Chapter I: Preface

The public favor with which the journalistic writings of the subscriber have been received prompted the publication of these volumes. Their object is to give personal details concerning prominent men and women in social and political life at the National Metropolis since he has known it. He has especially endeavored to portray those who "in Congress assembled" have enacted the laws, and those who have interpreted and enforced the provisions under which the United States has advanced, during the past sixty years, from comparative infancy into the vigor of mature manhood, and has successfully defended its own life against a vigorous attempt at its destruction.

In chronicling what has transpired within his personal recollection at the National Metropolis, he has gathered what "waifs" he has found floating on the sea of chat, in the whirlpools of gossip, or in the quiet havens of conversation. Some of these may be personal --piquantly personal, perhaps--but the mighty public has had an appetite for gossipings about prominent men and measures ever since the time when the old Athenians crowded to hear the plays of Aristophanes.

The subscriber is aware that some who write of prominent persons and political events indulge too much in sycophantic flattery, while others have their brains addled by brooding on some fancied wrong, or their minds have lost their even poise by dwelling on insane reforms or visionary projects. All this may have its use, but the subscriber has preferred to look at things in a more cheerful way, to pluck roses rather than nettles, and neither to throw filth nor to blow trumpets.

While the Republic has preserved with commendable pride the histories of her statesmen and her martial defenders, it is well that the memories of those of the gentler sex, who have from time to time taken prominent part in shaping the destinies of the nation, should also be remembered. This work will give, it is hoped, an idea of stirring events in both political and social life, of the great men and the fascinating women who have figured in Washington during the past six decades. Those who were too well acquainted with these personal details to think of recording them are fast passing away, and some account of them cannot but interest younger generations, while it will not fail to profit the older politicians, publicists, and journalists.

The great difficulty in the compilation of the "Reminiscences" has been the selection from the masses of material accumulated in diaries, autograph letters, and scrap-books containing published literary matter. To have given a connected political and social history of what has transpired at the National Metropolis during the past sixty years would have required a dozen volumes, so the most conspicuous features only have been here and there selected.

Confident of the exact truthfulness of the sketches here given, this work is presented, without apologies, to a generous public as the result of very extensive observation.

BEN: PERLEY POORE.
INDIAN HILL FARM,
Near Newburyport, Mass.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS BECOMES PRESIDENT. The Tenth Presidential Election--A Political Bargain--Election of President--A Scene in the House--Inauguration of J. Q. Adams--The Adams Administration--The Mistress of the White House--The President's Private Secretary--Social Life at the White House--President Adams' Daily Life--Henry Clay as Secretary of State--The Rival Candidates --The Death of Two Ex-Presidents.

CHAPTER II. TRAVELING IN "YE OLDEN TIME." Travel by Stage and Steamboat--Boston to Providence--The Old Town of Providence--The Long Island Sound Steamers--New York City--New York to Philadelphia--Philadelphia to Washington--Washington Hotel Life--Expenses of Living--The Metropolis of the Union--The National Capital--Works of Art--The Rotunda--Free-Masonry--The Morgan Excitement--Theatrical--Division of the Friends' Society.

CHAPTER III. JOURNALISM IN 1828. Old Georgetown--The Union Tavern--A Natal African Salute--President George Washington--Major L'Enfant--Newspaper Organs--The National Intelligencer--The National Journal--Matthew L. Davis--James Gordon Bennett--Mordecai M. Noah--Other Washington Correspondents--A Notable Briton--Gambling-Houses--Senatorial Card Playing--Social Games of Whist.

CHAPTER IV. PROMINENT SENATORS OF 1827. The Nineteenth Congress--Vice-President John C. Calhoun--Martin Van Buren--Nathaniel Macon, of North Carolina--Thomas Hart Benton --Randolph, of Roanoke--Duel between Clay and Randolph--An Offended Virginian--A Future President--Prominent Senators--Senatorial Control of Society--The Dancing Assemblies--Fashionable Attire-- Belles of the Period--The Code of Honor.

CHAPTER V. PROMINENT REPRESENTATIVES OF 1827. The Representatives' Hall--Admission of Ladies--Webster, of Massachusetts--Edward Everett--McDuffie, of South Carolina--Rhode Island's Bald Eagle--A Bargain Exposed--Retrenchment and Reform-- Prominent Representatives--The Supreme Court--Chief Justice Marshall --Mr. Justice Washington--The Christmas Holidays.

