Perley's Reminiscences of sixty years in the national metropolis ... Illustrated

Front matter

PERLEY'S REMINISCENCES OF SIXTY YEARS IN THE National Metropolis Illustrating the Wit, Humor, Genius, Eccentricities, Jealousies, Ambitions and Intrigues of the Brilliant Statesmen, Ladies, Officers, Diplomats. Lobbyists and oilier noted Celebrities of the World that gather at the Centre of the Nation ; describing imposing Inauguration Ceremonies, Gala Day Festivities, Army Reviews, &c, &c, cfc. By BEN:*PERLEY POORER The Veteran Journalist, Clerk of the Senate Printing Records, Editor of the Congressional Directory, and Author of various Works. Illustrated. Vol. I. HUBBARD BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, PHILADELPHIA, Boston, Cincinnati, Kansas City; W. A. Houghton, New York; A. W. Stolp Chicago; A. W. Mills, Tecumseh, Mich.; E. Holdoway & Co., St. Louis; L. S. Varney & Co., Minneapolis; A. L. Bancroft & Co., San Francisco.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1886, by BEN: PERLEY POORE, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. NOTICE TO BOOKSELLERS. This book is sold exclusively by subscription, all agents being strictly enjoined by contract from selling in any other way. Any evasion of this plan of sale will be a trespass upon the copyright rights of the author. Hubbabd Bros. A ■o-J : YW,\ VW^ VUrr^

Preface

. 'T^HE public favor with which the journalistic writings of -*- the subscriber have been received prompted the publica tion 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 recol lection 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 flat tery, while others have their brains addled by brooding on some fancied wrong, or their minds have lost their even poise by dwell ing on insane reforms or visionary projects. All this may have its use, but the subscriber has preferred to look at things in a Preface. II 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, Mp&pj-'- 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, 21

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 37

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, 50

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, 63 Contents. IV 76

Chapter V. Prominent Representatives Of

1827. The Representatives' Hall— Admission of Ladies — Webster, of Massachusetts — Edward Everett — McDuffie, of South Carolina — Rhode Island's Bajd 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, 88

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 102

Chapter VIII. Rattle 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 — Swart wouting — The Star Spangled Banner, „ 1 14

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 Debates in the Senate — Calhoun, of South Carolina — Secession Stamped Out — Union Proclamation — The Expunging Resolution — A Senatorial Scene — An Appeal from the Chair 120

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 Ex- Contents. V cited Visitor — The House of Representatives — General Houston Reprimanded —Eli Moore, of New York — Churchill C. Cambreleng — Crockett, of Ten nessee — Embryo Presidents — Other Distinguished Representatives — A Jackson Democrat 143

Chapter XI. Society In Jackson's Time

The Van Ness Mansion — A Benefactress — A Popular Citizen — A Much-Talkedof Lawsuit — A Runaway Nun — General Jackson's Diplomacy — Washington Society — Anecdotes told by Mr. Clay — Maelzel's Automata — Condemned Literature, , 157

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 Comdeian — A Jealous Artist — Sumner's First Visit to Washington — The Supreme Court and its Justices 170

Chapter XIII. Jackson's Last Year In The White House

Van Buren as Vice-President — Henry Clay as Champion of the Bank — Washington's Centennial 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, 184

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, 198

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 Contents. VI

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, 220

Chapter XVII. Log- Cabins And Hard Cider

The Harrison Campaign — Political Songs — Whig Conventions— Great Parades — 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, 232

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, 243

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 256

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, 269

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, Contents. VII

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, 291

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, 303

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, 314

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 32(>

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 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 Con spiracy, 3i&

Chapter XXVII. Making The Most Of Power

President Taylor and His Secretary — Selection of the Taylor Cabinet — The Taylqr Family — Jefferson Davis — Inauguration Ceremonies — Office-Seekers — Contents. VIII Patronage and Spoils — The Galphin, Gardiner, and other Claims — The Taylor Administration — The White House, 349

