, and the gratitude of his countrymen. His
actions proclahii for themselves their enduring fame ;
gratitude has stu nped them upon our memories ; and
the true and steady hand of History will grave them
deeply upon her imperishable talilets. His good name
cannot noio be sullied ; it is placed in the scroll which
contains the list of those whom freemen and patriots
delight to honor. His reputntion, like a star, far above
the clouds of detraction which float around cur censo-
rious world, will shine with brighter radiance as the
flight of time shall hallow his memory. * * * »
His country has manifested its confidence in his up-
rightness, by bestowing upon him the highest office in
tlie gift of the people — and that confidence they have
never had cause to repent. His history should be-
come familiar t') the youth of our land ; it furnishes
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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

one of the best examples l)y whieh to shape their course
as citizens of the RepuhHc ; and presents, in the most
prominent manner, that great reward Avliich is extended
to honesty of purpose, disinterested love of country,
and persevering efforts to promote its welfare — a re-
ward greater than that which has ever been given by
any other country to any man for like v»vtues."

The esteem in which Dr. Linn was held by General
Jackson, will be seen by his letters both to the Doctor
and to Mrs. Linn, given in a subsequent part of this
volume. Love and esteem were n-^ver unreciprocated
by him, but ever touched a responsive chord in his
warm and manly heart. They parted at Washington,
on General Jackson's leaving that city for the Hermi-
tage, never to meet again.

I"' ■■ i'
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y.f

CHAPTER III.

1 ( '"•

;: I,

On the 4th of March, 1837, Ociiornl Jackson bade
acheii to pubhc life, and was succeeded in the Presiden-
tial office, which he had filled for eight years, — the last
who held the office for two terms, — ^by Mr. Van Buren.
The commencement of Mr. Van Bnren's term was sig-
nalized by an extraordinary revulsion in the monetary
affairs of the country. On the 7th of May, the Banks
in Philadelphia stopped specie payments, and the mon-
eyed institutions in almost all parts of the country im-
mediately followed their example. A universal alarm
was felt ; a conunercial crisis of a most serious charac-
ter followed, and deranged and depressed all kinds of
business for an unusual period. Such was the condi-
tion of the country, that the President deemed it ad-
visable to call aT. extra session of Congress in Septem-
ber ; but this '^ccmed rather to incre''r;3 the general
"hard times,' hisi^ad of relieving them. Mr. Linn
took a lively inl crest in all these pidjlic matters, but as

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

he did not participate prominently in the debates which
took place at the extra and subsecjuent session, I deem
it proper to pass these over without entering into a cir-
cumstantial account of them. Other subjects not of a
party character, chiefly occupied his attention ; and
among these was the introduction and promotion of the
growth of tropical and fibrous plants in Florida. His
friend. Dr. Perrine, who had been U. S. Consul at
Campeachy, where he had had favorable opportunities of
becoming acquainted Avith the nature, value, mode of
cultivation, &c., of the plants proposed to be introduced
into Florida, had devoted himself zealously to this sub-
ject, and had become persuaded that he might render
his country an important service by introducing and
cultivating these plants in the United States ; he had
also induced Dr. Linn to lend his aid in accomplishing
the important and patriotic object, convinced, as the
latter was, that the plan was eminently practical, and
that results of the most important and beneficial char-
acter would follow its execution.

Accordingly, Dr. Linn introduced a bill at the
second session of the 25th Congress, " to encourage the
introduction and promote the cultivation and growth of
tropical plants," and in a few days thereafter he made
a report upon the subject, which attracted much at-
tention, especially' at the South. The report was
founded upon a memorial presented to the Senate by

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LIFE UF DR. LINN.

181

])r. Perrine, which was referred to the Committee on
Agriculture. The committee, through Dr. Linn, say
that, " In obedience to the Treasury CirciUar of the
Gth of September, 1827, Dr. Henry Perrine appears to
be the only American Consul who has perseveringly
devoted his head, heart and hands to the subject of
introducing tropical plants in the United States ; and
liis voluminous manuscripis alone exhibit a great
amount of labor and research which promise to be
highly beneficial to our common country. The memo-
rialist founds his hopes of final success for the inune-
(liate pro[)ag{itioii, and subsequent cultivation of tropical
plants in Florida, on four leading facts: 1. Many
\ aluable vegetables of ths tropics do actually propagate
tliemselves in the worst soils and situations, in the sun
and in the shade of every tropical region, where a sin-
gle plant arrives by accident or design, 2. For other
profitable plants of the tropics which require human
skill or care, moisture is equivalent to manure, for trop-
ical cultivation essentially consists in appropriate irriga-
tion. 3. A tropical clhnate extends into Southern
Florida, so peculiarly fa^ orable to human health and
vegetable growth, that tlu^ fertility and benignity of its
atmos{)here will counterbilance the sterility and malig-
nity of its soil. 4. The inundated marshes and miry
swamps of the interior of Southern Florida are more
elevated than the arid sands and untillable rocks on

aft':!

182

LIFK OP Dll. LINN.

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:i i I

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the coast ; and hence the same canals which may drain
the former will irrigate the latter, and aiford the aj)pr()-
priato i)roi)ortion of moisture for both. The memo-
rialist founds his hopes of success for the gradual accli-
mation of many profitable plants of the tropics,
throughout at least all oiu* southern and southwestern
States, on, ] st, the general history of all tropical plants,
whoso cultivation has been gradually extended towards
the poles ; 2d, the particular history of our great sta-
ples of the south and soutliAvest, viz., tropical rice,
tobacco, cotton, and sugar ; and 3d, the important fact
that kindred species of many profitable plants, whicli
will be still more important objects of affricuUiirc, are
indigenous to our worst soils between the Potomac and

the Mississippi, viz., of Agava and Yucca.
In relation to the immediate propagation of tropical
plants in tropical Florida, on the most arid, the most
humid, and hitherto most worthless soils, the conimit-
tee exjjressed their conviction and belief from the facts
and statements presented to them: and they further
expressed their confidence in the possibility of accli-
mating at least the fibrous-leaved plants, whose folia-
ceous fibres are superior substitutes for flax and hemp.
" Hitherto," say the committee, " Southern Florida has
been considered so sickly and so sterile, as to be im-
worthy the expense and trouble of siu'veying and of
sale ; and even now it is seriously contended that this

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

183

section of the tenitory is uninha])itable by the wliite
man, and should therefore be abandoned to the savages
and runaway negroes from the neighboring States.
****** g^^ jf ^j^jj suggestions of the

memorialist, and if his experiments shouhl ])e success-
ful, the arid sands and arid rocks, and mangrove thick-
ets of the coast, the miry marshes, pestilential swamps,
and impenetrable morasses of the interior, may all, ulti-
mately, "' e covered by a dense population of small cul-
tivators and of family manufacturers ; and tropical
Florida will thus form a well-garrisoned bulwark against
invasion in every shape and shade. *****
By the introduction of such new staples as can be
propagated on the worst soils of the old States more
profitably than their old staples can be cultivated on
the best soils of the new States, emigration from the
South will be prevented, and even the ruined fields and
barren wastes will become covered with a dense popu-
lation of small cultivators ; and that rural population
may be tripled by the employment of new staples in
the really domestic manufactures of their farms, fami-
lies, and females. At all events, the numerous small
cultivators of the South would thus be enabled to fur-
nish the cheapest possible new materials for the numer-
ous small manufacturers of the North, and woiUd hence
create, mutually, a profitable and harmonious depend-
ence on each other, of the great pacific masses of pop-

184

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

t t

Ui'

Illation in both sections of the Union. With these
views of the national importance of the enterprise
of Dr. Perrine, the committee determined to report a
bill of such a character as would, in their opinion, offer
barely a sufficient inducement for him to undert.ike the
ex[)eriment proposed by him, of introducing certain
fibrous plants into Florida, and attempting their culti-
vation.

" In other countries," the committee remark, " an
midertaking of such magnitude is the especial duty of
the Government ; but in the United States, we are in-
debted to individual zeal and perseverance for the
origin and prosecution of the grandest plans of national
utility."

" From the specimens of fibrous-leaved plants and
foliaceous fibres submitted to the committee," they ex-
pressed their confident belief, that " if they could be
propagated in Southern Florida, of which they had no
reasonable doubt, they will form highly important addi-
tions to the agricultiu-e, manufactures, and commerce of
the Union."

This report was accompanied by a large mass of
manuscripts prepared by Dr. Perrine, giving the his-
tory, mode of cultivation, botanical character, the kinds
of soil, climate, &c., &c., necessary for the growth and
successful propagation of the various kinds of plants
proposed to be introduced into Southern Florida, which

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

185

information the Doctor had spent many hiborious years
in ac(iuiring, and which was not Hkcly to be under-
rated by Dr. Linn. If Dr. Perrine's hopes were well
founded, and not too sanguine, if his plan could be
carried into practical operation, a service would be ren-
dered to his country of incalculable value. Doctor
Linn saw this, and could perceive no insurmountable
obstacle in the Avay of the realization of Dr. P.'s most
sanguine hopes. He himself was moved by an ardent
and patriotic desire to secure so great a benefit to his
country, to add new and valuable staples to her pro-
ductions, to increase her domestic manufactures, and to
convert arid sands and rocks, miry swamps and quag-
mires, drowned lands, and almost impenetrable morasses,
into fruitful, healthful, smiling fields and densely settled
plantations.

The object was worthy the attention, ambition, and
labor of a patriot statesman : it was to make a thousand
blades of grass grow where none grew before ; to con-
vert steriUty into productiveness ; a desolate waste into
blooming fields, and pestilential swamps into healthfid
habitations. What higher or more noble motive could
actuate or stimulate a pjitriotic heart ? What Ameri-
can will not deeply lament that, after spending years
of toil, anxiety, apprehension and suspense, in endeav-
oring to attain his great object, and wish of his heart,
Dr. Perrine should have fallen a victim to savage fero-

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186

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

city, as lie was about to prove the feasibility of his un-
dertaking and the justness of his conclusions. But the
importance of his life and labors could not stay the
hand of the murderous savage, and he was cut down
by those who regard neither age, sex nor condition.
The Indians saw in him only an intruder into their
country ; they looked upon him as one of the nation
with whom thoy were at war, and whose blood it de-
lighted them to shed. With these feelings of hatred
and revenge, the bullet was sped, and his earthly labors
were closed.

Dr. Perrine having been thus cut ofF in the midst
of his career of usefulness, and when, as he confidently
believed, he was about to reap the reward of his many
years of toil, anxiety, and perseverance, and enjoy the
fruition of his hopes, there was no one to carry on his
great work, which was therefore arrested at the point
to which he had brought it. He had commenced the
cultivation of some of the plants he designed to intro-
duce into Florida, and to cultivate, but they were left
unattended to or cared for ; one of them at least, how-
ever, the yi^ave Jmericana, found a genial soil and cU-
mate, in which it now grows with great vigor and lux-
uriance, and may some day become a source of agri-
cultural and manufacturing profit to the people of that
section ; indeed, it would be so now but that, on ac-
count of the great cheapness of labor in Venezuela and

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

187

other tropical American countries from whence the plant
was brought by Dr. Perrine, it can be raised and man-
ufactured into sissal hemp at a less cost than it can be
at this time in Florida.

There were those who doubted the feasibility of suc-
cessfully transferring the plants proposed to be intro-
duced and cidtivated in Florida by Dr. Perrine, and of
making them profitable productions. Dr. P., however,
had confidence in the undertaking, and saw in its suc-
cess a valuable acquisition to the agricultural and man-
ufacturing resources of his country. Should the ex-
periment succeed, he would have rendered his country
a most important and lasting service, that of turning
arid sands and rocks, and pestilential fens and morasses,
into blooming, healthful, and profitable fields. But
suppose the experiment should fail r he alone would
suffer pecuniarily ; he alone would feel the mortification
attendant upon the disappointment ; the country woidd
have suffered no detriment. He possessed, however,
that ardent, sanguine temperament, that confidence in
his own judgment, and that pereeverance in whatever
he undertook, which were calculated to insure success,
and without which no great enterprise, no important
national work was ever achieved. In Dr. Linn, he
found a genial spirit, and a friend who wannly sympa-
thized with him, became convinced of the feasibility of
his enterjnise, and lent him his aid in every possible

f '1

188

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

S-J.I

way he could, to enable Iiim to accomplish his patriotic
purpose.

Like Dr. Perrine's undertaking, the introduction
an<l cultivation of cotton, sugar, wheat, and various
other valuable plants, not indigenous to the country, was
an experiment ; so also was the introduction and growth
of the silkworm, and the production of silk, from China
or the East Indies, first hito Italy, and subsequently
into France and other European countries. It is the
enterprising and sanguine spirits of the country, like
Dr. Perrine, who take the lead in making such experi-
ments, and who, in case of success, become public ben-
efactors ; who confer immense and perpetual benefits
and blessings upon their country, mthout the sacrifice
of n hecatombs, and the drenching her soil in the

blooa oi her own or any other people ; and in view of
this, we may well say, that peace has her victories and
triumphs as well as war. Had Dr. Perrine's life been
spared to carry forward his experiment to a successful
issue, as we can hardly doubt would have been the re-
sult of his labors, it is not easy to estimate the benefits
that would have accrued to the southern portion of
Florida, and the addition that would have been made
to our staple productions and profitable industrial pur-
suits.

Dr. Linn heard with deep and sincere regret of the
fate that had befallen his friend, and put a stop to the

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

189

enterprise in wl»ich he felt so lively an interest ; but he
WHS not destined long to sunive him, and was, like his
friend, destined to fall in the midst of his usefulness,
and in the prime of manhood.

One great object Dr. Linn hoped woiJd be accom-
plished by promoting the enterprise of Dr. Perrine, was
the draining of the fens, swamps, and morasses of Flor-
ida, and converting them from pestilential, uninhabit-
able regions, into the smiling and healthful abodes of
a numerous and industrious population. The same de-
sire to confer blessuigs and benefits upon his fellow-
citizens, prompted him to make an early proposition,
that the Federal Government should convey the lands
in Missouri and Arkansas, entirely and partially covered
every year with water to such an extent as to render
them not only untillable in their present condition, but
wholly uninhabitable on account of their pestilential
character, to those States, upon condition of their being
drained, and rendered capable of being cultivated.

Dr. Lhm, in pursuance of notice given, introduced,
on leave, on the 21st of Feb., 1838, a bill to encourage
and promote the introduction and cultivation of tropical
plants in Florida, of which I have spoken, and on the
same day he proposed that the Committee on Public
Lands be instructed to report a bill granting to the
States all the unsurveyed lands withm their limits cov-
ered with water.

;

190

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

Mllinij

iniill

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I'll

It was well known, he said, that large portions of
land in some of the States were at times covered with
water to an immense extent, which the (iovcrnment
officers had reported as not worth the cost of survey.
If these lands Avere ceded to the States in which they
lie, it might be attended with the most beneficial re-
sults. Those inundated lands were a curse to the
States ; they were the very hot-beds of disease, gene-
rating that dreadful malaria so fatal in its influence
upon the surrounding country. If all such were given
to the States, at least such as were deemed unworthy
the cost of survey, they might be reclaimed, so as to
prevent the ill effects usually arising from them.

Upon some objection being made to this propo-
sition, Dr. Linn further and warmly advocated it as
wise and salutary. The lands might be drained and
improved by the States, or by individuals or companies
under State regulations, but they never would be, so
long as they belonged to the General Government ;
and as they were returned by the officers of the United
States not worth the cost of surveying them, Congress,
in giving them to the States in which they lie, would be
bestowing very little indeed.

The subject having been laid on the table, nothing
resulted from Dr. L.'s proposition at this time. But
the minds of senators had been called to it ; a com-
mencement had been made, the seed had been dropped,

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

191

and ere long it was destined to spring up and bear fruit.
A few years after, but not wliile Dr. L. was living, a
bill passed both Houses, and became a law, by which
the drowned, inundated, or swamp lands were ceded to
the States respectively in which they were situated ; a
measure wliich, though somewhat abused, has been and
is likely to be productive of incalculable benefit to these
States. Though Dr. Lum did not hve to accomplish
this benevolent and wise measure, yet he is entitled to
honor and praise for having brought it forwitrd and ad-
vocated its adoption from those States in which these
landt, are situated.

The subject of the purchase of Mount Veraon hav-
ing been much discussed within a few years post, and
being one that now occupies the public mind, and will
continue to do so, probably, until the property shall
come into possession of the United States, or the State
of Virguiia, it is due to the memory of Dr. Linn to
note that, on the 4tli of January, 1838, he offered a
resolution in the Senate, which was adopted, " that the
Committee on Public Lands inquu-e into- the expedi-
ency of purchasing the Mount Vernon property, now
belonging to the family of President Washington, for
the Government of the United States,"

Dr. Linn was desirous of seeing the consecrated
spot, where rested all that was mortal of the illustrious
Father of his Country, — of him whose fame is imper-

>> !

192

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

tiiii

ishablc, — in the possession of that country in wliose
glorious diadem the name of Washington is tlic bright-
est star, lie was anxious that Mount Vernon should
become the Mecca of the Western world, and that it
should be improved, beautified, and adorned in a man-
ner befitting the resting-j)lace of the most illustrious man
the world had produced. He considered the fame of
the great men and eminent patriots to whom we are
indebted for our national existence, for the freedom and
independence which they won and bequeathed to us,
for the noble constitution, Avhich, amidst trying diffi-
culties, they formed, adopted, and established, as the
choicest and most hallowed property of the nation ; and
in proportion as we venerate the mighty spirits who
have passed away, leaving to us the great benefits of
their wisdom and patriotic labors, aiul cherish, and
teach our children to cherish and revere their memories,
ill that proportion shall we love our country, and value
the inestimable birthright privileges and blessings for
which we are indebted to them.

It was for this reason that he desired to make
Mount Vernon, — hallowed as the residence and as the
depository of the remains of George Washington, —
the place of resort of all who should be in its vicinity.
That the ciwelling should be preserved as it was, in all
its unpretending simplicity, when occupied by him to
whom the great and the good of the whole civilized

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

193

world paid the homage of their profound respect and
admiration, and when it received the most illustrious as
its guests.

If the purchase, adornment, and sanctification of
the home of Washington could more largely infuse
into the hearts of the American people the great prin-
ciples which guided his action in public and private
life ; if it could be the means of inducing them to study
more carefully and profoundly the maxims and precepts
which he taught them, the example he set them, the
great legacy of wisdom and advice he left them in his
Farewell Address, if it could cause them to " lay up his
words in their hearts, and in their souls, and bind them
for a sign upon their hands, and teach them to their
children, speaking of them when sitting in their houses,
and when walking by the way, when lying down and
when rising up — to write them upon the door-posts
of their houses and upon their gates,"* and inspire
them with a more animating veneration for his cha-
racter, wisdom, and example, — if, in short, it could
convert that dead reverence which all profess to feel
for his great, noble, and patriotic traits of character,
into a living, active, abiding, and animating feeling,
no amount r>f money, however great, would be ill-spent
thereon.

But while all pay lip-homage to the wisdom and

* Deuteronomy xL 18, 19, 20.
11

tin

194

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

patriotism of the Father of his Country, how few pub-
lic men are animated by his desire to promote the wel-
fare of his country, regardless of his own private inter-
ests, and follow in the paths which he labored so
anxiously and earnestly to make smooth and plain for
all who should come after him.

CHAPTER IV.

One of the subjects which Dr. Linn took an early, deep
and lively interest in, was the exclusion of the British
from Oregon, and its exclusive occupation by the Unit-
ed States. He had a high appreciation of that coun-
try, in an agricultural and commercial point of view,
and being well satisfied of the soundness of the title of
the United States, was unwilling she should be even
partially dispossessed of it, or sliaic her possession with
a country having no title there whatever.

On the 7th of February, 1838, Mr. Linn, on leave,
introduced a bill authorizing the occupation of the Co-
lumbia or Oregon river, [estabUshing a territory north
of latitude 42 degrees, and west of the Rocky Moun-
tains, to be cal^d the Oregon Territory ; authorizing
the establishment of a fort on that river, and the occu-
pation of the countiy by the military force of the Unit-
ed States ; establishing a port of entry, and requiring
that the country should then be held subject to the rev-

196

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

i ■■■i.

enue laws of the United States ; with an appropriation
of $50,000.]

The bill having been read twice, Mr. Linn moved
to refer it to the Committee on Military Affairs. He
expressed his regret that some other senator had not
moved in this matter ; he had failed in his endeavor to
that effect, and had in consequence now presented the
subject himself as one of great importance. There was
reason to apprehend, that if this Territory should be
neglected, in the course of five years it would pass from
our possession.

Mr. Clay, of Ky., said he thought the Senator and
the committee would do well to make inquiries as to
the stipulations of the present treaty with Great Bri-
tain, and whether we could occupy this country now
without giving cause of offence. The country had been
taken possession of by Great Britain, in contravention
of the treaty of Ghent. There was a clause in that
treaty, or rather a word, which was intended to cover
this identical case, connected with the Oregon, and
which covered no other case. It was founded on these
circumstances : a settlement had been made on the
Oregon by Mr. Astor, and the establishment was called
Astoria. During the war, it was taken possession of
by a British armed vessel. In the stipulation of mu-
tual surrender by the two countries of places taken
during the war, Mr. C. had introduced the word "pos-

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

197

session,'* as descriptive of the hold which we had on the
Oregon country prior to the war. Mr. C. hoped the
treaty would be examined before any decisive step
should be taken on the subject.

Mr. Linn said he was aware of that provision, and
it was his intention that the inquiry should be made.
He designed to get all the information he could on the
subject, and lay it before the committee or the Senate,
that the Senate might make such modifications of the
bill as they should think proper. He desired the bill
to be made as perfect as it could be.

Mr. Lyon, of Michigan, said he knew one of his
constituents who was desirous of going west of the
Rocky Mountains, for the purpose of settling and carry-
ing on a farm there.

Mr. Buchanan said, he was very glad the Senator
from Missouri had moved in this business ; and he had
done himself injustice, when he said it might have been
moved more appropriately by another person. The
time had come when we ought to assert our right to
the Oregon country, or abandon it for ever. We know,
by information received from an agent of the Govem-
nient, that the Hudson Bay Company are establishing
forts in that quarter, cutting down the timber, and con-
veying it to market, and acquiring the allegiance of the
Indian tribes ; and while they had been thus proceed-
ing, we had patiently looked on during a long period

198

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

of years. Our right ought to be now asserted ; but it
should be done in a prudent and delicate manner. We
were obliged by the treaty to give a year's notice. The
time had arrived to settle the question, and there were
too many such questions unsettled with the British
Government already. While we should be careful to
violate no treaty stipulations, we ought promptly to
assert our right to this country.

Mr. Benton urged the propriety of having this
subject referred to a select committee, of which his col-
league should be the chairman ; he knew of no one
better qualified.

Mr. Linn, after some demurring, assented, with-
drew his motion of reference to the Military Commit-
tee, and the subject was referred to a select committee
of five, consisting of Mr. Linn, Mr. Preston, Mr.
Walker, Mr. Pierce, and Mr. Wall.

Shortly after, with the view to obtain all the infor-
mation upon this subject within his reach, Mr. Linn
submitted a resolution, which was adopted, that the
Secretary of War be requested to send to the Senate
all the information in the possession of this Department
which may relate to the Oregon Territory ; and also
that he cause to be made for the use of the Senate, a
map embracing recent discoveries of all the country

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

199

claimed by the United States in the western slope of
the Rocky Mountains, to the Pacific Ocean.

Having taken the lead in this important matter,
and being placed at the head of the select committee
to whom the subject was referred, Dr. Linn set himself
to work to obtain all the information in his power, and
to embody it in a report to the Senate. The prepara-
tion of this report required some months, and it was
presented to the Senate on the 6th of June ; and as it
was a work of much labor, and embodies much inter-
esting information in regard to that country, I have
deemed it proper to make some extracts from it, which
will be found not without interest at the present day, as
it is mostly historical.

EXTRACTS FROM DR. LINN S REPORT.

" The attention of the Government has been, on
several occasions, called to this important subject [the
occupation of the Oregon Territory] by bills and reso-
lutions, through able and elaborate reports from commit-
tees of Congress, and in various executive communica-
tions. We wiU not ascend higher in the legislative his-
tory of this Territory than the last annual message of
President Monroe, in which he says : * In looking to the
interests which the United States have on the Pacific
Ocean, and on the western coast of this continent, the

! J

200

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

?■ : '

propriety of establishing a military post at the mouth
of the Columbia river, or at some other point in that
qua'1;er within our acknowledged limits, is submitted
to the consideration of Congress. Our commerce and
fisheries on that sea, and along that coast, have much
increased, and are increasing. It is thought that a
military post, to which our ships of war might resort,
would afford protection to every interest, and have a
tendency to conciliate the tribes of the north-west, with
whom our trade is extensive. It is thought, also, that
by the establishment of such a post, the intercourse
between our Western States and territories and the Pa-
cific, and our trade with the tribes residing in the inte-
rior, on each side of the Rocky Mountains, would be
essentially protected. To carry this object into effect,
the appropriation of an adequate sum to authorize the
employment of a frigate, with an ofl&cer of the corps
of engineers to explore the mouth of the Columbia river,
and the coast contiguous thereto, to enable the Execu-
tive to make such establishment at the most suitable
point, is recommended to Congress.'

" Such were the views of an enlightened statesman
and patriot. The administration which succeeded, took
up this matter, and it became the subject of negotia-
tion between the Government of Great Britain and the
United States, in which nothing was done definitively to

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

201

settle the claims of the parties. This correspondence
was marked by great ubiUty.

" The lapse of time and the progress of events in
that quarter of the continent which are unfriendly to
the interests of the United States, require, in the opin-
ion of your committee, action on the part of this Gov-
ernment, as prompt and decided as may be consistent
with the peace and good understanding which now ex-
ist, and we sincerely hope will ever continue to exist,
between England and the United States, who have so
many reasons to wish its contimlance.

" President Jackson, aware of the importance of this
country to our best interests, employed a special agent
to proceed to the territory in question, who was charged
with the duty of examining into its political, physi-
cal, and geographical condition."

The committee then gave the instructions which
Mr. Slocum, the special agent, received from Mr. j'or-
syth, Secretary of State, and mention that he, on the
1st of June, 1836, proceeded to comply with these in-
structions. They then state the title of the United
States to this country.

" The vaUdity of the title of the United States to
the territory on the northwest coast, between the lati-
tude of 42° to 49°, is not questioned by any power
except Great Britain. The 3d article of the treatf of
Washington, of 2 2d February, 1819, between the Uni-

t')

p,_:' . M.V'.Hir-'ory Dapt.

pROv.HClAL. L.1BRARY
VICTORIA, B. C,

202

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

ted States and Spain, established their mutual bound-
ary line on the parallel of 42" ; and from the Rocky
Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, Spain made a formal
and full relinquishment of all claim north of that line.
The southernmost point to which Russia claims on that
coast was fixed by her treaty with Great Britain of Feb-
ruary, 1825, at 54° 40'. By the provisions of these
two treaties, the space between the Spanish boundary
north, at 42°, and the Russian boundary south, at
54° 40', is entirely unclaimed except by the United
States and Great Britain. The respective claims of
these two powers have been, from time to time, the
subject of negotiation and provisonal arrangement by
treaty ; having in view the temporary protection of the
interests of the parties, while the final adjustment of
theic rights is left open to future arrangements. These
temporary arrangements, by the convention of 1825,
are mutually obligatory, until either of the parties who
may desire a change shall have given to the other one
year's notice.

" The treaty of Ghent contains no specific allusion to
the possession of the United States on the northwest
coast ; but under the claim of the treaty, article 1st,
which provides that all territory, places, and posses-
sions whatever, taken by either party from the other
during the war, &c., shall be restored without delay,
the United States settlement at the mouth of the Co-

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

203

lumbia river, called Astoria, was included, and subse-
quently formally restored to an authorized agent of the
United States ; by which act the Oregon Territory for
the first time became the subject of negotiation between
the two goveniments.

"By the convention Avith Great Britain of 1818, it
was stipulated that, east of the Stony Mountains, and
west of the lakes, the northern boundary of the United
States and the southern boundary of Great Britain,
should be the 49th parallel of latitude ; but in regard to
the territory west of the Stony Mountains, and on the
northwest coast, it was stipulated that any country
which may be claimed by either party, shall, with its
harbors, bays, rivers, &c., he free and open for the term
of ten years to the vessels, citizens, &c., of the two
powers ; it being well understood that this agreement
is not to be construed to the prejudice of any claim
which either of the high contracting parties may have
to any part of the said country, the only object being
to prevent disputes and differences arising among
themselves.

"When, in 1823, negotiations were opened for the
continuance of the temporary convention of 1818, the
question in regard to the title and boundaries of the
mouth of the Columbia began to be considered of
much importance in our relations with Great Britain.
Although, previous to this time, there had been some

204

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

•1

'ill:

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diplomatic conversation on the subject, there had been
no fomud, written negotiation, untU 1823, when Mr.
Adams, as Secretary of State, gave instructions to Mr.
Rush, the United States minister to Enghmd, to urge
the settlement of our territorial limits west of the Stony
Mountains. Mr. Rush was instructed to suggest the
parallel of 51° as the southern boundary of Great Bri-
tain. But if the line already settled at 49° latitude to
the Stony Mountains should be earnestly insisted on by
Great Britain, * we will consent to carry it in continu-
ance on the same parallel west to the Pacific Ocean.'
To the propositions of Mr. Rush, made in piu"suance
of these instructions, the British commissioners an-
swered by controverting all the facts and principles on
which the United States rested, and they declared that
Great Britain considered the whole of the unoccupied
parts of America as open to her future settlement, in
the manner as heretofore, and they included in this de-
scription the unoccupied territory between the 42d and
51st degrees of north latitude. Great Britain would
not rehnquish the principle of colonization on that
coast. She insisted on the principles established against
Spain in the Nootka Sound controversy ; besides, the
commissioners contended that Great Britain had a par-
amount title by discovery and occupancy. The nego-
tiation terminated in the convention of 1827, by which
that of 1818 was indefinitely extended, with permis-

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

205

sion to eitlier party to abrogate it upon twelve months*
notice. Tliia convention fixes the actual existing rela-
tions between Great Britain and the United States on
tlie subject of the northwest territory.

" What little consecpience Great Britain attached to
her claim of right to colonize, and how little she relied
on it for any permanent purpose, is shoAvn by the fact,
tiiat during the progress of the negotiation, she pro-
posed, in a formal prnjet submitted by her commission-
ers, to fix the dividing line definitively on the 49th par-
allel of north latitude, until that parallel strikes the
northwestenunost branch of the Columbia river ;
thence down the middle of that river to the Pacific
Ocean. And at the moment that this pretension of a
right of colonization was urged upon our commission-
ei*s, it was abandoned by the Britith Ambassador at St.
Petersbiu-g, who, in February, 1825, concluded a
treaty, relinquishing to Russia all claim of whatever
nature, north of 54° 40'. Indeed, it was obvious that,
whether the results of the Nootka Sound controversy,
in 1790, had been wrung by Great Britain from the
weakness of Spain, or had been yielded by her justice,
that neither Russia nor the United States coidd acqui-
esce in a principle which woidd leave their valuable
possessions on the northwest coast perpetually open to
the capricious inroads of other powers. The preten-
sion of an unoccupied coast in 1825, was not the less

206

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

ht''r^

monstrous than that of Russia to a closed sea in that
region, whicli disturbed the gravity of the diplomatic
corps in 1820. The British nogotiators of all times
declined the responsibility of starting this pretension in
writing, and having, since the negotiation, in which it
was verbally urged against us, abandoned it in regard
to Russia, and as, in its nature, its existence is tenni-
iiated by the lapse of thne and the progress of events,
it may noio be considered obsolete.

" Certainly, if mere discovery of the coast could give
title, that of Spahi would be entirely incontrovertible ;
and this Government, having succeeded to her rights,
the question would be at an end. Balboa discovered
the western shore of America in September, 1513, and
' advancing up to his middle in the waves, with his
buckler and sword in hand, took possession of that
ocean in the name of the king, his master, and vowed
to defend it with his arms against all his enemies.'
Cortez discovered California in 15 20, up to about par-
allel 30°. In 1543, Cubrillo explored the coast from
that point up to 42°. In 1592, John de Fuca discov-
ered the strait which bears his name, in latitude 48°.
But the principle implied in the declaration of the
British commissioners is unquestionably correct, viz.,
that discovery, nccompanied with subsequent and effi-
cient acts of sovereignty or settlement, are necessary to

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

207

give title. Now there is no pretence that Great Bri-
tain has a title thus acquired ; and all that is left is to
ascertain whether the United States can establish such
a one in herself.

" Not to dwell on the reported settlement by Hen-
dricks, in 1785, in May, 1792, Captain Robert Cray,
in the ship Columbia, from Boston, sailing under the
flag of the United States, saw and entered into the
land, which had a very good appearance of a harbor ;
and which Avas, in fact, the mouth of a very la'-ge river,
then seen for the first time by a citizen of a civilized
nation.

" Captain Gray entered the river, named it Columbia,
and named the capes on either side ; continuing to ex-
plore it from the 7th to the 21st of Mtty. Having
fixed its latitude, and distinctly marked the topography
of the neighborhood, and the b'iarings of the various
headlands around the bay, he returned to the United
States, and announced his important discovery. Thus
was the Columbia discovered by the United States, from
the sea. In the year 1803, an exploring expedition
was fitted out by this Government, to penetrate, over
land, into the region west of the Rocky or Stony
Mountains, as far as the mouth of the Columbia river.
Every body knows the signal success of this admirably
conducted enterprise, which opened to the world the
vast regions of the Upper Missouri and Rocky Moun-

Mil

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208

LIFE OF DE. LINN.

tains, and added to geography the magnificent valley
of the Columbia. Ten years before, Mackenzie had
penetrated to the Western Ocean, but his route did not
touch any of the waters of this grand basin, being sev-
eral degrees north of it. And thus this great discov-
ery, both from the interior and the coast, belongs to
the United States. The exploring expedition of Lewis
and Clarke following up the discovery of the Columbia
river, by Captain Gray, is in itself an important cir-
cumstance in our title. It was notice to the world of
claim, and that solemn act of possession was followed
up by a settlement and occupation, made by that enter-
prising and inteUigent merchant, John Jacob Astor,
under the countenance and patronage of this Govern-
ment. This settlement and occupation continued to
the late war with Great Britain, and by the treaty of
Ghent was restored to us formally, after its conquest
from the United States during that war. Thus it will
be seen that our title has the requisites prescribed by
Great Britain herself. With this is combined the cur-
rent title of Spain, which was derived also from discov-
ery, settlement, &c., and which, by the treaty of 1819,
was transferred to the United States. The extent of
the territory on the northwest coast, which is properly
embraced within our limits, is to be ascertained by the
application of the two recognized principles to the es-
tablished facts of the case. 1st. That the discovery

.1 t

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

209

and occupation of the mouth of a river gives title to
the region watered by it and its tributaries, as in the
case of the Hudson, James, Mississippi rivers, &c.
2d. That the discovery and settlement of a new coun-
try by a civilized power, gives title half way to the set-
tlement of the nearest civilized power. The boundaiy
between them is a medium line. Either of these prin-
ciples will carry our line as far as 49°.

" Its occupation by our Government would secure a
vast Indian and fur trade ; its forests of gigantic tim-
ber, extended plains, rich alluvions, where animals and
vegetables assume their brightest forms, would open a
direct trade with California, China, Japan, and the
Sandwich and Oriental Islands generally ; it would se-
cure its prodigious fisheries of sturgeon, anchovies, and
salmon ; for Lewis and Clarke say, ' that the multitudes
of salmon in the Oregon are inconceivable, and they
ascend to its very sources, to the very ridge of the
dividing mountains ; the water is so clear, that they
may be seen at the depths of fifteen or twenty feet ; at
certain seasons of the year they float in sucli quantities
down the stream, and are drifted ashore, that the In-
dians have only to collect, split them open, and dry
them.' It would doubtless secure, beyond the danger
of interruption, constant intercourse and trade between
the valley of the Mississippi and the Oregon.

" But, to waive these advantages, the importance to
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210

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

the United States, in a commercial point of view, of
possessing some harbor on the northwest coast of Amer-
ica, will be seen at once, when it is recollected that up-
wards of $12,000,000 worth of property is afloat in the
Pacific Ocean, in the whale trade alone, and which
gives employment to 8,000 seamen. These whalers
must have some place or places at which to refit after
their long voyages. These vessels now resort to the
Sandwich Islands ; but it is to be remembered, that
colonial restrictions may be enforced in time of peace,
and in time of war this valuable and important branch
of trade might fall an easy prey to a foreign power, for
want of a port to give it shelter. It is the duty of a
wise government to provide against such contingencies.
The bay of St. Francis, into which is discharged the
fine river Sacramento, is one of the noblest harbors on
the continent, and capable of containing the whole
mercantile navy of the world. But this magnificent
harbor, unfortunately, is not within the jurisdiction of
the United States, but belongs to Mexico."

Dr. Linn little dreamed then that this magnificent
harbor would so soon fall into our hands, and did not
live to see it.

After quoting from the reports of Mr. Slocum and
Mr Baylies, Dr. Linn proceeds :

" The day is not far distant, when, by the opening
of a direct communication between the Atlantic and

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

211

the Pacific Oceans, across the Isthmus of Darien, the
whole trade of the eastern hemisphere will be changed.
The policy of Great Britain is, therefore, to possess the
strongest points of control on this grand thoroughfare
of commerce, as well as over every other commercial
thoroughfare of the world. One of these points she
already possesses in Jamaica, and the Sandwich Islands
is to be, nay, is, the other point of her grasping ambi-
tion. These islands lie on that parallel of latitude
which vessels seek in the passage to China, Manilla,
and Batavia, from the west coast of America, in order
to get the force of the trade-winds which are strongest
between 18° and 24° of north latitude. They lie as
directly in the route to China as the Cape of Good
Hope for ships from the eastward. They would, there-
fore, become of immense value as a commercial depot,
and in time of war they would, in a military point of
view, be as important as the Mauritius in the Indian
Ocean. It may be assumed, then, that these islands
will fall into the hands of the British Government ; for
when has she neglected her foreign policy ? Look at
her possessions in the East — Malta, Gibraltar, the key
to the commerce of the Mediterranean, — St. Helena,
Ascension, Cape of Good Hope, the Mauritius, Singa-
pore, (Avhich effectually commands the Straits of Ma-
lacca,) the Benin Islands, lying off the coast of Japan ;
and she only lacks the Sandwich Islands and the beau-

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212

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

tiful river of Columbia, and the territory watered by its
numerous tributaries, to command, by her mighty
means, the commerce of the whole world."

Dr. Linn's apprehensions in regard to Great Britain
acquiring the Sandwich Islands, though by no means
then unreasonable, would now be groundless; since
the United States, jealous of her, and she, jealous of
us, have come to an understanding to let those islands
remain as they now are, and that neither Government
shall interfere with them.

As to the prediction that " the day is not far dis-
tant, when, by the opening a direct communication
between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, across the
Isthmus of Darien, the whole trade of the eastern
hemisphere will be changed," it is now in process of
fulfilment, and this route is now becoming the great
thoroughfare of commerce. But the fulfilment of
this prediction has been greatly hastened by the annex-
ation of California to the United States, and the acci-
dental discovery of the immensely rich gold mines of
that coimtry, which for a time set the world agog, and
sent hundreds of thousands of emigrants to settle that
far off" land. Dr. Linn proceeds :

" Independent of the importance, in a commercial
point of view, of this territory to the United States, it
assumes vast importance when we come to consider the
influence it is to have, in the hands of the British, over

ft*-;

:(-'*■

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

213

the fierce and warlike tribes of Indians on the north,
and from our western frontier to the Pacific Ocean."
He then quotes freely from Mr. Slocnm's report, show-
ing what the Hudson's Bay Company had done, and
the influence they had acquired over the Indians of the
Northwestern tribes. The farm of this company at
Vancouver, contained about 3000 acres of land, fenced
and under ciUtivation, employing generally one hun-
dred men, chiefly Canadians and half breed Iroquois.
The mechanics were Europeans.

" At first sight," continues Dr. Linn, " it would be
reasonable to suppose that the rugged and stern Rocky
Mountains, whose sunmiits ore covered with snow, and
iiscend/«r beyond the region of perpetual congelation,
would constitute an everlasting barrier to the passage
of hostile armies between the valley of the Mississippi
and that of the Columbia ; for all the journals and nar-
ratives of the early explorers of this gloomy region, are
replete with the sufferings and privations of those
who made the passage. The accounts given us by
Lewis and Clarke, Andrew Henry, Wilson P. Hunt,
Ramsay Crooks, and many others, seemed to have
placed this beyond the possibility of a doubt. But of
this we shall see. One of its loftiest peaks has been
mounted by a traveller after incessant toil. The pros-
pect presenting itself and the feelings of the beholder,
are given in the gorgeous language of Irving :

214

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

: ; I

" * Here a scene burst upon the view of Captain
Bonneville, that for a time astonished and ovcrwlieluied
him with its immensity. He stood, in fact, upon that
dividing ridge, which Indians regard as the crest of the
world ; and on each side of which the landscape de-
clines to the two cardinal oceans of the world. Which-
ever way he turned his eye, be was confused by the
vastness and variety of objects. Beneath him the
Rocky Mountains seemed to open rugged defiles and
foaming torrents ; while, beyond their savage precincts,
the eye was lost in an almost innueasurable landscape,
stretching on every side into dim and hazy distance like
the expanse of a summer sea. Whichever way he
looked he beheld vast plains glimmering with reflected
sunshine ; mighty streams wandering on their shining
course towards either ocean, and snowy mountains,
chain beyond chain, and peak beyond peak, they melted
like clouds into the horizon. For a time the Indian
fable seemed to be realized. He had obtained that
height from which the Black Foot warrior, after death,
catches a view of the land of souls, and beholds the
happy hunting-grounds spread out before him, bright-
ening with the abodes of free and generous spirits.'
This line of continuous mountains, when viewed at a
distance, every where seems impassable : the mind
shrinks or recoils from such frowning and forbidding
obstacles. But within ten or fifteen years, passes of

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

215

such gentle slope have been discovered that loaded
wagons easily traverse them.

