emi- 
 nthly. 
 
 T^T 
 
 iis of 
 
 Every Number 
 Complete. 
 
 O 3? 
 
 NULLIFICATION IN 1832-33. 
 
 ! NOTES' TEN-CENT SERIAL. \ 
 
 No. II. ( 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 JAMES O'. NOYES, PUBLISHEK, 
 
 25 HOWARD STREET. 
 
 1860. 
 
 TJie Trade supplied by the Wholesale News Agents. 
 
 -~~f ,-f, ,, v< ^. / ^ ^. ^^S^2_
 
 WHEELER & WiLBON'S 
 
 SEWING MACHINES, 
 
 WITH IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENTS, AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES. 
 
 These great Economizers of Time, and Preservers of Health, 
 
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 the Fair of the United Agricultural 
 Society; at the State Fairs of Maine, 
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 Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Wiscon- 
 sin, California, and at the Fairs of the 
 American Institute, New York; Me- 
 chanics' Association, Boston ; Franklin 
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 OFFICE, 5O5 BROADWAY, N. Y. 
 
 The Lock Stitch made by this Machine is the only stitch that can not 
 be raveled, and that presents the same appearance each side of the 
 Beam. It is made with two threads, one upon each side of the fabric, 
 and interlocked in the center of it. 
 
 ECONOMY OF SEWING MACHINES. 
 
 The "Wheeler & "Wilson Sewing Machine Company has prepared 
 Tables, showing, by actual experiment of four different workers, the 
 time required to stitch each part of a garment by hand, and with their 
 Sewing Machine. The superiority of the work done by the Machine, 
 and the healthfulness of the employment, are advantages quite as great 
 as the saving of time. Subjoined is a summary of several of the tables : 
 
 BY MACHINE. 
 
 Gent's Shirts. 
 Frock Coats . 
 Satin Vests. 
 Linen " . 
 (^loth Pants. 
 Summer " . 
 Silk Dresa . . 
 Merino Dress 
 
 16 
 38 
 14 
 
 48 
 5L 
 38 
 13 
 4 
 
 HY HAND. 
 
 '/.. Miit's. 
 14 26 
 16 35 
 
 J1V MACIIIN 
 //Y*. Mill 
 
 Calico Dress.. . 57 
 Chemise 1 1 
 
 7 19 
 5 14 
 5 10 
 2 50 
 
 Moreen Skirt. . 35 
 Muslin " . . 30 
 Night Dress. . . 1 7 
 Drawers 28 
 
 10 22 
 
 8 27 - 
 
 Silk Apron 15 
 Plain " 9 
 
 6 
 
 10 
 7 
 G 
 
 10 
 5 
 4 
 1 
 
 37 
 
 31 
 
 28 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 16 
 26 
 
 Seams of any considerable length are stitched, ordinarily, at 
 the rate of a yard a minute.
 
 MEMOIRS OF A WULLIFIEB. 
 
 WITH A HISTOEIOAL SKETCH OF 
 NULLIFICATION IN 1832-33. 
 
 WITH AN ILLUSTRATION, 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 
 JAMES 0. NOTES, PUBLISHER, 
 
 25 HOWARD STREET. 
 1860.
 
 NOTES' -SERIALS. 
 
 8DW tt&lt 
 
 No. I T HE FOUR GEORGES. 
 
 Sketches of Manners, Morals, Court and Town Life. 
 BY WK It THACKERAY. 
 
 No. II. MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIER. 
 
 An Inimitable Burlesque on Yankeedom. With a HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 OP NULLIFICATION in 1832 and 1833. 
 
 No. III. A YANKEE AMONG THE 
 NULLIFIERS. 
 
 A Cutting Satire on Secession. 
 
 Every Number complete. Price, paper covers, 10 cents; ename'ed 
 boards, 25 cents. Mailed, postage free, on receipt of the price. 
 
 The object of the Serials is to furnish, semi-monthly, in a cheap and 
 popular form, Original Stories, Sketches, &c., with the best productions 
 of current literature. Published on the 10th and 25th of each montb- 
 
 JAMES 0. NOYES, 25 Howard-st, N. Y. 
 
 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by 
 
 JAMES O. NOYES, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern 
 I> itforict of New York.
 
 PUBLISHER'S PREFACE. 
 
 THE author of these Memoirs a famous book in 
 the days of South Carolina Nullification endeavored 
 to set forth the praise of the " universal" Yankee na- 
 tion, a theme so lofty that it " had until then remained 
 unattempted in prose or rhyme (except by them- 
 selves)." 
 
 Along with the real personages, such as his Satanic 
 Majesty, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, Tristram Bur- 
 gess, John C. Calhoun, etc., he has introduced a 
 couple of constant lovers. The politician will do 
 well not to omit the poetical and pathetic passages, 
 before he begins with the hero's adventures in Pande- 
 monium. It is not too much to say that this satirical 
 volume, and the witty " counterblast" it evoked "A 
 YANKEE AMONG THE NULLIFIERS" will give the 
 reader a better idea of the excited period of our 
 history to which they refer, than can be obtained in 
 more elaborate works. To make them apph'cable to 
 the present time, he has but to read " Secession" for 
 " Nullification," and bear in mind that the South Caro- 
 linians had then about the same antipathy to home 
 
 2212295
 
 IV PUBLISHER S PREFACE. 
 
 products protected by the -tariff, that the people of 
 the South now manifest to articles manufactured in 
 the Northern States. The "irrepressible conflict" of 
 that day related to the tariff, but was quite as vio- 
 lent as at present. The careful reader will easily 
 distinguish the famous characters introduced whose 
 names are not given. 
 
 The writer of the Historical Sketch of Nullification 
 is indebted for his facts mainly to Parton's excellent 
 "Life of General Jackson," and Benton's "Thirty 
 .Years in the Senate." 
 
 NEW YOKK, Nov. 27, 1860.
 
 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIED, 
 
 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 
 
 AFTER a long and wonderful career, I find that my life is 
 drawing to its close. Justice to myself and to mankind re- 
 quires that I should not quit the world without leaving be- 
 hind me some account of my remarkable adventures. I, 
 therefore, write this memoir ; but will endeavor to abridge it 
 as much as possible. 
 
 I was born in one of the Southern States, and passed my 
 early years in a remote district, where the face of the country 
 was wild, and the manner of the inhabitants primitive. I 
 grew up. therefore, with scarcely any other knowledge of man- 
 kind than such as I gathered from the pages of history, ro- 
 mance, and poetry. Nature gave me much imagination, little 
 judgment, an ardent temper, and a credulous heart. These 
 are qualities which Solitude, the nurse of enthusiasm, tends 
 to heighten, so that my character became, to the last degree, 
 romantic and visionary. My delight was to gaze upon the 
 loveliness of the inanimate world around me : to sit by the 
 side of a waterfall, listening to its ceaseless music; or to 
 wander beneath the shade of some primeval forest, and in- 
 dulge in the wildest dreams that imagination could inspire- 
 Of social institutions and of human nature I knew nothing, 
 and fancy pictured them to me in her gayest and most unreal 
 hues. To my young belief, every human creature was my 
 friend, every pretty woman an angel, and all earth one 
 paradise. 
 
 My parents died when I had reached the age of twenty. In 
 the dawn of manhood, possessed of a classical education and
 
 6 MEMOIES OF A NULLIFIES. 
 
 a handsome person, inheriting from my ancestors an abund- 
 ant estate and an honorable name, my destiny certainly 
 promised to be fortunate. With a gay heart, therefore, and a 
 sanguine spirit. I entered upon the theater of the world. 
 
 The first thing I did was to fall most desperately in love 
 with Miss Cynthia Angelina Simpson. She was a bewitching 
 creature, just seventeen years old. She had soft blue eyes, 
 and auburn hair, and vermiel cheeks, and a marble forehead, 
 and ruby lips, and a melodious voice, and a form- that was ab- 
 solutely divine. I courted her, and in due course of time she 
 returned my affection in the most flattering manner. It would 
 have done any one's heart good to hear the protestations of ever- 
 lasting fidelity with which we continually entertained each 
 other. I went to see her about every third hour, besides which 
 several times a day we exchanged a letter, to the last degree 
 lengthy and passionate. Such wonderful love has been seldom 
 seen in these modern days. It was decided that we should be 
 married in the fall. 
 
 Having arranged this matter to my satisfaction, I next pro- 
 ceeded to devise schemes for increasing my estate. <: I am rich 
 already," thought I, "but, for my Cynthia's dear sake, I will 
 make myself still richer." The question was. how it should be 
 done. I went to the chief merchant of the place, who for 
 several years had been carrying on a nourishing trade in the 
 various wares and fabrics which New England manufactures 
 so much cheaper than Britain and France: not to mention 
 Peruvian bark, Irish linen, indigo, cigars, nutmegs, etc., all of 
 them the pure growth of the happy soil of Connecticut. At 
 that time my opinion of the New England character had been 
 derived, not from personal knowledge, but from their own 
 veracious histories. Having read about Putnam, and Warren, 
 and Timothy Dwight, and the Pilgrim Fathers, I suspected 
 not, but that their descendants were equally meritorious. Mr. 
 Increase Hooker, too, possessed so saint-like a countenance. 
 ihat it would have been almost impious to suppose anything 
 unholy lurked beneath it. I told him that I had some unem- 
 ployed money which it would suit me to invest in any profitable 
 manner. He took me into his most secret apartment. "My dear 
 r-ii-," said he, " you are come at a fortunate moment. For some
 
 MEilOIRS OF A NULLIFIES. 7 
 
 time I have had a plan by which an immense fortune can soon be 
 made, but have hitherto been unable to carry it into execution 
 for want of a little additional capital. I have invented a fry- 
 ing-pan, upon a new and wonderful principle. The mechan- 
 ism is such that the slices of bacon, when exactly half done, 
 turn themselves over on the other side simultaneously. I have 
 taken out a patent for it. and call it ; Hooker's Patent Self- 
 animated Philanthropic Frying-Pan.' We will set up a manu- 
 factory of them, which will operate, not less to our own per- 
 sonal emolument, than to the general advantage of mankind. 
 t calculate that in about three years their use will become 
 universal over the globe, increasing greatly the comfort of 
 polished nations, and extending the benefits of civilization and 
 refinement into regions upon which their light never before 
 dawned. An advance of 820,000 on your* part will be suffi- 
 cient. There is not another man in the State whom I would 
 allow to participate with me in such a money-making con- 
 cern." Mr. Hooker possessed a wonderful character for cun- 
 ning and piety, and the scheme seemed to me plausible. " Every- 
 body." thought I, " is fond of bacon and eggs, so that the thing 
 can not fail to succeed." I produced the S20.000 (about that 
 sum having been left me in cash by my father), and the manu- 
 facturing operations commenced. 
 
 I next proceeded to build a fine house, and to sell my large 
 plantation, in order that I might buy another, the situation of 
 which I liked better. This business I intrusted to Mr. Peleg 
 Phipps, a Yankee lawyer of great skill in drawing deeds and 
 seeing far into people's characters. He soon effected a sale at 
 S60.090, and I directed him to make out the deeds and receive 
 the money. 
 
 My most intimate friend was John Ramsay ; we had been 
 almost raised together, and were sworn brothers. He came 
 one morning and requested me to become his security for 
 812,000. "There is no risk whatever," said he; "I am 
 going into a speculation by which I will make three times as 
 much in three months. ' Although I doubted for a moment, 
 my heart rejected the unworthy thought. " Is not Ramsay 
 my dearest friend?" considered I, "and shall I hesitate 
 to make a fortune for him, when only my assistance, is
 
 8 MEM OIKS OF A NULLIFIEK. 
 
 necessary to accomplish it ?" Thus reasoning, I signed the 
 papers ? 
 
 Nothins was now wanting to me but political consequence. 
 I resolved, therefore, to offer for the Legislature. My friends 
 assured me that I would be elected, and I myself entertained 
 not a doubt. 
 
 These different matters, of course, occupied a considerable 
 time, and my wedding day had now nearly arrived. How well 
 do I remember Tuesday, the 13th of October. 18 , a day into 
 which so many important events were crowded ! I arose and 
 dressed myself for the first time in my new house, which was 
 just finished. I was conscious that morning of an extraordi- 
 nary elation of the spirit. I strutted around the room, singing 
 my favorite song of John Anderson my Joe. " Doubtless," 
 said I, " I am the most fortunate person living. Everything 
 flourishes with me. Here's my new house, built upon the true 
 Grecian model ; the like is not to be seen in the whole country. 
 Then, my manufactory of frying-pans will soon be in opera- 
 tion at an immense profit ; the sale of them will commence 
 next week, ten thousand having been made to supply the im- 
 mediate demand. The election, too, comes on to-day, and be- 
 fore sunset, in my person will be centered the majesty of the 
 sovereign people. I will take the lead in the Legislature, 
 and my name, as the second founder of sound constitutional 
 principles, will become famous on the pages of my country's 
 history. And then, again, what luck it was to sell that old 
 old plantation of my father's, with its broomstraw fields 
 and red gullies, for $60,000, these hard times, and to get 
 the money paid down on the nail ! And, moreover, I cer- 
 tainly have the firmest and cleverest friend in the world. 
 What is there upon earth that John Ramsay would not do or 
 risk for me ? And then, to crown all, in three days I am to 
 be married to an angelic girl, whom I adore, and who adores 
 me ! But lovely as you are, my Cynthia." continued I, in a 
 pleasing apostrophe; "possessed as you are of all beauty un- 
 der heaven, even your transcendant charms of person weigh 
 little in my estimation compared with the qualities of your 
 mind and heart. It is on account of your matchless virtues 
 that I so deeply love you ; particularly the pure, devoted, and
 
 MEMOIRS OF A NTJIXIFIER. 9 
 
 disinterested affection with which you regard me ; an affec- 
 tion which I know will remain forever the same, even should 
 it be tried by any possible length of time or changes of for- 
 tune ! Thus, lucky in my speculations, successful in ambi- 
 tion, and blessed in friendship and in love, what have I upon 
 earth to wish for more?" I thus spoke in the vanity of my 
 heart, as I reflected on the prosperous state of my affairs. 
 
 Early in the day the election came on ; I made a speech 
 thirty or forty minutes long, which I had composed according 
 to the rules of Cicero, very much to my own satisfaction. My 
 
 opponent was Colonel , an old electioneerer. He spoke 
 
 three hours and a half vowed that if he were elected every 
 man in the district should have a gold mine on his land and a 
 railroad by his door, and that constables and sheriffs should be 
 totally abolished. The consequence was. that, upon counting 
 the votes, I was seven hundred behind. 
 
 O nmy way from the court-house I passed by the store of 
 my friend and partner, Mr. Hooker. On approaching it I per- 
 ceived a crowd gathered within, and heard the voice of an 
 auctioneer. Mr. Hooker, it seemed, had disappeared, and his 
 property was then being sold for his debts. A few thousands 
 of the patent frying-pans formed the most conspicuous article. 
 They were sold for next to nothing, amid the ridicule of the as- 
 sembly, who declared themselves resolved to stick to the real 
 good old frying-pan of their forefathers. My 320.000 was gone ! 
 
 This was rather unpleasant, to be sure ; but I cared no great 
 deal about it, while I had sixty thousand dollars in cash left. 
 " Howeter." thought I, t: I may as well go to Mr. Phipps and 
 take that money into my own possession. It is perfectly safe in 
 his hands, no doubt, but there's no use in trusting a man too 
 far." Thus thinking, I went to his office but I was too late. 
 
 Mr. Phipps, ten days before, had left home, under pretense 
 of attending court in another district : instead of which he took 
 the road to New England, bearing with him my $60,000, 
 and various other smaller sums with which he had been in- 
 trusted. I was ruined without remedy ! No doubt by that 
 time Mr. Phipps was safe in his native land, receiving the 
 applauses and enjoying the envy of his countrymen, for his 
 industry and enterprise in the South. 
 
 1*
 
 10 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIER. 
 
 I confess that, at finding myself thus suddenly reduced to 
 poverty, I was for some moments almost, horror-struck. My 
 naturally hardy temper and sanguine spirit, however, soon 
 enabled me to overcome the feeling. If, was true, all my 
 money was gone, and I had no property left but my new house. 
 But I had many friends ; I possessed youth, health, and. I 
 believed, talent ; and the world was before me, with its various 
 mines of wealth and fields of honor. A short effort restored 
 to me tolerable composure. 
 
 I had that morning directed a sumptuous dinner to be pre- 
 pared at the tavern, and had invited my friends, in order to 
 celebrate the victory which I doubted not I should by that 
 time have obtained. I now repaired to it, and endeavored to 
 do the honors as well as if nothing had happened. The dinner 
 itself, however, was treated with much more respect than I 
 was ; for my consequence seemed to be singularly diminished 
 in the last few hours, and my friends took little trouble to 
 conceal their opinion of my folly in being swindled out of my 
 money, and my vanity in supposing that I could be elected to 
 the Legislature. Ample justice in the mean time was done to 
 the provisions' and the wine being excellent, several of the 
 company at length became riotous and quarrelsome. Among 
 the rest, my bosom friend John Ramsay grew so clamorous 
 that I found it necessary to interfere. At this John felt him- 
 self highly insulted, seized a huge bone, threw it at my head, 
 and knocked out my right eye. 
 
 A surgeon who was present half dressed the wound, and I 
 went home. When I arrived there, I found my house and 
 furniture in the possession of the sheriff. During my absence 
 they had been seized to pay the debt for which I was security 
 for John Ramsay. I was told to find another lodging. 
 
 I turned my steps toward the dwelling of my Cynthia, and 
 calmed myself by the assurance that not fate itself could 
 deprive me of her love. <: What matters it," thought I, " while 
 Cynthia is still mine, for the loss of wealth, friends, and fame ? 
 These are things which are the sport of chance and fortune. 
 Nothing on earth is constant, except woman's love. Even 
 though deprived of all else, in your constant smiles, my Cyn- 
 thia, in your unalterable devotion, I will find abundant con-
 
 ME1IOIRS OF A NULLIFIER. 11 
 
 solation. In your faithful arms I will take refuge from the 
 storms of misfortune, and still think myself supremely blest. 
 Perhaps Heaven has thus afflicted me, only to enable you 
 more completely to prove the purity of your love." As these 
 reflections passed through my mind, a note was put into my 
 hand : it was neatly folded, and written in a beautiful Italian 
 hand, to this effect : 
 
 ' Fate has decided that we must part. Take my last adieu, 
 and spare my sensibility the pain of seeing you more. 
 
 " CYNTHIA ANGELINA SIMPSON." 
 
 Heavens! was this possible? Everything else I had borne 
 as became a man. Without a sigh I had seen my projects of 
 ambition overturned ; I had supported the cold-hearted perfidy 
 of my friend : for the loss of my property I had scorned to 
 grieve. These things were but trifles, in my estimation, while 
 I had a treasure remaining which I believed was a thousand 
 times worth them all. But that, also, was now gone. She 
 whom I had so fondly worshiped, as the personification of all 
 loveliness and all truth she for whom I would, at any mo- 
 ment, have accounted it too much happiness to die she to 
 whose love I looked for consolation for the loss of wealth, the 
 treachery of friendship, and the wrongs of fortune she, too. 
 had betrayed and forsaken me ! 
 