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, 359

Chapter XXIX. Prominent Statesmen And Diplomats

Sam Houston, of Texas — Seward, of New York — Buchanan, of Pennsylvania — Agricultural Donations — Diplomatic Representatives — Social Enjoyments — Withrop's Farewell Supper — Fatal Illness of General Taylor — Death of the President, 369

Chapter XXX. Fillmore At The White Housf

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, 379

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» 390

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, 401

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 Contents. IX General Scott as a Candidate — General Frank Pierce, of New Hampshire — Death of Daniel Webster — General Pierce Elected President 412

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, 424

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, 435

Chapter XXXVI. Crystallization Ok 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, 447

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, 497

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 519

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 Attempt at Bribery — Debates on the Admission of Kansas — Nocturnal Row in the House — The North Victorious 528

Chapter XLIV. Politicians, Authors, And Humorists

Wade, of Ohio — Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi — Johnson, of Arkansas — Anthony, of Rhode Island — Trollope, of England — One of Mike Walsh's Jokes — Albert Pike's Wake — The Sons of Malta, LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Ben: Perley Poore (Steel), Frontispiece. PAGE John Quincy Adams 22 South Front of White House. (1825), 24 General Jackson. (1827) 25 Velocipede of 1827. (From an old Engraving) 30 John Adams, 34 Thomas Jefferson, 35 Stage Arrival at Dedham, 38 Down the Delaware, 41 To Baltimore by Steamboat, 42 East Front of Capitol. (1825), 45 Elias Hicks 47 George Washington, 51 David Burns' House, 53 Joseph Gales 55 Colonel W. W. Seaton 56 James Gordon Bennett. (From an old Engraving) 58 John H. Eaton, 65 Thomas H. Benton. (From an old Pen Sketch) 67 John Randolph. (From an old Caricature) 68 Dancing Party ofthe Ancient Elite, 73 Lafayette.

(From an old Engraving), ' 77 Edward Everett, 80 Judge Story in his Official Robe 84 '' Completely Floored," S6 Andrew Jackson, S9 Old War Department 91 John C. Calhoun • • . . 95 First Railroad Car. (From an old Engraving), 99 First Locomotive Engine. (From an old Engraving), 100 Roger B. Taney. (From an old Portrait), 105 Nathaniel P. Willis, • 107 East Room of the White House, 112 Daniel Webster 115 General Robert Y. Hayne 116 Webster's Reply to Hayne. (After Healy's Picture) 117 Lieutenant Randolph's Attack on Jackson, List of Lllustrations. XII PAGE Mrs. Eaton at Sixty-four, 123 Junius Brutus Booth, 125 James Monroe, 127 Jackson Receiving the Delegates 132 United States Bank at Philadelphia. (1830), 134 Senator John Davis 139 The Expunged Resolution, 141 Brown's Bust of Henry Clay, 144 Henry Clay Addressing the Senate, 147 David Crockett.

(From an old Portrait), 152 General Findlay's Land Sale, 154 Mrs. Marcia Van Ness. (From an old Portrait), 158 The Van Ness Mausoleum, 159 Old State Department Building 162 General James Miller. (From an old Portrait), 163 Alexander Hamilton 168 Attempted Shooting of General Jackson, 171 The Congressional Library, 177 Treasury Department, 180 Charles Sumner in 1834, 182 Mount Vernon, 185 Commodore J. D. Elliott. (From an old Portrait), 187 The Head Restored, 188 Captain Dewey's Card, 189 The Hermitage Birds, . ■ 191 Arlington, 192 Lieutenant Robert E. Lee. (From an old Portrait), 193 Miss Fanny Kemble ig4 The Great Cheese Levee 106 Martin Van Buren, ion Main Floor of Capitolin 1837 200 Camping in a Barber-Shop, 202 The Hermitage, 203 Thomas Corwin 208 Original District of Columbia, 212 William Lloyd Garrison, 214 Joseph Holt 2I- William R. King 2Ig Thaddeus Stevens, 2I_ Mrs. Ex-President Madison.