" From the valley of the River Platte, General Ashley
passed to the opposite valleys of waters that fall into
the Great Bear Lake.

" The waters of this great internal sea are nmch more
brackish than that of the ocean. He descended, in
canoes, one of the rivers that disembogued into it,
which was 150 miles in length; and on coasting the
lake, he found it 100 miles long, and from 60 to 80
wide. Since then, the passage of the Rocky Mountains
has become an affair of ordinary occuiTence, and even
perforaied by delicate females.

" A vast chain of mountains commences at the
southern extremity of the American continent, which
ranges along the borders of the Pacific Ocean, and after
ihreadivg the Isthmus of Darien, passes, with various
altitudes through Guatemala, Mexico and its provinces,
California, Oregon, and finally disappears in the Arctic
region. The northern portion is called the Rocky or
Stony Mountains, which rise in abrupt ruggedness on
the side of the great North American plains, and ap-
parently formed at a remote period in the history of the
world, on its eastern face, the walls to a vast internal
sea, the bed of which was the valley of the Mississippi ;
whilst from its western flanks the descent is in regular

' 'ill ft

216

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

1:'

teiTaces to the ocean. The northern extremity of this
great spine of the world, gives origin to some of the
nol)lest rivers of the globe, the Missouri, Saskatchawine,
Peace, Columbia, &c.

" Navigators, early as well as recent, portray the
country in glowing language, and dwell with delight on
the lovely variety of hill and dale, fertility of soil, noble
forests, amenity of landscape, pure limpid streams
flowing through the land ; but above all, they dwell
with the greatest satisfaction on the soft climate of this
delightful coast. Cook, Dixon, Portlock, Vancouver,
Langsdorf, Kotzebue, and many others, unite in the
same opinion as to the benignity of the chmate, which
varies widely from that on the opposite coast of the
Atlantic Ocean, where, in the winter and spring seasons,
in the same parallels of latitude, storm, hail, snow, and
sleet hold sullen sway.

il-'

" Mr. Prevost says that, * the climate to the south-
ward of 53°, assumes a mildness unknown in the same
latitude on the eastern side of the continent. Without
digressing to s])eculate upon the cause, I will merely
state that sucli^is particularly the fact in 46° 16', the
site of Port CS&g^. ' The mercury during the winter
seldom descends below the freezing point ; when it does
so, it is rarely stationary for any number of days, and

■?■! : t

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

217

the severity of the season is more determined by the
quantity of water than by its congelation. The rains
usually commence with November, and continue to fall
partially until the latter end of March or the beginning
of April. A benign spring succeeds, and when the
summer heats obtain, they are so tempered with showers
as seldom to^ suspend vegetation. I found it luxuriant
on my arrival, (October 1, 1818,) and during a fort-
night's stay, experienced no change of weather to retard
its course.'

W T^ W ^ ^ 7^ 7^ l|t 7^

" In conclusion, the committee would remark, that
the title of the United States to the Territory of Oregon
is, in their opinion, beyond doubt ; that its possession
is important in our commercial and Indian relations ;
that it is in danger of being lost by delay, and so
viewing it, they hope the Executive will take steps to
bring the controversy on this subject with England to
a speedy termination. In the mean time, they have re-
ported a bill, authorizing the President to employ in
that quarter such portions of the army and navy of the
United States as he may deem necessary for the pro-
tection of the persons and property of those who may
reside in that country."

The reports of travellers and navigators in regard
to the fertility of the soil and the beauty of the climate
of distant and newly discovered lands, are proverbial..

< '

H'-

i '

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218

LIFE OF DE LINN.

and a little of the color of the rose may have been
thrown into their accounts of the Columbia or Oregon
coimtry, which was transferred to Dr. Linn's report.
But the real value of the country in a commercial and
political point of view, was by no means over-estimated.
Dr. Linn saw this with the eye of a statesman ; he saw
that if the United States government did not act
promptly in the matter, England, pursuing with steady
perseverance her policy of grasping nnportant positions
in every quarter of the globe, would secure this country
to herself, and would, in that case, exercise a controlling
and dangerous influence over all the fierce tribes of In-
dians in the northwest and in the Rocky Mountains,
whom she could at any time incite to commit depreda-
tions upon the people living along our western and
northwestern borders. lie saw, too, that the great fur
trade of the Rocky Mountains and northwest, so profit-
able to those engaged in it, and the means by which a
very great influence was exercised over the Indians,
would be taken wholly from us, and monopolized by
the British Hudson's Bay Company, which had already
established forts and trading posts in various parts of
it, and had large establishments on the Columbia river,
Puget's Sound, &c.

But though he pressed this subject upon the atten-
tion of the Senate with zeal and earnestness. Dr. L.
was unable to procure the passage of his bill at this

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

219

time. It was not his nature, however, to give up the
ship because he could not immediately command suc-
cess, and he therefore continued his exertions iu this
cause session after session, and Congress after Congress,

Early in the next session, on the 11th Dec., 1838,
he introduced a bill to authorize the occupation of the
Columbia or Oregon Territory, which was read twice
and referred to a special committee consisting of Mr.
Linn, chairman, Mr. Calhoun, Mr. Clay oi Ky.,Mr.
IFalker and Mr. Pierce.

On the 28th of January, 1839, he presented the
following memorial from the citizens of the Oregon
Tenitory, which was ordered to be printed.

M'''

To the honorable the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives of the United States of America.

The undersigned, settlers soalu of the Columbia
river, beg leave to represent to your honorable body,
that our settlement, begun in the year eighteen hundred
and thirty-two, has hitherto prospered beyond the most
sanguine expectations of its first projectors. The pro-
ducts of our fields have amply justified the most
flattering descriptions of the fertility of the soil, Avhile
the facilities which it affords for rearing cattle, are, per-
haps, exceeded by no country in North America. The
people of the United States, we believe, are not gen-
erally apprised of the extent of valuable country west

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

of the Rocky Mountains. A large portion of the
territory from the Columbia river south, to the bound-
ary line between the United States and the Mexican
Republic, and extending from the coast of the Pacific
about two hundred and fifty or three hundred miles to
the interior, is either well supplied with timber, or
adapted to pasturage or agriculture. The fertile valleys
of the AVallamette and Umpqua are varied with prairies
and woodland, and intersected by abundant lateral
streams, presenting facilities for machinery. Perhaps
no country of the same latitude is favored with a climate
so mild. The winter rains, it is true, are an objection ;
but they are generally preferred to the snows and intense
cold which prevail in the northern parts of the United
States. The ground is seldom covered with snow, nor
does it ever remain but a few houri.

We need hardly allude to the commerical advantages
of the territory. Its happy position for trade Avith
China, India, and the western coasts of America, will
be readily recognised. Tiie growing importance, how-
ever, of the islands of the Pacific is not so generally
known and appreciated. At. these islands progress in
civilization, their demand for the produce of more
northern climates will increase. Nor can any country
supply them with beef, flour, &c., on terms so advan-
tageous as this. A very successful effort has been re-
cently made at the Sandwich Islands in the cultivation

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

221

of coffee and the sugar cane. A colony here will, in
time, thence easily derive these articles and other tropical
products in exchange for the produce of their own labor.

We have thus briefly alluded to the natural resources
of the country, and to its external relations. They are,
in our opinion, strong inducements for tlie government
of the United States to take formal and speedy posses-
sion. We urge this step as promishig to the general
interests of the nation. But the advantages it may
confer upon us, and the evils it may avert from our
posterity, are incalculable.

Our social intercourse has thus far been prosecuted
with reference to the feelings of honor, to the feeling
of dependence on the Hudson's Bay Company, and to
their moral influence. Under this state of things we
have thus far prospered, but we cannc*; hope tliat it will
continue. The agriculture and other resources of the
country cannot fail to induce emigration and connnerce.
As our settlement begins to draw its supplies through
other channels, the feeling of dependence upon the
Hudson's Bay Company, to which we have alluded as
one of the safeguards of our social intercoui-se, will
b3gin to diminish. We are anxious w'hen we iuiagine
what will be, what must be, the condition of so mixed
a comnmnity, free from all legal restraint, and superior
to that moral influence which has hitherto been the
pledge of our .safety.

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

Our interests are identified with those of the
country of our adoption. We flatter ourselves that we
are the germ of a great State, and are anxious to give
an early tone to the moral and intellectual character of
its citizens. We are fully aware, too, that the destinies
of our posterity will be intimately affected by the char-
acter of those who emigrate to the country. The ter-
ritory must populate. The Congress of the United
States must say by whom. The natural resources of
the country, with a well-judged civ 1 code, will invite a
good community. But a good community will hardly
emigrate to a country which promises no protection for
life or property. Inquiries have already been submitted
to some of us for information of the country. In re-
turn we can only speak of a country highly favored of
nature. We can boast of o civil code. We can
promise no protection but the ulterior resort of self-
defence. By whom, then, shall our country be popu-
lated ? By the reckless and unprincipled adventurer !
not by the hardy and enterprising pioneer of the West.
By the Botany Bay refugee, by the renegade of civiU-
zation from the Rocky Mountains, by the profligate
deserted seaman from Polynesia, and the unprincipled
sharpars from South America. Well we are assured
that it will cost the government of the United States
more to reduce ele nents so discordant to social order
than to promote our permanent peace ajid prosperity

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

223

by a timely action of Congress. Nor can we suppose
that so vicious a population could 1>3 relied on in case of
a rupture between the United States and any other
power.

Oui' intercourse with the natives among us, guided
much by the same influence which has promoted har-
mony among ourselves, has been generally pacific. But
the same causes which will inten'upt harmony among
ourselveij, will also interrupt our friendly relations
with the natives. It is, therefore, of primary im-
portance both to them and us, that the government
should take energetic measures to secure the execution
of all laws affecting Indian trade and the intercourse of
white men and Indians. We have thus briefly shown
that the security of our persons and our property, the
hopes and destinies of our children, are involved iv the
objects of our petition. We do not presume to suggest
the manner in which the country should be occupied
by the government, nor the extent to which our settle-
mont should be encouraged. We confide in the wisdom
;if ^ur national legislators ; and leave the subject to
ihiir candid deliberations, and yoiu* petitioners will ever
pray.

(Signod) J. S. Whitcomb, and 35 others, March
16, 1838.

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Upon the motion of Dr. Linn the memorial was
ordered to be printed.

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224

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

i^n

i i

On the 22cl of February the bill to provide for the
protection of the citizens of the United States residing
in the Oregon Territory, or trading on the Columbia
river, was taken up, and Mr. Linn addressed the
Senate in its support.

Mr. Linn said he thought it time the government
of the United States stretched forth its protecting arm
to such of its citizens as now resided in the Oregon
Territory, a; 1 asserted our title to that country. That
the title of the id States was clear and indisputable
he had not the siiadow of a doubt ; this had been so
often and so clearly demonstrated that he should not
now detain the Senate by any remarks upon the subject.

By the convention of 1818, between the United
States and Great Britain, indefinitely continued by that
of 1828, it was agreed that both countries should have
concurrent possession and jiu'isdiction of the Oregon
Territory. But this convention has been, and now is,
a nullity to us ; for Great Britain, through the medium
of the Hudson's Bay Company, has built and armed
several forts in advantageous positions in that country,
equipped s\n\)s, erected houses and improved farms ;
and has opened a trade with all the tribes of Indians
on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains as far
south as the Gulf of California. Their hunters and
trappers have penetrated all the valleys and glens of the
Rocky Mountains, scattering arms and munitions of war,

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

005

and fomenting discontent against the United States in
the br oms of those Indian tribes. They have driven
our people from the Indian trade, wliich yielded seven
or eight hundred thousand dollars per annum, and even
pushed their operations east of the Rocky Mountains
to the great Mississippi valley.

To all these aggressions we have tamely submitted,
and still tamely submit, though he hoped the extreme
point of forbearance would soon be reached, and our
government would assert and maintain its rights.

The haughty, grasping, unjust spirit of Great Britain
was ever manifest ; she had mined or driven us from
our fur trade, which she now monopolizes, and seems
disposed to appropriate the splendid pine forests of
Maine to her own use. This grasping spirit must be
checked.

As regards this bill, Mr. L. said he should make no
motion ; leaving it in the hands of the Senate, as many
esteemed friends around and near him seemed to think
that, at this critical juncture, its passage might be mis-
construed. But he pledged himself not to permit our
claims to this territory to slumber.

On motion of Mr. Wright the bill was committed
to the Committee on Foreign Relations ; and on motion
of Mr. Tallmadge, 5000 extra copies were ordered to
be printed.

At this time there was a controversy between the
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226

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

United States and Great Jiritain in regard to the North-
eastern Boundary between the two countries ; great
excitement prevailed among the people of Maine, and
troops had been, or were soon after, called out by the
Governor of that State and marched to the territory in
dispute, to defend it against British aggression, both
parties claiming jurisdiction o»v.r it, and were under-
taking to enforce their own laws upon the people. This
was the " critical juncture " to Avhich Dr. Linn alluded,
and which induced him to refrain from pressing the bill
at this session.

On the 8th of January, 1841, Dr. Linn again
brought the subject of Oregon before the Senate, by
moving a joint resolution of which he had given previous
notice, to authorize the adoption of measures for the
occupation and settlement of the territory, and for ex-
tending certain portions of the laws of the United States
over the same.

Mr. Linn said that when his bill was up at the last
session for discussion, both political friends and oppo-
nents pressed him to forbear urging it during the nego-
tiations with the British government for the adjustment
of another question, from a fear of embarrassing its
settlement. Though this was not at the time convincing
to him, it was sufficient that it was the advice of gen-
tlemen of experience, and ho had acted in accordance
with it. . But he now desired that measures should be

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LIFE OP DR. LINN.

227

speedily adopted to secuie o'lr rights in that ten-itory.
If his memory served him correctly, England, pending
the negotiations at Ghent, had been willing to purchase
the territory ; he did not mean to say there was any
formal offer made, but, finding that no such arrange-
ment could be entered into, she had progressed step
by step in her encroachments, until she now presented
a bold claim where she had not a shadow of right ; and
such he believed would be the case as long as she was
allowed to occupy any portion of the territory. Great
Britain had extended her possessions gradually from the
extreme branch of the Columbia River to the Pacific
Ocean.

On the 18th December, 1839, Dr. Linn called
the attention of the Senate to the subject by sub-
mitting a series of resolutions which were referred to a
select committee, from which, on the 31st of March
following, 1840, he reported a substitute which asserted
the title of the United States, authorized the President
to take such measures as might be necessary to protect
the persons and property of citizens of the United
States resident therein, and to erect a line of military
posts from Fort Leavenworth to the Rocky Mountains
for the protection of Indian traders. It provided also,
that when the boundaries should be settled, one thou-
sand acres of land shall be granted to each white male

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

inhabitant of eighteen years of age ; and for the ap-
pointment of an Indian agent for that territory.

On the 28th of April he introduced, on leave, a bill
to extend a portion of the laws of the United States
over the Territory of Oregon ; and on his motion, May
24th, his Oregon resolutions were made the special
order of the day for that day two weeks ; but it does
not appear that the day ever arrived, as nothing fiuther
is recorded as having been done during that session.
Why it was so is not now easy to say, but Dr. Linn
found the task he had undertaken in regard to Oregon
a Sisyphean labor ; a toil eveiy session to be renewed,
and never ended ; nor was the accomplishment of the
object at which he aimed, destined to cheer his spirits,
gladden his heart, or reward him for his unremitting
toil.

By a letter he had recently received, he learned that
the Hudson's Bay Company was introducing emigrants
from England and other parts by the way of Cape
Horn; they brought shepherds and placed them on
farms ; they had erected forts on the Territory of Oregon,
and had pushed their establishments on the south to
California, and on the east to the Bocky Mountains ;
and by an act of Parliament, a portion of the criminal
law of Great Britain was extended up to the very con-
fines of Missouri and Arkansas. Now, if we have a
just right to that territory, he was not the man to say it

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229

should be abandoned to any pow^r on earth ; he was
for chiiming and exercising our rights, and cxchuling
those who were so insidiously, perseveringly, and auda-
ciously endeavoring to gain possession of a country to
which they had not the least pretence of a claim.

The joint resolution having been twice read, was
referred to a select committee of five, to wit : Mr. Linn,
Mr. Walker, Mr. Preston, Mr. Pierce, and Mr. Sevier :
from which committee Mr. Linn reported the resolution
without amendment to the Senate on the 14th of
January.

But it does not appear that the subject came up for
consideration during this, the short session of Congress,
it being probably prevented by the usual press of the
ordinary business of legislation. Dr. Linn had pledged
himself, however, and had thus far proved faithful to
his pledge, not to let the subject sleep, and oiu* just
claims to the country to be rendered nugatory by
neglect ; and he was not the man to give up the pur-
suit of a just and national cause, so long as there was
a possibility of attaining his object.

Again, at the extra session of Congress, August
2d, 1841, Dr. Linn brought the subject before the
Senate, by submitting a resolution that the President
of the United States be requested to give the notice to
the British Government which the convention of 1827
between the two governments requires, in order to put

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

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an end to the treaty for the joint occupation of the
Territory of Oregon west of the Rocky Mountains, and
which territory is now possessed and used by the Hud-
son's Bay Company, to the ruin of the American In-
dian and fur trade in that quarter, and conflicting with
our inland commerce with the internal provinces of
Mexico.

Subsequently the resolution came up, when, upon
the motion of Mr. Morehead of Ky., and by the ac-
quiescence of th'^ mover, it was so amended as to direct
the Committee on Foreign Relations " to inquire into the
expediency of requesting the President," &c., in which
form it was adopted. But it does not appear that the
committee to whom the subject was referred ever made
any report.

Early in the next session, Dec. 16th, 1841, Dr. Linn
again moved in the matter, by introducing a bill to
authorize the adoption of measures for the occupation
and settlement of the Territory of Oregon, for extending
certain portions of the laws of the United States over
the same, and for other purposes, which v as referred to
a select conmiittee ; and on the 4th of January, sub-
mitted a resolution similar to that which he offered on
the 2d of August preceding, mentioned above These,
the bill and resolution, came up for discussion on several
occas'Dns during the session, when, on the 31st of
AugrtL t ('42), Mr. Linn addi-essed the Senate in support

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

231

of his bill concerning the occupation of the Oregon
Territory.

Remarks of Mr. Linn of Missouri, in Senate of the
United States, August 31s^, 1842, concerning the
occupation of the Oregon Territory.

Mr. Linn said that he was instructed by the Select
Committee on the Territory of Oregon, to ask to be
discharged from the further considemtion of the memo-
rials which he held in his hand ; and, before putthig
the question, he asked the attention of the Senate to a
few remarks, which he felt it was his imperative duty
to make upon this interesting subject of the Territory
of Oregon. Besides this bundle of memorials praying
Congress to take steps to assert our title to the Terri-
tory, and to enact measures to encourage emigration,
he said the Legislatures of two or three States had
passed resolutions asking Congress to assert our rights
to the country we claimed on the western ocean, and
to take such other steps as the urgency of the case
seemed to demand.

He had also in his possession hundreds upon hun-
dreds of letters from every quarter of the Union, making
anxious inquiries as to what was doing, and what was
likely to be done by Congress, relative to this long-
agitated and long-deferred question. It was due to
his correspondents, his constituents, and to the country

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LIFE OP DR. LINN.

generally, to let them know the present posture of this
business here. You will recollect, Mr. President, that
at a very early day in this session, I asked lea^'c of the
Senate to introduce a bill to authorize the adoption of
measiu'es for the occupation and settlement of the Ter-
ritoiy of Oregon ; for extending certain portions of the
laws of the United States over the same, and for other
purposes.

The preamble of the bill reads thus :

'* Whereas, the title of the United States to the
Territory of Oregon is certain, and will not be aban-
doned."

This declaration was important to the citizens of
the United States who reside in the Territory — now
amounting to fifteen hundred or two thousand persons.
To many on the road to the Territory, and to thousands
who were preparing- to move to that region, it was an
assurance that, although upon the verge, the extremest
verge of this Republic, the Government of the United
States would not abandon them to any foreign power.

The next paragraph of the bill authorized the
President of the United States " to cause to be erected
at suitable places and distances, a line of military posts
from some point on the Missoiui River into the best
pass for entering the valley of the Oregon ; and, also,
at or near the mouth of the Columbia River."

The estabUshment of such a line of posts had been

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

233

thought of by himself for several years ])ast — had been
recommended by Mr, Poinsett ; by the President of
the United States in his message at the opening of the
present session ; and also by the Secretary of War.
The necessity of the establishment of a military post
at the mouth of the Columbia woidd arrest the atten-
tion of the most casual observer. It was hnportant as
a nucleus around which our infant colonies could be
firndy established ; but, above all, as a naval station,
where our vast commerce in the Pacific ocean could
take shelter in time of war, and refit in time of j)eace.

The line of military posts from the Missouri River
to the Rocky Mountains woidd serve a triple purpose —
protection to the frontiers of Missoiu'i and Arkansas ;
protection to the Mexican trade and the fur trade ; and
aiFord assistance to emigrants on their route to the
Territory of Oregon.

For the purpose of ascertaining the best points for
these posts. Lieutenant Fremont had been despatched
by the War Department early in the summer, whose
return is not expected before the month of November
next. From the known abilities of this gentleman, we
expec*^ much valuable and interestmg information relat-
ing to the valley of the river Platte ; which river empties
into the Missouri River, and v/hose sources almost
interlock with the branches of the Columbia River, in
the great southern passes of the Rocky Mountains.

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

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The next paragraph of this bill provides " that six
hundred and forty acres of land shall be granted to
every white male inhabitant of said Tenitory, of the
age of eighteen years and upwards, who shall cultivate
and use the same for five consecutive years, or to his
heir or heirs-at-law, if such there be."

This, Mr. Linn said, would be nothing more than
a mere liberal donation to the early pioneers of the
desert. It was the principle upon which France and
Spain, and, indeed, every other European nation who
had made settlements upon this continent, had pro-
ceeded. It was upon this foundation the " Old Thir-
teen" had been built up, an' upon which policy they
were wiabled to contend successfully with the mightiest
power in the world.

With such examples before us, surely we shall not
pursue a less liberal course than that of om' forefathers.
Emigrants may, therefore, reasonably expect that, what-
ever bill may pass, this pi.jvision, or some one like it,
will be preserved in it.

The next provides " that the President is hereby
authorized and required to appoint two additional In-
dian Agents, with a salary of fifteen hundred dollars
each, whose duty it shall be (under his direction and
control) to superintend the interests of the United
States with any or every Indian tribe west of any
agency now established by law."

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LIFE OF DR. LINN,

235

Hitherto, the British Government — or rather its
agents, the Hudson's Bay Company — have had un-
Umited control over the Territory and its resources —
have erected forts at the most hnportant points — estab-
Ushed trading-posts over the Territory — ^built trading-
vessels — traded in lumber with the Sandwich Islands —
in provisions with the Russians of the north — trapped
the mountain's streams for their beaver -swept the
coast of the valuable sea-otter — established valuable
salmon fisheries on the Columbia — and exercised ex-
clusive dominion over all the tribes of Indians west of
the Rocky Mountains. It was time the people of the
United States should participate in these advantages.
It was time they should have agents, thus qualified, to
give the government geographical, mineralogical, and all
other information touching the Territory and its natural
resources; and link, by the ties of treaties, all the tribes
of Indians west of the Rocky Mountains with the gov-
ernment of the United States.

Mr. L. said at this moment he could do nothing
more than just touch upon the various features of the bill.

The next section of the bill will speak for itself.

In the numerous communications wiiich he had
received from various individuals, all speuk of the impor-
tance of military protection, but dwell with earnestness
upon the absolute necessity of extending some portions
of the laws of the United States over the Territorv.

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

In the opinion of the committee, it Avas thought
that the second, third, and fourth sections of the bill
would be the most effective in the present condition of
things, that could be devised ; which are as follows :

"Sec. 2. That the civil and criminal jurisdiction of
the supreme court and district courts of the Territory
of Iowa be, and the same is hereby extended over that
part of the Indian territories lying west of the present
limits of the said Territory of Iowa, and south of the
forty -ninth degree of north latitude, and east of the
Rocky Mountains, and north of the boundary line
between the United States and the Republic of Texas,
not included within the limits of any State ; and also
over the Indian territories comprising the Rocky Moun-
tains, and the country between them and the Pacific
Ocean, south of fifty -four degrees and forty minutes of
north latitude, and "»orth of the forty-second degree of
ncrth latitude ; and justices of the peace may be ap-
pointed for the said territory, in the same manner and
with the same powers as are now provided by law in
relation to the Territory of Iowa : Provided, that any
subject of the government of Great Britain, who shaU
have been arrested under the provisions of this act for
any crime alleged to have been committed within the
territory westward of the Stony or Rocky Mountains,
while the same remained free and open to the vessels,
citizens, and subjects of the United States and of Great

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

237

Britain, pursuant to stipulations between the two
powers, shall be delivered up, on proof of his being
such British subject, to the nearest or most convenient
authorities, having cognizance of such offence by the
laws of Great Britain, for the purpose of being prose-
cuted and tried according to such laws.

" Sec. 3. Afid be it further enacted, that two associate
judges of the supreme court of the Territory of Iowa,
in addition to the number now authorized by law, shall
be appointed in the same manner, hold their offices by
the same tenure and for the same time, receive the same
rompensation, and possess all the powers and authority
confirmed by law upon the associate judges of the said
territory ; and two judicial districts shall be organized
by tiie said supreme court, in addition to the existing
number in reference to the jurisdiction conferred by this
act ; and district courts shall be heh^ in the said dis-
tricts by one of the judges of the su|)reine court at
such times and places as the said court shall direct ;
and the said district courts shall possess all the pow ers
and authority invested in the present district courts of
the said territory, and may, in like manner, appoint
their own clerks.

" Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, that any justice
of the peace, appointed in and for the territories de-
scribed in the first section of this act, shall have power
to cause all offenders against the laws of the United

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

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States to be arrested by such persons as they shall ap-
point for that purpose, and to commit such offenders
to safe custody for trial, in the same cases and in tlie
manner provided by law in relation to the territories of
the United States or any of l^.iem ; and to cause tlie
offenders so committed to be conveyed to the place ap-
pointed for the holding of a district court for the said
Territory of Iowa, nearest and most convenient to the
place of such conuuitraent, there to be detained for
trial by such persons as shall be authorized for that
purpose by any judge of the supreme court, or any
justice of the peace of the said territory; or where
such offenders are British subjects, to cause them to be
delivered to the nearest or most convenient British
authorities as hereinbefore provided ; and the expenses
of such commitment, removal and detention, shall be
paid in the same manner, as is provided by law in
respect to the fees of the marshal of the said territory."

The committee unanimously instructed their chair-
man to report this bill back to the Senate with the re-
commendation that it pass. It was then placed in its
order upon the calendar; but before it came up for
consideration as a special order, Lord Ashburton arrived
from England to enter upon a negotiation touching all
points of dispute between the two countries — boun-
daries as well n«? others ; Oregon as well as Maine,

In that posture of affairs, it was considered on all

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

239

hands indelicate (not to say imwise) to press the bill
to a decision whilst these negotiations were pending.
They are now over, and a treaty is published to the
world, between the United States and Great Britain ;
in which it seems that the question of the Oregon
Territory has been deferred to some more remote or
auspicious period for an ultimate decision. He said
he vas confident that there were majorities in both
branches of Congress in favor of this bill ; and he felt
equally certain that it would have passed this session
but for the arrival of Lord Ashburton, and the penden jy
of the negotiations which terminated a short period
since. He should deem it his imperative duty at an
early day of the coming session to bring in the same
bill, and press it to a final decision. That the decision
would be favorable, he did not entertain the slightest
doubt; and he took great pleasure in making that
opinion public (as far as his opinion was of any weight),
for the satisfaction of all those who may take an interest
in the occupation of this new and beautiful country,
the germ of future States, to be settled by the Anglo-
Amercan race, and which will extend our limits from
the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

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Again Mr. Linn was urged by friends not to press
the consideration of this bill upon the Senate at this
session, on account of the negotiations that were then

240

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

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pending between Great Britain and the United States,
Lord Ashburton then being in Washington as a special
minister extraordinary from that government to ours ;
and again he yielded to their urgent solicitations against
his own anxious desire that some measure should be
adopted by Congress to assert and preserve our rights,
and protect our people in Oregon.

Early in the next session Dr. Linn, true to the
pledge he had voluntarily given, not to permit our
clahns to this country to slumber, brought up his bill
again in the Senate, and pressed it with great ardor
and perseverance, and on various occasions combated
the objections made to it by several senators, and urged
with force and eloquence ; among these were Mr. Cal-
houn, Mr. Archer, Mr. McDuffie, Mr. Crittenden, Mr.
Conrad, Mr. Choate, and Mr. Berrien ; but he was
ably supported by his colleagues, Mr. Benton, Mr.
Young, Mr. Walker, Mr. Sevier, Mr. Buchanan, and
Mr. Phelps.

After much conflict the bill was passed by the
Senate, Feb. 6, 1843, by a vote of 24 to 22.

Thus, after laboring incessantly for five years, from
the 7th of Feb. 1838, when he first brought in a bill
authorizing the occupation of Oregon, he at last had
the satisfaction of seeing his bill passed by the Senate,
and his persevering efforts crowned at least with partial

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241

success. Well might he feel a just pride and a throb
of joy, and well might his friends congratulate him
upon the passage of that measure he had taken so deep
and lively an interest in, and the consummation of which
seemed to be the most important object of his public
life. Speaking of this measure, Colonel Benton as
magnanimously as truthfully said in his speech at St.
Louis, at a meeting of the citizens convened to testify
their respect for the memory of Dr. Linn, " But how
can I omit the last great act as yet unfinished, in which
his whole soul was engaged at the time of his death ?
The bill for the settlement and occupation of Oregon
was his, and he carried it through the Sen: lo when his
colleague, who now addresses you, could not have done
it. This is another historical truth fit to be made
known on this occasion, and which is now declared to
this large and respectable assembly under all the cir-
cumstances which impart solemnity to the declaration.
He carried that bill through the Senate, and it was the
measure of a statesman. Just to the settler, it was
wise to the government. ********
Alas, that he should not have been spared to put the
finishing hand to a measure which was to reward the
emigrant, to protect his country, to curb England, and
to connect his own name with the foundation of an
empire. But it is done ! the unfinished work will go

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

on ; it will be completed, and the name of Linn will
not be forgotten ; that name will live and be connected
with Oregon while its banks bear a plant, or its waters
roll a wave."

And the work did go on. Dr. Linn had given it
such an impetus that it could not stop. He had
aroused the public mind to the importance of securing
this beautiful and valuable country from the grasp of
Great Britain. The people demanded that the govern-
ment should take possession of and occupy it ; that
it should be secured to us, and to us exclusively ; and
that an American government should be estabhshed
there for the protection of American citizens, which has
been done. That country is now our own exclusively ;
and out of it have been formed two territories, Oregon
and Washington, which will ere long come into the
great republican family of States, and become the seat
of agriculture, manufactures, commerc learning and
wealth.

Well might Col. Benton pronounce the great work
undertaken by Dr. Linn, and so long persevered in,
" the measure of a statesman." With that measure is
his name inseparably connected ; and so long as the
green hills of Oregon and Washington are covered with
flocks and herds, and their fruitful valleys wave with
golden harvests, will the name of Linn be held in grate-

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243

ful remembrance by every American who proudly sur-
veys the majestic hills, the rich valleys, the noble stj'eams,
the gigantic forests, and the deep and spacious bays of
the Noi*th-West, and exultingly exclaims,

" This is my own, my native land."

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CHAPTER V.

DUELLING. — THE CILLEY DUEL.

On the 24th day of February, 1838, took place an
event in the vicinity of the city of Washington which
shocked the pubHc mind over the whole country, and
cast a gloom upon every countenance within the limits
of the national metropolis. Such was the deep and
solemn impression made by the tragical event alluded
to, that it still lingers in the memory of those who were
then upon the stage of action, and a recurrence to the
subject again brings up something of the painful emo-
tions so keenly felt at the time.

Tlie reader will understand that I allude lo the
death of the Hon. Jonathan Cilley, a member of the
House of Representatives from the State of Maine, in
a duel with Mr. Graves, a representative in Congress
from the State of Kentucky ; commonly called " the
Cilley duel."

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Growing as it did out of the heated poUtical con-
flicts of the day, and taking place between two gentle-
men between whom there existed no enmity whatever,
and had been no controversy of any kind, — upon a
mere punctilio, resulting in the death of one who bore
malice against no human being, least of all against him
by whose hand he fell, who was equally free from all
unkind feeling towards him, every circumstance attend-
ing the tragedy was calculated to produce deep and
painful sensations.

The subject was brought before the House, referred
to a select committee to investigate and inquire into the
facts and report to the House, which was done, and a
bill was brought in, passed, and sent to the Senate for
the prevention and punishment of duelling in the Dis-
trict of Columbia. This bill having been taken up for
consideration in the Senate,

Mr. Clayton expressed his objections to duelling
in a very pointed manner, and his sincere desire to do
all in his power to suppress it. He very much doubted,
however, the efficacy of the bill before them. Such
was the severity of some of its provisions, that it would
be next to impossible to procure conviction under it.
One of the provisions sought to make the sending of a
challenge felony, which was only a misdemeanor in the
eye of the common law. He admitted the practice of
duelling to be both illegal and immoral ; yet he con-

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LIFE OP DR. LINN.

tended that it was not of that class of crime which
should subject the oiFender to the cell of a penitentiary,
and make him the associate of the vilest felons. There
was nothing in the offence that was either base, or mean,
or sordid ; neither were likely to be engaged in it persons
whom we would dare to send to a penitentiary to be
classed with thieves and vagabonds. The moral sense
of the community would be shocked at such a measure,
and such a law would be rendered a mere nullity from
the hiterference of the executive prerogative. He de-
precated duelling, and would go all reasonable lengths
against it, and he thought some legal provision necessary.
He would vote for the bill as amended by the judiciary
committee, though he believed it would not have the
good effect its friends designed.

Mr. Linn said the senator from Delaware (Mr.
Clayton) had treated the subject with so much sound
practical sense, that little else could be said on the sub-
ject. Wliat community (asked Mr. L.) could be found
that would pronounce a man either a murderer or a
felon, who might have chanced to kill another in fair
and equal combat ? He was persuaded that no man
acting on his responsibility as a juror would render
such a verdict. Many of the States had passed severe
penal laws in relation to this matter, and yet in what
State had they been enforced? Other States had
adopted milder remedies, such as disfranchisement of

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247

citizenship, rendering the guilty for ever incapable of
hoUliiig any office of honor, trust or profit; and such
laws he maintained had a more wholesome action than
those severe and unjust enactments, because the one
was generally carried into effect, while the other Avcre
but a dead letter upon the statute book. To illustrate
the effect of public opinion on this subject, Mr. L. in-
stanced a case that had taken place in his own State,
where a small man, for a supposed offence, was cruelly
lashed by a large one, the residt of which was a chal-
lenge and a duel in which the first assailant fell mortally
wounded. The survivor was found guilty under the
laws of Missouri, when a petition signed by an immense
number was presented to the legislature for his pardon,
and this was granted almost by acclamation. And
such, said Mr. L., would be the result in all cases where
the law inflicts penalties against which the public feeling
revolts. He was aware that duelling was not defensible
upon the principles of Christianity, neither was war, and
yet how frequently had war been engaged in by Chris-
tian nations. If such a bill could be introduced as
would strike at the root of the evil, and one whose
penalties would be likely to be enforcec", he would
cheerfully give i : his support.

Mr. Smith of Conn, having spoken long and vehe-
mently in favor of the biU, and denomirated duellists
murderers and assassins,

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

Mr. Linn replied, repudiating the idea of calling
men murderers and felons because they had fought
duels ; some of the purest and best men on earth, he
said, had been engaged in them, and were tiiey to be
so stigmatized? The question before them was, how
the practice of duelling could be prevented ? and to
this he would answer, not by cruel and sanguinary laws
which would in no instance be carried into effect. lie
thought there were cases of deadly insult which few
men would not be ready to resent at all risks, whatever
the penalties aginst duelling might be ; and from the
warmth the gentleman from Connecticut had exhibited,
he was quite sure he woidd be one of the last men to
pass such an insiUt over unnoticed.

There was subsequently much discussion upon
amendments proposed to the bill, in which Mr, Linn
took part. It finally passed the Senate without a
division ; its title being, " a bill to prohibit the giving
or accepting, within the District of Columbia, of a chal-
lenge to fight a duel, and for the punishment thereof."
This became, and is now, a law. Whether this law,
or the " Cilley duel " has had the effect to render duelhng
less frequent in the District of Columbia, there may be
differences of opinion ; but that no duel has since
taken place within the District, is a fact well known.
Several challenges have passed, however, between mem-
bers of Congress, and one dud (Oetween Mr. Chngman

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

249

and Mr. Yancey) has been fought outside of the Dis-
trict ; happily with no injury to either party.

Dr. Linn said in the course of some remarks upon
the dueUing bill, that if gentlemen were determined to
fight a duel, this bill would not prevent them ; that
they could easily invite each other to take tea at some
place outside the District, or to meet them for some
other apparently harmless and legitimate purpose, but
with an understanding between them that it was for a
hostile purpose. And such has been the case in two
or three instances. Nevertheless it can hardly be
doubted that the obstacles which the law interposes,
and the penalties it inflicts have operated, in conjunc-
tion with public opinion, since " the Cilley duel," to
greatly, if not entirely, check the practice among mem-
bers of Congress. It is, however, to be observed that
the practice of duelling is, and has been for twenty
years past, on the decrease in every section of the Union.

It may be the most fitting place here to mention,
that about three years after this period, namely, in
1841, Dr. Linn was himself drawn into an aflair of
this kind as the friend and second of one of the
parties. I refer to the well-remembered misunder-
standing between Mr. Clay, and Col. King of Ala-
bama. But while he acted as the second of the latter,
he was the friend of both, and used his best effcM'ts to
bring about an honorable and satisfactory miderstand-

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LIFE OF DR. LINN,

ing between these distinguished senators. Happily his
own, aided by the good offices of Mr. Archer, Mr.
Preston, and other friends of Mr. Clay, brought about
mutual explanations and a reconciliation, and averted a
hostile meeting.

OFFICIAL REPORTERS.

Dr. Linn, during the whole ten years he occupied
a seat in the Senate, devoted himself assiduously to the
business before the body, and especially to those sub-
jects that more immediately interested his own consti-
tuents and the people of the great West. It was ex-
ceedingly rare that he was absent from his seat when
a vote was taken j and in his constant attendance,
fidelity to his duties, and refraining from unnecessarily
occupying the time of the Senate in desultory talk or
long and elaborate speeches, he set an example which
the public have great reason to wish should be closely
followed by many who n.>w fill the places )f those who
have passed aAvay. Dr. Linn was absent on one occa-
sion, when a vote by ayes and noes was taken in the
Senate, on a subject on which he was desirous to re-
cord his vote. On retmiiing to the Senate Chamber,
and finding the vote had been taken in his absence, he
rose, and stated he should have been glad to have
recorded his vote, and the coiu-tesy of the Senate,
might, if appealed to, accord him the privilege of

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

251

doing so ; nevertheless, as he was absent, and as he
thought every Senator ought, if he could, to be present
whenever a vote was taken, he liould not ask the pri-
vilege of voting ; as a reason for his absence, he said he
had had occasion to step to his coinmittee room to get
a paper he then needed, not expecting that the vote
would be so soon taken; and thus he had deprived
himself of the privilege of voting.

Dr. Linn stated truly, and what every Senator
would bear cheerful witness to (June 17, 1840), that
" It was very seldom he trespassed upon the time or
the patience of the Senate, except on business, and
then he endeavored to use no more words than were
barely sufficient to explain to the Senate the subject he
had in hand, or the object he desired."

This casual remark, dropped unpremeditatedly,
presents to us the great rule and maxim of his sena-
torial life ; and it furnishes us with the reason why we
meet with so few speeches from him in the published
debates of the Senate, for the time he was a member
of the body. His purpose was, not to enlarge, elabo-
rate and expand the language which clothed his ideas,
like the ample folds which cover the diminutive body
of some fine lady, but to condense and compress them
into the fewest words possible. He indulged in no
ambitious desire to produce an effect or impression upon
the Senate or the galleries, by any display of rhetoric.

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" The applause of listening Senates to command,"

was neither his ambition nor his vocation ; though, from
the evidences he occasionally gave, no one could doubt
that had he been ambitious of a'3qiiiring reputation as
an orator, he could easily have i*ttained that object,
possessing as he did, a large fund of scientific, literary,
critical, and historical information, a lively hnagina-
tion, correct taste, an easy and copious flow of lan-
guage, a good voice, an impressive presence, and an
agreeable manner.

Od. the occasion of some complaint being made by
senators, of the incorrect manner in which their re-
marks were often reported, Dr. Linn said he did not
rise to make any complaint against the reporters on
either side of the House, but to say that the discussion
going on, proved conclusively to his mind, that the
reporters should be sworn officers of the Senate, and
compelled to fui'nish each member with notes of what
he said. "Our constituents," said Mr. L., "have a
right to know what we say, as well as what we do.
The journal showed all their votes, but what was said
in support or explanation of them, went to the public
in a very imperfect manner. He thought that the
body would see the propriety of his suggestion. If
this plan were adopted, each member would have notes
furnished him, and then the responsibility would no
longer rest on the reporters, but where it should, upon

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

253

those who spoke. Every difficulty would be obviated
by the course indicated, and each member held respon-
sible for the sentiments, opinions and facts, stated by
him in debate. He said he Avould be glad if some
member would move a resolution to appoint a com-
mittee to inquire into the eipedisncy of making
reporters sworn officers of the Senate.