 This was more than my soul could endure. I wandered, in 
 the obscurity of the night. I knew not whither. Rage and 
 despair had taken possession of my heart. I threw myself 
 upon the bare earth, and poured forth bitter imprecations 
 against Heaven. Cynthia, myself, and all mankind. ' : What 
 a pity," exclaimed I. at length. " that there's no such thing, 
 in these times, as selling one's self to the devil ! If Old Nick 
 could now appear, he might certainly get my soul cheap."
 
 12 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIES. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 " WHAT will you take for it ?" said a low, strange, airy 
 voice close to my side. 
 
 There fell upon me a deep terror the mysterious, undefin--^ 
 able sensation of shuddering and dread by which the senses 
 of a mortal confess the approach or the presence of a being 
 from the unknown world. My hair stood upright and cold 
 drops gathered upon my forehead, while a curdling thrill ran 
 through my veins and seized upon my heart. In undescrib- 
 able awe and fear I gazed around. 
 
 First I perceived two wild eyes, of most terrible intenseness, 
 that had fixed their keen beams upon me. Near them I could 
 discern features of supernatural size a gloomy brow, cheeks 
 furrowed with care and scarred by violence, and a lip of min- 
 gled pride and malice. Around them, and over the high pale 
 forehead clustered long disordered ringlets of shining black 
 hair, that deepened, with its snaky curls, the strange shadows 
 of the countenance. 
 
 The night was of pitchy darkness, and I was able to see 
 thus much only by means of a dull glow of wavering light, 
 which the object itself shed immediately around it. The 
 whole countenance beamed with an undescribable and almost 
 unimaginable aspect of mingled majesty and hideousness. 
 The face seemed at one moment radiant with divine intellect, 
 and then swiftly clouded by the darkest passions. The creat- 
 ure appeared to be nothing less than a mighty spirit, fallen 
 from some lofty station of glory and of bliss, as he stood before 
 me in the gloomy grandeur of supernal power and beauty 
 degraded and obscured. 
 
 "What will you take for your soul?" said he. "I will 
 give you a good price. I am master of the treasures of air. of 
 earth, and of sea, and rule all that they contain. Speak your 
 demand, and it shall be granted. Do you desire to be supreme 
 in power or unbounded in riches or transcendent in know- 
 ledge or happy in love or victorious in war ?" 
 
 Thus far, my eyes had been so completely fascinated by the
 
 MEMOIKS OF A NULL7FIKK. 13 
 
 gleaming visage of the spirit, that I had not turned them to 
 the rest of his person. By this time, however, my terror 
 having become somewhat mitigated, and my senses more com- 
 posed j the light, too. having grown stronger as he had ap- 
 proached closer to me in speaking, I was able to view him 
 more distinctly. 
 
 I now perceived a singular and ludicrous incongruity be- 
 tween the upper part of his figure and the rest. The body 
 was large and corpulent, and the legs diminutive, like those 
 of an old gourmand. He had on a blue coat, fair topped 
 boots, and a pair of greasy corduroy breeches, through a hole 
 in the hind part of which emerged a long black tail, that 
 dangled and curled about, as he spoke. Upon the borders of 
 his jaws grew a pair of most tremendous whiskers, blackened 
 with smoke and singed by fire, that hung down almost to his 
 waist. 
 
 When this horrid thing first appeared, I knew not but that 
 Heaven, which I had so lately almost blasphemed, had de- 
 livered me into the power of some avenging fiend and the 
 despair, with which I was then possessed, had been banished 
 at once by the extremes! terror. The latter feeling had been 
 gradually mitigated by the behavior of the personage himself, 
 whoever he might be : and now, as I discovered, by the sight 
 of his vulgar and ludicrous attitudes, that he was nothing 
 more than Old Nick, my relief was infinite. I plucked up 
 courage, and resolved to show the enemy and deceiver of man- 
 kind that I was not afraid of him. 
 
 " What will you take for your soul ?" said the demon, the 
 third time. 
 
 ' ; You old rascal," said I, " do you suppose I have no more 
 sense than to sell my soul to you ?" 
 
 "Why. as I happened accidentally to be passing by, just 
 now. did not I hear you offer to do so ?" 
 
 " I was not in earnest. I still trust in Providence." 
 
 " Trust in Providence," said the demon, " ha 7 ha, ha ! this 
 is a pretty specimen of human folly. Here's a fellow with 
 his money all gone, his mistress faithless, his friends treach- 
 erous, his eye knocked out, himself ruined and undone and 
 deceived in every manner possible, and he still talks about his
 
 14 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIES. 
 
 trust in Providence ! Trust to me, and you shall be better 
 treated. I will reward you with more than your youthful 
 fancy ever wished for. in its wildest dreams." 
 
 " You need not expect to catch me." said I, : I know who 
 Vou are." 
 
 '' It is unaccountable," said the demon, in a mortified tone, 
 " how I should have got so- bad a character, when I have 
 always been so honest iu my dealings. No one can say that 1 
 ever failed to fulfill my contracts. To be sure, all my bargains 
 have a condition to them, and, when that is violated, I am 
 somewhat exact in claiming the forfeit; but I never take more 
 than is fairly my own. I will now. sir, make you a very 
 liberal proposal, and it will be your own fault if it do not. 
 prove of advantage to you. I will give you as much money, 
 or anything else, as you desire, merely on condition that you 
 sign a paper binding yourself never to be married." 
 
 This was a tempting offer. Where could be the least harm 
 in my accepting it ? To be sure, it was not to be doubted but 
 that the demon, notwithstanding his fair talk, designed some- 
 thing evil ; but it was evident I would expose myself to no risk 
 whatever. Not marry ! Why, after my recent experience, 
 that was an act of folly to which I was certain that nothing 
 in mortal shape could possibly beguile me. As to the morality 
 of the thing, I could see no objection to take the demon's 
 money, so that I made a good use of it afterward. Indeed, 
 for that matter, would not the act be actually commendable, 
 as drawing from the infernal coffers, and applying to salutary 
 purposes, funds which otherwise would undoubtedly be made 
 the means of accomplishing much evil ? Considering, there- 
 fore, that I might derive great benefit from the bargain, with- 
 out subjecting myself to the slightest possible danger, I resolved 
 to accept the proposal. 
 
 Having come to this determination, the bargain was soon 
 concluded. The demon, using an inkhorn which he always 
 carries tied to a button-hole, drew up a bond, to which I put 
 my name. I was to be furnished with as much money as I 
 might demand, and my eye was to be cured, upon condition 
 that I should not get married. If. at the end of thirty years. I 
 was found with a wife, my soul was to be forfeited. The
 
 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIEK. 15 
 
 demon instantly healed my eye : then, stamping upon the earth. 
 a subordinate spirit appeared at his signal. " Kalouf." said 
 he, ' ; attend upon this gentleman ; supply him with as much 
 gold as he asks for, and execute all his orders." The demon, 
 then, thrusting the bond into one of his immense coat pockets, 
 both of which were stuffed full of papers, and bowing courte- 
 ously to me, disappeared. I directed Kalouf to assume a 
 human form, as my servant, and, followed by him, returned 
 into the town. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 HERE was I, at once in possession of exhaustless wealth and 
 supernatural power ! I had acquired it all, too, upon the 
 cheapest terms possible upon the easy condition of never 
 marrying ! an act to which, so far from having the least in- 
 clination, scarcely the whole earth could have bribed me. 
 Thus the circumstances under which I was about to commence 
 a second career in the world were even more favorable than 
 those which had at first attended me. It was true that some 
 of the brightest of my youthful dreams had been dispelled, 
 and passing, as is the wont of enthusiasts, from one extreme to 
 its opposite, I now had little faith in the honesty of man, and 
 none at all in the constancy of woman. Although the earth, 
 therefore, no longer shone to my eyes with the freshness of its 
 virgin beauty, yet still it presented enough, either to woo to 
 pleasure or excite to ambition. For I was still in rny one-and- 
 twentieth summer; 1 had at my command boundless riches, 
 and a portion of the power of the invisible world, and mine 
 was a temper which regarded nothing as impossible. Where 
 was the path of enjoyment which I might not hope to tread, or 
 the height of power or fame which I might not aspire to 
 ascend ? 
 
 Attended by Kalouf, I removed to the city, and resolved 
 that I would fully explore the gay world, and satiate myself 
 with its pleasures, before setting about my more serious pur-
 
 16 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIES. 
 
 poses. The splendor of my appearance, and the reputation of 
 vast wealth which I soon acquired, rendered me exceedingly 
 conspicuous. For some months I devoted myself chiefly to 
 the pursuit of amusement, and filled a space in the eyes of the 
 fine world sufficient to have satisfied any ordinary vanity. 
 During this time various adventures occurred to me. some of 
 which were rendered very curious by the maneuvers of my 
 diabolical attendant. To relate them, however, would require 
 more time from me. and probably more patience from my 
 readers, than either can bestow. Passing them over, there- 
 fore, I will proceed to those incidents which had a more im- 
 mediate effect in determining my destiny. 
 
 My early habits had rendered me exceedingly fond of hunt- 
 ing, and I devoted much of my leisure to it. On one occasion, 
 while I was on a distant expedition, a deer of extraordinary 
 size and beauty suddenly appeared before me. His enormous 
 antlers, with little less than twenty branches upon each, 
 showed him to be such a patriarch of the woods as I had 
 scarcely ever heard of. even in the traditions of the oldest 
 hunters. Through the whole live-long day did I and my 
 staunch dogs follow him. encouraged by frequent glimpses, 
 though he would never allow me to get quite near enough for 
 my gun to take effect. At length, when the sun had nearly 
 set, my perseverance seemed about to be rewarded. The deer 
 stood, less than thirty years off. with his broad side turned 
 fairly to rne. I raised my good rifle, that had never failed me. 
 even at three times the distance, took exact aim, and fired. 
 The result was amazing and unaccountable. At the report of 
 my gun the deer vanished ! He was nowhere to be seen, 
 either dead or alive ! 
 
 Astonished, wearied, and disappointed, I stood for some 
 minutes pondering on this strange occurrence. In the ardor 
 of the pursuit, I had wandered far from any tract with which 
 I was acquainted. Upon looking around, however, I was 
 almost consoled for my vexatious adventure by the beauty of 
 the scene into which it had led me. I must indulge myself in 
 the luxury of describing it. 
 
 It was a secluded valley, surrounded by stupendous moun- 
 tains. On one side they rose in vast and irregular precipices,
 
 MEMOIRS OF A N ULLIFIER. 17 
 
 in the fissures of which clung the lauref and the ivy. supplying 
 the place of all other verdure with their deep and changeless 
 ireen. *In other directions, their swelling shapes were reared 
 gradually upward, and threw into the sky a more soft and 
 distant outline : their b-road and slanting sides clothed to the 
 summits by the varied growth of the Southern forests, the 
 foliage of which, just breathed on by the coming autumn, dis- 
 played such gorgeous tints and mellow shades as Claude or 
 Salvator might have in vain attempted to rival with their 
 divinest hues. Numerous brooks, falling in cataracts from 
 the hills around, formed by their mingled and sparkling waters 
 a stream which wandered along the plain, and then murmured 
 away through an opening to the west. Numberless and name- 
 less wild-flowers bloomed around, and seemed to droop their 
 heads over its banks, as if to gaze, with something like human 
 vanity, upon their images reflected in the glassy wave beneath. 
 Gigantic trees of many species grew thickly around, and spread 
 above a canopy through which only a few wandering beams 
 of the noon-day sun could penetrate. Never in classic Greece 
 or Italy did nymph of the stream or of the forest lave her 
 limbs in more crystal waters, or roam through a more lovely* 
 and secure retreat. But that which in my eyes gave to the 
 scene its most peculiar charm, was the aspect of utter stillness 
 and wildness which it wore, and the total absence of anything 
 to indicate that it had ever before been approached by man. 
 It seemed as if it lay before me undisturbed since the day of 
 its creation that mine was the first step which had ever trod 
 its silent ulades and sacred depths, and mine the first eye that 
 had ever gazed on its virgin solitude. 
 
 I seated myself on the trunk of a fallen tree, and had re- 
 mained for some time absorbed in contemplation of the objects 
 around me. when suddenly, on the opposite side of the narrow 
 stream, I beheld a young lady beautiful beyond imagination. 
 She was walking on the bank, as if intending to cross it. This, 
 in the ordinary state of the water, would have been perfectly 
 easy, but it happened to be now swollen above its usual heisht. 
 and rushed along with some depth and violence. Neverthe- 
 less, there were so many fragments of rock strewed through 
 the channel, and but little apart from each other, that it
 
 18 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIEK, 
 
 required only a slight exertion to pass over them. At least so 
 seemed to think the mountain nymph, for with a liht step 
 and a careless air she began to spring across. The tops of the 
 rocks, lately bathed by the flood, afforded an insecure footing, 
 and betrayed one of her steps ! She fell into the rapid current, 
 and was swept down to the deep water below. For me to 
 plunge in and bear her to the shore, required but an instant. 
 
 The beautiful lady, not having been rendered insensible by 
 the water, soon recovered from the terror of the accident, and 
 poured forth her gratitude to me. in the most ardent language. 
 I, too, thanked the providence which had made me the instru- 
 ment of saving so much loveliness from an early grave. Her 
 name, she told me, was Laura Douglas. Her father's house, 
 to which I accompanied her. was not far distant, the forest 
 having previously hidden it from my view. I remained there 
 for some time, delighted with the kindness and learning of the 
 father and the beauty and intelligence of the daughter. 
 
 One day Laura asked me for some verses to put into her 
 book. I retired, and summoned Kalouf: "Kalouf," said I, 
 " I have promised a young lady some poetry : I am a poor 
 l hand at making verses ; you must do it for me." 
 
 " Sir," replied he, " you have called on me at a fortunate 
 moment : I happen to have now in my pocket an ode which I 
 lately made to rny sweetheart down in Pandemonium, to whom 
 I am to be married shortly : I will transfer it to you." 
 
 " What !" said I, " do the people there get married ? I 
 thought they were miserable enough without that." 
 
 " Certainly, being of the same sexes as on earth, they must 
 either marry or do worse. But, as they never die. it would be 
 too great a hardship to make them live together forever: the 
 law therefore is. that they may separate, at the end of a 
 thousand years, if they should have become tired of one another 
 in that short period.* I am quite a young demon, and have 
 
 * A bill, said to have been written by Lady Mary Wortley Montague, was 
 offered and debated in the British Parliament, decreeing that mnrriages should 
 continue no longer than seven years: unless, at each return of that period, 
 the parties desired to renew them. Her ladyship must have borrowed the 
 idea from this law of the infernal regions, though I know not how she came by 
 the knowledge of it THE AUTHOR.
 
 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIES. 19 
 
 been married only five times. These verses, with some slight 
 alteration. I suppose will suit your purpose, as they have been 
 much admired in Pandemonium, and have procured me a con- 
 siderable reputation among the wits there. Here they are . 
 
 TO'HOKEEGOLFA. 
 
 My brimstone bride, my black arch-fiend, 
 
 Thy diabolical charms I adore ; 
 Thou loveliest of all the powers malign 
 
 That ever yet cross'd the deep Styx's shore ! 
 
 Of all the myriads of fiendish maids, 
 
 Who people the sulphurous depths infernal, 
 
 And roam through its dark and dismal shades, 
 Thou art, I will swear it, the greatest belle. 
 
 Already, my love. I've laid in a supply 
 
 Of various things that house-keeping requires, 
 
 And soon we at cooking our skill will try 
 On Tariffites, murderers, thieves, and liars. 
 
 On some fresh and newly-caught sinner each day 
 How sweetly and comfortably we will dine, 
 
 From his bones tear the quivering flesh away, 
 And quaff the red streaming blood for wine ! 
 
 Our table shall groan with fierce Georgians in squads. 
 And South Carolinians a few times a year, 
 
 And also Virginians, food worthy of gods 
 But never a Yankee shall there appear. 
 
 For Yankees, though once considered dainty, 
 
 And thought to be nice and savory meat, 
 Have now become too deuced ly plenty, 
 
 For even the vulgarest demon to eat. 
 In pleasures exceeding what verse can relate, 
 
 In love and in bliss forever we'll live on, 
 And people the growing infernal estate 
 
 With many a little he and she demon ! 
 
 ;: You impudent rascal," exclaimed I. "to suppose that this 
 would suit for Miss Douglas. Go to work, and see whether
 
 20 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIED. 
 
 you can't give me something with less fire and brimstone in it, 
 and rather more in the style of this earth." 
 
 Kalouf retired into a corner, and in about an hour returned 
 with the following : 
 
 TO LAURA. 
 
 Sweet Laura ! if thou wilt be mine, 
 
 I'll ever thy adorer prove, 
 And worship at thy beauty's shrine 
 
 With pure and everlasting love. 
 
 Since first on me thy beauty beam'd. 
 
 Thou reignest, on my memory's throne ; 
 Of thee alone I've thought and dreamed, 
 
 My heart hath beat for thee alone ! 
 
 Stern Fate will spare not even thee, 
 And Time with rapid wing moves on ; 
 
 Then give, fair maid, thy charms to me, 
 Ere life's young loveliness be gone. 
 
 And then to some sweet summer isle, 
 
 Or blooming solitude, we'll go, 
 Where Nature wears a ceaseless smile, 
 
 And wind of winter never blow 
 
 Where suns are bright, and skies are blue, 
 And gushing fountains pure and clear, 
 
 And flowers of never-fading hue 
 With languid fragrance fill the air. 
 
 Far from the cold, the proud, the vain, 
 Who fill the world's tumultuous scene, 
 
 Exempt from vulgar care and pain, 
 Our days shall glide away serene. 
 
 The rest forgot of human race, 
 
 Nor heeding else beneath the sky, 
 Each to the other shall the place 
 
 Of parents, kindred, friends, supply. 
 
 Oh joy, all other joys above ! 
 
 To share thy every smile and sigh 
 Possess thy first and latest love 
 
 And with thee live, find with thee die!
 
 MEATOIKS OF A NULLIFIES. 21 
 
 " This will not do yet. Kalouf," said I. :- it is now on the 
 other extreme, and is too sentimental : see whether you can't 
 strike out something between the two." Kalouf now seemed 
 to go to work still harder, and in three hours produced the fol- 
 lowing : 
 
 TO LAURA. 
 
 Thine eyes do not the sun eclipse ; 
 
 Thy breast no mountain snow discloses ; 
 Nor are thy red and dewy lips 
 
 Made out of rubies, or of roses. 
 
 Thy brow is not the full-orbed moon ; 
 
 Thy voice is not the zephyr's sigh ; 
 Thy smile is not the blaze of noon, 
 
 Illumining the earth and sky. 
 
 Thy form is not composed of dreams, 
 
 Such as wild Fancy oft displays, 
 Compounded of the sun's bright beams, 
 
 Or woven of the moon's pale rays. 
 
 But, Laura, thou art lovelier far, 
 When on thy breathing form I gaze, 
 
 Than if thou wert the brightest star. 
 That ever yet in heaven did blaze. 
 
 Girls who are formed of dreams and flowers, 
 
 Such as the idle poet fancies, 
 Walk not upon this earth of ours, 
 
 But only glitter in romances. 
 
 would not give one smile of thine. 
 Or slightest touch of thy soft hand, 
 For all the shapes, bright and divine. 
 That fill the realms of fairy-land. 
 
 Thy charms, thank Heaven, are true and real, 
 
 And therefore is it I adore thee ; 
 Ten thousand goddesses ideal 
 
 Would all to nothing fade before thee. 
 