CHAPTER VI. THE POLITICAL MACHINE. The Tenth Presidential Campaign--Election of General Jackson--Death of Mrs. Andrew Jackson--The Inauguration of "Old Hickory"--Reception at the White House--An Editorial Phalanx--The Civil Service-- Disciplining a Postmaster General--A Fortunate Mail Contractor-- The Sunday Mail Crusade.

CHAPTER VII. THE KITCHEN CABINET. Jackson's First Annual Message--The Kitchen Cabinet--Blair, of the Globe--Washington Newspapers and News--The First Lady-Bird of the Press--Nathaniel P. Willis--Peter Force--Social Enjoyments--Mrs. Trollope on Washington Society--Attempt to Oust a Veteran from Office--Payment of the Claims on France.

CHAPTER VIII. BATTLE OF THE GIANTS. The Great Senatorial Debate--Attack on New England--Webster's Reply to Hayne--Nullification Nipped in the Bud--Society in Jackson's Day--Mrs. General Eaton--A Chivalrous President--Theatricals--The Great Tragedian--Minor Amusements--Executive Charity--Swartwouting --The Star Spangled Banner.

CHAPTER IX. STAMPING OUT OF NULLIFICATION. Rejection of Martin Van Buren--The War against the United States Bank--Nick Biddle, of the Bank--Re-election of General Jackson-- Financial Debate in the Senate--Calhoun, of South Carolina--Secession Stamped Out--Union Proclamation--The Expunging Resolution--A Senatorial Scene--An Appeal from the Chair.

CHAPTER X. PROMINENT MEN OF JACKSON'S TIME. Harry of the West--Tilt between Clay and Benton--Rebuke of a Revolutionary Hero--Apt Oratorical Illustration--Daniel Webster's Wit--An Excited Visitor--The House of Representatives--General Houston Reprimanded--Eli Moore, of New York--Churchill C. Cambreleng --Crockett, of Tennessee--Embryo Presidents--Other Distinguished Representatives--A Jackson Democrat.

CHAPTER XI. SOCIETY IN JACKSON'S TIME. The Van Ness Mansion--A Benefactress--A Popular Citizen--A Much- Talked-of Lawsuit--A Runaway Nun--General Jackson's Diplomacy-- Washington Society--Anecdotes told by Mr. Clay--Maelzel's Automata --Condemned Literature.

CHAPTER XII. JACKSON AND HIS ASSOCIATES. Democratic Rejoicing--Attempt at Assassination--The Political Guillotine--The Vicar of Bray--Daniel Webster's Memory--Bayard, of Delaware--The Claytons--Pearce, of Maryland--The Classical and the Vernacular--Boulanger's--Location of the New Treasury Building-- Hackett, the Comedian--A Jealous Artist--Sumner's First Visit to Washington--The Supreme Court and its Justices.

CHAPTER XIII. JACKSON'S LAST YEAR IN THE WHITE HOUSE. Van Buren as Vice-President--Henry Clay as Champion of the Bank-- Washington's Ceremonial Birthday--Removal of His Remains--The Decapitation of General Jackson--The President at the Race-Track-- An Old-Time Cock Fight--Wedding at Arlington--The Public Gardener --Miss Fanny Kemble--Cheese Reception at the White House.

CHAPTER XIV. VAN BUREN'S STORMY ADMINISTRATION. Inauguration of Van Buren--His First Reception--Departure of Jackson for the Hermitage--Van Buren's Embarrassments--The Great Financial Debate--Antagonism of Clay and Calhoun--An All Night Session-- Morning Excuses--The Graves and Cilley Duel--A Congressional Comedian.

CHAPTER XV. COMMENCEMENT OF THE ANTI-SLAVERY MOVEMENT. The Slavery Agitation--Early Secession Movements--Webster on Emancipation--His Idea of the Far West--Franklin Pierce's Position --The Foremost of Orators--Joseph Holt--King, of Alabama--The Buckshot War--Star Routes--Van Buren's Titles.

CHAPTER XVI. POLITICAL INTRIGUES AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS. Presidential Hospitalities--Social Entertainments--A Gifted Adventuress--Espy, the Weather King--A Foreign Indorsement--Van Buren's Re-election--The Ogle Speech--Van Buren's New Year's Reception.

CHAPTER XVII. LOG-CABINS AND HARD CIDER. The Harrison Campaign--Political Songs--Whig Conventions--Great Paraders--Corwin's Reply to Crary--Crary's Complete Discomfiture-- The Campaign Paper--Horace Greeley--Henry Clay on the Stump--Amos Kendall--The Fall Elections--Pipe Laying--The Whigs Triumphant.