In pursuance of this suggestion from the Senator
from Missouri, INIr. Walker said, he submitted the fol-
lowing resolution :

Besolved, That a select committee be appointed
to inquire into the propriety of selecting an equal num-
ber of reporters, of both political parties, who shall be
sworn to report correctly, as far as practicable, the pro-
ceedings of this body.

Though the Doctor's plan was not then carried into
effect, it has since been adopted with modifications, and
is now in operation. Every word now uttered in
either House of Congress, is taken down with wonder-
ful accuracy and despatch.

PRE-EMPTION TO SETTLERS ON THE PUBLIC LANDS.

In the subject of Pre-emption to settlers on the
Public Lands in the new States, Dr. Linn manifested
a warm interest, and devoted to it much time. There
were few of greater concern to the hardy pioneers who

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pushed forward beyond the conveniences of roads,
bridges, settlements, neighborhoods, schools, churches,
and medical aid, subduing the wilderness, marking out
the way and preparing it for the great wave of emigra-
tion, which advanced with such mighty force and
steady onward power in their rear. The subject came
frequently before Congress, and was much and ably
discussed. On the one side, it was contended, that
these pioneers were trespassers upon the pu1)lic lands,
that they went upon them in their own wrong, in defi-
ance of law, and for the pui-pose of securing for them-
selves and their families the choicest locations ; that, if
they suffered hardships and privations, no one, least of
all, had the government requested them to expose
themselves to these, or to push forward beyond and in
advance of the great stream of emigration and settle-
ment, and locate upon the lands before they were sur-
veyed and brought into market. It was also urged
against the pre-emption system, that it was giving away
our choicest lands to foreigners, to whom it was an in-
vitation to come and take them, almost without money
and without price ; and thus, in a manner, building up
whole States with persons of foreign birth.

Mr. Benton, having introduced " a bill to establish
a pennanent prospective pre-emption system," sus-
tained it in an able, argumentative speech, in reply to
which Mr. Mangum spoke at length.

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255

Mr. Linn then defended the bill and advocated the
pre-emption system of disposing of the public lands.
He said the country had been settled on the pre-emp-
tive system from the beginning; and he wished to
keep the beginning, the middle, and the end together.
In allusion to the epithets applied by some gentlemen
to the settlers, of " squatters" and " land-stealers," and
of the opinions of others in contradiction to his state-
ment, that a small civil force, and an enforcement of the
laws, would preserve the public land from encroach-
ment, he said that it was a scriptural injunction to
man, to possess the earth and replenish it ; but if it
were " land steahng," this was a nation of land stealers
from the beginning, for they had either stolen it or
cheated the Indians out of it ; and, therefore, the
appellation would apply equally to their forefathers.
That the movement of the people would be onward,
he again asserted ; and he denied that the laws were
a sufficient safeguard of the public lands. Jurors
could not be found to convict in such cases, which were
uniformly decided against the government, at an ex-
pense of many thousand dollars. Would they, then,
send an army to destroy the " squatters ? " If he had
an enemy in the world (and he believed he had not
many), he woidd wish him no greater infliction than the
scorpion stings of conscience with which the execution
of such a commission would be succeeded. It was not

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

unusual by legislation, to heal breaches in the law.
Charters were sometimes violated, and legislation was
resorted to to heal the breach. Here, then, was a
breach of the law by the settlers, and they were asked
to pass that bill to heal that breach."

The bill having been ably discussed by Mr. Benton,
Mr. Clay of Alabama, Mr. Mangum, Mr. Buchanan,
Mr. Clay of Ky., Mr. Wright, and other senators,

Mr. Linn rose to make a few observations, and to
notice some of the remarks of the honorable senator
from Kentucky (Mr. Clay), which referred to what
he, Mr. L., had said on a former day, in regard to the
application of force to carry into eifect the prohibitory
laws against those who settled on, and used the
public lands, and for whose benefit pre-emption laws
had been passed by Congress from time to time. Mr.
L. had then expressed the opinion, that it was physi-
cally impossible to remove, by force, those who are
usually termed " squatters " upon the public domain.
He had often expressed that opinion here and elsewhere ;
it was the settled conviction of his mind. And he now
put the question to the honorable senator from Ky.
(Mr. Clay), whether he would, were he in the execu-
tive chair of the United States, wield the military
power of the government, in an endeavor to dispossess
them ? " He would like to see the man who would
avow such an intention. The orders undoubtedly

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

257

might be issued ; but could the officers of the army
execute them, even if they woukl ? He apprehended
not. On this subject it might be well to advert to
what had been said so well, by his friend from Arkansas
(Mr. Sevier), the other day, of this experiment, when
tried only in a very small way. Orders were given to
the military, and the officers attempted, nay, did remove
the settlers from what is called Langley's Purchase,
which had been wrenched from the Temtory of Arkan-
sas by a treaty with some tribes of Indians within the
borders of an old State, and for the benefit and accom-
modation of that State. The district of country thus
severed from the territory was three hundred miles in
length and forty miles wide. The officers had no
sooner executed their orders, and tuiiied their backs,
than the inhabitants returned to the lands which they
claimed. Their houses had been burned ; they rebuilt
them. Their crops had been cut up and destroyed ;
they replanted them. They were driven off a second
time, and a second time they returned. Thus they
persevered until the government gave up the contest ;
and finally granted to each family as an indemnity for
their losses, three himdred and twenty acres of land ;
whilst those who had respected the laws, and quietly
quitted their homes, in obedience to the orders of the
government, will receive but one hundred and sixty

acres, by the bill which passed this House only a few

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

days ago. Now, if the power of the goveriinient could
not enforce its prohibitions in the single State of Arkan-
sas, at that time a feeble and dependent territory, how
was it likely to succeed through the extended line from
Lake Superior to the Sabhie River ? Before such an
operation could ever be attempted, you must augment
the number of your army, for ihe whole military force
of the country, as it now stands, would be totally in-
adequate to accomplish such an object. The very idea
has in it something ludicrous, if not Quixotic, to those
acquainted with the nature of the subject. It would
certainly be a most amusing spectacle to behold our
gallant and chivalric officers, or^ 'ipied in driving the
helpless women and inoffensive children from their
homes and habitations, whilst their husbands and fathers
were ready with their rifles to pour upon them certain
destruction from the woods and thickets ! The very
attempt would lead to their extermination, thereby
adducing a new proof that there is but one step from
the sublhne to the ridiculous. The truth is, that the
law prohibiting such settlement was practically a dead
letter, and must remain so.

In our early history, there was no law prohibiting
our people from settling where they pleased on the un-
occupied public lands. The first law upon that subject
was passed in 1807, and seemed to be intended against
those who claimed lands mider the French and Spanish

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

259

grants in Lomsania, and the object was to prevent
those who had only an inchoate title under such
grants, from going upon the public domain, and locating
and surveying such claims as had not been surveyed;
and a most iniquitous law it was. He would speak
with respect of the legislation of Congress, but such
was his opinion of that law, and he conceived it might
be easily proved. He now repeated his assertion, that
the attempt to pass any law to restrain the American
people from settling on the public lands, Avas worse
than useless. Congress might employ itself in passing
such edicts as often as it pleased, but it never could
have one of them effectually enforced.

As to pre-emption laws, there were now whole dis-
tricts occupied under them, which would have remained
a howling wilderness for years but for the settlers having
preceded your surveyors, and it is now an important
policy to bring those lands into market. They would
yield the treasury millions of dollars for the benefit of
the country.

Antecedent to the year 1820, the public lands were
sold upon a credit system or a system of part cash —
one quarter, and the remainder credit. This was in
its operation a pre-emption law, because it enabled the
poor man to take possession of a choice piece of land on
the payment of a few dollars, and allowed him the
period of five years to pay up the remainder by instal-

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ments, which he coukl easily aceomphsh from the pro-
duce of his hibor. The general principle of pre-eui])-
tion itself was the principal plan of the old thirteen
States of the revolution, Avliich enabled them success-
fully to battle with the mother country in the revo-
lution.

Virginia had her pre-emption laws which extended
to Kentucky at an early period. Much of the lands
situated in the Green River country sold for a few
cents the acre under the head-right occupancy, which
was no more nor less than a pre-emption laAv. By the
old laws of Peinisylvania, and most of the other Atlan-
tic States, a mere nominal payment of " a penny " or
" a peppercorn," or the girding a few trees, or the
building of a log cabin, was considered an ample equiv-
alent for the land. The public lands were not then
expected to produce any amount of money ; that was
not the object in view, but to get them settled as
speedily as possible ; nor would they ever have yielded
the government a single dollar, but for the enterpris-
ing, hardy settlers, who literally buried themselves in
the woods and wilds, and who, at the expense of priva-
tion, hardship, suffering and hard labor, prepared the
wilderness for becoming the abode of such as followed
them in the second line of emigration, and who pre-
ferred to purchase "improvements," rather than go
into the wilderness to make them.

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Regarding this question in an enlarged, national
point of view, it appeared to him that every reasonable
encouragement should be given to the extension of our
settlements to aid in the development of oiu' resources.
Under the invitation of the government, already ad-
verted to, the extensive and fertile regions in Upper Illi-
nois, Wisconsin and Iowa, were rapidly peo})led. The
flourishing and populous towns of (ialena, Dubuque,
and many others, sprang into existence like magic, and
in a few years the wilderness was made to blossom like
a garden. Look for one moment at the residts. This
j)eople dug from the bowels of the earth hidden riches,
and from that time have increased the production of
lead until it amounts annually to twenty or thirty mil-
lions of pounds, being perhaps sufficient to render us
independent of foreign nations for this important
material necessary to our defence in time of war, and
entering largely into consumption in the arts. Massa-
chussetts and other manufacturing States are as much
interested as we of the West are, or more even than
we are, as they supply us with manufactured articles in
return for the raw materials which we send them.

Mr. Linn here referred to Daniel Boon, the hardy
pioneer first of Kentucky, and next of Missouri, who,
impelled by his love of danger, sought out a lonely spot
in the latter State on the extreme border of civilization,
" squatted " on the public land, and contributed to its

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

defence. Mr. L. regretted that this hardy and adven-
turous pioneer had not hved a few years longer to see
th^c. broad Union extending itself from one great ocean
to the other.

Boon, Mr. L. said, was a living type, an impersona-
tion, as it were, of the spu'it which had settled this con-
tinent. He rejoiced to see the same spirit in full force
and operation to this hour. God forbid he should ever
see it stopped ; but that could not be done. The
whole force of the government could not arrest it. He
thought that, as Americans, we ought to feel proud as we
witnessed the onward march of the Anglo-American
race and its rapid progress for the benefit of the human
family. He should rejoice to see it scale the rugged
tops of the Rocky INIountains, and pour itself into the
fertile valleys of the Oregon country. Let the race of
free American pioneers go onward West, carrying their
love of liberty and all their free and beneficent institu-
tions with them ; and he would encourage their progress
by eveiy proper means, to the utmost verge of the con-
tinent.

In no one had the hardy pioneer of the West, the
inmate of the lo^ (abi?i, a more true, reliable, and de-
voted friend than in Dr. Linn. For them he seemed
to feel more than an ordinary interest, and never did a
subject come up which in any way concerned them that
he did not watch it with jealous care, and see that their

LIFE OF DR. LIMN.

263

interests were duly provided for. Had they all been
his own children he coiUd hardly have manifested greater
concern for them, and acted the part of a more watch-
ful guardian. And it was this faithfid watchfulness of
their interests, and his ever prompt and earnest advocacy
of their rights, that won for him the devoted attach-
ment of those stalwart, brave, industrious, unpolished,
yet warm-hearted sons of the wilderness and the prairie,
who well knew that, though tliey were far away from
the Halls of Congress, and coidd not make their wants
and grievances known, there was one there who woidd
never sit in silence and see them wronged ; and hence
it was that the people of Iowa and Wisconsin relied on
Dr. Linn, and considered him as much their senator
as if they had elected him, and he was responsible to
them. But as he was noi i-esponsible to them and they
could have no voice in re-electing him to the Sen-
ate, what could have prompted hiin thus to take so
lively and active an interest in their behalf ? It was,
first, a warm and generous nature, which was amply
repaid for doing good by the consciousness of having
done his duty ; and secondly, the deep interest which
Dr. Linn felt and took in every tlnng which concerned
the great West, with which he w^as and had been, from
birth up, identified. It was his country, and not only
his country, but his particidar portion of it, his home,
and had been the home of his fathers, by whose blood

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

it had been won and possessed. The fathers of many
of those who now filled the West, had bravely fought
side by side with his ancestors, father and grandfather,
had been mutually roused by the terrible midnight
war-whoop of the savage, had mutually and despe-
rately defended their wives, children and homes, and
had mingled their blood together on many a desperate
battle-field, and in many an andDush and hand-to-hand
encounter. The strong bonds of attachment which
arc formed in times of mutual danger, triid and peril,
— ^liy mutual suffering, and by that interchange of
good offices, kindnesses and sympathies, which, while
it does honor to, softens, improves, and ennobles the
human heart, are the most enduring of all human ties
except those of love and family affection ; and such
were the bonds that once united the people of the
West, as well as those of " the old thirteen States ; "
and it wjis the rememl)rance of the past, and the influ-
ence of its history, which so knit Dr. L. to all who
were identified Avitli that section of the country ; they
were to him as brothers, not as strangei^s ; aiul his so-
licitude for their Mclfare, his watchfulness of their in-
terests, his defence of their rights, his iiulignant rcpel-
hng of all imputations cast upon them, such as " land
stealers," and the like, were amply repaid, first, by the
consciousness ot having performed his duty, and sec-
ondly, by the grateful attachment manifested for him

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

265

by the warm-hearted, though rough-clad, and rough-
mannered people of the West, who still mourn his loss
and cherish his memory in affectionate and grateful
remembrance; and nowhere more warmly than in
that far off land whose shores are washed ])y the waves,
whose hills arc fanned, and whose golden fields are gen-
tly swayed to and fro in light and shade by the refresh-
ing breezes from the almost boundless Pacific.

'JMie following letter from the Hon. Silas Wright to
Mrs. Linn, shows the estimation in which Dr. L. was
held by his brother senators, at least by those of his
own party.

P1H»

Senate Chamber, Washington City,
March :0, 1841.

My dear Mrs. Linn, — I have been tiyhig to find
time to write you a long letter, from the 1st. of Jan.
to this time, and you will say the effort must have
been a faint one, or the letter would have reached you
before this day ; my good Lady, you are to get no let-
ter now ; J. have so much to say to you that if I should
commence a letter many a duty for which my friends
here yet hold me to a rigid performance, would be
neglected ; we are now in the minority here, and I
have looked forward to that time as one of leisure to
us all, and we have not found that leisure yet. I now
write to you from my seat in the Senate, and in the

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

hearing of one of tlie most exciting debates to which
I ever Hstened ; so / must leave you to the Doctor to
report all we have done here, but I cannot resist
dropping you a few lines to make you a little proud
about your good husband, whom you know that I love
like a brother, and I do assure you that Dr. Linn has
done himself great honor in his eloquent and heart-
touching debates in the Senate during the short
session. I am so happy to find that he has gained
confidence in himself, which has made him become
one of the most powerful, useful, and truly eloquent
debaters in om* Body. You know that he has been
working like a slave in attending to the private busi-
ness of Missouri, and has long resisted the entreaties
of Mr. Buchanan and myself, with yoiu* ardent wishes,
to participate more in the debates of the Senate : not
in the habit of public-speaking, the Dr. feared that he
might not do it well ; he must now feel the great injus-
tice that he has done himself, and that long since, had
it not been for his se/isitive morlesty, that he v/ould
have taken the stand thft he now holds in the
Senate, as one of the most powerful members of that
body, and most certainly possesses more popularity
than any other member of Congress. You know, my
dear Mrs. Linn, that I never flatter, and was I not
fully aware of the truth of all I say about my kind
friend the Doctor, I would not write it to you. I

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

267

have often wisLed that every Missourian could see
how your good husband hibors for the prosperity of
their noble State ; then indeed would they know how
to appreciate the wonderful industry of the hardest-
working member of Congress. — One more word and,
my good lady, I must finish this hasty comnmnication.
The President sent us your note to read Avitli the in-
junction for its preservation, and to be returned to
him ; so you see how much ^'alue he attaches to it, anu
you must now permit me to say that you have a very
happy talent in communicating yoiu* friendly feelings,
and at the time your note reached him, every evidence
of kindly feeling from his friends was most gratefully
fell. He is now a private citizen, and let me say to
you, that I truly thuik he has sustained his fall from
the highest human elevation to that which he now
holds, in a manner, and with an equanimity of temper
and spirit, which adds more to his valuable reputation
than all the acts of his previous life. But my good
Mrs. Linn, you know how much I am his friend, and
if I am now extravagant in his praise, you will make
an allowance, and in every event I beg you to believe
that

I am equally your friend, '

Silas AVright, Jr.

To Mrs. Elizabeth A. R. Linn, St. Genevieve.

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

Board of Commissioners on Private Cla'^s.

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Bills had been introduced during several sessions
of Congress to establish a Board of Commissioners to
hear and examine claims against the United States,
which had in every instance received the support of
Dr. Linn, and in some instances he had spoken in favor
of their passage. At the last session of the 20t]i Con-
gress, a bill of this kind having been introduced, and
come up for a third reading, it was earnestly opposed
by Mr. Calhoun, Mr. Mangum and other senators.
Mr. Linn advocated its passage ; he said the bill had
passed at the bst three or four sessions after full dis-
cussion, besides being four times reported upon, — ■
twice by the Committee on Claims, and twice by the
Judiciary Committee ; and he was therefore surprised
that the senator (Mr. Calhoun) should again oppose it,
as he had done year after year, without offering any
measure as a substitute.

Mr. L. contended that great injustice was now
done to tlic private claimant by the present system,
than which none could be worse in its operation, and
until something better should be proposed as a remedy
for the evils now felt, he would support the present bill.
He regretted that honorable senators had not seen the
distress of the widows and children of land claimants,
occasioned by the delay in the disposal of their claims ;

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

269

for he was sure if they had, they woukl give to this
subject that disposition which would lead to a speedier
determination of private claims, while a due regard
should be paid both to the rights of the citizen and
the government.

He stated that there were 1500 or 2000 private
bills of various kinds reported in the House of Repre-
sentatives at the last session ; and he himself reported
a bill six years before which had not yet been acted
on. He did not impute neglect of duty to any one ;
but he was satisfied that, in the first place, this body
was too large and too transient, and in the second
place, too political to despatch business of that kind in
the prompt and speedy manner that it ought to be dis-
posed of, and to give to all cases that examination and
scrutiny which are necessary to a just understanding
of them. The questions involved in private cLiims
were sometimes of an abstruse and intricate character,
and time was necessary to acquire such a knowledge
of the facts and principles involved, as would enable
senators to come to right decisions upon them. Some-
times senators here would acquire that knowledge, but
circumstances might operate a postponement of the
action of the Senate upon the claim, when the terms
of those senators who had made themselves acquainted
with the case might expire, or, if they held to the doc-
trine of instructions, they might be instructed out of

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

their seats, wliicli would then be occupied by new men,
who would have to go through anew the same course
and labor of investigation that their predecessors had,
and so on for years. He thought it due to claimants,
and due to good faith, that justice should neither be
refused nor unreasonably delayed. It was cruel to
keep men attending here year after year and generation
after generation, as they attended the Com*t of Chan-
cery in England, appealing to Congress for the pay-
ment of what is justly due, and made sick and dis-
heartened by hope deferred. For his part, he said, his
profession, as well as his habits of thought, led him to
look at and regard individual suffering; but there
were some who appeared to act like the soldier on the
field of battle, who treads indiscriminately and with-
out a thought for their suffering, alike on friend and
foe, in the pursuit of his object, or in the discharge of
his duty.

After further discussion in which Dr. L. earnestly
endeavored to secure its passage, the bill was laid on
the table, and of course Avas defeated. But though,
as in the case of Oregon, Dr. Linn did not live to wit-
ness the success of a measure he so warmly advocated
and deemed of so nmch importance to individuals as
well as just to the Government, yet the time came,
many years after his voice had been hushed in the
grave, when a measure similar to the one he advocated,

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

271

— differing only in being called a " Court of Claims "
instead of a " Board of Claims," became a law, and is
now in fidl operation. That the final passage of a law
establishing the Couit of Claims was brouglit about
in some measure by his advocacy and that of others
of such a measure years before, no one acquainted with
the habits of the Senate and House of Representa-
tives, and the slow progress measures of a general
character make in those bodies, can doubt. Time is
required for such things to matm'e ; and discussion is
as necessary to their success as ploughing, harrowing,
&c., is for the production of a crop of wheat.

Swamp, or Drowned Lands.

Among other matters of public importance and
interesting to the people of the West, which occupied
the attention of Dr. Linn, was that of draining the
extensive marshes, lakes, lagoons and swamps, to be
found on the Mississippi Hiver and some of its tribu-
taries, caused by an overflow of these streams in the
spring and summer annually. They were fruitful
sources of those chills and fevers, and sometimes of
malignant bilious fevers, with which all in their vicinity
and for many miles around were annually visited, and
which, some seasons, prove so fatal. As a physician
of large experience. Dr. L. knew the importance of
removing the cause of these malignant diseases and

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restoring salubrity to the atmosphere. With that
view, and as he well knew the government could not
undertake an enterprise of the kind, he turned his
attention to the subject and brought in a bill by which
to acconijjlish the pui-pose he had so much at heart.
The following is the bill :

A bill to surrender to the State, of Missouri and
Arkansas alternate sections of certain public lands,
reported as not worth the expense of survey, for the
purpose of increasing the value of the public domain.

Be it enacted, &c., That there be, and hereby are,
granted to the States of Missouri and Arkansas, re-
spectively, every alternate section of the public land
situate within the counties hereafter stated, which have
been reported by the deputy-surveyors to the surveyors-
general, as not worth the expense of survey, upon the
condition that all the moneys arising from the sale of
said lands be expended, under the direction of the
Legislatures of those States respectively, in the improve-
ment of the water courses running through the said
public lands, by the construction of canals and bridges,
removal of rafts and other obstructions to their naviga-
tion, for the purpose of draining and preventing inun-
dations of the said lands, to wit : to the State of Mis-
souri, each alternate section within the counties of
Cape Girardeau, Scott, Wayne, Stoddard, and New
Madrid ; and to the State of Arkansas, each alternate

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LIPE OP DR. LINN.

273

section within the comities of Mississippi, Crittenden,
Saint Francis, Poinsett, Green and Randolj)h, respec-
tively.

Mr. Linn said that this bill provided for the ncconi-
plishnient of objects alike beneficial to the giver and
the receiver ; but the people of the far Western States
had on certain occasions, when the subject of the pub-
lic lands occupied the attention of this body, been
stigmatized as " land pirates," " plunderers of the pub-
lic lands," &c. ; so that a member fmm that section of
the country always felt some trepidation in bringing
fonvard any proposition relating to the public domain.
He trusted, however, that the beneficent purpose sought
to be accomplished by the measure he had proposed,
would commend the bUl to the favorable consideration
of honorable senators representing all sections of the
country.

The district of country embraced within the bill
was, with few exceptions, a very extensive land tract of
alluvion, at times almost entirely overflowed by the
waters of the Mississippi River, the main and little St.
Francis, and the Castor, (which run through its whole
length nearly parallel Avith the Mississippi,) and also
Avith many smaller streams which fall into it from the
neighboring h\<r\\ grounds, all of which find their way
to the Father of Waters through VdV. i, lagoons, and

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subject to inundation ; but this has been more par-
ticularly the case since the earthquakes of 1811 and
1812, the focus of which seemed to be placed in this
basin, and the vibrations of which radiated to the ex-
treme verge of the republic.

The transforming eflPects of these mighty pheno-
mena were manifested in this district by the upheav-
ing of the bed of the Mississippi, staying the course of
its waters for several hours and causing them to over-
flow its banks ; by which broad and deep lakes, sixty
miles in length, were made, where stood the day before
magnificent forests of cypress and other trees; the
bottom of the river St. Francis was thrown up, and
its waters scattered over a wide space ; and dry ground
was formed where swamps and lakes existed before ;
extensive areas, sunk below the general level, were
subsequently filled with water; craters were opened,
from which were vomited mud, sand, and coal, and
many other effects were produced, to detail which is
not now necessary.

The lakes and marshes are all connected with each
other and with the St. Francis, by sinuses or bayous,
receiving its overflowing waters and those of the Mis-
sissippi River, which annually inundate hundreds of
thousands of acres, equalling in fertility any soil in
the world.

The St. Francis and its tributaries, which course

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

275

this tract, are choked up with rafts like those on the
Red River, with fallen timber, drift wood, and other
obstructions. Such is also the case with the bayous
which connect the St. Francis with the marshes and
lakes, ard the lakes with each other. By removing
these rafts in the St. Francis River, and the drift wood
and fallen timber in the bayous, and by deepening the
connexions between the lakes, which would serve as so
many canals — the principal feeder of which would be
the St. Francis — ^much standing water would be liber-
ated, and a continuous stream would then flow on
through all these different inosculating branches to the
Mississippi and thereby reclaim large portions of this
rich territory, in a few years to be covered with a dense
popidation, where now there is nothing but a melan-
choly waste, inhabited by savage beasts and venomous
reptiles, and infecting the neighboring counties by its
noisome exhalations.

In its present condition your surveyors have turned
from portions of it in utter despair, as uninviting, un-
healthful, and useless. Although it has been the the-
atre of tiie grandest and most destructive operations of
nature, and is seamed all over with marks of Divine
wrath, it is still blessed with a inilfl climate and great
fertility of soil, and is of easy access to the ocean ; and
with the transforming effects of man's industry, will,
like Holland, become a busy scene of prosperity and

276

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

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happiness, and, perhaps, equally as remarkable for its
rivers and canals.

Will Congress have the enliylitened selfishness to
grant the aid necessary to render its own property of
some value ? The whole of this tract, however, is not
affected by the periodical inundations, Thei-e are
ridges of forty or fifty miles in length, above the reach
of the water at its greatest height; there are also
islands of rock, of various heights and dimensions,
rising out of this marsh, like islands in the ocean ; but
so surrounded by water as to be cut ofi from all commu-
nication with each other and with the Mississippi,
except in boats which must be navigated through
dense forests and tangled jungles ; in consequence of
which these bodies of fertile lands are almost tenant-
less.

The opening of all the different sluices to give
vent to the accumulating waters, cutting canals, build-
ing bridges, throwing up dykes, draining marshes, &c.,
would eventually reclaim the whole or nearly the whole
and fit it for the abode of our people whose energies
bid defiance to every thing but impossibilities.

The objects contemplated by the bill are of great
importance to the citizens of Missouri and Arkansas.
The Legislatures of both States have sent memorials
here upon the subject; and the question again pre-
sents itself : Shall all this vjoxk necessary to make the

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

277

tract useful, be thrown upon the people living in that
section, who feel a deep interest in the undertaking?
or, will the Government extend its aid by contributing
a portion of this (at present) unproductive domain
towards this object ? It might with much reason be
lu-ged that the entne tract had better be granted to the
States in which it lies, than that it should remain in its
present deplorable condition. But it will be perceived
that a grant only of each alternate section is asked for ;
and shoidd the grant be refused, there is little proba-
bility that, for a century to come, the Government will
make any effort to reclaim this land. Will it, then,
be so imgenerous as to throw upon individuals a labor
which it should undertake itself?

This great alluvion stretches from Cape Girardeau
in Missouri, to Helena in Arkansas — a distance of
three himdred and fifty miles in length, and from thirty
to fifty in breadth ; and with the exception of a narrow
belt lying along the borders of the Mississippi, and
certain isolated spots scattered throughout, may be con-
sidered as worse than useless — ^nay, a positive nuisance.

Mr. Linn said, that the inhabitants of Southern
Missouri had for years been looking anxiously for the
Government to take some steps to clear the St. Francis,
Big, Black and Current Rivers, of the obstructions in
the way of successful navigation. He had brought the
subject repeatedly before Congress, and, in 1836, an

278

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

appropriation was made for the examination of these
streams. An officer, Captain Guion, had made a hasty
survey late in the autmnn and had made a report, which
Mr. L. now caused to be read ; and haviug been read,
Mr. L. proceeded :

The engineer examined the river St. Francis, and
the country through which it passes, at a very unpro-
pitious season, and the report is to be taken with many
grains of allowance, especially, when speaking of the
impracticability of making certain portions of the St.
Francis navigable.

But even admitting that the difficulties in removing
obstacles and giving to the St. Francis a permanent
channel in certain points were insurmountable, still,
much could be done to improve the water communica-
tion. Black River is a large and deep tributary of
White River, and navigable to the only "raft " in it at
all seasons of the year. Remove this one obstacle and
boats could ascend it and its principal tributary (the
Current) to the copper mines in Missouri, at all seasons
with small boats.

But, sir, the beneficial effects of removing the
" rafts " in the St. Francis and Big Black Rivers, and
the redeeming from periodical inundation such an ex-
tensive surface of rich alluvion, do not stop here. By
removing the obstructions in the way to the navigation
of the St. Francis and Black Rivers, you will be en-

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

279

abled to reach by water, the very centre of the great
mineral region of Missouri, which is drained by these
rivers and their tributaries, and which is of unparalleled
richness in copper, zinc, iron, lead, manganese, and
many other mineral substances, and thereby add greatly
to the value of the public lands. Will not Congress,
then, act the part, in this matter, of a liberal and pro-
vident landlord, and embrace this opportunity and the
proposed means to improve its own domain ? "

Mr. Sevier expressed his satisfaction that his friend
from Missouri had interested himself in this important
subject. He could say, from personal knowledge, that
the views he had presented were entirely correct ; and
that the tract of country proposed to be granted, in
part, was, in its present condition, wholly unavailable
to the Government.

The bill was then referred to the Committee on
Public Lands, but no further action appears to have been
taken upon it during the session. But a bill was a few
years after brought in and passed, by which the United
States surrendered all the swamp, or inundated lands,
to the States in which they were situated respectively,
a measure which has resulted in the reclamation and
draining of hundreds of thousands of acres of land
which was utterly valueless to the Government, and a
positive nuisance to large tracts of country around, on
account of the malaria which arose from its putrid

280

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

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marshes and lagoons, and spread itself for miles around,
carrying the seeds of disease and death wherever it
lighted. The measure was also intended to enable the
States bordering on the Mississippi River, to erect dikes
along its banks to prevent the annual overflow which
inundates so large a tract of country, and sometimes
does great damage by forming new channels for the
river. Few measures have been productive of more
real benefits to those sections of the country imme-
diately interested than this ; and had Dr. Linn lived,
he would have effected it instead of leaving its accom-
plishment to others ; but having initiated it, and pointed
out the way and the great importance of the measure,
it may, without injustice to those who followed him,
be claimed as his own. True, others might have
thought of it and brought it forward ; and so might
some other person than Professor Morse, have been, in
time, the author of the Magnetic Telegraph ; but no
other did till he led the way ; it was then, after his
death, easy to follow, and take up what he had left im-
completed.

In conunon with the party to which, he belonged.
Dr. Linn was strongly opposed to what was denomi-
nated " the Distribution Act," which provided for the
distribution of the proceeds of the sales of Public
Lands, and which was a w/ti^ measure. Dr. L. thought

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

281

that these proceeds, so far as they were not needed to
defray the expenses, or to pay the debts of the General
Government, should be applied to strengthen the
common defence of the country ; and he therefore in-
troduced a bill in December, 1841, to repeal the dis-
tribution sections of the act mentioned, and pledging
those proceeds to purposes of national defence.

Mr. L. expressed his views in regard to the Dis-
tribution Act, to which he was opposed : he thought it
an indirect mode of assuming the State debts. It was
known that this country had an immense extent of sea
coast and territorial border, stretching from the At-
lantic to the Pacific, to protect, requiring a large ex-
penditure ; and it was not to" be denied that its foreign
relations were in a precarious situation ; that at a
moment's warning a war might be precipitated upon
us ; yet they had frittered away the means of national
defence, and now hesitated to retrace their steps, when
prudence, policy and duty, demanded the retraction.
It was said, that when the crisis shoidd come, the States
would be ready to supply the General Government with
the means of defence ; but he thought it was the better
policy for the Government to prepare itself for any
crisis of this kind, so that it need not be dependent
upon the States when it came.

Mr. L. had suggested that the bill be referred to
the Committee on Military Affairs, as the Committee

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LIFE OP DR. LINN.

on Public Lands were opposed to it and already com-
mitted against it.

Mr. Calhoun was in favor of referring it to a
special committee.

Mr. Pierce rose to express his gratification, that
thus early in the session something had been proposed
in behalf of national defences, a matter so long neglected,
while every section of the Union had been agitated and
embroiled with contests for party supremacy. The
proposition of his friend from Missouri (Mr. Linn)
gave earnest of patriotic, and at the same time, of
prudent and judicious action upon one of the most
important questions that could possibly claim the
attention of the republic. Whether the means of
defence were to be derived from the public lands or
from any other source, it was a clear case that the
country could not be left longer in its present condi-
tion. It had no adequate preparation from one ex-
tremity of the seaboard to the other, to defend itself
against aggression. And let it be remembered, that
aggression, if resolved upon at this day, with the appli-
cation of steam to ocean navigation, and the improve-
ments in military science, must, in the nature of
things, be sudden and tremendous. *****

No gentleman could doubt that, in our present
defenceless state, the only power from which at present
we had any thing to apprehend, might and probably

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

283

would destroy, laying aside all considerations of the
loss of life and incalculable amount of human suffer-
ing, more property in a single night — in a single city
— than would be required to place ourselves in a con-
dition of comparative protection and security. It had
been said by gentlemen distinguished in the naval as
well as land service, that we were not at this moment
relatively better prepared for a conflict with Great
Britain than we were at the commencement of the
late war, thirty years ago. The nation felt this to be
a hazardous and shameful condition, in which it ought
not to be permitted to remain. The most appropriate
disposition of the bill, it struck him, was that indi-
cated by the Senator from South Carohna (Mr. Cal-
houn). Let it go to a select committee.

Further debate ensued upon the subject of distri-
bution and the propriety of referring the bill to a select
or a standing committee, or to the Committee of the
Whole. Upon the vote being taken, the Senate refused
to refer the bill, but made it the order of the day for
some few days ahead. As it provided for the repeal
of the Distribution Act, and a majority of the Senate
at that time were in favor of, as they had a few months
before passed, that act, it met with decided opposition,
and consequently failed. But Dr. L. had, nevertheless,
performed what he deemed his duty to his constituents
and to the country, and might console himself Avith the

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LIFE OP DR. LINN.

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n.!

reflection thnt it was not in tlie power of mortals
always to command succesi^}, even when most merited.
But public men are often doomed to witness tlie fail-
ure of measures tliey deem eminently useful and im-
portant to the country, sometimes because others do not
take the same view of them that they do, a).d some-
times because proposed by one who belongs to a party
in the minority, and the majority are unwilling to allow
an opponent the credit of a good measure even though the
country may be benefited thereby. Nothing is more
connnon than this, however contrary to the theory of
a republican government, which is based upon the sup-
position that every citizen, whether in a public or pri-
vate station, will have the true interests of the repub-
lic at heart, and honestly advocate and support Avhat-
ever is calculated to promote the general good and
prosperity of the whole nation, no matter by whom
suggested or originated. In practice, however, one
party advocates, while another opposes measures, sim-
ply because they are " party measures ; " because the
party proposing is to have the credit of whatever good
they may be productive of, and may thereby gain
strength with the country. I do not intend to affirm
that this is always, and with all public men, the mle of
action ; but I am reluctantly compelled to say, that
the prosperity and success of the party to which public
men attach themselves, to which they owe their officipl

■4 1

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

285

positions, and look for a continuance of favor, is too often
quite as near their hearts and exerts as great an influ-
ence upon their actions, as the prosperity and best
interests of the country. " The heart is deceitful above
all things," and never more so than in the breast of a
politician who has long sought to attain, has attained,
and is ambitious to retain, a station of honor, profit or
trust, which gives hhn emii.encc, influence and con-
sideration in the nation or with those among whom he
resides. There naturally arises, also, an attachment on
the part of the individual to the party to which he
belongs, and with which he acts; its prosperity or
adversity, success or defeat, weal or woe, ai-e his ; he
exults when it triumphs, is cast down when it is pros-
trated, and becomes so identified with it that whatever
its fate, that fate is his. No wonder, then, that it should
sometimes, and, indeed, not un frequently, usurp the
place of country, and its opponents be looked upon
almost in the light of public enemies, and treated as if
they were at least domestic foes.

Dr. Linn was a very decided party man ; he be-
lieved the measures and principles of the party to which
he belonged to be such as were calculated to promote
the general good, and he therefore advocated them with
the zeal and ardency which belonged to a warm heart,
honest impulses and strong feelings. He was devotedly
attached to General Jackson personally, and supported

286

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

■ h-

his iiicasiires with nn ardor due to the honest convic-
tions of his judgment and the warmth of liis personal
friendship for the man. But while he did so, such was
the kindliness and sincerity of his nature, sucli tlie
urbanity of his demeanor, such the generosity and
nobleness of his disposition, and the ever pleasant ex-
pression of his countenance, that though his language
in debate sometimes savored of a tartness foreign to his
heart, his opponents ever gave him cnulit for the
strictest honor, honesty, sincerity and manliness, and
as a man held him in high esteem.

lK\i- '• ■'"

ARMED OCCUPATION OP FLORIDA.

In 18 43, the Florida war being considered at an end,
and yet the few Indians remaining in that territory
contiiuiing to commit depredations and murders upon
the inhabitants sparsely settled along the frontiers, who
were too few and far between to render each other much
protection, if any, indeed, against the sudden inciu*-
sions of the savages, it was deemed necessary to adopt
some measure that would tempt young, hardy, bold and
athletic men to take up their abode in the vicinity of
the Indians and defend the country against their depre-
dations. The great object was to push forward the
white settlements into the unsettled parts of the terri-
tory, and thus to gradually crowd out the Indians,
while a hardy body of pioneera were located along the

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

287

line of advancing settlements wlio could cope with the
savages, even in their own peculiar mode of warfare.

With that view, Mr. Benton from the Committee on
Militaiy Affairs, introduced a bill giving lands to such
as would settle upon them in that section of I'lorida.
Mr. B. said the prin(;iplc of the bill had several times
received the sanction of the Senate ; similar bills having
been several times passed by that body within the last
three years. It was now reconunended by the Presi-
dent and Secretary of War ; and with the moi'c reason
as the number of Indians in the Peninsxda of Florida
was greatly reduced, and the troops partly Avithdrawn.
There were not Indians enough in the territory to justify
military operations. But there were too many to justify
settlements by cultivators and othei*s, until inducements
were held out to them sufficient to justify i>eople in-
ciuring the risks and the privations incident to such
settlement. The bill, he said, proposed these induce-
ments ; namely, a (juarter section of land, subsistence
for one year, [this was afterwards stricken out by the
House,] and arms and anununition for such as should need
them. Mr. B. said the necessity for the bill was be-
coming more and more lu'gent l)y the massacres that
were now taking place in that part of Florida.

The bill having passed the Senate and (!ome back
from the House amended, was again opposed in the
Senate, and to some of those who spoke against it Mr.

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

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mirt

Linn replied. He contended that the Government had
acted heretofore upon the principle of making donations
of land as an inducement to settlement. It was that
poUcy which had contributed to secure the rapid settle-
ment and sale of the public domain. It was a policy
which had caused no actual loss to the Government.
Mr. L. said he had incorporated that very principle in
his Oregon bill; and he sincerely hoped senators
would not oppose it on that ground. He trusted that
the past policy of the Government would not be disre-
garded. After speaking of the effectiveness of the
bill as it passed the Senate, and the amendments by
the House, he alluded to the policy the Government
had pursued, of granting bounty land to the soldiers
who defended the country during the last war. This
was the same in principle. The settlers would go there
under the inducement held out by the bill — a bounty
in land — and fight for the soil, and save the blood of
regiUar military forces, which had been withdrawn from
the contest at present. Those men would fight for
their land, and love it the more because they had to
fight for it. After giving a graphic description of the
character, energy, and boldness of the men who would
be induced to go into Florida under this bill, Mr. L.
showed that they would make a most effective force to
grapple with the Indian, knife in hand, and drive him
from his fastnesses. He argued that the Government

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

289

would have to do either one thing or the other — to
hold out an inducement for necessitous, enterprising,
and bold men to go to Florida, and save the defence-
less women and children from the cruelties of the sav-
age, or speedily enlist another body of men and give
them this very bounty, and pay them from the treasury
a heavy sum of money, to fight until the last Indian
was driven from the territory. It was folly to suppose
that an enemy as scattered as these Indians were, with
small parties here and there, and every where, could
be operated against by a regular military force. You
could never dislodge them until you shall select a body
of men that will follow them in their hammocks, seek
out and discover their lurking places, beat up their
quarters, dog them from one fastness to another, until
they found there was to be no peace nor rest for
them, and no security for them but in coming in
and giving themselves up. Scattered as the Indians
now were, it would keep 10,000 regular men opera-
ting at all points, to be of any service. Mr. L. dwelt
on the mode of Indian warfare, showing that they
could keep in active operation a very much larger
number of men than they counted themselves, as it
was Lheir custom to strike a serious unexpected blow,
and then suddenly disappear, striking perhaps another
unlooked for blow in a few hours after, at a point quite

distant from the first, and then, in the midst of these
19

290

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

interminable fastnesses, whose labyrinths none could
thread but themselves, elude pursuit, and laugh at their
pursuers. But surround them with a cordon of hardy,
fearless, advancing settlers, or let the column gradually
advance upon them only from one direction, clearing up
the country as it rolls onward, and the Indians would
soon find they must surrender, or seek other quarters.