 " This is rather better. Kalouf," said I ; " you have stolen a 
 little of it, but I suppose it will have to do."
 
 22 MEMOIRS OP A XULLIFIER. 
 
 Two or three days afterward. Kalouf came to me and 
 asked leave of absence for a short time, in order that he might 
 go down to the infernal regions and get married inviting me at 
 the same time to go with him to the wedding, which he assured 
 me would be very splendid, as he was to espouse the daughter 
 of a proud and rich family. This was rather a startling prop- 
 osition. Kalouf, however, pledging himself to take care of 
 me. and to bring me back again in safety, my curiosity in- 
 duced me to agree to it, and we set off for Pandemonium. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE entrance to the infernal regions, I found, is through a very 
 large cave in Kentucky. That is to say, the one appropriated to 
 the United States : for each considerable district of the earth has 
 belonging to it, a separate road, for the convenience of its own 
 citizens alone. This cave was formed of a multitude of dif- 
 ferent passages, which, after turning and twisting about in a 
 most labyrinthine manner, for twenty or thirty miles, at length 
 all met together and became one exceedingly broad and well- 
 trodden road. It was brilliantly illuminated with gas, and no 
 turnpike or railway was ever half so smooth. Kalouf and I 
 were traveling rapidly down its deep declivity, having already 
 proceeded many miles, when suddenly we heard behind us a pro- 
 digious clatter. It was caused by the ghost of a Yankee 
 peddler, who was journeying to the other world, with his cart 
 of tinware and other notions. The ghost soon overtook us. 
 and showed himself to be fully as impudent and inquisitive 
 as if he were still alive. 
 
 He immediately set to work to find out who I was and where 
 [ came from. 
 
 " This is sorter a slantindickelar road, stranger, by gauly," 
 said he. 
 
 ; Yes, rather so." 
 
 ' I guess, Mr., you've come a long way?" 
 
 "Not verv manv hundred miles."
 
 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIEK. 23 
 
 " I expect, may be. you're from the North ?" 
 
 " No. I am not." 
 
 " Did you come by the Paint Mountain, or over the Ohio 
 River?" (to trace my route by these landmarks.) 
 
 " Neither." 
 
 " Hogs and beef cattle sell tolerble low now. I guess?" (to 
 ascertain whether I was a Western man.) 
 
 " I think it quite probable." 
 
 ' : I suppose. Mr., you've had a good cotton crop this year ..'" 
 
 ' I understand that the crop was abundant in Carolina and 
 Georgia." 
 
 ' I reckon, maybe, they raise tobacco in the parts you come 
 from?" (thinking to track me to Virginia.) 
 
 " They are fond of tobacco there." 
 
 " I guess, strangers," continued the Yankee. ' you haven't 
 none of you never been in this country we're going to. before, 
 have you ? I'd like to know what kind of a place 'tis for tradin' 
 down there. You see. about two hours ago, old Mr. Death come 
 for me. He tuk me by sich a surprise I hadn't much time to get 
 ready. But as I was jistthen about startin' out on a peddlin' trip, 
 I thought, as I was obleeged to come anyhow, I might as well 
 try if I couldn't make somethin' on the road. So I gathered 
 into my cart some beads, and nutmegs, and tin cups, and other 
 notions. I calculate I'll make a pretty tolerble considerble 
 speck on what I've got along. You don't know how much a 
 piece tin cups fetches in these parts, does you ?" 
 
 I perceived, meanwhile, that the Yankee continually kept 
 his eyes down on the road over which we were passing, and 
 industriously and minutely examined the numerous marks on 
 its surface. I inquired the reason. "Why." said he, "there's 
 old Nehemiah Pettibones, he's been owin' me a ninepence for 
 about eighteen years. I reckon I've asked him for that nine- 
 pence a thousand times. And do you think the hateful 
 sarpent didn't push off at last without paying it? He died 
 about two hours afore me. I'm lookin' to see if I can't find his 
 track. He'll have to git into a tarnation hot place, but what 
 I'll have that ninepence yet. somehow." 
 
 Traveling thus in company with the Yankee, at length we 
 reached the River Styx. There was old Charon, with his
 
 24 MEMOIRS OF A NL'-LLIFIER. 
 
 boat, ready to take us across. He demanded twelve and a half 
 cents from each of us for ferriage. The Yankee in vain hig- 
 gled nearly half an hour, endeavoring to get him to take a 
 ten-cent piece. This point was no sooner arranged, than it 
 appeared that a matter of much more consequence was to be 
 settled. Charon, who is custom-house officer, as well as 
 keeper of the ferry, seeing the peddler's parcel of merchandise, 
 proceeded to levy a heavy tariff upon it ; which, by dint of 
 minimums, appraisements, etc., was made to amount to about 
 two hundred and fifty per cent. This the Yankee was unable 
 to pay; and Charon, declaring the goods forfeited, directed 
 them to be seized for the benefit of the infernal treasury ; and, 
 driving the peddler into the boat, set sail for the opposite shore. 
 
 Never did I behold so deep a consternation and despair as 
 that manifested by the Yankee, at the unexpected destruction 
 of his mercantile projects. I doubt not but that the separa- 
 tion of him and his peddling cart was infinitely more painful 
 than that which had previously occurred between his soul and 
 his body. He stood in the hindmost end of the boat, with out- 
 stretched arms, and piteous cries, and streaming eyes riveted 
 upon his lost cart, as it remained on the beach, until the thick 
 and pestilential fog, which those gloomy waters continually 
 cast upward, at length hid it from his sight. 
 
 Meanwhile, our boat glided slowly over the black, slug- 
 gish stream which encircles the regions of the damned. Its 
 horrid waters were thickly peopled with huge snakes, and 
 toads, and dragons, and crocodiles, and every other hideous 
 monster which is born of the slime of a corrupt and putrefy- 
 ing flood, so numerous that we could scarcely force a passage 
 between them. They glared upon us with their fierce eyes, and 
 eagerly stretched their frightful jaws as we passed. Suddenly, 
 while looking among them, the face of the Yankee gleamed 
 with a new and intense delight, at sight of an object which he 
 accidentally discovered. It was a large cooter.* that in'cautious- 
 ly. and in an evil hour for itself, rose to the surface, only a few 
 feet distant. The creature, however, seemed instinctively to 
 know the enemy of its race. and. as briskly as possible, re- 
 i 
 
 * A kind of snapping turtle.
 
 MEMOIRS OF A XfLLIFIER. 25 
 
 treated toward the bottom. It was an abyss upon which nothing 
 living could look without a shudder, and into which it seemed 
 thu not even a ghost could venture without destruction. Never- 
 theless, the Yankee plunged in head-foremost. At the sight 
 of a native of Connecticut the monsters, lately so fierce and 
 hungry, scampered away in all directions, tumbling over each 
 other in their fright. The dark flood closed over the peddler 
 and concealed him for a short time from view. At length he 
 emerged, bearing triumphantly aloft the captive " cooler," 
 and regained the boat. Seating himself in the bottom, with 
 his back to his fellow-voyagers, he took a jack-knife out of his 
 pocket, and fell busily to work. The sound of much cutting 
 and scraping was heard, but his operations could not be seen. 
 At the first habitation, however, that we reached after cross- 
 ing the river, the Yankee produced and offered for sale an ar- 
 ticle which he called " an elegant tortoise-shell comb." He 
 sold it for a high price to an old woman who had died of 
 love and green apples. 
 
 Proceeding into the interior, we soon reached the judgment* 
 seat of old RHADAMANTHUS. where sentence is passed upon all 
 who arrive in the infernal dominions. The court was sitting, 
 and business seemed to be carried on with a dispatch quite 
 unknown to earthly tribunals. We heard one of the constables 
 call out : 
 
 ' : VIRGIL HOSKINS ! VIRGIL HOSKINS !' 
 
 <; Here !" answered the Yankee peddler, quaking up to the 
 bar. 
 
 RHADAMANTHUS was seated with a great number of huge ac- 
 count-books before him : '' VIRGIL HOSKINS is your name, is it?" 
 said he : "here it is, among the H's, pp. 49, 358 : ah, VIRGIL, 
 there is a terribly long account against you. Let's see a few of 
 the charges : 
 
 " VIRGIL HOSKINS. DR. 
 
 " June 27. 18 : To selling, in the course of one peddling 
 expedition. 497.368 wooden nutmegs. 281.532 Spanish cigars, 
 made of oak leaves, and six hundred and forty-seven wooden 
 clocks. 
 
 What do you say to that charge. Hoskins '?" 
 
 HOSKINS: "Say to it? Why. that was counted, in our
 
 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIEK. 26 
 
 place, abeout the greatest peddliu' trip that ever was made 
 over the Potomac.'"' 
 
 RHADAMANTIIUS : " June 29. 18 : To stealing an old grind- 
 stone, covering it with cotton cloth, smearing it over with but- 
 ter, and selling it as a cheese/' 
 
 HOSKINS (in great surprise): "Jimniiny! you would pun- 
 ish a man 1'or that, would ye?" 
 
 RHADAMANTHCS : "December 13. 1780 : To making a coun- 
 terfeit dollar out of pewter, when you were six years old, and 
 cheating your own father with it." 
 
 HOSKINS : " My parent was real glad when he found it eout : 
 he said it showed I had a genus." 
 
 RHADAMANTHUS : " To taking a worn-out pair of shoes, 
 which you found in the road, and selling them to an old lady, 
 as being the actual shoes of Saint Paul." 
 
 HOSKINS (with exultation) : " I made four dollars and twelve 
 and a half cents by that operation !" 
 
 RHADAMANTHUS: " July 2, 18 : To taking an empty old^ 
 watch-case, putting a live cricket into it, and then selling it as 
 a patent-lever in full motion." 
 
 HOSKINS : " He ! he ! he ! wal, that was one of the 'cutest 
 tricks I ever played in all my life !" 
 
 RHADAMANTHUS : " It would occupy me a week. Hoskins, to 
 go through all the charges against you. I really am getting 
 entirely out of patience with New England, for it gives rne 
 more trouble than all the rest of the world put together. You 
 are sentenced to be thrown into a lake of boiling molasses, 
 where nearly all your countrymen already are. with that same 
 old grindstone tied to your neck." 
 
 After the Yankee had been thus disposed of, there were a 
 few other cases. Among the rest, an old Virginian was con- 
 demned for fishing on Sunday ; a Kentuckian for horse-steal- 
 ing : a Georgian for hard swearing : and a South Carolinian 
 for taking part with the General Government against his own 
 State.
 
 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIES. 27 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 LEAVING the court of Rhadamanthus, we How proceeded on 
 our journey. Our destination was not into the terrific interior 
 of Pandemonium, but to one of the provinces on its borders, 
 milder in climate and less fearful in aspect. To the left hand, 
 as I passed along, stretched a vast ridge of mountains of im- 
 measurable height, that seemed to have been thrown up as a 
 barrier to that portion of the infernal dominions. Their sum- 
 Irrits were entirely above my view. Their midway rocks were 
 bare and blackened ; continual thunders rolled around them ; 
 and incessant flashes of the fiercest lightning played against 
 their blasted sides. Deep caverns pierced their base, whence 
 issued the elements in their strength. Furious winds roared 
 out of some, while others vomited forth torrents of molten 
 minerals, or volumes of murky and sulphurous flame. Occa- 
 sionally, through a few gaps in the mountain, I could catqh 
 slight glimpses of the region beyond, but it was vailed in so 
 deep a gloom as to hide its chief horrors from my sight. I 
 could dimly discern rivers and seas of liquid fire, of which the 
 ever-boiling waves were tossed and uptorn by the strongest 
 whirlwinds. Distant as I was, it seemed to'me that the abyss 
 was thickly peopled with forms that flitted through it ; and 1 
 heard, or fancied that I heard, their waitings, even above the 
 roar of the warring elements around them. From time to time, 
 as a gleam of lurid light would flash through the darkness, a 
 volcano blaze forth with fiercer fury, or the broad bosom of a 
 burning lake be lit up with a ruddier glow, I would see such 
 sights of horror and of dread as far exceed all human power, 
 either of imagination of description or of belief. But they were 
 things which may not be named in this upper world. Yet all 
 that I did see, being merely upon the borders of the scene, seemed 
 to be nothing in comparison with what raged beyond ! 
 
 Turning farther from this frightful region, we now entered 
 a country much more earthly in its appearance. Indeed, any 
 one who will travel through certain portions of North or South 
 Carolina, in the month of August, mav see districts little less
 
 28 MEilOIES OF A NULLIFIES. 
 
 hot and desolate. The sand was knee deep, the atmoi>here 
 oppressively warm, and the earth parched and shadeless. 
 The .traveling, too, was rendered dangerous by the deep coal- 
 pits which abounded in every direction. Springs and streams 
 of liquid sulphur were very numerous, but during my whole 
 journey in Pandemonium I saw not a single drop of water, 
 and there appeared to be a great scarcity of all other fluids. 
 I believe I may safely say, that if there be any vice from 
 which the inhabitants are free, it is that of hard drinking. 
 
 After a journey of six or eight hours, in the course of which 
 we must have traversed many hundred miles, at length we 
 reached the habitation of the parents of the bride. Every^ 
 thing about it betokened aristocratic pride and vanity, and the 
 exalted notion which the family entertained of their con- 
 sequence and gentility, A numerous company of the most 
 fashionable personages in that quarter of Pandemonium was 
 fast assembling. Too lazy to use their own wings, some came 
 mounted* on huge ravens or vultures, others trotted up on the 
 backs of tigers or hyenas, while the old women came trooping 
 through the air on broomsticks. All things indicated that 
 a most uproarious frolic was about to take place. 
 
 Among the various preparations which met my eyes, I was 
 particularly struck with a sort of barbecue that was cook- 
 ing iu the yard. < It consisted of several dozen sinners, fresh 
 caught from the upper world, who were roasting whole upon 
 spits before large fires, while an abundance of red pepper was 
 sprinkled over them. The reader must understand that such 
 is the nature of the captives in Pandemonium, that no punish- 
 ment or process to which they may possibly be subjected, can 
 ever put an end to their sensation and existence. Thus the 
 operation of r being roasted, .carved, and eaten by a number of 
 voracious demons, instead of destroying or diminishing, greatly 
 increases the capacity for further suffering. For. in that case, 
 each separate particle becomes endowed with a distinct life 
 and a keener sensibility to pain : and the portions which had 
 composed the body, scattered probably thousands of miles 
 apart a finger here, a rib there, a slice of the tenderloin 
 somewhere else are allowed no rest until they search each 
 other out, and re-unite in their former shape; a business
 
 MEMOIRS OF A XULLIFIER. 29 
 
 which can not require less than many centuries of crawling to 
 accomplish. And it is no sooner done, perhaps, than another 
 crew of hungry demons catch the redintegrated sinner, and 
 inflict upon him a repetition of the same tedious and horrid 
 process. 
 
 Among the unlucky wights thus converted into roasters, I 
 perceived several whose faces I remembered. There was a 
 high dignitary of the bench, and author of a big book, upon a 
 spit made expressly to suit him, with eight points a learned 
 South Carolina judge, who was in the habit, while holding 
 court, of beating his own constables when they attempted to 
 preserve the peace and an old woman named William Smith. 
 The most conspicuous personage of them all, however, was a 
 little bald-headed old man, who seemed to be in a constant 
 passion. He was incessantly scolding the cooks, either for 
 turning the spit too fast, or too slow, or for letting it remain 
 still. Nothing could please him. He had once been, while 
 upon earth, somewhat notorious, as a member of Congress 
 from Rhode Island. 
 
 Presently the black fiddlers gave the signal for the dancing 
 to begin. There were present many beaux dressed most 
 flarningly, and young ladies with garments even shorter than 
 the cuttie-sark. rendered so famous by the Caledonian poet. 
 Then began capering, at sight of which the most agile French- 
 man would have bursted with envy, or hung himself in de- 
 spair. The mirth and fun was fast rising to a high pitch, and 
 I was about to lead out Miss Hokeegolfa herself, when sud- 
 denly an alarm was given, ' : The enemy "are upon us the 
 enemy ! the enemy !" 
 
 All now was confusion and dismay. The demons!, how- 
 ever, instantly rushed forth, and prepared for a courageous 
 defense. Their numbers were by no means inconsiderable, 
 and at their signals recruits poured in from all quarters. 
 Having sallied out with the rest, I saw an invading army ap- 
 proaching, in hostile array, and in vast numbers. They were 
 armed with long spindles, and >a great variety of patent 
 weapons of curious form and contrivance. Among their 
 numerous leaders, three seemed to be pre-eminent. Of these, 
 the> one who commanded the right wing, rode in its front,
 
 30 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIER. 
 
 mounted on a large cow of the real English breed, and dressed 
 in a shining suit of new broadcloth. As the still pause oc- 
 curred which precedes the crash of conflicting armies, this 
 chieftain endeavored to animate the courage of his followers. 
 
 ' ; Fellow-citizens," said he, " of all the discoveries which 
 have enlightened or benefited our race, that of Political 
 Economy has achieved the most wonderful results. But 
 whatever credit may be due to the inventors of this sublime 
 science, to us belongs the far higher praise of having estab- 
 lished by it the following incontrovertible conclusions : 
 
 " 1. That two and two do not make four, but something 
 else, 1 have not yet exactly ascertained what. 
 
 ' ; 2. That the higher the tax upon articles of merchandise, 
 the lower will be the price : and that no limit can be assigned 
 to the cheapness thus to be attained. 
 
 " 3. That the higher the price of Northern manufactures 
 the better for us. as it will make us rich. 
 
 " 4. That the lower the price of cotton, and other Southern 
 products, the better for those that raise them, as it will force 
 them to be economical, and economy is one of the chief of the 
 virtues. 
 
 " All ihis," continued the leader of the right wing. " is proved 
 in that invaluable work, the Register, published by me at $5 
 per annum. Let us establish the reign of these grand prin- 
 ciples ! Look at me, my countrymen ! Do you see this new 
 coat, waistcoat., and pantaloons, of superfine bkie broadcloth ? 
 They are a present to me from the Pawtucket Manufacturing 
 Company. In the last ten years I have received in presents 
 2.347 coats. 1,938 waistcoats, 2,551 pairs of pantaloons, 1.496 
 hats, and 13,683 pairs of shoes, as tokens of admiration of my 
 talents, and as a slight remuneration for my services in raising 
 prices and manufactories. Come on, then, my brave soldiers ! 
 calico shall soon sell for two dollars a yard, and each of you 
 shall be dressed as fine as I am !" 
 
 The leader of the left wing was mounted on a large sheep, 
 and he bore in the one hand the Olive-Brancli. and in the other 
 a pamphlet, entitled the Rubicon. He made a speech in the 
 same vein as that of the other commander, and then gave the 
 word for the forces which he led to move to the charge. 
 
 i
 
 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIES. 31 
 
 They had advanced only a few steps farther, when they 
 reached a small rivulet of liquid sulphur. ' Ah. my friends," 
 exclaimed the general, in the utmost dismay, " this must be 
 the Rubicon let us not pass the Rubicon. ' ; So this division 
 of the army was brought to a dead halt. 
 
