V.. 
 
.. 
 
 / v 
 
LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE 
 
 OF 
 
 JOHN A. QUIT! AN, 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL, U.S.A., AND GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF 
 MISSISSIPPI. 
 
 BY 
 
 J. F. II. CLAIBOENE. 
 
 TN TWO VOLUMES. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 
 HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, 
 
 FRANKLIN SQUARE. 
 
 1860. 
 
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 ,Q $f 
 . i 
 
 
 
 :/: ^ 7j 
 
 * / 
 
 Entered, according JtoTAct [of tS>n|r$B8 jla tlKjyfaj-.oJiQrttKlufi^Hcl eight hundred 
 and sixty, by 
 
 HARPER & BROTHERS, 
 
 In the Clerk s Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New York. 
 
TO 
 
 THE YOUNG MEN OF THE SOUTH, 
 
 THIS MEMOIR 
 
 OF ONE "WHO BECAME, BY HIS OWN EXERTIONS, EMINENT AT THE 
 
 BAR, ON THE BENCH, IN THE ARMY, AND IN THE COUNCILS 
 
 OF IHS COUNTRY, AND MAINTAINED THROUGH LIFD 
 
 HIS PERSONAL VIRTUE AND POLITICAL 
 
 INTEGRITY, IS 
 
 jvi8936 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 I PEESEXT these volumes with diffidence to the 
 public. They have been written from a sentiment 
 of duty, under the drawback of ill health, and at in 
 tervals snatched from other pressing engagements. 
 
 My aim has been to make them, like the man whose 
 acts they recite, plain and frank, without pretension 
 or parade. Wherever it has been practicable, I have 
 preferred original letters to my own speculations, and 
 thus the work may be considered an autobiography. 
 
 The difficulty of procuring documents has occasion 
 ed some delay, for it is no part of the merit of the 
 South to attach the proper value to the materials of 
 history. The reports made by the field-officers of the 
 first Mississippi regiment of the services of their re 
 spective commands at Monterey a document essen 
 tial to the glory of the state, and confided to its ar 
 chives can not be found, and our Legislature has 
 been vainly appealed to for some provision to preserve 
 the rich but perishable records now in private hands. 
 My own stores, however, and the kindness of friends, 
 have enabled me to complete this work. 
 
 Of the war with Mexico, I have, of course, only been 
 able to review so much as was required to illustrate 
 the services of Quitman. The glorious deeds of his 
 comrades are in the records of the country. No com 
 plete history of that war has yet appeared. Some 
 
VI INTRODUCTION. 
 
 military writers have severely criticised the operations 
 of Taylor and Scott, and more than insinuated their 
 incapacity to conduct armies in the field. It is easy 
 to write after a campaign has ended, as it is easy to 
 moralize at the close of a life of error. An ingenious 
 casuist may demonstrate almost any thing on paper. 
 British critics, enraged by party spirit, long contended 
 that Sir John Moore was no general, though Soult, 
 Wellington, and Napoleon, according to Napier, ex 
 pressed a very different opinion. Military writers for 
 a long time questioned the capacity of Sir Arthur 
 Wellesley, and find fault often with the arrangements 
 of Napoleon. Some of them even charged him with 
 cowardice. Generals Lee, Conway, and Grates, and the 
 officers of their school, habitually sneered at the gen 
 eralship of Washington. 
 
 Taylor and Soott both conducted their campaigns, 
 in a hostile and populous country, under many diffi 
 culties. They had not the confidence of their govern 
 ment, and, in that respect, were in the position of Marl- 
 borough harassed by Dutch civilians, of the Archduke 
 Charles by military councils, and Wellesley by Portu 
 guese juntas and Spanish regencies. But, like those 
 great commanders, they triumphed over the enemy in 
 front and the "fire in the rear." They conducted 
 their operations, in the main, according to the received 
 principles of war, but neither ever hesitated to adopt 
 any expedient deemed necessary by the emergency 
 of the hour, and this it is that distinguishes the man 
 of resources from the martinet. This was, in fact, the 
 secret of Napoleon s first triumphs in Italy over the 
 Austrians of the old school. 
 
 These incompetent generals of ours conquered an 
 
IXTEODUCTION. VU 
 
 empire older than our own in the course of one cam 
 paign ! 
 
 Such men may defy criticism. Theory and specu 
 lation fall before facts. 
 
 In another respect their moderation after victory 
 they challenge the admiration of the world. Mata- 
 moras, Monterey, Yera Cruz, Pucbla, Mexico when 
 before have such capitals been occupied by foreign 
 troops without pillage, outrage, and massacre ? The 
 restraint, the discipline, the protection to persons and 
 property, and the free exercise of religious and social 
 duties, were as perfect during our domination as in 
 any city of Europe or America. 
 
 The whole campaign was honorable to our arms 
 and country. 
 
 In relation to the political events discussed in this 
 memoir, I have endeavored to be impartial, and to as 
 sign good motives where bad ones were not obvious. 
 
 With a strong attachment and admiration for Gen 
 eral Quitman, I have not sought to represent him as 
 infallible. I was his pupil in early life, but afterward 
 differed with him on many important questions, as, 
 for instance, when he supported nullification, and 
 when he opposed that silent acquiescence in the com 
 promise measures which the Democratic party recom 
 mended. 
 
 I have to acknowledge, however, that the course of 
 events has satisfied me that on both occasions he was 
 right. Carolina stood on doctrines as old as the Con 
 stitution, and we have gained no security by a tem 
 porizing and conciliatory policy since. 
 
 If these volumes are favorably received, they may 
 be followed by a more piquant volume illustrative of 
 
Vlll INTRODUCTION. 
 
 parties and public men in the South. I have over 
 two thousand letters not used herein. 
 
 In relation to the letters submitted to the reader, I 
 should perhaps observe that they are all on matters 
 of public concern. None of them are designated as 
 private ; the parties that wrote them, if living, enter 
 tain the same opinions, and if dead, died with them ; 
 and they are opinions that they never shrank from 
 avowing. I feel that it is right to give them to the 
 world. They illustrate the history of the past, and 
 arc applicable to passing events. In political cor 
 respondence there should be no secrets, and no false 
 sensibility when they are submitted to the public. 
 Mr. Hume, the English reformer, used to say, that 
 whenever he heard the word "delicacy" mentioned 
 in any argument or public document, he felt certain 
 there was something wrong. 
 
 I have now to express my acknowledgments for 
 documents, facts, and dates, to Gov. Gist, Hon. J. W. 
 Hayne, Dr. R. W. Gibbes, and Capt. Stanley, of South 
 Carolina ; Col. Thomas Williams, of Alabama ; John 
 Marshall, Capt. Rogers, Capt. Duffau, and J. A. Quin- 
 tero, of Texas. Messrs. A. G. Brown, Jefferson Davis, 
 J. J. M Rae, John B. Nevitt, J. T. M Murran, J. S. B. 
 Thacher, R. Elward, W. W. W. Wood, Wm. Can 
 non, J. S. Holt, W. P. Mcllen, J. D. Elliott, Henry 
 Hughes, Thomas Reed, B. W. Sanders, G. Y. II. 
 Forbes, J. Roach, E. Whaley, Rev. C. K. Marshall, and 
 particularly my late lamented friends, Hon. Edward 
 Turner and Hon. C. S. Tarpley, and since his death 
 his estimable widow. To this accomplished lady I 
 am under many obligations for valuable papers. 
 
 Bay of St. Louis, Mississippi. 
 
CONTENTS OF VOL, I, 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Ancestors and Parentage. John Frederick Quitman, D.D. Settles 
 in Curafoa. Effects of the French Revolution on Society. His 
 Views of Government. The Constitution of the United States a 
 Problem to Europe. Washington. His Character and Career. 
 Influence upon Immigration and Capital. Dr. Quitman in Phila 
 delphia. Interview with Washington. His Connection with Liter 
 ature. Review of his Work on Magic. His Death Page 15 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 John A. Quitman. His Boyhood. Conduct at School. Tutor at 
 Hartwick. Letter from Dr. Pohlman. Goes to Philadelphia. 
 Assistant Professor in Mount Airy College. Familiar Letters. 
 Resolves to remove to Ohio. The Great West 25 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Keel-boating on the Ohio. Arrival at Chilicothe. Family Let 
 ters. Dr. Hosack of New York, or Young Physic and Old Physic. 
 Removes to the Village of Delaware. Ohio forty Years since. 
 Admitted to the Bar. Letter from Mrs. Griffith. Departs for 
 the South 41 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The Journey. Jockeyed out of his Horse. Feelings on the Road. 
 Embarks at Louisville. Arrives at Natchez. His first Letter. 
 Low State of his Finances. Philosophy. William B. Griffith. 
 Natchez in 1822. "Under the Hill." Mississippi Planters. 
 Mode of Life and Revenues. New-year s Day in the South. Ad 
 mitted to the Bar. Takes Charge of Mr. Griffith s Business. 
 Southern Hospitality. Letter from Mr. Griffith. Northern No 
 tions of the South. Ohio Judges. Dress. His first Commission. 
 Life at the South. Slavery and Slave. Life contrasted with 
 A 2 
 
X CONTENTS. 
 
 Life at the North. Negro Habits and Characteristics. Natchez 
 in an Epidemic Page G8 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 His Marriage. Death of Mr. Griffith. John T. M Murran. His 
 first Canvass. John Hawkins and Brown Bess. Is elected to the 
 Legislature. The Indian Question. William Haile. The Choc- 
 taws and Chickasaws. Appointed Chancellor. His Views of the 
 Chancery System. Thomas B. Eeed. Quitman and the U. S. 
 Senate. George Poindcxter and Robert H. Adams. Quitman s 
 Views of State Policy. He visits the North. Letters from New 
 York. Political Parties and religious Societies. Returns home. 
 Declares for States Rights. Candidate for the Convention. 
 Opposition. His bold Defense. An elective Judiciary. His 
 Course in the Convention 88 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Elected Chancellor. Death of his Father. Family Afflictions. 
 Resigns his Office. Elected Senator. Railroad Enterprises. 
 Union and Brandon Banks. His busy Life. Domestic Slavery an 
 Element of Strength. War in Texas. Public Meetings in Nat 
 chez. The Fencibles. Banner Song. Departure. Letters. 
 Extracts from his Journal. The Gamblers. Adventure with 
 Robbers. Returns home. His Services and Humanity. His 
 early Faith in Volunteers. Quitman and Stephen Girard. Runs 
 for Congress. State of Parties. Clay, Webster, Calhoun, Harri 
 son, VanBuren, and White. Coalitions demoralizing. Grandeur 
 of Van Buren s Position. Quitman s Mistake. His Defeat. Ap 
 pointed Brigadier General 130 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Sails for Europe. Theatricals in Cork. Irish Beggars. Grand 
 Review in Dublin. London. An American Lady. Wellington 
 and Lord Brougham. The Tomb of Andre. The Tower. The 
 Old Bailey. London at Midnight. The great Bell of St. Paul s. 
 The Queen. The Royal Chapel. Sabbath in Rotterdam. A 
 Yankee Tar. Gin-drinking among the Dutch. Meets an old 
 Townsman. The Dinner-table. Coblentz. Waterloo. Fails to 
 sell the Bonds. Letter from Thomas S. Munce. Return to the 
 United States . 1G9 
 
CONTEXTS. xi 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Resumes the Practice of Law. Pecuniary Embarrassment. Attach 
 ment to his Slaves. Horror of Debt. Benton and Calhoun. Let 
 ter to his Brother. Plantation Economy. Peculiarities of Ne 
 groes. How they should be treated. Texas and Santa Anna. 
 Letter to Gen. Houston. The Union Bank Bond Question. Chief 
 Justice Smith. Quitman s Views. The Anti-bonders. Argu 
 ment. Political Condition of the State. Social Demoralization. 
 The Banks. Mob Law. The great Union Bank. Its Rise 
 and Fall. Errors of the Bond-payers. Quitman s Position. Be 
 comes a Candidate for the U. S. Senate. Atacked by Gov. 
 M Nutt. His Defense. Gen. Foote. Is defeated. Political 
 Treachery Page 185 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 War with Mexico. Quitman offers his Services. Coldness of tho 
 President. Parallel between Quitman and Polk. The Cabinet. 
 Exertions for Quitman. His Appointment. Diary. The Army at 
 Camargo. Character of Gen. Taylor. Neglect of the War De 
 partment. The March. Monterey. The Battle. The Capitula 
 tion. Gen. Taylor s Letter to Gen. Gaines. Political Jealousy. 
 Col. Jefferson Davis. Moral Effect of the Capitulation. Quit 
 man s View of it. Letter to Robert J. Walker 227 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Discontent of Gen. Taylor. Expedition to Victoria. Holt s Jour 
 nal. Division of Quitman s Command. The Mississippi Regi 
 ment. Tampico. Siege of Vera Cruz. Quitman s first Battle. 
 Alvarado Expedition. Marches for Puebla. Question of Rank. 
 Correspondence with Gen. Scott. Quitman s Freedom from Jeal 
 ousy. Social Relations 275 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Review of our Relations with Mexico. Scott s Proclamation. Dis 
 approval of the President. Ingersoll s Report. Spirit of the South 
 and West. Condition of Mexico. Obstacles encountered by Tay 
 lor and Scott. Mr. Trist. His Mission. Rupture and Reconcili 
 ation with Gen. Scott. Gen. Pillow. British and Mexican In 
 trigues. Secret Conference at Puebla. The Gomez Letter. 
 Report of the Court of Inquiry. Gen. Scott s Letter. Quitman s 
 Position... .. 309 
 
Xll CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTEK XII. 
 
 Advance from Puebla. Valley of Mexico. Approaches to the Cap 
 ital. The Chalco Route, and the Controversy it occasioned. 
 Duncan s Keconnoissance. Mason and Beauregard s Reconnois- 
 sance. Remarks. The proposed Assault on Mexicalzingo. Bat 
 tle of Contreras. Battle of San Antonio. Battle of Churubusco. 
 Death of Colonel Butler. Lieutenant Colonel Dickinson. 
 Kearney s Charge. Overtures from the Enemy. Quitman at San 
 Augustin. The Armistice Page 330 
 
 CHAPTER Xin. 
 
 The Armistice. Mexican Treachery. Credulity of Gen. Scott. 
 Resumption of Hostilities. Battle of Molino del Rey. Queries. 
 Council at Piedad. Defenses of the Capital. Chapultepec. Pil 
 low s Advance. Quitman s Assault. Detour of Shields. Quit 
 man on the Rock of Chapultepec. Advance on the Belen. Leads 
 the Charge. Surrender of the City. The American Flag. Ap 
 pointed Governor of Mexico. His Popularity. Returns to the 
 United States. Reception in New Orleans. Welcome home.. 350 
 
LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE 
 
 OF 
 
 JOHN A. Q U I T M A N. 
 
LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE 
 
 OF 
 
 JOHN A, QULTJI AN, 
 
 CHAPTER J, 
 
 Ancestors and Parentage. John Frederick Quitman, D.D. Settles 
 in Curacoa. Effects of the French Revolution on Society. His 
 Views of Government. The Constitution of the United States a 
 Problem to Europe. Washington. His Character and Career. 
 Influence upon Immigration and Capital. Dr. Quitman in Phila 
 delphia. Interview with Washington. His Connection with Liter 
 ature. Review of his Work on Magic. His Death. 
 
 I AM to record the acts of a man whose whole life was 
 governed by fixed rules of action, maintained with untir 
 ing energy and inflexible will. He possessed what Cicero 
 notes as the characteristic of the younger Brutus : quid- 
 quid mdt, vcdde mdt. 
 
 "The true test of a great man," says Lord Brougham, 
 " is his having been in advance of his age." 
 
 Bearing these things in mind, there will be no difficul 
 ty in comprehending the career of John A. Quitman, and 
 the consistency and decision that marked it throughout. 
 
 The tradition is, that during the time of Luther, a citi 
 zen of Rome, of the famous family of the Marcelli, having 
 adopted the doctrines of the Reformation, sought refuge 
 in Germany, and finally fixed himself at Iserlohe, West 
 phalia, where he assumed the name of Quitman a name 
 compounded from the old Saxon, signifying "freeman." 
 One of his descendants settled in Cleves, and from him 
 
16 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 the Quitman family in the United States have sprung. 
 The grandfather of Gen. Quitman was a man of science 
 and distinction, who held, under the Prussian govern 
 ment, for the greater portion of his life, the important 
 office of Inspector of Harbors, Dikes, and Military Roads. 
 His residence was on a small island in the Rhine, near 
 the city of Cleves, which, having been swept away by 
 an unprecedented, flpo.d, gave his son, in after life, occa 
 sion to say, wheii questioned as to the place of his birth, 
 that he had .no. native place, but was a citizen of the 
 wo?-ld., ; :. - : ;.\ t : 
 
 This son, Frederick Henry Quitman, qualified himself 
 at an early age for the University of Halle ; indeed, the 
 rules as to age were relaxed on account of his attain 
 ments. He soon won the confidence of the professors 
 of that famous institution. Rather against the inclina 
 tions of his father, he devoted himself to the study of 
 theology, and soon became distinguished as a dialectician 
 and casuist. Having completed his studies at nineteen 
 years of age, he accepted the position of precept or to the 
 daughters of the Prince of Waldeck Count Rantzowe 
 (who afterward made some figure in history) holding the 
 same trust toward the young princes of that house. This 
 engagement lasted two years. Resolving then to enter 
 the ministry, he repaired to Amsterdam, and presented 
 himself to the Lutheran Consistorium of the United Prov 
 inces. That learned and influential body had the direc 
 tion of missions, and other ecclesiastical affairs, in Hol 
 land and its colonies. He was ordained, and dispatched 
 to the island of CuraQoa, where he received a cordial 
 welcome. After a residence of twelve months, he mar 
 ried Anna Elizabeth, daughter of John Casper Hueck, 
 one of the most influential citizens of Curasoa. She was 
 a woman of refined and elegant manners ; her mind had 
 been carefully cultivated; her countenance was Intel- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 17 
 
 lectual and full of character ; her disposition gentle and 
 obliging. 
 
 The Rev. Dr. Quitman retained his charge some twelve 
 years, faithfully discharging the duties that devolve upon 
 a pastor : to inculcate religious sentiment and social im 
 provement; relieve the distressed, comfort the sick, and 
 support the dying. In our hours of prosperity, the serv 
 ant of God is often forgotten, sometimes sneered at. But 
 there come periods in the life of every man when pleas 
 ure has no charms^ wealth no resource, wretchedness no 
 consolation. It is then that we appreciate the beloved 
 pastor, forgetful of neglect, cordial in his sympathies, 
 tender even unto tears ! 
 
 About this period, the convulsions that had dislocated 
 society in France, and torn up established institutions 
 and the old notions of order and discipline, were felt in 
 the West Indies. Jacobinism, social equality without re 
 gard to race, and universal emancipation more irration 
 al and revolting than the agrarianism imputed to the Ro 
 mans began to be recommended in those peaceful and 
 prosperous islands, where the easiest and most remuner 
 ative form of domestic servitude had long prevailed, and 
 where crime, and even litigation, were almost unknown. 
 Those monstrous doctrines chimeras from the brains of 
 infidels and assassins came trooping, one after another, 
 like bloody spectres, across the Atlantic ; and they were 
 followed by scenes of terror, conflagration, massacre, and 
 anarchy, such as had been recently witnessed in the un 
 happy country of their origin. A false and fanatical no 
 tion of liberty began to prevail. Society was rapidly de 
 moralized. After having vainly, and at some personal 
 hazard, resisted the new state of things, Dr. Quitman re 
 solved to seek some other abode. Like the great Earl 
 of Chatham, he believed, " where law ends, there tyran 
 ny begins ;" and he justly regarded the Christian relig- 
 
18 LIFE AND COEEESPONDEXCE OF 
 
 ion as the only sure basis for civilization and order. In 
 Holland, a pension for life for twelve years of missionary 
 service, and a high place in the Lutheran Church, guar 
 anteed by his learning and eloquence, awaited his return. 
 But the pernicious example of France, as well as her mil 
 itary power, overshadowed all the contiguous nationali 
 ties ; and, after much consideration, he resolved to fix 
 himself in the United States, the freest country in the 
 world, yet with notions of liberty wholly opposed to the 
 irrational and extreme views of European revolutionists. 
 The philosophers of the Continent did not then, and do 
 not now, comprehend the nature of constitutional gov 
 ernment. The whole tribe of encyclopedists, when mon 
 archy was extinguished in France, was incapable of pro 
 ducing a simple Constitution. Their ablest writers, after 
 critical study, and even personal observation, have never 
 yet been able to give a correct definition of our peculiar 
 system. With a thousand years of experience, they are 
 less practical, and more ignorant of the principles of po 
 litical liberty than the Romans. They conquer kings 
 raid demolish aristocracies, but of popular rights and the 
 restraints of law, civil liberty and social order, they have 
 no proper conception. All their theories amplify them 
 selves into impracticable optimism, or degenerate into 
 brutality and blood. IS"ot until, in the fullness of our mis 
 sion, we teach them common sense and enlightened con 
 servatism, will France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and the na 
 tions of this hemisphere that have sprung from them, un 
 derstand what regulated liberty means, and what blessings 
 it confers. Their absurd transcendentalism their vul 
 gar and disorganizing radicalism the strife of factions 
 the war upon religion the jealousy of property the rule 
 of the mob, or imperial despotism, are the only substi 
 tutes Europe has yet invented for the evils of hereditary 
 monarchy, privileged orders, and the dominion of the 
 
JOHN A. QUmiAN. 19 
 
 Church. There must be a general conflagration of an 
 cient and polluted things, and of dangerous modern fal 
 lacies, and the Old World and its offshoots to the south 
 of us must be Americanized before they can comprehend 
 real freedom. 
 
 The American Revolution gave birth to no anarchy. 
 It spawned no crimes. During the war and after it, old 
 English notions of law and order prevailed. The army, 
 without an effort, melted into the great body of the peo 
 ple, and returned to civil pursuits. It is a remarkable 
 fact, stated by Gouvcrncur Morris in a letter to Hamil 
 ton, Paris, Feb. IGth, 1793, that "a great proportion of 
 the French officers who served in America were either 
 opposed to the revolution in their own country, or felt 
 themselves obliged, by its excesses, to abandon it." They 
 found the people too ignorant and too corrupt to sup 
 port a legal administration. Habituated to obey, they 
 required a master, and, like the citizens of ancient Rome, 
 the French people had reached a period when Cato was 
 a madman, and Caesar a necessary evil. That a large 
 portion of the people in our Eastern states and frontier 
 territories, from the abuse of the democratic principle of 
 popular sovereignty, have begun to regard liberty as li 
 cense, and have no adequate conception of constitutional 
 restraint, is not to be denied. 
 
 In his island home Dr. Quitman had studied the career 
 and character of Washington ; and guarantees for law, 
 order, and stability, derived from this study, induced the 
 staid and order-loving clergyman to seek an asylum in 
 the United States. Washington had conducted our 
 army through a protracted and unequal war. He had 
 been placed at the head of a new and untried govern 
 ment, to be managed without reference to past prece 
 dents, and exposed at every step to temptation and dan 
 ger. False friends, enthusiastic advisers, open or covert 
 
20 LIFE AND COEBESPONDENCE OF 
 
 enemies, with plaudits and menaces, beset him. French 
 appeals and French intrigue, sustained by a powerful and 
 popular party in this country the crash of thrones and 
 the progress of so-called republicanism in Europe the 
 popular recollection of the wrongs we had endured from 
 Great Britain and the aid we had received from France, 
 all conspired to influence and embarrass his administra 
 tion. With a well-organized British army to encounter 
 with a divided country to defend, there having been 
 "more American Tories in the king s service than the 
 whole of the enlisted troops in the service of Congress"* 
 without money or credit, or any controlling govern 
 ment to supply his necessities, he had maintained his 
 army in the field by his personal influence, and secured, 
 by his prudence as much as by his valor, the independ 
 ence of the country. Great as were his difficulties dur 
 ing the war, he encountered and subdued more after the 
 organization of the government. In opposition to his 
 personal friends against public opinion in his own com 
 monwealth at the hazard of a total loss of popularity, 
 he maintained the neutrality of the republic between 
 France and England, and thus preserved the independ 
 ence he had won by the sword. His celebrated procla 
 mation of neutrality was the sublime of moral courage, 
 and may now be regarded as the greatest action of his 
 life. He stands like an isthmus in the bloody chart of 
 history, between despotism on one hand, and the licen 
 tiousness of liberty on the other. Rigid, even austere 
 in his public and personal virtue, he exacted every thing 
 for his country that justice demanded asked little for 
 himself and won more glory by self-denial than the 
 whole race of imperial conquerors by their triumphs and 
 usurpations ! 
 
 * Intercepted letter from Lord George Germain to Sir Henry 
 Clinton. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 21 
 
 It was thus that he impressed himself upon mankind 
 at a period when revolution achieved few results that 
 humanity could rejoice at. Thinking men every where 
 regarded him as a guarantee for order and stability, and 
 intellect and capital poured into the country. 
 
 Dr. Quitman, soon after his arrival, repaired to Phila 
 delphia to wait upon this illustrious chief magistrate. 
 lie was charmed with the dignity of his manners, and 
 the respect he manifested for the clergy.* Soon after 
 
 * Of this interview he left the following interesting memoran 
 dum : 
 
 "A servant in livery conducted me into the presence of President 
 Washington. He was alone, standing in the centre of the apartment. 
 His demeanor was truly royal. He was clothed in black velvet. His 
 bow was very stately and ccremonioxis. He invited me to be seated. 
 I waited respectfully until he took his chair. I waited until he should 
 choose to break the silence. He asked some questions about the 
 West Indies, but, finding that I was a Prussian subject, he passed im 
 mediately to my country, and seemed perfectly informed in regard to 
 our military history. lie put some questions to me about the subsist 
 ence and compensation of the soldiery, in answering which I fear I 
 betrayed my ignorance. He twice corrected me in the campaigns of 
 the great Frederick. He spoke of Alexander, Cffisar, Epaminondas, 
 Mnrlboi-ough, Charles XII., Turenne, Conde, Wallenstein, and the 
 great Frederick, but pronounced Hannibal the greatest general of 
 them all. On looking into the authorities, I find his information sur 
 prisingly accurate and minute. 
 
 "When he became silent I rose. He bowed low, but said nothing, 
 and I withdrew, bowing myself out. His manner was grave and re 
 served rather than haughty. The countenance in repose was medi 
 tative and sad. His conversation was not fluent or very striking, ex 
 cept for its common sense. There was that about him which I can 
 not forget. I can not define it, but I am constantly thinking of him, 
 and seem to be constrained by his presence. There is not so much 
 real grandeur on any throne in Europe. 
 
 "The day after I was honored Avith a note from his secretary, in 
 viting me to tea with the Lady Washington. I found only half a 
 dozen gentlemen and four ladies. The Lady Washington has been 
 handsome. Her manner is stately and dame-like, but cordial. She 
 placed me by her side, and often addressed me. The President said 
 but little, but offered me many civilities at table, and recommended 
 me to visit Virginia. Both of them manifested the utmost respect for 
 my ministry. The refreshment consisted of tea, toast, muffins, salted 
 herring, and Virginia ham, the two last from the President s estate 
 on the Potomac Ilivcr. At 10 o clock, after a glass of Madeira, the 
 guests withdrew." 
 
22 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE OF 
 
 this the doctor took charge of a Lutheran congregation 
 in Schoharie, New York, where he remained until 1798, 
 when he accepted a call to Rhinebeck, an ancient Dutch 
 village on the North River. Six years afterward Mrs. 
 Quitman died, leaving four sons and three daughters. 
 All the former are dead. Two daughters only survive. 
 They reside in Philadelphia. A brother of this lady, 
 Carl Hueck, a bold and adventurous man, in early life at 
 tached himself to the fortunes of Admiral Brion, of the 
 Columbian navy, and distinguished himself during the 
 War of Independence. He was promoted to a post-cap 
 taincy, and died a few years since in Venezuela. A sis 
 ter married Admiral De Verien, of the Dutch navy. 
 
 Two years after the death of his first wife the Rev. 
 Dr. Quitman married again. He maintained an exten 
 sive correspondence with a number of learned men in 
 Europe and the United States, among whom were Presi 
 dent Kirkland of Harvard University, and Dr. Channing 
 of Boston. Harvard conferred on him the degree of 
 D.D. When Mr. Edward Everett and Mr. J. Ticknor 
 were going to Europe, he provided them with letters to 
 the most eminent professors, At Gottingen, these Amer 
 ican students made so favorable an impression that Pro 
 fessor Eichhorn wrote a special letter of thanks to the doc 
 tor for the introduction of " such agreeable young bar 
 barians." His letters to his son show that he was a man 
 of scrupulous integrity, and uncompromising and austere 
 in his notions of virtue. In the Medical Repository, 
 conducted by the learned Samuel L. Mitchill, LL.D., 
 for 1811, there is a review of Dr. Quitman s work on 
 Magic.* He published, likewise, a series of sermons on 
 
 * From the Medical Repository . "In this enlightened ago and coun 
 try there are, even at this day, many traces of magical delusion. 
 Many persons will not permit themselves to be bled without consulting 
 the almanac to know whether the sign is favorable. The prohibition 
 
JOHN A. QTJITilAN. 23 
 
 the Reformation, which were highly spoken of. He pre 
 sided for many years over the general synods of the 
 Lutheran Church, and even when his physical and mental 
 powers rendered him incompetent, insisted on perform- 
 
 of palmistry, fortune-telling, and such like arts, by a special statute of 
 New York, is an acknowledgment of their prevalence and influence 
 on society. The strong belief in the witchcraft of the Poughkeepsic 
 girl, in the demoniacal music and dancing at Tarrytown, and in the 
 reputed enchantment which secures the treasures buried by Captain 
 Kidd, Blackboard, and other pirates, are proofs of the popular prone- 
 ness to superstition. To expose and eradicate these errors, the Rev. 
 FREDERICK H. QUITMAN, professor of divinity, President of the Lu 
 theran clergy, and minister of the Gospel at Rbinebeck, has written 
 a learned and sound treatise on magic, and the supposed intercourse 
 between spirits and men. He inculcates, substantially, the opinions 
 that appear in the writings of Eberhard and Ticdman on the same 
 subject. This curious tract comprehends the definition of magic as 
 the art of producing supernatural effects by spiritual agency ; the his 
 tory thereof as a propensity of the human mind prone to credulity, 
 and curiosity about the future ; the accounts extant about it from tho 
 Chaldeans, Persians, Egyptians, and Greeks, as also among the Jews 
 and early Christians. The connection of magic with physic is plain 
 ly stated, as well as its relations with the civil and theological systems 
 of the Middle Ages. The origin of the black art, and the leagues 
 with Beelzebub in the time of Charlemagne, are explained, and full 
 details of the Theurgists, Thcosophists, and Mystics, down to the days 
 of Cagliostro and Swedenbourg, Schroephcr, and Gussner. Having 
 traced the natural and literary history of magic thus far, Dr. Quitman 
 proceeds to inquire whether supernatural beings can possibly affect 
 men, or enable them to accomplish supernatural things; whether 
 there is any such intercourse between the natural and spiritual world, 
 and whether there arc any certain proofs of witchcraft, sorcery, or 
 magical enchantment. After a very analytical and able examination 
 of each of these propositions, he decides them severally in the nega 
 tive. This inquiry evinces a logical and perspicacious mind, highly 
 and carefully cultivated. It is worthy of special remark, that his ac 
 count of the Egyptian sorceries, of the Witch of Endor, and of Simon 
 Magus, are excellent pieces of medical as well as Biblical criti 
 cism." 
 
 We shall see, in the course of this narrative, the qualified faith 
 that the son of Dr. Quitman had in mysterious influences, or the 
 forces of nature. 
 
24 LIFE AND COKEESPOXDENCE OF 
 
 ing his pastoral duties. He died June 26th, 1852. His 
 remains repose at Rhinebeck, under a tomb erected by 
 his son, the subject of this memoir, who was in youth the 
 bright star in the family horizon, and in mature years its 
 comfort and support. 
 
JOHX A. QUITMAN. 25 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 John A. Quitman. His Boyhood. Conduct at School. Tutor at 
 Hartwick. Letter from Dr. Pohlman. Goes to Philadelphia. 
 Assistant Professor in Mount Airy College. Familiar Letters. 
 Resolves to remove to Ohio. The Great West. 
 
 JOHX ANTHONY, third son of the Rev. Dr. Frederick 
 Henry Quitman and Anna Elizabeth Hueck, was born at 
 Rhinebeck, September 1st, 1798. "In childhood," says 
 one who knew him then, " he exhibited a bold and self- 
 reliant, somewhat arbitrary temper, especially toward 
 those older than himself, and a disposition to question 
 any authority exercised over him, and to rebel against 
 any sort of restraint. Toward those younger than him 
 self, especially his sisters, he was gentle and forbearing. 
 He was an intelligent lad, always fond of books, and his 
 iiiuier early destined him for the ministry, and shaped 
 his studies to that end. Even in boyhood idleness was 
 no luxury to him. If not at his studies, he was always 
 at some athletic sport, or engaged with the knife and 
 yaw at some mechanical device, for which he showed 
 much aptitude. He was general lock-mender about the 
 house ; constructed the furniture of his own room ; and, 
 though not possessed of much talent for music, he fabri 
 cated a very respectable violin. He was fond of chess, 
 and from some hard wood cut his set of chessmen. I 
 never saw him unoccupied. He had a large collection of 
 birds, reptiles, and insects. ***** Although 
 of such active habits, he had been from childhood sub 
 ject to attacks of gloom and melancholy, that sometimes 
 lasted several days in succession. Though never morose, 
 
 VOL. I. B 
 
26 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 he preferred being alone on these occasions, and would 
 seclude himself. He was sensible of this infirmity, and 
 conquered it by reflection and strength of will." 
 
 In 1809 he was placed under the tuition of the Rev. 
 A. Wackerhagen (son-in-law of the second Mrs. Quit- 
 man), a German divine of great moral worth, residing 
 in Schoharie. This venerable gentleman, now eighty- 
 nine years of age, recently wrote as follows of his favor 
 ite pupil : 
 
 "During his two or three years sojourn under my 
 roof in Schoharie, his conduct was mild, gentle, and 
 courteous, obtaining for him the love of all. He applied 
 himself diligently to the classics, and paid laudable at 
 tention to the religious and moral instruction I connect 
 ed with his daily studies. He was then in his twelfth or 
 thirteenth year, and I do not remember a single instance 
 of improper conduct or disobedience on his part. When 
 he returned home I had the satisfaction to hear his fa 
 ther, who was a good grammarian, say he was well post 
 ed in Greek and Latin, and his morals very praiseworthy. 
 He afterward took a high stand in the academy of Hart- 
 wnck ; and, after completing the course of study there, 
 the trustees appointed him assistant tutor in the clas 
 sical department. His unexpected death, in a most 
 splendid present and prospective career, has left us deso 
 late and overwhelmed with grief. But, blessed be the 
 God of all consolation, for the Christian mourner an eter 
 nity is near at hand, when all tears shall be wiped away, 
 and a happy reunion will bring never-ending joys." 
 
 While at Mr. Wackerhagen s, John first exhibited the 
 military spirit that distinguished him in after life. A 
 recruiting officer of the United States army opened a 
 rendezvous in Schoharie, with whom he became quite a 
 pet. The lieutenant presented him a drum, fife, and pair 
 of colors, and John enlisted a corps of juveniles, which, 
 by regular drilling in imitation of their seniors, became 
 quite a respectable corps of soldiers. When the Ifeu- 
 tenant marched off his recruits at early dawn one morn- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAX. 27 
 
 ing, the Liliputians had disappeared. They had stolen 
 a inarch before day, and were found drawn up by the 
 road-side several miles from the village, to accompany 
 the command. With difficulty they were prevailed on 
 to return. 
 
 In 1812 he resumed his studies at home, under the im 
 mediate supervision of his father. He now began to 
 think for himself; and when he formed an opinion, as he 
 often did, at variance with his father or other members 
 of the family, he argued for it with great tenacity. The 
 venerable doctor was an advocate for strong government, 
 and a warm admirer of Alexander Hamilton. The son 
 early conceived very liberal notions, and soon disclosed 
 the side he leaned to. Their argument usually ended by 
 the old doctor exclaiming petulantly, "Pshaw! John, 
 you are a born Democrat 1 in those days, and from his 
 lips, any thing but a compliment. 
 
 During this period his hours of recreation were spent 
 in athletic exercises, in which it was his ambition to ex 
 cel. He was very fleet of foot, and had uncommon 
 strength of arm. He was an excellent hunter and trap 
 per, and, not caring to be dependent on his father, pro 
 vided his own ammunition, and, in some measure, his 
 wardrobe, by the produce of his expeditions. The skins 
 of his muskrats supplied him with pocket-money. 
 
 In 1816, his mind having rapidly developed under the 
 careful instruction of his father, he was invited to become 
 tutor at Hartwick Academy, Otsego county, N. Y., in 
 charge of the Rev. Ernst Lewis Hazelius, who subse 
 quently removed to Lexington Court-House, South Caro 
 lina, where he presided over a Southern theological institu 
 tion, and was still living and in correspondence with his 
 old pupil as late as 1850. Besides securing a small in 
 come, this appointment enabled the young tutor to pur 
 sue his studies for the ministry. 
 
28 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 A letter from the Rev. Henry N. Pohlman, D.D., of 
 Albany, N. Y., says : 
 
 " Of the little company that made the journey to Hart- 
 wick I am the only survivor John and Albert Quit- 
 man, Rudolph Sutermeister, Allen Sutermeister and my 
 self, and a colored servant of Dr. Quitman s for our char 
 ioteer.* A merrier party never took the road. We 
 started from Albany in October, 1816. I was in my 
 sixteenth year, and just about to commence my classical 
 studies. John, though but one year my senior, was al 
 ready a scholar, and occupied the responsible place of 
 assistant teacher in the academy. I became for a short 
 time his pupil, but was soon transferred to a higher class. 
 We became intimate companions. I never met with a 
 nobler character. He was the soul of honor, truthful 
 ness, and integrity ; and, though sustaining toward many 
 of the students the relation of tutor, always an invidious 
 one, especially when the tutor is the junior of many of 
 his pupils, he never failed to acquire their confidence and 
 love. I have before me a faded MS. in his handwriting, 
 which reminds me we were both very fond of the ladies, 
 and often gave more attention to them than to our books. 
 He fancied me seriously in love, and hence the follow 
 ing jeu d esprit: 
 
 "Tell me, Pohlman, now, by Jove, 
 
 Igo and ago, 
 Are you certainly in love ? 
 
 Irani coram dago. 
 Say you so ? then is it true ? 
 I sincerely pity you. 
 
 " Since you now confess it so, 
 I advise you straight to woo. 
 If you think accordingly, 
 With my form you may make free. 
 
 "Emma, mistress of my heart, 
 I am shot by Cupid s dart. 
 Can you guess, O nymph divine, 
 Where he made his treacherous shrine ? 
 
 " From your pretty eyes so blue, 
 Twang ! his little arrow flew. 
 
 * Slavery then existed in New York. Dr. Quitman owned several 
 slaves. 
 
jonx A. 
 
 Soon I felt the stinging pain, 
 Soon the god let fly again. 
 
 "(Ah! the little dcv lish elf. 
 Might he once but prick himself, 
 I ll be whipp d if, after that, 
 He d even shoot a tabby cat.) 
 
 "But, to close my tale too true, 
 I am deep in love with you ; 
 Happy, then, may Pohlman hear, 
 Sweetly fall these accents dear : 
 Henry, I confess to you, 
 
 Igo and ago, 
 I am shot as well as you, 
 
 Irani coram dago." 
 
 The village of Ilartwick is four miles south of Coop- 
 crstown, hard by where the Susquchanna leaves Otsego 
 Lake. In a letter to one of his brothers, June 28th, 1810, 
 he thus refers to it and his tutor-life : 
 
 To Ins Brother. 
 
 "This is a place of mountains, valleys, lakes, and woods. 
 The town sleeps in a low vale. From my window I see 
 the river gliding swiftly through the valley. It is deep 
 and narrow. Mountains before, behind, and on each 
 side fence us in from the inquisitive world. It freezes 
 here in June, and the sun rises and sets one hour later 
 than in Rhinebeck. I am sufficiently busy : I rise early, 
 and studyt ill nine. From that hour till 12 M., and in 
 the afternoon from 2 till 5, 1 hear one Greek, three Latin, 
 two English classes, and one class in arithmetic. The 
 greater part of the pupils are older than myself, and do 
 not like to be instructed by a youngster. They try very 
 hard to catch me by cross-questions ; but I have thus far 
 kept ahead of them, and hope I shall be able to continue 
 to do so." 
 
 On the 17th of October, 181 7, his father thus writes to 
 him : 
 
 From lus Father. 
 
 " The paternal advice I gave you, I hope, has deeply 
 sunk into your mind. You can not be too careful in 
 
30 LIFE AXD COKRESPOXDENCE OF 
 
 guarding your heart against such passions, which have a 
 tendency not only to destroy your health and peace of 
 mind, but to blast your future prospects. I know that 
 your natural ambition, and even the religious principles 
 you have imbibed, will prevent you from degrading your 
 self. The thought of a father who loves you affection 
 ately has great influence upon you, but we are all liable 
 to make a mistake in an unguarded moment. Prudence, 
 therefore, requires that we should avoid opportunities 
 and temptations. 
 
 " You seem discouraged at the deficiency of scholars. 
 The faculty should not despond. Constancy is no ingre 
 dient in the American character ; and, as loss of time is 
 considered a very little matter in this country, your 
 scholars may drop in by-and-by. 
 
 " Your letter is a little desponding. What reasons 
 can a young man have for melancholy, unless they be of 
 his own creation ? Occasional propensity to gloom seems 
 to be a family complaint; but this ought to~be counter 
 acted as early as possible. It renders man unhappy, and, 
 when strengthened by suspicion, miserable. Banish sor 
 row, Jolm,^and never brood over vain imaginations. 
 Have courage and fortitude. We must move forward 
 without being pushed." 
 
 In 1818 he accepted the appointment of adjunct-profes 
 sor of the English language at Mount Airy College, Ger- 
 
 mantown, Pa., an institution established by Mons. 
 
 Constant, and then very prosperous and popular. His 
 familiar letters to his family at that period show how 
 early he learned to rely upon himself, and how resolutely 
 he was bent on acquiring an independent and honorable 
 position in the world. 
 
 To his Father. 
 
 "Philadelphia, August 13th, 1818. 
 
 " I arrived here on Tuesday. Next day I went, in 
 company with Mr. Goodman, to Mount Airy, to see Mr. 
 Constant, president of the college. I found him a 
 Frenchman in every respect. The result of our conver 
 sation, however, was an agreement, on my part, to stay 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 31 
 
 a year with him as teacher in the English department 
 for 8350, besides boarding, lodging, washing, and fuel. 
 I anticipate, from the regulations of the establishment, 
 pretty tight times. I am not afraid, however, to engage 
 in any thing for a year. It will extend my knowledge of 
 the world, and give me some other good opportunities 
 of improvement." 
 
 To his Brother. 
 
 "Mount Airy, November 8th, 1818. 
 
 "My life here is very different from what it was at 
 Ilartwick. There I had my sleigh-rides, my skating, my 
 picnics, and evening parties ; here my occupation is 
 study, and my amusement is study ; nor do I regret it 
 much. I prefer my Spanish to any pleasure. I am use 
 fully employed ; but yet I recur with regret to the charm 
 ing female society I once enjoyed. It seems to be neces 
 sary to my happiness that I should have some sweet ob 
 ject for my affections to repose on. As I have none here, 
 I can only sigh for those I left behind me. Germantown 
 is famous for its scandal, not for its sociability. I have 
 been but once to Philadelphia. The interruption to my 
 studies prevents me from going." 
 
 On the 23d of November his father addressed to him 
 the following beautiful letter : 
 
 From Ids Father. 
 
 " It gave me great satisfaction, my dear son, to see, in 
 your last, that you are content with your present situa 
 tion. It is true, your task must be tedious on account 
 of its constant sameness, and the little mental employ 
 ment it affords; but Mungo Park found some heath 
 flo \vers even on the Desert of Sahara. The social dep 
 rivations of which you complain, in your letter to Hen 
 ry, may, perhaps, be remedied in time. And even if this 
 were not immediately the case, it is profitable to learn, 
 early how to dispense with our dearest enjoyments. I 
 am glad that yon employ a chief part of your time in 
 studying the Spanish language, and that you have found 
 in Don Merino an excellent friend and instructor. The 
 Castilian tongue deserves attention, not only on account 
 
32 LIFE AXD COEEESPOXDENCE OF 
 
 of its sublimity, but it is, in the present state of affairs of 
 our country and the important future, highly to be rec 
 ommended to young Americans who desire to make a 
 figure in the world.* 
 
 " I am happy to be informed that President Constant 
 speaks in terms of great approbation and esteem of you. 
 It is in the character of Southern nations not to be so stu 
 dious and persevering as the inhabitants of the North, and 
 on this account the north of Germany has produced more 
 learned works and men than all the Southern provinces 
 together."! 
 
 His next letter, to a brother, manifests the predilection 
 he early formed for the South, his cosmopolitan spirit, and 
 his punctuality even in pecuniary trifles. He touches 
 upon city manners, and sketches his associate professors. 
 
 To his Brother. 
 
 "Mount Airy, March 21st, 1819. 
 
 " Papa mentions that he has hopes of finding a situa 
 tion for you in Charleston. May it be so. I should be 
 particularly pleased to see you well settled there, as I 
 know the Carolinians readily foster and promote deserv 
 ing young men. We have a number from that state. 
 They are liberal, generous fellows, and charm me with 
 their manners. 
 
 "Philadelphia is, at present, a dull place for adven 
 tures, and it is no wonder. There are so many young 
 men who fancy that when they get off the pavements of 
 the city they are out of the world, and so many mer 
 chants live above their means ; the counting-houses are 
 overstocked, and failures occur every day. It is folly to 
 remain in these parts when there are such wide fields 
 open South and West, where much can be done with lit 
 tle money. As soon as Congress breaks up I intend to 
 
 * The venerable writer seems to have had a presentiment of the 
 future career of his son in Mexico, where his knowledge of the Span 
 ish language proved very useful to himself and to the public service. 
 
 f This is amusing. A critical comparison of literary history, and 
 of intellectual and military achievement the world over, would exactly 
 reverse the worthy doctor s position. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 33 
 
 write to Col. Brush,* and learn if I can have any encour 
 agement to go there, and if so, I will bid this place a long 
 adieu. Do not understand that I am discontented with 
 my situation ; on the contrary, I am every day more 
 pleased with it ; but I want something more than a mere 
 support, and my duties here leave me no time for my 
 self. I am engaged in my class-room six hours every 
 day ; besides this, on Fridays I keep studies, that is, I 
 rise at 5 A.M. and keep 70 boys at their books for one 
 hour, and then in the evening from 7 to 8. Every morn 
 ing (except Mondays) I am required to be on duty at 
 o clock, and I retire at 12 P.M. My leisure moments 
 are spent chiefly with the teachers. Mr. Haslam, the 
 classical teacher, is an English Unitarian minister, a sin 
 gular, wavering character, fond of nothing so much as 
 roast beef and plum-pudding, and withal a great gallant. 
 Mr. Kaumfout, teacher of mathematics, a lieutenant of 
 marines, is a military martinet in every respect. Mr. 
 Bulkley, my colleague, is a poor sheepish Yankee, afraid 
 of a fly, and the butt of all the others. Mr. Mareno, a 
 Spaniard, is a great politician, familiar with the diploma 
 cy of Europe. Lastly, Mr. Burquese, a Frenchman from 
 Bonaparte s army, a very odd genius. Of such a com 
 pound does this fraternity consist. They are all young 
 men, and have many wild schemes ; but, upon the whole, 
 they are very amiable, and desire to make my situation 
 agreeable. I wish you could be here one week to see 
 how I live. 
 
 " Papa has some money of mine in his hands. Tell 
 him he is welcome to the use of it till next fall. I wish 
 it was much more, that I might, in a measure, repay much 
 that he has done for me. I owe you a trifle on your seal, 
 which you can receive from papa." 
 
 He was now finally resolved to exchange the study of 
 divinity for law. For the sacred profession he felt per 
 suaded that he had no vocation, and to assume it merely 
 
 * Platt Brush, a prominent lawyer, and member of Congress from 
 the Chilicothc district, Ohio. Young Quitman, when a tutor at Hart- 
 wick, had met with him in the mail-coach, and had been recommend 
 ed by him to cast his lot in Ohio. 
 
 B 2 
 
34 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 for a livelihood was to do a thing degrading to the call 
 ing and to himself. This conscientiousness and self-ex 
 amination was a marked feature of his character through 
 life. On consulting his father he received the following 
 qualified assent : 
 
 From his Father. 
 
 " Rhinebeck, June 22d, 1819. 
 
 " The contents of your letter did not surprise me. I 
 had long anticipated them. You have arrived to years 
 of discretion, and ought to know what is for your own 
 good in the choice of your profession. I shall never 
 compel my children to enter upon any occupation against 
 their own inclination. I am no friend to the profession 
 Avhich you prefer, because I am too independent to flat 
 ter, or to court popularity by improper means, with a 
 view to be raised by the people to position, which in re 
 publics is too often the case. You have, however, my 
 consent and blessing to the step which you meditate to 
 take, under the full persuasion that you will never deviate 
 from the principles of rectitude and honor. I would, nev 
 ertheless, advise you to inform yourself perfectly respect 
 ing the character of the person who has promised to pat 
 ronize you, before you enter into any engagements, and 
 to be circumspect in the formation of them." 
 
 Soon after he received the following : 
 From lion. Platt Brush. 
 
 " In answer to yours, I will say, the services you can 
 render to my sons, who are numerous, though young, I 
 should consider almost a compensation for what your 
 circumstances require, and for the balance I will be re 
 sponsible. You shall have your profession and board for 
 the consideration of teaching a few lads during the time 
 you are studying in my office." 
 
 On the 1 8th of August following he wrote his last let 
 ter from Mount Airy : 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 35 
 
 To his Brother. 
 
 " Mount Airy, August 18th, 1819. 
 
 " This is probably the last time I shall write you from 
 this place. I have received a second letter from Mr. 
 Brush. He wishes me to be in Chilicothe in October. 
 Our term will end the last day of this month. I will pay 
 you a long visit at Rhinebeck, and start West in search 
 of fame and fortune. I anticipate much from my visit to 
 you ; tis a long time since I have been from home a 
 whole year. The next time I leave, it will be for a longer 
 time, perhaps forever ! 
 
 " Your caution to me concerning going to Ohio I have 
 reflected on. I generally look before I leap. I think 
 there is nothing more fatal to success than delay. Rath 
 er be a little rash sometimes, than suffer little circum 
 stances to rule you entirely. Nothing venture, nothing 
 gain, is an old, and, I think, a very good saying." 
 
 The month of September he spent with the family at 
 Rhinebeck. His parting with his venerable father was 
 tender in the extreme. The stern old divine shed tears 
 as freely as his boy, who, to the last hour of his life, and 
 on the battle-fields of Mexico, preserved, as a sort of 
 talisman, the written benediction of his father, given to 
 him on that occasion, with a lock of his hair : 
 
 " jtlay the God of power and wisdom preserve thee, 
 my son, sound in body and mind, and his benevolence 
 and favor accompany you through a long series of fu 
 ture years" 
 
 How literally and lavishly this prayer was vouchsafed, 
 will be seen in the course of this memoir. " The pray 
 ers of the righteous availeth much." 
 
 Arriving in Philadelphia early in October, he wrote on 
 the 19th 
 
 To his Brother. 
 
 "I have just bid farewell to Mount Airy. Mr. Con 
 stant has handed me a credential very flattering indeed. 
 Exchanging my funds into U. S. bank-notes has caused 
 
36 LIFE AND COKEESPOXDEXCE OF 
 
 me a great deal of trouble. My Connecticut note, like 
 sundry other wares from that state, turned out a counter 
 feit. Yesterday I went to the Pittsburg stage-office, and 
 found I should have to pay 17 cts. per pound for all bag 
 gage over 14 Ibs., and, as my trunk alone weighs 120 
 Ibs., I could not afford it. I went to the agent of a train 
 of transportation-wagons, and got a receipt for its de 
 livery in Pittsburg in 16 days. This will give me time 
 to cross the mountains on foot a mode of traveling I 
 do not shrink from, and which squares with the state of 
 my finances." 
 
 And thus, with his gun in hand and knapsack on his 
 back, he crossed the Alleghanies, and thenceforward 
 became identified with the West the GKEAT WEST! 
 There is magic in the name. " We can not fortify the 
 Atlantic Ocean. The utmost we can do is to become 
 formidable to the westicard" 
 
 This is one of the most striking sentiments ever ut 
 tered by an American statesman. It fell from the pro 
 phetic lips of Patrick Henry, in the Convention of Vir 
 ginia, assembled in 1778, to deliberate on the adoption 
 of the federal Constitution. It embraces, in a few words, 
 not only the creed of a great party, but the true solution 
 of our national progress. The influence of the senti 
 ment may be traced in all the important movements of 
 our government. Washington conceived it during his 
 solitary expedition to the Ohio, when he planned the 
 union of its waters with the Atlantic. It has been prac 
 tically carried out in every treaty made with the Indians. 
 Virginia and North Carolina had it in view when they 
 issued their military land-warrants at the close of the 
 Revolution, thus colonizing Kentucky, Tennessee, and 
 Ohio. The persevering negotiations of the federal au 
 thorities for the right to navigate the Mississippi, so long 
 claimed by Spain as an exclusive privilege, show that the 
 great maxim of Henry was never lost sight of. Mr. Jef- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 37 
 
 ferson had it in view when, by a master-stroke of di 
 plomacy, he wrested Louisiana from the miser gripe of 
 Napoleon. The great expedition of Lewis and Clarke 
 to the sources of the Missouri and the mouth of the Co 
 lumbia was part and parcel of the same policy. 
 
 The pre-emption system of Andrew Jackson a mark 
 ed and distinctive feature of the Democratic party, and 
 the most beneficent of its measures was framed upon 
 this injunction of the inspired orator to make ourselves 
 " formidable to the westward." It is the only true prin 
 ciple of successful colonization, and is peculiar to our 
 country. The immense land grants of Spain, the feudal 
 concessions of France, and the proprietary charters of 
 England, locked up whole territories, fostered monopo 
 lies, and were, in theory and practice, more or less de 
 fective. But the principle of subdividing the country 
 into small tracts, and then conceding the first choice to 
 the first occupant not rendering him a beneficiary and 
 dependent, but offering a just inducement for enterprise 
 and labor has achieved miracles in the progress of civ 
 ilization and empire. Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Michi 
 gan, the upper Territories, and the southwestern states 
 owe their unparalleled strides to opulence and population 
 more to this than to any other cause. The Democratic 
 party early perceived its abstract justice and salutary 
 operation, and steadily adhered to it, and now it has be 
 come the established policy of the nation. The pre 
 emption system, insignificant as the hut and clearing of 
 the settler may seem, practically realizes the fable of 
 Midas. It turns every thing into gold. It scatters roses 
 over the wilderness. It invites the cross-road school 
 master and the saddle-bags missionary. It has created 
 mighty states in the dim and dusky West. It stocked 
 them with men who were foremost in battle on the frozen 
 wastes of Canada, and who afterward, in the same spirit, 
 
38 LIFE AND COKKESPONDEXCE OP 
 
 crossed the Sabine, and planted with their hands and 
 baptized with their blood the star-gemmed banner of a 
 maiden republic ! 
 
 The graduation and reduction of the price of the pub 
 lic domain was the next great step to "make ourselves 
 formidable to the westward." Millions of acres, at the 
 old minimum, remained unsold. By the reduction every 
 man gets an interest in the soil. The endearments of 
 home cluster around the household, however humble, 
 and our citizens are bound by an allegiance of the heart 
 stronger than a thousand oaths. 
 
 Oregon, California, and the achievements of the war in 
 Mexico, are illustrations on a grand scale of Patrick 
 Henry s celebrated maxim, " Make ourselves formidable 
 to the westward" This is the great American motto. 
 It should be stamped on our national coinage. Amid 
 the strife and vicissitudes of party it should never be 
 forgotten. Under its inspiration splendid cities have 
 leaped up in the frowning wilderness. Great agricul 
 tural communities occupy the haunts of the nomadic 
 tribes. States have been created more powerful than 
 the world ever knew before, because they possess within 
 themselves all the resources of subsistence and internal 
 commerce, and are exempt from all possibility of inva 
 sion. 
 
 This vast empire of the West, stretching along the 
 Ohio, the Missouri, and the Mississippi, is, in this point 
 of view, an historical phenomenon. Its insulated posi 
 tion ; its vast distance from the sea, yet direct communi 
 cation therewith ; its magnificent hydrography of lakes 
 and rivers ; and its teeming and warlike population, re 
 duplicating every half century, guarantee it against at 
 tack ; and year after year, epoch after epoch, this process 
 of accumulation and development w T ill go on, unchecked 
 bv those vicissitudes to which most other communities 
 
JOHN A. QUIT5IAN. 39 
 
 arc exposed. War will probably never leave its red 
 footprints on the banks of the Ohio or Missouri. Whence 
 could the invader come ? The most numerous army that 
 any government in Europe could dispatch would perish 
 under the mere weight of the physical power that might 
 be concentrated against it. 
 
 The GREAT WEST is, indeed, the backbone of our 
 Union. It is the citadel of our national strength. If 
 the sea-board states be ever overrun and occupied by 
 the conquering armies of the Old World, in this vast in 
 terior and unapproachable empire we shall have retreat 
 and security. From the everlasting battlements of the 
 Alleghanies and the Rocky Mountains we may defy their 
 power, and send down living avalanches to expel them, 
 from our shores. 
 
 Make ourselves formidable to the westward! The re 
 markable expeditions of Fremont, and subsequent official 
 reconnoissances, opened new and inviting vistas into our 
 glorious future. The vast region previously mapped 
 down by geographers as a repulsive desert, has been as 
 certained to be, for the most part, adapted to agricul 
 tural purposes, and the finest pastoral region in the 
 world. The impenetrable mountains and interminable 
 wastes which, it was thought, interposed insurmount 
 able barriers to our union with the Pacific, have dwin 
 dled away before the wand of scientific and adventur 
 ous exploration. 
 
 " Look to the westward," said the Demosthenes of 
 Virginia. " Extend the area of freedom," said the dy 
 ing Jackson. " Warn the committee of public safety to 
 be on their guard," were the expiring words of Jeffer 
 son. The great statesman dreaded some attempt to cur 
 tail the system of self-government which we had put in 
 operation. Upon these maxims we have extended and 
 consolidated our national Union. Circumscribed com- 
 
40 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE*OF 
 
 munities have expanded into states. We have created 
 an impregnable centre of power and supply to fall back 
 upon in great emergencies. We have secured an im 
 mense interior empire, where art and science may pur 
 sue their labors and human nature reach the highest 
 point of improvement. IsTo insolent Goth shall tread 
 upon this soil, nor imperial conqueror enrich his capital 
 with our spoils. From this great laboratory will go 
 forth the torch-bearers in every department of human 
 learning and every avenue of useful industry. From 
 this point, too, will be commissioned the missionaries of 
 freedom to preach the lessons of free government to the 
 downtrodden and oppressed. Here LIBERTY shall find 
 its permanent home. The GKEAT WEST will be its per 
 petual resting-place. It may be extinguished in the 
 North by an insane fanaticism; it may perish in the 
 South from apathy and neglect in the enforcement of 
 great constitutional rights ; but in the mighty valley 
 of the Mississippi, under God s blessing, it will live for 
 ever ! 
 
JOHN A. QUmiAN. 41 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Keel-boating on the Ohio. Arrival at Chilicothe. Family Let 
 ters. Dr. Hosack of New York, or Young Physic and Old Physic. 
 Removes to the Village of Delaware. Ohio forty Years since. 
 Admitted to the Bar. Letter from Mrs. Griffith. Departs for 
 the South. 
 
 OF the young adventurer s voyage clown the Ohio 
 there remains an imperfect diary, from which the follow 
 ing is taken : 
 
 Extract from Diary. 
 
 "Nov. 2d, 1819. Reached Pittsburg at night, none 
 the worse for my. journey; enjoyed myself on the road, 
 and had some pleasant flirtations with the girls ; found 
 my baggage, or, as they say here, " plunder," all right ; 
 river very low. 
 
 "4th. Mr. Whiting (a young New Englander, on a 
 trading tour, who crossed the mountains with me) en 
 gaged a passage for us on a keel-boat ; we furnish our 
 own kit, and do our own cooking. 
 
 " 5th. Got off at 3 P.M. Passengers the wife* and 
 daughter of Judge Griffith, of Burlington, N. J. ; Mr. 
 Postlethewaite and daughter, of Lexington ; Dr. Young, 
 Whiting, and myself, and some 30 in the steerage. The 
 accommodations were very rough, but the ladies made it 
 agreeable. Miss G. played on the flageolet, I on the 
 flute. I felt like poor Goldsmith when, wandering over 
 Europe, he fluted for his supper. Our fowling-pieces 
 
 * This lady was the granddaughter of Elias Boudinot, LL.D., first 
 Superintendent of the United States Mint, and President of Princeton 
 College. Her husband was an eminent lawyer of New Jersey, and 
 afterward Clerk of the Supreme Court of the United States. This 
 casual meeting with Mrs. G. on a keel-boat, it will be seen, was the 
 pivot on which the young adventurer s fortunes turned. 
 
42 LIFE AND COKKESPOXDEXCE OF 
 
 supplied us with game; biscuit and jerked venison were 
 our stand-bys. Whiting and I messed together ; a couple 
 of blankets, furnished us a bed. At Wheeling, Mrs. and 
 Miss Griffith, charmed with our mess-table, became our 
 boarders. We laid in some tea and loaf-sugar for them, 
 and, to provide more game, we purchased a small canoe, 
 here called a dug-out, or man-drowner. 
 
 " 16th. Lay by at Point Pleasant, where Whiting and 
 I visited a Virginia break-down. Saw for the first time 
 what are termed steam-boats, snapping-turtles, and 
 half-horse half-alligators a formidable set of fellows, 
 truly ! 
 
 "18th. Made fast at night to the Kentucky shore. 
 Nine cheers went up for Old Kaintuck, and Whiting 
 and I had to treat to red-eye, or rot-gut, as whisky is 
 here called. They had made us do the same thing when 
 we first tied to the Virginia shore. 
 
 "On the 19th we landed at Portsmouth, Ohio, the 
 nearest port to my place of destination. The captain, in 
 compliment to me, lay there all the afternoon. The cab 
 in passengers determined to spend the evening together 
 at a hotel. We had a pleasant supper, and took a kind 
 leave of each other. That night, when I saw the keel 
 swing off, and looked around in vain for a familiar face, 
 I indeed felt alone in the world. Next day, when pre 
 paring to set out afoot for Chilicothe, I fell in with a 
 man who wished to send a horse there. Showing him. 
 my papers, he intrusted him to me ; and I set out with 
 a light heart, cheered by this piece of good luck. It saved 
 me a long tramp. Deer were so numerous on the way, 
 I shot one with my pistol near Piketown, and with it 
 paid for my lodging and entertainment. On the 22d, at 
 4 P.M., I dismounted at an inn in Chilicothe, and sung out 
 to the astonished hostler, Hie labor extremis, hie meta 
 longarum viarum. Col. Brush gave me a cordial wel 
 come. Our agreement is that I am to board in his fam 
 ily fuel, washing, and lights and have instruction in his 
 office, for which I am to teach him Spanish and his sons 
 the classics. 
 
 "30th. I have joined a society, composed chiefly of 
 young lawyers (here called Gougers ), of which Edward 
 King, son of the great Rufus, of New York, is president." 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 43 
 
 This diary was sent to liis brother William, a young 
 physician, recently settled in New York. His reply, 
 rather tart upon the celebrated Dr. Ilosack, will be read 
 with interest : 
 
 From his Brother. 
 
 "I parted from you on the Battery, dear John, with 
 sad forebodings for myself, but none for you. You will 
 succeed. Your energy of character warrants your suc 
 cess. Want of energy is my infirmity.* In every part 
 of your journey, save the tour on foot, I should like to 
 have been your compaynon du voyage. I could stand 
 your flirtations, the lazy sweep of your boat, and even 
 your concerts. I could fight your snapping-turtles, shoot 
 turkeys, eat your grub, and share your blanket, but I can t 
 walk. I am glad you are at your profession. Although 
 the business of a, mere scrivener must be irksome to a 
 man of busy intellect, the study of the principles of juris 
 prudence is exceedingly interesting, and comprehends all 
 that is sublime in philosophy and ethics. I have read 
 with profound interest the works of Grotius, Puifendorf, 
 and Yattel, Erasmus and Machiavelli, but statutes and 
 reports drove me from the profession. The realities of 
 life, however, require us often to tread an arid track. 
 You may be called from your sage meditations on the 
 social compact to write a deed transferring a dirty acre 
 from Dick to Tom, while I may be summoned from the 
 most intricate investigations of nature by the belly-ache 
 of an infant or the hysterics of an old lady. On these 
 things depend our subsistence, and scholars and sages 
 would get along poorly without them. I am doing quite 
 well for a new-comer. At a late meeting of the faculty, 
 I was appointed secretary and committee-man, notwith 
 standing the inveterate opposition of my old boss, Dr. 
 Hosack, who vainly exerted his influence to defeat my 
 election to the Medical Society of the city. He at first 
 
 * Too true. This young man, the most brilliant and fascinating 
 of his family, gradually sunk into indolence, gave way to the hered 
 itary gloom, and died prematurely; while his brother John, with an 
 intellect substantial but not showy, owed his success mainly to untir 
 ing effort and systematic industry. "Perseverance" was his motto 
 through life. 
 
44 LIFE ASTD COEEESPOXDEXCE OF 
 
 wished me to come into all his views as to the college. 
 Feeling no inclinations to be one of his subalterns to be 
 come his pet, I bolted. He treated me with neglect; I 
 avenged myself by ridiculing his theory of yellow fever. 
 He aimed several shots at me in his lectures ; I retorted 
 in essays before the Medico-chirurgical Society. He 
 warned his pupils against a certain young physician, who, 
 from ignorance and self-sufficiency, disputed the estab 
 lished dogmas ; I warned them against a distinguished 
 F. R. S. \vhose classic lore was derived from the transla 
 tions of his students, whose literary honors had been pur 
 chased with money, and whose popularity and influence 
 might be traced to a superb table and a well-filled cellar. 
 At 9 A.M. he lectured on the indespensability of nosolog- 
 ical arrangement in the practice of medicine ; at 9 P.M. 
 I proclaimed to the society that nosology was nonsense, 
 and put me in mind of the burlesque examination in Mo- 
 liere s Malade Imaginaire. So the squabbles of the pill 
 boxes at present stand." 
 
 In reply, he writes from Chilicothe, March 29, 1820 : 
 
 To his Brother. 
 
 " Had I not been too much interested in the success 
 of one of the champions, I would have been amused by 
 your relation of the tournament of the pill-boxes. Per 
 mit me to send you a caveat, as we lawyers term it. 
 Your entering into a contest with a man so powerful is 
 like provoking the great beast of the ancient Sophists. 
 You rouse him to your certain destruction. You will, 
 perhaps, laugh at my nice calculations, or suspect me of 
 having turned Democrat ; but a diffidence in my own 
 abilities, a conscious want of talents, have given me a 
 kind of cold prudence which I did not possess by nature 
 more than yourself. A letter received from brother 
 Henry mentions, with much satisfaction, the news the 
 family receive of you. May your endeavors be crowned 
 with success. Had I your gifts I would engage that, in 
 two years, you would have a governor for your brother, 
 and, most probably, in twenty years a supreme judge or 
 a president. 
 
 " I was made free as Caesar ; so were you. Thanks to 
 
JOHN A. QUTTMAN. 45 
 
 the patriots of the Revolution, they have left us the fee 
 simple of liberty, an incorporeal hereditament only, but 
 one I would not exchange for a silver mine, for it leaves our 
 opinion free, and our ambition uncontrolled. In a former 
 letter I referred to my situation here, but perhaps it will 
 be gratifying to you to hear something more. Virgil 
 says that Fame stalks on the earth, and rears its head 
 among the clouds. I do not believe the monster is so 
 bulky as he represents, or that such is its method of con 
 veying rumor. In my opinion, it travels in the leather 
 sack that holds the mail. At all events, I have no reason 
 to think that my fame will reach you unless I transmit 
 it myself. I rise early, and go to bed late. The greater 
 part of my time is spent in close application to law-books. 
 Sometimes I indulge in a walk before sunrise on the 
 banks of the Sciota, and think of the friends I have left 
 on the Hudson, and the many girls I have loved. Some 
 times with my gun I ramble through the primitive forest 
 that flanks the town on the northwest. I visit the ancient 
 tumuli that abound here, and, fancy free, meditate on 
 the mysterious past. Occasionally not as often as I 
 wish, and as a luxury almost too great for a poor student 
 I spend an evening with the belles of Chilicothe. 
 They are social and agreeable. Thus, as it respects my 
 self, I am free from care ; and, could I but know that my 
 brothers were all in some good business, I think I should 
 be content with the fate Providence has awarded me. I 
 have made several attempts to get a situation for Henry, 
 but so far have failed. 
 
 " When I compare myself with some others here, I 
 think I can become a good lawyer, at least, if not an ad 
 vocate. Should I fail, I will find something else to do. 
 Nature has endowed me with some physical force, to 
 supply the deficiency of mental power. I think I would 
 make a good soldier, or a fur trader in the Rocky Mount 
 ains. What think you ? If I can not trap clients, I 
 know, from experience, that I have a genius for trapping 
 musk-rats. Besides, they consider me here a crack shot 
 with a rifle. But enough of my qualifications, or I fear 
 you will fancy I have wrested the trump from the hand 
 of Fame to sound my own praise." 
 
46 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 To his Brother. 
 
 "Chilicothe, May 1st, 1820. 
 
 "For two weeks I have been in attendance at the 
 Court of Common Pleas of this county, and, with open 
 eyes and ears, have drawn a good deal of information 
 from the bench and bar ; besides, Mr. Brush gives me 
 the credit of having suggested some very pertinent hints 
 to him in conducting his cases. I must mention one in 
 dictment made by the grand jury. John Armstrong, 
 blacksmith, and Warren Johnson, Indian doctor, were in 
 dicted for maliciously, feloniously, and unlawfully making 
 an assault and battery on Platt Brush and John A. Quit- 
 man at the corner of Main Street and Bank Alley. They 
 plead guilty, and were fined accordingly. I was subpe- 
 naed as a witness in behalf of the state. I stated the fact 
 to the court that, from our office window, I had seen 
 those two men fall on Mr. Brush. I ran to his assistance, 
 and they both turned upon me. After an affray of some 
 ten minutes they cried, lustily, Enough ! enough! I 
 got, however, a black eye in the conflict. I was sorry 
 that the prosecuting attorney noticed the affair at all, and 
 that the poor fellows should be fined after having been 
 soundly thrashed. They are very strict here as to of 
 fenses against the state, and, indeed, it is necessary to 
 keep the savages in order. A lawyer s vocation in Ohio 
 is very laborious. He is obliged to attend the various 
 courts in five or six counties, on a circuit of some 250 
 miles. The accommodations are exceedingly rough ; the 
 inns are often mere shanties, crowded and filthy ; the fare 
 coarse ; two, and even three, lodging in a bed infested 
 with vermin. By the way, no one seems to notice these 
 pests. They seem to be thoroughly domesticated, and 
 regarded in the light of friends and fellow-citizens. The 
 court-houses on circuit often have no fire-places or stoves, 
 and the farmers have a strange habit of leaving their 
 dwellings unfinished. For years they will live in a house 
 with only half a chimney, and with no shutters to doors 
 or Avindows, a bit of blanket being stuck up to exclude 
 the wind. 
 
 " I have a notion of going to Natchez after I shall 
 have finished my studies, unless I meet with good luck 
 here, such as a partnership with my boss or some other 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 47 
 
 respectable lawyer. A young man who enters on the 
 great theatre of life with no more means than his head 
 and hands supply, with no recommendation but an hon 
 est heart and good principles, must expect to meet witli 
 many obstacles in working out his career. The despond 
 ency he feels in leaving, far away, the chosen few whom 
 he loves is but the beginning of sorrow and care. It re 
 quires all the energy of the soul, and constant, active em 
 ployment to sustain his spirits, particularly if he meets, 
 as often he will, with neglect, disappointment, and in 
 gratitude. Although I have been specially favored, have 
 met with encouragement, and been received with a wel 
 come into the most respectable society wherever I have 
 lived, still I often wonder at the wild ambition that in 
 duced me to wander so far from home to prefer honor 
 to happiness, and trouble to ease and obscurity. 
 
 " I am glad to hear you are all well and happy, but I 
 wish you were, somehow or other, comfortably settled. 
 I have applied several times at the public offices here to 
 find a vacant clerkship or so, but there are none. I will 
 keep a bright look-out for you all. To have even one of 
 you settled near me, would add much to my happiness. 
 
 "You remember the seal I purchased of you for $G. I 
 have just sold it and the key for $13, and an elegant pair 
 of gloves thrown in. I have exchanged my pistols for 
 Cruise s Digest, a set of invaluable books. 
 
 "Wheat brings here only 37^ cents per bushel, corn 
 20 to 25 cents, and other produce cheap in proportion. 
 In the villages board and lodging may be had at $1 to 
 $1 50 per w^ek." 
 
 From his Father. 
 
 "May 20th, 1820. 
 
 " Thank you, dear John, for your kind inquiries. 
 Thanks to God, I now feel a little stronger, and look for 
 ward hopefully to warm weather. I am growing old, 
 and my time will probably not be long. Sixty-three 
 years has been the common climax of the life of my an 
 cestors. I am ready whenever it pleases Providence. 
 There has been and is great political excitement here. 
 Last Wednesday there was a great festival, music and 
 cannon, in honor of Clinton s election. The same is to 
 be repeated on Saturday at the Flats. What fools are 
 
48 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 men to suffer themselves to be ridden by priests and gull 
 ed by demagogues ! A very evil demon appears to pre 
 vail at present every where among the deluded inhabit 
 ants of this world." 
 
 To his brother William. 
 
 "Chilicothe, June 24th, 1820. 
 
 " Yesterday, on my return from a grand wolf and deer 
 hunt, I received your long-expected letter. My anxiety 
 to hear from you had been increased by letters from 
 home complaining of your silence. Your illness, and de 
 sire not to give uneasiness to any of us, now accounts for 
 the negligence of which I had accused you. It appears 
 to me, dear brother, that, for so young a man, you have 
 received your share of the blows of adversity, and yet 
 you can not blame Fortune. Genius smiled on your 
 birth, and Education assisted your expanding faculties. 
 True, neither of these can shield us from sickness, but, 
 prudently managed, they will keep poverty and care at 
 arm s length. I know you are not so womanish as to re 
 quire the sympathy of others, yet I shall ever share in 
 your joys and sorrows. I approve much of your desire 
 to get a surgeon s place in the navy. My friend, Col. 
 Brush, has influence at Washington, and is intimate with 
 the secretary. He has promised to write immediately, 
 and I will see that he does it. You must not, however, 
 in the least, abate your exertions in rallying influence 
 from every quarter. That of Col. Brush, as he only 
 knows you through the partiality of a brother, will, of 
 course, be defective, and must not be your dependence. 
 Write at once, personally, to the secretary, and transmit 
 all the recommendations you can get. In such a case, 
 the letter of Col. Brush, coming from this distant and 
 unexpected quarter, will be like a flank attack, and be 
 sensibly felt. Dispatch your part of the business quick 
 ly, for Col. Brush s letter will be on the way by the 27th. 
 A brother of Col. B. has received the appointment of 
 U. S. register for the sale of public lands at Delaware, 
 seventy miles north of this a new district, extending 
 up to Lake Erie. He offers me a clerkship, and ample 
 time to continue my professional reading. I will go. I 
 must get away from the fascinating charms of female so- 
 
JOHN A. QU1TMAN. 49 
 
 ciety. My natural inclinations waft mo too near the 
 rocks of the sirens. A student must separate himself 
 from the world, hard as the task may be." 
 
 To his Sister. 
 
 " Chilicothc, June 26th, 1820. 
 
 " I am nor, my dear sister, so deeply engaged in study, 
 nor so much absorbed with my amusements, as to neglect 
 for a moment your affectionate letter. I know well 
 enough that you and Eli/a constantly think of me, yet it 
 is flattering to one s self-love to have actual assurances, 
 when we feel that they are sincere. This is specially the 
 case when we arc among strangers, far from the family 
 hearth, and not in such circumstances as secure the at 
 tention of a selfish world, which seldom bestows favors 
 unless there be a prospect of some return. It would, 
 however, be ingratitude to Providence in me to com 
 plain in this respect. Wherever I have sojourned I have 
 found warm friends, and, without the aid of talents or 
 fortune, have made my way in society. In Cooperstown 
 I might ascribe this to my father s name; in Philadelphia 
 to family friends ; but in Ohio I have beaten my own 
 path. I started from home with but one hundred dol 
 lars. I traveled one thousand miles, sometimes on foot, 
 but as a gentleman. I dress as well as any young man 
 in town. I have attended the balls and parties ; I have 
 not gambled. I owe no man a cent, and I have fifty dol 
 lars in my pocket; and, what is better, some prospect of 
 adding a little to it. I shall leave Chilicothe on the 15th 
 of next month, and during the interval will seek the en 
 joyment of society here. The fashionable circle consists 
 of about twenty families. As much etiquette prevails as 
 I observed in Philadelphia, and the same hours for calls 
 and receptions. The ladies are gay, dressy, sociable, and 
 well-informed. There is quite a circle of distinguished 
 gentlemen, with whom Mr.Ashe, the Englishman, in his 
 recent book of travels, says he dined ; but they all agree 
 that they never knew Mr.Ashe. 
 
 " Speaking of facetious travelers, I must not omit to 
 say that the famous Capt. Kiley, of Arab captivity and 
 shipwrecked celebrity, resides here, and continues to re 
 late some wonderful exploits. 
 
 VOL. L C 
 
50 LIFE AND COEEESPOXDENCE OF 
 
 " I have transmitted letters to William to promote his 
 views. Col. Brush has written warmly to the secretary 
 of the navy. To see my brothers well settled, my sis 
 ters happy, would remove every care from my heart. 
 As for myself, I have no apprehensions. I can get along 
 without any assistance but the smile of Heaven, and that 
 I will try to deserve. My sanguine fancy anticipates the 
 time when I shall have the happiness of affording an asy 
 lum to those of my beloved family who may require it. 
 If Fortune rewards those who deserve her favors, this 
 will never be necessary. 
 
 " Delaware, where my new residence is to be, is a very 
 small village, but in a few years, such is the progress of 
 population here, the land-office will probably be removed 
 to Sandusky, on Lake Erie, and then, if the grand canal 
 be completed, I can often drop in to see you. Tell Hen 
 ry I will try and get him a situation in this country. 
 Ask him how he looulcl like a captains commission in 
 the patriot army of Texas. Tell Walter to push on 
 with his Latin and Greek, and be prepared in two years 
 to enter my office. 
 
 "Excuse this hurried letter. I am fatigued, having 
 been diving all day in the river to recover the body of a 
 poor boy who was drowned yesterday." 
 
 To his Brother. 
 
 "Delaware, Ohio, August 16th, 1820. 
 
 "I fear you only think of me, dear brother, on a rainy 
 day, when there is no business, no amusement, no com 
 pany to occupy your mind. It is not thus with me. In 
 the mild summer evenings, when all nature is tranquil, 
 in my solitary walks I love to think of home and its en 
 dearments. Every clear day, every fine prospect, every 
 glimpse of comfort reminds me of them. My feelings 
 are not akin to home-sickness. That boyish disease has 
 ceased to affect me. I came here from choice to better 
 my situation, and from choice I remain here. My theory 
 of life is, let every man follow up good fortune, whether 
 it leads him to the thronged city or the lonely wilder 
 ness. Happiness and friends may be found every where. 
 I acknowledge the force of your arguments against a 
 frequent change of residence, yet these changes often 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 51 
 
 become necessary. I was much attached to Chilicothe, 
 and had reason to be so. The attention and hospitality 
 I there received, and the friendships contracted, were 
 more than I had a right to expect from my humble cir 
 cumstances and pretensions, and had I been admitted to 
 the bar I should have remained there. As it is, however, 
 perhaps it is better for me. 
 
 "This village is on the very edge of white population, 
 in the district purchased from the Indians a few years 
 since. This purchase embraces about eight thousand 
 square miles. It has been divided into two land-districts, 
 of one of which (the eastern) Mr. Brush is register. It 
 extends fifty miles on the base line, and thus up to Mich 
 igan and Lake Erie, including Sandusky River and a great 
 part of the Miami of the Lakes. This vast tract will be 
 offered for sale, in eighty-acre tracts, to the highest bid 
 der, and, if not sold, may be entered at $1 25 per acre. 
 The lands are of the finest quality, the greater part of 
 them plains, with here and there copses of trees in them, 
 like islands in the ocean. Corn, wheat, and grass attain 
 a luxuriance almost fabulous to relate. These noble 
 plains often sweep beyond the range of the eye; here a 
 long tongue or peninsula of timber projecting into them 
 in graceful curves, there clumps of trees clustered togeth 
 er or standing at graceful intervals, without underwood, 
 as though planted and nurtured by the hand of art. The 
 timber consists chiefly of oak, hickory, and black walnut. 
 If your present prospects are not satisfactory, and you 
 like a former s life, try and get $400, and buy 320 acres 
 on Sandusky River. You can make a fortune by raising 
 stock and corn. , If you can get no money, I have an 
 other scheme. The sixteenth section in every township 
 is set apart for schools. It may be leased for thirty-three 
 years, at seven per cent, upon the valuation of the im 
 proved land. After the expiration of this term, the les 
 see may take two more leases on the same terms, and 
 then sell improvements for their apprized Value." 
 
 To Frederick R. Backus. 
 
 "Delaware, September 18th, 1820. 
 
 "I will stake everything on the rapid progress of this 
 region. Fort Croghan is the place from which the scin- 
 
52 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 tillations of my genius shall, at some future day, dazzle 
 the aborigines of Ohio. Your moneyed men in Philadel 
 phia would make the best speculation in the world by 
 purchasing lands here. This village has now about fifty 
 well-built houses. In the vicinity is a mineral spring 
 (called a "lick"), where, not many years ago, thousands 
 of buffaloes resorted. The woods now abound with 
 deer, wolves, and turkeys, the streams with geese and 
 ducks. 
 
 u I am not yet licensed, but I have made several 
 speeches in court in criminal cases, and gained some rep 
 utation. They think me a clever fellow and a good Jie- 
 piiblican, because I turn out to musters and wear a straw 
 hat cocked up behind ! I write a little, too, for the Del 
 aware Gazette. Thus my time passes. Though remote 
 from my relatives, I am not unfriended by the world. 
 Tis true, I taste not the delights of society or the ex 
 quisite pleasures of love, yet I hope I do not live in vain. 
 With good luck, the time will come when I shall reap 
 the reward of my labor. I left Chilicothe with great re 
 gret, nor did I know my attachment for it until I was 
 about to leave it. The hospitality and kindness I re 
 ceived there will ever be gratefully remembered." 
 
 "Delaware, November 12th, 1820. 
 
 "DEAR FATHER, While the snow-storm is howling 
 without, and nobody within the office to disturb my re 
 flections, I think that an hour can not be better appro 
 priated than in writing to you. I would have done it 
 sooner, I would do it oftener, if I did not know that you 
 regularly hear from me through my letters to the fam 
 ily. Do not think it is negligence, decay of affection, or 
 indolence that influences me. I have feared that you 
 would suppose my incessant engagements in the land- 
 office, the study of law, the novelty of my associations, 
 or speculations on the sources of wealth, had blunted the 
 home feelings of my nature. Conscious of an unabated, 
 nay, growing affection for you all, I desire, nevertheless, 
 not to appear an unobservant traveler on the road of 
 life. At this distance, and in a new country, I wish my 
 letters to contain something more than reiterated assur 
 ances of esteem and love. 
 
JOIIX A. QUmiAN. 53 
 
 " Brother Albert, I perceive, is still disposed to try his 
 fortune at sea. If lie has fixed his mind upon it and sees 
 no better prospects, I would second his wishes as soon 
 as possible. lie has studied no profession, and is there 
 fore right dn choosing some occupation in which he may 
 gain an honest livelihood. lie should remember, how 
 ever, that the only path to promotion in that pursuit is 
 the knowledge of mathematics, navigation, and geogra 
 phy. Your influence, and the many favors you have ren 
 dered to men now flourishing in the world, should en 
 able you to procure situations for both Henry and Albert. 
 Are you repaid with the proverbial ingratitude of pros 
 perity ? 
 
 " Col. Brush tells me that, of the many men whom his 
 father assisted in better days, but one has ever befriend 
 ed him. With the exception of this gentleman, my for 
 tune has been the same. From strangers to me and to 
 my family, I have received the most attention. I trust, 
 however, this will never be used as an argument on which 
 to predicate doctrines opposed to benevolence. I am 
 grateful for the interest Mr. Wackerhagen takes in my 
 welfare.* I know not whether to say I feel most grati* 
 tnde for his solicitude at the present day, or for the care 
 and attention he bestowed on my early years. I know 
 not a man in the world whom I esteem more, and I am 
 happy that the old age of my father is blessed with the 
 society of such a friend. 
 
 " The climate of this country is very unsteady. Two 
 days ago we had warm smoky weather ; now the ground 
 is covered with snow. A\ r e arc in the latitude of the 
 city of Xew York. Owing, I suppose, to the excessive 
 drought, the lowness of the waters, and the tranquillity 
 of the atmosphere, the autumn has been very unhealthy. 
 A low, nervous, or typhoid fever, prevailed all over the 
 West, frequently fatal. I have lost three of the first 
 friends I made in Ohio, all young men in the bloom of 
 life. One died in Xew Orleans^one in this place, and 
 one, Mr. Grier, a young lawyer, at Kingston, in your vi 
 cinity, several months after he left Chilicothe. 
 
 * His first instructor, with whom he resided some years at Scho- 
 haric. 
 
54 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 " When I consider, however, how the majority of the 
 working classes here live, I do not wonder at their sick 
 ness. A Dutchess County fanner would consider it cer 
 tain death to spend twenty-four hours as they do whole 
 years here. With prudence and temperance, I consider 
 this climate as healthy as any. 
 
 " I have now been in this state a year. Twelve months 
 more of hard study, and I will be prepared for admission 
 to the bar. What measure of success I may have, I 
 know not. The pressure of the times, and the scarcity 
 of money, will not permit me to flatter myself with bril 
 liant prospects. Yet I trust I have a sufficient store of 
 energy and perseverance to overcome all difficulties. I 
 will spare no pains to perfect myself in my profession, 
 and to deserve the confidence of my clients, and leave the 
 rest to Providence." 
 
 "Delaware, Dec. 10th, 1820. 
 
 "MY DEAR BROTHER, Your last letter did indeed 
 surprise me. Poor Albert is really, at this moment, plow 
 ing the southern seas. May Heaven smile upon him ! 
 May "the angel that sits up aloft" guard the life of 
 " poor Jack !" Most heartily do I pray with you, that 
 " he may return a good sailor and a prosperous man." 
 In every letter that I received from him, I could see his 
 desire daily increase to tempt the boisterous billows. I 
 am pleased that he has found so good an opportunity to 
 test this darling inclination. I know not how it is, now 
 more than ever affection for the beloved playmate of 
 my childhood glows in my heart, and brings apprehen 
 sion and shadows along with it. Many past scenes re 
 vive in my memory. I fancy that I see the little fellow 
 trotting behind us, when AVC went gunning, with a game- 
 bag upon his shoulder, or, at my side, going to look at 
 the musk-rat traps in the morning, or tugging at the oar 
 in Otsego Lake, until the big drops rolled down his 
 cheeks. When you sailed for the West Indies, my feel 
 ings were somewhat the same, yet I had greater confi 
 dence in your experience. You had tried the world be 
 fore, and learned to take care of yourself. Besides, you 
 were going among friends, whose sympathy and assist 
 ance would cheer and comfort you. I doubt not, how- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 55 
 
 ever, that Ap s conduct and noble disposition will soon 
 make all his comrades his friends. When I consider, too, 
 that we must all, sooner or later, act for ourselves in the 
 world, I am well satisfied with this enterprise of his. 
 Like myself, he has little to lose, and every thing to gain. 
 Providence has thought fit to leave the making of our 
 fortunes to ourselves. It is, therefore, necessary that we 
 should make some boldpush, and, if we are disappointed, 
 whistle it off and try it again. A few years ago, one 
 roof sheltered all our family ; now we are scattered as 
 though the winds had done it. 
 
 "Give me all the news you get of the vessel in which 
 our brother Albert sailed. Ship news never penetrates 
 this deep interior. 
 
 " I am very busy here. Mr. Brush is mostly absent 
 on circuit; the duties of the land-office fall upon me, and 
 my studies consume all my leisure. I have just returned 
 from a trip to Portland on Sandusky Bay, 100 miles from 
 this place. I have now traversed the whole length of 
 the state from north to south, and for the quality of the 
 soil, the size of the timber, the luxuriance of vegetation, 
 in short, for every feature that constitutes a rich farming 
 country, it is not to be surpassed. As I rode over the 
 undulating plains, the islands of timber, the trooping 
 deer, the prairie-fowl, the wild flowers that gemmed the 
 path, the serene and cloudless sky, made an enchanting 
 scene. The trees stood so artistically here and there 
 the curling smoke of the Indian hunter wreathing around 
 their heads that I almost looked for the mansion they 
 were destined to adorn. All these are United States 
 lands. The method of purchasing, or entering them, is 
 thus : they are surveyed and offered for sale by procla 
 mation of the President to the highest bidder. If not 
 sold, the applicant comes to the office, examines the map 
 of survey on which all the lands are numbered, makes 
 his selection, pays $1 25 per acre to the receiver, and 
 gets two receipts one of these he delivers to us (the 
 register), the other he keeps. These receipts are record 
 ed, and at the end of every month we transmit them to 
 the General Land-office at Washington, and receive, in 
 due time, patents, signed by the President, to be deliv 
 ered to the purchaser. 
 
56 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 "You ask what farmers here do with their produce. 
 In this part of the state, as yet, there is no regular mark 
 et. Grain is usually converted into flour, whisky, or 
 stock, and sent to New Orleans, Detroit, or Canada. 
 The current price of pork is $2 50 per cwt. ; wheat 40 
 cents per bushel ; corn 25 cents : but they will not com 
 mand cash even at these prices. A farmer here can 
 raise twenty hogs with no more cost than a Dutchess 
 County farmer incurs for one. In this section, and in 
 these times, agriculture is not a short road to wealth ; 
 but if it can any where make a man independent, it will 
 in this district. After the grand New York Canal shall 
 be opened, the produce of this section will seek that 
 market, and the rise of property will be rapid. If a man 
 has plenty of money, he can not do better than by invest 
 ing it in lands here and waiting for their appreciation ; 
 and the small farmers of your state would do well to 
 sell out and remove hither. If one goes in for comfort 
 altogether this is not the country to find it. This is not 
 the place for a wealthy man to enjoy life; it is too 
 democratic. 
 
 " I rather hope, dear brother, you may be able to get 
 some good situation near home. We should not all 
 desert papa in his old age. 
 
 "I have just received a ticket to a New Year s ball. 
 This reminds me of the day. May you all spend it hap 
 pily, and I will drink a glass to him that s on the sea. " 
 
 To his Brother. 
 
 "Delaware, February 23d, 1821. 
 
 "Rhinebeck, you tell me, dear brother, is the same 
 quiet place as formerly. Its tranquil shades suit the se 
 renity of age, and I trust our father s years may be 
 peaceful and undisturbed. I trust you have all learned 
 to seek for happiness where alone it is to be found in 
 your own bosoms. Those who depend upon extraneous 
 circumstances, the charms of society, the resources of 
 opulence, or the state of the weather, are liable to be 
 disappointed by the occurrences of each succeeding day. 
 It is a source of great sorrow to me that William has so 
 wholly given up to the indulgence of an idle disposition. 
 Do your best to rouse him from it. Tell him that, if he 
 
JOHN A. QTJITMAN. 57 
 
 would yet exert his energies and be a man, lie may gain 
 all that he has lost. I can not conceive how his sober 
 reflection can countenance his present torpor. For my 
 part, I would rather be a dog and bay the moon even 
 a drayman s hack than be a sluggard. If I had his tal 
 ents I would accomplish every thing worthy of human 
 cflbrt. Far inferior to him, I mean to accomplish much 
 by honest perseverance. We can not yet expect to have 
 news of Albert. Every morning when I awake my eyes 
 turn involuntarily to a map of the world that hangs near 
 my bed, and I wonder on what sea he is now trying his 
 adventurous fortunes. Shut up as I am in an interior 
 country, I can not but envy him bounding over the free 
 and ever-rolling waters ; and then, like liasselas, I feel 
 that I am indeed a prisoner. 
 
 "I am not, as you suppose, even at this distance, a 
 stranger to your New York politics. We take the Amer 
 ican, the most violent of the Bucktail papers. I perceive 
 that your ambitious colts about Rhincbeck, such as Liv 
 ingston and Shufeldt, who are aiming at popularity, are 
 Bucktails. Pray, what are you ? I am, I fear, a decided 
 Swiss. 
 
 " Our winter has not been severe, though the ther 
 mometer was as low as 18 below 0. Spring has now 
 set in. Great quantities of maple-sugar are made in this 
 section. Sugar, wax, honey, tallow, hides, furs, and linen, 
 are the only domestic articles our merchants will take 
 for goods. Money is very scarce among all classes, and 
 it would be still scarcer if the cunning Yankees among 
 us did not contrive to clutch the greater part of the an 
 nual stipend that the Wyandots and Scnccas draw from 
 government. Ohio is not all Yankee, but those that are 
 here are the shrewdest of all the race, and could return 
 to Connecticut and make fortunes by skinning whet 
 stones. If I can not say of them nulluni tctigit quod 
 non ornavit, I can say that every thing they touch turns 
 into gold. The farther they travel, the shrewder they 
 become. Some of them arc so sharp their very counte 
 nances seem to be whittled and ground down to the 
 point of a needle. Others study an obtuse look and a 
 stupid manner ; but look close, and you will detect the 
 proverbial keenness lurking about the mouth, and twink- 
 C 2 
 
58 LIFE AND COKKESPOXDEXCE OF 
 
 ling slyly and mischievously in the eyes. Their perse 
 verance under difficulties, their dogged resolution, their 
 versatility, their confidence in themselves and in the 
 " universal Yankee nation," atone for a multitude of 
 minor sins. You ask, Yankee-like, whether a speculation 
 could not be made in furs ? I don t think it would pay to 
 turn trapper or trader in skins. I have never known a 
 hunter to become rich. As for trading, the Indians have 
 become so accustomed to high prices, they do not know 
 how to fall with the times. 
 