Mr. Woodbridge of Michigan, said, so far as the
bill contemplated a donation of land as an inducement
for the settlement of Florida, it met his hearty concur-
rence ; and it established no new principle in that re-
spect. On a similar principle, 100,000 acres of land
were given to secure a settlement at the junction of the
Ohio, as early as 1787 or '88 — the Government then
having to contend with just as savage an enemy as the
Indians of Florida.

As Mr. Linn was much interested in the settlement
of Florida, — and we have already seen how active he
had been to introduce the culture of new plants in that
region, and thereby encourage the settlement and in-
crease the productions of the territory, — and as he
was also desirous that Congress should approve the
principle of encouraging settlements by donations of
land to settlers, — a principle embraced in his Oregon
bill, — ^he was much gratified by the Armed Occupation
bill becoming a law, having passed the Senate by a
vote of 24 to 16.

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

291

Although the measure has not been productive of
all the beneficial effects anticipated by its friends, it
was not without some good results. Even to get the
land settled, without deriving any income or remunera-
tion from it, is a much greater benefit to the country
than any price in money that could be obtained for the
land if sold, had the Government obtained four or ten
times its real value ; for,

" \Miat constitutes a State ?
Not high raised battlement or labored mound,

Thick wall or moated gate :
Not cities fair, with spires and turrets crown'd ;
No : — men, high-minded men —

Men who their duties know,
Knowing too their rights, and, knowing, dare maintain."

Those lands were not such as emigrants would
voluntarily settle upon and pay for, or accept as a
donation, upon condition of placing their families upon
them in their natural, unhealthy condition ; they had
first to be drained, or the overflowing waters diked
out, and when this was done, when, as " in the begin-
ning," the land and the waters were separated, and
" the dry land " was made to appear ; " and the earth
brought forth grass and herb, yielding seed after his
kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself,
after his kind," then those drowned lands become valu-

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292

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

able, being very rich and productive, and tempting to the
husbandman. Many of these swamps, lakes and la-
goons, the habitations of alligators, snapping turtles,
copper-headed, moccasin, and other poison snakes and
reptiles, have been drained and turned into fruitful
fields, as Dr. Linn predicted they would, and others
will, in time, undergo this desirable metamorphosis.

DESTRUCTION OF STEAMBOATS ON THE MISSISSIPPI AND
THE OHIO RIVERS.

Wliile the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers, and
their tributaries, were the great highway's upon which
the commerce of the immense and fruitful counti*}'
which they drained, was compelled to travel, — by
which alone its exports could reach a market, and its
imports be received, as was the case for many years,
and until railroads in some measure supplanted these
great natural highways, — the immense losses winch
occurred in consequence of the existence of numerous
snags and sawyers in those rivers, and the great
delays which took place in the season of low water in
consequence of the " sand-bars " which then obstructed
the navigation, were felt as a most serious evil by the
people of the West, and the attention of Congress was
again and again called to the subject, and its aid and the
agency of the General Government invoked to render

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

293

the necessary reUef, by clearing out these snags and
sawyers, and deepening the channel over, or by some
means removing, these " sand-bars." Appropriations
were made from time to time by Congress for this
purpose ; but as there was a class of men, of politicians
or statesmen, in Congress, and sometimes occupying
the Presidential chair, who denied that Congress had
the constitutional power to appropriate the public
moneys for purposes of this kind, those appropriations
were always strenuously, and sometimes successfully
opposed, and the objects intended to be accomplished
were never more than half accomplished, and then left
in such a manner, that what had been done might as
well not have been done ; the money expended was but
thrown away, and this fact served as an argument sub-
sequently, against making fiuiher appropriations for
the same or similar purposes.

On the 17th of January, 1843, Mr. Linn rose in
the Senate and stated, that he had been requested to
present to that body a memorial from the city of St.
Louis, signed by nearly fifteen hundred of its most
intelligent and useful business men. He knew many
of the gentlemen who had put their names to this me-
morial; and he could assure the Senate, that the
utmost confidence was due to any statement they
endorsed. The prayer of the memorial is, that Con-
gress may make an appropriation for improving the

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M.--

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294

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

navigation of the great western rivers. The memorial-
ists state that, especially in the Missouri and Missis-
sippi Rivera, within the last four years, the accumula-
tion of snags has been so great as to render navigation
not only dangerous in the extreme to commerce, but
hazardous, in consequence of the great number of lives
lost among the passengers. They further state, said
Mr. L., that, in the year 1839, there were forty steam-
boats lost ; in 1840, there were forty-one ; twenty-nine
in 1841, and in 1842, twenty -eight. The value of the
boats would average $25,000 each, making a total loss
of $3,000,000. But this is not all : they fm-ther state,
that almost every boat engaged in the Missouri trade
has been injured, more or less, by snags, the repairs
of which cost about $260 each, which makes a total
loss of $3,710,000, in the course of four years.

Between the 11th September, and the 13th of
October, in the past year, the following boats were lost
between the city of St. Louis and the mouth of the
Ohio ; to wit :

Sept. 11. Mentor, boat and part of the cargo, loss . $34,000
" 13. New Orleans, sunk within 100 yards of the

Mentor, loss 45,000

" 22. Pre-emption, near the same place . . . 25,000

" " Robert T. Lytic, near the same place . . 7,000

" 26. Fort Pitt, within ^ of a mile of the same place 25,000

Oct. 6. Louisville 8,000

« 7. Osage Valley, 40,000

" 13. Eliza — sunk — 40 or 50 persons drowned, loss 50,000

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

295

These losses, amounting to $234,000, occurred in less
than five weeks.

Mr. Linn continued. They further say, that the
most formidable obstmctions in the Western rivers
are at St. Louis, or near that place ; but they neverthe-
less sympathize with their fellow-citizens throughout
the great valley of the Mississippi, and feel called on to
co-operate with these, in urging this honorable body to
do justice to the West, by making ample appropria-
tions for the immediate improvement of our rivers, —
the Missouri, the Ohio, and the Upper and Lower
Mississippi. They observe that they can safely say
that the commerce on those rivers and their tributaries,
forming twenty thousand miles of interior navigation,
cannot amount to less at the present time, than two
hundred millions a year. The removal of snags, the
clearing of logs from the banks caved in, and the
improvement of the harbor of St. Louis, (all com-
menced several years ago,) cannot be completed unless
by the aid of the Government, and under its authority.
They say that the rapids of the Upper Mississppi could
be improved by a slack-water navigation, or a canal,
which would enhance the value of the public lands.

This subject, Mr. Linn said, was taken up by the
population of the whole valley of the Mississippi.
Every man, woman and child, ir. that valley was
directly hiterested in the improvement of the great

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296

LIFE OP DR. LINN.

Western rivers. This population must and Avill be
heard on this important matter. He could not face
his constituents without doing all in his power to obvi-
ate the crying and melancholy evils complained of.
He could not return home unless he exerted himself
with all the abiUty and energy he possessed, to procure
this appropriation.

Nearly four millions of property, Mr. L. said, had
been destroyed in less than four years, — a greater loss,
he presumed, than has occurred from storm or tempest
on our Atlantic coast. This can be obviated by Con-
gress on the Western waters, whilst God alone can
command the storms of the great deep. The greatest
amount of loss will be found between St. Louis and
the mouth of the Ohio, — a distance of two hundred
miles. A snag-boat at work at a few points designated
emphatically, "steamboat graveyards," would have
prevented all the destruction of property and loss of
life complained of in this and other petitions. Cap-
tain Shreve eradicated one year all the snags that for-
merly obstructed these points, by which the naviga-
tion was rendered comparatively safe. This can be
done again. It was vainly hoped that the iron steam-
boats would have resisted the snags and sawyers,
which stand in some places like a forest of enormous
trees. This has been tested, and the boats are found
incapable of resisting the force of the snag. The Val-

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

297

ley Forge iron boat was lost this winter ; but had been
since raised. Scarcely a Western newspaper can be
taken up, in which some account of a fresh wreck can-
not be found. Last night he obsei'ved in one tlie loss
of the Henry Clay, valued at $40,000, without estima-
ting the cargo. Two hundred millions of dollars are
involved in the trade carried on by steamboats on these
rivers — thirty millions belonging to St. Louis.

The right of Congress to make appropriations for the
purpose of improving rivers and harbors, the great
highways of commerce, both external and internal, hav-
ing been questioned by some of our statesmen, and
become, partially, one of the dividing questions between
the political parties of the country, it is thought to be
not out of place here to give, very briefly, the views of
several senators as expressed on this occasion. Since
this debate occurred Mr. Polk and Mr. Pierce, while
exercising the duties of Chief Magistrate of the nation,
have vetoed bills' making such appropriations on the
ground of their unconstitutionality.

Mr. Smith of Indiana, following Mr. Linn, said,
he fully and heartily concurred with the memorialists,
as well as in the very just remarks of the senator from
Missouri. The subject was of great importance to the
whole country, but especially so to the Great West.
He had long thought that this important matter had

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been too much neglected by Congress, Such had been
tlie loss of projjerty and sacrifice of human life, in con-
sequence of the neglect of the Government to remove
the obstructions from the Western waters, and to pro-
vide safe harbors on the Western lakes, that there was
and would be, but one voice on the subject, and he
tnisted tiuit the time had arrived for effective action on
the subject. He woidd not go into an examination of
the details of the memorials referred to, but the facts
are most startling, and he recommended their careful
examination to the committee to whom they were
referred.

Mr. Huntington, — chairman of the Committee on
Commerce, said, he could assure the Senate that the
subject had not escaped the Committee on Commerce.
Several memorials were before the committee, where
the most anxious desire to do justice in the matter
prevailed.

Mr. Allen (of Ohio), expressed his satisfaction at
the assurance just given by the chairman of the Com-
mittee on Commerce, that the subject would be care-
fully considered. He would move the printing of the
memorial. He hoped the committee would embody
all the facts, information and reasoning of the several
memorials in one general report, showing the extent,
importance, and value of the navigation of the Western
waters, and the loss of life and property occasioned

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

299

)n at

ICom-

care-

If the

^body

jveral

:tent,

Istern

ioned

by the obstructions, for the removal of which the
appropriation is asked.

Mr. Barrow stated, tluit it was the purpose of the
conunittee to do wliat the senator liad expressed a wish
should be done. Every member of the couuuittec, as
far as he could observe, was well disposed towards the
object in view, and all were aware of the importance
of the navigation of these Western waters, and of the
necessity of doing something to arrest the losses com-
plained of. The duty of collating the materials and
facts, and of making a report, had been assigned to
him by the connnittee, and he was engaged in prepar-
ing it.

Mr. Calhoun said, in the absence of a representa-
tion of the State of Tennessee in this body, he thought
it proper to call the attention of the connnittee to one
of the main branches of the Mississippi River, which
had apparently been entirely overlooked ; he alluded to
the Tennessee River. That river was, he believed, of
more importance than any other of the branches of the
Mississippi, with the exception of the Ohio. There
were no less than six States interested in the naviga-
tion of that river. It was a larger stream than the
Ohio, and if the same expense were bestowed upon it,
as upon the Ohio River, he woidd not be at all sur-
prifesd to see, in the course of ten years, the commerce
upon that river exceed that of the Ohio. He hoped

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LIFE OP DR. LINN.

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the committee avouIcI establish some principle upon
wliich the navigation of these renl internal seas — for
such to all intents they were — might be imj)roved ;
and to see how far this great river was entitled to their
attention, on the principle thus established.

Mr. Benton called the attention of the committee
to the appropriation of $100,000 made at the last
session for I'cmoving obstructions, and complained that
nothing had been done under this appropriation.

Mr. AValker called the attention of the committee
to a navigable tributary of the Mississippi, flowing GOO
miles through a country that furnished a larger con-
tribution of cotton to the commerce of the South, than
either the Tennessee or the Red River, or the Arkansas.
He alluded to the Yazoo- River. He entered into a
variety of details showing the importance and value of
the navigation of this river, and those tributary to it.

Mr. W. thought this a question of as great impor-
tance as could come before the committee on conunerce.
The navigation of these great inland channels of com-
munication with the Ocean, furnished more produce for
exportation than the Atlantic coast.

Mr. Crittenden hoped that something would be
done in relation to the great rivers of the West — the
Mississippi and tne Ohio, and perhaps some others ;
but if they Averc going to include all the inferior
streams, it Avas perfectly evident, as had been well said

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

301

by the Senator from Alabama (Mr. King), they would
not be able to legislate upon the subject at all. These
rivers are our great inland ocean, and they had as mu(;h
right to claim the assistance of the government as
those living on the Atlantic coast had. He hoped the
committee which had charge of the subject would con-
line themselves to the great object of the improvement
of these large rivers.

Each of the senators who spoke on this occasion,
not only recognized the right but the duty of Congress
to make appropriations to improve the navigation of
these Western rivers. Mr. Calhoun, it will be noted,
denominated the rivers of the West " great internal
SEAS," and as such he admitted the duty of the govern-
ment to make appropriations for the improvement of
their navigation and the security of life and property
upon them.

But the necessity for these appropriations is not
now perhaps so important ; not that the obstructions
to the navigation upon the waters of the West do not
now exist to the same extent as formerly, but from the
fact that the construction of railroads connecting the
great commercial cities of the West with the great cities
on the Atlantic, and thereby enabling the people of
the West to send forward their produce and receive
goods hi return at all seasons of the year, and in nuich
less time than formerly, is shifting the commerce from

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P R o ^/ i r- ,' ':. ! A •-. U i 3 r? A R Y
VICTORIA, B. C.

302

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

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the rivers to the raiboads, and bids fair to render the
former highways of trade and commerce wholly useless
except for those residing immediately on the banks of
these streams, and for cities which have no other channel
of communication ; as, for instance, between St. Louis
and New Orleans, Natchez, Memphis, Little Rock, &c.,
and between St. Louis and St. Paul. But how long
it may be ere St. Louis shall be connected with each
and all of these cities by railroads, remains to be seen ;
probably not many years, however ; and then we shall
seldom hear of the destruction of steamboats by snags
and saAvyers upon the Mississippi River, and the loss
of a great number of lives with the total loss of boat
and cargo. The time is not distant, when, instead of
ten or twenty steamboats arriving at the wharves of
that city per day from New Orleans, Pittsburg, Cincin-
nati, Louisville, Memphis, Natchez, Galena, Burlington,
Davenport, Dubuque, St. Paul, and from the Rocky
Mountains, fifty or sixty, perhaps a hundred, trains of
rail cars will daily come rushing into that city from
almost every part of the compass, and from every part
of our great Republic, even from San Francisco, the
mouth of the Columbia, River, Puget's Sound, Salt
Lake, &c., &c. And who will now undertake to say
that the city of Mexico itself, will not be the terminus
of one of these numerous routes of rapid intercom-
munication ?

CHAPTER VI

GENERAL JACKSON S FINE.

It is a matter of history, that in 1815, soon after
the battle of New Orleans, and while General Jackson
was still in that city, he deemed it his duty to adopt
and pursue such a course of measures as brought him
in conflict with the civU authorities, and that a fine of
one thousand dollars was imposed upon him by Judge
Hall, U. S. District Judge, for an alleged contempt
of the judicial authority. Parties and party feeling ran
excessively high there at the time. On the one hand,
it w^as alleged that the General acted in the most arbi-
trary and tyrannical manner towards some of the
citizens of Louisiana, and especially in proclaiming
martial law and imprisoning a member of the Legisla-
ture ; on the other hand, it was asserted ui justification
of his proceedings, that there were treasonable designs
afoot, and that the measures taken by General Jackson

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were necessary to the security of the city. Judge Hall
having been applied to for a writ of habeas corpus in
behalf of Louis Louallier, who, as was alleged, Avas
held in illegal imprisonment, granted the same, and was
therefor arrested and confined by order of General
Jackson, and after six days confinement in the guard-
house, was conducted by a file of soldiers out of the
city, and beyond the lines of the camp. It was for
this act, this alleged interference Avith the judicial
authority, that the general was afterwards cited before,
and fined one thousand dollars by the judge. All the
circumstances attending these transactionSj the eminent
stations of the two prominent men concerned, the
General and the Judge, the conflict that it involved
between the military and the civil power, all were cal-
culated to excite an unusual degree of feehng and as-
perity between those who enUsted on the one side or on
the other. Accordingly, when the fine was imposed
and paid, the sum was almost instantly raised by the
friends of General Jackson, and handed to him ; but
instead of putting the money in his own pocket, he
ordered it to be applied to charitable purposes.

His friends throughout the Union had insisted
upon the injustice of this fine, but it was not till after
he had retired from public life that the refunding of
this fine by the United States was proposed and warmly
advocated in various State legislatures and public

LIFE OV DR. LINN.

305

meetings. No subject lay nearer the heart of Dr. Linn
than the refunding of this fine to General Jackson, and
he consequently took an active part in procuring the
passage of the bill for that purpose. In his inmost
heart, aye, in his heart of hearts, he believed the fine
wrongfully imposed ; that the general was at the time
and in doing that for which he was fined, acting the
part of a true, bold and determined patriot, bent upon
saving New Orleans from the enemy at any hazard to
iiimself personally, and feeling thus, it was natural that
one possessing his ardent temperament, and entertain-
ing the warmest feeling of personal attachment to the
ex- President, should at least show no lukewarmness in
a matter which so deeply concerned the latter.

On the other hand, those who opposed the refund-
ing of this fine, were equally honest and sincere in
their conviction that it had been rightfully imposed ;
that General Jackson had most unwarrantably attempted
to place the military above the civil and judicial power
of the country, and in imprisoning a U. S. judge in
his camp for granting a writ of right, committed a most
flagrant breach of the laws and a most unjustifiable
act of arbitrary power.

The friends of the measure did not place it upon

the ground that General Jackson had a constitutional

right to do what he did : Dr. L. in the course of the

debate said " that the friends of this measure had not
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LIFE OF DR LINN.

argued it on the ground of ths act for which the fine
was incurred being constitutional. He apprehended
not one of his friends had taken that position, and that
therefore the senator from Delaware (Mr. Bayard)
was in eiTor in supposing it so advocated. What he
and his friends did say was, that General Jackson,
under the circumstances in which he was placed, acted
nobly, and merited the approval and gratitude of the
whole country, so fuUy, unequivocally, and repeatedly
awarded to him then, and ever since the transaction.
He was not the man voluntarily to abandon his duty
to his country in such a crisis, and take refuge behind
the letter of the constitution for his excuse after both
country and constitution were destroyed by an invading
enemy." And Mr, Buchanan said, " It had never been
contended on this floor that a military commander pos-
sessed the power, under the constitution of the United
States, to declare martial law. No such principle had
ever been asserted on this (the Democratic) side of the
Senate. * * * We do not contend, strictly speak-
ing, that General Jackson had any constitutional right
to declare martial law at New Orleans ; but that, as
this exercise of power was the only means of saving the
city from captiu-e by the enemy, he stood anply justi-
fied before the country for the act. We place the
argument not upon the ground of strict constitutional
right, but of such an overruling necessity as left General

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307

Jackson no alternative but the establishment of martial
law, or the sacrifice of New Orleans to the rapine and
lust of the British soldiery."

This subject was, on several occasions, brought be-
fore Congress by Dr. Linn, whose remarks upon it, de-
livered in the Senate on the 14th of May, 1843, are
here inserted.

Remarks of Mr. Linn, of Missouri, on the bill to in-
demnify General Jackson for the fine imposed on
him at New Orleans in 1815, delivered in the United
States Senate, May 14, 1842.

The following bill being under consideration, viz :

A BILL to indemnify Major General Andrew Jackson for damage
sustained in the discharge of his official duty.

Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That
the proper accounting officers of the Treasury Department be,
and they are hereby, directed to ascertain the amount of the
penalty or damages awarded by the district judge of the United
States, at New Orleans, in the year eighteen hundred and fifteen,
against Major General Andrew Jackson, then commander-in-
chief of that district, for official acts in that capacity, and paid
by him at that time ; and that the sum so paid, with interest at
six per cent, per annum, be paid to Major General Andrew Jack-
son, out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

Mr. Linn said he desired to occupy the attention

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of the Senate a short time by a few obseiTations, in
reply to the Senator from Louisiana (Mr. Conrad.)

If this were the first case of the kind (said Mr. L.)
which had occurred in the history of the countiy, I
miglit, perhaps, be induced to pause while in the act of
extending sheer justice to an injured citizen. But, sir,
our statute-books nbound in precedents — cases in which
military and naval officers, as well as other agents in
almost evay department of the Government, having,
in the discharge of their duty, incurred the penalty of
the law, and been obliged to pay fines, have called upon
us for relief, and have seldom, or nexer, called in vain.

In the case now presented to the Senate, what are
we required to do? Nothing, sir — nothing but a
simple, naked, and unencumbered act of justice to a
citizen who has been fined by a court for an act done
while in the performance of his duty, and while render-
ing most valuable and important services to his country.
This is the only true and proper light in which the
subject can be viewed ; and it can serve no good object
to intermix extraneous matters, as proposed in the
amendments, Avith the plain question. It is not neces-
sary to make any allusion to the judge by whom the
fine was imposed ; and the bill is, therefore, silent as to
Judge Hall. It neither condemns his motives nor his
acts. It is possible, as I remarked the other day, that
the Judge and the General, in the discharge of theh'

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309

peculiar duties, may have both been right. JFe all
know that the General was riglit. In regard to the
former, we are not called upon, and it is worse than
useless now to express an opinion directly or indirectly ;
and as to the latter, should we now refuse to extend to
him the simple act of justice which the bill provides, or
clog it Avith derogatory amendments, wc would trample
upon every generous emotion which moved the bosoms
of the fair daughters of New Orleans when they gath-
ered their jewels to ward off the blow aimed at their
gallant preserver by an indignant judiciary — every
noble and generous impulse which has moved a free
people to elevate him, by their suffrages, above the
sentence of the court.

I repeat, an investigation into the motives or the
acts of Judge Hall is uncalled for ; and I will not con-
tribute to such an investigation. The question has but
one bearing or poirt to which we must look. It is
confined to this inquiry -. Was the declaration of martial
law necessary to the safety of New Orleans ? It would
be a waste of time to seek, here or elsewhere, for a man
who will give a negative answer to this question ; for
all, I believe — even the Senator (Mr. Conrad) himself
— ^will admit that General Jackson had good and suffi-
cient ground for believing that martial law was neces-
sary ; that his imperative duty was, to save the city —
and, as a means, that duty required him to establish

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martial law. But, if, at this day, it should be con-
tended that the grounds of the General's belief were
insufficient, to what source, I would ask, must the
error be traced? There was no error in the case ; many
good reasons existed, and they were communicated to
General Jackson by the highest civil authorities of the
State — Governor Claiborne among the number; and
were by those authorities deemed to be of such a
nature as to render the establishment of martial law
indispensably necessary to its safety.

Of this indispensable necessity, the most incredu-
lous will be convinced by reading the letters of Gov-
ernor Claiborne to General Jackson. In that of the
8th of August, 1814, he says :

*' On a late occasion I had the mortification to acknowlege my
inability to meet a requisition from General Flournoy ; the corps
of this city having, for the most part, resisted my orders ; being
encouraged in their disobedience by the Legislature of the State,
then in session ; one branch of which, the Senate, having de-
clared the requisition illegal and oppressive, and the House of
Representatives having rejected a proposition to approve the
measure. How far I shall be supported in my late orders, remains
yet to be proved. I have reason to calculate upon the patriotism
of the interior and western counties. I know, also, that there are
many faithful citizens in New Orleans; but there are others, in
whose attachment to the United States / ought not to confide.
Upon the whole, sir, I cannot disguise the fact, that if Louisiana
should be attacked, we must principally depend for security upon
the prompt movements of the regular force under your command,

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311

and the militia of the Western States and Territories. At this
moment, we are in a very unprepared and defenceless condition ;
several important points of defence remain unoccupied, and, in
case of a sudden attack, this capital would, I fear, fall an easy
sacrifice."

On the 1 2tli of the same month the General was
told—

" On the native Americans and a vast maj'orUy of the Cre-
oles of the country, I place much confidence ; nor do I doubt the
fidelity of many Europeans who have long resided in the country ;
but there are others, much devoted to the interest of Spain, and
whose partiality to the English is not less observable than their
dislike to the American Government."

In a letter of the 24th, the same ideas arc repeated —

" Be assured, sir, that no exertions shall be wanting on my
part ; but I cannot disguise from you that I have a very difficult
people to manage ; to this moment, no opposition to the requisition
has manifested itself, but I am not seconded with that ardent zeal
which, in my opinion, the crisis demands. We look with great
anxiety to your movements, and place our greatest reliance for
safety on the energy and patriotism of the Western States. In
Louisiana there are many faithful citizens : these last persuade
themselves that Spain will soon repossess herself of Louisiana, and
they seem to believe that a combined Spanish and English force
will soon appear on our coast. If Louisiana is invaded, I shall
put myself at the head of such of my militia as will follow mo
to the field, and, on receiving, shall obey your orders. I need
not assure you of my entire confidence in you as a commander,
and of the pleasure I shall experience in supporting all your
measures for the common defence. But, sir, a cause of indescri-
bable chagrin to mo is, that I am not at the head of a willing and

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united people : native Americans, native Louisianiana, Frenchmen
and Spaniards, with some Englishmen, compose the mass of the
population — among them there exists much jealousy, and as great
diflFerences in political sentiments, as in their language and habits.
But nevertheless, sir, if wo are supported by a respectable body
of regular troops, or of Western militia, I trust I shall be able
to bring to your aid a valiant and faithful corps of Louisiana
militia ; but if we are left to rely principally on our own re-
sources, I fear existing jealousies will lead to distrust so general,
that we shall be able to make but a feeble resistance."

If there be any upon whose minds there hngers a
doubt upon this question, let him look at the picture
which New Orleans presented at that day. A quarter
of a century ago, the organization of the society of that
city was peculiar ; in its composition there was much
that was foreign to our institutions, in act and in feeling ;
for in it was infused a mixture from the continent of
Europe, of men not native to our soil — from France,
Spain, Portugal, Britain, and Germany — many of whom
felt a deep gratitude to England for the overthrow of
Bonaparte. Indeed, when we reflect upon the situation
of New Orleans as it then was, in regard to this por-
tion of its population alone, we might well be justified
in lauding the declaration of martial law by General
Jackson, even aside from the fact that he was urged to
do so by the civil authorities of the State, and by others
of its most gaUant and patriotic sons.

If, sir, my memory serves me, something fell from

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313

the gentleman from Louisiana, which indicated a desire,
on liis part, that the friends of Gen. Jackson siiouhl
establish the fact that he was justified, on legal consti-
tutional grounds, for adopting the course which he i)ur-
sued at New Orleans. He would require us to point
out the law \mder which the General acted. I trust
the Senator will be satisfied with the fact, that many
emergencies arise in war — and, indeed, some in peace —
in which the high civil and militaiy servants of the
people are, from necessity, compelled to " take the re-
sponsibility " of doing some act for the safety of the
country, which is beyond the pale of their ordinary
duties, and, if the Senator pleases, beyond the law.
Agahi : I could refer the Senator to the cases in which
Generals Wilkinson, Brown, and other officers on the
frontiers of the State of New York, have been amerced
for arresting and impris')ning persons on suspicion of
being spies or traitors.

There are precedents innumerable where officers
have been found guilty of breaches of law in the dis-
charge of their duty, and, therefore, calling for the in-
terference of a just Government. Of these, it is only
necessary to introduc 3 a few, where the Government
did interpose and give relief to the injured officer.
These cases commenced as early as August, 1790, and
have continued down to the present time. Thus, in
April, 1818, Major General Jacob Brown was indem-

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nified for damages sustained under sentence of civil
law, for having confined an individual found near his
camp, suspected of traitorous designs.

At the same session, Captain Austin and Lieutenant
Wells were indemnified against nine judgments, amount-
ing to upwards of $6,000, for having confined nine
individuals suspected of treachery to the country. In
this case it was justly remarked by the then Secretary
of War, (John C. Calhoun,) that " if it shoidd be de-
termined that no law authorized" the act, "yet I
would respectfully suggest that there may be cases, in
the exigencies of war, in which, if the commander
should transcend his legal power, Congress ought to
protect him. and those who act under him, from con-
sequential damages ; " in which the committee of the
House of Representati /PS, as stated by their chairman,
the lately deceased member from North Carolina (Mr.
Williams) concurred.

In the case of General Robert Swartwout, in 1818,
the conunittee by whoni it was reported stated that " it
is considered one of those extreme cases of necessity
in which an overstepping of the established legal rules
of society stands fully justified."

In May, 1820, General James Wilkinson was in-
demnified for damages recovered against him by Gen-
eral Adair, on account of false imprisonment.

In March, 1823, Colonel Robert Purdy was in-

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

315

demnified for damages, for having arrested and impris-
oned an individual fomid near liis garrison, whose acts
had done injury to the subordination of i\\i\t post, and
were calculated to violate law. In this case it was re-
marked that, " admitting the court to be correct, both as
to jurisdiction and the definition " of the character,
&c., yet the conmiittee are of opinion the petitioner is
entitled to relief, because they are satisfied he acted
with the sole view of promoting the public irterest
confided to his command.

In March, 1823, Lieutenant Robert F. Stockton,
of the navy, was indemnified for damages sustnined on
account of the capture and detention of a vessel t.nd
crew. The committee, in this case, remarked, that,
" having maturely considered the case," they " are of
opinion that in the capture," &c., " he was actuated by
an honest determination to discharge, in a proper
manner, the trust reposed in him by the Government."

Cases in point might be further nndtiplied, were it
deemed necessary, to show the entire willingness of the
Government, at all times, to protect its faithf.il officers

and agents in the discharge of their official

duties.

Sir, in all these examples, the Congress of the
United States have paid or remitted tlieir fines, by the
usual preliminary course of investigation and report by
a committee. The same principles governed, and the
same proceedings occurred, in aU the cases. Tlie pub-

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lie good was presumed to be the governing motive of
the officer, and the grounds of the act complained of.
And in all these instances, in which provision was made
to refand the fines, no difference in princijjle can be
found from that involved in the case now presented.
And in respect to this fine, which was exact 3d from
General Jackson, I would ask, are Senators prepared to
make his case an exception ?

I would have avoided, if possible, saying any thing
in reference to the deeds of General Jackson ; neither
do I wish to point the Senate to the halo v/ith vv nc
those deeds have surrounded his venerable head and
illumined his country. My voice will not be heard in
utterance of his praise, to induce Senators to support
the bill which they are new considering. Nor is it
necessary ; for ever ihose who have opposed obstacles
to its passage — obstacles which have surprised me, and
which I doubt not will be viewed with astonishment by
a vast majority of the people of this republic — ^liave ad-
mitted his just claim to honor and fame, and the grati-
tude of his countrymen. His actions proclaim for
themselves their enduring fame ; gratitude has stamped
them upon our memories; and the true and steady
hand of History will grave them deeply upon her im-
perishable tablets. His good name cannot now be
sullied ; it is placed in the scroll which contains the Hst
of those whom freemen and patriots deUght to honor.

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His reputation, like a star, far above the clouds of de-
traction which float around our censorious world, wiU
shine with a brighter radiance as the flight of time
shall hallow his memory.

I have given a few out of many precedents ; though
I am free to confess that, when this bill was submitted
to the consideration of the Senate, I did not anticipate
that gentlemen would take a course which would render
them necessary. I have one now before me ; and, as
it is of peculiar applicability, and supported by an
opinion from a source to which Senators will attach a
sincere veneration, I will ask their particular attention
to it. The case arose from the arrest of certain in-
dividuals suspected of treason by Geiieral Wilkinson ;
and, in defence of the course pursued by the General,
President Jefferson expressed his opinion in the letter
which I will read with the permission of the Senate.

Extract of a letter from Mr. Jefferson to John B. Colvin, Esq.

" To proceed to the conspiracy of Burr, and particularly to
• General Wilkinson's situation in New Orleans. In judging this
case we are bound to consider the state of the information, cor-
rect and incorrect, which he then possessed. He expected Uurr
and his band from above, a British fleet from below ; and he
knew there was a formidable conspiracy within the city. Under
these circumstances, was he justifiable, 1st. In seizing notorious
conspirators ? On this there can be but two opinions — one, of
the guilty and their accomplices; the other, that of all honest
men. 2d. Sending them to the seat of Government, when the

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written law gave them a right to trial in the Territory? The
danger of their rescue ; of continuing the machinations ; the
tardiness and weakness of the law; apathy of the judges ; active
patronage of the whole tribe of lawyers ; unknown dispositions
of the juries; an hourly expectation of the enemy; salvation of
the city, and of the Union itself, which would have been convulsed
to its centre, had that conspiracy succeeded — all these constituted
a law cf necessity and self-preservation ; and rendered the salus
populi supreme over the written law. The officer who is called
to act on this superior ground does, indeed, risk liimself on the
fusih' f 'he controlling powers of the Constitution; and his
statioi. js it his duty to incur that risk. But those controlling
powers, and his fellow-citizens generally, are bound to judge ac-
cording to the circumstances under which he acted. They are
not to transfer the information of this place or moment to the
time and place of this action ; but to put themselves into his
situation. We know here that there never was danger of a
British fleet from below ; and that Burr's b'"nd was crushed bofore
it reached the Mississippi. But General Wilkinson's information
was very difFerent ; and he could act on no other.

" From these examples and principles, you may see what I
think on the question proposed. They do not go to the case of
persons charged with petty duties, where consequences are trifling,
and time allowed for a legal course ; nor to authorize them to
take such cases out of the written law. In those, the example
of overleaping the law is of greater evil than a strict adherence
to its imperfect provisions. It is incumbent on those only who
accept of great charges., to risk themselves on great occasions,
tvhen the safety of the nation, or some of its very high interests,
are at stake. An officer is bound to obey orders ; yet he would
be a bad one who should do it in cases for which they were not
intended, and which involved the most important consequences.

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ces.

The line of discrimination between cases may be difficult. But
the good officer is bound to draw it at his own peril, and throws
himself on the justice of his country, and the rectitude of his
motives."

Now, sir, viewing ingenuously the whole course of
General Jackson at New Orleans, and contrasting the
principles involved in his case with Judge Hall, with
those expressed in the letter of President Jefferson,
could any man doubt that the General rested upon the
rectitude of his intentions and the justice of his
country ? None, sir — none can doubt it. The almost
entire population of Louisiana rose to sustain and honor
him; his countrymen, by conferring upon him the
highest mark of their confidence, have approved his
every act at New Orleans ; and we are now called on
to render to him an act of justice — an act which that
venerated statesman and patriot warrior of the Re-
public believes necessary to remove from the page of
his life a passage which the decision of a court may
have blurred, and which may, by possibility, create an
injurious doubt as to the rectitude of his intentions, in
the minds of some w^hen he shall rest in his grave.
The country has manifested its confidence in his up-
rightness, by bestowing upon him the highest office in
J;he gift of the people — and that confidence tliey have
never had cause to repent. His history should become
familiar to the youth of our land j it furnishes one of

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the best examples by Avhich to shape their course as
citizens of the llepubUc; and presents, in the most
prominent manner, that great reward which is extended
to honesty of purpose, disinterested love of country,
and persevering efforts to promote its welfare — a re-
ward greater than that which has ever been given by
any other country, to ^^"y man, for like virtues. Though
left an orphan at an early age, these virtues, and these
eflPorts alone, unaided by wealth or by connexions, (for
not a drop of his blood flows in the veins of any living
creature,) have placed him at the head of our most
distinguished citizens, and made him one of the orna-
ments of our young Republic. Oh, sir, he is a noble
production of our glorious political institutions.

In reverting to the question before the Senate, I
would remark, that the declaration of martial law, by
General Jackson, involved all the consequences to which
the Senator from Louisiana has thought proper to
allude.

And here I may be permitted to introduce addi-
tional facts, to demonstrate the necessity of the measure.
They are taken from the answer of General Jackson
to the rule of the court, and have never been ques-
tioned :

" If examples can justify, or the practice of others serve as a
proof of necessity, the respondent has ample materials for his
defence ; not from analogous construction, but from the conduct

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321

of all the diflfercnt departments of the State Government, in the
very case now un.ler dicf^ussion.

" The Legislature of the State, having no constitutional power
to regulate or restrain commerce, on the — day of December last,
passed an act laying an embargo ; the Executive sanctioned it ;
and, from a conviction of its necessity, it was acquiesced in. The
same Legislature shut up the courts of justice for four months to
all civil suitors ; the same Executive sanctioned that law ; and
the judiciary not only acquiesced, but solemnly approved it.

" The Governor, as appears by one of the letters quoted, un-
dertook to inflict the punishment of exile upon an inhabitant
without any form of law, merely because he thought that an in-
dividual's presence might be dangerous to the public safety.

" The judge of this very couH, duly impressed with the
emergency of the moment, and the necessity of employing every
means of defence, consented to the discharge of men committed
and indicted for capital crimes^ without bail, and without recog-
nizance ; and probably under an impression that the exercise of
his functions would be useless, absented himself from the place
where his court was to be holden, and postponed its session during
a regular term.

" Thus the conduct of the legislative, executive and judiciary
branches of the Government of this State have borne the fullest
testimony of the existence of the necessity on which the re-
spondent relies.

" The unqualified approbation of the Legislature of the United
States, and such of the individual States as were in session, ought
also to be admitted as no slight means of defence, inasmuch as
all these respectable bodies were fully apprised of his proclama-
tion of martial law, and some of them seemed to refer to it, by

thanking him for the energy of his measures."
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What an extraordinary picture does this state of
facts present ! Here is a Governor who exiles an in-
dividual on suspicion of his entertaining dangerous
designs — a Legislature laying an embargo upon the
connnercc of the country, and shutting up the courts
of justice — and a judiciaiy voluntarily laying aside the
ermine, and absenting themselves, to avoid the perform-
ance of a solemn duty ; and this directly in violation
of the law and the Constitution — and all these events
passed, as they should — without condemnation from
any quarter ; because, where virtuous intentions were,
these acts were most virtuous ; whilst the General who
had the courage to take the high responsibility of
saving his country, has a mark of disapprobation set
upon him by a member of this very judicial tribunal
which had evaded the performance of the duties im-
posed upon it by the laws and the Constitution ; and
you — you, sir — hesitate to efface it, or, departing from
all precedent, propose to attach conditions which neither
he nor his friends can accept.

The gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Conrad], in
his allusions, would seem to desire to have it appear
that General Jackson continued the operation of the
law longer than was absolutely necessary. There was
a rumor of peace; the enemy had been driven from
before the town ; and the gentleman thinks, or would
have us infer, that the rigor of the martial law should

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

323

I], in
Ippear

Df the

^e was

from

kvould

lliould

have been somewhat relaxed. For what? That in-
dividuals might be permitted to promote a little dis-
affection — to raise a small speck of hostility against
the watchful and brave veteran — to give a slight de-
gree of encouragement to the poor defeated enemy — ■
and to be permitted to do this by publications in news-
papers, by handbills stuck upon the walls of the town,
or in any other peaceable way which their ingenuity
might suggest ? I repeat, the declaration of martial
law involved the consequences which followed ; and, in
regard to the proceedings of Judge Hall, we need not
waste oiir time in fine-spun disquisitions about his
writs, his arrest, or his banishment from the camp, and
imjmsonment or confinement to the remaining portion
of the United States and its territories. The Judge,
as well as every other person within the precincts of the
camp, were, for the time, subject to the operation of
the law. When he issued his process, in order to take
from the military an individual who had been arrested
and secured for the purpose of preventixig him from
giving aid to the enemy, or endangemig the safety of
the coimtri/, the time had not arrived for the Judge to
assume his functions. Prom the moment of its adop-
tion to that in whch it ceased, the martial law was
paramount ; and there could, under such circumstances,
be no contempt of court. If there was any contempt,
it was a contempt committed by the Judge against the

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

MS '

ft I

necessarily paramount authority which existed within the
precincts of the camp — an authority created by the
necessities and dangers of that portion of the country.
And, sir, in regard to the intimation tliat General Jack-
son should have acted upon the rumor of peace, and
immediately relieved his camp from the operation of
martial law, I have to say, that the fact that the rumor
was suffered to pass unheeded, is a strong and convinc-
ing evidence not only of his capacity to connnand, but
of his ^i-'alumbering vigilance, and his entire devotedness
to the mfety of the country and the glory of its anus.
And if I were to select any portion of his eventfid his-
tory for an evidence of his great qualities as a com-
mander, it would be that which represents him as cast-
ing to the winds rumors which lulled into security those
about him, while a powerful and mortified enemy,
smarting under the infliction of a chastisement which
had torn from their brows the blushing honors which
they had so bravely gathered upon the fields of Eu-
rope, were crouching within a single bound of the plain
from which they had been drive ^, and, with hot blood
and braced sinews, were eager to spring upon and tear
those who had so recently humbled them. No, sir ;
none of the attributes which marl, the character of
General Jackson could subject him o the machinations
of the enemy, however subtle. Hi^^ vigilance was as
untiring as his honesty was incorruptible. And ap-

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

325

predating, as he should, the x^ast responsibility/ which
rested upon hiin, lie Avas not to be diverted from his
duty by a rumor, — nothing but certainty should, or
did satisfy him. It has Ijeen correctly said by a late
distinguished member of the Senate, that the post held
by General Jackson — the outlet of the Mississippi —
was more important than any other in our vast country ;
and so long as that noble river continued to bear its
vast tribute to the ocean, so long would the defence
of New Orleans remain one of the brightest pages of
our countiy's history.

I would here call the attention of the Senate to
another portion of the answer of General Jackson,
touching his conduct and his views of duty after the
rumor of peace had reached New Orleans.