 Then came a far mightier spirit nobler in form, prouder in 
 bearing, and fiercer and more intellectual in aspect. His eye 
 gleamed with an unholy ambition, and his countenance was 
 obscured by dark passion, deep cunning, and relentless hate, 
 else he seemed as if he might have been an angel of light. 
 He was evidently the comrnander-in-chief of the whole host. 
 He rode upon a large Kentucky boar, that upreared his 
 bristles, and scattered the foam from his long, keen tusks, as 
 his rider spurred him furiously about in marshaling the army. 
 His banner was a piece of coarse hempen cloth in one hand 
 he bore a knife and fork ; in the other a pack of cards. He, 
 too. prepared to speak ; and the whole army was hushed in ex- 
 pectation, when, at that moment, a most strange and uncouth 
 figure rushed forward it was the Rhode Islander, half roasted, 
 with the spit still sticking through his body. During the con- 
 fusion he had not been well watched by the cooks, and dis- 
 covering that speechifying was going on, had broken loose, 
 determined to have his share. All attempts to arrest him 
 were ineffectual. He mounted upon an eminence which hap- 
 pened to be convenient, and, with vehement tone and gesture, 
 began: "Guided by reason, man has traveled through the 
 abstruse regions of the philosophic world. He has originated 
 " At the awful sounds of his voice, the whole multi- 
 tude, demons and spirits of all sorts and degrees, scattered in 
 universal dismay. Every purpose was forgotten, except that 
 of escape from the horrid noise. The mighty leader of the 
 invading army himself was the very first to take to flight, 
 terrified by those tones which he could not but too well re- 
 member, as they had often before afflicted him. Kalouf and 
 I, partaking in the general panic, fled as swiftly as possible, 
 and neither paused nor looked behind us, until we found our- 
 selves safe back in the upper world.
 
 32 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIEE. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 No sooner had I returned to the earth than I again visited 
 Mr. Douglas', and remained there some weeks. Here the truth 
 soon burst upon me. that I was again the victim of love ! How 
 could it be otherwise, when I was exposed to the fascination 
 of such transcendent charms ? Before seeing Laura I had but a 
 slight idea of the degree of loveliness which a mortal shape may 
 wear. In her I beheld such as was never dreamed of. even by 
 the great artists who have embodied on canvas or in marble 
 the form of incarnate beauty, or the inspired poets who have 
 gazed upon her unvailed divinity. Radiant eyes marble 
 brow alabaster neck ruby lips shape of perfect symmetry 
 long glossy curls of raven hair flowing in waving wreaths 
 over ivory shoulders cheeks whose young and verrniel bloom 
 seem fresher than rosebuds moistened by the dew of spring 
 these are expressions that have been often used, and, perhaps, 
 sometimes with a semblance of truth ; and are things which 
 language can half describe, and painting can fully portray 
 The magic of her appearance was derived from something 
 loftier and nobler. It was not merely that her eyes beamed 
 with a luster beside which the diamond's blaze would have 
 been dim, but that in their pure rays the divine spirit within 
 most divinely shone not that each movement was perfect 
 gracefulness, but that with all of lovely and holy which the 
 enthusiast can fancy in an angel, there was mingled the warm 
 passion and tenderness of earth. It was, in short, that her 
 every look, word, thought, and action was informed with a 
 hallowing soul, which seemed almost to shed around her per- 
 son a charmed atmosphere and a celestial radiance ! 
 
 Even had I been less sensible than I was to the power of 
 beauty* here was such as it was impossible to resist. But what 
 madness was this by which I was overcome ? Had I forgotten 
 the bond with the demon, to which I had subscribed, and the 
 tremendous penalty attached to its violation ? Was I willing 
 to purchase a short and fleeting pleasure at the price of ever- 
 lasting anguish ! For the brief possession of so slight a thing
 
 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIES. 33 
 
 as mortal and decaying beauty, was I about to subject myself 
 to an eternity of torment? These awful reflections could not 
 but intrude themselves upon me: but whatever sage reason- 
 ings and resolves I might make in Laura's absence, they were 
 always instantly dispelled by the magic of her presence, and 
 I resigned myself to the overpowering passion which it in- 
 spired. 
 
 Yet. let not the reader do me the injustice to suppose that 
 in my decision I did not duly weigh the consequences. The 
 question was. whether I should resign Laura, or. by marrying 
 her, render myself, when the thirty years should end. forfeit 
 to the demon. I did not deliberate long. The fear of distant 
 pain, we all know, weighs little in the human heart against 
 the temptation of present pleasure. It then seemed to me 
 that the loss of Laura was the greatest of all possible evils, 
 and that the possession of her would be cheaply purchased at 
 any price whatever. Would I not enjoy with her a whole life- 
 time of supreme felicity? Had it been only an hour or a day, 
 perhaps I might have pondered longer; but for thirty long 
 years ! how could I hesitate? I resolved that I would court 
 tier and endeavor to marry her at all hazards. 
 
 Having come to this determination. I soon carried it into 
 execution. One fine evening we had roamed, as was our almost 
 daily custom, into the solitude of the neighboring woods and 
 lingered on our return rather later than usual. The sun had 
 sunk behind the mountains, and only faintly illuminated their 
 summits, and the crimson clouds above them. Amid the soft- 
 ness and balm and still sanctity of the forest, nothing was 
 heard but the quivering of the leaves above us as the tall 
 trees waved their boughs in the autumnal air. the melancholy 
 voice of the whip-poor-will, and the gentle murmuring of the 
 waters: while from numberless and nameless shrubs and wild 
 flowers the west wind shook the blossoms, and bore to us the 
 fragrance. 
 
 It is at the magic hour of twilight, when the sun has just 
 set, and the moon has just risen, and the stars are beginning 
 to glitter in the sky, and everything looks calm and holy, that 
 nature is most lovely, and woman's heart is most susceptible. 
 All things around seemed to breathe the spirit of love, and to 
 
 ?*
 
 34 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIER. 
 
 inspire the feeling, and we both acknowledged the mystic in- 
 fluence. No hour or scene could have been more propitious to 
 me, and I failed not to avail myself of it. I poured forth my 
 love to Laura in the most impassioned language. I declared 
 that I admired and valued her beyond all else on earth or in 
 heaven. I pointed up to the moon and to the stars, and swore 
 by their solemn and sacred light that I loved her better than 
 anything in this world was ever loved before, and that I would 
 thus love her to all eternity. Why need I repeat my wooing ? 
 it is enough that Laura consented to be mine. 
 
 I now indulged myself in the most rapturous dreams that 
 hope and imagination could inspire. That girl was mine 
 whom in the fervor of my enthusiastic admiration I firmly be- 
 lieved to be unequaled on earth, and not excelled in heaven. 
 It was true, my prospective visions were limited to a space of 
 somewhat less than thirty years, and I knew that at the 
 expiration of that period my felicity must come to an end, and 
 be followed by an awful retribution. But it seemed to me 
 that after a lifetime passed with Laura. I could calmly endure 
 anything that either man or demon could inflict. 
 
 I remained with her some days longer, more unable than 
 ever to tear myself from her presence. I will here give part 
 of a conversation that occurred between us, not as of itself 
 important, but because it will be referred to hereafter. We 
 were sitting on the portico, late at night, beneath the illumined 
 heavens, that shed upon the silent earth their serenest light. 
 We gazed upon the glowing stars, and acknowledged the lofty 
 aspirations, the fervent hope, which the contemplation of them 
 is so fitted to inspire the feeling that we bear within ourselves 
 a spirit of which the destiny is equally glorious, and the dura- 
 tion far more eternal. 
 
 " I suppose," said Laura, " that you believe in the existence 
 and immortality of the soul ? What do you regard as the 
 strongest proofs ?" 
 
 " To me," replied I, " the fact is abundantly clear, even 
 without resorting to revelation and philosophical argument. I 
 *0uld easily establish it by logical, deduction, but I choose to 
 take a shorter method. Away with the theories of the meta- 
 physicians ! The existence and immortality of the soul are
 
 MEMOIES OF A XULLIFIEE. 35 
 
 things which I believe, because I feel them. The Creator him- 
 self has impressed "a conviction of them upon me. I am aware 
 of the existence of my soul precisely as I am of thai of my 
 body. I perceive its action even more palpably than that of 
 my corporeal frame, for the latter is usually unobserved, while 
 the former impresses upon me an incessant consciousness. In 
 short, I have the strongest proof possible, the direct evidence 
 of sense. I feel within me an infinite spirit, which acknowl- 
 edges noihing superior to itself, in capacity or duration, except 
 the omnipotent Power who made it. Surely that Power 
 would not deceive his creatures with vain hopes and ineffectual 
 longings and can have bestowed upon me the faculties of an 
 angel for nothing less than au eternal purpose." 
 
 ' Some have asserted, however, that matter may be so mod- 
 ified as to produce all the phenomena of mind ?" 
 
 " Impossible ! am I to be told that the orations of Demos- 
 thenes, the philosophy of Newton, the pictures of Raphael, the 
 poetry of Milton, are nothing more than conceptions of brute 
 matter ? Am I to be told that all this passion and thought 
 which animate my frame these transports of hope and fear, 
 and joy and sorrow, and hatred and despair these lofty aspira- 
 tions and vast desires these dreams of the long-gone past 
 and the distant future these wanderings of imagination through 
 the abysses of infinitude are all produced by the vibration of 
 a few fibers of' brain underneath the skull ? Am I to believe 
 that pure affection, and incorruptible honor, and heroic cour- 
 age, and fervent piety, and transcendent genius have given to 
 them only a momentary existence, then to sink into the same 
 grave with the frame* which they informed with their fire, and 
 to rot into the same dust?" 
 
 ' : But you and I, my love, have no occasion to discuss this 
 topic, for ice require no additional light on the subject. Have 
 we not in our bosoms a love for each other which we feel will 
 survive everything less durable than heaven and eternity ? 
 Who that had a heart, ever doubted that he had a soul ? As 
 for yours, at this moment do I not see it in your eyes ? do I 
 not hear it in your voice ? do I not feel it in your kiss ?" 
 
 ' : I will tell you my idea," said Laura ; : I believe that we 
 human creatures are angels who in some manner or (Jther for-
 
 36 MEMOIRS OF A XULLIFIER. 
 
 felted their native heaven, and have been banished to a grosser 
 world, in order to pay such penalty and endure such suffering 
 as shall render them worthy of being restored to it. Does 
 there not often corne to us a half-seen vision, a vague recollec- 
 tion, of a former and brighter existence ? What is it but a 
 portion of the light of our lost heaven, which still lingers 
 around us, and occasionally awakens its remembrance, and 
 prompts the thought that it will yet be regained ? I doubt not 
 but that the numberless worlds we see around us are the 
 abodes of human creatures and angels of infinitely varied de- 
 grees of happiness and perfection. Do you see that beautiful 
 star yonder, just above the summit of that tall tree ? I select 
 it for my future habitation. You must there seek me when 
 you come to the other world." 
 
 This conversation, although little regarded at that time, as 
 I have said, is now recorded because it happened to be after- 
 ward remembered, 
 
 T returned to the city in order to settle some necessary affairs 
 before my marriage, which Laura had consented should soon 
 take place. Meanwhile her image was forever present to my 
 thoughts, and my heart was filled with the most joyous antici- 
 pations. Little did I dream how sadly they were to be dis- 
 pelled ; and that fate doomed me to a disappointment a thousand 
 times more bitter than that which had before befallen me. 
 
 I had been absent only eight or ten days, when a messenger 
 from Mr. Douglas informed me that Laura had been suddenly 
 taken ill, and was in the greatest danger. The messenger had 
 been two days on the road, the distance being 'sixty or seventy 
 miles. Had Kalouf been with me, I could by his power have 
 traversed the distance in a few moments, but I had left him in 
 the country. I mounted rny fleetest horse, and reached Mr. 
 Douglas' as soon as possible, but Laura had expired many 
 hours before ! and I could do no more than seek her grave, 
 and pour over it tears of unutterable anguish and despair.
 
 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIEK. 37 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 I WAS conducted to the spot where Laura was interred. She 
 had chosen to be buried, not in the crowded and monumental 
 churchyard, but in the quiet solitude where I first met and last 
 beheld her. There, in the midst of the scenes which, when 
 living, she had loved to frequent, the relies of the beautiful 
 maid reposed. The lofty trees beneath whose shades she had 
 so often passed the summer noon in maiden meditation, now 
 waved their leafy branches above her grave : the silver stream 
 that had soothed her ear with its murmuring flow, now seemed 
 to wail along its pebbly channel with a constant dirge; while 
 the flowers which her own hand had planted breathed around 
 their dying fragrance and shed their melancholy bloom. In 
 unutterable anguish I threw myself upon the spot where my 
 buried love was laid ; where, separated from me only by a 
 few feet of earth, and a sod not yet green, now* moldered that 
 dust which had been once perfection. I felt that she whose 
 presence alone rendered earth lovely and life delightful, was 
 no more, and for me nothing remained but to bewail her loss 
 with an eternal grief. Hour after hour rolled on. while, re- 
 gardless of the flight of time, I remained stretched upon that 
 sacred grave, pouring forth alternately the lamentations of 
 love, the groans of anguish, or the imprecations of despair. 
 The long day passed away, the evening came and departed, 
 and was followed by the gloomy twilight, until at length the 
 silver moon and diamond stars glittered in the midnight sky. 
 As I looked around on the calm of nature and the solemn mag- 
 nificence of the heavens, a softer and less vehement feeling 
 stole insensibly over my thoughts. " Ye wild solitudes," I 
 exclaimed, " ye lofty hills, and ancient woods,, and gushing 
 fountains, and springing flowers, ye can sympathize, ye can 
 weep with me, for you know what I have lost ! Through 
 your deep recesses my Laura delighted to wander, or to repose 
 beneath your quiet shade ; and ye were witnesses when she 
 vowed to me the first love of her virgin heart. But never 
 again will ye behold her nymph-like step and graceful form.
 
 38 MEMOIRS OF A KTJLLIFIEE. 
 
 That shape of beauty now molders coldly in the grave, and 
 over ir, my heart must break, or my tears never cease to flow ! 
 Ye bright and everlasting stars ! it is to your realms of light 
 and love that her pure spirit has ascended. But if the remem- 
 brance of anything earthly ever enters an angel's thoughts, or 
 thrills an angel's heart, I know that even in that blissful 
 heaven I arn not forgotten. Perhaps, at this moment, from 
 some one of yonder radiant worlds, my Laura looks fondly 
 upon me with pitying and celestial love." 
 
 As I thus spoke, my eye accidentally turned to a single star 
 in a particular quarter of the heavens. I recognized it to be 
 the one which Laura had once fancifully selected as her future 
 habitation. As this recollection flashed into my mind. I in- 
 stantly resolved upon the most daring project that ever mortal 
 conceived, and which I alone of all men was able to execute. 
 I determined to leave this world, and to seek the distant and 
 happy sphere where my Laura now resided. I summoned my 
 attendant devil. " Kalouf," said I, " I have good reason to 
 suppose that Laura now inhabits yonder brilliant star. Put on 
 your wings, and carry me there as quickly as possible." The 
 demon gazed upward, and sighed deeply. " That," said he, 
 " is beyond my power; my travels are confined to the limits of 
 earth and hell : into the fair regions of the skies I am forever 
 forbidden to enter. All that I can do is to enable you to get 
 there alone. Living, as I do, in Pandemonium, at the center 
 of the- earth. I have found out what constitutes gravitation, 
 and how to modify or destroy it. This mysterious principle, 
 which pervades all nature, is the chief enemy to free motion. 
 You shall be no longer subject to its power." Thus saying, 
 the demon (by a process which I do not consider myself at 
 liberty to divulge) extracted every particle of weight from my 
 body, and T stood upon the earth as light and free as an ethereal 
 spirit ! " Now," said Kalouf. "you know that whenever you 
 begin to move in any direction, and meet with no obstruction, 
 you can keep on forever with undiminished velocity. In order 
 that you may safely reach the star which you wish to visit, it 
 is only necessary to apply some propelling power, to be sure 
 that you start in a straight line toward it, and to guard against 
 starvation by the way. 1 will see to all these, and will attend
 
 MEMOIR'S or A NTTLLIFIER. 39 
 
 % 
 you some thirty or forty miles of the journey, to satisfy myself 
 
 that you are getting on prosperously, and keeping in the -right 
 course." 
 
 The demon then began his preparations. In an hour or two 
 he provided a quantity of gunpowder, which he deposited with 
 great care, so as to operate in a particular manner. Above 
 this he placed an immense bag of provisions, made as light as 
 I was. I seated myself upon the bag ; he applied powder be- 
 low, and as it exploded I was launched into the air with a 
 velocity far exceeding that of a cannon-ball. Kalouf 
 spread his broad black wings, came flying along with me 
 (though it was as much as he could do to keep up), occasionally 
 pushing me on one side or the other, to give the proper direc- 
 tion to my flight. 
 
 The earth faded gradually from my sight, as I flew swiftly 
 upward through the blue expanse. My heart dilated with 
 pride and exultation as I looked down upon the diminished 
 world. i: Contemptible mortals," I exclaimed, " that inhabit 
 yonder lump of dirt, I renounce all fellowship with you, and 
 bid you and your vile world farewell forever. While you are 
 chained to the dull earth, and crawl like worms along its sur- 
 face. I mount into the skies, and roam at pleasure through the 
 sapphire fields of heaven. Possessed at once of the substance 
 of a mortal and the freedom of a disembodied spirit, I can fly 
 from star to star, and explore every quarter of the universe. 
 Perhaps I may even scale the crystal walls of heaven, and 
 taste before death of joys forbidden to every other mortal." 
 
 I thus spoke in the vanity of my heart, as I rose triumph- 
 antly into the ethereal regions. But, alas ! soon did I repent 
 bitterly of my foolish presumption. For some time I went on 
 quite prosperously, and toward the end of the seventh day 
 found myself almost in contact with the star at which I in- 
 tended to stop. But, of course, I was moving in a straight 
 line, without the power of varying its direction. Imagine my 
 unutterable vexation and consternation, when, after a journey 
 of so many millions of miles. I found that I would miss the 
 planet by about fifteen inches ! Kalouf and I had made some 
 slight mistake in our calculatioa. For several miles I passed 
 so near to its surface that I was continually endeavoring to
 
 40 MEMOIRS OF A XUIXI.FIEE. 
 
 grasp the tops' of the trees with my hands, but, alas ! I could 
 not quite reach them. 
 
 Meanwhile, as I passed along, I had a fair view of the 
 celestial nymphs who inhabit that lovely star. They are, in- 
 deed, charming beyond anything that mortal fancy ever 
 dreamed of. Were ' the statue that enchants the world" 
 suddenly animated with a soul, and it were to step from its 
 pedestal warm with the fresh glow of young existence, it 
 would not look one thousandth part as beautiful. I almost 
 thought one or two of them half equal to my lost and adored 
 Laura. Deeply did I lament that I could not alight and pass 
 the rest of my days in that delightful country. But the power 
 which impelled me onward was above my control. I took a 
 last sad look at the fair creatures whom I was never to behold 
 again, and was hurried away with undiminished velocity into 
 the regions of illimitable space. 
 