 " This is not so insignificant a village as you fancy it 
 is. We have a singing-school, a boxing and fencing 
 school, a debating society, and a masonic lodge, and par 
 ties very often. Most of our citizens have been in the 
 army, and know something of the world. The land-of 
 fice brings people here from every quarter and of every 
 grade. The Normans used to be called the land robbers 
 of Europe, but in this country all classes share the pas 
 sion for land. I keep close in my office, and seldom in 
 terfere in public concerns, unless specially called on. I 
 have found this to be the best method of acquiring and 
 retaining popularity, at least for a fellow of moderate 
 abilities ; he should, like the great Mogul of Tartary, 
 show himself but seldom, and then look very wise and 
 solemn ! 
 
 "I can not help noticing a blunder our wise Legisla 
 ture made last winter. They are in the habit of enact 
 ing and changing laws every session, designating the 
 time of holding courts, etc. On the 2d instant, the day 
 before their adjournment, they passed a law repealing 
 all other statutes on the subject, and enacting that the 
 present law r shall take effect and be in force from and 
 after the first day of February next. It is contended 
 that, under this law, no courts can be held this year. It 
 has been referred to the Supreme Court. If it grants 
 no relief, the Legislature must be convened, or w r e law 
 yers must starve. You ask when I think of making a 
 visit home ? Not, I assure, till I am admitted to the 
 bar, and probably not for a long time thereafter. Inde 
 pendence and fame first, and then home." 
 
JOHN A. QUmiAN. 59 
 
 To F. R. Backus. 
 
 "Delaware, Feb. 28th, 1821. 
 
 "I have been very fortunate, dear Backus, since I 
 came to Ohio, and have even been more prosperous than 
 I merit. I am now nearly through with my legal studies, 
 and must search around for a location. My eyes are 
 turned toward the setting sun. I have an opportunity, 
 by staying here, of a partnership with Mr. Brush ; but, 
 if I adopt this plan, a decent support and a career of 
 mediocrity are all I can expect. In this section it is easy 
 to make any kind of property but money. There is 
 scarcely money enough among our farmers to give their 
 babies to cut their first teeth with. Every thing they 
 buy is paid for with produce ; consequently, it is no place 
 for lawyers or mechanics. It is so all over Ohio, owing 
 to the pressure of the times and to the relief laws, mak 
 ing it impossible to collect debts. I think, therefore, of 
 Alabama or Mississippi. Money is there more plenty; 
 trade is brisk ; their cotton commands cash. The bar is 
 not overcrowded with well-read lawyers, and fees are 
 high. It is bad policy for a young man to move about, 
 but much depends on the location we make when we 
 first set out in life. 
 
 " You dazzle me with your account of the holidays in 
 Philadelphia. Ours were more primitive, but we had 
 our ball and our kissing-parties. It is now twelve at 
 night. You are perhaps just returning from your stew 
 ed terrapins, your chicken salad, your confectionery and 
 ices ; on my table stands a small pyramid of maple-sugar, 
 our only luxury, a present from one of our neighboring 
 belles. Your dressy dolls of Chestnut Street are wash 
 ing off their rouge, to wake up pale and nervous in the 
 morning, while my Ohio belle sleeps with her roses, and 
 rises with them, blooming and fragrant, on her cheeks. 
 
 " Pray tell your lazy city astronomers that I discover 
 ed a comet last night. Let them brush up their cob- 
 webbed telescopes and look due west about 7 o clock 
 P.M., 14 degrees above the horizon." 
 
 To his Father. 
 
 "Delaware, May 7th, 1821. 
 "I hope, my dear father, that, with the return of spring, 
 
00 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 you have recovered full health and vigor. I know that 
 the winter, particularly the last, must be disagreeable 
 and dreary to one who has spent the most happy seasons 
 of his life in a climate where eternal spring prevails ; 
 yet the return of our glorious summer compensates for 
 the inclemencies we have endured. In winter, too, men 
 tal trials and depression of spirits are apt to annoy us 
 more, and, in spite of philosophy or religion, we too 
 often despond. All this is dissipated by the bloom of 
 the year. 
 
 "I am pained to hear that William continues to idle 
 away his time. If he would rouse himself at once, he 
 might yet recover the past. Do urge him to remove at 
 once to Mississippi or Alabama. I will vouch for his 
 success, not only in acquiring position, but, by industry 
 and prudence, a large fortune. From the papers I per 
 ceive that our whalers in the South Seas have met with 
 unparalleled success. This argues favorably for dear 
 Albert, 
 
 " I have now been in Ohio eighteen months, have near 
 ly completed my studies, and have formed a very ex 
 tensive acquaintance. When I first came to this place, 
 the prospects for business appeared so flattering that I 
 extended my views no farther, and expected to remain 
 here. Since then I have had ample opportunities of 
 learning more. This is a flourishing part of the state, 
 rapidly increasing in population, but the people are poor, 
 and money, the life of a professional rnan, is very scarce. 
 The little that there is is drained off by the merchants and 
 the land-office. In fifteen or twenty years, I doubt not, 
 ease and plenty will be found here, but the prospect is 
 too remote and slow for me. I have determined, there 
 fore, to look elsewhere for an abode, being sensible of 
 the great advantage to a young man to make a good 
 choice first, and then settle down permanently. I think 
 I might in time expect here the honors which are in the 
 gift of the people, but they are not profitable ; indeed, 
 they are injurious to a poor man who seeks eminence in 
 his profession. The Southern States hold out golden 
 prospects to men of integrity, application, and good ac 
 quirements. Money is there as plenty as it is scarce 
 here, and a good reason for it; for while not a siogle 
 
JOIIN A. QUITMAX. Gl 
 
 article of our produce will command cash, their cotton, 
 sugar, tobacco, and rice are always in demand, and the 
 world will not do without them. They have, besides, 
 facilities for transportation and avenues to market at all 
 seasons of the year ; and as to the climate, balancing all 
 things, it is quite as healthy as this. My design is to re 
 main here until I am admitted to the bar, and then go to 
 Natchez or to St. Stephen s. I even think a Avarmer cli 
 mate will lengthen my life. The consumption here de 
 stroys more than all the various diseases at the South. 
 Dissipation there is the great source of mortality. The 
 only thing that chills my expectations is the want of a 
 little money to convey me there and set me up. I could 
 do sufficient business here to earn it, but my fees would 
 be paid in corn, or wheat, or pork, or land, and none of 
 these can be converted into cash. The move, however, 
 will not cost much. With the little I have, I must try 
 and borrow a little more, and rely on that good fortune 
 which has accompanied me ever since I left your roof. 
 I have full confidence in making enough after I once take 
 a start. At all events I will try." 
 
 To his Brother. 
 
 "Delaware, June 10th, 1821. 
 
 " You complain, dear brother, of the brevity of my let 
 ters. I believe the study of the law makes one s mind 
 logical, but not inventive ; it is therefore necessary that 
 I should have facts to reason upon, or I am at a loss 
 what to write about. I have determined to go South, 
 where, at least, more than a fourth part of the year may 
 be enjoyed. The wintry rigor here is intolerable to me. 
 I agree with you that, in general, it is best for a young 
 man of no fortune, when he starts out in the world, to 
 circumscribe his views, and not suifer himself to fall into 
 a wandering, restless habit. It is, therefore, the more 
 necessary that he should weigh every thing well before 
 he makes his choice. Afterward he should allow no 
 trifling disappointments, mortifications, or even depriva 
 tions, to aifcct him, but persevere and hang on, come 
 weal or woe. I mean to live by the practice of law, 
 not by clerking in a land-office. After considering well, 
 I think prudence and good sense recommend my going 
 
62 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE OF 
 
 South. As you request it, I will enlarge upon the sub 
 ject ; and then give your opinion. I will not commence 
 by dividing my subject, as Stephen Burrows did his ser 
 mon, into seven heads and ten horns ; but, by way of 
 preamble, will recall to your mind my floating down the 
 Ohio on a keel-boat, in company with the wife and 
 daughter of Judge Griffith, of New Jersey, who were on 
 their way to Natchez, to visit her sons, both eminent 
 lawyers. Mrs. Griffith, who is a lady of great accomplish 
 ments and good sense, advised me to select Mississippi 
 instead of Ohio, spoke of the success of her sons, and 
 promised me their friendly encouragement. A short 
 time before her return to New Jersey, in April last, she 
 honored me with a letter, from which I now quote : 
 
 " You express something like an intention of remov 
 ing to this country. I am able to give you the informa 
 tion you desire, but I can not incur the responsibility of 
 advising you one way or the other. The advantages and 
 disadvantages of a residence in this country are so equal 
 ly balanced that I can do nothing more than state them. 
 An attorney from other states is not obliged to wait for 
 any thing but an examination ; he can be licensed im 
 mediately. It is an excellent place to make money. 
 There is a good opening here for men of talents. Men 
 of that description are much wanted, and the general 
 profligacy and idleness that prevail render young men 
 of talents, morality, and application to business, objects 
 of public confidence and esteem. Society is improving 
 every year. It is not very refined, and by no means lit 
 erary, but gay and fashionable. In winter Natchez af 
 fords much amusement ; in summer it is almost deserted. 
 I must now, in justice, present the reverse of the picture. 
 If you come here, come prepared to strike the word com 
 fort out of your vocabulary, during the summer months 
 at least. You must be either sufficiently romantic to 
 despise it, or stoical enough not to sigh for it ; though 
 my stoicism, on which I plume myself, soon foiled before 
 the combined attacks of heat and musquitoes, which last 
 constitute the greatest annoyance of the two. Then 
 there is the sickly climate and the depravity of morals. 
 I should severely reproach myself if, by my advice, you 
 should come here and fall a prey to either of them. By 
 
JOHN A. QUmiAN. 63 
 
 prudence and self-denial one may, perhaps, live as long 
 and as innocently here as in any other country. Mary 
 and myself have not had a day s illness here. My eldest 
 son has resided here four years without suffering. The 
 great mortality may be traced to imprudence, exposure, 
 and high living. Although it would give me pleasure to 
 see you the friend and companion of my sons, and although 
 I feel assured that you would succeed, and soon become 
 pleased with this country, yet it requires, on your part, 
 mature consideration, unless you are disposed to sacrifice 
 every thing for fame and fortune. For a few years, at 
 least, you will experience much to dissatisfy you with 
 your residence, until competence enables you to enjoy 
 its pleasures. Should you decide to come you will re 
 ceive a cordial welcome from our family, to whom you 
 will not altogether be a stranger. I will furnish you 
 with letters to my sons, which will be an introduction to 
 every body else. 
 
 " Mrs. Griffith has dwelt longer on the disadvantages 
 of the country, not desiring me to be disappointed. But 
 after all, her objections arc nothing. Hot weather and 
 musquitoes would not deter me even from a hunting ex 
 pedition; and as to depravity, by which she means dissi 
 pation, I trust my morals and sense of propriety are suf 
 ficiently fixed. What a story it would be to tell a sailor 
 brother, now buffeting with fortune on the angry waves, 
 that such trivial obstacles influenced me ! The climate 
 itself is as healthy as this. Mistaken ideas of what con 
 stitutes pleasure lead many into dissipation, which, in 
 warm countries, soon shuffles them off. Many young 
 men who go South grow careless on account of the fa 
 cility of making money, and plunge into every kind of 
 excess. Young men born there to hereditary wealth, 
 who have never felt what it is to want, set them the ex 
 ample. My ambition is of a more exalted nature. I am 
 prepared to make sacrifices if I had any thing to sacri 
 fice, but they shall be for fame and fortune, not for empty 
 and evanescent pleasures. Society, literature, and love 
 make life agreeable ; but the true source of comfort and 
 happiness is strict attention to the vocation we have se 
 lected for a career. While we are industrious, and have 
 some noble object in view, time passes pleasantly and 
 
64 LIFE AXD CORKESPOXDENCE OF 
 
 profitably, and we enjoy the sweets of life without feel 
 ing the sting that lies concealed under too many of them. 
 I do not, however, like letter-moralizing, especially to an 
 elder brother. I will only say that my eyes are fixed on 
 the South. If I am fortunate, I entertain the hope of 
 seeing you and other members of the family settled in 
 Mississippi. 
 
 " Last year my percentage or fees in this office amount 
 ed to $81, which, with a little I made pettifogging, draw 
 ing conveyances, etc., has supported me handsomely. I 
 have not much left. But, if I know Mr. Brush well, he 
 will not suffer me to leave this place with a mean idea of 
 him. We never made a contract, and I have rendered 
 him essential service. He has always been generous and 
 kind to me. I owe no man a cent. On the contrary, I 
 have loaned money to several. For several weeks I 
 have been breaking a wild young horse which Mr. Brush 
 requested me to purchase for him. He has given me 
 some severe falls, but is now a fine roadster. Nobody 
 but myself has dared to back him. Perhaps I may get 
 this nag for the journey. My spirits and health are 
 good, though, like most of the Ohioans, I am tallow- 
 faced." 
 
 To his Brother. 
 
 Delaware, Sept. 2d, 1821. 
 
 " Since the receipt of your last, dear brother, I have 
 been so harassed by the business of the office that I have 
 had scarcely a moment s leisure to devote to my friends 
 at home ; and to-day, though it is Sunday, I have been 
 for four hours making out our monthly returns to the 
 General Land-office. I have never hail two such busy 
 months. In July, delving over my books from morning 
 till night, preparing for my examination, and, in August, 
 the land-sales occupied me day and night. You may 
 form an idea of the business, when you learn that we of 
 fered at auction 45 townships, averaging 51,200 acres 
 each, in 80-acre lots. Of these we have sold some 25,000 
 acres, and are still selling rapidly. The auction-sales 
 close this week, and then the whole country, from this to 
 the lake, will be subject to entry at $1 25 per acre, the 
 finest opening for colossal fortunes in the world. 
 
JOHN" A. QUITMAIST. 05 
 
 " Besides these engagements, I have to command a 
 fine riiie company once a week (our captain being down 
 Avith the eternal chills and fever), and occasionally have 
 the godsend of a small case to plead before a justice of 
 the peace. Thus time passes in an incessant routine of 
 business ; and then, instead of recreation, I have, as a 
 duty, to visit my sick friends, and watch by and comfort 
 them. My health and spirits were never better, but the 
 village and country are severely scourged. Intermittent 
 and bilious fevers are frequent and fatal. A third of 
 our population is bedridden. Chill and fever and ague, 
 daily, tertian, quotidian, and all the time, is a regular in 
 stitution. I have not seen them shake the shingles oft 
 the roof, or the nuts off the hickories, or the toe-nails off 
 the patient, but all these achievements are vouched for 
 here. 
 
 " In the beginning of last month I was admitted to the 
 bar. Thus far the only fruit has been to add esquire to 
 my address. I am anxious to get rid of the necessity of 
 clerking. To my profession I am resolved to adhere, 
 whether I grow rich or starve. No melancholy notions 
 for me. I have heretofore been prosperous in all my un 
 dertakings. Fortune has ever smiled upon me, nor am I 
 no\v apprehensive of her frowns. I shall go South as 
 winter approaches, if I can get money enough to carry 
 mo. My resources are at present very low. I have some 
 books which I procured in the way of trade, and some 
 other things, but none of them will command cash. My 
 fees, from small law-cases, drawing deeds, etc., have en 
 abled me to dress well and have pocket-money ; but now 
 the want of money to travel on and set me up, stares me 
 in the face. If I can live but six months where I may 
 locate, I shall have overcome every difficulty. Your 
 transcript of Albert s letter is very gratifying. The dear 
 fello\v seems to be happy, and not a little amused at get 
 ting over the world so fast. I long knew he desired a 
 sailor s life, and papa has done well in suffering him to 
 go. Why should any human being be tortured by an 
 occupation in which he can find no happiness ? Of what 
 account are honors and wealth, unless they promote our 
 comfort ? If we can be happy without either, why strug 
 gle for them?" 
 
66 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 From his Father. 
 
 "Rhinebeck, September loth, 1821. 
 
 "DEAR JOHN, Inclosed I send you $20, being the full 
 amount due you by Mr. Hazelius for services at Hart- 
 wick, with some interest. I can add nothing to it from 
 myself. Since you have resolved to settle at Natchez, 
 I pray to God that He may be pleased to prosper your 
 views, and this I do not doubt if you persevere in acting 
 upon those correct and virtuous principles which you 
 have always manifested, and do not push your expecta 
 tions too far, or with too much eagerness. Unusquisque 
 snae fortunsB faber, is an ancient and true saying, but it 
 requires generally some time to see it realized. As I 
 lived more than twelve years in a warm climate, I may 
 give you some salutary hints with respect to your mode 
 of life and diet. I found it prudent to pay attention to 
 the manner of living of old ancl virtuous inhabitants of 
 those regions, and to follow their example. I observed 
 that those who preserved equanimity of mind and temper 
 in the tropics lived commonly as long as the inhabitants 
 of the temperate zones. Violent passions, too great ex 
 ertion of mind or body, are particularly dangerous in 
 countries where the blood is in almost continual agita 
 tion. Grief, discontent, and fretting are fatal. The even 
 ing air ought to be avoided, in particular at full moon. 
 Your dress ought not to be too thin. Most of the sail 
 ors on board the Ceres, in the harbor of Curacoa, escaped 
 the yellow fever who wore woolen shirts. You ought 
 not to consume much animal food, nor fruit, nor acids, 
 nor punch, but rather drink a little Madeira diluted with 
 water. Use the spices that grow in the country. The 
 best preservative of all is a cheerful mind. 
 
 " Things change here. Since there is no opportunity 
 of speculating in lands and money, we begin to speculate 
 in religion. New sects spring up daily. We are sur 
 rounded with frantic Methodists, Erastians, or New 
 Lights, Baptists, Universalists, etc. There is continually 
 preaching (so called) in our neighborhood. The Meth 
 odists are at present in camp-meeting two miles beyond 
 the Flats. This, and the sitting of the convention in 
 democratic majesty, give us alternately sufficient reason 
 for pity and laughter." 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAX. 67 
 
 This was the last letter lie received in Ohio. He had 
 resided there long enough to establish a reputation for 
 integrity and business habits, for good sense, courtesy, 
 and every manly virtue, and now, with the good wishes 
 of the whole community, he took his leave, once more to 
 seek his living among strangers. With an income of 
 less than one hundred and fifty dollars a year, laborious 
 ly earned in the land-office and by conveyancing, he had 
 lived in the best society of the village, dressed neatly, 
 read closely, and found time to study military tactics, 
 masonry, and music.* So well had he husbanded his 
 humble resources, we find him loaning money in Dela 
 ware ; it is honorable to his debtors that, on the eve of 
 his departure, they all paid their little dues, no doubt 
 after many shifts and sacrifices. He received some aid 
 from Colonel Brush, and, on the 5th of November, with 
 a good horse and equipments, he bade adieu to the vil 
 lage,- nearly the whole population assembling to say fare 
 well. His own letters will tell the story of his journey 
 and of his launch into life at the South. 
 
 * 1821, he was commissioned by Ethan A. Brown, Governor of 
 Ohio, 1st lieutenant 2d rifle company, 3d regiment, 2d brigade, 7th 
 division Ohio Militia. 
 
 Nov. 3d, he took the degree of master mason in Hiram Lodge, 
 Xo. 8, Delaware, Ohio. 
 
 Oct. 22d, licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of Ohio. 
 
68 LIFE AND COEKESPOisDE^CE OF 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The Journey. Jockeyed out of his Horse. Feelings on the Road. 
 Embarks at Louisville. Arrives at Natchez. His first Letter. 
 Low State of his Finances. Philosophy. William B. Griffith. 
 Natchez in 1822. "Under the Hill." Mississippi Planters. 
 Mode of Life and Revenues. New-year s Day in the South. Ad 
 mitted to the Bar. Takes Charge of Mr. Griffith s Business. 
 Southern Hospitality. Letter from Mr. Griffith. Northern No 
 tions of the South. Ohio Judges. Dress. His first Commission. 
 Life at the South. Slavery and Slave. Life contrasted with 
 Life at the North. Negro Habits and Characteristics. Natchez 
 in an Epidemic. 
 
 To his Brother. 
 
 " Natchez, December 4th, 1821. 
 
 " HERE I am, dear brother, at last, in a temporary asy 
 lum such as the moneyed traveler can obtain in any quar 
 ter of the world ; and as I have nothing else to do, like 
 other great men, I can issue bulletins of my campaign. 
 I left Delaware November 5th, with the blessings of nu 
 merous friends whom I shall never forget. The day was 
 pleasant and the roads good. I drew inspiration from 
 the prospect before me as I jogged on, yet I felt sad at 
 parting, perhaps forever, from those that loved me well. 
 Mr. Little, a merchant of the village, whom I have found 
 a generous friend, accompanied me to Columbus. On 
 the second day after parting with him it began to. rain 
 and then to snow, and thus I traveled alone to <Chili- 
 cothe, where I lay by several days, waiting for a change ; 
 but there being no prospect, and having not the where 
 withal to take mine ease in mine inn, I pushed on 
 through rain, sleet, and mud, and literally fought my way 
 across the floating ice to Maysville. The roads were 
 frozen like glass, and my fine nag, Nancy Dawson, slip 
 ped, and so lamed herself I was compelled to put up at 
 
JOHN A. QUIT3IAX. GO 
 
 a wayside tavern beyond the town of Washington. Next 
 morning she was wholly knocked up, and a gentlemanly 
 and friendly-disposed wayfarer at the same tavern de 
 clared that she would not be lit for the road for a month. 
 Seeing my distress, he invited me to peach and honey 
 something I had never tasted before and, after a good 
 deal of chat, lie offered to exchange his fine-looking 
 charger for my mare, and 825 to boot. The landlord 
 swore he was the best horse in the country, and that, 
 even if my mare had not been crippled, $50 premium for 
 such a swap wa.s little enough. He alleged, likewise, 
 that Brigadier General Somebody, who came round once 
 a year to muster the brigade, would ride no other horse 
 on such occasions. The friendly Kentuckian said this 
 was true enough, but that here was a young fellow just 
 starting out in the world, not overburdened with cash ; 
 he had taken a liking to me ; he could afford to lose $25 
 in the trade, and would stick to his offer. The landlord 
 complimented him on his generosity, said it was just like 
 him, and insisted on a general treat. The peach and 
 honey was duly honored ; I paid my $25, squared my 
 bill, and departed. I had not traveled ten miles next 
 day before I found I had been sold, as they say in these 
 parts. My Bucephalus, as I had named him in my 
 pride, hung his ears, drooped his tail, dragged his hind 
 legs, stumbled every five minutes, and snorted like an 
 asthmatic steam-boat. With whip and spur, I could not 
 average over two miles per hour. Finding that, at this 
 rate, I would not have funds for the ride to Natchez, I 
 was compelled to steer for Louisville. I shall never for 
 get how I felt when I found myself thus swindled, with 
 out redress, without a friend, and with no money to pur 
 chase another horse. Woe to the jockey if I could have 
 laid hands on him then !* Every body and every thing 
 strange and new to me, and once more I felt alone in the 
 world. The very boys of the wayside villages sneered 
 at the sorry figure I cut. Every passer-by had his jest. 
 
 * This man removed to Mississippi, joked and fiddled himself into 
 the Legislature, and often told how he had diddled the young lawyer 
 as a capital jest. In after life Quitman not only forgave him, but 
 loaned him considerable sums of money at vaVious times when he was 
 in distress. 
 
70 LIFE AND COKKESPOXDEXCE OF 
 
 At last I made a joke of it myself, and laughed as "heart 
 ily as any body else. I sneaked into Louisville after 
 night, and sold horse, saddle, and bridle for $45, Kentucky 
 currency, thirty-five per cent, below par, little more than 
 the first cost of saddle and bridle. After a delay of three 
 days I got a berth in the first steamer that left (the Car 
 of Commerce ), for $37J, Kentucky currency. I arrived 
 here last night. I have $15 in my pocket, and the cheap 
 est respectable board and lodging is $45 per month. 
 What of it ? Was not Goldsmith s parson passing rich 
 on forty pounds a year? Besides, he had a wife and 
 children, and the care of souls, and was altogether a man 
 of books and brains, unfitted to battle with the world. 
 I have strong arms and a resolute will, and if one thing 
 fails I can try another. 
 
 " Since writing this I have delivered my letter to 
 William B. Griffith, Esq., from his mother. He was 
 very kind, and encourages me much, and, from what I 
 observed this morning in court, I have no fears. High 
 fees, plenty of business, and not overstocked with emi 
 nent lawyers. There is room for a hard student and a 
 determined man, spurred on by necessity and pride. My 
 difficulty will be to live for a few months. I must ap 
 pear as a gentleman, or I can not expect to be treated 
 as such. Mr. Griffith has offered me the use of his office 
 and books, and, except boarding, I shall have but few 
 wants. I shall cut them down to a narrow compass. I 
 begin my economy by writing on coarse and soiled paper 
 (a tavern waif), with the stump of a pen. Better station 
 ery after a while, but now not a shilling for superfluities. 
 Tell papa and my sisters, that the farther I go from them 
 the nearer they are to my heart." 
 
 To his Father. 
 
 "Natchez, Jan. 16th, 1822. 
 
 " I write, dear father, because I know your solicitude 
 for me. From the cares that even I have had, I can esti 
 mate the feelings of a parent who has the happiness of 
 his children at heart, and to whom Providence has de 
 nied the means of setting them up in the world. You 
 have given your example, your instruction, and your 
 blessing, worth far more than money ; and with these I 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 71 
 
 can fight my battle of life, and have no fears of the re 
 sult. I had at first much anxiety as to how I could live 
 here for the first few months, and until some business 
 offered. My funds were very low, living high, and I 
 could not bear the notion of running into debt. A few 
 days after my arrival, however, conceive my joy when 
 Mr. Griffith proposed to me to assist him in his office for 
 a year, and, in the mean time, he would guarantee my 
 support, hinting, likewise, that he would put other busi 
 ness in my hands to bring me some income. I am now, 
 much to my satisfaction, located in his fine, large office, 
 with an extensive library, and can reap the same instruc 
 tion from his large practice as though it were my own. 
 In short, my situation is as advantageous as you could 
 wish. So much for my keel-boat expedition, and the 
 happy accident that threw me into the society of Mrs. 
 Griffith. Her son, who has been so kind, is a man of 
 first-rate talents a Princeton scholar a few years older 
 than myself, and has every quality to command respect. 
 In the midst of the temptations which pleasure and dis 
 sipation hold out here, and w^ith the means to enjoy them, 
 and the temperament too, he pursues a steady and unde- 
 viating course in the true road to professional eminence. 
 Politics he disdains. Even the fiorid eloquence that 
 tickles the multitude he holds in contempt. Hard ap 
 plication and severe logic, thorough preparation of his 
 cases, and astonishing energy of will are his character 
 istics. No part of the United States holds out better 
 prospects for a young lawyer. AVhy did I not come 
 here, instead of stopping in Ohio ? Money is as plenty 
 here as it is scarce there. You may have some notion 
 of business here when I inform you that court has been 
 in session twenty-eight days without disposing of the 
 criminal business; there were 120 indictments. This 
 would indicate a deplorable state of morals ; but remem 
 ber, the river brings here the floating population of the 
 whole West, and the wealth of the country entices ad 
 venturers from many lands. Many of these are not nov 
 ices in crime. Gambling and intemperance are carried 
 to excess. Under the hill, in this city (a straggling 
 town at the base of the bluff, consisting of warehouses, 
 low taverns, groggeries, dens of prostitution, and gaming- 
 
72 LIFE AND COKKESPOXDEXCE OF 
 
 houses), vice and infamy are rampant and glaring, and 
 the law almost powerless. Day and night the orgies 
 of blackguardism and depravity are enacted without 
 shame and restraint. The Sabbath is there particularly 
 a day of profanation and debauchery. The gambler, the 
 bully, and the harlot reign triumphant, and little juris 
 diction is taken over their atrocities. 
 
 "In the city proper, and the surrounding country, 
 there is genteel and well-regulated society. The religious 
 classes are chiefly Presbyterians and Methodists a few 
 Episcopalians and Catholics. The planters are the prom 
 inent feature. They ride fine horses, are followed by 
 well-dressed and very aristocratic servants, but affect 
 great simplicity of costume themselves straw hats and 
 110 neck-cloths irusummer, and in winter coarse shoes and 
 blanket overcoats. They live profusely : drink costly 
 Port, Madeira, and sherry, after the English fashion, and 
 are exceedingly hospitable. Cotton-planting is the most 
 lucrative business that can be followed. Some of the 
 planters net 850,000 from a single crop.* 
 
 " I suppose you are yet locked up in the grasp of win 
 ter. I spent New-year s Day at the Forest, the resi 
 dence of the late Sir William Dunbar, now owned by his 
 son, Dr. Dunbar. The mansion, the stately oaks, the ex 
 tensive park, and the vast, undulating sweep of cultivated 
 fields, are really magnificent. On the table we had green 
 peas, lettuce, radishes, artichokes, new potatoes, and spin 
 ach, grown in the open air, and roses, jessamines, jonquils, 
 and pinks in profusion. What a delightful climate ! I 
 almost think of it as the retreat for your age. The peach 
 and plum are in full bloom, and the birds sing merrily in 
 the honeysuckes around my bedchamber. 
 
 "Xatchez is a bustling place. The streets are lined 
 with carriages, drays, and wagons. The rush to the riv 
 er is incessant. Every hour we hear the roar of cannon, 
 announcing the arrival and departure of steamers. Hund 
 reds of arks, or flat-boats, loaded with the produce of the 
 Western States, even from the interior of Pennsylvania, 
 here line the landing for half a mile, often lying five tier 
 deep! 
 
 * Many now have annual revenues of $100,000 and over. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 73 
 
 " On the 8th I was examined before the Supreme Court, 
 and am now a licensed attorney and counselor in the State 
 of Mississippi.* Continue to give me your blessing, dear 
 father, and your son Jack will never disgrace you? 
 
 To his Maker. 
 
 "Natchez, August 12th, 1822. 
 
 " Separated from you so far, dear father, your health 
 and prosperity, and my brothers and sisters, form the 
 chief objects of solicitude, especially as I have no care as 
 it regards my present and future prospects. My profes 
 sional career commences with fair chances, and if I do 
 not gain the highest pinnacle, my stand will be respecta 
 ble. It shall be upright and honorable, whether I die 
 rich or poor. 
 
 " Mr. Griffith, who has been like a brother to me, left 
 for New Jersey last month by sea, and has promised to 
 pay you a visit. The more I know him, the higher I es 
 teem him. He is a noble fellow, and, as an orator and 
 lawyer, is at the head of the Mississippi bar. He has left 
 the business of his office entirely in my hands, and on his 
 return Avill most probably offer me a partnership, espe 
 cially since his recent appointment of United States 
 District Attorney. 
 
 "Intermittent raid bilious fevers are common now. I 
 have not taken a dose of medicine ; my health is perfect. 
 If necessary, I can retreat to the country. I have made 
 friends, and have several invitations. Dr. Dunbar, Mrs. 
 Gen. Claiborne, and Judge Turner have all invited me to 
 their delightful homes, more as an inmate of their families 
 than as a guest. Cordial hospitality is one of the char 
 acteristics of the Southern people. Their very servants 
 catch the feeling of their owners, and anticipate one s 
 wants. Your coffee in the morning before sunrise ; little 
 stews and sudorifics at night, and warm foot-baths, if you 
 have a cold; bouquets of fresh flowers and mint-juleps 
 sent to your apartment ; a horse and saddle at your dis 
 posal ; every thing free and easy, and cheerful and cor 
 dial. It is really fascinating, and I seem to be lead- 
 
 * The judges were John P. Hampton and Powhatan Ellis. Ex 
 aminers, Joseph E. Davis, Joshua ChilJs, Martin Whiting. 
 Voi, I. D 
 
74 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 ing a charmed life compared with my pilgrimage else 
 where." 
 
 The visit of Mr. Griffith to the North, leaving Quitman 
 in charge of his office, brought him, every hour of the 
 day, in contact with the prominent business men of the 
 community and influential clients from all parts of the 
 state, whose confidence that distinguished lawyer enjoy 
 ed. It threw him in correspondence, likewise, with mer 
 chants and capitalists in other states and in Europe, 
 whose affairs had been confided to Mr. Griffith. It occa 
 sioned, too, more intimate relations between him and the 
 established members of the bar a body of gentlemen dis 
 tinguished then, as now, and at all times, for their integ 
 rity, patriotism, scrupulous honor, and high-toned cour 
 tesy. Quitman was not the man to throw away these 
 advantages ; he put the proper value upon the opportuni 
 ties thus providentially cast in his path, and exerted what 
 he himself considered a sort of magnetic faculty of at 
 traction. When Mr. Griffith returned, he found not only 
 that his business had been conducted with admirable tact 
 and discretion, but the young attorney had become one 
 of the most popular men in the community. During his 
 absence he had written to Quitman thus the sentiments 
 do honor to his memory and to the bar : 
 
 "I am afraid you have already had and will have 
 some difficulty in managing my business, arising from the 
 hurry of my departure, and want of time to prepare the 
 necessary instructions and explanations. I have, how 
 ever, the fullest confidence in your abilities and industry ; 
 and my regret at giving you so much trouble, when it 
 might perhaps have been avoided, is lessened by the re 
 flection, that the greater your difficulties are, the greater 
 will be the eventual advantage you will gain in surmount 
 ing them. You must extend your acquaintance with the 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAX. 75 
 
 people, and, without losing your dignity or descending to 
 too much familiarity, acquire popularity and the esteem 
 of the profanum vulyus. 
 
 " In relation to charges, when they are discretionary, 
 and not fixed by the general consent of the bar, be mod 
 erate. You may, perhaps, smile to hear me say so. There 
 are some persons who would not esteem the service if 
 they were not required to pay heavily for it. There are 
 many such about Natchez, whose whole idea is wealth 
 and its importance. There arc others who really can not 
 afford heavy fees, though highly respectable men. These 
 must be indulged. My rule has generally been, never to 
 disagree . with a respectable man on that score. The 
 poor, I need scarcely say, must be served freely, and with 
 all our heart, when oppressed!)]] the proud and powerful. 
 This is the glory and consolation of our profession." 
 
 Noble sentiments ! Nor did they fall, like the barren 
 seed of Scripture, on " stony ground," but on a heart 
 full of natural equity and generous emotions. 
 
 The fame of his first success had now reached his dis 
 tant friends, and he received numerous letters of congrat 
 ulation and inquiry, some of them amusing enough. 
 Natchez was at that period a sort of ultima thule, and 
 queer notions of it prevailed among even educated men. 
 The Rev. Dr. Mayer, of Philadelphia, wrote : " I have 
 often heard Natchez described as seated on a high bluff, 
 and, of course, likely to be as healthy as any other spot 
 within 1000 miles of New Orleans. Still, I would advise 
 you to make a frequent use of Lee s anti-bilious pills, two 
 or three a day, as a preventive against the fall diseases 
 of that climate. How shall I send you a dozen boxes ? 
 A pretty thick net is, I suppose, an indispensable defense 
 against musquitocs. How do they differ from gallinip- 
 pers ? How do Yankees thrive with you ? I have been 
 told that girls of decent appearance and good education 
 
76 LIFE AND COKEESPONDEXCE OF 
 
 are sure to be snatched up as wives in three months after 
 their first exhibition among you. Is this really so ? If 
 it be, I should wish to disseminate the information 011 
 your warrant among some friends of mine. Rumor has 
 it, that ministers rarely fail to marry rich wives in that 
 country, that they fall off gradually in their devotions, 
 and become the most rigorous task-masters and cotton- 
 makers. This, surely, must be scandal. 
 
 " Are you permanently fixed, or will you roll on ? Is 
 your ambitious eye fixed upon the mines of Mexico, or 
 do you expect to go to the mouth of the Columbia ? 
 How does the capital of Mississippi please you as a rest 
 ing-place ? A resting-place only, I fear it will be, unless 
 one of its fair sirens enchant you. Another foe, not a 
 fair one, is to be guarded against. I suppose every body 
 is down with high bilious fevers from July till Decem 
 ber. Stick to your pills, and cheat the adversary. Some 
 of your fellow-adventurers at Mount Airy have at length 
 found places, and others are tossing about. Haslam has 
 the Lutheran academy at Charleston. Goodman has 
 gone to take charge of the churches near Troy. Backus 
 has sailed for Pernambuco. Promotion is rapid, I hear, 
 in your new country. When you shall have risen to the 
 office of judge or member of Congress, let me know, that 
 I may write you with becoming dignity. 
 
 " There is a colony of Germans near Natchez some 
 where. Look after them, make them your clients, and 
 keep them in the true church." 
 
 His old patron, Platt Brush, wrote as follows : " Give 
 me a minute account of the country, contrasting it with 
 ours ; your own opinion as to the salubrity of various 
 parts, and whether you can compare any particular sec 
 tion of it with Ohio ; peculiarities of the people, law, re 
 ligion, and politics, wealth and splendor, and the surest 
 and speediest mode of acquiring the same. Mr. Petti- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 77 
 
 bone will remove to your country in the fall, and it is 
 very probable I may accompany him 4 to spy out the na 
 kedness of the land. Mention the time of the fall meet 
 ing of your superior courts. I should like to take sound 
 ings there before I determine upon a move. I can fath 
 om your bar in three days. Let us hear something of 
 your judges. Are they deep or shallow, fast or slow ? 
 Are they fixtures for life ? Much of our success depends 
 on them. Here, you know, they are a sly set of old fox 
 es, and very hard to head. With you, I take it, it is oth 
 erwise, and they die, if they don t resign. The practice 
 is so profitable, your ablest men remain at the bar, and 
 your stupid and pompous fellows go upon the bench. 
 Is it not so ? What about niggers ? Arc they really 
 branded and cropped, and fed on salted cotton-seed? 
 Does every master keep his mulatto concubine, and his 
 harem of darkies ? Do men from the land of steady hab 
 its fall into these practices ? Are your Creoles white ? or 
 white and Indian, or nigger and white, or all mixed to 
 gether ? And are these recognized conventionally, and 
 allowed in society, or as jurors or witnesses ?" 
 
 To his Brotlicr. 
 
 "Natchez, Feb. 1st, 1823. 
 
 " You think my friend, Mr. Griffith, rather foppish in 
 his dress. Why, brother, if you could sec the extrava 
 gance in which most young men here indulge, you would 
 consider him plain. Clothing is usually made to order 
 in Philadelphia, of the most expensive materials and most 
 fashionable cut. Our beaux here mostly patronize Wat 
 son, and his average charge is $100 per suit. Three or 
 four suits arc ordered for winter, double that number for 
 summer. I have already caught the habit. We have 
 few mechanics, except carpenters, masons, and gin- 
 wrights. There is not a shoemaker in Natchez. Our 
 shoes come from the North, boots from Paris, and cost 
 from 810 to $14. Extravagance and expense become fa 
 miliar. 
 
78 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 " Our Circuit Court has just adjourned. I had my 
 share of business. I have recently visited what are called 
 the Pearl River counties, on a tour of duty, having 
 been appointed brigade inspector, with the rank of ma 
 jor.* The place affords me some gratification, and occa 
 sions but little expense. Its duties are performed during 
 vacation, and it will give me an extended acquaintance. 
 So, you see, my winter evenings at Delaware, studying 
 tactics and the art of war, are already available." 
 
 To his brother. 
 
 "Natchez, March llth, 1823. 
 
 " Your letters, dear brother, can not be too minute. 
 My home feelings are intense. Could I but catch one 
 glimpse of the old winter apple-tree in the yard, or the 
 many faces that used to cluster under its branches, I 
 should feel once more a boy. A thousand scenes of the 
 past swim over my memory, like passing shadows, and 
 I often find myself a dreamer when I should be a stu 
 dent. So tell me of home my early home the home 
 of father, sisters, and brothers the resting-place of our 
 mother, humble though it be : all these lie very near my 
 heart. But a truce to these vagabond fancies, that car 
 ry me away from the realities around me. You ask 
 what are my prospects ? If they continue three years I 
 trust I shall be able to say, Come and see me, and I 
 will chalk your hat for the journey. I think I shall be 
 come easy in my circumstances some day, if not rich. I 
 must live genteelly, but, at the same time, when I know 
 the gratification I should receive from being able to re 
 lieve those who are dear to me, and who deserve good 
 fortune more, ephemeral pleasures have no charms, and 
 I cast them away as unworthy of a reasonable man. 
 What comparison can there be between the approving 
 feelings of a heart conscious of doing good, and the mere 
 sensual pleasures of feasting and drinking ? 
 
 " As to marrying, I have not thought of it seriously. 
 Money and splendor will never bias my choice, and, until 
 my heart is thoroughly touched, I shall prefer the solita 
 ry yet snug elbow-chair of a bachelor.". 
 
 * 1823, Jan. 10th, brigade inspector, 2d brigade, 1st division Mis 
 sissippi Militia, commissioned by "Walter Leake, Governor. 
 
JOHN A. QlimiAN. 79 
 
 In the next letter, with a rapid pen, he sketches slave 
 life in the South as it then existed. If modified since, it 
 lias been for the better. The condition of the Southern 
 slave is not stationary,* but progressive. As the mas 
 ter s circumstances improve, the position of his slaves is 
 ameliorated. Every comfort he gathers about him is en 
 joyed, more or less, by his dependents. They rough it, 
 as he does, in the outset of life ; but when he builds a 
 comfortable house for himself the improvement of their 
 quarters is certain to follow. As his stock increases, 
 they get their share of milk and fresh meats, in addition 
 to salted provisions. As his plantation expands, they 
 are allowed more ground for the culture of esculents, 
 from which, and their poultry, they derive no inconsid 
 erable revenue ; often more, for each family, than a hard 
 working New England yeoman realizes, by the labor of 
 his household, at the end of the year. They enjoy, both 
 at home and in the neighboring meeting-houses, the 
 preaching of the Gospel. Convenient chapels are built 
 on many plantations expressly for them. They do no 
 compulsory labor on the Sabbath, and usually have most 
 of the holidays kept by their owners, and participate in 
 the festivities. They are clothed well, and often dress 
 in the height of the ton. From the youngest members 
 of the family they get the latest fashions. They dance 
 polkas and mazourkas. They warble airs from the last 
 opera. Their weddings are celebrated with the usual 
 ceremonies, and their funerals with religious solemnity, 
 the owner of his family often casting the first shovel of 
 earth, and shedding tears over the tomb of the faithful 
 servant. They occupy confidential positions, keep the 
 stores of the plantation, collect dues, and arc often in 
 trusted with largo sums to transmit from place to place, 
 
 * " Fix d like a plant to a peculiar spot, 
 To draw nutrition, vegetate, and rot." 
 
80 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE OF 
 
 and some of them arc employed as overseers. By the 
 will of the late Philip Hoggatt, of Adams County, Mis 
 sissippi, one of his slaves, intrusted with the management 
 of several plantations, receives 6500 per annum. Many 
 of them command a credit at the neighboring stores be 
 yond the means of many Northern farmers, so well estab 
 lished is their reputation as punctual paymasters. They 
 are attached to the whites ; they imitate their manners 
 and mode of dress ; they are proud of an admixture of 
 blood ; their whole aim is to progress, and their stron 
 gest term of contempt, when a comrade incurs their dis 
 pleasure, is to stigmatize him as a " d d black nigger." 
 Compared with the original or recent importation of Af 
 ricans, their progress has been wonderful. When first 
 brought to this country they lived in hovels, got their 
 peck of corn without meat, went almost naked, worked 
 early and late, and were often severely whipped and oth 
 erwise punished. The whip is now rarely applied on 
 many plantations never. Besides meat and meal in 
 abundance, and milk and vegetables, they get a reasona 
 ble allowance of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, flour and mo 
 lasses ; they have gardens, orchards, poultry-yards, and 
 piggeries; corn, melon, and potato patches; they are nev 
 er without money; their cabins are comfortable and 
 neat, with an unlimited command of fuel ; shoes, hats, 
 blankets, mattresses, and winter and summer clothing are 
 regularly apportioned to them ; in sickness, the best nurs 
 ing, the best medical advice, and nicely prepared diet ; 
 and the Sunday dinners of every thrifty family of slaves 
 would be considered a sort of thanksgiving dinner in 
 New England. In old age they are carefully sheltered 
 arid supported. 
 
 In the early stages of African slavery in the South, it 
 was by many considered an evil, that had been inflicted 
 upon the country by British and New England cupidity. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 81 
 
 The Africans were regarded as barbarians, and were gov 
 erned by the lash. The very hatred of the " evil" forced 
 upon ns was, in a measure, transferred to the unhappy 
 victims. They were treated with severity, and no so 
 cial relations subsisted between them and the whites. 
 By degrees slavery began to be considered " a necessa 
 ry evil," to be got rid of by gradual emancipation, or 
 perhaps not at all, and the condition of the slave sensibly 
 improved. The natural sense of justice in the human 
 heart suggested that they had been brought here by 
 compulsion, and that they should be regarded not as sav 
 ages, but as captives, who were to be kindly treated 
 while laboring for their ultimate redemption. 
 
 The progress of anti-slavery sentiment in the Northern 
 States (once regarded by the South as a harmless fanati 
 cism), the excesses it has occasioned, and the unconstitu 
 tional power it claims, at length prompted a general and 
 searching inquiry into the true status of the negro. The 
 moment that the Southern mind became convinced that 
 slavery, as it exists among us, instead of being a moral, 
 social, and political evil, is a moral, social, and political 
 good, and is the natural condition of the negro, as or 
 dained by Providence, and the only condition in which 
 he can be civilized and instructed, the condition of the 
 Southern slave underwent a thorough change. As a per 
 manent fixture, as a hereditary heir-loom, as a human 
 being with an immortal soul, intrusted to us by God for 
 his own wise purposes, his value increased, and his rela 
 tion to his owner approximated to the relation of guard 
 ian and ward. Interest taught us that it would be wise 
 to cherish what was to be the permanent means of pro 
 duction and profit, and religion exacted the humane and 
 judicious employment of the "talent" committed to our 
 care. Thus the most powerful influences that sway the 
 heart and the judgment are in operation for the benefit 
 D 2 
 
82 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OP 
 
 of the slave, and hence his present comfortable and con 
 stantly ameliorating condition. It is due, almost solely, 
 to the moral convictions of the slaveholder. Our laws 
 protect the slave in life and limb, and against cruel and 
 inordinate punishment. Those laws are rigorously ap 
 plied, though rarely necessary, for public opinion, more 
 formidable than law, would condemn to execration and 
 infamy the unjust and cruel master. Since these convic 
 tions in regard to slavery have been adopted almost 
 unanimously in the South, the value of negroes has quad 
 rupled. This, however, is in some measure an evil, be 
 cause the tendency is to concentrate the slaves in the 
 hands of the few, who are able to pay the extraordinary 
 rates now demanded. It would be better for the com 
 monwealth, and give additional solidity to our system 
 of domestic servitude, if every family had an interest in 
 it, secured, to a limited extent, against liability for debt. 
 It should constitute in the South, if practicable, a part 
 of every homestead, and then interest, and household 
 tradition, and the friendly, confidential, and even affec 
 tionate relations that in the present state of public feel 
 ing prevail between master and slave, would unite all 
 men in its defense. Neither land, nor slaves, which are 
 here more valuable than land, should, by either direct or 
 indirect legislation, be concentrated in few hands. Ev 
 ery citizen should have, if possible, that immediate inter 
 est in them which would make him feel that, in defend 
 ing the commonwealth and its institutions, he is defend 
 ing his own inheritance. Whether our law T s, both fed 
 eral and state, are not in this sense unfavorable to the 
 permanence of an institution indispensable to the South, 
 is a question now exercising the public attention, and it 
 is not doubted that, ultimately, as was the case with the 
 question of slavery itself, the Southern mind w T ill arrive 
 at a correct conclusion. 
 
JOHN A. QUITilAN. 
 
 To Col. Brush. 
 
 " Soldier s Ketreat, near Natchez, Aug. 23d, 1823. 
 " Since my last letter, my dear Col. Brush, I have been 
 a refugee from Natchez, where the yellow fever is rag 
 ing. Our bar is quartered at various country-seats not 
 boarding; a Mississippi planter would be insulted by 
 such a proposal; but we are enjoying the hospitalities 
 that are offered to us on all sides. The awful pestilence 
 in the city brings out, in strong relief, the peculiar vir 
 tues of this people. The mansions of the planters are 
 thrown open to all coiners and goers free of charge. 
 Whole families have free quarters during the epidemic, 
 and country wagons are sent daily to the verge of the 
 smitten city with fowls, vegetables, etc., for gratuitous 
 distribution to the poor. I am now writing from one of 
 those old mansions, and I can give you no better notion 
 of life at the South than by describing the routine of a 
 day. The owner is the widow of a Virginia gentleman 
 of distinction, a brave officer, who died in the public serv 
 ice during the last war with Great Britain/ 1 -" She her 
 self is a native of this vicinity, of English parents settled 
 here in Spanish times. She is an intimate friend of my 
 first friend, Mrs. Griffith, and I have been in the habit of 
 visiting her house ever since I came South. The whole 
 aim of this excellent lady seems to be to make others 
 happy. I do not believe she ever thinks of herself. She 
 is growing old, but her parlor is constantly thronged 
 with the young and gay, attracted by her cheerful and 
 never-failing kindness. There arc two large families 
 from the city staying here, and every day some ten or 
 a dozen transient guests. Mint-juleps in the morning 
 are sent to our rooms, and then follows a delightful 
 breakfast in the open veranda. We hunt, ride, fish, 
 pay morning visits, play chess, read or lounge until din 
 ner, which is served at two P.M. in great variety, and 
 most delicately cooked in what is here called the Creole 
 style very rich, and many made or mixed dishes. In 
 two hours afterward every body white and black has 
 disappeared. The whole household is asleep the siesta 
 
 * The late Gen. F. L. Claiborne. 
 
84 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE OF 
 
 of the Italians. The ladies retire to their apartments, 
 and the gentlemen on sofas, settees, benches, hammocks, 
 and often, gipsy fashion, on the grass under the spread 
 ing oaks. Here, too, in fine weather, the tea-table is 
 always set before sunset, and then, until bedtime, we 
 stroll, sing, play whist, or coquet. It is an indolent, yet 
 charming life, and one quits thinking and takes to dream 
 ing. 
 
 " This excellent lady is not rich, merely independent ; 
 but by thrifty housewifery, and a good dairy and gar 
 den, she contrives to dispense the most liberal hospitali 
 ty. Her slaves appear to be, in a manner, free, yet arc 
 obedient and polite, and the farm is well worked. With 
 all her gayety of disposition and fondness for the young, 
 she is truly pious, and in her own apartment every night 
 she has family prayer with her slaves, one or more of 
 them being often called on to sing and pray. When a 
 minister visits the house, w T hich happens very frequently, 
 prayers night and morning are always said, and on these 
 occasions the whole household and the guests assemble 
 in the parlor : chairs are provided for the servants. 
 They are married by a clergyman of their own color, 
 and a sumptuous supper is always prepared. On public 
 holidays they have dinners equal to an Ohio barbecue, 
 and Christmas, for a week or ten days, is a protracted 
 festival for the blacks. They are a happy, careless, unre 
 flecting, good-natured race, who, left to themselves, would 
 degenerate into drones or brutes, but, subjected to whole 
 some restraint and stimulus, become the best and most 
 contented of laborers. They are strongly attached to 
 old massa and old missus, but their devotion to 
 young massa and young missus amounts to enthusi 
 asm. They have great family pride, and are the most 
 arrant coxcombs and aristocrats in the world. At a 
 wedding I witnessed" here last Saturday evening, where 
 some 150 negroes were assembled, many being invited 
 guests, I heard a number of them addressed as governors, 
 generals, judges, and doctors (the titles of their masters), 
 and a spruce, tight-set darkey, who waits on me in town, 
 was called Major Quitman. The colored ladies are 
 invariably Miss Joneses, Miss Smiths, or some such title. 
 They are exceedingly pompous and ceremonious, gloved 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAlSr. 85 
 
 and highly perfumed. The gentlemen sport canes, ruf 
 fles, and jewelry, wear boots and spurs, affect crape on 
 their hats, and carry huge cigars. The belles wear gaudy 
 colors, tote their tans with the air of Spanish senoritas, 
 and never stir out, though black as the ace of spades, 
 without their parasols. In short, these niggers, as you 
 call them, are the happiest people I have ever seen, and 
 some of them, in form, features, and movement, are real 
 sultanas. So far from being fed on salted cotton-seed, 
 as we used to believe in Ohio, they are oily, sleek, boun 
 tifully fed, well clothed, well taken care of, and one hears 
 them at all times whistling and singing cheerily at their 
 work.* They have an extraordinary facility for sleep 
 ing. A negro is a great night-walker. He will, after 
 laboring all day in the burning sun, walk ten miles to a 
 frolic, or to see his Dinah, and be at home and at his 
 work by daylight next morning. This would knock up 
 a white man or an Indian. But a negro will sleep dur 
 ing the day sleep at his work, sleep on the carriage- 
 box, sleep standing up ; and I have often seen them sit 
 ting bareheaded in the sun on a high rail-fence, sleeping 
 as securely as though lying in bed. They never lose 
 their equipoise, and will carry their cotton-baskets or 
 their water-vessels, filled to the brim, poised on their 
 heads, walking carelessly and at a rapid rate, without 
 spilling a drop. The very weight of such burdens would 
 crush a white man s brains into apoplexy. Compared 
 with the ague-smitten and suffering settlers that you and 
 I have seen in Ohio, or the sickly and starved operators 
 we read of in factories and in mines, these Southern 
 slaves are indeed to be envied. They are treated with 
 
 * Contrast this with life at the North, as recorded by his brother 
 Henry in a letter dated Ehinebeck, Feb. 3d, 1823: "We have not 
 had snow enough for sleighing, so every body has to stay at home. 
 In the morning I feed the cows, take care of the horses, and cut wood 
 until dinner-time. In the evening I take care of the cattle, and go 
 to bed. I would willingly exchange my residence here for one where 
 I might do for myself, were my earnings ever so small, and lay by a 
 little for a rainy day. It is a hard place to get along in cold win 
 ters and hot summers ; snow, or slush, or dust, or drought. Work, 
 work, work, and money always scarce. I wish I had been brought 
 up a tailor, or shoemaker, as you say they have none at Natchez." 
 
86 LIFE AND COKKESPONDENCE OF 
 
 great humanity and kindness. I have only heard of one 
 or two exceptions. And the only drawback to their 
 happiness is that their owners, sometimes, from extrava 
 gance or other bad management, die insolvent, and then 
 they must be sold to the highest bidder, must leave the 
 old homestead and the old family, and pass into the 
 hands of strangers. I have witnessed one of these 
 scenes, and but one, though they occur often, and I nev 
 er saw such profound grief as the poor creatures mani 
 fested. I am opposed, as you know, to all relief laws, 
 but, I confess, I never hear of the sale of old family serv 
 ants without wishing that there was some provision by 
 which some of them, at least, might be retained as in 
 alienable. It is a grave question for those interested in 
 slavery to determine whether some protection of this na 
 ture is not a necessary adjunct of slavery itself." 
 
 To his brother. 
 
 " Greenfields, near Natchez, Oct. 1st, 1823. 
 
 " I have been for a week or more at this charming 
 abode, w T here Mr. Griffith and his family are likewise 
 guests. We shall not return to town until December. 
 Whole families there have been exterminated. I have 
 lost several warm friends. Country air seems to be the 
 antidote for this dreadful scourge. Outside the city 
 even a hundred yards beyond the corporation it is as 
 healthy as any part of the world. Sick persons, brought 
 from the city, are received into crowded households, and 
 nursed without fear of contagion, and I have heard of 
 no instance of the fever being thus contracted.* 
 
 " Four weeks ago I left this county to ride the circuit 
 of the first judicial district, about 150 miles. I returned 
 three days since, and now enjoy, I assure you, the repose 
 of country life. Hunting and angling constitute our 
 amusements. The neighborhood is wealthy and popu 
 lous. We meet in the morning, hunt or fish until din 
 ner-time, and then turn in to the house of the nearest 
 
 * The disease, now to some extent localized, would be more terri 
 ble to an invading enemy than "an army with banners." Properly 
 viewed, in some contingencies, it would be a source of strength to 
 the South. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 87 
 
 planter, and never fail to get a good dinner, with the 
 choicest wines. The planters here are famous for their 
 claret and Madeira. Many fine packs of hounds are kept, 
 and they are always at our service." 
 
 To his Brother. 
 
 "Natchez, December llth, 1823. 
 
 " I am writing, thank God, once more from our own 
 office. Three weeks since a severe frost banished the 
 epidemic, and we returned. It was painful to see the 
 desolation of the streets. I looked in vain for faces with 
 which I had been familiar. A gloom and sadness per 
 vaded the whole place, and when friends met they press 
 ed each other s hands in silence, or averted their faces 
 and burst into tears. There was a chasm in every fam 
 ily, and ah ! how many bleeding hearts ! 
 
 " This, however, is disappearing under the rush and 
 tumult of business and new-comers. Even the theatre 
 has opened, parties announced, and an air of reckless 
 ness prevails. There is certainly more dissipation and 
 extravagance than we had this time last year. This is, 
 perhaps, one effect of epidemics. It was observed when 
 London was plague-stricken. It is seen in cities during 
 a siege, and I hear curious details of the saturnalia, the 
 debauchery and excesses, that occurred here when the 
 fever was at its worst wine-parties after funerals, card- 
 playing on coffins, shrouded figures whirling in the waltz ! 
 
 " I am incessantly occupied bringing up our business. 
 It shall never be said of me that business placed in my 
 hands has been neglected. Perseverance and punctu 
 ality are indispensable in our arduous profession." 
 
88 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE OF 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 His Marriage. Death of Mr. Griffith. John T. M Murran. His 
 first Canvass. John Hawkins and Brown Bess. Is elected to the 
 Legislature. The Indian Question. William Haile. The Choc- 
 taws and Chickasaws. Appointed Chancellor. His Views of the 
 Chancery System. Thomas B. Eeed. Quitman and the U. S. 
 Senate. George Poindexter and Robert H. Adams. Quitman s 
 Views of State Policy. He visits the North. Letters from New 
 York. Political Parties and religious Societies. Returns home. 
 Declares for States Rights. Candidate for the Convention. 
 Opposition. His bold Defense. An elective Judiciary. His 
 Course in the Convention. 
 
 ON the 24th of December, 1824, he married Eliza, only 
 daughter of the late Henry Turner, a native of Virginia, 
 whose parents removed to Kentucky, whence he came, 
 when a young man, to New Orleans and Natchez, and, 
 by his enterprise and sagacity, accumulated a large es 
 tate. He died at Woodlands, near Natchez, many years 
 since, leaving a name and reputation greatly respected. 
 By this marriage Quitman came into possession of a large 
 estate, but continued to devote himself sedulously and 
 successfully to his profession. 
 
 To liis Brother. 
 
 "Natchez, December 6th, 1827. 
 
 "I have met with a heavy and unexpected calamity. 
 I have lost my best friend and partner, William B. Griffith. 
 He died on the 28th of October from apoplectic convul 
 sions. He had been slightly ill for several weeks of 
 bilious fever, which resulted in jaundice, and the day be 
 fore his death he was seized violently with convulsions, 
 which succeeded each other rapidly until he expired. I 
 heard his last words, and closed his dying eyes. Poor 
 
JOHN A. QUITAIAjST. 89 
 
 fellow ! with him I have lost my first benefactor in this 
 country, the bar its brightest ornament, society one of 
 its most valuable members. Long will it be before his 
 place can be tilled. lie has left behind him an amiable 
 wife (daughter of Judge Turner) and two children. I 
 am almost worn down with this sad dispensation, and 
 the accumulation of business it has thrown upon me. I 
 have received as a partner John T. M Murran, a native 
 of Ohio, who has been a year in our office, and bids fair 
 to be an eminent lawyer." 
 
 This partnership proved fortunate and profitable. Mr. 
 M Murran, who was then a very young man, a native of 
 Pennsylvania, but more recently from Ohio, of singularly 
 modest and prepossessing address, rose rapidly in the 
 profession, and soon attained its highest rank. He was 
 strongly attached to Quitman, and remained through life 
 his devoted friend and counselor. 
 
 During this period, as in after life, he contributed lib 
 erally to the education of some of his relatives. To one 
 of them he thus wrote let the young student carefully 
 peruse it : 
 
 To his Nephew. 
 
 "Natchez, June 20th, 1825. 
 
 " I am much pleased to hear of your arrival at Hart- 
 wick, and that you are determined to employ your oppor 
 tunities to the best advantage. Write freely and often, 
 and tell me what profession you wish to adopt. Treat 
 me with the utmost candor, and without reserve. Upon 
 the profession must depend your line of studies. I wish 
 you to be thorough in all you undertake. I have not 
 offered you my assistance to leave you on the threshold. 
 Be industrious, be economical, be virtuous and honorable, 
 and I will stand by you always. I have been led to be 
 lieve that you prefer the law. My partialities are in its 
 favor. In our country it opens the road to distinction 
 and wealth. Remember, however, it is laborious, and re 
 quires unremitted industry. There is no position in so 
 ciety so abject and mean as that of a mere pettifogger, 
 and none more elevated and noble than that of the honest 
 
90 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 and distinguished lawyer. Persevere; few men of good 
 intellect have ever failed of success in any pursuit to 
 which they have given their whole mind and heart. 
 There is a very seductive kind of mental dissipation, to 
 which young men too often give way; it consists in 
 changing their aims and objects too often a kind of 
 waiting upon Providence. They make as little real prog 
 ress as the mariner who sails about the ocean without a 
 chart, driven by the shifting winds ; they pursue every 
 shadow that flits across their path. Such persons always 
 fail, because they have no ultimate aim. The young man 
 Avho sets out upon the journey of life should fix his eye 
 upon some great object, and then resolutely and perse- 
 veringly exert all his energies to accomplish it. If the 
 tide of adversity sets against his progress, he should row 
 the harder ; if difficulties intervene, grapple with and 
 overcome them. Keep this in view, and you may com 
 mence your career with many advantages. In the mean 
 time, consult your venerable instructor in all things ; de 
 termine to be first among your fellow-students ; write 
 me once a month ; choose your topics ; do not try to be 
 stiff and learned ; any thing that amuses and interests 
 you will be pleasing to me ; above all things, be unre 
 served. I would not have you an imitator or a parasite, 
 "but it is a good plan for a student to select some model 
 from the great men of the past, or from those that figure 
 in contemporary history, and resolve to be equal to him. 
 Epaminondas used to engross my affections, but of all 
 the great republicans that history has handed down to 
 us, I now most admire Cato ; he was willing to sacrifice 
 not only his person but his reputation and character in 
 the cause of liberty.* 
 
 * In 1856, while in Congress, he thus wrote to James M. Kennard, 
 of Natchez : 
 
 "Mr YOUNG- FRIEND, I have to-day nominated you to the Presi 
 dent for a cadetship at West Point. I will soon forward your com 
 mission, and now inclose some of the rules that govern the appoint 
 ment. The delay in notifying you of this result has been occasioned 
 by my sense of duty, to give ample time for the coming in of similar 
 applications before making my selection. My choice has fallen on you 
 because, from your appearance and high recommendations, I believed 
 you would do credit to the district, to the state, and to the service, as 
 well as to my own judgment in selecting you out of so many worthy 
 
JOUN A. QUmiAN. 91 
 
 In 1827 Capt. Quitman became a candidate to repre 
 sent the city of Natchez and county of Adams in the 
 Legislature, his principal competitor being Col. Adam L. 
 Bingaman, a native of the county, and a man of talents, 
 fortune, controlling family influence, and great personal 
 popularity. It was necessary to canvass with energy 
 against so formidable an opponent, and our young law 
 yer entered with spirit into the contest. He traversed 
 every section of the county, and just before the election 
 attended a large gathering at Hering s store, the ex 
 treme precinct, near the Franklin County line. He went 
 in his usual neat dress, but soon threw off his coat, and 
 astonished the crowd by his feats in wrestling, leaping, 
 and boxing. A foot-race was got up, a sweepstake for 
 six, a hundred and fifty yards, and he beat the fastest. 
 The heavy weights from Hoggatt s cotton-gin were on 
 the ground, and he lifted more, at arm s length, than 
 the strongest man present. His strength of arm was 
 remarkable. By this time a fat ox the prize of the 
 day was driven up, the target fixed at sixty yards, and 
 the shooting commenced. There were several expert 
 riflemen on the ground, among whom was the noted 
 John Hawkins, the crack shot of the whole country 
 round. No one would shoot against him and "Brown 
 Bess" (as he called his favorite rifle) without the odds. 
 To the astonishment of the crowd, Quitman refused the 
 odds and took an even chance. The contest was left to 
 them. Hawkins s pride was aroused, and he shot more de 
 liberately than usual. Three times they tried their skill, 
 and three times the veteran was beaten. He seemed 
 thunder-struck and grief-smitten, angry and churlish. At 
 
 applicants. I shall look to your conduct and career with an almost 
 paternal interest. I will be proud to hear that you achieve a high 
 position. I feel authorized to require of you every effort of which you 
 arc capable to meet my expectations. Let me hear from you, and do 
 not fail to visit me here on your way to West Point." 
 
92 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 length, however, admiration at what he considered some 
 thing almost supernatural, got the better of him, and he 
 stepped up to Quitman, and, taking off his hat, said, 
 " Sir, you have done what no other man has been able 
 to do. The beef is yours, and John Hawkins is yours, 
 too." Quitman took his hand, praised his shooting, ca 
 ressed Brown Bess, presented him the beef, and pro 
 posed a general treat. The crowd pitched in with three 
 cheers for Quitman, and from that moment the contest 
 was decided. He was chosen by a large majority. He 
 ran altogether independent of politics, and upon his per 
 sonal popularity, as he always preferred to do. He 
 never was a partisan ; he despised the arts of the poli 
 tician, and had no taste for the intrigues and machinery 
 of party. 
 
 He" was placed on the Judiciary Committee, which con 
 sisted of Win. L. Sharkey, P. R. R. Pray, and other able 
 jurists, and took, it would appear from the journals, an 
 active part in the House. Among other things, he advo- 
 vated a memorial to Congress for the extinction of the 
 Indian title within the state. It was likewise proposed 
 to extend civil process, by statute, over the Indian ter 
 ritory, abolishing the jurisdictions of their chiefs, and 
 thus paving the way for their voluntary removal to the 
 fine domain assigned to their tribe on the waters of the 
 Arkansas and Red Rivers. There was, however, a strong 
 opposition to this measure, especially among the religious 
 classes, prompted, chiefly, by missionaries quartered (and 
 very comfortably quartered) among the Indians by so 
 cieties located in Boston and New York. These men, 
 aliens to our section in birth and feeling, secretly opposed 
 to our domestic institutions, and having no pride in our 
 progress, operated on the influential bodies with whom 
 they were associated, whose conscientious scruples and 
 sympathies were aroused by ex parte statements, and 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 03 
 
 tints a formidable opposition was organized, even in Mis 
 sissippi, to what was called the Indian policy of Jack 
 son s administration. The proposed measure was at 
 that session defeated, but in 1830 it was again brought 
 forward by the Hon. Win. Haile, of Hancock,* and passed 
 with but one dissenting voice. In 1830 the Choctaws 
 accepted a liberal proposition from the United States 
 for their lands, which were soon organized into counties, 
 and shortly afterward the Chickasaws followed their ex 
 ample. Those counties now comprise a large portion 
 of the population and agricultural wealth of the state. 
 It is satisfactory to reflect that our red brethren have 
 profited, as it was intended they should, by the ex 
 change, and have become well-organized nationalities, 
 governed by humane and enlightened laws, and will 
 soon enter, it is hoped, on terms of perfect equality, our 
 family of united and sovereign states. The states of 
 Mississippi and Alabama should never lose their interest 
 in these fraternal tribes. Natives of our soil born un 
 der the same stars and skies having shed their blood, 
 in critical times, freely in our defense and having laws 
 and institutions identical with our own it is our duty 
 to maintain friendly relations, and their political integ 
 rity as sovereign states. 
 
 Mr. Quitman, while in the Legislature, effected many 
 reforms in the practice in chancery and courts of law, 
 in the various branches of the state government, the law 
 of administrators and guardians, and many other useful 
 measures. 
 
 Just before the close of the session, he was invited by 
 joint resolution to prepare a militia system for the state. 
 
 A vacancy soon after happening in the office of chan- 
 
 * Previously a representative in Congress from Mississippi. He was 
 a man of genius and of noble impulses, devoted to his native South. 
 He died soon after in Wilkinson County. 
 
94 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 cell or, he was appointed by the governor, and when the 
 Legislature assembled, he was unanimously elected by 
 that body. 
 
 He was a warm friend of the chancery system, and it 
 was retained by the convention called to revise the Con 
 stitution solely through his influence, and by the confi 
 dence reposed in him as chancellor. Jan. 12th, 1829, he 
 thus wrote Hon. Franklin E. Plummer, then a leading 
 member of the Legislature : " I regret the inclination of 
 your mind in relation to the Chancery Court. I will 
 not now discuss the matter, lest I expose myself to the 
 imputation of improper interference in which I am per 
 sonally interested. I may, however, say that, in the in 
 fancy of our state, we should set the example of sober 
 and well-considered legislation to our successors. We 
 have much to answer for to posterity, and it will per 
 haps bless us for acts which short-sighted contempora 
 ries condemn. Of all the Republican characters which 
 history has handed down to us, I most admire Cato, who 
 was willing to sacrifice not only his person, but his repu 
 tation for the sake of liberty. I have just read the re 
 port of the Secretary of "War, and cordially approve of 
 his plan for removing the Indians from the limits of the 
 states. Our Legislature should act upon the suggestion, 
 and extend process into the Indian territory, and impose 
 taxes on white persons residing therein. Drive off the 
 Northern missionaries and the lawless whites in the In 
 dian nation, and we shall have no trouble in removing 
 them. We have nothing new here, except that the 
 members of Congress from Georgia and South Carolina 
 have appeared at the Capitol in homespun. This is my 
 plan for resisting the tariff." 
 
 His militia code, a work of great labor, was adopted, 
 and, as he refused compensation, the Legislature, on mo 
 tion of Mr. J. F. H. Claiborne, member from Adams Coun- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 95 
 
 ty, presented him with a splendid copy of the writings 
 of Jefferson, thus recognizing him as a disciple of that 
 illustrious statesman. 
 
 In 1830 the lion. Thomas B. Reed, a U. S. senator 
 from the state of Mississippi, died. He had come to 
 this state at an early age from Kentucky, with his fam 
 ily, in very limited circumstances. He was a fine-look 
 ing, commanding personage, of florid complexion, but 
 never enjoying good health. He was irritable and some 
 what haughty in his manners, and never personally pop 
 ular ; but, by his great ability, he placed himself at the 
 head of the bar, and rose to bo attorney general. He 
 had violent enemies, as most men of superior talents 
 have ; but, after a struggle characterized by unusual bit 
 terness, he had been elected to the Senate of the United 
 States. In that body his first speech, on the extension 
 of the U. S. Circuit Court system, gave him a high repu 
 tation, and he was advancing to the first class, when his 
 health rapidly declined. 
 
 To fill his vacancy, George Poindexter, Joshua Chilcls, 
 James C. "VVilkins, Charles B. Green, David Dickson, 
 William Haile, and Chancellor Quitman, all of them dis 
 tinguished citizens, had been proposed. The follow 
 ing letter was addressed to Judge Quitman by one of 
 the representatives from Natchez and the county of 
 Adams. 
 
 From J.F.H. Claiborne. 
 
 "Soldier s Retreat, Oct. 20th, 1830. 
 
 " MY DEAR SIR, Your name is mentioned in connec 
 tion with the senatorial election. I have mentioned it 
 myself in correspondence with members of the Legisla 
 ture. Do you desire to be a candidate ? If so, it will 
 be expedient and proper to take bold ground on the 
 leading questions of the day. You are not regarded 
 strictly as a party man, but your sentiments are believed 
 to be in harmony with the great body of the people. 
 
96 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 As chancellor, I admire your course in standing aloof 
 from politics; but if you become a candidate, not pledges, 
 but avowals become necessary. My intention is to vote 
 for George Poindexter. He desires the place, and it is 
 due to his services and great abilities. In your general 
 views I think you harmonize ; I know you do as to the 
 relative powers of the state and federal governments, 
 and the dangerous propensity of the latter to usurp 
 power. This is the last opportunity we shall have to 
 recognize the services of Poindexter. He is old and in 
 firm, but his intellect shines as brilliantly as ever, and his 
 name will give strength to our section. I know he has 
 bitter and powerful enemies in this county, and that my 
 support of him will stimulate my opponents and alienate 
 many of my friends ; but he was the schoolmate, and, in 
 after life and in troublesome times, the friend of my fa 
 ther. I know, too, that he is a Republican of the school 
 of Jefferson, and I will vote for him to the last, if I sac 
 rifice myself by so doing. I have already heard of 
 menaces, but how little they know me w T ho fancy that 
 threats or opposition ever changed my purpose ! From 
 the past, and from the rebellious blood I inherit, they 
 should know me better. You are my second choice. 
 If Poindexter can not be elected, and you authorize your 
 name to be brought forward, I will gladly support you. 
 I do not believe our friend Colonel \Yilkins desires 
 the place. I Iknow he can not be elected as interests 
 now stand, and I have so informed him in the pres 
 ence of Colonel Campbell, and given him names and 
 reasons. 
 
 Judge Quitman replied as follows : 
 
 ToJ.F.IL Claiborne. 
 
 "Monmouth, Oct. 25th, 1830. 
 
 " In answering your last, I will commence at home. 
 Your friendly feelings have associated my name, in a cer 
 tain contingency, with the senatorial election. A num 
 ber of partial friends from other counties, and among 
 them some of your fellow-members of the Legislature, 
 have hinted the same thing, and I believe, if my political 
 sentiments upon the great national questions which are 
 
JOHN A. QTimiAN. 97 
 
 now discussed were better understood, I should stand a, 
 respectable poll. I have, however, thus far succeeded 
 by adhering to a rule, from which I must not now de 
 part to establish my reputation in the office conferred 
 upon me before I seek another. The people expect that 
 I will faithfully perform the responsible duties now con 
 fided to me, not only the duties of chancellor, but re 
 porting my own decisions, and their expectations shall 
 be fulfilled if in my power. Besides, much of my future 
 reputation will depend upon these official opinions, and 
 I am content to abide by the judgment which shall be 
 pronounced upon them, not for the evidences of superior 
 talent they are to exhibit, but for the marks of industry 
 and a conscientious regard for the rights of suitors which 
 they shall manifest. Under these circumstances,! would 
 not, I assure you, become a candidate, even though my 
 election was certain. I am induced by your frankness 
 thus to give you my notions, the loud thoughts of a con 
 stituent and friend, who will ever counsel with and ad 
 vise you, and never quarrel, although you may differ 
 from him. I note what you say about Mr. Poindexter. 
 I respect the feeling that makes you prefer your father s 
 friend. I marked this as one of your characteristics 
 when you were in my office, and it first attracted me to 
 you. I, too, would prefer Poindexter if he had health 
 and his former vigor. Our friends M Niel and Merrick 
 both saw him at Louisville, and they assure me that he 
 is unable to stand or move. What are we to do ? We 
 must have an intellectual man. R. J. Walker tells me 
 he will not be a candidate. What is to be done but to 
 take Wilkins ? You are wrong in thinking that he does 
 not desire the place. I am sure he does. Whether all 
 his doctrines square with your and my views, is proper 
 subject for inquiry." 
 
 Before the Legislature assembled the opposition to Mr. 
 Poindexter had concentrated on Robert H. Adams, Esq., 
 a distinguished member of the Natchez bar, who, at the 
 general election a few months previous, had been elected, 
 with Mr. Claiborne, to represent the county of Adams 
 and city of Natchez in the Legislature. He did not take 
 
 VOL. L E 
 
98 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 his seat as representative, but appeared there as a candi 
 date for the Senate of the United States. He was what 
 was then called " a Jackson man" in his politics ; but 
 the influence of the Natchez bar, of the banks, the com 
 mercial interest, then chiefly concentrated at Natchez, 
 and of the combined opposition, were brought into ac 
 tion in his favor. They had never before been exerted 
 for " a Jackson man." Besides this, the deplorable con 
 dition of Mr. Poindexter s health was urged as an argu 
 ment for the election of Mr. Adams. When the Legis 
 lature assembled, several of Mr. Poindexter s friends, 
 finding they were to be hard pressed, urged him to visit 
 Jackson, the seat of government. His reply was charac 
 teristic : 
 
 11 Ashwood Place, Wilkinson Co., Dec. 25th, 1829. 
 "MY DEAR SIR, I had written you, before I received 
 yours of the 22d, on the subject to which it relates. I 
 differ with you entirely as to the effect of a visit to Jack 
 son. It would be degrading to both parties. On my 
 part, it would manifest a mean solicitude for office which, 
 thank God, I do not feel ; and, on the part of the electors, 
 it would imply that they might be led from one man to 
 another, with perfect ease, if one would only take the 
 proper pains. Show yourself in person, flatter their van 
 ity, and convince them by actual inspection of your phys 
 ical powers, and you will find them the most docile crea 
 tures on earth. If I had no public character to rest my 
 claims on, if I had rendered no service to the state, if 
 I were entirely unknown as a politician and a jurist, I 
 would eagerly substitute for merit personal attentions, 
 urgent solicitations, and disgusting professions and prot 
 estations. The line of conduct which I have marked 
 out for myself is founded on moral virtue, and supports 
 the dignity of the senatorial character. The other course 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 99 
 
 is sycophantic and demoralizing in all its tendencies. 
 You will find that no gentleman who intended to vote 
 for me will decline doing so because I do not choose to 
 approach him with personal importunities. Those who 
 do not mean to vote for me may make my remaining at 
 home a convenient excuse. There can be no mistake 
 about the state of my health. If I am worthy of the 
 high trust of senator in Congress, I certainly may be 
 trusted to tell the truth as to the state of my health. On 
 former occasions I have rejected important offices, be 
 cause my health would not justify my accepting them. 
 This very office of senator was offered to me in 1825, 
 but I could not fulfill the duties, and it was declined. 
 But if other evidence is wanted concerning my health, 
 my friends and neighbors, who will be at Jackson, and 
 my physicians will testify to it. If I had the strength 
 of my overseer (a very stout man) I would not make my 
 personal appearance at Jackson until after the vote is 
 taken. I should then take great pleasure in paying my 
 respects to the members. Candidates without merit, 
 who are willing to rely on management, will honor the 
 members with their company and conversation on all oc 
 casions, and will be c all things to all men, that they may 
 gain favor with a few. If, then, my friends think that 
 my presence is a sine qua non, they may drop my name 
 as a candidate. You seem to doubt whether the senator 
 
 from will vote against me. I can assure you I 
 
 should as soon expect to see a white crow as to obtain 
 
 the vote of any man in this state of the name of . 
 
 Huston and others are laboring in their vocation. They 
 expect to get a share of Mr. Adams s practice all pure 
 patriotism and love of country ! A Clay man support 
 ing a Jackson man, and the Jackson men of Adams Coun 
 ty electing a Clay man to the Legislature. Heads I 
 win, tails you lose. The good people of Mississippi 
 
100 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 have been duped and ridden for many years past, and I 
 suppose they are not yet sufficiently gulled. 
 
 "Your friend, most truly, GEO. POINDEXTER. 
 "Hon. J. F. H. Claiborne, Jackson." 
 
 The Legislature did not take this high-toned view of 
 the case, and Mr. Robert H. Adams was elected. He 
 was, it is believed, a native of Tennessee. At all events, 
 he came from that state to Mississippi, and took at once 
 a high position at the bar. He was in the vigor of life, 
 and, though not a man of liberal education, had been en 
 dowed by nature with extraordinary powers. He was 
 both argumentative and eloquent, and as an advocate 
 has, perhaps, never had an equal at the bar of that state. 
 He served but one session, and died soon after his re 
 turn home from Washington. At the ejisuing session 
 of the Legislature, George Poindexter was elected to 
 fill his place. 
 
 Chancellor Quitman, though properly taking no act 
 ive part in politics, and occupied almost daily with the 
 responsibilities of his office, nevertheless found time to 
 think a good deal on public concerns. 
 
 ToJ.F.H. Claiborne. 
 
 "Monmouth, Oct. 18th, 1830. 
 
 " DEAR CLAIBORNE, I have put off a further reply to 
 your letter of the 25th August with a view to minute the 
 amendments of which our code is susceptible, as they 
 might occur to me from time to time ; but I have found 
 myself so engrossed by the preparation of my decrees 
 and opinions for publication, and by other official busi 
 ness, that I am still, in a measure, unprepared, and must 
 answer you now only in part. 
 
 " It will be certain that an amendment to the Consti 
 tution will be necessary in a few years. The acquisition 
 of the Indian territory will make this imperative, and the 
 only question is, whether the present is a more suitable 
 time than the period when the actual necessity shall oc- 
 
JOHN A. QTimiA^. 101 
 
 cur. It seems to me that the absence of pplUi^rT e:: ?itc- 
 lucnt, and the serenity of our h,onzoij, : pGiiit o ut i.ne pres 
 ent as the most suitable moment to careen the ship of 
 state. Talent will be called to the performance of this 
 duty without regard to party. We know not how long 
 this quiet atmosphere will continue. Storms may arise in 
 a few years, by which the scum and dregs of society may 
 be agitated to the surface, and disturb and destroy the 
 pure clement we now enjoy. Let us do, then, what may 
 be necessary, while we may do it in peace. 
 
 "The 2d and 3d articles of the compact limiting the 
 number of judges, and the 9th section of the 3d article 
 limiting the number of representatives to 36 until our 
 white population amounts to 80,000, and yet requiring 
 that each county shall have a representative, are incom 
 patible with the acquisition and organization of new and 
 extensive territory. Even setting aside the necessity 
 of the matter, policy requires some amendments to the 
 charter. Our judicial system is exceptionable. The trial 
 of questions in the last resort should be vested in an inde 
 pendent, impartial, and unprejudiced tribunal, composed 
 of judges in number sufficient to avoid as well the frailty 
 or errors of one individual, as the great division of re 
 sponsibility where there are too many judges. Three is, 
 in my opinion, the golden number. When a set of men 
 are called on to decide upon their own errors, we must 
 expect to find some bias toward former impressions, or 
 a disposition to question the accuracy of one who has 
 detected a flaw. 
 
 " I likewise am in favor of biennial sessions of the Leg 
 islature, and some change made to prevent important 
 questions of legislation from being made subsidiary to 
 the election of a senator or a judge. Our whole bloody 
 criminal code calls for radical revision. I sec no cure 
 for it but amputation. The limb should be cut off from 
 the body politic, and a scion of less barbarous growth 
 engrafted thereon. For the many grades of moral tur 
 pitude which are considered proper subjects for the de 
 nunciation of the laws, many and various grades of pun 
 ishment are required, and the punishment of all crimes, 
 except, perhaps, those of the deepest dye, should be so 
 inflicted as to leave room for amendment. It were bet- 
 
102 V L}F)2 : 4KI> CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 death In all cases than to brand the 
 it ;\YT.,trh atl ^.rd^libfc stigma and turn him loose upon 
 society. Yet for all the various classes of crime known 
 to our laws, we have but four kinds of punishment the 
 whipping-post, the pillory, the hot iron, and halter. Im 
 prisonment in the common jail is seldom resorted to. 
 When the courts have the alternative they rarely order 
 imprisonment, owing to its expense to the state. The 
 prisoner must be supported at considerable cost, while 
 his labor, which, under a better system, might be profit 
 ably employed, is wholly lost. The penitentiary is the 
 remedy. This would enable us to graduate punishments, 
 and would be followed by more certainty in the convic 
 tion of offenders. Many crimes of dangerous character 
 negro stealing and forgery, for example which are now 
 capital, go unpunished, in consequence of the disinclina 
 tion of juries to find a verdict of guilty. In my opinion, 
 the man who shall succeed in introducing the peniten 
 tiary system in this state will deserve the highest honor. 
 Were I in search of popularity, I would feel certain of 
 success with such a subject. It is not a mere experi 
 ment. Good management will enable the system to more 
 than support itself. 
 
 " Let me urge upon you, by all means, the necessity of 
 a law to prevent and punish the circulation of incendiary 
 pamphlets, etc., in this state." 
 
 At the session of the Legislature of 1830, the great 
 question of interest was the extension of the laws of Mis 
 sissippi over the Indian tribes within their limits. The 
 constitutionality and justice of the measure were boldly 
 denied, very generally, by the opponents of the national 
 administration. Chancellor Quitman was consulted on 
 the subject, and replied in the following characteristic 
 letter : 
 
 ToJ.F.H. Clailorne. 
 
 "Monmouth, Jan. 8th, 1830. 
 
 "DEAR CLAIBORNE, I regret that we did not meet 
 before your departure for Jackson. I had much to con 
 fer with you about, and could have done so more satis- 
 
JOHN A. QTJITMAN. 103 
 
 factorily than in writing. You ask my opinion upon the 
 constitutional power of the General Assembly to tax and 
 otherwise legislate for the Indians within our limits. I 
 take this view, briefly, of the question. By the laws of 
 nature, no portion of the human race have a right to ap 
 propriate to themselves a greater part of the surface of 
 the earth than is necessary, with the aid of agriculture, 
 for their comfortable maintenance. This is the funda 
 mental principle of the right, claimed and exercised by 
 European nations upon the discovery of this continent, 
 to appropriate portions of it to their own use, and a denial 
 of the right would invalidate their and our title. The 
 United States claims federal jurisdiction over the whole 
 territory within its boundaries. The states severally 
 claim municipal jurisdiction over their respective limits, 
 and over all persons within the same, without exception 
 or distinction. By what principle, then, are the Indians 
 exempt from this authority ? The Constitution of the 
 United States is silent upon the subject. It only pro 
 vides that Congress may regulate commerce with the In 
 dian tribes. All other powers are reserved to the states. 
 When not restricted by the federal Constitution, they 
 have absolute powers. Mississippi could only be admit 
 ted into the Union upon an equal footing with the other 
 states. The power of Massachusetts and New York to 
 tax their Indians is not questioned. Our state has made 
 no treaty with the Indians, by which she is trammeled in 
 this respect. Where, then, are the restraints upon our 
 sovereign right to tax and legislate for all persons within 
 our limits ? Because the United States has treated with 
 the Choctaws for cessions of their soil, are we to consid 
 er them independent nations ? The federal government 
 may treat with an individual or a company within the 
 limits of a state, but that does not release them from 
 their allegiance to the state, nor from their responsibility 
 to its jurisdiction, nor their obligation to contribute to its 
 support. Good faith and Christian charity require that 
 we should exact nothing more from the Indians than we 
 impose on ourselves. The idea of two municipal author 
 ities in the same territory is absurd and irrational. The 
 truth is, some of our Northern friends appear to have 
 taken our Indians and negroes under their special care, 
 
104 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 and, if we submit to their assumptions, we shall next find 
 them claiming to regulate all our domestic legislation, 
 and even the guardianship of our wives and children. 
 
 " The governor has probably laid my militia system be 
 fore your honorable body. I bestowed much labor upon 
 it. Impress upon the members the necessity of compro 
 mising individual opinions a little. We must have an ef 
 ficient militia. Keep the Supreme Court at Natchez a 
 while longer. I presume you are all absorbed with the 
 elections. I hope you have made Joseph Dunbar speak 
 er. Your declining the written invitation from the East 
 ern members in his favor, so much your senior and your 
 relative, was right. We regard the election of Robert 
 II. Adams to the U. S. Senate as certain. Are you still 
 resolved to vote for Poindexter ? Adams is certainly the 
 choice of this county. I can not be mistaken in this. He 
 is a man of very superior talents, and of many noble qual 
 ities. He esteems you highly, and feels mortified that he 
 is not to get your vote. Your friends are anxious about 
 your course, and it would be unkind to conceal from you 
 that, should you vote against a constituent who is so 
 popular and deserving as Adams, for a citizen of another 
 county, who never has been popular here, and whoso 
 physical inability is not doubted, there will be a grer.t 
 clamor, and your next election will be bitterly opposed. 
 Construe these remarks as I mean them. They are not 
 intended to dictate to you. Your vote for Poindexter 
 will not change my feelings, though I am warmly for 
 Adams. But, as your friend, it is my duty to apprise you 
 of the state of feeling in Natchez on this subject. In the 
 county you are very strong, and may, probably, sustain 
 yourself, but the city is devoted to Adams, and expects 
 much from him in the Senate. 
 
 " Let me advise you, likewise, not to appear too often 
 on the floor." 
 
 In 1831, after the spring term of his court was over, 
 he went North with his family on a visit to his venera 
 ble father at Rhinebeck. He had left there eleven years 
 before, with only a few dollars in his pocket, with no 
 connections in the Western country to which he was 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. -105 
 
 bound, with only one human being there whom he had 
 ever met with, and he had made his way successfully, 
 established friendships that endured through life, studied 
 a profession, and secured the means to go to the far 
 South. Once more among strangers, but again to suc 
 ceed by the same qualities that had distinguished him at 
 Ilartwick, at Mount Airy, and in Ohio modest and 
 decorous habits, scrupulous integrity, and close atten 
 tion to business. He now returned, identified by mar 
 riage with one of the oldest and wealthiest families of 
 Mississippi, in possession of an ample income from his 
 own lucrative practice, and chancellor of a sovereign 
 state. His relations, his neighbors, and schoolmates clus 
 tered about him, rejoicing at the prosperity of their old 
 favorite, and proud to see that it had not rendered him 
 arrogant or vain. His simple tastes, his rural habits, the 
 kindness of his nature, and his affability of manners were 
 unchanged. The dogs, the guns, the boats of the village 
 were put in requisition for his amusement, and even his 
 old musk-rat traps were not forgotten. Nor did the 
 happiness he experienced from re-entering once more the 
 paternal circle and renewing the associations of youth, 
 direct his thoughts from public concerns and the inter 
 ests of his adopted state. He wrote the following char 
 acteristic letter, which foreshadows the views that mark 
 ed his future career : 
 
 To J.F.H. Claiborne. 
 
 "Rhinebeck, July 31st, 1831. 
 
 "DEAR CLAIBORNE, On my return yesterday from 
 a fortnight s tour through the New England States, I 
 had the pleasure to receive your favor. It was a great 
 treat. You must either know my taste in familiar cor 
 respondence, or, from some parity of disposition, you haA e 
 served up a series of dishes that suit my palate. I have 
 but one objection to your letter, that is, to burn it. 
 I will execute your injunction with regret. When you 
 
 E2 
 
106 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE OF 
 
 understand my method and care in filing letters received 
 in an off-hand, friendly correspondence, you will be under 
 no apprehension that even an accident will ever expose 
 your sensibility or your criticisms to the curiosity or re 
 marks of others. I have the same delicacy myself. 
 There are flowers that bloom in the shade of personal 
 confidence that the storms of vulgar life would convert 
 into worthless weeds. 
 
 " You fancy that the short respite I am now enjoying 
 from the vexatious cares of my office will destroy my 
 taste for active pursuits. Not so. In 1826 I determined 
 to devote the vigor and strength of my life to honorable 
 and useful ambition. Sweet as the repose and retire 
 ment of philosophy may be and a charming picture you 
 have drawn of it I will not shrink from the labor and 
 the struggle which that determination will cost. To 
 raise the standard of independence, and boldly fling it in 
 the face of any party ; sink or swim, to stand by the 
 best interests of our country ; to brave the shock of pub 
 lic opinion w r hen required, shall be to me a pleasure. In 
 pursuing such a course, how happy I shall be to find my 
 self side by side with the virtuous, intelligent, and gen 
 erous young men of our state. A phalanx of bold, inde 
 pendent, and honest men may be, for a long time, in the 
 minority, but even then their influence upon public af 
 fairs will be felt and respected, and an intelligent and 
 high-toned people will, sooner or later, appreciate their 
 merits. 
 
 " Aug. 6th. Since writing the above I have been in 
 motion about the country, and will now gallop over a 
 few of the many political observations collected during 
 my long journey from Natchez, reserving particulars un 
 til my return. A very fierce struggle is going on in 
 Kentucky. In no part of the Union have I seen so much 
 excitement. In Virginia, which I traversed from west 
 to east, there is evidently an important change working 
 in sectional politics. They are growing lukewarm in 
 support of the (Jackson s) administration, and I have no 
 doubt the dissensions in the cabinet, and the develop 
 ments that have been made, will ferment the leaven now 
 generally diffused. My opinion is that Virginia is in fa 
 vor of Calhoun, and, if so, Jackson can only be support- 
 
JOHN A. QUITilAN. 107 
 
 cd upon the principle of being the least of two evils. At 
 Charlottesville I had the pleasure of an hour s interview 
 with our senator, Mr. Poindexter. I found his political 
 opinions so nearly my own, you may conceive I enjoyed 
 a great treat in his conversation. He is more pungent 
 and tart than ever, and his tone is something like a sneer. 
 He is awfully severe on Jackson and his advisers, and 
 no less bitter against some of our folks at home. He 
 tells me he has written you at length upon the politics 
 of the day. I found him walking among the people in 
 the court-yard, without assistance and without crutches. 
 He is a man of extraordinary intellectual powers. You 
 knew him from your childhood, and I do not now won 
 der at your risking your popularity to support him. He 
 lias fascinated me. How is it that his private character 
 is so bad ? Why do we hear so much said against him 
 in Adams County ? His intemperance, his gambling, his 
 libertinism, and his dishonesty. He gives no indications 
 of these defects, and he is here, where he once resided, 
 taken by the hand by the first people and followed by 
 the crowd. By the way, have you ever met with the 
 pamphlet published by Dr. Brown against Poindexter ? 
 I met with it in Kentucky. It charges him with base 
 cowardice in several personal difficulties in Mississippi 
 and at the battle of New Orleans. Can so bold a poli 
 tician be deficient in personal courage? Can a public 
 speaker who so fiercely arraigns so many influential citi 
 zens be himself a knave ? The testimony in this pamphlet 
 is very strong. The witnesses are Dr. Brown, Colonel 
 Percy, Dr. Hogg, Dr. Stephen Duncan, Elisha Smith, and 
 others whom we well know. I send the pamphlet to 
 you.* Mr. P. is quite decided in his opposition to the 
 administration, and thinks our congressional delegation 
 will act with him. "Will his opposition to General Jack 
 son affect your relations to him ? He is for Calhoun. 
 