" He thought peace a probable, but by no means a certain
event. If it had really taken place, a few days must bring the
official advice of it ; and he believed it better to submit, during
those few days, to the salutary restraints imposed, than to put
every thing dear to ourselves and country at risk upon an uncer-
tain contingency. Admit the chances to have been a hundred or
a thousand to one in favor of the ratification, and against any
renewed attempts of the enemy ; what should we say or think of
the prudence of the man who would stake his life, his fortune,
his country, and his honor, even with such odds in his favor,
against a few days' anticipated enjoyment of the blessings of
peace ? The respondent could not bring himself to play so deep
a hazard ; uninfluenced by the clamors of the ignorant and the
designing, he continued the exercise of that law which necessity

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LIFE OP Dll. LINN.

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had compelled Lim to proclaim ; and ho still thinks himself jus-
tified, by the situatiou of affairs, for the course which ho adopted
and pursued. lias ho exercised this power wantonly or im-
properly ? If so he is liable — not, as he believes, to this honor-
able court for contempt, but to his Government for an abuse of
power, and to those individuals whom he has injured, in damages
proportioned to that injury.

" About the period last described, the consul of Franco, who
appears by Governor Claiborne's letter, to have embarrassed the
first drafts, by his claims in favor of pretended subjects of his
king, renewed his interference ; his certificates were given to men
in the ranks of the army — to some who had never applied, and
to others who wished to use them as the means of obtaining an
inglorious exemption from danger and fatigue. The immunity
derived from these certificates not only thinned the ranks, by the
withdrawal of those to whom they were given, but produced +he
desertion of others, who thought thomselvcs equally entit^ i
the privilege ; and to this cause must be traced the abandoi* ..c
of the important post of Chef Menteur, and the temporary refu-
sal of a relief ordered to occupy it.

" Under these circumstances, to remove the force of an exam-
ple which had already occasioued such dangerous consequences,
and to punish those who were so unwilling to defend what they
were so ready to enjoy, the respondent issued a general order,
directing those French subjects who had availed themselves of
the consul's certificates to remove out of the lines of defence,
and far enough to avoid any temptation of intercourse with our
enemy, whom they were so scrupulous of opposing. This mea-
sure was resorted to, as the mildest mode of proceeding against a
dangerous and increasing evil ; and the respondent had the less
scruple of his power, in this instance, as it was not quite so strong
as that which Governor Claiborne had exercised, before the inva-

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

327

Bion, by the advice of his attorney general, in tlie case of Col-
onel Coliel.

" It created, however, some sensation; discontents were again
fomented, from the source that had first produced them. Aliens
and strangers became the most violent advocates of constitu-
tional rights ; and native Americans icere taught the value of
their privileges, by those u'ho formally disavowed any tittj to
their enjoyment. The order was particularly opposed — in an
anonymous publication. In this, the author deliberately and
wickedly misrepresented the order, as subjecting to removal all
Frenchmen whatever, even those who had gloriously fought in
defence of the country ; and, after many dangerous and unwar-
rantable declarations, he closes, by calling upon all Frenchmen
to flock to the standard of their consul — thus advising and pro-
ducing an act of mutiny and insubordination, and publishing the
evidence of our weakness and discoid to the enemy, who were
still in our vicinity, anxious, no doubt, before the cessation of
hostilities, to wipe away the late stain upon their arms. To have
silently looked on such an offence, without making any attempt to
punish it, would have been a formal surrender of all discipline,
all order, all personal dignity and public safety. This could not
be done ; and the respondent immediately ordered the arrest of
the defender, A writ of habeas corpus was directed to issue for
his enlargement. The very case which had been foreseen — the
very contingency on which martial law was intended to operate
— had now occurred. The civil magistrate seemed to think it
his duty to enforce the enjoj^ment of civil rights, altliough the
consequences which have been described would probably have
resulted. An unbending sense of what he seemed to think his
station required, induced him to order the liberation of the pri-
soner. This, under the respondent's sense of duty, produced a
conflict which it was his wish to avoid.

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

*' No other course remained than to enforce the principles
which he had laid clown as his guide, and to suspend the exer-
cise of this judicial power, wherever it interfered with the neces-
sary means of defence. The only way off (Ctually to do this, was
to place the Judge in a situation in which his interference could
not counteract the measures of defence, or give countenance to
the mutinous disposition that had shown itself in so alarming a
doi^ree. Merely to have disregarded the writ, would have but
incMased the evil; and to have obeyed it, was wholly repugnant
to the respondent's ideas of the public safety, and to his own
sense of duty. The Judge was, therefore, confined, and removed
beyond the lines of defence."

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While, on the cnc hand, no one can doubt that, in
estabUshing martial Irw at New Orleans, General Jack-
son was actuated by motives of duty and patriotism,
and while it cannot and will not be denied that, in all
cases in which our military officers have been amerced,
in consequence of performing a duty deemed necessary
and proper, we have extended relief to them in the
manner now prop )sed, — we are not, on the other hand,
required, by any consistent view of the facts, either to
censure, to exonerate, or to applaud Judge Hall, and
whatever may be my views of his course, I feel that
there would be an inconsistency in departing from all
precedent in this simple act of justice to the venerable
patriot now standing upon the verge of his grave ; and,
therefore, I repeat, I do not desire to call in question,
on this occasion, the conduct of the Judge. I sin-

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

329

cerely hope that he, too, was guided by a desh'e to dis-
charge the duties of his station ; for, in view of the
circumstances, under which this coiUsion of adverse
authorities occurred, there is an attractive moral gran-
deur presented in the idea of its harmonious adjustment.

In time of war, how numerous are the instances
where our commanding officers are obUged, by the force
of circumstances, to assume a high, and, unless guided
by an enlightened discretion, a dangerous responsi-
bility ! And in all cases, where they have kept within
the limits which that discretion prescribes, the legisla-
tive authority has interposed its arm, and saved them
from harm. Indeed, I cannot recall to my mind a
single instance where compensation has been withheld.
But it is urged that the General was much too fond of
assuming responsibilities. Yes : his whole life was one
continued scene of acts performed for the benefit of
his country — of responsibilities voluntarily assumed for
its glory and honor. When or where was it unwisely
or wickedly assumed ? I challenge an answer. And I
may here be permitted to name an instance in which
General Jackson assumed the responsihilifi/, which, I
doubt not, contributed in a great measure to the glori-
ous result at New Orleans, though the incident occurred
some time previous to that event.

In the autumn of 1812, a portion of tlie lY'nncs-
see volunteers, under General Jackson, were dismissed

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

luii h

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at Natchez, to which place they had been ordered for
the protection of the lower* country. They were far
from their homes and connections, and disbanded, by
the order of the Government, without arms, or rations,
or assistance of any kind, and left to make their way
back through a wilderness country — liable to sickness
by the way, and attacks from hostile Indians. Under
these circumstances it was that the General assumed the
responsibility/, at the imminent risk of his private for-
tune and public character, of supplying them with
arms, ammunition, food, and as many horses and
wagons as sufficed for their transportation. Can it be
doubted that this provident and generous act of the
General endeared him to the brave Tennesseans, and,
in 1814, made them prompt to respond to his call for
volunteers for the defence of New Orleans ? Had the
dismissed troops at Natchez, in 1812, been forsaken
by him in tlieii' distress, as they had been by the Gov-
ernment, and left penniless, and without food, far from
their friends and homes, can any one suppose that they
would have again placed themselves under a commander
who had thus neglected them ? No, su* ; they would
have turned in disgust from a service where devotion
to country and innumerable hardships were repaid
only with neglect and ingratitude by their General and
their country.

I would also call attention to another incident in

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

331

\.,i

the history of this great man — an incident which shows
that he possessed, in a most remarkable degree, a trait
of character Avhich so pecuharly distinguishes a great
warrior. I allude to the incident which occurred dur-
ing the Creek war, when his troops, harassed by
fatiguing marches, and iiTitated by scanty food and the
machinations of uneasy spirits, were about to revolt
and leave his standard. In the moment of suffering
and anger, and overlooking their duty to their country,
the}' openly refused to be longer detained in its ser-
vice; at the moment they were about to abandon him,
he seized a iimsket, and, placing himself before the
revolted brigade, one thousand five hundred strong, told
them what they owed to their country ; and declared
that he would slay the first who attempted to abandon
his duty; they might fly from that duty, but they
should only do so by passing ovor his dead body. The
troops, convinced by his steiii -Joning, mortified at
the humbling contrast which their conduct presented
to his, and admiring the devotion and finuncss of their
commander, returned to their duty.

Such is the man to whom we are called on noA\ to
extend justice — a man who never shrank from a (iiity
when his country's good demanded its performance —
though that duty involved a resjjonsibilit^ however fear
ful — though it may have required him to lay down liis
life. For his devotion to his country, that country has

332

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

1 i

1 !

honored him — he has received the highest honors in its
gift ; and he requiies no painting, as suggested by the
Senator from Louisiana, to commemorate his public ser-
vices, or to perpetuate in the bosom of his countrymen
the gratitude which tn^e patriotism feels towards the
true patriot — a gratitude which will extend through
all generations, as long as a love of country sliall exist,
and his deeds, delineated by the pencil of Truth, shall
remain recorded upon the page of history.

If, indeed, historical paintings are to be made, in
order to illustrate the character of General Jackson, I
would suggest that the incident to which I have just
alluded furnish the subject for one. Let him be shown
standing, unaided, with a musket in his hands, sternly
opposing fifteen hundred angiy, half-famished men,
and, at the haziU'd of his life, checking their revolt, and
bringing them back to reason and duty. This would
tend to exhibit his undaunted courage, his firmness,
and his unyielding determination in the discharge of a
high trust.

I would also point to another trait of his character
— ^his patient hardihood while in the service of his
country — proved by another incident in the Creek war,
which could be made tiie subject of an interesting
painting, and would represent him destitute of food,
fatigued by marches and by watchings, and supplying
the pressing calls of hunger by the acorns which he

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

333

gathered as he passed under the forest trees, rather than
abandon an exposed frontier to the tomahawk and
scalping-knife of a savage and remorseless enemy. If
you would represent him as the friend of order and the
protector of the law, and at the same time exhibit his
magnanimity of soul, place upon canvas that bright
moment of his history, when, at New Orleans, he bowed
to the sentence of the judge, and, while with one hand
he yielded an unjust penalty to the demands of the law,
with the other he staid the angry waves of popular
commotion, advancing to overwhelm the tribunal by
whom the penalty was exacted. Would you commem-
orate his humanity ? Then represent him in his tent,
after one of the bloody battles with the Creeks, taking
charge of an infant Indian boy, found upon its dead
mother's breast, and which its own relations advised
should be knocked on the head. That same boy who,
nourished on the food of the camp by him and his
officers, and watched with care and tenderness, survived
the dangers of a campaign — ^by him was fostered and
educated — and, at seventeen years of age, died in the
bosom of his preserver's family, beloved and lamented.
Can the whole range of histoiy furnish a picture sur-
passing this in moral beauty ?

It was not, sir, my intention to say aught that would
tend to arouse the political antipathies of any one, or
open the fountains of bitterness, now nearly dried up.

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334

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

I trust I have not. I have considered the question be-
fore the Senate, from the very beginning, as one which,
of all otliers, should be discussed without a reference to
political misunderstandings ; and for the reason, that
the character of our country is involved in the manner
of its discussion, as well as in the result. For it does
not follow that those who were opposed to General
Jackson during his political or civil life, are called on to
throw obstacles in the way of this bill. May they not
Avith candor and justice, yield their support to it ? To
me it seems that the whole case lies in a very narrow
compass : — a case which, guided alone by common
sense and justice, was decided upon instantly and
correctly by the whole population of New Orleans, be-
fore whose eyes all the circumstances transpired. This
decision has been confirmed by the entire country ; and
it remains only for us, by the cold act of justice Avhich
we are now called upon to perform, to confirm this
universal verdict, and to deprive all time to come of a
vestige of the wrong which has been done hiii^ . Aside
from the imperative duty which devolves upon us, I
would ask Senators if there is one here who would
hesitate in givhig his vote for this bill, were it hut to
cheer the heart of the venerable patriot, and render
more calm his last moments, by the reflection that the
evidence of his country's confidence and justice is now
entire ? Exalted old man ! Though we may never

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

335

again look into those eyes which never winked at
clanger, nor behold again that venerable and dignified
form, now bending with the load of years over the
verge of eternity, the recollection of you, or your glori-
ous deeds, can never be effaced from our memories !

How many precedents we have to direct us in our
duty ! — ^how great the debt which would urge us to
adopt them ! A little while since we voted twenty-five
thousand dollars to the family of General Harrison, as
a mere donation. Yet a little while more, and the
greatest light of the land will be set in the gloom of
the grave. At such a time, and under such circum-
stances, ought the money taken from, General Jackson,
without trial, by the decision of an iiicensed judge, to
be withheld ? Not that he has asked us for it, or wants
it as a pecuniary aid ; but because it will tend to smooth
his way to the grave, by showing that the Senate of
the United States looked upon his conduct at New
Orleans as justifiable — ^liis motives as pure — and as an
example to future generals to do likewise under similar
circumstances. Let gentlemen refuse this, and were I
disposed to make that refusal a political question, I
would take in one hand this bill, and in the other the
act giving to the heirs of General Harrison twenty-five
thousand dollars ; and, going before a grateful peoi)le
with them, could any one doubt what would be the
result? No, sir, no. General Jackson is above the

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

",M

charity of the Senate, as he is beyond its praise or
blame ; neither he nor his friends desire any thing more
than justice at your hands. They consider your trea-
sury as disgraced while it retains the money wrung from
him in the performance of a noble duty nobly per-
formed. Then let it be returned, and in no ungracious
or ambiguous spirit ; return it in the same manner as
you have to all others under similar cii'cumstances —
even to your humblest custom-house officers. By so
douig, you win avoid the imputation that, had he been
less — much less — in the eyes of the world than he is,
your justice would have been more freely dispensed."

fi 'U.

I '

The efforts made by Dr. Linn to procure the pas-
sage of the bill to remit General Jackson's fine, were
labors of love. His whole heart and soul were in it.
Viewing the subject in the light that he did, he con-
sidered the fine as a great piece of injustice inflicted
upon him, and that this injustice had been suffered to
go unremoved and unrebuked for a long period of time.
General Jackson was now standing on the verge of the
gvave, and if the removal of what he considered " the
only obloquy that rested on his name "was to be effected
before his death, so as to afford him any satisfaction, it
must be done with the least possible delay. Such were
the motives that prompted the action and the zeal of Dr.
Linn. They were hotiorable, manly, just and humane.

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337

To do justice was his great object ; and it would prob-
ably have been one of the happiest moments of his Hfe
had he lived a few months longer, when th'3 bill to
remit the fine became a law, and he could have informed
his friend, the General, that the fine was at last re-
mitted, and the obloquy resting upon his name had
been wiped out l)y his country's own hand and act.
But though the bill passed the Senate it did not pass
the House, at that time, nor become a law until Feb-
ruary, 1844, about four months after the Doctor had
been called hence. He had, however, given it such an
impetus by advocating it with so much zeal and earnest-
ness, that its final passage was undoubtedly due to his
efforts in endeavoring to effect the consummation of the
measure.

AVliat General Jackson's feelings were towards him
on account of the part he had taken, will be seen in
the following letter addressed by him to Mrs. Linn very
soon after the bill had passed the Senate, every sentence
of which glows with warm and grateful regard.

Let te?' from Gen. Andrew Jackson to Mrs. Linn.

Hermitage, June 14, 1842.
My Dear Friend, — Although very feeble in health,
I cannot refrain from dropping you a few lines to ex-
press my pleasure and gratitude for the greatest act of

friendship that I ever received, which has been be-
22

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

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stowed on nic l)y your dear, patriotic husband, and my
faithful and kind friend, Dr Linn, in the late hill wliieh
he l)roup;ht through the U. S. Senate, indenniifying ine
in discharging my official duty in cstahlishing martial
law in the City of New Orleans, when called there to
defend it, during our late war with England. The
Doctor's speech in my behalf to the Senate on this
occasion has made my heart overflow with gratitude and
love to him, and as long as I live I will cherish and
revere him as my best friend. I have often told you
and the Doctor that although the Eternal One had
blessed me with so many good friends and dear objects
to love, that I sometimes felt very desolate when I re-
flected that not a drop of my blood flowed in the veins
of one of the human family ; and all that I had to
leave mv countrv was a good name. And how can I
express all the gratitude I feel to the benefactor who
has wiped off the only obloquy that I thought might
rest on my name ? You, my dear Mrs. Linn, who know
me so well, can judge of my deep and grateful feelings
towards your husband for this noble act of kindness to
me. IIow often have I said to you that from the first
moment I beheld Dr. Linn I felt my heart drawn
most warmly to him. I have written to him, expressing
my great desire that he would come to see me, and to
be sure to bring you and your children with him. I
hope that your little daughter looks like her lovely de-

LIFE OF DR. LINN.

339

parted sister Jane, who was as dear to lue as if she had
been my own cliild. My daughter unites with uie in
much h)ve to you and yoiu's, and sincerely liopes that
you aiul tlie Doctor will come to see us very soon, (jod
bless you all.

Your attectionate friend,

Andrew Jackson.
To Mrs. E. A. R. Linn.

But Dr. Linn's labors did not cease with the failure
of the bill at the time the foregoing speech was de-
livered. It was brought forward again by him at the
next session — 1812-'3, when, after debate in the Senate
in which he bore a conspicuous part, it again passed
that body, February 28, 1843, 28 to 20, but failed in
the House. His effort on this occasion, just at the close
of the last session of the 27th Congress, and the last
of his senatorial career, was the closing act of his pub-
lic life. Little as he could foresee that when the bill
passed the Senate his pubic labors were virtually finished,
it can scarcely be doubted that, could the fact have been
known to him, he would not have desired that any other
act of his in the discharge of his duty as a senator,
should have been his opus coronus. Upon the passage
of the bill, had the future been revealed to him, he
would have said to senators with whom he had been so
long and so agreeably associated, " ]\Iy labors are now

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LIFE OF DR. LINN.

closed. I liave conscientiously endeavored to perform
my duty as became an American senator: my only
guide has been the public good : I have endeavored to
be just, and have not feared to be so: all the ends 1
liave ahiied at have been my country's, my (lod's, and
tri.^h's. The destinies of our beloved country are in
your hands : — obey the Constitution ; preserve the
Union ; may it be perpetual : may it grow in greatness ;
abound hi wise, patriotic, able statesmen, and set a
noble example to all others of Justice, Moderation,
Wisdom, Intelligence, and Virtue."

APPENDIX.

AV1&C().\SI\ AND IOWA. AND OTIIEK
COIiPOltATE BODIES,

o.v THE ocrAsiojf of

THE DEATH OF DR. L1N.\;

,i ft.

LErrEK.s or coxdolexck addkessed to mr,s. linn, from

DISTINGUISHED MEN, ON THAT OCCASION.

11 j ;

TRIBUTES OF Ui:SPi:CT

U. S. SENATE.— December 12, 1843.

rtiJl

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APPENDIX.

Ji • I

MEMOliY OF 1)11. L. F. LINN,

vi iiiillill^!

The journal having been road Mr. Benton rose and
said :

Mr. President, I rise to make the Senate a formal
communication of an event wliieh has occurred during the
recess, and has been lieard by all Avith ileep regn't. My
colleague and friend, the late Senator Linn, depai ted this
life on Tuesday, the 3d day of October last, at the early
age of forty-ciglit years, and without the wariungs or the
sufferings which usually precede our departure from this
world. He laid him down to slec]) and awoke no more.
It was to him tlie sleep of deatli ! and the only droj) of
consolation in this sudden and calamitous visitati(ni was,
that it took place in his own house, and that his uucon-
Kcious renuiins were immediately surrounded by his family
and friends, and received all the care anil aid which love
and skill could give.

I discharge a mournful duty, Mr. P)'es'"dcnt, in bringing

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APPENDIX.

his deplorable event to the formal notice of the Senate ;
in offering the public tribute of my applause to tlio many
virtues of my deceased colleague, and in asking for his
memory the last honors which respect and affection of the
Stniate bestow upon tlie name of a deceased brother.

Lewis Field Linn, the subject of this annunciation,
was ])orn in the State of Kentucky, in the year 1795, in
the immediate vicinity of Louisville, His grandfather was
Colonel William Linn, one of the favorite officers of
General George Rogers Clarke, and well known for his
courage and enterprise in the early settlement of tlie great
West. At the age of eleven, he had fought in the ranks
of men in the defence of a station in Western Pennsylva-
nia, and was seen to deliver a deliberate and effective fire.
He was one of the first to navigate the Ohio and Missis-
sippi from Pittsburg to New Orleans, and back again — a
daring achievement, which himself and some others ac-
complished for the public service, and amidst every species
of danger, in the year 1776, He was killed l)y the Indians
'at an early pcrio<l ; leaving a family of young children, of
whom the worthy Colonel William Pope (father of Gov.
Pope, and head of the numerous and respectable family
of tliat name in the West) became the guardian. The
father of Senator Linn was among these children ; aiid,
at an early age, skaiting upon the ice near Louisville, with,
■hree other boys, he was taken prisoner by the Shawanc.
Indians, carried off and detained captive for three years,
when all four made their escajjc and returned home l)y
killing their guard, traversing some hundred miles of wil-
derness, and swimming the Oliio Eiver, The mother of
Senator Linn was a Pennsylvanian by birth ; her maiden
name Hunter ; born at Carlisle ; and also had heroic
blood in 1 er veins. Tradition, if not history, preserves the
: collection of lier courage and conduct at Fort Jefferson,

APPENDIX.

345

t,.

at the Iron Banks in 1781, where the Indians attacked
and were repulsed from that post. Women and boys were
men in those days.

The father of Senator Linn died young, leaving this
son but eleven years of age. T ji.3 cares of an elder brother
supplied (as far as such a loss could be supplied) the loss
of a father ; and under his auspices the education of the
orphan was conducted. He was intended for the medical
profession, and received his education, scholastic and pro-
fessional, in the State of his nativity. At an early age he
was qualified for the practice of medicine, and commenced
it in the then Territory now State of Missouri ; and was
immediately amongst the foremost of his profession. In-
tuitive sagacity supplied in him the place of long experi-
ence ; and boundless benevolence concilin+od universal
esteem. To all his patients he was the same ; flying with
alacrity to every call, attending upon the poor and humble
as zealously as on the rich and powerful, on the stranger
as readily as on the neighbor, discharging to all the duties
of nurse and friend as well as physician, and wholly re-
gardless of his own interest or even his own health, in his
zeal to serve and to save others.

The highest professional honors and rewards were before
him. Though commencing on a provincial theatre, there
was not a capital in Europe or America in which he would
not have obtained the first rank in physic or surgery. But
his fellow-citizens perceived in his varied abilities capacity
and aptitude for service in a diflerent walk. He was called
into the political field by an election to tlio Senate of his
adopted State. Thence he was called to the performance
of judicial duties by a federal apjiointment to investigate
land titles. Thence he was called to the high fetation of
Senator in the Congress of the United States— first by an
executive appointment, then by three successive" almost

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unanimous elections. The last of those elections he re-
ceived but one year ago, anil had not commenced his duties
under it — had not sworn in um or the certificate which
attested it — wlien a sudden and premature death put an
end to his earthly career. He entered this body in the
year 183.3, death dissolved his connection wilh it in 1843.
For ten years he was a beloved and distinguished member
of this body, and surely a nobler or a finer character never
adorned the chamber of the American Senate.

He was my friend, but I speak not the language of
friendslii}) when I spe.ak his jiraise. A vlebt of justice is
ail that I can attempt to ditcharge : an imperfect copy of
the true man is all that I can attempt to paint.

A sagacious head and a feeling heart were the great
characteristics of })i. Linn. He had a judgment which
penetrated both men and things and gave him near and
clear views of far distant events. He saw at once the
bearing — tlie remote bearing of great measures, either for
good or for evil, and brought instantly to their support or
opposition the logic of a prompt and natural eloquence
more beautiful in its delivery and more effective in its ap-
plication than any that art can bestow. He had great
fertility of mind, and was himself the author and mover
of many great measures — some for the benefit of the whole
Union- some for the benefit of the great West — some for
the benefit of his own State — many for the benefit of in-
dividuals. The pages of our legislative history will bear
the evidences of these meritorious labors to a remote and
grateful jiosterity.

Brilliant as were the qualities of his head, the qualities
of his heart still eclipse them. It is to the heart we look
for the character of the man ; and what a heart had
Lewis Linn ! The kindest, the gentlest, the most feeling,
and the most generous tliut ever beat in the bosom of a

APPENDIX.

347

bearded man ! And yet, when the occasion required it,
the bravest and the most daring also. He never beheld
a case of human wo without melting before it, he never
encountered an aj)parition of earthly danger without giv-
ing it defiance. Where is the friend, or even the stranger,
in danger or distress to whoso succor he did not fly, and
whose sorrowful or perilous case he did not make his own ?
When — where — was he ever called upon for a service or a
sacrifice and rendered not, upon the instant, the one or the
other us the occasion required ?

The senatorial service of this rare man fell upon trying
times — high party times — when, the collisions of party too
often embittered the ardent feelings of generous natures ;
but who ever knew bitterness or party animosities in him ?
He was, indeed, a party-man — as true to his party as to
his friends and his country ; but beyond the line of duty
and of principle — beyond the debate and the vote — he
knew no party and saw no opponent. Who among us all,
even after the fiercest debate, ever met him without meet-
ing ^he benignant smile and the kind salutation ? Who
of us all ever needed a friend without finding one in him ?
Who of us all was ever stretched upon the bed of sickness
without finding him at its side ? Who of us all ever
knew a personal difficulty of which he was not, as far as
possible, the kind composer ?

(Such was Senator Linn in high party times among us.
And what he was here among us he was every where and
with every body. At home among his friends and neigh-
bors ; on the high road among casual ac(iuain*ances ; in
foreign lands among strangers ; in all and in every of
these situations he was the same thing. He had kindness
and sympathy for every human being ; and the whole
voyage of liis life was one continued and benign circum-
navigation of all the virtues which adorn and exalt tho

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APPENDIX.

character of man ; piety, charity, benevolence, generosity,
courage, patriotism, fidelity, all shone cons})icuonsly in
him, and might extort from the beholder the imjjressive
interrogatory. For u'hat place teas this man made ? Was
it for the Senate or the camp ? For public or for private
life ? For the bar or the bench ? For the art which lioals
the diseases of the body, or that which cures the infirmi-
ties of the State ? For which of all these was he born ?
And the answer is. For all. He Avas born to fill the largest
and most varied circle of human excellence ; and to crown
all these advantages, nature had given him what the great
Lord Bacon calls a perpetual letter of recommendation —
a countenance not only good, but sweet and winning —
radiant with the virtues of his soul — captivating universal
confidence ; and such as no stranger coidd behold — no
traveller, even in the desert, could meet, without stopping
to reverence, and saying : Here is a man in whose hands
I could deposit my life, liberty, fortune, honor. Alas !
that so much excellence should have perished so soon !
that such a man should have been snatched away ajt the
early age of forty-eight, and while his faculties were still
ripening and developing !

In the life and character of such a man, so exuberant
in all tliat is grand and beautiful in human nature, it is
difficult to particularize excellencies or to pick out any one
quality or circumstance which could claim pre-eminence
over all others. If I should attempt it, I should point,
among his measures for the benefit of the whole Union, to
the Oregon bill ; among his measures for the benefit of
his own State, to the acquisition of the Platte coimtry ;
among his private virtues to the love and affection which
he bore to that half-brother — the half-brother only — who,
only thirteen years older than himself, had been to him
the tenderest of fathers. For twenty-nine years I had

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APPENDIX.

349

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known the depth of tliat affection, and never saw it hum
more brightly than in our last interview, only three weeks
hefore his death. He had just travelled a thousand miles
out of his way to see that brother ; and his name was still
the dearest theme of his conversation — a conversation,
strange to tell ! which turned, not upon tlic empty and
fleeting subjects of the day, but upon things solid and
eternal — upon friendship and upon death, and upon the
duties of the living and the dead. He spoke of two friends
whom it was natural to believe that he should survive, and
to whose memories he intended to pay the debt of friend-
ship. Vain calculation ! Vain impulsion of generosity
and friendship ! One of these two friends now discharges
that mournful debt to him ; the other [General Jackson]
has written me a letter, expressing his " deep sorroio for
the untimelT/ death of our friend, Dr. Linn."

Mr. Benton then moved the usual resolutions of re-
spect.

Mr. Crittenden then rose and said : I rise, Mr.
President, to second the motion of the Hon. Senator from
Missouri, and to express my cordial concurrence in the
resolutions he has offered.

The highest tribute of our respect is justly due to the
honored name and memory of Senator Linn ; and there
is not a heart here that does not pay it freely and plcnte-
ously. These resolutions are but responsive to the general
feeling that })revails throughout the land, and will afford
to his widow and his orphans the consolatoiy evidence
that their country shares their grief, and mourns for their
bereavement.

I am very sensible, Mr. President, that the very
appropriate, interesting, and eloquent remarks of the
Senator from Missouri (Mr. Benton) have made it difh-
cult to add any thing that will not impair the cflect of

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350

APPENDIX.

iil-

wliiit he lias said ; but I must beg the indulgence of the
Senate for a few moments. Senator Linn was by ))irth a
Kentuckian, and my countryman. I do not dispute the
claims of Missouri, his adojjted State ; but I wish it to
be remembered, that I claim for Kentucky the honor of
his nativity ; and by the great law that regulates such
precious inheritances, a i)ortion, at least, of his fame must
descend to his native land. It is the just ambition and
right of Kentucky to gather together the bright names of
her children, no matter in what lands their bodies may be
buried, and to preserve them as her jewels and her crown.
The name of Linn is one of her jewels ; and its pure and
unsullied lustre shall long remain as one of her richest
ornaments.

The death of such a man is a national calamity.
Lono: a distinguished member of this bodv, he was con-
tinually rewarded with the increasing confidence of the
great State he so honorably represented ; and his reputa-
tion and usefulness increased at every step of his progress.

In the Senate his death is most sensibly felt. We
have lost a colleague and friend, whose noble and amiable
qualities bound us to him as Avith " hooks of steel."
Who of us that knew him can forget his open, frank, and
manly bearing — that smile, that seemed to be the pure,
warm sunshine of the heart, and the thousand courtesies
and kindnesses that gave a " daily l)eauty to liis life ? ''

He possessed a high order of intellect ; was resolute,
courageous, and ardent in all his pursuits. A decided
party man, he partici])ated largely and cons]ncuously in
the business of the Senate and the conflicts of its
debates ; but there was a kindliness and benignity about
him, that, like polished armor, turned aside all feelings of
ill-will or animosity. He had political opponents in the
Senate, but not one enemy.

APPENDIX.

351

The good and generous qualities of our nature were
blended in liis character ;

-nnd the cleinpnts

So mixed in liim, that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world — This ictt3 a man."

.*■■■'■ 1 1

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

A message from the Senate, announcing tlie death of
Dr. Linn, having been received,

Mr. BowLiN, of Missouri, rose and addressed the House
as follows :

I rise with no ordinary emotions — occasioned, par-
tially by the novelty of my own position ; but more ,
much more, by the recollection of the painful and melan-
choly event which now demands the tril)ute of our grief.
It is, indeed, a jiainful, a most painful event to me ; and
one calculated, from its associations, to spread the gloom
of melancholy over the councils now assembled. We
have convened here for the discharge of our public duties,
and Ave look around us in vain for all those com])anions in
our labors whom we were wont to have met. The hand
of Death, inexorable Death, has been amongst us. — In
the other end of the Cajiitol, a seat is vacated ; ah !
vacated, and that for ever. The heart of its occupant,
which in life ever beat responsive to the calls of charity
and humanity, now beats no more ; and the tongue,
Avhosc patriotic eloquence has charmed the Senate, is now
stilled by the dull, cold hand of Death.

The Hon. Lewis F. Linn, late Senator from Missouri,
as announced by the resolutions on your table, is no more.
He died suddenlv at his residence in St. Genevieve, on

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APPENDIX.

the 3d (lay of October last, just as he was prei)arinf]j to
leave for tliis, the field of his distinguished labors. The
luanuer of his death was peculiarly afllieting to his
friends. It was as sudden as it was unexpected. In the
midst of life and usual health — with no note of warniu"'
to his friends — witlout the usual premonitory symptoms
— without, perhai)s, an admonition to himself — in the
midst of his family and friend'*- and in the mid career
of his usefulness and honor, he is suddenly sunnuoned
from us to that land of spirits where " the weary are at
rest."

Having spent a restless and sleepless night, he had the
curtains of the bed drawn to secure to him a morning's
repose. He fell into a sleep, a profound sleej), from which
he never awoke. And though his couch was watclied
with the aleepless eye of affectionate devotion, sei)arated
only l)y a curtain, yet his spii , [)assed away so calm, so
tranquil, that it was difficult to tell the precise moment
of its flight. But though he died with no eye upon him,
save that of his God, yet the mildness and serenity of his
countenance proclaimed the consolation to his friends,
trumi)et-tongued, that he departed in peace, and M'ith
scarce a struggle.

Of his life : It was one continued scene of uniformity
and beauty. But I will not trespass upon the province
of his biographer, further than to touch some of its
prominent points. He was born in the State of Ken-
tucky in the year 1795, and inherited from that chival-
rous and gallant people many of the noble qualities that
adorned him in after life. In the year 1809 — a mere boy
— he emigrated to Missom'i, and cast liis fortune among a
people eager to discern, and proud to reward merit. In
1814, at the age of seventeen years, he entered the tented
field, and, side by side with a near and esteemed relative,

APPENDIX.

353

now an honorable member of this House, (Gov. Dodge,)
was engaged gallantly fighting the battles of his country ;
and though a youth, too young to have his deeds chroni-
cled in history, yet the memory of them is cherished in
the hearts of the jjeople of his adopted State.

After the war he applied himself to the acquisition of
his profession ; and by the Ibrce and energy of his mind
and his well-regulated habits of industry, soon placed
himself in the front ranks of tliat learned and honorable
profession. As a physician he was prompt and deter-
mined, yet mild, courteous, and cheerful ; by the versa-
tility of his genius throwing around the couch of sickness
and death every thing to inspire hope and dispel gloom.
No man was ever more highly esteemed or more dearly
loved within the circle of his practice. Long, long,
will the memory of his virtues bo engraven on the hearts
of those people who knew him longest, and knew him
best.

He was next called, by the people of his county, to
the Legislature of his adopted State, where, in a short
session, he gave early promise of that character as a legis-
lator, which has since so brilliantly shone in the councils
of the nation. His career there was marked by an
enlightened policy, a lofty patriotism, and a firm and un-
swerving devotion to those fundamental principles upon
which he believed was based the liberty of his country.
The generous confidence of his constituents was only
equalled by the disinterested fidelity of the representative,
in executing the trusts committed to his charge.

In 1832, he was appointed one of the board of com-
missioners to adjust the private land claims of the ancient
inhabitants of Upper Louisiana, (now Missouri.) To the
discharge of the complicated duties of this office he
brought a mind well stored with information upon the
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APPENDIX.

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mil))cct, and an oncrpjy that never flagged. In this place
ho acc()mi)liHhed imich, in settling the vexed questions of
titles to our lauds, and hy the suavity of his nianners, and
the luiiforni urbanity of liis demeanor, Won from all the
homage of an exalted respect. Indeed, it would be diffi-
cult to portray the veneration in which liis memory is liold
by thoi&e early first pioneers of the country who laid in the
wildernoss the foundation of a great republic.

If it were allowable, upon an occasion of this kind, to
speak of one's self, I might be permitted to say that it
was at this period of his life, I had the good fortune to
make his acriuaintance, and establish a mutual friendship
which existed through life. A stranger in a strange land,
he extended to me the hand of fellowship and welcome,
and encouraged me by his counsels, and animated me l)y
the buoyancy of his own generous heart. A few weeks
changed our then relative positions — he to the Senate, 1
to the editor's chair ; and it is due to his memory to say,
that change of position worked no change of relations ;
and i can as i)roudly bear testimony that, whilst acting as
a sentinel upon the acts of public men, I found in his
career every thing to applaud, nothing to condemn.

Doctor Linn was appointed to the Senate in Novem-
ber, 1833, and continued in that station until the period
of his death — an uninterrupted period of nearly ten
years ; during which time he passed through three elec-
tions before tbe Legislature of Missouri, each time increas-
ing in strength, as he increased in the confidence of the
people. He entered that body, of which he was destiiu'd
to become so distinguished a member, laboring under
many disadvantages, arising alike from education and
from habits. The angry ocean of party politics he found
lashed into a commotion the most furious ; the Senate
filled with men of gigantic minds, cultivated intellects,

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Loiis of
LTS, aiul
all the
30 diffi-
r is liold
d in tlic

kind, to
^ that it
jvtunc to
liendsliip
nge land,
welcome,
ed me by
ew weeks
Senate, 1
•ry to say,
relatittns ;
acting aK
lid in his
Hn.

Kovem-
|the period
yearly ten
ihrec clec-
iie increas-
icc of the
s destined
ing under
ation and
s he found
|he Senate
intellects,

APP7.ND1X.

355

and a long experience in legislation ; and, to crown all, so
much possessed of feelings which political animosities had
engendered as to render personal and social intercourse
difficult and constrained. Yet, hy his evenness of temper
and firnmoss of purpose, comhined with his social disposi-
tion and urbanity of manners, he soon acquired u most
enviable resi)ect from those with whom he had to act.

Of his general labors in the Senate, and the enlight-
ened patriotism that directed them, the archives of the
country bear abundant testimony. On all local subjects
he lal)ored faithfully and efficiently for his immediate con-
stituents. His luiabated efforts in obtaining post roads,
forts, and military roads upon the frontier ; the acquisi-
tion of the Platte country ; the improvement of our
rivers and harbors ; the adjustment of the land claims of
the ancient inhabitants of Upper Louisiana, bear witness
to the peojjle of Missouri of the zeal and fidelity of him
whoso loss they so sadly deidore.

But the great question which called forth all the ener-
gies of his mind was the occupation of the Oregon Terri-
tory. Looking at the subject with a prophetic spirit, and
the eye of a statesman, he saw, in the distance, the tima
when that beautiful land of hill and dale, of mountain
breeze and crjstal stream, should bloom and blossom as
the rose, beneath Llio cheerful hand of industry ; and he
struggled hard to plant alike on the beautiful plains the
American citizen and the American flag. This was the
great work to which he had for years devoted all the ener-
gies of his soul ; and, without repining at the awards of
Providence, we all must regret, seriously regret, that he
was not spared to witness its accomplishment. But he
has left it for others to perform, with his own great eiForts
as beacon lights to guide them on their way, and associ-
ated with the cause of Oregon the glory of a name.

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APPENDIX.

" A light, a land-mark, on the clifTs of fame."

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But he is gone ; and while we deplore his loss, let \is
not be unmindful of those who arc left to mourn— ah!
deeply mourn, a husband's anJ a father's death. Who
can assuage their grief? Who )))uck the rooted sorrow
from their hearts ? He alone who " tempers the winds to
the shorn lamb." To His mercy and Divine protection
we most Inunbly commend them.

Resolved unanimo^isly , That, as a testimony of respect
for the memory of the Hon. L. E. Linn, deceased, the
members of tliis House will wear the usual badge of
mourning for thirty days ; and tliat the House do no'.s'
adjourn.

So the resolution was agreed to.

And the House adjourned.

L!^GISLATURE OF IOWA.

Mr. Foley, the attentive and worthy member of the
House of Representatives from Jackson County, j)resented
the following resolutions, which passed the House unani-
mously on the 19th instant, and wore concurred in by tlic
Council on the 20th.

Resolved, by tlie Council and House of Representa-
tives of the Territory of Iowa, That each member of the
respective H^nises be requested to wear crape on the left
arm for the space of 30 days, as a testimony of respect to
the memory of the Hon. Lewis F. Linn, late a Senator of
the United States from the State of Missouri.

Resolved, That we respectfully tender the bereaved
and afflicted family of the distinguished statesman, the

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APPENDIX.

357

assurances of our sympathy and condolence, and that a
copy of these Kesolutions lie forwarded to tlie widow of
the deceased by the Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives and the President of the Council.

During the pendency before the House of the firegoing
resolutions, Mr. Rogers from Dubuque arose and made the
following ])rief and appropriate remarks :

Mr. Speaker : — I hope the Resolution of my friend
from Jackson, will pass without a dissenting vote. They
are an appropriate tribute of rotipcct to the memory of a
much lamented and distinguished public man.

Dr. Linn was the warm and devoted friend of this
Territory. His zeal, on all occasions, in our behalf, won
for him the name of the " Iowa Senator," and our citizens
will not soon forget the services which rendered the appel-
lation deserved. His loss is nearly as severely felt by us,
as by his own State. Cut down in the vigor of life — in
the midst of liis usefulness — with grcnt and glorious
projects iii)on his hands unfinished ; drojtping from the
theatre of his brilliant cii'^ patriotic labors, and from com-
panions that loved and admired him, like an orb suddenly
shaken from the heavens. He has gone to the grave fol-
lowed by the universal regrets and sorrows of the whole
people of the Great West.

Death should terminate all animosities. I hopt on
this occasion, we will sink the partisan into the patriot,
and remember that we are Americans, having a deep and
abiding interest in the character of our public men — their
fomc is our moral inheritance — let us cherish it with
patriotic pride.

Mr. Speaker, I had but a word to say. I believe that
the ado])ti()n of these resolutions will have a good effect
upon the living — encouraging them in the faitlifiil dia-

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APPENDIX.

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charge of their duties, and at the Bame time evince a
deserved respect for departed vrortii.

HOUSK OF RkI'RESESTATIVES,

loiva City, Jan. 4th, 1844.
To Mrs. Lewis F. Linn.