 As I traveled onward, I continually hoped that some time 
 or other I would arrive at a stopping-place. I saw, and passed 
 by. innumerable worlds, but was so unfortunate as to miss 
 them all. The amazing things which 1 beheld in those strange 
 and distant regions I will not attempt to relate, because they 
 utterly exceed all mortal power, either of description or of be- 
 lief. I know not for how many months or years I traveled on- 
 ward. At length I seemed about to pass the utmost limits of the 
 creation. The planets had totally faded from my sight, and 
 the scattered rays of a few distant stars only feebly penetrated 
 the increasing gloom. I shuddered with agony and horror as 
 1 perceived that I was leaving forever the realms of life and 
 light, and entering the boundless solitudes where cold and 
 darkness still maintain their primeval empire. Suddenly my 
 flight was interrupted by a wall of immeasurable height. In 
 this wall was a gate of immense size, through some slight 
 crevices of which flashed forth gleams of the intensest radiance. 
 Beside this portal there stood keeping guard a creature so pro- 
 digious that my eyes could not half discern his size. ' ; You 
 little rascal," exclaimed the grim giant, "what are you doing 
 here, with that big bag of bread and meat? Back to the 
 vita world from whence you come, and never again let me 
 catch you in this forbidden region." Thus speaking, the huge
 
 MEMOIRS OP A NULLIFIES. 4] 
 
 monster seized me with his strong hand. Whirling me around 
 his heud. and giving full sweep to an arm at least a thousand 
 miles in length, he hurled me back toward the earth with the 
 velocity of a thunder-bolt. 
 
 I thus returned, even more rapidly than I had left it, toward 
 my native world. The giant had thrown rne with so true aim 
 that I followed almost exactly the route by which I had come. 
 Proceeding at the rate of about ten thousand feet in a second, 
 in eighteen months I again beheld that world of which I 
 thought I had taken an eternal farewell. My usual ill luck 
 seemed again to attend me. for I found myself going a little too 
 much to one side. Fortunately, however. I passed over the center 
 of the arctic circle, and thus came in contact with the North 
 Pole, which projects several thousand miles above the surface. 
 I seized it, and arrested my flight, and then jumping off to- 
 ward America, I landed in the State of Connecticut. 
 
 Unluckily I came down at so public a spot that my descent 
 was witnessed by several of the inhabitants of that pious land, 
 who instantly seized me as a conjurer, and carried me off to trial. 
 Upon being weighed, as is usual in such cases, against a big 
 Bible, I of course was found wanting, and condemned to be 
 burnt. Hearing this sentence pronounced, I thought it was 
 time to take to my heels j and as I could jump as far as I 
 pleased. I had no difficulty in making my escape. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 ON my way back to the South I passed through Washing- 
 ton city. Congress was in session, and I stepped into the 
 Senate hall, to see what was going on. Just then the Hon. 
 Daniel Webster arose, in order to present a petition in behalf 
 of the venerable Noah Webster and others, his converts and 
 disciples. The learned member introduced it with a most 
 touching encomium on this patriarch of the birch, and grand- 
 father of letters and spelling in America. 
 
 - Mr. President, and gentlemen of the Senate," said he, " I
 
 42 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIER. 
 
 know Dut too well (and here the peculiar modesty of the in- 
 genuous speaker suffused his whole countenance with the 
 deepest blushes) that my own poor visage, ill-befitting as i; is 
 to accompany a name so glorious claruin et venerabile nomen. 
 that will make the name of the country that gave him birth 
 honored and loved in the remotest regions and times can but 
 little recall the noble and gentle and intellectual lineaments of 
 the divine old man, whose portraiture, opposite to the title- 
 page of his first great production (his spelling-book), I doubt 
 not is engraved on the hearts of all those who hear me." 
 
 [At this truly affecting appeal I saw many of the distin- 
 guished personages present lay their hands, with what they 
 call in the French Chamber of Deputies, " une tres vive sen- 
 sation." upon that part of the body where Dr. Webster's image 
 is perhaps the most legibly imprinted. '' The master saw the 
 madness rise," and felt how strongly he had struck the electric 
 chain that bound his audience to him. With that incompa- 
 rable eloquence, therefore, which places him above all other 
 speakers whether he pour out his lofty strains of patriotism 
 in praise of the Hartford Convention, or rebuke the foul spirit 
 of Southern disaffection whether his forcible arguments scat- 
 ter dismay among the supporters of a tyrannical tariff, or his 
 equally powerful logic enforce its justice, its constitutionality, 
 and its expediency he continued in the same ingenuous 
 strain.] 
 
 " If there is anything in my poor talents that merits the 
 smallest part of the fame with which (I can most unaffectedly 
 say) I am overwhelmed, it is to the lessons of the immortal Dr. 
 Webster that the glory must be given. 
 
 (i It is easy to see that New England, always the chosen seat 
 of the most spotless good faith, and of patriotism the most de- 
 voted and enlarged, is destined to be as pre-eminent in learning 
 and the elegant arts, as she already is in the Arcadian sim- 
 plicity and guilelessness of her manners. In short, that, joining 
 the Doric severity to the Ionian elegance, in her rarely-com- 
 pounded character, it is inevitable that she must become the 
 '*' magna parens" of taste, of learning, and of politeness to all 
 the less favored regions of our land. Happily for the benighted 
 morals and intellects of our Southern neighbors, Heaven, in its
 
 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIEE. 43 
 
 wise and beneficent designs, has implanted in the breasts of all 
 genuine New Englanders a sacred desire of propagating every- 
 where the virtues which, but for their humanizing efforts, 
 would remain almost peculiar to themselves. Overrunning, in 
 their self-devoting labors, the most inaccessible, the most in- 
 hospitable shores missionaries, everywhere, of the divine 
 cause of integrity and knowledge and disinterestedness " pil- 
 grims," still, to every shrine where freedom may be worship- 
 ed and gain despised they are always seen to attach them- 
 selves to no objects but the improvement of those around them, 
 and the cultivation of an unimpeachable character. I have 
 known full many a lawyer of the finest talents, abjuring the 
 ease and dignity of a competence in Hartford or Providence, to 
 fix himself in some such degraded place as Richmond or 
 Charleston, merely that he might impart to the low and vulgar 
 practice of their courts the nobler arts of a New England 
 pleader. Yea. such is their zeal for the comfort and improve- 
 ment of the poor people among whom they carry their talents 
 and virtues, that I have often known men of the most eminent 
 attainments, in migrating, as lawyers, doctors, and clergymen, 
 to the South, to take their carriages full of checked handker- 
 chiefs and tinware (articles there much used by those who 
 are rich enough to buy them), and these they distributed along 
 the roads where they passed, for a price next to nothing. 
 
 " It is time that the elegant and profound genius of New 
 England should be emancipated from the sordid occupations to 
 which it is too often condemned that the talents which can 
 alone enlighten the rest of the nation should be at once placed 
 above the ' res angusta domi.' It is utterly unfit that the 
 abilities and the virtues which have constantly dedicated them- 
 selves to the good of mankind, and scorned all low considera- 
 tions of present gain and temporary popularity, should any 
 longer languish for the want of a little of that wholesome stim- 
 ulus which the most learned political economists have con- 
 sented to denominate ' money.' 
 
 " I will, at no remote day, do myself the honor of calling the 
 attention of Congress to a general project for the advancement 
 of learning and taste in America, by rescuing from the neglect, 
 into which the jealous artifices of European authors have
 
 44 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIEK. 
 
 caused them to fall, those wonderful achievements of our early 
 writers, which gained them, in their day, such prodigious 
 applauses, among those best of all possible judges of merit, 
 themselves. A complete conspiracy has, as is but too natural, 
 combined the men of letters of all other nations, ancient and 
 modem, against a literature which, it is easy to see, is des- 
 tined, soon or late, to overwhelm all othTers. I doubt not. 
 therefore, but that this house, with the same inspired patriot- 
 ism which has hitherto made it so wisely postpone all advan- 
 tages of the nearer generations, to those which shall exist a 
 thousand years hence, will hasten, by forcing the scholars of 
 the present times to adopt the true models of an original and 
 peculiar literature, to bring on that golden age of science, taste, 
 politeness, and religion, which Massachusetts and her peerless 
 sisters were born to produce. A large part of the country 
 I may say the whole, if magnitude were measured by worth- 
 iness is amply prepared for these measures. Were it not for 
 the Southern States, those continual dead-weights upon every- 
 thing great and glorious among us, New England might swiftly 
 overleap the centuries that interpose between her and the full- 
 ness of her future glory, and shine at once in the acknowledged 
 ascendancy of her consummate fame. Unfitly linked, there- 
 fore, as she is, to companions so uncongenial, some reparation 
 is due her for this sacrifice, by which she. who might so easily 
 be the instructress of all mankind, consents to be nothing more 
 than the mistress and enlightener of these States. 
 
 " The design of my project is, to apply to those things 
 which are of the growth of the understanding, the same no- 
 ble and philosophical principles which have been accompanied 
 with such distinguished benefits, when made to act upon our 
 trade and industry. Nothing else will be necessary than a 
 few effective measures of protection to our home productions, 
 in order to confer upon us a superiority as decided in moral 
 workmanship, as we have already obtained in all physical 
 handicrafts. It is well known that extensive and active 
 manufactories of all intellectual wares, from the light and 
 airy fabrics of the poet, to the ponderous and solid ones of 
 the mathematician and divine, have long existed in most parts 
 of New England. Of these institutions it is acknowledged to
 
 MEMOIRS OF A XULLIFIER. 45 
 
 be the remarkable peculiarity, that they alone give to their t 
 pupils such a general proficiency, that they rarely fail to be 
 equally skillful in all the sciences and all the arts. Their 
 scholars are generally good tailors, saddlers, shoemakers, and 
 hatters not uninformed in joinery, upholstery, and. ship- 
 building singularly expert as masons, stone-cutters, archi- 
 tects, and civil engineers excellent at the making (and eke 
 the drinking) of beer, cider, and switchel. 
 
 " To thevse diversified talents, the greater part of them add 
 no slight knowledge in the noble art of making a bargain 
 in singing psalms with the genuine evangelical twang and 
 snuffle and in exercising a very keen though innocent in- 
 spection into the domestic secrets of their neighbors. These 
 lighter and more elegant accomplishments are further adorned 
 with many other amiable and gentle qualities of the heart, 
 which make them everywhere the delight and admiration of 
 those among whom they inhabit or sojourn. 
 
 ' : Besides all this, they are as temperate as Kentuckians, 
 benevolent and disinterested as Ohioans, intelligent as Penn- 
 sylvanians, modest as New Yorkers, brave as Virginians, and 
 senerous and courteous as South Carolinians. They are in- 
 variably skilled in dentistry, surgery, and medicine in com- 
 pounding and imitating all kinds of drugs in jurisprudence 
 and peddling in theology and the making of tinware. Be- 
 sides their own Attic dialect, they are occasionally able to 
 speak, if not to write, the vulgar English of the Southern 
 States and of Great Britain. In the other modern tongues 
 they are so skillful as to have introduced very extensive Cas- 
 tilianisms into the Spanish to have largely corrected and re- 
 formed the Parisian pronunciation to have restored the true 
 Tuscano-Roman speech, which had latterly begun to degen- 
 erate and to have brought about a perfect amalgamation of 
 Saxon and Low Dutch, which has been so long a great de- 
 sideratum in German literature. 
 
 ' : Joining to all these eminent attainments an accurate ac- 
 quaintance with the Latin and Greek grammars, and a con- 
 siderable knowledge of the smaller catechism, they are, for 
 the most part, singularly fitted to become authors of gigantic 
 dictionaries, singing-masters, presidents of colleges, bar-keep-
 
 46 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIES. 
 
 ^ers. extensive merchants, lecturers on botany and astronomy, 
 venders of wooden clocks, missionaries among the Indians and 
 Southerners, professors of mathematics, fire kings, and dealers 
 in a new growth of nutmegs. 
 
 ' Their deep researches into the mysteries of nature have 
 also led them to the discovery of many astonishing secrets 
 how to make gun-flints out of horn, and diamonds of charcoal 
 indigo out of flour, and chocolate and olive-oil out of ground 
 nuts sewing-thread out of wood, mustard out of corn-meal, 
 twenty-four sheets of paper out of seventeen cigars more 
 exquisite than the genuine Havana out of oak leaves, and a 
 great variety of salutary and precious medicines out of pine- 
 bark. 
 
 " I will not, because I am sure that I need not, further de- 
 tain the Senate by expatiating on the universal talents and 
 virtues which are by the whole world acknowledged to belong 
 to the New England character. Still less need I argue in 
 support of the proposition which I am about to submit for 
 your consideration, because its justice \s self-evident \\spolicy 
 has been declared by this body, and has already become the 
 settled and profitable system of the country and the principle 
 upon which it is founded is the inestimable privilege for which 
 our ancestors of '76 fought and died, and to secure which they 
 established this glorious Union. 
 
 : I do riot propose at present to submit my whole plan for 
 the encouragement and protection of Northern learning and 
 genius, but to begin with a single and primary branch. I 
 adopt this course, in order that those narrow-minded opposers 
 of everything new and useful, the people of the Southern 
 States, and particularly of South Carolina, maybe by degrees 
 overpowered in the resistance, which I doubt not they will un- 
 generously endeavor to make to it. By our next session the 
 provisions of the act may be so enlarged as to embrace every 
 other branch of letters, and extend to the prohibition of books 
 and writings of all kinds from England and every other 
 country. So that henceforth we may not be indebted to 
 foreigners for any portion of our ideas concerning morals, 
 history, poetry, language, physic, mathematics, politics, phil- 
 osophy, geography, or any other science or subject whatever.
 
 MEMOIRS OF A XULLIFIER. 47 
 
 In order to accomplish these great purposes. I offer the follow- 
 in;,' bill: 
 " An Act concerning Webster's Spelling Book, and to define 
 
 the powers of the President. 
 
 ' Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
 of the United States of America in Congress Assembled: That 
 on and after the third day of March next, it shall not be law- 
 ful for any boy, girl, child, or infant, or any other person or 
 persons whatsoever, within the limits of the United States, to 
 learn or siudy their ab abs and eb ebs out of any other Spell- 
 ing Book ihan the ; American Spelling Book,' invented by Dr. 
 Noah Webster. 
 
 ' Sec. 2. The sole use of the said spelling-book of Noah 
 Webster being enjoined, and the introduction of all others pro- 
 hibited, it is hereby declared that all boys, girls, infants, chil- 
 dren, schoolmasters, parents, and guardians, who fail to use it, 
 or surreptitiously seek to learn from the spelling-books of 
 Murray. Dilworth. and similar authors and all printers and 
 stationers who attempt to print or publish, and all merchants 
 and traders who endeavor to import or vend, any other such 
 forbidden spelling-books shall be considered guilty of treason 
 against the United States, and be punished accordingly. And 
 to secure the observance of this act. the Army and Navy of 
 the United States are placed at the disposal of the President, 
 and it is hereby declared to be his high and sacred duty to en- 
 force it at all hazards." 
 
 The bill passed by a vote of 31 to 15. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 I NOW found myself, as it were, entered anew into the world. 
 But it was a world which now contained, in its whole wide 
 compass, nothing that I loved, except the memory of Laura. 
 Without her. the earth had no beauty and existence no charm. 
 All joy, all passion, all hope had perished with her. and had 
 left me no other desire than to share her place of rest. Sweeter
 
 48 MEMOIRS OF A XULLIFIER. 
 
 Car to me than the loftiest throne of power or the downiest 
 couch of pleasure would have been the repose of that quiet 
 grave. Alike through the joyless day and the hauiued 
 slumbers of the night, one ceaseless anguish, one undying 
 regret, filled every thought and every dream. The image of 
 my buried love, cold, dead, moldering in the grave, was for- 
 ever present to my remembrance. The universe was spread in 
 a dreary calmness around me, and seemed only a wide mauso- 
 leum of her whom I had lost ! An utter melancholy over- 
 powered rne. so dark and deep that its gloomy cloud extinguished 
 all enjoyment, and excluded all light from my soul. I sat for 
 hours and days wrapped in intense despair, motionless, gazing 
 on vacancy, enduring a torture like that of the Titan, while 
 tile vulture memory preyed on my agonized heart. I longed 
 for death, and was impatient of its delay; but I had been 
 alike instructed by the ancient stoic and the modern Christian 
 not to anticipate its hour. Existence, therefore, however 
 wearisome and hateful, was to be borne until its allotted 
 period should corrie to an end. 
 
 The moralists of every age had taught that, in earnest em- 
 ployment in the duties of life, in active and virtuous exertion, 
 is to be found the best antidote f against painful remembrance. 
 I resolved, therefore, to mingle again in the affairs of mankind, 
 and hoped that perhaps the extinguished lamp of passion might 
 be rekindled at the shrine of glory and ambition, or. at least, 
 that the pursuit or the possession of those things which other 
 men most covet, might supply some balm to heal, or anodyne 
 to .soothe, my individual suffering. Joining in the general con- 
 test for power and fame. I carried with me an energy of pur- 
 poss which nothing but despair could have inspired, and which 
 rendered rne eminently successful in acquiring all that I sought 
 for. except the oblivion which alone I desired. I explored the 
 realms of science and philosophy, and roamed through the 
 elysiurn of poetry. I entered the legislative halls, and the 
 arena of politics, and endeavored to instruct and to benefit my 
 country. I joined the ranks of war, and on many a well- 
 fought field, beneath the sometimes, triumphant, yet oftener 
 trampled, banner of struggling freedom, my step was the first 
 in the advance and the last in the retreat.
 
 MEMOIRS OF A XULLIFIEK. 49 
 
 Chiefly, however. I devoted myself to the contemplation and 
 study of inanimate nature. I had always possessed an en- 
 thusiastic admiration of her charms, and I now roamed from 
 country to country, with scarcely any other purpose than to 
 view her under different aspects, and to gaze upon her face, 
 forever varied and forever lovely. I beheld the sun rise from 
 the Atlantic wave in all the gorgeous magnificence of his 
 ocean drapery, and his setting beams tinge with rose-hues the 
 summits of the Alpine mountains. I stood on the far shores 
 of the northern seas, and saw the arctic lights stream over the 
 jllurmned sky. and fill all heaven with their phamasmagorial 
 splendor. I gazed on the clear blue summer sky from the soli- 
 tary forests of the Allegany, and saw the mountain eagle 
 cleaving its deep expanse with his broad, strong pinions. I 
 viewed the mighty ruins of the ancient civilized world, and 
 the ivy-covered castles of the baronial ages, and the gorgeous 
 palaces of the capitals of modern Europe. I strayed along the 
 banks of the Teviot, the Tweed, the Arno, and the Rhine. I 
 wandered through England in the autumn, through Italy in 
 the summer, and through France in the season of the vintage. 
 I sailed amid the spice-islands of the Indian seas, and reposed 
 beneath the odorous shade of Chili's boundless forests. I 
 roamed through the interminable prairies of the Missouri, 
 during their early solitude, when mine was the first step, save 
 that of the Indian, which had ever trod the flowery waste. 
 On land and on wave, on mountain and on plain, in sunshine 
 and in storm, I wooed the loveliness of nature ; and in com- 
 munion with her sacred spirit, endeavored to lose the sense of 
 my own loneliness and despair. But it was in vain. It was 
 in vain that I ransacked the realms of learning, the heights of 
 power, the world of imagination and reality, in search of the 
 talisman of forgelfulness. Never, either in the society of the 
 gay and the wise, or in the lonely pursuit of knowledge, or in the 
 daring visions of ambition, or in the pompous Senate hall, or 
 on the crimson battle-field, or in the crowded city, or amid the 
 solitude of unpeopled nature never, my buried love ! wert 
 thou for one moment forgotten or undeplored. 
 