CHAPTER XVIII. ENTER WHIGS--EXIT DEMOCRATS. The Fourteenth Presidential Election--Enter Harrison--Exit Van Buren--The Harrison Cabinet--Attack upon Mr. Webster--"The Salt Boiler of the Kanawha"--The other Cabinet Officers--Harrison's Inaugural Message--The Inauguration--The Procession--Scenes at the Capitol--The Inaugural Address--President Harrison's First Reception --Inauguration Balls.

CHAPTER XIX. HARRISON'S ONE MONTH OF POWER. Civil Service Reform--Differences of Opinion--Difficulty between Clay and King--Washington Correspondents--Verbatim Reports of Debates--A Popular British Minister--Other Foreign Diplomats-- Quarrelsome Carolinians--Daniel Webster's Housekeeping--Illness of President Harrison--Death--Funeral--The Last Honors.

CHAPTER XX. THE KING IS DEAD--LONG LIVE THE KING. "Le Roi Est Mort; Vive le Roi"--Extra Session of Congress--Trouble in the Whig Camp--Edward Everett before the Senate--Thurlow Weed-- Dissensions among the Whigs--Cabinet Troubles--Congressional Criticisms--Cushing and Adams, of Massachusetts--Wise, of Virginia --Bagby, of Alabama.

CHAPTER XXI. DIPLOMATIC AND SOCIAL LIFE OF WEBSTER. The Ashburton Treaty--Diplomatic Negotiations--Speech by Daniel Webster--Webster's Social Life--Mr. Clay's Nightcaps--Administration Organs--Justice to John Tyler.

CHAPTER XXII. THE CAPITOL AND THE DRAWING ROOMS. A Stormy Session--John Quincy Adams at Bay--The Code of Honor--The Supreme Court--Visit of Charles Dickens--The Secretary of State's Party--A Reception at the White House--The President's Ball for Children--Diplomatic Hospitality--Ole Bull--A Troublesome Congressman.

CHAPTER XXIII. LIGHTS AND SHADOWS. The Accidental President--Virginia Hospitality--Second-Hand Style --The Pathfinder's Marriage--Baron de Bodisco, of Russia--Mr. Fox, of Great Britain--The Author of "Sweet Home"--The Daguerreotype-- The Electric Telegraph--The New York Tribune--Resignation of Mr. Webster--Reconstruction of the Cabinet--Fatal Accident on the Princeton--Marriage of President Tyler.

CHAPTER XXIV. HOW TEXAS BECAME A STATE. John C. Calhoun, Secretary of State--How Tyler was Managed--Admission of Texas--Douglas, of Illinois--An Able House of Representatives-- An Exciting Campaign--President Tyler's Programme--Nomination of Henry Clay--The Democratic Ticket--Surprise of George M. Dallas-- The Liberty Party--Exit John Tyler.

CHAPTER XXV. PRESIDENT POLK'S ADMINISTRATION. Inauguration of Polk--His Personal Appearance--Inauguration Balls --Mrs. Polk--Secretary Buchanan--Governor Marcy, of New York-- Completion of the Cabinet--The Oregon Difficulty--The Mexican War --A Change of Organist.

CHAPTER XXVI. DEATH OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. Washington Society--An Old Whig Supper--Death of John Quincy Adams --Abraham Lincoln in the House--Jefferson Davis as a Representative --The Democratic Nomination--Lewis Cass, of Michigan--The Whig Convention--Daniel Webster and Henry Clay--Nomination of General Taylor--Letter of Acceptance--The Free-Soil Movement--Inception of the Great Conspiracy.

CHAPTER XXVII. MAKING THE MOST OF POWER. President Taylor and His Secretary--Selection of the Taylor Cabinet --The Taylor Family--Jefferson Davis--Inauguration Ceremonies-- Office Seekers--Patronage and Spoils--The Galphin, Gardiner, and other Claims--The Taylor Administration--The White House.

CHAPTER XXVIII. THE GREAT COMPROMISE DEBATE. Stormy Scenes at the Capitol--Crimination and Recrimination--Taylor's Only Message--Return of Mr. Clay to the Senate--The Great Compromise Debate--Webster's Seventh of March Speech--The Last Days of Calhoun --Jefferson Davis' Leadership--John P. Hale, of New Hampshire.

CHAPTER XXIX. PROMINENT STATESMEN AND DIPLOMATS. Sam Houston, of Texas--Seward, of New York--Buchanan, of Pennsylvania --Agricultural Donations--Diplomatic Representatives--Social Enjoyments--Winthrop's Farewell Supper--Fatal Illness of General Taylor--Death of the President.