(From an old Engraving) , 222 America Vespucci 22, After the Ladies Have Gone _. . 224 Signal Service and Weather Bureau, 22g Amos Kendall, „„_ ' 227 Blue Room of the White House Tippecanoe Log Cabin. (From a Campaign Engraving), List of Lllust rations. XIII PAGE A Tippecanoe Procession, 234 General Crary Marshaling his Hosts, 236 Hard Cider Triumphant, 237 Horace Greeley, 238 William H. Seward 240 William Henry Harrison, , 244 City Hall, Washington, , 245 Ashland, , 246 Rock Creek • • 248 College of Georgetown, 252 John J. Crittenden 257 Decatur Mansion, The British Legation. (1841), 261 Marshfield, the Home of Webster 264 The Nation in Mourning, 267 John Tyler 270 Funeral of the Sub-Treasury, 271 Rufus Choate, 274 Caleb Cushing 277 Henry A. Wise, 279 Original Seat of the Government, 283 The Swann House 284 Abbott Lawrence, 286 Webster's African Cook, 287 Levi Woodbury.

(From an old Portrait) 292 Edward Stanly. (From an old Engraving), 293 Charles Dickens 296 Washington Irving 297 Party for Children at the White House 299 Ole Bull, 301 Beau Hickman, 304 John C. Fremont 305 John Howard Payne's Monument, 308 Samuel F. B. Morse, 309 Bursting of the Gun on the Princeton 312 Stephen A. Douglas, 315 Robert C. Winthrop, 316 Hamilton Fish, 317 Theodore Frelinghuysen. (From an old Portrait), 320 Dallas Notified of his Nomination, 322 Ex-President Tyler Left, 324 James K. Polk 327 First Presbyterian Church, Washington 329 A Scramble for Supper, 330 William L. Marcy, 333 Robert J. Walker, 334 Felix Grundy List of Illustrations.

XIV PAGE Commodore Robert F. Stockton, 339 The Last of Earth, 34° Black Hawk, 342 Meeting Charge of the Mexican Lancers, Buena Vista, 343 Alexander H. Stevens, 344 Thurlow Weed, 347 Zachary Taylor, 350 Thomas Ewing, 351 Reverdy Johnson, 352 New College at Georgetown, 354 President Taylor on the Street, 357 Howell Cobb 360 Calhoun's Last Appearance in the Senate, 366 Salmon P. Chase 367 Sam Houston in the Senate, 371 Agricultural Department, 373 Tea-Party in Taylor's Time 375 Mrs. Jessie Fremont 376 " Old Zach." on " Old Whitey," 377 Millard Fillmore 380 Great Falls of the Potomac 383 Webster's Response, 385 Senate Extension of the Capitol, 387 George Ashmun, 391 A Row in Congress 395 The Brass Rocking-Horse, 397 The Famous Filibuster, General Walker 402 Louis Kossuth 404 Tweed Introducing Big Six's Boys, 408 Lewis Cass, 413 Chapultepec, Stormed by General Scott, 416 Scott Entering the City of Mexico, 417 The Soldiers' Home 420 Webster's Grave at Marshfield, 422 Franklin Pierce, 425 Eastern Portico of the Capitol, 426 Thackeray and Major Lane, 431 Rembrandt Peale's Washington 433 Pierre Soule 436 John C. Breckinridge, 439 Mrs. Daniel L. Sickles 444 Amoskeag Veterans 445 Completely Eaten Out, 449 The Speaker's Mace, 451 Speaker Nathaniel P. Banks 452 Fugitive Slave Law in Operation List of Illustrations.