 Finding that the world contained nothing which I could 
 value, and that the consuming anguish within me was rapidly
 
 50 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIER. 
 
 wearing away my frame, and bringing my existence to its 
 close, I resolved again to visit Laura's grave and to pass 
 the rest of my days in solitude beside it, in order that I 
 might at least enjoy the only melancholy pleasure which 
 remained to me that of breathing my last sigh over her 
 ashes, and of minglins my own with them in death. I re- 
 paired to the spot, and constructed for myself a rude shelter 
 in the recesses of the forest Every day I passed many 
 hours at Laura's grave, in the indulgence of a grief which 
 Time, contrary to his usual wont, seemed rather to in- 
 crease than to assuage. Occasionally I endeavored to ab- 
 stract and employ my mind in poetical composition, and pro- 
 duced verses which at least possessed the merit of sincerity. 
 The following are given as a specimen: 
 
 ELEGY. 
 
 Fair maid ! that didst so early die, 
 
 In blooming beauty's vernal glow, 
 For thee shall breathe the ceaseless sigh, 
 
 For thee the eternal tear shall flow ! 
 
 Of ail that once my heart held dear. 
 
 Sad thought can dwell on thee alone; 
 Thy image bright, and pure, and fair, 
 
 Still reigns supreme on memory's throne. 
 
 At dewy morn and evening cold, 
 
 I duly to thy grave repair, 
 To kiss the green and hallowed mold, 
 
 And shed the sad and silent tear, 
 
 And strew the flowers that earliest bloom 
 Around thy couch of dreamless rest, 
 
 And bid the cold and ponderous tomb 
 Press gently on thy virgin breast. 
 
 But thou. on that eternal shore, 
 
 Where all is peaceful, pure, and bright, 
 
 With angel wing now wander'st o'er 
 The boundless realms of life and light;
 
 MEilOIRS OF A XULLIFIER. 51 
 
 Or sitt'st. with starry glory crowned, 
 
 And immortality divine, 
 Where seraphs pour their songs around 
 
 Almighty Love's* resplendent shrine ; 
 
 Or restest 'neath the green array 
 Of ceaseless spring's elysiau shade. 
 
 And dream'st eternity away, 
 In bliss that can not fly or fade. 
 
 But if the thrill of sad regret 
 
 Celestial bosoms e'er may move,' 
 Thy lover is remembered yet, 
 
 And pitied with an angel's love ! 
 
 Oh, ne'er again can hope illume 
 Her flame of joy within my breast ; 
 
 I only wish to share thy tomb, 
 And slumber in its lonely rest. 
 
 How sweet that calm and silent sleep, 
 Untroubled by a thought or dream ! 
 
 Unfelt the tears of night would weep, 
 Unseen the smiles of day might beam. 
 
 There, by no torturing memory torn, 
 
 My soul all sorrow will resign 
 My throbbing heart will cease to burn 
 
 My moldering dust will mix with thine ! 
 
 Several times I had observed something like a human form 
 wandering amid the trees around me. and fancied more than 
 once that I saw the white waving of a woman's robe. But 
 the object was so indistinct that at first I little regarded it, and 
 thought that perhaps the motion of the foliage had deceived 
 my vision. At length, however, it approached so near that I 
 perceived it to be a lady of a fine person and exceedingly 
 graceful movement. There was that in her air (for the dis- 
 tance prevented me from seeing her features) which seemed 
 
 * " God is love." 1 John iv. 16.
 
 52 MliAIOIKS OF A NULLIFIER. 
 
 not unfamiliar to me; or which, at least, awoke something 
 like a vague recollection. I approached her, but, as I did so, 
 she retired along the path which had formerly led to Mr. 
 Douglas : residence. I felt myself irresistibly impelled to ob- 
 tain a nearer view. arid, hastening my steps, overtook her. She 
 turned around. Sacred heavens ! was it possible? could I be- 
 lieve my senses ? Yes. it is, it is Laura herself; it is my own 
 Laura so long lost, so deeply lamented whom I now clasped 
 to my throbbing and transported heart ! 
 
 Seven years, it is true, had not passed without having 
 wrought some change in her person, but to my delighted gaze 
 she seemed even lovelier than ever. The flower of her early 
 beauty had now expanded into the glory of its prime. In her 
 appearance enough of youthful freshness still remained, blended 
 with a more majestic gracefulness of person and a loftier tone 
 of intellectual expression. 
 
 Mutual explanations ensued. It will be recollected that 
 when I left Mr. Douglas' to prepare for my marriage. Kalouf 
 had remained behind. From him. during my absence. Laura 
 accidentally learned the secret of the bargain which existed 
 between me and the demon, and the fate which my marrying 
 her would bring upon me. Her love for me made her at once 
 resolve that I should not incur the penalty. Knowing that 
 argument would never induce me to resign her, she deter- 
 mined to withdraw herself from me by pretended death. This 
 scheme was executed, and succeeded as I have related. She 
 had herself witnessed, concealed at a little distance from her 
 supposed grave, my preparations for leaving the earth, though 
 without any suspicion of my design until she saw me actually 
 take flight. 
 
 With even more than my former passion I now urged an 
 immediate union. To this, however, there still existed the 
 sam obstacle as before, and for several days all my pleading 
 was ineffectual. During this time I observed, without know- 
 ing what to think of it, that Laura had several earnest con- 
 ferences with Kalouf. At length, after the last and longest 
 of them, with a look of mingled exultation and sadness, she 
 
 consented to be mine, and we were soon afterward married, 
 i 
 
 I omitted to say that since my return from the skies, regard-
 
 MEMOIBS OF A XCLLJFIER. 53 
 
 less of the services of Kalouf. I had been without his attend- 
 ance. It was not until the recovery of Laura that I had again 
 summoned him. Immediately after my marriage I called him 
 to me. "Build me instantly," said I, " a magnificent hoiui; 
 of white marble." It was finished in two days. ' Now placo 
 in my room an iron chest containing a million of guineas." 
 This was done in an hour. " Now take yourself back to the 
 infernal regions ; I have no further occasion for your services/' 
 ' : You will yet see me again," said the demon, with a spiteful 
 scowl, as he disappeared. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 FOR many years afterward my career was as prosperous 
 as possible. I lived in the most splendid manner, a numerous 
 family grew up in goodly array before rne. and everything 
 around breathed of wealth, happiness, and honor. I had filled 
 various important offices with applause, and was now lookii.ii 
 to the last and the highest. I pass over the details of tins 
 part of my life, which would occupy too much space, and 
 proceed to the th of October. 183-. After a busy day. I 
 was calmly seated by the parlor fireside, about nine o'clock ar, 
 night, with the newspapers before me. My wife was by rny 
 side several of the eldest of our nine sons and daughters 
 joined in our conversation while the younger ones were 
 gamboling over the carpet. The room displayed everything 
 that taste or luxury could desire, and wore the comfortable 
 and genial air which a blazing hearth bestows. A pattering 
 rain which beat against the windows, and the voice of Th<- 
 coming winter which sighed in the gale without. contrasted 
 with all these and added to their charm: and the whoif 
 formed a scene of happiness and contentment into which r 
 seemed that no thoughts or shapes of evil could intrude. T 
 was deeply engaged in calculating what States would go lor. 
 and what others against me. in the approaching election t'< v 
 President, when, suddenly, my old acquaintance, the demor,, 
 stood before me !
 
 54 MKMon:s OF A _\r].:.u-iER. 
 
 I was scarcely less amazed than horror-struck. In my 
 various reverses of sorrow and of joy I had kept little note 
 of the flight of tune, and suspected not how swiftly it had 
 moved. I supposed that I had at least a dozen good years 
 left : instead of which, the whole thirty were now at an end ! 
 
 But the king of the infernal regions appeared not now in 
 the softened guise with which I had seen him clothed at our 
 former interview. He came now, not to beguile and win, but 
 to claim his victim. His figure seemed more colossal, a fiercer 
 wrath kindled up his features, and a gloomier grandeur was 
 seated on his brow. A diabolic grin of malicious exultation 
 somewhat relaxed his countenance, only to render it more ter- 
 rible, as he fixed upon us the glare of his large and fiery eyes. 
 
 He had on the same old blue coat that I had seen him wear- 
 ing thirty years before. Its enormous pockets seemed stuffed 
 fuller than ever with papers. He thrust his hand into one of 
 them, and pulled out a large bundle, tied with red tape. " I 
 think," said he. "the time of your bond is nearly run out: 
 let's see : here it is no. this is a lien I have on the chairman 
 of the committee of manufactures in the House of Represent- 
 atives, who drew up the tariff act of 1832; the three members 
 from South Carolina who voted for said bill are also included. 
 T.his is another lien, on the President of the United States, who 
 threatened his native State with the bayonet, in case she at- 
 tempted to defend her liberty. This is the bond of the old 
 woman who edits the Richmond Enquirer: she hopes to be- 
 come an ambassador, but I think will miss it. This is the 
 compact of a big South Carolina general : he expects to be 
 made sheriff, down yonder, but I know better than to trust 
 him. Ah, here's your bond, at last ; it is due this night, at 
 twenty-five minutes after nine o'clock." 
 
 The large clock before me pointed to within ten minutes of 
 the time ! Who can tell the agony which thrilled my heart 
 as I prepared to take leave of Laura and happiness forever ! 
 But it was to her that the demon addressed himself. " Come, 
 madam," said he, bowing very low. " please to get ready. I 
 must immediately have the pleasure of your company to the 
 infernal regions." 
 
 " What do you mean ?" excla'Tied I. :: I am your victim ;
 
 MEMOIRS OF A XULLIFIER. 55 
 
 but, thank Heaven. I alone. Upon that pure and angelic 
 creature you can have no claim." 
 
 ''You are mistaken/'' said he, "I have a claim, so legal 
 that Heaven itself can not save her from me. Here is her 
 bond, signed by her own hand, by which she is now forfeited 
 to rny power. I see. sir. that this was done without your 
 knowledge. You are to understand that a few days before 
 your marriage. Laura sent Kalouf to me. requesting an inter- 
 view. She there proposed that I should take her, as a sub- 
 stitute for you. To that I consented, and in exchange for your 
 bond she gave me her own. of which I now demand, and will 
 have payment." 
 
 This was, indeed, too true. Laura : s generous love had 
 prompted her to the heroic act of sacrificing herself, in order to 
 save me. It was in vain that I now entreated and implored 
 the demon to take me instead of her it was in vain that I 
 vehemently urged that I was his proper victim. He was in- 
 exorable. :- Since the time of Eve." said he, " there has been 
 upon this earth nothing in female shape that I have been so 
 anxious to po.-sess as your Laura. When I bear away to the 
 regions of pain and darkness her whom the Creator formed to 
 give new luster to the glory of his own courts, how will it fill 
 with shame and vexation my enemies in heaven ? 
 
 However." continued he. ' I have a variety of business to 
 attend to, which will occupy me upon earth for nearly a week. 
 It will probably be four days before I return to Pandemonium. 
 I will leave you until then to get ready to accompany me. I 
 will also make an offer which will afford you a chance of 
 escape. Provided that you will deliver to me the souls of 
 twenty-five other persons. I will take them as a substitute for 
 yours, and agree to cancel your bond." Thus speaking, the 
 demon disappeared. 
 
 I instantly set to work, and published the following adver- 
 tisement : 
 
 " WANTED TO PURCHASE, 
 
 Immediately, twenty-five souls. Being very anxious to ob- 
 tain them, and having abundance of money, the subscriber is 
 willing to allow a high price, and to pay the cash down. 
 
 " HENRY TREVOR."
 
 56 MEMOIRS OF A NULUFIER. 
 
 Expecting of course great, difficulty in finding persons will- 
 ing to sell. I employed most of the day in circulating this 
 notice as much as possible. Upon returning to my house, 
 however. I found several hundred persons already assembled 
 to treat with me. I perceived that they were all Yankees. 
 
 ' ; Well, my friend.'' said I, accosting one of them, ' what 
 will you take for your soul ?" 
 
 " What are you going to do with it ?" inquired he. 
 
 " I want it to go to the infernal regions in my place." I 
 replied. 
 
 ' : In that case," said the Yankee, <: it will not be a small 
 sum which will persuade me to sell it. Who can calculate 
 the worth of an immortal soul? It is more precious than 
 much ointment and sweet spices the blessed Saviour died to 
 redeem it it is destined to joy in heaven, or to pain in hell 
 eternal I will not take less than ten dollars in specie for my 
 soul." 
 
 " Very well," said I. ' I will give it to you, though I am by 
 no means sure that I am not paying more than its value." 
 
 The above may serve as a specimen of my purchases. I 
 soon bought the twenty-five, at prices varying from two to ten 
 dollars, as the fear or avarice of the seller predominated. To- 
 ward the last, as the company perceived that my number was 
 nearly made up, great competition was excited, and of course 
 prices fell exceedingly. I could then have bought as many as 
 I pleased for next to nothing. Those who had not sold, went 
 away bitterly bewailing their disappointment. 
 
 After paying to each man his money, I locked up my new 
 purchases in a safe room, telling them that in three days I 
 would deliver them to the devil. There they remained, very 
 busily engaged in swapping clothes and trading with each 
 other, and I was informed that by night there was not a single 
 one of them who had not made at least six dollars by his 
 speculations. 
 
 The demon returned punctual to the time. I now met him 
 without fear, and producing my twenty-five substitutes, de- 
 manded a receipt in full. 
 
 " Mr. Trevor." said he. looking scornful and offended. " I 
 had a better opinion of you than to suppose that you would
 
 MEMOIRS OF A XULLIFIEK. 57 
 
 attempt to cheat me in this shameful manner. Do you think 
 to pay my debt to me in that which is my own properly al- 
 ready ? This is the same as if you owed your neighbor 
 twenty-five cattle, and were to go into his field and take beasis 
 with his brand on them, and offer them to him as payment. 
 These men all have my mark upon them. And besides, to pui 
 the matter on another ground, this is no compliance with my 
 offer, for these creatures have no souls. I will show you." 
 
 The devil, it is to be understood, is a wonderfully skillfuj 
 chemist, and knows how to analyze all substances, whether 
 material or spiritual. In a few minutes he erected a furnace, 
 seized one of the Yankees, and disengaged from the body that 
 which in these animals supplies the place of a soul. It stoo.l 
 up before us. a thing utterly strange and indescribable. He- 
 put it into a large crucible, reduced it to a fluid mass, and 
 then separated the component parts. It consisted of 
 
 PAKTS ix A THOUSAND. 
 
 Cunning 125 
 
 Hypocrisy 125 
 
 Avarice 125 
 
 Falsehood 125 
 
 Sneakingness 125 
 
 Nameless and numberless small vices 140 
 
 Essence of Onions, New England Hum, Molasses, 
 
 and Cod-Fish 235 
 
 1000 
 
 ' : There." said the devil, holding it up. " do you call that 
 thing a soul ?" 
 
 With a furious and exasperated look, he was now just about 
 to seize Laura in his horrid clutches, when at that moment 
 there came a subordinate demon, in great haste : " My liege/' 
 exclaimed he, "the Unionists are holding a meeting in Charles- 
 ton ! You are wanted there immediately !" At this news i}ic. 
 demon, delighted, flew away instantly, saying to me that he 
 would return the next day. 
 
 3*
 
 58 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIEE. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 OBTAINING thus another short respite, I endeavored to be- 
 think myself of some other method of escape. At that time 
 there were in South Carolina three famous conjurers, who 
 were said to have performed many astonishing feats all over the 
 country. I went to them, related my case, and entreated them, 
 if it were possible, to devise means for my relief. Assuring 
 me that there was but one effectual plan, they retired into a 
 large apartment, and began their magical rites. 
 
 They set out a large pot. nearly filled with water from the 
 Savannah River. They threw into it the writings of Jefferson, 
 the Crisis, by Turnbull, the speeches of M'Duffie, Hayne. etc., 
 a parcel of bones gathered from the battle-fields of the Revolu- 
 tion, and a variety of other powerful ingredients. They placed 
 under it. as fuel, large quantities of a newspaper called the 
 Columbia Telescope, which presently took fire, by its own 
 internal heat, and blazed upward with a ruddy and intense 
 flame. 
 
 Of these conjurers, one was a tall and slender man. with an 
 eye of extraordinary brilliancy, and a Southern impetuosity of 
 speech and manner. He had just arrived at that age when 
 the intellect is strongest, and ambition is most ardent. He 
 was distinguished by the loftiest talents and the purest in- 
 tegrity. In his presence, almost every one felt that unde- 
 scribable power by which the superior spirit sways the minds 
 of other men with an indefinable and commanding charm. 
 He for the most part sat still, waving his wand, and reading 
 from a paper, dated " Pendleton, July 29th, 1831," and called 
 an " Exposition." 
 
 The second was not large in stature, but well formed, with 
 dark hair, thick whiskers, and a very military air. His spark- 
 ling black eye was lit up with humor, wit, and uncommon 
 fire. His whole mien and bearing indicated that a tenement 
 of clay was never animated by a spirit more ardent, enthusi- 
 astic, and determined. Every chivalrous quality adorned his 
 character, and had procured him the appropriate appellation
 
 MEMOIRS OF A NCLLIFIEE. 59 
 
 of ;% the Bayard of the South." He looked as if there was 
 nothing whatever of noble enterprise which he would fear to 
 attempt, or which, having undertaken, he would ever abandon 
 while earth or heaven afforded means for its accomplishment. 
 He stirred the pot. 
 
 The third was about six feet two inches high, and thirty- 
 seven years of age. His hair, prematurely thinned and tinged 
 with gray, gave fully to view his broad, lofty, and receding 
 forehead. His eye was large, full, and gray : his person ex- 
 ceedingly noble and majestic, and every movement and every 
 gesture was the perfection of manly gracefulness. He was 
 possessed of an eloquence scarcely surpassed by that of his an- 
 cestor, the famous orator of Virginia, and which seemed sufficient 
 to animate any heart, except that of a submissionist, with the 
 same passiona.te spirit of courage and love of liberty which 
 burned in his own. His speaking features glowed with the 
 expression of such transcendent genius, generosity, courage, 
 and magnanimity as heaven and nature only bestow, at rare 
 intervals, upon some favorite child. He spoke the incantation. 
 
 mighty Spirit, whom the Power Supreme, 
 To guard and vindicate the sacred cause 
 Of liberty and justice hath appointed 
 Thou who. upon a thousand battle-fields, 
 In the oppressor's and the tyrant's blood 
 Hast bathed thy burning lance O Goddess, now, 
 We pray that thou to us wilt refuge give, 
 Beneath thy broad, invulnerable shield. 
 
 In every age and every clime thou still 
 Hast been ador'd by all whose generous souls 
 Love glory, and prefer even death to shame ; 
 Thy presence hallow'd each triumphant field 
 Where Liberty has been preserved or won, 
 Or the warm current of the patriot's heart 
 Poured forth in its defense Thermopylae. 
 And Marathon, and Eutaw, and King's Mountain, 
 Still wear the glory that thy footsteps shed 
 And lasting as the deep-fixed earth itself 
 Shall be the memories that hover over them.
 
 60 MEMOIRS OF A NULLIFIEK. 
 
 The coward and the slave may fear to look upon 
 The radiance of thy awful countenance, 
 But to thy children pleasant is the sight, 
 As in thy terrible beauty thou dost come, 
 And nations are affrighted at thy name. 
 