CHAPTER XXX. FILLMORE AT THE WHITE HOUSE. President Fillmore--Funeral of General Taylor--Webster again Secretary of State--The Compromise Measures--Mrs. Millard Fillmore --A Proud Father--The Capitol Extension--The Library of Congress-- Washington Society--Public Amusements.

CHAPTER XXXI. ARRAIGNMENT OF DANIEL WEBSTER. Accusation Against Mr. Webster--The "Expounder of the Constitution" Sore at Heart--Belligerent Mississippians--Painting and Sculpture at the Capitol--Overland Explorations--A Washington Mob--A Washington Correspondent.

CHAPTER XXXII. FOREIGN INFLUENCE AND KNOW-NOTHINGISM. "Filibustering"--The Hulsemann Letter--Kossuth, of Hungary--The Know-Nothings--Boss Tweed, of New York--Butler, of South Carolina --Other Prominent Senators--Exit Clay--Enter Sumner--The Officers of the House.

CHAPTER XXXIII. PLOTTING FOR THE PRESIDENCY. President-Making--Political Intrigues--The Democratic Convention-- Nomination of General Pierce--The Whig Candidates--Rivalry Between Webster and Fillmore--The Last Whig National Convention--Death of Henry Clay--General Scott as a Candidate--General Frank Pierce, of New Hampshire--Death of Daniel Webster--General Pierce Elected President.

CHAPTER XXXIV. PIERCE BECOMES PRESIDENT. Inauguration of President Pierce--Vice-President King--The Cabinet --Popularity of the New President--Pryor, of Virginia--Rare Old Wines--Peale's Portraits of Washington--Brady's Portraits--Visit of Thackeray--A Copyright Victim--Jullien's Concerts.

CHAPTER XXXV. CHIVALRY, AT HOME AND ABROAD. Executive Appointments--The Ostend Manifesto--Mr. Buchanan at London --The Kansas-Nebraska Debate--Spicy Words Between Breckinridge and Cutting--Diplomatic Card-Playing--Assistant-Secretary Thomas--The Amoskeag Veterans.

CHAPTER XXXVI. CRYSTALLIZATION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. Formation of the Republican Party--The Election of Speaker--Mr. Banks Triumphant--Division of the Spoils--A Protracted Session-- Assault on Horace Greeley--Territorial Delegates--The Senate--The Virginia Senators--"Hale," of New Hampshire.

CHAPTER XXXVII. POLITICAL STORM AND SOCIAL SUNRISE. Sumner, of Massachusetts--The Assault on Sumner--Troublous Times-- Congressional Courtesies--Senatorial Wit--Convention of Old Soldiers --Social Routine at the White House--Society Gatherings.

CHAPTER XXXVIII. GROWTH OF THE METROPOLIS. The Crampton Difficulty--Unsuccessful French Mediation--The Diplomatic Corps--Information for Publication--Mr. Buchanan in England-- Washington Hotels--The New Hall of the House.

CHAPTER XXXIX. THE NORTHERN CHAMPIONS. Fessenden, of Maine--The Sterling Claim--Social Festivities--Marriage of Judge Douglas--Congressional Scenes--Secretary of War Davis-- Art and Literature--George W. Childs--J. R. Bartlett.

CHAPTER XL. EXCITING PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST. Democratic Candidates for the Presidency--James Buchanan--Stephen A. Douglas--Delegates to the Cincinnati Convention--The Struggle-- The Disorganized Democracy United--Opposition Nominations--The Republican Convention--Election of Mr. Buchanan--Counting the Votes.

CHAPTER XLI. MISS LANE IN THE WHITE HOUSE. President-elect Buchanan--Miss Harriet Lane--The New Cabinet and the Message--The Newspaper Organs--Inauguration of President Buchanan --The Inauguration Ball--The Dred Scott Decision--The Minority Decision.

CHAPTER XLII. DIPLOMACY, SOCIETY, AND CIVIL SERVICE. Foreign Relations--Lord Napier, the British Minister--Sir William Gore Ouseley--Society in Washington--A Fashionable Pretender--Civil Service--Office Seeking--Choate's Handwriting--The Governors of Kansas.

CHAPTER XLIII. PRELUDE TO THE REBELLION. Organization of the Senate--John Slidell, of Louisiana--Senator Douglas Opposes the Administration--Ben Wade's Bon Mot--Meeting of the House--Election of Speaker--Investigation of the Wolcott Attempts at Bribery--Debates on the Admission of Kansas--Nocturnal Row in the House--The North Victorious.