Madain, — In pursuance to the order of the Legisla-
ture of this Territory, we herewith inclose you a copy of
a Joint Resolution passed by the same, in testimony of
respect to your dei)artod husband.

In connection therewith, we trust it will not be im-
proper for us to say, that though dead, he will long live in
the memory of the Citizens of this Territory. Time
cannot oftace the remembrance of ser\dces like his — and
in their love his memory will find " a monument more
lasting than brass."

Allow us furthermore, to assure you. Madam, that you
mourn not alone, over the loss of one, so gifted, and whose
promise of extended usefulness, was so fair. Though lie
fell in the midst of his unfinished plans, the whole West,
whose champion he was, feels that it has lost its ablest
defender and its most zealous and untiring advocate.

That he died universally regretted, and after a well-
spent life, are not, however, we feel assured, the only
sources of consolation to you. Religion presents lioi
soothing and consoling influence. She points to a higher
and nobler sphere of enjoyment, and she tells of a hoher
union, hereafter, of the lovod ones that have separated
upon earth. May you in eternity enjoy that union, with
the husband who has been thus suddenly and unexpect-
edly called away.

APPENDIX.

359

With s( ntiment,? of respect and esteem we remain
your obedient servants,

James P. Carleton,
Speaker of House of Representatives.
Francis Springer,
President of the Council,

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LEGISLATUEE OF WISCONSIN.

The proceedings of tlie Legislature relative to the
death of Dr. Linn, were duf^ to the memory of the
deceased, for the solieitadc which he ever manifested for
the welfare of this Territory, as well as for the benefits
which it has derived from his labors.

Tlic remarks of Mr. Strong of Wisconsin, as well as
the sentiments embodied in his resolutions, will be re-
sponded to by every citizen who has no^ed the official
course of the truly upright and generous Statesman to
whose memory they are offered.

Mr. Strong of Wisconsin rose, to offer certain resolu-
tions, and prefaced their introduction with the following
remarks.

Mr. President — I rise for the purpose of asking leave
of the Council to oiler certain joint resolutions, expressing
the great regret which the Legislative Assembly feels for
the death of that great and good man, Lewis F. Linn,
late a Senator in Congress fix)m the State of Missouri,
and to present some slight tribute of respect for his mem-
ory ; and I feel sure, that all who know liis character,
and especially all who have liad the pleasure, as I have,
of forming his personal ac([uaintance, will readily unite
with me in performing this melancholy duty.

360

APPENDIX.

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He was emphatically the friend of Wisconsin, as he
was of the wlioie West ; the active part he has always
taken on the floor of the United States Senate, in support
of every measure which had for its object the advance-
ment of our interests, cannot ])ut h.ave endeared him to
every citizen of the Territory, and liave satisfied all that
in him we have lost a friend whose place we can
scarcely hope to see filled. Dr. Linn, wherever he moved,
whether in political or private circles, was the beloved
of all, and it can be said of him with as much truth pro-
bably as of any man that ever lived, that he was without
an enemy. But an overruling Providence has removed
him from earth ; and as we can do no more, I hope we
shall do no less, than offer to his memory the humble
tribute of respect contained in the resolutions I hold in
my hand.

Mr, Strong then submitted the f jllowing, which were
adopted :

Resolved, By the Council (if the House of Eepresen-
tatives concur). That the Legislative Assembly of the
Territory of Wisconsin have learned, with feelings of the
greatest regret, the death of the Hon. Lewis F. Linn, late
a Senator in Congress from the State of Missouri ; that by
his death his family have been deprived of a most affec-
tionate and amiable head ; Ccagress of a true Patriot and
able Statesman ; his ov.n State of a most faithful and
efficient KeprescntaHv ; the whole West of a firm and ever
ready advocate of its best interests, and the Territory of
Wisconsin in particular of one who has been on all occa-
sions its resolute and devoted friend ; and to whom it is
deeply indebted for his zealous activity in her behalf, in
the body of which he was a member.

liesolved, That as a testimony of the respect which
the Legislative Assembly of the Territory entertain for

APPENDIX.

361

the memory of ^he Hon. Lewis F. Linn, botli Houses will
immediately adjourn, after resolving that each member,
shall wear crape on his left arm in respect to his memory,
for thirty days. The Council thereupon adjourned.

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f i

TRIBUTES OF RESPECT TO LEWIS F. LINN.

The citizens of St. Louis, without distinction of party,
are requested to meet at the Court House on Wednccvl y
evening, the 11th instant, at 7^ o'clock, to express their
regret at the sudden death of the Hon. Lewis F, Linn,
U. S. Senator from Missouri.

St. Louis.

How many of those immortal minds, whose genius has
illustrated the history of our race, have lived and diid
with no other consolation than that of seeing their opin-
ions making way and giving freedom and happiness to
men ! How few indeed have lived long enough to see
this ! but rarer yet has it happened that the author of a
great truth has survived to witness its general accei)tation,
or reap the reward which a distant posterity alone bestows
in its homage and veneration of his name.

'»

■ I,

The foregoing sentiments of an able contemporary, are
particularly applicable to the recent and sudden death of
the Hon. Lewis F. Linn. His fovorite measure was the
immediate occupation and settlement of the Oregon Ter-
ritory by American citizens. His enlightened mind led
him to perceive the importance of maintaining our title
CO that region by encouraging its early settlement, and
extending to those who might check our progress west-

362

APPENDIX.

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ward, before we liad reached the Pacific Occl.i. Tlie cor-
roctiiess of liis " Oregon Bill," has already been fully
proved by the impetus given to emigration thither, even
by the probability of its adoption by the Federal Go'.'ern-
ment ; but he was not spared to witness its enactment —
to behold the triumph of those views which he had so
long urged with determinetl zeal and far-reaching patriot-
ism. We trust, however, that the action of the next
Congress will award to his memory the highest praise
which it can bestow — the approval of his views on the
Oregon question ; that it will not be left to " a distant
posterity" to pay that tribute to liis name which is so
eminently due.

We know that the annals of the world show melan-
choly proofs of the fact, that great men are not always
appreciateil by the age in which they live ; but there are
many instances on record, and the history of our Kepublic
furnifihes not a few, that those who devote their lives to
the service of their fellowmen and of their country, are
not always neglected by their contemporaries.

Although Dr. Linn had not the gratification of wit-
nessing before his death, the triumph of that policy which
he has the honor of having first suggested, and to the
advocacy of which he long devoted the energies of his
whole mind, yet liis constituents, regardless of party asso-
ciations cheerfully award to him the meed of their heart-
felt and cordial approbation. He possessed, to an extra-
ordinary degree, those attractive (qualities which endeared
him to all who knew him, and which won the confidence
and regard even of those who cherished different opinions,
and who consequently were often found arrayed in opposi-
tion to his views. Although he never deserted the party
to which he was sincerely attached, yet his op])onents
respected his gentlemanly bearing, his chivalric character

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onents
aractcr

APPENDIX.

363

and his true greatness, which wouhl not suffer him to
stoop to mean and paltry devices for success, or indulge in
coarse and hitter invective to wound the feelings of those
who could not view all pultlic questions in the same light
with himself. His mind was too enlarged, his soul too
pure, and his aspirations too noble, to permit him to
descend to the humiliating acts which have often degraded
the Statesmen of our own and other lands. All gave him
credit for sincerity and patriotism, and Missouri, which
twice honored him with a seat in the U. S. Senate, will
not cease to cherish his memory as one of her brightest
ornaments. He was a Statesman without reproach, a
patriot without ignoble ambition, and in a word, one of
" the noblest works of God — an honest man." Lony; mav
he be remembered as "the model Senator" of Missouri.

A Whig.

[From ihe Missouri Reporter, St. Louis.]

Yesterday the mournful intelligence reached this city,
that the Hon. Lewis F. Linn, United States Senator from
Missouri, died at his residence, in St, Genevieve, on the
3d instant. We learn that after dinner, on the day of
his death, he retired to his room, and was shortly after-
wards discovered to have passed without a groan to a
purer and better world,

Dr, Linn suffered severely last spring from an attack
of chronic rheumatism, and on his recovery made n visit
to Philadelphia, New York and other eastern cities. On
his return home, about a fortnight ago, he appeared to be
entirely restored to health, and his family and friends had
just begun to congratulate themrselves on his renewed

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APPENDIX.

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strength and activity, and the public on the bright career
which still awaited him, when the sad truth broke upon
them, that he whom they so fondly admired, had closed
his pilgrimage on earth.

It was the good fortune of Dr. Linn to enjoy the con-
fidence and esteem of all parties, notwithstanding he was
a member of the United States Senate during the most
exciting sessions ever known in our j)olitical history.
With attainments of a high order and intellect, gifted by
nature with unusual endowments, and a heart pure and
unsullied, he won the affection of all associated with him,
and became an especial favorite of the people of this State,
to whose interests he had devoted himself with untiring
industry. His unremitting exertions to advance the inter-
ests of the Great West, long ago caused the citizens of
this State to regard him as their especial champion in the
Halls of Congress, and to speak of him with feelings of
the highest regard and enthusiasm. Twice had he been
elected to the U. S. Senate with little or no opposition ;
both his political friends and opponents recording their
votes in his favor with the greatest cheerfulness. No man
in Missouri ever commanded more general and sincere
respect, and none ever possessed a more wide-spread or
deserved popularity. The planters and the merchants,
the frontier settlers and the emigrants to Oregon, found
in him one who labored for their prosperity with an ambi-
tion unalloyed by selfishness — with no ulterior or sinister
objects to gratify, and Avith no other desire than to per-
form his duty to lu!- constituents faithfully, honestly and
unostentatiously. His efforts in behalf of Oregon will
for ever identify his name with our Pacific Territory. His
was the labor of first urging on the National Government
the importance of the occupation and settlement of that
lovely region, and to him belongs the honor of arousing

APPENDIX.

365

the attention of the whole country to that great question
It is to be deeply regretted that lie was not spared to wit-
ness, the triumph of that great measure, which he origi-
nated, advocated, and urged forward with zeal, till the in-
different became interested, the doubtful convinced, and
the hostile prei)ared to abandon all opposition to it. But
notliing can rob him of the honor which is so eminently his
due — nothing can separate his name from the future glory
of our Pacific Territory. The first city whose foundations
shall be laid west of the Rocky Mountains by American
citizens, will bear his name, and those emigrants to
Oregon, now on their march across the Western prairies,
■will form the nucleus around which will soon be gathered
a happy and thriving population, to attest hereafter the
sagacity, forecast, and patriotism of the lamented Linn.

To the citizens of Missouri and the whole nation, the
death of Dr. Linn is a heavy calamity. No one in Mis-
souri can fill the void thus created. His public life
affords j model worthy of imitation ; liis conduct as
Senator an example to be followed by all who may succeed
him. He was courteous, cliivalric, brilliant and profound ;
an uncompromising but conciliatoiy advocate of his politi-
cal principles ; a debater of great power, but unostenta-
tious in his manner ; a Statesman without vanity, a poli-
tician without bitterness, a man, like the Chevalier Bayard,
" sans peur, sans reproche."

The sadness visible on every countenance yesterday,
when his death was announced in our city, and the low
and mournful tones in which all spoke of the public loss
sustained by his sudden decease, proved the sincerity and
depth of the affection universally felt for one so worthy
and so pure. Most sincerely do we sympathize with her
who has lost an idolized husband, and with those who have
been deprived by this afflictive dispensation of Providence,

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APPENDIX.

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of an affectionate and lionored parent. If it can afford
any consolation to the bereaved family to know that others
mourn •with them in the hour of their grief, they have the
best assurance which can he given, that every Missourian
feels the deepest sorrow at the loss of one so distinguished
and so loved.

St. Louis, October iGth, 1843.
To Mrs. L. F. Linn.

Eespected Madam, — The people of St. Louis at the
Court House of the County in public meeting assembled,
made it my duty to forward to you a copy of its proceed-
ings had expressive of their love and respect for the mem-
ory of the Honorable Lewis F. Linn, their Senator, and
your illustrious and excellent husband, and to signify to
you. Madam, how deeply and how sincerely they sympa-
thize with you in this your and their great bereavement.

In attempting to execute the solemn duty I am so
oppressed with a sense of my inability to do justice to the
feelings of deep sorrow felt by the citizens of a city and
a county wliom he has served so long, so faithfidly and so
well, that I fear to increase that grief, so natural for you
to feel, and which we so much respect, rather than to
afford consolation to the wounded spirit of one whose deep
sorrow and affliction has rendered her still more dear to
the hearts of a susceptible and stricken people.

Giving utterance to my profound veneration for the
memory of the dead, and praying that Almighty God
may graciously afford Divine Consolation to the living, I
dare intrude no further upon the sanctity of your grief.

Be pleased to accept herewith a cojiy of the proceed-
ings of the people of the city and county of St. Louis,
and be assured of the deep sympathies of each one of

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APPENDIX.

367

tlio citizens composing tliut vjist assemblage, ami their
profound respect tor your sorrow.

I have the honor to bo your obeilient and luimble
servant.

Jno. M. Wimeu.

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At an unusually numerous meeting of citizens of St.
Louis, convened at tlie court liouse on Wednesday even-
ing the ilth inst., for the purpose of testifying their
respect for the memory of Hon. Lewis F. Linn, late one
of the senators in the Congress of the United States from
Missouri, and whose death took place on the .'3d inst.,
on motion of Judge James B. BoAvlin, Hon. John M.
Winier, mayor of the city, was called to the chair ; and
N. Paschall was appointed secretary.

The chairman then addressed the meeting to the fol-
lowing effect :

" We are convened here, fellow citizens, in conse-
quence of the receipt of the mournful intelligence that
the warm, the devoted and active friend of St. Louis, the
Hon. Lewis F. Linn, one of our Senators, has been taken
away by the hand of death. It is the greatest loss and
the severest chastisement ever inflicted upon St. Louis.
The blow was sudden and desolating — the more so. Avhcn
we consider that our friend, virtue's ornament, was re-
moved by Providence in the midst of life and in the full
career of usefulness and honor. It becomes us as a peo-
ple to meekly bow to the awful and inscrutable dispensa-
tion and humbly invoke Divine asdistance to aid and suit-
ably to demean ourselves in this cv-c groat aflliction.

" /?he p<.'mp of obsequies are of no advantage to the

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APPENDIX.

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dead, but they often afford consolation to the Imng.
What tokens of respect for the deceased will be suitable
for the occasion, and expressive of the deep emotions of
regret felt by the citizens of St. Louis, it is the business
of this meeting to consider,"

Lewis V. Bogy, Esq., then offered the following resolu-
tion, which was unanimously adopted :

"Resolved, That a committee of nine persons be
appointed by the chair for the purpose of preparing and
reporting a preamble, and resolutions appropriate to the
occasion,"

Thereupon the chair appointed Messrs Bogy, Blair,
Drake, Bowlin, Milburn, Geyer, Ay res, Dobyns and Kan-
ney, said committee : The committee having retired Mr.
Benton was called upon from all parts of the room, and
in obedience to the call addressed the meeting :

He said, that great as the grief of all present was, he had
more to lament than any one. As a citizen of the State
he felt in common with all other citizens the sorrow which
ojipreHsed their bosoms ; as a senator still having some
time to serve, he felt the loss of a colleague from whom
he always received the kindest, the most cordial, the most
efficient aid ; as a friend he had to lament the loss of one
of his earliest friends. He (Mr, B.) had arrived in Mis-
souri above a quarter of a century ago, while the lamented
deceased was still a youth at school ; and from the first
moment of his arrival hsid found in him, and in all his
connections, the most generous friendship, never inter-
rupted for an instant, and which never glowed with more
warmth than in the last interview, a few weeks before,
when they spent the day together. The loss of such a
colleague and of such a friend was to him the addition of
a private to a public loss, and doubled the weight of the
grief which he felt.

APPENDIX.

369

The worthy mayor, said Mr. B., 'vho presides on this
melancholy occasion has opened the subject with just and
appropriate remarks. The respcctahle committee which
has been appointed, will report resolutions which will
cover tlie merits of the deceased and attest our feeling ; and
some one of the committee will doubtless be designated to
illustrate with his observations the resolutions which shall
be submitted. He would not trench upon his province ; but
would confine himself to points, in the public life and charac-
ter of his deceased friend and colleague, less generally known,
but equally honorable to the man and the senator. He
would speak of his generous kindness and amenity, which
conciliated good will from all parties — which softened the
acerbities of party — which composed many differences —
and which flew to the sick bed of every member without
regard to party, and joined the assiduities of nurse and
friend to the profound skill of the accomplished physician.
He would speak of his punctual attendance in his place,
and his faithful discharge of every public duty. He
would speak of his instant and ready attention to every
call from his constituents, whether opponents (for he had
no foes) or supporters. He would speak of his success in
carrying great measures, which would not have been car-
ried by any one save himself. There was a charm in the
goodness of his heart, the gentleness of his manner and
the amiability of his temper, which gave power to talents
and enabled him to do for his 8tate, what none but him-
self could have done.

He (Mr. B.) was not using the language of eidogy
but speaking the words of truth, and saying that which
should pass into history. Perhaps the most important
measure ever carried in Congress for the benefit of Mis-
souri was the acquisition of that superb territory known
as the Platte country ; the lamented Linn was the author
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370

APPENDIX.

!l.

of that measure ! — True, he was supported by his col-
leatrues, but they could not have carried it. His colleague
in the Senate older than himself, and who addresses you,
could not have carried it. It required not only sagacity,
and tact, and discretion to carry that great and delicate
measure, but it required also tlie sweetness of temper,
which wins hearts, and which our deceased friend so emi-
nently possessed. As an historical truth which should
be known now and for ever to every Missourian, this state-
ment is now made on this solemn occasion, to this large
and respectable assembly, that the knowledge of it may
be spread as wide, and last as long as the acquisition of
the Platte has been auspicious and glorious for the State.
(Great applause followed the delivery of this statement.)

The old inhabitants of this cour try — those who viewed
all the new emigrants with such kindness on the change
of government, and whose grants of land from Spain
and France had in so many instances suffered from Avant
of confirmation, — those old inhabitants, and all claiming
under them, owe a debt of gratitude to the illustrious
deceased, for to him is owing the passage of the last act
of Congress, which has done so much towards the final
and equitable acknowledgment of these long delayed
grants.

This is not the time, said Mr. B., to enumerate the
services of the deceased ; another occasion will present
itself for that act of justice. To mourn the loss of a
statesman, a patriot, a friend, a good man — to weep for
him, rather than to speak of liis public acts — is now the
feelings of every one. But how can we omit the last
great act, as yet unfinished, in which his whole soul was
engaged at the time of his death ? — The Bill for the set-
tlement and occupation of Oregon, was his, nnd he car-
ried it through the Senate, when his colleague, who now

APPENDIX.

371

addresses you, could not have done it. This is another
historical truth, fit to be made known, on this occasion,
and which is now declared to this large and respectable
assemblage, under all circumstances which impart solem-
nity to the declaration. (Great applause). He carried
that bill through the Senate, and it was the measure of a
statesman. Just to the settler, it was wise to the govern-
ment. The settler has a right to have a* home in the new
country, which he reclaims from the wilderness and the
savage ; the government of the United States can only
save its domain on the Oregon by planting its citizens
there. Land ih the inducement and the reward to emi-
gration, and that land was granted by the bill — liberally
granted to the wife, and the children, to the young man
and the widow, as well as the husband and the father.
That bill is the vindication and the assertion of the
American title against the daring designs of England,
and it was the only way to save the country. It was car-
ried through the Senate at the last session, and its
author was preparing to carry it again. Called this sum-
mer to the Atlantic States on private business he availed
himself of all opportunities to collect fresh materials for
the support of hi", darling measure. The last day that
he spent in this town, only three weeks ago, on his return
xrom the East, he spoke of these materials — of the daring
pretensions of England, and of his determination to push
the mepsure which was to save his country's rights with
renewed vigor at the ensuing session. Alas that he
should not have been spared to put the finishing hand to
a measure which was to reward the emigrant, to protect
his country, to curb England, and to connect his own name
with the foundation of an empire. But it is done ! the
unfinished work will go on ! it will be completed and the
name of Linn will not bo forgotten ; that name will live

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APPENDIX.

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and be connected with Oregon, while its banks bear a
plant or its waters roll a wave.

A great man of the early days of the French Revolu-
tion died while he had a great measure depending : it
was Mirabeau, who was surprised by death while his biU
for the division of estates was still depending before tlie
Legislative Assembly. The terrors of death could not
stifle his regard for his bill. He made a bequest of it to
a friend. He willed the unfinished work to the celebrated
Talleyrand ; and this Deputy read to the assendjly the
speech prepared for the occasion by the great orator, and
carried the measure. If inexorable ftite had allowed a
few minutes to our departed friend, he would doubtless
have done the same. Death had no terrors for him, and
a moment would have snatched from the agonizing cares
of friends and family to have commended and committed
the crowning measure of his life to the faithful hands of a
successor. He had not that time — not a moment to
think, nor to speak ! — And now the whole representation
from Missouri — the whole d<?legation from the Great
West — must constitute themselves his political legatees
— take his great measure to themselves and carry it
through.

Mr. B. would still confine himself to points, not so
generally known, and among these was the great devcl-
opement of mind which their lamented friend was iinder-
going at the time of his death. Of the nine years he had
served in the Senate, the last two or three were fullest of
improvement to himself and benefit to his country. His
faculties were maturing eveiy day, and his delivery be-
coming truly beautiful. Bred to a profession which did
not admit of "public displays he required practice to per-
fect and develop his powers ; and practice was doing its
part in perfecting genius. A natural gift for speaking

APPENDIX.

373

was improved into eloquence ; a mind originally good was
enriched with the acquisitions of study and observation.
Thus improved, he spoke without effort, and seemingly
without a consciousness of the power and beauty of his
own discourse. The Senate listened to him with aston-
ishment and admiration, and some have been heard to
exclaim, the man is inspired. A few years more Avould
have doubled his powers. That such a man should have
perished in the meridian of his days, and so suddenly and
unexpectedly, is for ever to be deplored. He laid down to
sleep a few moments, and awoke no more. It was the
sleep of death — sleep converted into death — eternal sleep.

On an other occasion Mr. B. said it would be his pri-
vilege to speak more deliberately of the merits of the de-
ceased, at present he only followed the impulsions of the
heart in giving vent to feelings of sorrow and affection,
which found a response in all bosoms, and which so many
had met this night to manifest.

Mr. Bogy, from the committee for that purpose, re-
ported the following preamble and resolutions for the
action of the meeting.

Whereas, the safety and prosperity of our country
mainly depend on the virtue and ability of the statesmen
and representatives to whom the duties of government,
and the making of laws, are delegated by the people ;
and whereas, when Providence has removed from amongst
us, to another and a better world, a representative of
eminent merit, it becomes our duty to declare in a pub-
lic and solemn manner, our respect for his memory, and
our sense, with all submission to the Divine Will, of the
loss sustained ; and whereas an occasion has presented
itself of so testifying our sentiments on the sudden death
of the Hon. Lewis F. Linn. It is therefore.

Resolved, That we have received the sad tidings of

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the recent sudden decease of the Hon. Lewis F. Linn, one
of the Senators from this State in the Congress of the
United States, with feelings of profound regret, and de-
plore the event, as a public misfortune.

liesolved, That the conduct and deportment of Lewis
F. Linn during his too brief existence, was distinguished
in private and professional life, as in high public station,
by a rare combination of qualities, commanding our re-
spect, while they won our affections, and that our lamented
Senator has given to those who shall succeed him in the
councils of the nation, a salutary and bright example.

Besolved, That in liis senatorial action, on the rela-
tions and interests of these United States and Territories —
in their whole vast expanse, from the Lake of the Woods
to Cape Sable, and from the shores of the Pacific Ocean
to the boundary line of Maine and New Brunswick,— wc
acknowledge and appreciate the wisdom, energy, and higli
sense of national right and honor, exibited by Lewis F.
Linn.

liesolved, That the efforts of Lewis F. Linn to obtain
justice for that portion of our population, whose rights of
property were especially guaranteed to them by the treaty
of cession of the 30th April, 1803, alone entitle his
memory to the respect of every American citizen who can
appreciate the value to the individual, or to the mass of
national good faith and honor.

Resolved, That we respectfully tender to the bereaved
and afflicted family of our deceased Senator the assurance
of our sympathies ; and that a copy of the proceedings
of this meeting be forwarded to his widow by the chair-
man with an appropriate letter.

The report having been adopted by the meeting, Gen.
Kanney offered a resolution which was afterwards modi-
fied to read as follows :

APPENDIX.

375

liesolvcd, That a committee of three persons be ap-
pointed by the chairman, wliose duty it shall be to select
some person to deliver an appropriate address on the occa-
sion of the deatli of Senator Linn, and to appoint a time
and place for its delivery.

The Chair appointed Messrs. Ranney, Hudson and
Blannerhasset, to act as this committee.

Judge Lawless, Lewis V. Bogy, Esq. and T. H. Holt
Esq., tlien in succession addressed the meeting in eloquent
and happily conceived speeches.

On motion of Dr. Hardage Lane, it was,

liesolved, That the several papers in this city and
State be requested to publish the proceedings of this
meeting.

The meeting then adjourned.

John M. Wimer, Chairman.

N. Paschall, Secretary.

4'}\

1. m

St. Louis, October, 1th, 1843.

At a meeting of the Medical Society of Missouri held
last evening, the deatli of the Honorable Lewis F. Linn
having been announced, the following preamble and reso-
lutions were unanimously adopted.

Whereas, it has pleased an all wise Providence to
remove from tliis life of usefulness by a sudden, and un-
looked for death, one of the most estimable of our profes-
sional brethren, we the officers and members of the
Medical Society of Missouri, deploring in common with the
entire community the loss sustained, take this method of
expressing our unfeigned sorrow for the event.

Therefore, Resolved, That in the death of Dr. Lewis
F. Linn, a distinguished member of our body, we are

376

APPENDIX.

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called iijion to mourn tlio loss of one, who for the many
ennohliiijij (inalities of his heart and understanding, fur his
high intelleetual endowments, and distinguished profes-
sional attainments, for his learning, his genius, and his
eloquence, must ever be remembered by all who reverence
the lofty attainments displayed in the stations he adorned.

Ilcsolved, That this Society sincerely deplore this
melancholy dispensation which has deprived our jjrofession
of one of its ornaments, and truly sympathize with his
distressed family in the loss they have sustained.

Itcsolved, That as a mark of respect to the deceased
the members of this Society wear the usual badge of
mourning, for thirty days.

Jlesolved, That a copy of these resolutions be signed
by the officers of this Society, and transmitted to the
family of the deceased, and published in the newspapers
of the city.

Hardage Lane, President.

Wm. M. McPheeteus, Rec. Secretary.

MEETING AT ST. GENEVIEVE.

At a large and respectable meeting of the citizens of
the town and county of Saint Genevieve in the State of
Missouri, hekl pursuant to notice, at the Court House in
the town of Saint Genevieve, on Wednesday, the 4th day
of October, A. D. 1843, for the purpose of paying a suit-
able tribute of respect to the memory of the late Honor-
able Lewis F. Linn, deceased :

On motion Ferdinand Rozier, Esq., and the Hon. Cle-
ment Detchemendy, Avere called to the chair, and John N.
Littlejohn was chosen Secretary, and on a further motion,
the Chair appointed the following gentlemen a com-

APPENDIX.

377

mittco to draft and present to the meeting a preamble
and resolutions, expressive of the sense of the meeting,
and appropriate to the occasion, to wit, Messrs. Augte.
St. Gemme, Esq., Doctor J. Sargeant, Doctor 13. Sliaw,
General J. D. Grafton, William Adams, Esq., Felix Valle,
Esq., and Adoljih Kazier, Esq., who, after having retired
for a short time, reported the following preamble and
resolutions by their Chairman, to wit :

Whereas it has pleased Almighty God, in the ways
of His inscrutable Providence, to remove from us in a
sudden manner, by the hand of death, our distinguished
and respected townsman and fellow citizen, the Honor-
able Lewis F. Linn, a member of the Senate of the
United States, and whereas, we deem it not only our
duty, but our melancholy privilege to be among the first
to express, in a public manner, our sense of the loss which
is thus sustained, by ourselves, our State and our common
country, therefore :

1. Resolved, That in the sudden demise of the Hon-
orable Lewis F. Linn, we feel the event as a great
affliction, not only to his family, but extending to us his
neighbors and personal friends, to the State of Missouri,
and to the elevated body of which he was a member in
the Counsels of the General Government.

2. Resolved, That while as neighbors and citizens we
thus deplore the event we have met to reflect and act
upon, our sympathy is in a most peculiar manner directed
to the bereaved family of our deceased friend, to whom
the loss they have sustained, in the husband and the
father, is irreparable.

3. Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings be
signed by the Chairman and Secretary, and forwai-ded to
some one of the editors of newspapers in the city of St.

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APPENDIX.

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Louis for puhlication, with u request that the same may
be also inserted in all the new8pa])er8 in this State.

4. Ih'solved, That a copy of tliese j)roceeding8 he
furnished to the widow and family of the deceased.

All of which was unanimously adopted, — and on
motion the meeting adjourned.

Ferdinand Rozier,
Clement Detchemendy,

Chairman.
John N. Littlejohn, Secretary.

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At a meeting of the Citizens of Potosi and its Aicinity,
convened at the Presbyterian Church on Saturday the
14th instant, for the purpose of testifying their respect
for the memory of the Hon. Lewis F. Linn, whose death
took place on the 3d instant : On motion of W. C. Read,
Esq., General Augustus Jones was called to the Chair,
and Dr. James H. McGready appointed Secretary. The
Chairman then explained the object of the meeting in
quite an ai)propriate manner. Mr. W. C. Read, being
called on, addressed the meeting, and in conclusion moved
that a committee of seven be appointed by the Chair for
the purpose of drafting a preamble and resolutions expres-
sive of the sense of the meeting, whereupon the following
gentlemen were appointed, W C. Read, Rev. Mr. Thomas,
Rev. Mr. Cowan, John Scott, Col. P. P. Brickey, John
Brickey, Esq., and Valentine Haifner, who after a short
deliberation made the following report.

Whereas the melancholy intelligence of the death of
our Senator, the Hon. Lewis F. Linn, having reached us,
and whereas although we should freely and willingly sub-
mit to the dispensations of Providence which are always

APPENDIX.

379

conceived in wisdom and j^oodness, yet when we see death
with all its terrors and fearful forebodings laying waste
and cutting down in liis prime and usefulness, a puhlie
servant, who on all occasions served his fellow-eitizeiis
faithfully, and in whom the pride of the connnunity
seemed to he concentrated, thereby i>roducing a public
calamity which seemed universally to' be felt throughout
the land, it is but human nature, it is a principle im-
planted in the human breast to feel a disposition to assem-
ble in congregated masses in peace and friendship, for the
purpose of mingling in sentiments of respect for hiin, and
to express a regret for the lamentable occurrence, wlion he
has in obedience to the call of his Maker bid a final adieu
to things on earth and left his friends to lament his
departine. Therefore be it

Resolved, That in the death of our Senator, the Hon.
Lewis F. Linn, Missouri has lost one of her brigntest
sons, one of her most faithful representatives, and one of
her best citizens.

Resolved, That in Dr. Linn we find combined the able
and skilful physician, together with a kindness of heart
which always manifested the keenest pain at the distress
and suffering of his fellow-citizens in their hour of illness.

Resolved, That in the death of our friend we have
been deprived of one of the rarest specimens of virtue,
charity, and goodness of heart, which adorns the human
character.

Resolved, That in his constitution we find the patriot,
the philanthropist, and the accomplished and sagacious
Statesman.

Resolved, That while he was firm and unswerving in
his principles, yet he was kind and courteous to his oppo-
nents.

Resolved, Tliat at the next session of Congress, while

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380

APPENDIX.

there will be a dark gloom cast over the Senate Chamber
at the announeeiuent of his death, there will be a vacuum
produced which will be hard to fill.

Itcsolvcd, That we deeply Sj rapathize with his bereaved
family, in the irreparable loss which they have sustained
in a kind and affectionate husband and father.

Iti'sohcd, That the Secretary of the meeting be directed
to transmit a copy of the proceedings of this meeting to
the widow of our deceased friend.

licsolved, That the Secretary also be requested to send
a cojjy to his brother, Gov. Dodge, of Wisconsin Territory.

licsolved, That the President and Secretary sign the
proceedings of this meeting.

JtefioJvrd, That the St. Louis papers be requested to
publish the proceedings of the meeting.

The Rev. Mr. Cowan then addressed the meeting in a
brief marmer. On motion the meeting adjourned.

A. Jones, President.
J. H. McGready, Secretary.

At a large and respectable meeting of the citizens of
Madison County, held at the Court House in Frederick-
town, Mo., on the 20th of Oct., 1843, for the purpose of
showing the respect due to the memory of our beloved
friend and U. S. Senator, Dr. Lewis F. Linn, S. A.
Guignon, Esq., wjis called to the chair and S. D. Caruthers
was ajjpointcd Secretary. The object of the meeting
being made known, by a few ai)proi)riatc remarks, on mo-
tion of Robt. H. Lane, Esq., a committee of ten was ap-
pointed to draft a preamble nnd resolutions, expressive of
the regard which we entert.ain for the memory of the late
Hon. Lewis F. Linn : whereupon, the chair appointed

APPENDIX.

381

the followinpj gentlemen to compose said committee :
Messrs. R. H. Lane, T. F. Tong, J. D. Villars, E. F.
Pratte, Caleb Cox, D. L. Canitliers, J. P. Davis, Chas.
Gregoire, Paul Deguire, and Jas. McFadden. During
the absence of the conunittee, the Hon. John D. Cook
was called upon to address the meeting, which he did, in
a clear and able manner, making it appear obvious, to
every one present, that in the death of Dr. Linn, Mis-
souri, and particularly Southern Missouri, has sustained
an irrei)arable loss. The committee returned, after a few
minutes' absence, and through the chairman, li. H. Lane,
Esq., reported the following preamble and resolutions :

Whereas the soaring mind of Addison compares the
life and exit of a great and good man to the sun, which,
on its first ai>pearance gives light and animation to the
earth ; and, when it makes its final exit, leaves the con-
templative powers of man to meditate upon its departed
glory, we deem it no misconstruction of the simile in ap-
plying this comparison to the Hon. Lewis F. Linn, late U.
S. Senator, whose memory, we are, at this tune, called upon
to lament. His pathway through life was illuminated
by the light of genius ; and the pure fire of i)atriotism
that glowed in his heart, gave heat and animation to all
of his acts for the amelioration of his country : therefore,
be it

Itesolved, 1. That we deem the death of the Hon.
Lewis F. Linn, Senator from Missouri in the Congress of
the United States, as a public calamity.

2. That \v his brilliant career we behold the enlight-
ened statesmiMi, the pure patriot, and the virtuous citizen.

3. Tiiat in his oft-repeated call for the occupation of
the Oregon Territory, we recognize the presentation of
means for the accomplishment of a glorious end.

4. Thai on this occasion wo tender our condolence to

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382

APPENDIX.

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his bereaved family ; and that we submissively bow to the
afflicting dispensation of Providence, that bereft us of
him.

5. That a transcript of the proceedings of this meet-
ing, signed by the chairman and secretary, be presented to
his family.

6. That a copy of these proceedings be sent to Gen.
Henry Dodge, half-brother of our deceased friend.

7. That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by
the chairman and secretary, and published in the South-
ern Advocate, and all other papers in this State friendly
to Dr. Linn.

The foregoing preamble and resolutions were read, and
unanimously adopted. After which, a call was made upon
Gen. Augustus Jones to deliver an address : to which he
responded in the most feeling and pathetic manner. Dur-
ing his remarks, he reverted back to the scenes of their
boyhood : — reminding the enraptured audience of many
incidents that occurred during the infantile days of Dr.
Linn, which proved beyond a doubt, that he possessed a
truly magnanimous soul. He traced him through his
long and illustrious career, and told of many of his bene-
volent acts towards the sick, the wounded, the poor and
needy, that would have confirmed in the minds of the
most incredulous, that Dr. Linn was well entitled to the
appellation of GREAT.

S. C. GuiGNON, Chairman.

S. D. Caruthers, Secretary.

Fredericktown, 23d October^ 1840.

Madam, — In accordance with the wish of the meetincr
. . . I

held on the 20th inst. at this place, in honor and respect

APPENDIX.

383

to the memory of your departed husband and our friend,
one and all : I herewith enclose you a copy of the pro-
ceedings of the meeting ; please, madam, accept it in the
spirit in which it is tendered, for really it is of friends
met to mourn and to deplore the loss of a friend. We
are perfectly aware that no one can replace him with you,
and are also satisfied that no one will or can replace him
in the affection of the people of this State, nor can they
have a more faithful friend in the U. S. Senate.

I individually join in the public feeling expressed
towards your dear husband, and am sorry that we have
been called to meet on so solemn an occasion ; but,
madam, I trust he has gone to receive the reward due
his virtues, and to a world where there is no mourning.
Please accept my sincere feeling of sorrow c»n this occasion,
and believe me your friend,

S. C. GUIGNON.

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At a promiscuous meeting of the citizens of Boonville,
Cooper County, Missouri, convened at the Court House,
on Wednesday evening the 18th of October, 1843, upon
the reception of authenticated intelligence of the death
of the Hon. Lewis F. Linn, late Senator of Missouri, in
the Congress of the United States. Gen. Wm. Shields
was called to the chair, and Col. James Quarles aj)p()inted
secretary. The object of the meeting having been briefly
and appropriately stated by the chairman,

On motion of H. W. Crowther, Esq., a committee of
twelve were appointed by the chair, to draft a preamble
and resolutions expressive of the sentiments and feelings
of this community. To wit, H. W. Crowther, Thos. J.
Boggs, D. Spalir, B. Tompkins, J. D. Blair, B. G. Wil-

384

APPENDIX.

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'IS-

son, B. W. Sharp, Chas. Cope, B. Emmons Ferry, R. P
Bowman, C. H. Smith, and John Andrews.

The committee retired, and after a short inter\'al re-
turned, and reported by Gen. B. Emmons Ferr}^, the fol-
lowing preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously
adopted. To wit :

It having pleased Divine Providence to remove from
the scene of his labors and usefulness, the Hon. Lewis F.
Linn, one of the Senators of the United States, from the
State of Missouri ; the citizens of Boonville and vicinity,
entertaining a just regard for his private virtues, and dis-
tinguished public services, and penetrated with a profound
sense of the loss which our country has sustained in the
death of one her most able and patriotic men, unite cor-
dially with their fellow-citizens throughout the State,
in paying a well-earned tribute to his memory.

Therefore, be it Itesolved by the meeting, That, in
the death uf Dr. Linn, the medical profession, which he
adorned by singular and unsurpassed benevolence, has
been deprived of one of its most accomplished members,
and society has to deplore the loss of one whose manly
character, relieved by the most winning gentleness and
courtesy, commanded its highest respect, and made him
the grace and charm of the social circle.

Resolved, That in his political conduct. Dr. Linn was
manly, consistent and sincere, qualities, which, while they
entitle him to the confidence and gratitude of his party,
win also for him the r : ipect and esteem of his opponents.

Itesolved, That the able, persevering, and successful
exertions of Dr. Linn upon the Oregon question, have
obtained for him a distinguished rank among American
statesmen, while from the magnitude and wide-reach-
ing influences of the interests involved in the question,
they give him a just claim to the grateful remembranco

APPENDIX.

385

of the nation, and entitle him to the lasting gratitude of
the people of the future Kepublic of the Far West.

Resolved, That, as citizens of Missouri, we are under
a lasting debt of gratitude for the able and efficient sei*-
vices of Dr. Linn in the national councils, by which
mainly the cession of the Platte country to the State was
achieved.

Resolved, That to the family and relatives of the
lamented Linn, we offer our most unfeignod condolence
for this sad and sudden bereavement of their household.

Resolved, That these proceedings be signed by the
chairman and secretary of the meeting, and that a copy
of the same be transmitted to the family of our late dis-
tinguished Senator, and also that the secretary be directed
to furnish a copy to the editors of the Missouri Register
and Boonsville Observer, for publication, and that the
other papers in the State be requested to publish the
same.

On motion the meeting adjourned.

Wm. Shields, Chairman.

James Quarles, Secretary.

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LETTEES OF CONDOLENCE.

kco

FROM GENERAL JACKSON.

Hermitage, October IQth, 1843.
My DEAR Friend, — I have just received the Missouri
Reporter, which contains the mournful details of your dear
husband's, and my revered and very dear friend's death.
With a heart filled with the deepest sorrow, I affectionately
tender you my condolence on this great bereavement. His
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APPENDIX.

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lt)ss to you find your dear children is irropiirnl)le, and to
his country, is so great, in the council of our nation and
society, that it cannot be filled. But, my dear friend, we
arc charged by our blessed Saviour, to mourn, not for the
dead, but for the living ; " the Lord giveth and the Lord
takcth away, and blessed be the name of the Lord : " he
doeth all things well, although we, poor frail mortals,
cannot refrain from grief on such afflicting occasions. He
was my dearest and most disinterested friend, and as long
as I live I will lament his untimely death, with a heart
full of gratitude and love for his sincere and warm friend-
shii) for me ; and I pray to tne Lord to give you and your
children strength to bear this awful affliction. But peace be
to his name. He cannot return to us, my dear friend, but
let us prepare to meet him in a happy immortality, where
the wicked cease to trouble and the weary arc at rest.
My afflictions and debility admonish me that i shall
follow my dear friend very soon, and in the Lord's good
time, I 1 101)0, my poor sorrowing friend, that you and
yours may join us in a better world.