 Through thee we hope deliverance and peace ; 
 But yet, if blood must flow, unterrifled, 
 And trusting still to Providence and thee, 
 We'll do our duty in our country's cause, 
 Even though Death himself, on his pale horse, 
 Should lead the charge against us. 
 
 In olden times 
 
 Our fathers worshiped at thy holy shrine, 
 And proudly waved, on many a well-fought field, 
 Thy bright, victorious banner. Aid us now, 
 And thy pure temple soon rebuilt shall rise, 
 And in our land thy worship shall endure 
 To all eternity 
 
 Goddess, arise ! 
 
 By all the wrongs of this oppressed land 
 By all the blood for freedom ever shed 
 And by our rights and by our fathers' graves 
 And by the soil beneath and heaven above 
 We call upon thee 
 
 In the hallow'd name 
 
 Of Jefferson, thy high priest and in the name 
 Of the chief good, divinest Liberty, 
 We call upon thee appear, appear, appear ! 
 
 And as the words of power were spoken, the thick vapor 
 which arose from the boiling caldron, and filled the whole 
 apartment, gradually gathered itself together and became con- 
 densed into the shape of a beautiful and glorious female spirit. 
 Her figure was of supernatural size, and displayed the perfec- 
 tion of symmetry and grace. A flood of rosy light was poured 
 it round her person, which shone with the ineffable loveliness 
 of eternal youth. A shining helmet was on her brow, beneath
 
 MEMOIKS OF A XULLIFIER. 61 
 
 which long waving hair, as bright, as sunbeams, flowed over 
 her uncovered shoulders. In one hand she held a flaming 
 sword, and in the other an olive branch, while on her left arm 
 hung a broad and glittering shield. Her eyes sparkled with ce- 
 lestial fire, and their glance alone seemed sufficient, to strike 
 terror into whole armies. A robe, like that of a Grecian god- 
 dess, flowed lightly around her. It was of pure white, with here 
 and there a few streaks of a crimson hue. Her whole form was 
 invested with such beauty and such majesty as immortality 
 alone may wear: and would have been too dazzling to look 
 upon, but that a placid shade softened the fierceness of the 
 radiance, and made it tolerable to human sense. 
 
 The magnificent spirit smiled benignly, and bidding us dis- 
 miss our fear, took Laura by the hand, while I placed myself 
 at her side. The time for the return of the demon had now 
 arrived. Accordingly, presently he came flying in, his coun- 
 tenance inflamed with wrath and impatience. The first object 
 that met his eyes was our angelic protectress. " What's that ? :> 
 inquired he. in the utmost astonishment. '' That, ;; said I. "is 
 NULLIFICATION !" At that awful name, the demon, with 
 a shriek of horror and consternation, instantly took to flight; 
 and I have neither seen nor heard from him since. Should 
 he ever hereafter attempt to molest me, he shall be again 
 NULLIFIED.
 
 NULLIFICATION IN 1832-'33, 
 
 THE word " Nullifica- 
 tion," according to Mr. 
 Parton, was introduced 
 into American politics 
 in 1798. when the Leg- 
 islatures of Virginia and 
 Kentucky, prompted by 
 the Alien and Sedition 
 laws, adopted the fa- 
 mous resolutions of 
 '98. of which Mr. Jef- 
 ferson and Mr. Madi- 
 son were the chief 
 authors. Out of the 
 
 sovereignty of the original Colonies, on entering the Federal 
 Union, had grown the doctrine of State rights ; and the object 
 of these resolutions was to protest against a possible usurpa- 
 tion of power by the general government. One of ihem de- 
 clared that, for the assumption of powers not delegated by the 
 States. ' a nullification of the act was the rightful remedy." 
 But. according to the same resolution, the act of the general 
 government must amount to an undisguised declaration that it 
 will proceed to exercise over the States all powers whatsoever. 
 The resolutions of '98 were the work of men who loved the 
 Union of the States, and "were drawn and passed in the in- 
 terest of the Union, for the sake of the Union, to cement the 
 Union, to avert danger from the Union, to provide a way of 
 restoring the Union, if it was ever threatened with dissolu- 
 tion." 
 
 1*
 
 2 NULLIFICATION IN 1832-'33. 
 
 The nullifies of 1832. however, put a different construction 
 upon this matier. They maintained that any single State 
 may nullify an act of Congress which it deems unconstitu- 
 tional, although Mr. Calhoun declared that such nullification 
 does not tend to dissolve the Union. The extremists meant, 
 in fact, that any State may secede from the Union whenever 
 it likes. ' : If this thing goes on," exclaimed General Jackson, 
 " our country will be like a bag of meal, with both ends open. 
 Pick it up in the middle or endwise, it will run out." 
 
 The first act of South Carolina tending to nullification was 
 the throwing away her vote in the exciting Presidential elec- 
 tion of 1832. This was the more significant from the fact 
 that the very system of which she complained so much was 
 the principal issue of the campaign. In 1828 the South 
 elected General Jackson, as being less friendly than his rival 
 candidate to the great protective or American system, which 
 Mr. Clay had mainly built up by his life-long efforts. Gene- 
 ral Jackson was re-elected by an overwhelming majority. He 
 was opposed to a high protective tariff. The interests of South 
 Carolina appeared to be identified with him, yet she was not 
 satisfied. Her discontent, as John Davis, of Massachusetts, 
 said in Congress, ' ; lay deeper than the tariff, and will con- 
 tinue when that is forgotten." It existed, in fact, in the an- 
 tipathy between the North and the South, resulting from the 
 different character of the people and the different systems of 
 labor, producing in each section their legitimate result. " The 
 contest." says Mr. Parton. "between the slow and limited 
 prosperity of the South, and the swift, noisy, marvelous pro- 
 gress of the North, was never so striking as it was during the 
 administration of General Jackson. The North was rushing 
 on. like a Western high-pressure steamboat, with rosin in the 
 furnace and a man on the safety-valve. All through Western 
 New York, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois the primeval wilder- 
 ness was vanishing like a mist, and towns were springing into 
 existence with a rapidity that rendered necessary a new map 
 every month, and spoiled the gazetteers as fast as they were 
 printed. The city of New York, as Mr. Irving has beautifully 
 told us, began already to feel itself the London of the New 
 World, and to calculate how many years must elapse before 
 it would he Uie London of the universe."
 
 NULLIFICATION IN 1832-'33. 3 
 
 ' The South, meanwhile, was depressed and anxious. Cotton 
 was down. Tobacco was down. Corn, wheat, and pork were 
 down. For several years the chief products of the South had 
 either been inclining downward, or else had risen in price loo 
 slowly to make up for the (alleged) increased price of the 
 commodities which the South was compelled to buy. Few new 
 towns changed the Southern map. Charleston languished, or 
 seemed to languish ; certainly did not keep up with New York, 
 Boston, and Philadelphia. No Cincinnati of the South became 
 the world's talk by the startling rapidity of its growth. No 
 Southern river exhibited, at every bend and coyne of vantage, 
 a rising village. No Southern mind, distracted by the impossi- 
 bility of devising suitable names for a thousand new places per 
 annum, fell back in despair upon the map of the Old World, 
 and selected at random any convenient name that presented 
 itself, bestowing upon clusters of log huts such titles as Utica, 
 Rome. Palermo. Naples, Russia, Egypt, Madrid, Paris. Elba, 
 and Berlin. No Southern commissioner, compelled to find 
 names for a hundred streets at once, had seized upon the let- 
 ters of the alphabet and figures of arithmetic, and called his 
 avenues A, B, C, and D, and instead of naming his cross 
 streets, numbered them." 
 
 The North attributed this remarkable contrast to the defect in 
 Southern labor. " Not so," said the Southern politicians ; 
 " we buy dear and sell cheap the protective tariff is the 
 cause of our calamities and our decay." The slaveiy question 
 was not yet agitated, but even in these exciting times we can 
 scarcely comprehend the political animosity and violence that 
 characterized the administration of General Jackson. The 
 speeches, the caricatures, and burlesques of that day exhibit 
 the mutual antipathy between the North and the South in the 
 strongest light. 
 
 A debt of one hundred and thirty millions of dollars and a 
 great number of small manufactories were among the results 
 of the war of 1812. To provide for this debt a larger revenue 
 was required, and the manufacturing interest asked for some 
 part of that complete protection which the war had given it. 
 The protectionists triumphed in 1816, and it is not a little sin- 
 gular that the most active and zealous among them was John
 
 4 NULLIFICATION IN 1832-'33. 
 
 C. Calhouri; then a member of the House of Representatives. 
 " The country in Europe." said he, referring to Poland. ' hav- 
 ing the most skillful workmen, is broken up. It is to us, if 
 wisely used, more valuable than the repeal of the edict of 
 Nantes was to England." Even Mr. Clay admitted that Mr. 
 Calhoun had surpassed him in earnestness for the cause of 
 protection. The principle was carried still farther in the 
 tariff bills of 1820, 1824, and 1828. In 1824. however, the 
 South began to contend that the tariff was mainly advantage- 
 ous to Northern interests. The murmurs of discontent grew, 
 in 1828. into general and violent opposition. Nullification 
 loomed up indistinctly in the Southern sky. 
 
 In 1831 the public debt had been so reduced that but three 
 years more would be required to pay it off entirely. In view 
 of this, the people of the South demanded that protection, instead 
 of being retained as a principle, should be made simply inci- 
 dental, and so graduated that the amount of duties derived 
 from it should about equal the expenditures of the government. 
 Such a measure would have reduced the revenue between 
 twelve and thirteen million dollars, whereas, in the session of 
 183 l-'32. after an exciting debate of several months' duration, 
 they succeeded in passing a bill diminishing the revenue only 
 about $3.000.000. 
 
 Meanwhile, in the spring of 1831. had been published the 
 hostile correspondence between the President and Mr. Cal- 
 houn. growing out of the fact that the latter had proposed, in 
 a cabinet council, the arrest or punishment of General Jack- 
 son for alleged misconduct in regard to the Seminole war. A 
 few months later, also, Mr. Calhoun had continued the strife 
 between the two great leaders, by publishing in the Pendleton 
 Messenger, of South Carolina, his first essay on Nullification. 
 He took the ground that Nullification is the natural, proper, 
 and peaceful remedy for an intolerable grievance inflicted by 
 Congress upon a State or upon a section; and. seeming to forget 
 his advocacy of protection in 1816. maintained that the tariff of 
 1828 would be such a grievance, unless rectified during the next 
 session of Congress. Mr. Calhoun was the leading spirit of the 
 South Carolinians. What could have more inflamed their dis- 
 content than this unsatisfactory tariff bill of June, 1831 ?
 
 NULLIFICATION IN 1832-'33. 5 
 
 A month after the adjournment of Congress, the Vice-Presi- 
 dent returned to South Carolina, and the Legislature of that 
 State, early in the autumn, passed an act calling a convention 
 of her citizens to consider the late act of Congress, and suggest 
 the course to be pursued in relation to it. The Convention, 
 consisting of one hundred members, and including representa- 
 tives of nearly all the great families of the State, assembled 
 at Columbia on the 19th of November. The result of this 
 meeting was the celebrated ORDINANCE, signed by every mem- 
 ber, and decreeing that the tariff law of 1828, and the amend- 
 ment to the same of 1832. were "null and void;" that no 
 duties enjoined by it should be paid in South Carolina after 
 the 1st of February, 1833 ; that in no case involving the valid- 
 ity of the expected nullifying act of the State Legislature, 
 should an appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States 
 be permitted : that every office-holder and every juror in the 
 State should be required to obey the Ordinance and the con- 
 sequent acts of the Legislature ; and, finally, that in case the 
 general government should in any way undertake to enforce 
 the tariff law, the citizens of South Carolina would hold 
 themselves absolved from all further allegiance to it. and 
 would forthwith proceed to organize a separate government. 
 
 Robert Y. Hayne. a member of the Convention, and also of 
 the Senate of the United States, was elected governor of the 
 State, and its citizens entered into the theory of nullification 
 with remarkable unanimity and enthusiasm. The new Gov- 
 ernor entirely indorsed in his message, early in December, the 
 acts of the Convention. "I recognize," said he. " no alle- 
 giance as paramount to that which the citizens of South Caro- 
 lina owe to the State of their birth or their adoption. I here 
 publicly declare, and wish it to be distinctly understood, that 
 I shall hold myself bound by the highest of all obligations to 
 carry into full effect not only the ordinance of the Convention, 
 but every act of the Legislature, and every judgment of our 
 own courts, the enforcement of which may devolve on the ex- 
 ecutive. * * * If the sacred soil of Carolina should be pol- 
 luted by the footsteps of an invader, or be stained by the 
 blood of her citizens shed in her defense, I trust in Almighty 
 God that no son of hers, native or adopted, who has been nour-
 
 6 NULLIFICATION IN 1832~'33. 
 
 ished at her bosom, or been cherished by her bounty, will be 
 lound raising a parricidal arm against our common mother. 
 * * * South Carolina can not be drawn down from the 
 proud eminence on which she has placed herself, except by the 
 hands of her own children." 
 
 The Legislature immediately passed the acts requisite for 
 carrying the Ordinance into practical effect. " The State." 
 says Mr. Parton. " resounded with the noise of warlike prepara- 
 tion. Blue cockades, with a palmetto button in the center, ap- 
 peared upon thousands of hats, bonnets, and bosoms. Medals 
 were struck, ere long, bearing this inscription : ' John C. Cal- 
 houn. First President of the Southern Confederacy.' " No 
 less a person than the Vice-President himself was chosen to 
 fill the vacancy in the United States Senate, created by the 
 election of Mr. Hayne to the governorship. Mr. Calhoun 
 accepted the seat, and set out for Washington early in De- 
 cember. 
 
 The President of the United States was General Andrew 
 Jackson, who in his inaugural oath had sworn "to take care 
 that the laws of the Union were faithfully executed." He saw 
 the rising storm, and made his preparations accordinsly. On 
 the arrival of the news at Washington that the nullifiers were 
 about to hold a State Convention, he sent secret orders to the 
 collector of the port of Charleston to resort to all legal means 
 to enforce the revenue laws, in case of their violation by the 
 citizens of South Carolina, and for. that purpose, if necessary, 
 employ the revenue cutters within his district. General Scott 
 was also quietly ordered to Charleston for the purpose " of 
 superintending the safety of the ports of the United States in 
 that vicinity." 
 
 The President was terribly in earnest. " Dale," said he to 
 ' Big Sam." who happened to be in Washington when nullifi- 
 cation was the all-engrossing subject, ;; they are trying me 
 here ; you will witness it ; but, by the God of heaven. I will 
 uphold the laws !" And when his friend expressed the hope 
 that things would go right, "They SHALL go right!" he ex- 
 claimed, passionately, shivering his pipe upon the table. 
 
 The annual message of 1832 gives, however, scarcely an 
 intimation of the prevailing excitement. The President an-
 
 NULLIFICATION IN 1832-'33. 7 
 
 nounced that during the four years of his administration the 
 public debt had been diminished $58.000.000 : that the income 
 of the year would reach $28.000.000. and the expenditures 
 but $16.500.000. He advised a revision of the tariff, so as to 
 reduce the revenue to the necessities of the government, and 
 devoted but a single paragraph to the troubles in South Caro- 
 lina. He relied upon the peaceful administration of the laws, 
 but promised an immediate notice to Congress should an exi- 
 gency arise rendering their execution impracticable. Nothing 
 could have been more temperate and conciliatory. This, how- 
 ever, was the salient paragraph of the message 
 
 Meanwhile General Jackson was preparing another remark- 
 able document. The proceedings of the South Carolina Con- 
 vention were communicated to him on one of the last days of 
 November. On no other occasion did that noble man rise 
 more completely above all personal considerations and exhibit, 
 his great qualities of soul. " He went to his office alone." 
 says Mr. Parton. "and began to dash off page after page of 
 the memorable Proclamation which was soon to electrify the 
 country. He wrote with that great steel pen of his, and with 
 such rapidity that he was obliged to scatter the written pages 
 all over the table to let them dry. A gentleman who came 
 in after the President had written fifteen or twenty pages, ob- 
 served that three of them were glistening with wet ink at the 
 same moment. The warmth, the glow, the passion, the elo- 
 quence of that proclamation were produced then and there by 
 the President's own hand." 
 
 These pages, with other memoranda, were then placed in 
 the hands of Mr. Livingston, the Secretary of State, who was 
 requested to draw up the proclamation in a proper form. In 
 the course of three or four days it was brought to the General 
 and left for his examination. After reading it, the President 
 remarked that Mr. Livingston had not correctly understood 
 his notes, and that portions of the draft must be altered. The 
 second draft being satisfactory, he ordered it to be published. 
 It having been suggested to the General to leave out that por- 
 tion to which the State-rights party would certainly object, 
 he refused, saying : " These are my views, and I will not 
 change them, nor strike them out."
 
 8 NULLIFICATION IX 1832-'33. 
 
 As Mr. Parton justly remarks, the word proclamation does 
 not describe this remarkable paper. " It reads more like the 
 last appeal of a sorrowing but resolute father to wayward, 
 misguided sons. Argument, warning, and entreaty were 
 blended in its composition. It began by calmly refuting, one 
 by one, the leading positions of the nullifiers. The right to 
 annul and the right to secede^ as claimed by them, were shown 
 to be incompatible with the fundamental idea and main ob- 
 ject of the Constitution, which was ' to form a more perfect 
 Union.' 
 
 Of the Federal Constitution, the President says : " We have 
 hitherto relied on it as the perpetual bond of our union. We 
 have received it as the work of the assembled wisdom of the 
 nation. We have trusted to it as to the sheet-anchor of our 
 safety in the stormy times of conflict with a foreign or domes- 
 tic foe. We have looked to it with sacred awe, as the palla- 
 dium of our liberties, and, with all the solemnities of religion, 
 have pledged to each other our lives and fortunes here, and 
 our hopes of happiness hereafter, in its defense and support. 
 Were we mistaken, my countrymen, in attaching this import- 
 ance to the Constitution of our country ? Was our devotion 
 paid to the wretched, inefficient, clumsy contrivance which 
 this new doctrine would make it ? Did we pledge ourselves 
 to the support of an airy nothing a bubble that must be 
 blown away by the first breath of disaffection? Was this 
 self-destroying, visionary theory the work of the profound 
 statesmen, the exalted patriots, to whom the task of consti- 
 tutional reform was intrusted ? Did the name of Washington 
 sanction, did the States deliberately ratify, such an anomaly 
 in the history of fundamental legislation ? No. We were not 
 mistaken ! The letter of this great instrument is free from 
 this radical fault ; its language directly contradicts the impu- 
 tation ; its spirit its evident intent, contradicts it." 
 
 Having denied the right of secession, he inquires, " How can 
 that State be said to be sovereign and independent whose 
 citizens owe obedience to laws not made by it, and whose 
 magistrates are sworn to disregard these laws when they come 
 in conflict with those passed by another ?"*###* 
 " Fellow-citizens of my native State ! let me not only ad-
 
 NULLIFICATION IN 1832-'33. 9 
 
 monish you, as the first magistrate of our common country, 
 not to incur the penalty of its laws, but use the influence that 
 a father would over his children whom he saw rushing to a 
 certain ruin. In that paternal language, with that paternal 
 feeling, let me tell you, my countrymen, that you are deluded by 
 men who are either deceived themselves or wish to deceive you. 
 