 " Here in New York I can plainly perceive among the 
 Jackson party an alienation of feeling. The Democratic 
 anti-tariff men, the free-trade and state-rights men, who 
 
 * All this will be explained in a biography of the Hon. George 
 Poindexter, based on his own correspondence and manuscripts, which 
 I am now writing. J. F. H. C. 
 
108 LIFE AND COEKESPONDEXCE OF 
 
 were all under the banner of Jackson, begin to feel un 
 easy, but, as yet, have not determined on their course. 
 The anti-masons, the no-Sunday-mail party, the manufac 
 turers, the working interest, and the latitudinarians and 
 so-called philanthropists all incline to Clay. The free- 
 trade and state-rights portion of the Jackson party may 
 well open their eyes when leading papers like the New 
 York Courier and Enquirer are evidently shifting over to 
 the tariff side, to prepare the way for Mr. Van Bur en. 
 I lately dined with a large party of intelligent men, who 
 all along had supported the administration. Being ask 
 ed about the impression which the late cabinet explosion 
 had made hi Mississippi, I ventured the opinion that a 
 great majority of our politicians were disposed to side 
 with Mr. Calhoun. One of them replied, c We have the 
 same feeling. The President is abandoning the princi 
 ples which raised him to office. 
 
 " For my part, I hope Mr. Calhoun, or some decided 
 anti-tariff man, will become a candidate. We must 
 know the opinion of presidential candidates on this tariff 
 question. An idea has frequently occurred to me of pro 
 posing to the Southern Republicans to run an independ 
 ent or unpledged ticket for electors. How would this 
 do ? I wish you would reflect upon it, and give me your 
 advice. In the mean time mention it to no one. If Mr. 
 Van Buren is a decided tariff and internal-improvement 
 man, I have no notion of smoothing his road to the pres 
 idency by a compromising course of policy. 
 
 " Among the masses in the Northern States, every oth 
 er feeling is now swallowed up by a religious enthusiasm 
 which is pervading the country. Wherever I have travel 
 ed in the free states, I have found preachers holding three, 
 four, six, and eight days meeting, provoking revivals, and 
 begging contributions for the Indians, the negroes, the 
 Sunday-schools, foreign missions, home missions, the Col 
 onization Society, temperance societies, societies for the 
 education of pious young men, distressed sisters, super 
 annuated ministers, reclaimed penitents, church edifices, 
 church debts, religious libraries, etc., etc. : clamorously ex 
 acting the last penny from the poor enthusiast, demanding 
 the widow s mite, the orphan s pittance, and denouncing 
 the vengeance of Heaven on those who feel unable to give, 
 
JOHN A. QUmiAN. 109 
 
 or who question the propriety of these contributions, 
 whether wholesale or specific. They are not only extor 
 tionate, but absolutely insulting in their demands; and 
 my observations lead me to believe that there is a vast 
 deal of robbery and roguery under this stupendous or 
 ganization of religious societies. That there is misappli 
 cation of funds, and extravagance, and a purse-proud and 
 arrogant priesthood supported by these eleemosynary 
 appeals, there can be no doubt. When in the city of 
 New York, I lodged at the Clinton Hotel. From my 
 window I saw several splendid edifices, which could not 
 be valued at less than $100,000, belonging to the Amer 
 ican Tract and other societies ! Thus is the industry of 
 remote parts of the Union taxed to build palaces in the 
 Northern cities, and to support herds of lazy cattle. Here 
 are clerks by the hundred, salaried liberally out of con 
 tributions wrung from pious and frugal persons in the 
 South; and these officials, like the majority of their theo 
 logians and divines, are inimical to our institutions, and 
 use our own money to defame and damage us ! Respect 
 for the proposed object of these societies, and the fear 
 of their power, have deterred even the bold from expos 
 ing their abuses. But such thraldom must not be sub 
 mitted to.* I am heartily tired of the North, and, except 
 
 * I find these opinions, uttered near thirty years ago, singularly 
 confirmed by the Rev. Dr. Thorn well, of South Carolina, in a speech 
 delivered by him in the General Assembly of the Old School Presby 
 terian Church, May, 1860. The subject was the policy of the Church 
 in regard to mission and other boards. The quotation is from the 
 Cincinnati Commercial : 
 
 "Dr. Thornwell, of South Carolina, who addressed the Assembly at 
 Nashville, in 1855, on the same subject, most certainly made an able 
 effort to convince the Assembly that the Church has no power to 
 delegate authority committed to her by her Master ; that she should 
 do her own work, and not appoint boards or other organizations to do 
 it. He argued, too, that it is a sin and a shame to have boards where 
 the membership is complimentary, and the privilege of consulting in 
 which can be purchased with money. The principle is money. The 
 seed of the serpent may be harmless, but the seed contains the poison. 
 We need unity, simplicity, and completeness of action ; and he closed 
 by rejoicing that, when the millennium comes, we will not find it neces 
 sary to change our principles. But I can not say, as the brethren 
 
110 LIFE AND COKRESPONDEXCE OP 
 
 parting from my relations, shall feel happy when I get 
 my face homeward. 
 
 have, We have done well enough. Look at 800,000,000 of hea 
 then without the Gospel ! Look at the resources, the riches of our 
 Church, and dare we say we have done well enough ? I believe these 
 boards have stood in the way of free action of the Church. 
 
 "He referred, likewise, to Dr. B. M. Smith s history of those boards, 
 as full of startling disclosures." 
 
 In the New Orleans Christian Advocate of May 30th, 1860, edited 
 by Rev. C. C. Gillcspie, one of the strongest writers in the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, South, I find an able article, prompted by the an 
 niversary meetings of the societies referred to in Quitman s letter. 
 The article, which furnishes thoughts enough for a book, and a very 
 interesting book, thus concludes : 
 
 "We confess we are sick of societies. We may be wrong; if so, 
 we hope for pardon and more light. There is a cold, heartless, me 
 chanical utilitarianism about this exclusive associational way of doing 
 good that crushes out all individuality of reason, affection, and prog 
 ress. Societies grow fat and strong, and individual Christian char 
 acter remains stationary, or, rather, assumes dwarfish proportions. It 
 is a sort of concentration of all the surplus energy of the artificial, 
 cantish Yankeeism there is in American character. It is true, there 
 must be associated effort. We do not deny that. But it should be 
 harmonious with those individual aptitudes and social relations and 
 sympathies which God has ordained. Such association we find in the 
 Church. God made our individual constitutions, He established our 
 social relations and sympathies, and He ordained the Church. They 
 are all harmonious. It may be said that, condemning High Church- 
 ism, we are High Churchmen ourselves. In the sense of giving the 
 Church the place, and the importance, and the allegiance intended by 
 its Divine Founder, and set forth in the Scriptures, we are High 
 Churchmen. We have almost as little sympathy with Low Church 
 men, of any school, as for societarians. They both undervalue the 
 Church in theory, or are unfaithful to their own Church ideal. High 
 Churchism, in the sense of giving the Church a character and power 
 not taught in the Scriptures, is the other extreme. Socictarianism 
 and Low Churchism lead to indifferentism and infidelity. Devotion 
 to the Church of Christ, as set forth in the Bible, as the purchase of 
 Christ s blood as the body of Christ, as the pillar and ground 
 of the truth, as the kingdom of Christ, against which the gates of 
 hell shall not prevail is simple Christianity, as far as it goes." 
 
 These are striking illustrations of the forecast and sagacity of Quit- 
 man. He saw, thirty years ago, what no one else saw at that day, 
 but what is now viewed as a serious social and religious evil. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. Ill 
 
 "Your elections are now over. I look forward to 
 hear that you and Bingaman are elected representatives, 
 and Gridley sheriff. Write me again at Lexington, Ky. 
 Your description of Plummer s visit to Natchez, and of 
 the intrigues it occasioned, amused me much. I know 
 he has the ready talent and tact to carry him through, 
 if he has prudence. What is the editor of the Clarion 
 about, in his severe strictures on Ingham, and Branch, 
 and Berrien, who very properly retired in disgust from. 
 Jackson s cabinet?" 
 
 On his return to Mississippi, Chancellor Quitman took 
 ground against the administration, advised earnest op 
 position to Mr. Van Buren, chiefly on account of his al 
 leged tariff proclivities, and declared himself for Mr. Cal- 
 houn. He organized a State Rights association in Adams 
 County, and others were formed in Amite, Hinds, Wil 
 kinson, and two or three other counties, through his 
 instrumentality. Little headway, however, was made 
 by those bodies. The State Rights movement had little 
 sympathy then, even in the South. Mr. Calhoun, outside 
 of his own state, had no general popularity. In Missis 
 sippi his supporters were " few and far between." In 
 Natchez and Adams County, where Quitman resided, the 
 Jackson party had discarded Calhoun, and the friends 
 of Mr. Clay were even more hostile to him, many of 
 them construing his doctrines as dangerous and treason 
 able. Yet Quitman never hesitated a moment to hoist 
 his standard and publicly hold InVmonthly State Rights 
 meetings, with seldom more than fifteen or twenty sup 
 porters. 
 
 In 1832 he presented himself as a candidate to repre 
 sent the county of Adams in the convention called to 
 frame a new Constitution for the state. The county had 
 great interests at stake, and highly appreciated his in 
 fluence and talents, and the general conservative char 
 acter of his opinions. There would have been no serious 
 
112 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 opposition to his election but for the real or affected 
 fears of a few persons, Whigs and Democrats, who 
 perceived, or pretended to perceive, that his views as 
 to federal and state relations, like Mr. Calhoun s, were 
 mischievous and revolutionary. The following hand-bill 
 made its appearance : 
 
 "Public Meeting. 
 
 " The citizens of Adams County, adverse to the election 
 of judges by the people, and opposed to Nullification, 
 are requested to meet at the court-house, in the city 
 of Natchez, on Thursday next, the 10th instant, at 11 
 o clock. 
 
 "The necessity for calling this meeting is deeply re 
 gretted ; not the more so, that it has occurred at a period 
 so close upon the election, than as affecting the political 
 standing of a gentleman who has been placed before the 
 people of Adams, by the spontaneous act of a large por 
 tion of its citizens, as a candidate for one of their highest 
 gifts. It is believed by a large body of those of Judge 
 Quitman s friends who sustained his nomination, and who 
 intended by their votes to have contributed to his elec 
 tion, that he is a Nullifier in principle! That his opin 
 ions, frequently of late expressed upon the subject of 
 nullification, are the same as Mr. Calhoun s and Mr. 
 Hayne s; the one its author, the other its first public 
 propagator. Judge Quitman s friends in this county be 
 lieve that nullification is unsound in theory, and contrary 
 to the Constitution ; that its tendency is anarchy, and 
 that the effect of its practical application to any given 
 case is disunion ! They look to the indications in South 
 Carolina, and despair of its permanency, while she asserts 
 her right and intention to nullify a law of the United 
 States. They look to the threats of her governor that, 
 before the year is out, her citizens will be in arms ; to the 
 declarations of a portion of her delegation in Congress, 
 who wish to go home and prepare for war. They are 
 also well aware of the disposition of the leaders of the 
 party to form a great Southern league to crusade against 
 the Union. Under these circumstances, and at such a 
 crisis, a large portion of Judge Quitman s friends can not 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 113 
 
 sustain him, without sustaining nullification, and putting 
 at issue in this state the question of union or disunion. 
 
 " It is therefore thought proper that this meeting be 
 called, with the view of endeavoring to produce such rec 
 onciliation as will prevent any serious division in the 
 ranks of those opposed to the election of judges by the 
 people, or, if that is found to be impracticable, to bring 
 out another candidate in place of Judge Quitman. It is 
 expected and desired that Judge Quitman will attend; 
 and, if his opinions have been misrepresented, that his 
 friends may be undeceived and again united. 
 
 CITIZENS." 
 
 To this he responded as follows : 
 
 "To the Citizens of Adams County. 
 
 " I have just learned that there has been industriously 
 circulated a notice, anonymously signed Many Citizens, 
 calling a public meeting of the citizens of Adams County 
 adverse to the election of judges by the people, and op 
 posed to nullification, for the purpose c of bringing out, 
 if reconciliation should be found impracticable, another 
 candidate in my place, and desiring me to attend. Such 
 a desire coming from friends I would cheerfully comply 
 with, but I can not recognize the authors of such a course 
 as friends? nor can I permit myself to be made the foot 
 ball of political opponents. I have protested, and do 
 again solemnly protest, against making my private polit 
 ical or religious opinions the test of my qualification for 
 the convention. The former have been brought before 
 the public without my consent or agency. They are 
 now branded by terms odious and unmeaning to the 
 public ear, and party excitement is brought to bear 
 upon me. To the calm and deliberate expression of the 
 public will I will most cheerfully submit. I can not, in 
 justice to my friends, accept the invitation of those whom 
 I must consider political opponents, and the time is too 
 short to give this notice full circulation before the con 
 templated meeting. I therefore respectfully request 
 that those of my fellow-citizens who feel interested in 
 this matter will assemble at the court-house in Natchez 
 on Friday next, at 1 1 o clock, when I will candidly ex 
 press my views of the relation which the states and gen- 
 
114 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE OF 
 
 era! government bear to each other, and endeavor to 
 si^ow that the doctrines which I entertain were not 
 invented by Mr. Calhoun and first propagated by Mr. 
 Hayne, but were propagated by Mr. Jefferson in 1798, 
 and have ever since been the true test of Republican and 
 ultra Federal doctrines, and continue to be the grand 
 landmarks of distinction between the advocates of a 
 constitutional government and the arbitrary despotism 
 of an oligarchy. JOHN A. QuroiAX. 
 
 " Monmouth, July 17th, 1832." 
 
 Finding, however, that the meeting called by the first 
 hand-bill for the 19th instant was a large one, the ex 
 citement having assembled the people from all parts of 
 the county, he appeared, and defended himself with vigor 
 and skill. The result was thus announced : 
 
 " A meeting of a portion of the citizens of Adams 
 County was held at the court-house in Natchez on the 
 19th inst., pursuant to public notice in a hand-bill signed 
 Many Citizens, calling a meeting of citizens adverse to 
 the election of judges by the people and opposed to nul 
 lification, for the purpose of bringing out, if reconcilia 
 tion should be found impracticable, another candidate for 
 the convention in the place of Chancellor Quitman. 
 Fountain Winston, Esq., was called to the chair, and R. 
 M. Gaines appointed secretary. 
 
 "Judge Quitman explained his reason for appearing 
 at the meeting, after having declined to do so in his hand 
 bill of the 17th inst., by stating that he had been since 
 requested to attend by many of his known friends. He 
 then addressed the meeting at considerable length on 
 the subject of the respective rights of the general and 
 state governments, after which Dr. Duncan, in a spirit of 
 conciliation, submitted a resolution which, being modi 
 fied on the motion of John T. M Murran, Esq., was unan 
 imously adopted by the meeting in the following form, 
 to wit : 
 
 " Resolved, As the sense of this meeting, that we are 
 opposed to the doctrine of nullification, and believe that 
 its propagation would endanger our dearest and best in 
 terests ; that John A. Quitman having at this meeting 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 115 
 
 made a distinct exposition of his views upon the subject 
 of the relation which the state and federal governments 
 bear to each other, said views do not amount to nulli 
 fication; according to the usual acceptation of the term, 
 and that said John A. Quitman ought to be supported 
 for the convention on. the ticket as originally selected at 
 a general meeting of the citizens of this county, in this 
 place, in May last. 
 
 " FOUNTAIN WINSTON, Chairman. 
 " R. M. GAINES, Secretary." 
 
 In his speech he neither renounced nor qualified a prin 
 ciple, but he traced his whole code to Mr. Jefferson ; and 
 the Democrats dared not vote a resolution of censure 
 (and the opposition were not strong enough to do so) 
 upon the illustrious founder of their party. In the course 
 of the speech he expressed, with regard to the state Con 
 stitution, opinions so acceptable to his audience, and 
 there were such evidences of his personal popularity, es 
 pecially among the young men of all parties, threatening 
 to override any and every organization, that it was deem 
 ed prudent to find nothing to condemn. 
 
 Quitman had no notion of evading the issue. He met 
 it at the threshold. He proclaimed the doctrines of Cal- 
 houn to be the doctrines of Jefferson, and he appeared 
 in the court-house, in the face of his opponents, and 
 proved it. After his luminous defense, there was noth 
 ing to censure. This was the first time that his state- 
 rights opinions had been publicly arraigned. He had 
 adopted them when studying the Constitution and his 
 tory of his country. He brought them with him when 
 he came to Mississippi. He knew they were unpopular 
 in his immediate vicinity, where the opposite school of 
 politics prevailed, and throughout the state, where en 
 thusiasm for President Jackson diverted the public from 
 abstract discussions. He adhered to these opinions 
 through life with a constancy that neither opposition nor 
 
116 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 temptation could shake, and his faith in them as the only 
 true interpretation of constitutional power, and the only 
 guarantee for pacific relations between the federal and 
 state governments, grew stronger at every stage of his 
 career. 
 
 A few days after this meeting he issued an address on 
 the mooted questions of state policy of that day, which 
 even now may be profitably read. 
 
 " To the Electors of Adams County. 
 
 "FELLOW-CITIZENS, It is known to you generally that 
 I have been nominated, by a public meeting of citizens of 
 this county, one of the candidates to represent you in 
 the convention. I believed that a long residence among 
 you, together with the public stations I have held, had 
 made my character and political principles so well known 
 to most of you, as to render a public communication of 
 this kind unnecessary. I was anxious that the people 
 should be left to the quiet exercise of their own good 
 sense and judgment in the selection of members of the 
 convention, and had determined to confine my agency 
 to verbal discussions and arguments. 
 
 " Some recent occurrences, the example of most of the 
 candidates, and misrepresentations of my opinions, have 
 induced me to change my course, and to appear, at this 
 late period, before the public in a circular, for the imper 
 fection of which I must ask all the indulgence to w T hich 
 great haste and limited time may entitle me. 
 
 " A most important crisis is near at hand. We are 
 about to remodel our organic law. The people of this 
 state are called upon to appoint representatives to alter, 
 revise, and amend their frame of government. This work 
 will require the wisest and most experienced heads, for 
 upon it will depend mainly, not only the character of our 
 state, both political and moral, but the happiness and 
 prosperity of our citizens. 
 
 " The slightest defect in this work will create discon 
 tent, and may produce incalculable misery. Upon its pro 
 visions must rest our most sacred rights, the free enjoy 
 ment of our lives, our personal security and private prop- 
 
JOIIN A. QUITMAX. 117 
 
 erty. It is not, therefore, surprising that the objects of 
 the proposed convention should be matters of the deep 
 est interest to every citizen. 
 
 "The organization of the judiciary, and the mode of ap 
 pointing j udges, are prominent subj ects of inquiry. There 
 are those among us who are disposed to try a new ex 
 periment in this department. Believing as I do, that this 
 experiment would be dangerous in the extreme, would 
 tend to corruption, and strike a fatal blow at the inde 
 pendence of the judiciary, I will stop and examine it 
 briefly. 
 
 " Every argument that I have seen or heard, in favor 
 of the election of judges by the people, has been com 
 menced with old and stale maxims, such as, ; The peo 
 ple are the source of all political power ; We should 
 not delegate any power which we can conveniently ex 
 ercise ourselves. Maxims which nobody now denies, 
 w r hich are so generally acknowledged that the repetition 
 of them can only be intended to create the impression 
 that others dispute them. A disposition is, also, evinced 
 by some aspiring men to flatter and tickle our ears with 
 praises of our virtue and intelligence. We are represent 
 ed as the most perfect people on earth all of us saints 
 and philosophers ! Do you suppose our flatterers believe 
 what they assert? If they did, fellow-citizens, they 
 would not dare to utter such fulsome adulations in our 
 ears. When a man flatters us ice should take it for grant 
 ed he has an indifferent opinion of our sense and judg 
 ment. We are treated like spoiled children, who must 
 be bribed by sweetmeats to love the giver. I have too 
 good an opinion of those among whom my lot is cast to 
 court your favor by flattery and praise. I will address 
 myself to you as men full grown sensible men, who 
 will act from judgment and principle, and will approbate 
 candor though it may appear in a rough dress. 
 
 " We all agree that we have the right and are capable 
 of electing our judges if we think fit. The question is 
 solely one of policy, whether it will be to our interest 
 that we should choose them by popular suffrage ; if not, 
 it would be madness to exercise the right. We have a 
 right to burn down our houses, but surely, before we do 
 so, we will reckon the advantage to be derived from such 
 
118 LIFE ASTD COKKESPONDESTCE OF 
 
 an act. If we direct any of our public servants to ap 
 point judges, we exercise as much power as if we chose 
 them ourselves. Be not deceived, then, with the idea 
 that a right which you possess is in danger. Allow your 
 reason and your judgment, with the aid of your experi 
 ence, coolly and calmly to investigate the subject. If 
 you then find that popular elections would not be so 
 likely to place upon the bench upright, talented, and in 
 dependent judges, do not permit the false idea of a con 
 test for rights to prejudice your interests. A constitu 
 tion is intended not merely to establish a frame of gov 
 ernment, but also principally to define and limit the pow 
 ers of the several departments, and to protect the private 
 citizen in his reserved rights. It is thus intended for the 
 benefit of the minority, to protect them against the ac 
 tion of the majority ; to protect the weak against the 
 strong, the poor and infirm against the rich and power 
 ful. The judicial department is to apply these restraints. 
 Is it not therefore improper, in the very threshold, to 
 place this department strictly and immediately under the 
 influence and control of those who are to be restrained ? 
 If the judicial department is to be completely under the 
 influence and control of the mere majority, that majority 
 might as well govern without any restrictions, and a lim 
 itation of powers would be absurd. Let it not be said 
 that the majority will never do wrong". I admit that in 
 times of quiet, when men s minds are left to the influence 
 of sober reflection, it is not probable that the many will 
 unjustly oppress the few. I grant farther, that, when 
 this does occur, they will eventually correct their errors. 
 But the history of nations, of our sister states, of our own 
 infant state, shows that, in times of violent excitement, 
 the many have abused their powers, and attempted to 
 oppress and tyrannize over the minority. I refer you to 
 the excitements in Kentucky, which produced the occu 
 pying claimant-laws and the relief projects. Look to 
 the intense feeling produced in Georgia by the Yazoo 
 claims, to the agitation which pervaded Alabama on the 
 subject of usurious interest. Majorities were, in all these 
 cases, ready to break down all constitutional restrictions, 
 and invade the sacred rights of their fellow-citizens. A 
 firm, intelligent, and independent judiciary was found to 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 119 
 
 check the mad career of grasping interest and ambition. 
 Suppose, in these cases, that the judicial departments had 
 been placed directly under the influence and control of 
 the interested majority, constitutional restrictions would 
 have been but ropes of sand, and the judges would have 
 lent their aid to trample under foot the lives, liberties, 
 and property of the weak and defenseless. But not so. 
 A well-organized judiciary has always been found the 
 friend of the poor and the ark of safety to the oppressed. 
 We should, then, as we regard our liberties as citizens, 
 sustain and support an independent judiciary. By inde 
 pendent, I -do not mean irresponsible. No. I would 
 make them most rigidly amenable to some impartial tri 
 bunal for a proper and virtuous discharge of their im 
 portant duties. I know, too, that the constitutional ex 
 pression of the will of the majority is, and must be, the 
 rule of action. Constitutional restrictions are not in 
 tended to defeat that will, but to restrain it until it can 
 be ascertained to be the result of solemn and mature re 
 flection. Every man of observation must have perceived 
 that all our public officers, however appointed, feel their 
 dependence upon public sentiment. Most men, from a 
 principle of timidity, are actuated more by that feeling 
 than by their own judgment. I am, therefore, inclined 
 to think that there is no necessity for increasing this 
 sense of dependence. A greater portion of it would not 
 make our public servants more honest, but might have a 
 tendency to render them, like the courtiers of a despot, 
 more subservient and sycophantic. 
 
 "My time admonishes me to pass rapidly over the 
 many strong arguments against popular elections. I wih 1 
 briefly touch upon some, and leave the good sense and 
 experience of my readers to supply what is wanting. 
 We all admit that no human tribunal and no mode of 
 appointment can be perfect. If we could call down from 
 heaven superior intelligences to apply the laws, and to 
 decide controversies between man and man, we might 
 expect perfection. We are compelled to place upon the 
 bench human nature with all its infirmities. It is all-im 
 portant, then, that we should remove it, as far as practi 
 cable, from all influences that can operate upon the weak 
 ness to which ah 1 men are liable. Partiality is not neces- 
 
120 LIFE AND CORKESPONDEXCE OP 
 
 sarily the result of a corrupt heart. It may arise from 
 weakness or timidity. Its possessor may be ignorant 
 of its existence. Impartiality rarely exists where the 
 feelings are excited. Can we, then, expect this quality 
 in a man who has just come from a hot electioneering 
 canvass, in which he has succeeded, after a hard-fought 
 battle, who sees before him, on the one side, friends who 
 have risked every thing for his promotion, and, on the 
 other hand, opponents who have waged a war against 
 his public and private character, propagated calumnies 
 against his reputation, and now sullenly mutter threats 
 of revenge ? These friends and opponents have contro 
 versies before this judge involving their fortunes or their 
 characters. I leave the answer to every man s breast, 
 whether strict impartiality can be expected from a judge 
 under such circumstances. But, suppose the judge should 
 rise superior to frail human nature and should even de 
 cide impartially, will the suitors be satisfied ? If the de 
 cision be in favor of his friend, will no voice be raised to 
 impugn his motives ? I fear that the whispers of suspi 
 cion would drive every honest man, jealous of his repu 
 tation, from a station of such difficulty and danger. 
 
 " The advocates of popular elections of judges have 
 reversed the rules of logic, and attempted to place the 
 burden of proof upon us. Firmly convinced of the truth 
 of our cause, we have made no opposition to this course, 
 though unfair in principle. They propose a new experi 
 ment. Let them prove its advantages. Have they shown 
 that one benefit would result from it ? Have they shown 
 that objections to the present mode may not be remedied 
 without resorting to untried theories ? 
 
 " I appeal to the candor of every man to justify me, 
 when I say that their addresses have been more directed 
 to the feelings and prejudices than to the judgment. 
 We are accused of holding doctrines absurd in the ex 
 treme. You have been told that we, who are opposed 
 to popular elections of judges, assert that the people are 
 not to be * trusted with the election of their judges ; 
 that guardians should be appointed over them ; that 
 they are incapable of forming a correct opinion of the 
 qualifications of a judge ; that the community in which 
 we live is weak or dishonest enough to vote for a par- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 121 
 
 tial judge. I need scarcely say that such nonsense has 
 never dropped from my lips, nor have I ever heard such 
 arguments from a sensible man. Is it, then, fair is it 
 candid for our opponents to attempt to prejudice the 
 public mind by such misrepresentations of our opinions ? 
 The weakness of a position is always displayed Avhen its 
 friends attempt to warp the judgment by appeals to the 
 passions. We have no objections to fair arguments. 
 Though we honestly believe that our principles are best 
 calculated to promote the happiness and prosperity of 
 the people, we may be wrong, and our opponents may 
 be right. We are disposed to submit to the discrimina 
 tion and good sense of our fellow-citizens, without excit 
 ing their prejudices or their partialities. 
 
 " An argument has been used in favor of popular elec 
 tions, which, I am free to confess, appears plausible, but 
 will not bear the test of close scrutiny. It is this, that 
 as public sentiment will be likely to fix upon the indi 
 vidual best qualified for the station, popular elections will 
 afford the best indications of that public sentiment. I am 
 perfectly aware that some of the arguments which I may 
 make use of may be said to be equally applicable to elec 
 tions for political stations. This would only show that 
 there is perfection in no system. The action of a judge 
 is privnte, and not general ; his duties are essentially and 
 radically different from those of political officers who act 
 upon the community as a mass. Upon this distinction 
 are, in fact, founded the principal reasons for appointing 
 them differently from most other officers. I may, there 
 fore, be permitted to apply an argument to this case 
 which might not be justified in the case of other public 
 servants. Besides, the reasoning of our opponents is 
 calculated to mislead, unless we apply the practical test 
 of experience. Admitting that, where there was a una 
 nimity, or even a majority of votes in the selection of a 
 judge, it would be the strongest evidence of public sen 
 timent and of his fitness for the station, I say, without 
 the fear of contradiction, that, in nine cases out of ten, 
 the opinion of the people of the qualifications of a candi 
 date for judge can not be obtained by any mode of pop 
 ular election which is practicable. If a majority of the 
 whole number of votes be required, we would be for 
 
 VOL. I. F 
 
122 LIFE AXD CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 long periods of time without a judge. Such a provision 
 has not, I believe, even been suggested by any advocate 
 of popular elections. I therefore discard it, and take for 
 granted that a plurality of votes must decide. Minori 
 ties, small minorities, will, in most cases, be enabled to 
 elect their judges, who may be perhaps the last choice 
 of the great majority of the people. It must be recol 
 lected that, should the judges be elected by popular suf 
 frage, our state and every district of it will swarm with 
 candidates. There is now no office more eagerly sought 
 for than that of sheriff; and why ? Because it is lucra 
 tive. The prize of $2000 a year will attract to our coun 
 try the pettifoggers of every state in the Union men 
 having no pretensions to professional eminence who 
 would starve if left to their own talents and industry 
 who yet possess sufficient shrewdness and cunning to 
 prepare a flattering tale for our ears, to open our hearts 
 with hollow professions of friendship. They will ap 
 proach us as the lover does his mistress, full of vows and 
 protestations, and leave us to discover their faults when 
 it shall be too late. By intrigue and electioneering, by 
 raising our sympathies, by slandering their competitors, 
 they may deceive us for a time. They may not succeed. 
 But my object is to show that such men will be here, at 
 tracted by the prize held up for successful competition 
 in the contest for popular favor. In case of a great num 
 ber of candidates, a small minority may elect the judge, 
 and thus the great object of the friends of popular elec 
 tions would be defeated. I will endeavor to illustrate 
 this argument practically. Should a separate court of 
 appeals be established, the judicial circuits will be en 
 larged. Each circuit will consist of at least six counties. 
 This judicial district will, perhaps, consist of the counties 
 of Adams, Franklin, Lawrence, Simpson, Covington, and 
 Jones. There is nothing more certain than that each 
 county will present before the people at least one candi 
 date, this county probably two. The district contains 
 about 2800 votes. Each of the candidates will receive a 
 respectable support, and the probability is that their 
 number of votes will be nearly equal. With seven can 
 didates in the field, it may happen that 401 votes will 
 elect. This is a contingency ; but the probability is that 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAX. 123 
 
 less than 700 votes will in all cases elect. Will this re 
 sult show the voice of the people ? The voice of the ma 
 jority only is the voice of the people, and in this case the 
 voice of the majority is shown to be against the success 
 ful candidate. But let us go farther back to show con 
 clusively that the opinions of the majority of the qualifi 
 cations of a candidate will not be obtained. I will ven 
 ture to say that hundreds of you of the voters will 
 prefer men who are not candidates. If left to your own 
 choice, you would select a man whose modesty and sen 
 sibility had induced him to avoid a warm electioneering 
 contest. This man whom you would select, if you had 
 the power of appointment, you can not vote for because 
 he is not before the people. You are forced to make a 
 choice between the candidates, neither of whom, per 
 haps, you like. Here, then, is one restraint upon your 
 choice. Next, out of the number of those who are can 
 didates, your favorite may, perhaps, stand no chance of 
 an election ; you are compelled to drop him and take up 
 a third. Ilerc is another restraint upon you. At last, 
 reduced almost to Hobsori s choice, you give your vote, 
 yet your candidate may not be elected. Here is a third 
 restraint upon your choice. Numbers of your fellow- 
 citizens, yes, even a majority, may be, and will probably 
 be in the same predicament. But this is not all ; our 
 peculiar local situation deserves some consideration. Men 
 who aspire to be elected judge of this district will not 
 settle in Adams County. A residence here is not a good 
 stepping-stone to public otKce. They will locate them 
 selves in Simpson or Jones, and you may rest assured 
 that Eastern candidates will always succeed. But few 
 of your lawyers practice even in Franklin County, where 
 as members of the bar who reside in the East are in the 
 habit of attending courts through an extensive district 
 of country, and have an opportunity of becoming ex 
 tensively known. I do not advocate our right to give a 
 judge to the district, but in the spirit of prophecy warn 
 you of what will assuredly take place in case popular 
 elections prevail. The voice of the majority will seldom, 
 your voice will never be heard. It seems to me, then, 
 that the wishes of the majority will be more nearly ap 
 proached by an executive appointment, subject to the 
 
124 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 check of the Senate. The governor will seek to comply 
 with the wishes of the people. It is his interest so to 
 do. He is responsible to them for the propriety of the 
 appointment, whereas the voter is responsible to no hu 
 man power. I have never known an executive appoint 
 ment of a judge in this state which was not acceptable 
 to the people over whom he was to act. An obnoxious 
 appointment will never be made. The powerful princi 
 ple of self-interest, and the elevated station of the execu 
 tive forbid such an idea. 
 
 " Now, fellow-citizens, one word more upon this sub 
 ject. We are a new state; most of our citizens are re 
 cent immigrants. We have many men of talents, but few 
 who, from their capacity, age, and experience, stand pre 
 eminent and distinguished. Let us not be the first, 
 upon slight grounds, to try a rash experiment. There is 
 no state in the Union, no country upon earth, in which the 
 judges are elected by votes of the people. The southern 
 sun, that w^arms the blood and quickens the pulse, while 
 it produces the most generous embtions of the heart, 
 has the same tendency to excite the fancy and to stimu 
 late the passions, and renders us less fit to make an ex 
 periment of this new-fangled political theory. Prudence 
 dictates that we should leave it to be tried by others 
 first. If it should succeed well, we will follow the exam 
 ple. The moment I am persuaded that it is for the 
 good of the country, for the protection and happiness of 
 the private and humble citizen, I too will become one of 
 its warmest advocates and supporters. An anxious de 
 sire to preserve the judicial department in its purity, to 
 protect the equal rights of all, has brought my mind to 
 the conclusion that the appointment of judges by the 
 governor, by and with the consent of the Senate, for a 
 limited period of time, is the best and most democratic 
 mode. This is not an experiment ; it has been practiced 
 upon and approved by some of the oldest of our sister 
 states, and has given birth to the most distinguished 
 judges. The tenure of office should be such as to avoid 
 too great a sense of dependence on the part of the judge, 
 and at the same time to protect the public from the pos 
 sible effects of weakness, imbecility, and decay of mind. 
 When nominating a judge for the Supreme Court, the 
 
JOHN A. QUITilAIST. 125 
 
 governor represents the whole state. When acting for 
 a district, he is the representative of that district alone. 
 Biennial elections of that oflicer will insure the most rig 
 id responsibility on his part. To secure the integrity of 
 the judge, having full confidence in the trial by jury, I 
 am quite willing that for corruption in office he should 
 also be liable to presentment, trial, and conviction, before 
 the regular courts of the country. 
 
 " A misrepresentation of my sentiments upon some sub 
 jects appears to require from me a formal contradiction. 
 It has been said, ignorantly or designedly I know not, 
 that I am opposed to universal suffrage, that I favor a 
 representation of property, and that I had declared, in a 
 speech at Washington, that mechanics had no concern 
 with politics. The last is so absurd as scarcely to de 
 serve serious notice. Many of those who heard my re 
 marks at Washington were of that respectable class of 
 citizens, and I know will do me the justice to give this 
 ridiculous report a flat contradiction. I have ever con 
 sidered entire indifference to the political concerns of the 
 country blamable in any man, whatever his situation 
 and circumstances might be. 
 
 " The right of universal suffrage is inseparably connect 
 ed with our republican institutions. Restrictions of this 
 right must eventually end in discontent and revolution. 
 I consider it the sheet-anchor of a free government, and 
 would be the last man to surrender it. Its abandonment 
 would be a virtual recognition of the principle that we 
 can not govern ourselves. Positive political power 
 should be distributed as equally as possible throughout 
 the state. An attempt on our part to obtain an undue 
 advantage, by taking more than we ought to possess, 
 would certainly be visited upon us at some future period. 
 Principles and policy both demand that we should be 
 content with our just proportion. Men should be repre 
 sented, and not property or territory. I am, therefore, 
 in favor of that basis which Avill secure equal rights and 
 equal representation throughout the state. While, how 
 ever, we admit the right of equal representation, it is no 
 less important that we should protect ourselves against 
 partial and unequal taxation. Because we live within 
 twenty miles of the Mississippi River, we should not be 
 
126 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 required to pay more taxes in proportion to the clear 
 value of our property than our fellow-citizens in other 
 sections of the state. One district of country or one set 
 of men should not be compelled to bear a greater por 
 tion of the public burdens than another quite as wealthy. 
 It is, therefore, all important that the rights of the mi 
 nority should be protected, and that some constitutional 
 provisions should be adopted to prevent partial and un 
 just taxation. This, in my opinion, may be readily ef 
 fected by placing some restrictions on the taxing power, 
 or by requiring that all revenue bills should be based 
 upon the ad valorem principle of taxing every citizen ac 
 cording to the value of his property. The tax upon 
 sales of merchandise is, in my opinion, partial and unjust, 
 and the exercise of such a power should be restrained. 
 
 " The leading principle of my political creed is, that a. 
 state should not control its citizens in their opinions, 
 their conduct, their labor, their property, any farther than 
 is necessary to preserve the social tie, to punish offenses 
 against society, and to sustain the powers of government. 
 
 " I am opposed to all property qualifications whatever 
 for members of either house of the General Assembly. 
 Experience has shown that they are entirely useless. 
 
 " A recent attempt has been made to affect my public 
 standing by the charge of entertaining obnoxious polit 
 ical principles. I have met these charges publicly, and 
 in the spirit of candor. The result is known to the pub 
 lic. I desire of those who would judge me but a candid 
 investigation. Believing that I have as much confidence 
 in the virtue and intelligence of my fellow-citizens as those 
 who flatter them more, I will cheerfully submit to their 
 verdict. Jouy A. 
 
 He was elected by a handsome majority. In the con 
 vention he was placed at the head of the committee on 
 the judiciary, from which he made an able report against 
 the popular election of judges. The report, however, 
 was overruled by a large majority, and the State of Mis 
 sissippi was the first community in the world that adopt 
 ed the principle. Other states followed the example ; 
 and in some of them, especially where large cities exist, 
 
JOIIX A. QUITMAN. 127 
 
 with a numerous class of irresponsible, ignorant, or 
 freshly-naturalized voters, the experiment has worked 
 badly ; nor is the system, even in agricultural Missis 
 sippi, as popular as when it was first introduced. 
 
 On this subject the following correspondence subse 
 quently took place between a late distinguished citizen 
 of Louisiana and Gen. Quitman : 
 
 From Hon. J. Fcmrick Brent. 
 
 "New Orleans, March 19th, 1845. 
 
 "DEAR SIR, As the question of an elective judiciary 
 will shortly engage the attention of the Louisiana Con 
 vention, now in session in this city, and as it is important 
 that correct information should be obtained relative to 
 the operation of that system in Mississippi, the only state 
 in the Union where the experiment has been fairly tried, 
 I trust that you will pardon the liberty I take in request 
 ing that you will furnish your views, in writing, upon 
 that subject, based upon your experience and observa 
 tion as a practicing attorney in the courts of that state. 
 The chief objection urged against the system here is, 
 that if the election of judges be intrusted to the people 
 their choice will be generally, if not universally, de 
 termined by mere party and political considerations; 
 and I beg leave to call your attention particularly to this 
 point, as connected with the working of that system in 
 Mississippi." 
 
 To J. Fcnwick Brent. 
 
 "New Orleans, March 22d, 1845. 
 
 "DEAR SIR, I have received your letter of the 19th 
 instant, requesting my views upon the operation in the 
 State of Mississippi of the system adopted there of elect 
 ing judges by the direct votes of the people, and asking 
 my attention particularly to the objections urged against 
 the system, that such elections would generally, if not 
 always, turn upon party or political questions. 
 
 "Having no objections to the public avowal of either 
 my former opinions or present views upon this interest 
 ing subject, I will cheerfully comply with your request. 
 
 "At the time of the adoption of this system in Missis- 
 
128 LIFE AND COKKESPOXDENCE OF 
 
 sippi, in 1832, 1 opposed it as a new and hazardous ex 
 periment ; not that I doubted the capacity or intelligence 
 of the people, but that I feared that the judiciary would 
 be too much influenced by sudden popular excitement. 
 As a member of the convention that revised the Consti 
 tution I used my best influence against it, or, rather, to 
 confine the experiment to the selection of the judges of 
 the inferior courts by a direct vote of the people. The 
 experience and observation of twelve years have, how 
 ever, convinced me and many others who were opposed 
 to the experiment, that our fears were not well founded; 
 and, so far, our system has not been attended with any 
 of the serious evils which were apprehended. I have 
 looked upon its operation in our state for twelve years 
 with peculiar interest, and, from my former opposition to 
 the measure, without any bias ; and candor compels me to 
 say that I now regard it as the best mode of selecting 
 judicial officers." 
 
 Judge Quitman took a prominent part in the delibera 
 tions of the Convention, but chiefly distinguished himself 
 by introducing a proposition to prohibit the Legislature 
 from borrowing money, or pledging the faith of the state 
 for the purpose of banking a provision which, though 
 slightly modified, he succeeded in ingrafting upon the 
 Constitution. He deserves great credit for this salutary 
 provision, and for his boldness in pressing it when the 
 banking system was in successful operation, and when 
 all parties were zealously in favor of multiplying those 
 seductive but mischievous institutions. This great prin 
 ciple, initiated by Quitman, has since been adopted by 
 many other states, and is regarded on all sides as con 
 servative and salutary. 
 
 Several ineffectual attempts at impeaching judges for 
 high misdemeanors having occurred in the state, Gen. 
 Quitman, although chancellor at the time, desirous of 
 holding all public officers to strict accountability, intro 
 duced a proposition to make all judicial officers, for will- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 129 
 
 ful neglect of duty or other misdemeanor, liable to indict 
 ment or presentment by a grand jury, and to trial by 
 a jury. When told that such a proposition would de 
 grade the ermine, he replied that the great tribunal 
 which could determine the life of a citizen was dignified 
 enough to decide upon the removal of a judge from 
 office. In the convention he moved : 
 
 "Itesolved, That all judges, clerks, sheriffs, and other 
 officers of court, for willful neglect of duty or misde 
 meanor in office, shall be liable to presentment or indict 
 ment, and upon conviction shall be removed from of 
 fice." 
 
 The failure of this resolution left the people with the 
 remedy by impeachment before the Legislature, costing 
 enormous expense, and, as all experience has shown, 
 without any prospect of success, however criminal a 
 judge may be. 
 
 He voted in convention steadily against all monopo 
 lies or exclusive privileges, whether for banking or other 
 purposes. 
 
 He also voted against attainders and forfeitures, those 
 relics of feudal barbarism. 
 
 He finally voted to submit the Constitution to the peo 
 ple, but it was rejected by a majority of the Convention, 
 and the present Constitution of Mississippi never was di 
 rectly submitted to the people. 
 
 F2 
 
130 LIFE AJST.D COKIIESI- OXDEXCE OF 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Elected Chancellor. Death of his Father. Family Afflictions. 
 Resigns his Office. Elected Senator. Railroad Enterprises. 
 Union and Brandon Banks. His busy Life. Domestic Slavery an 
 Element of Strength. War in Texas. Public Meetings in Nat 
 chez. The Fencibles. Banner Song. Departure. Letters. 
 Extracts from his Journal. The Gamblers. Adventure with 
 Robbers. Returns home. His Services and Humanity. His 
 early Faith in Volunteers. Quitman and Stephen Girard. Runs 
 for Congress. State of Parties. Clay, Webster, Calhoun, Harri 
 son, YanBurcn, and White. Coalitions demoralizing. Grandeur 
 of Van Buren s Position. Quitman s Mistake. His Defeat. Ap 
 pointed Brigadier General. 
 
 AT the first election after the adoption of the new 
 Constitution he was elected, without opposition, Chan 
 cellor of the State of Mississippi an evidence alike of 
 the satisfaction he had already given in that office, and 
 of the liberality of the people in voting unanimously for 
 a man who had so recently denied the expediency of con 
 fiding to them the election of their judges. He consent 
 ed to accept the office at the urgent demand of the bar 
 throughout the state. 
 
 In 1832, the rechartcr of the Bank of the United States 
 agitated the country, and the friends of the bank in Mis 
 sissippi proposed to waive all other issues, and nominate 
 an electoral ticket solely with reference to that question. 
 With this view they announced the names of several 
 gentlemen who, as to other leading questions, held con 
 flicting opinions. The nomination of Chancellor Quitman 
 drew from him the following letter : 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAX. 131 
 
 To Jan ic s I. CooJc. 
 
 "Monmouth, August 28th, 1832. 
 
 " On my return from the eastern section of the state, 
 I read in your paper of the 10th inst. an editorial sugges 
 tion of the names of several citizens as electors for Pres 
 ident and Vice-president of the United States, who are 
 known to be in favor of a renewal of the charter of the 
 Bank of the United States, with a request that the indi 
 viduals named should signify to you their acceptance or 
 rejection of the proposed nomination. My name having 
 been suggested, I conceive it a duty to state that, al 
 though I have long considered the Bank of the United 
 States a valuable institution, well calculated to promote 
 the general good by its tendency to lessen the price of 
 exchange, and to produce and preserve a uniform and 
 sound paper currency throughout the Union, and would 
 be pleased to see its charter renewed for a limited peri 
 od, with such modifications as would prevent an abuse of 
 its powers, yet, without wishing to underrate its conse 
 quence, I do not consider the question of rechartering it 
 the only or most important one which is likely to be in 
 volved "in the election of the first and second officers of 
 the government. 
 
 " In the present important crisis there are, in my opin 
 ion, several great questions of constitutional construction 
 and national policy, much more vitally interesting to the 
 people of the United States, and particularly to the citi 
 zens of the South, than any which can arise out of the 
 bank question. I can not, therefore, consistently with 
 these views, agree to become a candidate for elector 
 for President and Vice-president, solely with reference 
 to their opinion on the renewal of the charter of the 
 Bank of the United States." 
 
 On the 26th of June, 1832, the Rev. Dr. Quitman died, 
 at an advanced age, at Rlrinebeck. Chancellor Quitman 
 addressed the following letter to his brother : 
 
 To Ids Brother. 
 
 "Monmouth, July 23d, 1832. 
 
 " By the last mail I received the truly afflicting intel 
 ligence of the death of our poor old father. Your last 
 
LIFE AND COERESPONDEXCE OF 
 
 letter had prepared me, and I expected to hear of it by 
 every mail. We should not grieve. He had long since 
 been deprived of every enjoyment which a participation 
 in the affairs of this world can give. Death to him must 
 have been a relief from the burden of existence. His 
 very useful career had long since terminated. When we 
 have performed the part which Providence has assigned 
 us, and when the faculty of enjoying even the few pleas 
 ures of old age has ceased, it can not be considered a 
 misfortune to die. I have felt a melancholy gratification 
 in learning from Dr. Wackerhagen s letter that the last 
 hours of our venerable father were free from pain. 
 There will be many in another world to bear witness to 
 the good he has done in this. The time of each of us is 
 to come, but while we are here let us act well our part." 
 
 In a few months after writing this letter, affliction fell 
 heavily on the household at Monmouth. Its peaceful 
 and salubrious shades were invaded by that mysterious 
 scourge, the cholera. The following affecting letter, a 
 heart-cry from his broken spirit, was written to his sis 
 ter : 
 
 To his Sister. 
 
 "Monmouth, May 21st, 1833. 
 
 " But a few days ago, my beloved sister, your now 
 wretched brother was the happy father of four blooming 
 children. The hand of Providence has fallen heavily 
 upon me in these last three days. Our beloved little 
 Edward, who had never before had a moment s illness, 
 was for about a week affected with derangement of the 
 bowels, which at length resulted in cholera, and his pure 
 spirit left this world for a better on the morning of the 
 18th. Oh! this was a severe blow to his fond parents, 
 but a heavier yet was in store. On the night before last, 
 my beloved, my beautiful, noble, and affectionate little 
 John w T as seized with the fatal scourge, without any pre 
 monitory symptoms, and in six hours the little angel left 
 this world for a better one. He had no pain, and was 
 resigned, fond, and affectionate to the last expiring sigh. 
 His poor mother is almost inconsolable at the loss of her 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 133 
 
 two darlings. His sister, the constant, inseparable com 
 panion of his studies and his sports, looks as if she was 
 deserted by all the world. His father s hopes, his high 
 expectations, where are they ? Oh ! there is a void in 
 my heart, a burden on my breast ; yet I have strength, 
 and will resign myself to this hard, hard dispensation ; 
 but Eliza, my dearest Eliza, with all her firmness, is near 
 ly broken-hearted. Who shall describe a mother s sor 
 row ? Two sweet children, upon whom her soul doted 
 around whom were twined the very tendrils of her 
 heart torn from her bosom so suddenly ! The pestilence 
 fell upon our house with unexampled fury. My German 
 gardener died the day poor little Edward was buried. 
 A servant-maid was attacked the same day, and still lies 
 very low. We are now at Woodlands. A storm passed 
 over last night, and physicians say the pestilence will 
 cease. Its peculiarity has been to fall upon the most 
 healthy localities and avoid others. Its sweep was short, 
 but, merciful Heaven, what a blow ! Eliza and I have 
 determined to be resigned to our hard lot. Our poor 
 little son appeared uncommonly beautiful and intelligent 
 the day before his death. He breathed affection for all, 
 and, though perfectly well, he seemed to have some pre 
 sentiment of his fate. I saw its shadow along my path 
 for weeks. Two hours after the first symptom of his dis 
 ease, he said, Father, I will never get well. He was at 
 the grave when his infant brother was buried, observed 
 every thing with attention, and gave his mother an ac 
 count of all. Their little graves are side by side, under 
 a beautiful tree, below the garden. We had two of the 
 best physicians, but no human skill could save them. 
 Their heavenly Father had selected their pure spirits to 
 surround His throne."* 
 
 * The following touching letter from a very remarkable man will 
 
 be read with interest : 
 
 " June ICth, 1833. 
 
 "MY DEAR FRIEND, I have heard with feelings of great sorrow 
 the severe visitation of Providence which you have suffered in the loss 
 of your dear children. When I reflect what they were when I saw 
 them, how much of promise they evidenced, how healthy, intelligent, 
 and beautiful they were all that could warm with hope the breast of 
 a parent I think, with tears in my eyes, of my own dear Joseph, and 
 that he, like them, was, by untimely fate, taken from the arms of those 
 
134 LIFE AND COKRESPOXDEXCE OF 
 
 This sad dispensation affected him long and deeply. 
 He often recurred to it, and years afterward, in the midst 
 of his preparations for the campaign in Mexico, we shall 
 find him recurring to it at midnight, when alone at Moii- 
 mouth, and almost fancying himself in spiritual communi 
 cation with his lost children. 
 
 In 1834 he resigned the chancellorship, carrying with 
 him from the bench the confidence and respect of the 
 community. He had displayed great capacity for labor, 
 cheerfulness, patience, method, and a clear perception of 
 the difference between the technical application of law 
 and the comprehensive principles of equity. He was 
 polite in his demeanor to all, above the suspicion of in 
 fluence or partiality, and even those who disputed his 
 decisions never doubted his conscientiousness and in 
 tegrity. 
 
 In his politics he was what was, at that day, termed a 
 Nullifier, in a small minority in the state, the people be 
 ing generally Jackson men and Clay men, or Whigs ; hos 
 tile to each other, but uniting in their opposition to nul 
 lification. The Xullifiers met in convention at Jackson, 
 
 who had too much of their happiness, too much of their hopes depend 
 ent on him. Oh, my friend, how much of all our fondest anticipa 
 tions, of our warmest affections and dearest hopes, may be buried in 
 these little tombs ! I have suffered more while thinking and deploring 
 the loss of my boy, who was so promising, so much intertwined with 
 all my plans, all my hopes, and with my very heart-strings more 
 than I thought my stubborn nature would submit to. Often have I 
 shed tears on the midnight pillow, and my heart would swell as though 
 it would suffocate me. Such was the shock, that I felt as though it 
 would madden me ; and even now I sometimes lose that self-control 
 and equanimity which I had fancied I possessed. These are afflic 
 tions to which stoicism must yield, for nature is stronger than all the 
 consolations of philosophy. 
 
 "Accept, my friend, my sincere sympathy with you; consolation I 
 can not offer ; but the tears which I have shed over the grave of my 
 child have again flowed over the remembrance of yours, who are fresh 
 to my mind as beautiful flowers that have been crushed by the rav 
 ages of a dreadful tornado. Assure Mrs. Quitman of my regret for 
 her bereavement, and may Heaven preserve you and her. 
 
 "Your friend, FELIX HUSTON. 
 
JOIIN A. QUITMAN. 135 
 
 May 21st, 1834, and adopted an address written by Quit- 
 man, which embodies the opinions he held through life. 
 
 His sentiments were unpopular in Adams County, 
 where he had but a corporal s guard of followers, yet, 
 such was his personal popularity, and the value set upon 
 his practical abilities by that enlightened community, he 
 was chosen senator in 1835, and was then elected presi 
 dent of the Senate. He steadily opposed the whole 
 brood of banking institutions, and the charter of the cel 
 ebrated and infamous Union Bank. An interregnum oc 
 curred by the expiration of the term of Gov. Runnels, 
 who had been elected under the old Constitution ; and 
 the period fixed by the new Constitution for the installa 
 tion of Charles Lynch, governor elect, not having arrived, 
 the executive functions devolved on President Quitman, 
 and he delivered an able message to the Legislature, that 
 may even at this day be studied with advantage. He 
 predicted at that early period, when the cloud on the 
 horizon was a mere speck, the channels that anti-slavery 
 feeling would flow in, and the momentum it would grad 
 ually acquire. lie saw then what we see now, that 
 anti-slavery at the North is but another name for fanati 
 cism; that fanatics never reason, and are never satisfied; 
 and that compromises with them, like the contributions 
 we formerly paid to the pirates of the Mediterranean, 
 arc but acknowledgments of their power, and only pro 
 voke extortion and outrage. 
 
 Judge Pray, of the High Court of Errors and Appeals, 
 dying about this time, the commission was offered to 
 Quitman, but he declined it. 
 
 lie consented, however, to serve as president of a com 
 pany for building a railroad from Natchez to Jackson, 
 connecting the Mississippi with Pearl River. The em 
 barrassments of the times, and" the doubtful policy of the 
 state, in sanctioning lines of railway through her terri- 
 
136 LIFE AND COEEESPO3STDENCE OF 
 
 tory terminating beyond her jurisdiction, defeated the 
 enterprise, after the expenditure and loss of a good deal 
 of capital. 
 
 At that day two railroad enterprises were proposed. 
 The capitalists of New Orleans, then and now, by the 
 course of trade and the necessities of the planting inter 
 est, exercising great influence in Mississippi, proposed a 
 grand line from New Orleans, along the western shore 
 of Pearl River and through the fertile interior, then rap 
 idly filling up, to Nashville. 
 
 The city of Natchez, and the river counties generally, 
 opposed this, and urged the line from Natchez to Jack 
 son, and then eastward. 
 
 Quitman embraced the latter proposition with enthu- 
 siasm. He was desirous of building up a direct trade 
 between Natchez, the then commercial metropolis of the 
 state, and Europe, to emancipate Mississippi from her 
 dependence on New Orleans. He apprehended, too, the 
 influence which a great corporation, with its army of 
 agents and employes, controlled in another state, might 
 exercise over legislation and internal affairs, and like a 
 true state-rights man as he was, he opposed the New 
 Orleans company. It would have been defeated, and at 
 this moment the state would have been enjoying the 
 fruits of a home policy and of direct intercourse with 
 Europe ; but, unfortunately, the question was thrown 
 into the caldron of national politics. The Jackson party 
 of Mississippi, then supporting Mr. Yan Buren, who was 
 unjustly accused of being an abolitionist in disguise, find 
 ing themselves hard pressed by the unnatural coalition 
 between the friends of Clay and Calhoun in favor of 
 Hugh L. White, adopted the New Orleans scheme, with 
 the view of securing the votes of the central and interior 
 counties. Thus, when the Legislature met, the Louisiana 
 company obtained a charter, with the privilege of choos- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 137 
 
 ing their own location for a road. The other charter 
 was likewise granted, but it had not the capital to com 
 pete with .the foreign company, which, after all, exploded, 
 after perpetrating enormous frauds. 
 
 Very injudiciously, though it was the error of the era, 
 the Legislature conferred banking privileges on the 
 Natchez and other railway companies, most of which, 
 losing sight of the design of their charters, became mon 
 strous swindling concerns, and robbed whenever they 
 had the opportunity. 
 
 It has been satisfactorily established, however, that, 
 during Quitman s connection with the Natchez company, 
 not a single accommodation note was discounted, and no 
 notes were issued but to pay for work done upon the 
 road. 
 
 But for this unfortunate and indiscriminate grant of 
 banking privileges the mania of the times and the 
 temptation it held out to speculate and swindle, not only 
 would Natchez and the capital of the state have been 
 connected, but the grand scheme of connecting the interi 
 or with the sea-shore, and the building up of an export 
 ing and importing city at a harbor unrivaled on the At 
 lantic, would long since have been accomplished. The 
 Legislature of that day saw at once the grandeur and 
 practicability of the enterprise. A marine, and very 
 thorough and satisfactory, survey was made. A line of 
 route, admirably adapted for railroads, was marked out, 
 when, in an evil hour, they were persuaded that banking 
 privileges would enable the company to build the road. 
 This was the death-knell of that magnificent measure. 
 It was secretly strangled and interred by the unprinci 
 pled managers in charge, and from its rotting members 
 there sprung up the notorious Brandon Bank the most 
 audacious and infamous of all the swindling corporations 
 of those times and whose record should, even now, be 
 
138 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 burned with fire drawn from the skies, to fix upon it the 
 condemnation of God and man, that it may be a warning 
 to future Legislatures a lurid and ghastly light, shining 
 from "whited sepulchres and dead men s bones." 
 
 To his Brother. 
 
 "Monmouth, Oct. 17th, 1835. 
 
 " To show you that I am not wasting the prime of life 
 in ignoble ease, I may mention that I am a senator in the 
 Legislature, President of the State Rights Association, 
 President of the Anti-abolition Society, of the Anti-gam 
 bling Society, of the Anti-dueling Society, of the Missis 
 sippi Cotton Company, of the Railroad Company, Direct 
 or of the Planters Bank, Grand Master Mason, Captain 
 of the Natchez Fencibles, Trustee of Jefferson College 
 and of the Natchez Academy, besides having charge, of 
 a cotton and a sugar plantation, and 150 negroes. You 
 may readily imagine I am not much troubled with ennui ^ 
 and that time seldom lags upon my hands. I have a 
 higher ambition to be a useful member of society than 
 to bear a more conspicuous and sounding title. 
 
 " The excitement that existed in the upper part of this 
 state last summer, like most other excitements about ne 
 gro insurrections, was more that of indignation than 
 fear.* Indeed, every day s experience and observation 
 convince me that our domestic institutions are based 
 upon a more solid foundation than those of the non- 
 
 * In allusion to what was called the Mnrrell excitement, growing 
 out of the revelations of one Virgil A. Stuart, a notorious scamp. 
 An organized band, very much like John Brown s, was said to have 
 been formed, and a general insurrection was to occur on a certain day. 
 In the central counties martial law was declared ; committees of safe 
 ty and armed patrols were established ; many suspected persons were 
 arrested and hung. Stuart was made the guest of the state, and 
 received every where with manifestations of public gratitude. Large 
 sums of money and costly presents were given to him. He is now 
 known to have been an impostor. The whole story was a fabrication. 
 Murrell was simply a thief and counterfeiter, and Stuart was his 
 subordinate, who, having quarreled with him, devised this plan to 
 avenge and enrich himself. The whole "plot," and its tragical con 
 sequences, may now be regarded as one of the most extraordinary and 
 lamentable hallucinations of our times. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 139 
 
 slaveholding states. Admitting the remote chance of 
 partial insurrectionary movements here, which the mo 
 ment they arc known would be suppressed, yet you are 
 in more real danger from the gradual and sapping tend 
 ency of agrarian and fanatical doctrines which, it is ev 
 ident, are rapidly making way at the North. Should we 
 ever live to see the proud institutions of our country 
 overthrown, you may be assured the last retreat of free 
 dom will be in the South. I may be an enthusiast on 
 this subject, and I will not undertake, in a letter, to ad 
 vance arguments upon a topic on which I have reflected 
 much, but I think I can demonstrate that our institution 
 of domestic slavery is in harmony with, and almost in 
 dispensable to n constitutional republic. 
 
 " You refer to the politics of Mississippi. We have 
 in the new sections of the state a recent population whose 
 political complexion has not yet been ascertained, but, so 
 far as I can judge, the people of this state are one third 
 for Van Bureu, one third Nullificrs, and one third Whigs. 
 The two latter parties will vote for Judge White for 
 President. No man believes that Van Buren has the 
 least chance of getting the vote of Mississippi. His par 
 ty is losing ground daily. Our elections come on in a 
 fortnight. 
 
 "There is war in Texas. Were I without family, I 
 would repair there immediately. Freemen who arc 
 struggling for their violated rights should not be left to 
 e unaided."" 1 
 
 Gen. Sam. Houston to Gen. Quit man. 
 
 " Xficogdoches, TOX.IH, Feb. 12th, 1830. 
 
 DEAR SIR, It affords me peculiar pleasure to acknowledge the 
 receipt of your letter by Mr. II. C. M Xeill, and the present of a Pol 
 ish yager which has once been employed in the cause of liberty. 
 
 "By this personal compliment I feel flattered. But the generous, 
 liberal, and manly sentiments which you have expressed in behalf of 
 Texas and the glorious struggle in which she is engaged, command 
 my gratitude, and awaken in me the associations of other days con 
 nected with the land of my birth, when her sons were battling against 
 their invaders in defense of the rights of freemen. We will peril all 
 for freedom, and I trust that the next Convention will declare Texas 
 free, sovereign, and independent. 
 
 " Could your situation enable you to render to Texas and her cause 
 an auxiliary aid so useful and important to her prosperity as your pres 
 ence afid the force of your character and example, I can assure you 
 
140 LIFE AND COKEESPOXDEXCE Ui^ 
 
 A noble sentiment ! and he pondered over it day and 
 night. It was his table talk. His restlessness and anx 
 iety were remarked by his friends. The conflict was 
 strong between his duty to his young family and devoted 
 wife, whose heart yet bled over the loss of her children, 
 and what he conceived to be his duty to his fellow-men, 
 Americans by birth, then threatened with a war of ex 
 termination. At length, about the last of March, 1836, 
 tidings reached Natchez that Santa Anna was advancing 
 into Texas with 10,000 men. Soon followed news of the 
 fall of the Alamo. 
 
 "From the Tar West, 
 
 From Bexar s silvery tide, 
 That Travis, Bowie, and the rest 
 Of warriors bold, in battle press d, 
 
 On glory s bed had died." 
 
 Upon receipt of this intelligence at Natchez, the pub 
 lic excitement was intense- A public meeting was call 
 ed, John A. Quitman in the chair, Gen. Felix Huston 
 secretary. Judge Jesse Bledsoe, long distinguished in 
 Kentucky as an orator, and Col. Childress, of Texas, ad 
 dressed the meeting. On motion of Judge "Wm. Yan- 
 nerson the following significant resolution was adopted : 
 
 " Resolved, That the proud dictator, Santa Anna, must 
 fall like the Alamo, and the blood there shed for liberty 
 and glory must be avenged." 
 
 Messrs. John M. Ross, Wm. Parker, Wm. Vannerson, 
 R. W. Abbey, R. Stockman, Wm. P. Mellen, G. R. Gi- 
 rault, Wm. B. Duke, A. J. Coffin, and A. L. Gaines were 
 appointed a committee to collect subscriptions and sup 
 plies. 
 
 The meeting closed with an impassioned speech from 
 
 that no circumstance would be hailed with more pleasure by every 
 patriot whose plans of government and policy have assigned to Texas 
 the proud station of an independent people governed by a liberal Con 
 stitution and just laws." 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAX. 141 
 
 the chairman, in which he declared his intention of re 
 pairing forthwith to the scene of action. 
 
 At a called meeting of the Feucibles,* the following 
 resolution was adopted : 
 
 " Itesolved, That Captain Quitman be excused from 
 duty so long as he may deem his presence necessary to 
 the glorious cause he has espoused, and may the God of 
 battles speed and protect him." 
 
 Quitman, with characteristic promptitude, gave notice 
 that in five days he would set out for Texas. Appre 
 hending some interference on the part of the United 
 States district attorney to enforce the neutrality laws, 
 which for the remainder of his life he was destined to 
 contend with, the following notice was issued : 
 
 " Some misunderstanding existing in relation to the 
 character of our contemplated visit to Texas, we think it 
 proper to state to the public that Captain Quitman will 
 embark up the Red River in the beginning of the next 
 week, and General Huston will follow with those who 
 wish to travel with him in about two weeks afterward. 
 Those who may desire to accompany us will furnish 
 themselves with a good horse, rifle or musket, and pis 
 tols, with the understanding that each man who accom 
 panies the expedition embarks on his own responsibility, 
 at his own expense, and subject to no other rules than 
 maybe adopted for the convenience of traveling. 
 
 " Understanding that the sum subscribed by the citi 
 zens of Natchez in aid of the cause of Texas has been 
 placed at our disposal, we shall appropriate it solely to 
 procuring provisions, supplies, etc. Those who arrive 
 from time to time from other parts of the state will com 
 municate with General Huston. 
 
 " FELIX HUSTON, 
 " JOHN A. QUITMAN. 
 
 "Natchez, April 2d, 1836." 
 
 * He had organized this fine company, April 21st, 1824, and was 
 its first captain. He retained his membership in it during his life, 
 and often, when high in civil and military station, mustered in its 
 
142 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 On the morning of the 5th, the people of Natchez and 
 of the surrounding country assembled to witness the 
 farewell of the Fencibles to their beloved captain. The 
 late John M. Ross, a young advocate and a member of 
 the company, pronounced a thrilling address. Quitman 
 was much affected, and could only reply in a few broken 
 sentences. But the example of such a man late chan 
 cellor and acting governor of the state relinquishing his 
 business, his family, his luxuries, and the refined society 
 in which he lived, for a rough and perilous campaign, 
 from no incentive but humanity, was more electrical 
 than eloquence. 
 
 The beautiful banner song of the Fencibles was chant 
 ed by the whole company : 
 
 "Our maiden banner courts the wind, 
 
 Its stars are beaming o er us ; 
 Each radiant fold, now unconfin d, 
 
 Is floating free before us. 
 It bears a motto proud and high, 
 
 For those who dare defy us ; 
 And loud shall peal our slogan cry 
 
 Whene er they come to Try us. 
 
 "The hallow d ray that freedom gave, 
 
 To cheer the gloom that bound us, 
 And shone in beauty o er the brave, 
 
 Still brightly beams around us. 
 The day our fathers bravely won 
 
 Shall long be greeted by us ; 
 And loudly through our ranks shall run 
 
 The gallant war-cry, TRY us. 
 
 "Now fill the wine-cup to the brim, 
 
 Fill, fill the ruby treasure ; 
 Pour one libation forth to Hnr, 
 
 Nor stint the burning measure. 
 And o er the board, or in the field, 
 
 His spirit shall be nigh us ; 
 The patriot s hope the soldier s shield, 
 
 Whene er they come to TRY us. 
 
 ranks. It was composed for years of the flower of the young men 
 of Natchez, most of whom preceded their captain to the tomb. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 143 
 
 "Then give our banner to the wind, 
 
 Its stars are beaming o er us ; 
 Its maiden folds now unconfin d 
 
 Are floating free before us. 
 It bears a motto proud and high 
 
 For those who dare defy us ; 
 And loud shall be our slogan cry, 
 
 Whene er they come to Try us. "* 
 
 And then, amid the acclamations of the whole city and 
 the roar of " Old Saratoga," Captain Quitman and his 
 
 * Written by Francis Baker, a native of New Jersey, but then a 
 member of the Natchez bar, a man of genius, and the life and soul of 
 the convivial circle. 
 
 In 1824, Francis Baker was traveling through Kentucky with a 
 considerable amount of money on his person. lie spent the night 
 with Mr. Desha, son of Governor Desha, and next morning was found 
 murdered on the road not far from Desha s house. Many circum 
 stances pointed to Desha as the murderer, and he was arrested. Pub 
 lic opinion ran strongly against him, and he applied to the Legislature 
 for a change of venue. The application was refused, chiefly through 
 the instrumentality of the late Eobert Wickliffe, then a representative 
 from the county of Fayette, a personal and political enemy of Govern 
 or Desha, and one of the ablest lawyers in Kentucky. Young Desha 
 was convicted of murder ; the father held the pardoning power, and 
 believed him innocent. There were some circumstances to justify 
 this belief. After the son had been a second time convicted, and a 
 new trial had been a second time granted, the second jury unani 
 mously and a portion of the first jury petitioned for his pardon. The 
 prisoner sent for his father, protested his innocence, and declared his 
 unalterable purpose not to live unless he were acquitted by a jury, 
 and vowed that, should a pardon be sent to him, he would forthwith 
 put an end to his life. It was found impossible to obtain a third un 
 biased jury, and the wretched man remained in jail from term to 
 term. Finally, on that day of horrors when Beauchamp was exe 
 cuted for the murder of Colonel Sharpe, after the suicide of his wife 
 and his own unsuccessful attempt, young Desha cut his throat, sever 
 ing the windpipe quite in two. He then beckoned for pen and ink, 
 and wrote a solemn protest of his innocence. The tragedy did not 
 here stop. Mr. Benning, editor of the Lexington Gazette, a warm 
 friend of Governor Desha, animadverted on the course of Mr. Wick 
 liffe, and was shot down by his son in his own office. He stood his 
 trial and was acquitted, but soon after fell in a duel with the success 
 or of Beuning. 
 
144 LIFE AND COKKESPONDENCE OF 
 
 comrades embarked in the steamer Swiss Boy for Natch- 
 itoches, where they arrived on the night of the 7th.* 
 
 He wrote his friend, General Felix Huston, an ardent 
 friend of Texas, who expected to follow with re-enforce 
 ments: 
 
 To General Felix Huston. 
 
 " Natchitoches, April 8th. 
 " We shall proceed this morning toward Nacogdoches, 
 
 * The following letter was addressed to him by a lady then well 
 known in literary circles. It was written in the agony of "hope de- 
 fered," but the sentiments are worthy of the granddaughter of General 
 Warren. Her son, an only child, perished at the Alamo. She tried 
 to bear it with Christian resignation, but smiled no more, and at last 
 died of a broken heart. Many of the daughters of Mississippi and 
 Louisiana were educated by her, and will read this memorial of her 
 affliction with melancholy interest : 
 
 Mrs. Caroline Matilda Thayer to Gen. Quitman. 
 
 " Clinton, Miss., April 5th, 1836. 
 
 "DEAR SIR, Having learned that you have embarked in the cause 
 of suffering Texas, I take the liberty of addressing you a line, with the 
 hope that you may be able to relieve the anxiety of a mother whose 
 last earthly hope has been devoted to the same cause. You may have 
 known that my son was among the volunteers who left this place in 
 October last. I have heard from him occasionally by individuals who 
 have returned, but have received only one letter, and that was dated 
 immediately after his arrival. 
 
 "The. late distressing intelligence from San Antonio has filled me 
 with irrepressible apprehension, and I beg you, my dear sir, to endeavor 
 to aid me, if possible, in ascertaining whether he was at that place. I 
 can never suffer more than I do at present if my worst fears are con 
 firmed, and any information will be preferable to the suspense which 
 now corrodes my life. 
 
 "There certainly must be somewhere a record of the names of those 
 who fell, but situated as I am, so remote from any source of informa 
 tion except the newspapers, I know not how to apply to obtain access 
 to that record. 
 
 "If you will have the goodness to advise me how to proceed, or aid 
 me in any way in obtaining information, you will confer a favor that 
 will never be forgotten. 
 
 "I feel a degree of enthusiasm in the cause in which you are em 
 barked which even my worst apprehensions are not sufficient to re 
 press ; and if I am a childless widow, it shall solace the residue of my 
 days to reflect that I have lost my all in so glorious a cause. 
 
 " Accept my fervent aspirations for your complete success in an en 
 terprise worthy of a La Fayette." 
 
JOHN A. QUITMA1ST. 145 
 
 making a slight detour to avoid the United States garrison 
 at Fort Jessup. There is no necessity for bearding the 
 lion, in his den, and incurring risk of detention, though 
 I doubt not the officers sympathize with us. 
 
 " I have paid the passages of our party and of two 
 gentlemen from Warren County, and have given five dol 
 lars each to some stragglers who are on foot and have 
 rifles, but no powder and lead. At Alexandria there was 
 great enthusiasm. Here there are conflicting opinions as 
 to the issue. Kaufman, my old law student, represents 
 the state of affairs as gloomy, owing to dissensions among 
 the chiefs, many of whom are speculating in lands. I am 
 also informed that the Texan convention has confiscated 
 all claims held by citizens of the United States a very 
 false step, if it be true. This much for the gloomy side 
 of affairs. I must judge for myself. Others say that a 
 cordial union now exists among the leaders. General 
 Houston is said to be on this side of the Colorado, with 
 500 men. He lies in the post oak woods, to protect him 
 self from the Mexican horse. Santa Anna is said to have 
 6000 troops, of which 2000 are mounted, armed with 
 lances, pistols, and sabres." 
 
 In the face of this intelligence they pushed forward, 
 and on the 9th crossed the Sabine at Gaines s Ferry, 
 where the band halted, and elected John A. Quitman 
 their captain, and subscribed an instrument to be gov 
 erned by the regulations of the army and the articles of 
 war. Each man had a good horse, and carried a rifle, 
 holster and belt pistols, and bowie-knife. Two mules, 
 carrying a few blankets and tin cups, sugar and coffee, 
 constituted the whole commissariat. 
 
 Their subsequent adventures are related briefly in a 
 pencil memorandum made by their captain from day to 
 day. 
 
 Extracts from Diary. 
 
 "April 10th. Entered San Augustine late at night. 
 A gang of gamblers, recently driven from Yicksburg, 
 Natchez, and other places on. the Mississippi, had col- 
 
 VOL.L G 
 
146 LIFE AND COKRESPOXDEXCE OP 
 
 lected, overawing the inhabitants. They were little bet 
 ter than brigands. My party quartered for the night in 
 a large unfinished building, six men having been detailed 
 to watch our horses. The gamblers, it appears, recog 
 nized me as captain of the Fencibles who had aided in 
 their expulsion from Natchez (although really we had 
 restrained the fury of the people, and thus prevented a 
 tragedy like that at Vicksburg), and resolved to have re 
 venge. About 12 at night, I was about to lie down in a 
 small tenement, near where my men were sleeping, and 
 had just taken off my coat, when the door was thrown 
 open, and a tall, well-dressed, and fierce-looking man stood 
 before me. A bowie-knife was belted to his side, and 
 he held in his hand a large dueling-pistol. Fortunately, 
 I had on my belt-pistols, and, instantly drawing one, I 
 confronted him, and said, Sir, I know you, and you know 
 who I am. I am here on other business, and desire no 
 quarrel with you ; but I fear you not. I kept my eye 
 steadily fixed upon him. We stood five feet apart, and 
 my intention was to shoot him down upon the slightest 
 motion of his pistol. He glared at me for a few mo 
 ments, when, to my surprise and great relief, his features 
 relaxed into a smile, and lie said, Captain, you arc a 
 brave man, and I will be your friend. Saying this, he 
 retired.* 
 
 " llth. Great alarm here; people moving toward the 
 Sabine. Rode to-day through fine red lands, interspersed 
 with prairie, and camped at Martin s, eight miles west 
 of Nacogdoches. Here we overhauled Mr. Archer and 
 several Virginians. 
 
 " 12th. News arrived during the night that a large 
 detachment of the Mexican army had reached the Forks 
 of Trinity, and that the Cherokees and other Indians in 
 the vicinity would attack JSTacogdoches in a few days. 
 The Virginia gentlemen, who had come to look at the 
 
 * It appears that the gamblers then at San Augustine, who consid 
 ered themselves very ill treated at Natchez, and were in desperate cir 
 cumstances, had determined to revenge themselves on Quitman and 
 his party, most of whom were Fencibles. They meditated a night 
 assault, and their leader, a man of desperate courage, went to recon 
 noitre, when he encountered Quitman. After this interview, he ex 
 erted his influence, and prevented an attack. 
 
JOIIX A. QUITMAX. 147 
 
 country, turned back ; we rode on, and halted a half mile 
 from town. Sent Parker with a note to the command 
 ant, or alcalde, advising him, if the news was confirmed 
 and he was not strong enough to fight, to retreat, ofter- 
 ing my services to cover his rear, lie sent this answer : 
 
 " Nacogdoches, April 12tli, 1S3G. 
 
 " CAPTAIN, We have received your communication on the subject 
 of the retreat from this place. With great satisfaction we acknowl 
 edge your proffered kindness to protect the women and children, and 
 we accept the same. The retreat will commence immediately, and 
 your co-operation will be relied on. 
 
 " K. A. IRION, Acting Com. of Municipality? 
 
 " On receipt of this, we rode into town, and found it 
 deserted. About 70 armed men had crossed the bayou 
 and camped. In the afternoon we returned to Martin s. 
 Parker and M Xeill, who had been left in the Texan 
 camp, came dashing up, with the report that 3000 Mexi 
 cans and Indians were marching upon the town. Imme 
 diately after, Maj. Gaines brought a request from Col. 
 Irion that we would join him and defend the town. 
 Called up my boys and submitted the question to them. 
 They answered that the odds were fearful, but that where 
 I led they would follow. In five minutes we saddled up 
 and galloped into Nacogdoches. We there learned that 
 the panic had been occasioned by some spies coming in 
 and reporting that they had been fired on by the Mexi 
 can advance. We took post, with Irion s men, at Simm s, 
 about 120 men, and resolved to abide the issue. If we 
 perish, we shall, at all events, gain time for the women 
 and children to reach the Sabine and escape the enemy. 
 Each of my Natchez boys swears he is good for ten 
 Mexicans ; the Texans say they will not be outdone. If 
 I must die early, let me die with these brave fellows and 
 for such a cause. Several alarms during the night ; ev 
 ery man at his post, but no enemy appeared. 
 
 " 13th. Learned that some 300 Mexicans of the vicinity 
 (rancheros) were in arms near by, under Col. Cordova. 
 
 " 14th. Accompanied several Texan officers to Cor 
 dova s camp. He declared that he intended no attack ; 
 that he had embodied his men to resist the anticipated 
 attacks and depredations of the Indians, who were great 
 ly disaffected and talked of taking Nacogdochcs. I dis- 
 
14 a LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 trusted his statement, but did not disclose my suspicions 
 to him, and we all parted apparently good friends." 
 
 The next day Capt. Quitnmn wrote to Gen. Felix 
 Huston as follows : 
 
 " Nacogdoches, August 15th, 183G. 
 
 Ferry w< 
 
 many families coming over into Louisiana. As we ad 
 vanced, the refugees rapidly multiplied. At San Augus 
 tine we first heard a rumor that several thousand Mexi 
 can cavalry had crossed the Brazos above, and were lying 
 near the forks of Trinity, 120 miles N.W. from this place, 
 and that 1500 Indians had joined them there. Many fled 
 from San Augustine. Advancing into the country, we 
 found the roads literally lined with flying families, and, 
 instead of the men turning their faces to the enemy, we 
 met at least 300 men, with arms in their hands, going 
 east. Perhaps they considered the contest hopeless, and 
 did not care to throw away their lives. The reports of 
 the enemy s overwhelming numbers and bloody inten 
 tions were indeed alarming. We must have met, at 
 least, 1000 women and children, and every where along 
 the road were wagons, furniture, and provisions aban 
 doned. Almost every house was deserted, and its con 
 tents left open to depredation. On the llth we reached 
 Martin s, eight miles east of this place. Here we found 
 Mr. Archer and a party of five or six Virginians, who had 
 been a little in advance of us, and learned from them, 
 and from persons flying from the west, what seemed to 
 confirm previous reports of the strength and advance of 
 the Mexicans ; and, in addition, that the Cherokees and 
 Caddos would join them at the Sabine, 70 miles from 
 this place. The two latter are warlike tribes, well-equip 
 ped and mounted, and are hostile to the Americans. 
 The conduct of the former, a part of whom reside only 
 twenty-five miles north of this, has been for some time 
 suspicious and domineering, and Bowles, their chief, is 
 known to be unfriendly. 
 
 " During the night of the llth at Martin s, alarming 
 news came in, and I really supposed we were proceed- 
 
JOHN A. QUmiAN. 149 
 
 ing upon a forlorn hope, when we resolved in the morn 
 ing to proceed hither and, at least, try to cover the re 
 treat of the flying families. I thought it prudent to halt 
 on an eminence half a mile out. I sent a dispatch in, 
 offering my services. They were accepted. We rode 
 into town, and found but about seventy men under arms, 
 who spoke of camping near us. I preferred, however, 
 to return to Martin s, keeping a communication by ex 
 press with the town during the night. At half past 2 
 a scout, who had been sent to reconnoitre the road west 
 of the town, returned at full speed, without his arms or 
 hat, and reported that a band of Mexicans had attacked 
 him, and he had barely escaped with his life. His flight 
 through town produced universal consternation. A few 
 brave men rallied, and Major Gaincs was sent to request 
 our immediate advance. At this moment Parker and 
 Henry M Neill came riding into camp with foaming 
 horses, and confirmed the report. When about three 
 miles from town, northeast, on an elevated ridge, we dis 
 covered a long line of smoke, which we did not doubt 
 was the encampment of the enemy. On reaching Nacog- 
 doches we found a company of about eighty men, who 
 had marched to join Houston, but fell back to this place 
 on hearing of the proximity of the Mexicans. At my 
 in:5t:::i?2 Colonel Irion sent out a strong party of spies 
 to ascertain facts, for there are new rumors every hour. 
 Fifty men from San Augustine have joined us, and we 
 are now, in all, about 250. There is not a woman or 
 child in the town or neighborhood. Some days ago the 
 commandant issued an order that the resident Mexicans 
 should surrender their arms. This they refused to do, 
 and at night disappeared. They immediately embodied 
 uiuler Cot. Cordova to the number of 250 or 300. It was 
 their camp-fires that had attracted my attention as I ad 
 vanced. We have had an interview with them, and mat 
 ters seem now to be amicably settled. The Cherokecs 
 have likewise disclaimed hostilities, declaring that they 
 had assembled to prevent the incursions of predatory 
 tribes, and to protect their stock. 
 
 "The facts seem to be that a body of Mexican caval 
 ry were sent early last month to co-operate with the In 
 dians on the upper frontier, and make a descent upon 
 
150 LIFE AND COREESPOXDEXCE OF 
 
 this unprotected country, and that the Cherokees had 
 given them assurances of support ; that owing to inces 
 sant rains, the unprecedented floods, and the. rottenness 
 of the soil in the woods and prairies, the cavalry have 
 not been able to operate this side of Trinity River, and 
 that the Indians, finding themselves unsupported, and 
 learning that the 4th and 6th regiments U. S. Infantry 
 had arrived at Fort Jessup, and that Gen. Gaiues had re 
 solved to keep them in check, have dissembled their in 
 tentions, and now profess friendship. I conclude, there 
 fore, that the Mexicans on Trinity w r ill endeavor to oper 
 ate on Houston s rear, and that there is no immediate 
 danger to this section. The panic, however, has done its 
 work. The houses are all deserted. There are several 
 thousands of women and children in the woods on both 
 sides of the Sabine, without supplies or money. Every 
 thing was left in the flight the corn in the crib, the 
 meat in the smoke-house, their poultry, cattle, and furni 
 ture. 
 
 " We shall probably set out for the Brazos to-morrow. 
 An express has just arrived from Gen. Houston. He is 
 at Gross s Ferry, 20 miles above San Felipe. A corps 
 of 900 Mexicans are attempting to cross the swollen 
 river 40 miles below him. He has no enemy in front ; if 
 you intend to come, do so immediately. The advance of 
 our little party, in the face of the rumors and the fugi 
 tives, inspired confidence, and prevented the citizens from 
 burning the town and retreating to the Sabine. On our 
 
 w T ay we met Gen. , Col. , Col. , and several 
 
 other leading men, taking the Sabine chute? or, as they 
 say here, putting. A detachment of my Fencibles, 
 sent yesterday to bring in our baggage from Martin s, 
 fell in with 100 Mexican rancheros, armed and mounted. 
 My men faced them boldly, determined to sell their lives 
 dearly, but they made friendly demonstrations. You 
 may be sure I am proud of my pets."* 
 
 * From the New Orleans Bulletin, April 20th. 
 
 "DEAR. SIR, Nacogdoches has been abandoned, and probably by 
 this hour is in ruins. A detachment of the Mexican army lias, by an 
 extraordinary movement, been united with the Indians of the north, 
 who, it is reported, arc 1500 strong; and unless timely succor is ob 
 tained the country will be overrun, and the depredations and horrors 
 
JOHN" A. QUITMAN. 151 
 
 " 1 7th. Quiet being restored, we left Nacogdoches for 
 the west. Crossed the Trinity at Robins s Ferry. Here 
 we found 100 families, or more, flying eastwardly, in 
 charge of Major Montgomery. We aided them to cross 
 the river, which was then nearly three miles over, owing 
 to floods of rain. We were here informed that Gen. 
 Houston had fallen back before the Mexicans, and would 
 probably make a stand at Fort Bend, to resist their pas 
 sage across the Brazos. Thither we proceeded with all 
 possible dispatch, and then learned that Houston had 
 dropped down the Brazos, and was marching to Harris- 
 burg. We pushed forward by forced marches, and ar 
 rived at head-quarters, unfortunately, two days after the 
 battle of San Jacinto. Santa Anna had just been cap 
 tured. The commander-in-chief has not determined what 
 to do with him. He tells me he is much pressed to bring 
 him before a court-martial, in which event he desires me 
 to be judge advocate. 
 
 " Arrangements have been made with Santa Anna, and 
 there will be no trial. He is unquestionably a man of 
 genius, fertile in resources, and of great energy. Gen. 
 Houston exhibits much nerve in resisting the popular 
 clamor for vengeance on the Mexican. 
 
 "I am treated here with great kindness and distinc 
 tion. Among other testimonials, I have just received the 
 following from Lieut. Col. Millard. 
 
 " CAPTAIN QUITMAX, Sergeant Major Smith will de 
 liver to you a lance and stand of colors, taken from the 
 enemy on the memorable 21st of April by the troops un 
 der my command, which do me the favor to accept, in 
 testimony of your own gallantry, and of my respect for 
 the State* of Mississippi, of which, for ten years, I had the 
 honor of being a citizen. 
 
 which were lately enacted in Florida will now he removed to the 
 western border of our happy land. Hundreds of families are rapidly 
 fleeing hefore the ruthless savages, who are hastening down upon 
 them, and all is confusion between here and San Augustine. Gov. 
 Quitman, the noble and brave Qtiitman, who merely went to explore 
 the country and lay out the promised land, has heedlessly found him 
 self and his handful of devoted adherents hemmed in by the Mexicans 
 on one side and the cruel Indians on the other, and he is now rally 
 ing the scattered inhabitants, and forming a rear-guard to protect the 
 unfortunate women and children, who are hurrying with all possible 
 speed to the Sabine." 
 
152 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 " Gen. Rusk, who succeeded to the command of the 
 Texan army, invited me to accompany him in his march 
 west, which I did for some days ; but, having ascertained 
 confidentially from him the provisions of the secret treaty 
 with Santa Anna, and that he was ordered merely to ob 
 serve Filasola s retreat, and knowing that the presence 
 of Gen. Gaines on the Sabine would restrain the Indians, 
 I considered the war virtually at an end, and, therefore, 
 determined to return home. Such of my young men as 
 chose to remain I provided for. Those who wished to 
 return were shipped from Galvestou. I prepared to 
 travel by land, with my servants, on the lower, or Ope- 
 lousas trail. 
 
 " When near the Sabine, after crossing a small stream, 
 and rising a bank which had a dense underwood on both 
 sides, I found that two trees had been felled, forming an 
 effectual barricade. In our rear, three men with guns 
 were seen coming up. We could neither advance nor 
 retreat. I sprung from my horse, drawing a pistol from 
 my holsters, the horse being between me and the ban 
 ditti. This was done in an instant ; but, at the same mo 
 ment, I was startled by the sharp crack of a rifle behind 
 me, and the rush of the ball over my head. A horseman 
 
 came up at full speed. It was , the gambler, whom 
 
 I had encountered at San Augustine. For a moment I 
 resigned myself to die, but determined to shoot him first. 
 He dropped his gun to signify that he was no enemy. 
 He informed me that he had retreated from San Augus 
 tine with the crowd of fugitives to Fort Jessup, had gone 
 to Opelousas, and hearing of the battle of San Jaciuto, 
 was then on his way, with three or four comrades, to try 
 his luck at the Texas head-quarters. Being a few yards 
 in advance of his companions, on turning an angle of the 
 path, he perceived my situation, and thus, in all probabil 
 ity, saved my life. When he recognized me, he said, 
 Well, Captain, I am glad I have had the chance to 
 serve you. I thanked him most cordially. We found 
 traces of blood, showing the effect of his shot, but the 
 robbers had disappeared, and we had no time to pursue 
 them.* 
 
 * This man was of respectable parentage, and was well educated. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 153 
 
 " Without further adventure I arrived at Natchez on 
 the 27th of May, regretting that I had not been able to 
 do more, but grateful to Providence for permitting me to 
 do as much as I did for a suffering people, and for vouch 
 safing me health, and safety, and a cheerful spirit mean 
 while." 
 
 This gallant officer had no opportunity, during the 
 campaign, to appear on the field of battle. But there is 
 no doubt that his march into Nacogdoches, and the sup 
 port he gave to the few determined men there assembled, 
 deterred the rancheros and the Indians from the hostili 
 ties they meditated, and thus prevented the massacre of 
 hundreds of defenseless families, flying before Santa 
 Anna. It is appalling to dwell on the horrors that would 
 have ensued had those unhappy fugitives been attacked 
 while seeking to cross the angry flood of the Trinity, or 
 on the long march thence to the Sabine. Between those 
 retreating families and their foes then believed to be in 
 ambush at no great distance in the face of a thousand 
 alarming rumors, each enough to try the firmest nerves, 
 he placed himself and his devoted band, and, one and all, 
 resolved to die, not for fame, but in an obscure and hope 
 less struggle, to gain time for the fugitives. lie lived 
 to serve in stricken fields to be foremost in the despe 
 rate charge to be remarked for his calm, cool courage, 
 when w T holc platoons were mowed down by his side to 
 be the first to hoist the flag of his country on the capitol 
 of a conquered empire. But, in his whole heroic career, 
 there is nothing grander than the humanity and deterrn- 
 
 A number of years afterward, he was convicted of dealing faro in a 
 neighboring state, and sentenced to six months imprisonment and 
 $1000 dollars fine. At the intercession of the writer, the governor 
 remitted the imprisonment, and the fine was paid, one half by his own 
 friends, and the other $500 by Quitman, who never forgot him. lie 
 is now a minister of the Gospel. 
 
 O 2 
 
154 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OP 
 
 ined purpose exhibited, at this critical period, on the 
 bleeding frontier of Texas. 
 
 Not only did he thus jeopard his life for the defense 
 less, but he contributed liberally to their support. Sev 
 eral thousand dollars he bestowed upon the indigent, 
 who were without the means of purchasing food. Many 
 families, too, in independent circumstances, had been 
 compelled, by their precipitate flight, to go unprovided 
 with means to defray their expenses. Of the relief he 
 extended to them there are numerous instances similar 
 to that referred to in the following touching letter, from 
 a highly respectable gentleman. 
 
 From . 
 
 "Washington, Texas, Oct. 30th, 1836. 
 
 " HON. JOHN A. QUITMAN, I avail myself of the first 
 opportunity to acknowledge your great kindness to my 
 family while I was absent with the army. The fifty dol 
 lars you so generously handed my wife will be returned 
 to you, with interest, out of the first earnings of my pro 
 fession. The length of time I have been in the service, 
 my family expenses on the retreat, the destruction of our 
 property, and our government not yet able to pay a dol 
 lar, leaves me unable to pay you now. It shall be faith 
 fully remitted to you, but we can never repay the obli 
 gation but with thankful hearts. May God bless you, 
 sir! 
 
 " I returned with my family to this place last month. 
 Our friends met us with cheerful countenances, but our 
 once cozy home was desolate. We have all been very 
 sick, but, thanks to Providence, are now up. May Heav 
 en s smile and sunshine attend you, sir, and be assured 
 that your name will ever be pronounced in Texas with 
 emotions of gratitude and pride." 
 
 The campaign, in benefactions to the needy and assist 
 ance and advances to his men, cost Capt. Quitman over 
 ten thousand dollars ; but he never regretted the expendi- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAX. 155 
 
 turo, and never reclaimed a cent that he had loaned. 
 Those who accompanied him to Texas enjoyed his friend 
 ship, and, when they desired it, his aid during their lives, 
 and their attachment to him remained unbroken to the 
 last.* 
 
 * Many years afterward this Texas expedition occasioned the fol 
 lowing correspondence : 
 
 From the Washington Union of February 8/7?, 1851. 
 "We have no recollection f having published the false report to 
 which Gen. Quitman alludes in the following card and correspond 
 ence. But, as we take it for granted he is right in speaking of its 
 circulation in our paper, we most cheerfully give place to the explana 
 tion which he has transmitted to us : 
 
 " Jackson, Mis.?., January IStli, 1S51. 
 
 " SiR, As you have thought fit, through the columns of your pa 
 per, to give circulation to the false report alluded to in my letter to 
 Gen. Rusk, herewith inclosed, I now request that you will aid in cor 
 recting the calumny by publishing the correspondence which I inclose, 
 as well as this note. 
 
 " With due respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 "<J. A. QUITMAN. 
 
 " l Thomas Ritchie, Esq., Editor of the Union. 
 
 " Gen. Quitman to Gen. Rusk. 
 
 " Jackson, Miss., December 4th, 1850. 
 
 " SIR, I inclose an extract from the "Sea-shore Sentinel" a 
 paper published in this state which has just met my eye. 
 