My dear daughter sends you her sympathizing love ;
she desires me to tell you that she would write to you,
but she is in great affliction herself, having ju^t buried a
dear interesting babe. All my household unite with me
in sincere antl tender condolence to you, on this greatest
bereavement that vou could receive. Do write soon, for
you know that, as long as I live, I will feel the deepest
interest for you and your children, and when your mind
becomes composed from the awful shock of your great
affliction, I would be very happy if you would come and
see us, and bring your children with you. The Lord bless
you and them.

Your affectionate friend,

Andrew Jackson.

To Elizabeth A, R. Liun, St. Genevieve,

APPENDIX.

387

FROM MR. BUCHANAN.

Lancastkr, October 14th, IS-t.S.
My dear FrieNd, — Last evening's mail brought me the
oiiri Reporter, containing the mournful intelligence
of your dear husband's death. I can scarcely yet recover
from the dreadful shock ; so suddenly, so unexpectedly
have I been deprived of a very dear friend, who held as high
a place in my warmest affections as any other living man,
that I can yet scarcely realize the awful truth. He was
indeed every thing which constitutes a man, mild and
amiable, with great benevolence of heart ; he was the very
soul of chivalry and honor, possessing uncommon talents,
and extensive information ; he was one of the ablest and
most useful members of the Senate, and vet he was so
unconscious of his own great power, his loss to his personal
and political friends in that body is irreparable. No man
in our country can supply his jdace. He was the rock
against whose firmness the storms might beat and beat
in vain, and he was ever as prompt and as decided in sus-
taining his friends in the hour of need, as in defending
himself ; and yet in him the elements were so combined,
that his political opponents were his warm personal friends,
and far beyond all question, he was the most popidar man
amongst his fellow members in the Senate of the United
States. But why need I enlarge upon his merits and his
great virtues with melancholy pleasure to the partner of
his bosom, who enjoyed his most devoted affection, and
who was worthy of it all. It is to express my deep, my
heartfelt sympathy for her irreparable loss. I know from
her great strength of character and Christian princii)les,
that she will not suffer her mourning for the dead to in-
terfere with her duty to the living, neither will she mourn as
one without hope. I know that he possessed true religious
feelings, and we can cherish the belief that he is now

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APPENDIX.

with his Kedeeiiier, which, after all the toil and strife of
this troublesome world, is at last the one tiling needful.
She will live for the instruction and benefit of the pledges
of their mutual affection, and if Providence should ever
place it in my power to extend a helping hand to her or
them, I shall esteem it a heartfelt pleasure, as well as a
sacred duty to embrace the ojiportunity.

I hope to hear from you very soon, and if it is not too
great a tax on your feelings, write me something about
my dear friend's last days on earth.

With sentiments of the purest respect and highest
esteem, I remain your most sincere and sympathizing
friend,

James Buchanan.

To Mrs. Elizabeth A. R. Linn, St. Genevieve.

t !1

FROM THE HON. SILAS WRIGHT.

WASiiixaxoN CiTV, Senate Chamber, June 1th, 1843.
My dear Mrs. Linn, — My good wife unites with me in
oifering you our heartfelt thanks for your kindness in com-
plying with our request, to give us some account of the
last days that your sainted husband passed on earth ; you
do not know, my good lady, how much of life and feeling
that you throw in your composition, and on such an occa-
sion as that we have called from you the ivlwle picture of
affectionate domestic life, of sensible, refined feeling,
tender honor, and pure integrity, and how suddenly and
awfully was the whole enveloped in the sable mantle of
death and overwhelming grief. We think that we see and
feel it all, and cannot speak of it or write about it without
bringing on ourselves the overpowering affliction, which
belongs to Ida last day on earthy and I feel incapable of
writing to you on the subject as I should do. On our

APPENDIX.

389

assembling here this session of Congress, Mr. Buchanan
and myself found the name of a stranger upon Dr. Linn's
seat ; we both felt alike, that we could not have that seat
so occupied, and I went to the Senator, Mr. Millei of
New Jersey, and he cheerfully exchanged with me, ( you
remember, the Doctor's seat was between Mr. Buchanan's
and mine ?) taking my seat and giving me the Doctor's,
which I have occupied this session ; and never do I sit
down in the chair or open the draw of the desk, that the
memory of my friend is not fresh in my mind, and his
image before me as I write every line ; it appears to me
that I certainly can see him by raising my eyes from the
paper, and so far from feeling any of that awe which such
impressions have usually iimde when strongly pressed
upon me, ray imagination paints nothing but the intense
desire to see that winning smile, meet those soft black
eyes, and hear that sweet voice, which for ten years met
me in this chamber, and contributed so much to my hap-
piness. This has been a most disastrous session of Con-
gress to me, and I cannot express to you how much I
have missed my friend ; yet you can and will understand
better than any other person, how much I fed his loss,
because you know how much our tastes, habits of thought,
and manner of business were alike. We both had dear
and valued friends in the Senate, but not such friends
as possessed the intimacy and warmth of feeling which
existed between the Doctor and myself. Many would con-
sider the affection that bound us so strongly together as
childish, but we knew that it constituted the richest
source of happiness, for the heartiness of it extended
above and far beyond politics or party feeling, and ce-
mented our friendship with the most profound feelings in
human nature. To be deprived of my friend at such a

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APPKNDIX.

time, when I was lieavily taxing all my hiimhlo ability to
siiistain, with other friends, Mr. Van Buren, was a fearful
Wow to me ; yon, who know ray sincere attachment to Mr.
B., can well imagine my great disapiwintment at his not
being sustained by the Baltimore Convention. I have
watched, with great pleasure, the conrso taken by youi
admirable brother, Dr. Relfe, and the two Gen. Dodges,
in the midst of dark intrigue, frand and corruption ; the
noble relations of my friend and yourself, stood firm in
their principles, fearless of all consecpiences to themselves,
and maintained with imwearied efforts, their noble zeul in
the cause of Democracy. How often, in reflecting on their
admirable course of conduct, I have felt how proud my
friend would have been to behold it. And will not vou,
my poor afflicted friend, take pleasure in hearing of the
noble patriotic conduct of relations that are so dear to you ?
and I know that you will take a mournful satisfaction, on
learning how fully his country aiipreciated the true great-
ness of your husband's character. When the Democratic
Convention discovered that it was not possible to nomi-
nate Mr. Van Buren for the Presidency, there was a unan-
imous expression throughout that body, that, were the
lamented Linn now alive, they would not hesitate to
nominate him for the Presidency ; for, without the least
doubt, he was the most popular man in the Democratic
party. His fine talents, the noble and energetic course
that he had taken on the Oregon question, with the de-
voted friendship of Gen. Jackson, would surely carry him
in triumph into the Presidential Chair, — But an all-wise
Providence has removed him to a better world, and al-
though we must ever mourn his loss, we should strufwle
not to murmur at the will of God. Mrs. Wright's health
is better than usual , she sends you and your cliildren

APPENDIX.

391

many aiFcctionato regards. Wlicn I reach my quiet home,
I will write to you one of my long old-fashioned letters.

Your sincerely sympathizing friend,

Silas Whioht.

To Mrs. E. A. R. Linn, St. Genevieve.

FROM THE HON. RICHARD M. J0HN80X.

White Suli'iiur, Scott CotiNTv, Kv.

December 2bth, 1813.
Mrs. Linn.

My dear friend, — Having just returned home in good
health, after an absence of ninety-one days, I cannot omit
even now, the attem])t of expressing the overwhelming
sorrow which I feel'on the sudden death of my friend and
your loved companion. Dr. Lewis F. Linn. If such a
loss can he so deeply felt and acknowledged hy his coun-
try and those who enjoyed his friendship, how much more
afflicting nmst he the sorrow of one who knew him as her
bosom friend. Words are not here necessary to convince
you how sincerely I regret your great bereavement, and
most truly do I condole with you in your sorrow. I shall
ever remember with a grateful heart, his friendship blended
with yours, to me, and hold myself ever ready when in
my power to serve you. Except yourself and family, no
one has met with a greater loss than myself, as I felt for
him the affection of a brother. I should do injustice to
the subject and my own feelings, to say less.

Wishing you every blessing that life can bestow, I am
most respectfully your friend,

KicHARD M. Johnson.

FROM MR. CLAY.

St. Louis, April 17th, 1846.
My dear Madam, — In the expectation of leaving this

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APPENDIX.

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city in a few hours for Kentucky, I called to see you this
morninj; to 1)1(1 you farewell, and was very much disap-
pointed in not finding you at home, as I desired to again
express to you my high satisfaction in meeting you here,
and renewing the agreeahlc intercourse which I enjoyed in
your society in Washington city, and I also wished once
more, to assure you of my deep sympathy and condolence
on account of your great hereavement. I am thankful
that Providence tempers your heavy affliction with cir-
cumstances of consolation in your promising children.
From what I have heard of your son, I hope that he will
maintain and add to the reputation of his father, who
was a bright ornament to the highest council in our coun-
try, while his exalted benevolence made him a benefactor
to the afflicted, and his warm social qualities imparted a
charm to society, which was more deeply felt than could
be expressed.

Wishing you health, happiness, and lengthened days,
I am, dear madam, your sincere friend,

H. Clay.

FROM MARTIN VAN BUREN, EX-PRESIDENT U. S.

LiNDENWALD, Nov. \Mh, 1843.
Many and sincere thanks to you, my dear afflicted
friend, for your kind message and the accompanying
paper, containing a brief sketch of the last moments of
our departed and much valued friend. Be assured, that
the whole country sympathizes with you deeply and sin-
cerely, in the great loss which both have sustained. The
fame which your lamented husband had already acquired,
was sufficient to satisfy the wishes of his friends, and did
honor to his State and country ; but it still fell far short
of that to which he would have risen, could his valuable

APPENDIX.

393

life have been spared ft few years to you. There is not in
my ju(l«i;raent, a puhHc man in the country, whose im-
provement was more rapid, or whose future pros[)ects wero
brighter. But Providence lias decided otherwise, and it
is our duty to submit to His decrees without nuirniuring.
That this, difficult as it is, will by you be performed to
the uttermost of human power, no one as conversnnt with
the strength of your mind, and the elevation of your prin-
ciples as I am, will for a moment doubt.

I shall ever remember with melancholy satisfaction,
the short visit it was my good fortime to receive from him,
last summer, and which he promised soon to repeat.

Remember me most affectionately to your bereaved
children, and be assured, that you and they, will always
find a sincere friend, in your obedient servant and friend,

M. Van Buren.
To Mrs. E. A. R. Linn.

! ,1

... 'I

FROM HON. C. G. ATHERTON.

Nashua, N. II., October ISth, 1843.
My dear Mrs. Linn, — Mrs. Athertonand myself have
been inexpressibly shocked at seeing in a Boeton paper of
to-day, intelligence of the death of Dr. Linn. From the
effect this event has produced on us, who had the pleasure
of counting ourselves among the number of liis friends, we
can appreciate in a remote degree, the terrible severity with
which it must have fallen on the wife of his bosom, and on
the children of his love. We will not attempt to suggest
those topics of consolation which would bid you strive to
overcome such an affliction ; but trust, that, with the
assistance of that fortitude of character, and reliance on
Divine Providence, so eminently yours. Time, the com-
forter, will soften the sharp and now almost insupi)ortable

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b94

APPENDIX.

pang of your sorrow, into a melancholy but pleasing recol-
lection of tlie noble and amiable qualities of your deceased
husband. That manly form, — that countenunce radiant
with genius, those eyes, beaming with intelligence and
spirit, and at the same time with kindness and benevo-
lence — they are a^^ present to our minds. His varied and
deliglitful conversation, — his exquisite taste, — his graceful
manners, his love of truth, and scorn of all dissimulation)
and hy])ocrisy, his heart, that never seemed to know any
other than tlie noblest impulses —these are with us still.
They can never be taken away from the recollections of
any that once knew liim.

Mrs. Atherton would write to you herself, but has
been for several weeks quite ill, from the effects of a se-
vere cough. She sends her warmest love and sympathy,

I cannot conclude without expressing my sense of the
loss which the public have sus-tained. The loss of such a
man at any time, would be greatly regretted on puljlic
considerations ; but it is particularly to be lamented in
times like the present, when men of his firmness and
integrity, and weight of character, are so important in
their influence for good on our country.

It was one of the most gratifying anticipations con-
nected with the senatorial term for which I am elected,
that I should have the pleasure of listeni ig to Dr. Linn
in public, and enjoying his companionship in private.
And in feeling how much I have lost myself, let me again
assure you of my condolence in your heavy bereavement.

Remember me aftectionately to Augustus, and believe
me, my dear madam, your friend and obedient servant,

C. Gr. Atherton.
To Mrs. E. A. R. Linn.

APPENDIX.

395

FROM HON. JOHN HENDERSON.

Pass Christian, IIauuison Co., Mississippi,

Nov. bth, 1843.

Dear Madam, — It has been with iinaifectecl sorrow
that I have heard of your sudden bereavement, in the
loss of your honored and wortliy husband. Regardless of
political differences, there was scarcely another member of
the U. S, Senate, for whom I entertained a more cordial
attachment. And perhaps there is no other one remain-
ing who had won for himself, of those politically opposed
to him, so much of personal regard. And this was the
more honorable, as all know who knew him, that he gained
nothing of private favor, by any concession or compro-
mise of his j)rinciples.

Were it here appropriate to speak of his public worth,
— ^my private opinion, thus privately expressed, however
complimentary, would be but cold and heartless sympathy
in the deep affliction with which your heart must be pene-
trated. Testimonials of public esteem you will doubtless
see recorded to his memory, — but ^laught but time can
heal the secret grief from such affliction. While yet de-
pressed by aU the gloomy concomitants of your recent
calamity — while pangs of sorrow, seemingly inconsolable,
are yet brooding in fresh anguish upon your si)irits, — I
know, my dear madam, of how little avail are words of
condolence. But that little is to soothe and mitigate in
some degree, the severest of earthly sufferings. And to
this end, the profoundest sympathies of Mrs. Henderson
and myself, are tendered you in all sincerity.

With considerations of esteem, I am yours, &c.

John Henderson.

To Mrs. E. A. R. Linn.

if]

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396

APPENDIX.

;! '

>}''

FROM HON. W. S. ARCHER.

Washington, Feb. 3d, 1844.

My dear Madam, — A painful and most protracted
disease has prevented the execution of my purpose, before
getting your enclosure, some weeks ago, even at the haz-
ard of an undue obtrusion on your distress, of conveying
to you the sincere expression of my condolence on your
great and irreparable, and my severe bereavement, re-
cently sustained.

I offer no exhortation on the duty of resignation to
decrees, which it is not allotted to our province to scan
(still loss to question), nor any hope of speedy consolation,
I know too well the magnitude of your loss and your ap-
preciation of that loss, to indulge the hope that such
topics would be of avail. Resignation comes from time,
consolation from the hand which can alone eifectively raise
up the trodden down by calamity, and pour the healing
balm into the wounds of the deeply aflfiicted.

This resignation and this consolation, I do not permit
myself to doubt, are destined to be your portion. They
will be sent to you through the reward of those affections,-
to carry to which I know you are going to devote your
time and faculties, to impress on your children both
reverence and resemblance of their father. I could invoke
for them no more favorable destiny than the last of these
results, and sincere is the satisfaction which it would bring
to me to learn of the realization. It can be no ill wish
even for my little favorite Mary, that she may resemble a
character in which the lion lay down with the lamb spirit
was embodied and kept controlled by divine grace,

I cannot forbear to add, that the usage of the Senfite
not permitting more than two persons to be heard on the
occasion of obituary notices, and the second to Col. Benton

APPENDIX.

397

having been selected with propriety from his native State,
I was deprived of the satisfaction I should have fjiind
in giving expression to my own fjelings, separately from
the expression which was given by the Body generally.
It only remains for me, dear lady, to express the good
wishes for your continued health and restoration to happi-
ness — with which I am most sincerely your friend,

Wm. S. Archer.
Mrs. E. A. R. Linn.

FROM GEN. E. P. GAINES.

Franklin, Tennessee, October Slst, 184:3.
My dear Madam, — My wife and myself have learned,
with deep affliction, the sad bereavement you have sus-
tained in the sudden, the premature death of your excellent
and beloved husband. If the heartfelt homage of admira-
tion of his countrymen could soothe the sufferings of those
most dear to him in his own Missouri, their afflictions
should be light, as their sources of mournful consolation
are abundant. It has fallen to the lot of few men in
America, and certainly no one west of the mountains, to
depart this life more admired or more lamented by the
people of the United States, than Doctor L. F. Linn.
The name of the village at which I write reminds me of
an impression which our journey to Washington some
years past, affording me an opportunity of the first in-
timate personal acquaintance with our deceased friend and
yourself, that there was a striking similarity in the minds
and moral sentiments of Doctors Linn and Franklin.
They were indeed alike in many respects. They wore both
nature's noblemen. If the people of America, as I am
sure the people of the West and South, will long mourn

ii"

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898

APPENDIX.

the loss of their talented friend and patriotic Senator, how
much more deeply must his bereaved family and neighbors,
and his immediate constituents, partake of the heart-
rending affliction.

My wife and myself desire to unite in offering to you
and your family the slender but sincere tribute of that
condolence which springs from the heart of friendship.
Our experience, however, assures us that the condolence
of friends in sucli cases is unavailing. Time alone, added
to tlie consolations which the Christian religion holds forth
to the virtuous and the wise, can heal the wounds inflicted
on an affectionate heart by the sudden loss of such a
friend.

Time has effected for me what I trust it will ere lonjr
accomplish fui you and your amiable Mary and your noble-
hearted Augustus, and every other member of your family.
I have reasoned thus : — If we were truly loved by those
we have lost — and that we were so loved, ten tliousand
proofs rise up in the reminiscences of a single day or an
hour, that pure love ever watching over and sustaining us
as a guardian angel, could not but embrace and sanction
whatever moral or religious remedy is essential or proper
to the restoration of our health and happiness here and
hereafter.

In conclusion, permit me to assure you, my amiable
friend, for myself and my wife, that it will be to us a source
of much satisfaction to be always recognized by you and
your family as your firm and unwavering friends ; and
when, as we hope soon to have a house and a permanent
residence in St. Louis, we shall take constant pleasure in
affording you better proofs than we can in this way impart,
of our desire and talent for restoring you to that social
mood whicli hao so often contributed to the happiness of
all who had the pleasure of your daily attention in the

v.. } !

APPENDIX.

399

same draioing-room and at the same mess-tahh for a
winter in Washington : a winter replete with festive and
social enjoyments, for a large share of which Mrs. Gaines
and myself were indebted to you and your lamented
husband. We are, dear madam,

With afifectionate respect, your friends,

Edmund Pendleton Gaines.

ft.

A FUNERAL DISCOURSE

ON THi: LIFE AND CHARACTER OF THE HON. LEWIS FIELD
LIXN, DELIVERED BEFORE THE CIITZENS OF ST. LOUIS, AT
THEIR REQUEST, OX SUNDAY, THE 19TH DAY OF NOVEMBER,
1843, IJY REV. JOHN U. LINN.

ril

le
3e

With the nation at large we are called upon to lament
a very afflictive public bereavement, in the death of a
great and good man. Dr. Lewis Field Linn, endeared to us
by the important public services that crowned his life, and
by the many virtues that so eminently adorned his private
character.

But we mourn his departure from among us the more,
because the inscrutable event has overtaken us at a time
when we looked not for it, — when from the past we were
looking with eager anticipation to still more important
services ; when it seemed certain to all that much benefit
to our common country, and to the interests of our wide-
spreading Valley especially, was about to ensue from his
personal exertions ; when all eyes and all hearts were turned
to hhn, with a quickened impulse and enlarged desires.

In these circumstances — how suddenly ! in a moment !
have all these hopes been blasted by the melancfioly,

^ I

400

APPENDIX.

l»:

withering intelligence — not that Dr. Linn was sick, dying
— but dead, buried.

It is not for weak, erring mortals, like us, to murmur
at a dispensation so dark and mysterious as the abrupt ex-
tinction of this steadily burning light in the moral and
in the political world. But, while this event has come
down upon us, at noonday, like the drapery of midnight,
we see upon its ample folds the sublime truth written with
the finger of Heaven — " It is of the Lord."

The loss we have sustained is as unspeakable as it is
unexpected. It has created a void in our community and
a chasm in our affections and attachments, which we can
never hope to have supplied. He was not one of those
ordinary men, who may disappear from the stage of life,
without being missed or regretted, beyond the circle of
their private acquaintance, and whose place can be easily
supplied from the circle they have left behind. Nor is
it scarce enough to say, that he belonged to that more
limited class, whose abilities, education, and influence have
given them a position in the world that few can hope to
attain ; but in the combination of intellectual and moral
worth, he stood among contemporaries, like Saul among
the hosts of Israel. He occupied a place which nothing
but intellectual strength and moral greatness could have
enabled him to secure, and maintain to the day of his
death ; and we may affirm that among those who can
discern the tilings that differ, who know how to appreciate
intellectual vigor, moral worth, honest independence, prac-
tical usefulness, real learning, disinterested generosity, and
inflexible integrity, no man was more highly or more justly
esteemed while he lived, or more deeply regretted when
he died.

To give any suitable delineation of him, is a task to
^,. ufch I confess my inadequacy. I was not privileged

'"^.M

APPENDIX.

401

with his friendship, and with his acquaintance only i)ar-
tially. If I had known him, I could not si)eak of him
as he ought to he spoken of. I could not speak of him
as you would justly expect. I could not speak as my
own heart would ardently wish ; I could not speak as
others, who — I will not say have loved him more, for thou-
sands who have not known him personally, have not loved
him the less, hut who possess more competency — could
and would have spoken of him. This inahility I regret
the less, hecause his character, in all its aspects, was
familiar to your minds. You knew him well ; you loved
him dearly ; you venerated him highly. Many of you re-
cognized in him the warm, devoted, unchanging personal
friend. Many of your fathers and mothers he has visited
in the hour of sickness and attended their dying heds ;
and when skill and attention were unable to save, the
sympathies of his generous nature proved unfailing.

I hardly need tell you his character. It had a length
and breadth about it, which made it obvious to all.
Nothing hidden or equivocal — all wide-open, candid, ma-
jestic. There was a magnanimity, a strength, a fnlness,
a freshness, an originality about his modes of thinking and
acting, which were as eminent to the eye of observation
as the lineaments of his broad and benevolent face. We
employ, too, because of its appropriateness, the language
of a writer, whose success in describing character has been
unparalleled in the world of letters :

V;9

• tr

" This was the noblest Roman of them all :
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mixed in him, that nature might stand up
And say to all the world — thin was a man."

As you are informed through the public papers. Dr.
Linn was a native of Kentucky. He was born in the year
26

rr-.'ii- N. VV. History Dspt.

• ■•tOVir-JClAU LI3RARY
VICTORIA, B. 0.

402

APPENDIX.

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llli

1795, about four miles from the City of Lauisvillc. Tiie
eiitcrj)riHing spirit of liis grand-parents had carried them
in advance of civilization. In tlie defence of the frontier
settlements from Indian aggression, and in the organization
of civil and social society, they were required to act a con-
S2)icuou3 i)art. His mother was born in the town of Car-
lisle, in the State of Pennsylvania, and emigrating to
Kentucky at an early period, was married to Israel Dodge.
She was subsequently married to Ashael Linn, and Lewis
was the second of three children by that marriage.
Though but a boy at the decease of his father, in the
iiousehold he had been carefully taught the pioneer virtues
of industry, frankness, honesty and firmness, and there
mind and body were attaining their wonted vigor together.

Such a period in society might be thought by some
unfavorable to the improvement or development of in-
tellect, but in this community it will not be regarded as
without its advantages. If to such a place you transport
the little community of an educated domestic circle, and
supply it with the inventions, discoveries and histories of
man, it is doubtful whether the wisdom of the head as
well as the heart would not more expand than in the
associations of dense society. In a school where the
hardier graces of a man were taught at a period eminently
favorable to the production of a sim})le, resolute and
elevated character, Senator Linn had his birth and educa-
tion.

At that time Kentucky was a border country. The
emigrant's axe was just claiming its lirst trophies. The
yell of the savage had not yet died away upon the distant
forest, A way had not been opened to refinement. The
soil had not yet been taxed to supply the imaginary wants
of human society, for such demands are few and simple,
and always readily and abundantly supplied. The riotings

if!

APPENDIX.

403

Tlie

The
rants
Inple,
Itings

and excesses of liixnry were nut known, and no contribu-
tions for its insatiate appetite had, as yet, heen levied.
The high claims of lionor, hehl sacred and inviohite, and
not the mere restrictions of Liw, regulated tlie intercourse
of man with his fellow. The monuments of nature stood
undefaced by the aggressions of society, the mis-styled tri-
umphs of man.

There, breathing an atmosphere uncontaminated by
the baleful presence of oppression and docoitfidness, of
fraud and force, his manly and chivalric spirit flourished
on the food afforded, and assimilated more and more to
the objects of its contcmplati(m. Inclined to study and
reflection, his walk, if not with God, was among the sub-
lime and ennobling forms of his greatness. Upon the vast
prairie he stood, and along the banks of thebeautifid Ohio
he wandered, feeling not only the existence, but the
presence of his and their Creator. Thus attended, thus
surrounded, he advanced towards the era of majority.
We claim for him no academic or collegiate honors ; for
Academies and Colleges were then scarce thought of in the
country west of the Alleghanies ; but even at that period
his intellect may be thought worthy a comparison with
those who may be regarded as favored with more imposing
facilities. Superior in strength and singleness of purpose,
and in the dignity of his whole moral character, it only
remained to be tried whether his mind had capacity to
take high intellectual rank.

At the requisite age, he began the study of medicine
under the instruction of Dr. Gait, of Louisville, Ky. ;
and it Avas there that he made more extensively those ac-
quisitions, not only in science, but in the habits of study,
which often lie at the foundation of character as subse-
quently developed, but which so eminently qualified him
for future usefulness. At the request of his half brother,

'^;

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ir.!i

404

APPENDIX.

,.■'<

fit

it!

Henry Dodge, the present Delcgnte from tlie Territory of
Wisconsin, lie visited tlie then Territory of Missouri, as
early as 1812. He returned, however, to Kentucky t(^
resume the study of his profession, and when prepared
to practise, revisited and settled in St. Genevieve ahout
the year 1815. From that time to the period when he
was appointed one of the Commissioners under the Act
of Congress, of 9th of July, 1832, to investigate and re-
port on the French and Spanish claims, he devoted himself
with great assiduity to the study and practice of his i)ro-
fession.

Warm and generous in his friendships, none could
surpass him in sympathy for tlie atHictod and suffering,
and thus controlled, his attentions were unremitting. To
skill that was seldom hafflcd, there was added this essen-
ti.al qualification of a successful physician — a benevolent
heart ; a heart that feels his patient's pain as if it were
his own ; that looks on the woe-stricken countenance of a
wife, and resolves that, if possible, she shall be saved from
the desolateness of widowhood ; that looks on weeping
children and resolves that no energy shall be spared in
saving them from the orphan's destitution ; that looks at
a father's and mother's anguish, and resolves that, God
assisting, he will save their child.

It was the enthusiasm of this benevolence that diifused
over the whole character of Dr. Linn a sacred splendor —
adorned and imbued his whole behavior. Never did the
love of ease, or study, or friends, present a single tempta-
tion to confine him to his books, or detain him Aviiu the
society of his companions, or at the convivial feast, when
he should be watching by the couch of sickness. His
manners, always natural and easy, rendered him not only
accessible to all, but so prepossessing and delightfid that
it was absolutely impossible for any, however circum-

*:. f

APPENDIX.

405

stanccd in life, to feel uneasy or restless in his company.
Hence the most unreserved confidence always subsisted
between him and his patients ; and the menKuials of his
tenderness and skill are to he found in the grateful recol-
lections of all classes of society, in the entire southern
portion of our State. For, however much dissimilar views
upon relip;ion and politics may affect the state of society
generally, it never lost Dr. Linn one friend, or made him
less studious or anxious ahout their wants.

His rej)Utation as a physician had become so extensive,
and the demands upon him so frequent — and he was One
of those to whom an ajipeal was never made in vain —
that apprehensions in relation to his health, from fatigues
and exposures, induced him to accept the appointment of
Connnissioner, under the Act of July, 1832. To dis-
charge the duties of his office, he removed to this city, in
June, 1833, and though the practice of his profession was
not entirely abandoned at this, or any sul)soquent period,
we find him entering a theatre upon which he not only
sustained himself creditablv, but secured an enviable dis-
tinction.

It Was said by a celebrated Athenian commander,
that it was a reproach to a General to have- it to say of
any event — " I had not expected it." Such censure could
seldom attach to Senator Linn. The success of all that
ho undertook, evinced the versatility of his mind and the
energy of his whole character ; and if in the political
world he had loft no other monument of his wisdom and
prudence, than recommending the policy to be pursued by
the Government of the United States, in confirming
grants to the French and Spanish claimants, he would
have been entitled to a high place among sound and prac-
tical financiers. But having thus been thrown within the
confines of political life, without design on his part, un-

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400

APPKNDIX.

I
W

irapcllecl ])y ambition, ami uncontrollecl by Holfislincss,
a wider splicre of usefulness was opening l)eli»re liini.

It is said that the liistory of our free institutions is
contained in the l>iograj»hy of the great men who conduct
State aftairs, and as examples of integrity and intellect
are frccpient or rare in living patriots, so will he the dura-
tion or decay of Republics. National character de])end8
upon individual excmidifications. Polished Greece and
Imperial Home owe their distinction to the sovereignty of
Genius ; and to their poets, phihisojdiers, legislators, his-
torians and heroes, they have chained their immortality.
The glory or shame of nations, then, is established by
individuals, not by masses that pass in solemn review
before ])0sterity. " Nothing," says the same writer, " tends
more to the preservation of a nation's untarnished honor
in every trial, jjcrliaps nothing so cftcctually nerves him
for the greatest human exertion for his country, more than
that he will, after all is over in the tomb, receive not only
the justice, but the chaplet of that tribunal. With this
bright vision of the future before him, he will pass in
safety through temi)tation, and present an undaunted
front to the perils as well as labors of life."

It is with reference to such results, that you have
asked for a delineation of the moral and intellectual fea-
tures of one who has been pronounced a " model states-
man," and whom we pronounce, in all the relations of life,
a model man. But when the oulogy of your speaker
shall have gone down with him in forgetfulness to the
grave, the youth of America will find in the archives of
their country, in unfading and faithful colors, that like-
ness, not only as a memorial of one loved and lost, but as
an example and model for their study and imitation.
Always a child of Providence, he was not required to pass
the subordinate drudgery of a politician's Hfe ; having

APrKNDIX.

407

served one session in the Senate of Missouri, he was ele-
vated hy the siifVrajijt; of lloaven to a pUiee in the liigliest
delibcnitive assonil)ly in the lirst Government in tlie
world.

Lewis Fikld Linn was a statesman of Heaven's own
seleetion. In October, 1833, he was appointed by Gov.
Dunklin to supply the vacancy in the Senate of the
United States, occasioned by the death of the Hon. Alex-
ander Buckner, and took his seat in that Ixxly at the Ses-
sion of 1833 and '4. It is said that Dr. Linn was unac-
customed to the duties of a Le<;fislator, for he had never
made })olitics his study ; but all admit that ho showed
himself equal to the respcmsibilities of his unsought and
unexpected station. His was not the dreary gradation of
a novitiate. Comprehending at once, and as if by in-
stinct, the duties of his new position, he soon accpiired an
honorable stand among the great men who then sat in
that body. The impression that he made in our National
Councils was felt at home, and the Legislature of Mis-
souri, at its ensuing session, with scarcely a dissenting
voice, expressed its confidence in him as a public servant.
He was re-elected by a large majority in 1836 and '7, and
again, with the approbation of all parties, in 1842 and '3.

Every distinct period in the history of our country has
demanded a peculiar order of statesmen, and required
some peculiar endowments in those who hold the helm of
State. A bold and fearless spirit was needed to ring the
knell of despotism in the ear of . 'on-handed tyranny ;
and the thundering voice of an eloquent Henry, breaking
upon our Legislative halls, woke into life the previinisly
dormant energies of the American jieople. A spirit of
noble enterprise and bold daring was demanded to be
ready to stand on trial belbre kings, and to meet death in
any form, and there was hung before the wondering,

III

408

APPENDIX.

anxious gaze of patriotism, like the visioned sheet hefore
the entranced Apostle, a hill of rights to he vindicated,
and a bill of wrongs to he redressed, signed hy a host of
worthies, in flaming capitals, flashing • terror into the
hearts of the enemies of our country. Subsequently, the
times demanded men of steady firmness, of unwavering
integrity, of unflinching courage, in whose breast the fire
of patriotism was an inextinguishable flame, and the
great and good Washington was furnished. The days of
the Revolution demanded a peculiar order of men. All
the other qualifications of every other age seemed to be
required in combination. These men were doubtless
made, in part, by the thnes in which they lived, but they
would have been adapted to any age, and would have left
the impress of theiv great minds upon it.

It would be pleasant, but might prove a dangerous
task, to mark the distinctive periods of our country's his-
tory, and delineate the master-spirits that have troubled
or quelled this great political ocean But I may, without
fear, proceed to inquire what are the qualifications most
needed by a statesman in tlie times in wliijh we live.

The founders of our Government were distinguished
for whai is sensible and solid, rather than for what is
brilliant ; for the useful rather than the visionary ; for
what Mr. Locke calls large, sound, round-r.bout sense, and
having fought hard for peace ".nd suffered much, they
knew how to enjoy it. But for the last few years, there
has been an increasing fondness for political combat and
partisan gladiatorship. Now, whatever may have been
the causes, and whoever may have been to blame, it is
apparent that this spirit of contention and strife has been
indulged to a melancholy extent, and that the weajwns of
WiV: arc still kept furbished and ready for use. Having
tried these weaponiL' long enough to ascertain that they

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APPENDIX.

409

are used with only the advantage thait accrues to an army
in a dark night, wlien the life of friend and foe is indis-
criminately endangered, the times demand men of peace —

statesmen, distinguished for tlieir frankness,

candor, hon-

esty, and forbearance. It is said of Dr. Linn, that
" firm, yet conciliating, candid, yet courteous, he sat in
the councils of our nation at a time when party spirit ran
higher than at any other period in the history of our gov-
ernment, and without compromising one jot or tittle of the
principles upon which he had been elected to that high
office, he maintained terms of friendship and respect with
every member of the Senate, with one exception."

Then Lewis Field Linn was such a statesman as the
times required. His kind and generous heart felt that
this din of political strife had been heard long enough ;
that enough of that glory had been achieved which can
be secured only by arraying brother against brother, altar
against altar, and forum against forum ; or l\y skill in
noisy polemics and in harsh denunciation, by rending
society asunder, and by triumph when victory is always
equal to defeat. It was not the Shibboleth of party that
he defended, but the great principles of constitutional
liberty as he understood and construed them, for which
he was the unflinching and unwavering advocate.

An interesting and characteristic incident is related of
him, illustrative of the influence he exerted upon his own
and the then dominant party in Congress. A number of
bills had been put into his hands by a political friend,
aftccting important personal and local interests, which he
felt, to offer himself, would be to jeopard at least. He
took them, and in his usual happy and conciliatory man-
ner, began unfolding the package and addressing himself
to their merits, when Mr. Buchanan arose and remarked
pleasantly — " Doctor, we'll save you the trouble, if you

'ri

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410

APPENDIX.

li'lU

recominond tliem, we'll pass the wliole bundle." This
suggestion AViis in the same spirit seconded by Mr. Clny.
And though all this was dune idayfuUy, it shows the esti-
mation in which he was held by i)er8onal friends and
political opponents.

In debate Dr. Linn seemed unconscious of his own
strength, lor if in this respect he was not distinguished he
possessed some advantages. While he did not obtrude
himself into every discussion, as if no question, however
trivial, could be settled, until his opinion was given, yet
neither did any array of opposition, nor any fear of
responsibility, nor any api)rehension fo;" his popularity,
deter him from taidng such jjart in the most important
debates as commended itself to his judgment and con-
science. He was an unpretending man and therefore diffi-
dent. He seldom ventured to speak, and never until he
had possessed himself of the facts, and then he never
failed to sustain himself creditably, and his arguments
were always heard with great deference. He sought his
country's good, not his own promo ^on. He was scarcely
ever provoked to personal mvective, but when such cir-
cumstances did occur, his sarcasm was bold and wither-
ing. It was evident to all that he sought, not to defeat
and confound his opponents, much less to degrade them
in their own estimation or in the opinion of others, but
with a look, manner and language which bespoke his own
candor and sincerity, to lead them to his conclusions —
and his competency was only paralleled by his faithfulness
and untiring industry. Siiys Mr. Buchanan, the distin-
guished Senator from Pennsylvania, in a letter of condo-
lence to his family : ''He was indeed ever) thing which
constitutes a man ; mild, amiable, and benevolent of heart,
he was yet the very soul of chivaliy and honor. Possess-
ing micoumion talents and extensive information, he was

1:1 :

APPENDIX.

411

one of the ablest and most nseful members of the Senate,
and yet lie ever seemed imconscions of his own great
powers. His loss to his personal and politieal friends in
that body is irreparable. No nrpn in the country can
supply his place. He w^as the loek against whose firmness
the storm might beat, but beat in vain ; and he was ever
as prompt and decided in sustaining his friends, in their
hour of need, as in defending himself. And yet in him
the elements were so combined, that his political opj^o-
ncnts were all his friends." He adds — and it is a noble
tribute — " Beyond all question, he was the most popular
man among his fellow members in the Senate of the
United States."

The basis of his well-formed public character was his
private virtues. The impression left upon the mind of
every one who had intercourse with him for a single hour,
was, that he possessed honesty which could not be cor-
rupted — integrity which could not be moved by prosperity,
nor shaken by adversity.

His stern and inflexible moral principles were writff^n
upon every lincan^ent of hio strongly marked countenance
— upon every word that fe.l from his lips, and upon every
action of his life, whether as a citizen or public servant.

As the result of this last trait, he was possessed of de-
< ision of character. He knew — he felt he was right, and
tV ii he was never moved from his course by trifles. When
•ill' f i ing Avas to be done, he was unwearied until its com-
plciiop ; and this was the case whether one object, or a
multiplicity of cares, pressed upon him. But he was
never obsvinate ; for his decision, energy and unj ielding
perseverance, were controlled by the native, unaffected be-
nevolence of his heart. And to the i)resence of these be-
nevolent affections he was largely indebted for that graceful
and easy politeness, that imassuming suavity of temper,

tf' ;

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412

APPENDIX.

v.'hich were so conspicuous in his intercourse with society,
and which so justly and eminently entitled him to the uni-
formly and universally recognized ajjpellation — " the peace-
loving Senator."

The acquisition of the Platte country, and the hill for
the occupation and settlement of Oregon, were the promi-
nent measures introduced, and successfully recommended
hy him, during his short but useful Congressional career.
And his colleague, with becoming magnanimity, has testi-
fied that these bills were carried through the Senate at a
time, and under c c f^ dances, when the gentleness and
firnmess, the suavit;y energy of Senator Linn, made

him alone competent for this splendid achievement. In
referei o to the character, designs and provisions of the
Oregon bill, we give you the language of his colleague :
" It Avas the measure of a statesman. Just to the settler,
it was wise to the Government. The settler has a right
to have a home in the new country which he reclaims from
the wilderness and the savage. The Government of the
United States can only save its domain on the Oregon by
jilanting its colonies there. Land is the inducement and
the reward to emigration — and that land was granted by
the bill — liberally granted to the wife and to the children
— to the young man and the widow, as well as to the hus-
band and the father." " That bill," he adds, " is the vin-
dication and assertion of the American title against the
daring designs of England, and the only way to save
the country. And in the conception and recommendation
of this bill, he showed himself alike solicitous to secure
personal interests and national honor." Well has it been
said that the name of Linn will be identified with the
rising, spreading glory of that immense territory.

We have followed Senator Linn through his compara-
tively brief, but distinguished career ; in boyhood, acquir-

APPENDIX.

413

ing those Imlnts of mind aucl body that indicated the
promise t' his usefulness to the world ; in his profession,
with a mind richly stored with general as well as i)rofes-
sional information, with a heart alive to all the tender

and

generous

sensibilities of our nature, throwinij the

drapery of kindness over the chamber of affliction, lighting
up a milder sun in the sky overcast with the clouds of
misfortune, and searching out the causes of distress that
he know not. Like Job, he was eyes to the blind, and
feet to the lame, a father to ihd orphan, and the widow's
friend.

Says my correspondent, " Could the world have seen
Dr. Linn's house when his death was made known at St.
Genevieve, then indeed would his worth have been appre-
ciated. The rich and poor filled his house and yard, from
the town and country, to learn if the melancholy news
was true — that their friend, their kind physician for so
many years, who never charged the widow or the poor man
for his individual services — their benevolent fellow-citizen,
who had so often i)ut in jeopardy all he had on earth to
save their projjcrty, was indeed gone from them for ever.
Even the poor Africans, whose sick beds Dr, Linn had
watched over many a long and weary night, were seen
kneeling around the heart-broken widow and orphan cldl-
dren, begging to knoAv if they could serve them in any
way." " Surely," adds my correspondent, " such heart-
felt affection for any man, such profound sympathy for his
family, could not be manifested more strongly for any
person, than was evinced by those who followed him to his
last home."

At the call of his country he promptly relinquished
his profession and entered upon the duties of a i)ublic
servant ; as a Commissioner, satisfactorily adjusting an-
tagonist claims, involving important private and public

'■, illf

'1 il .■

414

APPENDIX.

interests ; as a Senator, standing forth on this great the-
atre, acknowledged by all a great and good man, lending
the energies of his mighty mind to defend the institutions
of his country from all assaults, both from within and
without. Devoted to the interests of his constituents, he
showed himself a faithful and industrious Representative.
But while the memorials of his tenderness shall thus
be gathered up by his friends, in pri\:"te life ; while love
and affection mourn him, yet not as those who mourn
without hope ; while the memory of his devotodness to
this wide-spreiiding valley will be long and tenderly cher-
ished ; while Oregon shall in her orphanage inquire, who
will now defend her honor, her character, her interests ? —
the records of the Church will testify to his virtues, his
spirituality, his devotion to his God.