XV John M. Mason, 457 John P. Hale, , 458 Preston S. Brooks, 462 Anson Burlingame 463 Lieutenant-General Scott, 465 Old-Fashioned Rough-and-Tumble 467 State Dining-Room of the White House, 469 Green Drawing Room of the White House, 471 Jefferson Davis, 476 One of the Legation, 478 Suter's Tavern, 481 Ebbitt House, 482 Willard's Hotel 483 New Hall of Representatives, 485 William Pitt Fessenden, 488 New Senate Chamber 491 Derby's Hook and Plate Attachment, 494 James A. Bayard 499 Washington's Church and Pew, Alexandria 503 William L. Dayton 504 Corcoran Gallery of Art 508 Patent Office and Interior Department Building 509 Bureau of Engraving and Printing Building 510 General Quitm an, 5'2 James Buchanan, 5'4 Main Entrance to White House. (1857), 515 Miss Harriet Lane 522 Secretary J. Thompson, S23 An Assembly in Buchanan's Time 526 A Surprising Discovery 525 General Thomas J. Rusk 529 John Slidell, 53° Henry Wilson S32 A Fight by Night 533 An Old-Time Mwmy in her Old-Time Home, 539 The Wake at Coyle's, 543 Initiation Services of Knights of Malta, LIST OF AUTOGRAPHS.

PAGE Andrew Jackson, 6 John Quincy Adams, ' 49 William Harris Crawford 62 Edward Everett, .. Henry Clay g_ John Caldwell Calhoun, ]OI Silas Wright, Jr Daniel Webster ,2g Thomas Hart Benton, , ., '42 Richard Mentor Johnson, . ,-g Alexander Hamilton Stephens, IOO Andrew Stevenson ,g, William Rufus King, ,„» Martin Van Buren 20„ Tristam Burgess 2IQ William Learned Marcy, 2,x Thomas Corwin, 242 William Henry Harrison, 255 Thomas Ewing, 268 Franklin Pierce, 281 Rufus Choate, 290 Felix Grundy 302 Caleb Cushing 313 Stephen Arnold Douglas 325 James Knox Polk, 337 XV11 List of Autographs. XVIII PAGE. Henry Stuart Foote, 34S Zachary Taylor 35s Robert Charles Winthrop 36S William Henry Seward 37S Millard Fillmore, 389 Robert James Walker 4°° Jefferson Davis, 4" John Jordan Crittenden 423 Thaddeus Stevens 434 John Tyler, 446 Lewis Cass 459 George Washington, 473 Abbott Lawrence, 486 Nathaniel Prentiss Banks, 496 Winfield Scott, 5°6 John Buchanan Floyd, 5'8 Peter Force, 527 Howell Cobb, 537 George Bancroft, x<:;S3-T?/-?4*-\ Perley's Reminiscences. VOL. I.

Chapter I. John Quincy Adams Becomes President

THE TENTH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION— A POLITICAL BARGAIN— ELEC- TION 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. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS was elected President of the United States by the House of Representatives on February 9th, 1S25. At the tenth popular election for President, during the previous autumn, there had been four candidates : Andrew Jackson, then a Senator from Tennessee, who received ninety-nine electoral votes ; John Quincy Adams, of Massachu setts, then Secretary of State under President Monroe, who received eighty-four electoral votes ; William H. Crawford, of Georgia, then Secretary of the Treasury, who received forty-one electoral votes, and Henry Clay, of Kentucky, then Speaker of the House of Repre sentatives, who received thirty-seven electoral votes — in all two hundred and sixty-one electoral votes.

As neither candidate had received the requisite majority of one hundred and thirty-one electoral votes, the election of a President devolved upon the House of Represen tatives, in which body each State would have one vote. As the Constitution required that the choice of the Perky's Reminiscences. 22 House be confined to the three highest candidates on the list of those voted for by the electors, and as Mr. Clay was not one of the three, he was excluded. Ex ercising, as he did, great control over his supporters, it was within his power to transfer their strength to JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. either Adams or Jackson, thus deciding the election, The Legislature of his State, Kentucky, had to a certain degree instructed him, by passing a joint resolu tion declaring its preference for Jackson over Adams, and Jackson always believed that had he accepted over- Barefaced Corruption. 23 tures made to him, for the promise of the Department of State to Mr. Clay, that would have insured his election.