 " I am informed that, similar statements are made in other papers. 
 Aware that but little reliance is to be placed upon newspaper reports 
 of speeches, and unwilling to believe that you could have uttered such 
 language in regard to me, I still deem the circulation of these reports 
 as entitling me to call upon you to say whether you have made the 
 statement attributed to you, or used any other language in connection 
 with my name to warrant such a report; and if I was alluded to in 
 your speech at San Augustine, what were your remarks about me. I 
 feel quite assured, from your candor and sense of justice, as well as 
 from the kind relations which have existed between us, that you will 
 appreciate the motives which prompt these inquiries, and will reply to 
 them promptly and frankly. 
 
 " I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 " J. A. QUITMAN. 
 u l Hon. Thomas J. Rusk, Washington City. 
 
 [Extract.] 
 
 " General Rusk made a speech at San Augustine, on his arrival 
 there, in which he defended the Ten Million Bill and the Union, and 
 bore down pretty sharply upon the Southern ultras, not even sparing 
 Gov. Quitman, of whom he is represented to have stated that he (the 
 governor) had once failed to redeem the pledges of assistance to Texas 
 
lo> LIFE AXD COEKESPONDENCE OF 
 
 On the 6th of June the Fencibles gave Capt. Quitman 
 a formal reception. His narrative of the expedition and 
 of the glorious achievements of the Texan volunteers at 
 San Jacinto was warmly received, and the day closed 
 with a resolution authorizing their captain to tender the 
 services of the company to the President of the United 
 States, the Creeks and Seminoles holding, at that time, 
 a threatening attitude on the frontiers of Alabama and 
 Georgia. 
 
 The ensuing anniversary of our national independence 
 
 at a time more fraught with difficulty and danger than the present, 
 and that they were not to be desired now. 
 
 " Gen. Rusk to Gen. Quitman. 
 
 " Washington, December 26th, 1850. 
 
 " SIR, Having been detained by sickness on my journey to this 
 city, I did not receive until last night your letter of the 4th instant, 
 inclosing an extract from the "Sea-shore Sentinel," in relation to a 
 speech lately made by me in San Augustine. 
 
 "I take the earliest occasion to answer the inquiries made by you 
 in the frank and friendly spirit in which they are presented. 
 
 " On my way home I addressed the people of San Augustine in 
 defense of my course in the Senate upon the Ten Million Billj and 
 urged them to accept the proposition, as the best way of settling the 
 boundary question with honor and advantage to the state. In the 
 course of my remarks I alluded to you, but in a style the reverse of 
 the one described by the correspondent of the u Sentinel." It is im 
 possible for me to recollect the precise language used ; but the idea 
 intended to be conveyed was that, in a contest with a government as 
 powerful as that of the United States, it would be the duty of Texas 
 to rely upon means which she could command more than upon the 
 sympathies of other sections of the country, which she would doubt 
 less have had, but had no right to demand. In this connection, I 
 mentioned the fact that you had, in 1 83G, come to the aid of Texas, 
 and stated my belief that the expression of your readiness to do so 
 again, contained in your letter of last summer, had probably been of 
 service, inasmuch as it showed the country that, in the event of a col 
 lision with the general government, Texas would possess the good 
 wishes of her sister states ; but I added that, under such trying cir 
 cumstances, her chief reliance should be placed upon the resources 
 which she could command promptly. I believe that if you had heard 
 the remarks in question, you would have been convinced that they 
 were dictated by a spirit of kindness rather than a disposition to cen 
 sure. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 " Trios. J. RUSK. 
 
 u His Excellency John A. Quitman. 1 " 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 157 
 
 was celebrated in Natchez with much enthusiasm. Capt. 
 Quitman, in full uniform, read the Declaration of Inde 
 pendence, and an eloquent oration was pronounced by 
 the lion. J. S. B. Thachcr, himself sprung from a fam 
 ily distinguished in the Revolution. At the dinner that 
 followed, Capt. Quitman offered a sentiment showing 
 the confidence he entertained then, and maintained to 
 the end of his life, in the volunteer soldiery : 
 
 "The battle of San Jacinto like Bunker Hill, Eutaw, 
 and the Cowpens proves that volunteers, in the cause 
 of freedom, are invincible." 
 
 Nor did Quitman, amid the congratulations of friends 
 and the enjoyments of home, forget his comrades whom 
 lie had left in Texas. On the 13th of August, when six of 
 them* arrived, he called out the Fencibles, received them 
 at the landing with a salute, and escorted them to West s 
 Hotel, where, by his orders, an elegant entertainment had 
 been provided. 
 
 * Wm. Strickland, T. J. Golightly, M. M. Eailey, J. S. Munce, 
 A. G. Coffin, J. Steen. 
 
 One of his comrades, Maj. Golightly, had previously written him 
 
 as follows : 
 
 " Camp, 5 m. E. of La Bahia, June 8th, 1836. 
 
 DEAR CAPTAIN, We have had hard times since you left us. For 
 13 days we lived on beef alone. Our company never halted till with 
 in 20 miles of the Guadalupe, where we lost our horses, and, after 
 hunting them five days, recovered them and went to Victoria, where 
 we arrived six days after the Mexican army had left. When the Tex 
 an forces came up we moved to La Bahia, where we saw a force of 
 1000 Mexicans retiring from Bexar, but in consequence of the arm 
 istice there was no lighting, very much against the will of some of us. 
 Capt. Strickland, of ours, with 10 men, set out this morning to escort 
 Gen. Woll beyond our outposts on his way to Mexico. On our march 
 to Goliad we passed Fanning s battle-ground. There is no particular 
 military advantage in the place he selected. The bones of those who 
 were burned, and of those that were shot at Goliad, were buried on the 
 4th inst. with the proper rites. We found the place so intolerable on 
 account of the stench, and provisions and forage so scarce, it was re 
 solved to return to Victoria, to which place the main army moved on 
 the Gth, leaving our company to protect General Woll." 
 
 I know of but one survivor of this gallant band Capt. Francis 
 Duffau, now a much respected citizen of Austin, Texas. 
 
158 LIFE AND COKKESPONDENCE OF 
 
 This episode in the life of Quitman suggests a parallel 
 between him and Stephen Girard, a man of proverbial 
 shrewdness and good sense, yet there was a time when 
 he was considered a lunatic by his most intimate friends. 
 A fearful epidemic yellow fever prevailed in Philadelphia 
 in 1793. Dismay and consternation were visible in every 
 countenance. All who could fly, fled. Friends avoided 
 each other in the streets. A person in crape was shun 
 ned like a viper. Husbands and wives, parents and chil 
 dren, abandoned each other. All the horrors of the 
 plague in London, as described by Defoe in his narra 
 tive of that terrible visitation, were realized in Philadel 
 phia. The poor, when stricken, were dragged off to the 
 Bush Hill Hospital, whence, under the panic and mal 
 practice that prevailed, few ever returned. Massachu 
 setts, whose sympathies are only for the negro, passed 
 a legislative act to arrest, turn back, or imprison any 
 one, of any age or sex, sick or well, coming from Phila 
 delphia, or suspected of so coming. New York passed 
 a similar law. In the midst of this panic and universal 
 fear of contagion, great was the public amazement when 
 it was announced that Girard, the wealthiest merchant 
 of the city, had taken charge of Bush Hill, whence no 
 one had ever returned, waiting on the sick, shrouding 
 the dying, and interring the dead. The most of his ac 
 quaintances declared that he had become insane. His 
 death was considered certain. In a few days great was 
 the astonishment to learn that Girard was neither sick, 
 or dead, or crazy. He had brought order out of chaos, 
 had substituted a better treatment, had largely dimin 
 ished the mortality, and put a stop to the silly dread of 
 contagion so fatal to the sick. He had built a new house 
 and rented a barn in the vicinity, to accommodate the 
 patients who now crowded to Bush Hill as the place 
 where they could hope to be cured. One day this brave 
 
JOUN A. QUITMAN. 159 
 
 man disappeared from the hospital, and the report re 
 vived that he was dead. But he was found in a large 
 house on Fifth Street, in which he had installed sixty 
 little orphan children whom he had found in the desert 
 ed streets. This was the foundation of the Philadelphia 
 Orphan Asylum. 
 
 The history of Girard in 93 is the history of Quitman 
 in 3G. Let Texas be substituted for Philadelphia, and 
 Santa Anna s devastating army for the epidemic, and the 
 analogy is complete. Santa Anna had entered Texas, 
 spreading every where conflagration and massacre. Uni 
 versal panic prevailed. Fanning and his detachment 
 had been treacherously slain. The Alamo had fallen. 
 Houston, for a period, had no force to arrest the head 
 way of the enemy. The Indians held a menacing atti 
 tude. The people were terror-stricken. 
 
 At that dreadful crisis, the young, wealthy, and distin 
 guished Quitman, with the probability of certain death 
 staring him in the face, determined to go to their relief. 
 His friends pronounced the undertaking quixotic and in 
 sane. But there was a divinity within him, which buoyed 
 him up against remonstrances and sneers. He was con 
 stantly asked " what he could expect to do with his hand 
 ful of boys against that powerful and glittering host ? 
 what but to die ?" " We will die, then," he calmly an 
 swered, " for I feel it is mij duty to go." They declared 
 him a doomed and demented man. His wife implored 
 him, but his moral convictions were stronger even than 
 his affection for her. His example was felt every where. 
 The panic subsided. The star of Texas soon burned 
 brightly in the horizon. The prodigy of San Jacinto 
 was achieved, and her independence secured. 
 
 On the death of General Dickson, a representative from 
 Mississippi, in 1830, Judge Quitman resigned his seat in 
 the state Senate and became a candidate for Congress. 
 
160 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OS 
 
 The election for President was then pending. General 
 Jackson, who was about to retire from office, had main 
 tained, against all opposition, his popularity in Mississip 
 pi. The opposition, confined chiefly to the western or 
 river counties, had long concentrated on Mr. Clay, whose 
 national doctrines they admired and approved. For Mr. 
 Calhoun they had no admiration. In Wilkinson, and in 
 a few counties on the Tombigbee, where many South 
 Carolinians had settled, Mr. Calhoun had very warm 
 friends. But neither his friends, nor the friends of Mr. 
 Clay, separately or combined, could contend successfully, 
 in Mississippi, with the popularity of Jackson. The nom 
 ination of Mr. Van Bur en for the presidency was objec 
 tionable to the friends of both Clay and Calhoun. His 
 political creed was considered by Mr. Clay as radical and 
 unsound, and his imputed connection with the cabinet 
 explosion, and proclamation policy of General Jackson, 
 and his old partiality for William H. Crawford, of Geor 
 gia, made him particularly obnoxious to Mr. Calhoun. 
 The friends of those gentlemen, therefore, combined to 
 defeat him, but with singular inconsistency concentrated, 
 in the South, on Hugh L. White, of Tennessee, who had 
 advised and supported all the prominent measures of the 
 Jackson administration, the war upon the bank, the veto 
 power, removals from office, and the Proclamation and 
 Force Bill. Inferior to Mr. Van Buren in abilities and 
 position, his rupture with the Democratic party, so sud 
 den that it looked like desertion for the sake of office, 
 should never have recommended him to an opposition 
 embracing so much of the talent and character of the na 
 tion, especially when one of the purest and most illus 
 trious of their number was a candidate for their suffrages 
 the late General Harrison a man of enlightened un 
 derstanding and of moderate opinions, not likely to adopt 
 the ultra policy of either of the great leaders of the na- 
 
JOIIX A. QUITMAN. 101 
 
 tional parties. Had the opposition concentrated on him, 
 as they might have done without undue concessions of 
 principle on their part, or the suspicion of treachery on 
 his, he would undoubtedly have been elected in 1835. 
 Without any concert among his friends, without the 
 agency of a national convention, he had received 73 elec 
 toral votes, Massachusetts throwing away her vote for 
 Webster, South Carolina for Mangum, Tennessee and 
 other states for White, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and 
 Rhode Island giving very slim majorities to Van Buren. 
 This demonstration of popularity with the masses secured 
 the nomination of Harrison, four years afterward, against 
 the claims of Webster, and the almost imperative de 
 mand of Clay. The only plea for the adoption of White, 
 in Mississippi and other Southern States was the un 
 sound plea of necessity and availability the improbabil 
 ity of securing a majority for either a Whig or a Nul- 
 lilier having to choose between Mr. Van Burcn and 
 some other statesman of the same party, in whose polit 
 ical integrity they had more confidence. Quitman took 
 this view of the case, ran for Congress on the White 
 ticket, and was defeated with it. In after life his judg 
 ment did not approve the course he then pursued. Such 
 coalitions can be considered only as political errors, or 
 as derelictions from principle. They are either based on 
 the corruption of a few leaders, or on speculations as 
 desperate as the chances of a gambler. They rarely do 
 any good, generally much evil, and are altogether de 
 moralizing. 
 
 The conservative doctrines announced by President 
 Van Buren in his inaugural address, and the enlightened 
 financial measures he had the moral courage to recom 
 mend at that period of " pressure" and " panic," when his 
 co-operation would have converted the republic into a 
 government of corporations, gradually brought Mr. Cal- 
 
162 LIFE AXD COKKESPONDENCE OF 
 
 houn, Quitman, and the state-rights men generally, to his 
 support. They perceived the error they had fallen into 
 in supporting Judge White, whose subsequent coitrse 
 and associations leave little room to doubt that his elec 
 tion to the presidency would have been followed by the 
 revival of the bank, the distribution of the public funds, 
 and other federal schemes. Mr. Van Buren, on the con 
 trary, disdained an alliance with the banking power, and, 
 though he clearly foresaw that to separate the govern 
 ment from the banks must be the work of time, and that 
 he would be a victim to the " madness of the hour," he 
 boldly exposed the mischievous tendencies of those in 
 stitutions, their corrupt management and ambitious de 
 signs, and recommended, in their stead, the INDEPENDENT 
 TREASURY. 
 
 In doing this, he virtually surrendered office ; he placed 
 himself upon the principles of the Constitution, and doom 
 ed himself to popular clamor, to the hostility of the com 
 bined capital of the country, and to defeat, when, by pur 
 suing the opposite course, he might have tranquilized his 
 administration, secured his re-election, and nominated his 
 successor. His administration refuted all the calumnies 
 of the canvass, and, instead of seeking to perpetuate his 
 power by mercenary combinations, he presented the 
 grand spectacle of a chief magistrate daring to be right, 
 when the people, the fountain of all honor, were determ 
 ined to be wrong. The State Rights party promptly 
 gave him their support, until a difference of opinion in 
 relation to the annexation of Texas compelled them again 
 to separate. 
 
 The election in Mississippi figured up as follows : Van 
 Buren, 9899 ; White, 966G : Gholson, 9676 ; Quitman, 
 8897. This defeat, however, manifested the great per 
 sonal popularity of Gen. Quitman. Party spirit, of 
 course, ran high. The Democratic candidate for Con- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 1G3 
 
 gress was an able man, commanding the confidence of 
 his party, with strong local influences in his favor, and 
 popular legislative antecedents to recommend him. Quit- 
 man s reputation was chiefly judicial; he had opposed, 
 in the convention, the popular demand for the election 
 of judges; from constitutional scruples, he had opposed 
 the admission of members from the lately organized 
 counties ; the Whig party, and many of the Democrats, 
 regarded his state-rights doctrines as disorganizing and 
 destructive, and there were certain absurd sectional prej 
 udices in his way. Nor had he canvassed the state. 
 
 There was no humiliation in this defeat. On the con 
 trary, like AntOBUs, he sprung up from it refreshed, and 
 confident in himself and of his strength. From that 
 contest until the moment of his death he was, personally, 
 the most popular man in the state, and throughout the 
 South he became a representative man, thoroughly in 
 dividualized and identified with a peculiar set of princi 
 ples. Instead of cherishing resentment and chagrin, as 
 men of inferior minds would have done under similar 
 circumstances, he drew nearer to the Democratic party, 
 and supported such of its measures as he could reconcile 
 with his severe principles. 
 
 In 1837 a terrible epidemic ravaged the city of Natch 
 ez. A number of the Fencibles sickened and died. Quit- 
 man left his secure retreat in the vicinity to attend them 
 in their illness, and made it a point to inter them with 
 military honors. There was a general flight of the citi 
 zens, but duty carried him every day into the midst of 
 the epidemic, and at night to guard the property of the 
 fugitives from the burglar and incendiary. His vener 
 able relative, the late Judge Edward Turner, one of the 
 most humane and benevolent of men, thus remonstrated 
 with him on his imprudence : 
 
164 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE OP 
 
 From Judge Turner. 
 
 "Franklin Place, October 18th, 1837. 
 
 "My hastily but firmly expressed opinion the other 
 day is the result of much experience and reflection, and 
 is the judgment of discreet medical men, given years 
 ago, during epidemics such as is now afflicting the city. 
 I have been a large participator in those trials and scenes 
 of distress and sorrow, and have felt and suffered deeply, 
 and without flinching ; but I never felt that a friend was 
 * buried like a dog, as you please to express yourself, 
 because he was not buried with military pomp ; nor that 
 those who think as I do are to be considered timid, as 
 you hint in your note, because they deem it prudent, at 
 such times, to avoid large gatherings, and the sun and 
 dust in a pestilential atmosphere. If you will consult 
 our best physicians, you will find I am not alone in 
 the opinion which so shocks your notions of duty and 
 humanity. If I have wounded your sensibility, impute 
 it to the affectionate regard I have for you and yours." 
 
 In 1837 he was commissioned by Gov. Lynch briga 
 dier general of Mississippi militia, an appointment in 
 which he took peculiar pride, encouraging the formation 
 of volunteer companies, attending the semi-annual re 
 views, and bringing his command into a high state of 
 discipline.* 
 
 * In those " flush" times it required a long purse to hold office in 
 Mississippi. A canvass for Congress cost from $5000 to $10,000. 
 Candidates were expected to indorse for their "friends," to loan in 
 discriminately, to pay any price asked for entertainments, and to es 
 tablish and support newspapers, besides sundry other outlays. One 
 canvass cost Mr. Prentiss $40,000. When Gov. Lynch and Col. J. C. 
 Wilkins were candidates on the White ticket, and Franklin E. Plurn- 
 iner was the financial manager of the canvass, he drew from each of 
 them $10,000, besides borrowing as much on their responsibility from 
 the various banks. I subjoin a copy of one of Gen. Quitman s mili 
 tary bills. 
 
 1838. To City Hotel, Dr. 
 
 Nov. 1. Sundries for friends from Clinton $GO 00 
 
 " " " six 1250 
 
 " 21. Governor and suite 499 G2 
 
 : 19. Treat to company TOO 00 
 
 llcccivcd payment, $072 1 2 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 165 
 
 In 1838, finding that many of his friends <*f the Cal- 
 houn school of politics, having no organization in Missis 
 sippi, were co-operating with the Whig party, and thus 
 losing sight of the old landmarks of their faith, he took 
 the opportunity thus to define his sentiments : 
 
 To T. Bole and S. ShacMford. 
 
 "Natchez, Dec. 13th, 1838. 
 
 " GENTLEMEN, On my return from Vicksburg a few 
 days since, I received your communication, requesting 
 my opinions upon some of the leading political questions 
 of the day, and desiring permission to give them public 
 ity. Believing that the free interchange of political sen 
 timents tends to promote inquiry, elicit truth, and -ex 
 pose error, I have made it a rule never to disguise my 
 own. Having no political aspirations to gratify, I am 
 not interested farther than the patriotic and honest of all 
 parties arc concerned for the welfare of their country. 
 I will therefore cheerfully comply with your request by 
 communicating my views frankly upon the several sub 
 jects to which your letter refers, regretting that the 
 pressure of important engagements will not permit me 
 even to sum up the reasons or arguments which have ir 
 resistibly led me to cherish them as sound and orthodox 
 licpublican principles. I am, on questions of constitution 
 al law, a strict disciple of the political school in which 
 Jefferson, and more recently Calhoun, were able ex 
 pounders and teachers ; in favor of a strict construction 
 of the federal compact, and of a vigilant and jealous pro 
 tection of the reserved rights of the states. Believing 
 that the latter retain also the remedy adequate to that 
 protection, I thus claim to be a true Loco and Nullifier. 
 I consider the system of internal improvement by the 
 federal government not only without the pale of its dele 
 gated powers, but in general unjust, partial, and corrupt 
 ing in its influence; tending to promote combinations 
 and log-rolling schemes ; tending to gratify private and 
 sectional avarice at the expense of the public good; caus 
 ing wasteful and useless expenditures of the public funds, 
 raised from the industry of the country for the necessary 
 support of government alone. The federal government 
 
166 LIFE AND COKEESPONDENCE OF 
 
 was not constituted to do that which the state or the 
 people can do without its agency. 
 
 " A tariff for protection is against the spirit if not 
 the letter of the Constitution, and, in my opinion, is op 
 posed to all the great principles of free trade, that con 
 stitute so important a part of the new and noble science 
 of political economy. As it operated in the United 
 States under the name of the American System, it was in 
 truth a system of legal robbery. 
 
 " I am opposed to a national bank, because I consider 
 its constitutionality at least doubtful in any shape, but 
 still more, because I believe its establishment would 
 tend to perpetuate the heavy commercial tribute which 
 the states now pay to a limited number of Northern mo 
 nopolists for credit based upon their own exports, would 
 destroy forever the bright prospects now dawning upon 
 us of a direct trade, and would, I fear, soon create a co 
 lossal money power, which, by the concentration of capi 
 tal and credit, would possess the despotic control of all 
 branches of industry, oppress the productive classes, and 
 either wage a war with the government, or, what is still 
 worse, would succeed in corrupting it by attaching itself 
 to it for corrupt purposes. 
 
 " I am decidedly favorable to an unqualified separa 
 tion of the government from the banks, and to the col 
 lection of the federal revenue in the constitutional cur 
 rency ; in other words, to the Independent, or Sub-treas 
 ury Bill, as introduced by Mr. Wright, specie clause and 
 all. It is my sincere conviction that the connection of 
 the treasury with the banks would soon corrupt both ; 
 a separation, entire and eternal, is the more necessary in 
 the present condition of the country, when stock-jobbing 
 and wild and visionary schemes of creating capital, mis 
 leading the public mind from labor, industry, and sound 
 enterprise, the real source of national wealth, prevail to 
 such an alarming extent. I see no other means of effect 
 ually checking the desolating effects which must result 
 from ill-digested banking schemes, at times pampered 
 and stimulated, and then again depleted to exhaustion. 
 
 " The receipt and expenditures of the public moneys, 
 without permitting them to be mingled with the bank 
 ing capital of private moneyed corporations, would, in 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 167 
 
 my opinion, keep up a moderate and healthy demand for 
 specie, and thus operate as a sure check to excessive is 
 sue of paper currency, limiting them to an amount al 
 ways convertible. 
 
 " It would, by throwing the influence of the money 
 power in opposition to an increase of revenue, tend to 
 check extravagant expenditures and useless appropria 
 tions, and thus reduce the revenue and expenses of the 
 government to an economical standard, enforce reform, 
 and remove all temptation to dishonesty. Nor have I a 
 doubt, notwithstanding the senseless clamor of some of 
 the opponents of this measure, that in its operation, in 
 stead of increasing, it would diminish the executive pat 
 ronage, in precisely the same ratio that the influence of 
 money, the use of which for private purposes is forbid 
 den under severe penalties, is less than if permitted to 
 be made the basis of bank credit, discount, loans, and is 
 sues. The custody of a million of dollars, locked up in 
 an iron chest, certainly confers less powers than the con 
 trol of the same amount used frequently as the basis of 
 banking operations, which, it is supposed, may be ex 
 tended to three times the amount of the capital. 
 
 " In every point of view in which I have been enabled 
 to examine the subject, I am led to the conclusion that 
 the country would be benefited, and even the sound 
 banks, disposed to be content with moderate profits, 
 would be rendered more independent by the proposed 
 divorce. I am at a loss to perceive how a genuine 
 state-rights man, unprejudiced and impartial, can oppose 
 measures so evidently tending to promote his principles. 
 
 "Diflering entirely and radically from Messrs. Clay, 
 Harrison, and Webster in every essential political tenet, 
 I certainly shall not support either of them for the pres 
 idency. Believing that the elevation of cither of these 
 candidates would result in the establishment of the most 
 dangerous principles, I shall, as a citizen, do all I can to 
 prevent it. I consider the Nationals, composing a great 
 part of the Whig party, as Federalists of the old school, 
 with whom I have no elementary feeling in common. I 
 shall co-operate freely and boldly with all genuine Re 
 publicans, be they Democrats or Nullifiers, in asserting 
 the principles to which I have alluded. 
 
168 LIFE AND COKEESPONDENCE OF 
 
 " It is a matter of sincere regret to me to perceive 
 many state-rights men, whom I know to be sound and 
 orthodox in the abstract, and with whom I have long co 
 operated, disposed to rally under the broad banner of a 
 candidate for President whose creed is the very opposite 
 of that which they profess. * I fear they permit prejudice 
 against men to warp their judgments upon the practical 
 political questions of the day. They seem to be aiding 
 and cheering on a party whose success will overwhelm 
 their cherished principles and all the great bulwarks of 
 the Constitution in one common ruin. 
 
 " I have thus, gentlemen, briefly touched upon the in 
 teresting subjects presented by your letter. I have writ 
 ten this reply hastily, without time for revision or correc 
 tion. It, however, contains my honest opinions. If you 
 should consider them of any interest, you are at liberty 
 to use them." 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 109 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Sails for Europe. Theatricals in Cork. Irish Beggars. Grand 
 Review in Dublin. London. An American Lady. Wellington 
 and Lord Brougham. The Tomb of Andre. The Tower. The 
 Old Bailey. London at Midnight. The great Bell of St. Paul s. 
 The Queen. The Royal Chapel. Sabbath in Rotterdam. A. 
 Yankee Tar. Gin-drinking among the Dutch. Meets an old 
 Townsman. The Dinner-table. Coblentz. Waterloo. Fails to 
 sell the Bonds. Letter from Thomas S. Munce. Return to the 
 United States. 
 
 Ox the 25th of May, 1839, Gen. Quitman sailed from 
 New York for Liverpool, with the view of negotiating 
 the bonds of the Planters Bank and the Mississippi 
 Railroad Company, to accomplish the completion of the 
 road. His compaynon de voyage was the Hon. J. S. B. 
 Timelier, of the Natchez bar. They embarked in the 
 Sheridan, Captain De Pcyster, a crack ship of a famous 
 line. She made the run from land to land in thirteen 
 days, but when off Cape Clear encountered a head-wind, 
 which the captain thought would baffle her for eight or 
 ten days. Quitman and his friend got on a " hooker" 
 alongside, and reached Kinsale at night. A ride of 
 eighteen miles, through a pretty country, brought them 
 to Cork. Here they attended the theatre, and were 
 more entertained by the audience than by the perform 
 ance. Loud conversation was going on across the house, 
 from one gallery to the other jokes and repartee, while 
 the dress-circle flashed with the bright eyes and jewels 
 of beautiful women. Presently there was a cry, "Three 
 cheers for Daniel O Connell!" which were given as only 
 
 VOL. L IT 
 
170 LIFE AND COERESPOXDENCE OF 
 
 Irishmen can give them. After a while, three groans 
 for "Sir Robert Pale" (Peel). This was the first time 
 our countrymen had heard such a demonstration. The 
 English cheer and the wild hurra of the Germans are 
 
 O 
 
 fixed institutions on our side of the Atlantic, but the 
 Irish groan has not yet been naturalized. Before the 
 groans had well subsided there was a call, in a very 
 shrill treble, "JTiree cheers for the Amirikin jmtlemen 
 in the boxes!" This was startling. They were stran 
 gers to every body. Their confusion drew upon them 
 every eye. The cheers were given obstreperously, with 
 three times three, which brought Qnitman to his legs. 
 He looked as though he was about to make a fourth of 
 July speech, but, on reflection, merely bowed his ac 
 knowledgments, and the performance went on. How 
 this incident happened, or how it had been got up, they 
 never ascertained. 
 
 By the Lakes of Killarney and Limerick they proceed 
 ed to Dublin. The most contented class of people they 
 met with were the beggars. They rival the lazaroni of 
 Naples in idleness and the enjoyment of mere animal 
 existence. Half a dozen were frequently seen basking 
 in the sun half asleep, holding their hands toward the 
 coach. If a sixpence was held up, too lazy to move, 
 they would motion to the passenger to pitch it to them. 
 
 On the 18th of June, the anniversary of the battle of 
 Waterloo, they witnessed in Phoenix Park, Dublin, a 
 grand review. Twelve thousand regulars, under the 
 command of the Marquis of Anglesey (who had lost a 
 leg in the battle), exhibited the various evolutions of that 
 terrible day. The manoeuvres were concluded by a gen 
 eral charge of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, the clash 
 of martial music and the roar of a hundred cannon. 
 Quitman was electrified. He cried out, " Oh, let me see 
 a field like this, and let me die !" For months he re- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 171 
 
 curred to this magnificent spectacle. It set his military 
 enthusiasm in a blaze.* The grand reviews he afterward 
 saw in Paris did not impress him so much. They were 
 dramatic and showy, but not so martial and imposing. 
 The display of cavalry at Dublin and tho riding far sur 
 passed any he saw on the Continent. The average 
 weight of a British light dragoon, fully accoutred, is 
 250 pounds; a heavy dragoon 280 pounds; a cuirassier, 
 308. Great power is required to carry these ponderous 
 masses, and great speed; and only bloods, and half-bloods 
 well crossed, are accepted for the service. In the Crimea 
 the light brigade of Lord Cardigan, which made the cel 
 ebrated charge and retreat, each of a mile and a half, 
 were mounted on horses either pure or three parts blood. 
 Had they been mounted on ordinary horses they would 
 have been annihilated before they reached the Russian 
 batteries. The heavy brigade of General Scarlett, which 
 rode down the Russian troopers and trampled them un 
 der foot, w T ere mounted on chargers having two crosses 
 of pure blood. 
 
 From Dublin they went to Liverpool, thence to Bir 
 mingham, Kenilworth, Stratford -upon -Avon, and fair 
 Woodstock, paying double tolls at all the turnpike gates 
 for traveling on Sunday.f 
 
 * Maj. Gen. Win. O. Butler, writing to the author, April 9th, 1860, 
 says : "When talking on military matters, it was manifest that Quit- 
 man was something of an enthusiast ; but his was an enthusiasm that 
 served to stimulate without misleading his judgment. He was a mil 
 itary man by nature." 
 
 f Old John of Gaunt, " time-honored Lancaster," who once resided 
 at Kenilworth. had in one of our travelers a lineal descendant. Judge 
 Thacher is the 17th on his father s side, and the 18th on his mother s 
 side, in direct descent from Edward III., King of England. Nor is 
 his genealogy on this side of the water less distinguished. John 
 Adams, second President of the United States, wrote of his great 
 grandfather, Oxenbridgc Thaclier, who died 1705, that "he was the 
 second who gave the first impulse to the ball of independence." His 
 grandfather, the Ilev. Dr. Thacher, was present at the battle of Bunk 
 er s Hill, and wrote the best account of it ever published. In an ora- 
 
172 LIFE AND COKKESPONDENCE OF 
 
 In London, through their introductions, and the kind 
 ness of the American minister, Mr. Stevenson, they saw 
 much society and received many attentions. They met 
 a very distinguished circle at the house of an eminent 
 American merchant, the architect of his own fortunes, 
 whose wife, once a barefooted lass on the beach of Cape 
 Cod, entertained the hereditary nobility of England with 
 a grace surpassed by none of them, and with the air and 
 mien of an empress, proud of her origin and equal to her 
 fortunes. Through the courtesy of the Marquis of Lans- 
 downe and Lord Brougham, they were admitted into the 
 House of Lords. They had the satisfaction of hearing 
 the Iron Duke. It did not take Wellington, on that oc 
 casion, more than ten minutes to express his sentiments, 
 but he said a great deal in that time, and not a word 
 amiss. There was neither eifort nor excitement about 
 him. He negligently tapped his boot with his riding- 
 whip while he was speaking, and seemed perfectly indif 
 ferent as to the reception of his discourse. The Educa 
 tion Bill was before the Lords. Lord Brougham deliv 
 ered a powerful and elaborate speech. In reply to some 
 statement in disparagement of the intellectual capacity 
 of the working classes, he said that on that very morn 
 ing he had been called on by a deputation of people, 
 dressed in paper hats and leather aprons, who complained 
 that a work he had himself compiled on some scientific 
 subject, for public instruction, did not go deep enough 
 into the matter, and was altogether imperfect and super 
 ficial. "And now, my lords," said he, with a nasal sneer 
 long drawn out, " I doubt if any of you would ever make 
 such an objection." The members of the House of Lords, 
 
 tion which he delivered to the American troops tinder Washington, 
 during the siege of Boston, March 5th, 1776, he first used the expres 
 sion, afterward incorporated into the Declaration of Independence, 
 "free and independent states." The Natchez descendant of this 
 proud line of patriots and of kings is a thorough-going Democrat. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAISr. 173 
 
 and the great majority of the Commons, and indeed the 
 bulk of the people, are a finely-developed race. They 
 have the good sense to cultivate the physical powers by 
 manly exercises and out-door sports, and the females en 
 joy, to a great extent, a similar training. 
 
 In Westminster Abbey, among the tombs of the mighty 
 dead, our travelers were attracted by a memorial closely 
 interwoven with the history of their own country. On 
 a moulded paneled base and plinth stands a sarcophagus, 
 on which is inscribed, " Sacred to the memory of Major 
 John Andre, who, raised by his merit, at an early pe 
 riod of life, to the rank of adjutant general of the Brit 
 ish forces i)i America, and employed in an important 
 but hazardous enterprise, fell a sacrifice to his zeal for 
 his king and country, on the 2d October, 1780, aged 29, 
 universally beloved and esteemed by the army in which 
 he served, and lamented even by his foes. His gracious 
 sovereign, King George TIL, has caused this monument 
 to be erected" 
 
 On the plinth is inscribed, " The remains of Major 
 Andre were deposited, on the 2,8th November, 1821, near 
 this monument" The sarcophagus is adorned with em 
 blematic figures ; one of them holds a flag of truce, and 
 is in the act of presenting to Gen. Washington the letter 
 which Andre addressed to him the night previous to his 
 execution.* 
 
 Washington, it is well known, was deeply moved by 
 
 * " Sin. Buoyed above the terror of death by the consciousness of 
 a life devoted to honorable purposes, and stained with no action that 
 can give me remorse, I trust that the request which I make your ex 
 cellency at this serious period, and which is to soften my hist mo 
 ments, will not be rejected. Sympathy toward a soldier will certain 
 ly induce your excellency and a military tribunal to adapt the mode 
 of my death to the feelings of a man of honor. Let me hope, sir. that 
 if aught in my character impresses you with esteem toward me ; if 
 aught in my misfortune marks me as the victim of policy and not of 
 resentment, I shall experience the operation of those feelings in your 
 breast by being informed that I am not to die on a gibbet." 
 
174 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE OF 
 
 this letter, and so was the tribunal that adjudged the 
 case. But the request could not be granted, and the 
 unfortunate soldier was executed as a spy, manifesting 
 the utmost fortitude and composure to the last. Many 
 writers have contended that the prayer of Andre for 
 military execution should have been granted; that, as 
 men of undoubted honor and of high rank often accept 
 the same risk for their country and penetrate the ene 
 my s lines in disguise, there can be nothing so disgrace 
 ful in it as to demand a felon s death ; that the service is 
 strictly military, and the penalty should be in accord 
 ance with military law. 
 
 Gen. Quitman considered notwithstanding the Brit 
 ish government, by placing the ashes of Andre in this 
 national mausoleum, had classed him among its heroes, 
 and virtually reproached Washington with cruelty that 
 tlie proceedings against Andre were right, and that his 
 prayer had been justly rejected. Such missions, insidi 
 ous and unmanly in their very nature, so inconsistent 
 with honorable warfare, so fatal, if successful, to an 
 army, should be discouraged by inflicting the most ig 
 nominious punishment. Besides, the hanging of Capt. 
 Hale, of the Connecticut line, only a short time previous, 
 under circumstances of aggravated cruelty, rendered the 
 death of Andre on the gibbet imperative. 
 
 What most interested Quitman in London was the 
 Tower and the Inns of Court. His mind was essential 
 ly military and judicial, and here it was fully occupied. 
 At once a fortress, a palace, a prison, and a tomb, there 
 is not in this old Tower a turret, hall, chapel, gateway, 
 court, stair-case, or chamber that does not tell its story 
 of vicissitude, suffering, crime, and blood. In the cele 
 brated "Hall of Arms" are deposited the weapons of 
 war from the earliest periods of British history to the 
 present day. We speak with admiration of the won- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 175 
 
 derful improvement in agricultural implements, but it is 
 clear, after an inspection of this great repository, that 
 much more genius and skill have been lavished in de 
 vising ways and means to " shuffle off this mortal coil." 
 Death, with his old-fashioned sickle, is too slow for this 
 " fast" age, and the ingenuity of man has come to his 
 assistance. 
 
 The famous criminal court, the " Old Bailey," being 
 in session, Quitman visited it to see how justice was ad 
 ministered. The contracted space set apart for specta 
 tors was crowded with the friends of the accused parties, 
 not the most savory neighbors, but a shilling fee intro 
 duced them very near the be-gowned and be-wigged 
 lawyers in the bar. Justice was dealt out in double- 
 quick time. One or two witnesses were sharply ex 
 amined ; very brief speeches made ; a briefer charge de 
 livered ; a putting of heads together by the jury without 
 leaving the box ; the word " Guilty" uttered by the fore 
 man, and the " sentence" instantaneously pronounced. 
 Among the rest, a small boy was sent on his travels to 
 a penal colony, after a trial of only twelve minutes, for 
 having stolen a mason s trowel ! 
 
 The judges here bustled from the bench, as the bailiff 
 said, " for alf han our to heat sandwiches hand drink 
 sherry," and Quitman and his friend took occasion to 
 withdraw, deeply impressed with the folly of drum-head 
 court-martials in halls of justice, and with the wisdom 
 of the old fogy maxim, " Festina lente?" 1 deliberate 
 speed. 
 
 Quitman used to say that he never \had an adequate 
 notion of the population of London until he undertook 
 a midnight walk through " the city" to his hotel in the 
 " West End." When he reached St. Paul s it was just 
 12 P.M. ; but the streets were filled with vehicles of 
 every description, and the pavements as densely packed 
 
176 LIFE AND COKKESPONDENCE OF 
 
 with foot-passengers as when he had passed at midday. 
 The gaslights from the street lamps and the illuminated 
 windows of the shops lit up the moving panorama as 
 with the light of day, while the great bell of St. Paul s, 
 more than four hundred feet above their heads, 
 
 " Swinging slow, with sullen roar," 
 
 tolled " the witching hour of night." High above the 
 crashing tumult of the streets, this numerical thunder 
 made itself counted. The great bell is heard at Wind 
 sor Castle, twenty miles from London. A sentry on 
 duty in the castle was ouco accused of sleeping on his 
 post, but defended himself by alleging that on that par 
 ticular night he heard St. Paul s strike thirteen times for 
 midnight. This was found to have been so, and he was 
 acquitted. It is usually two at night before the moving 
 column on the street dwarfs down to a straggling line 
 of wayfarers, the houseless unfortunate or the prowling 
 vagabond, having no place wherein to lay their heads ; 
 and at all hours there is a hoarse murmur, as of a heavy 
 surf rolling upon some distant shore. 
 
 While walking in St. James s Park one fine Sabbath 
 morning, near Buckingham Palace, General Quitman and 
 Judge Thacher had the honor to salute her majesty on 
 her way to the Royal Chapel. She returned it with a 
 smile, and so pleasantly they resolved to attend divine 
 worship at the same shrine. But when they arrived, 
 they found that the sacred promise, " Knock, and it shall 
 be opened unto you," was no passport to their admis 
 sion. Thacher argued with the sanctimonious and be 
 dizened janitor that they were strangers from the South 
 ern States of America ; but the official remarked, " That 
 can not be so, for you are both as white as I am." While 
 Thacher was smothering his wrath at this insinuation 
 and swearing that he was a sovereign at home, and had 
 
JOHN A. QUmiAN. 177 
 
 older blood and better blood than Queen Victoria in 
 his veins, Quitman quietly stepped up and slipped half a 
 guinea in his hand. The door flew open, and, with low 
 bows, they were ushered to a convenient seat. 
 
 On the 15th of July they left London for Rotterdam, 
 where they arrived next day. While pulling about the 
 various canals to see the town, they came under the 
 stern of a small brig which displayed the stars and 
 stripes. On the rail aft a young fellow w^as leaning, 
 staring into the town. " What brig where from ?" said 
 Quitman. In true Yankee style the answer came, 
 
 "Who hails?" 
 
 " Countryman. Who commands that brig ?" 
 
 " Sarah Ann, of Salem, Capt. Job Pratt, who s jist gone 
 ashore to meetin ." 
 
 As they pulled off, he cried out, " Come aboard. Do 
 come, and take some rum and lasses." 
 
 It was the Sabbath, but the great bulk of the Rotter 
 dam people were in the fields and public gardens, with 
 their children around them, indulging in recreation and 
 chit-chat a cheerful scene, in pleasant contrast with the 
 stillness and dullness of the same day in the large cities 
 of England and the United States. 
 
 In early times in New England, and now, it Is pre 
 sumed, in some parts of it, the Sabbath commenced at 
 sundown on Saturday evening, and continued until the 
 same hour next day. The children, their features sharp 
 ened by abstinence and constraint, grouped themselves 
 at the window looking to the west, and, as soon as the 
 sun sank, would sing out, " Hurra ! boys, Sunday s out !" 
 
 The Sabbath should, unquestionably, be a day of wor 
 ship and of rest ; but worship may spring from the grate 
 ful emotions of the heart, as well as from the grand an 
 thems of the choir ; and rest may be found in the social 
 circle, as well as in a hired seat, in the glare of worldly 
 112 
 
178 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE OF 
 
 splendor, under the drowsy and formal accents of a pen 
 sioned preacher. 
 
 " Religion never was designed 
 To make our pleasures less." 
 
 At any rate, this seemed to be the opinion of the Rot- 
 terdamese, and of the people of the Continent generally. 
 The next day the general and his party visited the 
 town of Bommel, on the Rhine, in search of his relatives, 
 the descendants of Admiral de Vericn. In the evening, 
 when it was ascertained that they were Americans, they 
 were waited on by the most substantial burghers, and 
 invited to the Casino, where citizens of standing usually 
 resorted. The general spoke the language fluently, and 
 became the centre of the crowd. He answered a thou 
 sand questions about our sources of prosperity, our recep 
 tion of immigrants, and our institutions, and was deep in 
 state rights, Avhen a little boy entered the circle with a 
 salver filled with liqueur glasses. It proved to be pure 
 Hollands, of exquisite flavor. Every ten minutes, while 
 the general was discoursing, the little fellow came round. 
 After this had been repeated fifteen or twenty times, the 
 American guests contented themselves with merely put 
 ting the glasses to their lips, but the cry was universal, 
 " Dririken out" thus hinting very plainly that the Bom 
 mel aristocracy tolerated no " heel taps." There was no 
 evading the etiquette, and the drinking was honest and 
 accurate. It was fearful odds gin-drinking Dutchmen 
 against Yankees, and under their own juniper-tree! 
 They saw with a shudder, through the tobacco-smoke, 
 the yellow curls and violet blue eyes, set in porcelain, of 
 the little white-aproned boy, with his tray suspended by 
 a leather strap around his neck, and as he reached them 
 in his incessant rounds, crying, " Schnapps !" our friends 
 were strongly tempted to fly. At last, however, there 
 was a general movement. Some dozen gentlemen es- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 179 
 
 corted the strangers to their inn. On reaching it, they 
 found the landlord at the door, evidently anticipating 
 the visit. Instead of retiring then, as they expected, the 
 escort followed them in, where the landlord had pipes 
 and tobacco in waiting, and, before they were fairly seat 
 ed, another little boy, as like the other as two peas, with 
 his apron and tray, and yellow curls and blue eyes and 
 china face, was circulating the liqueur glasses ! When 
 a Dutchman sits down, he is not going to get up in a 
 hurry. Finding they were in for it, the American repu 
 tation at stake, and an escort in their own hotel, they re 
 signed themselves to what Sir Walter Scott calls " seri 
 ous drinking." They soon saw, or fancied they saw, 
 two little boys, two trays, and two sets of liqueur glass 
 es, and the company seemed to multiply amazingly. 
 
 The social bout, however, came to an end, and at a cer 
 tain hour next day they rose perfectly sound. What a 
 pity the great Udolpho Wolfe can not get a recipe from 
 the burghers of Bommel ! 
 
 After visiting some relatives of his mother at Rossum, 
 Quitman proceeded to Dusseldorf, and traveled post into 
 Westphalia, the country of his forefathers. The roads 
 are excellent. There are no wayside cottages or fences. 
 The necessity that anciently compelled people to congre 
 gate in villages and fortified towns has become the cus 
 tom of the country. Agricultural laborers walk five or 
 ten miles every morning to their daily toil. Cattle are 
 stabled, or closely watched when on pasture, and hence 
 there is no necessity for inclosures. The road is lined 
 on either side with stately Lombardy poplars, here called 
 the "King of Prussia s grenadiers." Post-horses on this 
 route were strong and serviceable. The postillion every 
 now and then dismounts, and baits them with a few 
 slices of coarse brown bread, which he carries in the 
 boot. 
 
180 LIFE AND COEEESPOISTDENCE OF 
 
 He visited Iserlohn, where the Quitinans resided in re 
 mote times. It lies in the spurs of the Hartz Mountains, 
 and is famous for its mines and zinc manufactories. Over 
 the entrance to several of these artificial caverns the name 
 of QUITMAX was engraved in iron in Gothic capitals, thus 
 indicating the original proprietor of the mines. At Loest, 
 enjoying a baronial castle and its honors, he was enter 
 tained with great hospitality by his old friend, William 
 Brune, who, after having made a large fortune in the 
 hardware business at Natchez, had returned to his na 
 tive country and purchased a barony. The general met 
 at his table a number of distinguished military men, who 
 were found w^ell versed in the history of our country. 
 Dinner commenced with the pudding and ended with 
 soup, interspersed alternately with substantial and deli 
 cacies. After dinner every one was expected to contrib 
 ute a song. Baron Brune led off with " Yankee Doodle," 
 the words a jeu d" 1 esprit of the late Francis Baker, in 
 which Captain James K. Cook, an old editor of Natchez, 
 was the hero. 
 
 " Captain Cook went on the bluff 
 
 A firing off his cannon, 
 And every time he fired it off 
 He used a yard of flannel," etc. 
 
 The Prussian officers heartily joined in the refrain, and 
 roared off, 
 
 "Yankee doodle, doodle doo, Yankee doodle dandy," 
 
 in true German style. Quitman gave the " Banner Song " 
 of the Natchez Fencibles, which he considered the best 
 piece of music extant, and Thacher followed with " Old 
 Rosin the Bow," which quite electrified the company, 
 who joined lustily in the chorus. Next morning a Ger 
 man translation of these songs appeared, and they are 
 now sung in many parts of the father-land. 
 
 At Cologne, famous for its perfumed waters and its 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 181 
 
 concentrated stinks, they crossed the Rhine on a bridge 
 of boats, such as was introduced by Julius Caesar in his 
 conquest of the country, whose footsteps may be said to 
 be still visible wherever he carried the Roman eagles. 
 At Coblentz, at the table d hote, the carte des vins had 
 on it a wine entitled Pis-porta. The explanation was, 
 that it was made at a vineyard near the ruins of a Roman 
 gate, or portal, which still bore the inscription, Pisonis 
 Porta, or the gate of Pisa. 
 
 After calling on the Rothschilds at Frankfort-on-the- 
 Maine, to arrange his business, the general and his friend 
 paid a visit to the field of Waterloo. A cicerone, as 
 usual, was accepted, who commenced his description of 
 the details of the battle, pointing out the position of the 
 different corps of the two armies, and the sacred places 
 where distinguished officers had fallen. The enthu 
 siasm of Quitman became intense, and, interrupting the 
 guide, he took up the narrative, and entered into a mi 
 nute and critical account of the operations of that event 
 ful day. The guide listened in silent admiration for a 
 while, as did a trio of British officers who had joined 
 them. At length, lifting his cap and bowing to the 
 ground, he said, " I have the honor of standing in the 
 presence of a general of Waterloo !" Quitman laughed, 
 and said to his party, "I have had a chart of this ground 
 in my head for years ; it seems to have been specially 
 designed for a great battle. It is but the surface of the 
 earth, but to me it appears higher than the Pyramids." 
 
 Having failed, in consequence of the pressure of the 
 times, the prostration of American securities, and the mis 
 management of the Natchez Railroad corporation in his 
 absence, to dispose of their bonds, he embarked at Lon 
 don on the " British Queen" for New York.* The voy- 
 
 * The late Thomas S. Muncc, who held a confidential position in. 
 the bank, addressed him while in Europe as follows : 
 
182 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE OF 
 
 age was unpleasant, the weather stormy, and the ship 
 and her officers were not to be bragged of. A protract- 
 
 " Natchez, July 23d, 1839. 
 
 "My gratitude and affection for you will not let me lie down 
 and see engagements entered into (without your knowledge, and the 
 burden of which you will have to bear), and the credit of the com 
 pany jeopardized, and you thrown forward to meet the storm. I may 
 not have penetration enough to perceive the wisdom of the policy of 
 our board, yet I can not believe that we have any right to extend our 
 engagements one dollar until the receipt of satisfactory intelligence 
 from you. If I understood arrangements rightly, not one additional 
 contract should have been let, and the farther prosecution of the road 
 depended upon your success in Europe. You had scarcely left the 
 United States before to let contracts were published. Of course, 
 they were taken, and perhaps low enough, as they are to be paid in 
 our currency. Our own circulation now consists of 12 months post- 
 notes, bearing 5 per cent, interest ; they are only 25 per cent, discount. 
 Our currency (made up of all sorts of notes and shin-plasters) is, of 
 course, a grade lower. Thirteen sections, running to Torry s store, 
 have been let. We are building a splendid depot, and putting a brick 
 wall around the same ; likewise a machine-shop, and are about to 
 make a conti-act for a road to the river. There are other smaller en 
 gagements. This may be all right, and in consonance with the truo 
 interests of the company, but it seems to me vastly imprudent. To 
 be sure, it is easy to make and sign post-notes at 12 months and 5 
 per cent., but they will come due some day; and it seems to me 
 that we are saddling ourselves with a debt that will cripple us for 
 years, even if you succeed in disposing of the bonds. To let you see 
 what new engagements you will have to provide for, let me specify : 
 
 "13 sections of road $325,000 
 
 Depot 35,000 
 
 Shop 20,000 
 
 lliver road, probably 80,000 
 
 $400,000 
 Our circulation 
 
 On demand , 8,000 
 
 G months post-notes, due in September GG, 000 
 
 8 do. do 27,000 
 
 12 do. do. due May, June, July 894,000 
 
 $495,000 
 
 I fear this showing will discourage you, but it is my duty to advise 
 you of it, if nobody else will." 
 
 No wonder that this concern soon afterward blew up with a crash 
 that shook every pane of glass in Natchez, and took the meat out of 
 the pot of many a poor family. The other kindred institutions through 
 out the state followed the same road ; and as all men and all parties 
 had supported and confided in them, so all alike shared the general 
 distress, save the few who were in the secret all the time, who, by bor 
 rowing large amounts from the banks, and investing in lands and ne- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 183 
 
 ed tempest, and a fire, providentially discovered just in 
 time to save the ship, and a proposition at one time en 
 tertained to depose the captain and put her in the hands 
 of a more competent or vigilant officer, for the common 
 safety, were the only incidents of the voyage. 
 
 To his Brother. 
 
 "London, August llth, 1839. 
 
 " Since I wrote last I have been to the Continent, trav 
 eling up the Rhine to Frankfort, and thence to Paris. 
 My principal object was to make an effort with the cap 
 italists of Holland, Germany, and France to negotiate 
 some of my bonds. I could not succeed. Money is also 
 scarce at every point, and interest high. They, of course, 
 prefer investments in their own country, and can not be 
 induced to touch others. On my way up the Rhine I 
 stopped at Bommel, and made inquiries for the family of 
 Admiral De Verien, the husband of our mother s sis 
 ter. He is dead. I, however, met with his brother and 
 nephew, by whom I was received very kindly. They 
 told me that two of our cousins resided at the small town 
 of Rossum. There I accordingly went, and met with 
 Mrs. Du Fee, wife of Captain Du Fee, of the Dutch navy, 
 and her sister, Matthia Henrietta De Verien, being full 
 cousins of ours. They received me very affectionately, 
 and spoke most feelingly of the affection and love of their 
 mother to ours, which they had often heard of. The 
 other children I did not see, to wit, Jan Casper, Carl 
 Cornelius, and Anna Elizabeth, married to a public offi 
 cer named Kinschat, all of whom live at Rotterdam. 
 This family is among the best of Holland, and they ap 
 pear to live comfortably. At Iserlohn, in Westphalia, I 
 called on two ladies, named Shirriffe, who were daugh 
 ters of a Mr. Quitman, their brother, a young man of our 
 name, not being at home. All I could learn was that 
 their father s grandfather and ours were brothers. I 
 went to see an old gentleman at the zinc factory who 
 
 groes, amassed colossal fortunes, often going, six months or a year 
 thereafter, to the very men from whom they had purchased their es 
 tates, buying up the worthless hank issues at 30, 20, and even 10 cents 
 in the dollar, to repay their original debt to the hanks. 
 
184 LITE AND COKKESPOXDENCE OF 
 
 was descended from Quitmans on both sides. He in 
 formed me that one branch of the family had gone to 
 Cleves several generations past, but that he had not the 
 4 stamff baum (genealogical tree) ; that it, however, was 
 still in existence. He took me to an old zinc factory, on 
 which was inscribed, Joh : Fred : Quitman, medecin doc 
 tor und prac. 1752, and Joh : Flem : Quitman Kauf Rath- 
 man, und hospitals prov. 1752, as the founders of the 
 factory. This family is one of the richest and most re 
 spectable in that country. I saw also the tombs of some 
 of the family, and the church-pew which they had occu 
 pied for more than a century. When I saw the hills 
 about Cleves and the prune orchards, I could not but 
 think of the time when our father, a beautiful and healthy 
 boy, was bounding among them. Along through this 
 region of country is the finest race of people I have seen 
 in Europe. I traveled from Frankfort to Paris, spent a 
 few days there, and returned to this place to make an 
 other effort here to raise some money. I will probably 
 sail for home about the beginning of September. I shall 
 be very happy to return. I have stored away much in 
 formation, and have learned much, but I prefer, in every 
 respect, our own country, and shall be more contented 
 than I have ever been with the oaks of Monmouth and 
 its tranquil retirement." 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 185 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Resumes the Practice of Law. Pecuniary Embarrassment. Attach 
 ment to his Slaves. Horror of Debt. Benton and Calhoun. Let 
 ter to his Brother. Plantation Economy. Peculiarities of Ne 
 groes. How they should be treated. Texas and Santa Anna. 
 Letter to Gen. Houston. The Union Bank Bond Question. Chief 
 Justice Smith. Quitman s Views. The Anti-bonders. Argu 
 ment. Political Condition of the State. Social Demoralization. 
 The Banks. Mob Law. The great Union Bank. Its Kise and 
 F a ll. Errors of the Bond-payers. Quitman s Position. Becomes 
 a Candidate for the U. S. Senate. Attacked by Gov. M Nutt. 
 His Defense. Gen. Foote. Is defeated. Political Treachery. 
 
 Ox his return to Natchez, Gen. Quitman, never con 
 tent with inaction, renewed his partnership with John 
 T. M Murran, Esq., who had read law in his office, and 
 had become one of the most distinguished lawyers in 
 the state. At this period the General was somewhat 
 embarrassed, owing to the depreciation of securities of 
 every kind and the heavy liabilities he had incurred for 
 friends. To pay these liabilities, after exhausting the 
 proceeds of his crops, he borrowed money at 10 and 12 
 per cent., and now relied on his profession to meet his 
 engagements. It is in allusion to this embarrassment 
 that the following letter was written to one who was in 
 debted to him. It is inserted to show the strong attach 
 ment he had for his faithful slaves, the best friends of 
 our race, placed by Providence in our hands in the con 
 dition of perpetual wardship, and whom we are bound, 
 by the strongest moral obligation, to care for and pro 
 tect. 
 
186 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE OF 
 
 To J. F. H. Claiborne. 
 
 " Monmouth, Jan. 27th, 1840. 
 
 " DEAE CLAIBOENE, It is now nearly twelve at night. 
 After completing the harassing toils of the day (and my 
 days now run far into the nights) I have just read, for 
 the second time, your touching letter. As self is ever 
 first in the reflections of the strongest as well as the 
 weakest of us, I will commence with that portion of 
 yours relating to myself. Your fancy presents me as 
 surrounded by all that can make life happy. I know 
 you have the benevolence to delight in the scene which 
 your fancy has drawn, and I regret to dispel the illusion 
 by stern realities. I assure you that I too am compelled 
 to drink to the very dregs of what is worse than pov 
 erty, the care, the anxious, corroding care arising from 
 pecuniary embarrassment to toil and struggle to sus 
 tain my credit to make humiliating appeals to traders 
 and purse-proud money-lenders for time to forego ev 
 ery recreation and even physical exercise and to adopt 
 the most rigid economy in my household. This I have 
 done ever since my return from Europe, and must do 
 for some years to come. I owe 895,000, over $40,000 of 
 which I have had to assume for others. I am likewise 
 
 indorser for our unfortunate friend for $24,000, and 
 
 for various others whose circumstances are very doubt 
 ful, for over $20,000. All this, it is probable, will fall on 
 me. I have 160 slaves. My other property is worth, 
 perhaps, $200,000. The former, however, are all that 
 would be available in an emergency, and they are my 
 chief source of revenue. I am strongly attached to them. 
 They are faithful, obedient, and affectionate. I would 
 rather be reduced to abject penury than sell one of them. 
 My debt is nearly all due now. It requires the last dol 
 lar of my plantation revenue to preserve my credit. 
 Were suits instituted against me, should any calamity 
 happen, nearly all that we have might be swept away. 
 These are unpleasant reflections. I have three house 
 holds to provide for besides my own, and several private 
 charities that I have long been committed to, and must 
 not neglect the wives and orphans of departed friends. 
 So you see I am suffering not the pleasures but the cares 
 of splendid poverty. With a revenue of $45,000, 1 can not 
 
JOHN A. QTJITMAN. 187 
 
 build a green-house for my wife or buy a new piano for 
 
 my daughter ; and when I meet , the trader, or , 
 
 the Christian Shylock, I am compelled to acknowledge 
 the superiority which the look oi^you owe me, and can t 
 pay] gives them. I never have avoided a friend or an 
 enemy, but I confess, when I see these men approaching 
 on the street, and the supercilious smirk on their faces, 
 and know that my pockets are empty, if I can conven 
 iently dodge them I do. I am not, however, subdued. 
 I resume my profession with M Murran in February, and 
 even his characteristic industry shall not exceed mine. I 
 will never quit it until I discharge my debts, and, when 
 once free, will never be a slave again. If you were with 
 me now, we would take a glass together and give three 
 cheers for the very dream of freedom. I have, very 
 
 lately, paid 86000 for our poor friend , who started 
 
 in life with you both my earliest friends. He is utter 
 ly broken down, and his once high spirit succumbs to 
 ruined fortunes and a shattered constitution. Alas ! he 
 will only find freedom in the grave. As for yourself, do 
 not despond. If you have lost your fortune, you have a 
 better capital, which neither false friends nor your own 
 over-confidence can deprive you of. Employ it boldly, 
 and you may place your banner where you will." 
 
 ToJ.F.IL Claiborne. 
 
 " Monmouth, Feb. 26th, 1840. 
 
 "DEAR CLAIBOKXE, There was no poetry, I assure 
 you, in my late letter to you. It was naked fact, and 
 I am not gifted with your imagination to plant a flower 
 in the arid desert of pecuniary troubles. The skeleton 
 DEBT stands rigidly in my path, and stares me in the face 
 as though to wither and terrify me ; but I return my de 
 fiance, and will struggle boldly for victory. I am now 
 insensible even to the allurements of ambition, and would 
 reject a crown but for the gold and jewels it might con 
 tain. Not that I am avaricious ; do not suspect me of 
 that. With one third of my present income, and free, I 
 should be happy, and eagerly court distinction and fame. 
 I confess myself anxious for a popularity founded on 
 what you have happily termed integrity of principle. 
 I know that , and , and , and men of that 
 
188 LIFE AOT) COKKESPOSTDENCE OP 
 
 school, though apparently friendly, are hostile to me. 
 My principles and habits are too republican for them. 
 
 " I feel the force of your quotation from the Greek 
 poet. I know I have arrived at the period of life when 
 the effort for fame should be made, if made at all. It 
 will soon be too late. But first, I must disengage my 
 self from creditors whose very looks stir my blood to 
 rebellion. 
 
 " You speak of taking charge of a newspaper. It 
 would please me much to see you in the editorial chair. 
 Your views of politics and of political economy are, in 
 the main, right. You have a thorough knowledge of 
 men and of state politics, or rather intrigues, for Missis 
 sippi politics have been, for a long time, only a series of 
 selfish plots and counterplots for the benefit of men ; and 
 what inferior men ! AVere I to consult my personal 
 wishes, or the cause of genuine democracy, I would urge 
 you to become an editor. It would give you power and 
 distinction, but would it pay ? I have never known a 
 poet or an editor to get rich. Your politics and your 
 pride cut you off from the means that some resort to for 
 wealth ; editorial life, I fear, would shut the doors of 
 legitimate accumulation. But more of this when we 
 meet. 
 
 " I concur with you that, after the re-election of Van 
 Buren, the Democratic party will divide between Cal- 
 houn and Benton, and that the friends of the former 
 should begin to organize. This consideration almost 
 tempts me to say to you, go at once into the editorial 
 chair. Benton is electioneering already. Have you read 
 his speech in favor of striking out portions of the 19th 
 and 20th sections of the Sub-treasury Bill ? It is a piece 
 of disgusting charlatanry and demagogism. I do not 
 like that man, yet I fear he will succeed. The gigantic 
 and lofty mind of Calhoun scorns to descend to the vul 
 gar occupation of dealing out gingerbread and beer to 
 the people for popularity. He is too intellectual, too 
 philosophical, and too pure for the age we live in. His 
 name will shine brighter a century hence. I hope sin 
 cerely that Van Buren may be re-elected. Yet I beg 
 to doubt it. I have never seen such enthusiasm as tr!0 
 opposition now display. In the North and West t - 
 
JOHN A. QumiAsr. 189 
 
 log-cabin and hard-cider candidate is sweeping all be 
 fore him. We arc, in fact, it appears to me, on the 
 threshold of a revolution. State credit has exploded. 
 The paper bubble has burst. Ruin and consternation 
 every where prevail. We can not foresee what direc 
 tion the tempest will take, or where it will stop, or what 
 effects it will produce. It may re-establish sound Dem 
 ocratic principles. It may result in the triumph of mon 
 ey and the establishment of monarchy. It is useless 
 now to speculate. The time for action will come. 
 
 "I am now in full practice forced to it to save my 
 property, though my own debts do not exceed $10,000. 
 I am zealous as a boy, and sanguine of success. I shall 
 have to decline the nomination for presidential elector ; 
 I am too busy to do justice to such an appointment."* 
 
 His expectations of a lucrative practice were fully 
 realized. In a, few years he relieved himself of debt, 
 and again retired to the family circle, his oaks, and his 
 library, which he loved so well. No man was happier 
 in private life ; his temper was bland and amiable ; his 
 flow of spirits was equable and lively ; he was fond of the 
 society of his friends, and took part even in the pastimes 
 of children ; he had a taste for horticulture, and a pas 
 sion for flowers. His literary habits found ample scope 
 in his well-stocked library, and a portion of his time was 
 devoted to those duties that devolve on every good 
 citizen. At this period, and until the 19th of May, 1847, 
 he was President of the Board of Trustees of Jefferson 
 College, and took a great interest in the fortunes of that 
 venerable institution, maintaining the inviolability of its 
 charter, and resisting the insidious and narrow-minded 
 attempt to undermine it.f About this time the degree 
 
 * He did resign this position, and the author was appointed to suc 
 ceed him, but, for similar reasons, could not accept. 
 
 f He was one of the founders of our noble State University one 
 of its original trustees; took a decided part in giving it its present 
 broad organization and high caste, and favored the most liberal policy 
 in relation to it. 
 
190 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 of A.B. was conferred on him by Princeton College, and 
 LL.D. by the College of La Grange, Tenn. 
 
 His brother Albert and himself had opened a sugar- 
 plantation on Grand Carllon, La., which the former chief 
 ly managed. From their correspondence I extract a few 
 paragraphs, showing the humanity of the slaveholder, 
 and his attention to the comfort of his negroes : 
 
 " Monmouth, May 9th, 1839. 
 
 " I am very sorry to hear of poor Kitty s death ; she 
 was faithful, honest, and industrious. Encourage the ne- 
 
 froes to report their complaints to you early. They 
 ave a great aversion to lying-up in hospital, and to diet 
 ing, and often conceal their complaints until it is too late. 
 The stoutest and most sensible and trustworthy of them 
 must be watched like children. They seldom reflect, and 
 have bad memories. Clothe them well, make them be 
 clean and neat in their persons and dwellings, encourage 
 them to have gardens and fruit-trees and vines, regulate 
 their little domestic dissensions, and grant them every 
 indulgence consistent with discipline. Harshness makes 
 the negro stubborn ; praise, and even flattery, and, more 
 than all, kindness, make them pliable and obedient. Keep 
 them cheerful. I love to hear a gang of hands singing 
 at their work, whistling on their way home, and fiddling 
 and dancing at night. This manifests a contented heart." 
 
 To his Brother. 
 
 " November 22d, 1839. 
 
 " I was very sorry to hear of our bad luck in the loss 
 of so many negroes. This is indeed serious ; but we 
 should not sit down and lament what we can not prevent. 
 Take misfortune coolly. In the business of life, reverses 
 will come. We must oppose them with patience, pru 
 dence, and courage, and struggle on. The tide will 
 change ; and, if we still continue unfortunate, we may 
 console ourselves with the reflection that we have de 
 served a better fate, and that better men than we are 
 have suffered more, and suffered without complaining. 
 Pray attend to the sick, and let them have every possi 
 ble comfort." 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 191 
 
 To his Brother. 
 
 "January IGth, 1842. 
 
 " I have spent several long years past in constant and 
 severe exertions, and harassing and painful anxiety- 
 enough to break down any but a resolute mind and vig 
 orous constitution. I have been crippled by every sort 
 of pecuniary embarrassment, and have had nothing but 
 the bright hope to cheer and support me, that a few 
 years more of toil and anxiety will rid me of the burden 
 I have borne so long. Why, however, should I afflict 
 you with my cares ? With a good conscience, a resolute 
 heart, and a strong arm, I hope to conquer every difficul 
 ty. It would be better for my interests, all things con 
 sidered, to sell negroes to pay my debts. Cotton is now 
 too low to be profitable, and I am paying 10 per cent, 
 and upward for money much more than the labor of 
 my negroes brings me in. But I can not bear to part 
 with those who are so faithful and so attached to me ; 
 they are of my household, and I never will barter them 
 away. So I must endure the toil and anxiety, and the 
 impertinent smirk of money-dealers, and the ostentatious 
 pretension of the rich parvenu, a few years longer. If 
 there be any set that I heartily despise, it is those 
 who plume themselves upon their riches, and regard a 
 man who happens to get in debt as a criminal. Their 
 supercilious sneer is offensive, and their patronizing pity 
 is little less so. Every day I see two or three whose 
 noses I am tempted to wring. I confess to you that 
 wealth for me has no attractions. I love neither its 
 pomp, its luxury, nor its responsibilities. Give me inde 
 pendence and tranquillity, and I ask no more. 
 
 Scck st thou for happiness ? 
 Go, stranger, sojourn in the woodland cot 
 Of innocence, and thou shall find it there ! 
 
 Ah ! that thus my lot 
 Might be with peace and solitude assigned, 
 Where I might, in some little quiet spot, 
 Sigh for the crimes and miseries of mankind. " 
 
 The following extract from a letter to an early friend, 
 who was in difficulties at the time, will show the gener 
 ous features of his character. 
 
192 LIFE AuSD COREESPONDENCE OF 
 
 "Monmouth, October 19th. 
 
 " I will make every effort to do what you desire. You 
 have not reminded me of our early friendship, but I shall 
 ever bear in grateful remembrance the kindness I re 
 ceived from your family years ago, and many proofs of 
 friendship I have received from you. I am reminded of 
 this at this moment, when I see in my library the splen 
 did testimonial presented to me by the Legislature at 
 your instance, at the outset of my and of your career. 
 Rely on me always." 
 
 The Mexicans, under the perfidious Santa Anna, hav 
 ing again invaded Texas, General Quitman thus wrote to 
 a friend at Galveston. It glows with the fire of his ar 
 dent and chivalrous nature. 
 
 "Natchez, March 19th, 1842. 
 
 " DEAR SIK, I read with pleasure your letter of the 
 llth. I rejoice that the Mexicans have invaded Texas, 
 because it will end in what I have ever believed to be 
 the true policy of Texas, the invasion of Mexico. You 
 have now no alternative. You must conquer the in 
 vaders, or be exterminated. The Lone Star of the West 
 will be extinguished forever, or it will blaze over the tow 
 ers of Mexico. I am too well acquainted with the char 
 acter of your people and that of your enemy to doubt 
 the issue, were the latter twice as numerous. The en 
 thusiasm you describe must lead you to victory. All 
 that you want is a head. Your ablest men should be se 
 lected to command, and, for a time, should be vested 
 with dictatorial powers. The Santa Fe expedition fail 
 ed for want of a leader. If well-commanded, our South 
 ern militia are invincible. In personal courage, and skill 
 in the use of weapons, you have the very best material. 
 In fighting Mexicans, as in fighting Indians, mere mili 
 tary tactics are of no importance. In such a warfare I 
 would not have a mere martinet to command even a com 
 pany. The general should have the entire confidence of 
 his men and command their implicit obedience. If you 
 have such a man, place him at once at the head of your 
 army. Send the fiery cross throughout the land. Sum 
 mon every man between the ages of sixteen and forty- 
 
JOHN A. QUmiAN. 193 
 
 five. Muster them on the Colorado as quietly and se 
 cretly as possible. Encourage the invaders to advance 
 by some show of timid resistance. When half the num 
 bers shall have confidently crossed that barrier, suddenly 
 concentrate your forces, let your deadly rifles do their 
 part, and then rush to the attack sword in hand, firmly 
 resolved to conquer or die. No Mexican army can stand 
 the shock of your charge. Let your battle-cry be San 
 Jacinto. Your victory will be easy and complete. Fol 
 low it up without delay. Carry the war at once into the 
 heart of Mexico, and, before the end of summer, the ban 
 ner of the single star will float proudly over the walls of 
 the city of Montezuma. If you succeed you will gain 
 the admiration of the world. If you suffer yourselves to 
 be defeated you will have its contempt, and need scarce 
 expect its sympathy. 
 
 " The government of the United States will be cau 
 tious in the matter. The people of the South will cheer 
 you on and aid you. We are too much absorbed in our 
 pecuniary distresses to exhibit much public enthusiasm, 
 but we will never permit an Indian and negro colony to 
 be planted on the frontier. Come what will, that must 
 not happen." 
 
 To General Sam. Houston. 
 
 "Natchez, April 7th, 1842. 
 
 U MY DEAR Sm, I have seen your comments upon 
 the extraordinary letters of Santa Anna to Mr. Bee and 
 General Hamilton. Independently of the evidence you 
 bring forward to prove that the dictator had pledged 
 himself not to attempt another invasion of Texas, I well 
 recollect a long conversation which took place between 
 you and the President Santa Anna, in which I also par 
 ticipated, on our way up the Buffalo, at the time of the 
 change of your encampment from San Jacinto. By your 
 invitation I had a seat in the boat which conveyed you 
 and the dictator to the new camp. After some compli 
 ments upon you and your brave men, he remarked that 
 he was now persuaded that Texas, if reconquered by the 
 power of Mexico, could never be retained ; that the cost 
 of such an attempt to Mexico would greatly exceed the 
 value of the acquisition ; that it would be policy in 
 
 VOL. I. I 
 
194 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Mexico to suffer an independent nation to grow up be 
 tween her and the great and grasping power of the 
 United States, and that, should his influence ever prevail 
 in Mexico, he would urge the recognition of the inde 
 pendence of Texas ; that all must be sensible that such 
 was the true policy of Mexico, and that no obstacle could 
 be thrown in the way but what might grow out of na 
 tional pride. 
 
 " This is the substance of his remarks on that occasion. 
 If my certificate should be of any service to you, I will be 
 happy to furnish it in more form. I heartily wish you 
 success in your glorious enterprise to force the recogni 
 tion of the independence of your country from Mexico at 
 the point of the bayonet." 
 
 In 1843 the people of Mississippi were distracted by a 
 great question growing out of the bonds issued by the 
 state for the celebrated Union Bank. Old political issues 
 were wholly laid aside, and parties were classed as Bond- 
 payers and Anti-bonders. General Quitman took posi 
 tion with the former, though he by no means indorsed 
 the platform as laid down by the lion. C. P. Smith, 
 chairman of the Bond-paying Committee in 1843, nor did 
 he acquiesce in the views which the same gentleman, as 
 chief-justice, announced subsequently from the bench. 
 This distinguished jurist has a mind remarkable for its 
 acuteness and capacity for analysis ; it is logical, com 
 pact, and severely disciplined, but strictly technical, and, 
 from his habitual line of reading, too contracted for en 
 larged and popular conceptions of statesmanship. His 
 view of the great question of 1843, in which he endeav 
 ored to demonstrate that the Union Bank bonds had 
 been issued in pursuance of the original act creating 
 that bank, and not under the supplemental act, and were 
 therefore legal, constitutional, and binding on the state, 
 was a view strictly in conformity with the subtle and 
 plausible structure of his mind. Quitman, on the other 
 hand, more slow and much less brilliant than the chief- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 195 
 
 justice, seemed to grasp and comprehend, intuitively, as 
 it were, the great principles of natural justice which lie at 
 the bottom of equity and jurisprudence. Sophistry was 
 no part of his nature. Discarding technicalities, he ap 
 plied those great principles to the question, and thence 
 deduced the obligation of the state to pay. He thought 
 that the question of the liability of the state for the re 
 demption of those bonds, being purely judicial, should 
 not be submitted to the popular vote. The principle 
 that, when a government, through its lawful agents, en 
 ters into a contract with another government, or with 
 an individual or company, and a dispute arises between 
 them, it should be decided not by tribunals lawfully 
 established, but by popular suftrage, and that too un 
 der circumstances unfavorable to impartial judgment, 
 he condemned as unsound and dangerous. He Avas am 
 bitious of popularity, but he would not natter the people 
 by professing to believe that, in their tumultuous meet 
 ings at the polls, under the excitement of inflammatory 
 harangues, they were as competent to construe the fun 
 damental law and conflicting statutes as judges who had 
 devoted many years to the study of such matters. He 
 saw no equity in the proposition that the debtor should 
 assume to be the final and authoritative arbiter as to the 
 fact and the sum of his indebtedness. 
 
 The Anti-bonders resisted payment of the bonds, 
 chiefly on the plea of non est factum that the instru 
 ments purporting to be the bonds of the State of Missis 
 sippi, although signed by the governor, countersigned by 
 the treasurer, and bearing on their face the broad seal 
 of the state, were not in fact, and did not in law consti 
 tute a valid or binding obligation, because they had been 
 executed, issued, and sold in fraud of the Constitution, 
 and in contempt of the terms and conditions on which 
 the alleged obligees had consented to be bound. They 
 
196 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE OF 
 
 planted themselves on the 9th section of the 7th article 
 of the Constitution of the State, which declares that 
 " No law shall ever be passed to raise a loan of money 
 upon the credit of the state, or to pledge the faith of the 
 state for the payment or redemption of any loan or debt, 
 unless such law be proposed in the Senate or House of 
 Representatives, and be agreed to by a majority of the 
 members of each house, and entered on their journals, 
 with the yeas and nays taken thereon, and be referred 
 to the next succeeding Legislature, and published for 
 three months previous to the next regular election in 
 three newspapers of this state; and unless a majority of 
 each branch of the Legislature, elected after such publi 
 cation, shall agree to and pass such laws ; and in such 
 case the yeas and nays shall be taken, and entered on 
 the journals of each house." 
 
 They admitted that the original act of the Legislature, 
 passed February 5th, 1838, chartering the Union Bank, 
 with a capital of 15 J millions of dollars, and authorizing 
 the issuing of state bonds to net that amount, had been 
 passed in conformity with the aforesaid 9th section of 
 the Constitution, and had the bonds been issued in pur 
 suance of the Act of February 5th, no constitutional 
 objection could have been urged. But those bonds, 
 they contended, instead of being issued by authority of 
 said act, were issued by virtue of an act of the Legisla 
 ture, entitled, "An Act supplemental to an act to incor 
 porate the subscribers to the Mississippi Union Bank," 
 approved February 15th, 1838, ten days after the pas 
 sage and approval of the original act. 
 
 It was argued that, by the first, or original act, in or 
 der to facilitate the bank in obtaining the requisite capi 
 tal, the faith of the state was pledged for the sum of fif 
 teen and a half millions, as security for the capital and 
 interest, evidenced by the bonds of the state. The cap- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 197 
 
 ital and interest were to be paid by the bank when due. 
 In order to secure the capital and interest of the bonds, 
 the subscribers for stock in the bank were bound to give 
 mortgages on productive property, at a reduced valua 
 tion, to be in all cases equal to the amount of their indi 
 vidual stock. When the stock had been secured, as re 
 quired by the charter, the governor was directed to issue 
 bonds in amount equal to the stock thus secured. The 
 bank bonds and mortgages were required to be deposit 
 ed in the institution, as a reimbursement of the capital 
 and interest of the state bonds. 
 
 Had these requirements been complied with, no diffi 
 culty, it was alleged, would have ensued. But instead 
 of allowing the bank to go into operation under its char 
 ter, which had received the sanction demanded by the 
 Constitution, the Legislature was induced, upon its own 
 responsibility, to improve the original, and passed the 
 " Supplemental Act" introducing new and incompati 
 ble features changing the relations between the state 
 and the bank and materially modifying, in essential 
 particulars, some of the leading conditions on which 
 the people of the state had assented to the original 
 act. 
 
 By this famous supplement, instead of merely loaning 
 her credit to the bank, the state was made a stockholder 
 to the amount of five millions of dollars. This, of course, 
 would make her debtor to the bank in that amount ; and 
 as the 9th section of the 7th article of the Constitution 
 forbids the passage of any law pledging the faith of the 
 state for the payment of any debts (except in the mode 
 therein specified), this Supplemental Act, which required 
 the governor to subscribe for five millions of the capital 
 stock of the Union Bank, and execute bonds therefor, 
 should have been submitted to the people for approval 
 according to the formalities of the Constitution. Had 
 
198 LIFE AXD COEEESPOXDENCE OF 
 
 this "supplement" received the same sanction as the 
 original act, there would have been no controversy as to 
 the validity of the bonds. But undertaking, as it un 
 questionably did, to dispense with the vital conditions 
 on which the people had agreed, in the original act, to 
 loan their credit to the bank, causing the bonds of the 
 state to be issued before the mortgage security (solemn 
 ly stipulated in the original act) was provided to indem 
 nify the state against loss, in the contingency of the fail 
 ure of the bank, making the state a debtor to the bank, 
 as principal, without security, when the people had only 
 consented that she should stand in the relation of iii- 
 clorser, with ample security against loss, based upon pro 
 ductive real and personal estate, mortgaged at a reduced 
 valuation. The " Supplemental Act" was therefore re 
 jected and denounced by a large portion of the press 
 and the people as no law, and, as a consequence, the 
 bonds issued in pursuance of it were held not to be bind 
 ing or obligatory upon the state. 
 
 I The " Supplemental Act" was the result of pressure 
 { . upon the Legislature. No peculiar party or individual 
 is responsible for it. It was the era of speculation. Le 
 gitimate trade had been swallowed up by the passion for 
 gambling and adventure. Men every where bought and 
 sold without having any real capital, upon fictitious se 
 curities, and the rage for banking perceived no obstacle 
 in the 9th section of the Constitution, which had been de 
 vised by QUITMAX eleven years before, to prevent the 
 very evils that were now about to occur. Men hitherto 
 prudent had become reckless. The public conscience had 
 grown unscrupulous. Barefaced swindling was consid 
 ered clever financiering, and the most desperate became 
 the most influential. Society in private life, and in every 
 department of government, lost sight of the old land 
 marks of right and wrong, and rapidly deteriorated, 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 199 
 
 and, in the general corruption that infected all parties, 
 the Supplemental Act had its origin. 
 
 Many of the so-called bond-payers, with General Quit- 
 man at their head, concurred in the arguments against 
 the validity of the bonds. As a strictly legal proposition, 
 they held it to be incontrovertible that the Supplemental 
 Act violated both the letter and spirit of the Constitu 
 tion, that the Legislature had transcended their power 
 of attorney, which is the Constitution, and, according to 
 technical rules of law, their principals, the people, were 
 not bound by their acts. 
 
 But, while these were his sentiments on the abstract 
 question, he did not acquiesce in the propriety of refer 
 ring the decision of the question to the people, a party 
 interested, and, from the nature of things, not capable in 
 this instance of rendering an impartial or enlightened 
 judgment. Admitting the force of llie maxim caveat 
 emptor, it was known that most of the bonds had passed, 
 for a valuable consideration, into the hands of innocent 
 third parties, whose inducement to purchase had been 
 their confidence in the resources and good faith of the 
 State of Mississippi, and her failure to redeem them 
 would ruin many, and give a fatal blow to her credit 
 and character. Quitman therefore held that the bond 
 holders should be invited to come with their claims, as 
 other litigants, and have a full and fair adjudication of 
 them before the tribunals of the state. He believed 
 that, although the strict letter of the law would be found 
 adverse to their claim, and be so determined, neverthe 
 less, that the investigation of all the facts by a high and 
 important tribunal would determine the people of the 
 state, upon those generous principles of equity that 
 influence civilized communities, to provide a suitable 
 indemnity for the holders of the bonds. He insisted 
 that the community knew or believed the Supplemental 
 
200 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Act, when it was proposed, to be of doubtful validity. 
 Its objectionable features were pointed out at the time 
 by a few clear-sighted individuals ; a few members of the 
 Legislature protested against it ; a portion of the public 
 press exhorted and warned the governor not to put the 
 seal of the state to the five millions of bonds called for 
 by that act. But the governor, the Legislature, and the 
 people were captivated and demented by the splendid 
 vision of a colossal corporation which was to realize the 
 fable of Midas, and convert every thing it touched into 
 gold. If the monster bank, yearned after by so many 
 for relief against impending bankruptcy, and for the 
 means of farther speculation, should have to await the 
 tardy progress of the prescribed preliminaries enumer 
 ated in the original act, the governor, Legislature, and 
 their sovereigns would be ruined by delay, for all were 
 alike deep in debt and speculation. Circumstances would 
 not wait. There was no time for discussion. Constitu 
 tional questions must be waived for the present and set 
 tled afterward. The day of judgment was at hand, and 
 nothing but the bank could save them, and nothing but 
 the state credit and the five millions of state bonds 
 could put the bank in operation. Such was the pressure 
 such the common delirium the "madness of the 
 hour." Birds of prey, from all quarters of the country, 
 allured by the scent of carrion ; rapacious creditors, with 
 appetites whetted by frequent disappointment; ambi 
 tious politicians, who looked to the bank as a means of 
 controlling public sentiment and of furthering their per 
 sonal designs ; and gambling speculators, who thirst 
 ed for millions, but would have sold their Savior for 
 less than thirty pieces of silver all flocked to the seat 
 of government. The giddy and unreflecting populace 
 united with them, and the howl was absolutely terrific. 
 Those were the days of summary justice if that sacred 
 
JOHN A. QUmiAN. 201 
 
 name may be so profaned the day of drum-head court- 
 martials, cross-road executions, Lynch law, the pistol, and 
 the bowie-knife ! High public functionaries sanctioned 
 deliberate violations of the law and fellowshiped with 
 criminals; executive officers reeled across the public 
 squares from one coffee-house to another, and judges 
 spent the Sabbath at the gambling-table, and adjourned 
 court next day to finish their game ! No wonder, then, 
 that the " still, small voice" of the Constitution was un 
 heard. The multitude roared. The members of the 
 Legislature would have been mobbed if they had not 
 passed the "Supplemental Act," to hasten the borrowing 
 operation ; the governor would have been mobbed had 
 he refused to issue the bonds, and the commissioners 
 appointed to dispose of them would hardly have escaped 
 if they had not hurried away to find a market and a pur 
 chaser. 
 
 The commissioners soon disposed of them to a party 
 deeply infected with the gambling infirmity of the peri 
 od, who was fully apprised of the constitutional difficul 
 ties in the way of the transaction, but who passed them 
 over, fraudulently, to third parties ignorant of this draw 
 back. The original law prohibited any sale of state 
 bonds issued or to be issued for the capital stock or in 
 terest of the Union Bank at less than par value ; but, in 
 point of fact, they were negotiated and sold in violation of 
 this provision of the law. Nevertheless, such was the 
 general exultation, the commissioners, on their return 
 with the means of putting the " monster" in operation, 
 were received with bonfires, illuminations, public festi 
 vals, and other demonstrations of popular approval. The 
 proceeds were soon squandered, and the bank, after hav 
 ing stimulated the evil spirit of gambling to the utmost 
 extent of its means, after a vain attempt on the part of 
 its imbecile managers to control the politics of the state, 
 
 12 
 
202 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 and to substitute low trickery and swindling for legiti 
 mate financiering, closed its profligate career in hopeless 
 insolvency, and sunk, like some huge ship upon the 
 ocean 
 
 Rari nantes in gurgite vasto 
 
 leaving behind it, in every quarter, the evidences of the 
 ruin and demoralization it had wrought. 
 
 And now was heard, for the first time, the alarum of 
 repudiation. The governor, who had signed the uncon 
 stitutional " Supplemental Act" and executed the bonds, 
 joined in the cry.* Those who, from the first, had op- 
 
 * Correspondence of the Governor of Mississippi idth Hope fr Co., of 
 Amsterdam, Holland, in relation to the payment of the interest on the 
 Union Bank Bonds. 
 
 " To the Governor of the State of Mississippi : 
 
 "The undersigned, as trustees for the holders of debentures of the 
 Bank of the United States at Philadelphia on deposit of American 
 state stocks, and, among others, of a considerable amount of bonds of 
 the State of Mississippi bearing five per cent, interest, issued through 
 the Union Bank of Mississippi, and made payable at the agency of 
 the United States Bank of Pennsylvania in London, the principal in 
 1850 and 1858, and the dividends semi-annually in May and Novem 
 ber, having been refused payment of the interest due the first of this 
 month on said bonds, are compelled to address themselves to the gov 
 ernment of the State of Mississippi ; and from their confidence in the 
 faith of that government, they feel convinced that the simple mention 
 ing the fact of the nonpayment will be a sufficient stimulus for the 
 government of the State of Mississippi to take immediate measures for 
 the payment of the interest now due and which will further successive 
 ly become due on those bonds, and to prevent irregularities or demur 
 so prejudicial to the interest of American credit in general and to that 
 of the State of Mississippi in particular. HOPE & Co. 
 
 " Amsterdam, 22d May, 1841." 
 
 u Executive Department, City of Jackson, July 13th, 1841. 
 "GENTLEMEN, I have received your letter, dated Amsterdam, 22d 
 May, 1841, postmarked Washington City, June 21st, 1841, and bear- 
 ing the official frank of the Hon. Daniel Webster, Secretary of State 
 of the United States. I have duly considered the contents thereof. 
 Those bonds were not sold in accordance with the Constitution and 
 laws of this state. They were delivered by me as escrorcs, to be sold 
 at not less than their par value, and for cash, as the statute of this 
 state required. The charter of the Mississippi Union Bank prescribes 
 not only the substance, but the form of the bonds, and provides that 
 they shall be in the sum of two thousand dollars each, which sum 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 203 
 
 posed that act as illegal and inexpedient, or the majority 
 of them, took the same view. Thousands, for various 
 
 the said State of Mississippi promises to pay in current money of the 
 United States to the order of the bank, with interest at the rate of five 
 per cent, per annum, payable half yearly at the place named in the 
 indorsement of the bonds. The act farther provides that said bonds 
 shall not be sold under their par value. The bonds having been 
 delivered to the managers of the bank to be sold on certain conditions, 
 the state can not be bound for their redemption unless the terms pre 
 scribed were complied with in the sale. The Constitution of this state 
 expressly provides that no law shall ever be passed to raise a loan 
 of money upon the credit of the state, or to pledge the faith of the 
 state for the payment or redemption of any loan or debt, unless such 
 law be proposed in the Senate or House of Representatives, and be 
 agreed to by a majority of the members of each house and entered on 
 their journals, with the yeas and nays taken thereon, and be referred 
 to the next succeeding Legislature, and published for three months 
 previous to the next regular election in three newspapers of this state ; 
 and unless a majority of each branch of the Legislature so elected, 
 after such publication, shall agree to and pass such law ; and in such 
 case the yeas and nays shall be taken and entered on the journals of 
 each house; Provided that nothing in this section shall be so con 
 strued as to prevent the Legislature from negotiating a farther loan 
 of one and a half millions of dollars, and vesting the same in stocks 
 reserved to the state by the charter of the Planters Bank of the State 
 of Mississippi. 
 
 "Five millions of state bonds, dated the 5th, Gth, 7th, 8th, and 9th 
 days of June, 1 838, were sold by the commissioners appointed by the 
 Mississippi Union Bank to Nicholas Biddle, Esq., on the 18th day of 
 August, 1838, for five millions of dollars, lawful money of the United 
 States, payable in five equal installments of one million of dollars each, 
 on the first day of November, one thousand eight hundred and thirty- 
 eight, and on the first days of January, March, May, and July, in the 
 year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine, and made pay 
 able at the agency of the Bank of the United States in London "in 
 sterling money of Great Britain at the rate of four shillings and six 
 pence to the dollar, with interest payable semi-annually at the same 
 place and rate. No authority was ever given by any act of the Leg 
 islature of this state to change the currency in which said bonds were 
 made payable. By selling the bonds on a credit, and changing them 
 from dollars current money of the United States to pounds sterling of 
 Great Britain, the following sums were lost : 
 
 Interest on five millions state bonds from 7th of June, 1838, to 1st of 
 
 November, 1838 $100,000 00 
 
 Interest on four millions two months 33,338 38 
 
 Interest on three millions two months 24,999 96 
 
 Interest on two millions two months 1G,.GGG Gl 
 
 Interest on one million two months 8,333 32 
 
 $183,338 30 
 
204 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 reasons, joined in the clamor, and slowly that thunder- 
 voice rolled across the Atlantic, and the startled bond- 
 Difference between five millions of dollars, principal of 
 state bonds, in current money of the United States 
 and sterling of Great Britain at four shillings and six 
 pence to the dollar 478,750 00 
 
 Difference of interest on $1,250,000 of state bonds pay 
 able in twelve years between current money of the 
 United States and pounds sterling of Great Britain 
 
 at four shillings and sixpence to the dollar 69,625 00 
 
 Difference of interest on $3,750,000 of state bonds 
 payable in twenty years between current money of 
 the United States and pounds sterling of Great Brit 
 ain at four shillings and sixpence to the dollar 353,068 00 
 
 $1,084,781 30 
 
 "From the above statement it will be perceived that one hundred 
 and eighty-three thousand three hundred and thirty-eight dollars and 
 thirty cents were lost by selling the five million dollars of bonds on a 
 credit, and paying interest thereon from their respective dates, and 
 the farther sum of nine hundred and one thousand three hundred and 
 forty-three dollars was lost by changing the bonds from dollars cur 
 rent money of the United States to pounds sterling of Great Britain. 
 These two items amount to the enormous sum of one million eighty- 
 four thousand seven hundred and eighty-one dollars and thirty cents. 
 Surely such a sale can not be binding on the State of Mississippi. 
 The faith of this state was pledged for the payment of those bonds 
 only upon the condition that they were sold at not less than their par 
 value. The state expected the full amount of those bonds to be paid 
 into the vaults of the Mississippi Union Bank. If the full amount 
 had been received, and the currency in which they were made pay 
 able not have been changed, the bank would have been better enabled 
 to indemnify the state. 
 
 "It appears that the bonds were indorsed in blank by the officers 
 of the bank and delivered to the commissioners charged with their 
 sale. Neither their power of attorney nor letter of instructions au 
 thorized those gentlemen to fill up said indorsement by making the 
 bonds and coupons payable in pounds sterling of Great Britain at the 
 rate of four shillings and sixpence to the dollar. If such a change 
 had been made on the face of the bonds after their execution and de 
 livery to the bank, the parties making the alteration would have been 
 guilty of forgery, and could have been immured in the Penitentiary 
 for the offense. It will be no answer to the argument to allege that 
 the indorsement could only bind the Mississippi Union Bank. That 
 institution has undertaken to pay both the principal and interest of 
 the bonds. If the bank is compelled to pay the one million eighty- 
 four thousand seven hundred and eighty-four dollars and thirty cents 
 for the loss sustained by the credit sale of the bonds and the change 
 in the currency in which they were made payable, her means will be 
 reduced that amount, and the risk of the state thus greatly increased. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 205 
 
 holders for the first time learned the uncertain and doubt 
 ful nature of the obligations in which they had intrusted 
 their means many of them their all. 
 
 The state was willing to intrust her credit to the bank on the condi 
 tions prescribed in the charter. The faith of this government has 
 never been pledged for the illegal and fraudulent sale of those bonds. 
 
 "This is a constitutional government, and all its officers take an 
 oath to support the Constitution of the State, and faithfully to dis 
 charge the duties of their respective offices. Her chief magistrate is 
 required to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. He would 
 be recreant to his trust and violate his official oath were he to suffer 
 the laws of the land to be trampled upon and the Constitution disre 
 garded. 
 