-^:

" Know }-e a Prince hath fallen ? Nature gave
Tin sijinet of her royalty — and years
Of mighty labor won the sceptred power
Of knowledge — which from unborn ages claims
Ilomiige and empire, such as time's keen tooth
May never waste — yea — and the grace of God
So witnessed witli hi? '■pirit, so impelled
To deeds of Christian love, that there is reared
A monument for him, which hath no dread
Of that fierce flame that wrecks the solid earth ! "

Early and favorably impressed with the truths of the
Christian religion, a close study of these truths produced,
under the influence of the Holy Spirit — as Avas to be ex-
pected in a mind honest and sincere as his — a firm and
steadfast faith as to its divine origin and its infinite in-
terests and obligations. And his attachment to the fun-
damental verities of the Bible became firm and exemplary,
and grew in strength and influence to the very close of his
life. It is a melancholy fact that many — alas ! too many,

APPENDIX.

415

of our distinguished men — men who are called by the suf-
frages of their country to occupy important and command-
ing positions in society, do not recognize, do not acknow-
ledge the claims of our Holy Christianity. Nor is this, in
most instances, accompanied hy a wanton and Avilful rejec-
tion of its truths, or an utter disregard of its appeals— or
a contempt for its institutions — but, involved in multitu-
dinous political cares, they at first find but little time, and
subsequently less disposition, for matters affecting their
souls' destiny ; while a few rashly prefer the glory of a
day to that which lasts for ever. Not so with Dr. Linn.
In the ])rinciples of the Christian faith, and in the sanc-
tions of the Christian religion, he matured his character,
secured his hapj)iness, and foimded his hopes.

The details of his conversion I have not been able to
obtain. His avowed and decided preference for the Rev.
Mr. Cookman, then chaplain to Congress, and pastor of
one of the Methodist churches in the city of Washington,
induced him in the winter of 1839 to wait upon tlie min-
istry of that great and good man, whose melancholy fate
he dei)lorHl so deeply, and with whose sainted si)irit he is
now enjoying delightful communion before the throne of
God. On the fifth day of Ai)ril, of that year, he joined
the M. E. Church, and from that period to the day of his
death devoted nuich of his time to religious purposes — to
the study of the Bible and the perusal of reli<^ous books.

With the minute details of his religious experience 1
am as unacquainted as with those of his conversion. On
these points of his personal history and feelings, he was
constitutionally and habitually reserved ; but when cir-
cumstances elicited remark, he was frank, and in these
particulars manifested the simplicity of a child. But the
genuine proofs of religion were visible to those who knew
him best, and could but command their esteem and love,

.r !

> lira

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416

APPENDIX.

i .'I'l

notwithstanding any occasional infirmity or manifestation
of frailty tlioy might discover. As a Christian, lie was
alike \mcom promising in reference to the doctrines or du-
ties of his faith. His experience, so far as I can learn, was
not the mere triumph of joyous feeling, directly excited in
the soul by an indication or act of overwhelming mercy,
without any particular mental exertion or the application
of sacred truth. God often vouchsafes these hlessinffs to
minds that need them — whose intellectual faculties have
been so untrained, or so unfurnished with materials, as to
render them most accessible to the consolations of Chris-
tianity by immediate agency on the affections. Thus the
Almighty afibrds help and comfort to all, be their mental
structures and attainments what they may. With Dr.
Linn, religion was a triumph of principle, rather than the
predominance of powerful emotion. Hence, he lived hum-
'Ay — very humbly — and retiringly as a Christian, and as
a Christian ought to live, yet very majestically, also, if I
may so speak. Through the grace which was upon him —
grace which could act in that particular only on a mind
like his own, strong, vigorous, accustomed to close study
familiarized by habit to the most sublime and heavenly
views of truth. Though well informed and firm in his re-
ligious opinions, it is not necessary for me to say that a
mind so well balanced, a heart so thoroughly controlled
by gentleness and -kindness, could never forget the lofty
and commanding position of the Christian in the restric-
tions of a mere sectarian. No ! his was a pure catholic
spiri*:.

For the last several months he was peculiarly thought-
ful and heavenly minded. A temporary but severe indis-
position, early last spring, left him Avitli the radical and
permanent impression that he would not long survive.
This impression he often communicated to his family, al-

APPENDIX.

417

ways accompanying it with a desire to have his worldly
affairs well arranged, and himself in preparation for an-
other existence. " On the 28th of last April," says my
correspondent, " late at night, he desired that his house-
hold should be called together, and, with his wife and
children by his side, kneeling, in a most fervent and devout
manner he dedicated himself and them to the Great Head
of the Church — that, whether they lived, they should live
unto the Lord, or whether they die, they should die unto
the Lord ; that, whether they live therefore or die, they
should be the Lord's." That solemn scone will not soon
be forgotten. An offering was laid upon that altar, the
perfumes of which have h.'ft a delightful fragrance behind,
and in years to come, when memory shall recall that scene,
how like an angel will he rise uj) from the dominions of
death, the very personification of love, of gentTosity, of
kindness, of friendship, of truth and heavenly ardor. But
in an effort to delineate his religious character, I find my-
self invading that sacred enclosure, the domestic circle,
where every step must wring out tears and press the bleed-
ing hearts of the widowed and fatherless ones. Oh ! would
to God that I could now retire, and let the Guardian An-
gel, with a feather plucked from his own bright silvery
wing, describe the scenes of reciprocated tenderness an*.,
love that made his home an earthly Paradise. The image
is present to my own mind with all the glowing freshness
of life. Here are combined, like nestling seraphs, the
graces of moral beauty, the breathing forms of holy friend-
ship and mutual love. The majesty and dignity of giant
mind turning aside from the world eager to do it homage,
bending in admiration over the gentle flower at his side,
while the cherub faces and merry tones of early childhood
exhibit such a vision of felicity as to be cherished, loved,
almost adored — while upon this already hallowed scene

<f!

i!n •

ill]
I 111

41S

APPENDIX.

religion throws its radiance, like a stray sunbeam, piercing
the drifted cloud and opening up another day.

This state of uninterrupted domestic bliss was the re-
sult of the hai)])y and appropriate marriage, in 1818, of
Dr. Linn and the only daughter of Mr. John Kelfe, a law-
yer of distinguished abilities from the State of Virginia,
who died in early life, leaving but two children, Mrs. Linn
and Dr. James H. Kelfe, a Representative now in Con-
gress from Missouri. Of his immediate relations, Dr. Linn
left one own sister, a half-brother, Hon. Henry Dodge,
and a half-sister, Mrs. Nancy Sefton, with their families,
to all of whom he -us tenderly attached, and among whom
he felt and made no distinction. Of a large family of
children. Dr. Linn left but two, a son and daughter, to
mourn their loss, and soothe by their society and sympathy
the aching heart of a widowed mother. God bless thee,
Augustus ! God bless thee, Mary ! Yours is a rich in-
heritance — in your veins is coursing in blending currents
the blood of a patriot and a Christian. Upon your desti-
nies rest the blessings of a sainted father. In your behalf
is enlisted the sympathy of the Church. Hearts, fond
hearts, are beating high for you — prayers, warm and earnest,
are offered up for you. Voices, glad voices, will welcome
you at the threshold, and cheer you through the pathway
of life. Go, be ornaments of society — go, and may that
God who has promised to be a Father to the fatherless,
shield and protect you ! — go, imitate the virtues of one
loved and lost ! — go, and let the dawning graces of youth
reflect, as in a mirror, to the anxious eye of your widowed
mother the light of him who was her protector through
life — whose tenderness and care constituted her , sum of
happinei ^, and who, connected with this, has only one
other sou.-ce of comfort — the religion of Christ. An illus-
trious instance for condolence and comfort is furnished us

I,.:. 4

APPENDIX.

419

by the last words of that distinguished statesman, whose
melancholy fate our country will never cease to deplore —
Alexander Hamilton : " Kemcmher," said he, with the ut-
most composure, to his wife, almost frantic with grief,
" remember, my Eliza, you are a Christian."

The accounts published of the last moments of Dr.
Linn are substantially, though not minutely, correct. Up
to the evening of the 2d ultimo, he was in the enjoyment
of unusually good health. Having just arrived at home,
on the day previous, after an absence of twelve days, he
was busily engaged in arranging some private papers, in-
tending on the next day to visit St. Louis. During that
day he had indulged much anxiety in relation to a private
paper of considerable importance, that he apprehended
had been mislaid. Late in the afternoon, in stooping to
search a trunk, he raised his head suddenly and asked
Mrs. Linn, who had been assiduously engaged in assisting
her husband, if his face was not very much flushed, as he
felt exceedingly dizzy, and there seemed to be a general
determination of blood to the head. The painful sensa-
tion, however, passed off, and lie resisted the suggestion
that he should be bled during the evening, and to a late
hour at night he was engaged in correspondence and in
conversation with his family, whose society, he said, never
seemed so sweet as upon that evening. When he retired,
he was indisposed to sleep, but did not complain of being
unwell. As the morning dawned, he remarked that he
felt unusually sleepy. His wife, who had been accustomed
to watch over him with sleepless vigilance for years, when
there was the slightest indication of indisposition or undue
nervous irritation, proposed to write the letters that ho
had dictated, and watch over him, that he might not be
disturbed by the approach of any one. Whilst thus em-
ployed, she frequently turned and gazed upon him to see

420

APPENDIX.

if he Wiis tiwake — but lie Hle])t on, gently and quietly as
nn infant. Having finished the correspondenee, and heing
much fatigued and ()j)i)re8Hed for want of sleep, she con-
cluded she would lie down by his side, to be ready, when
he awoiie, to wait upon him herself, as he had affection-
ately requested. As she drew aside the curtain to look
again upon the calm and trancpiil features of her loved
husband — (piick as thought, a dark, death-j)resaging
shadow })asscd over his face ! For a moment she was
transfixed. It was not the i)ainful ap})rehension that she
was watching by the bed of death, that converted that
fearful expression into the precursor of dissolution. Others
might have seen it and no fear been started ; l)ut a
woman's love, a wife's tenderness, marks the fi.rst indica-
tion of death, and, sleepless and vigilant, she is ever found
ready to catch upon her lips the last faint breath. With
Mrs. Linn vigilance had become habitual ; a moment's
relief suggested that all her fears might be groundless.
But another look, and tiiough her loved husband still
breathed on, confirmed her fears that life, gradually sink-
ing down into the horizon of death, was throwing its mel-
ancholy farewell rays in golden beauty over the uncon-
scious sleeper. The agonizing cry soon filled the chamber
of the dying husband and father, not on^y with the in-
mates of the family, but sympathizing friends, among
whom was Dr. Sargeant, who providentially passed the
house at that moment, and who was by his bedside only
to see him draw a few faint breaths ; and then, without a
struggle or a sigh, he exchanged a life full of honors, on
earth, for an eternal life, full of glory, at the right hand
of God.

It certainly would have beou gratifying to the Churcli
and to his friends, to have had his dying testimony ; yet
this could not be necessary for the assurance of his peace-

APPENDIX.

421

ful end and eternal felicity. " They that live well shall
die well," has become a religions maxim, incontestahly
proved by Scri])tnre arithority. Unwavering faith, ardent
love, uniform i)lety, are the only necessary, the most de-
sirable assurances, of a peaceful and hajtpy death. But I
will indulge no further comment upon this afflicting and
unexpected dispensation. A minister of the religion of
the blessed Prince of Peace, I will stoop over the bereaved,
the sorrowing, the heart-stricken, and administer the con-
solation of the Gospel that hath brought life and immor-
tality to light. I will suppress my own sighs and teach
them to say — " It is of the Lord, let him do with us as
seemeth good in his sight." I will lean over affection's
dismantled harp in sad, heai t-burdened silence, and point
to the spirit-land where its notes in unbroken harmony
will mingle with the songs of immortality. A minister of
peace, I would stand upon the gloomy confines of the
damp, dark grave, with the Bible in my hand, read from
its heaven-inspired i)ages these ever enduring lines — words
that shall survive when the grass has withered and the
flower faded : — " Blessed are the dead that die in the
Lord, even so saith the S[)irit, from henceforth they cease
from their labors, and their works do follow tliem."

The following eloquent tribute to t' .e worth and mem-
ory of Pr. Linn fell from the lips of Col. Rollins, a whig
member of the Missouri Legislature, twelve years after
Dr. L. had passed away : —

Mr. Rollins said he had just heard the bill read, and
his attention was called to it by the mention of the name
of Lewis F. Linn. His heart was always touched, when

422

APPENDIX.

Hi ■

i'i'i'i

m 1

the memory and services of our distinguished men, wlio
had passed from the stage of aeiion, were brouglit in re-
view before him, and by none sooner than by the name of
Lewis F. Linn !

Mr. KoUins said he had enjoyed but a slight personal
acquaintance with that good and noble man ; but it was
one of the pleasing memories of his life, the day that he
formed his acquaintance, now twenty-four years ago, al-
most a quarter of a century, Mr. R. said when he was
a youth, hav'ng just left college, he paid his first visit
to Jefferson City. On the hill, near the Governor's house,
stood the old capitol of the State. The General Assem-
bly was in session. Dr. Linn was a member of the Sen-
ate, the most graceful, elegant and accomplished gen-
tleman of that body. M- R. baid he remembered his
warm and cordial reception, when he was introduced to
him. An impression had been made upon his youthful
heart wh'oh would never be effaced. From that time he
had watched with solicitude and deep interest the career
of Dr. Linn. After having served Missouri faithfully and
honorably as a legislator, a vacancy occurring in the U.
S. Senate, in consequence of the death of Senator Buck-
ner, he was transfciied by the appointment of Governor
Dunklin, to that body. He enxered that forum of distin-
guished men a stranger, but on account of his high and
chivalrous impulses, his noble and manly bearing, the
beauty and gracefulness of his whole character, he won
at once an enviable position in the Senate ; and Mr. R.
said lie would venture to say that few men had exerted a
wider influence over the deliberations of the American
Senate, for the length of time that he remained there,
than Dr. Linn. He was a poet as well as a statesman ;
his character became national, and ho was not only re-
spected but beloved by all who knew him. He was twice

APPENDIX.

423

elected to the Senate, and almost without opposition.
Whilst there, and up to the day of his death, his energies
and best efforts, in the vigor and prime of manhood, were
devoted to the promotion of the interests of the people
who had thus honored him. He was loyal and faithfid to
Missouri ; he was alive to every thing that concerned her
honor, her prosperity and her glory, and the National stat-
ute book abounds with many acts, of which he was the
author, and intended to promote our advancement.

It is appropriate, on this occasion, to mention at least
one of those acts. I refer to that by which the Platte
purchase was attached to our State. Without doing in-
justice to the honorable efforts of others, he might be per-
mitted to say, that we were more indebted to Dr. Linn
and Gen. Ashley for this beautiful addition to our State,
than to any other persons. And Mr. R. said if this was
all, it was sufficient of itself to entitle him to the lasting
gratitude and affectionate remembrance of our peojile.

Look to the Platte — the six splendid counties of the
Platte country — the El Dorado of our State, the most
fertile and beautiful portion of Missouri — he might say
of the Mississippi Valley — he might say of the Union ; a
land flowing with milk and honey, as rich as the valley of
the Nile, and as charming to the vision as that which
opened upon the sight of Moses, when he beheld the
bright and lovely heritage which God had given him.
For this addition to our State, now filled with a rich, in-
telligent, and powerful people, we are chiefly indebted to
the active zeal and devoted patriotism of Lewis V. Linn !
And now we are asked, through his warm personal friend,
whilst he lived, (Mr. Bogy,) to make a sm.all appro] u'iat ion
out of the overflowing treasury of this same people, whom
it 80 much delighted him to serve, to be expended to pro-
tect from the rude decay of time the chaste and beautiful

I,
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424

APPENDIX,

■I

monument, erected Ly the hand of taste, and which marks
the spot that contains his ashes. Sir, let the bill pass,
and let there be no dissenting voice !

One other remark, Mr, R. said, and he was done. We
are too careless and indifferent in treasuring the memory
of our departed statesmen — those who aided in laying the
foundations of society on this great river, and to whom we
are indebted for the very State government under which
we live, and have grown and prospered,

" Forget not the faithful dead " is a holy and pious
sentiment, which should be deeply engraven upon the
heart of every cultivated people ; and it is as much by
the observance of its sacred injunction, that we ourselves
will be remembered and honored hereafter, as by the phys-
ical improvement of our countiy, and the building of it
up, in all the arts of civilized life. What steps have we
as yet taken to rescue from the deep sea of oblivion, the
great deeds of the early pioneers of our State ,'' Where is
the Historical Society of Missouri ? and where are the
moniunents which a grateful people have raised to perpet-
uate the noble deeds of the Boones, the C alia ways, the
Coopf r;^, the Bartons, the Clarks, the Ashleys and the
Millers of our State ? These men have passed from the
stage of action,

" And memory o'er their tombs no trophies raise,"

Sir, this should not be. And in passing the bill intro-
duced by my friend from St, Genevieve, reviving as it does
a recollection of the virtues of the lamented Linn, let a
kindlier j)atriotism animate our breasts, that at no distant
day we may discharge the heavy debt of gratitude due to
the memory and character of other departed pioneers and
statesmen.

It ill

II r'

1^1^ I

APPENDIX.

425

Baltimore, Oct 1\si, 1843.

My beloved Friend, — Would that it wore in my
power to offer consolation, that would reach the heart of
one so deeply afflicted ; but, my very dear friend, at the
present moment I feel convinced that words were hut
mockery, and human sympathy vain, in view of your he-
reavement.

Most sincerely do I mourn with you the irreparable
loss that you have sustained. The chasm has not been
confined to your own bosom ; the whole community feel
the void that death has made, in removing from society
the example of one so highly gifted in all the associations
of public and private life ; many, many hearts sympathize
with you at this moment, but alas ! the wound is too re-
cc.t to admit of present, tranquillity ; the lacerated heart
fe(!ls the insufficiency of human aid.

But, my loved friend, when the fount of earthly com-
fort fails and every stream is dry, we know that there is a
still higher source, an inexhaustible fount of consolation
in the love of Jesus. Yes, I am assured that you have
often opplied to that source, and from swoet experience
can testify to the efficacy of its healing |M.,,i'r. "The
fountain of living waters, which if any man thinks there-
of, he shall thirst no more for ever."

I do most fervently recommend my l)eloved friend unto
Him, in whose hands arc the is:-iues of life, unto our all-
sufficient God and Saviour, who alone can dry the falling
tear, and Kootht the lacerated bosom.

Oh ! may the Sun of righteousness arise, v/ith healing
on his wings, and illumine this dark dispensation of his
Providence ; as with a ray of light drawn from the fount
of love, impress upon the woundied heart resignation to
the will of God.

(»li ! my dearest friend, what t;, blessed hope is the

426

APPENDIX.

j'4

Christian's ; to be enabled to look beyond this fleeting
scene, and triumph over death and the grave ; even from
this valley of tears and mortal suffering, to behold eternal
life, our own iinmingled bliss for evermore in the presence
of our God. Could wq but fully realize this glorious pros-
pect, oh ! how greatly would it tem^ to reconcile us to
our present warfare ; we should then be enabled to place
a proper estimate upon the transitory things of time and
sense, and be more occupied in laying up the imperishable
riches of eternal life ; we should even, with the Apostle
Paul, '' be willing to rejoice amid tribulation, believing in
the saii..tifying influence of its effects upon the heart."

But it is not for me to teach you these spiritual
truths, so precious to the Christian, so consoling to the
mourner.

Present me very affectionately to dear Mary and Au-
gustus. I trust that they may be ever found walking in
the footsteps of their exalted father, reflecting the light
of his many eminent virtues, beloved and useful members
of society. They have indeed a rich patrimony to boast
of, in the unblemished character of their honored father,
— rich in every virtue that could adorn the man and the
Christian.

How is your health at present, my dear Mrs. Linn ? I
hope it may not suffer under your many trials. You have
a great deal to live for, and every exertion will be neces-
sary on your part ; for the sake of your precious children,
you will have to exert every energy of your gifted mind.
You will have to recollect also that you are now their all
in all as regards earthly prospects ; this consideration will
strengthen you to bear up your fortitude, so that they
sink not. Dear .Mar' i^ now of an age that retpiires all
your attention, all your fond solicitation. Youth, beauty,
and innocence require a guide, a mother's fostering care ;

APPENDIX.

427

and Augustus — what could he do without you ? And
your friends that love you dearly. Dearest Mrs. Linn, ic-
flect upon all this, and endeavor to preserve your health
for all our sakes.

I hope Augustus has entirely recovered ere this — a
present comfort near you. May God preserve and bless
you all, and prove to you a help in time of need, prays
your devoted friend,

Jacqueline S. Pendleton.

P. S. — And now, my dear friend, permit me to offer
you my society, any time this winter, if it can he of the
least gratification to you.

I shall await your wishes, and fly to your loved pres-
ence immediately, if my suggestion claims your approval ;
for language would he inadequate to express the gratitude
I should experience in being the slightest comfort to you.
Any way that I can serve you, command me, and be as-
sured, dearest lady, my love is deep and lasting.

J. S. P.

St. Louis, Oct ISth, 1843.
Mrs. Elizabeth A. K. Linn,

My dear Madam, — In this season of deep affliction,
my own feelings of personal friendship for yourself and
family, as well as my duty to you as your pastor and si)ir-
itual guide, induces me to present my sympathy and some
effort to aid in your consolation and support. The infor-
mation of your husband's death fell, even upon us, as a
sudden bolt from heaven, that we could hardly believe.
And liow much more severely must it have fiillen upon a
tenderly attached wife, and fond children. The circum-

428

APPENDIX.

stances arc of a peculiarly painful kind, under which we
learn ho tleparted, with no previous warning to excite ap-
prehension in your minds, and gradually prepare you for
the loss you were to sustain ; not to be with liini in the
last expiring struggle, to speak, to hear his voice, to say
farewell, or even while the spirit yet rf^mained to lay your
hand upon his brow. These are severe trials to the affec-
tionate heart. But then, we must not look at the painful
things alone. Sudden death, if we are prepared, is not
in itself to be lamented. The suffering cannot be great,
seeing it is one expiring effort and the cord is loosed.
Befiter than the days and weeks of 2)rotracted anguish,
which we are called often to witness without the ability to
relieve. The spirit has been called into another part of
the region governed by the same eternal king. I trust
you are al)le from the knowledge of his inward workings
to find evidence on which to hope, if not confidently be-
lieve that, though full of sin, he rested on the friend of
sinners, who saves even to the uttermost, and now dwells
with him. My lack of oi)porfunity to know his mind
prevents my aiding you in reference to this. I only know
that the plan of salvation he understood, and well knew
from Avhcnce deliverance must cotne.

But you feel that you are left with your orphans alone ;
a cold, bleak world, which no sun can ever thaw or warm
and clothe with floAvers and verdure again, is all your mind
rests on here. But sorrow blears our mental vision, and
we are unable to see in its extremity the good that re-
mains. Your children are here, and drawn the nearer lie-
cause you are all of their parents left ; your friends, those
really so, will not be driven ofi' but drawn the nearer by
your trials. The Saviour has. not died or departed ; he
who mingled his tenrs with those of Martha and Mary,
when they wept over the untimely grave of a dear brother,

■ ?

APPENDIX.

429

is here to weep with you. There is no tear you shed he
does not sec, no ache of your heart he does not know ; al-
tliough exalted he is still accessible and is still unchanged.
He counts the sighs of his children, and when their sjjirits
are overwhelmed within them, he knows their path and
adjusts the time and measure of their trials, with the same
precision that he weighed the mountains in scales and hills
in a balance, and meted out the heavens with a span.
There is no tenderness like to that which God exercises
toward his children, more than the compassion of a mother
for her sucking child. Then, dear madam, carry to him
your sorrows, those which you can't express to friends,
that words fail to convey, with the assurance that he un-
derstands them all and sympathizes with you. If these
trials thus draw you nearer to the great com^ortoi, you
will yet rejoice with David that you have been atflic'^ed.

There are great blessings in affliction. The greater
part of the promises in the Bible are directed to those
who are afflicted. These, in our prosperity, remain shut
up ; we knoAV them, and believe they are true, but cannot
realize them in all their fulness and s»veetness till afflic-
tion comes. The Lord says, " Call upon me in the day
of trouble, and I will deliver." That is a city of refuge,
shut up, until the hour of our calamity comes, but then
we flee to it, and God is our God because we are in trou-
ble. We are but pilgrims and strangers here, yet we grow
fast to this earth, and forget that city whose maker and
builder is God. Yet wo must soon remove, and hence the
trials sent seem to be to undermine the foundation we are
so prone to lay here. Had Israel been in prosperity
when Moses and Aaron came to them to tell them of Canaan,
they would never have consented to go out of Egypt with
him ; but he prepared them by bondage and cruel oppres-
sion, weaning them from the land they inhabited, and mak-

430

APPENDIX.

ing them willing to be gone. Thus God here reduces our
comforts, cuts our ties, and prepares us for our removal to
that city that hath foundations.

May the Lord abundantly bless, and console and sanc-
tify you, that you may greatly rejoice in him here, and
with those you love be happy in his presence for ever.
Please present my love to your good mother if with you,
and to the children.

With much affection.

Your pastor,

William S. Potts.

My own dear Friend, — It is with truest sorrow,
that we have heard the melancholy intelligence of the
death of Dr. Linn. Believe me nothing could have occa-
sioned deeper feeling with me, not only in reference to the
long and sincere friendship which has existed between us,
but more especially on account of the deep poignancy,
which must have been reflected on a heart like vours, at
the loss of one so truly excellent and in all the pride of
honored worth. I know from my own sad experience, that
our grief may be such as to incline us to shrink, even
from the approach of friendship, and I know, too, that
there is but little power in human consolation to mitigate
the anguish of so hard a trial. May He, who in his inscru-
table providence has thus afflicted, support and console
you. The consolations of religion, and the healing influ-
ence of time, can alone soothe the bereaved and heart-
stricken mourner. My thoughts have been much with
you, dear Mrs. Linn, and with those thoughts there have
mingled bright memories of other days, when we were all
so happy together in Washington. My own blessed home,

APPENDIX.

431

in wliich we found those abundant measures of happiness,
which are looked for in vain elsewhere. Death maC.c an
inroad on them. My beloved incomparable brother, and
then my precious father were taken from me. My heart
rebelled and I asked, why was the angel of death sent, to
change our happy home into a house of mourning ? I
did not know then, nor^do I now, but there is one who
does know ; whose will I dare not question, any more than
I can question his infinite goodness and mercy to us all.
My dear mother's health continues very infirm ; she is still
a helpless invalid, whose only change of place is from her
bed to " the old arm chair." It is now almost three
years since she was first attacked, and the origin of all
her sickness was the shock upon her nerves, occasioned
by the sudden death of my father. I do not think that
she is any worse within the last six months, although her
physicians will not say that there has been any real change
for the better ; and yet there are sometimes whole days in
succession, when she will appear so much recovered that
our hopes and spirits rise in proportion, and we think she
must be getting well again. She is now an absorbing in-
terest with us all, and every little arrangement in our way
of life depends upon her daily health, which varies more
or less, as time rolls on. No murmur escapes her lips ;
she is the most patient and resigned spirit that ever ?ived,
and we have a consolation above all this world oan offer
in her entire resignation to the divine will, and peifect as-
surance of a happy immortality, when she shall be sum-
moned to bid a last farewell to all human sorrow. I am
now writing in her room, and she bids me say, how deeply
she mourns with you in this sudden bereavement of him,
for whom we have always felt the strongest regard. The
scene of your first distress is constantly before me, and I

432

APPENDIX.

have wislicd that I could be with you, to soothe in some
measure by my sympathy your heart's grief.

My mother and sisters unite with me in tenderest love
to you and Mary, Pray write to me, whenever you feel
sufficiently composed to do so, and always, my dear
Mrs. Linn, believe me, very truly and affectionately,
Your friend,

Elizabeth Kane.
New York, Nov. 1st, 1843.

From a lady, who was a great belle in the days of Gen.
Washhigton, and often graced his drawing-room while he
was President.

Cumberland, Alleghany County, Maryland, )

October, 23d. 1843. j

My dear, dear Friend, — I will no longer withhold
from you the expression of the deep sorrow that has so
unexpectedly overtaken me. I should have done it long
since, but the fear of aggravating and opening wounds I
want to heal. This very day, if seventy winters had not
beat upon my head, I would fly to you, you have ever felt
like a daughter to me, and am I never to see her more
and hear her sweet voice and converse. Although our
acquaintance was made in Washington, where there is so
little real friendship. The disparity too in our years. Yet
we met in each other those indescribable requisites that
formed the basis and union of affection, that neither dis-
tance nor time can lessen. Oh, how can I name him, who
was the first connecting link to our haj)piness with each
other. I was counting the days when I might expect him.
I am nire he told you of the interesting interview we had ;
our parting was more lilcc an own mother with her son ; he

APPENDIX.

433

took mc in his arms, embraced me, and we invoked God to
bless each other : Httle did I dream it was for tlie last time.
I felt contending emotions ; there was a sadness, a feel-
ing I could not account for, when my tears Howed so un-
bidden befn'c the distinguished friends he brought with him,
to sec his favorite relative, as he termed me. Could you
be invisible, and see me seated between the pictures of our
departed husbands ; they seem to smile upon me, and if
they coidd speak I know would chide me for the vain
tears I shed. This sad intelligence was conveyed to me
on Sunday week coming out of church ; my children and
friends, as tliey collect any further particulars from the
papers, send them to me, but as yet they are unsatisfac-
tory. I cannot ask you to give me the melanclioly partic-
ulars, but will you get some friend to do it for you. I
was going to write to my friend General Dodge, but on
reflection remembered he was in Iowa.

I have kei)t all his letters to me, even the envelopes.
The pen I hold in my hand was given me by liim ; I should
like to have one of those dear curls, if ever so small. But
I am wrong ; I only add to your distress.

Now, let me entreat you to live for your sweet Mary
and your noble Augustus. Be reconciled to the will of
our heavenly Father. He will be your comforter amid tlie
fiery trials that are about your path. Time, I know from
experience, will do much for you. I was just having a
beautiful pair of thread mitts ready for you and sweet
Mary when you came. Pray, my dearest Mrs. Linn, ex-
cuse all inaccuracies in these sad pages ; they have cost me
many tears. I feel assured many of your good friends
from every direction have flown to you ; I feel as if I must
embrace you — but to mention even my wish to go to yoii,
my children would think mc crazy. I must say farewell,
oh, farewell for ever I fear, Mary Lynn.

434

APPENDIX.

Just as I was about sealing my letter, the servant
brought me your sweet communication ; alas, a bitter sweet,
but oh, it is sweet to know that in the saddest hour of dis-
tress, you thought of your aged far distant friend. I see
your dear brother has franked it. I knew he would fly to
you, and that dear mother. Oh, try and be comforted, —
how .aany 'Ve left destitute ! As you have known many
in Missouri, I am sure, yes, and your house was their home,
you and your children will be followed by their prayers.
I can add no more.

M. Lynn.

Philadelphia, October 11th, 1843.

My dearest Aunt, — The mournful intelligence of
the death of my beloved Uncle Lewis has just reached me.
I seek to offer no consolation for a calamity so distressing ;
but I claim the right of mourning with you and my dear
cousins. Language, at least as I could use it, would fall
short of portraying the agony I feel on this occasion. I
am called upon by the ties of kindred to mourn for one
who has watched over me in sickness and distress ; who
has rejoiced with my joy and sympathized with my sor-
rows ; who, when my spirits have been almost broken, has
cheered me on and pointed out the correct path ; who has
always been kind, and whose assistance I have so effectu-
aUy felt.

Last spring a fine son was added to my fortunes, whom
I called Lewis Linn. Of this he knew nothing, and I
hoped to meet you all this winter and present his name-
sake- — Heaven ! how vain are mortal wishes ! and the
presence of my boy is but the remembrance of distress.

My dear Aunt, I cannot but tnist that our Almighty

APPENDIX.

435

Father, in depriving you of a beloved husband, has armed
you with a fortitude support inn; the affliction. Let uh re-
nieniher that we are in His hands, creatures of His will,
and it becomes us to bow in humility to His mandates.

It would be a melancholy sat ii-i action to be informed
as to how he died, and what the particulars of the case
were, for 1 have seen nothing but newspuper paragraphs.

I will write you again very soon. Please give my love
to my dear cousins Augustus and Mary ; and may God
in heaven bless you, my dear Aunt, is the sincere prayer of

Your most affectionate Nephew,

Wm. p. McAnthony.

Mrs. E. A. Linn,

St. Oenevieve, Mo.

WiiEEMXo, Sunday, October 15th, 1843.

My dear Madam, — How solemn and impressive is
the lesson we arc taught by the sad tidings announced so
feelingly in your respected brother's letter of the .5th to
your Uncle Joseph ! Truly, " In the midst of life we are
in death."

Little did I imagine a few days ago, when addressing
you, and communicating the fact that death's messenger
had visited my little family, that so soon, so veri/ soon,
you w'ould be called upon to sustain the severest bereave-
ment which an all- wise, but all-merciful Cre.itor can in-
flict upon the creature.

I know how i\,tle words (which would trnd to soothe
and comfort under an ordinary bereavemen ) will avail
in expressing the deep sympathy I feel for you in your
affliction, and how slight their inflaencj will be in
ameliorating the anguish you must suffer under this dis-
pensation of a Good Providence ; and yet, in His infinitely

436

APPENDIX.

wise ordering, tiie very traits in the character of your la-
mented husband, which make your loss so irreparable, fur-
nish some consolation. The elevation of liis character, tlie
purity and consistency of his life, the delightful aniialjibty
which characterized his intercourse with his fellow-men,
heightened in an eminent degree in intercourse with each
and every member of his family, cannot fail to exert a
soothing influence.

In shedding tears to his memory, you necessarily
cherish a lively recollection of his virtues. Thus an over-
ruling Providence makes the afflictions Avith which he
visits his creature.i furnish to some extent an alleviation.

Death, in taking from us those Ave love, seems to pre-
pare the way for an easy transit from this world of care.
Each messenger from him lessens our ties to earth, and
strengthens those for eternity. They have gone before —
"re prepare to follow after. Such is doubtless the inten-
tion of the Great Ruler ; and, in bowing with humble sub-
mission to his will, we will be strengthened and prepared
for the great change which awaits us all.

Acce])t, my dear Mrs. Linn, my most sincere condo-
lence in the affliction which }0i have suft'ered. That you
may be supported in the bereavement you have sustained
by Him who has promised to be a comforter in every time
of need, that blessings may be bestowed upon yourself and
your children ; that the same delightful harmony, so hap-
pily subsisting betAvecn you and your departed husband,
may characterize your and their relati<ms with each other,
is the anxious desire, the sincerest Avisli of your friend,

S. Brady.

Mrs. Liuu.

Please remember me kindly to yo'ir mother,
all well at present.

Wg are

111

APPENDIX.

437

WiiKELixo, October 11th, 1843.
The intelligence of vour heart-rcndinjr bereavement
has just reached me. Oh ! my dear coz, how deeply and
truly do I sym])athize with you ! yet none but those that
have felt the anguish of a widowed heart, can know how
little consolation the sympathy of friends affords us in so
trying an hour. It is then, and only then, we feel our
own insignificance. How thy hand hund)les, death !
and nothing short of the onmiscient power that wields the
mighty sceptre can heal the wound it inflicts. It was to
God alone, my dear Elizabeth, that I looked for comfort,
and it is to his almighty goodness and mercy I recom-
mend you to look for help and succor. But I })resume tliis
you know yourself ; and if the sympatliy of friends can
afford you. any comfort, I can assiu'c you that you have it.
I am at a loss to know what to say on the melancholy
subject. To enumerate the many manly virtues of your be-
loved husband, and to remind you of the deep hold he had
on the hearts of all that knew him, would only aggravate
your feelings ; for the greater his merits, the greater your
loss. I ho])o you will try and bear it \.'ith fortitude, for
your dear children's sake. They, and your mother, and
brother, will constitute your only earthly comforts ; and
for them let me C(jnjure you to bear up and struggle against
any inordinate indulgence of grief. It Avas a long time
before I could bring my mind to say, " It is the Lord, and
let liis will be done." Our troubles ard afflictions in this
world have induced me to ])elie\'o that the Almighty,
through love and mercy, takes those who are his especial
favorites out of it, and that it is sinful for us to wish them
to remain. I can see almost daily liis tender mercy in
withdrawing my dear husl)aud to liimself He was too
pure and sensitive to struggle with a cold, unfeeling world,
and never could have survived the many inconveniences

438

APPENDIX.

and mortifications that ho would have had to encounter in
settling his aiFairs ; and you cannot perhaps now see why
it was that He thought proper to separate you and your
dear companion, who have ever been so happy ; yet the
time, I believe, will come when you will think it was for
the best.

I have been afflicted with a weakness for nearly three
months, that has confined me to the house, and a great
part of the time to bed, and I am now but very little
better. You will therefore excuse my poor attempt at
offering you any thing like comfort, as I feel my perfect
inability to do so ; and I have, moreover, had a trying-
time in parting with my two daughters and my son-in-
law. They left here a few days since for their residence
in Mississippi. Sophy accompanied Mr. Stanton and
Jane, and it seems to me " the glory of my house hath de-
parted," and I feel almost as wretched as if I'd have
buried them. They will, however, return next summer.

Mr. and Mrs. Steenrod have lost their babe ; it was
about three months old Avhen it died. Mrs. S. intends
going on with Mr. S., as she has nothing now to keep her
at home. Your friends are all well except Aunt Eliza.
She is very feeble and has a ba*' cough, and I understood
to-day that she was confined to bed. Mary Brady has
lost her little son. Bolton Caldwell and Phebe Pearce
left here last week for Vicksburg. Bolton improved very
much whilst here ; he was a perfect skeleton when he ar-
rived. Cousin Jemmy is now in St. Louis ; also Caroline's
husband, Mr. Wilson, has gone there to hunt a home.
Cousin Lizzy Caldwell was iu from Zanosville, and spent
a few weeks in the summer with us ; she looks veiy well.
Her fiither, Judge Harper, has just been elected to Con-
gress. Aunt Fanu} is enjoying her usual health. Cousin
John and I'ary were here a few evenings since in pretty

APPENDIX.

439

good health, and spoke of you in the most feeling manner.
They are truly a worthy couple. To my dear Aunt give
my most aflfectionate rememhrance, and say, she will never
be forgotten by us. Her name wir be reverenced, and her
memory fondly cherished, by me and my children, when
time with her shall be no more. My love to your brother
and your dear children. I shudder when I think of your
son's narrow escape from the jaws of death, and how doubly
you might have been afflicted — therefore be comforted, and
still think that the Almighty has been merciful.

Yours affectionately,

E. M. Chapline.

Write me as soon as you feel sufficiently composed to
do so, for I shall be anxious until I hear from you.

Cincinnati, Oct. 20th, 1843.
My dear Cousin, — We were extremely shocked to
hear of the irreparable loss you have sustained — at all
times and under all circumstances the Dr.'s death would
have been most afflictive to j'ou — but occurring so sudden-
ly as it did, renders it doubly severe. I am not able to
offer you any consolation, for well I know none can give
any comfort ; the bereaved heart will mourn and refuse to
be comforted ; it is to time alone we must look to assuage
our grief. Death has indeed visited your dwelling in an
awful manner, but you have the consolation of being able
to think, although the summons was sudden, that he was
prepared to exchange this world for the next, where he is
rejoicing in the presence of God the Saviour, and entirely
exempt from all the sufferings of this life. Call to mind
his deep grief at the death of your daughter Jane, and

440

APPENDIX.

feel comfort in the reflection that he is iievor to experience
the like again. I think it is only snch reilections that
can soothe us ; if we suffer ourselves to dw-jil on our own
loss, we are agonized. You have two promising children
left you, who can weep and lament with, you, share ?ill
your grief, and be to you your only source of comfort.
May they be spared to be a blessing to you, the solaco of
your declining years.

Wlien you are recovered from the first severe shock, I
would, my dear cousin, be gratified to hear from yoi the
particulars of your dear husband's death, and how you
and Mary arc. I presume you will have many friends to
condole with you ; but none feel more deeply for you than
I do. Mr. Xeave begs me +o assure you of his deep sym-
pathy and personal interest in whatever concerns you.
Give my love to A .igustus and Mary, and also to Aunt if
she is with you.

Believe me, your attached cousin,

Jane E. Neave.

Kaskaskia, Oct. 5ih, 1843.

My deak MADAi\r, — I heard yesterday, on my arrival
at this place, of the death of my mucli esteemed friend.
Dr. Linn. I desire most sincerely to condole with you in
your heavy affliction. His loss is a great one, r.ot only to
his friends, but to the nation in whose councils he occu-
pied so distinguished a jdace.

I had made my arrangements to ha/c a personal in-
terview with him on this day, but on yesterday the sad
news reached me of his sudden and untimely death. He

APPENDIX.

441

had attained high honors, and achieved the object of his
amhition, but it availed not. "^

" Or come he slow, or come he fast,
It is but Death that comes at last."

as vo^Ifu l"": *f '"^°*'™ "' ^'^ »''»""> consoled

«!:::li; *"^ """^"'™™=^» '^^ >-»•■■ >■- *>"^

With high regard, your friend, and obedient,

Sidney Breese.

D. APPLETON & COMPANY'S

-*♦•-

SivuU U U ,,„po„ai, to t,roc„. „y of Iho Booh, on tU, Ll.l ll,«. Mil h, for

MISCELLANEOUS.

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