 ###*### 
 Contemplate the condition of that country of which you still 
 form an important part : consider its government uniting in 
 one bond of common interest and general protection so many 
 different States giving to all their inhabitants the proud title 
 of AMERICAN CITIZEN protecting their commerce securing 
 their literature and arts facilitating their intercommunication 
 defending their frontiers and making their name respected 
 in the remotest parts of the earth ! Consider the extent of its 
 territory, its increasing and happy population, its advance in 
 arts, which render life agreeable, and the sciences which ele- 
 vate the mind ! See education spreading the lights of religion, 
 morality, and general information into every cottage in this 
 wide extent of our Territories and States ! Behold it as the 
 asylum where the wretched and the oppressed find a refuge 
 and support ! Look on this picture of happiness and honor, 
 and say WE, TOO, ARE CITIZENS OF AMERICA Carolina is one 
 of these proud States her arms have defended her best blood 
 has cemented this happy Union ! And then add, if you can, 
 without horror and remorse, This happy Union we will dissolve 
 this picture of peace and prosperity we will deface this free 
 intercourse we will interrupt these fertile fields we will 
 deluge with blood the protection of that glorious flag we 
 renounce the very name of Americans we discard. And for 
 what, mistaken men ! for what do you throw away these 
 inestimable blessings for what would you exchange your 
 share in the advantages and honor of the Union ? For the 
 dream of a separate independence a dream interrupted by 
 bloody conflicts with your neighbors, and a vile dependence on 
 a foreign power." 
 
 The proclamation was received at the North with almost 
 unanimous enthusiasm. Union meetings were held in most of 
 the States. The South Carolinians received it with equal
 
 10 NULLIFICATION IN 1832-'33, 
 
 unanimity, but in a totally opposite spirit. The Legislature 
 of that State being still in session, requested the Governor to 
 issue a counter proclamation, which proved to be a most 
 pugnacious document. He pronounced the doctrines of the 
 President's proclamation pernicious, false, tending to uproot the 
 very foundation of our political system, and contemplating 
 a great consolidated empire, one and indivisible, the worst of 
 all despotisms. Declaring that South Carolina would main- 
 tain her sovereignty or be buried beneath its ruins, he solemnly 
 warned his fellow-citizens against all attempts to seduce them 
 from their allegiance to the State. He charged them to be 
 faithful to their duty as citizens, and earnestly exhorted them 
 to disregard those "vain menaces" put forth by the President. 
 
 In a second message to Congress, promised in that which 
 opened the session, should circumstances require it, President 
 Jackson asked for an increase of powers to meet the exigency. 
 This communication was dated January 16th. 1833. He began 
 by stating that he had received officially from the Governor of 
 South Carolina a copy of the nullifying ordinance of the Con- 
 vention at Columbia. He gave a brief review of the threat- 
 ening proceedings in South Carolina, and of the measures 
 adopted by the administration. Wishing it to be understood 
 that the government were disposed to remove all just cause of 
 complaint, he declared that the supremacy of the laws would, 
 nevertheless, be maintained. The President knew that there 
 was great discontent in the South, from a " conviction that 
 the .general government was working disadvantageously to that 
 part of the Union in the vital points of the levy and the expendi- 
 ture of the federal revenue; and that it was upon this feeling 
 that politicians operated to produce disaffection to the Union." 
 
 In one paragraph the tables were turned upon the Governor 
 of South Carolina in a way that must have been appreciated 
 at the time. It was in reference to the " oppression" of the 
 tariff, so much complained of by the South Carolinians. 
 ' That the revenue system hitherto pursued," said the Presi- 
 dent, :: has resulted in no such oppression upon South Caro- 
 lina, needs no other proof than the solemn and official decla- 
 ration of the late chief magistrate of that State, in his address 
 to the Legislature. In that he says, that 'the occurrences of
 
 NULLIFICATION IN 1832-'33. 11 
 
 the past year, in connection with our domestic concerns, are to 
 be reviewed with a sentiment of fervent gratitude to the Great 
 Disposer of human events ; that tributes of grateful acknowl- 
 edgment are due for the various and multiplied blessings He 
 has been pleased to bestow on our people : that abundant 
 harvests, in every quarter of the State, have crowned the exer- 
 tions of agricultural labor : that health, almost beyond former 
 precedent,, has blessed our homes ; and that there is not less rea- 
 son for thankfulness in surveying our social condition} " 
 
 A bill conferring additional powers upon the President, to 
 enable him to execute the laws in South Carolina, was 
 promptly reported, but did not pass until late in February. It 
 was assailed by several members as violent, unconstitutional, 
 and tending to civil war. Mr. Webster rebuked all the vitu- 
 peration heaped upon this measure (known as the Force bill), 
 and gave it the support of his great talents. Though politi- 
 cally opposed to the President, and accused by his enemies of 
 subserviency for the sake of future favors, he defended with 
 transcendent ability the cause of the constitution and the 
 country. 
 
 Mr. Calhoun had reached Washington two weeks before 
 the communication of the President's second message to Con- 
 gress. What would the great Nullifier do ? Would he swear 
 to support the Constitution of the United States ? ' : Says one 
 of his biographers: "The floors of the Senate Chamber and 
 the galleries were thronged with spectators. They saw him 
 take the oath with a solemnity and dignity appropriate to the 
 occasion, and then calmly seat himself on the right of the 
 chair, among his old political friends, nearly all of whom 
 were now arrayed against him." Mr. Calhoun heard the 
 President's message read in the Senate Chamber, and. after its 
 conclusion, rose to vindicate himself and his State. Declaring 
 himself still devoted to the Union, he said that if the govern- 
 ment were restored to the principles of 1798, he would be the 
 last man in the country to question its authority. It was not 
 until the 15th of February that he introduced the famous 
 resolutions termed by him, (! Resolutions on the Powers of the 
 Government." and clearly involving the doctrine of nullifica- 
 tion. These he defended with all of his remarkable force and
 
 12 NULLIFICATION IN 1832-'33. 
 
 subtlety. Mr. Webster replied on the following day, in a 
 speech second only in power and brilliancy to his reply to 
 Hayne. three years previous. The great constitutional ex- 
 pounder condensed into four brief and pointed propositions 
 hi.s opinions upon the nature of the compact uniting the dif- 
 ferent States of the Union : 
 
 " 1. That the Constitution of the United States is not a 
 league, confederacy, or compact between the people of the 
 several States in their sovereign capacities : but a government 
 proper, founded on the adoption of the people, and creating 
 direct relations between itself and individuals. 
 
 " 2. That no State authority has power to dissolve these 
 relations; that nothing can dissolve them but revolution; and 
 that, consequently, there can be no such thing as secession 
 without revolution. 
 
 ' ; 3. That there is a supreme law, consisting of the Con- 
 stitution of the United States, and acts of Congress passed in 
 pursuance of it, and treaties: and that, in cases not capable 
 of assuming the character of a suit in law or equity, Con- 
 gress must judge of, and finally interpret, this supreme law so 
 often as it has occasion to pass acts of legislation, and in cases 
 capable of assuming, and actually assuming, the character of 
 a suit, the Supreme Court of the United States is the final 
 interpreter. 
 
 '' 4. That an attempt by a State to abrogate, annul, or 
 nullify an act of Congress, or to arrest it.s operation within her 
 limits, on the ground that, in her opinion, such law is uncon- 
 stitutional, is a direct usurpation on the just powers of the 
 general government, and on the equal rights of other States; 
 a plain violation of the Constitution, and a proceeding essen- 
 tially revolutionary in its character and tendency." 
 
 In conclusion, he said: "Be assured, sir. be assured, that 
 among the political sentiments of this people, the love of union 
 is still uppermost. They will stand fast by the Constitution, 
 and by those who defend it. I rely on no temporary expedi- 
 ents, on no political combination ; but I rely on the true 
 American feeling, the genuine patriotism of the people, and 
 the imperative decision of the public voice. Disorder and con- 
 fusion, indeed, may arise ; scenes of commotion and contest
 
 NULLIFICATION IN 1832-'33. 13 
 
 are threatened, and perhaps may come. With my whole 
 heart. I pray for the continuance of the domestic peace and 
 quiet of the country. I desire, most ardently, the restoration 
 of affection and harmony to all its parts. I desire that every 
 citizen of the whole country may look to this government with 
 no other sentiments than those of grateful respect and attach- 
 ment. But I can not yield even to kind feelings the cause of 
 the* Constitution, the true glory of the country, and the great 
 trust which we hold in our hands for succeeding ages. If the 
 Constitution can not be maintained without meeting these 
 scenes of commotion and contest, however unwelcome, they 
 must come. We can not, we must not, we dare not. omit to 
 do that which, in our judgment, the safety of the Union re- 
 quires. Not regardless of consequences, we must yet meet 
 consequences; seeing the hazards which surround the discharge 
 of public duty, it must yet be discharged. For myself, sir, I 
 shun no responsibility justly devolving on me, here or else- 
 where, in attempting to maintain the cause. I am bound to it 
 by indissoluble ties of affection and duty, and I shall cheerfully 
 partake in its fortunes and its fate. I am ready to perform my 
 own appropriate part, whenever and wherever the occasion 
 may call on me, and to take my chance among those upon 
 whom blows may fall first and fall thickest. I shall exert 
 every faculty I possess in aiding to prevent the Constitution 
 from being nullified, destroyed, or impaired and even should 
 I see it fall, I will still, with a voice feeble, perhaps, but 
 earnest as ever issued from human lips, and with fidelity and 
 zeal which nothing shall extinguish, call on the PEOPLE to 
 come to its rescue." 
 
 What in the mean time had been the course of events in 
 South Carolina ? The military posts in that State had been 
 filled with Um'ted States troops, and a naval force anchored 
 off Charleston. The laws had been strictly enforced, though 
 care was taken to avoid, if possible, a conflict with the State 
 authorities. The Carolinians also had continued their military 
 preparations. Palmetto flags and cockades were employed to 
 kindle the enthusiasm of the people. ' The first of February, 
 the dreaded day which was to be the first of a fratricidal war, 
 had gone by," says Mr. Parton, t; and yet no hostile and no
 
 14 NULLIFICATION IN 1832-'33. 
 
 nullifying act had been done in South Carolina. How was 
 this ? Did those warlike words mean nothing ? Was South 
 Carolina repentant? It is asserted by the old Jacksonians 
 that one citizen of South Carolina was exceedingly frightened 
 as the first of February drew near, namely, John C. Calhoun. 
 The President was resolved, and avowed his resolve that the 
 hour which brought the news of one act of violence on the 
 part of the nullifiers. should find Mr. Calhoun a prisoner of 
 State upon a charge of high treason.* And not Calhoun only, 
 but every member of Congress from South Carolina who had 
 taken part in the proceedings which had caused the conflict 
 between South Carolina and the General Government. 
 Whether the intention of the President had any effect upon the 
 cause of events, we can not know. It came to pass, however, 
 that a few days before the first of February, a meeting of the 
 leading nullifiers was held in Charleston, who passed resolu- 
 tions to this effect : that, inasmuch as measures were then 
 pending in Congress which contemplated the reduction of duties 
 demanded by South Carolina, the nullification of the existing 
 revenue laws should be postponed until after the adjournment 
 of Congress ; when the Convention would re-assemble and take 
 into consideration whatever revenue measures may have been 
 passed by Congress. >: 
 
 The measures here alluded to as pending in Congress, were 
 a bill reported in the House by Mr. Gulian C. Verplank. on 
 the 28th of December. In conformity with the President's 
 recommendation in his message, it was calculated to reduce 
 the annual revenue thirteen millions of dollars. Its effect 
 would be to carry back the protective system to nearly the 
 standard of 1816. Though not sufficient for the capitalists 
 who, under the stimulus of legislative protection, had invested 
 their means in the manufacturing interest, it was deemed suf- 
 ficient for those who possessed the skill and care to conduct 
 
 their enterprises with economy. To the government it would 
 
 t 
 
 * In his last sickness, General Jackson declarcxl, that, in reflecting upon 
 his administration, he chiefly regretted that he had not had John C. Calhoun 
 executed for treason. " My country," said he, " would have sustained me in 
 the act, and his fate would have been a warning to traitors in all time to 
 come."
 
 NULLIFICATION IX 1832-'33. 15 
 
 give all the revenue needed. To the great opponents of the 
 tariff it was bound to be satisfactory. It was just what the 
 South clamored for. Why, then, did not the Verplank bill 
 pass ? Why did it linger in the House under interminable 
 debates on systems and theories ? Are the advocates of polit- 
 ical measures in Congress always honest in their professions ? 
 
 ; ' The 25th of February had arrived." says Mr. Benton, 
 ' and found the bill still afloat upon the wordy sea of stormy 
 debate, when, all of a sudden, it was arrested, knocked over, 
 run under, and merged and lost in a new one. which expunged 
 the old one and took its place. It was late in the afternoon 
 when Mr. Letcher, of Kentucky, the fast friend of Mr. Clay, 
 rose in his place and moved to strike out the whole Verplank 
 bill except the enacting clause and insert in lieu of it a 
 bill offered in the Senate by Mr. Clay, since called the ' Com- 
 promise,' and which lingered at the door of the Senate upon a 
 question of leave for its admittance. This was offered in the 
 House without notice, without signal, without premonitory 
 symptoms, and just as the members were prepared to adjourn. 
 Some were taken by surprise, and looked about in amazement ; 
 but the majority showed consciousness, and, what was more, 
 readiness for action. The bill, which made its first appearance 
 in the House when members were gathering up their overcoats, 
 for a walk home to their dinners, was passed before those coats 
 had got on the back ; and the dinner, which was waiting, had 
 but little time to cool before the astonished members, their 
 work done, were at the table to eat it. A bill without prece- 
 dent in the annals of our legislation, and pretending to the 
 sanctity of a compromise, and to settle great questions forever, 
 went through to its consummation in the fragment of an even- 
 ing session, without the compliance with any form which ex- 
 perience and parliamentary law have devised for the safety of 
 legislation." 
 
 The secret history of this " Compromise." in the remarkable 
 narrative by Colonel Benton. furnishes one of the most inter- 
 esting chapters of political reading. It was effected by a 
 coalition between Mr. Clay and Mr. Calhoun. who were an- 
 tagonistic leaders in opposite political systems, had long been 
 rivals for the Presidency, and were not at the time on speak-
 
 16 NULLIFICATION IN 1832-33. 
 
 ing terms with each other. Could such a coalition be other 
 than a hollow truce? A rupture, a few years afterward, in 
 the open Senate, gave the key to the secret motives which led 
 to the Compromise. Mr. Calhoun declared that he had Mr. 
 Clay down had him on his back was his master. Mr. Clay 
 retorted : ' ; He my master ! I would not own him for the 
 meanest of my slaves." Mr. Calhoun claimed a controlling 
 influence for the military attitude of South Carolina and its 
 intimidating effect upon the federal government. Mr. Clay 
 ridiculed this idea of intimidation, and said the little boys 
 that muster in the streets with their tiny wooden swords had 
 as well pretend to terrify the grand army of Bonaparte ! 
 
 Mr. Letcher. a representative from Kentucky, was. accord- 
 ing to Mr. Benton. the first to conceive an idea of some com- 
 promise to release South Carolina from her position. He 
 communicated it to Mr. Clay, who received the proposition at 
 first coolly, but finally drew up the bill, and sent it to Mr. 
 Calhoun. An awkward interview between them ended with- 
 out a favorable result. 
 
 Mr. Clay brought his bill forward in the Senate on the 12th 
 of February. It proposed a gradual, instead of a sudden, re- 
 duction of duties, the chief object of the Verplank bill being 
 to conciliate the nullifiers. Mr. Clay : s measure was. however, 
 paralyzed by the opposition of the manufacturers. While it 
 was lingering in the Senate without any apparent chance of 
 passing, Mr. Clayton, of Delaware, urged Mr. Clay to make 
 a new move with his bill in a less objectionable form. At a 
 meeting of the manufacturers, it was resolved to pass it with 
 certain proposed amendments, provided the Southern Senators, 
 including the nullifiers, should vote for the same. But these 
 amendments were voted down by the committee to whom the 
 bill had been referred, and again the measure seemed to be 
 Jost. 
 
 Mr. Clayton, however, did not give up, but notified Mr. Clay 
 and Mr. Calhoun that if the amendments were not adopted in 
 the Senate, he would himself move to lay the bill on the table, 
 his object being to bind both of the leaders. Mr. Clay offered 
 the amendments, which were now adopted, one by one. until 
 it came to the measure of home valuation, which Mr. Calhoun
 
 NULLIFICATION IN 1832-'33. 17 
 
 and his friends declared to be unconstitutional, and an insu- 
 perable obstacle to their votes. It was then late on the last 
 day but one of the session, Mr. Clayton executed his threat, 
 and moved to lay the bill upon the table. In this extremity 
 the Calhoun wing retired to the colonnade behind the Vice- 
 President's chair, and held a brief consultation. An adjourn- 
 ment was carried, and the next day they gave their adhesion 
 to the amended bill. Even Mr. Calhoun was not spared the 
 humiliation of voting for a measure which, six months before, 
 both himself and Mr. Clay would have deemed sufficient to 
 break up the Union. 
 
 Mr. Calhoun journeyed homeward immediately after the 
 adjournment of Congress. 41 Traveling night and day by the 
 most rapid public conveyances, he succeeded in reaching Co- 
 lumbia in time to meet the Convention before they had taken 
 any additional steps. Some of the more fiery and ardent mem- 
 bers were disposed to complain of the Compromise act. as be- 
 ing only a half-way temporizing measure but when his ex- 
 planations were made, all felt satisfied, and the Convention 
 cordially approved of his course. The Nullification Ordinance 
 was repealed, arid the two parties in the State abandoned their 
 organizations, and agreed to forget all their past differences."* 
 
 The act of pacification was vigorously denounced by several 
 members of the Senate, including Mr. Webster. i: To call it 
 a compromise." says Mr. Benton. ' was to make sport of lan- 
 guage, to burlesque misfortune, to turn force into stipulation, 
 and to confound fraud and violence with concession and con- 
 tract. It was like calling the rape of the Romans upon the 
 Sabine women, a marriage." 
 
 The masses were alarmed at the cry of civil war. Mr. 
 Calboun's friends saw for hirn a release from his perilous 
 position. Timid members found relief in a middle course, and 
 General Jackson felt a positive relief in being spared the 
 necessity of enforcing the laws by the sword and criminal 
 prosecutions. 
 
 '' Certainly," says Mr. Benton, " it was absolutely incom- 
 prehensible that this doctrine of Nullification and Secession, 
 
 * Jenkins' " Calhoun."
 
 18 NULLIFICATION IN 1832-'33. 
 
 prefigured in the Roman secession to the sacred Mount and 
 the Jewish disruption of the twelve tribes, should be thus en- 
 forced and impressed for that cause of the tariff alone." Mr. 
 Calhoun afterward hinted at two other reasons: first, that 
 every Southern man, true to the interests of his section, would 
 be forever excluded from the honors and emoluments of the 
 government ; and, secondly, to the contest between the North 
 and the Soulh ' a contest between power and liberty in 
 which the weaker section, with its peculiar labor, productions, 
 and situation, has at stake all that is dear to freemen." 1; It 
 was evident." also adds Mr. Benton, " that the protective 
 tariff was not the sole or the main cause of South Carolina's 
 discontent ; that nullification and secession were to continue 
 though their ostensible cause ceased : that resistance was to 
 continue on a new ground, upon the same principle, until a 
 new and impassible point was attained."
 
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