 " The contract for the sale of the state bonds shows that the statutes 
 of the state in relation to the bonds were made a part of the contract. 
 The purchaser was well aware of the conditions on Avhich they were 
 issued, and knew that the purchase was neither sanctioned by the 
 Constitution and laws of this state nor of Pennsylvania. The con 
 tract was guaranteed by the Bank of the United States. The whole 
 of the purchase-money was paid by that institution. The name of 
 Mr. Biddle was merely used in the contract as a device to get round 
 that clause in the charter of the Bank of the United States which pro 
 hibits her from dealing in state stocks. The currency in which the 
 bonds were made payable was changed from dollars to pounds sterling 
 to give a false coloring to the transaction, and make it appear that the 
 bonds were sold at par value. The principle is universal that fraud 
 vitiates all contracts. The commercial law of this state relative to 
 negotiable paper is different from that of most other countries. The 
 transfer of bonds and notes does not prevent the drawer from setting 
 up any defense against an innocent purchaser which could be made 
 available against the original payee. 
 
 "The state therefore denies all obligation to pay the bonds held in 
 trust by you for the following reasons : 
 
 " 1st. The bonds were sold on a credit. 
 
 "2d. The currency in which the bonds were made payable was 
 changed from current money of the United States to pounds sterling 
 of Great Britain at the rate of four shillings and sixpence to the dollar. 
 
 "3d. The contract of sale was fraudulent. 
 
 "4th. The Bank of the United States was not authorized to make 
 the purchase. 
 
 " 5th. The bonds were sold at less than their par value, in violation 
 Of the charter of the bank. 
 
 "The money paid for those bonds did not come into the state treas 
 ury. The officers of this government had no control over its disburse 
 ment. The bonds were disposed of in August, 1838, by collusion and 
 fraud, in violation of the Constitution and laws of this state. The 
 Mississippi Union Bank and the Bank of the United States were par 
 ties to this unlawful transaction. You have the indorsement of both 
 of these institutions, and to them you must look for payment. This 
 
206 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 An influential portion of our citizens, of both the old 
 political parties, believed that the bonds had been legally 
 issued, and they insisted upon a tax being levied by the 
 Legislature to redeem them. And this party, General 
 Quitman among them, contended that, legally, the state 
 was not liable, but that the moral obligation to pay was 
 equally binding on a just and high-toned people of vast 
 resources and expanding energies. This obligation, they 
 maintained, was created by the almost universal recogni 
 tion by the people of the acts of their agents the nego 
 tiation of the bonds accepting and using the proceeds 
 within the state, and only complaining of unconstitution- 
 ality after the money had been received and squandered. 
 Applying to it the principles of honor and equity, which 
 should govern in private transactions, they contended 
 
 state never will pay the five millions of dollars of state bonds issued in 
 June, 1838, or any portion of the interest due, or to become due thereon. 
 
 "When I ascertained in January, 1839, the terms on which the 
 bonds had been sold, I communicated the same by message to the 
 Legislature, and denounced the sale as illegal. At that time only 
 two millions of dollars had been paid on the bonds by the Bank of the 
 United States. By a proclamation I subsequently issued, the sale of 
 the second five millions of dollars of state bonds delivered to the Mis 
 sissippi Union Bank was prevented. I absolutely refused to execute 
 the last five and a half millions of dollars of state bonds demanded by 
 that institution. These decisive measures prevented the illegal dis 
 posal of ten and a half millions of dollars of state bonds, and will con 
 vince you that the government of this state never has countenanced, 
 and can not be made responsible for the fraudulent acts of the Missis 
 sippi Union Bank. 
 
 "I have forwarded to your address the Journals of the Legislature 
 of this state for the years 1840 and 1841. It will afford me much 
 pleasure to forward you such other documents as you may desire. 
 I am anxious that the bond-holders should be possessed of all the facts 
 in relation to the issuance and disposal of the bonds held by them. 
 Your great experience in commercial affairs no doubt has made you 
 familiar with the principle that parties contract with reference to the 
 law, and that in a constitutional and free government every act of a 
 public functionary is merely an exercise of delegated power intrusted 
 to him by the people for a specific purpose, and that his acts are the 
 acts of the people only while within the powers conferred upon him. 
 
 "I am, gentlemen, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 "A. G. M Nuxx. 
 
 "Massif. Hope & Co., Amsterdam, Holland." 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 207 
 
 that, if an individual should authorize an agent to go into 
 the market and borrow money for him on certain condi 
 tions, and that agent should return and tell his principal 
 that he had got the money, but not on the conditions 
 specified, it being optional with him to receive the mon 
 ey or not, if the principal receive it, he thereby waives 
 the change of conditions, and ratifies and confirms the 
 act of his agent, and can not afterward honestly plead a 
 violation of conditions. So Quitman argued that, after 
 the state had accepted and used the proceeds of the 
 bonds, no matter how illegally they had been issued, no 
 matter how hnprovidently they had been negotiated, no 
 matter how recklessly the money had been squandered, 
 she was morally bound to redeem them. 
 
 Upon these conflicting issues a furious contest ensued, 
 which called forth a vast amount of talent and energy. 
 It resulted in the triumph of the anti-bonders, who, dur 
 ing the contest, besides the argument already referred 
 to, took the high ground that, in resisting the payment 
 of the bonds, they were defending the Constitution ; and 
 that, though they sympathized with the innocent and un 
 fortunate parties now holding said bonds, no sympathy 
 and no misfortune would authorize a deliberate sanction 
 to an unconstitutional act/ 1 
 
 * The celebrated Gouverneur Morris, one of the leaders of the old 
 Federal party, and one of the most distinguished lawyers of his times, 
 expressed the following opinions applicable to this question: "The 
 debt, you say, is contracted according to the forms of the Constitution. 
 This I doubt ; but let it be admitted that public faith is pledged ac 
 cording to the constitutional forms : suppose a majority of the House 
 should contract a debt of 30 or 300,000,000, and divide the stock 
 among themselves, would their successors be bound to provide for the 
 payment ? This, you will say, is an extreme case, but I must have a 
 plain answer, yea or nay. If it be yea, I shall insist that forms so 
 absurd be instantly abolished. If nay, the inference is that, cases may 
 exist in which the pledge given according to constitutional forms is not 
 to be redeemed. * * You insist that we are bound to pay pub 
 
 lic debts by the same moral principle which binds us to pay our private 
 debts. Agreed. But we are bound to pay only just debts 5 or, to speak 
 
208 LIFE AND COKKESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Had the bond-payers generally exhibited the modera 
 tion of Quitman, and taken the middle ground he rec 
 ommended, the result, in all probability, would have been 
 different. But many leading men on that side of the 
 question, for ambitious objects, involved it with nation 
 al politics, and provoked by their violence when the ob 
 vious policy was conciliation. Threats of retaliation on 
 the part of foreign governments of reprisals on our 
 commerce of excluding us from the comity of nations, 
 and even of seizing our cotton in transitu and after it 
 reached a foreign market, were proclaimed. They ven 
 tured to arraign the state in Congress and in the Brit 
 ish Parliament, and the Continental press. This roused 
 the pride of our people. Millions they might have been 
 prevailed upon to concede, liberally they would have 
 given had the application been put in some other form 
 than a peremptory demand for payment, but not a dime 
 would be yielded to insult and menace. It was on one 
 of these occasions, in a public meeting, after Quitman 
 had pronounced a warm appeal for the payment of the 
 bonds, that the speaker who followed him spoke of En 
 glish cruisers in the Gulf, and their right to seize our cot 
 ton. The patriot orator immediately rose, and, with a 
 voice of indignation, and his whole frame trembling with 
 emotion, said : " Sir, in that event I join my countrymen 
 who oppose the payment of the bonds. My sword ay, 
 sir, the last drop of my blood, shall be spent in resisting 
 the demand. My state, sir may she be always right ; 
 but, right or wrong, the STATE, sacred, intangible, and 
 unprofaned, forever !"* 
 
 more accurately, that is no debt which is not justly contracted. * * * 
 An agent, though he comply with legal forms, can not bind his principal 
 to a matter which is illegal or immoral ; and a third person can not ground 
 a claim on such transaction if he was privy to the wrong." Sparks s 
 Life of Morris, vol. iii., p. 287. 
 
 * John Marshall, Esq., the able editor of the Austin (Texas) State 
 Gazette, and long the confidential friend of Quitman, says : 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 209 
 
 It was this high-toned, fervid patriotism, this intense 
 love of country, this sensitiveness to any attack npon it 
 
 "It is true, General Quitman was among those who advocated the 
 payment of the Union Bank bonds, but he always regarded the Con 
 stitution as having been violated in their emission. He was only will 
 ing to pay the debt in the event of the people waiving their constitu 
 tional right to repudiate the unwarrantable acts of their servants. The 
 people sternly and wisely disavowed these acts, and made an example 
 of unbridled power which subsequent legislators have never forgotten. 
 General Quitman afterward held that the question had been finally 
 decided upon, and we have before us, from his own pen, the declara 
 tion that he was firmly opposed, whether as a private citizen or in an 
 official capacity, to a resuscitation of the question. Without a new as 
 sumption by the, people, he ivould regard a law for the payment of the re 
 jected bonds as a fraud on their rig/its. He had opposed the charter 
 of the Union Bank at the time of its incorporation, and had also op 
 posed the issue of the bonds at the time of the discussion of the ques 
 tion as a matter of state policy." 
 
 The following extract from a letter written by him in 1849 is the 
 latest that I find on the Union Bank bond question. He stood upon 
 this position in his first canvass for governor, his opponent being the 
 Hon. Luke Lea. 
 
 " Upon all questions of practical state policy it is my duty to ex 
 press my opinion, if honestly desired. The Union Bank bond ques 
 tion is of that character. If we are to judge from the proceedings 
 of the Whig convention, they will make the payment of the bonds 
 one of the issues of the present canvass. Upon this subject I have no 
 disguise. When, in t\vo successive elections, the question of the valid 
 ity of these bonds was before the people, I, as a citizen, advocated 
 their payment, and used all arguments which suggested themselves to 
 my mind to induce others to concur in my opinions. While I sup 
 posed that, in the opinion of the world, some discredit would be at 
 tached to our state for the rejection of these bonds, I have never at 
 tributed to those who differed from me any but pure and patriotic mo 
 tives in opposing their payment. It is unnecessary to refer to the ar 
 guments used by those who favored, or those who opposed the pay 
 ment of these bonds as unconstitutional and void. The issue was 
 twice made before the people at the general elections, and, after a full 
 and elaborate discussion, the people of this state, by large majorities, 
 deliberately, and I think honestly, pronounced against the constitu 
 tionality and validity of the bonds given for stock in the Union Bank. 
 In this solemn and deliberate decision upon that subject I acquiesce. 
 Unless set aside by a reassumption of these bonds by a vote of the peo 
 ple, this decision is and must continue to be binding upon the public 
 authorities of the state. Under our Constitution, all questions involv 
 ing the appropriations of money out of the treasury belong exclusive^ 
 ly to the Legislature, and, consequently, to the people, whose will the 
 Legislature should represent. Questions, therefore, concerning the 
 appropriation of money, whether or not they involve validity of bonds 
 
LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 from any quarter, that gave him his strong hold on the 
 public confidence, and enabled him to pursue the truth, 
 whether in a majority or minority, without any diminu 
 tion of personal popularity. 
 
 In 1845, a vacancy having occurred in the Senate of the 
 United States, Gen. Quitman was prominently mentioned 
 in connection therewith. The suggestion of his name in 
 the public papers brought a flood of letters from every sec 
 tion of the state, encouraging to his hopes. They were 
 so flattering, and from such influential men, that he fixed 
 his heart upon the matter, and, in private letters to his 
 brothers, expressed little doubt of his success. A strong 
 ly written and very plausible communication appeared in 
 the Vicksburg Sentinel, over the signature of " Hume," 
 charging him with many political errors, and impeaching 
 his claim to be considered a Democrat. It bore the ear 
 marks of A. G. M lSTutt, late governor of the state, and 
 then a candidate for the vacant seat in the Senate. He 
 was a man of vigorous intellect an original thinker 
 satirical and sardonic, with a memory of astonishing te 
 nacity one of those provoking memories whose exacti 
 tude is so often inconvenient to aspiring politicians. His 
 
 or contracts under which such payment is claimed, belong not to the 
 executive or the judicial power, but to the people, through their rep 
 resentatives in the Legislature. In my opinion, therefore, this import 
 ant question of the validity of the Union Bank bonds, and their pay 
 ment, has been deliberately and authoritatively settled by the tribunal 
 that possesses supreme power over this and similar subjects. It can 
 not be disturbed except by a proposition laid before the people to as 
 sume this debt. It would be a political fraud upon their rights for 
 any department of the government, without such assumption or re- 
 assumption, if the term be preferred to apply moneys or effects of 
 the state directly or indirectly to the payment of these rejected bonds. 
 Any other view of the subject, whether by bond-payer or anti-bonder, 
 would, in my opinion, be opposed to the principles of our government. 
 Admitting not only the constitutional right of the people of this state 
 to determine for themselves the validity or nullity of these bonds, but 
 also convinced that their decision has been deliberately made, and in 
 good faith, to protect their Constitution from infraction even by the 
 Legislature, I am opposed to the resuscitation of the question." 
 
JOHN A. QTJITMAN. 211 
 
 own career had been marked by inconsistencies, growing, 
 perhaps, out of the fact that he entered public life in the 
 service of a constituency strongly Whig, and when bank 
 ing corporations had not, by their abuses and enormities, 
 provoked public scrutiny. As chief magistrate, he had 
 committed grave errors in regard to the Union Bank 
 which were never satisfactorily vindicated. But he now 
 stood the acknowledged head of the opposition to banks, 
 and the radical feeling of the state was embodied in and 
 directed by him. He was, on this point, inflexible and 
 uncompromising, and was surrounded by devoted fol 
 lowers, but had made bitter enemies by the harshness 
 of his manners and the vituperative style of his oratory. 
 The Whigs detested him, but his most violent opponents 
 were inside of the Democratic organization. He was the 
 most formidable candidate for the Senate, and while act 
 ively canvassing, the article in question, intended to drive 
 Quitman from the arena, appeared in a journal well un 
 derstood to be the organ of M Nutt. 
 
 The following reply, which -seems to have been ad 
 dressed as a sort of circular to his political friends, was 
 found among the papers of Quitman, in his hand-writing. 
 It covers his whole political course, and gives his own 
 reasons : 
 
 "I came to Mississippi at the age of twenty-one. De 
 voted to my profession, and in straitened circumstances, 
 I had given little attention to national politics. My pre 
 dilections, however, were for William H. Crawford, of 
 Georgia, for President, against either Adams, Jackson, 
 or, Calhoun. I early imbibed, from the writings and 
 speeches of Virginia statesmen, the state-rights and free- 
 trade doctrines, and have adhered to them ever since. 
 I made no opposition to the election of John Quincy 
 Adams the contest in Mississippi being between him 
 and Jackson when he was first a candidate, because ho 
 had been acting against the Federalists since 1803, and 
 his orthodoxy was not impeached until his first message 
 
212 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OP 
 
 in 1825. In 1828, while absent from Natchez, my name 
 was placed, without my authority, on a committee of his 
 friends, but on my return I refused to act on it. In 
 1827, during Mr. Adams s administration, I was elected 
 to the Legislature chiefly by the Jackson men of Natchez 
 and Adams County. Adam L. Bingaman, the leader of 
 the Adams party, was my opponent. Duncan S. Walker, 
 a Jackson man, succeeded me, and John F. H. Claiborne, 
 a very ultra Jackson man, succeeded him, and was elect 
 ed three times successively, by decided majorities, over 
 Bingaman and other Whigs. So my election from the 
 county of Adams is no proof that I was for John 
 Quincy Adams. 
 
 "In September, 1828, 1 was appointed chancellor by a 
 Democratic governor, and unanimously confirmed by a 
 Democratic Legislature. I was no advocate of the United 
 States Bank, nor did I exert any influence to bring a 
 branch of it to Natchez. With other Democrats I acted 
 for a time as a director, and as a director of the Planters 
 Bank, in which the state had a large interest, and which 
 General Jackson had selected to hold the government 
 deposits. In both instances, as my friends well know, I 
 Avas induced to serve to protect the planters from the too 
 great influence of the commission merchants. 
 
 In 1832 I was a member of the Convention. I refer to 
 the record for my course. I was the author of the sec 
 tion restraining the use and abuse of the public faith and 
 credit. This clause has preserved the state from hope 
 less insolvency. Without it, such was the mania for 
 borrowing and banking, there would have been no limits 
 to its misuse. Had Governor M Nutt adhered to the 
 spirit of this clause of the Constitution, and refused to 
 sign the Supplemental Act and the bonds for the Union 
 Bank, the distracting questions which have since been 
 made would never have disturbed the state. The peo 
 ple of this Democratic state, after the convention, elected 
 me chancellor without opposition. In 1832 I voted for 
 Jackson and Barbour, because I did not consider Mr. 
 Van Burcn sound on the tariff question. I did not "be 
 come" a Nullifier in 1832. I was always a Jeflersonian 
 state-rights man. I admired the character of General 
 Jackson and his message of 1832, but I opposed and de- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 213 
 
 nounced his proclamation, and do it now. In politics I 
 
 which certain mousing politicians condemned, but they 
 were complimented by such men as Calhoun, Rowan, and 
 Hayne. In 1834 I was elected senator from Adams 
 County, where a Whig majority existed, but they knew 
 my opinions, and I was known to be President of the 
 State Rights Association. It is true that, at the ad 
 journed session of the Legislature of 1835, with General 
 P. Briscoe and other stanch Democrats, I opposed, on 
 strictly constitutional grounds, the admission of some 
 members from new counties, which had been created 
 by the same Legislature. We thought their admission 
 would violate the constitutional provision as to appor 
 tionment and that regulating the proportion between 
 the two branches of the Legislature. The inference at 
 tempted to be drawn that I acted in a spirit of hostility 
 to that section of the state is false. As far back as 1827 
 I advocated the extension of civil process over the Indian 
 territory with a view to its acquisition. In 1834, when 
 acting governor, I took, for the first time it had been 
 broached here, strong grounds in favor of the claim on 
 the federal government for the school lands and the five 
 per cent, fund in the Chickasaw cession, as my message 
 will show. It is false that in 1834 I strenuously urged 
 an increase of banking capital. Considering the mania 
 that raged, my message should be construed as intended 
 to restrain its extension. In 1836 I was re-elected Pres 
 ident of the Senate, Governor M Nutt voting for me on 
 every ballot. I was opposed to the Union Bank. 
 
 " In 1836 I voted for Judge White, whom I believed 
 to be as good a Democrat as Van Buren, and sounder on 
 the tariff question. I ran for Congress on the White 
 ticket. I believe the Whigs, to some extent, voted for 
 him and for me ; but this did not make Judge White 
 and myself Whigs. It is not true that in 1837 I was in 
 league with Prentiss in opposing the right of the Chick 
 asaw members to places in the Legislature. I was not 
 in the Legislature, but I condemned the opposition. I 
 voted for Claiborne and Wilkins for Congress, the first 
 
214 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 being one of the Van Buren and the other one of the 
 White candidates for Congress. I supported Claiborne 
 and Gholson s vote for the Independent Treasury. I 
 had been one of its earliest advocates.* I sustained Pren- 
 tiss and Word in the contested election on state-rights 
 ground alone. In 1840 I was compelled by the pressure 
 of my private affairs, which had become embarrassed, to 
 decline the appointment of Van Buren elector, but, by 
 letters every where to my state-rights friends, I urged his 
 election. 
 
 " It is not true that I denounced Gov. M JSTutt s proc 
 lamation in regard to the Union Bank bonds, so far as 
 it was intended to arrest the farther negotiation of these 
 bonds. I denounced his act in signing the unconstitu 
 tional Supplemental Act of 1835, and fixing his signature 
 to ten millions of bonds. I did not in 1841 vote for 
 Shattuck, the Whig candidate for governor. Afterward 
 I used every effort to produce harmony between the 
 bond-payers and anti-bonders, but failing in this, at the 
 next election for governor I voted for the bond-paying 
 candidate, that excellent Democrat, Thomas II. Williams. 
 I had, at the same time, most friendly relations with, and 
 kindest feelings for, the anti-bond candidate, Hon. A. G. 
 Brown. I did not vote for the Whig state officers. In 
 1844 I preferred, as I had before and do now, Mr. Cal- 
 houn to any other man for the presidency, but I acqui 
 esced in the nomination of Van Buren, and, until the ap 
 pearance of his anti-Texas letter, gave him my zealous 
 support. 
 
 " My connection with the Mississippi Railroad Com 
 pany is made a charge against me. When this great 
 enterprise was set on foot, I was earnestly requested to 
 take charge of it. I consented at a heavy sacrifice to do 
 so. The Legislature gave it banking privileges, but dur 
 ing my connection with it not a single note was dis- 
 
 * It is not improbable that the idea originated with him. The 
 earliest articles I can recall in print, hinting at a total separation of 
 bank and state, are from the pens of John A. Quitman and his friend 
 James S. Johnston, Esq., of Jefferson County, a gentleman of rare 
 talent and extensive learning. Bred in the strictest school of Vir 
 ginia strict constructionists, of a family distinguished for ability, he 
 early formed a close intimacy with Quitman, and they wrote and act 
 ed together. 
 
JOIIX A. QUITMAX. 215 
 
 counted, and no notes issued but to pay for work. I ad 
 mit that I exerted my influence in favor of what is called 
 the "Transfer Act," and the state has never lost a dollar 
 by that act. It was my object, in drafting the bill, to 
 protect the state from loss in every contingency, and so 
 it has resulted. The bill was supported by many lead 
 ing Democrats, and Gov. M ; Xutt approved it. I was, 
 after its passage, induced to consent to go to Europe for 
 the purpose of making sale of the state stock in the 
 Planters Bank, but, owing to its depreciation, a negotia 
 tion was impossible. This was no fault of mine." 
 
 This, it must be confessed, is a plausible defense against 
 the charge, so often urged against him, of political vacil 
 lation. " Every man," says Gouverneur Morris, in a let 
 ter to Timothy Pickering, " has a right, and is in duty 
 bound to change opinions when good reason occurs for 
 the change, and every man has a right to pursue a course 
 different from what he intended, when, in the lapse of 
 time and of events, the existing circumstances shall be 
 different from what he anticipated." 
 
 Among the charges most used against Quitman was 
 that he had been instrumental in the passage of an act 
 transferring certain stocks and securities of the state to 
 the insolvent corporation with which he was associated. 
 To this charge he most triumphantly replied, interesting 
 even now as a part of the history of the times, and as 
 showing the fallacy of calculations based on paper securi 
 ties, charters, and corporations. 
 
 Gen. Quitman to Hon. R. H. JZoone. 
 
 ^Monmouth, October 29th, 1845. 
 
 " DEAR SIR, Some months since I saw a communica 
 tion over your signature in the Mississippian, in which 
 you invite me to communicate my views in relation to 
 the effects of an act commonly called the * Transfer Act? 
 At the time I laid the paper aside with the intention of 
 addressing you on the subject through the same channel, 
 but frequent indisposition throughout the spring and 
 
216 LIFE AND COKKESPONDENCE OP 
 
 summer, and the consequent pressure of important busi 
 ness, prevented it. I regret this, because since that time 
 our relations are somewhat changed. I am now a can 
 didate for the Senate, and you may be entitled to a vote 
 for that office. I may appear on that account solicitous 
 of your favorable opinion. However desirous I may be 
 on that score, I assure you, in this communication, I am 
 alone influenced by the desire of justifying my course in 
 the eyes of a fellow-citizen whose opinion I respect. I 
 believe that a very brief examination of the Transfer 
 Act will show that, so far from having been injurious 
 to the state, it has resulted in a decided advantage to 
 her. I frankly admit that I used my exertions as a citi 
 zen to procure the passage of that bill. I then believed 
 the state might gain much by the passage of the bill, and 
 that it could not possibly result in loss to her. Subse 
 quent facts have proven that these opinions were not er 
 roneous. The state held stock in the Planters Bank to 
 the amount, estimated at the par value, of two millions 
 of dollars. In other words, she held twenty thousand 
 shares of the capital stock of that bank. The remainder, 
 about twenty-five thousand shares, was held by private 
 individuals and corporations. This stock did not con 
 sist in money which could at any time be withdrawn, 
 but in mere script or certificates of stock. The money 
 itself, which had been invested in stock, formed the basis 
 of the banking operations, and was scattered in loans 
 over the whole state. Under the charter of the Planters 
 Bank the state stood precisely in the condition of a pri 
 vate stockholder. She had no lien, no mortgage, no se 
 curity. In the case of the failure of the bank her stock 
 would be lost. Should the bank have been wound up, 
 the assets must first have gone to the payment of the 
 debts and liabilities of the bank before one dollar could 
 have been paid to the state. Such is the well-settled law 
 of corporations. In this condition stood the state stock 
 in 1839 prior to the passage of the Transfer Act ; a 
 time when all prudent men began to fear the explosion 
 of our inflated bank system. "My arguments, not made 
 in secret, but publicly through the columns of the Mis- 
 sissippian, will show that I then believed that our bank 
 stocks would depreciate in value, and probably become 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN". 217 
 
 valueless. Such was the state of things when it was 
 proposed that the state should exchange her stock in the 
 Planters Bank for an equal amount of stock in the Mis 
 sissippi Railroad Company, established to effect a, scheme 
 of internal improvement in which the people of a large 
 portion of the state were interested. The company 
 agreed, in consideration of such transfer of stock, to give 
 the state all the security in their power by mortgaging 
 all the private stock and all the effects of the company, 
 to protect the state from loss, and also assumed abso 
 lutely the payment of the principal and interest of the 
 bonds of the state as they should fall clue, by guarantee 
 ing that the dividends on the state stock should meet 
 these payments. These terms, so much more favorable 
 to the state than those contained in the charter of the 
 Planters Bank, were ingrafted on the bill, and in this 
 form passed the Legislature. It was provided in the bill 
 that the stock transferred by the state should not be sold 
 below its par value. Before the sale could be effected 
 the stock began to decline. At length the Planters Bank 
 failed, and the stock became utterly worthless. The in 
 ability of the railroad company to dispose of this stock, 
 and the wide-spread ruin w T hich the explosion of the 
 banking system produced, rendered the private stock 
 holders of the company unable to meet the installments 
 on their stock, caused the failure of the railroad company, 
 and consequently her stock also became worthless. Now 
 the question is, Has the state gained or lost by the Trans 
 fer Act? To ascertain this, let us consider what she 
 would have had if the Transfer Act had not been enacted. 
 In that case the state would now be the holder of twenty 
 thousand shares of Planters Bank stock, at this time ut 
 terly and hopelessly worthless. I venture to say that no 
 sensible man can now be found who would give one tenth 
 of a dollar a share for that stock. But suppose we esti 
 mate this stock as worth one dollar per share. Then, if 
 the Transfer Bill had never passed, the state would have 
 
 held stock in the Planters Bank worth 82,000 
 
 But by that act she has gained 
 
 1st. The payment made by the railroad com 
 pany for interest on the state bonds, say. . 20,000 
 
 2d. The state holds a mortgage on the prop- 
 
 Yc:.. I. K 
 
218 LIFE AND COKKESPOXDENCE OF 
 
 erty of the railroad company, now in proc 
 ess of foreclosure, which the committee of 
 the Legislature estimate as worth more 
 
 than 150,000 
 
 $170,000 
 
 Deduct value of stock transferred 2,000 
 
 Gain by transfer bill 168,000 
 
 But, in addition to this, I am advised that the greater 
 portion of the Planters Bank stock transferred by the 
 state to the railroad company is still in their hands, and 
 ready to be delivered up to the state. Thus the state 
 will get back her stock, and, in addition to this, nearly 
 one hundred and seventy thousand dollars. This shows 
 that the Transfer Act was cautiously guarded, and that 
 the draftsman of that honestly intended, under all con 
 tingencies, to secure the state from loss. We are all lia 
 ble to be led into error, but had not the Planters Bank 
 failed and her stock depreciated, it could have been made 
 use of by the railroad company to complete their great 
 work. Had this been done, it is probable that the in 
 come of the road would have enabled the company to 
 pay the interest and eventually the bonds of the state. 
 Experience has shown that most of the railroads in the 
 state have yielded good profits. The gross income of 
 the Yicksburg and Jackson road now amounts to $300,000 
 per annum, and is increasing, while banking operations 
 have of late years yielded little profit and promise less. 
 While I have endeavored to show that the advocates of 
 the Transfer Act were honest in their intentions to guard 
 the rights of the state, I am well aware that many of 
 those who opposed it were equally honest, and were in 
 fluenced by a zealous regard for the interests of the state, 
 which prompted them to resist what they deemed a haz 
 ardous experiment. So far as I was concerned, and I 
 frankly admit that I used my best exertions to procure 
 the passage of the bill, I can with sincerity say that my 
 first and leading desire was to protect the state, and it is 
 a source of great consolation to me to believe that I have 
 not, even innocently, been instrumental in doing any in 
 jury to the public." 
 
 Gov. M Nutt opened the canvass with great energy. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 219 
 
 He always appeared 011 the hustings with a budget of 
 old documents to prove the delinquency of his opponents. 
 His system was the aggressive ; he never waited to be 
 attacked, and rarely defended himself. Quitman and 
 Dr. Wm. M. Gwin (who was likewise a candidate) do not 
 appear to have canvassed to any extent ; but, at their in 
 stance, Gen. II. Stuart Foote took the field, not, as he al 
 leged, as an aspirant, but " to expose the enormities of 
 M Nutt." Of all the public men in the state, he was best 
 fitted for the encounter. He knew the inconsistencies 
 of M Nutt, and was utterly indifferent to his own. What 
 he lacked in logic he made up in dexterity. His fluency 
 and fancy were inexhaustible. M N"utt was a man of 
 facts and figures, thoroughly posted in state history and 
 statute law ; Footc had a limited knowledge of these, 
 but a vast stock of miscellaneous information, and the 
 facility of appropriating to his own use the facts supplied 
 by his adversary. M Nutt was a master of broad humor 
 and smutty anecdote, which he freely retailed ; Foote re 
 volted from a vulgar epithet, but, as a harlequin, was ir 
 resistibly droll. M Nutt told jokes ; Foote recited epi 
 grams. M Nutt presented himself to the people as a 
 patriot assailed by a triumvirate of ambitious aspirants 
 for favor without regard to principle; Foote appealed to 
 them as a disinterested guardian of the public purity, and 
 the generous champion of his absent friends : 
 
 " Absentcm qui rodit amicum, 
 Qui non defcndit, alio culpantc, 
 Hie niger cst: hunc tu Romano cavcto." 
 
 M N"utt was a formidable man any where, and under 
 any circumstances. He was said to be deficient in per 
 sonal courage, but of this there is no proof, and the im 
 putation is wholly irreconcilable with the firmness and 
 inflexible will he exhibited in many emergencies ; Foote 
 was impetuous and fearless, often, through caprice or for 
 
220 LIFE AND COKRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 imaginary injuries, deserting his friends, but never turn 
 ing his back to an enemy. Two years before, in the 
 memorable contest for the Senate between Geo. Poindex- 
 ter and Robert J. Walker, he had been put up by the 
 Jackson party to worry the former, and actually teased 
 him from the field; and in this contest of 1845, though 
 M Nutt had little sensibility and great power of endur 
 ance, he was terribly badgered by Foote. 
 
 From Gen. Foote. 
 
 "Panola, August 9th, 1849. 
 
 "MY DEAK SIE, According to my agreement with 
 you, I have every where presented your claims to a seat 
 in the United States Senate in terms of respectful and 
 cordial commendation, and defended you with zeal and 
 such energy as I possessed against all that Gov. M Nutt 
 has either directly charged or darkly insinuated. Our 
 mutual friends in all the country through which I have 
 yet passed will bear full testimony on this point ; among 
 whom, Col. Bainbridge Howard, who has attended all the 
 meetings in Carroll, Tallahatchie, and Yalobusha, I would 
 mention specially. 
 
 " You requested, when I saw you last, that I should 
 inform you, if you should be assailed so seriously as to 
 render your personal presence necessary. I will give 
 you facts, and let you judge for yourself. In every 
 speech M Nutt has made, he has alluded to your course 
 as a bond-paying champion in 1843. Generally he has 
 contented himself with that. I have defended you on 
 each occasion as I best might on this point, and present 
 ed you as a gentleman, a scholar, an old and approved 
 public servant, and a stanch, fearless, and unexceptiona 
 ble State-rights Democrat, of the true Jeffersonian and 
 Calhoun school. I carried the war into Africa in all 
 cases. Col. Moore, of Canton, having given me a state 
 ment in writing averring his capability of proving the 
 ex-governor to be the author of Plume, 5 I charged the 
 authorship upon him, and challenged denial. This was 
 done first at Grenada, his organ at Carrolton having then 
 republished the article, evidently at M Xutt s instance. 
 At Grenada, Mr. Balfour having denied before the meet- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 221 
 
 ing, as M Nutt s friend, the authorship of c Hume, I read 
 Moore s certificate, and announced my determination to 
 prove the authorship. So soon as Balfour could see 
 M Nutt, he came to me and withdrew the denial. So 
 matters stood up to the day before yesterday. At Charles 
 ton, the Carrolton paper being in general circulation, and 
 being likely to do you serious injury, I denounced it, and 
 especially Hume, reviewing the article particularly, and 
 charging authorship on the great repudiate*! 1 anew. On 
 yesterday, at Pharsalia, in the most begging speech I 
 ever listened to, so far as I was concerned, he endeavor 
 ed to meet the charge of authorship. He said his friend 
 Balfour had denied it, and he was a most respectable 
 man. I rose up, and announced that Balfour had after 
 ward withdrawn his denial; and farther declared that, 
 if M lsTutt would then deny authorship, I would have it 
 proved on him. This embarrassed him much. He de 
 clined denying it, and went on to say that circumstances 
 did not apparently prove him to be the author ; that it 
 seemed to him at least as probable that his friend, Mr. 
 Plummer, quite as familiar with your political history as 
 he was, might have written it. He then proceeded to 
 defend Hume, repeating and urging strenuously all the 
 material charges contained in that article against you, 
 and devoting some half an hour to a most unfriendly re 
 view of your pretensions, warmly remonstrating against 
 any attempt on my part to defend you, suggesting that 
 lie and I stood on the same ground politically, as you did 
 not, and that our friends corresponded more nearly in 
 sentiment than yours and mine. All this I replied to as 
 I deemed discreet and proper. Among the new matters 
 that he urged against you, he accused you of being the 
 instigator of the charge against him of having, while in 
 the Legislature, given his sanction to the Choctaw fraud. 
 " Having thus, my dear sir, in a hurried and imperfect 
 manner, given you some account of his proceedings, so 
 far as you are affected by them, need I add that it is 
 highly important, in my judgment, that you should meet 
 him face to face, and put him down at once ? I am do 
 ing all I can for your vindication ; but your not having 
 supplied me with full materials for your defense, I am 
 by no means satisfied as to my own capacity to effect the 
 
222 LIFE JND jCORKESPONDENCE OF 
 
 desired purpose. I think you could meet us by the time 
 we get round to Columbus, at any rate. The facts con 
 tained in this letter you may rely on and use as you 
 please. I stand prepared to substantiate all that is herein 
 contained." 
 
 This contest terminated, as every body except the par 
 ties immediately interested foresaw, in the election of 
 Gen. Foote himself to the Senate of the United States. 
 
 Quitman subsided, after this contest, into private life. 
 He was deeply stung with what he considered ingrati 
 tude, and had good reason to consider treachery, and for 
 a period he expressed himself with bitterness. It is im 
 possible to read the numerous letters addressed to him 
 during the canvass, many of them prompted by merce 
 nary motives, without sharing his disgust. Incapable of 
 a dishonest or mean action himself, he was entirely too 
 credulous, and never suspected the adventurers whose 
 plausible professions were almost invariably accompanied 
 with applications for money or indorsements. He had 
 numerous devoted friends, in many instances without 
 distinction of party, but his correspondence reveals how 
 much he suffered, especially in this senatorial contest, 
 from dissimulation and fraud. Men the most profligate, 
 and wholly without merit, contrived to inspire him with 
 an exaggerated opinion of their worth and influence, and 
 wormed their way into his pockets. One can not review 
 the correspondence he has left without being astonished 
 that a man of his sagacity and experience could be so 
 readily deceived, and by persons, in the main, so little en 
 titled to confidence. His ambition was stronger than he 
 supposed ; he was easily flattered ; he was credulous to 
 a fault; and he was too proud and too honorable to 
 stoop to the arts of professional politicians. Hence he 
 was often tricked and disappointed, and his money lav 
 ished on unworthy men. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAX. 223 
 
 The letters he has left, illustrating personal character 
 and political intrigues, in Mississippi and elsewhere, the 
 mercenary nature of parties now extinct, and the duplic 
 ity of politicians, many of whom are now living in and 
 out of the state, reduce one s estimate of human nature, 
 and would, of themselves, make an instructive volume. 
 
 The military movements on the Rio Grande, and the 
 belligerent attitude of Mexico, which had denied redress, 
 and shut the door to reconciliation by refusing to receive 
 the distinguished plenipotentiary (Mr. Slidell) sent out by 
 the United States, now attracted the attention of the 
 country. It occasioned the following correspondence 
 between General Quit-man and the Governor of Missis 
 sippi. Quitman had been elected major general, Missis 
 sippi Militia, in 1841. 
 
 To Governor JJrown. 
 
 "Monmouth, Sept. Gth, 1845. 
 
 " DEAR Sm, Some months since, in personal conver 
 sation, I expressed to you my desire to be remembered, 
 in case a military requisition should be made upon this 
 state. I now perceive by the Washington papers that 
 it is the determination of the President to keep in readi 
 ness a sufficient military force to protect from invasion 
 our boundary on the Rio del ISTorte from every contin 
 gency. Anticipating that a requisition may possibly bo 
 made upon this state, in case the Mexicans should dis 
 play any considerable force upon the frontiers of Texas, 
 I take this opportunity to say that I have no doubt that 
 any requisition upon this state would be met at once, 
 without a draft, by a call for volunteers. 
 
 " I feel quite confident that my division alone would 
 be ready to furnish any probable quota, not doubting 
 that the other military divisions of the state would dis 
 play equal patriotism. 
 
 " In case your excellency should be called on, and 
 should think fit to adopt the plan suggested of inviting 
 volunteers, I take the liberty of requesting that I, as the 
 oldest major general of the state, may be charged with 
 
224 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 the duty of collecting, organizing, mustering, and com 
 manding when in service, any volunteers that may be 
 called for. I respectfully suggest that my long service 
 in the militia, my rank, and some little experience, pre 
 sent some claims to the consideration of the commander- 
 in-chief. 
 
 " The volunteers might be called from the several di 
 visions in proportion to their strength. I am using ev 
 ery exertion to cause my division to be completely or 
 ganized." 
 
 From Governor Brown. 
 
 Jackson, Sept, 17th, 1845. 
 
 " DEAR SIR, Anticipating the probable wishes of the 
 militia of this state in the event of open hostilities be 
 tween Mexico and this country, I wrote to the secretary 
 of war some weeks since, asking that our people might 
 be allowed to take part in any fight that might be going 
 on. His answer has been received. But little expecta 
 tion is entertained at Washington of any serious diffi 
 culty, and the secretary does not encourage the hope that 
 Mississippi will get any part of the glory of the struggle 
 if it occurs. The honor is first reserved for Texas, and 
 then for Louisiana and Alabama. We are informed that 
 it is possible our aid may be needed in a very remote 
 contingency. The secretary, nevertheless, expresses his 
 pleasure in knowing that we are always ready. 
 
 " It will be your right to have the first command in 
 case of a call, and that right will be respected so far as I 
 have any thing to do with the matter. The secretary 
 speaks of the possibility of a call in this state for one 
 regiment of volunteers, and furnishes me with a list of 
 officers, etc., etc., required in such an emergency. But 
 the prospect of a war in which our services will be need 
 ed is so remote that it is scarcely necessary to speculate 
 about it. 
 
 " By reference to the register in the adjutant general s 
 office, I find that your commission will expire on the loth 
 of November. I have, therefore, ordered an election 3d 
 and 4th November. This precaution was deemed by 
 me necessary. In the present state of the country no 
 vacancy should exist, if it can be avoided, in any mil 
 itary office. I take it for granted, if you desire a re-elec- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 225 
 
 tion, you will get it, and most likely without opposi 
 tion." 
 
 General Quitman had, previous to this correspondence, 
 written as follows to our delegation in Congress : 
 
 " To Messrs. Davis, Adams, Thompson, and Roberts, 
 senators and representatives in Congress. 
 
 "Natchez, May 22d, 1846. 
 
 " GEXTLEMEX, We have just received the late act of 
 Congress providing for the Mexican war. Our people 
 are in a state of the highest excitement. Old and young, 
 rich and poor, Democrats and Whigs, are ready to vol 
 unteer. They fear Mississippi will not have a fair chance. 
 Already Louisiana has been permitted to send 4000 men 
 to the Rio Grande, and General Gaines has granted nu 
 merous commissions to persons around him in New Or 
 leans to organize regiments. We are dissatisfied. We 
 have been ready from the commencement to raise 5000 
 men men who have at heart the good of Mississippi, 
 and who wish to serve, as Mississippians, under the nag 
 of their own state, under the direct command of their 
 own officers brave men, who desire to serve their coun 
 try, confer honor on their much-abused state, and win 
 laurels for themselves. But the door is closed to them. 
 They are chafing at this neglect. We were foremost in 
 the measure of annexation. We regard the present as 
 our own quarrel. We feel strong enough to fight it out ; 
 ay, if need be, to carry our eagle to the Pacific. We de 
 sire no aid from the Abolitionists. The Northern States 
 question our strength in war. Then let this war be the 
 test. England is looking on to witness the weakness 
 of the slaveholding states. Let President Polk give us 
 an opportunity of showing our spirit, muscle, and re 
 sources, and of repelling the slanders upon our institu 
 tions. If he refuses, he is not the man we took him for. 
 We are near the theatre of war. We are inured to the 
 summer sun. We have no dread of chapparals or yel 
 low fever. Far from the seat of government, should the 
 call for volunteers be made general, the requisition will 
 be filled before we even hear of the call. We ask, there 
 fore, that to Mississippi be assigned the privilege of fur- 
 K 2 
 
226 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 nishing a quota of volunteers equal at least to Louisiana. 
 She is entitled to it from her propinquity, from the spirit 
 she has ever displayed, from the blood and treasure she 
 gave to Texas when danger and death, not laurels or 
 riches, were the harvest. Our people are proud and 
 spirited. They will not volunteer while subject to the 
 mortification of having their services rejected. They are 
 too much attached to the free spirit of their state Con 
 stitution, which gives them the selection of those who are 
 to command them in peace and in war, to submit to be 
 enlisted as mercenaries. They look to you, as their min 
 isters at the seat of government, to protect their honor 
 and their interests. The present mode of appointing or 
 commissioning individuals is odious. It will destroy the 
 moral effect of the system of volunteering. It will re 
 press their ardor, and withhold from the ranks the best 
 material of the country. 
 
 " I am happy to hear our patriotic governor (Brown) 
 has appealed to the President in behalf of this state. If 
 we are not allowed to participate in the perils and glory 
 of this war, woe to those who prevent it. 
 
 " I have been an active officer in the militia more than 
 twenty years, and I feel a deep interest in preserving the 
 military reputation Mississippi acquired in former wars." 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 227 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 War with Mexico. Quitman offers his Services. Coldness of the 
 President. Parallel between Quitman and Polk. The Cabinet. 
 Exertions for Quitman. Ilis Appointment. Diary. The Army at 
 Camargo. Character of Gen. Taylor. Neglect of the War De 
 partment. The March. Monterey. The Battle. The Capitula 
 tion. Gen. Taylor s Letter to Gen. Gaines. Political Jealousy. 
 Col. Jefferson Davis. Moral Effect of the Capitulation. Quit- 
 man s View of it. Letter to Robert J. Walker. 
 
 WAR with Mexico had now commenced, and Congress, 
 by an act passed May 13th 1846, had authorized the 
 President to call for 50,000 volunteers, and to appoint a 
 number of general officers. On the 20th of May, Gen. 
 Quitman wrote to a friend who had urged him to enter 
 the army as follows : 
 
 To J.F.IL Claiborne. 
 
 " DEAR CLAIBORXE, I received your letter at a time 
 when we were plunged in the deepest grief for the loss 
 of our second daughter. The stirring events on the Rio 
 Grande have roused me from my lethargy. I feel anx 
 ious to take part in the conflict, and some of my friends 
 think me entitled to the command of such troops as may 
 volunteer from this state. I have been so often disap 
 pointed that I am prepared now to believe that my few 
 ardent friends overrate my pretensions and popularity. 
 I make no claim whatever. I have served actively in the 
 militia over twenty years, and have some knowledge of 
 tactics and discipline, and a turn for military life. It 
 would be a proud day for me to lead the gallant sons of 
 Mississippi to victory. Without any assurances that I 
 shall be selected, I wish to say to you that, should the 
 event occur, and your health will allow you to go, it 
 
228 LIFE AND COKKESPONDENCE OF 
 
 would gratify me much to have you with me. I shall 
 address the President to-morrow, and on the 28th I shall 
 leave for Washington. If the President does not give 
 me an equal chance with Louisiana, I shall not be silent. 
 Should I be appointed, all is ready, and I will be prompt 
 ly in the saddle." 
 
 On the 21st, Gen. Quitman made a, formal tender of his 
 services to President Polk. No notice was taken of his 
 letter. He was not a favorite with the President. They 
 were constitutionally dissimilar. Quitman cared little 
 for party forms or names, but adhered inflexibly, and at 
 any sacrifice, and in scorn of all compromises, to a cer 
 tain set of principles. Polk was a political martinet, a 
 rigid disciplinarian, and regarded the decision of a cau 
 cus as sacred and binding as the decree of a court. He 
 was a man of ability, but a man of expediency, and found 
 in compromises, which are, in fact, concessions of rights, 
 the easiest solution for political difficulties. Quitman 
 was genial, ardent, and impulsive. Polk was grave al 
 most to sadness, self-restrained, and chilling. One had 
 the frankness and sincerity of a soldier ; the other the re 
 serve and tact of a diplomatist. The popularity of one 
 was owing to his engaging qualities, and the general con 
 fidence reposed in his integrity and firmness ; the other 
 was indebted for his elevation to his energy, his circum 
 spection, his capacity for labor, his fidelity to party, and, 
 more than all, to the influence of Gen. Jackson, who, for 
 the sake of Texas, reluctantly abandoned Mr. Van Buren, 
 the most loyal of his friends, and gave the weight of his 
 great name in favor of Mr. Polk. Quitman never desert 
 ed a friend, or forgot a favor. Years after he became 
 rich and influential, he had a grateful recollection of kind 
 ness and hospitality when he was a poor young man ; he 
 never forgot his early comrades in the Texas expedition, 
 and to the last hour of his life was mindful of their inter- 
 
JOHN A. QUITHAN. 220 
 
 ests. Mr. Polk, once seated in the presidency, even for 
 got his obligations to Gen. Jackson. Quitman was a 
 man prompt to decide, and acted upon his decisions with 
 energy and fearlessness, as confident when proceeding 
 singly, on his own judgment, as though he had the ap 
 proval of all the world. Polk was constitutionally tim 
 id, and only bold when supported by others bolder than 
 himself. He had a vigorous and able cabinet* one of 
 
 * Written for the Neio Orleans Sunday Delta. 
 
 THE CABINET PAST AND PRESENT. The speculation in relation to 
 the incoming cabinet may be unprofitable, but is not unpleasant. It 
 gives every one an opportunity to have " his say," or his fling at this 
 or that man. 
 
 The importance attached to the cabinet is very much exaggerated. 
 Those who are curious as to the origin of the departments may refer 
 to Laws of the U. S., vol. i., Biorcn and Duane s edition. In England 
 the cabinet is every thing, and the crown a symbol, an effigy. In this 
 country, with a great man for chief magistrate, cabinets are mere con 
 veniences for administration. 
 
 Gen. Washington was a firm, safe, and prudent man, and with Jef 
 ferson, Hamilton, Pickering, Wolcott, and Knox in his cabinet in 
 spite of the jealousy and counter-intrigues of the two first the early 
 and trying stages of a new government were passed in safety. 
 
 John Adams was a self-willed, crotchety, suspicious, impulsive, ego 
 tistical, and ambitious man, but full of the stuff of which patriots are 
 made. He was "never," as he said of himself in 1778, "much of a 
 John Bull. I was John Yankee, and as such I shall live and die." 
 This bold, high-spirited, but pig-headed man got on badly with his cab 
 inet. His jealousy of Hamilton made him distrustful of every one 
 about him. 
 
 Thomas Jefferson threw his cabinet into deep shadow. There were 
 very able men in it, but his views, not theirs, were stamped upon the 
 administration. 
 
 James Madison was a closet statesman, a philosopher pure, but 
 timid to infirmity ignorant of men, unsuspicious and confiding. He 
 required bold, energetic advisers to counteract his idiosyncratic tend 
 ency to hesitate. For the most part his ministers were, in this respect, 
 as deficient as himself, and hence the blunders that occurred during 
 his administration, both in our financial policy and in the war with 
 Great Britain. 
 
 President Monroe was a dull, weak man singularly so ; a man of 
 phraseology and ceremonial ; elevated by the traditional ascendency 
 of Virginia, and a combination of factions comprising the highest tal 
 ent of the nation, all jealous of each other, but willing to put him in 
 power as one easily moulded to their own personal views and aspira 
 tions. The consequence of this state of things was a cabinet of match- 
 
230 LIFE AND COKKESPONDEXCE OF 
 
 the ablest ever assembled around any executive and 
 the achievements of our armies gave eclat to his admin- 
 less ability. John Quincy Adams, \Vm. H. Crawford, John C. Cal- 
 houn, William Wirt, were members of it all struggling for the pres 
 idency. There was but one point in which those distinguished men 
 resembled each other insatiable ambition. In every thing else fig 
 ure, countenance, manners, temperament, opinions, tastes they dif 
 fered. 
 
 The first was low, swart, cold, and repulsive, irritable and eccentric ; 
 more deeply read than his father, yet knowing even less of mankind. 
 A splendid writer, a master of rhetoric, defiant in his opinions, easily 
 inflamed, brave to martyrdom, yet so frigid, formal, and saturnine that 
 few could approach, and none could love him. His political opinions 
 were erratic and variable, and were, all his life, controlled more or less 
 by personal resentments. His first great apostasy may be traced to 
 this source, and to the same feeling may be justly attributed the war 
 that he waged against domestic servitude in his latter days a war ut 
 terly at variance with his recorded and deliberate opinions when sec 
 retary of state. 
 
 Mr. Crawford was a man of colossal stature, and of massive intel 
 lect. In astronomy or mathematics he would have been pre-eminent. 
 No man in this or any other country had a more thorough knowledge 
 of political economy, and especially of finance. He spoke with great 
 cogency, and wielded a luminous pen. A Virginian by birth and edu 
 cation, he carried the political opinions of the renowned commonwealth 
 into Georgia, and, until he was stricken down by paralysis on the thresh 
 old of the presidency, she never wavered from the true Jeffersonian 
 faith. Her subsequent career has been one of inconsistency and error, 
 until lately she has taken her stand as the empire state of democracy 
 great in her resources, great in her moral and physical development, 
 great in the ability and reputation of her sons. 
 
 The third on this list the proud and sensitive Carolinian was tall, 
 but not stately ; rather with the slight stoop of a student than the pres 
 ence of a soldier ; with strongly-lined, intellectual features, and man 
 ners simple and winning as a child s. The young loved him most, 
 for his noble heart and generous affections were fenced in by no con 
 ventionalities, but were freely, and often injudiciously bestowed. Few 
 public men have suffered more from ill-timed confidences, or paid, 
 without flinching, heavier penalties for the indiscretions of others. 
 A man of purer sentiments, of simpler habits, or more irreproachable 
 morals, never lived. The atmosphere of the metropolis, its sirens and 
 seductions, had for him no taint. Calumny itself never imputed to 
 him, during a lifetime of temptation, a single lapse from virtue. Yet 
 he viewed with no ascetic eye the infirmities of others, and never pur 
 sued error as a crime. His most intimate friend, the late Warren 
 R. Davis, one of the most gifted men of his day, was proverbial for 
 his frailties and indiscretions. Mr. Calhoun was fixed, rigid, and im 
 movable in his notions of right and wrong. He early adopted cer 
 tain great principles for the regulation of his political conduct, but, 
 with singular blindness, he constantly wandered from them. His in- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 231 
 
 istration ; but he can only be regarded as a man of medi 
 ocrity, who rose to power in the train of Gen. Jackson, 
 
 tellectual vision, miraculously acute in all other respects, was notori 
 ously obtuse when studying himself. To the last hour of his life he 
 was persuaded that his political career had been uniform and inflexi 
 ble, when to every one else his inconsistencies were transparent. He 
 was less deeply read than Mr. Adams; he knew less of mankind than 
 Mr. Crawford ; nothing of the management or discipline of party. 
 But he had more intellect, more individuality, more concentrative- 
 ncss, more enthusiasm, a higher and purer appreciation of truth than 
 either of them, or any other statesman our country has produced. 
 
 Mr. Wirt, the attorney general, was of large stature and heavy cast 
 of features, with little, at that period, to indicate the vivid imagina 
 tion that colored and exaggerated his early productions. He was ei 
 ther too florid or too jejune ; always too elaborate. He was an ex 
 cellent man ; a little too saintly, perhaps, in after life, in atonement 
 for early indiscretions, as the feudal barons founded monasteries in 
 compensation for their crimes ; a delightful companion, very suscep 
 tible of flattery, very didactic, very credulous, and very ambitious, as 
 his acceptance of the Anti-masonic nomination for the presidency at 
 an advanced period of his life demonstrates a nomination a truly 
 great man would have scorned to accept, even though certain of suc 
 cess ; and which ended, as it deserved to do, in disgraceful abortion, 
 a complete eclipse of Mr. Wirt s political sun, and he soon after died 
 of vexation and disappointment. 
 
 This cabinet, it may readily be inferred, was the government. They 
 made of Mr. Monroe a mere pageant. He traveled from city to city, 
 and from state to state, while his ministers conducted affairs. In this 
 respect they Anglicized our government for the time being. The 
 splendid diplomatic correspondence of Mr. Adams, elaborate, highly 
 finished, and full of national spirit; the luminous treasury reports of 
 Mr. Crawford ; and the powerful impetus given to fortifications, in 
 ternal improvements, and manufactures by Mr. Calhoun, withdrew 
 public attention entirely from President Monroe. The cabinet was 
 every thing. The game was for the presidency, and each of the tri 
 umvirate played a bold hand for it Mr. Calhoun the boldest and 
 most hazardous, full of promise for himself, but prolific of evil to the 
 republic. His policy favored centralism. He pushed the constructive 
 powers of the government to the farthest boundary, but lived to atone 
 for this fundamental error by consecrating his intellect, in its meridian 
 glory, and his untiring energies, even to the closing scene, to the de 
 fense of states rights. 
 
 The cabinet of John Quincy Adams was only remarkable because 
 Mr. Clay conducted the department of state. Mr. Adams, avowing 
 from the first his intention to stand for a second term, of course shaped 
 the policy of the administration, sometimes, no doubt, against the ad 
 vice of his illustrious premier ; and shaped it to his own defeat and 
 the exclusion of Mr. Clay. Had their positions been reversed had 
 Mr. Clay been the chief magistrate and Mr. Adams the minister, Gen. 
 Jackson, in all probability, would not have been elected. Our coun- 
 
232 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE OF 
 
 exempt from positive vices, remarkable for his prudence, 
 and a thorough master of the strategy of politics. With 
 
 try, at this moment, might occupy a very different attitude. What 
 was called the "American System" the rapid development of home 
 manufactures by a schedule of exorbitant and, in some instances, pro 
 hibiting duties, concentrating vast capital in few hands; national bank 
 ing in close connection with the federal treasury ; the federal govern 
 ment penetrating the states, and controlling their Legislatures and 
 popular suffrage by internal improvements involving large outlays of 
 public money ; and a close-fisted policy in relation to the public lands, 
 holding them at fixed prices, refusing the right of pre-emption, and 
 impeding, as much as possible, the flow of immigration from the man 
 ufacturing to the agricultural states this vast machinery would, 
 doubtless, have been ingrafted upon the national policy, had the chief 
 magistrate been a really great man, of popular attributes, like Mr. 
 Clay, instead of a political enthusiast who, obstinate as his distinguish 
 ed sire, never knew when to retreat, and regarded Fabius as an histor 
 ical coward. Under this policy we should have grown compact, for 
 midable, very aristocratic, very English. The four great events most 
 memorable in our annals since the Revolution the separation of bank 
 and state, the metallic currency, the annexation of Texas, and the 
 conquest of California would yet have been in the womb of time. 
 A scholar and not a statesman a creature of passion, not of purpose 
 a man of intense and unquenchable ambition, who nevertheless 
 lived in an atmosphere of ice consumed by his own fire, but chilling 
 and repelling sympathy and confidence was chief, and the govern 
 ment, by popular forms, but by what was, morally, a revolution, pass 
 ed into the hands of the democracy. A democracy not contingent 
 upon the mere triumph of its leader, or the duration of his official 
 term, but, to all intents and purposes, a democracy under every ad 
 ministration, and by whatever name the prevailing party happens to 
 be called. 
 
 Andrew Jackson, though he knew little of books, still less of nation 
 al law, and nothing of diplomacy, had less need for a cabinet than 
 any of his predecessors. Chiefs of bureau, or a few competent clerks, 
 would have been enough for him. Nature stamped him GREAT, and 
 the most sagacious in his councils, to pass current, had to be recoined 
 from the same die. A transfusion of ideas flowed from him to them. 
 He astounded experienced politicians and jurists by his intuitive per 
 ception and masculine grasp of the most complicated subjects. He 
 converted men to his views as much by this great faculty as by an in 
 domitable will ; the timid felt his inspiration, and the powerful and 
 factious were subdued by a sublime constancy very different from the 
 insane obstinacy of the Adamses, or the dogged courage of Gen. Tay 
 lor. He, however, surrounded himself with able men, but he moved 
 them about like figures on a chess-board, transferring them to other 
 spheres of duty, or kicking them, unceremoniously, overboard, to rise 
 no more. Van Buren, Forsyth, Cass, Livingston, Berrien, M Lane, 
 Taney, Barry, Duane, Woodbury, Eaton, Dickerson, Ingham, Branch, 
 and Butler, were in his cabinet at different periods. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 233 
 
 all the power and patronage of the government (greatly 
 augmented by the war), and with the lustre of victory 
 
 Mr. Van Buren had played a masterly role in the political drama. 
 Regarding politics as a game, his great forte was in stocking the 
 cards. His peculiar trait was caution, improperly termed non-com- 
 mittalism. It was something more comprehensive forecast and sa 
 gacity. Under the mask of great moderation, and with something 
 of the air of a petit maitrc, there lurked a vaulting ambition. His fac 
 ulty for governing men, his untiring energy and imperturbable cool 
 ness, enabled him to achieve great results without apparent efibrt. 
 Thus this accomplished tactician, while Adonizing before his looking- 
 glass, 1 and toying with the square-rigged belles of Albany, or the 
 more voluptuous beauties of Washington, was dethroning De Witt 
 Clinton, checkmating Clay, Webster, and Calhoun, and scattering 
 roses in his pathway to the presidency. When news of the advance 
 of Napoleon upon Waterloo reached the Duke of Wellington, he was 
 in the ball-room of the Duchess of Richmond, at Brussels, and, with 
 undisturbed composure, escorted her grace to supper. Thus, while 
 the great tribune of the Senate was hurling his thunderbolts at Vice- 
 president Van Buren, threatening his political fortunes with every 
 blow, that gentleman sat with a quiet smile upon his face, and, with 
 inimitable sang froid, sent his snuft -box to Mr. Clay the moment he 
 resumed his seat ! The good-humor of the Senate was restored, and 
 the great orator himself perceived that his mighty effort had been 
 fruitless. The little magician was "up to snuff"." 
 
 The late John Forsyth was one of the most accomplished men of 
 his times. As an impromptu debater, to bring on an action, or to 
 cover a retreat, he never had his superior. He was acute, witty, full 
 of resources, and ever prompt impetuous as Murat in a charge, adroit 
 as Soult when outflanked and outnumbered; he was haughty in the 
 presence of enemies, affable and winning among friends ; his manners 
 were courtly and diplomatic. In the times of Louis XIV., he would 
 have rivaled the most celebrated courtiers ; under the dynasty of 
 Napoleon he would have won the baton of France. He never failed 
 to command the confidence of his party ; he never feared any odds 
 arrayed against it, and at one crisis was almost its sole support in the 
 Senate against the most brilliant and formidable opposition ever or 
 ganized against an administration. With the ladies he was irresist 
 ible. During his diplomatic residence in Spain the demand for duen 
 nas could scarcely be supplied, and even royalty smiled more indul 
 gently than he wished. This gallant and high-spirited gentleman 
 died suddenly, in the enjoyment of great popularity. 
 
 Gen. Cass I have, on a former occasion, elaborately sketched. His 
 massive intellect, his highly cultivated tastes, his consistent political 
 career, the landmarks he lias left on our foreign and domestic policy, 
 are all matters of history. He was a prominent feature of the Jack- 
 
 ; When Mr. Van Buren was elected president he .sold the lease and furniture of his 
 house in the "Thirteen Buildings" to a distinguished senator. With him I inspect 
 ed the premises. Every thing was found in perfect order, and nearly new, except the 
 carpet before a French mirror in liid dressing-room ; that was worn threadbare. 
 
234 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 and vast territorial acquisitions reflected on him, he, nev 
 ertheless, in four years, witnessed the decay of his popu- 
 
 son administration, and, by a single but masterly article in the North 
 American Review, brought to a satisfactory conclusion the Indian 
 question, the great party and moral excitement of that period an ex 
 citement which, up to the appearance of that article, had marshaled 
 the press and pulpit of the North, and much of the conscience of the 
 South, against the administration. Subsequently he went to France, 
 and the influence he exerted there upon momentous issues has never 
 been exceeded in the history of diplomacy. His career thenceforth 
 is a household word to the nation. 
 
 Mr. Bcrrien and Mr. Livingston were both very eminent at the bar. 
 The one was an able lawyer merely ; the latter a great jurist. The 
 one had the sharpness, the plausibility, and the acute but contracted 
 grasp of the technical attorney ; the other was comprehensive, elo 
 quent, and learned. Mr. Berrien could split hairs like Mr. Tazewell ; 
 Livingston grappled with generalities like Lord Brougham. The 
 mind of one resembled a dictionary ; the other a code. Berrien was 
 a conscientious man, who always meant to do right, but by an unfor 
 tunate process of ratiocination usually got wrong. Livingston was 
 unscrupulous, but from policy generally did what his discriminating 
 judgment decided would be right, lie was courtly and insincere, 
 prone to intrigue, with no fixed principles, political or moral ; and the 
 stain of official defalcation will ever shadow the lustre of his fame. 
 
 Both Mr. M Lane and Mr. Taney had belonged to the ancient Fed 
 eral party, but since its extinction had acted with the Democracy. In 
 one respect their fortunes were not the same. The former, at every 
 period of his career, has been singularly exempt from political vitu 
 peration, while the latter, before he became chief-justice, literally 
 walked through the fiery furnace an ordeal that he sustained with 
 unshaken equanimity. 
 
 Mr. Woodbury shared the opprobrium that was cast upon Mr. 
 Taney. Every form of detraction was exhausted upon him. He was 
 a man of strong sense and clear perceptions, but an awkward and in 
 volved style by no means expressed the impressions of his mind. He 
 thus, while in the treasury, had the reputation of being obtuse ; but 
 when he resumed his place in the Senate, and had the opportunity of 
 explaining his reports and vindicating the financial policy inaugurated 
 by Gen. Jackson, his reputation rose to its proper level. Unhappily, 
 in the full vigor of a well-preserved life, he died with his hand upon 
 the presidency. His mansion at Washington was noted for its liberal 
 and elegant hospitality always crowded by the young and gifted, 
 and adorned by a household of incomparable grace and beauty. 
 
 Of the other members of this cabinet, Mr. Dickcrson was a sensible 
 and amiable man, but too infirm for his place. Mr. Barry was a man 
 of talent an orator cultured in the great controversy of the old and 
 new court parties of Kentucky. His voice, his manner, and his dec 
 lamation were of the school of Patrick Henry, but he was utterly 
 unfit for the Post-office Department. Mr. Duane was fantastic and 
 feeble, though he fancied himself profound. Mr. Ingham was stolid 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 235 
 
 larity, and no one but himself dreamed of his re-elec 
 tion. 
 
 Mr. Polk regarded many of the leading men of the 
 state-rights school with a jaundiced eye ; but, as that 
 wing of the party had assisted him to defeat Mr. Van 
 Buren, and occupied a strong position in the South by 
 their resolute attitude on the Texas question, he could 
 not venture, in this instance, to disoblige them. Mr. Cnl- 
 houn, who, like Mr. Clay, had never from any adminis 
 tration asked a favor for a relative,* applied in person to 
 the President for the appointment of Quitman. The 
 South Carolina delegation united in the application. 
 
 and treacherous ; Mr. Branch honest, but impracticable ; and Major 
 Eaton lately dead could not be classed above mediocrity. 
 
 Benjamin F. Butler, attorney general and secretary of war a po 
 litical saint studied finance, I believe, under Jacob Barker, at Sandy 
 Hill, and psalmody and the prayer-book with Henry Ward Beecher. 
 He never took a questionable step in politics or peculation without 
 first finding a precedent or a text to justify it, precisely as Beecher 
 pretends to find, in the New Testament, a warrant for Sharpe s rifles, 
 insurrection, and massacre. 
 
 Of succeeding cabinets, of the policy likely to be pursued by the 
 President elect, and of the duty of the country, and especially of the 
 South, without distinction of party, in the crisis before us, I may treat 
 in my next number. 
 
 Bay of St. Loui.-*, January 1st, 1S57. 
 
 * When Mr. Polk went into the presidency, Mr. Clay had a son-in- 
 law a most estimable man, who had lost a large fortune without the 
 slightest stain on his character in an office connected with the cus 
 toms, but carrying with it little or no patronage. He was a Whig, 
 but had never taken any part in politics, except to advocate very 
 warmly the annexation of Texas, a favorite measure with the Demo 
 cratic party. Mr. Clay made no effort in his behalf. But a distin 
 guished Southern senator, acting with the administration on the Tex 
 as question, and who had placed Mr. Polk under peculiar personal 
 obligations (warmly expressed) by his course in another matter, and 
 the author of this biography, urged the retention of this gentleman 
 both on account of his personal merits, as an act of policy and concil 
 iation, and as a graceful compliment to Mr. Clay. Mr. Polk acqui 
 esced in the points urged with great apparent cordiality ; assured the 
 parties that their friend should be retained, and authorized the sena 
 tor so to inform him. He was shortly thereafter superseded, without 
 any charge, complaint, or explanation. I am not aware that Mr. 
 Clay ever had any other relative in office. He several times expressed 
 in writing a grateful recollection of the efforts made at the time, with 
 out his knowledge, in behalf of his son-in-law and friend. 
 
236 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 The senators and representatives from Mississippi, aided 
 by Messrs. La Sere and Harmanson, of Louisiana, and 
 Messrs. Rusk and Kaufman, of Texas, and Westcott, of 
 Florida, strongly urged the appointment. Many early 
 and constant friends in Mississippi, with the Hon. A. G. 
 Brown, then governor of the state, at their head, claimed 
 it for him in the strongest terms. 
 
 This pressure from so many influential quarters was 
 not to be resisted, and his commission as brigadier gen 
 eral was duly made out. He addressed the secretary 
 of war as follows : 
 
 "Barnum s Hotel, Baltimore, July 2d, 1846. 
 " SIR, My friend, Mr. Chalmers, of the II. S. Senate, 
 has just informed me that I have been appointed a brig 
 adier general of volunteers, under the late act of Con 
 gress. Not doubting that it is the wish of the depart 
 ment that the volunteers shall be, as early as possible, 
 under the immediate command of responsible general of 
 ficers, I desire to repair to my post immediately. To 
 make arrangements for my family during my absence, 
 and to equip myself for the service, it will be necessary 
 for me to spend one day in New York. Unless, there 
 fore, I receive orders to the contrary, I shall proceed there 
 to-morrow morning, and in three days thereafter will 
 present myself for orders. In the mean time, should it be 
 important to the service that I should receive orders 
 while in New York, I will be happy to receive them by 
 express, at my own cost. These arrangements have been 
 made for the comfort of my family, who are with me, and 
 to prevent some pecuniary sacrifice on my part, which 
 might result from failure to see my agent in New York. 
 If, however, they are not compatible with the service, I 
 will forego them, and with promptness conform to the 
 views of the department." 
 
 Among his papers is a sort of diary, in pencil, of his 
 movements about this period. 
 
 " 1846, July 6th. Bid adieu to my family in Philadel 
 phia and reached Washington at night. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 237 
 
 " 7th. Called on the adjutant general and received my 
 commission. Took the oath of office. Waited on the 
 secretary of war and General Scott. Both agreeable 
 and pleasant. In the afternoon called on the President. 
 Has a haggard and careworn look. Polite and chilly. 
 Was informed that the relative rank of brigadiers had 
 been decided by lot, and that I had drawn No. 5. 
 
 " 8th. Devoted to preparations for my journey and 
 letters to my family. 
 
 " 9th. Took the cars for Cumberland ; at the depot Col. 
 Sevier, of Arkansas, and Hon. Jacob Thompson, placed 
 under my charge Miss W., of Rodney, a charming young 
 Mississippian, who had just completed her education and 
 wished to return home. At the Relay House I had the 
 pleasure to find in the cars from Baltimore my young 
 friends Griffith,* Dunbar, and Buhler, on their way to 
 Natchez an agreeable addition to our party. They as 
 sisted me in attending to my young ward. They were 
 lively and entertaining, and diverted my mind from 
 dwelling constantly on the separation from my family. 
 
 " 12th. At Pittsburg, thermometer 102 in the shade; 
 a foretaste of Mexico. Twenty-seven years ago I arrived 
 here, a foot-worn traveler, with a few shillings in my 
 pocket, and all my worldly goods in a single trunk. My 
 comradef and myself spent two days chaffering for a 
 cheap passage in a keel-boat. To-day I can draw on my 
 merchants in New Orleans, New York, and Liverpool, 
 and the attentive landlord at the noble hotel where I put 
 up secures for me a state-room in a splendid steamer. I 
 hope time and fortune have dealt lightly by my friend. 
 He had a small adventure of goods, and was bound to 
 ward the Upper Mississippi. I had an engagement to 
 teach school in Ohio, and the privilege of reading law. 
 My past has been fortunate, but what of the future ? I 
 have sometimes thought I had a forecast of coming 
 
 * The only child of his early partner and benefactor, a young man 
 who inherited his father s talents, and died on the threshold of a bril 
 liant career. He had been carefully educated for the bar under the 
 eye of his distinguished grandfather, the Hon. Edward Turner, of 
 Natchez. 
 
 f Jason Whiting. The last trace I find of him is in a letter dated 
 Litchfield, Connecticut, in 1835, where he had resided forsixteen years, 
 merchandising and manufacturing papei% 
 
LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OP 
 
 events. But now every thing is strangely dim. In this 
 uncertainty let duty be the watchword, and forward ! 
 ever forward ! 
 
 " 13th. Embarked for Cincinnati, where we arrived on 
 the 15th. 
 
 "16th. At Louisville. Had the pleasure of meeting 
 General Butler, and to learn that he would descend the 
 river with us. 
 
 "18th. Left in the Peytona, heavily loaded; ground 
 ing continually ; fast on Cumberland bar. 
 
 "22d. Got in the very slow steamer C. Conner and 
 crept ahead. A pleasant little party. General Butler 
 and his aid, Captain Lay, exceedingly agreeable. Miss 
 W. played the guitar and sung sweetly, and my young 
 comrades serenaded her at night. At Memphis General 
 Butler and aid left us. Here I met General Pillow. 
 
 "28th. Arrived at Natchez, having left Miss W. at 
 Rodney. Got to Monmouth late at night. My servants 
 all well, but ah ! how solitary was my home in the ab 
 sence of wife and children. I was saddened and de 
 pressed, and should have felt alone in the world, but the 
 mild spirits of my lost children came to fill my heart. 
 The little group of angels, John, Edward, Mary, and 
 Sarah, seemed to gather visibly about me, and my mind 
 was soothed with gentle and tranquil visions. 
 
 " 30th. With my faithful servant Harry, a free boy 
 named Albert whom I had hired at Louisville, my good 
 horse Messenger,* and another purchased from Doctor 
 Ford, I set out in the Cora for New Orleans, where we 
 arrived next evening. My old friend and pupil, Clai- 
 borne, came to meet me on the boat, delighted at my 
 appointment. Took lodgings at the St. Charles, where 
 I found General Butler and aid, General Wool, General 
 
 * From Hon. Joseph Duiibar. 
 
 " Arundo, May 27th, 1845. 
 
 " MY DEAR GENERAL, I sent my favorite bay, Messenger, to Mr. 
 Murray, of the Mansion House, yesterday. He is in fine spirits, and 
 will speak for himself. He will carry you, where I know you desire 
 to go, into the trenches of the enemy, or, if need be, you can overtake 
 with him their flying hosts. He is not without price, but you are 
 welcome to him without money. If I was a little younger, or, old 
 as I am, if I were not so infirm, I would go with you to the post of 
 honor and of duty. Your friend, Jo. DUNEAR." 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 239 
 
 Shields, General Pillow, and many other officers. Lieut. 
 Colonel Hunt, United States quarter-master, promised 
 to provide me transportation as soon as possible. This 
 officer was, like President Polk, imperturbably civil, but 
 not disposed to accommodate the volunteer arm of the 
 service more than he could help. 
 
 " Purchased from Peterson and Stewart a man cook, 
 Caesar, to carry to Mexico. 
 
 "Had some daguerreotypes taken. Left with Mr. 
 John G. Gaines, Canal Street, one for my wife, one for 
 my sisters, and one for my friend M Murran. M Mur- 
 ran and his son came from Pass Christian and spent a 
 day with me. 
 
 " Aug. 4th. Embarked in the Steamer New York, with 
 Gens. Butler, Marshall, Shields, Pillow, and several other 
 officers. At the Battle-ground, received two companies 
 Illinois Volunteers. 
 
 " 8th. Brazos St. Jago. Was surprised to find upward 
 of twenty vessels in port. Anchored off the bar, and 
 went over in a small steamer. In the afternoon I rode 
 down the beach to the mouth of the Rio del Norte, where 
 I found Col. Jeff. Davis, with the Mississippi regiment. 
 \V r as well received by him. A great deal of sickness, 
 chiefly diarrhea, among the troops. One poor fellow ex 
 pired while I was there ; several others very low. 
 
 " The inspector general of the army, Col. Belknap, is 
 very obliging. He advises me to take as my aid Lieut. 
 Chase, of Duncan s battery, or Lieut. Peck, of the in 
 fantry. 
 
 " 10th. Embarked in the Aid for Matamoras with my 
 servants and horse. Arrived on the llth. Met at the 
 restaurant Gens. Henderson and Hamcr. 
 
 "llth. Left in the Eagle for Camargo. The river 
 very high ; current some five miles per hour; very mud 
 dy, but palatable and healthy. Lands on the banks low 
 and subject to overflow; soil very rich. Farms or set 
 tlements occasionally, but poorly cultivated. 
 
 " 13th. River and country much the same ; timber a lit 
 tle larger. Navigation difficult; channel narrow and rap 
 id, and exceedingly crooked. Most of the land under 
 water. The steamer purchases muskcet-wood at $2 50 
 per cord for dry, $2 25 green. At one of the landings 
 
240 LIFE AND COKRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 the Tennessee Volunteers foraged a cotton-field for mel 
 ons ; on returning to the boat they were required by 
 their officers to pay for them. 
 
 " 14th. Passed Reynosa, a rather pretty town, built on 
 a limestone ledge. A number of Mexicans of both sexes 
 bathing in the lagoon. They resemble Indians. 
 
 " 17th. Arrived at Camargo, on the right bank of the 
 San Juan, three miles above its junction with the Rio 
 Grande. The town is now in ruins, owing to a great 
 spring freshet which undermined many of the houses, 
 built of unburnt brick. 
 
 "Found Gen. Taylor s quarters just above the town, 
 and pitched my tent in his vicinity. First division of 
 regulars are encamped half a mile below ; the Kentucky 
 Legion and several companies from Tennessee near by. 
 
 " 1 8th. Dined with Gen. Taylor ; farmer-like, frank, 
 and friendly ; not at all a la mode, Polk. 
 
 " 20th. Ordered to take command of the 3d brigade, 
 second division, volunteers, consisting of the regiments 
 from Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, and the battal 
 ion from Maryland and the District of Columbia. 
 
 " Appointed First Lieut. W. A. Nicholls, 2d artillery, 
 a clever, intelligent, and active young officer, my aid. 
 
 " 25th. Maj. Gen. Butler and staff arrived. 
 
 " 20th. Gen. Worth, with his division, crossed the river 
 en route for Seralvo. Gen. Twiggs is to march next. 
 Gen. Taylor informs me that he will follow with 4000 
 volunteers. It is hinted that Gen. Patterson, should he 
 arrive in time, will be left in command here, and Butler, 
 with two brigades, accompany Gen. Taylor. 
 
 " Any arrangement which garrisons a considerable 
 number of volunteers on the left bank will produce dis 
 content. We came for action, and must have it." 
 
 Gen. Taylor decided to move toward Monterey with 
 only 2000 volunteers, and selected the 1st Kentucky, 
 Ohio, Tennessee, and Mississippi regiments. They were 
 formed into a field division under Maj. Gen. Butler ; one 
 brigade, the two first-named regiments, under Gen. Ha- 
 mer, the other two led by Gen. Quitman. 
 
JOIIN A. QUmiAN. 241 
 
 To J. F. II. Claibornc. 
 
 "Camargo, September 5th, 1846. 
 
 "DEAR CLAIBOEXE, I am now, where you know I 
 have long wished to be, at the head of a brigade, and 
 with the prospect of active service. I wish you were 
 here. The Mississippians and Tennesseans constitute my 
 command. Maj. Gen. Butler heads the division. Pillow 
 will garrison this place. It is a hard fate when there is 
 a fight ahead, and I thank God it did not fall on me. 
 My health is excellent and my spirits light. I know 
 what my friends expect of me, and, if opportunities offer, 
 they shall not be disappointed. A major general s baton, 
 fairly won on the field of battle, or a Mexican grave! 
 Our men are chafing to be off, and murmur at Old Zach. 
 He seems to me to be slow, and we all know he will 
 
 fight." 
 
 General Taylor was not slow ; on the contrary, he was 
 a man of extraordinary energy, as his operations on the 
 northwestern frontier, in Florida, and on the Rio Grande 
 had demonstrated to the satisfaction of his countrymen. 
 His embarrassments were not known to the volunteers, 
 who, for the most part, eager for battle and for fame, 
 censured him for delay. He had not transportation to 
 move his army in mass from Camargo, nor was there 
 sufficient forage in the country to subsist his teams.* 
 
 * "The administration did not appreciate the difficulty of moving 
 troops in an enemy s country, and amid a, sparse and impoverished 
 population. * * * It was the duty of the authorities to see that 
 the usual supplies and means of transportation were sent with the 
 troops, leaving it simply to the general in the field to make requisitions 
 for unusual supplies and means of transportation. Thus, while some 
 20,000 volunteers were sent to the theatre of war, not a wagon reach 
 ed the advance of General Taylor till after the capture of Monterey." 
 Campaigns of the Rio Grande and Mexico, p. 21, by J3revct j\Lijor 
 Isaac L. Stevens, since Governor of Washington Territory, and now its 
 in. Congress. 
 
 From General Quitman to General F. Huston. 
 
 "Camargo, August 24th, 1S4G. 
 
 "I am entirely out of patience with the tardiness of every move 
 ment. The quarter-master s department is wretchedly managed. 
 
 VOL, L-L 
 
242 LIFE AND COKRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 The movement on Monterey commenced on the 19th of 
 August. The regulars, under Generals Worth and 
 Twiggs, took possession of Seralvo. Six thousand vol 
 unteers, whom he would gladly have employed in the 
 field, were left at Camargo and other places, for want 
 of transportation, and with Butler s division, consisting 
 of four regiments of Ohio, Tennessee, and Mississippi 
 volunteers, divided into two brigades led by General 
 Hamer and General Quitman, he moved forward on the 
 Cth of September. On the 13th the army left Seralvo 
 for Monterey. The march was trying, especially to vol 
 unteers. A sultry sun, no shade, dusty roads, and great 
 scarcity of water. 
 
 The different columns united on the Ivio San Juan, 
 twenty-four miles northeast of Monterey, and on the 1 8th 
 resumed the march. Our army consisted of Twiggs 
 and Worth s divisions of regulars, Butler s division of 
 volunteers, a battalion of regular cavalry, and two regi 
 ments of volunteer cavalry, in all 0220 men and 240 of 
 ficers. Of artillery we had only four light batteries, one 
 battery of two 24-pound howitzers, one 10-inch mortar, 
 and a hundred shells. 
 
 Monterey, the capital of New Leon, lies at the base of 
 the Sierra Madre, in a beautiful valley fertilized by the 
 Rio San Juan. It stretches along this stream a mile and 
 a quarter, and has an average population of about fifteen 
 thousand. The houses are of stone, of solid Spanish ma 
 sonry, square, with a court .in the centre, fiat tiled roofs 
 with parapets, iron-grated windows, and heavy-barred 
 doors. Each building is, in fact, a fortress, capable of 
 resisting small-arms. To defend the city on the Saltillo 
 
 The medical department worse. There are here no horse-shoes or 
 nails, no iron to make them ; and, though we have 6000 men, there 
 are no medicines. The twelve-months troops are armed with refuse 
 muskets, and their knapsacks, canteens, haversacks, and cartridge- 
 boxes are unfit for service." 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 243 
 
 road, four strong works had been erected, Fort Independ 
 ence, the Obispado, Fort Soldado, and Fort Federation. 
 On its opposite front had been constructed a series of 
 works so arranged as to rake the approaches to any one 
 of the series, and to concentrate the fire of the whole 
 upon any one that might be assailed. In the rear of this 
 line of lunettes and redoubts stood the citadel, a fortified 
 square, with bastions, embrasures, and ditches, mounting 
 twelve guns, chiefly 18-pounders, and capable of throw 
 ing their metal into the redoubts, so as to render them 
 untenable if taken. In this square stands a spacious 
 church, inclosed by high and strong walls, affording se 
 cure shelter for musketry. On the southeast the steep 
 banks of the San Juan, and gardens, hedges, vineyards, 
 and ditches rendered approach difficult, and it was cov 
 ered likewise by a heavy battery at the bridge of La 
 Purissima. Behind these formidable defenses, the streets 
 of the city were barricaded and defended by artillery, 
 and at every angle a cannon was mounted for flank fir 
 ing. The parapets running round and above the houses 
 had been loopholed for musketry, affording protection to 
 the inhabitants while they poured a destructive fire on 
 the assailants. The defenses, generally, were so masked 
 by chapparal, vineyards, and innumerable ditches cut for 
 irrigation, as to render thorough reconnoissances, under 
 the circumstances, impracticable. 
 
 The force assembled by Gen. Ampudia to defend the 
 city consisted of 7000 regulars, embracing some of the 
 veteran troops of Mexico, and 1500 rancheros, besides 
 many citizens armed with muskets, and who knew how 
 to fight behind barricades and castellated roofs. He had 
 with him five or six generals of distinction. 
 
 Gen. Taylor pitched his camp at the Walnut Spring, 
 in the wood of San Domingo, three miles from Monte 
 rey. On the morning of the 18th he approached with 
 
244 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE OP 
 
 his advanced guard within 1500 yards, but was com 
 pelled to fall back by a heavy fire of cannon. The re 
 port of these guns was received with cheers by the vol 
 unteers. They believed that the hour of battle had 
 come, and in a few moments the column was in close 
 order, and ready for the assault. Even the invalids of 
 Quitman s brigade sprung from the wagons, seized their 
 arms, and filed in with their comrades. Such was the 
 ardor of men who had never been in battle, and who 
 only served for honor and the glory of their country ! 
 
 Gen. Quitman, sharing the enthusiasm of his troops, 
 addressed them as follows : 
 
 " Volunteers, we are now in the vicinity of the enemy, 
 and may, in an hour, be called to encounter them in bat 
 tle. Your spirit inspires me. I know your metal, your 
 impetuosity, and your recklessness of danger. There is 
 no coward in my command. I shall never have to urge 
 you on, but I must impress on you the necessity of pre 
 serving your ranks under all circumstances. Repress 
 your personal impetuosity. Confide in your officers, and 
 preserve your discipline in the excitement of the conflict. 
 The eyes of the veteran officers of the army and the whole 
 of the regulars will be fixed upon you. They know your 
 gallantry, but they doubt your coolness. Prove to them, 
 to your country, and to the world, that American volun 
 teers are as admirable for their discipline and self-restraint 
 as for their courage." 
 
 On the 20th, Worth, with his division and Hay s 
 Texas regiment of mounted rifles, took position before 
 the strong fortifications southwest of the town. On the 
 21st, Henderson s regiment of eastern Texans and May s 
 battalion of dragoons were directed to re-enforce him. 
 To divert the attention of the enemy from that quarter, 
 Lt. Col. Garland, with the 3d infantry, and the 1st in 
 fantry, Lt. Col. Watson, making 600 bayonets, were or 
 dered to make a demonstration on the eastern approach 
 to the town. Major Mansfield, the chief engineer, sup- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 245 
 
 ported by Lieut. TIazlett and a company of inffintry, was 
 making a bold reconnoissance in advance. Capt. Field, 
 of the 3d, was soon after pushed forward to his assist 
 ance. Mansfield perceived the exigencies of his situa 
 tion, and requested Garland to advance with his whole 
 command within supporting distance. As he was mov 
 ing forward, he received a message from the same source 
 to advance in line of battle. He encountered a terrible 
 lire in front from the masked batteries, and an enfilading 
 fire from the citadel. Moving rapidly to pass this or 
 deal, he came within the deadly range of their musketry. 
 At this juncture Major Mansfield indicated a movement 
 to the right, to enable Garland to obtain a footing with 
 in the town, and in rear of the redoubts. The movement 
 was unfortunate. He found himself entangled in short 
 and narrow streets, where he was exposed to a triangu 
 lar and destructive fire, without being able to manoeuvre 
 to advantage, or to charge the enemy. At this moment 
 Capt. Bragg galloped up with his light battery and ask 
 ed for orders. He placed a gun forthwith in position to 
 rake the street, but it being perceived, after several dis 
 charges, that his fire was ineffectual against the barri 
 cades and the heavier metal of the Mexicans, and his 
 men and horses being severely cut up, he was directed 
 to retire. By this time Lt. Col. Watson, Major Mans 
 field, Major Lear, Major Barbour, Major Abcrcrombie, 
 and many other officers had fallen, and Garland sullenly 
 fell back, in good order, but pursued by the lancers, 
 who cut off a few stragglers. 
 
 While this slaughter was going on General Taylor or 
 dered the 4th infantry to the support of Garland. Three 
 companies of the 4th assailed Fort Tencria, but nearly 
 all the officers and a third of the men were mowed down 
 by the first discharge from its batteries. Captains Back 
 us and Lamottc, however, had fortunately, just before, 
 
246 LIFE AXD COKKESPOXDEXCE OF 
 
 secured a sheltered position in a tan-yard, which enabled 
 them to ply their musketry with some effect behind the 
 works of the fort. This was the only advantage thus 
 far that we had gained. Garland, being joined by the 
 remnant of the 4th, was ordered to storm the second re 
 doubt. In attempting to execute this order, with not 
 more than half his original force, he penetrated the town, 
 forced several barricades, and moved forward, raked by 
 artillery and small-arms, until he considered himself suf 
 ficiently advanced to enter the rear of the redoubt. 
 Here he suddenly encountered a masked battery, and 
 the guns of La Purissima, and on the opposite side two 
 heavy guns were opened upon him. Here Captain Mor 
 ris, in command of the 3d infantry, fell. Lieutenant Haz- 
 lett sprang forward to place him under shelter, and was 
 shot down, mortally wounded. Thus exposed to a mur 
 derous fire from masked batteries and barricades from 
 garden walls and terraces with no knowledge whatever 
 of the localities or of his position, most of the officers 
 down, his brave men lying in masses around, dead or 
 wounded, this heroic leader and his Spartan band were 
 compelled once more to fall back. 
 
 During this desperate and disastrous affair the result 
 of a formidable and well-served artillery on one side, 
 and imperfect knowledge of localities on the other But 
 ler s division had been drawn up about a mile from the 
 city, partially screened from the guns of the citadel by a, 
 slight elevation of the intervening plain. Leaving the 
 Kentucky regiment to guard the camp, General Butler 
 was ordered to advance with the Ohio troops to support 
 Garland. Quitman s brigade, which had been chafing in 
 the line, was put in motion at the same moment. 
 
 The defenses on the eastern side of Monterey, it will 
 be remembered, consisted of a series of lunettes, on the 
 extreme right of which, flanked by the River San Juan, 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 247 
 
 was Fort TENEEIA, mounting six heavy pieces, and on 
 the extreme left, commanding the plain, was the citadel, 
 or Black Fort. Between these, on a concave line, were 
 Forts Diablo and Rincon, and a tete du pont of great 
 strength at the bridge La Purissima. These works were 
 so constructed as to support each other by flank and an 
 gular firing, and from them, as we have seen, Garland 
 had suffered severely. Butler, pursuing the instructions 
 of the commander-in-chief, felt his way gradually, with 
 little knowledge of the ground, into the suburbs, near 
 the lines of batteries. He encountered a heavy fire in 
 front and flank. While struggling forward he fell in 
 with Major Mansfield, who informed him of Garland s 
 failure, and that an onward movement in that direction 
 would be impracticable. This was communicated to 
 General Taylor, who directed him to fall back. About 
 the same time he learned that Quitman s brigade had 
 stormed Fort Teneria and the contiguous redoubt. This 
 determined Butler to make an effort to storm Fort Di 
 ablo. Advancing boldly through a terrible fire, a severe 
 wound compelled him to withdraw. Almost at the same 
 moment Colonel Mitchell, who succeeded him, his adju 
 tant, and other officers, were struck down. The men 
 were falling fast under the converging fire of three bat 
 teries and the incessant discharge of musketry, and re 
 luctantly this gallant regiment followed their wounded 
 officers from the field. 
 
 QUITMAN S MAECH. 
 
 Sept. 21st, 184G. Gen. Quitman, avoiding the track of 
 Garland and Butler, inclined his command to the left, 
 moving by a flank upon Fort Teneria.* They were ex 
 posed to a terrific fire of grape and round shot. The 
 
 * So written in most of the official reports. The proper name is 
 El Tort in tie la Tanniere. 
 
248 LIFE AND COEEESPOXDENCE OF 
 
 dense smoke clouded the light of day, and only the dark 
 outline of the city was visible by the flash of musketry 
 and the bright line of flame, like the red lips of a volcano, 
 that denoted the different batteries. They faced the in 
 fernal storm with the steadiness of veterans. A round 
 shot, raking the Tennessee regiment, cut down seven 
 men, but did not check their advance an instant. The 
 firing of small-arms had ceased, and when the brigade 
 halted before the fort and fronted it, a small party, in the 
 undress of United States regulars, was seen standing in 
 a position that masked the right companies of the Mis 
 sissippi regiment. A movement of the Tennesseans hav 
 ing created an interval on the left of the Mississippi regi 
 ment, Col. Davis promptly occupied it, thus executing a 
 movement which gained to the front and left, and gave 
 him precedence in the attack. When his regiment was 
 re-formed into line the party of regulars had disappeared. 
 The attacking force now consisted exclusively of the 
 Tennessee and Mississippi regiments, the latter on the 
 right and directly in front of the fort. A deep and wklo 
 embrasure, which seems to have been intended as a 
 sally-port, stood immediately before the fifth Mississippi 
 company, numbering from the right. The gun belong 
 ing to this embrasure had been run behind the parapet. 
 The Mississippiaus commenced firing as they advanced, 
 the men having been directed specially to select their 
 objects and fire as sharp-shooters. In ten minutes, so 
 fatal was their aim, most of the Mexican gunners had 
 fallen by their pieces, and the order to charge was given. 
 Lieut. Col. M Clung, placing himself at the head of the 
 company in front of the embrasure, led it at full speed, 
 the flank companies converging to this central point of 
 approach, which was a smooth field from which the corn 
 had been recently cut. The martial form of M Clung, 
 swinging his sword above his head and hoarsely shout- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 249 
 
 ing to his men, towered upon the parapet. Col. Davis 
 and Lieut. Patterson, closely followed by other gallant 
 spirits, leaped into the embrasure, while the flash of the 
 last Mexican gun enveloped them in its lurid light. 
 Kear them, in the clash and clangor of the charge, Gen. 
 Quitman and Maj. Bradford were seen cheering on their 
 men. Bradford had but one word, and it was heard 
 above the tumult of the battle: " Charge! charger and 
 he suited " the action to the word." Quitman s horse 
 was shot under him; but the gallant Lieut. Mcholls 
 promptly furnished him with his own, and, dashing up 
 to the ditch, he dismounted and rushed with his men 
 into the works. The Mexicans, who had stood manfully 
 to their guns until most of the artillerists had been cut 
 down, appalled by this headlong charge, and seeing the 
 Tenuesseans breaking over on their left, now fled through 
 the sally-port at the other extremity of the works. The 
 impetuous Mississippians pursued them to a fortified stone 
 structure in rear of Teneria, and drove them thence across 
 the stream, under the shelter of Fort El Diablo. 
 
 "While this desperate charge was being made, the Ten 
 nessee regiment, on the left, by a flank movement, had 
 advanced upon the fort with the characteristic valor 
 of their race. The sons of those who fought at King s 
 
 O O 
 
 Mountain, Emuckfau, Talladega, and the plains of Chal- 
 mette, proved worthy of their sires, and won new lau 
 rels in this desperate enterprise. With this brilliant 
 event closed the operations of the day. All had fought 
 gallantly. The regulars had stood immovable as statues 
 under a galling fire, and faced death without emotion 
 when ordered to advance ; but the only advantage thus 
 far, on the eastern approach, had been won by Quitman s 
 brigade. 
 
 On the 22d, Quitman, with Ridgeley s battery, was or 
 dered to hold the works he had stormed on the preced- 
 
 L 2 
 
250 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 ing day. The position was uncomfortable : they were 
 exposed to an incessant cannonade, and the corpses of the 
 slaughtered Mexicans had become offensive ; the weath 
 er was wet and cold ; they had neither blankets nor fire. 
 The general shared the fare of his troops, and establish 
 ed his quarters on one of Ividgeley s guns. It was here 
 his faithful servant Harry, who had followed the assault 
 ing column, was heard remonstrating with his master, 
 and imploring him, "for the sake of mistress and the 
 children," not to expose himself so much. " Take care 
 of yourself, Harry," said the general. " Help the wound 
 ed ; keep as near me as you can. I must push on with 
 the foremost and trust to Providence." 
 