Mr. Clay decided, however, to request his friends to support Mr. Adams. To one of them he wrote : " Mr. Adams, you well know, I should never have selected if at liberty to draw from the whole mass of our citizens for a President. But there is no danger of his election now or in time to come. Not so of his competitor, of whom I cannot believe that killing two thousand five hundred Englishmen at New Orleans qualifies for the various, difficult, and complicated duties of the Chief Magistracy." Many believed, however, that a bargain was made between Adams and Clay by which the latter received, as a consideration for transferring to the former the votes of Kentucky, Ohio, and Missouri, the position of Secretary of State. The charge was distinctly made by Mr. George Kremer, a Representa tive from Pennsylvania, and as positively denied by Mr. Clay.

General Jackson wrote to Major Lewis : " So, you see, the Judas of the West has closed the contract and will receive the thirty pieces of silver. His end will be the same. Was there ever witnessed such a barefaced corruption in any country before ?" When the Senate and the House of Representatives met in joint convention to count the electoral votes it was found (as every one present had known for months) that no one had received the requisite ma jority. This was formally announced by Vice-Presi dent Daniel D. Tompkins, who also declared that John C. Calhoun, of South Carolina, had been elected Vice- President. The Senate, headed by the Vice-President and its Secretary, Charles Cutts, then retired, and the House proceeded to ballot for President. Perky' s Reminiscences. 24 The election was by States.

Each State delegation appointed one of their number to act as chairman, collect their votes, and report the result. Whoever in each delegation received the most votes was reported as the choice of that delegation to the tellers — one from each State — who sat in parties of twelve at two tables. SOUTH FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE, 1825. Daniel Webster, the teller of Massachusetts, was ap pointed by the tellers at one of the tables to announce the result of the ballot, and John Randolph, the teller of Virginia, was appointed to the same service at the other table. The votes of most of the States were matters of confident calculation, but those of others John Quincy Adams Elected. 25 were in some degree doubtful, and there was intense interest manifested as their votes were announced. At last, when the twenty-four States had voted, Mr. Webster announced, in his deep voice, that thirteen States had voted for John Quincy Adams, seven States had voted for Andrew Jack son, and four States had voted for William H. Crawford.

Mr. Speaker Clay then announced, in sonorous tones: "John Quincy Adams, having received a majority of the votes cast, is duly elected President of the United States for four years, from the 4th of March next ensuing." A shout arose from the occupants of the galle ries, which Mr. McDuffie promptly asked might be cleared. The vote was carried, and a young man, who was Deputy Ser geant-at-Arms, mounting to the broad stone cor nice, which ran around GENERAL JACKSON the hall outside of the floor of the galleries, but on a level with them, exclaimed, as he walked along : " The Speaker orders the galleries to be cleared; all must retire. Clear the galleries !" The command was obeyed, to the astonishment of some of the foreign ministers present, who had been accustomed to see armed guards at such assemblages, and often to wit ness their unsuccessful attempts to move the populace.

The House soon afterward adjourned. That evening President Monroe gave a public recep tion at the White House, which had just been rebuilt, after having been burned by the British army — in 1814. The two candidates, Mr. Adams, the elect, and General Jackson, the defeated, accidentally met in the East Room. General Jackson, who was escorting a lady, promptly extended his hand, saying pleasantly : " How do you do, Mr. Adams? I give you my left hand, for the right, as you see, is devoted to the fair. I hope you are very well, sir." All this was gallantly and heartily said and done. Mr. Adams took the General's hand, and said, with chilling coldness : " Very well, sir ; I hope General Jackson is well ! " The military hero was genial and gracious, while the unamiable diplomat was as cold as an iceberg.