 Before day, on the morning of the 23d, the conflict 
 was renewed. Gen. Quitman, availing himself of discre 
 tionary orders, boldly advanced into the city. Col. Da 
 vis led the way. From every dwelling a heavy fire was 
 directed against them. These houses were filled with 
 musketeers. The streets were strongly barricaded, and 
 the garden walls, parapets, and barricades were all cre- 
 nelled for small-arms. Ditches and canals added to the 
 difficulties of the advance. Yet from house to house, 
 from barricade to barricade, the volunteers fought their 
 way into the plaza. It was a succession of assaults ob 
 stinately resisted and bravely carried with clubbed rifles 
 and at the point of the bayonet. The bloody conflict 
 lasted from 8 A.M. until 4 P.M. It may justly be re 
 garded as one of the boldest movements in the history 
 of war, and quite as brilliant as the famous attack on Se- 
 ringapatam, which gained for Cornwallis great military 
 fame, a marquisate, and a splendid pension. There are 
 some striking analogies in these great engagements. Se- 
 ringapatam was defended by bridges, and ditches, and 
 two lines of redoubts, by the renowned Tippoo, with a 
 numerous army and an enormous amount of cannon. 
 
JOHN A. QUIT-MAN. 251 
 
 Without artillery, and with only 9000 men, Cornwallis, 
 wisely deciding on a night attack one of the few in 
 stances where they are to be commended assailed his 
 lines and stormed them at the point of the bayonet. 
 "With less than 500 men without artillery the largest 
 portion of his command without bayonets with young 
 and inexperienced troops with the discomfiture of the 
 regulars on the previous day to repress their ardor 
 without even being sure of the approbation of the com- 
 mander-in-chief, Quitman entered a strongly-fortified city, 
 defended by 6000 troops, and an infuriated populace fir 
 ing from their roofs and windows, and fought Ms way, 
 inch by inch, to the central square of the city. During 
 the engagement, he was re-enforced by the 2d Texan 
 regiment and Bragg s light battery, who share the glory 
 of the achievement. Many brave men fell. Gen. Quit 
 man narrowly escaped. His horse was wounded. The 
 rim of his hat was torn off. The roof that he occupied 
 temporarily was riddled with balls, and he received a 
 contusion from the fragment of a shell.* 
 
 On the western suburb Gen. Worth had carried, by a 
 series of masterly operations, the fortifications of the en 
 emy. He had penetrated the city, and was advancing to 
 co-operate with Quitman, when he received an order 
 from head-quarters to halt. Gen. Taylor, it appears, 
 contemplated a combined attack with his whole force 
 next day, but early on the morning of the 24th he re 
 ceived a flag, with proposals for an interview, from the 
 Mexican general. 
 
 Thus terminated three days hard fighting, against 
 great odds, and under many disadvantages. The for 
 tifications of the enemy, constructed with much skill, 
 mounted forty-two guns served by practiced artiller 
 ists. Six thousand regulars, and two thousand irregular 
 
 * For further details of the battle of Monterey, see Appendix. 
 
252 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 troops, commanded by experienced officers, defended the 
 city. Every dwelling and street had been converted into 
 a fortress or a battery. 
 
 Our force consisted of 6220 men and 425 officers, many 
 of them volunteers only partially drilled, and who had 
 never been under fire. Our guns were merely light field- 
 pieces, incapable of silencing the heavy metal of the ene 
 my, or of making any impression on their defenses. The 
 only mortar in our hands, from some gross neglect, was 
 almost unavailable. To attack the city, the American 
 troops had to advance, a mile or more, across an open 
 plain, exposed to a destructive fire in front and flank, 
 from the whole series of redoubts and masked batteries. 
 The most serious disadvantage, however, was the want 
 of exact information of the defenses of the enemy, and 
 the location of his w^orks, and therefore it seems to have 
 been more an impromptu fight, arising from contingen 
 cies, than a concerted plan of battle. Gen. "Worth ap 
 pears to have exercised a quasi-independent command 
 from the afternoon of the 21st until the reception of the 
 flag of truce. The main portion of the army remained 
 supine, until Worth recommended a demonstration on 
 th.e eastern works of the city. Then commenced Gar 
 land s unfortunate enterprise, in which, without any pos 
 itive orders what to do or where to go, and knowing 
 nothing of the localities, he followed the extemporaneous 
 signals of Major Mansfield, who was making an abortive 
 reconnoissance at the hazard of his life. Henderson, with 
 his mounted regiment of Texans, and May, with his dra 
 goons, had been dispatched to re-enforce Worth, but, 
 finding it impracticable, had returned. Nothing was 
 known at head-quarters of what Worth was doing, 
 though they were only five miles apart. The operations 
 on the east seem to have been experimental, and, to 
 some degree, spontaneous. It is yet a question whether 
 
JOHN A. QUmiAN. 253 
 
 Quitman had orders to assault Fort Teneria ; and it is 
 still more doubtful whether he was ordered to advance 
 into the city on the 23d. The truth seems to be, that 
 he had a discretionary order from Gen. Taylor, to act 
 and fight according to the exigencies of the moment. 
 He assumed the responsibility, and won the victory.* 
 
 Some military writers condemn the arrangements of 
 General Taylor. These criticisms are stated with force 
 and precision in Ripley s " War with Mexico," a work 
 of much ability, from the pen of an eye-witness and actor 
 in the war, but certainly tinctured with partiality and 
 prejudice. 
 
 The American general was a man of iron nerve. lie 
 was headstrong and obstinate. He knew little of fear, 
 and was not easily discouraged. Against the opinion of 
 a large majority of his oldest and "most distinguished of 
 ficers, after the battle of Palo Alto, he advanced and 
 won the brilliant victory of Resaca de la Palma against 
 odds so great that, if it had been lost, he would have 
 been recalled, if not degraded, as too rash for command. 
 Not disheartened by the inefficiency of the quarter-mas 
 ter s department or the cool civility of the secretary of 
 Avar, he had advanced upon Monterey with an inade 
 quate force, and without transportation, hospital stores, 
 artillery, or intrenching implements. He confided more 
 in the bayonet and in his rifles, and in his own capacity 
 for desperate expedients in cases of emergency, than on 
 
 * It would be an amusing study to trace the ambiguities and un 
 certainties that hang over grave military events that have decided bat 
 tles, campaigns, and even the fate of empires. All wars furnish some 
 of these examples. An error of this nature led to the quarrel on the 
 field between Washington and Lee. And notwithstanding months of 
 Parliamentary discussion, and the scrutiny of a court of inquiry, it was 
 never determined whether Burgoyne was responsible for the advance 
 upon Albany which resulted in his defeat and surrender at Saratoga. 
 A similar doubt hangs over the expedition to IJennington. The war 
 with Mexico supplies a number of instances, by no means settled by 
 the court of inquiry at Frederick. 
 
254 LIFE AND COEKESPONDENCE OP 
 
 the support of the government or the rules and axioms 
 of war. Of these he had only a limited knowledge, hav 
 ing been trained exclusively on the frontier. But he 
 had a military eye and brain, perfect composure in mo 
 ments of peril, a knowledge of men, and the faculty of 
 commanding obedience and confidence. He was known 
 to be as firm as brave, and his presence never failed to 
 inspire his troops. Indiana, Florida, and Mexico bear 
 monuments of his genius which defy criticism, and are 
 independent of praise. His military instincts have the 
 stamp of intuition. The Duke of Wellington closely 
 studied and applauded his campaign, and impartial his 
 tory will class the conqueror of the Rio Grande as one 
 of the most successful soldiers of the age. No city in 
 Europe, in the wars of Napoleon or Wellington, or at 
 any other period, so strongly fortified by nature and art, 
 so well defended, with such a preponderance of men and 
 of artillery, was ever carried in so short a time. It was 
 a battle of force and not of strategy, and as such may 
 challenge comparison and criticism. Wellington s sieges 
 in India and in the Peninsula, from the time they con 
 sumed, are considered as failures; the great Hannibal 
 lay eight months before Saguntum ; Monterey fell, lit 
 erally by the sword, the bayonet, and the axe, in three 
 days. Its defenders fought, as men of the Spanish race 
 always fight, obstinately behind their solid defenses ; 
 and a less determined general, and troops less enthusi 
 astic and impetuous, must have been defeated. But the 
 composition of our army the spirit of emulation be 
 tween the regulars and volunteers, the presentiment of 
 promotion in the line and of political distinctions at 
 home, and the prevalent belief that the war was for the 
 glory and the extension of the republic rendered our 
 arms irresistible. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 24th, as has been stated, 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN". 255 
 
 General Ampudia proposed to evacuate the city upon 
 conditions. In an interview with General Taylor, he de 
 clared that he had official information that the two gov 
 ernments were about to conclude peace, and that to pro 
 long hostilities would be inhuman. A joint commission 
 to arrange the terms of the capitulation was appointed, 
 and on the morning of the 25th the Mexican army march 
 ed from the citadel, and on the 28th AYorth s division 
 took possession. 
 
 The propriety and terms of this capitulation have been 
 quite as much canvassed as the famous convention of 
 Cintra. Junot, a marshal of France, trained by Xapo- 
 leon, and representing the imperial power in Portugal 
 (who, only six months before, in contempt of a British 
 fleet, of 14,000 Portuguese troops, and a hostile popula 
 tion of 300,000, had seized Lisbon with a few hundred 
 grenadiers, the vanguard of his army), after the battle 
 of Yimiero demanded an armistice (although he had 
 25,000 veteran troops, and abundant armaments, and nu 
 merous fortresses) from a British army inferior to his 
 own, and almost destitute of transportation ! The em 
 peror was about to send him before a council of war, 
 which probably would have ordered him to be shot, 
 when he learned that the British generals, Sir Hew Dal- 
 rymple, Sir Harry Burrard, and Sir Arthur Wellesley 
 (Wellington), had already been arraigned for consenting 
 to the convention. Two of these never recovered the 
 confidence of the British people, and the latter was with 
 difficulty sustained by the influence of his aristocratic 
 connections, until, invested with the sole command, he 
 immortalized himself in the subsequent campaign. 
 
 The administration did not approve the capitulation 
 of Monterey, although it had been consented to by Gen. 
 Taylor in consonance with the views and policy of the 
 President, who pertinaciously and prudishly disclaimed 
 
256 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE OF 
 
 the imputation of " a war for conquest." Negotiation 
 was by no means the weakness of the American general. 
 On the contrary, he was impatient of delay, knew little 
 of policy, and preferred the arbitrament of the bayonet. 
 This propensity for " fight" was one of his characteris 
 tics. He had exhibited it in every exigency of his career, 
 and, if Mr. Webster is correct, it was with difficulty re 
 strained during his brief occupancy of the executive 
 chair, when he was disposed to exert the military power 
 of the United States to sustain the federal jurisdiction 
 over New Mexico, upon territory claimed by the sover 
 eign State of Texas, and upon a title easily maintained, 
 and which her sister states of the South would have join 
 ed her in maintaining, had she not ignobly, and to the 
 surprise of all parties, surrendered her rights. 
 
 The capitulation was consented to, on the part of the 
 victorious general, to support the views and policy of his 
 government. But he found himself attacked in many 
 quarters, and chiefly by the organs of the administration, 
 whose policy with regard to Mexico he had endeavored 
 to subserve. Ours is, emphatically, a military nation. 
 We have the Norman thirst for territory. The victories 
 of Taylor had aroused the appetite for glory and for ac 
 quisition. " Onward" was the word. The armistice of 
 Monterey was, therefore, repugnant to the million, and 
 the hero of the battle found himself about to be made, 
 by jealous politicians who dreaded his rising popularity, 
 the victim of the capitulation. Stung by this ingrati 
 tude, the veteran soldier addressed a letter to Maj.Gen. 
 Gaines. It first appeared in the New York Express. 
 In justice to the illustrious dead, and for its historical 
 interest, a portion of it is here inserted. 
 
 "Monterey, Nov. 9th, 184G. 
 
 " I do not believe the authorities at Washington are 
 at all satisfied with my conduct in regard to the terms 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 257 
 
 of the capitulation entered into with the Mexican com 
 mander, which you no doubt have seen, as they have 
 been made public through the official organ, and copied 
 into various other newspapers. I have this moment re 
 ceived an answer (to my dispatch announcing the sur 
 render of Monterey, and the circumstances attending the 
 same) from the secretary of war, stating that 4 it was 
 regretted by the President that it was not deemed ad 
 visable to insist on the terms I had proposed in my first 
 communication to the Mexican commander in regard 
 to giving up the city, adding that the circumstances 
 which dictated, no doubt justified, the change. Al 
 though the terms of capitulation may be considered too 
 liberal on our part by the President and his advisers, as 
 well as by many others at a distance, particularly by 
 those who do not understand the position which we oc 
 cupied (otherwise they might come to a different conclu 
 sion in regard to the matter), yet, on due reflection, I see 
 nothing to induce me to regret the course I pursued. 
 The proposition on the part of General Ampudia, which 
 had much to do in determining my course in the matter, 
 was based on the ground that our government had pro 
 posed to his to settle the existing difficulties by negotia 
 tion (which I knew was the case without knowing the 
 result), which was then under consideration by the prop 
 er authorities, and which he (General Ampudia) had no 
 doubt would result favorably, as the whole of his people 
 were in favor of peace. If so, I considered the further 
 effusion of blood not only unnecessary but improper. 
 Their force was also considerably larger than ours, and, 
 from the size and position of the place, we could not 
 completely invest it ; so that the greater portion of their 
 troops, if not the whole, had they been disposed to do 
 so, could any night have abandoned the city, at once en 
 tered the mountain passes, and effected their retreat, do 
 what we could. Had we been put to the alternative of 
 taking the place by storm (which there is no doubt w r e 
 should have succeeded in doing), we should in all proba 
 bility have lost fifty or a hundred men in killed, besides 
 the wounded, which I wished to avoid, as there appear 
 ed to be a prospect of peace, even if a distant one. I 
 also wished to avoid the destruction of women and chil- 
 
258 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 dren, which must have been very great had the storm 
 ing process been resorted to. Besides, they had a very 
 large and strong fortification a short distance from the 
 city, which, if carried with the bayonet, must have been 
 taken at great sacrifice of life, and, with our limited train 
 of heavy or battering artillery, it would have required 
 twenty or twenty-five days to take it by regular ap 
 proaches. 
 
 That they should have surrendered a place nearly as 
 strong as Quebec, well fortified under the direction of 
 skillful engineers their works garnished with forty-two 
 pieces of artillery, abundantly supplied with ammunition, 
 garrisoned by 7000 regular and 2000 irregular troops, 
 in addition to some thousand citizens capable of (and no 
 doubt actually) bearing arms, and aiding in its defense 
 to an opposing force of half their number, scantily sup 
 plied with provisions, and with a light train of artillery, 
 is among the unaccountable occurrences of the times. 
 
 I am decidedly opposed to carrying the war beyond 
 Saltillo in this direction, which place has been entirely 
 abandoned by the Mexican forces, all of whom have been 
 concentrated at San Luis Potosi ; and I shall lose no 
 time in taking possession of the former as soon as the 
 cessation of hostilities referred to expires, which I have 
 notified the Mexican authorities will be the case on the 
 13th instant, by direction of the President of the United 
 States. 
 
 " If we are (in the language of Mr. Polk and General 
 Scott) under the necessity of conquering a peace, and 
 that by taking the capital of the country, we must go to 
 Vera Cruz, take that place, and then march on to the city 
 of Mexico. To do so in any other direction I consider 
 out of the question. But, admitting that we conquer a 
 peace by doing so say at the end of the next twelve 
 months will the amount of blood and treasure which 
 must be expended in doing so be compensated by the 
 same ? I think not, especially if the country we subdue 
 is to be given up ; and I imagine there are but few indi 
 viduals in our country who think of annexing Mexico to 
 the United States. 
 
 " I do not intend to carry on my operations (as previ 
 ously stated) beyond Saltillo, deeming it next to imprac- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAX. 259 
 
 ticablc to do so. It then becomes a question as to what 
 is best to be done. It seems to me that the most judi 
 cious course to be pursued on our part would be to take 
 possession at once of the line we would accept by nego 
 tiation, extending from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific, 
 and occupy the same, or keep what we already have 
 possession of; and that, with Tampico (which I hope 
 to take in the course of the next month, or as soon as 
 I can get the means of transportation), will give us all 
 on this side of the Sierra Madre, and as soon as I occupy 
 Saltillo, will include six or seven states, or provinces; 
 thus holding Tampico, Victoria, Monterey, Saltillo, Mon- 
 clova, Chihuahua (which I presume General Wool has 
 possession of by this time), Santa Fe, and the Californias, 
 and say to Mexico, Drive us from the country throw 
 ing on her the responsibility and expense of carrying on 
 offensive war ; at the same time closely blockading all 
 her ports on the Pacific and the Gulf. A course of this 
 kind, if persevered in for a short time, would soon bring 
 her to her proper senses, and compel her to sue for peace, 
 provided there is a government in the country sufficient 
 ly stable for us to treat with, which I fear will hardly be 
 the case for many years to come. Without large re- 
 enforcements of volunteers from the United States, say 
 ten or fifteen thousand (those previously sent out having 
 already been greatly reduced by sickness and other cas 
 ualties), I do not believe it would be advisable to march 
 beyond Saltillo, which is more than two hundred miles 
 beyond our depots on the Rio Grande a very long line 
 on which to keep up supplies (over a land route, in a 
 country like this) for a large force, and certain to be at 
 tended with an expense which will be frightful to con 
 template when closely looked into. 
 
 " From Saltillo to San Luis Potosi, the next place of 
 importance on the road to the city of Mexico, is three 
 hundred miles ; one hundred and forty badly watered, 
 where no supplies of any kind could be procured for man 
 or horses. I have informed the War Department that 
 20,000 efficient men would be necessary to insure success 
 if we move on that place (a city containing a population 
 of 00,000, where the enemy could bring together and 
 sustain, besides the citizens, an army of 50,000), a force 
 
260 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 which, I apprehend, will hardly be collected by us, with 
 the train necessary to feed it, as well as to transport vari 
 ous other supplies, particularly ordnance and munitions 
 of war. 
 
 " In regard to the armistice, which would have ex 
 pired by limitation in a few days, we lost nothing by it, 
 as we could not move even now, had the enemy con 
 tinued to occupy Saltillo ; for, strange to say, the first 
 wagon which has reached me since the declaration of war 
 was on the 2d instant, the same day on which I received 
 from Washington an acknowledgment of my dispatch 
 announcing the taking of Monterey; and then I received 
 only one hundred and thirty-five ; so that I have been 
 since May last completely crippled, and am still so, for 
 want of transportation. After raking and scraping the 
 country for miles around Camargo, collecting every pack- 
 mule and other means of transportation, I could bring 
 here only 80,000 rations (fifteen days supply), with a 
 moderate supply of ordnance, ammunition, etc., to do 
 which all the corps had to leave behind a portion of 
 their camp equipage necessary for their comfort; and, 
 in some instances among the volunteers, their personal 
 baggage. I moved in such a way, and with such limited 
 means, that, had I not succeeded, I should no doubt have 
 been severely reprimanded, if nothing worse. I did so 
 to sustain the administration. * * * * 
 
 " Of the two regiments of mounted men from Tennes 
 see and Kentucky, who left their respective states to join 
 me in June, the latter has just reached Camargo ; the 
 former had not got to Matamoras at the latest dates 
 from there. Admitting that they will be as long in re 
 turning as in getting here (to say nothing of the time 
 necessary to recruit their horses), and were to be dis 
 charged in time to reach their homes, they could serve 
 in Mexico but a very short time. 
 
 " The foregoing remarks are not made with the view 
 of finding fault with any one, but to point out the dif 
 ficulties with which I have had to contend. 
 
 " Monterey, the capital of jSTewLeon, is situated on the 
 San Juan River, where it comes out of the mountains 
 the city, which contains a population of about 12,000, be 
 ing in part surrounded by them at the head of a large 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 261 
 
 and beautiful valley. The houses are of stone, in the 
 Moorish style, with flat roofs, which, with their strongly- 
 inclosed yards and gardens in high stone walls, all looped 
 for musketry, make them each a fortress within itself. It 
 is the most important place in Northern Mexico, or on 
 the east side of Sierra Madre, commanding the only pass, 
 or road, for carriages from this side, between it and the 
 Gulf of Mexico, to the table-lands of the Sierra, by or 
 through which the city of Mexico can be reached." 
 
 This letter produced much sensation. Distinguished 
 politicians already began to feel the pangs of jealousy, 
 and the central organ of the administration strongly con 
 demned the publication. The following bulletin soon 
 after appeared. It had an awful squinting at Taylor and 
 Gaines : 
 
 " General Orders No. 3. 
 "WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, Jan. 28th, 1847. 
 
 " The President of the United States directs that para 
 graph G50 of the General Regulations for the Army es 
 tablished on the 1st of March, 1825, and not included 
 among those published January 25th, 1841, be now repub- 
 lished, and that its observance as a part of the general 
 regulations be strictly enjoined upon the army. 
 
 "By order of the President. 
 
 " WM. L. MABCY, Secretary of War. 
 
 " G50. Private letters or reports, relative to military 
 marches and operations, are frequently mischievous in de 
 sign, and always disgraceful to the army. They are, 
 therefore, strictly forbidden ; and any officer found guilty 
 of making such report for publication, without special 
 permission, or of placing the writing beyond his control, 
 so that it finds its way to the press, within one month 
 after the termination of the campaign to which it relates, 
 shall be dismissed from the service." 
 
 The capitulation had now become the subject of gen 
 eral discussion. The President and secretary of war 
 were known to disapprove it. Facts were perverted. 
 The motives of Gen. Taylor were misrepresented. Dis- 
 
262 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 sension and distrust were propagated in the army. Under 
 these circumstances, Col. Jefferson Davis, of the Missis 
 sippi Riflemen, one of the commissioners, a man educated 
 with the most fastidious notions of military punctilio and 
 honor, deemed it his duty to defend the transaction. This 
 able paper, and the accompanying documents, demand a 
 place in history. 
 
 "Victoria, Mexico, January 6th, 1847. 
 
 " DEAR SIR, After much speculation and no little mis 
 representation about the capitulation of Monterey, I per 
 ceive by our recent newspapers that a discussion has 
 arisen as to who is responsible for that transaction. As 
 one of the commissioners who were intrusted by Gen. 
 Taylor with the arrangement of the terms upon which 
 the city of Monterey and its fortifications should be de 
 livered to our forces, I have had frequent occasion to re 
 cur to the course then adopted, and the considerations 
 which led to it. My judgment after the fact has fully 
 sustained my decisions at the date of the occurrence ; 
 and feeling myself responsible for the instrument as we 
 prepared and presented it to our commanding general, 
 I have the satisfaction, after all subsequent events, to be 
 lieve that the terms we offered were expedient, and hon 
 orable, and wise. A distinguished gentleman, with whom 
 I acted on that commission, Governor Henderson, says, 
 in a recently published letter, I did not at the time, nor 
 do I still, like the terms, but acted as one of the com 
 missioners, together with Gen. Worth and Col. Davis, to 
 carry out Gen. Taylor s instructions. We ought, and 
 could have made them surrender at discretion, etc., etc. 
 
 " From each position in the above paragraph I dissent. 
 The instructions given by Gen. Taylor only presented his 
 object, and fixed a limit to the powers of his commission 
 ers ; hence, when points were raised which exceeded our 
 discretion, they were referred to the commander ; but 
 minor points were acted on, and finally submitted as a 
 part of our negotiation. We fixed the time within which 
 the Mexican forces should retire from Monterey. We 
 agreed upon the time we would wait for the decision of 
 the respective governments, which I recollect was less 
 by thirty-four days than the Mexican commissioners 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 263 
 
 asked, the period adopted being that which, according to 
 our estimate, was required to bring up the rear of our 
 army with the ordnance and supplies necessary for farther 
 operations. 
 
 " I did not then, nor do I now, believe we could have 
 made the enemy surrender at discretion. Had I enter 
 tained the opinion, it would have been given to the com 
 mission and to the commanding general, and it would 
 have precluded me from signing an agreement which per 
 mitted the garrison to retire with the honors of war. 
 It is demonstrable, from the position and known prowess 
 of the two armies, that we could drive the enemy from 
 the town, but the town was untenable while the main 
 fort (called the new citadel) remained in the hands of the 
 enemy. Being without siege artillery or intrenching 
 tools, we could only hope to carry this fort by storm, 
 after a heavy loss from our army, which, isolated in a 
 hostile country, now numbered less than half the forces 
 of the enemy. When all this had been achieved, what 
 more would we have gained than by the capitulation ? 
 
 "General Taylor s force was too small to invest the 
 town. It was, therefore, always in the power of the en 
 emy to retreat, bearing his light arms. Oar army poor 
 ly provided, and with very insufficient transportation 
 could not have overtaken if they had pursued the flying 
 enemy. Hence the conclusion that, as it was not in our 
 power to capture the main body of the Mexican army, 
 it is unreasonable to suppose their general would have 
 surrendered at discretion. The moral effect of retiring 
 under the capitulation was certainly greater than if the en 
 emy had retreated without our consent. By this course 
 wo secured the large supply of ammunition we had col 
 lected in Monterey, which, had the assault been contin 
 ued, must have been exploded by our shells, as it was 
 principally stored in the cathedral, which, being sup 
 posed to be filled with troops, was the especial aim of 
 our pieces. The destruction which this explosion would 
 have produced must have involved the advance of both 
 divisions of our troops ; and I commend this to the con 
 templation of those whose arguments have been drawn 
 from facts learned since the commissioners closed their 
 negotiations. With these introductory remarks, I send 
 
264 LIFE AND COKKESPOXDEXCE OF 
 
 a copy of a manuscript in my possession, which was pre 
 pared to meet such necessity as now exists for an expla 
 nation of the views which governed the commissioners 
 in arranging the terms of capitulation, to justify the com 
 manding general, should misrepresentation and calumny 
 attempt to tarnish his well-earned reputation, and, for all 
 time to come, to fix the truth of the transaction. 
 
 " JEFFEKSOX DAVIS." 
 
 "Memoranda of the Transactions in connection with 
 the Capitulation of Monterey, capital of Niieva Leon, 
 
 Mexico. 
 
 " By invitation of General Ampudia, commanding the 
 Mexican army, General Taylor, accompanied by a num 
 ber of his officers, proceeded, on the 24th of September, 
 1846, to a house designated as the place at which Gen 
 eral Ampudia requested an interview. The parties be 
 ing convened, General Ampudia announced, as official 
 information, that commissioners from the United States 
 had been received by the government of Mexico, and 
 that the orders under which he had prepared to defend 
 the city of Monterey had lost their force by the subse 
 quent change of his own government, therefore he asked 
 the conference. A brief conversation between the com 
 manding generals showed their views to be so opposite 
 as to leave little reason to expect an amicable arrange 
 ment between them. 
 
 "General Taylor said he would not delay to receive 
 such propositions as General Ampudia indicated. One 
 of General Ampudia s party, I think the governor of the 
 city, suggested the appointment of a mixed commission : 
 this was acceded to, and General W. S. Worth, of the 
 United States Army, General J. Pinckney Henderson, of 
 the Texan Volunteers, and Colonel Jefferson Davis, of 
 the Mississippi Riflemen, on the part of General Taylor ; 
 and General J. Ma. Ortega, General P. Requeiia, and se- 
 nor the governor M. Ma. Llano, on the part of General 
 Ampudia, were appointed. 
 
 " General Taylor gave instructions to his commission 
 ers which, as understood, for they were brief and verbal, 
 will be best shown by the copy of the demand which 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 265 
 
 the United States commissioners prepared in the con 
 ference-room, here incorporated : 
 
 " Copy of Demand l)\j United States Commissioners. 
 
 " I. As the legitimate result of the operations before 
 this place, and the present position of the contending 
 armies, we demand the surrender of the town, the arms 
 and munitions of war, and all other public property with 
 in the place. 
 
 " II. That the Mexican armed .force retire beyond the 
 Rinconada, Linares, and San Fernando on the coast. 
 
 " III. The commanding general of the army of the 
 United States agrees that the Mexican officers reserve 
 their side-arms and private baggage, and the troops be 
 allowed to retire under their officers without parole, a 
 reasonable time being allowed to withdraw the forces. 
 
 " IV. The immediate delivery of the main works now 
 occupied to the army of the United States. 
 
 " V. To avoid collisions, and for mutual convenience, 
 that the troops of the United States shall not occupy 
 the town until the Mexican forces have been withdrawn, 
 except for hospital purposes, store-houses, etc. 
 
 " VI. The commanding general of the United States 
 agrees not to advance beyond the line specified in the 
 second section before the expiration of eight weeks, or 
 until the respective governments can be heard from. 
 */* 
 
 " The terms of the demand were refused by the Mex 
 ican commissioners, who drew np a counter-proposition, 
 of which I only recollect that it contained a permission 
 to the Mexican forces to retire with their arms. This 
 was urged as a matter of soldierly pride, and as an ordi 
 nary courtesy. We had reached the limit of our in 
 structions, and the commission rose to report the disa 
 greement. 
 
 " Upon returning to the reception-room after the fact 
 had been announced that the commissioners could not 
 agree upon terms, General Ampudia entered at length 
 upon the question, treating the point of disagreement as 
 one which involved the honor of his country, spoke of 
 his desire for a settlement without farther bloodshed, 
 and said he did not care about the pieces of artillery 
 
 VOL. I. M 
 
206 LIFE AND COEKESPONDENCE OF 
 
 which he had at the place. General Taylor responded 
 to the wish to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. It was 
 agreed the commission should reassemble, and we were 
 instructed to concede the small-arms, and I supposed 
 there would be no question about the artillery. The Mex 
 ican commissioners now urged that, as all other arms had 
 been recognized, it would be discreditable to the artil 
 lery if required to march out without any thing to rep 
 resent their arm, and stated, in answer to an inquiry, 
 that they had a battery .of light artillery manoeuvred and 
 equipped as such. The commission again rose and re 
 ported the disagreement on the point of artillery. 
 
 " Gen. Taylor, hearing that more was demanded than 
 the middle ground upon which, in a spirit of generosity, 
 he had agreed to place the capitulation, announced the 
 conference at an end, and rose in a manner which show 
 ed his determination to talk no more. As he crossed the 
 room to leave it, one of the Mexican commissioners ad 
 dressed him, and some conversation, which I did not 
 hear, ensued. Gen. Worth asked permission of Gen. 
 Taylor, and addressed some remarks to Gen. Ampudia, 
 the spirit of which was that which he manifested through 
 out the negotiation, viz., generosity and leniency, and a 
 desire to spare the farther effusion of blood. The com 
 mission reassembled, and the points of capitulation were 
 agreed upon. After a short recess, we again repaired to 
 the room in which we had parted from the Mexican com 
 missioners ; they were tardy in joining us, and slow in 
 executing the instrument of capitulation. The 7th, 8th, 
 and 9th articles were added during the session. At a 
 late hour the English original was handed to Gen. Tay 
 lor for his examination, the Spanish original having been 
 sent to Gen. Ampudia. Gen. Taylor signed and deliver 
 ed to me the instrument as it was submitted to him, and 
 I returned to receive the Spanish copy with the signature 
 of Gen. Ampudia, and send that having Gen. Taylor s 
 signature, that each general might countersign the orig 
 inal to be retained by the other. Gen. Ampudia did not 
 sign the instrument, as was expected, but came himself 
 to meet the commissioners. He raised many points 
 which had been settled, and evinced a disposition to 
 make the Spanish differ in essential points from the En- 
 
JOHA T A. QU1TMAX. 2t>7 
 
 glish instrument. Gen. "Worth was absent. Finally, he 
 was required to sign the instrument prepared by his own 
 commissioners, and the English original was left with him 
 that he might have it translated (which he promised to 
 do that night) and be ready next morning with a Span 
 ish duplicate of the English instrument left with him. 
 By this means the two instruments would be made to 
 correspond, and he be compelled to admit his knowl 
 edge of the contents of the English original before he 
 signed it. 
 
 " The next morning the commission again met ; again 
 the attempt was made, as had been often done before 
 by solicitation, to gain some grant in addition to the 
 compact. Thus we had, at their request, adopted the 
 word capitulation in lieu of surrender ; they now wish 
 ed to substitute stipulation for capitulation. It finally 
 became necessary to make a peremptory demand for the 
 immediate signing of the English instrument by Gen. 
 Ampudia, and the literal translation (now perfected) by 
 the commissioners and their general. The Spanish in 
 strument first signed by Gen. Ampudia was destroyed in 
 presence of his commissioners ; the translation of our 
 own instrument was countersigned by Gen. Taylor and 
 delivered ; the agreement was complete, and it only re 
 mained to execute the terms. 
 
 "Much has been said about the construction of Article 
 II. of the capitulation, a copy of which is hereto append 
 ed. Whatever ambiguity there may be in the language 
 used, there was a perfect understanding by the commis 
 sioners on both sides as to the intent of the parties. The 
 distinction we made between light artillery, equipped 
 and manoeuvred as such, designed for and used in the 
 field, and pieces being the armament of the fort, was 
 clearly stated on our side, and that it was comprehended 
 on theirs appeared in the fact, that repeatedly they as 
 serted their possession of light artillery, and said that 
 they had one battery of light pieces. Such conformity 
 of opinion existed among our commissioners upon every 
 measure which was finally adopted, that I consider them, 
 in their sphere, jointly and severally responsible for each 
 and every article of the capitulation. If, as originally 
 viewed by Gen. Worth, our conduct has been in accord- 
 
268 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 ance with the peaceful policy of our government, and 
 shall in any degree tend to consummate that policy, we 
 may congratulate ourselves upon the part we have taken. 
 If otherwise, it will remain to me a deliberate opinion 
 that the terms of the capitulation gave all which could 
 have followed of desirable result from a farther assault. 
 It was in the power of the enemy to retreat and to bear 
 with him his small-arms and such a battery as was con 
 templated in the capitulation. The other grants were 
 such as it was honorable in a conquering army to bestow, 
 and which it cost magnanimity nothing to give. 
 
 "The above recollections are submitted to Generals 
 Henderson and Worth for correction and addition, that 
 the misrepresentation of the transaction may be prevent 
 ed by a statement made while the events are recent and 
 the memory fresh. JEFFERSON DAVIS, 
 
 "Colonel Mississippi Riflemen." 
 
 "Camp near Monterey, October 7th, 184G. 
 "The above is a correct statement of the leading tacts 
 connected with the transactions referred to, according to 
 rny recollection. It is, however, proper that I should 
 farther state that my first impression was that no better 
 terms than those first proposed, on the part of General 
 Taylor, when I found him disposed to yield to the request 
 of General Ampudia, and at the same time gave it as my 
 opinion that they would be accepted by him before we 
 left the town. General Taylor replied that he would 
 run no risk when it could be avoided ; that he wished to 
 avoid the farther shedding of blood, and that he was sat 
 isfied that our government would be pleased with the 
 terms given by the capitulation ; and being myself per 
 suaded of the fact, I yielded my individual views and 
 wishes ; and, under that conviction, I shall ever be ready 
 to defend the terms of the capitulation. 
 
 " J. PINCKNEY HENDERSON, 
 "Maj. Gen. commanding the Texan Volunteers." 
 
 "I not only counseled and advised, the opportunity 
 being oiFered by the general-in-chief, the first proposi 
 tion, but cordially assented and approved the decision 
 taken by General Taylor in respect to the latter, as did 
 
JOIIX A. QUITilAN. 269 
 
 every member of tlie commission, and for good and suf- 
 licient military and national reasons, and stand ready at 
 all times and proper places to defend and sustain the ac 
 tion of the commanding general, and participation of the 
 commissioners. Knowing that malignants, the tremor 
 being off, are at work to discredit and misrepresent the 
 case (as I had anticipated), I feel obliged to Colonel Davis 
 for having thrown together the materials and facts. 
 
 " W. J. WOKTII, 
 
 " Brig. Gen. commanding 2d division. 
 "Monterey, October 12th, 1840." 
 
 " Terms of the capitulation of the city of Monterey, 
 the capital of Nueva Leon, agreed upon by the under 
 signed commissioners, to wit : Gen. Worth, of the United 
 States Army ; Gen. Henderson, of the Texan Volunteers ; 
 and Col. Davis, of the Mississippi Riflemen, on the part 
 of Maj. Gen. Taylor, coinmanding-in-chief the United 
 States forces ; and Gen. Requena, and Gen. Ortega, of 
 the army of Mexico ; and Senor Manuel M. Llano, gov 
 ernor of Nueva Leon, on the part of Senor Don Pedro 
 Ampudia, commanding-iii-chief the army of the North 
 of Mexico. 
 
 "Article 1. As the legitimate result of the operations 
 before this place, and the present position of the contend 
 ing armies, it is agreed that the city, the fortifications, 
 cannon, the munitions of war, and all other public prop 
 erty, with the undermentioned exceptions, be surrendered 
 to the commanding general of the United States forces 
 now at Monterey. 
 
 " Art. 2. That the Mexican forces be allowed to retain 
 the following arms, to wit: The commissioned officers, 
 their side-arms ; the infantry, their arms and accoutre 
 ments ; the artillery, one field-battery, not to exceed six 
 pieces, with twenty-one rounds of ammunition. 
 
 Art. 3. That the Mexican armed forces retire within 
 seven days from this date beyond the line formed by the 
 pass of the Rinconada, the city of Linares, and San Fer 
 nando de Pusos. 
 
 " Art. 4. That the citadel of Monterey be evacuated by 
 the Mexican, and occupied by the American forces to 
 morrow morning at 10 o clock. 
 
270 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE OF 
 
 " Art. 5. To avoid collisions, and for mutual conven 
 ience, that the troops of the United States will not occu 
 py the city until the Mexican forces have withdrawn, ex 
 cept for hospital and storage purposes. 
 
 u Art. 6. That the forces of the United States will not 
 advance beyond the line specified in the 3d article before 
 the expiration of eight weeks, or until the orders from the 
 respective governments can be received. 
 
 " Art. 7. That the public property to be delivered shall 
 be turned over and received by officers appointed by the 
 commanding generals of the two armies. 
 
 " Art. 8. That all doubts as to the meaning of any of 
 the preceding articles shall be solved by an equitable 
 construction, and on principles of liberality to the retir 
 ing army. 
 
 " Art. 9. That the Mexican flag, when struck at the 
 citadel, may be saluted by its own battery. 
 "W.J. WORTH, 
 
 "Brig. Gen. U.S. Army. 
 " J. PINCKNEY HENDERSON, 
 " Maj. Gen. commanding the Texan Volunteers. 
 "JEFFERSON DAVIS, 
 
 " Col. Mississippi Riflemen. 
 " J. M. ORTEGA. 
 " P. REQUENA. 
 "MANUEL M. LLANO. 
 (Approved), 
 "PEDRO AMPUDIA. 
 
 "Z. TAYLOR, Maj. Gen. U. S. A. commanding. 
 "Done at Monterey, Sept. 24th, 1846." 
 
 This publication defeated the unjust and ungrateful 
 attempt to crush Gen. Taylor by arraying against him 
 the war feeling of the nation, which had been thoroughly 
 aroused by his own victories. 
 
 Viewing the transaction at this distance, it would seem 
 that the capitulation was justifiable ; and it reflects this 
 honor on the republic, that, in the full career of conquest, 
 a victorious army pressing a retreating and supplicating 
 enemy, a general who had never been defeated, with the 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 2V 1 
 
 sanction of advisers who had never flinched from peril or 
 responsibility, accepted the first overture for peace. In 
 a moral point of view, and as an illustration of national 
 character, inspiring confidence in our military men, show 
 ing how strongly and correctly they appreciate the du 
 ties of the citizen, and are ever ready to relinquish bloody 
 laurels for the public welfare, the capitulation of Monte 
 rey is a richer heir-loom for the nation than the victories 
 of that memorable campaign. If it turned out after 
 ward that some of the representations made to the com 
 missioners by the Mexican general were false, it reflects 
 no dishonor upon us. When parties consent to negotiate, 
 good faith, and not perfidy, is to be presumed. 
 
 General Quitman disapproved the capitulation. He 
 had always condemned the policy of President Polk, 
 which General Taylor presumed, and justly presumed, 
 he was acting upon when he accepted overtures from 
 Ampudia, Quitman s fixed opinion was that the war 
 should be carried on chiefly by volunteers ; that they 
 should never be inactive ; that it should be a war, not 
 on Mr. Polk s feeble maxim, " to conquer a peace," but 
 a Avar for conquest^ and occupation. He regarded, and 
 justly regarrrMTTthe great bulk of the Mexicans as abas- 
 tard and robber race, incapable of self-government, and 
 only fit for servitude and military rule. Viewing the. 
 war on our part as eminently just, he considered that the 
 whole Mexican territory should be subdued, annexed, 
 and governed by the sword, under American laws, until 
 the population should be sufficiently tutored and im 
 proved by immigration to be incorporated with the re 
 public. His plan was a prompt movement, with an ef 
 fective force, on San Luis do Potosi, and thence to the 
 capital. These views are foreshadowed in the following 
 letter : 
 
272 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OP 
 
 To Hon. Robert J. Walker, Secretary of the Treasury. 
 
 " Camp Allen, near Monterey, November 12th, 1846. 
 
 " MY DEAR SIR, Your prominent position in the ad 
 ministration, and our long and intimate acquaintance, in 
 duce me to address you without reserve upon some 
 matters of the highest interest to the country and to the 
 present administration. 
 
 " I forbear to say any thing of what has passed in the 
 army, except to disclaim having ever given any counte 
 nance to the unfortunate and ill-advised convention of 
 Monterey. I was present, by invitation of General Tay 
 lor, at the conference between the opposing generals, but 
 my opinion was not asked, nor had I any participation in 
 the results. 
 
 " I believed the city and army entirely in our power, 
 and would have opposed terms which must result in con 
 verting a brilliant and decisive victory into a drawn bat 
 tle. 
 
 " It is not my purpose, however, to comment upon 
 circumstances which have tended to place this temporary 
 volunteer army in a state of inaction for a large portion 
 of the season best calculated for prosecuting a successful 
 campaign in Mexico. I have been informed that officers 
 high in rank have recommended the policy of ceasing 
 farther offensive operations, of holding on to the con 
 quered Mexican provinces, and standing on the defens 
 ive. This policy, in my opinion, would be disastrous, if 
 not disgraceful to the country, and would result in pro 
 tracting and adding to the expenses of the war, to say 
 nothing of the contempt of our national character which 
 it would engender in Europe and even in Mexico. Na 
 tional insult is at least one cause of the war. Will the 
 occupation of territory unimportant, in a revenue point 
 of view, to Mexico, compel her to atone for national in 
 sult? AVill not such a policy tend to prolong the war ? 
 It will soon be known to Mexico. Under it, secure 
 from attack, she need, not ev-en defend her salient points 
 in advance of our line, and may quietly and safely await 
 the development of her resources until, on her part, some 
 favorable blow may be struck. All the occupied points 
 of our defensive line being equally accessible to her, she 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 273 
 
 may choose her own time and season to throw upon any 
 one of them an overwhelming force and cut off our gar 
 risons or defeat our detachments. Suppose, in pursuit 
 of this policy, we occupy the line from Tampico through 
 Victoria, Linares, Monterey, or Saltillo and Monclova, to 
 Santa Fe, 25,000 men would be required ; 5000 at Tam 
 pico ; 5000 at Victoria; 5000 at Monterey and Saltillo ; 
 5000 from Monclova to Santa Fe ; and at least 5000 to 
 protect the depots and transportation in rear ; and even 
 then Tampico and Monterey would be exposed to the 
 whole force of the Mexican army before relief could be 
 had from other points. If, however, we had an efficient 
 army of but half this force in the field, threatening Poto- 
 si, or any other vulnerable point in advance of our line, 
 it would most effectually cover the whole strategic line 
 in rear of its line of movement, and force the enemy to 
 concentrate his forces and meet us in the field, or uncov 
 er the way to his capital. I do not intend positively to 
 designate Potosi as the proper objective point to our 
 operations, but to give my opinion that the war should 
 be prosecuted by penetrating the country on some prac 
 ticable line with an adequate force, say 12,000 men, well 
 equipped. From the information I have been able to 
 pick up, I have no doubt such a force could take Potosi 
 against 30,000 Mexicans. The obstacles in the way are 
 said to be deficiency of permanent supply of water. I 
 have no doubt this is exaggerated. At least, I am satis 
 fied it can be overcome in several modes, which I will 
 not weary you with detailing. With such an enemy as 
 we have to contend against, we can never succeed in im 
 pressing them with respect for our power and national 
 character except by dealing upon them hard blows : we 
 can only obtain their respect through their fears. Be 
 sides, this mode of prosecuting the war would be better 
 suited to the character of the provisional force we have 
 in the field, to the ardent and energetic disposition of 
 the people of the United States, and would be more in 
 consonance with our pretensions, or rather claims, as one 
 of the principal powers of the civilized world. Besides, 
 the heavy expenses incident to a war are calculated to 
 have the most serious effects upon the administration in 
 power unless they are compensated by brilliant results. 
 M 2 
 
274 LIFE AND COKKESPONDESTCE OF 
 
 The field is, in my opinion, open for these, if judiciously 
 planned. An army of volunteers will always be brought 
 into the field at great expense. Of these sent into this 
 country there has been an average loss, from disease and 
 incapacities of various kinds, of about thirty per cent. ; 
 yet, in my opinion, those now in the field constitute the 
 very best forces we have. They are generally well com 
 manded, subordinate, and brave almost to a fault. Should 
 this campaign be wasted in inactivity, the same expense 
 and loss will have to be encountered before a proper 
 force can be placed in the field. Be assured, Mexico will 
 never make peace upon any terms which an administra 
 tion dare accept until she has received some harder blow. 
 " My friends think that some injustice has been done 
 to me in accounts of the battle. The prominent part 
 which ruy brigade acted certainly deserves better no 
 tice." 
 
JOHJN r A. QUITMAJS. 275 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Discontent of Gen. Taylor. Expedition to Victoria. Holt s Jour 
 nal. Division of Quitman s Command. The Mississippi Regi 
 ment. Tampico. Siege of Vera Crnz. Quitman s first Battle. 
 Alvarado Expedition. Marches for Puebla. Question of Rank. 
 Correspondence with Gen. Scott. Quitman s Freedom from Jeal 
 ousy. Social Relations. 
 
 Ox the fall of Monterey Gen. Worth and his division 
 occupied the city. Gen. Taylor, with the other divisions, 
 encamped in the Bosque de San Domingo, a beautiful 
 wood three miles north of the city. They lay supine 
 for three months, although it was apparent to the army, 
 and the general desire, that a push should be made for 
 San Luis Potosi, and thence to the capital. Three routes 
 were proposed: 1. By Saltillo and Encarnacion; 2. By 
 Saltillo and Parras, through Durango ; 3. By Victoria 
 and Tula. But there was no cordiality between Gen. 
 Taylor and the secretary of war. On the contrary, the 
 former believed that there was a concerted plan to em 
 barrass and disgrace him. He bitterly complained of 
 interference with his command, and especially of the di 
 rect communication opened by the secretary with Gen. 
 Patterson, directing him to detach a large body of troops 
 and march upon Tampico. This order to a subordinate, 
 in the presence of his superior, was in flagrant violation 
 of all military rule, and neither the exigencies of the 
 service, nor the difficulty of communication between the 
 seat of government and the frontier, supply a satisfacto 
 ry excuse. The example was pernicious, and became the 
 source of irritation and suspicion. "The President and 
 
276 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 the secretary of war," says Stevens, a warm friend of 
 the administration, " experienced as statesmen, were to 
 tally inexperienced in military affairs, and it was a vio 
 lation of the plainest principles to endeavor to organize 
 campaigns without reference to those who had made 
 campaigns their special study." 
 
 On the 6th of November Gen. Taylor notified the Mex 
 ican authorities that the armistice would terminate on 
 the 13th. On that day Gen. Worth and his division 
 marched for Saltillo. On the 2d of December Gen. Ha- 
 mer died, and, in the absence of Maj. Gen. Butler, the 
 command of the division devolved on Gen. Quitman. 
 Gen. Taylor having planned an expedition to Victoria, 
 the capital of Tamaulipas, a strong position on the line 
 of occupation between Monterey and Tampico, dispatch 
 ed Gen.Twiggs with his division on the 12th of Decem 
 ber. The 2d infantry and the 2d Tennessee Volunteers, 
 stationed at Camargo, were ordered to form a junction 
 with Twiggs at Montemorelos. On the 14th Gen. Quit 
 man, with the 1st Tennessee regiment, Col. Campbell, the 
 1st Georgia, Col. Jackson, the 1st Mississippi, Maj. Brad 
 ford, and the 1st Baltimore battalion, Maj. Buchanan, in 
 all 1500 men, took up the line of march on the same 
 road which had so recently led them to victory. A nar 
 rative of this march and of the country is here abridged 
 from the journal of John S.Holt, Esq., military secretary 
 of Gen. Quitman.* 
 
 * Mr. Holt was an officer of the "Wilkinson County Volunteers. 
 He has since represented Natchez in the Legislature, and is now a 
 prominent member of the bar of that city. When Gen. Quitman left 
 Victoria for Tampico he sent to Mr. H. the following note : 
 
 44 Victoria, Mexico, Jan. 5th, 1S4T. 
 
 "DEAR SIR, I pray you to take with you this note as a testimo 
 ny of my sincere esteem and affectionate regard. You have been 
 acting as my military secretary for some months past, during which 
 time your conduct and deportment have been so exemplary, and you 
 have displayed so much intelligence and promptness in the execution 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 277 
 
 This journal gives us a new view of the Rio Grande 
 provinces, and shows that they are well watered, fertile, 
 and capable of sustaining an agricultural population. 
 They belong by nature to our Gulf states, and must, in 
 a few years, be annexed. 
 
 " The men were in fine spirits. Those who, when they 
 had marched before, were lean and sickly, let out their 
 belts a notch or two, and, slinging their rifles and mus 
 kets over their shoulders, took the route-step with a 
 springiness which, however, was changed before night. 
 Crossing the hollow where the army was drawn up, and 
 below where, during the battle, Webster s mortar was 
 placed, turning the point of bushes, and then ascending 
 the hill, we had in our front a full view of the city, to 
 ward the left of which we were moving, and on our 
 right, looming over the plain, the long line of wall com 
 posing the Black Fort. Standing in it are the dark and 
 crumbling arches of the old unfinished cathedral, on the 
 top of which the Mexicans made their bomb-proofs. 
 Soon we rose the swell where the ricochet cannon ball 
 cut down the seven Tennesseans, and we had to march 
 past them. Pah! how it made the soul shrink in, to see 
 the broken limbs, the blood, to hear the groans, and to 
 see that one sitting on a rock, holding in his bowels, and 
 singing a psalm ! 
 
 "Farther on we passed the mud fort where the work 
 of vengeance commenced. A dispute was raised as to 
 which of the regiments was foremost in this most gallant 
 action of the battle ; whichever it was, they were in the 
 same brigade, and had the same general. 
 
 " Still farther on a short distance, and on our left, was 
 the Taneria, passing which, and going down a hill, we 
 crossed the channel that conveys the water from the 
 bridge of La Santa Purissima, the tcte du pont of which 
 proved so destructive to the regulars. 
 
 "Crossing this duct, and going about three hundred 
 
 yards farther, we came to the wide channel of sand and 
 
 % 
 
 of your duties, as to win my highest regard and to deserve my sincere 
 thanks. Wherever your lot may be cast, be assured of the friendship 
 and esteem of J. A. QUITJIAN, Brig. Gen. U. S, A." 
 
278 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OP 
 
 rocks, in the centre of which runs the Rio Monterey, a 
 large creek which bounds the back of the town. Pass 
 ing this, as we did below the town, we had on our right 
 the fort called Rincou del Diablo, and as some of the 
 men saw it, and remembered what a c devil s corner it 
 was, a long whistle would alone serve to convey the 
 wonder, surprise, fright, impatience, and every other feel 
 ing which then agitated them. 
 
 " Mounting the steep bank on the farther side of the 
 creek, we turned our backs upon the city, and had in 
 front, about five miles off though we appeared at its 
 very foot the Cerro Silla (Saddle Mountain), or, as we 
 called it, the Comanche-saddle Peak. 
 
 "About four miles from Monterey, above the chappa- 
 ral, rises the white spire of the village church of Gualupe. 
 Through this little village we marched ; the inhabitants, 
 being used to us, had their stores open, and at the cor 
 ners women sold corn bread and sweet bread, while the 
 men tugged up to the side of the road their little don 
 keys loaded with sugar-cane or oranges. 
 
 "At half past two P.M. we arrived at the Rio Monte 
 rey, where it again crosses the road, and, fording it, camp 
 ed on the top of the hill beyond. 
 
 "Tuesday, 15th. We left camp about seven o clock 
 this morning. 
 
 " To-day we passed through Cadereyta, a large town 
 situated on the farther bank of the Rio Monterey, which 
 we had again to cross. Our road ran through the plaza, 
 that necessary part of every Mexican town, where are 
 collected most of the sight-worthy objects. The houses 
 surrounding this one were of one and two stories in 
 height, and in its centre stands a column about twenty 
 feet high, erected, we were told, to the memory of Gen 
 eral Cadereyta. There was also, upon one side of the 
 square, the commencement of a church, which bids fair 
 to be a fine one, and in front of it were its bells, sus 
 pended to some stout beams, waiting the completion of 
 their belfry. The materials of which this church, and 
 most of the larger houses in this country are construct 
 ed, are a white, soft, and very porous limestone. Noth 
 ing can excel it for fortifications, as it will receive a ball 
 without splintering, and is in fact a sort of fossil sponge 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 279 
 
 or mineral cotton-bale. The Block Fort is built of it. 
 The more common houses are of sun-dried brick about 
 eighteen inches long, eight inches broad, and four in 
 thickness, called adobes. The whole country being a 
 sort of mixture of brick-kiln and cement, they are made 
 without trouble. 
 
 " Surrounding the town is a deep ditch, which wo 
 crossed by a wooden bridge. For w T hat it was dug, un 
 less for a fortification, I can not conjecture, for it is too 
 deep for purposes of irrigation. There is one thing I 
 would here note particularly. The Alcalde of Gualupe 
 had promised General Quitman to send him a guide, and, 
 singular to relate, lie kept his promise. I wonder if he 
 lost caste for telling the truth once ! 
 
 "About three miles and a half from Cadereyta, we 
 came to the large hacienda of Santa Figinia (or Virginia), 
 situated in the bottom watered by the llio Guajuke, 
 which, after passing near a mile through a lane of brush 
 fence, w^e crossed and pitched our camp. It is a clear, 
 swift mountain stream, about a hundred feet broad. We 
 found encamped here a good many arrieros, with their 
 trains of mules, 011 their way to Monterey with corn. 
 The dexterity of these men, and the docility and intelli 
 gence of their animals, are very surprising. The pack- 
 saddles are placed in a row when taken off, and when the 
 mules are driven in from the bushes, whither they have 
 wandered in search of food, they arrange themselves, 
 each in front of his own saddle ; and should one be so 
 unfortunate as to forget his place, those on cither side 
 soon freshen his memory with their heels. What a les 
 son for schoolmasters ! In loading, the arrieros place a 
 blind over the eyes of the mule, and throwing 011 each 
 side of the pack-saddle a fanega which is three bushels, 
 weighing about one hundred and fifty pounds tie them 
 together so firmly by a few magic turns of their raw 
 hide ropes, that when the hoodwink is taken off and the 
 mule realizes his situation, he generally, with a little 
 wonder in his look, follows his brethren very peaceably, 
 without any bridle, though he is at perfect liberty to run 
 away or kick up if he can. 
 
 " On the journey some arrieros go before, leading often 
 a white mare, which the mules follow as though charm- 
 
280 LIFE AXD COKEESPONDEXCE OF 
 
 ed ; others follow on their prancing little mustangs, the 
 long spurs jingling, and with their short whips beat the 
 erratic into the path again, vociferating, sst mulct ! sst, 
 sst mulct! with an emphasis and cadence peculiar to 
 themselves. 
 
 " But that which involuntarily sets the mouth on a 
 broad grin is to see a ranchero going from market 011 
 his donkey. Seated on the rump of the little animal, as 
 far back as he can get, his spare, leather-encased legs, 
 terminated like mauls, dangling down, and holding in his 
 hand a short stick worn smooth, he presents a most lu 
 dicrous appearance. 
 
 " Sometimes they come in tied by halters to each 
 other s tails, a boy driving the leader ; and often you see 
 an immense pile of green corn-stalks moving along with 
 out a wagon or, apparently, any thing else to carry it ; 
 but by watching closely you may occasionally catch a 
 glimpse of the feet of the poor, patient little animal 
 bearing the load which covers it, head, ears, all thus 
 very much resembling some two-legged animals with 
 their load of vanity. 
 
 " Wednesday, 16th. We left camp early this morning, 
 and very tired, for this was our third day s march, and 
 old campaigners say it is always the hardest. After this 
 the muscles begin to recover from their soreness. We 
 were told at the last camp that we would find no water 
 for a long distance after leaving there, except on creeks 
 five miles off; but we were agreeably surprised at find 
 ing five creeks crossing the road before we arrived at the 
 Rio de Ramos, where we camped. When within about 
 two miles of the camping-ground we passed through the 
 village, or ranch, of La Santa Purissima, a small cluster 
 of miserable mud huts, into each one of which, however, 
 our ranch-man doubtless examined minutely. 
 
 " This ranch-man, as he is called, is a singular being, 
 belonging to one of the regiments, whose monomania, or 
 hypochondria, or whatever it is, perhaps excels that of 
 any other of all the crazy officers in the army. There is 
 not a rancho, or any thing in the shape of one where 
 humanity can dwell, in a mile of the road, but that his 
 long, sallow, anxious face protrudes within the door, and 
 his big, hungry eyes go wandering over the rafters and 
 
JOIIX A. QUITMAN. 281 
 
 all about the house, in search of edibles of any shape or 
 character whatever; first into this one, then gliding out 
 into that, like the restless spirit of hunger, he haggles 
 with some old crone for an egg, or holding back from 
 the suspicious Mexican the string of dried beef, and half 
 hiding it, in his selfishness, lest some other spy it and out 
 bid him, he trades with the eagerness and sternness of 
 necessity, and then his spider-like legs bear him off 
 through the chapparal toward the inarching line, chuck 
 ling at the bargains lie has made, and gloating over the 
 prospect of the good big supper he will make off of it. 
 Wandering from the road in this way, he undergoes, in 
 his monomania, more real peril than he would like to do 
 for a more worthy object. 
 
 "The Rio de Ramos is the prettiest and largest creek 
 we have yet seen. At the ford there is a fall of about 
 eight feet in three hundred yards, which renders it rather 
 ticklish wading. About four o clock in the evening, 
 while walking on the banks, I was surprised to see some 
 dragoons emerge from the chapparal and ride into the 
 ford ; then came others, and finally General Taylor and 
 staff, and Captain Sibley s supply train, escorted by the 
 command of Lieutenant Fowler Hamilton, all of whom 
 we had left in Monterey. 
 
 "Thursday, 17,h. General Taylor left camp before us 
 this morning. Traveling at our leisure, we had a very 
 pleasant march, and camped within two miles of Monte 
 Morelos, at which place are concentrated the troops from 
 Camargo and those which preceded us from Monterey. 
 We crossed three creeks to-day, and, when within a mile 
 and a half of camp, overtook General Taylor and Captain 
 Sibley s train going up a hill so long and steep that it 
 was necessary to double teams ; our train having the 
 same difficulty, they did not all arrive in camp until after 
 dark. General Taylor went on to town, and our di 
 vision encamped on an irrigating ditch called Garrapa- 
 tas, supplied, I presume, from the Rio Garrapatas (Tick 
 River), which we crossed some distance back. Well 
 does Camp Garrapatas deserve its name, for the ticks 
 cover it, crawling about on the grass, first upon one blade, 
 and by their weight bending it down, then on to an 
 other, and with their spraddling legs hurrying up the 
 
282 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 stiff seed-stems and the thorn-bushes to look out for some 
 thing to bite. 
 
 "About four o clock in the evening four dragoons 
 passed us in great haste, bearing a dispatch from General 
 Worth, at Saltillo, announcing that a large force of Mex 
 icans was advancing on him, and that he expected to be 
 attacked in three days. 
 
 "Friday, 18th. Generals Taylor and Twiggs, with the 
 division of the latter, which is the best rested, having been 
 here for several days, accompanied by Bragg s battery, 
 started this morning for Saltillo, leaving General Quit- 
 man in command of the rest of the troops, with orders 
 to advance to-morrow toward Victoria, where, it is repre 
 sented, there is a Mexican army, and which is about half 
 way between Monterey and Tampico. 
 
 " General Quitman commenced by dividing the troops 
 into two brigades, the 1st tinder Colonel Campbell, of 
 the 1st Tennessee regiment, and the 2d under Colonel 
 Jackson, of the Georgia regiment, Colonel Davis, of the 
 Mississippi Rifles, being absent in the United States. 
 
 "All the general staff officers have to be changed, and, 
 among others, the quarter-masters, the one heretofore act 
 ing as quarter-master general having to go with General 
 Taylor. The wagons, mules, horses, extra tongues, even 
 to the very nails and screws all the paraphernalia of a 
 large army he has had in his charge, have to be count 
 ed and passed over, with the requisite papers, to another. 
 
 " The 1st Tennessee regiment moved into town to-day. 
 General Quitman also moved his quarters within half a 
 mile of town, toward the mountains, into an alley of pop 
 lars, part of which has been destroyed. 
 
 " The town of Monte Morelos is small, and situated at 
 the foot of the Sierra Madre, on the I\io Morelos, a swift 
 mountain creek. This beautiful valley is apparently very 
 fertile, and, though not now much cultivated, it appears, 
 from the numerous irrigating ditches now half filled up and 
 grown over with grass, and from the long alley of trees, 
 to have been at one time in a state of high improvement. 
 
 " Since the day we left Monterey, our march has been 
 between two ranges of mountains. On our left, about 
 fifteen miles off, the Sierra Seralvo lies like a dark cloud 
 upon the horizon, and we march sometimes under the 
 
JOHN A, QUITMAN. 283- 
 
 vcry shadow of the Sierra Madre, whose tall peaks tower 
 high on our right, and which extends as far as the eye 
 can reach far away, until it becomes absolutely tantaliz 
 ing, for we are told that our road lies all the way at its 
 foot, and every hill we mount as we progress brings in 
 view some now portion in the distance. We have no 
 ticed every night fires on the top of the Sierra Madre 
 opposite to our camp. It has been very cold for four 
 days. The changes of the weather in winter arc much 
 more sudden and violent here than with us at home, 
 owing to the northers, which fall as swift and withering 
 as misery upon the poor. 
 
 " Saturday, 19th. The 1st Tennessee regiment and part 
 of the train left Monte Morelos very early this morning. 
 It was very cold, and, though the creek rushed along 
 smoking as if it had just boiled up from a volcano, it 
 made our bones ache as we waded it, and the water came 
 as high up as the thigh, and it seemed to cut like a knife, 
 and the round stones on the bottom rolled over when 
 stepped upon in a most disagreeable complaisant man 
 ner. After marching near two miles, we came to the 
 camp of the 2d Tennessee regiment, which forming in 
 our rear we marched on about a mile and halted to let 
 the other brigade catch up ; we then moved on, and, aft 
 er a pleasant march, arrived at Rancho Xogales, which is 
 about the fourth of a mile to the left of the road, and 
 nine miles from Monte Morelos. Here we camped, be 
 ing informed that there was no more water for five 
 leagues. To-day we crossed two creeks. 
 
 " Rancho, or ranch, has become with our army the 
 common designation for every sort of Mexican house, in 
 every position, whereas, with the Mexicans themselves, it 
 has a particular signification. Xot only because of the 
 sterility of the soil, but because also, in consequence of 
 the uncertainty of the rainy season, the inhabitants are 
 obliged to resort to irrigation to make sure their crops, 
 no portion of this country is cultivated but the creek 
 bottoms. Fixing their houses in some rich bottom, they 
 ascend the creek a distance necessary to insure the wa 
 ter always on a level with their fields, then, building a 
 stout stone dam across it, convey the water by means of 
 ditches around hills and through valleys, sometimes for 
 
284 LIFE AXD CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 several miles, to where they wish it. Often, on the 
 march, we have found a ditch high up on the side of a 
 barren hill. Having this ditch to ran on the higher side 
 of their fields, which are divided by means of smaller 
 trenches into beds, when the crop needs irrigation they 
 open gaps here and there, and, letting the water flow, a 
 man goes before with a hoe, and damming in this place, 
 and opening a trench in that, soon waters a large spot of 
 ground. To divide the great expense of making dams 
 and trenches, and for the additional purpose of mutual 
 protection in this border country, several of these labores 
 generally lie together, and the houses of their owners 
 also together, forming a village, and this is called a rancho. 
 Those places owned by the more opulent persons, and 
 where sugar and corn are cultivated on a large scale by 
 means of peones and hired persons, are called haciendas, 
 from the verb hacer, to make; thus being what we, in 
 English, would call factories. The difference between 
 the two, rancho and hacienda, appears, then, to be both 
 in the number of the owners and the quantity produced. 
 Rancho Xogalcs appears to be more of a place for cattle- 
 minders and goatherds than a regular rancho. Situated 
 on the side of a large hill, we have from it a view of an 
 immense basin, shaped like a tin funnel mashed about the 
 centre, formed by the hills connected with this, to which 
 there is no apparent outlet. We can see our voluntaries 
 ranging among the chapparal, although just off a march, 
 seeing what can be seen a prominent trait in American 
 character. In the bottom is a creek, small, but affording 
 enough of water. 
 
 " 20th. Rather a desolate march to-day to the Rio 
 Ramos, a fine clear stream. 
 
 " 21st. Passed through Linares, a town of 7000 inhab 
 itants, surrounded by fields of corn and sugar-cane. 
 
 " 22d. Camped on a fine creek 10 miles beyond Linares. 
 
 "To-day one of our Mississippians, foot-weary and 
 straggling in the rear of the column, got up behind a 
 ranchero for a ride, giving him his rifle to carry. The 
 Mexican soon dextrously twitched him off the horse and 
 rode away witli the weapon ! The country to-day was 
 rolling and rocky, abounding with deer, pheasants, and 
 peccanes, an animal between a pig and a porcupine. 
 
JOIIX A. QUITMAX. 285 
 
 " 23d. A hilly country; water scarce, but, for the first 
 time on this march, plenty of muskeet-grass, covering the 
 ground like a mat, knee-deep ; camped on the River 
 Parida, amid rich cane and corn fields, and parrots by 
 the thousand screaming* around us. 
 
 "Dec. 24th. Left the camp about seven o clock this 
 morning. El Pilon, or Sugar-loaf Mountain, was point 
 ed out to us as the landmark of Villa Gran, which is 
 about six miles off. This peak, rising to a great height 
 above those which surround it, is quite conspicuous. 
 
 " Gen. Quitman, Lieut. Lovcll, his aid, and the rest of 
 his staff, together with Lieut. Meadc, of the Topograph 
 ical Engineers, Lieut. Thomas, commanding the battery, 
 and Col. Kinney, the Texan, rode ahead to take breakfast 
 in state at Villa Gran. 
 
 " Gen. Quitman has acted wisely in accepting these in 
 vitations, for he thus quiets the fears, and, by showing con 
 fidence, gains the confidence of the inhabitants. There 
 is not another general in the volunteer or regular service 
 Avho has as much high moral influence over his officers 
 and men, or one who has a more excellent aptitude for 
 procuring respect for his country from the enemy. By 
 only acting out the impulses of his good heart, he could 
 gain the love of all ; but by uniting to these wisdom and 
 firmness, and meting out even-handed justice, he has 
 gained the highest respect. Xo man has done more for 
 the volunteer service than he. By restraining and pun 
 ishing, severely when necessary, the excesses of the bad; 
 by acting as a polite gentleman to all ; and, though the 
 most essentially military in appearance and manners of 
 the volunteer generals, never putting on that tragico- 
 devilish voice and action thought by so many others to 
 be a necessary component of the true military character; 
 in fine, bringing the character of martinet down to that 
 of a just judge, a humane man, and an amiable and polite 
 gentleman, his men come to him in confidence as to a 
 friend, and his brigade has become as celebrated for good 
 conduct in camp and on the march as it was for terrible 
 courage in the conflict. 
 
 "Dec. 25th (Christmas). The road to-day was tolera 
 bly good ; the hills, if in any thing differing, were more 
 abrupt, but there were still the same stunted chapparal, 
 
286 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 disagreeable prickly-pear bushes, and infinity of stones of 
 all sizes, from the minute pebble to the lofty mountain. 
 
 " Soon after leaving camp, a deputation from Hidalgos 
 waited on the general for the purpose of surrendering 
 their town, on which we were advancing. When within 
 about two miles of the town, we passed through an ex 
 tensive forest, bordering the banks of a fine creek. It 
 must have been quite a mile and a half in breadth, and it 
 was delightful to pass from the glare of the hot sun (al 
 though on Christmas-day) into the cool, quiet shade. I 
 wonder if the grave is not, to some good men, like this 
 wood was to us ? 
 
 "About noon we passed through Hidalgos. The town 
 is as small as Villa Gran, and looked very desolate and 
 ruinous. In place of a stone column, as at Cadereyta, 
 there was in the centre of the plaza a palm-tree, standing 
 solitary, far from its companions of the grove. It com 
 pleted a sad picture. 
 
 "After leaving Hidalgos we passed two creeks, one 
 near the town, the other about two miles off, called the 
 San Jose, upon which we camped. 
 
 " The nights in this climate are beautiful ; and which, 
 of all the nights in the year, should be more so than this 
 Christmas-night ! 
 
 " Dec. 20th. We left camp early this morning, and, aft 
 er going about nine miles, and finding there was no other 
 water for twelve miles farther, camped on the Rio Mec 
 ca, or Rio d.3 la Purificacion, near a ranch called the 
 Chopo. Saw a good many very large rabbits about the 
 camp : their color is gray, and they are about three times 
 as large as our common rabits. The river upon which 
 we have camped is very swift, and much larger than any 
 other we have yet crossed. 
 
 " 27th. An alarm to-day. Our men on the qui vive, 
 and anxious for a fight. No such luck. 3 P.M. emerged 
 from the hills into an extensive plain, in which stands 
 the hacienda of Don Simion Porl, a French physician, the 
 largest and best cultivated plantation we have yet seen. 
 The sugar here is made into pileusi (little sugar-loaves) 
 resembling maple-sugar, which are transported on mules 
 to the large cities to be refined. The orchards were lux 
 uriant with the orange, lime, lemon, and shaddock, plant- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 287 
 
 eel regularly and watered by little artificial rills. A de 
 tachment of 250 Mexican cavalry camped here last night, 
 and left early for Victoria. 
 
 "28th. Having no cavalry, and feeling the need of it, 
 Gen. Qnitman to-day organized a troop, and placed it 
 under the command of Lieut. Patterson, an active and 
 enterprising officer of the 1st Mississippi regiment. They 
 went immediately on a scout. 
 
 " 29th. The road to-day was good, and plenty of water. 
 A deputation from Victoria came out and surrendered 
 the town. We marched in, formed on the plaza, and 
 took possession of the government-house, where Gen. 
 Quitman took up his quarters. 
 
 " Dec. 30th. Our march to this place has been made 
 over a country never before penetrated by our army a 
 barren, rugged country, filled with inhospitable and hos 
 tile inhabitants, who, before we passed, would have call 
 ed upon the rocks and stones to blast us "from their pres 
 ence. Through this there passed an army of volunteers 
 a kind of force thought almost incapable of control- 
 commanded, it is true, by officers, but the bands of au 
 thority were placed upon them by their own permission, 
 and, like the green withes upon Samson, might have been 
 snapped in a moment, as tow when touched by the fire. 
 We had, as incumbrances, immense quantities of baggage, 
 extra supplies, mules, wagons, and all the paraphernalia 
 necessary for the transportation and continued support 
 of our force. 
 
 " But, to crown this formidable list of obstacles, we 
 were at this critical period placed under the command of 
 a brigadier general of volunteers, a man who, but three 
 or four months before, had been in his first battle who, 
 although his masterly mind and cool courage had been 
 tried in the actual conflict, had never yet been tested as 
 to his powers of endurance, his capacity for a long-con 
 tinued draw upon his military resources, his capability 
 for supporting a burden under which men of far longer 
 experience have found their shoulders ache, and which 
 they have been obliged to resign. Gen. Taylor, in this 
 instance, was sagacious, for, under Gen. Quitman, the 
 rugged steep was patiently surmounted ; the enemy re 
 tired ; that worse enemy, the hate of the inhabitants, was 
 
288 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 conquered ; volunteer troops proved themselves to be 
 most efficient, and, controlled by wisdom and kindness, 
 forgot their superior physical power, and extorted an 
 approving glance even from their denouncers. On the 
 whole march we lost not a man, or even a mule a thing, 
 we doubt not, unparalleled in the marchings in Mexico. 
 Gen. Quitman seldom dismounted from his horse to take 
 his rest until every part of the army and train were safe 
 in their places in camp. 
 
 "January 4th, 1847. Gen. Taylor arrived from Monte- 
 cry with the troops he had taken back with him. Col. 
 Jefferson Davis came with him. 
 
 " Gen. Patterson arrived from Matamoras with the 3d 
 and 4th regiments of Illinois troops, the Tennessee horse, 
 and Lieut. Gibbon s section of artillery. 
 
 " Jan. 6th. Major Williams, of the Georgia regiment, 
 is acting governor of the town, and affairs go on quite 
 smoothly. 
 
 " Gen. Taylor visited the Illinois Volunteers yesterday, 
 and the way the boys crowded around him threatened 
 immediate suffocation. By way of salutation, I verily 
 believe the old general pulled at his cap live thousand 
 times, and I was looking every minute to see him pull the 
 front-piece off. The general was mounted on a large and 
 gentle mule, while his orderly rode a splendid dragoon 
 horse, and was himself dressed in a clean and handsome 
 uniform, while the general had on that same old black 
 frock-coat, and a big Mexican straw hat. Mr. Fannin, 
 the orderly, got about six salutes to Taylor s one, the 
 c Suckers taking him for the general, and wondering why 
 they called him old Taylor. When at last they found out 
 that the old ranchero was the sure-enough general, they 
 inferred from his plain appearance that it would be noth 
 ing amiss to offer him a hand to shake, and they went 
 at it with such good-will, that by the time the two regi 
 ments finished squeezing it, there could have been little 
 feeling left in it. As he rode off, there were many who 
 wondered whether that was the animal on which he 
 charged the Mexicans." 
 
 " We have now at this point a very pretty little army. 
 Gen. Taylor is here with all his staff Gen. Twiggs, with 
 the 1st, 2d, 3d, and 7th regular infantry the 2d dra- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAX. 289 
 
 goons, mounted riflemen, and Bragg s battery, all num 
 bering 1900 men. Gen. Patterson has the regiment of 
 mounted Tennesseans, two regiments of Illinois infantry, 
 two companies of artillery, and a company of sappers 
 and miners, making in all a little over 1700 men. Gen. 
 Quitman has the two regiments of Tennessee infantry, 
 1st Mississippi do., 1st Georgia do., and the Baltimore 
 battalion, and his total will not fall short of 2100 effect 
 ive men so that all together we can present to an ene 
 my 5700 men."* 
 
 On the 15th it was announced in general orders that 
 General Taylor would return to Monterey, to continue 
 on the frontier, and the rest of the command would pro 
 ceed to Tampico, under orders from Major General Scott. 
 General Taylor decided to take the 1st Mississippi regi 
 ment with him, much to the regret of General Quitman, 
 but fortunately for the glory of that celebrated corps. 
 Soon afterward they took a brilliant and decisive part in 
 the great battle of Buena Vista, and their heroic leader 
 won imperishable fame. 
 
 The battle of BUENA VISTA belongs to the general 
 history of the war, but as a Mississippian I may be par 
 doned for referring to the brilliant and decisive part 
 taken in it by the Mississippi Rifles under the command 
 of Col. Jefferson Davis. 
 
 The battle had been racrinff some time with fluctuat- 
 
 O O 
 
 ing fortunes, and was setting against us, when Gen. Tay 
 lor, with Col. Davis and others, arrived on the field. 
 Several regiments (which were subsequently rallied and 
 fought bravely) were in full retreat ; O Brien, after hav 
 ing his men and horses completely cut up, had been com 
 pelled to draw off his guns, and Bragg, with almost su 
 perhuman energy, was sustaining the brunt of the fight. 
 Many officers of distinction had fallen. Col. Davis rode 
 forward to examine the positions of the enemy, and con- 
 
 * Letter from "Chapparal," in New Orleans Delta. 
 VOL. I. X 
 
290 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 eluding that the best way to arrest our fugitives would 
 be to make a bold demonstration, he resolved at once to 
 nttac-k the enemy, there posted in force, immediately in 
 front, supported by cavalry, and two divisions in reserve 
 in his rear. It was a resolution bold almost to rashness, 
 but the emergency was pressing. With a handful of 
 Indiana Volunteers, who still stood by their brave old 
 colonel (Bowles), and his own regiment, he advanced at 
 double-quick time, firing as he advanced. His own 
 brave fellows fell fast under the rolling musketry of the 
 enemy, but their rapid and fatal volleys carried dismay 
 and death into the adverse ranks. A deep ravine sep 
 arated the combatants. Leaping into it, the Mississippi- 
 ans soon appeared on the other side, and with a shout 
 that was heard over the battle-field, they poured in a 
 well-directed fire, and rushed upon the enemy. Their 
 deadly aim and wild enthusiasm were irresistible. The 
 Mexicans fled in confusion to their reserves, and Davis 
 seized the commanding position they had occupied. He 
 next fell upon a party of cavalry, and compelled it to fly, 
 with the loss of their leader and other officers. Imme 
 diately afterward a brigade of lancers, 1000 strong, were 
 seen approaching at a gallop, in beautiful array, with 
 sounding bugles and fluttering pennons. It was an ap 
 palling spectacle, but not a man flinched from his posi 
 tion. The time between our devoted band and eternity 
 seemed brief indeed. But conscious that the eye of the 
 army was upon them, that the honor of Mississippi was 
 at stake, and knowing that, if they gave way, or were 
 ridden down, our unprotected batteries in the rear, upon 
 which the fortunes of the day depended, would be cap 
 tured, each man resolved to die in his place sooner than 
 retreat. Not the Spartan martyrs at Thermopylae not 
 the sacred battalion *of Epaminondas not the tenth le 
 gion of Julius Caesar not the Old Guard of Napoleon 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 291 
 
 ever evinced more fortitude than these young volun 
 teers in a crisis when deatli seemed inevitable. They 
 stood like statues, as frigid and motionless as the marble 
 itself. Impressed with this extraordinary firmness, when 
 they had anticipated panic and flight, the lancers ad 
 vanced more deliberately, as though they saw for the 
 first time the dark shadow of the fate that was impend 
 ing over them. Col. Davis had thrown his men into the 
 form of a re-entering angle (familiarly known as his fa 
 mous V movement), both flanks resting on ravines, the 
 lancers coming down on the intervening ridge. This 
 exposed them to a converging fire, and the moment they 
 came within rifle range each man singled out his object, 
 and the whole head of the column fell. A more deadly 
 fire was never delivered, and the brilliant array recoiled 
 and retreated, paralyzed and dismayed. 
 
 Shortly afterward, the Mexicans having concentrated 
 a large force on the right for their final attack, Col. Davis 
 was ordered in that direction. His regiment had been 
 in action all day, exhausted by thirst and fatigue, much 
 reduced by the carnage of the morning engagement, and 
 many in the ranks suffering from wounds, yet the noble 
 fellows moved at double-quick time. Bowles s little band 
 of Indiana Volunteers still acted with them. After march 
 ing several hundred yards they perceived the Mexican in 
 fantry advancing, in three lines, upon Bragg s battery, 
 which, though entirely unsupported, held its position with 
 a resolution worthy of his fame. The pressure upon him 
 stimulated the Mississippians. They increased their speed, 
 and when the enemy were within one hundred yards of 
 the battery and confident of its capture, they took him 
 in flank and reverse, and poured in a raking and destruc 
 tive fire. This broke his right line, and the rest soon 
 gave w^ay and fell back precipitately. Here Col. Davis 
 was severely wounded. 
 
292 LIFE AND CORKESPOXDENCE OF 
 
 The V movement has been recently criticised as neither 
 original nor meritorious. The reverse is true. At Wa 
 terloo there was a movement somewhat similar, but dif 
 fering in essentials. By looking at a detail map of that 
 great battle, it will be seen that some Hanoverian caval 
 ry were thrown out before the position occupied by a 
 body of infantry, at the intersection of two main roads, 
 near Quatrebras. Some French hussars, as soon as the 
 cavalry of the allies had passed beyond the wood which 
 covered their movement, charged, and drove them at 
 full speed back on the supporting infantry. The infant 
 ry formed along the ditch of the two roads, so as to oc 
 cupy two sides of a square, the apex toward the enemy ; 
 and when the pursuing hussars were sufficiently uncov 
 ered, the two lines obliquing, concentrated so deadly a 
 fire upon the French they were compelled to retreat. 
 This case the only one cited is not only different, but 
 is, in fact, the very opposite of what occurred at Buena 
 Vista. They formed a salient, we a re-entering angle. 
 Theirs was the ordinary disposition of troops who, not 
 having time to " form square," " re-fuse one wing" to re 
 pel attack ; ours the novel proceeding of inviting cav 
 alry inside of infantry lines. If such a movement was 
 ever made before, I can not find it in military history 
 from Plutarch to Napier. The great Wellington, who 
 knew something of the art of war, and who kept his eye 
 upon the map and traced the operations of Taylor and 
 Scott, pronounced this movement new and masterly. 
 
 The other criticism, that there was no peculiar merit 
 in it, because it was a palpable necessity forced upon 
 Col. Davis by the nature of the ground, is fallacious. If 
 a soldier, driven by necessity, seizes upon the accidents 
 of ground to defend his position, and thus achieves vic 
 tory instead of suffering defeat, he would be entitled to 
 the highest military praise ; and such has been the award 
 
JOHN A. QTJITMAN. 293 
 
 from Ca?sar to Turcnnc, and from Jackson to Taylor. 
 In our case, moreover, it was not an absolute necessity. 
 It was a bold experiment, a desperate hazard voluntarily 
 encountered (by an officer who knew his men and the 
 weapons they carried), to save from capture our unpro 
 tected batteries, then holding the key of the battle-field. 
 The reports of Gen. Taylor, Gen. Jo. Lane, and other 
 distinguished officers, bear testimony to the great talent, 
 coolness, and courage evinced on the field by Col. Davis, 
 and the intrepidity of his troops. 
 
 Maj. Gen. Patterson, now in command of Victoria, 
 marched forthwith to Tampico, from which point the 
 troops were transported to the island of Lobos, where 
 Gen. Scott organized the army of invasion. Quitman s 
 command (a part of Patterson s division) consisted of 
 the South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama regiments. 
 
 1847. On the 9th of February the troops disembarked 
 near Yera Cruz, and on the 10th the investment com 
 menced. Patterson s division had the honor of the first 
 brush with the enemy. Gen. Pillow drove before him, 
 after a brisk fire, a strong detachment of skirmishers, and 
 seized the hacienda Malibran and a magazine near by. 
 On the llth, Gen. Quit-man was ordered to relieve Pil 
 low. An extract from his report succinctly details the 
 operations of the day : 
 
 " My command, the Georgia regiment, Col. Jackson, in 
 advance, was moved to the heights at an early hour in 
 the morning. The enemy appeared on the sand-hills in 
 front of us in considerable force. "While the South Ca 
 rolina regiment was forming the enemy opened a fire at 
 long range, but soon pushed forward strong parties of 
 infantry, whose escopettes were quite annoying to a por 
 tion of our line. At the same moment a considerable 
 body of cavalry made a demonstration on our right. A 
 brisk cannonade from the city opened upon us, and there 
 
294 LIFE AXD CORRESPONDENCE OP 
 
 was reason to expect a serious effort to drive us from our 
 position. I had just completed my dispositions for a 
 movement against the enemy, when Maj. Gen. Patterson 
 and staff rode tip. He approved of my arrangements, 
 and left their execution to me. Capt. Davis s rifle com 
 pany, Georgia regiment, was thrown forward as sharp 
 shooters. Lieut. Col. Dickinson, of the South Carolina 
 regiment, was directed to advance with two companies 
 to the right, to cover the rifles and watch the Mexican 
 cavalry, about 500 strong, manoeuvring on our right. 
 Capt. Davis soon became actively engaged. He was 
 joined by Capt. Sumpter, with his company of South 
 Carolinians. Under the effective fire of these companies 
 the Mexican infantry were soon driven from their ad 
 vanced positions, but still continuing to menace our right. 
 Maj. Gladden was sent forward with the companies of 
 Capts. Moffatt, Secrist, and Marshall, of the Carolina regi 
 ment. This movement, with the effective fire from our 
 skirmishers, compelled the enemy to retire from the 
 neighboring heights, though not without some loss on 
 our side. "Lieut. Col. Dickinson, while gallantly leading 
 the advance detachment, was severely wounded by a 
 musket ball in the breast, and likewise several officers 
 and privates of the several regiments. Col. Dickinson, 
 though suffering much, refused to leave the field. My 
 whole command displayed the utmost coolness and anx 
 iety to meet the enemy." 
 
 The general-in-chief determined to reduce Yera Cruz 
 by bombardment. His batteries were judiciously lo 
 cated,* and, after having vainly summoned the city to 
 
 * Three of them by Lieut. Beauregard (now brevet major, U. S. 
 Engineers), a native of Louisiana, distinguished in almost every battle 
 from Vera Cruz to the Bclen Gate, and honorably mentioned by the 
 general-in-chief, and by Quitman, Smith, Shields, and others in their 
 reports. Gen. Pierce, just before bis election to the presidency, in a 
 private letter to the author, thus referred to this officer : 
 
 "Do you know Major (formerly Lieutenant) Beauregard, of the en 
 gineer corps? His father s residence is near Isew Orleans, and he 
 was there when I last heard from him. If you do not, I wish you to 
 make his acquaintance. He is a man of rare attainments, and, like 
 many Louisianians whom I have met in the army and elsewhere, he 
 combines the best qualities of a gentleman and a soldier. 
 
JOHN A. QUmiAN. 205 
 
 surrender, lie opened upon it in the afternoon of the 
 22d. 
 
 On the 25th a- prisoner informed the general-in-chief 
 that Santa Anna was advancing with 6000 men to raise 
 the siege. Gen. Patterson was ordered to push one of 
 his brigades to the extreme left to maintain the ground 
 occupied by the first and second infantry, who were 
 transferred to another position. Gen. Quitman was se 
 lected for this post of honor. The report, however, 
 proved erroneous, and next day the city surrendered. 
 
 Gen. Scott, having planned an expedition by sea and 
 land to Alvarado, a city in one of the most fertile dis 
 tricts of Mexico, and which had contributed largely to 
 the commissariat of the enemy, directed Maj. Gen. Pat 
 terson to hold a brigade in readiness. " Besides cap 
 turing the city and forts," said the general-in-chief, " the 
 object is to conciliate the good-will of the inhabitants 
 along the route, and to encourage them to supply the 
 army with mules and fresh provisions much wanted for 
 our advance into the interior." 
 
 Gen. Quitman was designated for this important un 
 dertaking, and reported at once to head-quarters. His 
 instructions were as follows : 
 
 " Head-quarters of the Army, Vera Cruz, March 30th, 1847. 
 " Sir,, You are designated with your brigade, a sec 
 tion of Steptoe s field battery, and a squadron of dra- 
 o-oons, for a land expedition, in co-operation with a naval 
 force, in the direction of Alvarado, and you have been 
 placed in communication with Commodore Perry, com 
 manding U. S. Home Squadron, on the subject. * * * 
 The general objects of this expedition are to capture the 
 city of Alvarado and places in its vicinity, including the 
 works near the mouth of the river leading from that 
 
 "Pray write me all that concerns yourself, and come in the sum 
 mer and visit our mountains, farm-houses, and battle-fields. 
 
 11 Very sincerely your friend, FRANK. PIERCK. 
 
 "Col. ,T. V. II. Claibome." 
 
296 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OP 
 
 city in all of which you will zealously co-operate with, 
 and, no doubt, be powerfully aided by the naval force. 
 The rule of co-operation between land and naval forces 
 is, that the commander of each branch of the service 
 shall consult freely with the other commander, and when 
 the object and manner of attack shall be jointly determ 
 ined upon, each commander in good faith and to the 
 extent of his power shall carry out his part of the serv 
 ice. Consequently, the commander of neither branch of 
 the service can, strictly speaking, give orders to the oth 
 er branch. But great deference will always be shown 
 by one command to the other. I presume that the time 
 for reaching the objects of attack has been settled be 
 tween Com. Perry and yourself; you will commence your 
 march accordingly. With great confidence in your zeal, 
 abilities, and judgment, and wishing you full success, I 
 am, sir, etc., etc. WINFIELD SCOTT." 
 
 Quitman s official report will show the result of this 
 expedition. 
 
 "Head-quarters 2d Brigade, Volunteer Division, ) 
 Camp, Vera Cruz, April 7th, 1 847. } 
 
 " SIE, I have the honor to submit a brief report of 
 the expedition to Alvarado, w r ith which I was charged 
 by orders from the commander-in-chief. 
 
 "My command, consisting of the regiments from Geor 
 gia, Alabama, South Carolina, a squadron of dragoons, 
 under Major Beall, and a section of artillery, under com 
 mand of Lieutenant Judd, left their camp about 3 o clock 
 P.M. on the 30th of March, and advanced that evening to 
 the mouth of Madelin River, when we encamped. I had 
 previously arranged with Commodore Perry a plan of co 
 operation for the expedition against Alvarado, in which 
 it was stipulated that, whether resistance were made or 
 not, the land and naval forces would efiect an entrance 
 at the same time, and act conjointly with each other. In 
 crossing the Madelin River, on the morning of the 31st, 
 I was greatly indebted to the assistance of the navy, in 
 preparing a bridge of boats, under the energetic direc 
 tion of Lieutenant "Whitwell, first lieutenant of the Ohio 
 ship of the line. The march on the 31st lay partly along 
 the beach, through deep sand, and partly over a plain 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAX. 297 
 
 country, in rear of Lizardo. On the 1st of March [April] 
 we again struck the beach, and pursued it to the mouth 
 of the Alvarado liivcr with the infantry and train. I 
 reached the town of Alvarado with the cavalry on the 
 evening of the 1st of March [April], about half an hour 
 after Commodore Perry had landed there. In the mean 
 time, when about fifteen miles from the town, I had re 
 ceived a note from Midshipnfan Temple, of the steamer 
 Scourge, informing me that the town had surrendered, 
 and requesting the commander of the land-forces to hold 
 it. This note is annexed to this report. Immediately 
 upon my arrival Commodore Perry expressed to me his 
 disapproval of the act of Mr. Hunter, the commander of 
 the Scourge, in landing ; and has, I learn, signified it more 
 publicly by the arrest of that officer. 
 
 "My command w r as posted in the town during my 
 stay there. On the 2d, Commodore Perry, in the steam 
 er Spitfire, proceeded up the river to the town of Tlaca- 
 talpa, having invited me to join him. My presence be 
 ing required in camp, I sent with the expedition Lieu 
 tenant Derby, of the topographical engineers. Commis 
 sioners from that town conferred with the commodore 
 and myself at Alvarado. They had made an uncondi 
 tional surrender of their town and the neighboring coun 
 try to our arms, and promised to furnish a number of 
 horses, at least 500, to the quarter-master s department, 
 at low prices. The town of Alvarado contains about 
 1200 to 1500 inhabitants, most of whom, however, had 
 fled on our approach. With the surrender of the town 
 there fell into the hands of our naval and military forces 
 twenty-two pieces of artillery, some ammunition, and 
 military equipments of minor value, all of which were 
 left in the possession of the naval forces on our depart 
 ure, as the common capture of the naval and land forces. 
 On the morning of the 4th of April my command left 
 Alvarado, and reached its camp at Vera Cruz on the 
 forenoon of the Qth, having again been indebted to the 
 active and prompt assistance of First Lieut. Whitwell, 
 of the navy, and the officers under his command, in cross 
 ing the Madelin at its mouth. I have the pleasure to 
 report that, although the leading objects of the expedi 
 tion had been anticipated by the surrender of the city, 
 N 2 
 
298 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 the other objects designated in my instructions have 
 been fully accomplished. The Mexican population to 
 the southward of this point have been conciliated by the 
 exemplary conduct of the troops. On my departure from 
 Alvarado I had the gratification to receive the thanks 
 of the alcalde, the cura, and the principal men, for the 
 protection afforded to them and to their property. I 
 feel perfectly assured that our march has made a favor 
 able impression upon the inhabitants. Communications 
 have been opened with the people of the fertile country 
 near the River Alvarado, and negotiations opened for 
 supplies of horses and beef cattle, in which the country 
 abounds. Lieutenant Mason, of the engineer corps, was 
 detailed to accompany the expedition. He joined my 
 staff, and performed, at his own request, the duty of su 
 perintending the pioneers in the repairs of the roads, 
 and greatly facilitated the march by his attention to this 
 matter. His report to me, which is transmitted, will show 
 the description and calibre of the captured guns. Lieu 
 tenant Derby, of the topographical engineers, volunteer 
 ed to act generally on my staff, and was zealous and act 
 ive in the duties assigned him. For the order and good 
 conduct of my command I am also greatly indebted to 
 the active assistance of Captain Deas, assistant adjutant 
 general, and to the respective commanders of the regi 
 ments and separate commands. Commodore Perry, with 
 his accustomed liberality, regards all captures as made 
 jointly by both commands. I can not close this report 
 without expressing the great gratification which an offi 
 cial intercourse with this patriotic and efficient naval 
 officer has occasioned. I also beg leave to present the 
 valuable services which I received from that efficient 
 officer, Captain Irwin, assistant quarter-master, who had 
 been detailed in that capacity under my command. 
 
 " I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedi 
 ent servant, J. A. QUITMAN, 
 
 " Brig. Gen. IT. S. A. commanding, etc. 
 
 " Lieut. H. L. Scott, A. A. A. General." 
 
 Commodore Perry, in his official report to the secre 
 tary c-f the navy, says : " On this expedition I have had 
 the good fortune to become acquainted with Gen. Quit- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 299 
 
 man and many of his officers, and have been gratified to 
 observe a most cordial desire, as well with them as with 
 the officers of the navy, to foster a courteous and efficient 
 co-operation." 
 
 And now, the strong fortress of San Juan d Ulloa 
 and the city and harbor of Vera Cruz being in our pos 
 session, commenced a campaign which, considering the 
 inequality of force, the defensible nature of the country, 
 the populous cities, formidable fortifications, and pitch 
 ed battles won by our arms, has scarcely a parallel in 
 history. The events of this great drama have been de 
 tailed by able writers, and should be studied in the mil 
 itary reports. They can only be briefly referred to in 
 this memoir. 
 
 On Quitman s return from Alvarado a portion of the 
 army had marched from Vera Cruz for Jalapa, and it 
 was rumored that they would encounter the enemy at 
 Cerro Gordo. He found no transportation for his brig 
 ade, but resolved to march; and so eager were his 
 " brave fellows to advance, they cheerfully carried their 
 knapsacks, forty rounds of cartridges, and seven days ra 
 tions, over the burning sands. They only got up in 
 time, however, to hear the booming of the last guns. 
 The Mexicans were in full retreat."* 
 
 At Jalapa he rejoined the command of Maj. Gen. Pat 
 terson, encamped three miles w T est of the city. The term 
 of service of the Tennessee Cavalry, the 3d and 4th Illi 
 nois Infantry, the Georgia and Alabama Infantry, and 
 the 1st and 2d Tennessee Infantry being about to expire, 
 they were sent to New Orleans to be honorably dis 
 charged. Maj. Gen. Patterson, being thus without a com 
 mand suitable to his rank, was ordered to accompany 
 the returning volunteers. The four volunteer regiments, 
 viz., one from South Carolina, one from New York, the 
 * From Quitman s letter to Colonel John D. Elliott. 
 
300 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 1st and 2cl Pennsylvania, and a detachment of mounted 
 Tennesseans, were formed into a brigade under Gen. 
 Quitman. Of these, the 1st Pennsylvania regiment, Col. 
 Wynkoop, was left to garrison Perote, and the 2d Penn 
 sylvania regiment, Col. Roberts, to garrison Jalapa. 
 With his command thus reduced, re-enforced, however, 
 with Wall s battery, he was ordered to form a junction 
 with Gen. Worth, then in advance. On this march, 
 May 12th, he received his commission of major general, 
 dated April 14th. He now considered himself the sen 
 ior of Brevet Major General Worth, but fearing that the 
 service might be injured by a contest for rank, and with 
 a high appreciation of the talents of that veteran officer, 
 he modestly withheld the claim, and cheerfully acted 
 under his orders. They maintained throughout the war 
 the most friendly relations. 
 
 General Worth reached Amozogue, eight miles from 
 Puebla, on the 13th of May. Santa Anna, who lay in 
 the vicinity with a large body of troops, having ascer 
 tained that Quitman was in the rear with a small force 
 of volunteers, encumbered by a heavy train of wagons, 
 detached 3000 cavalry to intercept him before he could 
 form* a junction with Worth. This movement was dis 
 covered, and Gen. Worth sent Col. Garland, with Dun 
 can s field battery, to counteract it. They soon, by 
 a few well-directed discharges, compelled the enemy to 
 retreat. Santa Anna had expected to find Quitman some 
 miles back, in the defile of Pinal. He was not apprised 
 of the celerity and order that characterized the volun 
 teers on the march. When they first heard Duncan s 
 guns they were within three miles of Worth, in a com 
 pact column of march. The moment they perceived the 
 enemy the line was formed, and they were ready to re 
 ceive his charge. Squadron after squadron approached 
 and wheeled into line in front. It was nn imposing 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 301 
 
 spectacle. Three cheers from the volunteers evinced 
 their readiness to meet the shock of a superior force. 
 Having closely observed our steady line of bristling bay 
 onets, they concluded that " discretion was the better 
 part of valor," and moved off to the adjacent mountains. 
 In an hour afterward the junction was effected, and the 
 advance of the army of invasion marched into the city 
 of Puebla. It was an inspiring event. Ninety miles in 
 advance of the main army, with only 3000 men, they en 
 tered a hostile city having a population of 80,000, which, 
 only three years before, had defended themselves against 
 Santa Anna and 3000 veterans, and now knew that he 
 was in their vicinity with 6000 men to aid them in re 
 sisting the invaders. A vast concourse of scowling Mex 
 icans thronged the streets, the roofs of the houses, and 
 the balconies when the Americans entered the plaza and 
 planted our national standard on the government build 
 ings, but not an arm was raised for the defense of their 
 beautiful city. 
 
 On the arrival of the general-in-chief Quitman applied 
 for a command more proportioned to his rank. 
 
 General Quitman to General Scott. 
 
 "Head-quarters Volunteer Brigade, Puebla, May 29th, 1847. 
 " SIR, I this morning received orders from general 
 head-quarters establishing orderly hours, and thus an 
 nouncing to me officially the presence and command of 
 the general-in-chicf. Since the receipt of these orders I 
 have been informed that the regiments heretofore under 
 my command have received direct orders from Brevet 
 Major General Worth, have been paraded in readiness 
 to march or to fight under his immediate orders, without 
 any information, intelligence, or orders of any kind hav 
 ing been communicated to me. Finding Colonel Bur 
 nett s regiment under arms without my authority, I or 
 dered him to dismiss the men to their quarters, but to 
 keep them in readinesss to form in case of necessity. 
 Having, however, in the mean time, received information 
 
302 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 from you through my aid, Lieutenant Lovell, that the 
 order to parade the regiments was sanctioned by the au 
 thority of the general-in-chief, I have countermanded my 
 directions to Colonel Burnett, and left him subject to the 
 former order he had received from General Worth. If 
 these measures have been taken under the authority of 
 the general-in-chief, I consider myself stripped of my 
 command. 
 
 " This evening I have received an order from Brevet 
 Major General Worth to detail a company for guard at 
 General Scott s head-quarters. 
 
 " You will readily perceive the very embarrassing cir 
 cumstances in which I am placed, and the necessity I am 
 under, however reluctantly, to trespass upon the time of 
 the general-in-chief to ask his farther orders to extricate 
 me from these embarrassments. 
 
 " I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedi- 
 ant servant, J. A. QTJITMAN, Maj. Gen. U. S. A. 
 
 " Capt. H. L. SCOTT, A. A. A. G., Head-quarters of the Army." 
 
 General Quitman to General Seott. 
 
 " Puebla, May 30th, 1847. 
 
 " SIE, I have heretofore inclosed to your address two 
 letters, the former dated at this place May 16th, the lat 
 ter dated yesterday, the receipt of neither of which has 
 been acknowledged. 
 
 " Supposing that the former may have been interrupt 
 ed in its transmission, I inclose a copy ; the latter, I am 
 informed, was handed to you. I had determined to 
 await the leisure of the general-in-chief for an answer to 
 these letters, before making application to him for a com 
 mand suited to my rank. 
 
 " In the mean time, I have received this day General 
 Orders No. 162, the second paragraph of which, in effect, 
 assigns me to the command of the two regiments of vol 
 unteers now here in the, field. 
 
 " It is but due to the general-in-chief to state that I 
 regard myself as senior officer under him, unless Brevet 
 Major General Worth has been assigned to duty accord 
 ing to his brevet rank by the President, of which I am 
 not informed. 
 
 " Under the order alluded to, my command will con- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 303 
 
 sist of but two regiments, while my juniors in rank, en 
 titled only to brigades, are in command of divisions con 
 sisting of five and six regiments each. And this army 
 would present the singular spectacle of brigadier gener 
 als commanding divisions, colonels and lieutenant colonels 
 commanding brigades, and a major general commanding 
 less than a brigade. 
 
 " I will not at this time present my views of the hu 
 miliating position in which such a distribution of the 
 forces would place me; but I earnestly appeal to the 
 sense of justice of the general-in-chief, and to his known 
 respect to the institutions and laws of our country, the 
 common source of the power and rights he as well as I 
 possess, to assign to me a command in the army propor 
 tionate to my rank." 
 
 From General Scott. 
 
 "Head-quarters of the Army, Puebla, May 31st, 1847. 
 
 " SIR, I have just received your letter of yesterday, 
 inclosing a copy of one dated the 16th inst., which, as 
 you have supposed, miscarried. 
 
 " I also received, the night before the last, your letter 
 of the 29th inst., which I considered as substantially an 
 swered by my order of yesterday. Some confusion was 
 unavoidable under the circumstances of my arrival, the 
 consequent change in the general command, and the false 
 alarm of the 29th. 
 
 " It takes a commander several days to learn the dis 
 tribution of the troops made before his arrival, the ap 
 proaches the enemy may avail himself of, the points of 
 defense, etc., etc. Being much indisposed, I was slow in 
 acquiring that knowledge, and, in the mean time, left 
 much power in the previous commander of the advanced 
 corps. 
 
 " I regret that you have addressed me the letter of the 
 30th, being much occupied with the ordinary business of 
 the army and the high duties of the campaign, with all 
 of which I should be happy to make you acquainted if 
 you would call. I have no leisure for a laborious corre 
 spondence with the officers I have the honor to command, 
 and who are near me. 
 
 " I have heretofore announced to this army in orders, 
 
304 LIFE AND COKRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 and reminded you by letter, that Brevet Major General 
 Worth was assigned to duty here, in Mexico, according 
 to his brevet rank. 
 
 " Since you marched from Jalapa a brigadier general 
 of the United States army in the command of volunteers, 
 I have been officially advised of your merited promotion, 
 as I understand the law, to the rank of major general, 
 attached to the new regiments authorized by a recent 
 act of Congress, not one of which has arrived, though all 
 of them were originally intended for this army. Portions 
 of several of them, amounting to about 4000 men, have 
 been, I learn, ordered to the Rio Grande frontier ; should 
 two or more of those regiments come under my immediate 
 orders, they shall be assigned to your present division. 
 That division, I am aware, is at present not embodied, 
 being divided between Jalapa, Perote, and this place. 
 Foreseeing that it would be so divided, I declared Major 
 General Patterson to be a supernumerary with this army. 
 You, at the date of that order, was only a brigadier gen 
 eral. The two regular divisions with me have also left 
 detachments at Yera Cruz, Jalapa, and Perote, and have 
 otherwise been much reduced. 
 
 " Not having with me the necessary number of troops 
 to fill up your division without breaking up the other 
 two, which I would deem inexpedient, if not highly un 
 just, to oblige you I might consent to send you to the 
 new regiments ordered to the Rio Grande frontier, if it 
 were practicable for you to go there in safety. But I do 
 not think it practicable, and hope, therefore, under all the 
 circumstances, you will remain in your present position, 
 though somewhat anomalous, and let this army have the 
 benefit of your valuable services. Casualties or changes, 
 which could not have been foreseen at Washington or 
 by me, and which have been entirely unavoidable, have 
 placed you in that position. As a good soldier, a good 
 man, and a good patriot, you will, I hope, cheerfully bend 
 to circumstances. I should part from you at this time 
 with deep regret. Your post is still one of honor, and 
 you can fill it with distinction. Remain, then, and give 
 me your cordial aid and support." 
 
JOIIX A. QIimiAN. 305 
 
 Gen. Quitman to Gen. Scott. 
 
 "Pucbla, June 3d, 1847. 
 
 " SIR, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt 
 of the letter of the general-in-chief of the 31st ult. His 
 wishes not to be burdened with a farther correspondence 
 on this subject prevailed with me for a time ; but farther 
 reflection convinced me that, while my opinions remained 
 unchanged, he would more highly appreciate a frank reply. 
 The position of this army, in the midst of a hostile popu 
 lation, and almost before the gates of their capital, leaves 
 me, for the present, no alternative but to adhere to its 
 fortunes, however my rank may be degraded or my 
 rights as an officer overlooked. So deeply am I impress 
 ed with this conviction, that I would follow the destinies 
 of this army as a volunteer sooner than abandon it at 
 this moment. I have, therefore, no choice but to remain 
 in the truly anomalous position in which the recent order 
 places me ; but I would be faithless to the trust which 
 the President has reposed in me, and to the rights with 
 which the laws of my country have invested me, were I 
 to submit to the humiliating position assigned me in the 
 army without entering my respectful protest against the 
 construction placed by the general-in-chief upon my com 
 mission as major general, and against the order which 
 limits my command to the volunteer troops in this army. 
 " I hold a commission as major general in the service 
 of the United States ; its language is the same as that 
 ordinarily used in the regular army, without any other 
 qualifications or limitations. If we refer back to the Act 
 of Congress of the 3d of March, under which the Presi 
 dent was authorized to appoint two additional major 
 generals, we will find nothing in it which limits their 
 command to the additional forces to be raised under the 
 Act of the llth of February preceding. The terms of 
 the acts of Congress appear to me palpably inconsistent 
 with such a construction, because they provide that no 
 division shall consist of less than two brigades, of at least 
 three regiments each, when but ten regiments are raised 
 by the Act of the llth of February, thus requiring at 
 least two additional regiments from the regular or vol 
 unteer troops to constitute the miuinium command of the 
 
306 LIFE AND COKEESPONDENCE OF 
 
 major general. Moreover, these acts authorized the Presi 
 dent to organize this additional military force into divis 
 ions and brigades indiscriminately with regular and vol 
 unteer troops ; and, when thus organized, they may be 
 commanded by any of the general officers of the army. 
 I will not dwell upon the confusion and difficulty which 
 would arise in the service if this construction be not cor 
 rect. 
 
 " To present fairly and explicitly my objections to the 
 limited command assigned to me by the second paragraph 
 of General Orders No. 162, it is necessary to refer to the 
 present organization of this army. 
 
 "The 1st division, commanded by Brevet Maj. Gen. 
 Worth, consists, as I learn, of the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th 
 regiments of infantry, the 2d and 3d regiments of artil 
 lery, and Lieut. Col. Duncan s battery ; the 2d division, 
 commanded by Brig. Gen. Twiggs, consists of the 2d, 3d, 
 and 7th regiments of infantry, the 4th artillery, the rifle 
 regiment, and Capts. Taylor and Talcott s batteries, be 
 sides the troops left behind in garrison. The division 
 assigned to me consists only of the New York and South 
 Carolina regiments, besides the 1st and 2d Pennsylvania 
 regiments left in garrison the 1st at Perote, under Col. 
 "VVynkoop, as commander of that department ; the 2d, 
 with other troops, under Brevet Col. Childs, of the artil 
 lery, as commander of the department of Jalapa; over 
 neither of these regiments have I any authority ; thus 
 leaving my command to consist virtually of but the two 
 first-namied regiments. The brigades of the 1st division 
 are respectively commanded by Col. Clarke and Brevet 
 Col. Garland ; those of the 2d, by Brevet Brig. Gen. Smith 
 and Brevet Col. Riley. Each of these brigades has more 
 effective men in the field than my whole actual command. 
 This inequality, when taken in connection with my rank 
 and the respective grades of the other officers, is so strik 
 ing as to give me just cause of complaint ; for, if it be 
 considered highly unjust to any, or a portion of the 
 officers now in command, under the temporary organiza 
 tion which now exists, to limit them to their appropriate 
 command, how much more so to deprive a higher officer 
 of the command unquestionably due to his rank ? 
 
 "Heartily reciprocating the personal respect which 
 
JO1IX A. QUITMAN. 307 
 
 the general-iii-chief lias ever manifested toward me, and 
 grateful for the kind expressions of his letter, I very re 
 luctantly again advert to the question of rank heretofore 
 presented by me. Believing, as I do, in common, as I am 
 informed, with a large portion of the officers of the army, 
 that the President of the United States alone has author 
 ity to assign an officer to duty according to his brevet 
 rank, I owe it to myself and to the service to question 
 the right of a brevet major general to command me, ex 
 cept in the cases specified in the 61st Article of War. 
 Until I am advised that such assignment comes from the 
 high source required by law, neither the order of the 
 general-in-chief referred to, nor his letter addressed to 
 me from Jalapa, gives me the desired information on this 
 point. 
 
 " I should have been well content if the power had 
 been reposed by law in the discretion of the command 
 ing general ; but, conscientiously believing that it is not 
 so vested, a sense of duty requires me frankly to express 
 my opinion upon this subject now, that the question may 
 be settled by the proper authority, and that conflict of 
 opinions hereafter may not produce inconvenience or do 
 injury to the public service." 
 
 Notwithstanding this conflict in respect to rank, and a 
 difference of opinion as to other grave matters, the rela 
 tions between Gens. Scott and Quitman continued friend 
 ly and agreeable.* Quitman was ambitious ; he had a 
 proper conception of his own military talents, but no 
 mean jealousy of the great commander under whom he 
 served ever had a lodgment in his bosom. That was re- 
 
 " Head-quarter?, Puebla, August 2<1. 
 
 "GENERAL, If ycm have no pressing engagement, the general-in- 
 chief will be glad to encounter you this evening in a game of chess. 
 "Very respectfully, T. WILLIAMS, A. A. C. 
 
 "Major General Quitman." 
 
 "Puebla, August fith. 
 
 "GENERAL, I am directed hy the general-in-chief to request you 
 to drop in, by the merest accident, at 9 o clock this evening, to take a 
 glass of hot punch. Very respectfully, 
 
 " J. HAMILTON, A. A. C. 
 
 "Major General Qaitman." 
 
308 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 served for presidential plotters a Washington and very 
 small generals in Mexico. He had, nevertheless, the in 
 dependence to differ with him on important questions of 
 policy and strategy; but this independence never de 
 prived him of the confidence of Scott. 
 
JOll^f A. QUITHAN. 309 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 Review of our Relations with Mexico. Scott s Proclamation. Dis 
 approval of the President. Ingersoll s Report. Spirit of the South 
 an d West. Condition of Mexico. Obstacles encountered by Tay 
 lor and Scott. Mr. Trist. His Mission. Rupture and Reconcili 
 ation with Gen. Scott. Gen. Pillow. British and Mexican In 
 trigues. Secret Conference at Pucbla. The Gomez Letter. 
 Report of the Court of Inquiry. Gen. Scott s Letter. Quitman s 
 Position. 
 
 THE celebrated proclamation of Gen. Scott, issued at 
 Jalapa, on the llth of May, 1847, for the consideration 
 of the Mexican people, set forth that war had been com 
 menced on the part of the United States to counteract 
 the schemes of President Paredes, who w^as aiming to 
 overthrow the republic and establish a monarchy under 
 the protection of one or more of the European powers. 
 "Duty, honor, and dignity," said the proclamation, 
 "placed us under the necessity of not losing a season of 
 which the monarchical party in Mexico was fast taking 
 advantage." This paragraph President Polk condemn 
 ed, and Mr. Marcy, the secretary of state, on the loth of 
 June wrote to Gen. Scott that it was by no means " to 
 be considered as an authoritative exposition of the views 
 of the President," who had all along professed to depre 
 cate the war as having been forced upon him by the at 
 tack of the Mexicans upon Gen. Taylor in April, 184G. 
 This pretense was more in accordance with the tempo 
 rizing character of Mr. Polk than with the facts, or the 
 frankness of our national policy. As far back as 1837, 
 President Jackson announced that an immediate decla- 
 
310 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 ration of war against Mexico would be justifiable, and 
 recommended reprisals and blockades to enforce our just 
 demands. From that period down to the arrival of Gen. 
 Taylor on the Rio Grande, in 1846, we had been sub 
 jected by Mexico to almost every insult and injustice 
 that one nation can offer to another. All these were 
 enumerated by the Hon. C. J. Ingersoll, of Philadelphia, 
 chairman of the House Committee of Foreign Affairs, in 
 a report of great force and vigor, in which, however, 
 there was too much effort to please the Puritanism of 
 the President, and to secure his own re-election by a 
 Quaker community. 
 
 The truth is, the American people, especially of the 
 Southwestern and Western States, demanded war, and 
 were determined to have it just as much so as when 
 the same people insisted on war with Spain to affirm our 
 right to the free navigation of the Mississippi. The an 
 nexation of Texas, it was foreseen, would be followed by 
 war, and it had substantially been declared by Mexico 
 in the manifesto of President Parades of April 23d, 
 1846, before the commencement of hostilities on the Rio 
 Grande. 
 
 But had none of the real or pretended motives that 
 have been assigned for the war existed, the grounds 
 upon which Gen. Scott placed it were sufficient. We 
 should be faithless to our mission, and to our own in 
 terests, to permit the acquisition of territory or the re- 
 establishment of monarchical institutions on this conti 
 nent, under European auspices or intervention.* That 
 
 * The doctrine of European non-intervention, commonly attributed 
 to President Monroe, originated with Mr. Jefferson. August 12th, 
 1790, when secretary of state, he thus wrote to Gouverneur Morris, 
 our minister in Paris: "The consequences of their [the British] ac 
 quiring territory on our frontiers are too obvious to need development. 
 We wish you to intimate that we can not be indifferent to enterprises 
 of this nature ; that we should contemplate a change of neighbors with 
 great uneasiness ; and that a due balance on our borders is not less de- 
 
JO11X A. QUITMAN. oil 
 
 single sentence of the Jalapa proclamation to which Mr. 
 Polk cxceptcd comprehends the proper policy of our gov 
 ernment, and expresses frankly the necessity for armed 
 intervention that existed then, and which is imperative 
 now. A country in perpetual insurrection holding iu 
 contempt the comity of nations under the dominion of 
 brigands overrun by savages in some quarters in oth 
 ers perpetrating, with its own soldiery, more than sav 
 age enormities on its own citizens and on the citizens 
 of other nations refusing satisfaction for our pecuniary 
 claims and national outrages and liable, at any moment, 
 to complicate our relations with European powers, is no 
 safe neighbor for the United States. Humanity and in 
 terest, the stability of our institutions, and a wise fore 
 cast for the future, demand of us more than the inter 
 vention of an abortive diplomacy. Civilized communities 
 provide guardians for the helpless and imbecile, and de 
 fenses against the lunatic and the outlaw. Mexico is, 
 and long has been, in this relation to us, and as her next 
 neighbor and nearest friend, and for our own safety, we 
 should establish these relations with her, with or with 
 out her consent. American protection and immigra 
 tion would soon restore peace, and be the guarantee 
 for her future prosperity. 
 
 These were the views of Gen. Quitman when Gen. 
 Scott s proclamation appeared, and he entertained them 
 to the end of his life. The American executive, how 
 ever, frightened by the howl of faction, and anxious to 
 conciliate the "New England sectarians, was determined 
 on peace. What had been achieved on the Rio Grande 
 frontier was due to the valor of our troops, coldly sup 
 ported by the national government. Gen. Taylor had de 
 sirable to us than a balance of power in Europe has always appeared 
 to them. We wish to be neutral, and we will be so if they will exe 
 cute the treaty fairly, and attempt no conquest adjoinlny us." Life of 
 Morris, vol. ii.. p. J32. 
 
312 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 fended Fort Brown, won two pitched battles, captured 
 Matamoras, Camargo, and Seralvo, and penetrated the 
 Mexican territory to Monterey, with but little aid from 
 the government. He had carried that strongly -fortified 
 city by assault after three days hard fighting, only to be 
 censured for granting terms to the defeated. The capit 
 ulation of Monterey, accepted by the hero of Palo Alto 
 and Resaca de la Pahna, had been disapproved by Presi 
 dent Polk. He reiterated his determination to prosecute 
 the war with energy, but, with singular inconsistency, 
 considered 4000 men sufficient for the reduction of Vera 
 Cruz ! Politicians wholly ignorant of campaigns planned 
 campaigns. Neither Gen. Scott or Gen. Taylor were in 
 favor, but when consulted they recommended the em 
 ployment of not less than 30,000 effectives to carry on 
 the war. What a satire on the army of 4000 suggested 
 by the executive ! 
 
 The appointment of a lieutenant general to take prec 
 edence of Scott and Taylor was urged by the President, 
 and it was understood that the appointment would be 
 conferred on the Hon. Thomas II. Benton, then a senator 
 from Missouri, a man of unquestionable talents and en 
 ergy, but without military education or experience. At 
 the same time, N". P. Trist, chief clerk in the State Depart 
 ment, was sent out, with secret instructions, as commis 
 sioner to attend the army ; an appointment uncalled for, 
 of questionable legality, without precedent in our own 
 service, and in imitation of very bad precedents in Eu 
 rope. The commissioner was, as might have been an 
 ticipated, received coldly by the general-in-chief and 
 by the army. The former indignantly remonstrated 
 against his mission, his presence, and his proceedings. 
 The latter regarded him with suspicion, and deprecated 
 any interference at that juncture with the arbitrament 
 of arms. His operations are to this day, to some extent, 
 
JOHN A. QTimiAN. 313 
 
 matter of conjecture. Though treated with severity by 
 the executive on his return to the United States, he never 
 disclosed enough of his secret instructions and proceed 
 ings to rebuke his employer or to vindicate himself. His 
 integrity and good sense, which had previously stood 
 high, were called in question. Neither the odium of his 
 mission, or the frown of the President, as unexpected as 
 it was ungrateful, prevailed on him to explain. He be 
 came the target of his own party and the sneer of the 
 opposition. A protege of Jefferson, who had been the 
 friend of his father ; in the confidence of both Jackson 
 and Van Buren ; a citizen of Virginia, educated in its 
 most fastidious notions, both personal and political ; of 
 honorable official antecedents, and with a distinguished 
 career in prospect, he submitted to injustice and miscon 
 struction from friends and foes, and became at once a 
 scapegoat, and " a dead cock in the pit." He refused 
 to testify upon certain points before a court of inquiry, 
 and his philosophy was proof against the ribaldry of the 
 press. Mousing politicians badgered him in his retreat, 
 and the chief magistrate, sole author of the ignoble mis 
 sion, interposed no word in his defense. What was the 
 extent of his powers, what his secret instructions, and 
 how far he was sustained by the President until the mis 
 sion became hateful to the nation and fatal to the pop 
 ularity of all concerned, will be a problem until Mr. Trist 
 himself gives the solution. And for this history must 
 wait before it can be determined whether his silence was 
 owing to dread of power, the hope of reconciliation and 
 reward, or, most probably, to that scrupulous seiioO of 
 honor which prefers suffering, and even death, to the loss 
 of self-respect. The first Lord Shaftesbury, who aban 
 doned the king for the Parliament, when appealed to to 
 disclose the royal secrets, with a chivalry of feeling that 
 atones for much of his political profligacy, said : " There 
 VOL. L 
 
314 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 is a general and tacit trust in conversation whereby a 
 man is obliged not to report any thing to the speaker s 
 prejudice, though no intimation maybe given of a desire 
 not to have it spoken of again."* This is the true rule of 
 conversational intercourse and of trust, and Mr. Trist, it 
 is presumed, has never felt himself at liberty to violate 
 it, even though treated with marked ingratitude by the 
 high functionary who most profited by his silence. 
 
 Mr. Trist, before leaving Washington, was fully ap 
 prised of the hostile feeling entertained against General 
 Scott by the President and secretary of war, and his co 
 incidence of feeling had recommended him to their fa- 
 vor.f This was well known to General Scott. The com 
 missioner reached Yera Cruz in May, and, arrogantly ig 
 noring the American general-in-chief, opened negotiations 
 with the enemy. This was, of course, resented, and led 
 to an open rupture, and to a correspondence discreditable 
 to both, and which not even the provocation he had re 
 ceived can reconcile with the dignity of the general-in- 
 chief. On hearing of the quarrel, the American secretary 
 of state, in a letter characteristic of his bland temper and 
 enlightened judgment, directed Mr. Trist to discontinue 
 his vituperative correspondence with Gen. Scott, and 
 make a full communication of the objects of his mission. 
 This dispatch established harmony between the parties. 
 Mr. Trist had been directed by the President to exhibit 
 his secret instructions to Gen. Pillow, and to confer con 
 fidentially with him. Gen. Pillow had privately been 
 employed by the same high authority to confer with Mr. 
 Trist, and to " protect the honor of the existing admin 
 istration" a covert implication against the American 
 general and his comrades in arms, which Gen. Pillow him 
 self should have been the first to disdain. These gentle 
 men communicated to each other their mutual powers 
 * Locke s Memoir. f Ripley, vol. ii., p. 97. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 315 
 
 and secret instructions, and held frequent conferences 
 with Gen. Scott, to which no other officer was admitted. 
 Communications were opened with the enemy through 
 the agency of the British minister, who dispatched his 
 secretary to the American head-quarters at Puebla to 
 confer with this extraordinary triumvirate. The spec 
 tacle, even at this distance of time, is humiliating. It 
 shocks our national pride, this intervention of an antag- 
 onistical diplomacy with a treacherous enemy, from whom 
 no justice or good faith could be expected but at the 
 point of the sword. Great Britain had intrigued against 
 us in every quarter of the world ; her diplomatists and 
 capitalists had encouraged and sustained Mexico in her 
 course of outrage against the United States ; she had ex 
 erted all her art to prevent the annexation of Texas, with 
 the view of establishing a refuge on our southern bor 
 der for fugitive slaves, in harmony with her former In 
 dian policy which had so often deluged our northwest 
 ern frontier with blood. From the moment the war 
 commenced, her metropolitan press, the organs of every 
 faction, had pronounced Mexico impregnable, and pre 
 dicted disaster to our arms. Yet, notwithstanding this, 
 the American executive, the head of a great republic, 
 elected, too, by a party never accused of Anglo-mania, 
 permitted IMS generals and secret agents to be in fre 
 quent and confidential communication with British min 
 isters, consul generals, attaches, and speculators, and, as 
 one of the parties avers, "the army halted or advanced, 
 attacked an out-work or consented to an armistice, as 
 these agents of Great Britain advised !"* If this be 
 true, there has not been, since the treason of Arnold, 
 any thing so disgraceful in our military history. It was 
 more degrading than the surrender of Hull. "No part 
 of the ignominy, however, attaches to our gallant army, 
 * Gen. Pillow. 
 
316 LIFE AND COKKESPOXDENCE OF 
 
 which at every halt, though often rendered imperative 
 by the necessity for re-enforcements and by strategy, 
 manifested their impatience to advance upon the capital. 
 Officers and men, regulars and volunteers, unseduced by 
 the luxuries and pleasures of Jalapa and Puebla, fretted 
 at delay. 
 
 1847. On the 17th of July the general-in-chief invited a 
 consultation with his generals, when a scheme previously 
 agreed on between himself, General Pillow, and Mr. Trist 
 was announced, under an injunction of confidence, viz., 
 the employment of money to purchase a peace ! 
 
 Plow General Scott ever brought his imperious and 
 martial mind, so long regulated by the rules of a profes 
 sion the most scrupulous as to punctilio and propriety, 
 to favor a process so mercenary and demoralizing, can 
 not be explained. Ripley, in his able work, ascribes po 
 litical motives to him, which will not stand the test of 
 criticism, and are too ungenerous to be tolerated in the 
 absence of proof. If visions of ambition influenced him, 
 he was aware that they were to be realized only in the 
 palace of Montezuma. Nothing less than the occupa 
 tion of the capital would have satisfied his countrymen. 
 It is more reasonable to presume that he had become 
 disgusted with the service. His constitutional irritabil 
 ity had been aggravated by advices from Washington. 
 He had neither the ear of the President or the secretary 
 of war. They had proposed to commission a civilian, 
 Avith a rank superior to his own, to supervise his opera 
 tions. A secret agent had been sent to head-quarters to 
 consult with one of his brigadiers, and without his ap 
 proval communications had been opened with the enemy. 
 Every thing indicated the determination of President 
 Polk to accomplish a speedy peace. His secret agent, 
 with the approval of General Pillow, his secret repre 
 sentative, proposed the use of money ; and the general. 
 
JOHN A. QTJITMAN. 317 
 
 worried and disgusted, probably considered this the 
 shortest way to relieve himself from a position where he 
 was dogged by emissaries and threatened with superiors 
 a fire in front and " a fire in his rear." 
 
 "Whatever his motives, when his officers assembled lie 
 frankly announced the plan, and as frankly sustained it. 
 General Pillow, known to be the confidential friend of 
 the President, and really more his secret agent than Mr. 
 Trist, concurred with the general-in-chief. Worth, ow 
 ing to a personal misunderstanding with Scott, had not 
 been invited. Smith was absent. Twiggs considered it 
 " a political question," and declined an opinion. Quit- 
 man and Shields strongly condemned the plan, and Cad- 
 walader coincided with them. The council broke up 
 without any definite conclusion, and with the understand 
 ing that the meeting and the subject matter was to be 
 considered strictly confidential.* 
 
 * The public attention was first attracted to this matter by a letter 
 in the St. Louis Republican signed " Gomez," dated Puebla, Aug. Gth. 
 The most material passages are here published : 
 
 "I observe from the papers that an idea is prevalent among the 
 more intelligent portions of the United States that General Scott is 
 vested with high diplomatic powers. Whatever may have been the 
 case previous to the arrival of Mr. Trist, since then all such powers 
 have been vested in Mr. Trist alone, lie was sent here as a confi 
 dential political friend of the administration, as the disbuvser of the 
 three-million fund, and with the expectation that, by a judicious ap 
 plication of it, a peace could be speedily purchased ! from a people over 
 u hom our standard had floated victorious in every engagement ICQ had had 
 with them. I mention this, because I believe that the administration, 
 fearing the. infamy that will attach to a peace procured upon such 
 terms, have cunningly devised the plan to create, and allow the im 
 pression to become prevalent, that General Scott possessed the diplo 
 matic power, and that upon him must rest the responsibility of any 
 such termination of the war. 
 
 "A short time since things were in a fair way thus to be ended. 
 The application of this fund was to be, upon certain contingencies, in 
 bringing about the appointment of commissioners to treat with us for 
 peace, and those who had secured this result were to be the recipients 
 of cei tain portions of the fund. To this Mr. Trist was committed in 
 full, arid, so far as consent went, General Scott in part. A council of 
 war was decided upon and called. It convened at the head-quarters 
 of the army on Saturday evening, the 17th of July last past. Those 
 
318 LIFE AND COKRESPONDEXCE OF 
 
 This letter was generally ascribed to George J. M. 
 Davis, a lieutenant of Illinois volunteers, on the staff" of 
 
 who were present at the council were, the general-in-chief, Major Gen 
 erals Pillow and Quitman, Brigadier Generals Twiggs, Shields, and 
 Cadwalader. The justly distinguished General Worth was not pres 
 ent, in consequence of a most unfortunate disruption of the friendly 
 relations that had existed for thirty-five years between him and Gen 
 eral Scott. But of this more anon." 
 
 The principal topic of discussion at this council was ichether the 
 application of a portion of the $3,000, 000 fund to the PURCHASE of a 
 peace would us justifiable under the peculiar circumstances of the case. 
 The deliberations on this point are thus described in the letter of Go 
 mez : 
 
 "The general-in-chief, with his usual bland, impressive, and, I may 
 add, eloquent manner, first went over the whole ground, bringing, in 
 support of his position, every argument to which tact, much reflection, 
 and a strong mind could give birth. To these considerations he add 
 ed the great and pressing anxiety urged in all their communications 
 by the administration to terminate, by any means, if possible, this war. 
 Upon his concluding, the opinions of the different generals present 
 were called for, according to rank. General Pillow s was the first 
 given, and was favorable to the plan proposed. General Quitman 
 followed, but objected in toto to it, on the ground that it would inflict 
 a stain upon our national escutcheon that centuries could not wipe 
 out. Of the brigadier generals, Twiggs was the first to express his 
 views, and, by regarding it to a great extent as a ( political question, 
 he declined giving any opinion. General Shields was next required 
 to give his views ; he at once rose from his seat, his whole counte 
 nance lit up with animation, and in that bold, fearless, uncompromis 
 ing manner that so strikingly illustrates his whole public career, de 
 nounced the whole scheme in the most unqualified terms. He in 
 sisted that the application of this fund for any such purpose was not 
 only immoral, but debasing. That, while for purposes of self-defense 
 it was, according to the usages of modern warfare, justifiable in one 
 nation to employ as spies the subjects of the other belligerent power, 
 yet there was no state of circumstances that ever had or could exist, 
 that would warrant our bribing or hiring the officers or functionaries 
 of that belligerent power, for the sake of benefiting us, to cut the 
 throats of their own subjects. And he boldly declared that, rather 
 than see the country of his adoption thus disgraced, he would prefer 
 by far to witness the continuation of the war for ten years, and in ev 
 ery battle we fought lose five thousand men. The one would admit 
 a remedy ; the other was an evil, from the consequences of which, as 
 a nation, we could never recover. 
 
 "General Cadwalader simply remarked, that General Shields had 
 exhausted the subject, and he fully concurred with him in the conclu 
 sions to which he had come. Thus terminated the council of the 
 evening of the 17th of July. What followed is soon related. 
 
 " The next day General Shields had a long interview with Mr. 
 Trist. What occurred at that interview I have no means of ascer- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAX. Jj 1 
 
 General Shields, but in a letter to Gen. S. he denied any 
 connection or knowledge of it whatever. It was re 
 printed in the Baltimore Sun, and became the subject of 
 a court of inquiry, which made the following report: 
 
 " In obedience to the confidential instructions of the 
 secretary of war, the court has proceeded to investigate 
 the several points of inquiry specified in those instruc 
 tions. 
 
 " It has summoned before it all the officers of the army 
 present at the council of officers held at Puebla on the 
 19th of July last, except Lieut. Col. Hitchcock, who can 
 not, it is presumed, add any thing material to the testi 
 mony of the general officers examined ; and it has ob 
 tained no information concerning the deliberations of 
 that occasion, and the proposition therein made by Major 
 General Scott, commanding the American army, to apply 
 certain public moneys to a purchase of a peace with Mexi 
 co, other than w r as already possessed by the department. 
 
 " The court is not of opinion, upon the evidence before 
 it, that the military operations of the United States army 
 were, in fact, influenced by any such arrangement as 
 that which w r as discussed at the meeting in question. 
 
 taining, but the subsequent acts of Mr. Trist can leavo but little doubt 
 upon that subject. Two clays afterward, Mr. Trist withdrew all pa 
 pers connected with this manner of terminating the war. And from 
 that hour to this an immediate march upon tho capital, so soon as 
 General Pierce came up, was determined upon, and all hopes of an 
 early peace abandoned. 
 
 "I have been thus particular in relating the proceedings of what I 
 regard by far the most important council of war that has convened 
 since the existence of hostilities between the United States and Mex 
 ico, because I believe my country has been saved from being plunged 
 into an abyss of infamy from which there would be no extrication ; 
 and for the reason that those who, regardless of consequences to them 
 selves, have averted that blow, should receive the credit of it. For 
 myself, I sincerely hope that the hand that shall ever be extended in 
 offering as a bribe, cither directly or indirectly, any portion of this 
 three millions to Santa Anna or any other Mexican, for the purpose 
 of procuring a peace, may, before it accomplishes its object, fall palsied 
 by his side, and that a mark more distinguishable than that placed 
 upon the brow of Cain may be indelibly fixed upon his, that so long 
 as his unworthy life is spared he mav be the object of execration of all 
 his indignant countrymen." 
 
820 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 "The court has not been able to obtain legal proof %& 
 
 to the payment of money, or the understanding to pay 
 money for the purchase of a peace ; nor as to what effect 
 any such understanding was agreed or contemplated to 
 have upon the operations of the army of the United 
 States ; nor as to whether any written memorandum of 
 agreement on the subject was made or received by any 
 officer of the army; nor as to the parties by, to, or 
 through whom any proposition on that subject may have 
 been made or received by any officer of the army. 
 
 " The court having, in consideration of the nature of 
 the subject of inquiry, deemed it inexpedient to examine 
 on those points, or attempt to examine, in Mexico, any 
 persons other than officers of the American army. 
 
 "In the progress of the investigation it appeared that 
 the only persons, citizens of the United States, who had 
 it in their power to furnish legal proof on these points, 
 were Major General Scott and Mr. Trist, the Commis 
 sioner of the United States in Mexico. 
 
 " Mr. Trist, as the record shows, has declined to ap 
 pear before the court. 
 
 "General Scott presented an informal statement of 
 some of the facts in the case, but declined to testify as a 
 witness ; and, as the court did not feel itself justified in 
 considering him as a party under charges, it is constrain 
 ed to leave that subject for direct correspondence, as 
 proposed by General Scott in that statement, between 
 him and the department ; and it accordingly submits 
 the whole matter for such farther action, if any, as the 
 President may deem to be called for by the interests of 
 the army or the government." 
 
 Circular letters were addressed to the generals by the 
 secretary of war. General Scott replied : 
 
 "Head-quarters of the Army, Mexico, Jan. 28th, 1848. 
 " I have received your letter of the 24th ult., inclosing 
 a slip cut from some newspaper that purports to give 
 the deliberations of a council of war held at my quarters 
 in July last, respecting a large bribe to the Mexican 
 government to be paid out of the three millions appro 
 priated by Congress, and you demand of me, in the 
 name of the President, a report of this newspaper rumor. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAX. 321 
 
 " I have never held in Mexico what could be properly 
 called a council of war that is to say, a meeting of offi 
 cers to vote on any military subject whatever ; but to in 
 sure an intelligent concert and hearty good-will in carry 
 ing out views and plans, I have frequently called together 
 many of the principal officers of the army, to lay before 
 them the number and condition of the opposing forces, 
 the next movement or attack contemplated by me ; my 
 motives and proposed manner (in detail) of executing the 
 given purpose ; and, in order to take all the chances of 
 avoiding errors, I have always concluded my expositions 
 by inviting free suggestions. It is due to myself to add, 
 that I can not recall a single material change or modifi 
 cation of plan the result of such conferences. 
 
 " There was a meeting of some of the principal officers 
 of the army at my quarters in July, to which the anony 
 mous letter-writer in the newspaper probably alludes. 
 When I add that the meeting was strictly confidential, 
 it will be evident that the individual who violated his 
 lighted honor did so for the purpose, as far as false- 
 iood might serve, to inflict discredit and dishonor on 
 others. 
 
 " The subject discussed at that meeting was certainly 
 of a delicate nature, too much so to be reduced to writ 
 ing under any chance of the miscarriage of the paper. 
 Mr. Trist, however, has the whole matter written out in 
 cipher, to be, I presume, submitted at the proper time. 
 But neither Mr. Trist, our sole commissioner, nor any 
 body else, as far as I know or believe, either at that 
 meeting or any where else, ever proposed or suggested 
 to use a dollar of the three-million fund either as a bribe 
 or for any other purpose not to be expressed on the face 
 of a public treaty." 
 
 General Pillow, in his reply, detailed the consultations 
 he had held with Mr. Trist, and afterward with General 
 Scott and Mr. Trist. He states that he was at first op 
 posed to the employment of money to secure a peace, 
 but was converted by the arguments and the precedents 
 cited by General Scott ; that the objections he suggested 
 as to accounting at the proper offices in Washington for 
 02 
 
 i: 
 
322 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 money thus expended, were obviated by the ingenious 
 expedients of the general-in-chief ; that he therefore 
 went into the conference of the 17th of July and advo 
 cated the proposition; that, subsequently, negotiations 
 were carried on by Mr. Trist, with the knowledge of 
 General Scott, with Santa Anna, which he disapproved ; 
 that he would have nothing more to do with proposi 
 tions or negotiations; that these -negotiations restrained, 
 modified and controlled the subsequent movements of the 
 army, and occasioned many disasters, etc. 
 
 This remarkable statement of General Pillow was not 
 sustained by the evidence before the court, or by the 
 letters of the several generals to the secretary of war. 
 They, one and all, denied any knowledge of the payment 
 of money, or any belief that the movements of the army 
 had been influenced by the negotiations of Mr. Trist. 
 
 In 1857, General Pillow, being a candidate for the 
 Senate of the United States, reiterated his charges in a 
 public address, and set forth the services he had render 
 ed in counteracting, as far as practicable, the errors of 
 General Scott. This drew from him a letter, and from 
 General Hitchcock, long a member of his military family, 
 an elaborate and rather crushing reply. General Quit- 
 man was thus drawn before the public : 
 
 "To the Editor of the Natchez Free Trader. 
 
 "I have just read in the Xew Orleans Delta the reply 
 of General Pillow to the letter of General Scott, written 
 in answer to some charges against him, contained in 
 General Pillow s recent address to the people of Ten 
 nessee. 
 
 "In the personal controversies between these gentle 
 men, as well as that between Generals Pillow and Hitch 
 cock, I desire to take no part. Although my statement 
 in relation to the Puebla meeting has, upon several oc 
 casions, been called for, I have abstained from appearing 
 before the public heretofore, and would not do so now, 
 
JOHN A. QUmiAN. 323 
 
 but that General Pillow, in Ins late reply to General Scott s 
 letter, has thought proper to introduce a mere abstract 
 from the statement submitted by me to the War Depart 
 ment in 1848, on the call of President Polk. I take no 
 exception to the course adopted by General Pillow in 
 this particular. He had a right to publish a part or the 
 whole of my evidence ; but, since I have been brought 
 upon the witness stand, I deem it due to myself that the 
 whole correspondence between myself and the War De 
 partment, on this subject, should be published. 
 
 "The reader will perceive that this correspondence re 
 fers alone to the proceedings of the meeting of officers at 
 Puebla. In this communication I do not feel called on 
 to go beyond the matters therein referred to, except to 
 say that, subsequently to the meeting, General Pillow in 
 formed General Shields and myself that he had changed 
 his opinion in relation to the subject submitted to the 
 meeting, and now was opposed to the measure. As to 
 any understandings or stipulations, outside of the propo 
 sition presented by General Scott to the council or meet 
 ing, I never heard of them while I remained in the 
 army. J. A. QUITMAX. 
 
 "Monmouth, October 25th, 1857." 
 
 " War Department, Washington, December 24th, 1847. 
 
 " SIE, I invite your attention to the article herein in 
 closed, from the Baltimore Sun (first published in a West 
 ern paper), pretending to give an account of the proceed 
 ings of a council of war, and representing that it was held 
 at the head-quarters of the commanding general in July 
 last, and that you were present, in which it was proposed 
 to give General Santa Anna, or some other Mexican, for 
 the purpose of purchasing a peace, a portion of the three 
 millions appropriated by Congress. 
 
 " Nothing could have appeared more improbable to the 
 government here, which is fully aware that not the slight 
 est authority for any such proceeding has in any way em 
 anated from it, than this story, yet I am pained to be 
 obliged to say that suspicions do to some extent prevail, 
 and appear to be gaining ground, that there is some foun 
 dation for the rumor. 
 
 " You will, I trust, agree with me in regarding it of 
 the greatest importance to those alleged to have been 
 
3*24 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 present on that occasion, as well as to the government, 
 that this rumor, assumed to be unfounded, should be met 
 with an authoritative denial ; but should it be that any 
 thing has taken place which could have afforded even a 
 colorable pretext for putting forth the statement here 
 with sent to you if any such proposition as is therein 
 mentioned has been offered or entertained if any has 
 been acceded to, and any steps taken to carry it into ef 
 fect, the President directs that you communicate to this 
 department all that you know, and all that you can as 
 certain in relation to the whole matter. 
 
 " Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 " W. L. MARCY, Secretary of War. 
 "Major Gen. Quitman, U. S. Army, Washington City." 
 
 "Washington City, January 10th, 1848. 
 
 " SIE, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt 
 of your communication of the 24th ultimo, inviting my 
 attention to an article from the Baltimore Sun inclosed, 
 purporting to give an account of the proceedings of a 
 council of war held at Gen. Scott s head-quarters inPue- 
 bla, Mexico, in July last. In your note you advise me 
 that the President directs that, if any thing has taken 
 place which could afford even a colorable pretext for put 
 ting forth the statement alluded to, or if any such prop 
 osition as is therein mentioned has been offered or enter 
 tained, etc., I should communicate to the department of 
 war all that I know, and all that I can ascertain in rela 
 tion to the whole matter. 
 
 " Were I alone personally concerned, I should not have 
 a moment s hesitation in making known whatever may 
 have come within my knowledge connected at any time 
 with the public service ; but it seems to me, without wish 
 ing to be understood as admitting or denying the state 
 ments of the anonymous writer of the article alluded to, 
 that your letter involves a very delicate question in re 
 gard to my duty as a subordinate officer. It is this 
 whether I can with propriety divulge matters which oc 
 curred in a council of war of which I was a member, or 
 expose the opinions of officers, communicated at such 
 meeting under the implied obligation of secrecy which 
 attaches to their deliberations on such occasions. 
 
 " I am at present inclined to think that this obligation 
 
JOHN A. QUITilAN. 325 
 
 remains unimpaired, upon the subordinate officer, until 
 he is relieved from it by the consent of the party or par 
 ties concerned, or until he is required by legal process to 
 testify in relation to the matter. 
 
 " Entertaining these opinions, I feel it my duty most re 
 spectfully to decline answering the questions propound 
 ed in your letter, and I request that my objections may 
 be laid before the President for his consideration. Should 
 he, after considering them, still insist upon a full answer, 
 I ask leave to be permitted again to deliberate upon the 
 matter before making up a final conclusion upon the sub 
 ject. 
 
 " I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your 
 obedient servant, 
 
 " J. A. QUITMAN, Major General U. S. A. 
 
 "The Honorable W. L. Marcy, Secretary of War." 
 
 "War Department, Washington, March 2d, 1848. 
 
 " SIR, I have received your letter of the 10th of Jan 
 uary, in reply to one from me of the 24th of December. 
 Your reply has been laid before the President. He has 
 duly considered the reasons which you have offered as 
 an excuse for not responding to the inquiries submitted 
 to you by his direction in my former letter. He consid 
 ers it important that he should have full and accurate in 
 formation on the matters presented to you in my letter, 
 and in his view of the subject he feels it to be his duty 
 to again invite your attention to these inquiries, and to 
 ask a full disclosure of what you may know in regard to 
 them. The character of the replies received from Ma 
 jor Generals Scott and Pillow to letters similar to the 
 one addressed to you, renders it, in his opinion, the more 
 important that he should be made acquainted with what 
 is within your knowledge relative to the matters alluded 
 to in my former communication. 
 
 " The President appreciates the embarrassment -which 
 has induced a hesitation on your part to comply with the 
 request which he directed me to make, yet he does not 
 doubt that you will, on further reflection, view the mat 
 ter as he does, and regard it as your duty to the govern 
 ment to make a full statement of what you may know 
 of the transactions embraced in the inquiries contained 
 in my letter of the 24th of December. The official acts 
 
326 LIFE AND COKKESPOXDEXCE OF 
 
 of officers in the public service should not, as he con 
 ceives, be withheld from the executive branch of the gov 
 ernment. 
 
 " I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obe 
 dient servant, 
 
 " TV". L. MAECY, Secretary of War. 
 
 " J. A. Quitman, U. S. Army." 
 
 " United States Hotel, Washington. March 9th, 1818. 
 
 "SiE, I have received your note of the 2d instant, in 
 which you inform me that the President, after duly con 
 sidering my objections to make a full disclosure in an 
 swer to the inquiries submitted to me by his direction in 
 your letter of the 24th of December, still requires that I 
 should state fully whatever may be within my knowl 
 edge in relation to the transactions embraced within 
 those inquiries. 
 
 " While my opinions, in the abstract, remain the same 
 as those announced in my former letter, the fact, since 
 ascertained, that Generals Scott, Pillow, and Twiggs 
 have answered similar inquiries, has removed the ob 
 jections that I should otherwise have had to disclosing 
 matters which, though connected with the public serv 
 ice, came to my knowledge confidentially. 
 
 " However reluctant I may be to make the disclosures, 
 it would be presumptuous in me longer to refuse a com 
 pliance with the demands of the President. I therefore 
 submit herewith a statement of the material facts with 
 in my knowledge which occurred at the meeting of offi 
 cers supposed to be alluded to in the publications to 
 which you have called my attention. 
 
 " About the middle of July last I was summoned to 
 attend a meeting of officers at General Scott s head 
 quarters, in Puebla, Mexico. I there met the general-in- 
 chief, Generals Pillow, Twiggs, Shields, and Cadwalader, 
 and I think Colonel Hitchcock, inspector general. Gen 
 eral Worth was not present, and General Smith s ab 
 sence accounted for by General Scott s remarking that 
 he, General Smith, had been consulted on the matter. 
 
 " The general-in-chief first dwelt upon the great im 
 portance of peace to our country, and the anxious desire 
 of our government to bring it about. He said that, in 
 fluenced chiefly by these important considerations, and 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 327 
 
 liis belief that a movement upon the capital would cut 
 off all prospects of an amicable adjustment of difficulties, 
 he had halted thus long at Puebla ; that General Pierce, 
 with a considerable body of troops under his command, 
 was shortly expected to arrive ; that our numbers were 
 now weak for the formidable enterprise before us, and 
 that the expected re-enforcement would be of great im 
 portance. He therefore requested the opinion of the of- 
 licers present upon the propriety of awaiting the arrival 
 of General Pierce. 
 
 " lie desired to consult them upon another subject of 
 great delicacy and much importance. That the pros 
 pects for peace were now slight, but that he was inform 
 ed by some foreign residents in Mexico that this desira 
 ble result could certainly be attained by the application 
 of a considerable sum of money ; that the Mexican lead 
 ers expected the negotiations to be attended by a dou 
 ceur j that they were not in the habit of moving without 
 it ; that the use of money for such purposes was justified 
 by the practice of other nations ; and that, considering 
 the great good it would, in this instance, bring to our 
 own country, he regarded the means as moral and prop 
 er, and did not perceive how any sensible man could 
 think otherwise. He farther added that Mr. Trist had 
 no power or instructions to use the three millions voted 
 by Congress, or any part of it, to such a purpose ; that 
 sum must be accounted for on the face of the treaty; 
 that, however, if it should be considered advisable, he, 
 General Scott, had credit, upon the assent or request of 
 Mr. Trist, to raise a million or a million and a half of 
 dollars to apply to this purpose, a sum sufficient to in 
 sure the success of the negotiations ; that he had already 
 expended ten or twenty thousand dollars, which he re 
 garded as bread thrown upon the waters. He then 
 presented and read a note from Mr. Trist on this subject, 
 assenting to, if not requesting, that the scheme should 
 be adopted. He concluded by inviting the opinions of 
 the officers present upon the measure. After some 
 pause General Pillow expressed his opinion in favor of 
 awaiting the arrival of General Pierce, and proceeded to 
 .express in detail his concurrence with the views of the 
 geueral-iu-chief on the propriety of raising and applying 
 
328 LIFE AND COEKESPOXDENCE OF 
 
 the money as proposed, pledging his influence, as an offi 
 cer and a citizen, to sustain the measure. 
 
 " I followed. Alluding to the importance of commenc 
 ing our march upon the capital during the partial sus 
 pension of the rainy season, I still concurred in opinion 
 that we should wait the arrival of General Pierce s com 
 mand, if it could be expected in a few days. On the 
 other question, I declared my decided opposition to the 
 secret use of money for the purpose of procuring a treaty 
 of peace. "Without undertaking to discuss the morality 
 of such a measure, I held that all our dealings with other 
 countries should be high-toned and above-board, not re 
 quiring concealment from our own people nor from the 
 world. That such a transaction, involving the payment 
 of a large sum of money, however secretly it might be 
 conducted, neither could nor should be concealed from 
 the people of the United States ; that whatever might 
 be the views of casuists upon the subject, there was 
 among the people of the United States a high tone and 
 nice sense of public morality, which would lead them to 
 denounce and condemn a treaty obtained by corrupting 
 the rulers of a sister republic, etc., etc. 
 
 " General Twiggs expressed his concurrence in the 
 propriety of awaiting the arrival of General Pierce. 
 The other subject he regarded as political, and not mili 
 tary, upon which he had not formed, and would not ex 
 press, an opinion, etc. 
 
 " General Shields followed, and expressed his decided 
 opposition to the scheme. He enlarged upon its impro 
 priety. He hoped that money would never be used to 
 purchase a peace by corruption. It was, in fact, a plan 
 to bribe the government of Mexico, and he would sooner 
 see our country in Avar for ten years than resort to this 
 mode of purchasing a peace. Not doubting the patriot 
 ic intentions of the commanding general, he thought it 
 his duty as a friend to caution him against the assump 
 tion of such responsibility, etc. 
 
 " General Cadwalader, being called upon finally, said 
 that he agreed with General Shields and myself. 
 
 " Colonel Hitchcock s opinion was not asked nol* given. 
 
 " I had no knowledge or intimation, before the meet 
 ing, of its objects, nor do I know, nor have I ever heard, 
 
JOIIN A. QUITMAX. 329 
 
 that the project was prosecuted any farther. Indeed, I 
 supposed it was entirely dropped and abandoned. I 
 know not by what means or from what source this mat 
 ter became public. 
 
 " I took no notes of the transaction at the time, and 
 have made this report of it entirely from memory, and, 
 of course, may have stated the language inaccurately. 
 
 " The occurrence made an impression on my mind at 
 the time, and I think the substance is above correctly 
 stated. Your obedient servant, 
 
 " J. A. QUITMAN, Maj. Gen. U. S. A. 
 
 "Hon. W. L. Marcy, Secretary of War." 
 
330 LIFE AXD COEKESPOXDEXCE OF 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Advance from Puebla. Valley of Mexico. Approaches to the Cap 
 ital. The Chalco Route, and the Controversy it occasioned. 
 Duncan s Reconnoissance. Mason and Beauregard s Reconnois- 
 sance. Remarks. The proposed Assault on Mexicalzingo. Bat 
 tle of Contreras. Battle of San Antonio. Battle of Churubusco. 
 Death of Colonel Butler. Lieutenant Colonel Dickinson. 
 Kearney s Charge. Overtures from the Enemy. Quitman at San 
 Augustin. The Armistice. 
 
 THE expected re-enforcement having arrived, the army 
 marched from Puebla for the valley of Mexico. Quit- 
 man s division consisted of the Xew York, South Caro 
 lina, and 2d Pennsylvania regiments, a battalion of ma 
 rines, Steptoe s battery, and Gaither s troop of horse. 
 On the 10th of August they reached the mountain range 
 which separates the department of Puebla or Cholula 
 from Mexico ; and as they emerged from the cloudy can 
 opy, before them the beautiful valley lay like a vast gar 
 den, dotted with bright lakes, fields of emerald, and the 
 white domes and glittering spires of the villages which 
 environ the capital. Through the transparent medium 
 of that elevated region they discerned here and there 
 large bodies of cavalry in motion on the plain. 
 
 This remarkable interior basin is closed on every side 
 by a mountain barrier, varying in height, at different 
 points, from two hundred to over ten thousand feet. It 
 is circular in form, the diameter of the edge or crust of 
 the rim being about fifty miles. It contains some 830 
 square miles of productive land, for the most part under 
 a high state of cultivation. Six large lakes stretch in an 
 almost continuous line from south to north, occupying 
 
JOHX A. QUITMAX. 3 
 
 about one fifth of the valley proper. On their shore ex 
 tensive fields, spread out on a nearly perfect level, reach 
 back to the mountains. Ten extinct volcanoes, distinct 
 ly presenting their craters, rear their cones in the south 
 ern part of the valley. Glancing over the mountains to 
 the south is seen Ajusco, its scarred and blackened peak 
 elevated more than 11,000 feet above the level of the 
 sea. To the east and southeast Iztaccihuatl and Popo 
 catepetl, the Titans of the plains, mingle their smoke 
 with eternal snows glittering in the sun, their outlines 
 and inequalities so sharply defined as to make them seem 
 almost within reach, yet looking cold and glacier-like, 
 while every thing else is glowing under a tropical sky. 
 Nine populous towns are supported by this great valley, 
 each of them environed by picturesque villages. But 
 the object of greatest interest is the city of Mexico itself. 
 It was originally surrounded by Lake Tezcuco, whose 
 waters have been receding for many years, owing chiefly 
 to the diversion of the Eiver Guatitlan into another 
 channel, and the clearing of the mountain sides diminish 
 ing the contributions formerly poured into it by various 
 streams. This recession, however, has added to the de 
 fenses of the city. The lake is not navigable. The 
 ground on all sides is low, intersected in every direction 
 by wide and deep ditches, which, from the superior ele 
 vation of lakes Chalco and Xochimilco, are always filled 
 with water, and the city can only be approached now, 
 as in the time of Montezuma, by narrow causeways be 
 tween aqueducts.* 
 
 1847. On the llth of August the American army de 
 scended into the valley of Mexico in the following order. 
 Gen. Twiggs, with his division in advance, encamped at 
 Ayotla; on the llth the division of General Qnitman 
 came up and encamped at Buena Yista ; General Worth 
 * Smith and Ilardcastle s Reports. 
 
332 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 came next, and occupied the town of Chalco ; and next 
 General Pillow, who pitched his tents near Gen. Worth. 
 The general-in-chief established his head-quarters at Ay- 
 otla, upon the northern border of Lake Chalco, fifteen 
 miles from the capital a point whence he could recon 
 noitre the enemy and best deceive him as to his ultimate 
 line of approach. From that point four different roads 
 communicate with the city. 1. The national road, the 
 most direct. On this, seven miles from Ayotla, the en 
 emy were in force at the Penon, a high solitary hill 
 overlooking the plain for several miles in every direc 
 tion. Entirely surrounded by w T atcr or impassable marsh 
 es, the road or causeway lies immediately at its base. 
 Two long lines of breast-works for infantry ran along the 
 base of the hill, and above these were fifty pieces of can 
 non arranged in batteries, so as to sweep away the col 
 umns of an approaching enemy. 
 
 2. The next most direct route is by Mexicalzingo. 
 Before reaching that town the road contracts into a nar 
 row causeway three quarters of a mile long, a marsh on 
 one side, formed by Lake Xochimilco, and on the other 
 very low grounds, with a net-work of deep ditches and 
 canals, the whole within range of the formidable bat 
 teries of the town and field-works recently erected. 
 
 3. By the large town of Tezcuco, known as the north 
 ern route, branching off at Buena Yista, and leading 
 through the most populous section of the great valley. 
 This had been strongly fortified at different points, and 
 was occupied by a strong body of the enemy under Gen. 
 Valencia. 
 
 4. The route south of Lake Chalco, winding along the 
 base of the mountains which bound the valley to the 
 south. This road, in use in the days of Cortez, had been 
 almost abandoned, was deemed impracticable for an 
 army, and had been left unguarded. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAX. 333 
 
 A bitter controversy after the war sprung out of these 
 routes. Gen. Pillow and the historian Ripley insist that 
 on the 14th of August the general-in-chief had positively 
 determined on the route by Mexicalzingo, which could 
 only have been carried by an enormous sacrifice of men ; 
 that the movement would have put the whole army in 
 jeopardy in case of a defeat ; and that he was only dis 
 suaded from it by the remonstrances of Worth and Pil 
 low, and their report of the practicability of the Chalco 
 route, based on a reconnoissance made by Lieut. Colonel 
 Duncan, at the instance of Worth, on the 13th inst., and 
 communicated to head-quarters on the afternoon of the 
 14th, when the orders, which that morning had been 
 given for the advance on Mexicalzingo, were counter 
 manded. The statement is absurd upon its face, unless 
 we presume an ignorance, recklessness, and incompeten- 
 cy on the part of the general-in-chief not to be presumed. 
 The facts, as I gather them, are these. While the army 
 lay at Puebla, the engineer officers a corps of which 
 any nation may be proud were engaged in preparing 
 maps for the army chiefly from the maps of Humboldt. 
 Much information was collected at head-quarters from 
 various persons of different nationalities, but no concert 
 ed movement of the army, from the siege of Vera Cruz 
 to the downfall of the capital, was ever based upon in 
 formation not verified by actual reconnoissance. Gen. 
 Scott established his head-quarters at Ayotla, whence 
 four roads branch off to the capital,/o? the express pttr- 
 pose of obtaining information. Why would he restrict 
 his reconnoissances to two routes only the Penon and 
 Mexicalzingo ? He arrived at Ayotla at 3 P.M. on the 
 llth, and at daylight next morning Capts. Lee and Ma 
 son and Lieut. Stevens were reconnoitring El Penon, 
 and Maj. Smith and Lieuts. Beauregard and Tower were 
 on the hill of Calderou. At 3 P.M. on the same day 
 
334 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Capt. Lee and Lieut. Beauregard examined the north 
 shore of Lake Choice as far as the village of San Fran 
 cisco, near the causeway separating said lake from Lake 
 Xochimilco, and ascertained that the old road on the 
 southern shore, though narrow and rough, might be made 
 practicable, thus corroborating information received at 
 Puebla. On the 13th Capt. Mason and Lieuts. Beaure 
 gard, Stevens, and M Lellan were dispatched toward 
 Mexicalzingo. Lieut. Stevens went to work near El Pe- 
 non to complete the observations of the preceding day. 
 Capt. Lee and Lieut. Tower were engaged near Lake 
 Chalco. Capt. Mason reported at head-quarters the same 
 evening, and it was the general impression that Mexical 
 zingo would be assailed, unless the reconnoissance of the 
 ensuing day should recommend a different movement. 
 With this view Capt. Mason and Lieut. Beauregard were 
 directed on the 14th to report to Gen. Worth, who lay 
 near Lake Chalco. But on the 13th, while the engineer 
 officers were thus engaged, Lieut. Colonel Duncan, at his 
 own suggestion approved by Worth, had examined the 
 southern shore of Lake Chalco as far as Tuliagualco, half 
 way between the towns of Chalco and San Augustin, 
 nearly opposite San Francisco, where Lee and Beaure 
 gard had gone, as before stated, on the evening of the 
 llth. Finding the road practicable that far, and hear 
 ing that there were no obstructions beyond, he returned 
 to Chalco at 2 P.M., and was forthwith dispatched to 
 head-quarters by Gen. Worth, with a strong recommend 
 ation of the route.- This valuable information, communi 
 cated by a reliable officer, agreeing with the information 
 had at Puebla, and with the intelligence previously ob 
 tained at San Francisco by Lee and Beauregard on the 
 llth, at once decided the general-in-chief. The four 
 routes would doubtless have been examined simultane 
 ously on the 12th had the engineer officers been suffi- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAX. 335 
 
 ciently numerous. It by no means follows that the 
 route by Mexicalzingo had been decided upon because 
 it had been reconnoitred before the Chalco route. On 
 the contrary, every movement that was made denotes to 
 an impartial mind the original intention of the gcneral- 
 in-chief, in halting at Ayotla, to perplex and deceive the 
 enemy. It was a stroke of strategy successfully carried 
 out ; one of the coups of the campaign which the gener- 
 al-in-chief, probably for reasons known to himself, care 
 fully concealed from all but the confidential officers of 
 his staff.* It succeeded in deceiving Santa Anna to the 
 last. lie had hoped to encounter our army at El Penon, 
 and he lay there, impregnably intrenched, with the flow 
 er of his army, until we were in motion round Lake 
 Chalco. And thus the general-in-chief was enabled to 
 concentrate his entire force at San Augustin without the 
 loss of a man, at the same time compelling the enemy to 
 abandon their strongest defense and their preconcerted 
 place of battle. 
 
 The route round Lake Chalco was unquestionably the 
 proper one, and the credit of ascertaining it has been 
 claimed exclusively for the late Lieut. Col. Duncan a 
 truly gallant officer in a spirit of disparagement to 
 the general-in-chief. Gen. Worth, in a letter to Duncan, 
 dated Tacubaya, March 31st, 1848, labors to make this 
 impression. But his letter, at last, only shows that the 
 general-in-chief was masking his intentions until he ob 
 tained thorough information, and of this very Chalco 
 route. Gen. Worth, after reciting what he and Col. Dun 
 can had done, says : " Though Gen. Scott evinced a dis 
 position to gather information as respected this route 
 (Chalco) on the 12th, and, no doubt, preferred it, he, nev- 
 
 * Gen. Scott, Inspector Gen. Hitchcock, Capt. Lee, and other offi 
 cers, positively aver that the attack by Mexicalzingo was never de 
 cided upon. 
 
336 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OP 
 
 ertheless, gave out specific orders for a different route on 
 the 13th, satisfied, I have as little doubt, of its impracti 
 cability. On taking leave of Gen. Scott at Ayotla, hav 
 ing my final orders, when in the saddle I took the liber 
 ty of requesting him to forbear his movement until I 
 could report the result of your examination ; to which 
 he implied assent. As I have said, Gen. Scott directed 
 me to send and examine the Chalco route, etc., etc." 
 This admits all that I contend for. 
 
 Ripley likewise argues that the attack on Mexical- 
 zingo would have been full of difficulty and peril, if not 
 of defeat, and insinuates a want of generalship in Scott 
 for contemplating a movement^ which he considers in 
 violation of the principles and precedents of military 
 science. Upon this point it may be conceded that the 
 whole campaign was in violation of precedent. When 
 the American general, with only 10,000 men, a large pro 
 portion of them new levies that had never seen fire, and 
 but imperfectly drilled, left Vcra Cruz, Jalapa, and Pue- 
 bla, with its 80,000 inhabitants and 100,000 hostile 
 rancheros and guerrillas in his rear, and plunged into 
 the very heart of a great empire to attack its capital, 
 occupied by 180,000 people, defended by 35,000 soldiers, 
 and environed by formidable fortifications bristling with 
 cannon served by skillful artillerists, he found no prec 
 edent for so daring a movement in military history. 
 When a general undertakes such a campaign, he must 
 be expected, in the course of it, to depart, more or less, 
 from the strict rules of strategy, and rely sometimes on 
 the exigencies of the crisis and the inspiration of his 
 genius. 
 
 But would the attack on Mexicalzingo necessarily have 
 been disastrous ? Upon a critical examination of the 
 engineer reports, it will be seen that, though naturally 
 strong and tolerably fortified, there were few guns in 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 337 
 
 position, and few troops to defend them. It Avas alto 
 gether isolated, and had no connection whatever with 
 the strong force at El Penon. From that point no as 
 sistance could be had, especially if, at the moment of at 
 tack, a simultaneous demonstration had been made in 
 front of El Penon itself. To come to the relief of Mexi- 
 calzingo, Santa Anna would have been compelled to 
 march by way of the capital, or to attack the invaders 
 in the rear, a movement which doubtless entered into 
 the calculations of Gen. Scott that would have brought 
 the two armies into the open field, and insured the fall 
 of Mexico by a single battle ! Under any circumstances 
 the attack on Mexicalzingo would not have been as haz 
 ardous as the attack by Napoleon on the Austrians at 
 Arcolc ; and what is there that Frenchmen, or any other 
 people, have done that Americans can not do ? 
 
 Up to this moment Santa Anna had expected to be at 
 tacked at El Penon, and he was not undeceived until the 
 15th, when our army, Worth s division in advance, was in 
 motion on the southern shore of Lake Chalco. On the 
 18th the advance division took position near the haci 
 enda San Antonia, and the rear divisions were concen 
 trated upon San Augustin, nine miles from the capital. 
 The Mexicans had, in the mean time, withdrawn from 
 their original positions, the eastern approach being no 
 longer threatened, and were strongly intrenched at San 
 Antonia, and behind a line of works stretching off to the 
 left in the marshy grounds of Lake Xochimilco. Hav 
 ing avoided El Penon to spare his army, the general-in- 
 chief now resolved, for the same reason, not to attack the 
 strong position of San Antonia, but to make his way 
 across the pedrigal to the San Angel road. On the 19th 
 Gen. Pillow advanced to open .the road, which was a 
 mere mule-path through a field of volcanic scoria. At 
 
338 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OP 
 
 the intersection of this path with the road, Gen. Valencia 
 had thrown up breast-works, surmounted with 22 pieces 
 of cannon, commanding both the path and the road. 
 Avoiding this formidable battery by a detour to the right, 
 our light troops made their way over the field of lava, 
 and gained the high road at a point between Valencia s 
 position and that of Santa Anna at San Angel. And 
 then commenced the battle of Contreras, one of the most 
 complicated and brilliant of the campaign. The enemy 
 lay in a strongly-intrenched camp, defended by a formi 
 dable battery, with every advantage of ground, with an 
 immense superiority of numbers, and hourly re-enforce 
 ments from the city. Pillow s and Twiggs s divisions, 
 floundering through the field of lava, the officers all on 
 foot, advanced rapidly to the attack. Smith s and Riley s, 
 Pierce s and Cadwalader s brigades were exposed to a 
 heavy fire of artillery and small-arms for more than three 
 hours. But though they fought well, no decided im 
 pression had been made on the enemy s position, because, 
 independent of the impassable ravine in front and to the 
 left of the camp, our infantry, unaccompanied by cavalry 
 or artillery, could not advance in column without being 
 mowed down by the grape and canister of the batteries, 
 nor advance in line without being ridden over by the 
 Mexican lancers. Under all these disadvantages they 
 maintained the positions they had originally gained, and 
 resisted several charges of cavalry. At this juncture the 
 general-in-chief directed Col. Morgan with his regiment 
 (till then idly held in reserve by Pillow*) to move for 
 ward and occupy Contreras, and arrest the re-enforce 
 ments continually coming to the enemy. Pie soon after 
 ward ordered Gen. Shields, with the New York and South 
 
 * When ordered to hold his regiment in reserve, Morgan, who de 
 sired to push on, said, in a very audible whisper, "D n your re 
 serves." 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 339 
 
 Carolina regiments (Quitman s division), to follow and 
 sustain Morgan. "With great difficulty Morgan, at 5 
 P.M., reached the hamlet which Cadwalader and his 
 brigade had held with unflinching firmness. Santa Anna 
 was found posted immediately in his front, at the dis 
 tance of 1000 yards, with some 8000 men and two heavy 
 pieces of artillery. At the same distance in his rear was 
 the intrenched camp of Valencia, with 6000 men and 22 
 pieces of cannon. In the mean time Gen. Smith ar 
 rived. The countenance of Cadwalader, full of anxiety 
 for his men, lighted up, and he said to Gen. S., " Wel 
 come, sir. I presume you will take command." " "With 
 pleasure," was the prompt reply. " And now, while my 
 brigade is coming up, let us look at our position and 
 Santa Anna s." While thus engaged, the veteran Col. 
 Riley, with his brigade, came in, to the joy of all, for it 
 had been currently reported that he had fallen. It was 
 now nearly night, but Gen. Smith was inclined to get rid 
 of Santa Anna at once. Capt. Lee and Lieut. Beaure- 
 gard were ordered to examine the ravine in front of our 
 position, and the brigades of Riley and Cadwalader were 
 formed in close columns of divisions, at half distance, left 
 in front, the first to attack the right of Santa Anna s line, 
 the latter the centre ; his own brigade to act with Riley 
 or otherwise, as circumstances might dictate. 
 
 Riley s and Smith s veterans were in position in ten 
 minutes, but before Cadwalader s column of new troops 
 could be formed, fortunately, perhaps, it became so dark 
 the design had to be abandoned.* The night was dark 
 
 * Gen. Smith one of the best tacticians in the army yielded, in 
 this instance, perhaps, too much to his anxiety to engage the enemy. 
 The contemplated attack was injudicious : 
 
 1. Because he had no accurate knowledge of the intervening 
 ground, and what he did know indicated the presence of deep ravines 
 running parallel to our line of battle. This the map now before me 
 establishes, 
 
340 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OP 
 
 as pitch, and the rain fell in torrents. At 11 P.M., Gen. 
 Shields, with his command, reported to Gen. Smith, waiv 
 ing his seniority, and thus paying a delicate homage to 
 the acknowledged science, experience, and military talent 
 of the junior general. He reserved to himself the diffi 
 cult task of holding the hamlet, with his New Yorkers 
 and South Carolinians, against ten times his numbers. 
 
 In the mean time, Lieuts. Bcauregard, Tower, Brooks, 
 and Canby had examined the ground ; and at 3 A.M. on 
 the 20th, hungry, cold, and wet, the rain still pouring 
 down, Smith silently advanced to dislodge Valencia from 
 his intrenchments. After wading knee-deep in mud and 
 water, he halted some 500 yards in the rear of the Mexi 
 can position to close up the columns and examine his 
 arms. At dawn of day, Riley, conducted by Lieut. Tow 
 er, had gained an elevation behind the enemy, whence he 
 rushed to the assault, stormed the intrenchments, and 
 planted his colors in seventeen minutes. The official re 
 ports are full of eulogies on the gallantry of officers and 
 men in this brilliant affair. The general-in-chief pro 
 nounced it one of the most decisive victories on record. 
 
 2. Before lie could have reached the enemy, it would have been too 
 dark to distinguish friend from foe. 
 
 3. Military men would object to the order of battle, Cadwalader s 
 men, composed entirely of new levies, having been designated to at 
 tack the centre, the strongest position of the enemy. But Gen. Smith 
 knew the prowess of American volunteers, and this objection may be 
 waived. 
 
 4. The moment our troops could be discerned or heard on the ris 
 ing ground in our front, Valencia would have opened upon our rear 
 with his 22 pieces, 
 
 5. It was risking the battle upon a movement the favorable issue 
 of which would not have been commensurate with the hazard incur 
 red and the odds against us. 
 
 6. The map indicates that if the attack was made at all, it should 
 have been made on the left of Santa Anna (his right resting on a 
 deep ravine running toward Smith s position), to cut him off from his 
 base of operations at San Angel and Churubusco, especially as his two 
 pieces of artillery, being on the left of that line, would otherwise have 
 taken our columns in flank. 
 
JOIIX A. QUITMAN. 341 
 
 Oar whole force, including Shickls s brigade, numbered 
 only 4500 rank and file ; the enemy had 7000 men be 
 hind batteries, and 12,000 in sight and within striking 
 distance, both on the 19th and 20th. 4 The result was, an 
 open road to the capital; 700 of the enemy killed; 813 
 prisoners, including 4 generals and 88 other officers; 22 
 pieces of cannon and a vast store of munitions of war ; 
 thousands of small-arms, innumerable standards, and 
 over 700 pack- mules. Our loss did not exceed GO. 
 Among our trophies was the recapture, by Capt. Drum, 
 of the 4th artillery, of two brass six-pounders, lost by 
 another company of the same regiment while bravely 
 contending against vast odds at Buena Vista. They had 
 long been mourned by that gallant regiment ; they were 
 now received with every testimonial of affection : officers 
 and soldiers wept over and caressed them, the whole 
 command joined in the wild hurra, and the gencral-in- 
 chicf, riding up, cheered louder than all, and received the 
 congratulations of his troops. 
 
 While the enemy were retreating to Churubusco, 
 Worth promptly attacked and carried the strong work 
 at San Antonia, and pushed on with Twiggs and Pillow 
 in hot pursuit. At this point these divisions, respective 
 ly pursuing from Contreras and San Antonia, arrived 
 nearly at the same time. Twiggs was arrested by the 
 strong fortifications thrown up around a large convent ; 
 the two others by the tete dupont defending the passage 
 of the Churubusco River. The concentration of our 
 forces at this point brought on the battle of Churubusco. 
 Worth and Pillow carried the tete du pont, after a severe 
 struggle, at the point of the bayonet, the volunteers of 
 Cadwalader s brigade, led by the intrepid TrousdaJe, 
 vying with the regulars. Twenty minutes thereafter, 
 after a desperate conflict of two hours and a half, the 
 convent surrendered to Twiggs, just as Capts. Alexander 
 
342 LIFE AND COKKESPOXDEXCE OF 
 
 and J. M. Smith, and Lieut. O. L. Shepherd, 3d infantry, 
 had cleared the way with the bayonet. 
 
 Two hours and a half before this, while the battle was 
 at its height, Gen. ^hields had been detached with his 
 own and Pierce s brigade* to the left to turn the ene 
 my s works, to oppose the extension of their troops from 
 the rear upon and around our left, and to prevent their 
 escape when driven from their positions. 
 
 Shields made his way a mile beyond Coyacan to an 
 open but swampy field, in which is situated the hacienda 
 De los Partales. On the edge of this field, beyond the 
 hacienda, is a road leading from Churubusco to the cap 
 ital ; this was occupied by the Mexican reserve of 4000 
 infantry, strongly posted behind a ditch and breast-work 
 in rear of the town. Shields determined to throw him 
 self between these troops and the capital, but, finding 
 their right supported by 4000 cavalry, he withdrew to 
 the cover of the hacienda and resolved to attack in front. 
 He selected the Palmetto regiment as the base of his 
 line, and it moved forward rapidly but firmly under a 
 fire of musketry as terrible as infantry ever faced. 
 
 The New York regiment, led by Col. Burnett, f re 
 coiling at first under the tremendous fire, subsequently 
 charged with a wild and irresistible enthusiasm. With 
 in 100 yards of the ditch its gallant leader fell, and Lieut. 
 Col. Baxter (who had two horses shot under him) as 
 sumed the command, ably seconded by Capts. Dyckman 
 
 * Gen. Pierce had been severely injured the day before by the fall 
 ing of his horse in the pedrigal, and could neither ride nor walk. He 
 was deeply chagrined by the accident, and had the sympathy of the 
 whole army, who knew his cool, modest, and unquailing courage, moral 
 and personal, manifested throughout his career, and every way worthy 
 of his heroic lineage. 
 
 t To this gallant officer has lately been awarded the gold snuff-box 
 presented to Gen. Jackson shortly after the victory of New Orleans 
 by the ladies of New York, and by him bequeathed to be presented to 
 the New Yorker who should most distinguish himself in battle. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 343 
 
 and Hungerford, and as noble a corps of officers as ever 
 went into a fight. Sergeant Romaine, who carried the 
 national standard, had his right arm shattered, but sup 
 ported it with his left until he received his mortal wound, 
 and the colors fell. They were seized by Corporal Lake, 
 who, rushing to the front, was immediately shot down. 
 Orderly Sergeant Doremus took possession, and bore it 
 through the storm to the Mexican breast- work, where he 
 proudly planted it amid the cheers of the brigade. The 
 flags of South Carolina and New York there floated in 
 glorious fraternity. 
 
 In this sanguinary conflict Gen. Shields lost 240 from 
 these two regiments alone, not exceeding COO men. The 
 enemy fought well, as they did at every point on this 
 bloody field, standing in position till driven back by the 
 bayonet. 
 
 Col. Butler, of the South Carolinians, had left his sick 
 bed against the remonstrances of his friends to lead the 
 Palmettos to the combat. Early in the engagement his 
 horse was shot under him. Soon after he received a 
 painful wound in the knee, and yielded the command to 
 Lieut. Col. Dickinson. Taking the Palmetto flag from 
 the hands of Sergeant Beggs, Dickinson placed himself 
 in front, and Beggs was immediately shot down. Col. 
 Butler now came up to resume the command, and was 
 killed by the side of Dickinson while standing under the 
 flag. Dickinson himself soon fell mortally wounded,* 
 and Maj. Gladden received it from his hands and com 
 mitted it to Lieut. Baker, who being unable, from debili 
 ty and exhaustion, to carry it, Maj. Gladden placed it in 
 the hands of Patrick Leonard, and led his regiment to 
 the charge. His men fell rapidly, but not one wavered, 
 from first to last, under the concentrated fire of the ene 
 my. In the whole history of war there has never been 
 * He died some weeks afterward. 
 
344 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 a more striking example of indifference to death, the re 
 sult of stern resolve. Each man fought for the honor of 
 Carolina, Several companies were almost annihilated. 
 Some had not men enough left to bury their dead, or bear 
 their wounded to the ambulances. The uniforms of some 
 of the officers were literally torn from their persons ; the 
 color-bearers were shot down, but the flag, bathed in 
 their blood, was always seized as they fell and borne to 
 the front. Proudly it floated through the tempest of 
 death until the victory had been won, and then, all torn 
 and blood-stained, it drooped over its own glorious dead ! 
 The regiment-entered the battle with 273, rank and file, 
 and when it was over it mustered 1G9 ! It had no miss 
 ing; its dead and wounded made up the deficiency. 
 Cadets of a noble state, sons of a sunny clime, branded 
 by their country as traitors for defending the Constitution 
 and their rights from usurpation and outrage, yet dying 
 cheerfully for that country in a foreign land the world 
 may learn that such a race, in defense of thai* own home 
 steads and institutions, can never be subdued !* 
 
 And thus terminated the battles of Contreras, San An- 
 tonia, and Churubusco, fought on the 19th and 20th, al 
 most continuously, aptly consolidated by the general-in- 
 chief under the general title of the battle of Mexico. 
 We contended against 32,000 picked troops, strongly in 
 trenched, supported by powerful batteries, by their choice 
 of ground, under the eyes of the capital, and with the 
 certainty of refuge if defeated. We made 3000 prison 
 ers, including two ex-presidents, six generals, and 208 
 other officers; killed or disabled 7000, and captured 37 
 pieces of ordnance, besides immense supplies. 
 
 After this great battle, well fought on both sides in 
 every part of the field, there was an open road and no 
 obstacle to the advance of our army. We were in pos- 
 * For a further notice of the Palmettos, see Appendix. 
 
JOHN A. QUITAIAN. 345 
 
 session of every thing except the last line of works en 
 circling the city, and the garita of San Antonio Abad 
 was only defended by a two-gun battery. The Mexican 
 army was paralyzed. Universal consternation prevailed 
 in the city. Worth and Pillow had formed a junction 
 with Shields at the hacienda Portalcs, prepared for a 
 vigorous advance. Ilarney had collected Kearney s, 
 Ker s, M Rcynolds s, and Dupcru s companies of dra 
 goons, and was pursuing the fugitives. They rode over 
 and trampled down the flying masses on the narrow 
 causeway, charged within arm s length of the battery in 
 the face of its fire, dismounted and would have carried 
 it with their sabres, but, unhappily, the bugles, under 
 peremptory orders from the general-in-chief, sounded a 
 recall, and the heroic band, bleeding at every pore, and 
 in the very moment of their triumph, was compelled to 
 fall back. 
 
 The general-in-chief, in his official dispatch, says that, 
 " On the same evening, with but little additional loss, 
 we might have occupied the capital. But Mr. Trist, the 
 commissioner, as well as myself, had been admonished by 
 the best friends of peace intelligent neutrals and some 
 American residents against precipitation, lest by wan 
 tonly driving away the government and others dishon 
 ored, we might scatter the elements of peace, excite a 
 spirit of national desperation, and thus indefinitely post 
 pone the hope of accommodation. Deeply impressed 
 with this danger, and remembering our mission to con 
 quer a peace the army very cheerfully sacrificed to pa 
 triotism to the great wish and want of our country 
 the eclat that would have followed an entrance, sword 
 in hand, into the great capital. Willing to leave some 
 thing to the enemy, of no immediate value to us, on 
 which to rest their pride and recover their temper, 
 I halted our victorious corps at the gates of the city, 
 
 P2 
 
346 LIFE AND COKKESPONDENCE OF 
 
 and have them now cantoned in the neighboring vil 
 lages." 
 
 These are the reasons assigned by Gen. Scott for this 
 unlucky halt, which, instead of being " cheerfully" accept 
 ed by the army, filled it with surprise and mortification. 
 It was well known that on the night of the 20th the British 
 secretary of legation, the British consul general, and sev 
 eral other parties interested in Mexican finances, had vis 
 ited Gen. Scott and Mr.Trist at San Augustin, and strong 
 ly recommended a suspension of arms and a renewal of 
 negotiations. The " peace policy" of Mr. Polk, prompt 
 ed by a weak desire to propitiate a party whose clamor 
 against the war sprung from a mean jealousy of the 
 Southern States, hung like a nightmare over the army, 
 and dimmed the lustre of its most brilliant operations. 
 It paralyzed the energy of the general-in-chief, and con 
 verted a march of triumph into a march of blood. 
 
 And where was QUITMAN during these stirring events, 
 when so many of his compeers were winning imperisha 
 ble renown ? 
 
 He had taken post, it will be recollected, with his com 
 mand, on the 10th instant, at the hacienda Buena Vista, 
 five miles to the rear of Ayotla. His division marched 
 with the rest of the army round Lake Chalco, and on the 
 18th he pitched his tents near San Augustin, the head 
 quarters of General Scott, and the general depot of the 
 army. On the 19th, while several corps of the army 
 were engaged with the enemy, at different points, on 
 what is now termed the field of Contreras (Shield s 
 brigade, a part of his division, being thus employed), he 
 was directed, with his remaining brigade, to make his 
 way toward the conflict. But, w r hen coming in view, 
 the general-in-chief, learning that our depot at San Au 
 gustin was threatened by General Alvarez, ordered Quit- 
 man to return. This noted partisan, with a strong body 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 347 
 
 of cavalry, had followed our army around Lake Chalco, 
 but had not ventured an attack. The duty assigned to 
 General Quitman, though highly important, was not the 
 service he desired, but his application to be relieved was 
 promptly but firmly rejected. In his official dispatch, 
 General Scott says : " I regret having been obliged, on 
 the 20th, to leave Major General Quitman, an able com 
 mander, with a part of his division the 2d Pennsylvania 
 Volunteers and the veteran detachment of United States 
 Marines at our important depot San Augustin. It was 
 there that I had placed our sick and wounded; the 
 siege, supply, and baggage trains. If these had been 
 lost, the army would have been driven almost to de 
 spair; and considering the enemy s very great excess 
 of numbers, and the many approaches to the depot, 
 it might well have become emphatically the post of 
 honor."* 
 
 Pencil Memorandum ly General Quitman at San Augustin. 
 
 "August 20th, 1847. 
 
 "On the 19th my division arrived at San Augnstin, and there I 
 received orders requiring it to remain in reserve in charge of the 
 depot, baggage-wagons, and teams at that place. Twigg s division, 
 which had been in my van, was ordered to pass on with Pillow s, which 
 was immediately in advance of me, for the purpose of opening a road 
 to turn the works at San Antonia. In front of them, where the way 
 debouched from the ridge of land, the enemy were posted in force, 
 having some twenty pieces of cannon. As soon as our troops came 
 within range, they opened their batteries and continued them all day. 
 In the morning I called to see General Scott, and said to him that 
 his orders detailing me to guard this place had cast a gloom over my 
 division. He said the language was unmilitary. I said it was true 
 that we had been in the rear from Vera Cruz. He replied, Not so. 
 I said that I meant we were not in a position to gain any credit. He 
 said he should always place his strongest divisions in front, no mat 
 ter who commanded" them. He showed considerable excitement, 
 and I left him after I had said that I also had some reputation and a 
 character to maintain, and that he must pardon my sensibility re 
 specting orders which left me and my division no means of distinc 
 tion. 
 
 About an hour afterward I received a note from Captain Scott, 
 directing me to take command of this place as governor or com 
 mandant, etc. The firing from the enemy s works continuing, I was 
 
348 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 The assignment of this duty, though it chafed Quit- 
 man s temper at the moment, was a striking evidence 
 of the confidence reposed in his sagacity, prudence, and 
 courage. General Taylor had exhibited the same confi 
 dence when he trusted to his discretion after the storm 
 ing of Fort Teneria, and again by confiding to him the 
 occupation of Victoria and the frontier, at that time 
 threatened by Valencia and Urea with 5000 men. Gen. 
 Scott manifested it by selecting him for the first separate 
 command after the surrender of Vera Cruz, the expedi 
 tion to Alvarado, by intrusting him with the defense of 
 San Augustin, and, as we shall hereafter see, in other 
 signal instances. His peculiar trait was to grapple him 
 self upon the esteem and confidence of all with whom he 
 associated. He scarcely ever lost, even by political com 
 binations and changes, a friend once gained, and no man 
 won friends more readily. 
 
 On the morning of the 22d, the general-in-chief having 
 established his head-quarters with Worth s division at 
 Tacubaya, appointed Gens. Quitman, Smith, and Pierce 
 to meet the Mexican commissioners to arrange the terms 
 of an armistice. At the same time he handed to Gen. 
 Quitman his own draft of the terms of the convention. 
 Quitman was altogether opposed to this cessation of hos 
 tilities, not only from a distrust of the Mexican ofiicials, 
 but because he held that our proper policy and manifest 
 destiny was to seize and occupy the country. At the 
 special request of Gen. Scott, however, he reluctantly 
 consented to act on the commission. It would have 
 been more consistent with his opinions and usual prac 
 tice to have refused to participate in a transaction he 
 was unable to prevent. Strange to say, this service was 
 
 verbally ordered to send out one or two regiments to the support of 
 the troops in advance. I directed General Shields to advance with 
 two battalions of his brigade." 
 
JOIIX A. QUITMAN. 349 
 
 an object of desire in certain quarters, and some gener 
 als took offense at the gcneral-in-chief for passing them 
 by. His selection was admirable. Pierce, Quitman, and 
 Smith were not only gallant soldiers and men of honor, 
 but they had long been distinguished in the public serv 
 ice as jurists and statesmen. 
 
 The armistice was proclaimed August 24th, and Mr. 
 Trist and the Mexican commissioners renewed their ne 
 gotiations for peace. 
 
 On the 26th, Gen. Quitman wrote Gen. Scott from 
 San Augustin, that the Mexican officers, and many citi 
 zens whom he had met with, unanimously expressed the 
 opinion that no treaty of peace between the United 
 States and Santa Anna would be ratified by the Mexi 
 can Congress, and that, even if so ratified, a majority of 
 the states would pronounce against it. 
 
 He believed that the armistice should never have been 
 proposed, and even two days after it had been agreed 
 upon he doubted the wisdom of prolonging it. 
 
350 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 The Armistice. Mexican Treachery. Credulity of Gen. Scott. 
 Resumption of Hostilities. Battle of Molino del Key. Queries. 
 Council at Piedad. Defenses of the Capital. Chapultepec. Pil 
 low s Advance. Quitman s Assault. Detour of Shields. Quit- 
 man on the Rock of Chapultepec. Advance on the Belcn. Leads 
 the Charge. Surrender of the City. The American Flag. Ap 
 pointed Governor of Mexico. His Popularity. Returns to the 
 United States. Reception in New Orleans. Welcome home. 
 
 UPOX the part of the Americans this agreement was 
 rigorously observed, the general-in-chief even forbidding 
 his engineers to make reconnoissances, but it was daily 
 infringed by the Mexicans, who employed the oppor 
 tunity to reorganize their army and strengthen the de 
 fenses of the capital. In the mean time Mr. Trist entered 
 into negotiations with the minister of foreign relations, 
 and subsequently with commissioners, whose functions, 
 however, were limited to the mere reception of propo 
 sitions. The first meeting took place on the 27th, when 
 Mr. Trist presented the projet of a treaty which he had 
 brought from Washington. Delay was asked and grant 
 ed. Pretext upon pretext was resorted to. The whole 
 army saw the fraud that was being practiced upon us. 
 But the Polk policy, Puritan influence at home, and the 
 insidious representations of British officials, who were 
 constantly at head-quarters flattering Gen. Scott and ca 
 joling Mr. Trist, prevailed. The American chief, when 
 every one else was impressed with the falsehood of Santa 
 Anna, reposed on his good faith, although warned that, 
 though professing the most pacific views, he was actual- 
 
JOHN A. QumiAS. 351 
 
 ly planning a night attack on one of our divisions. In 
 capable of dishonoring the plighted word of a soldier 
 himself, he did not perceive or comprehend the treach 
 ery of the Mexican, whose antecedents, and the general 
 conduct of his government in its relations with the 
 United States, should have rendered Gen. Scott less 
 credulous. As it was, the illusion continued until the 
 designs of the enemy became transparent, and on the 
 17th of September the hostile relations of the parties 
 were resumed. 
 
 Our first demonstration was against the Mill of the 
 King (Molino del Rey), a massive range of stone mason 
 ry, one mile due north of Tacubaya, and about one thou 
 sand yards east of the castle of Chapultepec. It was, in 
 fact, an outpost of that formidable fortress, forming a part 
 of its inclosure, and each reciprocally commanding the 
 approach to the other. West of the Molino, at the dis 
 tance of 450 yards, stood another spacious and strongly- 
 built stone structure called the Casa Mater. Between 
 these an effective battery had been located, and the in 
 tervals were lined with infantry. Near by hovered the 
 ubiquitous Alvarez, with his swarm of Pintos. This 
 strong position doubly strong by its secure communi 
 cation with the castle of Chapultepec and the capital 
 was occupied by over 14,000 troops of the line and na 
 tional guards, and commanded by Santa Anna in person. 
 General Scott had been induced to believe by " intelli 
 gent neutrals," but probably by emissaries of the Mex 
 icans, that, during the armistice, the Molino had been 
 converted into a foundery, and that the casting of can 
 non was then actually going on. This was the motive 
 assigned for the attack. 
 
 Generals Scott and Worth made a survey of the posi 
 tion on the 7th, but formed no adequate conception of 
 its defenses, which had been skillfully masked. Captain 
 
352 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Mason, of the engineers, and Lieutenant Colonel Duncan, 
 of the artillery, continued the reconnoissance, as the event 
 shows, with imperfect results, but upon their report Gen 
 eral Worth made his arrangements for the attack. The 
 details of this disastrous battle are well known. It be 
 gan at daybreak, and lasted two hours. Worth s force 
 consisted of 3100 men of all arms. They fought with 
 desperation. He drove the enemy from all his positions, 
 but our loss was frightful. The return of casualties 
 runs up to 787, including a long list of distinguished of 
 ficers, w T ho fell in the assault of the Casa Mater, which, 
 instead of being, as Scott and Worth supposed, an ordi 
 nary field intrenchment, proved to be a citadel, of old 
 Spanish masonry, with bastioned intrcnchments and im 
 passable ditches. 
 
 The information as to the foundery turned out to be 
 false. But it is contended that the battle was neither 
 unnecessary or fruitless, because the Molino, being an out 
 work of Chapultepec and commanding its defenses, its 
 fall contributed to our subsequent success, and that the 
 general effect was to destroy the confidence of the Mex 
 icans in their ability to hold any position, however strong. 
 The general-in-chief had contemplated a night attack, 
 and expected to penetrate the Molino at the point of the 
 bayonet with little loss. General Worth, however, after 
 Mason and Duncan s reconnoissance, deferred the attack 
 until daybreak, and, rather in a spirit of bravado, gave 
 notice with Huger s guns of the approach of his assault 
 ing column. If he relied on artillery, would it not have 
 been better to rely on it exclusively, employing the heavy 
 metal we had captured at Contreras and Churubusco ? 
 And, instead of attacking the centre, where the enemy 
 was strongest and our loss consequently terrific, would 
 it not have been wiser to fall on his left or right wing 
 at dawn of day with the bayonet, and enter the build 
 ings with the fugitives ? 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAX. 353 
 
 Be this as it may, the leading Mexican journals de 
 rived comfort from this bloody affair, and declared that 
 a few such victories as we claimed at the Molino would 
 convert our anticipated conquest into a chastisement and 
 a curse. 
 
 Santa Anna threw a* strong force into Chapultepec, 
 and concentrated the remainder of his army within the 
 city and at its several garitas. Our engineer officers 
 were busily employed in reconnoitring the defenses of 
 the city. On the llth of September the general-in-chief 
 convened a meeting of general officers at Piedad, which 
 the engineers likewise attended. 
 
 The general-in-chief said that he desired to have the 
 opinion of his officers as to the best point of attack on 
 the capital ; that, after the casualties we had met with 
 in our several engagements in the valley of Mexico, it 
 became a matter of vital importance to strike a decisive 
 blow on that part of the capital which offered the great 
 est probability of success with the smallest chances of 
 loss, and that the decision must be made at once. He 
 added that his own predisposition was for an attack on 
 Chapultepec and the western gates of the city (the Be- 
 len and San Cosme), but that he desired the opinion 
 of his officers uninfluenced by any impressions he had 
 formed. 
 
 General Pillow followed in a long harangue, filled with 
 his peculiar notions of strategy, and the attack and de 
 fense of fortified places, and concluded strongly in favor 
 of an attack by the southern gates. 
 
 General Quitman modestly said, that, having no personal 
 knowledge of the relative strength of the defenses, and 
 claiming only a superficial acquaintance with military 
 science, he would reserve his opinion until he heard the 
 engineer officers. 
 
 Major Smith, Captain Lee, and Lieutenants Tower and 
 
354 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Stevens gave the result of their observations, and con 
 cluded in favor of an attack by the southern or San An 
 tonio gate, which decided Generals Quitman, Shields, 
 Pierce, and Cadwalader, notwithstanding the deference 
 they felt for the views of the general-in-chief. 
 
 General Twiggs expressed his concurrence with Gen 
 eral Scott. 
 
 Colonel Riley wished to know which front would re 
 quire the least time and labor for the construction of the 
 batteries ? 
 
 Major Smith answered, " The western." " Then," said 
 the bluif old soldier, "I go in for more fighting and less 
 work." 
 
 Neither General Worth nor General Smith were pres 
 ent, the former being engaged in selecting the sites for 
 batteries, and the latter on special duty at San Angel. 
 
 General Scott then called on Lieutenant Beauregard, 
 whose conduct at Yera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, and Contre- 
 ras had strongly attracted his attention. That young 
 officer observed that, inasmuch as he differed in toto 
 with his brother engineers, he felt great diffidence in ex 
 pressing his views ; that ever since the night of the 7th 
 he had been reconnoitring the southern front of the 
 city ; that he had seen its defenses hourly increasing in 
 profile, development, and armament ; that, in his opinion, 
 the garita San Antonio was now stronger than Churu- 
 busco. The approach was open to the view and to the 
 guns of the enemy, cut up with deep ditches, and almost 
 entirely under water ; that, moreover, there was no pos 
 sibility of attacking there by the flank or rear our most 
 successful tactic with the Mexicans. Santa Anna ex 
 pected an attack in that quarter, and had made his prep 
 arations to receive us, and it is a maxim in war " never 
 to do what your enemy expects or wishes you to do." 
 That all military authorities agreed that the best way to 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAlSr. 355 
 
 attack a large city, not sufficiently armed and garrisoned, 
 is simply to make the strongest demonstration practica 
 ble at one of its points, and then, by a rapid movement 
 during the night, to attack suddenly about daybreak 
 some other point more or less remote, at the same time 
 keeping up a simulated one at the point where the first 
 demonstration had been made ; that, as the general-in- 
 chief had stated, by so doing we would have the advan 
 tage of making the real attack on -that part of the city 
 which offered the greatest facilities for the construction 
 of batteries (if required), and the movement of troops; 
 and that, by first seizing Chapultepec, we secured a 
 pivot to move upon any part of the circumference of the 
 city, even though eventually we might find ourselves 
 compelled to attack those same southern gates. 
 
 General Scott having asked if any other officer pres 
 ent had any opinion to submit, General Pierce said, after 
 what he had just listened to, he asked permission to 
 change his opinion. He w^as now in favor of the attack 
 by Chapultepec. The general-in-chief then, rising to the 
 full majesty of his stature, said: "We shall attack by 
 the western gates; the general officers will remain for 
 orders ; the meeting is dissolved."* 
 
 The outworks of the CITY OF MEXICO had been close 
 ly examined by Captain Lee and Lieutenants Beaure- 
 gard, Stevens, and Tower, in a series of reconnoissances 
 
 * This circumstantial account is from a paper indorsed by General 
 Quitman " Minutes of the Council at Pieclad." 
 
 A fortnight afterward, when our army was within the city, while 
 General Scott was riding with Generals Twiggs and Smith on the San 
 Cosme road, meeting Lieutenant Bcauregard with Colonel Hitchcock 
 and Mr. Trist, he said, in a tone of feigned severity, "Young man, I 
 wish to reprimand you, and I wish the whole army was present ; hut 
 these generals represent it. Why did you advise me to attack by the 
 western gates ? You now see the consequences ! We have taken this 
 great city and the halls of Montezuma, after a few hours hard right 
 ing, and with only a loss of 800 men. Be careful in future, sir, of 
 such bad advice to your seniors." 
 
356 LIFE AND COEBESPONDENCE OF 
 
 full of hazard and adventure. The city is built on a 
 slight elevation near the centre of an irregular basin, and 
 is girdled with a ditch for the most part a canal of suf 
 ficient capacity for navigation. There are eight en 
 trances, or gates, strongly defended. All the approaches 
 to the gates are narrow causeways, flanked on each side 
 by deep and wide ditches. These causeways had been 
 recently cut in various places, to render access more dif 
 ficult, and they were completely swept by the front and 
 cross fires of the batteries at the garitas or gates. The 
 roads connecting one causeway with the other and the 
 bridges at the intersections had been broken, and the 
 marshy plain around was inundated. In the rear of the 
 Belcu gate (a strong work, with parapet and ditch on 
 one side of the aqueduct, and a redan on the other), at 
 the distance of 1712 feet, stands the citadel, a square 
 bastioned work, whose guns commanded the Tacubaya 
 causeway. Projecting out from this like a huge spider 
 from its centre, 4656 feet from the Belen gate, frowns 
 the castle of Chapultepec, on a rock 150 feet high, only 
 accessible over a rugged and difficult path on its west 
 ern and southwestern sides.* The buildings were of 
 solid Spanish masonry, and the whole had been fortified 
 with great skill and upon the most approved principles. 
 General Nicolas Bravo, one of the most distinguished 
 officers of Mexico, with the ablest of her artillerists and 
 
 * Memorandum of Distances made for General Quitman l)ij Major John 
 L. Smith, Engineer Corps. 
 
 From interior extremity of citadel to garita below 1712 feet. 
 
 garita to bend in road and aqueduct 135 
 
 this bend to first bridge 800 
 
 first to second bridge 2207 
 
 second bridge to the battery 214 
 
 battery to intersection of road at Chapiiltepec...l300 
 
 Entire distance G3G8 
 
 Deduct distance from citadel to garita 1712 
 
 Leaving as distance from garita to Chapultepec 4656 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 357 
 
 engineers, and GOOO picked troops, was intrusted with 
 its defense. 
 
 To deceive the enemy as to the real point of attack, 
 on the night of the llth Lieutenant Beauregard was or 
 dered to locate Steptoe s battery, which opened at day 
 light against the works at the garita San Antonio, or 
 southern gate of the city. General Twiggs was in posi 
 tion near by to sustain this demonstration. 
 
 Pillow and Quitman had been selected to command 
 the assault on Chapultepec, the former to attack the 
 western ascent, the latter the more formidable works 
 on the southeast. Batteries in aid of both were located 
 during the night of the 12th. At 8 P.M., the two gen 
 erals and General Worth, who was to support Pillow, 
 repaired to head-quarters to receive their final instruc 
 tions. Their movements after the fall of the castle were 
 to be determined upon subsequently, it being understood, 
 however, that an attack upon the capital would immedi 
 ately follow the fall of Chapultepec. There was a pro 
 tracted discussion as to the best mode of proceeding, 
 during which General Pillow strongly urged a peculiar 
 plan of his own ; but the general-in-chief, after listening 
 in polite and patient amazement, gave his own orders 
 with an exactitude not to be misunderstood, leaving, of 
 course, a certain latitude of discretion for unforeseen 
 contingencies. 
 
 Worth was directed to support Pillow, one brigade 
 of his division being deemed sufficient, and he supplied 
 him with a storming party of 260 men and 18 officers, 
 led by Capt. M Kenzie, of the 2d artillery. 
 
 Smith s brigade was ordered to support Quitman. 
 His storming party was composed 1st. Of 120 men, 
 volunteers from his own division, under Major Twiggs, 
 of the marines. 2. A pioneer party of 40 select men 
 from the volunteer division, led by Captain Reynolds, of 
 
358 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OP 
 
 the marines. 3d. 250 of Twiggs s veterans, and 13 offi 
 cers selected out of the rifles, the 1st and 4th regiments 
 of artillery, and the 2d, 3d, and 4th regiments of infant 
 ry, all under the command of Capt. Casey, of the 2d in 
 fantry. This party was organized into six divisions, cor 
 responding to the different regimental detachments of 
 which it was composed. The first was led by Captain 
 Roberts, of the rifles; the second by Lieut. Hoskins, 1st 
 artillery ; the third by Capt. Dobbin, 3d infantry ; the 
 fourth by Lieut. Hill, 4th artillery ; the fifth by Lieut. 
 Westcott, 2d infantry ; the sixth by Capt. Paul, 7th in 
 fantry. These storming parties were supported by Wat 
 son s battalion of marines. 
 
 Sept. 13th, 1847. The signal agreed on for the joint at 
 tack was the simultaneous cessation, for five minutes, of 
 the fire of our heavy batteries. At 8 A.M. on the 13th 
 this signal w^as given, and both columns were put in 
 motion. 
 
 General Pillow started from the Molino, materially 
 supported by Magruder s battery, and was soon engaged 
 with the Mexican sharp-shooters in an open wood. These 
 being speedily dislodged, he rapidly pushed his men to 
 the foot of the acclivity, where he was paralyzed by a 
 glancing ball. The intrqrid Cadwalader now took com 
 mand, and over rocks, chasms, and mines he led his 
 teoops up the steep ascent in the face of a fearful fire of 
 cannon and musketry. They gave the enemy no time to 
 explode their mines. Those who attempted it were shot 
 down. As the general-in-chief graphically expresses it, 
 " There was death above as well as below the ground." 
 Thus fighting inch by inch, leaping from rock to rock 
 over the fiery jaws of a volcano, and still struggling up 
 ward and onward, this band of heroes scaled the main 
 work on the summit of the castle, and their exulting 
 shout rang high above the roar of artillery and the crash 
 
JOHN A. QU1TMAN. 359 
 
 of small-arms, which hoarsely resounded upon the rock 
 below like, the surge of a heavy sea. 
 
 In this assault Pillow had the advantage of starting, 
 as it were, from within the enemy s works, and found 
 himself on an equality with him up to the very moment 
 of scaling the walls at the crest of the mount. He start 
 ed from the Molino, an adjunct of the castle, and Magru- 
 der s battery completely commanded the wood and low 
 grounds on that side of Chapultepec. 
 
 Quitman, on the contrary, had to advance on the Tac- 
 ubaya causeway, exposed at every step to a sweeping 
 discharge of grape from the formidable outworks at the 
 base of the hill, far more destructive than the plunging 
 fire from elevated fortifications. The principal battery 
 mounted five guns, and was supported by a strong de 
 tachment of musketry posted on the east. The cause 
 way had been cut at intervals to render approach more 
 difficult. There was little shelter for his men from the 
 storm of grapeshot, and deep ditches on each side, and 
 morasses cut up with canals, left no margin for manosu- 
 vring. By a daring reconnoissance on the 12th, Quit 
 man had acquired a knowledge of these difficulties, and 
 made up his mind to rely chiefly on the bayonet.* Un 
 der a tremendous fire from the five-gun battery, the 
 breast-works, and the castle, Quitman steadily advanced 
 by a flank, the storming parties in front, to a ruined 
 building within 200 yards of the battery, which afforded 
 partial shelter. Here Quitman, perceiving that a strong- 
 body of the enemy had concentrated on our front and 
 right, directed General Shields, with the New York and 
 South Carolina regiments, and the 2d Pennsylvania regi 
 ment, Lieut. Col. Geary, to advance obliquely on the left 
 and breach the wall at the foot of the hill, and thus aid 
 
 * For the details of this affair, in which Lieut. Lovell greatly dis 
 tinguished himself, see Appendix. 
 
360 LIFE AND COKKESPONDENCE OF 
 
 on that flank the assault of the stormers. It was a mas 
 terly conception, resulting from a new aspect of affairs, 
 that demanded an instant change in the plan of attack. 
 He perceived it in a moment, arid halted his stormers 
 under the ruins, while the volunteers plunged into the 
 morass. Under a heavy fire of grape and musketry they 
 struggled forward. Captain Van O Linda, of the New 
 Yorkers, was shot dead. Lieut. Col. Baxter, of the same 
 regiment, fell mortally wounded. Col. Geary received a 
 severe contusion. General Shields s arm was shattered 
 by a musket ball, but he refused to quit the field. The 
 New Yorkers and Pennsylvania^ pushed for the redan, 
 through which they entered the inclosure, and were seen 
 rapidly climbing the ascent to take a glorious part in the 
 strife then raging within the castle. 
 
 " Steady they step adown the slope, 
 
 Steady they climb the hill ; 
 Steady they load steady they fire 
 Marching right onward still." 
 
 The Palmettos, more to the right, and more exposed to 
 the fire, suffered severely. Led by the intrepid Glad 
 den, they advanced silently, in perfect order and without 
 firing a gun, until, like a storm-surge on their native 
 shore, that breaks over the beach and sweeps far inland, 
 carrying drift and barriers before it, they broke across 
 the breast-work and ascended the hill to support the 
 stormers of Pillow s division. There these regiments of 
 Quitman s command joined in the assault, and, when the 
 gallant Seymour, of Pierce s brigade, tore down the 
 Mexican flag, the standard of the New York regiment 
 was hoisted in its place. Immediately thereafter the 
 Palmetto banner floated by its side, and Bravo, the vet 
 eran commander of Chapultepec, surrendered his sword 
 to Lieut. Brower, of the New Yorkers. 
 
 While Shields was executing this important move- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 301 
 
 merit, and as soon as it was seen that he had crossed the 
 outworks, Quitman ordered the assault. The stormers 
 advanced in the order in which they have been named. 
 Major Twiggs was shot dead. Capt. Casey was severe 
 ly wounded, and the command devolved on Capt. Paul. 
 Capt. Itoberts led the advance, and, with a shout that 
 shook the earth, they rushed upon the battery. And 
 
 then 
 
 " There rose so wild a yell 
 Within that dark and narrow dell, 
 As though the fiends from heaven that fell 
 Had pealed the banner-cry of hell." 
 
 The sabre, the bayonet, and the clubbed rifle soon did 
 their work of death, and the grim victors paused while 
 their general ascended to the castle to reconnoitre the 
 positions of the enemy.* 
 
 * Capt. Casey, who led the stormers until he was disabled, in his 
 report says: "From the desperate nature of the service, and their 
 zealous co-operation, I would recommend all the officers composing 
 the storming party to the general-in-chief. Capt. lioberts, by his po 
 sition as commanding the leading division of the column, more par 
 ticularly attracted my attention. From what I myself witnessed, and 
 from the testimony of others, he, by his activity, zeal, and gallantry, 
 merits the highest praise." 
 
 Injustice was done to these heroic men in some of the official re 
 ports, which occasioned the following appeal, never heretofore in 
 print. 
 
 " City of Mexico, 3d Oct., 1S4T. 
 
 "GENERAL, The undersigned officers of the storming party from 
 General Twiggs s division, with great reluctance, have the honor to 
 ask a court of inquiry for the investigation of the facts connected 
 Avith the storming and taking of the five-gun battery in the rear of 
 Chapultepec. 
 
 " General Twiggs, in his order congratulating his division of the 
 army for its successes before this city, credits to General Smith s bri 
 gade the assaulting and taking of this Avork ; and in the report of 
 Capt. Paul, who succeeded Capt. Casey in the command of the storm 
 ing party of this division, Capt. Paul reports that he charged and car 
 ried the same battery, supported by Capt. Roberts, etc., etc. Both 
 the order from Gen. Twiggs and the report from Capt. Paul contain 
 errors in fact, which, without correction, are calculated to injure the 
 officers and the assaulting party who stormed and carried this work. 
 
 "We regret extremely, General, that we feel constrained to ask 
 this investigation ; but, in justice to ourselves and the brave men who 
 
 VOL, I. Q 
 
362 LIFF, AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 "What a spectacle presented itself, as he gazed with 
 eagle glance from that lofty eyry! On one side the 
 battle-field, where so many 
 
 were with us, it seems that the truth should appear. It will then be 
 shown that this battery was assaulted and carried by the stormers 
 commanded by Capt. Roberts without the aid of any other force. 
 "We have the honor to be, with high regard, etc., 
 
 "B. S. ROBERTS, Capt. Rifles. 
 
 < S. D. DOBBIN, " 3d Infantry. 
 
 J. A. HASKIN, 1st Lieut. 1st Art ry. 
 
 D. H. HILL, Lieut. 4th Artillery. 
 
 JAMES STUART, 2d Lt. M nt d. Rifles. 
 
 B. E. BEE, 2d Lieut. 3d Infantry. 
 
 J. B. RICHARDSON, Lieut. 3d Inf try. 
 
 GEO. C. WESTCOTT, Lieut. 2d Inf try. 
 
 FRED. STEELE, Lieut. 3d Infantry. 
 - For Major General Winfield Scott, Com. Army." 
 
 There was influence in high quarters, and other considerations, 
 perhaps, that prevented this investigation. But among the papers of 
 Gen. Quitman I find the following letter, written, evidently, with no 
 view to publication, but as it is to vindicate the truth of history, it 
 should make a part of the record of Chapultcpec. Col. Roberts was 
 n great favorite with Quitman, and the just sensibility of a soldier, and 
 his sentiment of state pride this letter evinces, are worthy of high con 
 sideration. 
 
 From Lieut. Col. B. S. Roberts to Gen. Quitman. 
 
 "Washington, June 23d, 1S52. 
 
 "Mr DEAR GENERAL, I have recently been called upon by a com 
 mittee of gentlemen from my native state to furnish them with a his 
 torical account of the services I rendered in the battle of Mexico, 
 which I can not with propriety do, except as they have been mention 
 ed in the official reports of my commanders. In these reports, how 
 ever, there is apparent conflict, and they would not be clearly under 
 stood without explanations that military propriety would forbid my 
 making. For example, Gen. Smith reports that the flag raised on 
 the capital was raised by a non-commissioned officer of the rifles. 
 Gen. Twiggs makes the same statement. These reports are not cor 
 rect in spirit or in fact. You detailed me for that service, and /ren 
 dered it, raising that flag mainly with my own hands, and I was, in 
 fact, the first American who entered the palace and cleared it of the 
 leperos. 
 
 "Gen. Smith, Gen. Twiggs, and Gen. Scott all report, in substance, 
 that Smith s brigade became stormers at the fort of Chapultepec, and 
 entered the works with the storming party. This is not so. I applied 
 to Gen. Smith to re-enforce me on finding the batteries impregnable, 
 and he positively refused to aid in the storming, and said I must 
 go to you for orders, his were to support me. You were then at the 
 stone ranch by the road-side, and I went to you, repeating that my 
 party was so cut to pieces that I must be re-enforced. You replied, 
 
JOHN A. Q HITMAN. 363 
 
 "The same wild road, 
 On the same bloody morning, trode 
 To that dark inn, the grave !" 
 
 Above him, the flags of bis own division, mutilated in 
 the strife, but floating proudly, the symbols of a con 
 quering race. Before him, the splendid capital of an 
 empire whose traditions and vicissitudes constitute the 
 romance of history. He felt the grandeur of the mo 
 ment, and saw, with the eye of a soldier, the brilliant 
 destiny in reserve for him. The Tacubaya causeway 
 was the nearest approach to the imperial city, and the 
 Belen gate and the citadel, though bristling with can 
 non, and guarded by Santa Anna and the flower of his 
 army, would full before the energy and enthusiasm of 
 his troops. He did not pause for consultation or for or 
 ders, but deriving his authority from the force of cir- 
 
 4 Captain Roberts, you must storm and carry the lattery within ten min 
 utes r I said I cotdd do so if given the command of marines and all 
 that remained. Your reply was, Take the command. I did so ; ral 
 lied, on my way back, the stragglers and the marines, and took the 
 work. I assert, and can not be contradicted, that none of Gen. 
 Smith s brigade (except the stormers) had any thing to do in the as 
 sault, neither did they come into the work until it had been in my 
 possession some fifteen minutes. History demands that these things 
 should be set right. 
 
 "In Capt. Paul s report to Gen. Rilcy, lie claims, in spirit, to have 
 led the stormers, and has got the reputation of having taken the bat 
 tery in the rear of Chapultepec. I required him to alter the report he 
 made to you, setting the matter right. 
 
 "General, I have always been convinced that there were unworthy 
 and unmanly attempts to deprive your division of the fame of captur 
 ing the city of Mexico. The attempt on the part of Gen. Smith and 
 Gen. Twiggs to turn to the credit of Smith s brigade the service ren 
 dered by the stormers under your personal orders and direction should 
 be rebuked. 
 
 "I will thank you to write me, at your earliest convenience, the 
 facts of this case. They are, that the storming party alone captured 
 the 5-gun battery in the rear of Chapultepec ; that you assigned me 
 to the command of it on the field ; that the flag carried by that party 
 was the one raised on the capital, and that it was raised there by me. 
 My friends in Vermont think it is due to the truth of history that 
 these facts should appear, and that my native state may know what 
 service Vermonters rendered under vo\ir command." 
 
304 LII<\E AND COEKESPOXDENCE OF 
 
 cumstances, and yielding, as Wellesley did at Salamanca, 
 to the inspiration of the moment, he placed himself at 
 the head of his column, and stormed, in succession, two 
 batteries, about midway between the castle and the cit 
 adel. The desperate work before him was now appar 
 ent. There stood the Belen, with its powerful batter 
 ies ; just in its rear, the citadel, capable of throwing an 
 enormous amount of metal an enfilading fire from the 
 guns of the Paseo a long line of musketry 011 the Pie- 
 dad road, and a swarm of sharp-shooters lurking wher 
 ever there was shelter and concealment. Of all these 
 obstacles he was apprised. Reorganizing his column 
 mingling the Palmettos with Loring s rifles in advance 
 supported by the 2d Pennsylvania regiment, the marine 
 battalion, Seymour s regiment of Pierce s brigade, a de 
 tachment of the 6th infantry under Major Bonneville, 
 and the residue of Smith s and Shields s brigades, he ad 
 vanced to the desperate work before him, silent and re 
 solved, with no music but the thunder of cannon and the 
 rattling roar of small-arms. When within two hundred 
 yards of the Belen, Major Loring fell, severely wounded. 
 At this juncture Gen. Quitman seized a rifle, attached 
 his handkerchief to it as a flag, and waving it over his 
 head, ordered the assault. With one wild cheer they 
 followed their leader through a hurricane of fire, and at 
 20 minutes past 1 drove the enemy from his guns. Quit 
 man, black with smoke, and stained w r ith blood, leaped 
 upon the battery and called for a flag. Lieut. Sellick, a 
 young and dauntless Carolinian, vaulted to his side, and 
 amid the iron tempest from the citadel, proudly planted 
 the Palmetto banner. Like the famous Jasper of the 
 Revolution, he fell under its folds. 
 
 Gen. Smith, aware that they were performing an act 
 in a great drama that history would never forget, held 
 up his watch, and called on all to note the time. The 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 365 
 
 ensign of conquest floated on the walls of the capi 
 tal. 
 
 Our troops in advance of the garita were now directed 
 to fall back to the partial shelter it afforded until bat 
 teries could be constructed to support the attack upon 
 the citadel. During the night, by extraordinary exer 
 tions, and at much personal hazard, Lieut. Beauregard 
 located a number of batteries for our heavy pieces ; but 
 at break of day, on the 14th, a flag from the citadel pro 
 posed to surrender. The Mexican chief, with his troops, 
 had withdrawn from the capital.* Leaving the Palmet 
 tos posted at the Belen, and the 2d Pennsylvania regi 
 ment in the citadel, with the rifles in front, and Steptoe s 
 battery in the rear, Quitman conducted his column to the 
 Grand Plaza, and formed in front of the national palace. 
 lie gave orders to plant the flag of our republic upon its 
 dome, and precisely at 7 A.M. it was saluted by his di 
 vision. f 
 
 At 8 A.M. the general-in-chief, with his staff, in full 
 
 "Mexico, September 13th, 1S47. 
 " Major General Qintman: 
 
 "DEAR SIR. By your request, find also for your information, I beg 
 to state, that on this night, before twelve, Gen. Santa Anna abandoned 
 this city, taking with him about five thousand cavalry and upward of 
 four thousand infantry, and twenty-six pieces of artillery, besides sev 
 eral cart-loads of ammunition. 
 
 "I have the honor to be, with high respect and esteem, your most 
 obedient servant, 11. L. GRAVES. 
 
 "P.S. The above information I am enabled to give you from my 
 obscrvation, having come into the city during the armistice, and being 
 unable to get a pass from Gen. Santa Anna (which was then required) 
 I was forced to remain in the city." 
 
 f Gen. Quitman thus describes this event: "When forming my 
 division on the plaza, I perceived several non-commissioned officers 
 hastening towards the palace with their regimental colors. I cried 
 out, No, my brave fellows, take back your colors. The first flag on 
 that palace must be the flag of our country. Capt. Roberts, of the 
 rifles, was then directed to bring forward a stand of national colors 
 and plant them upon the palace." For more on this subject, see 
 "American Flag in Mexico," published by order of the Senate of 
 the United States. 
 
366 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 uniform and escorted by cavalry, appeared on the Grand 
 Plaza, and was received by Quitman with the highest 
 military honors. He had intended to enter the city first, 
 with Worth s division, by the longer and easier route of 
 the San Cosme causeway, and had there concentrated his 
 strongest array. But this intention had been defeated 
 by the bold, impetuous, and masterly operations of Quit- 
 man.* Captivated, however, by the brilliant coup-de 
 mean of the Mississippian, and the great military qual 
 ities he had exhibited on these last three eventful days, 
 the general-in-chief immediately appointed him Governor 
 of the City of Mexico. 
 
 And now, at last, the soldier s dream of ambition was 
 realized. He stood over the ashes of Montezuma, and 
 ruled where Cortez, the prodigy of the sixteenth cen 
 tury, had held his regal sway. First in the fortress of 
 Chapultepec ! First on the walls of the capital ! First 
 in possession of the city ! First to erect our national 
 standard on its loftiest tower ! 
 
 " Oh, war ! them hast thy fierce delight, 
 Thy gleams of joy intensely bright! 
 
 * In his official report, General Scott says : 
 
 "I had been, from the first, well aware that the western, or San 
 Cosme, was the less difficult route to the centre and conquest of the 
 capital, and, therefore, intended that Quitman should only manoeuvre 
 and threaten the Belcn or southwestern gate, in order to favor the 
 main attack by Worth knowing that the strong defenses at the Be- 
 len were directly under the guns of the much stronger fortress, called 
 the citadel, just within. Both of these defenses of the enemy were also 
 within easy supporting distance from the San Angel (or Nino Perdi- 
 do) and San Antonio gates. Hence the greater support, in numbers, 
 given to Worth s movement as the main attack. 
 
 "Those views I repeatedly, in the course of the day, communicated 
 to Major General Quitman;* but, being in hot pursuit gallant him 
 self, and ably supported by Brigadier Generals Shields and Smith, 
 Shields badly wounded before Chapultepec and refusing to retire, as 
 well as by all the officers and men of the column Quitman continued 
 to press forward under flank and direct fires, carried an intermediate 
 battery of two guns, and then the gate, before two o clock in the aft 
 ernoon, but not without proportionate loss, increased by his steady 
 maintenance of that position." 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 367 
 
 Such gleams as from thy polished shield 
 Fly dazzling o er the battlc-licld ! 
 Such transports wake, severe and high, 
 Amid the pealing conquest cry!" 
 
 INCIDENTS OF THE THREE DAYS. 
 
 In the desperate conflicts on the causeway and at the 
 Belcn, Quitman had incurred all the hazard of his storm 
 ing parties. Every member of his staff was wounded. 
 Lieutenant Wilcox, one of his most efficient aids, says : 
 " The general was greatly exposed. Our brave fellows 
 were falling fast when he directed me to order up the 
 storming party. I found Captain Casey severely wound 
 ed. He referred me to Lieutenant Gantt. As I ap 
 proached to give the order he was shot dead. I then 
 gave it to Lieutenant Steele. Rejoining the general, I 
 found that General Shields, Adjutant General Page, and 
 Lieutenant Tower had all been wounded. 7 
 
 HIS RESOLUTION AND PERSISTENCY. 
 
 That gallant officer, Captain D. D. Baker, of the ma 
 rines, writes : " During the 12th we were under fire all 
 day, but General Quitman s bearing and indomitable 
 spirit pervaded our ranks. On the night of the 12th he 
 defeated an attempt to re-enforce the garrison of Cha- 
 pultepec. On the 13th he led his troops against the bat 
 teries under a tremendous fire, and aided to carry the 
 castle with the bayonet. My brave commander, Lieute 
 nant Colonel Watson, shortly before he fell, directed me 
 to communicate with the general, and I found him, with 
 Captain Drum, engaged in turning a captured gun against 
 the enemy. He detained me a few moments to assist. 
 After we had stormed the battery, I met him on the 
 heights of Chapultepec. He said to me, Adjutant, your 
 marines behaved nobly. But we must now push for the 
 Belen. General, said I, the citadel is in your front. 
 
368 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 4 1 am aware of it, sir, but we must try it. He placed 
 himself at the head of his men, fought his way along the 
 aqueduct, stormed the garita, and at half past 1 P.M., a 
 tempest of grape, canister, and musketry roaring around 
 him, he stood upon the captured battery, waved his hand 
 kerchief on the point of his sword, and claimed posses 
 sion of the city." 
 
 NAEEOW ESCAPE. 
 
 A short time after the garita was stormed, while Gen 
 erals Quitman, Smith, and Shields, and several of their 
 aids, and Lieutenant Beauregard were conversing, a how 
 itzer shell from the citadel struck the upper edge of the 
 aqueduct immediately above their heads, exploding at 
 the same time. The concussion knocked them all down, 
 but none of them were wounded. The gallant Major 
 Loring says : " General Quitman was at the head of my 
 regiment at the time I was shot. We were the nearest 
 American soldiers to the city of Mexico and their army 
 at the time I was wounded. After I fell, he armed him 
 self with one of my rifles in their charge upon the Garita 
 de Belen, fired his last cartridge, then tied his handker 
 chief to its muzzle, and waved his gallant soldiers over 
 the breastwork being the first to mount amid the ter 
 rible carnage that followed. I ll venture to say there 
 are few instances in history where one so high in rank 
 and advanced in life has thus had, and availed himself of, 
 the brilliant opportunity of wreathing around his brow 
 so distinct a title to the honor of being regarded the 
 bravest of the brave. " 
 
 DEATH OF CAPTAIN DRUM. 
 
 " About this time," says Lieutenant Beauregard, " Cap 
 tain Drum and Lieutenant Benjamin passed with their 
 pieces (one 24-pound howitzer and one long 18-pounder) 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 309 
 
 on each side of the aqueduct, firing as they advanced, in 
 the face of a heavy fire of grape and canister, solid shot 
 and shells. After the sei/.ure of the garita Drum took 
 possession of an 8-pounder, turned it round on its own 
 platform against a battery near the citadel, and, after 
 having several sets of men cut down, fell himself mortal 
 ly wounded by a shot that broke both his legs. And 
 thus perished one of the most promising and popular of 
 ficers in the service. A few moments afterward his lieu 
 tenant, Benjamin, boldly pushing his piece toward the 
 citadel, fell, to rise no more, on the corpses of the brave 
 gunners that lay thickly around." 
 
 A BRAVE SERGEANT. 
 
 During the advance one of Benjamin s men, becoming 
 terrified under the awful fire of grape and canister, took 
 refuge in one of the arches of the aqueduct, and when 
 called back to his gun, moved very reluctantly. The 
 sergeant, who had just been wounded in the leg, band 
 aged it with his handkerchief, and, hobbling to the man, 
 repeated the order. The fellow still moving slowly, the 
 impatient officer drew his sabre and thrashed. him back 
 to his duty. It was indeed a terrible post, and never did 
 men stand by it more firmly. 
 
 INTREPIDITY OP GENERAL SMITH. 
 
 "After taking the garita," says Lieut. Beauregard, 
 " while waiting for the approach of night to enable us to 
 construct our batteries, screening ourselves as best we 
 could from the heavy fire of the citadel, Gen. Persifer F. 
 Smith performed one of the most daring acts ever wit 
 nessed. Between the battery at this point and the aque 
 duct, there was an opening of some twelve feet for the 
 passage of vehicles between the city and Chapultepec. 
 This was completely swept by the guns of the citadel, 
 
 Q2 
 
370 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 which kept up an incessant discharge of grape and canis 
 ter, and by the Mexican sharp-shooters from behind the 
 arches of the aqueduct. It was a matter of life and 
 death to cross this passage from one side of our position 
 to the other. One of the riflemen started to cross it, 
 and, instead of going over in a direct line and in double- 
 quick time, he crossed diagonally and leisurely. As a 
 matter of course he was shot down. He raised himself 
 several times on his elbow, but could not get up. Gen. 
 Smith ordered a party to bring him in. Several soldiers 
 stepped forward, but recoiled from the fatal passage, 
 through which poured a torrent of projectiles. Upon 
 the order being repeated they advanced a step, and 
 stood apparently paralyzed. Gen. Smith got up, un 
 buckled his sword, and, without saying a word, went to 
 the wounded soldier and stooped to raise him up. In a 
 moment a dozen officers and men were at his side, and, 
 wonderful to say, they all got back safely, the enemy 
 having, fortunately, intermitted his fire. They brought 
 in a corpse. 
 
 " As though to show the chances of war, soon after 
 tliis a solid shot ricochet killed five or six of our men 
 who. were under the arches of the aqueduct, and had felt 
 themselves perfectly safe." 
 
 A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE. 
 
 " During the night of the 13th," continues Lieut. Beau- 
 regard, " Gen. Quitman and I were groping along in 
 the dark, in front of our position, in search of a suitable 
 site for a second battery he desired to have. The gen 
 eral pertinaciously insisted that the ground before us was 
 high. I expressed my doubts, when suddenly he disap 
 peared head foremost, and I had scarcely heard his plunge 
 before down I went myself neck-deep in the Piedad Ca 
 nal ! I could not forbear rating the general about his 
 
JOHN A. QUITATAN. 37 1 
 
 * high land, and asking what he thought of it now. He 
 readily admitted that it was rather lower than he had 
 taken it to be. We did not give up, however, but 
 scrambled out and located our battery, and by daylight 
 had our guns in position and our matches lighted. This 
 was very hard work, but was done with the aid of my 
 gallant friends, Lieut. Coppie, 1st artillery, and Lieut. 
 Wood, 3d infantry. 
 
 A FASTIDIOUS OFFJCEE. 
 
 "Upon the offer to surrender the citadel Gen. Quit- 
 man dispatched Lieut. Lovell and myself to confer with 
 the officer, detaining the flag as a hostage. The officer 
 in charge offered to pass over every thing to us, but de 
 manded our receipts. It was with difficulty we made 
 him comprehend that receipts on such occasions w r ere 
 written with blood and signed with the bayonet." 
 
 NEW STYLE OF TEINTIXG. 
 
 During the storming of the Belen Lieutenant Wilcox 
 was struck down, and supposed to be killed. His re 
 volver, hanging to his belt, saved his life. The ball 
 struck its barrel, and was picked up as flat as a dollar, 
 with the name of the maker and the place where it was 
 made legibly stamped upon it. 
 
 A FAITHFUL TEAMSTEE. 
 
 " While we lay under shelter at the garita an ammu 
 nition-wagon came trotting down the road. Knowing 
 that the enemy would open upon him we signaled to 
 him to turn back, but he did not notice our signs and 
 came on. The road being too narrow to turn, we di 
 rected him to unhitch. While doing this two of his 
 team were killed. We called to him to get under cover. 
 4 No, be Jasus, said lie, I must save my mules. And, 
 
372 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 notwithstanding the shower of grape, he got off safely 
 toward Chapultepec." 
 
 QUITMAN IN BATTLE. 
 
 A distinguished officer of the 2d Pennsylvania regi 
 ment, Avriting from the City of Mexico to the Philadel 
 phia Inquirer, says : 
 
 "This battle at the garita was the hottest point of 
 the whole war. It lasted from noon until dark of the 
 13th of September. A few hundred of us congregated 
 around the gate which gave . us entrance to the city. 
 "We had one field-piece there, taken from the enemy 
 when we drove them from the gates to their citadel. 
 In using that field-piece we were entirely without pro 
 tection, and were exposed to the fires of the citadel (one 
 of the strongest in the world), of a cross battery, and of 
 thousands of men in position on the Paseo. 
 
 "The conduct of Major General Quitman was truly 
 sublime. I never witnessed so much chivalrous heroism, 
 united with so much concern for his men, and with so 
 much cool intellectual battle wisdom. While he calmly 
 dared every thing, his mind was supreme, presiding over 
 every thing, and making provision for every emergency. 
 At all points he was exposed, and he would suffer no 
 man to expose himself to shield him. On one occasion, 
 when it was necessary for him to pass along a line of 
 desperate exposure to effect an object, I approached 
 him and asked permission to do what he was about to 
 do in person, to bear his message, intimating to him that 
 my own fall would be, in the crisis of the moment, of no 
 importance compared with his. His reply was, while he 
 puffed away at his cigar, 4 No, take care of yourself; it is 
 necessary for me to do it. And he did do it. At an 
 other time, about the middle of the afternoon, when our 
 own gun was silenced (for we had run out of arnmum- 
 
JOHN A. QUTTMAN. 373 
 
 tion), and the fire of the enemy was fast dealing death 
 around, I asked him to let me be one of a select party at 
 once to storm and take the citadel, and by one dreadful 
 sacrifice, if needs be, put an end to this one-sided work 
 of blood. His reply, again, was in the same spirit, c N~o, 
 I will not permit my brave men thus to be sacrificed. I 
 must take care of them as well as conquer the foe. All 
 I now design is to maintain, with as little loss as possi 
 ble, my present position until night. When night cov 
 ers us we will bring up our guns ; will have an abund 
 ance of ammunition ; we will construct a battery, and 
 before to-morrow s sun is an hour high we will plant our 
 country s flag on the capital of Mexico Mexico will be 
 ours ! All this was said in the calmest manner, while 
 he quietly smoked his cigar, without the least emphasis 
 or excitement, with no discernible manifestation of boast 
 or vainglory, and with the enemy s balls falling as hail 
 around him. 
 
 " We did maintain our position ; we did construct our 
 battery, making all right ; we did bring up more cap 
 tured guns, and with them an abundant supply of am 
 munition. And soon after the day s dawn, before the 
 sun s rays had lighted up the scene of desolation around 
 us, the white flag of the enemy approached the citadel 
 and city were surrendered, and, before the sun was an 
 hour high, the flag of our country floated in triumph 
 over the national palace the Halls of the Montezumas, 
 whence I now write. 
 
 " The manner of General Quitman, even in the midst 
 of the most exciting danger, is the calmest you can con 
 ceive of. His orders are as quietly communicated as if 
 he were conversing with a friend at the dinner-table. 
 His presence, his mild, benevolent face, his daring cour 
 age, his concern for all but himself, his mind providing 
 for every thing, inspire universal confidence, and seem 
 
374 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 to animate all who follow with the same indomitable 
 heroic spirit of him who leads." 
 
 THE WAEEIORS REUNION. 
 
 Colonel John D. Elliott relates the following touching 
 incident : 
 
 " Soon after the termination of the Mexican war, while 
 on a visit to Washington city, we made the acquaintance 
 of Major Loring. During our sojourn, General Quitman, 
 who had been in attendance upon a court-martial at 
 Frederick, arrived in the city and took lodgings at the 
 United States Hotel. On hearing of his arrival we re 
 paired, in company with Major Loring, to his quarters. 
 
 " The hero of Chapultepec earnestly grasped the ex 
 tended hand of his guest, and, with moistened eye, for a 
 moment stood speechless in the presence of one whose 
 right arm had been lost jn the effort to save the life of 
 his commander. It was their first meeting since the 
 gallant major had been borne from the field of battle in 
 the storm upon the Garita de Beleu. 
 
 "We gathered, from what was said, that General Quit 
 man was in the act of giving some word of command to 
 the major, when the practiced eye of the latter, and his 
 knowledge of projectiles, discovered the elevation of a 
 piece of cannon, charged with grape, about being dis 
 charged directly upon them. They were both standing 
 adjacent to the arched wall of the aqueduct, when the 
 major, without time to speak, forcibly impelled General 
 Quitman beneath the arch in time to screen him from 
 the destructive fire, but not to save himself from the 
 deadly blow, which cost him the loss of one arm and 
 nearly his life. Such self-sacrificing devotion, such noble 
 impulse, deeply impressed the heart of the fearless vet 
 eran, and now, for the first time, he sought language to 
 convey in person some feeble testimony of its apprecia 
 tion." 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 375 
 
 "On the evening of the 12th Sept.," says Sergeant 
 Dcvit, 3d artillery, " a detachment from the 3d was or 
 dered to man four iron guns on the Tacubaya causeway. 
 One piece, a 24-pounder, was confided to me. One of 
 my shots took effect near the flag-staff of the castle, and 
 tore off a section of the roof. Stepping up to me, Gen. 
 Quitman said, Well done, sergeant. We shall get that 
 flag first. A few moments after this Gen. Shields came 
 up, and sprung upon a ridge on the side of the road, 
 where an opening in the pulque bushes had been made. 
 Gen. Quitman insisted on his coming down, because he 
 had noted it as directly within range of one of the Mexi 
 can guns. Gen. Shields had scarcely moved when a ball 
 from the castle struck the very spot where he had stood, 
 covering both of our generals with dust. Gen. Quitman 
 said, Shields, you owe me one ; and Gen. Shields pleas 
 antly related the anecdote of Napoleon, who, when a 
 young officer at Toulon, remarked, when a cannon ball 
 covered the paper on which he was writing with dust, 
 We shall need no more sand. " 
 
 " When we were under a very heavy fire on the cause 
 way before Chapultcpcc," says Corporal John Bold, of 
 the Palmettos, " a volunteer belonging to another regi 
 ment was shot down. lie called for assistance, but no 
 one moved. Gen. Quitman, hearing his call, sternly cried 
 out, Gentlemen, I fear there are some of you in the 
 ranks that I can not trust. I instantly stepped for 
 ward ; my comrade, Anderson, joined me. The general, 
 and Lieut. Bell, of our regiment, took our muskets, and 
 we brought the man in. You deserve your muskets, 
 gentlemen, said the general, shaking us by the hand. 
 4 You do your duty as soldiers and Christians. " 
 
376 LIFE AND COKKESPONDENCE OF 
 
 ENTRANCE INTO THE CITY. 
 
 "After leaving a garrison at the garita and at the 
 citadel," says Lieut. Beauregard, " we marched toward 
 the main plaza of the city with only about three or four 
 regiments and Steptoe s battery. We arrived and form 
 ed in line of battle in front of the cathedral as its clock 
 was striking 7 A.M. The American flag was then hoist 
 ed on the palace of the Montezumas. 
 
 " The sight we presented marching into that immense 
 city, being nearly all of us covered with mud, and some 
 with blood, some limping, some with arms in scarfs, 
 and others with heads in bandages, followed by two 
 endless lines of gaping leperos and rabble, was any thing 
 but glorious in appearance.* 
 
 " The novelty of our position had renewed my failing 
 energies, and Gen. Quitman, not having one of his per 
 sonal staff about him at the time (as they were trans 
 mitting his orders in every direction), requested me to 
 go and inform the general-in-chief of our entrance into 
 the city, and of our having taken possession of the pal 
 ace. I rode toward the San Cosme garita through the 
 deserted streets of that large capital as silent as the 
 tomb every house being strongly barricaded with 
 nothing to disturb this death-like stillness but the clat 
 tering of my horse s hoofs on the pavements. I could 
 not then help remembering the description by Prescott 
 of Cortez s flight from the city during that celebrated 
 Noche Triste, about 317 years before, by the very road 
 I was then traversing." 
 
 - 
 
 * Lieut. Wilcox says that General Quitman had but one shoe on. 
 He lost one the night before in the canal. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 377 
 
 INTERVIEW WITH TITE GENERAL-IN-CHIEF. 
 
 " At the Almeda, or public garden, I came upon the 
 head of Worth s command stationed there at the time; 
 they appeared as astonished to see me coming from that 
 direction as I was to find them there, for I was not 
 aware of their true position until then. When I told 
 them of our having occupied the palace, they appeared 
 somewhat surprised at our temerity and success. I con 
 tinued on, and met General Scott and staff near the 
 angle of the San Cosme and Chapultepcc roads ; it must 
 have been about 8J hours. He appeared delighted to see 
 me. When I had communicated my message, his first 
 question was, Whether we had been in any hurry to 
 forestall Gen. Worth in the occupation of the palace? 
 I told him that we had never been aware of the position 
 of Gen. Worth, and that I had only just ascertained it. 
 Moreover, that we had never heard of the surrender of 
 the city until we had entered the citadel, where we met 
 an English gentleman who had come to give us the in 
 formation, and to tell us to be on our guard, as it was re 
 ported that as soon as our troops would become disor 
 ganized by the excesses and depredations inherent to the 
 violent possession of such a large city, a rising of the 
 leperos would take place, during which, Santa Anna, who 
 had only retired to the small village of Guadalupe, three 
 miles to the north of Mexico, would suddenly return and 
 attack us when thus unprepared to receive him, and it 
 was hoped every one of us would be exterminated. This 
 scheme had been arranged, but it was frustrated by our 
 doing the very reverse of what they expected us to do." 
 
 INSURRECTION OF THE LEPEROS. 
 
 " I returned with the general-in-chief and staff to the 
 palace, where we arrived abotit 9 hours, when a salute was 
 
378 LIFE AND CORKESPOXDEXCE OF 
 
 fired by Steptoe s battery, and all the necessary orders 
 given for the proper occupation of the city, Gen. Quitman 
 being appointed governor ; but before they could all be 
 carried into execution the outbreak spoken of took 
 place, and by 1 2 hours had become so intense that Santa 
 Anna thought the favorable moment had arrived for 
 carrying his scheme into execution. Unfortunately for 
 him, the head of his column came directly upon Dun 
 can s battery, which opened upon it a destructive fire, 
 and drove it back faster than it had come. This revolt 
 continued until the next day about noon, and at one time 
 looked very unfavorable. I again had the pleasure of 
 seeing here the gallant Cerro Gordo division (with which 
 I had so often served, that I almost considered myself 
 as belonging to it), led on by its worthy general (Twiggs, 
 or Old Orizaba, as he was called), doing its fighting in 
 the streets, storming houses, etc., as it did every thing 
 else, sans peur et sans reproche? 
 
 GEX. WORTH AXD LIEUT. COL. DUXCAX. 
 
 In his report of the actions before the gates of Mex 
 ico, Gen. Worth says : 
 
 " A portion of Garland s brigade, which had been pre 
 viously deployed in the field to the left, now came up 
 with and defeated the enemy s right; the enemy s left 
 extending in the direction of the Tacubaya aqueduct, on 
 which Quit man s division was battling and advancing. 
 Pursuing the San Cosme road, we discovered an arched 
 passage through the aqueduct, and a cross route practi 
 cable for artillery, for a considerable distance over the 
 meadows, in the direction of the battery and left of the 
 enemy s line, which was galling and endeavoring to 
 check Quitman s advance. Lieut. Col. Duncan, with a 
 section of his battery, covered by Lieut. Col. Smith s bat 
 talion, was turned oif upon this route, and, advancing to 
 within 400 yards of the enemy s lines (which was as far 
 as the nature of the ground would permit), opened an 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 379 
 
 effective fire first upon the battery and then upon the 
 retreating troops, great numbers of whom were cut down. 
 Having thus aided the advance and cleared the front 
 (being favorably situated) of my gallant friend Quitmaii 
 as far as it was in my power, this portion of my com 
 mand was withdrawn." 
 
 Gen. Quitman, who was ever ready to acknowledge 
 the success of others, thus refers, in his report, to the 
 same incident : 
 
 " On our approach to the garita, a body of the enemy, 
 Avho were seen on a cross road threatening our left, were 
 dispersed by a brisk fire of artillery from the direction 
 of the San Cosme road. I take pleasure in acknowledg 
 ing that this seasonable aid came from Lieut. Col. Dun 
 can s battery, which had been kindly advanced from the 
 San Cosme road in that direction by General Worth s 
 orders." 
 
 Upon examining the matter critically, however, it does 
 not appear that this diversion could have had any mate 
 rial effect. The distance, instead of 400 yards, as stated 
 by Worth, was 883 yards, according to a map of the city 
 of Mexico and its defenses, made by Lieut. Bcaurcgard, 
 and now in the office of the chief engineer, Washington 
 city. The position was not on the flank of said battery 
 (which had its flank protected by a parapet forming a 
 traverse in that direction), but on a line forming nearly 
 an angle of 30 with that flanking direction ; and there 
 were at least two pieces in the Mexican battery, heavier 
 than any in Duncan s, firing through embrasures. Dun 
 can, though one of the boldest officers in the service, 
 could get no nearer, owing to the canals which intersect 
 ed his line of approach in every direction, and, at that 
 long range, the heavier metal of the enemy (always well 
 served) would have been more likely to drive him away 
 than he to " clear Quitman s front." The fact is, the fire 
 was ineffective, owing to the range and the calibre of his 
 
380 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 GEN. PILLOW S REPORT. 
 
 In his official report of the storming of Chapultepec, 
 Gen. Pillow (who personally saw but little of it, having 
 been struck down in the beginning of the action by " an 
 agonizing wound") remarks : 
 
 "The advance of Gen. Quitman s division, which was 
 to have assaulted upon the left of the position, having 
 fallen under the fire of a battery on the outside of the 
 outer wall, and, being unable to scale it in consequence 
 of the want of ladders, were obliged to march several 
 hundred yards to the south, and to enter the very breach 
 through which portions of my command had passed at 
 the commencement of the action. The consequence was 
 that command did not get into position in time to ren 
 der me material assistance in the assault ; though, owing 
 to the delay at the summit of the hill, occasioned by the 
 want of ladders, portions of Gen. Quitman s command, 
 who passed through the breach in the outer wall under 
 my own observation, had time to come up and enter the 
 inner works about the same time with parts of my own 
 command, which had for some time previous completely 
 enveloped the work and called out for the ladders." 
 
 There was no necessity for this passage, which has 
 been construed to the disparagement of Quitman and his 
 column. Nor is it accurate. Gen. Pillow s arrange 
 ments for the attack on Chapultepec have been severely 
 criticised. His original plan of attack is said to have 
 been wholly unmilitary, but, of course, was superseded 
 by the instructions of the general-in-chief, who, early on 
 the evening of the 12th, in consultation with Capt.Lee 
 and Lieuts. Tower and Beauregard, of the engineers, had 
 arranged his plans, which shortly afterward were com 
 municated to Gens. Quitman and Pillow. 
 
 Gen. Pillow s call on Worth for re-enforcements, so 
 much in the spirit of "Come, help me, Cassius, or I sink," 
 was unnecessary, for he already had a superabundance 
 
JOHN A. QUITJ1AX. 381 
 
 of troops swarming up and around the hill, and the call 
 for more only multiplied the casualties. 
 
 And, in the opinion of military men, he committed a 
 material error in assigning his ladders to new levies, who 
 were thrown into disorder, and the ladders were not 
 forthcoming when needed, thus delaying the final assault, 
 and exposing his men to a prolonged and destructive fire. 
 
 Let us now examine the passage from his report. 
 
 1 . From what he says, it would be inferred that Quit- 
 man had erred more egregiously than himself about the 
 " ladders." The inference is that Quitman, though or 
 dered expressly to storm certain batteries, had ignorant- 
 ly or culpably neglected to provide the indispensable lad 
 ders. The fact is, they had been carefully provided and 
 intrusted to Capt. Reynolds, who says, " We were pro 
 vided with muskets, ladders, pickaxes, and crowbars." 
 Maj. Casey, in his report, refers to his ladders and other 
 storming apparatus. There was no delay, therefore, on 
 that account no change of operations for the want of 
 " ladders," as Pillow intimates. See also Major Casey s 
 report. 
 
 2. From the language of General Pillow, it may be 
 inferred that the regiments led by Shields and Geary, 
 when making the oblique movement Quitman deemed it 
 expedient to order, were wandering, confusedly, over an 
 unknown track ; and he states positively that " they en 
 tered the walls of the fortress through a breach made 
 by his troops, and did not get into position in time to 
 render him material assistance in the assault." 
 
 In answer to this sweeping statement, it may be ob 
 served that General Quitman, by an elaborate reconnois- 
 sance, had a thorough knowledge of the ground. He 
 knew the difficulties to be overcome. There was no de 
 lay whatever in the execution of his work. The oblique 
 movement to the left was the result of the unexpected 
 
382 LIFE AND COKKESPONDENCE OF 
 
 concentration of the enemy in a new position. It was 
 a masterly conception of Quitman, and was gallantly ex 
 ecuted by Shields an(J his volunteers. They waded 
 through the morass in the face of a terrific fire, and 
 calmly preserved their own until they had penetrated 
 the walls. "The Palmetto regiment," says General 
 Shields, " being in advance, gained the wall without fir 
 ing a shot, broke through it, and ascended the hill in a 
 body." When ordered by Lieutenant Colonel Johnson, 
 of the Yoltigeurs (who had just stormed the castle, and 
 was senior officer at the moment), to form his regiment, 
 Major Gladden, of the Palmettos, replied that "it was 
 already formed." It had never broken its ranks an in 
 stance of discipline and steadiness under fire and in the 
 assault that no veteran regiment in any service ever sur 
 passed. 
 
 Major Gladden, who led the Palmettos, says, "Upon 
 arriving at the wall, I set to icork^ and, after considerable 
 difficulty, succeeded in making a breach in it." 
 
 3. According to General Pillow, they rendered him 
 no material assistance in the assault. What says Gen 
 eral Quitman ? 
 
 " Simultaneously with these movements on our right, 
 the volunteer regiments, with equal alacrity and intre 
 pidity, animated by a generous emulation, commenced 
 the ascent of the hill on the south side ; surmounting ev 
 ery obstacle, and fighting their way, they fell in and 
 mingled with their brave brethren in arms who formed 
 the advance of Major General Pillow s column. Side by 
 side, amid the storm of battle, the rival colors of the tivo 
 commands struggled up the steep ascent, entered the 
 fortress, and reached the buildings used as a military 
 college which crowned its summit. Here was a short 
 pause ; but soon the flag of Mexico was lowered, and 
 the stars and stripes of our country floated from the 
 
JOHN A. QumiAX. 383 
 
 heights of Chapultepeo high above the heads of the 
 brave men who had planted them there. The gallant 
 jSTew York regiment claims for their standard the hon 
 or of being first waved from the battlements of Chapul- 
 tcpec. The veteran Mexican general, Bravo, with a num 
 ber of officers and men, were taken prisoners in the cas 
 tle. They fell into the hands of Lieutenant Charles 
 Brower, of the New York regiment, who reported them 
 to me." 
 
 General Scott, in his report, expressly recognizes the 
 services of Quitman s command in " the final assault, 
 after having gallantly carried the works at its south 
 eastern base." 
 
 General Shields says, "The Palmettos ascended the 
 hill in a body to the support of the storming parties from 
 the other division. The New York regiment united 
 with the storming parties of the other division." 
 
 Major Burnham, who led the New York regiment 
 (its colonel, Burnett, having been wounded, and its lieu 
 tenant colonel, Baxter, killed), says, emphatically, "It 
 was the first at the ditch, first in the enemy s works, and 
 first to place the national flag on the conquered castle." 
 
 Major Brindle, who took command of the 2d Pennsyl 
 vania regiment, Colonel Geary having been wounded, 
 says, " In ascending the hill, moving by the right of com 
 panies, the regiment gallantly charged the works on the 
 summit. The ascent was made under a brisk fire of 
 small-arms by the enemy, which was returned by our ad 
 vancing columns with such effect as to cause their imme- 
 
 O 
 
 diate retreat. It is due to the regiment to state that, al 
 though others entered simultaneously with them, they 
 were among the first inside." 
 
 Captain D. D. Baker, of the marines, says, " Quitman 
 brushed away the strong defenses at the base of Chapul- 
 tepec, and carried the castle at the point of the bayonet." 
 
384 LIFE AXD CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Pillow s report of the action bears date September 
 18th, 1847 ; Quitman s, September 29th, 1847. The pre 
 sumption is that Quitman had seen or been informed of 
 this passage in Pillow s report when he drew up his own, 
 and claimed for his command an equal share of the hon 
 or of the final assault, after having first accomplished a 
 more exposed and more difficult enterprise. He accom 
 plished what from the first he designed to do. In his 
 report he alludes to his contemplated assault upon the 
 castle, as distinct from the batteries at its foot. 
 
 General Pillow s command performed the part assign 
 ed it a perilous and difficult part most brilliantly, and 
 this defense of their brothers in arms is not intended 
 to rob them of the laurels they so nobly won. 
 
 THE QUESTION OF PRIORITY. 
 
 It has been a matter of controversy which was first 
 carried, the castle, or the works at its base, and how far 
 Pillow s attack assisted Quitman, and vice versa. The 
 question is of little value, but it can not be doubted that 
 Quitman s command stormed the batteries, and was in 
 the fortress on the hill in time to take part in the fight. 
 The simultaneous advance made by the two divisions 
 undoubtedly operated in favor of both in its effect on 
 the enemy. In a strategic point of view, it must, of 
 course, be conceded that the fall of the castle would 
 bring with it the evacuation of the lower batteries, which 
 were commanded by the former. But the fact is that 
 these batteries were stormed before the fortress surren 
 dered. The proof is conclusive. The Mexicans at the 
 leading battery, directly on the line of advance of Quit 
 man s storming party, stood obstinately to their guns 
 until they were overpowered by the bayonet and clubbed 
 rifle. A portion of those that retreated fled along the 
 causeway toward the Belen ; another portion, and a por- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 385 
 
 tion of those that had been formed in line of battle along 
 the aqueduct, sought safety inside of the wall at the 
 base of the hill, whence they were subsequently driven 
 by the guns of the castle after it had surrendered to 
 Quitmaii and Pillow. This one fact is conclusive as to 
 the question of precedence, independent of the positive 
 testimony already quoted. 
 
 QUITMAX S ADVANCE OX THE EELEX. 
 
 The gencral-in-chief, in his report, says he only intend 
 ed that Quitmaii should manoeuvre and threaten the Be- 
 len gate while the main attack should be made by 
 Worth on the western or San Cosmo route, and that, 
 during the day, he repeatedly communicated these views 
 to General Quitmaii. 
 
 There is no evidence in the papers of General Quit 
 maii to show that he ever received such instructions. 
 lie marched from Chapultepec, in broad daylight, on an 
 elevated causeway, in full view of the whole army, 
 storming battery after battery, and finally carried the 
 garita by assault at 20 minutes past 1 P.M. " During 
 all this time," says Lieutenant Beauregard, " I was near 
 him, in constant communication with him, conversing 
 freely as to what he proposed to do, and he never hint 
 ed having received such instructions." If he had re 
 ceived them even after the storming of the garita, is it 
 probable that he would have kept a large portion of his 
 exhausted command, who had been two days under fire, 
 employed in constructing batteries to attack the citadel 
 next morning ? It is a violent presumption to suppose 
 that Quitman, under any circumstances, would have dis 
 obeyed the orders of the general-in-chief. He under 
 stood the value of subordination, and, a thorough stick 
 ler for his own rights, he never disputed the rights of 
 others. 
 
 \^ / T T I * 
 
 01.. x. I t 
 
386 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 Capt. Baker, of the marines, says, " About dark, after 
 the fall of the garita, while I was taking a cup of coffee 
 with Gen. Quitman, Lieut. Hardcastle brought congratu 
 lations from. Gen. Scott, and desired him to withdraw for 
 the night from his exposed position. The answer was, 
 I will not retire without a peremptory order. Lieut. 
 II. then inquired of the general what he wanted for the 
 night ? He replied, Intrenching tools and ammunition. 
 When the lieutenant rode away Gen. Quitman rose and 
 said, Baker, the capital is mine ; my brave fellows have 
 conquered it, and, by G d, they shall have it ! Next 
 morning he took possession of it." 
 
 Lieut. Wilcox, one of his aids, says, "As he was going 
 up to the castle, after we had stormed the batteries, he 
 left orders with me (and, I presume, the other members 
 of his staff) to have the troops ready for an advance upon 
 the city. This was the first word I had heard on the 
 subject. I remember having seen several officers from 
 Gen. Scott while we were advancing along the aqueduct, 
 but whether they gave orders to Gen. Quitman I can not 
 say; he communicated none to me. The orders given 
 to him were, as a matter of course, almost invariably 
 made known to his staff. I remember having a brief in 
 terview with Maj. Kirby, one of the officers referred to. 
 He said nothing of orders from Gen. Scott." 
 
 Gen. Quitman was sensitive in regard to the matters 
 here referred to, and propounded a series of interrogato 
 ries to Capt. Danby, of Arkansas, one of his aids, distin 
 guished for his gallantry, activity, and intelligence. His 
 testimony covers the whole controversy, and settles ev 
 ery doubtful point. 
 
 <T Xittlc Hock, Arkansas, July 21st, 1852. 
 " GEN. J. A. QUITMAN : DEAR SIR, I have examined 
 your interrogatories, propounded with the view of elicit 
 ing such facts in the history of the storming of the fort- 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 387 
 
 ress of Chapultepec and the gate of Belcn as might be 
 in my possession and transpired under my observation, 
 and will, with pleasure, respond to all of your interrog 
 atories as briefly as I can with justice to all parties con 
 cerned. 
 
 " I have to say, in reply to interrogatory 
 " 1st. When and at what time were you received on 
 my staff? 
 
 " I was introduced to you in a restaurant in Tacubaya, 
 where you had called to get your breakfast, about eight 
 o clock in the morning of the 12th of September, 1847. 
 You had just arrived, if I mistake not, from Capt. Drum s 
 battery, which was then firing on the fortress of Chapul 
 tepec from the road leading from Tacubaya to the city. 
 Immediately on making your acquaintance I offered my 
 services as a volunteer, and on your staff, was accepted, 
 and proceeded with you to Capt. Drum s battery. I did 
 no service of importance on the 12th. 
 
 " 2d. What verbal orders did you receive from me 
 on the 13th before you were wounded, and the particu 
 lar place and point of time when you received each ? 
 
 " The first order I executed for you on the 13th of Sep 
 tember was to direct Capt. Hunt, with a section of Dun 
 can s battery, to move up. He was between Drum s 
 battery and Tacubaya. He moved up as directed, and 
 received orders from you at Capt. Drum s battery. The 
 second order was a similar one, a very few minutes after, 
 to Major Twiggs to move up with his storming party. 
 He also advanced and received orders from you at Drum s 
 battery. The third order was not long after this, when 
 you directed me to go across the meadow between where 
 we were (Drum s battery) and Chapultepec to gather up 
 all the stragglers, close up the column, and direct the vol 
 unteers to advance on the fortress of Chapultepec and 
 carry it by storm. The fourth order was when we both 
 had ascended the hill at Chapultepec, you directed me to 
 go down the causeway leading from Chapultepec to the 
 city of Mexico, and ascertain and report to you the move 
 ments of a body of Mexican troops, who appeared to have 
 marched out from, and were ascertained to be retreating 
 again toward the city, after the fall of Chapultepec. The 
 fifth order was received from you immediately on my 
 
388 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 return and report to you of the execution of the fourth 
 order; it was received on the causeway leading from 
 Tacubaya and Chapultepec to the gate of Belen and the 
 city, not far from where the Tacubaya road crosses the 
 aqueduct, and between the crossing and the city. On 
 my return from executing jour fourth order I heard the 
 cry of Gen. Quitnian s division, to the city ! Gen. Quit- 
 man s division, to the cityT Immediately on my report 
 ing to you, I was directed by you to proceed again to 
 the then surrendered fortress of Chapultepec, and repeat 
 to all of your command whom I might see the order of 
 4 Gen. Quitmarts division to the city. The sixth order 
 I executed was on the Belen causeway, near the Casa 
 Colorada (Red House). This was to direct Maj. Bonne- 
 yille to take possession of the Casa Colorada, and there 
 gather and take command of all stragglers. The seventh 
 order was after we had advanced from the Casa Colo 
 rada toward the city, when you directed me to ride back 
 to the head of the causeway near Chapultepec and direct 
 all stragglers to move up on the right or south side of 
 the aqueduct; and also to direct Gen. Smith to move 
 up and join you with your reserve, which was command 
 ed by him. Just before I reported the execution of this 
 order to you, and immediately outside of a work thrown 
 up by the Mexicans between the Casa Colorada and 
 the city, I received a wound which disabled me and pre 
 vented my reporting to you. I may have received other 
 orders from you on the 13th of September, but these are 
 all which I can now recall to my memory. It would be 
 impossible for me, after this lapse of time, to give the 
 precise time of receiving any of the orders enumerated 
 above; indeed it would have been difficult for me to 
 have done so the next day, as I took no particular note 
 of time, having lost my watch when I was taken prison 
 er. I would give it as my opinion, however, that the 
 first order (to Capt. Hunt) was received about 8 o clock 
 in the morning, and the last order (to Gen. Smith) was 
 soon after 11 o clock in the forenoon of the 13th of Sep 
 tember. 
 
 " 3d. At the time the volunteer regiment passed over 
 or through the wall, could you see any of Gen. Pillow s 
 division ascending the hill? Was not the battery in 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 389 
 
 front of my column carried before the Mexican flag was 
 lowered on the castle? 
 
 "I did not see any of Gen. Pillow s division ascend 
 ing the hill at the time our volunteers passed the wall, 
 though I presume they ascended the hill about the same 
 time with our volunteers. The battery in front of your 
 column was carried before the Mexican flag was lowered 
 on the castle. 
 
 " 4th. What flag was first on the walls of the castle ? 
 
 " I can not say which of the different flags was first 
 on the walls of the castle, though the first flag I saw 
 there was that of the New York regiment. It is just, 
 however, that I should say that, immediately after seeing 
 the flag of the New York regiment, I saw several other 
 flags on the castle. The first thing which attracted my 
 attention to the other flags was an apparent scramble as 
 to which flag should be run up on the fortress after the 
 hauling down of the Mexican flag. The Mexican flag 
 was hauled down some time, in my opinion, at least five 
 or ten minutes, before the firing ceased and the Mexicans 
 were subdued. 
 
 " 5 th. Which way did the body of the Mexican troops 
 retreat ? 
 
 " I was not in a position to see, and, consequently, do 
 not know which way the body of the Mexican troops 
 who escaped from Chapultepec did retreat ; but it must 
 have been north of the Belcn road, and on the other side 
 from where we were. It is impossible that they could 
 have escaped down the Belcn road, because our storm 
 ing party, aided by General Smith s command, carried 
 the works just at the end of, and which commanded the 
 entrance into that road, and took a large body of prison 
 ers (amounting to some hundreds) between those works 
 and Chapultepec on the hill. * 
 
 " Cth. Did the firing continue until I had entered the 
 works and ascended the hill, or while ascending the hill ? 
 
 " A scattering fire did continue until after you had 
 entered the works, and had ascended, or was ascending 
 the hill. Tliis fire was from the timber (or woods) on 
 the hill-side on our left as we ascended the hill. 
 
 " 7th. At what point were you wounded ? 
 
 "I was wounded at a point just before we reached a 
 
390 LIFE AND CORKESPONDENCE OF 
 
 breast-work outside of the gate of Belen, and the only 
 one, I believe, between the Casa Colorado, and the Be 
 len gate. 
 
 " 8th. At what point did yon first hear the orders 
 given by me to advance toward the city ? Or when 
 and where did you first learn my intention to attack the 
 city ? On your advance up the hill did I direct you to 
 inform my command that they should form on the cause 
 way to march on the city? "When you ascended the 
 hill what was going on in our division? Where then 
 was I ? and where Avas I, and what doing, when you last 
 saw me ? 
 
 " I first heard your orders to advance on the city on 
 the causeway leading from Chapultepec to the city, not 
 far from where the Tacubaya and Belen road crosses the 
 aqueduct ; for an account of the orders then received, see 
 my answer to your second interrogatory. It is given in 
 my account of the fifth order, and therein referred to 
 and explained. When I ascended the hill to execute 
 your fifth order you were at the head of as much of 
 your column as you had collected, and had commenced 
 your advance on the city by the Belen causeway. When 
 I last saw you on that day you were in advance of where 
 I received my wound. I had, as I have before stated, 
 been back to the rear, and ordered up Gen. Smith with 
 your reserve, and was, when I received my wound, com 
 ing up to report to you that I had executed that order. 
 At this time you were advancing toward the city; I 
 think about where Drum s battery was at that time. 
 
 "9th. Were was General Shields then, and General 
 Smith ? 
 
 " The last I saw of Gen. Smith on that day was a few 
 minutes after I last saw you. He was advancing at the 
 head of his column to join you, as he had been ordered 
 by you through me. This was a short time after I had 
 received my wound. Gen. Shields passed where I lay a 
 few minutes after Gen. Smith. He had his arm in a sling 
 from a wound he had received that morning. He stop 
 ped and conversed with me some minutes. I desired 
 him to report to you that I had been disabled, so as to 
 prevent my joining your staff again, which he politely 
 promised to do, and, smiling, bid me Good-morning. 
 
JOHN" A. QUmiAX. 391 
 
 "10th. Were you not much about my person until 
 you were carried from the field? and did you, at any 
 time, hear of my receiving any communications from the 
 general-in-chief, or any other source, in relation to his in 
 tention to make the principal attack by the San Cosme 
 causeway ? 
 
 " I was much about your person indeed all the time 
 I was not absent carrying orders for you to your different 
 commands. During the whole day, until I was carried 
 from the field, I heard nothing of your receiving any or 
 ders, or communications of any kind, from the general- 
 in-chief or from any other source. I did not hear it in 
 timated in any quarter that the principal attack was to 
 be made on the gate of San Cosrne. My impression was, 
 at that time, and still is, that a joint attack w r as contem 
 plated, as it certainly was carried out, on both the gates 
 of Belen and San Cosme. But whether that w T as the con 
 templated plan or not, I am certain that you received no 
 orders or communications from the general-in-chief on 
 that day until you had taken the gate of Belen. What 
 orders you might have received after that I can not be 
 cognizant of; for shortly before the gate was carried I 
 w T as wounded, and shortly after it w r as carried I was 
 taken from the field." 
 
 The general-in-chief, with a brilliant suite, escorted by 
 the cavalry, entered the city at 8 o clock, the band of the 
 2d dragoons playing " Hail Columbia." As the cortege 
 appeared on the Grand Plaza the general was received 
 with acclamations, and " Yankee Doodle" from the dif 
 ferent bands raised the national feeling to the highest 
 pitch. Without dismounting from his charger like it 
 conqueror acknowledging the valor of his generals on 
 the field of battle Gen. Scott proclaimed Gen. Quitman 
 governor of the city of Mexico, with high civil and mili 
 tary powers. His staff consisted of Capt. F. N". Page, 
 assist, adjutant general ; Lieuts. M. Lovell, C. M. Wil- 
 cox, and R. P. Hammond, aids ; Capt. Charles Naylor, 
 superintendent of the palace, Capt. G. T. M. Davis, sec 
 retary ; Mr. Levi, interpreter. 
 
392 LIFE AND COKBESPONDENCE OF 
 
 A formidable insurrection had been organized, to be 
 initiated by the leperos, or rabble, of the city, and sec 
 onded by Santa Anna, if circumstances were favorable. 
 There were several hours of bloodshed and confusion, 
 but the prompt and decisive measures adopted soon re 
 stored order. Gen. Scott and Gov. Quitman both com 
 manded the confidence and respect of the better class 
 of Mexicans. The municipal authorities co-operated in 
 every measure for the preservation of tranquillity. The 
 American Star, published in the city of Mexico, of the 
 20th of September, says : 
 
 " In our opinion, confidence is now perfectly restored ; 
 there is scarce a place of business that is not open ; and 
 what more clearly than any thing else demonstrates the 
 fact that contentment reigns in a great measure over the 
 scores and scores of families that begin to promenade the 
 streets. Whenever you see the softer sex walking the 
 streets in confidence, you may set it down at once that 
 things are as they should be. 
 
 " The shops are again opened, and security and public 
 confidence are perfectly restored. The theatre was open 
 ed on Sunday, the 26th ult., and the crowd was immense, 
 the building not being capable of containing the numbers 
 who thronged the avenues." 
 
 This was the result of the liberal but firm and vigilant 
 administration inaugurated by the American governor. 
 In the neighboring city of Puebla, which had been tem 
 porarily evacuated by our troops, as though to show the 
 contrast between American and Mexican rule, the great 
 est disorders prevailed. A letter from a responsible 
 source, dated Puebla, September 22d, says : 
 
 "The guerrilleros have disgraced the name of man 
 they are monsters. The letter says there is scarce a for 
 eign family or a foreigner that has not received more or 
 less injury from them, and, in many instances, of the most 
 aggravating nature. Independent of the outrages com 
 mitted upon the persons and property of the Mexican 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 393 
 
 citizens, they have gone into the houses of foreigners, 
 and devastation and dismay have followed their every 
 step. They broke into the store of a German jeweler 
 near the Diligencias, and, after robbing it of near $25,000 
 worth of property, put a rope around his neck and took 
 him to the Alameda for execution. They then went into 
 the house of an American lady who has lived many years 
 in Pucbla, and whose husband is now in Mexico, and, 
 putting their swords and lances to her breast, were about 
 to kill her, when she delivered what money was in her 
 hands and they left. But wore we to enumerate all their 
 enormities we would have place for nothing else. Suf 
 fice it to say, that their actions are disgraceful in the ex 
 treme, and has put a blot on the national character that 
 will be hard to wipe out." 
 
 Among General Quitman s papers there are numerous 
 evidences of his popularity in Mexico. There arc many 
 letters, written after his return to the United States and 
 up to the period of his death, from very influential cit 
 izens, expressing the warmest interest in his fortunes, 
 and a deep sense of obligation for the moderation, and 
 respect for the national feelings and misfortunes of Mex 
 ico, that had characterized his course while exercising 
 the arbitrary functions of his position. There were over 
 tures made to him to remain in Mexico, and as long as 
 he lived strong hopes expressed that he would become 
 identified with her destiny. lie was known to be in fa 
 vor of an armed occupation of the country, and his plan 
 was not without powerful supporters even in Mexico.* 
 
 * The following letter, from a very observing man, will be found in 
 teresting. The internal condition of Mexico is much the same as it 
 was then, only it has deteriorated, and calls more loudly for American 
 intervention. 
 
 "New York, April 29th, 1S57. 
 
 " General , whom I saw much of at the capital, has sailed for 
 
 Europe. lie returns here expressly to visit you incog. He is a man 
 of fine talent and education. lie confirmed, in various conversations 
 with me, the general impression prevailing in Mexico that your divi 
 sion Avon Chapultepec and the capital. Most of the Mexican func 
 tionaries concurred in this opinion. And they all spoke of your hu 
 ll 2 
 
394 LIFE AND COEEESPONDEXCE OP 
 
 Having restored order to the capital, and believing 
 that the war would be prolonged, Gen. Quitinan now ap- 
 
 manity, justice, and delicacy while administering the government of 
 the city of Mexico. General Scott has a great reputation in that 
 country. You stand next to him. I spent two days at the castle of 
 Chapultepec with Colonel Piedras, estada mayor of General Comon- 
 fort. He pointed out to me the Mexican positions during the attack, 
 and said their main dependence was on the battery you carried by as 
 sault. He referred to your reconnoissance as audacious the most 
 audacious thing of the whole war. The old castle is now, as before, 
 a military college, and we found one of the professors tracing out 
 for his cadets the marks of our artillery. Captain Kodal, of tlfe en 
 gineers, informed me that they deemed the Belcn impregnable to as 
 sault. He says the heavy metal at the Ciudadella and at the Park 
 was concentrated upon you. 
 
 "My jaunt from Acapulco to the capital was very pleasant. The 
 road, though rugged and mountainous, is exceedingly picturesque, 
 provisions and water abundant. Acapulco, in the State of Guerrero, 
 is the birthplace of General Alvarez, president of the republic. The 
 state or department terminates some sixteen miles south of Guerna- 
 vaca. In his native province Alvarez is much esteemed, and has un 
 limited control. Outside of it all classes regard him as an Indian, 
 and of ordinary intellect. He has a large estate. I met his excel 
 lency in Ignala, a beautiful little city of 8000 inhabitants between 
 Acapulco and Mexico. He had some 900 troops, and was expecting 
 an attack from the Pronunciados, led by Colonel Vicario, whom I 
 subsequently fell in with at the village of Alpuyeca. This rencontre 
 took place twenty-four hours later, and the Pronunciados were dis 
 persed. Alvarez is an Indian of the Pinto race, so called from their 
 skins being spotted with a species of leprosy peculiar to the depart 
 ment of Guerrero. They make good soldiers, and are described as 
 muy valientes. General Comonfort, President ad interim, resides in 
 your old apartments in the palace. He often refers, in very pleasant 
 humor, to his honorable predecessor, Governor Quitman ! The for 
 eign population of Mexico respect him much, though many leading 
 Mexicans deny his capacity. His late decree, confiscating the lienes 
 of the c/ero, has diminished his popularity and caused great excite 
 ment. This is the prime source of the pronunciamentas that have 
 recently been made and of the blood that has flowed. The motto of 
 the Pronunciados is, "La Religion 6 la J\hierte ;" their banner is a 
 bloody cross. After a battle they usually disperse and become guerril- 
 leros, and harass the roads, cutting off all communication between the 
 capital and the departments. Intelligent people of all parties feel 
 that there is only one power that can rescue them from the anarchy 
 that prevails. The regular troops are but half paid, and ill fed, and 
 poorly clad, and general discontent exists. Whole regiments are often 
 in revolt. Mexico was never so happy, never so well governed, prop 
 erty was never so secure as when the American flag floated over her 
 capital. While I was at the capital there were twenty-two pronuncia 
 mentas in one day, the 20th of November. They were put down, how- 
 
JOHN A. QumiAN. 395 
 
 plied to the general-in-chief for the command of a full 
 division, in consonance with his rank as major general 
 a right which it will be recollected he had waived at 
 Puebla when the exigencies of the public service were 
 imperative. Gen. Scott did not consider himself able to 
 make the arrangement, and he asked and obtained orders 
 to report in person to the secretary of war in Washing 
 ton for the purpose of being permanently assigned to 
 duty.* 
 
 On the eve of his departure from the city the munic 
 ipal authorities called in a body to manifest their respect 
 and good wishes. The officers of his division assembled 
 at the palace, where he was addressed by Col. Burnett, 
 of the Xew York regiment, as follows : 
 
 " GEXEEAL, Having learned that you were relieved 
 as the commander of our division, the officers have im 
 posed upon me the pleasant duty of expressing our feel 
 ings to you as toward a general, father, and friend. 
 
 " We have served with you in the most interesting 
 campaign of this long war of victories a war calcu- 
 
 cvcr, by the energy of Don Jose Vaz, governor of the district. Since 
 then all the churches are guarded by troops, to prevent a general pil 
 lage by the populace. The leaders of the opposition to Comonfort and 
 Alvarez arc Spaniards, of whom there are many all over the republic, 
 restless, intriguing, and ambitious men. They pay, and often officer 
 the Pronunciados. They monopoli/e much of the trade and wealth 
 of the country, and are disliked by the people generally, whom they 
 regard with contempt. I do not think the existing difficulties between 
 Spain and Mexico will occasion war ; but should it occur, the party 
 in power, doubtless, would rejoice to see an influx of Americans. If 
 you could visit Mexico you would be warmly received. Such a visit 
 Avould give you grand ideas. Ten thousand men, such as you led to 
 the 13elen, would obey your call and follow you at a word. Half a 
 million of Mexicans would receive you with open arms." 
 
 * u Head-quarters of the Army, Mexico, October 26th, 1S17. 
 
 "Special Orders, No. UG. 
 
 "Major General J. A. Quitman, much distinguished for gallant 
 and efficient services, will proceed to the United States and report, 
 in person or by letter, to the Department of War. 
 
 "By command of Major General Scott, 
 
 "H. L.SCOTT, A. A. A. G. 
 
396 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 lated to produce results of the last importance to our 
 country, liberty, and the world. 
 
 " Those who at first denounced it at home as an im 
 moral and aggressive war, even these have come and 
 united with us by the sentiment, Our country, always 
 right, but, right or wrong, our country. 
 
 " The great results that must flow from this war, in 
 adding to the area of freedom and communicating the 
 habits, customs, and laws of our beloved republic to the 
 masses of Mexico are yet unseen by the world, but they 
 can not remain long hidden in the womb of time ; they 
 must soon develop themselves, to the delight of every 
 Christian, republican, and philanthropist. 
 
 "Among the most prominent you have performed 
 your part. Your fame was known to us before our as 
 sociation as officers, and its lustre has brightened as the 
 sun from morn till noon. We have seen you upon our 
 wearisome marches, ever watchful for the comfort of men 
 and officers, and anxious to produce harmony, so essen 
 tial to effective discipline. We have seen you at Cha- 
 pultepec, as cool as now when we meet you in friendship, 
 directing the storming of that formidable work, regard 
 less of personal danger, but looking to the safety of your 
 soldiers. Not a muscle moved in that stern and manly 
 face but to smile when the colors of your division and 
 our beloved country were thrown to the free winds 
 above the conquered castle ; we have seen you at the 
 Garita de Belen as the hero of that long and sanguinary 
 engagement ; we have witnessed your acts as the first 
 Anglo-Saxon governor of the city of the Montezumas 
 every where inspiring that confidence in your soldiers 
 which produced such brilliant results, and receiving from 
 the whole army their approbation of your able and con 
 sistent course as the governor and the civilian. 
 
 " We will not confine ourselves to our own sentiments. 
 The enthusiasm so frequently manifested by the rank 
 and file of your division those whose strong arms and 
 stout hearts have obeyed your orders through us in 
 dorse our sentiments in perfect unanimity with their 
 approbation. 
 
 "The soldiers of this successful war will receive, as they 
 deserve, the grateful acknowledgments of their country. 
 
JOHN A. QUmiAN. 397 
 
 A gallant soldier should ever be the pride of his country, 
 and particularly the citizen soldier. Besides leaving the 
 comforts and luxuries of home, the delights of the family 
 hearth, he sacrifices his interests in the prosecution of 
 his business or trade ; and eminently so have you sacri 
 ficed your every interest at home to serve your country. 
 "We, as officers of your division, can only repay you 
 upon your sudden departure with an expression of our 
 feelings. We shall meet you again after the Avar as fel 
 low-citizens, and our present sentiments, written upon our 
 hearts as upon adamant, will lose nothing by the hand of 
 time ; uniting then with a gratified people, your present 
 sacrifices may be somcAvhat compensated by the only 
 boon of the patriot the grateful acknowledgments of 
 your country. We shall then have deposited our stand 
 ards with the authorities of our respective states, but 
 ever ready to rally under our victorious banners as the 
 prestige of success, and ever ready to be directed by our 
 gallant general, whom we now part with as a father and 
 a friend." 
 
 This speech was frequently interrupted by the com 
 pany present, who expressed their approbation of the 
 sentiments by warm applause. When this had subsided 
 Gen. Quitman replied in substance as follows : 
 
 He said that when he looked around him and found 
 himself in the presence of the gallant officers who had 
 participated so largely in the recent brilliant events bo- 
 fore the city, and heard himself addressed by the senior 
 officer of the division, yet leaning upon his honorable 
 crutch, in remarks so full of the elegant feeling of the 
 heart, he was overwhelmed with emotion, and felt him 
 self wholly unable to do justice to the occasion. Cir 
 cumstances had rendered it necessary, as a matter of high 
 duty, that he should apply to the proper authority for 
 some permanent assignment to duty, where he might be 
 best enabled to serve his country. Had he consulted 
 personal feeling merely, he would have been gratified to 
 remain with the brave associates of his cares, his perils 
 and fortunes in w r ar, but he regarded it the soldier s 
 part to seek the path were duty called him. That path 
 
398 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF 
 
 now separated him from the gallant officers and men to 
 whose good conduct and services he took this occasion 
 to say he felt himself wholly indebted for whatever repu 
 tation or honor he might have acquired in this campaign. 
 It was theirs, not his. They were entitled to his regard, 
 his esteem, and his friendship. He would bear these 
 feelings with him wherever his lot should be cast. 
 
 In conclusion, he expressed his heartfelt regret at his 
 separation from them, and hoped that they would receive 
 for themselves, and bear to the gallant rank and file un 
 der their commands, his friendly farewell." 
 
 Gen. Quit-man, Gen. Shields, and many other distin 
 guished officers, most of them suffering from wounds, 
 arrived in New Orleans, in the Steamship Alabama, on 
 the morning of the 24th of November. National salutes 
 were fired in their honor from the Place d Armes and 
 Lafayette Square.* At night they visited the American 
 Theatre, and were received with acclamations. The Pic 
 ayune of the 25th said: 
 
 " A generous enthusiasm was aroused among our cit 
 izens yesterday, of all classes, by the presence of the dis 
 tinguished officers who had just returned from Mexico. 
 In truth, from the moment of the arrival of the Alabama 
 the night previous, an excitement was awakened which has 
 yet known no abatement. The stirring narratives of the 
 great deeds of Churubusco and of Chapultepec reached 
 us almost contemporaneously with the personal represent 
 atives of those glories. The public mind was attuned to 
 sympathy by the glowing relations of Gen. Scott, and 
 close upon them there appeared Quitman, and Shields, 
 
 * In the crowd of officers of his own division who came over with 
 Gen. Quitman, besides Gen. Shields, were Col. Burnett, Major Dyck- 
 man, and Lieut. Sweeny, of the renowned New York regiment. Col. 
 Burnett was dreadfully wounded at Churnbusco in several places, and 
 his recovery was miraculous. Tetanus had supervened, and he was 
 repeatedly in those terrible convulsions that usually precede death. 
 Major Dyckman received a musket ball which passed from shoulder 
 to shoulder. Lieut. Sweeny lost his arm. Of the fifty officers then 
 in the city, nearly all had been wounded ; and it was noticed as a sin 
 gular coincidence, that of the many who had lost an arm, it was the 
 left arm, except in two instances. 
 
JOHN A. QUITMAN. 399 
 
 and Garland, and Harney ; but why need we again enu 
 merate those who return to us all fresh from fields made 
 immortal by the prowess of our countrymen ? What 
 heart so poor as not to share in the exultation with which 
 we first read of feats of arms unparalleled in military an 
 nals and then gaze upon the representatives of those who 
 participated in those feats themselves distinguished act 
 ors therein ? The whole town was alive with feeling, and 
 the St. Charles was, throughout the day and night, over 
 run with citizens flushed with pride and eager to catch 
 a glimpse of those who had so helped to swell the nation 
 al renown. How freshly we then remembered the perils 
 and the glories of the Belen gate, the desperate assault 
 of Chapultepec, and the older and yet unsurpassed hon 
 ors of Cerro Gordo ! And there, in the midst of all, were 
 moving the pale and mutilated forms of those who, so 
 dearly to themselves, had helped to pay the price of so 
 much glory to the nation. The sympathies of the whole 
 mass with these wounded gentlemen in vain sought ade 
 quate expression. No eloquence can reach the pathos 
 of poor dumb wounds." 
 
 On their return from the theatre they were serenaded 
 at the instance of the municipal authorities, and then ac 
 cepted the hospitalities of Col. Win. Christy, a veteran 
 of 1812. The morning following they were waited on, 
 says the Delta, by the mayor and members of the coun 
 cils, and by crowds of citizens.* 
 
 * In quoting from the Delta and Picayune, we are reminded of the 
 extraordinary and unrivaled energy exhibited by those journals dur 
 ing the war. They were represented in Mexico by gentlemen of great 
 ability, who bore a gallant part in the various engagements, and then 
 described them with rare fidelity and eloquence. Mr. George W. 
 Kendall, one of the founders and editors of the Picayune, after having 
 steadily urged the necessity for the war, accompanied the army to 
 Mexico, volunteered on the staff of Gen. Worth, and distinguished 
 himself at Churubusco, Molino del Rey, and Chapultepec, where he 
 was wounded. His letters to the Picayune were subsequently re 
 produced in a splendid volume entitled "The United States and 
 Mexico." 
 
 The principal correspondent of the Delta was Mr. James L. Frcan- 
 er, a printer by trade, a native of Maryland, but an early adventurer 
 to Louisiana and Texas. He went to the Kio Grande with the Loui- 
 
400 LIFE AND COEEESPONDENCE OF JOHN A. QUITMAN. 
 
 Gen. Quitman, accompanied by several officers of his 
 staff and many personal friends, left New Orleans on the 
 2 5 th of November, and, on his arrival at Natchez, was 
 received with every demonstration of honor. He was 
 saluted with cannon captured at Alvaradq, and afterward 
 escorted into the city by a civic and military procession, 
 where Wm. T. Martin, Esq., in a strain of impassioned 
 oratory, welcomed the hero home. " How wonderful is 
 it," said the orator, "that this very city, bearing the 
 name of a noble fragment of the Aztec race, who, driven 
 from Mexico by the sword of the Montezumas or of Cor- 
 tez, found shelter on this bluff, where their proud name 
 is still preserved how wonderful is it that from their 
 ashes should have appeared an avenger of their wrongs, 
 and that our Quitman, from fair Natchez, was the instru 
 ment, in the hands of Providence, to spoil the spoiler ! " 
 
 At the banquet that followed, the folloAving toast a 
 compendium of the war was proposed by one of the 
 boldest and most daring men of his time, the late Gen. 
 Felix Huston : 
 
 " Gen. Quitman : Second to none ; six hours before 
 any other chieftain, he fought his way into the heart of 
 Monterey ! eight hours before any other leader, he storm 
 ed the garita and entered the city of Mexico ! ! The 
 first to plant the stars and stripes over the Halls of the 
 Montezumas ! ! !" 
 
 siana regiments, and when they were disbanded he entered Capt. Jack 
 Hays s famous company of the Rangers. At the battle of Monterey 
 he slew an officer of lancers in single combat and seized his charger. 
 He thus gained the sobriquet of "Mustang," under which signature 
 he wrote his celebrated letters. He subsequently died in California. 
 
 END OF VOL. I. 
 
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